Other Fan Fiction ❯ Lives in Choosing ❯ Prologue ( Chapter 1 )

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

 

Chapter 1: Prologue

 

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The morning sun was warm on the girl's pale skin. Soft gusts of winds blew locks of hair into her face. She absently brushed away the hair and pulled it into a loose ponytail. Still, black wisps escaped her grasp and she was forced to hold them back as the wind picked up.

 

Looking up, she viewed a solitary house in the far distance. It was oddly placed atop a hill and sat under the awning of a large tree. She knew he was there, waiting for her return.

 

Between her and this shelter lay a plain of long, thin grass. Patches of yellow suggested it was mid- autumn. Warm winds took their turn to blow now, preparing the land for the cold season ahead. Sighing, the girl picked up a javelin which lay at her feet. Dried blood stained the edge and contrasted perfectly with its owner's innocent and docile appearance.

 

Dying grass crunched under the girl's feet as she slowly made her way along the imaginary trail. She tried to keep her head low, avoiding any glances towards the house. This was the hardest thing she had ever done. But it was her choice to begin with- any other decision would lead to her execution. He was bound to die anyway. The opposing force outnumbered their ranks by thousands. And what would he think of her if she had sacrificed herself? Though she would never truly admit it, it was obvious he would have killed himself if the latter had been chosen.

 

Silent tears ran down her cheeks and dripped into the field. She watched them fall, barely missing her booted feet as she stepped. It was hypnotizing how they fell in a certain, depressing pattern. It dragged her into a trance and she soon found herself reminiscing in events both her and Squall had shared. Every detail she remembered tore holes into her heart and soul, ripping her apart.

 

Her steps began to drag and the will to go on was becoming dim. The house was not too far now- and neither was he. Such oblivion in a man of such power frustrated her as much as it did make her sympathize. It was a pathetic way to die, she concluded. And she felt foul and cheap being a part of it.

 

The girl's steps stopped at the short, dirt path leading to the house's entrance. Thoughts mingled and her tears began to flow more heavily as she looked upon the small dwelling.

 

Kind of pathetic, was her first thought of this house some time ago. Now it had become a sanctuary of precious memories. So now she stood there, observing this shabby masterpiece for the last time.

 

Walking again was hard- stopping her raking sobs was impossible. She approached the front door carelessly and slammed her fist against it. She retrieved her knuckles and watched as blood trickled down the side of her hand and arm. Inside the house there was a shuffling and the girl gripped the spear firmly.

 

Seconds turned into hours as she waited for the door to open. Her throat constricted as footsteps approached from the other side. The rusty knob gave a jiggle and then turned slowly. The familiar creaking of the wooden door triggered the black-haired woman and she poised herself.

 

A tall, male figure stood in the door's frame, confusion written all over his expression. The girl shouted out in fury and desperation as she plunged the javelin's blade into the figure's chest. A silent scream scarred the man's face as he fell to the ground, dead.

 

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Rinoa greeted the sun with a wide grin. The day was glorious and it had only just begun. Tonight was the Spring Festival and the weeks of harvesting were finally going to pay off.

 

"Rinoa!" Selphie, a girl of high spirits and curled, brown hair, ran up to greet Rinoa.

 

"Hey, Selphie. Finally done, are you?"

 

"Yeah, gramps wasn't happy with the job I did last night. Stupid old man..."

 

Rinoa giggled at her friend's anger. "Well that should teach you not to procrastinate so much. I clearly remember him asking you to sweep a week ago."

 

"Yeah, well, he should have done it himself it was such a big deal!"

 

After laughing again, Rinoa suggested they take a walk to calm down a bit.

 

Sastugas was a small town with hardly a population to count. Close to Trabia, the town was extremely cold during the winter season and it was a blessing to have fair weather out during such an early time in the spring.

 

Both Selphie and Rinoa walked down an old road used to import goods. It was especially wide for passing trucks, so low brush was the only thing alive within so many meters. Rinoa, though, was pleased to note more greens sprouting this year than last. It wasn't common to see flowers in this region, but this spring looked promising.

 

"So what do you think of those rumors?"

 

"Huh?" Rinoa hadn't been paying attention.

 

"Ya know, the ones about a war transpiring near Galbadia. Probably for some good-for-nothing reason, too I betcha."

 

"Hmm, well last I heard it was really important. Its scary when they say how many cities are involved."

 

"Pft, what are you scared for? Afraid its coming over here? We could always transfer to the Shumi Village `till it passes. That place is big enough for three of our villages..."

 

Rinoa became thoughtful as she walked. "Its not so much that I'm afraid, now that I think about it. Its more that its kinda sad knowing what those people are going through. And besides, if it did reach here, I'd fight for Sastugas, no matter how small it is."

 

"Heh, you and what army?"

 

"Geez, Selph, I don't know! It was just a thought anyway."

 

"Yeah. So about tonight, I hear Seifer's coming back for the celebration!"

 

Rinoa wrinkled her nose at this. "He's so into himself I'm surprised he remembered where he's from."

 

"Well maybe he'll have some juicy gossip about what's going on! He did just get back from the army and all."

 

"Yeah, sure, the only war he knows about is between himself and a mirror."

 

"But you should at least just try talking to him. I mean, its not like you're flirting or anything. Though from him you might get a bit..."

 

"Shut up, that's a terrible thought!"

 

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Brisk evening winds ran throughout the festive grounds of Sastugas and brought life to the brightly colored flags. Tables of food stretched out across the land, ending at the small clearing for dancing. The scent of spices and smoke wafted throughout the whole village, enticing the people and exciting the children.

 

The celebration was to honor the rebirth of the land as well as the people's spirits. Plenty of rum would be passed about and before dusk the town's people would be laughing and dancing vigorously. Children, still young at body, would be lively enough on their own.

 

Rinoa sat within her small room, brushing out her long, black hair. Skillfully, she braided it and tied it up into a bun. Her attire was a bright and colorful dress, decked in real flowers and roses. Playfully, she danced in front of her bedroom mirror, pleased with how the dress fluttered in her wake.

 

"Rinoa, dear, would you come down here?"

 

"Alright," Rinoa shouted down the hall to her mother.

 

"Oh, look how gorgeous you are!" Rinoa blushed deeply as her mother gathered her up for a tight embrace. "All the boys will be looking at you tonight!"

 

Rinoa blushed again, covering her face with both hands. "All the boys my age are so ugly!"

 

"Since when were you so picky? Here, help me take this food down the street."

 

Smiling sweetly in response, Rinoa obliged.

 

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Rinoa almost reached the tables, but a strong hand caught her wrist.

 

"Hey, watch it!" Rinoa struggled. "Oh, its your Seifer! Didn't see you, sorry."

 

"Well, nice to see you, too. Wow, when did you start wearing dresses?"

 

Rinoa began walking again. "Don't be stupid, its for tonight and you know it. You're going to stick out like a sore thumb," Rinoa added with a swift glace at Seifer's uniform.

 

Taking the basket of food Rinoa held, he responded, "Nah, the girl's love it. And, hey! Don't roll your eyes like that!"

 

"You are so stuck up, you know that?!"

 

Both stopped at the tables and Seifer set down the food and stole a roll. "What?"

 

"Ugh, never mind! Selphie asked me to ask you about the army."

 

"What's the matter, don't want to ask me yourself?" Seifer smirked.

 

"Frankly, I don't care."

 

"Sure you do. I know you're just dying to kn-"

 

"Just tell me about the war rumors!" Rinoa shouted, her dress fluttering at her jerking movements.

 

"Oh, that? Nothing really but a bunch of mumbo jumbo. A little conflict between Galbadia and Deling, that's all."

 

"But how did the rumors get so out of hand? It was on the news that it was possible the war would go world wide!"

 

"Aww, are you scared? You don't have worry as long as I'm here to protect you." Seifer grinned mischievously.

 

"You'll be the death of me..." Rinoa stated under her breath.

 

"What was that?"

 

"I said go help my mother take out the rest of the food!"

 

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The festival ran throughout the whole night, dancing with activities and laughter. Everyone in the village attended, from the youngest child to the wisest elder. It was filled with stories, liquor, and eating. It was sunrise before the (still sober) town's people decided it was time to return home.

 

The sun rose alone that morning and was settled in the middle of the sky before anyone was up. Everyone greeted this day in a distasteful manner, cursing the mess and the headaches. Only those without the strong hangover came outside and cleaned. Rinoa, still being underage, was out helping the others. Seifer and Selphie, still being underage, lay in their beds with migraines.

 

It was late afternoon before it occurred to Rinoa the sun was dimming a little early. Taking a good look around her, it was becoming obvious how hazy it was.

 

`That's weird,' she thought to herself. `The bonfires are out and have been since early this morning. And its still too frosty around here for any brush fires....'

 

The horizon caught Rinoa's eyes and she let out a sharp gasp. Only a small sea separated her village from Dollet. Except now Dollet was a mass of black smoke billowing into the sky.

 

Only one thought ran through Rinoa's head: The war.

 

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R+R please!!!!!!!!!!!