Disclaimer: I still do not own any of Square's characters. BUT I am still the person Square cloned Rinoa from. *^_^*
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SS: A Sacrifice
http://www.geocities.com/ravenlumi/midis/finalfantasy/A_Sacrifice.mid


Near the ruins of her house on the southern tip of the Centra continent, Edea stood on the beach gazing at the glorious sunset over the darkened sea. The fading rays of sunlight painted colors of every shade over the scenery and sparked highlights within the woman's own elegant wardrobe as they crawled over the ruins of the once magnificent temple--- the Orphanage. The Sorceress listened to the whispers of the calm wind; all was silent, only a few late birds singing in the remote forest and a sea bird feeding her young in a nest close by.


She shut her eyes and listened to the quiet, in her memoirs she could hear the voices of the children she had raised. They were all grown up now, not to mention they have grown to be strong and strong-willed individuals. The quiet penetrated her senses and she stood there still, long after the sun had gone and the full moon had risen to the sky.


Finally, the envious moon killed the fair sun, casting out darkness throughout the horizon. Moonlight took over sunlight, and spread pinpricks of light on the blanket that was the sky. Edea was left with a sense of presence and the echoes of the sound in her head. Edea took one last look at the sea and retired into the ruins.


That night she dreamt.


She dreamt uneasy, troubling dreams, nearly nightmares that felt too true to be night's customary flights of fancy. Rinoa... that sweet young lady... there was something about her that troubled Edea's every sense. As a sorceress she knew not to underestimate the power of dreams. She awoke with a sense of bewilderment; her nightmares flooded her mind and she tried to comprehend what they spoke to her of. In one sudden movement Edea removed herself from the soft depths of her bed and unconsciously headed to the pile of books that lay on her table. There were clusters about Hyne, and some were about spells on the physical world. Edea rummaged feverishly among the books and barely noticed as many fell to the floor. It was not there.


She hurried to the bookshelves that held more books, ranging from aged and ancient, to fresh and new. They were tidily arranged, but not for long. Edea desperately removed books from the shelves and tossed them aimlessly to the floor. It has got to be there somewhere... Coming to the end of the shelf her hand came in contact with a well-kept ancient tomb and she suddenly stopped and gazed at it.


The nightmares raced though her mind; playing over, like a broken movie.


"Uhhh... what is it Edea dear?" Cid's sleepy voice filtered into Edea's hearing but she ignored it in favor of the ancient book that lay in her hands, "Come back to bed..." Cid trailed off as sleep retook him in to its embrace.


Edea remained standing, seemingly frozen in place, then, without warning, her body went rigid in startlement. Quiet permeated Edea's senses as she started walking back and forth, her hand eagerly browsing through the leaves of the book carefully.


The Sorceress' curiosity and bewilderment became tight within her as she reached the page she was longing to read since the distressing nightmares had awakened her. She could not believe the passage that manifested through her sense of sight.


She translated the verse as she read to herself:


A lovely lady garmented in white,
Devoid where the Father Time is beguiled,
Her beau shall come upon by a hair's breadth.
Time rolls his ceaseless course against the tide,
Her beau shall come with gnawing grief and pine,
The lady garmented in white---


Edea's thoughts stopped dead. It didn't make sense. The writings in her books were never wrong, but her mind was perplexed. Then a thought occurred to her; a thought that, if spoken aloud, most would think demented. If she was right, she knew she'd find out soon. Really soon---


-


Edea stood on the beach again the next sunset. Though she habitually avoided being seen by the outside world, she knew no one would be there at that particular time. This was the place she loved most, for the peace and quiet it brought her. Here she could really think. The feeling that had begun to mount inside her the previous day was increasing. Now the nightmare, as well as the verse she'd found, brought back memories of that girl--- Rinoa.


Edea let the thought go and focused on the waves. She tilted her head slightly, her face becoming a picture of sereneness. The sea was her refuge of thoughts.


She stood there and wondered if she should tell Squall. The boy must have thought of the lost girl every single moment, without ever saying a word. He had never approved of expression much, however, his every movement and actions spoke louder than his voice.


She made up her mind. She wouldn't tell Squall until it was time. When that time would be... has yet to be known. But fate shall allow them to know. The inevitable fate of the girl lay secretly in Edea's mind and heart.


-


A strange feeling pervaded Edea's thoughts, interrupting her musing. Someone else was there, there at her much loved place of solitude. A Sorceress would certainly know, her being one. She could not risk it. No one should see her in this place... Her adrenaline rushed but she did not panic. She contemplated for a moment for a spell that could suit her need at the moment, but thought it better if she just hid by the bushes nearby and saw who it was.


The Sorceress channeled her thoughts to where the intruder might be located. When she finally knew where the stranger was supposed to be, she crept to the bushes nearby and peeked to perceive who it was.


She could not believe her eyes.


Was she hallucinating? Edea composed herself, I am thinking of the girl too much. I can't actually see her... She must be wrong about the girl lying on the field. It could be anyone. But Edea's instincts screamed at her, and they screamed the name--- 'Rinoa'.


She could not make your mind up. Her few options were taunting her conscience and practical mind. If she were to help the girl, she could be risking her life. If she was to leave her be, the girl might die... or might even be dead. But, Rinoa... that girl... she's already---


The Sorceress' contemplations were cut short as an enormous shadow darkened the surroundings. It came just above Edea, flying overhead with a vibrating sound was--- Balamb Garden.


No, I should hide... Edea crept from the bushes back to the esoteric entrance of the Orphanage. Luckily, the Garden did not catch a sight of the Sorceress behind the veil. The Garden hesitantly hovered over the once magnificent Orphanage, seemingly looking for something--- or someone.


Edea felt fear, though she knew a handful of spells that she can combat with the ones seeking for her. She did not actually expect them to come looking at that particular time of the day.


The noise made by the enormous SeeD training ground lulled out of the blue. It was not an echo of the huge Garden vanishing away... it was like an induced silence.


Edea's being was burning with curiosity, her own safety still in mind. But the girl--- she thought of the girl lying helplessly on the field. Could it be the girl the revealing verse was referring to? But it can't be... she's---


Her feelings and emotions left her speechless as the two-way cupola covering her shelter allowed her to catch a glimpse of the Balamb Garden landing near the field where she saw the girl.


Rinoa!


If the Garden was to take Rinoa in...
Edea knew how Seifer thought and she was certain he would jump to conclusions, wrongly.
But what if it was not Rinoa?
The girl would still not be safe in Garden, now that Seifer had the run of things... She did not want to think what could happen to the girl. But she knew... she felt... this girl is Rinoa.


Edea stood tall, raised her chin, and took a last glance at the Garden then she made up her mind. She must tell Squall at once. It might not be the best timing, but Rinoa needed help. And Edea knew he would help... though it may be more complicated now.


As Edea turned around to return further in the Orphanage, a figure with what seems to be a sword, or maybe a gunblade, startled the lady in her prime. He wore a necklace recognizable anywhere.


"You're back early..."











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A/N: Those who know poetry well enough might guess what's going on. Or prolly anyone who REALLY wants to know what's going on MIGHT know. But well, just stay tuned. Sorry took so long to update... *^_^*