To Fall Deeper - by Innocuous – a FF 8 fic

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We won! We finally won. So, we should be happy. No more destruction, no more killing, no more mind-splitting spells and summons, No more wondering whether or not we and our companions will rise after the fight, no more anxious delays before our guardian forces answer our call. But we're not.

We are Lost. Les enfants perdus.

The only indications of our location are the foreboding signposts: "Aut vincere aut mori," "Audentes fortuna juvat," "Dum spiro, spero," "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" Lost languages on signposts are never a good sign. As long as we stay on the path that we can see down, we will stay safe.

A conundrum. The fork in the road. Two choices, neither the better for view: "Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch'entratre" and "Amor vincit omnia." We should stick together, especially now; why, then, do you all insist on splitting up? We may never see each other again. Either way, I'll take the right path. Who is with me?

I can't see them any more. They have left me. Scattered throughout time and space in the ensuing collapse of reality caused by the sudden eclipsing of the sorceress' magic. It was the only thing holding this place up. What have we done?

Who are you, evanescent dream? You seem familiar, almost painfully. I should remember you, but I can no longer see; my mind has been wrested apart in this vacuum of forgotten reality. Why do you torment me, beguiling spirit?

You offer me your hand for a dance. They're playing our song. Who are you? It is all hazy. Why can I no longer see you?

I'm reaching out for you, the vacuum of space an unbearable obstacle between us. Wake! You cannot leave me here, my angel. I will cast myself upon the wings of fate to draw myself closer to you. I will ride a runaway doomed train through heaven and hell to reach you in time, "For the dead travel fast." I will journey through all of reality - past present and future - for a way to bring you back, if I must, just as Gilgamesh sought life for Enkidu. Spread your wings and fly to me, my fallen sorceress. I am still your knight, charging to defend you, to save you, and perhaps even to die with you in this void.

J'y suis j'y reste. I'll be here...

"Why...?"

I'll be 'waiting' here...

"For what...?"

I'll be waiting for you...so...If you come here... you'll find me. I promise.