Chapter 13: Below Celsius
It had been a while since Quistis had left Seifer and his posse to speak with Headmaster Martine. They were currently walking through Galbadia Garden, saying hello to anyone who stopped them for a conversation when they heard an announcement.
DING DONG. Seifer, Raijin and Fujin, please report to the Headmasters office. DING DONG
Without wasting any time, the trio made a beeline for the second floor. Quistis was waiting for them at the entrance of the elevator as she welcomed them inside. She pressed the button for the door to close and took them up onto the third floor. As the elevator pinged, the door opened, and everyone walked out into the headmasters' office. The office was very quaint and dark. The only light intruding was from the side window and the elevator. Headmaster Martine was sitting at a table with a pair of glasses on, reading his computer screen. In the centre of the room was a more oversized desk with many chairs.
"Thank you for joining me. Please have a seat". Headmaster Martine expressed.
Quistis took her place at the rear end of the table, and Fujin and Raijin were sitting opposite sides. Seifer placed his hands on the table as he leaned against it, still standing.
"So what is it this time? Hopefully, something important?". Seifer asked.
"Is it another Guardian, sighting?". Raijin shouted
Martine stood up from his desk and made his way to the table where everyone else was seated. He sat down at the front end of the table and poured himself a glass of wine.
"Yes, Seifer, it is quite urgent and somewhat of a dilemma. Please be seated". Martine offered once again.
"As I have been discussing with Quistis a short while ago, we got a shocking message from Balamb Garden. They contacted us concerning Trabia and a disturbance that happened just recently. We are heading there now. I hope you will assist Quistis and me in investigating the area and locating the source of the issue". Martine explained.
"So what exactly are the orders?". Seifer asked
"Raijin and Fujin, are you ready for another battle?". Seifer continued.
"The orders are simple. Quistis will be in charge. You three are to support her to your fullest. Any other questions?". Martine uttered.
"I'm rearing to go, Seifer. Let's do this". Raijin voiced eagerly.
"POSSE". Fujin declared.
"I guess you are getting a second chance, "Instructor". Seifer said to Quistis.
"I wouldn't go that far, Seifer. I hope you act more serious this time. Remember your SEED trial?". Quistis replied.
Quistis held her hand to her mouth as she chuckled.
"Please report back to me with any information you find. I will contact Balamb Garden soon after". Martine said as he reached for the announcer.
DING DONG. "Attention! Galbadia Garden. We are currently heading to the Trabia continent. No one is to leave the grounds unless you have my authorised approval. We will be arriving in 10 minutes." DING DONG
With the mission set and Seifer accepting to aid the Garden, the group exited the headmasters' office. They returned to the reception room to wait until the Garden arrived.
The Garden hit a hard surface as it pulled onto a beach at the Trabia continent. Traversing the land, they found it challenging to continue travelling as a Blizzard was raging hard. They set down on a patch of dirt not covered in snow, adjacent to a small forest. Seifer and his party arrived at the front gates as the wind blew like crazy. The snow was becoming thicker by the minute.
"Somehow, I think we are going to need warmer clothes, Seifer". Raijin expressed.
The party looked out at the environment for a few minutes, wondering when it was correct to make a sudden dash. They turned around to the sound of footsteps as Martine approached quickly and came bearing gifts. This time it was thick jackets to help resist the chill of the elements. Handing one to each party member, he bid them good luck and retreated to his office. Seifer made the initial run to the forest across the field, followed closely by Quistis and Fujin. Raijin had missed the memo to run.
"Hey, wait for me". Raijin yelled.
Seifer rushed through the snow as fast as he could, leading the way for the others behind him. He could see the forest getting closer as he moved forward, unaware that an incapacitated snow lion buried in the snow was in his path. Seifer tripped over the monster and landed face first in the snow.
"Seifer, are you okay?". Quistis yelled out.
"I think some mittens would have been nice too!". Raijin expressed.
"WIMP". Fujin said.
Raijin and Quistis helped Seifer up as the group looked back at the unfortunate monster.
"Poor Soul". Seifer said.
"We can't stay here. Let's keep moving!" Quistis ordered.
The party started moving again and entered the forest. Passing trees covered in snow and small plants protruding the surface of the snow, they come across a medium-sized tent just barely keeping it together. A young boy poked his head out of the tends entrance and noticed the party drudging through the snow.
"Hey over here!". The boy yelled.
The young boy held the tent's entrance open as the party ran in, Raijin diving in literally after them. Seifer looked around as he spotted multiple Chocobos and their chicks occupying the tent.
"You must be crazy running around out there. If that blizzard doesn't cease, I may lose my birds". The young boy expressed.
"BIRDS?". Fujin announced.
"Chocobos! It's been such a long time since I've seen one. Have you never seen one before, Fujin?". Quistis asked.
Quistis and Fujin began patting the Chocobos as Seifer's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Hey, guys! We can't stay here. We need to get to Trabia Garden". Seifer proclaimed.
"I apologise, Seifer. But look at their cute faces". Quistis expressed.
"So, kid, what's your name? What are you doing out here?". Seifer asked.
"I'm Linaly. I'm a Chocobo trainer. I teach people how to tame and ride them". Linaly replied.
"Do you know how much further Trabia Garden is? We must get there as soon as possible". Seifer continued.
"Yeah, it's easy. If you exit the forest and go east, it should be straight ahead if you follow the side of the mountain". Linaly assumed.
Seifer looked at his party with determined eyes and pointed to the exit of the tent.
"Instructor, let's go. Raijin, Fujin, get ready!". Seifer ordered.
"Seifer, we can't leave them here. What if something happens to them?" Quistis expressed.
"I know! Fujin and Raijin, will you two escort the boy back to the Garden and tell Martine it was my decision". Quistis commanded.
"I'm not leaving my Chocobos here alone. If they stay, I can't leave". Linaly replied.
Quistis thought to herself for a moment. Galbadia Garden wasn't the place for such creatures, but she felt responsible and couldn't leave him here. She turned to Fujin and Raijin with her decision.
"Tell Martine he can yell at me later. For now, take the boy and the Chocobos back to the Garden". Quistis announced.
"Thank you". Linaly expressed.
"For your help, I will lend you two of my Chocobos. They will make your journey much quicker". Linaly said.
Linaly picked up the chicks and exited the tent with Fujin. Raijin decided to guide the other adult Chocobo with its lead rope; instead, it ran ahead, pulling Raijin with it.
With Quistis and Seifer now left on their own, they carefully climbed on top of their Chocobo and set out for Trabia Garden. The blizzard outside raged on but was not as fierce, allowing Seifer and Quistis to see what was in front of them. The Chocobo's revved to life, dashing across the snow as they led them east. Seifer and Quistis tried their best to guide the flightless birds along the mountainside. It had only been a few minutes when the mountain stopped, and an area opened up, revealing Trabia Garden.
The front entrance had not changed since Quistis was last here. Even with the current weather conditions, the front gate of the Garden was still inaccessible and unable to open. Dirt and snow covered the front entrance, a green netting like material the only way to access the location by climbing. Seifer and Quistis jumped down from the Chocobo's back to investigate the front entrance. As they walked closer, the Chocobo's ran off into the snowy fields, leaving them stranded.
"Wait! Come back". Screamed Quistis.
"I guess it's just you and me, Instructor". Seifer said.
Quistis turned to Seifer with an irritated look on her face every time he called her that.
"This is where we climb. Come on". Quistis announced.
"What, no red carpet?". Seifer joked.
Quistis climbed the netting first, having already done this before. Quistis kept the conversation going as they both climbed the tall entrance until they hit the ground on the other side.
"You know I could easily blame you for this. The firing of the missiles and the destruction of Trabia Garden". Quistis said.
Seifer didn't quite know how to reply without getting angry. He thought about it for a moment before responding.
"I can't change what happened in the past. SEED tried to assassinate the sorceress. Do you think she would have just let that slide? She was eliminating all possible threats so that she could obtain her goal. It was my dream to be a knight to the sorceress. I, too, was under her spell. That doesn't change the fact that I lost my way and continued to the very end. I was a fool!". Seifer explained.
The ground they landed on was uneven, with dirt hills raised to the sides with broken trees and rock underneath the blankets of snow that fell from the sky. Quistis walked ahead through the rocky path as she lost her footing. Seifer leapt forward and caught her before she had landed on the ground.
"Thanks, Seifer. It is rough terrain". Quistis said.
"You can hold my hand if you want?". Seifer replied.
Seifer was joking about the hand-holding, although it did make Quistis blush a little. They continued onwards towards the lobby where Seifer and Quistis could find more damage. The blast disturbed the area, which had shattered the ground in pieces and left the magnificent fountain unstable. Quistis made her way around the fountain guiding Seifer through.
The ground beneath her started to move, which made her step back in surprise as two Forbidden rose out of the earth, covered in layers of snow. The Forbidden, unlike other creatures, are undead skeletons and cannot be harmed by physical attacks. They brandished two swords, one in each hand and can also cast dark magic to immobilise their foes. The Forbidden stood in the entryway to Trabia's rest areas, blocking off their path. The wind blew a gale as the Forbidden's ripped scarves flowed into the direction of the wind. One of the Forbidden jumped radically startling Quistis. Seifer pushed her aside, Quistis falling over the side of the fountain as he defended the incoming blow. Seifer swung his Gunblade as the Forbidden crumbled. He ran over to pull Quistis out of the fountain, apologising at the same time. The second Forbidden started glowing and launched a darkness spell into their direction. Quistis quickly countered its attack by casting "Reflect", ricocheting the magic back towards it. Quistis swung her whip in quick response, tying up the undead's hands. Seifer seeing this as an opening, fired off a triple fire spell vanquishing the undead monster. With one of them defeated, the other had resurrected itself, charging at the pair. Seifer swung his Gunblade in quick succession as Quistis started conjuring a fire spell. Imbuing the elemental magic into her whip, Quistis transformed her weapon into a ring of fire, slamming it against the undead creature, annihilating it!
Arriving late to the fight, Selphie and Irvine came running after they heard the commotion.
"Looks like we missed the party!". Irvine announced.
"Quistis, it's you!". Selphie shouted.
Selphie ran over to Quistis and gave her a little hug.
"Thank god you showed up. The weather has gone crazy, and I'm worried about the rest of the students. It's not safe here". Selphie explained.
"We got your message. We are here to help". Seifer expressed.
"Just show us where the monsters are, and we will get rid of them". Seifer continued.
"It's not the monsters that worry us. It's the weather. We found a hidden staircase a while ago, and ever since we opened it, everything has gone crazy". Irvine explained.
Selphie and Irvine took Seifer and Quistis back to the computer room, where all the other students were trying to stay warm. Selphie approached Quistis looking for some urgent advice.
"Quistis, we need to get these students out of here. They are in danger if this storm doesn't cease". Selphie said.
"I know. I'm thinking we ask the students to come back to the Garden. It will be a lot safer there". Quistis replied.
Selphie asked for silence as she gathered everyone together. She spoke loudly and protested for everyone to make their way to the Galbadia garden. Some students were hesitant and didn't want to leave. Still, Selphie promised that if everyone went and got to safety, she would prioritise returning and rebuilding Trabia once more. With a little more persuasion from Irvine to assist in the Garden's rebuilding, everyone decided that for Trabia to survive, they needed to live also.
Lank and Port started sending a message to Galbadia Garden, asking them to get as close as possible so that the Trabia students didn't have to travel too far.
"So I will guide everyone back to Galbadia Garden". Quistis announced.
"Seifer, you accompany Selphie and Irvine and inspect that staircase". Quistis continued.
With everyone agreeing on the plan Quistis had come up with, she started moving the students back through the Garden and towards the front gate. Quistis removed her cold-resistant jacket and handed it to Selphie.
"Stay safe, Selphie. Hopefully, this keeps you warm". Quistis said.
"Oh, it's so warm. Thanks, Quisty". Selphie replied.
Port and Lank decided to stay and continue tinkering with the computers, promising everyone they would join them as soon as Selphie left the Garden. Quistis ran to catch up with the students, which left Seifer in charge of the current party.
"So squad B captain, this is a turn of events, but let's find this problem and shut it down". Selphie said enthusiastically.
"Squad B?". Irvine asked.
Selphie laughed at Irvine's question as it reminded her that it was before Irvine's time with the group.
"Long story, cowboy. You ready to head out?". Seifer replied.
The party left Port and Lank in the classroom. They traversed across the abandoned bedrooms and descended the frosty staircase. The ground began to shake, making Selphie slide and lose her footing. She slid down the stairs tripping Irvine and Seifer, taking them out like a bowling ball, taking out its pins.
"That was fun". Selphie proclaimed.
Irvine was first to get to his feet, so he lent Selphie a hand and helped her up from the ground.
"You and I have a different idea of fun". Seifer expressed as he regained his footing.
The group trod carefully through the tight, dark corridor, which led to Selphie casting a fire spell to give the party a small source of light. They heard more commotion as they continued down a second staircase laying their eyes on a vast open area lit up with tiny fairy lights. As they looked up into the air, they could see two figures floating up high. One of them startled Seifer, who he remembered from a pretty recent battle.
"I can't believe she is here",. Seifer mumbled.
"Who is she?". Irvine asked.
Seifer explained to Selphie and Irvine the recent battle he endured with two of Balamb's rookie Seeds. He described the enemy currently visible in the air and compared her to an out of control Guardian Force. He further told them that the physical entity in the cave was a human, being possessed by a demonic force.
"So if we know who that one is, what about the other one?". Selphie asked.
"You got me stumped". Seifer replied.
The party traversed the path in front of them, passing the glowing lights lighting up the trail and climbing the rocky structure to reach the altar where the two guardians were.
—
"I am Celsius, the Guardian of Ice. Why have you awakened me from my slumber?". The guardian asked.
"Your power shall be mine, ice queen. With it, I shall crush this despicable world". Dhalia replied.
"How dare you demand anything from me". Celsius responded.
Dhalia dashed forward, attempting to apprehend the guardian. Throwing astral punches, she attacked the frosty guardian physically, knowing that she could not manipulate this one as easy as the last few. Celsius defended against Dhalia's assault by throwing punches of ice her way, which deflected her attack. Knocking her back, Celsius created an icy tornado and threw it in Dhalia's direction. The tornado swept up Dhalia and tossed her into the air as she collided with multiple icicles hanging from the ceiling. Looking on from below, the party dodged the incoming missiles as they shattered on impact. Celsius noticed the parties ascent up the mountain. She turned her attention to them and conjured up multiple ice needles which floated around her. She directed them towards the party as they flew rapidly through the air.
Irvine pulled out his shotgun and shot down multiple targets as Selphie conjured multiple fireballs and hurled them at the incoming attacks. Seifer used his gun blade to take down the projectiles as they closed in on his presence. Seifer had deflected several ice needles as they collided into the far crystal pillar, taking out a chuck of the structure. The structure started to fall as Seifer noticed its collapse.
"Watch Out!". Seifer yelled.
Seifer rolled out of the way as the pillar crashed, sending fragments flying in all areas. He was now blocked off from the rest of the party as the structure had cut off his retreat.
The destruction from the attack had left Selphie hanging from the rocky structure's side, swept away by the collision's force, losing her footing in the process.
