Chapter IV: Sorceress' Knight

Seifer had brought Schiria to Dr. Kadowaki in the infirmary. The Garden doctor had the unconscious girl placed on a bed, and she got to work right away. Dr. Kadowaki applied anti-biotic, and sealed the wound. Afterwards she asked what happened.

' Well, what happened Seifer?' She asked.

' I really don't know… I put Schiria in the care of Zarack, and apparently monsters surrounded them. Ask him…' Seifer said, turning his head to Zarack.

' Well, I forgot to junction my GF that morning…' Zarack started.

' Hey, we don't care what you forgot, we want to know what the hell happened!' Seifer interrupted Zarack.

' Whatever Seifer, what happened was more Grats than I could count suddenly attacked us. We tried to fight back but the numbers were overwhelming, that's when Schiria got her scar. They were scared off by the approach of a T-Rexuar, and I tried to get us to a safe place; we weren't in the best shape to take on a T-Rexuar. We couldn't make it, and that's when Schiria used that attack, I think she called it Vyis. It created enough of a distraction for you to kill it.' Zarack told them, looking at Seifer.

' Well, that explains the scar, but what about that attack? How could a girl her age, muster up the courage, let alone the strength to hit a T-Rexuar with enough power to even distract it?' Dr. Kadowaki asked.

' I don't know, I never heard of it…' Seifer said, ' It was a bright light coming from her sword. Whatever it was it saved her life, and most likely this wuss' too.' Seifer said, pointing to Zarack.

' Hey!' Zarack said.

' Hey, what?' Seifer interrupted Zarack, the young cadet decided not to say anymore, least he get hurt.

Seifer decided that would be enough action for those two for one day, and headed to the Training Center for his fair share. After spending an hour training it occurred to him that he would have to report to Cid that one of his students got hurt.

' Damn, that's one thing I'm not looking forward to…' Seifer thought, and headed for the headmaster's office.

At the headmaster's office, Seifer explained everything to Cid.

' Well, remember Schiria? She got hurt, just like I thought she would.' Seifer told the headmaster.

' What? What happened to her?' Cid demanded.

' I left her in Zarack's care for a little stroll around the monster's lair, and Zarack tells me they got surrounded by Grats. In that short time Schiria got cut on the head.'

' Is she okay?'

' If she's anything like that wuss Squall she'll be back on her feet within the hour…' Seifer thought, ' I don't know, she's knocked out, but she should be okay in an hour or two.'

' That counts against your judgment grade Seifer. Now, Dr. Kadowaki tells me she used some sort of attack that made that T-Rexuar rue the day he tried to eat her. Tell me your thoughts on that Seifer.'

' Yeah, I think she used a Limit Break, and a pretty powerful one at that! I personally can't believe that a girl her age, and her skill level used a Limit Break, let alone one powerful enough to knock the breath out of a T-Rexuar.'

' I think we have someone special here Seifer. Train her well, you are her instructor as of this moment.'

' What! Why are you using me as one of your "hopes and dreams"?'

' Because I know you are destined to do big things Seifer. I knew it ever since we met; I just had to give up on you before. But now it seems your becoming the warrior I hoped you'd be. I'm giving you a window of opportunity here Almasy.'

' Yeah, sure, I'll continue to train Schiria that was my job from the start wasn't it?'

' Good! Since she's resting, and probably won't be ready for it today, I'll give you this note that passes you off as her SeeD support day after tomorrow. She should get a GF as soon as she is ready.' Seifer took the note, and nodded his head and began to leave, ' Oh, and Seifer: try to convince her to join SeeD, I think she'll be good at it.' Cid said.

' No promises, it is her decision. But we'll see if she makes a good SeeD, the field exam is coming up.'

' Right, if she passes that, I'll pass her off as a SeeD if she wants to be one. Now go, I'm certain you want to go back to the Training Center now.'

Seifer left, and headed for the place Headmaster Cid predicted, Seifer would get some training, lunch, more training, and rest for the night.

The next day, Seifer, Zarack, and Schiria met at the Training Center like always. Seifer didn't trust Zarack with Schiria anymore, so he took her around the Training Center while Zarack did one hundred laps for his failure the other day. Seifer actually showed Schiria the basics of swordplay, however since Seifer taught himself how to fight, he had to make up make up his own teaching strategies.

That day was filled with basic training for Schiria, and punishment for Zarack. One of the ways Seifer punished the young cadet was with the privilege of one of his two swords being taken away from him, and he had to kill twenty Grats to get his Murasame returned to him. Seifer taught Schiria the unwritten rule: that the best defense is a good offense, by telling her the story of when he beat Squall before the SeeD field exam a year ago.

Once Schiria was ready, Seifer took her to the Trabia Cavern where she would attain the Guardian Force "Siren". Seifer told her that she would have to choose a time limit in which to find, beat the Guardian Force, and exit the cavern in. He suggested the time limit of ten minutes, because the Trabia Cavern is not large, and ten minutes was more than enough time in which to beat Siren.

Seifer took Zarack along also, telling the cadet to hunt down the local monsters. He told Zarack that he wanted to see the head of twenty monsters by the time he got back from the Trabia Cavern with Schiria. Seifer and Schiria approached the two Garden faculty workers at the mouth of the cavern; they did not look like the old faculty members who were employed by NORG. These faculty members looked rather permissible, instead of the stricter looking ones in the robes.

Seifer handed one of them the note that Cid had wrote, the faculty member looked at it, then at Seifer, and finally Schiria.

' Okay, student ID#178903 Schiria Dukedom?' One of them asked, and Schiria nodded her head, ' This is the Trabia Cavern, there are several caverns around the world that contain GF's. This one holds the GF Siren, your objective is to reach the end of the cavern, attain the GF, and exit within the allotted time. You will choose your own time limit, choose one suited to your ability, challenging yet responsible. Your choices are ten minutes, twenty minutes, or thirty minutes.'

' I choose ten minutes.' Schiria told them.

' Okay, we'll start timing you the second you enter the cavern.' The faculty member told her.

' Schiria, just run, if you see a monster hit it and run past it, don't worry if you don't kill it.' Seifer told her.

Schiria nodded her head, and entered the cavern with Seifer following her. The inside of the Trabia Cavern looked like some water leaked into it, water dripped from the ceiling, and some puddles formed around is some places on the ground. The path appeared to be cut in naturally; the ground was smooth considering.

Schiria did as Seifer said, and just ran blankly into the cavern ahead of him. A few bats came across her, and met the sharp end of her katana. Schiria marveled at how weak these monsters were compared to the ones in the Training Center.

' Seifer, these monsters are pretty weak.' She said, running through the cavern.

' Yeah, just think of it this way: you started on level two in the Training Center, and now you're on level one.' Seifer explained.

'Ah, I see.' Schiria said, killing a Buel.

After one minute, they arrived at the end of the cavern and saw a rock in the middle of a center of a shallow pool of water. Siren floated down onto the rock, where the Guardian Force sat down. Seifer nodded to Schiria that she would have to fight Siren.

Seifer sat this one out, because he knew that he could defeat Siren in one hit and that would just ruin Schiria's test. Siren used her attack "Silent Voice" on Schiria, which caused minimal damage. Schiria responded with a charge at Siren, neither too weak, nor too powerful. She reached the Guardian Force, and slashed at it several times, before Siren could use a Water spell to send her a foot away.

Siren cast Water again, however Schiria rolled away from the rush of water and ran at the GF again. This time Schiria leapt over the Guardian Force, and slashed at its back. Schiria was able to hit Siren enough times for it to admit defeat.

' You have proven yourself worthy indeed, you may call upon me when magic threatens you.' Siren said, and left the way it entered.

Seifer tapped Schiria on the shoulder.

' You have three minutes to get out of here.' He reminded her.

Schiria nodded, and headed for the entrance. It took them a minute to exit, leaving Schiria with two minutes to spare. The Garden faculty members congratulated Schiria, and Seifer took a look around for Zarack. He found the cadet just finishing off a Gayla, adding the twentieth head to his pile.

' Hey Zarack, you just made it.' Seifer taunted.

' Hey, these damn monsters are always runnin' away from me. I could've done better, if only these damn monsters stopped fleeing.' Zarack replied.

' Yeah, well the Field Exam is day after tomorrow. So let's take it easy, let's just kill five T-Rexuars in the Training Center as a team.'

' Geez, thanks. Schiria? I don't think she'll wanna see one of those again…'

' Oh come on, she knocked the wind out of one, that's more than I can say about you at that age!'

' Or you?'

' Don't be smart, stupid!'

' C'mon, you know its true!'

' Screw it here she comes, we gotta head back to Balamb Garden now anyway. Schiria got her GF, so our job is done here.' Seifer told Zarack as Schiria approached them.

' Hey guys, well I guess we have to go back to Garden now, right?' Schiria said.

' Yeah, so let's go.' Seifer said, and left for the transport that brought them to Trabia.

Schiria shrugged and trailed Seifer, Zarack laughed as he had finally thought of a way to get at Seifer. The ride back to Balamb Garden was uneventful, Schiria just equipped her first Guardian Force and Seifer explained to her how powerful she could become by drawing magic from monsters and equipping them to certain learned stats. To this Schiria had thought of a question.

' What has your GF learned?' Schiria asked.

' Nothing, my GF's been trying to learn some sort of mystery technique. I must've given it all of the time it needs, but no, even more is required. As it gets closer though, it'll give me one more letter to the technique's name.' Seifer said.

' So far what have you got?' Schiria asked.

' H-Y-P-E-R… So far it spells "hyper", but there are more letters to it's damn name.'

' Hyper Blast?'

' Hah, ya really think such a lame ass name would be the tital of the technique my GF's been trying to learn for a month now?'

' Just a thought…' Schiria looked to the ground.

' Schiria, now that you've got yourself a GF, I gotta tell you: the price for using a GF is losing your memories; god knows it's happened to me. So keep a journal, or somethin', eh?' Seifer told her.

' Really! Does that mean everything they say about the GF is true?' Schiria said, she was somewhat frightened.

' I'll fill this one Seifer.' Zarack told Seifer, ' The GF is only known to steal away memories, everything else is BS. GFs aren't really dangerous, just depends on where you stand. Personally I don't care if the memories of my father going insane and killing my mother then trying to do me in goes suddenly missing, but… Damn Ifrit won't take it…'

' Uh, sorry Zarack…' Schiria said.

' Yeah, just the way it goes…' Seifer started, ' Most SeeDs are orphans, hell some of 'em were orphans that got homes, then went to Garden anyway 'cause they didn't fit in at their new homes, and so on. I can think of a good few examples…'

' Oh, well thanks for telling me that Seifer…' Schiria said.

' Let's hear some of these examples, eh Seifer?' Zarack asked.

' Line starts with me and goes around the block, twice. Just be glad you had had a mother.' Seifer told Zarack.

' Yeah…' Zarack said, looking down to the ground.

' Well, lets forget about this. Let's just go back to Garden and relax, there's a written test that I want to take at Garden and it seems you two might want to hit the Training Center.' Schiria announced.

' You're taking the SeeD written test?' Seifer asked.

' Yeah, I want to see if I can join SeeD, maybe I can.' Schiria said.

' Well… Then maybe you should do some studying with me a little first, eh?' Seifer offered.

' You? C'mon Seifer!' Zarack laughed.

' Hey!' Seifer told Zarack, ' You're lookin' at the only guy to ever ace the SeeD written test in two minutes!' Seifer announced.

' Yeah, bull.' Zarack said.

' Ask instructor Trepe she'll tell ya. Now, Schiria the SeeD written test is like nothing you'll ever take. You gotta get one hundred percent to pass, you'll have to do a little cramming before, or I'm certain you'll fail.' Seifer said.

' Thanks Seifer, but I studied for this test for two days before I came to Garden, I think I'll be fine.' Schiria said.

' Okay, well then I'll be joinin' ya in the Training Center then Zarack!' Seifer said, and reclined in his chair.

The three had returned to Balamb Garden, it appeared as though nothing had happened. Schiria had to get to the second floor classroom for her written test, and headed for the elevator immediately after entering the Garden. Seifer turned to Zarack.

' Okay, let's go train; Schiria'll join us when she's done the test. I want to see a bare minimum of ten dead T-Rexuars by the end of the day!' Seifer announced.

' Yeah.' Zarack said.

' What did you say?'

'Yes sir…'

' That's better!'

Seifer and Zarack searched the Training Center for T-Rexuars, and were pleased when they found several easier than normal. Seifer would let Zarack fight the monsters head on, and Seifer would get in a hit when forgotten by the beast. After defeating some Grats who had assaulted the two, a T-Rexuar came up from behind them. Recognizing Seifer as the more dangerous of the two, the T-Rexuar hit Seifer away with its head.

Zarack saw the large head bat Seifer away, and immediately attacked the vulnerable neck. The T-Rexuar lifted its neck away from more slashes from the Masamune and Murasame, and swung its tail around to hit Zarack. The cadet was hit away from the giant's tail, at the same time Seifer arose to fight. Seifer struck the monster, and then heard Zarack.

' Cross!' The cadet said, and ran up to the T-Rexuar slashing down with the Masamune, and across with the Murasame in a cross formation.

The cross was outlined in fire, and closed soon after being created. The T-Rexuar fell to the ground after absorbing too many powerful hits from the pair. Seifer recounted the amount of T-Rexuars he and Zarack had defeated.

' Okay, that's the tenth one. It's dinner, and rest 'till the field exam.' Seifer announced.

' Fine by me I gotta sharpen my swords, to get 'em ready for the field exam anyway.' Zarack said.

Seifer heard his Guardian Force's voice in his head.

' H-Y-P-E-R-I.' Fairir said, revealing another letter to the mysterious technique.

Seifer noted this, and headed for the entrance of the Training Center. At the entrance, Schiria ran up to Seifer and Zarack.

' Hey guys, I passed the written test!' She announced with pride.

' Good, the field exam is day after tomorrow, I'm not gonna meet either of you tomorrow. It's free time 'till the field exam. So just do what ya think is right to prepare for it.' With those words, Seifer left Zarack and Schiria.

Seifer headed for the Cafeteria for his dinner, and then his dorm for rest. He wondered how his friends were doing, and if they were going to become SeeDs. Seifer was certain he would become a SeeD; he was going to make sure of it. He then heard an announcement from Cid about new students, whose names were not noticed by Seifer. He also heard Cid ask for Seifer's presence.

' Dammit again! When will Cid let me be?' Seifer thought, he was angry.

Seifer made his way to the third floor, and found Cid in his normal place, behind his desk. Cid motioned for Seifer to take a seat, and cleared his throat.

' Seifer, Schiria has passed her written test, and wishes to join SeeD. I don't know what you did, but congratulations are in order.' Cid said.

' I did nothing…' Seifer thought to himself.

' And I want you to do something for me: even though Schiria has passed the written test, and successfully attained a GF. She still doesn't have the sheer amount of experience a normal SeeD cadet has at this stage. And since it is still a part of your duty, you must keep her safe. Only if anything out of the ordinary happens, you should drop the objective at hand to ensure her safety. You have permission, so disobeying orders on that one objective is alright.' Cid said.

' Drop the mission to save her ass?' Seifer asked, he was slightly annoyed at Cid's apparent disregard of the mission.

' Consider it your primary objective. I really do hate to have to give an order like this, but don't worry, I'm putting you on a squad that can hold up without you or Schiria.'

' Zarack…' Seifer said, hardly thinking.

' That's right. Zarack should be able to get the job done on his own.'

' Of course, I trained him.'

' Yes, well you are dismissed.' Cid said, and went back to whatever document that was on his desk.

Seifer left for his dorm, where he was before Cid interrupted his thinking. Seifer waited for the field exam, he was greatly annoyed at the thought of "waiting" but did so anyway.

The next day was uneventful; he saw Schiria in the library on his way to check out "The Sorceress' Knight" for the second time in is life. The first time he read it, it gave him a goal to shoot for, more wonderful that SeeD. Now he wishes to re-read the book, and see just where he lost his mind in search of this "dream".

He said nothing to Schiria and checked out his book, he preferred to not say anything until he had regained himself. He started on the first chapter, the sorceress chapter.

" The Great Hyne's power passes through the ages, and had split in two to create the sorceresses. The sorceresses are humans with the powers of the Great Hyne, however the One with the direct linkage to Hyne's bloodline will have the greatest knowledge" Starts the book.

' Like Rinoa has knowledge…' Seifer thought.

" The sorceress' life is not without danger, as some heathens resent the Great Hyne. The sorceress needs someone loyal and true to protect her, the sorceress needs a knight to defend her on her life's journey. One who will show her love beyond the ages."

' The romantic part…' Seifer thought.

" This knight is the highest of all mortal men, and posses strength and courage higher than that of any human."

' Squall, knight-wannabe…' Seifer thought.

" It is the greatest honour to be chosen."

' Damn straight! Like that idiot Squall has honour to feel that!' Seifer had enough of that chapter, and skipped ahead to the end, he remembered all of the details about signs, and characteristic traits.

" Of Great Hyne, the Sorceress' Knight, in history the very intent of Hyne."

' The very intent of the creator of us all. I wanted in on this high honour, it would put me high above everyone.' Seifer remembered, ' But at what cost? The Sorceress' Knight works alone, I could not leave Fujin and Raijin like that, even when I was Ultimecia's knight. How can I even say I was her "knight"? She was an evil sorceress who used me; it took even some of her magic to seduce me like she did.' Seifer put down the book; he needed to work off some aggression.