Chapter 25. Nibelheim - The Arrival.


Zack's POV


The sun burned my skin.

It was hot - so damn hot at Costa del Sol that it was almost impossible to bear the heat waves far from water.

Thankfully, the beach had a bar nearby where the shadow and air conditioning saved most of the people in mid-hours of the day.

I sat alone, no bothering to pick a table. Hell I didn't care, I just wanted a spot where I could just be… alone with my thoughts. Which were heavy since I had talked with Stevens.

I hadn't had peace of mind since then. The things she told me, plus what I had read… speaking of which.

My eyes searched purposely for someone - a girl, a turk who was here on disguise, watching over me.

Yeah, right. A Turk surveying SOLDIER?! What kind of joke was that?

My stare met easily hers and I let it linger there for a while. I actually let her know I was completely aware of who she was - half hidden at the bar, by the counter, pretending to be entertained.

She got the hint pretty fast and, with a rather frustrated sigh, she walked towards me. Yeah, I kind of got her - for a Turk to be caught so easily must be very annoying.

I let her reach my booth and our stares met again - I couldn't help but to smile a very obvious smile at her.

"How's it going… Cissnei?"

Her face couldn't hide the surprise. She narrowed her eyes at me, suspicion all over her pretty face.

"How do you know my name?"

I blinked at her, playing with advantage.

"Lucky guess."

She didn't like it.

"I just happen to be right, ain't I?" I asked, being direct. "So, why don't you just admit you were watching me under Tseng's orders."

And if Cissnei was surprised, she hid it well this time - after all, she was a Turk.

"How come you know this much?"

And I was preparing to answer her - when something else happened instead. Wings. Dozens of wings, furious flapping over us.

Genesis copies. They were here - and they were hundreds.

"Get down." I whispered, and grabbed Cissnei's thin, but strong arms. We ducked, beneath the table and our eyes met for a while. She was overwhelmed - not getting what was going on.

"They're here." I declared, and I eyed her seriously. "And I'm going to need your help."

Cissnei nodded.

So, it had begun.

Red rain.


Sephiroth's POV.


It was fairly difficult for me to actually feel surprised, but I guess there was a first time for everything. Even if I had been prepared in advance to face adversities with the neutrality my rank demanded.

Midgar had been invaded with Genesis' copies, those cheap red-headed clones spreading chaos and terror in the city, forcing SOLDIER and Turk to intervene and take them all out - while I knew, I sensed, somewhere… the real Genesis would be watching us.

Mocking us, like he always did.

Thank the Planet he was dying.

So the orders had spread to Junon - mine focusing on Zack to cease his vacations and travel to Junon in order to guard Hollander not let him flee… but helas, something had happened.

Zack Fair was already in there, hours before the order had been sent out.

My thought was one and one only: Stevens.

This was Stevens' doings.

I didn't know how to feel about it - if irritated, offended… or relieved. The sensations she made me experience didn't do great things to my physiology. Most of them were foreign, unexpected and I… disliked being caught by surprise.

"Fair."

My voice was harsh, as I sensed someone pick up the line on the other side. Phone calls - how effective.

"Yes, sir."

Zack's tone was glorious.

"What are you doing in Junon hours ahead of schedule?"

An uncomfortable pause followed after the words had been said and I wondered why and how Zack would handle my questioning.

"I have Hollander under my guard."

Oh, how smart are we. Avoiding purposely my question? I don't think so.

"That's not what I asked you."

My tone was very harsh, but Fair's will was unshakable.

"Genesis copies attacked Costa del Sol. And Midgar too." His tone was decisive. "That bastard may be alive after all…"

I narrowed my eyes at his speech. Okay, so he was actually telling me what I intended to tell him. I sighed at my obvious thought and the forbidden words popped in my mind again.

Damn you, Stevens.

"Hum."

Okay, I had just humpfed at the phone. How unprofessional of me.

"Don't you think?"

Zack interrupted my line of thinking and I couldn't just contain my annoyance.

"Don't I think what?"

"Genesis being alive," Zack reinforced. "It's plausible, right?"

He was playing me. Really, he was. He knew everything and more, and he was asking me if it was plausible? With a silent sigh and swallowing my pride, I decided to answer him the same way. Pretending I wasn't aware of anything.

"Very plausible indeed, Fair."

"Okay then. Shall I-"

"We'll retrieve Hollander as soon as possible."

There was a little pause until Fair spoke again.

"Okay. See ya."

"Fair."

"Yeah."

"New mission details were sent to your device. See you there."

And in a gesture I killed the call - or I would smash the damn device with my bare hands.

With a deep intake of air, I rested the palms of my hands on the desk, unrestrained strength on the muscles of my arms.

I closed my eyes as I let my head bend down, my hair hiding my face… and all I could think in that moment was pure, childish disgust.

I hate you, Stevens.


Zack's POV.


He knew. It was clear as water he knew I had had access to detailed and important information - over things he wasn't so sure about. Stevens had been thorough in all aspects - every detail, every little thing, even if it could be considered… silly.

Hollander remained in silence, restrained under my hold, until the cavalry arrived. The man didn't utter a word, most likely shocked and dismayed for being abandoned by the real Genesis - who, eventually, didn't show up to retrieve him.

Deep down inside, I had the feeling Hollander knew his career was over, and what awaited him wasn't pleasant. At any level.

SOLDIER chopper arrived and left swiftly, as I handled the details to the one responsible for the pick-up.

Sooner than later I found myself alone, in the roof of that abandoned building - the one where I had caught Hollander in, where he was supposed to meet with Genesis, something that failed to happen - much to my joy.

I thought of Stevens for a moment. She would be very proud of me right now and of course, she would love to be here to see things happen. I had promised her - and myself - I would save the Planet from damnation, and I was going to do it.

I had it all sorted out now. Every step, every action.

You're going to be fine, Fair.

I smiled at the thought, and grabbed my mobile phone again, dialing a specific number.

"Yes."

Finally. I smiled at the voice I recognized easily.

"Tseng? It's Fair."

There was a pause, and I heard that typical noise wind made when someone was outside. So, Tseng was preparing to leave. I had hit precisely in the exact moment. The adrenaline of advantage made butterflies in my stomach and I reeled at the sensation. Man, it was great knowing it all.

"Oh."

Tseng's tone was all surprise, and I took the chance to go straight to the point.

"When are you going to Nibelheim?"

More wind on the other side of the line. I bet the man was wondering how on Earth I knew he was preparing to leave for that place exactly.

"Why?"

"I would like to accompany you. If you don't mind."

Tseng took a moment answering me.

"I'm leaving HD now."

"Pick me up in Junon. You can find me at the coordinates I'll send you."

"I'll be there in 20."

I killed the line and sighed at myself.

I was so going to enjoy this.

-/-

Tseng took his time arriving to the exact place I was in.

The environment changed, and I knew something unnatural was coming up - yeah, Jenova was screaming. It had been since late August, with the incident at the reactor.

Mount Nibel suffered, and I kind of… felt it. It was like I was super aware and sensitive over the matter - maybe because I knew of it all, I didn't know.

After all, I was also Mako… and cells. In a certain way, but nonetheless different from Sephiroth.

Stevens considered me stronger and clearly in advantage in what concerned Jenova. And I kind of… liked being considered that way. It made me feel… special. With my ego up.

The sound of the helicopter pads took me out of my little introspection. I caught sight of Tseng inside it, and I waited for them to land safely on the roof, engines always on.

I hopped in and the ones taking control of the helicopter eyed me suspiciously. I guess that was only normal - what would be a SOLDIER 1st class doing with the Turks?

"I assume you are aware of the nature of our next mission."

I blinked at Tseng. Duh.

"Yes." I smiled, realizing I hadn't opened the file Sephiroth had sent me before - but then again, I didn't need it. I knew it all already.

So, why bother?

"We'll be heading to Mount Nibel in first place, for recognition."

Yeah, whatever.

"Sure."

"Hold on."

And headed towards Mount Nibel we flew.

-/-

Mount Nibel was strangely silent went we landed.

Tseng busied himself ordering the other Turks elements around, picking one to come with us. I exited the helicopter, that artificial wind colliding with me as I scanned the place.

It smelled invaded.

And strangely, I felt their presence, everywhere. Those beasts manipulated with the same things they'd manipulated me with as well.

Thing was, whatever had left the reactor… was spread all over the place, their presence like neon to me.

The sensation was kind of overwhelming, actually. Like bittersweet candy.

"Fair."

I turned to Tseng, who remained standing, a couple of meters from me. The other Turk, who I assumed was a scout of sorts, eyed me strangely. The chopper was gone now - I didn't even notice the huge black bird was gone.

"Yeah."

"We're going."

We sure were.


Tseng's POV


Zack was strange.

I didn't know why, but there was something about him I didn't trust. He was changed, I sensed him… different. My instinct screamed for me to be careful… considering who or what, I still didn't know.

I tried to busy my mind with the details of the landscape around us. We walked, and walked, until we reached the Reactor, using a rather discreet pathway. It was a fact something unnatural was going on around the place, and we needed to be as cautious as possible. We were not here to fight - yet.

As the vegetation condensed around us, I hesitated. My eyes left the device I had within my grasp, and I searched for … someone.

It had caught movement behind us during all our walk. I turned slowly and narrowed my eyes, my right hand grasping my gun, pointing it towards that invisible shadow.

"Show yourself." I declared, my tone calm. "I know you're there."

A couple of seconds passed before a bush sounded… and talked.

"I don't mean any harm."

Right, right. Was that a female voice?

"Out."

Slowly and with a rather frustrated complexion, our follower finally revealed… herself. It was a girl… woman. Brown eyes, long dark hair.

"What's your name?" I demanded, hyperaware of everything.

"Tifa… Lockhart."

Zack was the one speaking after she said her name.

"Wow, really?"

His tone was smiley and his face joyful. I wasn't getting it, honestly.

"What, do you know her?" I asked, a little taken aback.

"Kind of." He answered me, with a joker face. "She seems local. I bet she knows the geography of this place by heart." Zack paused, and our stares met. "She might just help us out… be our guide."

Okay, okay, okay… that had been a little unexpected.

"We've just met her." I reacted, "You can't expect me to trust her with our lives in a blink of an eye."

"She's trustful." Zack stated, and I widened my eyes at him again. What? "Let's give her a chance. What harm can it do? If she betrays us, we're all armed, she's not."

My eyes met the woman's, and she smiled innocently at me.

"I'd be very glad to help you." She reinforced. "I grew up here, there isn't a hole in this mountain I don't know of."

Hum. Still. I didn't trust her.

"Come on, Tseng, you won't regret this decision."

Zack had interrupted my line of thinking again, and my gaze landed on his once more.

"How can you be so sure?" I asked, "Do you know something I don't?"

Zack didn't answer me at once. He just stared towards the woman, then back to me again… and made that face. A face that spoke for itself.

So, he actually knew things I didn't - what worried me, but I couldn't just hesitate more than what I just had. Time was running out and we were in the middle of the mountain, close to the reactor.

"She's your responsibility," I declared, and turned to Zack. "If she says or do something I don't like, I'll be the first one pulling the trigger, got it?"

Zack rolled his eyes.

"She won't, Tseng."

Well, I was actually glad he was so sure of everything, since I was a little lost of what to do now.

"One of the Reactor's entrances is close nearby." The woman said. "I'll show you."

So, I let her lead the way, with my hand grasping my gun, ready to aim and fire.

-/-

Five minutes was all it took us to get there.

We remained hidden in the middle of that thick vegetation, as our eyes scanned the entrance Tifa referred to.

The whole place was completely flooded with… creatures. The most hideous and horrible things I had seen in life, dragon-like ones.

"Whoa. What is that?" My second in command asked. The Turk I had brought with me had been marking the way and this had been the first time he had spoken.

"Reception party." Zack answered, his eyes focusing on the metallic door the creatures were, obviously, guarding. I sensed Zack's arm grasping the sword he had on his back, and I couldn't help but to react at once.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ready to fight."

Oh no you don't.

"We're not here to engage in fights." I declared, serious. My eyes turned to our quiet 'guide'. "Is there any other way in?"

"Not close nearby."

I turned again, my stare landing on the creatures, pacing around, calmly. It looked like we weren't going to achieve getting inside the damn reactor today. We needed cavalry. My men. SOLDIER.

This wasn't work for two Turks, a SOLDIER 1st class and a local.

"Let's get back."

"The ropeway is destroyed." Zack declared, his eyes serious. "Trust me, these creatures are cornering us. Or we go now or we'll be caught."

This time, I didn't resist - I just had to ask.

"How do you know that?"

"I just do."

In Zack's stare there was only sincerity. So, I just turned to the woman by my right side.

"Miss Lockhart, can you find us a safely way out?"

Her wide, brown eyes stared back at me, satisfied with the twist of the situation.

"We need you to guide us back to the village."

She smiled swiftly at me and nodded with definite gesture.

"Is that a yes?"

"Here, this way."

We just dived inside the dense forest of the Mount Nibel again.


Sephiroth's POV


"Let's go."

I sighed, as I entered the last helicopter that would travel towards Nibelheim. SOLDIER and Turks members had left the previous day, and we, the Investigational Team, would be the last ones to get to the place.

Tseng had contacted personally, after the recognition round. What he told me didn't surprise me. Beasts and monsters alike, I didn't care, they were all to slaughter anyhow.

I felt strangely tired today - not physically-, but mentally. Namely because what had happened yesterday. I was preparing to leave home when I had an emergent call - out from the suburbs. Local authority had asked for me personally because they had found someone… whose prints belonged to someone dead.

In an half-destroyed church, somewhere in the suburbs of Midgar, was an old and grey Angeal. Right there, resting in a meadow of yellow flowers. Dressed in black, with a feathery white wing cuddling him. The sight was worthy of seeing.

Impressive. Decadent. Pitiful.

I entered the area, silent and smelly - in a good way. Local authority had given me privacy and I approached the creature that I suspected to be… an Angeal clone. Copy. Whatever.

Weren't they tired of making them - whoever did that?

Obviously fading, the Angeal copy moved, reacting to my presence.

"Sephiroth. You're here." He had said, his tone weak.

"I am."

His eyes didn't lie, and I sensed he was dying. Lifestream was calling him and the flux became obvious. He wouldn't last long - so I had to worry.

"You are his clone." I said.

"I am a shadow of what I used to be."

I narrowed my eyes at him, not understanding his speech, and he was the one speaking again.

"She isn't here. Is she okay?"

Of course, he meant the Ancient.

"She's fine."

"Good. That's a relief. I feared the worst as the days went by and I couldn't find her here."

I didn't say a word in response, but his gaze changed - his eyes turned into something I could not understand.

"Things are different." He declared. "Can't you feel it?"

I blinked at his words. What, did he feel it too?

"I do."

"For the best, I hope." A faint smile decorated the frame of that dying creature, and I couldn't do a thing but to nod. There was nothing to do but that. Just nod and… be there.

Until the end.

"Thanks for staying." He said, relief on his tone.

And then, right there in front of my eyes, I saw that man dissolve into that green mist, with the most comforted stare on his eyes.

It was not the first time I had seen someone die - I had seen it, dozens of times, but this particular episode bothered me, somehow.

All my mind could think about was his previous reference about 'things being different'. How could he feel it? And how could I?

Strange.

The noise of the helicopter's pads scored the voyage, as I wondered what did that all mean. Stevens - would he be referring to her? Her knowledge, her influence in our world?

I guess I was about to find out.

We all were.

-/-

Nibelheim was a small, sympathetic village.

People had received us with joy and it was pretty obvious the population was scared with what had happened at the reactor. Most of them didn't leave home for weeks, afraid of what they would find outside and very few of them dared to go into the mountains.

We had been allocated to an Inn - just like Stevens had said, and I had the pleasure of meeting our new guide, the girl Stevens had talked about as well. The description was indeed accurate. As expected.

Tseng had been the one waiting for us when we landed. In our travel by foot towards the Inn, he had told me everything that happened - including the travel and tour with Zack the previous day. What he described bothered me.

Zack was behaving unusually, considering what I knew of him. But I decided not to mention my worries with Tseng. I absorbed all the details - but what worried me was not finding Fair.

Where on the Planet was he?

It was nighttime - and Fair knew pretty well what lingered outside the village, so why take risks, alone? That was reckless and unnecessary.

It was eleven p.m. when my SOLDIER 1st class finally decided to make an appearance. The team was gathered by the hall, the details of tomorrow's mission already discussed. Tseng and the guide eyed me, then over Fair… and they decided to leave me alone with him.

Zack Fair, what have you been doing?

My curiosity burned.

"What's the matter with you, Fair?"

"I'm fine, sir."

Yeah, I can see that.

"We waited for you by the lobby. Hours ago, to discuss details." My tone was harsh and he didn't miss it.

"Just had stuff to do."

His answer took me by surprise - it really did. Namely because no SOLDIER had dared to answer me like that, ever. And much less Zack Fair.

"Stuff?" I quoted, my stare burning his, who remained strangely calm and distressed.

"I checked the area. Needed to know the land, hide-outs."

His speech didn't make sense. It felt like I was talking with a different version of Fair. Had the man been drinking? For moments, alcohol and drugs crossed my mind.

"We have scouts to do that." I declared, with scorn. "And besides, I know you accompanied Tseng at the field recognition. Why did you insist on that knowing it was a job for the Turks?"

And he didn't even bother to justify his actions to me - his superior. Fair just resumed to ignore my question.

"I had to do this myself, Sir."

I took a deep breath and considered what to do. Several things crossed my mind, neither of them socially adequate. Fair needed a corrective - a severe punishment for his behavior of late. But now it wasn't time to engage in reprimands.

Later, in the HD.

Later.

So I decided to call it a day.

"Prepare." I declared, serious. "We'll leave tomorrow morning, with a local guide to get us to the reactor. We'll meet up by the edge of the town, then go from there. All the information was sent to your device."

"Very well."

I turned, considering I should slap him for his disrespect of late. But I stopped myself in time. Later…, my mind laughed.

"Rest, Fair."

My tone had been falsely friendly, as I went up the stairs towards my room. Man, I was going to make him pay badly for what he had done. And I was going to be very thorough conceiving it.

"You too, Sir."

Zack answered, and I smirked ironically.


Elie's POV.


I remained by the window of my bedroom, static as I saw how reality unveiled in front of me. Nibelheim in flames made me narrow my eyes, the potency of the fire and the luminosity bringing tears to my eyes. It was only a physiological reaction to a menace… fire. Silently approaching my window.

It was only a matter of minutes until it sneaked inside my room.

Reflexively, I turned to run, only to find someone exactly in front of me. His form towered me, invading my personal space and smelling the way I recognized by heart.

I felt butterflies on my stomach as my stare searched for his. There was something about him that made me react like that and I didn't know what it was…

When my eyes found his, I felt something was wrong. His eyes were vacant - there was nothing of Sephiroth inside, the man that used be there… was gone.

Instead, something evil lingered there.

I narrowed my eyes at him and tried to speak - but he didn't let me. His right hand took hold of my throat, squeezing… squeezing… until there was no air, no tears, nothing but the power of the flames now surrounding us.

My room burned, the walls were on fire and I felt how life swept away from me. Beating heart failing, vision turning black, body and soul in excruciating pain.

I wanted to say something but I couldn't. I had to strength left… and besides - I knew he wouldn't answer me.

Something else was inside him, using him as a puppet - and the answer was obvious.

Jenova.

"Die." A deformed voice came out of his mouth.

So that's how She sounded.

Then, my heart stopped beating.

...

I woke up with a deep intake of air, with a gasp.

I breathed heavily, feeling the harsh touch of his hand in my throat. Reflexively, my hand traveled to my neck, and slowly I realized everything was okay. My pulse was racing and I closed my eyes, as I slowly came to realize I had been dreaming.

More like nightmare.

The soft light of twilight invaded my room, the blinds half-open. I sat now on my bed, the book I had been reading resting by my side… okay, so I had been dreaming, right?

Right.

Man, that had been the worst nap of my life!

My hands traveled to my neck once again and I dared to go to the bathroom mirror, only to confirm no one had actually strangled me in my sleep.

I died. In my dream.

The thought unsettled me, for a reason I didn't understand. Sephiroth and the whole Nibelheim scenario right there in my room, and he… er, Jenova having me killed.

I sighed and closed my eyes in silly despair. I was too tense. I really was - and I thought about the whole mission way much more than the advised.

Hence the stupid dreaming.

Exiting the bathroom, I decided I needed company. After a dream of such nature I needed to get my mind out of the gutter.

Aerith.

I reached her premises quickly, knocking for her to open the door. She was locked on the inside and only she could open the door. It was a good tactic - worthy of an Ancient.

"Hey." I said, smiling weakly at her.

Her eyes met mine and she spoke at once.

"Bad dreams."

Man, she was good.

"Yeah." My face must have been a mirror of the horror I felt minutes ago. It had been a rough dream in fact. "Actually it's the first one I had since I'm… well, here."

She smiled at me and urged me to sit next to her. She had a sofa of sorts next to her window and the view was simply great.

"It's just a bad dream."

I nodded, realizing she was in fact very true.

"Are you worried?" She asked, her eyes searching mine.

So the conversation had changed tone… and theme.

"Very." I admitted.

"You care a lot. Namely for him."

Oh man. It was true. But…

"I do." I said, nodding. "Maybe too much. And I have no idea why."

Aerith smiled softly at me before speaking.

"Maybe because you've seen his worst. That way, there's little he can surprise you with."

I sighed and answered her with the truth.

"He'll always surprise me. No matter how much I know about him and the way his head… works. Kind of."

Talking about how I cared about Sephiroth's sanity reminded me of how, in fact, all revolved about 'saving' him. It had always been my priority, all I thought about. Was that normal? It sure felt normal… at least, to me, it did.

"I just… don't want him dead." I said, my tone soft as Aerith's green eyes were on mine. "He deserves to have a chance at life. Don't you think?"

Aerith's facial expression was soft and neutral, as she processed my words.

"Absolutely."

She seemed engaged in some deep in thinking and I wondered if I had said something… inadequate.

"What?"

"Nothing."

I made a face at her, guessing what was going on. Not again!

"Don't you start with me." I said, a little annoyed. "John thinks I have an infatuation over the man and there seems to be nothing to take that silly idea out of his head."

Aerith raised her eyebrows, her stare leaving mine for a moment.

"You enjoy challenges." She declared. "And let's admit it, the General is one hell of a challenge."

Oh, for God's sake!

"I don't…" Oh, I couldn't believe this! "…look at him that way."

"Eleanor." Aerith put a wicked smile on her face. "You don't have to hide that from me."

And I couldn't just… believe what she was saying! Hide? But hide… what, what was there to hide!?

"Please, stop."

"It's okay, it'll come to you eventually."

Now I was the one widening my eyes at her.

"I just dreamed he killed me, how could you say something like that!?"

Aerith laughed, and I couldn't believe she thought it was funny or awkward or… I didn't know what to think.

"What you are insinuating is strange and uncomfortable. I wouldn't be able of…"

Liking him… like an ordinary man. Right.

"You're trying to convince yourself you don't care for him but you are past that already. It's obvious you do. It frustrates you not knowing how he actually feels for you, but that's because you don't know how to read him. If you did, you would see-"

"Don't."

I had to stop her right there, or I would go nuts!

"Okay then."

Aerith paused and smiled at me, her eyes soft.

"You'll know eventually." She added, "Soon."

And I didn't know if I should worry over that or not.


Zack's POV:


The night was silent and the movement resumed to the man by the entrance hall of the Inn.

Okay, it was time for me to go: 2 a.m. sharp.

I had checked the details of the mission, just to confirm they were merely a digital version of what Stevens had informed me and wrote, days ago, when we talked.

Knowledge sure made me feel whole - I didn't know how she endured it. Being locked in the lab most of the times… must feel frustrating. It was like a cage - mentally and physically.

She had the power of changing it all and yet… she chose to do it in a very delicate way.

Anyhow.

I shook my head, focusing.

I rechecked my gear for the next hours. The task list was thorough and I had to anticipate all the moves.

And I would start with Shinra Mansion.

I took the chance when the man by the hall busied himself with something away from the counter. He was with his back to the main door and I, silent and soft like a ghost, exited the Inn without being noticed.

The night was cold - spring cold and I welcomed the breeze, that icy wind that would surely help me to remain focused and alert. I needed to be at my best to do this right.

I will not fail, Stevens, my mind assured, as I strode towards Shinra Mansion.

For you, for me, for this Planet. For my little Aerith.

The thought of her put a smile on my face and I recalled the promise I had made to her. I would have to come back to her to keep my word… on kidnapping her into a secret place and making her, finally, mine. I wanted her with all my heart and soul.

With the memory of her beautiful eyes and radiant smile… I went on, arriving at Shinra Mansion safe and sound.

The place was deserted and I entered the Mansion with ease, the place locked and abandoned for years. The mansion was dark and silent and I took my time finding the library - that dangerous place where Sephiroth could not enter. I would make sure that wouldn't happen.

The library was a vast room, walls decorated with books from the ground to the roof, several desks scattered, old paper heavy with dust all over.

What a mess.

I recalled Steven's words about Sephiroth reading the whole thing about his upbringing here. That tickled my curiosity, in a way. Would it be so grotesque and serious to the point of having him… out of his damn mind?

Apparently, yes, but I didn't have a part on it, so I shouldn't interfere.

Right?

But, curiosity spoke higher. And, since I was here, it would do no harm to give it a sneak peak. So, I took my time searching for the damn files, which were very difficult to find out.

The file with the name 'Project Jenova' on the cover was huge - in size and thickness. But, come on, now that I was here, I just had to know.

I had been handled in the lab as well so… the thought disturbed me. And now I would find out what on the Planet they did down there.

I took the file, realizing there wasn't much around that interested me.

I lit several candles that were there, randomly arranged in a drawer and I took a sit by the closest desk.

I opened the file and began reading.

-/-

Hours later, I closed the file and drew a deep breath.

For the Planet's sake.

What a sick, cruel thing to do. I mean, didn't these people know any boundaries? Wasn't there Ethics? How could they call themselves scientists and do this?

I didn't know what shocked me the most - if knowing… I mean, confirming Sephiroth had been in fact a product of lab experimentation or what Hojo had done with Sephiroth's biological mother.

That had been repulsing.

Sephiroth was peculiar enough for everyone to grasp he had something else to him than just the basics but this… had gone way beyond a regular and human person would expect.

I shook my head, and made a considerable effort so I would not think about it. Man. No wonder he snapped after reading this. It was revolting!

But I had more important things to do right now. I put the file back inside the furniture and focused. So, it was time to act - do what I had to do and make sure Sephiroth wouldn't read a thing of this.

I looked around, realizing the structure and furniture of the room was mainly wood. That would be perfect. Fuel and easy combustion.

It would be a glorious fire.

The thought amused me.

The fun was about to begin.


A/N - Okay the chapter may seem a little fractured but I wanted to cover all the perspectives and events. Nibelheim is a very important phase of the story, that's why I am taking time with it.

Hope you liked the chapter and the way I'm taking things. I opted with disclosing gradually what Zack wants to do. And let's see if he's successful… or not. :)

Your comments and reviews are most welcome!

See ya all next chapter! ^_^

*If you are interested in reading some of my original fiction you can find some demo chapters on fictionpress dot com - check the details on my profile*