Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of Lifestream: A New Dawn ❯ Chapter 2: New Avalanche ( Chapter 2 )

Squall walked briskly ahead, pushing ahead through the strong gales of the night. The land had changed over the period of the Age. The grass was darker, glistening blackly in the moonlight, rocks sparkling red with what looked like blood. Ahead was Fort Condor, but that had long been abandoned, with only a mere ruin left. Bandits had used it as their home a few years ago, but they had slowly disappeared; now it was just a mere ruin, standing tall for all to see. It had been along time since the last condor had appeared atop of it. Ahead lay the mountains, and Mythril Mines. Or what used to be a mine. After the battle against Sephiroth 10 years ago it had been disused, and had turned into an old cave. People that were seeking passage to Junon had used to the new passage road leading by Midgar, through Healing and through the Mountain Tunnel to Junon. The mines stared out at her, peering. Dark. She could sense eyes someone watching her. Squall stopped and turned.

`Are you okay?' he asked, one hand on his belt.

`Yes,' she said, nodding, `just, I get the sense I am being watched!' Squall smiled, walking towards her.

`It's our guards. Don't worry, they always watch out when they hear or see people coming. Trust me; you'll be safe with me!' She smiled, nodding. Squall turned back to the cave, and continued to walk, Priscilla slowly following. The cave got closer and closer, the darkness seemed very unwelcoming to her. Suddenly a burst of light erupted around them. Priscilla stood, stunned, staring forward. Squall drew his sword, looking around. In the sky above hovered a Dark Ship. `Priscilla run to the cave, I'll deal with this.' She shook, standing up. `Run, Now!' She ran, as fast her shaking legs could. Squall stood waiting as soldiers dropped out the ship. As she ran to the cave, she could hear the clash of metal behind her. The cave got closer, her pace quickened, the dark now seemed comforting to her. She was a few inches away when she tripped, falling flat on her face. Stunned, she lay on the ground, unable to move. Footsteps got closer to her, stopping right next to her arm. A gentle are grabbed her, picking her up. She gradually opened her eyes, her world spinning. The last thing she seen before entering the darkness of the caves was a man with a bushy red beard.

 

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Priscilla awoke on a white bed, throwing herself up. She looked around, thinking it was all a dream. But she seen a cave, with other beds, and other people all sound asleep. She looked around the roof, a small lantern swung back and forth gently on a rope. She swung her legs to the ground, the cold floor breezing over her feet. She slowly stood up, as not to make a sound and creped across the room the open door at the opposite end. As she got closer she could hear voices, and by the time she reached the door she could them talking about her.

`Thank you Squall,' a gruff, but familiar voice said, `thank you so much!' Footsteps slowly shuffled around, Priscilla pressed hr back against the wall quickly, in case they were coming this way.

`It is no problem Elder.' She heard Squall's voice, and comfort rushed over her. `The least I could do was help.' The other man chuckled.

`And how are you? Didn't you stay behind and fight some Shadows?'

`We were caught by one of the Cyclon Ships. They were doing a sweep of the area, and guess we were just unlucky.'

`Yes, very unlucky. But you risked your life for Priscilla. I have waited ages to see her again. I haven't seen her since…oh my listen to me going on. Squall you should rest, you have done me proud. I shall have food and drink sent up to your room. Good night.'

`Good night Elder.' She could hear footsteps walking off, fading away. Then the man sighed, and sat down. Priscilla peered out to see who the man. The back of his head was balding, grey. He wore a brown cloak, and was watching the flames. Slowly, Priscilla stepped out from her hiding place and walked towards the huddled figure. As she got closer, she looked around to see the area lit up by the fire. Tunnels led of to other rooms. She didn't know how deep she was in the mountain but she guessed she was quite far in. The figure jerked up, and turned his head slightly.

'Hello my dear!' Priscilla gasped, stepping back. The figure chuckled. `Come, Priscilla, sit down.' He tapped the ground next to him. Quivering, she walked forward, sitting down. She turned to look at her father. His hair was whiter than before, and his beard lay flat on his chest. He turned to look at her, and smiled. One of his eyes was white as a pearl, Priscilla gasping in recognition to this. `My eye? It was the night I left, I went out to see what all the commotion was, than this figure appeared, and fired something at me, hit me in the eye. I was saved by Squall, and some of the others.' She lowered her head. `Don't be sad my dear, you are finally with us. The enemy are weakened around this area right now, so we took our first chance, or I would have got you about a week after my recovery.' She nodded, stayed silent. The two of them stared into the flames for awhile, thinking.

`What are these people?' She asked, staring deep into the flames.

`We are the rebels against the darkness; we are the new planet protectors. We are the new Avalanche!' Priscilla quickly turned.

`Clouds here!?' She asked, snapping.

`No, my dear, no. Avalanche has been missing for awhile; last we know they left Edge to go to the Northern Cave. They went to defeat the Dark Master, Danzol, but they were beaten down.'

`So what are your group planning to do?' She had lost all of her original shyness, and was now fully aware of her situation.

`We are planning to stop as much of the Shadow Arms here as we can.' He faced her; she looked at him in disbelief.

`We have to find Cloud, surely. They would help us greatly.' He shook his head, facing the fire again.

`I'm sorry my dear, but it is too dangerous, we would be too far into enemy terroriotory.' She lowered her head, and stood up. Gave an angry look at her father, before walking off back to the room she had came from. The Elder looked into the fire, and left out a long sigh. A figure came out the shadow and stared at him. `It's okay, you are safe!' The figure closed his hand, his golden claws clenching around his hand.

 

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Priscilla couldn't sleep. She faced the wall, thinking, wondering. Cloud and his friends wouldn't go fighting against Danzol without being ready, something must have happened, unexpected to them. She closed her eyes, her mind falling deep, deeper into a slumber. She was on a ship, figures all around them, talking, but no speech could be heard. She faced forward as the ship stopped, and everyone stared forward. A dark figure appeared, and a figure with spiky hair ran forward. `Cloud?' She thought. He put his hand on the glass, as the figure smashed at the ship. It spun in the air, falling faster. Smoke emitting from machines, everyone holding onto something. It smashed through trees, past rocks, before tipping up and flipping. Then it came, the final fall. A loud splash issued throughout the ship.

 

She sat up with a gasp. Looking around, the room was empty, and a ray of light was coming in through the stone roof. At the door Squall was looking at her, and then walked away. Priscilla stood up, stretching, wondering about the dream. She exited her room, and looked to where the fire was; all that was left was a dull pile of ashes. Squall stood at the other side, waiting for her.

`Squall?' She questioned, walking towards him. He turned, smiling.

`You're awake finally. Your father told us all to let you sleep today.' She shook her head, and then raised it smiling at him.

`Where is everyone?' She asked, looking around.

`Something big is happening. Something has washed up on shore.' She looked at him, shocked. She turned to a doorway, but Squall grabbed her. `You have to stay here, your father ordered it.' She slapped Squall, and ran. Squall made after her, she ran down a corridor, facing light at the end. The darkness was over her, she couldn't see all but the light. She could hear Squall's panting breath behind her. `Stop!' He gasped out, in his run. The light closer over, and she was in total darkness. `Priscilla, please stop. Seeing this won't be good for you.'

`It's the Highwind, isn't it?' Nothing came back, just Squall's panted breath, and then a deep, cold voice came.

`Yes!' She could the man walking down, metal boots crushing off the ground. He stood in front of her, she shook. The lights burst on, and stood in front of her was a man dressed in a red cloak, and black undergarments. His long black hair fell over his shoulders, and on his left hand was a gold metal claw. `Hello Priscilla, I am Vincent.' She smiled.