"The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. The
heart withers if it does not answer another heart" Pearl Buck
"Well? Are you coming or not?" I asked them both, my patience was stretching, I hated waiting.
"SERIOUS?" Fujin spoke for the first time in what seemed an age.
"Of course. But if you do decide to come you know it will be difficult. Esthar is quite a secure city, and Laguna's in charge". Rajin was still staring at me his mouth opening and closing like a guppy. Suddenly his expression change, he was now steely determined.
"I'm coming! We have to save Seifer, he's part of the posse, ya know!" I was just waiting on Fujin now. I glanced at her; she looked so scared and lost for just a second, then she look on Rajins expression.
"AGGREED" Her voice quietened. "We have to save Seifer. But it'll be nearly impossible, Esthar is huge! Do you even know the exact location of the Ragnarok?"
"Look, Fujin we have to try. I know where the prison is and even what floor he's on. And the Ragnarok is in the military base just outside the Sorceresses Memorial. But we have to leave early in the morning, it's a long walk from here"
"There is another way, ya know" Rajin said secretively. "Once a week a train carrying military supplies travels from Esthar to Galbania. Obviously it has to travel back, so.. Maybe we could sneak on the train, ya know?" I was surprised at Rajins cunning, I was an excellent idea!
"It'll be hard, there will be hundreds of soldiers if it's carrying military equipment. But I suppose for three fully trained SeeDs it won't be too tricky" I had always know that Rajin and Fujin had passed the SeeD exam at Trabia garden, though they seemed mildly surprised to hear that I knew. "Have you any idea when it'll pass here?"
"Some time tomorrow," Fujin said quietly. "They always stop in the bar, get drunk and start fights. It's not nice" She seemed so solitary and timid, not the Fujin of the discipline committee. "They stop here at about noon and leave a couple of hours later, so we'll have quite a lot of time to get on the train but we'll have to do it when the station is pretty empty"
"Your right. We'll just have to hide out at the platform until it looks fairly empty" I stood "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning at eleven thirty sharp. Go home now, pack light. And don't forget your weapons!" I left them sitting quietly and went to the hotel I had stayed at with Zell and Squall when we passed through here on our way to Esthar. The room was exactly the same as it was then. I slept in the bed Squall had slept in. I barely slept and spent all night thinking about the plan that we would have to put into action tomorrow. My mind slowly turned to the memories of my final mission, cold tears wet my pillow.
The next morning I rose early and walked around FH gathering supplies and information about the Esthar soldier's usual routine. I ate breakfast in a small café over looking the ocean, trying to piece my plan together. FH had managed to rebuild itself after the Galbanian attack, but the people were poor and many were leaving to get jobs in the bigger cities.
I left the café and walked slowly back to the hotel. I grabbed a few essentials and left the rest at the reception, promising to return soon to collect it, so she wouldn't sell it. I arrived at Fujins small bar early and sat to wait for the other two to arrive. I didn't have to wait long, they were as eager as I was to get this how on the road. Neither of them had their own guardian forces and as I had three, I lent Fujin Siren and Rajin had Ifrit, I kept Shiva for myself.
Weapons ready we made our way to the station. When we arrived the train wasn't there yet and the platform was very quiet. We slipped in unnoticed and hid in a derelict ticket booth.
"Where are they? They were supposed to me here ten minutes ago, ya know!" Rajin was write, it was already past noon and the train was still nowhere to be seen. I couldn't leave in case I got spotted, so I had to sit tight. Five minutes later I breathed a sigh of relief as the train eventually pulled up to the platform. I watched about two dozen Esthar soldiers exit the train and walk out of the station, laughing about how drunk they were going to get, and how many women the would have. We waited till they had all left and emerged from our hiding place. Rajin picked the lock on the carriage door whilst Fujin and I kept a look out. He eventually pried the door open and we walked into the pitch-black carriage.
"Rajin, summon Ifrit. He'll give us some light" I didn't want to venture into the unknown, even if there was a risk of being spotted.
The flames emitting from the GFs body lit the carriage. It was empty except for several boxes near the end.
"HIDE THERE?" Fujin had reverted to her usual monosyllables out of nerves, I presumed.
"Um, we won't be well covered but it'll be dark" I said to the pair. We sat in silence hidden by the boxes for nearly two hours until the drunk, cavorting soldiers eventually made their way back. None entered our carriage and the train slowly set off.
Hours later we arrived in Esthar. The door to our carriage opened shining a strip of light into the darkness.
"Stay quiet," I said to Fujin and Rajin. I walked silently towards the guard and cast a sleep spell at him, he went straight down. Unfortunately two more soldiers entered the carriage after him, they didn't notice their sleeping colleague and I was able to send them into a deep sleep too.
"Here" I said to the others. "Put the uniforms on, we will be able to get about Esthar freely in these" We all changed quickly and shoved the still sleeping guards under the boxes.
We walked off the train into the big city of Esthar. I lead Fujin and Rajin through the crowded streets towards the shopping region, I wanted some of the advanced potions only stocked in Esthar. I filled my backpack and we headed towards the prison. As we neared it the streets became more unoccupied and more menacing. We walked freely past the checkpoint and into the main entrance of the prison. We entered the stair well and started the long climb up to the top floor where Seifer was being kept. The halls were very quiet and I saw no guards.
"This is to easy. It's almost as if their letting us free him" I said to Fujin who was closest to me.
"ODD!" She whispered back loudly. We walked past rows of cells, checking in the small barred window for Seifer. All the cells were lit my bright overhead lights, with only a small bed furnishing the sparse rooms.
"Found him!!!" Rajin practically shouted from up ahead. Fujin and I ran towards him and I looked through the small window at the blonde man. He was lying on the bed asleep, his face had a slight grey tinge and he was thinner than when I had last seen him. His sleep was fitful and he was mumbling to himself fraying his arms about.
"Shiva, freeze the door lock" I said subconsciously to my GF. The lock froze and I was able to kick in the lock. Seifer woke at the loud sound and blinked into the light.
"Seifer?" Fujin said quietly from behind me. "Come on we're getting out of here" He just stared at her not seeming to recognise his best friend.
Recognition dawned on his face and he leapt from the bed. He jumped up and embraced Rajin and Fujin and a passionate hug. He then turned to me with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you" He said quietly, wrapping his arms around me.
"Come on we need to hurry" I said, urgent to leave the danger of the prison.
We ran out of the cell and through the halls towards the stairs we had come up on. The halls were still suspiciously empty. But as we emerged from the stairwell we were greeted he hundreds of Esthar guards. Standing at the front of them in his normal attire was Laguna.
"Quistis. I knew you'd come for him" He had a great sadness in his voice. "Squall told me what happened and I guessed what you do"
"And now?" Seifer asked defiantly.
"You are free" Laguna said, shocking us all. He turned to face me, tears welling up.
"But I have some terrible news" He looked around. " I can't tell you here, follow me" We let Laguna lead us out of the prison. I was so fearful of what it was; I knew it was something awful; the president wasn't shook up easily. I followed him my heart heavy, already mourning.
Wanna know what the bad news is??? You'll have to read the next chapter!! But PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Tell me if you want a Quifer or a Quall. Thank you!!
"Well? Are you coming or not?" I asked them both, my patience was stretching, I hated waiting.
"SERIOUS?" Fujin spoke for the first time in what seemed an age.
"Of course. But if you do decide to come you know it will be difficult. Esthar is quite a secure city, and Laguna's in charge". Rajin was still staring at me his mouth opening and closing like a guppy. Suddenly his expression change, he was now steely determined.
"I'm coming! We have to save Seifer, he's part of the posse, ya know!" I was just waiting on Fujin now. I glanced at her; she looked so scared and lost for just a second, then she look on Rajins expression.
"AGGREED" Her voice quietened. "We have to save Seifer. But it'll be nearly impossible, Esthar is huge! Do you even know the exact location of the Ragnarok?"
"Look, Fujin we have to try. I know where the prison is and even what floor he's on. And the Ragnarok is in the military base just outside the Sorceresses Memorial. But we have to leave early in the morning, it's a long walk from here"
"There is another way, ya know" Rajin said secretively. "Once a week a train carrying military supplies travels from Esthar to Galbania. Obviously it has to travel back, so.. Maybe we could sneak on the train, ya know?" I was surprised at Rajins cunning, I was an excellent idea!
"It'll be hard, there will be hundreds of soldiers if it's carrying military equipment. But I suppose for three fully trained SeeDs it won't be too tricky" I had always know that Rajin and Fujin had passed the SeeD exam at Trabia garden, though they seemed mildly surprised to hear that I knew. "Have you any idea when it'll pass here?"
"Some time tomorrow," Fujin said quietly. "They always stop in the bar, get drunk and start fights. It's not nice" She seemed so solitary and timid, not the Fujin of the discipline committee. "They stop here at about noon and leave a couple of hours later, so we'll have quite a lot of time to get on the train but we'll have to do it when the station is pretty empty"
"Your right. We'll just have to hide out at the platform until it looks fairly empty" I stood "I'll meet you here tomorrow morning at eleven thirty sharp. Go home now, pack light. And don't forget your weapons!" I left them sitting quietly and went to the hotel I had stayed at with Zell and Squall when we passed through here on our way to Esthar. The room was exactly the same as it was then. I slept in the bed Squall had slept in. I barely slept and spent all night thinking about the plan that we would have to put into action tomorrow. My mind slowly turned to the memories of my final mission, cold tears wet my pillow.
The next morning I rose early and walked around FH gathering supplies and information about the Esthar soldier's usual routine. I ate breakfast in a small café over looking the ocean, trying to piece my plan together. FH had managed to rebuild itself after the Galbanian attack, but the people were poor and many were leaving to get jobs in the bigger cities.
I left the café and walked slowly back to the hotel. I grabbed a few essentials and left the rest at the reception, promising to return soon to collect it, so she wouldn't sell it. I arrived at Fujins small bar early and sat to wait for the other two to arrive. I didn't have to wait long, they were as eager as I was to get this how on the road. Neither of them had their own guardian forces and as I had three, I lent Fujin Siren and Rajin had Ifrit, I kept Shiva for myself.
Weapons ready we made our way to the station. When we arrived the train wasn't there yet and the platform was very quiet. We slipped in unnoticed and hid in a derelict ticket booth.
"Where are they? They were supposed to me here ten minutes ago, ya know!" Rajin was write, it was already past noon and the train was still nowhere to be seen. I couldn't leave in case I got spotted, so I had to sit tight. Five minutes later I breathed a sigh of relief as the train eventually pulled up to the platform. I watched about two dozen Esthar soldiers exit the train and walk out of the station, laughing about how drunk they were going to get, and how many women the would have. We waited till they had all left and emerged from our hiding place. Rajin picked the lock on the carriage door whilst Fujin and I kept a look out. He eventually pried the door open and we walked into the pitch-black carriage.
"Rajin, summon Ifrit. He'll give us some light" I didn't want to venture into the unknown, even if there was a risk of being spotted.
The flames emitting from the GFs body lit the carriage. It was empty except for several boxes near the end.
"HIDE THERE?" Fujin had reverted to her usual monosyllables out of nerves, I presumed.
"Um, we won't be well covered but it'll be dark" I said to the pair. We sat in silence hidden by the boxes for nearly two hours until the drunk, cavorting soldiers eventually made their way back. None entered our carriage and the train slowly set off.
Hours later we arrived in Esthar. The door to our carriage opened shining a strip of light into the darkness.
"Stay quiet," I said to Fujin and Rajin. I walked silently towards the guard and cast a sleep spell at him, he went straight down. Unfortunately two more soldiers entered the carriage after him, they didn't notice their sleeping colleague and I was able to send them into a deep sleep too.
"Here" I said to the others. "Put the uniforms on, we will be able to get about Esthar freely in these" We all changed quickly and shoved the still sleeping guards under the boxes.
We walked off the train into the big city of Esthar. I lead Fujin and Rajin through the crowded streets towards the shopping region, I wanted some of the advanced potions only stocked in Esthar. I filled my backpack and we headed towards the prison. As we neared it the streets became more unoccupied and more menacing. We walked freely past the checkpoint and into the main entrance of the prison. We entered the stair well and started the long climb up to the top floor where Seifer was being kept. The halls were very quiet and I saw no guards.
"This is to easy. It's almost as if their letting us free him" I said to Fujin who was closest to me.
"ODD!" She whispered back loudly. We walked past rows of cells, checking in the small barred window for Seifer. All the cells were lit my bright overhead lights, with only a small bed furnishing the sparse rooms.
"Found him!!!" Rajin practically shouted from up ahead. Fujin and I ran towards him and I looked through the small window at the blonde man. He was lying on the bed asleep, his face had a slight grey tinge and he was thinner than when I had last seen him. His sleep was fitful and he was mumbling to himself fraying his arms about.
"Shiva, freeze the door lock" I said subconsciously to my GF. The lock froze and I was able to kick in the lock. Seifer woke at the loud sound and blinked into the light.
"Seifer?" Fujin said quietly from behind me. "Come on we're getting out of here" He just stared at her not seeming to recognise his best friend.
Recognition dawned on his face and he leapt from the bed. He jumped up and embraced Rajin and Fujin and a passionate hug. He then turned to me with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you" He said quietly, wrapping his arms around me.
"Come on we need to hurry" I said, urgent to leave the danger of the prison.
We ran out of the cell and through the halls towards the stairs we had come up on. The halls were still suspiciously empty. But as we emerged from the stairwell we were greeted he hundreds of Esthar guards. Standing at the front of them in his normal attire was Laguna.
"Quistis. I knew you'd come for him" He had a great sadness in his voice. "Squall told me what happened and I guessed what you do"
"And now?" Seifer asked defiantly.
"You are free" Laguna said, shocking us all. He turned to face me, tears welling up.
"But I have some terrible news" He looked around. " I can't tell you here, follow me" We let Laguna lead us out of the prison. I was so fearful of what it was; I knew it was something awful; the president wasn't shook up easily. I followed him my heart heavy, already mourning.
Wanna know what the bad news is??? You'll have to read the next chapter!! But PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Tell me if you want a Quifer or a Quall. Thank you!!