1 Chapter Five
Team Larco is as shaken up as Squall's team was. The captain, a rather delicate looking brunette girl, though, was standing at the entrance even before Quistis ordered them that it was their turn. She didn't look scared at all. The minute that Quistis gave her permission to go, she fast walked in, her team followed rather forcefully.
The dead air followed the first team's disappearance into the cave. Everyone didn't feel like talking at all. Squall's team was quieter than ever. Even Zell wasn't joking around any more. They were all sitting on the ground with their heads on their knees. Selphie closed her eyes, and leaned onto Zell's shoulder. Xu's face was pale white. She had her hand wrapped around her lower leg, staring straight at him.
Squall sighed, pity of how nervous Xu looked. He walked slowly toward Xu, and kneeled down next to her.
"How are you doing?" Squall asked.
Xu slowly turned toward him. Her brown eyes were touched with wet tears. She stayed silent.
Squall looked at her straight in the eyes. They reflected with fear and nervousness.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone's nervous right now. I know this is probably the most important moment in your life…" Squall didn't know how to finish the sentence.
Xu looked away. "You don't know what I've been through to get to this moment…You've never been to where I've been…What I did…"
"Maybe not…" Squall said. "But I've been through some stuff that I wish I'd forget too."
She nodded, and fell into his shoulder. A single drop of tear slithered down her cheek.
A yell from Quistis interrupted their conversation. "Team Larco?! Come in, team Larco!"
Everyone quickly gathered around her. Squall helped Xu up while Zell and Selphie got up too.
"Team Larco!" Quistis yelled again toward the radio.
"What happened?" Squall asked.
"Their transmission was disconnected." Quistis replied.
"What did they say before they lost communication?" A girl from team Taylor asked.
"…Something about a talking monster with horns." Quistis said while tuning the receiver.
Xu gasped. "A Summon."
"What?!" Zell said.
"Only Summons can talk." Xu said quietly.
"Where's Sargent Tro?" A guy asked.
Quistis looked around. "Probably back at the cabin… Darn it!"
"We'll go in there." Squall said suddenly.
"Are you nuts?! It's not even our turn yet!" Zell objected.
"Damn it, Zell! If someone don't go in there, they'll die!" Selphie said to Zell.
"She's right." Quistis said. "I'll go in with you guys." She turned around to the other people. "Stay here. If Bruce comes back, tell him we are in the cave."
"Come on!" Selphie, in the lead, ran into the cave.
------------------------------
The Fire Cavern was even creepier than Squall ever imagined. The air was filled with smells of decayed animals. Sometimes, a strange howl came from deep inside. The ground was littered with loose rock pebbles, which made walking uneasy.
"Ok…Now this some scary looking cave." Selphie said, while clutching on to Zell's arm.
Quistis took the radio and said. "Base. Do you copy? Over."
"Copy, away team." A female voice replied.
"Just testing. We will radio you every five minutes, Copy?" Quistis instructed.
"Copy, Quistis." A scratchy male voice replied.
"Bruce? Where the hell were you?!" Quistis said angrily.
"The ladies room." Bruce replied. "I was briefed with the situation. It's not good. That talking monster is Ifrit. He won't give up until all opponents are eliminated. You may proceed, but only with extreme caution!"
"Copy that." Quistis said, then tucking the radio through her belt. "You heard what he said. Everybody keep your guard up! It might appear at any time. Plus, we need to find team Larco. They might be anywhere in this cave."
Quistis pointed to a winding trail that went deep inside the fiery cavern. "This will take us through the cave and out again. Best chance that they'll be on this trail somewhere. Let's move!"
They half jogged, half fast walked through the cave. As they went deeper, the temperature raised dramatically. The hot and stuffy air was blowing at them from all directions. Squall's forehead was dotted with drops of sweat. He quickly wiped them of with his sleeve.
The lava that is on the either side of the slim trail was splashing against them. The trail closed in as they walk, to a point where they had to hop from a dry spot to another.
The crew was exhausted after the long walking, running, and hopping. Finally, they reached a circular platform with a lava pit in the middle.
"Let's do that again!" Selphie exclaimed. "I love hopscotch!"
"No!" Zell said, while checking the burn marks on his battle boots. "This is when-you-make-a-mistake-you-fry hopscotch."
"Alright!" Quistis announced. This is the half point! I'm surprised that we haven't been attacked yet. You see there." She pointed at a rock that is stuck onto the wall of the cave. "That is your mission objective."
Zell ran up, and snatched the stone. "That was way too easy."
Suddenly, an unexpected shake in the ground knocked all of them off their feet.
"What the heck was that?!" Selphie cried out, while brushing dirt off her mini-skirt.
"Earthquake?" Xu said in a hushed voice.
"No. It's to quick and short to be one." Squall scanned around him, searching for something odd. "Maybe some volcanic activity?"
The second after, Squall wished that he guessed wrong.
Molten lava spit itself out from the pit in the middle. Then, it formed a lava spring over ten feet tall.
"Stand back!" Quistis said. But everyone was already with their back against the wall.
A roar blasted itself from somewhere. The pole of lava slowly lowered itself to the teams shoulder level. On top, an evil, fiery filled figure emerged.
The creature was as twice as tall as Squall. Its horns on its head curved down to the monster's feet. Its yellow eyes were filled with evil and darkness. It bared its long canine fangs to show its ferociousness, then it closed it. Thick, red skin covered the body.
"How dare you…" It spoke. "How dare you invade my terrain!"
Zell said quietly to Quistis. "Are we suppose to answer it?"
Quistis didn't reply. "We are looking for some friends of ours that might be trapped in here."
It roared again. "That will not be tolerated!"
"Have you seen them?" Quistis asked again.
"They are my prisoner now. Now, leave here!"
"Why!?" Xu broke away from her usual self. "What do you think you're doing with my friends!?"
"Hmm." It snorted. "What are you going to do about it, human?"
"Screw this!" Zell jumped. "Let's kill this piece of crud!" He punched air with his metal-plated fighting glove.
The rest took out their weapon too.
Squall swung out his Gun Blade, and slashed around him, and stopping in battle position. Quistis's Chain Whip was withdrawn. Its sharpened tip glistened against the burning lava around them. Xu took the Crossbow that swung at her side, and took aim. Sephie drew an uneasy weapon; a Nachaku, two large metal club, linked by a chain.
"Stupid humans…"
"If you're calling us stupid," Selphie said, while swinging her weapon. "Why don't you try us and find out!"
Ifrit thrust it's head upward, and breathed a jet of scorching inferno. "…I will."
It charged at them full speed.
"Watch out!" Squall yelled. But, it was too late.
The monster's horn contacted with Xu's mid-section. She flew backwards, and hit the ground with a thud.
"Quistis! Mighty Guard!" Squall signaled Quistis for her spell.
She crossed her arms on her chest, closed her eyes, and muttered something under her breath, and spread out her arms. A bright sphere lifted from in front of her, and ascended high above. It exploded into a thin covering of glowing material. It covered itself around the team.
"Xu!" Squall said while crouched next to her, his hand holding her head up.
Blood stained her uniform at the waist into a dark crimson shade. Her eyes barely open. "…Sorry… I have…failed…" Her eyes closed.
"No!!" Squall screamed.
"It's alright. She just fainted." Quistis said.
"Quistis. Get Xu out of here…We'll take care of this beast."
She nodded. Whisper of a float spell, Xu's motionless body levitated off the ground. With a point of finger, she gently floated away.
"…Good luck." Quistis said, and ran after the gliding body.
The spell Mighty Guard has expired. Squall straightened up, and pointed his Gun Blade at Ifrit "You will pay for Xu!"
"Yeah!" Zell boasted. "You will pay for hurting Squall's girlfriend!"
Ifrit shook his head. "You just don't know when to give up…Give me your best shoot!"
_________________________________________
"Bastard!" Zell yelled as he retreated from an unsuccessful attack.
"Ifrit!" Selphie said with rage. "Why don't you give up while you have the chance!"
"You humans don't understand anything!" It roared. "I haven't even show you my true powers!"
Following that, It rose higher into the air. Blasting streams of fire everywhere, scorching everyone with fire and molten lava.
"Ahhh…" Selphie screamed. And collapsed onto the ground, face first.
"Selphie!" Zell cried, rushing to her side.
Squall, while backing away, murmured a Blizzard spell. A huge Iceberg materialized on top of Ifrit. With full force, slammed itself down toward the creature. It staggered a bit, but it regained it's footing.
"Why won't you puny humans listen!"
"…Because we know better than give up to you." Squall answered with a grin.
"You will pay for disturbing me!" Ifrit said. It rose high and preparing to strike again.
Zell got up from Selphie's unanimated body. Trembling from anger, he pointed a finger at the floating enemy. "No… You will pay."
Before it got the chance to response, Zell was running right toward it. Ifrit shot a Fire spell. A ball of flame ejected it self from its hand.
Zell was quick to counter. His left arms extended , bolts of yellow launched from the hand. It contacted the scorching lava and deflects it from its course, and on to the wall of the cave.
Zell didn't decelerate his pace, still at full speed for the devilish monster.
He had reached Ifrit's last line of defense. A Reflect shield. That didn't stop Zell from his assault. Powered by rage and hungry for revenge, he threw punch after punch, haymaker after haymaker. But, the shield just didn't penetrate.
Squall stood off ground of the action. Watching he friend pounding the shield, he wanted to help. Suddenly, the Behemoth trouble at the Garden gave him an idea.
He remembered how the arrow was charged with thunder energy, and the shield that was around the Behemoth gave away.
He set Selphie at a safe distance away, and rushed toward Zell.
"Retreat." Squall said shortly.
Zell didn't. Still pounding away as if he did not hear him.
"I have a plan, now retreat!" He said again.
Backing away, Zell rubbed his knuckles. "Damn that frigging shield!"
Squall swung his Gun Blade, as if readying to attack again. "Give me your Thunder Materia. I've got a plan."
Zell removed a little stone from his waist, and threw it to Squall.
The weapons made by Balamb used in battle are designed to charge elemental properties. The handle of Squall's Gun Blade was encrusted with a gap for placing Materia stones.
Squall slammed the stone in place. "Stand fast." He said to Zell.
Pointing the tip at Ifrit he hissed, "You're about to taste my Gun Blade, Ifrit!"
He advanced toward it. First walking, than paced to a run. The shield closed in as he moved toward it. Squall brought the blade over his shoulder, and brought it down hard, slamming the shield. It contacted the barrier with force, stopping in mid-air.
He pulled the trigger.
Shockwaves of thunder emitted from the contacting point, surging until it swallowed the whole reflect shield.
"Nice!" Zell exclaimed. "Now he's trapped!"
Squall backed away to where Selphie was. Zell quickly followed.
She's now awaked, but still out of energy. They both crouched down next to her.
Selphie turned her head toward Zell. "Is it gone?"
Squall grinned. "Do you want to land the final blow?"
"What are you saying…"
She finally understood.
Standing up with Zell's help, Nachaku in hand, She stared the beast straight in its eyes.
"This is for Xu, and me." She took something out of her clothes, and threw it up in the air. Closing her eyes, she pointed at Ifrit.
The white stone glowed milky white, and slowly glided toward the globe of electric energy. It stopped at the edge of it.
Meanwhile, Ifrit was trying to break through the barrier. But each time it rammed it with it's sharp horns, the shield shocked the monster with volts of static. It was helpless.
The sphere of white remained still. Selphie raise the Nachaku over head, and twirled it like a baton. The orb took the shape of a rod, and spun itself until it was blurred to resemble a circle. She suddenly halted the spinning and thrust the weapon into the air.
Instantly, the white rod became separated into many small spheres, and they surrounded Ifrit. The beast looked around him. Seeing the attack that was about to take place, realizing his fate, finally said, "I was wrong! You are superior! But please, I beg for forgiveness.!"
Selphie did nothing.
Squall looked on as the spheres closed in on Ifrit at breakneck speed. The white orbs mashed together into a huge globe. Squall can hear the painful howl of the beast.
"You've proved you're worthy." A voice, not Ifrit's, said.
"Who's there?! Answer me!" Zell questioned.
The globe of thunder turned red, and exploded.
©( Copyright Omega 2000-2002. All text is the property of Authors Tao Li and Jeanie Owen. All rights reserved.
Team Larco is as shaken up as Squall's team was. The captain, a rather delicate looking brunette girl, though, was standing at the entrance even before Quistis ordered them that it was their turn. She didn't look scared at all. The minute that Quistis gave her permission to go, she fast walked in, her team followed rather forcefully.
The dead air followed the first team's disappearance into the cave. Everyone didn't feel like talking at all. Squall's team was quieter than ever. Even Zell wasn't joking around any more. They were all sitting on the ground with their heads on their knees. Selphie closed her eyes, and leaned onto Zell's shoulder. Xu's face was pale white. She had her hand wrapped around her lower leg, staring straight at him.
Squall sighed, pity of how nervous Xu looked. He walked slowly toward Xu, and kneeled down next to her.
"How are you doing?" Squall asked.
Xu slowly turned toward him. Her brown eyes were touched with wet tears. She stayed silent.
Squall looked at her straight in the eyes. They reflected with fear and nervousness.
He put a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone's nervous right now. I know this is probably the most important moment in your life…" Squall didn't know how to finish the sentence.
Xu looked away. "You don't know what I've been through to get to this moment…You've never been to where I've been…What I did…"
"Maybe not…" Squall said. "But I've been through some stuff that I wish I'd forget too."
She nodded, and fell into his shoulder. A single drop of tear slithered down her cheek.
A yell from Quistis interrupted their conversation. "Team Larco?! Come in, team Larco!"
Everyone quickly gathered around her. Squall helped Xu up while Zell and Selphie got up too.
"Team Larco!" Quistis yelled again toward the radio.
"What happened?" Squall asked.
"Their transmission was disconnected." Quistis replied.
"What did they say before they lost communication?" A girl from team Taylor asked.
"…Something about a talking monster with horns." Quistis said while tuning the receiver.
Xu gasped. "A Summon."
"What?!" Zell said.
"Only Summons can talk." Xu said quietly.
"Where's Sargent Tro?" A guy asked.
Quistis looked around. "Probably back at the cabin… Darn it!"
"We'll go in there." Squall said suddenly.
"Are you nuts?! It's not even our turn yet!" Zell objected.
"Damn it, Zell! If someone don't go in there, they'll die!" Selphie said to Zell.
"She's right." Quistis said. "I'll go in with you guys." She turned around to the other people. "Stay here. If Bruce comes back, tell him we are in the cave."
"Come on!" Selphie, in the lead, ran into the cave.
------------------------------
The Fire Cavern was even creepier than Squall ever imagined. The air was filled with smells of decayed animals. Sometimes, a strange howl came from deep inside. The ground was littered with loose rock pebbles, which made walking uneasy.
"Ok…Now this some scary looking cave." Selphie said, while clutching on to Zell's arm.
Quistis took the radio and said. "Base. Do you copy? Over."
"Copy, away team." A female voice replied.
"Just testing. We will radio you every five minutes, Copy?" Quistis instructed.
"Copy, Quistis." A scratchy male voice replied.
"Bruce? Where the hell were you?!" Quistis said angrily.
"The ladies room." Bruce replied. "I was briefed with the situation. It's not good. That talking monster is Ifrit. He won't give up until all opponents are eliminated. You may proceed, but only with extreme caution!"
"Copy that." Quistis said, then tucking the radio through her belt. "You heard what he said. Everybody keep your guard up! It might appear at any time. Plus, we need to find team Larco. They might be anywhere in this cave."
Quistis pointed to a winding trail that went deep inside the fiery cavern. "This will take us through the cave and out again. Best chance that they'll be on this trail somewhere. Let's move!"
They half jogged, half fast walked through the cave. As they went deeper, the temperature raised dramatically. The hot and stuffy air was blowing at them from all directions. Squall's forehead was dotted with drops of sweat. He quickly wiped them of with his sleeve.
The lava that is on the either side of the slim trail was splashing against them. The trail closed in as they walk, to a point where they had to hop from a dry spot to another.
The crew was exhausted after the long walking, running, and hopping. Finally, they reached a circular platform with a lava pit in the middle.
"Let's do that again!" Selphie exclaimed. "I love hopscotch!"
"No!" Zell said, while checking the burn marks on his battle boots. "This is when-you-make-a-mistake-you-fry hopscotch."
"Alright!" Quistis announced. This is the half point! I'm surprised that we haven't been attacked yet. You see there." She pointed at a rock that is stuck onto the wall of the cave. "That is your mission objective."
Zell ran up, and snatched the stone. "That was way too easy."
Suddenly, an unexpected shake in the ground knocked all of them off their feet.
"What the heck was that?!" Selphie cried out, while brushing dirt off her mini-skirt.
"Earthquake?" Xu said in a hushed voice.
"No. It's to quick and short to be one." Squall scanned around him, searching for something odd. "Maybe some volcanic activity?"
The second after, Squall wished that he guessed wrong.
Molten lava spit itself out from the pit in the middle. Then, it formed a lava spring over ten feet tall.
"Stand back!" Quistis said. But everyone was already with their back against the wall.
A roar blasted itself from somewhere. The pole of lava slowly lowered itself to the teams shoulder level. On top, an evil, fiery filled figure emerged.
The creature was as twice as tall as Squall. Its horns on its head curved down to the monster's feet. Its yellow eyes were filled with evil and darkness. It bared its long canine fangs to show its ferociousness, then it closed it. Thick, red skin covered the body.
"How dare you…" It spoke. "How dare you invade my terrain!"
Zell said quietly to Quistis. "Are we suppose to answer it?"
Quistis didn't reply. "We are looking for some friends of ours that might be trapped in here."
It roared again. "That will not be tolerated!"
"Have you seen them?" Quistis asked again.
"They are my prisoner now. Now, leave here!"
"Why!?" Xu broke away from her usual self. "What do you think you're doing with my friends!?"
"Hmm." It snorted. "What are you going to do about it, human?"
"Screw this!" Zell jumped. "Let's kill this piece of crud!" He punched air with his metal-plated fighting glove.
The rest took out their weapon too.
Squall swung out his Gun Blade, and slashed around him, and stopping in battle position. Quistis's Chain Whip was withdrawn. Its sharpened tip glistened against the burning lava around them. Xu took the Crossbow that swung at her side, and took aim. Sephie drew an uneasy weapon; a Nachaku, two large metal club, linked by a chain.
"Stupid humans…"
"If you're calling us stupid," Selphie said, while swinging her weapon. "Why don't you try us and find out!"
Ifrit thrust it's head upward, and breathed a jet of scorching inferno. "…I will."
It charged at them full speed.
"Watch out!" Squall yelled. But, it was too late.
The monster's horn contacted with Xu's mid-section. She flew backwards, and hit the ground with a thud.
"Quistis! Mighty Guard!" Squall signaled Quistis for her spell.
She crossed her arms on her chest, closed her eyes, and muttered something under her breath, and spread out her arms. A bright sphere lifted from in front of her, and ascended high above. It exploded into a thin covering of glowing material. It covered itself around the team.
"Xu!" Squall said while crouched next to her, his hand holding her head up.
Blood stained her uniform at the waist into a dark crimson shade. Her eyes barely open. "…Sorry… I have…failed…" Her eyes closed.
"No!!" Squall screamed.
"It's alright. She just fainted." Quistis said.
"Quistis. Get Xu out of here…We'll take care of this beast."
She nodded. Whisper of a float spell, Xu's motionless body levitated off the ground. With a point of finger, she gently floated away.
"…Good luck." Quistis said, and ran after the gliding body.
The spell Mighty Guard has expired. Squall straightened up, and pointed his Gun Blade at Ifrit "You will pay for Xu!"
"Yeah!" Zell boasted. "You will pay for hurting Squall's girlfriend!"
Ifrit shook his head. "You just don't know when to give up…Give me your best shoot!"
_________________________________________
"Bastard!" Zell yelled as he retreated from an unsuccessful attack.
"Ifrit!" Selphie said with rage. "Why don't you give up while you have the chance!"
"You humans don't understand anything!" It roared. "I haven't even show you my true powers!"
Following that, It rose higher into the air. Blasting streams of fire everywhere, scorching everyone with fire and molten lava.
"Ahhh…" Selphie screamed. And collapsed onto the ground, face first.
"Selphie!" Zell cried, rushing to her side.
Squall, while backing away, murmured a Blizzard spell. A huge Iceberg materialized on top of Ifrit. With full force, slammed itself down toward the creature. It staggered a bit, but it regained it's footing.
"Why won't you puny humans listen!"
"…Because we know better than give up to you." Squall answered with a grin.
"You will pay for disturbing me!" Ifrit said. It rose high and preparing to strike again.
Zell got up from Selphie's unanimated body. Trembling from anger, he pointed a finger at the floating enemy. "No… You will pay."
Before it got the chance to response, Zell was running right toward it. Ifrit shot a Fire spell. A ball of flame ejected it self from its hand.
Zell was quick to counter. His left arms extended , bolts of yellow launched from the hand. It contacted the scorching lava and deflects it from its course, and on to the wall of the cave.
Zell didn't decelerate his pace, still at full speed for the devilish monster.
He had reached Ifrit's last line of defense. A Reflect shield. That didn't stop Zell from his assault. Powered by rage and hungry for revenge, he threw punch after punch, haymaker after haymaker. But, the shield just didn't penetrate.
Squall stood off ground of the action. Watching he friend pounding the shield, he wanted to help. Suddenly, the Behemoth trouble at the Garden gave him an idea.
He remembered how the arrow was charged with thunder energy, and the shield that was around the Behemoth gave away.
He set Selphie at a safe distance away, and rushed toward Zell.
"Retreat." Squall said shortly.
Zell didn't. Still pounding away as if he did not hear him.
"I have a plan, now retreat!" He said again.
Backing away, Zell rubbed his knuckles. "Damn that frigging shield!"
Squall swung his Gun Blade, as if readying to attack again. "Give me your Thunder Materia. I've got a plan."
Zell removed a little stone from his waist, and threw it to Squall.
The weapons made by Balamb used in battle are designed to charge elemental properties. The handle of Squall's Gun Blade was encrusted with a gap for placing Materia stones.
Squall slammed the stone in place. "Stand fast." He said to Zell.
Pointing the tip at Ifrit he hissed, "You're about to taste my Gun Blade, Ifrit!"
He advanced toward it. First walking, than paced to a run. The shield closed in as he moved toward it. Squall brought the blade over his shoulder, and brought it down hard, slamming the shield. It contacted the barrier with force, stopping in mid-air.
He pulled the trigger.
Shockwaves of thunder emitted from the contacting point, surging until it swallowed the whole reflect shield.
"Nice!" Zell exclaimed. "Now he's trapped!"
Squall backed away to where Selphie was. Zell quickly followed.
She's now awaked, but still out of energy. They both crouched down next to her.
Selphie turned her head toward Zell. "Is it gone?"
Squall grinned. "Do you want to land the final blow?"
"What are you saying…"
She finally understood.
Standing up with Zell's help, Nachaku in hand, She stared the beast straight in its eyes.
"This is for Xu, and me." She took something out of her clothes, and threw it up in the air. Closing her eyes, she pointed at Ifrit.
The white stone glowed milky white, and slowly glided toward the globe of electric energy. It stopped at the edge of it.
Meanwhile, Ifrit was trying to break through the barrier. But each time it rammed it with it's sharp horns, the shield shocked the monster with volts of static. It was helpless.
The sphere of white remained still. Selphie raise the Nachaku over head, and twirled it like a baton. The orb took the shape of a rod, and spun itself until it was blurred to resemble a circle. She suddenly halted the spinning and thrust the weapon into the air.
Instantly, the white rod became separated into many small spheres, and they surrounded Ifrit. The beast looked around him. Seeing the attack that was about to take place, realizing his fate, finally said, "I was wrong! You are superior! But please, I beg for forgiveness.!"
Selphie did nothing.
Squall looked on as the spheres closed in on Ifrit at breakneck speed. The white orbs mashed together into a huge globe. Squall can hear the painful howl of the beast.
"You've proved you're worthy." A voice, not Ifrit's, said.
"Who's there?! Answer me!" Zell questioned.
The globe of thunder turned red, and exploded.
©( Copyright Omega 2000-2002. All text is the property of Authors Tao Li and Jeanie Owen. All rights reserved.