Ch.5: Something's Wrong...
Zell could feel all the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. At first glance the tomb is a sight of immense beauty and awe, it as though it has an ethereal glow around it. But that is only on the outside, as soon as you step into its hollow halls, a feeling of dread will corrode your body, as it had done for Zell.
It was frightfully cold inside, despite the seamlessly endless array of sunshine. The splintered walls were damp through the narrow corridors and seemed to ooze a strange sticky substance from them, almost like the walls themselves were crying out in pain.
A slight trickle of a stream swept along the sides of each hallway, making the journey even more "enjoyable." A dark ominous eerie sensation flowed throughout this strange place.
Zell pulled his gloves on tighter and prepared himself. He realized he was lagging behind a bit, and hurriedly caught up.
Suddenly a horrendous cackle erupted from the next bend.
Squall whipped around to face his team. "Alright guys, here we go, get ready!" Squall commanded with a nod.
Simultaneously Zell and Quistis return the nod. They head around the bend only to encounter a massive Behemoth dominating the hall. Almost involuntarily the three warriors enter battle formation, Squall in the middle with the two blondes at his outer perimeter.
The Behemoth's massive roar reverberated off the walls making it even more excruciating to Zell's ears. Zell's hand flew up to his ears desperately trying to drowned out this ear piercing sound. Finally he couldn't take it anymore; he rushed in for the first strike. He ran in with incredible speed, and reared back his fist.
"Zell wait!" Squall reprimanded, but it was too late.
As Zell's fist was about to plunge deep within the abdomen of the creature before him, he was caught completely off guard and with one swipe of the creature's immense tail Zell was slammed against the concrete wall with horrific force.
"AHHH!" Zell's screamed seemed to be devoid of all sound, all that could be heard was a sickening when he hit the wall. Zell slumped on the floor and immediately gasped for air.
Quistis rushed to his side, "Zell are you ok?" Her voice was worried and in a panic.
Zell knew at least two or three of his ribs were broken because of the torturous pain he felt every time he breathed. "I'm…fine…" Zell managed, despite the shear agony.
Zell's head began to throb and his once lively and bright azure eyes dulled and glazed over. A sharp ringing entered Zell's ears, he thought he could hear Quistis say something, but it seemed mumbled.
Then all at once an intense pain ripped through his chest, and the sickening crack made its presence known once again. Zell could feel his chest expand and then return to normal size, and after a few moments the pain was gone all that was left was a warm sensation cascading over his body.
Zell took in a deep breath, this time with no pain, he was relieved, but soon remembered he was in the middle of a battle.
'Shit!´ Zell cursed himself for his inattentiveness.
"Zell did Curaga work?" Quistis questioned her use of magic.
"Yeah thanks, I owe you one." Zell hastily replied, as a feeling of embarrassment swept over him.
Squall was the next one to rush the colossal beast, and with a quick slash, Squall delivered a final blow. In its final moments the Behemoth let out an excruciating screech, before laying lifeless and slowly evaporating into a pile of nothingness.
Squall whipped around and glared at Zell. "Zell what were you thinking rushing in there like that! It was very reckless and you could have endangered the rest of the team! Get it together, or else!" Squall harshly scorned Zell.
"I…I'm sorry, but the ear piercing ringing noise. It just made me freak…I…I'm sorry." Zell apologized as his gaze fell to the floor beneath him, afraid that if he made eye contact with Squall it would only make things worse.
"ZELL! What in Hyne are you talking about, there was no ringing noise! Now be responsible and just admit that you rushed in foolishly, don't make ridiculous excuses!" Squall lashed out at the young blonde.
Zell jumped back, completely surprised. "What! Don't tell me you didn't hear it, I mean it almost drove me mad!"
Just as Squall was about to lecture Zell, Quistis jumped in the middle of them. "Hey! You two cut it out this instant, we are on the same team here, now just relax, it was an honest mistake, now we have a job to do." Quistis stern voice overpowered the two males and they gave in.
"Whatever…" Squall's usual reply came forth, as he turned back around and continued on his way.
Zell trudge along quietly, with his thoughts constantly questioning him.
"Dammit! What in Hyne is wrong with me? I should have been able to take on two Behemoth's at once without even a scratch to show for it! Maybe it's just nerves, I mean Quistis is my girlfriend now, and I do want to impress her…I guess I might not be concentrating fully…"
Zell's troublesome thoughts were interrupted.
"Zell are you ok?" Quistis questioned worriedly.
'Damn…that same question…' "Of course, I guess I'm just a little rusty." Zell answered with a phony grin curled on his lips.
"Ok, don't worry about Squall, he didn't mean to yell at you, he is just worried about Galbadia." Quistis said soothingly.
"Yeah…I know." Zell responded dejectedly.
The two blondes pick up there pace, and caught back up with their commander.
'I…just hope I am only out of practice, and I'm not fully concentrating…' Zell became lost in his thoughts only to be interrupted by that same feeling of dread, muddling in the pit of his stomach.
His body grew extremely hot and his breathing became shallow. He could feel the sweat trickle down his forehead, into his eyes, stinging them, making it difficult to see.
'Damn, what is wrong with…me…' Zell staggered and placed a steadying hand on the battered wall to his right.
Luckily he noticed Squall suddenly stop. Squall turned around with a finger to his lips warning everyone to keep silent.
Only a few seconds later a Torama burst around the corner and leaped at Squall. Effortlessly Squall shifted his body weight just enough for the creature to glide pass him.
Quistis let out a small squeak only because the suddenness of it all spooked her. Zell was still leaned up against the wall panting heavily, his eyes glazed over and his vision blurred, but it was though he was witnessing everything in slow motion.
'What is going on?' Zell went to take a step forward, but his knee immediately buckled under the strain.
Zell heard another scream from Quistis, but this time it was because she was being attacked by the beast. The Torama went in for another attack and dove towards Quistis, who was still recovering from the last strike.
Zell's shadowy vision instantly cleared and his body shifted into autopilot. He sprang up and dove towards Quistis, wrapping his arms around her waist and effectively pushing her out of the way of the attack.
The cat-like beast landed only a few feet behind Zell, but instantly turned and leaped at Zell. Zell quickly reacted with a devastating punch to the beast's midsection. A thunderous roar emanated from the beast, as Zell's fist plunged deep within its abdomen, scouring for a critical strike. The Torama spinned in mid air and landed on his feet, as though the attack barely phased it.
'What, how can that be, I connected cleanly, he should be a pile of rotting flesh by now! What is wrong with me?' Zell ripped through his mind searching for any explanation for this anomaly concerning his fighting skills.
Squall lets out an aggravated sigh. He looks over to see Quistis kneeling on the ground drinking a potion, and Zell also on the ground. Just as Squall was about to rush the creatures' back, he feels all the muscles in his body tense, almost to the point of paralysis.
He tries to move, but his movements are sluggish and awkward. "Dammit, I've been hit with a slow spell!" Squall cursed the others for making him let his guard down and focus on them.
The Torama whips around and stares at Zell. Suddenly Zell could feel pressure, immense pressure all round his entire body. His vision goes black; he is staring into a void of nothingness. His ears pop as the pressure increases to immense proportions. He can feel the air from his lungs being sucked from his body, then all at once pain erupts throughout his body as a blinding light surrounds him.
Tiny cuts rip throughout his skin, and blood sluggishly falls from his wounds.
'Damn, it was…Demi…I…I can't move, but I have too!' Zell's mind wills his body to stand. Zell manages to balance on wobbly legs, his back is hunched over and his arms are hanging limply at his sides.
He looks over and sees Quistis is finally back to normal after drinking a potion, but he can't see Squall. He frantically searches for his commander, and finally notices a glimmer of sunlight reflecting off his necklace. He peers through the dark shadows and sees that Squall is lying on the ground and it is as though his is paralyzed, he is barely moving.
"Quistis, go help Squall! He has been hit with some sort of spell!" Zell yells to his teammate and once again focuses on the opponent in front of him.
'Damn, if I cast a spell now, the Torama is likely to dodge it; there is only one chance left. I…I just hope I can do it…' Zell's thoughts were shattered as beast began charging forward with incredibly speed.
"Here we go, it's NOW OR NEVER!" Zell's body erupts with a fierce energy. He slams his foot on the ground startling the cat-like being before him, as he feels the burning sensation flow throughout his body. Zell's blood feels as if it is on fire, his fists clench tight.
Zell's eyes burst open and he rushes his opponent with a flurry of combos, he starts by connecting solidly with his punch rush combo, and immediately lifts his right leg high in the air and slams it down hard on the skull of the Torama for his patented heel drop technique. He jumps back and summons the remainder of his strength for one final attack; he cocks his waist and pulls back his right fist as far as it will go. Then with the Torama still dazed from the flurry of attacks Zell leaps forward off his right foot, and unwinds with his Meteor Barret punch. His fist slices right through the beast, sending it back to whatever hell it came from.
Zell lands on the other side of the rotting corps, he collapses to one knees and sweat pours from his face mingling with the water from the damp tiles below. His ears perk up as he hears a loud crash come from the next corner.
"That's where Squall and Quistis are!" Zell stands up and goes to run forward, but after a couple of feet, his balance wavers and he falls to the ground.
"Dammit! Curaga!" Zell's yell calls forth a mythical healing spell. A familiar warm sensation caresses his injuries and lessons the pain to a slight throbbing. Zell's breathing regulated and his eyes became focused once more.
He was able to stand on his own free will now, without having to worry about collapsing. He races towards the noise of the crash, and finds an Iron Giant lay on the ground before him disassembled.
He looks over and sees that Quistis has already effectively cured Squall and she seemed to be fine as well. Zell steps over the rusted metal before it disintegrates, and rejoins his friends.
"If we keep going like this, we aren't going to have enough cure magic or items to last throughout the mission!" Squall warned with a disgusted look on his face. "Zell, Quistis either you two get it together, or we are all going to fail this mission! Not to mention the peace of Balamb and the rest of the world!" Squall spit venomously at the two blondes.
"Hey Squall, don't take this out on us alright! Yeah I messed up, but it's Quistis' fault! Plus yelling at us isn't going to make the situation any better." Zell's hot temper roared back. "Plus we weren't the only ones in trouble." Zell spat, pointing an accusing finger at Squall.
Squall let out an angry sigh and kept moving forward. Quistis and Zell kept their distance only a couple feet behind Squall, they would like to be further away from their stressed leader, but they didn't want him to get caught in an ambush.
After several more tough battles, and several more Squall lectures they finally made it to the center.
"We will wait here for the others to arrive, no sense in going in ahead of them." Squall informed, and then went back to being silent, with his arms crossed in front of him, tapping the Lion Heart on his shoulder impatiently.
Zell and Quistis both kept their gaze on the ground, not wanting to disturb the silence that shadowed them, so they wouldn't give away their position, and so they wouldn't upset Squall anymore than he already was.
It didn't take long for Zell to become lost in his thoughts once more.
'What is Hyne is wrong with me? First my attacks seem to be useless and then, my body is completely out of shape, what could the problem be? I just hope I can make it through the rest of the mission without…' Zell snapped back to reality upon hearing a certain perky voice.
"Eww…Icky!" Selphie cringed as she was splattered with Imp blood.
"Oh calm down Sefie, it isn't going to kill you." Came Irvine's mocking tone.
A few seconds later their silhouettes shot out from the bend. The seemingly endless cracks of sunlight that spewed from the ceiling cast just enough light for Irvine's team to come in contact with Squall's team.
"Hey guys! Did you have a pleasant hunting?" Irvine excitedly questioned.
When he didn't receive a response he frowned and looked at Selphie, but his gaze was quickly averted as a bubbly Rinoa burst through his line of vision and flung her tiny arms around Squall.
Squall didn't return the warm embrace; instead he just let out a sigh.
"Squally, what's wrong?" Rinoa whined, wondering why her boyfriend wouldn't hug her.
A soft hand is placed on Rinoa's shoulder. "Rinny, don't ask, everything is fine, we just got into some trouble here and there, but no worries." Quistis reassured her friend, that nothing was wrong with her relationship with Squall.
Rinoa hugged Quistis and smiled. "Thanks Quisty." Rinoa beamed upon the realization that Squall still loved her.
"Let's get going." Squall finally growled.
Squall led and everyone followed, the battles there on out went fairly easily as there were six team members instead of just three. The hollow walls of the tomb once again were barren, only a few monsters here and there could be heard. But since this wasn't a complete extermination mission, they left them for the time being and made their way back to Balamb.
Stepping out of the tomb the sky was dark; night had fallen upon the earth.
The tension in the car ride wasn't any better. Everyone remained quiet, even Selphie and Irvine, which was practically a miracle!
After an unusually quiet car ride they finally reached Balamb and everyone even Squall let out a sigh of relief. Everyone filed out of the car and into the parking lot.
"Well I need to give my report to Cid. The mission was a success, I guess, so that means you are all free until something else comes up." Squall stated in a rash tone and then he and Rinoa left for Cid's office.
"Man what was his problem?" Selphie questioned while placing her hands on her delicate hips.
"It's a long story Selph." Zell tiredly replied.
Irvine and Selphie both shook their heads and then bounded off.
"Where do they get the energy?" Quistis asked the blonde standing next to her.
"I have no idea!" Zell replied and then they both snickered.
It was getting really late and Zell decided to walk Quistis to her room. As they walked together with their fingers entwined lovingly, they talked, nothing important, just about why all those monsters could be inside the tomb.
Finally they reached Quistis' room. Quistis stared deep within Zell's eyes and saw something was amiss. She couldn't place her finger on it, but something was seriously wrong.
"Zelly, is there something bothering you?" Quistis worriedly questioned her obviously distraught boyfriend.
Zell sighed heavily, debating on what to say. "…No…" Zell replied dejectedly, and kept his gaze on the door in front of him.
"Oh Zell, you know you can tell me anything, don't…you?" Quistis obviously truly cared for Zell.
A warm smile crossed his face. "I know Quistis, and that means so much to me, I…I honestly don't know what I'd do without you…I love you…" Zell coo'd in her ear, and embraced her with a loving kiss on the lips.
"I love you too Zell, you are my best friend." Quistis replied softly.
Zell gazed at the gorgeous blonde before and gently caressed the side of her face. "Quisty, you are so beautiful, you are just perfect." Zell started but was interrupted.
"No I'm not…" Quistis was unable to finish as Zell softly placed a finger over her tender lips.
"No that's the thing, you truly are perfect, in every single way, and that's what…scares me…"
Quistis' face dropped, and a look of terror flooded her features.
'What, is Zell going to break up with me? I…I don't think I could take it?' Quistis' thoughts raced as she was in a panic.
"Don't worry…it just scares me because Quisty…I…I'm not perfect, and I know I never will be, but you are and I love that about you…You are beautiful, smart, graceful, funny, you are everything I could possible want and more…"
Zell lets out a slight chuckle. "Honestly I don't know what you see in me, but I'm glad you see something. The thing is…since I'm not perfect; I constantly have a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach…Quistis…" Zell gazed at her with watery eyes as he grabbed the side of her face, fixing her gaze with his own.
Quistis could feel her heart race with passion, love, and also fear. She didn't know why, but every emotion was tearing through her as she stare at the love of her life, who was spilling his soul to her. Her eyes too began to water and her lip started quivering.
"Quistis…I just don't want to loose you…I love you so much, I just couldn't take loosing you…without you I would have nothing to live for, you are my heart, my soul, and most of all you are my life…" Zell watched as his words pierced Quistis' soul and tears began to spill willingly. Zell tried gently rubbing his thumb across her cheek to wipe them away, but there were far too many.
"Oh Zell, you will never loose me, I love you too much!" Quistis cried and dove head first into his chest.
"I know, but I just get so scared, because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you make me feel so special. Without you I just don't know what I would do with myself, I'd be….I'd be so lonely…" Zell whispered in her ear.
Quistis could feel wet droplets dance upon the back of her neck, and that made her sob even harder. Finally she looked up at her boyfriend who still had unshed tears stinging his eyes; her gaze was intense, as was his.
"Zell promise me...promise me we will always be together." Quistis pleaded with her boyfriend.
Zell was shocked; she was asking him to promise her that they would always be together, that she would never loose him? "Quistis…I promise!" Zell spoke sincerely and sealed it with a heartfelt kiss that ignited a fire within both of them.
Their tender moment was broken as Squall's booming voice echoed over the loud speaker. "Quistis Trepe, please report to my office, Quistis Trepe please report to my office immediately, thank you."
"Well he sounded irritated." Zell sneered.
"Yeah I know, well I guess I should get going. I don't want to get him even angrier." Quistis replied and gave Zell a sweet peck on the cheek.
"You want me to go with you?" Zell questioned worriedly.
"No I'll be fine, plus it is getting late and you should get some rest, I'll see you in the morning." Quistis said sweetly and waved her boyfriend off.
Zell sighed, "Oh ok, I love you." Zell called to her.
"I love you too." She called back.
Zell walked back to his dorm. "I wonder what Squall wanted to talk to Quisty about so suddenly. Whatever it was, it was really important." Zell talked to the listening shadows in his room.
Quistis was in hysterics, bawling her eyes out in Squall's office. "Squall please don't ask me to, please Squall I'm begging you, anything, ANYTHING BUT THAT!" Quistis cried angrily at the man sitting across from her at the table.
"Quistis I'm sorry, but I talked with Cid and he thinks that this may be the best solution, at least for a little while." Squall replied in a tone that seemed emotionless.
"Squall I can't, I can't do that to him! NO, NO I WON'T, I'M SORRY BUT I WONT DO THIS!" Her yelling became more frantic and tears willingly flooded down her delicate cheeks.
A man appeared behind Quistis and placed a soft hand on her shoulder. She couldn't really see through all her tears, but his voice gave him away.
"Quistis, this may be for the best." Came Cid's soft voice.
Quistis just sobbed even harder, and breathing became impossible.
"Zell….I'm so...sorry" Quistis cried in her hands.
A/N: What could Squall and Cid possibly be asking Quistis to do? And what does it have to do with Zell! Well this chpater was a long one, and that's b/c I told AZND45 I had one for him, and HERE IT IS!BOOYAH! Well I just hope you all like it, it took me a while, and I'm glad my computer actually loaded it! Yeay! AZND45 and Selphie Fan, you two RCOK, AW YEAH BABY! Sorry it took so long to post, but no worries, the next chapter will be up soon, thanks for not giving up on me:) Later...
