"Bahamut, please give me strength for the night," Seifer quietly prayed before a large statue of a winged dragon. He had been here the entire evening since his short meetings with Rinoa and Squall. The great prince had come to Bahamut's temple to ask for guidance. The powerful dragon was the God above all the other gods. Bahamut was the father of creation, and made the sun rise and fall. The only god that could possibly come in comparison was Griever. That god had become a taboo in this kingdom however. Seifer's grandfather had some problem with the people giving praise to Griever, so he had made it forbidden; and so the city (and the surrounding territory) was governed under Bahamut. Seifer had grown up never knowing who Griever truly was in the world of the gods, but it never drew his curiosity.
"I forever live for you. Ask what you will of me and I shall use all my power to give it to you," Seifer bowed his head while reaching out to humbly touch the clawed foot of the sacred statue. He lightly ran his thumb over the cold stone as if it were living flesh.
Now that he was finished, Seifer stood and exited the temple. He was surprised to find that it was night, a dark moonless night. It had been broad daylight when he had first stepped into the temple. He didn't realize it had taken so long to pray—but he had taken time to explain to Bahamut about the problems he was having with Squall and Rinoa; it was done in hopes that the God would give him a solution.
Seifer dismissively shook his head then headed for the palace. Bahamut's temple had been constructed near the palace so that the pharaoh and the god could always remain close. The blonde prince crossed the short span of dark sand and ascended the stone stairs. He drifted past the door sentries and welcomed the soft fabric of a long red rug under his feet. The feeling was lost when Seifer turned into a different hallway that led away from the pharaoh's chambers; the rugs had then turned to hard, cold marble.
These hallways were not lit like the main hall. The only source of light here was the streaks of starlight that streamed in through the windows. Seifer walked briskly, breaking the star's faint light with his body and casting his tall shadow on the opposite wall. He was tired, and wished to be comforted by feather pillows and the softest cotton sheets that made up his large bed.
The prince turned and brushed through layers of silk and walked into the middle of his room. A single torch was burning along the far wall. The flame danced with the light breeze and sporadically lightened the room with a dim shade of red. It didn't matter; Seifer was just here to sleep and did not need to see the way to his bed chambers. Although, the darkness of his room made him uneasy and unwilling to move. He did a quick scan of the room to ensure his solitude. Only then did he feel free enough to sigh heavily then sink into a chair. Seifer stretched out his legs to relax his muscles that had cramped during his kneeling before Bahamut. He was not use to that position at all. Eyes drifted close with the promising thought of sleep..
"You wanted to see me," a voice quietly spoke from the shadows.
Seifer jumped at the words. He instantly stood up and looked from the speaker. First he glanced towards the doorway, expecting to spot a servant silhouetted by the hall's torchlight. The curtains stood empty and lifeless, only stirring with the occasional breeze.
"Who's there?" Seifer asked the darkness but received no reply. He slowly backed into the wall near the doorway. His leg bumped into a small table. Seifer quickly reached down and blindly fumbled with the contents until his fingers curled around a familiar hilt. He drew a small curved blade from a leather sheath and held the blade protectively out before him.
"Speak up," Seifer shouted and began to walk back into the center of the room. He slowly swung the dagger through the air, searching for a solid shadow. His heart knocked more heavily against his ribs the longer the silence stretched. Something moved by one of the windows. Seifer immediately focused his attention and blade on the slight side-silhouette he could see. "Who's there?"
"You should know," the voice finally responded with a tinge of amusement.
Seifer narrowed his eyes at the shadow, trying vainly to pick out details of the intruder. He was supposed to know who was in his room this late at night? It was probably some assassin come to slit his throat while he slept. Seifer thanked Bahamut for keeping him out so late to avoid such a tragedy. Seifer's mind was racing; the adrenaline pumping in his veins didn't make it any easier to think about any other possibilities. "Fine. It doesn't matter who you are. What are you doing in here?"
"..You told me to come," came the reply.
"I did no such thing," Seifer hissed and tightened his fingers on the hilt. The shadow began to move forward, drawing nearer and nearer. Seifer raised the dagger; the hairs on the back of his neck rising on end as well. "What are you doing? Stop there."
The shadow stopped just out of reach of the blade's curved tip. Seifer squinted, but the figure now stood in the way of the torch, thus blocking out all means of light to pick out identifying features. "If you don't want me here, then I shall leave."
Seifer let the dagger lower a hair. This person sounded like a servant in a way, not like a cold-blooded killer. Cocking his head to the side, Seifer decided to test his assumption. "Go light the other torch."
The figure shifted but otherwise did not move, "Are those my new orders?"
Seifer narrowed his eyes, this time in anger. He was supposed to know this man; it was on the tip of his tongue but lost in the darkness. It was just so late; Seifer was tired and stressed out. Though the arrogance of this intruder was lighting the fuse to the blonde's temper. "Yeah, new orders.."
The shadow moved around Seifer. The blonde turned as well and carefully watched the torchlight breathe life to the figure's back. A gray tunic over pale skin glowed under the flickering red tinted light. Dark brown hair streaked in shadows shifted with the slightest movement the figure made. "Squall.."
"What?" the figure turned sideways, giving the prince only a side profile of his face.
Seifer had completely forgot why he wanted to see Squall tonight, especially this late at night. "What—I mean, do you recall why I summoned you here?"
Squall fully turned around, letting the torchlight light up his face. Seifer watched the light dance over the brunet's impassive expression and blank, empty stare. It was only a second that they met eyes before Squall broke eye contact to look aside in silent annoyance.
"That's right. I'm suppose to know. Well then.." Seifer sneered and tossed the dagger onto the chair he had been seated upon. The blade tip sunk into the cushion, letting a few white feathers peek out of the fabric. Seifer didn't bother to care. He took a few steps towards Squall and examined the other's face. He was trying to remember why he had asked for Squall to be present. If not, Seifer was sure he could come up with a few entertaining ideas as to how to spend the time. Seifer's eyes darted over Squall's body in thought. "Come here."
"Why?" Squall questioned first.
Seifer rolled his eyes in aggravation, "Since when did you become so willing to talk?"
Silence met Seifer's mocking question. It was like Squall had realized his outspokenness and had changed back to his quiet ways. Seifer watched this transformation and smiled. He was take advantage of this moment. "Is it because Rinoa left and you no longer have that choking collar around your neck?"
Seifer advanced when Squall turned away in attempt to ignore the words. "Speak boy, speak."
Squall snorted. Seifer thrived off of the defiance, knowing that only a fool would dare to rebel against a pharaoh's son. No one but his father and Rinoa could brush him off like dust. Absolutely no one else had the courage to stand up to the proud prince; that was until this peculiar worker appeared out of the blue.
Blue, like those eyes.. like the desert.. Seifer reached out to grab Squall's arm, but the brunet pulled out of reach. Seifer frowned and followed Squall's step for step. "Stop."
Squall didn't show any signs of obeying. Seifer stretched his hand out again, but the brunet jerked his arm away. The prince stopped with a snarl painted on his face that was only heightened by the flickering of the torch. He really didn't have the experience or the patience to deal with someone who wouldn't listen to him, but was suppose to follow orders. "You have no where to run.."
Squall glanced around the room, challenging Seifer's words. This caused the blonde to narrow his eyes; a silent dare. Squall took the bait and made a break for the door. Seifer was prepared for this action though, the blonde ran for the door as well. Since he was closer, Seifer made it to the silk drapes before Squall. He grabbed the brunet's shoulders to slow the other's run. He then shoved him back towards the center of the room. "What are you running from?
Squall was once again backing away from the temperamental prince. It was not in fear, that much Seifer knew. He did not understand why Squall backed away from him. Sure, he had threatened to hurt the brunet on numerous occasions, but it just did not seem like Squall to back away from a little bullying.
"Are you trying to hide something?" Seifer pursued. He wanted to figure out this other man. Jade eyes intently watched as Squall's head turned to the side; but with a slight tilt downwards that sent brown locks falling over storm gray eyes. Seifer read perfectly what answer the other had given without words. "What, tell me what you are keeping a secret."
Squall's arms came up and crossed over his chest in a familiar pose. Seifer hissed at the lack of response. It was obvious that the further he pressed, the more Squall shelled himself away. But what else was he suppose to do, wait for the brunet to warm up to him? Not likely.
"Tell me!" Seifer pounced; seizing Squall's arms above the elbows while the other was preoccupied with 'disappearing'. "What is it about you that makes you so different.."
The struggle was over. Squall stood frozen in Seifer's strong grip. His head rolled forward to avoid eye contact. Seifer shook the unresponsive brunet then released an arm to grab Squall's chin and jerk the man's head upright. "Stop this. Just give me one straight answer. I already knew there was something about you. Ever since I first laid eyes on you in the rock quarry.."
Seifer loosened his tight grip since Squall had gone still. The blonde saw the light questioning in the blur of blue and gray. "Ever since I saw your eyes.."
A flash of anger washed over Squall's eyes. Seifer was suddenly looking into a fierce storm and furious expression to match the intensity. Squall pulled away, glaring ice at the blonde. "What did you say?"
Seifer's hand remained posed in the air where he had held Squall's chin. He arched a thin golden eyebrow in question. That reaction had not been what Seifer had expected—then again, he had not meant to say something personal like that in the first place. His hand drop to swing loosely at his side. Seifer let a smirk grace his features. It was now his turn to fall silent.
"Well?" Squall questioned.
Seifer shook his head slowly then lazily set his eyes on Squall once more, "Let's don't go off subject now. You tell me what you are hiding and I'll tell you what I can see in your eyes. Deal?"
Squall snorted for a second time that night, "I get nothing out of that."
The arrogant prince laughed, "True. You aren't as stupid as I thought—"
"—I'm surprised you even think."
"Regardless. I will find an answer to my question one way or another," Seifer mused. To him, Squall was acting strangely. He had never heard the brunet be so outspoken. Squall had to be out of his mind, or hiding something important in order to be willing to be so obnoxious. "You see, I know you are more than just a slave.."
Squall's eyes locked on Seifer's. The blonde smiled and began to look for the silent answer. Suddenly the room went white. Seifer raised his arm to shield his eyes. Just as soon as it went bright, the room went completely black, leaving Seifer blind.
"What the hell?!" Seifer raged as another flash of light filled the room. This time Seifer followed the retreating brightness to where it faded out the window. He stared out at the desert. Pitch black met his eager green gaze. The stars and moon were absent, seeming to have been swallowed by the shadows. All was still and silent until strips of light—white snake-like lines erupted from the desert sands in the horizon. They spanned out, flickering from cloud to ground in an erratic dance.
"Lightning.." Seifer whispered breathless as his brow knitted together in thought. Rain was highly irregular in the desert, and a lightning storm was even more unusual; especially when it sparked from the ground to the sky—all bundled together in a nest of electricity. Seifer was entranced with the sight. He didn't notice Squall had come up next to him and gazed out the window with an identical expression, but different words.
"Quezacotl.."
End Chapter