TRIPLE TRIAD

     WARNING!  This is a yaoi crossover story involving Kane Dragoon from Final Fantasy IV (II in the U.S.), Seifer Almasy from Final Fantasy VIII, and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII.  If the concept of male homosexuality or threesomes bother you, then please do not read this story.  (By the way, for those who are disturbed by yaoi and have gotten this far, you obviously did not read the other warnings posted elsewhere did you?  Why are you still here?)  It also takes place at the end of those games, thereby containing spoilers.  Otherwise, please read the first story I ever wrote all by my lonesome with the intention of posting it.  I hope you like it!  Oh, and yes, just so you know, I was inspired to write this story based on the name of the card game found in FFVIII.  Weird huh?

 

     They had done it.  Zeromus had been defeated, life upon the blue planet was safe, and the moon had called all her children home.  All her children that is, except Cecil who chose to remain behind and marry his beloved Rosa.  Kane thought long and hard about this as he stood upon the rocky craigs of Mt. Ordeals with the wind blowing through his long, golden hair.  He was free of both Golbez's and Zeromus's control now, but was left with the scars upon his heart from all the pain he had caused Cecil, Rosa, and thier friends to suffer.  How easy it was for Zeromus to manipulate him and make him hurt those that he cared the most for.

     I am sorry that I will not attend your wedding old friend, but there are things that I have to do.  Kane thought to himself as he gazed at the splendid view the craig granted him.  Still have not reached the summit.  What do I expect to find there?  Forgiveness?  Redemption?  A chance to be alone and consider all of the ugly truths that I have been keeping buried for so long?  Kane thought as he picked up his helmet from his place by his feet, dusted it off, and placed it back upon his head.  He felt more comfortable once the elegant helmet stylized to look like a dragon's head was back in place, for it obscured the upper portion of his face and hid his eyes from the world.  The eyes it is said are the windows to the soul, and Kane did not want anyone peering into his soul right now.  With a deep sigh, he left the craig behind and once again begain the slow, laborious trek up the mountan. 

 

     They had done it.  Ultimicea had been defeated, time was no longer compressed, and the balance of life upon the planet had been restored.  All of the SeeDs were hard at work now restoring Trabia and Galbadia Gardens to thier former glory.  Balamb Garden now soared the skies carrying on board the very SeeDs instumental in Sorceress Ultimicea's defeat.  Seifer gave a wistful smile up as Balamb Garden sailed overhead, for one of the SeeDs on board was the new headmaster, Squall Leonhart, once his bitter rival, now only a bittersweet memory.  Seifer was free of the Sorceress's control now, but was left with the scars upon his heart from all the pain he had caused Squall, Rinoa, and thier friends to suffer.  How easy it was for the Sorceress to manipulate him and make him hurt those that he cared the most for.

     There you go Squall.  Who would have thought that the ice prince who wanted to be left alone is now headmaster?  You even have a girl now.  One that will be there for you through all the hell life dishes out.  I hope that you are happy at last.  Just wish it coulda been me to make you happy.  Seifer thought to himself as Balamb soared overhead and Raijin climbed out of the water that Fujin had recently kicked him into.  Hmmph.  Life sucks.  The only man I ever gave a flying fuck about is out of my reach forever.  The only two who give a rat's ass about my exixtance don't really need me anymore.  'Sides, Fujin and Raijin, loyal as they are, are not what I want to fulfill my needs.  Just look, got each other now.  Seifer brooded to himself as he watched Raijin hum happily as he started to fish once again, and Fujin standing over him, making ready to kick him into the water again if Raijin began another victory dance celebrating his fishing prowess.

 

     They had done it.  Both Jenova and Sephiroth had been defeated, Holy was released in time, Midgar destroyed, and Meteor banished forever.  The lifestream was no longer being bled dry, and Jenova and Sephiroth were quickly becomming no more than an unpleasant memories in the minds of all that dwelled upon the planet.  All save one that is, and that one was none other than Sephiroth himself.  He spent the greater portion of his life being a slave to Jenova's will and acting as her proxy, for the Jenova cells that were a part of him dominated his will and drove him mad.  Jenova manipulated him and mutated him into a one winged angel of destruction, and caused him to inflict no small amount of suffering to the one person he ever developed any sort of feelings for.  The destruction of Jenova freed him completely of her control, but the last remains of Jenova, the cells within, would not let him die.  Sephiroth now floated helplessly within the lifestream deep within the planet's core, left with nothing save the scars upon his heart from living a life devoid of love, and hurting the one that he cared the most for. 

     Please just let me die.  Sephiroth begged to the lifestream as it nurtured and flowed through him, restoring the body that had recently been the victim of Cloud's Omnislash technique and had exploded into white light.  No, please!  Don't make me live!  I have nothing to live for.  Cloud hates me.  I tried to destroy the planet.  I killed his bimbo girlfriend because he loved her and not me, not just because she stood in Jenova's way. There is no hope he will ever like me, let alone love me now.  I do not deserve to live, just let me die!   Sephiroth begged as the lifestream contiued to repair his wounds, nursing the Jenova cells into activity.  The very cells that gave those who carried them more lives than a cat.  The very cells that were responsible for driving him crazy.  What are you doing?!?  he silently screamed since he could not move or speak.  Why are you doing this?  Planet!  Give me your answer!

 

     At long last, Kane reached the summit of Mount Ordeals.  This was the place where Cecil, once a dark knight of the kingdom, had cleansed his soul of his sins by defeating the darkness within, and thus was transformed into a paladin.  Kane walked into the cave located on the summit where the mirror of truth was located.  This is it.  This is where I will be confronted with my dark side.  All I must do is defeat it and then I can move on with life.  Kane thought as he approached the mirror.  He stood before it and waited.  But instead of his dark side, like Kain was expecting, the mirror showed him...Cecil?  Why is it showing me Cecil's wedding?  If I had wanted to see this, I would have gone to the wedding itself!  Kane thought as he clenched his fists into anger and despair. 

     "To be free of your sorrows, you must first admit the truth."  Kane heard a soft voice say as a brilliant light filled the room.  It was the voice of the guardian, and Cecil's father.

     "What truth is that?"  Kane demanded, glowering angrily at the wedding scene.

     "Why did you seek to kill Rosa?"  The soft voice within the light inquired.

     "Because she stood in the way of Golbez who was contolling me.  Zeromus was controlling him.  What does that have to do with anything?  It was not my fault!"  Kane yelled.

     "Ah, yes this is true, but it goes deeper than that does it not?"

     "Whatever could you mean?  Just what exactly are you implying?"  Kane demanded.

     "You know full well what I mean"  the light retorted.  "Why such malice towards Rosa?  What set her apart from all the other white mages in the world?  Even after all that you have been through you feel bitter towards her still.  Why?  Did you love her?"

     "No it was not that."  Kane muttered.

     "Then what was it?"  the light demanded.

     "It was...It was...It was because I loved Cecil!  There are you happy now?!  He loves her and not me.  He will never love me!  Why did he have to go and fall for that stupid bitch?  Why did I have to be born a man?"  Kane cried out as he slammed his fist against the mirror in frustration, and angry tears poured from his face.

     "You say that you love him, but do you love him enough to let him go?"  the light asked in a gentle tone.

     "Huh?"  Kane asked as he looked up and studied the wedding scene.  He noticed for the first time how happy Cecil looked.  In all the years Kane had known Cecil, he had never looked happy.  It was Rosa that was bringing him this happiness.  "I guess I have to."  Kane murmered.  "Because I love him enough to want him to be happy."  Kane said with a sigh.  "I just don't know if I want to live without him."

     "You never really had him."  the light responded.  "However as they say, there are plenty of fish in the sea.  In fact, one is fishing now...."

 

     Seifer sat on the pier and cast his line into the water.  How the fuck does he do that?  Seifer wondered as Raijin caught another fish, a huge one.  Raijin hollered with glee and began his victory dance just before Fujin kicked him in the water.

     "IDIOT!"  she hollered at the top of her lungs like she always did.

     "Ow Fujin!  That hurt, ya know!  Whydja hafta kick me, ya know?  Now the fish got away."  Raijin whined as he climbed out of the water again.

     "STUPID DANCE!"  Fujin responded, as Seifer shook his head and chuckled.

     "Aw, hell Fujin let the guy dance if he wants."  Seifer said with his patented Seifer smirk.

     "WHY?"  Fujin demanded.

     "Because it amuses me to watch him jump around like a dumbass."  Seifer responded, not wanting to admit that it also made Raijin happy.  He then began to gather his fishing supplies.

     "SEIFER LEAVING? WE GO?"  Fujin asked, noting the fact that Seifer was collecting his things.

     "Nah, you guys stay here.  I want to be alone for a while."  Seifer responded.  Then almost as an afterthought he added, "Please."

     "You gonna be alright Seifer?"  Raijin asked.  "You've been kinda depressed, ya know.  Sure you wanna be alone?  I don't like being alone when I'm sad, ya know."

     "Yeah, well I'm not you, and who says I'm sad?"  Seifer responded, shoving his hands into his trenchcoat.  "Can't a guy get a little peace without the third degree?"  He said angrily as he gathered the remainer of his things and began to stomp away.  Damn Raijin, for an idiot, you got your share of wisdom, yeah, I'm sad, not that I will ever tell you why.

     "WAIT!"  Fujin yelled as both she and Raijin ran after him.  "ALCHOHOL BAD.  NEED TO LET GO."

     "Yeah, ya know.  We know that you are upset about Squall and the whole entire Knight thing, but c'mon that's over, ya know."  Raijin added.

     Seifer spun around and faced his two friends and scowled deeply.  "Alright, just what the fuck are you two going on about?  And what's this buisness about alchohol?" he growled angrily.

     "POSSE.  KNOW YOU WELL."  Fujin explained.  "KNOW YOU LOVED SQUALL.  GET DRUNK WHEN THINK OF."

     "Yeah, ya know.  Even I could tell.  Ya talk in your sleep, ya know."  Raijin helpfully added, which only caused Seifer's scowl to deepen to a dangerous degree.

     "I don't know what the fuck you are talking about."  Seifer growled out between clenched teeth.

     "Come on, Seifer.  You have to admit the truth and let it go, or it will eat you alive."  Fujin said, speaking normally, since this was a matter of great importance.  "We are your friends, and we know you best.  We know the reason you always picked on Zell was because he liked Squall.  We know the reason you picked on Squall is because he did not like you back."

     "Yeah, ya know.  We also know the reason you shoved Rinoa into Adel is cause she and Squall loved each other, and not you, ya know.  Like you got dumped on both sides, ya know."  Raijin helpfully added which only caused Seifer's teeth to grind.

     "NO HELP!"  Fujin hollered as she kicked Raijin in the shin and glared at him with her one good eye.  Seifer just sighed and sat down on the pier.

     "Aw hell.  You guys just know me too well.  Yeah, so I got the hots for Squall, so I'm bi.  What does it matter?  Squall has his own life, Rinoa has hers.  Let 'em be happy, they deserve it.  They are better off without me, anyhow."  Seifer stood up.  "Now, if you excuse me, I really want to be alone now."  With that Seifer collected his things once again and walked away.

     "OTHERS OUT THERE!"  Fujin yelled as he left.  Yeah, sure there are.  Seifer thought bitterly as he moped off.  There just lining up now as we speak.  What's it matter anyhow?  I'll only be happy with someone who wants me, and after everything, there aren't a whole lot of those.  Well, at least Squall is finally happy.  Just wish it coulda been me to make him happy.  Seifer thought with a deep sigh as he wandered off in order to get very, very drunk in hopes that a pickled brain would numb the pain.

 

     Planet!  Give me your answer!  Sephiroth mentally cried out.  If he were capable of movement, he would have clutched his head between his hands in sheer agony and despair.  Is this to be my torment then?  My own personal hell for all of my sins?  Am I to remain here forever alone?  Sephiroth thought as crystaline tears poured forth from his brilliant green eyes.  The planet did not answer, and the lifestream continued to hold him immobile in it's embrace for what seemed like eons as it restored Sephiroth to perfect health.  Just as Sephiroth thought the ordeal ws over, the lifestream suddenly surged through him like liquid green fire.  It was an agony like no other, and Sephiroth felt like he was being torn into a thousand directions at once.  It was worse than anything Hojo could dream up, worse than Cloud's omnislash, worse than the distant memory of being born.  However, the agony was also exquisite, like he was being reborn.  Then suddenly as soon as it started, the pain suddenly stopped.

     "Now you are no longer Jenova's creature but mine."  A melodious voice that seemed to come from everywhere sang out.  "The Jenova cells that once made you have been transformed into cells of my own design.  You worked for the Meteor.  Now it is time you worked for the Lifestream."

     "A..Aeris?"  Sephiroth asked in a shaky voice.  "Is that you?  What are you speaking of?"

     "I am not Aeris, but her prayer.  I am that which is called holy and I am a part of the Lifestream itself.  Her wish was that the world be restored to life, and that you find love.  But for you to recieve love, you must first give love.  Such as it is, so shall it forever be."

     "You mean that I should... Cloud?  But that is silly!  He is with Ms. Silicon now, though I question his choice in women, but he is happy.  The last thing they need is me showing up trying to win Cloud over."  Sephiroth responded incredulously.

     "Not with Cloud.  You are correct in surmising that he is beyond your reach.  He has given his heart to Tifa.  No, your task is to help two souls much like yourself find love.  Consider it a task worthy of the angel you sought to become.  For as much as you choose to delude yourself, Jenova preyed upon your will just as you preyed upon hers.  Consider that.  Now, the time has come.  I shall bring the three of you together in the place where all time and all realities coincide."

     "And what place is that?  I have never heard of such a place."  Sephiroth asked.

     "There is no true name for it, but many have called it the Commencement Room.  Now on to your task Sephiroth, and may you find the love that you seek, and the unconditional love that you need."  With that, the glowing green lifestream suddenly surged with the glowing white brilliance of Holy.  Sephiroth found himself alone in an ethereally beautiful room.  Glowing gossamar curtans of light decended from the ceiling, and countless focal points powerful enough to generate the strongest materia littered the ground, swirling and circling each other.  Sephiroth experimentally stuck his hand in one of the focal points and was instantly confronted with all the memories of all the actions that he had ever done in life.  He quickly withdrew his hand as though he had been burned and began to search for the other two people who were supposed to be here.  Not finding anyone, he sat down in the lone chair within the room and waited.

 

     "Fishing?  I do not understand.  I do not want anyone else, if that is what you mean.  Besides, there is no one else that could understand me the way Cecil did."  Kane told the light as he crossed his arms in a defensive position.

     "Already, your mind is made up.  You are so sure of your fate.  You think that there is no one else in all of existance who could possibly understand the way you feel.  Your drives, your sorrows, and your guilt for your past mistakes.  You came here seeking redemption and you came seeking forgiveness.  Don't you see that the only way you will ever recieve such things is if you first forgive yourself."

     "Well, that is fine."  Kane said tilting his head to the left.  "But where am I supposed to start?  I cannot go back to Cecil.  It hurts too much to face him right now, but I don't know where else to go, and I don't know where else to turn.  What should I do?"  Kane asked desperately.

     "There are two people who could benifit from your guidance right now."  the light responded.  "Perhaps if it is your desire, you should seek them out, for in helping them you just might be able to help yourself."

     Kane considered this.  He had run out of options and was not ready to face Cecil and the others just yet.  At the same time, he did not want to be alone.  He wanted someone to hold, to talk to, to make all the nightmares end.  And as it stood, he had no better ideas.  "Where do I find these people?"  Kain asked after considerable length.

     "If it truly is your desire to seek them, this place has the power to send you where you need to go.  It shall send you to the place where all space and time converge as one.  Are you ready?"  the light responded.

     Kane just nodded his head.  "Yes."  At this moment the scene in the mirror shifted to that of the Commencement Room.

     "Then step forward into the mirror Kain Dragoon."  the voice within the light said solemly.  "May you find all that you seek."  With that Kaine stepped into the mirror as the room filled with brilliance and disappeared from view.

 

     Seifer sat in his room nursing a bottle of cheap whiskey that he managed to intimidate some fool soldier named Wedge or Biggs to get for him.  After some time went by spent in this highly productive activity, Seifer heard a knock on the door.

     "G'way m busy" He managed to slur out at the intruder knocking on his door, but that did not seem to deter whomever it was.  In fact it only served to encourage the knocker, who was now rapping on the door with hardened determination.

     "Come on Seifer, open the door.  Don't make me jimmy the lock."  A light feminine voice called through the door.  Seifer knew that the owner of that voice would not leave until he let her in and heard what she had to say, so he barely managed to stumble over to the door.

     "Whaddya want Elle?"  He asked as he threw the door open.  "You gonna lecture me too?"  Seifer slurred as he leaned against the doorframe for support.  Ellone just rolled her eyed and gave a Quistis like sigh of exasperation.  There was no sense in trying to reason with him whaen he was in this state.  Luckily she had brought with her a stone with the power of Esuna, the all purpose curing spell, trapped within it.  If Esuna was capable of cleansing the body of poision, she surmised that it could also cleanse a body of too much alchohol.  She pulled the stone out and tossed it at Seifer.  The stone glowed brightly and bathed Seifer in its light, then was gone.

     "Now what did you have to go and do that for?"  Seifer complained in a much clearer tone.  Apparently, the Esuna had done its job, for Seifer's eyes were no longer half-mast.  Instead they were now narrowed sullenly and fixed on Ellone.

     "I need to talk to you about certian issues, and I cannot do that when you are as drunk as a skunk.  Yes, I suppose I did come here to lecture you, but it is important that I do."  Ellone responded as she pushed her way past Seifer and sat down on his bed.

     "By all means, come in."  Seifer said dryly as Ellone sat down.  "Aw, hell I knew you were gonna lecture me.  Fine, fine.  Have your say, then leave me the hell alone."

     "I intend to Seifer."  Ellone said firmly.  "You probably already know what this is about anyway."

     "It's about me and Squall right?  Yeah, yeah, before you start your speech, lemme tell you I heard it already.  I know that he has his own life.  I know that it is my own stupid fault for never telling him how I felt, not that it would have made much difference.  I know that I need to get over it.  I know that it was not all my fault, that the Sorceress was controlling me."  Seifer said sullenly.

     "Well, true.  But since you seemed to have that part already figured out, I will just cut to the chase."  Ellone responded. "You can't go on like this Seifer.  You are spirialing slowly into a path of self destruction.  You need help.  You need to talk to somebody."  Ellone finished as she wrung her hands together.

     "Maybe so, but no offense Elle, you are not the person I want to unburden myself on.  I mean you are part of the reason Squall turned into His Royal Highness of Stoic Frostiness.  You also would not understand, you would have had to have been there."  Seifer responded with his arms crossed.

     "Yes, I know that.  That is why I am here.  Sorceress Edea and Sorceress Rinoa asked me to help you.  With thier sorceress powers and my time compression ability, we have the power to send you were you are needed the most, and were there are others who will need you.  The only catch is that you must want to go."

     "The magical fairytale land of therapy huh?"  Seifer asked with a smirk on his face.  "May as well go, since I know the lot of you won't leave me alone until I do.  Sides, I got nothing better to to anyway."

     "You are willing to go then?"  Ellone asked as she clasped her hands toghether.

     "I just said that didn't I?"  Seifer said in an annoyed tone.  "Fire away, do your hocus pocus or whatever."  Then maybe you will go away and leave me in peace  he aded to himself in his thoughts.  Ellone just smiled and nodded her head.  She got a far off look in her eyes as she pulled out two more magic stones given to her by both Sorceresses.  Ellone then lit up with ethereal green fire as she focused her will upon Seifer.  Seifer felt a wrenching sensation as the two stones left Ellone's palms and bathed him in a brilliant white light.  Then suddenly he was no longer in his room, but in some other room altogeter.

 

     Seiphiroth casually draped his legs over the armrest of the lone chair in the Commencement Room as he mused over his thoughts.  Commencement Room.  The place where all things converge.  I was told that there would be others here but I seem to be alone.  At the same time he was thinking this, in another part of the room a wall shimmered and rippled as Kane stepped through.  What an eerie place this is.  Kane thought to himself as he took in his surroundings.  He then waved a hand in front of his face and noted with surprise as his hand left faint tracers behind as the air shimmered and responded to his movement.  I do not think I care for this place much.  Where are the others I was supposed to meet here?  Kane thought to himself as he proceeded to explore the room.  Meanwhile, another wall in the room also shimmered as Seifer stumbled through.  Motherfucker!  Never want to do that again!  Damn! I thought Elle was just kidding!  Where the hell am I?  Seifer swore to himself as he looked about the room.  He noted with interest that there seemed to be some writing on the nearby wall.  He turned to read it.  Chisled into the wall was an incription reading, "BUT TO BEGIN AGAIN"  in bold elegant handwiriting.  In smaller, less precise handwriting someone had scrawled "Zell wuz here."  in black magic marker.  Seifer smiled when he read Zell's graphitti.  That's Zell for you, always leaving his mark no matter where he goes.  May as well explore this place and figure out a way to either get back home, or until I wake up, whichever comes first.  Seifer shoved his hands into his trenchcoat and began to explore the room as well.

 

     Eventually, both Seifer and Kane noticed a figure seated upon a chair.  The figure had his back to them, and his silvery white hair streamed back from his head as though being blown by a harsh wind that none of them felt.  Hearing footsteps behind him, Sephiroth stood up and turned to face those who were approaching.  Both Seifer and Kane saw the traces of countless Sephiroths rise from the chair as reality shimmered around him., then suddenly coalesced into one being.  Sephiroth regarded the man in the dark, elaborate armor holding a lance,and the tall blonde with closely cropped hair; save for one unruly lock, and a diagonal scar across his face.  They in turn regarded the tall, silver haired man wearing a pair of black trousers and nothing else.  The three men just stood there and regarded each other for the longest time, not saying a word.  Seifer decided that he would be the one to break the silence.

 

     "So, uh what is with the King Arthur get-up?"  Seifer asked Kain.

     "I know not of this King Arthur.  The king of my region is Cecil.  I am a dragoon knight."  Kane explained cooly.  "My, such an interesting weapon you have by your side.  Whatever is it called?"

     "Heh.  This here is a gunblade.  Speakin of which, check out that long ass sword of his."  Seifer responded as he jerked a thumb over towards Sephiroth.  "What the hell kind of sword is that anyhow?"

     "This is the masamune."  Sephiroth answered as he instinctively gave his sword a protective, almost loving pat.  Hm.  It is obvious that we all take pride in our weapons and our prowess with them."  Sephiroth noted as he saw that the other two men were also holding thier weapons close to thier side.  We were all drawn here for a reason.  I wonder what else we have in common?"

     "Who can say?  We only just met."  Kane responded as he removed his helmet and gazed at them both with piercing aquamarine eyes.  Gods they are both beautiful in thier own right.  Kane thought as he ran a hand through his long, golden hair and shook it loose.  They both have the most amazing eyes.  Thier eyes carry the same haunted look that greets me each time I gaze into my own reflection.  I wonder what tempests rage in thier heads? 

 

     Seifer frowned as the room plunged into silence again.  He hated silence for it was then that his thoughts were at thier most thunderous.  Even now he was thinking, Now I know this has gotta be a dream.  Here I am trapped in some strange reality with two of the most gorgeous guys I have ever seen, except for Squall that is, but damn.  Getta load of thier eyes.  They have both been through hell, I can tell.  I wonder what gives?  Not gonna be the first to ask though.

    

     Sephiroth frowned as he looked back and forth between the two men.  What am I supposed to do now?  Am I to help them fall in love with each other?  If so, than how is that supposed to help me?  Yet, I cannot help but feel that these two are kindered spirits.  I mean look into thier eyes.  The eyes are window to the soul, and when I gaze into them, all I see is pain.  My own pain reflected back at me.  Both of these men have stories to tell and I intend to find out what they are.  I suppose the best way to do that is to first tell my own story.

 

     Sephiroth sighed as he gazed into the eyes of both men.  "I have a story I would like to share if you care to listen...." He began as both men turned to gaze upon him.  When he was satisfied that he had both of thier attention, he began the long and tragic tale of his past.  He told them how he was little more than a scientific project to his father, and how he never got a chance to meet his real mother.  He told them how his father had infused him with cells from a creature known as Jenova, and how the power that the Jenova cells gave him slowly drove him insane.  He told them how he hungered for a mother's love and was tricked into thinking that Jenova was his mother and that she provided the love he so desperately sought.  he then explained how he became attracted to a boy by the name of Cloud Strife.  He sought a different sort of love from Cloud and was crushed when Cloud did not return the feelings, did not understand the subtle hints that Sephiroth left for him.  He went on to explain how his love for Cloud became warped by hate as Jenova's influence increased.  If he could not have Cloud, than no one could.  He wanted to destroy everything.  He wanted to punish Cloud for rejecting him and how he killed the woman cloud was developing feelings for.  He finished his story by telling him of how Jenova transformed him, and the final battle between he and Cloud.  How Cloud had killed him, but in doing so, had set him free. 

 

     "Heh.  Sounds a lot like my story...." Seifer said as he began to tell his own sad tale.  He told them both about his early days spent living in the orphanage, and how he knew even then that he liked boys as much, maybe even more so than girls.  How there was this one boy there that had captured his interest from the very begining.  How they used to play together until Ellone, known to all of them as Sis, left for some mysterious reason.  How Sis leaving tore the boy Seifer had his eyes upon apart.  How the boy known as Squall withdrew into himself and started to push everyone away.  He then went on, explaining how they all grew up and became students of Balamb Garden.  How it was both he and Squall's wish to become an elite warrior known as a SeeD, and that no matter how hard Seifer tried he could not get Squall to like him.  It was Seifer's romantic dream to have Squall love him, but there was never any hope, especially after a girl known as Rinoa entered the picture.  He told them how he had dated Rinoa for a while.  He told them how she had dumped him in favor of Squall, the person who seemed to have everything and left him with nothing.  How Squall made SeeD and he didn't.  How he grew desperate and felt like there was no hope as Rinoa crushed his romantic dream before his eyes.  How he was aproached by the Sorceress who promised him the power to fulfil his romantic dream if he became her Knight, but how it was all a lie.  The Sorceress simply used him to further her plans for world domination.  How he so completely screwed everything up beyond all hope.  How his romantic dream is now turned to dust, but he is happy that Squall at least found peace.

 

     "Intriguing.  It seems that the three of us have even more in common than we possibly ever could have imagined."  Kane said as he placed a hand to his chin.  "My story goes like this...."  Kane began his own tale of heartbreak.  How he and a dark knight by the name of Cecil were both elite warriors of the kingdom.  How they both served thier liege lord loyally in spite of thier liege's increasing corruption, not knowing at the time that they were serving a false king.  How thier true king had been slain and replaced by a demon.  He told them of how he and Cecil were the best of friends, but always Kain hungered for more than just simple friendship.  He knew from a very early age that he had feelings for men that were not considered proper, and that as time passed those feelings became focused upon Cecil.  Unfortunately Cecil did not feel that way about men, thus Kane kept his own feelings secret.  This continued for some time, but Cecil soon began to develop romantic feelings for a woman known as Rosa.  He respected Rosa and considered her a friend, but could not help but be insanely jealous of her.  She had that which he most desired and there was nothing he could do about it.  He then went on to tell how an evil entity enslaved the will of Cecil's brother, who in turn enslaved his own will.  How the evil entity know as Zeromus hungered for the crystals of light and darkness for the power that they gave, and used Kane as his puppet to gather them.  How Zeromus's influence caused him to act with certian inhibitions that he sought to keep buried.  How he betrayed the trust of all those he cared for, and nearly killed Rosa.  He told of how Cecil managed to climb the path of redemption and become a paladin at the same time Kain was spirialing down into a path of ruin.  He concluded with how Cecil and Rosa became the king and queen of the kingdom, and that he wishes them all the peace in the world.  He just wished that there could have been a different way.

 

     Once each man had finished telling thier tale, they just stood there and gazed deep into each other's eyes.  All three of them saw a bit of themselves there.  At long last thier search for understanding had come to an end for here before them were not one, but two others who had walked the same road in life.  As each of them became aware of this mutual undersatnding the three of them smiled for the first time in what seemed like forever.  They all had suffered heartbreak from falling in love with an unattainable man, and through jealousy had sought to lash out against those that had hurt them.  All three had become corrupted in one fashion or another by evil, but now regret thier past mistakes.  They lost the only love they thought they could ever have, but perhaps between the three of them they, as the incription said, could begin again?  Perhaps they could find love with each other.  It was at this mutual undersanding that all three men walked toward each other and held each other tightly in a three way embrace.  They remained this way for quite some time, sharing each other's pain and giving each other new hope for the future.  Here at last were others who they could love and be loved back in return.  Feeling whole for the first time, the three men began to caress each other.  Thier gentle caresses slowly built to sweet lovemaking, as they shared themselves with each other long into the night.  Here at last did three warriors of tragedy from three different worlds gain a chance to converge in the room where all things were one and all things could begin again.