Time Of Despair


Three Days Later...


Laguna, thank you so much for your Esthar Soldiers. I really don't know how we would have made it through that catastrophe if it wasn't for your reinforcements, said Quistis gratefully over the phone. As soon as she was able to find time, she immediately contacted Laguna and informed him that everything turned out OK.

Well I'm just glad I was of some help. You know, I was actually surprised at the number of Galbadian Soldiers. I mean there was alot but it wasn't as much as I had expected.

What are you trying to say?

Well, I was doing some research here and I found out that General Caraway isn't only interested in Timber but all the other residential areas as well.

Quistis gasped. You're kidding! Why would he want all those towns for?

There are number of reasons. He could be after power; political reason or it could be something personal. Whatever the reason is, we have to stop him. There was a pause and then he asked, Any word on Squall or Rinoa? Last I heard from Cid was that they were both gone.

said the instructor rather bitterly. No word on any of them. After Rinoa disappeared, Squall tried to find her. He assumed she was at Matron's Orphanage but he never called us back or anything. I'm worried; it's been three days already. Other than Squall and Rinoa missing, Seifer isn't at Garden or at Timber either. Where could they all have gone?

Try not to worry about it so much Quistis. Remember, Squall is the Commander of Balamb Garden. He wont go down THAT easily. Perhaps he's just having problems or something. Whatever the reason, I'm sure he'll call you guys soon. Listen, I have to get off right now. I'm needed at the office but call me back once you hear anything about them OK?

Thank you Laguna. I sure hope they're all safe and I'll let you know immediately if we hear anything. Good bye.

What's going on Quis? Irvine asked anxiously beside her.

Guys, this isn't good news. Laguna told me he found out that Caraway is not only after Timber but the other towns as well! We think he only sent those Soldiers to attack us as some sort of distraction.

Selphie gasped. But if we could barely protect the Garden and Timber without Esthar's help, how are we suppose to defend all the other places. They're literally scattered on all different continents.

Zell slammed his fist against the white walls of his dorm causing a framed picture to fall off. He cursed and picked up the broken pieces. We're really in a bind here guys...if they should attack us just ONCE more...I don't think we can withstand it.

He thought back to the day when Nida had first detected Galbadia Garden in range.
The first swarm of Soldiers came from the forest and raided Timber. Luckily the people managed to make it back to Garden and were safe inside. Timber wasn't ravaged that badly either but the number of cadets and SeeDs decreased immensely during the fray. Two more swarm attacked the northern section of the town but luckily there were enough troopers there to fend off the attack.

Meanwhile, Galbadia Garden itself was unloading Soldiers straight into Garden. The entrance was flooded with spell casting and gun fires. Many of the cadets were hurt badly. Most of them who fought had barely recovered from the first fight and the number of students on the defense team were greatly outnumbered. If it wasn't for Quistis's quick thinking on contacting Laguna for the extra help, the whole Garden would have probably been diminished by now and Zell wouldn't even be here himself recalling the past events.

Once Galbadia was stripped of all their defenses, it had no choice but to move away. Balamb quickly took advantage of this time to heal and help the wounded make a quick recovery. All the SeeDs had no sleep at all. They helped the medical staffs and prepared new battle equipments.

The Esthar Soldiers stayed just in case the enemy was thinking about coming back. Luckily, they didn't. Something big must have happened for Caraway not to finish them off once and for all but nothing was yet to be revealed.

Selphie looked as if she was going to burst into tears any minute. I can't believe we came so close to losing our precious home. God...Quistis if you hadn't called Laguna then... She sniffled gently to herself, unable to finish her terrible statement.

Shhh...Selphie its ok... Quistis whispered and hugged her friend tightly. We're not going to lose Garden...we wont...I promise.

But everything...everything looks so bad for us! I mean if they were to attack right now with all they have, we're goners Quisty! At this point, the brunette was hysterical. I mean look at us! We're short of offense, defense, we have to take care of the people of Timber AND the other towns, our Commander is missing as well as Seifer and Rinoa and-

Selphie, snap out of it! Irvine said sternly. Quistis is right! We are NOT going to go down...no matter WHAT happens. Come on! We're stronger than that! We've been through Tine Compression for Hyne's sake. If we lived through that, we can live through anything.

Irvy...you're right. We have to be strong. She brushed her tears away and gave him a tiny smile.

"That's the spirit! Don't worry...I know everything looks bleak now but it'll all be over soon ok? Irvine gave her a light hug and turned to Zell and Quistis. I think we better head back to our post and be on the lookout for anything suspicious. We cant do anything about Squall, Rinoa, Seifer except pray that they're fine......where ever they are.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Blood.

The crimson liquid surrounded him. Never in his life had he witnessed this much blood, especially caused by his own hands. Seifer lifted up his Hyperion with his bloody fingers. It was the blade that had caused all the gore in front of him yet it ended all his suffering. For the first time, he felt free.

He felt free from anger, madness, jealousy, pain...everything. He had finally gotten his revenge so why wasn't he pleased? He kept asking himself over and over again while staring at the unconscious body against his feet. There is nothing stepping in his way to whatever he wanted to achieve now. He could have it all yet his victory seemed hollow.

Was it because...he hadn't achieved his victory yet?

Even if Squall was out of the picture for good, Seifer knew everyone else would never forget about him. Even though he'll just become a memory, its a memory that everyone is going to hold on to for the rest of their life.

No one could forget his honor and valor. Garden, SeeDs, Rinoa...they all revolved around him.

Damn you Squall... he cursed out loud. He roughly kicked his unconscious body and sat down on the hard ground. The storm ceased by the rain didn't. He watched as the droplets rolled down his palm and across his finger dripping slowly off of the tips. They reminded him very much of tears...eternal tears.

If he died...then they would also be dead...she would be dead as well.

You always have to ruin everything for me don't you Squall? Even on the verge of death...

His last blow came totally unexpected. All his rage just erupted causing him to unleash his most fatal attack on his rival. His gunblade pierced right through his chest and several burnt marks and scars were scattered across his abdominal area and arms. The white shirt and the leather jacket were ripped and soaked with blood. There was more blood on his pale face. He could easily be assumed dead but...he wasn't.

Checking his pulse occasionally, Seifer debated on what to do next. He had finally gotten his revenge on his rival but he didn't savor the empty victory. Touching his limp wrist again, he felt a very faint pulse, barely any and he knew time was running out.

The rain was pounding against them harder and harder. Again, he envisioned them as tears, Thousands of tears being shed by everybody, by her.

Then, it was finally clear to him on what he had to do. He searched through the leather pockets for the communicator and instantly contacted Garden after he found it. On the third ring, Nida picked up on the other line.

Nida. Could you put Quistis on the line?

Seifer!? Where are you!?

None of your business! Put Quistis or one of the SeeDs on the line, he snapped impatiently.

After a few seconds, Quistis replied, Seifer!! Where have you been!? And did you find Squall and Rinoa!?

Seifer frowned. If Rinoa was no with them, then she's still missing.

Squall's here but we didn't find Rinoa.

What do you mean by

Listen, all you have to know for now is that we were at flower field and Rinoa wasn't there alright!? Squall's injured right now...he's losing alot of blood so I'm going to bring him back to Garden right now using the Ragnarok. You're still at Timber right?

Quistis yelled in alarm. Squall's hurt!? HOW did this happen!?

Listen!! I don't have time for details! I will fill you in on them when we get back!! The more time we spend on this useless discussion, the less time Squall has to live OK!? NOW, is Garden still at Timber or no!?

Garden's still here but-

He disconnected himself from her. That was all he had wanted to know.

Hyne I hope I don't regret doing this...for Rinoa's sake...

He picked up the lifeless body off from the ground and threw one of Squall's arms over his shoulder. With the other hand, he grabbed his Lionheart. Using his back to support his heavy rival, he slowly trailed out of the barren fields and slowly walked towards the airship. He wondered if they were going to make it in time. He tried casting some curative magic but they didn't seem to be healing his major wounds.

Just as he reached the Ragnarok, the rain had finally stopped. Perhaps this was a good omen.



Author's Notes: Hey everyone, sorry for the delay again. I could have gotten this chapter out sooner but because of the major blackout I had here, I couldn't and after the electricity came back, I couldn't sign on to the internet! I hope everything is functioning normally again for all of you who had that big blackout!