Driver: We're here!!!

Sarriss looks through the window of the ship. Outside there was the city of Esthar, an advanced city full filled with strange buildings and odd areas.

Sarriss:+looking+ How strange...

Shu:+popped her head through the door+ Sarriss, we're off!

Sarriss: I'm coming.

She takes a last look at the window and thinks: I just hope that I'll be fine. And goes out by the door.

The five were walking slowly in the different areas, from the air port station to the president's palace.

Rinoa:+looks around, while walking+ It reminds me old souvenirs...

Sarriss:+surprised+ Tu as dis "souvenirs"??? (you said "souvenirs"???)

They all stop, looking at the girl.

Seifer:+rude+ "Souvenir" is also an American word.

Sarriss: Yes, I know...+looks down+ It's just that, it's French of origins, so when I hear French...

Shu: Come one, let's go. We mustn't make the president wait.

Sarriss nods, and they continue to walk. They soon arrive at the palace, it was a big building, painted in blue. When they come into the meeting room, where the president was waiting, they could see a man, standing up, looking through a giant window.

Shu: President Laguna Loire of the city of Esthar, here are the Seeds that will escort you to Tears Point.

The man turns and faces the tree students, they saluted him. Rinoa smiles at Laguna, while Sarriss was looking nervously around her. Seifer wasn't feeling bad, just cool and relax; Shu makes a step.

Shu: We're ready to go.

Laguna: Alright! Just wait for some, while I learn some about them.

Shu: As you wish... I'll be waiting at Tears Point. Good luck to you all and see you later.+leaves+

Laguna:+looks at the students+ So, I know nearly you all. Rinoa, ... Seifer, ... and you... what's your name please?

Sarriss: I'm Sarriss Melford, Sir. I'm the leader of this team.+salutes again+

Laguna:+suprised+ Woaw! You don't have to do this much!+smiles+

Sarriss:+bites her hand+ I'm so nervous...+looks down+

Laguna:+comes near her, and cheers up her+ Come on! It'll be alright! Nothing will happen, believe me!

Sarriss:+tries to smile+ Thank you, Sir...

Laguna: Fine, then let's go!

They walk outside, where they stop for a moment.

Seifer: It begins.

Laguna: We will take a car from Esthar to Tears Point. It's east from here.

Sarriss, who was in front of Rinoa and Seifer, takes a look at them then nods to the president. They begin to pass through Esthar. While they were walking, Sarriss could feel spying eyes, watching over her. Sometimes she stops, with scared eyes, looking all around her.

Rinoa: Are you feeling alright?

Sarriss: Yes... it's okay. I'm just too nervous.

They continue to walk, and Sarriss was still looking all around her. Sometimes she could see the others students, hiding behind the buildings.

Laguna: Peaceful city... I love that...

Seifer: ...

Rinoa: Yeah.+smiles+ don't you think so too, Angel?

Sarriss: Hum... excuse me but... haven't you heard anything?

Laguna: Nope. Why? You heard something?

Sarriss: N, no...+thinks: Must be my imagination. Sarriss, don't be scared!+

Voice:+very low+ Argh!

Sarriss:+looking all around, scared+ What was that?!

Angel: Woof! Woof! Grr...

Rinoa: Angel! What have you got?

Seifer:+pulls out his new gunblade+ Something's wrong!

Sarriss fells down on her knees, and drops her weapon.

Laguna: Miss Sarriss!+grabs her by her arms+ Hey Sarriss, are you okay?

Sarriss: Y... yes... it'll pass...+thinks: No! Not now!+ I must... be... strong...+gets up with Laguna's help+ Thank you again...

Laguna: You sure?

Laguna still holds her arms, the brown haired girl is looking down.

Sarriss:+looks up+ Yeah.

As she looks up, she sees between the buildings, a man, dressed in black. He's holding a long rifle made with silver. There are men around him. He's aiming at the president's back, he's about to shoot...

Sarriss:+pushing Laguna down+ Everyone DOWN!!

They all get down, the shot missed. the men around begin to fire many bullets in the direction where the five were.

Seifer: Damn! We're out numbered!!

Rinoa:+holding Angel+ Sarriss, what shall we do?

Sarriss:+about to cry+ I don't know! I've got nothing of a leader!!+looks down, griting teeth, closing eyes+ I'm of no help...

She feels a hand on her back, she turns her head to the left, tears rolling down her face.

Laguna: Hey girl, never lose hope. You'll make it, we're counting on you.

Sarriss: ...+she remembers when she met Rinoa and Angel for the first time, when she hugged Seifer, when Seifer saved her and gave her his weapon, this sentence Laguna jut told her++she nods and smiles at Laguna+ Alright everyone! Rinoa, you know the city better than I, you'll go ahead first with the president to the car park. Seifer and I will stay here and cover you in need. Try to exterminate those people! I don't care who they are, I just know that they're trying to kill us! Only make prisoners, no killing. Understood?

Rinoa:+smiles back+ Right "chef"!

Seifer:+smiles back+ Sounds fun!

Sarriss: Okay, we're going at 3... 1, ... 2, ... 3!!!

Laguna and Rinoa quickly got up and ran for the car park. Seifer and Sarriss did as well, but began to attack the men.

Laguna:+runs+ You have good friends! That's important, you know.

Rinoa: Yeah!

They still run, the office is far from the palace.

Laguna:+helps her to get back on her feet+ Come on! We're almost there! ...Ouch!!

Rinoa:+surprised+ What?? Is everything alright???

Laguna:+holding his leg+ Yes! Only a cramp!

Rinoa: A CRAMP?!?!

Laguna: Yup... Wew, it passed... let's go.

Rinoa: Yes.

But men appeared and begin to fired bullets with their shot guns.

Rinoa:+covers ears+ They're mad!!!

Laguna:+show a building+ It's here! Hurry up!

Rinoa nods and they run to it. Meanwhile, Seifer and Sarriss were defending against the masked men.

Sarriss:+yells to the men+ Look, we don't wanna fight! Just put down your weapons and we will not attack you!

One the men, the one with the silver rifle, comes near them, even if he was on another foot-bridge. He smiles cruelly at Sarriss, and makes a sign to his men. Some others arrive from behind, they were having the students from Balamb.

Seifer:+whispers+ Something's odd about them...

Sarriss only nods, the men throw all the students on the ground, blood could be see on their back.

Sarriss:+shocked+ They're all... DEAD?!+hides her face in hands+ I don't want to see this!!

Seifer: Woaw! Even I won't do better.

Sarriss:+faces him, annoyed+ How could you be so Evil?! This is awful!

Seifer:+looks down+ Sorry...

Man: Now it's your turn!+aims at Sarriss with his riffle+

Seifer: RUN!!

The men begin to fire bullets at the two, while they start to run.

Sarriss: What are we going to do now??

Seifer: Hey! You're the leader, remember? You're not supposed to ask this!

Sarriss:+upset+ Yes, you're right...

Seifer:+shows a building+ Let's hide in here for the moment.

Sarriss nods, and they enter.

Sarriss:+takes a deep breath+ Wew... I'm out of power...+puts a hand on a wall+ I'm tired... HEY!!!

By putting a hand on the wall, it makes the wall turned and traps Sarriss behind the wall.

Seifer: Sarriss!!!

Sarriss: Ooh... I'm alright...+looks all around+ Now where am I?

Seifer:+comes to the wall, and tries to push it+ Damn it! It won't move! ... Sarriss, are you fine?

Sarriss: Yes, I told you. For now...+thinks: I hope I'll be for long!+

Seifer:+speaks loudly to make the girl hears him+ There's something written on the other wall.

Sarriss: Really?! What does it say?

Seifer:+looks careful at the inscription+ Well... I'm not very good at language...

Sarriss:+smiles+ Which language is it?

Seifer:+trying to use is brain and remembers what did he learn at the BGU+ Hum... Maybe... German...?

Sarriss:+comes near the wall+ I'll try to do my best to understand... Seifer can you read it to me?

Seifer: Sure.+looks carefully at the words+ Huh?+speaks with a strong accent, reading the pronunciation like in English (just imagine, it's really funny!)+ "Ce le..." How do you pronounce that?! "Labyrinte... du ..." Wha?? "savoïr..." Man, that's really hard! "pour sor... so... sotir... trouvere..." Damn! "ce don vus souhaïtee." That's all...+hears Sarriss laughing+ What's so funny?

Sarriss:+still near the wall, laughing lowly+ N... nothing... hehe...

Seifer:+gets angry+ You're laughing because of Me?!!

Sarriss: No, ... no...+laughs+ Hehehe!

Seifer: When you'll be back, I will...!

Sarriss:+stops laughing+ Hum... sorry! Well, so it says+concentrates a little+ Hehem : "It's the labyrinth of knowledge. To get out, find what you're dreaming about."

Seifer:+impressed+ Woaw! You're pretty good at German!

Sarriss:+smiles+ That's because it's French!+laughs loudly+

Seifer:+really angry, and red of confusion+ SARRISS!!!! HO YOU ...!!! GET OUT OF HERE!!!!!

Sarriss: Never!!!+laughs+ You're so funny when you speak French!+laughs+

Seifer:+angry+ So stay here! I'm outta here!

He sits down with his blade and does not make anymore noise. Sarriss hears the sound of something like a monster's cry.

Sarriss:+looks everywhere+ Hum... Seifer...?

Seifer:+calms down+ What?

Sarriss: Are you trying to scare me?

Seifer:+gets angry+ What did I do now?

Sarriss: Weren't you mimicking some kind of monster's cry?

Seifer:+misunderstanding+ No. Why?

Sarriss:+scared+ Oh... Seifer, I'm scared!

Seifer:+gets up+ Scared of what?

Sarriss: There's something coming in my way...

Seifer: Just be ready to fight! I'll try to reach you by finding another way!+runs in the corridors+

Sarriss:+yells+ Please hurry! Oh non, Ils arrivent! (oh no, they're coming!)

About ten skeletons appeared from the left part of the corridor. They're a bit far from her, but they've noticed her. Sarriss isn't able to move, as her fear was too much.

Sarriss:+thinks: I mustn't cry! I must be strong, for Seifer!+

She pulls out the Hyperion and faces those moving skulls. They were having edging blades and long shields. They walk slowly in her direction, decide to exterminate her.

Sarriss: I will face you! I'm not scared.

While Sarriss was preparing herself, Seifer was running through those long corridors.

Seifer:+thinks: Sarriss... I hope she's alright... Please wait for me...+

As he was running, he can also hear strange sounds, like the ones that Sarriss has described him. But he just doesn't care, his only goal is to find where the girl is. In some ways, this was the first he cared so much for someone. He was always angry at the others, showing his weapon whenever he felt annoyed by people.

* * *

Laguna:+driving a car+ Will your friends be fine?

Rinoa:+laughs+ No worrying about Seifer! He's strong and won't let anyone touch him+thinks: Maybe except for Sarriss...+ It's just Sarriss...+looks down+

Laguna: Why? She's ill?

Rinoa: Well, you can say that... all of a sudden she feels bad and... Poof!

Laguna: That means?

Rinoa: She falls down, unconscious on the ground. And for how many time? We don't know, she wakes up when she's better.

Laguna:+looks down+ Ho, I see...

Rinoa: Edea thinks that she could be possess... I'm sure she's wrong!

Laguna: So, Sarriss won't be able to become Seed... Am I right?

Rinoa: I wish that you're wrong. But the way she feels...+looks down+ weaker and weaker each day...

Laguna: Even if she's really good, as I could see; her sickness ruined her life...

Rinoa: Yes...+a tear falls down on her face+ Please let's talk of something else, or I think I'm gonna cry...

Laguna: It's okay Rinoa... but it's not hardest for you... Sarriss is the one who suffers the most. She worked so hard to realize that because of a stupid illness, she won't be able to do it. And even if she's the best, even she makes it twice or more, she just can't...

Rinoa: ...

Laguna:+shows a place not far from them+ Look, it's Tears Point!

The car continues his way to the center of the place, where Shu was waiting.

Laguna: Okay, let's get down.

Laguna, Angel and Rinoa get down the car and walk to the instructor.

Shu: There you are! You've done quickly.+looks at them+ ... Wait a second! Rinoa, where are Sarriss and Seifer? Are they alright?

Rinoa: Well...+looks down+ we've been attacked by masked people who wanted to kill the president...

Shu: Dear! Are you hurt, president?

Laguna: No, thanks to Sarriss. She's noticed them before they could shoot on me.

Shu: So were are they?

Rinoa: Sarriss decided to take care of them with Seifer while I and the president will escape to Tears Point.

Shu: So they're still there...+looks down+ We must go back and find them! Come on Rinoa, we don't a second to lose.+walks to the car+

Laguna: Wait!

Shu: Yes?

Laguna: I'm going too. Somewhere I sense something special about this girl, and also, I know this city better than anyone.

Rinoa: Alright then, let's go!

They run to the car and get in.

* * *

Sarriss: Come on! Show me what you're made of!

The ten knights run to her and begin to attack her. Sarriss tries to stop their moves, but they're outnumbered. She steps back, as one of them hits her at the left arm.

Sarriss:+screams in pain+ No!!!

Still running, he stops, he heard a voice.

Seifer: Sarriss?

He restarts to run, wondering if the way he choose was the right one. Maybe he has already got lost, since the first path he took? But there was no time to quit : someone was counting on him. He slows down as he arrives at many ways path.

Seifer:+angry+ Damn! I've already been here five minutes ago!+looks down+ I... I can't do it...

He walks slowly in the path and takes the middle way. It turns into a small corridor, where light was brought by some candles on the walls. From far, Seifer realizes that there someone, sitting down, against the wall. It looks like it is...

Seifer: ... Sarriss?

He ran to the body, and saw the worse thing he could ever see. Sitting against the wall, ... yes, it was Sarriss' body. She had her eyes closed, her head was against her shoulder. On her long coat, blood has fallen, it was filled of fresh blood. Her coat was ripped, her face was all wounded. She was... dead...

Seifer: Sarriss! Sarriss!!! Answer me!!!

He grabs her body and shakes it against his chest. Tears comes to his face, even if he want to... he couldn't hold them back. The pain was too strong for him. It was anger, it was sadness... it was...

Seifer:+crying+ I... I...

This feeling so strange that has come to his "stone heart" as some called it... Now was released... Something that makes the heart warm, something that makes the world going on... He could felt now, and because of it, his blood was now freezing, his body was all shivering... He couldn't stop crying, he just couldn't... it was the first time he cried and he felt vulnerable, he felt like a simple human, trapped by fate...

... Love...

Seifer: I love you... Sarriss...

The candles were half gone, the light began to fade... now he was half surround by darkness... But he didn't care, the only thing he could feel was pain... he was still shaking Sarriss' body... The only one he cared about, ... now... gone... How could this be?

Seifer: I've failed her...

Suddenly the body of the poor Sarriss begins to disappear. Seifer tries to hold it, but it's no use... it disappear in his hands and the light fades more than earlier.

Seifer:+crying+ NOOooo!!!!!!! SARRISS!!!!!!

He lets himself sit down against the wall, and cries as he never cry before...

He loses all his hope. He has lost everything important in his miserable life.

Everything will matter now... she was gone...

And nothing will really matter anymore... his life was ended...

* * *

Sarriss:+thinks: I can't hold them anymore!+

She steps back, once more, looking behind her. There was a path she can take. Blood was falling down from her coat and also, it was pouring on her all arm, which made her hand covered by pearls of blood.

Sarriss:+thinks: I mustn't lose!+

She steps back faster and chucked herself against the wall. The ten undead knights were still walking in her direction, slowly, but when they will be near her, they will attack her angrily and kill her without having any regrets or other feelings related to sadness... or maybe, because they hadn't kill her the way they wanted.

Sarriss:+thinks: "nice program" Seifer will say+

She turns her head to the right, and looks at the other corridor. The sealing was close to her head, the light was rare but there with some candles. They wall were made in something that you could tell it has nothing really new, or technologic... stones. She suddenly hears the sounds of footsteps, her blood freezed : coming from the other path, skeletons warriors appeared. They were about 10 like the other group of soldiers, ready to kill her.

Sarriss:+thinks: Non!+ (no!)

She sits down, in the corner, and begins to cry.

Sarriss:+crying, and thinks: There's no hope! I can't do it! I'm too weak!+

She suddenly feels bad, she's about to fall down, once again. But she doesn't care about that, she's alone and she is about to die. The way she was feeling her having no fears... she was sad... she was alone...

Sarriss:+thinks: W... where are you?+

She looks up and sees those skulls' crowd still making their way to her. She closes her eyes for a second, they are hot.

Sarriss:+lowly+ Seifer...

She couldn't feel her body anymore, as it was too much tired and sick.

Sarriss: Je t'aime... Seifer...

She closes her eyes. She saw for a last time, the things that were the most important to her. She shakes her gunblade in despair, against her. Sarriss has lost her hope...

Nothing will go against her... she doesn't care anymore...

Nothing will protect her... she'll die in a few seconds...

* * *

Rinoa:+looks at the buildings+ Where are they???

Shu: They should be near...

Rinoa: Or maybe they're...+looks down, cries+

Laguna: No way Rinoa! They won't die so easily!

Shu:+looks around+ Wait a minute! Isn't that a rose's petal?!

Laguna: What?+looks carefully+ ... Yes it is. Why?

Rinoa/Shu: A white rose?!

Laguna: Yeah, it's a white rose's petal. What does that mean?

Shu: That Sarriss' inside This building!+begins to run to it+

Laguna: No, wait!

Rinoa: What else now?!

Laguna: This building is cursed, noone as ever returned from here!

Rinoa: I don't want them to die!

Shu: Me too. What shall we do now?

Laguna: We have to wait, until they...+looks down+ may come back...

Shu and Rinoa nod.

* * *

Seifer:+with red eyes, because he cried to much, but he still cries+ I wish... I could reach...

Sarriss: I wish... "he"...

Seifer: "her"...

Sarriss: Could be here...

Seifer: ... Sarriss...

Sarriss: Seifer...

The light became to shimmer, and blinded the two students. They stood up, even if they couldn't see anything. When everything came to normal, Seifer stands in the middle of a big and high lighted room. A bit far from him is standing a female figure he believe it is. "she"'s holding a large blade and is turning her back to him, Seifer isn't able to see her face. He makes a step ahead, and looks carefully at this figure.

Seifer: ... S... Sarriss ...?

The girl so far from him turns and let him see her face, she is crying. She has beautiful brown her and dark brown eyes.

Sarriss: Seifer???

Seifer: Sarriss!

They run into each other, and Seifer takes her in his arms. Sarriss is crying, but she holds him, hands around his neck. Seifer feels like all his strength is back and that he could brave anything.

Sarriss: I'm so glad that you like me...

Seifer: You made a mistake.

Sarriss:+looks up at him misunderstanding+ Really?

Seifer: Not "like", "love"...

Sarriss: You really do?!

Seifer:+smiles+ How about you?

Sarriss:+truly red!+ Well I...+smiles and put her head on his chest+ I love you Seifer.

Seifer:+with a beautiful accent+ Je t'aime aussi, Sarriss.

Sarriss:+amused+ Where did you learn that?

He only smiles back at her but does not answer. Seifer gets his lips to Sarriss', she looks up and slowly close her eyes and... for the first time... they kissed...

* * *

Outside, Shu, Rinoa, Angel and Laguna are waiting for Sarriss and Seifer to come out of the building. When Quistis, Selphie, Zell and Irvine arrived.

Quistis: We're here!

Irvine: We've done as fast as possible.

Shu: Thank you everyone.

Selphie: Let's go inside that goofy building!

Zell:+still angry+ If Seifer has touched Sarriss, I swear that...

Quistis: Alright, alright... let's go!

The four came near to the building. Selphie looks at Irvine.

Selphie: You enter it first!

Irvine: Okay, okay... I'd like to be a gentleman but if you really insist...

Quistis: IRVINE!!!!

Irvine: Alright! Where's the fire anyway ...?

He slowly opens the front door and they all get in at the same time.

Irvine:+yells, because he thinks that Sarriss and Seifer are far from him+ Sarriss! Seifer! We've come to ...

And yes, in front of them, Seifer got Sarriss in his arms, and they're passionately kissing... Beautiful scene, isn't it?

Quistis:+thinks: Oh my God!+

Irvine:+thinks: Sniffle... now she's gone from me...+

Selphie:+thinks: Now Zell, can really kill Seifer! He touched her!+

Zell:+thinks: Aren't they supposed to be lost??+