9 crystals, each radiating intense brilliance. The smallest sliver is passed down randomly; there is no way to tell who will become its new guardian. Slightly larger is one entrusted to the strongest mage on a planet for protection. Both protectors work together to create ultimate joy but die the second there is peace once more. The remainder of that crystal, along with the other 8, are hidden somewhere deep within the planet's core. At least that's what I was told when I was younger. I would like to believe this story, I really would, but after The Great Sorcerer War I don't think any hope can be found in such petty dreams.
20 years ago a sorceress visited the dictator from the large country of Galbadia in hopes of tightening the bonds that had began to loosen over time due to the recent rebellions. Her husband, desperate the earn money, told the dictator that this was an assignation attempt and offered to spy on her for him. He was rejected and killed on the spot.
After that, people began to hate us, the sorcerers. Soon it became law; all sorcerers had to wear thick inhibiters around their necks preventing them from doing any kind of magic. We weren't allowed to marry and were forbidden to have children. Those children raised in secret were branded by a thick, black pattern around their left eye. The patterns differed depending on who the parents were and how powerful the child would grow up to become. The more branches, the more power. I was granted 12 out of 15. Those with 10 or more were taken from their parents and put on 24 hour watch. I hear only one person was granted a perfect 15, but he was taken by the government for testing.
I was 6 years old when I was taken away from my mother. I could only assume they already killed my father, since they asked no questions. I was brought to Southern Ester where a young sorceress named Edna owned an orphanage for 'cursed children'. I was adopted the day after my 10th birthday and moved to Balamb.
Now of age, I was sent to a military base known as Garden, where they were secretly training sorcerers to work for the government. Soon after arriving, I discovered my powers for thunder-based spells. I wasn't allowed off campus at any time, but the people were nice and everyone assumed my branding was little more than a creative tattoo, designed to make me appearance fierce. I guess my easygoing personality only added to their suspicion, anyone above 12 acting extremely gloomy.
I wasn't exactly fond of the place until the middle of my 4th year. That's when I met Squall. He was a year older than me, 17 at the time, and therefore we had no classes together but I often watched him from afar. After all, his lack of markings interested me. He was a quiet guy, brave and strong. Nobody else seemed to notice, but I could tell there was something up with the way he guarded his chest; wearing his thick leather even in the blazing summer.
By the end of the year though I had long since forgotten my suspicions and no longer went out of my way to watch him. I remember sneaking into the pool at 6am, planning on being alone, only to find the burnet already there. His shirt was off, reveling his slightly muscled chest, but my true interest was directed at the shining gray sliver of a crystal, looking nearly black compared to the bright silver chain, gently resting around his slender neck.
The stories were true. The crystals had returned which only meant one thing: huge disaster was soon to follow.
