Kuvira Week

Memories

Someday, the light of love that you set aflame in your eyes
Will transcend time
And surely destroy one dream
Of this world that hurries to its ruin

Kuvira leaned her head against the wall. Baatar was the only person she'd ever loved, and now he was gone. All because of her. She was so far gone that she was willing to give up their future to unite all of the Earth Empire. And yet, she had still failed. The Earth Empire would crumble without her. But without him, she was crumbling. She wouldn't have been able to run her empire without him. In her desire to bring together her empire, she gave up the one thing that could destroy it all.

Swallow down your hesitation.
What is it that you wish for?
On the path of yearning as greedy as this,
Will there be a transient tomorrow?

Her mind drifted back to Zaofu. She had tried to convince Suyin to listen to her, but the Matriarch refused. So, Kuvira decided to do it herself. Part of her hadn't wanted to leave Zaofu. That had her home. Still, she had to do it. The Earth Kingdom needed someone to do something. She was determined to be that person. She just wished Suyin had understood how she felt. In those three years, Kuvira had done so much for their nation. She'd hoped Su would be proud of her. Yet, she wasn't. And she never would be. It hurt to admit that to herself, but it was true.

With power that can break through the darkness,
Something like the ancient magic
That I dreamed of when I was young,
I want to meet you and your smile.
What I hold in these frightened hands of mine
Is courage made of handpicked flowers.
My feelings alone are all that I rely upon,
A wish that will awaken
The light

Her mind drifted back to Baatar. She smiled, remembering his proposal. It was simple. Just how she preferred things. Yet, it was still sweet. Still romantic. She gazed down at the platinum band in her hands. She'd never worn it, because it felt unprofessional, but she still kept it on her person, except when she was sleeping. Now, it was the only thing she had left of him.

Someday, you will also wish for great power
For the sake of someone else, I suppose.
In the night when love captured your heart,
Yet unknown words are born

Another thought entered her mind. What if someone else came along? What if he got married to them? The thought hurt her. To think that the special moments they had shared could now be shared with another person. She couldn't be without him. But because of her greediness, she may have to, now.

If I can go on without losing my way,
I don't mind if my heart is broken to pieces.
I want a spell
That can let me fight against
The sorrow that is always in front of my eyes

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry. She hoped one day, she could move on. But, even if she did, she wouldn't be the same. That piece of her heart would always be gone. She'd never be whole again. And even if she found someone, she new she'd never be as happy as she was with him.

When I used to like books about strange lands
Illuminated by captive suns,
I believed the fairy tales that
Taught us that wishes would surely
Come true (Among the light and shadow...)

She forced her thoughts back to Su. That hurt less than thinking about him. Her mind went back to her childhood. Suyin used to read her fairy tales when she was a child. She always loved the Water Tribe ones. Especially the one about the woman who became a warrior to protect the Southern Tribe. It was this story that had motivated her to join Zaofu's military. Like the girl in the story, she wanted to become a warrior and protect her people.

Gently, magic from ancient times
Bloomed wildly in silence.
"The power to change the world
Lies in those hands of yours," it whispers.
Let us have an unending dream.
During this time I go through with you,
My feelings alone are all that I live for.
What will create my life is
This wish

She opened her eyes. She knew when she'd left she'd been right. During her journey, she'd gone wrong, but she still believed in her goal. And she always would. In those three years, she'd found her passion. She wanted to protect her people. If she could, she'd do it all over, hopefully doing it better this time. The Earth Kingdom needed someone now more than ever, since they no longer were ruled by a monarch. And she still wanted to be that person. Maybe she still could. She didn't know, but once she rebuilt their trust, she wanted to try again.

(The English lyrics to Magia from Madoka Magica were used in this story.)