Chapter 16: Deadly Duel
Mattius2k04: For all of you action-lovers out there, more FF style action is on it's way. . . Including a fight between Squall and another. . . character that may seem familiar. Plus, for all of you Zell/Selphie fans, those two will show up shortly, if not in this chapter itself. Also, keep in mind a character from another FF game will be making his way into it. Enjoy, because no that school is back and March Break has ended, I have schoolwork to do and less time for the story. The tournament, finally, is in the next few chapters, and you can expect some high-quality fights and unexpected appearances. Also, keep in mind this story will be becoming first-person perspective in some areas, to make it more dramatic.
*Just like all those years ago. . . just like the fight that gave me this.* A gloved hand ran over a long, thin red scar, as if to make sure it was still there. Silver eyes narrowed in concentration on the task ahead. Sharpened, honed sword was wielded with unparalleled skill. ?Long, shoulder- length brown hair rustled calmly in the open wind. As the sky cracked with bolts of pure energy, his opposition called out to him.
"It started raining last time too." Remarked the blonde swordsman. "Shall we get this thing over with, before it rains on our parade?" He stared at his foe, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, Squall?"
"Come on, Seifer, I'll settle this." Squall answered. After his old nemesis, now proclaimed President of Galbadia Garden, had come to his office demanding a good duel, he couldn't possibly refuse. After all, it had been years since they had engaged in any real one-on-one challenges, and they both wanted to reclaim old memories. Still, it was strange to see how he had changed. After the Ultimecia Incident, Seifer had retreated into shadow only to re-emerge suddenly as the Head of Galbadia. Rumours said that foul play was at work, but despite their differences, Squall begged to differ. But now, years later, Seifer was basically the same man, arrogant and confidant at once, rash and wily as well, and with no small amount of talent. In fact, he was nearly as good as Squall.
The two swordsmen circled each other in anticipation of the first move. It was like a game of chess, the person who made his first move pressed his opponent to counter and respond quickly and efficiently. After a series of strategies, one man would emerge victorious. Only, this 'game' was lethal. In a split second, Seifer darted forwards with his gunblade Hyperion and swung hard to Squall's left. Squall raised his own blade, countering it with consummate skill. They pushed the blades against each other, until they pushed too hard and were forced to leap backwards a great distance.
"Not bad." Seifer commented.
". . .Whatever." Squall retorted. They resumed their circling motions, eying each other cautiously. This time, Squall reacted first. He swung his gunblade in a fake motion, feigning to the right and attacking. Seifer saw the move and countered, blocking it. Squall pushed to the other side and his gunblade dashed to the left. Seifer countered it as well. Rain continued to drip on the combatants, causing their hair to dampen and fall down. Squall had no trouble with his longer hair, and the two resumed fighting. The swords danced an incomparable dance, moving with almost inhuman speed and strength. For every blow, there was a counter, for every counter there was a block. Squall and Seifer leaped back again, measuring the weaknesses of their foes, if there even was any. Squall dashed forwards with an attacked aimed at Seifer's legs, but Seifer leaped high over them and brought his gunblade down and cleaved Squall in half from head to toe. Or at least, that would have happened if Squall hadn't darted to the side. Such was the concentration, stubbornness, and will to be the winner in this duel. Squall thrust his sword forwards, and Seifer flipped it off, and countered with his blade. For nearly an hour they fought, before the victor was decided.
"Not a single bead of sweat from me. Don't know about you, because it's obvious that I'm winning." Seifer laughed. Granted, it was hard to distinguish the lightening rain from any sweat, but he knew he wasn't. He didn't even feel tired, though his body was warm from movement.
"We'll see." Squall retorted. They both knew that the next dance would decide the winner. Squall sped forwards and leapt into the air, bringing his blade down. Seifer blocked, but Squall gained the upper hand and swung his sword in a wide arc, taking Seifer's blade along with it. The two swords were embedded in the ground, and were soon retracted by their wielders. Squall bent over face-up, bending his entire back as Seifer's blade swooped in a flat arc over his face, just barely missing cleaving his nose off. Seifer lost his balance, and Squall pressed the advantage. He swung his sword harder and harder until Seifer's sword was smashed from his hands. As Seifer dashed to reclaim it, the flat end of Squall's cold blade pressed against his neck.
"I win."
They stared at each other for a split second before a clapping sound could be heard.
"Bravo guys, that was impressive. Guess Squall won though. Too bad Seifer, you lost."
"Shut the hell up, Chickenwuss!" Seifer bellowed. "Aw fuck this, I'm going back to Galbadia. See you around, Leonhart." With that, he made a rude hand motion towards Zell and stormed off. Speaking of storm, the rain had stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Sunlight was shining through the dark grey clouds here and there.
"Ah, Zell, you were watching?" Squall commented, though he knew the answer.
"'Course, man, you owned him!" Zell clapped, walking to his former comrade and putting his shoulder. "Wish I coulda said more to that son of a gun before he ran off with his tail between his legs. So anyways, training for the competition in a month or so?"
"I don't know. Probably." Squall replied bluntly.
Squall didn't even need to ask before Zell replied. "Yeah, I'm going to join too. Sounds really fun, I bet I'm gonna get pretty damn far too. Been doin' nothin' but trainin'." His last few words were short and excited.
"Yeah." Squall replied. He sheathed his sword, and turned to walk away. "I'll see you later." He heard Zell yell out a goodbye, and a few more words, but Squall was already in his own world.
Hours later...
As I lay in bed beside my beloved, I once again found myself thinking about the feelings. Oh god, the feelings I've felt lately. Rinoa stirred besides me, her hand moving across my bare chest. It was late, and once again, I had insomnia. She was so beautiful in slumber, and I had no intention to wake her. Her blue nightdress lay sprawled over the covers, and it was apparent to me that we had fallen asleep with the lights on. Again. Ruffles, our cat, was laying at the foot of the bed. Whatever. I didn't care about that little nuisance.
Groaning with frustration, I got out of bed. I made my way through our house, and sat on my couch. As I sat there, reflecting, the last moments of the battle for time came back to me.
"Squall, I'm so sorry, I can't fight anymore. . . I'm. . . sorry." Rinoa spoke with sorrow as she collapsed. She was the final to fall. Around me laid the unconscious bodies of my companions. They were not dead, thank Hyne. But if I didn't do something, they would be, as would the world.
All of us, all six of us. It was so hard to believe. Yet Ultimecia stood, undaunted by the numbers we brought to bear. When Zell, Quistis, and Irvine rushed her, they were blasted into the darkness and desperation around us. With a snap of her fingers, she defeated some of the strongest warriors in Garden. As Rinoa, Selphie and myself engaged her, Selphie managed to get a hit in before Ultimecia snapped her like a twig. She stood frozen in time, victim of a never ending stop spell. Rinoa and myself were the only two that stood a chance. Rinoa's stamina was massacred by the spells of our foe. Only her own powers kept her alive. And here I stood. Alone, surrounded by darkness, and the last rays of hope disappearing from our clutching, flailing grasps. With us, the world would perish. But I wouldn't go down. Not here, not without a fight. I steeled myself for the charge. The final charge of Squall Leonhart, Gunblade Warrior and last hope of the world. I got three steps before she tossed me backwards, as if she was toying with me like a cat and a mouse.
As I struggled to my feet, I sensed something different. I felt Rinoa. I felt my friends. I felt the world. Power coursed through me. Unknown power, unmatchable power. I knew it was my chance. The swirling miasma about me never stopped changing, but I knew something had to. I had to get out of here. Ever feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel? That's how I felt then and there. Fuck, I thought I was going to die. But then my legs carried me forwards. My arms held my blade, and my eyes saw Ultimecia's power, where I could hit her. And hit her I did. I weaved in and out of her spells, and by the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.
I performed Lionheart. I performed an attack that destroyed Ultimecia in one single hit. As she fell, the hopes were rekindled. And the world was saved.
And I dwelt on these feelings this night. And I dwelt on the feelings of fear. A shadow was growing in the east. I sensed a power, a great, unmatchable power. It was like Ultimecia, but stronger. I knew that something was different, for when my blade destroyed the ultimate Sorceress, I gained some of her power unto myself. So to speak, I am the first Sorcerer, the first male sorceress (erm, sorcerer) in all history, save for the husband of Hyne herself. And a point to this, I knew of bad omens. This was not going to be good.
Mattius2k04: For all of you action-lovers out there, more FF style action is on it's way. . . Including a fight between Squall and another. . . character that may seem familiar. Plus, for all of you Zell/Selphie fans, those two will show up shortly, if not in this chapter itself. Also, keep in mind a character from another FF game will be making his way into it. Enjoy, because no that school is back and March Break has ended, I have schoolwork to do and less time for the story. The tournament, finally, is in the next few chapters, and you can expect some high-quality fights and unexpected appearances. Also, keep in mind this story will be becoming first-person perspective in some areas, to make it more dramatic.
*Just like all those years ago. . . just like the fight that gave me this.* A gloved hand ran over a long, thin red scar, as if to make sure it was still there. Silver eyes narrowed in concentration on the task ahead. Sharpened, honed sword was wielded with unparalleled skill. ?Long, shoulder- length brown hair rustled calmly in the open wind. As the sky cracked with bolts of pure energy, his opposition called out to him.
"It started raining last time too." Remarked the blonde swordsman. "Shall we get this thing over with, before it rains on our parade?" He stared at his foe, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, Squall?"
"Come on, Seifer, I'll settle this." Squall answered. After his old nemesis, now proclaimed President of Galbadia Garden, had come to his office demanding a good duel, he couldn't possibly refuse. After all, it had been years since they had engaged in any real one-on-one challenges, and they both wanted to reclaim old memories. Still, it was strange to see how he had changed. After the Ultimecia Incident, Seifer had retreated into shadow only to re-emerge suddenly as the Head of Galbadia. Rumours said that foul play was at work, but despite their differences, Squall begged to differ. But now, years later, Seifer was basically the same man, arrogant and confidant at once, rash and wily as well, and with no small amount of talent. In fact, he was nearly as good as Squall.
The two swordsmen circled each other in anticipation of the first move. It was like a game of chess, the person who made his first move pressed his opponent to counter and respond quickly and efficiently. After a series of strategies, one man would emerge victorious. Only, this 'game' was lethal. In a split second, Seifer darted forwards with his gunblade Hyperion and swung hard to Squall's left. Squall raised his own blade, countering it with consummate skill. They pushed the blades against each other, until they pushed too hard and were forced to leap backwards a great distance.
"Not bad." Seifer commented.
". . .Whatever." Squall retorted. They resumed their circling motions, eying each other cautiously. This time, Squall reacted first. He swung his gunblade in a fake motion, feigning to the right and attacking. Seifer saw the move and countered, blocking it. Squall pushed to the other side and his gunblade dashed to the left. Seifer countered it as well. Rain continued to drip on the combatants, causing their hair to dampen and fall down. Squall had no trouble with his longer hair, and the two resumed fighting. The swords danced an incomparable dance, moving with almost inhuman speed and strength. For every blow, there was a counter, for every counter there was a block. Squall and Seifer leaped back again, measuring the weaknesses of their foes, if there even was any. Squall dashed forwards with an attacked aimed at Seifer's legs, but Seifer leaped high over them and brought his gunblade down and cleaved Squall in half from head to toe. Or at least, that would have happened if Squall hadn't darted to the side. Such was the concentration, stubbornness, and will to be the winner in this duel. Squall thrust his sword forwards, and Seifer flipped it off, and countered with his blade. For nearly an hour they fought, before the victor was decided.
"Not a single bead of sweat from me. Don't know about you, because it's obvious that I'm winning." Seifer laughed. Granted, it was hard to distinguish the lightening rain from any sweat, but he knew he wasn't. He didn't even feel tired, though his body was warm from movement.
"We'll see." Squall retorted. They both knew that the next dance would decide the winner. Squall sped forwards and leapt into the air, bringing his blade down. Seifer blocked, but Squall gained the upper hand and swung his sword in a wide arc, taking Seifer's blade along with it. The two swords were embedded in the ground, and were soon retracted by their wielders. Squall bent over face-up, bending his entire back as Seifer's blade swooped in a flat arc over his face, just barely missing cleaving his nose off. Seifer lost his balance, and Squall pressed the advantage. He swung his sword harder and harder until Seifer's sword was smashed from his hands. As Seifer dashed to reclaim it, the flat end of Squall's cold blade pressed against his neck.
"I win."
They stared at each other for a split second before a clapping sound could be heard.
"Bravo guys, that was impressive. Guess Squall won though. Too bad Seifer, you lost."
"Shut the hell up, Chickenwuss!" Seifer bellowed. "Aw fuck this, I'm going back to Galbadia. See you around, Leonhart." With that, he made a rude hand motion towards Zell and stormed off. Speaking of storm, the rain had stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Sunlight was shining through the dark grey clouds here and there.
"Ah, Zell, you were watching?" Squall commented, though he knew the answer.
"'Course, man, you owned him!" Zell clapped, walking to his former comrade and putting his shoulder. "Wish I coulda said more to that son of a gun before he ran off with his tail between his legs. So anyways, training for the competition in a month or so?"
"I don't know. Probably." Squall replied bluntly.
Squall didn't even need to ask before Zell replied. "Yeah, I'm going to join too. Sounds really fun, I bet I'm gonna get pretty damn far too. Been doin' nothin' but trainin'." His last few words were short and excited.
"Yeah." Squall replied. He sheathed his sword, and turned to walk away. "I'll see you later." He heard Zell yell out a goodbye, and a few more words, but Squall was already in his own world.
Hours later...
As I lay in bed beside my beloved, I once again found myself thinking about the feelings. Oh god, the feelings I've felt lately. Rinoa stirred besides me, her hand moving across my bare chest. It was late, and once again, I had insomnia. She was so beautiful in slumber, and I had no intention to wake her. Her blue nightdress lay sprawled over the covers, and it was apparent to me that we had fallen asleep with the lights on. Again. Ruffles, our cat, was laying at the foot of the bed. Whatever. I didn't care about that little nuisance.
Groaning with frustration, I got out of bed. I made my way through our house, and sat on my couch. As I sat there, reflecting, the last moments of the battle for time came back to me.
"Squall, I'm so sorry, I can't fight anymore. . . I'm. . . sorry." Rinoa spoke with sorrow as she collapsed. She was the final to fall. Around me laid the unconscious bodies of my companions. They were not dead, thank Hyne. But if I didn't do something, they would be, as would the world.
All of us, all six of us. It was so hard to believe. Yet Ultimecia stood, undaunted by the numbers we brought to bear. When Zell, Quistis, and Irvine rushed her, they were blasted into the darkness and desperation around us. With a snap of her fingers, she defeated some of the strongest warriors in Garden. As Rinoa, Selphie and myself engaged her, Selphie managed to get a hit in before Ultimecia snapped her like a twig. She stood frozen in time, victim of a never ending stop spell. Rinoa and myself were the only two that stood a chance. Rinoa's stamina was massacred by the spells of our foe. Only her own powers kept her alive. And here I stood. Alone, surrounded by darkness, and the last rays of hope disappearing from our clutching, flailing grasps. With us, the world would perish. But I wouldn't go down. Not here, not without a fight. I steeled myself for the charge. The final charge of Squall Leonhart, Gunblade Warrior and last hope of the world. I got three steps before she tossed me backwards, as if she was toying with me like a cat and a mouse.
As I struggled to my feet, I sensed something different. I felt Rinoa. I felt my friends. I felt the world. Power coursed through me. Unknown power, unmatchable power. I knew it was my chance. The swirling miasma about me never stopped changing, but I knew something had to. I had to get out of here. Ever feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel? That's how I felt then and there. Fuck, I thought I was going to die. But then my legs carried me forwards. My arms held my blade, and my eyes saw Ultimecia's power, where I could hit her. And hit her I did. I weaved in and out of her spells, and by the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.
I performed Lionheart. I performed an attack that destroyed Ultimecia in one single hit. As she fell, the hopes were rekindled. And the world was saved.
And I dwelt on these feelings this night. And I dwelt on the feelings of fear. A shadow was growing in the east. I sensed a power, a great, unmatchable power. It was like Ultimecia, but stronger. I knew that something was different, for when my blade destroyed the ultimate Sorceress, I gained some of her power unto myself. So to speak, I am the first Sorcerer, the first male sorceress (erm, sorcerer) in all history, save for the husband of Hyne herself. And a point to this, I knew of bad omens. This was not going to be good.
