THE FOURTH UNIVERSE
CHAPTER 6
"It's not your fault, Squall."
"No, that's not true. You're my responsibility."
"It's not your fault, Squall."
"It is my fault!"
"It's not your fault, Squall."
"I shouldn't have summoned you. I should have fought my own fight."
"Is that why you told me to stay in Garden?"
"Huh..?"
"Is that why you left me behind? I'm your responsibility?"
"Quezacotl?"
"Who's Quezacotl?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm the one you left behind Garden."
"You're"
"Why, Squall? Is it because you wanted to protect me?"
"Yes, I"
"Or because you just plain don't trust me."
"No you know that's not"
"But, I still love you in spite of that. I guess I will always love you, Squall."
""
"I will always love you."
" Rinoa"
"??? Who's Rinoa???"
"WHAT! Aren't you..?"
"I'm going to marry you, Squall?
"WHO ARE YOU?!? WHERE'S RINOA?!? RINOA!!!"
Profusely sweating under his white shirt, Squall Leonhart screamed to the top of his lungs. He groped for something to hold on to, something to affix himself on to fight the vertigo sensation of plunging down a deep ravine.
Then he felt soft, gentle hands pulling his head tenderly against warm shoulders. He gasped and labored for precious gulps of air in his effort to somehow enable himself break free from the nauseating disorientation.
"What's going on here?"
"Everything's fine, Selphie. Squall is just having a bad dream." Rinoa assured her friend while holding her lover close to her. "How about the others?"
"Quistis is already up." Selphie replied. "Irvine and Zell seem to be okay according to Dr. Kadowaki."
"And Nida?"
"Nida" Selphie trailed off. "He doesn't look too good."
Their anxious exchange was cut short when Balamb Garden's resident physician joined them inside the thatched cottage. Thirty-six hours ago, Headmaster Cid informed Rinoa and Selphie that the SeeDs dispatched to confront Tengu in Timber were found unconscious along the sandy coast of Mandy Beach. Wasting no time, the pair immediately commandeered a SeeD personnel carrier vessel similar to those used in the Dollet assault more than a year ago. It took them half a day just to traverse the wide expanse of ocean between Balamb and Timber country, and another few hours of car ride from the town of Timber to an isolated farm located in a remote region adjacent to Obel Lake. The owner of the farm, a certain Siegfried Waller, met the two young ladies, who thanked him later on for finding and taking care of their comrades.
Dr. Kadowaki arrived a few hours ago together with Headmaster Cid and his wife, Edea. The subsequent arrival of the five consequently expedited the recovery process for the injured SeeDs. And shortly after, Squall, Zell and Irvine sat alongside each other along the wooden platform fronting Siegfried's main cabin. Staring blankly into the vast, green surroundings, the three young men sulked in sullen recollection of the last things they saw before being introduced to darkness.
"That's it. It's over." Irvine mumbled almost inaudibly.
"What?" Zell exclaimed when he made out what his downhearted comrade whispered. "What do you mean It's over'?"
"It's over. We're done for. Can't you understand English? We're through."
"Man, I can't believe you've given up. What is wrong with you? Just because we lost our GFs doesn't mean we have to quit fighting."
"How much would it take to drum it into your thick skull, Zell? Without our GFs, we're fish food. The only thing we'll ever be good at is fighting a small platoon of incompetent Galbadian cadets!"
"Geez, I can't freakin' believe you!" Zell stood up to directly face Irvine. He was about to spew out a series of inflamed comments when Squall butted in.
"Irvine's right. Without the GFs, we're no match against the likes of Vesta." The head SeeD remarked. "She'll roll over us like so much amateurs."
Zell didn't respond and instead simply lowered his head in defeat. Much as he wanted to insist the contrary, his comrades are right. If they want to have a semblance of a chance against the evil death-bringer, they need the assistance of Guardian Forces.
"Isn't there any way for us to revive them? I think we still have a coupl'a G-Returners left."
"I'm afraid it's not possible, Zell." Squall wearily disagreed. "Unlike in past instances, they weren't junctioned to us when Vesta killed them."
"Yeah. Besides, without the GF abilities, all of our items are no more useful than a couple of paper weights or key chains." Irvine furthered.
"Oh man this just friggin' sucks!"
Squall didn't answer. Looking around, he saw a faint vision of two distant figures occupying a spot by the lake. He recognized one of the two as their generous albeit social graces-deficient host, Siegfried. However, he had some difficulty trying to make out the identity of the woman keeping the farm owner company.
Taking a few steps closer, Squall was mildly surprised to recognize Quistis, with her hair hanging down again. He doesn't exactly understand why, but while watching the two immerse themselves in what seemed to be a sprightly conversation, the SeeD commander's reaction became replete with negative feelings and bad vibes. He does not approve of what he sees.
"Heh, thought she only had eyes for you, huh." A less disheartened Zell approached from behind. "Quisty having the hots for you, I understand. But for this guy I need to have a talk with instructor."
"Shut up!" Squall snapped at Zell before walking away.
"What did I say?"
"First it's Xu. Now, Nida." A tired-looking Dr. Kadowaki uttered. Edea slowly approached the beleaguered physician and rested a sympathetic hand on her shoulders. "I don't know what do to anymore. This is way beyond my league now."
The comely-faced woman whom the youngsters fondly call Matron then turned her attention to the equally puzzled Rinoa. "Did you do what I told you to do, dear?"
"Yes, Matron." Rinoa replied. "But I sensed nothing, other than Nida's badly bruised spirit. But at least I know that he's definitely lost his junction like Squall and the others."
"Just as I thought." Edea murmured with a look of deep thought. "The others lost their junctions when their GFs intentionally disconnected. But in Nida's case, it's different. That explains why he's in a state of severe catalepsy."
"What do you mean, Matron?"
"It's like this, Selphie. Imagine a wound dressing made of very sticky bandage. How would it feel if you suddenly yank the bandage off the skin?"
"Ooo, that's gotta hurt." A grimacing Selphie reacted. "So how can we help Nida?"
"Hopefully, he just needs some time to rest. If this turns out worse than it is, we can always touch bases with Dr. Odine in Esthar. I'm confident he can easily treat Nida's condition."
"So what you're saying, Edea," Cid started, "is Nida's spirit was injured when the GF junctioned to him was forcibly taken away. Is that it?" Edea nodded her head in sad concurrence.
"Super-duper-mega-bummer! That means we don't have any GF left."
"This is very bad. I wonder what Squall's planning to do about this." Rinoa thought aloud. "How can we fight Vesta without our powers?"
"You'll do what any wise and prudent warrior will, Rinoa." The Headmaster responded. "Find another way."
Walking ever slowly as if counting his own stride, the concerned SeeD commander gradually made his way to where his comrade was engaged in a lively talk with their host. Strangely enough, the two seemed to be oblivious of his approach, which provided for an even more perturbed disposition in him. Coming within audible proximity, Squall feigned an itchy throat to get their attention.
"Oh, hi Squall. How long have you been standing there?" Quistis reacted. Squall didn't know if she's merely being sarcastic or she really was too engrossed with Siegfried to notice his arrival. It all the more added to his agitation. "We're just having a little talk here."
"No shit." Squall snapped back, throwing a somewhat sharp side-glance toward Siegfried. "I would hate to cut your afternoon short, but we do have more important things to discuss."
"Oh okay. You don't mind if Sieg sticks around, do you?" the former instructor requested, which all the more puzzled the head SeeD. Sieg'? Since when did Quistis start abbreviating anyone's name? And more importantly, she should know better than to allow an outsider to listen in when they start talking about SeeD matters. What's gotten into her?
Squall tried to resist the urge to tell him off, fearing that it might send the wrong signal to the two. Instead, he just gave Quistis a deliberate stare to send her the message that business is business. Siegfried easily caught on to his unspoken requisite.
"That's fine, Quisty. I'll be right here if you need me."
Quisty'? Squall's right eyebrow elevated slightly. There's definitely something fishy going on here.
"So, what's up, Squall?"
"What do you mean what's up'? You know our current predicament."
"I I know. What I meant to say is, what are we going to do now?" a blushing Quistis, slightly embarrassed for her absent-minded quip, returned.
"Well, first thing's first. Now that we don't have our GFs, we must find another way to combat Vesta's threat."
"GF? Did you say you need a GF?" A mysterious voice echoed, startling the two SeeDs. Simultaneously turning around to the source of the intruding voice, Squall and Quistis became mildly puzzled upon setting eyes on the familiar dark shadow inhabiting Obel Lake. "I'm a GF."
"You're a GF?" the SeeD commander exclaimed to the caliginous form whom he recognized as the one who once asked them for help in finding a certain elusive primate. "Why didn't you tell us that before?"
"Because he's with me." Siegfried interrupted as he walked back to join them. "That's one Guardian Force that no one can get his hands on."
The pacifist's remark consequently evoked a questioning look from the pretty instructor. "He's with you? Wait a minute, I thought you didn't believe in fighting." Quistis vehemently interrogated, to which Siegfried never gave an answer, opting instead to introduce them to his shadowy friend.
"His name's Jeremiah. And I reckon you've met him before."
Unmindful of their host's comment, Squall turned once again to Jeremiah. "If that's the case, then we need your help."
"You don't waste any time, do you?" the Guardian Force shot back. "I'd love to offer you my aid. But like Siegfried said, I'm with him. Unlike other GFs you know, I'm one who cannot switch junctioners. It seems I'm eternally connected to his spirit."
"How's that possible?" Quistis interrupted.
"Haven't the slightest. It's always been this way since the first time I junctioned myself to him. I still remember how this egotistical mook tried to resist my help even though he's about to be ripped apart by a pack of Grendels. But over time, I guess you can say I sort of grew on him."
"A GF that voluntarily offers his help. Fascinating." Quistis pondered. Since her days as a young Garden cadet, the crack SeeD operative has never encountered a servitor spirit who did the same thing. Either she would draw one from a monster she fought, or she'd fight the GF itself, much like how she and Squall battled to acquire the fire-elemental, Ifrit. Of course, there were a few exceptions. Like Doomtrain, who likewise willfully offered his alliance to them. But that was after they had to undergo the grueling task of fighting Wendigos, Malboros, and spending a stretch of time in that infernal place ironically known as the Island Closest to Heaven.
Unfortunately, Jeremiah is somehow permanently fused in spirit to Siegfried. So that means borrowing' him is out of the question. And that means there is only one way for them to secure the aid of this Guardian Force: they must try to get Siegfried to join their group.
But would he do it? She knows him to possess this incorrigible adherence to the extremist principle of pacifism, which means trying to convince him to convene with a bunch of mercenaries would be next to impossible. She can't begin to understand why, but Quistis felt a tinge of disappointment with that last part of her chain of thoughts.
"But don't lose heart, young warriors." Jeremiah once again spoke out. "I am not the only one left."
"What?" Squall exclaimed. "You mean there are more?"
"What do you expect? Your ill-fated allies are not the only Guardian Forces inhabiting this world, you know. Though most are not as mighty as the ones you once wielded, the fragments of Hyne's power have multiplied in scores. All you have to do is know where to look."
"Huh? What do you mean fragments of Hyne's power'?" Squall quizzically shot back.
"You really don't know diddly-squat, do you?" Jeremiah exclaimed with a more casual tone. "Guardian Forces are nothing more than independent pieces of the once omnipotent Hyne's great powers. They are, in a manner of speaking, free-floating immortal energies unconstrained by the restrictive embodiment of the sorceresses. Throughout the centuries, these energies evolved into pseudo-sentient entities while assuming either elemental or non-elemental forms. The ones whom you called allies, they just happen to be the strongest of them all. But like I said, there are a myriad of others still out there. Most are insignificant, but some do wield considerable might."
"But how come we never encountered anyone else aside from the ones we had?" Quistis interjected. "Have you any idea of the arduous quest we had to endure to find these GFs?"
"That's because of your timing." The shadow continued. "For most of the time, these Guardians find abode in an ethereal realm beyond the confines of space-time. It is known in your language as the dimensional interval. Occasionally, they assume tangible forms in random locations in the physical world. The only exception of which are the two Brothers, Sacred and Minotaur. They seem to have developed a liking for the worldly essence and more or less became permanent fixtures in the physical plane. Didn't you notice their accents?"
"Oh yeah I once heard Gilgamesh mentioning the dimensional interval." The instructor remarked. "But why is it called that way? I may be thinking a little bit recklessly here, but the fact that it's called the dimensional interval' kinda suggests, at least for me, that it serves as a separator between planes of existence. But please forgive me if the idea sounds ridiculous."
"No, not at all, my astute friend. You want in on a little secret?"
"Sure."
"The dimensional interval does serve as a blanket between dimensions, at least according to the other Guardians. I've never had first-hand experience on these other planes myself owing to my dedication to Siegfried, but it seems ever since they first evolved from Hyne's essence, some of my colleagues have been moonlighting in other worlds as well. Though it appears that the methods of their operation in these other dimensions differ greatly from this one. For example, I once overheard His Majesty, King Bahamut arguing with the fearsome Odin why he had to diverge his participation in between this world and one that used some sort of substance for the purpose of summoning them."
"What do you mean diverge'?
"Odin's method of operation differed between the planes. Here, he merely appears whenever he wishes to. Back in a neighboring dimension, the warriors who wield his alliance can summon him at will, albeit with limited frequency."
"Fascinating" Quistis muttered.
"Wait a minute" Squall then interrupted. "Let's go back to the issue at hand. You mentioned immortal, Jeremiah. Do you mean the cannot-be-killed type of immortal?"
"Yes. When possessed of Hyne's power, the sorceresses become immortal. That's why if they wish to meet true peace in death, they have to give up their powers first. In the case of Guardian Forces, we are ourselves Hyne's power. And immortality is as innate to us as heat is to fire. With the exception of two counterfeits, all Guardian Forces cannot be permanently killed. I know of nothing in this universe that can exact true death to a GF."
"Then what happened to our Guardians?" Squall anxiously followed up. "How was Vesta able to kill them?"
"That, my stalwart SeeDs, is a puzzle unto itself. And I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that question."
"Okay, one last question, Jeremiah. Where can we find these GFs?"
"Use your instinct, SeeD leader. Use the faculties granted you to fulfill your destiny. I can tell you what you want to know, but it would be better for you to prove your mettle by finding them yourself."
"Oh, great!" the head SeeD remarked. "Another test of strength."
"One you're bound to fail in your current, powerless states." Jeremiah added. "Whether you like it or not, you will need help to survive this task."
"I realize that." Quistis shot out while simultaneously training her gaze to Siegfried, who consequently turned his back on the female warrior. Tossing a brief glance at Squall as if asking for some privacy, Quistis then went after the indifferent FH resident.
"I guess I don't need to tell you just how much we need your help, Sieg."
"And what makes you think I have what it takes to help you?"
"Please don't take me for a fool, Siegfried. You junction a GF. You protect this farm single-handedly against predators. I mean what else do you want me to say just to prove to myself that you can fight?"
He paused, not knowing what to say in light of the opposing forces viciously clashing to dominate his conviction. And when Siegfried spoke, his voice cracked, reeking with uncertainty and devoid of the firm resolve it used to brandish.
"I can't fight. I'm a"
"You're a pacifist, I know." Quistis snapped back with an evidently incensed tone. "A narrow-minded, short-sighted pacifist whose self-aggrandizing idiosyncrasy is surpassed only by your deliberately-inflicted blindness. Dammit, Siegfried! Can't you see that our enemy threatens to erase this peace' that you value so much? Then what? To whom will you then preach your precious principle' when everybody's already dead?!?"
In a fit of mixed agitation and disappointment, the SeeD scampered off, and continued running until she disappeared from his sight. Though he wanted so badly to run after Quistis, Siegfried was so overcome by shame that all he could do was look at Jeremiah with guilt-riddled eyes.
"Siegfried" Jeremiah softly remarked as he began to sink back into the lake. "Don't ever say I didn't warn you."
"Fascinating little grunt, isn't he?"
"Quite a choice of word there. Little grunt'? If this creature happens to be free, he can burn you to a crisp as easily as taking a deep breath."
"Bah! I can squash this idiot like a bug!"
Vesta nearly exploded in rambunctious laughter after hearing Tengu's boastful remark. "You never fail to amuse me with your indiscriminate braggadocio, Tengu. Squash him like a bug? Have you forgotten that you nearly got your head handed to you by Diablos?"
Totally humiliated, the Ogre-Bat now bearing a scar on his hideous face didn't utter a word. Deep inside, he resented the fact that his mistress had to rescue him from the wrath of an admittedly far more superior adversary. Though he knows he should be thankful, his towering ego is insulating him from any semblance of gratitude. But he dared not express his inner bitterness for fear of the malevolent Vesta's disdain.
"Such mighty spirits." The mistress quipped while shuffling a small yet lucent tetrahedron between her fingers. "And now, so powerless. Isn't omnipotence sweet, Tengu?"
"If you will excuse me for my ignorance, mistress, I thought you just need the elementals and the counterfeit GF. So why didn't you kill this Bahamut together with the rest?"
Vesta's contemptuous glare followed that of his unsightly servant's, toward the Guardian Force renowned for his legendary might. "Bahamut has always been a fascination for me. His name has been passed down across generations. His power ignores any and all kinds of defense. He will make a fine pet who will adorn my soon-to-be divine front trusses."
"You can only dream, doomed witch." The reputed king of all Guardian Forces defiantly shot back. "When I get out of this prison, I will revel at the sight of your smoldering carcass. And I will savor the aroma of your burning flesh."
"Ha ha ha! Such pride! Such majestic grandeur! You will make a fine addition to my personal guard, Bahamut."
The allusion of Vesta's intent at turning him into her slave was more than the sovereign Guardian's pride can endure. Coupled with the demise of some of his constituents and his perception of the others' degrading incarceration, the insult consequently brought Bahamut to the brink of blind rage.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE OTHER GUARDIANS?!?" Bahamut screamed with such fury that it almost made Tengu cower with fear. "WHERE ARE THEY?!?"
"Why, you highness," the witch retorted tauntingly. "control your temper. You and your pitiful subjects tried to attack me, so I can do no less. How was I to know that your vaunted Guardian Forces can be so easily dispatched by a mere Light Pillar?" A taunting remark that she followed with a reverberating guffaw meant to further affront the furious dragon lord.
Unable to express his immeasurable rage with words, Bahamut opted to cease his outburst, as he channeled his wrath to visualizing the most excruciating ways of making Vesta suffer for her transgression. Noticing how the GF abruptly fell silent, Vesta once again turned her attention to Tengu.
"It's time, hideous one. As soon as you're done licking your wounds, we go for the third. And after that, the portals."
"Uh I don't mean to interrupt your plans, mistress. But how can you think of going for the third target after we had just failed to secure the second?"
Vesta's glowing eyes squinted with amusement.
"Oh? What ever gave you the idea that we failed?"
He never thought he'd find a need for it again. Looking back, Siegfried grimaced after recalling how the immense power of this ancient relic mercilessly took the life of a defenseless Anacondaur. Though the snake monster did violate his borders, he knows it was only reacting to its instinctive urge for survival. From that point on, the reclusive Siegfried vowed never again to use the potency of this weapon against a living being.
But now, for the choice of the lesser evil and the favor of one woman, he is about to break his solemn oath. Flashing a wry smile, Siegfried attempted to comprehend how a mere girl, and a mercenary for that matter, could take him to the brink of forsaking the very precept he holds sacred. Closing his eyes, he pictured in his mind the disarming visage of the alluring Quistis Trepe, and shook his head in mixed dismay and amazement.
"Women, you are indeed the cause of every man's downfall."
"So, you're the one who now wields the might of the Soul Hunter."
Startled, Siegfried abruptly turned to the sight of Edea Kramer, the erstwhile enigmatic sorceress who now serves as the SeeDs' co-advisor.
"I apologize for intruding on to you like this." Edea followed up. "But it seems the uncanny compulsion I've been feeling ever since arriving here is not without good reason. I trust that you know how to control its incredible powers."
Siegfried stared intently at the elder woman's gentle face. He's not sure why, but he felt a sudden wave of calm in the midst of her presence.
"In retrospect, my lady, I truly wish I didn't have to use this elemental staff again. But I'm afraid that is not to be the case."
"Then you'll help us." Edea half-inquisitively remarked, to which Siegfried responded with a deep breath before finally lifting himself up.
"I guess it is fate. So what can I do to help?"