The battle with the Sorceress was over. I felt fearless and over confidant. Edea was defeated, the SeeD's provided most of the muscle, but I had helped them. I couldn't resist sneering at her in triumph. I stepped forward, ahead of Squall and the sharp shooter Irvine.

That's when it all changed, the tables turned swiftly. Edea's black clad arm shot up above her head, long slender claw tipped fingers out stretched. A steady stream of ice blue light formed a spark that exploded into a small amount of long thin deadly icicles.

I stared at them in horror, as time seemed to freeze. Edea threw them. She threw them at us, me. The fearlessness and over confidence dissipated leaving me alone with my cowardice and weakness.

The icicles whistled through the air, towards me. I forgot about the rest, cowardice makes people do that. I turned away, away from the danger. I curled my arms around myself and hid. Hidden from the danger, the Sorceress and myself. I didn't want to die. Please let them miss; I prayed silently to Hyne.

Hyne heard my plea, the icy daggers sliced through the air where I once stood. Leaving me unharmed, but at a price.

My heart stuttered and stopped at the sight of Squall's skewered frame. The lethal icicle that I had cowered away from, he took so bravely. It was meant for me. Those words screamed through my head as I lunged after him, falling to my knees. I ignored the painful graze and slid to the end of the parade float the Sorceress was riding.

"Squall!" A voice screamed. "No!" It wasn't until later that I realized the voice was my own.

I watched his eyes slowly slid shut as he drifted out of consciousness. The ice shard had shattered and disappeared, magic of course. His blood slowly pooled around the injured shoulder as he lay there, helpless yet still somewhat defiant.

Eyes stinging with tears, I reached out to him almost in a pathetic attempt to help him. The guilt immobilized me; he was injured because I ran away. I was pathetic, useless and weak. I jumped off the float and clung to his limp form. I whispered apology upon apology, wishing the horror would disappear when I opened my eyes.

I forgot about the Sorceress, the Galbadian soldiers, Irvine and Seifer. Squall mattered, distant as he was he was still a friend. A friend injured because of me. A strange tightness built up in my chest as I uselessly pressed my hand against his wound. His crimson blood spilt through my fingers. The warmth of the liquid made me tremble slightly.

The Galbadians swamped us in a mass. The soldiers came and grabbed us and knocked us out with physical force. The soldier hit me with the butt of his gun, across the back of the head. I fell forward, landing on Squall as I lost consciousness.

My last guilt riddled thought was concerning revenge against the Sorceress.