Feathers of an Angel
Introduction
By
Jesall
The day brought in a new light on the world. Five years. Five long years had passed since that day. And Squall awoke to another day. He still remembered those days, fighting alongside Rinoa, for the world, for friendship, love. And now he had the chance to wake everyday beside her smiling face, glistening in a new day. Feelings told him that today would be an odd day, unlike any other. Ever since the transformation that took place five years ago inside of him; he felt calm, at peace; until now.
He simply smiled at her, kissing his wife on the forehead. He'd complete the usual routine; nothing changes for the life of a SeeD. SeeD had also changed over the past five years, it was no longer a mercenary group, but rather a group determined to seek peaceful resolutions at all costs. There those rare occurrences when, they must fight. The feeling arose in Squall again, he couldn't pinpoint it, and he felt uneasy. Something told him that an untold evil grew as he looked upon the tender loving face of his wife, Rinoa. He couldn't simply shake this feeling, maybe, five years ago but not now. Too much rode on his decisions, he had to think responsibly now. After all, he had a wife to protect, a child coming, and a Garden to command.
If someone had told him he'd have been doing this five years ago, the response would have been a cool, nonchalant, "whatever..." but now, that won't suffice. How could it suffice in a day and age such as this? The epitome of the changing times took place five years ago, during the revolution of Squall. Becoming more in tuned to the nature of things, to the friendships, the people, what was a guy to do? Squall had passed these thoughts off for the last few years, and now they were resurrecting themselves inside him. Each took on a new personality, drawing his thoughts to each one. "No wonder I put these out of my mind..," he thought. Times certainly had become more complex but he could handle it. For he was Squall, and for that exact reason was the reason why he had no choice.
As the thoughts swirled about his mind the sun had finally broke the horizon, officially ringing in a new day. Making an unconscious start. Who was to say what today would bring? Who would be able to say what tomorrow will bring? Squall couldn't, wouldn't think about such things, his mind was too full as it is. The itinerary of the day ran through his mind. Run over battle strategy, hold conference of senior staff, and make corrections to strategy from suggestions of senior staff. "Our anniversary!" He had almost forgotten, today was their two year anniversary. Married two years to this day, "wow." Who would have guessed? He could remember that day. Rose petals filled the air, all his friends were there. Rinoa seemed happy on that day, happier than she ever was. For now, they could finally rest in a peaceful world, without more senseless death. She would say to him on that day, "I do." And he would say the same exact thing. But did he really? "I don't remember, did I actually say 'I do'?" That was eerie he couldn't even remember his own wedding day.
The uneasiness manifested itself in his mind again. "Something is definitely wrong," he nearly collapsed under the weight of his thoughts. And as he looked into the horizon he could have sworn he saw a feather float across the brilliant sun. "Must be seeing things."
He thought back to his wedding, which led to the thoughts of five years ago. He was almost as light-hearted and free as he was during those adventures they had together. When everyone was together for one single cause, to save time and earth. No time to stop and think, only time to do. The moments. All the moments they shared together, something he was actually connected to. He had finally felt close to someone during those times. Not just one single person, like Sis, but this time he felt close to many others. The depth and perception of the people who surrounded him during those times, the feelings of unity he felt during that time were incredible.
"All I see is you, Sis," he once said. The times certainly have changed; Sis wouldn't be the first one to come to mind now. During these times it'd be Rinoa. "Seems a little awkward, 'All I see is you, Rinoa,' who would have guessed, Rinoa and I." As he stared blankly out the window he turned to look at her. He looked down slowly, and noticed his necklace, "What once was named Griever shall be renamed Angelo." "When did I do this? I don't remember inscribing this into my necklace." That's when it caught his mind. Three years ago, when Garden decided to pursuit peaceful methods. He hung up his gunblade and threw away his pain; Angelo representing Rinoa ...
Rinoa interrupted his thoughts as she flipped in bed. He gave her a piercing glare, an angry glare. "What am I doing? Why am I angry at her for simply flipping in bed?... what is going on..." She laid there in peace as he stared at her, contemplating the nature of happenings. He didn't know exactly what was happening but, as always, it was bad. "What a bad day."
His mind started to slide from himself to Rinoa. She would wake soon, cheering his day, bringing meaning to the day. As Rinoa would wake soon, he wanted to greet her with an old friend. He quietly slid under the bed to pull out a box. This box, covered in dust, was once his most important object in life. That importance now shifted to Rinoa, leaving his old friend by the wayside. But he could never let go of his past, he still knew that fighting was inevitable, besides how could simply throw away such a loyal friend.
"How loyal could a person be, when silver and mithril were the only true things in this world." Old philosophies filled his mind once again. He blew the dust away from the box, and pulled out his old gunblade, it glistened as if it were new. Nostalgia overwhelmed his mind, as he fell to one knee. He again could feel a growing sense of urgency, a growing evil. He knew the GardenÕs current mission wasn't going to end peacefully. He knew what he must do, he now knew how he must deal with it. He stared at the inscriptions made on his gunblade, this relic of weaponry.
He wondered if anyone actually used these anymore. What with the technological advancements that Esthar brought to the world when they were pried from their society. It was hard to even find a gunblade anymore, let alone a blade made of mithril or metal. Now it was all lasers, and guns. But he loved this blade. He'd never give it up, for anything. It seemed so long ago, the years ago when he actually had a use for the relic he now held. He thought back to those times, and noticed that the years run together after that. But those times were crystal clear. Him and his blade, the only two things he trusted back then. "That's the way it was supposed to be. No reliance on anyone but you and your blade." And then came the graduation ceremony where his life would be changed forever. Rinoa. And the story of five years ago would unfold, and soon heÕd become who he is today, standing where he is now.
"An ebb and flow of time, they say history repeats itself," he'd always push those thoughts out of his mind, he wanted nothing more than for those days to stay in the past. And as he picked himself up from near collapse he noticed Rinoa had awoken. Rinoa simply smiled, but it soon faded as she noticed the blade. She'd always brighten his day with her youthful, cheery smile. But now, it seemed different. She seemed faintly and oddly concerned. "What is she concerned about? Should I ask her? What if I'm wrong?"
As the questions rolled through Squall's mind Rinoa felt the sense of nostalgic urgency, with no time to think about your next action. She loved those feelings, chasing Squall, fighting beside him, saving the earth together. She could recall those days, those were the happiest days of her life, and now, she had him all to herself. Nothing really changed from then and now. Things had remained the same since the wedding and today. She loved him just as much as she ever had, if not more. But she couldn't help thinking of five years ago, those times were the best times of her life. Yet all the dying that took place around her, made her often wonder how she remained so happy. She hated fighting, until she had a cause. She'd always use that as her excuse for reasoning enjoyment out of so much pain. She hadn't felt an uneasiness come from Squall since those times. But now, she felt that uneasiness coming from him, as if he were hiding something.
"Hi there..." she trailed off in a groggy voice.
Putting his hand to his forehead and walking across to the corner of the room he replied, "Hi..."
She knew he was hiding something now; which was strange he hadn't done that for nearly five years.
"Squall, what's on your mind? Are you feeling alright? Worried about the mission?"
"No.. nothing like that. It's just... never mind.."
"Squall? What are you hiding from me? What's going on?!" Her voice picked up, she was getting worried now.
"Nothing.." He walked out of the room, dropping the blade.
The blade fell for what seemed to be an eternity. It rang true to the floor, making even one's soul shatter. As it fell Rinoa started to cry, the tears not stopping for hours. The blade lay there, facing her as if mocking her. It finally laid to the floor as Squall left the room. She watched Squall and the tears started to stream from her eyes, she watched the blade fall, as if it were in some sort of slow motion. It seemed to replay over and over in her mind, and every time it ended with a soul-chilling screech of the blade hitting the floor. She couldn't help but notice the fact that he left her there, crying, alone. All she could do is sigh. So she simply sighed. If there were one thing she learned over the course of their journey five years ago, was that he'd only talk when he was ready. She knew it was the only way. As she slid out of bed, she got dressed, picked up the blade, and walked after him.
Squall stared out on the water from the port deck, where they first kissed. Feelings of uneasiness flooded his mind again. "What is going on with me...?" That was when he noticed it, the time froze, the earth turned black, he whispered to himself, "Black Sunday." These sights confirmed his uneasiness; he now knew it was coming. He knew an epic battle would ensue, and he would once again plunge his soul into battle. But this time he didn't know whom he would be fighting, this mysterious evil, or himself...