Chapter 3: Reminiscing

Seifer, Fujin and Raijin were still reeling from their fiery battle with Ouroboros. On the way back to Galbadia Garden, Seifer was fighting back thoughts of the fact they had just come up against an ancient guardian.

"Exciting stuff, right". Seifer shouted. "Never thought I would ever get to be so lucky as to have a guardian on my side. Never back down, right, Raijin?" He Continued.

"Nah, man, pretty dangerous, though. I guess you could say Ouroboros was hot stuff," Rajin replied with a humorous grin on his face.

"FATIGUE". Fujin said as she looked pretty thirsty and needed something to cool her off.

They continued back on the road to Balamb. The giant garden was sitting on the grassy knolls beside the small town, making it look even tinier. As they reached the garden's outer parts, they travelled down a largely paved walkway before arriving at a checkpoint. The checkpoint was a focal point of the school where Seeds, students and visitors must present their identification to access the garden.

"So Seifer, how do we get in? Rajin asked, looking at his companion with a doubtful look on his face.

"I guess we need to ask to see Martine. He was the one that asked us to come to see him afterwards," Seifer replied.

Seifer had not set foot in Galbadia Garden for what seemed like a long time. The last time he was here, he was guarding the sorceress. At the time, Edea was under the futuristic sorceress Ultimecia's control, one he couldn't forget even if he tried. Seifer didn't regret those decisions. To be a knight was his romantic dream that protected the sorceress from all enemies seeking to strike her down.

"SHOCK!" Fujin described.

Remembering the last time Raijin and herself were present at Galbadia Garden. They stood aside and allowed Squall and his party to fight Seifer and the sorceress. She, too, had no regrets about the decisions she had made. Her loyalty and friendship to her friend were qualities she took very valued.

"Time does pass by quickly, ya know". Raijin muttered. "Ya can't go back. Nothing is the same". As Raijin placed his hands on his hips and turned to Fujin, a voice called out from behind them.

"Never thought I'd see you guys in a Garden again!" Pushing her glasses back against her face and tucking her blonde hair back behind her ears, Quistis Trepe walked closer towards Seifer in a professional manner.

With her arms crossed and pushed against her breasts, she leaned in to continue conversing.

"So what brings you three here ?" Quistis Inquired.

"Instructor Trepe?" Seifer said with amazement. "How come you're not with Squall at Balamb Garden?" Seifer continued.

"Squall had asked me to lend my skills and services to Martine in the rehabilitation of Galbadia Garden". Quistis replied as she removed her glasses to wipe the lens with her long salmon coloured skirt.

Quistis was always very professional in her manner. Apart from the long skirt she wore, a salmon coloured vest was featured on her upper body and brown arm warmers and gloves to protect her from certain elements. She also equipped herself with a silver waistband, black pants underneath the skirt and finished her look with a brown belt and black boots. She was always battle-ready with her signature chain whip rolled up attached to the right side of her belt. After explaining their situation to Quistis, she offered to go inside the garden and search for Martine.

"Wait here, and I will go and find him for you". Quistis pronounced as she walked through the terminals as it beeped to let her through.

"I will try and be as quick as I can". Quistis voiced as she walked off into the distance.

Galbadia Garden had not changed at all. Past the terminals was a vast open lobby. An intersection was going off in multiple directions linking the garden. The centre was a small risen platform, with a substantial shining light coming out of the ground. The Guardian of the Garden, Cerberus, used to stand on the platform to protect the front gate. Over the P.A, Seifer could hear an announcement.

"Seifer, Fujin and Raijin, could you please come to the reception room on the second floor, please. I repeat". Martine spoke over the loudspeaker.

Seifer swinging his left arm out to the side, yelled out, "Hey! How about you ding-dongs, let us in first".

"RAGE". Fujin described.

"Let's just jump the terminals and make our way in". Seifer proclaimed.

Seifer walked towards the terminal, clutched the sides and leapt over, legs swinging over first followed by his body. Raijin followed next, grabbing the terminal sides' hold about to jump forward as the gates light turned blue from red and swung open, tripping Raijin as he crashed to the floor.

"Aww, man," Raijin grumbled as he put his right hand on his head. "That hurt," He said as he lifted himself from the ground and walked through the terminal.

Fujin walked toward the terminal as the light changed to let her through.

"INTERESTING". Fujin announced. "Maybe you guys are still in their system? That's why it let you guys through? Suggested Seifer.

The three moved through the lobby, passing the cosmic light in the centre and continued north through the hallway. Turning right and climbing up the stairs, they continued to enter the reception room adjacent to the stairs leading up. The door created a "ding" sound as it opened by sliding to the right. The trio noticed Martine had already arrived, looking through the bookshelf on the room's far-right.

"Please be seated". Martine expressed as he continued searching the bookshelf.

The reception room was a tranquil, tastefully decorated part of the garden. Many carefully selected antique objects like chairs, coffee table and desk cabinets fill the room, making it more like a space for a person of royalty than a waiting room for guests.

"Might want to let us in next time?" Seifer said with a loud booming volume.

Fujin went ahead and sat down on one of the couches. Her leg raised on her other. Raijin sat down opposite her on the other couch. Noticing a pitch of water on the table and glasses present, he poured himself a drink and gulped it back rather quickly. He then filled one for Fujin as he handed it to her. Her head nodded as to say thanks.

Martine turned around, book in hand and looked at Seifer.

"Standing, are we ?" Martine expressed.

"So what news about the cavern have you brought me ?" Martine asked.

"Man, was there a disturbance" Raijin begun.

"GUARDIAN". Fujin piped up after Raijin.

"We ran into an out of control guardian force. The guardians' name is Ouroboros, who claims to be the guardian of endless creation. It claimed to have been awaked by an unknown entity and forced under a spell to destroy this continent." Seifer concluded without taking a breath.

"Hmm, but there are no other known Guardians known to us?" Martine said with interest.

"Could there be more that we have not yet discovered", Martine continued? "This is very interesting, indeed."

Martine opened the book he had had in his hand and started reading.

"So, what does this mean?" Rajin asked with a bored look on his face.

"It means little to us at the moment. Unfortunately, we don't have anything concrete to go on. So until further notice, thank you for your assistance." Martine replied without looking up from his book,

"HOME". Whispered Fujin as she leant forward.

"Cmon guys, let's head back to Balamb for now". Seifer sighed as he placed his hand on the back of his head to scratch away an itch.

As they went to leave, Martine looked up from his book that he had kept him distracted.

"I thank you again, for now, the garden will return to Galbadia. May I ask for your assistance again if needed" Martine asked with a squeak in his voice?

"If it's important and we aren't busy, I guess you could ask us. Next time bring us a better gift as compensation! That last item was useless!" Seifer barked back.

The trio made their way back down the stairs as a flushed Quistis came running around the corner and up the stairs.

"Hey guys, is Martine still upstairs? She asked breathlessly.

"He is still in the reception room with his head buried in a book," Rajin replied to the Instructor.

"Oh good, glad to hear, thank you. I may see you all later. I'm staying at the Balamb Hotel for a while. See you then". Quistis finished talking as she moved swiftly up the stairs.

"I've never seen the instructor so flushed, not a good look on her". Seifer insisted.

Once the trio had exited the garden, the sun was setting. Lighting the sky up, a hot tinge of orange as the sea breeze swept through the island. They made their way back to Balamb and felt relieved when they finally arrived back home. Opening the door as it squeaked, Fujin sighed before collapsing on the couch while grabbing a cushion and squeezing it against her body. The house was small but had enough room for all three of them. From the entrance to the right was a small kitchen, located in an alcove. Adjacent from the front door was a small living room where Fujin laid. Veering off from the lounge room to the left was a small hallway linking the three bedrooms where they enjoyed their privacy. Seifer lowered himself into a single chair, arms on the rests beside him before tilting his head back. Raijin sat in the middle of the room beside a small table, leaning up against it before lowering himself back onto the floor to lay down.

Some time had passed into the afternoon when Seifer rose out of the lounge chair.

"I'm heading for a nap, guys". Seifer mumbled before walking towards his room.

Fujin sighed. "SAME".

Raijin was left dozing on the floor, mumbling to himself as the breeze flowed in through an open window near the kitchen. As the sun continued to set, Galbadia Garden rose into the air and took off to the east.