The old books before Ultimecia were quite yellowed with age, and had a smell about them reminiscent of Callie herself. In that way, they were a true testament to the time both they and their owner had been in existence. That alone was enough to deem them sacred in the young girl's mind.

They went further, though. Those books were crammed to the binding with knowledge more valuable to Ultimecia than any amount gold ever would be. As she opened the books, she was careful not to tear the brittle paper, or to crack the ancient spines. Breathing deep, she took in the scent of the ages and readied herself for her studies.

Her eyes acted as two windows to her mind, and she shoved the information in as fast as she could through those portals. As she read, her eyes flew over the pages, the ability to read seemingly instinctive. The writings of Cid Kramer, President Laguna Loire, and even older scholars, came to life through their words, each one a message from a time of learning and reason rather than money and politics.

Callie had constantly insisted that Ultimecia was being naive, and that men had always been corrupt souls. In fact, she insisted that even the words of President Loire were tainted by biases he himself held toward other nations and people. It was the way of the world, she tried to explain, that men would lead average lives and still try to make themselves sound quite grand on paper.

"The important thing," she had once told her, "is that you can take from the text the lesson of the words, not the man. The man is imperfect, but the words are not the property of anyone. They can show the world that a perfect thought can come from an ignorant mind. Develop yours to know the difference!"

She devoured her history lesson, reading the account of the Galbadian takeover of Dollet, the liberation by Trabian forces, and even the assassination of the Galbadian President by a militant organization known as the Forest Foxes. It seemed to her that Galbadia had made many obvious errors in their attempt to overthrow the Dollet Parliament. Then she read about the destruction of the southern continent by the Lunar Cry... a theory that some scientists still deemed preposterous. The various viewpoints were all expressed, and then she wrote her three-page summary of her lesson.

Then came math. In this subject she truly excelled, but she cared for it very little. So many theorems and formulae, she would have preferred to keep learning about the world.

"Math," Callie had said, "is not something that I place too much stock in myself, but it is important to know where men have gone wrong and see how far off track they are. Once you know where they are coming from, it will be that much easier to deal with them."

She never pressed the point, and Callie never elaborated on it. Ultimecia merely continued her work, never bothering to look up until it was all completed. She hoped that she never learned all that there was to know. The thrill of being able to discover so many new things was in and of itself a wonderful thing. Every new fact was like a large, delicious ice cream cone that she had to but bite into to taste heaven itself.

In the end, she was always tired, and Callie would sit her down and talk with her about what she had learned. That evening, they planned to discuss history. Ultimecia, however, planned on turning history to her own advantage.

"Why," Ultimecia asked, "do we know so little of the sorceresses throughout history? It seems to me like they would be on every page of every book."

Callie frowned slightly, and said, "I have told you that we will have that discussion sometime in the future. When you are ready, I will tell you all about the sorceresses..."

The phone suddenly rang, and Callie rose to answer it, calling back to her student, "Please read more on the Adel atrocities. I will be back in a moment."

Ultimecia did pick up the book on Estharian history, but her attention was on the conversation that Callie was having on the phone. As she listened, she could hear bits of the exchange that piqued her interest.

"Yes, Senator... of course! Oh, we wouldn't miss it for the world! ....Yes, she is quite an amazing young child. I am very lucky to have her company.... Yes, I plan on bringing her with me. ...and the report that I asked you for? Fine then, I shall see you in three days! Splendid, good bye!"

She hung up, and Ultimecia quickly ducked her head behind her book. Her eyes quickly scanned the text and she set the book down with enough confidence to know that she could answer most of Callie's questions. Callie did not ask any, though. Instead, she sat down and began to speak. "That was Senator Gradey of the Galbadian Senate, a representative of the National Defense Council. He is hosting a banquet in the capital of Deling City for the dedication of the Republic's one-hundredth anniversary and the nomination of new presidential candidates. We have been invited to attend as the last remaining members of the Deling family."

"Really?" Ultimecia gasped, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. She had always wanted to see the city that Callie had grown up in, as well as attend a formal party. Every feeling in her body hummed in pleasure, and she stood up excitedly.

"A real party? Oh wow...!"

Callie giggled at Ultimecia's reaction and sat her down, hating to tell her exactly what happened at the parties in Galbadia.

"It will be very dull, I'm afraid," she said, "and there will be mostly discussion over political matters. As a former advisor, I am expected to personally nominate a candidate for the presidency. You'll probably fall asleep within the first hour or so..."

"No I won't!" Ultimecia objected, "I'll love it! I'll get to wear a nice dress and talk with people who write books, and..." Her voice trailed off as she ran out of the room, and Callie could hear her child's closet door fly open. Unable to suppress a laugh, she followed into her bedroom.

As Ultimecia removed dress after dress from the closet, her guardian sat on her bed and asked almost nonchalantly, "You had another thought last night, didn't you?"

The dresses stopped flying out of the closet, and the child poked her head around the door. Patting the bed, Callie made room for Ultimecia to sit down, and the young girl did.

"It's that obvious, huh?" she asked, and Callie nodded.

"You are very euphoric today. Everything seems to excite you all the more than usual, and that is quite a bit. Would you like to tell me what it was about?"

"I would," she answered, her words soft and graceful, "but I don't really know much else. I was sitting on a beach, and I wanted to go swimming, but a lady wouldn't let me. She said it was dangerous and that the other children weren't allowed to go in, either. Then I looked over and there were other kids, and they wanted me to play with them! I was so happy that I forgot about swimming, and then we played so many games. Then the sun began to go down, and the lady came back to tell the other children that it was time to go inside. I was about to follow them when I woke up."

Callie scratched her chin and thought about what Ultimecia had just told her.

"A lady, huh? What did she look like?"

"I don't remember..." Ultimecia replied truthfully. "She seemed very nice, though."

Again, Callie scratched her chin. She thought carefully before she spoke next, wanting to tell her girl only what had to be known before they went to Galbadia. It was very early, but if the child was already having those same thoughts...

"There is an inner power," she began, "that every sorceress hold the key to in her heart. The love and strength of a sorceress can be powerful things on their own, but if all sorceresses were to come together, the result would be beyond description."

Ultimecia blinked quizzically, uncertain of what her teacher was trying to say. What she did understand was that she was finally hearing about the sorceresses, and that had gained her fullest attention.

"The ability to manipulate and reshape the very core of reality to create a true utopia has been the goal of every sorceress alive since before anyone can remember. That combined ability is referred to in languages and civilizations long forgotten by time. Only now, through the hearts of all sorceresses, can we speak of it in words that we can understand."

"What is it?" Ultimecia asked, her hands shaking as Callie spoke. She had never seen her teacher so serious or so uneasy. Even in such extreme youth, with no true concept of infinity, the importance of this power was made very clear, and it frightened her as well.

"In this language, one could call it simply Time Compression. It is having the very fabric of time placed within your hands and molding it as you choose. This power is not very well known, but in circles where this knowledge flows freely, there are many who fear it."

"They fear the sorceresses?" Ultimecia asked, still trying to understand the idea of time being related to fabric, "but aren't their hearts full of love? Isn't that what makes a sorceress?"

Shaking her head, Callie clasped one of her child's hands tightly.

"I only wish that were true. There have been those who perverted their hearts with hatred, jealousy, and pain and still have been able to gain the title. One name you might recognize that became little more than a witch with her evil ways was the sorceress who ruled Esthar for many years. Her name was Adel."

A sick, twisting sensation filled Ultimecia's stomach. In her own innocent mind, she had pictured the sorceresses as perfect beings who would do the world no harm. They loved everyone and used their mysterious powers to help those in need.

But now, hearing that Adel, too, was a sorceress... it was too much to bear. Her fantasy came to a crashing halt, and reality poked its head in, forcing open the blinders within her mind to recall the stories she had heard about the creature known as Adel.

The former ruler of Esthar, Adel had butchered thousands in meaningless assaults on every nation in the world, her vanity sending millions more to prisons and workhouses to build her technological empire. Her bloody campaign would have been much longer, had not President Loire interceded. He deposed the fiend, and she was sent into exile on a space colony.

Familiar tears formed in Ultimecia's eyes. She could not believe what she was hearing, and she clasped her hands over her ears to keep out any more of the truth. She knew that she was being childish, but she didn't care. The noble hearts she believed in were no longer so noble, and nowhere near as pure.

"I loved all of the sorceresses!" she sobbed, her voice broken in anguish, "I thought... I thought they were so, so beautiful!"

"Oh my lamb!" Callie cried, and hugged her girl close to her, "Oh my darling, I know. Believe me, I know only too well. You wanted so much to think of the sorceresses as angels. It cannot be that way, though, my dear, dear babe! They are just as human as you or I, and their hearts can be filled with just as much rage and grief as ours. They are not gods. They have paths to choose just as we do. Adel chose the wrong path, but that doesn't mean that all sorceresses have or will!"

Ultimecia's body still shook mildly as she sat in Callie's embrace, but it was apparent that she was calming down. When finally she did stop her tears, she said to her teacher, "I don't ever want to be like that."

"And you never will," Callie promised her, running her fingers through her silken hair. "You are going to be the great life that saves this world, my child. You are going to save us all."

With that, she slowly raised herself from the bed and began sorting through dresses.

"Enough of this fussing!" she proclaimed. "Let's see what we can find for a young princess to wear to a banquet, shall we?"

Ultimecia looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes. Smiling broadly, she hoped down from the bed and helped Callie in the selection process.

Chapter 6

The train bound for the Galbadian Republic was very cramped. It had, after all, been built to accommodate no more than one hundred very important persons within its marble-laden splendor. Now, however, there were one hundred and twenty-one dignitaries, Ultimecia herself among them. It was rather boring for her, as all anyone talked about was the imminent Galbadian elections. She wanted to discuss the country itself, and how it had survived as one of the world's oldest nations. She wanted to find out more about what the children there did for fun, and she wanted to hear more about the Deling family, Callie's own kin.

Callie was one of those who were forced to mingle with the Estharian elite during the trip, and was unable to attend to Ultimecia's amusement. Instead she gave short renditions of her election proposal to the assembled senators and cabinet members. President Udine was not in attendance, though. He would arrive via special transport later that day pending an audience with the Dollet Parliament.

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Ultimecia turned toward Callie, who was dressed in ceremonial Esthar robes of Congress, but also wearing her Galbadian family broach. As the old lady spoke before a group of five senators, her eyes blazed indignantly with each fiery word.

"And I still say that Caraway was nothing more than a coward! He would have used any means of gaining the office of president that he could, and the fact that he staged a coup in a time of peace only proves this! Now you want to elect his great-great grandsire on grounds of name recognition?! Think of whom we would be dealing with! A man barely capable of attending a dinner meeting without making rude noises or making passes at the officials' wives. No, gentlemen, Fenix Caraway will NOT receive my nomination, no matter how much of a show he puts on tonight."

One of the senators interjected. "But Ms. Deling, we both know that it doesn't matter who the president of Galbadia is as long as we are able to control their Congress! After we won the war, they agreed to allow us full control over the nomination process, and..."

"I don't need a history lesson from you, Senator Aldrict. I know very well that we cannot fail no matter whom we choose, but do remember how our choice reflects back upon Esthar! All credibility with Timber and Trabia will fall, and the Shumi..."

Ultimecia had heard enough. Callie could handle all of the politics she wanted, but her student would have none of it. How she wished Callie would just give up her ties to the Senate! All politics seemed to do was turn people into mean spirited backstabbers like Senator Aldrict, whom Callie had given a few choice words on in the past.

Of course, she was still too innocent to make the connection that it was these men who had created the extreme conditions of poverty in the lesser regions of Esthar, but their arrogance and posturing was enough for her to condemn them by. Opening up her textbook, Ultimecia began to read a rather large book silently, tuning out the squabble behind her.

It was a book that Callie has surprised her with just before they left Esthar. On the cover, faded golden lettering spelled out the title Hyne and Her Legacy. It told about the first sorceress, Hyne, who came from simple origins much like Ultimecia's. She was very beautiful, very powerful, but also very vain. In fact, as Ultimecia read on, she was horrified to learn that her vanity had lead to not only the enslavement of the world, but also a massacre from which Adel must have drawn inspiration. Even through the years, the brutal cries of anguish and bloodthirsty reign of Hyne made its way into Ultimecia's thoughts, and she would find herself a part of a very different world... one constantly at war, people knowing nothing but pain and hardship.

Yet she never let her thoughts carry her too far. That was always the danger of becoming a part of history - that you might very well be unable to escape.

Still, it was very important, Callie had said, that she read about Hyne's errors and learn from them rather than learn of them later. As long as her thoughts wandered no further than the text itself, she would be fine, and the lesson learned would be far more of a credit to the world than if she were to pretend that Hyne had simply never happened.

"Ultimecia?" Callie suddenly called out, "would you come here for a moment, my dear?"

Rising from her seat, she did her teacher's bidding, and squeezed past various suits and dresses, all far too tall for her to see faces in that maze of satin and silk. As she pushed her way to Callie, book still wrapped in her arms, she smiled just as she was taught. It was her job, Callie had said, to be agreeable, no matter how pompous the politicians behaved.

"This," Callie announced as Ultimecia stood by her guardian, "is Ultimecia Chere Deling, heiress to the Deling family fortune. Ultimecia, these are Senators Aldrict, Halzih, Fortes, Kelm and Drismen."

Book and all, Ultimecia curtsied and widened her smile. The senators each let out their own reference of adoration. After the embarrassing yet inevitable cooing, Senator Kelm looked Ultimecia in the eyes and asked, "How old might you be, young lady?"

After genetics testing done by the doctors in Esthar, Callie and Ultimecia had been able to determine her birth date down to the hour. Before answering the Senator's question, however, Ultimecia decided it might be fun to play with him for a bit.

"Now, Senator," she mewed, "is it truly proper to ask a lady's age, especially when you have only just met her?"

Having never been addressed by a child in such a manner, Senator Kelm was flustered, truly having no idea how to respond. The other Senator's and Callie all had a great laugh at his expense, and to show grace as well as wit, Ultimecia decided to save him from his own befuddlement.

"I am eleven and a half years old, sir, and very pleased to meet you."

"I, uh, yes," he said, taking her hand and kissing it lightly. "I am very pleased as well to have you and your...?"

"Grandmother." Callie said helpfully.

"Ah, yes, your grandmother here with us today. Are you at all interested in politics yourself?"

Ultimecia feigned a blush, at which she was particularly adept, and let out a small chuckle. "Oh no no no! I would never think to ever be able to rise to the level of knowledge and unquestioned experience necessary for so lofty a position!" Inwardly she was tickled pink to be able to use all of those words in a conversation with someone other than Callie. Each one tasted of honey as it fell from her lips, and for once, she felt as though talking with the impish men might provide a bit of enjoyment after all.

"I daresay," she added, "that I should never be able to make much sense out of the political world!"

"You tease us, Callie!" said a shocked Senator Halzih, "How could you expect us to believe this child to be only eleven years old! You said she was gifted, but such sagacity of speech from one so young..."

"Your pardon, sir," Ultimecia begged, "but I am eleven and a half, after all, and much can happen in six months to add to one's general knowledge!"

She watched as they all had a laugh, including Callie, and she was quite pleased. Any favorable impression she made on them, she reasoned, must reflect well upon Callie. She could do her part to help her loving benefactor; it was the least she could do.

"So what plans have you, then, Miss Ultimecia, for the future?" asked Senator Drismen, his speech somewhat stuffy. She looked to Callie for help, and received a cautious stare. Her dreams would have to be put to the social backburner, she realized.

"I imagine that a living maintaining the family estate is to be my lot in life," she said after a short pause. The Senators all nodded and murmured their agreement with what they saw to be a noble undertaking.

"The Deling family shall always hold a special place in the world, then," Senator Halzih added dryly. "To the Deling family!"

They all raised their glasses to the toast and Ultimecia was pleased beyond description. Certainly, her first meeting with important officials could not possibly have gone better. Now she would not only be tolerated on the trip, but also appreciated as an important person herself. Children, she mused, did not have to do much to gain the affection and attention of impressionable adults.

Just then, the conductor of the train made an announcement over the loudspeaker. The car grew quieter as he said, "We are now within Galbadian borders. Our time of arrival, distinguished guests, is but ten minutes more. Please take your seats until we have arrived. Thank you."

Ultimecia took this announcement as her dismissal, and she quickly found her way back to her seat. Opening her book, she began reading while simultaneously thinking about the conversation she had just had. Men in power, it seemed, had lonely souls. They treated her like they would their own daughters. It was no surprise, though, as she could feel that they had no children of their own. Halzih himself had lost a child. She could hear it in every agony-soaked word that he had spoken to her. While others could not sense his pain, Ultimecia could feel it easily, and it was like a fire burning behind her eyes. There was nothing more horrifying, she then understood, then watching a man's soul die right before one's eyes.

In any case, all she could do was read and think, always careful of falling too deep into her book. The past would have to remain within those yellow pages, just as Halzih's would also have to be put behind him. It was a lesson she was very proud to have taught herself.

Chapter 7

The Galbadian Hotel in New Deling City was far removed in importance from the Presidential Residence, but also more of a neutral ground to which the election procedure could be discussed by the Galbadian and Estharian officialdom.

Callie and Ultimecia had long since been checked into their suite and were now sitting at a long table in the dining hall of the hotel. Joining them were officials from Esthar's senate and the Galbadian Presidential hopefuls. Ultimecia had wisely brought along her book, knowing that she would be needing some sort of a reprieve from the lengthy speeches and addresses that Callie had warned her of.

As Ultimecia read, she could feel herself drifting away, the words of the speakers becoming more and more garbled until they simply did not exist at all. She was not falling into the book, but she knew where her thoughts were taking her now. She was going back to the sea.

The sun was so warm, and she was able to lie on the beach without any cares, soaking in the delicious heat as the soft waves caressed her feet. Aimlessly tracing her fingers in the sand, she sighed and watched as the clouds floated slowly by. She had grown quite used to this beach, having allowed her thoughts to take her there many times before. Callie had no idea how many times she ventured into the unknown realm, and she herself didn't really care. There, alone with the breath of the sea, nothing really mattered to her, but that would instantly change.

A shadow then covered her body, and she could feel a chill as the sun was blocked from her. Sitting up with a slight shiver, she looked over to whatever had caused her discomfort. It was a boy, and he stood there silently, his eyes innocuous and pure. He looked to be about as old as she was, perhaps a bit older. He was unlike any of the other children she had met before on the beach. He was radiant, as though he too shared the heart of love Callie claimed on Ultimecia possessed; in fact, Ultimecia was certain he did.

She was unable to speak at first, so she was very glad when he spoke first. Running a hand through his brown hair, he asked Ultimecia, "Are you new here?"

Without thinking, she replied, "Sort of. I've never seen you before." Then, as if all else mattered not, "This place is so beautiful."

"I guess so," the boy answered, and he sat down next to her. Ultimecia felt a tingle go through her body as his arm brushed hers delicately. In an instant, she could feel something she had never felt before, and it was both strange and wonderful at the same time. Wherever she was, whoever the boy was, she didn't care. She just never wanted to leave. He was like her. They were supposed to be together. No more thought than that was necessary, no words adequate to express her sudden inner peace. Contentedly, she sighed and looked out toward the water, her mind quiet save but one thought: she must hold his hand.

Without asking, she took his hand in her own, and he did nothing to protest. He merely tightened his own grip almost unnoticeably. Smiling, she looked down and saw a ring on his finger. It was too large for him, looking as though it belonged to a man. On it was etched the head of a lion.

"That's very pretty," she said, gesturing toward the ring. The boy also smiled and looked down at it. Without taking his hand from Ultimecia's, he removed the ring and held it out to her.

"It's for you, then," he said without guile. "It would look even better on you."

Wide-eyed, Ultimecia breathed, "But I can't take this from you!"

They stayed that way for a moment, neither one saying a word or moving. In that perfect instant, nothing could be said or done. All they had to do was be. She knew that they had been created of a moment to be the life of each other. She loved this boy in a way she could not describe. Almost breathless, she felt her heart beating in time with his, and neither one knew what it was that they were feeling.

"I call him Griever," the boy said of the ring. "He keeps me safe when I'm alone. I want him to keep you safe from now on."

Ultimecia watched as he slid the ring on her finger, and she began to cry, feeling the reassuring weight of the thing, warm from his own hand.

"But what will keep you safe when you are alone?" she asked softly, almost inaudibly as her lips trembled.

"I'll think of you," the boy said, and he wiped away her tears of joy with his free hand. "I'll think of you and I'll never be afraid again."

They sat together and watched the waves roll peacefully in and out again, and Ultimecia let her head fall on the boy's shoulder. Somehow, she knew that she must leave him, but never for long. She would always be back for him. For now, she would sit and be with her other half, the light of her soul.

It was hours before they heard a call in the distance. The woman in the black dress was calling out to them. Somehow, Ultimecia knew that she would be there when the time came for her to go.

"Squall!" called the woman, "Come on, sweetheart! It's time to come in now!"

Squall. That was his name. She tried it our silently on her tongue as she had her own name when it was fresh and new. Now she had a name to come back to as well.

He stood and offered her his hand to help her up. As she grabbed it, she felt him squeeze gently and say, "Now you know me. Who are you?"

Smiling into his steely eyes, Ultimecia gave him her name. As he repeated it once, he, too, smiled.

"Do you want to come with me, Ultimecia?"

She released his hand and hugged him suddenly, whispering so only he could hear her, as if they were in a room filled with many people.

"I'll be here waiting for you. I promise." The tears began to flow once more. "When you need me, I'll be here."

"And I'll be here for you," he said, shaking somewhat. Looking over his shoulder toward the woman, he said, "I'd better go."

Ultimecia nodded and watched as he ran toward the woman, waving as he stopped to look back at her. When he finally reached her, she closed her eyes, and could begin to hear applause and whistling. In a moment, she would be back, ready to face the trials of a boring formal dinner.

Chapter 8

"Are you all right, dear?" Callie asked quietly as the room burst into applause over an impressive speaker. Ultimecia nodded, but realized the tears in her eyes. Wiping them away, she smiled widely and beamed, "Yes, I feel very well indeed!"

Callie smiled back and replied, "We'll talk more about this later."

Ultimecia said nothing and sat back, completely content. She almost didn't even notice when the woman sitting next to her asked her a question.

"Not too much fun to be sitting here, huh?"

Ultimecia turned to her on a reflex, having not even heard the woman's query. Realizing that she had been spoken too, she immediately apologized.

"Oh, I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Just wondering if you're having as much fun as I am," the woman answered, the sarcasm in her voice comic enough to draw a faint grin on Ultimecia's young face. The lady was very pretty, with straight red hair and a pair of hazel eyes that sat evenly within a well-tanned, youthful face. She wore an elaborate evening gown with white and black trim which bordered almost upon prudishness, were it not for the way it flowed majestically over her athletic frame. Ultimecia found that she trusted this person instantly, though her own feelings said little, as they were quite exhausted from her last thought.

"My name is Llnaya Alaster. What is yours?"

"Ultimecia Deling," she answered without pause. "Are you a Senator?"

Llnaya simply laughed. It was a pretty, melodic sound that was neither piercing nor clumsy... almost controlled. Whatever the case, Ultimecia liked the sound. It reminded her of the beach and...

Regardless, she found herself ready to engage in conversation, which was all the better, since Callie was holding court with several Senators and the presidential nominees. Llnaya quickly answered her question, and it was the start of a long but refreshing discussion.

"No, I'm not, but my uncle is. He's a Galbadian Senator named Gradey. Do you know him?"

"Yes!" Ultimecia answered readily, "he's the man who invited Cal... my grandmother and me here for dinner."

"So your family has ties with Galbadia then...? Oh," she interjected, as if abruptly recollecting something obvious, "you are a Deling! Of course my uncle would know your family! What brings you both here tonight?"

"My grandmother has a nomination for the Galbadian Presidency that she wishes to make. Other than that, I think we're just visiting as Senator Gradey's guests."

Llnaya clapped her hands together soundlessly and uttered happily, "Oh, then you'll be able to take a tour of the city with me, then?"

The idea seemed very good to Ultimecia, and she responded enthusiastically, "I would like that very much!"

"Good!" Llnaya exclaimed, "though I think we'd best ask your grandmother. Perhaps she would like to come along, as well?"

"I hope so!" Ultimecia cried, and she was suddenly very anxious. She had wanted to see the world, and this was her first opportunity to see the city she had only glimpsed at on her way to the hotel.

More applause filled the room, yet Llnaya and Ultimecia didn't even notice. "What do you do, Llnaya?" Ultimecia asked of her new friend. With a brief moment's thought, she answered, "I'm a student at a university in Balamb. I've been there since I was seven."

"Really?" replied a stunned Ultimecia, "that seems a long time to be away from home."

"Oh, it's not so bad," her friend stated, "as long as you have a little fun while you're at it! I've made some really good friends there and I'm getting a great education."

"My grandmother teaches me," said Ultimecia. "I work at home on my subjects."

"Then she must be doing a wonderful job," Llnaya added, "because you seem to be very bright to me. Do you work in mathematics at all?"

Ultimecia made a sour face. "Yes, but I don't like it very much. I prefer history and language studies. Math takes all of the mystery out of things, and that is never good."

"What level are you at, then?" Llnaya asked, intrigued by Ultimecia's response.

"I just finished up my calculus lessons, and now I'm moving on to something called particle physics. It's all so boring, though!"

"Boring but useful," Llnaya added once more. "You'll find much more opportunity out there for someone who can use those skills. Frankly, I'm amazed to hear that you are at the physics level. You can't be more than twelve years old!"

"Eleven and a half," Ultimecia corrected. "Why, what would other kids my age study now?"

"Probably their division tables!" Llnaya laughed, and Ultimecia frowned in disbelief.

"Division?! How could anyone be so far behind? Division is so simple!"

"Like I said," Llnaya chuckled, "you are very bright. In fact, I'd bet that there's not a smarter girl your age alive... or boy, for that matter!"

Blushing, Ultimecia shook her head modestly, although she was genuinely touched by the remark. Looking momentarily in Callie's direction, she turned back and asked Llnaya, "Do you know much about sorceresses?"

Llnaya crinkled her brow in surprise. "Sorceresses? Why would so young a girl want to know about something so... archaic?"

"They interest me," Ultimecia answered plainly. "I think they were the most beautiful of all people... except for Adel, of course. My grandmother won't tell me anything about them, and the books I have only talk about Hyne. I really want to know more, and I thought you might know about them since you attend a university."

Taking a sip of her wine, Llnaya frowned somewhat and thought for a moment, keeping the rim of her glass just under her top lip. Then, after she had given the matter a bit of thought, she said, "Your grandmother is right, you know. The sorceresses are not something to take lightly. Still, you are certainly intuitive enough to find out on your own, anyway. I'd rather you found out from someone who knows what they're talking about."

"Really?" Ultimecia gushed, and she began to fidget, becoming increasingly excited by Llnaya's acceptance to her request.

"But only the historical stuff," Llnaya added. "I won't be responsible for filling your head with all of the theory and magical nonsense. It's all just superstition, but it's a superstition that many people in history have become obsessed with."

"I'll be fine," Ultimecia promised, somewhat taken aback by the superstition comment. For some reason, she was hurt that Llnaya didn't share her views on the sorceresses. She still, however, would gain as much information about the sorceresses as she could no matter what the source.

"Hyne was the first, as you probably know," Llnaya began without another word, "and she was very wicked. In fact, she was to set a standard for many sorceresses that has become the popular cultural norm. The sorceress that succeeded Hyne in legend was Sorceress Ambrosia, although she was an enemy of Hyne's who was able to slay her and gain control of her powers. Afterwards, the world supposedly came to peace under her rule. That's when the minor sorceresses of the world who had feared Hyne banded together to defeat Ambrosia. From there, her powers were divided, and the minor sorceresses were left to quibble over who had earned the right to rule the world."

"How many were there?" Ultimecia interrupted.

"No one really knows," Llnaya added, "because one of them stole the spotlight and slew all of the others. That was Sorceress Belladonna. Her rule was benevolent enough, but people still felt as though they were oppressed. They revolted against her, but she hadn't the heart to fight back... or so history says.

"From there the nations of the world were left to thrive in peace, until one of them on the Centra continent became all powerful. It declared war on all of the other nations. To protect themselves, the western nations formed the Galbadian Empire in order to defend against Centra. The war officially began shortly after, and Galbadia was quickly beaten down. Their enemy was just too strong. It was only after the Lunar Cry that Galbadia was free from Centra's hold. You are aware, I take it, of the Lunar Cry?"

"It's one of the first things I studied in history," Ultimecia informed Llnaya. "I wondered if that ever really could have happened."

"It did," Llnaya assured her, "but the most recent were nowhere near as devastating as this first one. It destroyed all life on the Centra continent, and no one had seen it coming. Many believed that it was the power of Hyne that brought all of those monsters to Earth, while others believed that it was the work of modern sorceresses who practiced their powers in secret. The latter was believed, and soon a witch-hunt of sorts went through the world, reaching as far as Eastern Esthar."

"Even though the sorceresses may have saved their lives?!" Ultimecia demanded incredulously. "That wasn't right!"

"Well, perhaps not," Llnaya said, shifting slightly, "but it happened. Anyway, the hunt didn't last very long, as the sorceresses went into hiding once again. This time they would remain hidden until one came to power." Ultimecia frowned her displeasure, spitting her next statement with obvious venom. "Adel. How did that happen?"

"Many of the nations of the world had forgotten about the sorceresses after awhile, and soon the wars began. The descendants of Centra immigrated to the area of Esthar, while others began the Dukedom of Dollet in order to utilize the mountainous terrain for defense. Then Adel brought Esthar into the war, and the tide quickly turned. Galbadia began to fall, Dollet was too weak to stand against the Sorceress, and for a short time it looked as though Adel would conquer the world."

"I know what happened next," Ultimecia cut in. "Adel was deposed by Laguna Loire, who then became the President of Esthar, correct?"

"That's right," smiled Llnaya, "and he immediately ended the war and isolated Esthar from the rest of the world. It was many years before the world came to know the next sorceress, and that was Edea."

"Edea?" Ultimecia asked, intrigued by the name. She had run across only one other Edea in her history lesson, and that was Edea Kramer, wife of the same Cid Kramer whom had written so many of the books Ultimecia studied from daily. "Is she the same as the wife of Cid Kramer?"

"Yup," Llnaya replied, "and a sorceress as well. Some referred to her as the Benign One, since she raised children who were orphaned during the Sorceress Wars. I believe she lived on the Centra continent, but nothing of her orphanage remains now."

"So there WAS a good sorceress," Ultimecia said, smiling.

"I suppose so, but don't think that it was because she was a sorceress. Edea was probably incorruptible from the start. She just happened to be one of the few people that could balance power and control." Llnaya said this with absolute certainty. Here was one, Ultimecia realized, that truly disliked sorceresses. She didn't like the feelings she was getting from her dinner companion, as they made her very sad. How could she convince her that the sorceresses were good? How could she show her the feelings that they carried, the same as Ultimecia herself?

"Why do you hate them so much?" she asked, almost unaware that she had spoken the words aloud.

"I..." Llnaya began, but there came a burst of fanfare to cut her off, and the whole room stood as all eyes fell on the large hall doors. Callie quickly returned to stand behind her seat and bade Ultimecia to do the same. After the fanfare died down, a page entered the room.

"Most gracious Senators and Candidates," he began in a loud, deep voice, "his Excellency, President Gennaro Udine of the pristine Empire of Esthar!"

Thunderous applause filled the room as a tall, thin man in a black set of ceremonial robes entered the room. Looking about with impatience, he had neither the bearing nor the grace of a leader, but rather a pompous, almost flamboyant air to him. His long black hair was tied back in a ponytail tied with a black ribbon so tightly that it pulled the skin of his face taut. He was an evil looking man, and Ultimecia disliked him instantly.

He pulled himself forward impatiently, as if each step was not worth his efforts. It was literally minutes before he made his way toward a throne set aside especially for him. Still the applause filled the room, however, as none would dare be the first to cease honoring the most powerful person in the world. Sitting himself slowly down, President Udine looked about the room with a scowl. Immediately the applause halted.

"Honorable delegates," he began, each word dripping sarcastically from his tongue as though he hated to use the word 'honorable' when not referring to himself, "we face a daunting task tonight. We must find a new leader for the nation of Galbadia. I believe the nominators have made their selections, so without further discussion, I would like to hear from them now."

Senator Alrdrict stood without any introduction and spoke evenly before a man he obviously despised; he regarded Udine in the same patronizing tone the President had used.

"Great President Udine, my colleagues in the Estharian Senate and I have selected one who needs no introduction save his name. I present Fenix Caraway of New Deling City!"

Applause erupted yet again as Caraway stood and bowed quickly. He was not the most congenial of choices, Ultimecia noted from his gravy stained suit and bulging paunch. He seemed rather oafish, and she wondered why anyone would choose him to lead an alley, let alone a nation.

"Fine, fine, fine," Udine muttered impatiently, "who is next?"

Callie stood then and clutched Ultimecia's hand. Squeezing back, they looked at each other briefly and smiled. They both held the same opinion of the petty man before them, but Ultimecia knew that her grandmother could use all the support she could get.

"President Udine," Callie called out, her aging voice still more commanding than the President's own, "I represent the interests of the Deling family whose bloodline runs deeply within Galbadia. The choice I have made comes not from a simple name, but rather one who would lead Galbadia in a way that would benefit both our nations. I present to you Llnaya Alaster!"

Wide-eyed, Ultimecia turned to Llnaya as she stood, her proud bearing and beauty a welcome surprise to the assembled politicians. Alrdrict sneered slightly, but it was obvious that the Galbadians approved. They all clapped enthusiastically, realizing that Callie had made the best choice.

When the applause died down, Udine shifted his weight and sighed, an action that belied his interest in this turn of events. Reedy voice filling the hall, he called back to Callie, "Such a surprise to hear such a nomination. Really, Ms. Deling... a SeeD? One would never guess you could be so... hypocritical."

A murmur went through the room, though Ultimecia could plainly feel that it was unease rather than agreement. She, however, was angry. How dare that silly little man speak to Callie in such a manner! She was about to cry out when Callie spoke, her tone even and controlled.

"I have made a choice based upon one who knows the politics of Galbadia, has ties to the nation, and can actually do the job, Mr. President. My personal reservations have nothing to do with her nomination, nor are they of any interest to the Presidency. SeeD or no, she is the person for the job."

"And this is your final nomination, then, Ms. Deling?" Callie but nodded and took her seat, never failing to meet the President's gaze. Ultimecia followed suit, her own eyes thin crescents of undeniable contempt.

"Do you accept this nomination, young SeeD?" Udine asked Llnaya.

"Great President Udine," she replied, her voice clear and bold, "I am most honored by the Deling family and the people of Galbadia and Esthar for their consideration, and accept the nomination humbly."

"Very well, then," Udine said, "the matter will fall to the Galbadians at the beginning of the next term in two years."

And that was all. Without speaking to another soul, he lifted himself from the throne and made his way slowly out as all stood to applaud him as he left. When he was gone, however, all sat back with relief, their applause turning to private conversations of distaste for their unofficial dictator. Ultimecia, however, was now more full of questions than ever.

"You are grandma's choice?" she asked as Llnaya sat down. The SeeD nodded and said nothing in reply; Callie was watching the both of them, and it was plainly evident from her gaze that their friendship was not a welcome one.

"Ms. Alaster," she said, "I believe the time has come for us to part ways."

"But grandma," Ultimecia begged, "I was talking with Llnaya and..."

"No!" Callie spat quickly, and she motioned for Ultimecia to stand.

"We will finish this meeting tomorrow," she said to her nominee, and to Ultimecia she said, "Let us get to our room now. We have a long day tomorrow."

"I know," Ultimecia said. "Llnaya said that we could take a tour of the city tomorrow with her!"

Eyes widening, Llnaya began to stammer, saying, "Maybe this wasn't such a good..."

"Oh really?" Callie interrupted, never taking her eyes off of Llnaya. "I have fulfilled my obligation to your family, child, and am obligated to do no more. Leave my family from your disastrous ways. I bid you good night."

"But Ms. Deling, I was only trying to..."

"Good night, Llnaya," Callie said with finality. Llnaya could but shrug at Ultimecia and watch as Callie pulled her student away from the table and toward their room.

"Callie, why don't you like Llnaya?" Ultimecia questioned, disturbed by her reaction to the young woman. Unusually curt, Callie was obviously distraught by the idea of spending time with the young SeeD. She burrowed into a crowd of senators at the main doorway and guided Ultimecia through the garment-laden labyrinth.

"Someday," she began to reply when they were out of the room and walking down the ornate marble hallway, "you will learn many things, and one of them will be who your enemies are. In this life, there will be those who will try to tear you down no matter how much you love the rest of the world. They will fight against you at every turn, using all methods of trickery to bring you down. For now, all you need to know is to stay away from all SeeDs."

"But..." Ultimecia began, but thought better of it. It was not the time to argue. Clearly, Callie held SeeDs in high contempt, and that was enough for Ultimecia... for now. They walked the rest of the way in silence, Ultimecia turning her head to look behind her. She caught one last glimpse of Llnaya, who looked after them with an intense stare. Not knowing why, she let out a little shiver as she turned back toward Callie. It was forgotten as soon as it happened, and Ultimecia let her mind drift toward the dessert Callie had promised her after the dinner. Absently, she played with a rather large ring that sat on her finger, one that she had not entered the hotel with in the first place.