Chapter 27
"Lets get a move on." Said Squall, "We can not waste another minute." He opened the door to the infirmary to be greeted by three blank faces, which had been listening in to the conversation. Selphie stepped forward.
"It's not true is it? Not our Rinoa?" Squall gravely nodded his head. Irvine spoke.
"What do we do?"
"We find out where Yannie was off to. Then we follow."
"Then what?" added Zell. Squall shrugged.
"I don't know."
"First things first," said Quistis, taking control of the situation. "Let's check Cid's diary. It might have some info for us." The door to Cid's office was unlocked, due to the suddenness of his departure.
"Here's his diary." Noticed Selphie. It was lay open atop the desk, an open pen resting on one of the pages.
"What's it say?" asked Zell. Selphie picked it up and read the open pages.
[I]"Hmm, lets see, 'Sign papers for next years recruits, meeting with accountant… business conference… pick up suit from dry cleaners…[/I] It goes on. Nothing interesting. Nothing we need to know."
"Well, it's not going to be there is it? Give it here." Irvine snatched the book away from her hands. He flipped a couple of pages back. "If it's going to be anywhere, it would be a few days ago." He looked at Selphie. "You can hack into any computer, but diaries get the better of you?" He read the pages. "Ah, this could be it. [I]'Student ID 347, meet with Ed at orp. Escorted by Student ID 176.'[/I] That's Gered's ID, 176. The other one might be her."
"I think I recall her number beginning with a three." Said Selphie.
"But what does that mean? [I]Meet with Ed at orp.[/I]?" asked Quistis. "I didn't know the headmaster knew an Ed. It could be…"
"Edea!" shouted Zell.
"Orp?" Squall though a minute. "Orp, orp, Orphanage!"
"So," concluded Irvine, Yannie went with Gered to see Edea at the Orphanage. Why?"
"No time for questions." Said Squall. "This is the only lead we have. We've wasted enough time already. We have to leave now. Get Xu and Nida. Someone get the ship ready. They could be way ahead of us, but I'd like to see them try to outrun the Ragnarok." Selphie almost gave her trademark 'Woohoo!' before remembering whom they were going to fight.
Squall's mind was troubled. Fighting matron was one thing, like fighting your own mother. But this was Rinoa. The only person he loved. He thought back to the day when Balamb Garden first became mobile. He saw her face as she turned toward him, and her black hair blowing in the wind. She was beauty made real. And she was his. Completely and utterly his. It always seemed like a dream, how she could love someone like him. And yet she did.
How on earth could he fight her? Did he have to? Those words she uttered suddenly took on a deeper more dark meaning. [I]One-day Squall's sword will pierce my heart.[/I] He never understood what she meant until now. Did she know about this? Could she see the future? Can the future be changed? Is everyone just a puppet of fate, or do we shape our own destiny? If they didn't fight, she would be unstoppable. If he did fight, he would risk loosing her forever. He didn't want to choose. He wanted to be stood with her at the flower field. Ironically though, he soon would be.
*********************
"Why can I remember nothing?" she asked Edea. "Surely, if all you have told me is true, I should have some memory of it?" Edea thought over this for a while.
"I could be the same reason that GF cause memory loss. Your power probably has much in common with GFs. I just don't know. That is one question for Odine. As soon as he is found, I have no doubts you will want to talk to him.
"So, I guess I have no parents huh?" she tried to smile. Edea sympathetically smiled back. "
"I'm afraid not." Yannie was very silent for a few minutes, recalling everything she had just heard. "Would you like a drink?" Yannie immediately realised how dry her throat was. All the adrenaline had given her a thirst. She nodded her head.
"Yes please, a glass of water if I could."
"Gered?" he shook his head.
"I'm fine thanks." She stood up to leave the room. Before leaving, she bent over Gered's shoulder and whispered in his ear.
"You take good care of her. She may not be a sorceress, but she still needs a knight." She left the room.
"What did she say?" asked Yannie.
"Nothing." Gered took her hands. "So, how do you feel?"
"A little wired. Kinda freaked out." He nodded. She paused. "I'm scared." She grabbed him and hugged him, and he held on to her tightly. He would be her knight, and he wanted to be beside her always and protect her from harm. Suddenly, the earth shook. Edea came running into the room.
"What was that?"
"I don't know." Gered looked through the window, and saw in the distance; a large war cruiser had landed some way off.
"I don't like this." He said. There was going to be trouble, and he had to save Yannie. She was all that mattered.
**************
The jolt awoke Cid. He ached more than before, and had a struggle to stay awake through the pain. He was lay down this time, in the same cell, but at least not tied to the chair. It was pitch black, and there was no difference when he opened his eyes to when he closed them. However, he did his best to keep them open, for he feared falling unconscious again if he didn't. He tried to stand, but fell back down again. There was a new pain, this time in his leg. He felt down with his hand, and felt something sharp. The shattered shinbone was poking through the skin, and even to touch it made his eyes swell up. The tears stung his face, and as his hand touched his cheek, he felt it was wet. He felt all over, and found a large gash running from his right ear, down to his chin. In his heart, he knew he would die soon if he didn't receive medical attention. His blood began to boil and he felt a great hatred for whoever had done this to him.
Up on deck, the sorceress was pleased with the rate of the operation.
"We have landed your highness." Said General Caraway. "What is the plan now?"
"Now, we travel to the orphanage, and we…I, shall put an end to this nonsense once and for all." She laughed.
"You personally?"
"Of course me!" she said appalled. "Who else could destroy the greatest threat to my kind we have ever face? I shall go down in history as the greatest sorceress ever!"
"Yes your highness."
"How long till we reach the orphanage?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"Excellent."
**************************
In the cockpit of the Ragnarok, Nida had his foot to the floor. The spaceship sped along at breakneck speed, and within ten minutes had covered almost half the distance. Squall stood to the door of the cockpit, and asked.
"How long Nida?"
"'Bout fifteen minutes." Xu nodded in agreement.
"Ok, You keep on flying, Xu, come with me." She followed Squall into the main room of the Ragnarok. Everyone was assembled there.
"Have we got a plan yet?" asked Quistis.
"Because of the incredibly last minuteness of our departure, it will only be us. I didn't have time to bring aboard any other SeeDs apart from Xu and Nida. So, the rough plan is thus. Quistis, Zell, Irvine and Selphie come with me," he paused before reluctantly saying "we fight the sorceress."
"No!"
"We can't fight Rinoa!"
"No way! I wont do it man!"
"How could you?"
"What, you don't think this was a hard decision for me?" Squall asked. "If there was another way, I would, but SeeD is for fighting sorceresses."
"But it's Rinoa." Squall sighed.
"I know, that is why, we only attack if she attacks us. And then don't aim to kill." He wiped his brow. "Inside there somewhere, is my…our old Rinoa, and maybe the only way to get it back is to fight her. Make her see how futile it is. Bring her back." [I]Hyne forgive me…[/I]
"What about me and Nida?" asked Xu
"You go aboard and find the headmaster."
"Sir!" she saluted. "I'll inform Nida of our mission right away." She exited into the cockpit.
"We're almost there." He said. "I remember how we had to fight matron, and how hard that was. Well, this will be a hundred times worse. Just try to focus."
"This is BS man. Total BULLSHIT!" shouted Zell.
"I know this sucks." Says Quistis, "But try to calm down. It might not even come to that. We might not have to fight her." With a bump, they landed on the Centra continent, and were moments away from Edea's house.
********************
In the crumbling ruins of the orphanage, the three had done their best to secure themselves inside. Chairs held back doors for what little good it would do, and they had tried to board up the windows. The ominous black and red shape of the war-cruiser drew ever closer. Yannie began panicking.
"She's here for me! I know it!" Gered took her hand.
"I won't let her get you. I promise." He kissed her. The hum of the motors drew nearer, until it was almost deafening. All they could do was wait.
Everything was quiet and still. The humming stopped, and all that could be heard was the breeze. Then with a thud, the front door fell down, being propped up with nothing but a chair. Gered immediately ran out the front door, and was greeted by three Elite Soldiers. He tapped his feet on the floor twice and the spikes shout out from his custom built shoes. He spin kicked the first soldier, creating a gaping wound on his chest, and flying side kicked the other, catching him in the throat. The third he caught in the back of the leg, and he was sent reeling. Then he saw the ominous figure of the sorceress descend from the ship. Edea ran outside through the side exit, Yannie tried to follow, but Edea pushed her inside.
"Stay here. If she wants to kill you, stay away from her."
"But you said I was powerful as a sorceress!"
"It's not worth the risk! You are too important to risk your life." She was forcefully shoved inside and the door bolted. Gered was relived to see Edea.
"Can you fight?" he asked.
"You kidding? I used to be a sorceress remember!" the sorceress floated across the distance between them. It was at this point that they heard a familiar hope filled sound.
The Ragnarok had landed.
From its lower door descended the seven SeeDs. Two of them ran towards the battle cruiser. The other five ran toward them.
"Man am I glad to see you guys!" shouted Gered. Squall nodded.
"Only attack if she attacks you. Do not hit to kill!" he commanded. "It might shock you but the sorceress is actually…"
"…Rinoa? We know." The sorceress got closer.
"How?"
"Never mind about that. Lets get this over with."
The sorceress arrived, and planted both feet on the ground.
"SeeD I assume." Squall stepped forward.
"Rinoa, I'm begging you…"
"Who is Rinoa? I know no Rinoa."
"Please." He begged "don't make us fight you…"
"Why not?" with one swoop of her hand, she sent Irvine flying in a cloud of flame. He landed unconscious. "It's fun." Gered went to attack with his feet, but she sent him reeling too. He got up and brushed himself down he tired again, and once again was sent reeling.
"Rinoa. Try to remember. Look back on your past. Your loved ones. The times we spent together."
"Time, it waits for no one. It always escapes you."
"I know this isn't you. But you are in there somewhere. Show yourself." Another ball of flame, and she attacked Quistis. She too, lay unconscious on the ground. Squall realised the sad truth. The Rinoa he loved was dead. Only the sorceress remains. He knelt down on one knee, and held his Gunblade by the handle point down in the earth. He bowed his head, and said, "Forgive me." He stood up, and ripped the sword from the soil, and went for the attack.
*****************
Aboard the ship, Xu and Nida faced tough opposition from the Galbadians, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. After a brief interrogation of a soldier at magic-point, he let slip Cid's location.
Nida took care of any passing Galbadians while Xu swung the door of his cell wide open. She saw the bloody mess of his crumpled body, and winced at the sight of his broken leg.
"Nida…" she said. He looked inside and saw him.
"Dear Hyne above. Is he dead?" Xu gulped.
"I don't know. I'll go check." She walked inside, and knelt down next to his cold body, and took his pulse. It was faint, but still there. She looked up and nodded.
"Can you use a cure spell on him?" Nida said as he walked in. Xu shook her head.
"Magic only works on other magic users. Cid never used magic in his entire life."
"What about potions?"
"I'll try, but I don't know." From her pelt she pulled three small capsules. One by one she snapped them and poured it into his mouth. A bit of colour returned to his cheeks, and his eyes slowly opened. The glare of the light was too bright and he tried to turn away.
"Who is it?" He said in a voice barley audible.
"It's Xu and Nida sir. We have come to rescue you." Said Xu
"Don't try to speak sir. We will get you out." That was when Cid lost consciousness again.
********************
The sorceress had effectively dealt with all but two of her opponents. Apart from Gered and Squall, all were unconscious or barley-conscious on the ground. Squall walked towards her, managing to dodge any attacks. She backed away, slowly.
"Where is she?" she bellowed at Gered.
"I'll die before I tell you!"
"As you wish." She hit him with a bolt of lightening, and he went flying. "Just you and me now." She said to Squall. They were now stood before the flower field. [I]How ironic[/I] he thought to himself.
"Try to remember me!"
"Oh I remember you all right. 'I'll be waiting here, so if you come here, you will find me. I promise.' LIER!" she cast a pure energy spell, which he managed to narrowly avoid. Squall cast aura on himself, and prepared himself to begrudgingly save the world.
************
Inside the orphanage, Yannie nervously sat under the window out of sight. She bit her nails, wondering what to do. Should she stay here, and keep safe? She snook a glance out the window, to see Gered get hit by lightening. She winced. If I stay here, they will get defeated, and they will come for me anyway. So I might as well die fighting. She was about to exit, when she remembered the second bangle. She picked it up from the floor, and lightly blew the dust off it. She took a deep breath, and put it on her arm.
Immediately it locked shut. She felt power surge through her body, wave after wave of energy. Her fingertips shone with light. This light spread beyond her hands and engulfed her whole body. She shimmered with gold. It was then, that she fully understood her purpose in life, and what she had to do.
*************
Squall was stuck in a stare with the sorceress. [I]Why me. I don't want to fight![/I] he kept saying over and over in his head. He was about to perform Renzokuken and she a devastating magical attack, when she stopped, and looked behind Squall. He too turned and saw what she was looking at.
Out of the orphanage came Yannie, glowing with light. She held her arms out sideways, and as she walk apt the fallen bodies, they too became filled with light and warmth, and one by one stood up amazed to be alive. Calmly, she walked up to the sorceress. Squall took a few paces back through no will off his own. Everyone else was transfixed and paralysed to the spot. Even the sorceress could not move. And she walked up to her; the light seemed to take over the sorceress as well. Yannie held her hands forward in front of her face. The sorceress copied, as if mirrors image. Their hands became closer together, the light got brighter. The hands met, and the fingers intertwined. The light was so bight that everyone had to cover his or her eyes. Then there was a series of short flashes, and a great wind built up. The ground shook, and the shy turned grey. It was just like how Squall had been attacked in FH all those moths ago. Lightening flew down from the sky, and lifted the two women up of their feet. Electricity encircled both their bodies. Then, it suddenly stopped. Both women fell to the ground, no longer connected. Everyone was free to move.
Gered ran over to Yannie, who was lay flat on the ground. He held her in his arms, and whispered, "Yann, Yann, please wake up. Come on, don't leave me."
Squall stumbled over to Rinoa who was also lay on the ground. He knelt down, and stroked his fingers though her hair. Tears formed in his eyes. So, this is how it ends? She was different now. She didn't give off a feel of evil. He lifted her up to him, and he whispered something in her ear. The others were gathered round now. He lay her back on the ground, and held on to her hand. To his surprise, she held his back.
"Rinoa…?"
"Squall?" she looked around, and saw Yannie on the ground. "Is she dead?" she sat up.
"I don't know, but your not." He hugged her. Dazed and confused, she tried to remember what had just happened.
"Oh no! What have I done!" she said, still in a state of shock. Gered was still holding the cold lifeless body of Yannie in his arms, gently rocking her back and forth. Quistis put a hand on his shoulder.
"Lets go."
"I cant leave her." He sniffed.
"Ged…She's gone."
"No…NO…NO!" he let out a scream of anguish and pain. He had failed as a knight.
"Lets get a move on." Said Squall, "We can not waste another minute." He opened the door to the infirmary to be greeted by three blank faces, which had been listening in to the conversation. Selphie stepped forward.
"It's not true is it? Not our Rinoa?" Squall gravely nodded his head. Irvine spoke.
"What do we do?"
"We find out where Yannie was off to. Then we follow."
"Then what?" added Zell. Squall shrugged.
"I don't know."
"First things first," said Quistis, taking control of the situation. "Let's check Cid's diary. It might have some info for us." The door to Cid's office was unlocked, due to the suddenness of his departure.
"Here's his diary." Noticed Selphie. It was lay open atop the desk, an open pen resting on one of the pages.
"What's it say?" asked Zell. Selphie picked it up and read the open pages.
[I]"Hmm, lets see, 'Sign papers for next years recruits, meeting with accountant… business conference… pick up suit from dry cleaners…[/I] It goes on. Nothing interesting. Nothing we need to know."
"Well, it's not going to be there is it? Give it here." Irvine snatched the book away from her hands. He flipped a couple of pages back. "If it's going to be anywhere, it would be a few days ago." He looked at Selphie. "You can hack into any computer, but diaries get the better of you?" He read the pages. "Ah, this could be it. [I]'Student ID 347, meet with Ed at orp. Escorted by Student ID 176.'[/I] That's Gered's ID, 176. The other one might be her."
"I think I recall her number beginning with a three." Said Selphie.
"But what does that mean? [I]Meet with Ed at orp.[/I]?" asked Quistis. "I didn't know the headmaster knew an Ed. It could be…"
"Edea!" shouted Zell.
"Orp?" Squall though a minute. "Orp, orp, Orphanage!"
"So," concluded Irvine, Yannie went with Gered to see Edea at the Orphanage. Why?"
"No time for questions." Said Squall. "This is the only lead we have. We've wasted enough time already. We have to leave now. Get Xu and Nida. Someone get the ship ready. They could be way ahead of us, but I'd like to see them try to outrun the Ragnarok." Selphie almost gave her trademark 'Woohoo!' before remembering whom they were going to fight.
Squall's mind was troubled. Fighting matron was one thing, like fighting your own mother. But this was Rinoa. The only person he loved. He thought back to the day when Balamb Garden first became mobile. He saw her face as she turned toward him, and her black hair blowing in the wind. She was beauty made real. And she was his. Completely and utterly his. It always seemed like a dream, how she could love someone like him. And yet she did.
How on earth could he fight her? Did he have to? Those words she uttered suddenly took on a deeper more dark meaning. [I]One-day Squall's sword will pierce my heart.[/I] He never understood what she meant until now. Did she know about this? Could she see the future? Can the future be changed? Is everyone just a puppet of fate, or do we shape our own destiny? If they didn't fight, she would be unstoppable. If he did fight, he would risk loosing her forever. He didn't want to choose. He wanted to be stood with her at the flower field. Ironically though, he soon would be.
*********************
"Why can I remember nothing?" she asked Edea. "Surely, if all you have told me is true, I should have some memory of it?" Edea thought over this for a while.
"I could be the same reason that GF cause memory loss. Your power probably has much in common with GFs. I just don't know. That is one question for Odine. As soon as he is found, I have no doubts you will want to talk to him.
"So, I guess I have no parents huh?" she tried to smile. Edea sympathetically smiled back. "
"I'm afraid not." Yannie was very silent for a few minutes, recalling everything she had just heard. "Would you like a drink?" Yannie immediately realised how dry her throat was. All the adrenaline had given her a thirst. She nodded her head.
"Yes please, a glass of water if I could."
"Gered?" he shook his head.
"I'm fine thanks." She stood up to leave the room. Before leaving, she bent over Gered's shoulder and whispered in his ear.
"You take good care of her. She may not be a sorceress, but she still needs a knight." She left the room.
"What did she say?" asked Yannie.
"Nothing." Gered took her hands. "So, how do you feel?"
"A little wired. Kinda freaked out." He nodded. She paused. "I'm scared." She grabbed him and hugged him, and he held on to her tightly. He would be her knight, and he wanted to be beside her always and protect her from harm. Suddenly, the earth shook. Edea came running into the room.
"What was that?"
"I don't know." Gered looked through the window, and saw in the distance; a large war cruiser had landed some way off.
"I don't like this." He said. There was going to be trouble, and he had to save Yannie. She was all that mattered.
**************
The jolt awoke Cid. He ached more than before, and had a struggle to stay awake through the pain. He was lay down this time, in the same cell, but at least not tied to the chair. It was pitch black, and there was no difference when he opened his eyes to when he closed them. However, he did his best to keep them open, for he feared falling unconscious again if he didn't. He tried to stand, but fell back down again. There was a new pain, this time in his leg. He felt down with his hand, and felt something sharp. The shattered shinbone was poking through the skin, and even to touch it made his eyes swell up. The tears stung his face, and as his hand touched his cheek, he felt it was wet. He felt all over, and found a large gash running from his right ear, down to his chin. In his heart, he knew he would die soon if he didn't receive medical attention. His blood began to boil and he felt a great hatred for whoever had done this to him.
Up on deck, the sorceress was pleased with the rate of the operation.
"We have landed your highness." Said General Caraway. "What is the plan now?"
"Now, we travel to the orphanage, and we…I, shall put an end to this nonsense once and for all." She laughed.
"You personally?"
"Of course me!" she said appalled. "Who else could destroy the greatest threat to my kind we have ever face? I shall go down in history as the greatest sorceress ever!"
"Yes your highness."
"How long till we reach the orphanage?"
"About fifteen minutes."
"Excellent."
**************************
In the cockpit of the Ragnarok, Nida had his foot to the floor. The spaceship sped along at breakneck speed, and within ten minutes had covered almost half the distance. Squall stood to the door of the cockpit, and asked.
"How long Nida?"
"'Bout fifteen minutes." Xu nodded in agreement.
"Ok, You keep on flying, Xu, come with me." She followed Squall into the main room of the Ragnarok. Everyone was assembled there.
"Have we got a plan yet?" asked Quistis.
"Because of the incredibly last minuteness of our departure, it will only be us. I didn't have time to bring aboard any other SeeDs apart from Xu and Nida. So, the rough plan is thus. Quistis, Zell, Irvine and Selphie come with me," he paused before reluctantly saying "we fight the sorceress."
"No!"
"We can't fight Rinoa!"
"No way! I wont do it man!"
"How could you?"
"What, you don't think this was a hard decision for me?" Squall asked. "If there was another way, I would, but SeeD is for fighting sorceresses."
"But it's Rinoa." Squall sighed.
"I know, that is why, we only attack if she attacks us. And then don't aim to kill." He wiped his brow. "Inside there somewhere, is my…our old Rinoa, and maybe the only way to get it back is to fight her. Make her see how futile it is. Bring her back." [I]Hyne forgive me…[/I]
"What about me and Nida?" asked Xu
"You go aboard and find the headmaster."
"Sir!" she saluted. "I'll inform Nida of our mission right away." She exited into the cockpit.
"We're almost there." He said. "I remember how we had to fight matron, and how hard that was. Well, this will be a hundred times worse. Just try to focus."
"This is BS man. Total BULLSHIT!" shouted Zell.
"I know this sucks." Says Quistis, "But try to calm down. It might not even come to that. We might not have to fight her." With a bump, they landed on the Centra continent, and were moments away from Edea's house.
********************
In the crumbling ruins of the orphanage, the three had done their best to secure themselves inside. Chairs held back doors for what little good it would do, and they had tried to board up the windows. The ominous black and red shape of the war-cruiser drew ever closer. Yannie began panicking.
"She's here for me! I know it!" Gered took her hand.
"I won't let her get you. I promise." He kissed her. The hum of the motors drew nearer, until it was almost deafening. All they could do was wait.
Everything was quiet and still. The humming stopped, and all that could be heard was the breeze. Then with a thud, the front door fell down, being propped up with nothing but a chair. Gered immediately ran out the front door, and was greeted by three Elite Soldiers. He tapped his feet on the floor twice and the spikes shout out from his custom built shoes. He spin kicked the first soldier, creating a gaping wound on his chest, and flying side kicked the other, catching him in the throat. The third he caught in the back of the leg, and he was sent reeling. Then he saw the ominous figure of the sorceress descend from the ship. Edea ran outside through the side exit, Yannie tried to follow, but Edea pushed her inside.
"Stay here. If she wants to kill you, stay away from her."
"But you said I was powerful as a sorceress!"
"It's not worth the risk! You are too important to risk your life." She was forcefully shoved inside and the door bolted. Gered was relived to see Edea.
"Can you fight?" he asked.
"You kidding? I used to be a sorceress remember!" the sorceress floated across the distance between them. It was at this point that they heard a familiar hope filled sound.
The Ragnarok had landed.
From its lower door descended the seven SeeDs. Two of them ran towards the battle cruiser. The other five ran toward them.
"Man am I glad to see you guys!" shouted Gered. Squall nodded.
"Only attack if she attacks you. Do not hit to kill!" he commanded. "It might shock you but the sorceress is actually…"
"…Rinoa? We know." The sorceress got closer.
"How?"
"Never mind about that. Lets get this over with."
The sorceress arrived, and planted both feet on the ground.
"SeeD I assume." Squall stepped forward.
"Rinoa, I'm begging you…"
"Who is Rinoa? I know no Rinoa."
"Please." He begged "don't make us fight you…"
"Why not?" with one swoop of her hand, she sent Irvine flying in a cloud of flame. He landed unconscious. "It's fun." Gered went to attack with his feet, but she sent him reeling too. He got up and brushed himself down he tired again, and once again was sent reeling.
"Rinoa. Try to remember. Look back on your past. Your loved ones. The times we spent together."
"Time, it waits for no one. It always escapes you."
"I know this isn't you. But you are in there somewhere. Show yourself." Another ball of flame, and she attacked Quistis. She too, lay unconscious on the ground. Squall realised the sad truth. The Rinoa he loved was dead. Only the sorceress remains. He knelt down on one knee, and held his Gunblade by the handle point down in the earth. He bowed his head, and said, "Forgive me." He stood up, and ripped the sword from the soil, and went for the attack.
*****************
Aboard the ship, Xu and Nida faced tough opposition from the Galbadians, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. After a brief interrogation of a soldier at magic-point, he let slip Cid's location.
Nida took care of any passing Galbadians while Xu swung the door of his cell wide open. She saw the bloody mess of his crumpled body, and winced at the sight of his broken leg.
"Nida…" she said. He looked inside and saw him.
"Dear Hyne above. Is he dead?" Xu gulped.
"I don't know. I'll go check." She walked inside, and knelt down next to his cold body, and took his pulse. It was faint, but still there. She looked up and nodded.
"Can you use a cure spell on him?" Nida said as he walked in. Xu shook her head.
"Magic only works on other magic users. Cid never used magic in his entire life."
"What about potions?"
"I'll try, but I don't know." From her pelt she pulled three small capsules. One by one she snapped them and poured it into his mouth. A bit of colour returned to his cheeks, and his eyes slowly opened. The glare of the light was too bright and he tried to turn away.
"Who is it?" He said in a voice barley audible.
"It's Xu and Nida sir. We have come to rescue you." Said Xu
"Don't try to speak sir. We will get you out." That was when Cid lost consciousness again.
********************
The sorceress had effectively dealt with all but two of her opponents. Apart from Gered and Squall, all were unconscious or barley-conscious on the ground. Squall walked towards her, managing to dodge any attacks. She backed away, slowly.
"Where is she?" she bellowed at Gered.
"I'll die before I tell you!"
"As you wish." She hit him with a bolt of lightening, and he went flying. "Just you and me now." She said to Squall. They were now stood before the flower field. [I]How ironic[/I] he thought to himself.
"Try to remember me!"
"Oh I remember you all right. 'I'll be waiting here, so if you come here, you will find me. I promise.' LIER!" she cast a pure energy spell, which he managed to narrowly avoid. Squall cast aura on himself, and prepared himself to begrudgingly save the world.
************
Inside the orphanage, Yannie nervously sat under the window out of sight. She bit her nails, wondering what to do. Should she stay here, and keep safe? She snook a glance out the window, to see Gered get hit by lightening. She winced. If I stay here, they will get defeated, and they will come for me anyway. So I might as well die fighting. She was about to exit, when she remembered the second bangle. She picked it up from the floor, and lightly blew the dust off it. She took a deep breath, and put it on her arm.
Immediately it locked shut. She felt power surge through her body, wave after wave of energy. Her fingertips shone with light. This light spread beyond her hands and engulfed her whole body. She shimmered with gold. It was then, that she fully understood her purpose in life, and what she had to do.
*************
Squall was stuck in a stare with the sorceress. [I]Why me. I don't want to fight![/I] he kept saying over and over in his head. He was about to perform Renzokuken and she a devastating magical attack, when she stopped, and looked behind Squall. He too turned and saw what she was looking at.
Out of the orphanage came Yannie, glowing with light. She held her arms out sideways, and as she walk apt the fallen bodies, they too became filled with light and warmth, and one by one stood up amazed to be alive. Calmly, she walked up to the sorceress. Squall took a few paces back through no will off his own. Everyone else was transfixed and paralysed to the spot. Even the sorceress could not move. And she walked up to her; the light seemed to take over the sorceress as well. Yannie held her hands forward in front of her face. The sorceress copied, as if mirrors image. Their hands became closer together, the light got brighter. The hands met, and the fingers intertwined. The light was so bight that everyone had to cover his or her eyes. Then there was a series of short flashes, and a great wind built up. The ground shook, and the shy turned grey. It was just like how Squall had been attacked in FH all those moths ago. Lightening flew down from the sky, and lifted the two women up of their feet. Electricity encircled both their bodies. Then, it suddenly stopped. Both women fell to the ground, no longer connected. Everyone was free to move.
Gered ran over to Yannie, who was lay flat on the ground. He held her in his arms, and whispered, "Yann, Yann, please wake up. Come on, don't leave me."
Squall stumbled over to Rinoa who was also lay on the ground. He knelt down, and stroked his fingers though her hair. Tears formed in his eyes. So, this is how it ends? She was different now. She didn't give off a feel of evil. He lifted her up to him, and he whispered something in her ear. The others were gathered round now. He lay her back on the ground, and held on to her hand. To his surprise, she held his back.
"Rinoa…?"
"Squall?" she looked around, and saw Yannie on the ground. "Is she dead?" she sat up.
"I don't know, but your not." He hugged her. Dazed and confused, she tried to remember what had just happened.
"Oh no! What have I done!" she said, still in a state of shock. Gered was still holding the cold lifeless body of Yannie in his arms, gently rocking her back and forth. Quistis put a hand on his shoulder.
"Lets go."
"I cant leave her." He sniffed.
"Ged…She's gone."
"No…NO…NO!" he let out a scream of anguish and pain. He had failed as a knight.