Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Final Fantasy VIII characters in this story.
Author's Note: Sorry this story is taking me so long. And for those of you who enjoy the dark violence, that isn't in this chapter. The fic kinda switches tone, but it will be darker again in the final part. I'm dissatisfied with this chapter, too… But it does introduce a major character, so have patience.
DARK LEGACY
Part Two
Carnival of Night
"Your friend Zell is awake."
Raine's calm statement startled Rinoa out of her usual morning lethargy. Even though she was eating better and feeling less dispirited, she was still haunted by nightmares and was always in a stupor when she woke.
"Zell?" Rinoa repeated, a note of hope creeping into her voice. The young SeeD had been in a coma since Squall had attacked him that Christmas. It had been seven months since that fateful night, and Rinoa had feared Zell would never recover. "How is he?" Rinoa longed to go see him. He had been a close friend, and it had been painful to see his normally energetic body lying still and limp.
Rinoa's hands tightened across her midriff, inwardly cursing her condition. Just one more month… Then I'll go see him! Right after these three are born…
But she wanted to see him now. She wanted to see all of her friends. Raine had been a good companion the past two months, but she wanted to be with others her own age, people who knew her well and wouldn't try to get on her good side just because she was a high born.
People who wouldn't shy away from her because she was a sorceress… Or a mother to monsters.
"What's wrong?" Raine asked, and Rinoa realized her thoughts must be obvious.
"I want to see him. But I can't! Not until…" She gestured at her belly. "They'll hate me," she whispered.
Raine leaned across the table, taking Rinoa's trembling hands in hers. "They'll find out eventually anyway," she said softly. "Perhaps now would be a good time to tell them, when it's too late for them to stop you from giving birth, and early enough to let them adjust to the idea. Perhaps they may even be able to help you find a cure now."
Rinoa's lips trembled. "You think I should see them?"
"You're in better control of yourself now that you're being properly… fed," Raine couldn't meet Rinoa's eyes. "And you've all had time to get used to the losses, if not recover. Though it might be physically hard on you," she gave Rinoa's figure a wry glance, "to make the trip from Deling City to Balamb, I think it will help you mentally."
Rinoa's eyes lit up, and she looked happier than she had since Squall's death. "Do you really think I can?"
"As long as you don't exert yourself. And I think your father will approve; he's worried about you spending too much time at home."
"Will you go with me?" Rinoa pleaded, suddenly afraid.
"Of course. Someone has to keep an eye on you."
And provide moral support if my friends want nothing to do with me…
"Thank you," Rinoa whispered. Then, "What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
* * *
She hadn't expected the long train ride to make her so weary. Rinoa had tried to sleep during the trip, but she'd had another nightmare, and her screams had been heard through the private compartment's wall, and security had been called.
But at least Rinoa was now in Balamb, with Raine by her side. The older woman squeezed her shoulder for comfort.
They immediately got a ride to the hospital, thanks to a driver who went faster than Rinoa would have liked. From the anxious looks he cast in her direction, Rinoa guessed the poor man thought she needed to get to the hospital because of her condition.
At last they were there, and Rinoa stepped into the lobby, trying to summon her courage. What would Zell do when confronted with Squall's potentially monstrous offspring? She shut her eyes and took deep, even breaths. "You can do it," Raine said from behind her.
Maybe no one's here… Rinoa went up to the desk and asked where Zell was being kept. The woman looked uncertain until Rinoa told her she was a friend from Garden.
"Oh, another one? You're group is already there," the woman said brightly, then gave Rinoa the location.
Damn… "At least I'll get this over with now," Rinoa said weakly. She wondered how many of the gang were there. Perhaps she would only have to explain once.
Raine chose to stay in the lobby, to give Rinoa privacy. So she found herself heading towards a room where happy voices could be heard, even this far down the hallway. She was surprised by the emotions the familiar voices caused; she hadn't she'd missed them this much!
The voices stopped as soon as she entered the hospital room. She turned slowly, meeting the shocked gazes of a pale Zell, Selphie, Irvine, and Quistis.
"Rinoa!" Zell's weak voice broke the silence. "I was hoping you'd come visit! Come in!"
Selphie hastily vacated the seat close to Zell's bed, and Rinoa gratefully took it. All eyes were on her.
"Hi, Zell," she said, her voice loud in the subdued atmosphere. "I'm glad you finally returned to the land of the living." She ignored the others, focusing on this one friendly face. His eyes seemed large in his thin face, and his blond hair fell limply over them. His smile seemed strained as he met her eyes.
"It's good to be back," he said, though his expression implied otherwise. She saw his eyes shift briefly to his covered legs before returning to her. Of course… He's paralyzed… To someone as active a Zell had been, this must be torture. "I seem to have missed a lot," he said, his gaze now on Rinoa's midriff.
Selphie's eyes were shining. "She didn't tell us, either," she said excitedly. "You never told us you were leaving because you were having a baby! Why not?"
"Because it's Squall's." Quistis's voice was flat, and everyone turned to her. Rinoa flinched when she was the empty right sleeve of her shirt. "Isn't it, Rinoa?"
"Yes," she said softly. "They are Squall's."
"Oooh," Selphie said delightedly, seemingly oblivious to the tension, "Twins?"
Rinoa's gaze didn't leave Quistis's. "Triplets."
"Ouch," Irvine muttered.
"Are they killers, too?" Quistis persisted.
"Hey," Zell said. "What matters is that she's here, and I got to see her before going back to sleep."
"You've been asleep for seven months," Irvine pointed out. "Haven't you had enough yet?"
Zell really did look weary, and Rinoa was sorry she'd brought this on him. "Maybe I should leave…"
"We have five more minutes," Selphie said. "Stay, please?"
Rinoa glanced at the frowning Quistis, then met the others' pleading looks. "All right. But let's talk about good times, okay?"
Listening to her friends' lighthearted banter, Rinoa realized how much she'd missed it. Now, if only Quistis wouldn't stare at her as if she'd been the one who'd bitten off the woman's hand…
* * *
They left Zell with great reluctance. Selphie stayed at Rinoa's side at though determined to make up for Quistis's stony welcome. She asked Rinoa excited questions about the triplets, her fingers brushing against Rinoa's belly. Inwardly, Rinoa flinched from the touch.
She quickly steered the conversation away from herself. "Zell seems to be holding up pretty well," Rinoa said softly.
Selphie's smile faded. "He's pretending. It's tearing him up that he may never walk again. As soon as he recovers from his coma, they're going to send him to Esthar for more advanced surgery on his spine."
"What really hurts him, though, is that his girlfriend won't have anything to do with him," Irvine added. "I told her when I went to the library that he was awake and… she didn't care. She's already found someone new, and had no interest in a cripple."
"Poor Zell," Rinoa whispered.
"All our lives have been affected," Quistis said suddenly. "Nothing's been the same at Garden. Too many students have transferred, or quit altogether. And Matron and I are having trouble keeping things in line now."
"She invited Seifer and the others back," Selphie interjected, grinning slyly. "They're dating now."
Quistis flushed. She rubbed her arm, exposing the stump at her wrist. "What I'm trying to say," she shot Selphie a dirty look, "is that we don't need more creatures like what Squall became. Please… tell me your children won't be that way."
She looked so desperate that Rinoa wanted to lie. "At least one of them will be like Squall. I can feel it." The others stopped in their tracks and stared. "That's why I need your help to find a cure. I know we had no luck before…" Her voice cracked. "Please! I can't let Squall's children die! They're all I have left!"
"We may have had no luck before," Selphie said solemnly, "but we can look again!"
"Anything for a lady," Irvine said, bowing to her.
"On one condition," Quistis said sternly. "Keep in contact with us. I'd hate to lose another friend." She gave Rinoa a faint smile.
It was more than Rinoa could have hoped for.
* * *
Raine met up with them, and she had found Edea, who had arrived too late to see Zell. Edea gently embraced Rinoa, offering uncertain congratulations. She then offered to take Raine with her to Ma Dincht's, where she was staying to be closer to Zell.
"You could come too, if you're tired," Edea told Rinoa. "Or you could go with the others to the carnival."
"The carnival? I forgot!" Selphie said enthusiastically. "I told Zell I'd win him a stuffed chocobo!"
"He'd rather we brought him some hot dogs," Irvine said dryly.
A carnival? She'd been to the one last year with Squall… This could bring up too many memories. On the other hand, she wanted to be one of the gang again. "I won't be good company," Rinoa said. "I can't go on any rides and I tire easily."
"That's all right!" Selphie said. "I'll stay with you! Just come, please?"
"It's supposed to be good this year. They say there's this freak show run by the most incredible babe," Irvine grinned, then yelped when Selphie elbowed him in the ribs.
"Maybe if I ask, she'll take you on as one of the freaks," Selphie scowled.
"Now that I have to see," Rinoa said with a smile. "I think I will go. Just… be gentle."
"We'll be careful with you," Selphie promised.
"I meant with Irvine," Rinoa laughed.
* * *
The carnival was much as she remembered it: The crowds, the noise, the atmosphere of enjoyment. Rinoa recalled coming last year, a month before Squall's curse. They'd been so happy and carefree… Even Squall had laughed when she'd made a goatee for him out of pink cotton candy. They'd been able to act like the young adults they were, not the heroes that had saved the world.
Hyne, Rinoa missed those days. When she and Squall had battled through the crowds before, she'd seen the looks of envy from every guy and girl their age when they saw the attractive couple.
Now, she could only make her way slowly through the press of bodies, and sit alone whenever Selphie and Irvine went on rides. Quistis had gone off alone, and Selphie had murmured that she was sneaking off to meet Seifer.
"Well," Selphie grinned as she plopped down next to Rinoa, a fluffy stuffed chocobo in her hands. "What do you think?"
"Pink?" Rinoa eyed it skeptically.
"It was all they had left," Selphie pouted. "It was either that or a purple tonberry!"
"So," Irvine said, taking the spot on Rinoa's other side. "Are we ready to see the 'Lady of the Night?'"
"The who?" Rinoa asked blankly.
"She runs the freak show thing," Selphie supplied. "Actually, I hear it's more like a circuit, and that she has an unusual menagerie."
"It's not just her menagerie I'm interested in," Irvine said slyly. Selphie tried to reach across Rinoa to hit him, but failed. "I'm sorry," she moaned when she saw Rinoa wince.
"It's all right," Rinoa said faintly. "Let's go see this show. Then we can go to the Dincht's." And Raine can get me something to eat, she didn't add. She didn't think they were ready for her feeding habits just yet.
The others helped her to her feet, and they made their way to the large tent set up outside Balamb. It was easy to get there; they had only to follow the flow of the crowd.
The sun began to set. How appropriate, Rinoa thought, feeling uneasy. The Lady of the Night. So many terrible things happened when darkness fell. She was starting to fear the night.
* * *
"The Lady of the Night?" Raine repeated. "That sounds familiar." She was standing at the opposite edge of town from the carnival. She had glimpsed the large midnight blue tent and had asked Edea what it was.
Edea was watching the sun set, her face sad. Her husband had died to protect her, forcing her into a crevice before using his own body to prevent Squall from killing her. Ever since, there'd been an aura of sadness around her. The same true with Laguna, Raine had noticed. And Rinoa.
My kind bring so much tragedy… "Do you really want to see this? I'll understand if…"
"I don't fear you, Raine. My husband was killed by a beast housed in Squall's body, not by you… or by Squall himself."
The sky darkened, and the transformation eased through Raine's robed form. She quickly removed the garment before she could tear it, then sat on her haunches as the changes were completed.
Edea watched solemnly for a few moments, then said, "Good hunting, Raine. I'll see you in the morning. And I'll take care of Rinoa for you."
Raine nodded to show she understood, then sprang forward into the shadows.
Lady of the Night, indeed! Raine could show that woman a thing or two!
But… What was it about that name that tugged at her memory? Raine slowed; then cocked her head towards the distant carnival. She wondered if she dared creep closer for a peek. Maybe she could jog her memory.
* * *
They'd gotten good seats, Rinoa noticed. Very near the show ring. They'd have an excellent view of what the so-called Lady had to offer, much to Irvine's delight.
"What do you want to bet she has black hair and eyes and wears a tight black dress with cleavage down to her navel?" Irvine said dreamily.
"If that's her," Selphie said, pointing, "then I'll bet all my gil."
The woman who walked to the center of the ring with a cool indifference was indeed very beautiful. She was pale, with long, flowing white hair and silvery-blue eyes. She wore a conservative robe of midnight blue sequined with silver that didn't quite hide her perfect figure. She barely looked older than they were.
There's something strange about her, Rinoa realized as long-dormant senses stirred at the sight. Who is she? Rinoa looked to her friends, but their eyes were glued to the woman below as she welcomed them all to her traveling show, the Carnival of Night. She collected rare, exotic beasts which she tamed for the pleasure of the audience.
"That's no big deal," Selphie murmured. "We've probably fought more exotic beasts than she's ever seen. Why's she making it all sound so mystical?"
"Would you pay to see the Lady of the Ordinary Animals?" Rinoa muttered. But, despite herself, she was intrigued. The woman drew her somehow.
As the Lady called for the first of her beasts to be brought out, Rinoa could have sworn the woman had been looking in her direction as well, with an unreadable gaze. You're getting paranoid, Rinoa chided herself.
"This is boring," Selphie sulked from beside Rinoa. Rinoa had to agree; so far, the Lady had brought out beasts that made much of the crowd gasp, but had been fought by the SeeDs before. They were nothing compared to some of the beasts they'd seen…
A T-Rexaur and a Grendel were brought out. The SeeDs watched all of this with boredom, but now with puzzlement as well.
"Why aren't they attacking?" Irvine asked, finally voicing what had bothered them all. "They can't be that well tamed. How is she controlling them?"
Rinoa narrowed her eyes. Magic…
* * *
Reya, self-styled Lady of the Night, watched the audience with bemusement. Fools… Cowering over something as paltry as a Behemoth… Catering to the fears of these backwater townsfolk bored her. But traveling with the carnival gave her an excuse to tour the world, while making extra gil. And, with her reputation for the exotic and the horrifying, she was often able to learn about anything unusual the locals may have heard about but were afraid to tell anyone else about.
Her quest had provided her with several experimental specimens, as well as artifacts left over from the various sorceress wars.
She had high hopes for Balamb. While it hadn't played a big role in any sorceress activities until recent years, the rumors of something that had rampaged through the Garden, setting the establishment on its way to a slow demise, had intrigued her.
What was the beast that no one would talk about, except in hushed whispers? Reya planned to find out, to add it to her collection, to make it hers, body and soul.
A shocked cry from the audience brought her back to reality, and she forced herself to concentrate to tighten her hold on the Behemoth in the ring and bind it to her will. So they were frightened of a little normal beast like her Behemoth? Wait until they saw her specials…
She turned, and once again her eye was caught by the pregnant woman in the second row. What was it about her? Reya shook her head. It was nothing, she told herself. There was nothing strange about the woman. But still… My feelings aren't often wrong…
* * *
"What were those things?" Irvine sounded baffled. They had scoffed at the Lady's menagerie until she'd brought out her last creatures. They'd been monsters in the true sense of the word, with too many eyes or limbs, or crooked, snaggle-toothed maws located in the wrong places, or flesh that seemed to ooze over bones in worm-like tendrils… Rinoa had felt ill.
"From the Lunar Cry?" Selphie suggested. They were nearly to the Dincht's home, where Selphie had said they were staying the night. Rinoa was glad; she wasn't ready to return to Garden yet.
"Could some of them have been Guardian Forces?" Rinoa mused. She halted, leaning her heavy body against a cool stone wall. The others waited patiently for her to catch her breath. "She had complete control over them."
"It's possible, though I've never heard of GF's that looked like that," Irvine grimaced. "They were hideous!" Then he abruptly grinned. "Well worth my ten gil!"
Rinoa had to agree: The creatures had been hideous. Even her appetite was gone after glimpsing some of the beasts. Probably a good thing; I didn't want to eat near my friends, anyway.
"How did she do it?" Selphie wondered.
Rinoa resumed walking, thinking over what she'd seen. Her preoccupied thoughts kept her from feeling the pain from her over-taxed body. "Magic. It has to be," she muttered softly. But had the Lady been a sorceress? And if so, was she foe or friend? The prospect of another sorceress chilled her. Suddenly, she couldn't wait for her babies to be born so her powers would return and she could go back to Garden. She had the feeling she would be needed…
"Hey, Rinoa! Smile!" Rinoa jerked her head up when her name was called, and jumped when Selphie snapped a picture of her.
"What are you doing?" Rinoa demanded, half angry and half embarrassed. She gestured at her swollen form, clearly visible through her blue-and-black gown. "Do you think I want to be remembered like this?"
Selphie grinned. "You might," she said cheerfully. "Besides, the way you were standing with the moon behind you was very cool." She nudged Irvine in the ribs, and he nodded in agreement.
Rinoa smiled wryly. "Like the Lady of the Night?" she asked.
"Much cooler," Irvine said cheerfully. "You're way prettier than her."
Rinoa blushed. She knew her friends were just trying to make her feel better, and she had to admit it was working. "Flatterers," she scolded. "I know you're lying. But thanks anyway. It's no wonder I missed you so much!"
* * *
Raine approached the Lady's pavilion at an easy lope. With the carnival closing for the night, she could get quite close. Her nose wrinkled as she reached the midnight blue sides. Something in there smelled… wrong.
She had figures out where she'd heard the name before. It had come to her as she'd skirted the edge of the carnival, sharp ears picking up the excited conversations. The Lady of the Night had been at Esthar several months ago, after Raine had returned with Laguna. The woman had been asking penetrating questions about Adel, and the law enforcement had found the woman snooping around a restricted area.
As though she were searching for something…
"Hello," a cool voice said from behind. Raine froze, here ears slicking back and lips parting to reveal her teeth. There was something about the tone she hadn't liked. "I knew there were some… unusual specimens in Balamb, but I didn't think I'd find one sniffing around my tent."
The Lady of the Night stepped out of the shadows that had concealed her. Her eyes seemed to gleam with an inner light. "A werewolf," she said, sounding unsurprised. "I should have guessed one of your kind had wreaked havoc in Garden."
Raine's hackles rose. This woman knew far too much…
"Did I shock you?" The woman smirked. "I have some familiarity with your kind." She held up her hand when Raine tensed to run. "Oh, no, you're not going to leave," she purred. "I want to know everything."
Raine found she couldn't move. But that was the least of her concerns because suddenly her whole body was on fire as her limbs twisted and shrank and her body changed against her will.
The Lady had reversed Raine's transformation! "How…?" Raine managed.
The Lady only smiled. "You will tell me everything."
Raine couldn't stop herself; she was compelled to tell the young woman everything, from her own curse up to bringing Rinoa to Balamb.
"The young woman in the crowd… I knew there was something odd about her," the Lady said smugly.
"Leave her alone," Raine hissed.
"Oh, I don't want her," the Lady said. "Nor do I want you, for that matter. You're too old for my needs, and your disappearance would cause to many questions. But, the werewolf cubs…"
Raine fought against the compulsion that held her frozen. She wouldn't let this woman take her grandchildren!
"I don't want to kill you; you're too fine a specimen. But I can't keep you, either. I'm going to let you go."
Raine stared in shock. Was she really being set free?
"Of course, I can't let you remember all of this," the Lady finished. She rested her fingers on Raine's brow, and pain flashed through her body. Then she knew nothing.
To Be Concluded…