chapter 12: When the sun sets
The Ragnarok landed at the Esthar Airstation. Seifer, Rinoa and Quistis unboarded the spaceship, to find Esthar as they had left it some time ago. Peaceful, and everything in complete order. Rinoa thought for a moment.
"Guys, you two go and get Ant," she told Seifer and Quistis. "I'll go talk to Laguna…" she added. Seifer and Quistis nodded. They understood this was a matter Rinoa could handle better than them. She knew Squall better. Rinoa with Angelo by her side headed to the Palace, while Seifer and Quistis took a lifter to Odine's Lab to find Ant. Poor Angelo had realized Squall wouldn't be around anymore, and he was sad. Despite his aloofness, Squall had always been a little more open to Angelo, because Angelo wasn't going to ask him what was wrong. He would just listen. Angelo somehow knew Squall would never stroke his head again, or whistle to call him as only he knew. When he had seen Squall die, he had lifted his nose to the sky, and howled sadly, like a wild wolf that lost his pack. Rinoa didn't bother to take a lifter even if she used to find those rides very amusing. It was different without him. She walked all the way to the Palace, thinking how she could tell to Laguna Squall had died. She looked ill, and if you didn't know her well, and had an idea of what had happened the previous days, you could barely think she was alive. She reached the Palace before she knew it.
"Sorceress Rinoa aren't you? You can go ahead. Where's the President's son?" the guard at the gate asked her. They knew them well.
"He's…not well…he couldn't make it…" Rinoa replied.
"Oh, ok. Please, go right ahead." Rinoa got on the lifter that would lead her to the President's office, and waited with a lump in her throat to see Laguna. She got off the lifter, and walked with trembling legs to his office. The guards let her through. Laguna was sitting on his office, signing some papers. He heard Rinoa entering and lifted his sight.
"Hey! Little Sorceress! Hello, how are you doing?" he said pleasantly and got up from his office. "Where's Squall?" he continued with a frown.
"Ah…He…" Rinoa tried to begin, but she choked on her words. Laguna noticed that. As a long time journalist, and a man with various experiences with people, it was a second nature to him to read people's expressions. He realized this wasn't good right away.
"Rinoa, sit down please." He said. Rinoa sat at the chair he offered her like a robot. Laguna sat across her.
"What's going on? Tell me." Laguna told her. Often, Rinoa had come to think Laguna as a second father, as someone she could confess in, something like Squall. After all, 'like father like son', they were both understanding.
"Squall…is…he…he's…" she began, but instead of continuing, she panicked over her sorrow and 'spilled' all the facts of the past days. Squall's schizophrenia, the journey to heal him, everything. Then she told Laguna about Cloud, and whatever happened at the sacred garden of Isis. She reached the part where Squall and Cloud attacked each other for the final time and…suddenly stopped and broke to tears.
"Rinoa…"Laguna said. He got up and kneeled by her, just like Squall would, and tried to comfort her. "Rinoa…calm down…" his voice was trembling with agony. "What happened?"
"He…he died! They killed each other!" she said and broke down to tears. Laguna was shocked.
"He…he's dead? Squall is…dead?" He asked with a gasp. He took no response. Then, like a flash, Squall's image passed through his mind. His own son was dead? He couldn't digest it. He got up, and placed his hands on his desk. He leaned on them, and cried. He opened his eyes, and tears flowed. He who hadn't cried for a long time was suddenly crying with a fatherly sorrow, which can only be compared with the sorrow of a mother.
"God…I can't…believe it…I shouldn't have let him get involved into this…He shouldn't have gotten involved! He knew he was going to die! Why didn't he step back!?" He said out loud.
"He couldn't Sir…It was his duty to do it…and you know how much Squall sticks to duty…if he gets one thing in his mind, you can't stop him…He…he wanted you to read this…." She said and showed him the letter Squall had left. She had kept it over her heart, knowing it was the last thing Squall had left in the world. The letter and the ring with Griever. Laguna took the letter and read it with mixed feelings.
"He doesn't want me to get involved…Hell…can't he understand I can't stay from being involved now! I have to get involved now, more than ever!" Laguna said. "My son, my only son, the last thing I was hoping on in this world is gone, and he says I shouldn't get involved!" he bawled.
"Sir…he cares about you. He doesn't want you to involve the people of Esthar in a war half lost, with little chances to be won." Rinoa said.
"I know…But I'm a father, what can I do?! Let him die without revenge!?"
"He took revenge for himself. Cloud is dead. And…I don't think he would have wanted his father to stain his hands with blood for a god whom it is doubtful if we'll ever defeat. Sir, you are everything Squall cherished most in his life since he met you. You are his father, and with you he has a bond we two never had. Squall adored you Sir. And I don't think he would want you to end like that." Laguna thought of all that for a moment.
"Hell…like I'm hearing him talk…Alright…Esthar stays out of this, but I won't. I don't care what he said, I'm his father, and I'm the boss around here. He's the one who should be listening to me, not me to him. He thinks I'm old and that I can't battle any more. Hah! He doesn't know his old man well! I'm going to come with you…No, no! No arguments! You're in Esthar's land and I'm the president, I'll do as I like! I'm joining you kids, period! My machine gun is a little rusted, the technicians will have it brand new in no time!" he said.
"Oh Sir…" Rinoa said. She got up and hugged him, like a daughter would hug her father. Laguna was surprised, but after the slight hesitation, he hugged her back as a father to daughter. Quistis and Seifer headed to Odine's Lab with the first lifter they saw. The guards were a little hesitating to let them in, but thank goodness the Presidential Aide was passing by, and allowed them to enter. Odine was researching the Prophecy powers, on a small portion of DNA Squall had agreed-after lots of persuasion- to offer to Odine -a few hairs- but, he gladly stopped to speak to Quistis and Seifer.
"Anthony Zaback? Yes, he iz at ze Biogenetics Lab near ze Lunar Gate. Do you vant me to call him?" Odine said.
"Yes please…" Quistis replied.
"Alvight." Odine said. He picked up a screen-phone from the edge of his desk and dialed a number. After a few seconds, Ant picked up the phone, and they saw his face on the screen.
"Yez, Anthony? Is dat you? Some old friends ov yours are here. Zey vant to speak to you." Odine said. He gave the phone to Quistis.
"Ant, is this you? Quistis Trepe here."
"Oh, hello Instructor Trepe. What can I do for you?"
"Ant we need to see you now. We're in deep trouble. Where are you?"
"Hell…sounds serious…I'm at the Biogenetic lab near the Lunar Gate…I'll be in Esthar in 15 minutes. Go to my house and I'll find you guys there. You know where it is? I'll tell you…" Ant said and told Quistis the address.
"Ok. Meet us there A.S.A.P."
"Roger that." Quistis hung up the phone. "Come on Seifer, let's get outta here." Quistis said.
"Vait." Odine said. " I vant to tell you somesing, about Squall." Odine said.
"What? What is it?" Seifer said.
"There iz somesing strange about his DNA. His DNA strands are very complicated. I don't know vhy, but it looks like it haz been artificially created!" Odine said.
"What?" Quistis and Seifer gasped together.
"Ze sample I have now iz different from ze sample he gave me after defeating Ultimecia. It looks like a Male Sorcerer's DNA becomes complicated after his Force awakenz, or…"
"Or!? Or what?" Seifer gasped.
"Or Squall iz not who he saiz he iz." Odine said. "Get going now." Seifer and Quistis looked at each other with surprise. They knew Odine was a little weird, and they couldn't really trust his findings. So they just turned their backs at him, and left. Taking the first lifter in sight, they headed for Ant's house, which was easy to find. They rang the bell, and after a little, Ant's mother opened. Mrs. Zaback was a tall, rather fat woman, in her mid-40s, with brown gray hair, and a thin, shriek voice.
"You're Ant's friends? He called that you were coming. You're SeeDs, right? Oh my…I hope he isn't in trouble again…Ward's at the Palace. The President called him… " She said. Ant arrived after a while, panting. He wore his gray scientist's uniform. He read Quistis' and Seifer's expressions that things weren't good.
"To the study then. Follow me." He said sternly. They went to Ant's study and he locked the door behind them with a card key.
"Now, what's up?" he asked. Quistis told him in a hurry what had happened while he had left.
"Hell…how did all that happen?" he gasped as Quistis kept telling him about Squall's and Zell's death.
"Crap! I think Odine knew about this demonic brothers' battle all along…But, I don't think he knew Squall was one of those two demons…or whateva they were. Now, what do we have to do?"
"First, meet up with the others, and then we'll see." Quistis said.
"Hey, Ant…Odine said something about Squall's DNA sample…" Seifer said.
"Squall's DNA sample? Hmmm… I 'm working at the Biogenetics but I never set eyes on that sample. Odine is the head genetic, and I haven't got access to that sample you're talking about…what did he say?"
"Odine has two samples of Squall's DNA. One he gave him after we defeated Ultimecia, and another one he gave him after he became a Prophet and a Sorcerer."
"And? Did he compare them?"
"Yes. And he said the second sample looks like it's been artificially created…"
"What?!" Ant said and jumped up from his seat. "Artificially created?! Hell's dragons, I have to see that! We'll go to Odine, and I'm going to see that sample even if the world goes down! If Odine's hiding something from us, he's dead meat, I guaranty that!" Ant said.
"Wait in the hall, I'll go change, grab my axe and I'm with ya in a sec!" he said unlocking the door and rushing out. Quistis and Seifer went to the hall of Ant's house to wait for him.
"Do you think that Odine is really hiding something from us?" Quistis asked Seifer.
"I don't know, but I have Odine capable of doing that. If he is, I also guaranty he's dead meat!" Seifer replied shaking his fist. Ant joined them in a little while, wearing the pair of jeans and the soldier's vest he always wore when he was with them in Garden. His huge axe was hanging on his back.
"Come on, let's go pay Dr. Odine a visit at his Lab…" Ant said grinding his teeth. They took the first lifter they could find and headed straight for Odine's Lab. Ant looked rather angry, and Quistis thought he looked like a bear right now. They reached at O. Lab and got off. Now that Ant was in their team, it was very easy to get in. They took the lifter to the upper floor, and Ant was first to get off and slammed the door open and entered Odine's office first.
"Alright Doc! What's this crap with Squall Leonhart's DNA sample?! What's going on?" Ant demanded.
"I waz afraid you vere going to come now."
"Quit the crap Odine, and tell us what the fuck is going on!" Seifer bawled.
"It's not normal, and it's not good isn't it?!"
"…Yes. It iz not normal, neither iz it good. Anthony, I am going to need your help please." Odine said and moved towards the panel on the right of his office. He pressed a few buttons, and explained at the same time.
"We passed ze DNA sample in the computer's processor. Now, look at zis." He said pressing a button. A DNA strand appeared on screen.
"Zat iz Squall's first DNA sample. It iz normal." Odine said.
"The genetic binds are all in place. Nothing looks abnormal. The proteins have normally formed the correct binds, and generally, it's all in order." Ant commented. Odine pressed a few more buttons. Another DNA appeared on screen. It looked a little different from the first one, and had three lines with genetic combinations.
"Ziz iz Sorceress Rinoa's DNA. Az you see, it iz different." Odine said.
"The third line is from a protein the body creates to maintain balance with the power it received. Some of the protein combinations have changed here, and the molecules of the DNA are moving faster, because of the increased energy level." Ant explained.
"Now, look at zis…" Odine said pressing another button. A third strand of DNA appeared on screen, but this time, its spirals were thicker and the chain was almost like a cylinder.
"Zis, is Squall's second sample. I took it after he became a Prophet and a Sorcerer." Odine said.
"Hell! What is that!?" Ant gasped with his eyes peeled wide open.
"That's DNA?! You've gotta be kidding Odine!" Ant said, after having a better look.
"My God! Look at that thing! A normal human portion of DNA has about 1.000.000 genetic combinations…this one…"
"Haz 1.000.000.000 genetic combinations exactly." Odine ended.
"1.000.000.000?! Hell's Dragons! What is this thing!? This can't be real! This sort of DNA is…is…the DNA of a perfect being! Of a being without wrongs! That's impossible! I can't be human!" Ant bawled.
"Just look at it! It was countless lines and thousands of thousands of genetical combinations! My God! Look! Look! It's unbelievable! The countless lines…the speed of the molecules must be ten times normal! Where the hell did this thing come from!? Doc, you know what this means?!"
"Yes. Zis iz an example of an artificial DNA. Zis DNA has been created. But ve know that Squall's DNA vas normal before. So, vat does zis mean? Zat ze Sorcery of a male, and ze Prophecy powers can mutate ze DNA. And…Zis explains Squall's unusual power…but…it doez not prove Squall vas one of ze two sons of ze demon named Terra."
"Squall said that was the name of the mother of him and Cloud." Seifer remembered.
"How do you know about all this Doctor?"
"I've read an old script ve saved from Lunatic Pandora. It sayz ze tale of ze two brothers. Had I known earlier, I vould had warned Squall, alzough I sink he already knew. Zis DNA must also mean somesing else…"
"What?! What does it mean?!" Ant asked. Odine shook his head.
"I do not know Anthony. I do not know…But…zere iz something…somesing zat I can assume…" Odine said skeptical.
"What?" Quistis asked.
"I may surprise you now, but, doez zis situation remind you ov somesing? A movie perhaps?"
"A…a movie?" Quistis gasped.
"I remember! 'The Fifth Element' isn't it Doc?!" Ant said.
"Yes. Just like ze alien girl waz a weapon, perhaps Squall waz also a weapon. But for some reason, it failed. Perhaps Squall waz hiding somesing, not I. I must tell you zat I took ze second sample without his permission, and without him knowing. I had asked him to give me a sample, but he refuzed. Zat put me in thoughts, and zat is why I took ze sample anyway." Odine said. The screen phone rang and Odine picked it up. Rinoa's face appeared on the screen.
"Dr. Odine? Are any of our friends there?" she asked.
"Yes. Here, speak with one of them." Odine said and gave the phone to Quistis.
"Rinoa? Where are you?"
"At the Airstation with President Laguna. You better get here quick. Caesar has just arrived with Selphie and Irvine. Glafky is dead Quisty!"
"What?!" all three gasped.
"We're coming A.S.A.P Rinoa! Ant's with us. Bad news are waiting for you. Ant's gonna explain to you. Wait for us there!" Quistis said. Rinoa nodded affirmatively and hung up.
"Hurry! To the Airstation!" Seifer said. They left Odine's Lab, took a lifter and headed to the Airstation. They got off in a hurry and headed for the launch pad where the others waited. Caesar, Sylvia and Titus were with the others. Laguna was there as well, with his old suit, and his machine gun hanging from his belt. He looked strangely young.
"Wow! Where did all this company come from?!" Ant exclaimed. Selphie told them in a hurry what had happened.
"Oh my goodness…" Quistis said putting her hands over her mouth in terror.
"When did all this crap happen!? And why the hell does all this happen at once!?" Seifer said.
"There's no time to panic or get the jitters. We have to act. You guys better go find the unicorns. The army of the Holy Dragons is already cutting off the first demon attacks. An attack occurred north of Esthar while you were in the city. The dragons held them off and helped the humans. All around the world battles have begun. Dragons, monsters and humans fight side by side the evil. At FH, the dragons of the waters and monsters fight this very minute. The demons can be defeated, but they are too many to handle. The magic of the unicorns can help us. But, we have to strike evil at its root. And I mean Seth. If we don't stop him now, we won't be able to stop him later." Caesar said.
"Then let's do it." Seifer said.
"Sir?! What are you doing here?!" Ant gasped when he noticed Laguna.
"Quiet kid, I'm Laguna for you now. I'm coming with you kids. Squall is my son, and I'd be a jerk not to get into all this."
"But Squall asked…" Quistis started, but Laguna cut her short.
"I don't care what my honk headed son said! He's as stubborn as a jackass and I'm not stupid enough to listen to him!" Laguna said.
"Wow Sir. Squall really ought to have heard you talk like that." Rinoa said impressed.
"I know that. Now, what are we waiting for!? Let's go!"
"Head for Gallipolis. The Head Shaman will direct you. We have to go around the world, to help with the battles." Caesar said. The rest agreed and boarded Ragnarok. They took off as Caesar and the other two dragons flew off into the horizon. They set course for Gallipolis. Ant explained them about Squall's DNA abnormality. He showed them a 3D hologram that Odine gave him in a micro disc on his laptop.
"See the difference? It's obvious something's wrong with this sample. Something really fishy. And look at this. This should be interesting." He said pressing a few buttons on his laptop.
"This is a DNA screen imager. It shows us what creature owns this DNA based on the sample we have." Ant said. A figure appeared on screen.
"See this? This is Squall. Look how visible his body, as we knew it is. But, notice this thing like flames all around him. It's a creature all right, but you can't tell anything. Squall WAS hiding something after all. But we have no idea what." Ant ended.
"Holy cow…what was all that?" Irvine said confused. Ant repeated the resemblance of the situation with the 'Fifth Element' movie.
"And Odine thinks Squall must have had became some sort of weapon that for some reason -Cloud's interference- it failed." He ended.
"My God, what is this?! Some sort of universal conspiracy!?" Laguna gasped.
"Yes Sir. That's the best definition. Universal conspiracy. And if we don't stop it, I'm afraid Ultimecia's plans would be nothing compared to what Seth may be planning." Quistis said. Ragnarok sped through the horizon, heading towards Gallipolis.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Look at this! Look at this!" Selphie said.
"What?! What?"
"Demons have attacked Gallipolis! And the dragons aren't going good!" Selphie replied.
"Oh, shit…" Seifer said. Demons were rampaging around the town's walls. Dragons, humans and monsters were fighting to stop them.
"Alright! Let's see if we can help!" Seifer said.
"YEAH!" The rest cried out.
"I'll handle those bigger one's with Ragnarok's artillery with Quistis!" Selphie said and Quistis leapt at the seat with the weaponry management.
"Open the hatch once you're low!" Seifer said as the rest headed to the exit. The Ragnarok flew low above the ground, and the hatch opened. Seifer, Rinoa, Irvine, Laguna and Ant jumped out, ready to fight. They rushed to get into battle, as the dragons did another attack to the lines of the demons, followed by the monsters. The humans were trying to guard the town from attacks.
"AVANDIIIIIIII!!!!" Ant yelled and cut a demon in half with his axe. Seifer sliced here and there. Irvine was sending bullets to all directions, almost without aiming. Rinoa and Laguna were going to secure the damaged portion of the walls. Despite his age, Laguna fought like a lion. He opened holes in any demon sprouted in front of him, and Rinoa assisted him with her magic.
"WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!" Selphie shouted as they shot through the enemies' lines. Quistis aimed again, and this time sent a beam from the cannon towards the biggest demon, which appeared to lead the others. The big, ugly demon exploded in thousands of pieces.
"YES!" she said.
"Ahh! Quistis! They're all over us!" Selphie shrieked when she detected a bunch of demons having jumped upon Ragnarok.
"No problem! I'm activating the Fly-Tox Laser!" Quistis said activating a system. A beam of green energy ran across Ragnarok, destroying any unwanted passengers. The battle was long-lasting. When the last demons had withdrew themselves to the hills around late in the evening, only did then the battlers gathered to count loses. Irvine was struggling to live. In the small hospital wounded and people on the verge of death were packed in the small area. Irvine was trying to live. A small throwing axe had plunged till the handle in his heart, and a sword had ripped his chest up. Selphie was sitting next to his bed, her eyes red from crying. Rinoa came in the area where they had him resting.
"How is he?" she asked Selphie.
"He's calmer…but his chances are 1 in 20 to live…"
"Even if it's 1 in a 100, it's worth to try…He'll be ok Selphie." Rinoa said, although she didn't believe it.
"How is Sir Laguna?" Selphie asked. A hammer had crushed his right arm, but a bandage and some magic were helping it recover.
"Better. He doesn't hurt anymore."
"Rinoa, are we gonna make it?" Rinoa smiled sadly.
"Yes. We will, Selphie." But, she didn't believe her ears. That night, Rinoa sat up late. She was thinking of Squall. There was no way she could forget him. She had discovered a picture of him in her pocket, and hung on to it. She kept staring at it, so she could remember every bit of how he looked.
"Squall…I miss you…" she said and looked up at the sky, and the stars, especially that little star, that shone the brightest. Squall told her that was their star. She looked back at that moment.
"You mean, we'll have a special star?" Rinoa said.
"Yeah, if you like. And every time we miss each other, we'll look at it. And we'll see each other." Squall replied.
"You promise?"
"Yes."
"Then…let's say it's that one. That small twinkling one over there." She said pointing at it.
"I see it. Ok Miss Wings, that's our star. On the star sign on the Angel!"
"Oh, it is?"
"Yes. Look, those two on the sides are his open wings and those three others form his head. Then lower there's four other's in a rectangular for the body, and two last ones for the feet. You see it?"
"Yeah! Oh, it's beautiful Squall!"
"You're beautiful." Squall said and kissed her. The wind of the late evening rushed through the leaves of the rose tree that had crawled over the old oak tree. The fragrance of the bloomed roses filled the atmosphere with romance and mystery. Rinoa wiped a tear from her eyes. She looked at the star. She saw Squall and remembered his words. She smiled with sadness.
"I wonder where you are…"
…Look for the rainbow in every storm
Fly like an angel Heaven sent,
to me Goodbye my love
(I know you're gone but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end
(I've gotta keep on strong before the pain turns into fear)
I'm so glad we made it
Time will never change it, no, nooo…
(noooo, nooo, noooo….) …
Look for the rainbow in every storm
Find out what's certain
Love's gonna be there for you
You'll always be someone's baby
Goodbye my love
(I know you're gone but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end
(I've gotta keep on strong before the pain turns into fear)
I'm so glad we made it
Time will never change it, no, nooo…
(noooo, nooo, noooo….)
(*Edit from 'Goodbye' by the Spice Girls®)
The two mysterious men were over the hills at Gallipolis. They mounted their Chocobos, looking down at the village.
"They are here." Rami said
"Yes." The other man replied. "Your English improved Rami." He commented.
"Thanks. But you taught me. So I owe you one Raul." Rami giggled.
"Yeah, sure." Raul said with a grin under his face cover.
"You know, I would have like to see that dirt bag's face when he sees we slayed the Echidna before him. He must be boiling like a volcano!" Rami said.
"And that we took some of her blood!" Raul added and patted the goblet from Dragon's bone in the sac hanging from his shoulder and both men laughed.
"Yes, it would be fun, but we are in a real hurry." Raul said. "How long are we going to remain here?"
"Once they finish what they must do here, we leave with them. I'm afraid they'll need our help again now."
"What about the injured one?" Rami asked Raul.
"I sneaked in the room, but there's nothing I could do for him, unfortunately. He's bound to die, and I'm sorry for that."
"I understand. I would have too, if I was you."
"…" Raul didn't respond. He looked at the sky. Rami smiled under his face cover. He guessed what his companion thought of.
The next morning, they got up early, to head for the woods, where the Head Shaman had told them to go.
"The Unicorns will find you there. They will know why you came, and they will meet you." He had said.
"Are you sure you're not coming Selphie?" Rinoa asked Selphie as they left.
"No…I'm going to stay with Irvine. He's worse, and I want to be with him." She replied.
"I see Selphie. Alright. Wait here, and we'll come back as soon as we can." Rinoa said. Laguna, Seifer, Quistis, Ant and Rinoa headed for the woods, in search for the unicorns. After they left behind them the last sounds of the village, they were deep in the woods. Rinoa had this unusual feeling she was being watched. She started trembling.
"Rinoa? Why are you trembling like that?" Quistis asked her.
"I'm cold. That's all." Rinoa lied.
"Here, take my jacket." Seifer said, taking off his jacket and giving it to Rinoa. She put it on embarrassed. A sudden whinny made them jump.
"That way!" Seifer cried out. They began running the direction the neigh had came from. They tripped over twigs and stones, but they kept running, fearing they would lose the creature that had called them. That whinny was not a random cry. It was call, and it called them to go closer. They reached the clearing, and their feet ran faster from the sight. A big, male unicorn was standing in the middle of the clearing, his white tail and mane waving in the morning breeze. A golden patch decorated his forehead, and a gold and crimson horn sprouted out of his forehead. Morgan. They stopped quickly in the middle of the clearing. The unicorn rose to its hind legs to greet them.
"Welcome to the woods of the Unicorns." He said. "I'm the King of the Unicorns."
"We're friends of Squall's. He told me he knew you." Rinoa said.
"I did. And I'm sad he died from Cloud's hand. I know why you're here. Did you open the scroll?" Morgan asked her.
"N-no…"
"Open it. We must lose no time." Rinoa obeyed, and pulled out the scroll from her pocket.
"Go on, open it Rinoa…" Morgan said.
"I…I don't know why, but I'm scared of opening it." She said.
"…M-me too…" Quistis said.
"Open it Rinoa…" Morgan repeated softly. In her, Rinoa heard Squall asking her to open the scroll as well. She opened with a swift move, quickly. A bright light flew out of the scroll, and levitated above it.
"The time has come." The light said.
"It has come." Morgan said.
"What time?" Rinoa asked, not knowing who would answer.
"The time for the mortals to see in their souls for the answers to the problems of the world. The time for the mortals to help the gods." The light said.
"Then, show us!" Rinoa said. The light hurled back into the scroll, and a map appeared.
"Look!" Quistis gasped.
"The Caves of Silence…" Morgan said.
"They are…" Laguna gasped.
"…Near Edea's House…" Quistis said.
"That's why Ultimecia was there…that attracted her to wait for us there…" Rinoa said.
"We have to get there now…before it's too late." Seifer said.
"Yes, you must hurry. You are the only ones who can do anything in these times of need. You are the only ones who can save not only the planet, but also the universe itself. Not our lives! Our souls…" Morgan said.
"The unicorns will fight Seth's evil powers to the end! We will not allow him to overthrow the truthful rulers of this world!" Morgan said and the other unicorns hailed. Rinoa smiled with confidence. This was it.
"Yes!" she said.
"Come on, let's head back to Gallipolis and get the Ragnarok!" Seifer said. The humans rushed back to the town, escorted by legions of unicorns that rushed from their secret woods back into the world that humans had driven them out of centuries ago. Other creatures of the woods followed them as well. Monsters, animals and Chocobos rushed, drawn by that secret, mystical power that called all the creatures to stand up against evil. When Rinoa, Quistis, Seifer, Ant and Laguna reached the town, a Shumi man was rushing to meet them.
"Oh! Oh, come quick please! It's tragic! It's terrible!" he said without breath.
"What?! What's happened?!" Rinoa said with panic.
"Oh! The wounded man…He's dead! And…and…oh my…" he said with a groan as Rinoa ran off to the hospital, fearing the worse. She rushed to the room where Irvine rested, and stooped suddenly with a gasp from the sight. Selphie had committed suicide.
"Selphie!!" Rinoa cried out and ran to her friend. A short knife through the heart showed the cause of death. She was lying face down over Irvine's cold body, which was covered with a sheet.
"Selphie…" Rinoa said as she hugged her friend's lifeless body. Selphie hadn't taken all this sorrow. First Zell, then Squall, then Glafky, and finally Irvine…Selphie never really belonged with a warrior company. She was always too attached with everyone, and she always feared this would happen. Psychologically, she couldn't take it. So she ended her life, before she could see anyone else dying. Irvine was the final blow to her already broken heart, and her wrecked nerves. The other four came to the hospital room, to find Rinoa crying over both Selphie and Irvine. Quistis couldn't take it anymore either. She went by Rinoa, kneeled down by her, and hugged her. They kept on crying together. Ant, Seifer and Laguna looked at each other. They knew this was way too much.
"I think we should leave them for a little." Ant whispered.
"Yes." Laguna agreed.
"…" Seifer just nodded. They back stepped, and closed the door behind them.
"This has gone way to far. We're only five. How can we ever possibly stand against Seth now?" Seifer wondered.
"We can do it." Ant said.
"I'm starting to think we won't in the end."
"Quiet. You're bringing bad luck. All these are nothing but Seth's doings. He's trying to break us. But I don't intend to let myself fall for it. I'm going to keep on." Laguna said. "Even if I have to go on my own"
The three men were at a house, talking. It was late at night, and the girls were at Irvine and Selphie's funeral. They came in after a while, pale with red eyes.
"We have to finish this up." Rinoa said.
"This can't go any further." Quistis added.
"Yes." The three men said together.
"We'll leave now, then." Seifer said. They got up, and exited the house, to head for the Ragnarok. They boarded, and took off. They were all awfully quiet as they flew across the land, to Edea's House.
"There's a storm ahead. We're going to have problems." Seifer commented.
"Yeah." Ant said. "I'd better go turn on the assistance engines. Sir…I mean, Laguna, are you coming to give me a hand?" Ant said.
"Sure." Laguna said and got up from his chair. They exited the bridge, and headed for the lower part of the space ship.
"Are we there yet?" Rinoa asked.
"No…and it'll take time. This is a nasty storm. We have to be careful. The thunderstorms are dangerous even for spaceships like Ragnarok." Quistis said. "Especially if the pilot is a novice." She added mentioning Seifer.
"…" Seifer did not answer. He had other things in mind. The inter-radio beeped. Seifer activated it.
"Yeah Ant?" Seifer said.
"Seifer, we have some problems over here…" Ant reported.
"What is it?"
"Some parasites, and a small damage from acids. Some chemical piping was damaged from the last battle and I have to repair them. You'll have to decrease speed. Just lower to half your speed."
"Roger that Ant. Thanks."
"I hope it's not too serious…" Rinoa said. They remained silent for a while. Suddenly Rinoa had a bad feeling. She stirred and stirred in her seat.
"Ohh…something's gonna happen now…I know it will…" she thought. She didn't finish her thought and thunder hit the Ragnarok.
"YAAA!" Seifer yelled as the Ragnarok shook violently. Seth has hammering Ragnarok with thunder and wind. He had started the storm to stall them, and now he was turning the storm's wrath against them. He rammed the ship again and again, trying to destroy it.
"Ant!" Seifer shouted through the radio. "Ant! What's going on down there!?" he yelled but he took no response.
"AHHHH!" Rinoa yelled and covered her head with the hands as another thunder hit Ragnarok. Quistis hit her head on the panel and became unconscious.
"Quistis!" Seifer cried out, but he tried to keep control over Ragnarok. They had gone up too high, and if they crashed, that was their end.
"Arg, nooo!" Seifer yelled as the spaceship shook even more violently from another thunder. A metal plate that had came out of its place from the back, banged him on the head and he fell unconscious. Rinoa was all alone now.
"I have to fly this now?!" She thought. Although the ship had tilted, she struggled to the pilot's seat, and pushed Quistis aside. She sat down, but she had absolutely no idea what to do. With trembling fingers, she got hold of the steering wheel, and tried to stabilize it. But, she couldn't take control. The steering wheel shook too violently for her to stop it now. Seth roared with victory, as the crash of the Ragnarok was certain. Rinoa shrieked with fear, as she was totally helpless. All she could do was cover her face and pray. "Pray…to whom? There is no one left…"she thought. She was going to die. Along with Ant, Quistis, Laguna and Seifer. At least…would she meet Squall? Would she be able to see him again? She looked at the window out side. Ragnarok was going to crash. The ground wasn't far. Just a little, and she would be with Squall. She didn't hear the hasting, heavy footsteps behind her, neither did she understand the language the stranger used.
"Just go Rami!" he said.
"Be careful Raul!" another voice answered. In her panic, everything seemed like a dream. An arm in a white, lacy sleeve gripped the steering wheel from her side.
"Come ON!" the stranger shouted. He was trying to take control of the Ragnarok. The steering wheel shook, but slowly started to obey the stranger who had griped it with one hand.
"Come on baby…you can do it! Come on!" he said. Ragnarok made a maneuver in midair, and slowly began to fly horizontally. The spaceship jolted violently, and the ground came closer.
"I'll have to crash land it!" the stranger yelled. Rinoa shrieked. In a loud crash, the spaceship touched the ground, and skidded many meters. The shaking was unbearable, and the crashing sounds were torturing. The stranger grinded his teeth with anger.
"Yarg!"he groaned.
"Noooo!" Rinoa shrieked again as the spaceship crashed for good on the ground. It skidded a little more, and then it stopped. Rinoa was looking straight ahead, like dead, but she was breathing, and her breath was a wild pant, and her heart was pounding in her chest. She was trembling like a hell.
"Are you alright?!" the stranger asked her with agony. Rinoa came to her senses, and looked at the stranger. It was Raul. He was dressed from head to toe in a white desert, lacy robe, and his face was covered with the same fabric, leaving only his eyes visible.
"Are you alright?! " Raul repeated his question. But Rinoa was looking straight into his eyes…those eyes…
Have a guess at who it is! You'll find out at the beginning of the next chapter! The more reviews I get, the faster I put the next chapter up! See ya, people!
Ruby Dragon
The Ragnarok landed at the Esthar Airstation. Seifer, Rinoa and Quistis unboarded the spaceship, to find Esthar as they had left it some time ago. Peaceful, and everything in complete order. Rinoa thought for a moment.
"Guys, you two go and get Ant," she told Seifer and Quistis. "I'll go talk to Laguna…" she added. Seifer and Quistis nodded. They understood this was a matter Rinoa could handle better than them. She knew Squall better. Rinoa with Angelo by her side headed to the Palace, while Seifer and Quistis took a lifter to Odine's Lab to find Ant. Poor Angelo had realized Squall wouldn't be around anymore, and he was sad. Despite his aloofness, Squall had always been a little more open to Angelo, because Angelo wasn't going to ask him what was wrong. He would just listen. Angelo somehow knew Squall would never stroke his head again, or whistle to call him as only he knew. When he had seen Squall die, he had lifted his nose to the sky, and howled sadly, like a wild wolf that lost his pack. Rinoa didn't bother to take a lifter even if she used to find those rides very amusing. It was different without him. She walked all the way to the Palace, thinking how she could tell to Laguna Squall had died. She looked ill, and if you didn't know her well, and had an idea of what had happened the previous days, you could barely think she was alive. She reached the Palace before she knew it.
"Sorceress Rinoa aren't you? You can go ahead. Where's the President's son?" the guard at the gate asked her. They knew them well.
"He's…not well…he couldn't make it…" Rinoa replied.
"Oh, ok. Please, go right ahead." Rinoa got on the lifter that would lead her to the President's office, and waited with a lump in her throat to see Laguna. She got off the lifter, and walked with trembling legs to his office. The guards let her through. Laguna was sitting on his office, signing some papers. He heard Rinoa entering and lifted his sight.
"Hey! Little Sorceress! Hello, how are you doing?" he said pleasantly and got up from his office. "Where's Squall?" he continued with a frown.
"Ah…He…" Rinoa tried to begin, but she choked on her words. Laguna noticed that. As a long time journalist, and a man with various experiences with people, it was a second nature to him to read people's expressions. He realized this wasn't good right away.
"Rinoa, sit down please." He said. Rinoa sat at the chair he offered her like a robot. Laguna sat across her.
"What's going on? Tell me." Laguna told her. Often, Rinoa had come to think Laguna as a second father, as someone she could confess in, something like Squall. After all, 'like father like son', they were both understanding.
"Squall…is…he…he's…" she began, but instead of continuing, she panicked over her sorrow and 'spilled' all the facts of the past days. Squall's schizophrenia, the journey to heal him, everything. Then she told Laguna about Cloud, and whatever happened at the sacred garden of Isis. She reached the part where Squall and Cloud attacked each other for the final time and…suddenly stopped and broke to tears.
"Rinoa…"Laguna said. He got up and kneeled by her, just like Squall would, and tried to comfort her. "Rinoa…calm down…" his voice was trembling with agony. "What happened?"
"He…he died! They killed each other!" she said and broke down to tears. Laguna was shocked.
"He…he's dead? Squall is…dead?" He asked with a gasp. He took no response. Then, like a flash, Squall's image passed through his mind. His own son was dead? He couldn't digest it. He got up, and placed his hands on his desk. He leaned on them, and cried. He opened his eyes, and tears flowed. He who hadn't cried for a long time was suddenly crying with a fatherly sorrow, which can only be compared with the sorrow of a mother.
"God…I can't…believe it…I shouldn't have let him get involved into this…He shouldn't have gotten involved! He knew he was going to die! Why didn't he step back!?" He said out loud.
"He couldn't Sir…It was his duty to do it…and you know how much Squall sticks to duty…if he gets one thing in his mind, you can't stop him…He…he wanted you to read this…." She said and showed him the letter Squall had left. She had kept it over her heart, knowing it was the last thing Squall had left in the world. The letter and the ring with Griever. Laguna took the letter and read it with mixed feelings.
"He doesn't want me to get involved…Hell…can't he understand I can't stay from being involved now! I have to get involved now, more than ever!" Laguna said. "My son, my only son, the last thing I was hoping on in this world is gone, and he says I shouldn't get involved!" he bawled.
"Sir…he cares about you. He doesn't want you to involve the people of Esthar in a war half lost, with little chances to be won." Rinoa said.
"I know…But I'm a father, what can I do?! Let him die without revenge!?"
"He took revenge for himself. Cloud is dead. And…I don't think he would have wanted his father to stain his hands with blood for a god whom it is doubtful if we'll ever defeat. Sir, you are everything Squall cherished most in his life since he met you. You are his father, and with you he has a bond we two never had. Squall adored you Sir. And I don't think he would want you to end like that." Laguna thought of all that for a moment.
"Hell…like I'm hearing him talk…Alright…Esthar stays out of this, but I won't. I don't care what he said, I'm his father, and I'm the boss around here. He's the one who should be listening to me, not me to him. He thinks I'm old and that I can't battle any more. Hah! He doesn't know his old man well! I'm going to come with you…No, no! No arguments! You're in Esthar's land and I'm the president, I'll do as I like! I'm joining you kids, period! My machine gun is a little rusted, the technicians will have it brand new in no time!" he said.
"Oh Sir…" Rinoa said. She got up and hugged him, like a daughter would hug her father. Laguna was surprised, but after the slight hesitation, he hugged her back as a father to daughter. Quistis and Seifer headed to Odine's Lab with the first lifter they saw. The guards were a little hesitating to let them in, but thank goodness the Presidential Aide was passing by, and allowed them to enter. Odine was researching the Prophecy powers, on a small portion of DNA Squall had agreed-after lots of persuasion- to offer to Odine -a few hairs- but, he gladly stopped to speak to Quistis and Seifer.
"Anthony Zaback? Yes, he iz at ze Biogenetics Lab near ze Lunar Gate. Do you vant me to call him?" Odine said.
"Yes please…" Quistis replied.
"Alvight." Odine said. He picked up a screen-phone from the edge of his desk and dialed a number. After a few seconds, Ant picked up the phone, and they saw his face on the screen.
"Yez, Anthony? Is dat you? Some old friends ov yours are here. Zey vant to speak to you." Odine said. He gave the phone to Quistis.
"Ant, is this you? Quistis Trepe here."
"Oh, hello Instructor Trepe. What can I do for you?"
"Ant we need to see you now. We're in deep trouble. Where are you?"
"Hell…sounds serious…I'm at the Biogenetic lab near the Lunar Gate…I'll be in Esthar in 15 minutes. Go to my house and I'll find you guys there. You know where it is? I'll tell you…" Ant said and told Quistis the address.
"Ok. Meet us there A.S.A.P."
"Roger that." Quistis hung up the phone. "Come on Seifer, let's get outta here." Quistis said.
"Vait." Odine said. " I vant to tell you somesing, about Squall." Odine said.
"What? What is it?" Seifer said.
"There iz somesing strange about his DNA. His DNA strands are very complicated. I don't know vhy, but it looks like it haz been artificially created!" Odine said.
"What?" Quistis and Seifer gasped together.
"Ze sample I have now iz different from ze sample he gave me after defeating Ultimecia. It looks like a Male Sorcerer's DNA becomes complicated after his Force awakenz, or…"
"Or!? Or what?" Seifer gasped.
"Or Squall iz not who he saiz he iz." Odine said. "Get going now." Seifer and Quistis looked at each other with surprise. They knew Odine was a little weird, and they couldn't really trust his findings. So they just turned their backs at him, and left. Taking the first lifter in sight, they headed for Ant's house, which was easy to find. They rang the bell, and after a little, Ant's mother opened. Mrs. Zaback was a tall, rather fat woman, in her mid-40s, with brown gray hair, and a thin, shriek voice.
"You're Ant's friends? He called that you were coming. You're SeeDs, right? Oh my…I hope he isn't in trouble again…Ward's at the Palace. The President called him… " She said. Ant arrived after a while, panting. He wore his gray scientist's uniform. He read Quistis' and Seifer's expressions that things weren't good.
"To the study then. Follow me." He said sternly. They went to Ant's study and he locked the door behind them with a card key.
"Now, what's up?" he asked. Quistis told him in a hurry what had happened while he had left.
"Hell…how did all that happen?" he gasped as Quistis kept telling him about Squall's and Zell's death.
"Crap! I think Odine knew about this demonic brothers' battle all along…But, I don't think he knew Squall was one of those two demons…or whateva they were. Now, what do we have to do?"
"First, meet up with the others, and then we'll see." Quistis said.
"Hey, Ant…Odine said something about Squall's DNA sample…" Seifer said.
"Squall's DNA sample? Hmmm… I 'm working at the Biogenetics but I never set eyes on that sample. Odine is the head genetic, and I haven't got access to that sample you're talking about…what did he say?"
"Odine has two samples of Squall's DNA. One he gave him after we defeated Ultimecia, and another one he gave him after he became a Prophet and a Sorcerer."
"And? Did he compare them?"
"Yes. And he said the second sample looks like it's been artificially created…"
"What?!" Ant said and jumped up from his seat. "Artificially created?! Hell's dragons, I have to see that! We'll go to Odine, and I'm going to see that sample even if the world goes down! If Odine's hiding something from us, he's dead meat, I guaranty that!" Ant said.
"Wait in the hall, I'll go change, grab my axe and I'm with ya in a sec!" he said unlocking the door and rushing out. Quistis and Seifer went to the hall of Ant's house to wait for him.
"Do you think that Odine is really hiding something from us?" Quistis asked Seifer.
"I don't know, but I have Odine capable of doing that. If he is, I also guaranty he's dead meat!" Seifer replied shaking his fist. Ant joined them in a little while, wearing the pair of jeans and the soldier's vest he always wore when he was with them in Garden. His huge axe was hanging on his back.
"Come on, let's go pay Dr. Odine a visit at his Lab…" Ant said grinding his teeth. They took the first lifter they could find and headed straight for Odine's Lab. Ant looked rather angry, and Quistis thought he looked like a bear right now. They reached at O. Lab and got off. Now that Ant was in their team, it was very easy to get in. They took the lifter to the upper floor, and Ant was first to get off and slammed the door open and entered Odine's office first.
"Alright Doc! What's this crap with Squall Leonhart's DNA sample?! What's going on?" Ant demanded.
"I waz afraid you vere going to come now."
"Quit the crap Odine, and tell us what the fuck is going on!" Seifer bawled.
"It's not normal, and it's not good isn't it?!"
"…Yes. It iz not normal, neither iz it good. Anthony, I am going to need your help please." Odine said and moved towards the panel on the right of his office. He pressed a few buttons, and explained at the same time.
"We passed ze DNA sample in the computer's processor. Now, look at zis." He said pressing a button. A DNA strand appeared on screen.
"Zat iz Squall's first DNA sample. It iz normal." Odine said.
"The genetic binds are all in place. Nothing looks abnormal. The proteins have normally formed the correct binds, and generally, it's all in order." Ant commented. Odine pressed a few more buttons. Another DNA appeared on screen. It looked a little different from the first one, and had three lines with genetic combinations.
"Ziz iz Sorceress Rinoa's DNA. Az you see, it iz different." Odine said.
"The third line is from a protein the body creates to maintain balance with the power it received. Some of the protein combinations have changed here, and the molecules of the DNA are moving faster, because of the increased energy level." Ant explained.
"Now, look at zis…" Odine said pressing another button. A third strand of DNA appeared on screen, but this time, its spirals were thicker and the chain was almost like a cylinder.
"Zis, is Squall's second sample. I took it after he became a Prophet and a Sorcerer." Odine said.
"Hell! What is that!?" Ant gasped with his eyes peeled wide open.
"That's DNA?! You've gotta be kidding Odine!" Ant said, after having a better look.
"My God! Look at that thing! A normal human portion of DNA has about 1.000.000 genetic combinations…this one…"
"Haz 1.000.000.000 genetic combinations exactly." Odine ended.
"1.000.000.000?! Hell's Dragons! What is this thing!? This can't be real! This sort of DNA is…is…the DNA of a perfect being! Of a being without wrongs! That's impossible! I can't be human!" Ant bawled.
"Just look at it! It was countless lines and thousands of thousands of genetical combinations! My God! Look! Look! It's unbelievable! The countless lines…the speed of the molecules must be ten times normal! Where the hell did this thing come from!? Doc, you know what this means?!"
"Yes. Zis iz an example of an artificial DNA. Zis DNA has been created. But ve know that Squall's DNA vas normal before. So, vat does zis mean? Zat ze Sorcery of a male, and ze Prophecy powers can mutate ze DNA. And…Zis explains Squall's unusual power…but…it doez not prove Squall vas one of ze two sons of ze demon named Terra."
"Squall said that was the name of the mother of him and Cloud." Seifer remembered.
"How do you know about all this Doctor?"
"I've read an old script ve saved from Lunatic Pandora. It sayz ze tale of ze two brothers. Had I known earlier, I vould had warned Squall, alzough I sink he already knew. Zis DNA must also mean somesing else…"
"What?! What does it mean?!" Ant asked. Odine shook his head.
"I do not know Anthony. I do not know…But…zere iz something…somesing zat I can assume…" Odine said skeptical.
"What?" Quistis asked.
"I may surprise you now, but, doez zis situation remind you ov somesing? A movie perhaps?"
"A…a movie?" Quistis gasped.
"I remember! 'The Fifth Element' isn't it Doc?!" Ant said.
"Yes. Just like ze alien girl waz a weapon, perhaps Squall waz also a weapon. But for some reason, it failed. Perhaps Squall waz hiding somesing, not I. I must tell you zat I took ze second sample without his permission, and without him knowing. I had asked him to give me a sample, but he refuzed. Zat put me in thoughts, and zat is why I took ze sample anyway." Odine said. The screen phone rang and Odine picked it up. Rinoa's face appeared on the screen.
"Dr. Odine? Are any of our friends there?" she asked.
"Yes. Here, speak with one of them." Odine said and gave the phone to Quistis.
"Rinoa? Where are you?"
"At the Airstation with President Laguna. You better get here quick. Caesar has just arrived with Selphie and Irvine. Glafky is dead Quisty!"
"What?!" all three gasped.
"We're coming A.S.A.P Rinoa! Ant's with us. Bad news are waiting for you. Ant's gonna explain to you. Wait for us there!" Quistis said. Rinoa nodded affirmatively and hung up.
"Hurry! To the Airstation!" Seifer said. They left Odine's Lab, took a lifter and headed to the Airstation. They got off in a hurry and headed for the launch pad where the others waited. Caesar, Sylvia and Titus were with the others. Laguna was there as well, with his old suit, and his machine gun hanging from his belt. He looked strangely young.
"Wow! Where did all this company come from?!" Ant exclaimed. Selphie told them in a hurry what had happened.
"Oh my goodness…" Quistis said putting her hands over her mouth in terror.
"When did all this crap happen!? And why the hell does all this happen at once!?" Seifer said.
"There's no time to panic or get the jitters. We have to act. You guys better go find the unicorns. The army of the Holy Dragons is already cutting off the first demon attacks. An attack occurred north of Esthar while you were in the city. The dragons held them off and helped the humans. All around the world battles have begun. Dragons, monsters and humans fight side by side the evil. At FH, the dragons of the waters and monsters fight this very minute. The demons can be defeated, but they are too many to handle. The magic of the unicorns can help us. But, we have to strike evil at its root. And I mean Seth. If we don't stop him now, we won't be able to stop him later." Caesar said.
"Then let's do it." Seifer said.
"Sir?! What are you doing here?!" Ant gasped when he noticed Laguna.
"Quiet kid, I'm Laguna for you now. I'm coming with you kids. Squall is my son, and I'd be a jerk not to get into all this."
"But Squall asked…" Quistis started, but Laguna cut her short.
"I don't care what my honk headed son said! He's as stubborn as a jackass and I'm not stupid enough to listen to him!" Laguna said.
"Wow Sir. Squall really ought to have heard you talk like that." Rinoa said impressed.
"I know that. Now, what are we waiting for!? Let's go!"
"Head for Gallipolis. The Head Shaman will direct you. We have to go around the world, to help with the battles." Caesar said. The rest agreed and boarded Ragnarok. They took off as Caesar and the other two dragons flew off into the horizon. They set course for Gallipolis. Ant explained them about Squall's DNA abnormality. He showed them a 3D hologram that Odine gave him in a micro disc on his laptop.
"See the difference? It's obvious something's wrong with this sample. Something really fishy. And look at this. This should be interesting." He said pressing a few buttons on his laptop.
"This is a DNA screen imager. It shows us what creature owns this DNA based on the sample we have." Ant said. A figure appeared on screen.
"See this? This is Squall. Look how visible his body, as we knew it is. But, notice this thing like flames all around him. It's a creature all right, but you can't tell anything. Squall WAS hiding something after all. But we have no idea what." Ant ended.
"Holy cow…what was all that?" Irvine said confused. Ant repeated the resemblance of the situation with the 'Fifth Element' movie.
"And Odine thinks Squall must have had became some sort of weapon that for some reason -Cloud's interference- it failed." He ended.
"My God, what is this?! Some sort of universal conspiracy!?" Laguna gasped.
"Yes Sir. That's the best definition. Universal conspiracy. And if we don't stop it, I'm afraid Ultimecia's plans would be nothing compared to what Seth may be planning." Quistis said. Ragnarok sped through the horizon, heading towards Gallipolis.
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Look at this! Look at this!" Selphie said.
"What?! What?"
"Demons have attacked Gallipolis! And the dragons aren't going good!" Selphie replied.
"Oh, shit…" Seifer said. Demons were rampaging around the town's walls. Dragons, humans and monsters were fighting to stop them.
"Alright! Let's see if we can help!" Seifer said.
"YEAH!" The rest cried out.
"I'll handle those bigger one's with Ragnarok's artillery with Quistis!" Selphie said and Quistis leapt at the seat with the weaponry management.
"Open the hatch once you're low!" Seifer said as the rest headed to the exit. The Ragnarok flew low above the ground, and the hatch opened. Seifer, Rinoa, Irvine, Laguna and Ant jumped out, ready to fight. They rushed to get into battle, as the dragons did another attack to the lines of the demons, followed by the monsters. The humans were trying to guard the town from attacks.
"AVANDIIIIIIII!!!!" Ant yelled and cut a demon in half with his axe. Seifer sliced here and there. Irvine was sending bullets to all directions, almost without aiming. Rinoa and Laguna were going to secure the damaged portion of the walls. Despite his age, Laguna fought like a lion. He opened holes in any demon sprouted in front of him, and Rinoa assisted him with her magic.
"WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!" Selphie shouted as they shot through the enemies' lines. Quistis aimed again, and this time sent a beam from the cannon towards the biggest demon, which appeared to lead the others. The big, ugly demon exploded in thousands of pieces.
"YES!" she said.
"Ahh! Quistis! They're all over us!" Selphie shrieked when she detected a bunch of demons having jumped upon Ragnarok.
"No problem! I'm activating the Fly-Tox Laser!" Quistis said activating a system. A beam of green energy ran across Ragnarok, destroying any unwanted passengers. The battle was long-lasting. When the last demons had withdrew themselves to the hills around late in the evening, only did then the battlers gathered to count loses. Irvine was struggling to live. In the small hospital wounded and people on the verge of death were packed in the small area. Irvine was trying to live. A small throwing axe had plunged till the handle in his heart, and a sword had ripped his chest up. Selphie was sitting next to his bed, her eyes red from crying. Rinoa came in the area where they had him resting.
"How is he?" she asked Selphie.
"He's calmer…but his chances are 1 in 20 to live…"
"Even if it's 1 in a 100, it's worth to try…He'll be ok Selphie." Rinoa said, although she didn't believe it.
"How is Sir Laguna?" Selphie asked. A hammer had crushed his right arm, but a bandage and some magic were helping it recover.
"Better. He doesn't hurt anymore."
"Rinoa, are we gonna make it?" Rinoa smiled sadly.
"Yes. We will, Selphie." But, she didn't believe her ears. That night, Rinoa sat up late. She was thinking of Squall. There was no way she could forget him. She had discovered a picture of him in her pocket, and hung on to it. She kept staring at it, so she could remember every bit of how he looked.
"Squall…I miss you…" she said and looked up at the sky, and the stars, especially that little star, that shone the brightest. Squall told her that was their star. She looked back at that moment.
"You mean, we'll have a special star?" Rinoa said.
"Yeah, if you like. And every time we miss each other, we'll look at it. And we'll see each other." Squall replied.
"You promise?"
"Yes."
"Then…let's say it's that one. That small twinkling one over there." She said pointing at it.
"I see it. Ok Miss Wings, that's our star. On the star sign on the Angel!"
"Oh, it is?"
"Yes. Look, those two on the sides are his open wings and those three others form his head. Then lower there's four other's in a rectangular for the body, and two last ones for the feet. You see it?"
"Yeah! Oh, it's beautiful Squall!"
"You're beautiful." Squall said and kissed her. The wind of the late evening rushed through the leaves of the rose tree that had crawled over the old oak tree. The fragrance of the bloomed roses filled the atmosphere with romance and mystery. Rinoa wiped a tear from her eyes. She looked at the star. She saw Squall and remembered his words. She smiled with sadness.
"I wonder where you are…"
…Look for the rainbow in every storm
Fly like an angel Heaven sent,
to me Goodbye my love
(I know you're gone but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end
(I've gotta keep on strong before the pain turns into fear)
I'm so glad we made it
Time will never change it, no, nooo…
(noooo, nooo, noooo….) …
Look for the rainbow in every storm
Find out what's certain
Love's gonna be there for you
You'll always be someone's baby
Goodbye my love
(I know you're gone but I can still feel you here)
It's not the end
(I've gotta keep on strong before the pain turns into fear)
I'm so glad we made it
Time will never change it, no, nooo…
(noooo, nooo, noooo….)
(*Edit from 'Goodbye' by the Spice Girls®)
The two mysterious men were over the hills at Gallipolis. They mounted their Chocobos, looking down at the village.
"They are here." Rami said
"Yes." The other man replied. "Your English improved Rami." He commented.
"Thanks. But you taught me. So I owe you one Raul." Rami giggled.
"Yeah, sure." Raul said with a grin under his face cover.
"You know, I would have like to see that dirt bag's face when he sees we slayed the Echidna before him. He must be boiling like a volcano!" Rami said.
"And that we took some of her blood!" Raul added and patted the goblet from Dragon's bone in the sac hanging from his shoulder and both men laughed.
"Yes, it would be fun, but we are in a real hurry." Raul said. "How long are we going to remain here?"
"Once they finish what they must do here, we leave with them. I'm afraid they'll need our help again now."
"What about the injured one?" Rami asked Raul.
"I sneaked in the room, but there's nothing I could do for him, unfortunately. He's bound to die, and I'm sorry for that."
"I understand. I would have too, if I was you."
"…" Raul didn't respond. He looked at the sky. Rami smiled under his face cover. He guessed what his companion thought of.
The next morning, they got up early, to head for the woods, where the Head Shaman had told them to go.
"The Unicorns will find you there. They will know why you came, and they will meet you." He had said.
"Are you sure you're not coming Selphie?" Rinoa asked Selphie as they left.
"No…I'm going to stay with Irvine. He's worse, and I want to be with him." She replied.
"I see Selphie. Alright. Wait here, and we'll come back as soon as we can." Rinoa said. Laguna, Seifer, Quistis, Ant and Rinoa headed for the woods, in search for the unicorns. After they left behind them the last sounds of the village, they were deep in the woods. Rinoa had this unusual feeling she was being watched. She started trembling.
"Rinoa? Why are you trembling like that?" Quistis asked her.
"I'm cold. That's all." Rinoa lied.
"Here, take my jacket." Seifer said, taking off his jacket and giving it to Rinoa. She put it on embarrassed. A sudden whinny made them jump.
"That way!" Seifer cried out. They began running the direction the neigh had came from. They tripped over twigs and stones, but they kept running, fearing they would lose the creature that had called them. That whinny was not a random cry. It was call, and it called them to go closer. They reached the clearing, and their feet ran faster from the sight. A big, male unicorn was standing in the middle of the clearing, his white tail and mane waving in the morning breeze. A golden patch decorated his forehead, and a gold and crimson horn sprouted out of his forehead. Morgan. They stopped quickly in the middle of the clearing. The unicorn rose to its hind legs to greet them.
"Welcome to the woods of the Unicorns." He said. "I'm the King of the Unicorns."
"We're friends of Squall's. He told me he knew you." Rinoa said.
"I did. And I'm sad he died from Cloud's hand. I know why you're here. Did you open the scroll?" Morgan asked her.
"N-no…"
"Open it. We must lose no time." Rinoa obeyed, and pulled out the scroll from her pocket.
"Go on, open it Rinoa…" Morgan said.
"I…I don't know why, but I'm scared of opening it." She said.
"…M-me too…" Quistis said.
"Open it Rinoa…" Morgan repeated softly. In her, Rinoa heard Squall asking her to open the scroll as well. She opened with a swift move, quickly. A bright light flew out of the scroll, and levitated above it.
"The time has come." The light said.
"It has come." Morgan said.
"What time?" Rinoa asked, not knowing who would answer.
"The time for the mortals to see in their souls for the answers to the problems of the world. The time for the mortals to help the gods." The light said.
"Then, show us!" Rinoa said. The light hurled back into the scroll, and a map appeared.
"Look!" Quistis gasped.
"The Caves of Silence…" Morgan said.
"They are…" Laguna gasped.
"…Near Edea's House…" Quistis said.
"That's why Ultimecia was there…that attracted her to wait for us there…" Rinoa said.
"We have to get there now…before it's too late." Seifer said.
"Yes, you must hurry. You are the only ones who can do anything in these times of need. You are the only ones who can save not only the planet, but also the universe itself. Not our lives! Our souls…" Morgan said.
"The unicorns will fight Seth's evil powers to the end! We will not allow him to overthrow the truthful rulers of this world!" Morgan said and the other unicorns hailed. Rinoa smiled with confidence. This was it.
"Yes!" she said.
"Come on, let's head back to Gallipolis and get the Ragnarok!" Seifer said. The humans rushed back to the town, escorted by legions of unicorns that rushed from their secret woods back into the world that humans had driven them out of centuries ago. Other creatures of the woods followed them as well. Monsters, animals and Chocobos rushed, drawn by that secret, mystical power that called all the creatures to stand up against evil. When Rinoa, Quistis, Seifer, Ant and Laguna reached the town, a Shumi man was rushing to meet them.
"Oh! Oh, come quick please! It's tragic! It's terrible!" he said without breath.
"What?! What's happened?!" Rinoa said with panic.
"Oh! The wounded man…He's dead! And…and…oh my…" he said with a groan as Rinoa ran off to the hospital, fearing the worse. She rushed to the room where Irvine rested, and stooped suddenly with a gasp from the sight. Selphie had committed suicide.
"Selphie!!" Rinoa cried out and ran to her friend. A short knife through the heart showed the cause of death. She was lying face down over Irvine's cold body, which was covered with a sheet.
"Selphie…" Rinoa said as she hugged her friend's lifeless body. Selphie hadn't taken all this sorrow. First Zell, then Squall, then Glafky, and finally Irvine…Selphie never really belonged with a warrior company. She was always too attached with everyone, and she always feared this would happen. Psychologically, she couldn't take it. So she ended her life, before she could see anyone else dying. Irvine was the final blow to her already broken heart, and her wrecked nerves. The other four came to the hospital room, to find Rinoa crying over both Selphie and Irvine. Quistis couldn't take it anymore either. She went by Rinoa, kneeled down by her, and hugged her. They kept on crying together. Ant, Seifer and Laguna looked at each other. They knew this was way too much.
"I think we should leave them for a little." Ant whispered.
"Yes." Laguna agreed.
"…" Seifer just nodded. They back stepped, and closed the door behind them.
"This has gone way to far. We're only five. How can we ever possibly stand against Seth now?" Seifer wondered.
"We can do it." Ant said.
"I'm starting to think we won't in the end."
"Quiet. You're bringing bad luck. All these are nothing but Seth's doings. He's trying to break us. But I don't intend to let myself fall for it. I'm going to keep on." Laguna said. "Even if I have to go on my own"
The three men were at a house, talking. It was late at night, and the girls were at Irvine and Selphie's funeral. They came in after a while, pale with red eyes.
"We have to finish this up." Rinoa said.
"This can't go any further." Quistis added.
"Yes." The three men said together.
"We'll leave now, then." Seifer said. They got up, and exited the house, to head for the Ragnarok. They boarded, and took off. They were all awfully quiet as they flew across the land, to Edea's House.
"There's a storm ahead. We're going to have problems." Seifer commented.
"Yeah." Ant said. "I'd better go turn on the assistance engines. Sir…I mean, Laguna, are you coming to give me a hand?" Ant said.
"Sure." Laguna said and got up from his chair. They exited the bridge, and headed for the lower part of the space ship.
"Are we there yet?" Rinoa asked.
"No…and it'll take time. This is a nasty storm. We have to be careful. The thunderstorms are dangerous even for spaceships like Ragnarok." Quistis said. "Especially if the pilot is a novice." She added mentioning Seifer.
"…" Seifer did not answer. He had other things in mind. The inter-radio beeped. Seifer activated it.
"Yeah Ant?" Seifer said.
"Seifer, we have some problems over here…" Ant reported.
"What is it?"
"Some parasites, and a small damage from acids. Some chemical piping was damaged from the last battle and I have to repair them. You'll have to decrease speed. Just lower to half your speed."
"Roger that Ant. Thanks."
"I hope it's not too serious…" Rinoa said. They remained silent for a while. Suddenly Rinoa had a bad feeling. She stirred and stirred in her seat.
"Ohh…something's gonna happen now…I know it will…" she thought. She didn't finish her thought and thunder hit the Ragnarok.
"YAAA!" Seifer yelled as the Ragnarok shook violently. Seth has hammering Ragnarok with thunder and wind. He had started the storm to stall them, and now he was turning the storm's wrath against them. He rammed the ship again and again, trying to destroy it.
"Ant!" Seifer shouted through the radio. "Ant! What's going on down there!?" he yelled but he took no response.
"AHHHH!" Rinoa yelled and covered her head with the hands as another thunder hit Ragnarok. Quistis hit her head on the panel and became unconscious.
"Quistis!" Seifer cried out, but he tried to keep control over Ragnarok. They had gone up too high, and if they crashed, that was their end.
"Arg, nooo!" Seifer yelled as the spaceship shook even more violently from another thunder. A metal plate that had came out of its place from the back, banged him on the head and he fell unconscious. Rinoa was all alone now.
"I have to fly this now?!" She thought. Although the ship had tilted, she struggled to the pilot's seat, and pushed Quistis aside. She sat down, but she had absolutely no idea what to do. With trembling fingers, she got hold of the steering wheel, and tried to stabilize it. But, she couldn't take control. The steering wheel shook too violently for her to stop it now. Seth roared with victory, as the crash of the Ragnarok was certain. Rinoa shrieked with fear, as she was totally helpless. All she could do was cover her face and pray. "Pray…to whom? There is no one left…"she thought. She was going to die. Along with Ant, Quistis, Laguna and Seifer. At least…would she meet Squall? Would she be able to see him again? She looked at the window out side. Ragnarok was going to crash. The ground wasn't far. Just a little, and she would be with Squall. She didn't hear the hasting, heavy footsteps behind her, neither did she understand the language the stranger used.
"Just go Rami!" he said.
"Be careful Raul!" another voice answered. In her panic, everything seemed like a dream. An arm in a white, lacy sleeve gripped the steering wheel from her side.
"Come ON!" the stranger shouted. He was trying to take control of the Ragnarok. The steering wheel shook, but slowly started to obey the stranger who had griped it with one hand.
"Come on baby…you can do it! Come on!" he said. Ragnarok made a maneuver in midair, and slowly began to fly horizontally. The spaceship jolted violently, and the ground came closer.
"I'll have to crash land it!" the stranger yelled. Rinoa shrieked. In a loud crash, the spaceship touched the ground, and skidded many meters. The shaking was unbearable, and the crashing sounds were torturing. The stranger grinded his teeth with anger.
"Yarg!"he groaned.
"Noooo!" Rinoa shrieked again as the spaceship crashed for good on the ground. It skidded a little more, and then it stopped. Rinoa was looking straight ahead, like dead, but she was breathing, and her breath was a wild pant, and her heart was pounding in her chest. She was trembling like a hell.
"Are you alright?!" the stranger asked her with agony. Rinoa came to her senses, and looked at the stranger. It was Raul. He was dressed from head to toe in a white desert, lacy robe, and his face was covered with the same fabric, leaving only his eyes visible.
"Are you alright?! " Raul repeated his question. But Rinoa was looking straight into his eyes…those eyes…
Have a guess at who it is! You'll find out at the beginning of the next chapter! The more reviews I get, the faster I put the next chapter up! See ya, people!
Ruby Dragon