Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII, the characters, or anything affiliated with it. So don't sue me!
Author's Note: I finally got around to starting this fic! I'm having a slight bit of writer's block with my other fic, To Love You More, so I decided that a now was as good a time as any to start with this. I know this is short, but it's just the prologue, so bear with me. My birthday is tomorrow, so review and consider it an early birthday gift!
Azure Sky
Prologue
The rain pounded down into the earth. Massive sheets of cool liquid from the dark sky. The news reporters had called it the "first real hurricane of the season." The streets were empty; no soul dared to venture out into the storm. That is, with the exception of one woman. She ran down the empty streets, clutching her child to her chest. The baby wailed, unhappy with being outside in the current conditions. The woman continued running, never once pausing to check her baby or look to see if anyone was following her. The only thought on her mind was that she had to get away from the people who so desperately wanted to end her life, as well as her daughter's. The woman had one destination in mind, and she would not stop until she reached it.
A rumble of thunder tore through the sky, causing the baby's wails to increase. The woman's run became faster, more frantic. "Shh," she whispered softly. "We're almost there, darling. Please, they mustn't hear us."
Perhaps the child understood her mother, or perhaps she simply understood the urgency in her voice. Whatever the case, the child ceased her crying. The woman said a silent prayer, thankful for the sudden silence. She continued on, completely oblivious to her soaked clothes and chilled feet. Her destination was close...so close. However, she did not dare to slow down. Her daughter's life depended on the quickness of her pace, and the determinedness of her spirit.
Finally, after what seemed like days of running, the forest the woman had sought loomed before her. Her face broke out into a wide smile, tears filling her eyes. "We are here, darling," she whispered. "You are finally safe." The woman walked up to a huge oak tree, hugging her daughter close.
The child's eyes looked up at her mother curiously. She did not recognize her surroundings and she didn't understand why her mother had brought her there. "My daughter...this is where we must part." Tears slid down the woman's face. "This is all for the best. Here, you will be safe from the people who look to harm you. You will never have to face the hatred for what you are. Here, you will be surrounded by people that love you." The child smiled, closing her tiny fist around the ring that her mother wore around her neck. "Your aunt will take care of you. She will make sure that you never learn the truth. I know you will grow up to become a beautiful woman. I just wish I could share in that experience with you." She gulped down a fresh batch of tears. "I love you, my daughter...Rinoa. I will always be watching over you." Kissing her daughter's forehead, she laid her down gently at the base of the tree. Sensing her mother's profound sadness, the child began to weep as well. "I am sorry," the woman whispered as she turned around and ran, not being able to bear seeing her daughter's distress any longer.
The journey back was a hard one. The woman was full of grief. Grief for the loss of her daughter and the cruelness of the people seeking her destruction. In her heart, she understood that she had done the right thing. The only way to ensure her daughter's safety was to let her go. The woman was so caught up in her thoughts that she never noticed the uniformed men standing before her.
"Halt!" One of them shouted as he spied the woman coming towards them.
The woman stopped, her eyes wide with terror. Was this to be her end, then? "What do you want with me?" she cried. "I haven't done anything!"
The officer's face twisted into a cruel grin as he realized just who the woman was. "I suggest that you surrender to us now, Sorceress."
Looking around, the woman realized that five guns were pointed directly at her. Escape was impossible. She took a step forward. "I surrender to no one."
"There's no use in being stubborn. We know all of your powers were passed on to your daughter. Just come with us and we can settle this peacefully."
"I already gave you my answer."
"What of your daughter, then?" the officer sneered. "Do you value her life?"
"I have no daughter!" she cried. "And I have done you no harm!"
"Forget the child," one of the other officers jeered. "Take care of her first. Then, we'll hunt down her daughter."
"Sorceress Julia Heartilly, you are under arrest." She did not move, not even to acknowledge the officer's words. "Surrender, Sorceress. It will be easier for us all if you do."
Julia held her head high, jaw set. "No."
"No?" the officer asked. "Alright then. You're better off dead, anyway. No one has use for a sorceress, whether your powers are gone or not. Take care of her, boys."
Three consecutive shots were fired; two through the head, one through the chest. The Sorceress Julia Heartilly was dead.
~*~
