Trinity's Savior
Cloud felt excitement and adrenaline running through his veins. Still the thought of being alone with Genesis and Bianca loose scared him. A millisecond later he felt a massive wave of energy hit him. 'Sempai, you must be fighting already.' Cloud thought. He didn't let his mind wonder down that trail though. He had to focus on his mission: Find Director Lazard and keep tabs on him. Cloud put his helmet on as he approached Lazard's last known whereabouts. Predictably, the Director was still there. Cloud reported in to Claymore via Morse code. She didn't respond but he already knew that he needed to stay hidden. Blending in was quite easy; some people were apparently idiots. The biggest one apparently was Director Lazard. 'So far, everything seems okay.'
Cloud acted under the guise of reporting in to Lazard. Lazard immediately assigned him to be a messenger. He was handed the needed items: a couple of classified letters and a red badge. The destination was one he didn't like. Still, he had a role to fulfill and a task to be done.
He did a double take as he looked at Lazard. He vaguely reminded him of President Shinra and Rufus. Cloud decided he'd ask Claymore later. If had learned anything from his training, it'd be this: ask Claymore later.
A sigh escaped his lips as he darted northwest towards the indicated destination of the receiver. Cloud noted patches of red getting bigger as he got closer. It didn't help that the scent of blood was quite thick. It was almost nauseating. Luckily his green scarf filtered some of it out.
He pressed on even as an occasional fight would break out in front t of him. The fighting would only guarantee one thing. No one could actually tail him. Still Cloud didn't take chances with anything. In fact, he didn't stop until he came upon an enemy camp. Cloud showed the red badge to the guards. They ushered him to what was definitely the tent of Commander Genesis Rhapsodos.
To say that Genesis was wary was the understatement of the month. Cloud silently handed over the letters to Genesis. The act seemed to appease Genesis for now. Cloud eagerly awaited dismissal. He hoped he didn't appear too eager.
"You're different from the last one Lazard sent." Genesis seemed to speak without warning. "Who was your mentor?"
Cloud almost froze. "Why do you ask, sir?"
"You remind me of Miss Ashley Claymore." Genesis sighed in a poetic manner. "Take this letter to her. Don't you dare read it either."
Cloud pocketed the letter and bolted the moment he got dismissed. He knew his next objective: Find Claymore and assist her if possible. Cloud found himself a safe distance away from the camp. Unfortunately he was lost. Cloud heard someone approach him from the west. A male, unarmed monk with a dog following inched towards him hands in the air. Cloud sighed as he had no reason to fear. He risked taking off his helmet. The monk stayed silent as his dog sniffed the air. Cloud remembered the book that had been on Rachas' plane. He hoped that he didn't have it on his person. He checked his bag; the Gods were against him. The monk looked curiously at him.
"You wish to return it?" The monk spoke in perfect English.
Cloud was definitely caught off guard. The only Wutaian person he knew that spoke English happened to be Claymore. He shook his head as the monk's four-legged companion sniffed him, promptly licking his right hand.
"Yes I do wish to return it to its' proper owner. This book is too dangerous to be in anyone's hands." Cloud sighed.
"You are an honest boy. Come with me, I know where that book belongs." The monk smiled.
Cloud obediently followed the monk to the next destination. He momentarily went back for his helmet. It was definitely going to be a long night.
Zack was doing what he does best: indulging himself. He was ready for anything the Wutaians could throw at him.
"No one passes beyond this point! The enemy is but one man! Obliterate him!" The Wutai sergeant yelled.
Zack only had one thought that would best spoken with his sword. He charged as the Wutaians came at him in packs. Zack easily dispatched the ground troops and picked up a few potions. The the troops on the wall dealt with by magic. Those that survived the assault fled. Zack didn't care too much.
"All right! Piece of cake!" He simply found a way to sneak in the fort.
Zack watched the patrols carefully. He smiled as he found opportunity to strike. Zack jumped to the ground and landed gracefully in his signature pose. Zack sprang to full height in less that a second.
"Enemy attack! It's SOLIDER! Don't let him get through!" A Wutai Private hollered.
Zack took care of the squad with ease. His phone rang immediately.
"Were you able to get inside the fortress?" Angeal asked as Zack picked up.
"Piece of cake! I could have done it blindfolded!" Zack answered.
"Don't get too careless. I've heard that the Wutai keep a large monster for anti-SOLIDER purposes. It should be somewhere inside Fort Tamblin." Angeal warned.
"If I take it out, do you think I'll make 1st?" Zack asked.
"It depends on the quality of work. Your main duty is to draw the Wutai troops to you by running amok. Do that well, and the director should give you a favorable evaluation." Angeal encouraged.
"Oh, that'll be easy! Just leave it to me!" Zack hung up.
He knew what he had to do. It seemed as if nothing could stand in the way of his dreams. Zack took a sharp left and bolted straight down the path. He saw a treasure chest. Another squad popped up in front of him. All too easy for him. Zack raided the chest for a Soma. Zack took a right. Another squad immediately ambushes him at the end of the corridor.
"There he is!" Another Wutai private yelled.
Zack simply let his sword do the talking and turned right. Wutai troops were ready to greet him. Their attempt to stop him was in vain.
"Open fire!" A third Wutai private yelled.
Zack wisely used the nearest wall for protection from the bullets. The squad fled and Zack ran after them. Zack stopped when he heard a stone wall move. Zack simply smirked as he defeated the squad. Zack turn 180° and raided a second chest for a potion. He then looked left and spotted a third chest. There had been nothing inside, another attempt to ambush him. Zack didn't hesitate to take out a squad. He simply went right until he spotted a Wutai Sergeant on the wall above. The sergeant signaled for an attack. Zack readied himself. They had sent animals after him. Zack didn't bother to question why as he took them down. He saw a tower to his right and headed for it.
"There he is!" Yet another Wutai Private yelled.
A pair of men animals circled around him. Zack used Assault Twister to bring them to the ground. Zack spied a chest and went for it only to be attack again. Zack had little problem in dealing with them. He obtained an Elixir from the chest. Zack doubled back towards the tower to find another chest with a Hi-Potion in it. He continued to the central area.
"We have to make our stand here! Ready! Aim! Fire! End of the line SOLDIER! Reinforcements are coming! You can't escape!" The Wutai Sergeant yelled. The squad fired at him. Zack decided to charge.
"Sergeant! he's coming this way!" The first Wutai Private panicked.
"Do not falter! Charge him!" The Wutai Sergeant ordered as he saw his men fleeing. "Tch. Damn you!"
The Sergeant stayed behind and ended up being cut down by Zack.
"Long live the Wutai..." The Sergeant gasped.
Zack found another chest with an Elixir in it. The last squad desperately tried to make a final stand by Zack easily proved to be more powerful. Zack's phone rang again. This time it happened to Director Lazard.
"Well done Zack. We have successfully occupied Fort Tamblin. I wa really only expecting you to get their attention. Most impressive, I must say. I'm very pleased with the result thus far. Proceed to the next objective." Lazard hung up.
Zack put his phone away and went inside the massive gates.
"Ah! This must be the central area!" Zack looked around before randomly going right. He took care of a couple of squads and found a treasure chest with earrings in it. Zack wasn't in the mood to waste time but couldn't help it but to go after the other treasure chest. A Hi-Potion was in order. Zack looked around observed the architecture. It was quite different from Gongaga and even Midgar. His phone beep indicating he got mail. Zack causally jogged towards the shrine. He checked his mail. It was a news report from Shinra about the war. Zack quickly read it and put his phone away. He took a breath and breathed. Zack decided to go into the inner sanctum.
"One, avoid unnecessary training. Two, protect Wutai at all costs. Three, ugly SOLIDER Shinra dudes...must be PUNISHED!" A mysterious voice called out.
Zack looked around from statue to statue only to find a female child of about nine years at the top of the first flight of stairs.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Wutai's greatest warrior! If you wanna go further, you have to go through me!" Zack guessed that this girl might be Princess Yuffie.
"A kid...? You shouldn't be playing here, it's dangerous! Go home to your parents." Zack tried to reason with her.
"You're the one who's going home!" Yuffie jumped over him. "If you insist on going any further, you'll have a fight on your hands."
"Oh man... What am I supposed to do here?" Zack groaned as Princess Yuffie charged at him.
"Whap! Pow! Bam! Take that, bad guy!"
Zack wasn't sure what to do or say but he came up with an idea to appease the little princess. "Arrrgh! Noooo! You got me!"
Princess Yuffie stopped, feeling rather pleased with herself. "There! That'll teach to mess with me! Once again, I have brought peace to Wutai!"
Princess Yuffie left quickly.
"Boy, oh boy... You gotta admire that energy..Well back to work..." Zack sighed.
Nathan felt like got the short end of the stick. He was assigned to find Yuffie (who was currently only nine years old) and escort her back to her family. Unharmed. The problem was how to find her. Until he saw a familiar girl with a boy's hair cut passed him. Good grief she was fast. She certainly had energy, and Nathan felt sorry for Zack. Nathan bolted after the fast girl. Yuffie was oblivious to his presence. He just hoped that she didn't catch on to him. Unfortunately, Yuffie had caught on to his presence and tried several time to lose him. Nathan was thankful that Claymore had indeed packed extra armor and Materia. Keeping up with Yuffie was the easy task. Catching her was another story. Nathan had luck on his side. He pounced on the opportunity once Yuffie stopped to rest by a secluded lake. Except he didn't expect to see what he saw. Blood was everywhere, Claymore was locked in an intense battle. The other woman looked Mexican. Yuffie was in shock.
"Nathan, get Yufei-hime out here!" Claymore ordered as she took a hard punch to the ribs.
Claymore responded by breaking the Mexican girl's jaw. The Mexican girl picked up on Yuffie's presence. She aimed a Fire spell at Yuffie. Claymore went to deflect it but a limp caused her to be late. Nathan grabbed his sword Fusion and sliced the fireball to pieces. Yuffie was just in shock. Nathan scooped up Yuffie before another attack could be launched at her. The Mexican woman cursed as Claymore pounced on her turned back. Nathan kept running, Yuffie was his priority. Wutai troops were soon hot on his trail. Two squads tried to attack only to realize that they would end up harming Yuffie. Nathan took advantage of that as he adjusted Yuffie to free up a hand to use his sword. He saw a green flare about 50 meters away. Nathan knew that flare was friendly. He didn't stop running until he saw Boto with a regal looking woman in Wutaian armor.
Boto's objectives so far had been to locate Empress Kasumi and guard her from Genesis copies. It was funny how she looked like an older version of Yuffie. Speaking of Yuffie, Nathan was a little worse for wear carrying her but he was relieved. Empress Kasumi looked at Nathan with some wariness but was more concerned about her child. Nathan carefully set Yuffie down on her feet. Yuffie ran to her mother without hesitation. 8 squads of Wutai troops surround them. Empress Kasumi held up her hand. The Wutai troops lowered their weapons but muttered curses at Nathan. Empress Kasumi dismissed them to fight elsewhere. Boto watched her carefully, looking around for Genesis copies. Nathan sent up a green flare.
"Thank you, boys. I must ask that you accompany me to a new destination." Empress Kasumi said kindly.
Boto and Nathan couldn't argue. They followed without complaint. Boto had a thought: How is Rachas doing with her assignment?
Rachas looked to the sky and saw a second green flare light up. Nathan and Boto were okay but she hadn't seen one from Cloud yet. He hadn't even set off a distress flare. Rachas checked her bag for her quarry, the book that caused tension on her plane. To her misfortune, it wasn't there. Rachas set off her distress flare about 25 meters away from her destination. There seemed to be no response for about 15 minutes. To say the least, it was agonizing. She quickly found out that staying in one spot annoyed her. Thankfully a certain Chocobo found her first. It was a slight problem that he wasn't alone but figured that he wouldn't be taking sides. Cloud explained the situation as they walked toward an unfamiliar temple with a strange fan insignia on the gates. Rachas did a double take but didn't let her thoughts wonder. If anything she was glad that the monk spoke English. A new problem arose; they couldn't return the book. The monk insisted that it belonged to the so-called Summoner. Rachas couldn't help it but to think of the Final Fantasy 10 Summoner Yuna Braska. However, Cloud came up with the idea that the Summoner didn't quite know it yet. The monk seemed to side with Cloud on the issue. His next action made her uneasy. Cloud suggested that Claymore was the Summoner the monk was talking about. The monk couldn't confirm or deny that suspicion. Rachas's spun with theories as the monk opened the book to the index. He let them see the names. The irony was that Yuna Braska's name popped up. Rachas and Cloud looked at the last name on the index.
アシュリーレネーウォレス
Ashley Renee Wallace
Cloud seemed defeated by the fact that a different name had popped up instead of Claymore's. Rachas had another thought.
"Are the Summoners listed by their original names?"
"Indeed they are listed so; even death can not change the name given." The monk replied cryptically.
Rachas decided it was time to leave. She and Cloud bowed and quietly left. Cloud finally threw up his green flare. Rachas looked to the sky and prayed to the Planet that things would soon be over.
All I can say right now is that JENOVA definitely invested into my sister-in-law. Still this fight going to come down to one thing: reach. Right now, my body has taken a beating from underestimating her. Bianca's brash fighting style has changed quite dramatically. Not only that, I haven't seen a flare from Cloud at all. All my wounds are infected with black pus. On top of everything, I still haven't figured out how to kill her. Shit, I have to focus.
Bianca had tripled her speed for the 6th time. She wanted me dead. I'm already suffering from blood loss. Note that it's severe blood loss. Sure the mako in my system is compensating. Still not enough to call me alive though.
I step up my A-game as well as I clothes-lined her, forcing her to the ground. I hear Bianca's ribs crack from the shear amount of force. She coughs up blood as I keep punching her. Bianca lifts her knees to her face and forces me off her. I stumble backwards into the lake, sinking. My vision is going black. I can't breath. Desperately, I try to swim to the surface. My body doesn't bother to respond at all. I just keep sinking. My blood stains the waters. Finally, my vision is black. My thoughts turn to Sephiroth and the fact that I can't die just yet. I suddenly felt the Lifestream caress me.
'Summoner, I am Leviathan. Borrow my strength and abilities. You must destroy JENOVA's servant.'
'Summoner? Am I dead again already? Aw fuck...where am I?'
'Yes, Summoner. No you are dead. This is my part of the Lifestream. We do not have time to talk. Go now.'
'Problem...I'm drowning in your lake. A little help would be appreciated. Just saying.'
'Already done.'
My head feels foggy and my vision is still black. My body responds to a jolt of air and compressions. I feel another jolt and regain my hearing.
"Claymore, wake up." A familiar voices calls firmly.
With another jolt, my head clears.
"Claymore, breathe."
I hear you, damn it! I'm choking on water here!
"Claymore, you still have a mission to complete."
With a third jolt, I cough up water and open my eyes. The silver hair is quite a comfort to me. "That fucking hurts!"
Sephiroth smirked. "Your target has escaped thinking that you were dead."
"Dead my ass. Now may I ask you to hand me my weapons?"
I sit up carefully as Sephiroth hands me my weapons. I feel Leviathan's strength flowing through me. Sephiroth helps me stand up. I look at him with strange longing. Sephiroth pats my head and points south by southeast. Kuso. Bianca intended to wreck Rachas' plane. I do not need a shit fit from Rachas over her bird. Seriously.
Sephiroth casts a Curaga spell before reluctantly giving me the all clear. I decided to transform Akai Bitouku into wings.
"Itte irrashai." Sephiroth nods.
"Itte kimasu." I smile.
I bolt after my sister-in-law. I catch her halfway to the plane. This time, I have a plan. Without hesitation, I plunge Gin Jundo straight into her heart. Bianca's skin becomes cracked, black steam seeping out. Bianca hadn't bothered to fight back.
"Hermana, lo siento." She whispered as she explodes into nothing but blood and black steam.
Everything seems so surreal. Bianca is simply gone. All that's left are her knives. I pick them up and carefully bury them.
"You better make it home safely. Sayounara, Oneesan." I look to the sky.
I see her familiar smile in the stars. The stars rearrange themselves into a message.
Kick that JENOVA bitch's ass!
I laugh knowing that Bianca would be safe this time. I look over to the spot where her knives are buried. I use Leviathan's magic to seal the knives away. I make sure that no one can use Siren's Release ever again. Now it's time to go find Genesis before he sets Wutai ablaze. Hopefully, he doesn't find Zack first.
Zack walked into the inner sanctum of the central area. He looked around carefully. It seemed too quiet as he cautiously walked towards the center of the arena. Dust fell on Zack's head. Zack instinctively looked up and moved back. He readied himself for a fight as he saw two large monsters drop down from the gate in the ceiling. One of the monsters was green while the other was purple. Zack, with his sword drawn, smirked.
"You must be the anti-SOLIDER monster I've been hearing about."
Zack charged straight into battle. He didn't mess around. Zack found their weak spots and exploited them. He looted the dead monsters for a VIT Up and HP Up materia. Zack put his sword as his phone rang.
"SOLIDER 2nd Class victorious once again!"
"Good work. Now, get out of there quickly. There's only 5 minute until detonation." Angeal ordered.
"Understood." Zack hung up. "Director Lazard, are you watching? Gotta move."
Zack ran towards the exit, thinking that the fight was over. A third anti-SOLIDER monster dropped down and surprised him.
"No time to play!" Zack said in frustration.
Zack used his athleticism to take the monster down from above. It seemed to have worked. Or so Zack thought when the monster grunted, pounded its' fist against the ground and knocked him on his ass. He desperately tried to recover but figured out that he hit his head. Zack kept his sword pointed at the monster.
"Not good..." Zack groaned.
The monster had recovered and prepared to swing. The swing didn't happen, though. Zack saw a very thin blue line cut the monster in two. The monster fell to the ground dead.
'Goddess, did Angeal just use the Buster Sword?!' Zack thought as he saw his mentor.
"That's one more you owe me." Angeal smiled.
Zack shook his head.
"You lost your focus." Angeal approached to help.
"Uh, yeah?" Zack replied as he regained his bearings. "Sorry if your sword got any wear tear or rust on it."
"You're a little more important than my sword." Angeal put the Buster Sword on his back. "...But just a little."
"Thanks." Zack grabbed his mentor's hand.
Zack and Angeal left swiftly and had met up Director Lazard. Predictably, Lazard had a hard time keeping up with them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm not used to being on site."
"You didn't have to come." Angeal stated.
Lazard crossed his arms in authoritative manner. "This operation will bring an end to the war. I have to see this through personally. SOLIDER 2nd Class Zack."
"Sir!" Zack stood at attention.
"You performed your duties admirably at Fort Tamblin. I saw it with my own eyes. Frankly, my evaluation of you is... You supported Angeal well by diverting the enemy. An acceptable level of work for a 2nd. Be ready for your next assignment."
"Zack, do you know the difference between a 1st and a 2nd?" Angeal asked.
Zack shrugged.
"A SOLDIER 1st performs above and beyond the call of duty at all times." Angeal answered. "Remember that."
Zack was given a bullet proof vest as a reward. He hung his head. Zack hadn't gotten the evaluation he wanted.
"Now, let's hurry." Angeal got Zack's attention. "Sephiroth is waiting."
"Sephiroth!? The SOLDIER Hero?" Zack felt excited. "Wow! I get to meet a hero!"
Zack found himself surrounded. Something was off, these guys weren't Wutai troops at all. Still he had little to goof around. Zack took them out quickly. Angeal hollered for Zack to hurry up. Zack caught up to Lazard and Angeal. A very short distance later, they were surrounded.
"Take the director to a safe place. Angeal ordered.
"Then contact Sephiroth." Lazard added.
"Zack is more than enough." Angeal said confidently. "Now, go."
"Follow me, Director." Zack ordered.
Lazard and Zack ran quickly to a rendezvous point. Zack trusted the infantrymen to keep Lazard safe. Zack didn't waste time going back to hopefully find Angeal.
"Angeal?" Zack called out after running a good distance. "Angeal!"
Zack frantically looked around. He looked to the ground finding the strange troops again.
"What? These guys aren't Wutai troops..." Zack gasped.
Suddenly a Materia orb floated up into the air. Zack got a bad feeling that something definitely wrong. Ancient writing adorned the night sky. The world around him turned into a fiery inferno known as Ifrit's domain.
"A summon? Who called it out?" Zack asked frantically.
Zack prepped himself for a fight. Ifrit seemed eager to rip him limb from limb. Zack wisely ran the other direction. His Blizzard materia proved to be his best friend. Combining the timed materia attacks with his sword, Zack seemed to have taken Ifrit down. He had earned an Assault Twister Materia. Zack celebrated but it all for naught. Like the anti-SOLDIER monster, Ifrit got back up. A flurry of flames and flash of silver indicated that he was saved. Standing in front of him was none other that the hero Sephiroth. Sephiroth was cool, calm and collected. With Masamune in his hand, Sephiroth defeated Ifrit with just one blow. Wutai returned to normal.
"Holy..." Zack couldn't help himself.
Sephiroth walked over to the strange incapacitated enemies. He immediately unmasked one of them.
"Genesis..." Sephiroth growled.
"The missing SOLIDER 1st Class?" Zack gasped.
Just then, a red-winged woman in a SOLDIER 2nd Class uniform walked up to them. She had the Ifrit Summon in her hand.
"Claymore, would you care to weigh in on this matter?" Sephiroth asked as he unmasked the other enemy.
"They're identical." Zack's head threatened to spin as looked at the woman closely.
Claymore shook her head in disapproval. "A total dick move on his part."
Sephiroth stayed silent. "A Genesis copy..."
"Copy? A human copy?" Zack wondered.
"Where is Angeal?" Sephiroth asked seriously.
"I thought he was fighting somewhere around here..." Zack strolled around.
"Humph, so he's gone, too." Sephiroth sighed.
"What? Wait, what does that mean?"
"It means Angeal has betrayed us as well."
"No way! I know what kind of guy Angeal is. And he'd never do that!" Sephiroth glared at Zack. "Angeal wouldn't betray us! Never!"
"You're a blind pup, Fair." Claymore spoke darkly. "Commander Hewley had his secrets. You're being toyed with as I speak to you."
"Hell no! Angeal wouldn't..." Zack immediately went silent.
Claymore reeked of blood and ashes. Sephiroth hadn't even bothered to look at her. Zack was shocked to even think that his mentor held dark secrets.
Claymore shook her head again and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Gun powder and gasoline, about 100 feet from us in all directions. Please head for Rachas' plane."
Sephiroth seemed to question just how she would know that. Only to quickly trust her anyway. Zack didn't believe her for anything. Still, something about her posture said she wasn't joking.
"Please do come back with your consciousness intact." Sephiroth told Claymore. "Do not dare over do it."
"Yes, Teacher." Claymore bowed and flew off.
Zack couldn't help but pray that things would get better. He followed Sephiroth without complaint.
On shore by Rachas' plane, Sephiroth looked to the sky. A yellow flare had been launched. Sephiroth hadn't been the only one who looked up. Zack Fair was staring in confusion.
"General Sephiroth, sir, why do you trust that girl? She seems like trouble if you ask me."
"There is more to Claymore than what meets the eye." Sephiroth answered. "She is a quiet healer by nature, Fair."
"Sir, with all due respect, how can you say that?"
"Claymore told us to stay here. She detests the harm of any innocence."
Sephiroth saw Ms. Kaze approach from the corner of his eye. He was secretly grateful for the interruption. Zack Fair had gotten annoying anyway. Not that he would say it aloud. Strife, River, and Umble looked roughed up and sat down in the sand. Sephiroth radioed a retreat order to those who were still fighting. He hoped that it would make things easier for Claymore on her end. About a half hour past when Zack started yelling about smoke to the east of there location. Sephiroth knew it wasn't Fort Tamblin.
The moment I find Genesis, he had just lit the fuse to burn Wutai down. I see the Yuffie look-alike staring in horror. Definitely Empress Kasumi for sure. If Conformer in her hand doesn't say so, then I don't know what would.
"You're both late, ladies." Genesis says teasingly.
I raise my right hand and quickly chant. "Raimei no basha, itoguruma no kangeki, hikari mote kore o mutsu ni wakatsu."
Six rods of light immediately impaled Genesis. I use my left hand to activate my Blizzard Materia. My attempt to blow out the fuse only made things worse. My temper is rising as Empress Kasumi desperate tries to save her empire from going down in flames. Genesis simply laughs as he watches our agony. The fuse quickly ran out. Empress Kasumi remained calm as my spell brakes. Genesis points Rapier at us with intent to kill. Empress Kasumi has Conformer at the ready. I pull out Gin Jundo and quietly choose my stance. Genesis looks at me curiously.
"I see you've taken after your blind master."
"Freeze in hell." I lead the assault on Genesis.
Empress Kasumi and I flank him. Genesis swats us away and activates the runes on Rapier. I know that time isn't our side. Still I don't intend for Empress Kasumi to die here. With this in mind I keep my focus on Genesis.
"Hadoo no nanajusan: Sooren Sookatsui!" Empress Kasumi fires twin blue flames at Genesis.
I admit that I'm impressed but Wutai is really starting to burn. I hear Leviathan telling me to end the fight. In fact about half of Wutai is in flames. I risk a breath as Empress Kasumi unloads a barrage of spells and Materia attacks on Genesis. Leviathan orders me to chant.
With reluctance, I begin. "Sanctus Espiritus, servatis a periculum, servatis a maleficum."
Leviathan's energy flows through me as I feel more confident chanting. Empress Kasumi covers me as I go still. Her voice soon joins mine. I watch as Empress Kasumi keeps moving. Then I hear Rachas' voice in the distance. My temporary wings beat to the rhythm of the chanting. I feel myself rising to the sky. The next thing I know, I see Leviathan coiled around the main island of Wutai. At least an image of said God/Summon. Gracefully, the image turns to water. The water erases the flames and restores any damage done. Within a matter of minutes, I stop chanting and let the last of Leviathan's borrowed strength bring me to safety. My wings become my fans. I head for shore where everyone's waiting for me. My steps are cautious and stunted. The mako in my system is the only thing keeping upright. I use the trees as support. I listen to the environment.
Crunch.
I know that wasn't me. I pretty still.
Crunch. Snap. Crunch.
I'm so fucked right now. I have no strength left to fight.
Crunch. Crunch. Snap. "You shouldn't be moving, Doctor."
Double fuck. He's on my left side with Rapier pressed against my neck. "How did you find me, Genesis?"
Genesis activates the runes once more. My neck is seared instantly. I scream at the top of my lungs.
"You're going to be mine. Even if you fall for Sephiroth." Genesis whispers in my ear.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" I grunt as my knees buckle. "No magic can determine my fate. You have no fucking right to."
"I'd watch your tongue, Doctor. Leviathan deems otherwise." Genesis kneels and presses Rapier against my left arm.
The searing isn't as bad before but still painful. I hear someone approaching, hoping that it's friend. Genesis moves Rapier to my right arm. This time I don't feel a thing.
"You seem quiet, Doctor. Something wrong?" Genesis asks.
I fish out a familiar materia out of my left pocket and smile. "Just thinking about stuff."
"I see that smile. Has something amused you?"
"Your fate amuses me. Minerva shall see it through."
Genesis drops Rapier in frustration. I start laughing. Despite my situation, Genesis' face is just funny. The footsteps get closer and a familiar calls my name. Genesis flees, not realizing that he left Rapier behind. Sephiroth sweeps into view with Zack beside him. The unfortunate thing is I seriously have no explanation for this. Still, I have reason to be grateful. Sephiroth hadn't questions and carefully carries me to shore. Zack reluctantly carries Rapier. At shore, everyone bombards me with questions. Most of them I don't have answer. Cloud handed me a letter from Genesis. Sephiroth immediately gets suspicious but reluctantly drops the matter. If anything, I'm grateful that everyone's alive and not roasted. Especially Cloud, Boto and Nathan. For now, victory is mine.
A/N: Another long chapter. Surprisingly, I have survived my midterms. College really does cut into my writing time. It doesn't help that I'm at a prestigeous private college. On top of that, I have a boyfriend who has gotten into writing fanfiction. He writes for Assassin's Creed and maybe Halo. So I'm trying to tutor him. I must thank you all for being so patient with me. Also special thanks goes to Black Dragon Mistress for favoriting this story. You have made my day, so cookies for you dear. Anyways, as always please read and review. Ja ne. =)