4

CHAPTER 4 – PROMISES

The Ragnarok finally lifted off from the height of the presidential residence by late afternoon. Accompanying it were two smaller aircraft, freshly recommissioned over the last several days since the radio interference had subsided. It was the most they could manage; as Laguna had explained, the bulk of Esthar's wartime air fleet had been stripped down for parts over the years, their mechanical components disassembled and repurposed for other projects as Odine saw fit. They'd been fortunate enough to even have two functional models left. Neither sported firepower nor thruster power to rival the Ragnarok; these were troop transports, never intended for space travel nor capturing alien creatures. Regardless, they would serve their purpose in the impending advance on the Lunatic Pandora.

The speed with which they'd made it to Edea's orphanage beggared belief. A journey that had taken Squall multiple days at full throttle on a motorcyle now could be cleared in just a few hours. Down below, the world had whipped by faster than he could have imagined. Not even the SeeD assault boats had moved so quickly. From the city to the plains, and then onward to the ocean, it all flew past in a blur. To think such a mode of transportation had not only been possible, but even commonplace prior to the interference put into perspective what they'd lost all those years ago. The world's mad scramble to catch up in the aftermath would surely be a thing to behold. Provided they first succeeded in their own mission, of course.

They'd made it a point to steer clear from the Galbadian shoreline. Fortunately, with Zell on hand to provide assistance to the navigation team, they located the island without difficulty. Given the time zone differential, the sun now hung slightly higher in the sky than when they'd left Esthar City. They settled down by the southwestern shoreline, precisely where Balamb Garden had been docked. The other two ships remained airborne, content to circle around for the time being; their part to play awaited elsewhere. Predictably, their landing had drawn attention. As Squall proceeded down the boarding ramp with Laguna, Ellone, Rinoa, Quistis, Odine, and several armed guards in tow, in came the welcoming party from the direction of the stone house.

"Hasn't changed a bit," Laguna muttered as he swept his eyes across the land. "Never thought I'd see this place again. Even crazier to think this is where you two ended up."

"Matron really took your words to heart," Squall told him, recalling their meeting from his visions. "She did her best, looking after us."

"I don't doubt it. I'll have to thank her. I just wish it didn't have to come to that in the first place. And more than that…"

His gaze turned north to the Galbadian mainland. There he continued looking into the distance longingly, Squall knowing too well what he was pining for.

"So close," he finally said. "After all these years, I'm so close I can feel it."

"We'll go together," Ellone spoke up from behind, putting her arms around him. "Once it's all over, we'll head straight there. Right, Squall?"

"Sure."

Despite being too young to remember his time there, he too longed to see his childhood home again. Laguna's memories had painted a cozy enough picture. Perhaps it would even still be recognizable after all this time, just as the orphanage.

"Squall?!" Cid gawked as he strolled up with the White SeeDs and Edea. "Rinoa? Quistis?"

"Ellone!" Reiner shouted out as he came running up the platform.

Odine's aides moved forward to intercept him, but Squall motioned for them to stand down. Reluctantly, they obeyed, sidling aside. Apparently, Selphie had been right about the weight his relation to Laguna carried.

"What's going on here?" the White SeeD demanded as he reached him. "Who are these people? What is this ship?"

"It's a long story," he explained. "As you can see though, I'm a man of my word."

Reiner had no response to that, nor did Squall expect one. And for all the satisfaction he took, he was just glad to see all was still well here. Though he couldn't imagine what further need Ultimecia would have to possess Edea, nothing was certain. That she hadn't tried to take over Rinoa again since their adventure in space was fortune enough.

"I thought you were all headed back to Balamb with the Garden!" Cid exclaimed as he came up to join them. "What happened out there? And why are-"

"You!"

All eyes turned to Edea behind him. Hers meanwhile stayed transfixed on Laguna. The look on her face said it all. Squall figured his own had looked much the same upon their meeting in Esthar.

"You… remember me?" the president asked.

"How could I forget? And Ellone! I'm… I'm so happy to see you're alright! And I'm so sorry… for everything I've put you through."

"It's fine," the girl smiled back. "None of it was your fault, Matron. I'm happy to see you again, too. It's been so many years now…"

"Yes, yes," Cid interrupted, turning his attention to Squall. "It's fantastic to see everyone again so soon. But I thought we had this conversation before, about bringing Ellone back here. What if Ultimecia possesses Edea again? You've practically delivered her right into her hands by coming here!"

"Not exactly," Squall replied, steeling himself to divulge the truth.

You'd better hold onto something.

"May we cease this idle chatter already?!"

Odine's shrill cry wrested away all warmth shared between them. Impatiently, he marched up to the headmaster and his wife. The White SeeDs bristled, forming rank behind them just as the doctor's security fell in after him.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kramer, I presume? Dr. Odine, chief administrator of Odine Industries at your service. Please pardon our intrusion, but there are a great many matters at hand to discuss, and so very little time remaining. If I might be so bold, I would like to speak with the two of you in the comfort of your home. Your SeeDs are welcome to observe if they so choose."

Neither one of the married couple seemed to have a clue what to think. Cid at least would have to be plenty familiar with Odine given Balamb Garden's longstanding partnership with his company. Still, he looked to his wife, content to let her have the final say. Solemnly, she nodded.

"If we must," she spoke formally. "Please, follow me."

She shot Squall a look right before she turned to make her way down the ramp; its meaning was lost on him, having come and gone so quickly. Cid and the three White SeeDs followed suit, Reiner and Brent both sending another glance apiece his way as they did so. This time the message was clear: for all the good he'd done, he'd overstepped a boundary along the way.

So much for a hero's welcome…

"It's just as well," Laguna insisted, ruffling his hair. "We've gotta let the others get a move on. Let's go, everyone."

He took off down after Odine and his men. Squall followed behind with the three ladies, striding onto the path winding along the edge of the great flower garden. They'd barely traipsed a few meters before the boarding ramp hissed and retracted back up into the Ragnarok. From there, it wasted no time in lifting off once more. Innumerable petals took flight along with it, spiraling up through the air. Squall covered his ears to shield them from the whirring turbines. Up the ship rose, diverting away from the island towards Galbadia's west coast. There it idled in place until the two carrier vessels circled back around into formation. And then the three zoomed off together into the distance.

"You really think they'll be able to find the Garden?" Rinoa asked once the engines' racket had faded away.

"It's only been a little over a week since we left," Quistis reassured her. "There's no way they've made it back up and around the continent in that time."

"I'd still feel a lot better if you'd gone along," Squall hinted. "Something tells me Zell and Selphie aren't going to be the best negotiators."

He'd struggled to understand her intent on coming along with him and Rinoa ever since they'd discussed the plan. The Garden's nav crew would need ample convincing once three unknown aircraft came flying in. Besides her calm, collected demeanor relative to their other two companions, Quistis still held the highest rank besides him.

"They've got Kiros with them," Laguna interjected. "And I'm willing to bet your guys wouldn't just open fire on 'em like that without being provoked. Who knows if they're even aware of what's been going on?"

Squall wouldn't have expected them to. There had been no foresight of the radio interference ending, nor any plans to establish a working comm array aboard the Garden. They were surely still in the dark where Seifer's ultimatum to the world was concerned. Hopefully once informed, they would have no qualms about shuttling what forces they could spare aboard the two infantry transports. Were there still room for more troops, a return to the Balamb outpost would follow.

"Why not stay with the ship yourself if you're so concerned, Commandant?" Quistis fired back at him.

You know damn well why.

So long as Rinoa and Ellone stood within a 5 mile radius of Odine, so would he be on scene to ensure nothing further happened to either of them. Something told him Quistis assumed it was more to do with one than the other, however.

"Ah, what's it matter?" Laguna butted in again. "Now that we're here, might as well make the most of it. You know, Ellie, the first time I came to this island, I swore I'd bring you to see the flowers as soon as I got you back. Never would've guessed you'd beat me to it, though."

"Well, we can enjoy it together now," Ellone replied. "No time like the present, is there?"

"That's the spirit! Race you there!"

Without warning, Laguna went tearing off at full speed ahead for the flower field. The youthful vigor apparent in each step never would have betrayed his age. Ellone lingered behind, her eyes turning to Squall. Charmed as he was by the invitation, he would have to decline.

"Rain check," he told her. "We'll catch up later."

She nodded with an understanding smile, and took off after Laguna. Though she couldn't match his speed, the enthusiasm in her stride was just as apparent. This had been a long time coming for both of them.

Hard to tell who's the child here, though…

"You don't feel like joining in?" Quistis asked.

"This is their moment to share," he replied. "I'd rather not put myself in the middle of that."

"I wasn't telling you to. Or who you should be sharing the moment with."

The look in her eyes said it all; both swiveled back and forth between him and Rinoa in rapid succession. With a wave, she turned towards the orphanage.

"Rinoa," she called back. "I'll be waiting by the shore."

Off she trotted to the great stone house in the distance, not sparing a look back.

"Waiting for what?" Squall asked.

"Oh, it's nothing," Rinoa meekly assured him. "But anyway, it's so peaceful here. I can't believe you guys could have ever forgotten growing up in a place this beautiful."

"You'd think so. Speaking of which… the power you have now… you still feel okay, right?"

It had been a concern of his from the outset. Given the side effects rampant usage of Adel's power had inflicted on him and his team, even in a limited capacity, there was no telling what sort might manifest for Rinoa now.

"I've been kinda over the place," she admitted. "Some pretty wild mood swings in the last few days. It's tough to say if that's because of the power, though. I mean, wouldn't anyone be on edge with all this going on?"

"More like on the edge of breaking down."

Their quest to thwart Ultimecia's plan had already been enough to contend with. Now, on top of having inadvertently played into her hands, there was the matter of his long lost father, suddenly thrust back into his life after 17 years. He watched him and Ellone frolic about in the flower field, blissfully ignorant to the extent which his life had been upended in a single day.

"Think whatever you want, they've got the right idea," Rinoa said as if she'd read his mind. "You missed out on all the good things in life, Squall. Just look at them. Reminds me of how I used to be with my mom. Or my dad, back when we got along. Gosh, I wonder how he's been holding up through all this."

"I thought you didn't care about him?"

"Me too. Funny how quick things can change, especially when you're at the end of your rope. Nothing like that to make you grateful for all you have, huh? Despite everything, he still cared for me. He still tried to give me all the comfort he could through it all. Maybe I should've cut him more slack."

She leaned in close to his side, taking his hand in hers.

"But you know what, Squall? Right now, you're the one who gives me the most comfort. The most happiness… and annoyance, and disappointment, too!"

"Whatever," he sulked, turning his head away.

"Ah, you know I'm just teasing you!" she chuckled, grabbing hold of his arm. "And that's exactly what I'm talking about! Sometimes when things get rough, all you can do is laugh."

"But isn't that just living in denial?"

To that, she said nothing more. Her merriment ceased. She let go of his arm, and stepped away towards the field. She continued looking out into the distance, all enthusiasm having left her body. Though it pained Squall to see her like so, ignoring the problem wasn't going to make it any better. He knew that now better than most.

"Rinoa," he spoke gently to her. "I know you're scared. We all are. But that doesn't mean we should just pretend everything's alright. We've got the fight of our lives ahead of us. And I want to make sure we're heading into it without any regrets. So please… talk to me."

Holy shit, I'm starting to sound like Quistis.

"I just don't know what's going to happen to us," she finally said. "There's been plenty written about SeeD in Ultimecia's time, but nothing about you or me. I'm scared of what that means. Scared of what might happen. Scared of losing you."

Squall felt no different. He'd have never risked life and limb on a journey to the stars otherwise. Still, Rinoa's rationale was as of yet unfounded. Once life had returned to normal, he would personally see to it that nothing more of their battle was written in the annals of SeeD.

"It's so bad that… well, I wasn't going to tell you this, but… the last couple of nights coming back down from outer space, I had the same dream. In it, we've made a promise to meet up somewhere, but the thing is, I can't remember where. I don't know where to go. So I start running… through the mountains, deserts, and plains… through Timber, Balamb, and Galbadia… and then, when I realize I can't run anymore, I just break down crying. And that's when I wake up…"

"It's just a dream," he assured her, taking hold of her shoulder from behind.

"I know, but… it goes to show how worried I am. Just the thought of being torn apart from you like that… it's too much."

Rinoa…

"Then how about this?" he said. He circled in from the side, took her other shoulder, and drew her in close. "I'll be here."

"Here?" she said back; her expression, previously so glum, now looked confused. "Why? What are you talking about?"

"Maybe the reason you couldn't remember where we're supposed to meet is because we haven't promised yet."

It was all he could come up with in the moment. Though he knew Rinoa's dream was nothing more than her panicked imagination running wild, he would play along. He would provide her the comfort she sought, the very sort she expected of him.

"So next time, I'll be waiting for you. If you come here, you'll find me. I promise."

She stared into his eyes intently, as if nothing else in the world existed. His own did not waver; however snap the decision he'd made, he would stand by his word. Finally, the smile crept back over her lips.

"Thank you, Squall," she said, embracing him tightly. "It's a promise!"

He moved his arms to her back, wrapping her up. As he did so, he turned his head once more to survey the beauty of it all. But for Laguna and Ellone out among the flowers, there was nothing in sight to intrude upon them, no imminent threat nor uncertainty looming over. If ever there was a place made for the two of them, this was surely it.

Have faith in me, Rinoa. I'll always be there for you.

However nostalgic, the island provided Squall little else of sufficient interest to bide his time. The lay of the land must have seemed so much more vast to him as a child. Absent whatever youthful whimsy and curiosity he'd had before Ellone's disappearance, he was at a loss for how to keep himself occupied through their stay. He could only roam the same familiar haunts for so long. All the while, Odine's interview with Edea continued, leaving Cid to prepare a meager dinner for the lot of them. Even once dusk settled in, and he and his fellow visitors had retreated to the orphanage sleeping quarters for the night, still did the light in the study keep burning brightly.

The next morning came with still no sign of the Ragnarok's return. Had he anticipated just how long it would take, he might have been tempted to take out a boat to the mainland with Laguna and Ellone; a day's journey to Winhill and back needn't be an unreasonable journey with some hitchhiking involved. Instead, he continued his aimless wanderings. Across the field of flowers he routinely strolled. Along the coastline he regularly ambled. And he'd already climbed to the top of the lighthouse twice. Through it all, there was ample time to think. To come to peace with all he knew, all he'd discovered, and all he feared to lose should the worst come to pass.

Occasionally he would bump into the others along the way. A brief run in with the White SeeDs assured him the interview proceedings were over for the time being. Still, he kept his distance; he couldn't be sure if any hard feelings still lingered. Odine's security detail stood guard before the annex entrance, within which the doctor had presumably taken up residence. Quistis and Rinoa had taken to training with spellcraft by the shore behind the house. In the cover of a rocky outcropping they sparred, hidden from view but for the couple of times he'd scaled the lighthouse to its peak. There he'd watched from afar, catching only faint glimpses of the magic conjured between them. He supposed Rinoa did need some brushing up; the power she held now far eclipsed that of the sphere she'd trained with before. Why they felt the need to be so secretive about it eluded him, however.

Only as he came trotting back down the path to the house for the umpteenth time did he notice Edea. She knelt by the row of graves running alongside. A water can sat on the ground next to her, presumably for the flowers placed beside each. She made no effort to rise, however; her head was bowed, her hands clasped in reverence. Even as Squall made his approach, his feet rustling through the ivy running across the path, she did not take notice. Compelled by the principle of the matter, he strode over and knelt down before the graves beside her.

There were no names listed upon the stones; only Edea herself would have likely been able to identify the children, leaving the SeeDs who'd discovered their remains unable to properly memorialize them. SeeDs they might have even become themselves one day. And on that possibility alone, Ultimecia had slaughtered them all. He couldn't even fathom the amount of hatred capable of driving a person to commit an act so heinous. Out of respect, he offered up a prayer of his own. Though he'd known none of them in life, they had all surely been raised with the same kindness and care Edea had provided him. They were no less his family than Laguna, Ellone, or the rest of his friends.

May you all rest in peace.

"I come to pay my respects to them everyday."

He turned to Edea as the words left her mouth. She'd raised her head, but still remained kneeling at his side.

"And every day, I wish I could see them again. If only I could have stopped her. If only I'd been able to fight her control."

"It wasn't your fault," Squall assured her, reaching out to grab her shoulder.

"I suppose not," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "How could I have known any of this would happen? In the end… my only solace is that I was able to keep my consciousnesses shut off from her. That I didn't have to witness something like that firsthand."

"I get the feeling Rinoa wishes she could have done that."

For however useful her possession had proven – to be given such a prolonged glimpse into their enemy's mind was nothing if not advantageous – the trauma it had inflicted on her couldn't be brushed aside so easily. The upbeat, bubbly nature Squall had grown so fond of had clearly receded since her awakening.

"She's a very resilient girl," Edea said as she finally stood up. "We've had a brief chat, the two of us and Quistis. I'm so sorry to hear what she's had to go through. And to know she now carries my power… I'm still not sure whether to feel relieved or horrified. I knew one day I would inevitably have to pass my gift on to a successor. Such is the fate of all who have inherited the sorceress power. I'd resigned myself long ago to bear that curse in solitude, to live the rest of my life as an outcast from society. Now, against all odds, I've been freed before my time. And for her…"

"But it's not something that needs to rule her life," Squall cut in. He shot to his feet alongside her, looking his Matron dead in the eye. "Or yours. You're all the proof the world needs that a sorceress can be a force for good. You looked after me and the others, and gave us all a chance at a new life. You've done plenty to be proud of."

"Maybe so. At the very least, I tried my best. I wasn't perfect. I didn't always know how, but I did everything I could to make a happy, safe home for my children. And I can't tell you how proud I am of you in particular, Squall. Knowing everything you've done… and everything you will do… I couldn't be any more content with the job I've done raising you. But then…"

She trailed off again, her eyes likewise falling back to the graves.

"It just makes it that much harder to accept. What am I to say to these children? What chance at a new life did they have? In the end, I couldn't give that to them. I wasn't able to save them."

"You would have if you could," Squall insisted. "Of that I'm sure. After all… you already saved me once before, right here on this trail."

Edea's eyes abruptly swiveled back to him, now wider than he'd ever seen. In his desperation, he'd reached for a memory she clearly had no intention of discussing further. He knew as much; she'd outright denied it had even happened to his face before, in the headmaster's office. This time however, he would not back down. With the truth behind his relation to Ellone and Laguna revealed, and his long lost friends rediscovered, it was perhaps the only remaining piece of his past still shrouded in mystery.

"Matron, please. Headmaster Cid already told me about the sorceress who showed up here 13 years ago. And I still remember it well enough myself. So, I'm asking you to please tell me. What happened on that day? And who was that man with the swords?"

Still as a statue she stood, her eyes locked with his. Eventually, they dipped to the trail, leaving him hanging on for a response; he wouldn't leave her be without one. Seconds passed in silence before she finally spoke again.

"That man… he was a great warrior," she explained. "The right man in the wrong place and time. I didn't know him. I'd never seen him before. Whether by chance or design, his battle with that sorceress had led the two of them here. I was just glad to be on the scene, ready to accept her power at the end. I could never have lived with myself if I'd allowed her to pass it on to one of the children. But fortunately…"

She trailed off again, searching for the right words. Squall had already heard enough, however.

"So, you didn't know either of them?"

"No… the sorceress faded away, and the man… I never saw him again after that."

That's it?

Somehow, despite how desperate she'd seemed to keep the ordeal from him thus far, he believed her. Not that the truth left him satisfied; he'd learned practically nothing more of the experience which still haunted his dreams. It had been sheer coincidence after all, a fight he'd unwittingly stumbled into in his quest to find Ellone. There was at least the sorceress' defeat to be thankful for; from whatever vague memories he still retained, she hadn't appeared nearly as benign as Edea. As for the swordsman, he still couldn't say. Whoever he was, his strength and skill with the blade must have been great to overcome such an opponent.

"And just where is this guy when you need him?" Squall muttered dejectedly; someone so experienced would have been of great help to them over the last several months, let alone now.

"I'm not sure where his journey took him," Edea stated again. "But I have a feeling… a feeling that he may still have a part to play in this story yet. As do I."

"What do you mean?"

"Seifer obeys Ultimecia's commands because he assumes she is me. That being the case, I might be the only one who can talk him down now. As long as there's even the slightest chance he can be reasoned with, it's worth taking. I'm coming along with you back to Esthar."

"Are… are you sure?"

He didn't doubt Edea's conviction for a moment. Losing her power now put her in a very vulnerable position, however.

"It's my responsibility, and I'm going to see it through to the end," she affirmed. "For his sake. For the sake of the world. And for theirs."

She turned once again to the graves, as did Squall. As his eyes passed over each carefully arranged vase of flowers set before them, he understood there was indeed no more worthwhile cause to lay their lives on the line for. It was not merely for their own prosperity they fought, nor even the chance for future generations to come as he'd told the mayor at Fisherman's Horizon, but to honor the sacrifices made by those who came before, and see their will be done.

There was no changing the past, despite Ellone's best efforts; to dwell upon it ceaselessly could only bring more suffering in the here and now. And yet to cast it away without regard, to dismiss the dreams shared and hardships endured by their forebears was blatantly irresponsible. He'd already dishonored Xu's memory enough by abandoning his station on a whim. He would not make the same mistake again. Against an enemy opposed to humanity's past, present, and future alike, he would carry the hopes and dreams of them all on his blade.

Watch us, everyone. We won't let it be for nothing. I promise.