Chapter 16 - Sending off
A/N: If you were to see an it or its highlighted in bold (like what's being shown here), this represents the foul thing that's controlling Celestine.
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The being advanced towards it with a fluid grace and a bearing that subtly told of his stature. Within a short time, he had stopped right in front of it, even though the distance wasn't that small at all.
It could not recognize what was flickering in his grey-green eyes.
In a forgotten place inside its mind, something was screaming at it to go away, to the deepest, darkest pits of hell where it belonged. But that something was too weak, too ineffectual to have any effect on its actions, or determination to stay put.
But beyond a doubt it knew the one standing in front wasn't too pleased, as his deeply creased forehead, stern demeanour and unsmiling mouth told her.
"I would assume that you have a good reason for being here, Celestine."
"I am sure you can guess, Lord Shin."
It had purposely emphasised on that last word...
Surely an exercise of great audacity, something that the one inhabiting this shell before would never dream of doing in her days as a third-line Angel.
He did not appear to be surprised by its knowledge of his name.
The name that had not been used for so long... as those who had the right were all dead, missing or exiled.
Indeed, from the moment he saw her transformed state, he could deduce with reasonable accuracy what had really happened.
And yet... he could not explain the sense of loss as he ascertained that Celestine was no longer the Angel he had watched grow up even before she started sprouting wings.
Perhaps he had treated her like his own daughter, for he had always patted her head, or stroked her hair, thinking if he had one, she would be just like this vivacious girl with blue hair...
The same shade as his good friend's... buried together with his wife in the place for honouring the deceased.
He had looked upon her with pride, for she displayed qualities surpassing many of her peers, maybe even some of the higher ranked ones.
How did you land into this predicament?
He wanted so much to ask her, but of course she would not be able to give him an answer, for this one standing in front of him wasn't her at all.
"I would suggest that you leave the AKU, before I send all the underground creatures upon you. I do not know the reason, but some part of me is reluctant to cause you bodily harm. Please go before I am forced to do the necessary."
The eyes were as hard as twin rocks the colour of squid ink.
"I am sorry to say that I would have to decline your kind offer." His voice was laced with sarcasm.
"Then, you leave me with no choice!"
With a sweep of its hand, it summoned an ugly beast with the head of a bull and the body of a reptilian, crawling-type creature with blackish venom dripping from its sharp, razor-like teeth.
"HAAGAR!" It yelled out the command for the monster to attack, sending a wave of energy towards the monster's core with a mere flourish of its hand.
It leaped upon the Lord of Angels, baring its fangs in anticipation of the first meal in a long time... for these dark creatures had not been fed at all since they were locked up in their eternal prisons, to deprive them of the strength to break out.
But it only made them all the more ravenous... a new source of motivation for them to attack those that held them prisoner.
The Lord, having had ample time to anticipate its movements, merely sidestepped a little, and was able to avoid its attacks without having to move much.
Within a second, he had gathered a ball of force in his left hand, and directed it towards his attacker.
With a howl it evaporated into smithereens, leaving behind a trail of smoke and a stink that could rival that of a corpse left to rot for a month.
"It appears that I have underestimated you." The one wearing Celestine's mask smiled at him, with a blade hidden behind the contorted upturn of its mouth.
"Speak. What is your desire? What would make you leave this place?"
"My very desire is to have dominance over the AKU. Plain and simple. Any more questions?" It studied its nails with an air of boredom. As if it was speaking to a speck of dust instead of the most prominent and authoritative person next to Hyne in the ruling of their world.
A lesser one would have thrown all his patience out of the window and resort to violent measures.
Instead, he curbed his simmering anger and spoke to it in an even tone, a truly remarkable feat.
"And what if I were to object?"
"Then I would have to kill you. Or you me" Its voice was empty, as if it had only stated the weather of the day, and not some proclamation to end the life of one very dear to the yelling thing inside her.
Lord Shin was silent. He could not fathom that this had really come out of her mouth...
Even as he was aware that Celestine was being manipulated, he still found it difficult to shift his mindset that it was not her speaking to him, but another one.
However... he knew that for the good of all living, he had to destroy the disturbances at the very root...
And the real her would want him to do it, he was certain.
"Do not blame me for being merciless, then."
Out of thin air, he produced a staff made of laurel branch and leaf. Though lightweight, it was found to be a powerful medium for the channelling of energy, spiritual or otherwise. Mounted at the top was a bright crystal the same shade as his eyes, which were closed as he focused his mind on his weapon.
In a rhythmic voice, he sang out a string of words and chants, which appeared to be attracting a concentrated mass of energy onto the tip of his staff.
He directed it towards what had once been like flesh and blood to him, but now simply a vessel for the twisted one.
The yells inside were getting louder. It could not concentrate very well. It did not even notice what the Lord was attempting to do
But its Master had given it a potion to drink in case this happened.
With a hungry swallow, it poured the liquid into its mouth, immediately searing the throat with the acidity and vileness.
A great surge of power coursed through the body, increasing its dexterity by many fold... and causing the consistent yelling to die away.
Vaguely, it was aware of an impending threat coming its way.
With a slight turn, it deflected the attack with one hand, and counterattacked with a single pushing movement of the other... very much like the action it had undertaken to transmit energy to the underground creature.
The only difference was that this time, it was a negative one... meant for destruction.
It was not known why it had been able to ward off the attack with such ease... perhaps the Lord had hesitated a little.
Having been unprepared for the counter, the Lord only had time for a hastily erected barrier... less than sufficient to bar the full impact.
As his body came into contact with the force, he was flung far off the ground, and landed on a protruding rock that pierced through his back with a sickening crunch.
The blood came out in gushes from his mouth, and from his wound.
Gasping, his breath coming in and out so faintly that it could only move a feather, he stared blankly into space, then at Celestine.
He wanted to reach her with his mind, only to be blocked by a solid barricade when he tried searching for Celestine's presence... for he kept a feeble hope that she was still there.
His wish unfulfilled, he fell back with a soft sigh and his eyes wide open.
He remained that way for a long time.
It studied the Lord for a while, to make sure that it had indeed taken his life.
The annoying voice returned, this time giving it a migraine of demonic proportions... but it was way too pleased to care.
For it was relishing the praises that would be lavished upon it if the Master were to learn about her feat.
YOU AGENT OF THE DEVIL!
She let out a thunderous roar, and attempted to gain control of her limbs.
For a second, she gained headway.
And slashed her arm viciously with the small dagger hidden in the folds of her "uniform"
In hope that the surprise would momentarily allow her to salvage her Lord, however little hope there was...
"Oh... My Lord..." The tears dripped onto his face, now full of lines of worry and sorrow after experiencing the trauma of being harmed by one of his own kind.
There was no response at all, not even a flicker of his eyelashes.
That was all she could manage, for the thing was back, more fiery than before, and clamped her down, coercing her back towards that dreaded corner again.
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The sun was blinding and roasting all and sundry with its rays.
But in the internal worlds of the Balamb Garden community, it was winter... the iciest kind.
Bowing their heads in respect (and some in grief) for their former Headmaster and his wife as their ashes were scattered across the oceanic blue, they were forced to withhold themselves from letting their emotions reflect on their faces.
Squall had insisted on a cremation... nobody was sure why, especially the lower ranked ones... but his friends could guess that he did not want any other to experience what he did after seeing them in their disembowelled state.
The burden of being a representative of the Garden had never been felt more acutely, when they could not even express their regret at bidding farewell to someone who had been an important part of their lives.
The funereal music played by the orchestra was unsettlingly poignant in their ears.
The last of the ashes had been scattered.
Each said a prayer, asking for Hyne to guide them towards the safe, peaceful place she resided in.
They could do with some of her guidance themselves......
For the Garden would never be the same again... without them.
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It was the morning following the Sending Off.
Each Cadet, SeeD or Instructor was trying his or her best to get their lives back on track again. Even as their loss remained hanging on their hearts, there was still much work to be done, the most crucial of which were the investigations undergoing the Kramers' brutal murders.
On top of that, one of their more prominent Instructors, Quistis Trepe, had yet to recover from her vegetable-like state, yet another cause for concern to add to their ever-extending list.
Although they had not spoken it, Squall and his friends were certain that it had been done by one who lived in the Garden.
The realisation appalled them, for they could not think of a reason for the outright betrayal by one they had thought to be their own.
Just then, someone decided to speak over the public announcement system without permission.
"...... This is Waterlily speaking."
At the sound of her voice, some lifted their heads towards the speakers at the sudden boom of noise but none gave any real attention to what she had to say, for they were too preoccupied with their own stuff.
That all changed with her next words.
"... I say this at the risk of being mangled beyond recognition, and I deserve it too.
............ The truth is... I was the one who killed them....
But before you rush up and strangle my neck...
Before you burn me in the fiercest fires, I beg you to hear me out.
Take my blood and study it, you can dissect the body for all I care... for it bears traces of the nature of my controller... the one behind all tragedy that has befell our world as of now...
It is also the first prototype for those viral-infected victims in Esthar.
And you may find the solution to wake Quistis, Hyne bless her sweet soul... Hyne who no longer looks after mine......
My good people... I hope you may look upon me in forgiveness when it is all over... even if I do not want to forgive myself."
With an abrupt click to signify the end of her startling announcement, she rushed in great hurry towards the elevator, for she knew that sooner than later, the Commander and his confidantes would be upon her any minute.
She was too cowardly to face them.
As soon as the elevator reached the second floor, she rushed towards the emergency exit, ignoring the shouts and stares thrown towards her direction.
Leaning against the balcony, she looked skywards, and gave a loud laugh... even as her tears ran freely down to paint her cheeks.
The emergency exit door was opened with a savage force. There stood the Commander with his exclusive posse.
Their faces were unclear images, as her eyes were blurred with the tears... but it did not require her vision to know how they were feeling.
She didn't want to see the look in their eyes... especially that of the one she loved.
"Farewell..." she whispered, and climbed up the balcony bar.
Before anyone could move, she leant back, and let gravity grab hold of her, and pull her downwards.... towards her doom......