Author's Notes: Just to remind everyone, I don't own FF8, Square-Enix or
most of the stuff I write about. I wish I did. If I did, I'd verify the
fact Rinoa was indeed Ultimecia. This chapter will not pick up at the end
of Squall's Journey as a normal chapter was, nor is it a flashback. It
begins at the same second Squall's does. Oh yeah... I'm not updating until I
get more than two reviews!
Silver-nex: As always, you are my favorite. Thanks for the kind words! I'm REALLY glad you love my poem! I'm glad you were sad... I was going for that.
Chapter 14: The Maze: Seifer's Light
Trickles of ice cold water run down my cheek... Well, in truth, it isn't my cheek but a reflection of that handsome part of my body. Should I clarify? I will tell you this; even the palaces of Gilgamesh and Eden were not this perfect. Walls were lined with pillars of pure diamond. Uniquely blown glass torches adorned these pillars. Carved emerald, rubies and black diamonds, most being bigger than my head, just stood everywhere. It was almost like this place was created to draw my attention, my awe. Right now I am looking at my reflection on a polished piece of glass in the wall which was under a cold spring.
The oddest sound then reached my ears, a rough sound, like dragging a wet burlap sack over stone. Only one explanation for such a thing... A Serpent. Judging from how long that sound continues, it's a long one at that. Though I'm tempted to turn and look at it, something inside warns me from it. Straining to see it's reflection in the mirror, I restrain my dread. A single glimpse rewards my self-control. A creature right out of myths, and legends is coming towards me... A basilisk. One look would have been my ending. Still, I am entranced by the monster's shimmering blue scales, cold like my lion.
Quickly I close my eyes, unsure as to how I'm gonna get out of this one. To attack would mean turning around. If I didn't have Squall to worry about, I'd consider this a fitting end. This is because this place looks like a temple for a god. Every temple needs a statue of its god, and from what I often say of myself and this basilisk, I might soon be that statue. What am I supposed to do?
Then it hits me, I know how to get out of this. Words Ifrit had given me when Squall and I were at Shiva's summoning point were the key. These unique monsters are... were human. I have to save this person.
"I have no clue how long you've been like this... But I'm gonna release you... To do so, you've gotta close your eyes for me, or we're both lost."
How can I be certain that this serpent can even understand me? Then slithering sounds reach my ears, and a hiss is my response. Though scared, I turn and open my eyes. The serpent's body is turned away from me, eyes closed and head buried amid coils. I am almost reminded of Ouroboros, the snake eating it's tail that symbolized eternity. A moment this causes déjà vu before I step to the creature. My fingers run over her or maybe his scales. Cold and smooth, icy because of the icy water it must have swum out of.
Words, ones I'd never heard before, flowing and sweet, passed from my lips. The serpent relaxed under my hands, the tense muscles of the body slackening. A near human sigh came from it, and the basilisk died before me. Amazing, I still can't believe what I'd just done, or even the language I spoke. It seems to me that my words have to do with these odd runes.
"Kind words and a kind heart for such a warrior," a strong voice came from behind me.
When I turned my eyes fell upon a great blue dragon. Ultimecia had told me once of this. The great GF, Tiamat, was towering above me, red eyes looking down on me. Once, like Griever is right. You will be perfect... You may proceed."
A part of the stone wall slid away. At Tiamat's gesture, I went through. For a moment I was blinded by the light.
"Seifer Almasy... You're right on time."
Silver-nex: As always, you are my favorite. Thanks for the kind words! I'm REALLY glad you love my poem! I'm glad you were sad... I was going for that.
Chapter 14: The Maze: Seifer's Light
Trickles of ice cold water run down my cheek... Well, in truth, it isn't my cheek but a reflection of that handsome part of my body. Should I clarify? I will tell you this; even the palaces of Gilgamesh and Eden were not this perfect. Walls were lined with pillars of pure diamond. Uniquely blown glass torches adorned these pillars. Carved emerald, rubies and black diamonds, most being bigger than my head, just stood everywhere. It was almost like this place was created to draw my attention, my awe. Right now I am looking at my reflection on a polished piece of glass in the wall which was under a cold spring.
The oddest sound then reached my ears, a rough sound, like dragging a wet burlap sack over stone. Only one explanation for such a thing... A Serpent. Judging from how long that sound continues, it's a long one at that. Though I'm tempted to turn and look at it, something inside warns me from it. Straining to see it's reflection in the mirror, I restrain my dread. A single glimpse rewards my self-control. A creature right out of myths, and legends is coming towards me... A basilisk. One look would have been my ending. Still, I am entranced by the monster's shimmering blue scales, cold like my lion.
Quickly I close my eyes, unsure as to how I'm gonna get out of this one. To attack would mean turning around. If I didn't have Squall to worry about, I'd consider this a fitting end. This is because this place looks like a temple for a god. Every temple needs a statue of its god, and from what I often say of myself and this basilisk, I might soon be that statue. What am I supposed to do?
Then it hits me, I know how to get out of this. Words Ifrit had given me when Squall and I were at Shiva's summoning point were the key. These unique monsters are... were human. I have to save this person.
"I have no clue how long you've been like this... But I'm gonna release you... To do so, you've gotta close your eyes for me, or we're both lost."
How can I be certain that this serpent can even understand me? Then slithering sounds reach my ears, and a hiss is my response. Though scared, I turn and open my eyes. The serpent's body is turned away from me, eyes closed and head buried amid coils. I am almost reminded of Ouroboros, the snake eating it's tail that symbolized eternity. A moment this causes déjà vu before I step to the creature. My fingers run over her or maybe his scales. Cold and smooth, icy because of the icy water it must have swum out of.
Words, ones I'd never heard before, flowing and sweet, passed from my lips. The serpent relaxed under my hands, the tense muscles of the body slackening. A near human sigh came from it, and the basilisk died before me. Amazing, I still can't believe what I'd just done, or even the language I spoke. It seems to me that my words have to do with these odd runes.
"Kind words and a kind heart for such a warrior," a strong voice came from behind me.
When I turned my eyes fell upon a great blue dragon. Ultimecia had told me once of this. The great GF, Tiamat, was towering above me, red eyes looking down on me. Once, like Griever is right. You will be perfect... You may proceed."
A part of the stone wall slid away. At Tiamat's gesture, I went through. For a moment I was blinded by the light.
"Seifer Almasy... You're right on time."