***Misted Reality: Part 9***
So, what now? How do you cope with the truth? How do you deal with it and make everything alright again? Simple. You try. You suck it up and do your best to set things right. What more can you do? Only.......you have to wonder.....if it will be enough......
Squall thankfully didn't have to wait very long to be rescued. The very second Irvine and Zell burst through the Infirmary doors, demanding help for their fallen......friend.....Rinoa went frantic over where Squall was. After explaining Squall's current position, the young sorceress sprinted to set him free.
Dr. Kadowaki was a little less than thrilled at adding someone else to the critical unit, but the experienced physician set to work, fully confident in her capabilities. When it came down to it, she was able to get Seifer in stable condition, tending to any internal bleeding with her strongest Curagas and adept surgical skills. For now, Seifer was alright, but only time would guarantee a full recovery. Problem was, there was still something they had to deal with.
"What's our next move, boss?" Zell asked Squall in good humor. The gang was gathered outside Seifer's room in the Infirmary, huddled together to come up with a plan.
"I called Odine," Rinoa offered. "He says he has some experimental orb or something that might be able to extract Adel from Seifer's body,"
"Sefie went to pick him up in the Ragnorok," Irvine added. "They shouldn't be long,"
Squall nodded to himself, comforted, though not completely reassured.
Dr. Kadowaki had bandaged the slash on his face, despite his protests that he didn't have time to be worrying about himself. It would most likely leave a scar, but some mark on his cheek was the least on his mind right now.
"So.......what if we can't get her out...?" Zell asked softly, voicing the very fear they were all thinking.
Squall alone stood firm and confident, while the others fidgeted restlessly. "We will," he stated. "We have to......"
Slipping a slender arm around Squall's waste, Rinoa pulled herself close to him, hugging him for support.
"What should we do about Quistis?" she asked, lingering her gaze on the room next door, where the fallen instructor lay soundly.
"She's gonna be ok, but still acting all 'sleeping beauty' on us," Zell replied sincerely. "Might as well let her wake up on her own, and by then....well....maybe we'll have good news for her,"
They all agreed. No sense in disturbing her rest when they didn't have much to tell her. All they could do was wait, and hope that whatever Odine brought would be what they needed to free their friend.
Less than an hour drifted by, though it felt like 15 to those waiting, until Selphie and Odine arrived from Esthar. The odd scientist carried a large, clear globe, slightly smaller than a volleyball, which gave off a faint glow. The gang anxiously greeted them, eyeing the contraption in Odine's tiny hands.
"Can you help him, Doctor?" Squall pressed.
"Zat ve vill have to vait and zee," the small man answered, peering over Squall's shoulder into Seifer's room. "Zat iz ze patient?"
"That's him, Odie!" Selphie replied, whacking the doctor on the back. "Let's get started with this already!"
Odine glared back at Selphie, rubbing his assaulted side. "You drag me from my room in ze middle of ze night, expecting miracles, and you think I can be rushed?!" he spat. "Zis must be done delicately.....carefully.....to unsure success. Ze Odine Orb is still a vurk in progress. You no vant me to do a poor job!"
Placing her hands defiantly on her hips, Selphie looked about ready to let the good doctor have it. Luckily, Squall stepped between them, sweeping Odine out of harms reach.
"Take your time in getting ready, Doctor," he expressed. "I'd like to speak with Seifer before we try this anyway,"
Odine nodded, tossing Selphie one last annoyed glance. He then stepped past the young SeeDs to a corner of the Infirmary, where he commenced preparing his new Odine Orb for use.
"What do you need to talk to him about?" Rinoa asked Squall curiously.
Squall stared into Seifer's room longingly a moment, sighing slightly as he looked back into Rinoa's concerned, chocolate eyes. "I just want to tell him what's going on.......maybe reassure him somehow,"
Rinoa smiled and nodded, wrapping her arms around Squall's neck for a quick, calming hug. Hating to let go, Squall released her slowly, smiling to each of his friends before stepping into Seifer's room.
The room was dark and quiet, besides the constant bleep of the heart monitor, and the slow, steady rhythm of Seifer's breath. Squall walked up beside the bed soundlessly, sitting down in a chair close by. Seifer hadn't woken up yet since the surgery, a procedure shown only by the thin, white bandage wrapped around Seifer's bare waist. Squall merely watched and waited for a few minutes, afraid to interrupt what he was sure was Seifer's first peaceful night's rest in a long time. Time was short, however, and Squall eventually leaned over the side of the bed, shaking Seifer gently as he whispered.
"Seifer.....Seifer, wake up. I've got good news for you,"
The former knight stirred, waking slowly from his sleep as his ocean eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times before his gaze rested on Squall. Once they did, Seifer's pale face broke into a genuine grin.
"...hey.....Squall got off the wall......" he joked.
The SeeD Commander chuckled warmly, narrowing his eyes in mock anger. "Funny Almasy." he said sarcastically. "At this rate, I'll be 'Squall, Squall, stuck on a wall' for the rest of my life,"
Seifer started to laugh, but clutched at his stomach in pain after trying.
Concerned, Squall leaned in closer. "Are you alright?"
Seifer nodded, waving his hand away. "Just a little sore......but I guess that's my fault." he smiled weakly. Then turning his head to face Squall, Seifer let his smile grow, trying to keep the memories of what had happened below the levels of Garden out of his mind. "So......who got you down?"
Smiling himself, Squall leaned back slightly in the chair he was in. "Rinoa." he stated simply, grinning mischievously. "She took her time letting me loose though......"
"I bet...." Seifer smirked back. "You two have fun role-playing as the sultry temptress and helpless prisoner?"
The two SeeDs shared a laugh, Seifer grimacing only a tiny bit this time. One thing you could always count on when dealing with Squall and Seifer, was their unique approach at denial. Neither had forgotten the events of the hours before, they merely chose to keep them in the past. In their relationship, humor and badgering were a great outlet for emotions pent up. Maybe one day, when both were older, Squall would tell his children about the night Uncle Seifer tortured Daddy.......for the second time. Maybe they'd talk about it directly someday.......but not tonight. Tonight they had to keep their spirits light just to remain sane while they raced against the odds standing in their way.
"So...." Seifer began, letting his face grow slightly serious. "....laying here half awake, did I hear you say something about 'good news'?"
Squall laced his hands together, leaning forward on his elbows. "Yeah, I'd say it's good news," Squall replied, molding his own face seriously. "Selphie went and brought Doctor Odine over from Esthar. He has this globe that he says can get Adel out of you, trapping her inside. Problem is, its still new, so......he's not sure......it might not......we don't know if......"
"....if it'll work." Seifer finished, sensing Squall's inability to complete the dreaded phrase.
"....right." Squall replied hesitantly. "He's confident, but.....we can only hope...."
"I don't know if hope's enough anymore...Squall......" Seifer stated softly, letting his gaze drift and mist over, all traces of humor stripped from the room. "Hope hasn't really done much for me lately. I hoped those damn dreams I suffered through every night would go away.......I hoped that I could stop myself from doing all the horrible things I did.........I *hoped* that I wasn't a killer....."
"Stop it, Seifer! For god sake's stop!" Squall yelled, falling to his knees beside the bed, and reaching over the side to shake Seifer's shoulders. "Don't fall into this again.....please. Adel is the killer, Seifer, not you! I don't care what dreams you've had, what you've seen, what it feels like you've done, because it was all her! I finally see that, and you should, too. We're going to get her out of you, Seifer......I promise....."
Seifer sat startled a moment, staring at Squall in confusion. A second before they'd been joking around like nothing was wrong, and then BAMM! Hello, self-loathing, so nice to see you. That's not what Seifer wanted. He just wanted to know if hoping beyond hope was going to be worth it this time, or if once again he'd be shut out in the dark.
"I'm just so scared......" Seifer whispered, gazing into Squall's ice blue eyes while sniffling back his coming tears. "....we....put on strong faces all the time as SeeDs.......we're not supposed to let our feelings get in the way of getting the job done. I've been trained to be brave and stone-cold when facing a fight......but that doesn't mean I am. What if....."
"Shhh.....hey...." Squall soothed, releasing Seifer's shoulders to gently grasp his trembling hand. "....no one's saying you have to be brave. I can't promise you this Odine Orb will work, but I can promise that we won't give up on you.......as long as you don't give up on yourself. Ok.....?"
Seifer held tight to Squall's hand, nodding his head, but hating himself all the more with the memories of what he almost did to this man in front of him........who cared for him so much......who believed in him.......
"Squall....." Seifer began, watching the SeeD Commander as he gently pulled away, taking his seat once again in the chair. ".....I need you to promise me something......"
"Anything. What is it?"
Wringing his hands anxiously, Seifer cast his gaze down, knowing Squall wouldn't be able to accept what he said next. "......promise me.....if this orb thing doesn't work.......if you've tried all you can, and nothing works.......if Adel starts to take control again........you'll......" Seifer shut his eyes, swallowing hard. "......you'll stop me from hurting anybody else." he flicked his gaze up then, staring straight at Squall's disturbed features. "Promise you'll kill me if you have to......."
Squall had listened with growing fear, sensing what Seifer meant to say. Still, his eyes grew wide with disbelief, and something near anger as the former knight finished.
"...Seifer.....you can't ask me to do that......."
"Why?" Seifer demanded, almost angrily himself. "Do you think I want to keep living if there's even a chance I might hurt one of you? The way I hurt Quistis and the others?! I'm asking you, Squall, as a friend, as a soldier who's been on the wrong side of far too many battles. Please....."
Hurt and at a desperate loss, Squall fumbled with his hands, trying to find the right words.......the right answer.....to a request like that. But, before he could reply........
"Squall....." Rinoa's voice echoed into the Infirmary room. She was standing just inside the door, with the others at her back. "Odine's ready. He wants to be begin if you're......finished,"
Squall quickly composed himself, adoring a chance to escape what Seifer had asked of him. "Of course. Tell him to come in. We're.......we're ready....." Rising from his chair then as the others filed into the room, Squall tried to move away from the bed, away from the question he couldn't answer. But, a strong hand gripped his arm before he could.
"Squall," Seifer whispered, only loud enough for the young man next to him to hear. "Promise me....."
Turning hesitantly to face the bed, Squall looked down into Seifer's burning ocean eyes, broken by their pleading glare. His arm already ached from Seifer's desperate grasp, and his heart ached from the pull of emotion and indecision eating away at him from inside.
(.....what am I supposed to say.....?) Squall thought. (.....what..... 'Sure, I'll kill you, Seifer'........is that what he wants to hear? I'd never be able to do it.......but........how could I deny him that..........wouldn't I want the same thing........?)
Squall closed his eyes, feeling a released tear travel down his face and over the bandage on his cheek. He knew the answer he'd want if it was him in Seifer's shoes. He knew what he had to do.......
"I promise......" Squall whispered, leaning close to Seifer in the bed. ".....if this doesn't work.......though I pray it does.......if there is no other way........then......I'll stop you......"
Seifer smiled in unmatched gratitude, sliding his hand down to grasp Squall's. Close to brothers.....? No. They *were* brothers then, and even the unthinkable wouldn't be able to take that away from them.
"Are ve ready to proceed?" Odine's odd voice asked loudly.
Squall reluctantly pulled from Seifer's grip, walking towards the doctor. "We're ready,"
"Vonderful,"
The gang watched anxiously as Odine made his way to the bed. Squall joined Rinoa near the door, cherishing her arms around his waist. He would never tell any of them, not even the angel at his side, what he and Seifer had vowed. If fate chose to be so cruel as to put that promise to the test, Squall would follow through with it all on his own. The guilt on his shoulders alone.
"I vant you to relax," Odine instructed Seifer, holding the faintly glowing orb above the young SeeD's head. "Concentrate on ze center of ze orb. Vatch as it glows brighter.....calming you......surrounding you vith ze light.....as if you vere inside ze orb itself......"
Seifer listened as Odine's voice grew softer, fainter, while he stared into the orb, at the tiny glowing beacon of light within. He felt his eyelids drooping, the world around him fading away, leaving only the orb......the light inside its crystal walls.....
Suddenly, the light, those crystal walls, were all Seifer could see. He wasn't lying in his bed in the Infirmary anymore, he was standing. He was standing in a bright room with mirrored walls, reflecting his image back at him.
(What the.....where am I?!) Seifer thought, panicking as he spun around, searching for something familiar. (...I'm.....I'm inside the orb!)
"What's going on?!" he yelled, hearing his voice echo off the odd walls. "Is this what's supposed to happen?!"
/Stay calm...../ A voice sounded around him. /Look around you......vat do you zee...?/
Seifer recognized Odine's voice, though it sounded so far away.
"Mirrors!" he cried back. "Mirrors.......everywhere......"
Seifer had never been one for his own reflection. Before his betrayal of Garden, the aspiring knight had adored his image almost as much as his gunblade. But, ever since coming to the realization of all he'd done, the people he'd hurt along the way to fulfilling his romantic dream, he'd avoided the damned glass contraptions at every chance.
/Look at your reflection.....Seifer..../ Odine called. /Search beyond vat you zee, and find that vich does not belong....../
(Search for what doesn't belong.....?) Seifer thought, stepping towards one of the larger mirrors. (What doesn't belong?)
Seifer reached out his right hand, tracing the outline of his face reflected in the glass. It looked like a normal reflection to him......didn't it?
(No......something's wrong......) Seifer realized. It wasn't him in the mirror. It was, but........(........the look on my face......that sneer.......that's not me........)
Inching closer to the mirror, Seifer stared his reflection straight in his own turquoise eyes, studying them. Watching almost afraid at the image in front of him.....so like him......so unlike him. Then unexpectedly, Seifer's reflection grinned, though he himself had not, and the ocean eyes shown in the glass flashed red.
Seifer screamed, stumbling back, burying his face in his hands. The picture imprinted on his mind scared him so much, he couldn't stand to see it, to see the monster of himself. But......he knew he had to face it.....he had to face the monster to save the man.
Taking in a shuddering breath, Seifer pulled his hands from his face, lifting his head back up at the mirror in front of him. To his surprise, his reflection appeared completely normal. Unfortunately, Adel's reflection, standing just behind him, wasn't as welcome of a sight.
Seifer spun around, staring up in fear at the towering sorceress. The orb had indeed separated Adel from Seifer as intended. It was a success......but what was he supposed to do now?
"Help!" Seifer cried, backing himself up against the glass as Adel grinned menacingly down at him. "She's here! What do I do?!"
/She iz?/ Odine's voice asked happily. /My creation vurked?!/
"Yes, you freak! Now, help me!" Seifer angrily called back. "Get me outta here!"
"Seifer...." Adel purred, moving towards him. "Why are you trying to get away? You know you love that I'm apart of you....."
The sorceress reached out a ghostly white, clawed hand, stroking Seifer's face.
Unable to move, Seifer closed his eyes, his voice catching in his throat. "I hated....having you inside of me....... you turned me into a killer......."
"Ahh, but you loved that, too, little boy. I know you did......" she replied, trailing a deadly claw down Seifer's chest.
"No....." Seifer breathed, tears streaking down his face, his entire body shivering as Adel traced her claw along his skin. ".....I hated hurting them.......I hated it......."
"You loved it," she stated simply. "You cherished every moment as much as I did. Especially when you sliced your darling Quistis. You adored her pain......admit it!"
Seifer held his eyes closed, feeling Adel's hand loosely......yet dangerously.....around his throat. "NO!" he screamed, pulling from her grasp, and rushing passed her to the other side of the mirrored room. "Odine, tell me what to do?!" he cried to the walls. "How do I get out?!"
/Destroy vat pulled you in....../ the doctor answered matter-of-factly.
(What...?) Seifer thought, confused.
"Don't listen, Seifer! Don't leave me here!" Adel screamed, moving towards him once again. "You want me to be apart of you. Think of what glorious revenge we can take upon all of them! What wonders we could do together!"
"Wonders?!" Seifer screamed, backing away from her as she approached. "You bitch, you think you can fool me?! I don't need revenge like you.......I don't need your fucking bullshit anymore!! I'm not a killer.......I'm not a killer like you......."
Seifer shot his gaze around the room, searching for a way out.
(Destroy what pulled me in.......what pulled me in......) Seifer repeated in his mind. (Of course!)
Slipping past Adel once again, Seifer ran to the center of the room.........to the glowing light that had brought him there. Floating magically above the ground was a small flame, like that from a candle, though no wick kept this fire burning. Seifer smiled broadly at the tiny flame, pouring so much light into that room, and he turned back to Adel triumphantly.
"As much as I'll cherish our time together....." he began smugly, feeling a bit like his old self. "Burn in HELL you fucking witch!!" Seifer shot his arm out towards the flame then, smothering it with his hand. Though he'd always remember Adel's enraged scream, it was the darkness that followed which he'd treasure forever.
----------
All is well, the fight is won
the hero returns, a triumphant son
rejoicing to meet the coming day
with darkness past and gone away
But is the evil gone for good
does light survive, as well it should
Or does the darkness hide away
to come again some other day
Seifer fluttered his eyes open, feeling the exhaustion of his broken body. His memory felt choppy and incomplete as he awoke, and at first he couldn't remember where he was. Struggling to sit up, a familiar voice brought him back to reality.
"Finally awake I see," Squall stated gently. "How do you feel?"
Turning towards the voice, Seifer looked to his friend, seated in his usual chair beside the bed. Rinoa stood behind him, smiling warmly.
"Is it over?" Seifer breathed, still vague in what he remembered.
"Yes, Seifer, it is," Squall replied, reaching up to take Rinoa's hand as she placed it on his shoulder. "After your consciousness left the orb, leaving Adel inside, it turned completely black. Odine said that Adel would remain there until another sorceress accepted her powers, allowing her to die. We decided we'd rather be rid of her for good, so Rinoa......."
"You took her powers?" Seifer interrupted, a bit concerned as he stared up at the young sorceress.
"It's alright, Seifer." the brunette smiled. "This way we'll never have to worry about her again. Besides, more nifty magic for me!" Rinoa giggled lightly, leaning over the back of Squall's chair to wrap her arms around his neck. "She's gone.....forever. We even saw the orb turn white again after I took her powers. You don't have to worry about her anymore, Seifer. Just worry about getting better, and........."
Seifer waited for Rinoa to finish, but she only grinned, hugging Squall tighter.
"And what?" Seifer asked finally, creasing his forehead in mild annoyance.
Squall started grinning, too, as Seifer stared at the couple anxiously, until at last the SeeD Commander gestured with his head to the other side of the room. "And......worry about taking care of her....."
Seifer spun his head to the side at those words, looking beside him. Crammed into that tiny Infirmary room was not just his little bed, but someone else's, too. Right there next to him, barely an inch from him........lay Quistis Trepe. The love of his life. And........she was wide awake.
".....welcome back.......Seifer....." the pale instructor whispered weakly. "I never for a second.......believed you were the killer.......I knew better than that......."
Feeling new tears find their way down his own pale face, Seifer reached his hand across the small gap separating them, and grasped Quistis' delicate fingers, entwining them in his own.
"Quisty.....I'm so sorry I......"
"Shhhh....." Quistis shushed. "I'm fine....Seifer....and I don't blame you at all. So we get matching scars from this........big deal......we're still here.....aren't we.......and I still.......love you......more than anything in this world......."
"Quistis......my beautiful Quisty......I love you......I love you......." came Seifer's whimpered reply, as he lifted his hand from hers to stroke the gold strands from her face.
"I think that's our cue to leave....." Rinoa grinned, pulling Squall's arm to lift him from the chair. "Don't forget to rest at least some of the time while you're here, ok?"
"And we'll come as often as we can until you're out of here," Squall added, though the two blondes barely heard. They were too busy cherishing the chance to be together again.
"Come on, Squall," Rinoa giggled, pushing him out the door. She stole one last glance at the two before stepping through it herself. But......if only they had been watching her, they might have caught a glimpse of warning for what was to come, as her deep, brown eyes.......flashed red.
THE END
**********
I mean it, that's the end. Finshed. Complete. But.......there will be a sequel. My good friend Winterheart has begged to write one, and so she shall. If you choose to believe my ending is the final word, so be it, but I ask that you please see what she has in store for you. Her email address is megwill58@hotmail.com if you want to bug her about getting it done.
Well, I'm pretty happy with my work, but I MUST have feedback. PLEASE! Tell me what you thought. Do I suck? Should I never write again? Was it maybe.....kinda good? Anything, just let me know.
Hope you enjoyed! Love you all, and see you next ficcie! :-)
So, what now? How do you cope with the truth? How do you deal with it and make everything alright again? Simple. You try. You suck it up and do your best to set things right. What more can you do? Only.......you have to wonder.....if it will be enough......
Squall thankfully didn't have to wait very long to be rescued. The very second Irvine and Zell burst through the Infirmary doors, demanding help for their fallen......friend.....Rinoa went frantic over where Squall was. After explaining Squall's current position, the young sorceress sprinted to set him free.
Dr. Kadowaki was a little less than thrilled at adding someone else to the critical unit, but the experienced physician set to work, fully confident in her capabilities. When it came down to it, she was able to get Seifer in stable condition, tending to any internal bleeding with her strongest Curagas and adept surgical skills. For now, Seifer was alright, but only time would guarantee a full recovery. Problem was, there was still something they had to deal with.
"What's our next move, boss?" Zell asked Squall in good humor. The gang was gathered outside Seifer's room in the Infirmary, huddled together to come up with a plan.
"I called Odine," Rinoa offered. "He says he has some experimental orb or something that might be able to extract Adel from Seifer's body,"
"Sefie went to pick him up in the Ragnorok," Irvine added. "They shouldn't be long,"
Squall nodded to himself, comforted, though not completely reassured.
Dr. Kadowaki had bandaged the slash on his face, despite his protests that he didn't have time to be worrying about himself. It would most likely leave a scar, but some mark on his cheek was the least on his mind right now.
"So.......what if we can't get her out...?" Zell asked softly, voicing the very fear they were all thinking.
Squall alone stood firm and confident, while the others fidgeted restlessly. "We will," he stated. "We have to......"
Slipping a slender arm around Squall's waste, Rinoa pulled herself close to him, hugging him for support.
"What should we do about Quistis?" she asked, lingering her gaze on the room next door, where the fallen instructor lay soundly.
"She's gonna be ok, but still acting all 'sleeping beauty' on us," Zell replied sincerely. "Might as well let her wake up on her own, and by then....well....maybe we'll have good news for her,"
They all agreed. No sense in disturbing her rest when they didn't have much to tell her. All they could do was wait, and hope that whatever Odine brought would be what they needed to free their friend.
Less than an hour drifted by, though it felt like 15 to those waiting, until Selphie and Odine arrived from Esthar. The odd scientist carried a large, clear globe, slightly smaller than a volleyball, which gave off a faint glow. The gang anxiously greeted them, eyeing the contraption in Odine's tiny hands.
"Can you help him, Doctor?" Squall pressed.
"Zat ve vill have to vait and zee," the small man answered, peering over Squall's shoulder into Seifer's room. "Zat iz ze patient?"
"That's him, Odie!" Selphie replied, whacking the doctor on the back. "Let's get started with this already!"
Odine glared back at Selphie, rubbing his assaulted side. "You drag me from my room in ze middle of ze night, expecting miracles, and you think I can be rushed?!" he spat. "Zis must be done delicately.....carefully.....to unsure success. Ze Odine Orb is still a vurk in progress. You no vant me to do a poor job!"
Placing her hands defiantly on her hips, Selphie looked about ready to let the good doctor have it. Luckily, Squall stepped between them, sweeping Odine out of harms reach.
"Take your time in getting ready, Doctor," he expressed. "I'd like to speak with Seifer before we try this anyway,"
Odine nodded, tossing Selphie one last annoyed glance. He then stepped past the young SeeDs to a corner of the Infirmary, where he commenced preparing his new Odine Orb for use.
"What do you need to talk to him about?" Rinoa asked Squall curiously.
Squall stared into Seifer's room longingly a moment, sighing slightly as he looked back into Rinoa's concerned, chocolate eyes. "I just want to tell him what's going on.......maybe reassure him somehow,"
Rinoa smiled and nodded, wrapping her arms around Squall's neck for a quick, calming hug. Hating to let go, Squall released her slowly, smiling to each of his friends before stepping into Seifer's room.
The room was dark and quiet, besides the constant bleep of the heart monitor, and the slow, steady rhythm of Seifer's breath. Squall walked up beside the bed soundlessly, sitting down in a chair close by. Seifer hadn't woken up yet since the surgery, a procedure shown only by the thin, white bandage wrapped around Seifer's bare waist. Squall merely watched and waited for a few minutes, afraid to interrupt what he was sure was Seifer's first peaceful night's rest in a long time. Time was short, however, and Squall eventually leaned over the side of the bed, shaking Seifer gently as he whispered.
"Seifer.....Seifer, wake up. I've got good news for you,"
The former knight stirred, waking slowly from his sleep as his ocean eyes fluttered open. He blinked a few times before his gaze rested on Squall. Once they did, Seifer's pale face broke into a genuine grin.
"...hey.....Squall got off the wall......" he joked.
The SeeD Commander chuckled warmly, narrowing his eyes in mock anger. "Funny Almasy." he said sarcastically. "At this rate, I'll be 'Squall, Squall, stuck on a wall' for the rest of my life,"
Seifer started to laugh, but clutched at his stomach in pain after trying.
Concerned, Squall leaned in closer. "Are you alright?"
Seifer nodded, waving his hand away. "Just a little sore......but I guess that's my fault." he smiled weakly. Then turning his head to face Squall, Seifer let his smile grow, trying to keep the memories of what had happened below the levels of Garden out of his mind. "So......who got you down?"
Smiling himself, Squall leaned back slightly in the chair he was in. "Rinoa." he stated simply, grinning mischievously. "She took her time letting me loose though......"
"I bet...." Seifer smirked back. "You two have fun role-playing as the sultry temptress and helpless prisoner?"
The two SeeDs shared a laugh, Seifer grimacing only a tiny bit this time. One thing you could always count on when dealing with Squall and Seifer, was their unique approach at denial. Neither had forgotten the events of the hours before, they merely chose to keep them in the past. In their relationship, humor and badgering were a great outlet for emotions pent up. Maybe one day, when both were older, Squall would tell his children about the night Uncle Seifer tortured Daddy.......for the second time. Maybe they'd talk about it directly someday.......but not tonight. Tonight they had to keep their spirits light just to remain sane while they raced against the odds standing in their way.
"So...." Seifer began, letting his face grow slightly serious. "....laying here half awake, did I hear you say something about 'good news'?"
Squall laced his hands together, leaning forward on his elbows. "Yeah, I'd say it's good news," Squall replied, molding his own face seriously. "Selphie went and brought Doctor Odine over from Esthar. He has this globe that he says can get Adel out of you, trapping her inside. Problem is, its still new, so......he's not sure......it might not......we don't know if......"
"....if it'll work." Seifer finished, sensing Squall's inability to complete the dreaded phrase.
"....right." Squall replied hesitantly. "He's confident, but.....we can only hope...."
"I don't know if hope's enough anymore...Squall......" Seifer stated softly, letting his gaze drift and mist over, all traces of humor stripped from the room. "Hope hasn't really done much for me lately. I hoped those damn dreams I suffered through every night would go away.......I hoped that I could stop myself from doing all the horrible things I did.........I *hoped* that I wasn't a killer....."
"Stop it, Seifer! For god sake's stop!" Squall yelled, falling to his knees beside the bed, and reaching over the side to shake Seifer's shoulders. "Don't fall into this again.....please. Adel is the killer, Seifer, not you! I don't care what dreams you've had, what you've seen, what it feels like you've done, because it was all her! I finally see that, and you should, too. We're going to get her out of you, Seifer......I promise....."
Seifer sat startled a moment, staring at Squall in confusion. A second before they'd been joking around like nothing was wrong, and then BAMM! Hello, self-loathing, so nice to see you. That's not what Seifer wanted. He just wanted to know if hoping beyond hope was going to be worth it this time, or if once again he'd be shut out in the dark.
"I'm just so scared......" Seifer whispered, gazing into Squall's ice blue eyes while sniffling back his coming tears. "....we....put on strong faces all the time as SeeDs.......we're not supposed to let our feelings get in the way of getting the job done. I've been trained to be brave and stone-cold when facing a fight......but that doesn't mean I am. What if....."
"Shhh.....hey...." Squall soothed, releasing Seifer's shoulders to gently grasp his trembling hand. "....no one's saying you have to be brave. I can't promise you this Odine Orb will work, but I can promise that we won't give up on you.......as long as you don't give up on yourself. Ok.....?"
Seifer held tight to Squall's hand, nodding his head, but hating himself all the more with the memories of what he almost did to this man in front of him........who cared for him so much......who believed in him.......
"Squall....." Seifer began, watching the SeeD Commander as he gently pulled away, taking his seat once again in the chair. ".....I need you to promise me something......"
"Anything. What is it?"
Wringing his hands anxiously, Seifer cast his gaze down, knowing Squall wouldn't be able to accept what he said next. "......promise me.....if this orb thing doesn't work.......if you've tried all you can, and nothing works.......if Adel starts to take control again........you'll......" Seifer shut his eyes, swallowing hard. "......you'll stop me from hurting anybody else." he flicked his gaze up then, staring straight at Squall's disturbed features. "Promise you'll kill me if you have to......."
Squall had listened with growing fear, sensing what Seifer meant to say. Still, his eyes grew wide with disbelief, and something near anger as the former knight finished.
"...Seifer.....you can't ask me to do that......."
"Why?" Seifer demanded, almost angrily himself. "Do you think I want to keep living if there's even a chance I might hurt one of you? The way I hurt Quistis and the others?! I'm asking you, Squall, as a friend, as a soldier who's been on the wrong side of far too many battles. Please....."
Hurt and at a desperate loss, Squall fumbled with his hands, trying to find the right words.......the right answer.....to a request like that. But, before he could reply........
"Squall....." Rinoa's voice echoed into the Infirmary room. She was standing just inside the door, with the others at her back. "Odine's ready. He wants to be begin if you're......finished,"
Squall quickly composed himself, adoring a chance to escape what Seifer had asked of him. "Of course. Tell him to come in. We're.......we're ready....." Rising from his chair then as the others filed into the room, Squall tried to move away from the bed, away from the question he couldn't answer. But, a strong hand gripped his arm before he could.
"Squall," Seifer whispered, only loud enough for the young man next to him to hear. "Promise me....."
Turning hesitantly to face the bed, Squall looked down into Seifer's burning ocean eyes, broken by their pleading glare. His arm already ached from Seifer's desperate grasp, and his heart ached from the pull of emotion and indecision eating away at him from inside.
(.....what am I supposed to say.....?) Squall thought. (.....what..... 'Sure, I'll kill you, Seifer'........is that what he wants to hear? I'd never be able to do it.......but........how could I deny him that..........wouldn't I want the same thing........?)
Squall closed his eyes, feeling a released tear travel down his face and over the bandage on his cheek. He knew the answer he'd want if it was him in Seifer's shoes. He knew what he had to do.......
"I promise......" Squall whispered, leaning close to Seifer in the bed. ".....if this doesn't work.......though I pray it does.......if there is no other way........then......I'll stop you......"
Seifer smiled in unmatched gratitude, sliding his hand down to grasp Squall's. Close to brothers.....? No. They *were* brothers then, and even the unthinkable wouldn't be able to take that away from them.
"Are ve ready to proceed?" Odine's odd voice asked loudly.
Squall reluctantly pulled from Seifer's grip, walking towards the doctor. "We're ready,"
"Vonderful,"
The gang watched anxiously as Odine made his way to the bed. Squall joined Rinoa near the door, cherishing her arms around his waist. He would never tell any of them, not even the angel at his side, what he and Seifer had vowed. If fate chose to be so cruel as to put that promise to the test, Squall would follow through with it all on his own. The guilt on his shoulders alone.
"I vant you to relax," Odine instructed Seifer, holding the faintly glowing orb above the young SeeD's head. "Concentrate on ze center of ze orb. Vatch as it glows brighter.....calming you......surrounding you vith ze light.....as if you vere inside ze orb itself......"
Seifer listened as Odine's voice grew softer, fainter, while he stared into the orb, at the tiny glowing beacon of light within. He felt his eyelids drooping, the world around him fading away, leaving only the orb......the light inside its crystal walls.....
Suddenly, the light, those crystal walls, were all Seifer could see. He wasn't lying in his bed in the Infirmary anymore, he was standing. He was standing in a bright room with mirrored walls, reflecting his image back at him.
(What the.....where am I?!) Seifer thought, panicking as he spun around, searching for something familiar. (...I'm.....I'm inside the orb!)
"What's going on?!" he yelled, hearing his voice echo off the odd walls. "Is this what's supposed to happen?!"
/Stay calm...../ A voice sounded around him. /Look around you......vat do you zee...?/
Seifer recognized Odine's voice, though it sounded so far away.
"Mirrors!" he cried back. "Mirrors.......everywhere......"
Seifer had never been one for his own reflection. Before his betrayal of Garden, the aspiring knight had adored his image almost as much as his gunblade. But, ever since coming to the realization of all he'd done, the people he'd hurt along the way to fulfilling his romantic dream, he'd avoided the damned glass contraptions at every chance.
/Look at your reflection.....Seifer..../ Odine called. /Search beyond vat you zee, and find that vich does not belong....../
(Search for what doesn't belong.....?) Seifer thought, stepping towards one of the larger mirrors. (What doesn't belong?)
Seifer reached out his right hand, tracing the outline of his face reflected in the glass. It looked like a normal reflection to him......didn't it?
(No......something's wrong......) Seifer realized. It wasn't him in the mirror. It was, but........(........the look on my face......that sneer.......that's not me........)
Inching closer to the mirror, Seifer stared his reflection straight in his own turquoise eyes, studying them. Watching almost afraid at the image in front of him.....so like him......so unlike him. Then unexpectedly, Seifer's reflection grinned, though he himself had not, and the ocean eyes shown in the glass flashed red.
Seifer screamed, stumbling back, burying his face in his hands. The picture imprinted on his mind scared him so much, he couldn't stand to see it, to see the monster of himself. But......he knew he had to face it.....he had to face the monster to save the man.
Taking in a shuddering breath, Seifer pulled his hands from his face, lifting his head back up at the mirror in front of him. To his surprise, his reflection appeared completely normal. Unfortunately, Adel's reflection, standing just behind him, wasn't as welcome of a sight.
Seifer spun around, staring up in fear at the towering sorceress. The orb had indeed separated Adel from Seifer as intended. It was a success......but what was he supposed to do now?
"Help!" Seifer cried, backing himself up against the glass as Adel grinned menacingly down at him. "She's here! What do I do?!"
/She iz?/ Odine's voice asked happily. /My creation vurked?!/
"Yes, you freak! Now, help me!" Seifer angrily called back. "Get me outta here!"
"Seifer...." Adel purred, moving towards him. "Why are you trying to get away? You know you love that I'm apart of you....."
The sorceress reached out a ghostly white, clawed hand, stroking Seifer's face.
Unable to move, Seifer closed his eyes, his voice catching in his throat. "I hated....having you inside of me....... you turned me into a killer......."
"Ahh, but you loved that, too, little boy. I know you did......" she replied, trailing a deadly claw down Seifer's chest.
"No....." Seifer breathed, tears streaking down his face, his entire body shivering as Adel traced her claw along his skin. ".....I hated hurting them.......I hated it......."
"You loved it," she stated simply. "You cherished every moment as much as I did. Especially when you sliced your darling Quistis. You adored her pain......admit it!"
Seifer held his eyes closed, feeling Adel's hand loosely......yet dangerously.....around his throat. "NO!" he screamed, pulling from her grasp, and rushing passed her to the other side of the mirrored room. "Odine, tell me what to do?!" he cried to the walls. "How do I get out?!"
/Destroy vat pulled you in....../ the doctor answered matter-of-factly.
(What...?) Seifer thought, confused.
"Don't listen, Seifer! Don't leave me here!" Adel screamed, moving towards him once again. "You want me to be apart of you. Think of what glorious revenge we can take upon all of them! What wonders we could do together!"
"Wonders?!" Seifer screamed, backing away from her as she approached. "You bitch, you think you can fool me?! I don't need revenge like you.......I don't need your fucking bullshit anymore!! I'm not a killer.......I'm not a killer like you......."
Seifer shot his gaze around the room, searching for a way out.
(Destroy what pulled me in.......what pulled me in......) Seifer repeated in his mind. (Of course!)
Slipping past Adel once again, Seifer ran to the center of the room.........to the glowing light that had brought him there. Floating magically above the ground was a small flame, like that from a candle, though no wick kept this fire burning. Seifer smiled broadly at the tiny flame, pouring so much light into that room, and he turned back to Adel triumphantly.
"As much as I'll cherish our time together....." he began smugly, feeling a bit like his old self. "Burn in HELL you fucking witch!!" Seifer shot his arm out towards the flame then, smothering it with his hand. Though he'd always remember Adel's enraged scream, it was the darkness that followed which he'd treasure forever.
----------
All is well, the fight is won
the hero returns, a triumphant son
rejoicing to meet the coming day
with darkness past and gone away
But is the evil gone for good
does light survive, as well it should
Or does the darkness hide away
to come again some other day
Seifer fluttered his eyes open, feeling the exhaustion of his broken body. His memory felt choppy and incomplete as he awoke, and at first he couldn't remember where he was. Struggling to sit up, a familiar voice brought him back to reality.
"Finally awake I see," Squall stated gently. "How do you feel?"
Turning towards the voice, Seifer looked to his friend, seated in his usual chair beside the bed. Rinoa stood behind him, smiling warmly.
"Is it over?" Seifer breathed, still vague in what he remembered.
"Yes, Seifer, it is," Squall replied, reaching up to take Rinoa's hand as she placed it on his shoulder. "After your consciousness left the orb, leaving Adel inside, it turned completely black. Odine said that Adel would remain there until another sorceress accepted her powers, allowing her to die. We decided we'd rather be rid of her for good, so Rinoa......."
"You took her powers?" Seifer interrupted, a bit concerned as he stared up at the young sorceress.
"It's alright, Seifer." the brunette smiled. "This way we'll never have to worry about her again. Besides, more nifty magic for me!" Rinoa giggled lightly, leaning over the back of Squall's chair to wrap her arms around his neck. "She's gone.....forever. We even saw the orb turn white again after I took her powers. You don't have to worry about her anymore, Seifer. Just worry about getting better, and........."
Seifer waited for Rinoa to finish, but she only grinned, hugging Squall tighter.
"And what?" Seifer asked finally, creasing his forehead in mild annoyance.
Squall started grinning, too, as Seifer stared at the couple anxiously, until at last the SeeD Commander gestured with his head to the other side of the room. "And......worry about taking care of her....."
Seifer spun his head to the side at those words, looking beside him. Crammed into that tiny Infirmary room was not just his little bed, but someone else's, too. Right there next to him, barely an inch from him........lay Quistis Trepe. The love of his life. And........she was wide awake.
".....welcome back.......Seifer....." the pale instructor whispered weakly. "I never for a second.......believed you were the killer.......I knew better than that......."
Feeling new tears find their way down his own pale face, Seifer reached his hand across the small gap separating them, and grasped Quistis' delicate fingers, entwining them in his own.
"Quisty.....I'm so sorry I......"
"Shhhh....." Quistis shushed. "I'm fine....Seifer....and I don't blame you at all. So we get matching scars from this........big deal......we're still here.....aren't we.......and I still.......love you......more than anything in this world......."
"Quistis......my beautiful Quisty......I love you......I love you......." came Seifer's whimpered reply, as he lifted his hand from hers to stroke the gold strands from her face.
"I think that's our cue to leave....." Rinoa grinned, pulling Squall's arm to lift him from the chair. "Don't forget to rest at least some of the time while you're here, ok?"
"And we'll come as often as we can until you're out of here," Squall added, though the two blondes barely heard. They were too busy cherishing the chance to be together again.
"Come on, Squall," Rinoa giggled, pushing him out the door. She stole one last glance at the two before stepping through it herself. But......if only they had been watching her, they might have caught a glimpse of warning for what was to come, as her deep, brown eyes.......flashed red.
THE END
**********
I mean it, that's the end. Finshed. Complete. But.......there will be a sequel. My good friend Winterheart has begged to write one, and so she shall. If you choose to believe my ending is the final word, so be it, but I ask that you please see what she has in store for you. Her email address is megwill58@hotmail.com if you want to bug her about getting it done.
Well, I'm pretty happy with my work, but I MUST have feedback. PLEASE! Tell me what you thought. Do I suck? Should I never write again? Was it maybe.....kinda good? Anything, just let me know.
Hope you enjoyed! Love you all, and see you next ficcie! :-)