Disclaimer: As the same with all the other chapters, we don't own anything we didn't come
up with. That belongs to Square. We do this for no profit. Blah, blah, blah.
Chapter 24: Thank You
"Are you sure, Rinoa? I mean, you have been through a lot tonight and-"
"Dammit, Squall, I'm sure! It was Dorin, he's alive and him and Vira are still at the
Cathedral! Stop treating me as if I'm insane!"
Squall stared back at Rinoa, looking over her wide dark brown eyes, covered in a glaze
of serious intent and sighed. Not too long ago, she had ran back into Garden (which was still
harbored on the coast of Draconia) yelling about something happening in the Cathedral of the
Lost. Squall had rushed from his dorm room, and spent a few minutes trying to get a clear word
out of Rinoa, her words all falling together from the excitement and speed she was saying them
at. The travel back to Garden hadn't calmed her, only made the odd concept of Dorin's
resurrection more unbelievable. Her voice rose to a high pitch, loud enough to waken everyone
else so that in a matter of minutes, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis and Seifer were all gathered
around the two, trying to make out one word of Rinoa's story. After what seemed like forever,
Squall had gathered that Vira and Rinoa had went back to the Cathedral to see Dorin one last
time. When they got there, Dorin's body was gone but Yuri was there instead. The two fought him,
but Vira wasn't strong enough. Yuri was about to kill her when, unbelievably, Dorin showed up,
back from the dead, and fought with Yuri one last time. The rest seemed like a jumble, the words
dragon, fire, decapitation, and Vira hugging Dorin all coming out in one hurried breath. "Rinoa,
it just sounds...so weird. How could Dorin be alive?"
Rinoa crossed her arms over her chest defiantly, frowning at Squall. "Stop that. Like
I've been trying to tell you, Vulkan, his GF, chose him for something. He resurrected Dorin and
now he's inside of him. Dorin said he's got some of Vulkan's memories and everything."
"And him and Vira are still at the Cathedral?" Squall asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, he told me to go on ahead and that he wanted to talk to her."
From behind Rinoa, Zell grunted softly. "Vira probably listened for a few minutes and
then walked out on him."
Selphie punched Zell in the shoulder lightly, frowning at him. "Hush, Zell. If she had
left, she woulda been here by now."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"That still doesn't, like-" Irvine yawned mid sentence, covering his mouth to be polite.
"-solve what we should do about Xana."
Seifer stood next to Quistis, his arm still in the sling it had been placed in. He had
stayed silent for most of the conversation up to this point, thinking about everything that had
been going on. He didn't feel angry at Dorin for his injury. Seifer knew what the Rage was like
and was well aware that he didn't have any control in the situation at all. Hell, that was proven
by what he did to Vira. Even Seifer could see that Dorin had something for her by the way she was
the only one he would ever really talk to. And he could tell that Vira had something for Dorin by
the way she had reacted when he died. But, now everything was confusing him. Something Seifer
hated. He was rarely ever confused and when he was, it would turn into frustration. He wanted
Xana dead, but even more, now he wanted Kravis dead. Kravis, who had tried to hurt Quistis, who
had given his friend a scar. Raijin's scar will never leave him, it'll be a permanent reminder to
everyone what had happened. And no matter what Fujin had said, Seifer still felt he had let down
his friends. Kravis needed to pay for all of this. The pain and suffering he had caused his
friends and loved ones. All this boiled inside Seifer, the thought that he had changed and yet
stayed the same stuck in the back of his mind, until these negative feelings over boiled in the
kettle of his mind. Seifer tore his sling off, the piece of cloth floating to the ground
gracefully, contrasting with the hard determined look on his face. "We should get her and those
Hynedamn Black SeeDs now! Full force, all out, everyone in for it! Enough small teams, enough
covert operations! We need a full frontal assault on her and we need to do it now before she does
something else to screw up someone's life!"
"He's right, you know."
Everyone turned to see Vira standing at the entrance, looking tired but more together
than she had been. And next to her was a very much alive Dorin. Rinoa's expression turned to a
"I told you so" look as she gave Squall a sharp glance. He sighed and nodded, silently relenting
and admitting his fault.
"Wow!!" Selphie exclaimed, running up to Dorin and poking him in the arm to check for
authenticity. She squealed with delight. "It's true!! You are alive! That's sooooooo cooooool!"
Dorin eyed Selphie oddly, stepping back a little. "Uhm, yes, I am."
"We thought for sure that you were a goner, man," Irvine said. "But we're real glad
you're back. It's just like Rinoa said, right? Vulkan is inside you?"
Dorin nodded. "Yes, he is. I have some of his memories inside me. It's a bit odd."
Squall looked at Rinoa, then at Dorin. "Rinoa told us about what happened. Yuri's dead,
correct?"
"Couldn't find someone more dead than him," Vira commented.
"And you agree with me, right, Eronwil? This needs to stop. And now. With one huge, all
out battle," Seifer said.
Vira nodded. "This has to stop and none of our covert operations or anything else we've
done has stopped her. We need a lot of people. Enough to take on her Black SeeDs. The sooner
this is over, the better. I do not want anyone else to die." She emphasized the last sentence.
"Garden doesn't have enough SeeDs, hell, not even enough students to take on all the
Black SeeDs Xana has," Squall said.
Vira frowned. "What do you suggest then?"
Squall paused for a moment in thought. Then, he continued, "We'd have enough if we
brought all the SeeDs from around the world in this. Balamb and Galbadia Gardens are mobile,
the White SeeD ship can come here since they've put up communications with the rest of the
SeeDs, and Trabia's SeeDs can come here. I say we use all the Gardens, all the SeeDs and go for
it. We have no better plan."
Seifer smiled a grim smile. "Now you're talkin', Squall. For once, I have to agree with
you. How long will it take to get everyone here?"
"Not too long," Squall replied. He looked at Zell. "Zell-"
"Yeah?" He yawned.
"Get on the communicators and phones. Get in contact with the Headmasters of both Trabia
and Galbadia Gardens. Then try and get through to the White SeeDs. Let me know when you have,"
Squall ordered.
Zell nodded. "And I tell them all to come here and get ready for a full assault?"
"Yeah. Galbadia won't be too hard to get here since they're mobile and they aren't
technically supposed to be allied with Xana. Not after all she's done. When you're done, come
find me."
"Where will you be?"
"Probably the Quad. Quistis-"
Quistis looked up, having been previous paying attention to Seifer's injury. "What?"
"Can you help me round up all the SeeDs and higher level students? I need to get everyone
all briefed on what's going on. We also need to let Headmaster Cid know what's going on," said
Squall.
"Okay. I'll go talk to Headmaster Cid," Quistis replied, rushing off to the elevator.
Squall sighed. "We really won't need anything else until everyone else gets here. I just
hope Xana isn't going to try anything before we can get everyone here."
"What about Xana? It's not like we can just walk up to her and stick a sword in her,"
Irvine said. "I mean, how do we stop her? She's not gonna just let herself be arrested."
"...I don't really know about her-" Squall started.
"I do. Just clear a path for me and I'll handle her," Vira said quietly.
Dorin gave Vira a look out of the corner of his eye. She looked back for a second. "We'll
handle her," he corrected.
Squall looked at the two, then focused on Vira. "I know that this has been real difficult
for you, and you're probably really tired."
"I am, but I'll be fine," she said.
"Still, are you sure there isn't any other way to stop her?"
Vira shrugged. "Hadn't heard of anything else."
"And you're willing to-"
Vira stopped Squall. She looked at everyone's faces. She studied them all. Squall's face
showed her the seriousness of her decision, Seifer's showing her how crazy it all sounded, echoed
by Selphie and Irvine's expressions. Dorin's face almost made her laugh in spite of it all. She
knew no matter what she said, he would say he would go with her. It was okay. She would let him
think that. But after everything...Vira knew. She knew what she had to do, and that although she
hated the responsibility, although she never wanted this life, she had to protect those who had
just allowed her to be herself and who might've been her friends if things had been different.
"I know what I might have to do. And if it comes to it, I will. That's all there is to it."
Squall looked at Vira for a moment, looking into her eyes. He saw her determination. He
nodded. "Okay. For now, I think you should go rest, though. You still have some injuries to
recover from. Keep that in mind. And Dorin, you should probably get some rest too. When
everything is set, I'll let you know."
Dorin nodded, looking to Vira, who reluctantly agreed, nodding. "Okay. I'll be in my room
if anyone needs me."
"Do you want any company?" Dorin asked.
Vira let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "Not this time. I just need a
little time to myself."
"Very well," he replied. "But I'll walk you to your room."
Vira nodded. "Fine, fine."
The two of them walked off to the dorms, throwing each other glances from time to time.
Zell snorted lightly. "Weird people," he said quietly.
"Zell, the communications..." Squall started.
Zell's eyes widened, remembering his duties. "Oh, right! On my way!" He rushed off to
the elevator.
"Seifer, I want you to rest too. If you want to fight-and I know you will-you'll need to
be in top condition," Squall said.
Seifer scoffed. "Don't worry about me, Squall. I'll be ready. Just save Kravis for me."
"Okay, whatever," he replied. "I have to go gather the SeeDs. Just be ready when it all
starts." That said, Squall walked away.
Selphie smiled. "I think those two are cute together."
Irvine shook his head. "Darlin', it won't last."
"What?" Her smile faltered.
"Aw, c'mon, Selphie, if it comes down to it, Vira's gonna die," Seifer explained.
She shook her head. "It won't happen. There's always another way. They'll find it at the
last second and everything'll turn out fine! You'll see!"
Irvine chuckled. "Always the optimist, Sefie."
"Someone has to be."
Sleep had come to Vira readily. The moment she sat on her bed, it consumed her, and
without bothering to change, Vira fell into a deep sleep. Images flashed in her mind, first of
Zell, then Squall, and Dorin, as if she was reliving the past few weeks in only mere moments.
The intensity was amazing, the noise of memories getting louder and louder until it just stopped
dead. Then there was nothing. Just white. And Vira knew she'd seen this place before. This
white nothingness. Though everything had been confusing around her, this place in her dreams had
been constant. It was the gateway between living and dead, the only place she saw her father.
And indeed he was there. He stood in front of her, his golden hair glistening magestically in
the pure white around them. His expression wasn't of anger, or even that of sadness. It was...
just a bit melancholy. Vira approached him. He smiled.
"Hey kiddo."
"Hey."
"Got a lot of work ahead of you. I figured this would be the only time to talk to you,"
he said.
Vira squinted. "How are you able to do this?"
"It's that strange power in you. You're different. I can seem to reach you at times. And
this was the best time to do it." He paused. "This is it. The end."
"So, I'm gonna die," she said.
Her father shook his head. "Not necessarily. There's a possibility of you making it
through. You never know. I wanted to let you know that...even if you kill Xana, and live, it
won't be over. There's more you need to know. More you need to find out and learn. Only when you
accept it all, will you reach the end of this journey and be where you need to be."
"Then...I'm going to live?" asked Vira.
He laughed. "I am not here to tell you your future. You have to make it yourself. If I
told you, would you make the same decision? Who is to say? I may know more than I'm letting on,
but it's only because you need to make your own decisions, and face the consequences of each
one."
"Oh..." said Vira. "Then what is it you wanted to tell me?"
He smiled. "Treat this day as if it was your last. Square accounts, make amends, tell
people how you really feel. Open up and let them in."
"Zell?"
He nodded. "Definitely. Make amends with as many as you can."
Vira nodded, understanding what he meant. "Is that it?"
"I also wanted you to know...I am so proud of you. Really. I am. You were never a
mistake. Deep underneath the powers that have corrupted your mother for so long was a woman who
could have been a good mother. It was a terrible shame that what happened happened. I bear no ill
will to her. For a while...she was the woman I loved. Everyday I lost a bit of her. But she was
never born evil. And a hero's birth is never a mistake."
Vira chorted. "I'm no hero."
"Heroes seldom feel they are. But the sacrifice you're ready to make for everyone just
proves the contrary. You are a hero. You've already proven it. And I'm proud of you." He stopped,
smiling again, and hugged Vira. She wrapped her arms around him, stifling back tears. "I love you
Vira. Just know that. And maybe somewhere, deep down inside, your mother does too. Try to think
of her as I have. And be true to you. The real you. Not the false wall you've put around you."
He released her, looking into her eyes with his light blue ones. They sparkled with
warmth and love. Vira smiled. "I love you too. I'll remember." She paused. "Just one more
thing..."
"Yeah?"
Vira pointed to the necklace he wore around his neck, silver, like the one she used to
wear, but its symbol was different. It was an odd looking T shape, curved on the sides and
bottom, crooked in the middle like a bolt of lightning. In fact, her father's entire wardrobe
looked a little strange to her. One of his pant legs was longer than the other, leaving him with
one full pant leg and one short one. Pants and shorts all in one. His feet were bare, and his
shirt was short sleeved, a bright blue one to match his eyes, with a white hood in the back of
it. "What's with the necklace? And the outfit?"
He laughed. "Just getting back to my roots is all. Back home, this is how I dressed all
the time."
"Back in Deling?" she questioned.
"For a while, yeah." Her father checked the watch he had on his wrist. "Well, time for me
to go, girl. Remember what I told you, and just do what you have to do."
Vira nodded. "I will. Good bye, Dad."
Her father began walking away, slowly disappearing into the white mist around them. He
waved back to her. "Good bye, Vira."
Vira woke up. She sighed and sat up. It was time to set things straight. Because she
might not have another chance to.
But first...she needed to change her clothes.
She finally found Zell in the Cafeteria, scarfing down a big breakfast of pancakes,
bacon, toast, and hash browns with a ferocity she hadn't seen in someone's appetite before. The
pulled up a chair across from him, the chair's squeaking on the floor announcing her arrival.
Zell looked up at her, nodded, and went back to eating.
"Late breakfast?" she said.
He nodded, his mouth full.
"Everyone's coming soon?"
Another nod.
"Good."
Awkward silence.
Zell stopped eating and looked up at Vira. ".....Squall's in the Quad with Quistis and
Rinoa."
"I wanted to talk to you, Zell."
He looked taken aback. "Oh."
Vira sighed. He wasn't going to make it easy for her, was he? "Look, I just...I just
wanted to let you know how sorry I am for everything."
"Everything?"
She nodded. "I know you were just...trying to help me. I've been too blind to see anyone
trying to reach out to me because I've been so used to it not happening. The way I treated you
was wrong. And I apologize."
Zell stared Vira straight in the eye, a piece of his pancake falling back onto the plate.
"You...know how it hurt, right? With all that happened and how you and..."
"Yeah," Vira quickly said. "I do. Again, I'm sorry. All I've been is sorry for weeks now.
But I really am."
He nodded, picking up the fallen piece of pancake on his fork and shoving it in his
mouth. "I know. That's what you say a lot. I forgive you. Was that all?"
"No." Vira shook her head. "I...also want to say thank you."
Zell's jaw dropped a bit. "Thank...you?"
"Yeah. You and Dorin...you both tried. And not too many people would with the way I am.
That means a lot to me. No matter what happens to me later...thank you. Just, thanks for being
my friend," Vira said, being more sincere than Zell had ever seen her.
Zell said nothing for a moment, caught up in what Vira had said. He never expected her to
thank him, not after how she'd acted. And he saw how Dorin looked at her. He knew Vira would
choose him. Draconian noblity wasn't even in the same league with a little SeeD like Zell. He
felt he had been out of the running for a while, and had been hurt when she kept giving him the
cold shoulder. It turned him off, it hurt him, and what had been worse, Dorin hadn't given up.
If Zell had just tried harder, he could have found a way to see the real Vira. But, the way she
had acted towards him threw him off, and he gave up. That's what hurt the most. Then...how she
never seemed to notice. Again, more hurt. Now...here she was, being truthful, and even thanking
him for trying.
It meant the world to Zell. Even if she only called him a friend...it meant the world to
him. Zell grinned. "You're welcome." He paused. "Will you really kill her and yourself?"
"If I have to, yes."
"Mr. Iceman won't let you."
"He'll have to." Vira stood up, looking around the Cafeteria. "He has no choice. But,
who knows? Maybe we'll all come through this alive and well."
"But you might-"
Vira nodded. "I know." She began walking away. "And I'm ready. See ya, Zell."
Zell waved as Vira walked out of the Cafeteria, fork still in his other hand. "See ya...
and thanks."
Author's Comments: Whoa! Look who's back from the dead, eh? I've finally resurrected my
FFVIII writing bug and have the ability to actually wrap this one up. We're in the home stretch.
Really. I swear. And I'm sorry for taking so long. The next chapter will be the big battle, the
final one, and will decide Vira's fate. Please stay tuned for more. And it will come, I promise!
I've just been busy with my new webcomic (http://unusualheroes.keenspace.com) and everything. Oh,
please R&R to let me know how I'm doin'. See ya soon!
up with. That belongs to Square. We do this for no profit. Blah, blah, blah.
Chapter 24: Thank You
"Are you sure, Rinoa? I mean, you have been through a lot tonight and-"
"Dammit, Squall, I'm sure! It was Dorin, he's alive and him and Vira are still at the
Cathedral! Stop treating me as if I'm insane!"
Squall stared back at Rinoa, looking over her wide dark brown eyes, covered in a glaze
of serious intent and sighed. Not too long ago, she had ran back into Garden (which was still
harbored on the coast of Draconia) yelling about something happening in the Cathedral of the
Lost. Squall had rushed from his dorm room, and spent a few minutes trying to get a clear word
out of Rinoa, her words all falling together from the excitement and speed she was saying them
at. The travel back to Garden hadn't calmed her, only made the odd concept of Dorin's
resurrection more unbelievable. Her voice rose to a high pitch, loud enough to waken everyone
else so that in a matter of minutes, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis and Seifer were all gathered
around the two, trying to make out one word of Rinoa's story. After what seemed like forever,
Squall had gathered that Vira and Rinoa had went back to the Cathedral to see Dorin one last
time. When they got there, Dorin's body was gone but Yuri was there instead. The two fought him,
but Vira wasn't strong enough. Yuri was about to kill her when, unbelievably, Dorin showed up,
back from the dead, and fought with Yuri one last time. The rest seemed like a jumble, the words
dragon, fire, decapitation, and Vira hugging Dorin all coming out in one hurried breath. "Rinoa,
it just sounds...so weird. How could Dorin be alive?"
Rinoa crossed her arms over her chest defiantly, frowning at Squall. "Stop that. Like
I've been trying to tell you, Vulkan, his GF, chose him for something. He resurrected Dorin and
now he's inside of him. Dorin said he's got some of Vulkan's memories and everything."
"And him and Vira are still at the Cathedral?" Squall asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, he told me to go on ahead and that he wanted to talk to her."
From behind Rinoa, Zell grunted softly. "Vira probably listened for a few minutes and
then walked out on him."
Selphie punched Zell in the shoulder lightly, frowning at him. "Hush, Zell. If she had
left, she woulda been here by now."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"That still doesn't, like-" Irvine yawned mid sentence, covering his mouth to be polite.
"-solve what we should do about Xana."
Seifer stood next to Quistis, his arm still in the sling it had been placed in. He had
stayed silent for most of the conversation up to this point, thinking about everything that had
been going on. He didn't feel angry at Dorin for his injury. Seifer knew what the Rage was like
and was well aware that he didn't have any control in the situation at all. Hell, that was proven
by what he did to Vira. Even Seifer could see that Dorin had something for her by the way she was
the only one he would ever really talk to. And he could tell that Vira had something for Dorin by
the way she had reacted when he died. But, now everything was confusing him. Something Seifer
hated. He was rarely ever confused and when he was, it would turn into frustration. He wanted
Xana dead, but even more, now he wanted Kravis dead. Kravis, who had tried to hurt Quistis, who
had given his friend a scar. Raijin's scar will never leave him, it'll be a permanent reminder to
everyone what had happened. And no matter what Fujin had said, Seifer still felt he had let down
his friends. Kravis needed to pay for all of this. The pain and suffering he had caused his
friends and loved ones. All this boiled inside Seifer, the thought that he had changed and yet
stayed the same stuck in the back of his mind, until these negative feelings over boiled in the
kettle of his mind. Seifer tore his sling off, the piece of cloth floating to the ground
gracefully, contrasting with the hard determined look on his face. "We should get her and those
Hynedamn Black SeeDs now! Full force, all out, everyone in for it! Enough small teams, enough
covert operations! We need a full frontal assault on her and we need to do it now before she does
something else to screw up someone's life!"
"He's right, you know."
Everyone turned to see Vira standing at the entrance, looking tired but more together
than she had been. And next to her was a very much alive Dorin. Rinoa's expression turned to a
"I told you so" look as she gave Squall a sharp glance. He sighed and nodded, silently relenting
and admitting his fault.
"Wow!!" Selphie exclaimed, running up to Dorin and poking him in the arm to check for
authenticity. She squealed with delight. "It's true!! You are alive! That's sooooooo cooooool!"
Dorin eyed Selphie oddly, stepping back a little. "Uhm, yes, I am."
"We thought for sure that you were a goner, man," Irvine said. "But we're real glad
you're back. It's just like Rinoa said, right? Vulkan is inside you?"
Dorin nodded. "Yes, he is. I have some of his memories inside me. It's a bit odd."
Squall looked at Rinoa, then at Dorin. "Rinoa told us about what happened. Yuri's dead,
correct?"
"Couldn't find someone more dead than him," Vira commented.
"And you agree with me, right, Eronwil? This needs to stop. And now. With one huge, all
out battle," Seifer said.
Vira nodded. "This has to stop and none of our covert operations or anything else we've
done has stopped her. We need a lot of people. Enough to take on her Black SeeDs. The sooner
this is over, the better. I do not want anyone else to die." She emphasized the last sentence.
"Garden doesn't have enough SeeDs, hell, not even enough students to take on all the
Black SeeDs Xana has," Squall said.
Vira frowned. "What do you suggest then?"
Squall paused for a moment in thought. Then, he continued, "We'd have enough if we
brought all the SeeDs from around the world in this. Balamb and Galbadia Gardens are mobile,
the White SeeD ship can come here since they've put up communications with the rest of the
SeeDs, and Trabia's SeeDs can come here. I say we use all the Gardens, all the SeeDs and go for
it. We have no better plan."
Seifer smiled a grim smile. "Now you're talkin', Squall. For once, I have to agree with
you. How long will it take to get everyone here?"
"Not too long," Squall replied. He looked at Zell. "Zell-"
"Yeah?" He yawned.
"Get on the communicators and phones. Get in contact with the Headmasters of both Trabia
and Galbadia Gardens. Then try and get through to the White SeeDs. Let me know when you have,"
Squall ordered.
Zell nodded. "And I tell them all to come here and get ready for a full assault?"
"Yeah. Galbadia won't be too hard to get here since they're mobile and they aren't
technically supposed to be allied with Xana. Not after all she's done. When you're done, come
find me."
"Where will you be?"
"Probably the Quad. Quistis-"
Quistis looked up, having been previous paying attention to Seifer's injury. "What?"
"Can you help me round up all the SeeDs and higher level students? I need to get everyone
all briefed on what's going on. We also need to let Headmaster Cid know what's going on," said
Squall.
"Okay. I'll go talk to Headmaster Cid," Quistis replied, rushing off to the elevator.
Squall sighed. "We really won't need anything else until everyone else gets here. I just
hope Xana isn't going to try anything before we can get everyone here."
"What about Xana? It's not like we can just walk up to her and stick a sword in her,"
Irvine said. "I mean, how do we stop her? She's not gonna just let herself be arrested."
"...I don't really know about her-" Squall started.
"I do. Just clear a path for me and I'll handle her," Vira said quietly.
Dorin gave Vira a look out of the corner of his eye. She looked back for a second. "We'll
handle her," he corrected.
Squall looked at the two, then focused on Vira. "I know that this has been real difficult
for you, and you're probably really tired."
"I am, but I'll be fine," she said.
"Still, are you sure there isn't any other way to stop her?"
Vira shrugged. "Hadn't heard of anything else."
"And you're willing to-"
Vira stopped Squall. She looked at everyone's faces. She studied them all. Squall's face
showed her the seriousness of her decision, Seifer's showing her how crazy it all sounded, echoed
by Selphie and Irvine's expressions. Dorin's face almost made her laugh in spite of it all. She
knew no matter what she said, he would say he would go with her. It was okay. She would let him
think that. But after everything...Vira knew. She knew what she had to do, and that although she
hated the responsibility, although she never wanted this life, she had to protect those who had
just allowed her to be herself and who might've been her friends if things had been different.
"I know what I might have to do. And if it comes to it, I will. That's all there is to it."
Squall looked at Vira for a moment, looking into her eyes. He saw her determination. He
nodded. "Okay. For now, I think you should go rest, though. You still have some injuries to
recover from. Keep that in mind. And Dorin, you should probably get some rest too. When
everything is set, I'll let you know."
Dorin nodded, looking to Vira, who reluctantly agreed, nodding. "Okay. I'll be in my room
if anyone needs me."
"Do you want any company?" Dorin asked.
Vira let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "Not this time. I just need a
little time to myself."
"Very well," he replied. "But I'll walk you to your room."
Vira nodded. "Fine, fine."
The two of them walked off to the dorms, throwing each other glances from time to time.
Zell snorted lightly. "Weird people," he said quietly.
"Zell, the communications..." Squall started.
Zell's eyes widened, remembering his duties. "Oh, right! On my way!" He rushed off to
the elevator.
"Seifer, I want you to rest too. If you want to fight-and I know you will-you'll need to
be in top condition," Squall said.
Seifer scoffed. "Don't worry about me, Squall. I'll be ready. Just save Kravis for me."
"Okay, whatever," he replied. "I have to go gather the SeeDs. Just be ready when it all
starts." That said, Squall walked away.
Selphie smiled. "I think those two are cute together."
Irvine shook his head. "Darlin', it won't last."
"What?" Her smile faltered.
"Aw, c'mon, Selphie, if it comes down to it, Vira's gonna die," Seifer explained.
She shook her head. "It won't happen. There's always another way. They'll find it at the
last second and everything'll turn out fine! You'll see!"
Irvine chuckled. "Always the optimist, Sefie."
"Someone has to be."
Sleep had come to Vira readily. The moment she sat on her bed, it consumed her, and
without bothering to change, Vira fell into a deep sleep. Images flashed in her mind, first of
Zell, then Squall, and Dorin, as if she was reliving the past few weeks in only mere moments.
The intensity was amazing, the noise of memories getting louder and louder until it just stopped
dead. Then there was nothing. Just white. And Vira knew she'd seen this place before. This
white nothingness. Though everything had been confusing around her, this place in her dreams had
been constant. It was the gateway between living and dead, the only place she saw her father.
And indeed he was there. He stood in front of her, his golden hair glistening magestically in
the pure white around them. His expression wasn't of anger, or even that of sadness. It was...
just a bit melancholy. Vira approached him. He smiled.
"Hey kiddo."
"Hey."
"Got a lot of work ahead of you. I figured this would be the only time to talk to you,"
he said.
Vira squinted. "How are you able to do this?"
"It's that strange power in you. You're different. I can seem to reach you at times. And
this was the best time to do it." He paused. "This is it. The end."
"So, I'm gonna die," she said.
Her father shook his head. "Not necessarily. There's a possibility of you making it
through. You never know. I wanted to let you know that...even if you kill Xana, and live, it
won't be over. There's more you need to know. More you need to find out and learn. Only when you
accept it all, will you reach the end of this journey and be where you need to be."
"Then...I'm going to live?" asked Vira.
He laughed. "I am not here to tell you your future. You have to make it yourself. If I
told you, would you make the same decision? Who is to say? I may know more than I'm letting on,
but it's only because you need to make your own decisions, and face the consequences of each
one."
"Oh..." said Vira. "Then what is it you wanted to tell me?"
He smiled. "Treat this day as if it was your last. Square accounts, make amends, tell
people how you really feel. Open up and let them in."
"Zell?"
He nodded. "Definitely. Make amends with as many as you can."
Vira nodded, understanding what he meant. "Is that it?"
"I also wanted you to know...I am so proud of you. Really. I am. You were never a
mistake. Deep underneath the powers that have corrupted your mother for so long was a woman who
could have been a good mother. It was a terrible shame that what happened happened. I bear no ill
will to her. For a while...she was the woman I loved. Everyday I lost a bit of her. But she was
never born evil. And a hero's birth is never a mistake."
Vira chorted. "I'm no hero."
"Heroes seldom feel they are. But the sacrifice you're ready to make for everyone just
proves the contrary. You are a hero. You've already proven it. And I'm proud of you." He stopped,
smiling again, and hugged Vira. She wrapped her arms around him, stifling back tears. "I love you
Vira. Just know that. And maybe somewhere, deep down inside, your mother does too. Try to think
of her as I have. And be true to you. The real you. Not the false wall you've put around you."
He released her, looking into her eyes with his light blue ones. They sparkled with
warmth and love. Vira smiled. "I love you too. I'll remember." She paused. "Just one more
thing..."
"Yeah?"
Vira pointed to the necklace he wore around his neck, silver, like the one she used to
wear, but its symbol was different. It was an odd looking T shape, curved on the sides and
bottom, crooked in the middle like a bolt of lightning. In fact, her father's entire wardrobe
looked a little strange to her. One of his pant legs was longer than the other, leaving him with
one full pant leg and one short one. Pants and shorts all in one. His feet were bare, and his
shirt was short sleeved, a bright blue one to match his eyes, with a white hood in the back of
it. "What's with the necklace? And the outfit?"
He laughed. "Just getting back to my roots is all. Back home, this is how I dressed all
the time."
"Back in Deling?" she questioned.
"For a while, yeah." Her father checked the watch he had on his wrist. "Well, time for me
to go, girl. Remember what I told you, and just do what you have to do."
Vira nodded. "I will. Good bye, Dad."
Her father began walking away, slowly disappearing into the white mist around them. He
waved back to her. "Good bye, Vira."
Vira woke up. She sighed and sat up. It was time to set things straight. Because she
might not have another chance to.
But first...she needed to change her clothes.
She finally found Zell in the Cafeteria, scarfing down a big breakfast of pancakes,
bacon, toast, and hash browns with a ferocity she hadn't seen in someone's appetite before. The
pulled up a chair across from him, the chair's squeaking on the floor announcing her arrival.
Zell looked up at her, nodded, and went back to eating.
"Late breakfast?" she said.
He nodded, his mouth full.
"Everyone's coming soon?"
Another nod.
"Good."
Awkward silence.
Zell stopped eating and looked up at Vira. ".....Squall's in the Quad with Quistis and
Rinoa."
"I wanted to talk to you, Zell."
He looked taken aback. "Oh."
Vira sighed. He wasn't going to make it easy for her, was he? "Look, I just...I just
wanted to let you know how sorry I am for everything."
"Everything?"
She nodded. "I know you were just...trying to help me. I've been too blind to see anyone
trying to reach out to me because I've been so used to it not happening. The way I treated you
was wrong. And I apologize."
Zell stared Vira straight in the eye, a piece of his pancake falling back onto the plate.
"You...know how it hurt, right? With all that happened and how you and..."
"Yeah," Vira quickly said. "I do. Again, I'm sorry. All I've been is sorry for weeks now.
But I really am."
He nodded, picking up the fallen piece of pancake on his fork and shoving it in his
mouth. "I know. That's what you say a lot. I forgive you. Was that all?"
"No." Vira shook her head. "I...also want to say thank you."
Zell's jaw dropped a bit. "Thank...you?"
"Yeah. You and Dorin...you both tried. And not too many people would with the way I am.
That means a lot to me. No matter what happens to me later...thank you. Just, thanks for being
my friend," Vira said, being more sincere than Zell had ever seen her.
Zell said nothing for a moment, caught up in what Vira had said. He never expected her to
thank him, not after how she'd acted. And he saw how Dorin looked at her. He knew Vira would
choose him. Draconian noblity wasn't even in the same league with a little SeeD like Zell. He
felt he had been out of the running for a while, and had been hurt when she kept giving him the
cold shoulder. It turned him off, it hurt him, and what had been worse, Dorin hadn't given up.
If Zell had just tried harder, he could have found a way to see the real Vira. But, the way she
had acted towards him threw him off, and he gave up. That's what hurt the most. Then...how she
never seemed to notice. Again, more hurt. Now...here she was, being truthful, and even thanking
him for trying.
It meant the world to Zell. Even if she only called him a friend...it meant the world to
him. Zell grinned. "You're welcome." He paused. "Will you really kill her and yourself?"
"If I have to, yes."
"Mr. Iceman won't let you."
"He'll have to." Vira stood up, looking around the Cafeteria. "He has no choice. But,
who knows? Maybe we'll all come through this alive and well."
"But you might-"
Vira nodded. "I know." She began walking away. "And I'm ready. See ya, Zell."
Zell waved as Vira walked out of the Cafeteria, fork still in his other hand. "See ya...
and thanks."
Author's Comments: Whoa! Look who's back from the dead, eh? I've finally resurrected my
FFVIII writing bug and have the ability to actually wrap this one up. We're in the home stretch.
Really. I swear. And I'm sorry for taking so long. The next chapter will be the big battle, the
final one, and will decide Vira's fate. Please stay tuned for more. And it will come, I promise!
I've just been busy with my new webcomic (http://unusualheroes.keenspace.com) and everything. Oh,
please R&R to let me know how I'm doin'. See ya soon!
