Savior
By Leanne Ashley

Quick summary: (AU) SeeD battles Ultimecia & her followers. When a prophecy foretells the coming of a savior (Sorceress Rinoa) SeeD, led by Squall, is ordered to protect her from Galbadia's assassins as she journeys to defeat Ultimecia. Squall/Rinoa

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Chapter 11: Conscious of Fear
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The rusty handle of the small music box squeaked softly as it was winded back. The hauntingly beautiful melody emerged from the repetition of rotating chords and brought a child-like innocence to the dim atmosphere.

As the melody passed by her ear, Rinoa stirred from her deep sleep. Opening her mahogany eyes slowly, she peered out past the blurry shades of her eyelashes. A candle flickered infront of her as the breeze from an open window encouraged its fiery waltz.

Rinoa grabbed hold of the satiny sheets around her as she attempted to lift herself up to a sitting position. In its groggy state of mind, her head seemed to weigh her back down. Waking up was becoming a struggle.

How long have I been out…?

As she blinked rapidly, she finally had a chance to realize her surroundings. The room seemed large and dimly lit by several candles on the nightstand next to her bed. None of it was familiar.

Where am I?

In a flash, the recent events showered into her memory. They had been in the woods running. Squall, Quistis, Zell and herself. The chilling sound of loading weaponry was all around them. The last thing she remembered was that her mind had hazed over—as it so often did when she used her powers. Everything went white. Her eyes had burned. Her flesh had tingled. She couldn't recall anything else.

The soft melody stopped suddenly when the lid of the music box was slammed shut.

Rinoa turned in surprise of the sharp sound and watched the distant shadows expectantly. Wherever the music box, or the door for that matter, was, she couldn't see past the light of the candles by her side.

The floor creaked as heavy footsteps walked slowly in her direction.

"…Squall?" she asked hesitantly.

A male voice snickered. "Not even close."

Fear shown through her eyes as Seifer, the general of Galbadia stepped forward into the dim light.

Instinctively, she raised her hand to summon her powers in defense. Seifer reached over quickly and roughly grabbed her wrist. "Bad idea," he said shaking his head. "In case you've forgotten, your Seven Day Sacrifice is in effect."

She stared him hard in the eyes. "How do you know about that?" Rinoa asked quietly.

"I know everything about you," he replied darkly. Gripping her wrist harder, he moved in so his face was several inches from hers. "I have to admit you're fascinating. I'm almost completely infatuated."

Rinoa narrowed her eyes and jerked back her wrist. He retaliated quickly by clasping a strong hand around her neck. She could only cry out in surprise as Seifer pushed her against the wall behind her.

"I said almost," he snapped. "Your entire existence is a threat to Ultimecia. I should snap your neck right now."

She choked under his hold, digging her hands into his grip to no avail.

"I won't," he admitted. "But don't push me."

Seifer released his grip and she fell to the bed gasping desperately for air. He sat casually by her side and leaned his head against the wall. "I was keeping tabs on Cid. When I found out he was excavating the Guardian Force shrines I sent in some people to do the same." He laughed shortly. "Cid and his pathetic lack of resources. My people translated the stones when his couldn't even finish half of it."

He looked over to Rinoa. She lay on her arms for support as her rapid breathing slowly decreased.

"Of course I know everything about you," Seifer said calmly. "Years ago I knew everything. Everything except for the fact that you actually existed."

Without speaking, Rinoa lowered herself down to rest against the soft sheets. Still breathing hard, she leaned her head to the side and stared out blankly as Seifer spoke.

"I bet you're wondering where your protectors are, huh?"

She didn't respond but he let her silence speak for her.

"Don't worry. I'm sure they're still in the woods waiting for you," he said with an odd tone of voice. "They'll be there for a while actually."

"What do you want?" she asked finally.

Seifer smiled darkly and leaned over her. She could feel his muscular weight pushing her against the bed. As he grazed the silky strands of hair from her neck, she felt the warmth of his breath by her ear. "I want you, " he whispered in a chilling voice. "I could have you right now if I wanted."

Rinoa remained emotionless as she struggled not to flinch away in fear. "You can have my body," she said coldly. "But you can never have me."

He slammed down her shoulder hard so she had no choice but to face him. She stared up at him intensely as he lay on top of her.

"We'll have to do something about that now won't we?" Seifer hissed angrily. "Ultimecia will have your powers on her side. Don't think I'm giving you a choice."

"I'd rather you kill me now."

"Are you always this difficult?"

She paused. "…Are you?"

Seifer smiled slightly as he looked away. He got off her slowly and sat at the edge of the bed rubbing the back of his neck. "Bad first impression, I suppose. I know what you're thinking… you think I'm a heartless tyrant. That I don't give a shit for anyone but myself."

Rinoa sat up slowly. "I don't," she said shaking her head. "I only think you're confused. Do you really believe in Galbadia's Law?"

"I believe in what everyone wants me to."

"It doesn't have to be like this, Seifer." She watched him carefully. His fist was tightening as she spoke. "I can save you, but you have to let me go. You have to let me do what I need to do."

He turned to face her slowly. His features were half lit by the flickering candles as he glared at her maliciously. "You shouldn't have thought that, Rinoa. You should've stayed with my first suggestion…" His hand shot out quickly as he grabbed Rinoa's forearm. She cried out in pain as he dug his fingers into her skin and pulled her towards him. "You see… I actually AM a heartless tyrant."

She shut her eyes as Seifer kissed her hard. His lips pressed mercilessly against hers as she struggled to push him off. He released her and pushed her back by her forearm. "You will be mine, and Ultimecia's for that matter," he said as he got to his feet. "We'll be ensuring your loyalty at the ceremony."

Rinoa frowned at him questionably as she wiped a hand across her lips. Ceremony…?

As Seifer walked slowly from the room, he stopped briefly at the doorway without turning.

"And you can forget about Squall. He's already forgotten you."


"Squall, would you calm down!?" Selphie pleaded. "You can't push yourself! The poison left your muscles in temporary atrophy!"

Squall ignored her and resumed getting to his feet. Again, his legs collapsed from under him as he fell back to the ground. "How much longer is it going to take?" he demanded sharply.

"Give it a couple more minutes," Irvine said as he helped Quistis sit up. "Squall, relax, okay?"

Sitting up, Squall slammed his fist angrily to the ground. "Don't fucking tell me to relax!"

"Okay, okay!" Irvine sighed in defeat. "Just… tell us what happened then."

Zell groaned as he leaned his body against a tree trunk and flexed his arm to regain its mobility. "More assassins… they shot those fricken arrows at us."

"They were coming from every direction," Quistis added as she rubbed her legs. "Rinoa panicked and used her powers to stop the arrows. I don't know what happened after that… I was already being slowed down by the poison."

"Same here."

They all turned to look at Squall for the continuation of the story. He frowned to himself and dragged his body up to lean against a tree. "Seifer took Rinoa," he said finally. "The attack was staged by him… he knew Rinoa would exert her energy to save us."

"Oh no…" Selphie said shaking her head.

"I don't know why he took her," Squall continued slowly. "I don't really want to think about it either."

An uneasy silence fell upon the others.

"But I'm going to get her back," he said narrowing his eyes. "and I'll kill Seifer if he gets in my way."

Irvine nodded his approval. "Sounds good."

"So, where do we start?" asked Zell.

"Where would Seifer take her?" Selphie added in.

Squall leaned his head back, thankful that he could feel the muscles in his legs begin to rejuvenate.

"I doubt it would be in Galbadia. Seifer doesn't spend a lot of time in Dollet," Quistis informed.

"Deling City," Squall said with his eyes clasped shut. He could now move his joints freely but they were irritatingly sore. "Seifer's mansion is there."

Zell shook his head with a laugh. "They gave that bastard a mansion…"

Selphie got up to her feet and tried to look past the thick forest infront of them. "Any ideas on where we are now?"

"Close to Winhill," Squall told her as he opened his eyes. "…I think. It could take us a couple days to get to Deling on foot."

"A couple days!?" Selphie exclaimed. "But—"

"I know." the commander cut in sharply.

As the others continued to talk, Squall drowned them out and stared out into the distance. He had sworn an oath to protect Rinoa. To help her conserve energy so that she may live after the battle with Ultimecia. But, with the way things were going… was that even possible?

Seifer said he wouldn't kill her… he just wanted her for himself. Ironically, she's alive while she's with him. He glanced at the others as they prepared themselves for the trip to Deling City. But we're coming to save her… so she can continue a suicide mission… to save everyone in the world…

His thoughts meandered as his deep blue eyes shifted regretfully to the ground.

We can't live without her… but she could live without us…


8 YEARS EARLIER

"What are ya readin' Chicken-wuss?"

The blonde-haired boy snatched the book from the younger boy's grasp.

"Gimmy it back!" he protested.

"You're reading 'Savior'? Ha! CRY-BABY-ZELL LIKES FAIRY TALES!!"

Zell rose to his feet and tried to grab back his book, but the other boy waved it up over his head. "Stop teasing me, Seifer! Give it back!"

Seifer laughed and continued to wave the book. "Why? Don't ya know this stuff rots your brain?"

"GIVE IT BAAACK!! I just got to the best part!"

"Which?" Seifer asked sarcastically. "The part where she dies or the part where—"

"Both of you quit it!" a small, female voice snapped.

They both shrank back slightly as Quistis ran into the room and angrily placed her hands on her hips. "Selphie's still crying so cut it out!"

"Crying over what?" Seifer asked rolling his eyes.

"Didn't you see? They took Irvine away today…"

Zell's eyes widened in disbelief. "He got parents today?"

Quistis nodded. "Those people from Galbadia… he went to go live with them. Selphie won't stop crying."

"Hey, at least he's gotta home," Seifer said with a shrug. "Not stuck here like the rest of us."

With an exaggerated flip of her long blonde hair, Quistis spun around and headed back out towards the beach. "I'm gonna check on her so you all be quiet!"

They watched silently as she ran off before resuming their argument. Zell jumped as high as he could to retrieve his reading material but Seifer only maneuvered it higher out of reach. "I'll save ya the trouble, Chicken-wuss!" He turned quickly and tossed the book out the window behind them.

As another boy sat outside, watching the ocean and letting the breeze entwine through his copper-colored hair, the book tumbled out the window above him and came to a rest by his feet. He eyed the dust-speckled cover while listening to the angry exchange of words above him. Zell was whining about his lost possession while Seifer laughed and said simply:

"Nobody lives happily ever after."


Authors note: That's about as far as I'll go on violent sexual themes (not my cup of tea to write) In case anyone's wondering on how Rinoa can use her powers to defeat Ultimecia when she can't even handle stopping a bunch of arrows without falling over? It's all due to the Seven Day Sacrifice theory. As long as she doesn't use her powers for a select amount of time and to no severe extremities, she'll accumulate enough to battle Ultimecia. The reason she fell so easily after stopping the arrows was because she had just gotten over using her energy in the alley fight (chapter 3/4) Think of it this way: she's like a rechargeable battery har har. You wouldn't charge the battery for only a short amount of time and expect it to work at full potential, right? Ahh, my theories will have me locked away… :D And yes, that's Squall at the end of the flashback but I'm sure you figured that out.