Chapter 7: Static Night

Cedge had a lot on his mind moving through the train station, confused why Quistis had volunteered them to go with someone they hardly knew. He stared at his weapon, slowly losing pace, falling behind Seifer and Cedge. They had almost run up to the train station, leaving him behind.

"Cmon, Cedge! You never were the swiftest cadet at the garden". Vicks expressed.

"Hey, rookie! Let's go. The night isn't as young as it once was!" Seifer yelled.

Approaching the station's inner space, Seifer noticed a stoned pathway that veered off to the right. Strolling inwards, he saw the path had started deteriorating from the faded green paint on the ground, chunks of rock missing from the pillars on either side of the trail. The stones lay crumpled on the floor in pieces as if blown out by force. Cedge eventually caught up to Seifer and his brother taking in the sights. The hallway connected to a closed-ended hallway lit up only by the small flames on either side of the walls. Moving past Seifer, Cedge approached the cold stone wall at the end. He noticed artistic symbols covering the walls. He placed his hand against the surface, feeling a slight indentation under his hand.

"Excuse me, Seifer, may I take that key?" Cedge said politely.

"What the hell do you need the key for?". Seifer replied.

Cedge showed the gap in the wall to Seifer, suggesting a key may fit. Seifer handed it over to the young Seed inserting the key into the slight indentation within the stone wall, and turned it. A sound generated symbolising success with the entrance dragging against the floor. The door stops halfway, stuck on the rocky surface.

"It's stuck! I think it was supposed to move out of the way!" Cedge assumed, placing his knuckles against his cheek.

Seifer pushed Cedge aside, approaching the wall and driving his shoulder against it. He struggled to move the stone wall as Vicks stood on the side, watching him try.

"Need a hand, muscles?". Vicks asked.

"Ya think!". Seifer snapped back.

With all three guys pushing into it with their weight, the wall started to move out of the way slightly.

"Whew, that was a good workout". Vicks expressed as he dusted his hands by wiping them over his pants.

"We can squeeze through now". Cedge explained.

The group of men stared out at the path in front of them as a vigorous shaking began. Seifer was clinging to the walls beside him. Vicks and Cedge dropped to the ground as the island felt like it was alive.

The snowy altar was now free of monsters so that you could see its calm exterior partly hidden by the frost and snow blanketing its stoned foundation. The altar was on top of a platform linked by two small staircases, some steps missing from its old age, shattered brick indentations from where they used to lay.

On either side of the altar were two pillars, short in size, covered in many mysterious patterns that resembled lightning bolts. Dahlia was now solemnly focused on her goal, standing in front of the altar. She closed her eyes, surrounded by magnetic colours as she mumbled words, calling forth the guardian of the mountain peak.

The storms in the sky strengthened. The thunder and lightning were now more rapid and louder as the ground beneath begun trembling. A loud explosion went off with a magnificent bolt of lightning smashing down onto the top of the mountain peak. More bolts of lightning and thunder filled the sky and connected with the mountain peak blowing off rocks from the ground filling the sky with holy yellow light. The light flickered, making its way down towards the altar of Mount Gaulg. One more flash of light across the sky revealed a majestic beast was galloping down from the sky.

Dahlia opened her eyes, witnessing the reveal of the ancient Ixion, a thunderous unicorn guardian able to charge massive electrical power through its horn. The Ixion had a midnight blue body with a glowing yellow mane and tail encompassed by blue and yellow auras.

The Guardian of Gaulg Mountain touched down upon its peak, standing beside its altar, glaring at Dahlia. She strolled towards the beast, getting lost within the serene sight of how beautiful the guardian certainly was. Although the guardian did not speak, the Ixion let out a noise resembling an "ahhhh-eeeewooo". A peculiar sound indeed.

Dahlia closed in as she started using her powers of corruption to take control of the beast. Her gaze hit Ixion with a bright glow of light, angering the beast. Ixion charged up a flash of lightning and recoiled Dahlia's advance as she covered her eyes from any repercussions. A smirk came across her face as she enjoyed the challenge.

Dahlia teleported herself closer to the beast with a gush of wind, taking hold of its sharp horn. Dahlia laughed in an evil tone as Ixion let out a burst of electrical current moving from its horn through to Dahlia's hand as she let out a painful scream. A small explosion of magical power let out as both parties blew off in separate directions, landing hard.

Dahlia slowly got to her feet, noticing the Ixion trotting towards her with eyes full of dark energy. She let out a loud cackle as she ran her fingers through its mane and across its electrifying body.

"Go now, towards the town of Balamb! It's time to rid the world of that ugly place!". Whispered Dahlia.

— —

While the thunder and lightning banged around outside, causing a noisy commotion, Quistis, Rajin and Fujin stood inside the hotel's entrance around the front desk, conversing about the current events. The Hotel entrance was only a tiny space filled with many surrounding windows looking out at skies and swashing water. A desk sat in the centre of the room on top of a brown and red floral mat with huge vases seated on either side, housing giant bright red and yellow orchids.

"Loud". Fujin expressed.

"You bet, Fuu, I've never seen the sky light up like that before, ya know. Too much commotion for just a regular storm," Rajin replied.

"The storms are rather odd. This is the first I've heard of another Guardian Force existing on this island. I wonder if these Storms have something to do with it?". Quistis chimed in, removing her glasses and wiping the lenses.

— —

Jumping from rock platform to platform, the electrical mount Ixion zoomed through the air as bolts of blue and yellow elements sparked from its body flying into the wind. Dashing through bushes and forests surrounding Balamb, Bite bugs ran for their lives, hurrying away from the noise of crashing trees. The Ixion stopped in the middle of a forest, scanning its surrounding. The possessed Guardian spots a caterchipillar lying within a couple of trees. Letting out an angry sound, the Ixion galloped into the direction of its prey, ramming the brightly coloured bug as it flew across the airspace crashing through trees, leaves flying everywhere. The caterchipillar, bruised and injured, let out a cry heard for miles by other monsters in the vicinity. The beast emitted bright red waves causing the Ixion to become slightly unbalanced and angrier. The Ixion shook off its enemies attack and begun charging electrical currents unto its horn. Ixion lifted itself onto its back legs and slammed its front legs into the ground. Two blades of electricity flying out of the light and slicing straight through the Caterchipillar, ending its pitiful existence.

Another thunderbolt crashed in the direction of the town of Balamb, drawing the attention of the Ixion. Heading for the entrance at a mighty speed, it smashed through the arched entry sending bricks and debris in multiple directions damaging the gas station in the process. The Ixion made the ground shake a little with each gallop, screaming from the residents filling the air.

— —

Hearing the loud commotion from outside, Rajin opened the front entrance and peered out. Sticking his head through the doorway, what he thought was a dream was a colossal horse galloping towards the hotel from down the alleyway. Hearing the other residents' screams, he screamed himself as he retreated into the hotel, quickly closing the doors as he fell onto his backside.

"What is going on out there?". Quistis yelled, looking concerned from the look on Raijins face.

"Fool". Fujin said.

"You guys ever heard of a big old horse with a horn on its head? Yeah, me neither". Rajin replied as he got up from the ground.

"That was no ordinary monster. Its eyes were dark as night". Rajin continued.

"And you would know that how? You retreated through that door pretty quickly". Fujin asked.

"Any longer out that door and that thing would have taken me with it". Rajin sarcastically said.

"This is gonna sound crazy, but let's go out there and see what it is". We have to protect this town! Let's move it". Ordered Quistis barging through the doors.

Fujin and Rajin exited the hotel and joined Quistis outside. Larry, the weapons builder from across the street, was out the front of his shop looking at the damages, sobbing slightly.

"agh, man, I just fixed my shop up. Now I'm going to have to fix it up again". Larry said whiningly.

"Did you see anything, Larry?" Quistis asked.

"No, only heard the commotion, came outside when my window blew in". Larry explained.

"You need to get back inside. We will see too whatever is causing all this catastrophic damage". Quistis pleaded.

"No problem, instructor. Rajin, I just finished your new weapon. Wait here and ill go and grab it for you". Larry explained as he entered his shop.

"Weapon?". Fujin asked.

"Yeh, I asked the man to create a new battle staff for me.", Rajin replied as Larry returned with the new weapon in hand.

"Pay me later, Rai. It's a beautiful weapon. Take care of her, will you". Larry expressed.

"Thanks, mate, I will ya know". Rajin replied as Larry shook his hand and said goodbye as he moved back into his shop.

Holding it in his hand, Rajin looked at the beautiful new weapon and gasped. The staff was a lovely black staff covered in grey swirling patterns from top to bottom. Both ends were wrapped in rubber soles and smelt like a new set of tyres. At both ends of the staff was a blue light that emitted from the inside.

"Wow, I can't wait to use this. I'm going to call it the "Static Night". Rajin whispered.

The ladies laughed out loud as they headed back towards the hotel, a loud cry startling them.

"Odd". Fujin stated.

"You ever heard a noise like that before, Instructor?". Rajin panicked.

"Whatever it was, it came from the far end of the docks!". Quistis yelled.

Quistis lead the charge, with Fujin following right behind and Rajin bringing up the rear. The winds were howling, and the water was swishing beneath them as they turned the corner towards the docks. The docks glowed with dancing electrical energy as a mysterious creature stood idle at the far end of the area. Resembling a horse, it swayed back and forth, locking eyes with the heroes as it snorted air out of its nostrils.

"Magnificent". Fujin said.

"What a spectacular vision". Quistis chimed.

"Pretty or not, it's coming this way". Rajin yelled, running towards the parked cars.

The Ixion galloped towards the ladies missing its targets due to them rolling out of its way. Fujin jumped following her evasion and threw her shuriken, aiming for its body. As the Ixion saw it coming, it used its powerful horn and struck the incoming projectile. Rebounding off its horn Fujin reclaimed her weapon. The Ixion now stood by the docks entrance glowing in a lovely green aura.

"Watch out!". Screamed Fujin.

As Ixion conjured thunderbolts from the sky, it aims them directly towards Quistis. The bolts of thunder flew through the air amongst the wind as Quistis started to glow.

"Reflect". Quistis yells as she conjures a magical bubble that sends the Ixion's elemental magic right back at it.

"Phew, that was close". Quistis said as she breathed heavily.

The bolts hit the legendary horse and caused no damage, aggravating its temper. As soon as the magical spell vanished, Quistis leapt towards her enemy and slammed her whip against the enemy's body and becoming stuck around the Ixion's horn. Quistis tugged at the whip to try and loosen it, but the Ixion pulled back. Ixion's horn started glowing white as bolts connected with the whip and travelling along to Quistis's body. Quistis screamed out in pain from the attack, letting go of her weapon and collapsing to the ground. Looking on with determination in her eyes, Fujin conjured up her most potent spell.

"Oh, power of wind, lend me your power". Fujin yells.

Winds started to blow more robust and faster as Fujin conjured the tornado as it ripped across the ocean. The Ixion was lifted up and into the skies and thrown aside.

"Whoa". Rajin yelled.

He was watching the Ixion fall his way, deciding at the last minute to dash towards the hotel as the Ixion crashed down upon the parked cars in an epic sound of damage and destruction.

"Quistis". Fujin says in a voice of concern as she leans down beside her crisp body.

"Don't move!". Fujin said quietly.

Fujin began casting a healing spell, "Cura". A holy green light emitted from Fujins hands as it fell upon Quistis's body. The light was circling her body and withdrawing back into Fujin's hands.

"I'm Sorry". Fujin said, saddened.

"No, thank you, you have done well". Quistis replied, trying to talk through the pain of the injury.

The party could hear the noise as the Ixion stumbled to its feet, slashing at the smashed remains from the vehicles it had crushed. Ixion continued its assault by leaping towards Fujin, who was defending a barely conscious Quistis.

"Rajin". Fujin yells.

Rajin was coming to her aid, striking Ixion with a combo of blows. Rajin then struck Ixion with an upward swing, then swinging it back down on top of its skull. The Ixion's eyes begin to glow as bolts of thunder started raining down from the sky as it lets out a mighty growl. Rajin covered his face with one hand to protect him against the flashes of light while Raijin still clutched the other hand to his new weapon. The electrical elements connected with the staff and dissipated as the weapon absorbed the energy and lit up the battle staff.

"Whoa". Rajin says in surprise. "Would you look at that!"

Invigorated by surprise, Rajin launches another attack, swinging his battle staff into the Ixion's head and body. Landing blow after blow, he tossed his weapon from his right hand to his left and summoned powerful energy within his fist. He swings his fist towards the head of the ancient beast, which connects. A small explosion of energy is created, sending the Ixion backwards but still on its feet.

"Huh, still standing". Rajin says, looking on as the Ixion stumbles back and forth.

Letting out another growl, the Ixion continues its attack launching towards Rajin at an incredible speed. Too quick for Rajin, as he puts up his arms to guard himself, the Ixion rams into Rajin with its side knocking him to the ground. The Ixion goes to strike Rajin with its horn when out of nowhere, Fujin's shuriken strikes the Ixion across the face and returns to her. Gaining its attention, the Ixion moves towards Fujin and the injured Quistis at lightning speed. Tilting its head back to strike Fujin with its sharp horn, she moves out of the way, rolling over. As she rolled out of the way, Fujin had smashed the ceramic pot she had been holding.

Looking back with anger, she launched at the creature with her shuriken when a flash of light appeared, swirling up into the sky from the remnants—the party witnessing a tiny winged creature bobbing in the midst.

"Wahoo! Finally! Thanks for helping me out of that awful jar! "I'm Sylph, guardian of the sky. It looks like you need my help". Sylph winked.

The party was batted and bruised, looking on in awe as another Guardian Force had appeared. Wasting no time, Sylph conjured up a bright green bow and golden arrows, firing them off like torpedos in Ixion's direction. Ixion deflected them using its horn and retaliated with multiple bolts of lightning.

Sylph dodged the magical strikes as it flew effortlessly through the sky. Sylph summoned the wind's power and directed its aero spells towards the glowing horse before following it up with its definitive move called "Dragoon Slice". The mighty action lifted Ixion into the air, trapping it in a cyclone, shooting arrows into its path before dropping it hard onto the ground. Ixion is now struggling to get back onto its feet. Sylph flew over the injured party and released a sparkling mist, instantly restoring some of the parties strength.

As the party rises to their feet, Ixion regains its balance and rushes towards Quistis and Fujin. Quistis barely manages to swing her whip, releasing a laser into the face of the thunder horse. Following this up, Fujin conjures a tornado lifting Ixion off of its feet into the air. As the tornado dissipates and drops Ixion, Raijin dashes forward and swings his staff, colliding and smashing the electric guardian into the ocean with a mighty splash.

Not sure of what to think or what to say, Fujin looks towards the floaty fairy in the sky as she tries to catch her breath. Quistis was crouching on the ground, still reeling from Ixion's electric attack. Raijin walks over to support her with his shoulder.

"You guys sure are lucky I was here; otherwise, it could have been a shocking end". Sylph shouts down to the party as it twirled through the air.

"Guardian?". Fujin asks as she places a hand on her hip and breathes in heavily.

"Yep, the names Sylph, the guardian of the skies. I'm very thankful to whoever smashed that jar. I have been trapped in there forever. I noticed you like wind magic, so how about I stick with you for a while? Yep sounds good to me." Sylph said.

Sylph disappeared into magical energy as Fujin turned to look at the others. "Odd".

"Seems like you found yourself a GF Fujin! How awesome. Can't wait to tell Seifer". Raijin babbled.

"Quistis?" Fujin says.

"I'll be fine. Just need to rest awhile". The instructor says as she leans onto the side of Raijin.

The party strolled back to the hotel to allow Quistis to rest without giving a second thought about Ixion's existence and feeling lucky to have lived through this last battle.