.:VII:.
Lucrea sat on her dormitory bed, staring off into thin air, left alone with her thoughts.
I'm a sorceress...I am that which everyone hates, and what will eventually be destroyed.
She pulled her knees to her chest, lifting her head, and glanced at her weapon, which was in its case. It was a crossbow; not a pinwheel like Rinoa's, but an actual, full-fledged crossbow.
I don't want this...I don't want to die. But to take down the sorceress, I have to take her powers, spread them across the land, and die. Mother, Father, I love you so much...but why must it be this way? I don't want to die...
Her thoughts seemed frightened, and upset, and angry all at once. She had done an excellent job of hiding them at first glance.
Would all SeeDs assigned to Squad A and B, please report to the second floor hallway. Repeat, would all SeeDs assigned to Squad A and B, please report to the second floor hallway. Came the announcement.
So deep in thought, Lucrea hadn't even heard it. She was shaking, deep in her dark thoughts, and heard nothing.
Seifer, on his way down, poked his head in rudely.
"...Lucrea."
She stared forward, tightening her grip around herself.
"LUCREA."
She jumped. "...?"She blinked, looking at him.
Seifer shook his head. "It's time. We need to report to the second floor hallway. You should get your head out of your daydreams, and come."
She stood up silently, and followed him out, grabbing her crossbow, and a pack of bolts. She strapped the bolt-quiver to her back, pulled her gloves on, and continued to follow, only vaguely noting that Seifer was carrying his gunblade, as per usual.
They started to walk down the hall, and Seifer raised a brow, mentally questioning her silence.
"Is something wrong?" He prodded, slashing his gunblade through the air.
"No. I...no." She answered, continuing to look forward.
Seifer shook his head, shrugging, and held his tongue the rest of the way.
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Zell was continually muttering about Seifer becoming a SeeD, even though it was just an honorary one. It pissed him off that he was even coming back, but being allowed to join SeeD too had pushed him to the point where he was fuming.
Squall shook his head, standing next to him, waiting for Irvine. "Zell, just stop. No really, stop. There's nothing you can do about it. It's been decided already. At least be thankful that he's not in our squad."
Quistis unfurled her whip, and cracked it a couple times, testing it for breaks or snags. Not one problem. She thought, with a small smile, as she put it away, seeing her student, and her former student approach.
"Good. You're both here. Now I warn you, Ifrit won't be so generous this time. Chances are, we'll have to fight to prove our worth, and he won't go as easy as he used to when we brought students up for the prerequisite. Let's move out." Quistis ordered, starting off.
Seifer laughed. "Oh come on. You have any idea how many times I've faced him instructor? We'll be fine..."
Lucrea kept her gaze forward. "Not if Trithonia gets there first."
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Squall nodded as Irvine arrived. "Our mission, as Squad A, is to stall the Sorceress. We're under no pressure to defeat her. Let's go." He stated calmly, leading the way out, starting the walk to Balamb.
Irvine nodded. "So, what's the action plan? Do we confront the sorceress?"
Squall walked silently, for a few moments before he answered. "Yes, we'll have to. Hopefully, while she's fighting us, we'll be able to give Squad B enough time to talk with Ifrit, and defeat him if need be."
Zell crossed his arms, glancing at both of them. "I can't believe we have to get the Guardian Forces back. I mean, they really don't deserved to be bothered now, not after we set them free."
The boys fell silent again as they neared Balamb.
"Well Zell, it's like this: either they join with us, and help us, with the assurance that we'll set them free again when this is over, or they'll be enslaved to Trithonia, and they'll die with her." Irvine sighed.
Squall blinked, continuing to walk. "So...who exactly is Lucrea anyways? Never seen her at Garden before now..."
Irvine shrugged. "Never saw her at Galbadia Garden either." He looked at Zell for an explanation.
Zell looked thoughtful. "Well, I believe she went to Trabia Garden for a while, according to Selphie, but other than that, I really don't know much about her either. Except that she really looks like she likes Seifer." He shuddered. "I hope I'm wrong. No one deserves to settle with Seifer."
Squall shrugged. "Well we really don't know much about his softer side, if he even has one. The only person I can think of who might have a tiny idea is maybe Rinoa. After all, she did go out with him, didn't she?"
The other two boys nodded. "That's true. We'll ask her when we get back."
They entered Balamb, and waited at the train station. It was only a matter of time now.
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
Quistis talked to a couple of staff members, before the three of them went inside.
"Hmph. Piece of cake." Said Seifer, as he slashed his gunblade through the air.
"Whatever. Let's just hurry and get this done." Lucrea replied. "We don't know how long they can hold them off."
He laughed at that remark. "Are you nuts? Squall and I may be rivals, but that doesn't mean he's weak. When I was the sorceress' knight..." He trailed off, suddenly feeling uneasy about talking about that.
The teenager blinked. "What? Go ahead and finish." Lucrea asked.
Seifer shook his head. "No...just know that he knows how to handle himself and his squad."
Quistis blinked, raising a brow. "Wow. I think that's the first time I've ever heard you almost complement someone."
He snorted. "It won't happen again."
They approached the fiery pit.
"There's...no one here." Lucrea replied flatly.
Quistis shook her head. "Don't be so impatient. Either one of you." She smirked, seeing Seifer open his mouth to protest.
"Good point! Now tell me, why are you HERE?" a voice bellowed from behind.
The three of them jumped, and turned around. "Ifrit!" Quistis called, smiling.
Ifrit crossed his arms, floating midair. "Instructor Trepe, explain why you are all here. We were all set free, and promised to be left alone."
Quistis nodded. "Another threat is about in the world. A sorceress threatens your freedom."
He growled. "You mean YOUR freedom. We Guardian Forces are an anomaly almost entirely separate from your world."
The instructor shook her head. "No Ifrit, your freedom. The sorceress means to enslave you all, for the rest of her rule, and possibly any of her heirs as well."
Ifrit was enraged. "WHAT? How dare a human presume such superiority over us! But I will not be taken so easily. Prove to me your worth! Fight me!"
With that, the battle had begun.
Squad B fought long and hard but managed to defeat him.
Ifrit stood before them. "Very well, I will join you. But will we be released again, when this is over and finished?"
Quistis nodded. "You will. We only wish to join forces to combat the sorceress. We do not wish to keep you captive against your will."
He joined them, and Quistis junctioned him.
"Piece of cake." Seifer snorted.
The girls said nothing. Quistis felt it was better not to argue, but Lucrea deep down, actually agreed with him.
