Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII. If I did, it wouldn't be just cloud killing Sephiroth. It would be a story where Vincent fell in love with Sephiroth and Cloud killed him. Yeah, angst.

Yes, I'm still alive and kicking. Yup this is chapter ten and I just discovered something. I can't write angst stories. I'm just too comedic to write something that makes people cry. TTTT but I can imagine something angst that makes me cry but unfortunately I can't put it in words. . Yes. I just discovered a stunning revelation. I can only write things that either make people laugh or write stories with characters who say sentences dripping with sarcasm. (I think?) Well, I hope you enjoy this story and don't forget to review! .-!

Sincerely,

Prelude of Sacrifice

Chapter 10: Moon

Through the woods one day,

And, creeping round the great tree, he stole

One red beauty away.

Sephiroth watched in horror as he sees his lover taken away right under his nose and there's nothing he could do about it. Anger swelled inside him waiting to burst forth.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Seiran slipped his tongue into Vincent's waiting mouth as his eyes dart back to Sephiroth. The demonic angel was fuming on the border line of his berserk rage. Letting go of Vincent's mouth he turned to Sephiroth and smirk at him. "You're pathetic brother. I can't understand why Okasan wants you." Seiran said in a mocking tone. Sephiroth thin eyes narrowed as he prepared to break free of the spell.

To buy some time, Sephiroth threw jet fuel into Seiran's anger. "Maybe SHE knows that I'm much better than you; that I'm smarter than you. Maybe, you're the one she finds pathetic-"

"RUBBISH! UTTER NONSENSE!!! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME! HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?! THAT YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME?!" Seiran screamed; his face showed nothing but rage. Suddenly he laughed. The turquoise hair man laughed a cold and empty laugh that sent cold shivers down Sephiroth's spine. "No matter. Okasan… once I get rid of this rubbish, I will show you that nobody is better than me!" (um… fellow readers, imagine this is Kadaj if you want)

The gears in Sephiroth's brain just turned a gear faster. This man is really a psychopath. "Oh please, do you think you're so great?" Sephiroth dawdled. "Pfft! even my pet lizard is smarter than you." Seiran turned his head sharply and glared at Sephiroth. "Begging to be punished aren't you? Well… don't worry. I'll punish you alright. Not physically though." He smiled a crooked and wicked smile. "I intend to break you. How you may ask?" His hand skittered down Vincent's torso and dipped into Vincent's towel and cupped a feel.

Vincent moaned and went cross eyed. That was the last straw for Sephiroth. Life stream materia flowed through his system and activated his berserk mode. He growled and bared his fangs. Seiran just smirked and licked his lips in anticipation. Sephiroth spoke to the life stream in his mind and asked for power.

It complied. Neon Green aura surrounded Sephiroth in thin strands of strings akin to a maiden's fine hair. Seiran stood rooted to the ground mystified as he immediately recognize the unique greenness. The life stream is helping the bastard get free! Seiran threw some Gzi powder on the floor and chanted some words in an unknown language that sounded something like a singing harp.

Sephiroth started moving his fingers then without any sign he lunged forward straight into Seiran but unfortunately, the man gracefully reeled sideways to avoid Sephiroth's blow. The dark angel expected his evil twin to be surprised and would have no time to avoid and his attack would be successful but unfortunately he miscalculated and missed his intended victim. Sephiroth cursed in his mind but silently in mid air he pushed his body weight down just enough to land on the floor gracefully and focus some materia energy at his feet and with the help of his wings he was able to propel his body enough to punch Seiran right below his spine.

Seiran jerked forward but remain standing and at the same moment he grabbed Sephiroth's left hand and swung his body around and threw the dark angel's body right into the bathroom wall which cracked under Sephiroth's weight. Grabbing Vincent by his weight, Seiran summoned a sunshine yellow materia and dropped it on the floor where he spread the Gzi powder. The ball of materia instantly melded into the floor and the powder started rising until it formed a round frame. Seiran gave Sephiroth one last look and pushed Vincent in then he himself walked through the frame. Just in time, Sephiroth regained his footage and manage to throw in a small white diamond stone.

A draft passed through the room carrying the ring of yellow powder with it. Knowing that if he ever wanted to see Vincent again, he would have to get his hands on that powder. So he lunged forward and grabbed a fistful of it and the rest, gone with the wind.

oOoOoO VV OoOoOo

"This powder is unique."

"Yes I know it's unique. Will you just hurry up before I explode?" Sephiroth glared at Shalua with such anxiety that she wondered what had happened. After all, how can such a cool and calm person (well, when he not psychotic and all) come bursting into the room shouting to scan powder in the morning. Shalua turned and gave a glare of her own and said mockingly "Keep your pants on Sephiroth. I'm not a robot that does your every bidding. Just remember. I'm doing this for Vincent and also that stupid mistake of mine 2 years ago."

Sephiroth rolled his eyes and tapped his feet impatiently.

1 minute…. "Hurry up" "Shut it Sephiroth."

3 minute… "Shalua, I swear you are the slowest scientist in the whole Shinra facility." "I said Shut up Sephiroth."

5 minute… "Sha-" "I'm done you fucking idiot!" Shalua cursed loudly as she swung around and glared at Sephiroth.

"Finally." The dark angel placed his hands on his hips as gave an intense look at Shalua waiting for an answer. The orange haired scientist sat down on her chair and massaged her temple with her thumb and middle finger. "Well?" Sephiroth asked impatiently. Ignoring the demonic angel, Shalua leaned back on her chair and opened the drawer nearest to her and took out a card.

"Follow me. If you ever want to see Vincent." Sephiroth sighs frustratingly. For Vincent, he was willing to do anything. So the silver haired ex-general strolled behind Shalua. Trying to keep up with her pace as she marched silently but quickly towards a dead end. Sephiroth raised an eyebrow wondering what the hell she was doing. "Shalua, are you out of your mind? This is a dead end. DEAD Shalua END." Shalua ignored Sephiroth's remark and swiped her card in mid air. Suddenly a passage appeared in front of her. It seems to be a portal or some sort. Then she threw some of the remaining Gzi powder in and stepped back. The black void in the portal started to swirl into a mixture of yellow orange and red.

"Sephiroth…" her tone was soft and grave but firm. "I ask you this one question. Do you really really love Vincent?" she said still facing the portal. Sephiroth was slightly taken aback by her remark but stood firm. "Yes." His answer was simple. But the tone in his voice showed how much he loved the raven haired gunman. Care, Love, kindness, anger, sorrow, happiness, and desperation. Satisfied by what Sephiroth had said, she began to explain to Sephiroth the instructions.

"Sephiroth, once you go into the portal, you will meet two maidens. One is the moon. The other is the Sun. They will ask you a question each and based your answer; they will see that if you're worthy enough to pass through the Void safely. But if you answer one question wrongly or if they're not satisfied with your answer, you will be thrown into the void and forever swirl in nothingness. There is no one, nothing. Just a black void. You will drift in a timeless space where no one can reach you and everyone will forget you. Even Vincent." Sephiroth seem to debate in his mind. "Shalua looked at him trying to read his facial expression but was shut off when Sephiroth looked straight into her eyes. "I will go."

Shalua gaze into those emerald eyes searching for any doubts but found none. Just everlasting determination. "Okay." She stepped aside and before Sephiroth could step into the portal she stopped him. "Sephiroth?" She pointed at her cheeks. He rolled his eyes and gave her a peck on her cheek reluctantly. She seemed satisfied and placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear "My sister Shelke is one the other side. She will guide you through. But you have to answer the questions yourself. Remember, be sincere and say what you mean." With that, she gave Sephiroth a hard and sudden push and he went through the portal.

The Void immediately disappeared. Shalua placed a hand on the wall where the portal opened and prayed silently in her heart, that Gaia and the life stream would protect that young man and help him through this. Please help him. He's like a brother to me even though he can be such a brat sometimes.

oOoO On the other side…OoOo

Dappling the deep blue.

In our open palms outspreads

We welcome you.

As Sephiroth fall through the portal, he immediately felt like someone was trying to compress him into a box. Suddenly he saw a bright light ahead and tried to reach out for it but he couldn't reach. Out of nowhere, he saw a small hand akin to a young girls' he grabbed it and was overwhelmed when the hand roughly pulled him up.

Sephiroth gasped for air as he surfaced from the water. Upon opening his emerald slits, he saw a young girl. She had orange mako eyes but they burned with energy and sadness at the same time. She kinds of remind him of someone but can't remember who. "You're awake." She says. "Yes, anyone can see that." He said with sarcasm. She glared with high intensity. What's her problem? He thought.

"Who sent you here?" she asked. "Why do you care?" Sephiroth answered with mild curiosity but he was alert at the same time. Her eyes darted left and right then returned to Sephiroth. The moment she looked into his eyes Sephiroth immediately realized; "You're Shelke aren't you?" Her eyes seem to widen then she looked anxious for a moment then replied. "Shalua sent you didn't she?"

Sephiroth was relieved when she unconsciously answered his question. "Yes, she did. Why?" Shelke closed her eyes and stood up turning her back towards Sephiroth. "Only Shalua has the knowledge to send someone here without killing them in the proses. If the traditional way was used, the chances of passing through the first Void is only 5 percent. Come. We must see Tsukiyue first. She walked ahead first. Sephiroth took this opportunity to observe his surroundings. The lake he came from was perfectly round and mirror like. You could see your face clearly. Yet, no ripples form in the water. Around the edges of the lake, white lilies grew. Floating calmly on the surface of the water were Water lilies sky blue in color. He looked up the sky and realized it was night. The star seemed so close to him yet so far. Much like Vincent. He looked around and saw that he was in a horizon. It was empty. No animals, insects or anything like earth.

"We must hurry." Shelke appeared behind Sephiroth. The demonic angel nodded in agreement and proceeded behind. After a long time of walking, he spotted a bubble the size of an orb. It glowed softly and gave a peaceful feeling. Soon as they continued walking, more and more bubbles seem to appear. Sephiroth was bored. So he decided to gaze into the bubble while following the girl. After awhile, he realized that the glow wasn't the bubble, but the things inside it. He used his enhanced vision and what he saw was incredible.

Little human like creatures with butterfly wings were in it and most of them were giggling at Sephiroth. "What the-?!" "They're Moon fairies." Shelke cut in. She held out her hand and one of the bubble landed on it. The bubble slowly dimmed a little and he could see the creature clearly. The fairy was only as tall as a small bottle of lotion with long blue flowing hair. It appears to be a female. Her wings were colorful and she was really beautiful. If only Vincent would dress like that. They continued walking and arrived at a clearing.

All of a sudden, Shelke just disappeared before the silver haired swordsman's eyes. "Shelke?!" Out of the blue, he heard a singing voice. The voice was soft. Out of curiosity, Sephiroth walked towards the voice. As he came nearer and nearer, the voice became clearer. It sounded like a siren song. The voice was sweet and melodious full with love and grace. Accompanied by melodious harp strings which blend in perfectly with the song. The voice rise and dip with acute rhythm but kept the song smooth flowing.

When the woods are green again

With summer suns and gentle rain,

When birds do pipe their sweet refrain

With bees in chorus droning,

When the heat of day is o'er

And human voice is heard no more

The evening sounds begin to soar,

An echo sweet intoning.

When upon the hush of night,

There beams a lamp of silver light,

And earth Is bathed in radiance light,

New loveliness revealing;

Then the waking woods resound,

With fairy laughter all around,

And from each bush and wooded mound

Is fairy music stealing

The night is come, but not too soon,

And sinking silently,

All silently, the little moon

Drops down behind the sky

Sephiroth walked towards the clearing. There he saw in the middle of it was a pond. He saw a lady so elegant and beautiful just like the moon. She had hair as dark as night and eyes as green as the grass. Her skin was as pale as the moon. She wore robes which hung loosely around her body in complicated positions. Half her hair as tied up in a fan shape like pattern with two long chopstick like ornaments to hold it while the rest of her hair flow smoothly down her head pass her shoulders like a calm river current. On her forehead was a half moon ornament which was supported by pale pearly beads on her neck was a Sphere crystal and below it hung another half moon but it was pointing downwards. She held a harp; the shape of a moon. It was mercury silver in color. She saw below a gigantic tree on its humungous roots. Playing the harp on her hand.

The maiden stopped playing and sang in a melodious voice

Dappling the deep blue.

In our open palms outspreads

"Thy Tsukiyue, The moon maiden. State forth thou name and thou business here. If thy able, thou will be ask a question."

Moonlight shine,

Rivers bind,

Your name please,

Wish divine.

Sephiroth eyed her warily and answered. "Sephiroth."

Thou not need be afraid,

For I seek Wisdom.

Answer this question,

And seek the answer.

The demonic angel understood her meaning and gave a nod for her to continue.

Answer these two riddles,

I will comply,

Only if,

Your answers apply.

She said playfully.

I am a colorful fantasy,

Born on dark nights,

A delusion of black and bottomless minds,

A thought that dies in the morning,

Reborn by moonlight,

What am I?

Sephiroth thought for awhile…

Fantasy… night… forgotten… then remember again?...

He debates for awhile then settled for the answer.

"Is it dream?"

Tsukiyue smile brightly and recited.

Thy answer,

Is wise and logical,

But alas,

Sephiroth's heart dropped to his stomach. Wrong?

It is correct.

His heart was beating wildly in his chest

Thou first riddle,

Final, done, finish,

Next thou correct,

Proceed indeed.

I can boil like water,

But I am not.

I can run cold,

But I am hot.

A gunman's dream is filled with such spots.

What am I?

Sephiroth's mouth was gaping like a fish. Hot but cold but warm? What the hell… Suddenly the thought of Vincent passed through his mind. What he loved most was his eyes. A deep blood red. Like fire but was always cool like ice. Certain times they were warm with love. Blood?

The Demonic angel prayed in his heart that the answer is blood because it always reminded him of Vincent.

"Blood." The answer this time wasn't a question. But a matter of fact.

Tsukiyue had a surprised look on her face and sang melodiously, "the answer is correct dear Sephiroth. Thy is satisfied. Thou may proceed.

The moon maiden moved aside and another pond lay behind her. She smiled lovingly at Sephiroth and asks him a question. "For what thou seek this wish to pass the void?" Sephiroth turned around and looked at her. Tsukiyue was able to tell. "It's for that person isn't it?" Sephiroth nod and waited for anymore questions.

Tsukiyue seem to be arguing in her mind. The she came to a conclusion. "My sister sun Ophelia's question will be difficult. But if you answer with your sincerity and truth, It shouldn't be a problem." Sephiroth gazed at her for awhile and thanked her. (politely!) "Do not thank me, for thou has worked hard. Proceed dear one."

And he did. Sephiroth stepped through the pond and held his breath and went into the water. When he resurfaced, the sky was bluer than the sea and brighter than day.

I think I got the Thy and thous mixed up. If I did, Notify me? (I was never a fancy language kind of person. ")

A/N: WOOTT!!! I'm done!!!!! But first I would like to apologize for my mistakes. This is because I live in Malaysia where English is my second language and it is very hard for me to produce a story worthy of a normal 15 year old who lives in America or England. I'm sorry if I write like a middle scholar. Gomenasai. [bows Actually the riddles were from One thousand and one nights. I found it pretty nice and suitable for my story so… why not? Some of the poems and the songs here belong to the book: The book of 1000 poems the classic collection. The ones I wrote are the ones with I worked really hard on this chapter. So… would you review for me? What if I say pretty please? I can't update soon after this cause this major exam's coming out and I sort of have to score all 7 A's if I want to get into science stream. (Stupid history and Geography. I HATE YOU! No offence His. And Geo. Lovers.") Tell me what do you think about the story kay? What's that? You want a preview? Oh alright. This is my compensate to you for updating so late. I'm sorry kay? I know it sucks to wait. AND also I'm doing this. I'll set a date and update by then. If I'm a day late, I'll draw a picture of Sephy and Vincent courtesy of the first person who sends me a message saying I'm pass the deadline. Deal?

Preview of chapter 11:

"Save him." She says.

"I know that he is the one."

"you must cease this fight."

"He is in pain."

"Save him"

In a room, in a castle, he creeps like a predator,

seeking his red eye prey.

Rips his shirt and drink in his form.

And drove wildly in him.

That's all for now! Tata! .-! Next Update, October 23rd 2007.