CHAPTER 7 – Trapped
A/N: For those of you who came here directly without reading Chapter 6 (Last Call), please click on number 8 on the little bar over there… cos I have added the chapter on top of "Something Laughable"…. You know, the one about Seifer and Zell in Detention. Otherwise, please ignore this paragraph, thank you very much.
On a lighter note (or not)… can you believe how some people can be so biased? I bought a pack of playing cards featuring the FF8 characters on it… eagerly anticipating the one that would feature Zell. But to my vast disappointment, not a single one has his face on it! That is the ratio of Zero out of Fifty-Four! For what do I spend my hard-earned cash, just so I could get a pack of cards without my favourite Zell in it? WHY WHY WHY??? I was so angry I could kick a tree, but that would be so stupid, not to mention environmentally unfriendly wouldn't it? So I did the next worst thing, and cut off my shoulder-length hair… just kidding. I cut it because it was so terribly hot… okay, enough rubbish, on with the story.
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She trudged along the uneven path, following the steps of someone she didn't even know. The tunnel was dark with the only source of light coming from meagre little glowing things floating about in the air… kind of like fireflies, only those didn't look like they were insects.
Numerous questions flitted through her mind; like where the one in front was taking her, whether she could trust him, and most importantly… could he really cure the curse-like disease raging in her body and mind?
As if reading her thoughts, he turned back and sneered at her.
"You can choose not to follow me if you don't trust me enough… as I can see clearly from your dragging feet."
How can he expect me not to follow when he dangles such impossible-to-refuse bait in front of me? Sure… he might be lying… but he's the one with the levitating abilities… and my last chance at turning things back to normal…
Quistis forced a smile as fake as the late Sorceress Ultimecia's Hair.
"Please, lead the way. I believed you enough to have come this far, haven't I?"
"……As you wish. Although do not think for a second that I was fooled by that thing you tried to pass off as a smile."
She glared at him.
"I can see that we share a mutual loathing for each other. That's fine with me. In fact, it pleases me even more than if you were to…. say… develop a liking for me… I have had prior experience of that happening, and let's just say it wasn't pleasant at all." He turned in a disdainful matter and continued his way deeper down the tunnel.
She had never seen a more obnoxious person in her life. Not even the pre-reform Seifer would act in such a way…
Seifer… my dearest Seifer… can I truly hope that a chance exists for me to see you again?
As her thoughts turned to him, she drooped her head, trying hard to chase his image out of her mind.
"It's going to take forever to reach the place if you were to drag on like this… you'd better keep up if you do not want to be left in a space warp, for the shifting dimensions here are as unpredictable as they come."
Damn…. Can't he see that I'm a little indisposed here? I suppose that's too much to ask for…
"Fine, I'm coming." She replied, quickening her steps to catch up with him.
But he was already out of hearing distance, indicating not for the first time his uncaring nature.
***
When she finally emerged from the exit of the tunnel into a cave of some sort, he was already seated on a throne-like structure made of boulder.
However, to say it was a cave would not be accurate, for it was larger than any she had ever seen… and if one were to disregard its underground nature, it could easily be mistaken for a palace, with exquisite furnishings and dark green marble floor. Not that she was in the mood to appreciate it, though.
"Take a seat, anywhere you like."
"No thanks, I prefer standing."
"Hmmm… pretty alert. I like that." He smiled, this time seemingly a sincere one, but she could never be sure.
"Another thing… I don't even know how to address you! I've followed you this far… I would think it is common courtesy to tell me your name, at least!"
"Hmmph… typical human-mortal… always striving to place a label on everyone they meet. But I concede that you have a point. Being one of the few to be allowed entry into my abode, I should grant you the same permission to know my name."
"Yes, yes, I guess I should be honoured then…." She replied sarcastically.
"You're treading on a thin rope, young lady. Very well, being the magnanimous one that I am, I shall not hold a grudge."
She could hardly resist tapping her foot on the ground, a bad habit she had whenever her impatience was on the rise.
"I have many names, one of them so ancient that it hasn't been used for centuries, some so interchangeable that I have all but forgotten them. But I have taken a liking to one of them, and it shall be the one you use."
"And that would be?"
"Redrumiel. I do not have a last name, as those from the first line do not."
"As if I would know what the first line is…." She muttered to herself.
"What was that?"
"I said, it was quite a mouthful."
"It means 'Red Centre' in Angel speak."
Angel speak? Does that mean he's an Angel as well? Then perhaps he's not as bad as I thought…
"Fine… Mr REDRUMIEL. I've come here for a purpose, and that is to find a cure for my illness. You have promised to show the solution to me, so where is it?"
"Well, well! Look at how impatient we are! I've barely warmed my throne and you're asking for the cure! A little too much, don't you think?"
"Look, can you blame me? I do not have time in abundance as you should know quite well!"
"As you wish…." Saying which, he slowly rose from his seat and sauntered towards a white-marble stand at the left end of the room. On top of the stand was a basin made of sterling silver, half-full with clear sparkling water.
Placing a hand above the basin, Redrumiel closed his eyes and chanted a string of foreign words unutterable by the human throat.
Luverage iillst scwwft ling aeeg; fie szzeg brwee var szeay de VEEEAAARRRY!
As he shouted the last word, the water glowed with a red light, which suffused for a while before fading away slowly.
He opened his eyes, withdrew his hand and gestured for Quistis to go over.
"Before I give you this, the cure to your illness… there is something you must give in return. You do know that there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world, don't you?"
"If it is something within my ability, why not? I suppose it is only fair that I repay my debt to you."
"I want you to do something for me. But I allow you to take your cure first, as long as you keep your word."
" I have never been one to go back on my promises."
"Good. Then drink it." His face was expressionless, like it was the first time she saw him.
Taking a deep breath, her actions slowed by the strange disquiet that kept urging her to stop, she took a little sip of the water.
"Do not fear. I didn't go all the way to save you just to poison you again."
It's not that… I have a bad feeling about this.
She decided to ignore it, and gulped the rose-flavoured water down in great drags with a most unladylike manner.
She couldn't wait to see if it really worked.
If it did… she would return to her home again, and most importantly, return to the comforting arms of Seifer once more.
She set the basin down, and waited for some sign of change to her body.
Like a miracle potion, the water worked its magic immediately. Her skin started to smooth out, the boils, scars, peeling all but vanished. Her matted hair regained its lustrous sheen, while her body regained its tautness, for the muscles had started sagging when she became a hermit in her apartment while hiding from the public.
Amazed at the instant transformation, she turned towards Redrumiel.
"I'm speechless! How can I ever thank you enough?"
"If you really are grateful towards me, do not thank me with words, but with your actions."
"And what would you like me to do then? I would try my best to achieve it."
"Simple. Take this, and pour it into the water reserves of the Estharian and Galbadian cities. The rest are special… leave that to me." He produced two vials of dark liquid from out of nowhere, and held them out to her.
"What are these? What will it do to the citizens?" Alarm bells started ringing in her head.
I knew that he was up to no good… but I didn't listen!
"Just as I had suspected. Typical. Well, I wouldn't keep the truth from you. Drinking this… would make them suffer as you did."
"WHAT? You mean…"
"Clever girl. I was the one who poisoned you."
"But why? But how?"
"How? I'm a resourceful being… such a little task couldn't daunt me even for a second. As for why…"
She looked at him with gritted teeth… all that she had endured, the mental torture she had suffered… all because of this Redrumiel! Who does he think he is!
"Aren't you curious?"
"Whatever reason you give must be selfish… why do you entangle me, someone entirely unrelated into your private mess?"
"Unrelated? I wouldn't think so. You know her."
"Who is it then?"
"Celestine Angelwing."
For a second, she imagined that his face had turned into a vengeful mask of anger and hatred… but as she blinked, it had resumed to the normal, arrogant one he liked to wear (second to the one entirely devoid of anything).
"Celestine?"
"She was the cause of all your troubles. If you want to blame someone, blame her."
"Blame her… for what? I do not believe you. Now… if there's nothing else, I'm leaving. And I am sorry, but your request is way too much for me too handle."
She turned to leave, but found that the opening to the tunnel was gone.
"Where is it? It was here when I came in!" She yelled.
She knew that staying a second longer in this place would be hazardous to her life… she could sense the evil vibes emitting from that Redrumiel.
"Surely… you do not think that I would let you go just like that, do you? I had only been testing you. But I wanted to give you a chance… let you do it willingly. And yet again, you human-mortals spurn the trust I place in you. Well… too bad… you'd just have to become another puppet of mine."
"What do you mean?" She searched the wall frantically for a means of escape, banging on it until her fists were scraped and bleeding.
Of course there was no one to save her… for the only thing living in that place was Redrumiel and herself.
"SOMEONE! HELP ME!!!" She screamed and yelled at the top of her lungs.
"It's no use… this is my place, and even if there was anyone else, they would be my creation, my slave… as you will become, with the seed I have planted in you."
She stared at him, immobilised by her fear.
Or maybe he was manipulating her movements; she couldn't tell.
Something was growing within… from the pit of her stomach stretching out to entwine her internal organs, veins, and she didn't know what else.
It was taking over her will, her control of the body.
Seifer…. Save me!!!!
***
His head jerked up in shock. He looked around the empty balcony save for himself, head turning this way and that, searching for the source of that voice.
He was certain that he had heard Quisty's voice begging him to save her a second ago.
"Tell me where I can find you, Quisty? I can't go on like this without you…" He shook his head, covering his eyes with a hand.
"Master!" Damien materialised beside him at that very moment, giving him a little shock at his sudden appearance. "Something is wrong with My Lady! Her presence has disappeared!"
"What do you mean, disappeared? Explain yourself more clearly!"
"You see, Master, as her Angel… if something happens to her… I can feel it… like a flame has gone out."
"Something… for example what? Don't keep it from me! I want to know the truth!"
"……. I'm afraid she might have lost control over her life…."
"Meaning… she's dying?"
Damien was unwilling to affirm his Master's words, but the look on his face told Seifer just as much.
"I don't believe you! She can't…. she just can't! Come on…. Let's look for her… she'll be fine, she'll be fine…."
Seifer tried to convince himself with the weak words coming out of his mouth… but they were useless… for both of them had felt that something was amiss at the same moment.
Damien's eyes widened as he apparently he thought of something.
"What?"
"N…nothing."
"What else aren't you telling me? Spit it out!"
He grabbed the collar of Damien's shirt, staring at him in the eye.
"Well… Celestine…" Damien didn't know how to put it. As it was, his Master was agitated enough with the possibility of his Lady being dead… how was he supposed to tell him that Zell and himself knew all along something was wrong with her?
"Let me guess… Celestine has gone to search for Quisty… and you want to know if she had sensed it as well, don't you?"
Damien was in shock.
How did he know?
"I was not convinced at all by your lie that she had gone to Angel Land for some urgent matters. She doesn't strike me as one who would leave the plight of her missing friend aside for her own matters…" Seifer declared.
Were we that bad?
"Besides… I have a really sharp ear…all that whispering between you and Chicken-wuss was damn suspicious…. I could catch snatches of what really happened."
Should he be relieved that the secret was finally out?
Maybe.
"This… is for you, trying to keep the truth from me!"
Without warning, a fist crashed into Damien's face.
Maybe not…
"Ouch… Master… do you know that you really pack a punch in that fist of yours?"
"Don't worry… you won't suffer alone… Chicken-wuss would definitely have a taste of it. Where is he?"
"At your service." Zell's voice sounded behind them.
He had apparently heard the conversation between Damien and Seifer… for his face wasn't in its usual sunny expression that he always tried to keep even when things weren't too peachy.
Similarly, he too received a fist from Seifer… only it was to his stomach instead.
"Oooof!" He took it without a word, as he felt that he had deserved the punch.
"Now that we've dispensed with the necessary… we need to discuss how to find your Celestine." Seifer rubbed his fist to ease the soreness.
"What for?"
"Chicken-wuss… I believe that now is the time to pool our resources instead of going about it separately… a lot more effective, I should think."
"But I can't contact her now… she told me yesterday that she couldn't call me anymore." Zell looked dejectedly at both of them. "But Damien might be able to do something."
"I'll try… but no promises though. That girl can hide herself very well at times."
Damien closed his eyes, trying to search for Celestine.
His eyebrows creased a little, sweat gathering at his forehead as he concentrated hard on his task.
"It's no good… I do not think she's here right now… maybe she went back to Angel Land… how curious…"
"So what do we do now to find her?" Seifer cocked an eyebrow in askance.
"I'll search for her there… this was how she always drove me mad when we were kids! Couldn't find her at times of emergency, having to wait until she's willing to show up!" Damien grumbled, finally drawing smiles from the other two.
His white-gold wings spread out fully behind him.
"Take care of yourselves while I'm gone. Meanwhile… don't give up yet, my Master. It might be a false alarm after all."
He turned, and started out for his homeland.
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"Tanya… hold on for a minute!" Celestine called out to the maroon-haired angel, otherwise known as Squall's Angel previously to the reader.
"What is it." She stopped and turned, looking at Celestine coldly. It was known to many that Tanya didn't exactly like Celestine.
"I need you to pass a message to Damien for me. Please." Celestine tried to ask as nicely as possible… but it was really difficult with Tanya's barbed tone and snooty posture.
Tanya gave a snort.
"I should have guessed. Little Miss Popular talking to me? ME! I would have thought I was all but invisible to you… and only when you have something to ask of me do you realise… 'Oh! There's convenient Tanya, I want her to be at my beck and call!' Well, forget it. Never ever, no matter how you beg of me!"
"Please, Tanya… it's important! It's regarding Damien's Lady… even if not for me… do it for him."
Tanya looked at her for a while, in contemplation of what she had said.
"Alright… what is it then? Just
this once… no exceptions you hear?"
"Thank you… I appreciate it."
"Cut the crap."
"Just pass this to him."
"A recorded message? Why don't you speak to him personally? It's as easy as locating him in the Balamb Garden, duh?"
"I can't… I can't…" She turned before Tanya could see the single tear weaving its way down her left face.
"I'll pass it to him."
Celestine gave a choked thank you.
She floated out towards the direction of the exit to Angel Land, looking back many times at the place she had grown up in…
For she would not be returning for a long time, if ever.
WL: Ahh…. My neck is killin' me!
Celestine: Why won't I be returning for a long time, if ever? You're not making any sense!
WL: Can't tell you now. It's a plot secret.
Celestine: I believe you've already given it away, heeheehee.
WL: Argh… it's all your fault!
Celestine: So what if it is?
WL: Well, you'll get it from me.
Celestine: Yes. I believe you. (Snigger)
WL: I believe my part in the story is getting bigger and bigger… heehee..
Celestine: I can't believe you! Well… it isn't a likeable role anyway… suit yourself.
WL: The things I sacrifice in the name of literacy!
Celestine: Yes, Yes, stop being such a pompous ass!
A/N: Please Review after reading, thanks very much! And hey… the something special for Zell's birthday is up… titled a letter from Water lily to Zell… hehehehe