Horizons of Hope
Disclaimer: All characters in the fic belong to Squaresoft. Applies to the chapters thereafter!
Chapter 1
Quistis Trepe peeked out from under the covers of her bed, cerulean eyes struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness peeking through the curtains of her dorm window. Letting out a groan, she dragged herself out of bed to get ready for the new day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the birds were chirping their happy song. But no matter how cheerful the morning was, the void in Quistis' heart was still there as always, perpetually spiraling her into depression.
What more could a girl ask for? She had her instructor's license reinstated not too long after the Sorceress' War, received admiration and respect from the entire population of Gaia, had great friends to hang out with, and not to mention a respectable salary that comes along with her job. No. Surely there's more to life than this, she thought.
After going through her mundane morning routine, Quistis Trepe looked at her reflection in the mirror. Big, almond-shaped pools of blue stared straight back at her. She had beautiful eyes, or so many of her friends told her on several occasions, yet all she could see through her eyes were nothing but loneliness and defeat. They no longer sparkled nor held any signs of laughter. She couldn't. There was nothing in her life worth smiling about anymore.
How long will this last? Am I destined to stay like this all my life?
After a minute of contemplation, she decided to take a jog around the town to get things off her mind. Putting on a tank top, track pants, and jogging shoes, she tied up her hair into a high ponytail and briskly headed towards the balcony behind the classrooms of Balamb Garden.
Due to some maintenance problems, the Garden had to be stationed at the docks of Fisherman's Horizon for a few weeks until the faulty flying mechanisms could be completely repaired. Quistis had always loved this place. The salty smell of the sea, the sight of seagulls flying across the sky, and the fresh air that never fails to rejuvenate the mind. She remembered the first time she set foot on this town. Though the Garden had chanced upon this place under some rather harsh circumstances, she had taken a liking to the place almost immediately.
After completing a series of stretches, she was ready to go. Little did she know of what would entail that very morning...