Time compression Time compression is a major plot point in " Final Fantasy VIII " , being the method by which Sorceress Ultimecia , plans to change the course of time , space , and destiny . Time compression is the concept of condensing all of time and space into a single moment , or " singularity " . It can be initiated by the casting of a spell , which requires incredible power on behalf of the caster ( s ) and places them at the center of said singularity . By compressing the entire universe in this manner and placing herself at the center of it , Ultimecia would assimilate all of creation into herself , then use her sorceress power to recreate everything according to her desires . In the Japanese version , Ultimecia describes the time compression in a more detailed manner than in the English version , explaining the party ' s very existences will be absorbed by the time compression causing them agony as their thoughts would be ripped apart with their memories fading away leaving them unable to do , think or feel anything . Story . Laguna Loire , the president of Esthar , and Dr . Odine , come up with a plan for the SeeD s to venture to the future to stop Ultimecia . When Ultimecia compresses time , in the body of the Sorceress Adel of the distant past , the spell is halted halfway when Ellone sends Ultimecia ' s consciousness back to the future from whence it came . Ultimecia ' s spell affects time and space , an event which Squall and his SeeD party are relying on to reach Ultimecia ' s future and stop her before she can finish what she started . When time and space begin to compress , Squall and his allies watch the world turn upside - down as a thousand different kinds of space from a thousand different points in time begin to fuse together all around them . The party must " swim " through the psychedelic landscape to reach Ultimecia . Because time and space are merging , moving through space allows the party to also move through time , and by utilizing this aspect of the halfway - completed time compression , the party emerges on the site of the old orphanage in the future . In keeping with time compression ' s psychedelic nature , the party initially lands in a version of Edea ' s waiting hall in Deling City , wherein the atmosphere is foggier and there is a save point . When the party steps on the save point , dozen more spring up around the room , all of them illusions . At the center of this room the party fights a series of sorceresses from across time and space . As explained by Laguna before the party departed , the only way for them to exist in a time they don ' t belong to , is to believe in each others ' existence and to imagine themselves in the place they want to be alongside the people they want to be with . This is likely why the party emerges from the compressing time at the orphanage , the place everyone but Rinoa spent their early years . When the party flies through the compressing time Rinoa at first fears she will disappear , but Squall assures he won ' t let her . The party finds Ultimecia Castle towering over the landscape in the desolate future world , and finds her from the clock tower . During the party ' s battle against Ultimecia her castle fades away as she begins absorbing time and space into herself , and during the final confrontation the party faces her in a dark void . Ultimecia ' s demise breaks the spell and the time begins to revert to its original form , but while the others make it back to their time Squall gets lost within the compressed time and almost disappears until Rinoa brings him back . Geographic changes . The world in disc 4 of " Final Fantasy VIII " is changed due to the effects of the time compression . Of the locations previously accessible in disc 3 , most have become unreachable behind curtains of white light . The backyard of Edea ' s Orphanage is accessible , as are the Chocobo Forests and the " Ragnarok " for transportation . Trabia Canyon is still accessible as a foot passage through the Vienne Mountains between Trabia and the Mordred Plains . The remaining accessible locations are home to Guardian Force s , which can still be claimed if they haven ' t been already : Centra Ruins ( for Tonberry and Odin ) , the Deep Sea Research Center ( for Bahamut and Eden ) , Tears ' Point ( for Doomtrain ) and the Tomb of the Unknown King ( for Brothers ) . The Fire Cavern also remains accessible . Since disc 4 is occupied by only the final SeeD mission — invoking the time compression and vanquishing Ultimecia — the most important location of consequence is Ultimecia Castle . Four portals at the castle are linked to four corresponding portals scattered in the world : at Wilburn Hill in Galbadia , at Serengeti Plains in Centra , at Grandidi Forest in Esthar , and a fourth less - accessible one at Kashkabald Desert in Esthar near where " Ragnarok " has initially been landed in disc 4 . This fourth portal ( along with the " Ragnarok " ) can only initially be reached by chocobo . Other appearances . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Time Compression is Ultimecia ' s EX Burst . She freezes her opponent in place and conjures a swarm of magic bolts to bombard him or her . The EX Burst uses a slight variation of the mechanics used to execute Squall ' s Renzokuken , requiring the player to press in time with icons on a power meter to land up to twelve hits , compared to Squall , who presses to land eight hits . The finishing blow is an explosion called Sorceress Heart , paralleling the name of Squall ' s finishing blow , Lion Heart . Compressing all of time is once again Ultimecia ' s goal , but her motives and the consequences vary . In " Dissidia Final Fantasy " she tells Squall she wishes to compress time to create her ideal world where she will be worshiped as a goddess - like being that can live forever , but in " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " her museum profile and speech to the Cloud of Darkness allude that time compression will allow Ultimecia to freeze time and kill all the other summoned warriors , leaving her to rule World B for herself . The Omega version of Ultimecia ' s Castle undergoes time compression as a stage effect . When this occurs time rewinds , the gears of the arena spinning wildly to damage the Bravery of characters that touch them , and destroyed stage elements reforming . The stage Bravery also randomizes constantly . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Time Compression returns as Ultimecia ' s EX Burst . It has identical execution and power as in the original " Dissidia " . The Time Compression effects of the Ultimecia ' s Castle stage also remain the same . " Final Fantasy Trading Card Game " . Time Compression is the special ability of Ultimecia ' s " Dissidia " card . For the discard of another Ultimecia card and three Water CP , Time Compression causes all Forwards other than Ultimecia to not become Active during the controller ' s next active phase .