Chapter Thirty Four: Prayer for Forgiveness
An hour later, the sun had risen high over Bone Village, revealing a new day and a cloudless blue sky. Unfortunately, the warm, cheerful mood outside the small hotel suite did not penetrate inside to its seven occupants. After Vincent had led Cloud's half of the team to the room where he'd been staying with Cid and RedXIII, they'd managed to awaken the other two and call a small meeting to order. Well, as close to order as was possible...
Cid was still lying in bed, leaning back against a pillow and smoking a cigarette, shirtless and badly in need of a shave. Red was lying across his feet, a fact Cid released a mumbled complaint about every few minutes. The large feline simply growled at him and continued grooming himself, having no intention of moving to the floor. Yuffie was sprawled across the bed Vincent had never used, lying on her stomach with her head propped up in the palm of both hands as she leaned on her elbows. She waved her feet in the air behind her head, half paying attention and half concentrating on blowing a large pink bubble with her gum. Vincent stood beside the bed, his back to the window as if intentionally blocking out the bright morning sunlight with his cloak. His expression was as vacant as usual, his red eyes focused entirely on Cloud as he spoke.
Barret sat in an armchair beside Cid's bed, sipping from a cup of coffee. He'd snuck out to buy it while Cloud was in the shower, trying to scrub what he'd called 'monster goo' from his skin and hair. Their clean leader was now seated in the bow window opposite the beds, his legs tucked up beneath him. Tifa, who was usually at his side, sat cross legged on the floor in front of Barret, her eyes on the floor as she absently picked at a few loose carpet fibers.
Red quickly and efficiently filled Cloud in on his team's adventures, after which Cloud informed the others of his group's travels. Vincent got the distinct impression that their leader was holding back certain details, but had no idea why he would do such a thing, or what he was avoiding mentioning. He did notice that Tifa wouldn't look at her friend, however, and that she'd turned a few shades of red while he spoke. He shrugged it off, not one to butt into other people's business unless he deemed it absolutely necessary.
"Anyway," Cloud said after finishing up the report for his team, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I think we should gear up and move out within the hour. If we can get one of these harp things from someone in town, we might make it to the City of the Ancients before dark. With any luck, Aeris... and Sephiroth... will still be there, unharmed."
The sudden concern in his eyes spoke volumes, and Vincent sensed that he was gravely concerned that things would not work out that easily. Despite the suspicions of the others, Vincent had no doubt that they would soon find both Aeris and Sephiroth, safe and together.
"Oh, man... More walking," Yuffie whined, collapsing face down on the bed. "And there are big mosquitoes in the woods, Cloud!" her muffled voice continued.
"You have a crush on the vampire," Cid said with a wide grin, jabbing a thumb at Vincent, "and you're worried about a little bug sucking your blood?"
"I do not have a crush on Vincent!" Yuffie shrieked, blushing bright red as she lifted her head to glare hate daggers at Cid.
"I am not a vampire," Vincent sighed.
"I don' know, Yuffie, he's available and all..."Barret added with a smirk, enjoying watching the girl squirm and hide her face against the bed. Vincent only rolled his eyes, feeling far too old for such childishness. Besides, as far as he was concerned, he was not available. He would never be able to love another, and considered the very thought to be a betrayal.
"Can we just go?" Tifa finally said, sounding tired and quite annoyed. She quickly hopped to her feet, grabbing her bag and storming out the door without another word.
"What crawled up her ass and died?" Cid asked, grinding out his cigarette in a bedside ashtray as he watched her nearly slam the door behind her.
"I dunno," Cloud muttered, picking up his own things and following Tifa out at a much slower pace. Cid grinned as he watched him go, shaking his head as he finally got out of bed and pulled on his shirt.
"Stupid kids, can't see what's right in front of their eyes," he muttered, racing into the bathroom to get ready. Yuffie snickered at his comment, recovering from his teasing and agilely leaping off the bed. Barret almost walked into her on his way to the door, but finally managed to step around her and into the hallway.
"C'mon, Vincent, let's get out of here before Cid stinks up the bathroom and we have to pay a fine!" Yuffie said loudly, ignoring Cid's shouted curse from behind the door as she ran giggling after the others. Red shook his head with mild amusement, then jumped down off of the bed, his fiery tail flicking gracefully behind him as he exited.
Vincent sighed wearily as he slowly followed the others, briefly looking heavenward and praying for strength and patience.
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"But Aeris... I feel silly," Sephiroth complained, looking down at her doubtfully as he shook his head, protesting for the fifth time in as many minutes.
"Oh, don't be such a baby," she teased, looking up at him with amusement in her wide green eyes. "Come on, just kneel down next to me already, will you? It won't work if you just stand there like a tree all morning..."
She was whispering, and he could barely hear her over the sound of flowing water all around them. They stood on a stone platform in the very center of the City of the Ancients, an island constructed by the Cetra long ago in the center of the clear river that flowed beneath the buildings and temples. The presence of the Lifestream was stronger there than anything Sephiroth had ever felt before, and he knew that Aeris could feel it, too, probably more intensely. In any case, it was an immensely holy place in her mind, and even he had to admit that he felt a certain aura or glow of power in the chamber. The walls echoed with the sound of the water and their voices, the many stone columns and long, winding stairways only amplifying the affect.
Aeris was kneeling serenely at the very center of the stone island, and had been trying to get Sephiroth to do the same for nearly ten minutes. She'd told him that if they prayed together for the power of Holy and the strength to defeat Jenova and Zack, the fate of the Planet might be changed for the better. Sephiroth didn't entirely understand the concept, having always preferred to battle his enemy with fists and swords. As far as he was concerned, hopes and dreams were of little use in the middle of a war. Aeris was so convinced and intent on praying that he could not deny her the opportunity, but neither could he bring himself to kneel beside her as she asked.
"Come on, Seph," she pleaded again, holding up a hand for him as he hovered over her uncertainly. "If this is going to work, we both need to pray and ask for Holy to help us save the Planet."
Sephiroth shook his head, though the temptation to take her hand and kneel down at her side was nearly overwhelming. He quickly turned away, contenting himself to pace the platform in a circle, looking about and standing guard over his kneeling girlfriend. The monsters in the city were strong, after all, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to her, even if she did have a few foolish ideas. It was part of what drew him to her, after all. She was so unlike him, a dreamer and an optimist. He needed someone with her pure soul in his life to turn him away from his endless self loathing and doubts.
"Seph!" she exclaimed when he had paced around the circle four more times, finally standing in frustration and giving him a look that was so filled with annoyance he almost cringed. "What are you doing? I can't concentrate with you walking around in circles like that..." She placed herself directly in front of him, halting him in his tracks with a firm hand on his chest.
He stopped, sighed, and managed to shrug his shoulders. "I am keeping guard while you pray," he explained simply, as if she should have known better than to ask such a thing. "It would not do for a creature to sneak up on you while you are so vulnerable."
Aeris lowered her hand and managed a small smile, though she still looked a bit frustrated. "Nothing is going to happen here, Sephiroth. This is a holy place... It's protected from dangers like that. I don't even think anyone evil would be able to enter this place."
"But I was able to-"
"Don't even say it!" Aeris exclaimed, quickly lifting a scolding finger to his lips. "That is part of why we're here. I told you I was going to help you heal your soul, right?"
Sephiroth reluctantly nodded as she lowered her finger, not daring to say another word. "Good," she went on, finally smiling. "Praying for guidance is always something that helps me feel at peace with myself, and I think it might work for you, too. So, while I pray for Holy, I want you to kneel with me and pray for the healing of your soul. And maybe, the strength of both of our prayers will reach the Planet together."
"But... I have never prayed before in my life," Sephiroth said, his shoulders slumping as he realized she would not give in and drop the matter. "I do not even know how..."
"There's always a time to start, Seph," Aeris assured him, again holding out her hand. This time, he reluctantly reached out and took it, and she squeezed it reassuringly. "There's nothing to praying, really. You'll see. You just have to relax your body, clear your mind, and tell the Planet whatever is in your heart. Once you start, you'll know what to do naturally. Now come on... Are you willing to try? Not for me, or anyone else, but for yourself."
"I... All right..." he gave in with a heavy sigh, looking down into the clear, calm waters from the edge of the platform. "I suppose it cannot hurt to try, just this once..." He could at least kneel down and pretend in order to make her happy, he figured, even if he could not truly bring himself to pray.
"Great!" Aeris exclaimed, embracing him tightly for a moment before stepping away, then slowly leading him to the center of the platform. "Now, just relax and do what I do, okay?"
Sephiroth nodded, and when Aeris knelt down again and gently tugged on his hand, he gracefully dropped to his knees beside her. He looked to her for further instruction, blushing a bit at the embarrassment of being in such an awkward position. Aeris beamed with delight, however, lacing her fingers through his before facing forward again and closing her eyes.
"Now," she said in a soothing whisper, something Sephiroth found to be both calming and intimidating. "Just close your eyes, breathe deeply, and relax your entire body. Once you do that, your mind will follow, and... Well, you'll see."
Though she was being vague and soon seemed to be lost in her own prayer, Sephiroth did as he was told and finally closed his eyes, trusting her completely. With the security of her hand in his, he took a deep breath and did his best to relax. He concentrated on his mind and quickly left his body behind, as he had been taught through meditation in martial arts and sword training. A few moments later, much to his own amazement, Sephiroth cast aside his doubts and insecurities and began to pray.