Chapter II: Zarack
Seifer was at Balamb Garden; it had not changed since he attended there. Seifer recalled on the days when he, Raijin, and Fujin would call themselves the disciplinary committee, and whenever someone broke Garden code they would make their life miserable. He really did not miss those days, but without the military standard, and mercenary life; what was Seifer Almasy? A fisherman in Balamb? Not a life Seifer cared to have. Indeed Seifer missed the Garden, even if he did not show it.
As Balamb Garden became visible in the distance, Seifer stopped. The Garden looked peaceful yet queerly threatening to him. As Seifer debated on whether or not to approach the large building, a gray vine crept up to his leg. The vine was the appendage of the rarely seen, and most powerful creature on the island. The Swellsdagger was a plant like monster much like the Grats; it was a tangled mess of what appeared to be vines. The vines of this monster could break every bone in a T-Rexuar's body, and lift the Galbadian's Iron Clad MRV off the ground and throw it fifty meters. And it was hungry.
Seifer was swept off of his feet, and was pulled toward the Swellsdagger. Seifer quickly cast a fire spell on the ground to propel him in the air, and he drew the Hyperion. With his gunblade, Seifer cut off the vine like arm, and landed evenly on the ground. The Swellsdagger crawled toward Seifer at speeds that put a sports car to shame. Seifer cast Fire and quickly leapt into the air. The Swellsdagger saw Seifer do this, and launched a tentacle at the sound of speed at him.
Seifer began to name his most powerful Fire Cross technique, when the tentacle caught him and pulled him into the tangled creature. Seifer's left hand was near his belt, which held a five-inch blade. He quickly drew his knife, and cut at the vine bondage, the Swellsdagger frighteningly silent withdrew its appendage, and Seifer landed with his knife and gunblade drawn. He put away his knife, and decided to use another, faster, Fire Cross technique.
' Demon Slice!' Seifer cast Fire on the Swellsdagger and ran toward it. Seifer spun quickly, while slashing at the powerful monster; vine appendages flew everywhere, as Seifer lifted the monster into the air.
After the Fire Cross attack, the Swellsdagger was a bear head. What was left of the great vine monster disintegrated into light mist. Seifer stood proud over his defeated foe.
' Heh, no grubby monster can beat me!' Seifer then cringed, ' Ah, what the hell! I don't feel…' Seifer the dropped limb on the ground.
Seifer saw nothing but black, in the distance of the darkness he saw Galbadia Garden, and Balamb Garden. Both were highlighted in the black, and he saw some Galbadian paratroopers land in Balamb Garden. In a flash Seifer was inside Balamb Garden, he saw the Galbadian soldiers relentlessly attacking SeeD members and cadets alike. He entered the classroom, and saw lower classmen with fear in their eyes as a fully armed and highly skilled Galbadian soldier approached them. He then saw Squall jump out of nowhere to slash the soldier to the ground.
Then all went black again.
' Damn, this again?' Seifer questioned himself, ' Squall, I wonder how he looked to those lower classmen during that battle? The "great hero" saving them from the evil Seifer Almasy, traitor and sorceress' lapdog. That's all I was, all I'll ever be, no one could look at me and say "He saved my life".'
' You're wrong Seifer.' Said a serene voice.
Seifer then saw nothing except the form of Fairir sitting on a rock. Fairir was a Guardian Force that appeared human, like Shiva and Siren. Fairir wore her brown robe, her hood covering her crimson hair.
' There are beings who look at you in that light. Let's start off with me, hm?' Fairir brought Seifer to the shores of Balamb, where Seifer decided to fish off the shore.
He saw himself with his fishing rod, and approached the beach. As the beach came into view, he saw a woman in a robe being attacked by a T-Rexuar looking for a meal. Seifer saw himself throw down the fishing rod, and draw the Hyperion. He charged the large monster, and slashed at its legs. The T-Rexuar cried out, and started to run away, recognizing the fiercest creature of the island. He managed to cut off the end part of the T-Rexuar's tail, and he turned to the woman.
The image blackened, ' That's when I got my breakfast a while ago.' Seifer remembered.
' That is also when you saved me, I maybe a Guardian Force, but I am not a powerful one. All I am able to do is let you junction magic, but none the less I wanted to be your Guardian Force, I wanted to help my hero.' Fairir told Seifer.
' So? I did that for a meal!' Seifer retorted.
' Did you? Or did you see a person in trouble, and instinctively helped? What about that Elvoret today?'
' Favors.'
' Are you really that egotistical Seifer? Sure it started out like you say, but when you saw the Elvoret and that child, you attacked the Elvoret without thinking. You acted every move to ensure to girl's safety. Tell me, is that how a trained mercenary thinking only of himself would act?'
Seifer then woke up, not able to give Fairir an answer for the moment. He saw lights around him, and a familiar ceiling. Balamb Garden infirmary!
' What am I doing here?' Seifer thought, forgetting how to speak for the moment.
Seifer saw Dr. Kadowaki enter the room he was in, ' Hello Seifer, its been awhile hasn't it? Last time I saw you here was when you tried to fight a T-Rexuar in the Training Center alone at age fifteen.' Dr. Kadowaki informed him, ' Well, this time your in for parasitical monster spores. Instructor Trepe told me that she saw you fight the rare Swellsdagger, nasty monster indeed. She saw you fall down after the fight, and brought you here.'
' Instructor Trepe?' Seifer thought.
' It seems the Swellsdagger implanted parasite spores into your body to ensure its survival. Don't worry, I removed them, the surgery took several hours, but I got 'em all. You should take it easy, don't move for the rest of the day you should be fine.'
' Have you ever known me to follow orders doctor?' Seifer told the doctor, and arose from his bed, apparently felling fine.
' Heh, yeah you never did. You're too strong and brave to be bed ridden, or stupid, whichever way you look at it.'
' I prefer strong and brave.' Seifer looked around, ' Where is instructor Trepe anyway?'
' Teaching a class. You might want to stop off at her room later to thank her.'
Seifer remembered that he wanted to talk with Cid, and it would look quite good if he had an instructor and SeeD member introduce him.
' Sure.'
' Great!' Dr. Kadowkai then stopped to think for a minute, ' Wait a minute, Seifer I never knew you to thank anyone!'
' I have another reason for wanting to stop off at instructor Trepe's dorm.'
' Don't tell me you want to thank Quistis in an alternate way!'
' Nothing of the sort, doctor!' Seifer grinned, ' You know me better than to hit on old friends I haven't seen in a while. I hit on 'em after I see them for a day at the least!' Seifer joked; the last thing on his mind was sleeping with Quistis Trepe.
Dr. Kadowaki shook her head, not knowing whether or not to laugh. She could not tell if he was joking or not, he is always serious and that could sometimes make you wonder. Seifer left the infirmary, and headed for the dorm area, he knew which room was Quistis' on memory, he had been there many times; not always with her knowledge. Seifer recalled that Quistis' class would adjourn at thirteen hundred hours he glanced at his watch.
' Yep, Quistis should be coming around soon…'
As predicted, Quistis Trepe had arrived at her dorm and received a surprise.
' Well, Seifer Almasy! What are you still doing here? I thought you would have left after Dr. Kadowaki was done with you.' Quistis greeted Seifer.
' Well hello instructor, I came to see just you!'
' See me? Whatever for?' Quistis sounded untrusting.
' May I talk to you in a more inconspicuous place?'
' Seifer, you know no one here likes you, let alone trust you.' Quistis said sternly.
' Very well then…' Seifer said tauntingly, ' I guess you'll never know why I came here…' Seifer knew how Quistis needed to know something when it is right in front of her.
' Okay… Step into my office then Seifer…' Quistis said.
' Thank you instructor.' Seifer gave her his trademark grin.
Quistis' room was completely organized nothing was out of place.
' So instructor, still have a crush on Leonheart?' Seifer asked.
' That is none of your business Seifer.'
' Just making conversation instructor.' Seifer looked away from a murderous stare from his childhood friend, ' Okay, so I came here to have a talk with Headmaster Cid, I want to see if there is anything I can do here.' Seifer started.
Quistis started to laugh uncontrollably.
' What makes you think Cid would let you back in Garden Almasy!' She asked, catching on to his train of thought.
' Promise you won't laugh?'
' Laugh at what?'
' My GF told me to.'
' Your GF? Come on Seifer, use some other excuse; you know Garden left you without a GF.'
' I got a new one, that's beyond the case. My GF told me to go see Cid, so to get it off my back I'm here.'
' Right, GF's don't talk to people Seifer.'
' Will you at least bring me to see Cid?'
' No, you don't have a case, it'll only crush my image as an instructor and SeeD if I tried.'
' Don't tell me old friends die off Quistis.'
' Friend? Were you being a friend when you turned your back on us? Almasy, just get out of here, okay?'
' Now is that what you were thinking when you carried me here?'
' Shut up Seifer!'
' C'mon Trepe, admit it, you like me!'
' No! Just get out, okay Seifer?' Quistis hid a blush with her hand.
Seifer headed for the doorway, obviously knowing the limit to which he could anger Quistis and not get seriously hurt.
' Great, I don't have that SeeD escort…' Seifer thought as he headed for the elevator.
To avoid being seen by too many people, Seifer cast Haste on himself so his running speed would be fast enough to evade the eyes of students. He entered the elevator, and pressed for the third floor.
' Okay, I'm going to see Cid now, happy?' Seifer said in his mind.
' Yes, now see how he reacts.' Fairir told him.
' He'd probably toss me out the damn window if he were strong enough.'
' You'll see.'
' Why are you so sure Fairir?'
' I am a Guardian Force, I know everything.'
' And you say I'm egotistical!'
Fairir remained silent, and Seifer appeared calm despite the anxiety he felt. The elevator arrived at its destination, and Seifer stepped out of the elevator to see the door to Cid's office. Seifer knew that he had to act somewhat presentable, and decided to knock on the door. He approached the door, and heard a conversation. It sounded like Edea and her husband.
' Edea, I really don't think letting Seifer back in Garden is a good idea…' Cid said.
' I know where you're going Cid, but I can't help but feel sorry for him. If it wasn't my weakness that let Ultimecia take over my mind, he might have become a great SeeD by now.' Edea pleads with Cid.
' Don't worry Edea; I don't really think Seifer would have passed in time anyway. He only had one year left to graduate before Garden rules would have him kicked out.'
' We changed that to twenty years Cid.' Edea sounded nice, even when arguing.
' Yes, he would only be nineteen now… He'd be twenty in a few weeks if I remember correctly.'
' So he can still join.'
' Yes, true Edea, but I still don't know. I always did think Seifer would be a great SeeD… But Edea, he's never past a SeeD field exam.'
' How about this, if Seifer can pass a written test of everything a SeeD should know, and ace the SeeD field exam, he will be inaugurated as a SeeD?'
' Hm, I agree, but we will not tell Seifer that he is being tested to this degree. So we will get a proper assessment of who Seifer Almasy is.'
' Thank you Cid.'
' No need to thank me… I kind of hope he can do it, I always thought Seifer had great potential, was a shame when he failed his last field exam. I just can't understand why Seifer can't follow orders, of course I don't want the "yes sir" type of SeeDs, but I really don't want someone who'll leave the designated strike zone…' Cid started to ramble.
' Yes, that is a problem, but I do believe that people can change. Maybe Seifer became wiser.'
' Perhaps you're right Edea. I'll have to go see Seifer, and give him this chance in a few days. It'll take some time to get everyone to accept Seifer's return. Nobody does like the man, because of that incident with Ultimecia. Especially Squall, Zell, and Selphie, they hate Seifer more than anyone in the Garden.'
Seifer could not believe his luck; he was just given the opportunity of a lifetime. He decided to hurry back to his small house in Balamb to await Cid's call.
' See Seifer?' Fairir told her master.
' Yeah, yeah, I see. Well, we'll see if you're right...' Seifer told his Guardian Force, obviously in a good mood.
A young SeeD cadet, at age seventeen was fighting Grats in the Training Center. He used two short swords he called Masamune and Murasame after the great swordsmiths of old. The cadet had short black hair, and a short scar under his right eye, leading straight down level to his nose. He got the scar after attempting to fight a T-Rexuar, he saw Squall conquer one and he thought that if someone like Squall could defeat a T-Rexuar he could too. He wore a black colour version of the SeeD cadet uniform, and had a single diamond amulet as small as his pinky fingertip on a chain around his neck.
His name was Zarack, he was always known as a bad seed in the Garden. He followed Garden codes and rules, but would never follow orders, worse than even Seifer Almasy. Zarack loved the feel of combat, and it disturbed most of his instructors. To reform him was truly a task too great for any instructor, or SeeD member to undertake.
Cid knew this, and thought of Seifer every time Zarack was mentioned. If anybody in all of the world was tough enough to beat sense into the cadet, it was Seifer Almasy. Only if he truly did reform as Edea hoped, Seifer was the one to do it.
Cid approached the young SeeD cadet, and told him to discontinue his training for a bit.
' Zarack, you have been searching for a instructor who would have the, "balls" as you so eloquently put it, to spar with you. Well, I have a tutor that will undoubtedly have your complete attention.' Cid started.
' Someone actually took up the challenge?' Zarack said pleased with this.
' Yes. You will meet the tutor here on Monday at fourteen hundred hours. It will replace all of your classes for the rest of that day, and every other day until you pass the SeeD field exam in two weeks.'
' Who is it? Trepe? Leonheart? Dincht?' Zarack asked, naming the most powerful SeeDs he could remember.
' No. You will find out when you meet on Monday. Now you may carry on Zarack.' Cid left the Training Center, and returned to his desk.
' Hm, I wonder who's got the balls to take me on?' Zarack pictured every SeeD he knew, trying to figure out who it would be.
Seifer sat in his home in Balamb. He heard from Raijin, and was actually quite happy to hear from his old friends, he did not tell them about his chance in joining SeeD. He wanted to keep that secret, for his own sake seeing that it might be bad if Cid somehow found out that he heard his conversation with his wife. Also, Seifer wanted to keep it a surprise for his two friends. He found out that Raijin and Fujin went back to Balamb Garden, but then was transferred to Galbadia Garden. Good for Seifer, so they would not see him in the hallways of Garden, that would ruin the surprise.
Seifer practiced looking surprised, and acting like he normally would if this happened and he not knew about it. Seifer felt confident about his acting abilities, and decided to remember the questions SeeD written tests ask. Seifer never failed a single written test, he knew all about combat basics, and elements, and statuses. He was confident that he would pass and become a SeeD, something he could torture Squall with for as long as he lived. Nothing could go wrong.
It was Monday, the beginning of the workweek. He did not know why, but Seifer knew Cid would come by today. It was nine AM, Seifer made sure he was up at seven to make sure he would be ready. There was a knock at the door; Seifer took one minute to make perfectly sure he looked presentable, and not excited at all. He opened the door, and began his acting.
' Headmaster Cid! Why are you here?' Seifer asked, trying to be himself, it was harder than he thought.
' Well, this is going to be a strange visit to say the least…' Cid began, ' May I come in and sit down?'
' Uh, sure Cid. What are you doing here? Last I heard no one liked me.'
' Yes, true indeed. Seifer, I know you must deserve some sort of second chance, you were being used by Ultmecia and it clouded your vision…' Cid began again.
' I make no alibis about my actions Cid.'
' Good to see you aren't as egotistical as you once were. Now, as I was saying: Seifer I believe you do deserve a second chance, and so do some others, not naming names.'
' Not naming names 'cause he's got no names…' Seifer thought.
' So I'm willing to let you back in Garden, and let you try one last time to make it to SeeD. You will have a written test today, and if you pass, you will take part in the SeeD field exam in a couple weeks. Do you accept?'
' A second chance to make SeeD?' Seifer turned his back on Cid for a moment, ' Well, all I can do here is fish, and hunt to make my living. Like anyone here will give me a job, let alone sell me anything for normal price. Life here if trite and dull as hell, I'll take you up on your offer.' Seifer turned to face Cid.
' Good Seifer, come with me to Garden for your SeeD written test. Quistis Trepe has agreed to be the instructor in charge, and will call time.' Seifer followed Cid to the Garden.
Seifer avoided glares from the passing students and some SeeDs, they were given strict orders to not confront Seifer, but that did not stop them from their own ways of getting at Seifer Almasy. Sad for them, as Seifer was by now completely immune to glares yet tried his hardest not to give them the cocky grin he gives everyone that tried. Cid led Seifer to Quistis' classroom; it was empty, as classes had been cancelled for this test. Quistis put the test in front of Seifer, who had his feet on the desk.
' Seifer, put your feet down.' Quistis told him, Seifer was not in the quarreling mood, so put his feet down, ' This SeeD written test has every subject matter a SeeD rank ten should know. As like every SeeD written test, you must get one hundred percent correct to pass.'
' I know instructor, let's just get on with the test, eh?' Seifer asked her.
' Fine. You have ten minutes, fifty questions. Time starts the second I sit down, needless to say by then you should already have five questions done.' Quistis told him, and went to take her seat.
Seifer had completed the entire test in two minutes; he already knew everything about battle, and Guardian Forces, and everything else a SeeD should know off by heart. He got up to give Quistis the test.
' Done Trepe.' He said, grinning.
' Seifer, have you ever heard of the advice: use all of the time to write a test?' Quistis asked him.
' No, now grade this thing so I can go to the monster's lair.'
' A little anxious there Almasy?' Quistis graded the test while Seifer waited, she could hardly believe her eyes, Seifer had passed the SeeD written test in two minutes, something no SeeD has ever done, ' I can't believe I'm saying this Seifer, but you pass.'
' Have you ever known me to fail one of these tests instructor?'
' No…'
' Good, now I want to go to the Training Center for some practice.'
Quistis said nothing, and let Seifer exit the classroom on his way to the Training Center. Cid was waiting just outside the classroom.
' A little early Seifer?' Cid asked.
' Yeah, but I passed, so now I'm goin' to the Training Center.'
' Great, that's right where I want you Seifer.'
' What do you mean?' Seifer was puzzled.
' I have a student that will be there at fourteen hundred hours; he is a bit of a problem student. Much like you were at his age.' Seifer narrowed his eyes, ' His name is Zarack, and I want you to be his tutor.'
' What!' Seifer almost shouted, he wondered if Cid found out he had been listening in, and this was his punishment.
' Don't worry, you won't be like an instructor to him, you'll be more like his training partner. We need someone to make him realize just what SeeD is.'
' So you want me to beat some sense into this kid, eh?'
' More than less, yes… Don't kill him, and please don't hurt him too much, okay Seifer?'
' No promises, I won't kill him, but if he pisses me off…' Seifer trailed off.
' I just don't want Zarack in the infirmary every other day. Don't worry, I know people, once you break their spirit they fall into your hands. It's just human psychology.'
' Right. Well, I can't say this is too bad…'
' Why is that Seifer?'
' Because now I have someone to spar with, sometimes Grats are just too weak.'
Cid had nothing left to say, so he just motioned with his hand to the Training Center, of which they were approaching. Cid told Seifer to wait in the hallway for Zarack, and not to go inside the Training Center until he arrived. Seifer reluctantly waited for the cadet to arrive, he wondered how he should deal with the cadet should he become a problem.
Zarack made it to the Training Center on time, and Seifer got a good look at the cadet he would have to break. Zarack saw Seifer and his eyes widened with surprise, and little fear.
' What the hell! Almasy, why the hell are you my tutor?' Zarack yelled.
Seifer decided to get right to the molding of this cadet, ' Keep your voice down, you know it's against Garden code!' Seifer snapped, ' I am Seifer Almasy, ex-sorceress' knight, ex-traitor to Garden, and one hell of a bad ass! Now you will run fifty laps around the monster's lair, and if any monsters get in your way, you will hit each one once. If you cannot kill a monster in one hit, you will just keep on running, I will be timing you!' Seifer ordered.
Zarack did not do as Seifer told him.
' Yeah, like I'll follow your orders!' Zarack shouted at him.
' You refuse to follow my order!' Seifer told Zarack, ' You don't wanna know what happen to people who refuse orders.'
' What happens?' Zarack said arrogantly.
' No Mercy!' Seifer said, using the Fire Cross technique on the cadet.
Zarack was tossed back five feet after the powerful sphere of energy hit him. He got up slowly, and drew his two blades. Without saying anything he ran at Seifer with all his might. Seifer seeing that his opponent sprinting toward him, sidestepped the running cadet, and hit him in the back of the head with his fist as Zarack flew by.
Zarack turned to Seifer, and struck at him relentlessly. Seifer easily parried the blows from the double sword-wielding cadet, and attacked to get Zarack to go defensive. Zarack hated being defensive, however could not relent or Seifer could easily get in. Zarack was pushed away, and Seifer ran to Zarack and successfully hit him with the Hyperion. Zarack immediately fell to the ground, Seifer was clearly too powerful for him to fight and win.
Zarack tried to get back on his feet, and saw Seifer leering at him.
' Laps?' Seifer asked.
' Damn you Almasy!' Zarack said.
' You'll say "yes sir".'
' Screw you!'
Seifer picked up Zarack by his neck, ' You'll go do fifty laps cadet!'
' Yes…'
' Yes what?'
' Yes sir…'
Seifer grinned, and dropped the cadet. He motioned for Zarack to do his laps, while the cadet was running Seifer sat down and relaxed. He gave credit to the instructors who did this everyday; it was actually fairly difficult, he would remind himself to apologize to Quistis for the year of hell he put her through. It had been thirty minutes for Zarack to finish the laps, and Seifer had him stand at attention.
' Alright Zarack, how many monsters did you kill?'
' Two hundred and fifty.' Zarack said.
' Two hundred and fifty, what?' Seifer snapped.
' Two hundred and fifty Grats.'
Seifer did not think twice about Zarack's inconsistence, and cast Fire on the young cadet.
' What the hell Almasy!' Zarack cursed.
' You will refer to me as sir, not Almasy, and definitely not by my first name! I am sir to you. What do you have to say about that?'
' I'll show you what I have to say about that Almasy!' Zarack drew his two blades.
Seifer cast Firaga on the disobedient cadet, causing him to fall to his knees again.
' Okay punk, lesson one.' Seifer said picking Zarack up by his hair, ' I don't tolerate this crap. When I tell you to train, you will train. When I tell you to run, you'll run. And if I give you orders, you will damn well follow those orders! You will respond to everything I say with "yes sir", unless I ask you something where you have to say somethin' else.' Seifer tossed the now frightened cadet aside, ' Now, you will…' Seifer did not have enough time to end that sentence when a T-Rexuar came running up to him.
Seifer cast Blind on the monster, and sidestepped away from its charge.
' Kill that T-Rexuar!' Seifer ordered.
Zarack picked up his swords that had dropped to the ground when Seifer cast Firaga on him. He ran up to the T-Rexuar's legs, and slashed at it. The T-Rexuar turned its head to see Zarack, however still could not because of the Blind spell. Zarack ran underneath the monster, and stuck his two blades in its chest. The two swords pierced the lungs of the giant creature, and the beast toppled over on top of the young cadet.
Zarack was crushed underneath the T-Rexuar. Seifer stood up from where he was sitting watching the struggle, and started to pull the T-Rexuar off of the cadet in his care. There are not many people with the strength the pick up a T-Rexuar, and Seifer was not one of those people. All he could do was lift the body of the monster just enough for him to move Zarack out of the way with his feet.
Zarack started to wake up, and he just recalled what had happened.
' Well, uh, thanks Almasy.' Zarack said.
Seifer responded by hitting Zarack in the back of the head with his gloved hand.
' You idiot! Didn't you know that if you were under the T-Rexuar when you killed it, it would fall on you? You damn near killed yourself!' Seifer yelled at the cadet.
' Whatever man, I still killed it.'
' It was blinded for Hyne's sake! It really didn't stand a chance, 'cause it relies on its physical power to attack, if it can't see what use are its attacks?'
Zarack didn't reply, which was some headway, because normally he would argue with anyone who said that. Seifer decided he would leave it at that.
' Okay kid; let's go out near the Fire Cavern. We'll do some sparring, and call it a day, okay?'
' Yes sir.' Zarack said, not wanting to ruin what was Seifer in the best mood he had seen.
Seifer worked Zarack to no end, and even farther. The young cadet struggled to keep up with the experienced ex-knight, and it was extremely difficult. Seifer noticed that Zarack's attacks were losing power, and pulled the trigger of his gunblade after one of his strikes to hit the young man's swords. The swords flew out of Zarack's hands, and he scrambled to get at them.
Seifer placed his Hyperion under Zarack's neck.
' You lose. That's twelve minutes, good. But by the time I'm done with you, you'll fight all day!' Seifer announced.
' Yeah…' Zarack said, thinking of nothing else to say.
' Ya forgot something.' Seifer reminded his "student" sternly.
' …Sir…' Zarack was still not used to saying that word.
