Forever Apart
All characters within this story are property of Squaresoft and are only being borrowed for the purpose of this fan-fic.
Chapter 1
Darkness. Pain. Anguish.
I deserve it all.
Sorrow. Regret. Despair.
I won't run. I accept my punishment.
The brisk breeze ruffles the grass next to his forehead, causing them to tickle lightly against the pale skin of his cheek. A faint shutter courses through his still body. The wind blows again, this time strong enough to whisk aside the ragged flap of the gray trench-coat he wore. Beneath it, the man's clothes were thread bare and battle worn. His shirt, once a rich deep black with a white cross blazoned across it, had faded to charcoal. The cross was now gray, stained in places with dark red. The now dark khaki pants had holes singed into them. Within the loose grip of one gloved handed, a large tarnished gunblade rested.
Another shiver passes through his battered body as he breathing changes, speeding up and growing shallower. The hand holding the gunblade, twitches, the fingers gripping the handle then releasing. One booted foot shakes slightly, knocking loudly against something metallic sounding within the grass. A deep breath, followed by a small fit of coughing. Then he grows still and opens his ice blue eyes.
Seifer Almasy, ex-sorceress Knight, awoke from his pain-hazed nightmares. He was lying flat on his back, staring blindly up at the sun. He was numb, exhausted beyond the limits of both body and soul. Somehow, he was still alive. He had survived it all.....why?
Several minuets pass as his weary mind slowly jogs back into a semblance of normal function. With a small grunt, he tries to roll over onto his stomach, only to collapse back as pain shoots through his chest. A second, more violent fit of coughing overtakes him, as his mind replays the event of the last week.
His foolishness in fighting those few people he might have once called 'friends'. His stubbornness, the absolute refusal to believe what they told him, and truthfully, what he already knew. He had scaled an full fledged attack on his former life, betraying what little if any trust there had been.
His stupidity.
And the understanding that he had both gone with and against Ulemtica's govern. The battles, between him and Squall, between them and Ultemica, all of them. How easily he had fallen, time and time again. And when they had really needed his help, he fell once more, unable to anything but watch the final ending come. Useless.
Slowly his coughing quiets, leaving him gasping, struggling to hold back the strangled gasps that threatened to break into tears.
"No.....no.....no.....no....." He sputters, holding his aching ribs. Pain floods him, filling all the empty parts of his soul. All the dark bits that threatened to simply die. He was still alive, alive.....after all he had done. He didn't deserve it. Didn't want it. Laying still, he struggles with the weight of the decisions he has made. Drawing deep breath, or as deep as his injuries would allow, he rolls over onto his side. Waves of neasua ripple through his body, his stomach threatening to empty itself if he didn't cease his struggles. Minutes pass before he is able to forces himself upright. Sitting there, rocking slightly and panting, he opens his eyes.
And looks straight into the peaceful sleeping face of Zell Dincht. Seifer blinks, surprised that he failed to notice the proximity of the man. Wrapping an arm around his ribs, he pushes himself up his knees. Where was he? All that he could see was a flower filled field as far as the eye could see. Wispy clouds over heard cover nothing but serve to enhance the buettey of the surroundings.