Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy or any other game, reference, etc. I shove in here. I only own the characters and other stuff I make up!
Ch. 53 That's just how it is...
Part 1: The War is finally over
In Midgar around noon every television turned to static. It was a bother to the people, but they knew there was a reason. Everyone knew what that meant. There was going to be some kind of announcement from the president. The static cleared and someone announced the president and also Godo. Some were surprised, but everyone knew exactly what was going on. The war was now officially over.
"As you all know the war has lasted for quite some time between us and the Wutanese, but today...I am proud to announce that the war is over." The president said. People clapped and he paused in his speech to allow for it. It was loud, but only lasted for a few minutes as they were quieted. The president had a lot more to say laying out the terms in which the war had ended leaving out the unpleasant parts of it. The part where the Wutanese were being stripped of every inch of power they had. No materia, limited weaponry, and no claim on worldwide energy whatsoever. They were losing everything, but their lives. That was debatable though since most of them felt like they were losing their lives figuratively.
When it was Godo's turn to speak a reverent silence came over the crowd and those watching elsewhere. "I can say that I am glad that the war is over and that it did not end in bloodshed. Things like that never would have ended the war. I know my people may not completely understand why we chose not to fight back, but I only did what was in our best interest. Another bloody battle would have only lost more lives and neither side would have won in the end."
And with that the war ended.
After the meeting Godo returned to Wutai and got exactly what he had expected. No welcome from his people who now look at him bitterly. What he had said before was very true. They did not understand at all why they had not continued to fight them. Shinra was wrong for what they did to them and what they were doing now. The Turks had come with him and now they were making the rounds to collect. They went to every shop and took whatever was listed and even some things that were not. They made sure to look in every home including his own to make sure that no one was hiding anything from them.
All he could do was watch and try to make sure no one made a scene. It was the last thing he wanted. Thankfully even though they were angry they were also very loyal. He may have done something they did not understand completely, but he had never led them down the wrong path. They still believed in him and their way of life. All of them believed that one day Shinra was going to pay and they hoped that he would lead them to it.
Of course, there were still those that felt differently. He expected that and was doing his best to find ways to deal with it that would not lead to conflict. He was especially wary of conflicts that would harm the fragile treaty he had signed. If they did anything aggressive towards Shinra now it would lead to their annihilation. He worried about that the most. He was under enormous pressure to keep the peace. His men were on their guard at all times now. He had to make sure they were all very loyal to him and would not cause problems for him or his people. It was a very long and hard day for everyone.
He finally returned home after the Turks were gone. He did not want to go home until they were out of Wutai. He felt that it was his responsibility to make sure they only did what they came to do and nothing else. Shinra was stripping them of power, but they would not abuse his people. His wife greeted him with a smile and all he could do was smile back at her. It was the only thing he really looked forward to at the moment. He kissed her and then hugged her letting all of his worries float away. "I love you." He whispered to her.
"I love you too." She replied holding him tighter. He smiled feeling much better. It had been a while since he had felt like that and he wanted it to continue, but tomorrow would be another trying day for him. His life and his family were under threat. He had to post more guards around his home to make sure they were safe. Until that threat passed he had to remain diligent. He knew there were many sleepless night awaiting him.
Part 2: Waiting Game
Siren stood on the roof with her letter to give to the puppet. She stood there frowning as she read the words over and over while she waited. It was not what they wanted to know and she knew it. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do about it now. They had already told her what to do, but unfortunately things were more complicated than that. Especially since Sephiroth had taken her away from the building. She was not allowed to go near the soldier housing. She did not have that kind of clearance.
Finally the puppet arrived and she almost threw the letter at him. It glanced at it for a moment and then handed her one as well. She sighed and opened it. It was short and simple and it made her feel slightly afraid.
Stop wasting time, Siren. You do not want me to come after you.
It said written by Scythe. She understood, but hoped that her letter would explain. She was surprised a little by the fact that he did not seem to know what was going on. He did monitor it so carefully, but she would never question him. She learned not to do that shortly after they first met. The puppet left and she turned to leave, but was surprised to hear someone down below her. Someone was in the president's office. She was sure the fat man had already gone home. She looked down below and saw no one so she guessed that they were inside. She was glad for that. She did not want to be seen.
She realized that it was Hojo. She had no idea why he would be there and she guessed that he, like her, was not supposed to be there at all. She smiled a little bit feeling like now she had something to hold over him, but if she said anything then he might do the same to her. She barely had clearance for the lab much less anything above that. She sighed when he finally left. She guessed either he found what he wanted or gave up. Either way she was glad. She jumped down and left making sure that no one saw her where she was not supposed to be.
Scythe waited as he normally did. He watched Enshii sitting down amongst his puppets with his eyes closed. They were all waiting for Siren's report. All of them were wondering the same thing. Why had she not brought the girl yet? Scythe had looked, but The Abyss refuse to tell him much now. He guessed that since things were coming to the end that it was only trying to stop him the only way it possibly could. However, it had already showed him what he really needed and it could never take that back.
When the puppet returned it went to Scythe and handed him the letter before sitting down by its master. He opened it and read it. He frowned at it and saw the reason for the delay. Where they were time seemed to move very slowly and all of their patience was beginning to wear thin. Even he was becoming impatient.
Two weeks ago she left the building with Sephiroth and will not return for another two weeks. However, Hojo seems intent on having her come back early, but he cannot seem to get the president to do it. I suppose he really is afraid of that man. I will have to wait until she is returned to the lab. She comes in for scheduled checkups, but he watches everything. There is no way for me to get her out without him seeing. I would be dead before I could take a step.
Scythe sighed and crumpled the letter before letting it fall to the ground. He looked at The Abyss finding it harder and harder to see into now. Well, it seems you will have to wait for her just a little bit longer. He said to it. He got nothing in return. He actually thought that there was no reason for it to do this now. It had been helping him for such a long time and now all of the sudden he could barely reach it. Why do this now? Is it something you must do or do you choose to do it?
There is no choosing. I keep the flow of life. Nothing more. The Abyss replied to him. It had been a little while since it had spoken to him.
I see. Are you trying to protect it?
That is not my job. That is what He was created for. It said. That brought him back for a moment. He knew who it meant. He had seen him first hand. He did not want to see him again. It was the only time he had ever felt afraid in his life. It was not a feeling he wanted to feel again.
"Scythe?" Enshii said suddenly. "What are we going to do now that we must wait even longer? Glaed is becoming a bit restless and so am I. Even the scientist seems to have become bored."
"Siren says we must wait two more weeks for her to come back. There is the chance it won't even be that long." He said. "We will have to wait, but I'm sure that all of you can find ways to entertain yourselves. Am I right?" He said.
"So we can go!" Glaed said. "Do whatever we want before she comes?" He nodded and she smiled evilly.
"So long as you don't mess anything up there on that world. We don't need anything else to delay things further."
"I won't do that. In the end I want her. She has caused us enough trouble." Glaed replied.
"Yes, she has." He said. Without what she has no one can live. He thought to himself. Everyone outside of here anyway. He smiled at that thought. His dream. It was a bit delayed, but it was coming. All of the others left him alone there to do as they pleased. They honestly could not stand the waiting any longer.
Author: Revised.
