The Lights of Deling
By: Elle
Part Four- Meet the Master
Irvine sighed, a long tired sigh of exhaustion. The cool night's air hit his face as he felt the sting of his hair whipped around by the wind. He noticed that the stars looked beautiful in the sky. They seemed brighter on this night than they had been in a long time. The moon on the other hand was engulfed by a foggy sky, but the stars were enough. Although the air was not clean, the streets were not clean; this senseless action made them seem even more polluted. Irvine didn't completely notice this now. Not because he didn't care, but rather that more important things had crossed his mind than the city of Deling's welfare. He was weary. He had been awake since early morning and now it was the late night and he was desperate to shut his aching red eyes. He longed for pleasant dreams instead of this nightmare. He had awakened in Deling and would most likely fall asleep in Deling, but thankfully most of the sunny day had been spent in Balamb. Wonderful and quiet Balamb Garden with its comfy, safe beds and decent food. He could enjoy a simplistic life filled with just that. A life where he could eventually settle down far away from any battles, far from the places where people were shot down in the streets like this.
He looked down at the blood on the stage. It sat there soaking into the ground and would probably leave a stain. The body had just recently been carried away and the doctors had nodded their heads doubtfully as they attended to the man. He seemed just like any other man, not a politician. Just another victim among the countless. A simple aging man with balding brown hair and a stern demeanor. Who knew if the man was going to live? Irvine didn't. Even so he couldn't help but feel something. Was that weak of him, he wondered? Was it weak to be a SeeD and feel sorrow over a man you didn't even know? But what was the alternative? Acting like Squall whom hadn't even cared when Rinoa lay dangling over a cliff side? No, Irvine refused to not feel anything. Emotions were simply human.
He glanced over and saw that two Galbadian soldiers were questioning Squall and Quistis. Irvine wasn't sure but he thought that Squall's face had a look of both indifference, and, maybe subtly troubled. Or perhaps he just missed his beloved. Quistis was nodding along with his answers with a frown on her face. It looked like she didn't want to argue but she still didn't agree with them. Irvine shook his head disapprovingly at the two and reached his hands back into the pockets of his trench coat. Then suddenly, Irvine noticed something as he stared down at the streets that had once been packed with people. Even in the darkness he could make out something on the ground that didn't blend in with the smooth pavement.
"Squall!"
The troubled man turned around with a usual scowl. "What?" He could only ask.
"Excuse me! I'm not done!" The nearby soldier complained.
"There's something here."
* * * *
- Charm inhaled the stagnant air of the secret lair. The light was on, the dimming light that swung back and forth annoyingly. It was funny how much he had hated this place to begin with, but now that it belonged to him it had strangely grown on him. His arms where stretched embracing nothing and a cherry smile formed across his face as he relished in a moment that would never come again. But, perhaps he was embracing the darkness.
The girl was right where he had left her. Just sitting there, dozed off or drugged. Her head tilted to the side, eyes shut, chest moving up and down rhythmically and he could hear the soft wheezing as she took each breath. He stopped, blocking the doorway to watch this, fascinated as a scientist observing his specimen. Suddenly he heard footsteps, but realized it was nothing more than Onna finally catching up to him.
Why did you bring her?
Onna had run into him on accident or purpose and again Rinoa began to wake. "You idiot! Look what you did!" He shouted at Onna. She moved back cautiously from the angered Charm remembering what he had done to Chase. She had realized that she was that expendable, just like the candle and just like the parents that had left her long ago. Charm rushed over to Rinoa and kneeled down to the ground so he could wrap his arms around her, his head gently pressed to her shoulder.
"Squall?" The girl wondered aloud as her eyes opened. She was pale; her skin so white it reminded him of the white lilies that grew near his house in Winhill. The girl with sable hair gazed to her side and was absolutely horrified to see Charm. She had dreamt of Squall, a fantasy and now was finally awakened to a nightmare, reality. Who was the man that sat so close to her she could hear his heart beat? Would she have to betray her friends and if she refused to would she have to die? This was a girl who had lived in a fantasy where knights rescued their ladies on cue as they saved the rest of the world and humanity. Her knight hadn't come. Would he ever?
How squall, how will you save me?Her face remained blank, her body shaking and stomach growling from the lack of almost any food. She felt so weak that she didn't even have the energy to even attempt to fight the chains. Her head continued to pound with no avail and she didn't think that she could lift her arms anymore. The blue frock was wrinkled, dirty, she probably smelled and her long, beautiful dark hair was in tangles. Her eyes were red, aching from crying to sleep night after night. Slowly, even she had to admit that they were braking her down. Charm attempted to touch her cheek, but she quickly pulled away in disgust and he sighed.
"I just want to protect you." He stated and got up quickly retreating to the back. Onna looked on awkwardly and stood still without a clue. She…she wanted him to protect her. She felt her eyes become watery in till tears gently trickled down her cheeks. What was she getting herself into? Chase, he was dead and she was left alone again. Charm. He obviously didn't care for her or show any sign of it and yet she had followed him so blindly even when she knew he had killed Chase. What was she to do? How was she to act? There were no answers to the questions only the feeling of being alone. The darkness offered her no comfort.
"How can you be a part of this?" Onna looked back to the strange girl that she didn't know, but pitied. She was sick. Probably fevered from this awful treatment. Her skin maybe transparent, it looked thin and her piercing dark eyes tired, so tired from worry. But, she was loved. Onna knew that and in a sense she envied her. Some one would always watch over this girl, someone would always want to protect her.
What does that feel like?"What?" She wiped the tears from her eyes; tears a sign of weakness.
"How can you continue with this? I know that you think it's wrong." The dark eyes continued to probe her and at the same time she saw the girl shiver. What would Onna say to them? What would she say to her own voice inside of her that asked the same question? In the girls weakened state Onna expected her to look sad, to look beaten instead of how strong she appeared now. She searched for the words, the ones that would make her feel all right and tell off the intrusive girl.
"Really…It's none of your business." She replied giving up.
"No, I think it is."
"Onna, come here." She could leave, thankfully. Thankfully she would also not have to listen to that voice inside of her anymore that realized everything was terribly wrong. Onna joined Charm in the same, small room, where they previously when Chase was still alive had discussed their wonderful plans. But, this time the room was in complete disarray with papers, too many different things scattered about. In the middle of the mess was Charm, hunched over a computer on the cement floor.
"…Charm." She said trying to hold back her questions.
"Look what I found." He stood up holding the computer as a book and opening it to her eyes. She gazed intensely at the screen that was littered with a form of writing she had never seen before. "It's writing, to be more precise, Centran writing on Chase's computer. Did you know anything about this Onna? Tell me now if you did because I won't be so forgiving later." He said coldly.
"No, I knew nothing." She said shaking her head vigorously.
"Good, Onna. Because if you did you would tell me." He said, his hand holding her cheek. Her eyes became wide with fear and she tried to move back, but he wouldn't let go. He was crazy.
"I don't know anything! Honestly, I want to know what it is just as much as you do!" He let go, but his eye's still looked onto her with hate.
"I believe you, Onna. Will you join me then?" She didn't know what to say. He had said it like a threat and she knew that he would kill her if she didn't. Just like Chase. She didn't want to die, but did she want to continue on working for a mad man? "Why are you silent, Onna? Do you not want to join me?"
"You can count on me…"
* * * *
Selphie didn't know what she was doing. Again, she was crouched down hiding around a corner that was far too close to an angry Shumi. But, instead of just Zell and her, as it had been before, Seifer now accompanied them. Now she had to decide if that was a good or bad thing. She knew that Seifer was an excellent soldier, at the very least an excellent fighter, but had an awful temperament. He was a meany though, never treating her with any kindness whatsoever. Could she even trust him?
"Master NORG, you must leave at once! They know that you are here!" Once again she could hear the yelling, but this time it was from Garden staff that were obviously also entangled in the Garden conspiracy.
"NOOOO! I WILL NEVER ABANDON MY GARDEN."
"But, what good is having the Garden if you are dead!" The other one attempted. For once the Garden Masters could be happy to wear such sheltering attire as it protected them from the intoxicating smell that their Master produced.
"MWHAHAHAH! THOSE SEEDS KILL ME!? NEVER! LEAVE ME NOW!"
"Master, please we beg of you. The SeeDs cold arrive at any moment." The two knew that they would never be able to help NORG once he decided on something, but they wouldn't give up the ten thousand gil promised to them so easily.
"LEAVE!" The angry, animate mass demanded. His voice seemed to shake the room and finally the two left, scurrying off quickly towards the elevator and not even paying attention or caring that Seifer, Zell and Selphie hugged the wall to their left side.
"Time for some action." Seifer said smiling and pulled out his Hyperion from its cover. The gunblade glittered and Seifer couldn't wait to use it.
"What are you talking about, man? Are we just gonna barge right in there and attack him???" Zell asked doubting Seifer.
"What? Are you scared Chicken-Wuss because by all means run home to mommy now before you really do get hurt." This of course made Zell turn red and his fist threateningly jabbed at the air.
"I'm not a CHICKEN."
"Fine then, so are you in?"
"Hell yes!" Zell nodded confidently. He would show Seifer that he was just as good as he was so he would never again have an excuse to call him Chicken.
"What about you, messenger girl?"
"I, guess so." Selphie complied pulling out her Nunchaku.
"Wait! Shouldn't we check our junction?" Seifer laughed at Zell as he stood there and finally caught up.
"HAHAHAHAHHA." A deep and low voice snickered. The three stared at each other. But, cautiously they approached the malformed Shumi. "AND WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? SEEDS!?"
"Ewww, you smell!" Selphie exclaimed. Her hand pinching her nose in a frantic attempt to get away from the smell.
"AND YOU WILL DIE FOR INSULTING THE GREAT MASTER NORG!"
"Man, really take a shower!" Zell shouted holding his stomach.
"That's just nasty! You smell like feet and raw sewage!" Seifer agreed. The lump squirmed around in what could be taken as anger.
"HAHAH YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS LATER! YES YOU ALL WILL AND SEE THAT I AM RIGHT."
"Say what?" Zell asked.
"ALL IN GOOD TIME THE WORLD WILL SEE. I SHALL RULE EVERYTHING! I PITY YOU FOR NOT LIVING LONG ENOUGH TO SEE MY RISE! HAHAH AND THAT PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A SORCERESS WILL FINALLY BE OF SOME USE TO THE WORD!!!!"
"What are you going to do with Rinoa, you son of a bitch!!!!?" Zell shouted. He had already worried for his friend at the news she was kidnapped, but now with NORG's involvement with all this he couldn't help, but worry more. What was this? How had everything become so complicated? He had thought that everything was suppose to work out after they had killed Ultimecia and it had for a while, but suddenly this? Nothing made sense and he didn't have time to ponder these questions as the craft that held NORG began to light up.
"SOON YOU SHALL DIE AND I WILL BECOME CLOSER TO RULING THEM ALL! AND THIS TIME POWERFUL MAGIC DOESN'T NEED TO WAIT" The craft, like before had two headlights, but this time they were already bright red.
Seifer remembered the fact that he only had one GF, a weak one. The long forgotten one that he never used except to junction magic. Titan. He glanced over to Zell who had a confident smirk on his face to spite him. Stupid Chicken-Wuss. Selphie looked ready with her Nunchaku's in hand and prepared to whip them out before they were all hit with a powerful tornado spell that sent them flying, literally. It was going to be harder than he expected. He felt only a bit weaker than from before and quickly slashed NORG with his blade. The Shumi emitted a low noise, the puddle of greed and hate that NORG had become wasn't invincible.
"BWHAHAH! STUPID SWORD NOT HURT NORG!"
He was lying of course. Seifer could see that because he lied all the time, even to the two he stood next to now. Another powerful spell hit their way, this time meteor. Powerful rocks from the sky showered them and took away valuable health. It was unexpected and Selphie took it upon herself to use a megaelixer on the group. Seifer took in a deep breath and caste firaga on the craft. He knew what they had to do, just weaken the craft and then attack the helpless NORG. It was all too easy. Zell summoned Cactur and the cactus GF swiftly and powerfully on level 100 finished off the right side of the craft. Things were different this time, Zell noted.
"WHAAA THIS ISN'T FAIR!" NORG screamed as the right side of his fortress went dormant. He hastily caste a blind on Seifer which Selphie quickly countered with an Esuna. Then the short girl summoned Doomtrain to shut up NORG.
NORG could feel that he was losing, but it wasn't as if he had lost already, he reminded himself. The Shumi had a chance and he had yet to use one thing that could easily turn around the fight. He could escape. Now was not the time to fight he thought. The future was worth fighting for, not with these SeeDs. Let them die with the rest and not have his beautiful craft destroyed over a squabble. He could pretend to sit there like before and morph into another shape his heart had turned into. But, as NORG thought about all this he was bombarded with many spells and even GFS along with physical attacks. He began to feel weaker and couldn't quite feel all his extremities. He lashed back with a foul tentacle and whipped the three off their feet to the cold ground releasing a muddled cry of satisfaction, as he grew weaker. But they countered with GFs and Seifer's limit brake. NORG could only remember one thing as he slipped into unconsciousness, a family he would never see again.
* * * *
- Inside a white building, past the long white halls, further in a white room and under white covers lay a man known to the world as Artemis Lewis. His chestnut hair was balding, there were familiar lines on his face that marked happy times as well as sad ones, maybe when he got up sometimes his body had to take things slower or it hurt, but despite these things he wasn't that old. In his mind he had felt younger than ever as he saw the dreams he had planned for when he was young finally begin to come true in. Though it wasn't as if Artemis could think about all these things as he lay there, still with machines of all kinds hooked up to his face and body. He couldn't breath on his own and his heart was unsteady, the doctors were worried. Give it time; they had said to the shaking wife and the press. Give it time for Landon to corner the political ring. The same Landon, that now stood over the almost lifeless Artemis with Artemis' wife, Lydia.
"You sicken me, Landon." She said keeping her voice low. "Look how you gloat over him now."
"What are you talking about, Lydia? I stand here because I am concerned like the rest of are country." Eloquent, everything about him was so calculated. The tone of voice he used the emotionless look on his face and even the way and where he stood, all so eloquent.
"Screw you. He is not gone yet despite your attempt." She refused to look at him and when he tried to put his hand on her shoulder she violently pulled away. Eloquent filth, she noted.
"Now you know I would never do this to poor Artemis, but I am surprised he did not do this to me, Lydia." She slapped him across the cheek and a grimace quickly formed his face. "Now, now Lydia we wouldn't want what happened in Timber to happen again." He warned rubbing his cheek.
"I'll ask you to leave only once, then I'm calling security." He had insulted her out loud, it was something she never expected and the surprised look on her face was carefully adverted away from him.
"Fine, have it your way I have a lunch date to attend to. Nice seeing you again, Mrs. Artemis." His hand reached out expecting her to take it been when she just stood there he turned to leave. Poor bastard, but awful great timing. Landon thought as he walked to the elevator. Hospitals often disturbed him so he hurried, as fast as public appearances would allow him to go. Perhaps it was the smell of illness, or his early experiences of being cooped up in one, sick to death or even the crying and screaming one could hear from relatives and friends when they just got the news that something had gone terribly wrong with someone close to them. He stared strait out, his eyes fixated on the elevator. There would be no glances to the side to see the sick or the unfortunate nurses that were forced to tend to them. Quickly, Landon, don't let it hurt you. Let him return to Rachel and get away from this place.
* * * *
It was the early morning as Charm continued to brush through all the papers, notes, letters, etc… Even though he had tried to rush through the newfound conspiracy of his the fact was there was just so much of it. Things were encrypted and hidden, organized and not, but they all seemed like a piece of the puzzle, the puzzle of Centra. Onna had tried to help, but as usual she only got in the way with her questions and demands that he should sleep or eat. No, he would do neither because finally, finally after all those years of boredom he had found the thing he was looking for. He hadn't known what that something was, but this had to be it and without a doubt this was the only thing that had ever made him want to care.
But, suddenly a knock came from the locked door.
"…Charm." He was annoyed, more than annoyed; frustrated that someone could be that annoying. Look at him, he was right in the middle of thought, on the brink of discovering something. What was that something…?
"I told you not to disturb me in less you or the girl are dead." He responded coldly.
"But, we're out of supplies and…" Charm finally decided to get up from the dimly lit room that was without windows. He took his time and put the papers into at least three major stacks. Then he opened the door and noticed the scared look on Onna's face. Funny how she had a need to fear him…
"And now I've had to get up because of your half-witted ass, I bet I won't know were to begin when I sit back down. Would it kill you to figure out something on your own for once?" He said obviously annoyed. Look at those eyes, she remarked to herself, two dark pools that stared through her. They were beautiful and she felt special inside knowing that they were on her. Save me Charm, I need to be saved. "Are you even listening to me?"
"What? Oh yeah, sure I just thought that you should know that I was going out…"
"Why would I care?" He didn't even say it to her face. Why should he care, Onna? Why should your nothingness and weakness be appealing to him? He could have anyone, so why would he ever choose you?
"I'm sorry, you're right. I'll be back soon." She closed the door and a tear fell down her cheek.
But, after she left he heard something. A familiar beeping noise that he couldn't quite place. I'm so close. It grew louder as he approached the laptop. He could've sworn to have heard it before, that annoying high pitched sound that was as rhythmic as his own heart beat. Chase. Chase had said something, he could remember to before when everything was new and he was still blind to all this, so long ago he could forget….
"Don't worry Onna, it's just the response sound on the communicator."
- What in the world is the communicator?
- Curiosity finally won him over and he opened the laptop with wide eyes. There was a face. A young man, no older than himself stared back. His blue eyes and blonde hair striking, but his name a mystery.
"You're late. Hey, wait a minute you're not Chase!" The man appeared angry now, but Charm remained calm.
"No, unfortunately Chase was killed. It was all rather tragic…" Charm's head became bent low and a convincible frown formed his face.
"How…?" He asked skeptically, but concerned.
"Our last mission didn't go so well. We were discovered and Chase didn't make it, Onna and I barely made it out as it was." The boy's face went blank, then turned a shade whiter and his eyes sank back into their sockets. He couldn't speak. The news hadn't just shocked him it had troubled him as well. Chase, the leader of them all, the one that had seemed so invincible, was gone. No, the stranger lied he had to be lying. Everything wasn't just so final, what about hope? That Chase was only lost and again he would wonder back to the ruins and be overwhelmed by the embraces of his people, their people. It wasn't so and this boy was nothing more than a stranger. He was a stranger who didn't know Chase. Chase who had been Erek's best friend.
"He's not dead…"
"Look man, all I know is before he, I mean Chase left us, he said that I should take over for him. Ya know like be in charge of the plans."
- "My best friend is not dead!" Erek demanded.
- "…I can't believe it either, but he said that it was critical that take over as soon as possible. It's what Chase wanted…"
- "You lie!"
- "I'm sorry-" The screen went black without warning, but just as fast as it had turned off it flicked back on.
"…Sorry, you will have to excuse my behavior. Chase was a close friend and I wouldn't want to go against his last wishes even though I still don't believe these are his final wishes. But, maybe you are right and whatever the truth is I can't risk it just because of my anger." The young man explained.
"Don't worry about it. Shall we meet in person then to discuss this?"
"At once, and don't worry we know where you are." The man had gathered his composure and fallen right into Charm's trap. But, Charm had a point in that who was to say he was wrong? Chase had been killed and his final wish was to have Charm take over for him? Charm could believe it, and he had done wonderful performance believing his own lies. He would figure out the mystery of Centra and why it fought to take over Galbadia, he and the Sorceress.
* * * *
- It was a better morning, Quistis thought now that she was surrounded by all of her friends. Selphie, with her easy attitude and cheerful charm, Zell with his overactive emotions, but who ultimately meant well, Irvine with his overcompensation because of all his insecurities and finally Squall. Squall, the quiet loner type who hadn't cared to be a part of the world because of what it had done to him at such an early age. No, he wasn't like that anymore. He's changed and now almost welcomes the world, maybe not you, but he welcomes the world. She could hear soft music in the background. It was tranquil, but hardly noticeable in less you really listened closely in the hotel room.
- "Okay Commander, here goes. Well, we all went down to take care of NORG. And we did, after this battle, but before it NORG told us all of his plans." Selphie said saluting Squall.
- "He was all like 'I'm gonna take over the world' and I was like 'Whoa not while I'm around.'" Zell cut in.
- "So after Chicken-Wuss ran home crying to his mother I saved the day and killed the pile of shit known as, NORG." Seifer said triumphantly.
- "Yeah he REALLY stinks!" Selphie commented holding her hand to her nose.
"I'm not a CHICKEN! WILL THAT EVER GET THROUGH YOUR HEAD!? " Zell shouted generally angered. Everybody looked at him and he sat down sheepishly.
"Anyway… He said something about pitying us for not being able to see his rise and how Rinoa would finally have some use." Selphie added.
"Rinoa? Did he mention anything else?" Squall asked hopefully, looking up from his sitting position on the bed.
"No, but there's still hope, Squall." She comforted.
"I didn't say there wasn't."
"You know, there might just be a way." Irvine said thinking out loud. He quickly rose from his spot sitting in a chair. "Yeah, my best friend told me about this place in Deling where you could duck out if you were in trouble with the local pigs."
"You mean police?" Quistis asked tossing a lose piece of blonde hair from her face.
"What-ever. But, they said there were these secret passages under the city, part of the passages that connect to the presidential residence as an exit if they needed to get out of the city fast. There's a number of stops on the way, places were you could live in or just rest in or hide a Sorceress in…" Irvine smiled, his days of getting in trouble in Deling while he attended Galbadian Garden had finally paid off. Though it had been fun sneaking out past curfew to go to parties in Deling. He remembered it fondly all except what happened to his friend Jake. He was the same Jake who had taught him about women, maybe not anything useful, but a lot about them none the less. But, remembering about the passageways under Deling was not a fond memory, Jake had only told him the night of his death; the last night Irvine had seen him.
It was cold, Irvine noted as he followed Jake closely. He pulled the trench coat tighter though he knew it wouldn't help as the frigid winds already pierced through the jacket. They were being tailed, no; Jake was being tailed and had been before he had met up with Irvine. There may have been no sirens, no flashing lights, but Irvine could feel something watching him as he and Jake tried their best to casually walk down the streets. Irvine knew to trust his instincts as they had never failed him so far and he also knew to trust Jake. Almost as to read his thoughts Jake quickly glanced back to Irvine, his dark eyes wide, for one of the few times Irvine could recall Jake looked worried. What was he so worried about? He wanted to know, even if he trusted this man, he thought that he needed to know, but he wouldn't ask. From where they where, the shopping arcade he didn't notice any soldiers or any forces or perhaps they were hidden in the masses. Then abruptly Jake stopped, right before they could get to the crossroads between the magnificent arch and gates to the presidential residence. "Where do we go, Jake?" Irvine asked, his tone happy, but low. "I'm going to die, you know." The shorter boy remarked more to himself than Irvine. His face was averted he sounded so serious that it frightened Irvine. "Don't talk that way. You didn't do anything, did you?" Irvine asked thoughtfully as he pulled the cowboy hat over his eyes more. "I guess I didn't if you don't count killing one of 'them.'" He chuckled slightly, but his face still remaining turned away. "You do what you have to do, it's all a part of life. Was there a better option? Sometimes there aren't that many choices and so bad things end up happening to good people." Irvine comforted though it still concerned him that his friend wouldn't even look him in the face. "Sari, they tried to make a move on her." Suddenly he turned around, tears in his eyes and any self control gone. He looked closer still and saw the tiredness in those light eyes. Desperate. He was desperate to get away from something, hollow and sad, something to be pitied. "And…I killed him." Irvine grabbed his shoulder before he could turn around again. "You're a good person, Jake, a good soldier too. Just lie low for a while. Get away from the pollution so you can clear your head." He said looking into his eyes. "Thanks, Irvine, I will, but you know I could never leave this place. I know another place." "Oh?" Irvine asked curious to know. "There's tunnels from there," he pointed to the mansion. "They lead to places under the city. I hope to see you again soon, Irvine. Tell my family I love them." He laughed. "Even if I didn't part with my mother on such good terms." The lightness from his face disappeared again and the look of terror quickly returned. "You sure? I've never heard of any tunnels? Why do you trust me so much?" "I don't, but I don't trust anyone else. Yes there are tunnels, Irvine, I suggest you use them if you ever find yourself in trouble. Good bye my friend" He said and turned around to slip away from Irvine's grip. He just walked away, to the gates where Irvine could not see him anymore. Irvine was tempted to run after him, stop him, as even then he knew, suspected that he wouldn't see him ever again. And they were confirmed when he saw the papers the next day. How a troubled Galbadian youth had been disciplined and now the world just seemed so much cleaner without him. Irvine shook his head and just hoped that he would be able to find the passageways. For a first time they would actually be used for some good.* * * *
He walked with his head down, staring at the black boots as they took another step. They lightly touched the ground and made a noise as they walked down a long hallway. Gray stone lined the dreary, forgotten walls where it seemed some creatures had made their home. Rats hurriedly scattered out of the strangers' way and cobwebs were cleared from the path, in less you preferred them in your hair. Silence followed them as they trudged on because no one knew exactly what to say. Yes, many questions flourished between the party, but nothing was spoken aloud. There was always the question that they weren't going the right way and as they wasted their time here and who knew what was going on with Rinoa while they were lost. There were also suspicions about where Seifer's loyalties laid and if he was just as fickle with them as before. And then there was just silence. They had already been through a few rooms and hours had passed in till now it was the afternoon.
Where is she Squall? The voice tempted.
I know she's here, I can feel it. We just haven't looked hard enough. He replied to it.
Sense her now, Squall? Do you here her cry for you Squall, you know she must be right now...I will find her.
But, will she wait for you, Squall? Forgive her knight so easily for abandoning her like that?
…It wasn't my fault.
Quistis disrupted his thoughts, "Look, a ladder," she pointed ahead to a rusty, flimsy looking thing that could pass as a ladder.
"Ya think?" Seifer said walking ahead. Squall followed along with the rest of them and Irvine continued to look strangely troubled by something, ever since he had mentioned the passageways. It seemed everyone had felt affected by this in someway, even Selphie and Zell weren't doing any better. It all weighed over their head. So anytime, any moment when perhaps they could relax they were reminded that something was horribly wrong. That something was missing only she had a name. And Seifer, the one they all suspected something of had even met up with them affected by something more than just meeting up with Squall again. As Squall climbed up the rickety ladder he concluded one thing for sure; these weren't happy times for anyone. When they arrived at the 'top' they were greeted with a wonderful aroma. Like the smell of roses just after the rains and not single soul around.
* * * *
The ride had been short, shorter than he had expected at least. High above the lands they flew were the trees became nothing more than green clumps spread across wide distances, rivers appearing only as blue lines and cities organized squares. Charm didn't really care for these sights, once you had been in the air before it all seemed the same. He did however marvel at the clouds that surrounded the tiny craft and loved the site of the white puffs that almost appeared as a light mist. He held the sleeping girl closely and she sat comfortably in his lap, head in his arm and feet lying on the seat next to him. His hand stroked her soft hair and he felt like dozing off himself. But he wouldn't and waited as the plane gently landed on another indistinct continent. When the plane finally came to a halt he lifted the girl up carefully and exited the craft. He blinked several times as his gaze met the setting sun. He regarded it odd, but understandable that he had boarded the plain with blue skies and left it with red skies. No matter, he knew he was far away from Deling that he could feel relief over. Two vehicles made their way over the desert looking terrain. He spotted one of the men as Erek, the man he had talked to and smiled as they quickly approached.
"Greetings, Charm." The man said extending his arm to shake. Charm smiled thoughtfully again and took the hand to shake however much he didn't want to.
"Sorry our timing was so soon, everything was just so convenient and in place." A smile was on his face as well, crooked Charm could tell, but still a smile. How many times did people fool themselves and others with simple looks and actions? How many times did one have to go through life being forced to hide one's true personality, or just the ugliness of humanity? How could anybody really know anyone enough to fall in love with that person let alone even trust that person? Trust no one, Charm muttered to himself a he followed the man. All he hoped for was to find that something that he would finally meet the master of all of this.
Author's note: Okay I know the Irvine thing was kinda weird. Well I've heard so many people state that Irvine is one of the many characters people don't focus on much so I had a little part devoted to him. Oh well sorry it took so long, hope the last one comes quicker. Hehehe isn't Charm weird?
Disclaimer: I own a lot of things actually. I own Charm, Onna, Artemis, Landon, Rachel, Erek, Jake and more. Though all the really kewl characters I do not own and in no way am making money off this (I wish.)