"You're asking me to find your ex-girlfriend in the same place that killed you?"
I stared dumbfounded at Zack's simple request. Scratch that- outrageous request.
The raven haired ex-soldier stared back at me with a hard gaze that clearly meant he was serious. I knew he had feelings left for Aeris, though not as strong now as he back then, but the notion caught me off guard. He nodded and waited for a response.
Before he came in, I was working on a report that was supposed to be filed two weeks ago from someone in the justice department. Apparently we were on short staff as the person was called away to finish some business off to another planet called Spira. I knew about the planet wasn't too entirely sure about what was going on there. I knew it had something to do with a young lady named Yuna and this thing called Sin. I was in charge of the recruitment process and this "Tidus" was on the list. But because he was dragged to the Justice Department, the Council was thinking about letting him go to Spira and back to his 'Yuna'. I sure hoped they let him go, let him love and live with his soul mate.
I believe in soul mates cause I found one of my own. He came in three years ago, unsure and yet brave. A new recruit but he rose in ranks pretty fast, Angeal brought him in and Zack was much of the wanderer. I found him in the Promise Land just laying around when I was sent to sent out on another assignment. I was supposed to take a guardian angel with me to complete and lo and behold I fell head over heels with Zack.
We then became a pair, soul-mates, the highest achieving status in a couple. Everyone knew who we were in The Promise and Land and in Enigma Corporation, even Aeris.
My mouth opened but no words came out. I felt the gazes of the workers in the office on us as if everything hanged on the balance of my decision. I broke the staring contest and looked down at my desk. The photo of Aeris burned into me. She had been missing for over a month and even though the best search party was out there, there were no traces of her in the least. Her lovely smile and bright green eyes penetrated my soul and tinge of guilt filled my stomach.
Poor Aeris, where could she be?
Apparently Zack knew but refused to tell me unless I agreed to join the search party. But still...
"Let me say this again" I kept my voice low so only we could hear, "you are asking your partner, your girlfriend" I stressed out the girlfriend, "to go find your ex?"
He frowned and nodded his head. After Zack died, the President saw favor in him and brought him to Enigma Corporation, a business that oversaw the entire universe-in death and life. As it was, I fell in love with Zack and we became partners, hopping from world to world solving issues that could end their world. Gaia was nearing to its end and I had hunch that explained Aeris sudden disappearance.
Zack didn't have the authorization to cross another department of Enigma Corp. but I was able to pull a few strings seeing I had a higher status than him. I looked at him one final time. "We're not assigned for Gaia much less in their department. I can't even look at Gaia if I wanted to Zack."
"I'm not asking you to save Gaia Lee, I'm asking you to bring Aeirs back here."
Hurt stabbed at my heart and I went rigid. "What makes you think she's there? For all we know she could be taking a vacation."
Zack frowned at me, "she's not on a vacation Lee."
I glanced around at the other coworkers. They never had problems with their mates and they were joined together longer than we were. Zack was destined to be my mate and we were destined to change hundreds of lives together. But ever since Zack found out about Aeris being here, it somewhat put a ridge between us and our great love that shined off our faces dimed. We still loved each other deeply.
Blood rushing to my face, I looked down, catching a glimpse of my wedding ring. I looked away and sighed in resignation, "I'll do what I can but I'm not promising anything."
Zack leaned forward planting a kiss on my forehead. My eyes widened as I met his gaze. He was still madly in love with me, that much evident in his cerulean hues. The corner of his lips tugged upward into a grin.
"Oh Zack, just get out of here already before I get in trouble," I smiled back at him. He winked and started toward the door. My smile was wiped off my face as I looked down at the MISSING poster I forgot to give Zack back.
111111111
"Hey, did Aeris schedule any vacation days?"
I made the huge effort of finish some paperwork and the rest was at home waiting to be filed away. After racing home and dropping off a few things, I hurried back to the Enigma building hoping no one realized my prolonged disappearance. I stood outside of the Promise Land where Aeris was supposed to be in charge of. Among the cetras the lived here, I would say Aeris was the wisest one, because she, like Zack, lived human lives and encountered unjust deaths but were able to overcome that and accept the fact they died. The other cetras, however, were not so like Aeris and I stayed far from them as possible. It was something about those Ancients that didn't add up right.
The Cetra gave me a dull stare, "no."
"Well, did she say anything about coming back any time soon?"
"No."
"Okay, did she say any preferences about a place she wanted to go?"
"No."
"Did she have any cases that were failures?"
"No."
This was irritating me. No matter how wise this race was they sure were concieted. These one word answers weren't getting me far and I wanted something other than a "no."
"Why did Aeris suddenly leave?"
The cetra raised a brow, "why do you care? Is it that boyfriend of yours?"
I sighed and crossed my arms, "Zack is my soulmate- remember that. I'm just here for his best concerns."
"Did you know that they loved each other deeply?"
I shifted uneasily, "yeah but then he loved me. End of Story. Are you going to answer my question."
"I will, but I will not tell you" the cetra gave me a mischiveous grin, "I will simply point to the direction. But you must be willing to go on this journey."
Journey? This guy was making it seem as if I was looking for the answer to the meaning of life. I gave him a droll stare and, "look mistah, i didn't come request anything from you, I am perfectly fine where I am now. If your just sending me away for your own comfort then you got something else coming to you-"
"If you want to find Aeris, then you have to go on this journey just as Zack agreed to go on a Crucible."
I blinked at the mention of Zack's name and paled. What did Zack agree to do? Was that how he found out where Aeris was? Why didn't he tell me?
"So he didn't tell you?" The cetra said confidently. "I told him not to."
"What did he agree on?" I growled, furious.
"He'll find out as soon as your journey is finish, that is if you find Aeris."
I gbegan infuriated with the whole situation Zack dragged us into. What was he thinking? Yeah they were Aeris' people and yeah they were wise but they were also sociopaths thinking they could alter people's destiny. I had the sudden realization that it was the Cetras that was behind Aeris's disappearance.
"Gaia is scheduled for termination in three days Lee. Your best bet is to start where it all began."
I turned and frowned in puzzlement, "are you saying that's where she is?"
"I am saying that is where is your journey begins."
