Chapter 11: Fight for Your Life
Dark liquid swirled around in the pink china teacup. Every ripple caused by the light breathing of the woman above it visible to her now keen eyes. The liquid had turned cold long ago, now only serving to comfort and soothe the eyes rather than the soul. Aeris sat across the table looking at Tifa, who had since that morning's episode taken in everything exceptionally well. Now, all they were waiting on was Tifa's response. When she finally ventured to look up at the trio across from her she only said one word, "Why?"
Aeris let out a long sad sigh, her olive orbs seeking out the reassurance in the brunette SOLDIER by her side. "I don't know for certain." She began uneasily. "But it is the will of the Planet that you are here. Why I was able to save you." Tifa knit her hands into her hair, which formed a curtain around her. "Under any other circumstances, I wouldn't have been able to curb the progress of the Jenova virus. You would have succumbed to it and become something less than human."
Wine eyes looked from Aeris to Zack to Cloud, taking time to drink in all of their forms in a way she didn't realized she missed. "Are they," She nodded towards the two men. "Less than human?"
Aeris shook her head, brown curls bobbing with the motion. "Not yet." Tifa gave her a confused look. "The Jenova virus is designed to heal and repair all physical and internal damages. When people accidentally stumble into Ajito they are usually lost, delirious, wounded, or dying. Most succumb to the effects within the first few hours. Fortunately, Cloud and Zack received very little mutation from the virus. In others Jenova brings about rapid changes in attitude or mental instability; physical mutations, like hair discoloration, bone reconfigurations, muscle gain, or in severe cases physical deficiencies."
"The one thing that is constant though, is the mark left in the eyes." Cloud continued. "Since it is the most sensitive of all organs it mutates first within just a few minutes. They glow with the combination of the foreign virus and mako in the air, resulting in iridescence and discoloration."
"You make it sound so clinical. As if it were a common cold that everyone gets sometime in their life." Tifa snipped from beneath her dark tresses.
Zack let out a dry chuckle, crossing his arms over his chest. "We've lived a very long time, Tifa. And Ajito used to be a technologically advanced society a thousand years ago. Just because they were separated from the world doesn't mean they haven't evolved."
"In order to evolve you would need outside stimulation! Metals, tools! Things that you don't have access to here."
Aeris giggled at this, amusement evident in her eyes for the first time that morning. "The planet provides well for its children."
Tifa looked at the other woman incredulously. "That doesn't make any sense! Just a moment ago you were explaining to me that the planet wants this place destroyed! Why would it knowingly support anything here?"
"Regardless of what they are now, they are still Gaia's children. If they cannot be assimilated into the Lifestream by natural processes, she cleanses them forcibly. Ridding them of any impurities that may harm the planet."
"Mercy killing? Or purge by fire? Sounds like an old witch hunt to me."
"I suppose you could think of it that way."
Tifa shook her head, lowering her face into her hands once more. "And what is it exactly that the planet asks of me?" She met Aeris's kind gaze. "Because I know the price of a life isn't free."
"You are imbued with a Guardian of the Planet. Use him to free Chaos, Gaia's Harbinger of Death and help destroy Sephiroth and the other Generals."
"What!" The two SOLDIERs exclaimed. Apparently Aeris had kept that little detail of the plan to herself.
"You said nothing about Angeal nor Genesis. Well Genesis I could probably understand but Angeal?" Zack protested.
Once again Aeris shook her head. "They are what keeps the people here alive. As well as a majority of the SOLDIER Army. If he is as honorable and sensible as you claim him to be Zack, he will come to terms with what must be done."
"I don't agree with any of this either." Cloud interjected. "But not for the same reasons." He looked at Zack who had perked up at his initial outburst. "I do agree that the Generals need to be dealt with, but Tifa can't do it on her own. Those men have a thousand years of fighting and magical experience. She is no older than twenty! She won't stand a chance against all three of them, let alone the army that follows their every beck and call!"
"That is where Chaos and I step in." Was the brunette's calm reply. "On the night of the new moon, Gaia will be at her weakest. It is also the night that Sephiroth plans to attack the barrier and break free. If he succeeds then he will decimate this world and all who live on it."
"You aren't making any sense Aeris! How does Tifa prevent all of that from happening, let alone you? And who is this Chaos you speak of? All these years we haven't seen hide nor hair of such an 'Ultimate Guardian.'"
"He does exist, Cloud. He appeared hundreds of years before you ever came here. He very nearly destroyed all of Ajito single handedly, but was thwarted by the combined efforts of the Generals. If the playing field were to have been even then, Ajito would be nothing more than a valley of rubble."
"And Tifa's supposed to be the counterweight in that fight? I don't think so."
"Will I get to go home?" The request came out hushed from the woman solemnly staring into her cup of tea.
Aeris looked back at the other woman with a gentle smile. "Yes. Gaia has promised. If you succeed in either objective you will be free to walk the outside of this valley again."
"Tifa don't listen to her! Going up against them is suicide!"
"If I were to sit here and do nothing it would mean death anyway. Watching everyone and everything I love outside die to a madman. What's the worst if I do fail? I'm stuck here regardless. If I can prevent Sephiroth and this maniacal army that you're apart of it will help me sleep for hundreds of years to come!"
Cloud backed down after the brunette's outburst. He had forgotten that she would still have people to fight for. Something he and Zack had come to terms with long ago. He bit the inside of his cheek to prevent any more outbursts, deciding to simply walk over to the kitchen window and stare out of it.
Sensing his best friend's distress and reason for his sudden solemn mood Zack looked back between the two women. He put on his most convincing smile under the circumstances. "Don't worry Tifa. You won't be alone in this. Cloud and I will help you."
"Zack, I couldn't ask you to -" Tifa began but he held up a hand to stop her.
"Until you free Chaos, because it will be a slim chance you would ever defeat one of the Generals by yourself. You will also need people to help you locate him. Or help you defeat them. It took us years to finally figure out the layout of the SOLDIER base, and you expect to find what you're looking for in an entire city? I don't think so. Besides, three heads are better than one." He gave her a wink.
Outside the kitchen window Cloud spotted three familiar forms walking up the path to the cottage. Their black clothes and silver hair flying in the wind all the giveaway Cloud needed. With haste he joined the others in the dining room. "Time to go. Our escorts are here." He said as he picked up Tifa's waist bag and threw it at her. Zack's brows furrowed at the blonde and his cryptic message. Nonetheless he followed his friend outside.
"Grab whatever else you may need Tifa. We'll be outside, hurry."
She nodded in return, clipping the phanney pack into place behind her. After checking that her gloves were securely on and materia were in place she turned to look at Aeris who was standing, clearing the table of its dishes. "Will you be alright here alone, Aeris?"
The other brunette smiled. "Of course. Just be careful out there."
Tifa nodded once and followed the SOLDIERs outside. When she didn't spot them, she circled the house to where the clearing met the forest. At the start of the path stood Zack, Cloud, the boy from last night, and two others whose similarities to him were difficult not to notice. "Brother is not pleased that you missed this morning's opening ceremony." The smallest of the silver haired boys spoke. "Even more so when he had to send us to gather you." His arms were crossed and his face drawn down into a scowl.
'His face . . . It's oddly familiar.'
As Tifa drew closer the boy from last night took notice of her, his lips forming a smirk. "She's here." The other men around him turned to look at her as if scrutinizing a distorted picture. "We'll be taking the quickest route to the arena. Make sure she keeps up, Loz."
The burliest of the three boys smirked. "My pleasure."
Straightening her spine she walked up to Zack and Cloud who were having a staring match with two of the boys. "Shall we then?" The boy said to Cloud.
"After you, Kadaj." Zack said bowing with a flourish. Kadaj hissing at this mockery jumped into the trees followed by Zack. Cloud looked between the burly boy and the menace from last night.
Flipping his hair over a shoulder the slimmer one spoke. "Don't be too rough with her, Loz. Wouldn't want brother to beat you for playing with what isn't yours." With that he followed his brother into the canopy of trees.
"Get going, Cloud. Yazoo is waiting." Cloud scowled at the muscled behemoth. Having to be escorted by these three wasn't in any of their plans, but neither was Tifa having a mental relapse. Placing a hand on Tifa's shoulder he gave it a squeeze and a reassuring smile.
"Just yell if he does anything to you. Zack and I will be happy to rip him a new one." With a final glare at her escort Cloud followed Yazoo.
Tifa looked at the retreating back of the blonde, before she felt an unexpected shove. She stumbled trying to regain her balance. "What the hell is your problem, buddy?" Tifa snapped giving him her best death glare, but he seemed more amused than intimidated.
"Get moving." Was his curt reply. With that Tifa spun on her heel and began walking the dirt path into the city. Before she could get far she was roughly pulled back to face Loz. With his free hand he pointed to the tree tops, but Tifa just stared at him in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me." He didn't reply. "How do you expect me to get up there!" She shot at him.
With a hint of amusement in his green eyes he spoke. "Jump. If you really need any more help, I'm more than happy to throw you up there."
Pulling her arm free forcefully Tifa fisted her hands in anticipation of what she was about to do. Making sure her shorts were pulled as far down as they would go, she bent her knees and looked up into the trees. She exhaled and closed her eyes. 'Please...' She mentally pleaded and sprang up into the air with all her might. The sensation of rocketing into the air overcame her senses forcing her eyes open due to her stomach dropping into her toes. Her body seemed to reach a pinnacle and stayed suspended in the air for a short time before the rush of flying was replaced with one of falling. A scream escaped her lips as her hair trailed behind her and her limbs lashed out for anything to grab onto.
Her descent came to an abrupt halt as her arm was grabbed. Involuntarily her gaze met with the ground twenty or so feet below, the distance zooming in and out as if through a camera lens that couldn't focus. Her mouth was dry from the sudden rush. When she finally registered the pain in her arm, her gaze met the face of the amused Loz.
"Didn't figure you for a screamer." He mocked as he easily lifted her up through the air to stand upon the branch which supported his weight. "Get moving." Roughly he pushed her forward.
Tifa turned to notice that the branches of the trees were thick, easily supporting the weight of a full grown man. Far ahead of them she could make out the forms of Zack and Cloud leaping between trees along with the two silver haired brothers. "I said move!" Loz seethed, pushing her again.
Gathering what little left there was of her wits, Tifa took a headlong jump forward aiming for the closest tree branch. Surprisingly her feet touched down with little trouble. 'It's just like jumping across stones in a river.' She said to herself as she took the next few trees easily. 'Boy, am I going to have one hell of a story for Reno. If I ever get out of this.'
Sephiroth sat in a black high backed chair, flanked on either side by Angeal and Genesis. Below him lay an arena surrounded by every member of their army. The SOLDIER Army. Every being present had either once been human and drastically transformed or were the result of one of the three Generals ever evolving powers. Currently the arena's spectacle was between a steely white beast which stood on four feet, bearing the head and body of a lion, wings of a bird, and the torso of a man. Two arms protruded from a muscular crest that had the cloned face of Angeal in slumber. Within its grasp it held a shield and a lance. Its opponent was a slender man, bound and gagged with bandages from head to foot. Wild black tresses sprang out of the head bandages at odd angles creating the illusion of a mane. Harsh red eyes and dark brows were the only visible features of the man. Upon his back were two large mechanical wings, neatly folded.
"The next match will be Nero and Penance!" Angeal declared from Sephiroth's right. The crowd roared waiting for the bloodshed.
The creature known as Penance roared into the crowd, slamming the shaft of its lance into the heavy shield. The loud crashes encouraged the crowd even more. His opponent stood there, hands to his sides, eyes calmly blinking at the hulking behemoth before him.
"Fighters! Be - !"
Angeal's declaration was abruptly cut off when six blurs entered the arena from above. The sudden entrance caused the earth to shift into a slight crater. Sephiroth smirked. "You're late."
"Sorry boss!" Was Zack's cheerful reply. "My hair wouldn't sit right this morning." He looked toward his mentor who only returned his smart ass remark with a glare that could freeze Ifrit, the Lord of Flames, over.
Kadaj stepped forward addressing his elder. "We've brought her as instructed." He turned to reveal Tifa, she was doubled over as she caught her breath. With a quick jerk of his head, Loz pushed the brunette forward who stumbled beside the silver haired youth.
"Watch it, buddy! I'm getting sick of you shoving me."
"A temper fit for a fiery vixen. Don't you agree, Genesis?" Sephiroth asked. The Crimson General crossed his arms as he gazed upon the woman that looked up at them with conviction in her glowing red eyes.
"We're here for a fight, Sephiroth. Now is not the time to be showing off your new toy." He bit back, his hands gripping hard into his leather duster.
"Now is a good time as any. We came for a bout of fights, and so we shall have them. Our lovely lady here being the main attraction." He stood then and gestured to the arena. "Welcome. Forgive my manners but would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to the family, my pet?"
Tifa glared up at the green eyed devil. Her hands balled into fists. Oh how she couldn't wait to punch that smug look off his face. When she didn't reply Kadaj unsheathed his sword and raised it to her throat. "Brother asked you to introduce yourself." He pressed the tip of the blade into her throat drawing blood.
She merely glared at the youth, biting the inside of her cheek as she tried to stifle her reaction of being cut. "Tifa Lockheart." She seethed.
"Louder." The youth pressed. More blood slipped down her throat, creating a red stain upon her clean white dress shirt. After what had happened to Aeris's beautiful festival dress, Tifa didn't want to ruin any more of her clothes and came to terms with using her Turk uniform.
She glared at the boy before looking back up at the men she could only assume we're the Generals of SOLDIER. "My name is Tifa Lockheart!"
The crowd roared around her as she announced herself. From what she saw the crowd was a combination of creatures grotesque and beautiful. Some with the features of humans. Others bearing more resemblance to creatures only dreamed of in nightmares.
"You're in luck, Ms. Lockheart." Sephiroth spoke up after the cries of the crowd died down. "Today is marked as the 'Day of Blood'. Upon this day all within Ajito bear witness to the military might of its people. As our newest member it is customary for you to take up the first fight." Once more the crowd roared with a mixture of disgust and bloodlust. "But seeing as you are a little more than late, why don't we have you participate in the finale royale?" Again the crowd's reaction was mixed.
Tifa glanced over to Zack and Cloud. Both men were glaring daggers at their superiors, hands gripped into tight fists at their sides.
"Do you wish to break your toy before you've had time to properly play with it, Sephiroth?" Angeal asked, his frown deepening after the Silver General's announcement. A silver brow rose in curiosity as Angeal cleared his throat. "I suggest one fighter from every division and let her choose her opponet." Sephiroth smiled at this idea, emerald eyes glowing as he took in her form. Something about his gaze sent a shiver of trepidation down her spine, and she couldn't stop the involuntary reaction.
"Not necessarily the bloodbath we were expecting. But an excellent idea, Angeal." Genesis replied. "Whomever she loses to has right of claim to her. As has always been the custom of this tournament style. Nero still stands as my choice for this round. What say you, Angeal?" The brunette nodded, Penance roaring with vigor in acceptance of the silent request. "Sephiroth?"
The remnants all stepped forth, Kadaj swiftly withdrawing his sword from Tifa's neck before bowing alongside his brethren. Sephiroth's face upturned into a cruel smile as he resumed his seat, slouching off to one side and resting his chin upon his propped up hand. "Loz." Was his one worded reply. The brawny boy stood with a matching smile, stretching his arms in anticipation of a fight. The remaining boys scowled at their gloating brother and stood.
"Those of you not fighting remove yourselves from the arena." Angeal bellowed his deep baritone bouncing off the stone walls. The crowd instantly silenced to watch the remaining remnants, Zack and Cloud to exit the arena. When all that was left was Tifa and three different opponents she couldn't help the bottomless feeling in her gut.
"The rules are simple." Angeal continued. "Fight til your opponent can no longer stand or goes unconscious. Fighting with the intention to kill is highly encouraged." At this the crowd roared once more, cheering for bloodshed. "Ms. Lockheart." Tifa turned to look up at Angeal, his dark eyes betraying the remorse he felt. "You have a choice of three opponents. We leave this decision to you. Win against the first opponent and you'll have a choice of the remaining two. You fight til you can't or til you defeat them all." Another bloodthirsty roar shot up around her.
"What do I get if I do win?" She ventured to ask. Angeal didn't seemed phased by the question.
"Defeat them all and you will be placed in the elite class of SOLDIER. Fail and you'll live in servitude to the General of the opponent you lose to."
"And if I can't fight?" Perhaps feigning ignorance will win her a free ride out of fighting. Her choice of opponents were a little beyond shady and murderous. If she could avoid a fight then she would. Especially after what she had endured last night.
Angeal's brows knit together in frustration. "Then I hope you learn how." Was his only reply, half of the crowd roared in amusement, the others in disgust. Tifa swallowed the lump in her throat.
'So much for that idea.'
"We haven't got all day." Genesis interjected. "Choose now or we'll turn this gauntlet into an all out royale." His voice was light and amused, but his body language and eyes told her a different story.
Her dilemma now, was to decide who she wouldn't mind losing to and serving the rest of eternity for. That is if Aeris's plan didn't work out. Looking between the three Generals she could see very little difference between the way they held themselves and the way they acted. Genesis from what she had experienced was a flirt beyond imagination, probably a womanizer from the way he was so insistent yesterday. Sephiroth, the silver haired devil, was the same man who had nearly killed her last night. Serving him would probably be like living in the pits of Ifrit's den. The last General, Angeal... It seemed as if Zack idolized the man, the way he defended him this morning. If Zack trusted him, then why couldn't she?
Tifa turned to look at the awaiting Generals and cleared her throat before speaking. "I'll fight him." She pointed to Penance. The massive creature reared back on its hind legs and roared, sending tremors through Tifa's body. When she looked back at the Generals their reactions were not what she was expecting. Sephiroth and Genesis were silently fuming, while Angeal had the inkling of a smirk upon his lips.
With a simple wave of his hand Nero and Loz removed themselves from the arena. Tifa turned to face her opponent. 'What have I gotten myself into?' She thought to herself as she took a better look at the inhuman creature. If it didn't trample her or smash her against a wall, it would surely skewer her upon that lance it brandished. 'What was I thinking?'
"Fight!"
A/N: Another one bites the dust. I hope this chapter didn't seem a little out of place. Please let me know if it does. I've had awesome reviews and I'd like to thank you all who've done so. I enjoy reading feedbacks. And I promise more chapters to come. Now the question is: Who will Tifa lose to? :D
R&R~!