Disclaimer: I do not own Sephiroth or Jenovah; they are copyrighted by Square Soft entertainment. Everyone else in the story is mine though.
Aftermath
He floated in a web of energy…glowing strands wrapped around him and tugged gently…he could feel himself coming apart…he welcomed it. What was left of him smiled in joy as the glow grew brighter…then darkness descended. It was terror, and fear, and pain…a voice he recognized and hated whispered around him, severing the bright web.
"Not yet. Not now. I have one more task for you, though you have failed this one. I may be gone now, but you are me, you are my instrument, my vengeance, and I am not done with you yet."
He writhed in the darkness, seeking the bright glow of the web, but all he could see was darkness. It surrounded him, enveloped him, he opened his mouth to scream and it poured inside. There was an echoing silence as his scream was cut off abruptly, and the voice sounded in his head now.
"Now, we will have revenge on the one who sealed me here, the one who locked me on this world. You will live to do this."
There was a titanic wrench, as if reality itself was warping for a moment…then there was nothing but darkness.
* * * * *
He awoke in pain; a stabbing agony from his lower back to his throat. Fire traced its way along every vein in his body as he slowly breathed in. He couldn't see, there seemed to be something around his head…despite himself he moaned softly as the pain spread to encompass his whole body. The sound seemed to trigger movement around him; he could feel the air ripple as if someone were walking towards him.
"Ah, you are awake" A gentle hand was laid on his forehead "and wishing you weren't I assume."
He licked his lips and grimaced, the voice was right. Even the oblivion of death would be preferable to the agony in his traitorous body. He raised his hand from where it laid next to him and tried to brush the restraints from his eyes. He felt the hand on his forehead move to intercept his hand, giving his a gentle squeeze.
"No."
He made a small noise of protest in his throat, furious.
"I see you do not understand. You came here sorely injured. You are lucky, those who find their way here cannot die…therefore you are healing. You have bandages on nearly every part of your body. As for your eyes…you will see again, I am skilled enough to return them to you, but only if you keep the bandages on." The gentle hand placed his back on the bed and his caretaker stood "I shall return in a moment."
He was left alone, confused. How did I get injured? Where am I? Why can I not remember? The air itself smelled different, pure, and clean. He could hear wind as it rushed through trees outside. He could not remember How he had come to be here… His thoughts were disturbed by the return of his caretaker, a cup was held to his lips.
"Drink"
He swallowed, obediently, like a child. The cool liquid tasted of fresh herbs, and as he swallowed, coolness arose to combat the fire in his veins. He could feel healing energy pouring into his body. Now painless, he slept.
* * * * *
Kiv looked down at the now sleeping man, smiling gently; she gathered her healing materials and sat by the bed. Slowly, carefully, she cleaned and re-bandaged the horrendous wounds. It is obvious he has been in a war. The damage to his body could only have been done with a sword; it is pure luck that he did not die immediately. Then the gun wounds on his face…eyes…someone really tried to kill him. I wonder why? He does not seem dangerous, no more than I am dangerous…Finished she gathered her things and left the room.
Every since she had carried his broken, bleeding body to her little home, here in the center of the Nexus, these questions had nagged her. Who could cause such damage to such a beautiful body? He was a warrior, of that she was sure. The underlying muscles of his body and not to mention the six foot sword attested to that. Perhaps he was defending someone or someplace from evil. Yet…and yet…there was the elusive scent of something, someone, else about him. He has things hidden in his mind…where I dare not go for fear of harming him… She relaxed and sipped her tea.
In the kitchen she looked out over Nexus with a small smile, which turned into a frown. How did he get here? The path he arrived on has been closed since me great-great grandmothers day. He is quite a bundle of mysteries. Perhaps I will learn more when he is well enough to speak. Shrugging to herself, she walked back into the room that her guest occupied and laid herself down on the small pallet she had set on the floor. It is a good sign he awoke…even if it was in the wee hours of the morning; I was beginning to wonder if perhaps his mind had been damaged…She drifted, peacefully into sleep.
* * * * *
He slept, and as he slept he dreamed. The darkness was still there, but hiding. He couldn't ferret it out. Then his dream changed, he was standing in a burning village. He tried to help, but he couldn't move…
* * * * *
End of chapter one. Bwahahahahahaha. I'll continue if I get good reviews.