Chapter 7
When Quistis opens her eyes she sees something she didn't think she would ever see again, a dozen pillars forming a circle around a throne, which stands on the middle on a plateau. Ultimecia's Master Room? How is that possible, I thought this place was destroyed? Ultimecia is nowhere to be seen but Ellone is lying on her stomach a few meters away from Quistis. She crawls to her and turns her around, relieved she is still breathing. Rubbing her hands until they are warm again she places her hands on Ellone's head and chest, "White wind," she whispers. White magic spreads around the both of them and Ellone opens her eyes.
"Quisty," with the help of Quistis she sits back upright. "Where are we?" She looks at the room and she only sees the beauty of this place.
"Ultimecia's Master Room." Ellone's look went from awe straight to one of fear.
"How do we get back?"
"I don't know. Can you stand?" Quistis offers Ellone her hand and she lifts her to her feet.
"I will be alright."
"Okay, follow me."
Ellone and Quistis make their way to the big doors. Ellone pulls the handle but it won't budge. "It is locked."
Quistis tries to move the handles but it doesn't move one inch. Before she is able to say something a wicked voice echoes through the room.
"Of course it is locked. After all the trouble I went through to get you here? You are not going anywhere."
Quistis pulls Ellone behind her and grabs her Save the Queen whispering "Stand back." Quistis uncoils her whip and she is ready to strike. "We will see about that."
"It was a distraction," Zell spits on the ground. "What are we going to do?"
"We'll look for them." Seifer replied
"How do we know where to look for them? Mister smart ass." Zell is still anger after finding out that Quistis and Ellone have been kidnapped, by Ultimecia of all people.
Just a few minutes before, Gongora had suddenly fled the battle field, Odin and Gilgamesh had followed him. They were moving too fast for any of the humans to even try to keep up with them, so they let them leave. Now they had a little bit of time to regroup and take a rest. When the others found out about Quistis and Ellone missing they reacted badly.
"Gongora is probable heading towards Ultimecia," Kaim replied calmly. "But with Odin and Gilgamesh trailing behind him I doubt he will go to her directly."
"That means we still have a chance to beat him there," Laguna said a little bit too cheerfully.
"We do," Squall decided to ignore his father cheerfulness. He knows it was just the fear of losing Ellone, he shares that fear with him. "But we must act now."
"You will do no such thing," a voice roared from above them. All of them look up to see a giant dragon flying towards them.
"Bahamut?"
"Yes," Bahamut roars and he lands on the earth. "We Guardians will help you. We will be able to find them."
"Yes we want to help you!" Carbuncle appeared from behind Bahamut and they can see the other Guardians standing there too, some of them wave their hand or send them a smile, some of them just look grumpy and wonder why they are here.
"We don't need their help," A very grumpy Diablos said. "They will only be in my way."
Shiva pinches him and walks to the group, "Ignore him, he is really cranky today."
Squall heard Diablos grumble, I am not, and that places a faint smile on his face.
"But I am afraid that this time you won't be able to help," Shiva continued.
"I will not leave my daughter behind," Sarah said forcefully. "I will come with you."
Nobody wanted to be left behind and they told the Guardians so. A lot of shouting and yelling took place before Bahamut roared
"STOP!"
His roar vibrated through the air and everyone stopped talking immediately.
"Alright," Bahamut said when everyone was quiet, "Eden will take you to them." The huge Guardian nods her head and she puts an encouraging smile on her face. Eden is the strongest of the Guardians but also the most inexperience if it comes to fighting, but she is the best Guardian able to protect the group of humans.
Quistis is having a hard time, not only is she fighting the only Sorceress left alive, who by the way is also an Immortal, but she also has to take care of Ellone. The only bright side is that Ultimecia doesn't want them dead. Yet, Quistis thinks, but what does she want from us. Ultimecia is sitting on her throne and Ellone is desperately trying to unlock the door behind her. "It won't work Elle."
Defeated Ellone drops her hands down, "I know," but Ellone has to try, she promised herself never to feel that powerless again, but here she is not being able to protect herself. "I need to do something."
"There must be another way," Quistis whispers back, never leaving her eyes from Ultimecia. "Find it."
Ellone walks along the walls, searching for a way out, while Quistis attacks Ultimecia.
Quistis swings her whip but Ultimecia can easily dodge it. Twirling on her feet she tries it again. The tip of her whip missed Ultimecia's face just a few centimeters. Jumping back she cast a Flare and at the same time she strikes again. Even this attack from two sides is easily dodged by Ultimecia. Everything Quistis throws at Ultimecia is easily dodged and avoided.
"Why won't you fight back?" She asks frustrated.
Ultimecia looks shocked for just one second before her face slips back again. "As you wish." She sprints towards Quistis and rams her elbows in Quistis' stomach. All the breath is pushed out of Quistis' lungs and Ultimecia cast a Tornado spell towards her. Quistis is lifted in the air and pushed against the wall.
Spitting out blood she said, "Why don't you just kill us?"
Ellone is surprised to hear Quistis say this, "Quisty don't encourage her to kill us," she whispers under her breath. Still searching for a way out.
"That is not part of the plan."
"Plan? What plan?"
Quistis ignores Ellone, she stands up slowly and backs away from Ultimecia.
Ultimecia walks back to her throne and takes a seat, "I am the only Sorceress left, you are the last Blue Mage and she," she points to Ellone "is the last Dreamer. We only need my Knight and we are complete again."
"Complete?" Ellone slips to Quistis and offers her a potion which she gladly takes. "There is no other way out." She whispers.
Quistis nods her head in acknowledgement. "What are you planning?"
"What I always wanted, I want to rule the world, after I destroy it." She points her arm towards the two women, "and you will help me."
"You are mad," Quistis shakes her head. "We will never do such thing."
"We shall see."
Odin and Gilgamesh are still chasing after Gongora, but they never got close enough to attack him. It was a game of cat and mouse but Gilgamesh wondered what they were, the cat or the mouse? Every time Gilgamesh thought they were getting closer, Gongora found some way to increase the distance again. It looks like he doesn't even grow tired of all this running. "Will you stop it already," Gilgamesh said frustrated.
Gilgamesh heard a voice in his head he hadn't heard for a long time, 'Need some help?'
"Gladly," knowing Ifrit he will make a spectacle of his entrance, and he certainly did.
Right in front of Gongora a huge wall of fire reaches to the sky. Gongora stopped just in time otherwise he would have been fried. Gongora slowly turns around, knowing Odin and Gilgamesh have finally caught up to him. "Took you long enough," he said sarcastically.
Odin and Gilgamesh didn't react to his worlds, they felt the other presences of their brother and sisters. Ifrit, Siren, Leviathan, Pandemona and the Brothers joins their fight.
"Brothers. Sisters." Gilgamesh looks at every single one of them. "Welcome back."
Each Guardian has a grin on their face, their final revenge is near.
"Attack."
Ellone is sitting in the corner of the room, shivering in fear. "What is she going to do with us Quisty?"
Quistis shrugs her shoulders, she doesn't know what Ultimecia is going to do with them. She stands protectively before Ellone, following every move of Ultimecia. So far she hasn't attacked them again, in fact she hasn't done anything. She is just sitting on her throne with her eyes closed, it looks like she is dreaming, her eyes move rapidly under her eyelids. What is happening? Where are the others? Please hurry.
Suddenly Ultimecia's eyes flew open and she looks angry. She stands up and moves briskly to the two women. She grabs Quistis by the neck and throws her to the other side of the room. Quistis turns in the air, she had suspected Ultimecia would try to remove her from Ellone's side and she lands on her hands and knees. She rushes back to Ultimecia with her whip ready in her hand. But she is too late. For Quistis it looks like everything is happening in slow motion. Ultimecia reaches her hand to Ellone but before she is able to grab the trembling girl a wall of ice separates them. Shiva? Quistis sees the ice guardian standing next to Ellone, both are protected by the large wall of ice.
Looking around the Master Room she can see other Guardians standing in a large circle, Cactuar, Diablos, Tonberry, Quetzacotl and even Bahamut is there. Hope rises in her chest again, together with the Guardians they must be able to defeat Ultimecia.
Shiva snaps her finger and the wall of ice disappears. Ellone makes her way to Quistis and Ultimecia walks back to her throne. "So this is it?" she wonders out loud. "This is the end?"
"This is the end for you." Diablos replies angry before he attacks.
All the Guardians put themselves in the fight. Only Shiva stays out of the fight, she is watching over Quistis and Ellone. "Blue Mage?" her voice sounds as cold as her attacks.
"Yes?" Quistis looks to the mighty Guardian, standing next to them she truly looks magnificent.
"We will need your help. When I give you the sign you will need to cast your Blue Magic; Shockwave Pulse. Do not be afraid to harm us, we will be fine."
Quistis nods her head, she is not too happy that she will have to cast her strongest spell while she can hurt the Guardians but she will do as she is told.
"Good. It won't be long now. Be ready." Shiva said and she enters the fight.
"What is the sign Quisty?" Ellone asks. She is feeling much better after the unexpected arrival of the Guardians. She knows they will be alright now.
"I don't know."
"How much longer?" Selphie asks with a whiny voice.
"We are almost there little human," Eden replied laughingly. "Don't you see her castle?"
Selphie wants to reply something funny but before she can think of anything Irvine touches her elbow and said, "Look." It feels like they were traveling back in time, before them the orphanage stands with Ultimecia's castle floating above it.
"Ultimecia's castle?"
"I am so having a déjà vu," Irvine mutters.
"This is as far as I can go with you," the large Guardian said. "They are in the Master Room." Eden flies towards the castle at full speed. The others will have to take the long walk along the chains.
"Here we go again," Zell whispers and he makes his way to the first chain. The others follow behind him. "At least we know the way."
Gongora really didn't stand any chance after the Guardian's turned against him. He was the one who had brought them back to life thousand years ago. It wasn't his fault that they were captured, if only his grand plans hadn't failed he wouldn't be here right now. He would control these Guardians who are fighting against him and he would rule the world, with Ultimecia at his side.
I guess this is the end.
Eight against one, although he is strong he is clearly outnumbered. But it is not his style to die without a good fight, so he will do his best to at least give them that. He still has one trick on his sleeve, and now is the time to use it.
Gongora stretches his body and a large purple magic sphere is floating above him. It flies to the sky and the clouds turn a purple-grey. Thunder flashes through the clouds. The sky flashes a bright purple light and hundreds of meteors fall down from the sky.
Meteor Impact
There were too many meteors falling from the sky, the Guardians couldn't avoid all of them. Every single one has taken multiple hits.
The meteors strike the earth and large holes are created. The Guardians are nowhere to be seen.
"That was too easy," Gongora grins. He can't believe he actually did it, he destroyed the Guardians. He is ready to depart to his lovers when he hears one of the Guardians cough.
"It is not over jet."
One by one the Guardians drag themselves up from under the meteors. Ifrit holds the meteor which hit him in his pawns and throws it at Gongora. Gongora drops on the floor and the meteor just misses his head by centimeters.
Once again Gongora is surrounded. He knows this is the end for him, there is nothing more he can do, and his last attack was the strongest move he has. If that doesn't kill them he thinks nothing will. Gongora closes his eyes and spreads his arms wide, in a sign of defeat.
It was fun while it lasted. I…. Gongora couldn't think anymore. He was dead. Killed by the same creatures that he had given back their life, and whom he had controlled shortly, so many years ago.
Seven ultimate moves of the Guardians. No one can survive that.
"NO!" Ultimecia clutches her heart and the hate and anger has multiplied in her eyes. "You killed him. You will pay for that." Without her knight she can't control the immense amount of power she holds. As the only Sorceress left she is the strongest caster from this universe, and she intends to show that to this lousily Guardians and their human pets. She blocks and dodges every attack and slowly she makes her way to her throne. Standing on top of the pedestal she stands before her throne. She twist her arms and while she does that strange patterns glow on the floor. Each Guardian is standing on a pattern, too late they realized what Ultimecia is planning.
"Hell's Judgement."
A purple, red, pink light shines from the patterns and the energy of all the Guardians is drained. Each one has little energy left, but it isn't enough if they want to defeat Ultimecia.
"No way," Cactuar chirps. He is standing next to Shiva who is down on her knees breathing hard. "What will we do."
"We will do everything in our powers to stop her," Shiva looks coldly at Ultimecia. "She cannot win."
Ultimecia is laughing wickedly up on her pedestal. Slowly her powers are consuming her from the inside. She really is a vessel for the powers within her. It won't take long before she loses control completely.
Quistis runs to Shiva and cast, "White Wind." Quistis has healed all the Guardians with one spell, but their level of energy is nowhere as high as Ultimecia's. Shiva thanks Quistis briefly and tells her to stay back again.
"Bahamut," Diablos called the great dragon. "Can we finish it now?" The last came out pretty bored.
"Yes. It is time," the dragon roared and he flies to the sky. "Mega Flare."
The sky turns dark and Diablos shouts, "Dark Messenger."
Ice covers the floor "Diamond Dust." Shiva whispers coldly.
The chirpy voice of Cactuar almost sings "Thousand Needles."
The other Guardians voice are mixed together, performing their ultimate move.
The last voice Ultimecia heard is the one of Eden, "Eternal Breath."
"Hurry guys, I feel something big is about to happen," Selphie yelled over her shoulders, not slowing down her pace.
Their walk along the chains went rather quick, and inside the castle they hadn't seen a soul. When they were inside the great clock tower they could feel the magic sizzling through the air. Everyone was running as fast as they could, but when they reached the ladder they had to climb down one at a time. They could see lights flashing from Ultimecia's Master Room.
"Are Quisty and Elle in there?" Irvine is still standing at the platform, he and Kiros are the last to climb down.
"They must be, otherwise Eden wouldn't have told us to come here."
Irvine nods his head and climbs down the ladder, Kiros follows him swiftly. When they are down he can see Selphie dancing on the balls of her feet. "Let's go," Irvine said and he grabs Selphie's hand and walk towards the Master's room. Before they are even halfway they are stopped by the smallest Guardian they know.
"Carbuncle!" Selphie said surprised.
"You can't go in," Carbuncle's said with a high voice. "It is too dangerous."
"But aren't Ellone and Quistis inside?" Squall asks angrily.
"They are," Siren stands next to Carbuncle and puts her hand on his head.
"Why didn't you take them here? It is much safer here than it is in there, right?" Laguna said frustrated, pointing with his arm back and forth. "My little Elle is no fighter, she doesn't know what to do in a fight."
"I promise you nothing bad will happen to her," Siren's voice sooths Laguna. "I wanted to bring her here to safety, but she wouldn't leave Quistis side."
"So bring Quistis along too, it can't be that hard."
"Well it is," Carbuncle replied. "We need her."
"What for?" Rinoa asks. "What does she need to do that you Guardians can't?"
"She must destroy the Sorceress power."
"Hold it right there lady." Seifer intervened. "If they are the only two women near Ultimecia and if she dies, the Sorceress power will transfer to one of them.
"No it won't," Siren said softly. "They are the only two women who can never become a Sorceress. For that they are more safe than your other female companion.
Selphie and Rinoa look at each other and they think the same. "We will stay," Rinoa said for both of them and she grabs Squall's hand. "I want to know if Quistis and Ellone are safe, but I don't want to risk getting the Sorceress power back again. I won't."
"The same goes for me." Selphie replied. "You can go, but we will stay behind."
Ming and Sarah are in doubt about what they should do, either they stay or they go. What if they go and they risk the only chance they will ever have at destroying the Sorceress powers. On the other hand they need to see with their own eyes that the girls are alright. Before they can make the decision it is already made for them.
"You stay," Kaim grabs both women by the arm. "The risk is too large."
The flashes get brighter and they appear more often.
"I have to go," Squall said and looks Rinoa in the eye. "They are my sisters, I need to know if they are okay."
"Then go Squall." Rinoa let go of his hand. "I'll wait here. I promise."
Squall grabs his revolver and makes his way to the Master's room. All the men follow. Squall opens the double doors and he is shocked at what he sees.
They did it.
"Why didn't you leave with Siren and Carbuncle?"
"I didn't want to leave you," Ellone replied. "We are family, you don't leave family behind. Especially when they need you."
Quistis is touched by Ellone's words, but she rather had that Ellone did leave. She still had her doubts that she can save them all. If even the Guardians can't defeat Ultimecia how can she? Just moments before she had to save them from Ultimecia's strongest attack, it was thanks to her Blue Magic that none of the Guardians died, but how long will they be able to hold on?
"Bahamut," she hears Diablos call the great dragon. "Can we finish it now?"
Finally Quistis thinks, she turns around to Ellone and gives her a tight hug.
"What is that for?" Ellone asks bemused.
"For being here," Quistis hugs her even closer. "For being my sister." A single tear streams down her cheek when she pushes Ellone away. "This is the sign."
She doesn't need to say more, Ellone knows what Quistis means. She wants to say some encouraging words to her, but it feels like her lips are sealed, nothing comes out of her mouth.
The wind begins to blow, ice covers the wall and floor, darkness surrounds them. Ellone is scared at this display of powers from the Guardians. "Be careful Quisty," she whispers to Quistis' back.
Quistis stands behind one of the pillars, waiting for the right time to strike. Every Guardian present is performing his or hers ultimate move. Quistis knows Ultimecia can't survive that blast. Something clicked in her mind and Quistis knows what to do. If the Guardians defeat Ultimecia they still have the problem with the Sorceress' magic. The nearest woman will become the next Sorceress. To prevent that of happening they need to destroy it. The only way to do that is with her ultimate move. After hearing the story from Ming about the Dark Matter she figured out that her Shockwave Pulse works the same way. It gathers the magic from around the place it is cast and it will transfer the magic into another universe. That is the only way they can get rid of the Sorceress powers once and for all. All Quistis has to do is look for the magic and cast her spell.
"Eternal Breath."
Quistis hears the loud voice of Eden. When the light has depleted she sees Ultimecia lying on her throne, exhausted. "So this is it. The end for me," Ultimecia's whispers. Quistis sees the Sorcery magic leaving her body and it makes a beeline for the door. Ellone! Quistis steps away from the pillar, she stretches her arms in front of her and screams, "Shockwave Pillar."
The Sorceress' magic is trapped in her spell and is transported to another universe where it can do no harm.
Exhausted from all the emotion and from casting her strongest spell she falls down on her knees. Ellone rushes over to her with a big smile on her face. "You did it," Ellone said and she hugs her tightly.
"We sure did," Quistis eyelids slowly drops. "I think I will sle..." Before she even finish her sentence she is already fast asleep.
"Sleep tight."
Squall steps over the threshold and is amazed at what he sees. Almost all the Guardians are present in the Master's room. The room is almost to small to house them all. They are all standing in a small circle, but what they are looking at he can't see.
"Where are they?" Squall asks Siren who stands next to him.
Siren said nothing but made a hand motion for him to follow her. When the other Guardians see who are approaching they make room for them to pass. Ellone is sitting on the ground with Quistis' head in her lap. Squall rushes over to them and drops on the floor next to them. "Are you alright. Is Quistis alright?"
Ellone is surprised to see Squall act like this. Before they went into Time Compression he was a total different person, he never showed his emotions. But here he is sitting next to Quistis and cradling her hand. "She is fine," Ellone smiles and puts her hand on Squall's shoulder. "She is just exhausted. Nothing a little sleep wont cure. "
Squall stands up and lifts Quistis in his arms. "Let's go. The others are waiting." Squall needs to adjust to Quistis weight and after he is certain he has a good grip he walks away, Ellone following close behind him.
"Elle." Ellone looks up to her uncle running up to her and she prepares herself for the hug that is coming. Laguna lifts Ellone in the air and swings her around.
"You are okay," Laguna is laughing happily.
Ellone too is laughing when she said, "Please let me down." When Ellone feels steady ground under her feet again she lets out the breath she was holding and smiles. "I am so glad everybody is fine."
"Me too," Laguna said but when he looks at his son and the woman he holds in his arm, the fear creeps back in his chest. "Is she alright?"
"Quisty is fine uncle, just exhausted."
Laguna is relieved to hear that she will be okay.
They make their way to the others, all of them lost in their thoughts until they were abruptly woken by Selphie's scream.
"Quisty." Selphie and Rinoa run to Squall to check on their friend. "Is she okay Squall."
Before Squall has a chance to answer Ming touches her hand on Quistis face. "She will be fine."
Relieve pass through Rinoa and Selphie and they make their way over to Ellone.
Ming looks past Squall and sees the Guardians standing behind them, keeping their distance.
Thank you, she mouthed.
Shiva places her hand above her heart and nods her head slightly down. You are welcome.
After everyone had exchange hugs and reassuring words that everyone is fine they made their way home. Their way back through the castle took some time, especially with the unconscious Quistis but thankfully they had Ward, he has carried her almost the whole time.
Zell was the last to hop of from the chains, "let's hope we will never see this place again."
"You won't." Eden said.
Zell wanted to ask her why but when he looks back at the castle he sees he will never see this place again. It is already gone.
"Wow," Irvine whistles.
They remain standing on the beach for some time, looking at the sky. With the castle gone from the sky and the clouds disappearing, a blue sky is all that is left. All of them were staring at the sky, nobody noticed the other Guardians joining their brothers and sisters.
"Huh?" Selphie rubs the back of her head. "When did you get here?"
Ignoring Selphie's question Gilgamesh stated, "this is where we say goodbye."
Selphie looks around the group of Guardians and sees an unknown woman standing between them. "Who are you?"
The woman turns around and waves at Selphie "The name is Seth. Nice to meet ya."
Irvine is dumb folded, his great-great-great he doesn't know how many greats, grandmother stands there.
"Hiya." Seth makes the way to their group and stands before Irvine. "So this is mine famous descendent." She walks around him, checking him from all angles. "Good," she laughs and hits him on the back.
For once in his life Irvine doesn't know what to say.
Seth had made her way to her fellow Immortals. "You have been called back." They didn't need to ask what Seth meant, they know. Their time has come to an end in this world, they need to return to their own.
"What does she mean mom?"
Sarah grabs Ellone's hand "We need to go back to our own world."
"Won't you come back?"
"We can't, we don't belong here." Sarah wipes Ellone's tears away. "You need to be strong sweetheart. I will always watch over you."
"But," Ellone begins, her voice stutters.
"Shh," Sarah comforts her daughter. "Remember that I will always love you, and I will never forget you."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Of course you will. It may take years but we will see each other again."
"Promise?"
"I'll find you. I promise."
Quistis feels comfortable. She hadn't rested this good in a long time. Turning on her side her hand is touching something, sand? Opening her eyes she sees she is lying on a beach. Not just any beach, she is resting on their beach near the orphanage.
"So sleepy beauty finally decided to wake up."
Quistis sits upright at his voice, "Seifer?"
"In the flesh."
"What happened?" Looking around confused she sees the others are standing near the lighthouse. Along with the Guardians and the immortals.
"We did it," Seifer replied happily. "We saved the world. Well the Guardians and you did most of the work, but still."
Quistis is glad that Seifer is so happy, she can't remember having seen him that happy before, not even at the orphanage.
Seifer reaches Quistis his hand and helps her on her feet. "You woke up just in time. Everyone is saying goodbye."
"Goodbye?" Quistis stops abruptly. "How long was I out?"
Seifer stops and turns around, in a few steps he stands next to her again. "Only for a few hours. The Guardians and Sarah, Kaim and Ming are going to return to their own world. You know that other immortal Seth?" Quistis nods her head, she remembers her. "She just arrived here an hour ago. They all have to return to their own world. The bottom line is that without the Immortals in this world, Time Compression can never be achieved again."
Quistis has the feeling her head is about to explode, so much has happened in such a small period of time. She hasn't had the opportunity to think about everything that happened. Just a day ago Seifer was her enemy, but here he is looking over her just like a friend. Since when do I see him as my friend? Quistis grabs Seifer hands and drags him along. "Let's go, I want to say goodbye too."
Reaching her friends and family Selphie is the first one to notice her. "Quisty," She runs over to her and they hug. "You are awake."
"Yes I am." Quistis smiles when she sees her other friends, "hi guys."
Everyone either said hi back or waved their hand at her.
"You made it just in time," Selphie releases Quistis from her hug. "There are some people who want to say goodbye." Selphie pushes Quistis in the direction of Ming. Ming was having a conversation with Shiva when Quistis intervened.
"You are leaving too?"
"Yes I am." Ming squeezes her hand. "I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you." Ming embraces her descendent.
"Thank you." Quistis replied. "I am curious though. If Ellone and I had transferred our powers to the Guardian stones, what would have happened to the Sorcery powers?"
"That is a good question." Shiva puts her hand on her hip. "On which even I would like to hear the answer." She looks to Ming, waiting for her answer.
"Don't look at me Shiva, I told you I don't know." Turning to Quistis she said. "Odin only told me that the Sorceress powers would be destroyed, he didn't explain to me how, nor did I ask."
Ming spoke the truth, she doesn't know. And nobody on earth will ever know. Maybe it was fate or maybe it was luck but the fact is that the Sorcery magic is gone.
It was a sad goodbye. They all remember the first time they made contact with these mighty creatures. The first time they junctioned a GF, to have fought alongside each other. If it wasn't for the Guardians none of them would be standing here today, they have helped them out from a tight spot more than once. The mighty bird Quezacotl with his powerful thunder magic. Shiva the ice queen, it took some time to get to know her but when they did they saw the kind woman beneath the ice. Ifrit the fire demon, a strong ally to have at your side, never afraid to come to their aid. The Brothers, stand fast as the earth.
"Earth to Squall."
Squall is put out of his thoughts by Zell. "What?"
"Shouldn't you say goodbye to Kaim?" Rinoa said with her arms crossed "He is your grandfather."
"Whatever," Squall mumbles, but he does make his way to his father and grandfather.
"There he is," Laguna puts his arm on Squall's shoulder but Squall shrugs him off immediately. "What were you brooding about?"
"Nothing."
"Come on son tell me, you know you can tell me anything."
Squall ignores his father and turns his attention to his grandfather. "Thank you," he said while he holds his hand out to Kaim, "and goodbye." Squall has never been good at saying goodbye.
Kaim shakes Squall's hand. "Give your father a chance," he said so softly only Squall heard him.
Reluctantly Squall nods his head, "I will." He know he is lucky to still have his father, with the exception of Rinoa all of them have lost their parents. Rinoa told him to treasure the one he still has. And he will, but it will take some time getting used to cal Laguna, dad.
"Zell," Kaim calls the blond man. When Zell stands before him he said, "here."
"What is this?"
"It's Tolten's sword, the age of the King." Kaim hands Zell the sword. "It's your legacy."
"Thanks," Zell said with awe. He touches the sword without taking it from Kaim. "But don't you need it anymore? You have used this sword for so long."
"I have no need for it anymore." Kaim releases his hold on the sword, "it should stay in this world. Tolten would want it to stay in his family."
Zell had some trouble adjusting to this new weight in his hand but he gained his balance back quickly, "but I am a martial artist, I am no good with a sword."
"I'll help," Squall offers, "I'll teach you."
"You would?" A big smile appears on Zell's voice "Thanks Squall." He grabs Squall's hand with both of his and shakes it wildly. "You're the best!"
Releasing his hands from Zell's wild handshake he said, "whatever." Zell skipped away happily with his sword to show the others and Squall mumbles softly "You're welcome" A smile graces his face.
What else are friends for?
"Do you really need to go so soon?" Selphie said with a childlike voice "You just got here."
"Selphie please," Siren begins but is intervened by Selphie.
"Irvy hasn't even got the chance to get to know you." She points to Seth who is sitting next to Siren on a rock, skipping stones in the ocean.
"I shouldn't even be here," she jumps off the rock and lands next to Selphie "But it was l worth it, to see all of you. To even catch a glimpse of my great-something-grandson is enough for me."
Selphie is feeling both glad and sad. Glad to have met Irvine's ancestor but also sad they only have so little time together.
"It is alright Selph," Irvine hugs Selphie from behind, his chin is resting on her shoulder. "I saw her. That is good enough for me."
Selphie turns around in his arms and gives him a kiss on the lips, "then that is good enough for me too."
"So he does have taste too," Seth laughs. Irvine and Selphie break away from their kiss embarrassed.
Siren too is laughing silently next to Seth. Leviathan too has a big grin on his face, splashing his tail on the water he hits something. "What's that?" he asks.
Seth looks at the great serpent and answered, "Our way home."
A white marble archway hangs above the ocean, almost as big as a house with water still dripping from the structure. The doors open and a blinding light flows out of the archway. When the light has dimmed they see a silver stairway.
All the Guardians make their way to the stairs, they are drawn to the world they were created in. No words were said, none needed to be spoken.
One by one the Guardians leave this world and return to their own. A world they can roam freely without feeling the fear of getting capture again. Odin is the last to leave, he turns to Seifer and places his balled fist above his chest and nods his head slightly, thank you. He puts his helmet back on, Sleipner prances one more time and they too walk through the door and disappear in the white light.
Sarah and Kaim are the next to walk to the stair. Sarah's tears have dried on her cheek and her eyes are red from crying. It is hard for Sarah to leave her daughter behind, she had almost been absent in Ellone's entire life and when they finally found each other again they are ripped apart. She knows it is partly her own fault, but no matter what it simply hurts. She grabs Kaim's hand for support and looks back at her daughter one the last time. She sees the happy face of Ellone and that gives her the strength to continue.
With the knowledge that she will see her mother again, she promised, Ellone can put a smile on her face. She wants her mother to remember her happy, not sad. Laguna stands next to her and puts a hand on her shoulder. He doesn't have to say anything, he feels the same way she does. His father too had been absent in his life for the most time, but last year they saw each other frequently. With his other hand he waves to his father. Kaim nods his head and together with Sarah he walks into the white light.
Seth is already halfway the stairs before she notices that Ming isn't walking behind her. "Let's go Ming," she shouts to her friend.
"One more minute Seth," Ming replied "I'll be right behind you."
"Okay," Seth walks father on the stairs when she reaches the light she looks back at the group standing on the beach, "See ya!" she shouts and then she too is gone.
Ming stands before Quistis, looking in her clear blue eyes, "You look so much as my Kristy." She puts a strand of Quistis blond hear behind her ear. "So beautiful, kind and smart." She places both her hands on her face and places a kiss on her forehead. "I love you," slowly she ascends the stairs and without looking back she walks straight into the white light.
I love you too.