The Otherworld was burning.
I sat on the hilltop, watching, as the valley below was razed to the roots by malicious flames red-pink as the broiling skies. A hot breeze blew past, carrying ash that choked and embers that swirled like fireflies-beauty and destruction. Tidus' golden castle was rendered black as night, charred like all the green things beneath it-and the magic wasn't through.
Beside me, my Wolf was stretched on her lean belly, in a bed of faded purple-verbena made brittle as sticks from the searing heat. She didn't fare much better-her snout was too dry, resting on listless paws. Her golden eyes were flat, as dim as the valley's life force. The magic had left her fur white as winter snow-so bright she beamed like a star as everything else died around us. I ran my fingers through her thick, unbelievably soft coat. It was drenched. Sweat coursed down my own forehead in rivers of salt and sadness.
"Why this place? Why here?" Tidus sat down beside me, untroubled, leaning casually on his palms as he watched his world burn. Others would have found his sense of calm unsettling or morbid, but as always, Tidus inspired me where no one else could.
"This is the only part of me that's left." The only part of me the magic hadn't yet taken. Or burned. I managed a one-armed shrug, tucking damp curls behind my ear. "I feel safe here."
"Kindred spirits." He smiled-more glorious than the redemption I longed for.
A mournful cry rent the vermilion sky asunder, sending our attention upwards. The mighty dragon wheeled as if reaching for the clouds, coiling like a beautiful ebony ribbon... then dropped from the sky, plummeting to the flames below. His fall shook the Otherworld, which reverberated with the unbearable echo of defeat. My Wolf, rose and sat on her haunches, watching the cremation in solemn dignity as I uttered a dry sob and buried my face in my hands. It was getting harder and harder to fight the good fight, to stop the magic from taking over completely...
Tidus pressed himself against my side, slipping his arm around my shoulders. "You can't give up. The second you do, that's it--it's over. The magic wins."
"I thought having my powers would save me-save everyone, but this is hell. This isn't what I thought it would be like at all." I drew my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them with a mournful, selfish sigh.
"Because your magic is dark, Naomi, and it's too much--for any person."
"What?" I straightened, rocked once more by another of his vicious secrets. "My magic is dark? But--I don't understand. Does that make me-does that mean I'm--"
"Evil is a speculative word, Naomi, as hell is not merely a place but a feeling. What would truly be evil, what would truly be hell, would be to lose yourself entirely--to give your soul to the power. I told you, magic can be poison--light or dark--and some is more toxic than others. This is why your parents wished for your magic to stay hidden, Naomi. They thought your life would be easier."
And they were as wrong as I had been. "You know what's really pathetic? If you had told me this before I unlocked my powers... it wouldn't have made a difference. I'm not sure I would've been able to turn down my magic." I turned my face aside. "I'm an idiot."
"But mostly stubborn."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? That my magic was dark?"
"Because your mother had white magic. I wasn't sure yours was dark... until you tried to kill Ethan."
"Tried? So he's alive--thank god." I turned my face to the raging heavens, closing my eyes as I held back tears of relief. "Ti, I haven't been myself one minute since I came back to life. You have to understand--this isn't me. I don't hurt my friends or put their lives in danger--or use people to self-medicate." Ugh. Chandler... There was nothing but complete understanding in those cool, blue eyes of Tidus', but I was so ashamed of my actions I could barely look at him. "It's a nightmare in here--watching as I destroy my own life. I feel like a puppet--the magic pulls my strings, and all I can do is what it tells me."
"Really? And is it still you who desires Catherine's defeat? Or has the magic taken that vision from you as well?"
"No. Yes. Maybe." I shook my head, clearing away the cobwebs of confusion. "I-I don't know anymore. I don't know anything."
"Then know this..."
We were transported to his bed. Juliet to his Romeo, I was lost with Tidus in a transient world of bliss and immunity. The bedclothes stretched over our heads in a lovely dome of white. I could feel his glamour, it's warmth filtering around us like the sunlight through the sheets. The coldest man on earth had a fire inside him my magic could never hope to rival, or extinguish. I could not, would not, burn Tidus away, no matter how my magic tried.
He looked down at me, lips widening in a breath-taking smile that floored me to laugh in happy disbelief. He set his cold palm against my burning cheek, his smile replaced by reverence. "I have felt you. In every kiss, in every touch, in every breath. Even when you sin, I feel your grace and am moved by it. I thought divinity was lost to me forever. And yet... I worship you." His kiss was the ultimate commandment. With a thrust as superlative as our first time, Tidus began his worship at the altar...
Amen.
I awoke on the cold, hard ground, from a dream that was hardly a dream, the ghost-pressure of Tidus' hands and lips still reverberating through and across my body. I stared at the ceiling, pressing the spot my heart used to be, hating Tidus for the reminder. Him and his dirty, rotten tricks... Stiff all over, I sat up with a grunt, the silver chain rattling with each move. I scooted backwards until my back met the wall, and set my glower on the door.
It had only been hours since my capture, but already, the walls were closing in. Every minute I was stuck in this dungeon, I knew Tidus was fighting to free me of my magic-and while the me on the inside was very much in hope of liberation, the me on the outside would never let that fucking happen.
"You think you can stop me by getting in my head?" Furious, I beat my fists on the ground. "I won't let you take my magic! Do you hear me--I won't!"
"Sorry, Charlie, but he already did." There was the sound of harsh laughter, as my cellmate tortured me from next door, taking comfort in my rage. "Face it, bitch: you lost. We both did. Might as well accept the truth."
Silence passed, broken only by the steady intermission of dripping water. I glared at the silver snaked curled on the floor, preventing me from shifting or using my magic to burn this place to the ground.
<<Don't. You're strong... but there's no honor in what you're thinking of doing.>> The sound of her pathetic voice, it grew weaker by the day.
Take your honor and choke on it. Now shut-up and let me be epic.
I rose, nudging the chain with the heel of my ankle boot. Right--I am stronger than this. Pain is just a mindset. I rubbed my palms together one last time--and reached for the chain. I screwed my eyes shut, ignoring the searing agony as I double-wrapped the silver in both hands. I wasted no time, placing one foot against the wall for leverage as I pulled on the chain with all my might...
No results but of the growing hiss of the silver as it charred my flesh like barbecue. It only prompted me to squeeze and pull harder, eyes trained on the metal plate fastened to the wall- the chain soldered firmly to its hook. I grit my teeth, vision reduced to watery slits as I fought through the ache, thinking only of the freedom that would follow.
You can't give up. The second you do, that's it--it's over. Your magic wins...
That's right, I certainly will...
The hook snapped; just like that the chain was loose. I tumbled backwards, the chain falling across my body as I landed in an ungraceful sprawl. I shoved the silver aside and lay back, gasping in recovery. The chain was still stuck fast to my ankle, cutting my healing rate in half and ensuring I wouldn't shift until it was off. I gave a joyful whoop nonetheless, grinning as I draped my arms over my forehead.
"Holy shit--you did it, didn't you? You're free..."
I climbed to my feet, chuckling at Claudia's disbelief. "Watch and learn, sister." I turned to the exit, backing away until the length of the cell was between us. I took a running leap, throwing all my weight against the tall, wooden door. It was forced from it's hinges, half-splintering as it crashed into the hallway. Success. I sat up from the wreckage, groaning at the bodily hangover. Before Tidus' abduction, Chandler had some of my chi for dinner. I was weak--now my body was roadkill on top of it.
I stood again, growling through my teeth as I yanked the stake-like chunk of wood from my arm. I aimed to throw it aside, stopping myself at the last minute and slipping it in my back-pocket. It wouldn't kill Ti, but it sure would slow him down when he tried to stop me. The anticipation--it was strangely exhilarating. He'd take it easy on me, but I wouldn't extend the same courtesy. Grinning, I strode forward...
"Wait! Wait!" Claudia. Her fingers were curled around the little bars of her window, her gaze as helpless and defeated as her tone. "Please don't leave me down here--please! I-I don't wanna die alone!"
"Aw-w, don't worry, Cloud. You'll have plenty of company in hell--I hear it's overcrowded. Catch ya later, amateur." I showed the finger right back, laughing as I made my solo escape.
Did you guys enjoy this scene? My favorite part was when Tidus and Mimi were playing Romeo and Juliet beneath the sheets... <3
If you enjoyed this scene, pretty please VOTE and don't forget to add SF to your reading list so you don't miss the next update. More Naomi and her bad-assery coming soooooooon <3 <3 <3