DISCLAIMER : FINAL FANTASY SERIES BELONGS TO SQUARE-ENIX
RULE IN READING THIS: DROP YOUR LOGIC AT HOME; enter the world without questions coz THERE WOULD BE SOO MUCH (too much) odds here; just prepare!^^ coz I'm just too lazy to fix it ; no details, lack of rationale.
CHAPTER IV: "REVELATION"
"Finally! Timber's Independence Day! Is it the last one? Fresh news! Read yourself the latest news! Newspaper is what you need! ", a young man shouted selling his newspaper enthusiastically.
"Timber Independence Day: Leonhart slipped, Galabadia Lost, Timber moved.", was the big headlines seen on the newspapers he's holding, waving in his right hands. As he walked, he dropped one of his newspapers. He squatted to retake it. It was another newspaper with a "Timber Independence: Another Conspiracy? " headlines on its front cover.
The sea breeze was perfect. The sun still shone brightly in that evening and was about to set. The street was full of luxurious and expensive cars and people were in their fine clothes, looked as much luxurious as the face of Dollet city. A brunette long hair man in tattered Galbadian soldier uniform looked far into the sea. He had sack on his back which must be where his weapon resided. His hair length to his waist, obviously not maintained, messy, and bid in careless manner. His left eyes and half of his face covered with his bangs. A typical of soldier who lost in war or conflict area and had just come home.
"Newspaper, Sir?"
The brunette just turned his head slightly but enough to make the poor newspaper seller's smile faded and frightened. Well, selling a newspaper which headline talked about Timber's day to the failed Galbadian soldier was indeed a mad thing to do. That's what the newspaper boy thought as he realized the fact.
"Uh… sorry, Sir."
But he's just too odd anyway! Soldier with a long hair…? G-soldier in Dollet? Uh, better go… none of my business…. probably just another mad Galbadian failure, an ex soldier who's frustrated or what….
Then he ran away and started to yell the same lines again, hoping that someone would be attracted to buy. "FINALLY! Timber's independence day!"
Still gazing far to the sea, the Galbadian soldier thought,
I'll be back to that place again… The place, acrossed this ocean, was a place once he called home.
Then he turned away his gaze from the sea. Now where's the heck the black pentarium? He walked, following the street, looking at the famous Dollet restaurant, going through to the town square, looking briefly at the communication tower ahead, processed to the business area, and arrived at the quiet beach. It's already dark now.
Nothing's changed that much…
Where- what is black pentarium?
Now what am I doing here? I shouldn't be here! I should be there….
Deling.
Full hatred arose in his mind when the last word came.
He shrugged. Maybe nothing he could do. no more to fix in. yes , might be, but not his job.
A high pitch cried then heard- and muffled till it's completely lost.
"shut up, you fool! Hey, Kant! Handle this brat! …Not her face you idiot! She won't be sold high! You know how Galbadian are!"
More sounds, frictions, and another noisy one like a ship was about to sailed off. The water clashed.
"C'mon! hurry up!"
And they came to the sight of the man.
"Hey! There's someone here!"
His eyes were cold and piercing. *sigh*…another amateurs criminals who sell innocence children… He was actually uninterested but said instead,
"Leave the girl, now."
The two kidnappers were shocked. "g-galbadian soldier!"
"Oh shut up! It's just one low rank soldier! Let's finish-"
But before the man could finish his sentence the man with Galbadian soldier uniform had already unarmed both of them.
"shit!"
"Go. I don't have any moods to kill right now." surely not in galbadian name.
Realized that their opponent was good, they tried to flee which was successful since the Galbadian soldier didn't intend to catch them. They both ran towards their small ship with the third man onboard and sailed off.
He opened up the plastered.
The little girl was crying. A raven hair girl. Just like her…
"Can you go home? What is your name?"
To his surprise, instead of crying, the little girl then smiled.
"So scared… thank yoou , Mister! Lilia always knows how to go home! Lilia has already a big girl…"
She ran. "Oh! Wait till they find out my BIG adventure jus now! aweeesomeeeeee!"
"wait. I'll- walk you home."
He decided to walk her back to the city. The little girl in her innocence (but too brave and confident) chirped, talking along the way, which the man ignored. He kept silent all the way.
He suddenly stopped, looking at the store which apparently an optic. For the first time he talked to the seven years old girl.
"Lilia, you like adventure, aren't you?"
"YESS! Lilia is a smart and brave girl!"
"Now what do you say about buying uncle soldier a glasses? Like this one, see? Can you do it?"
"…huh?"
He gave her some thousands gils.
"why don't you buy it yourself?"
"because I want see Lilia do it. But of course you can't do it, right? Fine-"
"hmph! I CAN do it! this is my area anyway… that uncle over there knows lilia."
She then entered the store and went out with the glasses.
"Here. And thank yoouuuu, Mister! I can walk back home from heree!byee!", then she ran away.
Sigh… that's why I don't like children…
He then walked back to the quiet beach.
He felt tired. Maybe he should die.
But I just can't.
He took off the stink Galbadian uniform. Now it was just looked like ordinary poor fisherman clothes. He then took one of his daggers. Without thinking, he cut off his hairs so it's just a simple short military style-haircut. He pulled the hair to the back, without realized that it's become much like Seifer's.
He wore the glasses which he had bought before, burnt the hairs and other stuffs, buried the g-soldier uniform, and went back to the city.
Now he analyzed every details of the city. The streets, the buildings, everything.
And it came to his view. Interesting…
Newly government buildings stood around the townsquare, with a chapel like bulding in the center. It's perfectly looked like a pentagonal.
The pentarium… and a small street caught his attention.
He went through it. The alley was dirty and narrow but eventually came to a bigger street and an open space, and there he arrived. Slum area of dollet. Resident houses built crowded each other. One building was bigger than other houses and painted black.
The black pentarium…
And as he approached, he saw the name on a wooden board : Black Pentarium.
A long knock…
Squall was surprised to see an old woman opened the door. The old woman eyed him suspiciously behind her glasses.
If this were a trap, then it 's really a bad one…
But she greeted him politely instead. "What do you want, young man? This place is not really a public place… and I highly doubt you have business with me…"
"The pentarium, right?"
"Like you can see on the board, yes. So, what can I do for you ? where are you from? Who do you want to-"
"Seifer-"
The old woman reacted hearing the name. she said more to defense, " Seifer is not here."
"Yes I know. He's the one who told me about this place."
She thought for a moment then said, "Come. Let's talk inside then…, young man."
Squall was then realized that the place was actually an orphanage. A poor orphanage. He could hear the voices of children chattering and playing in the other rooms… and all situations that too familiar for him as he too was an orphan. One of the girls, the raven hair girl was peeking from the other room which Squall could see clearly. she was the Lilia girl he met before, but Squall doubt the girl recognized him as she didn't seem to.
The old woman was now pouring the tea to his mug.
"To be honest, I don't see Seifer for years… "
"What was he doing here? Could he possibly live here these past years? And- what is… your relationship to him?"
"Me? I'm his grandmother. And why he's here is because he's my grandchild. I raised him and that's also why he lived here.", the old woman purposely said, annoyed. No way. What a joke… Is she defending him? nah….."so… how about introducing yourself first, young man?"
"…Lucas. I'm Lucas from FH."…she's not even know who he is.
"His friend then?"
Squall nodded.
"Young man… you look tired. How about if you eat something first?"
Squall didn't answer but the old woman had already gone to bring him some food.
"Help yourself."
Squall hesitated at first, a little paranoid too, but he then ate the meals.
"So why doesn't he come back with you now? Where is he? That kid sometimes makes me worried…he's the quiet type… always worked hard but seldom talked…"
"…"
"These 4 years… he's in FH then? Leaving me without words… I thought I won't see him again…"
"He's coming back. He asked me to meet him here…so-"
Squall halted his words as he saw that figure on the TV, stood proudly behind General Terry of Galbadia.
"Is it? Is he?", the old woman beamed happily while in contrast, Squall's muscles tensed.
As General Terry reached the podium, Seifer moved a little and revealing his legendary smirk proudly, so smug and arrogant as hell. He was wearing Galbadian elite soldier uniform with a star mark on one side, a proof that he's directly under General Terry himself. There , his hyperion shone almightily.
"A live news from Galbadia…, you seem so interested. That Seifer told to me once, he want to go to that place... Silly, right?", the old woman said and then smiled. She obviously didn't recognize Seifer and although Squall realized it he didn't even care anymore.
"must be that war criminal again… how boring…", she said again.
"the number one war criminal, enemy of the world, was indeed not-mistakenly seen in Deling. Unfortunately, as we pursued him to almost at Galbadia border, we lost him as he killed our entire army. This is really a big lost. And we will take this matter seriously.
I just want to clarify one thing. We, Galbadian army was almost succeed in retrieving this man if only he was not possessing the forbidden art of GF as F.A.S.T leader , Major Almasy witnessed himself.
And the blinding white light in the sky as must be seen by citizens near the place is confirmed as Alexander, one of legendary GF, and is a proof of his presence and his unresponsible murdering. We officially confirm it as Squall Leonhart himself.
Galbadia nation ask full cooperation for all of nations. Don't let this man breath and walk freely in our lands. As for all civilians, we hope your participations too. Don't let this sleek enemy continued his crime again.
But don't be afraid.
we will- …."
"just another cliché excuse… that Galbadian probably was scheming this so called almost catch up scenario, right, Lucas?", the old woman commented.
But before she realized it, this Lucas had already disappeared.
As Seifer reached the podium to give some speech, Squall had already left the place.
"Huh? Lucas?"
The old woman was now looking at the screen which now was displaying old photograph of Squall with his characteristic.
"Hey, where are you?... Where is he?".
She looked at the opened door and realized he was gone.
"So odd…"
But the old woman didn't think further. She even didn't realized it was the same man she was looking at the screen and the man she was just had conversation with minutes ago.
"Probably just another poor man who wants some meals… *Sigh*… using Seifer's name… "
The old woman was now indeed an ordinary naïve woman and already had her brain's function decreased, with a blurry eyes and fragile fat body. Although she had a remarkable past as a young Timber fighter, she was now just an old grandma. Yes, forgetful and lost her vibrant and her curiosity. She didn't know that the young man he found years ago was also a Timber fighter. She didn't even know his last name; only Seifer. What she always knew that the young man was a poor man with no future and shelter thus her soft side welcomed him as her own grandchild. She didn't know about his past or who he was but years then passed smoothly. She didn't bother. The quiet man with blond long hair which always bind tightly with bangs here and there not only accompanied her, took care of household and children, but also supported the funds; money. In fact, the quiet young man helped her a lot and made her life a lot happier. Yes, until he disappeared suddenly.
-O-
The moon shone brightly that night.
That shiny red metal thing stood there. Dollet has acclaimed it…
It was actually 4 years ago when he sat proudly on that thing, having everything at his command.
Dollet, the city of nobility. He ran and ran…
Now stuck in this harbor.
…killed 3 men could be just my paranoid…..those young soldiers wouldn't know anything but hell I don't care!
He ran and ran…
This Dolletian uniform is really stink. But my whole damn world is stink anyway. Now there must have been battalions of army pursuing me.
Dollet, the city of nobility.
[30 june 1999,Dollet, midnight]
It was already night. The sea was dark, glistening by occasionally lamps from the ships. They were at the harbor, and the Garden vessel was there and ready to escort them back to Balamb city anytime. The steel door was opened as their arrival, and a man with black suit and golden lines –the seed uniform- appeared. He gave Squall the SeeD salute. "ready to depart, Sir."
Then Squall jumped in, followed by Nida. But something bothered him.
"Nida, go back to the garden. I'm going to …check on something first."
He jumped out of the vessel.
"and you're going to Galbadia alone, Sir?", Nida replied with question.
Damn! Right… as neutral power tomorrow I should attend the Galbadia final election.
"Yes. It's just formality. It's best if I go on my own."
Now Nida changed his tone. "What is it, Squall?", Nida eyed him suspiciously.
"I'm not sure yet. Looks like the red wine's…. as bitter as we thought.", he said sternly. "Inform Xu about the situation." He checked his watch and was about to leave. "oh, and I want our security and information system rechecked again.", he continued.
Nida gave the SeeD salute without any questions. He had mutual understanding on his eyes.
The steel door shut, and the vessel sailed off. Squall then turned around and went to certain place.
He remebered how he stepped into the Timber inn. Instead of going to receptionist first, he stared at the surroundings, looking for any odds an uncommon things.
"Commander Squall Leonheart, Sir?", a man tapped his shoulder from the back.
Squall eyed the man and followed him outside where the red sedan had parked.
It was in the forest finally he met the man. Kurt Deling, a man in his late 40, was sitting there in his black luxury car. Squall got off from the red sedan, completely alert for whatever it would be ahead. (he used to this kind of situation. Not even a single fear on him. And those Deling men was typically easy to knocked down by him alone. Even if this was a trap, he could handle this. He's far over skilled in that part)
Dark and muddy.
The air was moist.
The only source of light was from Deling's car and his men's. Deling got off from his car and greeted Squall.
"Finally you come…. Commander. I wish we could meet in a more… convenient place.", he looked directly at the eyes of that young man. Too young for such an absolute military power he had. He offered his hand for a formal handshake which Squall ignored.
He then took on a cigarette and started to smoke.
"Cigarette?", he offered Squall.
"I don't smoke." Squall replied coldly. "you better make this fast, Deling."
"Well…let's say…Robin Oskman is a true military man. And probably you've heard about his mischievousness…he's-"
"-Now, what's the hell do you want from me?"
The man stopped talking and stared at Squall's eyes directly. "Business. You have power and skill, I have money. And I think you're the most perfect person for the job. Or- your SeeDs. Whoever, I don't really care."
"If that's it, then it's a no. I believe I've said to you that I don't want to be involved in your political game."
"Wait…wait… such a young commander, aren't you, Mr. Leonhart? What if… ?"
But it had been 4 years ago. Now in reality, he was standing there alone, looking at the glistening water, thinking how he could get out of the place.
-O.O-
"WHAT? He got away?", a middle age man shouted furiously.
"One of the ships, we assume…and one of WPO airship in Balamb district was lost in contact since last night. We assume…"
"You assume? How could this happen? Now, how about that F.A.S.T leader of Galbadia does now?"
"… He had been informed. But he's already known before that. He's now currently pursuing the fugitive to Trabia, Sir. So, what shall we do? Send our men too?"
"…no. Leave it to them right now. We don't have to interfere."
"Understood, Sir."
They don't know that the man they were talking about was still there in the harbor of their city.
Walking quietly, he then stabbed one of the poor harbor labor and undone his clothes, and sneaked into one of the ship as a worker. It was such an easy thing for him to do that he didn't leave any marks.
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
Finally! FH!
The sea breeze was perfect. Birds were flying. The sun shone brightly.
A blond man got off from his tiny wooden ship, stretching his arms and back. He grinned widely at the scene. Regardless its small size, the place had grown to be a busy trading port, the center of international trading activity from all of the place in the world. It had become a good place for economy since it was strategically placed in the ocean, in the center of the world. The huge long train tract that connected Galbadia continent and Esthar too had been reestablished and operated again. Perfect. And their arts in technology despite their modest custom and simple lifestyle just added a plus to this small nation.
Then the man brought his big white sac down. Checking at the items inside, he grinned satisfied. The white lilies were still ok.
Now where is the marketplace… he looked around in high hope. And it would be good if I found link to work here… as a fisherman maybe, or a trader…
But he suddenly bumped by a man.
"HEY!USE YOUR EYES, MAN!", he yelled furiously to the man, stiffened briefly as he realized something. It was a very big thing the man brought, covered by white fabrics. His movements were fast and nothing ordinary. He's a well trained one.
Then Clive looked to his falling sac : some of his fresh white lilies were spread.
Oh,nooooooo!
He started to pick the still-good looking lilies, ignoring the fact that 3 men was pursuing the man.
"Stop that!", he shouted furiously again to they who stepped right into his lilies.
"Sorry… hey, d'y see a man running toward here? Where did he go?"
"HOW SHOULD I KNOW? arrghh… my lilies…"
"He was about to steal one of our ship… we saw that! Thus we-"
"Do you think I would care? With my lilies are gone?"
The three men then talk with themselves.
"Look! The ship! He must have taken that ship instead!", one of them yelled furiously, pointing to the flag far away to the sea.
"SHIT!"
"…oh, let's go back. There's no way we pursue that. Not worth enough…"
"oo…RIGHT! The damage one! It almost killed Keith yesterday in the ocean!...hwahahaha…..fool…."
"It's not a matter of damage or not, you idiot… it's just small cheap ship for short track. It's gone away and too much effort to get it back. not worth. Let's go. And Nida, don't tell the Major."
His heart beat faster suddenly. Nida…?
The blond man turned his head spontaneously to see the man. Right… of course… there's no way… a coincidence happens….
Then the three of them left, including the so called Nida who was apparently the fat man who laughed. My liillies…
Still drifting, the blond man then greeted by unknown old man near him.
The old man squatted, looking at his lilies.
"…White lilies, young man?"
"Uh…yes. From winhill-"
"Look, a man name T.D buys this high. Follow the road until you arrive at the town square, he will be found easily then."
"I get that. Thank you! My name- uh… Clive…"
The old man just nodded and smiled.
It was the most crowded side of the quiet city of FH; a marketplace, where you could find an inn, fish market, and other shops. A man was there in his neat shirt, contrast to the modest looking appearance of FH people. He was sitting there, busy with his phone in his hand, in his own so called stand. Several people came and went.
Clive could see lilies and other kinds of flowers there, near his stand, packaged neatly, ready to be brought by ships.
"…Mr. T.D?"
The man turned his head and nodded.
"Well, uh,,, I'm Clive form Winhill…"
"…Winhill… wait…white lilly?"
"Yes."
"Great! I'm run of white lilies here. You know… it's for Deling ceremonial this week. The demands are high. So, where...?"
Clive was excitingly dropped his sac and opened it to get some samples.
T.D eyes grew greedily as he looked how fresh the flowers were; the kinds of items he needed right now for the business. One of the problems was apparently solved.
"Could it be that sac is…?"
"Yes!"
Wow… he didn't expect to this. A week he had been there and the stock was not enough. They just sold a few, never this lot. With this, he could directly go to Deling, that's how he thought.
"Well, I sailed by myself. That's why.", he grinned.
"From Winhill?"
Clive nodded. And T.D had already started the calculation.
"Here.", he said, giving a written details and offering money.
"Hey, it's far! How could it only 4000 gil?"
"…deal or no? It's up to you…"
"…uh… uh…. Ok. but could you please make it higher a bit?"
"if you help me going there, then I'd pay you double.", he laughed mocking him.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. T.D…", he replied ironically.
Clive then wandered the place after he accepted the money. No way he'd lived like this forever; no way his beloved family would live poorly forever. A job, and a place to live here in FH, that's all what he needed right now.
"…How to be a fisherman here, Mr?"
"…Who are you? Talk to the Major first!"
"…Can I work here, Mr? I could clean, and-"
"Go away… we don't need any workers right now. I'm sorry."
Oh man…
Now he's drinking his precious mineral water; the cheapest thing he could afford to drink there.
"So, how about it? I see you're desperate looking for money, young man." Surprisingly, TD was there.
"What's what?"
"I'll pay you double…"
...so it's not a…. joke?
"S-sure! What should I do? Where should I go? Deling?"
"…No, I'll take these flowers back to Deling myself. But here, some of these… you deliver it there. And help decorating the place as well. So?"
"…Decorating…sure…! Where?" Sounds easy.
"Balamb."
His cheerful face changed suddenly. He was almost frowning and T.D could see that.
"…the most horrible place you could say… but I don't pay double for nothing, right? Most of people will refuse. Aren't you brave enough to sail by yourself from Winhill? See the fine ship over there? What you have to do just dropped the goods there. Find the man named Luc there. He's the one who will take over then. So?"
Balamb. Balamb.
"…No more cities there as far as I know.", he said firmly. "don't you say it's the-"
"Exactly. The number one Balamb Prison… Galbadia government wants that place to be beautifully joined this parade, too. Generous, right?"
"…It's just a mask for the government to looked good, as if the prisoners there threatened well enough as human."
"Hey, be careful, Son….watch your mouth, or you'd get yourself thrown to that place! Although you are citizen of Winhill, Galbadia has its fingers everywhere, Son!"
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
-Balamb Island-
Gilbert? Gilbert des Dollet? What's he doing here?
He held his breath. Man…I couldn't hear their conversation!
….
"the sorcerer."
"Yes. Make it as if Leonhart behind this. And kill her infront of public. The preparation?"
"…She's in ready state, Sir. And the weapon is ready."
"Make sure the men in list die in the accident, including our precious President Caraway."
"Yes, Sir. How about Kinneas?"
"Let Galbadia do what they want first. We don't need to interfere."
Galbadia?
Isn't this Galbadia….
Wait….something is not right, here…
"L cent da Dollet!"
"L cent da Dollet!"
Zell held his breath in horror.
He then carefully sneaked out from the place. He knew the place too well, although Balamb plain was not the same anymore, and the Balamb garden had turned to be not more than horrible ruined called "prison".
He ran and ran, appeared anxious. And finally he was back to the place where he should be instead.
"Hey, you! I'm looking for you! Come! The forbidden area is in this way!"
"Sorry, this place is just too… horrible. I got lost."
"Stay close to me. Say…how much money you got for this?"
"… 4000 gils."
"Haha.. You must be kidding…."
"uh- 8000 gil total actually."
"I wouldn't want to sell my life for that mounts of money… the one who sent you must be cruel enough."
"Right."
"Or you must be poor enough….here is the place. Let's start our work then."
Zell stiffened. He could hear the screams. So eerie.
Luc whispered something to his fellow guard.
"For the ceremonial thing."
"Go ahead."
Then Luc turned his face toward the pale Zell. The former infirmary had been modified to be a much different place.
"Afraid, aren't you? Hey… If I were you, I wouldn't dare to peek in… it's horrible."
He turned his head away from the glass transparent room (much like aquarium) without ever looking exactly what's like inside. It was much bigger than the rest of prison rooms there, with a very different appearance.
"…", he then kept working but not saying anything.
He could hear whips, screams, and any kinds of noisy sounds that describing how cruel the torturing event was occuring inside.
"High level security."
"…"
"The scream, isn't it? I too was like you. But after worked here for 2 years… believe it or no, you get used to it. But thanks god, because of my 'too-soft personalities, I am assigned to front sector now, not in this place again…"
"…uh, yes."
"Don't believe it, man! He's actually got his rank down. A too soft guards? Hahahaha…", the man standing there mocked Luc. "just get your ass out of this place, man! You're not suitable for the job.", he said more to Luc.
Zell was not interested by their conversation. He was full of his own thought. It's actually not because of the screams, but the voice who was screaming. Zell knew it too well.
"Hey! Put it nicely! Not like that, you fool!... this place will be shot by the whole damn reporters!", Luc yelled, couldn't hide his annoyance.
"Oh, right."
"The execution! It will be held here and every single Galbadian, no- the world would see it! and the presidential staff had ordered it to be extra well decorated like the rest Galbadia ! it's for the ceremonial thing!"
"The execution will be held in ceremonial day?", he asked in disbelief manner.
"Perfect, isn' it?"
"Officer Luc!"
"Yes!"
Both of them talked. Then Luc used his communicator device. Several men then arrived.
The door opened.
Highly guarded by several special guards, hands chained tightly, the prisoner came out.
"Move, you idiot! Move!", one of the guard kicked him, while holding whips. Other held guns pointing to his head.
"Don't try to run away again, you fool!"
The man didn't reply anything. As apathetic as he could be, but no fear reflected in his eyes or gestures. His blond long hair was dirt and stink, totally messed.
"Hey! Be careful! This man had almost fled by that plane!"
"…I'm not afraid. Move!"
The man coughed a bloody one.
Then his eyes met Zell's bluish green eyes. Full hatred was there. Those orbs pierced him and he felt nothing but guilt. The prisoner turned away his gazed first, which made Zell feel more uncomfortable, then out of sudden, the man jerked his body. Looked quite hysterical as if he got trance, he pushed his body to the guards regardless his movement was locked tightly.
Then he succeeded to hit Luc then Zell.
Zell bumped hard. Still strong; too strong for a man who had been tortured for years.
Alarms then heard. "It's prisoner 001! KINNEAS!" It was then noisy. Several backups arrived.
"Are you ok?, Clive?", Luc voice heard.
But Zell had already fallen unconscious. Little that Luc knew the cause he fainted was nothing related to the fall.
-O.O-
[end of chapter: revelation]
that's it. review please...