Chapter Three
Rinoa Heartilly wasn't a leader.
Okay, that wasn't entirely true. She'd once been the leader of the Timber Owls, one of the country's many freedom-fighting groups.
But since she'd returned to Timber three months ago, after helping defeat the Sorceress Ultimecia, and helping the fractious freedom-fighters come together to finally expel the occupying Galbadians, Rinoa had found herself entrenched in more and more politics; and she hated politics.
People had even suggested that she run for president in the upcoming elections, Timber's first in over two decades.
But Rinoa had quickly brought any speculation to a halt - assuring everyone that she would definitely NOT be running for President.
That still hadn't stopped the provisional council that was overseeing Timber's transition back to full autonomy, from enlisting her help as an advisor.
She wasn't exactly sure what she was meant to be advising about, but three months had passed since she'd returned to her adopted home, she considered, so she must be doing something right.
She'd never forgotten about Squall though.
Despite her workload, not a heartbeat went by when he wasn't in her thoughts. They had only been together a handful of times since the reception at Balamb Garden to celebrate Ultimecia's defeat, and Rinoa wouldn't deny that it had been hard, being so far apart for so long.
But she knew it was for the best.
Despite what she thought, Rinoa knew deep down that Timber needed her just now. And Squall was hardly sitting idle either.
In almost every email she got from him, he told of his last mission, usually another country he was helping break free of the Galbadian yoke…
"Earth to Rinoa, Earth to Rinoa," a familiar voice drifted into Rinoa's thoughts.
"Huh, what?" was Rinoa's confused response. Focusing her eyes ahead, she saw Zone, fellow Timber Owl and dear friend, standing in front of her with a cheeky grin.
"What are you so happy about?" she asked irritably.
"Thinking about lover-boy again, are we?" Zone enquired sardonically.
"I wish you would stop teasing me," she responded, thumping Zone in the arm.
"Ow," Zone grimaced. "So we are thinking about Squall again."
"So?" Rinoa retorted. "It's not any of your business."
"Hey, I couldn't care less if you thought about 'Mister SeeD' twenty-four hours a day. Which you probably do, anyway."
A comment from Zone that earned him another punch.
"But now isn't the time, the councillors have just arrived, and the train from Esthar'll be here soon, we'll know as soon as Watts gets back."
At that moment, a figure came running up from the distance. Slightly rotund, and running as if his life depended on it, Rinoa instantly knew it was the other senior member of the Timber owls, Watts.
"Speak of the devil!" Zone exclaimed as his best friend came to a stop in front of them.
"Zone, Rinoa, sir," he greeted breathlessly.
"What news?" Rinoa asked.
"The train from Esthar has just left FH, sir," Watts explained. "It should reach the mainland in about fifteen minutes."
"Great," Rinoa responded.
"Uh-oh," Zone uttered, looking back. "Looks like you're wanted, Rinoa."
Turning round, Rinoa saw what he meant. A fleet of black limousines had come to a stop fifty yards behind them, near to the train tracks.
Rinoa hadn't even heard them arrive; she had been so deep in her thoughts.
"Guess I'd better go sweet-talk the councillors again," Rinoa muttered unhappily, before walking off.
* * * * *
Today was a new chapter in the history of Timber, Rinoa thought, half-listening to the councillors' never-ending stream of questions, queries, and worries.
Horizon Bridge was an ambitious structure that spanned the continents of Galbadia and Esthar, linking them physically, and hopefully in peace.
But that hope had never come to pass, as soon after it became operational Esthar, under the control of the crazed Sorceress Adel, declared war upon the world in the most bloody conflict of a generation.
The bridge was quickly closed to prevent the Estharan military from using it to invade Galbadia. And seventeen years later, the war long over, the bridge remained derelict.
Not derelict any more though. Since they had reopened their borders after the crisis with Ultimecia led to the dreaded Lunar Cry almost devastating their country, the Estharans had seen that the self-imposed exile to prevent their highly-advanced technology falling into the wrong hands had not in any way helped the outside world.
Laguna Loire, president of Esthar, concerned about the possible criticism of his flawed policies, had immediately put into action plans to reconnect Esthar to the outside world.
Diplomatic relations had been resumed, Embassies occupied once again, but President Loire's most ambitious plan had been the reopening of Horizon Bridge
Knowing that Rinoa was now a key player, if not a reluctant one, within Timber's fledgling political establishment, Loire had gone straight to her in helping to get Timber's permission and blessing.
He hadn't got their blessing, but their cautious permission had been enough for him. Rinoa didn't see the problem herself: Esthar had agreed to bring the Bridge back into working condition and provide trains, the engineering-minded people of Fisherman's Horizon had jumped at the chance to refurbish the deserted railway station that passed through their city, and all Timber had to do was provide only a few of the trains.
In Rinoa's mind it was a small price to pay. Not only did Timber once again have its independence, but also it would soon have a greater importance to the rest of the world.
* * * * *
"…so, you are sure there is no danger?" Councillor Torkan persisted.
"Councillor, I assure you - there is no danger," Rinoa insisted.
To say that Rinoa didn't like Endo Torkan was an understatement.
Rinoa knew it was unfair to do so, Torkan was a veteran of the Sorceress War, and quite rightly didn't trust the Estharans. But what made Rinoa despise Torkan so much though, was his unrelenting hatred of Esthar. He refused point-blank to put the past behind him, and trust them.
President Loire, in an attempt to bring Torkan and other sceptics around, had gone so far as to invite the provisional council to Esthar's capital, as an olive branch. All of the councillors accepted the invitation, except for Torkan, who would shout until his throat went raw; trying to convince the others that the Estharans would have them shot the second they set foot in Esthar.
When his fellow councillors returned unscathed, Torkan didn't shout so loudly.
He was still the most outspoken opponent of Esthar's plans, though. And Rinoa had been forced to jump through hoops to get Torkan to approve the plan, and still he wasn't fully convinced.
"I just hope that it isn't a trainload of Estharan soldiers that come over that bridge," Torkan warned.
Seeing the exasperated look on Rinoa's face, another councillor, Mevlin, put a hand on her soldier, "Don't let him rile you," she reassured. "I've known him longer than I care to admit - he's probably more hopeful that this all goes to plan than the rest of us put together.
Rinoa chuckled - it was good to know that at least some of the council were human.
"Here they come now," another councillor, Varcilo mentioned, pointing into the distance.
Looking ahead, Rinoa could see Zone and Watts deep in conversation. And just beyond them, past the edge of the Mandy Cliffs, across the Horizon Bridge to its furthest visible point, she could see a train.
As it got ever closer, she could see that it was clearly of Estharan design. The smooth contoured surface, the translucent turquoise of its metal surface, and the way it seemed to glide effortlessly across the rails without the slightest sound.
Within minutes, although it seemed like only a few seconds, the train had reached the mainland and was slowing to a stop in front of the Timber party.
At the nearest cabin, a door slid open from an invisible gap, a flight of stairs extending quietly down, and a familiar face climbing out.
"Laguna!" Rinoa identified, rushing up to hug the President of Esthar. Just behind him, Rinoa saw Kiros, one half of Laguna's chief aides and best friends, and hugged him too.
"It's so good to see you… where's Ward?" she asked, wondering where the other half of Laguna's advisors and companions was.
"Somebody's got to run the country when I'm not there," Laguna explained. "But don't worry, with Horizon Bridge back in operation, I'm sure you'll see him again soon enough."
Stepping past Rinoa, Laguna confronted Councillor Torkan.
"So, Endo, not the gunboat you were expecting?"
"I concede…" Torkan began, "that perhaps I was slightly blinded by previous experiences-"
"Slightly?!" Rinoa gasped, earning herself a nasty look from Torkan.
"But," Torkan continued, "perhaps this truly is the start of a new, peaceful relationship between Timber and Esthar."
"My sentiments exactly," Councillor Mevlin agreed. "That's am amazing train you have, Mr. President."
"Yeah, a beauty, isn't she? Kiros here supervised the construction himself."
Kiros bowed in recognition.
"Hopefully we'll have a few more ready to roll out in a month-or-so." Laguna elaborated. "Together with yours, we should have- would you excuse me for a second?"
A beeping coming from his pocket suddenly distracted Laguna.
Removing a mobile communication unit from his pocket, he flipped it open and asked:
"What is it? What? Directly ahead? Okay."
"Is there a problem?" Rinoa asked, as Laguna flipped the communicator closed.
"It's the train driver," Laguna explained. "He says there's something in the air, heading straight for us."
The assemblage looked up into the sky in unison. Rinoa could immediately see what the train driver was worried about: a black object, moving at an incredible speed, and heading straight for them.
Murmurs started to spread through the crowd of councillors, all of them asking the same thing: what is it?
"It seems to be a creature of some sort," Kiros described, his eyes as keen as a hawk's.
"But I can't be sure from this distance."
"At the speed that thing seems to be going, I don't think we'll have to wait long," one of the councillors responded.
They were right, with each passing second the creature was getting closer; too close.
"I don't like this," Rinoa murmured nervously. "It doesn't feel right."
"I agree," Mevlin concurred. "I think it might be best if we continue this meeting in Ti-" Mevlin didn't have a chance to finish her sentence, as the unidentified creature shot past them, the force of his passing almost knocking half of the councillors to the ground.
A dozen screams came from the councillors, all of them identifying the creature: "A dragon!"
"This was your idea, wasn't it?!" Torkan accused Laguna angrily.
"Us?" Laguna denied. "This has nothing to do with us whatsoever!"
"A likely story," Torkan growled. "Come on councillors, let's get out of here before we're all killed!"
"No don't!" Laguna shouted to the leaving councillors. "You'll be safer in the train."
Several councillors paused and led by Mevlin turned back.
"What are you doing?" Torkan asked.
"We're staying with President Loire," Mevlin defended. "Because we believe him."
"You fools!" Torkan spat, before turning away and running for the cavalcade.
Quickly running inside, Rinoa began helping the councillors climb into the train.
As Zone and Watts passed inside, Mevlin, the last of the councillors into the train, asked:
"I hope this train is as safe as you say it is."
"Safer," Laguna boasted, opening his communicator again. "Driver, shields."
Rinoa began to hear a humming noise reverberating gently through the floor, and looking outside she could see the azure glow of what seemed like a Protect-spell.
"Is that magic?" she asked.
"No," Kiros explained. "It's an energy shield of our own devising."
"Amazing," Mevlin gasped. "Do we know what's going on outside?"
"Of course." Laguna pressed a button on a nearby table, and a viewscreen silently rose up, coming to life and displaying the dragon, which hovered in the air.
"How long has it been stationary like that?" a councillor asked.
Speaking into the communicator, Laguna soon responded, "The driver says he's been like that for a few minutes, as if he's been waiting on something."
Above the hum of the shields, Rinoa heard the growl of diesel engines coming to life, the cavalcade obviously on its way back to Timber, and on the screen Bahamut made his move.
Rinoa knew instantly what was happening. Running through to the drivers cabin to get a better look, and soon joined by Mevlin and Laguna, all she could do now was watch as the dragon descended upon the cavalcade
The limousines veered wildly in different directions, but none could get away quick enough. Flaming balls of energy flew from the dragon's massive jaw, tearing into the limousines, blowing them to smithereens, leaving nothing more than twisted shards of metal spinning through the air.
"Oh, my God," Mevlin gasped, tears begin to fall down her face.
Rinoa though, didn't have time to grieve, noticing that the dragon's demonic glare was now upon them.
"Everybody, hold onto something!" Laguna warned, as the dragon came careering towards them.
The train rocked violently, then again, then once more as it shuddered from the impact of multiple fireballs.
"How's the train doing?" Laguna enquired.
"Shields are holding, sir," the driver responded. "But I don't how much more of a beating she'll put up with."
But they never got a chance to find out. The Dragon, seemingly disappointed at his inability to damage the train, now flew off in a different direction.
"It's heading for the bridge!" Rinoa exclaimed, now watching the action on a screen set into the driver's control console.
Rinoa was right. As the dragon sped off over the cliffs, it broke to suddenly to the left of the bridge, climbed steadily up, and then with a deafening roar rocketed forward, driving itself headfirst into the bridge.
The devastation was unbelievable. In the distance Rinoa could just hear it, but from the screen she could see the full horror; the nearest section of bridge already disintegrated, and the next half-dozen sections after buckling and falling into the ocean.
And the dragon amazingly was unhurt, emerging unscathed from the destruction it had caused in a cloud of chalk-white smoke. The dust clearing, flames could be seen foaming from its mouth, its eyes burning with an intense hatred.
"I think it's remembered about us," Laguna pointed-out.
But just as it seem it was about to make a second attack, it instead looked off into the distance, and its anger quickly abated, the flames that had licked its lips disappearing.
The train driver instinctively pulled the camera image back, so that the dragon and what it seemed to be so scared by could both be seen. Whatever it was, it was still in the distance, but it was closing in fast.
"Another dragon?" Mevlin despaired.
"No," Rinoa corrected. "It's the Ragnarok!"
But the dragon didn't wait for Rinoa's identification to be proved right, as it hastily flew off, disappearing from the camera's view.
"Whoa!" the driver exclaimed. "That dragon just flashed right off the radar."
"Guess it knows when it's time to run," Laguna grinned. "Come on Rinoa, let's go see the Ragnarok land."
* * * * *
"It's great to see you!" Rinoa greeted, hugging Squall for all he was worth.
"Are you okay?" he asked, gently brushing her hair with his gloved hand, his face full of concern.
"I'm fine," Rinoa reassured. "But others…" Her voice trailed off, caught by the sight of the burning wreckage of the cavalcade, "they're not so good."
"I guess we didn't get here in time," Squall accepted grimly.
"So, you're acquainted with our 'friend' then?" Laguna, who stood close behind Rinoa, asked.
"You could say that. Laguna, Selphie, and I first encountered him on Osarch Island while on a mission," Squall began. "On our return to Balamb, we found him attacking the Garden, but we managed to defeat him. But from the look of things here, he didn't take long to regain his strength," Squall's eyes drifting off to the ruined bridge.
"It seems you scared him off though, which means he's afraid of you," Laguna reassured. "But do you have any idea what 'he' is?"
"Zell thinks that it could be the legendary dragon Bahamut," Squall mentioned.
"Bahamut? I don't think I remember that legend - hey, Kiros!" Laguna shouted.
"Yes?" Kiros asked, running over to join the group.
"Do you know anything about a 'Bahamut'?" Laguna asked.
"Of course," Kiros confirmed. "He's the mythical King of the Dragons."
"King of the Dragons, eh?" Laguna wondered. "Do you think that the creature that just attacked us looked anything like it?"
"Now that I think about it," Kiros considered. "That creature did resemble the descriptions in the ancient stories and drawings in many ways - the horns, the colour, the size, the ferocity."
"Looks like Zell's right," Laguna added.
"But Squall," Rinoa asked, who had thinking something over. "How did you know he would attack here?"
"I didn't," Squall admitted. "I just had this feeling that you might be in danger."
"Guess love is the strongest bond of all," Laguna chirped-in with a grin.
"What will your next move be?" Kiros asked, keeping the topic on a serious level.
"We'll be returning to the Garden immediately," Squall replied. "Hopefully Xu's investigation will have turned up something by now."
"You're leaving so soon?" Rinoa queried with a worried look.
"I thought you'd come with us," Squall replied.
"I can't. Half of the provisional council has just been killed," she explained grimly. "I can't just go running off at a moments notice."
"Oh yes you can," Councillor Mevlin's voice disagreed.
"Councillor?" Rinoa questioned, turning round to face her.
"I've been listening to your conversation," Mevlin elaborated. "And I believe that the best thing you can do right now is go with your friends."
"B-but the council-"
"Has been dealt a devastating blow," Mevlin finished. "I know. Thing's are going to be difficult, not to mention Horizon Bridge. But in my opinion, you helping going with your friends, to try and find out more about this new menace, is the best thing you can do for Timber at the moment."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Rinoa. Now, go on. I'm sure the help we'll receive from our Estharan friends will more than make for you absence," Mevlin reassured. "After all, until Horizon Bridge is repaired, they're marooned on the wrong side of the bridge for the time being.
"We'd be glad to help," Laguna smiled.
"Come on," Squall urged, taking Rinoa's hand. "The sooner we get back to the Garden the better."
And waved off by the survivors of Bahamut's lethal attack, the Ragnarok, now joined by Rinoa, soared northwards back to Balamb, and hopefully to a Garden that held some answers.
Rinoa Heartilly wasn't a leader.
Okay, that wasn't entirely true. She'd once been the leader of the Timber Owls, one of the country's many freedom-fighting groups.
But since she'd returned to Timber three months ago, after helping defeat the Sorceress Ultimecia, and helping the fractious freedom-fighters come together to finally expel the occupying Galbadians, Rinoa had found herself entrenched in more and more politics; and she hated politics.
People had even suggested that she run for president in the upcoming elections, Timber's first in over two decades.
But Rinoa had quickly brought any speculation to a halt - assuring everyone that she would definitely NOT be running for President.
That still hadn't stopped the provisional council that was overseeing Timber's transition back to full autonomy, from enlisting her help as an advisor.
She wasn't exactly sure what she was meant to be advising about, but three months had passed since she'd returned to her adopted home, she considered, so she must be doing something right.
She'd never forgotten about Squall though.
Despite her workload, not a heartbeat went by when he wasn't in her thoughts. They had only been together a handful of times since the reception at Balamb Garden to celebrate Ultimecia's defeat, and Rinoa wouldn't deny that it had been hard, being so far apart for so long.
But she knew it was for the best.
Despite what she thought, Rinoa knew deep down that Timber needed her just now. And Squall was hardly sitting idle either.
In almost every email she got from him, he told of his last mission, usually another country he was helping break free of the Galbadian yoke…
"Earth to Rinoa, Earth to Rinoa," a familiar voice drifted into Rinoa's thoughts.
"Huh, what?" was Rinoa's confused response. Focusing her eyes ahead, she saw Zone, fellow Timber Owl and dear friend, standing in front of her with a cheeky grin.
"What are you so happy about?" she asked irritably.
"Thinking about lover-boy again, are we?" Zone enquired sardonically.
"I wish you would stop teasing me," she responded, thumping Zone in the arm.
"Ow," Zone grimaced. "So we are thinking about Squall again."
"So?" Rinoa retorted. "It's not any of your business."
"Hey, I couldn't care less if you thought about 'Mister SeeD' twenty-four hours a day. Which you probably do, anyway."
A comment from Zone that earned him another punch.
"But now isn't the time, the councillors have just arrived, and the train from Esthar'll be here soon, we'll know as soon as Watts gets back."
At that moment, a figure came running up from the distance. Slightly rotund, and running as if his life depended on it, Rinoa instantly knew it was the other senior member of the Timber owls, Watts.
"Speak of the devil!" Zone exclaimed as his best friend came to a stop in front of them.
"Zone, Rinoa, sir," he greeted breathlessly.
"What news?" Rinoa asked.
"The train from Esthar has just left FH, sir," Watts explained. "It should reach the mainland in about fifteen minutes."
"Great," Rinoa responded.
"Uh-oh," Zone uttered, looking back. "Looks like you're wanted, Rinoa."
Turning round, Rinoa saw what he meant. A fleet of black limousines had come to a stop fifty yards behind them, near to the train tracks.
Rinoa hadn't even heard them arrive; she had been so deep in her thoughts.
"Guess I'd better go sweet-talk the councillors again," Rinoa muttered unhappily, before walking off.
* * * * *
Today was a new chapter in the history of Timber, Rinoa thought, half-listening to the councillors' never-ending stream of questions, queries, and worries.
Horizon Bridge was an ambitious structure that spanned the continents of Galbadia and Esthar, linking them physically, and hopefully in peace.
But that hope had never come to pass, as soon after it became operational Esthar, under the control of the crazed Sorceress Adel, declared war upon the world in the most bloody conflict of a generation.
The bridge was quickly closed to prevent the Estharan military from using it to invade Galbadia. And seventeen years later, the war long over, the bridge remained derelict.
Not derelict any more though. Since they had reopened their borders after the crisis with Ultimecia led to the dreaded Lunar Cry almost devastating their country, the Estharans had seen that the self-imposed exile to prevent their highly-advanced technology falling into the wrong hands had not in any way helped the outside world.
Laguna Loire, president of Esthar, concerned about the possible criticism of his flawed policies, had immediately put into action plans to reconnect Esthar to the outside world.
Diplomatic relations had been resumed, Embassies occupied once again, but President Loire's most ambitious plan had been the reopening of Horizon Bridge
Knowing that Rinoa was now a key player, if not a reluctant one, within Timber's fledgling political establishment, Loire had gone straight to her in helping to get Timber's permission and blessing.
He hadn't got their blessing, but their cautious permission had been enough for him. Rinoa didn't see the problem herself: Esthar had agreed to bring the Bridge back into working condition and provide trains, the engineering-minded people of Fisherman's Horizon had jumped at the chance to refurbish the deserted railway station that passed through their city, and all Timber had to do was provide only a few of the trains.
In Rinoa's mind it was a small price to pay. Not only did Timber once again have its independence, but also it would soon have a greater importance to the rest of the world.
* * * * *
"…so, you are sure there is no danger?" Councillor Torkan persisted.
"Councillor, I assure you - there is no danger," Rinoa insisted.
To say that Rinoa didn't like Endo Torkan was an understatement.
Rinoa knew it was unfair to do so, Torkan was a veteran of the Sorceress War, and quite rightly didn't trust the Estharans. But what made Rinoa despise Torkan so much though, was his unrelenting hatred of Esthar. He refused point-blank to put the past behind him, and trust them.
President Loire, in an attempt to bring Torkan and other sceptics around, had gone so far as to invite the provisional council to Esthar's capital, as an olive branch. All of the councillors accepted the invitation, except for Torkan, who would shout until his throat went raw; trying to convince the others that the Estharans would have them shot the second they set foot in Esthar.
When his fellow councillors returned unscathed, Torkan didn't shout so loudly.
He was still the most outspoken opponent of Esthar's plans, though. And Rinoa had been forced to jump through hoops to get Torkan to approve the plan, and still he wasn't fully convinced.
"I just hope that it isn't a trainload of Estharan soldiers that come over that bridge," Torkan warned.
Seeing the exasperated look on Rinoa's face, another councillor, Mevlin, put a hand on her soldier, "Don't let him rile you," she reassured. "I've known him longer than I care to admit - he's probably more hopeful that this all goes to plan than the rest of us put together.
Rinoa chuckled - it was good to know that at least some of the council were human.
"Here they come now," another councillor, Varcilo mentioned, pointing into the distance.
Looking ahead, Rinoa could see Zone and Watts deep in conversation. And just beyond them, past the edge of the Mandy Cliffs, across the Horizon Bridge to its furthest visible point, she could see a train.
As it got ever closer, she could see that it was clearly of Estharan design. The smooth contoured surface, the translucent turquoise of its metal surface, and the way it seemed to glide effortlessly across the rails without the slightest sound.
Within minutes, although it seemed like only a few seconds, the train had reached the mainland and was slowing to a stop in front of the Timber party.
At the nearest cabin, a door slid open from an invisible gap, a flight of stairs extending quietly down, and a familiar face climbing out.
"Laguna!" Rinoa identified, rushing up to hug the President of Esthar. Just behind him, Rinoa saw Kiros, one half of Laguna's chief aides and best friends, and hugged him too.
"It's so good to see you… where's Ward?" she asked, wondering where the other half of Laguna's advisors and companions was.
"Somebody's got to run the country when I'm not there," Laguna explained. "But don't worry, with Horizon Bridge back in operation, I'm sure you'll see him again soon enough."
Stepping past Rinoa, Laguna confronted Councillor Torkan.
"So, Endo, not the gunboat you were expecting?"
"I concede…" Torkan began, "that perhaps I was slightly blinded by previous experiences-"
"Slightly?!" Rinoa gasped, earning herself a nasty look from Torkan.
"But," Torkan continued, "perhaps this truly is the start of a new, peaceful relationship between Timber and Esthar."
"My sentiments exactly," Councillor Mevlin agreed. "That's am amazing train you have, Mr. President."
"Yeah, a beauty, isn't she? Kiros here supervised the construction himself."
Kiros bowed in recognition.
"Hopefully we'll have a few more ready to roll out in a month-or-so." Laguna elaborated. "Together with yours, we should have- would you excuse me for a second?"
A beeping coming from his pocket suddenly distracted Laguna.
Removing a mobile communication unit from his pocket, he flipped it open and asked:
"What is it? What? Directly ahead? Okay."
"Is there a problem?" Rinoa asked, as Laguna flipped the communicator closed.
"It's the train driver," Laguna explained. "He says there's something in the air, heading straight for us."
The assemblage looked up into the sky in unison. Rinoa could immediately see what the train driver was worried about: a black object, moving at an incredible speed, and heading straight for them.
Murmurs started to spread through the crowd of councillors, all of them asking the same thing: what is it?
"It seems to be a creature of some sort," Kiros described, his eyes as keen as a hawk's.
"But I can't be sure from this distance."
"At the speed that thing seems to be going, I don't think we'll have to wait long," one of the councillors responded.
They were right, with each passing second the creature was getting closer; too close.
"I don't like this," Rinoa murmured nervously. "It doesn't feel right."
"I agree," Mevlin concurred. "I think it might be best if we continue this meeting in Ti-" Mevlin didn't have a chance to finish her sentence, as the unidentified creature shot past them, the force of his passing almost knocking half of the councillors to the ground.
A dozen screams came from the councillors, all of them identifying the creature: "A dragon!"
"This was your idea, wasn't it?!" Torkan accused Laguna angrily.
"Us?" Laguna denied. "This has nothing to do with us whatsoever!"
"A likely story," Torkan growled. "Come on councillors, let's get out of here before we're all killed!"
"No don't!" Laguna shouted to the leaving councillors. "You'll be safer in the train."
Several councillors paused and led by Mevlin turned back.
"What are you doing?" Torkan asked.
"We're staying with President Loire," Mevlin defended. "Because we believe him."
"You fools!" Torkan spat, before turning away and running for the cavalcade.
Quickly running inside, Rinoa began helping the councillors climb into the train.
As Zone and Watts passed inside, Mevlin, the last of the councillors into the train, asked:
"I hope this train is as safe as you say it is."
"Safer," Laguna boasted, opening his communicator again. "Driver, shields."
Rinoa began to hear a humming noise reverberating gently through the floor, and looking outside she could see the azure glow of what seemed like a Protect-spell.
"Is that magic?" she asked.
"No," Kiros explained. "It's an energy shield of our own devising."
"Amazing," Mevlin gasped. "Do we know what's going on outside?"
"Of course." Laguna pressed a button on a nearby table, and a viewscreen silently rose up, coming to life and displaying the dragon, which hovered in the air.
"How long has it been stationary like that?" a councillor asked.
Speaking into the communicator, Laguna soon responded, "The driver says he's been like that for a few minutes, as if he's been waiting on something."
Above the hum of the shields, Rinoa heard the growl of diesel engines coming to life, the cavalcade obviously on its way back to Timber, and on the screen Bahamut made his move.
Rinoa knew instantly what was happening. Running through to the drivers cabin to get a better look, and soon joined by Mevlin and Laguna, all she could do now was watch as the dragon descended upon the cavalcade
The limousines veered wildly in different directions, but none could get away quick enough. Flaming balls of energy flew from the dragon's massive jaw, tearing into the limousines, blowing them to smithereens, leaving nothing more than twisted shards of metal spinning through the air.
"Oh, my God," Mevlin gasped, tears begin to fall down her face.
Rinoa though, didn't have time to grieve, noticing that the dragon's demonic glare was now upon them.
"Everybody, hold onto something!" Laguna warned, as the dragon came careering towards them.
The train rocked violently, then again, then once more as it shuddered from the impact of multiple fireballs.
"How's the train doing?" Laguna enquired.
"Shields are holding, sir," the driver responded. "But I don't how much more of a beating she'll put up with."
But they never got a chance to find out. The Dragon, seemingly disappointed at his inability to damage the train, now flew off in a different direction.
"It's heading for the bridge!" Rinoa exclaimed, now watching the action on a screen set into the driver's control console.
Rinoa was right. As the dragon sped off over the cliffs, it broke to suddenly to the left of the bridge, climbed steadily up, and then with a deafening roar rocketed forward, driving itself headfirst into the bridge.
The devastation was unbelievable. In the distance Rinoa could just hear it, but from the screen she could see the full horror; the nearest section of bridge already disintegrated, and the next half-dozen sections after buckling and falling into the ocean.
And the dragon amazingly was unhurt, emerging unscathed from the destruction it had caused in a cloud of chalk-white smoke. The dust clearing, flames could be seen foaming from its mouth, its eyes burning with an intense hatred.
"I think it's remembered about us," Laguna pointed-out.
But just as it seem it was about to make a second attack, it instead looked off into the distance, and its anger quickly abated, the flames that had licked its lips disappearing.
The train driver instinctively pulled the camera image back, so that the dragon and what it seemed to be so scared by could both be seen. Whatever it was, it was still in the distance, but it was closing in fast.
"Another dragon?" Mevlin despaired.
"No," Rinoa corrected. "It's the Ragnarok!"
But the dragon didn't wait for Rinoa's identification to be proved right, as it hastily flew off, disappearing from the camera's view.
"Whoa!" the driver exclaimed. "That dragon just flashed right off the radar."
"Guess it knows when it's time to run," Laguna grinned. "Come on Rinoa, let's go see the Ragnarok land."
* * * * *
"It's great to see you!" Rinoa greeted, hugging Squall for all he was worth.
"Are you okay?" he asked, gently brushing her hair with his gloved hand, his face full of concern.
"I'm fine," Rinoa reassured. "But others…" Her voice trailed off, caught by the sight of the burning wreckage of the cavalcade, "they're not so good."
"I guess we didn't get here in time," Squall accepted grimly.
"So, you're acquainted with our 'friend' then?" Laguna, who stood close behind Rinoa, asked.
"You could say that. Laguna, Selphie, and I first encountered him on Osarch Island while on a mission," Squall began. "On our return to Balamb, we found him attacking the Garden, but we managed to defeat him. But from the look of things here, he didn't take long to regain his strength," Squall's eyes drifting off to the ruined bridge.
"It seems you scared him off though, which means he's afraid of you," Laguna reassured. "But do you have any idea what 'he' is?"
"Zell thinks that it could be the legendary dragon Bahamut," Squall mentioned.
"Bahamut? I don't think I remember that legend - hey, Kiros!" Laguna shouted.
"Yes?" Kiros asked, running over to join the group.
"Do you know anything about a 'Bahamut'?" Laguna asked.
"Of course," Kiros confirmed. "He's the mythical King of the Dragons."
"King of the Dragons, eh?" Laguna wondered. "Do you think that the creature that just attacked us looked anything like it?"
"Now that I think about it," Kiros considered. "That creature did resemble the descriptions in the ancient stories and drawings in many ways - the horns, the colour, the size, the ferocity."
"Looks like Zell's right," Laguna added.
"But Squall," Rinoa asked, who had thinking something over. "How did you know he would attack here?"
"I didn't," Squall admitted. "I just had this feeling that you might be in danger."
"Guess love is the strongest bond of all," Laguna chirped-in with a grin.
"What will your next move be?" Kiros asked, keeping the topic on a serious level.
"We'll be returning to the Garden immediately," Squall replied. "Hopefully Xu's investigation will have turned up something by now."
"You're leaving so soon?" Rinoa queried with a worried look.
"I thought you'd come with us," Squall replied.
"I can't. Half of the provisional council has just been killed," she explained grimly. "I can't just go running off at a moments notice."
"Oh yes you can," Councillor Mevlin's voice disagreed.
"Councillor?" Rinoa questioned, turning round to face her.
"I've been listening to your conversation," Mevlin elaborated. "And I believe that the best thing you can do right now is go with your friends."
"B-but the council-"
"Has been dealt a devastating blow," Mevlin finished. "I know. Thing's are going to be difficult, not to mention Horizon Bridge. But in my opinion, you helping going with your friends, to try and find out more about this new menace, is the best thing you can do for Timber at the moment."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Rinoa. Now, go on. I'm sure the help we'll receive from our Estharan friends will more than make for you absence," Mevlin reassured. "After all, until Horizon Bridge is repaired, they're marooned on the wrong side of the bridge for the time being.
"We'd be glad to help," Laguna smiled.
"Come on," Squall urged, taking Rinoa's hand. "The sooner we get back to the Garden the better."
And waved off by the survivors of Bahamut's lethal attack, the Ragnarok, now joined by Rinoa, soared northwards back to Balamb, and hopefully to a Garden that held some answers.