A/N: I am pretty sure that there will still be just one more chapter, but only about 75% sure. These interactions just keep running away with me, so we'll see. We are very close to the end though. For now, please enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Chapter 28

Once they were past the barrier, Angeal and Zack guided the others to a spot they could recover. Angeal stood and glared at them while they finished the ethers he had given them before he turned and took out his phone. When he tried to use it though he cursed under his breath and turned back. "The signal is completely blocked. I should have known. Let me step out and I'll be right back. Don't move."

Before he could leave though, Sephiroth spoke up. "Be quick. That opening might stay open until we close it, but we can't be sure."

Angeal gave her a nod and headed back out. He only moved far enough past the barrier to get a good signal. They could all see him clearly and none of them breathed easier until he was back under the barrier. Once he was back with them, Sephiroth gave him a contemplative look, while she was resting. They could still hear her weariness when she spoke. "When we finish this, Genesis and I may see about removing the green barrier completely. While we were connected to it, we found that it is actually two layers. The top layer is what is keeping us out. The inside barrier is like a greenhouse. It is keeping out the cold and enhancing the sunlight, but otherwise, we should be able to move through it unhindered."

Both Angeal and Zack looked shocked, but it quickly cleared to smiles. It was Zack that spoke up. "That's awesome! I know you guys were really hoping we could keep the plants alive. If we can keep the barrier, that would be really helpful."

Genesis' voice was slightly acerbic when he spoke. "We are so glad you could enlighten us as to why we should keep it."

Angeal gave him a slightly reproachful glare, but Genesis completely ignored it. None of the rest of them even acknowledged the exchange. Zack was used to Genesis' attitude. It had gotten better since they had all been revived, but they all knew it was too ingrained into his personality for him to change it now.

By that time, it had been long enough that Genesis and Sephiroth were as rested as they could be with out sleep. They could both still feel the fatigue down in their bones, but it wasn't a feeling they were unfamiliar with. They knew themselves well enough to know they could carry on.

Sephiroth took the lead and led them back down the winding path she had taken when Zilan had first brought her through the crater. It took them nearly two hours to reach the clearing where they had been holding Shelke. They froze at the edge of the clearing when they found that three of the four aliens they had fought were gathered around the bed they had Shelke in. The fourth was lying down and covered in the same light. Sephiroth realized immediately that they must have been healing the male and were standing protectively around their incapacitated companion.

Sephiroth motioned the others to stand back and then stepped forward to speak. "We have not come to attack you. I realize you may not trust us, but we are here to negotiate."

The remaining male stepped away from the others. He gave her a bitter look before he spoke. "You have already taken so much from us, but we also realize we are not blameless. We need time to recover, but we will agree to leave you in peace. We need more than your word that you will not attack us again though."

Sephiroth understood their hesitation, but she was heartened by the fact that none of them had moved to attack yet. The two females were giving her hateful looks, but that was another thing she could understand very well. She raised her voice so they could all hear her clearly. "We do give our word that no further harm will come to you if you do not attack. There is much that I would like to speak with you about though, and we can discuss your terms with everything else. For now, Genesis and I will stay with you to show our good faith and the others will return to our companions. They will ensure that no one else enters the barrier until you have left."

They gave her confused looks but didn't respond right away. She watched as the three of them looked at each other for several minutes. She knew they had to be discussing her request. The male finally stepped forward again. "We will accept your terms for now. It will be a minimum of one of your days before we will be ready to leave. Until then, we will not attack if you agree that the four of you will be the only ones to enter the barrier."

"Agreed." Once the basics were settled, she finally turned back to the other Firsts. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up at the fact that her back was to the aliens, and their animosity was palpable, but she knew they would understand the meaning behind the gesture.

All her companions were wearing frowns. Angeal was the first to speak up. "You and Genesis are not prepared for what you have agreed to. If you insist on staying, then at least let Genesis come back with me and Zack will stay here. They did say us four, so it should be fine. He can come back after he has rested. That would allow you to at least get a little sleep and have someone that can watch your back."

Sephiroth shook her head. "I know we both need more rest, but we are also able to communicate like they do. We will have no way of knowing what their internal conversations are about, but we will not be completely disadvantaged."

Genesis cut in at that point. "I would not leave her here alone anyway. Besides, they did agree that you can come back. If you feel the need then you can go let everyone know and then return. We will be fine. I am sure it has not escaped their attention that I was as injured as their companion was, if not worse and yet here I am. This doesn't even qualify as reckless."

Angeal gave him a frown, but he couldn't stop the corner of his lip from quirking up. "I think that is debatable, but that might explain why you have no problem throwing yourself into the path of danger. Knowing when to not be reckless would require you to recognize it first." He sighed at that and looked to Sephiroth. "I'll agree, but I will be back as soon as everything is settled with Reeve and the others."

"Uh, we. We will be back." Zack was giving them all a look that stated his stubborn streak had been activated and he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Sephiroth smiled at the younger man. "We'll look for you later then."

Once the decisions were made, Zack and Angeal headed back the way they had come. As soon as they disappeared into the thick growth, Sephiroth turned to the aliens. "We only made a small entrance in the barrier, and we are still not familiar enough with it to know if it will stay open. Would you please ensure that they will be able to return? They will be the only ones to enter."

None of them looked happy at her request, but the male gave her a nod before he spoke. "We agreed to allow the four of you. When they return, if it has closed, we will allow them back in."

"Thank you." Sephiroth nodded her thanks. Once that was settled, her gaze turned slightly harder. "Before we begin negotiations, can you tell me what happened to the men you were holding here?"

For the first time, the aliens wore a look other than anger. "Most of the men we captured are still in the barrier. There were two others that rebelled when they found out you were going to lay siege to the oaas. We were forced to take their lives when they attacked us. None were transformed again. After your visit, Zilan refused to allow it."

Sephiroth stilled at his words. She could not hold him at fault for taking the life of a man that attacked him, even if it was a prisoner, no matter how much she wanted to. If they were going to find middle ground and stop the fighting, then someone had to be the first to say enough. What really made her pause though, was the fact that it had been Zilan that had stopped them from transforming the others. She knew he wasn't a madman, even if he acted like it when they met. She was still surprised in his action after the conversation he had with her the first time she was in the barrier. It gave her hope that her words had not gone unheeded and could very well be the reason things ended the way they did. It would explain his sad look every time they talked. It made sense if he had only been going through the motions and expected to die.

Sephiroth pushed aside her contemplation and gave the male a nod. "I understand. Are the rest still in the next clearing?"

Again, the aliens looked uncomfortable, but it was one of the females that answered. "They are, yes, but they have been placed in stasis. Zilan was angry that two of them had been killed, so it was decided stasis would be the best way to ensure their continued safety until things were decided. We can lift it before we leave."

Sephiroth felt the muscle in her jaw clench. It was infuriating that they still seemed arrogant in the face of their defeat. She didn't let it show in any other way though. She knew at least part of it was the fact that they wanted to keep the balance until they were sure of their safety. If the aliens believed that the humans wouldn't attack if they thought they were the only hope of reviving the scouts, it made sense that they would wait. Her voice was calm when she spoke. "We will check on them before we continue this conversation."

The female that spoke, gave her a nod and headed toward the direction Sephiroth had first taken to see the scouts. The male looked as if he was not happy that she was going with the two humans alone, but nothing was said, at least not verbally. Either way, the female was quiet until they were surrounded by trees. She paused and gave Sephiroth a calculating look before she spoke. "My name is Ellian. My mate is Zatier, the one that sleeps still. How is it that your mate was killed, or near so, and yet he walks with you, while it will take us far longer to accomplish the same thing?"

Sephiroth heard Genesis choke from where he was walking behind her and she knew her own face had to be somewhere between confusion and embarrassment, but it was not the first time she had been confronted by the assumption, so she was able to hide her confusion easier. She completely ignored that part of the question when she responded. "I healed him part of the way before one of our companions completed the process. We can use the forces of the planet to aid us in healing among other things."

The female gave her a shocked look. "You are able to accomplish such advanced healing without aides?" She turned to Genesis at that point. "Your flames, you produce them from your thoughts and not from enhancements?"

They both gave her confused looks at her words. Sephiroth wasn't sure what she meant exactly by enhancements, but she had the feeling the female was not talking about the addition of alien DNA to their makeup. "We use materia to help us access the power of the planet, but anyone can use them with training. There are some that are more talented with it than others, like Genesis, but it requires no other enhancements. The memories of the Cetra are part of the lifestream and as such when they crystalize into materia, they become available to those that can use them."

By that point the female was giving them a look of utter disbelief, but Sephiroth realized that it was tinged with a painful hope and she suddenly understood the meaning behind the questions. Her voice was soft when she continued. "I am sure we can try to heal Zatier as well. Let us verify the status of the remaining scouts and I will be happy to try."

They were both shocked when the female started crying. Her voice held all her hope and pain. "Our technology can enhance our abilities and allow us to create and heal, but there have only been a handful of healers talented enough to bring back one so close to death."

At her words, Sephiroth started to realize that it was possible that these aliens were not as powerful as she had originally thought, only ancient and advanced. It didn't stop her from moving to reassure the crying woman. "We will do all we can. Let's see to this quickly so we can return."

At that, Ellian quickly turned to lead them to the shelters where the scouts were being held. Sephiroth noted immediately that the number of remaining men was the same as what they had been told. She approached the nearest one and found a barrier around him that she could not penetrate, but before she could ask about it, she noticed the movement of the man's eyes behind his lids. He was dreaming, and whatever it was had to be pleasant as the corners of his lips turned up. That, more than anything else she could have seen, reassured her.

She immediately turned to their guide and gave her a nod. "Thank you. We can go back to the others now."

Genesis gave her a questioning look, but she shook her head. They could discuss his questions later. She knew that they were still not completely out of danger, but she also knew that if they could manage to heal the dying alien, the rest of their issues should become less troublesome. The female didn't hesitate to turn and lead them back.

When they returned, the remaining two were giving Sephiroth and Genesis wary looks, but they had moved back away from the bed. The light was still surrounding the prone male and Sephiroth understood why when they got close enough to see him. He still had a gaping wound that looked like it had nearly taken off his arm at the shoulder. It was grisly, but not the worst thing Sephiroth had ever seen. She paused when she realized that this wound would be difficult to heal, with the state she and Genesis were in. She made a split-second decision and grabbed his hand. His eyes widened with shock at her abrupt movement, but it settled once he realized why.

He still had to close his eyes so that he could concentrate enough to hear her, but it wasn't as difficult as he had been expecting. The path for the link they originally formed was still there. They didn't complete the link, but it made it easier for them to communicate, even if they had to be touching to do so. Genesis was unsurprised when Sephiroth immediately got to the point. 'I believe we can heal him, but it will not be easy. He should be dead and the only reason he is not is because of the fact that they have him in stasis. Once they remove that barrier, we will only have moments to react. I know it will leave us vulnerable, but if we combine our power, we can make sure he recovers.'

Genesis knew his worry and anger was broadcast across their semi-link, but he ignored that fact when he responded. 'Let me handle it. I should be recovered enough for this. There is no point in both of us being exposed to danger.'

She squeezed his hand before she answered. 'I know you are phenomenal, but even you cannot do this alone. We are stronger together than we ever could be apart. Angeal and Zack will be back soon, and I doubt they would attack us if we have just saved one of them. We don't have time to hesitate.'

Genesis opened his eyes and glared at her but gave her a nearly imperceptible nod. She gave him a slight smile before she turned to the gathered aliens without releasing him. They were all looking at the two of them with gazes that ranged from hopeful to angry, but they also held a note of curiosity. It was obvious that they understood the fact that a conversation had just happened, and they had not been expecting it. Her voice was calm and confident when she spoke. "We believe we can do this, but it will not be easy. We will need to combine our power. Wait until we give the signal to lower the shield. Once it is down, we will start immediately."

The male stood forward and gave her a contemplative look. His voice was softer than it had been in any of their previous encounters. "You continue to prove that you are beyond our observations of your species. It is bitter irony that the one to save Zatier will be the same being that nearly killed him." He still stepped back at that and made room for the two humans to stand side by side next to the sleeping male. Once they were in place he spoke again. "If you accomplish this, where we could not, we will forever be in your debt."

Sephiroth understood the depth of the responsibility they had been given, as well as the possible outcomes if they failed. Her nod was solemn before she closed her eyes to finish the link with Genesis. It was only a matter of minutes before they both opened their eyes again. The three aliens gasped in shock at the sight of their glowing eyes, but Ellian moved quickly when they spoke in unison. "Lower the barrier."

As soon as it was down, they stepped forward and both laid a hand on the male. Neither cringed at the fact that his blood had started pouring from the gruesome wound as soon as the stasis was lifted. They both had a mastered curaga and activated them both at the same time. They were expecting it to be more powerful then any they had used before, but the resultant spell was beyond their expectations.

The aliens watched in fascination as the arm that was nearly severed moved back into place and was reattached in a matter of moments. The accompanying gash across his chest closed next. It wasn't long before they saw him take a deep breath and open his eyes. Ellian immediately knelt by his side with a cry. Once the two joined humans were certain the male would be alright, they allowed the power between them to drop. They were expecting the powerlessness that would follow so they weren't entirely surprised to find their legs would not hold them.

When they collapsed, they were shocked to find the male that had tried to kill them both at one point, was by their side. His eyes shone with gratitude as he helped them both to their feet and to a nearby bench. His voice was emotional when he spoke. "I lost one brother, but it happened long before we came to this planet. It was only the knowledge that Evolet was alive somewhere that kept him alive. When her death was confirmed, his was certain to follow soon after. I know we have caused you pain, and yet you were willing to sacrifice yourselves to save one that had been willing to annihilate your race if that had been the decision made. I am shamed to admit we have grossly underestimated your people. Even if you are stellar examples, you have shown that the blood of this planet is far greater than expected."

Sephiroth grimaced at his praise. She saw Genesis look away as well and realized he had to be as uncomfortable as she was. She tried to keep the bitterness from her voice when she spoke. "We are far from shining examples, it is just that we have both seen enough of death. It was within our power to prevent another one."

The alien shook his head at her denial, but he didn't respond. He lifted his head and looked to the remaining female before he turned back and spoke. "Your friends have returned. The opening you made still stands so they should be here soon. Lamay will go to them and guide them through the quicker path. For now, please rest. It was easy to see that although what you did was astounding, it has taken a toll. We can discuss everything else after you have recovered."

Sephiroth knew that it would be hard for her and Genesis to do more than sit there until they actually slept, so she gave the male a nod. "Thank you. We will be fine once we have rested."

He gave them both a nod as he walked to Zatier's side. Sephiroth smiled at the sight of the two brothers. Despite their differences, it was easy to see they were not as alien as was expected. They looked different, but their emotions ran just as deep.