A/N: A lot has been happening in my personal life that has kept me from updating. Sorry about that. I'll keep this note of mine brief because I know any followers would prefer to just jump right into reading. Thanks for being patient with me. 3
The air was pure electricity.
Aerith clutched at the cold body of Squall, eyes wide as she stared between Sephiroth and Mateus. While Sephiroth was calm outwardly, there was a scheming grin that caused his disposition to be far too crooked. Mateus, on the other hand, kept whatever rage boiling beneath the surface in check. His eyes were hard, narrowed, and resembling the desert during a thunderstorm.
"You've been quite the thorn in my side." The Emperor's voice was far too composed given the situation. It sent a cold chill running up Aerith's spine.
Sephiroth seemed unfazed. The silver haired male tilted his head back and to the right in a playful manner, "Ah, so you've caught on. I'm sure you're wondering just what I've been up to."
"Naturally."
Sephiroth took a few steps, boots lightly knicking aside pebbles and smaller debris. "Actually, your independent actions caught my attention. Normally, I don't care for what so-called allies are up to. But you," a gloved hand raised, two fingers pointed up in a dismissal wave, "have been spending an awful lot of time with one from my world."
Aerith swallowed. Would it be easy to escape now? No, Sephiroth was still rather close to her and she dared not risk his attention diverting back to her. However, maybe it would be the proper distraction to allow her Emperor the upper hand? However, the way Sephiroth was talking made her too curious. It was like peeking behind the curtains during a show and seeing the inner workings of Chaos. These villains really did work individually and butted heads, unlike her team.
Besides, she didn't want to leave Squall.
"Cloud aside, I have my own plans with the flower girl." Sephiroth continued, his serpent eyes latching onto Aerith. He caught her gaze and his smile only darkened. "She doesn't remember our past, but I do." A chuckle, "Or rather, somewhat." Two fingers tapped, leisurely, against his forehead.
A humored scoff brought the general's eyes back onto the Emperor. Mateus had a smile now, condescending in his true nature. "I see now. You think the girl will return your memories. What a sad excuse to interject into personal matters."
That comment didn't phase Sephiroth, "Now that you understand, I'll have to dispose of you." Grip upon Masamune increased, the hilt raised up to sharp chin.
Lilac hues flashed. An arm languidly lifted, causing glorious staff to hover, just barely outside of clawlike touch. "Not only have you stolen my woman, now you take my words?" Tongue clicked disprovingly, "We must discipline such misguided notions."
His woman?
Aerith's chest tightened and pulse thundered in pale neck. Cecil had been correct in his assumptions regarding the handkerchief. Quickly, she searched the scorched landscape and caught sight of a white bit of fabric before an explosion rang out. Lightning striked the stone and suddenly balls of fire sucked oxygen from the area.
Scarlet licked her cheek and heat overwhelmed the flower girl. She couldn't stay in the area. The battle of powerful magics was going to drag her in. The dangerous glimmer within Mateus' eyes hinted at the lack of restraint he would display. As much as it pained her, she had to leave Squall behind and run. The last words of her beloved friend rang in her head. Idiot. Run.
Another explosion knocked the wall to her left out of its place and she quickly leapt aside, avoiding being buried alive by large brick. Aerith ran a short distance before gravity changed. Suddenly, she was being sucked up. Sharply turning, in horror she realized she was caught in a gravity spell. Hand outstretched towards the black mass, staff summoned in golden light and stabbed into the ground. She was anchored now, but it wouldn't be enough. Already the ground was beginning to give way. Eyes shut tight, she dug brown boots into whatever foot hold she could find or make.
Almost as soon as it had appeared, the spell dispersed. Just as she took in air, it was knocked out of her as another explosion of heat ignited and threw her aside. Rolling, Aerith grasped at the ground and struggled to sit. Eyes squinted open, attempting to keep out the soote that rained from the heavens. The sky was as red as blood. Large masses resembling space bodies began to fall, bringing with them meteorites smashing into the battle space. Sephiroth was spotted, the silver glimmering in the murderous light. He was rushing on Mateus, the one behind this spell, who was just a yard away gliding effortlessly along uneven stone.
That was all she caught before the star hit and everything went dark.
Metal clanged, encouraging the silence to lesson. It was so dark, as if the sun itself was snuffed out. Aerith got to her feet, listening to the continued clangs and grunts. It was as if they were in tempo with her heartbeat, increasing with each swing. She moved two steps in their dangerous direction before a sharp gasp froze her solid.
Light sprang forth, writing along the ground in intricate pattern, summoning up lightning that wrapped around a figure, restraining them. There was a moment of silence before Mateus' voice cut through. It was low, words wrapped in deep hatred and seething rage, "Suffer."
A blazing sanguine light shot out, illuminating the image briefly, but memory carved it permanently. Sephiroth was on his knees, strapped down by those lightning chains. Mateus stood before him, hand outstreched before the other's face. The light had been Flare, shot at point blank. Blood and matter gushed, splattering the ground. And the world became dark once more.
Aerith was frozen to the spot, breath caught in dry throat and eyes wide in pure shock. A hand grasped her shoulder, jolting her back into the present. "Let us leave this place." It was more an order than suggestion. Without waiting for retort, Mateus turned Aerith around and pushed her out of the gruesome battlefield, leaving death in their wake.
