Disclaimer:

All Final Fantasy 8 characters belong to Square-Enix

Final Fantasy VIII

-Frozen-

Remastered Edition

Author: Chendzeea' Li

Editor: Silvi Masters

Chapter 01

Prologue

Quistis looked to the heavens, the clear sky revealed the stars in all their glory. The aurora, however, was the real spectacle. It's shifting colors dancing through the night in an awe inspiring display. She allowed herself a moment of peace and lost herself in the beauty of it.

The respite passed much too quickly and she mourned its loss. It was time to go to work. Letting her gaze drop, she scanned the shadowy little town far below the hilltop on which she stood. Sarimonte was remote, nestled at the heart of a snowy, heavily forested, island. She knew little of the place other than it's name and population; roughly two hundred hearty souls.

She checked her watch and sighed—it was late, well past midnight—before beginning her trek down the hill. She hoped the late hour was the cause of the silent darkness that drained any sense of serenity of the place. Nothing stirred here, not even the wind. As she approached she could see see that the narrow streets were heavy with snow. The town was a tomb, she knew it in her heart. A voice buzzed in her headset—Xu—acting as mission coordinator.

"Everyone is in position, Quistis. Squall and his team are north of town. He has Trevor's squad searching the lumber mill. How are things on your end? I'm not picking up any major heat sources."

Quistis frowned as she scanned the darkened streets. There was something sinister here, far worse than any normal monster or band of marauding mercenaries.

"I don't like it, Xu, this place feels... dangerous. I'm going to call them back. Have Zell and Selphie meet up with me, well handle this."

"Quistis, they have under control."

"Xu, this place is dead, something is definitely wrong here. I'm going to call Kara and her squad back, they're not ready for something like this."

"Quistis, it's fine, they've passed all their exams so far with flying colors, have some faith. Besides, they need to cut their teeth sooner or later."

"I don't know, Xu, there's something going on here, we should have found someone by now. I'm going go meet up with Kara."

"Relax, you're just being overprotective. You're not an instructor anymore, Quistis, these aren't your kids."

Quistis began to argue when a young woman's voice chimed into the line.

"We've possible contact."

"Damn it," Quistis mouthed silently. "Understood Kara, proceed with caution."

Moving with military precision, the SeeD Cadets slipped seamlessly into position, weaving in and out of cover behind snow entombed cars as they made their way to the target. Facing away from them and wearing a heavy winter coat, the figure stood unmoving in the intersection.

Kara, the squad leader, motioned for everyone to stop—eldest of the squad, she was short, squat, with a round friendly face and dirty blonde hair that hung in gentle waves down her to her shoulders.

She scanned her companions, nine total. The Cadets were fresh faced and eager for action.

"Creepy." One of them grunted at her side. Micheal was his name, Olive skinned and rugged, he was tall, unshaven with black curly hair and dull green eyes.

"Yeah, really. Go say hi." Kara grinned, clapping him on the back.

"Seriously?"

"Hey, we're here to investigate and aid the populace, so go assist and investigate."

"Alright," He chuckled, lowering his fur lined hood. Stepping out from cover he crunched nosily through the ankle deep snow as he approached the lone figure.

"Hello!" He called, somewhat jovially. "I'm from Balamb Garden, we're here to investigate a loss of communication with the mainland."

The figure remained motionless. Micheal's demeanor changed instantly, his smile fading as he drew his weapon of choice, a rune covered sub machine gun. Moving cautiously he circled around to the front of the figure.

"Excuse me..." He called once more then bristled visibly. A man stood before him, long frozen solid, his face encrusted with frost. Black sockets were all that remained of his eyes and his mouth stood agape in a distended manner that was altogether unnerving.

Startled, Michael stepped back quickly. Scanning his surroundings, he spoke hurriedly into his comm.

"This guy's dead."

Kara flinched, standing, she gestured for everyone to fan out. Instead they simply stared at her. The moment lasted only the briefest second, but was an eternity in her mind. Spinning around, she knew she was in danger.

A ghostly form of bestial insanity hovered before her. Humanoid in the most basic of sense, it was bipedal, standing over nine feet tall. Pale rotting skin clung to an emaciated form. Its long nightmarish limbs ended with hands blackened with frostbite and ending in cracked but wickedly sharp claws. Finally and worst of all, the specter had the skeletal head of a stag with towering black antlers strung with bits of gore. Madness rolled from the hollows of it's eye sockets and it twitched erratically as it hung in the air.

Kara made her move, meaning to bring her sword to bear. She was fast, but it was so much faster. With an almost casual motion made at blinding speed, the creature bent completely in half at the waist. Opening it's mouth in a perverse mockery of a snake it engulfed her entire torso and bit her in half.

Quistis heard the screams, followed quickly by the sound of frenzied combat. Her heart sank as she called to Kara for a report, but knew deep down that the girl was gone. Xu confirmed it. Clinical, ever the professional.

"Kara's gone, she's flat-lined, three others as well. I'm not registering anything on my scans. I think it's an Aberrant Guardian."

Quistis was already speeding through the streets before the report even finished. Radioing for reinforcements, she contacted her fellow SeeD.

"Selphie, Zell, converge on my position"

"Already on our way!" Zell pipped.

Rounding a corner, she entered the intersection. It'd taken barely two minutes for her to arrive on the scene, but it was too late. Nothing remained of the Cadets but bits of clothing, blood, and their weapons scattered around the area. Confused and horrified, she looked about for any sign of life.

"Xu, what the hell happened?"

Her poise partially broken, Xu seemed just as confused.

"I... I don't know... they're all gone Quistis, every one of them..."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"I've lost their signals... all of them... there's nothing."

A scream, followed by the sound of combat rang out from a nearby alley. Spurned into motion, Quistis charged forward.

"Hold on! I'm almost there!" She shouted."

As she entered the alley she was unprepared for what assailed her. A grotesque and ghostly thing rampaged in the alley. Cornered, and dodging wildly to avoid it's frantic grasp, a hooded woman was quickly running out of luck. Amazed that she was even capable of dodging the things blinding fast motions, Quistis knew she was on borrowed time.

"Get down!" She screamed, spreading both arms into the air as she channeled a spell.

Turning it's head a full 360 degrees, the thing roared at her. Then, with a burst of speed that illustrated that it'd been merely playing with its food it grabbed its would-be victim and flung her bodily at the bewildered instructor.

Forced to abort her spell, Quistis grunted heavily as they were sent tumbling by the impact, rolling back several yards across the snowy ground in a tangle of limbs before skidding to a stop. From where she lay she could see a little of the other woman's face and paused, a sense of familiarity washing over her. The beast roared again, giving her no time to ponder the strange sensation. She rose shakily to her feet, pulling the other woman up with her.

"Run!"

The woman did as she was told, half limping half running, she stumbled into the street and disappeared into the shadows beyond. Refocusing her attention on her foe, she was startled to find that it had vanished.

Instincts were a funny thing, they could save your life. It was the combination of such a thing and the speed augmenting power of her guardian forces that allowed Quistis to sense, react and counter the savage swing of the apparition as is materialized behind her.

Ducking into a spin, she fell backwards from her attacker even as she raised a hand to let loose a spell. Fire danced along her finger tips, the ground beneath the creature erupting into a massive pillar of flame.

Unfazed, it rushed through the inferno and screamed at her. The sound was shrill, like the wail of a child. She rolled to the side to avoid being trampled and came up with enchanted whip in hand. Lashing out, the silver tipped cords connected with ghostly flesh causing the thing to recoil. Keeping the weapon in motion, it danced around her like a angry serpent.

Circling, her foe glared from the pits of its hollow sockets. Heaving grotesquely it paused to vomit up a slew of human remains which it promptly caught then shoved greedily back into it's mouth. Quistis' paled as a wave of nausea rushed through her. Sensing her distraction, the thing seemed to grin in response. Taking advantage of the opening, it lunged, clearing the distance between them. It's mouth distended horrifically, it mean to swallow her whole.

With no time to dodge, Quistis reacted on instinct and tapped into erratic power of her Blue Magic. With a clap thunder, sonic waves lashed out from her circling whip and smashed into the charging beast, slowing its advance. As if in tandem with her magic, a spinning blue disk of sharpened steel whistled through the air in a wide arc that sliced deeply across the things back. The combined assault staggered the creature causing it to stumble.

Stealing a glance behind her, Quistis noted that the woman had returned and stood ready as the whirling blade completed it's trajectory. With casual and practiced ease she promptly snatched it out of the air. Everything fell into place and confirmed Quistis' suspicions

"Fujin?!" She called.

"AWAY!" Fujin screamed, gesturing wildly.

Their foe did not wait. Crouching low, it tossed back it's head back and howled. The noise was gurgling, wet, and followed by a deluge of steaming gore that covered Quistis and everything around her. The scent filled the very air with rage, hunger and blood lust. Everything went red.

Selphie arrived first, her slight frame combined with Guardian enhanced speed allowing her to skim across the top of the snow without sinking. Zell arrived soon after, barreling out of an ally on the opposite side of the street, eyes widening in horror as he took in the carnage.

The intersection was strewn with the remains of the SeeD Cadet team, Quistis at its center. Red with gore and madness in her eyes, she was twitching wildly. A feverish heat roiled off her that melted the snow for yards around, partially obscuring her in steam.

Another figure was doubled over nearby, clearly wounded and struggling to stand. Selphie recognized her instantly and readied her weapon.

"You!" She screeched, pointing at Fujin. "Zell, Fujin's here! Quisty is in trouble!" She spat, running to her friends aid.

"FOOL, STOP!" Fujin screamed at her.

Her blue eyes feverish with hunger, Quistis spun to face her companion and grinned. It was a horrible mockery of a smile, all teeth and far to wide for her face giving it an eerie, stretched look. The sheer bizarreness caused Selphie to stop in her tracks.

"Gah!" She muttered, nearly falling over as she slid to a stop. Quistis winced, the smile faltering for a second.

"Back!" Quistis gurgled, her voice sounded strained as blood frothed from her lips.

Fujin struggled to her feet and readied her weapon only to be tackled from behind as Zell entered the fray.

"Zell!" Selphie screamed pointing to Quistis. "Something's wrong!"

"Busy here Selph!" He yelled as Fujin elbowed him in the face.

"GUARDIAN! UMBRA!" She bellowed in warning.

Selphie blinked in confusion. In her rush to get to the scene she hadn't noticed the changes in the town around her. The weird angles of the buildings, the shifting shadows, the starless sky above. Everywhere she looked was a twisted simulacrum. She wasn't sure when she'd entered the effect or even how long it'd been going on.

She frowned as her stomach gurgled. She was so hungry all of a sudden. Surely nobody would mind if she just stopped a moment to get something to eat. Looking down at all the morsels scattered across the ground she felt it was such a waste. Crouching, she scooped up a handful with a wide smile on her face.

Quistis appeared in front of her.

"No don't!" She screamed, slapping her hard across the face. The sharp sting of the blow brought the world around her back into focus. Selphie, confused, looked up at her friend with tears in her eyes.

"Quisty?" She mouthed, confused.

"Selphie... put it down." Quistis said smoothly her expression strained as she took her friend by the hands.

Looking down, young woman's eyes went wide upon seeing that she was clutching a handful of viscera.

"Oh no... no no no." She began in a panic.

"It's okay you're fine! It's over," Quistis assured her.

Selphie began to hyperventilate.

"Selphie, you're okay. Calm down dear, take slow breaths. I've got you."

"What the hell?!" Zell shouted, announcing his presence by dropping Fujin's unconscious form at their feet.

"Easy!" Quistis scolded him. "She was trying to help. It was a Aberrant Guardian."

"Hyne..." Zell gasped as he saw Quistis' blood stained face for the first time.

Ignoring him, Quistis gestured to the shriveled husk of a young woman laying in the snow. Naked and frostbitten.

"That was the host, she died when I managed to Draw the thing out. I've got control of it... but it's a bad one Zell... really bad..."

"Another One?" Zell cursed. "That's like the fifth one!"

With a weary sigh, Quistis surveyed the scene for any survivors. She didn't even have to move. A quick glance told her all she needed to know.

"This thing is powerful. It's been out here a while." She murmured grimly.

The sound of powerful engines signaled the Ragnarok's approach. Moments later the fearsome shuttle roared into view and circled overhead.

Zell shook his head, he'd seen people die before, it was inevitable in their line of work, but this was something new. Drained of his normal carefree attitude he knelt beside Fujin.

"What about her?" He wondered aloud.

She was in rough shape, half starved, and thoroughly battered. Making a thoughtful face, Quistis crouched down beside them.

"I don't know honestly. Though I'm very curious as to how she ended up here."

"Who cares, let her rot!" Selphie snapped irritably, her breathing still a little ragged as she tried to wash her hands with snow. "You think Seifer has something to do with this?" She asked, barely concealed hatred in her voice.

Shaking her head, Quistis gently brushed the dirt and blood from the young woman's bruised face. Fujin stirred faintly under her touch.

"I don't think so..."

In the distance the Ragnarok had landed in a vacant lot. Squall and Xu could be seen giving orders to a team of search and rescue operatives.

Looking back down at Fujin, Quistis placed a gentle hand on the woman's forehead. Selphie looked at her warily.

"Whatcha doin boss?"

"If we want answers we'll need her awake."

Closing her eyes, she began channeling a healing spell. The effect was immediate. With a groan, Fujin groggily stumbled to her feet. Bewildered, she staggered about as if searching for something while throwing off Quistis attempts to steady her.

Zell moved to assist, only to come to a halt as he caught Fujin's glaring at him from under her bangs. Snarling, she abruptly blasted him in the jaw with a tooth rattling right hook.

Selphie, all to eager too join the fray, pulled the Nunchaku from the holster on her back and moved forward only to be interrupted by an authoritative shout from Quistis.

"Enough! Selphie, back off!" She snapped then spun to face Fujin. "And you, sit down!"

Fujin stiffened, her crimson gaze locking with Quistis' piercing blue.

Quistis could sense the warring emotions within the young woman but she did as she was told. Quistis gave a nod of thanks before checking on her teammate.

"Zell?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I guess I deserved that." He muttered, rubbing his jaw. Selphie started to say something but a quick look from Quistis stopped the words in their tracks.

"People are dead, we've more important things to worry about. You three get along until this is done. This is the only time I'm going to say it!" Nobody argued.

Squall arrived on the scene soon after, his normally stoic face was strained as he took in the slaughter. He went to Quistis for answers.

"What happened here?"

"Oh my heavens..." Xu breathed, taking in the carnage.

Quistis struggled to maintain her composure, knowing it was important that she keep in control despite the growing misery eating at her. This was her fault, she knew it. If only she'd acted sooner...

"Kara and her team encountered an Aberrant Guardian. They... they're all dead. Fujin and I were able to weaken it enough to draw it out."

Squall frowned as he looked past them and into the gore strewn intersection. Angered, Quistis stepped in front of him. Her gaze was stern and unflinching as she took him by the arm.

"Squall, they weren't ready... not for this sort of thing, none of them were..."

His eyes twitched in response.

"They knew the risks, we all do." He offered hollowly, shaking her loose.

"Squall, please, the Cadets simply aren't prepared to handle these Aberrant Guardians and it's only getting worse! How many more have to die?"

"I know Quistis... but now isn't the time." He sighed.

"Squall, I'm sorry, I really am, but don't you think we should make time? I think they earned it." She frowned, mournfully gesturing to what remained of Kara and her team.

Squall looked pained, he sympathized with her, he really did. Building up a head of steam Quistis continued, barely keeping herself in check. She was angry, not at him, not at anyone but herself, she could have stopped this. Deep in her mind she could feel the insane Guardian pushing her anger, feeding off her misery.

"Squall, this is bad. How many did we loose last time, six? How many before that? And this is worse. I... I can't go through this again. Not after everything that happened, I lost fifteen of my kids, my students, your classmates when Galbadia attacked Balamb and they were SeeDs... they were ready..."

Xu moved forward, sensing where this was going. Quistis caught the motion but continued unabated.

"Look, it's been over a year since the war and we're shorthanded. I honestly feel I can make a difference. These Aberrant Guardians are getting out of hand and I'm one of the few who are specialized in Guardian Theory, you need me in the classrooms."

"That's not my call, that's up to Xu and board of education." He countered, not wishing to be drawn into the impending argument.

"You're Garden Commander Squall, make it happen! Xu knows what we're dealing with she knows I'm right!"

Xu stepped forward, they were drawing unwanted attention.

"You two come here." She said evenly, drawing them out of earshot to continue the conversation.

Putting his hands on his hips, Squall paced a moment before composing his thoughts. Finally he faced the two women with a stern expression.

"Quistis, I'm going to be blunt. I need you in the field, you're my second in command. We need your experience. With Yurriko and the white SeeDs gone, you're the most seasoned of all of us. No one else is remotely qualified. I'm still amazed you weren't put in charge frankly."

Quistis was less than flattered by that statement, it was glaringly untrue, experience had proven it time and again.

"I'm not fit to lead Squall." She began, tossing a scathing look at Xu. "What was it they said? I get emotionally involved."

Xu folded her arms, not liking the accusatory tone in her voice. Ignoring it, Quistis moved on.

"Look, I can still do my duties in the field when need be. If anything, I can have Zell pick up some of the slack. I've taken him under my wing, he's matured a lot."

Squall looked unsure.

"Squall, you have to have faith in your teammates or they won't have faith in you. He's more than capable, trust me."

Squall watched somberly as the fallen were quietly removed from the field. He knew she was right, in fact it'd been something that had been discussed recently. Folding his arms, he regarded her thoughtfully.

"It's already in the works."

"What?"

Xu, having kept quiet decided to speak up.

"Squall and I've have already been talking about it, Cid gave his consent. All that remains is the Board of Education. We're to vote on it in a couple of days. I was on the fence, but you're right, we need you."

Quistis looked surprised and was about to speak but Xu put a hand up to stop her.

"Look, I know I've had my misgivings about your unorthodox teaching style. I still do, but to be honest we don't have the luxury of keeping you on the bench. Besides, you're popular and having you back in the classroom would do wonders for morale."

Quistis slumped visibly. She should have been relived, but instead she felt beaten. A pang of regret washed over her as she watched the grim work unfolding around her, this was all her fault.

"You okay?" Xu asked, noting the drop in her demeanor.

"Yeah, thanks, both of you."

With a uncharacteristic bit of compassion Squall put a hand on her shoulder.

"We can handle this, go rest up. That thing did a number on you."

Xu nodded in agreement.

"Good job containing it, Edea will decide what to do next."

Quistis didn't argue, the guardian was roiling in her mind. She could feel it twisting her thoughts, making her hungry. She would be more than happy to be rid of it. Until then, all she could do was try and relax.

Making her way to the Ragnarok she found Zell waiting.

"Miss Trepe? How ya doin?" He asked with his usual genuine concern.

"I'm fine." She lied, offering a hopeful smile.

"I hear ya, look it'll be be okay. It's a horrible situation but we're tough and we'll get through it. This kind of thing happens sometimes. Nothing to be done about it."

"I suppose. Thanks Zell." She said quietly before moving past him and further inside the ship.

It was quiet, everyone was in town looking for survivors. Making her way to a secluded area of the ship, she collapsed against the bulk head and began to cry. She welcomed the release and gave in freely.

She could see their faces, all of them. It wasn't even an hour ago that she'd joked with Nikolai about his funny mustache, or how Kara was worried about officers training. Now they were gone, ripped apart and devoured by the evil thing now violating her mind.

She knew it took perverse satisfaction in flooding her thoughts with the memory of what it did. The smell of blood, the taste of flesh... it took everything she had not to vomit. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

From the shadows, Fujin watched silently. This wasn't something she was meant to see. Rising from her seat, she respectfully slipped away and made her way back outside. Squall was waiting for her.

"There you are." He said evenly, his hand resting comfortably on the hilt of his gun-blade.

Fujin ran a hand through her tangled hair and regarded him coldly.

"HERE I AM."

"Did you have anything to do with this?"

She shook her head and exhaled, her breath steaming in the air.

"We got the distress call two days ago. When did this start?"

"THREE WEEKS."

"Why did they wait so long?"

"DISTRUST."

"Us? Or You?"

"BOTH."

"When did it get bad?"

"DURING STORM."

"You're the only one left?"

She simply nodded.

Squall took a breath and looked around absently a moment.

"HERE ALONE." She offered, knowing he was searching for information about Seifer.

Nodding quietly, he regarded her a moment. "You have anywhere to go?"

She stood silent, unsure how to even respond. Looking her over he simply shrugged before walking away. With a wave of his hand he gestured back to her.

"Go get some sleep. We'll be heading home soon."

To Be Continued