The morning was quiet – until the crash that resounded in everyone’s head, ripping through the peace sharply. I jumped to my feet and ran to the door, looking out. Smoke was already pouring through the corridors, so I sprinted back to the Summoners. “Move, move! Get going, you have to get out!” I yelled, panicking. A few people stumbled to their feet unsure; I flew around the room, tugging the rest up to their feet. They were unsteady because they had only just woken up, but I was alive with fear. I led the group of Summoners and their guardians through the underground maze, calling them on with angry bellows. I wasn’t sure of where to go exactly, but I knew my destination was the very bottom floor.
Once I could see the final door with its sign reading ‘Airship Port’, I flung it open and pushed everyone through it. “Come on, get going! You all need to board the airship and stick together!” I commanded, tugging the door shut behind me.
I flew up countless stairs on my way to the ground floor, alone again. Everywhere I looked was a new fire, more smoke billowing around, another panicking Al Bhed. I had noted the date and cursed; it was ten years to the day since my last home was destroyed. Maybe I was bad luck…But there was no time to wallow in self-pity now. I had to help out somehow.
On the ground floor, I aimed for the kitchen, but the way was blocked. My mind went blank then, thinking only of Hikaro. I tried to break my way through, but another explosion tore the air, forcing me backwards. I called his name loudly, but the words were tore from my mouth by the crackling flames. The corridor I was trying to get to was open now – but it was alight, blazing angrily. Swearing loudly, I wheeled around, hoping – praying – that Hikaro had escaped, and was safe…please let him be okay…
I stuck two fingers in my mouth and whistled loudly; an Al Bhed signal. If anyone was in the vicinity, they would return my call. I heard a weak return, and charged towards the source of the sound. “Mika!” I gasped, noting the familiar exhausted face. He was lying on the floor, looking totally drained, and his leg clearly broken. He paled at the sight of me – only just visible behind the layer of soot caked onto him. “You shouldn’t be here; you should have got yourself safe. You’re a young one, one of our most valuable ones-” I cut off his protests by lifting him over my shoulder and running back towards the main stairs. I passed countless bodies; some breathing, some not. But there was no way I could help them all.
“Shii!” The call was weak, but I definitely heard it. I scanned the room, having to squint to see through the copious amounts of smoke. “Shii!” they called again and I finally spotted the source. It was Neki, looking angry but unhurt. “Neki! What’s happening, what’s going on?” I was desperate for information, and Mika was growing heavier by the minute. “It was those bloody Yevonites, of course! Who else?!” he spluttered furiously, taking Mika from me without having to ask. He started to lead me forwards, but I needed to ask him something. “Have you seen Hikaro?” I asked loudly. He shook his head, “No, he wasn’t on the airship. I’m sure he’s fine though.” I span round, but he caught my arm. “It’s suicide; we’re leaving when I get back. Cid’s going to do what he has to.” I swallowed. “I can’t do anything without Hikaro. I…I’m in love.”
I wrenched my arm out of Neki’s grasp and started sprinting away. I allowed myself one desperate glance back at my last hope of survival, and then kept running. Neki shook his head helplessly, gesturing and shouting, but his words were lost on me. I couldn’t stop repeating my last words in my head. It was only then that I realised they were true; I couldn’t live without him, and I had finally realised that I was in love with him.
