The Insane -- The Devil's Gaze

Disclaimer: . . . . You know, I think I'll be different for this chapter. No disclaimer this time; if you don't know the copyrights by now, you haven't been reading very carefully. ^_^
Started: June 12, 2000
Finished: June 15, 2000
Chapter 11:
The Devil's Gaze
Rinoa Heartilly couldn't help but stare as she watched the ex-Disciplinary Committee of Balamb Garden sort through the assorted items they had just purchased from the store. Her face was filled with anxiety as she walked a little closer, her blue eyes focused on the trio's leader.
". . . You're really going to do this?" she queried.
Familiar eyes in an unfamiliar color locked onto hers', the determination shining on the surface. "Yeah," confirmed Seifer, pausing to run a hand through his hair. "There's no way around it; I need to get Algus out of there." The three had gotten to the store as soon as it opened in the morning, hoping to make good time on their journey to Esthar.
"Who is this Algus exactly? I've never heard you mention him before. . ."
"Hey, he's a swell kid, ya know?" Raijin said with a grin, putting his backpack on. "'Got a real knack for Triple Triad!"
"Look, Rinoa, it's complicated . . . but Algus is a friend." It felt strange referring to Algus as a friend; the more Seifer thought about it, the more it seemed like he had known Algus and Rufus forever. Was it possible he had met them before? He wracked at his brain for an answer. Damn GFs.
"Why do you need to help him?" pressed the Princess of the Timber Owls. "If the Garden sees him as a threat, then maybe he should be imprisoned like Adel. Is he some sort of male counterpart of a sorceress or something, Seifer?"
Seifer rolled his eyes. "If he was a sorcerer, Rinoa, you'd be the first to know," he remarked, referring to her powers as a sorceress. "He's like me; he's cursed with these weird Insane powers . . . or whatever the hell Faril called them." Besides, if you had him speaking to you telepathically for almost twenty-four hours, you'd want to find him to smack him over the head, too.
Just then, Fujin appeared from down the street, driving a sleek, red rental car and proving that even one-eyed albinos could drive given half a chance. She pulled up in front of the store, smirking as she pushed down on the car horn and momentarily deafened half the block -- not to mention the three teenagers standing right next to the car.
"Dammit, Fuj," groaned Seifer, looking sternly as his second-in-command from the passenger seat door, "what're you trying to do!?"
Fujin grinned at him, her one red eye shining mischievously. "NOTHING," she intoned innocently.
Shaking his head, Seifer cocked his head to look at his ex-girlfriend. "'Appreciate the loan, Rinoa," the scarred blonde said, opening the door and throwing his gear in the back seat. Raijin shoved his own stuff in as well before taking a seat in the back. "If we come back, I'll be sure to pay back somehow." Waving a goodbye, the trio drove off and out of Timber . . . leaving a stunned and confused Rinoa behind.
Seifer settled back into the passenger seat, closing his eyes in thought. Why did I say "if we come back?" That sounds so damn negative. I meant "when we come back." . . . Why the hell did I say that? The answer came to him almost immediately.
. . . . . . . Because something tells me we're not coming back.
* * * * *
He crouched on the ground, frowning deeply at the form sprawled on the cot in front of him. The hum of the spaceship in flight could be heard because of the silence in the room. A sigh passed his lips as he reached into his back pocket, pulling out a stack of cards that were always in great condition. He removed the rubber bands wrapped around them, slipping them over one ungloved wrist as he plucked a single card from the deck.
The Ultima Weapon.
A simple gift from a stranger.
A stranger that just happened to be friendly enough to give it to him.
A stranger that just happened to be under a Sleep spell now, under the orders of his friend and commander.
The simple gift didn't really matter now; it wasn't all that rare, now that he thought about it.
He was worried about that stranger, whom he couldn't help but feel bad for.
"Sorry, man," he sighed, looking from the card to the person that had given it to him. "Damn, I wish we could've been friends; you were pretty cool, you know? . . . Under different circumstances, you'd be a buddy of mine in less than a minute." He stood up, pocketing the card and looking down sadly. "But I guess we're enemies, huh? You're a threat to this world -- like Sorceress Ultimecia, the witch from Hell." He allowed his shoulders to droop in defeat. "Like I said, I'm sorry. 'Wish you could hear me, Al; you can't tell how sorry I am."
With that and another sigh, Zell Dincht walked out of the room and headed for the bridge of the Ragnarok, shutting the door behind him. Sadly, he hadn't been able to hear the thoughts projected by the younger blonde who, despite all odds, had been listening.
I hear you, Zell . . . and no one's more sorry than I am.
* * * * *
"Hmm. . . Almasy is heading for Esthar. He probably thinks he can arrive in time to save Sadalfas."
The second cocked an eyebrow. "You mean he can't?"
The third looked greatly amused by the question. "Of course not!" he replied. "What are the odds of a car beating out a spaceship?"
"Pretty good, if there's outside help," was the quick retort. ". . . But I'm guessing you wouldn't appreciate that much, would you?"
"No, I wouldn't," confirmed the third, running a hand through his hair.
It was then that the first came in, scowling. "Your chosen is putting up a fight," was all he said.
"Shinra?" The third and second glanced at each other. ". . . All right. I'm coming."
The two left, leaving the second alone to watch his chosen and two mortal friends drive. A slow smirk worked its way up his face as he lifted his hands up. ". . . To hell with what he appreciates," he mumbled. ". . . I'm going to even these odds just a little."
* * * * *
". . . Fujin?"
"YEAH?"
"How long've we been driving?"
"DON'T KNOW. . . HOUR?"
"That's what I thought, but. . ." Seifer straightened, pointing off to his right. "That's the railroad that leads to FH and Esthar."
". . . THE HELL. . .?"
Seifer gave a wry glance to the younger girl. "My thoughts exactly."
"Hey, why don't we just go, ya know?" queried Raijin, grabbing his backpack and opening his door. "No use worrying about it, ya know?"
"HATE, SAY . . . AGREE."
After nodding at his posse, Seifer picked up his own pack and got out of the car. "This is gonna be a pretty long walk," he sighed, fingering the hilt of his gunblade for a moment. "C'mon."
Without another word, the three abandoned their vehicle and began the long walk that would lead them to the most technologically advanced city in their world.
* * * * *
"What the hell are you doing!?"
He straightened at the voice, slowly turning to face the speaker. However, no words came as the younger Master stormed up to him. "I can't believe you!" ranted the first, glaring at the sight of the three DC members walking across the long railway. "You weren't supposed to interfere with Almasy's traveling!"
The second shrugged nonchalantly, smirking in the same way his chosen would have. "So?" he said. "You can't do anything about it now."
A pair of green eyes burned angrily in the dark room. "Wanna bet?" was all the first hissed before disappearing in a golden light.
. . . Why do I get the feeling I just screwed myself over? wondered the second once he was alone again.
* * * * *
It was just approaching noon when the former Disciplinary Committee stopped their march to rest. Seifer tossed his pack to the side of the railroad, stretching and rolling his aching shoulders. "Now I remember why I hated those backpacking classes at Garden," he grumbled.
Raijin had made himself at home on the edge of the railroad barrier, staring down at the ocean hundreds of feet below. "'Wish we could go fishing, ya know?" he said, cocking his head to grin at his two best friends. "The fish're supposed to be biting a lot this time of year, ya know?"
Seifer managed a chuckle for his big, yet dense, friend. "Maybe once this is all over, Raijin," he replied. ". . . We can all go fishing after this -- on the Balamb City pier. Like old times."
Fujin looked genuinely surprised by the announcement. "REALLY?"
The dark eyes of the other male DC member lit up with excitement. "Ya mean it, Seifer?" he queried. "Ya really mean it?"
"Yeah. . . Yeah, I mean it." Seifer nodded slowly, happy to see his friend so ecstatic.
"Oh, how sweet," came a sarcastic and malicious voice. "I'm getting cavities just listening to this drivel."
Weapons were out in the blink of an eye, the three turning around in the same blink. "IMMORTALS, ANNOYING!" growled Fujin, grasping her shuriken.
"Thank you, dear," the same voice came, "I've only heard that one a million times before." The speaker was as tall as Seifer, his hair as dark as Squall's and eyes as bright as Zell's. His hair was flat and relatively short, falling only to his ears. Dressed in gray pants and black jacket, he looked unbelievably . . . non-threatening.
Seifer pointed Hyperion at the second Immortal standing before him and his posse, frowning at his silence. "I remember you," he declared. "Paryes. . . Shit, you and your damn whip."
A small smile graced the Immortal's face, and he brushed his beard thoughtfully. "You were a great challenge, Seifer Almasy," he said, saying the longest sentence Seifer had heard him say in their two meetings. "Perhaps this will be as rewarding a battle as the last."
Paryes' new partner rolled his eyes, sighing in exasperation. "Stop sounding like a dork, Paryes," he snapped. He aimed his gaze as the three. "I'm Newn Nessias, Head Morphemic of the Immortal Council."
"Am I supposed to be impressed?" Seifer growled, raising his gunblade up in preparation to strike.
"No, Almasy . . . you're supposed to be frightened." Newn's eyes suddenly flared with power, going from blue to black to the shock of the three. Ripples of light flowed off of him as blades extended from his forearms and shoulders, looking like alien weapons on his body as they ripped through his jacket. His hair exploded into a bright blond, rising up and away from his face -- accentuating the blackness of his strange eyes. He looked absolutely nightmarish.
Fujin and Raijin were at a loss of words, but their ever-ready leader had a quip already prepared. He snickered softly, then said, "Your wardrobe must look like hell."
"Insults will dig you a deeper grave," hissed Newn. He raised his right arm, blade and all, and dashed at Seifer at a speed nearly inconceivable. The next thing Seifer knew, Newn was behind him and he had a long, wicked gash down his left arm.
Gritting his teeth and pulling a Potion from his coat, Seifer looked at his posse. "Fujin, Raijin -- you take the old man. This bastard is mine!!"
Fujin and Raijin didn't look at all surprised by their leader's order. They aimed their sights on the black-haired Immortal in front of them, weapons poised to attack. This would be the waiting game -- whoever showed their cards first would show their first weakness.
Seifer took a different approach to the battle: he healed himself, whirled around, and immediately tore at his enemy. Newn's right arm came down, the blade meeting Seifer's as it was about to arc upward. Snarling, Seifer pulled down on the trigger of his weapon, the explosive sound stunning Newn into staggering backwards. Taking this to his advantage, Seifer pulled a move he had learned while being Ultimecia's Knight; he dashed forward once again at Newn, spinning around a full 360 degrees before striking. The extra momentum, along with the pulling of the gunblade trigger, allowed the ex-Knight to slice right through Newn's right forearm blade.
Watching the blade spiral through the air reminded Seifer distinctly of the way a Mesmerize lost its horn if struck hard enough.
Meanwhile, the waiting had finally come to an end between Seifer's posse and Paryes. Fujin made the first move, using her trademark Zan attack. Paryes sprang out of the way, unfurling his black whip and lashing it out at Fujin in the same motion. Raijin stepped in the way, raising his staff to fend off the blow. The whip's tip wound around his staff, leaving both weapon immobile. Fujin raised her shuriken, slicing through the whip with one swift stroke.
Paryes pulled back, discarding his whip to raise his hands. "Impressive . . . for mortals," he remarked. "However . . . you can't handle our magic!" His hands released an aura of light blue. "Icemissile!"
From his hands came a horde of ice spears, which he hurled at two with a thought. "DUCK!!" the silver-haired girl yelled.
"Where?!" Raijin gasped, searching the sky wildly for the said fowl.
"IDIOT!" Fujin grabbed Raijin's arm, dragging him to the ground mere seconds before the magic collided. As soon as the magic had passed them, the two leapt back to their feet.
Seifer attacked Newn again, surprised that the loss of the forearm blade didn't bother the Immortal. Each advance he made ended with him being pushed back . . . until he was pushed up against the railroad guard and couldn't be pushed back any further.
"Give it up, Almasy," Newn said, smiling sinisterly as he closed the gap between them. "We could just bring you back and have the High Talisman deal with you . . . just like he did with Shinra."
"Damn you!" growled the teenager, a spark of something showing in his blue eyes. "Leave Rufus alone!" The Art of Korimyr charged out of him in one word. "Firelight!"
Newn simply lifted his left arm, deflecting the weak spell with ease. "Being a user of Korimyr myself, your spells can't hurt me," he stated, pinning Seifer with those black eyes again. "I'll say it again: give it up."
Seifer laughed at the thought. "I never give up without a Limit Break," he retorted, taking a sudden step forward and thrusting his hand forward. It took next to nothing to trigger the Chi deep within him.
The Immortal never saw it coming; he staggered backwards, amazed and startled by the burst of flames that engulfed him. He struggled to regain his wits as Seifer began a maneuver he had never seen before in his life. A Limit Break.
"No Mercy!"
He had a feeling he wasn't going to like Limit Breaks very much.
* * * * *
The second spun around to face the first as he reappeared. "You sent Newn and Paryes to slow him down?!" he shouted in bewilderment.
"You forced me into doing it," snapped back the first. "I won't stand around and allow you to interfere so freely!"
"Who died and made you king!?" demanded the second.
His only answer was a heated glare.
* * * * *
Paryes frowned at the sight of Newn being hurled several feet backwards -- the apparent result of a move by Almasy. He concentrated on Almasy's two mortal companions, summoning up a powerful move that was sure to kill them.
"Lightningsplitter!"
High above them, the clouds suddenly swirled and parted, a white glow stretching over the blue sky. Eyes widened as a pillar of white energy formed high in the sky . . . right over Fujin and Raijin. Fujin was frozen in shock at the sight of the unbelievable amount of power that was going to strike her down.
"Shell!!"
Fujin blinked hard, watching as a magical, red sphere enclosed her. She yanked her eye down from the spell's effects, staring at Raijin in horror. The big teenager looked back at her, giving that huge grin that he always gave.
And then the magic struck.
Tears formed at Fujin's eye as the pain hit her; she fell to her knees at the pure agony of the power. But her eye stayed on Raijin, who took the pain bravely. Being far more resistant to the lightning than Fujin, Raijin was able to keep himself on his feet. However, he was unprepared for a second spell from Paryes -- an Icecracker spell -- that hurled a ball of ice straight into his chest. Terror clawed at Fujin as she watched helplessly, her eye widening as Raijin stumbled backwards . . . and right off the railway suspension bridge.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Despite her pain, Fujin managed a heart-wrenching screech at the sight of her friend plummeting to his death. Seifer snapped his head up, his jaw dropping as he caught a glimpse of Raijin right before he disappeared over the railway guard.
"Oh, shit!! Raijin!!" Seifer ran forward, crashing into the low guard and staring down the other side. The other member of his posse was still falling. . . The water lay hundreds of feet below them.
Fujin continued to wail, pushing herself to her knees and straining to hold herself in that position. Newn looked absolutely horrified by what had just happened, staring at his partner in disbelief. This was not how they had planned the battle to end.
"You'll pay. . ." Seifer's voice was a rasp, filled with rage and close to the edge of madness. "You goddamn bastards . . . you'll pay for this!" Trembling, the blonde pushed himself away from the edge of the bridge, spinning to face the two Immortals. Fujin's voice caught in her throat at the sight of her leader's face.
Seifer's eyes were glowing a hellish red.
* * * * *
"What happened here?!" demanded the third, storming into the room. His eyes were locked onto the eyes of Seifer Almasy, which blazed like the infernos of Hell.
"He sent Newn and Paryes after Almasy!" tattled the second.
"He interfered with Almasy's traveling!" informed the first.
"You . . . you . . . idiots!" roared the third after a fruitless search for a better word. "Get out of here! NOW!"
Not wanting to face the wrath of the most powerful of them, the two Masters disappeared in flashes of gold and blue. The third frowned dangerously in the darkness, glaring up at the image before him. . . This insanity may be the end of that world.
* * * * *
Fujin stared, unblinking, as she watched Seifer launch into a demonic attack. Newn tried to block off the oncoming gunblade, eyes widening as Seifer turned around in a 720 spin before slicing through both his left forearm and shoulder blades. He staggered back, shrinking away from the devil-eyed teenager before him. Paryes lifted his hands to prepare a spell, successfully propelling a Lightningzap spell at Seifer.
The magical spell had absolutely no effect on the monster Almasy had become.
"Holy shi--" Both Paryes and Newn were unable to finish their curse when Seifer sheathed his sword, raising both gloved hands to them. For a moment, Seifer's eyes flared even brighter than before.
"Shadowmass!"
From the blonde's outstretched hands came a blanket of black fire that smashed into the two Immortals. Writhing in agony under the powerful spell's effects, the two were barely able to teleport out of the battle.
Her movements unsteady, Fujin got to her feet and took a cautious step forward. ". . . Seifer?" she managed, her voice quiet.
The blonde turned at the sound of her voice, those unholy eyes burrowing into her. He took one look at her . . . and that was all it took for Fujin to realize that this was not the Seifer she knew. A malicious and sadistic sneer spread across his face. Fujin screamed long and loud as the demon's hands began to burn with black magic. She would never forget what she had just beheld.
The gaze of the devil.
* * * * *
"Squall!!"
Squall Leonhart snapped his head up at the screech, striding over to Selphie Tilmitt's side. ". . . What is it, Selphie?"
The brown-haired girl swallowed hard, pointing straight through the window as she steadied Ragnarok over the railway that connected the continents of Galbadia and Esthar. "Take a look for yourself! 'Looks like it's gonna blow!"
Frowning, Squall leaned forward and stared down at the railroad bridge. His hazel eyes widened as he watched smoke billow up from the bridge, electricity visibly crackling in the sky around it. What the hell. . .?
An abrupt explosion caused the spaceship to rock, causing Selphie to have to stand to regain control of the vessel. Squall grabbed Selphie's seat for support, his eyes locked to the burning bridge down below. He watched in disbelief as part of the bridge shuddered and hissed, falling right into the ocean below. Huge waves came into being as the structure impacted.
"Whoa!!!" exclaimed Zell, running forward from the back of the cockpit. "What the hell was that?!"
Squall gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing as they caught sight of a black glow shoot up from the blaze and streak across the sky. He had seen it before. Once. Two weeks ago, back at Balamb Garden . . . when the cafeteria and dormitory had both been nearly demolished.
". . . Seifer."
Bwahahahahaha!! *laughs evilly* Wicked twist, eh? I bet you're all positively dying (ha, HA!) to read what happens next. Introduction of a new Immortal: Newn Nessias (Nee-un Nu-shy-iss).
Why did Raijin end up falling off the bridge? Well, Fujin and Seifer have done it in other fanfics. . . See "Fuujin Trigger" by UC and that Seifer-Squall-switched-bodies-story by Rap's. . . Then again, their stories were comedies, and. . . *trails off and runs away*
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