There was no sirens, no anxious guards waiting for them as Seifer carried a
bewildered Amelia through the wide passageways of the buildings and out
into the highly technological byways of Esthar, the blue glass-like
walkways translucent, allowing Amelia to see the people below.
'What's going on Seifer?' she asked as his running jolted her.
'I'll fill you in when we get to Bahamut.' He told her through ragged breaths, his muscles aching from exertion.
They got to Bahamut, its blue oily sheen a welcome sight as he clambered up into the hold and walked with Amelia to the pilot's cabin which like in the original Ragnarok was situated up a flight of stairs and then an elevating platform took you the rest of the way.
'You! Fly!' Seifer growled to the pilot.
'Sir!?' the pilot asked in surprise.
'Do it!' Seifer barked and threw himself into the co-pilot seat.
'Where to sir?' the pilot asked glancing nervously.
'Timber. Drop us off and head back to Garden.' Seifer ordered.
Amelia approached Seifer, standing next to him, a mix of fear and confusion clouding her face.
'Why Timber Seifer? Can't we go back to Garden?' she asked.
'Sorry Amelia we can't.' he said softly.
'Why?' she asked.
'I'll explain when we get there okay?' he replied, gently squeezing her arm.
'Okay.' Amelia said smiling and moved to a seat in the back of the room.
Seifer lapsed into deep thought as Bahamut flew across the ocean. Now he'd be a Knight again but this time he had a good cause rather than stupid romanticism. Just like Squall he'd protect someone he loved so that she wouldn't be hurt, even if he had to kill SeeDs to do it. This time he would chose his role rather than be led into it and this time he wouldn't fail. He promised Zell he'd look after her and he'd do that with every last breath he had but to do what he must meant he had to break a promise he made to Squall.
Seifer and Amelia strolled through the woods of Timber as Bahamut flew back to Garden. Seifer wasn't sure how long he had before someone would come for them or even if they were coming at all but he didn't want to stay in Timber too long.
'Where are we going?' Amelia asked idly kicking a stone along the worn path between the trees.
'An old friends.' Seifer replied as they emerged from the trees and came to the train tracks of Timber.
Instead of going into the town itself, Seifre led Amelia around the outskirts to a small non-descript shop.
A small bell tinkled as they entered the light airy shop, the shelves stacked with an assortment of items and behind a wooden counter stood a young woman with long dark hair, her eyes covered with smoked glass goggles and she was wearing blue overalls under which was a white t-shirt and her arms were darkly tanned, that much that was visible above the thick gloves she was wearing in which she held a long blade.
'Hey Nadine!' Seifer called, causing the woman to look up and drop the blade in surprise.
'Seifer! What are you doing here?' the woman cried pulling the gloves off and pushing the goggles up her forehead as she leapt over the counter to greet him.
Seifer grinned whilst Amelia looked on in awe. 'Old girlfriend?' she asked him innocently.
Nadine burst out laughing. 'I'm a little too young for him! I'm only eighteen!' she told her.
'Oh...' Amelia murmured embarrassed.
'Nadine's a daughter of a friend. Amelia meet Nadine Brand, Nadine meet Amelia Dinct.' Seifer said smiling.
'Dinct? As in Zell Dinct?' Nadine gasped.
'Yep.' Amelia replied proudly.
'I remember when Seifer brought you here showing off his new Goddaughter. Your mom and dad came too.' Nadine said excitedly.
'Before you get too into your babbling, is your mom out back?' Seifer asked.
'Yep.' Nadine replied and started talking excitedly with Amelia again whilst Seifer ducked under the counter and walked into the living room where a woman his age sat with her back to him reading, her hair was long and blonde and her skin pale unlike her daughters.
Seifer coughed politely making her turn to him, her green eyes sparkling in recognition and her lips formed a smile.
'I'm glad you're pleased to see me.' Seifer said softly.
'Why wouldn't I be?' the woman said softly standing up to walk over to him.
'Well it has been a while Dana.' Seifer said softly.
'Well you had a child to raise, its not like you could leave her.' Dana replied. 'So where is she?' she added glancing round.
'In the shop talking to Nadine.' Seifer replied.
'That's good. Nadine doesn't have many friends but she's happy playing with building weapons. I guess she got that from her father.' Dana said sighing softly.
'I still don't understand why you left Garden or why you're still single!' Seifer said to her after a friendly embrace.
Dana looked up at him. 'SeeD isn't the life to bring a small child up in. She already lost her father before she was born I didn't want her to lose me as well. As for being single, well after losing Nida and having Nadine there wasn't really time for love.' She said softly.
'And now?' Seifer asked.
'Is that an offer?' Dana teased and laughed as he paled in reaction. 'It's okay I'm kidding. I have Nadine that's enough.' She told him.
'Well I couldn't be with you if I wanted to. I'm a hunted man now.' Seifer said slowly.
'Why?' Dana asked shocked.
'I stole Junction Machine Ellone from Esthar and I have Ultimecia as a daughter.' He said slowly.
Dana watched his face for any sign that this was a joke. 'You're serious? Does Amelia know about what she is, who she's to become?' she said finally.
'Not yet, we need to get somewhere safe first.' Seifer replied.
'Which is where I come in right?' Dana asked cynically.
'Afraid so. You're the only person I can trust.' Seifer told her.
Dana sighed. 'What do you need?' she asked.
'A new Hyperion and a mode of transport.' He replied softly.
Dana noticed the inflection in his answer. 'You mean you want Boco?' she replied slightly testily.
'If you don't mind. He's the only ocean crossing chocobo in the world and I can't use a ship to get where I'm going, they'll be looking.' Seifer pleaded.
'Then you'll have to beg Nadine since Boco's hers.' Dana told him.
'Fine. I need to ask her for some old clothes anyway, Amelia's uniform is a dead giveaway.' Seifer replied and headed back into the shop where he could hear Nadine and Amelia chatting aimlessly.
Nadine was looking at Amelia's gun-daggers with a professional eye. 'Where did you get these? The balance on these are amazing! There's nothing I could do to improve them!' she said in awe.
Amelia blushed with pride 'They were my mother's.' she replied.
Seifer coughed, interrupting them. 'Nadine, I need a few favours.' He said sweetly.
Nadine looked up from the gun-daggers, cocking her head to give him a quizzical look.
'What?' she drawled.
'The thing is me and Amelia will have people on us soon so we'll need some stuff to help us get away.' Seifer explained, hoping to get some sympathy.
'What stuff? Are we talking a little or a lot?' Nadine asked, not falling for Seifer's eyes.
'Okay, okay. I need a new gun-blade, Amelia needs some clothes and I need to borrow Boco.' Seifer told her mumbling at the end.
'Boco!?' Nadine squeaked and seemed to be caught in some inner dialogue. 'Okay but you'd better look after him or you'll be sorry!' she threatened.
'I promise.' Seifer said solemnly.
'I take it you need them now.' Nadine said with a theatrical flourish.
'If you don't mind.' Seifer said softly.
'No problem. Though the blade will take a while.' Nadine replied slipping her gloves on and turning to Amelia, said to her. 'My room's upstairs. Go up and see what clothes of mine you like, though I admit there's not much fashionable.'
'That's okay I've been in uniform most of my life.' Amelia replied grinning and walked through the door Seifer had arrived through.
When they were alone Seifer gave Nadine a grateful hug. 'Thanks Nadine. I'd be screwed without you.'
Nadine gave him a playful push. 'Getting soft in your old age are you?' she teased.
'Effect of fatherhood.' Seifer replied grinning. 'Speaking of which I'd better go check on her.' He said leaving Nadine to build a new blade.
Seifer tentatively knocked on Nadine's bedroom door. 'You decent in there?' he called out to Amelia.
'Yeah. You can come in if you want.' She replied slightly muffled.
Seifer opened the door intrepidly and found Amelia half hidden by the wooden wardrobe door.
'Found anything?' he asked.
'Umm mostly denim...' Amelia murmured.
'Let me guess, no skirts or dresses at all. Nadine has always been a tomboy.' Seifer said smiling.
Amelia pulled out a pair of blackened jeans and a floral dyed t-shirt. 'What do you think?' she asked, holding them up against herself.
'Good. No-one would ever recognise you in them.' Seifer replied playfully, teasing.
'Hey!' Amelia yelled mildly hurt.
'Amelia I have to tell you something.' Seifer started softly.
'What?' Amelia looked up at him, concerned by the tone of his voice.
'I need to explain why we have to go away.' He told her.
'But I already know. It's cause you stole the Junction Machine Ellone.' Amelia said comprehension dawning.
'Yes and no. It's best if you sit down.' He said to her, pointing to Nadine's bed.
Amelia complied with his wishes, sitting down on the pale green bedcovers.
'The truth is it's because of who you are.' Seifer told her crouching so he was level with her eyes.
'Who I am? But what have I done?' Amelia asked bewildered.
'Nothing. It's who you'll become. Amelia you are a Sorceress. The Sorceress.' He said softly knowing there was no way to soften the blow.
Amelia's eyes widened in shock and realisation. 'I'm Ultimecia?' she breathed.
'You will be.' Seifer replied rising slowly.
'When I saw Junction Machine Ellone I wondered what it'd be like to see my father again. Are you telling me that will happen now?' Amelia asked thoughtfully, looking up at him.
'Yes, that will happen although it won't be for a while yet and it won't seem to them to be for that reason.' Seifer admitted.
'I know, they think I'm evil.' Amelia replied.
'But we know you're not.' Seifer said reassuringly.
'Though I guess it makes sense.' Amelia said logically.
'Oh? How so?' Seifer asked confused by her lack of horror at the implications of who she was.
'Well they wouldn't try to stop my plans and come to me unless I posed a threat.' She explained.
'But then they kill you.' Seifer said pointing out the downside.
'They don't though... I live on in Grandma Edea until I'm born again.' Amelia rationalised.
'Sometimes you worry me.' Seifer teased.
'It's your job to worry, my Knight.' Amelia retorted in a grand theatrical tone.
Seifer raised a rhetorical eyebrow to her last comment which made her burst out laughing.
'Don't forget who you are... you're still Amelia Dinct even when you take your role as Ultimecia.' Seifer warned.
'I know, I know, I just have to act evil.' She replied bouncing up off the bed.
'Good, I'll let you get changed.' Seifer said softly leaving the room relieved at how well she took the news but his heart was heavy as he knew what he hid from her now would be what would set her on the path to becoming Ultimecia.
'What's going on Seifer?' she asked as his running jolted her.
'I'll fill you in when we get to Bahamut.' He told her through ragged breaths, his muscles aching from exertion.
They got to Bahamut, its blue oily sheen a welcome sight as he clambered up into the hold and walked with Amelia to the pilot's cabin which like in the original Ragnarok was situated up a flight of stairs and then an elevating platform took you the rest of the way.
'You! Fly!' Seifer growled to the pilot.
'Sir!?' the pilot asked in surprise.
'Do it!' Seifer barked and threw himself into the co-pilot seat.
'Where to sir?' the pilot asked glancing nervously.
'Timber. Drop us off and head back to Garden.' Seifer ordered.
Amelia approached Seifer, standing next to him, a mix of fear and confusion clouding her face.
'Why Timber Seifer? Can't we go back to Garden?' she asked.
'Sorry Amelia we can't.' he said softly.
'Why?' she asked.
'I'll explain when we get there okay?' he replied, gently squeezing her arm.
'Okay.' Amelia said smiling and moved to a seat in the back of the room.
Seifer lapsed into deep thought as Bahamut flew across the ocean. Now he'd be a Knight again but this time he had a good cause rather than stupid romanticism. Just like Squall he'd protect someone he loved so that she wouldn't be hurt, even if he had to kill SeeDs to do it. This time he would chose his role rather than be led into it and this time he wouldn't fail. He promised Zell he'd look after her and he'd do that with every last breath he had but to do what he must meant he had to break a promise he made to Squall.
Seifer and Amelia strolled through the woods of Timber as Bahamut flew back to Garden. Seifer wasn't sure how long he had before someone would come for them or even if they were coming at all but he didn't want to stay in Timber too long.
'Where are we going?' Amelia asked idly kicking a stone along the worn path between the trees.
'An old friends.' Seifer replied as they emerged from the trees and came to the train tracks of Timber.
Instead of going into the town itself, Seifre led Amelia around the outskirts to a small non-descript shop.
A small bell tinkled as they entered the light airy shop, the shelves stacked with an assortment of items and behind a wooden counter stood a young woman with long dark hair, her eyes covered with smoked glass goggles and she was wearing blue overalls under which was a white t-shirt and her arms were darkly tanned, that much that was visible above the thick gloves she was wearing in which she held a long blade.
'Hey Nadine!' Seifer called, causing the woman to look up and drop the blade in surprise.
'Seifer! What are you doing here?' the woman cried pulling the gloves off and pushing the goggles up her forehead as she leapt over the counter to greet him.
Seifer grinned whilst Amelia looked on in awe. 'Old girlfriend?' she asked him innocently.
Nadine burst out laughing. 'I'm a little too young for him! I'm only eighteen!' she told her.
'Oh...' Amelia murmured embarrassed.
'Nadine's a daughter of a friend. Amelia meet Nadine Brand, Nadine meet Amelia Dinct.' Seifer said smiling.
'Dinct? As in Zell Dinct?' Nadine gasped.
'Yep.' Amelia replied proudly.
'I remember when Seifer brought you here showing off his new Goddaughter. Your mom and dad came too.' Nadine said excitedly.
'Before you get too into your babbling, is your mom out back?' Seifer asked.
'Yep.' Nadine replied and started talking excitedly with Amelia again whilst Seifer ducked under the counter and walked into the living room where a woman his age sat with her back to him reading, her hair was long and blonde and her skin pale unlike her daughters.
Seifer coughed politely making her turn to him, her green eyes sparkling in recognition and her lips formed a smile.
'I'm glad you're pleased to see me.' Seifer said softly.
'Why wouldn't I be?' the woman said softly standing up to walk over to him.
'Well it has been a while Dana.' Seifer said softly.
'Well you had a child to raise, its not like you could leave her.' Dana replied. 'So where is she?' she added glancing round.
'In the shop talking to Nadine.' Seifer replied.
'That's good. Nadine doesn't have many friends but she's happy playing with building weapons. I guess she got that from her father.' Dana said sighing softly.
'I still don't understand why you left Garden or why you're still single!' Seifer said to her after a friendly embrace.
Dana looked up at him. 'SeeD isn't the life to bring a small child up in. She already lost her father before she was born I didn't want her to lose me as well. As for being single, well after losing Nida and having Nadine there wasn't really time for love.' She said softly.
'And now?' Seifer asked.
'Is that an offer?' Dana teased and laughed as he paled in reaction. 'It's okay I'm kidding. I have Nadine that's enough.' She told him.
'Well I couldn't be with you if I wanted to. I'm a hunted man now.' Seifer said slowly.
'Why?' Dana asked shocked.
'I stole Junction Machine Ellone from Esthar and I have Ultimecia as a daughter.' He said slowly.
Dana watched his face for any sign that this was a joke. 'You're serious? Does Amelia know about what she is, who she's to become?' she said finally.
'Not yet, we need to get somewhere safe first.' Seifer replied.
'Which is where I come in right?' Dana asked cynically.
'Afraid so. You're the only person I can trust.' Seifer told her.
Dana sighed. 'What do you need?' she asked.
'A new Hyperion and a mode of transport.' He replied softly.
Dana noticed the inflection in his answer. 'You mean you want Boco?' she replied slightly testily.
'If you don't mind. He's the only ocean crossing chocobo in the world and I can't use a ship to get where I'm going, they'll be looking.' Seifer pleaded.
'Then you'll have to beg Nadine since Boco's hers.' Dana told him.
'Fine. I need to ask her for some old clothes anyway, Amelia's uniform is a dead giveaway.' Seifer replied and headed back into the shop where he could hear Nadine and Amelia chatting aimlessly.
Nadine was looking at Amelia's gun-daggers with a professional eye. 'Where did you get these? The balance on these are amazing! There's nothing I could do to improve them!' she said in awe.
Amelia blushed with pride 'They were my mother's.' she replied.
Seifer coughed, interrupting them. 'Nadine, I need a few favours.' He said sweetly.
Nadine looked up from the gun-daggers, cocking her head to give him a quizzical look.
'What?' she drawled.
'The thing is me and Amelia will have people on us soon so we'll need some stuff to help us get away.' Seifer explained, hoping to get some sympathy.
'What stuff? Are we talking a little or a lot?' Nadine asked, not falling for Seifer's eyes.
'Okay, okay. I need a new gun-blade, Amelia needs some clothes and I need to borrow Boco.' Seifer told her mumbling at the end.
'Boco!?' Nadine squeaked and seemed to be caught in some inner dialogue. 'Okay but you'd better look after him or you'll be sorry!' she threatened.
'I promise.' Seifer said solemnly.
'I take it you need them now.' Nadine said with a theatrical flourish.
'If you don't mind.' Seifer said softly.
'No problem. Though the blade will take a while.' Nadine replied slipping her gloves on and turning to Amelia, said to her. 'My room's upstairs. Go up and see what clothes of mine you like, though I admit there's not much fashionable.'
'That's okay I've been in uniform most of my life.' Amelia replied grinning and walked through the door Seifer had arrived through.
When they were alone Seifer gave Nadine a grateful hug. 'Thanks Nadine. I'd be screwed without you.'
Nadine gave him a playful push. 'Getting soft in your old age are you?' she teased.
'Effect of fatherhood.' Seifer replied grinning. 'Speaking of which I'd better go check on her.' He said leaving Nadine to build a new blade.
Seifer tentatively knocked on Nadine's bedroom door. 'You decent in there?' he called out to Amelia.
'Yeah. You can come in if you want.' She replied slightly muffled.
Seifer opened the door intrepidly and found Amelia half hidden by the wooden wardrobe door.
'Found anything?' he asked.
'Umm mostly denim...' Amelia murmured.
'Let me guess, no skirts or dresses at all. Nadine has always been a tomboy.' Seifer said smiling.
Amelia pulled out a pair of blackened jeans and a floral dyed t-shirt. 'What do you think?' she asked, holding them up against herself.
'Good. No-one would ever recognise you in them.' Seifer replied playfully, teasing.
'Hey!' Amelia yelled mildly hurt.
'Amelia I have to tell you something.' Seifer started softly.
'What?' Amelia looked up at him, concerned by the tone of his voice.
'I need to explain why we have to go away.' He told her.
'But I already know. It's cause you stole the Junction Machine Ellone.' Amelia said comprehension dawning.
'Yes and no. It's best if you sit down.' He said to her, pointing to Nadine's bed.
Amelia complied with his wishes, sitting down on the pale green bedcovers.
'The truth is it's because of who you are.' Seifer told her crouching so he was level with her eyes.
'Who I am? But what have I done?' Amelia asked bewildered.
'Nothing. It's who you'll become. Amelia you are a Sorceress. The Sorceress.' He said softly knowing there was no way to soften the blow.
Amelia's eyes widened in shock and realisation. 'I'm Ultimecia?' she breathed.
'You will be.' Seifer replied rising slowly.
'When I saw Junction Machine Ellone I wondered what it'd be like to see my father again. Are you telling me that will happen now?' Amelia asked thoughtfully, looking up at him.
'Yes, that will happen although it won't be for a while yet and it won't seem to them to be for that reason.' Seifer admitted.
'I know, they think I'm evil.' Amelia replied.
'But we know you're not.' Seifer said reassuringly.
'Though I guess it makes sense.' Amelia said logically.
'Oh? How so?' Seifer asked confused by her lack of horror at the implications of who she was.
'Well they wouldn't try to stop my plans and come to me unless I posed a threat.' She explained.
'But then they kill you.' Seifer said pointing out the downside.
'They don't though... I live on in Grandma Edea until I'm born again.' Amelia rationalised.
'Sometimes you worry me.' Seifer teased.
'It's your job to worry, my Knight.' Amelia retorted in a grand theatrical tone.
Seifer raised a rhetorical eyebrow to her last comment which made her burst out laughing.
'Don't forget who you are... you're still Amelia Dinct even when you take your role as Ultimecia.' Seifer warned.
'I know, I know, I just have to act evil.' She replied bouncing up off the bed.
'Good, I'll let you get changed.' Seifer said softly leaving the room relieved at how well she took the news but his heart was heavy as he knew what he hid from her now would be what would set her on the path to becoming Ultimecia.