Thanks so much for the reviews. I appreciate them more than I can say. Gives me the warm fuzzies :D
To JadeAlmasy - Glad you liked it.
To PodSara - Thanks for the pointers. I'm trying really hard to watch my grammer, but I can't for the life of me remember all the rules...lol. I apologize for any mistakes I make. Please be patient with me and let me know. I'll try to fix them. xD I have edited Ch 1 a bit and I hope it helped.
To Verdanii - Sorry about the accent thing, but I can't help but see Irvy as old-time western movie style cowboy. xD I don't know...I might change it later. Hard to say at this point.
This chappy features Seifer. I hope you enjoy it.
Seifer stood on the icy mountainside and gazed at the tiny town lying peacefully in the valley below. Looks so innocent and harmless. He had to find it...that item Ultimecia had wanted so badly. He couldn't allow it to fall into the wrong hands, because if she wanted it, it couldn't be good. It simply had to be something terrible and as such needed to be destroyed. One would never suspect that there was something that had potential to be so extremely dangerous in that picturesque little town. Looks like something off a fucking postcard. Perfect little houses with perfect little gardens, its almost too perfect to describe with mere words. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift back to the day she told him of the item.
Flashback – 6 months earlier
Seifer couldn't help but feel trepidation as he walked toward Her chambers. He wondered why Ultimecia had summoned him. He knew he had every reason to be nervous. Her summons were never a good thing, often comprising of her demanding he hurt his friends or destroy the lives of other..even more innocent victims. She had already forced him to send missiles to the Gardens in Trabia and Balamb. My home...the only home I have. Had forced him to imprison his friends, had even forced him torture Squall. I'm so sorry, Squall...I-I never wanted this. Hyne, why can't I stop...why can't I refuse? What's wrong with me? I-I don't want this...this isn't my dream. Why can't I run away? Please someone help me...stop me...save me! He cried in his mind desperately, unable to say it out loud. He entered the room where the Sorceress waited for him, an adoring smile automatically stretching his mouth. He fell to his knees before her and kissed the delicately formed hand she extended to him. "You summoned me, Queen of my Heart. How may I be of service?" He said in loving tones, though his mind screamed at him not to....his insides twisting as he fought the compulsions she had embedded in him.
"My precious Knight, I have some wonderful news for you." she smiled with eyes gleaming with malice. "I have discovered your origins. You are from a small village hidden away in the mountains of Trabia called Dominion. What an interesting history this tiny hamlet has." She laughed softly as if only to herself. "It has produced many sorceresses...including Adel. That she wasn't originally from Esthar is a something most people do not know. But it is beyond the point....there is something hidden in that village..something I want...an amulet. I am not entirely sure what it looks like, but after we defeat your worthless friends you will go there and fetch it for me. I cannot get it myself, for it is protected by a guardian force, one so ancient that its name has long been forgotten. It will not allow females near it at all. It is said that it hates sorceresses in particular with a passion. In fact, it will only let the males of the bloodlines in that village near it, which is where you come in, my sweet. You are a male of one of the bloodlines of that measly little village. Thus you are the only one that can get it for me...well...there is one other, but he is not available to me at the moment. I must have that amulet. Is this clear, my Knight?" she said in demanding tones, her golden eyes boring into his.
"As you will, I obey, my beloved. The amulet will be yours." his lips said though in his mind he was crying in shame. I hope Squall and the others defeats you...defeats us. I cannot bear the thought of you winning. I will do all I can to stop you...even if it means my life is forfeit. Anything is better then you succeeding with your plan.
End Flashback
I wonder who is the other one....the one unavailable to her. He thought, then shaking off the unpleasant memory, headed down the mountain, determined to complete his mission. He arrived at the village about an hour later and pounded forcefully on the gate that barred his way into the village, which was surrounded by a solidly built fifteen foot high wall.
"Go away...no visitors allowed!" came a menacing voice from inside the wall.
"I'm no visitor. I was born in this town and I wish admittance. I came to find my family, if any of them are still alive. My name is Seifer Almasy. Please let me in." Hyne, I hope they haven't heard of me...about Ultimecia. I must complete this mission...I must.
"And why should I believe this unlikely tale?" the voice said in a thoughtful tone.
"I've no proof except my word. All I know is what I was told. Perhaps if you open the door you can see if I resemble anyone. I promise that I'll not force my way in. I've no wish to harm you or anyone else."
"I suppose there is no harm in looking, but I'll go fetch someone else first. Can't be too safe these days. For all I know you could be a fiend that has disguised himself as a human. I'm not as young as I once was." the voice said gruffly. Seifer heard footsteps heading away from the door and tried to remain calm and patient, neither state being something he good at. After what seemed like an eternity, he heard footsteps coming toward his location. He heard a grunt as the bar on the other side of the gate was removed. The gate open slowly, groaning loudly from disuse.
"For fucks sake, don't any of you ever oil the damn hinges on that thing?" Seifer said, his disgust evident.
"Obviously not." came a cheerful reply, the voice clearly different then the one from before. "Never thought we would ever open it again, I suppose." A man about his height and age with pale blond hair walked through the gate and froze...his violet blue eyes widening in shock. He simply stood there for several minutes before finally saying, "Hyne, you...you look so much like my father. What is your name? The gatekeeper didn't say and I think I really need to know."
"Seifer Almasy." His eyes...where've I seen them before...they're so damn familiar.
The other male's jaw dropped in absolute shock, clearly recognizing part of, if not all of his name. "Why the hell didn't Leroy tell me that? Damn that crusty old man, I'm gonna kill him." Seifer raised a brow in question and the other male grimaced. "S-sorry, I guess I'd best explain. I'm Damon...Damon Albers. You're one of my missing cousins. When this village was attacked during the last Sorceress War, a lot of people died, including my father's twin brother and his younger sister and their respective spouses. From what we understand the children survived, but we didn't know where to look. You see, my father had moved away from here years before and was unable to return while the war was still raging. After the war ended, he headed here as quickly as he could to search for any surviving relatives. When he arrived he got the news that the children's lives had been spared, but villagers told him that all of the orphaned children had been sent away for their protection. The village elders refused to tell my father where they had been sent, and although he pleaded with them most vehemently, they never told him."
Seifer couldn't help the derisive smirk that crossed his face. "Can't say I am surprised. They probably just didn't want the burden of caring for all those kids. Hell, they were probably especially glad to get rid of me. No one has ever wanted me around. Except maybe my own parents." Why would they...particularly now after all I have done...
Damon was clearly taken aback. "Don't be ridiculous. Come, I know my father will be ecstatic to meet you. He will have loads of questions and will probably grill you for hours. Hope you are prepared for a long chat." Damon laughed and motioned for Seifer to follow him.
Damn he's as cheerful as that little messenger girl. Seifer sighed and followed his new "cousin" into the town. I am so not looking forward to this. he thought with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. How much should I tell them? Should I be completely honest or should I hold back? I suppose I should just go by my gut. Its all I have to go on anymore after all.
Seifer paused for a moment after walking through the gate and looked around. Too pretty for words. This place is like something out of a dream. Its almost to perfect looking. The houses appeared to be whitewashed and all of them had window boxes filled with flowers. There was even a fountain in the center of town that was shaped like some kind of animal he had never seen before...well at least not alive. Kinda looks like the animal on that pendant Squall is always wearing. What did he call it?...oh yeah...a lion.
Damon led him to a house on the other side of the town. Seifer stopped cold when he saw it, a strong sense of déjà vu coming over him. He knew he had seen this house before, that he had even been in it, though he couldn't place it in his memories. He suddenly felt very uneasy. I know I have been here. I wonder...could this be....the house I was born in?
"What's wrong?" Damon asked, his concern evident.
"Nothing." Seifer replied, unwilling to admit his unease.
"Okay, if you say so." Damon walked up the landing and opened the door to the house. He grinned and called out, "Father, you won't believe who I found at the village gate."
"Who could you have possibly found that you haven't know pretty much your entire life, Damon?" came a deep baritone voice. A tall, imposing older man with golden hair lightly threaded with silver and a face eerily similar to Seifer's walked into the room. The man's eyes widened incredulously and he whispered, nearly overcome with emotion, "Dear gods, which one are you? Seifer or Irvine?"
Seifer's eyes widened. "My name is Seifer. Why ever would you ask me about Irvine? What's the bloody cowboy got to do with anything?" Oh god...is...is...damn I guess Irvine must be the other She was talking about.
"You know Irvine, Seifer?" Damon said with a gasp.
"Well, yeah, sorta. We were at the same orphanage. But we were separated years ago. I kinda ran into him again about six months ago. He's too pretty for words, dresses like a cowboy, and fancies himself a lady killer. Kinda annoying if you ask me." Please tell me I'm not related to that playboy.
Damon and his father laughed at his description, obviously overjoyed to know that Irvine was alive and well. "Well, you see, Seifer, you're my sister's child...and Irvine's the son of my twin brother. He's your cousin. Do you know where he is?" his uncle said.
"I-I can't say for sure. Last I knew he was at Balamb Garden, with the rest of the kids from the orphanage." Great, the fucking cowboy's my cousin. This just gets better and better. Hmm...that's why Damon's eyes are familiar...they are the same exact shade as Irvine's. Anger suddenly coursed through his veins. Man, I've all the luck don't I...first my friends, then my Garden, the only home I've ever known or at least remembered, and now I find that she sent me against my own family as well. Damn that bitch. She knew...she must've. If she wasn't already dead, I'd fucking kill her!
"Other kids? I cannot help but wonder...was there a girl named Selphina among them?" His uncle asked, clearly hoping the answer was yes.
Who the hell?...I wonder if he means that little messenger girl, Selphie? "There isn't anyone called Selphina, but there is a little chirpy runt of a girl named Selphie. Her name is bloody close, so its probably her. Ugh...just thinking of her gives me a headache. She has too much energy and is constantly happy. Why'd you ask?" Damn, I hope she isn't family. The cowboy I can take, but not her.
"Well....Selphina isn't related to us, but she is related to young Irvine through his mother. . The war decimated the Tilmitt family. She and Irvine are all that are left."
"Tilmitt? Heh..guess it is her." At least she isn't related to me...poor Irvine..WAIT...oh my gods...aren't they a couple? Ugh...I hope not...man that would just be so...so gross. Seifer prayed to himself that their relationship hadn't gotten very far. He forced himself to stop thinking about it, wasn't like he could do anything about it and it could wait until later. For now, he had a very long and difficult story of his own to tell his newfound family.
"I need to tell you something...its painful for me and I'd rather not say it here. Is there someplace more private...someplace away from the front door at least?" he said, dreading the upcoming conversation.
"Of course, please come in and feel welcome. You're home at last and we're so glad to have you, Seifer." his uncle said with concern coloring his voice. The older man led him to a room, comfortably appointed with a leather sofa and several armchairs. His uncle smiled and said, "By the way, my name is Dillon."
"Nice to meet you, Dillon....though I'm not sure you'll be so welcoming once I tell you my tale. I'm afraid its not pretty." Seifer lowered his gaze to the floor...ashamed by all he had done, even though he knew he was forced. His newfound family deserved the truth....the whole truth...no matter how difficult it was. I hope they understand. That they won't...hate me. I couldn't bear that.
Dillon looked at him with sad eyes. He understood far more than Seifer could possibly know. The village wasn't completely out of touch with the world after all. He was aware of most of what Seifer had done, but suspected that he had had little, or most likely no choice. This little village had a long history dealing with sorceresses and they knew quite well what those dangerous women were capable of. Damn them to hell...this is their fault. Those foolish old men, because of them I couldn't protect my nephews and the other children. He gave a slight nod and sat down on one of the chairs. "Come sit down and tell me. I promise you that everything will be okay, Seifer," he said gently. "Damon please go make us tea, then join us."
"Okay, I will be back shortly." Damon said nodded, understanding and something close to pity filling him as he realized just exactly who his cousin must be. He must be the one that my father talked about to the elders. Father was so angry. Not just anyone can be a Knight to a Sorceress after all. Only those of the Blood can be. He must of strongly suspected that the Knight was one of my cousins.
Seifer sat down on the sofa, placed his head in his hands, and tried to gather up his courage...never before had he ever felt so sick with fright. He finally raised his head and seeing calm acceptance in his uncle's eyes began. "A little more than six months ago I met a woman named Ultimecia..."
TBC