Author's Comment:
At one point, this chapter didn't even exist. Early on, I was deciding how faithful I should remain to the game, or how much I would let myself deviate, and keep a level of readablility. Then, I realized that it didn't matter if I didn't record everything exactly as it happened in the game. As long as I kept the spirit of what it stood for intact, everything else will follow suit... Let's hope I'm right about that... *crosses fingers* ^_^;;;
You can expect to see many chapters such as this, evolving an already grandoise story into something much bigger... Potentially Tolkien-esque in stature.
Also, drop me a line. Tell me if it's any good. I'm always looking to improve, and I just love to hear from you guys! (It's what keeps me going)
Saturday, June 2, 2007
By the time he reached the gate, Squall had slowed down to a mere jog. He passed under the towering arch, putting two unsettling stone gargoyles behind him and spotting Quistis ahead.
"I have a few things to go over before we head off," Quistis began before Squall could even catch his breath. "It's about your Guardian Force. There's a great deal of talk about you and Seifer being adept at summoning, but this is going to be actual field work. It's not a training simulation, so--"
"Don't worry about it," Squall said sharply, cutting her off. "I know how to handle myself.."
"Okay," Quistis sighed, starting down the road. "Just don't get cocky," she murmured under her breath.
The day was bright, but a chill in the air was present, and for some reason, it worried Squall. Behind them, beyond the Garden (a sight to behold in itself, towering at least ten stories high, with suspension wires holding a magnificent halo in place over the peak), was a wall of snow capped mountains. In the distance, ahead of them, was the shore of Balamb. Beyond that, was a vast ocean, and beyond that... Well, Dollet for one. That's where the exam would take place. They walked for about five minutes before the road turned right towards town. Quistis was the first to speak, "Here's where we break off from the road. The cavern is to the left, past that forest," she said, pointing towards a large gathering of trees in the distance. They started walking across the plain, Squall watching the wind rustle through the grass, making swirls and patterns in the distance.
He thought about what Quistis had said, about his and Seifer's ability to summon GFs. Was he really that much better than everyone else? He worried not about failing, but merely the unnerving feeling that accompanied a successful summoning. Everyone had at least one GF, whether or not they knew about it. There are probably hundreds of them, but only a select few decide to actually interact with humans. For this reason, no one GF was limited to any one human. In that way, anyone could summon any active GF, with direct permission of course. While they were humanity's sworn guardians, they're no slaves. And they certainly didn't take likely to being commanded by those with whom they had no acquaintance.
No one really knew what they were... Some people didn't even believe in them. But that was stupid. Squall knew the dangers of ignorant thinking like that. He'd seen what they were capable of. Some people believed that they were warriors or sages of the past that, in death, had taken on a spiritual form, each with his or her own predetermined purpose or goal... Others believed that they were the Gods and Goddesses, themselves.
'The more you summon your GF, the more you interact with it... The more in tune with your GF, you become... You will become closer than childhood friends. Your GF is your Guardian, both literally, and figuratively speaking. Treat them with respect.' The teachings of Squall's childhood echoed through his mind.
Quistis broke the silence, "We'll go around." They had reached the forest.
Squall responded anxiously, "Wouldn't it just be faster to cut through?"
"Yes and no. Several students have gone missing in there. It's too dangerous."
I'm not afraid. "Don't you think--"
"Listen!" Quistis demanded.
At first Squall thought she was going to lecture him, but she said nothing. Just silence. What's she on about? Then he heard it. A deep monotonous booming noise. Like heavy footsteps from... From what? A shoopuff? No... Squall had never heard of a shoopuff in Balamb, and besides... It sounded bigger --heavier -- than a shoopuff. "What is it?" Squall asked.
"We're not sure," Quistis said quietly, "but there's a team of SeeD members scheduled to investigate, later today. Whatever it is, they'll take care of it. It's none of our business."
As curious as Squall was (and eager for a challenge), he couldn't argue. She was right. He had a test to complete and a busy day was ahead. "Okay," Squall said after a moment's thought.
They continued in silence. As they walked, the mountain range to their left dwindled, becoming smaller and smaller, until it was no more than a few stories. The thriving green grass gave way to a stony path, with sharp rocks jutting outwards from the ground. Two Balamb Garden officials stood at the entrance (a small opening in the wall of what was now a cliff face) in full red and yellow cloaks, with cone shaped hats hiding their eyes in shadow, their mouths already concealed by scarves. A running joke among the students (much to the headmaster's dismay), was that they were really mutated creatures in disguise, bent on making Balamb Garden Hell incarnate. No one had ever seen what they looked like, and everyone in was more or less afraid of them; even Headmaster Cid. They were the enforcers of the rules; the disciplinarians of all of Balamb Garden. They stood enigmatically, taking no heed as Quistis and Squall approached them. The smell of brimstone grew stronger.
Reaching the entrance, Squall and Quistis stood there before the officials. No one spoke. Several minutes passed and Squall wondered how long this staring contest would go on. He looked over at Quistis, questioningly, but she was looking intensely ahead, and didn't notice him. Squall glimpsed a bit of fear in her face, if only for a moment. They both jumped, as one of them finally spoke, as if returning from an out of body experience.
"Are you ready?" He asked in a weak voice that daftly betrayed his character.
"I'm ready," Squall answered slowly.
"I'm his support," Quistis said loudly, trying desperately to control her voice. "Instructor number fourteen, Quistis Trepe."
"Then proceed as you will," Spoke the other in an equally ridiculous tone. They stepped aside and Squall and Quistis entered the Cavern.