Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy Seven or The Story "The Darksword
Trilogy" which I got the Darksword from.
Promised Dreams and Shattered Lives
By Tobias5
Chapter 1: The Promised Land
Aeris was one with the Lifestream. Her essence was one with it. She watched as Meteor is destroyed. As her final farewell she sent all her friends an image of her face, and then was gone. The Lifestream suddenly began taking her to a new place. She began to feel dizzy, and began to realize she could feel her body again.
"My lord! What is going on?" she thought as the Lifestream whipped her around and began to make her feel sick. Suddenly, she was flung onto a shore, where several people were standing. She blinked at them and then passed out as they rushed to her aid.
*****
"How is our newest arrival doing, Marie?" a man's voice asked. Aeris was close to regaining consciousness, and she could hear them faintly.
"She is doing well, Rueben. I can't believe a small girl, such as this saved Planet." Marie replied. Aeris felt a cool cloth drying her face. She heard the man grunt and walk out. Aeris forced her eyes open and winced in the bright light.
"Ah! You're awake. You gave us quite a shock. We have been expecting you to come soon, but it seems the Planet still had use for you." Marie said, and continued to wipe Aeris's face off.
"Where.am.I?" she whispered, exhausted. She could already feel herself drifting off to sleep.
"Well, dear girl," Marie said, as Aeris closed her eyes, "you're in the Promised Land."
*****
Twelve hours later, Aeris awoke alone in a strange room. The floor was made of crystal, the walls of oak, the ceiling of glass, and she was lying in one of the most comfortable beds ever. She lifted the sheet and gasped. She was also naked. She was about to scream, when the woman from before appeared. She pale green eyes, and blond hair.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you're up. We were worried the Lifestream had too bad an effect on you." The woman was surrounded by a pink glow that was very faint. She set a tray down on a dresser where Aeris's clothes lay neat folded.
"We made some extra clothes like yours, and I hope they are the same size." The woman said. She took another cloth out and sat next to Aeris on the bed. She began to dab at her forehead again.
"Who are you?" Aeris said, timidly and the woman smiled.
"I am Marie Inserl, and this is my home. They brought you here after you washed up. I have to admit the Lifestream isn't an easy ride." Marie said, as she dabbed Aeris's forehead. "And you dear girl?"
"Aeris. Aeris Gainsbourgh." Aeris murmured and looked around nervously.
"Now, now. Where not going to harm you. Your something special to have been brought here." Marie said and dipped the cloth in some more water.
"Is this really the Promised Land?" Aeris asked timidly. Marie smiled.
"The one in the same. You'll meet everyone soon. There is over two hundred of us here." Marie said and continued to dab Aeris's forehead. Aeris pushed the hand away.
"Two hundred?" Aeris she said, shocked. Marie smiled and put the cloth down.
"Oh yes! And most of them are not Cetra like you, dear girl. To be allowed into the Promised Land you must have saved the Planet."
"But I didn't, my friends.did." Aeris bit her lip and began to cry.
"There, there. You'll see them some day. And they'll all look like they did when you met them. We are restored to our peak when we enter the Promised Land. When I died I was seventy-three. But look at me now! Back to my youthful twenties." Marie laughed and Aeris giggled.
"So they will be coming here?"
"Of course! We all know about it! Rueben told us it was the most incredible fight to date!"
"Really! All of them?"
"Oh yes! All eight of them! But not for many years. So be happy. You'll see them soon."
"Why am I naked?" Aeris asked and Marie laughed.
"Your clothes were soaking wet and we didn't want you to catch cold."
"I can get sick here?"
"Oh my yes! You just can't die, you're already dead!" Aeris giggled at the comment.
"I suppose not. Can I get dressed and go outside?"
"Sure! This is your home now too! Rueben assigned you here. What's mine is yours. I'll just wait for you in the hall." Marie got up and quietly shut the door after her. Aeris got up and stretched. She felt good, and freshly energized. She opened the dresser and found all sorts of clothes, each a copy of her own. She smiled and quickly dressed. She inspected her old clothes, and noticed the cut where the sword had.. She shivered and tossed them into the trash. She opened the door and found Marie standing there waiting patiently.
"Come! I'm sure you'll want to meet the others." Marie said, and led Aeris down the hall. The hall looked the same as Aeris's room.
"Are all homes built like this?"
"Yes. The just appear one night and the person arrives the next day. You room appeared on our home about week ago. We were all getting nervous, but you finally showed up." Aeris fell silent thinking. Marie led her outside where a bunch of people were waiting nervously.
*****
Meanwhile, outside of Midgar, the Highwind landed softly on the grass near the ruins. Cloud stepped out first and looked around in the bright sunlight. Tifa followed closley behind him, hands in her pockets. Cid came out and sat on the grass, smoking of course. Yuffie rushed out ahead, hand over her mouth, straight for a small group of bushes. Nanaki padded out and laid next to Vincent who silently sat next to Cid. Barret and Cait Sith came last, silent and thoughtful. Cloud turned to look at all of them. Yuffie finished throwing up and came to stand next to Tifa watching Cloud. When he noticed everyone was looking at him, he grinned. They grinned back. What was left on Midgar was still standing, inspite of Meteor and Holy's battle.
"We did it." he whispered softly. Everyone nodded and fell silent again.
"Well what the hell we waitn' for? Let's all go home!" Cid shouted when the silence became unbearable. They laughed and nodded. They all got to get back on the Highwind except for Cloud and Barret.
"Cloud, Barrett, aren't you two coming?" Tifa asked.
"No, I got to get to, Marlene, in Kalm." Barrett replied.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye first?"
"No. I'm going to take her to Corel. I'm sure I'll see everyone soon." Barret said. He waved and began walking towards Kalm. Tifa turned to look at Cloud's face, but he had his back turned to her.
"Cloud?" she asked hesitantly. She stepped towards him, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I was wondering if it was all worth it." He said, without turning around. Tifa knew he was thinking about Aeris.
"I'm sure she's fine, Cloud. She'd want us to be happy, wouldn't she?"
"I'm sure she would, but is she? She'll never have kids, grow old, or see us for a long, long time."
"I'm sure she is. It was her choice, not yours. And you did all you could to stop it." He fell silent again and then looked at her. He pulled her close to him. She looked at the glow in his eyes, and saw something there.
"Cloud." she began, but he interrupted her with a kiss, and she forgot what she was going to say. When he finally pulled away, she looked at him in wonder.
"Where do you think we should go now?" He asked her, holding her tight.
"Niblehiem? Or maybe Kalm?"
"Kalm sounds better. You can open another bar. And this time I'll be there when you do."
"Whatever you want, Cloud. I'm just glad to have you."
"HEY! Get your asses on this plane. I want to see Shera!" Cid shouted out the doorway. Tifa and Cloud smiled, and boarded the Highwind, hand in hand.
*****
"Aeris," Marie said, "This is, Johnny Scrose. And this is Bill, Jack, Mikey.." Marie went on and on introducing everybody. There were some many people, that Aeris soon lost track of who was who. Marie finally finished.
"Eventually you'll learn everyone's names but it'll take a couple of years." Marie said, and there were chuckles from everyone.
"Time is something we really don't worry about here." Johnny Scrose whispered to Aeris. He was on of the only people she could remember.
"Except, Rueben!" a voice called out and everyone, except Aeris laughed.
"Who's, Rueben?" she asked.
"The Watchman! Every hundred years the Planet celebrates its birth! It sends twelve people back to live again. One for each month!" Another voice said.
"And the Planet's birthday is less than a year from now. In fact it was on the day you died!" Everyone laughed this time.
"How long have you all been here?" Aeris wondered aloud.
"Some of us a thousand years and more. They always have the best chance to go back. I've been here for seven hundred and fifty-nine years." Marie said. People began calling out numbers, some of them vastly higher than Marie's age.
"How long has, Rueben, been here?" Aeris asked, and a hush fell over the crowd.
"Aeris," Marie warned, "never, ever mention that again. Rueben has been here for ten thousand years. He thinks he'll never go back. The one who was before him was only here for a thousand."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's a sore subject." Bill said. People began to leave now that the good mood had been broken. Marie gave Aeris a tour of the town. She showed her the sights, where the various stores were located, and how to get back home. Aeris watched, amazed, as people just walked into a store, took something, and then just left.
"Do we use gil here?" Aeris asked Marie. Marie shook her head.
"No, no money. We just ask for what we need, and take it. I like it my self. I have a different pair of shoes for each set of clothes." Marie answered, and Aeris laughed. They walked around as Marie gave her a tour. Marie eventually led her to a three-story home on the outskirts of the town. It was the only one Aeris had seen. There were no other homes around, and it was next to the woods. It looked cold, and isolated.
"This is the Watchman's house. He's like Mayor of the town, only he makes the laws and carries them out too." Marie said, as she walked up the steps. Aeris followed her and nervously looked around. Marie knocked on the door. They heard footsteps approach, and then they door swung open. A man in his early twenties stood there. His short brown hair was neatly combed, and his blue-grey eyes glared at them. He had on black jeans, cowboy boots, and a white shirt. A sword was strapped to his back in a black sheath.
"About time! Hurry up!" He snapped and open the screen door for them. They went in and he motioned for them to sit down on a couch. He walked threw another door and vanished. Aeris drew in a breath.
"Who was that!? He was so rude!" She said, shocked. Marie shook her head.
"That was, Rueben. He's always been like that. He's getting ready for the weekly tournament."
"Tournament?"
"We hold a tournament here. Only the best enter."
"So why am I here?"
"Rueben, meets all the new arrivals. It's his job." Just then Rueben walked back in holding a clipboard and a manila folder. He sighed and sat down in chair
"You are, Aeris Gainsborough. Age 22. Peak age: 22. Your mother is, Ifalna. Your adoptive mother is, Elmyra. Your father is, Professor Gast.."
"My father! Did you know him?" Aeris burst out.
"Do not interrupt me!!" Rueben shouted, glaring at her.
"Sorry." She whispered. Aeris glanced at Marie and noticed she had gone pale.
"As I was saying, father, Professor Gast. Known affiliates, Reeve a.k.a. Cait Sith, Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockheart, Barret Wallace, Nanaki a.k.a. Red Xll, Vincent Valentine, Yuffie Kisagarie, and Cid Highwind. Killed by, Sephiroth, by stab wound in back threw rib cage and lower lung. Called Holy spell to save planet. HUMPH!" Rueben snorted as he tossed the clipboard aside.
"Well, why were we brought here so urgently?" Marie asked. Rueben shrugged.
"I have no idea. The planet has already given her an automatic spot in the tournament today. And this materialized in the delivery box. This envelope contains a rod that extends with a flick of the button, and vice versa. I have no idea why the Planet favors her so much!" Rueben snorted again and looked at Aeris. Her head was still bowed, and she was scared of Rueben.
"Well say something girl!" he growled. Aeris looked up at his face and saw him glaring at her but she saw something else.
"Okay, you're a meanie and a jerk!" she shouted. Rueben eyes widened with surprise and Marie let out a bark of laughter. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
"Wh-what?" he mumbled.
"You heard me. Why do you have to be so mean?" Aeris asked. Rueben stared at her, and then he slowly grinned.
"Take your staff and go. I'll see you at the tournament." He waved them away and left the room, still smiling. Marie gazed in shock as he walked away. Aeris picked up the envelope and pulled out the rod. With an experimental flick the two sides sprung out to reveal two sharp ends.
"I've never seen Rueben do that before." Marie said, as they walked out heading for the field where the tournament was held.
"I saw something in his eyes. I don't know, I guess the Cetra part of me told me to do it." She said, twirling her new rod around, getting a feel for it. Marie grunted and stared at the rod.
"What the colors around people hear, mean?" Aeris asked suddenly.
"What? Oh you mean the auras? They signal the type of person you are. Rueben is dark blue, which shows he's cold hearted, Johnny Scrose's is yellow which means cunning. Mine is pink, which is honest, and the rare ones like you are crystal clear. That means pure."
"Really? So I'm pure hearted?"
"Yeah kinda. So why does the Planet seem to favor you?"
"I don't know. Why am I going to a fighting tournament? I don't even like to fight." Aeris asked.
"It's a great honor to be chosen by the planet. Also, most of the tournament fighters get to go back soon, but not you. You just got here!" Marie said, with a smile. She led Aeris to the women's locker room under the stands. Marie hugged her.
"Good luck, you'll need it." Marie said, and walked away. Aeris shrugged and walked into the locker room. A locker with her name on it was near some other women. They smiled and said hello. She smiled back and opened it. It contain a pair of white pants, and a pink sweatshirt. The other girls had other out fits. Aeris was about to reach for the clothes when a thought hit her. She was dead; she was about to about fight in tournament like it was a normal day when it wasn't. She had just died for Planet's sake! She began to cry, and the woman next to her looked at her.
"Hey you okay?" she whispered.
"NO! I just died! I died, and now I'm going to fight against people I don't even know! What am I doing?" Aeris wailed. The woman rubbed her back.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. We all went through it. Just take it easy. You're still alive, sort of. You got to go to the Promised Land, and not be reborn again and again like other people." The woman said, comforting her. Eventually, Aeris fell silent.
"You're right. And my friends will come here one day too!" Aeris exclaimed. The woman gave her an odd look, and continued dressing. As Aeris dressed, thoughts were going threw her head. She knew all she had to do was wait. All she had to do was wait.
Promised Dreams and Shattered Lives
By Tobias5
Chapter 1: The Promised Land
Aeris was one with the Lifestream. Her essence was one with it. She watched as Meteor is destroyed. As her final farewell she sent all her friends an image of her face, and then was gone. The Lifestream suddenly began taking her to a new place. She began to feel dizzy, and began to realize she could feel her body again.
"My lord! What is going on?" she thought as the Lifestream whipped her around and began to make her feel sick. Suddenly, she was flung onto a shore, where several people were standing. She blinked at them and then passed out as they rushed to her aid.
*****
"How is our newest arrival doing, Marie?" a man's voice asked. Aeris was close to regaining consciousness, and she could hear them faintly.
"She is doing well, Rueben. I can't believe a small girl, such as this saved Planet." Marie replied. Aeris felt a cool cloth drying her face. She heard the man grunt and walk out. Aeris forced her eyes open and winced in the bright light.
"Ah! You're awake. You gave us quite a shock. We have been expecting you to come soon, but it seems the Planet still had use for you." Marie said, and continued to wipe Aeris's face off.
"Where.am.I?" she whispered, exhausted. She could already feel herself drifting off to sleep.
"Well, dear girl," Marie said, as Aeris closed her eyes, "you're in the Promised Land."
*****
Twelve hours later, Aeris awoke alone in a strange room. The floor was made of crystal, the walls of oak, the ceiling of glass, and she was lying in one of the most comfortable beds ever. She lifted the sheet and gasped. She was also naked. She was about to scream, when the woman from before appeared. She pale green eyes, and blond hair.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you're up. We were worried the Lifestream had too bad an effect on you." The woman was surrounded by a pink glow that was very faint. She set a tray down on a dresser where Aeris's clothes lay neat folded.
"We made some extra clothes like yours, and I hope they are the same size." The woman said. She took another cloth out and sat next to Aeris on the bed. She began to dab at her forehead again.
"Who are you?" Aeris said, timidly and the woman smiled.
"I am Marie Inserl, and this is my home. They brought you here after you washed up. I have to admit the Lifestream isn't an easy ride." Marie said, as she dabbed Aeris's forehead. "And you dear girl?"
"Aeris. Aeris Gainsbourgh." Aeris murmured and looked around nervously.
"Now, now. Where not going to harm you. Your something special to have been brought here." Marie said and dipped the cloth in some more water.
"Is this really the Promised Land?" Aeris asked timidly. Marie smiled.
"The one in the same. You'll meet everyone soon. There is over two hundred of us here." Marie said and continued to dab Aeris's forehead. Aeris pushed the hand away.
"Two hundred?" Aeris she said, shocked. Marie smiled and put the cloth down.
"Oh yes! And most of them are not Cetra like you, dear girl. To be allowed into the Promised Land you must have saved the Planet."
"But I didn't, my friends.did." Aeris bit her lip and began to cry.
"There, there. You'll see them some day. And they'll all look like they did when you met them. We are restored to our peak when we enter the Promised Land. When I died I was seventy-three. But look at me now! Back to my youthful twenties." Marie laughed and Aeris giggled.
"So they will be coming here?"
"Of course! We all know about it! Rueben told us it was the most incredible fight to date!"
"Really! All of them?"
"Oh yes! All eight of them! But not for many years. So be happy. You'll see them soon."
"Why am I naked?" Aeris asked and Marie laughed.
"Your clothes were soaking wet and we didn't want you to catch cold."
"I can get sick here?"
"Oh my yes! You just can't die, you're already dead!" Aeris giggled at the comment.
"I suppose not. Can I get dressed and go outside?"
"Sure! This is your home now too! Rueben assigned you here. What's mine is yours. I'll just wait for you in the hall." Marie got up and quietly shut the door after her. Aeris got up and stretched. She felt good, and freshly energized. She opened the dresser and found all sorts of clothes, each a copy of her own. She smiled and quickly dressed. She inspected her old clothes, and noticed the cut where the sword had.. She shivered and tossed them into the trash. She opened the door and found Marie standing there waiting patiently.
"Come! I'm sure you'll want to meet the others." Marie said, and led Aeris down the hall. The hall looked the same as Aeris's room.
"Are all homes built like this?"
"Yes. The just appear one night and the person arrives the next day. You room appeared on our home about week ago. We were all getting nervous, but you finally showed up." Aeris fell silent thinking. Marie led her outside where a bunch of people were waiting nervously.
*****
Meanwhile, outside of Midgar, the Highwind landed softly on the grass near the ruins. Cloud stepped out first and looked around in the bright sunlight. Tifa followed closley behind him, hands in her pockets. Cid came out and sat on the grass, smoking of course. Yuffie rushed out ahead, hand over her mouth, straight for a small group of bushes. Nanaki padded out and laid next to Vincent who silently sat next to Cid. Barret and Cait Sith came last, silent and thoughtful. Cloud turned to look at all of them. Yuffie finished throwing up and came to stand next to Tifa watching Cloud. When he noticed everyone was looking at him, he grinned. They grinned back. What was left on Midgar was still standing, inspite of Meteor and Holy's battle.
"We did it." he whispered softly. Everyone nodded and fell silent again.
"Well what the hell we waitn' for? Let's all go home!" Cid shouted when the silence became unbearable. They laughed and nodded. They all got to get back on the Highwind except for Cloud and Barret.
"Cloud, Barrett, aren't you two coming?" Tifa asked.
"No, I got to get to, Marlene, in Kalm." Barrett replied.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye first?"
"No. I'm going to take her to Corel. I'm sure I'll see everyone soon." Barret said. He waved and began walking towards Kalm. Tifa turned to look at Cloud's face, but he had his back turned to her.
"Cloud?" she asked hesitantly. She stepped towards him, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I was wondering if it was all worth it." He said, without turning around. Tifa knew he was thinking about Aeris.
"I'm sure she's fine, Cloud. She'd want us to be happy, wouldn't she?"
"I'm sure she would, but is she? She'll never have kids, grow old, or see us for a long, long time."
"I'm sure she is. It was her choice, not yours. And you did all you could to stop it." He fell silent again and then looked at her. He pulled her close to him. She looked at the glow in his eyes, and saw something there.
"Cloud." she began, but he interrupted her with a kiss, and she forgot what she was going to say. When he finally pulled away, she looked at him in wonder.
"Where do you think we should go now?" He asked her, holding her tight.
"Niblehiem? Or maybe Kalm?"
"Kalm sounds better. You can open another bar. And this time I'll be there when you do."
"Whatever you want, Cloud. I'm just glad to have you."
"HEY! Get your asses on this plane. I want to see Shera!" Cid shouted out the doorway. Tifa and Cloud smiled, and boarded the Highwind, hand in hand.
*****
"Aeris," Marie said, "This is, Johnny Scrose. And this is Bill, Jack, Mikey.." Marie went on and on introducing everybody. There were some many people, that Aeris soon lost track of who was who. Marie finally finished.
"Eventually you'll learn everyone's names but it'll take a couple of years." Marie said, and there were chuckles from everyone.
"Time is something we really don't worry about here." Johnny Scrose whispered to Aeris. He was on of the only people she could remember.
"Except, Rueben!" a voice called out and everyone, except Aeris laughed.
"Who's, Rueben?" she asked.
"The Watchman! Every hundred years the Planet celebrates its birth! It sends twelve people back to live again. One for each month!" Another voice said.
"And the Planet's birthday is less than a year from now. In fact it was on the day you died!" Everyone laughed this time.
"How long have you all been here?" Aeris wondered aloud.
"Some of us a thousand years and more. They always have the best chance to go back. I've been here for seven hundred and fifty-nine years." Marie said. People began calling out numbers, some of them vastly higher than Marie's age.
"How long has, Rueben, been here?" Aeris asked, and a hush fell over the crowd.
"Aeris," Marie warned, "never, ever mention that again. Rueben has been here for ten thousand years. He thinks he'll never go back. The one who was before him was only here for a thousand."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's a sore subject." Bill said. People began to leave now that the good mood had been broken. Marie gave Aeris a tour of the town. She showed her the sights, where the various stores were located, and how to get back home. Aeris watched, amazed, as people just walked into a store, took something, and then just left.
"Do we use gil here?" Aeris asked Marie. Marie shook her head.
"No, no money. We just ask for what we need, and take it. I like it my self. I have a different pair of shoes for each set of clothes." Marie answered, and Aeris laughed. They walked around as Marie gave her a tour. Marie eventually led her to a three-story home on the outskirts of the town. It was the only one Aeris had seen. There were no other homes around, and it was next to the woods. It looked cold, and isolated.
"This is the Watchman's house. He's like Mayor of the town, only he makes the laws and carries them out too." Marie said, as she walked up the steps. Aeris followed her and nervously looked around. Marie knocked on the door. They heard footsteps approach, and then they door swung open. A man in his early twenties stood there. His short brown hair was neatly combed, and his blue-grey eyes glared at them. He had on black jeans, cowboy boots, and a white shirt. A sword was strapped to his back in a black sheath.
"About time! Hurry up!" He snapped and open the screen door for them. They went in and he motioned for them to sit down on a couch. He walked threw another door and vanished. Aeris drew in a breath.
"Who was that!? He was so rude!" She said, shocked. Marie shook her head.
"That was, Rueben. He's always been like that. He's getting ready for the weekly tournament."
"Tournament?"
"We hold a tournament here. Only the best enter."
"So why am I here?"
"Rueben, meets all the new arrivals. It's his job." Just then Rueben walked back in holding a clipboard and a manila folder. He sighed and sat down in chair
"You are, Aeris Gainsborough. Age 22. Peak age: 22. Your mother is, Ifalna. Your adoptive mother is, Elmyra. Your father is, Professor Gast.."
"My father! Did you know him?" Aeris burst out.
"Do not interrupt me!!" Rueben shouted, glaring at her.
"Sorry." She whispered. Aeris glanced at Marie and noticed she had gone pale.
"As I was saying, father, Professor Gast. Known affiliates, Reeve a.k.a. Cait Sith, Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockheart, Barret Wallace, Nanaki a.k.a. Red Xll, Vincent Valentine, Yuffie Kisagarie, and Cid Highwind. Killed by, Sephiroth, by stab wound in back threw rib cage and lower lung. Called Holy spell to save planet. HUMPH!" Rueben snorted as he tossed the clipboard aside.
"Well, why were we brought here so urgently?" Marie asked. Rueben shrugged.
"I have no idea. The planet has already given her an automatic spot in the tournament today. And this materialized in the delivery box. This envelope contains a rod that extends with a flick of the button, and vice versa. I have no idea why the Planet favors her so much!" Rueben snorted again and looked at Aeris. Her head was still bowed, and she was scared of Rueben.
"Well say something girl!" he growled. Aeris looked up at his face and saw him glaring at her but she saw something else.
"Okay, you're a meanie and a jerk!" she shouted. Rueben eyes widened with surprise and Marie let out a bark of laughter. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
"Wh-what?" he mumbled.
"You heard me. Why do you have to be so mean?" Aeris asked. Rueben stared at her, and then he slowly grinned.
"Take your staff and go. I'll see you at the tournament." He waved them away and left the room, still smiling. Marie gazed in shock as he walked away. Aeris picked up the envelope and pulled out the rod. With an experimental flick the two sides sprung out to reveal two sharp ends.
"I've never seen Rueben do that before." Marie said, as they walked out heading for the field where the tournament was held.
"I saw something in his eyes. I don't know, I guess the Cetra part of me told me to do it." She said, twirling her new rod around, getting a feel for it. Marie grunted and stared at the rod.
"What the colors around people hear, mean?" Aeris asked suddenly.
"What? Oh you mean the auras? They signal the type of person you are. Rueben is dark blue, which shows he's cold hearted, Johnny Scrose's is yellow which means cunning. Mine is pink, which is honest, and the rare ones like you are crystal clear. That means pure."
"Really? So I'm pure hearted?"
"Yeah kinda. So why does the Planet seem to favor you?"
"I don't know. Why am I going to a fighting tournament? I don't even like to fight." Aeris asked.
"It's a great honor to be chosen by the planet. Also, most of the tournament fighters get to go back soon, but not you. You just got here!" Marie said, with a smile. She led Aeris to the women's locker room under the stands. Marie hugged her.
"Good luck, you'll need it." Marie said, and walked away. Aeris shrugged and walked into the locker room. A locker with her name on it was near some other women. They smiled and said hello. She smiled back and opened it. It contain a pair of white pants, and a pink sweatshirt. The other girls had other out fits. Aeris was about to reach for the clothes when a thought hit her. She was dead; she was about to about fight in tournament like it was a normal day when it wasn't. She had just died for Planet's sake! She began to cry, and the woman next to her looked at her.
"Hey you okay?" she whispered.
"NO! I just died! I died, and now I'm going to fight against people I don't even know! What am I doing?" Aeris wailed. The woman rubbed her back.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. We all went through it. Just take it easy. You're still alive, sort of. You got to go to the Promised Land, and not be reborn again and again like other people." The woman said, comforting her. Eventually, Aeris fell silent.
"You're right. And my friends will come here one day too!" Aeris exclaimed. The woman gave her an odd look, and continued dressing. As Aeris dressed, thoughts were going threw her head. She knew all she had to do was wait. All she had to do was wait.