Through Mako Blue

By Effilar

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Square does, enough said.

Chapter One: Staying Alive

The cold was blistering. It chilled me to the core, and I couldn't concentrate.

Cloud: "Is anybody out there!"

I called out into the thick air, but there was no answer. I came to the conclusion that the blizzard eliminated my chances of communication with someone… or something. As I looked around, the visibility seemed to be poor.

Cloud: "I have… to find… shelter…"

I tried covering my face for protection, but the sheer temperature of the air started to numb my face. It was then I remembered my Fire materia. My thoughts centered on body warmth, and that's what I had felt a few seconds afterwards. I smiled softly to myself, as I caressed it, the materia that is. I thought about what to do next.

Cloud: "Hello? Can anyone hear me?"

The storm was getting worse. The shards of ice felt like needles in my skin. Fortunately, my materia kept me from getting frostbite. It kept the blood flowing throughout my whole body. I walked slowly, and looked backwards from time to time to see if the visibility had gotten any better… or worse.

Cloud: "Damn! I've been walking for hours, and I seem to be going in circles. Hmm, maybe I can try this."

I reached over my back and grasped the hilt of my Buster Sword. Thunder materia, and… Double Cut. I had an idea, which was to try and attract someone, or something's attention. I looked upwards, and then imagined a thunderbolt striking the ground. Harmoniously, my Thunder materia reacted to my thoughts, and the bolt struck a few yards away from me.

Cloud: "That'll get someone's attention. But, who would even think of living in a place like this?"

I waited, and waited, waited some more, and waited again, until finally I saw it. It was something I had never seen before. Cautiously, I didn't want to present myself as a threat, so I put my weapon back into place. As it got closer, the features of the creature were legible. The thing was huge, and it had to be at least eight feet in height. It had blue skin… no fur, and wore clothing. Clearly, the thing was a male. The creature examined the impact of the lightning strike, and then swung its tail around.

Cloud: "Hello there!"

He looked in my direction, and started his approach. Closer and closer, the creature became more easily identifiable. Its face looked like a lion's, which surprised me. Then, to an even bigger surprise, he spoke.

Blue Creature: "Who are you? What business do you have on Mount Gagazet?"

Cloud: "Oh… you see... I got lost. I don't know where I am, or how I even got here."

I always told the truth. I'd despise whenever I purposely lied to someone, or in this case, something.

Blue Creature: "Then, if you are lost, I will take you down mountain to elder."

Cloud: "Thanks, I'd appreciate the help."

I thought it'd be better following him, so I wouldn't end up going around in circles again. Then, I asked for his name.

Cloud: "By the way, my name is Cloud. What's yours?"

Blue Creature: "I am Onun, of the Ronso."

Cloud: "I see, it's nice to meet you Onun."

He replied with a nod and a grunt.

Onun: "We must go. Soon, fiends will appear to hunt, so we must move quickly."

I gave him a thumbs up sign, which he probably didn't understand.

Cloud: "Lead the way."

Any normal person would've been frozen to death by now. I was glad that my materia helped me to survive this long. I owe these things my life, but the materia probably would never acknowledge my appreciation otherwise. An hour had passed, and it looked like the Ronso, I assumed, knew where he was going. In the short distance ahead of us, I noticed an archway. The visibility appeared to get better down the mountain. A statue of a femininely dressed woman loomed overhead. Oddly enough, she had a horn on her head, just like the Ronso being I was following. I kept my questions about the statue to myself, because now I was in the presence of what looked to be the elder. He was still tall, but a little shorter than the other Ronso around him. The elder had half his horn broken off…

Onun: "Elder! Onun find this man, wandering the steps of Gagazet! He say he is lost! What shall Ronso do with him?"

Older Male Ronso: "Bring him closer!"

I was shoved ahead a few feet towards him, and the elder looked down into my eyes.

Older Male Ronso: "Your eyes… they glow like ocean. I am Kimahri, leader of Ronso. What is your name?"

Cloud: "It's an honor to meet you, Kimahri. My name is Cloud. I'm truly sorry for invading your territory, but as you can see, I am clearly lost."

Kimahri: "Do not worry. If Cloud is lost, then we, the Ronso, will help you find your true path home."

I bowed slowly, and Kimahri trademarked the grunt also.

Cloud: "Kimahri…"

Kimahri: "Onun. Prepare Cloud shelter and food."

Onun: "Yes, Elder!"

Onun ran off to do his bidding. I never knew an elder like Kimahri could command such respect and authority. He was the leader of his kind after all.

Kimahri: "You have question?"

Cloud: "Ahh… who is the… woman in the statue?"

Kimahri: "That is Yuna. Lady Yuna is hero of Spira and the Ronso people. You do speak the truth. You are clearly lost."

I coughed and nodded my head awkwardly. Right then and there I felt like an outsider. This Yuna character reminded me a lot of myself when I thought I saved the world from Sephiroth and Meteor. The truth is, I don't even know if Sephiroth was truly dead or not. Was meteor even stopped? I had no time to think about this now, so I worried about the present state at hand. I may have survived, but at what cost?

Cloud: "I know. I feel exhausted, elder sir. Do you think… I can maybe rest now?"

Onun's timing was perfect, and he returned to inform the elder.

Onun: "It is done, elder!"

Kimahri: "Onun do good job. Cloud may rest now."

I bowed one last time and followed Onun so he could show me where I stayed. When we got there, the place ended up being a tiny alcove. Furs lined the walls where the bed was supposed to be.

Onun: "Onun think this place good for human rest. Cloud is not tired?"

To tell the truth, I was a bit drained from our previous engagement with Sephiroth. I decided why not.

Cloud: "I am a bit sleepy."

Onun: "Then Cloud will rest. Onun return later with food and drink."

I bowed to give thanks for his hospitality.

Cloud: "Thank you Onun."

And with that, Onun left me to my privacy. I slept soon afterwards. It wasn't until later that trouble was brewing.