Chapter 32
Shiva.


Nights in Balamb were usually quiet, peaceful, with only the sound of the ocean lapping the shore to lull Balamb's population to sleep. Tonight was different though. The ocean could still be heard, and there was no noise in the street, but an air of uncertainty and fear loomed over each man, woman, and child in Balamb. As long as Galbadian soldiers were there, gloom clouded everyone's mind.

Squall felt this uneasiness as well, as he lay on a small cot-mattress that Zell's mother had prepared for him. Zell was curled up with several blankets on the other side of his room, having begrudingly given his bed to Quistis for the night.

Squalls thoughts blotted out sleep for the moment, as he once again assaimilated the events of the past days, weeks, and months.

Again and again, questions arose. Frusterations along with them, for lack of an answer for every one. His mind drifted from one thought to the next. He thought about Ellone, about Seifer, about Rinoa, and even about Mayor Dobe of Fisherman's Horizon. However, one thought in-paticular continued to reappear, until it grabbed Squall's complete attention.

"The Guardian Forces..." Squall thought. "...I wonder what kind of impact they've had on my mind... ...things about Ellone I'm supposed to remember... How things keep seeming so familar to me, but just beyond the scope of my memory..."

Squall had hardly given any thought to his GFs in the past. Now that he sensed a connection between his appaent long-term memoery loss and the GF critic's theorys pointing to GF use as the cause of such symptoms. However, he had to wonder.

There must be a way to know for sure… Squall thought. But it's not like anyone can speak with their GFs once they're junctioned…

Squall lifted his head at this thought. ‘Can't speak with them'? But just more than a week ago in Fisherman's Horizon, hadn't he had a communique of some sort with… Shiva?

How could I have forgotten about that… Squall wondered. It was so odd… but… I distinctly heard her voice in my head. It was clear and …and even …calming…Should I attempt to … talk with them?

Squall pondered this for a moment. As unnerving as this was, the more he thouhgt about it, the more sense it made.

It's not as if they've never spoke… Squall recalled. But there's been NO reports of a GF sharing anykind of link with their summoner…If they have as much influence on our minds as GF critics would have us belive… is it possible that Shiva can commincate with me telepatheclly?

A voice suddenly sounded loudly out of Squall's mind. It echoed mysteriously.

As their journey presses forward, the summoners and their gaurdians gain fellowship of heart, and of mind. The mutal love that bonds one to one's friends becomes the asset of the summoner and his trusted gaurdians.

Squall gasped in shock. he sat up and shot his eyes all over the room, almost hoping that Quistis or Zell was playing some kind of joke on him. He looked around, and saw them both. Zell huddled comfortablely in the corner, and Quistis, azure eyes closed in deep, peaceful sleep.

Squall opened his mouth, to speak but was cut off by the voice which he had first heard.

You would attack with weapons the foe which remains hidden from you…? Or have your mortal mentors not taught you to alter your methods for the unusual?"

Squall snapped his mouth shut, confused. The voice was soft... that of a woman's. But somehow much more powerful than he could describe.

"Thus child, do not strike blows at the wind with your questions… Speak to me with your thoughts... the voice said again.

Squall gulped nervously. He was scared… he quickly took note of which GF he had junctioned, and responded the way he was told…

Are you… Shiva? he thought.

Warmth and comfort somehow seemed to emit from the voice now.

That is the name by which many know me.

Squall became eased now, but still slightly overwhelmed.

How is this possible…? Where are you at? …Have the others expirienced this with their GFs as well?

An feeling which could only be described as a smile, entered Squall's mind as Shiva replied.

You and your comrades will be the first in millenea to expirience such a bond… but your companions have yet to reach nessicery cognizance. The intensity with which they use us will be the key to unlocking the connection which you and I now posses.

Squall's mind flurred with questions. One stood out in paticular.

…Is it true… he asked. Is it true that you… use the places in our mind where memories are stored…? Is it true that you cause us… that you have cuased ME to forget things about my past?

Shiva's response was confusing.

…The bond IS dependant on rememberance, young one. But that is all I can tell you. You have known what it means to sacrafice… But I fear that you are not ready to know what curses are primed for the one whose bidding is the duty of guardians… What you must leave behind for our power, will present itself to you soon enough…

Shiva paused, noting Squall's confusion.

I cannot answer your question, for whereupon the answer should become ‘no' or ‘yes', the obligation to reveal the truth in it's entirty would fall to me… In turn, blame would be mine for the endangerment of your destiny yet unwrote, and risk that, I refuse to do.

Squall became frusterated. He didn't understand.

What do you mean? You won't tell me? Why not?! Squall demanded.

Do not rouse your anger, and trust me as you always have she replied reproachfully. What I have told you is already too much for you to bare."

Squall wondered what she meant.

"So then, ease your heart, lest it prevail as victor over your reason…

Squall sighed deeply, glancing over to Quistis. She was still asleep. So was Zell.

Squall remained frusterated, but respectufully awknowledged and abided by Shiva's words. They carried a tone of wisdom which he could only respect.

Squall began, changing the topic. Is this permanent… are you always going to be in my mind… every waking moment? …How do I explain this to the others? This is totally unheard of… what am I supposed to do now?

His mind remained quiet.

I'm sorry. he began again. I have a lot of questions…

Do not fret over such things. Shiva assured him. The connection remains active upon your summoning, or at my will, and I will not permeate your mind. And as to your friends… She paused, expecting Squall to reply.

…What? My… friends…? You mean Quistis and everybody…? They aren't… I mean… that is to say… Squall thoughts stuttered around, somewhat amiss.

I don't… really have…freinds… he thought. But Shiva corrected him.

You spoke well to say, ‘they are not', for not all are yet, and some are in fact more. But you are blinded of your own ignorance, child. You do not see the affect which they have over you…the relationship which you must recognize." .

She paused, as if examining Squall. She seemed preplexed by something.

You are contradiction itself… You have done the immpossible to open the bond with a guardian, and yet have not realized the more tangible love which surronds you. Tell me, child, how it is that you entrust me to guard your life... I, whom you have seen only as a tool of destruction... but you then decline to allow those close to you to carry the burdens which lay heavy on your heart and soul?

Squall was flushed with embaressment.

…it isn't like that… I … I don't have an answer… I don't… know… I don't understand…

Shiva's voice became more gentle now.

Beware that you do not ignore your inner feelings…Left unattended, they become ravinous animals, and shall kill from within…In anycase, I shall answer your query; Do not speak of our bond with anyone whose matter it is not…

Please… stop being so vague… I understand so little already… Squall interrupted. Shiva complied gracefully.

Very well. Your companions may share this amounst themselves, as they will shortly become aware of their guardian's presence as well. There are six of you who I count amoung this group, and you know of whom I speak…

Squall replied. …That means Rinoa's in on this too, huh?

Shiva's voice responded in a tone of caution.

Mind your thoughts on this girl. She is both a hazard to you, and a boon. Keep her safe always.

What are you talking about? …Is something going to happen? What do you know? Squall asked.

Guardian Forces are not fortellers of events. That is immpossible, and any effort to do so would be false to our nature, and blasphemous towards the almighty... the one you know as 'Hyne' she replied. We are only aids in time of physical need, and when we choose, mentors to those who are deserving. However, we have deeper insight into the affairs of the world and of the human mind than you can imagine… Heed my warnings, and you shall fare well. And now, I take my leave of your thoughts, and place you in your own care, young one.

But wait! I still… Squall said, but it was too late. Shiva had severed the connection.

Squall looked about Zell's left and right. He put his hand to his forehead, sweating nervously, and dropped his head to the floor.

THAT, was weird… he thought.
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The next morning, Squall decided to keep his conversation with Shiva to himself, at least for the time being.

"If I understood her correctly..." he thought. "That nullifies so much about what we thought we knew about GF junctioning..."

Squall pondered this as the sun rose through Zell's bedroom window. The light hit the wall right above Zell's bed, and crept down slowly onto Quistis face. Her eyes fluttered rapidly, and she muttered something incoherent, irritated at the light.

Squall remained oblivious to the other two people in the room who were just waking up.

"She said that we would be the 'first in milenea' to have this kind of connection..." Squall thought. "So that means that GF junctioning was possible BEFORE Dr. Odine discovered... or RE-discovered it, I guess..."

Quistis had fully woken up now. She quickly sat up in Zell's bed, and combed back her hair before either Zell or Squall could notice the tangled mess it had become.

"...Everytime I sleep somewhere that isn't my room..." Quistis thought with irritation. "...I just toss and turn everywhere until my hair is an absoulute disaster... I wonder if Zell's mother will let me use their shower..."

Zell yawned loudly atop his pile of pillows and blankets which had served as his bed for the night. He stretched his arms until he heard the joints pop, and then scratched his head, smacking his mouth loudly.

He gazed over to Squall and Quistis.

"Mornin' Commander... " he said sleepily. "Mornin' Teach" he yawned at Quistis.
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After Zell's mother had forced the three SeeDs to eat something before their early bolt out the door, Squall decided to return to a few spots, and continue to look for this 'captain'.
Down at the docks, the two Galbadian soldeirs with their search-hound, were still at it, looking for clues. Squall paused for a moment, in confusion. It was almost as if they hadn't moved at all.

Squall curiously approached the area they were searching once again, but suddenly stepped back in surprise as the Dog began barking loudly.

Squall looked at one of the soldeirs with a confused expression on his face, expecting an explination.
Suddenly, the dog leapt up, and ran away from the area it was supposed to search, up the streets of Balamb.

The soldeir tried to grab at it's collar, but it was too late.

"Looking for the captain again..." the soldeir mumbled irratibley. "...dumb dog.

Squall shot his eyes up at this. The captain? ...Would the dog find him?

Squall, Quistis and Zell were all still fairly tired from the other day, so he didn't want to start chasing the dog without being sure that it would lead them to the captain.

Squall approached the Galbadian soldeir.

"....Did you say something about the captain?" he asked. The Galbadian soldier looked at Squall curiously.

"The captain?" he asked. "It's the captain's naptime now! Oops, ah… I mean… he's on patrol now!" he hastily corrected himself. "He's a very hard worker. Always out patrolling! So don't bother him!"

Squall shook his head in irritation, and motioned for Quistis and Zell to follow him. They were going to find this 'Captain', NOW.

The three tried to figure out which way the dog had gone, as they moved up the street. Suddenly, they heard barking in the direction of the train station.

"Let's go." Squall ordered.

As they approached the sation, Squall saw the search-hound climbing the stairs to the train platform, and run inside.

Once they got in, Squall looked around for soldeir's. He found one, clutching his stomach, and leaning against one of the rails.

"Ughhh" the soldeir mumbled. "I thought it smelled funny… Ughh… C-Captain.. how could you? How could you do this to us…?"

Squall noted another soldeir just a few feet away, in a similar position.

"C-captain… Fish… N…I feel Numb…" the soldier said.

Both soldeirs collapsed on the ground, in pain. The dog sniffed the one closest to Squall, Quistis and Zell, and then began barking loudly again. it ran inside on of the trains, and started growling furiously inside.

"What is going on?" Squall said aloud.

Back to dock, then to train station

Suddenly, a familar figure flew out of the back of the train clumsily, crashing his way out of the station platform. It was a young, dark skinned man with a muscular build, and an open-chest, blue vest.

Squall blinked in surprise at who it was. Finally! They'd found Raijin. Now to follow him, and find Fujin.

"It's Raijin! …Come on!" Squall cried.

As they exited the platform, Squall thought for a moment.

"Wait a minute... didn't the soldeir say that the dog was looking for the captain?... that can't be Raijin! .... can it?"

Squall walked up to the nearest Galbadian soldier he could find.

"Hey, can you tell me about the guy who just ran past here with that dog?" Squall asked him.

The soldeir cleared his throat nervously, and looked around, as if trying to come up with an answer.

Well…ah…it's like this" the soldier finally admitted. "…Raijin's the right hand man of Seifer, who's serving as the sorceress' knight. So basically… we're nothing compared to him!"

Squall narrowed his eyes, looking down the street that Raijin had ram down.

"I can't belive it." Squall thought.
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As Squall, Quistis, and Zell followed quickly followed Raijin, Squall heard the soldeir's that they passed whispering.
"Looks like the captain made it back to the headquarters before the commander could get upset with him." one said. "The commander can be pretty scary when she's mad…"

Something about the discription of the commander clicked on Squall's mind as familiar, but he didn't give it any heed. Squall focused on catching up to Raijin.

They soon reached the front walk of the Balamb hotel, where the two soldeir's responsible for the wild-goose chase looked nervously into the now opened hotel.

One noticed Squall and the others, and put his hands up.

"Hey, you! Stand back. This could be dangerous! The commander's just about to…"

But he was cut off quickly with aloud yelp, and a crumpled mass of muscle screeching across the stone walkway.

"YEOWW!" Raijin screamed. he lay on the street, clutching his chest in pain. There were several bright red marks on him which would surely bruise over.

"Ouuuch…" he winced, trying to get on his feet. He moaned as he limped about.

"F-Fujin…" he said nervously. "C-Control your temper, ya know? I was patrollin' , just like ya told me. I even woke up the search dog, sleepin' on the job, ya know?"

Raijin suddenly turned to the two soldeirs pleadingly.

"You guys help me out here!" he begged. "We've gotta calm Fujin down, ya know!?"

All three of them gazed inside of the hotel with fear. Raijin was getting his energy back, but he and the soldeirs were scared stiff.

Zell couldn't watch this anymore.

"RAIJIN!!!" Zell immpatietly cried out.

Raijin turned aroudn quickly in surprise. His face lit up with happiness and confusion.

"Wooooow! What are you guys doin' here!?" he asked.

Zell threw back his hand in a agreesive gesture.

"If Raijin and Fujin are REALLY alligned with Edea... They're goin' down!" Zell thought.

"We're here to liberate Balamb, ya know!?" he yelled. "…I mean… uhh… We're here to liberate Balamb!"

The Soldeirs took a step back in surprise. They looked at each other nervously beneath their blue helmets. They knew what the consequences of their letting enimies roam freely throughout their base was.

Raijin smirked and narowed his eyes at this. It was expression that neither Squall, Quistis or Zell had ever seen on him before... This menacing glare backed by that knowing smile was quite disconcerting. Raijin folded his arms cockily.

"Seifer told us to give you a whoppin' if we saw you, ya know!" he said harshly. He truend to the Soldeir's as he pulled out his attack staff.

"You soldeirs help me out, too!" he cried, lunging towards the trio of SeeDs.

Zell readied his fists and spat.

"You'll pay for this, Raijin!" he screamed.

Squall removed his gunblade from it's sheath, and Quistis unravaled her whip.

Raijin launched himself toward Zell furiously. His staff's mass was increased at both ends to inflict heavier blows. It was heavy, but Raijin's strength was more then enough to handle the weapon.

Zell swung his torso down in a drunken-boxing style to avoid the heavy swings being directed at him. As he came back around in a ducked position, His right fist struck sqaurely into Raijin's stomach.

Raijin was taken aback, but merely spun his staff around skillfully, and started laughing.

"Bwahaha!" he yelled. "Rock solid, ya know!" Raijin pounded his fist on his massive abdomen.

Zell merely huffed with irritation. He ran at Raijin furiously, unleashing a wave of punches and kicks.

Raijin winced at each blow. He was finally able to break free of Zell's combo, and began twirling his staff and an incredible speed.

"Hehheh..." he laughed. "How do ya like this?"

Raijin's staff came spinning at Zell with incredible speed and force. It clocked him on his shoulder, knocking him to the ground. Zell was stunned, but fortunatly had just enough energy to bring his glove-gaurded fist up, blocking the staff's opposite end from hitting his face.

Zell smirked, looking up at Raijin, who was standing atop him, ready to strike again. Raijin looked at him oddly.

"What's so funny?!" He cried.

Zell continued smileing.

"This, ya know." he said. And with that, Zell's right leg swung across Raijin's shins, bringing him to the ground.

"Hey! No fair, ya know!" Raijin cried, trying to bring himself up again.

The soldiers kept Squall and Quistis from assisting Zell. They struggled with the SeeDs as friecly as they could.

Squall's gunblade and the soldeir's Para-magic sword were locked together for the moment.

"Squall! Here!" Quistis yelled. She had broke free from the soldeir attacking her just long enough to cast a 'Sleep' spell on one of the Galbadians. As the soldeir's energy waned, Squall merely shoved him over, and he lay on the ground in a crumbled heep, sleeping.

Squall now turned his attention to the other soldeir, swinging wildly. He sliced through the soldeir's armor, disconnecting his Para-magic system instantly, as well as limiting the attack mobilty of the soldeir's uniform.

Quistis looked at Zell and Raijin's struggle. Zell looked as if his energy was waning, but he attacked with strong resolve nonetheless.

She took advantage of Raijin's preoccupation with Zell, and sliced her whip into Raijin's backside.

"ARGGHH!" Raijin cried. With that, Zell launched his fist back into Rajin's jaw one last time, bringing Rajin to his knees.

Rajin held his hand up before all three of the SeeDs could finish him off.

"Uhg, ya got me, ya know…" he said, collapsing on the street.

Raijin was face first in the street, breathing heavily, injured and exhausted

Zelljumped up happily.

"OHHHH YEAHHH!" he cried, swinging his fists about. "The commander's gonna get a whoopin', too!"

Quistis and Squall followed Zell as he ran impulsivly into the hotel lobby. They had a feeling that the liberation of Balamb was hanging in the balance of these battles.

As the SeeDs entered the hotel lobby, there was only one person inside. A young woman with short, silvery hair, and an eyepatch.

Fujin

"So I guess you're the commander!" Zell yelled at her.

"Pack your bags and get the hell outta Balamb!" He continued.

Fujin cupped her hand over her mouth in nervous surprise.

"…RAIJIN, DEFEATED…?" she exclaimed.

"That's right, BABY!" Zell asserted. "Now, where's Seifer and the sorceress!? You're all goin' DOWN!"

Zell began punching the air excitedly, breathing heavily.

Squall rolled his eyes.

"Zell, calm down." he commanded. He turned towards Fujin, calmly.

"Fujin, looks like you're on your own. Are you still willing to fight?"

Fujin looked behind the three, and her expression changed suddenly from one of unsureness, to one of confidence

"RAGE!" she cried in a commanding tone.

"BWAHA HA HA HA !!" a voice rang out. "She's not alone!"

Zell turned his head slightly

"W-Who's there!?" he asked, confused.

Raijin suddenly appeared, and ran up to Fujin's side.

"Major come-back, ya know!" he said, pounding his chest. "Actually, I feel a lot better, ya know! I feel invincible, ya know!"

Zell's eyes widened in shock.

"How the…!? I thought we defeated you!"

Raijin shook his head, smirking

"Time to get serious, ya know!?" he cried.

Fujin removed her circular weapon from her belt, and readied it to attack.

"ELLONE WHERE?" she demanded.

Sqaull merely shook his head.

"We're not giving away any information unless you agree to come to Garden" Squall said.

Fuijin's tossed her weapon towards Squall. He could hear it slice through the air, and just barely moved in time to miss it. Fujin's weapon was called a pinwheel, a boomerang-like disc with razor baldes and edges attached to it. It was normally used by assasins, and outlawed in most countries. At Garden, she trained with this weapon behind the Garden staff's backs, as Garden prohibbited the use of it.

Quistis decided that it was time to use 'Scan'. Fujin and Raijin may not have been SeeDs, but physically, they exceeded all qualifications. To Quistis surrpise, Fujin had been endowed with a Guardian Force, one which enhanced Fujin's ability to use wind magic in paticular.

"Squall! Zell! Watch out for Tornando!" Quistis cried. But it was too late. Fujin had already began forming the energy.

Squall, Quistis, and Zell were all lifted into the air by an immense gust of wind. As the air's power decreased, the three teenagers looked down to the ground, bracing for an impact.

Squall rolled as he hit, and dragged his gunblade with him. He was able to get close enough to Fujin to knock her to the ground, and begin the drawing process. he too, had noticed Fujin's GF, and he didn't want to take any chances against them. If he could remove that threat, they might not have to kill either Fujin and Raijin.

Zell and Raijin started to exchange blows just as forcefully as they had in the previous battle.

"Ouch! Not bad, ya know!?" Raijin cried as Zell once again landed a a punch to his face.

As Squall completed drawing Fujin's GF, she suddenly noticed that it was gone. She became nervous

Quistis took the oppurtunity to strike. Her whip lassoed around Fujin's legs, bringing her to the ground with a loud thud.

Fujin got loose and looked back and forth at Quistis and Raijin. She finally gave up

"I…WITHDRAW. RAIJIN, GO." she said, encouraging Raijin to continue. Fujin, however, discontinued her attacks.

Squall was now dodging Raijin's staff. He finally brought his gunblade around, and with the scream of metal, cut Raijin's staff in two. Zell finished up the assault by shoving Raijin to the ground forcefully.

Raijin bent down on one knee, breathing heavily.

"Fujin, I lost too, ya know…" he said, exasperated.

Squall motioned for Fujin to put down her weapon, and as she did so he sheathed his sword.

He looked on at them contemplativly for a moment.

"Are the two of you taking orders from the sorceress?" he finally asked.

Fujin stood at attention, and with a tone of tone of contempt, answered.

"NEGATIVE!"

Raijin spoke up as well.

"The sorceress has nothin' to do with us, ya know!? We're acting on our own!"

Squall raised an eyebrow at this.

"Own plan…?"

Raijin further explained, somewhat sheepishly

"We're on Seifer's side, ya know!"

Squall thought about this for a second.

" …That's up to you, but…" he replied. "Enough is Enough. This isn't an internal Garden conflict."

Raijin and Fujin merely looked at the ground at this comment.

"We can't back out now, ya know…" Raijin mumbled.

Fujin shook her head with resolve, but her expression betrayed her.

"NEGATIVE" she said.

Raijin looked up at Squall, a worried expression on his face.

"Seifer has a lot of followers, but we're his only friends… we're a posse, ya know…?" he tried to explain. "The Galbadian soldeirs are only listening to Seifer ‘cause they fear the sorceress. Without us, Seifer wouldn't have a posse, ya know…?"

Zell put his hand to his forehead. He started to feel sorry for them, but their actions still didn't make sense.

"If you guys stand behind him that much…Tell frickin' Seifer to stop this nonsense!" he exclaimed.

Fuin and Raijin looked at each other, contemplating the suggestion.

"AFFIRMATIVE!" Fujin suddenly cried, as if understanding Raijin's thoughts.

Raijin turned to Squall and the others.

"We ain't no sell-outs! We're behind Seifer all the way, ya know!?" he said difiantly.

Squall shrugged, somewhat dissapointed.

"Ok… Understood. So you want nothing to do with Garden now?" he asked.

Both Fujin and Raijin noded reluctantly.

Squall glared at them, wanting to be sure.

" …From now on, we're not gonna hold back." he explained. Squall sighed.

" …I guess that's how it goes. That's what comrades are all about…" he thought to himself.

Quistis had been taking everything in, but couldn't belive that Fujin and Raijin were really going to go with Seifer this far.

"Wait a minute!" she cried. "Don't you two want to think about..."

Raijin put up his hand

"Don't wanna... talk anymore, ya know…" he was breathing hard, like something was broken. "Kinda painful… ya know…"

Fujin huffed in irritation at this. She kicked her brother's shin.

"WIMP! RUN!" she yelled.

Both Fujin and Raijin ran out of the hotel. Squall could here them outside, giving orders to soldeir's.

"We're leavin' ya know!"

"OCCUPATION, OVER!"

Quistis looked to the ground sadly

"…It's too bad" she said whisfully.

Squall turned to face her.

"Friend or foe… It all comes down to circumstance. That's how we were raised." he explained. But even as he said it, his feelings made him unsure about that logic.
"It's …nothing special." he finished.

Squall just felt uncomfortable after that, however. As if he couldn't even make himself pretend that he belived that line of reasoning anymore.

"Nothing special… Is that true? Then… What is this I'm feeling?" he thought. He shook his head, frusterated for lack of an answer.

"Let's go" he commanded.
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Leaving Balamb was even easier than getting in. All Galbadian personel were packing, or leaving their posts. Most had already caught the train to Timber at this point, to report back to Galbadia.

Zell stopped by his house, and a few others to make sure that everyone was alright. By this time, everyone had heard of the 'defeat of the captain and commander by three brave SeeDs', so many people wanted to talk with Zell on his way out of town. But Squall urged him to leave quickly.

On the Garden Bridge, everyone seemed a bit solom. Squall and Quistis and arrived, but neither seemed to be in a mood for conversation.

"Where are we going next? Quistis asked quietly.

Suddenly, the elevator lowered, and rose again with someone on top of it. It was Selphie

"Hello, s'cuse me!" she said in a cheerful tone.

Squall turned to see her, and was surrpised. He hadn't heard from her in a few days, at least.

"What is it?" he asked calmly.

Selphie walked onto the main platform causiously, and placed her hand on Squall's arm shyly.

"Have you decided on a destination?" she asked.

Squall shook his head.

"Still thinking" he replied.

"um… Can we maybe go to Trabia Garden?" Selphie pelaed. "It's like… in the mountains, so maybe the sorceress will leave it alone… But maybe… You know?"

Squall narrowed his eyes, confused.

"But I thought it was destoryed by missiles. Oh, I see… that's why. Of course she'd want to go."

Squall nodded reassuringly.

"I'll keep that in mind." he replied as warmly as he knew how.

Selphie smiled wisfully.

"Thanks" she said. She turned around, and went back down the Bridge elevtor.

Quistis sighed.

"Selphie… She's trying hard to act cheerful" she observed.

Nida turned around, to Squall.

"Are we ready to ship out?" he asked.

Squall nodded.

" ….. Head north." he commanded.


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End Chap 32.

Two long chapters in Balamb. I sure thought that these were boreing, but I hope they suited their purpose.
Next chapter, things really start coming together. 33 is set to be another large one, but I bet you won't be able to put it down! ...er... stop scrolling ... through it...
. . .
Anyway, it's called 'memories in Trabia Garden', and it promises to be one of the most engaging chapters so far.
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