*Nope, still don't own Final Fantasy VIII or any of its characters and I don't own Zodraken, Nancel does*
Special thanks to vindemon64 for being the first one to put me on his favourites list!!
THANKS A LOT!!!
Big thanks to Nancel for all his advices and help. ;) One more thing – about that feather: :b
This chapter is dedicated to Exhile87 for being there for me. Thanks Nic!
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
*Chapter 10 – Light or Darkness, Game or Fight *
Bolts of lightning were dancing in the sky through the big drops of rain. Wind played with leaves and flower petals while it was blowing through the forests and fields of Balamb. Whistling of the wind and sound of waves crushing on the rocks were breaking the song of raindrops falling on the ground. Nature was playing the game of dark and light, a game of shadows.
Or was it a fight? Huge grey clouds were fighting with the sunlight, not letting it to reach the earth. Night refused to give its place to the day. The darkness refused to give its place to the light. But light didn't give up! It was fighting against the darkness with all its strength, lightening the earth with bolts of lightning.
A lightning revealed something strange in front of the Balamb Garden. A huge, ruby, dragon-like creature was standing there. Three small black figures were going toward it and then disappeared. A minute after, the creature started rising and it flew away.
Rinoa was standing by the balcony doors, watching Zell, Irvine and Seifer entering the Ragnarok. She followed the airship with her eyes until she couldn't see it anymore. She put her hand on the glass in front of her. ~Squall, where are you?~ She slowly opened the balcony doors and stepped out on the rain. She stood there and let the rain fall on her face. Wind was playing with her slightly wet hair. Everything looked so sad, dark and hopeless. ~Where are you? …I NEED YOU!~ She screamed in her mind. She wanted to stay there forever, stay there and not to worry about anything, but she knew that wasn't the right thing to do. She had to be strong, if not for herself, than for him. She knew he was counting on her, and she didn't want to let him down. The wind wasn't blowing anymore, and rain slowly stopped. Sun showed its bright face and announced a new day and its victory against the darkness. Rinoa stepped back in her room and saw two eyes watching her sadly.
"Don't worry Angelo, I'm fine." She smiled to him and went to take a shower.
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
"Gee…we're all wet!" Zell took off his black raincoat.
~Genius…~Seifer rolled his eyes, he wasn't really in a good mood.
Zell gave him a glare, but decided to ignore him and went toward the control room.
"Where do you think you're going?" Seifer asked.
"To the control room," Zell answered without looking him. Irvine, who was watching them since they entered, rolled his eyes knowing what is going to happen next. He let them do whatever they want; he was already tired of their fights.
"It's dangerous to be with you on Ragnarok, and with you driving it…it's just a suicide, not to mention the storm outside" Seifer teased.
"You're trying to say that I don't know how to drive Ragnarok?" Zell threatened him with his fists.
"No, I'm not trying to say it… I said it!" Seifer answered with a grin. Zell gave him a death glare. Irvine rolled his eyes again and slowly went toward the control room.
"What happen chicken wuss? Don't want to drive any more?" Seifer grinned.
He suddenly felt strange, like if ground wasn't steady anymore. He looked through the window and saw land far below them.
"Um, Zell?"
Zell gave him a glare.
"We're flying."
Zell gave him a puzzled look.
"Irvine is driving."
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
Rinoa entered in the Cafeteria and noticed Quistis, Selphie and Elly sitting at their unusually empty table. She took a piece of chocolate cake ~It may cheer me up a little. ~
"Quistis? You think Laguna knows what happened to Squall?" Selphie asked.
"He does, but not all I guess. Cid called him yesterday."
"Hey girls, Rinoa is coming." Elly warned them.
"Hi girls!" Rinoa said with a smile as she sat next to Quistis.
They were all glad to see her smile. She started eating her cake ~ Mmm, delicious~
"Hey Rin, will you come with us to Library to do some research?" Quistis asked.
"Sure, when?"
"Umm… dunno, around ten?"
"I can't, I'm busy till eleven."
"We'll go at eleven then, I have to go now, I have class. See ya!"
"I'll go too. I have to speak with Cid about Garden festival." Selphie and Quistis left.
"What do you have to do Rin?" Elly asked.
"Edea promised me to help me control and use my power, want to come?"
"Umm…okay."
To Elly's surprise Rinoa took her out of Garden. They were waiting for Edea on a small field near Fire Cavern.
"Edea thought I'll do less damage here" Rinoa explained with a smile.
Edea showed up walking slowly toward them.
"Hello Rinoa, Elly." She said with her usual smile. "Shall we begin?"
Rinoa nodded.
"Till now, you used your powers instinctively, when you were in danger or under pressure, right?" Edea started. Rinoa nodded. "Now you have to learn how to control and use your powers when you want it. The most important thing is concentration, you must focus on the object. Now, you see that leaf over there? Try to focus on it and lift it in the air." Rinoa tried her best and concentrated as much as she could. The leaf started trembling lightly. Rinoa closed her eyes and used all her strength to lift the leaf in the air.
If you continue like this, the leaf will explode. Rinoa heard Elly's amused voice in her mind. Rinoa opened her eyes and saw the leaf trembling madly and then it exploded in hundreds tiny pieces, which were flying through the air. She looked at Elly, who was suppressing laugh. At least you lifted the pieces in the air Once again Rinoa heard Elly's voice. ~If you think that it's easy, try to do it yourself!~ Rinoa answered her and grinned.
Edea watched them with interest and after some time she asked: "Are you two talking right now?"
Two girls went slightly red for interrupting Edea's lesson and they both nodded. She watched them for a while and then smiled.
"You two are both stronger than I thought." She said. "Now Rinoa, you see that white feather? Try again to focus on it and lift it in the air, you don't need much strength to do that; you just have to focus on it. Now try."
Rinoa looked at the feather for some time, and then closed her eyes. After a while, she opened them, just to see that the feather was still in the same place as before. She didn't give up. She closed her eyes again. Then she began thinking about Squall. She wanted to be near him, she wanted to find him so much. A known voice interrupted her thoughts. Rin, you did it! She slowly opened her eyes, trying to stay concentrated. She saw a white feather flying higher and higher.
"Well done Rinoa, you manage to focus on that feather," Edea said it satisfied. "Next time it'll be also your turn," she said looking at Elly.
Rinoa closed her eyes again. ~If I could only find you!~
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
It was eleven o'clock; Rinoa and Elly were waiting for Selphie and Quistis in front of Library.
"So, what's up with you and Zell?" Rinoa smiled to her friend.
Elly smiled back ~None of your business ~
~Meanie.~
Elly giggled. "There's nothing new. Look Quistis and Selphie are coming."
Selphie started waving as soon as she saw them.
"Hi girls, lets go!" Elly entered in the Library and the three girls followed her.
They silently entered in the Library and started researching. Quistis took a book about Esthar and she and Selphie sat and started reading the part where Green Cave is mentioned.
Elly went between two shelves and, after checking if anyone is watching her, she took out two big dark green books from one of it. Behind them was a black box. She took a small key from her pocket. She unlocked the box and took a small black book from it. She took it and placed it on the shelf with other books. She stood up and turned around.
"Hey Rin, look what I've found!" She called silently.
"What?" Rinoa came to see what her friend found.
Elly took the black book from the shelf and read the title "Secrets and Legends of Elron" She opened it and after a minute she found the subtitle "Green Cave and the Legend of Power Crystal". "Come, let's sit down and read it." They sat next to Quistis and Selphie and Elly started reading silently.
"One of the biggest secrets of Elron is the Green Cave. Its entrance is located north of the Elron village. It's known for its green crystals that cover its walls. Even if it's fully explored there are still lots of legends and rumors about it. The most known of them says that the cave contains a great power, which is connected with a powerful GF that, as the legend says, lives there. Another legend says that the cave has countless halls, whose entrances are magically hidden and look like walls. It says that, for opening them, you must take a crystal from the cave walls and draw a triangle with it on the entrance. The problem is that, for doing that, you must know where the entrance is. Even the Shumi tribe has a legend about the Green Cave. This legend says that a powerful crystal is hidden somewhere in the cave. This crystal, known as Power crystal, is… … There's nothing important from here on, it writes only about this crystal."
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*
A day ago, Squall took a ship in Balamb. He went to FH and then, by train, to Esthar. He walked through Esthar carefully, avoiding places where someone could see and recognize him, although he wasn't sure why was he doing it.
Squall was walking through the forest. Small drops of water were shining like small diamonds on big trees of the Esthar forest. Little birds were celebrating another sunny day, but Squall didn't notice all that. It wasn't important. Only thing that mattered for him was to come to the Green Cave as soon as possible. ~Why is it so important?~ A thought hit him suddenly, but it disappeared as soon as it came. ~I must hurry!~ He continued walking. ~The only important thing is to go there and help them, because…because… The important thing is to go there. ~ Suddenly something caught his attention, a small white feather was flying toward him as the wind played with it. Squall stopped and watched it for a moment, not even knowing why is this simple feather so interesting. He reached for it with his hand and the feather peacefully fell on it. As it touched Squalls hand, he was hit by a flashback. He saw a party, and a girl in light yellow dress approaching him. Another flashback. He saw the same girl dancing with him. Another one. She was hugging him in some sort of train cabin. They were jumping from one train to another. They were arguing in front of a big screen. … She was drifting in space … flower field … holding him in her arms in some kind of barren land … kissing him on the balcony … dancing with him… same balcony again … he's telling her…he loves her?
"Rinoa" He whispered.
~What…what is happening, where are you…~
One more time he felt piercing pain in his head.
~What is this?~
He turned around and started walking toward Esthar. Suddenly he stopped; he couldn't fight it any more.
~I must go…no I don't …I must fight it… I must be strong~
The pain was growing.
~…Must be strong…for her…~
~I…I'm …sorry…~
He fell on the soft green grass.
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
"Damn it! Not again!" Ian entered in the circular room and, once again, sat in its center. ~What now! Damn him, and her, and everyone!~ He closed his eyes and concentrated.
Searyn entered in the room, she heard him yelling and wanted to check if everything is fine. She was watching how he was trying to control Squall. She could tell by his face that it wasn't an easy task. After ten minutes of sweating and silent cursing, Ian finally won this battle. He stood up to take a glass of water and noticed Searyn watching him.
"He was using his own mind again?" Searyn asked after short silence.
"Yes my queen."
"He's getting stronger, isn't he?" She asked again. Ian nodded as he took a glass of water.
"Does that mean that you won't be able to control him with time?"
"There's nothing to worry my queen, I know exactly what I have to do."
She nodded and left.
~Damn it, I must go and get him before some beast finds him.~
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
Ragnarok slowly landed on the small green field near Elron. Few minutes after it touched the ground, three figures came out of it. Irvine, who came out first, looked like he didn't sleep for last three nights. He just continued walking toward Elron without paying attention on the two SeeDs behind him. Four hours with Zell and Seifer in the Ragnarok could've been worse only if one of them was driving it. Fortunately, even Zell and Seifer were already tired of their fighting, so they silently followed Irvine.
When he came to the fountain in the middle of the village, Irvine sat on it and waited for Seifer and Zell.
"So? What's the plan?" Irvine asked Seifer when he came. Seifer gave him a puzzled look.
"You're the team leader, aren't you?"
"Right…" Seifer started. "Lets go to the cave then."
"Genius." Zell mumbled loud enough for other to hear him, but Seifer decided to ignore him.
Finally, after about an hour of silence, three SeeDs came in front of Green Cave. First thing Zell and Irvine noticed was that, the huge dragon corpse was missing. It was strange, not even one bone was left. Seifer noticed that his two fellows weren't too excited about this whole thing so he entered first.
Even inside this dark place, light played its game with darkness. Green crystals were coloring the mist inside the cave in a creepy green color. Light was dancing through it, green misty lights were fighting their way through the darkness. Sound of small green drops of water falling on the wet ground made the atmosphere even more mystical. Seifer slightly shivered when he entered. The place seemed to suck all happy felling from him. He shook his head and turned around to see where the others are. The thought of being alone in this eerie place wasn't really nice. Irvine and Zell entered right after Seifer. The known feeling sent chills up their spines.
"Let's finish this as soon as possible." Zell said silently.
They reached Seifer, who was waiting for them, and went deeper in the cave. They walked for about an hour, checking every hole on the walls to make sure there wasn't any hall or opening around them, when they came to a…dead-end.
"What now?" On everyone's surprise Zell asked Seifer. Seifer watched him for a moment making sure that there wasn't any irony in his voice.
"I think we should go toward the exit, and check walls again on our way back. If we find anything we'll research it, if not, well go to a hotel, report what we found, and continue tomorrow." He stood in surprise as both SeeDs nodded and waited for him to go first. Not really sure about what is going on, he made his way toward the entrance.
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
Squall woke up and found himself in an unknown place. He looked around him. He was in a stone room. Only source of light was a green crystal in the center of the ceiling. He was lying on a wooden bed. On the other side of room was a shelf with books and an armchair. He stood up and went toward the door. ~Closed~ He sat on the bed and put his head in his hands. He couldn't remember how he got here. Last thing he remembered was the piercing pain in his head. Knocking interrupted his thoughts. ~Like if I can open the door.~ After a minute of awaiting the answer that never came, Ian entered in the room. Squall looked at him for a while. He was sure he never met him before, but still, there was something familiar about him.
"Good afternoon. The Queen wants to see you." Ian said and moved from the door so that Searyn could enter. Squall watched her carefully. She had long black hair and black eyes. She wore a dark green dress. Her appearance was scary, but there was something that didn't fit in.
"I'm glad to see you my Queen." Squall said, not really knowing why. Searyn smiled, and then looked at Ian.
"Welcome Squall. I'm glad that you decided to join us. It was clever to choose the side of the strongest." She smiled to him again. Squall just nodded.
~Decided? …Right…~ Ian though for himself.
"If you need something, Ian's room is on the left, you can't miss it." Squall nodded again and she left. Squall waited that Ian leaves too, but apparently, it wasn't his intention.
Ian took a picture from his pocket and looked at it, hoping he won't regret it later. After checking in his mind if Squall's gunblade is in a save place and if he took all junctioned items and magic from him, he handed him the picture and momentary released his mind from the spell.
Squall took the picture and after a moment his facial expression changed from serious to confused, and then it all hit him, his past, his emotions, will and love. He was still confused about what happened, but his instinct told him Ian was the one to blame. He gave him a death glare, reaching his gunblade with his hand, but the Leonheart wasn't in his place.
"You must listen what I have to say, want it or not." Ian told him, ready to put the spell on him if he has to, knowing that it would be a hard job.
Squall continued looking at him with hate in his eyes.
"Give me your hand." Ian offered him his hand.
Squall continued looking him. ~Riight.~
"It was a request, I'm sure you remember what happens when you don't obey my requests."
Squall continued watching him for a moment, but then he decided that he needs his free will to escape from here. He gave him his hand. Ian took it and suddenly, Squall heard a deafening sound and green light covered the room. The light was so intense that he had to close his eyes. When he opened them he found himself in the main hall of Balamb garden. He looked around and noticed Selphie running toward the Cafeteria. He called her, but she didn't answer. Then he saw Nida behind him.
"Hi Nida." Squall said.
Nothing. Nida didn't answer. Squall was already slightly annoyed. He stood in front of Nida, but Nida just passed through him.
It's useless, they can't hear, feel, or see you. Squall heard a voice. ~Ian.~
"What's happening?" Squall asked.
You're watching what's happening in Balamb garden right now, but no one can hear or see you, because you aren't actually there.
"Why am I here?"
You must see something, something that will show you that I'm actually on your side. Follow your instinct, and you'll find it.
~Or better, follow your fear.~ Ian added in his mind.
I'll leave you on your own now, you'll come back when you see what you have to see.
~This is all crazy.~ Squall thought as he followed his cheerful friend.
He entered in the Cafeteria. It was noisy as always. He heard Zell laughing, so he went toward their usual table. He saw Selphie, Quistis, Zell, Irvine and Seifer sitting there. ~Seifer? What is he doing there?~ Squall moved closer. Seifer was telling them something, and when he finished they all started laughing. The weirdest thing was that Zell was the loudest one. ~Seifer and Zell in the same room, and they are not fighting? Since when?~
Squall decided to get some air. He went toward the Quad. As he entered, he saw her.
Rinoa was sitting on a bench, alone. ~She's so beautiful.~ He thought while he was looking her unconscious smile. ~…If this is happening now…then she doesn't know where I am, no one does… Why don't they try to find me… to help me? ~ Then it hit him. ~They…they don't know that Ian controlled me… they think…she thinks … no…~ He put his head in his hand.
"Rinoa… It wasn't me saying that…you know that don't you." He said silently, knowing she can't hear him. ~No she doesn't know it…~ He came in front of her and kneeled.
"Rinoa! Rinoa please hear me!" He gently touched her face.
"Rinoa I love you!" He yelled… but she couldn't hear him.
At that moment, Elly came in. When she saw her friend, Rinoa stood up and smiled.
"Hi Elly! How are you?"
"Fine thanks, lets go to the Cafeteria, he is there." Elly giggled.
"Oh come on…stop it." Rinoa blushed.
"Sorry, I'm just so happy you found someone good enough for you, someone who won't leave you."
~Is she talking about me? … I never left her… no…I did.~
"Thanks."
"That's what friends are for! Lets go!"
Squall run in front of them.
~Rinoa!…Rinoa stop!…Listen! It's me…I'm here!… I never wanted to leave you! …She can't hear me…Rin…~
Squall followed them to Cafeteria. ~Who is he anyway?~
Zell was still laughing, and Squall was already annoyed because it. ~What's so funny anyway?~ Seifer stood up and opened his arms. ~What the hell is he doing?~ Squall didn't even have enough time to finish his thought when Rinoa run in Seifer's arms and kissed him.
They were talking something, but Squall didn't hear it, he didn't hear anything. A single tear escaped from his eyes. ~She already forgot me, Why? Why she didn't believe in me?~
Everything went green again, and Squall found himself back in the stone room.
Ian saw pain in Squall's eyes and his lips curled in a smile. ~Good job Zodraken.~
`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´`*´
Elly was sitting cross-legged on the bed in her dorm. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be deeply concentrated on something.
You've done a good job with that book. A female voice echoed in Elly's mind.
~Both, the key and the book, were right there were you said they'll be.~ Elly answered.
I'm happy to hear that.
~If you find out something else, let me know.~
Okay, now take care of Rinoa.
~Don't worry, I will.~
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
**Sammy-Chan: Lord of The Rings had a big effect on me. I read it long time ago, and I watched the movies. I think it's great, but any similarities between it and my fic are just a coincidence. ^_~
**Exhile87: Thanx for suggestion! Theehee Seifer/Rinoa action? You'd like it huh?
Hope you're happy now. I'm happy you're continuing with GT! One more thing, continue with TLD, however you want, just do it!
**Lovely Angel: Thanx for those reviews!! I'll ask Squall if he wants you to replace Rin, I'll mail you his answer ^_~! You were crying? Really? ^_^ I didn't expect someone would actually cry while reading my fic, it means a lot to me.
**vindemon64: *blushes* You're so sweet! An epilogue to the game of FF8? *blushes even more* If you continue like this, you'll spoil me!