Part Six
He had been searching for days. Why couldn't he find her? It was so easy for Squall and Rinoa; they knew… Seifer had no idea where she was. He'd promised her he'd find her…
Again he turned and looked out over the world. A single tear rolled down his perfect face.
"Where are you?"
"He's not doing well."
Rinoa had called a meeting in the passenger room for all of the passengers on the Ragnarok.She flitted between all of them, making sure they were not loud enough for Seifer to hear them. "He can't deal with being away from her, and we can't find her"
Ellone buried her head into him hands. "We need to find her. You don't understand. She's too important to be left to die… If we don't find Aadeane, you'll have to fight 'her' again"
Selphie suddenly took interest. "What do you mean her…"
"I… I can't say"
"Tell us! For the sake of Hyne, Ellone!"
"I can't, dammit!"
Raijin stepped forward and took his lover's hand. "Elle, honey, if ya know anything that, ya know, could help us, you just gotta say…"
She burst into loud sobs and hung her fragile frame over her protector. He sheltered her fondly… he could not imagine what Seifer felt.
Irvine too felt the same as Raijin. What would he do without Selphie? It was hard enough when they took her away from the orphanage… every day he'd sit on the beach, looking out over the oceans to dream of where she might be…
To never see her now would be torture.
He looked at her again. Even when she was dogged down in sadness, she never lost her sparkle. He wondered how Seifer could cope, if he never saw her again…
He caught Selphie's gaze as she flashed him a dazzling smile. He knew what that smile meant. It meant "I love you, Irvine Kinneas. Not just yesterday and today but tomorrow too." She'd told him that once, before the war had ended. Before they'd made their relationship public. "Remember that when I smile at you like this…"
Hyne, he could feel the tears prick his eyes. Quietly he left the room, trying not to let the others see his tears…
He walked out of the room, holding himself high in case they followed him. When he was sure no one was with him, he sunk to the floor, almost motionless. It was dumb, he knew that… why was he crying? This was Seifer's fight… but just thinking of his pain made him think about loosing Selphie… his only fear.
"You have no right to cry, Kinneas"
Irvine looked up quickly. Seifer stood over him, his face as harsh as when he had faced them in Galbadia.
Irvine stood up suddenly, wiping his tears in shame. But when he looked closer at Seifer's emerald eyes, he noticed they were a blood-shot red also.
"You… you've been…"
"Yeh, well, wouldn't you?"
Irvine smiled slightly… maybe Seifer was showing his feelings more. "Yeh I would. I couldn't bear loosing Selphie…"
"You probably won't have to deal with it for a long time. Of course, she may die on a mission, but that's a risk both of you take every day. You will never loose her. She'll always be Selphie Tilmitt, the sweet bubbly girl everyone loved. Aadeane may change beyond recognition in a day… inherit her mothers ways, and I would have to face her myself. Only one other person can understand me…"
"… and you're not about to talk to him, I know. But he forgave you, Seifer, maybe it is time to forgive him"
Suddenly Rinoa burst in on them. "Praise Hyne! Seifer, we've found her!"
It was no more than a spot in the distance, a softly gleaming piece of silver… but it was her, there was no mistaking.
"So what do we do, Seifer?"
He turned to Irvine. "What else? I'm gonna free her."
He turned towards the airlock.
"Seifer! Are you crazy? She'll suffocate! Wait!"
He wasn't listening. He started to put on the spacesuit, checking it's stats.
"Ragnarok? Ragnarok? Do you read?"
Everyone paused… that wasn't…?
"Seifer! Respond! It's me, Squall"
Seifer swore and went back towards the bridge. He lent over the microphone.
"Squall? It's Seifer"
He heard the microphone being snatched away. "Seifer, we've been worried sick about you! We're in Esthar, where the hell are you?"
Quistis.
"Yeh, Quisty. We're in space. We've found Aadeane."
Another shuffle.
"Vat are you doink? Iz you release de sorceress, who knows vat vill happen?"
Seifer couldn't believe it. "Quite frankly, Odine, I don't give a shit. And neither should you! She's your child!"
"Yees, but it iz more complicated! Do you not know who she iz?"
Seifer stared at the radio, motionless.
Another shuffle on the airwaves. This time Edea spoke.
"Seifer, Aadeane is Ultimecia's mother."
Ultimecia's mother. How?
Seifer had not moved from the bridge. Rinoa stood outside, watching him. It didn't shock her, somehow… maybe she already knew, deep down. But what she couldn't work out was who was Ultimecia's father?
Maybe deep down she knew that, too.
She went over to where he sat. "Seifer?" she asked, placing her arm on his shoulder. "Seifer? Are you okay?"
He didn't look at her. Maybe he needed more time…
As she turned away, she heard him say. "I'm going to get her"
She turned back to him. "What?"
He looked into her eyes, a dangerous expression on his face. "I said I'M… GOING… TO …GET …HER. Got it?"
"But… but Seifer!!!"
"Rinoa, I'm not a hero. I don't care about what danger I'm putting the world in; I don't care about how dangerous she is. I can't go through my life without her. Not anymore"
He ran back towards the airlock and quickly added his helmet. "Keep by the radio, Rinoa."
He drifted towards her, his heart pounding. How would he get her back to the ship? He hadn't thought this through. Perhaps he could free her, and die here with her…
The closer he got, the less ideas he had. When he reached her, he could think of nothing but how peaceful she looked, resembling how she slept in his arms after he dreamed of her. She was motionless, beautiful. Like a painting.
"Seifer! Seifer, can you hear me?"
Damn. "Yeh, Rinn, I can hear you"
"Good! We're gonna steer Ragnarok closer to you. Then we can bring her on board. Just hang on!"
Great. Hang on. Just have to watch her whilst she's trapped in this bubble, lonely and scared.
He wondered what she was thinking, there on her own… He wished he could kiss her again, feel her breath close to him… he softly touched the barrier, fancying he could feel her orchid skin under his fingers rather than the thick layers of glass and his suit. Aadeane, my love, soon we'll be together again, whether its in this life or the next, I won't leave you. Ever.
In the distance he could see the Ragnarok's form become more clear. Soon, my love…
Ellone paced the Ragnarok "Rinoa, what news?"
Rinoa smiled softly. "He's there with her."
The older girl's face erupted into a large smile. "Thank Hyne… we would have all been lost."
Rinoa's smile disappeared. "Elle, why didn't you tell us?"
Her smile faded also. "It… it wasn't my place. Wasn't theirs either." she sighed as she unveiled her secret. "She's Ultimecia's mother, or will be, at least. She can't change that. All that she can change is if Ultimecia is good or bad."
"But surely… if she was left in space to die, she wouldn't be able to…"
"Then Ultimecia would be born from some other woman, and Aadeane would speak to her and drive her insane with malevolent words. Even if she didn't mother her physically, she would mother her in every other aspect. And there is only one other candidate for a surrogate mother…"
"Who…?"
She knew from the look on Ellone's face.
"Me…? How…?"
"You are the Angel Wing sorceress, her parallel. She received her Raven Feather powers from you. She has a bond with you that will never die. She would give the child to you and Squall, and Ultimecia would inherit both your power and hers. She would have all the power a sorceress could ever dream of…more than any being should have. That is why she took away the power you received from Adel, she saw you as a threat. She had that power when she fought you. I don't want you to go through that again."
She cradled Rinoa as she sunk to the ground. "This must be a shock, I know…"
"I… I killed my daughter?"
"No! She wasn't your daughter, you must understand that. She's not like Yuna, she is not of you. Ultimecia was- will be- from Aadeane. She will have white hair, pale skin… the only think that she would inherit from you would be her amber eyes when her sorceress power erupted. That is an Angel Wing trait. If she is only Aadeane's, she will have the red eyes of the Raven Feather sorceress."
"But… but when I…"
"You had no choice, Rinn! Don't you understand? She's not yours!"
"…I…"
"Let go"
Seifer looked over his shoulder, knowing what he would see. The Ragnarok's airlock opened and came towards them. He gripped the capsule that held his love and waited…
"Seifer, aren't you gonna eat anything?"
Selphie cautiously approached him. "It's been aaaaaages since you last had a bite!"
He wasn't in the mood for her chirpy disposition. "Go away, Tilmitt." he seethed, not even looking at her. "Unless you have an idea of how to open this thing, I suggest you stay outta my way."
Selphie could take a hint… sorta. "Weeeell, okay, I'll go… but we have established contact with Esthar…"
Seifer leapt from where he say. "What? Really? Any news?"
Selphies smile evaporated. "Well, not as such. Sir Laguna's on the case to find something out from the sorceress memorial, but Odine's told 'em not to divulge any info. But hey, that's progress, right?"
Seifers excitement disappeared. "Get out" he said sharply. Selphie did not need to be told twice.
Where did it go wrong, Aadeane? he asked the dormant figure in front of him. Why didn't I recognise how much I loved you? How did I not see your pain at the memorial? What was I trying to prove? That I didn't need anyone?
He reached out and traced her face through the glass. Why did I react like that? Aadeane…
"Aadeane…"
"But you don't understand, Uncle Laguna!!! If we don't release her, all will be lost!"
Ellone desperately tried to convey the situation to her beloved "Uncle"
"Elle, honey! I don't understand!"
Rinoa launched herself at the radio. "Lemme speak to Squall!"
Shuffle.
"Rinn? Honey? What's going on?"
"We need to free Aadeane. Odine's got it all wrong. If Ultimecia is born of Aadeane then she'll be no threat. Please, trust me."
There was a pause. "I know how to free her."
Rinoa came into the airlock to see Seifer in exactly the same spot as Selphie left him. "Erm… Seifer. I can free her now.. If…if you want"
"Don't get my hopes up."
She walked over to the capsule. "Fi… Fithos… Lusec… Wecos… Vinosec."
A latch opened.
"Cantabilee… Fantantis… Udeyca… Lamari"
Another.
"Now… it should…"
Rinoa reached out to Aadeane. Suddenly the Raven Feather's eyes shot open.
They were red.
"Oh, Hyne, Seifer! Move!!"
Seifer looked up towards her. "Aadeane?"
She didn't hear.
Aadeane shot an arm out and gripped onto Rinoa. She screamed with pain, calling out "Seifer" over and over again…
He did not think. He raised Hyperion to his fighting position and attacked.
Aadeane reflected it effortlessly. "You would kill the women that wouldst be your wife? You would kill the women that wouldst be my mother?"
Ultimecia…
Seifer lowered the gun blade for a brief moment. Her… daughter… Aadeane would be his… would that make him…?
"My knight cannot turn against me! What of your dream, Sir Seifer? Will you live it out, or will you shrink away from your destiny as always?"
Seifer gritted his teeth. "I am not your knight, Ultimecia. That is long gone."
"Then will you strike your daughter?"
She had said it. It must be true. "Let go, Ultimecia."
She became enraged. "No!!!! If mother goes free, so does my ultimate power!! I will not die!!!"
Seifer knew what he had to do…
Wait.
He looked past Ultimecia. The bond around Aadeane was thawing… if it continued to thaw, Aadeane would be free, and Ultimecia would no longer exist…
"Fight, man" screamed the terrifying voice. "Or would you have me kill both the women you have loved in your lifetime?"
"Why fight you? You are my daughter, it would be wrong!"
Aadeane's face twisted. "Then what would you do, Almasy?"
"This" the low-level fire brewed in his hand. He shot it at Aadeane's form. The bond around her started to free at an alarming rate. Aadeane's body let out a horrifying scream, twisting Rinoa's neck before slumping to the ground.
He ran over to Aadeane's crumpled body. "Aadeane? Honey, wake up! We gotta help Rinn!"
The body slowly stirred. "S-Seifer?"
He smiled at her and breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, it's me. We have to help Rinoa…"
"Oh Hyne…" Aadeane scrambled over. "What… what happened…?"
"Ultimecia came… she wanted to prevent you from being freed, so that she could have her full power again."
"I have to…"
"Can you cure her?"
I have to, Seifer!" Tears started running down her face at an alarming rate. She started to cast full-life on the lifeless form… it was more difficult… this was a sorceress…. She pushed the spell further… it had to work….
Rinoa started to stir. Aadeane led out a yelp of joy and held the sorceress close. "I'm… I'm so sorry Rinn… it wasn't me, It was her…"
Rinoa opened her eyes slowly. "Where… where's Squall? Where is he?!! Tell me!!!"
Seifer felt her forehead. "She's got a fever. Aadeane, we have to go back to Esthar"
Selphie steered the ship slowly into landing on the airbase. She could see them all waiting; Qustis, Squall, Laguna, Odine and the eighteen month old Yuna, who was being cradled in the arms of Kiros. She ran out of the Ragnarok towards Squall.
"Rinn's sick" she panted, pointing towards the ship. "In there"
Squall ran as fast as he could.. He could not loose her again…
There she lay, on the floor, twisted over the weeping form of Aadeane. He scooped her up and carried her out.
He was greeted by the shocked faces of his fathers company. "Don't just stand there, father!" he hissed. "Get help!"
"Where am I?"
Rinoa woke suddenly, panic taking over her. Slowly she recognised her surroundings… Balamb Garden Infirmary…
"Rinoa? Mrs Leonheart, can you hear me…?"
Who was that… she looked through bleary eyes, recognising that unmistakable form.
"Dr Kadowaki? It is you, isn't it?"
She smiled down on her patient. "Yes, it's me. Quistis and Cid are here also."
Slowly the others came into view. Rinoa smiled weakly and tried to get up.
"No!" cried out Quistis, rushing towards her. "It's far to dangerous, you haven't eaten for over a week!"
"Why… why am I here, Quisty?"
"You remember freeing Aadeane?"
"Yes"
"Ultimecia came back and possessed her before she was fully freed. She wanted to stop the process before Aadeane was out of her frozen state. If Aadeane had been freed-"
"- then Ultimecia would not have inherited my powers also… I understand. But why am I here…?"
"Ultimecia broke your neck before she was banished from this reality. Aadeane revived you, though she was still weak…"
Cid butted in "Extraordinary girl. She's only just left your side today. She was so worried about you that she stayed with you, day and night, even though she was not well herself. She had to go today to sleep-"
"Sleep?"
"I did say, she was here day and night…"
Rinoa contemplated this… she had stayed through all that time? She had saved her life…
"I.. I can't believe it!" she whispered. "She did all that for me?"
Quistis spoke again. "Well, yes… I mean she didn't have many friends at Garden, but you understood her… She looked upon you as her best friend."
"R-really? I've…" Rinoa blushed. "I've never really had a 'best' friend before… by Hyne, I have to do something for her!!"
Cid nodded in agreement. "Yes, she deserves something to recognise her return and triumphs… how about we get Selphie t organise something?"
"Hey, I wanna help too! After all, she is my best friend!" Rinoa laughed, propping herself further up the bed.
"Let's do it!"