Procession of Witches Laguna had sent a special shuttle to pick everyone up and within the hour they were landing outside the Sorceress Memorial just beyond Eshtar’s city limits. Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Ellone were waiting to meet them. The night air had a chill to it that seemed to fit the melancholy mood of everyone present. Laguna stepped forward to shake Squall and Cid’s hands. "Glad to see all of you again, it’s a shame it’s on such unpleasant terms." "Same here, I’m sorry about all of this." Cid said apologetically. "Don’t be, from what you’ve told me, I should be thanking all of you." Laguna smiled brightly then grew somber. "Especially you sir." He said stepping towards Seifer. Seifer shrugged. "Hell I didn’t have anything better to do. Squall elbowed him and frowned, he didn’t like how casual Seifer was being. "Brave man." Laguna nodded. "Are we sure this will work?" Selphie asked curiously, raising her hand. "The process is infallible, Griever will be contained." Kiros spoke up. "Just make sure no one wakes me up early, I’m grumpy without my beauty sleep." Seifer joked but no one laughed. Edea coughed lightly and touched Cid’s arm. "Let us go." She said softly. "Yes, yes we’re just making this harder." He sighed. "Right, this way please." Laguna bowed courteously. Zell hurried to Seifer’s side and kept pace with him. "Dude, aren’t you like terrified?" He whispered. "Not at all. Keep and eye on me chicken wuss, I’ll show you how to go out like a man." Seifer said gruffly as they strode up the stairs and into the Memorial. Zell back a step and leaned over to Selphie. "He’s made of stone." He said truly impressed by Seifer’s resolve. "He’s terrified." Selphie said quietly. "I can’t believe he’s actually doing this. I mean this sucks, first Aeka and now." "I don’t want to talk about it." Selphie said bluntly, not once looking at him. Zell paused and frowned. "Am I the only one here that thinks this may be wrong?" Zell said quietly, more to himself than anyone in particular. "It is wrong, now come on." Irvine whispered as he walked past. Up ahead of the procession Ellone walked beside Squall and Rinoa with a look of worry. "You look awful." Ellone said timidly to Squall. "Thanks." Squall frowned. "I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m just worried about you." She frowned. "I know, it’s just that. We’ve had a bad last few days." Squall said, his expression softening slightly. "Want to talk about it?" She asked, touching his shoulder lightly. "Not really. How’s Laguna doing?" He said, changing the subject. "He’s fine. You know he wishes you’d call now and again. He wants to get to know you better. I mean, you.." Ellone began but Squall looked at her and shook his head. "Not now." He said briskly. "You brought it up. I just wish you’d call too, I never get to hear from or see any of you anymore. It’s awfully lonely out here." "Why don’t you come to Balamb?" Rinoa asked thoughtfully. "I’ve thought about it, but I don’t want to become a SEED." Ellone frowned. "It is a normal school too." Squall noted absently as they entered into an immense domed room. The room was filled with huge hoses that where covered in frost and gases vented from pressure valves in the ceiling. In the center of the room sat a circular chamber surrounded by various computer towers and other unrecognizable equipment. The chamber was separated from the rest of the room by thick glass. Inside the chamber stood a large structure that resembled a disk standing on end. An operating table of sorts was at its heart and the entire affair was covered in circuitry. Complete with a vast array of mechanical clamps and hoses the device looked like some alien torture device. Scientists in white coats scurried about like frenzied ants. "Your not putting him in that?" Rinoa balked. "Oh yes." A peculiar little man in a coat said in a jolly tone. "Doctor Odine." Cid sighed. "Yes, yes." The eccentric doctor nodded. "Who’s this nut?" Seifer snorted. "Long story." Kiros said as Laguna started to speak. "Right." Seifer said, folding his arms. "He knows the equipment better than anyone else." Kiros went on to explain. "Expert, wonderful. I am all these things." The good doctor said with a proud smile. "You’re the test subject?" He said hopefully as he poked Seifer with a crooked finger. "Get this guy away from me." Seifer growled. "Doctor, how good to see you again." Rinoa said hollowly as she took the Doctor by the arm and pulled him away. Quistis leaned heavily against a far wall, well away from the proceedings. Fujin walked slowly over to regard her thoughtfully. "HOW FEELING?" She asked finally. "I just want this to be over with." Quistis said with a heavy sigh. "ME TOO." "I should hate him." Quistis said with a halfhearted scowl. "But I don’t have it in me anymore, all I see is someone I grew up with about to toss his life away. Another life lost, it’s a shame, even if it is his." Quistis sighed. "HE WANTS." Fujin said, looking over at Seifer who was being checked over by various scientists. "I wonder if he’ll be aware once he’s in stasis?" Quistis asked morbidly. "UNKNOWN." "I wish I could be like you." Quistis sighed and sat down on the floor. Fujin kneeled by her side. "NEGATIVE" She said simply "But you’ve got it under control. After everything we’ve been through, you just keep going and I’m going to pieces." "KNOW ME BETTER THAN THAT." Fujin smiled faintly. "I know, you just show if differently. I’m sorry." Quistis smiled, touching her hand gently. Looking up they saw Squall and the others were intent on making sure things were done right. Cid and Edea stood alone talking to each other quietly. "He’s taking this pretty hard." Quistis nodded towards the headmaster. Fujin nodded but kept silent. "How are you holding Quisty." Rinoa said to the weary instructor. "Why does everyone keep asking me that." Quistis sighed. "SHE WILL BE OKAY." Fujin interjected. Rinoa looked worried a moment then stepped towards Fujin who eyed her warily. "I want to talk to you." Rinoa whispered. Fujin looked to Quistis curiously then back to Rinoa. "WHY?" "Come on." Rinoa said, gesturing to a more out of the way area of the lab. Grudgingly Fujin followed and folded her arms as they stopped to regard each other. "WHAT?" Fujin started off. "It’s about Seifer, I think you should say something to him." Rinoa whispered. Fujin scoffed and pushed past her, intent on going back to Quistis’s side. "He’s as good as dead, you have to know that. I know you have no reason to care for him anymore. I mean, yes he hurt you, but he hurt us all. I’m willing to forgive him, we can’t let him go thinking no one cares." "FINE YOU GO." Fujin said mildly. "Your heartless." Rinoa frowned. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Fujin whispered harshly. "Anything, anything to let him know he’ll be remembered. He’s doing this for us." "DOING FOR HIMSELF." Fujin said sourly, pointing to Seifer who was being studied by a score of scientists. "Why are you even here then. He loves you and seeing you here and knowing you hate him is just going to make it worse on him." ""TOUGH." Fujin shrugged. "Your horrible." Fujin sighed and continued past her and back to Quistis who looked up curiously. "What did she want." "NOTHING." Fujin frowned as she watched the proceedings stoically. "She wants you to say something to him." Quistis said quietly. Fujin didn’t look at her but nodded. "Are you?" "NEGATIVE." Fujin said with chilling finality. "I’m sorry." Quistis said with a hint of sadness. "FOR WHAT." "I don’t know." Quistis sighed and rested her head back against the wall. "I don’t know anything, just ignore me." Doctor Odine began shepherding everyone away from the stasis chamber with a fevered determination. "Time is near, back, back." He said eagerly. "Damn." Squall muttered under his breath and looked to Seifer imploringly. He just couldn’t get over this, it wasn’t right but he was helpless to stop it. Griever needed to be contained and Seifer had made his choice. Selphie and Irvine went to stand by Rinoa who was looking on with sad eyes. "He’s really doing this." She whispered. Irvine prodded her forward slightly. "Go on, say your good-byes." He said, nodding towards Seifer. Rinoa exhaled weakly and looked at Selphie, who was oddly stone-faced about the whole affair, not that anyone could blame her. "Go on." The small woman said briskly, and Rinoa smiled softly before moving on. Only Squall stood with Seifer as she approached. "Hey there." She said faintly. "Hey yourself." Seifer chuckled, this time though the strain was evident in his voice. Squall patted Seifer on the shoulder and nodded before leaving the two of them to say their peace. "I can’t believe you doing this." Rinoa said quietly, smoothing out his tussled hair. "I can’t either." Seifer smiled thinly. "I’ll remember you." She said softly. "That’s what I’m afraid of." He responded regretfully. "It’s best you all forget this and go on." Rinoa bit her lip and stood on her toes to give him a gentle kiss then stepped away from him. With tears in her eyes she rushed to Squall and buried her head against his chest. Seifer smiled at the two then turned his attention to Fujin, who watched him with hawk like intensity. Doctor Odine tugged his sleeve timidly. "We must hurry." He whispered. "I know, one moment." Seifer said, then walked towards Fujin. Raising her chin defiantly she stiffed as he approached. To her surprise he walked past her and towards Quistis how was still sitting quietly against the far wall. Kneeling by her side he leaned close to her and whispered in her ear. "Take care of her, give her what I couldn’t." He said simply. Quistis looked at him awkwardly, her blue eyes wide in wonder. "See ya around." He said with a smile then stole a kiss while she was stunned. Rising to his feet he strode by Fujin who watched him in bewilderment. "INSANE." She called out to as he strode forward and into the waiting chamber. "Love you too!" He chuckled to her as Doctor Odine bid him to rest back against the disk at the heart of the chamber. Cid walked in and regarded the youth. Looking to Edea with a frown a moment he turned his attention back to Seifer. "Brave lad, I’m proud of you." He said with a growing cloud of sorrow on his face. "Yeah well I try. Lets cut the small talk shall we, and get this over with." Seifer snapped excitedly and closed his eyes. Cid nodded and he and the left and Edea entered. "Seifer." She said richly, touching his cheek. Seifer opened his eyes and frowned. "I can’t hold him anymore Edea." Seifer whispered harshly. "I know child." She sighed. "I’m very proud of you. My brave Knight, my son." She smiled tenderly. "You’ve been so strong through all of this, it’s time for you to let go of the burden you carry." She whispered then kissed him softly in the lips. Seifer’s eyes widened in shock as she brought both hands up to grip either side of his head. A burst of energy exploded from them and Seifer shuttered as if being electrocuted. "What is she doing!" Laguna shouted, shielding his eyes from the light. "Edea!" Squall screamed and ran forward only be intercepted by Cid. "What are you doing? Let go of me." He shouted as a wave of energy blew everyone to the floor. Ellone sat up and looked on in horror. "Something terrible is happening!" She shouted as Seifer collapsed forward into Edea’s arms. Gently she laid him down and looked up to see everyone running towards her. Her face was serene but quickly it twisted into a snarl as she opened her mouth and a sound akin to a roar issued forth, shaking the entire building. "Griever!" He shouted, motioning everyone to step back. Laguna pulled Ellone behind him as Kiro’s and Ward took up a defensive position. "Aw no." Zell cried out in dismay and holding his head in disbelief. Quistis scrambled to her feet and looked on in horror as Edea lifted Seifer off the ground with one hand. He groaned, and opened his eyes. "What?" He mumbled half, conscious. Dr. Odine and the other scientists fled from building as she tossed Seifer harshly into Squall. The two men fell into a tangled heap at Cid’s feet. "Edea!" The headmaster shouted as warning klaxons began to sound. Irvine drew his gun and paused, his hands shaking. Irvine and Selphie looked on in confusion, neither sure as to what to do. Fujin looked to Quistis for suggestions but found none. Rinoa knelt to help Squall and Seifer to their feet. Edea’s eyes flashed crimson and she moved forward threateningly. "Edea." Cid called again this time calmer as he crept closer. "Sir, get away!" Irvine shouted drawing his rifle. Selphie saw Ward and Kiros shoving Laguna and Ellone out the exit and was thankful when they got clear. "Get out of here." Irvine said to her as he took aim at Edea. "Yeah right." Selphie scoffed. "Irvine, you can’t just shoot her!" Quistis shouted. "We have to do something." He said grimly, his hands shaking. Fujin moved forward in preparation of a fight, she had no weapon but she meant to try her best. "Betrayal!" Edea growled, looking at Seifer in disgust. She gestured at him with an outstretched hand and an invisible force wrenched Seifer off the ground. "Betrayer!" She hisses and clenched her hand into a fist. Seifer choked and thrashed in the air as his lungs began to be crushed. "Edea." Cid beckoned soothingly and reached out to her. He stood closer now, nearly within arms reach. Squall drew his gunblade and prepared to lunge. Cid cut him a stern glance and made him pause. Stepping forward one last time Cid gently reached out to touch Edea’s outstretched hand. "Let him go, this is not what you wanted, you have to fight it." "Kill you!" She hissed shakily. "No, you won’t." He smiled. "Let’s finish what we started." "Started?" She growled, and her hand began to tremble. Seifer collapsed to the ground coughing violently. "Come back to us love." Cid whispered. Edea lowered her arms and her eyes dimmed. "There you go." Cid smiled and pulled her into a tight embrace. The silence in the room was deafening. "What is going on!" Squall grunted warily, his weapon still drawn. Edea sighed and Cid let her go. "I love you my wife." He said softly. "And I you my husband." Edea whispered back then focused her attention on her wards. "Forgive me, my children." "What!?" Irvine mumbled, lowering his rifle. Seifer slowly got to his feet and looked about in bewilderment as Edea turned and rushed into the stasis chamber. "No!" Squall shouted running towards her. Cid grabbed him once more and Squall slung him to the ground. "Are you crazy she’ll be killed!" Squall roared. "She’s dying already." Cid said firmly as he picked himself up. A collective gasp issued from the room and Selphie looked as though she was about to faint. "What?" Rinoa asked in shock. "She’s been dying ever since Ultimecia left her." Cid said with tears in eyes. "No." Squall murmured, dropping his gunblade. "Matron!" Quistis screamed out in anguish and ran forward. "QUISTIS!" Fujin shouted but wasn’t close enough to stop her. Seifer was and he caught her around the waist and lifted her off the ground. "Let go!" Quistis screamed in angrily, kicking and flailing in his arms. "Take her!" Seifer roared pushing her towards Irvine. He then turned and strode after the former Sorceress. "Edea!" He shouted as he approached. With a slight wave of her hand Edea closed the door in his face. "You tricked me!" Seifer shouted banging on the hardened glass. Edea lowered her head and sighed before turning to face him, black blood was already beginning to dribble down the corners of her mouth. "I am sorry, but I was to weak to bring him here myself." She said softly, her slender fingers touching the glass. "I do this for you my son." She smiled gently. "You can’t leave me like this, what’s to become of me!" Seifer screamed in despair clawing at the glass. "You must live." Edea coughed, her eyes flared crimson. "But you’re the only one who understands." Seifer murmured with tears in his eyes. "Without you, I’ll be truly alone!" "It will be hard, I know. But do your best with the second chance you’ve been given. Please, you must live, I can leave peacefully knowing you are all safe." She whispered and collapsed onto one knee. "Edea." He pleaded feebly as she forced herself to stand and limped to the stasis disk. Cid could take no more and turned away. Quistis went to his side to comfort him as Edea rested her back against the disk and closed her eyes. With a feeble gesture, she used the last of her magic to bring the machinery to life. The disk glowed and a halo of light filled the chamber as Griever’s fury burned away the last spark of life from her. Edea Kramer’s last thoughts where of her children, and of her beloved husband. With tears in her eyes she whispered Cid’s name and died. With Edea gone, Griever began to regain control and to its horror, it realized it was trapped. It didn’t even have time to shout its rage before being engulfed in a blinding light, and then, all was dark.
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