Dive into the Soul

Inspired by Final Fantasy Summons, rough draft

     As this woman, mankind’s last hope, steps into this cathedral, a cathedral she has seen countless times, an eerie light shines through the stained glass windows. Cathedrals are an uneasy place for her to roam in. She has been her too many times for her grandpa, her grandma, her father, her mother, even her husband and her brother. This particular cathedral has been in ruins for years, for decades, even a century. This is the place where Life and Death clashed, the Whispers known as Phoenix and Anima. In the past century, these two entities have clashed twice and with each confrontation a different outcome. The second clash being the most important because that is why this world is in the sorry states that it is in.

     During the first clash, six other whispers were born. Their names are Alexander, Diablos, Ifrit, Leviathan, Valefor, and Madeen. Each was put on this world to maintain balance. Alexander of Light (sun) is enlightening and hurtfully chaotic. Diablos of Dark (moon) is peaceful yet ever-changing. Ifrit of Fire is protective and destructive. Leviathan of Water is light but heavy. Valefor of the Wind is gentle yet strong. And Madeen of Earth is big yet small. Each contain good and evil inside them, which the people of this planet felt bittersweet about because they now too carry both inside them, instead of one or the other.  Over time, people began to develop more negative attributes than positive ones. They became more and more wistful. Things began to become more in favor of Death, Anima of Death who is melancholy and tainted. Unfortunately Phoenix of Life, who was driven, became wistful as well.

     During the second clash, Death would overpower Life. From this assuage, an even more unbalancing whisper was born, Quetzalcoatl of Lightning, who is just manic. The woman’s brother, Krad who was possessed by Phoenix, was destroyed by her husband Naraka, who was possessed by Anima. No one on earth knows who Phoenix has possessed now or if Phoenix survived the clash. Naraka let his whisper take hold of his soul, and in the end, he ended up destroying himself. No one on earth knows where Anima has gone either. All Minerva knows is that she feels guilty.

     She sits in the cathedral. She listens to the silence around her. Little pools of light fill the room, but darkness still remains dominate. Even with her eyes closed, she sees blackness. She begins to pray to the supreme being know as Yloh, “Please tell me, how can I save her? I don’t know what to do. I can’t lose another one”. Tears poor down from her violet eyes onto her sand colored cheeks. Of course, I want to answer her, but all I can do is guide her. Believing that I haven’t heard her, she turns her back to me and heads towards the doorway. As she slowly opens the door, a green light creeps through the gap. I flash an image in her head. It was a green crystal glowing in a dark place. When the door fully opens, the light’s radiant rays reveal more of the room and reflect on the Roman-esque statues of Alexander and Diablos, which reveal a small door between their bases.

     The rest of Minerva’s family and friends were waiting outside for her to come out. They too wanted to know the answer to their dilemma. They also did notice the light and with that light a bizarre feeling came over each of them. Each of their tattoos, their seals, began to glow. The north arrow of their compass like tattoos pointed towards the light. Without hesitation, Terra, Aros and Kasuya meet Minerva at the doorway. Uira was hesitant because she was afraid to see what was about to come or what might come, but Riku being his big-brother self reinsured her that everything will be alright. Joined by her three children and two friends, they reenter the church and head towards the small door; the small door at the end of a dark tunnel. Along the walls they noticed statues of the other Whispers, their own possessors, staring back at them.

     Walking past each of the statues made them come alive in their own way. First they walked past Madeen and soil began to surround its base. Second they past Leviathan and water began to pour out its mouth down his body like a fountain and created a pond at its base. Passing by Valefor, wind came and it was a gentle…soothing breeze. Torches around the cathedral were lit without assistance as they passed by Ifrit and fire surrounded his base. A lightning storm began to occur outside as they passed Quetzalcoatl, causing them to hurry to the door. Finally reaching the door they see all the phases of time. Dusk, Day, Evening, and Night. The door sat in evening. They either had to face the darkness of night or the light of day…maybe even both. Opening the door, they find a spiraling staircase with multiple levels to go down. One by one they begin their decent, their dive into their souls.

 

Level 1: Madeen, Brown, Terra, Space, Challenge: overcome being Skeptic

“I never believe in things I can’t see”.

Level 2: Leviathan, Blue, Kasuya, Ice, Challenge: overcome being self-absorbed

“Very few people really try to reach you, so why should I?”

Level 3: Valfor, Purple, Aros, Pollution, Challenge: overcome cockiness

“The bittersweet taste of defeat”

Level 4: Ifrit, Orange, Riku, Lava, Challenge: overcome nightmares

“I see these visions of burning bodies…they won’t go away”.

Level 5: Quetzalcoatl, Yellow, Uira, Thunder, Challenge: overcome isolation

“I doubt what they say is true…so I try not to listen to it”.

Level 6: Diablos, Black, Minerva, Challenge: overcome guilt, sorrow, and fear

Level 7: Alexander, White, Minerva, Challenge: overcome blocking good feelings

Level 8: Holy, Phoenix and Anima, Everyone, Challenge: obtain Holy for Yloh