Chapter 9: Manifesto Secondi
"I… Hurts." Zack rasped out. Snow took a minute to decipher what he said. He grabbed his friend and held him.
"I know that it hurts, Zack. But it will be over soon... just hang in there, okay?" Snow assured. Zack slowly nodded. He closed his eyes, trying to get rid of the burning sensation he had in them.
"You're gonna be fine, I won't leave until it's all over." Snow promised.
"Now, the question becomes... what will his powers be, hm?" Jihl wondered, as the trio of staff members watched from the roof nearby.
"Any guesses?" Rydgea invited.
"I imagine superhuman strength would be among them. It just seems right for him somehow." Yaag said.
"Hmm, yes, that does make sense, in a way that just can't be put to words. Somehow, I get the feeling he'll gain abilities related to those eyes of his. Perhaps that is where his mark will end up being, even." Jihl mused, confident. Rydgea looked at her.
"Who-hoo, somebody's confident!" He said, smiling. Jihl looked back at him.
"I didn't get where I am today without a good degree of confidence, Mister Rydgea." She snapped, glaring. Rydgea put his hands up in mock surrender.
"Well, at least he's in good company. Snow can take as many hits as he can deal out." Yaag said, quickly changing the subject. Jihl pushed her glasses up, closing her eyes and sighing.
"Mister Villiers may be able to take it, but the area around him..."
Rydgea and Yaag cringed. Jihl had a point.
"Well, all we can really do is watch and wait. See what happens. If it comes to it, I'll get us outta here." Rydgea said.
"We'll be counting on you." Yaag said as the three returned to watching the scene before them. Students had began to crowd around Zack.
"Give him some room! We have no clue what's going to happen when his powers finish manifesting!" Snow yelled, angry. All the students continued on their way, not wanting to get hurt when it did happen.
"GAH!"
With the anguished cry, a small orb appeared at his feet, and the summon Ifrit came out of it. Zack slowly stood up and found a sword was by him. He felt very different, like he was somehow much stronger than before.
"Zack! We gotta take care of this thing! You ready?" Snow demanded, looking at his friend. Zack nodded.
"Yeah!" He said as he picked up the sword and got ready to fight. Snow ran in hitting it with some ice attacks as Zack slashed at it, with his newfound strength. Jihl eyed Zack with suspicion. She checked a small device on her wrist.
"That's not an Eidolon... it's some other kind of summoned beast. How intriguing." She said calmly.
"Well, the sphere is likely where it came from. That would mean it's a Materia-Beast." Yaag pointed out. Rydgea grumbled.
"Great, so he'll be able to summon more than one. Maker-damn-it! The kid's gonna be a lot of trouble because of that!" He cursed. A beeping noise could be heard from Rydgea's pocket. The teleporter took out his phone, and sighed.
"Dean Raines wants me. Says he's suspicious of some kid name Cloud Strife bein' like us." He droned. He looked towards the two security officers.
"Think you can handle things here?"
Jihl and Yaag nodded. Rydgea smiled, and waved, before teleporting away. Yaag sighed.
"I think it's time we lent them a hand." He said. Jihl smiled.
"Indeed. What's that ridiculous thing that Mister Villiers and some of the other students say again at a time like this?" She questioned. Yaag snorted.
"Let's suit up!" He exclaimed. Yaag raised his hand skyward, and called a suit of armor, the Proudclad, to his side. He jumped up and it fastened into place around his body. Jihl flicked her wrist, and her outfit changed to a far more elegant and attractive outfit, suited for beauty and death. She brought forth a baton, and then Yaag grabbed her. He flew them to Snow and Zack's side, and landed, letting Jihl land gracefully, her heels clacking with the pavement.