Final Fantasy 8
The Novelization
Chapter 1
Setting out
Name: Squall Leonheart
Age: 17
Height: 5'8"
Weapon: Gunblade (revolver)
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Description: Squall Leonheart was abandoned at a small age. He was one of the two children sent to Balamb garden, to be taken in by Headmaster Cid and watched over by him. As a result from his orphan status, he grew up as a loner, the only person he showed any kind of emotion to was the other orphan, who he had known his entire life. His Rival, Seifer Almasy.
Squall woke up slowly. Sitting up in bed, he rubbed his eyes. What was today? He thought for a moment, and then remembered. Today was the day he had to head over to the fire cavern for the trial there. Only if he passed that, would he be allowed to attend the SeeD test later that day. Getting out of bed, he quickly dressed. Holsering his Gunblade, he left his dorm room, and headed out through the halls over Balamb Garden. He was overcome by the aroma of hot dogs drifting from the cafeteria, and was almost wafted towards them, but cleared his head. He had to focus. He had a tight enough schedule as it was.
Once outside the massive Garden, he made his way east, heading for the Fire Cavern. He passed through the woods on the way without issue, though there were rumors that some students had been killed by T-Rexaurs in them, and came upon the desolate, rocky terrain that lead up to the cavern. That's when he saw him.
"why no?" Squall thought to himself, palming his head. Anytime Seifer was around, he was bound to start trouble.
"what the hell are you doing out here?" Seifer demanded as they passed a few feet within each other. Squall didn't answer, but instead kept walking. This didn't go well with Seifer. Angrily, he reached out, and grabbed Squall's shoulder, spinning him around.
"I asked you a question, chicken wuss." Seifer said.
Squall knocked his hand away. "It's none of your business."
"Everything that goes on in Garden is my business."
"Not when it's mine."
"Whatever. I bet you're on your way to the fire cavern aren't you?" Seifer asked, changing the subject.
Squall turned away.
"Yeah, I bet that is what it is. Ok, how about a quick training match, before you go through the trial."
"I don't have time for this." Squall said.
"Come on, don't be a chicken wuss."
"Fine."
Seifer drew his gunblade, taking his stance.
"come at me." He urged.
Squall prepared himself. The sun had just broken over the horizon to his left. Squinting slightly, he charged forward, swinging his gunblade. Seifer charged as well, spinning at the last moment and parrying the attack. The circled each other, there weapons locked in between them. Seifer spun away, giving Squall the opportunity to step in and attack with an overhead swing. Seifer spun, bring his gun blade up and parrying the attack. Once again, Squall swung, but missed. Seifer took this chance, and attacked, but Squall parried. Squall ran forward, and swung, but Seifer easily moved past him, using his superior agility granted from his fighting style. Squall spun around, seeing Seifer raise his hand and motion him forward, taunting him. Both fighters stepped forward, Seifer thrusting his gunblade forward, and Squall parrying it. Seifer quickly recovered, and thrust again, once again being parried. On the third thrust, Squall attacked as well, knocking Seifer's gunblade away completely. Taking Seifer's off guard, Squall stepped forward, and brought his gunblade down. Seifer barely had time to block, their gunblades locking for a moment. The weapons created sparks, showering both men. Seifer Pushed hard, pushing squall away and then brought his gunblade down. Squall parried, and thrust his forward, only to have his attack parried by Seifer. Seifer then swung in a large horizontal arc, forcing Squall to duck. Trying to be tricky, Seifer changed direction, and made another horizontal swipe, once again, Squall having to duck. Seeing himself at a disadvantage, Squall lept back, took a breath, and charged in. He made a horizontal sweep, and missed, but adjusted, and brought the gunblade down, slamming it against Seifer's hard. He slammed it down again, and again. Then, having Seifer on guard, swung it horizontally, knocking it aside. He brought it down one last time, but Seifer managed to guard just in time. Seifer quickly raised his gunblade and swiped down, forcing Squall to jump back. Squall was not going to be driven back however, and charged forward. Seifer saw an opening and took it. Catching Squall of guard, he used a fire spell, knocking Squall off his feet. Dazed, Squall slowly tried to climb to his feet, stopping cold when he saw Seifer raise his gunblade of his head. His eyes flew open as he saw the glint of metal fly at his face. Suddenly, there was pain. Squall felt as though his head was splitting open. He jerked back, looking down to see the blood splatter against the ground. The sight of his own blood enraged Squall, causing him to jump to his feet. Seifer was caught off guard as Squall charged him, grinding his gunblade against the ground. Seifer jerked his head back as Squall lifted the blade up in an arc. Not even sure whether he had hit Seifer or not, Squall started to stumble back to Garden. He was hurt bad. The blood left a trail, and he made it back to the gate just as he lost conciousness.