Sorry for the long break between updates. This has been my fanfic-writing
schedule:
1) Attempted to post "Web" Friday *before* last; stupid fecking computer refused to format HTML, thus the paragraphs stretched off to the right ad infinitum.
2) Wrote X-men: Evolution fanfic. Remembered my otaku status and crawled into a hole forever and died, which is the appropriate penance.
3) Bought my way out of hole by writing appropriately dark and philosophical Sword of Truth fanfic, which is not anime but fantasy, but it will have to do.
4) On Friday, decided to post the stupid DotL chapter in Word Document format, despite the fact that the Squall scenes would not be italicized.
5) Discovered that in Word, format messed up in the sense that the entire chapter was one loooong paragraph.
6) Hit head on wall.
7) Decided to just post DotL chapter, X-Men: Evolution fanfic, and Sword of Truth fanfic. Whatever.
8) Discovered that Sword of Truth fanfic and X-men: Evolution fanfic had been left at home. Swore extensively.
9) Nanced off to write AY. Never had these kinds of issues with Ranma fics.
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Selphie: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and fans of all ages: we bid you all a fond farewell. We will no longer be in the author's notes.
Irvine: On the plus side, we'll soon be in the actual fic. [cue applause]
Selphie: That's the plus side. On the minus side, there will now be no one to prevent nakigoe-chan from throwing us all into another April Fool's Day fiasco next year.
Irvine: Oh, the torture we fanfic characters endure for the sake of art! Assuming, of course, that this fic can even be counted as art.
nakigoe-chan: I'm right HERE, you know.
Selphie: Don't remind us. We might kill you.
Irvine: Do not fear, gentle readers; we have no intention of abandoning the Author's Notes entirely to nakigoe-chan.
Selphie: That would be cruel and unusual punishment. VERY unusual. And very cruel.
nakigoe-chan: One would think I would be able to control characters that I'm writing. Apparently not.
Selphie: So you will be visited by the muses from the various OTHER obsessions of nakigoe-chan! Mostly because she has fun with this.
Irvine: The Final Fantasy VIII muses are actually Quistis, Edea, and Ultimecia...
Selphie: ...but they're busy with the fic and as such unavailable.
Irvine: And Quistis probably couldn't offer much by way of commentary right now, anyway.
nakigoe-chan: Oh please, as if YOU care about what she SAYS.
Selphie: You can expect visits from Mireille Bouquet from Noir, Nabiki Tendo from Ranma ½, Meiko Akizuki from Marmalade Boy, General Beatrix from Final Fantasy IX, the Weasley Twins (if you don't know where they're from you are VERY deprived), Yukino from Kare Kano, Spike from Buffy, Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, Miroku from InuYasha, Pant -
Pantyhose Tarou: DON'T CALL ME BY THAT NAME!
Irvine: Can't we just get the Outers?
Selphie: They're busy. Maybe we should just bring in the original muses.
nakigoe-chan: Nakigoe and Raiu? No way! Nakigoe has my name! People will get all confused.
Irvine: First of all, you named yourself after her, because you were too lazy to think up your own penname.
Selphie: Yeah, it isn't like she's based on you.
nakigoe-chan: Well, of course. I hate self-inserts. It's just a cool name! It means "Song of the [wild] creatures" in Japanese.
Selphie: Yes, yes, we KNOW that already. You've told us a million times.
Irvine: Second of all, they pretty much rule the rather questionable kingdom of your imagination, so they're in the best position to be in charge.
nakigoe-chan: Third of all, if people will insist upon spelling MY name with a capital 'N' they deserve to be confused.
Selphie: Isn't that a little harsh? After that April Fool's Day thing, I think we should just rename you 'Stupid Bloody Git' and leave it at that.
nakigoe-chan: Could you let that GO, already?
Irvine: Loyal readers: we bid you Adieu. We hope you enjoy our debut.
nakigoe-chan: If you're going to rhyme, I'm going to kill you off. Just warning you.
Actual, legitimate notes from nakigoe-chan:
1) I own nothing but the plotline of this story.
2) HUGE thanks to Xenogears and Sab-chan: it is through their advice that this story is not a grammatical mess. They are two very cool people.
3) This chapter goes out to Sarah, who is not as content with her current story as she deserves to be. We love ya, Raion-chan!
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THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
Chapter 8: The Web of Lost Souls
By: nakigoe-chan
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Angelus: Now that's everything, huh? No weapons... No friends...No hope. Take all that away... and what's left?
Buffy: Me.
- From Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Becoming, Part II
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[She is coming for me, then. Am I really the weakest link?]
Pluto had warned her, once; that warning seemed so long ago. But all the same, how could she have forgotten?
The truth was, she hadn't forgotten. She had been waiting for this for centuries - all the centuries she had been imprisoned for serving a Queen in captivity. She was surprised, every time she awoke, that she still lived. She had prowled the halls of her empty prison night after night, expecting to find death just around every corner she turned.
She had known that she was immortal since she was only sixteen. She had known since the day she had been chosen to bear the cross of a soldier. But she had willingly borne that cross, because she believed in what she was fighting for and because immortality was shared among them all.
Immortality was not supposed to be so lonely.
She found herself in the tower. Her favorite room: the room she studiously avoided and yet was helplessly drawn to at times like these. The sound of the waterfalls that ringed it lulled her and mocked her by turn. They had once brought her such joy; now they were merely another reminder of how alone she was. How alone she'd always be.
[Have I given up hope that easily? We were never supposed to give up, no matter how bad things were. I must truly be the weakest.]
But this was an unfair test. The other two of her kind never doubted; the other two had always been closer to the Queen. The other two could believe ceaselessly in the true Queen, despite their imprisonment, because the Queen had always believed in them. She, alone in her tower, knew the Queen - wherever she was - still loved her, still believed in her.
But never quite as much as all eight of the others. And everyone knew it.
[The least favorite of the senshi...]
She had never thought of it that way before. In all the centuries of despair, she thought that she was guarded against pain and shame. But no, here it was again; could she no longer hope because her Queen had abandoned her?
The mirror lay on the table in the center of the room.
Her Talisman. It was the key to finding any information she sought; it was her window to the world outside.
She had not touched it in over three hundred years.
She stood looking down at it, contemplating it. She considered using it now. She had never thought that she would use it again; she had never thought that a reason would arise. She had, in truth, given up hope so long ago.
She had not had the courage to see her reflection in it, for it showed nothing but truth, and truth was too painful. She had not looked in any mirror for hundreds and hundreds of years; she would cower before her own gaze.
She reached out her hand, her fingers extended - but she couldn't bring herself to touch it.
She caught her reflection in it, though. She laughed to herself. She was still immortal, still beautiful. It was not vanity that brought this thought about, but mere observation. And it was saturated with truth. She was beautiful. Someone had once told her that she was the most beautiful of the senshi, the most striking. She had brushed it off, modestly.
Uranus had laughed, and had said in that cocky, joking voice full of sincerity: Ain't it the truth.
She could remember a time when she believed nothing that Uranus didn't tell her.
[Uranus...]
She bit back the pain of that memory. In all her years, it hadn't become any easier to forget the brash, blonde senshi that knew her better than anyone else.
Would Uranus even recognize her now?
Her face hadn't changed in forever; she looked no more than twenty, but she was nearly a thousand years old. She woke up every day, hoping that if she ran her hands over her face she would find wrinkles there. But her features were always still perfect.
Her eyes, though...they were so different, so much older. She did not recognize them herself; doubtlessly Uranus would not. She was no longer the woman Uranus had cared for. For centuries of hope, she had believed that they would be together again. Now, the concept frightened her - for how could Uranus ever love the shell that she had become?
The second thought rose, unbidden: [Even Uranus never loved you, not above all others. Not the way you loved her. Her first loyalty was to someone else.]
Her hand came up, briefly blocking her view of what the mirror held as she brushed a strand of wavy aqua hair away from her eyes.
It did not change what the mirror held. The mirror - this mirror, at least - never lied. But at least she couldn't see clearly what it held anymore; tears were terribly useful when it came to blurring vision. How long had it been since she had last cried?
She had probably cried the day her hope had fallen away, broken into so many silver slivers like a smashed mirror.
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor behind her, and she reminded herself that this was no time for tears.
[She's already here?]
She found herself almost afraid of the death she knew was coming. But that was silly; there was no reason to stay here. Death would be a release from this prison. Her eyes were dry again.
She turned to face her captor.
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"You told me that you wanted my help for this," Seifer said, obviously furious. "You did NOT tell me that you're a psycho."
This would not be easy to explain. "I'm NOT a psycho."
"Oh, well that completely gets rid of the problem, now doesn't it? YOU are not a psycho, your alter ego is, and you periodically turn into her and try to kill people, but we're all safe because it's not YOU."
I flinched back; his words certainly struck a cord with me. Were they safe from me? Not if I got angry again, probably.
What if Seifer had never shown up? A tiny little voice surfaced in the back of my brain. Would you have been able to stop yourself from killing Quistis?
"I..." I floundered hopelessly. I had no words, no defense. "It's not what you think."
"Really? Lemme tell you what I think, after what you've told me. You have some sort of spiritual connection to Ultimecia, and the magic that binds you to her is stronger than you are. Why should we even trust you enough to turn our backs on you? Look at those scars on Quistis's face, and THEN tell me we can believe in you."
Quistis poked him in the shoulder. He turned to her, and she gave him a pointed look and poked him again, in the middle of the chest, before raising her eyebrows.
The message was clear: Well, why should we believe in YOU?
"I was BEWITCHED!" Seifer exploded, sounding somewhat silly.
Quistis looked pointedly at me, then back at him. (And she isn't?)
"It's DIFFERENT! You guys weren't stupid enough to TRUST me, back then!"
I was feeling smaller and smaller. I really hadn't thought the possible risks of this plan through, had I?
Seifer could obviously tell, and was obviously not in the mood to be sympathetic. "Plan's off. I've had enough of the psycho sorceress routine. I don't make the same mistake twice."
Quistis heaved a big sigh and pulled my arm, dragging me away from Seifer and deeper into the forest. We were leaving Seifer behind? Just like that?
"She'll KILL you, Trepe!"
Quistis kept walking casually through the forest. A little *too* casually.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Quistis continued to ignore him.
There was the sound of a loud, exasperated snort from behind us and then the sound of someone stamping closer.
"Fine," Seifer said as he caught up to us, his mouth set in a thin, irritated line. "I'll come, just to make sure you don't kill Trepe. See, since she was my teacher, if she dies it's now HER fault for not doing her job well enough."
Quistis smirked at me, and I grinned back. I was somewhat embarrassed that she was more effective when it came to argument or trickery than I was despite the fact that she couldn't talk, but I was relieved to have both of them with me.
But I had only a moment to appreciate it, before the world around me fell away into a darkness beyond even that of my subconscious.
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They were all around him, their voices pulling him down into the shadows. The Gate of Shadows; he had wondered at the name. Was this what it meant? Despite it all, he thought not.
{You'll never find Rinoa you'll never save Rinoa you'll be alone forever you lived a meaningless life you died a meaningless death and no one regrets it you're worthless you're not a SeeD you're not a person you're a forgotten failure Rinoa is dying and you can't help her she'll die in pain she'll spend eternity in pain it's all your fault...}
No. No, no, no...
He had no weapon; he had no way to fight them. If he had had his gunblade, or his magic, or a GF, they would be nothing before him. They would be the helpless ones, not he. He would have been able to destroy them in a minute.
But he was defenseless.
{You'll never find Rinoa}
And more than anything, he feared their words would stay even when they vanished. They were, as Julia had told him, his own fears, his own nightmares.
{You'll never save Rinoa}
How could he possibly save someone who was still alive if he was already dead? This was a fool's quest to begin with; it had to be.
{You'll be alone forever}
Ah, but this was something he'd always known. This was something he'd accepted long ago, something he'd chosen. This wasn't something they could hurt him with. It was what he wanted.
{You'll be alone forever}
Wasn't it?
{You'll be alone forever}
A flash, in the back of his mind, of those hazel eyes. And, dragged to the surface, the distant grasp of a memory...
{You'll be alone forever}
He saw her face.
This was not the underworld to which he had been sent, and inside the Gate of Shadows, the magic of the Gates of the Light was losing its grasp on his memories. Even if memories came only in flashes, they were enough.
{You'll be alone forever...}
No, he thought. I know what it means, now, to not be alone. You cannot take that away from me; I won't let you.
The voices of the Lurks continued to fight; they grasped at the shadows in his mind. But Squall Leonhart found, for the first time since his death, that there were places in his mind that were not swathed in shadow. He found that, with these as weapons, he could fight back.
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Zell Dincht wandered through the library, looking blankly at the vast array of books, feeling frustrated and impatient in the extreme.
Where was he supposed to start?
He had been going through the mythology section alphabetically, book by book, but he hadn't gotten anywhere with his research and he had long since discovered that going through the entire mythology section would be impossible - he didn't have the time. So how to narrow his search?
[Maybe I should knock over another bookshelf, and read the last book I pick up from the mess that will result.]
It was an idle thought; a joke. This was no time to go looking for pictures of cute girls.
But he couldn't shake the thought that the little book they'd found - despite being impossible to read - had been somehow very important, even beyond the picture Rinoa had thought was her dream alter-ego.
What had it said?
It was night. Zell had become somewhat nocturnal; the castle was more intimidating at night, but somehow less...evil. Somehow less of a symbol of what they'd lost.
Come on, Zell told himself firmly. Martial artists are known for being perceptive; we are constantly aware of our surroundings. We pick up every detail. We are never taken by surprise. So, with that in mind, what am I missing? What has gotten past me? What am I NOT aware of?
"Zell?" The voice was right in his ear.
"YAAAH!"
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He stumbled and fell in the darkness. He wasn't as extensively physically trained as the rest of them. After all, that hadn't been his specialty; it hadn't been his responsibility.
Every time he'd blown off PE instruction jumped to his mind. He'd been famous for being able to get out of classes and not get caught. Now, he would have given a lot to have had the foresight to go to every one of the classes that might have made this a little easier. He wished he could have made sure that he was better prepared. He wished he had known how things would turn out.
He wished a lot of things, he reminded himself. Wishing never worked. You just had to make the most of the resources available. And he had a responsibility now that he had no intention of skirting.
"Are you okay?" Her voice drifted back to him, almost imperceptible: slightly concerned, slightly annoyed.
"Yeah."
"Then for Hyne's sake, keep quiet!"
[Easy for her to say,] he thought. She probably had never skipped a class in her life. She did every other available activity; she seemed to have double the time - or double the efficiency - of a normal person.
But he picked his way through the scraggly brush after her, running through every curse word he knew in the back of his mind. He had quite an extensive vocabulary, he decided, when the situation didn't require decorum. The list lasted him all the way to her side, as she couched by the dark water of the moat.
"Okay," she said softly, "We're going to have to swim. Preferably underwater, 'cause we don't want to be seen - duh. Strap your weapon on your back and let's get going."
He paused, embarrassed both at what he was about to admit and at the fact that he hadn't thought of this problem beforehand. How could he have been so careless?
"I don't swim."
"Look, this isn't a good time to be fussy about your clothes, okay?"
"No, I don't know *how* to."
She goggled at him, as if she didn't understand the concept. She would have worn a similar expression if he had told her that he didn't know how to breathe.
"You couldn't have mentioned this earlier?"
"You didn't tell me we'd HAVE to!"
"Yeah, but...we're all supposed to be able to!"
"Says who?"
"Says the HANDBOOK!"
"There's a handbook?"
"How in Hyne's name did you pass the exam?"
"I slept with my teacher."
She looked, if at all possible, even more dumbstruck. "You WHAT?!"
He rolled his eyes. "I'm joking! But I'm still a student, anyway. Didn't you know that?"
"I forgot."
"Oh."
"Okay, okay. But we still have to get across that moat."
"Is there a way to do that which doesn't involve swimming?"
"No."
He paused, unsure about how to bring up something else that he should have questioned earlier. "Should we really be doing this? I mean, they're all our friends."
"Yeah, and they LEFT. Without saying a word to us. Or don't you remember?"
"Still, we should - "
"We don't have time for 'we should,' okay? If you want to back out and go trying to find the rest of the group, fine. That's your problem. But I'm gonna give this a try, no matter what."
"What if Ultimecia doesn't - "
Her voice was firm, determined. "We'll find a way to MAKE her, if she doesn't go along with our plan."
He shook his head, knowing this was pointless. He had never been able to argue with her; he had never been able to sidetrack her. As far as he knew, no one ever had. And he wasn't about to start trying; he liked her this way.
Too much, actually. He shook his head; he was such a wimp when it came to resisting women. Usually, it was the other way around - them not being able to resist him. So this was what it felt like on the other side. It was very...distracting.
She grinned up at him; it was the first time he'd seen her smile in so long. On anyone else, it would have seemed out of place. On her, it was like coming home. She looked so cute like that. So small, so delicate. He knew she wasn't.
Her smile stuck on her face, even if it wasn't too wide. She reached up and flicked the front of his hat up, just a little. It was another teasing gesture - another endearment. His heart turned over; he would follow her anywhere, no matter what the plan or the possible cost.
"Let's go get 'em, Cowboy," she said.
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It was only bits and pieces; he still couldn't really remember. But each time the Lurks' voices slammed a nightmare at him, his hidden memories of life lashed back with scenes he grasped only for a moment.
But each time, a moment was enough.
{You'll never find Rinoa}
I had a dream. It was a scary dream. We make a promise. We promise to see shooting stars together. I get dressed up and put on your ring. But the thing is, I can't remember where I'm supposed to meet you. I start to panic. I really want to see you, Squall, but I don't know where to go. I start running through the mountains, the desert, the plains...through Timber, Balamb, and Galbadia...when I realize I can't run any longer...I...I just want to see you so badly...So I scream, Squall, where are you?! Then I woke up. I was crying. I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything. I just felt like I had to tell you.
You couldn't find me because we hadn't promised yet...
{You'll never save Rinoa}
I've come this far because I've...fallen for you, Rinoa. Now...am I just supposed to let you go?
{You'll be alone forever}
What I'm trying to say is...it would be my honor...to have your company, your highness, in hope that I may get your mind off things. How about it, your highness?
{You lived a meaningless life}
Squall...when you jumped into space, you got me thinking. I wondered whether I could do something like that. You were like a hero.
{You died a meaningless death}
Did I save Rinoa?
{You saved her life...}
{No one regrets it}
I don't want the future. I want the present to stand still. I just want to stay here with you...
{You're worthless}
But now... Squall, you're the one who gives me the most comfort. Comfort and happiness... And annoyance and disappointment, too!
{You're not a SeeD}
Commander...
Don't call me that!
{You're not a person}
Squall...I'm a sorceress!
Even if you become the world's enemy...I'll be your knight.
{You're a forgotten failure}
If you think and worry too much, everything tends to turn out bad, Squall. Why don't we just picture a brighter future?
{Rinoa is dying and you can't help her}
The only thing I know is Rinoa. The only thing I want to do for sure right now is for Rinoa. We're going to get Rinoa back!
{She'll die in pain}
I'll protect you...
{She'll spend eternity in pain}
At this very minute, my bitter story has ended. I now understand there is an end, no matter how painful it may be. Therefore...Squall, you must fight to the end! Even though it may bring tragedy to others!
{It's all your fault...}
"It won't happen! I won't let it!" For an instant, Squall felt a weapon in his hand and reacted on instinct - he swung it in a wide arc, Lurks and pieces of Lurks falling away from him as violet light curved from the object in his hands, tearing them apart.
But there were so many...and when he looked down at his hand, whatever weapon might have been there was gone.
The Lurks were not coming closer, however. In fact, they were backing away in fear, looking to both sides and scrambling to get out of the way. They were afraid of something, but it wasn't him. It took almost no time at all for the bare, black world inside the Gate of Shadows - at least as far as Squall could see - to empty itself completely.
Shadows danced beyond his vision, and Squall turned in every direction, his chest tight with ominous foreboding.
What had frightened the Lurks that much? There had been thousands of them...
Footsteps moved toward him, and as he turned toward whatever was approaching, he was blinded by a sudden explosion of light.
A woman was coming toward him, out of the light. He could see her face; it was the face that flitted desperately through his mind ever since he had found himself alone in the land of the dead.
But it was impossible...
"Rinoa?"
She smiled, and reached up to touch his face, and everything went white.
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END OF PART 8
(Please review or email me at nakigoe_chan@hotmail.com. I respond to all emails.)
Irvine and Selphie are here. Yippee. Break out the confetti.
Okay, yeah. The April Fool's Day chapter. Some of you thought it was entertaining. Some of you wondered what the hell I might have been smoking when I decided to write that. (The answer: nothing. I've never touched a cigarette or drugs since the day I was born. High on life, baby!) I CAN promise you that it won't happen again...at least until next year.
And allow me to clarify: THEY WERE A JOKE. Squall will not go to fanfiction.net for eternal torment when this is over.
Quistis is NOT a total bitch. Ultimecia and Rinoa will not have a romantic relationship with each other - at least not in this fic.
Do not take anything you read in that chapter seriously. They were simply meant to make you laugh, and to exploit some of the stereotypes surrounding the characters in FF8 fanfiction in general. (Such as Quistis being a bitch, Rinoa being a ditz, etc.)
Review Responses:
2 lazy2sign in: I assume this means that you don't think I should have done the VSDs, although you didn't comment on the actual story. I'm not offended - I don't even see how your comment could be interpreted as mean. And since you didn't leave any indication of who you are, I don't really get why you're worried about it.
Keiry: I'm glad you found it entertaining. I hope your friend is okay. ^_^
Josh: Well, I'm a generally goofy person, so occasionally I need to let loose. This story is dark enough that I can't write it nonstop and not go psycho. Don't be a Quisty hater! I'm a Quisty lover! (Am I the only person in this fandom who thinks that both Rinoa and Quistis are cool?) And if I told you what I was doing with Squall, it would ruin the story! And, yes, again, I'm glad people read the RRs.
Maria Rosa Black: Zell didn't have much to say - yet. Sorry. But thanks!
Caleb Nova: Yes, yes, thanks. I really won't do that again. I have no intention of telling you to shut the hell up - I appreciate your advice. In fact, I generally prefer C & C to flat out-compliments; I know very well that I'm no pro. Why is the Ultimecia/Rinoa pairing what everyone commenting to me about? Perhaps I'll give that a whirl at some point, though not in this fic. Although there will be femmeslash/yuri, it won't be between any FF8 characters. The title of your fic frightens me. I'm tempted to check it out, though I haven't had much time to read fics in the longest time...[weep]
Pierson: Craziness is fun. ^_^
The Angel of the Lion: Thanks so much! And be careful of your head. Your fans will kill me if you knock yourself out and can't write anymore.
Anii-chan: Nah, I'll have time...the fic will take a looong time, but I have no intention of working on it exclusively. Gomen, mina-san. No, they weren't the point of views; they were just, in general, a joke. But I'm glad you liked it. I think I needed the comic relief in that chapter more than anyone else. Judging by the people who came after me with pitchforks. And rusty sporks.
CTHKSI: Thanks! The diaries of Squall and Ultimecia seemed to be the most popular. Of course, they took a little while whereas Quistis and Rinoa were just whipped off in five minutes.
dragonchic: It probably would have been "DIE SQUALL" up until day 4, then: "Squall died. Am depressed. No longer have anything to write in Very Secret Diary." I considered doing a diary for Seifer, but I couldn't think up anything entertaining enough. And yes. Why stop now? ^_^
Dee-whY-Cee-aRe: Thanks. ^_^
Vick330: Thanks a lot; the In-Between and the Gate of Shadows (and what lies beyond) will only get more complex. Waaah - I'm scared. I hope I don't screw it up.
Stine: If I write fanfic instead of doing schoolwork, then my parents will kill me, and you'll never know how DotL OR AY ends. BWAHAHAHA!
Darkstatic: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. ^_^
Aries: I didn't look at her hair that way either...at least until I did these. Well, actually that isn't completely true...
Serenity's Wings: It's one thing to get someone who doesn't like this kind of fic to like my story. It's a whole different level when I can get someone who doesn't like Squinoas. Wow. Thanks so much! And yes, I think all of us can identify with Quistis in that moment. ^_^
WANT TO READ SCENES FROM THE NEXT CHAPTER SOONER? Go to my livejournal, which I have on my bio page because it refuses to come up when I put it in here. Entire scenes more than a week early, spoilers, and links to character pics (such as Kaolinite, the unnamed lady in the first scene of this chapter, and the little girl in Rinoa's dreams) will be posted there. When I get around to it. And yes, if you had gone there, you could have read a little over two pages of this chapter early, plus the Irvine and Selphie scene. Ha. Speaking of the next chapter: in Of Truth, Deception, and Deliverance, we have... - much more Zell (along with another character we all know and love); - more Selphie and Irvine; - mysterious lady gets a name, a face-off, and a violin(?); - Rinoa wakes up alone in a VERY strange place; - Squall is a little iffy on the subject of reality; - ...and Quistis sees a softer side of Seifer.
Until then...ja ne, and REVIEW!
~ nakigoe-chan
1) Attempted to post "Web" Friday *before* last; stupid fecking computer refused to format HTML, thus the paragraphs stretched off to the right ad infinitum.
2) Wrote X-men: Evolution fanfic. Remembered my otaku status and crawled into a hole forever and died, which is the appropriate penance.
3) Bought my way out of hole by writing appropriately dark and philosophical Sword of Truth fanfic, which is not anime but fantasy, but it will have to do.
4) On Friday, decided to post the stupid DotL chapter in Word Document format, despite the fact that the Squall scenes would not be italicized.
5) Discovered that in Word, format messed up in the sense that the entire chapter was one loooong paragraph.
6) Hit head on wall.
7) Decided to just post DotL chapter, X-Men: Evolution fanfic, and Sword of Truth fanfic. Whatever.
8) Discovered that Sword of Truth fanfic and X-men: Evolution fanfic had been left at home. Swore extensively.
9) Nanced off to write AY. Never had these kinds of issues with Ranma fics.
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Selphie: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, friends and fans of all ages: we bid you all a fond farewell. We will no longer be in the author's notes.
Irvine: On the plus side, we'll soon be in the actual fic. [cue applause]
Selphie: That's the plus side. On the minus side, there will now be no one to prevent nakigoe-chan from throwing us all into another April Fool's Day fiasco next year.
Irvine: Oh, the torture we fanfic characters endure for the sake of art! Assuming, of course, that this fic can even be counted as art.
nakigoe-chan: I'm right HERE, you know.
Selphie: Don't remind us. We might kill you.
Irvine: Do not fear, gentle readers; we have no intention of abandoning the Author's Notes entirely to nakigoe-chan.
Selphie: That would be cruel and unusual punishment. VERY unusual. And very cruel.
nakigoe-chan: One would think I would be able to control characters that I'm writing. Apparently not.
Selphie: So you will be visited by the muses from the various OTHER obsessions of nakigoe-chan! Mostly because she has fun with this.
Irvine: The Final Fantasy VIII muses are actually Quistis, Edea, and Ultimecia...
Selphie: ...but they're busy with the fic and as such unavailable.
Irvine: And Quistis probably couldn't offer much by way of commentary right now, anyway.
nakigoe-chan: Oh please, as if YOU care about what she SAYS.
Selphie: You can expect visits from Mireille Bouquet from Noir, Nabiki Tendo from Ranma ½, Meiko Akizuki from Marmalade Boy, General Beatrix from Final Fantasy IX, the Weasley Twins (if you don't know where they're from you are VERY deprived), Yukino from Kare Kano, Spike from Buffy, Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop, Miroku from InuYasha, Pant -
Pantyhose Tarou: DON'T CALL ME BY THAT NAME!
Irvine: Can't we just get the Outers?
Selphie: They're busy. Maybe we should just bring in the original muses.
nakigoe-chan: Nakigoe and Raiu? No way! Nakigoe has my name! People will get all confused.
Irvine: First of all, you named yourself after her, because you were too lazy to think up your own penname.
Selphie: Yeah, it isn't like she's based on you.
nakigoe-chan: Well, of course. I hate self-inserts. It's just a cool name! It means "Song of the [wild] creatures" in Japanese.
Selphie: Yes, yes, we KNOW that already. You've told us a million times.
Irvine: Second of all, they pretty much rule the rather questionable kingdom of your imagination, so they're in the best position to be in charge.
nakigoe-chan: Third of all, if people will insist upon spelling MY name with a capital 'N' they deserve to be confused.
Selphie: Isn't that a little harsh? After that April Fool's Day thing, I think we should just rename you 'Stupid Bloody Git' and leave it at that.
nakigoe-chan: Could you let that GO, already?
Irvine: Loyal readers: we bid you Adieu. We hope you enjoy our debut.
nakigoe-chan: If you're going to rhyme, I'm going to kill you off. Just warning you.
Actual, legitimate notes from nakigoe-chan:
1) I own nothing but the plotline of this story.
2) HUGE thanks to Xenogears and Sab-chan: it is through their advice that this story is not a grammatical mess. They are two very cool people.
3) This chapter goes out to Sarah, who is not as content with her current story as she deserves to be. We love ya, Raion-chan!
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THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
Chapter 8: The Web of Lost Souls
By: nakigoe-chan
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Angelus: Now that's everything, huh? No weapons... No friends...No hope. Take all that away... and what's left?
Buffy: Me.
- From Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Becoming, Part II
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[She is coming for me, then. Am I really the weakest link?]
Pluto had warned her, once; that warning seemed so long ago. But all the same, how could she have forgotten?
The truth was, she hadn't forgotten. She had been waiting for this for centuries - all the centuries she had been imprisoned for serving a Queen in captivity. She was surprised, every time she awoke, that she still lived. She had prowled the halls of her empty prison night after night, expecting to find death just around every corner she turned.
She had known that she was immortal since she was only sixteen. She had known since the day she had been chosen to bear the cross of a soldier. But she had willingly borne that cross, because she believed in what she was fighting for and because immortality was shared among them all.
Immortality was not supposed to be so lonely.
She found herself in the tower. Her favorite room: the room she studiously avoided and yet was helplessly drawn to at times like these. The sound of the waterfalls that ringed it lulled her and mocked her by turn. They had once brought her such joy; now they were merely another reminder of how alone she was. How alone she'd always be.
[Have I given up hope that easily? We were never supposed to give up, no matter how bad things were. I must truly be the weakest.]
But this was an unfair test. The other two of her kind never doubted; the other two had always been closer to the Queen. The other two could believe ceaselessly in the true Queen, despite their imprisonment, because the Queen had always believed in them. She, alone in her tower, knew the Queen - wherever she was - still loved her, still believed in her.
But never quite as much as all eight of the others. And everyone knew it.
[The least favorite of the senshi...]
She had never thought of it that way before. In all the centuries of despair, she thought that she was guarded against pain and shame. But no, here it was again; could she no longer hope because her Queen had abandoned her?
The mirror lay on the table in the center of the room.
Her Talisman. It was the key to finding any information she sought; it was her window to the world outside.
She had not touched it in over three hundred years.
She stood looking down at it, contemplating it. She considered using it now. She had never thought that she would use it again; she had never thought that a reason would arise. She had, in truth, given up hope so long ago.
She had not had the courage to see her reflection in it, for it showed nothing but truth, and truth was too painful. She had not looked in any mirror for hundreds and hundreds of years; she would cower before her own gaze.
She reached out her hand, her fingers extended - but she couldn't bring herself to touch it.
She caught her reflection in it, though. She laughed to herself. She was still immortal, still beautiful. It was not vanity that brought this thought about, but mere observation. And it was saturated with truth. She was beautiful. Someone had once told her that she was the most beautiful of the senshi, the most striking. She had brushed it off, modestly.
Uranus had laughed, and had said in that cocky, joking voice full of sincerity: Ain't it the truth.
She could remember a time when she believed nothing that Uranus didn't tell her.
[Uranus...]
She bit back the pain of that memory. In all her years, it hadn't become any easier to forget the brash, blonde senshi that knew her better than anyone else.
Would Uranus even recognize her now?
Her face hadn't changed in forever; she looked no more than twenty, but she was nearly a thousand years old. She woke up every day, hoping that if she ran her hands over her face she would find wrinkles there. But her features were always still perfect.
Her eyes, though...they were so different, so much older. She did not recognize them herself; doubtlessly Uranus would not. She was no longer the woman Uranus had cared for. For centuries of hope, she had believed that they would be together again. Now, the concept frightened her - for how could Uranus ever love the shell that she had become?
The second thought rose, unbidden: [Even Uranus never loved you, not above all others. Not the way you loved her. Her first loyalty was to someone else.]
Her hand came up, briefly blocking her view of what the mirror held as she brushed a strand of wavy aqua hair away from her eyes.
It did not change what the mirror held. The mirror - this mirror, at least - never lied. But at least she couldn't see clearly what it held anymore; tears were terribly useful when it came to blurring vision. How long had it been since she had last cried?
She had probably cried the day her hope had fallen away, broken into so many silver slivers like a smashed mirror.
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor behind her, and she reminded herself that this was no time for tears.
[She's already here?]
She found herself almost afraid of the death she knew was coming. But that was silly; there was no reason to stay here. Death would be a release from this prison. Her eyes were dry again.
She turned to face her captor.
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"You told me that you wanted my help for this," Seifer said, obviously furious. "You did NOT tell me that you're a psycho."
This would not be easy to explain. "I'm NOT a psycho."
"Oh, well that completely gets rid of the problem, now doesn't it? YOU are not a psycho, your alter ego is, and you periodically turn into her and try to kill people, but we're all safe because it's not YOU."
I flinched back; his words certainly struck a cord with me. Were they safe from me? Not if I got angry again, probably.
What if Seifer had never shown up? A tiny little voice surfaced in the back of my brain. Would you have been able to stop yourself from killing Quistis?
"I..." I floundered hopelessly. I had no words, no defense. "It's not what you think."
"Really? Lemme tell you what I think, after what you've told me. You have some sort of spiritual connection to Ultimecia, and the magic that binds you to her is stronger than you are. Why should we even trust you enough to turn our backs on you? Look at those scars on Quistis's face, and THEN tell me we can believe in you."
Quistis poked him in the shoulder. He turned to her, and she gave him a pointed look and poked him again, in the middle of the chest, before raising her eyebrows.
The message was clear: Well, why should we believe in YOU?
"I was BEWITCHED!" Seifer exploded, sounding somewhat silly.
Quistis looked pointedly at me, then back at him. (And she isn't?)
"It's DIFFERENT! You guys weren't stupid enough to TRUST me, back then!"
I was feeling smaller and smaller. I really hadn't thought the possible risks of this plan through, had I?
Seifer could obviously tell, and was obviously not in the mood to be sympathetic. "Plan's off. I've had enough of the psycho sorceress routine. I don't make the same mistake twice."
Quistis heaved a big sigh and pulled my arm, dragging me away from Seifer and deeper into the forest. We were leaving Seifer behind? Just like that?
"She'll KILL you, Trepe!"
Quistis kept walking casually through the forest. A little *too* casually.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Quistis continued to ignore him.
There was the sound of a loud, exasperated snort from behind us and then the sound of someone stamping closer.
"Fine," Seifer said as he caught up to us, his mouth set in a thin, irritated line. "I'll come, just to make sure you don't kill Trepe. See, since she was my teacher, if she dies it's now HER fault for not doing her job well enough."
Quistis smirked at me, and I grinned back. I was somewhat embarrassed that she was more effective when it came to argument or trickery than I was despite the fact that she couldn't talk, but I was relieved to have both of them with me.
But I had only a moment to appreciate it, before the world around me fell away into a darkness beyond even that of my subconscious.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
They were all around him, their voices pulling him down into the shadows. The Gate of Shadows; he had wondered at the name. Was this what it meant? Despite it all, he thought not.
{You'll never find Rinoa you'll never save Rinoa you'll be alone forever you lived a meaningless life you died a meaningless death and no one regrets it you're worthless you're not a SeeD you're not a person you're a forgotten failure Rinoa is dying and you can't help her she'll die in pain she'll spend eternity in pain it's all your fault...}
No. No, no, no...
He had no weapon; he had no way to fight them. If he had had his gunblade, or his magic, or a GF, they would be nothing before him. They would be the helpless ones, not he. He would have been able to destroy them in a minute.
But he was defenseless.
{You'll never find Rinoa}
And more than anything, he feared their words would stay even when they vanished. They were, as Julia had told him, his own fears, his own nightmares.
{You'll never save Rinoa}
How could he possibly save someone who was still alive if he was already dead? This was a fool's quest to begin with; it had to be.
{You'll be alone forever}
Ah, but this was something he'd always known. This was something he'd accepted long ago, something he'd chosen. This wasn't something they could hurt him with. It was what he wanted.
{You'll be alone forever}
Wasn't it?
{You'll be alone forever}
A flash, in the back of his mind, of those hazel eyes. And, dragged to the surface, the distant grasp of a memory...
{You'll be alone forever}
He saw her face.
This was not the underworld to which he had been sent, and inside the Gate of Shadows, the magic of the Gates of the Light was losing its grasp on his memories. Even if memories came only in flashes, they were enough.
{You'll be alone forever...}
No, he thought. I know what it means, now, to not be alone. You cannot take that away from me; I won't let you.
The voices of the Lurks continued to fight; they grasped at the shadows in his mind. But Squall Leonhart found, for the first time since his death, that there were places in his mind that were not swathed in shadow. He found that, with these as weapons, he could fight back.
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Zell Dincht wandered through the library, looking blankly at the vast array of books, feeling frustrated and impatient in the extreme.
Where was he supposed to start?
He had been going through the mythology section alphabetically, book by book, but he hadn't gotten anywhere with his research and he had long since discovered that going through the entire mythology section would be impossible - he didn't have the time. So how to narrow his search?
[Maybe I should knock over another bookshelf, and read the last book I pick up from the mess that will result.]
It was an idle thought; a joke. This was no time to go looking for pictures of cute girls.
But he couldn't shake the thought that the little book they'd found - despite being impossible to read - had been somehow very important, even beyond the picture Rinoa had thought was her dream alter-ego.
What had it said?
It was night. Zell had become somewhat nocturnal; the castle was more intimidating at night, but somehow less...evil. Somehow less of a symbol of what they'd lost.
Come on, Zell told himself firmly. Martial artists are known for being perceptive; we are constantly aware of our surroundings. We pick up every detail. We are never taken by surprise. So, with that in mind, what am I missing? What has gotten past me? What am I NOT aware of?
"Zell?" The voice was right in his ear.
"YAAAH!"
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He stumbled and fell in the darkness. He wasn't as extensively physically trained as the rest of them. After all, that hadn't been his specialty; it hadn't been his responsibility.
Every time he'd blown off PE instruction jumped to his mind. He'd been famous for being able to get out of classes and not get caught. Now, he would have given a lot to have had the foresight to go to every one of the classes that might have made this a little easier. He wished he could have made sure that he was better prepared. He wished he had known how things would turn out.
He wished a lot of things, he reminded himself. Wishing never worked. You just had to make the most of the resources available. And he had a responsibility now that he had no intention of skirting.
"Are you okay?" Her voice drifted back to him, almost imperceptible: slightly concerned, slightly annoyed.
"Yeah."
"Then for Hyne's sake, keep quiet!"
[Easy for her to say,] he thought. She probably had never skipped a class in her life. She did every other available activity; she seemed to have double the time - or double the efficiency - of a normal person.
But he picked his way through the scraggly brush after her, running through every curse word he knew in the back of his mind. He had quite an extensive vocabulary, he decided, when the situation didn't require decorum. The list lasted him all the way to her side, as she couched by the dark water of the moat.
"Okay," she said softly, "We're going to have to swim. Preferably underwater, 'cause we don't want to be seen - duh. Strap your weapon on your back and let's get going."
He paused, embarrassed both at what he was about to admit and at the fact that he hadn't thought of this problem beforehand. How could he have been so careless?
"I don't swim."
"Look, this isn't a good time to be fussy about your clothes, okay?"
"No, I don't know *how* to."
She goggled at him, as if she didn't understand the concept. She would have worn a similar expression if he had told her that he didn't know how to breathe.
"You couldn't have mentioned this earlier?"
"You didn't tell me we'd HAVE to!"
"Yeah, but...we're all supposed to be able to!"
"Says who?"
"Says the HANDBOOK!"
"There's a handbook?"
"How in Hyne's name did you pass the exam?"
"I slept with my teacher."
She looked, if at all possible, even more dumbstruck. "You WHAT?!"
He rolled his eyes. "I'm joking! But I'm still a student, anyway. Didn't you know that?"
"I forgot."
"Oh."
"Okay, okay. But we still have to get across that moat."
"Is there a way to do that which doesn't involve swimming?"
"No."
He paused, unsure about how to bring up something else that he should have questioned earlier. "Should we really be doing this? I mean, they're all our friends."
"Yeah, and they LEFT. Without saying a word to us. Or don't you remember?"
"Still, we should - "
"We don't have time for 'we should,' okay? If you want to back out and go trying to find the rest of the group, fine. That's your problem. But I'm gonna give this a try, no matter what."
"What if Ultimecia doesn't - "
Her voice was firm, determined. "We'll find a way to MAKE her, if she doesn't go along with our plan."
He shook his head, knowing this was pointless. He had never been able to argue with her; he had never been able to sidetrack her. As far as he knew, no one ever had. And he wasn't about to start trying; he liked her this way.
Too much, actually. He shook his head; he was such a wimp when it came to resisting women. Usually, it was the other way around - them not being able to resist him. So this was what it felt like on the other side. It was very...distracting.
She grinned up at him; it was the first time he'd seen her smile in so long. On anyone else, it would have seemed out of place. On her, it was like coming home. She looked so cute like that. So small, so delicate. He knew she wasn't.
Her smile stuck on her face, even if it wasn't too wide. She reached up and flicked the front of his hat up, just a little. It was another teasing gesture - another endearment. His heart turned over; he would follow her anywhere, no matter what the plan or the possible cost.
"Let's go get 'em, Cowboy," she said.
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It was only bits and pieces; he still couldn't really remember. But each time the Lurks' voices slammed a nightmare at him, his hidden memories of life lashed back with scenes he grasped only for a moment.
But each time, a moment was enough.
{You'll never find Rinoa}
I had a dream. It was a scary dream. We make a promise. We promise to see shooting stars together. I get dressed up and put on your ring. But the thing is, I can't remember where I'm supposed to meet you. I start to panic. I really want to see you, Squall, but I don't know where to go. I start running through the mountains, the desert, the plains...through Timber, Balamb, and Galbadia...when I realize I can't run any longer...I...I just want to see you so badly...So I scream, Squall, where are you?! Then I woke up. I was crying. I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything. I just felt like I had to tell you.
You couldn't find me because we hadn't promised yet...
{You'll never save Rinoa}
I've come this far because I've...fallen for you, Rinoa. Now...am I just supposed to let you go?
{You'll be alone forever}
What I'm trying to say is...it would be my honor...to have your company, your highness, in hope that I may get your mind off things. How about it, your highness?
{You lived a meaningless life}
Squall...when you jumped into space, you got me thinking. I wondered whether I could do something like that. You were like a hero.
{You died a meaningless death}
Did I save Rinoa?
{You saved her life...}
{No one regrets it}
I don't want the future. I want the present to stand still. I just want to stay here with you...
{You're worthless}
But now... Squall, you're the one who gives me the most comfort. Comfort and happiness... And annoyance and disappointment, too!
{You're not a SeeD}
Commander...
Don't call me that!
{You're not a person}
Squall...I'm a sorceress!
Even if you become the world's enemy...I'll be your knight.
{You're a forgotten failure}
If you think and worry too much, everything tends to turn out bad, Squall. Why don't we just picture a brighter future?
{Rinoa is dying and you can't help her}
The only thing I know is Rinoa. The only thing I want to do for sure right now is for Rinoa. We're going to get Rinoa back!
{She'll die in pain}
I'll protect you...
{She'll spend eternity in pain}
At this very minute, my bitter story has ended. I now understand there is an end, no matter how painful it may be. Therefore...Squall, you must fight to the end! Even though it may bring tragedy to others!
{It's all your fault...}
"It won't happen! I won't let it!" For an instant, Squall felt a weapon in his hand and reacted on instinct - he swung it in a wide arc, Lurks and pieces of Lurks falling away from him as violet light curved from the object in his hands, tearing them apart.
But there were so many...and when he looked down at his hand, whatever weapon might have been there was gone.
The Lurks were not coming closer, however. In fact, they were backing away in fear, looking to both sides and scrambling to get out of the way. They were afraid of something, but it wasn't him. It took almost no time at all for the bare, black world inside the Gate of Shadows - at least as far as Squall could see - to empty itself completely.
Shadows danced beyond his vision, and Squall turned in every direction, his chest tight with ominous foreboding.
What had frightened the Lurks that much? There had been thousands of them...
Footsteps moved toward him, and as he turned toward whatever was approaching, he was blinded by a sudden explosion of light.
A woman was coming toward him, out of the light. He could see her face; it was the face that flitted desperately through his mind ever since he had found himself alone in the land of the dead.
But it was impossible...
"Rinoa?"
She smiled, and reached up to touch his face, and everything went white.
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END OF PART 8
(Please review or email me at nakigoe_chan@hotmail.com. I respond to all emails.)
Irvine and Selphie are here. Yippee. Break out the confetti.
Okay, yeah. The April Fool's Day chapter. Some of you thought it was entertaining. Some of you wondered what the hell I might have been smoking when I decided to write that. (The answer: nothing. I've never touched a cigarette or drugs since the day I was born. High on life, baby!) I CAN promise you that it won't happen again...at least until next year.
And allow me to clarify: THEY WERE A JOKE. Squall will not go to fanfiction.net for eternal torment when this is over.
Quistis is NOT a total bitch. Ultimecia and Rinoa will not have a romantic relationship with each other - at least not in this fic.
Do not take anything you read in that chapter seriously. They were simply meant to make you laugh, and to exploit some of the stereotypes surrounding the characters in FF8 fanfiction in general. (Such as Quistis being a bitch, Rinoa being a ditz, etc.)
Review Responses:
2 lazy2sign in: I assume this means that you don't think I should have done the VSDs, although you didn't comment on the actual story. I'm not offended - I don't even see how your comment could be interpreted as mean. And since you didn't leave any indication of who you are, I don't really get why you're worried about it.
Keiry: I'm glad you found it entertaining. I hope your friend is okay. ^_^
Josh: Well, I'm a generally goofy person, so occasionally I need to let loose. This story is dark enough that I can't write it nonstop and not go psycho. Don't be a Quisty hater! I'm a Quisty lover! (Am I the only person in this fandom who thinks that both Rinoa and Quistis are cool?) And if I told you what I was doing with Squall, it would ruin the story! And, yes, again, I'm glad people read the RRs.
Maria Rosa Black: Zell didn't have much to say - yet. Sorry. But thanks!
Caleb Nova: Yes, yes, thanks. I really won't do that again. I have no intention of telling you to shut the hell up - I appreciate your advice. In fact, I generally prefer C & C to flat out-compliments; I know very well that I'm no pro. Why is the Ultimecia/Rinoa pairing what everyone commenting to me about? Perhaps I'll give that a whirl at some point, though not in this fic. Although there will be femmeslash/yuri, it won't be between any FF8 characters. The title of your fic frightens me. I'm tempted to check it out, though I haven't had much time to read fics in the longest time...[weep]
Pierson: Craziness is fun. ^_^
The Angel of the Lion: Thanks so much! And be careful of your head. Your fans will kill me if you knock yourself out and can't write anymore.
Anii-chan: Nah, I'll have time...the fic will take a looong time, but I have no intention of working on it exclusively. Gomen, mina-san. No, they weren't the point of views; they were just, in general, a joke. But I'm glad you liked it. I think I needed the comic relief in that chapter more than anyone else. Judging by the people who came after me with pitchforks. And rusty sporks.
CTHKSI: Thanks! The diaries of Squall and Ultimecia seemed to be the most popular. Of course, they took a little while whereas Quistis and Rinoa were just whipped off in five minutes.
dragonchic: It probably would have been "DIE SQUALL" up until day 4, then: "Squall died. Am depressed. No longer have anything to write in Very Secret Diary." I considered doing a diary for Seifer, but I couldn't think up anything entertaining enough. And yes. Why stop now? ^_^
Dee-whY-Cee-aRe: Thanks. ^_^
Vick330: Thanks a lot; the In-Between and the Gate of Shadows (and what lies beyond) will only get more complex. Waaah - I'm scared. I hope I don't screw it up.
Stine: If I write fanfic instead of doing schoolwork, then my parents will kill me, and you'll never know how DotL OR AY ends. BWAHAHAHA!
Darkstatic: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. ^_^
Aries: I didn't look at her hair that way either...at least until I did these. Well, actually that isn't completely true...
Serenity's Wings: It's one thing to get someone who doesn't like this kind of fic to like my story. It's a whole different level when I can get someone who doesn't like Squinoas. Wow. Thanks so much! And yes, I think all of us can identify with Quistis in that moment. ^_^
WANT TO READ SCENES FROM THE NEXT CHAPTER SOONER? Go to my livejournal, which I have on my bio page because it refuses to come up when I put it in here. Entire scenes more than a week early, spoilers, and links to character pics (such as Kaolinite, the unnamed lady in the first scene of this chapter, and the little girl in Rinoa's dreams) will be posted there. When I get around to it. And yes, if you had gone there, you could have read a little over two pages of this chapter early, plus the Irvine and Selphie scene. Ha. Speaking of the next chapter: in Of Truth, Deception, and Deliverance, we have... - much more Zell (along with another character we all know and love); - more Selphie and Irvine; - mysterious lady gets a name, a face-off, and a violin(?); - Rinoa wakes up alone in a VERY strange place; - Squall is a little iffy on the subject of reality; - ...and Quistis sees a softer side of Seifer.
Until then...ja ne, and REVIEW!
~ nakigoe-chan