Hi! I hope there are still readers. Two weeks is a good time frame to get research and writing done.

Please leave a comment! I do like to hear from you.

REVISED 10/MARCH/2012

~~ Chapter 21 ~~

INTO THE MANSION

After they climbed the wall of the mansion compound without any misadventure, Cloud led the group under a tranquil night sky across the perimeter. They kept to the shadows while passing the courtyard. He could almost pretend they were having a pleasant midnight stroll and not headed towards an evil den tainted with decades of people's sufferings, his included.

Cloud had sensed no movement, nor any presence nearby. It was a good sign. Maybe they could get in, look around, do whatever it was they could do and get out without any trouble. The more he considered it, the more he questioned what they could find that would possibly be helpful, or was it what he didn't want to find.

At the back of the mansion, Cloud pushed down on the handle to find it locked, unsurprisingly. He looked through a dirty pane of the glass paneled door, contemplating the best way to destroy the security mechanisms, with as little noise as possible.

A couple of doors down, Denzel creaked one ajar. "Here."

Cloud stepped through the door after Denzel and Shelke. A pungent acerbic odor emanated from under their feet, permeating the floor boards. As they walked into the main hall it seemed that even the walls exuded the mordant stench. The stringent smell aggravated his nostrils, and he breathed shallow of the poisonous air. He doubted whether the others could smell the bitter scent as strongly as he.

Cait stood still, legs wide apart and his tiny hands on his waist. "What a bleedin' mess this is." Demolished furniture, ripped carpeting, and debris from the upper floors and ceiling lay in sprawled heaps under the gloomy tinge of a moonlit night.

"This place sure is overrated." Denzel stepped over a smashed wooden beam.

At the sight of the annihilation, Cloud was seriously beginning to doubt they would find anything important. The place looked trashed. But they weren't alone... His right hand touched on his main sword at his back, slowly, easing it out. Aside from the stench of decades of lab research he could smell another odor, similar to metal and sweat, something living.

Shelke had stopped in the middle of the room, and looking up at the once colorful picture glass panes, she stared, entranced. "This place..." she paused, taking in the whole room. "is full of memories." Her eyes shimmered into glowing amber and she gasped as if she were choking. "Strong. Overpowering."

Denzel, standing beside her, watched the look of wonder grip her face as she regained her breath. "Shelke?"

Cloud gave them a brief glance before turning towards the stair. Scanning the shadows on the next level, he could sense something watching them. The smell of feverish sweat left a sick trace in the air.

Shelke clasped her hands together at her chest and spoke faintly, yet with resolution. "I must tell him."

"Tell him?" Denzel waved his hand in front of her eyes, and received no response. "Who?"

Staring straight ahead, she ignored his question and him.

Cait dashed over to her, singing, "She-elke?"

"I must be strong." Shelke's unusual demure voice was enough to make them all concerned. "I must tell him."

Cloud, his back to them, continued piercing the shadows above, searching for the entity he could sense but not see. "She's sunk into memories." He could certainly understand that. "It's this place. She's walked right into it."

Denzel, creasing his brow, gazed at their decrepit surroundings that once upon a time would have been an opulent manor house. "She did say she needed stimulation."

Fisting her hands at her sides, her whole body went rigid and she stamped her small foot and lowered her head.

"But this...," Denzel said, "she's living it."

Cait attempted hopping up to her shoulder. "I presume she's in the head of doc-Aaaaarrh!" With an alarmed shriek, he careened off to the side, as Cloud bumped him out of his way. Cloud had caught a movement on the upper balcony seconds before the creature delivered a whirling volley of blades towards them. The blades flicked against his defending sword and spun back to where they came from.

Shelke, oblivious, stood with her back to the threat above, staring down at her feet.

Denzel reached for his weapon, his eyes skipping between the thing standing on the railing and Shelke. "Oh hell, even that hasn't knocked her out of it."

Eyeing the creature's alert perching, Cloud prepared for another flight of blades. He had never seen any monster like it. At least four feet taller than an average human, it had a dark spindly body, clothed in black. Claw like appendages were arms that were currently swinging in an unnatural rotation, from these there appeared to be swords hanging and at the ready. Hair-like spikes poked up and out from beneath large bug like goggles that left a long lipless mouth exposed. It was no ordinary monster.

With unexpected speed, the blades from the monster's arm spun straight at them.

Cloud stood in front of Shelke and cried, "Move, Denzel." His command jolted Denzel and Cait out of their shock.

Denzel half leaped, half fell from the trajectory of the swords. One whizzed over his head, and flew back to ring the creature's arm, while the second blade hit Cloud's sword again with a deflecting clang. Not being affected by the obstacle, it circled back to where it came from. Amid the blades returning to the creature, Cloud separated his swords as the thing raced at them with incredible speed.

At the same time, Shelke looked ahead, muttering, "I will be strong." Hands clenched at her sides, she stomped towards a room on the right and away from the creature assailing them.

Cloud found himself suddenly parrying against powerful pincer hands with lightning speed. A glimmer of green shielding encircled the monster briefly. Without looking behind him, he ordered, "Denzel, stay with Shelke."

"Right." Denzel rushed after Shelke with a hesitant glance over his shoulder.

Matching his speed with the twisting arms, Cloud, a sword in each hand, met the creature blow for blow.

Cait had summoned his mog and came from behind with an arrogant shout.

Cloud didn't know what Cait was doing, but at least it provided a good diversion.

The monster jumped aside, its claws ramming at the mog, who was thumping it.

Cloud attacked from the monster's right side, dodging the knives going full speed at him. His sword clashed with the hardened claw, and he forced his weapon down and around, extending to reach its upper arm. The supernatural shielding gave it some protection but not enough against the strength he was putting into the cut.

The creature growled at the hit. As if sensing its vulnerable position, it jumped high and sent another onslaught of rotating blades.

Cait and the mog narrowly dodged the full brunt of the attack. Yet the mog's leg caught a knife, and Cait gave a warbled cry as he was tossed afar.

Cloud felt his frustration growing at not being able to lock onto the creature due to its alarming speed. But it was more impatience than anything else, at leaving Denzel and Shelke. He was about to pounce after the creature when a wave of invisible energy pushed against his body. It would have propelled him backwards if he hadn't ground his feet on the spot. Cait and the mog sailed across the floor.

Cloud had to wonder, what sort of creature was he fighting? Taking a running leap, he landed on the balcony already swinging his weapons against the extended scissor-like claws, snapping at him as it backed away from his reach. The appendages were like a black hardened shell, impervious to his strikes that were increasing with intensity. Whatever the monster was, it was strong.

The pincer arms rotated at a fierce pace and in discordant directions. Cloud forced it along the first floor mezzanine, using a back blade in his right hand as a defense against the pivoting arm. The defender blade, with the attachment, he used to cleave past the claw, aiming at the creature's torso. For all its fast attacks, Cloud was becoming familiar with its movements. It was the sudden spinning swords, coming at unpredictable intervals that caused the most worry.

The creature sprang back and up the short flight of stairs. Out from Cloud's dangerous thrusts, it had some advantage.

Following straight after, Cloud chased it up the second level balcony. Now, he just wanted to stop the damn thing and find Denzel and Shelke. His irritation was escalating, along with it, a burdening power throbbed in his limbs. He was ready to end the fight before the thing was able to get away. Interlocking his swords together, he jumped up and his sword landed with impact on the monster's chest.

There was a strangled cry and a heavy pant from a human mouth. The creature, staggering back, withdrew its arms as if guarding its body, and keeping its concealed eyes on Cloud, it vaulted back and up.

Cloud scowled at the monster, leaping up to the ceiling. It seemed to disappear past the beams and into dingy shadows above. He contemplated trailing it, but thought better of that idea when a tranquil silence fell upon the main hall. There was no sound at all from the rooms below.

He leaped over the balustrade to the ground. Not even Cait was present. Perhaps he had gone after Denzel and Shelke. But with Cait anything was possible.

He gave one last look up to the rafters having a feeling he would see that monster again, even though he had done a fair amount of damage to it. Its reaction to his attack was not what he expected, and neither was its sudden human scent, that emerged when he smashed it down.

Separating his sword again, he followed the path Shelke and Denzel had taken.

Denzel, leaving behind the commotion of the main hall, hurried to catch up with Shelke. Not that there was anything he could do to help her, he couldn't even guess what was going on in her head. All he could do was watch and maybe stop her from getting hurt.

The room was cloaked in eerie shadows, but enough light came from the tall windows to see an antique oval table. Frail looking chairs, not used in years, were grey with dust. It was quiet. He could almost say it was peaceful, apart from the hectic chiming of swords and metal outside and Shelke's disturbing breathless mumbling.

Walking to the table, her lips motioned soundlessly. With her palms open, she raised her hands, and turned her mouth down pleadingly.

Denzel stared, astounded at the traumatic transformation on her face. Her head moved to the left, and her mouth formed words, as if she spoke to another person in the room. After a moment, her face blazed red and her eyelids flickered erratically. He could not discern whether it was anger or embarrassment.

"No." Shelke's real pain-filled cry of anguish jerked him to attention. Listing suddenly, she pitched a heavy hand on the table, her body trembling. She nearly crumbled to her knees, except for the support of the table.

Denzel stiffened, ready to catch her incase she fainted for some unknown reason. "What the hell is going on?"

Shelke spoke incoherently before stumbling away and past him. Righting herself, she clutched at her chest. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she hobbled towards the wall at the far side of the room.

He trailed after her. Witnessing her unfettered tears frightened him more than the fear of any surprise monsters. He grumbled, "What am I supposed to do with you?"

She stopped short at the fireplace. Leaning her hand up by the ledge, she swayed precariously and swiveled her face to look across to the table once more. Her eyes, still gleaming with a burnt orange, and awash with unchecked tears, stared through Denzel at some distant position, or more likely a person who existed long ago. She swallowed hard and then formed one last remark. "It's not about research anymore. All you want is power." She bowed her face, and choked back a tearful gasp.

Denzel inclined his face inches from hers, too curious to let her words escape his hearing.

"I... don't want..." she stifled a sob. "...that sort of power... anymore." Her fingers searched along the paneling and pressing one in particular, a part of the wall slid open, revealing a dark narrow space.

"Great, a secret passage. I should have known."

Shelke walked in. Denzel had to squeeze in quickly behind her, nearly knocking her down the curved staircase as did so. She flicked a switch, lighting up the stairwell. At least Denzel could see now, because Shelke didn't have to worry about things like that with her enhanced vision, he sighed with envy. She pushed another button, closing the door behind them, and started dashing down the stairs, crying with her hands hiding her tears.

"No, you don't." Denzel pressed the same button, and the door swished open again. He followed her down, to wherever she had to get to so fast.

Dense stone walls made the air icy in the basement corridor. Denzel shivered, not liking that they were getting so far away and that Shelke was still in her synaptic mind trance, or whatever she might call it. Finally they came to an open door and a set of steps down.

Shelke nearly tripped over her feet in her rush to get to the far side of the room, and more specifically the computer system.

Denzel took a sharp gulp of stale air, as he looked the lab over in awe of the discovery. A large tank fascinated him and he drew near to examine the solidifying green substance within. A cloudy grey tinge merged with the green, unlike what he had ever seen of the condensed Life-stream before. It had probably been in the tank for years. Close by it, was what he could only assume was an operating table. The thought of what might have happened on it gave him the creeps.

"What are you kids doing in here?"

The feminine voice shook Denzel out of his ruminations. The female, watching from the doorway, startled him so much he stared agape for moments, before slipping his hand backwards to his weapon. Kids? He cast an abrupt peek at Shelke, disappointed she didn't get to hear that. He narrowed his eyes at the redheaded woman, dressed in black fatigues and tight black sweater.

Also narrowing her eyes, the woman was quicker to grasp the weapon at her back. "Answer me."

"I don't have to answer to anyone." His eyes took in her attire, two belts looped over her shoulders and chest had a plentiful supply ofan awful lot of throwing stars. "It's none of your business."

"You're got a big mouth for a kid." She pulled out the weapon at her back, revealing an oversized shuriken.

"No. I don't like people being nosey." His blade glided smoothly from his holster and he held it down, attempting to look relaxed.

The woman's face reddened and her lip curled in sudden anger.

He was making her mad and he didn't care, except for that weapon she was now directing at him, neck height.

Behind them, Shelke, ignorant to the newcomer, typed furiously on the keypad. Columns of text stalled on the screen, and banging on the keys, she cried in frustration. A completely out of character reaction for the computer genius.

The redhead peered past Denzel and lowered her brow at Shelke. "Hey, kid!"

Denzel's cheeks puffed out as he held in his guffaw. "She won't answer, and besides she wouldn't respond well to that."

"What's she doing?"

Shelke violently stood, sending her chair toppling to the floor and she raced over to the empty table. He really had no idea what Shelke was doing. Keeping his eyes on the stranger, he noticed she was not unattractive, with her red curls falling around her shoulders and light hazel eyes. "Why does that matter to you?"

"She's playing with stuff that doesn't belong to her."

"Technically that's not quite true, at this moment."

"Whatever." She raised her gloved hand. "I'm going to stop her."

He didn't think she would understand, he could hardly understand it himself. "I don't think so." Pointing his blade at the stranger, he pressed the trigger. A blast of white lightning energy surged towards her.

She dodged the blazing burst that went through the open door and exploded on the corridor wall in a fantastic flash of power.

"Oh, shit," Denzel muttered, forgetting how strong his weapon was now.

The redhead gave a brief glance at the blackened crumbling wall, before glaring at Denzel. Reacting with reflective speed she threw her shuriken at him.

Denzel ducked and watched the weapon return to the woman's waiting hand. "This is familiar." At least she wasn't a red scaled monster, talking about some Crimson Army, but that weapon was no less lethal.

With her off-hand, she fired off her pointy stars, in fast accurate succession. "You don't know who you're messing with."

He had to stand to at least block the sharp weapons. "You could always tell me." Fixing an alert eye on her hands, he was fast enough to deflect the smaller blades, but not all of them. He resisted crying out when one sliced into his arm.

With her hand jammed with the deadly shurikens, she raised it and her glove glowed a faint green. "You think you're so smart."

Denzel ran at her, ready to fire again. "I'm not even trying."

She defended against his incoming sword with her main shuriken, scowling darkly at his weapon, she growled, "You're not going to shoot that thing in here?"

A dusty cobwebbed shelf behind them was laden with volumes, years of research, evidence of abuse. Shit. He slashed at her, changing his direction. At least he was close enough that she couldn't use those stupid throwing stars.

Shelke suddenly dashed over to the wall, and reaching up, she pressed on a keypad. A hidden door slid open, and dead air chilled the room. Shelke walked through and away.

The woman saw it too. They continued clashing blade against Shuriken. Her blade cut cleanly into his flesh, making him flinch, but the pain caused him to remember the materia - hoping he could manage it in the heat of a fight, he concentrated on the command and after seconds a faint green covered his body momentarily. Increasing his speed, he drove into her space, trying to keep out of her blades diameter. Under the strain of her forceful blows, he had to make a choice whether to follow Shelke or stay.

He hesitated, too long. The redhead's hand shimmered again, and he was stopped in his tracks and falling to his knees. Damn, he could sense his body slowing, but, he could still fight it at least, maybe that Barrier really was helpful. As he lowered, he punched her in the gut with a favored Tifa special. In his weakened state it wasn't enough to floor her, but she cringed and bent over. Trying to recover, she held her weapon at the base of his neck.

Feeling the two sharp edges touching his skin, he remained motionless, not that he could move a great deal now anyway.

She wheezed by his face, "Now. Tell me what you are doing here?"

"He doesn't have to tell you anything."

The woman gasped at the voice and the presence of the newcomer to the lab.

Denzel glanced up and behind to see Cloud with one of his small blades suspended by her neck. His other, larger sword, he held, resting the tip on the stone floor. How did Cloud arrive so silently? Denzel hadn't noticed at all, but it was the figure slinking up beside Cloud that had Denzel worried.

The third person, an older man, extended his arm and positioned a bulky pistol inches from Cloud's temple. His voice deep and smooth, he said, "You better rethink that remark."

Consternation crossed Cloud's face, but he remained fixed on the redhead, not even glancing at the weapon or the man holding it.

From behind the man came Shelke's child voice, intensifying the wired situation, and it was the real Shelke once more. "I've a saber at your vital organ, and one ready at your neck. You better not do anything hasty."