Chapter 22 – So near, and yet so far….
"…….lestine… wake up!"
H…huh? Who's that calling my name? Speak up! You sound so far away……
"Celestine, it's me, Waterlily! You've got to save Zell! He's going to get hurt… killed even!" The voice was more audible now.
But… I can't… the thing's controlling me… Oh Zell… I can't stop myself… forgive me…
"I'll help you… but you must try with me… then we can overcome this thing! At the count of three… you push, and I'll try to pull it out of you… okay? As soon as it's out of your system, you must act immediately, or everything will be too late……"
"One… two…"
Wait… why are you doing this for us?
" Cos I love……"
She could not quite catch the last word that Waterlily had said, but before she could ask again, the "three" had started sounding in her ear, and she felt the control over her lift a little.
At least I can see better now.
But the sight wasn't a pleasing one by any count… for a hideous monstrosity was poising a claw with razor-sharp nails… evidently intending to spear it through the chest of the human standing in front of it.
Instinctively, she mentally shoved the manipulating one out of her body while praying to Hyne that she would be able to get rid of it, if only for a few seconds.
As if answering to her prayers, she found herself in total control of her mind and body again.
Knowing through previous experience that it wasn't going to last long, she did not stop to think. She let her reflexes gain dominance over her actions.
She did what her body thought was right…
She protected her Zell, as she always did whenever he was in danger, without caring for her own safety.
The sickening sound of the sharp nail clawing through flesh.
The scream of pain, the splatter of blood.
Sounds that filled the room…sounds that made the SeeDs cringe as the thought of the victim's suffering and her agonized look went through their minds…….
It happened before anyone could blink, or even draw in a breath as the scene unfolded before their eyes.
Instantly, the assorted underground creatures stopped their attacks on the SeeDs.
"General AKU?" The monster who was trying to attack Zell stared at her, its pair of holes with two flashes of red lights masquerading as eyes reflecting some confusion, and at the same time, a hint of pleasure… for it delighted in spilling blood, or hurting anything, no matter which side they stood on.
Celestine ignored him, and the blood that dripped from the deep gashes that ran in diagonal lines across her back.
For she had been too preoccupied with her staring… her gaze locked by the one sprawled on his back in front of her.
"Celestine…?" He ventured uneasily… for he did not know if this was really her, or just another trick of the one impersonating her.
Of course it's her, you moron! What other girl would take that kind of hurt for you if she didn't love you very much?
He wanted so much to grab her, and hold her in his arms… only to be stopped dead in his tracks by her warning glance, and the rapidly changing expressions on her face.
"Q…quick… run back to the Garden…. Before it comes again…" She gasped weakly, for the foul one had started regaining its hold on her.
"B…but…" Zell was stuck to ground… his body unwilling, or unable to move.
"She's right, Zell, let's go!" Squall placed an arm on his friend, but still he didn't move a finger, just simply stared forlornly at Celestine.
Like the look of a little boy lost in a huge, swarming crowd. I cannot bear to see that look on his face….
Seeing that he would not leave at his own free will, Squall gestured at Irvine, who simply nodded at him.
They both hooked an arm around each of his shoulder, and dragged him out of the place, ignoring his protests and yells.
As she watched them leave, Celestine let out an audible sigh of relief, and at the same time… the ache of seeing him further and further away plagued on her heart.
So near… and yet so far……
I wish I could have touched him then……
Hah... fat hope! Next time you try such a stunt, I will personally rip the throat out of your little loverboy… you hear me?
I will try… and try… until I succeed. I will not let you touch a single hair of his…even if I have to die trying. Now you had better watch out… for one day I shall scream my way out of the maze you have put in my body. This is my body… my territory. Don't think you can claim it as your own as long as I live.
Hmmmmph! Let's see you try. And shut up. I've had enough of your nagging for the day.
I will not stop. I will never stop until I have gotten rid of you… it is my voice. Come and try to stop me if you dare….
You think you can trick me, eh? Not so easy. I'm not as gullible as you think.
…………
Why, silent all of a sudden? No more witticisms anymore? Good. Keep it that way. And remember… this is my body now. I will not have you going around damaging it without my permission! Now I'll have to waste a good Curaga, all because of your reckless actions!
…………
It scratched its head in puzzlement at the quietness of the former host of its present body, for it was not unusual to hear her yelling at the top of her lungs for prolonged periods of time… it might even be accurate to say that it had grown accustomed to the disturbances… something seemed out of place without them…
However, realizing that it was in great danger of losing the shell it inhabited due to the rapidly deteriorating condition, the thoughts no longer dwelled on the Angel, but on the urgent need to receive medical attention for its wounds.
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Why had she turned silent all of a sudden?
It was not because she had given up all hope of regaining her control.
It was certainly not because she needed a break from stretching her vocal cords.
I don't understand… Waterlily… why are you able to converse with me like this, now, and not before?
"Maybe because a person increases spiritual strength after she's no longer cooped in a body? I don't really know… but what I do know is that when the thing controlling you is particularly weak, like now, I can speak to you without it detecting me. But I have to be careful… for if it finds out, we'd all be doomed… our last chance at getting things back to normal will all turn to dust……"
What do we do now?
"First and foremost… I know you can't get it out of your body… I was kinda surprised you managed to do it back then… thank Hyne for that. So… what I'm trying to say is… what if you get out of the body yourself?"
ME? Celestine raised her voice as she spoke the word, for such a notion had never occurred to her before.
"Shhh! Remember… we can't let it find out I'm communicating with you!
You heard it alright. If we can find a way to get you out of here, then I can secretly replace you, leaving you free to rescue the three dimensions from domination by the despicable Redrumiel…."
Celestine could detect a strong influence of bitterness in Waterlily's voice as she mentioned their mutual enemy.
But why me, and not you?
"Because I believe you are the only one who can save all of us. I place my faith in you… I do not know the reason for my faith… but I trust in my belief. Do not let me down, Celestine… Besides…"
Besides?
"Technically, I'm dead… and what will they do with a dead heroine? Hahahahaha!" She gave off a string of laughter… but it definitely sounded forced to Celestine's acutely sensitive ears.
Dead? When? How?
"Not so long ago… I don't really want to discuss it right now… okay? … Let's begin. I will attempt to squeeze in, and at the same time, you try to jump out… let's hope it doesn't notice the difference."
You're not going to believe this… but I feel kind of nervous…
"Just shove it down your throat… now when I say 'Go!' try to sneak out. Ready?"
Ready when you are.
"…….GO!"
In a flash, they exchanged positions.
Celestine found herself outside, floating above her body. She looked at her arm, her body, and found that she could see through them and look at the carpet beneath it.
Yessss!!! I did it!!!
"Shh… don't be too loud! There might still be a chance of it hearing you! And remember… I cannot hide from it for too long before it finds out… make sure you do not dwell outside for more than two hours… three hours the max! Or I cannot guarantee the safety of your place in this body…."
Aye Aye, ma'am!
"I… I'm sure that you would want to see Zell… but keep it short, 'kay?"
… I probably wouldn't see him…
"Why not? You must be crazy not to!"
Because… It will hurt too much when I have to leave.
"Silly girl… now don't waste any more time with me… you have to get your ass in gear!"
Alright already!
"Celestine…"
Yes?
"Follow what your heart says… do it for me, ok?"
She answered her request with silence.
"Don't be stubborn! Ok… treat it as a request from me… tell Zell that I said 'Hi'… will you go see him then?"
If you insist……
"I DO insist… quick! You've been wasting what, five minutes chit-chatting with me! Shoo! Go away! You're not welcome here until your mission is accomplished!"
She flashed a grin at her… one that she did not really feel like showing as it did not truly reflect what she was feeling right now… but nevertheless, she owed Waterlily such a courtesy, at the very least.
"Good luck..." Waterlily whispered, as she watched the almost transparent form of Celestine float away from her, disappearing into the ceiling.
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She found herself floating in front of a badly-damaged Balamb Garden.
I can't believe I was responsible for this… maybe not fully responsible… but I couldn't stop it!
Inside the Garden, injured SeeDs and cadets were everywhere, most of them in bandages, some in crutches, some more serious than the others.
She could not stop the waves of guilt from overwhelming her, crouching at a corner to calm her chest.
Then her whole expression, her entire body froze.
Zell was standing right in front of her… she did not know if he sensed her… but he was definitely looking for something.
"Strange…… I thought I saw her… never mind…" He hung his head in dejection, and slouched off towards the other direction.
She wanted to call his name, to run after him and touch him.
Something stopped her… she was too ashamed to face him… for it was her fingers that snapped and nearly ordered his death.
I can't do this… I'm truly sorry… Waterlily……
So near… he's so near that I just have to walk a few strides to touch him.
And yet… I can't bring myself to do it……
You're a coward… admit it….
She took one last, longing look at his figure.
C'mon girl… you've got other things to do… quit staring if you ain't gonna run after him.
With resignation weighing heavily on her, she could only drift away from the Garden… while forcing back an overpowering urge to look back many times…….
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"Commander Leonhart?"
"This is he speaking."
"We have new findings about the virus."
"What? Are you sure?"
"100%. But… it would be better if you were to come down personally and see this."
"… Alright, I'll be there in a few hours' time." Squall put down the receiver, and placed a hand on his forehead, an indication that he was deep in thought.
"Squall, Darling, are you alright?" Rinoa's voice sounded behind him.
Shaking his head, he turned to face her and gave a little smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You're lying… I can tell that you have a dozen worries in that thick head of yours, but you won't confide in me…" She sounded upset to him… which was the last thing he wanted.
"It's just… everything is happening too fast… I feel as if something big is going to happen… something of a malicious nature… and I am helpless to stop it…."
"Oh Squall… if anything really happens, everyone at the Garden will help you through it. But most importantly, I will be there for you…" She peered up at him, her wonderful caramel eyes conveying her support and feelings for him.
Without a word, he gathered her in a tight embrace…
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WL: I see… the end in my mind…. Blue lights… never seen before limit breaks… and many others… hahahhaah
Celestine: How many chapters exactly are there left before the last chapter?
WL: How can you ask an aspiring fan-fic writer such a question? I can easily get a block you know?
Celestine: Yeah, yeah, what a lame excuse that is for not updating. If it were other writers, I'm sure it's a real thing… but you? You're not even a writer for cryin' out loud… so where did that come from? And besides, you're steadily losing focus. I suggest that you end this fast before you make a fool of yourself.
WL: I can't win you, can I?
Celestine: You took THIS long to realize that? Man, you are dense!
WL: *Bawls like a five year old kid*
Celestine: By the way… did you realize that the whole time you wrote yourself into that silly fic of yours, you never showed what your limit breaks are? Much less you Finishing Blow? And you can still stand here chatting happily with me? I admire your resilience.
WL stares at her.
WL (Mumbles): That's an idea…
Celestine: What?
WL: A secret, TeeHee!
Selphie: Hey, that's my line!
WL: Whatever…
Squall: That mine… duh.
WL: ARGH!!!! (Pulls her hair agitatedly)
Zell: Now you've copied my hairstyle! You really have NO originality in you, do you?
WL was foaming at the mouth by now.
Celestine: So… until the next time… Ja~~~~ Ne!