Heart of the Soul: Part II
By Eval Chylde
What other things exist in our lives that we are unaware of? Are humans so naïve that they believe they are the only intelligent creatures on this earth? How many other things live amongst us that we are unaware of, knowing their existence only in the moments before our death?
…There is a world that exists beyond what we see, hear, smell, and taste.
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"Train, train, take me away…"
Rinoa looked up from her seat, watching Selphie staring out of the window of the train, just as she always did. Every trip they took, the young brunette jumped to the window so she could watch the scenery roll by. She smiled silently, rolling her head gracefully to look at the new SeeD sitting next to her.
Nikalos was sitting on the couch in the bedroom provided to them by the train. He had one foot pulled up on the couch, thumbing the strings of a small guitar. The young man had short, ginger-coloured hair and shining green eyes. His skin was fair, the colour of tropical beach sand; his lips were curled in the slightest hint of a smile as he hummed along with his playing.
Every time he looked at her, Rinoa felt a giggle growing in her chest and the blood burning in her cheeks. He glanced up at her, and she had to tear her eyes away from him so that it didn't seem like she was staring. Squall, Squall, Squall, she had to think, to get her mind off the beautiful man sitting in the bedroom they had to share.
What is wrong with me…?
Even though they had graduated together, Nikalos was a new addition to Balamb Garden. He schooled in Galbadia, finally drifting into Balamb. Rinoa decided to officially become part of SeeD so she didn't have to come up with an excuse to go with them every time the group went on a mission.
"We'll be arriving soon," he suddenly said, pausing in his playing.
"I know," Selphie sighed, thumping her forehead against the glass. "I wish we were going further; it would be so much nicer."
Rinoa laughed softly, pulling her legs to her chest and hugging her knees. "I think Selphie would have liked to have gone with the others."
"I have yet to meet the ever-famous Squall," the ginger-haired man commented, putting away his guitar. "I would like to soon."
"You will once we're done with this mission," Rinoa assured him. "I think you'll like him. He seems cold-hearted at first, but there's really a wonderful guy under that stoic overcoat."
Nikalos chuckled. "You make it sound like this mission will be a snap. From my experience, missions given to you by a Garden are never easy."
Sounds of metal grinding metal pierced the air, and the whoosh of the breaks rose over the noise as the train lurched to a stop. They gathered their things and filed out of the car. The metal door slid open, and an elderly gentleman turned to look up at them.
"Ah, finally you've arrived!" he sighed, his accent thick and foreign. He clasped his hands to his chest and grinned at them. "My mistress has been eagerly awaiting your arrival! Come, come!"
He snatched away a few items of their baggage, several more men arriving and taking the rest of their possessions. Rinoa seemed to be enjoying herself, and Selphie didn't seem to really care about what was going on. Nikalos clung possessively to his guitar case, but allowed them to take his baggage after much staring. He wasn't sure about being treated this way; he most certainly wasn't used to being waited on.
This is going to be a tough trip, he thought to himself as he followed the group to the car.
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"How are things unfolding?"
The younger of the two men looked up from his drink, swirling the ice around in the amber liquid. A small smile curled along his lips, a fang gleaming against his beautiful lips in the dim light.
"Wonderfully," he replied in their secret tongue. He took a drink before continuing, staring at the waitress as she walked by. "The plan has nearly been completed."
"Don't screw this one up, Gavin," the older man growled, grabbing the other man's chin. His gray eyes narrowed and pierced Gavin's pools of green. "Remember the last time you tried this? You got distracted by a silly boy."
He snatched the hand that clung to his chin, squeezing the wrist. "He was more than that, and you know it. It was part of the plan to get him to help us. A lycanthrope of that power would have allowed us to advance faster than we had planned."
Gavin paused, releasing the man's hand so he could take another drink. "All that's left is a little inspiration for the two super powers of the world." His eyes narrowed and darkened, like the forests at dusk. "There is, however one slight problem. One that needs to be taken care of."
"So, take care of it!" the older man hissed.
"Don't expect me to take care of such petty things as a small group of foreign humans, Xander. Find another lycanthrope for the job." He finished his drink, slamming the glass on the table. He stood, placing both hands firmly on the table so he could lean over to the other man.
"We're so close," he whispered in common, snarling softly. "Don't you mess this up; the elders will not be pleased. And we know what happens when they aren't happy." He quirked his eyebrows, pushing of the table and smiling crookedly.
Xander leaned back and watched him leave, sighing softly. Why did that pup leave him shivering in his seat every time they met?
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Zell stirred, his hand instantly going to his forehead to try and rub away the pain. He attempted to move, but could barely even wiggle his feet. His eyes flew open and he sat up, sending a couple of the heavy blankets that covered him into the floor.
"Good," a soft voice said behind him. He turned and saw the man he'd met in town. What was his name again…? "You're finally awake."
"What… happened to me?" Zell muttered, slowly lying back down. The young man stood and came over to him, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I found you out in the storm last night. A person of your size shouldn't frolic in blizzards, you know. It's not safe."
"Are you calling me small?" Zell grumbled, glaring up at him. Julian! That was his name.
He chuckled but offered no reply. "You are hungry, I'm sure. You've been asleep for over a day. Something must have certainly worn you out, even before the storm." He stood and went to the fire place, pouring the contents of a small pot over the fire into a bowl. The older man brought it back and helped Zell sit up before giving him the bowl and a spoon.
"It is good to see you are well, little one," Julian said softly. Zell didn't even pause as he scooped the warm food into his mouth. The golden-haired man watched with smiling eyes as the blonde devoured the soup and handed him the bowl again.
"Your friends will miss you; we should get you back. I'll fetch your clothes."
Zell pouted a little, thumping his feet together as Julian disappeared into the other room to the side. He came back with Zell's clothing folded neatly in his arms. He set them down on the bed, his brow furrowing as he noticed the SeeD's sour expression.
"Something wrong?"
"I wouldn't call them my friends," he replied softly. "They certainly don't feel like they are right now. More like business associates."
Chuckling softly, Julian sat on the bed and rested his hand on Zell's. "I'm sure they are very worried about you, and searching for you this very minute. They might not say, but they care for you very much. Something like that does not need to be said; they are felt when in the presence of those you love and are loved by.
"Now, come," he ordered, patting his hand. "Stop this nonsense and get changed. You have a large task on your plate, and you must hurry to complete it."
Before Zell could ask what he meant, Julian left the room so the younger man could change in private. He stared at his clothes for a moment before tossing away the covers and standing. Julian was right; he had a job to do, and sulking certainly wasn't going to get it done.
He would have to worry about his problem with the others later.
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"Wheee!" Selphie squealed, flying in the air and rolling into a ball. She made impact, and was sent into the air again, giggling like a lunatic.
"I see she's very excited," Nikalos chuckled, setting his guitar case on the bed he was given. He looked at the girl bouncing on her bed through the door that connected their two rooms. She had changed into a pair of shorts and a sleeveless top before her exploration of the room, thank goodness.
"She always is," Rinoa commented, smiling fondly at her comrade. She looked back at Nikalos in time to see him pull of his shirt. He stretched before leaning down to select a nicer one from his bag, his muscles rippling under his sleek skin like a cat on the prowl. The younger girl felt herself blushing again, and staring, and had to force her eyes away.
"What do you suppose this girl will be like?" he asked, pulling on a silky black shirt that glimmered green when the light hit it just right.
"I hope she's not snobbish, like a lot of rich and important girls are," Selphie commented, bouncing into Nikalos' room. She stopped and held her hands up in defense to Rinoa. "Not that you're like that! I mean, you're not at all like any rich girls I've met!"
Rinoa laughed softly and smiled. "It's okay; I know you didn't mean me."
"Excuse me," a voice sounded outside the door. Rinoa hopped up and opened the door. The elderly man from the train stop, who had introduced himself as Richard, was standing in the hallway. "Dinner is ready, and Miss Teresa awaits your arrival."
"Whoo hoo!" Selphie cried. "Food!"
The other two quietly followed, Selphie quickly disappearing around the corner at the end of the hallway.
"She is quite active, isn't she?" Richard chuckled softly.
They followed in silence, except for the occasional squeal or giggle echoing through the hallways. Everywhere they went, there was someone cleaning. Young and old dusting, mopping, washing windows, shining displays of armor. No one seemed to notice them, complete oblivious to their presence as they walked by.
Finally they came to two large, wooden doors decorated with flowers and tiny angels. The doors swung open, revealing a long, candlelit dinning hall. Nikalos stopped and gasped, staring at the elaborate paintings that covered the walls and flowed up to the ceilings. He was ushered to his seat by a young man, and quickly served.
Selphie was already eating, chatting with a girl who couldn't be much older than the brunette. She had fiery red hair and large, friendly green eyes. Her face looked incredibly pale next to the locks of curly hair framing her face, her cheeks kissed with a few freckles.
"Sounds like an exciting life!" the girl gasped, giggling softly. She looked over at them and smiled, her eyes widening once they fell on Nikalos. "Well," she breathed. "Welcome! I'm so glad you could come! I knew my daddy would find someone to protect me!"
"We're glad to be of service, Miss Teresa," Rinoa said politely, smiling and bowing her head.
"Please, just call me Teresa," she informed them, turning toward her plate. "Selphie started telling me about some of the wonderful adventures you had!"
"Oh!" Rinoa breathed, lighting up. "Did she tell you about the sorceress yet?"
"No! Tell me, tell me!"
"I wouldn't exactly call our missions 'adventures,'" Nikalos muttered, but no one seemed to hear him. They were already plunged into the story of how they defeated the sorceresses. Selphie and Rinoa would switch off telling the story, sometimes saying things together.
This is going to be a tough, long trip, Nikalos groaned to himself, sipping at his drink.
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"This problem looks like it might get bigger than two quarreling towns."
Squall stood at the head of the room, reading the message delivered to them that morning from Headmaster Cid. The young leader had read it in silent first, since it was addressed to him, but felt the others should hear it as well.
Just as Zell had figured, the celebration of his return was short lived. He felt a pang of anger when Squall refocused everyone on the mission with his announcement of the letter, but quickly pushed it aside. Mission first, problem later.
Once he was sure he had everyone's attention, he began to read the letter aloud. "'As you all know, Yukino is only a half hour boat ride away from the outer borders of Esthar. What you do not know, and we have discovered, is that the small village on the other side of the mountain, Mondera, is part of a trade route with Galbadia.'"
"Jeez," Zell sighed, rolling his eyes. "They would have to play some part in this, wouldn't they?"
Squall glanced up at him, but said nothing. "'They export a rare resource to Galbadia found in the caverns on their side of the mountain. The idea of losing the source of their supply is stirring Galbadia into thinking of taking action in the battle that is looming over the two towns.
"'In light of this knowledge, Esthar is also being stirred to move. The idea of Galbadia storming a town so close to their border does not settle well with the Esthar people and government. They are prepared to send a small army into Yukino, should Galbadia get involved.'"
"Whoa!" Zell cried. "This thing could blow into a full-fledge war if those two get involved!"
"Exactly why the Headmaster is worried," Squall confirmed. "He wants us to solve this mystery before either of the two villages has a chance to act on their anger."
"Run by me why the other village's so pissed?" Zell said softly, leaning forward on the couch and resting his arms on his knees.
"Because our village people accused them of the murder, when they say they didn't do it," Sean explained.
"But why would they if the first place?" Zell asked. "So, some important dude in your village was killed. It could have been anyone."
"Did they have something to spark that idea?" Quistis inquired.
"Yes," Sean replied, nodding. "Weapons were found at the murder scene; they were made of black silver, the resource that your headmaster spoke of. Something only found in their caverns, and only they make weapons of that nature."
"What does Galbadia use it for?" the older blonde asked.
"To decorate their homes."
Quistis snorted softly and whispered, "Only in Galbadia," more to herself than anyone else.
"You didn't let me finish, Lady Quistis. They also use it as a component in their guns to make them stronger and more durable."
Is that why that damn thing didn't break when I stomped on it? Zell thought, staring at the ceiling.
Irvine leaned forward, finally offering his opinion. "But, if they really wanted to kill him, would they have been stupid enough to leave evidence that it was most definitely them behind? It just doesn't make sense. Why would they want to spark a battle?"
Sean sighed softly. "Our towns have always been on the verge of battle. They know how important that resource is to Galbadia, and only they know how to harvest it properly. They'd take their methods to their death. In knowing this, they know that Galbadia would back them if they were to ever go to war with us. That gives them confidence."
"Yet," Quistis said softly, "you still don't believe they did it?"
"No, I do not. I don't know what I saw coming out of the forest to kill my master, but I do know they were not human."
"Whatever the case may be," Squall said softly, sitting down on the sofa between Zell and Irvine, "we've got to get this all figured out before Galbadia acts. Find the murderers, punish them, and calm the people."
I'm glad Squall thinks this is that simple, Irvine thought, watching their leader go over what they managed to dig up while Zell was absent. I have a feeling solving this murder isn't going to be the end of it.
He leaned forward, helping to clarify some of Squall's notes to Zell. He might have been a good leader, and excellent fighter… But his handwriting still needed a little bit of work.
This wasn't going to be tough. Concluding this without a war was going to be damn near impossible.
[ end part ii ]