Sorry this chapter's been an age in coming, after that last chapter I really didn't know how to continue on, hopefully this chapter clears it all up ;D
*Japanese footnotes follow...
Yazoo was still for an eternity. He saw, in his slumber, a vague outline, of an ever-changing stream, constantly taking a new shape and form, ear-splittingly noisy but refreshingly quiet at the same time. It was every colour in the rainbow, changing constantly, but it always had the same blue glow to it. It was like a never-ending rope, comprised of billions of fibres that danced in the light, moving freely but at the same time, all interwoven. It appeared to have a mind of its own, it appeared to be alive. It grew larger and smaller, it branched off weirdly, it almost seemed to be breathing. And yet, there was something definitely wrong about it. Shadows streaked through it, Yazoo saw faces flash by with them, leaving behind them trails of sickly, green/brown death. The fibres that the shadows coursed along turned grey themselves, elapsing into shadows also. More than once, he thought he heard the great stream scream, as another wave of shadows coursed around it. There was life all around him, plants and animals and children, swarming around his plane of vision, glowing then fading as the shadows overcame them. All life existed, and yet it was made nothing. Face after face bustled across his line of sight, person after person, flitting in and out of reality as if they were mere reflections. And yet, they looked so real.
Yazoo reached out, and as he did so he realized he could move. He stood, slowly and carefully, realizing how immense the field of glowing light before him was as he did so. On impulse, he reached out, trying to touch the shimmering stream of life. However, it bent away from him as he got closer, and as he reached out, shadows flew from his palm, streaking through the shimmering fibres, spreading darkness and poison, eating away at the stream of life. Reflection after reflection fell as the shadows coursed through the stream, barely visible as a streak of dark light, but easy to notice by the damage it caused. Yazoo looked down at his hand to see it was glowing grey, as was the rest of him. He looked back up, and almost jumped to see Sephiroth right in front of him, the same glowing grey, the same slight transparency as the reflections behind him. Only Masamune, strapped to his back, gave him any kind of real bearing, the shining metal just as opaque and deadly-looking as ever it had been.
'What…is this place?' Yazoo asked softly.
'This;' Sephiroth said, indicating the shimmering mass behind him, 'is the Lifestream'.
'I don't want to see any more. All I want is mother. Where is she?'
'That…is a good question. But it is not the right one. Yazoo, why are you searching for mother?' pondered Sephiroth coolly.
A short silence followed.
'Because…She will tell me what to do…' said Yazoo quietly.
'Look up' commanded Sephiroth.
Yazoo looked up. Above the Lifestream, there were two colossal figures. They were completely unmoving, but they both radiated energy, and power, and awe. The one on the left was a woman, dressed entirely in silver and yellow battle armour, with pale blue wings and a shield that looked as if it was made of pure sapphire. She held a massive staff, tipped with a golden blade that flashed in the light that cloaked her. She wore a silver crown, which held her flowing blonde hair, and she had the most beautiful face, she reminded Yazoo of every beautiful thing he had ever seen, somehow all as one. However, it was the figure on the right that caught his eye most. She was cloaked with a purple/black light, and she contrasted absolutely with the golden goddess next to her. She had the appearance of a woman, but she looked somehow distorted and evil, without any of the light radiance that emanated from the other goddess. Instead, she had a purple tinge to her, and her eyes shined purple, almost artificially. Her wild blue hair flew out behind her, moving of its own accord, blowing in the non-existent breeze. She had no beautiful wings, instead there was some kind of weird pink growth issuing from behind her, also moving of its own accord, coiling its way around her body insidiously only to let go as it spiralled off into nonexistence, constantly regrowing and reforming behind her. She was not meant to be. She was repelling, and yet enticing at the same time. The plaque fixed to her head read JENOVA.
'That is mother. And we, we are monsters' said Sephiroth, breaking Yazoo out of his reverie.
'She is…fascinating' mumbled Yazoo.
'She exists still, in the world below. Not in her pure form, but in form enough. You have to find her. Then, I can return. We can ascend throughout the galaxy, ruling as is our place, with mother at our side'.
Silence followed again, Yazoo still staring up at the grotesque figure above him.
'But…you can already return? I saw you…' whispered Yazoo.
'I have long since departed. I was defeated, quite by chance, as Gods are. I can travel between the Lifestream and the world below, but only as shadow. But don't think that will stop me. I can guide you; I can help you restore me to full strength.'
'I…am not worthy' mused Yazoo, 'I am…polluted. I fought you for humanity.'
He knelt before Sephiroth, trembling.
'I see now my error. Forgive me, I beg you' he pled.
Sephiroth chuckled.
'You are the worthiest of them all Yazoo. They are nothing, but you are me. They contaminate all with their utter worthlessness, but I have cleansed you. In combat, you proved yourself worthy, and I have severed all ties you had to that world. Rise, and go forth. Release me, and rule the world. Find mother. It is your destiny'.
Yazoo looked up, and stood.
'We are those who are fit to rule. We shall bring them to their knees, tear their world down around them, destroy everything they treasure, and sail far beyond this world, using the technology they stole from us. Do as I say.'
Yazoo bowed respectfully, and felt himself awaken.
Loz was lost. He realised within ten seconds of leaving the bar that he had no idea where Kadaj had gone. He looked around him and saw only people. Peddlers at their stalls, children playing in the side streets while their parents browsed around for a good buy. He took a left down one street, then another, stepping through many puddles as the children stared on at him, wondering what such a tough-looking man was doing with a teddy. Loz himself looked down at the teddy, wondering why on earth he was still holding it. It was an odd feeling, usually he would know by instinct which was Kadaj was, but his head was full of static. He pushed on, winding his way through side street after side street, following the rats as they made their trails through the puddles and pushing through children playing their games. There seemed to be an awful lot of sick children. On every corner, he would see two or three, just sitting, barely breathing while staring at the hideous scars on their arms and legs.
He took a sharp right, then a left, then another right. He was getting deeper and deeper into the city; fewer and fewer people were passing him by as he sped past, still not knowing where he was going. He took another right, and found himself at a dead end. The static pounded in his ears as he walked down the narrow street, falling against the wall with exhaustion. He looked up, back in the direction he had come, and saw a figure walking toward him. He rubbed his eyes, and saw…Sephiroth. Sephiroth, walking toward him slowly and purposefully. Sephiroth, looking him straight in the eye with content as he lay on the cold stone floor. Sephiroth, kneeling down to speak to him.
'Hisashiburi*, Hirotsu*' said Sephiroth coolly.
'What…do…you…want?' panted Loz.
'Arm wrestle?' jeered Sephiroth.
Loz leapt up, arming his Dual Hound instantaneously and he swung at Sephiroth who dodged easily, swiping the teddy from his grasp.
'Teddy Bears, Hirotsu? Nice and intimidating…'
Loz aimed another punch at Sephiroth, who leapt up onto the roof of the building nearest, landing gracefully and noiselessly.
'I wonder what part of me secretly loves teddy bears…' Sephiroth pondered, as he pulled its head off.
Loz sobbed, trying to hide it.
'Don't cry, Hirotsu' said Sephiroth, scathingly.
'Meanie!' yelled Loz
Loz leapt up at Sephiroth, flailing with his Dual Hound as Sephiroth sidestepped and ducked.
'Why fight me? All I wanted was an arm wrestle…' teased Sephiroth.
Loz threw his entire weight at Sephiroth, but passed through the spot where Sephiroth had been as he evaporated into shadows. Sephiroth rematerialized right behind him as Loz flew into the ground.
'You have strength, Hirotsu. And you have anger. Why deny what you are?' asked Sephiroth.
Loz leapt from the building suddenly, landing swiftly on the ground and running through the city. He remembered Prototype-S from the combat simulator, and this was not an enemy he could beat. For all his strength, he was slightly scared of an enemy he couldn't defeat with raw power. He tried to make his way back to the marketplace, not noticing the children he was falling over or the puddles he was treading in. He never looked back for fear of those wintry grey eyes piercing his own again. But, it was a big city. He soon found himself lost again.
'Why do you run from me?' said Sephiroth from behind him.
Loz span round and aimed a strong clout at Sephiroth, but once again he was too slow. He swiped again, and again, but he could never make contact. It was like trying to punch the wind, Loz could see Sephiroth in front of him, but as soon as he moved in to punch Sephiroth dodged again, he knew every move.
'What are you doing, Hirotsu? You ran when you know you cannot escape. You fight when you know you cannot win. Then, you try to run again…'
Loz, angered by Sephiroth's arrogance, aimed a kick that would surely have hit, but Sephiroth again faded into shadows, reappearing to his left.
'Think about what you are doing, Hirotsu. You are fighting with your fists but not with your head'.
'What are you trying to say?' huffed Loz angrily
'You can do anything, Hirotsu. Yet you limit yourself, you waste all your energy before I've even started. Let me show you…'
Sephiroth drew Masamune as Loz closed in with his Dual Hound, only to be forced back by a slash he could barely parry. Sephiroth jumped, soaring through the wind on his one black wing, and Loz jumped after. But Sephiroth slashed, and sent him spiralling back down, landing on some roof with a sickening crunch.
'Use your head, Hirotsu. What are you afraid of?'
Loz rolled over, looking up and Sephiroth floating just above him, holding Masamune toward the sun, almost blinding him with its reflection.
'You are afraid of…pain?' surmised Sephiroth distantly.
Loz winced at the mere thought, summoning up all his energy for one final lunge. He leapt, but Sephiroth was so ready it seemed he was almost pre-meditating Loz's combat techniques. He dissipated and rematerialized, right underneath Loz as he jumped up, then pushed Masamune up between Loz's ribs, the screams of agony echoing across the quiet sky.
'Understand pain, Hirotsu. Allow it to empower you, and you will never have to run again'.
Loz howled as he struggled on the sword, trying to end the pain, closing his eyes as if he was dying, anything to stop the pain that arched through his entire body.
'Don't cry, Hirotsu…' said Sephiroth softly.
Loz's vision flashed red as he exploded with anger, overpowering the pain, replacing it with raw rage. As his anger grew, he felt less pain, and he felt immune, and empowered. Suddenly, he fell as Masamune was pulled from him, crumpling onto the hard roof, curling up, trying to recover.
'On your feet, Hirotsu' commanded Sephiroth from behind him.
Loz blinked once, then stood slowly, feeling no pain, even though he could feel his heart jolting, and the gap from the sword that had entered through his ribs and exited out his back. He roared, and charged Sephiroth once more, meeting Masamune with his Dual Hound, sparks and feathers flying with the force of the blow. There was no pain now; there was only rage, as Loz swiped at Sephiroth with redoubled effort. The fought, forward and back, along the rooftops, until Loz managed to back Sephiroth up to the edge. Masamune swung in from the left, but Loz blocked it, then knocked it away with a flick of his Dual Hound.
'Excellent, Hirotsu.'
Loz stood for a long time, slowly feeling the pain come back as his rage abated. Sephiroths eyes pierced his own, but there was nothing intimidating about his gaze anymore. It was about the battle, not the outcome, Loz understood that now. Battles are what make you stronger, the constant fight to be the best, not constantly crushing puny insects.
'This is the secret to your strength, Hirotsu. No longer do you fear pain. Pain empowers you. Pain shall show you the path to mother. Obliterate every opponent you face, but never forget the battle. One day, when I am returned to my true body, we shall obliterate this entire world. We shall spar again…' said Sephiroth.
'But…I don't know how…' admitted Loz.
'Stop running, Hirotsu. Think with your head. Pain will show you the way' said Sephiroth.
Loz made as if to interrupt, but Sephiroth held out his hand, fingers outstretched. Shadows issued from the palm of his hand, shooting across the air and entering the gaping wound between Loz's ribs. Loz felt instant recovery; the shadows joined with him and took the place of the flesh he had lost, closing the wound of their own accord, leaving it like it had never been touched.
'May your loyalty never waver again…' declared Sephiroth.
He nodded, then his wing folded around him, enveloping his entire body. It dissolved into shadows and feathers, leaving Loz on the rooftop, alone, staring in wonder t the place Sephiroth had just been occupying.
Kadaj was hard put to keep track of Kunsel. The crafty beggar knew every side street, every corner, every obstacle and every place to get lose in the entire city. More than once, Kadaj thought he had lost him, only to see a flash of maroon or dusty brown hair in some distant street. Kadaj chased him through park and side street, marketplace and refuse dump, never quite losing his trail but never quite seeing him either. Kunsel knew something, of that Kadaj was sure, and every little thing helped them in their quest to find Mother. Kadaj sped up a little, following Kunsel further out and out of the city, as the scenery became darker and more foreboding. He saw Kunsel dash through a pair of wrought iron gates beyond, which led to a hill just on the outskirts of town, it looked like some kind of graveyard. Kadaj hadn't realized how long he'd been chasing Kunsel for, but light was fading fast, and as he leapt over the wrought iron gate he was suddenly brought to his senses by the old, twisted trees. They loomed evilly above him, reaching their dead branches toward the dark sky, as if there was still some hope of catching the energy the sun brings with the new day. But the new day was never to come for them, their life had been extinguished, and they now served only as homes to whatever is what with those glowing eyes that lived in the knots and roots. Kadaj proceeded with caution, wondering how he was ever going to see Kunsel in amongst all these gravestones, let alone with the rapidly fading light.
Suddenly, he heard a scream from beyond, and leapt to the top of one of the gnarled trees for a better look. He saw Kunsel, in a small grove in the distance, trying to fend off four or five Shadow Creepers that appeared to have been summoned from somewhere beyond. Smiling, Kadaj held out his hand, sending forth shadows which became two more Shadow Creepers, and sending them at Kunsel. They were ugly brutes, with no discernable eyes or noses, but large mouths with razor-sharp teeth. They were dark grey/green in colour, then drifted in and out of shadows, but Kadaj had never seen another summon them before. He looked around, expecting to see Loz or Yazoo, but the graveyard appeared to be deserted apart from himself, Kunsel and the beasts, snarling viciously and leaping and Kunsel, who was only just managing to fend them off with nothing but his hands. Kadaj leapt down from the tree deftly, eager to join the fray.
It seemed only seconds before he was down in the grove, circling Kunsel behind the ravenous group of Shadow Creepers. Kunsel looked pathetic. Still half drunk, and with several chunks missing from his arms and legs he tried to stand, but was only able to manage a sort of weird kneel, his blood soaking the grass.
'What was it you didn't want to tell me about Sephiroth?' asked Kadaj nastily
'I'll not tell you anything! I'll die here tonight, knowing I had my honour, and my dreams, just like Zack would've wanted!'
Kadaj raised his hand, and the Shadow creepers pounced. They ripped and tore at Kunsel, and he howled with pain, reduced to a bloody mass on the ground. Kadaj raised his hand again, and the beasts withdrew obediently, each chewing down their own little shreds of flesh.
'Tell me what it is you know about Sephiroth!' demanded Kadaj, of the now sobbing, bloody mass on the ground.
'I'll tell you nothing!' roared Kunsel.
Kadaj withdrew the Shadow Creeps with a gesture of his hand, and bent over the bloody man as the shadows around them dissipated. He couldn't help but admire the useless man's bravery; it was almost worth not killing him…
'Allow me to intervene…' said a confident voice from behind them.
Kadaj turned, and saw Sephiroth. The God himself, Masamune at the ready, looking his entire glorious self from his long white hair to his dark black boots. His wintry eyes pierced the night, looking straight into Kadaj's, then into the eyes of the bloody man on the ground.
'Kunsel. I remember you. The scrawny little runt from the locker room, always looking for the next big break, the next upcoming talent to idolize. You remember what happened to Zack? You killed him, Kunsel. By your hand, he fell. You are a worse monster than anything you have seen tonight. But you are also a coward. You should be dead countless times over. Do you know why you're here tonight, Kunsel? Because tonight, right here and now, I will acquit you. I know your soul, Kunsel. I know everything you stole, everything you believed in, everything you ever wanted. I despise you. I could probably guess what it is you're so desperate to not tell about me, couldn't I? You never even made the real SOLDIER, Kunsel. What can you hide from me?' asked Sephiroth coldly.
Kunsel whimpered at the ground. Kadaj could see the fear in his eyes; this was a man who didn't want to die. But Sephiroth was right; his feigned bravery was but an act for how cowardly he was.
'Kunsel, Believe me when I tell you, this is your last chance. Be the hero. Survive' challenged Sephiroth.
'No…not Zack…there was nothing I could do…' whimpered Kunsel.
Sephiroth looked back at Kadaj, those wintry eyes piercing his very soul.
'We won't get anything out of him' he said softly.
'May I have the honour?' asked Kadaj eagerly.
Sephiroth smiled, moving aside so Kadaj could see the sobbing bloody mass on the ground. Kadaj looked at him, feeling hesitant for only a second as he drew Souba, looming over what was left of the man. For just a second, Kadaj looked into Kunsel's olive green eyes and saw…nothing. Kadaj swiped down, and the bloody mass sobbed no more.
Kadaj turned back around to Sephiroth, who was lazily lounging against a nearby tree.
'Why did you hesitate?' asked Sephiroth, abruptly.
'Because…he was defenceless. He was as good as dead anyway. You called him a traitor, but he was loyal…' Kadaj trailed off.
Sephiroth sighed. 'I thought you, most worthy of the three, would be the one to actually understand. People are weak, Kadaj. The weak are loyal because they have nothing else. The weak need protection, so they cling to others, like Kunsel clung to Zack, although Kunsel showed little hesitation when Shinra decided Zack was a rogue'.
'I…' started Kadaj, but Sephiroth cut him off.
'How many others have you killed, Kadaj? Is it honourable to kill them only if they are charging at you with a weapon? There is glory for the weak in death, Kadaj, truly you are the hero, the messiah, returning embittered souls back to the Lifestream where they can be one'.
'Death is a part of life' Kadaj went on, 'and for those insects with nothing in their lives, I am saving them in granting them an honourable death'.
The wintry eyes flashed from behind his white hair as Sephiroth smiled.
'Kadaj, you must find mother. Only through mother's cells can I return to a proper body and rule alongside you. Hirotsu and Yazoo will make their way back to you. But you are my chosen one. You shall host me as I take back what is ours, as the true gods of this world'.
'By my blade Souba, you have my word' swore Kadaj.
Kadaj looked at Sephiroth, and for a few seconds, saw himself. Sephiroth flickered, from Kadaj's blue/green eyes to his own wintry white ones, back and forth until the shadows took him, smiling, and he was no more.
Japanese Footnotes
Hisashiburi - Long time, no see
Hirotsu - Because there's no 'L' or straight 'Z' sound in Japanese, Loz's name is regularly mispronounced during the movie if you care to watch it in Japanese. I like to imagine Sephiroth with his Japanese voice (cuz the english one in Advent Children is teribble XD) and hence, he can't pronounce Loz's name properly in my story XD
PLEASE take a moment to review I really am not sure where this is going and I'm not going to continue if no-one is reading...
Wishing a pleasant Kaze keeps you cool when you are warm ;D
.BlissKaZE~ 3