The Insane -- Confusion and Mystery

Disclaimer: Squaresoft owns all the characters of the Final Fantasy series; I own the other characters. ^_^
Started: June 28, 2000
Finished: July 10, 2000
Chapter 14:
Confusion and Mystery
"You can't die, Seifer! Don't leave me alone here!"
". . . Watch me, Algus. Just watch me."
"Please, Seifer, no! I-- I've never been so scared in my whole life. . . Rufus is gone already. . . Don't abandon me, too!"
"It's too late. I'm dead already."
"No. . . NO! You're not dead yet! Do you want me to start begging!?"
"Algus. . ."
"I hate to beg. . . I've never lowered myself so much. . . Seifer, please!!"
". . . . . . . . ."
"Seifer?
". . . . . . . . ."
"Seifer!! No!!"
* * * * *
The limousine hit a bump, sending him sprawling from where he lay to the floor. It woke him up with a start, his eyes snapping open and his arms jerking him into a sitting position. "Wh-- what!?" he sputtered, looking around in confusion.
Laguna Loire leaned forward from the other side of the limousine, grinning down at the teenager. "Hey, Seifer," he greeted, waving slightly as his hair fell into his eyes. He flicked his head back, the black hair flying back at the motion. "You okay?"
Seifer Almasy stared at the President in horror, blue eyes wide. "I-- I'm supposed to be dead!" he exclaimed, unable to think of anything else clearly.
The older man shrugged, leaning back into the cushioned seat. "Well, you would've been," he agreed, "but we found you." The grin appeared again. "Good thing, huh? We got out the Phoenix Downs just in time."
"What about Fujin?" demanded Seifer, remembering the silver-haired member of his posse. Had they managed to she save her too, or. . . "Where is she?"
"Oh. . . Your friend?" Laguna frowned. "She's over there." He pointed to the other side of the seat Seifer had been laying on.
It was then that Seifer saw the large white robe on the seat, draped over a human body.
"Fujin?" Seifer sprang at the robe before his heart could lock up, uncovering the young woman underneath. "Fujin!"
A groan was his reply, followed by a voice he never thought he'd hear again. "TOO LOUD," she moaned, raising his hands to cover her ears. "SHUT UP. . ."
"You're alive!" It was all he could exclaim, caught up in the moment.
Fujin's eye opened, blinking a few times before focusing on the face looming down on her. "SEIFER. . .?" Her own shock was apparent from the way her mouth dropped open. Then, without another word, her arms came up and were wrapped around Seifer's neck.
Laguna chuckled from his seat, folding his hands behind his head. "Young love," he murmured, almost to himself.
For the first time, Fujin acknowledged the fact that she and Seifer were not alone in the car. She sat up, releasing Seifer and staring at the man sitting across from them. "WHO. . .?" she queried, glancing at the blonde for an answer.
"Fujin, meet Laguna Loire," Seifer introduced, gesturing to the man dressed in a dark blue shirt and brown pair of pants. "Laguna, this is Fujin."
Laguna's carefree grin came easily, and he nodded at Fujin. "Nice to meet ya," he said. "Consider yourself lucky; it's not every day that Ward offers his coat to anyone. He must like you." He pointed to the white robe that blanketed the teenage girl.
"WHERE?" Fujin looked around the limousine, her confusion growing with every second look.
"Um, we're heading for the Sorceress Memorial," Laguna explained. "Squall's probably throwing a fit by now; we're really behind schedule. We were supposed to be there two hours ago."
"How long have we been out?" Seifer frowned as he looked out the window, watching the scenery of Esthar zoom by.
"A little over an hour," replied Laguna. "'Got Kiros and Ward to pull you into the car. 'Looks like you two needed the rest after that huge battle. What happened?"
Fujin and Seifer glanced at each other. ". . . It's a long story," the blonde finally managed, running a hand through his hair. He noted that his miraculous renewing of clothes had taken place again. No more trenchcoat-mending for me, I guess.
"We've got another hour or so before we get to the memorial. . ."
Seifer sighed. "Okay. . . I guess you're more trustworthy than the Garden. They're out to kill me as it is. . ."
* * * * *
"What is the meaning of this?!"
He was thrown to the ground and quickly surrounded by faces he had seen millions of times over the years. The five remaining members of his council stared down at him, the looks ranging from amused to smirking. It angered him greatly to see his son among the three that smirked down upon him.
"Father, don't take this the wrong way. . ." Ceyx Hale, a Talisman of the Council, folded his hands behind his back and cocked his head down, his white hair falling into his eyes.
"Yes, milord," piped out Andres Restrad, the Head Dragoon, the amusement dancing in his hazel eyes. "We've found a new leader. No hard feelings."
"What!?" The older Immortal couldn't keep the aghast look off of his face.
"One of the Masters approached us as a whole," explained Newn, Head Morphemic, smirking widely as he peered at his former superior. "He told us that there would be a change in leadership in the Immortal Council."
"Impossible!" gasped the High Talisman, eyes still wide in horror. "The Masters have never appeared for any of you! How would you know if it was one of them or an imposter!?"
"Why, by their wonderful choice for the new leader!" giggled Amberyl Farwin, Head Mystic, twisting a strand of silver hair around her finger. "Really, darling, you must give us a little more credit."
Faril Rillian, the High Son of the Council, grinned wickedly, despite all of his failures to take down Seifer Almasy. "He radiated so much power," he explained, as if entranced by the memory of their presence. "There was no doubt that he was a Master."
The former head of the Immortal Council seethed, pushing himself to his feet. "Who?" he demanded. "Who is this new leader the Masters have appointed?"
Five heads turned to the darkness, a bright white light illuminating it as if on cue. A man strode into view, sneering at the former High Talisman. His features were lit up by the spell he cast from the Art of Light, Aurolei.
"Him!?!" The disbelief stuck to his face, golden eyes wide. "You can't be serious!!"
A pair of glowing eyes pinned the former High Talisman where he stood, gleaming with such evil it was almost tangible. "Oh, the Masters were very serious," came the answer, dark and calm despite the obvious power behind the voice. "Don't despair however. . . You will not be killed now." The surprise showed up in the older Immortal's face. "No, of course not. . . I have a mission for you. Find the Insane named Seifer Almasy. Kill him. If you complete this mission, you will be spared. If you fail and Almasy doesn't kill you, you can bet I will have you killed myself."
A growl of anger was his only reply as the ex-High Talisman disappeared in a sphere of white light.
The new High Talisman stepped back and looked at each face of his new followers. Each face showed utter devotion. "Kneel down before me, for I am your king!" he declared, raising a clenched fist to his eye level.
Simultaneously, the Immortals fell to one knee, heads bowed to their leader. The Talisman. The Dragoon. The Morphemic. The Mystic. The High Son. All of them.
And the High Talisman could only throw back his head and laugh.
* * * * *
Almost an hour later, Seifer finished his story. Laguna stared at him for a long moment, his lips moving but no words coming out. He had to cough before words formed. "Wow," he sighed, shaking his head. "That sounds . . . unbelievable. . ."
Seifer didn't look surprised. "It sounds like a damn fantasy book, I know. I don't blame you for not believing a word of it."
"No, no. . .," interrupted Laguna. "I believe you. Really, I do." He was nodding vigorously, much like an eager little kid. "It's just . . . wow. . . A-- and this sorcerer of Squall's is like you? Except . . . from another world?"
The white-coated teenager nodded. "His name's Algus Sadalfas. He's from a medieval world. According to him, everyone in his world can use magic without a GF." He frowned. "There was also a third . . . Rufus Shinra. I haven't seen him for a long time. All I know is that the Immortals have him."
"And you told Squall about this?"
"A lot has happened since I told them what I knew. By now, they're probably convinced I'm a demon. They sure aren't treating Algus nicely, that's for sure."
"GARDEN, MANHUNT," explained Fujin.
"Manhunt?" Laguna blinked. "They're hunting you down?"
"I haven't seen any SeeDs yet, but I wouldn't put it past Leonhart," grumbled the blonde. "They're probably everywhere outside of Esthar; there's only one way to get to Esthar on foot or train--"
"SEIFER, DESTROY," Fujin said grimly.
Seifer averted his eyes to his friend. "Did I? I was probably out of it when. . ."
Fujin nodded. "BRIDGE, DESTROYED."
"You'll have to tell me what happened, Fuj. I don't remember anything after Raijin's. . ." He stopped, frowning at the memory Tritoch just wouldn't take away.
". . . You became the demon again," Fujin murmured, bowing her head. "You attacked those two Immortals and they left -- then you turned on me." She smiled wryly. "If the Immortals didn't show up again, I swear, Seifer . . . you would've killed me."
"Oh, my." Laguna sat back in his seat at this revelation.
"One of them grabbed me," Fujin continued, glancing at Laguna at his gasp, "and you . . . ripped out his throat with your bare hands." Seifer whistled lowly, staring down at his hands in disbelief. "You tore off my eyepatch, and then the other Immortal teleported myself and him out of there. . . I-- I don't remember much else. . ."
"Don't worry about it, Fujin. . . It's probably better that way." Seifer turned his attention back to Laguna. "So . . . Laguna, do you think you can help us in any way?"
". . . We'll see." Laguna looked at the ceiling of the limousine, then back to the two teenagers sitting across from him. "As soon as we get to the memorial, we'll--" He was interrupted by a crash outside of the car.
"Oh, great," the Insane stated flatly. He shifted in his seat, picking up Hyperion from where it lay on the limousine's floor. "Get ready. . . I think it's another Immortal. Hopefully not Faril again."
Another crash sounded from outside, followed by a burst of flame that seared the window closest to Fujin. She moved away from the blackened window, kneeling down to pick up her shuriken. Laguna moved from where he sat, buzzing an intercom button on the ceiling. "We've got a problem back here, Kiros!"
"Yeah, I noticed," confirmed Kiros. "Ward, can we shake 'em?" There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment, followed by Kiros saying, "Whatever's following us is fast; we can't outrun it!"
"Hey, Laguna!" Seifer was standing as much as he could in the car, peering down at the President. "Open up the sunroof on this thing!"
"Sunroof?!" Laguna stared at the blonde in horror. "This isn't the time to think of your tan, man!"
The white-coated young man groaned, almost ready to hang his head. "Just do it!"
Hesitantly, Laguna pushed the button to open the sunroof. Seifer stood up fully, steadying himself against the force of the wind as the car sped along. A white-haired man soared above them, throwing down an assortment of spells; he used the attack arts of Jaraga, Stratas, Aurolei, and Korimyr, never using the same art twice in a row.
White hair. . . Ceyx? Seifer frowned, remembering how easily the young Immortal had fended off his and Rufus' attacks. No . . . Ceyx's eyes were . . . purple. This guy's eyes are . . . gold? And he's . . . so much older. . . "Firelight!" Thrusting his left hand forward, Seifer released a tendril of fire that sped at his enemy.
The Immortal dodged it effortlessly, spinning out of the way and retaliating with a Jaraga Lightningzap spell. Seifer had to duck inside the car to avoid the spherical projectile, cursing as he set down his gunblade and stood back up. He summoned forth a Firebrand spell, manipulating the pillar of fire into a spear that he sent ramming into the Immortal's leg. Instead of falling downward in agony like Faril had, the white-haired Immortal produced a golden aura -- and the wound disappeared.
"Shit!" Diving in the car again, Seifer narrowly dodged an oncoming Skyfire spell.
"PROBLEM?" Fujin looked absolutely calm under enemy fire.
"Damn Immortal healing," grumbled the ex-DC leader. "Fuj, do you mind helping me here?"
Fujin shrugged, lowering the window on her side of the limousine. Laguna stared at the two teenagers, watching them fight off the weirdo flying behind them. I can't just sit here. . . With that in mind, Laguna began to move from his seat.
Seifer junctioned his Tritoch GF and launched Fira after Fira at the Immortal, switching to Blizzara and Thundara once his Fira had run out. Fujin leaned out her window, flinging her shuriken at their assailant.
"Amazing, Almasy," called the Immortal, flying in closer and above them. "Your magic is quite limited and yet you managed to beat all the others. . ."
Seifer stopped casting spells, but didn't quite let up his guard. "I don't need magic to beat you damn Immortals," he spat back. "And who are you?"
In mid-air, the man took a bow. "Keion Hale," he replied. "Former High Talisman."
"You!?" Seifer's eyes widened and he grasped the edges of the sunroof. "You're the High Talisman!??"
"Former High Talisman," repeated Keion. "There . . . is a new one."
"Former or present, you were the one that hurt Rufus! You'll pay for what you've done!" Seething, the young man propelled himself out of the limousine, catching himself from sliding off the moving vehicle. ". . . And if I kill you, I can finally atone. . ."
"Atone?" Keion's brow rose in surprise. Then, realizing what Seifer was talking about, he frowned darkly. "The Masters. . . Almasy, you are being misled."
"What?!" Seifer stared at the flying Immortal.
"The three Masters stand above the Immortal Council. They have the power to absorb the power of humans and make it their own. . . You and the other two Insane were chosen for that purpose, but . . . apparently your fate doesn't lie there. Being the Insane, the Masters have different plans for you. What those plans are, I don't know."
Can I trust what he's saying? He's the High Talisman! thought Seifer. But . . . if there's a new High Talisman, then he's not the one in control. Damn, I hate figuring these things out! ". . . Do any of the Immortals shape-shift?"
Keion shook his head. "Newn Nessias is the only one with the ability to physically change at will, and even that isn't very powerful in comparison to the Masters."
Damn. So my look-alike was . . . a Master? "Why are you telling me this?" he suddenly demanded. "There's gotta be something to this!"
The white-haired Immortal smiled faintly. "I have nothing to lose," he declared. "My life can be gambled away; I've lived for millenniums. . . Just like you will."
The next thing Seifer knew, Keion was on top of him, a curved weapon in his hand -- Seifer couldn't see it clearly from his position. Locking one arm in the sunroof, the blonde grabbed the descending wrist with all his might. Cursing, Keion lashed out with one foot, hitting Seifer squarely in the shin. Still grasping the sunroof, Seifer kicked his attacker just above the knee. Keion spun backwards, as he was still suspended in the air by his Skyfreedom spell.
"SEIFER!!" Fujin's call came from the side of the limousine. "CATCH!"
Seifer climbed off of the car's back, balancing himself on the sunroof's opening with both of his heels. Fujin flung his gunblade forward and up, the spiraling weapon barely being caught by its owner in his left hand. Adjusting his grip to his right hand, the Insane looked to his opponent. "C'mon!" His left hand came up in a taunting gesture. "Let's go!"
His reply was a burning red aura from Keion. He arced back his free hand, his curved weapon -- a sickle, Seifer realized -- held in front of him. "Firearrow!" Spinning flames created a projectile of pure magic, then thrust it out at the teenager. A hiss escaped Seifer's throat as he lifted Hyperion, squinting against the heat as magic and metal met. "Impressive, Almasy! Add that to your magic collection!" Keion sped ahead of the car, landing on the opposite end of it. "How about a . . . fair fight?"
"Fair? 'Didn't think you Immortals knew that word," spat back Seifer.
Keion shrugged. "It isn't common knowledge," he answered. His hands glowed a dark blue for a brief moment, then died. "I don't believe you to be compatible with Stratas, so the Skyfreedom spell I just cast can't be used by you after this battle."
". . . Skyfreedom?" Seifer took a step away from the sunroof, shock appearing on his face when he realized he was able to stand on the car without tumbling off.
"A truly useful spell for any Stratan," murmured Keion. He flipped his sickle back into view, revealing a length of chain attached to the end of it. "Come now, Almasy. I don't like being kept waiting."
Seifer smirked and launched himself at the white-haired man, gunblade coming up in an upward arc. Keion snapped his chain taut, the sword getting caught before it could hit. Withdrawing Hyperion, Seifer thrust his left fist out. His opponent easily dodged the attack, falling backwards and whipping out the weighted end of the chain in his hand. It wrapped around Seifer's wrist, causing the young man to stagger back in shock.
The teenager cursed and snapped the chain with his gunblade, earning a look of respect from the former High Talisman. "Not bad," Keion commented.
"Back at ya," Seifer smirked, flying forward again.
Their battle remained fast and furious, each gaining ground but quickly losing it again. 'Never thought I'd want to use magic so badly, Seifer found himself thinking. He's good. Maybe he'll actually beat me. He fended off another slice from Keion's sickle, forcing the weapon back and taking a step forward threateningly.
"It's such a pity that I must kill you," Keion remarked. "You would make an excellent High Son."
"High Son. . .?"
"A member of the Immortal Council," explained the Immortal. "Faril currently holds that position."
Seifer snorted in disbelief. "Damn, how'd that idiot get a title?" he queried. "He's nothing. Bite Bugs are harder than that jackass."
"I'm forced to agree," his assailant chuckled. He dove forward and kicked Seifer's legs out from under him. Stifling a gasp, Seifer landed on his back. "For a dangerous and deadly Insane, you've got quite a sense of humor."
". . . And for an Immortal, you're not half bad," was Seifer's reply as he slashed at Keion's leg. His attack connected, leaving a deep gash in the older man's leg.
"Damn!" Keion tumbled back and dropped his weapon, losing control of his Stratas spell and rolling towards the back of the limousine.
Seifer found himself spinning back by the force of moving car, catching his feet on the sunroof and grabbing Keion's wrist. "'Never thought I'd save an Immortal's life," the teenager wheezed.
"You have yet to," Keion replied. "My life is gone. The Council will kill me if I return."
"That's not right," Seifer managed, although he felt as if his arm were about to tear off. "You're my best challenge yet!"
"Compromising with the enemy wasn't one of my choices," Keion murmured bitterly. "Let go, Almasy. It's best to end this now."
"Yeah, right. You expect me to actually listen to you?"
"If you won't let go, I will make you let go." The next thing Seifer knew, pain was streaming down his arm and a burning sensation took over his hand. "Don't feel bad, Almasy. You gain two Korimyr spells -- Firearrow and Fireburst -- and lose one more adversary. You should be ecstatic."
Seifer sneered despite the pain. "You don't know me that well, then."
Keion would have shrugged had he not been dangling in the position he was. "Don't worry. . . They won't find a body, Almasy."
"You know, I'd like to hear an Immortal say my first name for a change. It gets so goddamn annoying with the 'Almasy' business."
"Seifer Almasy, then. Beware Bavaroc."
Blinking in confusion and reeling back as if he had been slapped, Seifer released Keion. Before his eyes, the former High Talisman disappeared in a raging fireball that engulfed every part of him. He lay there, numb, for a full minute before realizing what had just happened.
Bavaroc. . .
Why. . .? Why does that name sound . . . familiar?
Sorry about this chapter taking so long. Between playing Star Ocean 2 and Thousand Arms and preparing for two birthdays (my own and my little brother's), I haven't set aside a lot of time for writing. *_* I've promised myself over and over that I would put descriptions for the Arts in this chapter, so I'll do that right now. . . Not that anyway really cares about the spells, I'm sure; everyone just wants to read about Seifer, Rufus, and Algus. *lol* ^_^
Korimyr is the Art of Fire; the aura it creates on its caster is red. Characters seen using this Art: Seifer Almasy, Keion Hale (deceased), Newn Nessias, and Amberyl Farwin.
Shitay is the Art of Ice; its aura is light blue. Characters seen using this Art: Paryes Alexas (deceased), Amberyl Farwin, and Faril Rillian.
Torrento is the Art of Water; its aura is aqua. Characters seen using this Art: Algus Sadalfas, Amberyl Farwin, and Faril Rillian.
Jaraga is the Art of Lightning; its aura is green. Characters seen using this Art: Rufus Shinra, Keion Hale (deceased), Paryes Alexas (deceased), Amberyl Farwin, and Faril Rillian.
Aurolei is the Art of Light; its aura is gold. Characters seen using this Art: the new High Talisman (no name given yet), Keion Hale (deceased), and Amberyl Farwin.
Stratas is the Art of Sky; its aura is dark blue. Characters seen using this Art: Rufus Shinra, Keion Hale (deceased), Ceyx Hale, and Faril Rillian.
Garaus is the Art of Wind; its aura is gray. Characters seen using this Art: Algus Sadalfas, Amberyl Farwin, and Faril Rillian.
Sonatisca is the Art of Shadow; its aura is black. It's considered rare by the three Masters and quite powerful. Seifer Almasy is the only one seen using it.
Let it be said that the description says "characters seen using this Art." This means that some characters may yet show more Arts than listed here. I'll say right now that Newn (the Immortal that "shape-shifts") can use magic and Amberyl (who has already given pet names to all three of our heroes *_*) can use every Art listed except for Sonatisca. Andres Restrad (or Andres Retard, as fallen initially thought ^_~) doesn't use Arts at all. He's weird. ^_^
Am I forgetting anything important? The next chapter will probably be better than this one; I found it degenerating and getting stupid towards the end. Ugh. -_-;;
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