FINAL FANTASY: POINT OF INTERSECTION
BOOK 1: THE APPROACHING STORM


CHAPTER 8


Ellone woke to pale morning sunlight streaming softly into the room from the window to her left. Beyond the thick glass panes, snow drifted lightly down in a sprinkling of white flurries, and from the eaves hung long daggers of ice that glistened wetly with moisture. Outside the window, a few vibrant evergreens clustered together some yards away amidst the bare skeletons of maples and oaks whose leaves had long since fallen to winter's touch.

Blinking a few times to clear the last vestiges of sleep from her eyes, Elle stretched a little and winced as pain suddenly struck her like a physical blow. Vincent's tea must have worn off sometime in the night, she decided. Her wrist and ankle throbbed with a dull ache, and the slashes across her arm and abdomen burned like fire. Elle wondered briefly how her insides had kept from falling out when the creature had cut across the side of her belly, but then she decided she didn't really want to know. She was alive, after all, and that was all that mattered.

Easy, easy, a female voice told her softly, don't strain yourself. You shouldn't try to move around too much just yet.

Ellone looked up to see a young woman, perhaps her own age, bending quietly over her and carefully checking the cast on her wrist. The woman brushed a few long strands of raven dark hair from her soft, chocolate brown eyes and smiled warmly at her patient before returning to her task. Elle found that she liked her almost immediately.

You must be Tifa, Elle surmised.

The woman nodded. That's me. How did you know?

Vincent told me last night that you were the one who bound up my wounds, Elle answered, and that I'd meet you in the morning.

Tifa finished her inspection and sat down on the edge of the bed. Well, it looks like he was right. So you've met him already, then?

I woke up for a little bit last night, and he was there, Ellone replied. She glanced worriedly about, noticing for the first time that Vincent was gone. His chair sat vacant next to the bed, and the fire burned low in the hearth. The teapot, however, still sat atop the mantle with the cup and saucer in the same place Ellone had seen it in last night when Vincent had put it there.

Where is he? she asked curiously.

Tifa smiled wryly. I sent him out so you could have a little privacy while I work on your bandages. Some of them need to be changed, including the ones over your ribs. I didn't think you'd want him to watch while I did that, though.

Her cheeks flushing a little, Elle managed a slightly embarrassed smile. Um, no that would be, um a bit awkward. What do you need me to do?

Just lie still and relax, Tifa instructed her, and I'll handle the rest. What's your name, by the way?

Elle replied.

Tifa nodded, rising to her feet once again, and smiled. Nice to meet you, Ellone, and good morning. Did you sleep well?

More or less, Elle answered. She wasn't used to sleeping entirely on her back the whole night, as she normally lay on her side or stomach when she slept, but under the circumstances Elle supposed she had gotten as good a rest as was possible. With her injuries, she had been unable to move much during the night without the pain flaring up inside her, and even when lessened by the herbal tea, it had still caused Ellone much discomfort if she tried to shift her body around even a little.

The other woman smiled and patted her shoulder
reassuringly. Don't worry, Elle. You'll be sore for a while, but those wounds of yours should start to heal within a few days.

You'll be back on your feet again before you know it.

Rising to her feet, Tifa made her way around to the other side of the bed and carefully began to remove the bloodstained bandages from Ellone's left arm. She hummed quietly to herself as she worked, gently peeling off the strips of cloth one by one until the arm lay bare on the covers. Elle gasped in spite of herself when she saw the deep, ugly slash running along the outside of her forearm amidst some smaller cuts and bruises. Her stomach swirled lazily within her, and she hurriedly looked away. Gentle by nature, Ellone had never quite been able to stand the sight of blood, especially her own.

It's pretty bad, Tifa murmured, almost to the bone. The stitches seem to be holding it together well enough, but it'll be a while even with potions before it heals completely.

Ellone frowned in puzzlement. I thought potions and things like that were supposed to cure wounds almost instantly.

No, no, Tifa answered, taking a bottle of iodine and some clean bandages from the top of the dresser nearby, but that's a common misconception. All they really do is accelerate what your body already does on its own when it grows new cells to replace damaged ones. Basically, potions and magic help reduce how long it takes for your body to heal, from about half the time with potions and lesser cure spells to maybe a quarter of the time with elixirs and more powerful cure spells.

Elle nodded as she began to understand. So, for example, if it would normally take six weeks for a broken bone to heal, then with potions it would only take three?

That's right, and with an elixir it would be more like a week and a half. But elixirs and cure spells that powerful are pretty rare and hard to find, so most of the time we just use potions. You don't want to take too many at once, though, because that would make you sick.

Why is that? Ellone asked curiously.

Tifa pursed her lips in thought as she wiped away the excess blood from Elle's arm. Speeding up the healing process that rapidly in such a short time can confuse your body and cause it to grow too many new cells or too few, not grow any at all or even kill existing ones. It's always best to use potions and magic moderately and in combination with traditional medicine. There's really no such thing as instant healing, no matter how powerful the magic might be.

An image suddenly came into Ellone's mind, a recent and uneasy memory. She saw herself, reaching intently across the cafeteria table to her brother, her fingertips resting along the scar on his forehead. The small yet blindingly bright flash of white light, and her brother's newly healed, unmarred skin where the wound had once been. Squall, staring at her as he would a stranger as he reached up and felt the miraculously healed flesh for himself.

Are you alright? Tifa's concerned voice abruptly jolted Ellone back to the present. You got a little pale there all of a sudden.

Ellone shook her head. I'm fine, Tifa. Don't worry about it.

Carefully taking Ellone's injured arm in one hand, Tifa lightly daubed some of the iodine onto the open wound with a cotton swab. I'm afraid this'll sting a bit, Ellone, but it'll help keep your injuries from being infected. It won't hurt too bad, though.

I'll be alright, Elle assured her, grimacing slightly as she did so.

Wrapping the wound with clean bandages, Tifa made her way around to the other side of the bed and carefully removed the stained cloths covering the right side of Elle's abdomen. The slash there wasn't quite so deep as the one on her arm, but to Elle it still looked nasty enough. Tifa treated that cut as well, daubing a measure of iodine onto it and binding it once more.

Now I just need to see about your ribs, she commented, and that should be it.

Elle blushed a little and nodded as Tifa pulled the covers down to her waist and slowly unwound the bindings from her breasts and ribcage until Ellone's bruised chest lay bare. Her breathing came a little easier now, although it still sounded ragged in her ears, and the cracks in her ribs still ground painfully together with each strained inhalation.

How did you get so banged up, if you don't mind my asking? Tifa inquired. Probing gingerly with her fingers, she carefully examined Elle's cracked ribs, finding the small, rounded bumps along the side of her chest where the bone had fractured. After rubbing some cinnamon scented balm into Elle's skin for the pain, Tifa bound her chest with clean bandages and pulled the covers back up.

I I got lost riding my chocobo, Ellone swallowed nervously, the hellish memories of last night's attack suddenly vivid in her mind, she fell down a hill in the dark, and and I was thrown off. Someone something was chasing me it it tried to kill me

Ellone's voice quivered with remembered fear, her blood becoming ice in her veins as the nightmarish visage of the dark hunter flashed in her mind. Her own terror-stricken face, eerily reflected in the menacing figure's stainless steel mask as it had loomed ominously over her with its wicked blades. Cloaked in shadows and voluminous ebony robes, the fell being had stalked her mercilessly, watching her with its dead, empty eyes. Those hollow sockets had since haunted her sleep, twin chasms of utter blackness boring relentlessly into her very soul.

Suddenly, Ellone felt a comforting hand briefly take hers as Tifa gazed at her with concern. It's alright, Elle, you're safe now. We won't let anything hurt you.

Thank you, Ellone smiled gratefully.

Tifa gazed at her sympathetically for a moment. It must have been terrifying.

It was, Elle agreed, a shiver suddenly working its way down her spine, I thought I thought I was going to die out there

What happened? the other woman asked gently.

Ellone sighed wearily. No, I I don't want to talk about it just yet. I'm sorry

It was one thing to talk about her ill-fated ride, but despite Tifa's kindness in taking her in and treating her injuries, Ellone couldn't bring herself to speak yet of her powers. She had in the war gained a certain amount of infamy due to Ultimecia's worldwide search for her. Entire cities had been threatened with destruction had Ellone been found hiding within them, and it was she that was responsible for initiating the time compression that had nearly destroyed the world.

Feared and respected, that's what she was now. The silent, accusing stares of passersby often haunted her steps, and even in Winhill, where Ellone had been born and was more well known, few people associated with her any more than was necessary. She had grown accustomed to being alone, to being an outcast. When she had left the White SeeD ship for the last time, after Ultimecia's defeat, Elle had thought she would at last be free. However, she had all too soon discovered that she had merely exchanged one kind of prison for another.

What would Tifa think of her if she ever knew? What would Vincent think? Yet neither seemed to have recognized her name when Ellone had hesitantly introduced herself. It was almost too much to hope for, yet they honestly seemed not to know who she was. She wanted to trust them, embrace the friendship they seemed to be offering her, yet fear held her back. If they learned the truth, would they hate her, eye her with the same mistrust that so many others did? Ellone didn't think Tifa and Vincent would do that, but neither could she dislodge the fear and self-loathing that festered deep in her heart.

I understand, Tifa reassured her, bringing Elle back from her dark thoughts. You don't have to say any more than you want to.

Elle nodded. It's just too hard right now, and I I don't feel so good.

Since waking up this morning, Ellone had felt a touch of queasiness in her belly as her stomach rolled lazily inside her. Although talking with Tifa had distracted her from it for a while, Elle could no longer ignore the nausea swirling within her and the fierce burning inside that left her fair skin flushed red and dotted with drops of sweat.

Looking at her with concern, Tifa leaned close and pressed her palm lightly against Ellone's forehead. I [i]thought[/i] you looked a little green. Looks like you've got a bit of fever, Elle. Probably from the shock of your wounds and from being out in the cold for so long. It should pass by the end of the day, though, once your body temperature has stabilized. I'll go downstairs and fix you up some chicken broth to eat in the meantime, if you'd like.

At the mention of food, Elle's stomach grumbled sullenly, and she suddenly remembered that she hadn't eaten hardly anything since having breakfast with Squall in the Garden cafeteria early yesterday morning. She had nibbled a little fruit while riding Starlight that afternoon before getting lost, but her unease about her changing powers had greatly diminished her appetite.

That would be nice, Ellone agreed, I guess I am kind of hungry, now that you mention it.

Tifa nodded and rose to her feet. I'll be back in a few minutes, then.

For the first time, Elle noticed the bulge in her new friend's abdomen. She hadn't been able to see it too well before, what with Tifa bending over and sitting with her for a while as she had talked with her and checked her bandages. Now that Tifa stood fully upright, however, her rounded belly was clearly visible, and Ellone suddenly understood.

Tifa, are you are you expecting?

The other woman responded with a shy smile and glanced briefly downward, putting a hand affectionately over her enlarged abdomen. Um, yes I'm pregnant. About six months now, I think. It's weird, but wonderful at the same time.

Elle replied warmly.

Thank you, Elle, Tifa replied. I have to admit I'm kinda nervous about it, you know? The whole motherhood thing and all.

Ellone managed a small smile of her own. I'm sure you'll do just fine, Tifa.

I hope so. Cloud and I, we have a goddaughter that we look after sometimes, but this is the first baby that's our very own. We've been trying for a long time to have a child. I I miscarried once, a few years ago, and I thought maybe I just couldn't do it.

But you did, Elle gently reminded her, so there's no reason to be afraid now, right?

Tifa sighed. That's true, but I'm still scared, Elle. Until I hold my baby in my arms, I think I always will be. I'm trying to eat right, exercise, not strain myself—all those sorts of things you're supposed to do when you're pregnant—but I can't help wondering sometimes if something won't still go wrong. I don't want to lose this baby.

You won't, Tifa. Everything will be fine, you'll see.

I suppose you're right, Tifa admitted, and I'm probably just getting myself worked up over nothing. Well, anyway, why don't you just relax here for a little bit while I go downstairs and see about that food I mentioned earlier. I won't be too long.

Elle nodded.

Gathering up the rest of her first aid supplies and the dirty bandages, Tifa opened the door and left, her brisk footfalls clearly audible on the hardwood floor. Ellone lay quiet in her bed, alone for the first time since her rescue the previous night. Glancing out the window, she saw that sometime since she had awoken, the snow had finally stopped falling, and whiteness covered the entire hillside in a frigid blanket that must have been at least several inches deep.

Once again, Ellone wondered where she was. She supposed that maybe the town she was in might be just a small settlement somewhere in Trabia, of little note to the larger world and as such not included in most maps of the region. Yet even so, she couldn't entirely convince herself of that theory. Her hometown of Winhill was itself barely more than a quaint, rustic village, but she knew that it could easily be found on any map of the Galbadian continent.

Ellone sighed uneasily and waited for her friend to return.



So why don't you try and tell us what happened, Ellone, if you think you're up to it, the blond-haired young man told her.

Elle swallowed nervously but nodded, knowing that the only way she would get back home was to trust these people that had helped her. It was, after all, the least she could do after the kindnesses they had shown her. She glanced slowly about the room, gradually taking in the faces of the individuals who had gathered around her early this afternoon.

His expression distant and unreadable, Vincent stood quietly to one side of the bed next the fire burning brightly in the stone hearth. Tifa sat nearby in the cushioned, polished wood chair that Vincent had occupied the night before, and the young woman's husband, Cloud, stood just behind his wife, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. Their wedding bands glittered softly with reflected firelight, and Elle struggled to suppress a sudden and unexpected surge of jealousy and loneliness.

Elle shook off those uncomfortable emotions as best she could and brought her attention to two more individuals she had just now met. An older man, his chin rough with stubble and an unlit cigarette clamped firmly between his teeth, leaned casually against the wall next to the door, a pair of flight goggles nestled in his short-cropped blond hair. On the other side of the room sat one of the most outlandish creatures Ellone had ever seen—a fierce, pantherlike beast with fiery reddish fur and a tail with a small flame burning at the tip. The strange being named Red had startled her almost to death when she had first heard him speak, and even now she found herself astonished at his exceptional intelligence.

There had been a few others that Elle had heard and seen a little of earlier, before they had left to return to their homes. That wiry girl Yuffie had skipped in and out for a minute, and her bright personality had reminded Elle almost instantly of Selphie, although there had been a brashness in Yuffie's demeanor that the other girl did not possess. The big, dark-skinned man with the gun-arm had looked to Elle to be nearly as big as Ward, and with his wife and little girl at his side, Barret had stopped in briefly before flying off home somewhere with the bearded businessman and the woman with the spectacles.

I'll do what I can, Ellone murmured, what I have to say it may be hard for you to believe. I know I'm still trying to figure it out myself

Tifa nodded encouragingly. It's okay, Elle. We've seen our share of strange things ourselves, so don't worry. We'll believe you.

Thank you, Elle replied softly. Taking a sip of the herbal tea to help soothe her nerves and quiet the ache in her bones, she slowly gathered her thoughts and began to speak. She started with getting lost in the snowstorm, when she had lost track of her direction in the whitish haze of constant flurries, and as she talked, she shivered slightly with remembered cold despite the warmth of the fire nearby. Elle began to see again in her mind the vivid and unsettling memories of that fateful evening, the quiet as the storm had finally slackened and twilight had slowly deepened around her into starless night.

She continued her narration, taking her listeners with her and telling them of the dark hunter that had pursued her across the frozen plains. Elle shuddered inwardly at the memory of its fell, eyeless gaze upon her, and at the cold apathy that had flowed from behind that steel mask. The two blades, twin shards of black metal cutting effortlessly into her flesh in a rapid blur of motion. She said nothing of the voice from the lake or of her own strange dreams, however.

And then what happened? Tifa asked softly, bringing Elle gently back to the present.

Ellone shook the dark memories aside with a visible effort. I'm not sure, exactly. It was like something exploded inside me, power of some kind, and and it threw back that thing before it could kill me. I lost consciousness after that, and then woke up here.

Glancing around tentatively at the faces of her listeners, Ellone saw puzzlement and quiet uncertainty reflected in their features. Did they believe her? She hoped so, but couldn't be sure. Now that she thought about it, Elle wondered if, had she been in their position, she would have believed what they had just been told, but she honestly didn't know.

I know it's strange and hard to believe, she insisted, but I'm telling the truth.

No one's saying you aren't, Cloud assured her, it's just that we're trying to figure this thing out. Some of what you've told us it doesn't quite add up, I'm afraid.

Elle frowned in puzzlement. What do you mean?

Well, for one thing, you said you fell into a lake, right? But there aren't any lakes around here close enough to where we found you. Creeks and streams, yes, but nothing bigger than that. Are you sure it was a lake you fell into?

I know it was, Elle answered firmly.

Cloud nodded. Alright, then. There's another thing that's bothering me, though. The last place you said you remember being before waking up here was out on that lake, but Vincent found you in the woods, lying at the base of a tree.

how could I have ended up there? Elle asked.

I don't know, Cloud shrugged, I was hoping you could tell us.

A vivid and powerful memory suddenly flashed through Ellone's mind as she realized the only possible explanation, or at least a part of it. The power flowing hotly in her veins, a brilliant nova of white fire streaking across the frozen lake in all directions, hurling the dark hunter across the snow. Whiteness consuming Ellone's consciousness as her surroundings had blurred and dissolved around her in the midst of the overwhelming brightness.

My power, it it must have brought me here somehow, Elle murmured, I don't even know where here is

You're in Icicle Inn, Tifa explained.

Ellone stared at her in bewilderment.

Icicle Inn, the other woman repeated patiently. Don't you know this place at all?

No, I don't, Elle shook her head, I'm not from around here. Is it very far from Trabia Garden? That's where I was trying to get back to when I got lost in the storm.

Now it was Tifa's turn to stare in confusion. A garden? In this weather? Nothing grows in winter, you know. I'm afraid I don't understand.

Oh, not that kind of garden. I was talking about the military school, you know? Trabia Garden?

Tifa shook her head. I'm sorry, but I don't know. I've never heard of such a place before, let alone one up here in the mountains.

Hardly able to believe what she had just heard, Ellone looked at her friend in wonder. The elite military schools where SeeDs were trained were generally known worldwide, especially after the events of the second Sorceress War just two years ago. Even the most ignorant or secluded individuals knew at least of the existence of the Gardens and the SeeD forces they trained. Perhaps this place was more isolated than Elle had previously thought.

Do you have a map or something that I could see? Elle suggested. I might be able to show you where Trabia Garden is.

Cloud thought for a moment, then nodded. That might work. I know I have one lying around here somewhere

It's in the den, Tifa told him matter-of-factly.

How do you know? he asked.

She looked up at him with a wry smile. Because I spent almost an hour the other day cleaning up the mess you left in there. You always clutter it up, you know. The map is in the top left desk drawer, Cloud. Just go get it and bring it here, okay?

Yes, dear, Cloud replied dryly.

After he had gone, the older man near the door—Elle remembered his name was Cid, although he could not have been less like the polite Garden headmaster who bore the same name—chuckled in mild amusement. Seems like you got Spike pretty well trained, Tif.

He's good to have around, she agreed.

The gruff, blond-haired pilot grinned and nodded knowingly. I'll bet.

Moments later, Cloud returned with the map and spread it open on the bed for Elle to look at. Do you think you can find this Garden of yours?

I'll try, Elle replied, but I think—

The words died in her throat as she gazed unbelievingly at the map. What it showed her was not the world she remembered. The formations of land and sea, continents and oceans, were vastly different from the places she knew. None of the names were familiar, not one single place, except for where she now was. Icicle Inn, she saw, lay high in the mountains of a northern continent not at all like Trabia save for the similarities in climate.

Cloud seemed to notice her unease. What's wrong?

Are you sure this is the right one? she asked worriedly.

It is, Ellone, he answered, I'm sure of it.

She shook her head in confusion. but this can't be right! Where are Esthar and Balamb, and Winhill? Trabia and FH and Galbadia aren't there either. And the land and water and everything are all wrong, too. I don't understand

A most perplexing mystery, indeed, the panther beast called Red observed pensively, for I am afraid, young lady, that we none of us are familiar with these places you have spoken of. We do not doubt your sincerity, but something else is amiss here.

Ellone sighed wearily. what do I do? How am I supposed to get home?

We'll find a way, Tifa reassured her, Don't you worry about that, Elle. Just concentrate on getting back on your feet for now.

I suppose I can do that, at least, Elle replied.

From his place near the fire, Vincent look up, his expression dark. Ellone may not have as much time as we may think, Tifa. This creature that tried to kill her, it may attempt to do so again should it find her. She should not be left unprotected.

For a moment, the terrible visage of the dark hunter filled Ellone's mind. She had no desire to encounter that creature ever again, yet until now she had never considered the chilling possibility that the mysterious being might still be pursuing her. Suddenly, she was very glad that despite the unfamiliarity of her surroundings, she was not alone.

Would you stay with her, Vincent? Tifa asked. I have to admit, I'm not exactly in fighting condition, and Cloud is usually out on his patrols all day most of the time. He has to be out there to keep the monsters from getting too close to town.

Vincent shook his head. do not believe I would be a good choice, Tifa. Failure has haunted me too many times, I am afraid. I would not risk it again.

Are you sure? she asked quietly.

The grim-faced man nodded slowly. I am certain.

Ellone pleaded softly, you saved my life. Whatever else you may have done, you haven't failed me yet, and I don't think you ever will. I I would feel better with you here, if anything does happen. Please stay. For me

Very well, he sighed at last.

Elle smiled gratefully at him. Thank you, Vincent.

Despite the grim demeanor with which Vincent carried himself, Ellone knew he would do everything in his power to keep her safe should her dark pursuer come after her. She wondered briefly what had happened in his life to cause him to look at things in such a dour, pessimistic way, but she decided that if he wanted her to know then he would tell her in his own time. Having spent most of her life being sought after for what she was, for something that had always been a very close and personal part of her identity, Ellone had come to value her privacy and to respect that of others.

For the first time since finding herself here in this strange place, Ellone felt a sense of calm and relief wash over her. Perhaps it was because that, despite her circumstances, she was not alone. These people, Cloud and Tifa, had befriended her and generously taken her in until she could find her way back to where she had come from. Cid and Red were due to leave soon to return to their homes, but Vincent would remain by her side. And somehow that comforted Ellone most of all.