Sammy-Chan: Wheeee, two days in a row!! Updates, updates! Please review chapter 18 individually. I like it when people write reviews for EACH chapter. Love you all! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!!
Chapter 19: The Sorceresses of Centra and Esthar
Rinow stood in awe watching the illuminated lap top screen. She could barely believe it. She had been related to Zell, Selphie's boyfriend and she hadn't even suspected it. Questions invaded her senses. First off where had Zell been all these years? Why was 'Desmond' part of his name?
The invasion of questions was mutual throughout the group. Everyone was just staring at the screen blankly.
Hikari was the first to speak up, "Guys, I know this is a shock for all of you. Honestly, it was to me when I first heard it …"
The four people looked at Hikari wide-eyed, "You knew?" They said in conformity.
"Well … that's why I came all the way here … I need to tell you a lot more things. That's why I needed to see you really badly Rinoa. Really I-"
She couldn't finish her sentence, Selphie screamed and clutched her head in pain. She got up from her sitting position on Zell's lap. She walked to a wall and leaned on it whimpering.
Everyone stood up in shock and looked at Selphie.
"What's going on?" Rinoa asked frightened by the sudden outbreak of her friend.
"I don't know …" Squall said.
Then they all felt it. An enormous power that overwhelmed them. Selphie, as though in a trance, walked over to the door, which lead to the porch. She opened the door in a sudden movement. There on the balcony stood a bloody wretch. Wounds scarred her delicate, masked face. One of her main arteries must have been pierced for blood rushed out of her neck like a waterfall. She had the same smile that Rinoa immedieatly recognized.
"Ultemecia?" Rinoa whispered.
"Ha …ha … not … Ultemecia … I am … Adel!" And with that the bloody thing started to glow, Selphie's body became entrapped in the light and Rinoa felt it. The sorceress was passing on her powers to Selphie. The same thing that happened to her was now happening to her friend.
"Oh no …" Was all that Rinoa managed to stammer.
Adel's body healed just like Ultemecia's had done and she began to glow green. Zell stood in shock as Selphie collapsed to the floor.
"Ah, I see there is another sorceress here …" Adel floated her way to Rinoa. Her long fingers were gently placed on Rinoa's face. Her nails were so long Rinoa was afraid she was going to rip her face off.
Then Adel became to laugh. It started out as a quiet snicker but evolved to a full manical laughter.
Rinoa shook under the uncomfortable moment. Squall stood near her, his fingers ready on his gunblade if ever he needed it.
"I see … Ultemecia has interfered with the Council's plan. Excellent. She was always dependable. Cunning, sly … but never a back-stabber. Though I fear by doing this, she has put you on a certain pedestal of highness … the spell. The ultimate spell lies within you." She turned to Squall, "Pretty quick with affairs aren't you boy?"
"huh?" Squall gripped his blade a bit tighter.
She laughed, "Your purity is something that my sorceress, I'm afraid, lacks. Therefore she will not be able to gain the spell."
Selphie woke. She stood up and looked around. "What … is going on?" She demanded an answer.
Zell went over quickly to support her for it looked as if she was about to collapse again.
Adel turned around. "Ah there we are …" She smiled.
Selphie gasped, "Who the hell are you?"
"Your friend Rinoa should know. I am a sorceress. Adel, the sorceress of Esthar to be precise. I will spar you unimportant details. Rinoa should be able to fill in the blanks for you." She smiled. "You should already know that Rinoa is a sorceress that must conquer Balamb for herself. She is destined to kill you and the third sorceress. You are fated to kill her and the third sorceress. And I'm sure you've already guessed that the third sorceress is destined to kill you both. Or so each of you will attempt. Zell is the replacement from what was planned to be your original knight, your brother Squall.
Selphie just stared on. She couldn't believe it. Rinoa wasn't on any form of drug. These sorceresses were really out there. A war was soon to break out and she would be one of the main attractions.
Adel kept smiling the sinister grin. "The council will explain all … you may see me once more in a slightly different figure …"
Rinoa noticed that her outline was diminishing very much like Ultemecia's.
"You're transferring to Balamb …" Rinoa spoke up.
"Very clever …" Adel turned to Rinoa, "It is Ultemecia whom informed you?"
"Yes …" Rinoa responded. "She didn't go to Balamb. I still sense her aura. Can you explain?"
"No … all in good time, answers will come. To all of you …" Then she disappeared once more.
Selphie tilted backwards a bit and Zell caught her just before she completely collapsed. Rinoa rushed over to her.
"Are you okay?" Rinoa whispered.
Selphie looked a little dazed, "Yah … I'm fine. I'm sorry I thought you were nuts. I …" She closed her eyes, "I need rest. Explain … everything tomorrow."
Selphie looked out of breath as she walked solemnly out of the room to the connected. Zell looked at Squall then at Rinoa. He put his hand on Rinoa's good arm.
He smiled encouragingly, "She'll be alright … will you?"
Something struck her deeply. This is what it felt like, to have an older brother, a type of bodyguard. She couldn't help smiling, "I'll be fine … you should go see to her …"
Zell nodded and he left the room. Rinoa turned to Squall. Hikari went and grabbed her sister's hand.
"Rin …" She whispered.
Rinoa knelt down to her level and she whispered softly, "I know, I know. We'll do this tomorrow. This isn't the time. Go to bed, it's late. I need to talk to Squall." Rinoa saw tears well up into her sister's eyes. What could be tormenting her to this extent, "Go Hikari … into the other room, please."
Hikari obediently did as she was told. She joined Zell and Selphie in the connected room.
Seeing her leave Rinoa folded her arms against her chest, "Oh Hyne …" She murmured.
"This isn't bull shit we're dealing with …" Squall said seriously.
"I know …" Rinoa stated, "Now Selphie is one of the three sorceresses. Who could be the third?"
"Someone who could complicate things." Squall observed, "I mean, neither Selphie nor you really want that land. There could be a peaceful conclusion. But if the third party is aching for power then we're fucked over."
"Yah …" Rinoa closed her eyes and breathed deeply, "There are so many questions I want answered."
"Why does Zell have Desmond's name?" Squall offered.
"Why is Ultemecia's aura still around?" Rinoa put in.
The two stared at each other for a moment. The only light was illuminating from the laptop and a small desk lamp on a nightstand. Rinoa walked over to Squall and gave him a quick kiss then left the room.
Squall looked at her go and collapsed on a bed. He breathed deeply, closed his eyes and fell backwards on the bed.
He was falling. Though the clouds he glided non-stop. Suddenly he spotted land. Not being able to react he smashed into the hard soil. He knew he was dead. Lights invaded his senses. He felt two strong arms around him. He looked to his surroundings. A tall, black-haired man was holding him. What was he doing here? He was nineteen, why was he being held by this stranger?
He tried to get away in vain. He realized he was no bigger then a baby, he was a baby. The man handed him to a small, frail woman.
"Take care of the kid, Hyne knows Raine and I can't. He can't sleep at night, he keeps waking us up. I can't stand this right now and I don't have the energy. Just look out for him and his sister for a while."
"Laguna … I'll protect these children with my life …" The old woman, gray of hair said gravely. A tone to let this "Laguna" know she meant what she said.
Scenes switched, Squall awoke, still small in body to fire claiming the house. Flames licking and consuming the woodwork. The old woman was frantically running about screaming. Suddenly a figure immerged from the heat of the fire and stabbed the old woman in the back.
"NOO!" Squall found himself sweating, sitting upright on the bed. Rinoa ran into the room with Selphie close behind, both in their pyjamas.
Zell was in a sitting position as well form the second bed next to his, looking at Squall with bewildered eyes.
"Man are you ok?" He asked.
Hikari's small figure could be seen from behind Selphie. "I'm fine …" He said awkwardly. "I just …"
He was drenched, his gray t-shirt was now of a darker shade. Rinoa came over to him and put her hand on his forehead.
"You're warm … maybe you should go take a cold shower …" She suggested.
"Yah … yah …" He said fixing his gaze on her, "What time … is it?"
"It's 6 a.m. …" Hikari's meek voice was heard behind Selphie.
"Ok …" He got up and walked over drowsily to the bathroom.
***
Everyone had washed, dressed and eaten and were now all sitting in one specific room around one round table.
"I have something to say …" Hikari piped up.
Silence, good, that was a sign everyone was listening.
"I over-heard a council meeting … you know, I have a thing for ventilation ducts and spying is kind of my thing …"
Rinoa acknowledged the fact knowingly. Hikari only grimaced and continued, "Anyways … Rinoa, the Desmond guy … you know the one we saw murdered yesterday? He's mommmy's brother … that's why Zell holds his name."
Hikari didn't have the knack for delivering things, "What?" Asked Rinoa supposing she had misheard.
"Mommy was once a sorceress … Ultemecia holds her power and mommy hold her spirit. Together, they're the same person. Daddy is mommy's knight. Raine and Laguna are sorceress and knight too. And Michel and Spohie. They time compressed and fast forwarded to now … Zell was meant to be your knight. Squall was meant to be Selphie's. I don't know why though …" Hikari was going to cry again. She felt tis throbbing guilt inside of her. In any way possible she had always failed her sister and here she was again, repeating the same mistakes. "Uncle … Desmond, said something about fucking … and about a spell and I don't know anymore …" Hikari burst out of her cool exterior.
She exploded into tears, "I'm s-s-sorry! I can't remember anymore …" She said crying, sniffling and breathing heavily.
All looked towards Rinoa and all could see that she believed her sister. "It all fits …" Were the only words spoken from her.
There was a slight pause. "Zell take care of Hikari …" Rinoa instructed and she darted for the phone on the bed's nightstand.
Zell went to Hikari and oddly attempted to console her by picking her up in his arms and rocking her back and forth.
Rinoa dialed her home number, on the fourth ring her father picked up.
"He-" He started to say.
"Father …" Rinoa said with un-bearable pleasantness. "Good to hear from you … Hikari's here with us, though I doubt you noticed she was missing. We need to speak … immediately …" There was a cool edge to her otherwise mocking voice.
"Yes, we do …" Replied her father with the same edge. "Galbadian Garden, be there in 5 hours or I shall formally dismiss you from the position of commander."
She was about to retort when she heard a faint click at the other end. He had hung up. She slammed the phone back down on its cradle and directed to everyone else.
"Pack now. We leave in 10 minutes. If you aren't ready by then you take the bus back …" She spat.
The others taking this very seriously began moving about packing all their things. Squall went down to the receptionist's office to pay for the two rooms and in less then seven minutes everyone was ready to go.
***
James frantically dialed two separate numbers and ordered a conference call.
"Hello?" Laguna's voice came clear on one end.
"Troubles?" Michel's mocking greeting came.
"Yes … there isn't much left to tell her I'm afraid …" James sounded desperate.
"Well it certainly seems as if each sorceress claimed it's heir …" Laguna said acutely.
"Has Raine merged with her power? Has Sophie?" James gasped.
"Yes …" Replied the other two presidents in unity.
"Hyne …" James sighed, "Zell and Selphie must be with them … I've ordered her to report back to Galbadia Garden. Loire, be there with your wife and Michel be there with your spouse and children. Good day …" He hung up the phone and so the other two men did.
***
They had only taken one car. This had been an emergency. They took Zell's car. Rinoa, Selphie and Hikari were in the back seat, Squall in the passenger's and Zell in the driver's.
"I forgot to mention …" Squall said, "Suogi and Desmond are one and the same."
"What?" Rinoa was still in a bad mood and now was not the best time to imply confusion.
"I overheard a conversation in an alley. Desmond was talking to some dude and told him to keep the secret that he was Suogi. I know it was him because I saw him dart out of the alley afterwards. My guess is that he was arrested because he had to do with several illegal operations and your father temporarily changed his name to protect his identity until he was released." Squall finished.
The rest of the people stayed silent just taking Squall's word for it. Right now no one really wanted to go into intense depth of any mystery.
***
Caraway looked at his pocket watch. Galbadia Garden was completely empty it was quite frightening: like an abandoned warehouse. The eight people waited in the Garden directory for the arrival of the 'commander'.
The eight people were James Caraway, Julia Heartilly, Laguna Loire, Raine Leonheart, Michel Almasy, Sophie Trepe, Sefeir Almasy and Quitis Trepe Almasy whom was the sister of Sefeir.
Finally Rinoa arrived seeing them all there flicked a tempest of anger. This wasn't going to be a private conversation with her father. This was going to be turned into a council meeting.
"Arg you son of a bitch!" She released some strain not caring who was there.
"You're five minutes late …" Her father pointed out. Hikari, Squall, Zell and Selphie walked slightly behind her.
"So remove me from the council position I don't give a flying fuck!" She yelled back, "So now tell me the truth for once, dearest father! Because for 17 years, 11 months and 3 weeks I've been living in a world that doesn't even exist!"
"You want the truth?" Her father smashed the directory map into tiny crystals of glass, "You want the truth Rinoa? Do you really want the fucking truth?" He raged.
"Can you handle to give it to me?" She spat back. "Or are you scared?"
"Of what?" He spat back.
"The truth … lies are like a pebble in a still lake … you drop one in and it make ripples … lots of them. Ten times the amount of stones you dropped in! You are in such deep shit because nothing has been coming out of your mouth except lies!" She snapped.
The others watched in wonder and this 'fire and water' duo whose quarrels never seemed to cease.
"You're one to speak of the truth, Rinoa!" Her father shouted.
"You don't even know what your saying." She said simply, "Now tell me the truth … tell me the secrets that you locked up for years … that you kept from me and that are ruining my life right now."
"Fine … here's the truth!" Her father hissed, "You are a sorceress by blood! Your mother was a sorceress and I was her knight! Michel, Sophie, Laguna and Raine are exactly like my and your mother!"
"I found that out on my own …" Rinoa snapped.
Caraway ignored her and continued on, "In the past neither sorceress could defeat each other and the same went for the knight."
"Because you fucked around too much!" Rinoa screamed, she was exploding, all the years tormenting her with lies, murders and no remorse were pumping anger into her veins. Her heart beat faster then ever. "A sorceress who fucks with her knight gains so much power! So for a short period of time I'm sure that was all you did! FUCK! Eventually you surpassed your own limits! Deciding the battle was never going to end you decided to compress time, move ahead to the future!" She was doing the talking now, "One male heir, one female heir. No FUCKING around could be permitted, that would have been incest. So the brother was the sister's knight and so it would become only a matter of skill. But you fucked up yet again, you people are good at FUCKING things up?" She looked at each one of them using the word fuck in every sense possible, "You chose the wrong era! You entered a period of war, which you had to calm. The powers and spirits of the sorceresses tore apart. The power was to seek out the heir, the spirit to produce it. You guys FUCKED around a little to early and that is why you had to abandon Zell, Squall and Selphie. You wanted them to live so you decided to put them in an orphanage. Alamsy was too proud and too confident in his power, he kept his kids! Turns out he was the smarter one. If you had all done like him your plan would have gone just as you had planned. So using your all powerful power that you gained by FUCKING you destroyed the war and claimed each a piece of land. Bad idea! By doing so you completely lost sight of Zell, Squall and Selphie and you couldn't find them anywhere. No one claimed Balamb because it's the land of the dead! Fast forward a few years later … everything is nice and peaceful and you think, 'Oh wow, fucking around sure has paid off, let's do more fucking around. Let's marry Rinoa and Sefeir together! They can claim Balamb who has shown no signs of action! The dead are gone! No more dead! It's all good! Then BOOM, The spirits get real pissed by all your fucking around! They revolt. It's not GANGS that are vandalizing the continents it's the SPIRITS. Is that all, did I leave something out father?"
There was a pause. "How did you get the information?" Michel questioned.
"Oh, I've been doing my reading. Yah, I found a whole ton of files in Uncle Desmond's office. He was taking a nap in the doorway. Hiro Schezny made sure of that." She stared at the President of Centra. "He's dead by the way …shot me in the arm just before he said good-bye."
"I want to know what the point of claiming Balamb is? Why is it that the three sorceress have to fight?" Squall spoke up. His tone was dry, even and confident.
Caraway smiled, "Hm … so you don't know everything …"
"I didn't read the files … it seems Rinoa is the only who did …" Squall retorted.
"The sorceresses fight for the greatest of all … to become Hyne's apprentice."
Sammy-Chan: PEOPLES … hello. I hope you liked this chapter. Read and review all my chapters, you people ruuuule! Peace and love to the whole world and my bank account. Holy shit it's 1 a.m. damn I'm tired. Well … *yawns* See you people no later then next week!