. R O A D . T O . D A M A S C U S .
. S A G A . F O U R : A D V E N T . C H I L D R E N .
Chapter Eleven: The Crisis
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Revelation 19:11-12, The Holy Bible
"My love, your mother will banish us to separation forever…" Madoshi whispered in the dark of the night, only the moon illuminated the two forbidden lovers.
"I know. Alexander and Jenova are with my sisters now. They will be safe. If mother ever finds out about those two, there is nothing to worry; Mother has soft heart for the children. What would you suggest if ever, we were to separate and never meet again? I don't think I can live with out you." Megamiki murmured softly as she held onto Madoshi for her dear life.
Madoshi growled softly as he held Megamiki close to him. He knew that Megamiki had done the right thing, taking their twin children, only babes to the women in the Nibel Mountain, to be safe from her mother's wrath. He agrees that he could not live without the lovely woman and surely, he would die from his immortal life. Then, it hit him. "Megamiki!" He pushed her away, still holding her as he looked into her lovely face, brushing the stay platinum blond hair from her face. "If ever we get banished and separated for eternity, I will die that moment." He said, smiling.
She gasped; affronted that he had so little hope. "Madoshi! How could you!"
"No!" He laughed, "Think about it, if you die too, we both will be reincarnated, surely, we are drawn together by our souls because our love is too strong. I have much stronger faith than you think I have." He smirked at her.
Her eyes went wide at his revelation, "Madoshi… yes. I'm sorry I didn't think you had faith. Yes… I would die too… I love you too much to be separated. Let us do this if it comes to that. Not even Mother or Father would ever separate us for eternity." She smiled at him and leaned up, kissing him.
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Megamiki thrashed in her Father's hold, Ouranos was too strong but he held sad face as he held his beautiful daughter from escape. Gaia was enraged and he knew better to not cross his wife, he watched as Gaia shout at Madoshi who stood not too far, staring at them with inexplicable hate. Madoshi was glowing black aura, tendrils licking out as he shook with unfathomable rage.
"No! Madoshi!" Megamiki shouted, reaching out to Madoshi.
Gaia narrowed her eyes at her daughter, "You betrayed us! Our own daughter! With him! He is the bane of our universe! And you know better than to sully your pureness with him! Banished, you both, forever!"
"Noooo! Mother!" Megamiki shouted as her Mother waved her hands in pattern and murmured a spell. She felt the pain and bucked as her father let her go; she looked to her father and saw a tear from her father's eyes. She smiled despite the pain and looked to Madoshi who stood apart, gasping in horror. "Madoshi, I love you… I shall see you again soon." She closed her eyes and pulled out a beautiful dagger with white hilt. It was a gift from Madoshi, if needed, she would use it even though Madoshi hoped it would never come to it, but alas, it did.
Gaia opened her eyes as she finished the spell, watching her daughter become banished, to become a Summon, a slaved being, however, it was too late as she saw her daughter stab herself with the dagger. "Megamiki! No!" she shouted and turned to Madoshi. "What did you do?" Megamiki fell to the ground, bleeding profusely and swirled, disappearing.
Madoshi growled softly and lowly he said, "Never will you separate us for eternity. Our love is too strong. The dagger…" He pulled out his own, a black one with silver and black hilt. "It's coated with poison enough to kill a god." He reached with his free hand to the sky and used his power, searching out in the universe for the closest and the largest object, "For this, I shall avenge Megamiki." He clenched his fist, as he had found something nearby, and loud whistling noise swelled in the air, they all turned and looked to the sky, a large hunk of rock, aflame with orange and red flame much like Madoshi's crimson cloak came hurling down. It struck the planet and Gaia gasped loudly as she clutched her shoulder. Ouranos ran to her side and saw that her shoulder had been shattered, bleeding heavily.
He turned to Madoshi. "Why?"
"If you love Gaia so much, you would know how much I love Megamiki, I cannot live without her; she is my soulmate, my love, my life." Madoshi said his tone flat and even. He brought up the dagger and Gaia gasped, she shot her good hand out and murmured a quick spell. The spell wove around and covered Madoshi. They saw him plunge the dagger into his heart and he collapsed before he disappeared.
Gaia rolled her eyes back and fell down, fainted. Ouranos knelt beside Gaia and brushed her brown hair away, "Oh, Gaia…" He murmured and looked over to where his daughter once was and there sat a small tiny white stone. He looked over to where Madoshi was and a large black stone was there, with both stones, lay the daggers. He rose and gathered the stones and the daggers. He closed his eyes and nodded, he felt his daughter and Madoshi's souls in the stones; however, weak and spent, part of their souls had escaped in attempt of death, ripped apart.
He opened his brilliant golden eyes and looked to the cosmo. "I hope you find each other once again. For it won't be immortal life you will have. Hopefully by then, Gaia will forgive you two." He glanced to the dagger and lifted them to the space, letting it float suspended before him. "My gift…" He murmured, "When time comes, you will learn to love and protect." The silver and black dagger grew long and transformed into a beautiful odachi, deadly and dangerous, "Madoshi, one day, Masamune will return to you and you will use it for a different purpose." He turned to the white dagger and waved his hand, it grew large and shimmering, into a beautiful large broadsword that shone with all colors in its sheen surface. "Megamiki, with strength you find, you shall rule with Ultimate Weapon." The two swords disappeared and he turned to Gaia, still sleeping and lifted her up. "Oh, Gaia… you have a lot to learn before you meet them again someday." He murmured and laid a kiss on her forehead and turned, they disappeared in flash of sparkles and light.
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Across the mountain, Sephiroth reared Silver and gasped as if something stuck him, "No…" Feral rage burned as he threw his head back, his voice echoing across the snowy peaks, "No, Cloouuddd!"
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Cloud's hand rose and rested onto Maleficius Sephirt's chest, her voice impassively, whispering, "I'll always be yours."
Maleficius's lips curled up. "It's not so hard, isn't it, my love?" He whispered by her ears and looked into her now pale iris-less eyes. He laughed, feeling renewed and stronger, with the strength and power of Madoshi in him, he felt like a god.
She slowly nodded her face devoid of any emotions as she stared blankly. "With the Dark Lord, a queen stands by, not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn. Stronger than the foundation of the planet, all shall love us and despair!" She said softly, yet loud enough to declare. Her voice was hollowed, yet edged with hardened immortality.
"Could anything be more perfect than this?" He whispered, trailing a finger down her face.
She blinked once and looked up at him and replied, "No." Her hand snaked around his neck. "Nothing can be better than this, Milord, love." Her face inched closer and she gave him a passionate kiss.
Meanwhile, across the frozen northern continent and under the sea coming toward them in the great submarine of Mjolnir, the pink-clad healer of Avalanche snapped her head up from a silent prayer, her green eyes wide with surprise and horror. "Oh no…" Her eyes turned toward the rounded window and gazed toward the surface unseen, yet the light shifted and changed drastically from lightness to ominous darkness. And above the ocean surface, the clouds gathered, darkened and spread to cover the entire Planet. Thunder rolled and rumbled silently across the distance.
Deep in the Junon's Base's sanctuary, Marlene looked up to the small window on the high wall and her childlike frown burrowed. Denzel stood by her, clutching her hand.
Elmyra noticed this on the child's face. "Child, what is it?" She felt the odd forbearing and feared she wasn't the only one who felt it.
Marlene looked up to her Nanny, her face as if in a moment, she had no native innocent, but aged wisdom that children sometime possess. "Something's wrong."
True to her words, all over the world, children of all ages stopped playing or laughing their joyfulness and stared northward, feeling sense of dread and sorrow washing over them. The younger children ran to their mothers and started to cry.
The men and women felt worried and watched the northern sky with concern and fears. There was no sign of flaming ball in the sky, yet the thunders rolled and echoed its deep clashing, giving warning of what to come. They wondered what would be brought this time.
In Wutai, on top of the Pagoda, Godo stood with Gork, Chekhov and Staniv, his counsels, all staring northward with deep concern on their faces.
"This surely is a battle for Sephiroth and Cloud alone." Godo murmured.
Chekhov turned his head to Godo and sighed deeply. "The prophecy had truly come true."
Gork snorted and recited the old prophecy that the Wutainese held for eons since the beginning. "Gaia's Children come forth and walk the Earth. King of Kings will redeem Queen of Queens with his everlasting love upon the tears of sorrow."
Godo frowned. "Sephiroth and Cloud…" He looked up and gasped softly as wash of strange emotions that seem to spread though everyone like shockwaves.
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Tifa glanced to her side to Aeris after feeling such wave of emotions. "What is it?"
Mjolnir steered in wavering motion, skillfully avoiding the jagged rocks and the massive walls of several icebergs under the chilly northern sea. The Sierra was following closely above the sea upon the command of Cid Highwind who rode the Submarine among his friends.
"Cloud… She just left us all, somehow…" Aeris announced quietly, everyone watched her as she stood up from her seat, moving to the small rounded window.
"She's dead?" Cid shot from his seat, eyes wide.
"No. I don't know… Sephiroth had cast such a powerful spell."
Barret was next to rise from his seat, worried etched on his dark face. "What the hell that means?"
Tifa placed a hand on his shaking arm. "Something had happened. Maleficius Sephirt got to Cloud, am I right?" She turned to the healer.
She nodded, her russet hair bouncing slightly. "I think so. I am feeling so many different feelings now… It's confusing. There is massive feeling of anger and sorrow… Something big is going to happen soon… you all felt it."
Yuffie looked away. "Sephiroth… Gods help him. I mean, not Sephiroth," She looked up to everyone. "Maleficius Sephirt. Gods help him… He's gonna get his ass kicked." Everyone else nodded somberly, they couldn't help to feel anything otherwise but dread and sorrowfulness. Then, Yuffie frowned.
Vincent noticed, "What is it?"
"King of Kings, Queen of Queens … Tears of Sorrow. Why?" Yuffie stared up at his crimson eyes.
"Yes, the old tale of Wutai… You're right, it's curious to why… Aeris?" The sniper turned to the healer.
Aeris gave her a gentle motherly smile as she laid her hand on the youth's shoulder. "We will know soon… But we have to concern of the two Weapons waiting for us. But I suppose we have little time…" She closed her eyes and clasped her hands in prayer. "You all know of Madoshi and Megamiki." She hear their murmurs of agreement and continued, "Something I've just learned from Cloud recently, she had broadcasted her concern to Sephiroth but not only Sephiroth had received but Zack and I too because we are also Valkyries." She opened her eyes and met with everyone's curious stare. She smiled softly, "Megamiki and Madoshi, at the time when Gaia caught them and in anger, she banished them for eternity to separation, to become summonses, the moment the spell was woven, they both killed themselves, however it didn't work for them and Gaia, they were trapped forever with part of their souls as Summonses. The other part of their souls went on, to become reincarnated so they'd find each other and be together again." She sighed.
"You're saying…" Reno asked, curious. "Sephiroth and Cloud are the reincarnation of Madoshi and Megamiki?"
"Yes."
"Holy mother…" Reno started and was kicked in the shin and he became silent.
Aeris nodded, "Cloud had recently absorbed Megamiki and became whole but the problem is it was under Maleficius Sephirt's control. All there is left, a being with the power of Megamiki and Cloud combined, but Cloud retreated, hiding her own soul.
Sephiroth felt this strongest because he is Cloud's soulmate. He was supposed to be rejoined with Madoshi but Maleficius Sephirt absorbed Madoshi instead. Maleficius Sephirt has the upper hand now. And in the end, as it just happened now, Sephiroth knew and is in anguish, losing Cloud and part of his soul, he released this spell, as we all felt it. It is how powerful he is, I believe," She closed her eyes and frowned as she allowed the memory of Valkyries come to her, "It's called Diffundolororis. Spell to expunge heavy grievous sorrow outward."
"Shit." Cid muttered and Reeve came down from the cockpit. "Everyone; get ready. Ruby is waiting ahead, Emerald is not far behind." He hoisted his dark blue jacket of the old Turk uniform, at one time; he had trained to become a Turk and carried out the duties for the President for a short while until he changed his profession to work in the Department of Urban Development.
"Right! We're ever ready!" Yuffie shouted, jumping up and dancing some sort of her personal cheerleader routine.
Vincent shook his head in amusement and grabbed the girl by her arm to pull her down. "Shush up, you're going to hurt yourself before the battle."
She rolled her steely earthen eyes at him and huffed. "Like if you cared…" She stuck her tongue out at him.
He raised an eyebrow. "Don't do that unless you intended to use it." He whispered; causing her to go bugged eyed.
"Hey!" She squeaked, flushing crimson and he chuckled in reply.
"Sir, we've reached shore." A Solider in blue uniform appeared from the cockpit.
Everyone turned; all Avalanches and Turks alike gripped their weapons, loaded up with the Materias suitable to each and looking grave serious.
"Let's kick his ass." Reeve muttered as he led them out of the coach and onto the firm terrain of the Northern land.
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Zack yelled after Sephiroth before they reached the top of the Cliff that led down to the center of the Northern Crater, "Hey! Wait up! Don't go nut on me again!" That did work; Sephiroth reared Silver and turned the bird around, glaring at his friend.
"Hey, I had to say it to stop you! You were going nut anyway!" Zack shouted over the howling wind with hands up in defensive stance. "What's with blasting us all with that kind of spell? I am sure everyone's felt it all over the world, it's damn powerful." The birds steered and moved closer that the two men were side by side. Zack took hold of Sephiroth's shoulders, looking into his face.
"He took Cloud." The silver-hair's eyes fell to the snowy ground. "I'm sorry… I have to release it. It's called Diffundolororis, an ancient Valkyrie spell."
The raven-hair's face twisted into utter confusion. "What?"
Green eyes met neon violet and he shook his head. "Forgive me. I did not see it. I have failed you all. I've lost Cloud."
Zack shook his head. "No, Sephiroth. You fought bravely so far. You have kept your honor."
Sephiroth looked up and stared into the violet eyes then pulled onto Silver's rein, attempting to move away. However, Zack stopped him and he shook his head, waving the raven-hair's hand away, "Leave it. It is over. The world of Gaia will fall. And all will come to darkness, and my kingdom to ruin."
Zack's eyes widened slightly and under his breath, he remembered. "King of Kings… So, it's true. You've truly accepted the fate eve before you have your kingdom." He closed his eyes then and sighed deeply before looking into the green depth. "I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the Promised Land fall, nor our people fail."
"Our people?" Sephiroth asked, confused then realized and nodded, "Our people."
Zack reached and pulled out Masamune of its sheath and pressed it into Sephiroth's hand. "I will follow you to the end, my brother, my captain, my king." He leaned over and kissed Sephiroth on the forehead, his hand had clasped over Sephiroth's forearm in a warrior's shake. "I got to go and get Aeris. We're going to need her help." He drew away slowly, leaving Sephiroth alone to himself. "Go and get her back to all of us. You die, she dies, and we all die."
"Yes, go." Sephiroth murmured and watched Zack turn Golroth and darted down the cliff and heading toward Aeris.
Zack looked back as the golden Chocobo sped off. He saw Sephiroth watching him up there on the top of the cliff, a dark figure against the gray raging storm. "Be at peace, son of Lucrecia Jenova." He whispered and turned back, intended to get Aeris and come back soon as he could. 'I am coming to help you, Aeris. We need your help as well.'
He felt her replying and knew she was near, "Good. The Weapons look a bit of a trouble for us. Is Sephiroth all right? He had cast Diffundolororis Spell and we all felt it."
'Yes, he mentioned that to me. How the hell did he do it?' He snorted and felt her laughing at him.
"It is not commonly known to anyone but of those of the true Valkyries. Sephiroth was able to cast it because he is the King. For him, it's some of a relief for him to cast it. He will not have been able to feel anger he needed to use up against Maleficius Sephirt if he was in sorrow which would cripple him. I have a feeling that once he sees Cloud, he will be very angry now." Aeris replied.
'And that's a good thing?'
"In a way. Can you feel Cloud?"
'No, I can't anymore.'
"Neither do I, I doubt he could either."
He understood then. Sephiroth had to release the mass of emotions to feel the anger and use the strength against Maleficius Sephirt. It seemed to be the only option. Aeris was right, upon seeing Cloud, it will intensify it more. He then truly felt sorry for Maleficius Sephirt. He urged the golden bird to hurry and join Aeris and the others. He had sensed though her that the group was having some difficulty with the Ruby Weapon.
Apart from Zack riding toward the battle, the small shack stood lonely and cold, abandoned. Maleficius Sephirt and Cloud stood in the large vast land of the crater; it had filled up and was covered several feet with snow, leveling the land around the crater. Maleficius Sephirt had changed his clothes from Sephiroth's old General outfit into elegant ancient robe of black with green accent with ancient bronzed armors shielded his shoulders and his long silver hair tied up on high pony tail. Cloud stood by him, donning in beautiful deep blue, almost black gown that accented her figure with black and silver breastplate and her golden hair was tied in elegant coiffure with long strands hanging loose, flying in the wind, they looked like the Lord and Lady of the underworld. She stood by him impassively, her eyes staring to the horizon.
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The massive red monstrosity of Gaia's creation loomed over the large group of warriors. He looked every bit scary as Diamond and Ultimate Weapons; however, he was redder, which made everyone unsure about his power hold for them, being red and red meant evil.
The formation between Avalanchers and the Turks spread in loose double Vs, almost creating the formation of W like they did before with Diamond, however, those who were magically potent were placed in the front with the up close range battler.
"Aeris, ya ready with Phoenix ?" Elena asked as she held her fists out ready, her bangles lined up with several powerful Materias ever provided by the former ShinRa Co. The healer nodded as she held her Princess Guard in hands; ready and facing the ever malicious Ruby Weapon.
Reno, Rude and Elena charged into the battle first, yelling headfirst as they attacked the monstrosity with their best physical ability to the torso where they would draw the vulnerability out of Ruby.
Reeve had gotten the sparse information on the two Weapons with little help of his observation team and Zack's knowledge of them after meeting Gaia. Ruby apparently would be a bit easier than Emerald which they knew were hiding and waiting for his turn. Ruby was tough and invulnerable if he doesn't make any first attack. Their only plan was to invoke him. So, that's what they were doing now.
Barret and Vincent stood on the side, nearly outside the formation and unleashing round of bullets upon the armor. Yuffie kept throwing her mini magical burst shuriken that she came up with spells of the Materia, having the little metal dagger carry over the spell and bursting into powerful explosion upon impact. Ruby swayed and started to dig its large two limbered-three talon claws into the ground.
"Oh shit!" Elena screamed as Rude and Reno ran back, getting out of the way, but they weren't fast enough as the pillar of talon shout out of the ground, lashing upon them and knocking them out with strong attack.
Aeris gasped and winced as she watched from the farthest point. Everyone made agreement that she was only to be used for her best ability, the healing power. She knew it was her turn. She moved a foot back and braced herself as she started to twirl her Princess Guard rod into a mystifying dance. Though her death the first time and her time spent in the Lifestream, she learned few tricks and became more potentially powerful and being a Valkyrie helped.
The rod twirled and swayed in patterned circles about her as the ground around her became glowing golden and pink. The spell she murmured sounded like a song and soon, the glow spread wide and reaching its goal.
Rude, Elena and Reno, thrown to the side horribly, wounded and broken, bleeding to death while the other dodged and attacked with their most powerful spell. Ruby was giving them a hard fight. Yuffie had chosen to look at the Turks and went pale, staggering in her attacks. She staggered slightly and turned some shades of green. "No…"
Vincent heard her and grabbed her by the shoulders, harshly whispering into her ear. "They'll be okay. Focus on Ruby for now." The young ninja whimpered and nodded as Vincent returning to firing at the Weapon with his revolver which she realized was a gift from Lucrecia.
"You love her, didn't you?"
He turned and gave her a wild look that was unreadable. Must she choose this time to ask such question? "What?" He lowered the gun in confusion.
Yuffie screamed then when a stray talon whipped and smashed into Vincent, flinging him away from the battle field. From where the ninja stood, she had heard bones breaking. She ran toward him and knelt beside him. "No! I'm sorry! I am so stupid!"
He coughed and blood spilled from his lips as his crimson eyes locked on her steel earth eyes. "Shut up girl…" Then, his eyes closed.
The healing spell of the Great Gospel enveloped the Turks and healed them, binding them into shield and barrier as they got up. "Oh man, thank Gaia for giving you back to us." Reno grinned and scowled as he noticed that his electro-rod wasn't so lucky. "Now I have to do the spells… ugh." He pulled out several Materias out of his pocket and started to weave the most powerful combing spells and let it loose upon Ruby.
Aeris smiled at Reno and turned to cast more spell but was stopped as she heard scream over the roar of the red Weapon. Her green eyes darted to find Yuffie hunched over Vincent and went wide. "No… "
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Cid called up Sierra and dropped several thousands mini torpedoes upon Ruby and hollered with joy as he noticed it had made some actual impact, wounding the large massive Weapon. He had a large bleeding gash on his face but ignored it as he flicked his finger upon the monster as it staggered backward.
"Bad move, my friend." Reno murmured and walked several feet back. "He's going to give us a final attack."
"And that is?" Cid asked as he turned his head to the red-head.
Barret grabbed the pilot by the shoulder. "Shut up and move back!"
Tifa scampered toward Aeris who were focused into dancing and yelled over the spell that was weaving around the healer. "Aeris! You better have some Planet Protector left in you! We're going to need it!"
Aeris looked up, her green eyes shining with unshed tears and nodded before changing the steps and the pattern of her spell weaving dance. She gave a last glance toward Vincent and Yuffie, out of reach from the battle; she knew she couldn't help them now, no matter how much she wanted to.
Elena clutched onto Tifa's arm. "We'd better hurry up!" She pressed some Materia into the woman's hand.
Tifa looked down and understood, also noticing something similar in blond Turk's hands. "Right."
They both started the incarnate of the Shield magic and suddenly, with a loud disorientated boom, Ruby had unleashed its powerful magic, the Ultimate Dark Shadow onto the scattered and wounded part, consuming everyone into dark mass of toxic cloud.
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Maleficius Sephirt stood on snowy ground of the Northern Crater, with a weapon similar to Masamune rested at his hip. The wind caused his hair and robes to whip about with dramatically. His pale eyes narrowed in mirthful glints. He knew what was happening to the party battling against Ruby and felt them weakening. One had died, several were wounded badly.
He turned to the side as he felt a presence coming toward him and smiled at the sight. Cloud walked up to him, her eyes completely devoid of any irises, but glowing pale blue as her whole being glowed pure golden white. He frowned as she came close. She was supposed to feel warmer, but she was ice cold. Cold and solid like gold. He shrugged, knowing he had her now, she is his queen and nothing else mattered.
Standing together side by side, they looked every bit of the royalty, suited up and ready for battle, or so, the war. On the rim of the crater, a figure upon a dark Chocobo appeared and came down them at blinding speed, only to stop before them about some yards away. It was Sephiroth.
If the sky could get any darker on somebody's mood, it had considerably become midnight storm as Sephiroth laid his eyes upon Cloud. His hands slowly clenched into tight fist by his sides as he glared. Such anger and despair surrounded him that he inadvertently became his ultimate Limited Break form; the One Winged Angel. Two wings spurted from his back with drastic effect that it ripped though his trench coat, one black, and one white. The balance of which he is; the dark and the light, the power of both worlds, a gift given to him by Gaia and Ouranos. Masamune was already in his hand, throbbing with energy, thirsty for revenge.
The trio stood facing each other, the wind whipping about them, being the only sound that created frictions. The air seemed heavy and tense as the thunder rolled above them and thunder clashed on the outer rim of the Crater.
"Sephiroth, you've come." Maleficius spoke, his booming voice mingling within the surrounding sounds of the raging storm.
Sephiroth's lips turned into a sneer. "So have I. I've come to take back what's mine."
"Oh, it's too late." Maleficius held a hand up and Cloud took it, stepping closer to him.
Sephiroth felt aghast but never showed it on his face as he stared emotionlessly, only rage truly masked in his eyes. He stared at Cloud, boring his green eyes into her pale blue eyes. "Cloud. Come back to me."
Maleficius frowned as he noticed that Sephiroth was completely ignoring him and staring intensely at Cloud. He then turned to find Cloud flinching slightly, her masked face slipping. "No!" He growled and grabbed hold of her shoulder and suddenly, Cloud became rigid and stony.
Sephiroth became livid, the storm raging more violent around them. He had finally cracked through Cloud and then, Maleficius had to bar him out then.
"I feel like I need to warm up. Will you spar with me for a while before the rest come around, if they ever get out alive?" Maleficius asked with a mockingly tone.
The silver-haired warrior gripped his Masamune. "Bring it on." Cloud stepped back to some distance, giving room for the two men to lunge at each other. As soon they jumped from their standing place, they flew up in the air and met midway as their swords clashed against each other and the thunder clapped in time with the clashing swords, it seemed as the lighting bolts were really coming from the two swords clashing, not the skies. Their bodies twisted into deadly dance as their black robes flapping harshly against their legs and the winds, only to be drowned by the thunderstorm.
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Zack had long gone, the golden Chocobo sprinting across the mountain toward where the other battle had already gone underway.
Upon arriving at the scene, he gasped as he witnessed dark black dense matter of clouds swallowing everyone. Aeris was in the middle, her silver staff twirling about in a mystic dance, casting a powerful shielding over the fallen group. Something else caught his eyes and he involuntary gasped out loud. Yuffie was kneeling, her body crouched over Vincent and the sniper appeared to not be moving or anything. He knew then, he had been killed.
He knew he had to help. He stopped the bird with a jerk and whipped out several red stones and started to weave a complex spell of Combined Summoning. The ground shook and rumbles as well the sky. The Earth and Heaven opened up and with powerful force explosion, several Summonses appeared.
"Well, about time!" Hades muttered darkly as his dark robe billowed about him.
"Let's get this thing kicked." Typhoon crackled and twirled with mischievous malice, eyeing the red monster.
"Shut up, Typhoon." Kjata muttered and stomped his hooves on the ground.
Shiva and Ifrit looked up from within the dark clouds. "Good, they're here. Let's join them." Ifrit helped Shiva up and they both pushed their way though the dark poisonous surrounding and joined with group of Summons.
Ramuh gave them ancient smile and bowed his head slightly. "Good to see you again."
The trilling sound caused them to look away to find Phoenix appearing in her majestic bird form of flaming feather and colorful jewels of rainbows.
Zack smiled at the sight of the Summons appearing everywhere and called out to them, "Hey, you know what to do!" He quickly moved to Phoenix and pointed to the two outside the battle field. "If it is possible?"
The fire bird cocked her head toward the ninja and the sniper. Her ember eyes blinked and a tear rolled. She thrilled softly, 'Yes, he had not left yet and is holding on, for he has hope in his heart.' She flew over to them and swallowed them in flames.
Yuffie yelped in surprise as she was enveloped in flame that didn't burn her. "What?" A trilling sound caused her to look up and she choked, nearly laughing. "Oh it's you!" The bird bowed her head and a tear fell upon Vincent and suddenly, she left, joining the rest. "Oh! I am so sorry! I shouldn't ask that stupid question!" She flung her arms around the tall man as he opened his eyes.
He gave a dry chuckle. "I forgive you for that. I'll tell you later. We have to help." They stood and ran back to join the rest of the party.
The twelve knights of the Knight of Round marched forward and started to surround Ruby and soon, several of spells and magic swirled about Ruby, causing chaos and confusion as the other Summons started to contribute their powerful attacks. Volley of fire, ice, water, wind, thunder and earth started to smash upon the armor of Ruby. Soon as everything hit Ruby, the monster started to stagger and wavered.
Avalanche and the Turks looked up to find the black toxic cloud gone and the massive red towering monster falling backward into the sea with thunderous boom and disappeared as the wave crashed down where the body had fell.
"Whoo! Great job!" Cid yelled as he waved toward Zack.
Zack gave him a wary look and yelled back. "You all get back! I'm sending Bahamuts for Emerald. Rest of you, put in your most powerful attack you can muster up!" The Turks and Avalanchers gave their silent agreement and checked though their weapons and armors for any powerful attacks they had and got ready as Emerald lumbered out of the sea.
"SHIT!" Rude yelled, causing everyone to look at him in surprise for uttering some words. "He's powering up!"
As all eyes turned to the massive green monstrosity that replaced Ruby, his large shoulders started to blink some odd lights in pattern and everyone gulped hard as they held their place.
"Aeris!" Zack yelled as he ran toward her.
"Zack!" She turned to him. "I can only bring forth the shield, but it will only protect us all at half rate."
"Do it, love. I know you can do it."
Phoenix landed and transformed into her human form beside Aeris and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I will help you."
Aeris looked up at the tall woman's narrow face and smiled, finding comfort in the dark ember eyes. "Thank you."
The legendary bird woman stepped back behind Aeris and held her hands out; channeling her power though the healer as the young Cetra started her spell dance for the Planet Protector.
Zack spied Yuffie nearby and grabbed her and shoved her to stand beside Phoenix . "Hey, you still got Clear Tranquil?"
Yuffie immediately understood and stopped to ask, "You want me to combine with hers?" She pointed to Aeris who was still casting the spell.
Zack nodded vigorously. "Do it now!"
"Right!" Yuffie quipped and grabbed her Conformer to do a short little dance she usually does with the weapon, twirling it in front of her, gathering the energy she could draw from Gaia.
Nanaki and Cid joined Aeris by casting their strongest Shield magic and soon, everyone was covered in different shielding magic that woven together in brilliant colors.
Reno cursed along the line with Barret as Emerald started to shake violently and unleashed its powerful attack, the Aire Tam Storm. Blast of water shot out of the chest of the giant green monster and hit the group directly on with massive tsunami waves. Everyone was blown off their feet and crashed backward into ground, having torrent of water wash over them.
"Ooooh… that was bad…" Yuffie drawled as she picked herself up and grinned widely as she found that the shield magic had worked and jumped joyfully. "Yay! It worked!"
Zack scowled at her and smacked her on the head. "Shut up girl, already do your attack!"
"Eeep! Sorry!" She flicked her bangles out and muttered a quick spell of Comet Two while Zack conjured up the three great Bahamuts.
Cid, Vincent and Barret's voice overlapped each other as they spoke the weaving spell of Freeze, Tornado and Flare. The surrounding around Emerald started to shake and sprout with several ice storms, tornadoes and blinding lights as the heaven above him opened up to reveal three larger than life dragons swooping down with its mouth wide open and roaring as they shot their Mega, Tetra and Giga flares upon the green bulk of armors.
Tifa and Elena joined together and conjured up Comets and soon the skies opened again after the dragons to bring down torrents of flaming balls battering upon the head and shoulder of Emerald. The last green Weapons had no chance to attack as it was brutally beaten down by the group of Summons casting their elemental attacks and all kinds of spells cracking and breaking though their armors.
It started to stagger and wavered, then all the sudden, the cracks in the armors started to connect the others and glowed black before becoming brilliant white.
"Take cover!" Vincent yelled along with Reno and everyone ducked, shielding their heads as Emerald exploded, its armors scattering everywhere at full force and disappearing upon impact. The powerful gust of wind wiped the group across the land harshly.
The god, Ouranos watched the entire scene and looked to the pink clad woman. He blew a gentle wind to her and smiled, satisfied that he had helped a little bit.
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Cloud watched the two counterparts clash against each other and suddenly, she started to wince at a nagging pain in the back of her mind. It was becoming irritating and getting worse. "Ow…" she whispered as she held her hand to her head and sighed.
Her pale blue eyes closed and suddenly, she found herself into an unfamiliar place and saw the two Sephiroths battling each other, they both were wearing some ancient clothing of royalty, however one of the Sephiroth had two glorious wings of an angel, both black and shining with silver, the other one had reddish black horrendous wings that compared to Chaos' wings.
She frowned slightly as she watched the two beings dance in a furious battle, none giving up. There was something different about the two; they had no solid lines, but a glowing being that created up their form. The one with angelic wings had a pure white orb shining in his chest as the other had a black reddish orb that also held a small white orb.
They were the soul beings. She then knew she was the same as them and looked down to find her glowing form in golden light haloing about her. Her dress was long and flowing, similar to the dress she was wearing and she noticed soft white feather fluttering by her and looked to see where it came from.
She also had wings too, golden white ones.
As the two battled on, she turned around in confusion and asked out loud, "Where am I?"
Then, as the question faded away, somebody appeared, almost ghost-like before her. It was herself, as Cloud Strife, the Solider of ShinRa, Buster Sword strapped on her back, wild short blond hair sticking about everywhere.
"I am the real you." She spoke, she gestured to her chest where a golden orb glowed. Her eyes glowed pale blue, the eyes of Megamiki.
"What?" She looked down to her own chest and found no orbs or anything of the likeness but emptiness. The other one was her real soul being, parted from her own consciousness to talk to her.
"Look, they're fighting for you. You are the selected one, the one to bring forth a peaceful new race, the children of Gaia, the race she had dreamed of long ago, before Cetra or the Calamity of the Sky even came on this planet."
"No, I never wanted this! I want a simple life, just to be with Sephiroth, marry him, and live a normal mortal life."
"And you turn yourself away from all of that, only to choose the darker path."
"No! Not that either. I don't know what to do! I am lost…" She whispered to her self.
The other one shook her head and took the Buster Sword off her back and held it as she swayed into a familiar dance, a small smile playing on her lips. "Estuans interius ardente veritate…" Another being started to glow beside her, three small orbs took forms.
"No, don't! Don't do this!" The angelic Cloud clutched her ears to block the song being spilled from her counter part. "I don't want any of this! I don't deserve this!"
The other Cloud who wielded the Buster Sword started to move in a strange and familiar dance. "Sors speciousissimus Et omnis…" The small three forms became three young boys; they joined in with the song, becoming louder and harder to ingore.
Cloud looked up and gasped as she recognized what her counterpart and her sons were doing. The dance of Omnislash, the unique powerful technique that not even Sephiroth or Zack could match. It was her own Omnislash dance, unique and different. The sword morphed from a ragged old Buster Sword into a beautiful gleaming crystalline Ultimate Sword. "Stop this! Don't do this to me!"
But the other Cloud ignored her and kept on spilling the song out of her lips. Sephiroth and Maleficius Sephirt kept on battling on the side, completely oblivious of what was going on with Cloud and the spiritual Cloud.
"Veni, veni, venias," The sword started to sway and circle into mesmerizing pattern as colorful light start to swirl about her.
"No! I will not come!" She shouted back.
"Concessi me ascendi facias!" The solo line hit high note, reverberating through Angelic Cloud being, shaking her to the core.
"Nooooo… I will not!" Cloud kept screaming as she fell to her knees, crying and clutching her head as the Soldiers Cloud kept on dancing, swirling faster as the colorful light started to twirl in dizzying pace about the two.
"Veni, veni, venias, Gloriosa!" The blade danced on and disappeared within the colorful swirl of the light, leaving the blue-clad Cloud standing in the midst, her arms raised heavenward. "Concessi me ascendi facias, Generosa!"
The angelic Cloud looked up, her face tear streaked, "Veni, veni, venias," Her voice started to whisper, her hand reaching out toward the other Cloud who smiled back, her blue eyes shining with joy. "Gloriosa, Concessi me ascendi facias, Generosa!" Her sons gathered around her and hugged her, singing along.
Their voices merged together on the last line as the warrior Cloud reached out and grabbed the angelic Cloud and pulled her into the swirling mass of lights and they both merged together and vanished in blinding light. Their faces could be seen with grateful smiles before they were gone from the dark plane of the souls. "Seraphim, Seraphim!"
The three boys looked at each other and smiled. "Go, Mommy, go." They cheered and disappeared.
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"Oww… I should have broken ribs and mangled legs…" Tifa sat up and rubbed her head, finding herself without any starches or bruises, yet her clothes were torn and shred, leaving only enough to modesty.
Barret stood and cracked his neck. "I thought I'd died." He held a hand out to help Tifa up.
"I remembered the pain, I should have broken body!" She accepted his hand.
He shrugged. "Then Phoenix did her work."
They both looked around and found their group helping others to get up; they all were in pretty much the same state as they were, unmarred or unhurt, only damages had gone to their clothes. Phoenix had truly helped them by keeping them safe and unharmed along with Aeris' healing power.
Zack grabbed Aeris and hoisted her up on Golroth and turned to yell at Cid who was nearby, helping Elena up, "Hey, get everyone on Sierra. Go to the Northern Crater, Sephiroth will need our help. He's going to need the Summons' powers."
Cid cursed a blue streak and turned to grab a small radio that was strapped to his headband instead of cigarette box. "Right… he tells me to get Sierra and fly back to the blasted place that started all of this… damn blue balls…" He muttered before yelling into the radio box ordering the crew upon Sierra to get their asses over as soon as possible.
Yuffie saw the gold bird streak off and turned to Vincent. "What's going on?"
The sniper had heard everything. "We're going to help Sephiroth. We are to summon the Summons."
"Oh, right on! Zack left me some Materia." She opened her hand to reveal several red stones. "We're going to see if everyone has them."
Soon as the airship arrived, everyone quickly boarded and stood on the deck, all of them each had the red summon Materia ready in their hand, the spell ready on their lips. The Summons had disappeared after they defeated Emerald, only to wait to return to help Sephiroth.
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"We're going to need your help." Zack murmured into Aeris' neck as he held her to his chest.
Aeris shielded her eyes against the whipping wind as the bird darted over the jagged peaks of the mountain. "Yes." She reached into her jacket pocket and held out the pearly white and black stone. "Ouranos left me this after the battle with Emerald."
Zack looked down and frowned. "What is it?"
"The Final Summons, it's the Seraphim Summon."
"What?"
"The Final Summons. I don't know if it will work now, since Cloud is on Maleficius's side."
"Whatever will works. We will have Cloud back. I am not going to let Sephiroth give up." The bird warked announcing their arrival as they stopped on the edge of the crater.
Aeris gasped. "Oh my!"
The scene before them unfolded like a raging storm, Sephiroth and Maleficius Sephirt was battling each other at the extent, furiously clashing and dodging each other's blades. The low whining roar revealed Sierra arriving in the sky and lowering on the edge of the Crater and soon, the Turks and Avalanchers spilled onto the snowy ground by Aeris and Zack. The two Summonses soon joined them afterward.
"Is that Cloud?" Reno asked as he pointed to the glowing light on the other side of the Crater.
Aeris narrowed her eyes and nodded. "Yes, it looked like it. She's becoming her ultimate final form. She's fighting her own battle within and is losing." They watches her fall to her knees, clutching her head as if she was in pain.
"No…" Shiva held her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide.
"We got to help." Zack declared and held out the red stone of Bahamut Zero.
"Let's do it!" Yuffie yelled and held her red stone of Knight of Round.
Cid and Vincent held out Neo Bahamut and Bahamut while Barret and Tifa held up Typhoon and Leviathan.
Shiva and Ifrit had Hades and Phoenix ready as Elena, Reno and Rude clenched their hands around the summon stones of Odin, Titan, Ramuh.
Nanaki raised his head, for the red stone of Kjata was attached to his feathered mane and Reeve stood beside him, holding out Choco Mog. Aeris took out Alexander and gave everyone a confident smile. "You all know the combined Summon Spell?" Everyone gave their affirmative agreement and then they all started after Aeris and Zack.
"Deme eder E b'dna Htrae Nopu Klawaia G foner Dlih'C!"
Then, each member shouted the name of their Summon, letting the red stone blast the colorful light of each element.
"Bahamut!"
"Neo Bahamut!"
"Bahamut Zero!"
The three dragons descended from the sky in swooping rush and hovered on the outer rim of the crater, watching the two silver haired warrior combat each other, still oblivious of their surrounding.
"Ramuh!"
"Odin!"
"Alexander!"
"Typhoon!"
Each appeared in their own way, Ramuh appeared as thunder struck the ground, raising the ancient man with electrifying beard. Odin came down galloping from the moon upon the majestic beast horse, Sleipnir and Alexander swirled in mass of colors and formed into a grand knight of a man. Typhoon crackled and twirled in chaotic storm and stood aside, laughing malice as he waited to have his turn in attack.
"Titan!"
"Kjata!"
The ground shook and rumbled as Titan lumbered and boomed into existence, growling softly and soon was joined by thunderous hooves of Kjata.
"Leviathan!"
"Knight of Round!"
The rain fell and took form of a great blue ancient sea dragon twisting and hovering nearby the three Bahamuts and the heaven opened to have twelve great knight with billowing cloaks and feathered helmets descend and tap right on the snowy ground of the Northern Crater.
Then, "Hades!" Dark mass of cloud swirled and roared into flame as the long billowy robe of the underworld Lord appeared, his black eyes glittering from the depth of the hood.
Finally, " Phoenix !" Beautiful song trilled though the air and the legendary resurrection bird appeared in her dazzling golden and colorful jeweled feathers lined with dancing flame before turning into a woman with colorful robes like the former form.
"Let's go!" Ifrit and Shiva soon joined the rest, the Ice Goddess waving in return to the group who had summoned them all.
"Join your powers." Phoenix told everyone and soon, everyone held their hands, heads up heavenward and with blast of magical spiral of lights coming from them shot skyward, illuminating the sky.
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"So, you got help, but still, you all are no match for me and my lovely Queen!" Maleficius Sephirt chuckled as he landed a hard blow upon Sephiroth, causing him to fall backward and out of the battle.
Sephiroth gasped, having wind knocked out of his lung and glowered at his counterpart. He felt part of his body break during the fall and realized it was his wings that had broken beyond appearance. "Never…" He whispered as he watched Maleficius and Cloud join together at hands and they soon gathered the energy from the Summonses, absorbing them for their own.
"Pity, the power was given to you, but I get it all, I have everything!" Maleficius let out a booming laugh as he threw his head back and let the power consume him.
Sephiroth felt smaller and weaker as he watched the two glows brighter with immense powers, gifted from all of the Summonses. "Shh… You know what to do." The faint form of a woman, mixture of Megamiki and Cloud knelt beside Sephiroth.
He glanced up into the beautiful woman's face, surprised to see Cloud's eyes, a tear falling down his cheek. "I've failed everyone. I've failed, you Cloud."
"No." She smiled in return and wiped the lone tear away. "Hope is not lost yet." She looked away and raised her hand to gesture toward Cloud, who was glowing brilliant golden light beside Maleficius's blackness. "Say the words and I will be redeemed."
He closed his eyes and felt his soul stir, hearing Madoshi speaking, "You can do it. For us all, for yourself, and for Cloud. The power of love is the ultimate power in the universe, use it."
Sephiroth took his hand and got up. "I'll try."
"You will not try." She whispered stepping back and disappearing, her voice lingered. "You will do. Say the words."
Sephiroth nodded and turned to Cloud, dropping Masamune to the ground beside him. Cloud and Maleficius Sephirt was still absorbing the powers, rising from the ground, slowly ascending. His lips moved slightly first, unsure of which words and felt his heart swell with great sadness and he knew it was the sadness of the world, crying for him. "No more pain, no more sorrow, no more." He whispered and smiled at Cloud, focusing only on her, for that she was his entire world, his only center as he poured his love and heart into the words that flowed from his lips. "Hikari no asa, kibou no kaori ga
Afurenagara yokogao somete iru"
Soon as the words left his lips, in the ancient language of Wutainese, the sky calmed down slightly from raging storm to pale overcast, his words drowning out the sound of thunderclaps that echoed around the Northern Crater. The Summonses lowered their hands and head to watch Sephiroth take a step forward, his broken wings dragging behind him.
"Nigiri shimeta yubisaki hanasazu, Mirai no door: futari de akete yukou" Sephiroth continued, remembering the lines from the depth of his heart and soul, his eyes never leaving from Cloud's features. Her eyes remained blank and emotionless.
"Shiawase no kane no oto ga sora ni hibiku, Maiorita tenshitachi uta o utau" His wings started to mend magically and restore to it's full glorious form, spread behind him high and proud as his hair and coat start to sway in the wind, whipping about softly. The skies slowly became lighter and the storm started to die down, leaving behind faint echoes.
"Ah, eien ni kono ai wa tsuzuku, Shinjiru koto anata ni chikaitai" His voice, deep with tenor became louder and clearer with more confident. Cloud's eyes blinked and started to become darker. Maleficius Sephirt turned his head, scowling as he noticed the change in Cloud, shooting dagger-glare at Sephiroth.
"No! Leave her be!"
Sephiroth simply ignored him and stepped another step forward, coming closer as he continued. "Kujikesou na yoru mo atta kedo, Kimi no egao nando mo sukuwareta"
Maleficius broke free from Cloud and lunged forward, his sword raised to plunge into Sephiroth. "I said, leave her be!"
Sephiroth kept on ignoring him and held a hand up and an invisible barrier erupted, deflecting the sword out of harm's way. Maleficius Sephirt growled as he was being flung aside.
"Kotoba yori mo taisetsu na mono ga, Kokoro no naka hitotsu ni tsuujiatte"
Cloud kept on blinking and started to shake her head in confusion, her hands raised to clutch her head. She started to fall to ground slowly and fell to her knees. Sephiroth kept moving toward her, he was still some steps away from her.
Maleficius snarled in rage and reached out for Masamune, which happened to be by his side. He picked it up and chuckled. "Fool! You poorly left your weapons in plain sight of your enemy!" He shouted.
Yet, Sephiroth ignored him, focusing completely on Cloud, in desperate hope for her to break free from the depth of confusion. "Arekuruu kanashimi ga osou toki mo
Futari nara daijoubu: norikoete yuku"
Maleficius Sephirt became more irritated. "Listen to me when I am speaking to you!" He snarled and popped out of existence from where he stood and appeared behind Cloud, glowering down at Sephiroth who started to kneel before Cloud. He winced and growled, "Stupid boy, leave me be!"
Then from his mouth came a young voice of Kadaj, "Never! You leave mother alone! Father, keep going!"
"No!" Maleficius Sephirt yelled and pushed the soul of Kadaj back where he came from and looked to Cloud, kneeling on the snow, clutching her head.
"Ah, eien ni kono michi o aruku, Mou nido to saegiru mono wa nai Mirai e tsuzuiteru" Sephiroth reached out and took Cloud's hands away from her head. She looked up, her eyes returning to normal, bright blueness shining with love.
"Sephiroth…" As his name left her lips in soft whisper, she gasped and then coughed, dark red liquid spilling out from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes went wide and she looked down, seeing the blade protruding through her chest.
"If I couldn't have her, then you can't." He replied.
"Damn you…" Sephiroth growled, his eyes becoming narrow silts as he glared up at Maleficius Sephirt, who were standing above and behind Cloud, holding Masamune with malicious smile on his face.
Aeris gasped loudly and squeezed her eyes shut as she threw herself into Zack's arms and buried her head into his chest. The raven haired stared out with horror on his face. Everyone else stood on the outer edge of the battle ground of the Northern Crater, each had their own grief and horror masked on their faces as they all watched on. They were all too shocked to think or react at the moment Cloud had been stabbed.
It had been a Déjà vu, once again, someone they loved and cared deeply for had been slain by the very same Masamune, though the very same fashion, for the very same reason, to eliminate the obstacle into getting to Gaia.
It had been very foolish thing to do. It had happened once and had been foiled. However, the last time around, the very person who foiled the plan is the person who is at the receiving end this time.
"No…" Tifa whispered as she clutched onto Barret's jacket, staring wide eyed. "It can't be… it's over?" Barret frowned with concern and dismay as he held Tifa.
Yuffie fell to her knees, her hands tightly clamped over her mouth trying to suppress a violent sob that strained to get though her lips. Her vision became blurry and painful. No, no, nonono… it can't be…
Cid stood there, shell shocked. His javelin fell silently to the snow by his side. He was speechless, once again as his eternal cigarette vacated his lips. Vincent closed his eyes and buried his head into his golden claw; a tear dripped free and fell unnoticed into the snow.
The Turks, however was different at the reaction. They were shocked and surprised at the whole revelation and wondered thousands of things in their minds. But most of all, the thoughts were the same as everyone else, 'Is this it?'
In the Avalanchers' minds, it was like a scene replayed, yet different. Their hearts ached and gripped with pain of horror and shock, only to be slowly bled to grief and anguish. Yet, somehow, a shimmer of hope always remain as Cloud remained sitting up, Masamune still sticking though her chest, her gown slowly turning crimson, creating illusion of blackness upon blue. Her eyes still flickered and shone with life, locked upon the face of Sephiroth.
It had been the longest moments as everyone watched on, loss to think or even react.
"The Final Summoning, use it." Aeris looked up and looked about to see that had said it to her and then saw no one had and the only explanation to which the voice belonged to, Gaia.
Zack looked down, tears streaking his face; his cheeks splotched red with anger. "Aeris?" He asked as she moved away from him and took out the strange marbled black and white stone. It started to glow, from the white part turned golden as the black emitted blue aura.
"The Final Summoning." She whispered as she held the stone, it was about the same size as the other Materia, small as the large marble, easy to fit in any slots of the armors or weapons. It felt powerful in her hands. "I have to summon."
Zack wiped his face on the sleeve of his jacket and nodded. "I understand. It's our last hope, isn't it?" She gave him a sweet smile that was reserved for him.
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Sephiroth rose to his feet, glaring with hatred that no one could match. His whole body was tense and taunt, ready to spring. His wings shook slightly. His lips curled up into a horrendous sneer for he couldn't find any words to spat and only settled to growl slightly.
Maleficius Sephirt stepped back, his hands letting go of the Masamune. His smile still plastered on his face as he matched Sephiroth's glare, taunting and challenging him. He felt more than wondrous, full and every fiber of his being crackled and snapped with energy he had absorbed from all the Summonses.
He threw his arms back and with a loud slapping flap, two deep crimson accented black leathery wings burst open from his back. His wings were nothing like Chaos, but they were the wings of the Prince of Darkness. The sights of his wings send chills down everyone's spines as they watched on, feeling dreading horror.
With one hand, he reached back for the Masamune and with odd scraping and grating sound it withdrew from Cloud's back. She gasped softly and groaned, swaying free from the sword, the pale snow growing rapidly crimson around her.
Cloud looked up and met the green eyes of her heart. He quickly looked up and she knew he was going to avenge for her. Clutching weakly to her chest as the warm blood oozed out and she looked down. It was an odd sight, the blood poured green from the open wound and flowed, turning instantly red and staining the gown. Gown? What the hell am I wearing this gown for? Why Sephiroth has two white wings instead of one and how the heck did I get stabbed by the Masamune? That was Aeris's scene, not mine! Damn it! She cursed in her mind.
She chuckled slightly and felt lightheaded and realized she was losing too much blood. She lifted her head and forced herself to look about, her ears straining to hear though the roaring of the white noise in her ears. It bothered her. "… Sephiroth…" She murmured and met his eyes to find confusion there and pain. "Don't look at me like that. What the hell is going on?" She whispered.
He frowned slightly, keeping an eye on Maleficius Sephirt few feet behind her, also confused and amused at her comments, he realized she was coming to her senses. "Cloud…" Before he could continue, he watched her eyes roll and she slumped to the snow.
It had all crashed at that point. His emotions solidified and turned into deepest and most powerful one of all, anger born from aguish and pain. He screamed then, his whole body snapped.
The Turks, Avalanchers and Summonses winced and drew back as his scream echoed across the Northern Crater. The sky crackled and the very air sparked with tense.
"Oh, shut up and already let me kill you." Maleficius Sephirt drawled as he twirled Masamune like a baton in his hand. As Masamune stopped twirling, he leapt and drew the sword back to plunge into Sephiroth.
But Sephiroth was ready; he dodged and pushed the darker counterpart aside with powerful force, adding in magical blast which he drew from some unknown sources. The devil with his face yelped and crashed into the snow with violent crunch and tumbled.
Zack's eyes went wild as he watched the scene. "What is this?"
Aeris shook her head. "It's the battle of the Archangel and the Prince of the Darkness… such irony is here."
"And we are witnessing this…" He replied and frowned then, "What about 'Seraphim'?" He pointed to Cloud where she laid in her own blood. He chuckled weakly at his own weak attempt of joke.
Aeris lifted the small black and white stone in her hand. "I don't know, but I have a feeling… 'Seraphim' will be reawakened. You may be right on this one."
Zack nodded and stepped back to give her room. He saw Phoenix from the side smile at Aeris as she held the stone out in fashion to cast the spell.
Sephiroth stood as he watched Maleficius Sephirt pick himself up and face him. He drew his hands up as if to ball something. The glow grew within his hands and formed as it crackles with electrifying sparks.
"So, you have some trick up your sleeves." Maleficius sneered as he held the Masamune toward Sephiroth, willing his power throb though it. It reverberated and hummed.
From the sideline, Aeris lifted the glowing golden and blue orb of the Final Summoning, no words spilled past her lips but her heart sang with prayer as she hoped with all hopes. The strange black and white Materia throbbed with heartbeats and it grew louder and stronger in her hands.
Apart from Aeris' summoning, Sephiroth and Maleficius Sephirt was intently focused in their own battle against each other. The Masamune throbbed and crackled with dark energy while Sephiroth kept conjuring up pure energy, both releasing torrent of magical spell upon each other, only to clash in thunderous explosions.
Finally, the Masamune broke and was thrown aside as Maleficius took up to conjuring up magical spells from his palms, raining the dark magic upon Sephiroth, inflicting some bodily damage. Sephiroth groaned as he strained to pick himself up after being violently battered across the snowy field that turned marred and tainted from their battling. He pried his eyes open, the greenness taking in the scene around him. The Summonses stood tall and regal, watching with impassive faces on the outside edge along with the mortals, Avalanchers and the Turks.
A vision flashed before his eyes for a mere second and then he knew. This very place would soon become the holiest spot on the entire planet. Then the Ancient City came in view, full with life, bustling with people of all ages. He saw himself and Cloud together and it felt so peaceful. Could that be the true Promised Land, the Beyond?
He watched as Maleficius Sephirt's hands glow and pop with crackling energies, becoming brighter and stronger. From the distance, he felt the power and smiled sardonically to himself, he had no energy left. He was battered and wounded, his soul torn to shred and he felt no hope but welcome the last wash of peace as he predicted his death to come.
His arms unfolded and spread, baring his self open to welcome the final blow. Everything around him fell deaf to his ears; all he heard was eerily silence. The air was biting cold but he never noticed. The blood steeping out of his wounds stained his skin and robe, sickly warm, yet he did not feel it. All he felt was the utter calmness.
The light, how glorious and beautiful as it shined down from heavenward, he blinked and watched upward as the golden tendril of light shimmering down to him. The embrace felt so warm and comforting, sweet and familiar, so much like Cloud's afterglow, like vanilla and hazelnut honey. The scent of the golden blond haired woman with such spunk enveloped him. The hands caressing his cheeks felt stingily hot and so good. This must be what death felt like.
'No, you're not dead yet love.'
He snapped his eyes open to see the face staring back at him. "Cloud?" She giggled in return. He blinked owlishly and racked his brain to find what was wrong. One, Cloud's dead. Two, Cloud doesn't glow with such golden light. Three, Cloud's an angel?
He blinked once again. Yep, she's an angel.
She gave an exasperating raspberry and rolled her eyes. 'Angel, please.' Her ethereal voice was full of sarcasms and he nearly laughed. 'You better snap out of it. You must stop Maleficius Sephirt for me and for Kadaj.'
"Yes, for you and Kadaj." He whispered with such longing and saw the soft love in her brilliant sapphire eyes. She moved about and settled behind him, her arms circling around his neck in lovingly embrace. He felt his body wash in warmth and suddenly, he no longer felt tired and actually felt refreshed, just like after waking up from a good night sleep.
Then, with a lighting reflex, he shot his hand out and the dark ball of crackling energy bounced off from an invisible shield. Maleficius Sephirt never looked more pissed across the field.
"What the hell?" He shouted, pointing to Cloud who floated serenely behind Sephiroth in golden light that flickered like flame about her. He gasped and clutched his chest as he saw Sephiroth drawing the power from him, taking Madoshi's soul and absorbing, rejoining with his soul, becoming whole, the power of the Summonses followed, draining him. He staggered and stood, feeling weaker as he glared.
Aeris smiled from where she stood. The summoning had worked and she was very surprised that it was Cloud. As the spell had taken in place, Cloud had disappeared from the ground, only to reappear from heaven as an angel.
"Whoo… now that give us an upper hand!" Zack cheered. Avalanchers and the Turks watched on with refreshed hope and joy.
Cloud made a face at Maleficius Sephirt and blew a raspberry. "You think you're going to kill me. It takes more than that! Moron!"
Maleficius sputtered as he stared bugged eyed at her. "Shut up you little bitch! You could have everything as my queen!" He was astounded to hear such immature remark from her.
Sephiroth rolled his green eyes and sighed. "Enough with this." He raised his hands and light shot from his palms. He felt Cloud's hands snaking forward onto his arms, her body molding between his wings against his back and her head on his shoulder. He then felt her energy rushing forward and overlapping his own. The light glowed green and blue from them, then brilliant gold, intertwining with silver.
Maleficius Sephirt stepped back in shock and threw his hands up to shield, his mouth open in silent scream as the light hit him completely and enveloped him until it exploded into burst of brilliant firework. The entire Crater went up in brilliant blinding light and dimmed afterward, leaving everyone blinking and wondering.
LKYASHODOALKYASHODOALKYASHODOALKYASHODOALKYASHODOA
Yuffie blinked and rubbed her eyes and waited until the spot finally disappeared from her eyes. "Oh man… I thought I was going to be blind for sure!" She looked up and giggled as she saw the dazed look on the sniper's face next to her.
"Damn… I'm never smoking again." Cid muttered as he patted his blue jacket and fished out a cigarette box.
"I thought you just said…" Yuffie pointed out as she turned to find the pilot take out a drag and light it up.
"Shut up. I was just saying…" He drew a long drag and exhaled. But, once again, the poor cigarette fell out. "No…" He raised his arm to point, his face going pale. The youth turned to look and gasped softly.
Down in the center of the Crater where Sephiroth stood, he had turned around to catch Cloud who slumped against him. The etherealness illusion had disappeared; they both looked wounded and ragged from the battle. Cloud's gown was once stained with blood and the wound evidence from the Masamune, except this time, she was wearing the golden and white gown of a Valkyrie. She slid to her knees, still being held in Sephiroth's arms, coughing and breathing dangerously slow, her eyes still locked with his eyes.
Sephiroth held tightly onto her as he went down to his knees. "Cloud…" He dared to whisper, staring wide eyed.
She smiled, looking very pale and drained. "Sephiroth… It's over." She looked over to where Maleficius Sephirt was and lay on the ground, breathing hard and raggedly was Kadaj. "Kadaj… Sephiroth, bring him to me."
Sephiroth nodded and stood up, watching Cloud as she remained kneeling, holding on her own. He went over to Kadaj and lifted the young man in his arms. "Kadaj, son." He said softly as he watched Kadaj's face set in bliss, pain forgotten.
Kadaj murmured, "Father?"
He turned and went back to Cloud who gestured up for Kadaj. He knelt and laid the young man in her arms and she hugged him close.
"Kadaj…" Cloud murmured as she brushed her face against his silver hair, it felt just like Sephiroth. "You don't have to hang on any longer."
Kadaj blinked and looked up to the sky, unseeing. "Mother… is that you?"
"You can let go now, love." Cloud whispered, brushing the silver hair away from Kadaj's face. She watched as the green eyes blinked and close as Kadaj reached up to the sky. Tears fell from her face, splattering onto Kadaj's. "Everyone's waiting if you're ready." She said.
Kadaj's body rose as if someone lifted him up by his hand and the green and black tendrils swirled from his body and he disappeared slowly, leaving last sight in Cloud and Sephiroth's mind forever that he died smiling.
Cloud's arms slumped down as Kadaj was gone and she swayed. Sephiroth rushed to her and held her up. "Cloud… Please," His voice cracked and broke, "Don't leave me…"
"I won't…" She lifted her cold hand up to his face and caressed. Her head tilted backward slightly and the Valkyrie helmet toppled a bit. He reached and slowly pulled it off to let her long golden hair spill to the snow.
"Cloud, love… we've gone though so much, please don't leave me."
She shook her head. "I won't… I promise. I'm so tired." Her eyes closed and a smile on her lips. "I just need to sleep. Stay with me…" She whispered faintly.
He nodded, shaking as he held her close to his chest. The golden gown was warm with blood but the wound seemed to close slowly, the bleeding had stopped. "Always."
w w w . y a s h o d o a . c o m / r o a d t o d a m a s c u s
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Endless Love, Endless Road - Tidus' song to Yuna in FFX
The song Sephiroth sang to Cloud to break the spell Maleficius Sephirt has over her. The reason why Sephiroth sang this song because in their souls, it was the first song Madoshi sang to Megamiki, winning her love eons ago. It will be featured in Madoshi & Megamiki. For their situation, it's just perfect, sweet as well. I thought to put it here after all for you all to know the translation.
A morning of light: as the scent of hope overflows
It tints your profile
Without letting go of these tightly grasped fingertips
Let's open the door to the future together
The sound of the bell of happiness echoes in the sky
Flown-down angels sing a song
Ah, this love will last forever
I want to swear to you the things I believe in
There were discouraging nights, too, but
Countless times I was saved by your smiling face
Something even more precious than words
Is understood deep in our hearts
Times when raging sadness preys on us
We'll be fine if we're together: we'll overcome it
Ah, we'll walk this path forever
Nothing will ever stand in our way again
It continues on to the future
