On the way back to the company, Eloise met someone whom she hadn't had the pleasure to see in a long time. She smiled out of reflex and hurried to him.

"Reno!"

The redhead turk was more excited than she was. He hugged her tightly and spun her around, laughing as they enjoyed each other's presence.

"Yo! You've been gone for a while. Were you visiting your parents for that long?"

She raised an eyebrow and squirmed out of his embrace.

"Who told you that? Tseng?"

"That's what Lazard told Tseng before. But now that Lazard's gone missing and he's been incriminated for taking Genesis and Hollander's side, I'm curious if that was true."

Hearing the suspicion in his words, Eloise decided that it was better if Reno wasn't aware of the changes in her life.

"It is. Lazard had no reason to lie to Tseng about me." The girl lied.

Reno chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pushing her incredibly close.

"You've been missing a lot of action, Eloise. We should meet and talk about it."

"Are you asking me out in a subtle way?"

Reno laughed but nodded nonetheless. He was waiting patiently for her response but her phone rang and from the looks of it, her attention shifted completely. Eloise listened to the caller silently before she agreed and hung up.

"It's Sephiroth. I'm needed in Junon." The SOLDIER admitted as she turned to the redhead.

For a moment, Reno looked disappointed but that changed when he looked into her eyes. They were slightly different than he remembered but then again, she was growing as a SOLDIER. Who knew how much mako she had infused after she was raised in grade.

"Next time, then." He said smiling when her eyes brightened.


When Eloise got there, she got attacked by what the turks called Genesis copies. Her body became stronger and her tolerance to pain became just as handy as her tolerance of alcohol.

"Eloise!"

She slashed the last copy and turned her head towards her mentor. Sephiroth seemed tense as he signed for her to follow him.

They walked for a while until Eloise noticed another SOLDIER uniform in the distance. As they walked closer, she realized it was Zack, talking to Hollander. The scientist smirked and fell off the platform. Two Genesis copies caught him and left.

"Tsh. Should have known," Zack was disappointed.

"Mission failed. This goes on your permanent record." That was probably the best joke Sephiroth could think about. It wasn't even funny.

Zack turned to his superior with a questioning expression and saw Eloise a few feet behind, his expression changing abruptly. He smiled goofy and waved at her but Eloise tensed, confused how seeing him didn't stir anything in her heart.

"Long time no see, Sephiroth. And Eloise!" He was ready to go and hug his sister but she shook her head quickly.

"Let the turks take care of the rest. I was on my way to Modeoheim, but I heard you were in the area. I called Eloise and came here." Sephiroth started commonly.

Zack placed his hands on his waist and rolled his eyes.

"Lucky me," He mumbled as he glanced at his sister.

Eloise swallowed nervously when she felt him scan every part of her face. She was his sister yet she wasn't; Zack couldn't quite point why she felt like a stranger.

"The situation had not resolved. Genesis copies have been sighted around the world." Sephiroth started as Zack looked genuinely concerned. He didn't know if it was because of the matter at hand or because Eloise was there. It hurt his sister deeply when Genesis deserted. They had a great bond and he just broke it. And for what? Zack didn't understand what was inside Genesis' head.

"But that is impossible. We wiped out those Genesis copies."

"Did Genesis really die?" Sephiroth asked coldly. "They've been sighted in Midgar, as well. The slums too," Sephiroth's face contorted into an amused smirk at how fast Zack reacted to his subtle hint. Thankfully, Sephiroth knew exactly what the puppy was thinking about. "Permission to return granted."

Zack was perplexed. A lot happened in the last few years and he learned to be wary around Sephiroth.

"Uh, yeah. You too."

Besides, there was Eloise. He wanted to grab her hand and assure her that everything was going to be alright. Zack last saw her in a tub and that wasn't exactly a positive sight; he wanted her to be safe. Sephiroth probably sensed Zack's incertitude and walked towards Eloise, patting her head like she was a pet.

"What's going on in Modeoheim?" Zack asked, still worried for his sister.

"The device Hollander was using has been stolen."

Zack frowned, "Genesis?" Out of reflex he glanced at Eloise. She didn't even flinch.

"Probably,"

Zack was an innocent soul. He wanted to express his feelings somehow but Sephiroth wasn't really the right person. Fortunately, he didn't have to.

"We'll meet again soon. I will take care of Eloise. You don't have to worry." The silver haired man replied, assuring the dark haired SOLDIER.

"I'll hold you to that."

For some reason, he knew Eloise would be safe around her mentor. Even though she got hurt a lot in training, Sephiroth cared about her. He wouldn't let her die without a fight.

Sephiroth watched the young soldier with soft eyes. He was an optimistic, hardworking, kind man. His place was definitely not in SOLDIER or Shinra. What Zack didn't know yet was that he was a hero already. On the other side, Eloise was far from that path.

"You called me for nothing."

Eloise followed her mentor to the closest helicopter. Unfortunately, Reno was not the pilot so it felt really awkward; Sephiroth didn't even glance at her.

"I did not. I wanted you to see how far he has gone."

"But he is not a monster in my eyes. He is nothing but a victim." Eloise repeated that statement, still holding on that hope.

Sephiroth crossed his hands and stared at the sky, "This world has gone astray."

She leaned back against her seat and closed her eyes. Back then she didn't understand the meaning of his statement but later she found out the truth.

As soon as they landed back on the roof of the Shinra building in Midgar, Sephiroth turned to her with a stoic face.

"Go see Hojo." That sounded a lot like an order rather than an advice.


"How have you been feeling lately, Eloise? Have you seen the wolf or hear any voices?" Hojo started to question her as soon as she showed her face, "What about the others, then?"

"What do you mean?"

He chuckled darkly and leaned against a table.

"Do other people feel different around you?"

She pondered on that question. Eloise only talked to a few people since she woke up but Sephiroth and Reno were acting the same. The one who seemed different was Zack.

"I don't think people feel different around me."

Hojo raised an eyebrow and turned to his other experiments, "Is that what you think or what they say?"

She blinked in astonishment. That scientist was making her doubt everyone.


Meanwhile, Zack and Sephiroth met in Lazard's office to talk about different matters. They had to investigate a mako reactor in a regional area. Sephiroth surprised the soldier when he told him that depending on what was going to happen there, he would either abandon Shinra or remain loyal to SOLDIER.

On his way to his room, he saw Eloise leaning against the wall. He only patted her shoulder in an innocent matter but her body emitted a strange light. He felt his fingers numb and realized she electrocuted him.

"What's going on, Eloise?"

She glanced at him over her shoulder but it felt really distant.

"Do I intimidate you, Zack?" She asked in a serious tone.

Zack almost chocked while trying not to laugh. That was probably a good response for Hojo.

"No. But you do look different and give a different vibe. Maybe experience becomes visible in your behavior?"

Eloise raised an eyebrow bemusedly when hearing her brother's explanation.

"Those are big words for someone so easy minded like you, Zack."

He narrowed his eyes at her before he playfully pushed her. Eloise was known to lose her balance quickly but she didn't flinch.

"What about Genesis?" Zack asked after they both made their way to the lounge.

"What about him?" She asked nonchalantly. Seeing how Zack frowned, she added, " I'm alright, Zack. For me, Genesis is not the bad character in this story. I'm not going to cry after him because I know it's not his fault."

Zack sighed and watched her as he lagged a bit behind.

"Then whose fault is it?"

"Monsters." Was her reply.

What was that suppose to mean?


Unfortunately, Zack's time was limited as he had to meet Aerith in the slums. He called Tseng on the way and told him to meet him in the slums. The turk was the only person Zack could count on with anything, especially the flower girl.

A few hours later, Zack returned with a content passed by the lounge and saw Eloise till sleeping which brought a smile on his face. Next, he had to gather a few of his trustworthy men and go on a mission. Zack found Cloudin the corridor, waiting for asn't alone.

"One, two, three," Zack was a little disappointed as he counted. It was Cloud and two other 3rd class SOLDIERs. He could swear he knew one of them but he couldn't recall from where exactly.

They straightened up when Sephiroth entered the room, especially because he wasn't alone. Eloise was following closely, looking as if she hasn't been sleeping for the past few hours.

"Where are we going?" Eloise asked suppressing a yawn.

"To Nibelheim." Sephiroth answered, bringing a smile on Cloud's face, "Eloise will assist us in this assignment. I personally asked her to come." He looked to the three young soldiers before he continued, "Obey her orders as if they were mine. She is my pupil." He ordered before he left.

"So your name is Eloise?" Cloud asked, brave enough to take a step and talk to her in front of her brother.

"You two know each other?" Zack asked watching curiously between the two.

Eloise nodded and pointed to Cloud, "He is the guy that helped me when I almost fainted." she started before she pointed at another solider, " He's Matt. We've been colleagues before."

Zack couldn't help but laugh before he hit her playfully on the back. He didn't do it as slightly as he thought because her widened in pain.

"That's great. This mission will be fun!"

Eloise was sure that Sephiroth had other plans.


They barely entered Nibelheim when Eloise started to have flashbacks of her first mission, Matt too. They have been both there when they got set up. The only person who was happy to be there was Cloud because he was home. Sephiroth found it vital to point that out. Actually, Sephiroth was very talkative that day.

"I have no hometown. I wouldn't know how Cloud feels."

"Uh, what about family?" Cloud asked.

Eloise could feel the tension rising but didn't say a word.

"My mother's name is Jenova. She died shortly after I was born. My father-" He stopped and started to laugh loudly which was uncharacteristic to him. "Why am I talking about this? Come on, let's go."

The three young soldiers walked after Sephiroth in silence. Zack stayed back and glanced at Eloise worriedly.

"Did he just say that his mother's name is Jenova?" Her eyes widened slightly and tried to bypass that subject. She decided to let it slip and move along. "Do you know something?" Zack asked, knowing his sister well enough.

"Not enough."

Zack bit his lip and watched his younger sister walk into the village. She was hiding something and he was sure it had everything to do with Jenova. Actually, that subject made Zack remember Eloise' first time as an infantry girl. She couldn't accept mako energy because her body wasn't compatible but they did something to her and she became a 3rd class SOLDIER. Now that he was thinking about that, it was kind of suspicious.


Coincidence or not, they signed in the same cottage as she did on her first mission. Even weirder was the girl who became their guide: her name was Tifa and she was the girl that helped Eloise before. Moreover, Eloise witnessed Cloud and Tifa arguing like friends; well, the blond was from Nibelheim and they looked to be around the same age.

It was funny. Tifa was everything Cloud wasn't; she was perceptive and playful while Cloud was more like a soldier. He had that kind of calm demeanor and lost his childishness quite early. Of course, she couldn't say that about Zack. No matter what, he'd always see the bright side of the sun.

Tifa took them around and made pictures. Eloise enjoyed that a lot, surprising herself.

"So you really are a soldier. It must be hard, right?"

Eloise chuckled but nodded anyway. It was hard.

"You get used to the roughness of the job. But you know, there is a secret." Eloise chuckled when Tifa leaned in curiously, "You have to enjoy every second of it. If not, it becomes hell."

"I've always wanted to learn how to fight but Cloud never taught me. Maybe you can show me some moves." Eloise raised an eyebrow and walked right past her. Tifa scoffed and ran after her, "Come on. I can help you if you ever need my help. It's a win-win situation~"

Eloise glanced at the short teenager and patted her head.

"Deal."

Tifa jumped and smiled happily, thanking over and over again.

It was a different sight from what she got used to. Tifa and Aerith were people with pure souls. They were untainted and that made them special in her point of view. Eloise had different dreams than most girls and eventually, those dreams forced her to give up on her most valuable treasure: humanity. She still felt good in her skin but she knew she was going to snap at some point.

Their tour ended once they arrived in front of the mako reactor.

"This is a top secret facility." So that was the right word for that place: a facility. "Non Shinra personnel are not permitted inside." Sephiroth turned to Cloud, "Keep the young lady safe."

Cloud nodded and saluted his superior with respect.

Eloise followed her mentor without really questioning his motives. On the other side, Zack could feel something bad was going to happen. His heart was beating faster and his instincts were going crazy. He wanted to trust Sephiroth but he couldn't shake off what he said, that he was ready to abandon Shinra if he had a reason to. What was going to happen to Eloise then? Zack didn't want to find that out.

Once inside, Sephiroth led them to the highest level of the facility. It was closed and had the word Jenova written above the door. Seeing that name, Eloise felt her hands tremble. She closed her eyes and leaned against a diverse container. She decided to stay behind and let the two talk in silence but Sephiroth wanted her to be part of their conversation.

"This is the cause of the malfunction. This section is broken." He turned to Zack, who was just descending the stairs. "Go seal the valve. Eloise, come here."

The siblings complied silently.

The atmosphere changed gradually. Once everything was done, Sephiroth became anxious, surprising both Zack and Eloise. They have never seen the SOLDIER hero so confused and overwhelmed. He was pacing back and forth and was always glancing at the containers.

Zack glanced at his sister and pointed his head to Sephiroth's direction. She raised an eyebrow and didn't move an inch. Zack pointed again and told her to talk to him through signs. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her chest, leaning against a container before encouraging him to speak. Zack frowned.

Sephiroth stopped in front of the same container and stared at what was inside. Zack got curious and walked over there. His eyes widened and he took a step back when seen the subject inside. Eloise raised an eyebrow and curious out of nature, she glanced inside the container she was leaning against. That creature inside was enough for the young SOLDIER to turn to her mentor.

"What is that?"

"Your average SOLDIER members are mako infused humans. You're enhanced, but you're still human. But then, what are those things? Their mako energy levels are exponentially higher than yours."

"Are they monsters?" Zack asked, missing the way his sister tensed.

Sephiroth glanced at his pupil from the corner of his eye and walked towards her.

"Yes. The Shinra scientist Hojo was the one who created them. Abominations spawned by mako energy. That's what monsters are."

Sephiroth's explanation was not assuring Eloise of her own condition at all. She swallowed nervously as she felt something in her body sting. Hearing it from Genesis didn't sound so bad but now that Sephiroth said it, she felt like crawling into a hole.

"You said average member. What about you? And what about Eloise?" Zack was asking very good questions.

Inside her mind, Eloise was already forming a scenario of how Zack was going to abandon her for being a monster. Sephiroth's response was more practical than literal: he stumbled back and held his head in pain. Eloise hurried next to him and reached out for his hand but he slapped it away. Since her intervention didn't work, Zack tried his luck but he got pushed away.

"Could it be that I was created the same way?" The firm man wondered out-loud, "Am I the same as these monsters?" Hearing her mentor say something like that made her realize more clearly what she was, as well. The fear of being a destructive being became stronger. Eloise glanced at her hands and saw faint sparkles of energy. "I knew, ever since I was a child. I was not like the others. I knew mine was a special existence. But this- this was not what I meant..."

Eloise jumped in surprise when the container beside her opened. The monster inside was horrifying. She did something she hadn't done since she was a kid: she ran to her brother. Zack took a step back in shock.

"Eloise," He mumbled. She kept her head down not wanting to look her brother in the eye.

"Am I a human being?" Sephiroth's rhetorical question ran deep. The response that came had a big effect on both the mentor and the pupil.

"No such luck. You are a monster and so is Eloise."

Eloise felt a sudden urge to move out of the way but she didn't do it fast enough. She got thrown to the side by a gust of red energy. It was sudden and strong. Zack was on his back, a few feet away while Sephiroth was having a mental breakdown.

"Genesis," Her arm hurt. She got scratched and the energy slipped through the wound. It was surplus of mako and it wasn't welcomed.

"Sephiroth, you were the greatest monster created by the Jenova Project." Genesis started before he glanced at Eloise over his shoulder, "And Eloise Fair is nothing but a successful branch of her mentor."

That didn't surprise her but it definitely surprised the others.

"What is the Jenova Project?" Sephiroth asked.

Genesis turned to his friend andwalked down the stairs.

"The Jenova Project was the term used for all experiments relating to the use of Jenova cells."

"My mother's cells?" Sephiroth's mind was overwhelmed by too much information. Genesis knew exactly what he was doing; he was pushing the boundaries.

"Poor little Sephiroth. You've actually never met your mother. You've only been told her name, no? I don't know what images you've conjured up in your head but-"

"Genesis, no!"

Her head snapped to her brother. He knew, didn't he? Even with her feelings' level lowered, she still felt a strong gust of fear.

"Jenova was excavated from a 2000-years-old rock layer. She's a monster." Genesis explained, the truth finally settling in.

Sephiroth's head snapped to Eloise and he took a few steps back in astonishment. He was doubtful since he knew Genesis well enough but maybe not this time.

"Jenova Project G gave birth to Angeal and monsters like myself. Jenova Project S used the remains of countless failed experiments to create a perfect monster. Jenova Project E-" He glanced at Eloise. "-has been conducted by accident. Hojo couldn't pass an opportunity to evolve an innocent girl into walking energy. Eloise is nothing but a toy for Sephiroth. That was why she was created."

"What do you want from me?"

"Your traits cannot be copied unto others. Your genes can't be diffused therefore, your body cannot degrade. Until now, I could only post-pone the process thanks to Eloise' blood. But now, her DNA changed and she cannot be used anymore. It's still a miracle that she is conscious."

Hearing those harsh words being thrown at her, Eloise felt even worse.

"You're not a monster, Eloise." Zack whispered, trying to reassure her but it was long past that point.

What Genesis wanted was for Sephiroth to share his cells with him. He based his argument on friendship. Unfortunately, his friendship with Sephiroth had never been too tight. It never ran as deep as it did with Angeal so normally, Sephiroth's response was negative. For him, Genesis' life made no difference.

"Are you going to sacrifice your precious puppy too?" Genesis asked, his eyes falling on what used to be his link to humanity.

That didn't reach Sephiroth.

"I see. Perfect monster, indeed." Genesis mumbled, "When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar. She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting." He recited as he walked in front of her and grabbed her chin. "The mission is not done yet, Eloise. I will see you soon."