At the forefront of rising tide of violence brought on by Galbadia's war declaration is a young cadet named Squall Leonhart. Being raised in a special military complex known as the Garden, Squall is trained to be a SeeD, a mercenary who's main goal is elimination of the Sorceress.

Squall's serious to the fault personality and his stone cold attitude has earned him reputation of being a lone wolf. A chance encounter with a free spirited Rinoa Heartilly however, turns his universe upside down. Having thrived on discipline, Squall finds Rinoa's carefree attitude fascinating. Yet there is no time to ponder these thoughts, for the job of dealing with Galbadia's irrational hostility has fallen to SeeD and Squall himself. Now to survive he must contend with a desperate rival, a powerful Sorceress and his own mysterious dreams.