Evoke Chapter Six: Counterclockwise
Last Chapter
Chapter 6
Counterclockwise
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Inside his cubicle, the ticket vendor flipped another page of his book. He no longer cared that the woman had been standing near the booth since half an hour ago. If she wanted to buy a ticket, she would have done it by now. The train would come soon, and she hadn’t seemed to make up her mind.
The ex-Instructor of Balamb Garden flipped the coin in her hand. The old Dolletian king pictured in the brass had perished in the blaze of his castle more than a hundred years ago. Galbadian armies had obliterated royal bloodline of the kingdom, turning the once flourished régime into a colony barely able to defend its territory. Then came Adel with her Estharian soldier, and Dollet was no longer anything but a trivial port town.
Perhaps Quistis should just place the old coin with the other 2,900 Gil of hers on the booth and ordered that ticket. One month had passed and she had no mission offered to her. The fact that she was a level 20 SeeD didn’t help attracting high numbers of clients. An ex-instructor, with very little experience of field missions, wasn’t the first choice of clients who wanted a practiced and low-cost SeeD. Adding that to the fact that she had mentored a number of current SeeD teams made an understandable reason why plenty of SeeD team leaders didn’t want to pick her as a member given another choice. In Galbadia Garden, Quistis didn’t have any SeeD history. If she returned to the East Academy, then probably… probably Martine had something for her to do.
The Balamb Garden faculty had forbid her to enter the Training Centre after Quistis exterminated their entire supply of Grats, Fastitocalons, and more than ten T-Rexaurs last week. They had been trying to locate the rest of the five dinosaurs, despite rumours about a certain boy with a gunblade slaughtering all of them in one night. Rather than having to pay for the new imported beasts, Quistis elected to sign the form to never enter the Training Centre again, valid for two years.
Quistis hadn’t thought much about Galbadia Garden when she visited Balamb this morning. After sitting on the dock next to an outlandish photographer, she heard about the photographer’s studio in Deling City and her interest in photographing SeeDs in their daily surroundings. The photographer had left since then, taking the first morning train to Deling City. Quistis had since been standing there, next to the booth, wondering if she should just go.
She twirled the coin between her fingers. A pair of boots sauntered past her, the man headed over to the booth. She gazed up. Seifer placed some money on the booth and waited for the ticket. He had his trench coat, Hyperion equipped, and duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
“One ticket to Timber,” Seifer said. The man glanced to his back, confirming that he did identify Quistis. “What are you doing here? Got a solo mission or something?”
Quistis placed the coin into her pocket. “No, I-what are you doing?”
Seifer accepted the ticket and the change. “You can see what I’m doing, why’d you even ask?”
“Why are you playing truant? Seifer, wait!” Quistis followed Seifer to the ticket machine. “Why aren’t you in class?”
Seifer groaned. “Instructor or not, you’re still noisy.” He swiped the ticket into the machine and walked over to the train waiting area. Quistis stopped in front of the barrier.
“Seifer!”
“I had it enough, okay?” Seifer put the duffle bag on the floor and turned towards her. “I had it enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This is it.” Seifer deposited the change into his trench coat pocket. “I got better things to do than doing this all over again next year.”
Quistis placed her hand on the barrier. “You should go back to Garden. We need to talk about this.”
Seifer raised his brow. “Did you forget you’re no longer anything in Garden, ex-instructor? I don’t need to talk to you about anything.”
“Wh-“ Quistis took a deep breath. “You’re supposed to be in the class at this hour, cadet Almasy. You should go back to Garden.”
“Then what?” Seifer crossed his arms. “If I go back, then what are you gonna do about it?”
“I’ll talk to instructor Aki so he won’t punish you for truancy.” Quistis watched Seifer throw his head up and laugh.
“Good luck about that.” The approaching train signaled its horn. “Just go back to your Garden and do your job well, ex-Instructor… if you have any job now.”
Quistis saw the train glide into the station. “Seifer, let’s go back. Now.”
“Nah.” Seifer bent down and took his duffle bag. “What are you doing here anyway if you’re not on a mission? Catching runaway students?” He slung the bag over his shoulder. “Well, at least you got something to do. I thought you’re gonna do nothing ‘till the end of this year.”
She wouldn’t let that comment get to her. “Seifer,” she said, watching the man amble to the waiting train. “Seifer, don’t do this. You only need to take your field exam and stay in class. You don’t have to quit.” The man ignored her. The train entrance opened. He gave the ticket to the ticket inspector. “Seifer!” Quistis yelled. She pushed the barrier that refused to budge. “Seifer, you can’t quit like this!”
The ticket inspector returned his ticket. Seifer looked at the ex-instructor standing behind the barrier. “Bye, Trepe.”
“Seifer!” Quistis watched the man stroll into the train. Seifer turned and waved at her as the door slid close. “Seifer!”
Seifer smirked and observed his ex-instructor yell at him. He couldn’t hear anything, not that he cared now. Seifer spun and walked into the cabin.
The train announced its parting horn. Quistis clenched her fist as the train moved and left the station.
No. No. This can’t be. He has to be a SeeD. All that skill, all that power. He just needs to follow the rules. How hard can that be? How-I don’t have time to think about it like this!
Quistis whirled and ran to the ticket booth. The ticket seller gawked up when the woman almost crashed against the small kiosk.
“One ticket to Timber!” Quistis drew her old coin and the rest of her cash from her pocket. “Now!”
-x-
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Night or day, it didn’t matter in here. The SeeD could use the car anytime, thus the hatch leading to the Rinauld Plains would always be open. Of course, no thief would ever think of coming in through one of the most obvious open gaps, given the number of armed and ready mercenaries inside the edifice.
They arrived during nighttime.
They knew the place. They were familiar with how many staff operated in one shift, and today they would use the knowledge. They knew where the camera was pointing at, how many blind spots in one chamber. They knew the place as well as anyone else currently living in here.
That was good. They wouldn’t want to make any mistake.
Staying low on the ground, Raijin crawled into the open hatch. He kept his eyes on the big window of the sentry room at the end of the parking lot. Two cadets sat in the chamber. Their eyes focused on the computer screen in front of them.
Behind Raijin, Fujin moved below the camera. A draft of silver formed in her palm. She threw the smoke orb to the floor near the sentry room. Raijin dashed towards the outer wall of the sentry chamber and waited under the window.
“Hey…? What’s that?” one of the cadets said. He stood from his chair, unlocked the door and strode out.
Fujin lifted her hand towards the cadet walking out of the room. “SLEEP.”
The cadet’s knees buckled. He dropped to the ground, already halfway unconscious before his body touched the asphalt.
“Huh?” The other cadet watched his friend collapse. “Hey! What’s wrong?” He ran out of the room, eyes on his friend.
The door closed, the camera inside the room didn’t record the rush of Raijin. His arm circled the cadet’s neck, other hand covered the cadet’s face with a prepared handkerchief.
“Mmf…! Mgh-“ The cadet sagged against him. The man pocketed his handkerchief and let the cadet’s body slumped to the ground.
Fujin pushed herself off the floor, running under the camera pointing towards a side of the open hatch. Raijin crawled under the window, making sure the camera inside the room pointing to the windowpane never had him. He moved against the wall and followed Fujin entering the hall.
Fujin watched the new Disciplinary Committee member standing next to the Garden directory board. She glanced behind her, to Raijin, and nodded. They half-circled the back of the round hall into the dorm, avoiding the lone lookout altogether.
The two sneaked over through the quiet hallway, never letting the camera standing at the midpoint of the dormitory hall taped them. They stopped next to a familiar door, each framing the side of it. Fujin stood against the wall next to the entrance. Raijin took out his handkerchief. He squatted, raised his hand and knocked.
“Who is that?” asked a female voice, half-slurred. The sound of footsteps against the tile walking closer to the door. “Squall?” The door opened. “Why don’t you just en-“
Before the girl had a chance to look, Fujin covered the girl’s eyes. Rinoa screamed and flailed as a skinny arm circled and jerked her body against her assailant. Raijin pushed the chloroform against her breathing passageways. Rinoa strained to pull the cloth away from her.
Squall! Squall! Help… me… Squ…
Rinoa dropped her hands, her body limp against Fujin. Fujin released her hand covering Rinoa’s eyes. With one arm over the sorceress’ neck, she took out a metal bangle from her pocket. Raijin lifted Rinoa’s hand. Fujin positioned the bangle circling the sorceress’ wrist.
Raijin threw Rinoa’s body up on his shoulder.
Together, the pair sneaked through the dorm hallway. Leaving through the back of the round Garden hall, they vanished into the parking lot when the lift opened. Squall dashed out of the elevator, his face pale and harried, surprising the DC member who was standing near the directory panel. The cadet watched the commander run into the dorm hall.
-x-
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Quistis didn’t have to open her eyes to know she was lying against the rock. Her back was sore. The girl groaned as she sat up. Massaging her back, she opened her eyes. Waves of blue water crashed against the jagged rocks greeted her vision.
She was still in Centra. Wonderful.
The instructor looked down. She didn’t know what else she could do in this place. She had done what needed to be done. She put her small hands against the ground and pushed her body up.
Wait… Quistis gazed down, studying her small hands, her navy jeans and her sneakers. She patted her blue floral patterned blouse. Wait a minute…!
“Quisty!” a boy called her. Quistis turned to the orphanage to see a blonde-haired boy jogged to her. “Matron still can’t find Squally!”
Quistis’s eyes widened. “…What?”
The blonde-haired kid, at the same height as her, stopped in front of her and scowled. “Are you deaf or something? I said Squally’s still missing! Can’t find him.” He flipped his long bangs to the side and rolled his green eyes. “Stupid mute ran away when he heard you’re gonna leave.”
“I-I see.” Quistis glimpsed down. The boy was wearing a pair of old sandals and torn shorts. His legs were full of scabs and wounds, most likely from stumbling all over the rocky beach. The boy crossed his arms over his black T-shirt. When the blonde bangs fall again to his cheek, the boy jerked his head impatiently. “How old are you, Seifer?”
“What?” The boy stared at his orphanage mate. “Why do you ask ‘bout that? You think I’m gonna forget tomorrow’s your birthday or something?”
Birthday. Quistis was nine when she entered Galbadia Garden.
“I don’t care about your birthday,” said the nine year old boy. He looked away. “You’re not gonna be here, so Matron’s not gonna make you a cake. So I’m not gonna give you a present.”
Quistis Trepe had never remembered this. “Did you give me a present on my birthday last year?”
“What are you talking about?” Seifer put his palm on Quistis’ forehead. “You can’t be sick today.” He dropped his hand. “No fever. Squally’s gonna be happy if you’re sick. You can’t go when you’re sick.”
“I-I…” Quistis reached up and pulled her hair. She only had a bob at this age. She still pulled at it, wishing she could feel the familiar length in her hands. “I don’t… I mean… Do I have to leave?”
Seifer pouted. “If you don’t wanna go, you shoulda said no last month!” he said, almost shouting. “It’s too late now!”
Quistis dropped her hands and gazed at Seifer.
“Only me and Squall left.” Seifer bit his lip. “Matron said we’re gonna live with Cid.”
Two more left. Ultimecia came. Then Edea was alone... for a long time.
“Where are the others? Where’s… Where’s Zell? Selphie… Irvine…?” She didn’t have to ask. She knew. Three years from now, she would meet Irvine Kinneas during gun training. She wouldn’t remember him.
“You can’t pretend you’re crazy now.” Seifer groaned when he saw something behind Quistis. “It’s too late, Quisy.” He nudged the girl to the side. “It’s too late.”
Quistis recognized the sea vessel. While the small ship docked within their walking distance, Seifer reached behind the stone Quistis was lying on earlier. He lifted the small knapsack and shoved it in Quistis’s arms.
Seifer didn’t look at the vessel when Martine appeared. He pushed Quistis away.
“Just go.” Seifer took a step back when Martine stood next to Quistis.
“Where’s your Matron?” asked the principal, taking out a small piece of folded paper from his pocket.
“She’s after the stupid mute,” said Seifer. He stared up at the principal. “I think a Tonberry ate him.”
Martine frowned. “I see.” He handed the paper to Seifer. “Give this to your Matron.” He put his hand on Quistis’ shoulder. “We need to go now. The storm’s getting closer.”
Quistis glanced up. She didn’t remember Martine being this tall. Was his face always full of wrinkles? Had he always looked so sad?
“Come,” said Martine, gently turning Quistis to the waiting boat. “Tell your Matron I’ll come back later when the sea’s calmer. See you later, boy.”
“It’s Seifer!” shouted the boy as Quistis entered the vessel. “Seifer Almasy! Remember that!”
Martine pressed the button inside the passenger cabin, closing the hatch. The sight of Seifer who cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled against the strong wind of Centra disappeared behind the closed access. Quistis sat next to the window, hands gripping her knapsack. She saw Seifer hopping and waving. She lifted one hand from the bag and waved back.
“Send me letter, Quisty!” Seifer’s voice was still heard over the sound of starting engines. “I’m gonna send you a letter every day! I’m gonna send you my hair next week!”
Quistis placed her cheek against the cold glass, staring at Seifer leaping and flailing his arms.
“Your present’s in the bag!” shouted the boy again. “Open it tomorrow! I’m gonna eat your cake!”
“Passionate kid,” Martine murmured. He looked at Quistis. “Get some rest. This will take some time.” At the girl’s nod, the principal stood up and left the passenger’s cabin.
Quistis watched the boy until Seifer gave up. The boy crouched on the rocks, head buried against his crossed arms. He sat on the beach.
Quistis opened her knapsack and reached inside. She pulled out her clothes, her socks, her underwear and her hair band. Dumping everything to the floor, Quistis drew a small tape out from the bottom of the knapsack. She turned the tape up and read the cover.
The Knight and the Dragon: The Story of Galbadian Knight.
Matron gave this to Seifer on his fourth birthday. Aside from the old grey coat Matron said was from Seifer’s parents, this was his only treasure.
They watched this almost every night. Seifer loved the long-haired actor playing as the Knight in this old movie. Even Squall liked to play a knight every now and then, although when there were only the three of them left, he chose to be a dragon than the princess.
Quistis lay on the long seat and drew her knees up, feeling the boat’s slow rocking motion. She cradled the tape to her chest.
Quistis shut her eyes. She didn’t want to look through the window, only to see the boy she had left crying on the beach.
Quistis Trepe acquired her first GF at age ten. She didn’t remember all of his presents. She didn’t remember what happened to the tape. Four years from now, Quistis Trepe would transfer to Balamb Garden. The teenage Quistis would meet Seifer Almasy for the first time.
-x-
-x-
The surface was supple this time.
It wasn’t Sis’ room. The bed was different. She lifted her head from the pillow, then looked around. The wall was bare white. The air was rigid. Ellone was sleeping on the bed next to her. A glass cupboard sat next to the cot she was lying on. Inside, she saw bottles and tubes. A chair placed between their beds, a book left open on top of it. Light came from the massive window behind their bed frames, covered with white curtains.
Quistis sat up. Taking a deep breath, the instructor studied her hands. Satisfied, she glimpsed at her clothes. Throwing the blanket away, she hopped to her feet and paced to Ellone’s bed.
“Sis, it didn’t work,” she said to the pregnant woman. “Sis? Wake up.” Quistis shook Ellone’s shoulder. “It’s enough. That’s not what I want to see.” Ellone’s eyes were still closed. Quistis bent down and lifted one of Ellone’s eyelids.
“What…” Quistis dropped her hand. “No... Sis? Sis?” She shook Ellone’s shoulder and jerked her hand, pulling the woman’s upper body from the bed. “Wake up. This isn’t supposed to happen. Sis!” Quistis let Ellone’s hand go. The pregnant woman fell back to the bed.
It’s not supposed to be like this. Quistis crouched and watched Ellone’s chest. She was still breathing. What should I do now? What… I don’t… I… Quistis frowned. Where’s Seifer?
“Quistis!”
She turned and saw Laguna standing behind the door.
“You’re awake!” Laguna beamed. He rushed towards Ellone’s bed. His smile faltered when he saw the state of his daughter. His shoulders drooped. “B-But you’re awake! I don’t-I don’t get it. She’s supposed to be…” The president’s face crumpled. “I don’t get it.”
“Where’s Seifer?” asked Quistis.
The president frowned. “Seifer? I don’t know. I-what happened, Trepe? What-if you two were dreaming about the past, with the fairies and all… why isn’t she awake by now?”
“I don’t know.” Quistis sat on her bed. “I don’t know, Mr. President.” She watched Laguna caress Ellone’s hair. “I brought Seifer into Ellone’s room. He’s supposed to be there… right?”
The president pulled his hand back. “There’s only the two of you when I got there.” Laguna pulled the blanket up and covered Ellone all the way to her chin. “Something’s going on. Odine has disappeared too.”
“Odine?” Quistis stood up, following Laguna to the door. “Wait, wait, where are you going? What do you mean Odine disappeared?”
“I’m going to call a doctor to check up on you,” said Laguna. “We’ll talk later. Maybe the doctor can find out what’s wrong.”
The door closed. Quistis stood in the middle of the room. Then she heard the lock.
“Wait… Laguna!” She ran to the door. Twisting the door handle, Quistis yelled, “Laguna! Why did you lock the door?” Laguna’s footsteps went farther. “Laguna! Open the door!” She pounded the door with her fist and sighed in frustration.
Odine disappeared. Seifer… can it be that the doctor took him? He had some interest in his body… Quistis placed her forehead against the door. The longer I’m here, the farther that insane man will go. I need to get out.
The instructor studied her surroundings. She saw the window and walked over to it, pushing the curtains to the side. She unlocked the window shutters and pushed it open.
A vast desert stretched as far as her eyes could see. Quistis realized she was only on the second floor of the building, but ahead, there was nothing more than sand.
If this room is in the palace, that means I’m on the Esthar’s city border. Quistis narrowed her eyes, looking further past the draught of a sandstorm in the distance. Behind the draft, she saw a tall shadow, nothing more than a long silhouette against the bright sky. I remember now. Tears’ Point. When she reached the structure, she would remember her way out of the country. The doctor would have left the desert at this point, knowing that he couldn’t possibly hide under the nose of Loire.
Quistis told herself not to think about the height when she jumped out of the window. She landed on her heels, gritting her teeth from the jolt of pain shooting up to her legs at the impact. She stood up, taking one step at a time. Her eyes focused on the tall shade behind the strong current of wind.
She knew she had escaped the city of Esthar when the gust of sand hit her in the face, knocking her back. She swayed following the mixed torrents of sand and air dancing in the desert. She cared about nothing but the tower in the distance. Quistis struggled to knock away the dizziness from the scorching sun above her head. She desired to snub the pain growing from the heat. Another strong draft of stifling air hit her, and she collapsed. She strained to look up. Grainy sands cuffed her face, causing the blonde to close her eyes as tight as she possibly could.
Damn it.
Sorry about that, said the familiar voice. Seifer surprised me. I can’t focus.
Ellone?
That’s too far way back. You’re not supposed to see that.
Ellone, what are you talking about? Why aren’t you waking up?
I can do this. Right now I can focus.
Forget about it. It’s not what I wanted. Just… just wake up. Just wake up.
I know what you want, Quistis. I can do that. I can do better than that.
What are you talking about?
Trust me, Quisty. This is what’s supposed to happen in the first place.
Ellone… stop it. I don’t want it anymore. Just wake up.
Quisty, you have to trust me. This is the right time.
The right time for what?
I can do more than that. I can do more. Quisty, I’ll take you there.
Take me where?
Open your eyes.
Quistis peeked with one eye.
Sand.
Pushing herself up, the instructor gritted her teeth. Nothing happened. She was still in the middle of the desert, at the same place. She took a long breath, trying to calm herself. It was time to admit to herself that Ellone couldn’t help her.
In the distance, Tears’ Point looked much clearer. Quistis had fainted for a while, given that the sandstorm she had smashed her face into earlier had gone. The desert was clear. She stood up. If she wanted to cross the desert to get to the tower, now was her best chance. The sun wasn’t as blistering as before, and there was a long shadow shading her from-
Quistis looked up and froze.
A year had past, and she could swear she still remember every part of the flying contraption. She could remember all the fights she had in it, all the monsters she had to flee from. She remembered everything about it. She remembered the last time she ever saw the man. He had staggered away from them, Hyperion held weakly in his hand. He stooped low, body bled and broken. The man with the gunblade disappeared after throwing Rinoa into Adel’s arms. She had never seen him again. Not alive.
Quistis Trepe had remembered Lunatic Pandora.
The structure in front of her couldn’t be it. It had disappeared along with the defeat of Ultimecia. No, the giant apparatus opening its bottom hatch in front of her couldn’t be it.
The woman stood her ground. She watched as the device dumped a body in the sand. Then the flying machine shook, as if hesitating before spewing a gigantic iron sword that rolled several cycles into the air before stabbing deep into the sand next to the body.
“You giant piece of shit!” yelled the figure, not even looking up. “You fucking crap of a vibrator!”
As if it understood, the flying contraption dropped a grey-coloured garment right on top of the body.
“Mmf!” muffled the figure.
Quistis dropped to her knees. She saw the figure wobble under the grey coat still swearing over the structure that had flown away. She gazed down. The coat sleeve was inches before her fingers.
She pulled the sleeve towards her.
The coat slid aside, the body under it stopped moving. The man, both eyes swollen and unable to see, peered up. Blood was dripping from his broken lips. His left cheek had swelled, the place where Squall had rammed the hilt of his gunblade. His left temple had a deep gash, the spot where Angelo had jammed her fangs. His clothes were tattered, burnt and torn apart from Selphie’s Limit Break. His right thigh limped from the bullet that Irvine had given to him. Deep cut ran from his right shoulder to his wrist, the one she herself had bestowed on him using her chain whip.
“Who’s there?” murmured the man. He raised his chin, tried to peek from the swollen flesh caused by Zell’s fists and groaned. “Shit. You’re not one of that loser’s soldiers, aren’t you? Fuck, just what I need.”
She reached out, paused and decided to place her palm on the only unbroken part of him, the right cheek. The man cringed at that. His brows furrowed and he turned his nose to the hand. His swollen eyelids flickered.
“Instructor?” Seifer Almasy asked. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you up there?” His left brow rose. “That thing spat you out too?”
-x-
-x-
To be continued…
Chapter 6
Counterclockwise
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Inside his cubicle, the ticket vendor flipped another page of his book. He no longer cared that the woman had been standing near the booth since half an hour ago. If she wanted to buy a ticket, she would have done it by now. The train would come soon, and she hadn’t seemed to make up her mind.
The ex-Instructor of Balamb Garden flipped the coin in her hand. The old Dolletian king pictured in the brass had perished in the blaze of his castle more than a hundred years ago. Galbadian armies had obliterated royal bloodline of the kingdom, turning the once flourished régime into a colony barely able to defend its territory. Then came Adel with her Estharian soldier, and Dollet was no longer anything but a trivial port town.
Perhaps Quistis should just place the old coin with the other 2,900 Gil of hers on the booth and ordered that ticket. One month had passed and she had no mission offered to her. The fact that she was a level 20 SeeD didn’t help attracting high numbers of clients. An ex-instructor, with very little experience of field missions, wasn’t the first choice of clients who wanted a practiced and low-cost SeeD. Adding that to the fact that she had mentored a number of current SeeD teams made an understandable reason why plenty of SeeD team leaders didn’t want to pick her as a member given another choice. In Galbadia Garden, Quistis didn’t have any SeeD history. If she returned to the East Academy, then probably… probably Martine had something for her to do.
The Balamb Garden faculty had forbid her to enter the Training Centre after Quistis exterminated their entire supply of Grats, Fastitocalons, and more than ten T-Rexaurs last week. They had been trying to locate the rest of the five dinosaurs, despite rumours about a certain boy with a gunblade slaughtering all of them in one night. Rather than having to pay for the new imported beasts, Quistis elected to sign the form to never enter the Training Centre again, valid for two years.
Quistis hadn’t thought much about Galbadia Garden when she visited Balamb this morning. After sitting on the dock next to an outlandish photographer, she heard about the photographer’s studio in Deling City and her interest in photographing SeeDs in their daily surroundings. The photographer had left since then, taking the first morning train to Deling City. Quistis had since been standing there, next to the booth, wondering if she should just go.
She twirled the coin between her fingers. A pair of boots sauntered past her, the man headed over to the booth. She gazed up. Seifer placed some money on the booth and waited for the ticket. He had his trench coat, Hyperion equipped, and duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
“One ticket to Timber,” Seifer said. The man glanced to his back, confirming that he did identify Quistis. “What are you doing here? Got a solo mission or something?”
Quistis placed the coin into her pocket. “No, I-what are you doing?”
Seifer accepted the ticket and the change. “You can see what I’m doing, why’d you even ask?”
“Why are you playing truant? Seifer, wait!” Quistis followed Seifer to the ticket machine. “Why aren’t you in class?”
Seifer groaned. “Instructor or not, you’re still noisy.” He swiped the ticket into the machine and walked over to the train waiting area. Quistis stopped in front of the barrier.
“Seifer!”
“I had it enough, okay?” Seifer put the duffle bag on the floor and turned towards her. “I had it enough.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This is it.” Seifer deposited the change into his trench coat pocket. “I got better things to do than doing this all over again next year.”
Quistis placed her hand on the barrier. “You should go back to Garden. We need to talk about this.”
Seifer raised his brow. “Did you forget you’re no longer anything in Garden, ex-instructor? I don’t need to talk to you about anything.”
“Wh-“ Quistis took a deep breath. “You’re supposed to be in the class at this hour, cadet Almasy. You should go back to Garden.”
“Then what?” Seifer crossed his arms. “If I go back, then what are you gonna do about it?”
“I’ll talk to instructor Aki so he won’t punish you for truancy.” Quistis watched Seifer throw his head up and laugh.
“Good luck about that.” The approaching train signaled its horn. “Just go back to your Garden and do your job well, ex-Instructor… if you have any job now.”
Quistis saw the train glide into the station. “Seifer, let’s go back. Now.”
“Nah.” Seifer bent down and took his duffle bag. “What are you doing here anyway if you’re not on a mission? Catching runaway students?” He slung the bag over his shoulder. “Well, at least you got something to do. I thought you’re gonna do nothing ‘till the end of this year.”
She wouldn’t let that comment get to her. “Seifer,” she said, watching the man amble to the waiting train. “Seifer, don’t do this. You only need to take your field exam and stay in class. You don’t have to quit.” The man ignored her. The train entrance opened. He gave the ticket to the ticket inspector. “Seifer!” Quistis yelled. She pushed the barrier that refused to budge. “Seifer, you can’t quit like this!”
The ticket inspector returned his ticket. Seifer looked at the ex-instructor standing behind the barrier. “Bye, Trepe.”
“Seifer!” Quistis watched the man stroll into the train. Seifer turned and waved at her as the door slid close. “Seifer!”
Seifer smirked and observed his ex-instructor yell at him. He couldn’t hear anything, not that he cared now. Seifer spun and walked into the cabin.
The train announced its parting horn. Quistis clenched her fist as the train moved and left the station.
No. No. This can’t be. He has to be a SeeD. All that skill, all that power. He just needs to follow the rules. How hard can that be? How-I don’t have time to think about it like this!
Quistis whirled and ran to the ticket booth. The ticket seller gawked up when the woman almost crashed against the small kiosk.
“One ticket to Timber!” Quistis drew her old coin and the rest of her cash from her pocket. “Now!”
-x-
-x-
Night or day, it didn’t matter in here. The SeeD could use the car anytime, thus the hatch leading to the Rinauld Plains would always be open. Of course, no thief would ever think of coming in through one of the most obvious open gaps, given the number of armed and ready mercenaries inside the edifice.
They arrived during nighttime.
They knew the place. They were familiar with how many staff operated in one shift, and today they would use the knowledge. They knew where the camera was pointing at, how many blind spots in one chamber. They knew the place as well as anyone else currently living in here.
That was good. They wouldn’t want to make any mistake.
Staying low on the ground, Raijin crawled into the open hatch. He kept his eyes on the big window of the sentry room at the end of the parking lot. Two cadets sat in the chamber. Their eyes focused on the computer screen in front of them.
Behind Raijin, Fujin moved below the camera. A draft of silver formed in her palm. She threw the smoke orb to the floor near the sentry room. Raijin dashed towards the outer wall of the sentry chamber and waited under the window.
“Hey…? What’s that?” one of the cadets said. He stood from his chair, unlocked the door and strode out.
Fujin lifted her hand towards the cadet walking out of the room. “SLEEP.”
The cadet’s knees buckled. He dropped to the ground, already halfway unconscious before his body touched the asphalt.
“Huh?” The other cadet watched his friend collapse. “Hey! What’s wrong?” He ran out of the room, eyes on his friend.
The door closed, the camera inside the room didn’t record the rush of Raijin. His arm circled the cadet’s neck, other hand covered the cadet’s face with a prepared handkerchief.
“Mmf…! Mgh-“ The cadet sagged against him. The man pocketed his handkerchief and let the cadet’s body slumped to the ground.
Fujin pushed herself off the floor, running under the camera pointing towards a side of the open hatch. Raijin crawled under the window, making sure the camera inside the room pointing to the windowpane never had him. He moved against the wall and followed Fujin entering the hall.
Fujin watched the new Disciplinary Committee member standing next to the Garden directory board. She glanced behind her, to Raijin, and nodded. They half-circled the back of the round hall into the dorm, avoiding the lone lookout altogether.
The two sneaked over through the quiet hallway, never letting the camera standing at the midpoint of the dormitory hall taped them. They stopped next to a familiar door, each framing the side of it. Fujin stood against the wall next to the entrance. Raijin took out his handkerchief. He squatted, raised his hand and knocked.
“Who is that?” asked a female voice, half-slurred. The sound of footsteps against the tile walking closer to the door. “Squall?” The door opened. “Why don’t you just en-“
Before the girl had a chance to look, Fujin covered the girl’s eyes. Rinoa screamed and flailed as a skinny arm circled and jerked her body against her assailant. Raijin pushed the chloroform against her breathing passageways. Rinoa strained to pull the cloth away from her.
Squall! Squall! Help… me… Squ…
Rinoa dropped her hands, her body limp against Fujin. Fujin released her hand covering Rinoa’s eyes. With one arm over the sorceress’ neck, she took out a metal bangle from her pocket. Raijin lifted Rinoa’s hand. Fujin positioned the bangle circling the sorceress’ wrist.
Raijin threw Rinoa’s body up on his shoulder.
Together, the pair sneaked through the dorm hallway. Leaving through the back of the round Garden hall, they vanished into the parking lot when the lift opened. Squall dashed out of the elevator, his face pale and harried, surprising the DC member who was standing near the directory panel. The cadet watched the commander run into the dorm hall.
-x-
-x-
Quistis didn’t have to open her eyes to know she was lying against the rock. Her back was sore. The girl groaned as she sat up. Massaging her back, she opened her eyes. Waves of blue water crashed against the jagged rocks greeted her vision.
She was still in Centra. Wonderful.
The instructor looked down. She didn’t know what else she could do in this place. She had done what needed to be done. She put her small hands against the ground and pushed her body up.
Wait… Quistis gazed down, studying her small hands, her navy jeans and her sneakers. She patted her blue floral patterned blouse. Wait a minute…!
“Quisty!” a boy called her. Quistis turned to the orphanage to see a blonde-haired boy jogged to her. “Matron still can’t find Squally!”
Quistis’s eyes widened. “…What?”
The blonde-haired kid, at the same height as her, stopped in front of her and scowled. “Are you deaf or something? I said Squally’s still missing! Can’t find him.” He flipped his long bangs to the side and rolled his green eyes. “Stupid mute ran away when he heard you’re gonna leave.”
“I-I see.” Quistis glimpsed down. The boy was wearing a pair of old sandals and torn shorts. His legs were full of scabs and wounds, most likely from stumbling all over the rocky beach. The boy crossed his arms over his black T-shirt. When the blonde bangs fall again to his cheek, the boy jerked his head impatiently. “How old are you, Seifer?”
“What?” The boy stared at his orphanage mate. “Why do you ask ‘bout that? You think I’m gonna forget tomorrow’s your birthday or something?”
Birthday. Quistis was nine when she entered Galbadia Garden.
“I don’t care about your birthday,” said the nine year old boy. He looked away. “You’re not gonna be here, so Matron’s not gonna make you a cake. So I’m not gonna give you a present.”
Quistis Trepe had never remembered this. “Did you give me a present on my birthday last year?”
“What are you talking about?” Seifer put his palm on Quistis’ forehead. “You can’t be sick today.” He dropped his hand. “No fever. Squally’s gonna be happy if you’re sick. You can’t go when you’re sick.”
“I-I…” Quistis reached up and pulled her hair. She only had a bob at this age. She still pulled at it, wishing she could feel the familiar length in her hands. “I don’t… I mean… Do I have to leave?”
Seifer pouted. “If you don’t wanna go, you shoulda said no last month!” he said, almost shouting. “It’s too late now!”
Quistis dropped her hands and gazed at Seifer.
“Only me and Squall left.” Seifer bit his lip. “Matron said we’re gonna live with Cid.”
Two more left. Ultimecia came. Then Edea was alone... for a long time.
“Where are the others? Where’s… Where’s Zell? Selphie… Irvine…?” She didn’t have to ask. She knew. Three years from now, she would meet Irvine Kinneas during gun training. She wouldn’t remember him.
“You can’t pretend you’re crazy now.” Seifer groaned when he saw something behind Quistis. “It’s too late, Quisy.” He nudged the girl to the side. “It’s too late.”
Quistis recognized the sea vessel. While the small ship docked within their walking distance, Seifer reached behind the stone Quistis was lying on earlier. He lifted the small knapsack and shoved it in Quistis’s arms.
Seifer didn’t look at the vessel when Martine appeared. He pushed Quistis away.
“Just go.” Seifer took a step back when Martine stood next to Quistis.
“Where’s your Matron?” asked the principal, taking out a small piece of folded paper from his pocket.
“She’s after the stupid mute,” said Seifer. He stared up at the principal. “I think a Tonberry ate him.”
Martine frowned. “I see.” He handed the paper to Seifer. “Give this to your Matron.” He put his hand on Quistis’ shoulder. “We need to go now. The storm’s getting closer.”
Quistis glanced up. She didn’t remember Martine being this tall. Was his face always full of wrinkles? Had he always looked so sad?
“Come,” said Martine, gently turning Quistis to the waiting boat. “Tell your Matron I’ll come back later when the sea’s calmer. See you later, boy.”
“It’s Seifer!” shouted the boy as Quistis entered the vessel. “Seifer Almasy! Remember that!”
Martine pressed the button inside the passenger cabin, closing the hatch. The sight of Seifer who cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled against the strong wind of Centra disappeared behind the closed access. Quistis sat next to the window, hands gripping her knapsack. She saw Seifer hopping and waving. She lifted one hand from the bag and waved back.
“Send me letter, Quisty!” Seifer’s voice was still heard over the sound of starting engines. “I’m gonna send you a letter every day! I’m gonna send you my hair next week!”
Quistis placed her cheek against the cold glass, staring at Seifer leaping and flailing his arms.
“Your present’s in the bag!” shouted the boy again. “Open it tomorrow! I’m gonna eat your cake!”
“Passionate kid,” Martine murmured. He looked at Quistis. “Get some rest. This will take some time.” At the girl’s nod, the principal stood up and left the passenger’s cabin.
Quistis watched the boy until Seifer gave up. The boy crouched on the rocks, head buried against his crossed arms. He sat on the beach.
Quistis opened her knapsack and reached inside. She pulled out her clothes, her socks, her underwear and her hair band. Dumping everything to the floor, Quistis drew a small tape out from the bottom of the knapsack. She turned the tape up and read the cover.
The Knight and the Dragon: The Story of Galbadian Knight.
Matron gave this to Seifer on his fourth birthday. Aside from the old grey coat Matron said was from Seifer’s parents, this was his only treasure.
They watched this almost every night. Seifer loved the long-haired actor playing as the Knight in this old movie. Even Squall liked to play a knight every now and then, although when there were only the three of them left, he chose to be a dragon than the princess.
Quistis lay on the long seat and drew her knees up, feeling the boat’s slow rocking motion. She cradled the tape to her chest.
Quistis shut her eyes. She didn’t want to look through the window, only to see the boy she had left crying on the beach.
Quistis Trepe acquired her first GF at age ten. She didn’t remember all of his presents. She didn’t remember what happened to the tape. Four years from now, Quistis Trepe would transfer to Balamb Garden. The teenage Quistis would meet Seifer Almasy for the first time.
-x-
-x-
The surface was supple this time.
It wasn’t Sis’ room. The bed was different. She lifted her head from the pillow, then looked around. The wall was bare white. The air was rigid. Ellone was sleeping on the bed next to her. A glass cupboard sat next to the cot she was lying on. Inside, she saw bottles and tubes. A chair placed between their beds, a book left open on top of it. Light came from the massive window behind their bed frames, covered with white curtains.
Quistis sat up. Taking a deep breath, the instructor studied her hands. Satisfied, she glimpsed at her clothes. Throwing the blanket away, she hopped to her feet and paced to Ellone’s bed.
“Sis, it didn’t work,” she said to the pregnant woman. “Sis? Wake up.” Quistis shook Ellone’s shoulder. “It’s enough. That’s not what I want to see.” Ellone’s eyes were still closed. Quistis bent down and lifted one of Ellone’s eyelids.
“What…” Quistis dropped her hand. “No... Sis? Sis?” She shook Ellone’s shoulder and jerked her hand, pulling the woman’s upper body from the bed. “Wake up. This isn’t supposed to happen. Sis!” Quistis let Ellone’s hand go. The pregnant woman fell back to the bed.
It’s not supposed to be like this. Quistis crouched and watched Ellone’s chest. She was still breathing. What should I do now? What… I don’t… I… Quistis frowned. Where’s Seifer?
“Quistis!”
She turned and saw Laguna standing behind the door.
“You’re awake!” Laguna beamed. He rushed towards Ellone’s bed. His smile faltered when he saw the state of his daughter. His shoulders drooped. “B-But you’re awake! I don’t-I don’t get it. She’s supposed to be…” The president’s face crumpled. “I don’t get it.”
“Where’s Seifer?” asked Quistis.
The president frowned. “Seifer? I don’t know. I-what happened, Trepe? What-if you two were dreaming about the past, with the fairies and all… why isn’t she awake by now?”
“I don’t know.” Quistis sat on her bed. “I don’t know, Mr. President.” She watched Laguna caress Ellone’s hair. “I brought Seifer into Ellone’s room. He’s supposed to be there… right?”
The president pulled his hand back. “There’s only the two of you when I got there.” Laguna pulled the blanket up and covered Ellone all the way to her chin. “Something’s going on. Odine has disappeared too.”
“Odine?” Quistis stood up, following Laguna to the door. “Wait, wait, where are you going? What do you mean Odine disappeared?”
“I’m going to call a doctor to check up on you,” said Laguna. “We’ll talk later. Maybe the doctor can find out what’s wrong.”
The door closed. Quistis stood in the middle of the room. Then she heard the lock.
“Wait… Laguna!” She ran to the door. Twisting the door handle, Quistis yelled, “Laguna! Why did you lock the door?” Laguna’s footsteps went farther. “Laguna! Open the door!” She pounded the door with her fist and sighed in frustration.
Odine disappeared. Seifer… can it be that the doctor took him? He had some interest in his body… Quistis placed her forehead against the door. The longer I’m here, the farther that insane man will go. I need to get out.
The instructor studied her surroundings. She saw the window and walked over to it, pushing the curtains to the side. She unlocked the window shutters and pushed it open.
A vast desert stretched as far as her eyes could see. Quistis realized she was only on the second floor of the building, but ahead, there was nothing more than sand.
If this room is in the palace, that means I’m on the Esthar’s city border. Quistis narrowed her eyes, looking further past the draught of a sandstorm in the distance. Behind the draft, she saw a tall shadow, nothing more than a long silhouette against the bright sky. I remember now. Tears’ Point. When she reached the structure, she would remember her way out of the country. The doctor would have left the desert at this point, knowing that he couldn’t possibly hide under the nose of Loire.
Quistis told herself not to think about the height when she jumped out of the window. She landed on her heels, gritting her teeth from the jolt of pain shooting up to her legs at the impact. She stood up, taking one step at a time. Her eyes focused on the tall shade behind the strong current of wind.
She knew she had escaped the city of Esthar when the gust of sand hit her in the face, knocking her back. She swayed following the mixed torrents of sand and air dancing in the desert. She cared about nothing but the tower in the distance. Quistis struggled to knock away the dizziness from the scorching sun above her head. She desired to snub the pain growing from the heat. Another strong draft of stifling air hit her, and she collapsed. She strained to look up. Grainy sands cuffed her face, causing the blonde to close her eyes as tight as she possibly could.
Damn it.
Sorry about that, said the familiar voice. Seifer surprised me. I can’t focus.
Ellone?
That’s too far way back. You’re not supposed to see that.
Ellone, what are you talking about? Why aren’t you waking up?
I can do this. Right now I can focus.
Forget about it. It’s not what I wanted. Just… just wake up. Just wake up.
I know what you want, Quistis. I can do that. I can do better than that.
What are you talking about?
Trust me, Quisty. This is what’s supposed to happen in the first place.
Ellone… stop it. I don’t want it anymore. Just wake up.
Quisty, you have to trust me. This is the right time.
The right time for what?
I can do more than that. I can do more. Quisty, I’ll take you there.
Take me where?
Open your eyes.
Quistis peeked with one eye.
Sand.
Pushing herself up, the instructor gritted her teeth. Nothing happened. She was still in the middle of the desert, at the same place. She took a long breath, trying to calm herself. It was time to admit to herself that Ellone couldn’t help her.
In the distance, Tears’ Point looked much clearer. Quistis had fainted for a while, given that the sandstorm she had smashed her face into earlier had gone. The desert was clear. She stood up. If she wanted to cross the desert to get to the tower, now was her best chance. The sun wasn’t as blistering as before, and there was a long shadow shading her from-
Quistis looked up and froze.
A year had past, and she could swear she still remember every part of the flying contraption. She could remember all the fights she had in it, all the monsters she had to flee from. She remembered everything about it. She remembered the last time she ever saw the man. He had staggered away from them, Hyperion held weakly in his hand. He stooped low, body bled and broken. The man with the gunblade disappeared after throwing Rinoa into Adel’s arms. She had never seen him again. Not alive.
Quistis Trepe had remembered Lunatic Pandora.
The structure in front of her couldn’t be it. It had disappeared along with the defeat of Ultimecia. No, the giant apparatus opening its bottom hatch in front of her couldn’t be it.
The woman stood her ground. She watched as the device dumped a body in the sand. Then the flying machine shook, as if hesitating before spewing a gigantic iron sword that rolled several cycles into the air before stabbing deep into the sand next to the body.
“You giant piece of shit!” yelled the figure, not even looking up. “You fucking crap of a vibrator!”
As if it understood, the flying contraption dropped a grey-coloured garment right on top of the body.
“Mmf!” muffled the figure.
Quistis dropped to her knees. She saw the figure wobble under the grey coat still swearing over the structure that had flown away. She gazed down. The coat sleeve was inches before her fingers.
She pulled the sleeve towards her.
The coat slid aside, the body under it stopped moving. The man, both eyes swollen and unable to see, peered up. Blood was dripping from his broken lips. His left cheek had swelled, the place where Squall had rammed the hilt of his gunblade. His left temple had a deep gash, the spot where Angelo had jammed her fangs. His clothes were tattered, burnt and torn apart from Selphie’s Limit Break. His right thigh limped from the bullet that Irvine had given to him. Deep cut ran from his right shoulder to his wrist, the one she herself had bestowed on him using her chain whip.
“Who’s there?” murmured the man. He raised his chin, tried to peek from the swollen flesh caused by Zell’s fists and groaned. “Shit. You’re not one of that loser’s soldiers, aren’t you? Fuck, just what I need.”
She reached out, paused and decided to place her palm on the only unbroken part of him, the right cheek. The man cringed at that. His brows furrowed and he turned his nose to the hand. His swollen eyelids flickered.
“Instructor?” Seifer Almasy asked. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t you up there?” His left brow rose. “That thing spat you out too?”
-x-
-x-
To be continued…