Chapter XXIV
Do or Die: Part Two
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Balamb Garden - Headmaster Cid's Office
1955 hrs
The man's hand quivered as he poured the drink; the single malt flowing from the crystalline decanter into the glass atop the small mini bar. His vision was blurred and his coordination decreased with even drop of alcohol that entered his bloodstream, which was now a red river of aged scotch. In the recent hour, he had consumed seven full glasses of the liquor, hoping that the numbness would both help him escape his current anguish, and give him the courage to face any new devastation the night might bring. The first two glasses were hard to get down, but at this point he was chugging it like a decathlete guzzling water after an intense workout.
Cid Kramer stumbled clumsily back to his desk, as the liquid contents of his glass began swashing from side to side inside the glass, and ultimately spilling out onto the floor, like high tide waves splashing onto a boardwalk. Reaching his chair he plopped down in the plush leather, feeling as more spilled from the glass and onto his hand. By the time his body was completely seated, nearly half of the scotch was gone from the glass, and not a single drop had touched his tongue.
He finally took a sip and slammed the class onto his desk, not caring as even more left his glass and ended up on his desk, which was covered with scattered photos and heartache. Pictures can be special; capturing a memorable moment and freezing it at one particular point in time. They had always helped Cid keep perspective of how blessed and loved he truly was, even at his most trying and loneliest moments. At this point, however, the pictures weren't helping him remember what he had, but rather, reminding him of how much he had lost and had left to lose.
7:56...7:57...
Three minutes.
Three and a half days of contemplating whether or not to even watch it, and he still wasn't any closer to a decision. As the Headmaster, he felt obligated to watch it. He approved a mission that four of his young SeeD's were currently involved in, which would have significant political, economic and worldwide ramifications. As Cid Kramer, it was much deeper than that. It was personal. His only regret was that he couldn't kill Deling himself, and he wasn't a violent man at all.
Watching Deling die would be a pleasure.
7:57...7:58...
Two minutes.
It was the possibility of failure that drove him mad and causing the bitter bile to rise up and burn his throat. With every mission he ever approved, he knew there was a chance the mission could fail. It went with the job, but it was a realization that had become accustomed to accepting; even when it meant casualties. It was always a gamble that he had to be willing to take for the right price, otherwise, Garden would cease to exist.
This time, however, he bet the house, and losing would cause his neatly stacked house of cards to come crashing down around him. Everything he worked for, everything he cared for...all his dreams, hopes and desires rode on snake eyes...or at least a bullet going between them.
7:58...7:59...
One minute.
There was a light tap on the door to his office. Through intoxicated eyes, he glanced over, noticing Xu leaning against the partially open door. She knew he was drinking...alot, as the scent was heavy throughout the room. It burst from Cid's pours, and there was also a good bit soaked into the carpet.
"Sir," she asked with care, taking a few small steps inside the room, "Is everything alright?"
"Fine' Xu...just fine," he assured her, tripping over his own tongue as he did so Xu noticed that the television set by his desk was not turned on, and while she knew was likely going to watch it, was hoping he wouldn't. She was one of the few who knew just how much he had riding on this mission, and could tell the stress was eating him from the inside out like cancerous termites.
"I can keep you company if you would like," she softly offered, looking at him with gentle eyes. He seemed to zone out, as he had been doing quite often over the previous week, and the added affects of the alcohol didn't help. Before she could repeat herself, Cid replied.
"That won't be necessary," he replied, his voice low and devoid of hope, "Enjoy your evening Xu," he politely dismissed her and took another drink, still staring blankly ahead. Xu wanted to stay with him, but wanted to respect his wishes, figuring he wanted to be left alone. She knew if she had to go through such an ordeal, she would likely feel the same way.
"Good night, Headmaster," she greeted, but he didn't respond. She bowed her head, and exited the room, closing the door gently behind her.
7:59...8:00 P.M.
It was time.
After finishing what was left in the glass, he simply let it fall out of his hands. watching as it hit the floor and rolled towards the massive window next to him. His head drooped a bit as he looked back on top of his desk, his eyes scouring through the mountain of pictures in search of the remote. Everything on his desk reminded him of her; the inscribed, golden fountain pen she gave him on his fiftieth birthday..the tiny, clay figurines she made for him...the crystal, rose paperweight that sparkled under the light...and of course the sea of portraits he was drowning in.
Cid shot out of his chair, and angrily swept his hand across his desk, causing many of the pictures to fly off and flutter to the ground softly. He nearly toppled over in a drunken daze as he did so, and just leaned against his desk, waiting for his sense of balance to return, even though he was too drunk to realize that they wouldn't be returning anytime soon. As his senses came back a bit, he noticed a the remote, half covered under several photos still on his desk. He snatched it, and then slowly lowered himself back into his chair.
After pressing the wrong button several times, he looked at the remote and finally found the power button, and the television set clicked on. He flipped through various stations, seeing that pretty much every single one, even international channels, were covering the event. He finally stopped on one and tossed the remote back to the desk. At that point, there was only a reporter amongst a large crowd, showing the outskirts of the palace in Deling City, and talking about how the 'historic event' was only moments away.
Cid was disgusted by the fanfare and the glamour of it all. His wife's victimization and Deling's despicability was being made into some grand fucking spectacle Of course, none of them knew Edea, or what Deling did to her, but it still made him sick. Not so much the people, but what it all represented; which was Deling's iron claw over the entire continent. The vast majority of Galbadian's were to afraid to rise against him or show any type of objection to him, and he couldn't blame them.
If everything went according to plan, this would be the last sunset Deling would ever see, and the last night Galbadian's would live in fear of him.
As the simple thought brought a smirk to his face, the camera shot changed, and he could see numerous people walking out of the mansion and near the speech platform where the podium was. Two Galbadian soldiers walked out stood off to both sides of the podium, followed by a man who Cid recognized as Mayor Danzbie who had a big smile on his face. Three men in black suits came out quickly and inspected every area of the roof top.
Moments later, the president stepped out to a loud ovation, which made Cid grind his teeth and squeeze the leather arms of his chair furiously. He looked so fucking smug and pompous; his joyous expression and obeisance for the people of Galbadia was just as fake as their admiration for him.
In the midst of stewing in his blind hatred for the man on screen, something caught his eye. A figure stepped out of the mansion, slowly making their way towards the speech platform, followed by two more armed Vipers, as the figure looked on emotionlessly. It was a woman, adorned in a bejeweled vestment and regal attire that was fit for a queen. In a way, that is exactly what she was and looked like; strikingly gorgeous and outrageously elegant.
Cid's mind couldn't even wrap his mind around who it was at first. The denial within him so strong that he no longer had control of it; his mind taking over as if to protect him for the pain of realization. Her eyes were...different. The motherly care, the exuberance of her spirit, the respect for every human life was replaced by something that could only be described as the polar opposite of each of those.
Her head turned and her now golden eyes spiked the camera.
Cid's eyes widened and his heart dropped as his mind could no longer maintain its strong grasp onto denial.
Reality set in.
There stood his wife...his life...his love.
Or at least what was left of her.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - St. Ludwig's Bell Tower
1959 hrs
It was time.
After a painfully long four hours, their role in the mission was about to start, even if it was just observing the speech and the parade, it was better than sitting around as helicopters and presidential security swarmed the city, and Irvine hummed his favorite musical tunes, which included several annoying commercial and cartoon themes.
Squall had had enough, and was ready to get it over with.
The sun had all but faded, but the night sky was illuminated by the lights of the pyrotechnics and decorative lighting that lit up several miles of the city. The entire populous was abuzz in every direction he looked. More than two million people had gathered in the blocks surrounding the palace, if only to get a glimpse of what their future held. If most of these people knew what happened in Junon at the World Council, they probably wouldn't have been so excited, Squall presumed.
Squall redirected his focus to other areas of the city. Outside of Liberty hall, he could see thousands of soldiers, members of color guard, band-members and tribal dancers getting ready for the parade, gathering out by the procession of cop cars and armored vehicles, which surrounded a rather large and lavishly decorated golden float. It was raised nearly six feet off the ground, outfitted with wiry, neon blue lighting rails coiling in the back, royal red carpeting, high standing golden torches in the two front corners, and finally, two golden chairs near the back of the float, undoubtedly for the president and the sorceress.
There were also about a million more people already lined up around the parade route, with thousands of more pouring in by the minute, including many around the North Gateway, where the parade would hopefully end at approximately 2200 hours. So much of their time had been spent thinking about how it would play out up to and including the moment Irvine pulled the trigger, but to that point, Squall didn't think much of what would happen AFTER it. In reality, that would be the most challenging aspect.
As Squall stared of into the distance of the lively city, Irvine became excited.
"There she is!" he exclaimed as he watched on with his binoculars, waving Squall over, "That's her, right?" he asked, pointing towards the palace. Squall walked over and raised his pair, looking into the distance. After focusing the lens, he noticed a gathering of people atop the roof, including the president and the sorceress, whom he assumed Irvine was referring to.
"Yeah," he stated. The sorceress didn't look much different than she did the first time he saw her in person in Timber, but her dress was much more elegant this time.
"Not too shabby! Ya know...for a crazy bitch," Irvine cracked as he peered his vision down to her bustline and cleavage. Irvine looked up momentarily, hoping for some type of reaction, but Squall was too focused to grace him with one. After realizing that, Irvine peered back to the palace, and spoke again.
"Hey Squall –a –kins...Gotta question! Why don't we just cap this bitch now while she is in our sights? I could put one in Deling's dome while I'm at it!" Irvine questioned with eagerness in his voice, and was actually a pretty fair inquiry. It would be quite easy to kill her at that moment, but escaping would likely be much harder. During the parade, much of the security would be directed towards the North Gateway and along the parade route. Security was likely more ready for an assassination attempt during the speech than they would be during the parade, so it made sense.
"Plans are made for a reason, Irvine. Stick to it," he insisted to the brash cowboy, who just laughed it off with a joke.
"Anyone tell you how much fun y'are?" Irvine asked with a smirk, and Squall just shot him a perturbed glare. After again looking back to the roof, Squall noticed a balding, heavy set man in a custom designed grey suit step up to the podium, and looked like he was sorting through some index cards.
"That's the Mayor," Squall informed Irvine, "Looks like it's about to start."
Irvine nodded with a thumbs up, "Showtime!"
Squall and Irvine both adjusted their radios volumes, as a sound feed from the speech was provided to them so they could hear everything clearly. At first it was just white noise, but the mayor began to speak within a matter of moments.
"Good evening Galabadia, and good evening to the millions watching around the country and around the world," the fat little man jubilantly greeted, to which he received a loud applause from those in attendance, "Tonight is a momentous occasion as we usher in a new era. We hope tonight can rekindle your faith in the Galbadian government, and make you feel safer within this great country, and hope that after tonight, you go home with the peace of minds that your future, and the future of this great nation are secure, as we embark into a new age of peace!" the mayor exclaimed, holding his arms up, which again set the crowd into a frenzy.
"Before we introduce the newest member to our family, your great leader would like to say a few words," the Mayor started, and began to step to the side a bit, "Ladies and gentlemen...President Vinzer Deling!"
Deling's name was announced, but the ovation for him wasn't nearly as loud as it was for the mayor, even though he was probably just as slimy as the president, just with less power and influence. Deling stepped up to the microphone, waving his hands and offering his graciousness with the phoniest of smiles on his wrinkled face. After the applause died down a bit, he began.
"Citizens of Galbadia! You are undoubtedly here to witness a turning point in not just Galbadia's history, but the worlds!" he proclaimed, causing the crowd to rile up again, "World peace has eluded us since the beginning of time. But in this new era, we shall not only attain that peace, but make it an everlasting peace with the help of our ambassador!" he exclaimed, pausing again while the crowd cheered.
"I understand there are many skeptics, and there are many terrible rumors floating around about our intentions...all of which are LIES, propagated by those who oppose our government, and would say anything to cast it in a bad light within the nation. Everything we do...everything I do, is in Galbadia's best interest...and this is no different," he assured the millions of citizens in attendance and watching on television.
Irvine, who was raised and probably born in southern Galbadia, snickered in aggravation. "Who's he kiddin'?" the cowboy asked, finding Deling's charade rather laughable. Anyone who knew better knew that this was all a facade, even if no one would say it out loud.
"So...without further adieu, I give you the new ambassador of Galbadia..." the president began and the crowd suddenly got eerily quiet, "Sorceress Edea!"
Trumpets blared loudly and the patter of drums filled the air, mixing with the deafening roar of the crowd which swept throughout the streets. In the distance, car horns and other celebrations such as personal fireworks could be heard as the city welcomed Edea. It seemed as if many were legitimately embracing the sorceress' induction into the government. Perhaps some of them were captivated with the thought of Deling not having complete control, or maybe some were just too petrified to even realize how they truly felt.
No matter the reason, Squall had a feeling the city was about to get a rude awakening.
Squall and Irvine both zoomed their binoculars in on the sorceress, getting a close up look at her. She strolled leisurely up to the podium and was looking over the millions of people that engulfed the streets beyond the palace grounds. Vinzer Deling stepped aside and claipped as Edea stepped onto the platform, but then leaned towards her and said something; grabbing her arm and giving her a petulant stare. As he let go, the sorceress stared blankly at him for a moment, and then turned to face the crowd, which was still cheering rather loudly.
Edea raised her arms in the air, and slowly raised them, signaling for them to quiet down. The exultation died down slowly, and the sorceress scanned the crowd once again. After a moment of somewhat strange muteness, the sorceress finally let her voice be heard.
"Today is indeed a new beginning! A new journey which we will embark on together! A journey which will take us all to unimaginable depths of glory, and make Galbadia the beacon of hope for the new world!" she exclaimed, a mania of exaltation erupting.
"But sadly, not all of you will share in the glory of our new world..." she continued, her voice becoming rather grim as the fervor of the crowd tempered considerably, perplexed by what she just said. A faint, feminine laughter could be heard as the sorceress observed the crowd again, the sound sending a chill of uneasiness through the crowd.
"How you celebrate my ascension with such joy...hailing the very one you have condemned generation upon generation," she scornfully addressed; the sudden hush of the city almost unbearable at that moment.
"What happened to the shameless, ruthless sorceress of your fantasies? Have you forgotten Adel, the one who brought fear and death to the world just two decades ago? The cold-blooded tyrant who slaughtered countless men, and destroyed several nations!" the sorceress plodded along, seemingly unaffected and rather amused by the foreboding ambience of the suddenly stunned gathering.
"Peace, huh?" Irvine muttered, his voice also hinting at fear.
Even Squall wasn't expecting such extreme candor in the sorceress inauguration address. At the very least, he expected more bogus ranting and false promises like the president delivered, but this was quite the opposite. She wasn't mincing words, and was letting the city soak in each terrifying moment she created with her words.
As Squall watched on, he heard Irvine say something peculiar, "Hey, who is that off to the left?"
Squall narrowed his brow at the inquiry, seeing nothing out of the ordinary in his peripheral vision immediately. After a moment, something caught his eye...something, out of place. Atop the roof, on a lower section from the main platform, stood a solitary figure by the side door. The figure was not doing anything out of the ordinary, just standing, or rather careening back and forth in a listless fog, as if they were oblivious to where they were or what they were doing. Squall zoomed in a bit to clear up the fuzziness, he nearly toppled over in disbelief.
It...can't...be...
"Is that?" Irvine drug out, coming to the same realization Squall did, almost in unison, "IT IS! The hell she doin'?" he demanded, looking over at Squall, who couldn't take his eyes off her.
Nothing about it made sense. He seriously thought he was hallucinating at the moment, unable to grasp just what the fuck he was looking at. It was like a single black snowflake amongst a billion white ones. He had prepared himself for pretty much anything that evening including a violent, bloody death, but this...this was one thing that he never expected.
He adjusted the view on the binoculars one last time to get a better view of the face, and he finally had to come to terms with what he was seeing.
It was real.
It was her.
"Rinoa..."
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - Presidential Palace
2013 hrs
Silence.
Fear.
Confusion.
She looked down, seeing a cocktail of the three mixed into the crowd below, among the pitiful simpletons, who just moments earlier chanted her name and praised her rise to power.
How pathetic.
"Be not afraid, filthy wretches!" she denounced them without hesitation, speaking to them like the mere bugs they were, "My words are not meant to incite fear, but to inspire hope! An era of new hope for those who are willing to accept me as their new ruler' and an era of suffering for those who do not! You shall see..." as Edea addressed her new minions, she felt two strong arms tug her off the podium, and watched as the president rushed by her and up to the microphone.
"Citizens of Galbadia...the sorceress is not herself right now. Rest assured, we only have your best interests in mind Please remain calm!" he stated to crowd peacefully, but they seemed to be working itself into a bigger frenzy.
Two Galbadian Vipers drug her inside into the inner hallway and pinned her against the wall, holding her there. An outraged Vinzer Deling ran up the short set of steps in a fierce rage, which only amused her. His right arm and hand wound backward as he neared her and he delivered a ferocious backhanded slap to her cheek, and she watched as he struck her again, this time a front handed slap to the other cheek. She then felt as he wrapped his dry, leathery fingers around the top of her neck and bottom of her jaw, and slammed her head back against the wall with force.
His eyes were piercing and vengeful, and looked as if one gentle nudge would send him over the edge. He leered at her with wide eyes and flared nostrils, but she maintained a nefarious grin and he squeezed her neck jaw as hard as he could, shaking in a fit of epic rage.
"You stupid bitch! I told you not to fuck with me!" Deling shouted in her face, spit spraying out with each word he spoke. He slammed her head into the wall again, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to slit her throat right there, but given how much money he sank into her, decided against it for the time being.
"Get her out of my sight, we'll deal with her tomorrow!" he told the soldiers, and prepared to walk back out in an attempt to play damage control, to a crowd that sounded like they were beginning to panic.
The president turned with two of his agents and the mayor who had wandered inside to see what had happened. Before they reached the doorway, however, there were two loud coughing and choking sounds that could be heard from behind. The president and the agents turned, seeing the Vipers who had Edea captive were now kneeling on the floor, choking and wheezing for air.
Edea walked freely, eyes dead set on Vinzer Deling.
Deling was mortified, knowing full well what that likely meant. He blinked repeatedly as if he could foresee his impending doom. His once rage flooded eyes were now transfixed on the horror that began unfold before him.
The presidents two agents drew their weapons and prepared to open fire. Without breaking stride, she flicked her hand, and their guns were pulled from their grasp, spun in mid air and shot them both repeatedly, killing them.
Two more agents rushed in. guns drawn, and began to fire. She held her hand up, the bullets slamming off the protective field of energy and the casings clanged to the ground. She held up her free hand and twisted her wrist, which immediately snapped the necks of the two aggressive agents, killing them.
Deling backed away in supreme dread along with the mayor. In cowardice, Deling grabbed the mayor and pushed him to the ground in front of her, like offering a slaughtered lamb in sacrifice for forgiveness. The mayor landed on his knees and began to beg, but the sorceress didn't even look down at him as she walked forward. She simply waved her arm, and fiery ashes and embers of what used to be the mayor scattered onto the floor and blew against the wall, as a cloud his cremated remains shadowed her as she stepped forward, closer and closer to Deling.
The spineless little man scurried backwards and fell to the ground, his legs giving out in numbing terror. He fumbled into his inner jacket pocket, pulling out the device that crippled her the day before. He could barely get his fluttering fingers to press the button in a desperate attempt to save himself, but after tapping it several times, knew that was it. She watched him pant in despondency, knowing that there was nothing left to save him, and that he was now at her mercy, which he knew she had none of.
"What's the matter, Mr. President? Does your little toy no longer work?" she belittled him as he crawled backwards on his elbows like the pitiful worm he was, "You have served your purpose, and you are hereby relieved of your presidential responsibilities!" she told his and held out her hand, raising Deling into the air just in front of her.
"No...wait...PLEASE!" he begged, crying for compassion. It was almost befitting; a man who made a life preying on the fearful and feeding off their misery, was now spending his final moments in fear, and would die in misery.
"Fear not...for you will not die in vain," she assured, as Deling felt his bones, muscles, joints and veins tighten. Veins and tendons in his body began to rupture and bones began to snap and splinter; the pain on a level that was beyond comprehension. Deling used to have his now deceased bodyguard Jagger inflict untold amounts of pain on people who opposed him, and now, he was getting a taste his own medicine.
"Your death will signify the new beginning, and the sight of your inconceivable pain will be a testament to my wrath..." she informed Deling, who was too delirious to even pay attention. His blood felt like it was boiling, mainly because it was, and his skin was now blistering and disgustingly melting on his body. The sorceress held Deling's deteriorating, but still living form above her head as she stepped back to the podium. Onlookers cried and screamed in fear as they watched a man hanging in midair violently jerking and twitching.
"THIS...IS…REALITY!" she exclaimed in singular, frightening words, and cast her hand forward slowly, as Deling's body, still writhing in torment floated outwards until it hovered over the street just outside the palace grounds. The mass of people observed in horror as they got a better view of their president, who was now disgustingly mutated, but still seemed to be alive somehow.
"The reality of those who oppose me! Rest assured to anyone who stands in my way...your time will come. This is only the beginning!" she forewarned, and then dropped her hand, causing Deling's body to fall over fifty feet to the ground below.
Shockingly, Deling was STILL alive. Citizens watched in shock as what was left of their leader tried to push himself up. The skin on his face grotesquely stuck to the ground and peeled off like melted cheese. His left eye dangled from its socket and he was coughing up dark blood. His arm snapped in half like a twig and he again fell face first back into the pavement. Inconceivably, his body still pushed forward a few feet, leaving a sick mixture of skin, blood and other bodily fluids in a trail on the ground behind him, before finally, his body went completely limp.
Vinzer Deling was dead.
Several witnesses passed out at the sight of the horrendous scene.
Some vomited. Some ran. Some cried. Some cheered. Some froze.
EVERYONE...at least to some degree, was scared shitless.
After Deling took his final breath, the sorceress again spoke.
"To those who follow, I will allow you to live a fantasy beyond your wildest imaginations! A FINAL fantasy, which I will create for all of you!" she stated, and then raised her hands high the air as spheres of energy emanated from her palms and burst forward over the crowd and several blocks of the city.
The citizens fell deafeningly quiet for several moments, and then all at once left out a triumphant roar, chanting vociferous praises for their new leader.
The swarm of Galbadians, who just a minute earlier wanted nothing more than the new nightmare to end, were now living a decadent dream; one that she promised them and one she was delivering. They all felt a sense of peace and harmony, like they had just been freed from a prison, and in a way, they had been. They were just now oblivious to the fact they were now walking into a new one.
One that they would likely never emerge from.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - St. Ludwig's Bell Tower
2019 hrs
"What the hell!" Irvine shouted, watching as Deling's body splattered to the ground below via the sorceress' witchcraft, "You see what that sick bitch just did!?" Irvine pulled his eyes from his binoculars and looked to Squall, who was still in shock. He watched as citizens around the city celebrated her ascension, seemingly entranced and mesmerized by her glory. He could only assume that she placed some sort of spell on them, or that the entire city simply lost their minds in unison.
In the midst of everything that was happening on the ground, Squall suddenly remembered something, or more importantly...someone. He swung his vision back to the top of the palace where he seen her last. All he could see were a few dead bodies and scattered ashes of what used to be the mayor, courtesy of the sorceress, and just below could see several vehicles gathering around the front of the palace gates.
Rinoa, however, was nowhere to be found.
Squall rested the binoculars below his neck and leaned against the ledge. His fingers began scraping along the stone, and along with Quezacotl's added strength, was shaving bits of it off with his fingertips. He put his head down, letting his hair hang over his face as he closed his eyes. He didn't know what to do. Despite what just happened, the objective was still clear and on schedule. Helping Rinoa likely meant putting the mission at risk at ultimately could lead to ALL of them caught and ultimately killed.
Was one life really worth that type of risk? Sacrifices for the good of the mission...collateral damage. In his years of training at Garden, he was taught such losses were often acceptable, and in many cases, necessary. No one person took priority over the mission. If it was within ones power to save a life without jeopardizing the integrity of a mission, then it was fine. However, in this case, there could be serious possible implications, both for him and the members of his team.
So again...is that one life...Rinoa's life...worth that?
Squall pushed himself back from his leaning position and ran over the locker, grabbing his belt and gunblade holster and began fastening it around his waist.
"Where you goin'?" Irvine asked, looking back as Squall tighter the strap.
"I have to help her," he muttered, and then began fastening his lap strap, which had three knives secured.
"Shouldn't we tell the general?" Irvine questioned. The general had a right to know, since it was his mission and his daughter at stake, but knew it would likely only make the general act out of emotion. When personal matters mix with a mission priorities, things can get ugly. Things were already ugly, and telling the general would likely make him put the mission on hold, and they were already too invested to turn back at that point.
"That will only complicate things," Squall answered the cowboy as he grabbed his gunblade, and sheathed it by his side. He reached back into the locker, grabbed a laser-cutter, zipline launcher, a rappelling belt and a few magic stone pieces and finally took a quick inventory.
"Stick to the plan Irvine. I'll be on frequency 146.4," Squall informed with impatience in his voice, knowing every second was crucial. Irvine looked as if he didnt think it was a good idea, but he also didn't want Rinoa to get left behind.
Squall then fastened the rappelling belt, attached the rope to the inner railing, and tugged on it to make sure it would support his weight. He had to sneak out because the G-Army soldiers weren't likely going to allow him to leave without contacting the general for confirmation. He jumped up on ledge and looked down, surveying the ground far below but seeing no one, then turned and looked to Irvine one last time.
"Whatever happens, you take that shot!" he demanded, giving Irvine a stern glance, just before he jumped backwards and disappeared as he scaled down the side of the bell tower.
Things just got messy.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Balamb Garden - Cid's Office
2019 hrs
Cid sat forward his chair, frozen, staring impassively at the now black screen with the off-air humming. The broadcast cut out as soon as Deling's body hit the ground, as it was likely seen as too graphic for television, or possibly just out of fear.
It didn't matter...not to Cid, anyway.
The broadcast suddenly returned within the news studio, as they began talking about what they just witnessed, but abruptly seemed to change topic, knowing that the sorceress was now likely OFFICIALLY in charge. After what she just did, no one was likely to stand against her or tell her otherwise. At least...no one in their right mind.
Cid knew that Deling likely got what he deserved. No...he definitely did, and likely deserved to suffer even more in the afterlife, but he would rather Vinzer Deling be alive and well than to witness what just took place.
"Edea...no...", he barely managed to cry out in a softened, defeated tone.
Before that, he just wanted to see some glimmer of hope that he was wife was still there...that Deling hadn't completely succeeded in corrupting her...one of the sweetest, kindest and caring people he ever met. He didn't believe it was possible until that moment.
He seen no trace of his wife. No trace of any human. Just a soulless shell of a woman he once loved...STILL loved and would forever love.
Deling may have been dead, but the evil he represented was still alive and well within his wife...if he could even call her that anymore.
The mission was over.
Deling was gone.
Sadly, so was Cid's hope.
He turned off the television, opened the bottom drawer of his desk, and pulled out a carved, wooden case. He opened it, staring at what was inside with tear filled eyes.
It was all he had left to ease his pain...
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - Presidential Palace
2033 hrs
The booms of the crowd as they cheered and chanted the sorceress' name outside the palace gates blared like thunder in the nights sky, and echoed through the halls and rooms of the palace. She stood by the window in what used to be FORMER President Deling's office, but was now nothing more than a memoriam to a man who, in both life and now in death, was responsible for much villainy within Galbadia.
Yet in all of his duplicity and with all the pain he caused, his demise actually ushered in his worst to come.
They all seemed so happy, even if it wasn't real joy they were feeling. The next morning they would likely wake up to realize that they just celebrated their eventual ruin, and welcomed in yet another coldblooded leader and gruesome war. She basked in the sounds of her triumph, even if those who currently praising her were worthless to her.
The office doors swung open and she turned, seeing a single Galbadian Viper standing in the doorway, but not just any Viper. The blonde haired boy she took under her wing and molded in her image. He had done everything asked of him. They walked slowly towards each other, and once within a few feet, the young man bowed in reverence of his queen.
"You have done well," she spoke softly, sounding moderately pleased.
"I only live to serve you, my lady," he devotedly spoke with his head down.
The sorceress looked down at him, and felt it was time. Time to finally anoint him the title he yearned for and earned through duty. She raised her hand a gleaming light radiated brightly throughout the somewhat dark room, blinding the young man a bit as he looked up with squinty eyes. As the light dulled down, the young man saw a familiar shimmering object in her hand. A long, slender blade he recalled from previous lifetimes, looking majestic as it gleamed with a white aura, and she lowered it towards his face.
"You have finally rid yourself of the innocence of a child, and are now a man..." the sorceress praised him for his service, and then touched the tip of his blade on his right shoulder.
" ...a knight..." she spoke again, and then touched the top to his left shoulder.
"MY knight!" she spoke and then hovered the blade just above the crown of his head, and the white aura of the blade flowed over, into and all around him. He was consumed by the light...the light that she showed him. He felt reborn, energized and with a sense of purpose and belonging he never felt before. The exhilarating rush of pleasure filled him and the light slowly faded as it was absorbed into his pores.
The light was gone from the room, but still shined brightly within him. He rose to his feet and looked down at his body, noticing he was dressed in thin black armor, that was very light but at the same time, very strong. It was adorned with pristine silver trim, which shone brightly with power. A black knight's tunic was draped over his torso with a large silver cross decorating the entire front, Topping it all off was a somewhat recognizable trench coat, that which perfectly accentuated his otherwise dark apparel.
The boy within him was dead.
Seifer Almasy was now a man, and so much more.
He looked to his lady and grinned, and she returned it, albeit in menacing fashion. While he still loved her and would do anything she commanded, he now felt a sense of equality, which he hadn't felt before.
"Now go! This night is far from over," she ordered to her faithful servant, and he bowed his head graciousness, and pressed his balled right fist to his forehead in salute.
"Yes, my lady," he told her and then spun around, with the tail of his coach whipping in the air behind him.
Seifer's only remaining wish was that a certain someone could see what he had become. And he had a feeling that moment was coming, sooner rather than later.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City
2042 hrs
After making his off the church grounds, Squall sprinted through the backstreets of the city, careful to avoid being spotted by any looming security. The odd thing was that most seemed to be mysteriously absent. There were still some G-Army soldiers lined up at various outposts and blockades on the streets, but even as Squall got within a few blocks, security seemed pretty lax as he neared the mansion. He knew much of the security was going to be redirected to the parade route, but he didn't expect that smooth of a venture.
Once within a few blocks, Squall made his way to one of the rooftops via a fire escape. He was again surprised that no that no snipers or security sentries were on the roofs in any direction he looked, which was becoming suspicious. After racing across several roof tops and hurdling alleys along the way, he finally got the top of the municipal post office, which was the closet building in the vicinity of the palace.
Once getting a good vantage point, he looked down, still seeing swarms of people walking from the area and towards the parade route, which was expected to start at 2100 at Liberty Hall. The band was starting to play a bit in the distant, and loud raves from the crowd could still be heard. Squall raised his binoculars and looked to the gates of the palace, seeing that several armored vehicles were leaving the premises along with a couple police cars and a stretch limo, which he assumed the sorceress was in.
After the vehicles had disappeared from view, Squall shifted his view around the outskirts of the palace and throughout the grounds of the palace, and once again spotted absolutely no security. At that point, Squall was becoming really suspicious that it could've been a trap. Even if much of the detail was being directed towards the parade, there was no way that they would leave the palace seemingly unprotected.
Of course, what was left to protect with the president now dead? And who would be crazy enough to break into the palace after what the city just watched happen to him?
Still, Squall wasn't totally convinced.
"Irvine?" Squall pressed on his earpiece, and talked to his partner via radio.
"What's up?" Irvine replied, almost immediately.
"I don't see any sentries," Squall informed him, still sweeping through the palace with his binoculars, "Do you see anything from your position?"
There was a brief pause on the other end as Squall assumed Irvine was looking, but received a response shortly, "Negatory, brother. The sorceress and the last of the security just left...yer good to go."
"Something's not right here," Squall answered as he shook his head, "Security is virtually nonexistent near the mansion." Surprisingly, he heard Irvine cackling on the other end.
"Never look a gift horse in the mouth, Squall," he told Squall, which basically meant that he shouldn't question good luck, "Get in there. I got yer back."
He didn't share Irvine's optimism, but knew that he didn't have a choice if he wanted to help Rinoa, if she was even in there still and alive. The final thought made him shudder a bit, but knew he had to at least make sure, and would deal with any security inside the mansion on his own. He reached to his belt, grabbed the zipline projector, and aimed it towards the top floor balcony where the sorceress just gave her speech. After targeting a spot on the outer wall, he fired it; the fiber wire cord bolting from the gun and piercing the stone partition. He then proceeded to secure it on his head to a ventilation shaft and tightened the cord. He pulled on it to make sure it would support him, and then attached the zipline device to the cord.
After taking a final glimpse around the mansion, Squall ran forward and leaped, holding onto the device as he streamed gracefully and swiftly through the air, over the street in front of the palace full various people who weren't paying much attention, and within twenty seconds was nearly there. As his body zipped over the balcony and over solid ground, he let go of the device, rolled as he hit the ground, and then sprung right back to his feet, drawing a blade from his lap strap as he did so to counter any expected security that may have been waiting. However, all Squall saw in form of security were dead soldiers and agents that the sorceress left in her wake.
"You find her?" Irvine's voice popped from the earpiece. Squall didn't answer, but looked towards the side door where he last spotted her. He made his way over and pushed on the slightly open door, revealing a darkened hallway. The mansion had a very chilling vibe as Squall entered slowly with his knife still in hand. There was very little light, and that which was available was quite malefic. He walked along the hallway, not really sure where to go in the huge mansion.
As he began to make his way down a nearby staircase, something from the adjoining corridor on his right caught his attention. It was a door to a room, which seemed to be opened ajar, and sounded like wind was whisking through it and into the hallway. Squall stepped back up and as he got closer, could hear what sounded like growling and hissing, but was still largely indistinguishable.
Upon reaching the door, he slowly pushed it open. Hundreds of candle flames lit the room and seemed to get even brighter as Squall entered. The first thing he noticed besides the candles and the thin white curtains that hung from the ceiling and fluttered in the air, was a large creature in the back of the room with a long tail. It was hard to make out what it was since it was turned away from him, with its attention seemingly directed at something else.
As Squall ventured further into the room, he could see exactly what it was focused on. The frame of a slim figure in a green hoodie, lying on the ground, motionless. Squall's heart sunk a moment as he saw it, getting the mortified feeling he was too late. He didn't notice any cuts on her though and thought he could see the subtle motions of her taking restricted breaths, thinking she may have been playing dead to fool the monster.
Squall unsheathed his gunblade quickly, and began dragging the tip of it along the white stone floor, causing a high pitched squeal like nails on a chalkboard. This caused the creature to spin around quickly, and give Squall a better look at what he was dealing with. It was a fiend, but like none he had seen before. It looked like an oversized iguana with razor sharp teeth in its snarling, drooling mouth as it leered at its new prey with blood red eyes. It was covered with some type of shiny metal plating armoring its green scalish skin, with its long tail wagging behind it , which was easily five feet long with a sharp blade as the tip of the tail.
The fiend just eyed Squall, hissing and growling like a rabid wolf as Squall returned its glare, which was equally as fierce. Squall took a moment to survey any weaknesses. With its long tail, he knew he would have trouble getting in close to it for an attack and the plating looked strong enough to resist physical attacks.
Squall thrust his arm forward and let a series of ice spells, as pellets of ice whipped around it. The monster didn't flinch, so he then tried fire and then thunder, both spells seemingly doing nothing. It seemed as if it was also resistant to elemental magic, which was definitely not good, as Squall wasn't extremely proficient with other types of para-magic.
Suddenly, the fiend went on the offensive and dashed at Squall, whipping its tail around and striking at him, as he blocked each strike with his blade, but the giant lizard was swift and agile, and Squall knew he likely couldn't keep it up too long. As it continued to swing its tail, it also snapped its jaws at Squall's legs, with one bite tearing Squall's pant leg and shaving skin of his calf, drawing blood.
Just as it dived in for another bite, Squall jumped back, blocked its tail with his blade, and then raised his leg, and stomped hard on the armored plated head of the fiend, slamming its mouth shut, and then proceeded to flip over the top of it.
As he did so, he looked back to Rinoa, who still laid unmoving on the ground. In that split second, the lizard fiend dashed forward and landed on top of Squall, with its claws digging into his chest. The monster snapped its head with its jaw open at Squall's neck, who raised his hands quick enough to fend it off. It swung its head around wildly though and Squall couldn't maintain a grip as he continue to hold it back, with his hands getting tore up a bit as they grazed its teeth.
"Squall, what's going on?" he heard Irvine ask in his ear, but wasn't in position to answer questions. He looked up, watching as the tail swung from over top of the monster and was aimed at his head. He moved just in time as the razor tail took chunks of the floor out of the ground inches from his ear. It tried it again and again, with Squall moving his head to dodge, all while continuing to hold the reptiles head back.
Squall knew he couldn't keep that up much longer when suddenly an idea popped into his head, but wasn't sure if it would work. He wasn't that good with support para-magic, but figured at the moment, anything was worth a try. As the fiend chomped at him again, he grabbed a hunk of exposed flesh under the creatures neck and squeezed tightly to hold it there, and brought his other hand around to its eyes, and let it rip. A black cloud of magic began swirling around the beasts eyes momentarily and then it jumped back, seemingly lost.
Squall rose to his feet quickly and downed a potion to help his injuries, and then regripped his blade. The large iguana stood before him and began snapping at air and waving its tail at nothing in particular as if it couldn't see its target.
The blinding spell seemed to work.
Still, the fiend was moving wildly and Squall wasn't sure how long the spell would last. Observing it a bit, he could see slightly exposed areas on the back of its head and near the base of the flailing tail. He waited for the right moment, as the beast still seemed to be irritated and lost. As the tail went back, Squall darted forward, and watched as the tail flung forward again as he got close. He blocked the descending cleaving blade with Revolver, and pushed forward, stomping on its head and back as he ran on top of the body, and then kicked its tail, holding it down on the ground with his heavy boot.
Before the monster could really react, Squall lined up his blade with the exposed base of the tail and hacked down as hard as he could, slicing part way through the tail. The monster wailed in pain as Squall's teed at it like a an angry golfer bashing at a golf ball in high grass. After five swings, the tail laid completely severed on the ground, and the lizard plodded forward, with green blood spurting from its thrashed end. It was obviously out of energy and in alot of pain.
Squall decided to put it out of its misery once and for all as he walked on top of the body again, lined his blade up with the exposed back of the head, and drove his blade down like a farmer plunging a shovel into soft soil. The blade sunk through and protruded out the bottom side of the neck. After a few odd sounds, the lizard fiend dropped limp, and died.
Squall was tired and blooded up as he dropped to a knee, taking in several deep breaths. Quezacotl did a good job of protecting him, so it wasn't anything serious, just somewhat nasty cuts and claw marks in his chest.
Quickly his head shot up as he again remembered Rinoa. He sheathed his gunblade and trotted over by her body, where she remained motionless. He was almost afraid to check, not wanting to know the answer if it was for the worst. He hadn't known Rinoa long, and still didn't know her well, but those feelings of loss and abandonment snuck up on him. This is why he hated getting attached to anything; even remotely.
Before Squall could check however, her body jerked and she began moving a bit. Squall's eyes shot open as he rested a gentle hand on her shoulder, and turned her over.
"Rinoa," he softly called to her as she turned towards him , her eyes widening as well as she saw him, but also seemed very disoriented, "Are you okay?"
"Squall.." she whispered tiredly, and then reached up, wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling herself up towards him in an embrace. His arms, almost by instinct shot to the side of his body, trying not to return the contact.
He felt uncomfortable at first, but as the moments passed, he actually felt as if he was reluctantly enjoying it. That was the second hug he got from her, and that was two more than he ever remembered giving anyone else. There were a few girls who snuck semi-hugs on him before Squall could pull away, but nothing that lasted more than a second.
The difference was, in both of Rinoa's hugs, he never pushed her away or even really thought about it. He didn't return the embrace, but mostly because he didn't want himself to give in to such emotion, but the mere fact that he didn't seem to mind being touched or hugged by her was...different, to say the least.
"I guess I screwed up big time, huh?" she asked into his ear with a suppressed sob, still holding on tight. She was scared beyond belief, but wanted to be strong in front of him. In that moment..in that embrace, she felt so strong and safe...close to him. Despite his obvious disinclination to hug her back, there was a warmth about him that she could feel permeating her soul and her heart. One that she hadn't remembered genuinely feeling outside of her mother's arms so many years ago.
There was no real explanation for it, but she didn't need one.
She didn't want to let go, but did so if only for his sake. Squall pulled her to her feet and they came face to face. Nothing was said, and nothing needed to be said. There was so much she wanted to say, and despite his efforts to hide it, she could tell he wanted to say something too. He hinted at it back at the base, but now, it was even more evident in his eyes and all over his face. He was trying to pull his baby blues away but couldn't, as if they were magnetized by hers and wouldn't let go.
Before they could drown in each other's gazes anymore, a western Galbadiian voice blasted through Squall's earpiece.
"SQUALL!" Irvine's voice blared, and Squall reached up to his ear as it rang from the shout, "Talk to me buddy? You alright?"
"Yeah Irvine, I found her. Rinoa is safe," he informed him softly, as he looked back down to Rinoa, who smiled.
"Good news, at least," Irvine commented, "Should I let the General know?" he finished, which caused Squall to jump back. The general had a right to know, but the fact was, the personal stake still posed a threat to the mission.
"No, not until this is over," he whispered back, causing Rinoa to squint at his secrecy. There was a pause, but Irvine complied.
"You're the boss," he answered in his usual puckish manner.
Squall looked down to his watch and realized there wasn't much time left, and they likely wouldn't be able to make it back to the tower in time. He needed to make sure everything went down smoothly though, so he needed to get a good lookout point for the parade. He remembered that the view from the top of the mansion overlooked much of the city, but hoped it provided a view of the North Gateway.
"Come on," he told Rinoa hurriedly, "We need to go." Before he could move forward though he felt as she grabbed his bicep , stopping him in his tracks as she again pulled herself close to him, and laid her head on his shoulder.
"Squall, " she whispered, obviously still shaken up, "I was so scared, but...I just wanted to help." As angry as he wanted to be with her for jeopardizing the mission, he just couldn't. Her intentions were well placed, even if misguided. Still, this wasn't the time to console or condemn her. He still a job to do, and needed to make sure, above all else, it got done.
"I know," he told her softly, trying to calm her, and she again looked up and faintly smiled at him, seeing in his reassuring blue eyes that he really wasn't mad at her.
"Let's go," he finished with a nod, and both made haste out of the room.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Foxhound Underground Base
2109 hrs
The war room at the underground Foxhound base was just regaining its composure after the sorceress abruptly took out the president in front of billions of people worldwide. Some of the junior members of the special ops force became hysterical with fear and wanted out, but they were calmed eventually, and the team had to review contingencies in case plans were altered. Unfortunately, the 'backup plans' mainly involved covering up any signs of their current mission, so ultimately, there was no actual contingencies in place for actually COMPLTELING the mission.
There were several members of the IT staff at various computer stations around the room, most hacking into and controlling various security feeds along the parade route, as well as scanning over the crowd to ensure nothing was out of the ordinary. Thus far, aside from the overexcited citizens who seemed to brush off what the sorceress did like it was nothing, everything seemed to be copasetic. Various televisions along the walls had different world broadcasts in case TV cameras were able to pick up on things they weren't able to spot via city cameras. Quistis, General Caraway, and several higher ranking officers spoke around the large conference table about mission updates and progress, but there was not much to report other than that the train was still on track, despite the chaos of what had happened.
As it rolled up on 2100 hours, they spotted what looked like the sorceress boarding the float, but were still awaiting word from the on-site team to make sure it was actually her. However, the parade was getting underway and they hadn't heard anything to that point. It seemed to many that the finely woven web of their plan was starting to unravel, and as each minute passed, the uneasiness became more palpable, and the tension in the war room could be cut with a knife.
Finally, out of nowhere, one of the members of Selphie's IT team excitedly stood to alert the room.
"General, Team Rapture just reported," the man spoke, and everyone took notice, "They have confirmed that the sorceress has boarded the float and is now moving!" The entire room breathed a sigh of relief with the notification. Even if it was just a confirmation, the most insignificant bits of good news were magnified due to how much was on the line.
After everyone basked in the good news for a few moments, the general wanted to make sure the most important team; the sniper team, was on track and ready to go.
"Status report on Team Stryker," he demanded, looking to his communication liaison, Quistis Trepe. Quistis nodded and walked over to Selphe's station.
"Selphie, patch me through to Squall," she requested. as the young computer whiz uplinked Quistis to the Team Stryker's frequency, but only got static and white noise. Selphie shuffled through various frequencies and scanned the line, but came up with nothing. Everything seemed to be working on their side, but something was definitely preventing Team Stryker from receiving communication in that area.
The general became impatient and stormed over to Quistis who was leaning over Selphie as they continued working on it, but were having no luck.
"Status on Stryker, NOW!" the general ordered loudly.
"There is something jamming our communication, sir," Selphie stated calmly but anxiously, not taking her eyes off the monitor as she continued in her fruitless efforts, "We can't get through to them."
The general, not exactly known for his poise, stormed over to the station, shoved Quistis out of the way with force and leaned over Selphie, nudging her away from the screen in the process. He fiddled with the touch-screen display for a good minute, trying various basic troubleshooting methods that Selphie had already tried several times, and then tapped on his earpiece.
"Team Stryker? TEAM STRYKER!" he shouted once, and then screamed loudly. The general had done nothing except slow Selphie down, and his temper tantrums, which he had become famous for, wasn't exactly helping the situation.
"DAMN IT!" the general screamed, taking off his earpiece and tossing it across the room, nearly hitting one of his fellow high ranking officers. "EVERYONE LISTEN UP BECAUSE I'M ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONE TIME...YOUR ONLY FUCKING GOAL RIGHT NOW IS TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH TEAM STRYKER! I DON'T WANT YOU FUCKING BLINKING UNTIL YOU HEAR ONE OF THEIR VOICES...GOT IT!" Caraway shouted in a fit of rage as he walked the entire length of the room, screaming at everyone.
Despite the general's somewhat humorous outburst, the situation was anything but funny. The spring of optimism after the good news from Team Rapture had dried up quickly after the inability to contact Team Stryker became an issue.
It wasn't quite as grim as the general made it out to be at that moment, but with each failed attempt at communicating Stryker, the lingering thoughts of failure and the consequences of being caught had everyone in the room thinking the worst.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - Presidential Palace
2139 hrs
Squall and Rinoa ran through the immense palace, which had the ghostly feeling of a haunted house, like something could pop out around every turn and scare them, or in this case, kill them. They slipped into several rooms as Squall looked for a northward view, that would give him a good sight of the gateway, where the mission was to do come to a violent end in twenty minutes.
"Squall, what are we doing?" Rinoa question, after entering the fifth room along their trek. Squall hadn't said anything except "This way" and "Damn it" during that time, and she had no idea what he was even looking for.
"We don't have time to get back to the church. We need to find a vantage point of the North Gateway," he enlightened her with urgency in his voice as they ran out of another room.
They finally came to a set of white double doors with gold handles, and Squall slowly opened one of them, peeking in. The room was vacant, and very possibly the largest room in the entire mansion. He walked in further, examining what he assumed was a ballroom for various parties and celebrations, but knowing Deling, it had probably never been used in his tender. The entire room was flush white with traces of gold just about everywhere. The bottom section of the room was elegantly carpeted, except for a large section of glossy, laminate wooden flooring in the center of the room, which one would assume would be a dance floor. The ceiling opened up above the dance floor for the upper layer of the room, where white rails and golden banisters encircled the opening, likely so onlookers on the top level could observe the dance floor. Adoring the very top of the ceiling above the dance floor were two mammoth crystal and gold chandeliers, both which were covered in a plastic tarp, likely to spare it from dust.
Much like there were three sets of double doors leading into the room, there were also three more set of double doors that led to what looked like the outside. Squall ran over and moved the sheik white curtains covering the glass panes too get a better view outside. He then unlocked the door and ran out onto the extended balcony, thinking he spotted the North Gateway. He pulled out the set of binoculars he had with him and look into the distance, getting a near perfect view of the gate two blocks from where he stood.
At that moment, Squall couldn't see the parade, but sure as hell knew it started, just like the rest of the city. The thunder of the drums and humming of various other instruments danced through the star-studded sky, which at the moment was brightly lit with the explosion of magnificent multicolored fireworks which blasted up along the parade route and in various other sections of the city. The crowd noise was about as loud as the procession itself, still celebrating as if the sorceress was actually the new beginning they were looking for, when she was more likely on the beginning of the end.
"This should do," Squall stated, sounding calmer as they finally found a spot. Rinoa could still tell he was concerned, and rightfully so. She knew Squall wouldn't open up a topic for conversation, and didn't want the silence to linger since it would likely just add to the already paste-thick tension due to the mission, so she cracked the ice.
"So what happens after this?" she questioned in a delicately soft voice, but Squall continued glancing over the city, mainly near the North Gateway, which at the moment was only filled with eager citizens awaiting the parade to pass through.
"What do you mean?" he asked, not really shifting his attention.
"I mean, ya know..." she stated, her voice becoming dismayed and a bit embarrassed. He looked over and she bowed her head bit, shifting from side to side nervously.
"What?" he asked, not knowing what she meant.
"I mean..." she started, lowly, and then looked up into his eyes, "I guess we won't be seeing each other much after this," she finished, again with dismay, trying to force a phony smile on her face. Squall shrugged, knowing she was right, but he had already thought he seen her for the last time...TWICE.
Squall paused momentarily, but then nodded slowly and replied, "After we fulfill our obligations of this mission, we will likely return to Balamb Garden," he informed her, and her expression seemed to get even more depressed, "So yes...this is probably it."
"Oh," she murmured, sounding extremely disappointed by his response, "I jus..." she began, and then stopped, feeling it wasn't the right time for such a melodramatic display.
"What is it?" he questioned, seeming befuddled.
Rinoa shrugged and smiled, "Nothing." Squall didn't think much of it and continued to look towards the North Gateway, trying to spot anything that could impede the mission.
Rinoa felt like a volcano ready to burst. She had so much she wanted to know and so much she wanted him to know. As rocky as their relationship had been, she always felt something more was there than that introverted lone wolf she met on the dance floor back at Balamb Garden. Despite his endless supply of cold shoulders and canned responses, she still felt drawn in the more time they spent together, and she was finally beginning to see the other side. A side he desperately tried to hide from everyone, and even though she still didn't know him that well, wanted to be the first one to discover it. She felt the same way about Seifer, and while it was too late to get through to him, she didn't want to squander her opportunity to help him see that there was more to life than SeeD and sorceresses.
She could only hope she would have that opportunity once all of this insanity was over.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Foxhound Underground Base
2147 hrs
Caraway stormed back into the war room after a short hiatus, and picked up right where he left off.
"UPDATE ON TEAM STRYKER!" he shouted loudly, causing a few people to jump in surprise. Quistis rolled her eyes before she turned to him.
"Nothing sir," she replied and walked up to him from Seplhie's station, "We haven't been able to contact anyone else in that area either," she notified the general, who closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down a bit. Despite his tirades, Quistis actually understood the pressure he was under, considering it was his mission, and the fact that he felt responsible for not only its possible success or failure, but the consequences of what that failure likely meant, for both him and those he was responsible for.
"Something is disrupting the fucking signal!" he blurted out the obvious. Whether it was intentional or just some random signal interference was unknown, and that the moment, didn't matter, because either way they couldn't contact them.
The general's appearance changed in a matter of seconds. His once fiery, steadfast presence was now starting to reflect a sense of despair and lack of hope.
He looked...scared, maybe even lost, and totally out of control of the situation.
"Keep trying," he stated to Quistis in a low tone, about as calm as she ever seen him.
She almost preferred when the general was jumping down their throats. His sudden change of demeanor was almost alarming, because it seemed as if his worst fears were becoming reality, and the mood dampened even more within the room when his men started to perceiving that even he was beginning to lose faith.
Quistis held out hope, mainly because she knew Squall, and that nothing short of being killed would stop him from getting the job done.
What scared her, however, was that the notion of him being dead wasn't completely farfetched, even if she tried to act like it was. The thought made her want to vomit and cry at the same time, being that she had known Squall since they were children at Garden. She already felt moderately responsible for Seifer, and if she lost Squall, didn't know what she would do.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - Presidential Palace
2151 hrs
The pressure was beginning to mount as time drew closer. Squall was kneeling on the ground with his elbows perched atop the stone railing of the balcony, holding the binoculars up as the parade weaved its way through the streets of the city, and was currently closing in on its final destination. Rinoa sat beside Squall, leaning back against the same railing, biting her nails and closing her eyes, trying to stay calm as possible, even though she was scared to death.
"The parade is starting to turn down Aeris Blvd," Squall stated evenly, although Rinoa could hear heavier breathing in his voice. She rose to her feet and squinted, seeing the parade beginning to round the corner it its final approach to the gateway. The front was left by a group of seven cop cars and a few pure black security vehicles with tinted windows, followed by the color guard, with various Galbadian soldiers carrying guns and waving G-Army and national flags. Next was the large band which was nearly two hundred musicians dressed in parade gear, along with instruments such as flutes, trumpets and different types of drums. The tribal dancers followed shortly behind, dressed in unique costumes consisting of kilts, head dresses, and other unique attire. Finally, five yards behind them, the huge float with the sorceress could be seen.
Squall adjusted his view to get a better sight of the sorceress. She was sitting in one of the chairs towards the back center of the float, with the other chair seating nothing more than the ghost of Vinzer Deling. Squall noticed two security guards standing next to her with assault rifles drawn, and the sorceress herself conveyed no emotion as she blankly stared forward without blinking. Squall couldn't put his finger on it, but something seemed...off. It looked like her and he didn't expect her to be waving and blowing kisses, but for some reason, a sense of uncertainty washed over him.
However, Squall just chocked it up to nerves. He was always taught that the anxiety of a situation such as this can cause extreme paranoia and make one doubt themselves, and try as he might, there was nothing Squall could spot that made him suspicious enough to make a big deal out of it. Besides, he figured that Zell was nearby and that the support team had an eye on her, and likely would've caught something out of the ordinary.
After finally assuring himself that everything was on track, Squall tapped on his earpiece, "Irvine..." Squall called to the cowboy on the other end, "This mission's in your hands now." Squall paused, and waited. After thirty seconds had passed with no response, he looked to Rinoa with confused eyes, and her face mimicked his, curious as to what his expression meant.
"Irvine, do you copy?" Squall repeated, this time a bit more frantically. Again, no response. Squall bowed his head and took a deep breath, worried something may have happened.
"Irv..." Squall again started to repeat, before a soft voice on the other end spoke.
"...I can't…" the voice breathed out, barely audible.
"What?" Squall asked, and then paused. There was another ten seconds of silence, with each second that passed causing Squall to grow more concerned.
"…I," the voice repeated again lowly and hesitantly, "I can't do it..." Irvine breathed out with each word noticeably trembling as he spoke it. The usually charismatic, spunky tone had been suddenly replaced by trepidation and doubt.
Squall again bowed his head and closed his eyes, and simply by his suddenly distraught manner, Rinoa could see something was very, very wrong.
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Foxhound Underground Base
2157 hrs
The air inside the war room was heavy and being sucked down in heavy mouthfuls by those inside. The float was finally approaching the North Gateway with the sorceress in tow. All the planning, scheming and deceit was mere moments away from reaching its hopeful culmination.
Sadly, they had no guarantee it was coming, as they still hadn't been able to reach the sniper team.
"General, the target is nearing the North Gateway," one of the general's soldiers shouted across the room to Caraway, who didn't need the notification. He was standing towards the very back behind the long conference table, leaning against the back of one of the tall chairs, watching projection screen in front as it showed the float inch its way closer and closer towards the gateway.
He felt a presence beside him, and quickly glanced over, noticing the familiar blonde SeeD who he had been working with the last few hours, standing there with obvious discouragement. He didn't need to ask the question, as the answer was painted all over her face, but the query came out almost as a reflex.
"Stryker?" he asked, barely louder than a whisper, with consternation heavy in his voice. Quistis was aware he knew how she would reply, so didn't bother saying it directly.
"I'm sorry sir," she somberly replied, looking at the screen and taking another deep breath, "Is there anything else you would like us to do?" she asked him, but at the moment, there wasn't anything anyone in that room could do, except what the general suggested next.
"Yes..." he stated and turned to her, and then rested a hand on her shoulder as he forced a small smile on his face.
"Pray."
Tuesday, May 9th 4268/Deling City - Presidential Palace
2158 hrs
Irvine sat on the dirty floor atop the bell tower, against the wall, head leaned back, with tears streaming heavily down his face, as he had the previous five minutes. The cuff of his long sleeve shirt was soggy as he wiped away another flurry of tears from his eyes and face. He was disgusted with himself at that moment, and was sure he wasn't the only one. He was about to let the entire world down, because he couldn't get it together. What he hated the most is that he felt like he could handle it. He remembered how cocky he acted, like nothing could phase him, and up until the last fifteen or so minutes didn't feel any different.
It wasn't until he put the sorceress' head in his crosshairs for the first time that he realized just how real it was, and how different it would feel to take a human life, compared to his usual targets. Irvine laughed a bit as he imagined what his foster father's reaction would be in that moment; not insomuch as words as it was just the image of him taking off his heavy leather belt and snapping it, which was what he would do just before punishing Irvine, usually for not cleaning or storing the guns properly.
Squall had been trying to calm him, but to no avail. Irvine felt there was nothing that could be said at the moment that could make him pull the trigger. Even as he thought about what the sorceress did to Deling and what she was capable of doing, he wasn't the same monster she was, and wasn't brought up in the military atmosphere that Squall was. In that moment, he respected Squall much more than himself, because he knew that he likely wouldn't back down in this situation. He put on the brave face and tough act like he could handle whatever the SeeD's could, but when it came down to it, he didnt have it in him.
He was coward, or at least that's what he kept telling himself.
"The float is ten yards away," Squall spoke urgently on the other end, "Irvine, let's go!" he demanded, and Irvine huffed out a few more tears before tapping his earpiece slowly.
"I…can't! I'm sorry." he apologized breathily, trying to hide the weeping fear in his voice, but to little avail, "I act cool, like it doesn't bother me. But...I've never actually killed anyone before. Wild game, fiends and non living targets are one thing..." he elaborated and then took another deep breath before finishing. "This time though...the pressure…it's just too much!"
Irvine dropped his right hand from his ear and let if fall to the floor. His left knee was propped up with his left arm resting atop it as he held the assembled sniper rifle between his legs. The gun, in all its glory, was useless at that point. Without Irvine, it was just a piece of scrap metal, good for absolutely nothing. The cowboy closed his tear flooded eyes, imagining the hard leather of his foster fathers pelting his back again and again, hearing as it cracked against his skin over and over. The imagination of that physical pain was almost soothing, as it dulled out the disappointment he currently had in himself at the moment, which was even harder to bear.
"It's time Irvine, you're up!" Squall shouted again on the other head, his voice starting to get frantic. Irvine again clicked on his earpiece.
"My bullet. The sorceress. I'd go down in history... " he muttered, feeling the pressure spike with his heart rate, feeling as if he was going to have a stroke just thinking about it, "A single pull of the trigger would change the fate of Galbadia. No, the world!" he explained with teeth chattering, the light from nearby fireworks illuminating the darkened area with green and purple colors, hearing the crowd and music rage on below.
Suddenly, Squall sounded like he had had enough of Irvine's spinelessness.
"I don't care, just take the damn shot!" Squall heatedly ordered, but this only angered Irvine.
"I CAN'T GOD-DAMN IT!" Irvine shouted back, as more tears streamed down his face. He wasn't sure how he could look in the mirror, if he even got that chance again. His single bullet would save countless lives, but as many times as he told himself that, he just couldn't do it.
'Sharpshooters are loners by nature'...it was bullshit to Irvine, because at that moment, he would've given anything to have someone there to comfort him. To tell him he wasn't alone and that they would be there for him no matter what. To treat him like a person, instead of the piece of equipment he was treated like for so many years.
He was about to get what he wanted, from the most unlikeliest of people...
"Irvine…" Squall Leonhart softly said on the other end, his voice much more relaxed as he began to speak, "I know it's not easy to take another life. I know because I was in that same position not long ago. But you aren't doing this for you...or me...but for everyone whose lives will be affected if you don't. And I know that the pressure you are feeling may seem overwhelming, but will you really feel any better if you don't try at all?" he questioned, with sincere sympathy and care in his voice.
Finally, something began to spark inside Irvine, like an engine revving on an old car, trying to get it fired up. He repeated to himself what Squall had just said, and he actually believed him, about what he went through, and how Irvine would feel if he didn't do anything to stop the sorceress from ruining the lives of people around the world.
He, and he alone had the power to do that.
"We will support you no matter what happens, Irvine. No one will be mad if you miss, but you need to at least try. Please..." Squall continued, which continued to boost him even more. He gripped his gun tightly, with both hands and planted both feet on the ground as he sat straight forward, leaning his head against the gun. He was looking for that last little nudge to push him off the ground, and finally got it.
"We believe in you Irvine," he heard another feminine voice say, to which he recognized as Rinoa's. She sounded genuine as well, but at the same time, frightened.
Perhaps it was Squall's understanding, or Rinoa's fear, or maybe both of them showing him the human compassion he rarely got from his foster father or anyone else, but Irvine finally felt like he was ready, despite still feeling incredibly scared himself. He spun around on one knee and peaked over the ledge, pulling his gun around as he rested against the top of the ledge, and began to adjust his aim towards the target. He closed one eye and his open one glanced through the long scope, seeing only blurriness for a moment until he adjusted it properly, and saw the float passing under the tunnel, seeing the sorceress sitting there, staring straight ahead.
As Irvine zoomed in and the sorceress' forehead fell in line with his scope, he noticed something...a flicker of humanity in her brown eyes, gleaming from the light of the torches aboard the float. Irvine pulled his head away and bowed his head for a moment, just before remembering her words. Even if there was a shred of humanity left in her, it was not evident in her actions or her words. She basically promised to take over Galbadia and the world, and to not only continue the perpetuate the misery Deling inflicted, but to make it even worse.
He couldn't let that happen.
He raised his head and again looked through the scope, noticing there was only likely a few seconds before the gate was due to slam shut and he would have to pull the trigger. He was sweating profusely and his hands were still shaking, making it difficult to maintain his aim. He breathed heavily, trying to calm himself, but it wasn't working.
Suddenly, he remembered something. Something that he used to repeat to himself night after night before bed to help in relax. Something his foster father had taught him, and while memories of his adopted dad were all pretty much far from pleasant, he knew that this was something that always helped put his mind at ease. Like a disturbing lullaby for a gun obsessed child.
Irvine closed his eyes, and slowly began to speak the words of the creed...
"This is my rifle. There are many like it...but this one is mine.." he began to recite, still trembling.
"Irvine, what?" Squall asked on the other end, sounding completely bewildered, not understanding what the cowboy meant.
"My rifle is my best friend. I must master it as I must master my life..."
"Irvine, what are you tal..." Squall again asked, but was cut out as Irvine turned off his radio.
***...deep breath in...heart beating a mile a minute...***
Nothing Squall or anyone can say at this moment matters. The only thing that matters are the gun, the bullet, the finger and the target..
***...deep breath out...heart still racing but slowing down...***
"My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless..."
***...deep breath in...what if I fail?...***
History will be rewritten. Live in infamy if you succeed...die in agony if you fail...
***...deep breath in...Failure is not an option...***
"I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me..."
***...deep breath in...heartbeat slowing down...***
The old man's creed is working. Even if he was a selfish bastard, this is likely what he was preparing you for from the first time he put a gun in your hands. Still hate him though...piece of shit...
***...deep breath out...breathing slowing down...***
"Before Hyne, I swear on this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.."
***...light breath in...everything is disappearing...***
Everything...everyone...its fading away. The only one left is in your crosshairs. The bitch...sick twisted bitch...she deserves this, for the pain she has caused, and the blood she will shed in the future you don't succeed...
***...light breath out...nothing else, no one else exists...***
"So be it, until victory is ours and there is no enemy..."
***...no breath...rhythmic heartbeat...***
..but I will succeed. Steady hands, clear eyes, full heart, can't lose...
***...no breath...one last heartbeat before the trigger is pulled...***
"Only peace..."
The gate dropped.
The gun popped.
BANG.
And then...silence...
...pure...fucking...silence.
Wow...crazy.
Sorry it took longer...but I start school next week and had to get things in order.
I had to divide this chapter up, because as you can see, it was already long as hell.
If I included the rest it wouldve been over 20,000 words, and I didnt want that.
Next chapter is almost done, but I have more desciptions to add. May only be half the size of this chapter, depending how much I add.
Anyway...
Inside Look
Some of this and next chapter are also setting things up for the future, obviously.
Cid: Had to show Cid's reaction, which obviously wasnt good. Seemed to brush it off in the game.
Various Perspectives: I tried shifting around to various POVs to give a wider range of emotion. Some people like that, but I know some dont. I try not to do it too abruptly, but personally I think its better than long long chapters of the exact same thing. This way you get to kind of jump away from one situation, but see another USUALLY connected situation. I loved going to the sorceress' POV as she slaightered Deling.
Deling's Demise: Gruesome, yeah? Good. I made him scum and felt he needed a proper death...after all I have no clue what she actually did to him in the game. Hopefully not too disturbing for the readers. Ill add that it was influenced by various horror films and Robocop where the guy gets covered in acid.
General Caraway: He is hard to write for because I want him to be disliked, but give him some humanity all at once.
Irvine and his creed: Trying to really developing him here, and reflect the pressure he was under. Hopefully it worked. And the creed isnt mine...its simply a shortened and slightly modified version of the "Rifleman's Creed".
Squall and Rinoa: Trying to really develop a sense of care between the two before part ways for a bit.
Deleted Scenes: I actually had two I took out...one was with Zell and one was another in the warroom, but neither added alot and did little to advance the stor.
Shout Outs...
Wiintermoth: All I needed to do was put Irvine in the pink bunny suit, but couldnt fit it in to the story. And what do you have against Fire Materia? Haha.
Dragoon Swordsman: I suppose you are right about Peptuck's, but mine will definitely have more additional stuff like his did, although I will continue to stay true to the "essence" of the game. While I have different stuff and will change things a good, I still want it too feel like Final Fantasy 8, just greatly expanded, ya know? When I do part one reflections, I will explain alot about where certain things come from and my plans going forward, without giving too much away.
Bebedora: Yeah, I wanted to have an emotional thought that showed that the REAL Edea Kramer was still in there somewhere. Yeah...I thought that would be cool to do, even if it wasnt completely necessary, I thought it added a bit of humor, especially when he was pounding on Zell's helmet. Glad you are still enjoying it.
Nameless SeeD: Haha...who ye be? Dont leave me guessing!
Mayonake no Ame: HOW DARE YOU NOT REVIEW! FOR SHAME! Haha...no need to apologize. And yes...I am trying to rid of all the cheesy crap, There will still be lighthearted moments, but they wont be bogged down with stuff that makes you (or at least ME) roll your eyes.
Final Note
All that aisde, THE FINAL PART WILL BE OUT AT LATEST BY NEXT WEEKEND! Maybe sooner. I start school but the first week isnt bad and I have next Monday off for Labor Day.
Also, I should forward...there are some major changes coming next chapter, one of which will be noticed immediately that some may not like (there are some minor hints to it in this chapter). Nothing that changes what ulimately happens, but rather how things lead up to it happening. I think you'll get over it after you read the entire next chapter, but some may not like it at first.
Okay...so...see ya next time for the FINALE!
Prodigy
