ALL THINGS SACRED:
A FINAL FANTASY VIII SEQUEL
BY GUNBLADE_78
CHAPTER ONE :
TIME ON OUR SIDE
A small Island off the Centra Mainland…
One year after Ultimecia's fall…
Neither the two Galbadian grunts nor their captain knew what secrets the ancient stone temple held, but they knew it was key to their success. Empress Ultimecia had left instructions for the surviving Galbadian insurgents in case SeeD did defeat her…too bad that had come to pass.
"Galbadia's future lies with us, men," the armored Elite Soldier told the two lesser rebels. "Ultimecia said this temple holds something powerful…something that will do her will."
"I'm not sure I like this, cap'n," the taller of the two blue-uniformed grunts groaned. "Ultimecia was sure powerful enough on her own…I was afraid enough of her. Now we're digging something up even stronger?"
"Shut up, Sergeant Zand," the commander ordered. "Don't you think that I'm not scared too? Even so, we're still bound to Ultimecia…and if this will enact her will upon the world, then we cannot question our orders."
"But Ultimecia is dead, sir," Zand protested. "Caraway is in control now. Can't we just take advantage of his amnesty offer and be done with our allegiance to some witch?" The commander unholstered his sidearm and put it to Zand's chest.
"If you question the sacred orders of the Empress one more time, then I will be forced to follow the Galbadian Martial Code and execute you on the spot," the commander threatened. "Now rebuke and desist this insurrectionist behavior, Sergeant, and fall in line."
"Ultimecia's Galbadia is dead…Caraway is the futu…"
POWWWW!
"I am sorry, Zand," the commander mused. "You're the only dead one around here. Now, Private Margen, do you have any objections to our mission?"
Margen stood and looked at the dead grunt to his right, and then he looked at the commander.
"I do not agree with what you did to Zand," he said, "but I have a duty to Galbadia."
" I'm glad you agree, Private Margen," the commander replied.
"Long live Chancellor Caraway," Margen growled, unsheathing his blade and lunging for the commander. "Long live Galbadia…."
POW!!!!
"Traitors, all you are," the commander growled as he holstered his sidearm. "Too bad, y'know? You both would've been well rewarded when Ultimecia returns. But now you're dead…no rewards are given to dead men." He then turned before the tall temple before him.
"Never mind them, my Lady Empress," he laughed. "I, your brave commander Rinna, will carry your will and revive the Avatar."
Meanwhile…
A bright red ball began to climb above the shimmering ocean, and it brought a new sense of peace to the brown-haired man sitting on the beach. He sat with a smile on his face and his hands in the cool, wet sand as he watched the sun continue its slow ascent. The picture made him want to sing, and truly, not much could make Squall Leonhart want to sing. Yet, somehow this morning ritual always put a song in his heart. Since the events of the past year, Squall knew that every day was to be celebrated. Every hour must be savored, because one never knew when tomorrow wouldn't come.
He felt the waves caress his bare feet and begin to soak the legs of his blue jeans. It really didn't matter if he got wet. As soon as morning roll-call was through, he'd be changing and taking a swim. Too bad nobody would join him: Quistis was too busy teaching, Zell was off in Esthar commanding the brand new Garden's SeeD detachment, Irvine and Selphie were vacationing off in Centra, and Rinoa had several important classes today.
(Rinoa, a SeeD,) Squall thought. (She did it so we would be together. We would've been anyway. She forgets that I'm still Balamb Garden's commander. It was something she wanted to do anyway. Not like we're mercenaries anymore.) In fact, SeeD was now the peacekeeping force of the new Council of Nations. Peacekeeping lately was more like pomp and circumstance…diplomacy were the new weapons of war.
(Not like SeeD hasn't seen any action, though. After we installed Caraway as the Galbadian Chancellor…) Squall pushed the fierce memories of the White Rebellion behind him. That was a dangerous two months…a large portion of the Galbadian Infantry and Artillery units were still loyal to whom they called the Empress: Ultimecia. They retook Deling City and began an encompassing march until three divisions of loyal Republic troops, backed up by over five-hundred SeeDs and SeeD cadets along with Estharian ground forces and their air-fighter division (The NightHawks) defeated the 'White Imperial' army at the Battle of the Great Plains. That was the bloodiest day Squall could ever remember…he lost a good friend, Nida. He had been commanding the western attack wing and was killed in combat. He almost lost Rinoa, too. That was the day she decided to become a SeeD. I need more training, she said. In case something ever like this happens again…
The rest was history. For all Squall cared, it could remain that way. That had been eight months ago. Today, all was peaceful in the world. Who would've thought it? He sat silently, until he felt two soft hands on his shoulders and two soft lips on his cheek.
"Hey," Squall mused, knowing exactly who it was. He stood up and faced Rinoa as he brushed the sand off his pants. "Didn't you have class this morning?"
"Well, not until ten," Rinoa replied, running her fingers through the ponytail all female SeeD cadets were supposed to wear when in uniform. "Anyway, we're just going over the drill for the exam tomorrow. Just the basics."
Now Squall turned from boyfriend to commanding officer. "Tomorrow you'll be going over drill in what will be a live fire exercise. You realize that you could end up wounded or dead if you don't listen, comprehend, and act upon your instructor's orders, right?"
Rinoa laughed. "Yes, sir, commander," she mocked. Squall's stern look didn't change. "Come on, Squall. This look is so last year for you."
He was forced to crack a smile at this one, but then returned to the serious countenance. "Look, Rinoa. I can't help but worry. As a commanding officer, as a fellow SeeD, and as the guy who loves you. I still remember what happened on the Great Plains. If something happens…" Rinoa walked to him and embraced him.
"This is why I fell in love with you," she smiled. "You're too caring. If I pass this exam and become a SeeD, what will you do when another White Rebellion arises? Keep me on the sidelines? We both know you can't do that. It's the life I chose, Squall. It's the life you chose."
"I know, but…"
"Look, it'll all be OK," she said. "I'll pass the exam, we'll pull some Guard Detail for a few years, retire, and live our lives in peace. Look positive. You're so cute when you smile!"
Squall began to laugh. If there would be only one thing Rinoa Caraway could do, it would be to make him smile.
"Let's go, commander. Roll call's in ten."
Across the sea from Balamb, another young man watched the same sunrise as Squall had. However, he didn't feel peace. He only felt turmoil. Whatever cause he had left had been obliterated by Ultimecia's death. In fact, he gave up all hope eight months ago, and fought with Leonhart and Loire's forces at the Great Plains. Seifer Almasy…once a proud knight…then just an infantry sergeant. He did take comfort that the squad under his command had easily pierced the enemy defenses and caused some ruckus with the supply lines, although it had cost him the lives of his two dearest friends, Raijin and Fujin. Nevertheless, that assault led to the main force's penetration of the Artillery Shield around Deling City and allowed Squall's SeeD teams to defeat the White Soldiers in the city. Squall had given him a medal and a commendation at a banquet when Caraway was reinstalled.
(We really could use someone with your skills, Seifer,) he had said.
(No thanks. I've fought too much. I just want peace.)
(I can restore your status as a Level-A cadet and put you on the next rotation for the field exam.)
(I just want to be alone, Squall.)
(Well, fight or not, I guess…we can call truce.)
(Yeah…I guess you're right.)
In actuality, Seifer was proud of the younger man. He was a man of power and prestige, but he didn't let it get to him. Seifer himself was content to travel the world and live a life of solitude. His only companionship was the drunk at the bar or the occasional whore he picked up. He knew it sounded disgusting to some, but the life was perfect for him.
Is it really? Or are you trying to hide from the inevitable?
Seifer groaned. He didn't know what could cause it, but he'd been hearing a voice for the past month…a wise, elderly voice.
Something more powerful than Ultimecia exists, Seifer. It is your duty to see that it is destroyed.
"Yeah, fuck my duty," he fumed aloud. "I've fought too much. I just want to be alone."
Avatar will awaken, and will enact his revenge. You are the key. You can save them.
"I'm no savior, pal," Seifer told himself. "And I don't give a damn about no Avatar. Go bug Squall, or Chicken-Wuss. I don't care."
When the time comes, you will.
"Yeah, I think I'll show just how much I care," Seifer fumed, rousing the sleeping chocobo next to him. Climbing aboard the bird, he spat into the ocean. "Fuck the world. I don't care anymore."
Esthar…
The Presidential Palace…
Laguna's office…
And that's how it's been lately, old man. We're all doing OK here, we hope you and Elle are doing the same. I miss you, too. I'll try to find an excuse to head up sometime soon. I'll see you soon, Dad.
Squall
Laguna put the letter down and smiled. It had been quite a shock when Ellone told him exactly who that brooding young SeeD had been, and how in the year since, they fought to make up for the first seventeen, even now with one a government leader and another an international peacekeeper. Somehow, they managed. And besides…it was so damn cool to know that he had a kid! The Loire genes were going to keep going, even though the kid took Raine's maiden name. Hell, it didn't matter. It was his own fault. Just to think that little shrimp at the orphanage that day in the rain was a Loire…
"Damn, if only I could've changed things!" he shouted as he pounded the desk. "If I would've known that he was my son…things could be so different now."
"Why do you still beat yourself up about that, Uncle Laguna?" He looked up and saw Ellone enter his office.
"Oh, Ellone…" he sheepishly whispered. "I didn't mean…"
"It's OK," she replied. "I know. I knew all along. Sometimes, I felt that if I would've said anything, then he would be different."
"Yeah, but it's all worked out in the end, right?" Laguna asked as he stood up. "I mean…he's got the woman of his dreams, I've got my son, and we're all somewhat happy?"
"Of course," Ellone laughed. "You know, someday we'll all be a family."
"If only Raine were still here," Laguna sighed. "Then I'd really be happy." Ellone walked up to the man that had raised her and hugged him.
"I miss her too," she said. "But you know she's watching us, and that she's so proud of you…and of Squall."
"Speaking of the devil," Laguna said, picking the letter up from his desk. "He's invited us to a large banquet in Deling next week. Something that Rinoa's dad's taking care of. A memorial, I believe, for the soldiers."
"Yeah, the ones who died in the Rebellion, right?" Ellone mused. "Yeah, I think Zell said something about it while I was observing classes at Garden. Said that his 9th Armed Stealth Detachment will be marking the site of the final battle with a flag."
"I'll want to see that," Laguna replied. "So will Kiros. Man…Ward…never gave up. It's going to be so hard."
"I know," Ellone stated. "I miss Uncle Ward so much. But he died bravely."
"I think I'll have an Honor Guard accompany the SeeDs," Laguna said. "Lay a wreathe at the spot…where…well, you know."
"Where he tore that turret off of the platform with his bare hands and distracted the soldiers long enough for our guys to pull through?"
Laguna had to laugh. "Yeah. That was so much like him. He died like he lived…went out with a bang." Ellone got a stern look on her face. "Sheesh, sorry," Laguna quickly apologized. "So shall I tell Squall that we'll be there?"
"Yep. Three of us. Make sure, though, that there's a fourth seat. Cause Ward's still with us, if only in spirit."
At the Mysterious Temple…
White marble. Solid, white marble. Towers of marble…floors of marble…an alter of marble. So extravagant. Something good definitely had to be hidden in here.
"Hello?" Rinna shouted. "Is anyone here?" He continued up the pathway until he came up to the jewel-adorned alter. "This is just plain creepy." He brushed a layer of dust off the alter and uncovered a phrase:
Estuans Interius Ira Vehementi
Sors Immanis Et Inanis
Avatar Dominius
"Some kind of password?" Rinna wondered. "Maybe. It's worth a shot.
"ESTUANS INTERIUS!"
A torch in the far corner of the room began to burn.
"IRA VEHEMENTI!"
Several more torches began to burn in the sanctuary.
"SORS IMMANIS!"
A large white globe on the alter began to glow and caught fire. Rinna was no less than terrified now. Maybe Zand and Margen were right…
Carry on…
Ultimecia's voice.
"ET INANIS!"
A white light emitted from the globe, and formed into another ball in front of Rinna.
"AVATAR…DOMINIUS!!"
The room began to shake as the white ball began to take form. Rinna yelped in fear and crawled beneath a marble and pewter pew. The light began to mold and conform, until it obtained a semi-human shape.
"Come forth, my servant. I am Avatar, master of this planet. You have summoned me by the will of my own servant from far into the future. You have nothing to fear from me."
Rinna crawled from underneath the bench and approached the spectral humanoid.
"You have a great task ahead of you, Master Rinna. First, you must travel to the Galbadian continent to the city of Deling."
"Are you…unable to go yourself?" Rinna couldn't help but ask.
"In this state…yes. But I will transfer myself back into the Sphere. When you find the one I seek, release me as you have done here. Then, I will have my physical body once more. Then, we will begin to implement my plans."
"Who is it you seek, Lord Avatar?"
"Leonhart, son of Loire."
END OF CHAPTER ONE