It is a time of war. Garbadia, a Global Superpower, declares war on Dole, a neighboring country. In Dole, the training academy of “Garden” is home to two personalities – the ambitious but hot-headed Seifer and the serious ‘lone wolf’, Squall Leonhart – both equally at conflict with each other as their own country is with Garbadia. To others, Squall appears aloof and lacking in team spirit, whilst Seifer, a born soldier, lacks the discipline and self-control that is so evident in his rival. However, a chance encounter with the free-spirited Rinoa Heartilly turns Squall’s universe upside down; having thrived on discipline, Squall finds Rinoa’s carefree attitude fascinating. He also begins to have dreams in which he is Laguna Loire, a soldier from the Garbadian army. In time he will discover that the fate of both himself and the figure in his dreams are inexorably linked.
Meanwhile, a manipulative sorceress continues to guide the hands of the most powerful men in Garbadia. Squall and Seifer are forced to work side by side in a mission to assassinate the sorceress.