Chapter Four: Dark News and Prophecies
Author's Note: For all you Seifer fans out there, perk up! You don't think I'll seriously write a fic and not put our dashing but arrogant gunblader in? Nah! Also..yes, I noe Kelly doesn't sound at all like the shy librarian in the game, but I thought it was more fun if Zell had a dominating girlfriend who possessed a large purse.tee-hee! Right...ahem..let the story begin!
Squall strode down the hallways of Garden, his boot heels clicking sharply against the polished tiles, snarling impatiently at anyone who blocked his path. Not there was many. One look at their commander's tense expression and they scattered like leaves before a wind.
It took the commander less than ten minutes to reach his office, but to him it felt like forever. The lift was too slow, the stairs were too long..He crossed the final distance between the office and himself, yanked open the door, and nearly fell through it in amazement at the horrendous sight awaiting him.
His old enemy. Blond hair, trademark smirk, trench coat, and all.
Seifer.
Squall closed the door behind him, narrowing his eyes at Seifer, who raised an eyebrow back. Two other people were present, and Squall saluted as he spotted Headmaster Cid. The other was a slim redhead, Tre Tazakin, who was in charge of infiltration. She nodded to Squall in greeting, straightening and throwing him a brief salute.
"I know you're surprised to see him here," Cid said with a half-smile, glancing at Seifer, who crossed his arms and leaned against Squall's desk. The long-time rivals scowled at each other. "We sought him out about two days ago, in FH, where he was accepted among the people despite his past."
"You mean he has been living here for a couple of days under my nose?!!!" Squall gasped in shock. "Why?" he spun about to look accusingly at his superior.
"Don't you think it's time to forgive and forget?" Cid asked calmly. "As you well know, Seifer was not himself at the time. He was under the control of Sorceress Ultimecia." At the mention of the dark sorceress' name, Seifer's smirk died away, and his face grew slightly pale. Cid continued, "Besides.." He lowered his voice, "He knows about the you-know-what."
"Honestly?" Squall asked, amazed. For half a year, ever since they had picked up a mysterious signal on their sensors, they had been delving deeply into the mystery, learning enough to frustrate but not completely clear their puzzlement. And all along Seifer had known the answer. Well, if he came through this time, Squall would forgive him. Barely.
"Of course, puberty boy." Squall bristled as the old nickname brought back unwelcome memories. "I was the Sorceress' Knight after all. Hell, I might even have overseen some of it. I wouldn't know. When I look back, it's kind of foggy. But some things, they stand out. Who knows why." Seifer talked glibly, but Squall had known him for so long that he was not fooled. He saw the flash of pain in Seifer's green eyes and grudgingly summoned a shred of pity for him.
"Yes, and it's serious, Squall, more serious than we had ever imagined," Cid declared, beginning to pace back and forth. He looked sternly at Seifer. "Update the commander."
Seifer nodded and told Squall everything he could remember from his days in the Galbadian army. Squall was shocked, and he was not easily spooked. If there was even the tiniest doubt Seifer was lying intentionally, it was swept away in the glimpse he got of the emotion in Seifer's voice. He was telling the truth.
When Seifer's tale had ended, the three sat in silence for a while, then Cid said to Tre, "D'you think you could work on that?"
Tre frowned, her forehead wrinkling up in thought. "It'll be touch and go, Headmaster. But I think, yes, if possible we can send someone in. But it'll take someone with the heart of a lion or the stupidity of a Grat to want to do that, much less volunteer for it."
"I can't, sir. I'll be recognized. So will the others," Squall said regretfully.
"We'll work out the kinks when we come to it." Cid stretched, wishing he could be back at his wife's house in Centra, but he had responsibilities as leader of Garden.
"So, what will I get out of this situation?" Seifer asked suddenly, masculine ego and smirk firmly back in place. Seifer had let his impenetrable mask slip earlier, but he would not do so again. Squall, once again, felt that particular animosity he'd always reserved specially for Seifer rear up. He glared at Seifer. "You don't get kicked out of here on your butt." He stated coldly.
"That's a little ungrateful, don't you think, commander?" Seifer said slyly. "I've given you valuable information, and this is my reward? You certainly have an odd way of expressing your gratitude, Squall."
The commander growled as Cid fought to suppress a smile. Just like the good old days, he thought fondly, gaze lingering on the two young men whom he and Edea had raised like their own sons, among others. He cleared his throat to break up the growing tension in the room, and as three heads turned to him expectantly, he said with a smile, "If this turns out successfully, Squall will offer you SeeDship, won't you, Squall?"
"But, sir-"
"That's an order, Squall!"
Seifer's smile grew, if possible, wider as he snickered at Squall's predicament. Understanding that further argument was futile, Squall snapped with an ill grace, "Fine, fine! Hyne, the things I put up with in SeeD." The last he muttered under his breath, but Seifer caught it anyway and chuckled at this victory, no matter how minor.
"I'm watching you, Seifer," Squall said angrily. "You had better not foul up, or else. Worse, if your information is wrong and someone dies, I'll personally send you to see Hyne."
If this warning had even unnerved him a little, Seifer didn't show it. He just blinked. "I'm so touched, puberty boy," he sneered. "I didn't know you cared."
Before the argument between Squall and Seifer could escalate to new heights, Headmaster Cid hastily stepped in. "Calm down," he admonished the two, who shot venomous glares at one another. "We need to go over our plan of action."
*** It was night in Balamb Garden.
Rinoa tossed in uneasy sleep. Ever since Timber had become independent and her dream was fulfilled, she had stayed at Garden and come to love it and its commander. She did not have the heart or endurance to become a SeeD, and even if she did it was odd to join a group of mercenaries that had been originally trained to kill people such as herself-a sorceress, Edea's and Adel's legacy. She had stayed at first mainly because of her friends, but as the SeeDs started to accept her it became the home she never had since her mother had died. She ran errands for the Headmaster, helped Quistis out with her magic lessons with the juniors, and had fun with her companions. All in all, life was good.
Not tonight, though. She felt, somehow, nervous, as though the war which had ended two years ago wasn't quite over yet.
Sometimes, at random times in the day, a strange feeling would overwhelm her. A odd, keening, high-pitched noise would fill her ears and she would hunt frantically for the source of the dound, but found none. The sound was getting louder these days. She didn't understand. Not wanting to worry her friends, she kept up a façade of cheerfulness, joking and laughing as usual.
Rinoa dreamed.
She fell through a bottomless abyss that was deep and dark as night. She summoned her wings, but they would not come. She was vaguely aware of another presence, not far from her, wary and watchful.
-Who are you- she called.
-Save me-the other whimpered.
Rinoa turned her head, to see two violet pinpricks of light that burned with a terrible frenzy. She reached out, but the other stayed far away.
-No one can help- it insisted urgently. -You, alone-
-How?-
-My time here is short before I am found out. Let me show you-
A cool hand brushed her forehead, and dark images flared to terrible life.
The sky is bloodred, the sun a blazing eye in the wounded world, staring down upon the dying land. Man crawls like savage animals, and monsters roam freely, feeding as they choose. The earth is cracked, the vibrant greenery of life long since withered and died. The air is foul, smelling of acrid sulphur, poison to the lungs of those who have to breathe it to survive, twisting them to unrecognizable, twisted beings, a parody of what they had once been.
And, in the midst of it all, glorying in the destruction and waste, stands a tall figure, face hidden by a dark cowl. As though sensing her attention, the figure turns-
The vision ended. A high, despairing wail cut through her ears, causing her to scream in response. And in the tumult she heard one last sending.
-Remember me. Remember my charge.-
As the words died in her brain she jerked awake. The voice of a terrified female was in her ears, and dimly she recognized it as her own. There was a frantic pounding at her door, and it slid open to reveal the concerned features of her boyfriend, holding the spare keycard she had given him a year ago.
"Rinoa! What's wrong? You were screaming loud enough to wake up half the Garden." He crossed the room in two swift strides, and was kneeling beside her bed. He twined his fingers in hers, staring lovingly into her eyes. "Are you alright?"
Rinoa nodded numbly. "It was..a nightmare, a horrible one." She leaned her head against his chest and basked in his warmth and comfort. Inwardly she wondered. Only a nightmare? It seemed so real..so vivid.. Squall kissed her hair, and she propped herself into a sitting position to snuggle deeper into his arms. Just as their lips were about to touch, Zell dashed in, gulped, and ran out again. "I think she's alright," the duelist could be heard saying outside. Sorceress and commander sighed and pulled away from each other just as a sleepy-eyed Quistis poked her head in and said dryly, "Since you don't look as though you're in any mortal danger, I'm going back to sleep, if you don't mind."
"No," the two chorused cheekily. Quistis gave them one of her famous Looks and departed. Just as her head left, another replaced it. "Hiya, Rinoa!" Selphie called perkily. "What was that all about?" When Rinoa told her, feeling touched by her friends' deep concern in her welfare, even if that wasn't immediately apparent, Selphie grinned and scolded lightly, "Well, next time keep the noise level down! We incredibly busy people, contrary to popular opinion, actually need their sleep, you know! Bye! Good night-or is it good morning? Never mind. See ya!" With that, she was gone, springing lightly away to her own dorm.
"Sweet dreams, princess," Squall whispered, kissing her one last time before he stood up and left, closing her door with the keycard. Rinoa smiled, as always surprised at her ability to turn Squall's personality a complete hundred and eighty degrees. Well, maybe a hundred degrees. There were still times when hints of the old Squall surfaced, but Rinoa figured that things couldn't always be perfect.
She lay down in the covers, almost afraid to close her eyes, but in seconds she was asleep.
This time, her sleep was dreamless.
*** Pain.
More pain.
A raw scream of agony erupted out of the throat of the slender figure that lay on the hard steel table, bathed in harsh white light, the smell of disinfectant and blood strong in the air. Hands writhed against their bonds until the flesh was bloody and torn. She would endure any pain just to escape this place of horror and torment. She would give up anything, her soul, if need be.
Oh, Hyne, the pain.
She drifted into unconsciousness.
Another chap finished, finally! And what was Cid, Tre, Seifer and Squall talking about? Who was the mysterious person in Rinoa's dream? Will the vision come true? What am I doing writing all this stuff and sounding like some weird TV commenter? All shall be revealed later..but ONLY if you R&R more often to convince me that this fic is actually worth writing. MWAHAHAHA-GAG! (Chokes and has to leave to get a glass of water)
Author's Note: For all you Seifer fans out there, perk up! You don't think I'll seriously write a fic and not put our dashing but arrogant gunblader in? Nah! Also..yes, I noe Kelly doesn't sound at all like the shy librarian in the game, but I thought it was more fun if Zell had a dominating girlfriend who possessed a large purse.tee-hee! Right...ahem..let the story begin!
Squall strode down the hallways of Garden, his boot heels clicking sharply against the polished tiles, snarling impatiently at anyone who blocked his path. Not there was many. One look at their commander's tense expression and they scattered like leaves before a wind.
It took the commander less than ten minutes to reach his office, but to him it felt like forever. The lift was too slow, the stairs were too long..He crossed the final distance between the office and himself, yanked open the door, and nearly fell through it in amazement at the horrendous sight awaiting him.
His old enemy. Blond hair, trademark smirk, trench coat, and all.
Seifer.
Squall closed the door behind him, narrowing his eyes at Seifer, who raised an eyebrow back. Two other people were present, and Squall saluted as he spotted Headmaster Cid. The other was a slim redhead, Tre Tazakin, who was in charge of infiltration. She nodded to Squall in greeting, straightening and throwing him a brief salute.
"I know you're surprised to see him here," Cid said with a half-smile, glancing at Seifer, who crossed his arms and leaned against Squall's desk. The long-time rivals scowled at each other. "We sought him out about two days ago, in FH, where he was accepted among the people despite his past."
"You mean he has been living here for a couple of days under my nose?!!!" Squall gasped in shock. "Why?" he spun about to look accusingly at his superior.
"Don't you think it's time to forgive and forget?" Cid asked calmly. "As you well know, Seifer was not himself at the time. He was under the control of Sorceress Ultimecia." At the mention of the dark sorceress' name, Seifer's smirk died away, and his face grew slightly pale. Cid continued, "Besides.." He lowered his voice, "He knows about the you-know-what."
"Honestly?" Squall asked, amazed. For half a year, ever since they had picked up a mysterious signal on their sensors, they had been delving deeply into the mystery, learning enough to frustrate but not completely clear their puzzlement. And all along Seifer had known the answer. Well, if he came through this time, Squall would forgive him. Barely.
"Of course, puberty boy." Squall bristled as the old nickname brought back unwelcome memories. "I was the Sorceress' Knight after all. Hell, I might even have overseen some of it. I wouldn't know. When I look back, it's kind of foggy. But some things, they stand out. Who knows why." Seifer talked glibly, but Squall had known him for so long that he was not fooled. He saw the flash of pain in Seifer's green eyes and grudgingly summoned a shred of pity for him.
"Yes, and it's serious, Squall, more serious than we had ever imagined," Cid declared, beginning to pace back and forth. He looked sternly at Seifer. "Update the commander."
Seifer nodded and told Squall everything he could remember from his days in the Galbadian army. Squall was shocked, and he was not easily spooked. If there was even the tiniest doubt Seifer was lying intentionally, it was swept away in the glimpse he got of the emotion in Seifer's voice. He was telling the truth.
When Seifer's tale had ended, the three sat in silence for a while, then Cid said to Tre, "D'you think you could work on that?"
Tre frowned, her forehead wrinkling up in thought. "It'll be touch and go, Headmaster. But I think, yes, if possible we can send someone in. But it'll take someone with the heart of a lion or the stupidity of a Grat to want to do that, much less volunteer for it."
"I can't, sir. I'll be recognized. So will the others," Squall said regretfully.
"We'll work out the kinks when we come to it." Cid stretched, wishing he could be back at his wife's house in Centra, but he had responsibilities as leader of Garden.
"So, what will I get out of this situation?" Seifer asked suddenly, masculine ego and smirk firmly back in place. Seifer had let his impenetrable mask slip earlier, but he would not do so again. Squall, once again, felt that particular animosity he'd always reserved specially for Seifer rear up. He glared at Seifer. "You don't get kicked out of here on your butt." He stated coldly.
"That's a little ungrateful, don't you think, commander?" Seifer said slyly. "I've given you valuable information, and this is my reward? You certainly have an odd way of expressing your gratitude, Squall."
The commander growled as Cid fought to suppress a smile. Just like the good old days, he thought fondly, gaze lingering on the two young men whom he and Edea had raised like their own sons, among others. He cleared his throat to break up the growing tension in the room, and as three heads turned to him expectantly, he said with a smile, "If this turns out successfully, Squall will offer you SeeDship, won't you, Squall?"
"But, sir-"
"That's an order, Squall!"
Seifer's smile grew, if possible, wider as he snickered at Squall's predicament. Understanding that further argument was futile, Squall snapped with an ill grace, "Fine, fine! Hyne, the things I put up with in SeeD." The last he muttered under his breath, but Seifer caught it anyway and chuckled at this victory, no matter how minor.
"I'm watching you, Seifer," Squall said angrily. "You had better not foul up, or else. Worse, if your information is wrong and someone dies, I'll personally send you to see Hyne."
If this warning had even unnerved him a little, Seifer didn't show it. He just blinked. "I'm so touched, puberty boy," he sneered. "I didn't know you cared."
Before the argument between Squall and Seifer could escalate to new heights, Headmaster Cid hastily stepped in. "Calm down," he admonished the two, who shot venomous glares at one another. "We need to go over our plan of action."
*** It was night in Balamb Garden.
Rinoa tossed in uneasy sleep. Ever since Timber had become independent and her dream was fulfilled, she had stayed at Garden and come to love it and its commander. She did not have the heart or endurance to become a SeeD, and even if she did it was odd to join a group of mercenaries that had been originally trained to kill people such as herself-a sorceress, Edea's and Adel's legacy. She had stayed at first mainly because of her friends, but as the SeeDs started to accept her it became the home she never had since her mother had died. She ran errands for the Headmaster, helped Quistis out with her magic lessons with the juniors, and had fun with her companions. All in all, life was good.
Not tonight, though. She felt, somehow, nervous, as though the war which had ended two years ago wasn't quite over yet.
Sometimes, at random times in the day, a strange feeling would overwhelm her. A odd, keening, high-pitched noise would fill her ears and she would hunt frantically for the source of the dound, but found none. The sound was getting louder these days. She didn't understand. Not wanting to worry her friends, she kept up a façade of cheerfulness, joking and laughing as usual.
Rinoa dreamed.
She fell through a bottomless abyss that was deep and dark as night. She summoned her wings, but they would not come. She was vaguely aware of another presence, not far from her, wary and watchful.
-Who are you- she called.
-Save me-the other whimpered.
Rinoa turned her head, to see two violet pinpricks of light that burned with a terrible frenzy. She reached out, but the other stayed far away.
-No one can help- it insisted urgently. -You, alone-
-How?-
-My time here is short before I am found out. Let me show you-
A cool hand brushed her forehead, and dark images flared to terrible life.
The sky is bloodred, the sun a blazing eye in the wounded world, staring down upon the dying land. Man crawls like savage animals, and monsters roam freely, feeding as they choose. The earth is cracked, the vibrant greenery of life long since withered and died. The air is foul, smelling of acrid sulphur, poison to the lungs of those who have to breathe it to survive, twisting them to unrecognizable, twisted beings, a parody of what they had once been.
And, in the midst of it all, glorying in the destruction and waste, stands a tall figure, face hidden by a dark cowl. As though sensing her attention, the figure turns-
The vision ended. A high, despairing wail cut through her ears, causing her to scream in response. And in the tumult she heard one last sending.
-Remember me. Remember my charge.-
As the words died in her brain she jerked awake. The voice of a terrified female was in her ears, and dimly she recognized it as her own. There was a frantic pounding at her door, and it slid open to reveal the concerned features of her boyfriend, holding the spare keycard she had given him a year ago.
"Rinoa! What's wrong? You were screaming loud enough to wake up half the Garden." He crossed the room in two swift strides, and was kneeling beside her bed. He twined his fingers in hers, staring lovingly into her eyes. "Are you alright?"
Rinoa nodded numbly. "It was..a nightmare, a horrible one." She leaned her head against his chest and basked in his warmth and comfort. Inwardly she wondered. Only a nightmare? It seemed so real..so vivid.. Squall kissed her hair, and she propped herself into a sitting position to snuggle deeper into his arms. Just as their lips were about to touch, Zell dashed in, gulped, and ran out again. "I think she's alright," the duelist could be heard saying outside. Sorceress and commander sighed and pulled away from each other just as a sleepy-eyed Quistis poked her head in and said dryly, "Since you don't look as though you're in any mortal danger, I'm going back to sleep, if you don't mind."
"No," the two chorused cheekily. Quistis gave them one of her famous Looks and departed. Just as her head left, another replaced it. "Hiya, Rinoa!" Selphie called perkily. "What was that all about?" When Rinoa told her, feeling touched by her friends' deep concern in her welfare, even if that wasn't immediately apparent, Selphie grinned and scolded lightly, "Well, next time keep the noise level down! We incredibly busy people, contrary to popular opinion, actually need their sleep, you know! Bye! Good night-or is it good morning? Never mind. See ya!" With that, she was gone, springing lightly away to her own dorm.
"Sweet dreams, princess," Squall whispered, kissing her one last time before he stood up and left, closing her door with the keycard. Rinoa smiled, as always surprised at her ability to turn Squall's personality a complete hundred and eighty degrees. Well, maybe a hundred degrees. There were still times when hints of the old Squall surfaced, but Rinoa figured that things couldn't always be perfect.
She lay down in the covers, almost afraid to close her eyes, but in seconds she was asleep.
This time, her sleep was dreamless.
*** Pain.
More pain.
A raw scream of agony erupted out of the throat of the slender figure that lay on the hard steel table, bathed in harsh white light, the smell of disinfectant and blood strong in the air. Hands writhed against their bonds until the flesh was bloody and torn. She would endure any pain just to escape this place of horror and torment. She would give up anything, her soul, if need be.
Oh, Hyne, the pain.
She drifted into unconsciousness.
Another chap finished, finally! And what was Cid, Tre, Seifer and Squall talking about? Who was the mysterious person in Rinoa's dream? Will the vision come true? What am I doing writing all this stuff and sounding like some weird TV commenter? All shall be revealed later..but ONLY if you R&R more often to convince me that this fic is actually worth writing. MWAHAHAHA-GAG! (Chokes and has to leave to get a glass of water)