Final Fantasy VII: Redemption Epilogue
By Aujang Abadi
"Vincent... do you have to go? You could come to Wutai with me, and become a ninja! You'd make a good one, you know. I could train you." Yuffie grinned and winked.
"I would like to, but I cannot. I was spared to complete a purpose... but I promise, as soon as I can, I shall visit. We will have much to catch up on." He turned his head and looked south, to the mainland. The gentle rocking of the boat they'd gained passage on did little to soothe their sadness.
"Vincent?"
"Yes, Yuffie?"
"It was fun. Traveling with you. I mean... we had some rough spots, you know? But I guess everyone does, I figure that's what makes life so special. All the contrasts. But I had a good time. I..." Yuffie turned away. "I'm going to miss you." Vincent smiled slightly.
"Yes... it was indeed enjoyable. I, too, am grateful it happened. It has been a very, very long time since I've had a friend. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like."
Yuffie spun around, beaming.
"You really mean it? You think we're friends? Honest?"
"Of course we are. We always will be."
"Oh, Vincent!" She threw her arms around him and squeezed tightly. Vincent chuckled and returned the embrace, as the boat docked on the island that was Wutai.
"All those headed for Wutai, this is your stop!" They broke their embrace awkwardly, unsure of how to proceed. The other passengers slowly filed towards the exit.
"I guess this is goodbye, Vincent." She looked up at him, biting her lower lip. "I'll miss you. Take care, eh?" A tear rolled down her cheek. Vincent raised his gloved hand and caught it on his finger.
"I will miss you too, Yuffie. I promise I will visit. I see your father waiting for you, on the dock." Yuffie turned, seeing her father waving madly.
"Huh? How'd he know I was coming back?" Yuffie scratched her head.
"I'll bet he's been worried sick and waited every day for you. Go on." Vincent smiled.
"You're sure you'll be alright, Vincent?" She turned back once more.
"Yes... I will be fine. Godspeed, Yuffie. Farewell."
"Goodbye, Vincent." Yuffie raced off of the deck just as the boat shoved off once more, into the arms of her father. After a long and emotional reunion, she turned to wave at Vincent. The boat was almost out of sight, in the setting sun, but for a tiny glint of metal flickering in the distance, the only visible sign of Vincent's steel hand.
* * * * *
The next days, weeks, months, whatever increment of time is to be used, are without history for Vincent Valentine. He traveled endlessly, the sun and the moon merging into a constant, unending cycle of life. Of his shadowed form, legends slowly spread, of a half-man, half-demon that protected the innocent against the monsters still infesting the lands.
To Vincent, however, the only memory of the time was a constant driving force, a call to his final destination. JENOVA thrived inside of him, but now bent only to his will, followed only his command. Whatever power it once had over the planet had finally been dispelled. In the exchange, however, the last of Vincent's physical humanity had been destroyed. He retained his former form, but whatever natural organs that had once inhabited his body were now completely merged with JENOVA. None of his physical purity remained.
To Vincent, the loss was inconsequential. In his time, he had learned that everything comes with a price, and this time, he was willing to pay it. His true humanity, in his eyes, had been restored in his sacrifice. Now remained only the completion of his cycle, of his destiny.
And one night, under the moon Vincent had caustically ignored, he returned.
"Who is it?" Her voice broke through his thoughtless trance, piercing his heart with their simple beauty. So much time had passed, yet her words still held power over him. "Please, leave me be... I'm helpless. I have nothing, only this barren cave. I beg you."
She walked into the light cast by the luminescent walls, and Vincent's breath caught in his throat. Still so beautiful, with waves of silken hair spilling down her back. He fell to his knees, the salt of his own tears barely tasted in his silent reverie.
Lucrecia. She was the same as the moment they'd been separated, the same mutation that had given him no age duplicated by her. Yet where the cells had mutated him, they had no effect on her pure form. She strode to him, the blue silk of her dress amazingly still intact. Her hands came up and rested on his face, gently probing it. He removed the mask and remained kneeling.
"Vincent... is that you?" She kneeled next to him, her milky eyes eliciting more tears.
"My... angel..." He took her in his arms, rising and clutching her to him, his tears coming freely as he held her aloft.
"Vincent..." She laid her head against his shoulder, sobbing quietly. "Our son... I destroyed our son... I destroyed everything... Vincent... forgive me... I let them hurt you..." Her tears fell over his battered form, washing away the sins of his past, cleansing his darkened skin. He closed his eyes, and felt himself completed. His own tears mingled with hers, tears he had no control over, tears that his soul cried. "Vincent... I let Hojo destroy us... please forgive me..."
"Shh... shh, Lucrecia... Hojo's gone. " Vincent whispered in her ear. "You are everything to me... you always have been." He kissed her lips gently, the quiet taste of salt never marring the purity of her lips, the angelic nature that was his second half.
"I love you, Vincent... I love you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried brokenly.
"Shh, my angel... I'm home." Vincent cradled her against his body, as she sobbed against his shoulders. "I'm home."
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