Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII or any of its characters

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Chapter 15 – Crystal Cage

Illusion - how much irony in one single word. We all live in illusions, we fight them, and we seek the truth. Once we find it, we finally realise that everything was so much simpler without it. And still, we continue our search for the truth, breaking all the sweet illusions, complicating our lives.

Elly knew that the scene before her eyes is going to haunt her for the rest of her life. There was no place for the illusions anymore; she was surrounded by the bitter reality. She stood frozen in place. She was not aware that she was trembling nor she was aware of the tear rolling down her cheek. All her attention was focused on the horror in front of her eyes. Pale, terrified faces imprisoned in the crystals, were looking back at her. She felt sick. Eyes, once full of life, now were empty and colourless, once full of emotions, and now, only emotion they held was terror. A hand, gently put on her shoulder, woke her from the shock. Breaking in tears, she turned around, burying her head in his chest, searching the solace that no one could provide her.

Surprised by her action, Zell slowly put his hands around her, holding her gently. He'd give anything to protect her from this, but there was nothing he could do. He looked at the scene behind her back, gently placing his hand on her head. They were on the entrance of a round cavern. Human bodies, imprisoned in crystals, were covering its walls. They were all chained onto the rock behind them. Terrified faces were frozen in time in this green eerie hell. Zell tightened his grip. Elly was still shivering in his arms. She seemed so helpless, so vulnerable.

"Shhh…" He whispered while standing up. She hid her face in his shoulder as he took her in his arms. Turning around, he met his friends' confused looks.

"I'm getting her out of here." He walked past them without waiting for a response, revealing the cavern behind his back. He heard Selphie gasping before the horrific sight.

Selphie closed her eyes and carefully opened them again, hoping she somehow imagined the horror in front of her, yet knowing she could never imagine something like that. She felt Irvine's hand on her shoulder and turned around with a forced smile, trying to prove him she's fine.

Seifer walked past them, into the cave, observing every terrified face with pain in his eyes.

"Let's get out of here." Irvine whispered.

Selphie didn't wait to hear it twice. She quickly turned and disappeared behind Irvine's back. Irvine slowly followed her, leaving Seifer behind them.

"They were my friends, my …people I used to see every day…" Elly whispered between the sobs. Zell tightened his grip, unable to find words that could make her feel better, if those words existed at all. He was sitting in front of the cave, under the tree, with Elly's trembling body in his arms.

"We'll revenge them." Zell quietly offered the only consolation he could. Elly rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. As she calmed a little she suddenly opened them again and carefully stood up, looking him apologetically in the eyes. Zell tried to avoid her look.

"Elly, are you ok?" Selphie ran toward them, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Elly nodded silently.

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The room was awfully cold. The floors were wet and Rinoa couldn't stand the glow of the crystals anymore. She was sitting in the corner of the bed and hugging her knees, thinking how everything went wrong. She wasn't crying anymore, her eyes were dry. Too many things had happened, and they had happened too fast. Rinoa was sitting there, unable to feel or think clearly, waiting to see what's coming next.

And then she heard someone unlocking her door. Only thing she prayed for in that moment was that it wasn't him. She didn't want to see him; she didn't want to see what they have made of him. On the other hand, she didn't want to see Ian either. Just the thought of that man was creeping her out. And that queen-woman …no, she didn't want to see anyone right now.

But the door opened and revealed those icy blue eyes she knew so well.

As she saw him, Rinoa lowered her head in her knees. She had enough of this torture and just wanted everything to end soon.

Squall put something on the desk without even glancing towards her and walked toward her bed. She waited him to leave, but after few minutes of silence, she looked up to see what's happening. There was a tray on the desk. On it was something that looked like roasted meat and potatoes. Next to it was an apple and a glass of juice. She glanced towards Squall. He was standing next to her bed with a long white dress in his hands.

"The Queen wants you to wear this for the ceremony." He said coldly when he noticed she was looking at him.

"And what if I don't want to?" She asked quietly but bitterly.

"The Queen wants you to wear it." He responded in the same tone.

"…Whatever." Rinoa whispered and hung back her head. She heard the door being closed and locked.

…Ceremony…what ceremony for Hyne's sake? Who cares anyway… But why does she need a ceremony? She can just kill me and take the powers… but yea, what fun would it be then? …Damned ceremony…

Rinoa walked toward the table and took the green apple in her hand, looked at it and put it down. She reached for the glass of juice and took a sip of it. Strawberry juice…it was always her favourite, but now it was making her sick. He turned around and her eyes fell on the white dress. She took it in her arms. Beautiful…it truly is beautiful…what an irony She put it against her body. …If I already have to die, I may as well look good doing it. A cold smile appeared on her face.

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"Ritual… ritual…what damn ritual for Hyne's sake!?" Ellone was sitting in Quistis' dorm by the desk covered in piles of books and reading the "Secrets and Legends of Elron" with little Lilly sleeping in her lap. "'The night when the crystals are the only light in the dark.' What is this about?"

Angelo, who was sleeping on the bed, sleepily raised his head welcoming Quistis, who just entered in the room.

"Here." Quistis put a cup of tea in front of Elly. "Seems you haven't found anything useful yet, huh? Rest a little, drink your tea, I'll take your place." She offered.

Elly gave her a thankful smile and stood up. Taking her tea, she sat in the soft armchair near the desk.

"So, any progress?" Quistis asked, her eyes already focused on the book.

"Not really…We know they want Rinoa's powers and they need some kind of ritual to do it…but we still don't know what it is, and I think we're running out of time…" Ellone nervously put the cup back down on the desk.

"…I don't think we'll find anything useful here anymore…Wait, Elle? How did you know where to find this book?" Quistis raised her look from the book.

"…It was Dr. Odin's book; I took it while he was keeping me in Esthar. I didn't think I'd need it. I was still a child back then and I noticed that it was important to him…so I took it and left it here in the library when I first came. Why are you asking?"

"If the book was that important for Dr. Odin…" Quistis started.

"Then he must know something about it!" Elly continued. "Pass me the phone! Hurry!"

Quistis handed her the phone and, grabbing a pen and a piece of paper, Ellone quickly dialled a number.

"Hi uncle Laguna …No, I still don't know anything about Squall, but we're doing everything we can…Yes, actually you can help. I need to speak with Dr Odin as soon as possible …Ok, thanks… I'll call you as soon as we find something out. Bye uncle, take care." She hanged up and dialled another number.

Quistis heard knocking on the door and went to open it.

"Matron!" Quistis smiled.

A small smile for a moment appeared on Edea's worried face. "Any news?"

Quistis shook her head. "No…but I think we're on a good way…" She pointed toward Ellone, who hanged up the phone and met two questioning looks. The expression on her face wasn't a good sign.

"It's an ancient ritual…it consists of …" Elly's voice began trembling "…a knight killing his sorceress… Dr. Odin was simply thrilled that he had the possibility to tell me that…I guess he heard what's happening."

Edea closed her eyes in pain.

"We have to stop it…" Quistis whispered.

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The forest around them was slowly getting darker. The silence was heavier than ever. Losing their hopes, four friends were sitting on the grass outside the cave, waiting with a mutual question in their head…what to do.

Zell was sitting with his elbows resting on his knees and head bowed down. He was doing his best to find a way out of this situation, but the only thought that was constant in his head was Elly. He hated himself for it, he felt as if he was betraying his friends…but still couldn't help it.

Elly's heart was filled with guilt. Right next to her, Selphie was resting in Irvine's hands. Why is it so hard for me? Why can't I simply let myself go? Hell, I'd need a hug right now…but, if I'd ask him for a hug now, I'd be using him... I surely don't want that… Is there a chance that things between us go back to how they were? Do I want that? Could I risk depending on him? …It's too late now anyway…I've hurt him enough; I have no right to ask for anything…I must concentrate on our mission…Hyne, Rin where are you? How can we find you?

Seifer came from the cave, interrupting their thoughts. The blond gunblader looked desperate. He walked away from them, toward an old oak tree, and threw himself on the ground below it. He put his arms below his head and silently looked toward the sky, in reality not seeing anything. I told her she could count one me…I promised her I'll do my best to find him…I told her everything is going to be aright and I owed her so much more…and look at me now! Lying under a stupid tree while she might already be dead! The second time I've failed…why do I even keep trying…biggest failure ever… He closed his eyes.

Elly was observing him since he came. She felt pity for the poor man, no one was there for him and she knew the feeling. Slowly, she stood up and walked toward him. As she reached him, she sat on the grass next to him.

"Seifer?" She whispered.

He opened his eyes still not looking at her.

"Don't put the blame on you…" She tried again, without any success.

"We can still find a way…"

"No we can't!" He spoke abruptly but quietly. "She's trapped in there with some lunatic, a damn dragoon and a knight who cannot help her even if he'd want to…and we can't find the damn entrance!"

"…I promised" He continued quietly. "I've promised myself I'd not gonna let anything happen to her…'cause I care for her and I've done enough damage this far."

"You've done all you could." Elly put her hand on his.

"No I haven't!" He shouted and forcefully dragged his hand away, leaving her startled. "…Sorry… those are my demons…I shouldn't have yelled at you…sorry." He apologised.

"It's ok." She offered him a small smile.

Zell was watching them from the distance and couldn't help feeling jealous. He felt pity for the blond gunblader too…but still, Seifer was there next to her now, and not him.

Elly stood up, and walked back, leaving Seifer alone with his thoughts.

Suddenly, she felt dizzy and lost her balance. In unison, both guys ran to help her. Seifer, who was closer to her, caught her in his arms as she was falling. Zell stopped, not knowing what to do. His heart was telling him to run there and take her in his arms, protect her, but his mind was telling him that he has no right to do it anymore. He felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he met Irvine's understanding look. Selphie was kneeling next to Elly, who seemed unconscious.

Elly, can you hear me? Ellone's voice echoed in Elly's mind.

I hear you, what happened?

We found out what the ritual is! Listen, during the ritual, the knight has to kill his sorceress!

Elly gasped. Zell froze.

"Elly, what's happening, can you hear me?" Selphie was trying to wake her up.

Ellone, we can't find them, we can't find the entrance that leads toward the centre of the cave! Elly started panicking.

You should follow the crystals; they're bigger closer you are to the Power Crystal, where the ritual has to take place. Hurry now, please! Ellon pleaded.

Okay, bye.

Take care, all of you!

Elly opened her eyes, meeting her friends' worried looks.

"I'm fine, it was Ellone." She explained.

Zell released a breath of relief.

"What happened? What did she tell you?" Seifer asked.

"The ritual…A knight has to kill his sorceress during the ritual… we have to find them! Ellone said we should follow the crystals, bigger they are, closer we are to the Power Crystal!"

Seifer carefully put Elly on the ground, stood up and ran toward the cave.

"Seifer wait, don't go alone!" Elly shouted while standing up.

"What's wrong with him?" Selphie asked.

"Bigger crystals…where were the biggest crystals you've seen?" Zell offered an explanation with a cold voice.

Elly hugged her arms around her, feeling cold just by thinking of it.

"Ok, girls, you wait here, we're going to find the damn entrance and then we'll call you." Irvine turned toward the cave.

"No, wait…I can handle it…we don't have enough time for you coming back for us…we're going all together." Elly's voice was trembling, but it was obvious that the decision was made.

Irvine looked at Selphie, who nodded, and then back at Ellone. "Let's go."

Together, they walked toward the cave. Selphie ran in front, toward Irvine, leaving Elly alone with her fears.

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"It's coming close my queen, your victory is coming closer. Can you sense it my queen?" Ian knelt in front of the throne.

Searyn was sitting on her throne with her head up and a victorious smile on her face. "Is everything ready?"

"Everything, my queen, and tomorrow is the night without the moon. 'The night when the crystals are the only light in the dark'" He smiled, but suddenly closed his eyes.

"What is it? Is it the knight again?" Concern appeared on Searyn's face.

Ian shook his head absentmindedly, it was something else.

"They are here again…" Ian opened his eyes. "SeeDs."

"Stupid SeeDs. Can't they see they're walking toward their deaths? Why do they think I'd let them ruin my plan? ...summon your dragon!"

"As you wish my queen." Ian closed his eyes and a big green gold figure appeared in the round room. The dragon was completely still.

"Zodraken." Searyn spoke with a strict voice. The dragon's eyes faced her. "Is any of them of any use for us?"

THERE'S A GIRL. ONE OF THOSE WHO LIVE WITH POWER, ONE OF THOSE WE CHASED. I WAS AFTER HER ONCE ALREADY; A HUMAN MALE SAVED HER THEN. SHE HAS A GREAT POWER, BUT THAT IS THE POWER YOU WILL NOT NEED. THE POWER OF THE YOUNG SORCERESS IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU THE MOST POWERFUL MORTAL BEING IN THE PRESENT TIME. I WILL GET RID OF THE SEEDS, THEY WON'T BOTHER YOU ANYMORE. A dark voice echoed in Searyn's mind. She lowered her head; raising it she revealed a greedy fire in her eyes.

"I want them captured" She ordered determinately.

"But, my queen, if we kill them we'll be sure…" Ian started.

"I said I want them captured." Searyn repeated, leaving no place for discussion.

"Zodraken?" She called.

The dragon, which seemed distant and was facing the wall in front of him while they were talking, faced her again.

"Can you capture them?" She asked.

I WILL NEED THE COMMANDER.

"Ian, call the commander. And…prepare the chains."

Ian bowed his head and closed his eyes again.

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Elly was walking through the cave lost in her thoughts. She barely noticed the walls passing by her. The cave was scary enough during the day, but now, when the only light was coming from the crystals, every shadow was sending chills down her spine. She could feel the crystals slowly drawing motivation and that little bit of happiness she still had left, leaving only the emptiness she despised so much – depression. Everything was dark again, and there seemed to be no reason to continue. Yet, she was walking on, not really aware of her surrounding. Coming to the end of the passage, she noticed her friends standing in front of a closed door. Why is the door closed? ...we've left it open.

Seifer was trying to break a piece of crystal to open the door, but apparently, the crystals were too big in this part of the cave. Elly passed by him and walking pass the other she took the piece of crystal from her pocket and hurried to draw the triangle on the door before she could change her mind. As the door was slowly rising, she felt someone taking her hand. Turning her head, she saw Selphie giving her a reassuring smile. Faking a smile, she turned back. Once again she met empty stares from the other side of the crystals. She inhaled deeply. Her friends were silent behind her; they were giving her some time to adjust. Suddenly she noticed a shadow in the end of the room. …Manuell? Her hart stopped. Abruptly, she started running toward the end of the room, taking aback her friends. Before they were able to react, the stone that was closing the door fell back down. As she heard the thunder of the stone, she stopped and turned, feeling the panic taking over her. She was left alone in this eerie cage. Alone?

Slowly, she turned back, hoping, expecting to see him and yet she knew he was dead.

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A/N: I'm alive! I know it has been a long time since I last updated this story, and I'm really sorry because of it. I'll try to update the following chapters as soon as possible.

I want to apologise once again to all of you, but also to thank you for keeping up with me.

Please review!

Rinoica