melodiesoflife | Event || The Enemy Within

Entry tags:

Event || The Enemy Within

Characters: All characters who signed-up for the event.
Where: In their heads.
When: January 15th.
Summary: The Heroes of Light have a vision-- They are living through a hypothetical future where the Sage share his knowledge with them, and things went horribly wrong as some Heroes of Light became the villains in this timeline. Maybe they'll revise their thoughts on getting all of that knowledge.
Warning: The apocalypse, deaths, tragedies, overall a lot of very bad things.

Mingle Threads: The Antagonists || The Protagonists || The Others || General
Free Open Threads: The Two Years || Other Events

#01 Attempts at Negotiations || Trano Golsaucia
#02 Tactical Espionage Action || Aqures Ixen
#03 Judgmental Glares || Aerilon
#04 The Fight for the Crystallized Bodies || Aqures Tosf
#05 The Dusk of the Heroes || Mysidia
#06 The Fight for the Moon || Lunar Gate
#07 Conflict Above the Stars || Moon Base
#08 The Birth of a God || Crystal Life Tree
#09 The Death of a World || Moon Base
#10 Where Everything Ends || Pandaemonium

Conclusion || The Sage in Mysidia

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Yuffie relaxed when Ramza spoke and a light smile pulled at her lips. She carefully pulled her long hair over one shoulder knowing that Ramza probably wouldn't want to see it in such a messy state. As he walked closer she felt her nerves fade as if her worry had been nothing but a childish notion.

"Just a lot to think about." Her smile broadened slightly. "I'm going to be leading Kobato and a few others soon. I don't want them to get hurt."

They were nearing the end and she had her mission but it was dangerous and she didn't want to lead the innocent Kobato into trouble or harm. If things get back then she'll tell Kobato to run. She only hopes that the Turks really have her back in this.

She laughed changing the topic in case there were ears lingering nearby. "It's been awhile since I've heard that nickname." The memories were bitter sweet but it was a time in her life that she wouldn't change because it made her who she was today. She was strong and she'd step forward with the people she cared about in her heart. Not just those of Wutai but the people of every world. She'd protect them; with her friends by her side.

Ramza would not allow Yuffie to move past her worry without a little reassurance. "You will do everything in your power to protect them. I have no doubts they will be safe with you watching over them."

That was one of the things he was most proud of Yuffie for. She had grown into her royal role and now put the well-being of others above her own. He smiled at her.

He too wondered how long it has been since he'd last used the nickname. "It fits you well." Because she truly was a princess now, and more precious than treasure to him.

Yuffie smiled brightly at Ramza. He believed in her and that alone made her stronger. She was very thankful to have Ramza as a knight; he was strong, courageous and kind. He had no equal as far as Yuffie was concerned.

"Does it?" She laughed softly shaking her head. "Did I ever tell you why I first started using that name? It's kinda silly." It's actually really silly.

"I thought that the only way to save those I cared about was with money. It doesn't really make a lot of sense looking back at it now." She had been so young when she first used that name and Zack had been the first target of her tyranny.

Ramza chuckled. "You never told me that." He had heard about some of her early antics in Crystallis, pilfering from other Heroes, but he had never known her to be a thief, only a ninja and a princess.

"I have heard stranger things. When I was a lad of only four or five years, I thought to take a knight's sword so I could end a war and have my lord father home for good. My father scolded me for playing with something so dangerous, and I cried for hours."

It had been quite embarrassing when the great knight whose sword he'd borrowed had recounted the tale, but now it seemed funny. He had believed that he could change the world so long as he tried his hardest.

Yuffie laughed lightly, her fingers lacing in front of her as they spoke. It was a strange thing to hear but Ramza had been just like her when he was little; trying so hard to help and finding the wrong ways to do so.

"I didn't know we had so much in common." It was a half truth, as they've grown closer Yuffie had seen the common links between her and Ramza. She assumed that was why they were able to be so close, even when she was a bit of a brat.

Yuffie let out a low long breath while her dark almond gaze flicked around the temple. It really was a beautiful place. "I love thinking about moments like that. They were so happy even if at the time they weren't." Of course they have here and now. They have a mission but being able to smile in the face of that gave Yuffie insurmountable strength.

Her gaze turned back to Ramza, her smile widening while her expression became more gentle. "How are you doing?" He was always so worried about her that she made a point to ask him and make him think about himself.

Ramza shrugged. He had always seen pieces of himself and his little sister in Yuffie, but he was glad she was amused by his story. He thought about sharing more, asking her to reminisce with him, but there was just so much to do and so little time.

When they were done with their missions, win or lose, Ramza was going to make time, he decided. Maybe a nice dinner, just the two of them, and hours blocked out just to be alone together. It was something to fight for.

"I am... well. I wish I could go with you. We are stretched so thin, and I hate it. There are so many places we are needed, and we cannot afford to lose anymore ground." Ramza could not do everything he wanted to, be everywhere he felt he was needed, and it was a constant pressure, feeling pulled in so many directions at once.

It would be nice to talk about their past but Yuffie had a strange feeling that she wasn't going to make it through her mission. It was a sad thought and she wasn't going to make Ramza worry. She already knew how stressed he was with everything else going on. Instead she just smiled at him.

"I'll be fine." Her smile widened slightly. "Even if it's just a few of us we can do it." She had won against worse odds than this before and she wasn't about to start doubting the heroes now. "We got this."

She looked over at the temple and smiled. "I know this is the Air Temple but it makes me think a little of Leviathan." Which was the god that Wutai worshiped. "I thought I'd pray." Yuffie turned towards Ramza feeling a little embarrassed. "Would you do me the honor of being my guard for a short moment?"

Ramza nodded, without any hint of teasing this time. "Anything you need of me, consider if done." Without being knighted, he could not formally pledge his service to her, but the trappings and ceremonies could not have made his devotion any stronger or more unwavering.

He offered his arm for her to take. "Would you say a prayer for me, as well?" He would take time on his own later to pray and meditate on their next actions...but knowing that Yuffie prayed on his behalf made him feel...light...inside.

Yuffie's lips curled into a warm unhindered smile. She knew that Ramza would grant her request. They rarely talked about her theology but it was something that Yuffie took seriously, it was also something she usually practiced alone which was why only a few knew that Yuffie had a theology.

She slipped her hand on top of his arm and stepped a little further into the temple. "It would be my honor." She had already planned to say a prayer for him but Ramza probably hadn't known that.

When they reached the wind crystal Yuffie looked up at it feeling the soft currents pulling at her hair. She took a small step forward, dropping her hand from Ramza's arm and knelt before the crystal. Her eyes slipped closed and she placed a hand lightly over her head. A soft mumble could be heard beneath her breath as she spoke. The wind took her words and gently pulled them upwards and then towards the crystal as if some god from the world might have heard her. When she was done she rose, her fingers carefully tucking her hair behind her ear. She turned towards Ramza with a warm smile. Her large almond eyes shining. "It's done." With this she knew that he'd be safe because she prayed with all her heart that he'd be protected.

Ramza walked Yuffie to the Wind Crystal and then turned to face the door while she prayed. She deserved some privacy in that quiet moment, and also gave him the best position to act as her bodyguard, should the need arise.

When he heard her stand again, he turned back to her again. "Shall I escort you back to headquarters?" he asked, once more extending his arm to her.

Yuffie's fingers lightly pulled her long hair back behind her head with the thin red piece of fabric she had been known for using. Once that was in place she stepped forward and lightly placed her fingers on Ramza's arm. Her smile was light and after silently speaking to the wind crystal she felt better.

"Thank you."

She didn't need an escort but it was nice to have the company and she knew that the way might not be safe, even if this was a neutral city.

"I'm not taking you away from anything am I?" Yuffie was sure that he had important things to do as well.

Ramza shook his head. "Nothing that cannot wait a few minutes more." For all Ramza tried to do for the remaining Heroes of Light, he was not indispensable. He could spare a little time to make sure Yuffie was safe, while he could. Once she set off on her mission, he wouldn't be able to watch over her.

"When do you and Kobato have to leave?" he asked her.

Yuffie smiled at Ramza feeling a comforting warmth spread through her torso. Her fingers curled a little tighter around his arms as he lead them from the temple. She wouldn't take much of his time, knowing how precious it was, but she was happy to have this; even if it was just a walk.

"Early tomorrow. It will take some time to arrive and we have to be quick." The moment she leaves her life can be in danger. She'll have to be silent and hidden the whole way.

"I won't be able to communicate until I return. Mooshoo and the others will be staying behind." Over the years she's developed a team of moogles consisting of those who have lost their heroes, she hadn't wanted to leave them out of this but it'd be dangerous. Of course, she left Mooshoo in charge since he was the most level headed of the ground.

Ramza nodded. Yuffie cared very deeply for her little moogle army, he knew. She'd not risk putting them in danger, not even for her own safety.

"Promise me you will be careful. I know you will do whatever it takes to keep Kobato and the others from harm, but I...I want to know that you will keep yourself safe as well." He put his hand over the one she had wrapped around his arm and gave it a squeeze.

"If anything happens, your moogle band and I will have to come charging in after you, and we cannot have that, can we?"

Yuffie smiled up at Ramza. "I promise I'll be careful." She was willing to die for her friends but she would try with all her heart to avoid that. Yuffie knew how many people cared about her and after feeling lose herself, she'd never wish it on those she cared about.

"Thank you Ramza."

She didn't know what she'd do without him.

They reached the protagonists' headquarters, and Ramza stopped outside of the door.

"Good." He let his arm drop and turned to face her. "I could not bear to lose you, princess."

He bent to press a kiss to her cheek. "Godspeed, Yuffie."

Yuffie smiled up at Ramza after he kissed her cheek. Warmth lingered there for a moment as she spoke.

"You too. Ramza."

With what felt like their goodbyes spoke Yuffie stepped inside.

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Event || The Enemy Within

Temple of the Wind

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