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A Final Fantasy
Prayer
A songfic based on the stunningly beautiful song titled "Pray", from the Final Fantasy Vocal Collections : Pray. Words in brackets are the songwords. Translations are provided at the end of this short, but heartwarming story. The ultimate battle far to the North raged on, deep in the core of the
Planet. Each had a different reason to fight, but they were bound together
by a common goal -- to save the world they called Home. Little do they know
that their valiant struggles would one day go down into history books,
immortalized as legends, inspiring poets and authors alike for many generations
to come, and probably beyond.
However, little too, do they know of the fate of their beloved companion,
whom they had left behind with grief in their hearts. And that, is where
our little story begins...
On the central circular platform, a specter of the past transcended
across space and time, emerging into the living world slowly and quietly,
its arrival greeted only by serenity. The ethereal image wavered once,
and it knelt down to begin its final task.
Auburn hair flowing freely against a gentle breeze, her hands clasped
together tightly in a silent prayer. She closed her eyes, a tiny frown
forming on her forehead as she concentrated hard on her mission. All around
her, there was nothing but peace and tranquility. Only her quiet breathing
could be heard, echoing against the walls of the great central chamber
of the Forgotten City.
The ancient marble floor beneath her began to throb with warmth, like
a heartbeat of a living soul. Still waters of the placid lake below stirred,
rippling in response, and distorting reflections of the crimson skies so
high above. She looked up with a smile.
No longer was there the vibrant light shining in her eyes.
Only a wistful smile.
(Tooku shizuka na hoshizora kara,)
The stars were sparkling brightly against the nightsky, their jewel-like
glow barely piercing through the hellish scarlet storm. She drew strength
and courage from them, knowing well that the heavens were too, smiling
upon her. Meteor loomed ominously somewhere further south - truly a terrifying
calamity from the skies. It was Death in the most frightening form, and
it was fast descending downwards to the vast dark expanse known as Midgar.
Impact was inevitable, destruction was unavoidable.
But she was not afraid. She continued to pray, her lips now murmuring
words carved inside her most distant memories. Her prayer echoed like a
haunting hymn -- a song full of life, a song full of new hope.
(Ikusen kounen yami o koete,)
Images of her people, long before time beginning, appeared in her eyes.
Her breath quickened as she watched with wide eyes, enchanted and enthralled,
by the sights and sounds of the past being unfolded before her.
She saw people not unlike herself, journeying far and wide in small
spaceships across the vast emptiness of space.
She saw them searching for aeons, seeking desperately for a place of
refuge, for a place to call Home. But each time there was hope, it ended
in tears of anguish.
She saw the image of a blue planet dawning in the inky blackness, the
third from the glorious golden star, and insignificant in size compared
to the surrounding infinite cosmos.
She saw the distraught faces as they approached, weary from their long
journey, exhausted in their pursuit for a place full of life and love.
Then, rejoice.
They had found their place amongst the stars and galaxies.
As they descended upon the planet, she realized she saw the beginning
of Life.
(Sotto hitomi o tojita mama de)
Still trembling from the revelations, she slowly closed her eyes. The
Planet cried out once in her heart, a pained roar which drowned out everything
else, including the silence pervading the Forgotten City. It pleaded for
a saviour, for release from its suffering, and for its Rebirth. The Wound
embedded deep in the Crater continued to bleed, begging to be healed.
It is time to end the agony of two millenias.
She felt the energy surging from deep within the bowels of the Planet,
signifying the awakening of the entity known as Holy.
It is time to justify her existence as the last of her kind.
She prayed to the Gods to bestow her the divine powers needed for her
task. She prayed to her ancestors for guidance and wisdom. She prayed to
her Mother for strength and determination. She prayed that her friends
would be safe and well once the danger has passed.
She prayed for Rebirth, and for Redemption. She prayed for a new beginning
for all, just as her people did, when they first set foot upon the blue
planet they called Home...
... she prayed for Him.
(Itsushi ka yumetachi ga)
Light as white and pure as Holy itself flashed for a moment, exploding
into a multitude of colours, before it faded off as quickly as it came.
Her visage remaining calm and composed, she opened her eyes. A warm smile
curled up on her lips.
Another soul, shadowed and ghostly in appearance as herself, had entered
into the same world she was in. They were similar in many ways, she realized,
and yet they were worlds apart. Each had different reasons and beliefs,
but now they were bound together by a common goal -- to save the world they
called Home.
Stunned and shocked, he stared up bewilderedly at the girl he had so
cold-bloodedly slain not too long ago. Pain reflected in the green of his
eyes, consequential of the Truth that had been revealed in the Lifestream.
He tried to whisper out words he held in his heart for too long, but his
lips would not move. He could not find the words to speak.
In the silence, she held out a hand as a gesture of friendship and understanding.
A moment of hesitation, before he accepted it willingly.
(Konna chiisa na te no hira de wa)
Their fingers touched, allowing his own to enclose delicately around
hers. How long had it been since he touched another human? How long had
it been since he felt such peace and calmness inside?
No longer did he hear those sweet pervasive voices in his head.
He smiled, for the first time in many years.
Only a wistful smile.
(Ikusenman ri no tabi no hate ni)
As he rose and knelt beside her, images of his own bitter past flashed
in his eyes.
He saw the fires of Nibelheim glowing brightly, the flames of revenge
razing across lands and those who stood in the way.
He saw the Masamune slicing and stabbing, the blade greedily drinking
the blood of the innocent, relishing in the cries of the dying.
He saw Jenova grinning maliciously at him, promising him immortality,
and eternal glory.
He saw a silver-haired man, triumphant in his conquest, gloating over
the body of a slain Cetra. A blonde stood in front, utter horror and helplessness
spreading across his face. Then, hatred.
He saw himself, journeying far and wide in his life, encountering nothing
but the vast emptiness, isolation and loneliness.
He saw himself, searching since time beginning for acceptance. He sought
for a Īplace' of refuge, for a place' to call Home. But each time there
was hope, it ended in anguish and disappointment.
He saw the distraught face, weary from his long journey, exhausted in
his pursuit for a place' full of life and love.
He turned at the girl who had awakened him. Then realization dawned
upon him. Rejoice filled his heart.
He had finally found his place.
He realized he was seeing a new beginning in his Life.
(Ima wa namida ni nureta mama de)
His fingers tingled, his mouth suddenly became dry, and his eyes burned
with unfamiliar, intense pain. Was he crying?
Green gazed back at green, and an unspoken understanding was exchanged.
No words were needed; there need not be.
Tears in his eyes, knowing he had been forgiven.
(Itsushi ka kanashimi mo)
He felt the kindness in her. He felt the comforting warmth emanating
from her soul. He was the epitome of all things evil and sinful, he was
the bane to all mankind -- yet there was Love given in return. She understood,
for he had committed no crime -- he never had. He was borned of a curse
he could not avoid. His destiny of death and destruction was inevitable.
He smiled, one of pure joy and happiness. A new determination began
to rise from the depths of his heart.
It is time to end the agony of two millenias.
Above the two, Holy rushed across the continents and oceans. The pure
white brilliance spread far and wide, like the wings of an angel in its
maiden flight.
It is time to justify his existence on this Planet.
(Tooku shizuka na hoshizora kara,)
Kneeling side by side on the ancient altar, they held each other's hands,
and prayed. High above where the sea of stars resided, Holy had reached
its destination, and was gallantly attempting to resist the advances of
Meteor. Crimson storms raged on, chaos ensued, as the decisive battle for
the Planet began in earnest. The sword of Death hung above all Life precariously.
But they were not afraid. Their prayer echoed in harmony like a glorious
hymn -- a song full of life, a song full of hope.
... as Holy entwined itself with the tendrils of Lifestream, the synergy
of all that was good and pure radiating with ever-increasing intensity,
until the whole of the living world became encased, for a few moments,
in a sphere of white incandescence...
Two souls were finally freed from their earthly existence...
... and One world was reborn.
Author's
Note :
I don't
blame you if you haven't heard of this song, which is sung to the tune
of the ending theme of FF7 (and other FF games). I didn't know there were
actually efforts to orchestrate and vocalize FF songs until just a few
days ago.. and believe me, I was inspired to write this short (and probably
pointless) songfic upon the first listen. Incredible, eh? Go, get the album,
or at least the mp3 (like me!). You won't be disappointed !!! ^_^
On
this songfic... I refrain myself from writing ANYTHING about Cloud and Aeris/Tifa.
Seriously speaking, I've had enough of that blonde chocobohead. And on
top of that, I'm STILL playing FF7 (yeah, I know FF8 is already out..).
Did I mention I'm a big, big fan of Sephy, and Sephy-Aeris? There's more
on Seph coming from this author - sorry, Cloud fans ^_^
Oh
yeah.. anyone knows where I can get mp3s to FF Love Will Grow, FF Pray,
FF Symphonic Suite (?), the Piano Collections, etc. please, please, PLEASE
let me know. I don't know where I can buy the albums here in where I live
(Malaysia), and I can't order anything online. Mucho gracias ^_^
Disclaimer's
Note : Hmm.. there's no mention of our Cetra friend's name.. nor that of
our silver-haired hunk anywhere in the songfic. Does that mean I get to
keep some of the copyrights? ^_^ Just to be safe, all characters and locations
are copyright of a certain geometrically-inspired company known as SquareSoft.
Thanks for reading!
Translations
were taken from a FF-fansite. Don't sue me for incorrectness.
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