Darkness Falls Epilogue
By Gemini83
Kaede nervously walked up to the edge of the beach, heading to the place
in his dreams, the summit of the hill overlooking the shores. As he neared,
he saw her...standing alone.
Aeris looked so forlorn, so alone out there, all by herself. He couldnt
imagine how it must have been for her, seeing him fall, a hairs length
away from death. His own dreams had dashed his hopes, destroyed his reason.
He literally had died...only to be given this second chance to set things
right.
He neared closer, a scant few feet from her, and found he could not speak.
His hands trembled, his body shook with anticipation.
Finally, he managed to whisper her name.
Aeris...
Aeris heard the voice again, calling to her. She allowed herself to hope
again, then reminded herself that it was just the wind, playing tricks on
her again.
He had fallen into a deep sleep weeks ago. Aeris had lost all hope of his
return after the battle, only to find that Kaede hadnt died, but had
held onto the edge, caught between life and death. That had been almost worse,
for several agonizing days, Aeris had despaired, hoped as things seemed to
get better, and broken down as no improvement was made. For days it had been
like that
Aeris...
Aeris lifted her head at the sound. It was...different now, different from
all the other days, all the other fleeting dreams she had had of Kaede. Planet,
she missed him. Aeris contemplated the hill, thinking how if it was a little
higher, she would probably have jumped, joining Kaede forever.
Aeris...
Again she heard the voice, teasing and tormenting her. Wasnt it enough
that she ached, day in and day out, by his bedside? It was like a prod, daring
her to do something foolish...daring her to end it all. Aeris sniffed once,
then strengthened her resolve again. She wouldnt do anything foolish.
Save the melodramatic death scenes for Loveless. The actors could
keep them. Aeris would content herself with her hopes. Kaede would want it
that way.
Aeris... this voice was more pronounced this time. If she
didnt know any better, Aeris would have thought Kaede was behind
her.
The Planeswalker was tired. Why wasnt Aeris listening to him? Was she
purposely ignoring him? Then he delved into her thoughts, sharing that special
bond he shared with her, and understood.
He stretched out with his mind, Im not a dream, nor a ghost...not
this time...not ever again, I love you, now and forever...
He said it again, now and forever...Aeris...
She turned around, slowly, not daring to believe. Kaede saw her eyes sparkle
with newly rekindled hope as she gazed at him once more...
...In a heartbeat, they were in each others arms, kissing with a strength
and passion that only two lovers could share.
Aeris melted against him, reveling in the way her body molded against his.
There was no more doubt, no more fears, no more ghosts...she was in his arms
again...and that was all that mattered.
Aeris drew back, taking in a breath, its been a while...I like
the new look, non-pale skin is much better on you, save the pallor for
Vincent...
Kaede grinned, a week of setting by my bedside, worrying yourself to
death, and now youre joking with me?
Aeris arched an eyebrow, who told?
Kaede mirrored her reaction, who didnt?
The kissed each other once more.
Hi, said Aeris.
Hi, returned Kaede.
They lost themselves in each others eyes, simply enjoying their closeness.
Then a ship flew overhead, jarring them from their reverie.
Is that Kitana? asked Kaede.
Aeris shook her head, Kitana and the Highwind are in for repairs,
thats another ship.
The Planeswalker took a closer look at the glyphs adorning the sides of the
craft. He looked at the horizon, the sun was still setting.
Theyll be here before nightfall, remembered
Kaede, Talos...punctual as ever...
Is that your friends?
Yes.
Will you take me to meet them?
Yes.
Are you going to answer me in more than one word?
Kaede turned to her, and pulled a grin, eventually...
Aeris smirked, they want to make you a Councilman, or an ambassador,
or something.
Kaede shrugged, doesnt really matter, I have more...pressing
matters to occupy my mind.
Aeris gave him a wry grin, such as?
Kaede wrapped his arms about her waist, bringing her in closer, you
have to ask? Besides, I did promise you Id take you to the
stars.
Glad you remembered me, said Aeris.
Always, replied Kaede.
Cloud looked on with Tifa, enjoying the view, think things will calm
down now?
Tifa sniffed, not a chance...not that Id have it any other
way.
Just make sure you bring me along for the ride.
Tifa smiled, come here...
Red looked on his friends with a sense of pride. He was glad to know them,
glad to have been a part of this legacy. It brought his soul even more joy
that they had found happiness at last. A new race of allies would come now,
spreading the good will shared by the Saviors of the Planet. The Cetra would
come, the Planeswalker as well, to usher in a whole new era. But through
all the miracles, through all the joys, one thing brought him the most
happiness
...He had his family back...
Now the sun set on the horizon, putting a close to the fall of darkness that
once threatened the land. New hope loomed ahead.
...And it would be their destiny to meet it...
Authors Note: IT...IS...FINALLY...OVER!!!!!!!! Five months of pure
writing mayhem has finally ended. I originally wrote this fic because I
didnt want to see FF7 end. Now that Im finished, Im still
not entirely sure Im ready to leave the FF7 world. Well, thats
life, things come and go. Yes, I wrote a happy ending, after much beating
around the bush. You can tell I was raised on Disney Cartoons...
Anyway, the epilogue was long, longer than any epilogue has a right to be,
but at least I cut it down. Originally it was chapter 45 AND the epilogue
you just read (or didnt, if youre a CHEATER who skipped to the
end! Shame, shame!).
Ill have one last afterword, explaining some seeming ambiguities in
the story. You should be able to figure them out, but I spell it out for
you in the afterword...read it if you want more insight into the
story.
Id just like to thank everyone who supported me in this fic. And to
all of you who sent in reviews...thanks! You helped to shape the story and
make this possible!
.