Eastre: Depends on what your defn of a sorceress is. I'm planning on playing a bit on Quistis's blue magic throughout the rest of the story. And suggestions are always most welcome =)
Avril Lavigne: Lol, thanks for the encouragement. As you may have noticed, it isn't the end of the story just yet, so keep reading. ;)
ArashiKishu: Keep hanging in there. It wouldn't be a Seiftis if it didn't work out now would it? Hm…actually that's an interesting though. If they didn't work out…it would still be a Seifer/Quistis due to the beginning of the story…heh (did I mention I was evil?).
Thanks for all the reviews, criticisms, suggestions.
The trio marched without any conversation for a good few hours. They had searched three out of four corners of the forest, and were presently on the North side. Quistis had walked in the same circle for the last half an hour but neither Zell or Seifer dared to tell her. Zell looked around at the same, never-ending scenery of dark green foliage covering most of the rays of sunlight that shone down. The one thing he always missed while on missions were his hotdogs. He could have used one right then. Then again, he could always use a hot dog.
Seifer was watching Quistis – the swishing motion of her hips as she walked angrily up ahead. She was even more fascinating when she was upset. He thought about his words earlier with regret. He should not have insulted her as if she was not worth anything to him. He called it a "nightmare." Seifer winced involuntarily. Guilt. Regret. Two most unwelcome yet familiar emotions that played repeatedly in his heart – no, in every fiber of his being. Seifer remembered a time when he didn't care for feelings. The word was distasteful to him before, but now it held his respect. Feelings were the reason he was defeated by his childhood 'friends'. Feelings were the reason Ultimecia lost. And feelings were the reason Squall had managed to survive time compression.
Seifer sighed. He looked over at the martial artist, Zell, who was continuing to 'swat flies' as he called it while they were walking. He had mocked Zell countless times for being overly energetic, full of life, and not afraid to show his feelings. Yep, I'm officially a wuss now.
Seifer's instincts sensed a change in the atmosphere. The air was dense and no breeze or light summer winds chanced through the thick forest.
"Quistis," Seifer growled in a low voice. His tone implied a warning to her, a danger. They were here.
Simultaneously, Quistis, Seifer, and Zell stopped, forming a triangle battle stance, covering each other. They had sensed it too.
"Make sure you have fire magic junctioned to elemental attack," Quistis lectured while uncoiling her whip. She threw in another comment. "Don't do anything stupid Seifer."
"That hurts Instructor," he retorted. "I've only done what you've taught me."
"Don't be the smart ass with me. I never taught you to be an arrogant bastard. You did that one on your own." Quistis shot Seifer a dirty glance. Zell was shifting uncomfortably with his martial arts stance – bent knees, always on the toes with his hands poised near his face.
"Hey you two," Zell interrupted as the all too familiar black wraith figures appeared, hissing and surrounding the trio. "Can we continue this lover's spat some other time?"
Quistis's whip suddenly cracked, snapping centimeters from Zell's face while Hyperion leaned towards Zell as well. Zell threw up his hands in a surrendering gesture. "Whoa, whoa, just a suggestion."
Silence followed the unannounced truce between the three as the shadows floated closer. Seifer peered into the darkness. There were at least a hundred of the creatures. He never thought that so many of them would have been unleashed by time compression.
"Any bright ideas in that head of yours Trepe?" Seifer questioned, trying to distract the shadows. He fished in his pocket for the flare stones he had stored for this specific occasion.
Quistis remained quiet for a short span of time. She shuddered, remembering the recent events and memories that would be forever remembered. The claws upon her back, the smell of her blood, their ruby-blood eyes. Quistis stumbled back into Seifer. Her mind was a mix of images, smells, and the wish of dying coming back to her. One gloved hand flew to her head as she shook uncontrollably, wanting to forget, wishing for ignorance.
"Quistis!" A sharp voice temporarily brought the woman out of her forced and sudden reminiscence of the past.
This is not the time to be having a mental breakdown! Quistis scolded herself, trying to force herself to forget but never completely succeeding.
A strong hand jolted Quistis and she opened her eyes to see angry green jade eyes pierce through her. "Get yourself together!" he yelled at her. A flash of concern was in his eyes for a fleeting moment, then the arrogant, confidant gaze returned as he removed his steely grip from her shoulder.
"Zell!" Seifer yelled out in his deep voice. A commanding and stern tone was in his voice. He expected and received no complaints. "Get ready to call Ifrit!"
Zell's eyes glazed dark and his arms dropped to his sides as he assumed his summoning stance. "Hell Fire!" he boomed out.
The swirling shape of the guardian force appeared and the three heroes disappeared into another dimension, protected from Ifrit's wrath. Ifrit's large, gleaming black eyes surveyed the suddenly afraid shadows. He laughed internally. The flames flickered along his body and he pulled back to charge. The enormity of his figure caused flames to spread around all the monsters. They howled in pain, clawing at themselves to quench the fire. Ifrit looked around in delight at the consequence of the elemental magic. Too easy. Ifrit faded into the plane he lived in, bringing back the summoner and his friends.
Seifer, Quistis and Zell surveyed the scene, satisfied that the last of the shadows was burning in agony.
"NOOOO!" it hissed at them. Then it became quiet, ignoring the searing pain to mock them before dying. "You will wisssh you sssuffered the same fate as I, for yours will be far worssse." It cackled hideously and melted away into the afterlife.
Quistis stood up and stretched. "That wasn't too bad, except for the migraine." She massaged her temples in annoyance – there was still a slight pounding feeling in her head.
Zell flashed a smile and gave Quistis a thumb's up. "Right on! Ass kicking all the way baby! Let's head back now."
Seifer suppressed a hearty laugh and replaced it by a snicker. "Miss your hot dogs huh Dincht."
"Booya!" cried Zell as he punched a fist into the air. "Mission accomplished! Let's go Quis!"
Quistis rolled her eyes. "Really Zell. Calm down. We'll be back before breakfast tomorrow." She replaced her whip onto her belt and began to walk away, followed by Zell.
"Quistis." Seifer's voice held a deadly edge to it. "We didn't kill them all."
She whirled around in surprise. "What are you---" she didn't finish her question as she spotted Seifer, dangerously close to the thing, holding Hyperion in defense.
Zell was also speechless. A black, much larger than any of the previous wraith figures, thing hovered above the ground. The claws glistened as it waited for its kill, but it stood almost smiling if it could.
"Sssilly foolsss," it hissed in condescending laughter. "You will die by your own hand. I will enjoy thisss."
They had forgotten the leader.