LogFAQs > #985731007

SMFFFCC Card Club Match 30

Opponent: Tidus
Region: Zanarkand
Rules: Open, Random, Elemental, One

Following Aerith's directions, I wound up in the ruins of the ancient city of Zanarkand, which had been destroyed a thousand years ago. I didn't understand why she would tell me to come here of all places. What could possibly be here?

Then I heard a voice that sounded like a disembodied narrator. "Listen to my story," it said. "This may be our last chance."

(Last chance for what?)

Suddenly, there was a bright white light, followed by the strange sound they use to indicate a flashback (you know the one), and my surroundings completely changed. Well, maybe not completely. I was still in Zanarkand, but as it appeared a thousand years ago. Had I been transported through time or something? Well, it wouldn't be the first time I'd been involved in a time travel scenario, so I couldn't rule it out right away.

Then I noticed a boy with a purple jacket and the hood pulled over his head. "So you wish to challenge me?" he asked.

"It is not my will to fight," I answered.

"Begging me for mercy?" the boy inquired

"Never," I said firmly.

"You imbecile. Why do you fight?" he asked.

"It's my nature," I replied honestly.

"Using my powers...it is you humans...I fear," the boy said before disappearing. The whole conversation sounded oddly familiar.

Standing in his place was a blond man in asymmetrical clothing. Was it fashionable to wear pants with two different leg lengths in Zanarkand back then? I'd rather stick with a leather bomber jacket and two belts. That was a timeless look that would never go out of style.

Once he noticed me, he jogged over and introduced himself. "Hey, don't think I've seen you around here before. Name's Tidus," he said. "And you are?"

"...I'm Squall," I replied. I chose to stay on my guard until I better understood what was going on here.

"Nice to meet you. Interesting outfit, and you have a facial scar, too. I know someone with a big scar on his face," Tidus added unnecessarily.

"...That's nice," I said, unsure how to respond to that. I wasn't self-conscious about it or anything, but it was weird to have it become a topic of conversation again.

"You seem to have more in common than just a scar. You have the same sense of humor, too" he commented with a laugh.

"...Whatever. What did you mean by your last chance earlier?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, you heard that, huh," Tidus said. "I wanted one more chance to play blitzball. Would you want to play a game with me?"

(Isn't blitzball that sport that's played entirely underwater? I'll pass.)

"...I can't swim," I lied.

"Oh, that's too bad. Do you play cards? I'd be good with that, too."

I still wasn't sure if this was a dream, time travel, or whatever, but I decided to play along. Well, not so much play along as dominate, as I won easily and finished the game with the Emet-Selch card. I hoped that was good enough for him because that was all he was going to get.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it. You've come a long way, and you're so close to the goal now. Ritz may have gotten to me, but I can still show you where to go next," Tidus said.

This was eerily similar to what had happened yesterday. Was this real, or had the pressure of this mission gotten to me and now I was hallucinating? All I could do was trust him and hope I could successfully take the next step.