Queen of Souls
By Soul Hunter
Chapter Thirteen
Captain Andrea Frost couldn't believe her eyes. It wasn't exactly a first for her to receive an order that she deemed on the preposterous side. She's had her share of the frivolous display of authority by the chain of command. Back when she was still a lieutenant, one particularly bloodthirsty major ordered her to sink an already helpless Galbadian frigate for reasons that were not given to her. The primary mission they were briefed for was simply to lend assistance to a small vessel of White SeeDs that carried a passenger who apparently was an object of special interest for Esthar's president. They already had the smaller Galbadian fleet on the run, and she thought there wasn't any need for such extreme measure anymore. The young officer hated it, but she nevertheless complied, ordering her men to open fire on the disabled enemy ship.
But this has got to be the most rotten apple in the basket, she thought to herself. Looking at the secure transmission handed to her by one of her lieutenants, Captain Frost scowled in both disbelief and exasperation, wondering what could possibly have possessed her superiors to issue this command. She was just ordered to lead her troops in apprehending Deputy Commander Quistis Trepe, as per an urgent request they received from Balamb Garden Headmaster Cid Kramer himself.
"What's this all about?" She blurted out to her aid.
"From what I heard, Captain, Commander Trepe deserted her unit right after the meeting with Major Pearson and Captain Laggan in Camp Tetsuo. I'm not sure of the details myself, but they said they received a distress signal from the SeeDs who turned up in this old labyrinth near Deling City a few hours after that. Balamb Garden is currently sending rescuers at this very moment."
Andrea sighed, thinking why did it have to be desertion of all the infractions Quistis could commit. And despite the fact that she knew the Balamb instructor for her competence, the Estharian soldier, being highly decorated herself for her exploits, was also aware of how grave such a violation is. Given this, she had no choice but to comply with the order no matter how much she trusted the SeeD's judgment or believed she had a good reason for abandoning her comrades.
"And they're bothering us with this? Why not send their own SeeDs to arrest her?"
"It looks like they don't have the extra personnel to spare. Everyone's away on winter break."
This definitely wouldn't make her job any easier. It was bad enough that she had to work with a trimmed down battalion. Now she had to divide her forces between the continued pursuit of the soul devourer and the apprehension of Quistis Trepe. How could things be any worse?
"And uh, there's one more issue that needs your attention, Captain." Lieutenant Boro Makamaka added apprehensively
"What?"
"The Galbadian infantry battalion has arrived." He stated. "You know, the ones requested by General Pischke to assist us in this operation."
Her first reaction was that of disdain. She hated having to rely on the assistance of the Galbadian military whose capabilities she considered has lots of room for improvement. Captain Frost didn't appreciate the irony that came with the fact that they had to depend on inferior help. However, her face lit up upon hatching an idea.
"Galbadian? All right. Go out there on my behalf and give them their first order."
"And what would that be, ma'am?"
"Tell them to hunt down Commander Trepe for me."
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Log: 03 January 2001
I'm going to deviate from my usual procedure to record a momentous event in my life. I can't help but think about the times when people just stumble on to something that turned out to be the answer to a question that's been nagging at them their whole lives. Sometimes, it's just so marvelous to think about these things. How does one know when he's found THE ONE for him?
Looking back at my life (not counting the hundred years that I slept), I've lost track of how long I've asked myself this question. Notwithstanding the fact that my task had been preordained even before the moment of my birth, there's still this concern inside me that begs to know what else is there to life worthy enough for me to continue living it. After I have completed my mission (if I ever do complete my mission), what is there left for me to do? Spend the rest of my days in solitude, wondering endlessly when I'd outlast my usefulness and just drop dead?
I may never know. I still have to complete the purpose to which my birth had been justified. But still, I don't know if I'm willing to continue my walk knowing that I may never find the answer. I may appear content and needing nothing. But deep inside I have this emptiness that nothing in this world seem adequate to fill.
And then she came along. And she proved beyond reasonable doubt that some answers are just waiting to reveal themselves, lurking beneath everyone's nose until the time comes for them to unequivocally prove one's purpose to live.
When I kissed her last night when I touched her and held her close, I knew that she's the one. I won't bother to explain why anymore in an effort to prove it to myself. The important thing is it's in my heart, and my heart nods in full agreement to the truth that she's the answer to my lifelong question. More than the task to end the threat of the soul reaper ever manifested, she is my reason for living. I am born to be with her. I am born to love her.
I just hope time will be kind to us both.
While we were watching the sunrise this morning, there's a thought that possessed me. I couldn't shake it off no matter how hard I tried. The sun is beautiful in the morning. I've always admired it. And I'm pretty sure that a lot of people see it in the same light as I do, so to speak. It was made even more beautiful by the girl I was holding in my arms. The girl who gave me the ultimate happiness by deciding to spend the rest of her life with me. Provided that we both live through this experience, Quistis and I are getting married.
Even the sound of those words overwhelms me. I don't think I could ever recall being this happy. And it is my fervent wish to give her back the happiness that she has given me. Ever since I first laid eyes on her, I wanted desperately to be the one to finally give her the joy that she deserves. I
I just hope time will be kind to us
But what am I trying to drive at? I guess it's just this. Quistis lived her life as an orphan who never knew the comfort of her parents' touch. And yet she persevered to better herself in the hopes that her life could somehow count for something. I was born with a sword in my mouth, destined to do battle against a being whose only purpose in life was to feast on people's souls. The one thing we have in common is our mission to preserve this world from extinction, as much as our abilities will permit.
I looked out toward the sea this morning, admiring the beauty that it possessed. I thought about all those people at the other side of the world wondering if this world is indeed worth saving.
I'm sure there's at least one other couple out there enjoying the kind of happiness Quisty and I are sharing right now. And if only for that, then I guess the world truly is worth saving.
End log.
His warm smile accompanied the tender glow in his heart as a soft click emanated when he closed his pocket computer. Lingering in deep thought, Hunter wondered if there was anything else he left out. The rays of the sun were already shining magnificently through the glass canopy of the Ragnarok's cockpit. His face felt the biting warmth, reveling in it as if it marked the blessed day that commenced the completion of his life.
He scoffed at himself, amused at his demeanor. For so long, the concept of joy seemed so remote, and he once accepted the elusive nature of unqualified contentment as one reserved only for the young. Now he felt like a boy once more. A toddler who had just been given his most ardent wish. Every fiber in his being jubilated in the thrill, every thought in his mind marveled at the fortune bestowed on him. Hunter pondered, he has got to be the luckiest man in the world for having been granted the love of the most amazing woman in existence.
His heart leapt at the sound of her voice.
"Hey, stranger. What are you doing?"
"Oh, nothing." Hunter beamed while tucking the electronic device inside his utility belt. "Just catching up on some things."
"Uhmm" Quistis moaned, bringing her arms around his neck. "Canceling all your dates, I hope."
"Yep. I broke a lot of hearts today, thanks to you."
"Liar." She tenderly echoed while kissing him softly on the cheeks. When he turned to her, Hunter noticed the black material cladding her arms.
"Hey, what's this you're wearing?"
"You like it?" Quistis shot back, stepping away to give him a better view of her new attire. "Headmaster Cid thought using our SeeD uniforms in missions that involve frontal assault was rather inconvenient. So he had these made, our new SeeD battle suit, made from the latest in Estharian technology. Air-cooled Kevlar overalls, internal micro circuitry with built in network interface, weapon holsters, amplified communicator set, utility pockets and it also comes with a headgear with limited sealed systems capability. You're not the only one with the fancy black suit, you know."
He chuckled amusedly while the instructor twirled before him like a fashion model, showing off the uniform as she explained its features. Quistis was unaware that her explanations were falling on deaf ears, as Hunter wasn't really paying attention to her words and was too busy admiring the eye-pleasing shapes and curves of her body showing through the tight fitting ensemble. Though it didn't take long for the keen instructor to catch on.
"You weren't listening to me, were you?"
"Huh? Uh, no." He suddenly stammered. "I mean, yes I'm listening to you. Whatever gave you that idea?"
Quistis drew her face close to his, as Hunter felt intoxicated once more by the sweet smell of her breath.
"If your eyes had hands, they'd already have ripped this battle suit off me the same way you did my clothes."
"Heh yeah" He sheepishly retorted just as her lips landed a kiss on his. As she stepped away, he still stared with mesmerized eyes at her lovely figure. It was complemented by her soft, blonde hair that was pulled back in a ponytail, with some loose strands hanging down silkily over her face. These all coupled with her refined and graceful movement that perennially gave her that lingering, regal splendor. He couldn't help echoing out his awe.
"All those students are right about you. You do look like a queen."
"Really" She quipped back, losing the glow in her face. "A queen now that's something, isn't it?"
Hunter noticed the darkness that crept over her face. "Hey, is there something wrong?"
"Well no. There's nothing wrong per se." She replied. "It's just that I really don't like being looked upon as a queen or anything like that. I mean, it's nice and all, and I used to appreciate it a lot. But sometimes, too much of the good thing can be awkward and even sickening."
"You don't like being popular? That's funny. A lot of people I know are ready to do crazy stuffs just to gain some popularity. Like this guy I met awhile ago. He paid his classmate two hundred gils just to spread all this BS that supposedly made his classmates think he's so cool."
"Did it work?" The instructor returned curiously as her wearied expression gradually vanished.
"Like a charm." He quipped. "Well, that is until another guy poured a bottle of laxative into his mochaccino."
"Goodness gracious" She blurted out. "That is so gross!"
"Ha-ha! Tell me about it! They had to close down the ladies' room for a whole week to clean up his mess!"
"Why would he be in a ladies'?" Quistis exclaimed, unsure whether to laugh or cringe. "Oh, never mind. At least no one at Garden has pulled a stunt like that yet."
"I can imagine." Hunter exclaimed. "It seems to me like they were all too busy in trying to get your approval. But I really don't blame them."
'Too busy in trying to get your approval.' The phrase echoed repeatedly inside the instructor's mind. It was true, she admitted. No matter how much she denied it, it was obvious that every student in all her classes had put her on top of a pedestal. She liked it at first, and even reveled in the glory brought about by her immense popularity that was punctuated by the creation of her very own 'fans club'. It even brought about some fringe benefits in the form of improved performances from her students, who were driven to excel in class in their desire to gain her approval.
But it didn't take long before she grew uncomfortable with the extremely high regard she was accorded by almost everybody. And the instructor soon found it stifling as she began to be branded with such titles like 'legend', 'empress', 'goddess', 'savior', 'saint', and everyone's personal favorite: 'Queen'. Rinoa even called her once the Queen of Balamb Garden. Quistis didn't want to look ungrateful in front of her loyal admirers, but she also could no longer deny that the idea had been gradually growing repulsive for her. It wasn't really the expectations that she thought she had to measure up to. Yes, she once lost her teaching job due to what the faculty staff mistakenly deemed as her lack of leadership qualities. But her role in defeating Ultimecia almost instantly gave back everything she lost, and then some. She had never again faced the problem of expectations since that time. As far as everyone was concerned, she no longer had anything else to prove.
Still, her renown had withheld from her the very basic of what every girl her age desired. Despite her popularity, Quistis still struggled to gain the one wish that her students, friends, and colleagues unwittingly denied her. Yes, she was the enchanting queen, great instructor and legendary warrior. However, she was also, first and foremost, a teenager who just wanted to be treated like an equal. An unassuming peer. A simple person.
She just wanted to be herself.
Quistis looked at Hunter with a reluctant expression. "Is that how you look at me? Like I'm some sort of royalty?"
"No and yes." He replied while walking toward her. "No, because for me, you're just a girl who should be loved, nurtured, and babied. Never mind that you're a warrior, I don't give a damn about that. All I know is you're my fragile sweetheart you're the girl I love. And I will take care of you, protect you, and lay my life for you if I have to."
She felt her hesitation disappear and was promptly replaced by a serene gladness that deeply penetrated into her being. Her face once again glowed in peaceful revelry as her dark knight continued.
"And yes in a manner of speaking. Because from now on, you are and will always be the queen of my heart and soul."
"You're going to turn me into a spoiled brat with all these sweet nothings." She chuckled fondly. "And don't forget we still have a job to do."
"Oh oh yeah!" He snapped out upon being reminded about the incubus. "We still have to make sure he won't be able to cause anymore trouble."
Hunter double checked his gear once more before he and Quistis slid down once more over the dragon ship's nose. Their dispositions were generally sprightly as they traversed the short length between the felled space shuttle and the location where they fought against the soul devourer. Both fully thought that there was nothing else left to do but the clean-up chore that normally comes after a battle.
They suddenly stopped dead on their tracks.
"Great Hyne!"
"Oh no!"
The intruder and the instructor both froze in horror, their faces turning ashen with dread when they reached the spot where she had previously buried the incubus. There was a mound of earth and sand that marked the burial place when Quistis left it the day before. Now there was nothing left but a deep and gaping hole.
End of Chapter Thirteen