Gonna reach the climax after this chapter!!And to all these
ppl(below),thank you so much for your reviews!!!!!I really appreciate
them!!!To Mayonaka,Dark Raion,Jesse J and all the other who LOVE Squall,I'm
really sorry,but like I said,it's 100% that he's gonna die and I've already
put it firmly in my mind...but like I said also,he will still live
too....he...hehehe...bein' cryptic..hehehehehehehehe....
*#* Dark Raion,still love your fic!!Update it plzz!!
*#*Mayonaka and Jesse J,I'm really really reeeeeeeeeelllly sorry!!
**San,Aaron,Rinoa2,the green pixie with stick fairy or whatever(Sorry!!Your name is just too long!Hehe...),Rams12,Anonymous,Ani,Digi*Girl,Cloud Strife,Computer-Geekz,the Great Yoda,Rockstar,AngelDarling76,C.G.,Icedragon6171,Spi,Shindo Leonhart,?????(WHO IS THIS?!),Who Knows(What a name...),Katie,Rikku(YEAH!!I love her in ffx....wait,doesn't mean i love u....),Ashbear,Something,Almasy919(I love Seifer too!!),The Peachy One,Phoenix,Catseye,Rinny Leonhart,White Fang,Riley(he was my fave character in Buffy...he's so cute!!),R-Chan,Angelprinczess, Azora,Nicole Robinson,Ophelia,and Sephiroth(He was my fave in 7...damn cool...)
~!!!~ Sorry if I forgot anyone else!!You've got right to mail me and complain!!He he....
Chapter Forty Three (Squall's POV)
The huge front doors opened with a loud creak.I peered in cautiously with my comrades.There was a silence as we noted the surroundings inside.The foyer was surprisingly brightly lit by a beautiful chandeliar hanging from the ceiling.
"Whoa..." mumbled Zell,then turned to me."Going in?"
"Of course," I replied,taking a step forward.As soon as all of us got in,the doors slammed shut with a bang,giving us a shock.
"AHHH!" Selphie squealed in fright,but when she saw that it was just the door,she calmed down.Irvine tried to push or pull it open again,but it didn't budge.He looked at me quizzically.
"Is it a trap or what?" he said.
"Trap or not,we're gonna search for Zoan." was my dry reply.Making sure I was properly junctioned,I beckoned to the others.
"So,do we split up?" questioned Quistis when as she looked up the long stairs leading up.
"Though it would be a good idea,I'd rather we not.It's a mysterious place,and I don't want any of us dead by walking off alone.Stay together," I commanded.They nodded in unison and we continued up the stairs.But as we came to the second flight,Zell,who was leading the way,suddenly stopped.
"Whoa!Uh-oh....think we got company,guys..." he muttered.I and hurried in front.A weird looking Grendel was menacingly staring at us silently.When I looked closer,I saw that it was guarding a door before the next flight of steps.And that door was the place we needed to go.
Calmly,I took out Lionheart and proceeded in a fighting stance.Taking my cue,my comrades immediately got ready for a battle.
"Eeee,how come it's all black and red in colour?I thought Grendels are supposed to be golden and blue!" remarked Selphie,swinging her nunchaku about.
"Well,let's have it scanned and see for ourselves." Irvine casted Scan on the Grendel and we waited impatiently for the information."Woow!" he exclaimed."Check this out!It's some sort of...mutated Grendel named Dracant.And it's also some sort of loyal guard dog to that Zoan guy."
"Tell us the important info!What's its HP?!" Zell screamed.
"Umm....'bout 57000...level 75."
"Ah,piece o'cake," said Zell with confidence."But.....why isn't it attacking?"
As if answering his question,Dracant lifted its head and gave a roar.Then came the thundering of claws and 4 other monsters of the same kind jumped down from the floor above,growling savagely,their bloodshot eyes blazing.
"Uh....oh...this isn't good...." Zell lowered his fists a little.
"Whatever," I muttered.Thinking we should be on the safe side,I casted Protect on everyone.Zell jumped up and gave the Dracant a punch,which was a huge mistake.
"OWWWWW!!!!" he shrieked in pain,clutching his fists and hopping around."Oww,oww,oww,owww!!!"
"What the hell...?" Irvine raised his eyebrows.
"Their as hard as rock!Damn,my hands!" Zell wailed.The Dracant gave a loud growl before rushing to Quistis and clawed her.She counterattacked physically,but the damage wasn't much.
"Do we use magic?" she inquired.Selphie casted a fire spell on the monsters,but the damage was still very poor.Then she tried with Blizagga.
"YEAH!That's it!They're weak againt ice!!Tee hee!" she squealed.Irvine gave her a thumbs up and started casting ice magic like mad.Within fifteen to twenty minutes,the lifeless bodies of the Dracants laid on the carpet.
"Phew." Zell wiped a sweat above his brow." 'Bout time,too."
I went to the door and opened it.Inside was a dining room,decorated to the max.It was almost too colourful for me to even look at it.~Is this Zoan guy some kind of person who likes merry colours?!~
I shrugged and moved on to the stairs.
"Uh,just asking,you know...where're we actually heading to?" Irvine questioned rather nervously.
"We need to find the Sorceror..." I replied.
~And Rinoa...~ I added in my mind.
Chapter Forty Four (Rinoa's POV)
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded a Xu pushed me along the hallway roughly.I was getting mad and tired of all the mysterious plans that she was having for me.
"Just get going," she replied drily.
"Bitch....." I muttered under my breath.
"I HEARD that." She gave me an icy stare.I returned with a "Yeah,like I care?" look and she growled something I couldn't hear clearly.I just rolled my eyes and continued walking reluctantly.Finally,she stopped me in front of two doors and opened them,then shoved me in.I found myself in a room with only long candles lighting it up at the sides.There was a throne- like seat with the back facing me up in front.Although it was dark,I knew Zoan must be there.
And I was SO right...
"Greetings,Sorceress," he said.
"Greetings,Sorceror," I responded sarcastically.He gave a low chuckle and turned his seat.When I saw who's body he had taken just then,my eyes couldn't help widening in shock.
"Nida....." I said softly.True,it WAS Nida....a Nida being controlled by Zoan...
And a Nida with a bloodied hole in his chest...
I cast Xu a poisoning look.How could she?!Almost everyone in Garden knew that the poor guy had a supposed-to-be-secret crush on her,so she must have used that to her advantage.
"He was so easy...." She smiled icily,then added,"And foolish as well..."
"You--" I began.
"Xu,leave us,please...." Zoan interrupted calmly.Although his tone was hard,she did not flinch.She just bowed and mumbled,"Yes,master.",then left us alone,shutting the doors.I focused on the Sorceror,feeling angry.It was a little sad too...seeing Nida not being himself.He was truly a great friend to me,Squall,and the others when we were back in Garden.I remembered,he used to come to me(me being the Counsellor and all that...)and pour out all his feelings about Xu...how he liked the way she talked to him...how she smiled...how she did everything!
But now....she's just a rotten little traitor...
"What do you want?" I asked grumpily as Zoan studied me from his seat.He smiled and took up a goblet to his mouth,taking a sip at whatever was inside.
"I'll ask you one more time,Sorceress....will you--"
"I've answered that question before.You know my answer very well," I said coldly.
"Oh?How fortunate that I'm being in a very good mood...I'm asking again...one last time,Sorceress.."
"How many times do I have to tell you?!My answer is NO!!" I yelled at him,furious.He smiled again and chuckled softly.
"A quick response...just what I need...." he said coolly."Oh,and just to let you know,the SeeDs are already here..."
My anger washed away immediately."Squall...?" I raised my eyes hopefully.
"Ah yes....that pathetic knight of yours...Squall Leonhart..."
My heart jumped in joy and relief.~I knew it!!I knew Squall would come save me....~
"Ah,but do not be so happy,my dear Sorceress.I doubt they will be....strong enough....to face my little pets down there....and even if they DO reach here...what a fine surprise they will get..."
"They'll be alright...if they're strong enough to defeat Ultimecia,then they'll surely kill you too!!"
"Ultimecia...." Zoan laughed out loud."Do you think she is more powerful than me?Well,yes,she will be if I am like this...but once I get your powers,I will be much more powerful than her!Do not forget that your powers were once Edea's,my dear."
"Don't think it'll be easy getting my powers!I won't give them to you!!" I shot back defensively,my whole body trembling in anger.His eyes gleamed dangerously.Placing the goblet down,he got up and advanced to me slowly,flipping out a wicked looking combat knife.I eyed it carefully,but knowing that he wasn't going to kill me.I was far too valuable for him.
"You forgot something important,Sorceress..." He began circling me around with an evil grin.I just stood still and said nothing."You forgot about pain and suffering....THAT....is the key to my goal..."
"Torture me all you want...you still won't get my powers..." I replied quietly but firmly.He laughed again,stopping behind me.I didn't know what he was doing.I didn't care.
"You're a beautiful creature,Sorceress...it is a shame to see you in love with a SeeD....a person you should fear....a person you should hate with a vengence..."
I told myself to be strong...that everything he was saying was a lie...but like before,I couldn't push away the tiny truth of his statements.I closed my eyes tightly to stop the tears from flowing out.~No more...please...~
"You don't want to be a Sorceress....you just want to be a normal girl...to SUIT with that sweetheart of yours...am I right?" His voice was directly into my ear,so I guessed he must be really near.I bit my lip in frustration but made no move to run away from him.
"Am I right?" he repeated.
"No..." I lied under my breath.How many times was I gonna lie?It was the damn truth that I really hated being a Sorceress,though I only admitted that to Squall.Everyone knew it was simply impossible for a Sorceress to love a SeeD and vice versa,but we didn't care about that fact.Just as long as we were together,Squall never really minded anything else...
"I can read your mind,Sorceress...there is no use denying it..."
"Leave me alone...."
"I can fulfill your wish....your wish to become a normal mortal...don't you want it?" I felt his hands massaging my shoulders gently.Then,like our last encounter,I began to feel weak again.~What is happening?!I....I need to...~
"No...get away from me," I gasped.Summoning all my limbs to move,I tried to escape from his grasp,but he held me back forcefully and the cold steel of the knife touched stung my neck.
"Surely you cannot resist my offer,Sorceress...exchange your powers for a normal life...." he said huskily.
"I...I don't..." My legs gave way beneath me and I suddenly collapsed,but he caught me just in time and pulled me up,laying me against him to give me a steady hold.
"I just need your powers...nothing else....and then you will have what you've always wanted...." he whispered intoxicatingly."Is that a deal...?'
"What....what are you...what are you doing to me?" I asked wearily.He chuckled into my ear.
"I'm just....extracting...a little of your energy,since I don't have enough now....don't worry....there won't be any pain....well,unless you resist,of course..." He pressed the knife harder against my skin.Much as I wanted to pull away,I couldn't.Little by little,I felt my every bit of energy flowing away....
I fainted again.
Chapter Forty Five (Seifer's POV)
I couldn't believe it......I couldn't believe that somebody like Seifer Almasy could act like that.The kiss Seryn and I shared was anough to make my eyes pop out of their sockets,and now....now here she was,lying in my arms,her eyes closed.It surprised me that that position made me feel safe and secured too....just like what she would be feeling....
~What happened to me...?I wasn't like this before....the only time was...when Rinoa....~ I dismissed all my thoughts.I didn't want to think of anything...I just wanted to savour the feeling of a girl in my arms,lying against me,asleep.
I guess...that's what they meant by....true love,huh?
I sighed and laid my head on hers.Just as I was about to fall into slumber,the steel door clicked and opened with a loud creaking noise which woke up Seryn.She sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes.
"My,my,aren't we cosy?" I narrowed my eyes at the sound of Xu's voice.Why was the little bitch always around?!Needed to babysit us or what?!
"Shut the hell up and get out," I growled.She laughed and waved her finger at me.
"Ah ah ah,I'm not here to see both of you getting comfortable with each other.Step out," she ordered.
"And if we don't?" I replied challengingly.
"There's something called force,if you don't know...." she answered with a big smile.I smirked and still didn't move.She shook her head in fake sadness and clicked her finger.Two Forbiddens immediately came into the cell and approached me.They pulled both Seryn and I up and planted the sharp swords at our necks,then looked at Xu enquiringly.She nodded outside.
"Make it quick," she grumbled.The Forbiddens hurriedly obliged and pulled us somewhere.All the time,Xu still kept that sickening smile on her face,and my hands itched to take a knife and tear the whole skin off her head.
"Where are they taking us?" whispered Seryn to me.Although I knew the answer,I just shrugged.
"Don't know," I lied.In my mind,I answered differently,~To hell....~
Chapter Forty Six (Squall's POV)
"Phew!Dead at last," muttered Irvine as he did the finishing blow on a Ruby Dragon.I exhaled heavily as I hung Lionheart at my waist.The whole castle was infested with monsters,not normal ones,though.It was as if they were mutated or were the results of some crazy experiment.But the six of us did okay,with the help of the GFs and magic.
I didn't know how many hours had gone by since we'd arrived.I had lost track of the time we had left,too,but according to Zell's watch,we still had about one and a half hours.My patience was thinning.~Where in the world was Rinoa and Zoan?!?!~
We took a few more minutes to walk and battle other monsters.It was strange that Diablos' Encounter-None ability couldn't work,so we had no choice but to fight the monsters.After our third battle with yet another Dracant,we suddenly heard footsteps running towards us.The person running was gasping and panting for air.Hope suddenly rose in my heart.~Please...please...please...let it be her....~
"Commander Leonhart!!" I turned at the familiar voice.Xu was there,her face beet red,her hands on her knees,and panting fast."You're here!"
"Xu!" my comrades echoed and rushed towards her.I followed them,still expressionless.
"What's up?What happened,Xu?" I asked,atone.
"No...no time...to explain,sir...Rinoa...and the...the Sorceror....they're there!" she panted.Quistis casted a Cure on her to make her feel better,and she began talking normally again."Sir!The Sorceror....he plans to--"
"I know what he's planning," I snapped."Where's Rinoa?And that traitor Seryn Cauley?!"
"Rinoa is with the Sorceror,sir.And Seryn is there too.They--"
"Bring me to them!"
"Oh....alright,sir." Xu saluted and started running again.My comrades and I followed her quickly.
"How come you're here?" asked Selphie in surprise."Did they let you out or something?"
"No,I escaped." was her answer.No more was said as she brought us up to the forth floor of the castle and down a dim hallway.It was a long way,but I didn't care about the distance...as long as I got to see Rinoa...
"Sir!They're in here!" Xu gestured to two doors with torches at the sides.Slipping out Lionheart,I grimly kicked open the doors and barged in.It was also dim inside,but I could vaguely see someone sitting right at the end of the room.My grip on the gunblade tightened.
"Zoan!!" I roared.It would have been fine if something else didn't happened that moment.The doors behind us slammed shut and someone leaned casually against it,a smile on her face.A smile that made my heart suddenly cold.
"Xu?!What're you doing?!" Quistis screamed and rushed to the doors,but as if a forcefield was casted on them,she was slammed back as she hit it.Zell caught hold of her just in time before she fell down.
"XU?!?!Are you mad?!?!" Selphie said,her eyes wide with shock.My heart turned colder when Xu replied with a wicked laugh and said,"You SeeDs are just so naive...it was easier than I thought to get you all here..."
"What the hell--" I started,but a voice boomed throughout the room loudly.
"Ah...SeeDs....you are finally here......good job,Xu..."
"A pleasure,master." Xu bowed humbly.I stared at her,suddenly feeling sick.
~WHAT.....??!?!??!~
GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!I just love to hang ya all up!!!!AREN'T I MEAN!?!!?!??! (REVIEW!!!)
*#* Dark Raion,still love your fic!!Update it plzz!!
*#*Mayonaka and Jesse J,I'm really really reeeeeeeeeelllly sorry!!
**San,Aaron,Rinoa2,the green pixie with stick fairy or whatever(Sorry!!Your name is just too long!Hehe...),Rams12,Anonymous,Ani,Digi*Girl,Cloud Strife,Computer-Geekz,the Great Yoda,Rockstar,AngelDarling76,C.G.,Icedragon6171,Spi,Shindo Leonhart,?????(WHO IS THIS?!),Who Knows(What a name...),Katie,Rikku(YEAH!!I love her in ffx....wait,doesn't mean i love u....),Ashbear,Something,Almasy919(I love Seifer too!!),The Peachy One,Phoenix,Catseye,Rinny Leonhart,White Fang,Riley(he was my fave character in Buffy...he's so cute!!),R-Chan,Angelprinczess, Azora,Nicole Robinson,Ophelia,and Sephiroth(He was my fave in 7...damn cool...)
~!!!~ Sorry if I forgot anyone else!!You've got right to mail me and complain!!He he....
Chapter Forty Three (Squall's POV)
The huge front doors opened with a loud creak.I peered in cautiously with my comrades.There was a silence as we noted the surroundings inside.The foyer was surprisingly brightly lit by a beautiful chandeliar hanging from the ceiling.
"Whoa..." mumbled Zell,then turned to me."Going in?"
"Of course," I replied,taking a step forward.As soon as all of us got in,the doors slammed shut with a bang,giving us a shock.
"AHHH!" Selphie squealed in fright,but when she saw that it was just the door,she calmed down.Irvine tried to push or pull it open again,but it didn't budge.He looked at me quizzically.
"Is it a trap or what?" he said.
"Trap or not,we're gonna search for Zoan." was my dry reply.Making sure I was properly junctioned,I beckoned to the others.
"So,do we split up?" questioned Quistis when as she looked up the long stairs leading up.
"Though it would be a good idea,I'd rather we not.It's a mysterious place,and I don't want any of us dead by walking off alone.Stay together," I commanded.They nodded in unison and we continued up the stairs.But as we came to the second flight,Zell,who was leading the way,suddenly stopped.
"Whoa!Uh-oh....think we got company,guys..." he muttered.I and hurried in front.A weird looking Grendel was menacingly staring at us silently.When I looked closer,I saw that it was guarding a door before the next flight of steps.And that door was the place we needed to go.
Calmly,I took out Lionheart and proceeded in a fighting stance.Taking my cue,my comrades immediately got ready for a battle.
"Eeee,how come it's all black and red in colour?I thought Grendels are supposed to be golden and blue!" remarked Selphie,swinging her nunchaku about.
"Well,let's have it scanned and see for ourselves." Irvine casted Scan on the Grendel and we waited impatiently for the information."Woow!" he exclaimed."Check this out!It's some sort of...mutated Grendel named Dracant.And it's also some sort of loyal guard dog to that Zoan guy."
"Tell us the important info!What's its HP?!" Zell screamed.
"Umm....'bout 57000...level 75."
"Ah,piece o'cake," said Zell with confidence."But.....why isn't it attacking?"
As if answering his question,Dracant lifted its head and gave a roar.Then came the thundering of claws and 4 other monsters of the same kind jumped down from the floor above,growling savagely,their bloodshot eyes blazing.
"Uh....oh...this isn't good...." Zell lowered his fists a little.
"Whatever," I muttered.Thinking we should be on the safe side,I casted Protect on everyone.Zell jumped up and gave the Dracant a punch,which was a huge mistake.
"OWWWWW!!!!" he shrieked in pain,clutching his fists and hopping around."Oww,oww,oww,owww!!!"
"What the hell...?" Irvine raised his eyebrows.
"Their as hard as rock!Damn,my hands!" Zell wailed.The Dracant gave a loud growl before rushing to Quistis and clawed her.She counterattacked physically,but the damage wasn't much.
"Do we use magic?" she inquired.Selphie casted a fire spell on the monsters,but the damage was still very poor.Then she tried with Blizagga.
"YEAH!That's it!They're weak againt ice!!Tee hee!" she squealed.Irvine gave her a thumbs up and started casting ice magic like mad.Within fifteen to twenty minutes,the lifeless bodies of the Dracants laid on the carpet.
"Phew." Zell wiped a sweat above his brow." 'Bout time,too."
I went to the door and opened it.Inside was a dining room,decorated to the max.It was almost too colourful for me to even look at it.~Is this Zoan guy some kind of person who likes merry colours?!~
I shrugged and moved on to the stairs.
"Uh,just asking,you know...where're we actually heading to?" Irvine questioned rather nervously.
"We need to find the Sorceror..." I replied.
~And Rinoa...~ I added in my mind.
Chapter Forty Four (Rinoa's POV)
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded a Xu pushed me along the hallway roughly.I was getting mad and tired of all the mysterious plans that she was having for me.
"Just get going," she replied drily.
"Bitch....." I muttered under my breath.
"I HEARD that." She gave me an icy stare.I returned with a "Yeah,like I care?" look and she growled something I couldn't hear clearly.I just rolled my eyes and continued walking reluctantly.Finally,she stopped me in front of two doors and opened them,then shoved me in.I found myself in a room with only long candles lighting it up at the sides.There was a throne- like seat with the back facing me up in front.Although it was dark,I knew Zoan must be there.
And I was SO right...
"Greetings,Sorceress," he said.
"Greetings,Sorceror," I responded sarcastically.He gave a low chuckle and turned his seat.When I saw who's body he had taken just then,my eyes couldn't help widening in shock.
"Nida....." I said softly.True,it WAS Nida....a Nida being controlled by Zoan...
And a Nida with a bloodied hole in his chest...
I cast Xu a poisoning look.How could she?!Almost everyone in Garden knew that the poor guy had a supposed-to-be-secret crush on her,so she must have used that to her advantage.
"He was so easy...." She smiled icily,then added,"And foolish as well..."
"You--" I began.
"Xu,leave us,please...." Zoan interrupted calmly.Although his tone was hard,she did not flinch.She just bowed and mumbled,"Yes,master.",then left us alone,shutting the doors.I focused on the Sorceror,feeling angry.It was a little sad too...seeing Nida not being himself.He was truly a great friend to me,Squall,and the others when we were back in Garden.I remembered,he used to come to me(me being the Counsellor and all that...)and pour out all his feelings about Xu...how he liked the way she talked to him...how she smiled...how she did everything!
But now....she's just a rotten little traitor...
"What do you want?" I asked grumpily as Zoan studied me from his seat.He smiled and took up a goblet to his mouth,taking a sip at whatever was inside.
"I'll ask you one more time,Sorceress....will you--"
"I've answered that question before.You know my answer very well," I said coldly.
"Oh?How fortunate that I'm being in a very good mood...I'm asking again...one last time,Sorceress.."
"How many times do I have to tell you?!My answer is NO!!" I yelled at him,furious.He smiled again and chuckled softly.
"A quick response...just what I need...." he said coolly."Oh,and just to let you know,the SeeDs are already here..."
My anger washed away immediately."Squall...?" I raised my eyes hopefully.
"Ah yes....that pathetic knight of yours...Squall Leonhart..."
My heart jumped in joy and relief.~I knew it!!I knew Squall would come save me....~
"Ah,but do not be so happy,my dear Sorceress.I doubt they will be....strong enough....to face my little pets down there....and even if they DO reach here...what a fine surprise they will get..."
"They'll be alright...if they're strong enough to defeat Ultimecia,then they'll surely kill you too!!"
"Ultimecia...." Zoan laughed out loud."Do you think she is more powerful than me?Well,yes,she will be if I am like this...but once I get your powers,I will be much more powerful than her!Do not forget that your powers were once Edea's,my dear."
"Don't think it'll be easy getting my powers!I won't give them to you!!" I shot back defensively,my whole body trembling in anger.His eyes gleamed dangerously.Placing the goblet down,he got up and advanced to me slowly,flipping out a wicked looking combat knife.I eyed it carefully,but knowing that he wasn't going to kill me.I was far too valuable for him.
"You forgot something important,Sorceress..." He began circling me around with an evil grin.I just stood still and said nothing."You forgot about pain and suffering....THAT....is the key to my goal..."
"Torture me all you want...you still won't get my powers..." I replied quietly but firmly.He laughed again,stopping behind me.I didn't know what he was doing.I didn't care.
"You're a beautiful creature,Sorceress...it is a shame to see you in love with a SeeD....a person you should fear....a person you should hate with a vengence..."
I told myself to be strong...that everything he was saying was a lie...but like before,I couldn't push away the tiny truth of his statements.I closed my eyes tightly to stop the tears from flowing out.~No more...please...~
"You don't want to be a Sorceress....you just want to be a normal girl...to SUIT with that sweetheart of yours...am I right?" His voice was directly into my ear,so I guessed he must be really near.I bit my lip in frustration but made no move to run away from him.
"Am I right?" he repeated.
"No..." I lied under my breath.How many times was I gonna lie?It was the damn truth that I really hated being a Sorceress,though I only admitted that to Squall.Everyone knew it was simply impossible for a Sorceress to love a SeeD and vice versa,but we didn't care about that fact.Just as long as we were together,Squall never really minded anything else...
"I can read your mind,Sorceress...there is no use denying it..."
"Leave me alone...."
"I can fulfill your wish....your wish to become a normal mortal...don't you want it?" I felt his hands massaging my shoulders gently.Then,like our last encounter,I began to feel weak again.~What is happening?!I....I need to...~
"No...get away from me," I gasped.Summoning all my limbs to move,I tried to escape from his grasp,but he held me back forcefully and the cold steel of the knife touched stung my neck.
"Surely you cannot resist my offer,Sorceress...exchange your powers for a normal life...." he said huskily.
"I...I don't..." My legs gave way beneath me and I suddenly collapsed,but he caught me just in time and pulled me up,laying me against him to give me a steady hold.
"I just need your powers...nothing else....and then you will have what you've always wanted...." he whispered intoxicatingly."Is that a deal...?'
"What....what are you...what are you doing to me?" I asked wearily.He chuckled into my ear.
"I'm just....extracting...a little of your energy,since I don't have enough now....don't worry....there won't be any pain....well,unless you resist,of course..." He pressed the knife harder against my skin.Much as I wanted to pull away,I couldn't.Little by little,I felt my every bit of energy flowing away....
I fainted again.
Chapter Forty Five (Seifer's POV)
I couldn't believe it......I couldn't believe that somebody like Seifer Almasy could act like that.The kiss Seryn and I shared was anough to make my eyes pop out of their sockets,and now....now here she was,lying in my arms,her eyes closed.It surprised me that that position made me feel safe and secured too....just like what she would be feeling....
~What happened to me...?I wasn't like this before....the only time was...when Rinoa....~ I dismissed all my thoughts.I didn't want to think of anything...I just wanted to savour the feeling of a girl in my arms,lying against me,asleep.
I guess...that's what they meant by....true love,huh?
I sighed and laid my head on hers.Just as I was about to fall into slumber,the steel door clicked and opened with a loud creaking noise which woke up Seryn.She sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes.
"My,my,aren't we cosy?" I narrowed my eyes at the sound of Xu's voice.Why was the little bitch always around?!Needed to babysit us or what?!
"Shut the hell up and get out," I growled.She laughed and waved her finger at me.
"Ah ah ah,I'm not here to see both of you getting comfortable with each other.Step out," she ordered.
"And if we don't?" I replied challengingly.
"There's something called force,if you don't know...." she answered with a big smile.I smirked and still didn't move.She shook her head in fake sadness and clicked her finger.Two Forbiddens immediately came into the cell and approached me.They pulled both Seryn and I up and planted the sharp swords at our necks,then looked at Xu enquiringly.She nodded outside.
"Make it quick," she grumbled.The Forbiddens hurriedly obliged and pulled us somewhere.All the time,Xu still kept that sickening smile on her face,and my hands itched to take a knife and tear the whole skin off her head.
"Where are they taking us?" whispered Seryn to me.Although I knew the answer,I just shrugged.
"Don't know," I lied.In my mind,I answered differently,~To hell....~
Chapter Forty Six (Squall's POV)
"Phew!Dead at last," muttered Irvine as he did the finishing blow on a Ruby Dragon.I exhaled heavily as I hung Lionheart at my waist.The whole castle was infested with monsters,not normal ones,though.It was as if they were mutated or were the results of some crazy experiment.But the six of us did okay,with the help of the GFs and magic.
I didn't know how many hours had gone by since we'd arrived.I had lost track of the time we had left,too,but according to Zell's watch,we still had about one and a half hours.My patience was thinning.~Where in the world was Rinoa and Zoan?!?!~
We took a few more minutes to walk and battle other monsters.It was strange that Diablos' Encounter-None ability couldn't work,so we had no choice but to fight the monsters.After our third battle with yet another Dracant,we suddenly heard footsteps running towards us.The person running was gasping and panting for air.Hope suddenly rose in my heart.~Please...please...please...let it be her....~
"Commander Leonhart!!" I turned at the familiar voice.Xu was there,her face beet red,her hands on her knees,and panting fast."You're here!"
"Xu!" my comrades echoed and rushed towards her.I followed them,still expressionless.
"What's up?What happened,Xu?" I asked,atone.
"No...no time...to explain,sir...Rinoa...and the...the Sorceror....they're there!" she panted.Quistis casted a Cure on her to make her feel better,and she began talking normally again."Sir!The Sorceror....he plans to--"
"I know what he's planning," I snapped."Where's Rinoa?And that traitor Seryn Cauley?!"
"Rinoa is with the Sorceror,sir.And Seryn is there too.They--"
"Bring me to them!"
"Oh....alright,sir." Xu saluted and started running again.My comrades and I followed her quickly.
"How come you're here?" asked Selphie in surprise."Did they let you out or something?"
"No,I escaped." was her answer.No more was said as she brought us up to the forth floor of the castle and down a dim hallway.It was a long way,but I didn't care about the distance...as long as I got to see Rinoa...
"Sir!They're in here!" Xu gestured to two doors with torches at the sides.Slipping out Lionheart,I grimly kicked open the doors and barged in.It was also dim inside,but I could vaguely see someone sitting right at the end of the room.My grip on the gunblade tightened.
"Zoan!!" I roared.It would have been fine if something else didn't happened that moment.The doors behind us slammed shut and someone leaned casually against it,a smile on her face.A smile that made my heart suddenly cold.
"Xu?!What're you doing?!" Quistis screamed and rushed to the doors,but as if a forcefield was casted on them,she was slammed back as she hit it.Zell caught hold of her just in time before she fell down.
"XU?!?!Are you mad?!?!" Selphie said,her eyes wide with shock.My heart turned colder when Xu replied with a wicked laugh and said,"You SeeDs are just so naive...it was easier than I thought to get you all here..."
"What the hell--" I started,but a voice boomed throughout the room loudly.
"Ah...SeeDs....you are finally here......good job,Xu..."
"A pleasure,master." Xu bowed humbly.I stared at her,suddenly feeling sick.
~WHAT.....??!?!??!~
GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!I just love to hang ya all up!!!!AREN'T I MEAN!?!!?!??! (REVIEW!!!)