So, this is basically a written replica of game except with a few more plot stuff just because I'm a romantic and I don't think there was enough.
I don't don't own anything to do with Square-Enix or Final Fantasy, of course.
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Chapter 1: Welcome to Balamb/The Fire Cavern
With a mighty lunge I brought down my sword on my opponent. Smirking, he raised a hand in a moment of concentration and a ball of fire exploded heading straight toward me. Unable to react in time, I barley blocked the flare with the edge of my gunblade and fell to the ground with the impact. My rival, using my weakness slashed for my face, connecting to my forehead in a flurry of blood.
Enraged and blinded by red, I shoved myself to my feet and quickly retaliated, sending that bastard's own blood splashing onto the ground in a slash opposite of the one I just received. We both fell to the ground. I glared harshly at him before succumbing to unconsciousness.
Slowly, I opened my eyes. Wincing, I felt a throbbing pain in my forehead.Damn, I cursed. That fireball caught me off guard.
"I see you're finally awake," a motherly voice commented. "You've been out for a little while. How are you feeling?"
Where am I? The Infirmary? How did I get here?
Sitting up carefully I eyed the person in front of me. "…Okay," I started to say before changing my mind. "My forehead hurts."
"No kidding," she said with a slight smile. "Next time take it easy, you hear?" I looked away with a shrug.
"Anyway, looks like your eyes are focusing. Can you say your name for me?"
"You already know my name, Dr. Kadowaki," I said with a sigh.
"Of course I do but we need to make sure that blow didn't effect your memory in anyway. Just say it." Dr. Kadowaki smiled.
"…Squall Leonhart," I conceded. "The hit isn't a big deal. I was just training."
"Why don't you take it easy while you train? You might not be so lucky next time." Dr. Kadowaki admonished.
"Tell that to Seifer."
"That Seifer Almasy… Won't listen to anyone. Why don't you ignore him?" Dr. Kadowaki crossed her arms and gave me a searching look.
"I can't just run away," I shrugged. Not from him anyway. I won't run away from a fight.
"You wanna be cool, huh? Well, don't get hurt in the process. Let's see, your instructor is… Quistis! I'll call her now. Just wait her a minute." She left my room and walked to a phone just outside.
Cool? I laid back in bed. It has nothing to do with being cool. What does she take me for? I don't need to prove myself to anyone.
"Quistis?" Dr. Kadowaki's voice filtered into the room. "Come get your student. Yes, yes... His injury's not serious. It'll probably leave a scar... Right. Now please come by."
A scar? I tried to look at my forehead. Great…
"Squall… So we meet again," a soft voice said. I sat up and looked around before I saw a girl not much older than me looking through the window in my Infirmary room.
She looks familiar somehow… I thought as she walked away.
A sliding door opened and I watched as my Instructor, Quistis Trepe, walked into the Infirmary. When she reached my room she rolled her eyes before addressing me.
"I knew it'd be either you or Seifer!" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "You two really are too much. C'mon, let's go. Today's the field exam."
Getting up I tried to ignore Quistis's annoyed stare.
Whatever… I have time before the exam. She doesn't need to get so fed-up.
I stretched my muscles some before following Quistis out of my room and to the door leading to the rest of the Garden.
"Now take care of that forehead, Mr. Leonhart!" Dr. Kadowaki called as I was leaving. I waved a hand in sign that I understood before the doors slide shut behind me.
"My God, those two boys never learn. They're going to have those scars for a long time," she said lightly to the papers she was working on.
Outside in the hall, I started walking to Quistis's homeroom classroom on the second floor of the Garden. She followed behind, eyes trained on the back of my head. We didn't speak.
"Squall," Quistis said after a minute of staring. "Is there something on your mind?"
I sighed. I hated when people asked me that. Did I look like I had something on my mind? I was just quiet. Was that a problem?
"Not really," I said just as Quistis mimicked me. Laughing, she stopped. I turned to face her, a little angry. "What's so funny?" I asked.
"Funny?" Quistis looked up at me. "No, no, it's not that! I'm just happy. I feel like I'm finally beginning to understand my student a little. That's all."
Understand me? You don't even know me.
"I'm more complex than you think." I turned my back and continued walking, passing other students as I made my way toward the elevator.
"Then tell me. Tell me more about yourself," Quistis said, leaning towards me in earnest. I closed my eyes briefly and walked into the elevator when it opened.
"It's none of your…" I tried to brush her off.
"Business!" She finished for me, irritating me even further. I shot her a look before crossing my arms.
Leave me alone.
Sensing my mood Quistis dropped the subject and leaned casually against the elevator wall.
What is her problem? What does she want from me?
With a ding, the elevator doors slid open and I made my way to my homeroom, arriving a few minutes before Quistis did. Still trying to figure my Instructor out I sunk into my seat in the back and rested my head in my hands.
"Hey loser," Seifer's taunting voice called from my left. "Passed out on me, eh?"
Glaring, I felt my blood boil. "You passed out also," I pointed out. Seifer scoffed but shut up as a bell chimed and Quistis stood up to address the class.
"Good morning, class," she said cheerfully. "Let's start with today's schedule. There seems to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday...Yes, the field exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon." With this a ripple of murmurs erupted in the room.
I still need to go to the Fire Cavern… I thought briefly before Quistis continued.
"Those not participating and those who failed last week's test are to remain here in study hall. Field exam participants will have free time until the exam. Just be sure you're in top condition. Meet in the hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there." She paused. "Any questions?" A few people raised their hands but I tuned them out. I was too preoccupied with how I was going to go about obtaining Ifrit before the SeeD Exam.
Why did I have to get assigned to Ifrit anyway? He's known to be very aggressive. I could get myself killed fighting him.
"Oh, and Seifer!" Quistis called out. Seifer gave her a lazy stare. "Do NOT injure your partner while training. Be careful from now on."
Seifer shot me a heated look and slammed his fist into his desk. I rolled my eyes at Seifer's immaturity but couldn't help also feeling angry. Quistis had only chided Seifer when it was both of us who got injured.
Does she assume he beat me? Is that why? I clenched my fist tightly then let it go.
Whatever.
"Okay, field exam participant," Quistis dismissed. "I will see you all later."
The class started to move. Students who were going to take the test chatted nervously while the others picked up their books so they could attend their next lesson. I watched as Seifer stormed past me and pushed my way out of the classroom.
He needs to learn to control himself more, I thought while getting out of my seat. I was about to leave when Quistis called me.
"Squall," she said, not looking up from her desk. "I need to talk to you." I walked over and stood in front of her. She didn't acknowledge me for a moment and I started to get slightly impatient. I was about to turn around and leave when she looked up.
"You haven't been to the Fire Cavern yet, have you?" She asked. I shook my head before turning away as to show it didn't really matter. "You won't be able to take part in today's SeeD exam if you don't pass this prerequisite."
I was going to go this morning, I thought, annoyed. But Seifer…
"Hmm? Do you have a good excuse?" Quistis asked.
"Not really," I answered. "I was going to go now."
"Then let's get going. I'll be waiting at the front gate, so come down when you're ready." She stood up and walked out of the classroom without another word. I blinked after her a few times before shrugging.
"Okay."
This takes care of the Fire Cavern then…
Turning around I walked back up to my desk and sat down. I turned on my computer terminal and typed in my ID and password. Once logged on I briefly checked my mail before connecting to my Guardian Forces. There was no point in junctioning with them in class, so we stored them here. I observed my two GF's carefully before deciding to just take them both. I didn't junction very well with Shiva so maybe Quistis could use her but I was close with Quezacotl.
I attached the apparatus from the computer to my hand and waited for the small prick that would let Quezacotl into my blood stream then into the cognitive part of my mind. I didn't even flinch at the sudden pain in my middle finger and focused on the slightly static sensation I felt enter me. As soon as I was sure Quezacotl was fully within my body I took my hand out of the contraption and held a small vile there instead. Ice blue substance slipped into the vial and I quickly wrote 'Shiva' on it with a marker before slipping it into a reinforced steel case that was used to hold inactive GF's.
"Fighting today?" Quezacotl's smooth voice whispered in my mind and I gave a little smirk.
"Yeah," I responded in my thoughts. "I need to go obtain Ifrit in the Fire Cavern before I can take the SeeD exam." I turned off the terminal and made my way out of the classroom.
I need to go to my dorm and get my pack…
Rubbing my left arm where I could still feel some of the electricity Quezacotl gave off when he entered me I quickly made my way to the Dormitories.
"I'm late, I'm late, I'm LATE!!!" A loud voice proclaimed before running smack dab into me and reeled backwards onto her ass.
What is with this girl? Couldn't she just watch where she was going? I sighed.
"Fairly amusing," Quezacotl laughed quietly but I just shook my head.
"Are you okay?" I asked a little hesitantly and offered my hand. She didn't see it and jumped up on her own.
"There. Tee-hee, I'm fine," she giggled and I tried not to roll my eyes at her carefree manner. "Sorry. I was kinda in a hurry." She looked over at the homeroom class quickly before looking back at me. "Oh yeah! Hey, did you just come from that class?" She pointed. I blinked.
Whois this girl? I wondered.
"Is… Homeroom over?" She asked with a little less spunk. I nodded. "Woo...Oh, nooo...This place is soooo much bigger than my last Garden!"
A transfer student… I thought. Just my luck.
"Oh, hey, hey. I just transferred here. Do you think you could give me a quick tour of this Garden?" She jumped up enthusiastically. I opened my mouth to say that I didn't have enough time when Quezacotl laughed.
"Just take the girl around," he said. "I still need some time to assemble all your previously stored magic."
I shrugged and listened to Quezacotl. "Sure."
"Whoo-hoo! Alright, let's go!" She said happily before smiling at me.
She has a lot of energy, I noticed. I suppose it works for her though.
"I'll take you to the lobby where the directory is," I told her. "Follow me." She nodded and followed my fast footsteps down the stairs instead of the elevator. Too many people were crowed around watching a card game and I didn't want to be anywhere near it.
"What Garden did you transfer from?" I asked, trying to be polite.
"Trabia," she informed him. "It snows a lot there, so I'm not used to the warm weather here in Balamb." I nodded.
"This way," I led her to the directory and told her to look. "Well, this is it. Balamb Garden is pretty big. It's a good idea to check where you want to go, and look for it here if you don't know the layout."
"Wow," she said. "Big is right."
"You'll find the dormitory to the north." I pointed to the top of the LCD screen "A majority of the students live in the dorms. There aren't too many students who commute. The only people who don't commute are the ones who live in Balamb and even then most still prefer to live in the Garden."
"Yeah, I'm in the dorms, too!" She said.
"You can rest and change in there when you have time or are tired." I moved my hand west. "West of the North Block is the cafeteria. There's always a big rush for the hotdogs. You better get used to waiting in line because they're pretty good."
"Got it!"
"And east of the North Block is the parking lot. We usually take the Garden car when a mission comes up. The front gate is located to the south..." I paused.
Right, I need to go get my pack and get down there. Instructor Trepe is waiting.
"Hmm?" What's the matter?" The girl asked, poking my arm a bit.
"Nothing..." I said, shaking her hand away. "Next, we have the quad, located in the West Block. There's an event being planned there…"
"I know! I know! It's the Garden Festival!" She exclaimed, full of life.
What is she so excited about? Who cares about the Garden Festival?
"It's going to be great! I'm planning to be on the committee. You wanna help out, too!?"
No.
"Let's just continue. South of the West Block is the infirmary. This is where you get treated for your injuries, but a lot of students just come here for advice," I explained.
"What's the doctor's name?" The girl asked.
"Dr. Kadowaki. Now the East Block." I pointed to the area of the screen with images of vegetation. "This is the training area used for training, and they have real monsters running loose there. If you don't take it seriously, you may end up dead. Just be careful," I said nonchalantly but the girl blanched.
"…Okay."
"South of the East Block is the library. There's a lot of material you can look up here, but the terminals in the classroom are a lot more efficient. And you already know about the classroom on the 2F, right?"
"Yep, I remember that one."
"By the way, the headmaster's office is located on the 3F. You need permission to get in," I said.
"Another question. What's the headmaster's name?"
"Headmaster Cid. That's about it. Anything else?"
Say no.
"Nope! I got it!" She smiled up at me. "Thanks!"
I nodded and turned away from her, ready to get back to my day when she spoke again.
"Heeey, um...are you taking today's SeeD exam?" She asked
"Yeah," I answered.
"Then maybe I'll see you again, later. I've already finished my training Trabia. I'm taking the Seed exam today, too. Good luck to both of us, huh! Thanks a lot!" She waved and ran off before I could respond.
Hmm, I thought. I never got her name.
"Oh?" Quezacotl commented slyly. "Do you want it?"
I rolled my eyes, not bothering to answer and walked off to grab my pack and meet Quistis.
"Sorry I'm late," I said when I arrived at the front gate. Quistis looked like she had been waiting.
"Don't worry about it," she waved it off. "Have you got everything you need? Potions? Antidotes?" She asked. I nodded.
"Which GF did you bring?" She wondered, peering at me.
"I brought Quezacotl and Shiva although I only junctioned with Quezacotl." I shrugged. "Shiva doesn't take to me very well. I thought maybe you could use her since she seems to be okay with females."
Quistis laughed but nodded. "Okay, thank you. I forgot to bring a GF anyway." I nodded again, having expected this. I reached into my jacket pocket and brought of the GF case.
"Do you think you can ask Shiva if she is okay with working with Quistis?" I asked Quezacotl.
"Yes, of course," he said. There was a pause. "She said that would be fine."
I took the vial out of the case and the needle used to prick Quistis's finger. She extended her left arm.
"Hold still," I said before poking her middle finger with the needle. She flinched a little, not used to the sting since she didn't use GF's as much. I opened the vial and held it against Quistis's bloodied finger. The icy substance inside slipped into her blood stream and she shivered.
After a moment I asked, "Do you have her?"
"Yes," Quistis nodded. "She says she's happy to see you."
I turned my head away and smiled a little, remembering when I had saved Shiva from a hot spring that she had accidentally been let into. I had been bathing at the time and she has seen a good deal of me. She liked to tease me about that.
I turned back to Quistis, smile gone and told her that they could get going. I knew that Shiva might not have seen the smile but I was sure she knew about it.
"Do you have magic stocked up?" Quistis asked after we had completely left Garden. The sun was hot today and I had to shield his eyes to look at her.
"Yeah, Quezacotl already has it assembled. I can use it anytime," I informed her.
"Good," she said. "You're going to need it for the Fire Cavern."
I followed Quistis through the grasslands, slashing out at the Bite Bugs that would occasionally swarm around us. Soon my gunblade was dripping with sticky green blood and the smell was making me a little sick.
"Hold on a minute," I called out to Quistis who had just cracked down on a Glacial Eye, splitting it in half with her whip. It dropped to a heavy heap on the ground, clear blood leaking from it into the earth.
"What's wrong?" She asked when she was closer to me.
"Nothing," I said. "I just need to wipe of my gunblade, all this blood is coating the edges."
"I see," Quistis nodded. "Okay. I need a Potion anyway, that Glacial Eye got me with a spell."
I looked up from cleaning my blade and saw that a part of Quistis's right arm was covered in thick ice. She reached inside her pack and pulled out the little Potion bottle. I ran my rag along my Revolver one more time as she sprayed the Potion of over her arm.
"Good as new," she smiled and closed her pack again. "We're almost there, just through this small patch of trees." She started walking as I rubbed the rag against the grass before folding back up and stowing it. I followed her into the trees and admired the beauty of the pines before a sticky substance shot me. Startled, I looked down at my side and saw the constricting spider web start to eat into my shirt. Quickly I cut it off and ran into a clearing to find the monster that did it.
A large Catcherpiller flopped out of the trees and wiggled toward me, another spider web at the ready. When it fired I jumped to the right and rolled so that I was on the Catcherpiller's side. Squeezing my gunblade trigger I fire an explosion jab into its stomach and swung upward, ripping the Catcherpiller open. Thick green oozed out of the wound but it wasn't enough to make it go down. It fired another spider web and I caught it with my gunblade.
"Throw that to me!" Quistis called out and I saw her running toward me, having heard the commotion. I untangled the web and threw it to her. She caught it and turned to face the Catcherpiller. It advanced on her, spitting slimy acid but it was too slow. As soon as Quistis caught the spider web she had called on her blue magic. Holding it tightly she thrust out her hand.
"Ultra Waves!" She yelled and multicolored radiation waves pulsed out of her arm and hit the Catcherpiller dead on, sending it sizzling to it's death.
I heaved a deep breath and sheathed my blade. "Good timing," I said to Quistis.
"Sorry I wasn't here sooner. I was looking at the trees," she explained.
"Forget it," I shrugged. "I could've taken it out with another hit. You didn't have to rush back here."
"Was that blue magic?" Quezacotl asked.
"Yeah,"I replied. "I had never seen it before."
"Yes, yes," Quistis sighed. "I'm sure you would have been just fine, Squall. Let's keep moving. The Fire Cavern is close." She turned back the way she came and walked leisurely out of the trees. I gave another look at the decaying Catcherpiller.
No wonder she made Instructor so quickly. That technique is deadly.
"Squall! Let's go!" She called out from up ahead. Shaking out of my thoughts I hoisted my pack more securely over my shoulder and followed Quistis's path to the Fire Cavern.
"Better let Shiva handle this place," Quezacotl advised when the Fire Cavern came into view. A thin film of smoke tapered out of the mouth of the cave along with irregular belches of raw heat. I could see the flames licking the pathways inside.
"Get ready anyway," I told my partner. "I know I will at least need to use some ice based magic." I could feel Quezacotl's agreement as I approached Quistis.
"Are you ready?" She asked. "We only have ten minutes to get to Ifrit and defeat him before the heat he creates causes us to pass out."
"I know," I affirmed, having read over the rules again just recently.
"You can't take the exam today if you pass out," Quistis warned. I didn't respond. I knew the risks and what the consequences would be if I failed. All students knew.
"I'm ready," I finally spoke and Quistis nodded, readying her whip and a blizzard spell. I unsheathed my gunblade and pushed a blizzard spell into the steel, causing it to have an icy bite.
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I ran head on into the agonizing heat of the cavern, Quistis on my heels for support.
"Good luck!" One of the Garden Masters called from behind us. I silently thanked him before spraying the fast moving lava ahead of him with another blizzard spell. A Bomb approached on my right and I sliced it through with my gunblade. The Bomb froze on contact and it's two halves fell and shattered onto the scorched ground. I brushed some sweat of my eyes and looked up ahead. I could just make out a fiery inferno.
That must be Ifrit, I thought slashing at a group of Red Bats. Wincing I felt fire eat at the back of my legs and quickly turned around to stab another Bomb.
"Duck!" Quistis yelled from my left. I quickly dropped to the ground as a Buel swooped low, ripping the air where my head used to be. Quistis's whip slashed out and took off one of its wings. It cried out an ugly sound before I silenced it with a blizzard spell.
"Are you alright?" Quistis asked me, after taking a few breaths of hot air.
"Fine," I grunted. It was rather hard to breathe in here. "But we don't have time for more monster."
"I agree, let's get moving," Quistis said, starting to run again. I followed using the rest of his blizzard spells to keep the fire monsters away.
"I can see Ifrit's chamber," I called out to Quistis and point ahead of me where the inferno was. "We need to head that way." Quistis changed direction as she smiled.
"My job is to support you in battle, you know. Everything else is up to you," she reminded me.
"Fine," I grumbled.
"You now," she flicked her wrist playfully. "The boys often choke on this test when I come with them. I guess my charm makes them nervous."
Whatever, I thought stopping to look back at her.
"I'm just kidding! Trying to keep you relaxed, that's all," Quistis laughed but it was cut short when four Bomb monsters cornered us against one of the cavern walls.
"Damn," Quistis cursed and jumped away from the fire they were spewing. "We're stuck!"
I gritted my teeth, feeling stupid for using all my blizzard spells. I checked my magic for anymore but all I found were some mid-level ice based spells.
Can't use that. I need it for Ifrit, and we need Shiva's full power for her to be effective and she should still merging fully with Quistis. Damn! Time is running out.
"I can take care of this," Quezacotl buzzed. I could feel the electric energy surge through me, ready to be let out.
"Are you sure?" I asked. Quezacotl rumbled in reply, the sounds of thunder suddenly filling the cave.
"What is that?" Quistis called, looking around frantically.
"Don't worry, its just Quezacotl," I told her before reaching back into my mind. After a few moments of concentration, hot electricity started to shoot out of me and take Quezacotl's shape.
"Go, Squall" he said when fully formed, his body glowing in a bright light. I motioned for Quistis to run before taking off myself.
In a flash of lightning Quezacotl unleashed ThunderStorm behind us, decimating all four Bombs before he quickly dematerialized back into me.
"Good," I commented once I felt Quezacotl's presence. "Now time for Ifrit."
With the slight pressure that signaled Quezacotl agreed, I upped my pace and ran for the inferno. Once I reached the entrance I could see Ifrit moving inside. Quistis stopped beside me, huffing.
"I guess I was right. You and Seifer are in a class of your own. You both have amazing strength and potential," she breathed. "Are you ready? Because this is it."
I quickly waved her off. Of course I'm ready.
"Well, you seem confident enough," she remarked. "I'm right behind you."
I nodded and took off, readying my gunblade for the attack. After no more than a couple seconds of running I was upon the Guardian and not waiting for Ifrit to notice me, I jumped into the air and dug my blade deep into Ifrit's thigh, causing him to roar in pain. Ifrit slashed at me and I wrenched my Revolver blade out of Ifrit's flesh, causing a stream of hot blood to gush out over my hands. I gritted my teeth in pain as the blood burned me.
"Impudent human!" Ifrit bellowed, bringing back his arm and slamming it into me. I hit the side of Ifrit's cave with a grunt before getting up and shaking dust out of my eyes. Quezacotl had managed to put a layer of electricity between the wall and me cushioning my impact.
"Thanks," I thought before gripping Revolver again.
"Be more careful," the thunder Guardian intoned. "You have a comrade. Let her help you." I nodded begrudgingly before searching for Quistis. She was standing outside the mouth of the cave, watching me intently.
"Where are you, human!?" Ifrit yelled, slicing his claws into the ground. "Stop hiding and face me!"
I made eye contact with Quistis and she nodded briefly before running into the cave, whip ready. I closed my eyes and felt the light pulse of my gunblade shudder in anticipation.
"Hey!" Quistis's voice called out. She slapped her whip into Ifrit's shoulder causing him to turn away from me and focus on her. She was doing just what I asked, unleashing Shiva.
Just a few more seconds, I thought as Revolver started to shimmer, my raw power sharpening the blade. Just a few more!
Quistis jumped to her left, dodging Ifrit's fira spell.
"That was a close one," Shiva whispered in her ear. "That was a middle level magic spell. It would have done more than freeze your arm."
"I know that," Quistis thought furiously back and rolled to snap Ifrit on the knee. He roared again, spinning away from her whip. Come on Squall, she coaxed. Hurry up! We're running out of time!
Ifrit was upon her again, his swipe just barely missing her torso as she pushed to her feet. The rock crackled around her, giving a moment of invisibility. She quickly lashed out and wrapped her Chain whip around Ifrit's extended arm. With a great amount of effort she jammed Chain into the ground and jumped away extending her arm.
"Ready?" Quistis called to Shiva in her mind.
"Anything for the young boy's friend," she replied as the air started to chill. Icy white slowly flowed out of Quistis's outstretched arm. It swirled dangerously for a moment before meeting in a single form. Shiva smiled lavishly at Ifrit before blowing him a kiss.
"Good to see you again," she purred and started to walk towards him, the ground freezing beneath her.
"They have you!?" Ifrit yelled in rage. Shiva smiled again before narrowing her eyes.
"Diamond Dust," she murmured before rising into the air in a flurry of icicles. They surrounded Ifrit, clinging to his fur and covering his horns. He snarled and tried to cut through the ice but it rapidly reformed until he was fully covered. Shiva smirked and snapped her fingers. The ice shattered and Ifrit fell to his knees as the many shards slicing into his body threatened to extinguish his flames.
"Not yet, ice queen!" He growled and flexed his muscles, pushing intense heat out of him. With a mighty roar he unleashed a fury of flames towards Shiva but it was too late. She was already fading back into Quistis who was back at the mouth of the cave, watching Squall with a smile.
"Now!" I said, feeling power in my veins and rushing forward to meet Ifrit. The fire Guardian raised his arm to cut me down but I, fit with a new speed twisted around the sharp claws and lifted my sword.
"Renzokuken!" I yelled and in under a minute unleashed a succession of blade attacks, thoroughly cutting into Ifrit. With my last jab I jumped away only to return with a fearsome uppercut.
"Rough Drive!" I sliced through Ifrit's shoulder and landed behind him, the hot blood searing my body. I extended my gunblade and turned to face Ifrit in victory.
"For me to lose to a human...Very well, I accept your power. I will join you," Ifrit smiled for the first time before slowly turning into burning flames. I set my weapon down and reached into my pocket for the GF case. Clicking it open I grabbed an empty vial and walked over to the flames. I opened the top and offered it to Ifrit. He slipped into the vial, filling it with intense heat. I put the vial back into the GF case and stowed it in my pocket before walking over to my blade and picking it up. The steel was covered with blood and dirt. I sighed.
Well he did it, Quistis thought as she saw him walking toward her, holding his dripping gunblade. She looked around for their packs and saw them still sitting idly where she left them.
"Mission accomplished," she said happily, patting Squall on the shoulder as he passed her. He nodded and went straight for his pack.
"I made the time limit?" He asked, pulling his cleaning rag, two regular potions and two G-potions out before leaning against the cave wall.
"Yes, just barely. You should get an excellent score. You did very well," Quistis told him a little fondly.
"I could have done better, Instructor," he said and wiped the last of the blood off Revolver. "I should have reserved more ice based magic and been more aware of where Ifrit was in relation to myself. I should not have been thrown against that wall or had to use Renzokuken."
Listen to him, Quistis thought. Can't even take a compliment. Why is he like that? She wanted to ask but remained silent. Nothing she said would change his mind. He was always like that.
She watched him slowly take off his black jacket and wondered what he was doing. She was about to ask when she saw that Ifrit's blood had burned through most of shirt and into some of his skin. His whole body tensed as he proceeded to peel away what was left of the white shirt. Once all the pieces were off she saw that his burns were bleeding freely and looked extremely painful.
"Are you alright?" Quistis heard herself ask.
"Fine," Squall grunted and reached down to grab the two potions. Something in the back of her mind told Quistis that she probably shouldn't be watching him like this and yet she didn't want to look away. She was concerned, obviously, but it was more and that feeling confused her.
"He is quite good looking for a human, isn't he?" Shiva commented. Quistis didn't respond but she agreed with something that felt like pride. That also confused her. Were feeling almost sisterly concern and pride something one should feel towards someone that they thought they might be in love with? She didn't know. She didn't even know if she was in love with him. She couldn't deny that she loved him but in what way?
He finished healing himself and discarded his empty potion bottles. Quistis saw his muscles move and flex as he put his jacket back on and was once again baffled at the fact that she seemed to have to drive to want to be with him. She wanted to spend time with him and maybe for once have him tell her what he's thinking or feeling but she wasn't attracted to him.
"Instructor?" Quistis heard Squall say and looked up.
"Yes, what?" She asked, pulling herself away from thoughts of Mr. Leonhart and focusing on the real thing standing in front of her.
What is with her? I wondered as Quistis finally responded.
"I asked if you could put Shiva back in the vial," I repeated, holding out one for her to take. "Since the mission is done and we have some time."
"Oh," she laughed and took it from my hand while reaching into her pack for her GF case and a needle. "Sure, of course. I almost forgot she was yours." I gave her a blank look before turning around to get a G-potion for Quezacotl. I had already administered some to Ifrit and would give one to Shiva once she was back in her vial.
Reaching down I sighed, not liking the fact that I was now shirtless. It wasn't that I was modest, I just didn't feel like having to explain to everyone why I wasn't wearing a shirt. Especially since I had just spent half the day with the Instructor. Her fan club would be all over me.
Trepies, he thought, how annoying. No one is going to believe that I got my shirt burned off by Ifrit's blood. I sighed again. Today was just not his day.
"Here," I said to Quezacotl and slipped the G-potion syringe under my skin. It evaporated as soon as the substance hit my blood stream and slipped undetected into my brain and around Quezacotl. He basked in it and I removed the needle from my vein.
"Thank you, I appreciate it," the Guardian told me. I nodded and put the empty syringe back in my pack.
"Ready?" I heard Quistis ask from behind me. She was holding the vial out for me to take back, Shiva's icy substance flowing in it.
"Yeah," I replied, taking it from her and slipping it back into my GF case. I put it in my pocket before starting to walk. My body was still a little sore from hitting the cave wall but I would manage until I got back to Garden. At the moment I didn't have enough Gil to buy anymore potions so I had to save the ones I had for the SeeD exam. I would probably need them.
I'll just take a nap before the exam. I decided. I should have some time.
The walk out of the Fire Cavern was anything but eventful. After Ifrit was defeated the monsters became far less aggressive and rarely came to the pathway.
Once outside I breathed the clean air gratefully. I was tired of that heat.
"Alright," Quistis said and I turned to her. "Now that you've gotten a new GF, and a good one at that… Why didn't you tell me that you had to get Ifrit anyway?" She asked with a huff, going off on a tangent. "The other student's GF were much more passive than the Guardian of fire."
"I didn't think it was important," I answered.
"Of course," she replied a little sarcastically. I felt my hackles rise a little. Why is she making fun of me?
"Well, it's not a problem," she waved it off. "As I was saying, now that you obtain your new GF you can participate in the exam later today. It will take place at five so remember to wear your uniform and don't be late," she said sternly.
"Fine." I turned and continued to walk, wanting to get back to Garden quickly. I was starting to feel annoyed.
It was a quiet walk for me. Quistis said she would handle any monster attacks and for that I was grateful even though I wouldn't admit it. I was tired. The fight with Seifer this morning and the fight with Ifrit had worn me out. I needed some rest if I was going to be able to perform my best in the exam. Above everything I wanted to pass. I didn't think I had it in me to fail.
"Squall," Quezacotl said thoughtfully a few minutes before they were to reach the front gate of the Garden.
"Hmm?"
"Will you be taking me with you or will I be in the vial for the exam?" He asked.
"With me," I replied. "I only just obtained Ifrit and you know Shiva. They will be in vials."
I could feel Quezacotl smiling and suddenly felt better about the exam. Some of the anxiety I was feeling left me at the thought of Quezacotl being there to help me.
"Be careful," Quezacotl said in a mock tone. "You sound like you actually want to depend on me."
"Depending on a GF is different," I said. "Although we might talk and act like friends or comrades we are not. You are my Guardian Force and I am your master. That is all."
"That's a little cold, wouldn't you say?" Quezacotl remarked.
"Whatever, joke about it as much as you want. You know I'm right because you feel the same."
"Ah, touché, touché, young one," I felt the static that was Quezacotl's laugh. "But serving under you has not been unpleasant. I'm sure that if you let people in that you would-"
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"Perhaps, perhaps not…" Quezacotl sighed. I ignored him and angrily swiped my ID card over the sensor that would allow us into the Garden, for they had returned.
"Squall Leonhart, student under Instructor number fourteen, Quistis Trepe." The electronic voice beeped out and I waited for the SeeD posted as guard to affirm that I was who my card said I was.
"Have you swiped your card yet?" Quistis asked from my right. I nodded as the gates opened for me. I walked underneath the lasers and into the Garden. "Don't be late, Squall!" She called before the gates closed.
I shoved my hands into my jean pockets and made my way to my dorm slowly, my legs protesting being moved. I wanted to lie down.
I didn't noticed people staring at me until I had reached the lobby.
Why are they all looking at me? I wondered and looked down at myself.Damn. I cursed, seeing my still shirtless chest. I forgot about that.
I zipped up my jacket and quickened my pace, eliciting an eruption of giggles from the girls around me. Trying to stop my face from getting red I kept my eyes to the floor until I was safely locked inside my dorm.
I reached inside my jacket and grabbed my GF case before letting the jacket fall to the floor. Sitting heavily on my bed I pulled out Ifrit's vial and a marker. After writing the GF's name I slipped him next to Shiva and placed the case next to my bed. I lay there a moment, listening to Quezacotl buzz and thinking about the upcoming exam before falling asleep.