A/N: I'd like to bring to everyone's attention that I'm running a little
poll just for fun. When (and if) you review this chapter and the next
three chapters, I want to know who YOU think is the hottest guy or hottest
girl in Final Fantasy 8, plus who you think is the best couple. The reason
for this(besides the fun) is I want to find out who everybody likes the
most so I can put them as main characters in my next fic. Maybe then I
won't suck at writing as much as I do now. Please R/R! (Oh yeah.if
anybody cares.I think the hottest guys in FF8 are Seifer and Laguna.and
Queifers rock.that is my opinion.)
Chapter Two: Fallen Knight
It was late. Seifer Almasy wandered around the Training Center aimlessly. He was weak. Tired. And he didn't give the slightest fuck about it.
It had been a few weeks since it all happened. He'd been rather reluctantly let back into Garden, only because Matron had pleaded her husband to let him stay. No one believed he'd been possessed. Now he was back, and in hell. No one respected him anymore. Fujin and Raijin, the so- called posse, had stopped talking to him. And so he spent pretty much all his time in the Center, hiding from everyone.
There was a rustle in the bushes ahead of him. Thinking it was a Grat, Seifer made a subtle step forward.
Several pairs of arms, which threw him to the ground and grabbed away the Hyperion, grabbed him from behind suddenly. He hit the ground on his back, and then the rough hands dragged him up and wrenched his arms behind his back so he couldn't move.
It was a gang of students, all dressed in their candidate uniforms. He'd seen them around before, and he knew they liked to pick on the other younger students. Their leader, Greg, stood before him, while Josh and Brendan held him back.
"Hey there, scum," he spat in Seifer's face, grabbing the collar of his blue vest. "Having a nice walk?"
Seifer snarled at him, eyes glaring daggers at the younger boy. "What the fuck do you want? Leave me alone."
"Payback," he answered with a rude smirk, but his face became dark with rage. "My father got killed because of your fucking knighthood, you stupid motherfucker. My father _and_ my sister. They got blown up when YOU bombed Trabia. What do you got to say to that, huh? HUH?!"
"I.I'm sorry."
"SORRY AIN'T GONNA CUT IT, YOU FUCKING PRICK!" he shouted into Seifer's face. "What are you, fucking retarded? Did that fucking sorceress whore bitch suck out your brains?! You think 'sorry' is gonna bring my dad and sis back? No fucking chance, asshole!"
"And killing me will?" he breathed under the pain of his arms being twisted around his back.
"Oh, no. I'm not lettin' you off that easy, man. You ain't gonna die. You're gonna suffer. I'm gonna whip your ass, knight boy. You're gonna be in fuckin' traction for the rest of your fucking life by the time I'm finished with you!"
"It.wasn't my fault."
"Fuck that bullshit! We all know you did all that crap willingly. We're not stupid enough to believe that you were fuckin' possessed or any of that shit." Greg balled his fist and punched Seifer hard in his stomach, over and over. Seifer gasped in pain, the air knocked out of him. He felt his ribs cracking and moaned as he was thrown down by the other two. Greg was on him instantly, slamming his fists into Seifer's face as Josh and Brendan held Seifer's arms down.
But they didn't have to. Seifer continued to take the beating, feeling himself bleed and ache. He deserved this, he knew. If he died right now, it wouldn't matter. Because it would be better than this life he was fated to live.
".That's enough, I believe. Give someone else a chance."
The voice came from the darkness beyond, but it caught Greg's ear and he looked up. It was a deep, luring female voice that seemed to entrance all three young men into forgetting their victim. Greg stood up and called out to her.
"Who's there?"
Seifer rolled painfully over onto his stomach and looked ahead at the young woman that stepped out of the shadows. She was very tall, and slender. She was dressed all in black, a long sleeved turtleneck and tight leggings, boots. Her ruby lips were turned upward in a curious smirk, a gunblade hanging at her waist. She stepped out slowly into the light, eyeing the scene with an unreadable expression.
Greg raised his eyebrows and whistled his enthusiasm. "Ooh.who might you be?"
"I don't think that's any of your business, little boy. Run along and leave the knight to me."
He chuckled. "What, him? Whatever." He moved closer to the woman, touching her cheek, forgetting Seifer's writhing body on the ground. "I'm not such a little boy, though. Want me to show you what I mean, my little pretty-"
The woman grabbed the outstretched arm and in one swift motion twisted it until they all heard a sickening crack. Greg sank to his knees in pain, his arm limp at his side as he clutched it, screaming. Then the woman reached down and yanked him up again by his broken arm, and with no hesitation kicked him mercilessly in the groin.
"Aaaagh!" He cried out in a high pitched voice, staggering away. "My ARM! You broke my fucking arm, you crazy BITCH! Aaaagh!"
Josh and Brendan exchanged anxious glances and ran for it. Greg followed soon behind, limping and clutching at his arm.
Seifer lay there, wounded, and too exhausted from his beating to rise, staring at the woman fearfully. She advanced slowly toward him, eyeing him with the same subtle curiosity as before. He shut his eyes tight, waiting for pain.
"Are you all right?"
He opened his eyes again, confused. She had knelt down beside him, her face showing no concern but analyzing his wounds.
"W-what?"
"Are you all right? Can you stand?" She repeated tonelessly.
".Yeah. I think." Seifer sat up, groaning at the pain of his broken ribs. The woman grasped his gloved hand firmly and pulled him up with amazing strength. He stumbled under his own weight, and the woman grasped him by both shoulders.
She seemed his age in body, but it was as if someone older lived within the youthful shell. A closer look at her revealed her porcelain white face, smooth and sharp, and large vivid blue eyes flecked with shards of pure silver, lined by dark lashes. Seifer blinked. The light did not seem to touch her skin, as if she were a sliver of darkness.
"Drink this." With one hand still holding him up, the other reached into her pocket and pulled out a vial of green fluid. He warily drank it. It had no taste, but instantly he felt his strength returning to him, his bones mending and his bruises fading away into fair skin. He backed away, standing on his own.
"Thank you," he said, but still suspicious.
She ignored his thanks, as if she did not want it. "You are.Seifer Almasy?" he voice had a slight accent he couldn't quite place.
"Yeah.unfortunately," he grumbled. "Why, you wanna beat me up too? Have at it."
She gave him a look. "If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have healed you."
Seifer looked into her eyes. There was no emotion there, except for indifference. She looked so familiar, a tingle running up his spine, though he was sure they had never met before. Something about her scared him, too, the savage look about her and the way she looked at him.
"Who are you, anyway?" He asked.
"She gave him another look, but not an annoyed one. "My name is Athena." She broke the gaze and walked past him, adding musingly, "I advise you not to prowl about in places like this by yourself. It obviously isn't safe for someone like you."
Seifer grimaced. Was that an insult?! "You wanna fight? C'mon, let's go!"
She paused in her stride, turning her head to the side. "Oh, believe me. I'm one person you don't want to pick a fight with." And she kept walking until she was gone.
~~~~~~
Seifer lay in bed later that night, his eyes closed though he wasn't sleeping. He never really slept anymore. He was afraid to sleep. His nightmares always plagued him whenever he slept. It was better, to just lie awake and be tired forever-the nightmares wouldn't get him then.
Sometimes Ultimecia would come to him in his dreams. She cursed him for failing, for killing her. For being a little boy when it was time to be a man. And sometimes he dreamt about the time compression.traveling endlessly over the deserts, the cracked earth, searching for life-only to find death, and desolation.but he would always wake up and it wouldn't be real. Although, just knowing that once it had in fact been real.that it had once been a part of his life, was enough to keep him awake at night.
His nerves jumped when he heard a scratching at the window. He jolted up in bed, trying to reach for a gunblade that wasn't there. He stood, his fists raised at the intruder, who he immediately and irrationally thought to be Ultimecia.
"Meow."
"Huh?"
It was a cat, scratching at the window to try and get inside. It was a small orange and white tabby, with large emerald eyes that sparkled in the moonlight. It pawed at the window with a white tipped paw, mewling curiously.
"Meow."
Seifer sighed in frustration. "Stupid.get outta here, you stupid cat! Scram!"
It hissed at his angry tone, baring its slim white jaws at him. Sulkily it slipped out of vision, walking on the windowsill.
The handsome blond sighed again. This was getting ridiculous, he knew. He was afraid of a stupid stray cat? He removed his trenchcoat, flinging it onto the nearby chair. Underneath he wore a blue, white crossed vest, his slim but muscled arms bare. He quietly unzipped the vest too, revealing his well toned chest. Taking off his boots and socks but leaving his pants on, he lay back down in bed and tried to relax. Ultimecia was dead. There was no bringing her back, and he was safe. It was all over, and she could never hurt him ever again. Somewhat reassured, he closed his eyelids and drifted away into sleep, swearing himself never to worry about the dead sorceress ever again. ~~~~~~
"Mrrrow?"
Athena opened her eyes at the noise. There was a cat sitting on the open window, staring in with large green eyes.
She got up and welcomed the cat into the room without a word, picking it up and cradling it gently in her arms. "What are _you_ doing out so late at night, little kitten?" she asked, rubbing softly behind its ears as it purred.
Athena went over to the small fridge that each candidate was allowed and took out a container of milk. She poured some into a saucer and set it down on the floor, watching as the stray gratefully lapped it up. She laid back down on her bed, closing her eyes and expecting the cat to leave as soon as it was finished. It had been quite easy to enlist in the Garden.they saw her gunblade and immediately approved. They had said that they were running short on gunblade specialists in SeeD. The only ones were the commander and a certain wanna-be knight.
She couldn't believe she was here. It had only been hours before that she had been frozen, practically dead and condemned from life. Now.why had she awoken? Something had called to her, a soundless voice.calling her name, bringing her up from the subconscious depths from which she had sunk. But they hadn't shut her out completely over the years. Her sleep had indeed been peaceless, but certainly not dreamless. She had been able to channel into the present, watching as people went about their lives. Watching Squall and his comrades save the world. Watching them as they killed Sorceress Ultimecia.
And not for the first time, either.
She had seen Ellone, too, coming up to her tank. Reading the label, gasping in horror. Brushing away the dust, her eyes filling with tears. And then she walked away.
Athena would have to stay away from Ellone, for the time being. She couldn't face her now. Not after what had happened at the Memorial. But, even she admitted, she had to turn to someone who remembered her. Someone she could trust, who would keep her secret. Not Seifer.he didn't remember her, from the effects of the Guardian Forces. She wanted to keep it that way. Not Odine, she'd kill him if she saw him again and she had a feeling he knew that.
Matron.?
Would Matron remember her? Most probably.Athena had never grown as attached to her as the other children had, but still.Matron had taken her in that night, so long ago.
Athena was broken from her thoughts as a small weight dropped onto the bed beside her. She looked up to see the stray cat, lying at her side, purring as she licked her white paws.
"I suppose you like it here?" Athena whispered, stroking her back gently. "You can stay. I could use some company for the lonely days ahead of me. Do you have a name?"
"Mrrow."
"I will call you Sekhma," she decided. "You look a lot like her. A little lioness. Well, Sekhma, what do you suppose? Should I go to Matron?"
"Meow."
"Alright." Athena rose from her bed and locked the door tightly, to make sure no one would come in. Then, closing her eyes, she thought of the stone house by the sea. The stone house with the large garden, the tall white pillars and the lighthouse not far away.the place where she had been sent.
Athena's figure faded away into the darkness, she was no longer there.
She felt a slight breeze run across her face, through her hair. A brief moment of feeling weightless, and nonexistent. Then, her feet touched the ground again.
When she opened her eyes again she was no longer in her room. She was on a small dirt path. The path led to a front step, the front step of the orphanage.
She stepped forward, feeling tingles of familiarity running through her. The place was in ruin, and it looked like reconstruction was being done.but she knew Edea was here. She could feel her presence.
Athena walked up to the door, and knocked timidly. She knew it was late, but then again, it had been late on the night she was sent here.
Sure enough, moments later, the door opened. Matron peered out into the darkness, and her eyes widened considerably. She lost her grasp on the door, which creaked open the rest of the way as she stood and stared at the tall, dark figure standing in front of her.
Neither spoke for long moments. They just stared. Matron was the first to break the silence, her voice weak with emotion. "So.I was right. You've returned, Luna."
Athena nodded. "Yes."
Matron's hand went to her chest, making a stuttered noise of relief and shock. Then she came forward, embracing her as if she were her own daughter.
"I knew you would!" she cried. "My little Luna."
Athena stood still in her arms, the warmth of Matron's embrace unfelt by her heart. It was foreign, confusing. She gently pulled away.
"Matron.I need to talk to you."
"Yes, yes I know! We need to talk about a lot of things. Come in, Luna. Please, come inside."
Matron seated her on the couch and sat down beside her, clutching at her hand. "You don't know how sad I was when I heard what happened to you, Luna. I swear, if I'd known those men were to do what they did, I never would have let you or Elle go."
"It is alright, Matron. Really. But.my name is not Luna. It is Athena."
"Oh." She looked at her. "So it is true."
"Yes." Athena's tone was grave. "I am Ultimecia's daughter."
"I had a feeling you were. You look so much like her. And you act like she did. But her heart was filled with rage, Athena. Hatred, anger and fear. You are different, darling. You have a calm soul, I know it."
"I used to." Athena pulled her hand from Edea's grasp. "But now I have changed. I am no longer Luna. I really never was. But unlike my mother, I have no fear." Athena looked up at the older woman. "I've joined your Garden, Matron. I hope you do not mind."
"Mind? Why darling I'm so proud! But.why?"
"I.there is something I must do." Athena stared emotionlessly into the night, her bluesilver eyes glittering strangely. "Something I should have done sooner."
"What is that?" Edea asked, and slowly, her face drew into fear as she realized. "Oh, no! Don't hurt Seifer, please Athena! He's not to blame for what happened!"
Athena looked at her again, shaking her head. "No. I'm not going to hurt him. I.can't. But.I have to do something. I have a debt to repay.I have to go." She stood up. "I just wanted to tell you I am at your Garden. I hope you will not tell anyone I was here. Ellone and Odine might be looking for me."
"Oh, I won't tell a soul. But Athena, be careful. And please don't blame Seifer for what happened. It wasn't his fault."
Athena said nothing to this, but there was a somber glint in her eyes that made Edea uncomfortable. "I must go. Good bye, Matron." Athena closed her eyes and faded away into the air like a ghost.
"Goodbye, Athena," Matron whispered into the darkness.
A/N: Whaddya think about that, huh? Daughter of the most evil sorceress from the future. But wait, it gets better! And everyone, read Sorena's Dream by Kali Randone and They Called Me Angel by Heaven Lee aka blueberry. You won't be disappointed! See ya!
Chapter Two: Fallen Knight
It was late. Seifer Almasy wandered around the Training Center aimlessly. He was weak. Tired. And he didn't give the slightest fuck about it.
It had been a few weeks since it all happened. He'd been rather reluctantly let back into Garden, only because Matron had pleaded her husband to let him stay. No one believed he'd been possessed. Now he was back, and in hell. No one respected him anymore. Fujin and Raijin, the so- called posse, had stopped talking to him. And so he spent pretty much all his time in the Center, hiding from everyone.
There was a rustle in the bushes ahead of him. Thinking it was a Grat, Seifer made a subtle step forward.
Several pairs of arms, which threw him to the ground and grabbed away the Hyperion, grabbed him from behind suddenly. He hit the ground on his back, and then the rough hands dragged him up and wrenched his arms behind his back so he couldn't move.
It was a gang of students, all dressed in their candidate uniforms. He'd seen them around before, and he knew they liked to pick on the other younger students. Their leader, Greg, stood before him, while Josh and Brendan held him back.
"Hey there, scum," he spat in Seifer's face, grabbing the collar of his blue vest. "Having a nice walk?"
Seifer snarled at him, eyes glaring daggers at the younger boy. "What the fuck do you want? Leave me alone."
"Payback," he answered with a rude smirk, but his face became dark with rage. "My father got killed because of your fucking knighthood, you stupid motherfucker. My father _and_ my sister. They got blown up when YOU bombed Trabia. What do you got to say to that, huh? HUH?!"
"I.I'm sorry."
"SORRY AIN'T GONNA CUT IT, YOU FUCKING PRICK!" he shouted into Seifer's face. "What are you, fucking retarded? Did that fucking sorceress whore bitch suck out your brains?! You think 'sorry' is gonna bring my dad and sis back? No fucking chance, asshole!"
"And killing me will?" he breathed under the pain of his arms being twisted around his back.
"Oh, no. I'm not lettin' you off that easy, man. You ain't gonna die. You're gonna suffer. I'm gonna whip your ass, knight boy. You're gonna be in fuckin' traction for the rest of your fucking life by the time I'm finished with you!"
"It.wasn't my fault."
"Fuck that bullshit! We all know you did all that crap willingly. We're not stupid enough to believe that you were fuckin' possessed or any of that shit." Greg balled his fist and punched Seifer hard in his stomach, over and over. Seifer gasped in pain, the air knocked out of him. He felt his ribs cracking and moaned as he was thrown down by the other two. Greg was on him instantly, slamming his fists into Seifer's face as Josh and Brendan held Seifer's arms down.
But they didn't have to. Seifer continued to take the beating, feeling himself bleed and ache. He deserved this, he knew. If he died right now, it wouldn't matter. Because it would be better than this life he was fated to live.
".That's enough, I believe. Give someone else a chance."
The voice came from the darkness beyond, but it caught Greg's ear and he looked up. It was a deep, luring female voice that seemed to entrance all three young men into forgetting their victim. Greg stood up and called out to her.
"Who's there?"
Seifer rolled painfully over onto his stomach and looked ahead at the young woman that stepped out of the shadows. She was very tall, and slender. She was dressed all in black, a long sleeved turtleneck and tight leggings, boots. Her ruby lips were turned upward in a curious smirk, a gunblade hanging at her waist. She stepped out slowly into the light, eyeing the scene with an unreadable expression.
Greg raised his eyebrows and whistled his enthusiasm. "Ooh.who might you be?"
"I don't think that's any of your business, little boy. Run along and leave the knight to me."
He chuckled. "What, him? Whatever." He moved closer to the woman, touching her cheek, forgetting Seifer's writhing body on the ground. "I'm not such a little boy, though. Want me to show you what I mean, my little pretty-"
The woman grabbed the outstretched arm and in one swift motion twisted it until they all heard a sickening crack. Greg sank to his knees in pain, his arm limp at his side as he clutched it, screaming. Then the woman reached down and yanked him up again by his broken arm, and with no hesitation kicked him mercilessly in the groin.
"Aaaagh!" He cried out in a high pitched voice, staggering away. "My ARM! You broke my fucking arm, you crazy BITCH! Aaaagh!"
Josh and Brendan exchanged anxious glances and ran for it. Greg followed soon behind, limping and clutching at his arm.
Seifer lay there, wounded, and too exhausted from his beating to rise, staring at the woman fearfully. She advanced slowly toward him, eyeing him with the same subtle curiosity as before. He shut his eyes tight, waiting for pain.
"Are you all right?"
He opened his eyes again, confused. She had knelt down beside him, her face showing no concern but analyzing his wounds.
"W-what?"
"Are you all right? Can you stand?" She repeated tonelessly.
".Yeah. I think." Seifer sat up, groaning at the pain of his broken ribs. The woman grasped his gloved hand firmly and pulled him up with amazing strength. He stumbled under his own weight, and the woman grasped him by both shoulders.
She seemed his age in body, but it was as if someone older lived within the youthful shell. A closer look at her revealed her porcelain white face, smooth and sharp, and large vivid blue eyes flecked with shards of pure silver, lined by dark lashes. Seifer blinked. The light did not seem to touch her skin, as if she were a sliver of darkness.
"Drink this." With one hand still holding him up, the other reached into her pocket and pulled out a vial of green fluid. He warily drank it. It had no taste, but instantly he felt his strength returning to him, his bones mending and his bruises fading away into fair skin. He backed away, standing on his own.
"Thank you," he said, but still suspicious.
She ignored his thanks, as if she did not want it. "You are.Seifer Almasy?" he voice had a slight accent he couldn't quite place.
"Yeah.unfortunately," he grumbled. "Why, you wanna beat me up too? Have at it."
She gave him a look. "If I wanted to do that, I wouldn't have healed you."
Seifer looked into her eyes. There was no emotion there, except for indifference. She looked so familiar, a tingle running up his spine, though he was sure they had never met before. Something about her scared him, too, the savage look about her and the way she looked at him.
"Who are you, anyway?" He asked.
"She gave him another look, but not an annoyed one. "My name is Athena." She broke the gaze and walked past him, adding musingly, "I advise you not to prowl about in places like this by yourself. It obviously isn't safe for someone like you."
Seifer grimaced. Was that an insult?! "You wanna fight? C'mon, let's go!"
She paused in her stride, turning her head to the side. "Oh, believe me. I'm one person you don't want to pick a fight with." And she kept walking until she was gone.
~~~~~~
Seifer lay in bed later that night, his eyes closed though he wasn't sleeping. He never really slept anymore. He was afraid to sleep. His nightmares always plagued him whenever he slept. It was better, to just lie awake and be tired forever-the nightmares wouldn't get him then.
Sometimes Ultimecia would come to him in his dreams. She cursed him for failing, for killing her. For being a little boy when it was time to be a man. And sometimes he dreamt about the time compression.traveling endlessly over the deserts, the cracked earth, searching for life-only to find death, and desolation.but he would always wake up and it wouldn't be real. Although, just knowing that once it had in fact been real.that it had once been a part of his life, was enough to keep him awake at night.
His nerves jumped when he heard a scratching at the window. He jolted up in bed, trying to reach for a gunblade that wasn't there. He stood, his fists raised at the intruder, who he immediately and irrationally thought to be Ultimecia.
"Meow."
"Huh?"
It was a cat, scratching at the window to try and get inside. It was a small orange and white tabby, with large emerald eyes that sparkled in the moonlight. It pawed at the window with a white tipped paw, mewling curiously.
"Meow."
Seifer sighed in frustration. "Stupid.get outta here, you stupid cat! Scram!"
It hissed at his angry tone, baring its slim white jaws at him. Sulkily it slipped out of vision, walking on the windowsill.
The handsome blond sighed again. This was getting ridiculous, he knew. He was afraid of a stupid stray cat? He removed his trenchcoat, flinging it onto the nearby chair. Underneath he wore a blue, white crossed vest, his slim but muscled arms bare. He quietly unzipped the vest too, revealing his well toned chest. Taking off his boots and socks but leaving his pants on, he lay back down in bed and tried to relax. Ultimecia was dead. There was no bringing her back, and he was safe. It was all over, and she could never hurt him ever again. Somewhat reassured, he closed his eyelids and drifted away into sleep, swearing himself never to worry about the dead sorceress ever again. ~~~~~~
"Mrrrow?"
Athena opened her eyes at the noise. There was a cat sitting on the open window, staring in with large green eyes.
She got up and welcomed the cat into the room without a word, picking it up and cradling it gently in her arms. "What are _you_ doing out so late at night, little kitten?" she asked, rubbing softly behind its ears as it purred.
Athena went over to the small fridge that each candidate was allowed and took out a container of milk. She poured some into a saucer and set it down on the floor, watching as the stray gratefully lapped it up. She laid back down on her bed, closing her eyes and expecting the cat to leave as soon as it was finished. It had been quite easy to enlist in the Garden.they saw her gunblade and immediately approved. They had said that they were running short on gunblade specialists in SeeD. The only ones were the commander and a certain wanna-be knight.
She couldn't believe she was here. It had only been hours before that she had been frozen, practically dead and condemned from life. Now.why had she awoken? Something had called to her, a soundless voice.calling her name, bringing her up from the subconscious depths from which she had sunk. But they hadn't shut her out completely over the years. Her sleep had indeed been peaceless, but certainly not dreamless. She had been able to channel into the present, watching as people went about their lives. Watching Squall and his comrades save the world. Watching them as they killed Sorceress Ultimecia.
And not for the first time, either.
She had seen Ellone, too, coming up to her tank. Reading the label, gasping in horror. Brushing away the dust, her eyes filling with tears. And then she walked away.
Athena would have to stay away from Ellone, for the time being. She couldn't face her now. Not after what had happened at the Memorial. But, even she admitted, she had to turn to someone who remembered her. Someone she could trust, who would keep her secret. Not Seifer.he didn't remember her, from the effects of the Guardian Forces. She wanted to keep it that way. Not Odine, she'd kill him if she saw him again and she had a feeling he knew that.
Matron.?
Would Matron remember her? Most probably.Athena had never grown as attached to her as the other children had, but still.Matron had taken her in that night, so long ago.
Athena was broken from her thoughts as a small weight dropped onto the bed beside her. She looked up to see the stray cat, lying at her side, purring as she licked her white paws.
"I suppose you like it here?" Athena whispered, stroking her back gently. "You can stay. I could use some company for the lonely days ahead of me. Do you have a name?"
"Mrrow."
"I will call you Sekhma," she decided. "You look a lot like her. A little lioness. Well, Sekhma, what do you suppose? Should I go to Matron?"
"Meow."
"Alright." Athena rose from her bed and locked the door tightly, to make sure no one would come in. Then, closing her eyes, she thought of the stone house by the sea. The stone house with the large garden, the tall white pillars and the lighthouse not far away.the place where she had been sent.
Athena's figure faded away into the darkness, she was no longer there.
She felt a slight breeze run across her face, through her hair. A brief moment of feeling weightless, and nonexistent. Then, her feet touched the ground again.
When she opened her eyes again she was no longer in her room. She was on a small dirt path. The path led to a front step, the front step of the orphanage.
She stepped forward, feeling tingles of familiarity running through her. The place was in ruin, and it looked like reconstruction was being done.but she knew Edea was here. She could feel her presence.
Athena walked up to the door, and knocked timidly. She knew it was late, but then again, it had been late on the night she was sent here.
Sure enough, moments later, the door opened. Matron peered out into the darkness, and her eyes widened considerably. She lost her grasp on the door, which creaked open the rest of the way as she stood and stared at the tall, dark figure standing in front of her.
Neither spoke for long moments. They just stared. Matron was the first to break the silence, her voice weak with emotion. "So.I was right. You've returned, Luna."
Athena nodded. "Yes."
Matron's hand went to her chest, making a stuttered noise of relief and shock. Then she came forward, embracing her as if she were her own daughter.
"I knew you would!" she cried. "My little Luna."
Athena stood still in her arms, the warmth of Matron's embrace unfelt by her heart. It was foreign, confusing. She gently pulled away.
"Matron.I need to talk to you."
"Yes, yes I know! We need to talk about a lot of things. Come in, Luna. Please, come inside."
Matron seated her on the couch and sat down beside her, clutching at her hand. "You don't know how sad I was when I heard what happened to you, Luna. I swear, if I'd known those men were to do what they did, I never would have let you or Elle go."
"It is alright, Matron. Really. But.my name is not Luna. It is Athena."
"Oh." She looked at her. "So it is true."
"Yes." Athena's tone was grave. "I am Ultimecia's daughter."
"I had a feeling you were. You look so much like her. And you act like she did. But her heart was filled with rage, Athena. Hatred, anger and fear. You are different, darling. You have a calm soul, I know it."
"I used to." Athena pulled her hand from Edea's grasp. "But now I have changed. I am no longer Luna. I really never was. But unlike my mother, I have no fear." Athena looked up at the older woman. "I've joined your Garden, Matron. I hope you do not mind."
"Mind? Why darling I'm so proud! But.why?"
"I.there is something I must do." Athena stared emotionlessly into the night, her bluesilver eyes glittering strangely. "Something I should have done sooner."
"What is that?" Edea asked, and slowly, her face drew into fear as she realized. "Oh, no! Don't hurt Seifer, please Athena! He's not to blame for what happened!"
Athena looked at her again, shaking her head. "No. I'm not going to hurt him. I.can't. But.I have to do something. I have a debt to repay.I have to go." She stood up. "I just wanted to tell you I am at your Garden. I hope you will not tell anyone I was here. Ellone and Odine might be looking for me."
"Oh, I won't tell a soul. But Athena, be careful. And please don't blame Seifer for what happened. It wasn't his fault."
Athena said nothing to this, but there was a somber glint in her eyes that made Edea uncomfortable. "I must go. Good bye, Matron." Athena closed her eyes and faded away into the air like a ghost.
"Goodbye, Athena," Matron whispered into the darkness.
A/N: Whaddya think about that, huh? Daughter of the most evil sorceress from the future. But wait, it gets better! And everyone, read Sorena's Dream by Kali Randone and They Called Me Angel by Heaven Lee aka blueberry. You won't be disappointed! See ya!