Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ FF8: Tales Of The Surly Knight ❯ Act V: Causality, Part I ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Events are spiralling towards their inevitable conclusion. One person's quest to redress a wrong, becomes another's personal history of suffering and sorrow. Strong Language. Adult Situations.

Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.13.2006 | Updated On: 09.13.2006 | Pages: 25 | Words: 18.4K | Visits: 189 | Status: Work In Progress

Disclaimer: All FF8 characters are courtesy of Squaresoft Enix

Tales of the Surly Knight

The god of love,

That sits above

And knows me, knows me

How pitiful I deserve-

-Much Ado, Act V.iv. -

ACT V (Part I)

Causality

Balamb Castle, Fujin's Chamber...

“TRAITOR!”

He bowed deeply this time.

“At your service, My Lady! I believe we have some unfinished business…”

“And you have something that's not yours, Lord Dollet... “

Suddenly, Fujin's slight figure curved, becoming a bit fuller in the bosom and at the hips. It also stood a bit taller. Silver hair darkened and lengthened to frame a different oval face no less lovely than the previous one. The eye-patch transformed into an eye and crimson irises gave way to glowing amber... Eyes that stared at the new Duke of Dollet with determination tinged with a hint of sadness...

“Jonathan, please return the Ring of Aesterith. It was not created to serve the purposes you have in mind...”

“Ah, Queen Edea! Well met! So, this is a sorceress's power! Impressive... Indeed, very impressive! The dosage of Black Sleep I injected into your bloodstream should have by all the accounts finished you off!”

But he did not bow, instead he placed his right hand over the one wearing the ring. Edea's eyes followed his movements. Golden eyes looked straight into Dollet's dark ones

“You feel an acute pain emanating from your left index finger, don't you?”

His eyes widened slightly, before he blanked his expression.

“The pain will only worsen each time you wield the power of the ring.”

His answer was to cast a spell.

“Flare!”

A powerful blinding swirl of wind, fire and thunder was hurled towards Edea, who unfazed stared at it coming swiftly towards her, only to be dispersed by the invisible barrier that appeared to surround her.

“Jonathan, it's not too late to reverse course… Return the ring. It has powers that you do not comprehend…”

“Meteor!”

In sharp contrast to the intense light of the previous spell, this one darkened the entire room as countless pellets of igneous rock fell from an invisible sky. All of them in Edea's direction. Jonathan did not want to kill Edea, because she seemed to possess knowledge on the ring that he did not have. He only wanted her to witness the extent to which he'd been able to master the Ring of Aesterith… And what better method than to damage her a little with a show of power? He had learnt long ago that to be feared meant also to be respected.

“Please reconsider.”

Incredulously, Jonathan watched the powerful magic attack fizzle into nothing, before it was able to reach the Queen, who continued to regard him steadily. All she did was to lift one hand up with her palm turned upwards. Part of him was awed by her ability to deflect, no, to dissolve the powerful forbidden spells; the other was deeply angered by her request. `After tasting the sweet elixir of power, I can never go back to where I was! Never!'

“It's you who does not understand, Queen Edea! …ULTIMA!”

The huge energy released by the spell broke windows, cracked walls, and shook the ground. However, it never touched Edea. Again, she lifted her hand and with a small circular motion the room suddenly went back to how it was before, as if the most powerful of forbidden spells had never been cast…

“You of all people! How can you ask me to relinquish such power! You, who were born with it! You ask me to give up something I've toiled so hard to obtain?”

“Jonathan, such a ring as the one you're wearing, should not exist in this world…”

Suddenly, the door was flung open almost off its hinges, allowing an enraged Squall to charge in with Lionhart in-hand, ready to slay the Duke. Fujin followed closely behind, Pandemonia held in each hand, drawn and ready to provide back-up.

“You fucker! Where's Rinoa?”

“Squall! Fujin! Stay-back!” Edea cried, “He's more dangerous than he seems!”

“My, my! I see you were able to make the dark knight resurface…”

He smirked in Squall's direction, but his expression turned downright malicious when he gazed at Fujin.

“Ah! The lovely Lady Fujin… The real one, I presume? Oh, this is simply too delightful! Lady Arashi's sister, guarding Queen Raine's son!”

Squall was incensed by the undertone of amusement in the Duke's voice, and found it unbearable to hear his mother's name being mentioned so casually by the traitorous fuck. Also, he didn't need to look at Fu-chan to know how the little dipshit's mention of her older sister affected her… He rushed in for the kill…

“SHUT-UP!”

But the Duke was more than prepared for his attack. With a slight curl lifting the right side of his lips, he said smoothly.

“Good… A small diversion. Firaga!”

A large incandescent ball of fire shot off the Duke's left hand, and flew directly towards Fujin. But he was not finished. Squall recoiled in pain as he felt a huge force hit him in the stomach, before lifting him up and hurling him towards the open door. The unexpected move would've severely damaged Fujin, had the enormous blade of an oversized halberd not stood in the path of the huge fireball and adroitly deflect the volley.

“Aw, Fu! You didn't wait up for me, ya know!”

“QUIET”

It was said without heat, as if by rote. Raijin's tall figure went to joined his petite lady's, who completely ignored him, because her attention was focused on the elegant nobleman who stood not even two feet away from them. As she stared warily at the man, Fujin frowned. Somehow... he looked familiar, like she's seen him before, a long time ago...

Meanwhile, Squall felt his body hurtling towards the open door when a large body stood in his trajectory and stopped his flight. It was Sir Ward. The impact had winded the giant, but all massive seven feet of him stood his ground firmly. Next to his friend, Laguna was shaking his head at his son's recklessness.

“Raijin! Sir Ward! Laguna! I'm so glad you got here on time!”

Squall's impulsive attack and the Duke's retaliation, happened in such a quick succession that Edea had scarcely the time to react! The Queen suppressed a sigh. She should've known that any mention of his mother would've upset the usually calm and collected knight into behaving rashly. The consequences could have been more severe had the others not shown-up in the nick of time!

“Dark Knight, that was just a small taste of my power…”

The Duke's mocking tones served to revive Squall. Although the attack had left him feeling slightly woozy, Squall tried to ineffectually shake off Ward's restraining hand so he could charge at the Duke again. Exasperated, Laguna tried to instil some sense into the young man.

“Son, if you kill Dollet, we might never know Rinoa-chan's whereabouts…”

“CORRECT”

Completely ignoring the fact that Fujin, Raijin and Ward's weapons were pointed in his direction, the Duke examined the recent arrivals, and clapped his hands gleefully…

“What? How delicious! All the players are present!”

Edea frowned when she realized that the Duke was staring specially at Fujin, Laguna and Squall. `Did Jonathan have anything to do with Raine's death… ? But he was so young at the time… not even seventeen!… And why did he mention Fujin-chan's sister?' She felt a very familiar presence grab her upper-arm, and push her behind a rather large and perhaps a bit overindulged body.

“Cid! I thought you were joining Selphie and Zell!”

“Forgive me, My Queen, but I could not possibly go elsewhere and leave you here to deal with this traitor alone.”

Cid looked back at his Queen with a bashful smile on his kindly face, so reminiscent of the old days. When he had been such a timid knight that Edea had been the one to do the courting.

“I needed to be here, my dear. Anyway, Titus went with them.”

The curved blade of Asuka, the King's katana, unlike the other weapons, was securely strapped into his ceremonial obi, but Edea was not fooled. Not even for one second. Cid belonged to a long line of warrior kings, and the Asuka was a most precious family heirloom. That kind of weapon could only be used for one and only one purpose... The fact that he was here, ready to draw its blade on her behalf, was the greatest proclamation of his love... She could not fail! She would not fail! She placed a hand on Cid's shoulder, silently prompting him to stand aside so she could face Jonathan. Physical attacks were useless against the Duke.

“My! My! How touching! A sorceress and her aged bumbling knight!”

“Shut-up! Tell us where you have Rinoa!”

Fast as lightning, Squall had finally managed to shake off Ward's hold and was standing in front of the Duke, holding the point of his blade less than a quarter-inch away from the Duke's throat.

“Impudent puppy! How dare you point your blade at me!”

Suddenly, Dollet smiled. A very chilling smile. Full of malice and spite. Edea was invaded by a deep sense of foreboding. Whatever it was that had made him smile could only be extremely harmful...

“Jonathan! It is not too late to turn back! We can help you! I can help you!”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! How can you help me, Edea? Behold!”

He showed her the finger where the ring was glowing a purplish hue. The skin above and below the metallic band was blackened, as if burnt by a white-hot fire, and it was slowly spreading...

“This shows the Ring of Aesterith to be subject to my will alone!”

Golden eyes stared sadly into maddened dark ones.

“You don't understand the price that must be paid to attain its powers. Little by little that intense pain and scarring will spread to cover your entire body...”

“What's a little pain in exchange for such bounty?”

“Enough of your rantings!”

Squall had had enough, with the impatience that characterized youth, he pricked the Duke's neck with the point of his sword before demanding.

“Tell us where you're holding the princess!”

Suddenly, he was flung off by a great force; this time around, with no Ward to deflect the blow, his body hit the wall with a loud thud!

“SON!”

“SQUALL!”

Both Laguna and Fujin rushed to the young knight's side. The Duke smirked at the trio, before saying.

“Next time I will ensure that your bones are all crushed… Young fool! You should not be pointing your blade at me! For all I've done... I was not responsible for your lovely mother's untimely death...”

“Silence! You little fuck!”

It was Laguna. Edea stared at him unsurprised. Somehow she had known that Laguna would be cognizant with the truth, but some things were best kept unsaid... She understood the reason behind Laguna's silence. Edea could only guess at the circumstances that produced Raine's death, but she could only surmise that if they ever were to come out, the harm it could cause would exceed the benefit gained, if any at all...

Truth is neither virtue nor vice for it can either aid or damage; rather, virtue resides on the knowledge of when to keep quiet and when to speak.

“Lord Dollet.” She addressed him formally. “Do you really think that an old tale will aid your cause?”

“My Queen, the boy is entitled to know the truth... And the role Lady Fujin's beautiful sister had in it... ”

“I said SHUT-UP!”

Laguna not only shouted the command, he hurled himself at the Duke, but ended like his son, flung against the wall.

“What d'ya mean?”

“EXPLAIN!”

Both Squall and Fujin were staring at the Duke now. Suddenly, a tall and muscular body blocked Fujin's vision. The enormous halberd Quetzalcoatl held steadily in his hand, ready to be wielded at the slightest provocation.

“Aw, Fu! Don't listen to him! Ya know! You gonna believe him? He's a traitor, ya know! `member?”

o - o0o - o

Balamb Castle, sometime earlier...

One of the double doors opened slightly and Fujin walked into the Queen's anteroom, catching Selphie was in the middle of a huge yawn. Her arms stretched way above her head.

“TIRED?”

Selphie smiled slightly at Fu-chan. Her yawn had been unintentional…

“Nah! I just wanna do something!”

“WORRIED?”

“Seify-kun and Onee-chan are still missing!”

“STRONG.”

“I know, but I still worry! Also my Irvy hasn't returned yet! Aaagh! I hate just sittin' here doing NOTHING!”

Selphie subsided when she looked down at Squall's still figure.

“I wish I could do something to help Squall!”

Fujin nodded. She completely understood the other girl's sentiments. The one of the double doors that led to the hallway opened, and Zell's blonde head with its spiky hairdo peeked in.

“Yo, Selph! One of Irv's archers are here to talk to ya...”

“Alrighty! I'm coming right out!”

Fujin was amazed at how the mere mention of Irvine's name was enough to perk-up Selphie-chan, then shrugged. She supposed if she were as expressive as Selphie was, she might be doing the same with respect to Raijin...and shuddered. It was her greatest hope that day would never be.

After only a few minutes elapsed before Selphie entered the room again. Fujin looked inquisitively at her.

“Irvy sent me some good news! They found a clue, and now he's in Raha tryin' to learn more `bout it!”

“GOOD!”

The doors opened again, but this time it was to admit the Shumi-Dono who was followed closely by the three kings and Sir Ward. With the exception of King Laguna and his silent retainer, the rest went directly to the Queen's chamber. Laguna went over to stand over his unconscious son with eyes darkened by worry. Sir Ward went to stand unobtrusively by the double doors.

“Selphie-chan, how's he doing?”

“Lady Ma tended all his surface wounds... but he's been poisoned with some kinda condition the Shumi-dono called...”

Laguna finished for her, “Black Sleep...”

Both Selphie and Fujin stared at him inquisitively. Laguna smiled tiredly as he sat on the other side of the bed facing Selphie. Squall was resting between them, but `unmoving' or `paralysed' would be a better description.

“The Shumi-dono explained it to us on our way here, but I've also come across it on my travels as a young man.”

Laguna gazed down fondly at his son's face. In rest, its contours and lines so similar to Raine's… Certainly Squall's disposition was almost a replica of his mother's, so silent sometimes but prone to sudden bouts of temper... He continued.

“That was many years before I met Squall's mother. Back then I was young and carefree, Black Sleep seemed to me like something made up to scare young children…”

At their surprised looks, he brushed a gentle hand over his son's forehead before continuing with his tale.

“At first, what I learned about it was mostly hearsay... One amongst the many myths and legends that characterized the lore of the Centra continent, when the Southern Goblin Kingdom only occupied the lower portions.”

“You mean… people used to live in Centra?”

“STRANGE…”

Laguna smiled at them, but there was a faraway look in his eyes.

“You were not even born at the time. A few years after I returned to Esthar to assume my duties to the Crown, Ã–stark's aggressive expansionism forced the remaining human population of Centra to emigrate to Windhill and Esthar... or they would've ended like the Trabians...”

Here, Laguna paused to look at Fujin, but she nodded for him to go on.

“The Centrans I met were the last remnant of a great civilization. Had I been King of Esthar at the time, I would've gone to aid them against Ã–stark, but ironically enough Esthar was waging war against Trabia... and the King didn't want to spare any of his warriors to go fight for `a handful of a dwindled people.' I think that's what he said at the time...”

“REFUGE?”

“That's right Fujin-chan. The only concession I got from my uncle was that they could be granted refuge on the southwestern portion of Esthar's Great Plains.”

“Your Majesty... Why didn't Balamb or Galbadia help them out?”

Laguna tilted his head and smiled at Selphie.

“Don't you know your history lessons, Selphie-chan?”

Fujin summed it up in her succinct way.

“WAR”

“Quite right. Gluck shared with his brother the same expansionist desires. In any case, going back to the Centrans, it's rumoured that their ancestors were unsurpassed in their knowledge of the magical arts and alchemy... Of course, the people I met were not wise in the ways of their forbearers, and for them Black Sleep was basically an old wives' tale…”

“But weren't you curious to find out more, Your Majesty?”

“I was very curious, specially when Black Sleep was mentioned as a cautionary tale in a very old text of lore that I had found in someone's library… It was an heirloom from long ago. The owner was unwilling to sell it to me, but he very kindly allowed me to borrow it in exchange for a translation of some of the stories it contained. They valued the book, but didn't know how to read its ideograms… As I've always been interested in the old languages, and have made a study of them, you can imagine I was more than happy to do the swap…”

“Didn't you wanna learn more?”

“CURIOUS?”

“I guess what I learnt of Black Sleep was so terrible that I decided against chasing its trail.. I didn't know at the time that my own son would end up being afflicted by it...”

Laguna looked up without noticing the beautiful moldings that adorned the high domed ceiling.

“ -Sigh- Even if I could foresee the future, I think I still would not have pursued that knowledge, because the outcome would be worse...”

When Fujin and Selphie stared at him uncomprehendingly, he elaborated.

“I would not only have to deal with my son's condition, I would also have to deal with the guilt of being the one who brought forth Black Sleep...”

The door to the Queen's chamber opened and King Caraway walked out, his face a lot less grim looking than when he first entered. However it was the sight of the Queen walking out her room with King Cid's support that surprised everyone. She was walking slowly and with some difficulty, but she was walking!

“YOUR MAJESTY!”

Both Selphie and Fujin exclaimed at the same time, for once too startled to show their Queen the proper signs of respect.

Edea smiled at the two girls, “I'm fine.”

The Shumi-dono also came out of the room and went directly to Squall's side. Once there, he placed a large hand on the young knight's forehead and nodded in Edea's direction. She motioned a worried looking Cid to let her stand on her own, and made her way slowly to where her Sensei was standing. Laguna made to stand up to give her more space, but she looked at him and shook her head.

“Laguna, take your son's hand.”

After he complied with her request, she took Squall's other hand and closed her eyes. Soon, Squall's entire body was slowly bathed in a soothing green aura which began to encompass Laguna, the Queen and the Shumi-dono. Opening her golden eyes to stare sightlessly at Laguna, Edea instructed.

“Laguna, call your son from that place... Call him... The path is open, but only you can enter...”

- o0o -

-Running-

…Mother...

Squall! Son, come to me!

Why can't I see you, mother?

This path is so dark!

…Hurry! Hurry, Squall!

Th-they're after me!...

After me!...

Me!...

...

Mother! Where are you?

I can't see!

What kind of son are you?

Unable to perceive your own mother!

Eek! Squall, hurry! …

-Running-

-Panting-

I-I can't find you!...

Help! I need you!

Help me, son!

Mother! Hang-on!

I'm coming!…

I will not fail you!

…

There are too many of them!

We can't…! Help!

-Running-

-Panting-

Mother!...

-Running-

Squall!

Don't leave me here, son!

I'm so afraid!...

I-I can't find you, mother!

Where are you?...

Help me, son!

Only you can help me!

Help me!...

Help!...

…

(Squall)

-Panting-

Huh?...

(Son, you're chasing shadows…)

Help me, Squall!

Only you can!...

Mother! I'll… I'll find you!

(Let go, Squall…)

No!...

I won't abandon her!

(You mean to say, like I did

…Don't you, son?)

...

I mean nothing!

I gotta find her!...

I'm afraid, Squall!...

-Running-

I'll find you, mother!

(You're chasing shadows, son…)

Don't you understand?...

There's still time to save her!

-Running-

-Panting-

…Squall, I'm here, son!

Wh-where?...

(Your mother has moved on, son…)

Shut-up! I don't wanna hear it!

(Why can't you?...)

Help me, Squall! I need you!

(The Raine I knew would never say that!)

…I need you, son!...

(Son, you were too young to know, but your mother

was a very self-sufficient, independent lady…)

I'm so afraid!...

(Your mother, in life, feared nothing!

…By remembering her like this…

You're doing her memory a great disservice)

YOU don't know anything!

(Son, like you I know the pain of loss…)

YOU! You let her die!

(-Sigh-)

How could you?...

(Do you think I let her go by choice?

Son, your mother was a law unto herself.

To stop her once she made up her mind…

I would've had to put chains on her person and lock her up)

Why didn't you?

You would've saved her life!

(I loved her...

I respected her wishes…

Even if I didn't agree with them…)

Had you stopped her…

(Son…to love someone also means

to respect their decisions,

even if the outcome is

not something you would want)

… … …

(You should do well to remember this, Squall)

… … …

(Rinoa-chan might not seem like it… but…

she's definitely not your submissive type of person! )

Rinoa!

(Return to us, son!...We need you here with us!)

Mother…

(Lay her to rest, son. I have…

She deserves it…)

…Father?...

…

- o0o -

“Father? …Rinoa!”

Everyone gasped when Squall sat up saying that, as it pushed by an invisible force. The motion had been done so quickly that he felt a bit nauseous, and his eyes become quite cloudy! He started to sway. The Shumi-dono placed a restraining hand on the young man's shoulder; while Laguna, still recovering from the dark journey, could only tighten his grip on Squall's hand.

“Ah, youth! So hasty…”

“I-I'm fine, Shumi-Dono. Thank you.”

The Queen was still in a trance-like state, her eyes not having regained their focus. Cid was actively supporting Edea, but she was unmoving. In spite of that, however, he looked quite unconcerned. He even greeted Squall back cheerfully.

“Welcome back, boy!”

The young people were stunned. Wasn't their King worried that something might have happened to Queen Edea? Titus Caraway observed them, and when he realized that Cid would not be forthcoming with the explanation, he harrumphed and said.

“Your Queen is communicating with my daughter.”

“Huh?”

Large emerald eyes stared at him uncomprehendingly. They were not the only ones. Zell, Squall, Raijin and Fujin had an equally bewildered expression. Feeling sorry for them, and knowing that Titus would not elaborate more, Laguna decided to do so.

“We were summoned by Queen Edea, who explained the situation to us. It seems that sorceresses can communicate mentally with each other, so that's how she got a hold of Rinoa…”

“Where is she?”

“Calm down, son. Rinoa doesn't know. Remember, she's a fledging sorceress… Her powers are completely undeveloped. But we have a plan. That's why Edea is like this, she's instructing the princess on what to do.”

Laguna's eyes, normally so kind, hardened.

“We know who's been betraying us, but we need to flush the traitor out!”

King Caraway interrupted Laguna to say.

“That's correct. And we need your help…”

His eyes strayed to Fujin, who stared at him solemnly. To everyone's surprise, the king bowed before saying to her.

“Specially yours, Lady Fujin.”

o - o0o - o

Present time in Fujin's Chamber…

“Aw, Fu! Don't listen to him! Ya know! You gonna believe him? He's a traitor, ya know! `member?”

“Insolent dog! How dare you interrupt me!”

The Duke lifted his right finger.

“Dog! Learn your place!”

Suddenly, Raijin found himself being hurled like a projectile against a very heavy looking sofa! The force of his trajectory broke the heavy piece of furniture in two, and made him hit the wall behind it with a resounding thud, cracks fanning out like rivulets from where his body had made contact with the wall. Had Edea not cast a swift protect spell on the warrior, perhaps the sound of shattering bone would've added to the tumult… As it was, Raijin laid against the wall… unmoving.

“RAIJIN!”

“SHIT! Raij!”

Fujin raced to where Raijin remained motionless, almost afraid to touch him in case she might unwittingly cause him more harm. A hideous smirk crossed Jonathan's face as he said.

“Beware of crossing me!”

“Oooh…”

The small sound, for it was not too loud, had come from Raijin's lips. Fujin had cradled the warrior's head against her, and now she could feel him stir. Raijin gently pushed Fujin aside, slowly sat up, and lifting one hand to hold his head groaned loudly…

“Ooow! That wasn't very nice! Ya know? Why d'you do that for?”

“RAIJIN!”

Unable to contain herself, a relieved Fujin hugged the young man to her, causing him to complain again.

“Ouch! Watch it, Fu! Ya know? That really hurt!”

“Here…”

Squall had quietly retrieved Quetzalcoatl from where it had been tossed, and was returning it to Raijin. Laguna silently extended his arm and helped the young man to his feet. Jonathan couldn't believe his eyes! By all means, the young man should be if not dead, at least incapacitated, but there he was!… Complaining loudly and acting as if he'd only suffered a tap on the head! He turned incredulous eyes to Queen Edea who had not taken her eyes off him all this time.

“My dear Edea… Where did you find this boy? He's quite the mammoth!”

“Jonathan… Does it really matter? Please consider your own situation!”

Edea's eyes lowered to his left hand. The blackened skin had spread to the other four fingers, and was slowly creeping pass the knuckles. She knew the pain had to be unbearable.

“What's there to consider? Do you truly think that I shall willingly go back to being someone else's lackey? Subject to their ridiculous wishes and nonsensical whims?”

“I was not asking you to do that…”

“What exactly are you asking then?”

A lightning bold solidified into his hand and he hurled it at Edea, to be intercepted by Asuka. Cid, in spite of his present cuddly shape, had not lost his edge with a sword. As quickly as it had been drawn, the sword was re-sheathed. Squall and the others quickly rushed to form a protective barrier around her, but Edea waved them aside.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! You, who have everything!… Look at these fools! Even knowing that I can blow them all away, they still rush to protect you! How can you understand the feeling of being utterly powerless?”

Sad amber eyes gazed steadily into slightly maddened dark ones. The black irises were tinged with yellowish purplish colour that was not there before.

“Jonathan, I'm sorry you were made to suffer… I'm sorry that those who should have protected you, failed to do so… But, have you truly considered the price to be paid for exacting such a revenge?”

“My dear Queen… If I give up the ring, will I become a child again?”

“You know as well as I do that no power can grant this…”

“…Will I regain my loss innocence once again?”

“Jonathan, you cannot use one heinous act to redress the one that was perpetrated against you…”

“My dear, dear Sorceress, that it exactly what I intend to do!… This, Edea, this is all that counts!”

He held his left hand up and enunciated very clearly.

“APOCALYPSE!”

A ball of dark energy left the palm of his hand, but it did not hurl itself against Edea. Instead, it became larger, and larger until it encompassed the room, disintegrating everything in its path, spreading to enclose the tower, the inner bailey, the outer one… From as far away as the Albatross Peninsula, the most eastern part of the Almasy fiefdom, people were able to witness the great bolts of light which shot off Balamb Castle! They marvelled at the beauty of the light show, and wondered what exactly it was that their sovereigns were celebrating… Unfortunately for the people watching the night sky, the fancy display of lights was not of a very long duration. It diminished as quickly as it grew, until it had completely faded away.

At Jonathan's terrible invocation, Edea had deftly moved to shield everyone from the spell. Closing her eyes in deep concentration she whispered.

“Incantatio Retexo…”

In the same manner that the ball of energy had spread out, it receded until it became small once more, only to then become absorbed by Edea's palm. Everything was back to how it should be; as if the terrible cataclysmic spell had never occurred.

- o0o -

…

Is Squ-… everyone, okay?

(Yes, everyone, Squall included, is fine!)

I'm so glad!

(Thanks for keeping our link open!)

I followed your instructions to the letter, Sensei-sama!

(You are an excellent pupil, Rinoa-chan!)

I was unaware that such power existed!

(Yes. Had we not linked and combined…

we would not be having this conversation now!)

Oh! Sensei-sama…

(Yes? And just `Sensei' will be enough, Rinoa-chan…)

I-I think Seifer-kun and Onee-chan are here!

(Good! I was confident those children would find you!

Selphie-chan had told me that they had

followed the trail left by your kidnappers…)

It's very dangerous here for them! I don't know

exactly where I am… but… but somehow I feel like…

like I'm surrounded by a very large group of enemies.

(Don't worry, Quistis is a very cautious child and I

know that no matter what, Seifer will not do anything

to compromise Quistis's safety…)

I wish I could somehow help them, Sensei…

(Patience, child… The stakes are too high, and

you are the only wildcard in our deck…)

I know, Sensei. I'll do my best… Oh!...

(Yes, I'm being summoned…)

…

- o0o -

When Edea opened her eyes again, it was to reveal a blank gaze. Her pupils contracted to the point of being swallowed by the amber irises. An incandescent aura surrounded her entire body, and she slowly levitated a couple of inches above the floor. Instead of her usual soft toned voice, a stentorian one issued forth from her lips.

“Jonathan Gestahl, you have already been warned by the Sorceress that the Ring of Aesterith exacts a prize from those who dare draw upon its power: A payment of equal value. You still have time to recant, and to take heed of the Sorceress counsel! Beware that once completed, the effects are irreversible…”

After saying this, the glow enclosing Edea's body receded, and as her feet touched the floor her eyes gradually regained their pupils returning them to their usual warm colouring. When the Queen spoke again, it was done in her own voice, though it was no less stern.

“The opportunity that has never been granted to any, has been granted to you, Jonathan Gestahl. Take advantage of it.”

“Ha! Ha! Ha! What opportunity, Sorceress? Do you think I can be so easily tricked?”

The intrusive sound of Dollet's raucous laughter, shook everyone off their stunned amazement at the sight of Edea's radiance. Suddenly, Fujin let out a gasp. The blackened charred skin had spread all the way past the Duke's neck, and had made its way up to cover his entire left cheek. Malevolent eyes, now more yellowish in colour than black stared at Fujin's shocked face, Raijin and Squall standing protectively next to her. Their weapons drawn and pointed in Dollet's direction.

“What, Lady Fujin? You don't like what you see? I am not as comely as before, am I not?... But my looks are nothing, truly… in comparison to what your treacherous sister, the beautiful Lady Arashi…”

Laguna interrupted. “Don't say it, Dollet!”

He ignored the bewildered look his son and Fujin flashed in his direction.

“Jonathan… Please! What do you gain by all this?”

“Gain? I gain satisfaction, my dear Queen…”

With an evil smirk in Laguna's direction, the Duke continued…

“Do you know that I actually offered for her?… But the stupid bitch refused my suit! Of course, at the time, I was only the lowly son of a minor baron… And she was extremely ambitious…”

“LIAR!”

Fujin tried to launch herself at him, but Raijin had grasped both of her arms and was hugging her to him.

“Fu! Don't listen to him, ya know?”

The Duke only cast the enraged girl a cursory glance, and smirked when he noticed that Squall was placing a comforting hand on her shoulder while sending him a killing look. Laguna was more vocal than his son.

“You little fuck! Aren't you satisfied with kidnapping Rinoa, and almost killing Edea?”

“Satisfaction! That is precisely what I seek, King Laguna! Did you know that the Lady Arashi was quite obsessed with being your queen… …Ah! I see that you knew that…”

When he saw the expression that crossed Fujin's and Squall's face, Cid decided to intervene in the situation.

“ -Humph- Everyone knew that!”

Cid looked in the direction of the young people.

“Including Raine herself! She knew better than anyone that her young cousin had a crush on Laguna… Nothing wrong with that!”

“Ah, Cid, Cid!… As oblivious to the undercurrents as usual! …Who do you think it was that gave the information to…”

“I said, fucking shut-up!”

“Enough!”

A bolt shot through the air directly into the Duke's heart, while Lionhart swooshed down his side. Although both arrow and sword were deflected by a strong protective barrier, they had somehow managed to damage him this time.

“Ow!…YOU FIENDS! How dare you hurt me!”

Several thunderbolts were sent off in every which direction, but they were easily parried off by their targets.

“Jonathan, please!… Give it up! Let me help you!”

Eyes which had become a murkish yellowish colour with a purple hue, stared at Edea full of malice… To everyone's consternation, the Duke's figure started to fade!

“Foolish woman! How dare you ask me to give up this power!”

“Enough talk, Dollet! Where are you keeping the princess?”

Another bolt flew in his direction, but it went right past the Duke's shoulder to hit the wall instead. Swearing, Laguna aimed his crossbow at a more solid looking part, only to yield the same effect. It sailed right through hitting the wall behind…

“Ah, yes… Little Rinoa… She'll suit my purpose very well!”

“Don't you DARE touch her!”

Squall swung Lionhart again, this time aiming for Dollet's neck, but like Laguna's missiles, his sword swooshed right through! It was as if he was trying to cut into a ghost…

“Oh!… And how…exactly do you purport to stop me, young knight?”

Dollet lifted his finger and shot an energy bolt in Squall's direction, the sheer force of it slamming the young man against the wall. Unable to bear the man's twisted smirk a second longer, Fujin shook off Raijin's hands and charged.

“TRAITOR!”

“Fu! Watch out!”

Pandemona blades criss-crossed the Duke's still visible torso, while Quetzalcoatl's sharp edge sliced through his vanishing waist. All to no avail. They felt like they were hitting air. Soon the only part that was visible to them, was the traitor's smirking face!

“You should take care on who you call `traitor', my dear Lady Fujin… After all, it was not my sister who sold Queen Raine to the…”

“FUCKING SHUT…”

“…Goblins!”

“Up…”

The Duke had completely vanished, but his voice and a very unpleasant sulphurous smell lingered on…

“Oh! Please allow me to present you with a parting gift… Your Majesties! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

A few bones which looked like rotten teeth were tossed onto the floor from out of nowhere.

“Behold the Doom of Astaroth! Enjoy!”

There was no time to ask questions, because as soon as the bones hit the ground they extended and began to grow legs and arms! Their heads were not even properly formed when they raised their various weapons, and charged in Edea's direction. Once again, Asuka was drawn out to protect the Queen. Raijin and Fujin jumped into the fray parrying and slashing at ghastly warriors. Squall rushed to his Queen's defence, and swung Lionhart across one of them in a powerful downward motion that cut through bone and dispersed the enemy into various pieces!

To the side, Laguna was firing bolts in a quick succession to hit the one that was unreachable by blade. Ward's Harpoon halberd had not been idle either. In a couple of powerful blows, more bones hit the floor!

“Cid! Edea! Leave, now! We'll take care of the cleanup here!”

Cid nodded and made to grab Edea in order to escort her out of Fujin's room, but to his surprise, she resisted.

“No! Wait! You cannot defeat them as you are!”

“What do you…”

Laguna was unable to finish his sentence dismayed by what he was witnessing… When the last of the skeleton soldiers had hit the floor, cut down by Pandemona's blades, the rest had began to reconstitute and re-arm again! However, this time, they were double the number! Squall's eyes widened… Using both hands, he swung Lionhart in a powerful swing felling two of the soldiers…Only to watch with incredulous eyes how they re-assembled and multiplied again! Now there were eight of them to deal with! They all realized that the fight had just become a lot harder…

“What the fuck is this?”

“These things are nasty, ya know! We can't destroy `em, ya know!”

“DEFEND!”

Edea did not waste any time. She closed her eyes, crossed her hands at chest level with her two index fingers pointing eastward, and began to chant the following incantation over and over again:

“Sacrati Animae Tellum

Sacrati Animae Caelum

Nomino ad vos

Conferite nos tua ops!”

Squall was in the midst of parrying another blow, when Lionhart started to glow a bright red! Knowing that his sword had become enchanted by the Queen's spell, with new determination he thrust the blade into the advancing soldier, and saw it crumble to the ground. However, this time to his relief, it did not get up!

Everyone attacked the bone warriors with renewed impetus until the last of them was felled by Ward's Harpoon. The entire room was strewn with pieces of bone. Cid turned to escort his Queen out of the room, but she was still submerged in a deep trance-like state; however, this time her joined index fingers were pointing upwards as she chanted slowly…

"Anima In Pace Requiescat"

The bones on the floor started to slowly crumble and disintegrate. As they petered out, small points of light rose in the air, and floated up to the high vaulted ceiling until they could be seen no more. When the last point of light vanished, Edea opened her eyes and would have fallen had Cid not taken a hold of her.

“Edea! What was that, my dear?”

“Those were the souls of vanquished soldiers bound to the bones by a terrible curse…”

“Where the hell did Dollet get them?”

“Now's not the time to ask that! Can't you see she's exhausted?”

It was Cid's turn to sound exasperated as he gently helped Edea out of the room.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

The Queen looked at her young knight, and smiled.

“I'll be fine, Squall… I just feel a bit drained” Her voice hardened, “As he knew I would be… He knew I wouldn't leave those poor souls like that…”

“EVIL!”

“ -Sigh- You're right Fujin-chan, but remember…Jonathan Gestahl was not always so…”

“Your Majesty, he needs to be put away, ya know!”

“I agree Raijin-kun. I think Jonathan has gone too far…”

“What shall we do now?” Laguna wanted to know, “With Dollet gone, the search for Rinoa has just become that much harder!”

“I'm not giving up!”

“It's alright, Squall. Seifer and Quistis had found her… but…”

Edea closed her eyes again. When she opened them, there was some urgency in her voice.

“Quick! Take me to the Castle's Star Chamber!”

“What's that?”

Cid and Squall understood immediately. That particular room was Edea's seat of magical power… If she needed to draw from it… Both King and Knight nodded at each other. The King picked up the weakened Sorceress, and rushed to the place she'd requested. His only parting shot being.

“Squall will explain everything!”

o - o0o - o

Town of Raha, in Barley's cottage…

As he listened to Mrs. Barley's purposely girlish tone of voice, Thomas kept flashing his lordship nervous looks… He knew that Sir Kinneas was quickly losing it! Time was a wasting listening to this woman's useless chatter! If only she could get to the point! Staring in deep frustration at the rather well-fed woman that sat so smugly on the coach facing him, Irvine was about to behave in a very rude manner by getting-up and leaving. However, his move was forestalled by a loud knock on the door…

“Oh, who could that be? Don't you worry, Sir Kinneas, Jenny will shoo them away! We don't wish our fasci…”

The door to the parlour was flung open.

“Hi'ya! …There you are Irvy! I was lookin' all over for ya!”

“Yo! …S'up, man!”

Upon entering the rather claustrophobic room, Selphie had spotted her Irvy immediately. She had to suppress a chuckle, because the normally easy-going archer looked uncharacteristically irritated, and just about ready to explode! As her eyes landed on Mrs. Barley, she suddenly remembered her manners.

“Oh! A thousand apologies! I'm Lady Selphie Tilmitt, and this one here…”

She grabbed Zell's arm, and forced the poor warrior to stand beside her.

“Is Lord Zell Dincht!”

She dipped into a quick curtsey, and made Zell do the same which made the young man protest in a stage whisper.

“Yo! Selph-chan, I'm a guy! We don't curtsey! We bow… … See?”

Zell bow quickly in an ecstatic Mrs. Barley's direction, before addressing Selphie again, but she just rolled her eyes at him and said.

“Yeah, whatever!”

Mrs. Barley really thought she'd died and was in one of the seven heavens! Not only was Sir Kinneas present, she also had a second Queen's knight and one of the Royal Wards in her parlour! `My! Lord Dincht is sure a good-looking boy too! I bet anything Emma Loudon is right now positively green with envy...'

“Mrs. Barley!” Selphie interrupted, “I need to ask you somethin' in private!”

“Oh...”

“Ladies only!”

After saying that, Selphie marched to the door and opened it.

“Out boys!”

“Oh, but Lady Selphie, surely that's not necessary...”

Ignoring Mrs. Barley's protest, Thomas and Irvine stood up with alacrity, bowed quickly to the lady of the house, and obediently filed out the door. Zell first, followed by Thomas, then Irvine bringing up the rear. Selphie winked at him when the archer marched out the door, relieved to be finally out of that confining space! He didn't even care when Selphie slammed the parlour door in their faces. All he wanted was to get out of that house as quickly as possible.

Once outside, Irvine asked a very relieved Thomas to get their mounts. When the Choco-rider left, the archer questioned Zell.

“Like... Why are you n' my Selph here?”

“Queen Edea sent us! Dude, that house was too full of stuff!”

“Huh? Queen Edea?”

“Oh, yeah! `Course you wouldn't know! She's okay now! And Squall too!”

“What! Like, how?”

“Man, you missed some real crazy stuff! But there's no time to tell you now… Dude, you were sooo right about the traitor thing!”

“You guys…like know who it is?”

Zell's expression became unusually cautious as he looked theatrically from side to side. Irvine just rolled his eyes before slapping Zell's back and saying.

“Just come out with it already!”

“Hey!… We can't talk `bout it here, dude!”

Irvine arched an eyebrow. It was unusual to see Zell behave in such a cautious manner. `I guess I'll just have to wait for Selph to relate me the news…'

“Okay… So, what can you tell me?”

Totally missing the archer's sarcastic tone, Zell crossed his arms over the chest to list out the things he could tell his friend out in the open.

“Well, I'm here to back you up, and Selph-chan tagged along… She threatened me to hurt me I didn't bring her… Messengers have been sent out to find Sir Kiros and Xu Sensei. Everyone's to convene at the rendezvous point on the northern fields outside Raha Town. Oh, yeah!… I almost forgot to tell ya…”

A new voice interrupted their conversation to ask rather impatiently.

“Well, Lord Kinneas, I trust you found some worthy information?”

It was King Caraway mounted on Chub-chub! Irvine flashed Zell an angry look for neglecting to inform him of this new `addition' to their party, before replying.

“Uh, Your Majesty! Yeah... Lady Selphie's pursuing a lead right now...”

Not fooled by Irvine's reply, the King said.

“Humph! Let's hope she'll prove to be a more effective emissary than…”

“YOO HOO! Guys!”

Selphie was waving at them from outside the cottage door. Before either knight could reply, she had picked up her skirts in the most unlady-like manner to dash in their direction. She arrived at the same time that Thomas did with their Chocobos.

“I know where Mr. Barley went!”

“Lady Selphie, do tell us where!”

Selphie looked at King Caraway, and did not see a stern man like the others did. What she saw instead, was an extremely worried parent.

“Mrs. Barley said that he suspected somethin' was goin' on at this littl' port located on the northwestern tip of Raha Cape, and decided to investigate…”

“Smuggler's Cove!”

Thomas had been the one to blurt out the name. He blushed a bright red when all eyes, specially those of the King of Galbadia, turned to stare at him. Irvine arched a brow and ordered.

“Explain!”

Feeling like an ass, Thomas kneeled before Irvine to beg.

“Please, Lord Kinneas, forgive my oversight…”

“Yeah, blah-blah… Just tell us where the fuck is this place, already!”

“I can guide you there, My Lord!”

Irvine smiled for the first time that night.

“Now we're, like, talkin'!”

o - o0o - o

a/n:

It's amazing how something as inane as the verses I've made up below sound so much more formidable when rendered into Latin!

Sacred spirits of the earth

Sacred spirits of the sky

I call upon you

Bestow us with your power!

The second one is a very well known one. Probably a lot of you recognize it for what it is: Souls Rest in Peace