Final Fantasy 8: Revival

[Soyokaze]

Her footstep echoed through the halls, her boots seemingly pierced the marble floor with every contact. Eyes turned, murmurs heard and people shuffle in the opposite direction. Viviane, one arm gripping her bag, the other swinging methodically like a pendulum stormed to the stadium, her trenchcoat flaring to the sides, parting the crowds. A group of Esthar girls whispered to each other, blatanly talking about the woman walking by. Viviane sent them an icy glare, silencing them for a moment, but only to begin again after she passed.

Then a fellow student approached her. "Heeeey... Viv!" he exclaimed, turning on his heel and resting an arm around her shoulders. "What are you doing today?"

"Nothing, Myron, nothing."

Myron rolled his eyes, "You know people are dying to know what the Captain called you down for." he leaned closer and spoke quieter, "Especially seeing your uh, reputation down here."

Viviane, abruptly stopped. She peeled Myron's arm off her and turned to face him, her glare menacing. "I've been summoned for a Skill Check Test Level 9 and if I pass, I will be leading a brigade of about 15 men and women to Galbadia to round up their captive SeeDs tonight."

Myron, took a step back, unsure of what to say. He had heard that these missions were never peaceful exchanges. Fights and conflicts almost always broke out and several men inevitably died. "Are you sure, Viv? This is a huge-"

"Yes. I know. That's what the Skill Test is for." Viv finished quickly and brushed off, Myron watching after her in concern. The tail or her coat disappearing around the corner and almost instantly, he was surrounded by people wanting to know.

Reaching the stadium doors, Viv peered through the window. Three men in black were stretching out, the other two, inspecting their weapon of choice. She took a deep breath and proceeded inside. Her captain turned and nodded. "Wonderful. I hope you're ready Lieutenant." Viviane flung her bag on the ground, shimmied out of her trenchcoat and surveyed her opponants. The captain turned to them. "Soldiers. To pass, it is your test to land a single attack on the Lieutenant's body. You are in this to kill or she will kill you first. If you surrender you fail."

The students nodded and clustered on one side of the room. Her captain flashed her a stern glare. "Lieutenant, to pass your Skill Test, you will need to eliminate three of your opponants. Is that clear?"

Viv nodded and loaded her cross-gun. The match was about to begin. "On your marks," he began, "Go!" And they were off. The five rushed towards Viviane, head on as she approached them, quickening her walking pace. She spun and high heeled a man in his face, immediately toppling him over, dead. The second, she quickly dodged his dagger attacks and delivered a sharp uppercut on his nose, breaking it instantaneously. He fell to the ground, crumpled up and crying in agony. A woman, then grabbed Viv from behind, arm locking her head. Quickly pressing the clasp on her right palm, a long sharp blade ejected out the back of her elbow and she rammed it against the woman's stomach. Feeling the release, Viviane turned shot her to the ground. The woman layed squirming, but still alive.

Feeling sudden intense pain, the Lieutenant looked up and realized she had been shot. The last standing man was watching, both pistols in each hand shaking. Viviane stalked towards him, the corner of her lips upturned. "Bad choice of weapons" she muttered, the man stepping back raising his arms in surrender. In a flash, she kneed him in the groin, twisted his arms and turned his pistol onto his head. She placed a finger on top of his and pulled the trigger. Quickly, she went back to the second man, still cupping his broken nose. Viv kicked him to the ground, stepped on his head, pressing it hard against the floor, and shot him.

The match was over. She sighed, "Done." But her captain did not look pleased. "You SHOT a surrendering opponant!" Viviane shrugged, "All I know was, I was told to kill three, and I did. We do not need POWs in this war, Captain." she replied arrogantly. The captain, obviously displeased, but seeing how the city needed this valuable killing machine, he kissed his teeth and marked a pass on her paper. "Go get ready, you leave in 2 hours."

Without answering, Viviane grabbed her coat and her bag and left the stadium. The door closed behind her, as her Captain's voice turned to the others. "Get those darn bodies out of here."

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That night, Viviane lead a small army, all in rows behind her. Their stampeding footsteps thundering the ground. As they approached the entrance of Galbadia., Viv motioned to her messanger to notify the city of their arrival and intent. Several minutes laters, she turned to face her troops, "Soldiers, you are responsible for the SeeDs asigned to you. Do NOT harm them beyond repair." The men nodded, several shruged and a few rolled their eyes. At the apparent disobedience, Viv cocked her grossgun and shot the nearest man in the head.

He fell to the ground dead instantly. Several men were suddenly taken back and the few around their now dead comrade, jumped back. "Let that serve as a warning for those who think about giving me attitude." The air was thick and the tension grew, as they continued to wait. Eventually a small murmur arose from her troops and sounds of clanking metal showed their impatience. Viv took no notice.

And then it was time.

(OOC: I've added more details to the end this time. )

[Rain McCloud]

I decided to sleep in this morning. Pretty much wasted a day sleeping. When I awoke, the family which had been watching over me was gone. Apparently they believed that something bad was going to happen tonight... Esthar was coming. Whether it be ignorance or what-not, I didn't really care if they came or not. They weren't looking for me. They're supposedly looking for Seeds. I have to admit that I feel sorry for the Seeds, as I was once trained by one. In fact, the dude even gave me my own gunblade. So, if they do come and try to take me back to their country, they'll have another thing coming for them. And indeed, they came.

"Don't give us any trouble, you" the Esthar Soldier said in a gruff tone, "Just come peacefully with us and no harm will befall you."

I knew he was lying. I wasn't that ignorant. "Too bad... you'll have to take me by force." Draws gunblade before him in a battle-ready stance. The soldier's reply, "Too bad for you..." and he charges. They clash together, disturbing the utter silence that gripped Galbadia. In the blink of an eye, the two shifted blows and Rain fired his gunblade, instantly killing the soldier as more poured in, now holding guns. Rain stands unafraid still holding his blade at the ready. Then another figure walks in between the two at the door. Something attached to her arm and walks right up to him, The thing on her arm was a gun, and as she approached she never skipped a step as she focused it at Rain's forehead. Rain hands his blade to nearby soldier, admitting defeat. The apparent leader never removing her gun from his head, "Move it." She leads him out and the soldiers beat him to unconciousness. Then load him and several other captives into the Esthar transport which promptly drives off to take the first batch of captives back to Esthar.

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I awoke once more to total silence. But this time, I was in a truck with several others. They were quiet... too afraid to speak... too afraid to do anything. Why did they come for me. Why did they gather these others... they were normal townsfolk. The road we were on was very bumpy. Every so often we'd hit a huge bump and some of us would, from the jump, bang our heads on the roof. Snickers roared from the cab of the truck each time they heard the few of use pound our already fractured skulls into the cold, hard steel above us. These people had been trained to be monsters. I wish I could stop it... but what could I do? I was shackled and could barely move an inch before more pain shot through the right side of my body.

I was beaten pretty bad. So I sat, among the silent multitude, pondering ways of escaping. Resting for the feat that would most certainly be at the end of this long drive. I must get these people out of this. Some are only children. Why...? Why do this? What made Esthar turn to this savagery?

The others seemed to just be staring at me, as if I would be their way out. I guess I'll use their encouragement to the best of my abilities... even if it gets me killed.

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We've been driving for several hours now. The soldiers are eerily quiet in the front. A lot of the captives have passed out, either from exhaustion or just from sitting so long. As for the ones who were awake, you could see the fear in their eyes. I finally had a plan on what we could do to escape. I just hope it works.

It was really sad, to see such a powerful nation, become so evil. What happened between them and these so-called "Seeds"? I wonder if they captured my mentor as well... perhaps... it may be better to wait and try to save all the captives. No matter what... I will not give-in to what these people... these monsters, are doing. I am just as deadly without the gunblade, so my weapons are set. I just hope I can manage to get a good idea of the layout of this place and figure a way out.

The truck seemed to be going over the bridge now. This would be where I would take everyone. I've heard it said that a place near here called "Fisherman's Horizon" has become the Resistance Capital. We may be safe there, if we even make it this far.

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We finally came to a stop, at the place that I assumed was Esthar. My Ideas of escape got a little easier as we were not directly at Esthar but had to travel through the Great Salt Lake to reach our destination. All I'd have to do here is rally up the other prisoners and fight off the Esthar bastards that brought us here.

I could hear them talking to someone over the communicator, apparently a colonel they are working under. I imagine that they were talking to that girl from before. Didn't really seem likely though. I couldn't hear what they were discussing anyways, and didn't really care for that matter. My mind was focused on one thing, "Getting the hell outta here."

"dammit...this sucks....i can't believe even after takin' out 5 of those stupid grunts they'd still bring me along and not kill me...i think i'd rather have death right about now..."I think to myself. I look around the truck at the other prisoners....and I see one man without the fear of death in his eyes...it looked as though he still had hope unlike the other bunch of sissies in the back. Yeah, there was something different about this guy, but I can't worry about that now...i gotta find a way outta here.Since we've finally stopped it should be much easier to find a way out now.Hey, maybe that guy can help me...he seems to be the only one with a brain at this moment. Just then i see a sparkle in the corner of my right eye...the boy next to me was crying...but he wasn't making any sounds to alert the Esthar soldiers. He only looked to be ten or eleven. Even though my wrists were bound together I put my arms around the young boy and comforted him....i know i wanted a vacation...but this is not what i meant....

[Rain McCloud]

"Damn them..." In the dim light that shown from small cracks that were supposed to be windows, I could see a small boy, frightened, and crying silently. Just then another prisoner moved in to comfort the child. It looked like she gave quite the struggle against them. She had cuts and bruises all over her body. I wonder why I didn't see her earlier... who knows. It could be that my eyes have finally adjusted here. I heard the soldier calling for back up. Seems they have confronted something that they are too afraid to handle on their own. I have to admit I was a little nervous. I'd been through a situation similar to this, but that was 10 years ago.

*Flashback*
9 year old boy: ... Elle? What's wrong?
Ellone: ... (tears falling down her face) Uncle Laguna has been ejected from his presidency at Esthar. So were Kiros and Ward. I just don't understand what's going on...
Squall: Don't worry so much Sis. They'll be fine... Esthar is just having some difficulty figuring things out.
Ellone: Squall, you're back! (jumps up and embraces him)
Squall: Whoa… calm down. I’ll be leaving again soon. Something important has come up.
Boy: What is it Uncle Squall?
Squall: … (stares blankly at kid) … I can’t really say. It’s a high priority mission that will mainly be involving me and 5 other specially trained Seeds. This mission should last only 3 weeks. (to kid) … It will be your job to protect Sis, Rain.
Boy: Yes Sir.
Squall: See you all later.

Ellone runs up to Squall and hugs him once more... and he walks off to the Ragnorak parked outside. That night… several Esthar soldiers came… they came to recruit the orphans for their dirty work. I fought them off as best I could, trying to protect Elle and the others. But I was chased off. I ran and ran, as far as I could go. I eventually ended up in a strange forest that I’d never seen before and ran into a young Chocobo. And that was where I stayed for 3 years. I had made it to the mythical Chocobo’s Forest. They fed me and took care of me until I decided it was time to go. I rode on a strange Chocobo that had the ability to walk over the sea. He took me to Balamb and that is where I got my education and became a mercenary. That is also where I met another gunblade specialist who gave me my own gunblade. I forget his name as he vanished after 5 years of training me.

To this day, I still don’t know where he disappeared to. I imagine he got sent off like Squall did. I failed to protect Elle and the orphans. Now was my chance at retribution.

[Divi-Dead]

The radio crackled
"We....trouble....SeeD's....ambush.....near Galbadia...help....needed...."
A gunshot rang over the radio followed sharply by a scream of pain.
"Ready a squad, We dispatch immediately" Stated Gai as he put on his coat
(I'm not going to lose another batch of SeeD's to these rebellious bastards)

Gai ran as fast as possible to the Airship and climbed aboard, He sat down and watched as his squad of men came running towards him, They also boarded and took their seats as the airship started leaving Esthar city. They were ready for a battle, 30 of the toughest men in the Esthar army, all hand-picked by Gai, he demanded the best, so he took the best. Of course, Taking the strongest left other parts of the army lacking, but Gai expected them to cope with it, he wasn't going to use inferior troops.

The airship reached maximum altitude and moved smoothly through the night air, The silver clouds above them and the dark blue ocean below, It all looked as if it lasted endlessly, though Gai knew within minutes he would be above land surveying below in order to find the fight he was looking for.

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"THERE" Shouted a troop and pointed out the window
The firing of the ambushers guns acted as a deadly beacon, as the airship lowered down upon them firing the guns on board, before touching down upon the battle the airship swung to the side and landed in a patch of grass...
"Show no mercy to the rebels, Defend our bounty" Gai yelled over the cheers of the troops barging off the airship. Gai walked off slowly with his Claymore in his hands, He surveyed the attackers...16 was his estimate, 8 from the front and 8 from behind
(Childish tactics, Do they really suspect they can topple the finest troops of Esthar with only this, Pitiful)

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When morning broke in a triumphant red sun, A massacre was being put to rest, The final bodies were being disposed of and casualties measured, 19 ambushers and 9 Esthar, None from Gai's troops...
"There's one missing" Said a soldier in a worried voice
"One what" Said Gai
"One...Prisoner"
Gai put his pistol to the soldier head, Cocked it and pulled the trigger
"Make that 10 Esthar" he said with a grimacing smile on his face

[Rain McCloud]

(OOC Great entry Divi. Hope to see ya again soon.)

We were finally let out of the musty old truck. Some of the other prisoners were fighting and got pummelled to the ground in their attempts at escape. These guys knew what they were doing. I was beginning to feel ashamed that I was planning to save these prisoners. There we stood as a group... young, old... it really didn't matter. Behind me was the young woman who had cared for the boy. She appeared anxious for a fight. She was slowly inching forward, so I stopped her before she made another mistake, "Wait for it." The guards heard my murmer and came up to me, "What did you say punk," I remained silent. "That's what I thought," the soldier said as he struck me in the face with his fist. I didn't go down as he expected me to. That made him even more angry, but instead of acting he actually just walked off and cursed at his comrades. I thought of how fun it would be to feed him to the monster sleeping at the bottom of the path we would soon be heading for.

A sudden broadcast from the soldiers' radio broke the silence around us, cries were heard. The soldiers laughed, saying it was more Galbadians being slaughtered by their other troops. A heavy aura spread over the group at the sound of the screams... and it seemed to have awakened an unlikely hero that came sweeping-in, in the form of a giant winged beast.

"Holy #@*^!" The soldiers cried as they ran to the truck to get their guns, two others pushing us toward the truck. This was the chance I was waiting for, "... Now." I wrapped my chained wrists around one of the guards, forcing him to shoot at his own comrades with the gun, killing them instantly. I snapped his neck and had the young woman take the gun and shoot off my chains. The beast landed near us, battling two other soldiers as we had our own outing with the ones trying to herd us back into the truck. The young woma I had seen earlier was an excellent fighter, she seemed invincible. Up until the beast knocked her back into the truck with his massive tail. It was just me and him now. The others had run off, towards the bridge, towards Fisherman's Horizon. The other fighter, out cold in the truck. It was an odd moment. Why didn't the beast attack me? I had no weapon, but he seemed cautious. Then, he oddly flew away. It was weird. Some of the others came back after he left, and celebrated by shouting and hollering. I told them to hop in the truck so we can all drive to FH. They did, and I grabbed the blood-soaked keys and took the wheel.

[Soyokaze]

A billowing cloud of dust tidaled over her troops. Vivianne shielded her eyes from the painful spikes each grain brought to her face. An enormous force hurtled several mens' bodies into the air, knocking her right off her feet. The wind speed subsided quickly, a breeze stroking the dry dirty ground.

A blast rang out as a man facing down exploded and Viviane pryed the body off her. Looking up, a great hovering creature flapped it's eternal wings and triumphed over the bodies of its prey. In a moment, it took off, almost instantly disappearing into the sky.

The roar of an engine sparked Viv's immediate attention, as he turned to see a truck speed off. "Shit."

Hastily wiping the blood from her lips but not noticing the actual smear, Vivane stalked towards some of her troops, barely alive. "Get up." she commanded, but no response. She impaled the man's arm with her heel of her boot and repeated in a scare whisper. "Get. Up."

The man groaned. Viv heaved a sigh and without a thought, delivered him from his grief, a bullet to the head.

Suddenly, her ears picked up a faint noise. No. A quiet sobbing. "What?" she questioned herself. Quickly locating the sound, Viv rolled several bodies off a small child. Not older than 10. She kneeled down in front of him, unable to speak. A child was something she had never thought she would come across on a battlefield. Unable to comfort him or console him, Viviane opened her mouth to speak.

But she did not hear her voice, but a deafening shreek. She threw a swift glance to the sky to see the clouds rumbling overhead, in almost an inverted whirlpool of crimson red. Instantly, lightning flashed and thunder roared. And the winged monster appeared again, but this time, Vivianne could recognize it.

"Quezacotl." escaped her lips. Not later when the word was whispered, the ancient bird swooped down at lightning speed. Instinctivley, Vivianne fired several shots, all dead on, but none of them effective. Quezacotl landed directly on Viviane crushing her body against the dirt ground, the sand welling up in her face. The creature envelped the young boy in it's beak, lifted it up and began to eat the child.

Viviane struggled to c.ock her gun and look up, barely fazed by the scene. It was distrubing, but nothing she couldn't handle. The knowingly raised her gun at the face of a summon, the boy also in range. And after a moment's hesitation, she fired. The bullet popping the boys head and impaled into the eye of the Guardian Force.

Quezacotl released the child, shreeching in pain, allowing Vivanne to scramble to her feet. The boy's remains smashed to the ground, a sickening thud.

To be safe, Vivanne limped to a boulder - weight fully supported onto it - shot at Quezacotl several more times, until the bird retreated into the sky. The clouds thinned and streams of sunlight peered through the holes. Vivane layed exhauted, propped up on this massive stone. And off in the distance, sirens could be heard. And then voices. And she saw the blurred images of people running her way before she collapsed.

[Rain McCloud]

We drove for what seemed meer seconds as we approached the path to Fisherman's Horizon. From a distance, and more likely our positioning, the view of the city was amazing. It seemed to glow, a sky-ish blue reflecting from the every angle of the city. I pulled the Esthar truck to the side of the railroad tracks and hopped out to check on my passengers. They seemed well, better than when I last saw them when the Esthar soldiers were in control. Some of them even gave me a hug for helping them escape, both the claws of the beast that attacked us and the torture that would have most likely came if we had continued under those soldiers control.

I began to wonder, as I watched an entire family leave the vehicle, if those soldiers had a family of their own. I don't really know what goes on inside of Esthar's military. Whatever happens turns these people into monsters. I also wondered about that girl's where-abouts... the female soldier who practically handed my @$$ over to the other soldiers. There was something about her that just would not escape my thoughts. I felt... that she was a prisoner... a prisoner to the organization she serves so well. I hope she is okay. I'm sure I can imagine what's going on in Galbadia right about now. The military there probably realizes that Esthar's not there for just the Seeds.

"That's why... I must go back." Another kid was nearby and heard me speak those words. He was looking to the young woman who was knocked unconcious by the beast and decided to come out for aide in getting her out of the vehicle, "What are you talking about dude? You're all beat up... why go back?" "Because it's my job" I spoke in a serious tone, looking in the direction of the girl, "How is she?" "She'll be fine in the morning. Only bumps and bruises, as far as I can tell... say, would you help me get her to FH's hospital?" the boy replied. I said "Yeah sure," and with that, jumped into the back of the truck and carried the young woman, as the boy followed, down the many steps to the actual city of Fisherman's Horizon.

The city seemed "run-down"... I was beginning to wonder why this place had been the center of attention as of late. All I saw was a man and his son fishing off a dock, high in the air. The boy caught one with a triumphant shout and whistling. That seemed to be the high point of this place. The hospital wasn't tended very well either. I felt uncomfortable leaving the young woman there, but I trust these people.

I was really struggling with my thoughts... what should I do? Can I make it back on my own? ... Then I bumped into a mirror nearby, and looking at myself made my thoughts shut up for a moment. I knew I could beat these "bad boys"... though I was concerned about running into that girl once more. She may be more than I can handle unless it is possible to turn her against her foolish army.

As my thoughts continued their course, I heard a scream come from the tracks above. I barely made it up there to see three Esthar guards, pulling a girl into the back of their truck. Enraged I came upon them.

"Hey... Esthar doushbags! Why don't you pick on someone your own size, eh fools?" I had recovered my gunblade a little earlier and stood as a one-man army before them. They smirked, and I returned the greeting. Just as the fun was about to begin, a strange soldier (I was guessing by the outfit) came in and cut each Esthar soldier in half with dual swords. I had never seen such an amazing skill aside from my old master many years ago. This was not him... He appeared to have the look of blood-lust. The worst kind of soldier. He kills without remorse... and forgives none who confront him. For the first time in my entire life... I stood shaking uncontrollably. We stared at eachother for several minutes. He then walked into the truck and walked the girl back down to Fisherman's Horizon. Who was he? What did he have against those Esthar bugs? Was he like me?

Then, something else happened. A Galbadian ambulance rushed passed me, sirens blaring at full blast. It headed to the hospital at FH. What was going on back home? Why didn't they take the person there?

I was too far away to get a good look at the person as they wheeled her into the hospital. All I could see was the black hair and odd clothing she had on... wait a minute... could it really be... that girl from before?

[Cloud Strife X]

*FLASHBACK*
NOTE: This stuff happens about a week before the story starts.

“Kintara!”

I snapped out of my thoughts, looking around the car for a few seconds before meeting the eyes of the man who had spoken. “Yeah?”

“Something wrong?” the man asked. “Because, you know, you were sitting there with your eyes closed and all…” I shrugged. “I’m just… thinking about things, you know?” I said, lying my head back against the seat. The man nodded. “Yeah, I know. Preparing yourself for the fight?” To that, I could only say, “Sure.”

The man driving the vehicle turned to look at us and laughed. “Hell, I hope you’re prepared, Kintara. We paid enough for you…” Without replying, I sighed and looked out the window. It was night outside, and the only lights that could be seen were the headlights of our vehicle and the vehicles behind it as we traveled down the road. Slowly, once again, I began to drift off into my own little world.

Lately, I was beginning to wonder what in the hell went wrong with my life. A long time ago, I used to be a kid who was supposed to be “so full of potential”… what happened? All I knew was that what I was doing right now wasn’t what I had wanted to do. I was a killing machine, and a criminal at that, working for a group of sadistic people who wanted to torture and kill SeeDs for no reason whatsoever. But then, I would always reason, there was no point in crying about it now. What was done was irreversible, and I would have to live with it. I was unhappy with my life, and I had no way to change it.

Suddenly, the radio sitting in the front of our vehicle crackled with our team commander’s voice, snapping me back out of my reverie. “Alright, people, we’re about to reach our destination! Get ready to rumble!” Our driver reached for the radio and spoke into it. “Roge-O, commander. We're ready.”

A short while later, our vehicles came to a stop in front of a modest-looking house situated in the middle of nowhere. About fifteen people jumped out of the vehicles and ran towards the house, stopping at the front door. I drew my automatic pistol as the driver of our vehicle ran up to the door and began pounding on it. “Open up! This is the Black Sun! Open the door!” I rolled my eyes… the jackass had just announced that we were here! Then, without waiting for a response, he kicked the door in and we flooded inside, coming into a large room with about twenty SeeDs waiting for us behind overturned tables. I briefly wondered, How did they know that we were coming?

I had barely made it through the door when a bullet whizzed by my head, striking the soldier behind me in the neck. I quickly rolled into a corner and returned fire, hearing an “ARRGHHH!” and the sound of a body crumpling to the floor. Another SeeD popped up from his table to fire at me, but I quickly dropped him with a single shot to the head. I waited until another SeeD bent down to reload his rifle, then stood and ran straight at him, drawing my dagger in the process. I quickly vaulted over the table and plunged the dagger into his back, then turned around and fired at another SeeD who was just to my right, hitting him in the stomach and causing him to keel over.

Now, there were only two SeeDs left, and they were both crouched behind the same table, each one covering the other as they reloaded their guns. And they were so busy with everyone else, they didn’t see me. So I quickly drew my short swords and ran directly at them.

The two soldiers didn’t see me until I was already of top of them. I swung the sword in my right hand, catching the first soldier in the neck, then jabbed the sword in my left hand at the other soldier, sinking it into his shoulder and causing him to howl in pain. As he fell, I stood up and sheathed both of my blades. From behind me, I heard our team commander say, “Alright, let’s move.” I drew my automatic pistol and followed a group of three soldiers into the next room, which appeared to be a makeshift kitchen. The guy in front motioned for us to spread out and look around. I went to my left, around a counter. I swung around and looked under it… and there was someone there! A few people, actually… it was what looked to be a young woman and a baby, presumably her son or daughter. They were huddled under the counter, frightened, and when the woman saw me, she shrieked. All three soldiers’ heads snapped up. “Who is that?” one of them demanded.

Keeping my pistol trained on the woman, I replied, “Looks like some mother and her kid. They’re harmless.” The soldiers walked around and looked at them. One of the soldiers snorted. “Heh… pathetic, aren’t they? Well, boys, you know what to do.” All three of them raised their guns and fired. The woman appeared to sit up stiffly for a few seconds… and, as if in slow motion, she fell lifeless to the ground, her baby close behind.

It was then that, for some reason, I felt... disgust. Seeing someone shot down in cold blood should have been nothing to me, but this time was somehow different. I shook my head and decided there was no point in thinking about it right then. There would be time for that later. I sighed, holstered my gun, and slowly followed the others walked out of the kitchen.

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After our raid on the house that night, we drove back our base. Everyone else was cheering and celebrating our victory that night, but no matter how hard I tried to think about anything else, the mother and her baby kept coming back to me. I kept seeing the look in the woman’s eyes as she was gunned down in cold blood, again, and again, and again. During that raid, something had changed; I didn't know what. Maybe it was just because I was sick and tired of these Black Sun bastards… my experience with them had shown that they were completely unprofessional. Killing was not supposed to be "fun". All I could do was sigh and lean my head back against my seat in regret.

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That night, back at base, I had finally made my decision. I was leaving. Of course, if I left Black Sun, I would fail in my mission to the Guild. I suppose I should take a second now to describe the Guild…

The Guild is a criminal organization made up of spies, assassins, and soldiers that hires out mercenaries to various criminal causes (such as Black Sun). The authorities know nothing of this program, other than the fact that it exists. This is due to the fact that nobody has ever quit and lived to tell about it. This is because, of course, if one tried to quit (and believe me, quite a few have tried), they would be found and killed. And as far as I knew, not a single person had escaped the wrath of the Guild.

But that night’s event was the tipping point. I finally decided that I was through. I was through with the killing. I wanted to start over. I didn’t want to be a soldier anymore. I didn't really care that the Guild would surely find me and kill me someday; I just wanted it to be over. I knew that I couldn’t go back to my family in Dollet; the Guild would just follow me there and kill them. But I would decide what to do next once I had left.

So, I quietly climbed out of my bed, got my clothes on, grabbed all of my weapons, and snuck out of my bedroom. I crept down the hallway to the garage, and, opening the door, slipped inside. Suddenly I heard a voice shout, “Hey! You’re not supposed to be here!”

I turned in alarm to see the team commander standing next to one of the vehicles. He began to walk towards me. “You’re not supposed to be awake! What are you doing in the garage?”

I growled. Damn! Without thinking, I drew my dagger and leapt at him, sinking it into his chest before withdrawing it and watching him fall to the floor. Undoubtedly, someone had heard that… panicking, I looked around for the keys. There! They were hanging over a table. I snatched the first pair I could reach, and then ran over to the corresponding vehicle, opening the driver-side door and jumping inside. I jammed the keys into the ignition, started the car up, and pounded the pedal down, shooting out of the garage and into the night.

I drove for a while, not knowing what my destination was. I was out on the wide-open road, in the early hours of the morning, and there wasn’t a soul in sight. I didn’t have much money; only what I was carrying with me. Beyond that, I had nothing except the clothes on my back and the weapons on my belt. And so I drove onward, not knowing what was to come next…

[Rain McCloud]

It had to have been that girl again.

No doubt about it, it was the girl from before... the one who held her gun to my skull. I wonder what happened to her. I followed the sirens down to the hospital to check on both girls and to hopefully get a chance to meet that soldier who saved the younger girl. As I walked through the hospital doors, I could hear shouts and footsteps, someone was giving the staff here a hard time. It was the black haired girl again. I walked toward her, slowly, as to not alarm her more than she already was. The moment she saw me she began to back away. She remembered me from the scene before. "Hey, don't be afraid. I'm not here to fight you. You just need to calm down and let these doctors help you." She almost tripped as I was talking to her and I rushed to her side, catching her fall. "See... you are not my enemy. My name is Rain McCloud." She stares blankly at me for a few minutes as I helped her up and into the room. "I'll be here if you need me." With those words, I leave to find the other girl and that soldier dude as the nurses begin treating her wounds.

I didn't have to go very far... they were in the very next room. Doctors were around the girl and the soldier stood nearby. He looked as though he was going to leave as soon as the nurses let her be, and he could see that she would be alright. I wasn't sure of what to say, but just then, as any skilled assassin would notice, "What do you want?" I looked at him... he said it without even turning. "I just want to talk. My name is Rain McCloud. You showed skill back there in protecting this girl. Who are you?"