Author's Comment:
Wow. I think this is my longest chapter so far. Hope you guys like it. I was trying to go for something different than a simple turn based battle, as presented in the game. It's supposed to be suspenseful, but I can never tell with my own work. I'd love to hear what you think, though!
P.S. I hope you like reading from Quistis' point of view. It seemed appropriate to get in her head, especially in a moment of stress like that.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Quistis stepped onto the plateau. No matter how many times she ran this exercise, the macabre appearance of the battle ground always threw her off. Firstly, it was much bigger than it appeared to be while approaching. An optical illusion, her mind told her. On top of that, the stalagmites curving towards the center made her think of a giant, grotesque hand, ready to close its countless bony fingers around its prey at any moment, constricting them mercilessly. A circular opening (the entrance) lay in the center, boiling and hissing with blinding steam. "Ready?" She asked, looking over at her student.
Squall waved a hand behind him, nonchalantly, as if shooing off an annoying fly. As hard as he tried to hide it, Quistis spotted hesitance in his movements. She didn't blame him. Whoever came up with these tests sure had a knack for theatrics.
"You seem confident enough," she said almost sarcastically, her gaze lingering on his back as he moved forward. If only he would just open up a little, Quistis thought, wondering what could possibly have happened to him to cause him to shut himself off from everyone. Retreating into a stone cocoon every time anyone showed any signs of human affection. Isn't it lonely in there? Her mind wandered to her colleagues, whom she had to endure every morning in the staff room. The looks they gave her, the way they talked to her... They despised her. Rumors amongst them were rampant.
'A SeeD by fifteen, and an instructor by seventeen? Preposterous!.'
'You'd have to be an idiot not to suspect foul play! What was the Headmaster thinking?'
She forced herself back to the situation, thinking professional thoughts. Ifrit will emerge any moment, now. As if on cue, the magma from the center of the hole began to rise, spilling out onto the platform. They both took a step back, Quistis readying herself. The beast's enormous arm extended from the magma, completely unaffected from the heat. Gripping the edge, the massive creature pulled itself upwards, revealing two black, obsidian horns, spiraling outwards from what appeared to be the face of a demon. Wolflike in appearance, the creature opened its jaw and let out a magnificent roar, its teeth extruding outwards in a permanent grin. Somehow, Quistis didn't get the joke. She looked over at Squall, and noticed he was less nervous than before. He really does enjoy it, doesn't he? Taking comfort from the fear... The thrill of the battle. He really is a true warrior.
Ifrit was now fully outside of the cavity, slumping forward, an eldritch mass of muscle and fire. Slowly, it stood up, towering over them, at least twelve feet tall. Its backside burned with eerie red flames, a mane of fire. It stepped forward, the stone beneath its feet glowing red. And then it spoke. Its voice boomed with a frightening callousness and authority. "I am the Guardian Force, Ifrit. Please state your terms."
Quistis knew the drill. "We have come to challenge you. Should we succeed, we request you join us, and aid us in good will."
The creature looked down at them with something like curiosity, shaking the ground with its voice. "If you should fail?"
Quistis was about to respond when Squall cut in. "That won't happen."
For the first time in Quistis' career, she heard the two ton behemoth begin to laugh. It sounded like anything but a laugh, making her skin crawl, and the hair on her neck stand up. It sounded like two giant boulders, grinding together in a deafening symphony of smoke and anguish. She wanted nothing more than to run as far away from there as possible. "Very well, foolish mortals." It spoke again. "I accept this challenge of yours. Should you fail, I will devour you."
Very nice, Squall, Quistis thought angrily. Those were not supposed to be the terms. 'If we fail, we will leave you in peace.' That was always the bargain. That's what she was supposed to say. Now their life was on the line because Squall didn't know how to keep his pride in check. At least he has one thing in common with Seifer. The stakes were much higher this time.
******
She sat alone on her bed, holding her lifelong friend against her chest. Don't worry Angelo, it'll work out. Cid will help us. Would he? She thought about it for a moment... Surely he wouldn't turn them down. Everything rode on this... This was her chance. After all those years of working upwards, she didn't come this far to be hit by a mere snag. No! He will help! He has to! Delling will be sorry he ever messed with us!
Angelo whined impatiently, licking her hand.
"You hungry, boy?"
She leaned to her night stand, stumbling only a little from some turbulence. We must be going over some older tracks. She scooped some dry food out of the box with her hand, holding it up to Angelo, who ate it greedily. A knock came on the door.
"Princess?" Called a nasal voice from outside. "We're arriving at the station. We need the proper paperwork and everything to cross the ocean. Not to mention a license for--"
"Don't worry about that," she called, glancing at the card on her nightstand. "Everything is under control." No need to get our hands dirty this time. We've got an invitation. She smiled.
******
Taking a violent blow from Ifrit's massive arm, Squall flew backwards, chest aching and head reeling. Quistis whipped the creature's open back, drawing its attention and giving Squall an open target. Jumping to his feet, he swung at ifrit, this time trying his legs. At impact, he pulled the trigger of his gunblade, expecting to cripple his opponent. The thing didn't even flinch but, continued towards Quistis with deadly resolve. It went on like this for several minutes; a tag team match of drawing the monster back and forth, attempting to deal some damage. Nothing seemed to be working. Physical attacks didn't even scathe the beast... He had to use something else. I could summon... No. Squall wanted to go through that. I can defeat him without her. Able to think of nothing else, he cast an ice spell, striking Ifrit's backside. To his surprise, the beast roared in pain, the flames momentarily dimming down. It worked! Ifrit turned towards Squall scowling angrily. Or not... Ifrit started towards Squall. Okay, that backfired, he thought, missing his own pun.
******
Quistis watched helplessly as Ifrit closed in on Squall. Why hasn't he summoned yet? She knew that the enraged creature could easily deal a finishing blow right then and there, but saw no way of drawing its attention... Except one. It won't deal any damage, but maybe Squall will take the hint. She didn't have an ice-based GF like Squall did, but hers might be at least enough to distract the towering behemoth. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy.
******
Squall was sure this was the end, when Ifrit stopped dead in its tracks. What? Squall followed the creature's gaze, and saw Quistis with her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes closed. He'd never seen an instructor summon before, and he couldn't image why she was doing it now. Isn't this my test? Ifrit broke into a mad dash, defying the slow, sluggish manner in which it had previously been moving. Squall watched as it threw itself impossibly high into the air, descending towards Quistis. Everything seemed to play out in slow motion as the creature came down on her, holding its fists out in fury. It'll kill her! Squall thought, paralyzed. Then, Ifrit's blow connected... But not with Quistis. The enormous beast balanced, suspended in the air by an enormous bird-like creature. Quezacotl! His entire body tingled as an electricity pulsed through the air. The angelic being thrust forward, sending Ifrit crashing through the spikes, and into the magma. It splashed dangerously close to Squall, who regained control of his body, recoiling backwards just in time. Right, he thought, now it's distracted. It's your only chance. No more fooling around. Squall stood straight, closed his eyes. Focus your energy. He tried, giving it everything he had, but it wasn't working. It's too soon. As helpful as they could be, GFs did not like to be imposed upon. If summoned too many times in a short while, one could usually expect to have their GF to decline any invitations. He kept calling as a fierce battle just in front of him raged on. He dared not open his eyes.
******
Ifrit emerged from the pool as quickly as it had fallen in, but Quezacotl was equally swift. Reeling upwards, out of range, the massive bird folded its wings in a cocoon. How it managed to stay aloft, Quistis had never figured out, but she knew what it was doing. Ifrit effortlessly snapped off a spire from the edge of the plateau, igniting it in flames. Quezacotl was now surrounded by a glowing ball of energy, static-electricity jumping frantically through the surrounding air. The noise it produced was deafening. Her heart raced as she looked over at Squall. What's taking you so long? Summon her already! Ifrit hurled the makeshift javelin towards Quezacotl. It exploded with a blinding light and an ear splitting crack, as Quezacotl discharged the energy towards it in a bolt of lightning. Frustrated, Ifrit jumped into the air, catching hold of the bird and pulling it down. They landed on the ground in a tangled mess of wings and claws, screeching and roaring. Quistis wondered how much more her ears could take, when Quezacotl finally disappeared, retreating back to its plane. Great. Ifrit screamed in frustration and rage, clawing vehemently at the ground. It looked up at Quistis, its glowing red eyes squinting. Stumbling backwards, she jumped, rearing into one of the spires. The heat from the magma was unbelievable. I'm going to die, Quistis thought as Ifrit crawled on all fours towards its newest meal. With the beast almost on her now, she closed her eyes, feeling coldness set over her body as she waited for the final blow. She stood there shivering, waiting... But it didn't come.
******
I did it! Squall had managed to summon Shiva, not a moment too soon. But maybe a few later than necessary. The ice goddess stepped towards the flaming beast gracefully, extinguishing his flames immediately. It turned to her, trying to roar, but only managed a desperate wheeze. Ifrit’s eyes widened in surprise, and spoke the first words that left its mouth since the fight had begun. "They have Shiva?!" Squall saw Quistis open her eyes in shock. She stared at the two Guardians, locked in a standoff. Shiva said nothing, but gazed calmly in a way that was almost... motherly. She extended a hand towards Ifrit, but the creature pulled back, nervously. It's actually afraid of her! "Very well," the shaking beast managed to choke. "You have proven worthy of my aid." At this, Shiva disappeared. "I shall join you."
The coolness began to fade from the air, and Ifrit's flames had returned, albeit small and weak. He stepped to the center of the clearing, descending back into the magma. Squall saw that Quistis was on her knees, breathing heavily. He felt bad for not being able to summon Shiva sooner. She almost died because of you. He walked over to help her, but she held up a shaky palm. "Just give me a minute," she said, breathlessly. Squall waited as she composed herself. When she had finally stood up, she marched over to Squall, uncomfortably close, and looked sternly in his eyes. Squall thought maybe Quistis would scold him, but she turned away, starting back the way they had come. She shouted coldly behind her, "Let's get going. We've wasted enough time already and we have less than an hour to get to the main hall."