Chapter 3 of the series!! Sequel to Kurse all SeeDs – so if you haven't read that, read it, although you can understand this story even if you haven't…I am now going to stop rambling and get on with my story!!
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The violin's cry.
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Mist drifted through Quistis's mind. Somewhere, either close by, or in the distance, or perhaps even in her own head, she could hear the smooth, rich, yet slightly voluptuous curves of a strain of violin music, stirring long forgotten memories, evoking long forgotten feelings. A wave of sentiment crashed over her face, as a wave does when it crashes over a rock, saturating it in the foaming water. When it has receded, a little water stays in the hollows of the rock. Tears stood in Quistis's eyes.
She fluttered them open, expecting to feel groggy or tired, or to be in some far-distant dungeon or cell. After all, wasn't that usually what happened when one was kidnapped? But instead she was greeted by the sight of a grand…well, it might have once been grand – throne room. It seemed as if it had not been inhabited for a long time…yet it still held an indescribable charm and majesty. She looked down at herself for what might have been the first time and stifled an involuntary gasp as she regained feeling in the rest of her body. A regal, yet dusty cape of crushed, old gold velvet was thrown about her shoulders, the heavy material cascading over onto the floor. And her arms and legs were fastened tightly with cool silk scarves to the arms of the dusty, jewel encrusted throne she was sitting in. She could now see that it was on a platform, raised from the rest of the room. A large mirror, pulsating with a soft green light was directly opposite her. She squinted into it. She could almost make out a figure in the light…at first a silhouette, surrounded by rays like the sun, and then growing darker, more ominous…
A gust of wind whipped through the room and a cloud of dust whirled around Quistis's feet. She closed her eyes involuntarily, but screamed when she saw the figure in the blackness of her closed eyelids…
When she opened her eyes again, the smoky stranger was standing before her, clad in a white velvet cape. He was wearing a ceremonial crown, studded with diamonds in the shape of…. A skull. Quistis started to struggle wildly, but her ties were too strong…the man advanced closer towards her, and tilted her chin up towards him. He held his other hand high in the air. A cloud of golden dust whirled agitatedly around his hand like hornets, and then cleared to reveal a dazzling tiara of black diamonds, topped by a miniature skull. Quistis shrank back, but he slowly placed the terrible thing on her golden hair. He drew back as if to admire his handiwork.
"Welcome to my castle, my queen…"
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"No, Quistis, not again…."
Seifer's voice broke as he rushed forwards, finally free of the freeze charm, to snatch at the last piece of disappearing mist. It slipped through his fingers and dwindled away. He dropped to his knees and supported his head in his hands. Just when they were beginning to settle again – just when he thought everything could be alright…
Maybe this was fate…to ever be parted…
A flash of pictures went through his mind…a gleaming white splinter of bone, a bruised neck, a pale, loving face…warmth in the eyes of death. Tears and heartache, and the angry tigress of fire.
And the sweet smile on her face when she saw him again, the honeyed tears of joy that fell from his eyes…
No, this wasn't fate.
He was dimly aware of his friends standing around him in a semicircle, their heads bowed solemnly. Almost as if they were afraid to go near him.
He rose to his feet, his trenchcoat swishing like a waterfall around his ankles. "I'm all right." Mechanically, he raked a hand through his blond hair. No, he wasn't all right.
"That man – he wasn't going to kill her, like he killed Cid."
A slight flinch passed from person to person at the harsh recollection of what had happened only minutes ago. Automatically, their eyes all flicked to the spot where he had fallen, on the polished floor.
"She's still alive. He'll keep her alive, for whatever his demented reasons…" He heard himself saying. Yes, he would keep her alive. He closed his eyes and tried to block out the image of the stranger's murderous hands on Quistis' body, his horrible lips on her beautiful neck. He drew a deep breath and continued.
"We have to find her. We have to! It can't be that hard…"
But what did they have to go on? Selphie looked at the floor and felt the tears welling up in her eyes. A few hours ago she'd had no cares in the world. She'd been happy. No worry. And now…
A tear pooled and fell to the floor, shining. Through her veiled eyes she saw another fall, and another…
No, wait. Those weren't teardrops, they were – she wiped her eyes – specks of diamond dust. Coming from –
"He left something behind!"
Her voice broke the silence as she raced towards the small, glowing orb lying on the floor. She picked it up and rolled it between her fingers. A blend of marbled gold swirled inside the globe, racing, racing…a face? No, just the eyes…and a song was starting to play, a haunting violin melody. Her friends heard it too. They turned around, trying to find where it was coming from. The heartbeats quickened as unfelt, unseen emotions started to play…
Swirling…turning…
Was the violinist simply playing a tune, or was he releasing all the world's sorrows from his strings?
The thought flashed into Squall's mind only seconds before his eyes changed from red, to purple, to gold…
To black…
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Da-da! Like it? I'll be continuing A.S.A.P if you like it. Review and tell me what you thought, or if you have any comments, suggestions, or constructive criticism. Thanks!!!!! JJJ