Trial by Fire
'Anything that doesn't kill a seed, makes it more resistant, stronger. It must be the same way with SeeD. Vanquish all your foes; do not be afraid to face hardships. Overcome them, and prove your mettle.'
Pride In Power.
-High Commander Squall Leonhart Loire, address to SeeD cadets
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Bridge, 3F, Balamb Garden
"Brace for impact!"
Squall grabbed hold of a railing just as the huge torpedo impacted with the thick hulls of Garden. An explosion spat plumes of smoke and fire into the air while the entire Garden shuddered under the impact. Yet, the adamantine hulls held, and all that was to pass was a tremor.
Regaining his balance, Squall turned to Nida. "Are there any more?"
"Not at the moment. I am however, detecting the approach of a large squadron of unknown aircraft. Command would have more information about it."
Without further ado, Squall grabbed hold of a railing, newly installed in the event that anyone would fall off the bridge, and vaulted off. He landed lightly at the bottom and raised a questioning eyebrow at his chief tactician, Melanie Lockheart. Without waiting for his question, she rattled off a report. "The aircraft appear to be Nighthawk transport jets, each equipped with launch pods and boosters. Their insignia is that of a sword and a shield rising from darkness, but I have no information on what unit they belong to. I am pretty sure that they-"
"Be specific."
"Yes sir! I was able to confirm that they are neither Galbadian nor Estharian. There is always the possibility that the Dollet Dukedom wishes to test their new military power, but a war with SeeD would not serve their advantage. Neither would it benefit the Timber Unification."
As Zell and Irvine came down on the elevator, a far more prudent way to travel, they were just in time to hear the last bit of the report. "I'm pretty sure Militia leaders Zone and Watts would not go so far as to incur the wrath of Garden. Yo, Irvine! Let's get the SeeD ready for defense!"
Squall nodded and dispatched the two eager SeeD to the main floor. He himself notified Cid and Edea of their plans, and ordered Melanie to keep him informed of any events.
"Yes, sir! Please take this Med Kit with you, sir. You might want it later on, because I detect several dozen Drop Pods launching from the jets."
Drop Pods were large infantry capsules, which could fit up to a dozen men in one. They were essentially larger versions of G-Garden's Launch Units, which had been used to attack Garden a long time ago. Squall nodded in gratitude and stuck the small, palm sized kit into a belt pocket.
After that, the valiant Commander raced over to the lifts.
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Sorceress Chamber, 4F, DSRF
How they ready themselves, all waiting for my demons to land upon them.
The Garden activates its armament, but my jets have entered within their firing arc, and artillery is all but useless in the air.
As I look upon them, the first wave of my demons lands on the tiles of Garden. There, they are mowed down by heavy machinegun fire from the turrets and SeeD. It is of no matter. My other forces shall use their bodies as a landing strip, unleashing hell upon the SeeD.
They might not succeed in this, but it will show the SeeD the magnitude of my powers and reveal to me their weapons. Then, when the time is right, I shall make my move, to checkmate their king.
Squall, how I long for you. How I long to see your crimson blood running down into your uniform, to see your face pale as the ghastly hands of Death grab you. Then, as you have been drained of life, then only shall I be able to continue.
My emotions; they have been twisted to the exact opposite by Hyne, and He is within me. We do not mind. We are one, and it had always been that way. I am my Knight, I am my Sorceress. I am all-consuming, ever powerful. We are together now, and not even in death will we part, for we cannot die.
It too has always been so. When our frail bodies perish, our spirits continue into another generation. Nothing, not even Time Compression could stop us.
When the witch Ultimecia sought to imprison us so we might not do any further harm to her precious humans, we broke free, and mustered an army. She was always the righteous one of the lot, but as Hyne and myself fused together the night that was so passionate, we knew that our power would be infinite.
And the foolish SeeD, seeking to destroy Ultimecia, unwittingly releasing us, they did not know the force that was Us. We let them savor their victory in the first stages, but when the time comes, we shall reveal to them the true might of the Sorceresses and Knights. We were the First, and we shall be the Last. Our powers will never end, not until all mortal and immortal life has ended.
My demons are upon the SeeD, in a blood lust. I watch as they mow down the humans. The Garden is stained with blood as they push past the front lines.
Yet, they too are pushed back as the SeeD rally together against me. The King, the Commander, Squall, leads his men. He fights coldly and efficiently, slaying all in his path. The other two, they are as powerful as he is, and the SeeD they have trained surpassed my anticipations. Now, I see another. Seifer, my 'old' Knight. He is a parody of Squall, as powerful as the Commander, but with anger in his every move. He remembers me; he remembers the pain when I sweetly told him of my bond with Hyne.
Yet, angry as he is, he fights like a demon with Fujin and Raijin by his side. Those two; they are nothing more than pawns, and I shall crush them all too easily.
My demons are exhausted. They cannot win against the SeeD. I mentally order them to withdraw. No matter, today was just a test. They have yet to see my real powers.
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A/N: I know this is really short, but I wanted to get to the good stuff! Next chapter is already in the works, and should be out soon (like tomorrow or at worst, day after)
~bembem: Well, actually, I've been writing FFVIII for a long time, just not posting. Hehe, to be honest, I forgot most of the stuff I wrote already. Oh, and Rinoa is evil, because Hyne possesses infinite power over the Sorceresses-well, read on to find out!
~Karla3: Thank you for the support! I was wondering if anyone would see that last bit!
~Ispreno: I saw your comments! And don't worry, I'm gonna be posting quite often! (around thrice a week, four times if I can manage it.)
Symbolism: Short chapter, but no prizes for guessing who Melanie might have the potential to be related to.
You know how people are always giving Squall stuff? Well, so there.
Now, who might be the one who be with Hyne? It's Rinoa, of course. Let's just see what will unfold, as I don't even know how this thing will turn out!