Disclaimer: This story contains characters from Final Fantasy games VII, VIII, and Tactics. They are not used with permission from the company, Squaresoft, but are not used for financial gain. Therefore I'm not breaking any laws. ^_^
Started: August 4, 2000
Finished: August 18, 2000 (Waaaaah. . . It's soooo late at night!!)
Chapter 17:
Understanding Under Fire
"The Insane? You wish to know . . . about the Insane?"
Quistis Trepe had taken over leadership of the group, as Squall Leonhart was still unconscious from his . . . battle with Seifer Almasy. "You know about the Insane, Matron?" she queried. As soon as they had arrived at Balamb Garden, they had rushed to make an appointment with the headmaster's wife.
The older woman nodded, folding her hands on front of her. She looked a bit perturbed by Quistis' question. "The Insane are greatly feared by all that know magic. Not a single sorceress should go without knowledge of them." Edea Kramer gestured for Rinoa Heartilly to come closer. "You need to know this, Rinoa."
". . . I think Algus should hear this too, ya know?" Raijin lightly pushed the younger boy forward. "He's one of the Insane, ya know?"
"What?" Edea shifted her gaze from Rinoa to the newcomer, tensing visibly. "You, child? You are--"
"--one of those monsters, yes," Algus Sadalfas mumbled, nodding slowly. "Not by choice, of course."
"Seifer's one of them, too," added Selphie Tilmitt.
". . . Two Insane?" Edea swallowed hard. ". . . Was there a . . . third one?"
"RUFUS SHINRA."
Zell Dincht nodded in confirmation to Fujin's statement. "He's gone now, though. Something happened to him."
"Three Insane. . . The three Insane. . ." The former sorceress took a deep breath before continuing. "Where the Insane are, there are the Masters."
"Hey, that flying blue-haired guy said something about Masters!" Irvine Kinneas, the newest person to join the confusion, piped up. "What are they, Matron?"
Edea looked to each of the teenagers, the gloom in her black eyes apparent. "I know nothing about the Masters except that they are manipulators, deceivers, and extremely dangerous." She paused, her gaze falling -- and staying -- on Algus. "The Insane are both demons and angels at the same time. They are . . . uncontrollable and unpredictable supernatural beings."
"L-- like the sorceresses?" Quistis couldn't help but ask.
Her response was negative. "No, not like sorceresses. The Insane possess more power in one hand than a sorceress could generate in a lifetime. They could raise Hell if they felt like it." When she noticed the shaken look on Algus' face, Edea reached up and clutched his hand. ". . . The Insane aren't evil, though. Chaotic, perhaps . . . but not evil."
"We might as well be evil!" Algus spat, the panic glazing his eyes. "With the havoc we can cause . . . we might as well be. . ."
"You're afraid because of this revelation, aren't you?" Edea held Algus' hand with both hands. "You're afraid of your power."
"It was bad enough when people accused me of being a 'sorcerer,'" the former squire managed. "But now. . ." He began to laugh darkly, shutting his blue eyes. ". . . Chaotic. . . Supernatural. . . . Almost gods. . ."
The boy's cryptic murmurs caused everyone to blink hard. "Al, don't say that." Zell rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, despite the fact that Algus was taller than him by two inches. "You're scaring us. . ."
". . . . Almost . . . like . . . Ajora." Algus' eyes flew open at the thought. Ajora, who had been so highly praised she could have been a . . . god. . . "I-- I don't like this. To have this power . . . I think I could live with it, but . . . not if the Immortals are always after us."
"The Immortals?" Edea immediately looked confused. "What do the Immortals have to do with this?"
"The Immortals have been after us since the beginning," Algus explained. "Even before we got to this Garden the first time. They're working for the Masters, as far as I can tell."
"That doesn't make sense," Edea replied. "The Immortal Council guards the dimensions. They live outside of our world to protect everything."
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Fujin shouted, aghast. "IMMORTALS, EVIL!"
". . . Maybe not," Rinoa interjected. "Do you remember what that man said in the memorial? Maybe the Masters have gotten the Immortals to believe that the Insane are their enemy!"
Everyone stared, astounded by Rinoa's sense of logic. "It makes sense," Irvine agreed. "But how does that help us? The Immortals won't listen to us -- the 'mere mortals' -- and Seifer's still Compressed."
The former host for Sorceress Ultimecia didn't try to suppress her surprise. "Compressed? As in Time Compression?"
". . . We don't know what to do about it, Matron," sighed Quistis. "It looks like Squall and Seifer got into a fight or something, but . . . Seifer's in the same state that we've seen with Time Compression."
"How could this happen, Matron?" asked Selphie, shifting from foot to foot impatiently. "I thought Ultimecia was gone! It'd be, like, a major bummer if we had to deal with her, too!"
"Something must have provoked the demon in Seifer." Edea brushed at her long black hair. "Like I said, an Insane has far more power than a sorceress ever could have. Seifer must have tried to resist submission and ended up Compressing himself."
"Whoa. . . That's gotta, like, majorly suck. . ." Selphie let out a low whistle.
"How do we help him, ya know?" queried Raijin.
". . . You can't. Not without killing Seifer, anyway." Edea met their shocked gazes evenly. "It makes sense, doesn't it? Ultimecia caused Time Compression before and her death stopped it. To stop the Compression now, it has to be stopped by someone else . . . or it ends with Seifer's death."
"But Seifer can't stop it if he's his own victim . . . and we can't kill him!" Rinoa blurted out.
Edea nodded sagely. "Exactly. You need to find an alternative answer."
Everyone stared at her dumbly.
It took all of her strength to keep from laughing. The amusement dancing in her eyes, Edea declared, "Turn your gazes to Algus. Once I teach him how to control his powers, he may be able to free Seifer. Granted, Algus, I won't be able to unlock all of your magic. . ."
"Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated, milady." Algus stooped into bow of gratitude and respect, which triggered a giggle from Selphie.
"Oooh!! How knightly. . ." She clapped and smiled broadly. "That's so cool! Medieval stuff is the neatest!"
Irvine looked indignant. "I can do that too, Sefie!" He pulled a bow of his own, adding extra flourish.
"It's not a competition, Irvine," reminded Quistis, shaking her head and sighing.
Rinoa smiled cheerfully at Algus, latching onto his arm long enough to kiss him quickly on the cheek. "'Looks like we're in the same boat, Algus," she said, laughing lightly. "Don't worry; I'll help you. Matron's a hard teacher."
"Whoa! Hell, you're lucky, Al!" Zell couldn't suppress his laughter. "If Squall were around, you'd be dead for sure!" Rinoa's kiss, plus the comments by Zell, were all it took to make the poor boy blush.
Towards the side of the room, Fujin and Raijin stood. Fujin rolled her one eye in exasperation. "IMMATURE."
"I dunno. . . I think it's pretty funny, ya know?"
Fujin sighed and promptly kicked her best friend in the shin.
* * * * *
The next four days were relatively calm and uneventful in Balamb Garden. Squall eventually woke up with no memory of what had happened aboard the Ragnarok, or in Esthar, for that matter . . . but it was quickly dismissed for the condition he had been found in and temporary amnesia. Seifer was placed in the infirmary at Headmaster Cid's order, which prompted a remark from Dr. Kadowaki about the former Knight always being in the infirmary for one reason or another. Algus was frequently seen in the company of Edea, the two sometimes joined by Rinoa for training sessions in the training center.
Of course, no one was completely relaxed in the Garden. Many SeeDs and students would murmur about the chances of another Immortal attack, just like what had happened in the cafeteria. The cafeteria and dormitory had both been partly reconstructed since the incident, but nothing would settle the nerves of the restless Garden occupants. There were still many that were suspicious of the ex-Disciplinary Committee and their "new member," but they kept their mouths shut most of the time.
"Yo, Irvine, shouldn't you be checkin' in with your Garden?" queried Zell, sitting with the cowboy in the cafeteria over a plate full of Balamb Garden hotdogs.
"'Didn't you hear? I'm getting transferred over to Balamb." Irvine grinned at the surprised look the tattooed boy gave him. "Hey, you guys are all SeeDs. I was starting to feel left out."
"What're you two talking about?" Selphie skipped up to her two friends, a tray filled with food on it.
Irvine grinned at his sweetheart, waiting until she had put down the tray to take her hand and softly kiss it. "'Just talking about my transfer, Sefie," he replied coolly. "Next time the SeeD test comes around, I'll be taking it."
"Then you'll be a SeeD like us!" The yellow-dressed girl threw her arms around the young man's neck, then snatched his hat off and smiled at him. "We'll be able to see each other everyday!"
Grinning mischievously and waggling his eyebrows, Irvine piped up, "And how about every night, hmm?"
Selphie burst into uncontrollable giggles at that, batting the tall gunner's cheek playfully. "You wish, loverboy. I'm gonna make you wait." She turned abruptly, gasping in alarm. "I forgot to get a drink. Ohhh, bummer!" Not waiting for some sort of reply, Selphie hurried back to the cafeteria line.
Zell watched the girl for a moment before aiming his gaze at the now-hatless Irvine. "'Feeling put-out, man?" he queried, smiling like an idiot. "Hell, I saw that one coming a mile away!"
Irvine scratched the back of his head, a brow arched. "Really now. . .? 'Guess I've still got a few things to learn about Sefie. . ."
* * * * *
"Star fire, awake and deliver your judgment! Fire 3!"
Rinoa and Edea watched in awe as a dazzle of energy engulfed Algus' raised hands, then dissipated to form into a wave of fire that swept down from the skies and engulfed the T-Rexaur he faced. The dinosaur screeched and staggered back, rearing its head back and shaking it wildly.
"To teach you most of our magic would probably be useless," remarked Edea as she stood next to the blonde youth. "The magic from your world is very potent without the use of your Insane energy."
"Do you have a Blind spell?" asked Rinoa, standing at Algus' other shoulder. "These monsters are pushovers when they can't see."
". . . Only as an Oracle," replied Algus, frowning slightly. "I'm currently using my Wizard job primary and Summoner secondary."
The blue-dressed sorceress blinked at the terminology the younger teenager used. "Um . . . okay," she murmured vaguely. "I guess it'd be better to kill it fast, then. Do you have something strong?"
". . . . I've got a new summon I'd like to try," the blonde said, nodding. With that said, he began to chant his spell.
"Rinoa, distract the creature," ordered Edea. "Don't use a junction."
Nodding in affirmation, Rinoa began her own sorceress spell. Her spell, easier to cast and more familiar, came quickly. "Thundara!"
The monster roared in frustration, clawing the air with its small arms. It would have been quite comical had they not been in direct battle with it. Algus narrowed his gaze, shouting out his call. "Wind, fade to silence and light, give us power! Shiva!" Green spheres swirled around the boy as he finished his spell, the blue-haired mistress of ice making her entrance in a sparkle of frozen shards. She danced her way around the T-Rexaur, shining a bright light before pummeling the creature into the ground. Her work done, the summoned monster disappeared.
"Wow!!!" shrieked Rinoa. She turned to face her teacher, clapping her hands. "Can you teach me how to do that, Matron??"
Edea blinked at the question, then smiled warmly. "I'm not sure I could, Rinoa," she answered honestly. She looked past the black-haired girl, gesturing Algus to approach. "Good job, Algus. . . You never mentioned being able to call GFs. . ."
". . . I'm sorry," apologized the boy, brushing at his red sweatshirt and black pants. "I keep forgetting that our magic terms are completely different in some matters. My Summoner job allows me to call monsters. . . I guess that's the equivalent to your Guardian Forces."
"Quite interesting. . . You will have to explain your jobs more thoroughly sometime." Edea turned to exit the training center. "We'll take a break. Come along, children."
Smiling brightly, Rinoa dragged Algus after the former sorceress.
* * * * *
". . . Will you take control of Almasy's rival again?" queried the first.
"No. . . Controlling that fool has cost us our Sonatiscan Insane."
The second frowned dangerously. "I don't see why you're so worried about my chosen. . ."
Calmly, the third Master turned his gaze toward the second. "Your chosen is a user of shadow magic. I have never battled someone that uses the same magic as myself. Do I need to explain further?"
Silence was his answer.
Noticing the growing tension, the first voiced a question. "What is our next move?"
The third looked to his fellow Master, leaning back in the chair he sat in. "Our new High Talisman shall fight. . . Sadalfas will not be able to concentrate against him." His lips curled into a small smile. "We'll see if Sadalfas is just as powerful as Almasy."
* * * * *
After lunch, Algus went to visit Seifer in the infirmary. Dr. Kadowaki allowed him privacy, watching the blonde sit down next to the Time Compression victim before leaving him. Seifer was as still as death, his skin cold despite the color that remained in him. "Lady Edea is teaching me to control my powers," he began, staring at the older Insane. ". . . Hopefully, I'll be able to get you out soon. I don't like being alone." Leaning back in his chair, Algus muttered, "I doubt I'll be able to fight the Immortals alone."
Screams pierced the air, causing Algus to fall backwards and right of his chair. Tensing visibly, the boy scrambled from the infirmary, launching into the corridor that connected to the commons. He watched in horror as the SeeD that guarded the infirmary was ran through, slumping over as death glazed over his eyes. The SeeD's killer looked up, violet eyes gleaming in the sunlight that seeped through the hallway's windows.
"Who. . . Who are you!?" demanded Algus, taking a fighting position despite not having any weapon on him.
"Ah . . . you must be the third Insane I've heard so much about." The white-haired man was a few inches taller than Algus and only appeared to be as old as Zell or Squall, but his eyes, like all Immortals, were . . . ageless. "I'm Ceyx Hale, Talisman of the Immortal Council." He raised one silver katana blade, slashing air and letting the blood of his victim splatter onto the floor and wall. "I had a run-in with your two pals sometime ago. . . They barely survived."
Algus' eyes widened, remembering the last time he had been in the Garden -- when Rufus was still with them. He had been attacked outright by Amberyl, but Seifer had mentioned an attack in the night from another Immortal. . . Was this him? ". . . You do realize I can't let you do this. . ."
"I realize a lot of things," Ceyx replied coolly, repeating the motion with his other katana and sending more blood flying onto the wall and floor. "I realize that this whole war has become ironic and unnecessary. I realize that mortal lives should not be wasted. And with that in mind. . ." His hands took on a golden glow, which caused Algus to lurch back in shock of attack. "Lightcleanse." The aura that had steadily grown around the Immortal was transferred to the SeeD, who suddenly led out a ragged cough as life streamed through him.
Algus stared at the spectacle he had just witnessed. The power to both destroy and heal. . . They're more like me than I realized. . . "Why are you doing this?" he questioned, finding no hostility in the man that stood before him.
". . . It wasn't until my father was killed that I realized something was wrong with all of this," Ceyx murmured, shifting his gaze from the unconscious SeeD to Algus. "I took Paryes' death in stride, I guess. . . He was killed by Almasy's demon, so it was all in the line of duty. But my father was killed in fair combat against Almasy. Immortals aren't supposed to die for the good of the universe. We protect with all our strength . . . but none have ever died for our work. Against you Insane, though. . . It makes me wonder if you are the real enemy."
"I can't help you there." Algus eased a little, still a bit wary of the Immortal. "You were the ones to attack us first."
Ceyx nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "Perhaps I will take after my father, Sadalfas. . . I will . . . help you." His eyes glowed for a brief moment, streams of energy enveloping Algus quickly and silently. When the streams disappeared, Ceyx closed his eyes.
"What did you do. . .?"
"According to the words of the new High Talisman, you are my equal in ways of the Arts. I have just given you every spell that was at my disposal."
Algus felt at the back of his mind a new presence, then nodded at Ceyx. "Thank you. . . If you are no longer my enemy, are you my ally?"
Ceyx smiled thinly. "Unlike my father, ritual suicide is not my style; I have many more years ahead of me. Your enemy I am not."
"You'll have to forgive me if I don't believe you right away," Algus said, walking to Ceyx's side and giving him a sideways glance.
"Fair enough; I don't trust you completely yet, myself," replied the white-haired Immortal. "My fellow Immortals don't know of my views on the situation; they'll slaughter the SeeDs to get to you and Almasy. . . I'll walk ahead."
Good. . . At least he's not going for Seifer, Algus thought, watching his new ally's back cautiously. If he got past me and killed Seifer, I'd never forgive myself. . .
Never.
* * * * *
"BLIZZAGA!"
Fujin cast her spell and spun away from the whirling blade that came at her, ducking a second slasher that followed the first. After prodding and speaking to Squall repeatedly for the return of her Guardian Force, Fujin had finally lost patience and stolen Pandemona from the Commander of Garden. He really hadn't noticed it though, which annoyed Fujin; was her GF so useless it wasn't worth noticing?
Shoving the thought into the recesses of her mind, Fujin concentrated on the battle that she was fighting. Her eye watched the two slashers spin back to their owner, a beautiful bitch with long, silver hair and bright blue eyes. The very appearance of the woman seemed to mock Fujin, which was all the drive she needed to face her in combat.
The woman giggled, tucking away her boomerang-like weapons into her dress before wagging a finger in Fujin's face tauntingly. "You want to play with magic, little girl? Playing with magic will get you killed."
"BITCH." Fujin frowned darkly at her foe, raising her shuriken threateningly. "BRING IT ON."
Amberyl Farwin could only smile coldly in response, raising her hands in magical gestures. Raijin stepped up to his best friend's side silently, giving her a supportive grin that earned him a slight smile. Since a smile from Fujin was so rare, Raijin couldn't resist smiling broadly in return.
Meanwhile, Squall and his close friends had taken it upon themselves to confront the other Immortals that had suddenly appeared in the commons. At Squall's orders, Xu and Nida had taken control of the Garden and ordered students and junior classmen into the basement levels where NORG had once had his quarters and the second-level classrooms. Cid and Edea had retreated to the Garden bridge that had once been Cid's office, guarded with just as many SeeDs as the whole student body; if the Immortals got hold of the bridge, they were doomed.
The six young heroes that had saved the world from Ultimecia faced three Immortals -- and were losing. The familiar Andres Restrad was a match for Squall in the ways of sword skill; the Immortal's skillful attacks didn't hurt Squall at all, leaving him unable to unleash his patented Renzokuken. Faril Rillian, his eyes on the sniper that had injured him before, fought against Selphie, Rinoa, and Irvine -- and was winning. Disarming Irvine early on in the battle, Faril toyed with the three with weak Arts. Zell and Quistis were pitted against the most plain-looking of the Immortals; he would throw out half-hearted magical spells and taunt the two mercilessly.
"Hell!" Zell punched the ground angrily, dashing at the nameless Immortal perched on the stairs. The way he held himself reminded him so much of Seifer it was almost painful. "You're drivin' me nuts, jerk!"
"Oh, should I feel a pang of guilt. . .?" sneered the Immortal, brushing back his brown hair arrogantly. A strange swirl of magic engulfed the man, his black jacket billowing upwards as blades jutted from his forearms and shoulders. Zell gaped in horror as the Immortal's eyes shifted from blue to black, followed by his hair shooting up and becoming blond.
". . . Oh, great Hyne. . .," whispered Quistis, her eyes wide. It became a challenge prying her hands off the chains of her Save the Queen.
"Holy shit!" Zell jumped back down, watching the Immortal shed the remains of his jacket. "What the hell are you!?"
"An Immortal," the now-blonde replied, smirking. "Prepare yourself, mortal." The next thing Quistis and Zell saw was their opponent jumping, his built-in weapons gleaming down on them.
"RAGE!" Fujin hissed and flung her blue and red shuriken, hoping to break through the magical ice storm Amberyl had created in the commons. She cursed mentally when the silver-haired Mystic's slasher appeared out of nowhere and met her shuriken, deflecting it right into the wall.
"That wasn't good, ya know?" muttered Raijin, casting Shell on Fujin. It was becoming a habit to use Shell magic against the Immortals. "What're ya gonna do now, Fuj?"
Red eye twitching, Fujin replied, "IMPROVISE." She took advantage of her new Shell defense and rushed right into the ice storm.
The big teenager blinked in surprise a few times, allowing the scene he had just witnessed replay in his head. And replay. And replay. ". . . . Awww, Fuj!!" Raijin whined and shook his head, casting a Shell spell on himself. ". . . That was silly. . ." Clutching his staff, the dark-skinned boy hurried after his friend.
Selphie fumed quietly, flipping through the spells that were racing through her head. Irvine, without his gun, rushed the flying Immortal and tried to floor him. Rinoa threw her strongest spells at Faril, barely managing to hit the man without hurting Irvine in the process.
". . . Let's end this now." A surge of gray energy shot through the air, commanded by the blue-haired Immortal. It was still shocking that the Immortals could summon their spells so quickly and release them upon their enemies. "Windgale!"
Irvine screamed, his shouts of horror joined by Selphie and Rinoa's as they were all tossed into the air by magical whirlwinds. Selphie managed to keep her wits with her, crossing her fingers and shutting her eyes. C'mon, c'mon. . . c'mon!! Selphie hissed as she slammed into the ground, almost breaking the concentration on her Limit Break. ". . . Slot: Firaga!"
Faril was struck violently by the three flame spells, each striking in rapid succession. Cursing, the Immortal shifted his attention from the three mortals to keeping himself afloat. Rinoa struggled to her feet, firing off her Shooting Star and distracting their flying opponent further. Irvine flung himself at his gun, gloved hands clenching the shining Exeter as he went to one knee and took aim on Faril. 'Can't use GFs without destroying the Garden, but Limit Breaks aren't a problem. . . "Quick Shot!"
His hands moved in a flurry, one cracking the gun open and the other jamming into his pocket to pull out ammo. Dozens of Fast Ammo were wrenched out, each quickly loaded into the deadly shotgun before Irvine began firing. Not taking the time to pull off stunts in his attack, he pumped the blue-haired man with as much lead as he could during his Limit.
Irvine panted a little as he slowly stood up. "Damn, that felt good."
". . . It'd be a lot better if he was actually dead, Irvy!!" shrieked Selphie, casting a quick Shell as Faril threw a Lightningzap spell at the sniper. "Geez! You just don't know when to give up, do you!?"
A dazzling Stratas aura surrounded the blue-haired Immortal as he healed his wounds, glaring at the three with green eyes. "Newn! Amberyl! Junction with me . . . now."
The eight teenagers tensed at mentioning of junctioning, gasps ringing out as the formerly nameless Immortal's eyes flashed from horrid black to a hypnotic blue. Amberyl broke away from her battle against Raijin and Fujin, her eyes shimmering the same enthralling color. Faril continued to glare, his eyes becoming horrible to behold as they glowed with frightening power. Power that they had only seen harnessed in three GFs.
"Oh, God. . ." Squall's face twitched as he fell back, followed by his friends. "Everyone! Double up on Protect and Shell spells! Quistis, get your Mighty Guard up if you can!! Selphie, I want your Full-cure ready!"
Blinking hastily, everyone began to do as they were told. Zell and Raijin cast Triple on Rinoa and Fujin, Irvine concentrating on an Aura spell for Quistis. Selphie, injured from Faril's attack, busily wracked her head for a Full-cure spell through her Slot Limit Break.
It was then that a white-haired teenager appeared from one side of the Garden commons. "Shit!" Zell hissed, acknowledging the violet-eyed young man. "These Immortals are poppin' up like damn rodents!" Finished with his Triple spell, Zell concentrated a Thundaga on the new arrival.
"Don't hurt him!"
Zell stumbled in his mental chant, blinking as Algus came running into view behind the pale-haired Immortal. "Al!? What're you doing with that guy??"
Algus smiled weakly at the older teenager, whom was closer to a best friend than anyone else Algus had ever met. "He's with us. . . Don't hurt him. . ."
"Stop it! Stop it, you guys!" Squall's voice was sharp and firm, his eyes snapping to them as he cast a Shell on Irvine. "Algus! They're preparing something heavy -- get ready for it!"
The two newly-arrived allies seemed to only then tune into the situation. The white-haired Immortal's eyes widened. "It's a junction! . . . The only other one that could create a junction was Paryes. . ." A troubled frown creased the Immortal's face, showing to Algus the first sign of some sort of age with the Immortals. Ceyx's eyes reflected the age that he showed outwardly . . . if only for a brief moment.
"Is it anything like this world's junctioning?" queried Algus, quickly going through the motions of a Protect spell and forgetting Ceyx's frown. "Shining light, shield from all directions! Protect 2!"
Explosions of light were triggered by Algus' spell, encasing the two completely. "No, not really. We Immortals are like living tools. Some of us are born with the power to junction or be junctioned. Immortals that can junction are rare; that's why Faril earned his position at the Immortal Council. . . Amberyl and Newn are both Supports."
"Silent light, shield from evil! Shell!" Algus watched the spell take effect, then aimed his gaze at Ceyx. "What about you. . .?"
Those purple eyes shifted to Algus again, this time boring into him like lasers. "I was a lucky one. I was born an Independent."
That was the last truly coherent thing Algus heard as immense pain tore through his body, flinging him from where he was standing and across the room. Screams from his friends filled his ears, following him into the darkness. . .
Independent. . . Free and alone while everyone around you must follow the wills of others. . .
You sound like me, Ceyx, but not like me. I'm alone . . . but not free.
The Insane are not free.
~ End of Fall Down to the Scream ~
What an ending, huh? Reactions? Reviews? I'd like to hear what you think. . . ^_^
The third arc shall arrive sooner or later. Hopefully before school starts up on September 6 (or 7 . . . I'm confused on that right now *_*). This chapter ended up a LOT longer than I had originally planned it to be . . . and I was hoping to cover more on the Masters and the new High Talisman. . . *sigh* Oh well; I got some interesting things in about the Immortals in that last conversation in the chapter.
Gee, these arcs seem to differ greatly, huh? I'm just now noticing this. . . Isn't that sad? We have Rufus, Seifer, and Algus all together for the first arc, then Seifer alone for most of the second arc. . . Who will the third arc revolve around? Algus? (Eh . . . don't count on it.)
There must be a lot of questions. . . Rufus will definitely make his appearance in the next chapter, some questions will be answered . . . but I'm not sure what to say about Seifer. . .
Well, I'll stop there. I'm really rambling here.
Back to Chapter 16
Back to The Insane