Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, or any of the related characters. If I did, I would track down the Squall model, and kiss him.  I also do not own Evanescence, or any of its songs, et cetera.

Note: I heard there is the Squall model looks almost exactly like Squall. Yeahness. I don't speak Japanese though, and probably he doesn't speak English. -___- Grr. Not that I'd ever really meet him, but…oh, well…I need a life. Well, sorry that the last chapter took so long to post, and it was crappy. Life has been a tad chaotic (I am the queen of understatements. Bow, and kiss my…hands!) Also, if it looks spelled wrong, or weird, it's probably an anagram. I took the idea, and ran with it. Heh heh.

    Well, hopefully this chapter will be better. I am not in a really bad mood right now, so it isn't going to be as dark as some of the others. I am actually rather content in life right now (bad for story telling. BAD)

Oh, yeah, I revised chapter 9. I wasn't happy with it….at all..

Chapter 10: Shattered China

 

     Squall walked slowly towards the kitchen, his heels clanked against the cold floor. Every step seemed to weigh more than the previous one. A loud laughter could be heard from the kitchen as he approached the doorway. Quistis stood in the way, but he squeezed around her. As he did so, he slightly grazed her back with his hand. She seemed to melt by the touch, and looked at Squall.

     Squall smiled as he looked at the source of laughter. Quistis stared confused at him. Squall took no heed of her, as he began to laugh. Well, attempt to anyways. It came out like a awkward yelp. Sounding more like a dying lion than a laugh. Everyone turned in amazement at him, and Zell dropped the blue china plated he had been balancing on his chin. They crashed to the floor, and seemed as if they gasped along with everyone else.

     Rinoa's eyes grew large, and thought that he had finally lost it. Edea stared coldly, and everyone else looked on in bewilderment. The man that barely even smiled…laughed…

     Squall looked at everyone uneasily, and said nothing. Finally Irvine broke the silence by smacking Quistis's ass, and saying, "See? I told you he was going to be fine. He just needed a good ol' fashioned man-to-man talk."

     Selphie rolled her eyes, and silently chuckled to herself. She knew that it was something that she did. She just didn't know what exactly it was that Squall was up to. Her face cringed for a moment as she thought that maybe he was putting on, so that everyone else wouldn't worry. The thought passed, and she told herself that he never would be anything, but true to himself. He might not always tell you what he was thinking (okay, rarely he would), but he never lied.

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     Everyone boarded the Ragnarok, and a sadness of parting seemed to overwhelm everyone. Edea faked cheerful, and told everyone that they would meet again. But in her mind she was hoping for Rinoa's demise. Longing for it like a crack addict longs for his new fix. Her thoughts were troubled, and she fed off of them. Her hate was what kept her alive. Her dying soul was what her crippled body fed off of. Her torment would be gone one day, and then she would die in peace. Peace is what she longed for, despite her cold exterior, and morbidity.

     Squall sat in a passenger seat, but soon spread out his thin body out to sleep. Selphie, and the others were in the cockpit, watching the take off. He figured that he would catch a few Zzz's, and hopefully feel better. Soon the blanket of sleep started to cover him, and he played "My Immortal" in his CD player.

I'm so tired of being here.

Suppressed by all of my childish fears.

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

'Cause you presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time can not erase….

     Squall fell into a deep sleep, but a different song flooded his ears. It sounded like Liberi Fatali, but….the words… were different… Stethos Rufes

Ceros

Thales….

    He seemed to be in a different world. It appeared he was underwater, but with air to breath, and magic flashed in the horizon. He sat on the ground, or what he thought was, and started to stand up. The woman from the beach approached him, and her hair, and garments flow behind her slowly. She helped him to his feet, and spoke in English in his ear. She smiled, and flounced off. Squall followed, doing as she bade. For she told him to follow her if he should want to hear news of his future.

     She sat upon a rock, and smiled as Squall caught up with her, out of breath. He gasped for air, and bent over with his hands on his knees. She gave a small chuckle, and rose. She led him to the rock to sit, and cleared her throat.

Woman (in an accent similar to Odine's)(she'll speak in italics 'cause she blabs a lot): I can tell you this once, and once only. I haven't much time. This is the time of the Renori Sofessa Theatchi Flossa. The "Faithless Restoration of Chaos." I am to take part in this, as are you. There is a dark force at work, my voel. To think of tomorrow hurts, and relieves me.

     We are to fight in time. Take that as you wish. The sorceress you wish to fight is to be like no other. She.. has more…how do you say?…power? Than Edea, or Ultimecia. For she has taken many powers from the innocent. Blood, and revenge fill her mind, as does the darkest crevices of yours. You know of what I speak.

    Forgive your father, my voel. Your strongest enemy lies within. Also, your Rinoa? That is her name is it not? She will die lest you save her. You are her only hope of not entering the Abyss of Stol Louss. Or, how do you say… The Abyss of Lost Souls. Yes? Decide your heart's truth, and fight for it. If you should…

     She collapsed in pain, and clasped her chest. Squall ran to her side, but a barrier repelled him. He fell before the rock, and drew his gunblade. She looked to him in agony, and told him to stay back. Curses could be heard from her lips.

Woman: I haven't much time….My Voel…. Fight… Be true to yourself, and others. Don't hide behind a masque. You are  a beautiful person.

     Squall ran to her, & to his surprise the barrier had faded.

Squall (holding her): …What is your name?

Woman (a faint chuckle): I am called Dae Begh Feer Nihm Toturod Ynef by the few that know me. However, you may call me Oceania. 'Til we meet again (kisses him) (fades)

     Squall awoke to hear Rinoa's voice in his ear.

Rinoa: Squall…Wake up. We're here.

Squall: Was that all…just a weird dream?

Note: Well, this chapter kinda isn't wasn't quite right either. Oh, well. I found out something disturbing, and it's really pissing me off like, halfway through writing this… GRRRRRR! Well, also I lied about lying about my character. You've known me for a while now! Tee hee. You guys probably already figured that out, and are rolling your eyes now. Oh, well. Also, Some of the anagrams I'll decipher if asked, but some are kinda on a need to know basis until later in the story. ^ v ^ Tee hee.