PeRFecT

© Briar Eve, 2003.

Chapter 23

            The funeral was held on a Tuesday. It was a gloomy day and emotions were sheltered by the gray penumbra.

            The funeral was held on a Tuesday. In Dollet- off the cobblestone path, near the daisy-filled meadows and the sea.

            The funeral was held in a timeless daze as the black clad souls gathered on the hill, near the meadow, in the penumbra, to say farewell to Evana-Rose- Seagill.

            Quistis stood between Seifer and Irvine- they sheltered and supported her like mighty pillars. Seifer's face was hard and tense, while Irvine's eyes were far and distant and brimmed with delicate tears. Quistis herself felt numb and frightened, so her men's intensity kept her breathing and conscious.

            Not all who had gathered were familiar. In the semi-circle surrounding the cherry-wood finished coffin there were old and new faces. Xu and Martine were there, along with Headmaster Cid Kramer, whose eyes were puffed and red and wet. Hunter and Astrid were beside Martine along with a dozen cadets indebted to Evana's teachings. Scattered amongst the students were a handful of instructors and SeeDs who would've followed the Amazon into the roaring inferno of shameful death had she asked. 

            And everyone knew there were times when Evana Botchaskya had chanced it.

            Glancing across the circle, Quistis saw another familiar face.  The assassin-or, to be more appropriate- Kiros Seagill, Evana's widower.  Straight-backed and focused, the ex- galbadian officer wore a handsome navy suit and an aura of  melancholy and pride. He  stood alongside Instructor "graybeard" Furtivan- ex-General Furtivan- who wore his anti-sorceress uniform in respect. Beside Kiros rested a handsome, middle-aged man with dark, shoulder length hair, who was fidgeting with the buttons on his jacket, and behind Mr. Seagill stood an ogre of a man, wearing a bandana and a prim suit, keeping a silent watch over the proceedings. Holding onto the long-haired gentleman's hand was an elfin girl with a chestnut bob and clever brown eyes. Quistis felt a swarm of butterflies flutter in her stomach as she beheld this stranger.

            'Do. . .I know her?'

            They met eyes for a moment. The girl nodded and blinked.

            'Sis. . .'

            The silence was broken.

            Headmaster Cid Kramer  stood at the head of the closed coffin, an old tome in hand. He found the marker that kept the page and cleared his throat.

            "From the Book of  Viator- chapter seventeen." He read deliberately, with a clear and shaky tone. " 'And unto each of Hyne's children were given the sparks of life- First the spark of energy, that exploded in a mass of light and sound and set the clay figures in motion. Second was the spark of mind, which transfigured the energy of sound into translatable elements, and the energy of light into patterns and shapes.  Finally, the spark of love was given unto the innocents, and they came to know Hyne- of his will and design. They came to know life and death and the beauty of  the time and space in which they lived '. . .' Hyne lives in each of his children, and, in death, the sparks that constitute their lives return to him- in this passing, we will come to feel the wholeness that is the Spark of Hyne. " Cid paused for a moment and whispered a prayer in an unknown tongue.

            Xu then stepped forward and repeated Cid's prayer. With a  fearless and mystical voice, she soared into a hymn that carried through the air like a raven on the wing. Her eyes remained closed as she sang the modal tune and the beautiful, arcane words that had been plucked from the lost tangents of time.  Her fierce alto rose and fell and rose then fell silent.  Cid came forward as she stepped back.

            "From the Book of Iudicium- chapter three.  'And the blood of the innocents shall fuel the Ignus fire and run the course of the deluge Inaudantia. The sin of the Triune shall be purged by the sacrifice of the guiltless. Then the children of Hyne will enter the house of Intervigilium and walk hand in hand with the immortal dreamer, who has created and sustained the scattered spark.'"Cid paused and turned to the back of the book. "From Seto's book of Lunarimanus, chapter 3. 'And I have seen the path to Intervigilium- it is stone and earth and rivulets of water through strategic cracks. Along the perimeter grow crocuses, roses and dandelions and the tall steps lead to the land of eternal peace. I cannot step any further- for I am not brave enough, nor wise enough, to face the maker of life. Only those strong enough to understand the spark in their hearts can truly hold the dreamer's hand."  With that, Cid closed the tome, handing it to Martine, and gripped the bridge of his nose. A couple stray tears fell from his eyes, behind his spectacles. Quistis was suddenly overcome. She wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her pale hand.

            "Evana- or Rose, as some know her- was a woman that defied stereotyping and categorization." Cid began, almost scholarly. "She was warrior- the captain of an army brigade, an organizer of the anti-Adel movement, an assassin, a knight and an honorary SeeD.  But, she was also a teacher and mentor and mother to hundreds of orphans who were weaned on her tough love and sense of duty, as well as humor. I first met her eighteen years ago, when my brethren and I came to Galbadia in attempt to liberate it from Adel's henchmen's reign.  My wife- well, future wife- had accompanied us so she could be reunited with her younger sister, whom  she hadn't seen in six years. We arrived at the training grounds to a surprising event- a hand to hand duel had erupted in between two soldiers. One of those soldiers had been a scarred, dangerous looking fellow, almost twice the second's size. The other soldier was saucy, dexterous vixen with flaming red hair and a twinkling eye. It was obvious that the man had insulted her 'modesty'. . . ." Cid chuckled, as did the group of soldiers who stood with General Furtivan. "I. . .was ready to rush in and save her, being the chivalrous man that I am. But my wife stopped me and said this, and- to this day, when I think of Evana, Edea's quote immediately enters my head- 'How the tables turn when the lioness heads the pride- and what a pride she has. Do not interfere with the alpha's harem, Cid Kramer, or you may end up a beta admirer.'   Sure enough, Evana beat the man to the ground and gave the group a stern lecture. Fighting for what you believe in and teaching others how to work for their own beliefs. Even at twenty years old she understood the secret to improving the quality of life for the people of this country and planet. Even though she died young. . .She has had an impact on this world. She was one of the  revolutionaries who helped seal Adel, and, later, helped hunt down the sorceress cults in Esthar.  Evana helped me design Garden, and was the forewoman for the construction of East Garden. She. . .in fact, knew more about the inner works of the institution than I did." He chuckled. "Even though her exterior was gruff, she loved the students, and even adopted two orphans who had come from very broken pasts. She. . .was family to me. She was my wife's sister, and, therefore, mine as well. . ." Cid's voice shook slightly as he tried to compose himself. " This metaphorical pulpit is now open for anyone who has anything to say about Evana Botchaskya, or anything to recount about Rose Laurentide-Seagill."  The Headmaster turned and fell behind the rabble.  Xu coughed and came forward.

            "I. . .am not eloquent like Cid." She began coldly. "But, I've known Evana for just as long and perhaps better, for, although I was a child when we met, Evana has always been childish and immature and. . .wonderful." Xu bit her lip. "I speak for Matron as well, who cannot be here to see her baby-sister dead and buried. Though they were related only through marriage, Evana and Matron were as close as any sisters could be. As the younger sister, Evana always instigated fights for attention and Matron always gave it to her. . .after a heated debate or cat fight. And, as I grew older, Evana seemed to stay the same so. . eventually, we were equals.  Age didn't matter to her- if she found you fit, she treated you as a peer. That's one of the things I always admired about her. But, even though she has been my peer, she's still been like a mother to me- a confidant and a silent rock, because she never told anyone about how fragile I could be. . ." Xu's voice began to speed up, and she almost seemed to be in a state of pre-hyperventilation. " Now everyone knows, but it doesn't matter, because she's dead!" The field commander gasped, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. "She's dead and leaving me. Just like Lukan and just like my mother!" Xu cried out hysterically. Everyone bowed their heads. "Evana, I can't believe you did that! I can't believe you just left- you can be so insensitive and stupid sometimes! How dare you leave me to this! How dare you. . .how. . .fuck this."

            Xu ran from the gathering, towards the sea. Quistis prepared to follow her, but a sign from Cid made her hold her ground.  No one spoke, and there was no sound to disturb the heart-breaking echoes of Xu's harangue.

            After a moment, Kiros Seagill stepped forward.

            "I. . .would just like to say a few words about Evana, If I may. . ."

            There were a few positive murmurs.

            "Alright. . .well. . ." There was a little embarrassment mingled with his grief. His long-haired companion  clapped him on the shoulder for comfort. Kiros simply smiled. " As most of you should know Evana and were married only a very short time ago, but, I've known her since she was fifteen. And, if I had been wiser and braver then, I would've asked her to marry me the moment I laid eyes on her instead of waiting twenty three years. I guess. . .we always knew we would be together, but she was so stubborn and so anti-fatalistic that she made it a little difficult." He laughed and a look of nostalgia crept over his face. " But it was like Cid said- she held us all in her thrall, even the ole General- truly, she was such a lioness. At one point during our time in the  4th division, Evana was the only woman who remained in the army. The men were. . .well, we were brutes. And the ladies were terrorized and subjected to heinous atrocities. But Evana turned the tables, rising above us to be our squad leader, and earned everyone's devotion easily. Not because she was stronger than us- which she was- not because she was smarter than us-which she was- not because she was more clever than us-which she was- and not even because she was more attractive than us- which, oh gods, she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid my young eyes on. Even still- after countless battles and thoughtless years, she's beautiful. Perhaps more so. But. . .she earned our devotion because she was the best at what she did, and the only one who could do the job properly. Now. . .there have been times in my life when I've cursed her stubborn nature and some of those things she did to spite me- eighteen years ago I almost lost her to a man that was definitely better than me in every way who could've given her a better life. But I was fortunate that she was so independent." Chuckling, he opened up a crumpled and yellowed piece of paper. "I. . .she probably would've divorced me if she knew I was going to do this. But. . .we were all young once- and the young, in love, do things that even the fool, in madness, would refrain from with terrified restraint. At twenty five, I wrote a poem for Evana. And yes- I did read it to her- and, yes- she did laugh at me and rip it up and  cuss me out- but I wrote it down again and hid it and, now I can read it to her without any sharp remarks."
 

            He read.

"To a jade-eyed jade

If I could refrain from loving those eyes

No hesitation could hinder my quest

For such glittering hues in greens and blues

Stare back, haughty, at the love I've professed

But it's those jade eyes that make me obsessed

If I could cease to love that cussing mouth

I would give up all my rights to free thought

Though luscious and sweet, it's poison I meet

For you scorn,  mocking, and curse at the thought. . .

From those lips all my fantasies are wrought.

If I could see the pain your brain begets

I would squelch my love under my footfall

Lovely you are,  but I worship afar

For I fear the hard glance from your eyeball

And the cold words that from your mouth do fall

But if you could just see past my shortfall. . .

I'd. . .be happy."

            Kiros paused and placed the delicate sheet back in his breast pocket.

            "Yeah, I'd slug ya for that too." General Furtivan guffawed. Light-hearted laughter rippled through the throng (though a couple of the ladies were quite teary-eyed.) Kiros took it all in a good-natured manner.

            " She was dangerous sometimes, and I was a sucker for punishment- I had to have been  to marry her. And. . . .although our union seems ever so much more tragic because of the little time we spent together, I would never renege on those vows. I. . .finally won the battle, if even for a little while. It almost seems like a swan song, but I know she'll be waiting in the hall of souls for me. For all of us. And she will probably have those souls organized and standing at attention. . ."  He fell back with his comrades, who consoled him as best they could.

            Cid ended the ceremony with an ancient Centran prayer, then the gathered souls took a moment in silence.  They broke off into groups afterwards, so Quistis took the opportunity to check on Xu.

            The Field commander sat on the docks, gazing out into vastness of the foggy sea. Quistis sat beside her and put an arm around her.

            ". . .Quistis, I'm losing it."  Xu whispered. "I'm losing control. I. . .don't think I can take much more of this. . ."

            "Xu. . .I know you're feeling weak right now, but you are so strong. . .you've been through so much. .."

            "So what?" The elder SeeD sneered. "I can't afford to be weak right now. Not with my enemies lurking and so close at hand. I need to be PERFECT, Quistis! Or else we're all going to die and It'll be my fault."  Xu ran a hand through her trim bob of thick, black hair. "We're only given so much to live for, Quistis. Love, beliefs, Truth. . .whatever. Well- all of my family is dead or inaccessible, my lover is comatose, my belief system is failing, and, hyne help me, I've feeling pretty agnostic right now. I honestly don't know what truth is anymore. There is no truth left for me- so many lies, half-truths, inconstant prophecies and manipulations. . .I'm floundering, Quistis. I'm so sorry you have to be disillusioned like this. I wish I could just make you forget that you saw me like this. . .I wish I could make you forget all that's happened to you over the last month and a half. I wish I could too. Some people forget when they junction- but I don't. Psyche stores everything and reminds me- keeps me in the loop. But I'd rather not be in the loop, you know? It's. . .scary. It almost feels like clairvoyance, but you can't speak of it. No one would believe your conspiracy theory anyway. . ."

            "Xu. ..did you know your mother? What happened to her? Before you went to the orphanage?" Quistis just wanted to know something- about the orphanage, about this "matron" who had been Evana's sister, and about. . .well, anything.

            ". . .I. . .had a mother for four years, then I had a matron. Everything bad in the world happened to my mother, and everything bad in all time and space has happened to matron. I didn't go to the orphanage- I went with Cid to prepare the construction of other Gardens and to find orphans that needed homes. I. . .hated that orphanage. . .it was hard. . .her loving you. . .all of you. . .more than me, because you needed her. Now. . .I need her, but I can't face her. Ever again, I think. Except to seal her."

            "Are you talking about your mother or matron, Xu?"  Quistis asked softly, perplexed.  Xu stood and began to walk back to the gathering, leaving the blond SeeD gazing at the sea.

            "It doesn't matter."

            Quistis sat for a moment, confused and dazed, then followed Xu back to the gathering. Some of the SeeDs were starting to get the cadets packed up for the length journey back to Garden, but most of the core people were there. Irvine was with Martine, who was busy speaking to Headmaster Cid.  They met eyes for a moment, and Irvine smiled sadly but stayed rooted to his spot.

            Seifer, on the other hand, really hadn't moved from his spot. Quistis was a little unnerved by this empathetic  disposition. So she stood by his side.

            "Are you okay?" She asked quietly and uncomfortably.  He didn't respond. "Seifer. . .Are you o-. . .?"

            "How could this have happened?" He asked quietly. There was an intense edge in his voice that caused Quistis to unintentionally step back.

            "Seifer- you were there. You know how it. . ."

            "No, Quistis." He interrupted again. "How could she have died this way? What did she do to deserve such an ignoble death?"

            "I. . ." Quistis was at a loss.

            "You don't understand." He hissed, his hand white on his gunblade. "It's different with us- she was a gunbladeswoman. A knight. The fact that she wielded that weapon gave her the right to an honorable death. To fight bravely for something she believed in- for her ideals. Instead, she was sentenced to a wrongful death and experienced an even worse one. She saved you- yes, there was some goodness that came out of it. But. . .she shouldn't have died that way. By a gun, in a scuffle. She needed a war. Or a duel. That was a commoner's death. . ."

            "Seifer. . ."

            "I won't die like that." He seethed, unsheathing his gunblade. "I'll make my mark and die with glory- like a knight, not like some common criminal. I won't be obscure!" He cried out, shoving the gunblade in the ground. "I will die with honor!" He fell to one knee, gasping.  Quistis was shocked, so she said nothing.  "I. . .will die a knight's death and nothing less."

            His emerald eyes radiated an eerie light. He was strange and beautiful in his terrible state. He had. . .changed, over the last little while. Much like herself.

            "Seifer?"

            Quistis and Seifer turned around to meet Evana's widower. Seifer rose to his feet and regained his arrogant composure.

            "Yeah?"

            "Seifer. . .I. . .have something for you from Evana."  Kiros spoke with lowered eyes. Both Balambites were shocked.

            "For me?" Seifer asked. "W. . why? What?"

            "I. . .don't know. Because, she said that you would be the only one who could use it." Kiros replied as he produced a long, hard leather casing.  With wide and wondrous eyes, Seifer unclasped the box. Then he gasped.

            It was a gunblade unlike any Quistis had seen before. Wider and longer than any cadet blade, it shone with a holy magnificence and seemed to grin wickedly at the astonished crowd. Delicate glyphs and scripture adorned the blade itself, and the gun component had been flawlessly incorporated into the  structure of the original broadsword. Seifer, suddenly breathless and wordless, grasped the handle and held the weapon aloft.

            "Hyperion." He whispered. Kiros nodded.

            "So. . .she told you about it. Yes. . .it's almost legendary. It's a Hyenite weapon, Seifer- a knight's gunblade. Evana said that you should have it- that you would be able to wield it properly."

            "I. ..can't believe it." He answered, lowering the blade. "I mean. . .shouldn't dickhea. . .I mean, Hunter get it?  He's practically her son. . ."

            Kiros bit his lip and kept silent for a moment. It was the strangest gesture Quistis had ever seen.

            "E. . .Evana wanted you to have it, Seifer. You're the only one that can wield."

            With that, Kiros Seagill  sighed and tripped away, back to the man who looked like a mountain.  Quistis turned to Seifer.

            "It's beautiful."

            "It's ancient, Instructor.  The sword itself is a thousand years old, and was passed down from knight to knight, and, now, it's mine. I. . .will wield it with pride. I know that Evana would want that."

            He wrapped the holy sword in it's leather and casing, and, grasping his old blade, he dug it into the soil at the foot of Evana's plot.  It was a beautiful gesture. But the whole thing was odd. 

            "Did Evana really want to give Seifer that sword?"  Quistis tapped Kiros on the shoulder after Seifer had been called over to see Headmaster Cid.  "Did she? Because. ..well, to be frank- she was always rather cross with him. And, not to mention- she would've had to have created her will in the last month and a half to have included him.  Not to mention the fact that, I'm pretty sure Evana didn't have a will. So. . ."

            "Hyperion wasn't actually Evana's to give, Miss Trepe." Kiros replied simply.  His massive friend nodded in agreement.

            "Hyp. ..wasn't. ..then. . .?"

            "Hyperion belonged to Grand Master Seto Almasy before he died in the raid on Esthar Palace, seventeen years ago."

            "Seto Almasy? Is that. . .?"

            "Seifer's father. Yes. . . He was a knight with the old Hyenite Templar order that Adel slaughtered around the time of your birth."Kiros answered her question.

            'Where have I heard that name before?' Quistis thought about it. Suddenly, a sentence jetted out in her mind.

            'Seto's prophecy just kept replaying in my mind and I realized that there was nothing I could've done to stop it.'

            Xu had said it the night before Evana had died. And again, about prophecies only moments earlier.

            "Seifer's father was a prophet."

            "Yes, that is correct." Kiros answered.  Quistis needed to probe.

            "What was his prophecy?" She asked.

            " I don't know, miss Trepe. I'm sorry." He smiled warily. "There were only a handful who heard the Seto's Trance speech after his Trance quest. Evana was one, Edea was another- the Templars that were present were almost all slaughtered during the raid on Adel's castle. I. . . don't know if there is anyone left to tell you that prophecy. And, if there is. . .they probably wouldn't want to repeat those words, or even think of it.  It traumatized Evana, so. . ."  He trailed off a little helplessly. Quistis nodded.

            "Thank you Mr. Seagill. I. . .guess my investigation skills are lacking."  The SeeD exclaimed wearily. Smiling, Kiros put a hand on Quistis' shoulder.

            "You forgot to ask me a question, Inspector."

            "Huh? What question?" She was confused.  She couldn't think of another question.

            ". . .You wanted to know why Evana had Seifer's father's sword, didn't you?"

            "Because Evana was a knight of the same order, right?" She had figured it out herself. Kiros shrugged.

            ". . .I guess you do have everything figured out. . ."

            She paused. There were alarm bells going off in her head.

            'Why did Evana keep that dead prophet's sword? She probably couldn't even wield the damn thing- it looks so heavy, so. . .'

            "Holy mother of Hyne. . ." She fell to her knees in epiphanal shock.

            "Therein lies the greatest tragedy." Kiros whispered.  "Take care, miss Trepe.

            Kiros and Ward left Quistis in her shocked state. She didn't rise until Irvine came to fetch her.

            "Quisty?"

            "Irvine. . ." She looked up at him.

            "Do you wanna say goodbye to Lukan? Odine's taking him back to Esthar tonight, and they're just getting' ready to  load him into the airship."

            "Odine's. . .here? Now?" 

            "Uh, yeah. Wow, you're really outta it, hun. Um, yeah- he came with Kiros and Loire an' them. . .They're just outside the city. So. . ."

            "O. . Of course I do." She pulled herself out of her daze and took his hand to ease his worry. "Plus. . ." She added cheerfully. "Who would give up a chance to see the legendary Dr. Odine in the flesh? Certainly not I!" Quistis forced a smile as they set off for the outskirts of the city.

            "If you put either of your slimy, manipulative paws on him, I will gut you like a fucking fastilicon."

            Quistis and Irvine arrived just in time to see Xu draw her sword and threaten a terribly funny-looking little man in white robes whose eyes sparkled with delirious glee, then terror.

            "Miss Zoo- I am a doctor, so it vould be very difficult for me to treat ze patient vithout touching him. . ."

            "I don't care how you do it- use robotic arms or some such stupidity. But if you dare abuse him, especially in this condition, I will kill you. . .I'm sure Laguna won't particularly care. . ."

            "But Xu- if you kill Doctor Odine we won't get Lukan back. So. . .please, just calm down."

            The soothing voice came from  the estharian girl who had arrived with Kiros.

            'Sis. . .'

            "Don't worry, Xu- I'll make sure Lukan is treated carefully. I wouldn't have it any other way. . ."  She put an arm around the taller girl's shoulders and squeezed her a bit.  They were about the same age, and had the same coloring, but, really, Quistis would've been hard pressed to find another couple of women whose personalities were so contrasting.  A disgruntled Odine marched off to check his medical equipment. Xu accepted the girl's comfort thankfully.

            "Thanks Elle. . .I. . .don't know what I would've done. . ."

            "Well. . .I know what he's like, and  I know how much Lukan um. . .disagrees with Odine, so I'll make sure that nothing happens to him." Elle pulled away from  Xu and looked fondly at Lukan. " He looks so melancholic. I hate it when he's sad. . ."

            "Is he sad, Ellone? Can you tell?"

            "I'll. . .try to tell you. . ." She whispered.  She reached her tiny hand towards Lukan and cupped his chin. Suddenly, her body locked and her eyelids began to flutter. Xu moved towards her.

            "Ellone?"

            "Elle? Xu! What's going on?"  The long-haired man ran over, followed closely by Headmaster Cid. 

            "Xu, what is she doing?" Cid demanded, watching in horror as Ellone's body jerked again and a scream suddenly ripped from her mouth.

            "Elle!" Her guardian grabbed arm and tried to pull her away, but upon touching her he cried out in pain and was launched several feet in the air. Ellone was locked and paralyzed and glued to Lukan.

            "Vat iz. . ." Odine turned around. "Ellone no!"  The little man shrieked and scampered over with a strange bangle in his hand. Glancing from Lukan to Xu and back to Lukan, he slapped the bracelet on the comatose Instructor's right arm. The contact launched him ten feet in the air, but it broke Vigil's hold on Ellone.  The young lady fell back against Xu.

            "Are you alright?" Xu demanded. Ellone nodded and  put a hand to her head.

            "I'm. . .fine. I'm fine everyone. Uncle Laguna, Doctor- I'm okay. . ." She gulped in a deep breath and looked at Xu.  "And so is he.  Just a little frightened and a lot overwhelmed."

            "Ellone!  Vat vere you doing?" Odine snapped, scurrying back to his patient.

            "I was just checking to see if he was alright." She answered guiltily.  The deranged scientist cocked an eyebrow.

            "Vell, zen. . .I guess no vone needs Odine!  I am just ze docterr! Vell zen- vhy don't you help your brother, Elle?  Becauze, apparently, novone needs Odine. . ."

            "I'm sorry, Doctor. I didn't know. . ."

            "Didn't know zat dere is a powerful deamon-monster in his head that vould attack you? Hmmm. . ." The Doctor glanced at her pointedly.

            "Ah, c'mon doc- Don't get mad at Elle. She just wanted to make sure Lukan was alright."  The long-haired man interjected. He put a hand on Ellone's shoulder. "The twins haven't seen each other in years- she's just upset for him. C'mon- we have to get him loaded up."

            "Elle- be careful." Xu grabbed her arm. " You know that you're in danger. . .and if you are, he is as well. . ."

            "We have an impermanent sealing chamber underneath the palace, Xu." Ellone responded. "Odine's going to work on Lukan down there. We'll. .. try to keep him a secret as long as we can. Galbadia still doesn't know who he really is- they think that he's the Samah's actual son. I. . .on the other hand. . .will watch myself. I promise." The young women hugged. "But Xu. . .beware. Not only the Trance prophecy- which has commenced- but of the circumstances surrounding this darkness. Some are heroes, and some are villains and some are wolves in lamb's clothing. . ."

            "Honey- I think it's 'sheeps' clothing. . ." Xu interposed.

            ". . .This one prefers lamb." Ellone whispered.  A cold wind blew a chill down Quistis' back. "I will speak to you later. I'm sorry. . .about everything."

            The Estharians loaded Lukan 'Samah' onto their  glorious airship and settled in themselves. Waving from the cockpit windows, they left the Galbadian crowd for loftier places.

            Quistis put her arms around Xu and held her for a moment. The woman was absolutely broken, but all her available tears had been shed.

            "If I have to be a hero, we're all going to perish." Xu murmured in Quistis' ear.

            "You are a hero. And. . .whatever it is. . .we'll deal with it. We have to."

            Xu stared hard at Quistis and smiled.

            "You are so naïve."

            The Field commander gave the Instructor a quick hug and followed Headmaster Cid to the Balamb Zeppelin. They took off, shadowing the Estharian ship.

            Irvine and Quistis held each other in the gloom, in the penumbra and in the haze.  Quistis pressed her head against Irvine's chest and stroked the delicate wool trim of his suede duster.

            "Irvine. I'm scared."

            "Yeah, quisty, I. . .I think I kinda am too."

            The haze was thick and surrounded them- the metaphor was not lost on them, and it was irritating as well as eerie.

            "Instructor! Cowboy!"

            They heard Seifer calling in the mist.

            "It seems everything in life is tragic." Quistis whispered.  Seifer Almasy's form materialized from the silver fog.

            "We're goin'. Hurry up- we have to get back before Garden closes."

            "Can't we just rent some rooms in Dollet for the night? I mean. . .Hyne, what's his rush?" Irvine played with the brim of his hat. Quistis noticed that Seifer was still carrying Hyperion around with him.

            "No- we can't, cowboy. An emergency call from Trabia Garden just reached us- we're going up there tomorrow to investigate something."

            "To Trabia?" Quistis asked. "But, why didn't they contact Balamb?"

            "I guess Martine owes the Headmaster up there a favor, so he's calling it in. Also, these two-bit Garden's don't wanna look bad in front of Cid. . .so. . ."

            "Alright, alright- we're comin'. Stop dissin' my home, Almasy. 'cause, unfortunately, right now it's almost all I got." Irvine frowned.

            They followed Seifer back to the Galbadian troops.  As they clambered into the hummers, Quistis went over everything in her head, trying to gain a firm handle on the situation. Evana and Seifer and the Knight of the Trance Prophecy. Lukan and Ellone 'Sis' and some unspoken danger concerning heroes and villains and wolves. Xu and Matron and Irvine and his powers.

            The names and terms kept replaying through her mind.

            But all her efforts were in vain.