Part 3

Monday afternoons in Galbadia Garden were usually very still, as it was a day of classes and little outdoor training. The old oak tree beside the courtyard was especially quiet, even when occupied by its most faithful patron. As Irvine had been excused from all his classes for the next several days, he retreated quickly to the familiar stillness of this place. He closed his eyes and waited for the terrible images to leave him.

They wouldn't. Even when he finally achieved sleep the eyes followed him: Ruby's eyes, depending on him; Feison's eyes, deceptively malevolent; and Miranda's eyes, two shadowed pools that could devour and condemn any man with the gall to defy her. It was those eyes that he feared the most--the mute glare that pronounced him murderer, unfit to wield so perfect a skill.

All day the youth remained under that tree, the hours slipping silently past. He kept the cowboy hat pulled over his eyes to prevent the passerby's from commenting. At some point fatigue must have pulled him into the dream realm, for when he removed his hat the sky was dark with night, and he wasn't alone.

He knew immediately that it was a GF: Cereberus, which was often given advanced SeeD applicants during their test mission. The beast was taller than a full-sized horse and much longer, with rust and silver flesh and three grueling, canine heads. The six eyes glowed dangerous against the shadows, and tripled jaws worked softly. Despite this, Irvine wasn't afraid. He stared back at the creature, thinking it a trick of his mind. "I guess you're here to punish me," he murmured, lying very still among the protruding roots.

The GF regarded him critically, but gave no indication that it understood. Still, he went on. "I thought I'd be a good student, you know? If I could finish this mission…." He stared down at his hands. "But…it didn't turn out right. Is it better to kill people because you want to, like Miranda, or to feel nothing at all, like Ruby? I don't know." A heavy sigh released itself from him, along with many of his tensions. "I'm not cut out to be a SeeD. Maybe I should quit Garden."

The GF continued to stare at him, its demeanor changing from malicious to thoughtful. Silence followed. Then, after some time had passed, Irvine felt a gentle tugging on his brain. As if in instinct he opened his mind to the creature, pulling it, until there was only a trio of voices, echoing through his mind.

"I don't understand," Irvine admitted aloud.

When Irvine opened his eyes he was startled by the intensity of the sunlight. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair.

"Irvine? Hey, you awake?"

He groaned, again testing his sight. He was surrounded by several young girls--some his age, some a bit older. Their eyes were bright and cheerful. He loved that youthful, innocent energy. "Hello, ladies."

They giggled. "Good morning, Irvine."

"Were you out here all night?"

Irvine sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. He was a bit stiff from sleeping on the ground. "I guess so."

"We were on our way to class when we found you," Vale explained, her tone admonishing. "We were worried--you haven't been yourself lately."

He chuckled and held out both hands--several of the girls reached to help him to his feet. Once righted, he brushed himself off. "You mean, I've been ignoring you."

She put her hands on her hips as the girls around them laughed. "Don’t think you're so cool, Irvine Kinneas, 'cause you're not. Now are you going to escort us to class?"

"Of course--not that I'm actually going to attend class." Irvine hooked his arm around Vale's, his other around the closest girl, and started out of the courtyard. Only once did he glance back at the oak tree, wondering what the cause of his momentary depression had been. When he couldn't remember, he turned his attention back to the girls and the path before him.

*The End

Return