timeandtides_backup | [Thread;Closed] Collapse of Immortality

Characters: Matoya, Minwu, Rinoa, Squall, Ellone, Marlene, Onion Knight
Progress: In-progress
Summary: Mayoya's final hurrah
Location: Matoya's Cave
Date: June 30th
Warnings: death, crabbiness, surprise scanty clothing?
Other: Party-style tagging for speed?

Truth be told, despite all her grumbling about being too old for the task of managing the portal, Matoya could have quite well managed all on her own. Asking for the others to be brought wasn't insurance that she did not fail or falter, but was meant to be a lesson for the powerful females she had sent for. The ancient witch wasn't at all convinced they'd learned anything, but then her vision only extended so far into the future. Vision which was slowly reaching its end. No more prophecies, no more being haunted by pasts and futures colliding. Her task was complete, even if she would not see the realization of all that had been laid before her weary eyes.

With no noticed to any of the others, she extended a hand and closed the portal, weaving time and space together if it were as simple as blinking. She arched an eyebrow at the ladies as if daring them to complain about what she'd done at all. Her gaze then turned to the young white wizard in the group, with a penetrating stare that belied her blind state.

"It's time."

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Ellone glance to Rinoa with a small headshake and then to Marlene's knight with the same. She knew Matoya wasn't going to do anything to them, so their reactions weren't going to help. Still, she didn't say anything, watching Minwu - whose presence she had been confused about from the moment he arrived - as he walked up to the old woman. None of this was making sense. What was going on?

The illusion fading brought a hand to Ellone's mouth as a soft gasp escaped her. She moved quickly to Marlene's side, placing a hand on the little girl's shoulder. Unsure of what was going on, Ellone knew she had to be ready for anything. Watching what looked to be a death sentence, the now-oldest of the women felt tears against her cheeks. She wanted to turn back time, save Matoya from this fate, but something in the words that had been spoken told her... maybe this was what the old woman wanted.

Maybe this was what was supposed to happen. Power used for good, power used sparingly. It all had consequences.

Nothing needed to be said, nothing came to Ellone's mind. All she had were the tears.

The glare only made the knight more defensive, but Ellone's headshake made him take his hand away from the hilt of his sword. Something about her was trustworthy and strong in the same way that Terra was.

As Matoya fell he looked to Marlene, taking her hand in silence. This was- familiar, though he couldn't say from where, in a way that felt correct. If not at all comforting.

Marlene's free hand went to her mouth to stifle a gasp. This... this shouldn't be happening. Why did anyone have to die? The youngest sorceress felt the tears coming to her eyes, a few droplets falling to her cheeks.

It wasn't fair.

It was all he could do was take Matoya's hand as she slumped, quietly accepting the power and wincing slightly at it -- as well as the realization that she intended her fate to be bestowed to him. His skin felt as if it were burning; yet the witches desire to release it slowly had meant it was not unbearable. He moved to the floor beside her, kneeling at her side and turning his back upon the witnesses. So this -- it was the truth. The reality. He shook his head lightly and closed her eyes, lightly brushing her hair from her eyes. And he raised her hand, lightly touching the back of his lips to it as he had before -- many months ago. Then he laid it across her chest, drawing back out of respect.

Soon enough, her body began to glow and dissipate into tiny pireflies; which each made toward the branches of the myrrh tree. His gaze followed them. And he experienced the power to see for the first time.

"...Stay on your guard."

Something was coming. He knew it.

Up until that point, Squall had remained silent. He hadn't really known Matoya much, but he could understand the gravitas of this moment and really, he didn't have anything profound to say on the occasion of someone's death. Death just... happened. Still, seeing the change in her appearance was a surprise. Had she been that age all along? Stuck in the strands of time until she finally met her end?

He rather expected he wouldn't be getting an answer to either question now, even if he had asked. But no matter. They hadn't been all that important, especially in light of that last comment.

"Right."

As Matoya fell to the ground, Ellone tried to turn Marlene so she was holding the little girl close to her. This wasn't supposed to be something bad for a child her age!

And the way everyone was suddenly on guard made the hair stand up on Ellone's neck.

"Okay, Marlene?" Kneeling down, she addressed the little girl. "If something's really coming and it gets dangerous, you, me, and your knight are gonna leave, okay? I'm not a fighter, so I can't stay, and I'll really need you to keep me company, okay?"

It was more that Marlene needed the protection, but Ellone knew well how children's minds worked.

Rinoa gaped as the old woman suddenly seemed to turn back the years. She didn't understand. She saw what was happening, saw Matoya fall, youthful in death, and Minwu holding her. The entire scene reminded her of what happened when a Sorceress transferred her powers before she died.

"She..." There was no point in stating the obvious. Rinoa spread her hands helplessly, looking up at the myrrh tree which seemed to have attracted Minwu's attention. "What is it? What's going on?"

"But Ellone... what about-"

She was cut off by everyone's attention going towards the myrrh tree. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She nodded quickly at Ellone.

"Okay." She didn't want to say she was frightened, but she was.

[Thread;Closed] Collapse of Immortality

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