Sammy-Chan: YAAY, new chapter!! New chapter! Well, this is somewhat the centerpiece of the story. Ok, I don't know what I'm talking about . I'm sort of trying to say that it's important. ON with the fanfictiON.

~Chapter 11: The Withering Truth~



Rinoa felt lightheaded. Her powers were being seeped from her body. She had trouble keeping her eyes open. She couldn't focus, she couldn't concentrate. The only thing that stuck to her mind before she slipped into darkness was the tormenting question, "Squall . where are you?"

He was running. Tripping over roots, falling down tiny hills. He needed to get to her … wherever she was. Rinoa was in danger. That was all that mattered. Whether it was because he was a SeeD or because he had crumpled to the feeling of love … he needed to save his commander.

Ultemecia's wounds and scars closed up, blood stopped running out from every opening. Suddenly a green flash of light emitted from her body and she was healed. Ultemecia at full power. That is how Squall found her, leaning over Rinoa's lifeless body, her eyes still glowing a vicious blood red. Anger exploded in the usually cool comportment of Squall Leonheart. Blood pounding in his ears, he reached for his gunblade and launched at Ultemecia.

Seeing his attack, she lifted a magic shield that sent him flying back against the border of trees surrounding the clearing.

"Fool, you can't kill me. I'm not even alive..." An evil grin played with the sinister expression of her face. Her dark, long bangs drooped on each side of her face.

"What the hell did you do to her?" Squall rose advancing towards the sorceress.

"Nothing, she'll wake in a few moments. I'll explain everything. Until then, sit tight Sir Leonheart." She laughed a clear, sharp laugh that made Squall's hair stand on end.

Those few moments lasted an eternity in his clear blue eyes. He impended over her delicate body waiting for her eyes to open. His breathing became heavier with each moment. What if she never woke? What would happen then? She was still breathing, that was a good sign. Suddenly she moaned slightly and her eyes opened up slowly. Realizing she wasn't in her room, her office or anywhere familiar, she jerked up, knocking her head against Squall's.

"Agh!" He cried, rubbing his temple.

"What were you doing over me like that?" She shrieked.

"Wondering if you were DEAD!" He retorted.

Ultemecia's lips curled into a smile. Amused at this slight feud between the two, she decided to watch on.

"Where the hell are we?" Snapped Rinoa.

"Where you decided to go exploring! Honestly, I've never seen someone get into so much trouble." He responded completely forgetting Ultemecia's presence.

"You're one to speak, Mr.I-beat-the-record-of-getting-50-detentions-this- month!!"

"Shut up!"

"That's right …" Ultemecia's voice cut through the wind and the bickering. "Both of you shut up, I've much to explain."

Rinoa and Squall both turned their heads to her. Rinoa gaped. So it wasn't a dream after all. Ultemecia looked at Rinoa for a moment.

"Good, you have all my powers. You've even kept some of your own. Excellent."

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about..." Rinoa breathed. Then she felt it. A wave of powers. Rushing though her blood, being passed out to every part of her body. She'd never felt this type of force before. It was overwhelming, greater then she ever hoped her extended powers to be.

"You see, you are already twice as powerful as before and you haven't even reached your limit. This is grand." She said smiling.

"Ok … yah … un-huh, really! That's amazing … it'd be even more if I knew what in fucking hell is going on here!" Shouted Squall.

"Rinoa is a sorceress … the sorceress that will conquer Balamb and the rest of the world." Ultemecia's eyes narrowed down to Squall. "And you are her knight."

"You mean … you're Ultemecia ... right?"

"Yes … I am the spirit of Ultemecia. Let me explain. Thousands of years ago, there were three sorceresses. Adel, who ruled the continent of Esthar, Edea, who commanded the continent of Centra and myself, Galbadia's sorceress. Balamb was a land where all the spirits of the dead would unite. In that day, there was much blood shed and many spirits gathered. Together, the powers of the dead were incredible. If a sorceress were to conquer that land, their powers would be infinite. War broke out. Each continent wanted that power, myself included. In the end, it resulted into nothing. Each sorceress was killed by her own knight. Edea and Adel's spirits have already begun their quest to find their own heir to their powers. I've already found mine … you. I'm nothing but a spirit, and now I'm a powerless spirit. So now, you must conquer Balamb, Rinoa."

"Wait … what?" Rinoa head hurt from all this confusion. "You just told the legend of the Sorceress … but … it's not the same as we learn it now."

"Of course … time withers the truth to dust. Centra, Esthar and Galbadia will never be able to live in peace together. The show they put on now … it's garbage. The Sorceresses' spirits are a catalyst to the inevitable. You must do what you must do. If you manage to defeat the two other sorceresses, you will bring peace to the land. But first … you must discover the truth. The truth that was withered away throughout the war … throughout time. You and your knight."

Rinoa looked helplessly to Squall. It looked as if she was to break down at any moment.

With the goal of releasing the tension in the air Squall finally opened his mouth, "So . does this mean we get to have sex?"

His response was a powerful kick in the shin from Rinoa.

"If you'd like …" Was Ultemecia's only response.

"Ok, NO! I'm not going to … to … not with HIM!" She pointed to Squall, "AND I am NOT going to conquer the world … what do I look like, Dr.Evil?"

"More like Ms. Bitch, but that fits you fine too." Squall muttered.

"I'm sorry, WHAT?" Shreiked Rinoa.

Ultemecia rolled her eyes. She hoped they were going to fix that little relationship problem soon because there would be no way they could last this mission.

"In any case ..." Ultemecia cut through. "You MUST go to Trabia's weapon department. On the 5th floor you'll find a secret passageway in Mr. Desmond's office. That will lead you to a tiny closet like room. You'll find out everything."

Rinoa noticed that Ultemecia's outline began to fade slightly.

"I'm traveling to Balamb … with the other spirits." She said as if guessing Rinoa's thoughts. "You two must hurry before the other two sorceress begin their attacks. My guess is in two months, this world will be a breeding ground for devil spawns. It'll be hell if you don't do anything quickly." She glanced at Leonheart. "Both of you will find out about your past … and hopefully." Her body began dimming into the darkness of the night, "And hopefully … you'll get to live a future … together … you'll get to live something I never got to live with my knight. Good bye!"

And then she was gone.

Sammy-Chan: Ok, I hope no one's confused! If any confusion e-mail me or something! R&R PLEASE! I like reviews!! *scary smile on her face* Ehehehehe …