songerein | { Moon's Haunted }

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{ Moon's Haunted }

MOON'S HAUNTED

Elimei, the female winged kirin twin from the Tree of Stories, was suddenly taken by a large, gruesome figure wielding a butcher's knife with a bear at its side. They appeared from a black portal and everyone in the room at the time was unable to move due to a sudden increase in gravity and heavy weight of nightmare energy. The figures disappeared into the black portal leaving behind no trace—except Elimei's feathers tinged with nightmare energy. Using Elimei's feather, researchers in the Observatory were able to pinpoint her location within a foreign moon. By this time, the moon mirror created by the fae has collected into its glass the stories of various moons gathered by Madhuri. Powered by this enchanted mirror and with dreamotion energy, they are able to create a dreamscape-like gateway to this foreign moon.

Unfortunately the power was so great it acted like a dreamshift and sent in everyone. Now everyone finds themselves on the surface of this strange moon, but fortunately they have allies in the form of lunar wolves to help guide them. To help combat against the noctasers, which are an evolved form of Erasers that have consumed great amount of nightmare energy, the special potions that were created back from Halloween and are effective against Erasers will be available. They will work in conjunction with dreamotion energy and other items useful against nightmare energy; perhaps a new solution can be made.

For more details on the event and to ask any questions, please refer to the Game Notes. Reminder that this is forward dated to the end of the month.

I. MOON PHASES

At random intervals, the moon will change between full and new phases. When the moon is full, the moonscape becomes ghostly white; when it is new, it becomes pitch back. There are both advantages and disadvantages for each phase, and everyone needs to be mindful as it will change without warning. Although we have some generic prompts for each phase, the phases and effects carry over through all the prompts, they can be used at will.

A. Darkest of Nights: New Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the new moon, it becomes so dark it's almost difficult to see. Light sources will need to be found to help traverse through the moonscape unless one uses dreamotion to help guide them. The new moon phase is also when nightmare energy is at its peak, the ground seemingly seeping with it and noctasers lurking. Some characters might find themselves transforming into some nightmarish creature in response to it. Perhaps into something that reflects their greatest fears or anger; some may even start to relive or have nightmares. Those who are easily influenced by nightmare energy should take caution, but must also remember that nightmare energy can also be harnessed here. For those who want to try and control it, the new moon phase is the best time.

B. Light of the Full Moon. Whenever the moon phase changes to the full moon, it is almost blindingly bright in some places. During this time, dreamotion is at its peak and it'll be easier to fight off the noctasers should they be encountered; of course during this time the noctasers will go into hiding. The black goopy puddles scattered around will be most suspicious, and this is the perfect time to clear them up with dreamotion. Just be careful not to get trapped in them or it'll be like quicksand. Anyone who was transformed during the new moon phase will slowly begin to transform back but will still need assistance; otherwise they'll just remain and continue transformation when it changes back to the new moon phase.

II. LUNAR WOLVES

For those who wish to help the lunar wolves that inhabit this moonscape, they live in a brightly lit temple that is impossible to miss. With a unique "wolf blessing," characters can transform into a wolf to help blend in with the environment as well as gain temporary powers: ability to conjure moonlight to use against noctasers; powerful howl attacks capable of knocking back small objects and creatures; ability to see clearly in the darkness during new moon shifts; increases speed and other heightened senses; ability to see the leftover "moon dust trail" from the moon fragments to track them down. Appearance of the wolf form can be whatever the player or character wishes and while partial transformations are allowed, whole transformations will be stronger. The blessing will last for up to an hour, and characters can willingly change back at any time. However, they'll need another blessing to turn back into a wolf unless they can do so on their own through their own dreamotion ability. The wolves will also be around to help give aid when they can.

A. Defend the Temple. Noctasers are becoming more aggressive as they attack the temple the lunar wolves are based in, aiming for the collection of corrupted moon fragments the lunar wolves have been guarding in hopes of later purifying. Some may even notice the moon fragments depict certain images or have unique characters that may look like the moon from their own world. Maybe that fragment is from their home world. Characters need to use everything they have to help protect these fragments and fight alongside the wolves.

» BONUS: DEFENSE BARRIERS. Shoring up defenses and creating dreamotion barriers to help keep the noctasers at bay will also help. The wolves will inform of special flower that needs wishful based dreamotion energy to make it grow large enough as a shield that can help repel the noctasers.

B. Retrieve Moon Fragments. Some of the noctasers still manage to break in and steal several moon fragments, scattering them all over the forests surrounding the small temple the wolves dwell in. While some have been dropped and can be found a little more easily, others are still in the clutches of the noctasers that must be destroyed, especially if a noctaser consumes it. While safe to handle, the moon fragments must be collected into small glowing jars to ensure their protection.

C. Save the Wolf Cubs. In the chaos, a few wolf cubs got separated from their families and ran into the forest, with some having the bright idea to try and find the moon fragments on their own. This is a disaster waiting to happen, so they need to be brought back quickly! Wolf transformation will be mandatory as the cubs will be wary of anyone else who approaches. They are also clever cubs and will hide in deep thickets and tree hollows. Luring them out with mooncakes will help win them over.

III. ITEM COLLECTION: ELIMEI

Certain items are needed to help defeat the Mutton Man and its Bear steed, as well as to find and heal Elimei. Thankfully they won't be going in blind and Baba Yaga will make an appearance to inform them of what they'll need. Although primarily to be collected and given to those who will go out to find Elimei, all items can also be collected for personal use to be against noctasers and other effects. There's plenty to go around! All items will be found in the swamp area.

A. Follow the Moonflies. In the outskirts of the swamps, there are special fireflies called "moonflies" where they produce pure moonlight from their bulbs. They are attracted to darkness as they will absorb it to produce their light. Gathering these moonflies in special jars will allow those seeking Elimei to help track her down as the moonflies will fly towards the darkest area of the swamp where she is being held. They will also be useful in blinding the enemies as they will fly up to them, attracted by the darkness the nightmare energy brings. They are also great to use as lanterns during the new moon phase.

B. Lunar Honey. The petals of this flower can be crushed up to create a delicious sweet honey that can help soothe any tormented soul. While not a cure all for nightmare energy, they work similar to the Glowing Dawn flowers back in Songerein and will be valuable for those affected by nightmare energy and monster transformations. Although ineffective against the Mutton Man, the Bear may find the sweetness irresistible.

» BONUS: KEEPSAKES. Collect the flowers to eventually bring back to Songerein so they can be used for additional treatment.

C. Moon Crystals. Special crystals which illuminate in the darkness and turn black during the full moon phases. They will absorb nightmare energy and convert them to potent dreamotion energy to a poisonous degree. Thus those afflicted with nightmary energy will be good sources for these crystals but must be handled with care. Anyone who is punctured or cut by a crystal risks becoming crystalized and will need to be taken back to the wolves to be cured. The crystals will serve as the main "weapon" against the Mutton Man and the Bear, and can be deadly against noctasers as well.

D. Swamp Threats. Beware: the swamps are filled with not only noctasers but also hostile moon creatures, mostly of the reptilian side, such as snakes and alligators. At least the latter can be soothed with dreamotion unless they have started to corrupt from nightmare energy. Be careful not to follow the red wisps as they will lead unsuspecting rescuers deep into the swap to black pools where kelpies in them, ready to pose as Elimei and drag them under.

IV. ITEM COLLECTION: KAGUYA

To help get Songerein's moon fragment back, certain items will be needed to help evolve the moon mirror and purify the corrupted Rabbit Kaguya. All items can be used for other purposes and will be found around the bamboo forest.

A. "Holy Hand Grenade." This has a few steps as the "grenade" needs to be made. First, a golden bamboo stalk must be found and cut down. The crystals that pour out of it must be quickly collected in a crystal globe provided by the wolves. Dreamotion must then be channeled into it to melt the crystals and then the globe must be capped off. To use, one must count to three and then throw it at the target. This only has a purification effect, but it's very potent. It should only be used on anyone who is fully corrupted and is either close to or has become a noctaere. Even then care must be given as it will knock them out completely. Using it on someone with only a small amount will cause them to have too much dreamotion energy and make it more of a poison, requiring the excess dreamotion energy to be drawn out or counter balanced with nightmare energy. Handle with caution.

B. Bamboo Slicer. To get through the corrupted bamboo thicket to chase after Kaguya, special tools will need to be made. Cutting silver bamboo stalks well produce various metals to pour out, and with these metals blades can be forged via dreamotion. The blades can be of any shape and form, they just must carry enough fortitude, strength, and tenacity to cut through the stalks. Blades lacking that kind of dreamotion will remain dull and brittle.

C. Mooncakes. One of the easier items to collect, the mooncakes can be found growing off the leaves of the bamboo stalks. The trick is being able to climb high enough to get them; alternative cut or shake down the stalk to reach them. Just beware the lunar bees—they find the mooncakes delicious and will angrily attack anyone who gets in their way.

D. Don't Get Lost. Everyone will be warned to avoid entering the bamboo forest until everything has been gathered and designated groups are set, but should any accidentally further than necessary or get lured in somehow, they will need to find stone lanterns and light them up with dreamotion to help guide their way out. It will be relatively safe during the full moon phase, but during new moon there is higher risk of those trapped to hallucinate their worst nightmares and be lost in them until someone helps them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hmmmmm.

[He just smiles amused at her kiss because he is recalling how things went.]

Really? I also recall how you kept avoiding me.

Did I...?

[She feigns surprise, and she leans back just far enough that he'll see her mouth falling open in fake shock, but she can't play it up for too long before she breaks character with a laugh.]

I guess I did, but... I also remember you chasing me after a while. [Namely, when she started avoiding him after that night at the restaurant. He had taken her home and tucked her into bed... and left with a kiss.] You were pretty persistent too, you know. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you had a thing for me.

I don't know if it was a thing, but it certainly bothered me that someone who pushed her way to be a friend was suddenly avoiding me without giving me good reason. But I admit I can also be fairly persistent once I've set my eyes on something.

[Tifa lightly and playfully bumps her fist against his chest.]

So, it's true, then? You had your sights set on me and went after what you wanted.

[And, once again, Eustace was the only man who ever could manage that.

But her teasing smile fades a touch when she finally gets around to recalling how it actually happened. How he ended up chasing her and stopping her from running. They had talked about it briefly as they were running back to the temple earlier that day, but now that she's really sitting down and trying to remember it...]

Even when I did run, you were still there for me... on the hardest days.

[Seeing that smile fading a bit, he gently squeezes her hand and brushes his lips against the side of her head.]

And I will continue to do so...just like you're there for me.

I know.

[He continues to go above and beyond for her in more ways than she can ever imagine. Not that she had set any expectations for him when they started all of this, but he's surely exceeded every single one of them if she had. He knows all the right things to say, and she's never felt more safe, more treasured, than she does in his presence, and she's never cherished anything more than the time they get to spend together.

Which is why she's filled with excitement at the idea of being able to go somewhere with him, away from all of the chaos and commotion in town, from the people, and their responsibilities for even a few days. To just be with him.]

Then it's settled. Our one year meet-versary. [It sounds so silly calling it that, but she's sticking with it.] I'll need to get something special for it.

Something special? In what way?

[Tifa sighs whimsically and falls back against the cushions.]

I don't know yet. Something to celebrate the occasion.

[ ... ]

Ahh, I wonder if I can whip up one of those weird drinks like we had in Celliwig.

[She would never. Although now she does wonder if she actually could somehow use dreamotion magic here to make special drinks. Not like what that one bar had, but surely it wouldn't be that hard. If Dreambucks can do it, then so could she.]

[He just makes a face as he looks down at her.]

No. Nor that giant margarita. If anything alcohol seemed to always cause problems for us back there.

[Seems less of an issue here, but never know.

But something special... Come to think of it, the piano should be finished soon, shouldn't it? Would it come in on time... It would be a happy coincidence if so, but he should prepare something else just in case. Hmmmmm.]

[Her grin spreads wider as she stretches, pretending that he isn't making that face at her.]

What, you don't wanna fall asleep in a petting zoo again?

[That was certainly an... interesting day, to say the least. Not that she regrets it now, though. It was just another chance for her to fall a little harder for him, and she got to touch his ears for the first time.]

Fine... no special drinks. [She waggles a finger at him before giving him a shy little poke to get urge him to join her.] But I still wanna get something.

[A gift of some kind, she thinks. Something special and symbolic for both of them to celebrate, cheesy or not.]

Besides... it's not every day two people are reunited the way we were, yeah...? Still can't believe it's been a whole year...

[He continues to give her a withering look before a smile breaks through instead and he flops down next to her, an arm immediately going around her waist. The movement disturbs some of the white star flowers that have been gradually blooming around them, their scent drifting into the air as he nuzzles closer to catch her own sweet scent.]

...That's true.

[And if anything, he was at the disadvantage. What if Cloud hadn't been so absent in Camelot? What if he appeared in Songerein early on, allowing them to rekindle what they missed? Her memories from Camelot were still from an earlier time before they got together, but couldn't they have helped? What if she had come from a different time from her world, perhaps a time when things between her and Cloud developed further...?

He doesn't think about it often these days, and given that it didn't even bother him in nightmares is proof that he doesn't care that much about it—but it's a shadow that remains if distantly. After all, there's no reason for him to speculate about those "what if's" now, not with them having firmly cemented their feelings for one another. Even if Cloud were to show up tomorrow, he wouldn't mind it, even if it might make things complicated for Tifa for a bit.

But there's still a recognition that should she ever return to her world there...she would likely go to the one waiting for her there. It's a very bitter feeling, but at the same time he's also a little grateful. Grateful that she'd still be able to find someone and be happy. He still would have wished it was with him, but...he had a chance to find and spend time with her in two different worlds. The chances of that are astronomical, so he can't ignore the chance they did have.

Although his thoughts grew momentarily bitter, he tightens his hold and pulls her closer to him, heaving in a deep breath for releasing it out for a slow exhale.]

...I hope we have many more.

[A lifetime....might be too much to ask for. But another year. Two, three, five. He'll take whatever he can. No longer can he ignore this greed he has for her.]

Mm. Me, too.

[Many more...

She tries not to let her smile turn sad, but in the event that it does, she buries her face into his neck as he pulls her close.

Hearing him say that... it makes her wonder. If Tifa had the chance to ask for forever, would she? Would she be able to live with the promise that she could remain here in this world so that she might live out the rest of her days with him? One day, they'll all return home to their worlds, to their own lives and their own fights, but that reminder of their limited time together leaves nothing behind but an ache in her heart.

She wants to celebrate those two, three, ten-year meet-iversaries and anniversaries and birthdays with him because she can't bear the thought of not, but there will always be that small voice in the back of her mind trying to remind her that this could be the last and only one.

Which is why, in that moment, she makes a silent promise to herself... That this will be the best of them all. And if they're so lucky that they make it to the next, then she'll have to find a way to make it even better...

Tifa pulls away just far enough to look at him, her eyes flitting over his face as if to recommit every detail of him back into her memory. It's times like this that worry her the most. Although they're together like she wants to be, it's hard to make the best of things when they're scared or hurt or fighting against all odds, so she allows her smile to spread as she takes him in, allowing herself to feel happy that he's simply... here. With her. Right now.

She brushes the hair away that had fallen over his eyes before her hand finds the side of his face.]

Are you feeling better?

[He does the same when she pulls back, having earlier sensed the similar feelings she must have had for him then. He's memorized her face so many times, traced his fingertips over every curve and shadow he could probably paint it if he had the skill, conjure it up in his memory with ease. His gaze for her is soft yet deep, as if his eyes alone could swallow her whole and never let her go.

At her question he just lowers his head slightly and hums a small affirmative.]

Mm... A lot. But should probably take some of that honey for good measure.

[He reaches for the jar, but unlike before he intends to eat a bit of it since there's no real good place to spread it like an ointment before.]

But what about you? You were exposed... You should take some as well as a precaution.

I'm fine.

[It's true that Tifa had felt it—that chill in the back of her neck much like one feels when they are faced with their greatest fears, as those black wisps coiled around her wrists, but she isn't sure how she was able to stem it. Her unwavering determination? Or perhaps she'd turned her fear into something more compelling than the negative emotions that feed into those nightmares? Either way, she's just thankful they made it out in one piece.

But if it will make him feel better and put his mind at ease—and it certainly would do that much for her—then she'll share some of that honey with him.]

I'll have some anyway.

[Propping herself up on her elbow, she waits until he's twisted the lid off the jar and looks around them.]

I guess wolves wouldn't really need spoons, would they...

No... At least this jar looks fresh.

[A small joke as to the questionable sanitary nature of eating straight from the jar but this looks newly made. And after a brief moment of thought, he dips his finger in...

And brings it to her lips, lightly swiping it over them.]

[Tifa had expected him to take it for himself, so she does jolt with surprise when he swipes the honey over her lips instead, and it only turns her cheeks pinker as she purses her lips, her tongue subtly sweeping up that little dab of it, and her brows arch when the flavours settle in.]

... Got a little bit of a flowery taste to it, but it's sweeter than I thought.

[Even still, she's much too embarrassed to look at Eustace now, and instead moves her eyes to the door as if to make sure they have no visitors, but it's been shut tight the whole time they've been in there.

So, once the coast is clear, it's her turn to dab her finger into the honey, scooping up a small glob of it, but...

Now that she has it, she looks unsure of what she wants to do...]

[He just smirks a little as he watches her, that blush and embarrassment exactly what he was aiming for. And once she's gathered some honey and hesitates....

He answers for her by taking her hand to bring to his lips, slowly licking off the honey with his tongue.]

...Yeah. It's sweet.

[Said with his eyes locked on hers.]

Ah—!

[It's only the tiniest squeak of surprise when she feels his lips take the end of her finger, and he'll feel her tense in her hand, like she's about to pull back, but the moment her eyes lock onto his, she's frozen, and she watches, almost as if she's stuck in an odd stupor, a spell under his gaze, as he takes the honey from her...

He always does this, but...]

We shouldn't be, um... doing this here...

[What if someone walks in! And yet, she hasn't pulled her hand away from him.]

...Just a little bit.

[His lips brush against her skin, taking in more of that honey before his teeth lightly nips her.]

...You're what I need right now.

[While there are certainly suggestive undertones in his words and actions...given what he just went through Tifa really is what he wants right now. Not physically, but just her very presence, her warmth, and seeing her reacting like she is. All parts of her that again proves that the hand he's holding and teasing is real. That the flush of her cheeks is her blood flowing through a racing, beating, living heart. The heat radiating off her skin as opposed to that deathly chill.]

[He always has a way of making her self-restraint crumble. And while she'll remain vigilant against those suggestive and incredibly alluring hints in his words and even in the rumble of his voice, Tifa understands what he means. It reaches so much deeper than that physical connection they share. She still has no idea what he saw out there in the forest, but she doesn't need to know to realize what he needs from her now.

After everything that's happened today, all she really wants is to be near him, too.]

Then you can have me...

[Although he always has.

Her words are as tender as the kiss she offers him. She leans over to press her lips to his, and she can taste the sweetness of the honey on them. Already, she can feel her heart racing for him, a thrill jolting through her that feels like it reawakens every single nerve in her body and chases away all the heaviness she's been carrying around with her today.

She lays down on the cushions fully again, and just like before, she takes his unhoneyed hand and lifts it to her chest, where he'll feel her heartbeat sending her blood and her life roaring through her veins. Beating for him. It's a silent reassurance that everything is okay... That whatever he fears, it's over, and they got through today just like they do every other day.]

[At first his eyes close in sweet bliss at her kiss, feeling that tender warmth and love rippling from their lips down to his chest where it helps soothe his still aching heart. He hadn't lied when he told her his condition had improved, but it would take a lot more time for him to really fully heal from the emotional trauma he went through, one that dug deep into one of his deepest fears and weaknesses. One he had tried most of his life to guard against only to have it ripped out to remind him that no—it's still there. And now he has someone important inhabiting that small, vulnerable space.

Yet, regardless how terrifying it can be, he wouldn't change it. He had already lived most of his life with his heart sealed off and in isolation. Now he's able to live this life filled with love, joy, happiness—peace. That's everything Tifa and all his friends and connections have given him.

So when she lies back down, his hand over her chest, he can stare down with warm fondness, knowing what she's trying to do. Knowing she's trying to reassure him that she's still here safe, alive. How strong her heart beats beneath his hand—for him. How precious it is, how much he treasures it.

Leaning over a little closer to her, a soft gaze in his eyes, he reaches out with his other hand—the one that's now bare with his sleeve and glove still gone—to lightly caress her face, wanting to once more trace those beautiful lines and curves. Yet just as his fingertips brush against her skin, instead of warmth he feels a strange chill and the hand he sees is not his own but of that cursed claw that had once dug into her flesh. And Tifa...

It's all just a brief hallucination, like a series of static filtered memories that flash before his eyes before it corrects itself. There's no change to his hand, it's all in his mind. Even though he knows that Tifa is alive, in that moment he could only see her lying on the ground, cold, lifeless, bloody, torn apart—and eventually disappearing from his helpless grasp.

Immediately the air around them chills, the flowers that had started to bloom like they usually do around them slowly frosting over as he stares down at her wide-eyed, his breathing quickening as his fingers over her chest suddenly curl in, digging in as he tries to fight off that ripple of terror and anguish that threatens to overwhelm him. A part of him realizes what he's seeing isn't real, telling himself that he can feel her heart right there. But another part, that part still affected by the nightmare energy that still lingers around him is recalling that terrible moment and twists the sensation to it stopping cold. That moment he thought he found her lying so still on the ground like this, how his heart seemed to stop, how he couldn't breathe— ]

[She can see the shift as it happens. She can feel it in every muscle of his body—how he tenses up and how his fingers grasp at her chest where, only seconds before, he'd felt her heart beating. She can see the light leave his eyes and that shadow of fear flickering over his face. Where there was once a tender, loving warmth, it's now filled with a chill that scares away the sweet scent of the star flowers as their petals begin to dim and wither.

Even with all those crystals and the honey, was it really not enough? What exactly did he see out there, and is there more going on than Tifa even knows about...?

She can feel her heart sink, and her own breathing stops as she stares up at him, wondering where that softness in his gaze has gone. Why it still isn't enough to keep the nightmares at bay long enough for them to at least have a moment of peace... She wishes that she could see what he's seeing, feel what he's feeling if only so that she can understand him better, and how to help him through it, but all she can truly do is hold him, and wait for it all to be over.]

Eustace...

[Her hand clasps tight over his at her chest, taking it in hers, while the other brings his head down until he's resting it in the crook of her neck where she'll hold him like she intends to never let him go again. Tifa turns so that she can face him, so that they can curl up together in each other's warmth, and if he'll allow it, she urges Eustace to look at her.]

Eustace, please... talk to me...

[Tifa's voice is heavy, shaky and laced with fear that she tries to steady. She knows it will be hard for him to talk about it, but how else can she help him if she doesn't know...?]

[He gasps when she moves and reaches out to him, the warmth of her breathing, living body chasing away the horror that plagues him. It's frustrating to still be caught between reality and nightmare, of knowing that by now it's all in his head and he shouldn't be letting it get to him. And it's frustrating as it's becoming more of a sign that his will and resolve is weakening, his mental strength becoming more vulnerable than it should.

He had always prided in himself in being able to remain clear minded, the steady rock that can keep even the most reckless in line. But if he can't even control himself and his own thoughts, then how can he maintain that position? How can he continue be strong enough to protect what he lives? Who he loves?

And when Tifa pleads for him to speak up, Eustace can only answer with a shaky breath before pursing his lips, his grip on her hand tightening as he can't bring himself to look at her. As if afraid he'll once again see that terrible image instead of her beautiful face. Again he knows he's being irrational, but perhaps at this stage it can't be helped.

After all, this isn't just baseless imagination.

He had already seen it before. Twice.

One near death. The second in his arms by his own hand.

It's not something that anyone can easily forget, if ever.

Feeling a strange burn in his eyes, he closes them tightly as he presses his face against the crook of her neck, desperately feeling and her pulse.]

...I can't.

[His voice, usually so strong and steady, so reliable, is quiet and hoarse. Frail. Vulnerable.

How can be tell her? How can he tell her without making her upset? Without making her worry and fret and in turn risk her safety? It all only makes him cling to her that much tighter.]

[It breaks her heart seeing him like this. Having to watch the man who had been her rock, her steady, calm pillar of strength who had held her when she needed someone, who wiped away her tears when she cried them away, be brought to heel by mere imaginings shatters the ground she tries to stand on. He deserves better than this—he did nothing to earn the ire of this world's magic, so why...?

When he clings onto her tighter, she allows him, her own arms wrapping so tight around him that she's afraid she might squeeze the air out of his lungs, but she doesn't know what else to do. She thought that it had been over, at least for the time being, but if Tifa, with the help of the crystals and the honey and whatever other magic is available to them, can't do anything about them, then what else is there...?

Her fingers brush through his hair and she holds him fast against her as his voice crackles and breaks into her neck, and her legs thread through his in an attempt to breach whatever space is remaining until there is none left for these nightmares to fill.]

Yes, you can.

[Tifa's lips are right at his ears, her voice a tender but firm whisper in them.]

I know that you're stronger than whatever this is, so please... I want to help you.

[Again he feels himself breaking yet struggling to keep it together. And despite his best efforts, it becomes too much.]

...You were dead.

[The words choke out of his mouth, the memories of that moment returning but he tries to not lose himself to it.]

I was on my way out when I saw your body lying on the ground...

[And there's the explanation of why he didn't make out of the forest in time.]

You... Your body...

[His body seizes at the memory, of how his heart stopped at the sight, the way everything seemed to stand still, all sounds muted and replaced by a high pitched ringing broken only by his desperate scream. A part of him should have known the truth, that it wasn't real, and perhaps it did. But with it being so close to the shift and all the previous nightmare energy built up, the worst took hold instead, chasing away his ability to reason.]

It was all the same as... [He can't say it, it's too difficult for him. But she should already understand.] It all came flooding back and I couldn't do anything.

[His grip tightens as the tears he had been desperately trying to hold back break free.]

I was too late... ...I couldn't save you.

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