All characters From Final Fantasy VIII
Belong to Square Ennix
Final Fantasy VIII
-Frozen-
Remastered Edition
By Chendzeea' Li
Chapter 10
Elements
Fujin was falling, the wind howling in her ears. Her thoughts ran like tar as white hot pain burned her vision. There was a taste in her mouth, thick, metallic. She tried to scream but there was no sound, only the horrible sensation of grinding bone.
Something hits her and she feels her body break, then just as suddenly she is flying. The sensation is oddly exhilarating even as she feels herself being bombarded. There is fluid in her lungs, choking her.
Delirious, she remembers how much she liked to swim. Though she had to be careful, especially during the summer when the sun was at it's worst. She remembered how her mother would watch over her, she missed her.
She could hear screaming, shrill and horrible, breaking her out of brief respite. Blood warmed her face, blinding her, filling her mouth. She wanted to run and hide but she didn't know where to go. Why didn't they help her she wondered, they promised to always be there. She was falling, alone, always alone...
She felt a presence, was it her mother?
"Who are you? I want to go home, I don't like it here, help me... please..."
It was quiet now, the pain forgotten as a gentle winds carried her aloft. There was a storm coming, she could feel it's power, it's energy. Closing her eyes she was no longer afraid.
"I can't see... who are you?"
"Do you mind telling me what you're doing?" Quistis asked, shielding her eyes against the glare of the afternoon sun. Arms outstretched and standing atop a hay-bail Fujin was less than thrilled about being snapped out of her mediation.
"QUIET." She barked, trying to regain her focus.
"You look like a scarecrow...Why do I have the feeling that I'm about to laugh at you? Honestly, what in heavens name are you doing?"
"CONCENTRATION!"
"Fine, fine, by all means continue."
Checking her watch, Quistis leaned back against the car with a silent groan. Ever since Fujin awoke from her little trance she'd been strangely excited. Insisting that they pull over for an experiment she all but jumped out of the car and found her way to her present position. That was nearly thirty minutes ago. Patience was one of Quistis' virtues but this bout of weirdness, as amusing as it was, sorely tested her limits.
Fujin ignored her. She was out of practice, she'd lost a lot in the time she'd been separated from Pandemona. At one time they were capable of doing amazing things, a perk of a strong and stable bond. It was one of the reasons refused other guardians, they were a distraction.
Even now, the new ones jostled about her mind, trying to find a comfortable place, their wandering caused her to remember things, trivial moments, odd encounters from childhood, or what she'd eaten for lunch three years ago. Straining to block the flood out of her mind she tried to focus solely on her old friend.
"You know..." Quistis finally suggested. "It'll be much easier to do whatever it is you're attempting if you give it a day or so."
"NONSENSE."
"Oh I'm sorry, I'm just the resident Guardian expert, what do I know?"
Opening her eye Fujin lowered her arms in defeat.
"Trust me." Quistis smiled. "You'll never be able to concentrate until they settle down. All you're doing now is keeping them stirred up and interested in whatever it is you're thinking about."
"TOO MANY."
"Probably, Yuriko had five I believe."
"AT LEAST."
"You've always used just the one. Come here, let me take a couple off your hands at least until you get settled."
Moving to join her, Fujin offered her hand. Grasping her wrist and forearm, Quistis closed her eyes. Focusing she searched for any odd sensations that gave away a guardian's presence. A feeling of Déjà vu, or of being watched, there were a variety of clues, most of which were easily overlooked by the untrained.
In this case it was curious sensation of anxiety for no direct reason. Probing the feeling she could feel the ghostly thoughts tickling the back of her mind. Physical contact made the process easier, allowing her more detail in the examination.
"Okay, two of them are acting up, Panda and the others should be fine." She mumbled, focusing on the two ornery guardians.
Enforcing her will she drew the two guardian's close, enticing them with her thoughts until finally pulling them into her mind. The were angry, resentful at being jostled about so much in one day. Reeling slightly, Quistis held her head.
"I've removed the two named Geryon, and Fenris. The other two, Druga and Vega seem to like you, so we'll see how that works out." Stepping back to regard her she smiled in approval. "Xu is going to have a fit."
With a wry smirk Fujin taunted her. "YOUR FAULT."
"Yeah I know. Come on, if we hurry we can get back before it gets dark."
Climbing back in the car, Quistis noticed a frenzied chatter on the radio. She was only mildly paying attention as they pulled onto the main road.
"Wait, what did they just say?" She blurted, finally catching something of interest. Fujin look perplexed, lost as she was in adjusting to her new guardians. Turning the volume up Quistis features darkened as the story unfolded from the radio in broken bits.
"with a large fire as Cedars Hill came under attack from a unidentified threat. Eye witnesses at the scene claim several giants appeared out of the forests..."
"GIANT?" Fujin mumbled, wracking her brain for an explanation.
"Damn it... They were waiting." Quistis cursed, turning the car around with a screech.
The sun was setting as they returned to the outskirts of Cedars Hill. A white haze of smoke was the first sign that something was wrong followed quickly by the smell of burning meat. Clearing the woods the town came into view in all it's tranquil glory.
Crowds of people stood gathered amongst a throng of vehicles parked haphazardly in the ruined fields. People ran about in a frenzy, tending the wounded and trying to gather information while the sound of destruction echoed in the distance.
"GOODNESS..." Fujin gawked, jumping out of the car. Quistis joined her and nearly staggered in shock.
"This is my fault..."
"NEGATIVE." Fujin responded, urging her forward. "ASSIST."
With a silent nod, Quistis followed her as they made their way through the crowd in hopes of finding someone in charge. Children were crying, and adults were in a fearful rage.
"THERE." Fujin pointed, a man was giving orders to an armed mob of volunteers. Quistis quickly made her way into their midst.
"Who's in charge?"
A tall, severe looking man with dark skin and long gray dreadlocks looked at her. He was robust, with the bearing of a soldier.
"Who are you?" He asked, not liking her tone.
"She's the woman from earlier, tore through the street with some kind of monster." Someone pointed out.
"BAD." Fujin grumbled. Quistis ignored the comment and put on her game face.
"My name is Quistis Trepe, I'm a SeeD with Balamb Garden, I'm here to help."
The man looked her over with clear disdain.
"SeeD? We don't need your help. You kids go about pretending you're soldiers, stirring stuff up, fanning the flames with your mercenary ways. None of you know what a real war is like."
Getting in her face he jabbed a wrist sized finger into her chest. Deciding to face him down she remained firm as he continued his tirade.
"You fly around in your little space ship, summoning monsters and playing dress up in you're fancy uniforms. Meanwhile it's the common folk who suffer from the mess you make. How many people died during that last war?"
Simply choosing to answer his question, Quistis responded dully.
"In total? Roughly fifty thousand. Most of those occurring from the Lunar Cry in Esthar, and during the missile strike on Trabia. I was there on both occasions." She wanted to point out how many died during Vinzer Deling's rule but decided against it.
The man remained unimpressed but his anger seemed to subside. Quistis looked passed him to the strained faces of the town folk.
"Sir if you'd allow it, I'd like to help, I'm specially trained and equipped to deal with threats like this."
"We've weapons and man power, we can handle it."
"Of that I've no doubt. At least for the time being anyway. I've reason to believe what you're dealing with is what we call Guardian Force, or more simply a powerful Spirit. They normally can't manifest to this degree on their own, someone may be controlling it."
"I know what they are, no one here is insane enough to bond with one, or whatever it is your cult calls it."
"CULT?" Fujin mumbled.
"I know, that's a new one." Quistis responded with a look of surprise before resuming her conversation.
"As I was saying. If you know what it is, then you also know that unless you bind the Guardian or know how to banish it, it will only return again no matter how many times you destroy it."
The man folded his arms and glowered.
"Okay Balamb, what's the plan?"
"Thank you. Now I assume you were here when this began."
"It ate our cows!" A woman yelled.
The big man rubbed his jaw and looked over his shoulder at the crowd.
"Excuse me?" Quistis wondered aloud. "Unsure if she heard the woman right.
"And the chocobos, feathers and all." An older man shouted.
The man in front of her spoke.
"It all started about an hour and half ago..." He began before being interrupted.
"Excuse me, what is your name Sir?" Quistis asked politely, preferring to know who she was talking to.
"Garath. Retired marine, seventeen years."
"A pleasure, Garath, kindly continue."
"It came out of the woods. Began attacking livestock. It ate anything it could catch and ran the rest off the cliffs into the ocean."
"Was anyone hurt?"
"Several but nothing life threatening. It tore ass across town, stepping on buildings along the way. Didn't seem interested in people, though most had enough sense to stay clear."
"Where is the mayor?"
"Jedah was arguing with Yuriko last time I saw him. She's one of yours I take it? That explains a lot."
"Do you know the Guardian's present location?" Quistis dodged.
"It made it's way through the town about twenty minutes ago. Ate a grocery store along the way."
"ABSURD." Fujin blurted.
"You haven't seen it, it's huge, I saw it eating cows by the mouthful."
The statement would have been comical under different circumstances.
"PLAN?" Fujin asked looking to Quistis.
The answer was obvious, reaching into her pocket Quistis withdrew her phone. Again, Xu answered immediately.
"Where are you?"
"Cedars Hill."
"I thought I told..."
"Shut up, we need back up, the town is under attack."
"What did you do!?"
"I'm fairly certain it's another aberrant. Yuriko must have been keeping it at bay without knowing it."
"Think you can keep it busy till we get there?"
"We've only just returned, I still don't know what... Oh my heavens..." She mouthed in shock. Dropping the phone she stood dumbfounded as a gigantic humanoid materialized through the smoke and shadows.
"BAD! VERY BAD!" Fujin blurted. The thing was titanic, standing easily over a hundred feet in height. Bald with ash gray skin and sharp angular features the thing had smoldering eyes that burned with a green fire. In one hand it held a titanic spear, upon which several skewered and burning horses thrashed and screamed.
Turning, it seemed to look right at them then roared. The sound was deafening, and struck like a punch to the chest that sent townspeople toppling to the ground. Fortified by their Guardian's Quistis and Fujin simply looked at each other.
"It can sense us." Quistis noted as it eagerly began approaching.
"THINK!?" Fujin yelled.
"We need weapons, I've a couple in the car..." Quistis babbled, pulling Fujin along as they ran. People scattered wildly in all directions as the massive guardian crossed the fields towards the duo. Though slow, it's long legged strides allowed it to steadily gain ground.
Reaching the car, Quistis all but flung herself into the backseat as she began digging through her supply case.
"HURRY." Fujin snapped.
"I know."
"NOW." Fujin reiterated. The very ground was shaking violently with each step as the Guardian approached.
Returning to Fujin's side, Quistis offered her a spare war whip while readying her own. Holding it limply, Fujin just stared at her with a disbelieving expression.
"JOKING?"
"What?" Quistis growled, cracking her weapon a few times to limber up.
"SERIOUSLY." Fujin screamed, pointing at their foe who seemed to get bigger with every slow methodical step.
Offended, Quistis took a battle stance while scolding Fujin for her foolishness.
"It'll work, I've killed a dragon with it. Trust me it's enchanted. It cuts like a sword in the right hands and with a far better range."
"RIGHT HANDS." Fujin babbled, mockingly flailing the whip about her head in a useless fashion.
"GOING TO DIE."
Abruptly breaking into a run the giant rushed them.
"Oh, here we go..." Quistis blurted. Taking a half step back she raised her hand. Instantly a glowing barrier erupted before the two women, briefly flaring it then dimmed with only the faintest shimmer betraying it's presence.
With a wide swipe of it's arm their foe uprooted trees and obliterated Quistis' car in one blow. Fujin nearly buried herself alive with the force that she threw herself to the ground. Quistis meanwhile flipped casually over the swing and took the opportunity to attack the Guardian's arm with her whip.
Enchanted as it was, the weapon had a far greater reach than it seemed. Glowing serrated segments materialized along the whip's length as it lashed across the thing's forearm. The wound it opened split wide and long, aggravated by arcane fire.
Howling in rage, the monster rose to it's full height and proceeded to do everything in it's power to stomp her into oblivion.
Fujin pulled herself to her feet and looked incredulously at the weapon in her hand. Taking the monster's diversion as an opportunity to test her skill she took a few practice cracks with the whip, wondering if she looked as foolish as she felt. This was clearly not a weapon for the faint of heart. Hissing she shoved the thing in her belt loop and scanned the surroundings for anything else of use.
Quistis meanwhile was fairly proud of herself, darting about wildly she not only managed to avoid being trampled, she earned herself a reprieve by nearly severing the thing's foot. Hobbling away from the tiny woman it leveled it's spear in her direction.
"Oh...that's not good."
A ball of fire erupted from the tip of the weapon. Holding her arm before her face Quistis winced as the flame hit the arcane barrier then reflected back upon the creature and exploded. Screaming in outrage and pain their foe leaned forward and roared in defiance at her before finding itself choking on a flung hubcap.
"YES!" Fujin shouted in uncharacteristic glee.
Quistis whirled around to see her pointing proudly at what she did.
"Did you just?"
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"I'm telling everyone I know."
"DUCK."
Quistis did as she was told. The thing was huge but terribly slow, while it was easy enough to dodge it's attack she had to remind herself that to underestimate her foe was inviting disaster.
As if reading her thoughts, her opponent kicked a large tree. Arcing through the air it collided squarely against her arcane barrier. Flung backwards by the blow, Quistis rebounded off the ground and rolled several feet before finding herself sprawled in the mud.
Her barrier shattered, she knew it would be wise to avoid another hit before she could restore it. Fujin meanwhile didn't press her luck. Slinking back into the growing shadows, she pondered her scant options.
Quistis sat up, infuriated she pulled herself to her feet and glared angrily. The fact that the Guardian was still active meant that it had possessed it's host and was in full control. Which made sense, considering the thing's strange inclination for gobbling up livestock. Wiping mud from her face she slung it away and considered her options.
Feeling snarky, Fujin called to her from the shadows. "USE WHIP!"
Quistis shot her a foul look. "Oh you are so very clever..."
Venting her annoyance she raised arms gracefully over head then pointed at her foe.
The air filled with a terrible screech as a radiant mote of multicolored light exploded in the titan's face. It's weapon sent flying, it topped backwards onto the sea of cars it rolled about in pain. Thankfully everyone had long since cleared the area.
Fed up, Quistis prepared to summon a guardian of her own to even the odds. Scanning her surroundings she noted her ally digging around in the ruins of her car. Seeing her pause, Fujin gestured wildly at her.
"ASSAULT, ATTACK, HIT!"
"Fujin I need you to run interference!"
Fujin looked at her, then at the giant.
"WHAT?"
"What are you even doing over there? Get over here and distract it so I can summon some help."
"AFFIRMATIVE
Rushing to her side Fujin held up her arm. Quistis looked dubiously at her, the woman had attached a makeshift blade of twisted metal to her forearm using seat padding and cables.
"Seriously...? You're going to break your bloody arm... Use the whip."
"BE FINE."
"Whatever..."
"SQUALL."
"Oh that's just... Go!" Quistis ordered as she began focusing on her summons.
Eager to assist, Fujin scrambled towards the behemoth as it struggled to it's feet. Pleading silently with her own guardian she hoped to establish some measure of their former unity. They had always worked best under duress and surely this counted. If anything, Quistis' barrier would allow her time enough to regret her folly and escape.
With that in mind she increased her speed. Taking a series of hoping, long legged leaps she felt Pandemona stir deep within her mind. Each footfall took slightly longer to hit the ground until a burst of air exploded under her feet propelling her through the air.
In her mind's eye she imagined her return to form would be something small and graceful. Instead it was something more akin to a drunkard shot from a cannon. Hurtling through the air she impacted hard against the giant with an unflattering thud. By some measure of skill and luck she saved herself by burrowing her haphazard weapon deep in the thing's side.
The problem now was not being crushed into a pulp. The guardian's ghostly eyes met her gaze in a alien look of bewilderment. Fujin grimaced at it, in all honestly she was more concerned with getting in synch with her guardian again and hadn't planned for the possibility of attaching herself to an enraged building.
Distracted by the tiny woman lodged in it's side, it reached for her. Deciding it best to move, she kicked away and flipped backwards into free fall. Again Pandemona came to her aid, this time with a bit more control as she spiraled through the air.
After so very long, she once again felt as though she could fly. Her elation ended abruptly when she found herself snatched out of the air like a tossed ball. Engulfed in a massive hand she very nearly panicked. Stabbing wildly into it's hand she drew a thick gout of smokey black blood..
Preparing to toss Fujin to the horizon, the Aberrant Guardian reared it's arm back then found itself enveloped by cerulean coils. Quistis' personal Guardian Force lived up to it's name. Leviathan, was a beautiful terror to behold. Serpentine and graceful, the great spirit easily grappled it's foe.
Locked together the two toppled to the ground and thrashed wildly. Trees, cars, orchards and outhouses, everything in their path was pulverized and scattered across the field. Quistis was sweating, manifesting the Guardian at such power was taxing, but she was confident that it would make short work of their foe.
Her primary concern was Fujin, Leviathan had pinned the arm holding her. She could sense that the barrier spell she'd cast upon her was still in effect. Which was good in that she would remain relatively unharmed. Such protection was temporary at best but it would have to do.
The two Guardians battled ferociously for several long moments with Leviathan muscling them well beyond the town and fields. Even at a full run Quistis couldn't keep up. Abruptly, she felt Fujin's barrier weakening, if the battle didn't end soon the woman would be in serious trouble.
The fight quickly made its way outside of the city proper and two were now tearing up countryside. Breathing hard, Quistis could see them in the distance as Leviathan seemed poised for the kill.
Exhausted from the extended summons and marathon run she finally dropped to one knee. She couldn't keep this up much longer, she'd boosted Leviathan as much as she dared. Wiping her nose, she noticed blood, a definite sign to stop. Growing faint, she could see Leviathan was becoming increasingly aggressive. Then she noticed why.
The sounds of crashing waves had caught Quistis attention. Startled, she realized Leviathan's intention. A spirit of the oceans, it instinctively brought the fight to the water and meant to drag it's foe off the cliff. It's foe realized this as well and with one final burst of strength struggled to rise.
It was for naught, off balance and weakened the Aberrant Guardian collapsed under Leviathan's coils with grotesque crunch. Then it was over and in a startling instant, the two toppled over the cliff into the churning waters below.
Hauling herself to her feet Quistis dismissed her guardian. She felt Fujin's arcane protection flicker and die. Nauseous from her exertion she staggered her way to the cliff's edge. The battle over, both guardian's had dissipated. The sun was nearly set turning the water below into an impenetrable dark mass.
"Fujin!" She called, hoping to catch any sign of the woman. While worried, she wasn't too concerned, Fujin was strong and resourceful. That faith faltered as the seconds turned into minutes. Growing panicked she paced the cliff face looking for a path down and by the time the first of the townsfolk came to investigate it was all she could do to keep her composure.
A young woman rushed to her side. "Ma'am! Are you okay?"
"I need to find a way down, my friend, she went over the edge!"
Peering over the woman looked back to Quistis in dismay.
"That's a three hundred foot drop onto the rocks..."
"I bloody well know what it is!"
Grim faced, the woman motioned her to follow. The trail was a winding one that eventually found the two stumbling around the sharp rocks and crashing waves. A well places series of fire spells illuminated the search which was joined by a growing number of volunteers.
"Quistis? Quistis Trepe. A man called out awkwardly. Turning, Quistis recognized him as the man scolded them earlier in the day. His startled expression upon seeing her face gave some measure of her appearance. Ignoring it, she regarded him with stern frown.
"Jedah right?"
"Yuriko wants to see you, she's at the clinic."
"She's alive then, good. Tell her I'm busy."
"She says it's urgent."
"So is this, she can wait."
"It's about the Monster, she said she found it's focus."
"Then tell her to capture it. I'll be along shortly to take it off her hands."
"She said it can't wait and that I should have my men carry you if need be."
Quistis was growing angry as she tried to block out the fact that Fujin may have very likely fallen to her death and been washed out to sea. She was within moments of snapping at the man when her rational self took control. She was a professional, she had to maintain, had to stay in control, she could tear herself up later.
Scanning over the small group of volunteers she addressed the Mayor with a respectful nod. "Very well, kindly have your people continue searching. Come find me the instant you find her."
"Sure thing." He responded then grabbed her arm. Leaning towards her his expression turned foul. "This started when you arrived, if I find out that you had anything to do with this."
Shaking free Quistis stood straight and addressed him.
"Sir, lets get this out the way now shall we. That aberrant almost certainly attacked because Yuriko was the only person keeping it at bay. Regretfully, she nor myself had any notion that it was out there. Unfortunately, my business here today rendered her less capable of defeating it. Which it realized. As such, I must admit that I am indeed partially responsible for this."
Jedah scowled, but before he could verbally assault her she silenced him with an observation.
"Do keep in mind. That without Yuriko's presence there is a strong likelihood that your village would've been attacked earlier. Pardon me if this sounds arrogant, but I highly doubt any of you have the skills needed to stop this from happening again. So, while I regret that this occurred, it is perhaps fortuitous that events happened in the order that they did."
Setting his jaw, the he furrowed his brow. "You're lucky no one was killed."
Quistis darkened and for a moment he though that she might attack him. Stepping close she looked him in the eye.
"That remains to be seen doesn't it. Kindly continue the search." She said firmly before shouldering past him. Making her way to the top of the cliff, she flagged down a local to drive her to the clinic. As they made their way back into town she surveyed the destruction wrought by the battle.
Thankfully only a few buildings were damaged. Namely several silo's, a grocery store and several small shops. Seemingly preoccupied with foodstuffs, the Guardian had taken some pains to avoid harming anyone directly.
The arrival at the clinic found her amazed that no one was killed as several people lingered about chatting and searching for loved ones. Exiting the car she made her way inside, keenly aware of the eyes following her every move.
She found Yuriko resting on a bench in the lobby battered and bruised with her leg in a splint. All things considered she seemed in good spirits.
"There you are, I knew you two would be trouble. Where's your friend."
"Missing..."
That bit of information drained any jocularity out of the older woman. "I'm sorry." She offered respectfully.
"The Mayor said you found it's focus."
Pulling herself to her feet, Yuriko used her lance as a crutch. "They actually, I was able to stop the first one. Tracked it's path to a sinkhole on the edge of the woods not far from here. That big one came out of nowhere... damn thing punted me then went on a rampage."
"You're lucky you weren't killed... This is my fault."
"Bullshit, the locals have had ghost stories about that sink hole for years. Lets just get out there and put em to rest."
"Right, but you can't do anything on that leg." Quistis noted, channeling a spell she placed a warm hand on her shoulder and focused. Yuriko grimaced, healing magics lost their potency with time. Thus older wounds were harder to heal, even if by minutes or hours. Though the break knitted together, she'd be sore for days.
Rubbing her leg Yuriko nodded in approval. "That will do fine, thanks Trepe. Lets go find a ride before those Guardian's have time to recover."
Following quietly, Quistis was content to let the senior SeeD take charge, it allowed her time to refocus. She was worried about Fujin, visions of her broken and bloated body tossed merciless against the shore assaulted her mind. She wanted to cry, to scream in rage at her ineptitude. How could she have failed so completely.
Yuriko having commandeered a car waved her over. Downcast the instructor climbed into the passenger seat, her older companion eying her with concern.
"Don't let it get to you, not now." She chided.
"I'm fine."
"Bullshit, you're about to pop. You can't worry about her now. Do that on your own time, there are things to do."
Quistis nodded. Frowning Yuriko backed out of the lot and began the short drive to the outside of town. Once underway she addressed her once more.
"Look, if you're going to do this job, you have to grow thicker skin Trepe. I've seen plenty of people die, but you finish the job."
"Aren't you the one who quit?"
"Don't be a smart-ass. I put in my time, I did what I needed to do. I never let myself falter during a mission. Stop moping and get your head right or get out of the car. Because you can't help anyone like this, not me, and not your friend."
Quistis' face grew tight, she wanted explode. Taking a breath she shot a severe look at the older SeeD. Yuriko glanced dangerously out of the corner of her eye.
"Well?"
Hating herself for her weakness, Quistis sighed heavily and nodded. The woman was right, she had to persevere. Gathering herself she finally spoke.
"I'm sorry, you're right..." She sniffed. "So um... what do you know about these two? I'm thinking they're a focus haunting?"
"Very good." Yuriko smirked dryly. "Asking around, some folks told me at the clinic about local ghost story of a couple who went missing exploring caves in the area. Legend claims that they got lost and eventually starved. Weird events became associated with their ghosts. Stolen food, missing pets, animal mutilations. Not a lot, but enough to keep the story going."
"Explains why he was eating everything in sight."
"Yeah, I'm thinking they sensed my Guardians and stopped out of fear of attracting my attention. That's a long time to go without a meal and a lot of stored up trauma."
"They never meant to hurt anyone, they were just hungry." Quistis groaned rubbing her face with her hands. "What should we do?"
"Draw them out of that cave. I'll keep them with me I guess."
"I thought you said you were done with Guardians?"
"Well who watches the watchers?" Yuriko shrugged dismissively. "Look what happened. Like it or not this town needs a protector. As for these two, this is their home as much as it's mine. I figure we can work something out."
Nothing else to say Quistis remained silent, she was tired and wanted to put this behind her. As they rumbled across the uneven countryside they came upon a ruined fence marking circumference of the fair sized sink hole.
Darkness had fallen and lightning flashed in the distance, it would be raining soon. Leaving the headlights on, the two women approached the gaping hole cautiously. A light fog drifted about their feet and fell lazily into the dank and dreary pit.
"You feel that?" Yuriko pointed with her lance.
Quistis nodded, carefully peering into the void. Yuriko looked around and found a old weathered rope tied to a nearby tree. Testing it's strength she began lowering herself down with Quistis dutifully following. It was cold and damn, and the smell of rotting plants and rich soil was over powering.
The bottom of the sink hole was knee deep with cold water. Quistis was unaffected due to the protection afforded to her by Leviathan. Yuriko however soon found herself shivering. With a wave of her hand, Quistis set fire to some nearby roots. Even with magical flame, the damp vegetation was slow to burn. Still it offered enough light to maneuver as she repeated the process the further the progressed into the cavern.
Tracking the unmistakable aura of the Guardians they soon found the spot they were looking for. A small but deep chasm opened before them. The darkness was impenetrable and ominous as a slow methodical breeze issued rhythmically from it's depths.
"This is the place." Quistis said quietly. "They're down there somewhere."
"I have them." Yuriko said quietly outstretching her hand.
For a long moment the woman stood, searching, enticing the lost spirits to her. Quistis watched her quietly, her mind drifting back to Fujin. She had little hope that the woman was alive now. She wondered if perhaps she too would become a Guardian, perhaps haunting the shores as a cold ghostly wind.
Tears came to her eyes, bitter and self loathing. Walking away so as not to be noticed she fought to contain herself. The wild urge to cast herself into the pit came to her mind. It'd be easy, and quick, perhaps things would be better. All she ever did was screw up. Sniffing, she wiped her eyes and scowled. She was better than this. To many people depended on her.
Turning she found Yuriko watching her. Startled she wiped her eyes once more and sniffed. Her attempt at playing it off failed before it started but she tried nonetheless.
"Well, did you bind them?" She asked, her voice quavering.
"Yeah, I got em. It's over."
"You think they'll give you any trouble."
"No, they're happy to be out of the cave."
"So what now?"
"We're done. Your people should be here soon. I imagine you called them."
"I did."
"You'll excuse me if I don't stick around to chat with them."
"I understand."
"Good, lets get out of here."
Xu stood talking with Irvine who yawned hugely as she prattled on. Zell stood nearby with and a small band of students as a large Minotaur like Guardian muscled vehicles off the trampled fields. It's tiny twin meanwhile sat atop it's shoulders spurning it on.
Quistis watched with a dull expression, caked in mud and battered, she had nothing left. Chewing quietly on a stale danish she barely noticed as Edea approached. Sitting beside her, the former sorceress offered a gentle greeting.
"Quistis."
"Hello Matron. I'm surprised you came." Quistis responded, her weary eyes locked on the sunrise.
"Has there been any word?"
"No Ma'am..."
"I am sorry."
"So am I..."
"Quistis. I want you to know, no one blames you. It is important for you to believe that. What occurred today was only a matter of time, it was fortunate that you were here to stop it."
"Yeah... well it wasn't so fortunate for her."
"Do not give up, there is still hope."
Quistis looked at her, her eyes scanning the older woman's features. Smiling sadly she returned her gaze to the ocean beyond.
"You really believe that don't you."
"I do, and it pains me that you do not."
"Yuriko is right... Perhaps we are just slaves to the system."
"Nonsense, you have a choice, you always have. No one would blame or think less of you for leaving. We must all find our own path child."
"I know and I was just thinking. I could never leave Balamb, you are all my family and I love you. I just feel like I'm doing more harm than good sometimes."
"Quistis, the only harm you've ever done is to yourself. We all fail child, more than we ever succeed, it's what we learn from it that matters. Think, look at what you've accomplished and the people you influence. You've only to open your eyes to that to realize your worth."
With a weary sigh and tears in her eyes Quistis laid her head upon the older woman's lap. Welcoming her, Edea stroked her hair fondly.
"Now rest dear... let me watch over you." She whispered softly as Quistis quietly succumbed to sleep.
Fujin awoke to the sensation of being chewed on. Yelping she leaped to her feet, somewhere along the way she'd lost her shoes and now a large crab was attempting to devour her big toe. Disgusted, she shook it off and scampered away.
She was sore, thirsty and smelled of dank water. Picking seaweed from her hair she took in her surroundings. She didn't like what she found as she realized she was the sole occupant of a tiny finger of sand and rock in the middle of the ocean.
"UNFORTUNATE." She mumbled then cursed aloud as the Ragnarok thundered overhead then vanished across the horizon.
Hanging her head in aggravation she closed her eyes. She had no desire to wait to be rescued. Orienting herself to the sun, she aimed towards the what she hoped would be shore. Jumping up and down comically she skipped her way forward then fell flat on her face.
Spitting sand she looked up in anger only to meet the gaze of the large crab that had been trying to eat her. Resiting the urge to flip it over she pulled herself to her feet and tried again. She had the distinct impression that Pandemona was laughing at her. Undeterred she continued her antics, building up speed until finally she flung herself wildly into the water.
An explosion of air burst under her feet leaving her tottering wildly above the churning waters. Using her arms to balance herself, she bid Pandemona's winds to launch her forward. Terribly awkward, she flailed about to keep her balance as she circled her tiny island. It took time to reacquaint herself with the technique but soon she found herself at ease and laughing brightly. Once confident enough in her ability she left a massive wake behind her as she continued on her way.
End Chapter 10