Chapter One: Rebirth in the Lifestream
The cold air surrounding the cavern was heavy and dark, swirling in large wisps of thick, black mist among the lifeless rocks. Inside the Northern Cave was equally as eerie, being that no life existed. Not even the hordes of monsters that once crawled and skulked around inside the forbidden crevices could be seen or heard. The cave was silent and dark, only the occasional chilling whistle of the wind across the lips of the chasm filling its walls.
The cave was silent and dark, that is, in every place but one. One air pocket, fathoms down into the cavern, was alive. Trapped by a rockfall that occurred some years earlier from a devastating release of incalculable energy, known now as The Great Battle of the Elements, the clash between Meteor and Holy. This tiny room in the expansive cave was alive, lit by the dim electric-green light of Lifestream that bubbled in the far corner. The Lifestream illuminated the entire room, pressing against the walls like a glowing coat of green paint. But most interestingly, it illuminated something in the room that wasn't there originally. Something grotesque, but something beautiful at the same time. Remains. The remains of a woman, her legs and arms missing, but her torso and head covered in an aura independent from the Lifestream. Her head was beautiful, partially obscured by a broken helmet, which had once covered her face down to the eyes. One eye could be seen now, blue and brilliant like a sapphire.
She was a mother, and yes, she certainly was still alive. The unique cells inside her body kept her from dying, evening without arms or legs. Or mind. No, this mother would keep on living, whether it be in herself, of within the confines of one of her Unfortunates, as the world now popularly called them. Her body lay there, still and inanimate, her blue eye unblinking and unmoving, her mouth set agape. She was ShinRa's brainchild, the Earth's daughter, and Creation's dictator. She was Jenova, now known amongst scholars as the Queen of the Cetra (or the Ancients, a term used mostly by commoners).
The Lifestream across from the body began to bubble more violently now, the liquid churning up and spilling over into the room, a maelstrom beginning to develop in the pool. The water swirled for moments more, until something shot up out of the rock so harshly that it began to crumble under its fingers, and it began to pull the rest of its body out of the glowing pool. A man emerged naked, stepping onto the cold ground and kneeling, trying to regain energy. He stood over six feet, his body lean but broad and strong, muscles rippling under his tight skin. His face was chiseled and sharp, two blue-green eyes fit for an eagle rested firmly atop his high cheekbones. And he had platinum hair. Long, now wet, but flowing platinum hair that went down to his ankles. The man stood there in perfect still for some time, then his head began to turn slowly, his large and haunting eyes scanning the room. And he saw her. He saw his mother, the First Unfortunate, and a tight smile curled in his mouth. The first time he smiled in three years.
He walked to the limbless figure and knelt down, reaching out to touch her naked shoulder. Yes, he used her three years ago. Used her and discarded her carelessly. His brilliant eyes narrowed, taking in the full light of his mistakes. She should have been with through it all.
You and me, mother. We could have brought the world crumbling down before us. I was selfish and foolish to think that I could have done this on my own.
But now, he had another chance. His remaining strength allowed to keep his form and soul intact in the violent Lifestream, cursing himself for three years by having been beaten by a band of miscreant peasants and mercenaries. Now, he had a chance to redeem himself. Now, he and his mother would return to each other, a fusion that would shake Creation to it's very foundation. Yes, he thought, looking up at the glistening walls of the damp cave, and then his mother. This time, the Unfortunate will reign supreme in the caring arms of his Mother.
The cold air surrounding the cavern was heavy and dark, swirling in large wisps of thick, black mist among the lifeless rocks. Inside the Northern Cave was equally as eerie, being that no life existed. Not even the hordes of monsters that once crawled and skulked around inside the forbidden crevices could be seen or heard. The cave was silent and dark, only the occasional chilling whistle of the wind across the lips of the chasm filling its walls.
The cave was silent and dark, that is, in every place but one. One air pocket, fathoms down into the cavern, was alive. Trapped by a rockfall that occurred some years earlier from a devastating release of incalculable energy, known now as The Great Battle of the Elements, the clash between Meteor and Holy. This tiny room in the expansive cave was alive, lit by the dim electric-green light of Lifestream that bubbled in the far corner. The Lifestream illuminated the entire room, pressing against the walls like a glowing coat of green paint. But most interestingly, it illuminated something in the room that wasn't there originally. Something grotesque, but something beautiful at the same time. Remains. The remains of a woman, her legs and arms missing, but her torso and head covered in an aura independent from the Lifestream. Her head was beautiful, partially obscured by a broken helmet, which had once covered her face down to the eyes. One eye could be seen now, blue and brilliant like a sapphire.
She was a mother, and yes, she certainly was still alive. The unique cells inside her body kept her from dying, evening without arms or legs. Or mind. No, this mother would keep on living, whether it be in herself, of within the confines of one of her Unfortunates, as the world now popularly called them. Her body lay there, still and inanimate, her blue eye unblinking and unmoving, her mouth set agape. She was ShinRa's brainchild, the Earth's daughter, and Creation's dictator. She was Jenova, now known amongst scholars as the Queen of the Cetra (or the Ancients, a term used mostly by commoners).
The Lifestream across from the body began to bubble more violently now, the liquid churning up and spilling over into the room, a maelstrom beginning to develop in the pool. The water swirled for moments more, until something shot up out of the rock so harshly that it began to crumble under its fingers, and it began to pull the rest of its body out of the glowing pool. A man emerged naked, stepping onto the cold ground and kneeling, trying to regain energy. He stood over six feet, his body lean but broad and strong, muscles rippling under his tight skin. His face was chiseled and sharp, two blue-green eyes fit for an eagle rested firmly atop his high cheekbones. And he had platinum hair. Long, now wet, but flowing platinum hair that went down to his ankles. The man stood there in perfect still for some time, then his head began to turn slowly, his large and haunting eyes scanning the room. And he saw her. He saw his mother, the First Unfortunate, and a tight smile curled in his mouth. The first time he smiled in three years.
He walked to the limbless figure and knelt down, reaching out to touch her naked shoulder. Yes, he used her three years ago. Used her and discarded her carelessly. His brilliant eyes narrowed, taking in the full light of his mistakes. She should have been with through it all.
You and me, mother. We could have brought the world crumbling down before us. I was selfish and foolish to think that I could have done this on my own.
But now, he had another chance. His remaining strength allowed to keep his form and soul intact in the violent Lifestream, cursing himself for three years by having been beaten by a band of miscreant peasants and mercenaries. Now, he had a chance to redeem himself. Now, he and his mother would return to each other, a fusion that would shake Creation to it's very foundation. Yes, he thought, looking up at the glistening walls of the damp cave, and then his mother. This time, the Unfortunate will reign supreme in the caring arms of his Mother.