THIS CHAPTER::: Squall is sent out with Quistis to the 'Fire Cavern' in order to complete his prerequisite for the final. Rinoa, back at Garden decides to go for a walk out on the plains but instead finds a mysterious women on a high hill. Now on with the show!
NOTE: CHAPTER TITLE CHANGE AND SUMMARY CHANGE!!!
A/N: There is very little use of GFs in this story!!!!!!!!!!!
~ Chapter TWO: Chasm: Follow The Forbidden Song ~
************************************
You are here alone again
In your sweet insanity
All too calm, you hide yourself from reality
Do you call it solitude? Do you call it liberty?
When all the world turns away to leave you lonely
The fields are filled with desires
All voices crying for freedom
But all in vain they will fade away
There's only you to answer you, forever
-Yuki Kajiura, The World
Squall awoke with a stretch and a yawn as the sunlight beamed down on him from the now open curtains. He sighed in a happy state as his arm moved towards the area where Rinoa was supposed to be lying. He moved his arm past the place easily as no one was there. He opened his eyes and looked to the area where he found no one, just as suspected. He sighed in annoyance this time and shoved his head deep into her pillows.
He was about grab rest his hand on his forehead until he a post-it-note on his forehead, stuck there ever so perfectly. He snatched it off and read it.
'Good morning Squall!
Hope you're not mad that I left.... so before you freak on me, let me explain. I woke up at midnight, because I remembered I still hadn't completed that stupid paper. I finished it with a strange ease. Then I went back to sleep. I woke up at 6 am to get ready for class, I didn't disturb 'cause you looked so cute. I grabbed your paper from your room (I stole your keys... tee hee) and here I am! I'm going to class now... I'll tell Quistis you still aren't feeling very well. I'll turn in your paper as well. Remember though... your prerequisite is at 4 pm! Don't miss it!
Love you,
Your Girlfriend/Rinoa'
He sighed, crumpled the note and tossed it on the floor. He was furious at her, but secretly thanked her. Why was he furious? He didn't want to miss class. What if they had important notes? Squall shrugged it off and looked at the clock, it read 10 am. He rolled over in the bed and fell back to sleep, still inhaling Rinoa's sweet smell from her pillow.
*
Rinoa raced up the steps of Garden. She had figured the elevator was far to slow for her liking. She was going to be late for Quistis's class, again! She was always late on important project dates for some bizarre reason. She jumped over a few steps here and there along the way to her destination. The stair well was basically vacant, much to the liking of Rinoa who looked like some kind of professional stair climber.
She finally reached the top floor of Garden where the classrooms lied. She ran down the hall, even though her legs burned like the fire of a thousand suns. Her books were being carried by her hands as they pressed tightly to her chest. Her little pig tails she had done in a rush this morning bounced along with her run.
She finally reached the room, threw open the door and bolted inside. She sighed with relief just as the bell rang. She walked casually to her seat, trying to ignore her heavy breathing and the sweat pouring down her face.
"All right class!" Quistis began. "Please pass your papers forward!" She commanded. There was a rustle of papers throughout the class. Rinoa opened her binder which had been practically attached to her chest this whole time. She picked out her and Squall's papers but passed hers forward only. She got up out of her seat and handed Squall's to Quistis directly. "Squalls?" She questioned.
"Yeah... he's not here this moment. He wasn't feeling to well when he woke up." Rinoa explained with a light smile. Quistis nodded in understanding and placed the paper on her desk. She went around and picked up each rows papers and placed them on her desk as well.
"Class... before we begin. I'd like to go over one crucial rule here at Garden that we seemed to have forgotten." Quistis began with a stern voice, looking directly to Seifer who sat cockily in his seat. "Remember, when 'training' with one another, there must be no bodily harm done to the other person! And, when sparring with one another, you need teacher approval." She told them, looking over each individually, mainly focusing on Seifer. "Well... with that out of the way... let's begin!" She said with an enthusiastic look.
The class finally ended and Rinoa was glad to be free from the hell prison. She walked out of the class and looked down to her watch. 'Class got out early tod-' Her thoughts were cut off when she smacked into someone, hard. She looked up to find that a much smaller girl had fallen down from their crash just seconds ago.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" Rinoa apologized whole heartedly as she helped the other girl get up.
"Oh no! It's alright. Nothing was broken... I'm fine!" The girl explained with a smile and a sweet voice. "My name's Selphie. What's yours?" The girl, Selphie, asked.
"Rinoa." Rinoa answered.
"I'm a transfer student from Trabia Garden." She said with a little smile. Rinoa looked her over. She was wearing a standard Garden outfit and her hair was curly and brown.
"Nice to meet you." Rinoa said with a smile as she shook her hand. "Allow me to show you around!" Rinoa offered very helpfully.
"Oh no! I'd be wasting to much of your time." Selphie told her with a tiny shake of her hand.
"Nonsense!" Rinoa proclaimed. "I've got nowhere to go!" She insisted.
"Well... are you sure?" Selphie asked, making sure.
"Yes! Now come on." Rinoa commanded, slightly frustrated.
"... and this is the Cafeteria!" Rinoa exclaimed proudly, as if it was her child. Selphie looked past Rinoa and found it to be a mess of students chatting quite loudly. She walked in a bit and Rinoa followed her until something caught her eye. Rinoa quickly stepped in front of her, shielding her from whatever it was.
"What?" Selphie asked. Rinoa pointed trio of people, one with an eye patch, one with practically no shirt, and another with a long, gray coat. "Who are they?" She asked, looking them over a bit.
"I call them fucktarts." Rinoa whispered into her ear. Selphie nodded, but gave her a weird look regardless. "But... the one with the eye patch is Fuijin, the one with the no shirt is Raijin, and the one with trench coat is Seifer. Don't go near him." Rinoa warned cautiously. "Now... act natural as we pass by them. I want you to meet some people." Rinoa told her. Selphie nodded in understanding and they began to walk along, trying to act casual. Their steps were awkward and clumsy and their hand movements were not the least bit natural.
"Hello there Rinoa!" A husky voice called. Rinoa cursed silently, but mouthed it quite explicitly. She turned and found Seifer with a big dumb grin on his face.
"What?" She asked rudely. He walked towards her with an odd strut. She crossed her arms sourly.
"Hey baby... what's with the attitude?" He asked grabbing her hands and putting them strangely close to his crotch area. She snatched her hands away and smacked him. "... anyways... Who's the new girl? She's hot." Seifer said, recovering quickly from the smack.
"She's not new!" Rinoa exclaimed, she kicked Selphie lightly and discreetly in the leg.
"Yeah. I've been here awhile!" Selphie told him, backing up Rinoa's lie.
"Bull shit." Seifer yelled, calling their bluff. Rinoa diverted her eyes.
"Just piss off." Rinoa commanded. She backed away from him and spit on his shoe. She turned around with a whirl and so did Selphie, following her example.
*
Squall placed his standard Garden jacket on over his white t-shirt and headed out the door. He walked down the dormitory halls, avoiding the occasional 'hi Squall' and 'Good luck Squall!'. He hated being talked to. Well... there WAS one exception.
"GODDAMIT SQUALL!! LISTEN TO ME!!!" A voice screamed from behind him and right in his ear. He cupped his hand over his ear, turned around and was about to scream right back at the person until he noticed who it was, Rinoa, with someone behind her.
"WHAT!?!?" He screamed back, just as loud, even though he didn't want to. The students around them looked at them curiously.
"I've been calling you for the past minute! You wouldn't answer!" She scolded as she pointed a threatening finger at him. He swatted it out of the way. She glared at him, but went on. "This is Selphie." She said as she pushed Selphie in front of her and to him.
"Hello! I'm Selphie Tilmitt. And you are?" She greeted in a very friendly manner, extending her hand, ready for a hardy shake. She got nothing of the sort. She stared at him for awhile and he just stared right back.
"He doesn't talk much." Rinoa whispered into her ear, Selphie nodded in agreement.
"I'm going." Squall told them and he turned and continued on to his destination. Rinoa sighed in annoyance, but didn't chase after him.
"Don't take it personally." Rinoa told her.
"I wasn't planning on it." Selphie said with a little giggle.
"Good... because he can get to you like that." Rinoa warned. "Now I'll show my dorm! It's so cool! I love it..."
*
Quistis tapped her foot impatiently on the cement that was outside the Garden halls. The sun was blazing down and she was thankful for choosing to wear a spaghetti strap shirt and short-shorts. The wind was of a fair knot which cooled the day considerably.
She sighed and looked to her watch... thirty minutes late he was. She was just about to give up when Squall appeared from the staircase. She began to walk for him, meeting him half way. She looked him over. She was truly amazed that he was wearing all those clothes.
"I can't believe you're wearing all that!" Quistis exclaimed in surprise.
"I can't believe that's all you're wearing." Squall said in a mocking tone. Quistis glared at him.
'He must be so hot underneath those clothes... I wonder if I ripped all of his clothes off he would-' Quistis stopped herself mid thought. '... you're perverse...' She told herself as she turned from him.
"Lets go." She commanded.
"Good. I wanna get this stupid thing done." Squall told her in a disgusted sounding tone.
"We will..." Quistis said, trailing her sentence off. "Don't get your nuts in a twist..." She whispered as they headed out for the Fire Cavern.
*
Rinoa entered her room, alone. Selphie had gone back to her dorm after realizing she still needed to put up Garden's website as promised. Being honest, Rinoa was thankful. Not because Selphie was an annoying person, it was just that she was afraid Squall was naked in here or something.
"Squall?" She called out as she closed the door behind her. The open blinds let the fair daylight in, casting plenty of light through the room. "Oh Squally-Squall!" She called once more in a cuter fashion, knowing that would get him out if he was hiding. No one came. She sighed and threw herself into her bed, tired from nothing. She looked at the clock and realized that it was already 4:38 pm. Squall was going on his prerequisite piece-o-shit thing.
She looked around her room, checking to see if there was any of Squall's things lying about. There was... his beautiful, yet demonic looking, necklace. She walked to the desk, where it lied and picked it up in steady hands, pocketed it and left to find Squall out on the plains of Balamb.
*
"All right..." Quistis began as they entered the fire cavern. "We've got thirty minutes to complete this. So let's get crackin'!" Quistis prompted. Squall nodded in agreement and they both ran down the narrow path of melted rock. Lava, looking like the pit of hell, surrounded them. The walls were red and looked like plastic had been placed in a microwave for a bit to long.
As they ran, a bomb jumped out from in front of them and one behind them. Quistis was the lead through the dungeon so she took the head one while Squall took the one behind them. Quistis whipped it into two clean pieces and it fell to the ground, dead.
"I'm done." Quistis proclaimed.
"So am I." Squall told her. Quistis looked beyond him to find the mangled body of the bomb.
"Then... lets continue!" Quistis said proudly, not trying to act too impressed. They continued on in silence, slowing themselves down to a jog do to the extreme heat. Squall's brow was like a water fall, it gushed with sweat, after all he was wearing his heavy Garden jacket and carrying his extremely heavy gunblade around.
After a few minutes they came to an area where the path was unimaginably narrow and below was nothing, darkness.
"Holy shit..." Quistis whispered in amazement as she backed away from the forbidding chasm of doom.
"C'mon!" Squall complained as he pushed her slightly, making her stumble forward a little bit forward.
"Don't rush me!" Quistis demanded as she turned to him with a cross look. 'I don't remember this being here last time...' She noted, remembering last time it was just like any other normal part of the cavern.
"What are you doing?" Squall asked annoyed from behind her. She turned to see him, his arms folded across his chest, looking annoyed.
"Just... thinking." She confessed in a light voice, she turned back to the chasm. She moved to it, cautiously and poked her foot on the natural bridge, making sure it was sturdy. She poked harder, nothing happened. Feeling comfortable she took a deep breath and crossed. She wobbled a bit as she crossed, only adding to the terror. She rose her arms lightly which made the cross easier. She finally made it across and sighed a breath of relief.
Squall looked to the bridge, then walked across. Casual his walk was, like crossing the street to get a post box. Quistis rolled her eyes and sighed in disgust.
"You want to make me look like a total freak, don't you?" Quistis asked him, mad as her hands rested on her hips. His eyes weren't on hers, they were looking beyond her. She turned around to see what he was looking at... it was a whole row of chasms like that! "I'm gonna die..." Quistis cried as she moved onto the next one, trying to be bold.
*
Rinoa walked out onto the plains, her pinwheel ready to deal some damage just in case. She held the necklace tighter in her hand as her eyes wandered throughout the plains of Balamb, looking for Squall. The wind was strong as it swept through the plains causing the grass to sway and the bushes to dance.
"Fire Cavern..." She thought aloud, trying to remember where it was. She had just taken the prerequisite last week, and they all went by car and those dumb Garden cars have no windows for some bizarre reason so she couldn't quite see where she was. "If I was a Fire Cavern, where would I be?" She asked, pondering as she tapped her finger to her chin lightly. She pulled out her compass, she was facing north, which was towards the sea. "West is where Fire would hide." She finally proclaimed. She headed in the western direction until an odd singing voice caught her in its harmonious tone. It remained on one note, and one note alone. She stopped dead in her tracks, and she began to scan for the source of the sound. "What... what is that?" She asked no one, sounding almost hypnotic.
The voice rang up higher and to a different note. It came from the left of Rinoa. She swung her head in the direction and walked in that direction. Curiosity eating her from the inside, she picked up her pace. She traveled over a large hill, and walked down the other side to find the source of the singing. There was a girl in a light blue top, a black skirt and a shawl that hung loosely in her arms. Her shoulder length brown hair played with the wind. Her back was turned as Rinoa was not able to get a good look of her. Rinoa stepped forward a bit and the girl in blue turned around to face her, stopping her song. Her eyes were sunk and a smile was decorated on her face, it was almost as if she was hypnotized into a singing trance or something.
"Excuse me... what are you doing up there? Are you lost?" Rinoa asked, generally concerned as she advanced forward with ever so tiny steps. The girl in blue just stood on top of the hill and looked down upon her. The women inhaled deeply and a powerful, low song note blasted out. It wasn't painful, but annoying as it felt almost like a tune up.
Rinoa's hands began to shake as the sound continued which caused her to drop Squall's necklace to the ground. Her arms also began to shake lightly. She pulled them close to her face.
"What's going on?" Rinoa asked in a very worried tone. Her knees suddenly buckled beneath her and she fainted onto the green hill side, Squall's necklace splayed near her on the hill...
*
"Second to last one!" Quistis exclaimed excitedly as she ran across it, brave as ever. Once again, Squall took his time, hands in his pockets and crossed casually. "We're almost there." Quistis stated, pointing to the large pit, full of bubbling magma.
"Finally." Squall exclaimed, annoyed at the amount of time they had wasted crossing all those damn natural bridges. "How much time is left?" He asked, walking past Quistis, wanting to cross the next bridge first.
"There's ten minutes left. I'm sorry I slowed you down." Quistis apologized as she waited for him to cross.
'You should be sorry...' Squall thought sternly. He wish he could smack her and say hurry the fuck up... but he couldn't do that.
"Hurry up." He commanded as he finished crossing. She ran across, and just as she got to the side, the bridge beneath her broke and she fell. A strong hand grabbed onto hers and began to lift her up. She helped him by helping herself up along the way. When she reached the top, she embraced Squall.
"OH THANK YOU!" Quistis cried, almost in tears. "I could have died!" She said, hugging him tighter. He pushed her off of him quickly and stood.
"Look, I just did what I had to. I'm going to pass this!" He exclaimed. "I need you alive to pass." He reminded her as he walked for the bubbling pool of magma.
"Oh..." Quistis whispered under her breath as she stood and followed Squall. They stepped to the area surrounding the pool and from that pool, a large quantity of dripping magma emerged.
"I am pleased you have made it here... Your strength, skill and heart must be prime." A voice noted. The voice was deep and everywhere. "You shall need of my powers. I sense a disturbance in time and sound. A great moment of awakening? A world ending? A dream coming? Or... more important?" The voice continued to question. Squall and Quistis stared on at the blob of magma with attentive ears. "Here. I grant you my power oh blade wielder." The voice said. A bright red light grew on Squall's hand, and then faded. "The power of Fire and this Hell of natural causes is yours. Be wary of power." The voice told him, the magma blob sank back into the smoldering pit and the lava in the cavern froze over. "I shall give you 20 minutes to leave my cave with it solidified. No longer will you need a path. The once dark chasms are now filled with frozen lava. Good luck on your travels. I shall see you one day later." The voice said, and disappeared into the vastness of silence.
They exited the cave, the Garden officials outside staring at them. As the sun drenched their bodies, they covered their eyes with their hands in a lame attempt to rid the sun.
"Congratulations." One of them said. Squall nodded and saluted them proudly as did Quistis. The officials nodded them away and they did so to head back for Garden.
*
Rinoa picked herself up from the green hill side, thoughts running through her head. To many to fast. She placed a shaking hand to her head. Her hand this time, was from pure shock. The weather was still sunny, windy and peaceful. She flicked her head up to see if the strange women was still there, but she was not. She was gone from her position atop the hill. Rinoa let her head droop back down so she was staring at the grass.
"Raine..." She whispered delicately, recalling what memories she had of her dream. She looked around, a bit more conscious now and found Squall's necklace lying on the ground. "Oh shit!" She yelled, grabbing it hastily and run back towards Garden with it, figuring that Squall was done by now. She continued to run back to Garden, which was in plain view until something white next to her caught her eye. She stopped and looked to it. It was a shawl... a white shawl...
*********
A/n: Gooddoomit! Fanfiction.net won't let these REALLY good reviews get posted! Piece-o-poopy! ... they were so nice too! They were all like this story is so good and I was all like blushing... n'junk n'stuff... and they said my writing was good as well! Wow! I'm so happy! FF.net just hates me I guess.
And to CelestSpring... thank you for the constructive criticism! You know... it being my first and all. And yet I just can't seem to continue the those scenes, dammit... but that's just how I connect things together (even though they could be a bit meatier... I'll work on that). Oh! And the battle scene... I can't write battle scenes worth shit, so I fill in the time with them yelling at each other. And I wanted to show Seifer as I total psycho, and yes, there are motives... ^ _ ^.
P.S. Don't expect the same your story you got during the game... a much different one in fact. Things change... like the whole outer space thing. It's planned in but it's changed beyond belief.... MWHAHA!! And don't worry... I don't favor any particular character. Remember, for future reference, they both do bad deeds.
