Beta: HeartlessTitania

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Chapter 3: A Leap of Vengeance

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The sudden jolt of the unsteady train caused Rinoa to topple nearly backward. Her hand slammed against the mildew-tiled wall as she flipped her freshly dyed black hair back. The sting of the freshly washed hair and subsequent beads of water sent shivers throughout her pale naked body. Looking up into the fog ridden mirror, Rinoa couldn't help but marvel at the reflection of the semi-familiar girl she had lost in touch with during her mission. Her fingers wiped the build up of condensation off the mirror, revealing her naked self further. There, peering from her side, she caught the edge of Balamb Lion tattoo gracing her back.

A sigh was released from her shivering lips as she twisted to get a better view of the beast making her skin it's temporary home. Zell, who had a natural talent for drawing, came up with the temporary tattoo one night on their way to Trabia while discussing her new persona.

The Lion's majestic main flowed in soft waves around its head that was caught ferocious roar. Ready for battle his claws lashed out in a fighting stance. It almost seemed as if it were protectively stretching out to guard her. In truth, it was a dismal replacement for the other proud lion that once stood by her. In a few more weeks, it would gone and by then she would be back to her old self. Only then could she permanently forget the second life she had been living while searching for them.

Rinoa struggled to get the bra over her increasingly thin frame. Her wet body wanted to cling to everything that it touched, but slowly she was able to squeeze into a pair of dark denim and a plain simple white T-shirt.

When she finally opened the bathroom, it was Zell who waited patiently against the wall of the communal bathroom. It appeared he had been guarding it against any passenger who might've disturbed her. His long blonde bangs had been towel dried, and unruly pushed aside. It was then she caught the scent of his SeeD standard issued body wash that permeated the hallway air.

Fixed on his face was a stern frown that would not break. She released a smile hoping it would be enough to break the spell he was under, but when he casted her long worried glance she knew nothing would work. It was so unlike him that had it not been for the large tribal tattoo on his face, she might've not recognized him at all. For a moment, the two of them just stared at each other- lost in time.

"Hey," he finally broke the ice letting his trademark smile come through despite the tension.

That smile, she realized, was what had kept her going for so long. However little by little, it was disappearing. Instead of the optimistic smile that could get them through anything, a subdued look of apprehension was beginning to claim its place. His feelings on the mission were starting to change. He had concerns about her wellbeing before and previously had wondered out loud if what they were doing was coming at a steep price.

"Hey right back at you," she tried to force another smile, but the trail left by a tear rolling down her check was going to rob her of any acting awards.

She was beginning to wonder it too. How long could they keep this up?

Zell, upon seeing her tear, took her into a fierce bear hug. A grip like his was as close to being in a vice as it comes, but she welcomed it. It allowed her the freedom to come undone without the fear of falling apart completely. The fearless veneer she had in place for so long was broken, and there was no way she could prevent what would happen next. She pressed her head deeply into his shoulder and cried deep painful sobs that were far too embarrassing for anyone else to hear.

"One step closer Rinoa. Why don't you see that?" he whispered into her ear as he stroked her wet hair.

"One step forward and fifty steps back. We still don't know anything more than we did in Esthar!" She sobbed harder forcing him to strengthen the vice.

"That's not true," he countered, but anything else he was planning to say suddenly got lost on its way out. She was sure he was questioning how much more of this they could take before it would consume them whole. Could he let Rinoa hold out hope without damaging her completely?

Rinoa pressed her head deeper into his shoulder, trying to block the painful memories that were always ruthlessly swarming around in her head.

Eleven months ago in Esthar…

The charismatic President of Esthar had been more than pleased to welcome his unexpected guests into his sprawling urban compound. So much so, that he practically sent a fleet of escorts to bring them through the technically advanced metropolis.

Rinoa first saw Laguna standing with Ellone in the grand parlor that overlooked the futuristic city. The president had ordered tea to be brought as he sat down next to his long-lost stepdaughter. Seeing those two utterly carefree reminded Rinoa that there was no way their morning reunion would end pleasantly.

Never once did Squall's name pass through their lips in their greeting, and they seemed oblivious to the fact that their loved one was missing. Their small talk seemed to go on forever, and Rinoa knew she was doing a poor job of getting through this meeting when Zell seemed to be the only one giving any reply at all.

Laguna sipped his tea before loudly clanking it on the saucer before him. "I know you two didn't travel here on a whim. So let's get to business."

Rinoa adjusted herself in the overly stuffed white chair as Laguna crossed his legs and leaned back casually. "What made you call so urgently? Not more trouble, is it?"

Zell's eyes went to Rinoa, knowing this was not going to be an easy conversation.

Zell had chosen to take the lead, for which Rinoa was eternally thankful for. Being so close to Laguna made her search his face for any familiar presence within him that would remind her of Squall. It crushed her when searching his face yielded nothing. Was it possible for a child to inherit nothing from one parent?

"Trouble might be an understatement," Zell warned.

"I was afraid of that," Laguna frowned taking his tea in his hand once more while waiting for him to continue, but Zell hesitated slightly, not knowing how to start this conversation.

"This is going to sound odd-" Zell then shook his head, knowing there was no real way to break this gently.

"Odder than time compression?" Laguna probed as he smiled skeptically. "Will my old heart be able to take it?"

"I hope you have a doctor on standby," Zell muttered now a bit concerned that he hadn't taken that into consideration.

Laguna, who had been sipping his tea, sputtered for a second and ungracefully set it down on the table in front of him.

"Does the name Squall Leonhart mean anything to you?" Zell asked, but from his tone it was clear he wasn't holding on to any hope.

"Should it?" Laguna questioned.

It was the reaction Rinoa had expected, but there was no way to prevent her heart from lurching in her chest like someone had struck her from behind. Her eyes fluttered down to the carpet as she drew back from the conversation in a desperate bid to keep her emotions in check.

"He was our leader- and temporary commander of Balamb Garden during the fight with Ultimecia," Zell clarified, waiting for any recognition before jumping to conclusions.

Laguna's eyes became unfocused as he reached back into his memories. "I'm sorry to say if I had met him I don't remember it. I thought Quistis was commander though?"

Zell's mouth twitched for a moment, but he gracefully ignored the comment.

"You have met him, Sir." Zell pressed on, "He was responsible for saving all of us. And he's suddenly gone missing."

"That's unfortunate," Laguna said while leaning over with his hands in his lap. "What is Garden doing about this?"

"That's the thing, Sir. He hasn't just gone missing... physically. It seems no one, but us even remembers him."

Laguna's brows pulled together in thought as he studied the fighter. "You're serious about this?"

"Yes, Sir." Zell waited for a more apparent reaction to come through the president's guarded face.

"And Garden?" the president asked again.

"Doesn't have any records of him. He has been completely wiped clear off the grid, and they have no interest in helping us search for him."

"That's unfortunate," Laguna stated, pausing for a moment to pick up his tea once more.

"He's your son," Rinoa blurted out.

It took her a moment to recognize the sound of her voice and even longer to register the reaction Laguna made at the sudden confession. The cup never made its intended journey to his lips. Instead, it hung in the air as his eyes bore into hers in absolute disbelief. Slowly the teacup lowered as he regarded the two closely for any signs of humor.

"A son?" Well, it wasn't an outright rejection of the idea- which was impressive to begin with- but it was clear he wanted to dismiss the notion as soon as possible.

"Uncle Laguna?" Ellone looked up at him uncertain about what to make of this revelation.

"By Raine... you had a son," Rinoa informed him, attempting to clarify the muddled disclosure.

"That's impossible," Ellone tried to interject, but Laguna held up a hand to stop her.

It was clear from Ellone's expression that she wanted to cry foul, but once she saw her uncle's worried expression, she held back and sat in silence. The carefree smile had fallen, and now Laguna searched Rinoa for a reason as to why she would say such a thing.

"My late wife and I had no children Rinoa. I left immediately after we married to search for Ellone-"

"And you're saying there is no chance she could have become pregnant before you left?" Zell called his bluff.

Rinoa shot Zell a look that was meant to signify he had gone too far, but Zell held his ground and waited for the president to answer.

"Ok, this conversation has become awkward." Laguna seemed to want to flee from this conversation, triggering Ellone to step in on her Uncle's behalf

"What are you trying to say, Zell? I saw Raine before…." The memory halted Ellone in her tracks for a moment as she blinked a few times to keep the tears away. "I was there, Okay?"

Ellone had to stop to collect her breath before continuing. "There was no baby. Zell, why are you doing this? Did she put you up to this? Where are the others?"

"She did sis," Zell spoke up as he took her anger in stride. He met her cynical glare and refused to back down. "He went to the orphanage with you when Raine died."

"What?" she laughed in a disgusted tone. "Uncle Laguna, I was there when she died. There was no baby. I don't know what you two are trying to pull, but it's insulting to Raine's memory. If there had been a baby, I would've protected it. Laguna would have returned! "

Her words reverberated throughout the silenced room. Rinoa looked to Zell, who struggled a bit with the fact that he was upsetting someone who had been like an older sister to him. He took a breath trying to calm himself down and tried to take this from another angle.

"It's not just you sis," Zell forged on. "The whole world has forgotten him. He was there with us at the orphanage and, believe me, you did protect him for as long as you could."

"You're both serious about this?" Laguna seemed just to be coming to grips with the words they were saying. "This is not a joke?"

Zell looked back to the shell-shocked father. "No, sir. I respect you too much to joke about something like this."

The group sat for a moment in silence, each one coming to terms with the other. Laguna eyes slowly fell to the tea that lay untouched far too long now to be warm.

"I take it Seifer hasn't been here if this all comes as a shock to you," Rinoa guessed, her voice low from the emotions that toiled in her.

"No, I haven't seen any of you since you were here last," Laguna replied hoarsely.

"That's another thing," Zell mumbled and went on to fill in the remaining gaps.

If Laguna believed any of it, he wasn't letting on. He remained ghostly white and unreadable in his chair, as he carefully let the new information wash over him. Rinoa's eyes encountered Ellone's, who seemed to study the sorceress apprehensively. Ellone would be their greatest opposition, and yet she was the only one who could help her at this moment.

"Can you send me back into the past?" Rinoa asked making the small woman jump.

Everyone in the room stopped and stared at Rinoa, but she kept a hold of Ellone's gaze.

"Why?" she countered, surprised at the sudden request.

"I want to see if he still exists somewhere. See if there is any clue to when he disappeared from your memories. I don't understand why we're the only ones who seem to remember him, but I think you can help with that." Rinoa could see Ellone wanting to protest, but she hesitated. "Please, he was like your little brother. He loved you and I lo-"

Oh no, it was the worst time for her voice to get stuck in her throat. Rinoa looked down and blinked away the tears away.

"Ellone," Laguna looked sideways to her.

Ellone looked slightly hurt by Laguna. "Don't tell me you're buying into this?"

"Time compression," he contemplated as he looked down. "What if we're missing something?"

"Laguna, do you really think Raine wouldn't have sent word about a baby?"

Laguna's eyes went unfocused trying to call up his feelings.

"My son? A SeeD?" he questioned once more. Suddenly, fear struck Rinoa as she wondered if Ellone had convinced him to be set dead against them.

Zell jumped in quickly to encourage the president, "Yes sir. He handled saving the world. You should be proud of him."

Laguna had trouble swallowing a thought that crossed his mind.

"If he was SeeD… I wasn't in his life, was I? I can't see myself letting my blood become a for-hire mercenary- no offense," he waved apologetically at Zell.

Zell grimaced a bit at the indirect slam, but Rinoa understood where the president was coming from. She had her own issues with their way of handling business by letting the money select what causes they believed in. But after standing with Squall in the life that destined for him, she learned that SeeD had all been for a greater cause. How could she explain that to him though?

"You had just learned of him, Laguna. You two haven't even spoken about Raine or the past," Zell attempted to comfort the man in front of them.

"Knowing Squall, he won't want to bring it up anyways," Rinoa added. "He's very prideful and stubborn that way."

"He was angry." Laguna covered his mouth with his hand in concern. He leaned over with his elbow coming to rest on his knee, lost in his thoughts. "Of course, he would be. I abandoned him."

It was then in that pose Rinoa saw the resemblance to Squall. Laguna pinched the bridge of his nose fighting back a growing migraine. Even though it was over for a brief second, she had seen the family resemblance that she had longed to see. It was almost like seeing the man she loved right in front of her.

"He sits the same way when he is thinking," she whispered. The words flew out of her mouth so fast she didn't have time to think of how they would impact the older man. His eyes lifted to her in awe. Since it was far too late to retract the words, she went and followed that train of thought more carefully.

"Whenever Squall is… overwhelmed… he tends to retreat into his head. When he thinks he's alone, he hunches over like that and covers his mouth with his hand. Once he's frustrated himself enough, he will lean back slightly and pinch the bridge of his nose… Just like you did now," her voice trailed off painfully as she looked down to her shoes, unable to take the president's eyes on her anymore. "I've never seen his mother, but I think he looks a lot like her. His warm brown hair was wildly untamed like yours though."

Laguna subconsciously brushed his hair back as he sat up straight. This was working, and Rinoa couldn't let this opportunity pass her by.

"Squall is always so serious and analytical. He has a hard time understanding people's humor at times and can come off as unsympathetic. From the memories Zell had witnessed of your life; this seems to fit the description of Raine when you were brought to Winhill."

"I remember she sat there and listed everything that was wrong with you and why you two could never work as a couple. She thought you couldn't be serious," Zell offered, knowing what she was doing. "Squall had that same thought about you as well."

"If I had to place a bet where his talent for war came from... I would place it on you, Laguna. It's a natural gift that can't be simply copied from a SeeD manual. He was fearless through the battle with Ultimecia, and his only concern was for his team, never himself."

It was Rinoa that needed a moment to collect herself now. She could almost see Squall's face in her head; the wind slicing through his hair as he waited for her in the flowers of Centra. She could practically see his eyes pleading with hers, calling to her to reach out for him.

"His eyes always seemed to change colors in the light. Most often they were blue but sometimes, in the right light, they would turn a dark green." That last thought was meant to stay in Rinoa head but passed too easily through her lips.

"Raine's eyes were the very same. When I proposed to her on the hill, it would shift back and forth. You don't forget something like that," Laguna spoke softly lost in memories.

"Laguna," Ellone pleaded.

Laguna looked over to her nearly chastising her, "Why would they lie to us? I knew you were safe with Cid and Edea. I knew Adel's followers would follow me for the rest of my life looking for you, but I just left him!"

Ellone stared back at her uncle displaced and hurt.

"Please take me back Ellone," Rinoa pleaded as she reached out to her. "Please try. You loved him as a brother, and you were his big sister-"

"Sis…" She paused, her mind floating away from them while searching for a fleeting memory. Defeat swiftly came over her face when it disappeared out of her grasps. "Ok. I'll try for Laguna's sake."

Relief came rushing from Rinoa's lungs, and she breathed out a sigh of relief. Zell looked over to her giving her a brief smile of his own.

"How far back do you want to go?" Ellone questioned, trying to hide her disgruntled feelings.

That was the question. When did this all start?

"Cid," Rinoa mind jumped back to the party. "Take me back to Cid at the Celebration ball. He was talking to Squall." It was the last memory she had of him that she would be willing to share publicly with the others.

"Ok," she stated hesitantly as her body suddenly stilled, and the world fell around them into darkness.

"Hey, Rin…?" Rinoa snapped back into the present and realized her sobbing had stopped long ago. She found herself still clinging onto Zell like a frightened child onto its mother. She pushed away feeling embarrassed as a reassuring smile crossed Zell's lips.

"Sorry," she mustered through her reddening cheeks. "Do you remember when she sent us back into Cid's mind at the celebration?"

Zell's face reflected her inner turmoil as he slowly began to nod.

It was like being in time compression again. All the moments fluxed back and forth- from the truth to the altered reality that they were living. One moment, Squall's steel eyes would be staring back at her and then instantly they were replaced by Seifer's vibrant green ones. It was a frightening war of truth and lies; the deception only lasted for a moment until they were kicked back to the sitting room.

Laguna and Ellone sat emotionally drained from the vision they saw, but after a moment of stunned silence, Laguna granted them access to anything they might need to find his lost son. Without his financial and undying support, they would have run out of money by now. SeeD had frozen Zell's assets for abandoning his post. The same occurred with the rest of the group when they all, one by one, left their posts to join in the search. Now they were all on a wanted list, and many searched for them.

"That was the last time I had seen Squall's face until now," Rinoa remarked. "We've been searching for Seifer for a year now. He has just disappeared too. Garden can't find him despite their search efforts. Each report contradicts the other. Just when we think we finally know where he is, he's reported on the other side of the world!"

"Do you still think he has something to do with this?" Zell asked.

"Why would an innocent person run?" she stood firm.

Zell has made his position clear in the past. His theory of Seifer wanting to keep away from them wasn't without merit, but it was just easier to have someone to blame for all of this pain.

"That doesn't mean he had something to do with Squall's disappearance." Zell reminded her quickly, "He must know that we know the truth."

The two of them remained in a stalemate until the trains whistle blew breaking them both of their stubbornness.

"Let's go back to the others. They're waiting," Zell said pulling her arm back to their room.

Despite having a decent size cash reserve from Laguna, no one was particular eager to spend his money. That was the reason all five of them piled on top of each other in one car. Or at least that is what they told themselves. The more likely the reason was after Squall's disappearance they all seemed to fear that anyone of them could be next. Being so close to each other gave a little sense of comfort and control.

Quistis and Selphie had managed to set up their laptops in one small corner of their compartment. Furiously typing away, they were looking for a weak link in Garden's firewall to obtain new information as to where their false idol had last been seen.

Irvine was the first one to acknowledge Zell and Rinoa's entry.

"Hey! I recognize that girl!" Irvine beamed, handing Rinoa her beaten down black leather boots.

"So what do we know?" Rinoa asked, squeezing in next to Irvine as Zell leaned up against the train door.

"Last report was still in that area," Quistis frowned. "Someone reported seeing Seifer in the bar down the road from where you worked. That was nearly three weeks ago."

"I have asked everyone down there. No one could confirm that." Rinoa objected.

"The files from the interviews are locked. New codes I'm afraid. It will take me a few days to unlock them without the right equipment," Quistis muttered looking at the screen.

Irvine interjected, "We could always ask Laguna for more-"

"NO!" the group replied unanimously.

"Just saying it would help us and in term help him," Irvine reminded the group, but the truth was no one felt right about taking more from Laguna without an update in return. However, Rinoa realized their options were running thin.

"So tell us about this man who came to see you," Zell directed, distracting the group before the uncomfortable silence grew anymore.

"He was unremarkable, but I could tell he was focusing on me in a way that others weren't. He always studied me-"

"And for that you thought to stay another three weeks?" Zell mused.

"I had a lot of bills to pay," Rinoa mumbled. She couldn't blow her cover by having access to money as she did now. She had to rough it and keep it low. "Plus you can't deny the coincidence. Seifer popped up right at our bar the same time this guy started to come watch me? Then he had a picture of…"

Zell took over for Rinoa, "He had an image of Squall. Rinoa got a pretty decent look at it the other night."

That caught everyone's attention at once.

"You're right that doesn't seem like chance, but what's our next move?" Selphie asked. "Do we move on or try to chase this guy down?"

The primal urge was to get as far away from that dark hole that was Trabia as possible. However, they had no other clues to follow, and Garden was on their trail. Keeping in one place until that man showed up again wasn't safe. There was only one place that she could think of that had an open door policy to refugees like them. Her eyes went to each of her teammates, and it was clear they were all thinking the same thing.

"We can exchange trains and head south," Quistis suggested, pulling up the train schedule. "Get word to Laguna, so he can secure our passports into the country."

"Rodger boss!" Selphie leaped to her computer more than excited to see Sir. Laguna than Rinoa expected.

Rinoa let out a groan and spilled backward onto her makeshift bed and hoped that tonight the sleep she needed would come. But as she expected, only more dark dreams of his face hiding in shadows waited for her.

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The lands surrounding them were dry and as vacant as ever. No one would ever imagine a country laid hidden only twenty miles in front of them. Rinoa sat on the edge of the cliff watching the burning sun as it started to drop down into darkness. Below, the long flat land seemed to stretch out for miles. Esthar still refused to join the rest of the world despite it now being known to exist. Special permits were the only way in or out of the city, and one was not easily obtained without Laguna being involved.

The others were erecting tents a little ways behind her. She could hear the soft murmurs of concern for her starting to pop up once more. It seemed as though they were divided on how much longer they could keep going without any breaks in the case. She couldn't be angry with them, not when her mind was plagued with the same questions.

Rinoa stared off into the sunset, wondering what would await them once they entered the forbidden city. Would Quistis suggest they take a break until a new break in came in? Rinoa couldn't stop. Not now. He wouldn't stop searching for her, and she could never give up on him. There was a real possibility that she would have to continue alone.

Rinoa heard Zell approach from behind. Without saying anything to her, he sat himself down, dangling his legs freely over the edge. He looked out, joining her in the false sense of aloneness despite the fact that they were looking at a city holding millions of people.

"Do you ever regret leaving Garden?" Rinoa asked. Her eyes fixated on the setting sun in front of them, but she could sense that Zell had turned to her. Since Squall's disappearance, Zell had been Rinoa's pillar of unwavering support, but it was coming at a steep price she knew she could never pay off.

"No," he replied unusually serious, which garnered a quick glance from Rinoa. "I mean I miss it, don't get me wrong. I hope they will let us back in eventually."

Rinoa pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them for comfort.

"What're you thinking about?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"Him," she replied dryly. "I wonder where he is. Is he ok…? Is he…." Her words fell apart as she caught Zell's green eyes watching her nervously.

She looked away again. "When I found him back in the time compression, I thought he was dead. His face was so pale and so cold in my hands… It's been too long, Zell. I'm afraid that even if we do find him, there might not be anything left to bring home. What will I do then? How do I live knowing I couldn't save him?"

"Hey, come on... We can't afford to be thinking like that," Zell pleaded quietly, but he knew their chances of finding Squall alive diminished every passing day.

Rinoa ignored him, "How much time do we have until Laguna gives up on us and caves into Ellone? How much longer can you all dodge Garden?"

"I can only speak for myself Rin, but I'm here for the long haul. I'm not giving up on him. Not until we find him, and we will. Until then, my place is here with you," He said softly.

Rinoa let out a painful sigh, knowing she was dragging someone else down with her. "You can't do this forever, Zell."

"Who says?" he asked seriously.

Rinoa looked out into sunset watching the falling red sun as the fighter beside her started to fidget and then jumped up.

"Camp is almost set up. Don't be too long. We've got hot dogs to roast over the fire. Tonight we feast!" he smiled over his shoulder before heading back towards the group.

The smile she had fell away as she went back to watching the rocky desert landscape. A harsh wind whipped across her blowing her long black hair away from her. Squinting, she could make something out in the distance that hadn't been there before. A glimmer of light as if something had picked up the reflection of the sun. The sight held her attention as she pushed her fingers across her brow to improve her advantage point. What could reflect the light so strongly like that? Whatever it was, it was long and very thin...

A Gunblade.

Why had her mind jumped to that conclusion right away before seeing the person standing on an edge of a cliff was beyond her. Still, before she could even doubt the ludicrous thought, she was on her feet with her voice hitched in her throat. Without a second thought she jumped.

Her boots hit the ground below her hard making her wince as the shock wave ripped through her body. Still, she knew she had to push forward and jumped rock to rock until she was on the same flat surface as the concealed person. In her hasty decision to make a quick descent, her ankle had rolled, and now pain ignited through her leg. Gasping from it, she growled through the pain, pushing it into the back of her mind as she set off at a dead run towards her target.

Rinoa could hear the panic-stricken shouting from behind her. It was Zell's voice that pleaded for her to return and for the others to come help. Not slowing down for anyone, her eyes remained locked onto the mirage flickering in and out in the distant. That build was one she would know from anywhere. It was the man she hunted for over a year now—the one that haunted her dreams.

Hell, it could be that her heart and mind were playing tricks, and maybe this was nothing, but an illusion brought on by exhaustion. But still, she couldn't stop herself. He seemed to be standing there, waiting for her. It seemed as clear as day. Just the image of his blonde hair and white jacket set her heart into a pounding rage.

The pain from her ankle was nothing compared to the swelling heat that left her hand as she hurled a ball of fire magic at the back of the ex-knight. His sixth sense had been triggered and at the last second he towards her and dodged the flaming sphere.

The ex-knight fumbled away from the edge of a bottomless cliff with a bewildered gaze. Hair that was normally well-groomed and chopped short was now much longer and carelessly left to wind's devices. His jaw, covered in long stubble, tightened at the sight of a charging raven-haired sorceress.

"You son of a b-" She started to cuss as Seifer interrupted.

"Seriously, I don't have time for this, GO BACK!"

He dared to walk away from her, but her fist had other ideas.

Landing one punch, she cursed him again.

"You traitorous bastard!" Her next attempt missed its connection as he artfully dodged it. "What the hell did you do to him? Tell me or I swear to Hyne I will let them all kill you where you stand!"

That promise made the ex-knight stop for a moment to scoff. Green jaded eyes turned back to her with equal parts amusement and cynical.

"Funny, I actually believe you on that." Suddenly the ex-knight eyes widen as he looked up to the horizon behind Rinoa.

Rinoa could hear her name urgently being called from her friends in the distance. No doubt they were all running to her aid by now, but she didn't dare turn her back— not even for one minute. Everything in her gut told her if she did, he would disappear again. The blonde ex-knight suddenly looked down into his hand at a device that started to pulse with a strong blue light.

If it were a part of Esthar's growing technology, she hadn't seen it before. It pulsed faster and faster in his dirt-laced hand making the concerns on his face grow. Seifer looked once more to the edge of the cliff.

"Just tell me where Squall is!" Rinoa demanded through gritted teeth, disturbed at the lack of acknowledgment she was receiving from him. Her powers were tossing and turning within her to be unleashed. Hyne, she wanted to use them but had to hold back knowing he was her only hope. If she ever wanted to see Squall again, she had to get this right and make this heartless monster answer her.

A smile grew on Seifer's face as he looked up at her through thick lashes. His stare was menacing.

"Listen closely Rinoa. If you gave two shits about him like you say you do, you would go back to your friends and forget that you ever saw me."

She stared him down reading herself for a fight. "I won't let you go."

"You have to," he retorted before letting a wicked smile spread across his face. "By the way, you should've kept the red hair. It was hot."

Throwing her off just enough, Seifer took off at a reckless speed with his gun blade dragging on the ground. Rinoa looked up to see the edge of the cliff before him, and his intentions were clear.

He was jumping to his death.

"Seifer!" she screamed as she bolted after him, completely disregarding the pleading calls of her loved ones behind her.

She lunged out after him without a second though. Her fingers speared the air hoping to get a hold of his gray leather jacket, but they came up empty as his heavy body suddenly went weightless.

He fell effortless forward over the cliff with his arms spread out wide. Stunned, Rinoa tried everything in her powers to stop in time, but she had banked too heavily on him hesitating and not actually following through. She too was going too fast to stop in time. Her heart failed as she felt the moment her body was sent weightless over the edge. The only thing she could see now was the perfect view of the ex-knight hurtling faster and faster towards the rocky depth below.

She needed to call up a GF. Something that could stop them in time, but she had no junction. And there was no knowing if she could junction one and summon in time. She rifled through all her options trying to find Quetzalcoatl, but a blinding light halted her frantic search as it engulfed them. She never felt her body hit the ground.

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Layla's Corner

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