Disclaimer: The Immortal Council and the spells of the White Formation belong to me (Athena). Please, please don't try to take credit for them. The characters from Final Fantasy belong to Squaresoft and can't be used for profitable reasons without their consent. That's why I don't do this for money. ^_^
Started: May 19, 2000
Finished: June 8, 2000
Chapter 9:
The End of the Beginning
Tears threatened to spill forward as pain wracked his body, forcing him to the ground. His own blood splattered over his pale face, as it had formed into a puddle beneath him. His right hand grasped his left shoulder as he lay there, trying to stop the blood flow from the most lethal of his wounds. Cuts and burns lined his body as well, but his concentration was on the gaping hole of his shoulder.
"Not Jaraga, not Stratas, not even Aurolei. . . Were they wrong?" wondered Amberyl Farwin outloud, giving her first frown since she had began her attacks. "Are you not one of them? Could the Masters have been wrong about you?" She shook her head. "No, no -- of course not. Shinra has the ability; you must have it, too. But . . . which Art?" Her hands began to glow an aqua color. "How about Torre--" She stopped, looking to the entrance of the cafeteria. "More playmates. . .?"
Algus Sadalfas weakly turned his head, splattering blood over the other side of his face as he caught sight of Seifer, Rufus, and Squall bursting into the room. "Oh, God." Rufus Shinra's eyes had gone wide at the sight of Xu and Zell frozen solid in one section of the room and Algus laying in his own blood not too far away. "Algus!" Rufus ran to the boy, frowning down at him as he knelt.
"Take care of him, Rufus!" called Seifer Almasy, running up to face the Immortal with Squall Leonhart. "We'll hold her off."
"I find that hard to believe, handsome," Amberyl said to Seifer, smiling. "Seifer Almasy, correct? I am Amberyl Farwin. I've heard so much about you. . ."
"'Better have been positive," Seifer grumbled, raising Hyperion into an offensive position.
"Oh. . ." She gave the most seductive smile Seifer had ever seen grace a woman's face. "It all was. . ." Abruptly, she raised hands that glowed a light blue. "Icestorm!"
Seifer cursed, eyes widening at the sound of familiar word; he had heard it pass his imposter's lips a few days ago. "Back off, Squall!" he shouted in warning, raising his gunblade and leaping backwards. Squall followed suit, narrowly missing being struck by the swirling icicles. "Is that the best you can do?" jeered the ex-Knight, sneering.
Algus groaned as Rufus worked his Restore Materia over him. "He just provoked her even more," he whispered, struggling against his wounds.
Amberyl cackled in response. "I think not, handsome," she murmured, the aura around her shifting from light blue to red. "Firelight!"
From her hand came a stream of flames, which she rammed into Seifer's chest. He grunted as he was pushed to the ground, hands coming up to put out the flames on the front of his jacket. Squall launched himself at Amberyl, gunblade poised to strike.
Like Zell, Squall's attack did nothing.
"Damn!" hissed the dark-haired youth. "What are you?"
"I'm an Immortal, mortal," Amberyl replied. "Icecracker!"
Squall let out a yell as a sphere of ice enclosed his right arm, freezing his whole arm and gunblade. Writhing in pain, he backed off.
"Attacks don't faze her, huh?" Seifer growled. He junctioned his GF for a brief moment. "Fira!" When it became apparent that his magic did nothing against her, a string of curses were let loose and his GF removed. "How the hell are we supposed to beat this bitch?"
"It's quite rude to call a woman such vulgar things, handsome," the woman said quietly. "Lightningcrash!"
Jaraga, the Art of Lightning. My art. The thoughts came unbidden, but were enough to propel Rufus into action. Leaving the recovering Algus' side, the eldest of the three blondes ran and intercepted the attack, pushing Seifer out of the way before being stricken down.
"What the--!?" Seifer spun to face his savior, green eyes wide. "Rufus, what are you doing??"
Rufus gritted his teeth against the pain rippling through his body, gazing at Seifer. His blue eyes were . . . glowing. "I understand what they're doing. . .," he managed. "They're trying to see if you're capable of absorbing their magic -- like me." He tensed and glared at Amberyl. "Isn't that right?!"
Amberyl smiled at the eldest of the three blondes, winking suggestively. Rufus was distinctly reminded of an "old acquaintance," Scarlet. "You're pretty bright, lover," she declared, playing with her long, silver hair. "Yes, my job is to see if you can absorb our magic. . ." She smirked, shifting to look elsewhere. "Windthrust!" A gray array of magical beams left her hand, barraging down on Algus.
As the hapless teenager was sent skidding across the floor, Squall shouted, "You're going to kill him!" He was hunched over his frozen arm, watching the battle.
"I believe Ceyx said it best: if you can't withstand my attacks, then you deserve to die." Amberyl then launched out another spell, this one aimed at Seifer. "Lightbeam!"
Seifer ducked as a single beam of light, golden in color, left Amberyl's finger and flew at him. It passed harmlessly over his head. Rufus stepped between the Immortal and his companions, a thin, green-colored aura covering him. "Have a taste of your own magic!" he snapped, raising his hands. "Lightningcrash!"
Amberyl frowned, stepping backwards as a bolt of lightning appeared above her head, meeting resistance against a sphere of blue magic. However, in an explosion of blue and green, the lightning and shield both disappeared. "Impressive, lover!" Amberyl called, grinning ear to ear. "Very impressive! You took out my Watersphere in one shot."
"How about I add to that and take off your head with another?" Rufus shot back, tensing as his aura shifted from green to dark blue. "Skydragon!"
The familiar apparition of the dragon appeared in the air, crashing into Amberyl. She stood her ground, another shield becoming visible as it split the dragon in half before breaking apart. "A very good Stratas spell, lover," she commented, still smiling. "You took out my Lightbarrier."
"How many damn shields does she have??" demanded Seifer, hands clenching into fists.
"I don't know. . .," admitted Rufus, shoulders sagging. ". . . But I'm too tired. . ."
"Shit, this happened last time," the other blonde hissed, grabbing the older blonde as he fell over. "Stop using that dragon spell, Rufus. . ."
Rufus nodded slightly, his eyes focusing on the nearing Amberyl. "Too tired to go on, lover?" she teased, raking a hand through her thick silver hair. "I guess it had to happen sooner or later. . ." A red aura began to envelope the Immortal, casting a truly evil shadow over her.
"Waterache!"
The other boy. . .! The thought rang through Amberyl as a wave of water smashed into her side, sending her toppling to the ground. Algus let out a grunt and pushed himself to his feet, the aqua aura around him dying down as he began limping forward.
"Rule number 37 in the ways of war, as quoted from the Gariland textbook: 'Never turn your back on an enemy -- especially an injured one.'" He glared viciously, a gray aura engulfing him. "Windthrust!"
The same magical beams of gray that had shot out at Algus now heeded his command, bursting from his fingertips and sending Amberyl flying backwards. She cackled, brushing off her dress as she climbed to her feet. "It is true!!" she cried out, excited and wide-eyed. "They were right about you three!" She smiled wildly, turning her gaze to Seifer. ". . . But you're the only one that hasn't shown magical potential, handsome." The red glow returned. "Firebrand!!"
A long stream of fire shot from Amberyl's hands, swirling around her head before racing straight at Seifer. He tensed and fell into a defensive position, raising Hyperion to guard his face as it approached. The flames struck him dead on and he shut his eyes as it seared and tore through him.
. . . And then, with a shudder, he dropped his weapon, unable to see it clatter noisily to the ground. He fell forward, down to his knees and then to his chest. His body began to numb as soon as he hit the ground.
I . . . I can't . . . breathe. . .
Darkness took over . . . and he welcomed it.
* * * * *
Where. . .? What's happening to me?
No one can answer that question. . . It's never been asked before.
Wha--?
You are a double-headed coin, Almasy. You should know through your past experiences as a Sorceress' Knight. You have a power of unimaginable strength . . . but you can't handle it.
Who are you!?
You don't know? . . . Look at yourself and you'll know. Look at Shinra and you'll know. Look at Sadalfas and you'll know. I created you.
. . . Funny, I always thought I had a mother and father.
Your sarcasm isn't lost to me, Almasy. I created your blue-eyed body.
Then you're the one I should be beating the shit out of--
I am trying to save your soul, Almasy. Do not raise your voice to me!
. . . . . . . . . . . Save my soul? What are you talking about?
You have sinned against humanity! You and Shinra and Sadalfas. You have caused the deaths of many through your selfish actions!
Selfish!? Hold on--
Would you like to prove me wrong, Almasy? Name one thing you did for the good of another within the last five years of your life.
I-- I. . . Damn. . .
I have given you three powerful bodies to atone for your crimes. However, your souls aren't easily cleaned of such a strong taint. While part of you remains here, the force of the magic in your body drives it onward. Your body moves without your mind.
What!?!!
I am here to warn you of just that. Like Shinra and Sadalfas, you possess the magic the Immortals use. The Immortals believe you three are simply their victims, but I have willed it this way. You must atone by finding the High Talisman.
The who?
The High Talisman, leader of the Immortals, calls you three the Insane -- a chosen trio that hold the potential to either destroy him or make him all-powerful. That is what you three are, and he will stop at nothing to absorb you.
So you made us Immortal bait to atone for our sins!?! What kind of screwed up god are you!?!
. . . Your rage annoys me. I wonder why I even decided to help you.
Maybe it was my great hair and rugged good looks?
. . . Perhaps.
* * * * *
The two Masters looked at the third, their looks of respect and admiration. "Your insight is great," commented the second. "I would never had thought of using such a powerful manipulation spell."
The third smirked and buffed his fingernails against his jacket arrogantly. "I'm good," was his reply.
"Who would have thought my chosen would be so . . . powerful?" murmured the second. "Sonatisca. . . Sonatisca! The rare, dark art."
"And he won't ever realize that he's playing right into our hands," the first whispered. ". . . Weren't the Insane supposed to be able to see through illusions?"
A sharp laugh was his reply from the third. "Apparently not," he stated. "Almasy didn't question the illusion of the 'God' I projected at all." There was a pause. ". . . Let us retire for now. The senseless destruction Almasy's corruption is causing doesn't hold my interest." Eyes glowed in the darkness. "Besides, Amberyl has brought my chosen back."
The three Masters shared a look of triumph, then left the room.
* * * * *
His throat was dry.
His eyes hurt like hell.
His whole damn body ached.
He shifted and heard his back pop several times.
"Shit. . .!!" He arched his back, squeezing his eyes tightly as he cursed.
"Hey!" came a voice past his closed eyelids. "He's awake, ya know?"
"FINALLY. . ."
At the two familiar voices, Seifer's eyes snapped open. He found himself laying on a bed in the middle of a small, unfamiliar room. The two members of his posse stared down at him, the worry showing on their faces. "Fujin? Raijin?" he managed, blinking several times in disbelief.
"SEIFER. . ." Fujin frowned. "We thought you were a goner."
". . . What are you talking about?" Seifer pushed himself to his elbows, waving his posse away as they moved to help him. "What happened with that Immortal?"
The two stared at each other in horror. "Seifer, you don't remember anything?" Raijin queried. "That was two weeks ago, ya know?"
"Two weeks ago!?"
"I-- I'll try to explain," Fujin started, seeing the aghast look on the blonde's face. "Two weeks ago, an Immortal appeared in the Garden cafeteria." Seifer nodded in affirmation. "You, Rufus, and Leonhart went in; Raijin and I stayed outside." She took a deep breath, sorting through the thoughts in her head. "I don't know how long it was after you three left, but there was a big explosion in the dorm."
"Boom, ya know?" interrupted Raijin.
Fujin made a threatening motion with a foot, which quieted the dark-skinned boy. She cleared her throat. "Trepe and a few SeeDs got out, but there were a lot of casualties. Raijin and I were starting toward the dorm when . . . the cafeteria exploded, too."
"Oh, God," was all Seifer could murmur.
"Algus got out!" piped up Raijin. "He dragged Squall, Zell, and Xu outta there all by himself! He's pretty strong, ya know?"
"What about--"
"They never found Rufus alive," Fujin sighed, closing her eye for a second. "There were remnants of a body, but. . ."
"But what?" demanded the ex-Knight.
Fujin swallowed hard, unable to believe what she was about to say. "They were the remnants of your body."
There was a shocked silence as Seifer allowed the words to settle in. "Damn. . ." He shook his head in disbelief. "My other body-- my real body is . . . gone?"
". . . Affirmative."
"That's not even the worst part, ya know?" Raijin declared. "Squall launched an all-out manhunt for you."
"Why?"
Fujin looked straight at the leader of their posse. "You caused the explosion in the dorm. You and your-- your black magic."
That caused Seifer to blink hard. "Black magic?"
"Yeah. . . Your eyes were glowing red and everything, ya know?" Raijin was frowning slightly. "Then-- then ya attacked some SeeDs and flew off."
"What the hell. . .! I flew off??"
"Like a demon," Fujin said quietly. "Seifer . . . you don't remember any of that?"
But Seifer had his head in his hands, eyes closed in thought. My real body's gone, I'm being accused of being a demon, and. . . "Dammit!" he cursed, raising his head abruptly. "What happened to Algus?"
"They're getting ready to send him to Esthar." Fujin's frown deepened as she struggled to remember. "They tried to drill out as much information as they could, and now they're going to trap him like they did Sorceress Adel."
"We can't let them do this!" Seifer was starting out of the bed. "We need to get to Esthar!"
"That's a long way from here, ya know?" Raijin managed. "It'd take a long time!"
"Where the hell are we, anyway? Balamb City? . . . I don't recognize this place."
"Timber," Fujin replied. "We couldn't trust the Garden, but we found help here."
"From who?"
The door opened abruptly, interrupting the ex-Disciplinary Committee's conversation. In walked a person Seifer knew but had never thought he'd see again . . . and he fell back on the bed in shock.
". . . . . Rinoa. . . ."
~ End of Decide in the Eyes ~
This isn't the end! Don't think for a moment that it is! Keep your eyes peeled for the continuation!
Onto Chapter 10
Back to Chapter 8
Back to The Insane