Seas of Turmoil
By
Squall Morpheus Leonhart

Captain's log,

I know that I written in here this morning but I have to write this down now. We reached the forest with an hour to spare before sunset, more then enough for us to set camp. Being discreet, we built a fire, a small fire that won't have the much smoke rising after reaching the treetops. I was pretty sure that our stalkers had managed to follow us into the forest but I don't know how far in they are.

All I can think of is the mission and only the mission, not our pursuers. If we don't get to the lighthouse in time, I fear that…we would be too late… I can't think of the consequences of that now. It would only serve to bring me dark thoughts. Even now at this late hour, I cannot rest before we head out again at midnight. All I can think of is the mission. We have to get there quickly and Ellie must be with us.

This isn't some ordinary mission; it's a life and death situation. We have to save lives from the grasps of death. I may not have been able to save others who died in my arms before but I wish to save the ones who still have their lives before them. Writing is the only thing that soothes me and I write.

I feel helpless right now. I wished for one second that I was not an Ocean SeeD or Sea Turmoil but just plain Leon, sailor from the coasts of isolated Winhill. Yet that is a time that I can no longer think of. I am not Leon; I am Captain Leon of the Ocean SeeDs. I am a SeeD.

Leon placed the black leather bound book onto the ground before pushing himself back off the ground with ease. It was time for them to move on, yet his nerves were still not calmed as were his dark thoughts still ran through his head. He sighed as he leaned down at his companions, he smiled. Even during these dark times, they can still rest peacefully but for how long? "Time to get up, we have a mission to perform and stalkers to lose…"

Ellie turned over and stared at her brother in the eyes, she nodded and pulled aside to help rouse Kina. Once everyone was awake, they mounted their chocobos and galloped along the coast in much haste unaware that their stalkers were only at the edge of the forest closest to the midland. Yet the sounds of their chocobos roused the patient stalkers from their task of waiting.

Steffen heard them, the chocobos that Ian had said they had. It was crisp among the midnight air and only half of their group was with them, Rachel and Richard. Sara and Zack had some trouble in the rocky mountain cliffs and were momentarily about five leagues away. Yet the choice stood before them, to go after the fugitives or stay and risk losing their "prey."

He turned his head to his comrades and stated, "Ian, you and Richard stay here and wait for the others. Rachel, you're with me." They nodded and Steffen reined his chocobo and dashed toward the dying sounds of chocobos.

He raced after them with thunderous noise and Rachel behind them. He brandished Hyperion and sped faster toward his "prey." He knew that Rachel could keep up with him, no sweat. He didn't worry about being slowed down and Rachel knew that he couldn't burden himself with her. She knew his reasons of taking this mission. With brave hearts, they dashed after the acclaimed Sea Turmoils.

Leon hoped that he didn't imagine that. That it was all his imagination. That the beats of Chocobos were only sounds in the wind but he knew that was not so. He halted his chocobo and yelled to the to the others, "Go, I'll slow them down!" He turned around and sent a prayer to the wind.

He sped in the opposite direction of the others, hoping to be able to stop the pursuit before his crew reached the lighthouse. He took out Lionheart and raised it a high. With a heavy heart, he dashed into the forest before him and searched for his stalkers.

Then he saw them on top gold chocobos, two of them. Quickly he raised an ice wall in their path, several of them. The ploy was supposed to stop them long enough for Leon to set another trap and it worked. He moved Thunder about two leagues behind the ice wall to make another trap, this time a pit hole, several of them deep in the ground. He used a mist to cover them before he stormed back to the others, careful to make the fog extra thick with his guardian's blessing.

Steffen halted just in time to avoid crushing in the wall. He groaned in exasperation, this no good. Surely they would lose their hunt. As Rachel reached his side, Steffen was already casting a Firaga spell to make a hole in the wall but as one wall melted, another stood in its place. He soon melted that and impatience grew within him. He had a feeling that there were more traps by the elusive Captain.

With a knowing look, he turned to Rachel and both casted Aero. They floated above the ground and Rachel placed a scan of them both to see through the fog. Soon enough they found the trio of chocobo riders waiting for them as one female walked into the white lighthouse behind them. The captain raised Lionheart and the moonlight reflected on the blue blade. Steffen smirked, "So we meet again, Leon!"

Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine, not mine, not mine, not mine....repeat....repeat...etc.

Quote:
Deception is mere manipulation, yet does one know when he is deceived and when he is manipulated
Squall Morpheus Leonhart