I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its affiliates (Disney)
Here's my revamped version of Crying for Chaos dubbed Damnation Unwinding
Damnation Unwinding
[1]
Beginnings
Chains grinded against one another, seemingly causing more pain to the man that was bound to the cave-like wall. Dull flames licked at his metal boots. The chains confined the man in a crucifix-like fashion and proceeded to rob the man of his freedom. The room smelt of stagnant water, it was something the man remembered as familiar.
'But, where?'
Vivid memories flashed before him, they were of faces that he no longer remembered. What caused him pain was their calling out to him. It was as if they were telling him not to forget them. Trying to grasp at the memories that eluded him, he was interrupted by the slamming open of the cell he was in.
It was this man that had sealed him here, forever separating him from those memories he wished to reclaim. He felt great animosity for the man that was nearing his location. His presence also gave him the feeling of something akin to déjà vu, morbid déjà vu.
He was the person who meticulously drew blood from him and introduced his body to various acids that enflamed or corroded his flesh. These experiments drove him to wish for the end of his existence. He was amazed and astonished by the fact that his body could take so much abuse. This person would always refer to him as…
"Let's see now, Valentine, what more can we do to test the limits of that body of yours?"
Hearing that cackling voice of his, drove him to struggle against the chains that bound him. He tried to come within reach of his face so that he may scratch at him with the claw that adorned or made up one of his hands.
"Oh that's right, that meddling fool DiZ went along and used that witch to erase your ties. What am I to do now that they deprived you of those horrid memories?"
The chained man noticed the slight grimace on the man's face when he said horrid.
"I know, we'll just make new memories." laughed the man as he grabbed a scalpel.
"Yuffie there's something…" started the gunslinger.
He wore a slight smirk at the ninja's eagerness to hear the rest of his statement.
"The heartless they're growing in numbers and I fear that I won't have the chance to tell you…"
The ninja looked mesmerized by his face as she stared deep into his crimson eyes. She grew nervous as he placed a hand before his heart.
"I need…"
"Yes, Vin*&!, what is it?"
"I need…"
"Yes?"
"I need my materia back."
Yuffie opened her eyes to see the form of Aeries, no Aerith hovering over her with a smirk on her face.
"I want to know…" started Aerith with a finger to her chin.
Yuffie squirmed on her bed as she pondered the idea of sleep-talking and if she were immune to its effects.
"…what you were dreaming that caused you to drool all over those nice sheets that I washed." she said while pointing to the aforementioned drool-stained sheets.
"I um was having that dream about…"
Seeing Aerith intertwine her fingers together she knew that this was not a good sign.
"A past heartache, torn between two loves, one dressed in crimson whilst the other in jet black."
Falling back into her pillow she regretted ever telling her about that recurring dream. She was also perturbed by the fact that Aerith assumed that she had a crush on Squall.
'Today's going to be a long day'
Suddenly remembering something she jolted out of the bed and looked to see Aerith in a dramatic pose.
"Aerith there's been something I've been trying to figure out."
Aerith dropped her hands to the side in response to the seriousness in Yuffie's voice. She was beginning to feel some foreboding emanating off Yuffie.
"Lately, I've been thinking that there's something I've forgotten. I've tried to remember but I can't."
Yuffie paused for her declaration to take effect.
"I mean don't you feel like were forgetting something, something terrible that happened."
Yuffie was curious to see why Aerith placed a hand over her midsection.
"I know what you mean." whispered Aerith.
"I believe it has something to do with the man with…"
"Red eyes." finished Aerith
"How did you know he has…"
"I dreamt about him too." replied Aerith pacing around Yuffie's room.
"What did he tell you?" questioned an anxious Yuffie.
"He just told me that he was looking for someone. Hmm what was that name?"
"Did he call out my name?"
"No, and by the sound of it, it seemed as if he was really angry at this person."
Yuffie was surprised to hear about this development, never once had the character in her dream mentioned anything about looking for someone.
"He said he knew me from somewhere and that he was shocked to see me…"
"What is it?" questioned a concerned Yuffie.
After a pregnant pause Aerith breathed out, "…alive."
Encircled in darkness the young woman whispers a name.
"Vincent"
This darkness seemed foreign to her. She recalled bathing in a somewhat familiar darkness.
'Nero'
No, this darkness was less intense and felt more like a miasma. It was a miasma of disillusionment, one that made you forget all the things you held precious.
She thought back on the victory over Omega and how it seemed wrought with joy. Everyone smiled, she even felt the contagiousness of it at one point, well as she witnessed 'his' smile. The young woman or girl depending on how you grasp the situation, adorned a smirk, one in which she looked down assuming she knew where down was and uttered a simple statement.
"Data Corruption"
All the festivities, all the ceremonies, and all the confessions were for naught as the shadows soon blanketed the already exhausted planet. Heroes fought shadows and with that their epic clashes were felt all throughout the world. There was even a long forgotten memory that took up the sword and waged his darkness against the shadows. What was the use of a decrepit vessel anyway? Chaos could be seen joining its vessel once again banishing the alien force plaguing its domicile.
"Vincent"
She felt the corners of her lip bend upwards as she pondered on her confession to Vincent. She remembered where he sat on the porch of the newly christened Seventh Heaven quietly conversing with Red XIII.
"Are you certain?" questioned his feline companion.
"Yes,…"
Red XIII looked up at the gunslinger to see his eyes glisten on the subject at hand.
"…my sins have been forgiven."
Walking towards Vincent she noticed Red XIII look up and slowly walk away at her presence. Did he see that twinkle in her eye or could he have just left to get some sleep? Brushing all thoughts aside, she sat next to Vincent.
"The people of Gaia are in great debt to you, Vincent Valentine."
Vincent let out a small smile in response towards her declaration.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Shelke."
Shelke could already feel a burning sensation building deep within her stomach. Leaning back she made sure that she wasn't within reach of his crimson gaze.
"Thank you."
"So, what will you do now?" Shelke hears herself ask.
Looking towards the stars in the sky he lets out a sigh.
"I really don't know."
He then stops for a short pause as he stares in Shelke's direction.
"Was there something you needed, Shelke?"
She decided it was now or never and with that she leaned forward and whispered something into his ear.
Vincent was baffled to say the least, her sentenced now had reminded him that she was still indeed a nineteen year old. He had never imagined that she would tell him something like that. It was a confession of her innermost feelings in which she laid out for him.
He almost misses the fact that she kissed him on the corner of his lips.
Then…
Darkness
Soon, those memories too will fade within the confines of the darkness that ensnared her. She was now slipping in and out of consciousness.
How long had it been since she had any substantial dose of mako?
Her back finally touched a cement surface. She was barely remaining conscious when she heard the howling of wind reach her ears.
Looking up she saw a broken neon sign with the name Traverse Town loosely hanging on some abandoned building. She never saw the lingering shadows that strayed away from her field of vision.
She then whispered words she hadn't used since her confession to Vincent.
"I love you, Vincent Valentine," and with that she succumbed to unconsciousness.
Beady eyes waited with anticipation as they stared down their next feast, only to be silenced by an odd glowing materia laying near the girl.
Let me have any thoughts you may have about the story's direction and I'll be sure to answer them and feel free to leave any reviews.
Next Chapter: Chaos
-AOG-