The journey to the Sorceress Memorial took far less time than Max thought it would. He had yet to hear any news of Squall's condition, but he really didn't want to focus on that right now. He needed answers and there was only one place he could think to find them. As he stopped in front of the memorial, a strange sense of déjà vu came over him, but he knew he had never been here before. He walked up the steps that led to the main chamber, only to be stopped by the two guards at the door.
"Please present identification." Said one of the guards.
Max held up the silver key Laguna gave him and the guards moved quickly out of his way. He made his way to the main chamber passing more guards as he went, each time holding up the silver key to gain further access. He stopped at the last door leading to Rinoa's body and inserted the key. He had the same feeling of déjà vu as he turned it slowly. The mechanism began to turn and jolt here and there and the double doors opened with a hiss of steam.
'Maybe this will help.' He thought as he stepped into the freezing cold room. 'Brr, I wish they would have told me it was like this in here.'
The round chamber that held Rinoa's, now lifeless, body still bore the mark from Squalls previous rescue and Max ran his hand along it. It made his hand tingle as he touched it softly. He couldn't explain it, but somehow he could feel some kind of life from Rinoa. More of a mental power, comforting, caring. He lifted his hand from the chamber and walked a few steps back to observe it, and her, a little more.
All the questions he had asked himself before coming here raced back to his mind. They flooded his every thought as he stood there contemplating what coming here could possible do to help. Then in a fraction of a second, a new thought, one he didn't even think about, hit him. Then another and another. Flashes of images cascaded in his mind. Rinoa dying, Squall reaching for her, a sorceress reaching out to him… Ultimecia? But Squall and the others killed her.
'Max…' A woman's voice trailed off in his mind. 'Come join me… we can destroy the SeeD…'
He grabbed his head and kneeled on the floor shaking it. The voice seemed so familiar, but he could barely recognize it.
"Mo-ther?" He said still holding his head.
'Yes. You remember… Now come with me Max… my forgotten son… Destroy the SeeD and help me to return.'
"N-no… I c-can't" The flashes of death and destruction of his friends came at him from all sides of his mind. Squall dying from his sword, Zell's body blowing to pieces… He couldn't stand it any longer!
"Stop it!"
More images raced through his mind. He fell to the ground one hand holding him up while the other held his throbbing head. How could Ultimecia go into his mind like this? How? If Squall had killed her, then how could she… The sharp, shooting pain in his head increased its intensity until he was completely on the floor writhing in agony. The memories from so long ago rushed back to him in an instant.
"Stop it please!" He screamed. "I can't take this pain any more!"
'I can make the pain go away… just help me my son.'
He wouldn't, he couldn't let her control him, but his mind could only take so much. Max's entire body shook as he let out one last scream as he forced his mind to fight against the invader that had entered.
'No… my son… don't do this!' The voice cried out. 'Please! H-help me!'
The pain subsided, as did her voice in Max's head. Once it had completely dissipated, he stood and leaned on the chamber holding Rinoa, his breaths short and stinted. Nothing like this had ever happened in his life, and the battle tired him out a good deal. Enough to make him lose consciousness and fall to the floor in the chamber room.
Max awoke to find himself still in the chamber room and freezing cold. He had no idea how long he had been there, but it must have been a while since his body felt like a literal block of ice. Shaking off the ice crystals that had formed on him he stood once again for a final look at Rinoa in the chamber.
"I had hoped you could help me, but I guess not." He paused. "I'm so sorry for killing you Rinoa, I wish I could stop myself from doing it. I've hurt Squall even more… he needs you to come back to him again. If you can… please tell him, you'll be okay. And… that no matter what, I will try to revive you."
Deep in his heart, Max could tell she had heard him. It put his mind a bit more at ease knowing that, and after that last incident, he needed some reassurance. After warming himself up a bit, Max made his way out of the Sorceress Memorial. The sun overhead was a nice change compared to the cold and dark rooms inside and he welcomed its rays with open arms. His brief moment stopped as he felt the phone in his pocket begin to vibrate. He forgot he had it with him. As he looked down at the screen, he sighed a bit. It was Quistis, and hopefully with news. He brought it up to his ear and answered.
"This is Max Caron."
"We need to get you back here right away, Max. Replied Quistis's hurried voice. "Squall is awake. However, something is wrong in Garden. We need you back here A.S.A.P!"
"Right! Just hold on Quistis, I'll be there soon."
"And Max, be careful. It seems like a sorceress has something to do with this. Judging by the energy I feel… it's Ultimecia."
He stopped breathing, and stood there in complete silence as the words hit him.
"What?" He strained.
"I'll explain more to you when you return, but please come back quickly!"
"Yes! I'm on my way already!"
He clicked off the phone. He breathed heavily, as he took in the words Quistis said. How could Ultemicia be alive? He raced back as fast as he could to Esthar.
'I hope everything is okay.' He thought. 'Please let everything be okay!'
I'm not too sure if this is one of my better chapters or not, but i still hope you liked it! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, it keeps me going to know people like this story. I hope you liked reading it as much as i did writing it! Vincent Sekod
