Arashi rode on a motorcycle, through the rocky terrain that had been formed due to the Planet's mysterious behaviour. Earthquakes erupted at random and entire land areas were modified by the Planet to fit it's spiking and somewhat sinister behaviour.
Something is definetly up....I need to find out soon what it is. I sense something....bad...coming. Arashi thought as he surveyed the land.
Alistair crossed stepped out of the Greyrose family manor and strode out of the town to the coast to practice his magic. He crossed his arms and gaze up at the sky, noticing the clouds forming on the horizon.
"The weather's been strange lately, and that's nothing compared to the earthquakes. I'd better practice harder to make sure I'm prepared if the time comes to fight."
Samora smiled as she paid the cab driver who had taken her to the outskirts of Edge, now the most advanced and largest city on the entire Planet. She hoped that maybe a doctor or scientist could help her understand what was going on. She just hoped she wouldn't regret leaving her mother by herself.
Arashi slowed his motorcycle down slightly as he rode as he rode up to a large gate that read "GREYROSE".
Hmm....
Alistair turned and saw a small vehicle stopping in front of the village.
"Who could that be?"
Alistair's curiosity got the better of him and he strolled back to see who this newcomer might be.
Arashi watched as a young man strolled to the gate and got off of his bike. "Hey, I'm Arashi." he called.
"Pleasure, I'm sure," Alistair replied, surveying the teenager in front of him. Was he simply passing by, or was he here to make trouble?
"I'm sure you wouldn't mind obliging me with your purpose here?" he asked.
Arashi narrowed his eyes. The guy talked kind of funny. He's probably from a noble family.
"Well, I'm looking for... a library. Do you have any books on Geostigma?" Arashi asked.
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "You have an interest in Geostigma? Interesting...Well the Greyrose manor has a large library and I'm sure I've seen some books on that particular subject in there. You can come in with me then if you like. Alistair Greyrose, by the way," he replied, holding out a gloved hand.
Arashi shook his hand. "Nice to meet you." Arashi said. "Yeah, I need to find out the effects of Geostigma on the human body...I believe that my father may have died from it." And that the Planet itself might be infected....
Alistair's face fell a little. "Oh I see. My apologies. Follow me inside and I'll see if I can't get one of the maids to cook something up for us while you look.
Arashi nodded and followed Alistair inside, his eyes widening at the large mansion. He whistled slightly. "This all yours?" he asked.
Alistair gave an amused smile. Normally someone gawking at the manor would have annoyed him but he was in a good mood today. A visitor was always a welcome change of pace.
"Yes, the Greyrose family founded this village a very long time ago and built the mansion as their seat of power, so to speak. Here's the library," he said, walking into the expansive room. "Feel free to browse around. I'll go the kitchen to see what I can bring back."
Arashi nodded and walked up the steps towards what he assumed was the library.
Alistair returned to the library later with soup and sandwiches. Setting the food down on a table, he walked over to Arashi.
"Find what you were looking for?" he asked.
Arashi searched through the shelves and grabbed a book that was entitled Diseases and Their Effects. He then turned and nodded. "I think so." Arashi said with a slight yawn.
Alistair noticed the book. "Good choice. That book was written by a member of RETABLIR. My family has supported them for a while now so they've given us copies of the works they put out."
He sat down in a comfortable leather chair, placed his tray of food next to him, and picked up a book on arcane lore that he'd been reading the other day.
"Take all the time you need," he said.
The sky had darkened significantly in the past hour and the wind carried the sent of thunder. Uri tilted his head upward and sniffed the air suspiciously. He and Amara had been traveling for better part of the day towards Costa del Sol so they could get passage to Junon, but they were still a far distance from the port city. With the increase of the planet's unrest, the last thing he wanted was to be caught out in a storm.
"What's wrong?" Amara asked easily reading her friend.
"A storm is coming." He snorted and licked his chops. A shiver ran down his spine and he shook it off violently before he continued. "It feels like it's going to be bad. We need to find some shelter."
"Hmm..." Amara made a quick survey of their surroundings and spotted what looked like a large house in the distance sitting close to the ocean. "Think they'll mind if we drop in?"
"I don't think we have a choice. We need to hurry." He looked up at Amara in a serious manner, but his lips curled in a playful grin silently challenging her to a race. Catching on she gave him a wink and took off as fast as her legs could carry her knowing that he would easily match her pace. Together, they made their way to the manor.
Alistair looked up from his book after a while to see Arashi slumped in his chair sleeping.
"Must have had a long day," Alistair thought. He got up and looked out the window. He saw that the sky looked like it about to storm. As his eyes traveled down, he saw two figured traveling toward the manor.
"More visitors?" he mused. "This is an unusual day."
He descended the stairs and crossed over to the door when he heard a knock on it..
Wow, this place is fancy. Amara thought to herself with a little hum. She fidgetted as she waited for someone to answer the door and Uri sat next to her quietly swishing his tail back and forth. As the door's latch clicked, Amara quickly straightened and prepared her best apologetic smile.
The door opened and her eyes widened in surprise for an instant as she studied the man that stood before her. His hair rivaled Uri's for how red it was and though he may not have been very tall, he certainly had a presence about him. Uri snorted and Amara quickly regained her senses.
"Hi!" She said smiling brightly, "Sorry to disturb you, but we were wondering if we could come in from the storm?"
Alistair looked with interest from the young girl to her companion.
"And I thought my last guest was unusual," he thought to himself. He surveyed the skies and wondered what they would be doing out here on a day like this. He opened the door wider and stepped aside to alow them to enter.
"No trouble at all. I'd hate to think of any lady having to brave a storm. To whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?" he asked as he closed the door once they were inside.
"Amara Eilain and this is Uri." She gestured to her friend, who bowed his head respectly, as the two stepped inside.
"Thank you for letting us in." Uri said politely. He was sincere, but felt ill at ease confined within the unfamiliar space. "We'll leave as soon as the storm passes."
Amara shifted her pack from one shoulder to the other feeling the strain on her back and gazed around the foyer. "You have a beautiful home...Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name, Mr...?"
"Alistair Greyrose," he replied, surveying the two with mild interest. It was obvious the two were used to spending a good deal of their time outdoors, not unlike his other visitor, currently sleeping away in his library.
"Well, Amara and Uri, I was just sitting by the fire in the library and having something to eat. If you want to warm yourselves up and get comfortable, you're welcome to join me."
"That sounds great!" Amara said a little more enthusiatically than she wanted and blushed slightly. Her feet were starting to hurt and her stomach growled at the mere mention of food. They had a hearty breakfast that morning, but the long travel had quickly burned away the meal leaving them hungry.
Uri licked his chops. He could smell the food Alistair had mentioned and had to restrain himself from padding ahead of their host to the source. He set his pace respectfully behind him as they made their way to the library.
Alistair had to smile to himself when he saw their reactions. They seemed nice enough, and it had been a while since Alistair had been able to interact with people other than the mundane village population. He led them into the library where he saw Arashi still sleeping comfortably in the one chair.
"Help yourselves," he said, gesturing to the food on the table before sitting back in his chair and resuming his place in his book.
Uri sniffed at the food longingly, but continued to restrain himself knowing how bi-pedals normally did not appriciate him snatching at food with his mouth. Although, it wasn't as if he had a choice in the matter. Amara, seeing his dilema, chose some tasty looking treats for the two of them and plopped on the floor in front of the fireplace, letting out a groan as she did. Uri settled down beside her and nibbled at the morsel she held out for him.
She studied the boy that sat slumped over asleep in the chair and smiled to herself. "I see we're not your first guests." She remarked causually to Alistair.
Alistair looked up from his book at Arashi before turning back to Amara.
"Yes, he arrived a little while before you did. Apparently he was interested in searching through my books, though it would seem his body chose sleep as the more preferred pastime. So, what are you and your companion doing wandering around these parts? I would have thought it unusual before but nothing these days seems to faze me."
Yes, these days are strange. Uri thought to himself. He glanced at Amara from the corner of his eye interested in what she would tell the man. She was never one to open up to strangers and their journey was of a very personal nature for her.
"I felt restless at home." She said simply, "My friend here didn't want me traveling alone so he decided to come along." She affectionately ruffled his mane and passed him another piece of food before gobbling the rest herself. After he had swallowed, he curled up and shut his eyes.
Amara followed his example and laid back against his side trying to make herself comfortable. She listened as the storm rolled overhead and broke into a loud thundering boom. Her eyes ran over the redheaded man and she tilted her head thoughtfully at him.
"Do you like living here?"
Alistair was caught off-guard by the question. He thought it was interesting that she gave so evasive an answer about herself, then asked him a personal question like that. He would have considered that rude but the girl and her companion had sufficiently interested him now to overlook that. He looked thoughtfully around the room for a moment befoe answering.
"I guess you could say that I've been desiring a change of scenery lately. Luxury and comfort is fine, but it doesn't supply a purpose. I think I'd like to find one someday soon," he said, the added with a smile, "And if that takes me away from here, I doubt I'd make too many complaints."
Arashi yawned and wiped his eyes and then looked down at the book on diseases and rubbed his chin. "Genu varum, Genuphobia, Geographic tongue...ah Geostigma." Arashi said as he looked down, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Seeing that the boy had awoken, Amara perked up and smiled in his direction.
"Hi there." She said, "I'm Amara...oh sorry, didn't mean to interupt."
Alistair heard mumbling from his other guest and turned his eyes from the girl and her companion to the boy slumped in the other chair. He didn't have anything to add at the moment so he waited quietly for the guests to get acquainted.
Arashi squinted at her and shook his head. "No bother. My name's Arashi." he answered before looking down at the book. He then looked up and noticed the wolf-lion. He then smiled at it. "Cool, a wolf-lion."
Uri's ear twitched at the mention of him and he sat up and yawned. He gazed over at the young lad and bowed his head respectfully. "Uri, pleasure to meet you."
Arashi gawked at the male. "He can talk?" he asked.
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "You're not very educated, are you?" he said.
"Actually, you'd be surprised how many don't know my kind can speak." Uri corrected the noble politely. Amara turned her head away to hide the smile that crept up on her face. She turned back to the boy and noticed the book he held.
"What are you reading?"
"I am..." Arashi said, playing it off. he then turned to Amara. "Diseases and their Effects."
Alistair wasn't buying the boy's excuse in any case, but he turned to address the wolf-lion.
"I'm sure you're right. I'd forgotten that well-rounded knowledge is an exclusive privilege," he replied. He heard Arashi explain what book he was reading to the girl and he tried adjusted his attention to them. He was curious as to the nature of the boy's plight and he hoped that Arashi would feel more comfortable divulging to Amara.
Uri conceded to Alistair's comment and turned his attention to Arashi as he caught what he had told Amara he was reading.
"That is an interesting subject." He replied, his interest piqued. "Why would you be studying that?"
Arashi stretched and then looked at Uri. "I'm trying to find out the detailed effects of Geostigma. Once I'm done, I'll look up all the information on the Planet that I can....I think I know what's been wrong with the Planet the last ten years...." Arashi said, before burying his face into the book.
Alistair raised his book up and pretended to read so as not to pressure Arashi with three pairs of inquisitive eyes staring at him but made sure to focus his attention on what the boy said. He was researching the imbalances of the planet? Alistair continued to ponder what could have made this boy decide to take such a large burden.
"Hmm...interesting." Uri mused then settled back down seeing that Arashi was lost in the book he was reading. Amara quieted down as well sinking back into her previous position next to her friend.
I thought it was just the elders in the canyon. She thought to herself with a deep frown and looked into the fire. It must be more widespread than we thought. I wonder what he thinks could be wrong with the planet?
As the four calmly sat in the library while the storm raged on outside, a different storm was raging on the eastern continent.
Aeron stood motionless as he lurked in the shadows. His objective at the moment was to survey the city of Edge to find any geostigma survivors to bring in to FESTANCA for experimentation. Unfortunately for the company, survivors were becoming harder to find these days. Although the sudden influx of survivor deaths meant INQUINA was that much closer to its goal. Still, he waited and watched as people passed by completely unaware of his presence.
Samora entered the city by bus and then stepped off, initially shocked at how many people were actually crammed into the city.
--------------
Vrede sat in his favorite chair, staring out the window, while getting a good puff of cigarettes. Business at FESTANCA was kicking up, with loads of retrieval missions available. Of course, because of his knowledge of what made his company happy, Vrede made sure "collateral" damage was left, hundreds injured or otherwise killed.
Elia strolled into the room and spied Vrede sitting in his usual chair.
"Sitting around on your ass, huh? Well, I'm off to target another RETABLIR supporter. Maybe I'll bring you back some momentos," she said with a grin.
Vrede eyed Elia. "You know damn well that we're on this assignment together. If you weren't taking so long with your hair, we would've been gone already." Vrede said with a frown as he got up.
Elia glared at him savagely, then suddenly made a cute pout and bent her face close to his.
"Don't you think it was worth it?" she said with a purr, making sure he could see her eyes.
Vrede rolled his eyes and started to walk away. "Come on, girl." he said simply.
Arashi sighed and looked at Alistair. "Anything else in there to eat. I'm starving." he said, his stomach growling audibly.
"Tch," she said, throwing her pigtails back and following him out the door. With any luck, there would be other men during the mission.
"So who's the target?" she asked him, catching up to his pace.
Vrede looked through a sheet of paper in his back pocket. "Some guy named Alistair Greyrose....came from a wealthy family and joined RETABLIR to try and 'save the Planet'." Vrede said as he handed the paper to Elia. "His photo's on there."
"Alistair Greyrose huh?" she said, taking the paper. She looked over the picture before giving a squeal.
"Ooh, he's cute! The sexy gentleman type. I'm going to have fun with this. I'll just have to make sure I leave his face intact. I'd hate to scar something so perfect," she said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
"I don't think he'd be interested in a squealing, flirty little brat with underlying psycopathic urges..." Vrede replied, before snatching the picture away. "Just make sure you don't try to seduce him like the last guy. I dont want the last thing he remembers to be lusty kiss before he gets a whip around the neck." Vrede walked over to the car and opened his door and got in.
"Someone's got something shoved up his ass today," she said with a glare. "And if you want to keep on using such...colorful...language about me, you can bet that something will be this."
She brandished her whip menacingly to make a point as she got in next to him.
Vrede ran his hands through his hair and then stretched. "Whatever. Let's go before the storm kicks in." Vrede replied.
Elia leaned next to him and breathed against his ear, "Whatever you say," before nipping his ear. She didn't wait to see his response before thrusting the shift into drive and peeling away.
Vrede's face turned into the definition of disgust and annoyance. I've been getting this girl as a partner since she joined. I know they want me to keep and eye on her, but she's a friggin' psychopath! he thought as he examined his favorite pistol, nicknamed "Lucille."
Elia smirked oh so slightly when she gazed at Vrede out of the corner or eyes. She knew that she disgusted the arrogant man, but that would only make it more fun when she finally would get to kill him when INQUINA toppled FESTANCA when its purpose came to end. Yes, she would enjoy that day...
Vrede looked over at Elia. "Do you even know where you're going?" he asked as he put "Lucille" back into her holster.
Elia rolled her eyes. He always acted like she didn't know what she was doing.
"Of course I know. I have as many missions and kills as you, you know. Just cause I like to play around with my kills more..." she said, trailing off.
"Don't get me started on your 'playing around' during missions." Vrede said waving his hand.
Elia rolled her eyes. "What's the point in killing people if you can't have fun with it? It's the agonizing looks on their faces that make it all worthwhile," she said with a sigh.
Vrede chuckled softly. "I prefer the looks on their faces when you continue to shoot them, even when they've already been fatally wounded...it's priceless." Vrede cracked his neck and turned on the radio.
Elia nodded. She could respect that too. The noise of the radio came on and Elia took that as Vrede's attempt to end the conversation. So she dived into her own thoughts of how she was going to have fun with Mr. Greyrose.
The cold corridors of darkness were approaching inside the once bright and heavenly Lifestream. The darkness itself was not energy but a man. The demonic glow in his eyes and the swirling black energy around him made him a fearsome sight...even to the One-Winged Angel.
"This darkness....who are you?" Sephiroth asked. The man in front of him smiled.
"The Destroyer of Unworthy Life and the Executioner of the Weak....I am Bozulma, embodiement of the Lifestream." the man said darkly. (His voice is Itachi's English dub voice) Sephiroth flinched slightly.
"Since when is the Lifestream a destroyer?" he asked. He suddenly realized that the man was no longer in front of him. He turned and saw the demonic entity behind, his fist enveloped with Lifestream energy.
"Now." Bozulma said as he thrust his fist forward.
Vrede leaned back and yawned as he started to dose.
"Lazy ass samurai," she sneered, annoyed that his yawn had stirred her from her thoughts.
Sephiroth jumped forward in a single bound to avoid being impaled. He drew his sword and then pointed it at Bozulma. "How could you become a WEAPON of the Planet? The WEAPONs act on the Planet's will, only unleashing their power when needed, but you use it at your own whim." Sephiroth said as he dashed forward with a swing of his mighty Masamune...
The blade was caught.
Bozulma stared at the shocked man before him and smiled evilly. "Is this what caused so much fear in the hearts of those in Nibelheim that you slaughtered? Pathetic...after all, a sword swung by a brat fighting for his mother is nothing much to fear." Bozulma said with a laugh. Sephiroth's eyes widened in fury as he pulled his sword back and then thrusted it forward again, faster and stronger than the last time.
"Don't you dare insult Mother!" he shouted.
The storm was increasing in intensity outside the Greyrose Manor suddenly being fueled by the unseen battle between Bolzuma and Sephiroth. Inside, the four heroes sat comfortably unaware of the deadly exchange within the lifestream.
"Sorry about that," Amara said to Arashi with an apologetic look. "we were kind of hungry too. Hmm...let me make it up to you! If it's ok with you, Alistair, I can make something to eat. I promise to clean up after myself."
Uri's ears pricked up at her suggestion and he swished his tail across the floor. He lifted his head and eyed her surprised that she had volunteered to cook in another man's home, she usually wasn't that forward. He had to admit that he was comfortable with the present company, almost as if he had known them for years and maybe she felt the same way. Besides that, he was still a little hungry and her cooking was good.
-------
As his eyes wandered about the streets of Edge, Aeron caught a glimmer of something glowing and pure. He blinked to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him, but he had been correct. There making her way down the streets gazing around at the buildings, was a young woman dressed as brightly and cheerful as he was dark and foreboding. More than that, however, was the aura that surrounded her. To his enhanced senses, she stood out like a beacon among the dreary inhabitants of the swarming metropolis.
"How interesting." He said to himself. After a moment of deliberation, he decided to forgo his current objective to observe this puzzling woman. He had a faint feeling she would be an obstacle to his mission.
The Negative Lifestream surrounding Bozulma came to his defense quickly blocking Sephiroth's strike and nearly sending it right back into his face. Sephiroth darted into the air and disappeared behind Bozulma and slashed at his waist. Bozulma grabbed Sephiroth's sord again and then tossed him into the air. Bozulma smiled.
"Pity...I figured an 'angel' would surely be better sport." Bozulma said with a slight cackle. Sephiroth leapt at Bozulma and initiated Octaslash and swung his long blade at Bozulma, attempting a decapitation on each attempt. Bozulma dodged easily, sidestepping to avoid every incoming attack. He then arrogantly yawned. "Perhaps I should humor you with true power." he said as the Negative Lifestream formed around his arm, creating a long and red rapier.
"Genesis' blade? But how?" Sephiroth asked, shocked.
"The Lifestream is made of the memories of the people who pass into it...but there's no need explaining...you'll be dead soon enough." Bozulma said.
"Dead? We're both in the Lifestream." Sephiroth said.
"I mean truly dead...forever consumed by the Lifestream, not this foolish assumption of death that you mortals know." Bozulma said.
"I am no mortal." Sephiroth said as he leapt at Bozulma, firing a blast of energy from the tip of his blade.
The Planet began to rumble as an unknown battle waged in it's lifeblood. Large rocks spurred from under the concrete streets of cities and highways and buildings began to crumble.
Alistair raised both eyebrows at her suggestion. She was indeed rather forward with such a suggestion, but he could tell that her intentions were nonetheless noble. He smiled obligingly and nodded his head.
"Of course. If you need any help, you can call one of the maids," he said. "I hope you make a little something for me as well while you're down there. From Uri's reaction, I would guess your cooking skills aren't lacking any."
"Great, I'm starving!" Arashi said. Suddenly, the ground began to rumble and arashi looked out of the window.
Alistair felt the vibrations as well and hurried over to the window.
"You said you knew what was wrong with the planet, didn't you...Arashi?" he asked, turning and looking at the boy. "I'd like to know what you think is going wrong now."
"Holy hell!" Elia screeched, slamming the breaks as a column of earth erupted out of the ground in front of the car. She launched out of the car and began stamping her foot on the ground.
"Damn it! What are we supposed to do now?" she shouted at her partner. "The road just got wrecked!"
"I think that....well, before I tell you. We need to get out of here. Because there's a ripple of earth coming to destroy your house." Arashi said as he began to race towards the back door.
------------------
Bozulma held his hand up and sliced through the wave of energy and then cracked his neck "This is beginning to bore me." he said bluntly. Sephiroth barely had time to react before Bozulma appearedin front of him. "Those fools thought you were so strong, you were only a precursor of the horrors the inhabitants of the Planet will see once I am unleashed." Bozulma said.
"I'll see to it you aren't unleashed!" Sephiroth said. He augmented his swing with his energy and swung violently at Bozulma, this time slightly incinerating his clothing and knocking him backwards. Sephiroth then raised his hand as a large fireball formed. He then smiled. "Super Nova."
"Great....stuck out here with you." Vrede said as he put his hands in his pocket. He then looked across the break in the middle and smiled. "I can make that jump." He said as he ran over to the edge and then leapt clean across without much trouble.
-----------------
Samora watched as the buildings and roads began to fall, thousands of people running in different directions aimlessly.
What is happening? Samora asked.
"Asshole," she shouted as she jumped and made an acrobatic flip to land next to Vrede. "Suck on that."
"I'd like for you to suck my pistol so I can blow your brains out." Vrede said. He then turned and thought about what he said. "That....came out awkwardly...." he said.
Elia gawked at him for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. "You - you are such an idiot!" she howled, slapping her knee.
Vrede narrowed his eyes and sighed. "Whatever. Whether this Planet goes up in flames or not, I'm not getting my ass fired so let's go." he said.
Elia sighed dramatically and shook her head. "You really need to get your priorities in order," she said as she followed him.
The huge sphere of flames sank into the depths of the Lifestream, hopefully carrying with it that maniacal man who had stood toe to toe with sephiroth with ease...but it didn't. To Sephiroth's utter fear, Bozulma remained in the same spot, completely unscathed except for a bit of ash on his clothes that he casually wiped off.
"Was that your best shot?" Bozulma asked mockingly. Sephiroth felt rather than saw Bozulma dash past him. Blood spurted from Sephiroth's waist, neck, and thigh as he fell to the ground. Bozulma walked over towards him and kneeled down next to him. "You put your 'Mother's' will before the will of the Planet and that was your downfall. You lack everything that makes me powerful. Despite your prophetic claims, you are nothing but a sniveling little brat who's trying to avenge his Mother's pain and conquer this Planet for your own selfish gain. It is for this reason that all life will perish. You are all infected and corrupted and therefore, unworthy to survive...good bye, 'One-Winged Angel'. Your wings have been clipped." Bozulma said as he held the rapier up high to perform the finishing blow.
Mother.....why?
Vrede began to break into a run towards the direction of the supposed residence of the target, taking out Lucille and swirling her around and then putting her back in her holster.
Elia dashed up to Vrede and flashed him a savage grin as she pulled out her whip.
"You can kill who you like in the house, but Greyrose is my prey."
She suddenly felt a disturbance in the Lifestream and knew what had happened. Perfect.
"Whatever." Vrede said as he continued running.
Elia almost didn't notice the comment, having been lost in her thoughts of Bozulma's victory.
"Good. You're starting to learn," she said demeaningly.
--------------
Alistair whirled about to see Arashi disappear.
"What!" he shouted in surprise. He dashed down the stairs to the kitchento try to reach Amara and Uri in time.
"What the hell were you staring in space for?" Vrede asked Elia.
"None of your business," she snarled viciously before giving an extra boost to her speed to get ahead of him.
What? Never Mind. Vrede thought.
"Where did he get to?" Alistair shouted in his head. He dashed down the ornate hallway and spied the kitchen ahead.
"Amara! Uri!"
-----------------
Elia ran until she came to a small cliff. She stopped and looked to see a small village with a beautiful manor below close to the sea.
"There it is," she thought, her eyes flashing with bloodlust.
Vrede took out his pistol and smiled. "Time to kill."
The chill from the enormous refrigerator drifted past Amara as she searched for ingridients. Sheesh, he has everything! She thought as she started humming to herself. After she grabbed a few things she shut the door and set them on the counter. She pulled her hair back and twirled it into a bun then put her comb in place to hold it so it would not be in the way.
As Uri watched her, an unsettling feeling rose in his gut. He got up and started pacing the kitchen, his claws clicking on the marble floor. Suddenly the ground shook violently and he hunched down defensively. A metallic, almost acrid smell filled his nostrils and he choked. This is different than the other earthquakes.
Pots and pans rattled and fell, clanging as they hit the floor and Amara let out a painful groan. Afraid that she had been hurt, Uri spun around ready to help only to see her bent over clutching her head with an agonized look on her face.
"It's dying! The planet is dying!" She shrieked stumbling to her knees. Her tattoo felt hot on her neck and started burning, but nothing compared to the searing pain that was tearing at her mind. Blood started trickling out of her nose and from her eyes and suddenly she collapsed.
-------
Energy filled Aeron's veins as the earthquake wreaked havoc around him. Buildings crumbled to the ground, giant rubble fell onto the panicked people running for their lives and crushed them like insects. He walked out into the mayhem with a wicked grin on his face as a beautifully malevolent thought entered his mind.
The beginning of the end.
------
"Amara!" Uri rushed over to Amara's side noticing the tattoo on her neck was now glowing. He nudged her urgently trying to get her to wake up and when she didn't move, he whined in worry and frustration. As knives clattered and the floor started breaking, he knew he had to get her to safety. He quickly set his teeth around her belt and started dragging her out of the kitchen. Times like these I wish I had hands! He thought with a growl of annoyance.
He was a few feet from the door when he heard Alistair call their names. "We're here!" He barked back. "Amara needs help!"
"We're here!" he heard Uri call from the kitchen. "Amara needs help!"
Alistair dashed into the room and took in the scene of the utter chaos that had become of the kitchen and poor Uri desperately dragging Amara to the door.
"Good God! What-" he began, seeing her condition, but then shut his mouth and dived to the ground, scooping the girl in his arms.
"Follow me," he called to Uri as he kicked the door open with his foot and dashed outide. He could see his servants huddled together out of the way, but he kept turning his head this way and that to try to find where Arashi had gotten to.
Uri rushed outside with Alistair, but stopped in his tracks suddenly remembering all their gear was left in the library.
Damn!
"Please, make sure she's safe!" He said to Alistair before he spun around, kicking up dirt and grass as he did, and bounded back into the house. The walls were starting to buckle and crack as he made his way through the hallways to the library. To his dismay, the fire had lept out of the fireplace and set the bookshelves and tapestries ablaze. Amara's pack was sitting in the midst of the growing inferno.
He let out a low growl and leaped over the fire to the pack, snatched it up in his maw and turned to go back out. Before he could make his way through the fire, the ground shifted again making the ornamentation above the doorway crack and crash down cutting off his exit. He frantically looked around through the blinding smoke and, not seeing any other option, he sped to the window and threw himself with all his might at the glass.
It shattered under the immense pressure and thousands of shards of glass exploded outward as he broke through and was followed by a burst of flames that had been fueled by the sudden rush of air. He landed gracefully to the ground, the glass sprinkling like rain around him, and took off back to where he had left Alistair and Amara.
Alistair was about to protest as Uri dashed inside the house. Seeing that there was nothing he could do, he carried Amara to a nearby rock and rested her against it. He was about to call for for Arashi when a sudden noise of shattering glass gripped his attention and he turned to see Uri falling through the air out of his second story window before landing unharmed and bounding over to them.
"That was really something, Uri," he said, coming to like the wolf-lion very much. Now wasn't the time for complements though. "But what the devil happened to Amara back there?"
Uri trotted over to them and set the pack down. He sniffed Amara to make sure she was alright before turning to Alistair.
"I wish I knew." He shook his head wistfully then told him what she said before she passed out, "This has never happened before." He poked his head into the pack and pulled out a phoenix down then cast it on Amara. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked around trying to get her bearings. Uri smiled at her then looked back at Alistair. "This quake was different than the others. I smelled something...I don't know exactly what. It was malicious, sinister....evil."
He shook as a chill crept over his spine and bits of dust and debris came spinning off his coat. The breeze blew past them and Uri caught the sent of something approaching.
"What is it?" Amara asked recognizing the look on his face. She dipped her hand into the pack and pulled out her sword and strapped it to her waist.
"Someone is coming." He told her then turned to Alistair. "You better find Arashi, we can take care of ourselves now."
------
The earthquake was starting to die down now, but the effects were still ongoing. People were crying, screaming, wailing and calling out for help. Many were running frantically while others stumbled around in a daze. Aeron watched the choas with mild amusement.
Soon, you shall all be dead. The thought was a bizarre comfort to him and an uncharacteristic smile spread across his face showing a line of straight, white teeth. He caught sight of the brightly attired young woman again and his smile was replaced by a frown.
Alistair hesitated a moment, wondering if it would that right thing to do to leave the girl and the wolf-lion alone. He gave a quick nod, figuring the two knew how to take care of each other, and started to run. The earth thudded dully beneath his feet as his mind raced to find the right course of action. What should he do now that his home was destroyed? Should he travel to RETABLIR headquarters to more actively join their ranks? Or should he try to seek the secrets of the Lifestream, something that his one mysterious visitor seemed to know about.
"First things first," he thought. "I need to find Arashi."
Elia had watched the destruction of the Greyrose manor with a sting of disappointment. Perhaps she wouldn't get to spill the Greyrose heir's blood afterall. She glanced over at Vrede and was about to speak when she heard voices from the back of the house and crept closer to see what was happening. Suddenly Alistair was running in the direction opposite her and she felt blood rush to her limbs as she made to chase him when suddenly she caught sight of the young girl, holding a sword and looking this way and that, and her wolf-lion companion. It almost looked as if...
"They know we're here," she realized, the thought hitting her like lightning. Her eyes flashed back up to Alistair, who was getting farther away, and she realized her quarry was inadvertently escaping her. She pulled her whip off her belt and licked her lips. No more hesitation. Now was the time to act.
Bozulma withdrew the dissipating red rapier from Sephiroth's skull and as the fallen angel started to evaporate into the Lifestream for all eternity, Bozulma absorbed his power with a satisfied sigh. "The Planet has been feeling this battle. The very souls in the Lifestream have felt it. What wonderful power, untapped by that buffoon." This is perfect. I need more infected souls to die before my summoning, but I have a feeling that the Planet and all it's life shall feel the Negative's fury in time. I must now slumber and conserve my energy for that time when I will exterminate all life.
-------------
Arashi raced out of the back door and caught a glimpse of a woman with a long whip racing towards Alistair's house. "Dammit. I need to do something." Arashi said as he turned to come back, only to feel the intense tremors of the planet. This sucks....this REALLY sucks.
Alistair stopped running. He knew he that time was of the essence but he had to take things carefully or else he might overlook something.
"Arashi!" he called, trying to keep to a brisk walk. Perhaps the teen had already run off somewhere. Maybe he'd be better off returning to Amara and Uri and seeing where to go from there. He stopped and clenched his gloved hands into fists.
"Damn...what do I do?"
Arashi caught a glimpse of the girl again and then drew his sword and leapt onto the roof of the house and then down in front of the girl.
"This is a far as you go." Arashi said as he held up his sword.
Alistair suddenly heard Arashi's voice and turned to see him some distance away, standing in front of a blond young woman.
"Arashi!" he called and ran toward him.
-----------
Elia stopped in her tracks, sizing up this new opponent. She suddenly gave a squeal of delight and said, "Ooh, you're a cutie too! I'm going to get two for the price of one today!"
She came as close as she dared without getting within the range of his sword and gazed into his eyes, trying to hold them on hers as long as possible for her special ability to kick in.
"What's your name?" she asked quietly.
Arashi blinked, quickly assessing the situation. Something wasn't right about her eyes....
"My name's Arashi Nell'aria." he replied, his voice turning flip-side from his normal goofy voice as he leapt forward with remarkable speed at the girl.
The hair on Uri's back stood on end and a low growl eminated from his throat. He turned in the direction Alistair had ran off and Amara followed his gaze. A dangerous looking blond woman was facing off with Arashi. Amara stepped forward ready to help but Uri nipped at her.
"No, I'll go. There is someone else here too." She nodded at him and took off to the other side of the house as Uri sped forward to the menacing blond woman and let out a warning howl in hopes of distracting her.
"Dammit," she hissed, backflipping to avoid his leap. She tossed her whip at his left side, then hooked the end in midair so that the barb made an unnoticeable strike toward his right wrist.
----------
Alistair saw Uri running toward the mysterious blonde so he changed directions and headed toward Amara, who seemed to be waiting for someone else to show up.
Arashi switched hands and ducked under the whip and then thrusted the blade towards her waist.
Elia used her feet to propel herself sideways in time to avoid the thrust, then aimed a kick at his elbow, hoping to shatter it from the impact.
Arashi stared Elia down with killer intent heavy in his eyes as he moved his arm and swung his sword backwards in a 360 motion.
Elia just caught the swing out of the corner of her eyes and ducked straight down as the blade passed overhead, cutting the tips of the hair in her pigtails.
Arashi leapt over Elia and crashed down, bringing his sword down in axe motion.
Elia threw herself to the side, rolling in the dirt as she heard the sword crash into the ground. She flicked her whip in a straight line, her fastest attack, straight at Arashi's neck.
Arashi was cracked in his neck and sent skidding across the ground, blood dripping freely from his neck.
Elia got up from the ground and laughed, thinking him down for good. She hadn't enjoyed that fight nearly as much as she thought she would. She liked some fire in her targets. It made it more fun that way. But Arashi seemed to act like he was targeting her, and that pissed her off royally.
"Right in the jugular. Serves you right, damn rat."
Arashi stood up and sighed at the stinging pain in his neck. Arashi stared at the girl in front of him and then swirled his sword around and then ran forward.
"What the hell? He should be dead! Damn, I must have just missed it."
She saw Arashi run toward her and smirked. Fine, she was going to make this as brutally painful as possible.
"Take this!" she yelled, striking her whip at his legs.
Arashi sidestepped to the left and then darted straight towards Elia. He dashed behind her and his body was encased with a bluish aura.
"Stormy Salutations..." he said simply as he attacked with blindingly fast attacks, his speed multiplied 100 fold.
Elia fell to the ground clutching her body, her eyes bulging. She'd come very close to being killed. The stupid boy's attacks had just barely missed vitals. She hadn't had time to do much else. She looked down at her numerous cuts on her body in horror, then suddenly grinned forced herself to stand, albeit unsteadly, and managed to whisper.
"Scales of Blessings."
A white vapor seemed to come from her wounds and wrap around her body. She could feel her strength and magic power returning even greater than before. She'd make that bastard pay. She took an uncertain step forward when the boy suddenly fell over on his back.
"Excellent," Elia breathed, murder on her heart. She stepped forward, grasping the whip tightly in her hands.
Uri watched the fight between his new young friend and the bloodthirsty woman. He halted when he saw Arashi unleash his limit break, thinking that he had finished her off. When he saw him fall unconscious and the woman stand and heal herself, he made a mad dash to head her off before she had a chance to injure him.
With a mighty roar, he jumped out in front of her and landed between her and Arashi, his hind legs skidding to the side as he turned to face her. He lowered his head, the hair on his back raised, his ears pressed flat against his head and his lips pulled back showing his razor sharp teeth. He growled at her as he slowly crept forward trying to get her to back away. He shifted his weight, balancing himself to better react to an attack.
------
Amara stopped dead in her tracks as she heard Uri roar. A smile found its way to her face as she thought about the pain the woman was going to find herself in, then quickly regained her senses and glanced around trying to find the other intruder Uri had mentioned.
Has to be close. She thought tightening her grip on the hilt of her sword and quickly took inventory of the materia she had equipped before continuing on.
------
When disasters arise, the filth tends to come out of the cracks. Edge was no exeption. Scavengers scattered the streets stealing from the dead or injured and mugged anyone who looked like they had money.
Vermin.
A gang had caught sight of the young woman who held Aeron's attention - she did look out of place and an easy target. Even though it was clear to him that she could take care of herself, and she may very well pose a future problem to his plans, there was an itch at the back of his mind that told him she could be useful.
While the gang surrounded her like a pack of hungry wolves, Aeron slipped his shades over his eyes and unsheathed his gunblade. They readied themselves to attack and he swooped in out of the shadows, appearing seemingly out of nowhere and sliced through the thick of them like a hot knife through butter. Five fell down dead and the others scattered like rats. He lowered his blade then turned to the redhead.
"You should be more careful."
Elia gave a sudden stop as Uri put himself between her and Arashi. She hissed in annoyance and took a step back, her injuries throbbing as she did so.
"Stupid beast. I'm going to have to take him down fast while Scales of Blessings keeps my magic and attack power up, otherwise these injuries are going to make me too weak to stand. And I doubt Vrde is the type of give piggyback rides..."
"Stand in my way, kitty, and you're going to find yourself in a world of pain," she said. She jumped into the air and flicked her whip at Uri's back.
Alistair finaly was able to close in on Amara.
"Amara," he said, coming to a halt next to her and panting slightly, "what exactly is going on?"
"Uri said there was someone else here." Amara told Alistair while still surveying the area. "Do you have any idea who they could be or what they want?"
------
Uri bounded to the side easily dodging the woman's whip then lept up extending his claws and slashed at her trying to swat her out of the air like a cat pouncing on a grasshopper.
Alistair shook his head slowly. None of it made sense to him really. Too much had happened in so little time that his hea really wasn't on straight at the moment.
"They're not after you? No...otherwise you wouldn't have asked. I suppose they could be after Arashi, but then...why wouldn't both of them have gone after him..."
He gripped his fands into fists, desperate to make heads or tails of this whole mess when he suddenly looked up to see a man with brown hair in a suit glaring down at him.
"They're...after me," he managed to whisper.
------------------
Elia saw the move coming and just managed to dodge, thought the general effect was the same. She landed on the ground less than gracefully, and her wounds gave her a nasty surge of pain. Oh well. She staggered upward and leered at the wolf-lion. The more pain she experienced, the more power she would receive until the Scales of Blessings wore off.
"Let's try that again!" she said, running at Uri. She flung her whip in a intricate pattern, aiming for his side.
Uri barely managed to fling himself out of the way of her whip before it snapped where his flank had been. He had noticed the strain on her face when she landed and an idea came to him. She's still in pain. I just have to wear her down.
He spun around and latched his teeth down on the end of her whip before she had a chance to retract it. Locking his legs he jerked his head around in an attempt to throw her off balance and hopefully rip her weapon away from her.
------
Amara turned to Alistair as he voiced his thoughts and frowned. She could only imagine how he felt at that moment. When he looked up, his face changed and she followed where Alistair was looking and saw the other intruder.
He has a gun... She thought bending her knees and pulling her sword from its scabbard.
Elia staggered forward, clutching onto her whip as Uri jerked at it continuously.
"Stupid beast! I'll fix you. Bio!" she called, casting the poison spell at the wolf-lion with her free hand.
Alistair felt his frustration boil, and he lifted his right hand toward the intruder.
"Fire!" he called, casting a fireball at the man.
Vrede dodged to the left and fired several shots rapidly from Lucille at the man in front of him. He's the RETABLIR bastard....
--------------
Samora was strangely at peace while the people raced around screaming, even as the tremors slowed to a crawl. This isn't normal. the Planet never just has an earthquake like it's a giant rock. It's a living organism. Why is this happening?
"Barrier!" Alistair called, casting a magic shield to block the bullets. He then ran at Vrede and reinforced his right fist.
"Take this!" he yelled, throwing a punch at Vrede's face.
Vrede caught Alistair's punch and smiled as he whirled him around.
Alistair reinforced his free left fist and brought it up in an uppercut.
Vrede rolled to the right and then aimed a kick at Alistair's face.
Alistair reinforced his arm and hand to catch the kick, then aimed his hand point-blank at Vrede.
"Blizzard!"
Vrede frowned. Shit....
"Alistair, wait!" Amara called out as he charged out to attack the strange man. She was about to follow him in when she heard Uri whimper in pain. Alistair seemed to be doing alright, but she hesitated. Can't just leave him alone.
"Haste!" She called thrusting her hand out at Alistair. At least I won't leave him without ANY help. She took off to help Uri hoping that Alistair had enough leverage now to give him an edge. When she came to where Uri was fighting she gasped. He was stubbornly hanging on to the blond's weapon while poison was coursing through his body. Bitch!
"Thunder!" She yelled casting a lightning bolt at the blond before rushing forward. She sliced upward with her sword aiming for her abdomen.
Alistair felt his limbs rush with energy and he raced forward at Vrede, having taken Alistair's blizzard spell right to the chest, and let loose a series or rapid fire punches,
-------------------
Elia heard someone cast a thunder spell and managed to dive forward as it crashed to the ground where she stood only a moment before. She turned as the sword sliced at her and was forced to let go over her whip as she cartwheeled backward.
"You're going to pay for that, you little bitch," she growled. She turned her head to Uri and focused all her magic power to her eyes as she stared into the wolf-lion's. She wasn't going to be able to keep this up for much longer, but she would have a bargaining chip at least.
Uri dropped the whip and panted slightly as bio racked his body with pain and diminished his health. He steeled himself to attack again but froze as he gazed into her pink eyes. There was so much energy in them and it called to him. So...pretty...
Amara spun around to face the blond. What is she...? She quickly glanced at Uri and realized what the woman was trying to do.
"Uri, look away!" Not waiting for Uri to respond, she lunged forward and cross-slashed at her face, ducked and swept her foot underneath the blond to catch her ankles then sprung up, kicking as she rose from the ground. She pulled back into her fencing stance and rushed forward to attack again.
Elia staggered back from Amara's attack, glaring at the girl.
"Can't...keep going..." she thought, her body beginning to ache horribly. She glanced at Uri though and found that her paralysis had worked. She saw Amara lunge in to attack again and cartwheeled to the side to avoid her, then dashes at Uri, snatching up the whip in front of him. She turned and smirked at Amara as she stood behind Uri, her whip poised to strike.
"Let's make a deal. You back off and let me go, and your wolf-lion here gets to live for now. What do you say?"
Amara's jaw dropped open at her words. She looked at poor Uri and then glared back at the woman.
"Leave now." She told her extending her blade so the tip was eye level with her. Better not try anything. She thought getting ready to cast magic if it came down to it.
Elia sneered at Amara. "As you wish," she said acidly. She turned and jumped up the small cliff from where they came and shouted back over to Vrede.
"Let's go, asshole. I don't plan on dying any time soon."
Without looking back for him, she turned and ran, disappearing out of sight.
Amara waited until she was out of sight before running to Uri's side. He was still poisoned and staring blankly into space. First things first. She thought digging through her slim pocket to find the remedy she always made sure she carried with her after that incident with the frogs. She pulled it out and gave it to him curing the bio. His eyes blinked and he started coming around, though he still seemed dazed.
"Oh boy." She said looking to where Arashi was spralled out on the ground. "Is he ok? What happened to him?"
"He passed out after...after..." He tried to say through the daze, then shook his head and sat down gathering his thoughts. "He's just spent." He finally managed to say.
"Umm...ok." She checked around to make sure there were no more threats. Seeing that there were none, she looked back at Uri. "I want to check on Alistair. Do you think you'll be ok here by yourself?" He just gave her a nod and reluctantly she rose and ran back to where she left the young nobleman. I hope he's ok.
Alistair panted slightly, staring the spot where his attacker had been. It was all too much to think about at the moment. Everything that had happened was whirling through his mind with terrific speed. He sank to one knee, trying to calm himself and regain his right frame of mind. He needed to look out for himself and he couldn't do that without being able to think properly. He heard footsteps and looked up, figuring it was one of the others coming to see how he was doing. He gave slight smile when he saw Amara and rose slowly to his feet.
When Amara saw that Alistair wasn't hurt, she left out a sigh of relief and ran over to help him stand.
"I'm sorry I left." She said apologetically. "Are you ok?"
Alistair nodded and dusted himself off.
"I'm fine. How are the others doing?" he asked.
"That psycho blond chick did something to Uri. He's alright but now he's all loopy." She said with anger in her voice as she thought about it. "Arashi seems ok, but he's unconscious."
As she walked back to the others, she seethed about the attack and metally scolded herself for not keeping the woman from cursing her best friend, then looked at Alistair and frowned. She glanced at the remains of the house and sighed.
"I'm sorry about your house. What are you going to do now?"
Alistair looked back at the ruins and sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I don't know. It's not that I can't get a new one, but I don't think there's any point now that I'm on a wanted a FESTANCA wanted list."
He stopped when they reached Uri and Arashi, still flat on his back. No point in asking him how he was doing.
"Are you doing better, Uri?" he asked. A thought occured to him and he held up a hand and pointed it at Uri.
"Despell!"
Uri felt his head clear up and he stood up and shook himself making his coat fluff up.
"Thank you." He told him with a smile on his face, "Much better now. Do you know who they were?"
"You're welcome, of course," Alistair replied. "I don't know who they were, but I believe I know what they were: FESTANCA assassins. They've been undermining RETABLIR's efforts to cleanse the Lifestream. I assume they came after me because of my connections to said organization."
He sighed and looked off into the horizon, wondering what the next step would be. After a moment's thought, he turned back to the two and asked, "What do you plan on doing now?"
Uri and Amara exchanged glances before answering.
"We were headed to Edge." Uri told him.
"There is a place in old Midgar I was advised to visit..." Amara added feeling a little unsure. "Hopefully, it's still in one piece."
"Maybe we should wait on that for now." Uri said to her furrowing his eyebrows. "After that earthquake I think we need to figure out what's going on. Arashi seemed to have an idea." He looked at him and tilted his head to the side. "Guess we'll have to wait until he wakes up."
Amara looked at her friend and frowned. The earthquake... She thought about the searing pain she had felt. I heard voices crying...saw eyes...blood red eyes looking at me. She felt a chill crawl up her spine and she had to surpress a shiver. Uri caught it and gave her a quizical look, but said nothing about it.
"I see," Alistair replied. He too thought it prudent to find out whatever knowledge Arashi might be able to give them. He stooped down and heaved the teen onto his shoulder before standing back up.
"We'd better get him to an inn to rest. I suppose we all could use a rest. We can discuss plans then."
Amara nodded and smiled again. "And I'll get some food from the market. He'll be really hungry when he wakes up and I still owe him dinner."
Uri's mouth watered at the mention of food and he padded along with his friends as they made their way into town to find an inn.
Alistair strolled along with Amara and Uri, feeling uncommonly content. Maybe it wasn't so bad that he was forced to go out into the world. Maybe he'd finally find his true purpose in life. Amara and Uri seemed nice enough. Maybe they'd let him tag along until they reached Midgard. He figured he'd go in that direction anyway to see if he could do anything at RETABLIR headquarters. Maybe when they sat down to eat he'd discuss it with them. Till then, he was content to quietly follow them through town.