Fantasy Twist

Chapter Eight

"Those were . . . Mako eyes" Rena whispered, walking over to stand in the middle of the flowerbed. She turned to the guards and said, "Alright, back to work! Back to work!" she turned slowly around and walked to the exit where she saw the blonde woman turn around to look over her shoulder then out of sight when the guards began running over to her. "Oh" Rena added, "Don't step on the flowers"

"Hey Rena, you just stepped on them!"

"They're all ruined!"

"You're gunna catch Holy Hell!"

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Cloude ran after Aris, the back of the church just as run down as the front. A large hole was in the middle of the floor and Cloude jumped in to get to the ladders leading up. Aris however, hovered near the side.

"I can't jump that!" he shouted, his voice echoing, "Look, I'll go around, you just watch my back, ok?" he suddenly ran around the large hole as the blue clad guards and Rena arrived.

"The Ancient is getting away" Rena yelled, "Attack!"

Aris had jumped down to the bottom, under the hole so he could get to the ladder that could get him past the gap, but a guard had jumped down after him. Out of nowhere, sparkles of green and white appeared in Aris's hands and lengthened. The sparkles solidified, materialising into a stick. Cloude watched as Aris tried to fend off the guard with it. The stick was long and had unrecognisable symbols carved down it. It was then that Cloude realised that the stick was in fact as staff and Aris was a Mage. Well, he kept that quiet.

"Need help down here" Aris called up to her as the guard slowly approached him.

"Damn" Cloude snarled under her breath. She looked up to the top floor that was in fact, a square beam with barrels set on them. Suddenly, an idea came to her head.

"Just hold on" she shouted down as Aris hit the guard over the head, backing towards the ladders.

Cloude ran up the steps and across the beams, she went over to one of the barrels, picked it up and hovered over the guard trying to get to Aris. Aiming and hoping her plan worked, she dropped it over the edge where is soared down and crash landed on top of the guard, knocking him out cold. Not wasting a second, Aris turned and went up the ladder.

Cloude watched as he went up the ladder and came to a set of steps where another guard had appeared, blocking his path. Once again, Aris fended him off with his staff. Keeping to her original idea, Cloude grabbed another barrel and hurled it over the edge, where it landed on the staircase Aris and the guard was at and rolled down with alarming speed. Seeing it coming, Aris had time to jump out of the way as it thundered down, wiped out the guard and crashed into the far wall.

Sensing a pattern, Cloude ran and grabbed another barrel, lugging it over the edge as Aris reached the stairs and was getting chased by the final guard and hadn't realised. The barrel hit the guard straight in his chest and they both toppled down and landed in a heap at the foot of the stairs.

Keeping her eye out, Cloude watched as Aris ran around the edge of the church on the beam, jumped a small gap and up the ladders, joining her on the square frame.

"Thanks" he breathed, making the staff disappear the same way he had summoned it. "C'mon, out through the hole in the roof"

They ran across the beam, arms outstretched so that they didn't lose their balance. Rena shouted up curse words up at them, but they didn't listen as they jumped over to the hole and made their escape out of it, landing on the roof. The both collapsed on the roof, taking in air for their lungs. After a moment, Aris sat up from where he was laid and said quietly, "So, they're looking for me again?"

"This isn't the first time they've been after you?" Cloude asked, eyebrow raised.

"No" Aris said sadly.

"They're the Turks" Cloude said, surprised. "The Turks are an organisation in Shinra. They scout out possible candidates for SOLDIER"

"This violently?" Aris asked, "I thought they were kidnapping someone"

Cloude crossed her arms, "They're also involved in a lot of dirty stuff on the side. Murder, spying, you know . . ."

Aris frowned, getting to his feet, "They look like it"

"But . . . why are they after you? There must be a reason"

"No, not really. I think they believe I have what it takes to be in SOLIDER! But look at me, I don't like fighting"

Cloude nodded then said slowly, "Maybe not. Do you want to join them?"

Aris shrugged, "I . . . I dunno. I certainly don't want to be caught by THOSE people"

"Alright" Cloude smiled, "Then let's go. Before they wake up and follow us"

They turned and jumped from the church roof straight onto a mountain of broken metal and scaffolding. Cloude took the lead, not really knowing where she was going. She knew the Slums were pretty bad, but this was ridiculous. Aris followed, but each step and jump, he was falling behind, panting and holding a stitch in his side.

"Wait" he shouted as he followed Cloude jumping over the roofs of ruined houses and buildings, "Wait I said!"

Cloude stopped on top of what used to be a metal water well and turned to watch as Aris carefully and slowly jumped down from one roof to the other. He landed on his feet but gravity pulled him down, making him take a few guarded steps forwards, slamming into the side of the well that Cloude was perched on, looking down at him with her arms crossed, a smirk on her face. Aris crawled up to meet her and fell to his knees, still holding his side and gasping, head low.

"Slow . . . down" he wheezed, "Don't . . . don't leave me!"

"Funny" Cloude smiled, "I thought you were cut out to be in SOLDIER? If you can't keep up with me . . ."

Aris shakily got to his feet and frowned, an embarrassed blush on his cheeks, "Oh" he huffed, "You're terrible" they chuckled then Aris asked, "Cloude, you said you used to be in SOLDIER?"

Cloude shrugged, "I used to be, yeah. Did the uniform tip you off?"

Aris shook his head, "No" he smiled, "Your eyes. They have that strange glow. . ."

Cloude nodded, "That's the sign of those that have been infused with Mako. A mark of SOLDIER. But, how did you know that?"

Aris blinked and looked away, "Oh . . . nothing" he said softly, "Come on, let's keep going . . . bodyguard"

Not questioning further, Cloude jumped down to the other side of the well and continued over the rooftops, Aris still behind her but keeping up this time. Once or twice he tripped up but he got to his feet before Cloude could retrace her steps and help him up. He had just told her he was fine and continued. They soon reached the end of the metal mountain and Cloude jump down, landing on the dirt path on her feet.

"Think you can get down without help?" Cloude joked up at Aris who was sitting on the edge of a roof, thinking that sliding down would be easier. Aris smiled and tumbled down and landed on his feet. Not as gracefully as the blonde as he wavered slightly, but at least he could do it himself.

"Ta-Da" Aris beamed, faking a dismount pose. He then looked around, "We made it. Phew. My house is this way. Come on"

It was like a maze. The place was covered in piles of metal and wood, reaching high up into the air. From here, under the plate, the sky could not even be seen, so they were shrouded in dim light. They went through a large metal door and took a right and soon ended up in a little community with makeshift houses and shops. They went past a pipe and heard something that made them stop. They looked in and frowned. A man was laid ill on a pile or rags, surrounded by little personal possessions and a small television set at his feet showing them the news. Aris frowned and said, "This guy are sick . . . erm, hang on. I must be tired, I can't even talk right, I meant, this guy is sick. He passed out nearby so someone must have moved him here. All he does is make these little sounds like he's trying to speak, but nothing he says sounds like any words I know. Know a way we can help him?"

Cloude shook her head, "I'm no doctor . . ."

Aris nodded minutely, "I guess" his eyes then widened, "Look, he has a tattoo, look. The number two"

Cloude nodded, "Probably means nothing. Come on, let's keep going. We're doing nothing to help by just standing here"

"You're right" Aris said.

"Look, is there anywhere here that sells Materia?" Cloude asked, "Since you can't work the one you have, I'll feel happier if you had one that works"

Aris looked around and pointed at a squat building not far from where they stood. They made their way towards it and entered. A man by the till looked up as they went inside and his eyes lit up.

"Customers!" he beamed, waving them over, "If you want Materia, we got it. You can get anything in the Slums"

"Erm, how about Materia Bangles?" Cloude asked, "We've got Materia but my friend here has only a broken bronze bangle"

The man slapped his hands together and beamed. "Ah, bangles. I have the very thing" he ducked under his counter and retrieved a box full of bangles that were bronze and silver"

"A bronze one will do just fine" Cloude said, picking one up and handing it to Aris to see if he approved.

"But silver are more effective" the man said, taking one out to show them, "A little more expensive but you can get more Materia in them. Very handy. I know. How about a trade? One silver bangle for your two? Or one silver for a bronze and fifty Gil?"

"How about one bronze and no silver?" Cloude asked, getting rather annoyed.

"You know, Cloude" Aris said carefully, swapping the bronze bangle in his hands so that he could examine the silver one, "I think we could do with silver ones. They do look easier to use and can store more Materia in them. Hand him yours and I'll split the cost with you for two silvers"

Sighing, Cloude agreed. Taking off her bronze bangle, popping out the Materia and handing it over with fifty Gil as Aris dug deep into his pocket and handed the money for another. They left the shop a minute later with a silver bangle each on their arms. Cloude had put her Materia into her bangle, but Aris, still wearing the broken bronze one on his wrist hadn't switched his Materia in it to the silver one.

They travelled to the edge of the little community, a little further away from it stood a little, two floor cottage made of wood and brick rather than metal like all of the others. Flowers adorned the little bit of field that was beside it, Cloude guessing that Aris must have grown them here too. They were all yellow, getting a bit of sun that had managed to creep past the plate.

"Well" Aris said, looking up happily at the red roofed house, "This is my place. I live here with my mother. Would you like to come inside? I'm sure you're in need of a little rest"

Cloude looked around and shook her head, smiling politely, "Erm, sorry. I should really be going. I need to get in contact with the rest of my group"

"I see" Aris said slowly, "It's getting dark. C'mon, just for the night to get some rest. Then tomorrow you can head off bright and early. I'll even help you meet back up with the rest of your friends"

"They're not exactly friends, more associates. I don't make friends" Cloude said dully.

Aris smiled sadly, "Then what are we? Strangers? I'd like to think you count me as a friend"

Cloude turned away, not sure how to answer that. She looked up. Although the sky could not be seen, the light around the area was pretty dark, indicating that it was indeed nearly night time. She looked back at Aris, who was still grinning, a hand on the handle of his front door.

"Ok, you've twisted my arm" Cloude said, "I'll just pop in for a minute"

"Great" Aris beamed, gently taking hold of Cloude's hand and guiding her into the house.

Aris's house was warm and cosy. The floor was made of crazy paving and the walls made of wood. A little circular table was placed in the front room. Flowers were in vases and pots around the room; it seemed that Aris liked flowers more than he was willing to let on. To the right was a small kitchen and at the far end of the room was a staircase leading up. He let go of her hand and called, "Mum, I'm home!"

A short woman with light brown hair came out of the kitchen. She was wearing a green dress with a white apron tied around her waist. In her hand was a soapy sponge and in the other was a half clean saucepan. Her brown eyes shone when she set her sights onto her son.

"Aris" she smiled, setting the sponge and pan aside and drying her hands on a tea towel. "I'm so glad you're home safe. It's late, I was getting worried" her eyes wandered to Cloude and they narrowed ever so slightly, "Who's your friend?"

Aris looked back at Cloude then to his mother, "This is Cloude. She's my bodyguard" he blushed when he said the last part, mumbling something about being able to handle himself.

"Bodyguard?" his mother cried, "You mean to tell me you were followed again?" she stepped forwards and placed her slightly still soapy hands onto Aris's face, turning his head from side to side to see if she could spot anything, "You're not hurt are you? You are all right?"

"Yeah mum, I'm fine" Aris said, blushing as he gently grasped his mother's hands and put them down. "I had Cloude with me"

She nodded and turned to the blonde. "Well thank you Cloude. I am Elmyra, Aris's mother. Now if you excuse me, I have something to do" She went over to the stairs and went up them, disappearing from sight. Aris turned to Cloude and tilted his head to the side as he wiped soap suds from his cheek. "So, what are you going to do now?"

Cloude looked around, her eyes lingering slightly on the door, "Is Sector Seven far from here?" she asked, "Only, I want to go to Trey's bar"

Aris smiled coyly, "Oh" he said, "Trey . . . is Trey a . . . boy?"

Cloude arched an eyebrow and said slowly, "Yeah"

Aris tilted his head to the other side playfully, "A boyfriend perhaps?"

"Boyfriend?" Cloude gasped, "On no, you're mistaken. Me and Trey are just childhood friends. Nothing like that goes on between us"

Aris chuckled, "You don't have to get that upset" he said, "Let's see, Sector Seven? I 'll show you the way, it's not far"

Cloude shook her head, "No, why do you want to put yourself into more danger?"

Aris shrugged casually, "I'm used to it"

"Used . . . to it?" Cloude frowned, "Well, I dunno. Getting help from someone who can't even fight . . ."

Aris gasped, "What do you mean by that?" he asked, faking at being offended by the blonde's words, "Oh, I am not taking that lying down. I am taking you to Sector Seven now if you like it or not" he turned around and shouted up the stairs, "Mum! I'm taking Cloude to Sector Seven. I won't be long!"

"Oh no" Elmyra called, coming down the stairs in a hurry, "If you must go, do it tomorrow. It's late. Cloude could use the spare bedroom if she likes"

Aris nodded at his mother, "Sure" he said, "That seems cool. Hey, c'mon you, I'll show you where you're sleeping tonight".

Love Aris.

And I hope you like this story too. I haven't been getting many reviews but I appreciate them. I don't want to sound like a Review Whore but what can I say, I love hearing what people have to say about my work :)