Author's note: Wtf, only two reviews? Hmph. Guess I should be grateful for what I've got, but...
to Iskander : I'm quite happy with that myself. Thanks :)
to Greyon Hell : Of course, Seify's the best :P Thankies.
-Squall's POV-
Walking, walking, walking, endless hours of walking...
"Can't we sit down?" Selphie asks, the usual energy lacking from her voice.
"Exactly," Irvine says.
"Come on, you people are SeeDs!" Zell says. "You're trained for hard work."
"But it's hot and I'm thirsty and we've been walking for hours," Selphie says quietly in quite a whiny voice.
"There's an old station in Esthar that this railway passes," Matron says. "I don't know about its condition at the moment, since it hasn't been in use for years, but I'm quite sure there's at least something you can use as a seat."
"Great!" Selphie says and throws her fist in the air. "How far are we?"
"It shouldn't be far away anymore," Matron says.
Half an hour of more walking and Selphie shrieks. I look around and see some old buildings ahead of us. The timing's perfect, my head's starting to feel dizzy from all the sun and I was afraid I might lose my balance and fall into the ocean.
"Ah, solid ground, at last!" Selphie says and runs the rest of the way to the station.
"How does someone have the energy for that?" Seifer mumbles.
A couple of minutes later we're all sitting on crates, barriers and such. Quistis's water bottle is circling among us.
Matron turns to face to the east. "The city of Esthar should be that way."
We all in that direction. Nothing but endless desert.
"The famous Salt Flats," Zell says quietly.
"Famous?" Seifer says with a hint of amusement. "In whose books?"
Zell glances at him, but leaves his comment unreplied. "So Matron, how far do you think the city is from here?"
Matron shrugs and turns to us. "I don't have a clue. No one really seems to know. So few people have ever been there."
"Is it like one of those places where you go once and then they'll never let you leave again?" Selphie asks enthusiasticly. She loves conspiracies as well as secrets.
Matron smiles. "No, I don't think it's like that, Selphie."
"Oh," she says. "Well is it like such a cool place you don't wanna ever leave?"
"Matron just said she's never been there," Irvine says, laying a hand on Selphie's shoulder. "So I don't think she really knows."
"Thank you, Irvine," Matron says. "The truth is, I have heard it's quite an amazing place."
"Well why don't we go there then?" Zell asks.
We walk from the station to the edge of the 'famous' Salt Flats. It's huge. It's all white, as far as the eye can see. I'd hate to be stranded here, with no food or drink, lost and alone....
"Hyne," Selphie gasps. "How are we ever gonna find that city here?"
"You think we should divide into two groups?" Irvine asks Quistis.
"Frankly, no," she replies. "If someone gets lost..."
"But in a smaller group, that would be noticed sooner," Seifer says.
Quistis glances at him like she only now realizes he's with us. Come to think of it, he has been kinda quiet during the walk and all.
"Still, I don't think it's such a good idea," Quistis says. "What if the other team finds the city? Then what? One of them leaves to tell the others and wanders around here for hours."
Seifer shrugs. "Just pointing out a fact."
So we continue our journey as one big group.
"Matron?" Quistis asks quietly. "Are you getting tired?"
"Not at all, Quistis," she replies. "It's actually quite nice, refreshing for a change, to walk such a long way."
Quistis nodds and we walk in silence again.
"Do you know what it is exactly she wants in Esthar?" Seifer asks me in a quiet voice.
I shrug. "No idea. She hasn't told me."
Seifer glances at Matron. "Wonder if she's told anyone. She just says it's this man who can help her. Help her with what? Why doesn't she ask for our help?"
I look at him. "What, you think she's possessed again, and just acting to get us into the desert and then kill us?"
He shrugs. "You never know."
I shake my head. "No, it doesn't sound like Ultimecia. She's so... straight forward, she can't create plots that won't like, happen immediately, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, yeah I get you. I dunno, I don't seriously think that, she's obviously too sweet to be an evil world dominator anyways."
"Yeah. I'm sure it's just something..." I sigh. "I don't know, ---"
"Mighty Hyne!" Selphie shrieks just as I bump into Quistis's back.
"Whoa, what is that thing?" Zell asks.
A huge monster, consisting only of bones, has jumped in front of us and is screaming in an obnoxious way.
"It's an undead monster," Quistis says.
"I can handle this," Matron says and steps forward.
"No! We'll help you!" Selphie says.
"As you wish," Matron replies calmly. "Remember, use only curative magic."
After a rather quick battle, we're free to walk on again.
"Wow," Selphie sighs and stops at a spot where you can see miles and miles of the Salt Flats ahead.
Matron walks beside her and nodds. "It is beatiful."
"This place used to be a lake, you know," Zell says. "But then it like.... dried up or something."
Matron glances at him. "I am impressed by your passion for history, Zell."
Zell blushes. Man, that must be the first time ever I've seen him blush. "T-thank you, Matron."
Suddenly the air flickers. I didn't know air could literally flicker.
"W-What was that?" Irvine asks, looking around.
"Are those... stairs?" Quistis asks.
Swoop.
"A hole in midair...?" Matron says.
Author's note: Oh yeah, before I forget: if any of you like to draw, I'd be more than happy if you'd wanna draw pics relating to my fics... :)