Chapter 12

Bright, the light was so bright that she had to cover her eyes with her arm. It was only after she moved her arm slightly down that she felt heat spreading to her limps, she wasn't feeling cold anymore. For so long she had only felt cold that she almost got used to that feeling. There was one time though that she did feel the warmth spreading in her chest, at that time she was speaking with someone, but she can't remember who it was. But she does remember that this person promised to bring her back.

But back from where?

She drops her arm down and opens her eyes slowly, the light depletes and she can see her surroundings, but what she sees is shockingly.

Is this still a dream?

All around her shadows are lying on the ground, the same shadows that have attacked her for so many times in her dreams or whatever that was, and every single one of them is dead.

What happened?

Her eyes have still trouble adjusting to the bright light that at first she didn't notice her friends and family near her. But when she did she feared for one second that they are death, but to her relief she can see all of them breathing.

Am I back?

She was feeling so tired but she knows she has to check on all of them. Slowly she slips down from the stone table and the first person she sees is her little daughter lying on the ground, surrounded with the shadows.

Why is she here? Why would they let her come?

So many questions and al of them have to wait, for now. She tries to lift her daughter but she has not enough strength in her arms, so instead of lifting her she tries to shake her awake, but with no results. This shouldn't be a surprise, her daughter had the same sleeping habits as her father has and they were both hard to wake. Making sure her daughter is comfortable, or as comfortable as can be on the cold ground, she walks around the table and sees Ming and not for from her Ellone laying. They too appear to be asleep so she tries to wake them, with the same results as with her daughter.

This must be a dream. My mind is playing games with me.

But somehow she knows this isn't a dream, but she still doesn't know what happened. Further ahead her other friends and husband lay unmoving. She walks to them but the strength leaves her legs, she uses the remaining strength she has to crawl over to her husband. She doesn't have the energy to try to wake her husband, so instead she lies down next to him and closes her eyes. She has to rest, even if it is just for a while.

A soft, warm, hand cups her cheek. "Wake up child," a woman said.

Quistis opens her eyes to see the most beautiful woman she has ever seen leaning over her. It takes her a few minutes before she realizes she has seen her before. "You have saved us ten years ago."

The woman nods her head and stands up-straight; she exchanges her hand and lifts Quistis to her feet.

Quistis wasn't feeling tired anymore, she was feeling quite the opposite, she felt strong, powerful. She felt like she could take on the world, she could…

"You have to wake up child," the silver haired woman repeated gently.

For just a moment her new powers were taking over her mind. Quistis is still weak from what happened to her and she has to be careful, otherwise her powers will consume her as they did with so many Sorceresses before her. She knows she is stronger than her powers so she shoves those thought back to the back of her mind.

The woman walks around the stone table until she is standing next to Ellone, "You need to help her."

"How?" Quistis was still a bit wobbling on her legs so she has to lean on the stone table while walking back to her daughter. She sits down next to her daughter and lifts Ayla in her arms. She leans back against the stone table and sighs, "What must I do?"

Her existence starts to fade away, like she can't stay here any longer. "Use your healing powers," she said before she disappeared.

My healing powers?

Looking at the sleeping form of her daughter she knows she has to try anything she can. Placing her daughter softly on the ground she climbs on top of the stone table. She twirls around to see the entire area outside the stone circle filled with the shadowy corpses.

She doesn't want to look at the damage she probably created, she knows she is somehow responsible for all of this, but instead she looks at her friends and family. Looking at their sleeping forms she gathers the strength inside of herself, she needs to perform her strongest healing magic.

Quistis breaths loudly through her nostrils and stretches her arms beside her body, whispering: "White Wind." White magic circle around all of her friends before it disappears again.

Her legs started to wobble extremely and she sits down on the stone table, exhausted.

One by one her friends start to wake up; all of them are still a bit dazed. Ayla is rubbing her eyes while Seth is rubbing the back of her head. Seifer stands up slowly and whistles at the defeated shadows lying near them. Rinoa and Selphie help each other to check for any wounds but they can't find any. Ming and Sarah are standing over Ellone who has her head perched atop her legs, complaining about a headache. Edea walks slowly to Ayla and she is the first one to notice that Quistis is awake.

Quistis can see the tears forming in her Matron's eyes and she gasps loudly while running towards her.

At the sudden movement of Edea all of them turn their heads to see Quistis sitting atop the stone table, very much awake.

Everyone started to yell, cheer and hugging each other. Everyone wants to make sure Quistis is alright and they all hammer her with questions.

All she said in returns is, "I am back." She softly pushes everyone away from her and walks to Seifer and Ayla. All she wants is to have her family close to her. For minutes the three of them are simply standing in the ruins of the battleground, hugging each other tightly.

Their little family is whole again.

Quistis eyed her friends watching their small reunion and asks, "What did I miss?"


He had just received the good news, but now was not the time to celebrate. They still need to find the culprit who is behind all of this.

Sitting in his old office he has the feeling like he had never left this place, but he hasn't been a headmaster for many years, this is Squall's place now. But sitting here felt so comfortable and familiar that he resumed to his role as headmaster without trouble.

"Sir, they are here."

"Send them in," Cid said to the SeeD and waits for the SeeDs he requested to come in.

The doors of the office opens and a grey haired woman and a bit tanned men enter.

"Fujin, Rajin. Thanks for coming at such short notice."

"What can we do for ya? Ya know," Rajin said while shaking Cid's hand.

Cid asks them to sit down and he himself leans back in the leather chair. "We've got a lead on Slade Flynn."

Rajin and Fujin shift forward in their chairs. They had just returned from their mission and they weren't informed about anything that happened in the last few days. "Two days ago he was in Esthar and he has murdered Dr. Odine."

Rajin gasp loudly but Fujin remains sitting still.

"Yesterday Fury Caraway called, Slade Flynn has been spotted in Winhill, at the big mansion."

"Winhill sir? Why would he go to Winhill?" Fujin asks.

Cid shrugs his shoulder. "We don't know yet, I have discussed this with both Xu and Laguna, but we can't think of any reason for him to be there."

Rajin is shifting uncomfortable in his chair. "You want us to go and find him?"

"I know you have just returned, but yes, I would like you to go to Winhill and see if he is still there."

"Just us two?" Fujin cocks her head a little to the right. "What about the others?"

"They are waiting till Quistis is back in Esthar. I know you would also like to see her, but still I-"

"Hold on," Fujin intervened. "Quistis is back?"

Cid nods his head.

"Back as in back, ya know?"

Cid nods his head again.

"When? How?"

Cid hates to do this, but he knows he must. "I will explain everything once you are back. I know you want to see your friend, and so do I, but we can't. Not yet." Cid closes his eyes in frustrations and continues a bit slower, "We must know about Flynn's whereabouts."

Rajin wants to say something but Fujin stops him with putting her hand on his arm. "We will go, Sir."

"Thank you. Take this car," Cid throws some car keys to Rajin who catches them swiftly, "and go to the abandon train tracks. A train will be waiting for you there and take you to Winhill."

"Squalls car?" Rajin asks while looking at the keys in his hands.

"You'd better hurry before he finds out you took his car," Cid said with glee in his eyes.

Rajin laughs loudly and Fujin snickers while they leave his office.

When he is alone again he turns his chair around so he can see the skyline of Esthar. He knows that Squall would have gone to Winhill himself if he had the chance, but when he had Squall on the phone earlier that day he could see that his doubt was clearly troubling him. He wanted to find Slade Flynn himself and bring him back to be put to justice but he also wanted to wait for his family to return. Cid had made the decision for him; he would send some SeeDs to check Winhill. If Flynn is still in Winhill, Squall and the others can take the Ragnarok. He knows it would be foolish if all of them step on that plane, they can't be sure he is still there. They could start a race around the world to find him. No, it is better to dispatch a small team, especially a trustworthy team who knows what is at stake.

He does feel slightly guilty that he doesn't even aloud to let those two see their friend return safely, but they are the only two he can trust this with. He knows they will track him down and keep an eye on him. They have always been discreet and he relies on them for that.

Fujin knows why he asked them, he could see that in her eye. Fujin is an expert in putting her emotions aside and concentrate only on the task ahead. Rajin is the complete opposite, he should try to learn to control his emotions better, but he is loyal and he too will get this job done.

Cid knows he has sent the right people, but why does he still feel like he is missing something important?


A great weight had been lifted from his shoulder when he heard that Quistis was back, really back.

Xu had come rushing in the infirmary and for a second Nida thought that something bad had happened, but then he saw a beautiful smile gracing her lips. Without thinking he had pulled Xu closer to him and kissed her and she had kissed him back. He still can't believe he had kissed her, but it felt so good that he can't wait to kiss those lips again.

But sadly he will have to wait. It was a short drive to Esthar and both of them where really excited to see Quistis again. Nida wanted to apologize to Quistis and when he had Quistis just shook her head and thanked him.Just like Seifer had said she would.

Quistis had walked up to him and thanked him. He was so shocked that he couldn't say anything in return. She had hugged him carefully; he is still walking with crutches, and wished him a well recovery. The entire group had walked after her and some of them clasped him on the back and asked him to join them in the cafeteria. He had laughed softly and told them to go ahead; he needed a little break before he could go any further.

At the entrance of the cafeteria he saw Xu watching the group silently with a cup of coffee in her hands. The coffee smelled so good that he decided to get his own cup, but for that he had to walk back to the kitchen and since he can't walk with a cup in his hand he had to drink it in the kitchen, alone. After he was done he walked back to the entrance to see that Xu is still standing in the same spot.

"She'll be fine," he said standing next to her.

Xu nods her head. "I know that. But she should also be thinking about herself, she can't go on like this."

"I think the doc agrees with you," Nida said with a grin.

Silently they wait to see how Dr. Kadowaki will order Quistis to go to her room. To his surprise she follows her without resisting. Xu follows behind the doctor and Nida walks over to the table filled with his friends.

"Hey Nida, how are you doing?" Zell said while he slides a chair back for Nida to sit on and one chair to put his leg on.

"Good. Just one more week and I can throw these crutches away," Nida said while sitting down and resting his sore legs. "Taking a SeeD exam is nothing compared to walking on crutches."

"Maybe not yours." Zell snorts, earning him a slap from Selphie.

"Just because he did follow orders and didn't get into any trouble, doesn't mean you have to give him a hard time." Selphie said while glaring hard at Zell.

The terrified look on Zell's face was too much for Nida, he can't help but snicker at his expression and not long after that all of them where laughing out loud, with Zell laughing the hardest.

After the laughter died down a tense silence filled the room. Everyone was thinking about tomorrow, but none of them wanted to put that subject on the table. Nida can't stand the silence any longer so he asks, "What are you going to do tomorrow?" He had wanted to ask 'we' instead of 'you', but he knows he is in no condition to help them.

"We'll have to wait before we receive word back from Fujin and Rajin, I want confirmation that he is still in Winhill first, before we will leave." Squall said.

"And if he is there? Then what?"

"We take the Ragnarok and then we will catch Slade Flynn and bring him back to Esthar where he will get a trial."

How he whished he could still pilot the Ragnarok, but he can't, no use thinking about that now. So instead Nida asks, "Who is going?"

A chorus of "yes" and "I am" filled the room. Everyone, except for Nida, volunteered to go.

"You're not coming," Both Squall and Irvine said at the same time, but it was directed to two different women.

"Yes I am." Both women said.

"You're not a fighter Elle."

"I know I am not a fighter," Ellone said, "but that doesn't mean I can't come."

Squall is too tired to even start arguing about it, so he let it rest for now and everyone turns to the bickering Selphie and Irvine.

Nida follows his gaze, but he can't help but wonder if Squall will let Ellone go with them. He isn't so sure if that is the best thing to do, considering what Slade Flynn did to Ward and Dr. Odine.

"No you're not!" Irvine yells.

"Yes I am!"

"No! You. Will. Not."

Selphie stamps with her feet on the floor with every word, "YES. I. AM."

"STOP!" Zell screams.

Both Selphie and Irvine stop yelling at each other but they are still sending each other dead glares.

Nida rolls his eyes and asks Irvine calmly, "And why can't she come along?" He knows they need Selphie, and he knows that Irvine knows that too. But why is he so adamant about her not going?

"She is pregnant!" Irvine shouted but he turned white when he realizes what he had just sad.

That explains everything.

Everyone was shocked and Rinoa was the first to recover from it and congratulates both Selphie and Irvine. "When did you find out?"

"Before Kaim's funeral," Selphie answers.

Rinoa's eyes widen, "So when we were fighting-"

Selphie nods her head and Rinoa gives Selphie a hug, "Is the baby fine?"

"The baby is fine," Irvine replied. "But you can't go on like this, you have to be careful."

The discussion started from the beginning again and Nida zoned out for a bit, listening with only half an ear.

In the end it was decided that both Selphie and Ellone can both come along, but they are to stay inside the Ragnarok at all times.

Reluctant both of them had agreed before all of them returned to their own room.

Just one more day, then all this mess will be over.


She could see that her friend is exhausted, but still she goes on like the last few weeks never happened. She is chatting away happily with her friends with her daughter sitting in her lap, almost asleep, and she is holding her husbands hand tightly.

The smile on her face is real but her eyes don't smile. She has been through a lot. Xu sips at her coffee and watched her best friend struggling to keep awake without the others noticing.

If she didn't know that this is who Quistis is, she would have snapped at everyone to leave her alone so she can rest, but Quistis isn't like that. Even though she was the one each of them had worried about the last few weeks, she is now making sure all of them are alright. According to Seth she hadn't slept during the long flight back home, even then she was checking on everybody.

"She'll be fine," a voice next to her said. Xu glances to her right to see Nida leaning on his crutches next to her.

Xu nods her head. "I know that. But she should also be thinking about herself, she can't go on like this."

When Xu heard the news that Quistis was back she had been so happy that she had run all the way to the infirmary to tell Nida the great news. Nida too was happy with this news, he was so happy that he didn't think about what he was doing, but he pulled Xu towards him and kissed her. Xu was shocked at first but returned the kiss. They only broke apart when Dr. Beckett coughed politely behind them with a smile on her face. With her red face she asked if she could take Nida with her to Esthar. Dr. Jennifer Beckett gave the ok immediately and helped Xu with packing Nida's stuff, saying: "Lisa can look after you there." In no time they were in Esthar waiting for their friend to return. After hugging Quistis tightly and ordering her to never leave without her again she had stood back to see the events unfold. They all went to the cafeteria and here she was now, leaning against the wall in the back of the room.

"I think the doc agrees with you," Nida said with a grin.

Nida was right, Dr. Lisa Kadowaki was walking in the cafeteria and by the looks of her face she wasn't all too happy with Quistis and she told her so. "Didn't I tell you to take it easy?"

Quistis looks up and she swallows before answering, "I am taking it easy, I am just enjoying a meal. I haven't had a decent meal in some time."

Her answer earned her a few snickers, but not from the good old doctor.

"If you do not go to your room right now I will take you to the infirmary and you sure as hell won't be able to escape from there."

Knowing Dr. Kadowaki isn't joking Quistis shrugs her shoulder and stands up still holding her daughter. "Well, I see you all tomorrow." Quistis said as she left the cafeteria with Seifer and Ayla. Dr. Kadowaki walks a few inches behind them. Xu pushes herself from the wall and follows the doctor while Nida walks over to the table.

She can hear the happy greetings past between them but she doesn't really listen to them. Xu had just turned the door when she sees Lisa holding a sleeping Ayla in her arms and Quistis is leaning heavily on Seifer. Xu shakes her head and places Quistis free arm over her shoulder and helps her to her bedroom.

Now is not the time to lecture Quistis, if Xu was in the same position Quistis is in, she probable would have done the same. But she still feels she should have done something sooner, she could have dragged her to bed sooner. On the other hand, Quistis would simply have refused and told her she is fine, while she obviously isn't.

When Quistis starts to stumble Seifer lifts her in his arms bridal style, reaching their room Seifer places Quistis on the double bed and removes her shoes before covering her with a blanket. Seeing the same tiredness in his eyes Xu told Seifer to get some sleep himself while she will put Ayla to bed. Grateful Seifer touches her shoulder lightly before slipping in the bed next to Quistis.

Leaving the couple alone Lisa and Xu walk to the next room. After putting Ayla to bed Lisa walks out of the room but when she sees Xu taking a seat in the chair next to Ayla's bed she asks, "Are you going to stay with her all night?"

"I think I will," Xu replied while stroking Ayla's hair out of her face.

Lisa nods her head and she mumbles before she closed the door, "One down, now I have to get the next one to his bed."

Xu knows she is talking about Nida, he has been out of his bed all day, and she feels sorry for him. Dr. Lisa Kadowaki can be mean if she wants to, especially to patient who don't follow her advice.

Ayla shifts in her bed and mumbles, "Mommy saved us all," before she tucks her thumb in her mouth and falls asleep again.

Sleeptight, little one. Xu bent over to kiss her forehead. Sweet dreams.

She hadn't even had the time to ask what had happened back in the ruins in the Centra region. Seth had told them they were attacked by shadows and that Quistis had saved them, but that is all she knows. She wanted to hear the details, how was Quistis able to save them while she was in a coma? She should have asked further but she knows it wasn't the right time, but the curiosity is almost killing her. Maybe I should go back to the cafeteria?

Before she had made up her mind Rinoa walked in the room. "Oh, sorry. I didn't now anyone was here."

"That's okay, I could use some company."

Rinoa closes the door and takes a seat on the other side of the bed; she lowers her voice so Ayla won't wake up. "Are you alright? I saw you in the cafeteria but you didn't join us."

Xu shrugs her shoulders.

"I know you are worried about Quistis, but we all kept an eye on her. If Dr. Kadowaki didn't send her to bed, I certainly would."

Xu crosses her arms. "I don't think you would succeed. You know how stubborn she can be."

A giggle escapes Rinoa lips, "So that is why you didn't do anything, but you could still have joined us."

"I know I could," Xu uncrosses her arms and stretches her arms while yawning. "But I think my curiosity would get the better of me and ask about what happened. I didn't want to spoil the mood."

Rinoa cocks her head while saying, "How about I satisfy your curiosity now? If I can, I will answer any question you have."

"Okay then. Tell me what happened, what really happened."

So she told about the ruins, the stone table and the shadows. They were greatly outnumbered, she was sure they would all die there, but then a bright, blinding light came out of nowhere. When she woke up she was healed again, a powerful White Wind spell had cured them all. When Rinoa woke up the shadows were gone and Quistis was sitting on the stone table. At first none of them noticed her, Rinoa herself was worried most about Selphie, she did have a huge gash on her arm but when Rinoa checked the wound, it was gone. It was only after she heard Edea gasp loudly she feared the shadows were back, but to her surprise Quistis was sitting calmly atop the stone table, like nothing had happened. They had to hike back for hours and all of them were exhausted, still Quistis walked the entire way and stopped to talk with every single one of them.

"It was like she wasn't tired at all, but now I realize she was even more tired than all of us together," Rinoa yawns and stands up. "I am going to get some sleep, you should do the same."

Xu nods her head and whished her a good night sleep. She knows she isn't going to get any sleep tonight; her mind is too busy to comprehend what happened in the last three weeks.

In the end sleep did claim her and she fell asleep in the chair. Although it wasn't that comfortable, it was the best night filled with rest that she got in a long time.