#qurl.

Let's start with your journey.

Y'know, you have this huge sea of obligation pushing you to the end of your life, and while it's a cause you believe in, a cause you are more than willing to give yourself for, it is obligation; to fill shoes, to help people. . and you know you'll be able to complete this task; you have to. You have to help these people, the people of Spira, you have to help your people. But what if. . what if you didn't have this obligation? What if you could just, y'know, live like a normal teenager? Get excited over sports games, have friends, actually see the world, and not have your death, your obligation, looming over your shoulders?

It's not a thought you focus on, it's not something you  consciously think about on a constant, but it is always in the back of your head. You're giving your life. You could have chosen to take another path, you could have let someone else give their life instead, right? No, that isn't right. These are your people, and you want to give them a sanctuary, you have to. . but you know that isn't all you've ever wanted. That's never been all of what you wanted, because you want to see so much, and you want to have the chance to enjoy it.

Not like anyone knows you have these feelings, though. While everyone's drifting off into slumber, you allow yourself to be pulled into this constant war of you vs. you; what you need to do, what you know you want, stands on one side of the battle field, while contradiction of your desires stands on the other half. You can't deny that a piece of you would much rather take an easier path, but you know you can't take that path, and you ALSO don't want to take that path. So, you do want to, and you don't. And you have to deal with that. By yourself.

Why?

Because you have to be strong. You have to fight for your people, you have to be the one to push everyone further. Why can't you share this with anyone? Because. . it's your problem to deal with, it's you who has to face this. This was your decision, and, now, you're leading people into the idea that you can bring them safety. You can't let them down.

So, you're handling this. You have to. But it creates this barrier between you and everyone else. There's always been a barrier between you and everyone else, though, hasn't there? Lady Yuna. . it isn't a title that's taken lightly. You're fighting for these people, to make them happy. You want to make them happy, so you smile for them. Each face is a constant reminder as to why you're doing what you're doing, why you're dealing with this internal struggle. But it's also another wight added to this self-pressure of obligation that is your true enemy.

But they don't understand your feelings, do they? The people you're fighting for, they can't. . Kind of funny how that is. They have no idea, and, honestly, they don't think about it, they don't want to have that idea. You give them hope. You give them the idea that they can live. That's all they're thinking about. It's true that they're grateful for you, but gosh, can't you just bathe in the sense of expectation that radiates from their features? It's not intended expectation, but they truly believe you can give them Spira's Calm, that you can continue to keep them safe.

They're happy you're here, that you're doing this for them, and it adds to your obligation.

Then you meet someone.

And, well, he's not quite like everyone else. Y'know, he knows you can do this. . he has so much faith in you; not quite like everyone else on your team. I mean, they've always believed in you, but it seems like they've never really wanted you to take this path, huh? Constantly asking if you're sure. You're sure, Yuna? You really want to do this? Kind of hurts, huh? Maybe they can see the piece of you that questions this. . but not him. If he can see it, he doesn't point it out like they do.

And everyone else, those who never doubt, who stand on the outside, whom you fight for. . well, he isn't quite like them, either. The obligation that tugs at the back of your mind every time you see those smiles. . his smile doesn't hold that. It's genuine, it's comforting. And, gosh, isn't it nice that, somehow, you're getting to actually laugh? You bathe in seriousness on a constant, it's your duty, but somehow. . while you carry these duties out, when he's beside you, you're able to laugh and beam a genuine smile.

Remember that piece of you that always wanted to stray from this path, this path of you helping everyone?

It's like you get to appease that half of you, you get to make it happy, even though you're still continuing on with your journey. How does that happen? Everything you battled against at night, all of those long arguments and torturous nights that kept you from sleep. . he takes them away from you. He hands you some kind of inner peace because he's able to make you happy on both ends. He aids you on your journey, he cheers you on, he has blind faith in you, and yet. . he still wants to laugh with you. He wants to make you laugh, it's like. . he enjoys you for you and he doesn't let this cloud of obligation take that away from him.

Everyone else is fond of you, no doubt, but they sure do let this stuff get to them, huh? But not him. He's just here for you. Every side of you. He seems to really like you, doesn't he? Always smiling with you, always making you laugh, always so sure of you. . it's nice, isn't it? Relaxing. . this peace at mind, this happiness on this journey is so incredible.

He's so great, he can give this to you. Obligation is still there, pinching at you, but you can do it. . can't you?

But what happens when obligation comes back?

Even worse, it comes back while you're with him. . it's enough to prick at your eyes. . but he. . he takes you to this world, this place where this obligation doesn't exist, a mental sanctuary. . You don't have to worry about helping everyone, about giving yourself at the end of your journey, because you don't have a journey, you don't have obligation or something pulling you on this journey! And isn't it nice? It's so nice!

. .But you have to realize that it's only a mental sanctuary. You have things you need to do, you have obligation you need to fill out, and while this mental sanctuary you've created, with this incredible person who provides you peace of mind, is so incredibly beautiful and calming, it isn't your reality. You have shit you need to do. You have people to save.

God. What a feeling, huh?

Happiness in its truest form just kind of tugged from your fingertips. It's enough to make you cry, isn't it? And so you do. Somehow, it just slips out and you don't really know what to do with it. You aren't supposed to cry, you haven't cried, because you have to be strength. You have to help people. You have to stand tall. .

But he doesn't care. Because he doesn't view you like everyone else. All of your other teammates have questioned you on whether or not you've wanted to carry on with this journey, and even while these tears betray you and claim that you don't, he doesn't care.

All he does is try to make you feel better. He pulls you into his arms and presses his lips to yours. He creates a simple sensation against your lips and washes everything that is doubt away.

He's never doubted you. He's always supported you, and even in your time of weakness, he's still there for you.

And in the end, you guys find a way so that

you don't have to give yourself.

You get to keep your own life, and even better, you've freed everyone completely. You did it, kid. You lived up to your obligation, you've destroyed it, and you've completed everything that was creating this weight and tension that ever made you argue with yourself. Everything is finished and everyone gets to be together without worries, and you've done all that you've had to do, and it's all over, and. .

But what is this?

Wait a second.

But you. Finished everything. You lived up to your obligations. You helped everyone, you. .

So, then, why. . why is he being taken from you?

That doesn't make any sense, and there's no way he can be taken from you, because you finished everything, you helped everyone, you defeated everything that was coming after you. He helped you. All the pieces of you that attacked yourself during the night, he made them go away so you could do this, he brought you a sanctuary and you returned that sanctuary to your people, and. . 

But this was supposed to bring everyone happiness.

How can you give a sanctuary to everyone if yours is being taken away? How can. . how can everyone be happy if. . but you're a part of everyone. And he. . 

Right.

Everyone else is happy.

You did it, Yuna. You made everyone happy. They've always been happy, though, haven't they? Because they knew you'd bring this to them.

So, you carry on. Because you have to, because. . it's what you've always been wanting to do; to free everyone.

Cheer up, kid, it's all good. You did what you wanted. Funny that I'm telling you this, because you're actually telling yourself this. No one else really gets to see the hole inside of you, huh? But that's alright, they never really saw the self-battle, either. You're okay. You cope.

And then you see this sphere of him.

And you go on this hunt for him, because this sphere has to mean something. It has to lead to him, right? But wait. . is it really him? Or are you just getting your hopes up?

Funny thing is, you go on a journey to figure it out. And you find out that, well, it's not really him, but it looks like him. Though, it surely doesn't act like him, because, well. . this guy doesn't make you laugh, in fact, he doesn't even really seem to like you; he likes whoever this 'Lenne' chick is, this woman he seems to be mistaking you for. She's taking over a little bit, isn't she?

Making things even more complicated than they were before. . because it kind of hurts knowing it isn't him, because you thought you found a lead to your sanctuary, and you didn't, and now. . you're dealing with her emotions, too. What are her emotions? They don't seem very happy, do they? Kinda hurt. And, boy, do you know that feeling. Hurt. Hah. Caring her burdens and yours. Isn't easy, is it?

But it's all worth it. You get matters taken care of, you handle the situation, you end up saving Spira a second time. Not that they really know that you saved them, but that's kind of nice, right? You got mend the broken feelings of loss you can relate to. . I mean, they might not be yours. But you got to mend them. And you got to keep your Calm going. That's something, right?

But, wait. There's good news.

Because, a second time you gave yourself to save these people, to allow the Fayth to rest, and, well, your actions didn't go unnoticed. Remember how everyone won last time? Good news.

Everyone does win this time.

Because look what you get back.

You get your sanctuary back.

How does that feel?