Melodies Of Life || Change those flowing tears into shining courage, life goes on

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Anyone who's been in the game
Where: Aqures Ixen
When: August 3rd
Summary: A story is over, many others are about to begin. Friends may reunite and rejoice together, friends may part and say farewell to each over forever. But even if you should leave your friends behind, your voice shall never forget their melodies.


Following the battle against Kalki, the sacrifice of old friends and the second destruction of Aqures Tosf, Palitutu cast all Heroes of Light into the Rift, each of them finding themselves in an all too familiar void. And yet... Soon the void vanished, as it had once before. This time it was all too clear none of this had been a dream. Upon coming to their senses, the Heroes of Light will find themselves on the outskirts of Aqures Ixen. Music and laughter can be heard coming from the city.

Is there a celebration in the city? Shouldn't it be filled with corrupted Heroes of Light and on the brink of destruction? Before they can do anything about these questions, the Heroes of Light are submerged by a wave of fluffy white balls of fur and fluff- the Moogles who helped them for all these years and are now overjoyed to see they are safe and sound. As they once did before, the Moogles will answer all of their questions, but also drag them into the city. A celebration is indeed taking place and why, it appears they are the reason the celebration is happening. The music is joyous, the people are happy and all appears to be for the best.

Upon reaching the third district, they will see familiar faces. Cid, Wedge, Biggs, Parajapati, Mograma, O'aka and many other friends they made along the way. They will all clap for them before congratulating them and taking part in the festivities. There are more familiar faces, however. Where once stood the Crystal of Fire is now a statue depicting four Heroes of Light: Sephiroth, Minato, Tears and Sayaka, all four of them brandishing their crystal and weapons in a heroic posture.

Whilst many might be sad and mourn them, perhaps this is also an occasion to celebrate what they were in life and carry the memory of their deeds into your own life. Melodies of life, come circle round and grow deep in our hearts, as long as we remember.

THE END

Comments

[not_most_days]

She smirked, that's what she did. She didn't make a move to attack or even leave her perch. Nor did she come closer. She was watching him and judging him for sure, but at the same time she was still waiting to see just what he would do.

Stepping out so boldly was a challenge perhaps, but it wasn't one she was required to take by any means. After all, she was the one standing out as herself, even if up on a rooftop.

He may have been standing in the open, but he was still hiding. And he knew full well why he was doing so. It wasn't to serve the Light from the Dark.

[umslay]

There was not retaliation for brazenly stepping into her line of sight, and Ales took the next step. He walked into the building.

There wouldn't be enough time for the other assassins to set up traps, he told to himself. He could walk up the stairs in safety, he silently yelled over his heavy breathing. If not, well, that was what everyone was planning to do when they fought him. Ales may die before joining Lydia, which shouldn't be a surprise.

He didn't stop until something stopped him or he reached the roof.

Better late than never, Mary's voice went on vacation

[not_most_days]

Other Assassins still might have used his approach as a trap, hiding out of sight to tackle him to the ground or strike from behind. But the battles at large were over. Mary was giving him this and she stood out in the open on the rooftop, calmly awaiting his arrival. She smirked at him as he reached the rooftop, but there was a sadness behind her eyes.

"I haven't seen you at any of the celebrations." If he had been there she either hadn't seen him or she missed him. "So...are you satisfied? Are you happy with how all of this has turned out?" They'd done it. They'd saved the world. Nothing was perfect but then when is it?

[umslay]

He stepped onto the roof, and the wind caught him off-guard. His cloak threatened to fly off if it weren't attached to him, but his hood was removed. Ales gripped the front of his outer layer and planted his other palm onto the mask.

"Didn't go to any of them." That response came easily. The questions were another matter. In times of insecurity, Ales went with nonchalance.

He shrugged, keeping his tone light and hiding his nerves behind the mask. "Eh. The world was saved. The Calamity's gone, somehow." Having not participated in the final battle, Ales did not know the specifics other than Kalki was stopped. He didn't dare risk asking someone. "It's a good surprise."

[not_most_days]

A soft nod at the first admission. When she said she hadn't seen him she didn't merely mean appearances. His hiding from the others was something she knew for sure, but that wasn't why she was interested in talking to him. There was no need to discuss things they both knew.

"A surprise. I suppose it was. Our chances were close to nothing after all." Her eyes narrowed and her head canted a bit as she looked him in the eyes, "A shame we couldn't truly count on everyone to be on our side..." She paused, but not too long. Again, no use discussing what they already knew.

"So what do you have planned now? Staying here or going home? Or perhaps are you headed to a new land?"

[umslay]

He had to be thankful for the lack of questioning on her end. She hadn't gone in too deep after the Sage's vision and Ales could keep his true feelings away from her. Her pause, while short, had more meaning than any speech she could give.

She didn't trust him much, he believed. Of course she wouldn't, that made perfect sense. Yet the fact he was standing here alive threw a wrench in his worldview. Something was happening. Mary wanted something from him.

So he told the truth. "I'd be stupid to stay here after the whole Archfiend business. I'm heading off with Lydia as she promised years ago. You know, living in the Neitherworld, surrounded by non-humans again, stuck underground until further notice, the whole package." His hands moved everywhere as he spoke, but his eyes always pointed away from Mary. "I won't hurt Lydia if you're worried about that."

[not_most_days]

She's quiet as he speaks, nodding at each statement that she knows to be true. Aye, he would be a fool to remain here, and what he does in his travels is his own business. She remains concerned for Lydia's safety, but if she does indeed keep company with those living where she herself ought then he'd be more the fool to attempt his betrayals again.

She walked closer to him, quietly, slowly. Even and meandering steps that walked her about on the rooftop, but each step just a touch closer. "I'm worried about a good many things. But we've done our part and now we have the option to leave the stage if we see fit. I'm sure those of us who will remain will do this world well."

Normally she'd not be the sort to simply walk away from a world that needs work, but she knows her time here is done. It's time to go. Time to be something other than an Assassin. There's just one last thing to do.

"But you did betray us. We may have saved the world in spite of it but you betrayed the Brotherhood you were welcomed into. Even if I could forgive you, I can't just let it be. It may be in a beast's nature to bite, but once it does it has to be dealt with lest it's encouraged to do so again. We trusted you not to turn against us, even with warnings and promises. And yet still you made the choice that you did." She was close now, her eyes narrowed. Her fingers flexed on the arm where that blade was kept.

And she lunged. She knew him enough to know he might have a word or two more to say, something that would keep him standing there rather than try to flee or fight back. She'd make the strike count this time.

She dropped to he knee and twisted her hip to strike cleanly at his chest. Her palm gently struck. And that was all.

No blade.

No blood.

Standing, she looked down at the still breathing Teensie and Hero of Crystallis.

"Ales the Archfiend is dead. Off to the Underworld with you." She let herself smile, just a little one. The old her wouldn't approve of this, but she was sure this was all that was needed after everything they'd been through.

[umslay]

Ales did not have the reflexes to run. Mary was an Assassin, he was a Teensie whose abilities lied in running away and forcing his machines to fight in his stead. He thought there was going to be more before the inevitable fight.

Her blow knocks him back two feet, but the pain is surprisingly dull. It doesn't even hurt as much as a boot kicking him in the gut. All she did was knock him to the ground. And nearly give him a heart attack, or course.

He grunted in an attempt to get up, failing to even roll over.

"Hmh," was his answer, paired with a stern look at her.

[not_most_days]

Mary didn't acknowledge the look he was giving her. If anything she made an extra point of not noticing it as she planted her hands on her hips and turned away.

"I have nothing more to say to the dead. I only hope they find a better path in their next life."