Immer: Phwua. That's all I have to say about this chapter. Phwua.

Chapter title from the lyrics of the song Seven Devils by Florence the Machine.

Chapter Ten Raise The Stakes

FFVII

Cloud had come fully prepared. He had come to the throne room with a full plan set. He had aimed to seize control of the council and remove Jenova of her title as queen, whether or not by force, it didn't matter to him. In the end she was supposed to die, anyhow.

He had so much work and effort to make this plan succeed flawlessly, that perhaps he had been too arrogant in the face of failure. Cloud had Tseng send an urgent message to Vincent to bring him here. He had Genesis agree to serve as the perfect distraction and lead a rebellion of humans freed of their captors. Amongst them were Zack and Aerith, easily blending in as his eyes were now violet blue to mask him from what he was.

Everything was executed to perfection.

What Cloud didn't count on was Jenova being equally as prepared. She transformed into a hideous form, showing off her true colors as a naked woman with tentacles everywhere. And by doing so, everyone who shared her blood felt her calling. Cloud, having Sephiroth as his sire, felt the calling the strongest. He doubled over in pain as he resisted, grateful for Cian's help on the matter.

When he slowly straightened up, he noticed the council members were worse off. Some were writhing in pain, others became monstrous mounds of flesh and tentacles that it was hard to identify they were once Nobles. One glance had him realize Vincent was also affected, but like him he resisted.

Chaos is part of Gaia, therefore he wouldn't be so easily influenced by an alien force.

Simple enough, he supposed. However, that left only Cloud and Vincent to handle Jenova and the council that gave into her calling. Two against seven individuals left them outnumbered. And it became evident that something was off when Vincent's bullets wouldn't do damage, and slicing off limbs didn't slow them down.

"I have placed my influence upon these fools for years. Why else would I bother with simplest social events? By sharing my cells, I can invade their minds and control them all! My aim was to eventually destroy this planet slowly and carefully, but now you've sped up the process!" Jenova laughed cruelly.

Get out. Get out now.

Cloud didn't have to be told twice. He bolted straight for the door with Vincent at his heels. Together they maneuvered among the vast hallways to make their escape. Bullets and a swipe of a sword took down anyone who opposed them.

"Do you have a back up plan?" Vincent inquired as they rounded a corner.

"I'm just winging it as I go along." Cloud admitted with a nervous laugh.

"..." Vincent sighed at the prospect they were simply escaping without a plan.

They passed by a large window that was in perfect view of the city outside. Cloud couldn't help but stop and take it all in. His heart sank as he caught sight of vampires becoming mindless ghouls and attacking their own friends and family. The rebellion of the humans was now considered meaningless now.

I caused all of this.

Cloud didn't have to search very far to see Genesis fighting off the three brothers. But as he watched, something was off. The brothers were too chaotic, too out of control.

"Vincent, think you can fly us there? Something's off with the boys." Cloud had to get a closer look to see for himself.

Within seconds arms grabbed hold of him and a shot fired at the glass. Then they were flying. Cloud fought off the wave of motion sickness, and before he knew it the flight was over and they landed. It was a little shaky, but they landed without tumbling over, at least. Cloud then took in the sight before him.

Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz were no longer in control. It was eminent with their blank expressions, their eyes that were usually wild with fire of their own personalities were devoid of everything that made them stand out. Cloud felt the guilt wash over him. Although they didn't get along, he cared for them as well as he could as part of his new family.

"Oh, look. Dear brother has come to join us. Shall we have fun?" Yazoo took notice of him first, and started diverting his focus on him.

"Jenova! Let them go!" Cloud demanded, holding up his sword but refusing to swing.

They are her sons, born from her womb. She will never let go of them.

I still have to try!

"You think you can take my sons away from me, insolent child?" All three brothers said at perfect synchronization.

"They are not your weapons to utilize!" Cloud grit his teeth as they closed in on him.

"The best thing to do is to end their misery." Genesis swooped in, aiming for Loz. In an instant they were locked in battle, and before Cloud could order to make him stop the red rapier pierced Loz in the chest. For a split second he came back to his senses, eyes wide in shock.

"Loz!" Cloud ran, as green eyes caught his gaze in a panic. Loz reached out for him just as the fire from within the blade in his chest engulfed his body.

Vincent held the blond back from being burned as Cloud cursed at Genesis. Cloud struggled to free himself and slice the self proclaimed warrior of the goddess, but to no avail. As Jenova mourned and cried at the loss of one of her sons, her grip loosened on her other two and they came back to their senses.

"What...what happened? Loz? Loz! Brother!"

"This bastard needs to die!"

"Both of you, stay your weapons." Vincent hissed, and to everyone's surprise they did. They gazed at their father with hurt and fury.

"But he just killed our brother!"

"And in doing so released him of your mother's clutches, as well as the both of you. Now stay where you are while we talk."

"What is there to talk? I was just doing my job. Now step aside and let me finish with the other two so I can focus on their mother." Genesis was indifferent, believing himself to be a harbringer of death among all who shared the same blood as Jenova.

"You leave them out of whatever feud you have against her!" Cloud bared fangs, eyes flashing with promise to cut this noble in half.

"I will not stand idly by while you threaten my mate, Cloud. Genesis, enough of this nonsense. You have already killed one of my sons, I wish not to bear witness you do the same with the other two and my grandson. Now, will all of you please listen?" Vincent's words cut through all of them.

Reluctantly all of them lowered their weapons.

"You were the one that turned me?" Genesis tilted his head curiously.

"I have searched long and hard for you. This wasn't the reunion I imagined it would be. But, now that I have your undivided attention, I have a plan."

"And what makes you think I will go along with it?" Genesis glared with piercing eyes.

"Because it serves all of our best interests."

"I highly doubt that!" Kadaj yelled.

"Father was always too soft." Yazoo hissed under his breath.

"Look around. The city is in ruins. It does not matter if it is humans or vampires, everything is falling under chaos. What we need is to get everyone out as soon as possible and away from her influence." Vincent directed their attention to the city.

They all looked. Everywhere there were screams, the smell of blood was heavy in the air. All around everyone was fighting for their lives but no direction on where to go. If nothing was to be done soon, then everyone inside the mountain would perish. That included the group standing around who could do something about it.

"And how are you going to prevent her from controlling the two brats? Or Sephiroth's mate?" Genesis was suspicious, eyes narrowed.

"Cloud resisted. They can, too."

"You place too much faith in them."

"They are my sons. They share my blood as well."

Cloud felt a change in the air. And silently, they all agreed to set aside all feuds for this one moment and listened to what Vincent had in mind for a plan. Soon they gathered the humans and vampires not under Jenova's influence, which proved to be tiresome. Getting them to stop fighting didn't take too long when Cloud commanded with his Royal status to focus on getting out alive. He hated pushing is will upon others, but the arguments stopped.

Even the humans agreed with his words and dropped everything.

Genesis took the lead to their escape through the underground tunnel that connected the inner city and Nibelheim. Yazoo and Kadaj worked in the middle to keep everyone moving while Vincent and Cloud took the rear end to ensure no one was left behind and to focus as rear guard.

In a process of moving such a large amount of population that should have taken them hours, they completed within fourty five minutes. They reached the safety of Nibelheim, which was largely unaffected by Jenova's influence. None that have consumed her blood indirectly had ever been placed in the base. And for the most part they all had genuine confusion as to what exactly was going on.

But upon the sight of the former king, his new mate, two sons and grandson they agreed to follow along their orders. Vincent had them reach out to the base of the hunters further down the mountain. Vincent made contact and informed them of an emergency that required their help to transfer innocents to safety. To everyone's surprise, the base agreed once Vincent briefed them of the situation at hand.

Now they had to wait for help to arrive so they can all assemble the last part of their escape.

"Why do we need their help?" Kadaj scoffed bitterly.

"We don't have the resources to move everyone out of range of Jenova in one swoop. If we didn't reach out for their help, lives would be lost at the number of trips we would have to make. She won't be silent for much longer and try to exact her revenge. I suggest you two feed from either myself, Genesis or Cloud." Vincent advised with concern.

"Whatever for?" Yazoo made a face at the thought of drinking from any of the choices.

"To better protect yourselves from your mother."

Reluctantly, Yazoo drank from Vincent's wrist. Kadaj chose Cloud. He had done so without announcement and the blond was taken by surprise when suddenly his hair was pulled and fangs sank into his exposed throat. Cloud didn't mind the pain so much as his eyes became glassy.

"Kadaj, that's enough." Vincent snapped at his youngest when Cloud began to moan.

"No wonder why brother wanted you so bad." Kadaj pulled away, unable to defy his father as much as he wanted to. The taste of the blond's blood was divine.

"Speaking of, where is he?" Vincent had been curious as to why Sephiroth had been missing.

"Cloud fell into a coma after dueling against your precious mate. Then soon after Sephiroth fell into an eternal sleep of his own." Kadaj informed with eyes glaring at Genesis.

"Mother hid his body and didn't even tell us the location." Yazoo added the last bit.

"Cloud, can you sense your sire?" Vincent glanced at the blond, who came to his senses from the after affects of being fed from.

"No. I can't sense him. The connection was strained when the demon within my sword attempted to take control of me." Cloud admitted with a heavy heart.

That wasn't a good sign in Vincent's book. But soon the hunters arrived with trucks and helicopters. The focus was shifted to getting everyone to safety. It was agreed upon that they were separated into two destinations, Cosmo Canyon and Costa Del Sol. They were the only two neutral territories that were available to take in so many people at once.

The royals were among the last to leave. By chance, Zack and Aerith were the last pair with Tseng and Reno to leave. Cloud, who had felt the presence of Jenova in the back of his mind as if watching, suddenly she became infuriated at the sight of Aerith. She reached out to her sons and grandson in an attempt to control them.

Cloud was fine minus a migraine. Kadaj hissed in pain but was otherwise able to resist. Yazoo, however, wasn't. He charged at Aerith with full intention to kill her. In a flash his claws were aiming for her heart. All around everyone was in motion to protect her. Only one pulled her to safety, but didn't have the chance to block.

Zack crumbled, and Cloud rushed to his side and held him up. Genesis took to fighting Yazoo. With the help of Vincent Cloud pulled his best friend into the last chopper as panic set in. Reno didn't even bother waiting for the doors to close before they were airborne and leaving behind Yazoo and Genesis.

FFVII

Everything was a blur to Cloud. Although Zack didn't die, he came very close. And due to being so close to death, his vampire instinct kicked in and he fell into an eternal slumber. As of yet it seemed he wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. And there was no sign of Genesis, either.

Cloud closed himself off from everyone, including Aerith. He felt everything that had transpired as result of his plan was his fault, his burden no matter how many times everyone told him otherwise. The blond became reclusive as he was filled with despair and guilt eating away at his conscience.

He failed Cian. He failed Aerith. He failed Zack. He failed Loz and Yazoo. He failed Kadaj. And worst of all he failed Sephiroth.

Not even his reunion with his former comrades brought him out of his depression, despite how he was grateful they came to visit. He had missed them dearly, and even with startling realization he had completely forgotten about Cait Sith. To their horror the robotic cat wasn't among the rescued.

Another loss to add to his list of failures.

Within a short amount of time Jenova began to infect the planet everywhere she went. In the aftermath, those who didn't fall under her control were stricken with Geostigma. It became evident vampires and humans alike had to work together to rid the world of her, but the question was who would lead them.

An assassination of King ShinRa took place, and within no time Prince Rufus ShinRa stepped forward to claim he was best suited to unite the people of the night and day. However, vampires still nominated Vincent or Cloud instead. The humans meanwhile backed Rufus, as they were unsure whether to trust dhamphirs to lead them.

Politics was quite tiring. And Vincent had no means to be a leader. Instead he attempted to gently encourage Cloud, but the blond couldn't find it within himself to care. All he wanted was to kill Jenova, and hopefully by eliminating the source of chaos everything affected would be reversed. But once again he was under scrutiny as to why he could resist her calls when it was obvious he could still hear them.

Rufus at least had the decency not to place him in a glass cage. But he was sure that within Cloud there was a cure. They just had to identify whatever strain that allowed him to resist Jenova where Kadaj couldn't. Yet the youngest son of Vincent Valentine was just fine after consuming Cloud's blood.

So instead of being out there raging war against Jenova, Cloud was to remain under the careful watch of both humans and vampires while they argued back and forth who would lead them and what to do with Cloud. Since Kadaj relied on him to resist his mother, he was stuck to the blond at the hip. Almost quite literally.

Then among the commons, of humans and vampires alike, the prophecy that came forth around the first wave of Geostigma began to circulate again. Many speculated that it was either Zack or Cloud who was the one mentioned in the prophecy.

"I don't understand why they think I'm the one to carry out the prophecy. I'm not special, and all I want is for Jenova to die and tell me where Sephiroth is." Cloud confessed to his friends one day.

"You're kind and generous. You have the ability to bring people together. As we told you before, if it weren't for you we would never have been able to work together as a group." Tifa reminded him of the night of their escape when Cloud turned.

It almost feels like an eternity ago when that happened.

"Yeah, and you have been among both humans and vampires. I mean, yeah Zack too, but unless he wakes up, I think it's you that leads us." Yuffie added her opinion.

"An' it's obvious you wanna go out there and fight that bitch. So what's stopping ya?" Barret eyed the blond warrior, watching for his reaction.

"I've got everyone watching me like a hawk. I can't step one toe out of the building without people following me. It doesn't matter if it's Turks or whoever follows Tseng, the equivalent of the Turks among the vampires." Cloud pointed out.

"Is that all that's stopping you? Man, I didn't think you were one to give up so easily." Kadaj scoffed, his tone taunting.

Eyes stared at him, some were suspicious, others were surprised as he had been silent upon entering the room. Even though Kadaj was able to be himself so long as he had fed from Cloud, he was still quite bipolar and ready to snap necks. Then again one couldn't fully blame him after basically losing the majority of his family. Strangely, he wasn't blaming Cloud like most thought he would.

"You sound like you have a plan." Cloud had a feeling it was going to be one of those plans that were risky.

"It requires a lot of...destruction."

"Count me out." Cloud didn't have any part of it. He left before anyone could argue against him, deciding a nice view of the ocean was a nice change of pace.

He made his way to the beach. Tseng following him from a distance didn't escape his attention, but he paid him no mind. The blond was more or less surprised the man was doing the job himself, since he had been too busy arguing with the Turks over a lot of issues.

Then again he was always about work.

Cloud walked onto the beach, enjoying the cool night. Costa Del Sol was gorgeous, he supposed, with the crystal clear ocean view and skies. The stars lit up the night, the moon rising. The waters reflected the skies, and Cloud could almost forget everything that was wrong with this planet.

Almost.

You could always allow me control. I could finish her off without being held back.

No thanks, I'm not letting you have any control of my body.

Cloud sensed Cian's uneasiness. But the demon had waited so long for vengeance, he had the patience to wait a little more. And reluctantly Cian retreated into the deepest recesses of Cloud's mind to give each other space. The blond was grateful for the relative silence. He honestly wasn't sure how much longer he had before Cian started demanding for control.

He stood on the beach, listening to the waves as he watched them creep closer. The tides were closing in, but the waves were gentle. And so Cloud wasn't at all worried. He watched the reflections of the stars dance on the waves, entranced.

Tseng watched him with growing curiosity. Without meaning to he made his way closer, despite knowing he shouldn't. He barely registered the soft footsteps of Rude and Reno not far behind. The vampire wasn't distracted, his eyes never strayed from the blond.

Something was off. But he couldn't quite place what made him nervous. For the most part of the past year he had watched Cloud from a distance, meanwhile learning what he could from Reno. The redhead only gave him the basics of a skilled swordsman who had questionable heritage. Nothing about him seemed to stand out, other than being quite determined to hunt down vampires.

How quickly the tune changed when he was turned.

Tseng wasn't sure what exactly possesed Sephiroth to jump hoops for this one individual, but after the events of Genesis it all started to make sense. And he was just as surprised as most were about his true heritage, and he found it ironic the son Jenova was the most proud of fell head over heels for a descendant of the late Ancestor that almost killed her successfully.

And among all of the craziness that was spreading the world like a deadly disease, Tseng was grateful Cloud could resist Jenova. If she had her grip on him, Tseng feared not even Genesis could overtake him in a fight. Cloud could potentially tap into the power of not just the demon within his weapon, but Sephiroth's as well. The combination of the two would be devastating.

But now he was starting to have doubts.

Tseng stood a few feet from the blond, who had become as still as a statue. It wouldn't be a concern if even the cold waters of the waves reached Cloud's ankles, and yet no reaction from him. Tseng inhaled, and pushed away the thought of having to actually ruin his good shoes and pants and cautiously waded in the water to be closer to Cloud.

"You're not trying to drown yourself, are you? That would be troublesome for many of us. And not to mention it would be hard to explain to your sire." Tseng was now beside the blond, who didn't respond.

Concern growing within his mind, Tseng studied Cloud. His heart sank upon seeing the blank stare of his eyes that should be blue and yet they glowed green. Without thinking Tseng reached out to the blond's shoulder and turned him so they faced each other.

No, this is not happening. With Zack in a coma and now this, there's no one suitable to represent us.

"Cloud? Cloud, snap out of it. Cloud? Cloud!" Tseng hissed, struggling to calm the rising panic.

Green eyes blinked slowly, as if registering his words carefully. Tseng heard a click of a gun and he immediately snarled as he took a stand between Rude and Cloud. Reno had his weapon out, face torn between who he should stand with. Tseng wouldn't hold it against him to stand with his old comrade, but the idea hurt.

Tseng quickly shoved emotions aside as he kept eyes trained on the bald man.

"I thought you said he could resist her call." Rude didn't want to do this, but if Cloud was now considered a threat then he couldn't allow him to kill everyone off, especially Rufus.

"He can. But if you would allow me to fully examine him for just a moment, I have to confirm something. I don't believe it's her that has a grip on him." It was a long shot, but he knew the eyes anywhere.

Sephiroth's eyes stood out among his brothers. They would occasionally have hint of silver under the right lighting. For a split second his eyes looked like Sephiroth's.

"If not Jenova, then who? I doubt Yazoo or Kadaj could control anyone." Rude was skeptical.

"Wait, ya not thinkin' it's him do you?" Reno caught on, referring to Cloud's sire.

"It's just a theory. But, let's just say Jenova's oldest has similar powers as her. Only more restricted. He can't infect and control like she does, he follows more within the restrictions of the vampires. And a sire can so choose to control those he or she gave their gift of immortality to." Tseng explained just in time for an audience came forward.

"Are you implying what I think you are?" Rude frowned, now pressured to act as Vincent, Kadaj and the hunters that once fought alongside Cloud.

"Reunion..." Kadaj slowly stepped forward, eyes giving off the same glow as Cloud's.

"What are ya on about, now?" Barret grumbled, but Kadaj ignored him.

"Reunion." Cloud echoed with a hint of a deeper voice that was not his own.

Tseng warily stepped aside as he slowly turned to watch Cloud closely. There was no mistaking that voice he heard. He knew the majority here recognized it too. Then something nagged at his brain, and he turned to Reno.

"What day is today?"

"Why is that important?" Reno was on the verge of a panic.

"Is today the anniversary of his turning?"

"Er, I guess? What has that got to do with anythin' goin' on now?" The redhead was at a loss.

"Tonight's the anniversary! I remember. Tonight marks a year after Sephiroth turned Cloud." Tifa confirmed, she was about to say something more when Aerith calmly stepped closer to Kadaj and Cloud.

Gone was her blue and white dress, and in its place was a long pink one to match her ribbon. There was a certain determination in her eyes that surprised all of them, for she was usually so reserved and shy. She faced Cloud, or would he still be considered Cloud at all?

"She wants you dead." Sephiroth conveyed through Cloud. At his words almost everyone tensed, bracing themselves for a fight.

"I know. And I also know she wants you. But you refuse to fall into her charm. Why is that?" Aerith could sense he was still his own mind, without Jenova's will overriding his own.

"Reunion..." Echoed from Cloud and Kadaj.

"Reunion with who?" Aerith tilted her head with a knowing smile.

"..." They were both silent, simply staring devoid of emotions.

"Sephiroth, where are you?" Vincent stepped forward to stand behind Aerith.

"A city long forgotten in ruins, surrounded by a forest that glows in the night. Bring my brother and both my heirs. I can only hold her off for so long."

Then the glow left their eyes and the pair collapsed. Vincent caught Kadaj, while Tseng held Cloud up. The silver prince was unconscious, but the blond was barely conscious and not aware of his surroundings. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he panicked.

"Cloud, Cloud snap out of it. Wake up." Tseng tried to calm him, but the thrashing increased in volume.

"Look out!" Aerith warned as she grabbed hold of Cloud's other arm in an attempt to help Tseng walk him to safety.

The Wutaian had enough time to glance over his shoulder to see a huge wave tower over them. It glowed faintly of green, similar to mako but more translucent. The three of them couldn't escape and the wave crashed over them. Anyone who tried to move in closer was pushed back by the force of the wave.

"Cloud! Cloud, where are you?" Tifa called out.

"Spikey! Pop your head up so we can see ya!"

"Tseng? Tseng!" Reno waded into the water until it reached his chest.

"Aerith! Anyone? Can any of you hear us?"

The still calm waves of the ocean was the only answer.