[Chapter 1: The Ryujins]
"…Wishing they…would be heard…"A young girl's voice resonated in the hall of the house. She was barely 13 years old, yet was exposed to the trauma of Form One. The same piano piece was distinctly heard in the background as she sang. Truth lay in the lyrics for her, she sung wishing some famous director would someday hear her voice…and then she'd be plucked up and bloom into a young budding singer. Love shone in her eyes as she gently sang, lest her mother heard her. Falling in love with a young 17-year-old nonexistent boy was no big deal to her, but what if her mother knew…? Oh…the endless questions and queries that would be pressed on her…no…it is better a secret… she thought with a smile as she deftly ended the piece.
"Eien!" A door opened roughly behind her. "How long more will you irritate me with the same song?!! I hear it every single day and it's driving me crazy!! Now stop that and come in!!" She heard the door slam shut with resentment and felt her face turn hot. Eien sat at the piano for a moment, letting her anger seep away before attempting to shut the piano and keep her book. She carefully arranged her features in such a way that she had no expression as she re-entered her room. Closing the door behind her, her entrance was greeted by an order.
"Now that you've had enough of the piano, do some studying for tomorrow. Then pack your bag." Her mother, Julia, sat at the table, teaching her brother. She nodded solemnly and responded with a short, monotone "Mm." She lovingly replaced her music book on a shelf and got down to her studies. In no time, she easily completed her Japanese Literature and Science paper. Now it was time for a tussle with the schoolbag and heavy books. Straining her arms, she flung the books onto the shelf and drew out the required ones. Taking a quick glance at the clock, she made a mental note to take her bath before 10 pm, which was only 15 minutes away. She lugged her bag out and placed it by the door and hurried in for her bath.
"Mom, I'm gonna bathe."
"You shouldn't bathe so late…but never mind. Just tonight." Eien gathered her clothes and walked to her bathroom. Quickly she checked for a towel…she didn't want to have to yell for one later. Relieved that there was a towel, she undressed and flicked on the heater. She let the warm water flow freely down her body, cleansing her. She hastily shampooed her hair and soaped, then rinsed herself. After finishing, she took the towel and dried herself. Glancing at the clock, she smiled. 'Just in time.' She heard her sibling and mother clear up and prepare to go to bed. They evacuated her room and went to bed. She squeezed the excess water out of her dark brown hair and looked at her features for the umpteenth time in the mirror.
'I wish I looked more like Rinoa, Squall's girlfriend…' she wistfully thought. A gentle clink of silver brought her back to reality. She smiled and laid her hand across the two silver rings that were threaded through the fine chain that lay on her neck. One was clear, unmarked silver; the other was misted silver. "One Squall's, one Seifer's. Seifer's is always the one that is misted…Squall's has to be clear and pure." She giggled and blushed as she imagined it. She dressed and tidied up the bathroom noiselessly. She skipped light-hearted into her room and flung herself onto the bed. She shut her eyes and relaxed, then got up and switched on the air-conditioner. She pulled out a file, thick with papers, and opened it. She let her eyes run over the text and pictures…all about Final Fantasy VIII, and the boy she loved with all her heart, Squall Leonhart, SeeD from Balamb Garden. She loved everything about him, she loved him so much that he was real to her, but it made her feel heartsick at times like that, when she knew he could never ever exist. Her imagination kept and nurtured a perfect world of her own, in which she was Rinoa, his girlfriend and one love. Anyone could see why she loved him…his looks were perfect. Brown hair, blue eyes, unsmiling mouth, hero, he was her one true love. No words could describe him on her part….how she wished he were real….
No one could replace him…Squall Leonhart. The more she thought of him, the more her heart yearned for him. She sighed and flicked on her MP3 player. She pulled a CD out of a stack of CDs and stroked the cover smilingly. Eien inserted the disc into the player and chose the song. The eerie, flowing notes of the Ending Theme played out. She leaned back on her bed with a book and imagined the ending movie as its theme played. A tiny smile played on the edges of her lips as her face reddened.
Oh…this is the bit where Rinoa finds him… she thought as she heard the tinkling notes of the song beginning…it sounded as if the stars were glittering down on the lovers. Instantly, Eien flipped over on her bed, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders like rain. She gripped a pillow and fell into her fantasies, a glazed look on her face. She closed her soft brown eyes and relaxed to the singer's voice. 'Maybe yes…maybe no….I kind of liked it your way…how you shyly placed your eyes on….me….' The music lulled her to sleep, something she didn't intend to do so early. Eien naturally relaxed and fell asleep, her brown hair falling over her face and left ring finger subconsciously threaded into Squall's ring on her necklace.
***
"Squall!! What? Where? How?"
Eien found herself in the infirmary of Balamb Garden. The room was the same…everything as she imagined it. Except…Squall sat at her bedside, so real, smiling…the one thing she never expected him to do. She noted she was lying in the bed, on top of the covers and her garb was similar to Rinoa's ballroom dress, a halter-neck, knee length peach gown, except that it was much longer and in the style of a slit skirt.
"Eien. Eien Ryujin, am I correct?"
Squall faced her and looked straight into her brown eyes, removing all doubts of him being real.
"Are you actually…Squall…?"
"Obviously."
"But…how?? Is this a dream??"
The young man who was her one true love sighed and ran a gloved hand through his brown hair, ruffling it. His face betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
"Eien…I don't know how to explain it. You've created a portal. From your world, into…my world. Artemis. Something in you triggered this portal, and the portal openings are the silver rings that now hang on your necklace."
"My necklace…?"
She glanced down at the silver chain that dangled the rings. One was misted silver, the other was clear.
"Um…which is to open it…?"
"The clear one brings you here. The misted one sends you back. Very simple."
"Uh huh…so…how did all of you guys know I was coming…?"
"You've forgotten that we have Sorceress Edea and Sorceress Ellone. Actually…Ellone felt a strange force in here when she dropped by to chat with Dr. Kadowaki. So she did some time traveling and discovered about you. She asked me, as the SeeD team leader, to wait for your arrival."
"Wow…"
Eien felt happy, yet scared at the portal creation. Suddenly, the sliding open of the infirmary's metallic doors snapped her back into her surroundings. "Hello, young one."
A familiar voice greeted her warmly. She looked up and gasped at recognition of the person. "Edea!!" The former sorceress smiled warmly at Eien, her black long hair as vibrant as usual.
"Welcome. I suppose Squall has told you of Rinoa's circumstances?"
"Uh…no! What happened to her?"
Edea shot Squall an irritated glance. I expected you to tell her…now I'll have to do it, she thought.
"…Rinoa has been…abducted by Galbadia, and they have fled to your world, my child. So we need you help in locating them. We are also willing to provide you with the adequate training and honorary SeeD membership."
Eien remained silent for a moment. The impact of Edea's words left her with a sense of déjà vu. "How…can I help?"
"You just provide us with information about your area and how to get about. Or rather, we extract your memories and learn about your world. Your choice."
"I think it's much easier for you to extract my memories."
"Very well, child. Ellone will accomplish that at full moon, which is a month from now. And now, Squall, can you show her around…? I believe the others are very free now. Selphie would love to go along as well."
For Squall, the actual thought of a 13-year-old girl that looked like Rinoa's twin following him around was too much to bear. He had a mental battle to either comply with Matron's request or ignore it and decided to comply.
"…Ok."
On Eien's part, she was ultimately thrilled at being around Squall. She tried to get up but stumbled. "Ow!!" Somehow, her legs just couldn't support her and she fell, kneeling on the ground. She cringed and held the bed for support.
"Oh dear! Girl, I think…that you…are a hidden sorceress! Squall! Look at those wings!! I have never seen such energy from such a young sorceress!"
Good grief…, thought Squall.
"Eeep! A sorceress!!??!" Eien let her body fall to the ground and turned around and almost screamed. Two white-feathered angel wings grew out of her back, spreading full. It was at that moment that she realized that in excitement, she had charged all her energy into her mind and accidentally formed wings instead of getting energy to stand up. Quickly she focused her thoughts and folded the wings back. A tingling sensation spread through her as she felt the wings melding into her. Finally, she looked back at Edea and Squall. "I…I never knew…only now did I discover…I…I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? Nothing is wrong! Child, what is your surname?"
"…Ryujin."
"Ahh…just as I suspected. The descendant line of Angel-Sorceress Katakyn Ryujin has made a desperate breakthrough into your world in order to preserve their heritage line. Child, you are a hidden sorceress. Only in this world can your powers be used. I suggest you examine and experiment with your powers. Do enjoy yourself, ok?"
She nodded, still in shock, and subconsciously expended her wings. She waved them around, watching their silvery feathers give off an eerie glow in the moonlight. She spread them and flew beside Squall.
"Um..ok. I think I'm ready."
"Eien, for now I might as well be your Knight. Who knows if those damned Galbadians will try to capture you."
They bade Edea farewell and exited the infirmary. She looked around immediately. The bluish-silver walls of Balamb Garden glowed gently in the dim hallway lights. She took a test flight around the huge first floor, and flew back to Squall. She smiled and decided to ask him about Balamb Garden,
"So, Squall, where are the others…?"
"Selphie is at the Quad. She's tidying it. We just had the Hyne Festival. Quistis, Seifer, Fujin and Raijin are making sure all the students are back in their dormitories. It's curfew hour. Zell and Irvine are in our joint dormitory playing Triple Triad. Ellone, Laguna, Kiros and Ward are at the library, reading up on some stuff about monsters, I guess. Cid is in his office, talking to Xu, Nida and Dr. Kadowaki. Edea'll be heading there shortly."
"Ohhh…ok. Can we wait until they're all back in the dormitory..?"
"Why don't you go back first? I have to help Selphie. I'm on the committee."
He grimaced and shot a look at the Quad entrance, where Selphie's voice was heard barking out orders to clean this and clean that.
"No problem. See ya!"
She soon winged her way over to the dormitories. After asking for directions, she found herself outside a door with a plaque reading [EXECUTIVE SeeD DORMITORY]. She kept her wings and knocked.
"Cominggg!! Hold onn!!"
She giggled as she heard Zell rushing over furniture (crashes resounded) and crashing into the door. Moments later, a breathless Zell opened the door and stared at her.
"Heya. What is it?"
"Who is it, Zell?" drawled Irvine from somewhere inside.
Zell held up a hand to Irvine and looked inquisitively at Eien. "Hold on, 'vine."
"Um…I'm Eien Ryujin. The girl from…uh…earth. You know, the other world..?"
She gestured helplessly with her hands, not knowing how to explain. "Earth? Man…then why are you here?"
"Err…um…because…"
"Zell!!"
Eien jumped in shock. Irvine had somehow appeared behind Zell, and upon noticing the presence of a girl, no matter what age, had yelled at him.
"Why didn't you tell me it was a young lady? Let me handle this. Move away, chicken-wuss. This needs some manly charm."
Irvine tactfully pushed Zell away and smiled at Eien. She caught a glimpse of Zell and noted he was positively angry at Irvine's girl-craziness and immaturity. He was clenching his fists and glaring at Irvine murderously.
"So...Miss. Just ignore the roughie behind me. Let me help you. Are you lost? Or are you looking for a handsome escort anywhere?"
Irvine winked at her and waited for her answer. She stared, wide-eyed at him, not knowing what to say when suddenly, a voice of an irritated teenage girl sounded behind her.
"Irvine Kinneas! Stop that immediately! You're just shocking the poor girl!"
She turned around to come face to face with Quistis Trepe, Seifer Almasy, Fujin, and Raijin.
"Hey, hey, I'm sorry ok? I was only asking her what she needed!"
He held his hands up in mock surrender and backed off. Quistis glared at him and strode in. Meanwhile, Seifer turned to her.
"Sorceress Eien, I presume?"
"WELCOME."
"Heya! So, ya know, you're another sorceress, ya know. Xu told us, ya know…OW!!"
"SILENCE!!"
Fujin had just aimed another kick at Raijin's legs and pulled him by the scruff into the dormitory. Seifer however, shrugged.
"Yeah, I'm Eien Ryujin."
"So come on in. You can occupy Rinoa's bed for the meantime."
She timidly walked in. Eien felt as if she were in a dream. All her favourite game characters were actually right in front of her, talking and moving, real people with feelings. She gazed in wonder at the ten-bed dormitory. It had a linked bathroom, separate for ladies and men, as well as an entertainment suite.
"Woow…."
"Heh. Get used to the glamour, sorceress. You're going to be staying here for some time. Rinoa's bed is in between Squall's and mine. There. The one with the glass crystalline Blaster Edge on the dresser." Seifer grinned at her shock.
She nodded and walked over. She sat on the bed and picked up the Blaster Edge.
"Oh wow…this blaster edge…it looks so beautiful!"
Meanwhile, Quistis was briefing the others about Eien's arrival.
"Sorceress Eien Ryujin, eh? Now that's interesting." Irvine drawled.
"Yes. So please treat her with respect and honor. She is Katakyn's descendant." Explained Quistis.
"Hey everyone! What's up?"
A cheerful girlish voice hailed from the door. They all looked towards the person. A 21-year-old girl with short, dark hair sauntered in, her green wrap trailing on the ground. A dimple bounced about her left cheek as she cheekily grinned, mostly at Eien.
"Ellone…" murmured Eien quietly, swiftly recognizing her garb. "Oh, we're ok here Sis Elle! Hey, Miss Ryujin's over there. Been pretty quiet if ya ask me..." Zell concluded his sentence with a quick glance at Eien. Sulking at Zell for his 'been pretty quiet' phrase, the girl reprimanded him while flouncing over to the young fledgling sorceress. "Zell! She's new…Rinoa was formerly like that when she knew she embodied 3 sorceress's powers. Don't be insensitive."
"Aww…shucks. Sis…ok."
Zell lowered his head in mock defeat and gave a selfish sniff. Ellone burst out laughing and he smirked, raising his head again. "Knock it off, Ze-ell! Haha! You remind me of you when you were little…aww…you were so damn cute."
"Heh."
"Yeah…cry-baby Ze-ell….heheheh."
Seifer gave a snort of laughter at his childhood memories of Zell; they were both raised in the same orphanage.
"Why you…." He clenched his fists at being teased again and whammed Seifer's back, causing him to stumble and land on top of Fujin and Raijin.
"Stop it, you guys!" Quistis playfully joined in the ruckus and accidentally slammed a pillow into Irvine's hat, which caused him to bellow in irritation and yell, "Pillow WAR!!"
"War?? COUNT ME IN!!!" Selphie had suddenly appeared, with a weary Squall lagging behind her. She grabbed a huge Chicobo beanie and smashed it onto Irvine's head in pure childish glee, whereupon he yelled and emerged from the soft mess of pillows and feathers. "Selphie eh!! Ok! You're coming down with me!!"
He reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her smack into the bottom of the mess, where he was struggling. She squealed with delight as he kissed her lightly on her nose.
"I, Irvine Kinneas, declare the ROYAL PILLOW FIGHT TILMITT…YEOW!!" He faltered at the last bit, considering Fujin had accidentally smacked his butt with one of her iron boots. Squall slouched in, falling back in his usual attitude of 'I-don't-care'. He limped over to his bed and sighed, wondering how immature teenagers could get. Ellone however, giggled and after a while of watching the pillow down go flying, approached Eien, who was suffering from laughter convulsions on Rinoa's bed. "Heya little sorceress." Eien struggled to regain control of herself and finally managed. She took in short spasms of air, breathing quickly and eventually managing to speak. "H...Hi. (whooh)…I'm…so..(hah)…breathless…(ack)…ahhh…" Ellone wrinkled her nose smilingly while looking from the Ryujin girl to the bunch of tussling teenagers. "Welcome to the world of playful SeeDs, Eien." She said kindly. Eien giggled, full of mirth and smiled. "Yeah…they sure are. Hey…what's wrong with Squall?"
"I think he misses Rinoa…he's been moody ever since the Galbadians made off with her. Sad, isn't it? Destined lovers torn apart by a stupid nation, power-hungry assholes…" Ellone trailed off, lost in her own angry thoughts. As an elder sister, her protective feelings for her orphanage siblings always existed and she was there to give her full support. Biting her lip, she walked off briskly, forgetting she was talking to the young sorceress. Eien watched Ellone walk over to her own bed, which was on Squall's other side. Soon, the 'Royal Pillow Fight Tilmitt' ended when Quistis yelled that she was tired. Everyone soon cleared up, with the exception of Ellone, Squall and Eien, and went to bed. Raijin switched the lights off, and Eien lay snuggled under the covers, contented to be with all her idols and friends.
The room was air-conditioned, with a glowing energy crystal softly illuminating the room. The glow gave out a gentle aura of warmth around the room. Squall lay in his bed, his mind reeling with doubts and conflicts. He loved Rinoa, but now…now what was he feeling for Eien? The first time he saw her, she lay unconscious on the infirmary bed. Then…as she stirred, he smiled, something he usually only did when Rinoa was around him. Why was he feeling so guilty? He turned to his right and gazed at Eien. She resembled Rinoa in any way possible except that she was a much younger version; 4 years younger to be correct. Still, he thought, I need love…ever since Rinoa was abducted I've been deprived of it…I've been 'myself' as Rinoa called it…Eien…now…. He quickly averted his glance to the room and listened intently. He heard the familiar snores and soundless breathing of his friends.
As silently and stealthily as a lion, he got up and knelt by Eien's bedside. He gazed directly at her face. Slowly, gently, he tilted her pale, oval face backwards, making sure not to awaken her. A vision of true beauty…damn you, Sorceress-Angel Eien Ryujin…so beautiful, he thought apprehensively. Taking advantage of her vulnerability, he brought his face closer to hers until he could feel her breathing, taking in gentle breaths. He grew dizzy with a strange sense of déjà vu, remembering …. How he even proposed to be her momentary Knight. He took a last passionate look at her, gathered her limp body up in his arms, her dark hair falling over his hands, her head tilting back naturally. And in the eerie glow of the crystal, he closed his eyes and pressed close to her face, and kissed her.