Chapter 14 Why me?
Author's note: Sorry for the late update, but I've started attending college now and can't update so frequently. But I'll always try my best, never fear! For now, please enjoy, and comments as usual! I'll try my best, so please be patient with me!
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The blood drained from their faces. Seifer was choking as he turned to King Loire. "Father...?!"
Somehow or rather, Squall too had gone white. Him? But he was the younger prince! What is the Empress getting at?!
"I see..." The Empress smiled wickedly. "So you have kept a little secret, have you, King Loire? Shame indeed..." She laughed. "You think you can keep a secret forever, but he will know, some time or other. And fate has it that he must know now." She smiled and settled into a chair. "But I have spoken the truth. And since you have agreed, there is no room to back away now, do we?"
Seifer's world was spinning. "I'm not... I'm not his son?" He whispered weakly and felt Rinoa gently touch his arm. All the sudden he felt filthy, truly filthy. 'Then who am I?! Some bastard child with a barmaid?!"
"Your mother was not a whore!' Irvine suddenly shouted furiously. "Don't you dare insult you family!"
King Loire stared, stunned at his Knight's outburst. At last, he sighed. "Maybe it's best you know now. But I myself am not sure of who you are, Seifer."
Irvine was silent for a moment. Finally he spoke. Quistis, forgive me, he thought.
"You were a child we found after the Balamb War. But actually, you were not found - Squall was looking for you. Because during the war, we had met you once, and."
Squall's eyes were hooded. "Your sister saved my life." He said hoarsely. "She died while saving me. I couldn't forgive myself - and I didn't understand. Why did she die to save me? Was my life so meaningful that it had to be prolonged on a borrowed life?"
Quistis drew a sharp breath. Memories began to flood her, until her body began to tremble in suppressed emotion. But Irvine gently squeezed her hand, willing her to be silent. This is the truth. Perhaps it will be best if everybody knew - why the past resurfaces in the present. Perhaps it will be best for the future.
"I asked Father to take you with us. You were very ill, and when you woke up, you couldn't remember a thing. Not even your name. But you truly became my brother." Squall took a deep breath. "I never regarded you as anything else, Seifer. To me, you were my true blood brother."
"But he isn't." Ultimecia narrowed her eyes. "He cannot inherit the throne, and the people knows it. So why should I ignore the legacy?"
Seifer had been listening. Some time during the explanation, a surge of different emotions had coursed through him - anger, hate; even relief. So he wasn't a blue blood. Maybe he had felt it, maybe it showed.
So the voices he had been hearing in his dreams; the faces without a name... they were from his subconscious memory. He remembered, but they were lost, lost.
King Loire was silent after this announcement. But eventually he had to say something. And he couldn't take his words back. "Very well.'
Rinoa looked at him, torn between a blush, horror and amusement.
Ultimecia was smiling, looking genuinely happy. 'Excellent! Rinoa, come dear - we have a wedding to prepare."
And she suddenly stopped, as if struck by a sudden thought. "I suppose we can't have the wedding in either Esthar or Galbadian grounds - and I can't bear this Trabian weather!"
King Loire could see where she was going. She had a point, but he didn't particularly like the idea of letting her set foot on his island.
But he had no choice.
"Then let it be known that the royal wedding will be held in Balamb Continent."
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Xu frowned as she set foot in the ruins of a village. The only village on the island. Now reduced to crumbling stones and wood. But her mission did not lie in the stones - instead she was here to find out the reason behind Empress Ultimecia's interest in the island, as to manipulate two nations in her grasp.
She surveyed the grounds. The Balamb regiment camp was a little way off to the west, near the small pier on the coast. The ruins were unguarded, but she could see several guards patrolling the island.
There is a Guardian sleeping in this island. The reason why the war was brought into play, King Loire had said. He couldn't do anything to prevent the wedding and the outcome he feared, but they could. And Xu was not about to let the wedding take place.
"There are written records, Xu," Amarant muttered as he came to meet his leader. "But the language is of the old tongue - maybe that's the reason why they weren't destroyed."
"Xu!"
Xu turned around and Amarant followed her. Zell was waving from inside the ruins of a building. "I found something," He said excitedly and showed Xu a worn leather-bound journal. The cover was faded, but some of the writing was still legible. Xu quickly flipped through the journal. She had traveled far and wide, but one thing she knew, this writing was not of this world. 'An ancient language," Xu muttered. "Can anybody read this thing?!"
Just then Zidane entered. "We didn't find anything around, but I did see some kind of a cave - what's with the long face?" He blinked at Xu, who impatiently tossed the book to him and proceeded to leave the ruins. "We have to keep searching! There must be something around here!"
Zidane frowned as he looked through the book. A moment later his eyes widened. "Xu!!!"
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Quistis exhaled in relief as the level of the activity in the Palace finally dwindled. Her arms were aching with all the carrying she had to do, and she was ready to call it a day. Crates of different things constantly arrive in droves at the palace, and as a SeeD Knight, it was her duty to oversee the final destination of those crates. A huge wooden one filled with pickled gyashal greens had left her dizzy, and was in desperate need of a bath.
"Quisty?"
She sighed. Ever since Irvine had called her that, Rinoa was totally hooked. But it didn't make much difference - she would have called her that either way. "Yes, Princess?"
"Do you think you call help me clear my chambers? The seamstress left an awful lot of pins in the carpet." She said in a small voice. Rinoa knew Quistis was exhausted, but she needed to talk about something.
Quistis paced around the room, her face a mask of bemused curiosity. After a while she sighed wearily. "Princess, there are no pins and you know it. I've been pacing for the past ten minutes and there's nothing. Perhaps you've been imagining things?"
"Maybe..."
Quistis sighed and was about to turn around when Rinoa's hand reached out to hers. "I don't want to marry Squall." She whispered brokenly. "Quisty, can't you do anything?"
How can I do anything, she wondered. I'm a Knight. And I've lost my meaning...
Irvine had shattered the last pillar for her - the reason to continue being a Knight. She had found her answer, but at the same time, it was no longer her question anymore.
"Quisty?"
Quistis mildly shook her head and thought for a while. "My lady, I." She angrily clenched fists as she contemplated what she was about to say. She couldn't - can't do it! Hadn't she sworn to protect the princess forever?! How could she even think of abandoning her duty?! All these years. where did her Knighthood go.? Didn't it mean anything anymore now she had found her brother?
"Quistis, I'm sorry."
She blinked. She whirled around in puzzlement and was shocked to hear Rinoa in tears. "Princess! What is it?!"
"We're both forced to do this." Rinoa sobbed, covering her face in her hands. "Don't hate us for what's happening."
"Why should I hate you, princess.?" She gently hugged the girl. "It's for the good of both countries. we'll make it work - somehow."
"It's wrong." Rinoa said miserably. 'It's wrong, all wrong. I should be still thinking about my knight in shining armor - not marrying for the sake of humanity! And he's so cold and unfeeling..."
"Hush...don't talk like that about the Prince." She softly warned. "He's going to be by your side forever."
Why, she wondered when she gently closed the doors to Rinoa's chambers - why did she feel so desolate?
He's going to be by your side forever...
What is wrong with me?! She screamed silently as she slammed the door to her chamber. A sudden feeling enveloped her - the time when she first dueled with Squall... and she fell. It was the warm feel of him holding her, his heat enveloping her like a warm cloak.
I can't... she whimpered as she slid down to the floor. I can't do this... it's wrong... all wrong...
Squall!!!
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He restlessly paced the length of his chambers, thinking hard. A week. That was all the time he had left.
"Squall, you're wearing the carpet down," An amused voice chuckled from the doorway and Squall abruptly stopped his pacing. "What are you doing here?" He growled at the pony tailed Knight, who had evidently kept his carnival costumes on. "What?! I have as much as a right to be in this room as you do." He chuckled and watched as Squall continued his agitated pacing. "My, the groom's a fidgety one tonight."
Squall stopped pacing and flopped into a chair, still deep in thought. Finally, he turned to Irvine, who was examining his sniper gun. "Irvine...?"
Irvine looked up absently. But he frowned at the serious frown on his prince's face. "What's on your mind?"
Squall bit his lip and stared into the fireplace. Watched as the flames flickered and danced, and somehow, the color closely resembled something; or was it his own tortured thoughts?
"I don't want to marry her."
Irvine chuckled lightly. "I figured this was coming. You do know I can't say anything about that, do you?"
"But we do!" A new voice rang out loud and suddenly a cloaked figure jumped in through the window, taking the occupants by surprise. But not fast enough, because the barrel of Irvine's gun was pointing right at the intruder. He stood up and lowered his hood, and Irvine dropped his gun.
A young woman with shining brown hair stood proudly before them, an eye patch covering her right eye. "I am Beatrix." She said in a firm voice. "I believe we have met before, but have not been properly introduced."
"You're from Xu's Caravan." Squall noted as Beatrix bowed to him. She stood up again. "I'm not alone. Zidane and Zell are downstairs, ready to bring you to Balamb."
"Balamb?" Irvine spluttered. "What's going on?"
Beatrix was not listening. She tossed a lock of hair over her shoulder and looked haughtily at Irvine. "Xu has found something which might change the outcome of this wedding...and she has instructed us to take you there. Since I know I cannot bring you out through the front gate, I have prepared an alternative," She smiled slightly and gestured to the window. "Maybe this marriage does not need to happen."
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Balamb... why does the images of a peaceful village come to mind? Where did the fire, the pain, the unbearable stench of decay go? Where did the softly whispering breeze come from? Is this Balamb, before the war?
She awoke with a start. Her dream was so vivid... she could almost feel the breeze in her room. Wait, there was a breeze. There really was. Opening her eyes with a start, she realized her window was open - something she never does out of habit. She bolted upright and heard someone silence her. "Quiet!"
Quistis blinked. The voice was familiar. ".Dagger?"
Dagger hurried to her side and proceeded to hand Quistis her whip. "Quick, follow me! Xu is waiting!"
Not giving her a chance to be confused, Dagger ran to the window and whistled. A moment later there was a flapping of wings and Quistis was led to the window. A flying chocobo! "Hurry, we haven't time!" Dagger hissed as she pushed Quistis out of the window and leapt onto the back of the waiting chocobo.
As they flew through the early morning, Quistis couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "It's plausible for you to kidnap the princess, but me - this is ridiculous!"
"Well you're just as valuable at this moment, so hang on," Dagger answered rather grumpily. Obviously she wasn't happy about this either. "We need you now, whether you like it or not. Anyway, I can always push you off if you cause any trouble," Quistis smiled at her mischievous tone.
Squall stepped off the ship and was surprised to see Xu waiting, beside an Esthar soldier. The soldier didn't look too pleased. But he bowed to Squall. "Prince Leonhart."
"Can someone please tell me ANYTHING?!" Irvine sighed in exasperation as he stepped off the gangplank. Xu bowed to Squall. "I'm sorry to do this, but It's important we bring you here, Prince Leonhart. I was under instruction from your father - "
"The King?" Squall frowned, his anger mounting. This mystery was way to difficult for him to comprehend! "What has Father got to do with this?"
"What knights can't do, thieves can," Zidane grinned as he came up with Zell. "We're all here to save the world - yeesh," he grinned at his own heroic brag. "Seriously," Xu interrupted. "King Loire has entrusted us with this task, and we believe, we might be able to prevent Empress Ultimecia's attempt to dominate the world."
Squall noticed several skeptical faces, including his own. "What is it then?"
Xu motioned for him and Irvine to follow her. They trudged through the dense undergrowth until they came to a clearing - what was once the center of a village. Xu walked a little ahead and turned around to look at Squall. "Do you remember this place, Prince?"
Irvine was the one who finally took off his hat in awe. "This... this was the village that was eliminated during the war."
"Yes, but what you didn't know was what village," Zidane said sadly. "This was Acauld Village - the Village of the Summoners."
"Summoners? You mean people who can summon Guardians?" Squall asked in disbelief. "Do they exist?!"
"Some are still alive." Xu said. "We found a journal - written in the old language. Zidane was able to read the script, and we have uncovered the reason behind the war, and the Empress' motives to unite the two nations."
"Apparently this village was the cause behind the war." Zidane explained grimly. "The Summoners of the village have imprisoned a Guardian - a force so large that no summoner was able to control it. And this secret was passed down from generation to generation; in fact, this village was virtually non-existent."
"So tell us already," Irvine said, irritated. "How did this village become exposed to the world if it was so secretive?"
Xu was about to answer when they heard a flapping of wings, and a golden chocobo descended right in the middle of the congregation. Dagger jumped off it, looking slightly sick. "Zidane, remind me again why I hate flying chocobos?" Dagger squeaked as Quistis dismounted. She stood still, looking around. "Where are we?"
"Quistis Trepe," Xu suddenly spoke up. "You're Rinoa's SeeD Knight. Now tell us, in front of Prince Leonhart - can Rinoa summon a Guardian?"
Everyone could see the blood drain from her face. Yet she was still calm. "How... how do you know she has a Guardian?!"
"Please answer the question, Quistis." Irvine said firmly and the latter was startled. Finally she gripped her whip hard and stared off at a distant point. "Princess Heartily was born with the Guardian. Whether or not she can summon the Guardian was not explained to me. But it is my duty to guard both her and the Guardian."
Xu nodded, but Irvine wasn't satisfied. "Quistis is from the Summoner Village. So is Seifer. But why is it that the Princess has a Guardian?" That in turn made Squall frown. Quistis is from Balamb? But he thought the only survivor was...
"Not all the people in the village can summon," Zidane explained. "Certain people only do certain jobs - and Quistis is not a natural summoner. Now, on to why the Princess can summon a Guardian," He took out a worn, leather- bound book. "In this journal was mentioned, the missing child of a summoner. This event happened years before the war. Now please believe me when I say, the child was taken to Galbadia, where she grew up and eventually took to the throne - but her name did not change. And that name was passed down to her daughter when she died in childbirth." He waved the book. "This is the story of Princess Rinoa Heartilly, daughter of the late Empress Julia Heartily; the only living summoner now."
Silence greeted this little announcement as the people began to piece together the plot that was unfolding. The why, when and how things happened, and now...how they themselves fit into the bizarre string of events.
"So we need to find the sleeping Guardian before the Empress does?" Irvine guessed and Xu shrugged. "That might be it. Although I have no idea how and where to begin. That's why I called for you, Quistis."
The female Knight was frowning heavily. "I'm not a Summoner. It should be the Princess who's standing here, not me."
"The Princess is no longer a pure summoner," Zidane explained. "But you, and Prince Almasy are the direct survivors of the war - the real inhabitants of Acauld Village. Besides, the journal stated that the Guardian responds to your lineage - and right now, you're the only one we can trust."
Quistis rubbed her temples as Xu shrugged yet again. "We'll continue to search for any possible secret places, with the help of the Esthar army." She signaled with her hands and they dispersed, but for some unknown reason, Quistis realized Squall did not move. Finally she raised her head and looked at Squall wearily. "There is something you want to ask me, Prince?"
Squall studied her for a moment, not sure of what to think. He didn't know why he didn't see it before, but now that the history of the war had been explained, it made sense...in a bizarre way. "Are you related to Seifer?" He asked quietly and a slight smile played over her lips. It was a moment before she finally answered. "It's nice to know you're living well, Prince."
His restraint broke. "Why are you still standing there?! Aren't you in the least angry?! To me? To Esthar and Galbadia for destroying your home and future? Why are you with the Galbadian rule?" He was half shouting but he didn't care. All his life he had searched for the answers and now he was not going to let her leave without an explanation. As to why she saved him - and now why is this happening.
Quistis looked at his, frowning slightly, but she wasn't angry. "Revenge isn't everything." She said softly. "I only wanted to find my brother. That is all. He was taken during the war, and was separated from me for the first time in my life," She said simply, reliving the memories. "I needed to find him - to assure myself that wherever he is, he's doing fine."
She carefully tucked her whip in her belt. "Perhaps I should be thankful instead, Prince Leonhart. By saving your life, I gave myself a new one. One which I haven't regretted...yet. If this is my duty, then so be it. There's no need to be bitter."
She started to walk past him when she was stopped by the point of a gunblade pressed against her arm.
"I told you to call me Squall." He said quietly, but she could tell he had calmed down. With a smile, she pushed the blade aside and together they silently walked through the grass.
Author's note: As thing so, reviews, pretty please?
Author's note: Sorry for the late update, but I've started attending college now and can't update so frequently. But I'll always try my best, never fear! For now, please enjoy, and comments as usual! I'll try my best, so please be patient with me!
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The blood drained from their faces. Seifer was choking as he turned to King Loire. "Father...?!"
Somehow or rather, Squall too had gone white. Him? But he was the younger prince! What is the Empress getting at?!
"I see..." The Empress smiled wickedly. "So you have kept a little secret, have you, King Loire? Shame indeed..." She laughed. "You think you can keep a secret forever, but he will know, some time or other. And fate has it that he must know now." She smiled and settled into a chair. "But I have spoken the truth. And since you have agreed, there is no room to back away now, do we?"
Seifer's world was spinning. "I'm not... I'm not his son?" He whispered weakly and felt Rinoa gently touch his arm. All the sudden he felt filthy, truly filthy. 'Then who am I?! Some bastard child with a barmaid?!"
"Your mother was not a whore!' Irvine suddenly shouted furiously. "Don't you dare insult you family!"
King Loire stared, stunned at his Knight's outburst. At last, he sighed. "Maybe it's best you know now. But I myself am not sure of who you are, Seifer."
Irvine was silent for a moment. Finally he spoke. Quistis, forgive me, he thought.
"You were a child we found after the Balamb War. But actually, you were not found - Squall was looking for you. Because during the war, we had met you once, and."
Squall's eyes were hooded. "Your sister saved my life." He said hoarsely. "She died while saving me. I couldn't forgive myself - and I didn't understand. Why did she die to save me? Was my life so meaningful that it had to be prolonged on a borrowed life?"
Quistis drew a sharp breath. Memories began to flood her, until her body began to tremble in suppressed emotion. But Irvine gently squeezed her hand, willing her to be silent. This is the truth. Perhaps it will be best if everybody knew - why the past resurfaces in the present. Perhaps it will be best for the future.
"I asked Father to take you with us. You were very ill, and when you woke up, you couldn't remember a thing. Not even your name. But you truly became my brother." Squall took a deep breath. "I never regarded you as anything else, Seifer. To me, you were my true blood brother."
"But he isn't." Ultimecia narrowed her eyes. "He cannot inherit the throne, and the people knows it. So why should I ignore the legacy?"
Seifer had been listening. Some time during the explanation, a surge of different emotions had coursed through him - anger, hate; even relief. So he wasn't a blue blood. Maybe he had felt it, maybe it showed.
So the voices he had been hearing in his dreams; the faces without a name... they were from his subconscious memory. He remembered, but they were lost, lost.
King Loire was silent after this announcement. But eventually he had to say something. And he couldn't take his words back. "Very well.'
Rinoa looked at him, torn between a blush, horror and amusement.
Ultimecia was smiling, looking genuinely happy. 'Excellent! Rinoa, come dear - we have a wedding to prepare."
And she suddenly stopped, as if struck by a sudden thought. "I suppose we can't have the wedding in either Esthar or Galbadian grounds - and I can't bear this Trabian weather!"
King Loire could see where she was going. She had a point, but he didn't particularly like the idea of letting her set foot on his island.
But he had no choice.
"Then let it be known that the royal wedding will be held in Balamb Continent."
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Xu frowned as she set foot in the ruins of a village. The only village on the island. Now reduced to crumbling stones and wood. But her mission did not lie in the stones - instead she was here to find out the reason behind Empress Ultimecia's interest in the island, as to manipulate two nations in her grasp.
She surveyed the grounds. The Balamb regiment camp was a little way off to the west, near the small pier on the coast. The ruins were unguarded, but she could see several guards patrolling the island.
There is a Guardian sleeping in this island. The reason why the war was brought into play, King Loire had said. He couldn't do anything to prevent the wedding and the outcome he feared, but they could. And Xu was not about to let the wedding take place.
"There are written records, Xu," Amarant muttered as he came to meet his leader. "But the language is of the old tongue - maybe that's the reason why they weren't destroyed."
"Xu!"
Xu turned around and Amarant followed her. Zell was waving from inside the ruins of a building. "I found something," He said excitedly and showed Xu a worn leather-bound journal. The cover was faded, but some of the writing was still legible. Xu quickly flipped through the journal. She had traveled far and wide, but one thing she knew, this writing was not of this world. 'An ancient language," Xu muttered. "Can anybody read this thing?!"
Just then Zidane entered. "We didn't find anything around, but I did see some kind of a cave - what's with the long face?" He blinked at Xu, who impatiently tossed the book to him and proceeded to leave the ruins. "We have to keep searching! There must be something around here!"
Zidane frowned as he looked through the book. A moment later his eyes widened. "Xu!!!"
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Quistis exhaled in relief as the level of the activity in the Palace finally dwindled. Her arms were aching with all the carrying she had to do, and she was ready to call it a day. Crates of different things constantly arrive in droves at the palace, and as a SeeD Knight, it was her duty to oversee the final destination of those crates. A huge wooden one filled with pickled gyashal greens had left her dizzy, and was in desperate need of a bath.
"Quisty?"
She sighed. Ever since Irvine had called her that, Rinoa was totally hooked. But it didn't make much difference - she would have called her that either way. "Yes, Princess?"
"Do you think you call help me clear my chambers? The seamstress left an awful lot of pins in the carpet." She said in a small voice. Rinoa knew Quistis was exhausted, but she needed to talk about something.
Quistis paced around the room, her face a mask of bemused curiosity. After a while she sighed wearily. "Princess, there are no pins and you know it. I've been pacing for the past ten minutes and there's nothing. Perhaps you've been imagining things?"
"Maybe..."
Quistis sighed and was about to turn around when Rinoa's hand reached out to hers. "I don't want to marry Squall." She whispered brokenly. "Quisty, can't you do anything?"
How can I do anything, she wondered. I'm a Knight. And I've lost my meaning...
Irvine had shattered the last pillar for her - the reason to continue being a Knight. She had found her answer, but at the same time, it was no longer her question anymore.
"Quisty?"
Quistis mildly shook her head and thought for a while. "My lady, I." She angrily clenched fists as she contemplated what she was about to say. She couldn't - can't do it! Hadn't she sworn to protect the princess forever?! How could she even think of abandoning her duty?! All these years. where did her Knighthood go.? Didn't it mean anything anymore now she had found her brother?
"Quistis, I'm sorry."
She blinked. She whirled around in puzzlement and was shocked to hear Rinoa in tears. "Princess! What is it?!"
"We're both forced to do this." Rinoa sobbed, covering her face in her hands. "Don't hate us for what's happening."
"Why should I hate you, princess.?" She gently hugged the girl. "It's for the good of both countries. we'll make it work - somehow."
"It's wrong." Rinoa said miserably. 'It's wrong, all wrong. I should be still thinking about my knight in shining armor - not marrying for the sake of humanity! And he's so cold and unfeeling..."
"Hush...don't talk like that about the Prince." She softly warned. "He's going to be by your side forever."
Why, she wondered when she gently closed the doors to Rinoa's chambers - why did she feel so desolate?
He's going to be by your side forever...
What is wrong with me?! She screamed silently as she slammed the door to her chamber. A sudden feeling enveloped her - the time when she first dueled with Squall... and she fell. It was the warm feel of him holding her, his heat enveloping her like a warm cloak.
I can't... she whimpered as she slid down to the floor. I can't do this... it's wrong... all wrong...
Squall!!!
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He restlessly paced the length of his chambers, thinking hard. A week. That was all the time he had left.
"Squall, you're wearing the carpet down," An amused voice chuckled from the doorway and Squall abruptly stopped his pacing. "What are you doing here?" He growled at the pony tailed Knight, who had evidently kept his carnival costumes on. "What?! I have as much as a right to be in this room as you do." He chuckled and watched as Squall continued his agitated pacing. "My, the groom's a fidgety one tonight."
Squall stopped pacing and flopped into a chair, still deep in thought. Finally, he turned to Irvine, who was examining his sniper gun. "Irvine...?"
Irvine looked up absently. But he frowned at the serious frown on his prince's face. "What's on your mind?"
Squall bit his lip and stared into the fireplace. Watched as the flames flickered and danced, and somehow, the color closely resembled something; or was it his own tortured thoughts?
"I don't want to marry her."
Irvine chuckled lightly. "I figured this was coming. You do know I can't say anything about that, do you?"
"But we do!" A new voice rang out loud and suddenly a cloaked figure jumped in through the window, taking the occupants by surprise. But not fast enough, because the barrel of Irvine's gun was pointing right at the intruder. He stood up and lowered his hood, and Irvine dropped his gun.
A young woman with shining brown hair stood proudly before them, an eye patch covering her right eye. "I am Beatrix." She said in a firm voice. "I believe we have met before, but have not been properly introduced."
"You're from Xu's Caravan." Squall noted as Beatrix bowed to him. She stood up again. "I'm not alone. Zidane and Zell are downstairs, ready to bring you to Balamb."
"Balamb?" Irvine spluttered. "What's going on?"
Beatrix was not listening. She tossed a lock of hair over her shoulder and looked haughtily at Irvine. "Xu has found something which might change the outcome of this wedding...and she has instructed us to take you there. Since I know I cannot bring you out through the front gate, I have prepared an alternative," She smiled slightly and gestured to the window. "Maybe this marriage does not need to happen."
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Balamb... why does the images of a peaceful village come to mind? Where did the fire, the pain, the unbearable stench of decay go? Where did the softly whispering breeze come from? Is this Balamb, before the war?
She awoke with a start. Her dream was so vivid... she could almost feel the breeze in her room. Wait, there was a breeze. There really was. Opening her eyes with a start, she realized her window was open - something she never does out of habit. She bolted upright and heard someone silence her. "Quiet!"
Quistis blinked. The voice was familiar. ".Dagger?"
Dagger hurried to her side and proceeded to hand Quistis her whip. "Quick, follow me! Xu is waiting!"
Not giving her a chance to be confused, Dagger ran to the window and whistled. A moment later there was a flapping of wings and Quistis was led to the window. A flying chocobo! "Hurry, we haven't time!" Dagger hissed as she pushed Quistis out of the window and leapt onto the back of the waiting chocobo.
As they flew through the early morning, Quistis couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "It's plausible for you to kidnap the princess, but me - this is ridiculous!"
"Well you're just as valuable at this moment, so hang on," Dagger answered rather grumpily. Obviously she wasn't happy about this either. "We need you now, whether you like it or not. Anyway, I can always push you off if you cause any trouble," Quistis smiled at her mischievous tone.
Squall stepped off the ship and was surprised to see Xu waiting, beside an Esthar soldier. The soldier didn't look too pleased. But he bowed to Squall. "Prince Leonhart."
"Can someone please tell me ANYTHING?!" Irvine sighed in exasperation as he stepped off the gangplank. Xu bowed to Squall. "I'm sorry to do this, but It's important we bring you here, Prince Leonhart. I was under instruction from your father - "
"The King?" Squall frowned, his anger mounting. This mystery was way to difficult for him to comprehend! "What has Father got to do with this?"
"What knights can't do, thieves can," Zidane grinned as he came up with Zell. "We're all here to save the world - yeesh," he grinned at his own heroic brag. "Seriously," Xu interrupted. "King Loire has entrusted us with this task, and we believe, we might be able to prevent Empress Ultimecia's attempt to dominate the world."
Squall noticed several skeptical faces, including his own. "What is it then?"
Xu motioned for him and Irvine to follow her. They trudged through the dense undergrowth until they came to a clearing - what was once the center of a village. Xu walked a little ahead and turned around to look at Squall. "Do you remember this place, Prince?"
Irvine was the one who finally took off his hat in awe. "This... this was the village that was eliminated during the war."
"Yes, but what you didn't know was what village," Zidane said sadly. "This was Acauld Village - the Village of the Summoners."
"Summoners? You mean people who can summon Guardians?" Squall asked in disbelief. "Do they exist?!"
"Some are still alive." Xu said. "We found a journal - written in the old language. Zidane was able to read the script, and we have uncovered the reason behind the war, and the Empress' motives to unite the two nations."
"Apparently this village was the cause behind the war." Zidane explained grimly. "The Summoners of the village have imprisoned a Guardian - a force so large that no summoner was able to control it. And this secret was passed down from generation to generation; in fact, this village was virtually non-existent."
"So tell us already," Irvine said, irritated. "How did this village become exposed to the world if it was so secretive?"
Xu was about to answer when they heard a flapping of wings, and a golden chocobo descended right in the middle of the congregation. Dagger jumped off it, looking slightly sick. "Zidane, remind me again why I hate flying chocobos?" Dagger squeaked as Quistis dismounted. She stood still, looking around. "Where are we?"
"Quistis Trepe," Xu suddenly spoke up. "You're Rinoa's SeeD Knight. Now tell us, in front of Prince Leonhart - can Rinoa summon a Guardian?"
Everyone could see the blood drain from her face. Yet she was still calm. "How... how do you know she has a Guardian?!"
"Please answer the question, Quistis." Irvine said firmly and the latter was startled. Finally she gripped her whip hard and stared off at a distant point. "Princess Heartily was born with the Guardian. Whether or not she can summon the Guardian was not explained to me. But it is my duty to guard both her and the Guardian."
Xu nodded, but Irvine wasn't satisfied. "Quistis is from the Summoner Village. So is Seifer. But why is it that the Princess has a Guardian?" That in turn made Squall frown. Quistis is from Balamb? But he thought the only survivor was...
"Not all the people in the village can summon," Zidane explained. "Certain people only do certain jobs - and Quistis is not a natural summoner. Now, on to why the Princess can summon a Guardian," He took out a worn, leather- bound book. "In this journal was mentioned, the missing child of a summoner. This event happened years before the war. Now please believe me when I say, the child was taken to Galbadia, where she grew up and eventually took to the throne - but her name did not change. And that name was passed down to her daughter when she died in childbirth." He waved the book. "This is the story of Princess Rinoa Heartilly, daughter of the late Empress Julia Heartily; the only living summoner now."
Silence greeted this little announcement as the people began to piece together the plot that was unfolding. The why, when and how things happened, and now...how they themselves fit into the bizarre string of events.
"So we need to find the sleeping Guardian before the Empress does?" Irvine guessed and Xu shrugged. "That might be it. Although I have no idea how and where to begin. That's why I called for you, Quistis."
The female Knight was frowning heavily. "I'm not a Summoner. It should be the Princess who's standing here, not me."
"The Princess is no longer a pure summoner," Zidane explained. "But you, and Prince Almasy are the direct survivors of the war - the real inhabitants of Acauld Village. Besides, the journal stated that the Guardian responds to your lineage - and right now, you're the only one we can trust."
Quistis rubbed her temples as Xu shrugged yet again. "We'll continue to search for any possible secret places, with the help of the Esthar army." She signaled with her hands and they dispersed, but for some unknown reason, Quistis realized Squall did not move. Finally she raised her head and looked at Squall wearily. "There is something you want to ask me, Prince?"
Squall studied her for a moment, not sure of what to think. He didn't know why he didn't see it before, but now that the history of the war had been explained, it made sense...in a bizarre way. "Are you related to Seifer?" He asked quietly and a slight smile played over her lips. It was a moment before she finally answered. "It's nice to know you're living well, Prince."
His restraint broke. "Why are you still standing there?! Aren't you in the least angry?! To me? To Esthar and Galbadia for destroying your home and future? Why are you with the Galbadian rule?" He was half shouting but he didn't care. All his life he had searched for the answers and now he was not going to let her leave without an explanation. As to why she saved him - and now why is this happening.
Quistis looked at his, frowning slightly, but she wasn't angry. "Revenge isn't everything." She said softly. "I only wanted to find my brother. That is all. He was taken during the war, and was separated from me for the first time in my life," She said simply, reliving the memories. "I needed to find him - to assure myself that wherever he is, he's doing fine."
She carefully tucked her whip in her belt. "Perhaps I should be thankful instead, Prince Leonhart. By saving your life, I gave myself a new one. One which I haven't regretted...yet. If this is my duty, then so be it. There's no need to be bitter."
She started to walk past him when she was stopped by the point of a gunblade pressed against her arm.
"I told you to call me Squall." He said quietly, but she could tell he had calmed down. With a smile, she pushed the blade aside and together they silently walked through the grass.
Author's note: As thing so, reviews, pretty please?
