DISCLAIMER : Final Fantasy Series belongs to Square-Enix.
The songs (*) is Linkin' Park (Faint, Breaking the Habit, From The Inside,
I own nothing, except this usual rule:
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.
Note: drama genre then…?
Chapter VIII : "Another Love Story"
[I am a little bit of loneliness, a little bit disregard
Handful of complaints but I can't help the fact that everyone can see these scars
I am what I want you to want, what I want you to feel
But it's like no matter what I do
I can't convince you
Just to believe this is real
So I let go, watching you….]*
How she put her devilish smile on me that time.
It was dark. Night at capital city of Galbadia.
It was months finally I could see her face again.
"BUT WHEN? It's already 4 years Squall!"
"Oh, God! We're still young!"
"Twenty one. Young?"
"Yes.", I said firmly.
"OHh! So, when? What am I to you? Your little sister ? Squall? When? You're not even serious on me? "
"You don't have to bother. I'm not interested in marrying low girl like you. You don't even have respect… dignity on yourself. I don't want to see you again."
And I went through the door.
"Go find that Seifer.
I couldn't believe it was the last time I got conversations with her.
And she was then missing.
Just to be suddenly reappearing again as someone I swear I'd never known. Or maybe I had never known her at all.
Now I ran at my best just to see her face again; to stop her madness and stop my own insanity.
[Memories consume like opening the wound
I'm picking me apart again
I don't want to be the one
But battle always choose
Inside I realize
I'm the one confuse
I don't know what's worth fighting for or why I have to scream
I don't know why I instigate and say what I don't mean
I don't know how I got this way
I know it's not alright….
I don't know who to trust no surprise
Everyone feels so far away from me
Heavy thoughts shift thought dust and the lies]*
"Dance with me?"
Angelic smile on her captivating face.
[Trying not to break but I'm so tired out of this deceit
Everytime Every time I try to make myself get back up on my feet
All I ever think about is this
All the tiring time between
And how tiring to put my trust In you*
Just takes so much out of me]
And she pointed out the star, the same angelic smile.
[I swear for the last time I won't trust myself with you.]*
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
*snowy land of Trabia, [September 1999], in the late afternoon, almost sunset*
I sometimes could be really childish. Just to ease my worries, I've come to this winter land of Trabia to kill some unlucky ruby dragons. It was just a silly matter, but instead of the Republic of Esthar I should have been now, here I am, have taken the Ragnarok privately, bringing Zell along. To talk about the secret mission- that's how I put it to him.
The Seifer mission of course.
"Man! Let's stop! I've already exhausted!", he panted heavily after we killed one, trying to catch up with me.
"We need more items for the students… ruby dragons are perfect stocks."
"BUT you don't have to drag me to this place! You could always do it- handle it alone!", he drifted more. "or bringing Rinoa along for your little romantic trip to Esthar…"
"…..just want to talk about the private matters. So how about the mission? "
"…..Almasy?"
"What else?"
"….man… I'm still preparing."
"Better do it fast."
"Fast. Yeah. Hhh- hh So don't assign me to other mission like –hh- infiltrating Glbadia or finding that bomb issue…"
"Come…"
"No, it's enough! *pant* Man… it's not about the items….. you're just avoiding the meeting…"
"You make it sounds like it's important."
"It is. I'm hungry and tired… I'm curious of what kind of nice accommodation and food he offers us… Hey, man! Grow up, will you? What is THE DAMN big prob just to see your old man? Laguna just wants to see you."
"I've seen him enough. "
"Not in private matters."
"Political and formality work for me."
"Yeah… you're just a child sometimes….."
"Say it again and you will never be able to taste hot dog anymore, Zell."
"Aww… sorry, man. But give the man chance, Squall. He's the president of Esthar! The BIG nation! When he purposely gives his time just to see you in his all scheduled day, you should give him credit…. We never know when that free time comes again."
"Better never come. I'm busy too if you ever notice."
"Sorry, Mr. Commander. I forget how workaholic you are with your great responsibilities that reflected in your baggy eyes…"
I stared at him boringly while he was just grinning, saying, "Consider this as holiday. A break of your never ending job."
"I can't see why he's inviting me. No reasons."
"Why it must always have any kinds of reasons? Man… I bet that Laguna now is currently sitting, waiting patiently in his palace for his son to come. While his tons of duties waiting afterward… don't you have heart, man? So what about me? If I invite you in next 40 years when we don't have any common interests anymore, no responsibilities, no reasons, will you come then?"
"What do you think?", I decided to play along.
He shouted in frustrated in reply.
And I finished another ruby dragon.
"OK, now it's time to go back. It's enough.", he said.
"…"
"You're really a cold man. He's your father."
"Father? I have never had a father. And I live finely without one.", I said. It sounded colder that I intended to be which made Zell notice it.
"…..o-k, change the topic.", he said. "Now… we have that peace treaty with Galbadia. The world is perfect. Already at peace. You got that perfect job too… everything is fine. So, what's more to wait?"
I looked at him briefly.
"RINOA, man?! What else…..!"
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"What's about her?"
"What's more to wait. You have got everything. Marry her, man… before someone else takes her."
"Not that again. Say it to yourself."
"Me and – noooo…..", he turned red." Just several months. We haven't really known each other yet. But you and Rin is different matter…."
I ignored him.
"and you two is some kind of symbol you know….. with that sorcerer war and all…."
"…hey, where we parked the Ragnarok? I can't see the hint…", I said instead.
"COZ WE'VE WALKED too far! arrgh…!"
I was about to see my detecting device when suddenly my phone rang.
"COMMANDER, Sir! Finally could contact you! So what will we do now?", Xu 's anxious voice almost deafened me.
"…"
"The Galbadia expansion, Sir! Winhill and Timber desperately ask for our cooperation. You've seen the video I've sent you, right, Sir?"
Noise then heard through the phone. "wait-", she said to whoever it was there.
"The representatives are already here, sir. We're waiting for your arrival as soon as possible, sir. You have that Ragnarok with you, right?"
"Hmm… yes.", I said instead while in fact we actually weren't aboard that giant airship now.
"OK. I'll cancel your appointment with President Laguna then-"
"Wait- send Quistis as representative first. I'll arrive there in about…- 1 hour."
"Understood, Sir."
Galbadia…
Again. So the peace treaty is just a mask!
I've always been thinking it's odd…..
Damn galbadia!
… I think normal wouldn't work for me, or my life.
I gazed directly at Zell's eyes.
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
[27 september 1999]
"Let's help Timber then."
"wh-what?"
"Only that way we could regain their trust. With this issue surfacing… it's endangering us. Our credibility."
"But we then involved in political play when we should stand neutral instead. Remember G-890 state 7 for garden neutrality, Squall!"
"If this issue spreads out it would be more disadvantaging us, Quistis."
"but-"
"and count it as our responsibility to aid that Deling to become the current president which approved a threat to the world, with his expansion and all…"
"that is why you shouldn't have involved in his plan in the first place! I still couldn't believe you agreed to help him. The bomb and all!"
"We're paid mercenaries if you forget."
"but remain neutral and off of any kinds of politics."
"…"
"There is witness that saw your appearance in Timber Inn. Timber… we should really have eyes on them. Now they are currently suspecting us. If they got the evidence, then we'd finished, Squall."
"Don't make them get the evidence then. And send one team of seed to investigate it, Quis. Report to me directly."
She nodded. A brief pause then she asked, "What is the true reason…?"
"…"
"Why didn't ask our opinion first? You had- you have- your staffs! Garden is not yours!"
"Are you happier to evaluate my leadership and decision-making instead of fixing the real problem? Stop commenting what is passed and move instead. Now, we'll help the Timber. And pull off the loose strands. "
"Understood, Sir."
"...and that Kurt Deling… see how far he can go. We'll stop him no matter what.", I couldn't hide my angry tone.
"Don't worry, Squall. Everybody makes mistake."
Then she left.
I doubted she still said that if she had been known that my very reason was nothing good. It was my own ego. Because of Rinoa's best interest. When he threatened to announce to the public about Rinoa true identity as the current sorcerer- with lot of evidences, scientifically and empirically, with that support too, I couldn't just refuse. And he offered the big money we need to rebuild the Trabia garden and the initiating fund of Esthar Garden which would be built soon. With that Oskman interfering, now we really need money.
Shit… I'm afraid I've been a knight instead of the commander I should have been…
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
[The memories continued to flash back…]
[January 2000, Galbadia, Deling City]
"The representative from Garden has arrived…"
Squall nodded gracefully and took his seat. Beside him Quistis Trepe was stood proudly as usual. He looked at empty chair which intended for Esthar representative (looks like they still had diplomatic problems) and took a brief glance to the unfamiliar man who should be Dollet Duke, Gilbert. It was occupied by a fat bald man who Squall remembered vaguely as some kind of minister from Dollet. Even Dollet didn't send its Defense Minister…
It was a calm night at Deling city. All representatives from all nations (garden is a special case) was invited to join this event which impact international interest.
Squall couldn't understand why the Galbadian must do it this way. Formal conference in a closed-formal building would do. And that is logic. But this way…This much more like a parade than a formality. Why not using formal conference instead to proclaim their transient government? Squall didn't like nor agree about this, but he couldn't just refuse to attend since he was in fact the most man in charge about this political issue of Galbadia Nation since the world had acclaimed Garden to be the part (the leader in fact) of Galbadia Monitoring (to ensure everything went well) in this chaotic global political crisis. Since yes, war, and sudden death of Kurt Deling, and disappearance of important figures including General Caraway, nuclear issues, and (sadly) no World Peace Organization had been established yet. Looking at the city, Squall felt the itchy question rose up in his mind. Why must they sit in front of the people of Galbadia, in this balcony of presidential palace? It's just like years ago in Edea 's parade…. This was surely spent a lot of money. But hey! Couldn't help, it's their culture- their custom- yeah the rich and hedonist people of Galbadia who love to party and spend money in unnecessary things… -even in this crisis….hell, Whatever…..
That man stood proudly initiating his speech, "People of Galbadia, it's time for our new hope to come!", the man said his speech gracefully.
… in your command, I suppose, Greyshade? Squall rolled his piercing steel blue eyes. Quistis gave him the calm look and whispered something in his left ear, which unfortunately he couldn't hear that time. Albert Greyshade, a man who was not predicted to be the president; he had tiny chance in the past election compared to his opponents like Oskman and Deling. But Deling's dead... and Oskman, the legal winner- ah forget it. Whatever of the past. Here this man now stand as the president.
Whatever.
Now Squall was placing his hand on his temple boringly, looking at the parade and hysterical mass below with lots of lights, fireworks, loud deafening music, which was typical opening ceremonial of this idiot hedonist country, when suddenly he was startled to see at his rear view at the newcomer who had just arrived.
Empty for a second, holding his breath.
And damn! His usual bright-logical brain couldn't put things in right place that time.
"First of all, I would like to thank you for you people to choose me….", Albert Greyshade initiating again his speech. "and here our lady has arrived."
While Squall face was expressionless and leaders from other nations put shock expressions, the young beautiful girl took over the speech confidently and succeeded in influencing the mass.
Ironically, the mass didn't seem affected like it should be. They seems to accept her.
Squall held his breath. "Contact the Garden, Quis.", was the fastest response commander Squall could do spontaneously that time.
How the transient president, Albert Greyshade announced his partner calmly like there was nothing wrong of choosing sorcerer was really a big irony.
"People of Galbadia! We don't have to be afraid! When world is currently at war, our financial issues is deliberating… our political issue is on the edge of crisis….
Do not worry…
Galbadia Nation will stand proudly again! We can face this!"
"The lady here who had fought years ago to overcome sorcerer disaster of the last evil sorcerer,Edea, together with me, Albert Greyshade, will surely guide us all to our triumph again…. For Galbadia!"
"Squall-"
Everything then went fast. Some leaders shouted. And their special defense force reacted. Much ruckuses and debated…..
"She is the Sorcerer!", one leader of nation who Squall couldn't replace since his brain still stop functioning well, shouted furiously and stood.
"Squall-"
"Oh, I forget to introduce you all. Yes, she is. But may I remind you again, and for all people of Galbadia too, not all sorcerers are evil. She is one of the hero of last war."
"Cheers for our sorcerer, people!", Greyshade shouted to mass which replied by hysterical cheers.
It's insane!
"and I want to clear up something first. The sightseeing of sorcerer in Esthar, is nothing to do with our sorcerer. We have proves about it. And for Galbadia sake, I need you to reunite in this critical period, people of Galbadia!"
The cheers began to hysterical again.
And Rinoa took the podium and started her speech which just couldn't be comprehended by Squall even for one word.
Another man shouted.
"WE HAVE THE RIGHT to defend and fight for our citizen. Ms. Heartilly here is still our citizen.", Greyshade replied the shouting man.
"This is crazy…", another leader murmured.
"Gentlemen, don't leave your seats…"
"….while other nations now have nuclear weapons and other deadly weapon….. and an unknown Evil sorcerer… why can't Galbadia have a sorcerer? Think clearly, people. I don't ask you to think about ethics or right or wrong here…..
Put your faith in us….
And we shall stood again as strong nation.", she said between her speech. "that will contribute to the world. We'll be benefited to the global population. Peace shall be formed."
That was- just sounded like Rinoa.
"Squall-"
"and in this opportunity, I would like to make sure we, Galbadia, also take actions on what is currently happening to the world right now. The idea of WPO, World Peace Organization which comes from Duke of Dollet and Commander of Garden", she gave Squall a formal node, "must be really established. Now with the great people here, the leaders of nations of the world currently gathering here- I welcome you all to our country- this WPO should be established this day! We proudly announced Galbadia as host of first meeting of WPO! ", she shouted and nodded, and then Greyshade took the podium again.
"It's enough for now.", Greyshade whispered to Rinoa.
"Cheers for our sorcerer!"
"WHAT JOKE is this?"
"What is this, Greyshade? We don't believe this slut!"
"I don't believe you!"
"Gentlemen, now if you don't mind, follow me to the conf-", Rinoa said but cut off by a bullet.
From what nations?
Presidential helicopters, special unite for presidents or prime ministers had took emergency procedures to save their leaders.
"Our diplomatic is cut!"
"She is the sorcerer!"
"A big conspiracy!"
"AFTER ESTHAR massacre, Greyshade!"
"Now it's our time!"
"Squall-"
"Commander!"
"SQUALL!"
…Quis?
"SQUALL! Are you with me?"
Rinoa is shot…..
And-
Chaos.
Squall finally regained his composure. He could see clearly hurt expression on that beautiful girl's face.
What should I do?
And he could see that her eyes glowing amber…not like Rinoa she used to know.
The sorcerer stood again, much to a comical ironic replay of event years ago, at the same place…..
And Squall witnessed how she killed them in defense. Then, Albert Greyshade was killed by her. "You betrayed me already, Albert!"
And more chaotic events.
-while Squall brain stopped functioning.
Some of the elites had been saved by their defense troops, some of them had dead. Galbadia army currently been divided in chaos.
Some of them hypnotized by the sorcerer.
And Galbadia had turned to be a battle field.
The back ups from Garden had arrived, while no sane nations would send theirs.
"Squall, your order?"
G..."Get the sorcerer! Protect the citizen!"
He reached the phone and dialed Irvine's.
"Where are you? Shit- whatever- Irvine, reunite the Galbadia army and command them!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Now all of Galbadian army was practically on Squall commands. There were some local leaders of themselves though, and they're currently pursuing the sorcerer.
Finally, he could get closer to his target.
Then, he could see a hint of Estharian army in the skies had arrived. Those Estharians must have been predicted these and made this as opportunity to kill the sorcerer; their current threat.
He kept running.
Now the girl was in front of him, on the grassy field outside the gate of Deling City. He could get her anytime and yes, he had been prepared for this. She kept running toward the ocean. A fool action, since it was a high riff, she would be cornered if she ran and ran toward the ocean.
To Squall shock and much depression and panic, the girl he used to know then raised her hands. Her gleaming golden eyes were so powerful and cold. She smiled to him. She pointed to the sky.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Crap! Just like in the dance…
And the skies above become darker and darker….
The pressure…..
She had called the Lunatic Pandora from wherever it could be!
It was still high in the sky, and she was still concentrating in calling it.
Squall just stunned.
No army was brave enough to get closer to the place.
Tap.
Tap.
Faint steps then heard, not that I care.
"What are you dooooing, Squalllll! STOP HER!"
Quistis.
Who else.
Squall stunned.
A disappointed look from Quistis, and Quistis raced fast and charge the sorcerer. But with a slight move of finger, Rinoa made her fainted with a big lightning Squall had never seen.
I…I…..
Then finally, the Lunatic Pandora had arrived in the sky. With her greyish wings, Rinoa flew to the giant monument.
Squall fell to his knees.
Why…WHY?
Am I controlled by her?
Damn! He punched the earth.
He looked at the sky, the moon cry would started soon if she was really insane…
Then lot of soldiers arrived. The Estharian.
One of them saluted him.
"Commander Leonhart, I, general Rooki as representative from Republic of Esthar want to clarify things and send massage from the president. Until due time, we, Estharian, are now at your service, Sir. The president of Esthar would like us to work together for this crisis time. Please accept our diplomatic offer. Now Mr. Kiros is on his way and about to arrive in 15 minutes."
"…Accepted."
"Your orders, Sir?"
Squall was indeed an intelligent tactician. Fast decisions and orders were then made.
Ironically, still dazed, he didn't really did everything consciously; nor he realized nor he remembered what he had said and done.
Many Estharian mixed with remaining Galbadia men, and also Garden SeeDs and students also deployed to the site.
Nida spoke something, but what Squall got was just, "-the ultima weapon, Squall!", Nida shouted from the com. Fortunately the communication was again re-connected.
"NO! I SAID NO! Now where's Zell and Selphie?"
"Deling. They- …..Dzzzzt.. chrsskk!"
Damn! Cut off gain.
One of the soldier, with advance Estharian technology managed to shoot Rinoa before she could get to the top of the Pandora..
Her wings injured and she fell.
Now that she was cornered and in weak position.
Squall raced to her. -With armies following him.
"Shoot, Sir?"
Squall raised his hand and approached the sorcerer.
What he saw then was just the vulnerable usual Rinoa, the naïve raven girl who was currently crying.
Her eyes were the same brown warm eyes but now looked terrified.
She tried to talk with him through telepathy. He could hear that she was really really terrified.
Are you being controlled? But we killed her!
Rin? Answer me!
No answer.
The connection was lost.
Is she being controlled?
Because of his doubt actions, the Estharian –maybe Galbadian, which he didn't even care at the moment, reacted themselves.
They shot the sorcerer on sight.
They really intended to kill her.
Without any questions in his brain , Squall reacted fast.
As a knight.
Protect her.
And killed many people.
It was fuzzy but next thing he knew, he had already been running alone in this maze of Lunatic Pandora. Many soldiers were deployed there. Some of them now currently pursuing him too, that's what his logic told him.
But how should he know?
Now, he's running alone.
Many must had been dead along the process.
Some were his responsibilities. But now, he had made up his mind to kill her no matter what.
That image replayed and replayed again in his brain. How she then spread her wings, her glowing amber eyes smiled in satisfy, much more like mocking him and then she flew again to her Lunatic Pandora.
When more backups arrived, and Xu was there too with his SeeDs and Balamb students, Squall was already shouted furiously in the most cold tone Xu had ever heard, "I'll kill her my self!"
"Xu, I leave everything to you. You're in charge down here."
"Yes, Sir!...but isn't it suicide…?Commander?"
"She's been injured. We could take her down before she recovered.."
"Her power?"
"Still below predicted, you know her. Before she totally awake, we could still have chance. We will!"
"…."
"-and I need Quis, Zell, Irvine, Selphie-"
"I'm sorry but it cant' be-"
Squall realized the fact and he looked slightly at the unconscious Quistis and exhaled air forcefully, sighing -and he ran toward the Lunatic Pandora to stop all these madness without saying anything more.
...
Finally he arrived at the top of the Lunatic Pandora.
Alone.
He was alone.
She was alone.
Yes, she was so terrifying and terrified. Within his logical sense, two opposites responsibilities, a grown up man shouted in his complicated brain. Squall Leonhart was really placed in the most confused state. His mind was arguing, driving him crazy.
"I'll face her myself!", there he shouted furiously firmly. But it was so easy 40 minutes ago. But here, when he actually arrived at the lunatic Pandora with his unbelievable skill and more to luck itself, it was not that easy.
He had been separated with his friends. His so called army must have been turned into chaotic too in this bloody massacre- in this uncontrolled situation. Communication was cut off. Many people had died. The Galbadia government and armies too, were now nothing in significance. In this chaotic condition, you realized that you were on your own. Rapidly thinking mixed in panic what could be done- again, alone.
What happened in Galbadia right now, he had entrusted it to his fellow friends- if they were still alive.
Now, he tried his best to do it perfectly. What he had come this far for.
But she looked afraid. Her eyes turned from golden to brown… and golden again..
Brown. And she was then crying.
"Squall…I- I'm so scared…"
I couldn't do this alone!
Where are they?I've sent the coordinate to Estharian before the communication cut off again…or did it fail?
Footsteps outside.
Finally.
"Squall, help me…..", it was a trembling voice. The familiar one.
And then she threw him blizzaga. Fortunately, since Squall was more compatible to and used ice and water elements, he was not vulnerable to them, most to his advantage.
Whether Rinoa purposely doing it for his sake or no.
Her eyes turned from golden to brown… and golden again..Like that for two minutes.
Squall had made up his mind. He charged and charged, using his lionhart… to the woman he loved.
He realized it, every time he faced her directly, the sorcerer seemed a bit more vulnerable, and that was his chance, especially when she didn't show that golden eyes. But she too, was showing offensive movements, and Squall was severely injured in turn.
And Estharian soldier, with their enhanced weapons developed to face the sorcerer, were now ready at Squall command. Squall shook his head and then raised his hand as instruction.
Thus they started to shot the cornered sorcerer.
Antimagical field device they brought also had been activated.
And what was a sorcerer without her magic? Nothing.
So now, she was at most disadvantage situation.
"You said you would always protect me even if the world is my enemy…..", she said bitterly through his mind.
"I'm sorry, Rinoa.", he took his advantage and was about to finish it.
But then something stopped him. Squall couldn't stand looking at her pitiful condition. She was no more than a little scared girl, a maniac, depressed woman. Depressed girl, not barely a mature woman.
Should I help her?
Should I trust her?
I must kill her….
For everyone's sake…..
"Rinoa, is it you?"
"…..I- I'm so scared, Squall…" then she screamed in pain. She was in pain.
"….I don't want to die….but-"
"..."
"STOP! Stop this!" Again her scream.
What should I do…
I'm the commander of Garden….
I'm a Seed….
Damn it…
He charged her more with his limitbreak, lionhart. This is really an unfair play.
We, men, armed, together fighting a girl…
Damn it!
Sorry.
His lionhart then pierced to the anti magical device. And he used his only ultima magic to those Estharian.
Damn it!
He threw a glance to his long lost girlfriend.
"Thank you, my obedient knight.", she smiled maniacally with her beaming golden eyes.
The reminding soldiers not killed by ultima then killed by Rinoa, except for him.
Then, next thing he realized, he had pierced his lionheart to Rinoa chest.
But yes, devilish smile from her pretty figure. So confident.
And Squall could feel the fast pressure, and fast moving of area.
Just several seconds,
And the Lunatic Pandora fell toward the ocean in extremely high speed; with a very loud noise that almost deafening the ears.
"See? I'm using you."
Clank!
The lionhart threw away, wasted like a child toy.
With one last devilish simile, the sorcerer had flown away, leaving severely injured Squall in his confused brain and extremely angry feeling fell to his knee, with his lionhart threw up a bit far from him.
He tried to reach the lionhart and tried his best to save himself.
DUARR!
CLASH!
Too late…?
Fuzzy-
Dazed-
Hard to breath.
Buzzing familiar sound…..Ragnarok?
"Squall?", familiar voice greeted, but it's already dark for him.
"Now! Xu!...OH, GIVE ME!"
Stab!
….
Dark.
-O.O-
Tit…tit…tit…
The EKG sounded.
Squall opened his eyes. He looked a his body, bandaged everywhere. His leg was cast. Looking at his chest, he saw the bandage and touched the wound that shouldn't be there.
There must be a hole- a deep wound- in his left chest, he felt it.
"Penumothorax.", a firm yet comforting voice beside his bed said.
Quistis. She was there on the bed, with IV line, but thanks God, overall she looked OK.
"Penumo-what?"
"Penumothorax. Spontaneous. I was the one who stab you."
Right… fell from that height to the ocean. "I see.", Squall understood, remembering his basic medical knowledge. "Thanks. But I thought you were fainted."
"Xu was there and saved me. I was just injured severely by magic, and magic is my trump card. She could get me conscious with no problem. I was then conscious and witnessed it all."
If you're really that OK, then why are you here? "…"
"Lunatic Pandora, fell from the sky- to the ocean."
"There must be a huge tsunami then, an earthquake?"
"…"
"Right.", Squall concluded.
"Now, that thing currently beneath the ocean and couldn't be moved. we're trying …..but nope. Tell me, what's happened there?"
"She-", Squall stopped. He stared blankly at her instead; expressionless.
"It's ok. Just take a rest then. We have much to do later."
"…"
"No one is blaming you. Don't be too hard on yourself."
"…Irvine. Sephie, Zell? Are they safe?"
"Lost contact with them."
Squall made a big frown.
"It's OK, they must be safe somewhere."
"DIDN'T YOU SAY THERE'S A HUGE TSUNAMI THERE? Or probably they've been killed during the chaos? How could they be safe?", Squall frustratingly shouted.
"…"
"…..How many hours did I lose?"
"Five hours, if fainted is what you mean."
Squall tried to rise up. "I'm OK, I will be damn if I sleep here whole days.", he said.
But then the Balamb infirmary door slid opened, revealing dr Kadowaki.
"Mr. Commander, I am the one who take charge here. You can't go with this condition. If you insist, then I'll inject you with some of tranquillizers. Sedatives. Or muscle relaxant?", she said. "Then you won't be able to go anywhere."
Fortunately, she brought laptop and files and a stack of paper.
"From Xu. She'll stop by, once there is chance.", she said, checking at Quistis first, and then left.
"…"
Looking to the left, he saw Quistis had already fallen asleep. So, he read the files briefly, opened up his laptop and read the data thoroughly.
He saw the updated picture of Galbadia Nation. Their harbor was wiped. Small cities were destroyed. He focused on the Deling City, to maximal magnified. Fortunately, the city was on the plateau. So it wasn't affected that much, but still destroyed. Now he's confusedly looked at the odds: How can only the north part of the city is affected? Like there's something stopped it….
'Huge ice barricade on district X'
Huge ice? He magnified again the satellite image.
…this is…only shiva could possibly doing this….and only could be done with grand summoning… ordinary summoning won't do… and people who could do the grand summoning is extremely limited.
I didn't call her….
Hey, he didn't feel its presence! Then something struck him. He had given shiva in those chaotic times.
Squall looked at her direction : Quistis.
Galbadia itself now was currently closed to outsiders. They had made a huge defense and not letting any nations to interfere.
And Esthar… our diplomatic relationship is at worst situation…
[flash!]
+/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/++/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/+
Now I ran at my best just to see her face again. To stop her madness and stop my own insanity.
+/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/++/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/+
-O.O-
Curaga. The highest cure magic known. It is actually not more than a chemically active substance which boost up your energy transiently. It makes the body stress, push it further so your stress hormone would cover everything and fix up everything. All nerves (more to symphatetic) are then active. Your heart beats faster.
You forget all the pain.
Your metabolism turns crazy.
Activates the cortisol… that's the indirect mechanism… -that's how Quistis put it- and directly increase ephinephrine level on your blood (since it's actually some kind of epinephrine).
And other many complex mechanisms to build up the effect.
It's actually good.
But it forces your body. So it's actually like a double edge sword.
You got exhausted…
You got the adverse effects
You got the risks.
That's why, we should only use it on emergency time; as a coverage only.
It never heals your body.
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
…..it's over.
Quistis felt limp as she looked at the dead-end small room. She was so exhausted and it's just a matter of time she'd get caught too. She was certain now that she was going to faint now, with no one to pour her some potions or curaga to revive her. And lack of sleeps these days just making her untrained body and skills (which once was so terrifying) put into most disadvantage condition.
She was about to fell, feeling a huge regret of her failure to protect Xander. Why the government pursued the innocent child was another question in her curious mind. But still, she failed her responsibility. Imagine what failure cost for a perfectionist like her. She'd almost given up.
CLANK!
….? She gasped.
"Fire cross."
?!
"what's that instructor? Back me up!"
….How… how could this possible?
+/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/+
"….Xander…..I- I lost him- they got him."
"WHAT? OH, GREAT! damn!", Seifer shouted furiously. Then he took a deep breath and looked at Quistis directly, "….It's OK. He's safe. They won't kill him for now.", he then said calmly."…..it's ok."
"wh- WHAT?"
"….They won't kill him. Not yet. Sounds crazy….., but he's safe."
PLAK!
PLAK!
Quistis couldn't hid her anger and slapped him.
"What's this for?"
"What's this for? Yes, I forget that you're not the most brilliant student I had ever had."
"Taught by a failure instructor, I remind you."
Quistis ignored it and moved more to the east. Seifer then follow her in quiet.
"…So he looks for her…,", she let a sigh escaped, "doesn't he?"
At first, Seifer didn't answer and tried to read her expression.
"Of course.", now Quistis forced a laugh. But laugh couldn't hide the bitter tone.
"And you married him anyway.", Seifer couldn't stop his sharp tongue like usually. Damn…..didn't mean it.
He didn't mean it to sound so full of sarcasm like it turned to be.
But Quistis didn't react .
"While he never loves you…..*chuckle* never thought you ended up with him anyway. You're too blind to choose someone who didn't -who doesn't- even care bout your existence.", he added more.
There it goes again.
An anger build in, but Quistis was too often to face these kinds before.
"Oh, thank you so much. Never thought you'd been such a busy body these days, Almasy.. "., Quistis smiled confidently instead. "but believe me, it doesn't work for me. I don't really care about things like that. If you forget, I'm a soldier, and a soldier never involved emotions and fortunately, no one has. So it doesn't matter for me.", Quistis answered smugly in a winning but slight annoyed tone. She's too often facing his sarcasm and annoying behaviors. Some things were really never changed.
"No one has? I can see clearly why…", a smirk escaped his lips.
There again the damn tongue.
"Shut up!"
"…..Well-well….. got to the right part.", Seifer smirked. "He just used you.", he added.
"No one rally care about me and thanks for reminding me! Now leave me alone! For God sake, I just want to live a peaceful life! And you- ! Don't ever show your face in front of me! And hell! I don't even care about Xander or whatever, so get your ass off me and don't involve me with ANYTHING!"
There, it was finally exploded. "SATISFIED?"
"…you're just too high to be reach. That's why."
"Can you stop playing with my life?"
"… Don't you understand, Quistis? It's always- you. Yes. It's always been you from the beginning."
"…"
"I would have gone for the whore instead…- but leave that to Leonhart."
"…Don't say something like that about her, you bastard…"
"Quis, I….", heavy breath, "I love you. Isn't it enough?"
Quistis stunned for a moment. "No.", she said. "It depends on how you define 'enough'."
She left.
"...then I'll show you what is 'enough'", Seifer murmured. Quistis didn't seem to hear it so he just followed her in quiet.
+/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/+
-O.O-
OOOO
-O.O-
+/++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++/+
/seeeerrrrrrr….crash…..ccrksss,,,,/
It was the peaceful riff near the river in Winhill. The sun had risen up, peeking from the east. The sounds of flowing river was just so shooting, reminding her the clashes ocean waves of beautiful Balamb shore near Garden, reminding her the sounds of water clashing The Garden when B-garden floating on the ocean. It reminding her the cloudy times in peaceful orphanage in her vague childhood times. Oh yes, she loved water so much that it was steady, calm, and powerful, good in adaptation, useful for its surrounding, clear and beautiful.
She couldn't understand why her life was a series of tragedy, why everything seemed unfair. Unwanted, wasted, a failure. She couldn't deny that her heart was now screaming in pain. She thought and thought again…
Feeling the burden, feeling the pain, feeling the regrets. Now that she thought she didn't have anything in her life anymore, and pursued by a huge military nation for things she didn't do. And had taken the risk for the man he loved while ironically he did not even care about her.
Many people died because of her. This quiet town and its people was just an example. And last news she heard, the outskirt Trabia where she had lived and worked these years had been invaded by Galbadia and was destroyed due to involvement in assisting world criminal. Hope it was not true.
She sighed.
She waved her hand and tried to focus, whispering a high spell, "Flare." Nothing.
But she could chant the sleep spells last time, didn't she? Wasn't it : hope?
"Meteor"
Nothing.
A not too high magic like thundaga with a doubt confident. She screamed in pain. But nothing was built except a small light appeared in her index finger and radiating to her palm. But nothing. And she was swung, back off, pushed off about half meter back. It was painful. And hurts.
Her palm was then felt burnt. Extremely painful.
She tried to raise again then sat instead. She sighed.
How Squall and Seifer used her, she sighed.
All of the perfect things she had before was just like a dream.
But remembering it again, she let a sigh escape.
Have I ever happy in my life? Even when I still have everything?
...
No.
Because I had always strive too much to be the best, to work harder, with all of the responsibilities I always forced my self to take.
That's why the perfect Quistis must always been strong, always stood proudly, always became the problem solver. No defect could occur.
And she realized that she's sometimes over exaggerating in forcing everything to go like its should have been. Or sometimes like she wanted.
Stiff as ever.
So serious.
Too idealistic.
Tried to pursue what's on her mind and never let it escaped on her when she had put sight on it.
Isn't it too tiring?
About my life too… Past time?
When I think about it again, I just want to live what lies ahead, naturally.
...and what lies ahead, jut let be mystery.
She realized that there were still things she must do before it.
To her own surprise, she smiled. She felt relieved. She let out a dry chuckle and squatting, then stood again, stretching both of her arms. Then she sat again, letting the water splashing her legs and clothes. When you stopped thinking and faced things innocently was amazingly ease all problems. She smiled again, more sincerely, and stood, gazing the beautiful sunrise.
"Now, what is your plan?", a too familiar voice was then heard,
Quistis didn't realize that not too far from it, Seifer had already stood there watching her until he broke the silence. How she acted strangely made Seifer thought that there must be something wrong with her, the usual collected instructor must been crazy if not insane.
Quistis didn't answer nor turned her back to face him.
"I thought you've already gone. What do you want here?"
"I'm going to Deling. You don't have to come, try to flee, make sure it's far enough to save your life."
"Didn't you say that you're not going to pursue her?"
"I had promised – him."
Now Quistis finally faced him and raised an eyebrow. "Squall?"
He nodded but Quistis's eyes demanded more explanation. "Don't push me on that side.", he answered.
A brief silence.
"I'm going too."
"Wouldn't it hurt you?"
"Not anymore.", Quistis said firmly, showing her confident smile. "and Xander?"
"He must been brought there too."
Out of sudden, Quistis then held her fingers. She looked at her treasured scarlet diamond ring which made Seifer felt quite uneasy.
"So, you're going with me to Deling?", he said, not asked, to cut away unwanted feeling; a slight nod from Quistis, and her eyes fixed to his which made Seifer felt much more uneasy in a different way. Quistis gazed his jade eyes and realized their color which somehow felt familiar.
"Isn't topaz should be yellow-brown?", she asked.
"What?"
"Never mind.", Quistis smiled and turned away her face.
Seifer looked at her in curiosity, scanned her from head to toe with a brief glance just to ease his mind, then he realized something coincidentally. "What's with your palm?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah. Right. Nothing. Coz a Quistis Trepe wouldn't be any use without her magic. Now let's go."
Quistis smiles faded.…right.
"and you owe me explanations about things.", she then said firmly, more like herself.
"Believe me, I've heard that words before. Both of you don't realize how you are actually alike.", Seifer smirked and smiled like it was a funny thing.
And the atmospheres were back to normal again.
"and you owe me explanations about things."
.-O.O-
[end of chapter : another love story]