A/N: Apologies for the wait. I hadn't really thought to update this until after 2 November but, I really couldn't just ignore the overwhelming support I received from the previous chapter. Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'd also like to make shout out to Alexlayer who, aside from providing a tasty Squall/Prishe fanart (as always, the link is in my profile), also managed to piece together a few of the clues I've dropped so far as to what I have planned.
Now, I apologise for the opening scene for this chapter- a blatant copy-paste, without alterations, of a scene from 012 (copyright by Square Enix, though we all knew that right?)- but it has come to my attention that some of my readers haven't played the game, and might thus feel lost at to what is exactly happening. To try and amend this problem, I promptly turned on my psp and browsed for what would explain Kain's motives clearly as to why he's doing what we (that is, Dissidia-players) know he'll do. Though FF4 players predicted he'd do it, regardless. It's in his character =P
And unlike certain other people, I can't help but feel his plan is stupid. Noble, probably, but ultimately arrogant and stupid. The fact that everyone else went along with it made me palm my head. Hard. Then again, Kain isn't known for his great leadership skills I guess… though having said that, the same could be said about Lightning's 012 party except perhaps Laguna… o_0
So without further ado, here's chapter 10 of Leave, Then Return Again: Bound Across Time!
Could the words of the Warlock, Golbez, be true? Could this war really be a cycle without end?
Such thoughts the Dragoon known as Kain Highwind pondered as he paced the abandoned laboratory, the scent of dust and age making the man wonder how long had this structure stood on this unknown land. He had been separated from Cecil when they were ambushed by an endless stream of their doppelgangers- both warriors choosing instead to flee from the futile battle and regain their strength separately, halving the military might of their pursuers between them in their escape.
It was easier to flee when you only had twenty crystalline menaces after you than double.
So the Dragoon parted from his trusted friend with a promise that they'd meet up back at the Sanctuary- it was time to retreat and regroup and hope that the rest of their comrades had the sense to do the same- when he ducked into an old building to escape his pursuers.
Golbez's words rang through his head like a sonorous bell against the sound of silence, the larger man's words bringing to light what he feared when his memories begun to return to him during his traverses, flashes of déjà vu momentarily stunning him as he passed landmarks or conversed with his comrades.
Metal clanking brought the Dragoon out of his musings in time to see his fellow Warrior of Cosmos in all his knightly glory emerge from the corner, the man's eyes clouding with thought much like his own.
"Kain!" The Warrior of Light exclaimed in surprise when he recognized the Dragoon.
"My friend. You're unscathed." He commented with a hint of relief as he approached the armored man, though part of him wondered how long such relief would last. When would the next ambush commence? How much longer could they survive in this world of strife?
"Yes…" The knight replied, though his voice suddenly darkened, most likely coming to the same conclusion as the Dragoon. "But breaks in the fighting are few and far between." The silver knight looked away, gazing intensely in thought. "I can only hope the others have fared as well."
Kain immediately knew what his fellow warrior was alluding to; the abominations that continued to mercilessly hunt them down neither with relent nor respite.
"Manikins…hmm."
"What of them?" The Warrior of Light looked at the Dragoon sharply, eyes boring into his companion as he could clearly see the cogs turning in the man thoughts.
"I wonder." Kain returned the man's gaze seriously. "How do you place our odds?"
"Hm?" The Warrior of Light was thrown aback from the question.
Kain continued, clarifying his point to the knight. "Against numbers like these, do you think we can actually stand to win?"
"I cannot speak for the outcome, but we can fight as long as we have strength."
Kain couldn't help the humorless smirk from forming on his lips at the Warrior of Light's tone, how convinced the knight was of himself. It was not one he expected, though he really should have, considering the knight's persona. "That's one answer."
The Warrior of Light's eyes trailed the Dragoon's steps as the spear-wielder approached to walk past him.
"You are correct." Kain affirmed, also believing his statement. In another time, perhaps in another world, such words would have weighted meaning in battle. But not in this world. "We can fight for as long as we have strength, and almost certainly lose."
The Dragoon's companion scoffed, conceding to Kain's point.
A tense silence descended upon the two armored warriors, before Kain spoke again, eyes hard and serious, having already decided on a course of action. He trusted Golbez, he trusted his memories, and above all else, Kain Highwind trusted his comrades.
"But IF! IF there were a way to make winning possible, by accepting that loss as inevitable…"
The Warrior of Light turned, his eyes betraying his surprise at the conviction in the Dragoon's spoken thoughts.
"…Would you be able to commit yourself to such a purpose?"
Did Kain have a plan? "What do you mean?"
"We are trapped. This war is a cycle with no proper end." Kain admitted, a trace of anger leaking through his voice at the apparent hopelessness of their situation. "We fight and fall, we are revived, and the process repeats."
The Warrior of Light blinked in surprise at Kain's words.
"I realize it's not easy to believe." A small trace of humor bled through Kain's voice as he turned towards his companion, who struggled to process the Dragoon's words. "But consider, if what I've said to you is true, then so is this: We'll have another chance."
The knight stood still. He wanted to argue the man's postulations, but the seriousness in Kain's voice made him consider his words and opt to hear the Dragoon out, and thusly his lips remained a firm line across his face.
"As long as some of our strength remains, we will be brought back and provided with a chance to fight again."
Squall limped across the forest floor, his footfalls filled with tension as he couldn't shake the feeling of paranoia making his hairs stand on end. He growled inwardly, blaming the witch's illusions and manipulations.
"You are injured." Kain commented from behind him though there was not a smidgen of worry in the Dragoon's voice- he was stating a fact.
I didn't notice. Squall thought back sarcastically but offered no spoken reply, his nerves on edge. Despite Shiva's words, a part of him felt irked at the Dragoon's timely arrival, though half of him also wondered if the stress he accumulated from all the constant battles was starting to get to him.
Not to mention Shiva's counsel regarding the war's true situation. Squall greatly disliked the foreshadowing his Guardian Force spoke with, the unsolved mysteries she alluded to that were slowly being proven.
"Perhaps it is wise to rest?" Kain's voice came again, prompting the brunet out of his thoughts.
Squall stopped, throwing an annoyed glance over his shoulder at the Dragoon. "You rest. I'll continue." He deadpanned, masking the apprehension when his eyes unconsciously trailed at the malicious glint Kain's metal spear reflected with, held firmly in the Dragoon's calloused hands. Ignoring the itch in his fingers to draw his weapon, the SeeD inwardly cursed the time Sorceress' name before continuing, reminding the taller man. "You were the one who wanted to join forces."
"I was." There was a sliver of humor in Kain's words as the Dragoon ignored the tension hovering between them. Squall's nerves eased slightly, though he attributed it to getting used to the atmosphere instead of the mirth in Kain's tone. "But I hadn't realized you were injured. We needn't be so hasty to traverse these lands."
Blue-gray eyes narrowed authoritatively. "Then stay here. I'm leaving."
This time, Kain actually did laugh, even though it wasn't nothing more than a wry chuckle at Squall's obvious attempt at getting rid of him.
That wouldn't do.
"Wouldn't it be more wise that I travel alongside you, now that you are in that state?" The Dragoon pointed out to his fellow Warrior of Cosmos.
"…" Offering no reply, for he already did know that he didn't have a choice. Shiva had already pointed out his precarious situation, even if he didn't like it. "I can watch my own back." He commented stubbornly.
"That I have no doubt of." Kain nodded his head before walking up to the brunet before folding his arms, all trace if mirth fleeing the taller man with each step. "But watching is only seeing. You alone cannot stop a thousand blades from tearing through your soul." He met Squall's hard glare, staring at the brunet seriously as he made his point. "That is what allies are for."
The Dragoon's words made the SeeD pause as he recalled the words a raven-haired man spoke of, another time ago.
With a heavy, reluctant sigh, Squall tilted his head to the side, motioning for the man to walk ahead. "You're leading then." Meat shield.
That's not very nice. Shiva's voice chided his unspoken words.
Squall ignored her voice as he observed the Dragoon while waiting for his reply.
From underneath his helmet, Kain's eyes sobered at Squall's stubborn nature, belatedly realizing that dealing with the black lion would be trickier than he anticipated. It was of no consequence of course, he was determined to see his mission through until the end. His comrades didn't deserve this fate, after all; to fight until the last of their strength bled away under the unrelenting onslaught of the crystalline abominations.
No. They needed to survive this cycle and regain their strength in preparation for the next. From his memories, this was the first time Cosmos ever attempted such a feat as bestowing her warriors with fragments of her power. It was just poetic irony that the manikins surfaced in this incarnation of the war- a third party whose battle strength was immeasurable and appearance, unpredictable.
So- with a curt nod to the brunet at his side as he continued walking forward, acquiescing to the man's command- Kain Highwind strengthened his resolve that he would shoulder the burden of this cycle and sacrifice himself all for the sake of his comrades and hope that in the next battle, they would have more time to search for their crystals and finally end the war; that they may return to their own worlds and no longer have to continue eternally fighting for survival in this battlefield.
Suspicion clouded Squall's eyes as he watched the Dragoon blaze the trail ahead with nary a word. A part of him felt relieved that the Dragoon walked ahead- his paranoia dying down somewhat- while another part of him felt angry at himself for lashing out unprovoked, but really, couldn't Kain just mind his own business?
You and I both know that isn't what bothers you, contractor. Shiva cut in his thoughts again as he walked after the Dragoon. You feel guilty, do you not? For doubting that man, your comrade, when only concern motivate his actions.
…I'll apologise. Squall admitted to the woman of ice within the sanctity of his thoughts. After this battle is over.
Shiva offered no reply for a moment. Unseen by her contractor, the ice elemental chewed on her bottom lip, a habit she gleamed from the humes she had observed through her contractor's eyes that they performed in acts of nervousness, as she mulled over her contractor's reply. I have…uncovered more recollections.
The pause in his companion's footfalls made the Dragoon turn and regard the brunet questioningly. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes." Squall replied automatically before folding his arms, staring pointedly at the man. "Continue."
Kain shrugged off Squall's odd behavior before doing as told, aimlessly wandering forward.
Squall?
Later, Shiva. Squall replied. Later, once we've made camp.
He had too much on his plate at the moment that he couldn't properly think of the war's meaning. This never really wasn't taught in Garden, where they were trained to merely fulfill whatever they were hired to do, no matter how reluctant they were to accept the mission.
But he wasn't hired to fight for Cosmos, and the only reason he originally fought for before was the promise of being returned back to his home world. Of course, the knowledge of Ultimecia's apparent survival made his skin crawl with barely restrained anger, her appearance before him only fueling his hate for the witch that had attempted to enslave his world, and placed his friends in harm's way.
The same time witch that claimed the life of Rinoa Heartilly.
So Squall Leonhart continued forward after the Dragoon, not in search of his crystal, but of a way to end the Sorceress who had mastered time before she could harm his comrades.
The witch's silky words rang through his mind.
"How well do you know her? Them? Your comrades?" The softness in her eyes suddenly disappeared as she toyed with her prey. "Enough to suspect them superficially?" her eyes briefly flickered to the 'wound' on her shoulder which continued to 'bleed' before continuing coyly. "Enough to quench your blade's bloodlust at the slightest change of their perceived character?"
"I'll show her." Squall growled determinedly under his breath. The pain in his leg had already dulled and his steps across the forest ground were normal and even as he followed after the tall Dragoon.
Privy to his thoughts, Shiva solemnly observed the turmoil and anguish raging through her host, wanting to offer words of comfort but knew that words wouldn't penetrate the wall the stubborn SeeD constructed around his heart. Instead, she could only watch on sadly as she struggled to keep him safe, fulfilling the wishes of the child she watched grow up into a man. She had grown attached to this hume over the years of their bonding, and she'd sacrifice herself if it meant easing the pain Fate's cruel hand dealt the SeeD Commander.
"He still hasn't gotten over her."Shiva turned to the inhabitants around her before shaking her head in pity. "Of course he hasn't… the continuous cycle of remembering and forgetting has given him no time to heal."
"I am tired of this cycle." The shortest among the gathered whined.
Shiva leveled the killer with an irritated glare. "You didn't stay in this world for as long as I have."
A raspy voice drawled pointedly at Shiva, drawing the attention of the two. "As I recall, it was you that volunteered."
"And I would gladly do it again." The woman of ice's cape billowed as she stared challengingly up at the large Guardian Force's face. The poisonous Guardian turned away, unable to keep its gaze locked on the loyal woman and the sincerity in her voice.
"That is enough of that." The last of Squall's Guardian Forces chided. While understanding of Shiva's plight, the way the woman of ice went about professing and affirming her position as the one Squall trusted the most was getting old.
Especially with the more pressing matters they had to attend to.
Turning to face the ice elemental, she nodded at the woman before turning to the remaining three Guardian Forces. "It is time." Recalling a phrase from the young woman she was once junctioned with, she continued as an afterthought. "…Go do your thing."
"Do you know what I miss?" Prishe asked her companion in a half-mumble, her pearly white teeth remaining clamped against the thin length of string of her fishing line as she attempted to fix her instrument.
Aerith looked up from where she'd been studying the notes they found in the abandoned laboratory- a sight that had been increasingly more common lately, Prishe idly noted, for Aerith seemed to believe the faded scribbles held an important message- and blinked her eyes questioningly at the Elvaan. "What?"
The purple-haired girl gave the thin string a sharp tug, securing the knot in place. "I miss not having to think." A wide smirk split her face at the sound of her companion's giggles. "Seriously, this world blows."
"That's not such a bad thought." The flower girl commented after her laughter died down. Placing the tattered pages neatly beside her, Aerith raised her arms above her head in a stretch, loosening the tension on her lower back from spending most of her time hunched over as she studied the faded notes. "I wouldn't mind forgetting about this place."
Prishe's lips curled in a playful pout. "Aw, you mean you can't wait to forget about me?"
Green eyes snapped towards the Elvaan in slight panic. "Umm, that's not what I meant." Scratching the back of her neck absently, Aerith tried to formulate her thoughts. "I was talking about being trapped in this world."
The Elvaan's ears twitched curiously when she registered her companion's words. "You mean… You don't mind the war?"
"We haven't really had to fight anyone." Aerith smiled sheepishly. Sure, there were potential encounters against those crystalline figures but, they had mostly snuck their way around the group. Not for the first time did the flower girl wonder what exactly they were. "So I wouldn't really call this a struggle. It is quite suspicious, though."
Prishe folded her arms with a huff. "Well, that's because my awesome aura scares all those weaklings away! So be grateful!"
A blank stare met the purple-haired girl. After a few more minutes of being subjected to Aerith's stare, Prishe finally relented. "Alright already; stop with that!" She scowled before her features softened in thought. "Lemme think."
In truth, she did also find it suspicious that the only people they'd encountered since the beginning of their travel not too long ago were those rather…interesting, if albeit obviously fake, replicas. She had half the mind to walk up to them and give them a piece of her mind, but thought twice about it with the way those crystalline warriors wielded their weapons at the ready as they sped off in search of something.
Or someone.
Questions plagued the Elvaan at how much the world had changed since her imprisonment. Was she alive? Why didn't he return? What were Chaos' goons doing? What of Cosmos' group? Really, if not for Aerith, Prishe would've thought that the war was already over…
…and she'd be damned to be eternally bound to this world.
Prishe's arms subconsciously wrapped around her chest, a gesture that made the usually loud Prishe seem much smaller than she physically was and one Aerith had come to associate with the Elvaan recalling the painful circumstances that led to their meeting. Cautiously, she approached the shorter girl and slowly wrapped her in another warm embrace.
"It's over now." Aerith tried to soothe as she rubbed warming circles on her companion's suddenly cold frame.
The flower girl couldn't imagine what it must have felt like to be trapped in such a watery abyss, forever reviving only to drown in quick succession. What must have it felt like for Prishe to awake in darkness only for her first breath to kill her? How long had Prishe suffered through such an ordeal, the Elvaan wouldn't say for even she didn't know. It was testament to Prishe's strength- she admired- that the monk didn't succumb to the temptation of taking her death but instead continued to fight to survive. Even now, Prishe's will carried her forward despite the numerous tumbles that accompanied their journey.
It was because of this that Aerith found strength within herself to help the monk with in her quest to find an end to this cycle.
"I'll get my revenge…" Prishe mumbled against Aerith's chest, making the brunette smile.
While normally not one to advocate violence, she couldn't help but feel that some semblance of retribution was due for the man that had hurt her friend. "You will, Prishe." She pulled back slightly so she shower the girl with a supportive smile. "Now, go fix your rod. I'll continue making sense of our clues."
Prishe pouted. "Those notes won't make any more sense, you know." She looked away stubbornly. "Most of the writing is too faded."
"Maybe…but it's the only lead we have, right?" There was hope in Aerith's voice and for a moment, Prishe felt her heart swell before she quickly caught herself. The last time she felt like this, she had trusted that man and his self-confidence and his words that he'd return.
And where was he now?
Her eyes suddenly scrunched up when she felt Aerith flick her nose. "Hey!"
"No more sad thoughts." Aerith chided playfully with a wag of her forefinger.
The monk extracted herself from the flower girl's comfort with a shake of her head as she focused back on the present. She'd been worrying Aerith too much lately and inwardly was grateful for the brunette's companionship; Aerith seemed to have an infinite amount of patience to help her through with her inner turmoil. But despite this, she didn't want to burden the flower girl more than necessary.
While it was fortunate that they didn't need to take up their arms recently, Prishe morbidly wondered how long would their luck last? How long until that lumbering brute would realize that she was out of her confinement? How long until she would find herself alone in this world again, for as much as she believed she could protect Aerith from all harm, it was a fact that the flower girl could die… and she, the mighty Prishe, couldn't.
Another playful flick pelted her nose, though this time her eyes watered when Aerith applied more force.
"Stop thinking." Hand on her hip, Aerith commanded the shorter girl seriously before pointing to the discarded fishing rod. "Go, unless you want to starve tonight."
Prishe stuck her tongue out at the young woman childishly before following her order with a mock salute.
"Yes Ma'am!"
As Squall came out of the forest, he spotted Kain crouched behind a boulder, using it for cover as he glanced at the bottom of the precipice. Squall immediately drew his gunblade as he cautiously approached the Dragoon.
"Manikins." Squall asked lowly, though it was more of a statement than a question.
Nevertheless, Kain nodded his head, his grip on his spear tight and ready. When Squall was crouched down beside him, he commented his findings. "They are patrolling the river."
Squall peeked over their cover, eyes narrowed as he focused on the manikin leading the group; his instincts screaming as he barely suppressed the growl that threatened to escape his throat when he recognized that annoying figure.
It was another Transient Lion.
Look out!
Squall barely had time to react as he leaned back, just in time to see the blunt end of Kain's spear shatter the rock he had been hiding behind as the Dragoon missed his swing.
The SeeD quickly followed through with a backward roll, leaving yet another sizzling spell on the ground as he stood up, the explosion forcing Kain to jump backwards to put some distance between them, allowing Squall to quickly assess the sudden turn of events.
"That's twice now you've attacked, Highwind." Squall growled angrily, blade trained on the suddenly silent man. His eyes narrowed when Kain's legs flexed- he was preparing another attack. "What's your angle? !"
"… Forgive me, friend, but this is for the best." Kain suddenly leaped up into the air and Squall instinctively followed his trail only to suddenly shut his eyes in pain when the Dragoon cloaked himself against the sun.
Quickly focusing on his other senses, Squall felt the wind whistle and he dodged backwards, narrowly escaping Kain's attack as the man's spear left a crater on the ground. The black lion swipe horizontally in an attempt to get the man to flee, his burning retinas still needing time to recover.
Kain ducked under the warning slash, grasping his spear with both hands before swiping upwards at the opening in Squall's guard. "Fall!"
Reacting on instinct, Squall quickly stomped on the man's spear, forcing the weapon out of the unprepared Dragoon's hands. Vision already recovered, Squall slashed at the stunned Dragoon, stopping just before his blade cleaved the man's head off his shoulders.
"I want answers, Highwind." The brunet spoke darkly as he glared at the Dragoon. Kain was knelt on one knee, though Squall pressed his blade closer against his neck when he noticed the armored man's hand inch closer towards his weapon. "What are you plotting?"
"Forgive me but I cannot say." Kain's eyes lowered to the ground, unable to meet his ally's accusing gaze. "But know that what I do, I do for all of you."
A gust of wind suddenly impacted on his legs and Squall cursed when he was suddenly knocked off balance. Stumbling, Squall struggled to regain his footing when the pain from his earlier injury protesting against the pressure suddenly lanced up his spine and almost sending him to the ground.
The blunt end of Kain's spear suddenly jabbed his ribs in quick succession, the last one impacting on his diaphragm sending him to his knees. He craned his head upwards only to find the Dragoon standing tall before him with one arm raised high above his head to deliver the decisive blow. "Lance of the covenant!"
"Not a chance!" Squall suddenly raised his left arm to stop the fast stab, not flinching even as the Dragoon's spear impaled his limb before he directed the blow to the side, narrowly averting the lance from skewering his body. He ignored the blood that splattered from his reckless block and swiftly forced himself to his feet, pushing forward to viciously bash his head against the Dragoon's exposed chin, drawing blood and knocking the taller man backwards, pulling the spear out of his arm in the process.
Blood poured profusely now from his wounded arm as it hung limply on his side, drenching the fabric of his coat's sleeve. Never letting the stunned Dragoon out of his sight, Squall cautiously tried to ball his left hand into a fist only for another lance of pain to resist the movement. A curse left his lips when his eyes started to weigh more than they should, his head feeling lighter than it should.
He was tired. Too tired, from all the constant battles. He hadn't even recovered from his encounter with the time witch when this happened.
And the Dragoon knew that, from the way the tall man held himself.
"Your stubbornness is futile." Kain commented as he rubbed the blood off his lips with his knuckle. "Surrender. You've already lost this battle." Squall idly noted Kain was stalling with his words- most likely hoping he'd bleed himself dry on the spot for easy picking. "Do you expect to win?"
The man's taunting snapped helped Squall focused as he stabbed the ground with his gunblade. "You can't tell me what to do." He growled menacingly, using his willpower to raise his wounded arm before grasping the torn fabric tightly and tearing it, exposing the gaping hole Kain's lance left behind.
Kain's gaze hardened when he felt Squall's magick radiate, his right hand suddenly glowing before the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. A sense of foreboding filled the Dragoon when, throughout the entire procedure, Squall's calculating glare never strayed from him, his posture remained trained despite the obvious pain and fatigue he felt.
Should I retreat? Kain thought to himself. He hadn't anticipated this, not at all. Squall Leonhart was a more monstrous man than he had thought. He didn't want to injure his comrades too severely; Golbez's words made it clear that they shouldn't be too heavily injured for them to be reincarnated. He only meant to knock out his allies and cast a powerful sleeping spell to fake their deaths until the next cycle while he did all he could against the manikin's numbers. It was a wild gambit, he knew, but it was better than they all continued fighting aimlessly only to succumb to the sheer overwhelming battle strength the manikins contained with their numbers. Fleeing is no longer an option. He tightened his hold on his lance, preparing himself for an intense battle. I chose this path!
The Dragoon charged ahead with a roar, echoed by the black lion's own.
Their blades clashed as they danced around each other to the tempo of a vicious frenzy.
Kain weaved around the man, jabbing and stabbing as he tried to wear him down, only to be forced to jump back when red orbs of energy suddenly hovered around the brunet when he turned. Dust kicked up from the explosion and reacting on instinct, Kain leaped up into the air, dodging the angry red spear Squall had become as he tried to drive his gunblade through the Dragoon.
Coming out of his charge, Squall quickly channeled his magick into his weapon again, extending his reach and pointing it upwards. Seeing the attack, the armored Dragoon channeled his own magick onto his lance as he rapidly descended onto the brunet with an angry cry. "Bow down!"
Their weapons clashed, sending a shockwave of energy coursing through their bodies from the backlash.
"Damn it." Squall cursed when he was once again forced onto one knee. He had hoped to play off the Dragoon's instincts and force him to dodge from his blasting zone. Blue-gray eyes narrowed angrily when he saw Kain come out of his flip to land gracefully onto the ground before taking steady breaths.
The SeeD focused on his foe as he reassessed his situation again. Kain was winded, cuts and dust littering the tall man's armor, but he was nonetheless unscathed save for his bloodied lip. In contrast, he was still injured. His leg and fatigue aside, the continued skirmish had reopened his wounded arm, his impromptu cauterization doing nothing to stem the internal bleeding.
Kain looked down when he landed, feeling his chest ache painfully when he realized he was standing on the puddle of Squall's blood- his comrade's blood. Blood, that came from a wound he had caused. Doubts and second thoughts bombarded his mind- was he really doing the right thing?- but he shook them off just as quickly as they came. His mind was already made up, his resolve to follow this path already made.
"You ready to talk?" Squall asked between pants, his grip on his gunblade remaining taut amidst the protests of his body. He winced after one particular breath and noted that Kain had managed to bruise the ninth rib on his right.
As long as nothing's broken. He thought morbidly. No matter, it seems my backup has arrived.
"I have said all I can." The Dragoon spoke evasively. His eyes suddenly narrowed from his helmet when he noticed Squall's posture and couldn't help but echo the brunet's earlier statement. "What are you plotting?"
A roar resounded through the air and Kain and Squall immediately jumped apart just as a jet of blue slammed into the ground between them. The Dragoon's eyes widened at the sight of the Transient Lion and his gaze immediately flickered over to the SeeD and narrowed heatedly at the triumph in his eyes.
The river! Kain's mind raced.
"You pla-!" His accusation was cutoff when his instincts screamed at him to dodge just as spears of magick erupted from the ground beneath his feet. Part of him wanted to dismiss this intervention as mere coincidence but he knew better; Squall had plotted this all along. Kain thought that he was the one stalling, trying to outlast the wounded brunet. He never once thought that it could have been the other way around.
This man is truly a worthy ally. The Dragoon thought, his mind reeling as it rapidly tried to take stock of the situation. He twirled his weapon, firing a gust of wind at the Transient Witch. The slow manikin couldn't dodge the spell in time and was knocked back. I must ensure Squall proceeds to the next cycle at all costs!
For his part, Squall calmly threw his gunblade at the witch's manikin when it recovered, just as it turned its attention in his direction, feeling a sense of satisfaction at his accomplishment despite the way his battered body protested.
Now to withdraw. The SeeD thought, planting an open palm strike at the Transient Lion's front after dodging its swipe, the force of the blow sending it backwards towards the charging Dragoon.
Kain attempted to bat the manikin to the side only to be caught up in the explosion Squall had planted on its chest. The Dragoon inwardly cursed at how his advantage rapidly deteriorated. Sensing more manikins closing in on him, he attempted to leap up into the air only for the skies themselves to deny him his escape when heavy blobs of water rained down on him, sending his body crashing onto the rocky ground from the impact.
As Squall retrieved his weapon and made to flee, his eyes drifted to his attacker just in time to see his body impact against the ground. His blue-gray eyes narrowed at the Dragoon's fallen form. Despite the battle their battle just now, Squall had anticipated that Kain would make his escape once the manikins arrived instead of choosing to pursue him.
He's really driven. Squall noted, gripping the hilt of his weapon. No matter, he could leave the man behind- it was Kain that attempted to assassinate him after all. A frown made its way to his face. Or was he really?
-Flash-
Things are not as they first appear, my contractor. Trust in them once more, for your safety.
-Flash-
"You look as heartless as Artie says."
Blue-gray eyes blinked angrily, trying to stay awake and focused on the battle.
Damn it you two.
He had decided.
The ground beneath him shook and Squall rolled to the side to avoid the rows of stalagmites that erupted from the ground. His eyes immediately followed the origin to find the Idle Sky Pirate already running away to escape.
It wasn't fast enough, as rows of electricity suddenly cackled before it drew the manikin straight into the business end of his gunblade. Discarding the fading body, Squall immediately channeled his magick as he pelted the manikins surrounding the recovering Dragoon with a fusillade of spells.
"Get up, Highwind!" Squall commanded with a growl, deciding that now wasn't the time for the Dragoon to perish. He needed answers, what with the Dragoon's motives still unclear.
The manikins turned their attention to the brunet and Squall cursed, staring down the group of manikins with a defiant glare. His eyes flickered to the Dragoon's rising form before flickering back to the crystalline abominations when they charged at him.
Spotting movement out of the corner of his eye, Squall leaped back just as Kain descended, skewering the manikins pursuing him. "My thanks." Kain spoke gratefully, his eyes trained forward at the suddenly wary figures.
Squall's brows furrowed in annoyance. "You're not off the hook." He spoke warningly at the Dragoon. "You still owe me an explanation."
Kain smirked at the man's reminder. "Of course."
The manikins, having had enough of waiting, resumed their onslaught.
"They come!" Kain's lance clashed against the Capricious Thief manning the frontline before he pushed back. He ignored the gust of wind when two manikins ran past his. As expected, the Dragoon heard Squall's roar as the manikins were flung back by the force of the explosions from Squall's attack.
A useful skill. Kain noted, tilting his head backwards as he dodged the Thief's blades before catching it by its tail and tossing it back, its crystalline body slamming against the charging horde. A dull thud sounded from behind him.
The Dragoon quickly glanced behind him, noting that Squall was once again on one knee as blood continued to pour out of his wounds. His face was whiter than when they met and the armored man winced, knowing he was the cause of this.
"Retreat." Squall gasped between steadying breaths.
Kain nodded, swinging his spear in a wide arc that knocked out the manikins caught in its way. Taking advantage of the gap between attacks, Kain immediately moved to help his comrade when the ground underneath him suddenly gave way.
"SQUALL!" He shouted in surprise.
Squall watched as everything seemed to slow down as he calmly fell from the high cliff and into the unrelenting abyss below, subconsciously unsummoning his weapon as it vanished from his grasp.
He wanted to be shocked, yes, but he was tired- too tired and drained- that he couldn't care anymore. As the light from his eyes finally dimmed, only one thought rang through his mind.
This… is familiar.
Open your eyes, Squall!
Left atop the precipice, Kain cursed at the sudden wrench tossed into his plan. Battle instincts flaring, Kain immediately took off into the skies, dodging the manikins that attempted to take advantage of his surprise. As he descended from skyward, the Dragoon couldn't help but wonder if he should attempt to find the brunet's body so he could house it with the others but thought against it; he needed to finish what he started.
Maybe this was for the best.
With any luck, Squall would still be reincarnated for the next cycle.
Forgive me… Kain thought as he landed before taking off into a sprint. And I wish you luck for the next fight.
Strengthening his resolve, the Dragoon fled the battlefield.
Prishe was bored.
Extremely bored.
She had finished repairing her fishing rod more and then proceeded to stalk the riverbank for a spot to sit on. Her stomach growled, making her brows furrow in annoyance as it reminded her that she had been hunched over this spot for more than just a few minutes, and her mind raced with backup plans in case she couldn't find them any fish. After all, the animals that used to prance around these lands seemed to have disappeared with time.
Maybe Aerith could find them berries again?
She sighed, laying her head back against the flat boulder and rested her head against her arms, her crossed legs holding the pole securely between her toned thighs.
A frown marred her face as she thought about the lack of fish swimming through the river.
I need to find a way out of here. She reminded herself. It was only a matter of time before all the resources in this land were depleted. While she couldn't die permanently thanks to her curse, she wasn't beyond the natural cravings and needs of mortals- food being the biggest pleasure she indulged herself in with great gusto.
Her thoughts soured as the topic of her immortality resurfaced, the curse she was forced to bear with ever since she could remember, and the same curse that forced her to live throughout this land ever since the first time she was summoned, back when the fauna of this world ran rampantly through the fields and plains.
Seriously, what had changed?
Could it be the wars? Or was it those crystalline things? She brainstormed, trying to find something to blame her anxiety on. How many cycles has it been? She had lost count somewhere down the line.
The wind ran their caress against her ears, helping to ease some of the unease she felt threatening to explode from within her.
It's all his fault! She yelled in her mind, thinking of that brunet with the ugly scar on his head. It's all his fault. The immortal Elvaan repeated like a mantra, tears unconsciously welling up in the corner of her from her despair. If he didn't break his promise… then we might've put a stop to this cycle.
His promise that he'd return with answers, those blue-gray eyes that looked at her with uncharacteristic warmth as he chose to sacrifice himself to see the very end of the war with his own eyes, that he may find the answer she sought and free her from her shackles. She remembered how she fought back against him and his decision but the brunet was a stubborn man-child; once he decided on a course of action, there was no stopping him… and so he left.
Her frown deepened.
If he did his job properly the first time…
If the black lion had killed her the first time they fought, if he had properly killed her… would she have escaped from this world? She immediately shot that thought down, already knowing the answer.
Once upon a time, the Warriors of Cosmos triumphed against Chaos…
…and Prishe remained in this world for the next, her heart breaking when all her surviving allies disappeared one after the other as they head back to their home worlds.
Leaving the immortal Elvaan to scream her frustrations into the skies.
She blinked her eyes open, unshed tears glistening in her seeing orbs. Her mouth twitched several times before she finally forced a smile to etch itself across her face, however strained it was.
This was pathetic.
Her thoughts were pathetic.
Aerith would do more than flick her nose if the young woman found out.
There was no point in thinking about these now; what was important was that she focused on finding the way out of this accursed world.
A heavy tug from her fishing rod brought her back to reality, her heart suddenly racing from the thought of food easily banishing the dark clouds of her mind as she sprang to her feat, grasping the rod tightly with both hands as she stood on the boulder.
"Yeah, finall-" her words died in her throat.
The first she noticed was the red that polluted the water- blood, she confirmed, after subconsciously sniffing the air. But it wasn't the blood that made her heart skip a beat.
It wasn't the tattered jacket, the cuts and scrapes and bruises across his body, nor was it the fact that her hook had somehow managed to latch on that necklace he so held dear.
It was that serene mug he called a face that made her leap into the water and pull the much taller warrior against her breast tightly, hugging whatever life was left of him.
"Squall…!" Prishe fought back the tears that threatened to spill. Her mind raced- he kept his promise! He's here! Why did he take so damn long? !- when her hand brushed against the arm she hadn't noticed was causing the river to dye with red, eliciting a weak pained groan from the unconscious man.
Her eyes suddenly narrowed as she whispered menacingly in his ears, white magick already enveloping her fist as she proceeded to heal his wound.
"You better not die on me, mister, or you'll be reunited with my fist!"
Amidst her threat, a lone drop of happiness slid down her cheek.
Squall had returned.
A/N: I know I said I wouldn't write Kain and Squall's battle in detail but meh :'D I wanted to contrast how different the originals are from the manikins, as well as delve more into Kain's motives and Squall's thoughts. I was tempted to put more memory flashes as the transition between the last two scenes but decided against it; this chapter's already long enough.
Anyway, there we have it! The long-awaited reunion between Prishe and Squall, heralding the beginning of the main plot for this arc! Woohoo~! I wonder how many people wondered why I kept stressing how Prishe and Aerith were travelling near a river in their previous appearances :'D While it's easy to deduce that 'rivers lead to civilization', I've already stated that apart from the Warriors and manikins, the only other civilization inhabiting the world are the moogles ;D
…
Now to get back to my revision ~_~
Reviews are, as always, appreciated :D and once more, thanks for following this story up to this point!
Edited 3 November 2011: Made the changes; thanks mike!