Disclaimer- I will never own Square or Final fantasy VIII or any of the characters. This piece of fiction was written merely to satisfy my need for a story with my favorite characters.


Author's Notes: My God, it's been months since I have updated, and I am sorry that I made you all wait so long but I feel that this chapter is perhaps one of my best works. I have read over it may times, have had it edited by my Beta, Winter and added more details and the transitions are smoother than my first draft. There will be mistakes of course but please read and review. I would appreciate any feedback of course.

Story: This takes place years after my prologue and about 1 or 2 years before the end of the Sorceress Wars with Adel.

Chapter 2

"This is reality. No one can help you. Sit back and enjoy the show." -Edea Kramer


Edea Kramer tightened the ends of her faded scarf. Firmly holding onto her hood, she followed her husband to the nearest inn. Or what used to be an inn. Its pealing paint and rotting wood was in desperate need of repair. The words The Maiden of Winter were barely visible on the rickety sign that threatened to dislodge itself any moment. Shielding her face from the chilling blast of wind, she continued down the worn path to the mountain town. Soldiers with weathered faces and battered armor carried wounded comrades and set up barricades, amidst the barks of commanders. Gunfire could be heard distantly in the background as explosions shook the mountainside, a warning to what could happen to this small settlement. Miles away from the town, a much larger city was under attack. A funeral pyre of smoke rose in the distance. For what seemed like the thousandth time that day, she bowed her head and prayed for the victims. Shuddering, she forced herself to continue walking, carrying the thoughts of the dead and dying with her. Her shoes were a poor substitute for traveling boots and twice, she nearly tripped on the rocky path. Resisting the urge to curse, Edea turned her attention away from herself to the people around her. She was in certainly no position to complain, when millions of others were in worse conditions. Every face she passed wore a grim mask. Young boys barely older than children were suited in a mismatch of armor, holding weapons so awkwardly that it would have been ridiculous if not for the situation. Beggars huddled together in rags in an ill fight against the cold cried out in desperation, but Edea knew that helping one would start a mob. Kindly, but firmly, she declined from the few who approached her. Not for the first time in her life, Edea felt a great swell of pain well up deep in her chest. The innocents were always the first to suffer in war, despite the common belief that wars were fought on distant soil.

Passing an alley half buried in bricks, she caught sight of a dirty woman in shreds of what used to be a robe. Cradling her child beneath her cloak, the woman's worn but almost regal face looked up, cool blue orbs meeting Edea's eye to eye. It was neither weakness nor anguish she saw, but a fiery surge of resilience that came as a shock to Edea, though her face betrayed nothing of her thoughts. Unnerved by the woman's steel gaze, Edea reached into her near empty pocket, offering a ration bar with an apologetic smile. The woman accepted the offer, muttering a soft "thank you," but held the same cold stare that felt like a drill into Edea's skull. Muttering a few comforting words that sounded distant even to her own ears, she bowed her head respectively, and hurried after her husband who was already waiting by the entrance of the inn.

"I am sorry to keep you waiting Cid," Edea murmured sincerely. Another explosion echoed into the mountainside and she almost flinched. That one was closer than she would have liked. She noticed Cid grimaced, most likely sharing the same thought. Her husband wore a tattered overcoat that was once his father's and a hastily patched up pair of pants. His scratched his glasses under the unruly mop of chestnut hair, which was the only thing that had not been changed since she had known him. Worry creased his face and he had the look of a man who had aged too quickly. They were still young in body but worn in spirit. For nearly seven long years, the war had stolen the prime years of their lives, leaving them at the mercy of Esthar's ruler, Sorceress Adel. The woman had invaded every corner of the world in her conquest for power. Each free nation fought back, yet they were eventually overwhelmed by Esthar's superior technology. Defiant but tiny Timber had fallen first. Then the ancient Shumi tribes had been seized after a three-year guerilla war in the icy slopes of the north. Alexandria had been under siege for four straight years until the starving people rebelled against the government, and finally surrendered. Galbadia and Dollet had joined in an alliance in a last ditch effort to resist but by now their grand armies were scattered and it was only a matter of time before all resistance was swept up. There was no place to hide. Especially for people like her.

"There is no need to apologize Edea. I only wish we could help them all," he replied soothingly, as if reading her mind. Nodding solemnly, Edea let out a defeated sigh. So much pain. And the only thing she could to beyond prayer would be disastrous. "Come on. He's waiting for us," He gestured towards the shabby building. Taking one last look behind her, Edea followed her husband, but she couldn't help feeling she was turning her back on them. The room was as much as she expected. Only one light bulb remained that flickered dangerously. Candles were placed at every corner that created a dim glow that only seemed to magnify the severity. The bar was completely empty, its shelves broken and its counter piled with bits of empty shells and blood
drenched clothing. No doubt the soldiers had taken the drinks to soothe their minds. The wounded lay limp on chairs, crates or anything that even resembled space. Medics with drenched in blood darted back and forth with their scant supplies, changing bandages and giving sips of water to those who could still drink. The wounded by far outnumbered the few volunteers who worked in a monotonous fashion. Despite the bustling movement, Edea could tell they moved with sheer determination. Their eyes heavy, desperately in need of sleep; their movements automatic as if they had forgotten their patients and only saw bodies, saving those whom were breathing and ignoring those who did not. A lone fireplace burned in the far end of the room but the room was sickly warm with all the bodies crammed together. Edea almost slipped on the floor when she noticed the wooden tiles were slick with blood. Regaining her balance, she took hesitant steps further inside when three men entered, two of them supporting their friend who had a viscous gash streaked across his temple. Edea and Cid without hesitation helped clear room for the man to lie down. Muttering a quick thanks, the two soldiers turned their attention back to their companion, tending to his wound as best they could as they waited for a medic to attend to him.

A bony old man with a white beard caught sight of the two and hurried over. Wiping his bloodied hands on his apron, he smiled wearily. "Cid. Edea." He raised his wrinkled hands to clasp their shoulders but seeing that wiping his hands had only made them worse, he settled for a sheepish smile and a nod.

"It's good to see you two made it safely. It warms my heart to know there is still hope for us all."

"Thank you Tom for helping us. I don't know how we will ever be able to repay you." Edea replied, bowing her head in thanks. The old man merely gave them a warm smile and ushered them up the creaky stairs.

"It's nothing my dear. I told your father I would look after you two and I'll be a damn fool if I didn't keep my word. Oh Lina? Make sure that young man gets attention soon, his bandages are coming off. Mel, run next door lad and ask Mistress Barane for more clean towels and get some hot water while you're at it! Hurry now!"

They could hardly be called children but the two workers snapped to attention. Again, the door opened to reveal yet another soldier shouting for help as he clutched tightly to a man who was thrashing wildly. Only when Edea peered closer did she notice faint smoke was rising from his melting armor and half his skin having been burned off. Hyne, what was going on out there? Tearing her glance from the wounded man, she faintly felt a pair of eyes on her back. Turning, she noticed the young man named Mel staring intently at her. When their eyes met, his eyes widened and he quickly grabbed a bucket and bolted out the door.

Clutching her black dress tightly, she continued up the stairs until Tom led them into a cluttered room, which appeared to be his office. A lone window was bolted over with wooden planks and rotting books and broken glass lay sprawled out on the ground. Two old chairs sat in front of the desk, covered with a fine layer of dust. Tom indicated to the chairs and then locked the door behind them, but the moans of pain were still audible. Taking out two emergency candles from his desk, he lit them with a strike of a match, creating enough light so they could at least distinguish each other. Edea finally dropped off her hood. Hyne she was relieved to finally get rid of some secrecy.

So," he began, disappearing into a side door only to emerge with a teapot and several cups. "How are you two holding up? As soon as I heard of the bounty I contacted you as quickly as I could." Sitting down across from them, he poured the hot liquid into a mismatched pair of cups. Cid looked at him worriedly, but nodded his understanding.

"We're okay," he clutched his wife's hand tighter beneath the desk. "Edea's all right."

Handing each of them a cup, the grizzled man nodded gravely and took a sip.

"I am sorry I don't have any sugar or milk. It seems everything is hard to come by these days."

Edea didn't know whether to laugh or be stunned. After all these years of having known him, Tom was still the same man. Apparently even war had only delayed his usual energy but had no effect on his mannerisms. She shook her head fondly.

"There is nothing to apologize for Tom. You have done more than anyone could have expected. And there is certainly no need to apologize for tea," she assured. Edea patted his hand, ignoring the blood that stained his callused fingers.

Cid chuckled weakly. "It's us who should be apologizing. Dropping in like this when you yourself are running a hospital."

Cid smiled good naturally, taking another sip from the steaming mug. "I knew Edea's father since we were children. He was a good man. I gave him my word I would look after you two if anything should happen and I intend to keep it. You two will be safe here until it gets too risky. This town isn't even on the maps and there is an ancient field set up from Hyne knows when that has shielded this place. You should be safe for a while."

Edea smiled reflectively, too focused on the first part. She did miss her father terribly. But she chose not to dwell on facts she could not change. He had done his duty, it was her turn to do the same.

"Thank you Tom, but I am afraid we cannot stay here any longer than necessary. We can only stay until the danger passes and perhaps even before then. We don't want to be a threat to your safety or anyone else here," she leaned forward, eyes cast down. "We've been followed since the fall of Alexandria. We just barely escaped Lucen." At the name of the last city, she bit her lip at the recent memories. A small underground faction in the city had managed to hide them well until the hunters were fed up with the search and simply razed the city to the ground. They had made it out alive, but seeing the people who had willingly risked their lives burn to death as she and Cid made their escape was a nightmare.

"We managed to evade them for now, but I know they won't stop until they find me." She paused for a moment, resting the untouched cup on her lap.

"They are certain now that I am a…" Her voice drifted off, afraid of speaking her shame.

Cid wiped his glasses with a grimy handkerchief. Edea lowered her head, frowning at nothing in particular. Tom had been listening to their story intently, only putting down his half empty cup when she paused. He knew what she could not bring herself to say, so he finished the thought for her.

"A sorceress." He spoke gently, as if he was afraid of frightening her. When she didn't reply, he continued on.

"You're powerful Edea. Perhaps even as strong as Adel herself. You're a threat to her, and she knows it."

When anyone mentioned her, it could only mean Empress Adel. The dictator had hunted down every possible woman who could become a potential sorceress and those who were captured were either used for experiments or more mercifully, killed outright. However, despite her infamous reputation with power, Adel was not beyond the boundaries of emotion. She was paranoid, and terrified of women like Edea who could challenge her. As long as Edea could escape capture, she could occupy Adel's attention long enough for someone to slip a knife in her throat. She just had to keep on running.

"Myril Thaset. Vela Brume. Lyriandrae Adritt. Yavyn Mill." Tom mumbled the names with a heavy sigh, rubbing his chin. "If only you all could have been together. If only we could have saved them all. You could have flattened Esthar into rubble, tore the devil herself down from that throne and smashed her army to bits,"

Tom never said anything he didn't mean, and Edea knew it was all too true. The five of them could have been a dagger in Adel's ribs that couldn't have been ignored. Myril had died in a battle while taking out half a legion of Esthar troops with her. Vela and Lyriandrae were captured and after trying to escape, were both drained of their powers and executed. And poor Yavyn had been stabbed in the back by her own husband. They could have been a force worth reckoning. Could have been. But not anymore. Edea found the courage to look up, mentally pushing aside her thoughts. There was nothing she could do about the past. There was no point in dwelling in things that could not be undone.

"Enough about me Tom. Please tell us, how are you holding up?" Sipping her cup politely, she noticed it was watered down, had a strange odor and left a bitter after taste. It was perfect. She downed it in record time.

He grinned with a full row of teeth and filled Edea's cup without asking.

"As well as I can be girl. You should know that by now. Nothing ever holds me down for long."

Thumping his chest dramatically, he raised his chin in defiance. "I was born a stubborn fool and I'll die a stubborn fool and I'll dance with death until the day it grabs me by the neck."

The tension broken, Edea and Cid laughed openly. For the first time in months, they felt safe. Still the same old Tom, Edea allowed herself to grin.

Clasping his hands together, Tom pushed up from his chair.

"You two must be exhausted. And look at me. Rambling on about my life while you two looked like you haven't seen a pillow in a century. Take the bedroom just down the hall, the third one on the left. I'll have some food sent up as soon as I can." He blew out the candles and unlocked the door.

"I better get down there again," jabbing a thumb down the stairs. "Hyne knows what's going on now. You two should stay out of sight and keep quiet."

Before he knew it, Edea had wrapped him in a tight hug. He was bony and thin, but felt more alive than anything else had in a long time. He wasn't her father. But he was all she had left.

"Thank you Tom," she murmured. "Thank you for everything."

Patting her back as if she was his own daughter, he pulled away and replied gruffly.

"Now don't get all mushy on me girl. I'm just doing my job." Brushing his hands on his apron to cover his blush, he disappeared down the stairs after mumbling again about seeing food brought up. Taking a hold of his young wife's hand, Cid led them to the little room down the hall. Flipping on the switch, the light bulb sputtered madly, hissed and died. It was certainly stuffy, one bed with a lumpy mattress and only two chairs that looked like they were about to collapse. Like the office, the windows were shut tight and everything that could have been movable seemed to be bolted down. It smelled heavily of dust and mildew but Edea smiled widely. It was heaven compared to their previous conditions.

They quickly unpacked their meager possessions from their bags. A few extra sets of clothes. Three outdated and crinkled books. A couple letters, a pen and their tiny pouch of money for an emergency. As if this wasn't already an emergency but neither of them ever complained. They had both grown up humbly and had simple lives and Edea was no stranger to hardship. While she was still a child, she had inherited a great power. Power so raw and in such great amounts at such a young age, her content, quiet life was obliterated as her family was labeled as outcasts, and now, prey for a cold blooded tyrant. She had run all her childhood and now things still haven't changed. Smiling bitterly at the memories, she excused herself to the bathroom. Her entire family had been killed because of what she was. And now so much blood was being spilt that even the earth could not soak it up. Hyne, what was she going to do? What could she do? The same urge to grasp the power that lay within her fingertips grew without thought. All she had to do was reach for it, even tap into it and she could stop this. All of this. Where the other women had failed, she could take up the cause. Avenge their lives and the lives of millions. The temptation was almost too strong to resist, until she bit down hard on her lip and cupped water from the creaky faucet and splashed it on her face. It was freezing but it cleared her mind enough to think rationally. It was suicide and she knew it. The others had been just as powerful as her and they still died. She wasn't about to run into battle with a heart of rage and a blinded conscious. 'Control your emotions Edea, or they will control you.' Her parents had always constantly reminded her to control her temper, especially her father. Hyne she missed them. Drying her face with a towel, she looked at herself in the cracked mirror, and after taking a deep breath, repeated the words to herself. Saving the world was beyond her power; right now she just had to keep her head low and keep those around her safe. She could only hope she could even do that. Hyne, let her even be able to do that. Hanging the towel back up to dry, she headed back to the room.

"Cid? I'm done with the bathroom so you're welcome to use it when you wa-," Her voice trailed off after seeing her husband dead asleep, clutching a book to his chest even though she knew he had read it a hundred times over. Shaking her head with a little roll of her eyes, she pried the book from his hands and covered him in a blanket. Quietly, not to wake her husband, Edea carried one of the chairs over by the bed, and began reading the same page her husband was on. She only made out two sentences before she passed out in exhaustion.

~*~

"Are you certain it was her?" snapped an impatient voice. The man with dark piercing eyes and sleek black hair paced in front of Mel, wearing a seemingly permanent scowl. Wearing a gray chest plate with red sleeves and carrying a shock rifle slung over his back, his cape fluttered by the wind that sneaked into the empty barn. An insignia of an eagle clutching a sword on the man's helmet and chest plate marked him a Sorceress Hunter. The Hounds of Hell were what they called on the streets. This particular officer, Captain Radrine reminded him of a hawk. A bloodthirsty one with a scar that split across his lip.

"Yes, I am sure of it," he began almost tentatively, licking his cracked lips but after a sharp glare from the man, he hastily added, "The renegade sorceress, Edea Kramer." Fearful that the captain was not satisfied, he added, "Captain."

The man nodded to himself and randomly shouted at two of the guards for slouching. Mel wanted to flinch. Even more he wanted to move from the chair but the man circled him like a predator, observing before he made the kill. And he certainly didn't want to be any prey. Hoping his breathing was steady, he made an effort to stay calm but it felt like he was being slowly roasted over a spit. After a brief pause, the captain snapped his fingers.

"Describe her. Now. Leave no detail out this time." He glared at Mel with such an imposing look, that his hands began to unwillingly shake.

He had already been through this three times before but he wasn't about to object. Not with this man. Trying hard to keep himself from shuddering, he took a deep breath and began to explain again, choosing his words carefully.

"I didn't see much of her. I was trying not to be too obvious. But what I did see was a woman of medium height. She wore a hood but I could tell her hair was black. Pitch black. She was pale too. Almost as if she was ill."

The man stopped pacing. Mel's heart nearly skipped a beat and he quickly fumbled for anything else he could think of.

"A-and young too. I don't know much about these witches, but I heard they age slower than normal people. She had to be around her early twenties at the most. Her clothes looked travel worn and she was with a man. Older, with glasses and brown hair."

Mel let himself exhale, sweat seeping through his pores even in the middle of winter. He hoped that was enough. Hyne knew what would happen to him if not. He rubbed the sore spot on his cheek where the man had backhanded him at his first set of questions. The thought of another was too much. The sound of wood snapping bolted him to sit upright. The captain let a ruined chair fall from his hands. Wide eyed, Mel noticed more than one of the other soldiers shared the same expression. Hyne, if his own soldiers feared him, what would happen to him? Not for the first time, the thought of making this mistake freed itself from his mind. After a breathless pause, the captain answered coldly.

"Well, it can only be her then. She had evaded us long enough but now she'll feel the wrath of the Empress," He shot such a fierce stare at Mel that it left him trembling.

He recovered enough from his fear to squeak out his answer.

"There's a small town that's a few miles from here. It's so isolated that maps don't even bother marking it. She's in the inn. The Maiden of Winter. I work there for Tom Grickson. He's the inn keeper," He almost wanted to add that the old man was a friend of the witch but Captain Radrine cut him off with a wave of his gloved hand. He hated Tom. Always making him jump to chores, helping people who never paid for anything and never leaving a spare moment for himself.

"Were you seen?" the captain snapped.

Biting his tongue like he did so often when a child telling a lie, he shook his head and replied as calmly as he could despite his pounding heart.

"No. I don't think so. Captain."

"Any troops stationed there from the Coalition?" He sneered at the last words, fingering his rifle absentmindedly.

"The town has been sheltering those wounded that have staggered up here and there aren't many that are in fighting condition. I don't know the exact number but it can't be many,"

Nodding to himself, the man spun to the nearest guard.

"Gather the rest. And I want the to be ready by nightfall." The man saluted and left. Mel could barely hide the sigh of relief. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he allowed himself to sag in his chair. Smiling satisfactory at Mel as if he was an obedient pet, Captain Radrine tucked his cloak closer and reached into his pouch. Snatching the bag out of the air, the scrawny servant greedily held it possessively. At the weight of it, maybe he really didn't make a mistake coming here.

"A token. For your services," he said, sarcasm dripping off of his words. Blinded by greed, Mel hurriedly added something else. Perhaps he would receive more payment for this valuable information.

"There's one more thing. The town's main protection is not of the soldiers, but an old ward, placed up years ago by some Shumi shamans. It shields the town from unwanted visitors. As far as I know, it's incredibly difficult to open a gap large enough to make it in,"

The captain nodded as if he was only paying half attention and, adjusting his cloak as four women, cloaked from head to foot in flowing crimson silk robes entered.

"I wouldn't worry too much about that if I were you," he said plainly, spun on his heels and took two steps before he added, "Make it quick. We have a sorceress to hunt,"

The pouch of worthless scrap metal fell from his hands as Mel clutched his head, and screamed.

~*~

Edea's head snapped up. Alarmed, she peered out the tiny crack at the window though she knew it was a useless gesture. Nothing seemed to have changed since she last checked. She didn't hear any noise out of the ordinary. Everything seemed the same. What was wrong? Hyne, how long did they sleep? Moving away from the window, Edea checked on her husband. Still sleeping peacefully it seemed. Wiping her eyes, she realized it was almost night. Of what day? Taking her seat back on the old chair, she tried to relax but something was still firmly planted in her mind. Something was wrong.

Impulsively, she snatched everything up and tossed their things into the bag, pausing only to shake her husband awake.

"Wake up Cid!" she hissed urgently. "Get up! We have to go Now!"

Sluggishly, he sat up, adjusting his glasses. Frowning, he blinked sleepily.

"What's wrong Edea? Did something hap-"

He was cut off with the door bursting open. Tom dashed in with a knapsack while practically shoving them through the door.

"I'm sorry I have to do this but you both have to leave now! Esthar troops are heading this way and I don't know how long the troops can stall them when they get here." Handing them the bag, he ran into his office and appeared a moment later with several papers and another bag. Despite his gangly appearance, he moved with surprising speed and Cid and Edea had to step quickly to keep up with him. Down the stairs they almost ran and Tom shouted orders for the workers to move the injured out as quickly as possible. After muttering stern words to a stout, motherly looking woman, who they assumed to be Mistress Barane, he grabbed a flashlight from the knapsack and showed them to a cellar at the back of the kitchens. Handing them the bags and papers, he whispered fiercely to them. The kind twinkle in his eye was gone. He was now the ex-soldier her father had known in the army. Fierce loyalty weighed heavily on his face.

"They will be here soon and I don't know how long the soldiers here can hold them off. There should be enough food and supplies to last you a few weeks if you're careful." Handing the bags to Cid, he held the papers firmly. "I was afraid of this so I made an alternate plan for you in case this happened."

He chuckled softly, and for a brief moment, the old Tom Edea knew was there. Then with a blink of an eye, his face-hardened. "All of the buildings on this block have connected cellars. Follow them until you reach the end, it should open up at an alley just about three blocks from here. I had the door already unlocked so you'll get out fine. There's a pathway that goes deeper into the mountains but stay off the main road, there's a more secret path that goes into the forest. If you stick to it, it should lead you to another town, New Fort I think it is. There's an old friend of mine who lives there who owes me a favor. Hand him these papers and he will lead you to safety. There's a hideout so far away even Adel won't find you. Don't ask me how I found it but I know it' s safe. He'll make sure you get there."

Grasping hold of her hands, he tucked the paper into the bag and handed them the pouch.

"You cannot delay! Do you understand me? There's nothing you can do now but run. They will kill you if they find you and don't you dare get any fool notions in your head Edea about sticking around and fighting. Just run!"

Pushing open the door, he handed them the flashlight before Edea gave him one last hug, clinging onto the last living memory of her family. Squeezing his bony frame, she knew all too well this could be the last time the two of them would ever meet. Hyne, she would miss him.

"Thank you Tom. Take care of yourself," she whispered through tears before she and Cid hurried down the dark passage.

He watched their light grow fainter and disappear into the darkness. Locking the door securely, he sagged his weight against the closed escape route. The frantic cries and sounds of gunfire were closer now. It would only be a matter of minutes before they reached here. There was no hope left for him. He had given it all to Edea.

"Go Edea. Run,"

~*~

Bystanders scrambled out of the roads as the Hunters closed onto their prey. The four women in solid red moved as if one, their faces in grim determination to find the renegade sorceress. Captain Radrine led his troops through the chaotic street. He watched unemotionally as people screamed madly as the Esthar infantry cut through the town's few defenses. The hunters behind him didn't bother fighting. They had another purpose. As did he. He caught sight of the
poor excuse of an inn Mel had mentioned. So, the boy had been right after all. No matter. He would have been killed in any case. The cloaked women stalked forward, searching for the slightest scent of a sorceress. All Edea had to do was panic, even just for a second and try to use her powers, and they would track her down in a heartbeat. Still taking his time, he barely noticed the fireball exploding to his side, taking three Esthar men in flames. Arching an eyebrow, he looked in the general direction of two figures hiding behind an old car, flinging fire at the advancing troops. So, these people did have some strength to resist, even if it was only two poorly trained mages. Nothing compared to the power of a sorceress but it was enough to catch the their attention. Raising their smooth hands in unison, a solid bolt of lightening struck the vehicle. Brushing off the dust from his coat, Captain Radrine smiled mildly at the two blacken corpses. These women were impressive, but he still didn't like them. And especially rebel ones like this Edea. After years of tracking, he would finally bring the final renegade Sorceress to Adel. There would always be others out there. Ordinary women who had no clue of their strength. But Adel had paid specific attention on this one and that was enough for him. The others would wait. Another scream followed after rapid gunfire. Victory was at hand. And his Empress would reward his efforts well.

~*~

Tom was true to his word. The cellar tunnels ended after they fumbled in the dark with only a tiny flashlight. Pushing open the door had been an effort after years of rust had built up on the hinges but with a little effort using a metal bar, they managed to pry it open. The sun had almost gone down, just barely peeping over a horizon of clouds. Pulling out their scant possessions, they peered down the near empty street. Besides cars burning and silent bodies, the street seemed completely emptied. Clutching her skirts tightly till her fingers began to go white, she dashed down the ashen road with Cid trailing closely behind. Her stomach almost sunk when a pair of soldiers looked their way but thankfully they were mistaken as pitiful refugees and were spared no more than a glance. The two of them used the cover of darkness and to find their way back to the town gates when an explosion ripped the silence apart. Spinning wildly back, Edea watched in horror at the scene before her. Half the town went up in flames but the fire circled one specific building. The inn. Burning bodies collapsed on the streets where scarlet uniformed soldiers watched pitilessly at their victims. Four bodies moved in fluid grace, waving their hands where fire and lightning struck down fleeing crowds and leveled buildings.

Before she could cry out, she was hiking up her skirts, and sprinting to the middle of chaos. Ignoring her husband's cries, she forgot the years of self-discipline and allowed her emotions to control her. Bitter pain. Burning rage. They swallowed her whole till Edea felt the glow of her strength. The intoxicating flow of molten lava and blistering ice all within her grasp. Engulfing every sense and burying all rational thought. As she rounded a corner, two of the cloaked women caught sight of her immediately and sounded the alarm. Esthar troops charged straight for her with guns raised. A dozen crimson-cloaked men watched curiously. Sorceress Hunters. She had run from them before. Run away and hidden. But not this time. This time she would fight and she would win. But why were they just standing there?

Edea reached for that invisible strength, and could have howled when she realized she had been cut off. Stopping abruptly, she shook with hatred at them and herself, she knew she had fallen right into their hands. Her knees felt like water, but she forced herself to stand tall. Two women appeared behind her, robes flowing gracefully. The other two appeared until all four flanked each side of Edea, maintaining a shield over her powers. A hard-faced man inspected her as if she was a prized trophy. The gold stripes on his wrist marked him the commander.

"So, we have finally found you at last. Edea Kramer." His scared mouth split into a cruel smile. Still defiant, Edea looked him straight in the eye even if he was a head taller. She was beaten down, but she wouldn't give in. She didn't reply. She didn't waste breath on these pathetic dogs of war.

"I have to admit, you have done well escaping us. Your other 'friends' didn't last nearly as long."

Still holding his gaze, Edea tentatively pushed at the invisible wall that kept her bound and found sixteen links, four of them stronger than the others by far, but still able to hold her down. If she could only manage to find a gap, any sort of weakness, she could break free.

"Under Empress Adel, I place you under arrest for treason. You will be taken to Esthar immediately for the proper 'assessments' someone of your skill will need."

Cursing herself again, she knew she had run in without thinking. Tom had warned her of this. He told her not to let her emotions rule her. Now he was probably buried under the rubble along with the rest of the town. And she had played right into their trap. The man snickered openly until he lurched forward with a sudden jolt and fell dead. Another man barely had time to shout as a blast took him in the chest. The last shot slammed into one of the women; she shrieked in pain as the link she held fell abruptly.

Immediately the soldiers scattered, raising their rifles and fired towards a crumpled figure leaning against the hull of a car; the gun in his lanky arms sagged under the weight. Edea didn't waste a second. She snatched her power and flung it at the barrier. It collapsed and the remaining sorceresses were cast aside, momentarily stunned. The Hunters instinctively fired at her but their bullets bounced harmlessly away with a wave of her hand. Eyes glowing a radiant blue, lightning rolled down from the ashen sky, tearing the very ground apart and flinging the soldiers as if they were driftwood. Fire ignited in her fists as she struck them down, one by one as their bodies were engulfed in flames. Turning her head to face one of the women, she grasped her with a hold of air, and snapped her neck. An ice bolt enveloped in her left arm and she speared another one before she could react. The last one raised both palms to retaliate but Edea cut her off from her own strength, and severed the lifeline of being a sorceress. Shocked with the sudden lost of power, the last woman rolled her eyes, and fell dead.

When her eyes returned to normal, her breathing came out hurriedly, greedily sucking in the sweet taste of oxygen. Eyes moistening from the heavy smoke, Edea staggered out of the ashes to the figure of a man leaning against the remains of a car. Her stomach sank in horror as she identified him. Tom. Blood streaked down his wrinkled forehead, yet he raised his head just high enough to meet her gaze.

"What do you think you're doing here girl? Run. Leave while you can."

He smiled faintly before his eyes closed shut and left the world of the living. Burning tears soaked into his bloodied coat as Edea cradled the last remnant of her childhood, weeping as the fires consumed the town.

When Cid arrived, out of breath, he caught sight of Edea in the middle of the street, amidst the raging flames. Pale as death, yet struggling with resolve, Edea lifted the palm of her hand to allow flakes of sparks fall and catch fire on the body.

"Goodbye, Tom," Edea whispered. Facing upwards at the pale sky, choking with soot and smoke, she let her hand drop limply to her side and turned towards her husband. Understanding all too well, he made no attempt to offer useless words, he merely offered his arm. The two pitiful figures stumbled out from the massacre, covered in ash, and pained with memories. Weary and physically drained, by the time they reached the outer gates, Edea took one last look to the burning town, only to catch sight of a figure staggering up the hill, her arms clutching her chest. Without a second thought, Edea turned to her husband and the two kept the limping woman from falling. Hyne, it was miracle she was alive. It was a miracle anyone could be alive after what happened. Edea gasped, immediately recognizing her as the refugee that morning and before she could speak, the woman forced her child, wrapped in tattered blankets into Edea's startled arms.

Please," she choked out, her eyes ached in a plea, but her voice made it sound like a demand. "Where ever you're going, please, please take my daughter away from here." Too stunned to speak, the two could only help the woman to the top of the hill where the three of them collapsed against leafless trees in a barren forest. Catching his breath, Cid was the first to recover, absent mindedly wiping his glasses with his dirtied shirt.

"I know we just met but we're both heading to a safe place," he chuckled weakly. "I know that sounds farfetched during times like these, but why don't you come with us, Mrs.…?" He handed her a flask from under his coat.

"Trepe. Katherine Trepe," she replied hoarsely, accepting the water. "But I'm afraid that's not possible," pointing to the side of her dress, a hastily and poorly bandage covered a wound that seeped with red.

"As you can see," she chuckled grimly to herself, "I won't last more than a few hours at the most,"

Edea handed the sleeping child to her husband as she kneeled down to take a look until Katherine waved her away.

"Don't bother wasting your energy Mrs. Kramer," she coughed violently. Pushing back her hood, she took a deep drink of the stale tasting water before handing it back. "Not even someone with your power can stop death.

Taking note of her surprise, she offered an almost amused smile, chuckling to herself and it was then Edea noticed that this woman, Katherine had the look that commanded strength. If it was ancestral nobility or humble beauty, she couldn't tell. Her golden locks of hair draped gracefully down her shoulders and despite her ragged appearance, she was a proud woman, fierce in mind and spirit. How did a woman like this end up here?

"With that firework show down there, it's hard not to know who you are," she answered and in a flash, her serious gaze fixed onto her. "There's nothing you can do for me now. My death is unavoidable, but my daughter, please take her with you. I'm begging of you, please keep her safe."

"Of course we'll take her with us," Edea assured her. "But let us at least help you leave here. They will kill you on the spot."

"No," Katherine stubbornly shook her head. "I would only slow you down."

Distant shouts shattered the silence of the night. The voices were unquestionable. Esthar troops. Katherine leapt to her feet, biting hard into her lip to fight the urge to scream from the pain ripping at her flesh. Pulling out two handguns from her waist, she checked the ammunition and added another grim chuckle. Leaning her weight against the tree, her cold blue eyes hardened.

"Please. Leave me now and keep her safe. There's not much I can do but buy you some time."

Edea half opened her mouth to protest when Katherine grabbed the her by the shoulders.

"I did whatever it took to protect my daughter. I beg of you, please do the same for her now. Now go!"

Cid ushered his wife into the thick forest, scanning the sky warily while holding tightly to the sleeping child. Katherine smiled inwardly at her daughter. She would make a fine woman one of these days. A beautiful, powerful woman. Her beloved daughter. It was just too bad she would never see it for herself.

"What is her name?" Edea whispered, ignoring the advancing sounds of the army and the urgent hiss of her husband.

Katherine only stepped behind the tree before replying, her voice softening for a moment.

"Quistis. Quistis Trepe."

Finally Cid jerked her arm and the couple was swallowed up in the darkness. She watched the couple disappear, carrying off her daughter.

"Hyne, keep them safe. Keep her safe." Muttering one last prayer, she waited until the soldiers were within sight, and pulled the trigger.