Eldai assessed the scene with practiced, clinical observation, but inside his mind reeled at the thought of one so young filled with such despair. The cuts into Leon's wrists were serious but the tear across his throat was so deep that it would take a journey to the land of the dead to have a chance at healing his wounds and bringing the warrior's spirit back to his body. It would take more than that however to cure the pain of the young man's soul.
Eldai grasped Sephiroth's shoulder to try to remove him from the room and this contact caused Sephiroth to swivel around and stare directly into Eldai's startled eyes. The knowing eyes of the Diardhirrim bored into the Assassin's core and Sephiroth knew that he had been recognized for what he was.
Sephiroth did not even try to hide what he could tell was revealed in his eyes. He just gazed at Eldai with such naked anguish in his face that it made the old man's blood run cold. In the gaze of Sephiroth, the One Winged Angel, Eldai could discern an expression of complete, soul-searing love for the man that lay motionless, cradled in his arms. The impassive indifference that had protected the Assassin through his series of callous murders was stripped away and Eldai could tell that the man would never be able to complete the mission of redemption set for him by The Angel. The One Winged Angel had perceived the diamond-star on Eldai's forehead that marked him as Diardhirrim but he knew that the healer was Leon's only hope and in that instant he made a silent vow to never kill another Diardhirrim or Starmardi again.
Eldai knelt in front of Sephiroth and took hold of his shoulders firmly. 'Listen,' he murmured. 'I have little time left in which to save this man's life. I have seen what you are . . . ', at this Sephiroth blanched, sure that the healer now beheld him with the loathing he deserved. But when he glanced up, to read the man's countenance, he saw compassion and something else, forgiveness.
' . . . And I know the horrors you have suffered.' Eldai continued. 'The Angel has held you in her clutches for too long and her control on you is beginning to slip; your love for this man is your salvation, not the cruel murders committed in the name of The Angel and the Assassin.'
By this point Sephiroth was staring at Eldai in wonder. No living human could possibly know so much and Sephiroth knew that the religion of Starmardi only masked a deep emptiness in the heavens, didn't it?
Still Eldai continued, 'The Angel is a threat to all human existence. I know her aims and I know of her deepest desires. I also know the secret that she will speak of to no one. She never told you that one of your next victims was the last Ancient, and that her death would bring the world to it's knees; in front of her.'
Sephiroth sat, staring blankly at nothing. His world had been shattered into shards at the old man's words, spoken with such assurance that they couldn't possibly be anything but true. The Angel, the one being he thought he could trust, the one he had relied on to define his very existence. She was the enemy. And Leon was his savior; this was the only thing holding his sanity intact.
The wise old healer waited silently while Sephiroth struggled to hold his world together and come to terms with the immense betrayal. After he had sat in silence for what seemed like an age, Eldai reached over and touched Sephiroth, formerly known as the Assassin, softly on the arm. 'We can wait no longer.' He said firmly. 'You must decide if you can live with the treachery of The Angel and be strong. Or you can give up on salvation and die a bitter death. But know this, if you choose death then you also choose death for Leon, for his life is linked to you through the love that you both feel.'
Sephiroth raised his head, Eldai's words finally penetrating his suffering. He no longer wished to live but Leon, Leon needed a chance and Sephiroth owed him at least that. After he knew Leon would be all right he would leave and die far from his love.
Eldai looked into Sephiroth's eyes and read in them a certainty that now one person knew of his past, all others would soon know, and Eldai could tell that this thought hurt almost as bad Leon's plight. He spoke without looking at Sephiroth, 'Your past is your own affair Angel. As long as you wish my silence, none shall know that the Assassin dwells among them. You shall have your chance at deliverance, there is but one thing that I shall ask of you. I ask that when the time of the Angel draws nigh, you come to me. No matter what may be occurring, no matter what you stand to lose.'
Sephiroth breathed a sigh of utmost relief. He would not have to leave the one person on the earth that he could love, with this reprieve he barely took in the healer's request. He nodded his head once, sealing the deal, although he did not know it. The look he turned on Eldai was a radiant grin that, with it's genuine feeling, caused the healer to return it with sincere affection. He was, perhaps, the only person to know the Assassin for what he was and accept him as a friend.