I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol
I do own my own character – Jalyne
Chapter 14 – The Mansion
"I will go alone." Jalyne reiterated strongly after discussing the mansion and its secrets.
"Are you sure?" Rufus questioned intently, looking sternly at her. She leveled a gaze at him.
"I'm going. Period." She turned to walk out to the helipad for an open space to open Heaven's Gate. "Don't send anyone there." As Jalyne made her way, Rufus grabbed her wrist to stop her. She looked down at the seated President with determination and raised her brow in question. Rufus stood to look in her eyes. He leaned into her and spoke softly.
"Do not take my authority lightly." He whispered deadly and reached up to pull her to him at the neck. Jalyne froze a moment. "And do not take Sephiroth for granted. I don't fully agree with your idea."
Jalyne pulled back and studied the President intently, clenching her jaw and grinding her teeth. Finally, she relented, bowing her head. Perhaps she crossed the line. He relaxed his grip and leaned in again.
"We just got you back." With a hint of pleading in his voice. "We don't want to lose you again." Rufus kissed her lightly below the ear, sending a shudder through her. When Jalyne looked at him again, her eyes softened.
"I will be fine, Sir." She commented, adding the respectful title. "I'm not going there to fight." Jalyne turned and walked out into the morning air and took a deep breath glancing over her shoulder at the Director and President who followed her. "Have you ever seen Heaven's Gate, Sirs?" she questioned.
"No." came both the replies.
"You're in for a treat, then. I will return by nightfall." And with that Jalyne unhooked one blade and pulled it in front of her face, concentrating on Nibelheim. The blade came alive and with a sweeping arc, she opened Heaven's Gate, much to the amazement of the two men behind her.
The mountains of Nibelheim silhouetted the background and the sun was just rising in the East. The Shinra mansion was closer as the gate was opened on the road into the town. The stone structures of the buildings held a quaint atmosphere that Jalyne never quite saw before and gave a country feel to the town. Jalyne looked briefly at the two of them and walked through, closing the gate behind her.
"Are Reno and Rude there?" Rufus asked Tseng, turning to continue business.
"Yes, I sent them last night. They checked in a bit ago. They're in position, overlooking the mansion."
"It's a good thing Reeve is inside the Avalanche group. If Jalyne is as quick as she wants this to go, we may not have had enough time to get them there."
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Tseng questioned.
"I don't know." Rufus said honestly as he sat down at his desk again. "It depends on how bad Jalyne man-handles Sephiroth and if she can keep in control. Head over to her ship. See what you can find. Keep me posted."
"Yes, Sir." Tseng stated and left to fetch Elena.
Jalyne exited Heaven's Gate and took a deep breath, looking around at her surroundings. It was beautiful here, the trees swaying in the light breeze and the mountains in the background forming a picturesque view. She could feel Mako from the old reactor seeping through the ground. The stone buildings gave an older world feel and people started bustling around to begin their duties on this beautiful Monday. Jalyne paused, feeling a pull, only she couldn't decipher which direction it was coming from. Closing her eyes, she pushed outward lightly, feeling her surroundings and the people there.
Those rats. she thought though she couldn't be angry at them. So, he sent backup. Jalyne reached out again, this time behind her. And the others are on their way. I better make this quick. Or… She started walking into the town, gazing at the architecture, and looking at the various signs. Finding the Materia shop, she entered quietly, taking a peek around.
"Can I help you, Miss?" The clerk boomed in her direction.
"Um, yes, I believe you can." Jalyne stepped all the way into the stop, gazing at the various Materia. "Do you have a Master Seal Materia?"
"Let me look. I'll be just a moment." The clerk went into his storage room to rummage around a bit. He appeared holding a green orb. "Here you go, Miss. 3000 gil, please."
Jalyne pulled out her company stipend that Tseng had given her on the way back to the building after securing the apartment and counted out 3000 gil. Handing it to the clerk, he had already wrapped the Materia in a cloth and put it in a small case for her. Good, I won't have to touch it yet.
Jalyne thanked the clerk whole-heartedly and made her way to the door, glad to be back outside. The amount of magic in the room was calling to her. She breathed a deep breath and made her way to the alley she spied as she saw the shop. Hopefully, she entered undetected by her surveillance and could pull this off. Leaning up against the wall in the alley, she unwrapped the Materia, keeping the barrier of the cloth between it and her hands. Sighing, she steeled herself for the inevitable and concentrated on the magic the orb was radiating. Let it flow through you. Jalyne reminded herself and took the orb in her hand.
The magic escalated in her hand, sending jolts through her body, causing her to grit her teeth to not scream out. She could feel it deeply, Sleepel, then Silence, as she absorbed the power. Her legs began to shake, and she slid down the stone wall to land on the ground, struggling to maintain control. Jalyne closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to let the energy flow through her. Finally, the tingling subsided, and she opened her eyes, only to see not one, but two Materia floating above her right hand. I reacted so powerfully that I created one. She mused silently. She tucked both orbs away and leaning on the wall, struggled to stand.
Jalyne leaned her head back against the wall, waiting for the influx of energy to subside. She willed herself to calm down and after what seemed like an eternity, stepped out into the main areas of Nibelheim. Walking by the shops she made her way to the main road and looked at her objective in front of her. The Mansion. Jalyne started to make her way to gate when she was stopped by a townsperson.
"There."
"Say what?" Reno said rolling to his stomach from his relaxed position. He pulled the binoculars down to look. "Ah, she made it."
"Obviously." Rude commented.
"Your just a barrel of laughs, partner." The red head shot back. "What's she doing? She supposed to get in and out."
"She got stopped."
"I can see that." Reno pouted. "How bad do you think this will go? She chose to track Sephiroth down again. What could she be thinking."
"Answers." He responded picking up Reno's annoyance in his voice. "Still avoiding you?"
"I haven't seen her since early Saturday morning."
"Give her time." Rude stated. "She's searching for something."
"I can't believe Boss allowed her to do this, alone." Reno commented.
"She's not alone."
"True." Reno shrugged. "She doesn't know we're here."
"Cloud and the others will be here by nightfall, if they're not on the outskirts already."
"Hmph. They won't investigate until morning, then." Reno said keeping an eye on Jalyne. "She's supposed to be back in Midgar by nightfall."
They kept an eye on her from the hills just west of the mansion. Jalyne was laughing with the townsman and explaining something to him. They conversed for a few minutes when she bid him farewell and made her way to the entrance of the gate. Pushing it open, she walked into the courtyard seemingly unaware of the two Turks watching. She turned in a circle, surveying the courtyard, of which Reno wasn't complaining at all, eyeing her form.
"Damn." He muttered under his breath.
"…"
"Don't deny it, I know you're thinking it." Reno quipped giving Rude a smirk. He turned his attention back to the binoculars to keep observing. "Shit!" He started fumbling within his jacket for Barrier Materia.
"What?" Rude asked alarmed at his partner.
"I know that look—" Reno hurriedly said. "and it is not good." He finished the statement, grabbing the green orb in his hand, though it was too late.
Shhhh.
Jalyne had turned in a circle, lightly outstretching her energy to feel her surroundings. There. She mused and closed her eyes, turning towards the slight pull she felt in the west. When she opened them, she was staring in the direction of her surveyors and she didn't hide the dangerous smirk that graced her lips. Just a hint of her power graced her eyes and Jalyne raised her right index finger to her lips, knowing the Turks would see it. Shhhh. Clenching her left fist at her side, the pulse of energy carrying Sleepel radiated in a five-mile radius, causing all people within the circle including the Turks and Avalanche to sleep. Sleep until I open and pass through the gate. She commanded of the magic. I meant it when I said I would do this alone. And she turned to walk into the mansion to find Sephiroth.
"Any word from Reno?" Rufus asked into his phone to Tseng.
None. Radio silence. He's not picking up his phone.
"Do you think it went ill?"
Truthfully, Sir, I don't know. It's unlike him. They are far enough away to survey Jalyne without worrying about the phone.
"Did you find anything?" the President questioned.
We're just making it to the outskirts of the Northern Cave. I'll let you know.
Rufus clicked off the phone and sighed, wondering idly if he should have commanded her to stay. He smiled to himself. Stubborn woman. Picking up his phone again, he dialed a number and spoke quickly.
"How fast can you get me to Nibelheim?"
Jalyne entered the mansion warily, looking around the foyer with interest. It was beautiful architecture but left unattended. She noticed the central stairwell, but it looked like it led nowhere, so she made her way and started the climb. Jalyne stopped halfway up and closed her eyes. She felt a presence; several for that matter. The mansion was to be deserted and she only expected to feel one presence – Sephiroth. The breath of air touched her face and she sprang into action diving up a few steps. This time, she heard the swoosh and leap up the remainder of the stairwell, sliding to base of the large windows.
"I am Ghirofelo."
"Well isn't that nice." Jalyne muttered. "Will you let me pass?"
"Pass? No pass." The pendulum fiend answered. Jalyne sighed, resigned to do battle. She reached behind her jacket to her collapsed staff and disengaged it and attached the blades. She took out the Materia that she bought and secured them to the hilts.
The fiend swung toward her and she rolled out of the way, careful not to stumble down the staircase. Jalyne arched the staff but Ghirofelo raised the pendulum blade to block, steel clashing with steel, and pushing her back even more. Jalyne glanced at the chain holding him from the ceiling. She edged around him as he swung back and forth. He unleashed a spell, taking Jalyne off guard and throwing her towards the back wall of the second floor. Jalyne flipped in midair and slid just inches from the brick of the wall.
"I really just don't have time for this." She muttered to herself. Jalyne pushed off the ground, spinning in the air with her staff outstretched to detach the chain from the ceiling. As Ghirofelo fell, she landed on top of him, staff jammed to his neck. "Enough." And severed his head from his body, killing him.
Jalyne brushed her clothes off, disassembled her staff and made her way to the right of the staircase in search of the underground library of which she could feel the presences. She came to the locked door and paused, running a hand along the stonework in idle curiosity. She could feel the presences below. She opened the door with the lock code that Rufus had given her and started down the rickety old staircase to the lower level, hoping no more fiends would be there.
Coming to a long hallway, Jalyne stopped, looking at the underground structure. She moved slowly forward, not sure what to expect, though the pull to her became stronger. She reached a room to the left, wondering why there was only one and carefully peeked around the door frame. Something was in there, but Jalyne couldn't make out what it was. It was foreign to her and she proceeded cautiously, glancing down the long corridor to the opening of the library.
In the room, there was a sarcophagus with intricate markings and tables with books and paper on them. Jalyne looked at the coffin and thought better of opening it for the moment. She walked to the tables and leafed through a few notes, gleaning what information she could. Looking over her shoulder at the structure, the pull suddenly became stronger. There isn't one, but two there. Jalyne thought and stepped towards the sarcophagus. Walking around it, she saw the lid slide just a little bit and a golden claw grasp the edge. Jalyne reached out and projected Sleepel just enough to effect one of the presences.
Grabbing the edge of the cover she pushed it aside and gasped lightly. There was a man inside, dressed in black with a red cloak and a red band across his forehead. As she looked him over, she noticed the golden claw, but saw no other presence inside the coffin. Strange.
What is strange?
Jalyne gasped and took a step backwards, looking around the empty room. She reached out telepathically to find who spoke. What she received made her clutch her hands to her head in pain. The nightmare she witnessed of another giant and the one who was in front of her, though different, set her teeth on edge. The destruction of Midgar and its' people by an organization wearing an emblem that she could not recognize, made her realize she was seeing one possible fate. Who are you?
Are you friend or foe?
I am neither. Jalyne replied.
You are not of this world, yet you have ties to it.
What do you mean? I have no ties to this world.
Ahhh…but you do, and you are searching.
Jalyne looked into the face of the young man lying there. His eyes were closed but she could sense another. Probing a bit deeper, she found it. What is your name?
Only if you tell me yours.
My name is Jalyne.
Your real name. I can sense them within you.
Jalyne paused in dismay and sighed. Jalynemidenovia e T'Karvriandria
And why do you hide that which you will become.
I will become what I choose. She hesitated. What is your name?
The chuckle that emanated within her mind, set her teeth again on edge. I am Chaos.
And he is?
Why do you ask?
Because should we ever meet again, I would address him properly.
Chaos paused a moment before answering, accepting her response. Vincent Valentine.
Is he a Turk?
Yes, a former Turk. He has been sleeping for around thirty years.
What do you know of me?
Only that you are denying what you truly are, denying fate and turning away the one that is your greatest strength. When you accept the truth, and not believe the lies, you will achieve your greatest abilities.
Jalyne pondered this statement for a moment before replying. And the lies are?
For you to ascertain yourself.
There are others that will be here soon. Jalyne commented. They are not enemies. For now, Chaos, I leave you to sleep and bid you well.
And I you, Empress.
Jalyne's eyes widened at the honorific he chose to use but let it go, turning to exit the room and proceed to the library in search of Sephiroth. She walked down to the underground library, slowly opening the door to the room. Jalyne could feel him there, calm and collected at the moment. She wondered how the SOLDIER First Class would react to seeing her. Jalyne crept into the room looking at all the bookcases that lined the walls. A particular novel caught her eye and she reached to pick it up. Opening it, Jalyne started to read the poems.
Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. We seek it thus and take to the sky. Ripples form on the water's surface, the wandering soul knows no rest.
She flipped through the book, skimming the pages until something caught her eye.
When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar, she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting.
Legend shall speak of sacrifice at world's end. The wind sails over the water's surface, quietly, but surely.
Jalyne paused pondering the words she was reading, losing herself and forgetting her surroundings. She never felt him come up behind her until it was almost too late. Reaching behind her to grab a blade, Jalyne was slammed into the stone wall, right hand around her neck and the left hand with the hilt of Masamune pinning her right wrist to the stone. The book dropped to the ground, pages splaying outward. Jalyne gasped for air, looking up into the slit cat-like eyes of Sephiroth.
"LOVELESS" he stated. Sephiroth slid his knee in between her legs and lifted her to eye level. Jalyne struggled with the hand at her throat. "It is not you that I am waiting for."
"I—" she gasped. "I-I didn't come here fight."
"Oh?" he curiously said leaning down to her ear. "What did you come here for?"
"Sephiroth—" Jalyne gasped still clawing at his hand around her neck. "don't."
Oh, He's not listening to you, daughter. He likes to listen to me.
Did I not say to stay out of my head, Mother?
And why should I listen?
What have you done to him?
I have done nothing. Other's though, I won't say.
Jalyne closed her eyes and concentrated as Sephiroth whispered into her ear, sending shockwaves through her. I SAID – STAY OUT OF MY HEAD MOTHER! Jalyne brought up the walls within her mind, flinging her mother out as she screamed in pain from the exile. Struggling, she brought her left hand up to Sephiroth's temple. AND STAY OUT OF HIS FOR THIS MOMENT!
Jalyne lifted her legs around Sephiroth's waist, clenching tightly and slid her left hand to his neck. She unleashed a wave of energy and twisted them, taking him off guard and both swords dropping to the ground. As she leveled him to the wall, Jalyne lifted and braced her feet against it and pushed off, arching in the air, backflipping and sliding a couple of feet backwards to come to a stop. Sephiroth had recovered and started towards her. Raising a hand, she commanded with a thought.
"I said don't, Sephiroth." And froze him to the spot. "I didn't come here to fight. I came here for information."
"Hmph." He sneered. "And what would you like to know?"
"Will you attack if I release you?"
"Depends on your definition of attack." He chuckled. Jalyne took a deep sigh and pulled her energy back to her with a shake of her head.
Instantly, Sephiroth was in front of her, gazing down into her eyes. Why, oh why is he so damn good looking. Jalyne thought idly, getting lost in his eyes. She waited patiently for him to make a move. He walked to stand behind her and leaned in, tucking her hair behind her left ear and blew a breath quietly to it. Jalyne instinctively shivered and closed her eyes. He laughed lightly.
"Mother was right about you." He stated. "You respond better to more…passionate musings."
Jalyne reached up with her left hand to place it over her ear to block him, the cuff of her shirt and jacket pulling back exposing her other mark. Sephiroth's eyes widened and he grabbed her wrist. Jalyne resisted and struggled against him while he pulled her down the corridor to the other room of the library.
"Stop struggling." He commanded silkily. "I will not hurt you…yet. I may not hurt you at all, depending on your actions."
Sephiroth led her to the table and put her wrist down next to a book that held Trerran writings. Of course, it would be alien to them. She thought, glancing over the pages quickly. Her eyes widened at what she read but she chose to keep it to herself. Jalyne was fluent in many of the Empire's languages but this one was archaic. Sephiroth pulled her sleeve up to show her the reading identified her mark.
"Why do you choose to wear that?" He asked. "You should not have placed that marking on your body."
"You mean like a tattoo?" she snapped wrenching her wrist from his grasp and rubbing it. "I was born with this." She stated snidely. "I did not place this mark on my body, nor the diamond one that covers my left eye, and the ones on the nape of my neck. They exist, simple as that."
"Hm." He grunted. "What does this say?" he asked quietly. Jalyne peered quickly at the writings but chose not to disclose what they meant.
"I do not know." She lied. "Why?"
"Because they depict what and where Mother came from."
"And who is Mother?" Jalyne questioned. Sephiroth looked at her quizzically for a moment then smirked.
"Jenova."
"Why do you call her Mother, Sephiroth?" Jalyne asked, prodding him lightly. "Your mother was Lucrestia, from what I know."
"No, she was just a vessel." He scoffed. "A means to an end." He reached out and took Jalyne's wrist, though not as hard as before and slid her jacket back to reveal her infinity mark again. "I feel her within you." He stated giving her a dangerous and penetrating gaze. "And you resist her."
Jalyne slid her wrist from him and turned away. She exhaled a breath and could feel the presence within him gaining strength. Her hold was losing its grip and fast. "I am my own person, subject to no one. That occurred when I was exiled."
"Why do you resist?"
"Why do you hate everything? Why do you wish to bring the calamity here to this planet?"
"Because she wills it. She was defeated by the Cetra when she first arrived in her weakened state. This planet should have been hers. I will finish her work and drain the essence of this planet and continue her journey." Sephiroth paused and Jalyne turned to face him, inquiring eyes gracing her features.
"And what gives you the right to do so?" she questioned innocently.
"Because her work must continue, and I will be the harbinger of what should have happened."
"You are not Fate, Sephiroth." Jalyne features hardened in defiance.
"And you should join me." Sephiroth stated outstretching his hand. "You defy all when it suits you. You're strength could be used."
"You mistake why I am here, then." She said, walking down the hallway towards the main library to leave, pulling out her phone and sending a text. "You did not kill Fate, Sephiroth. Nor can you change it. You do not have to go down this path. Stop listening to a maniacal woman who is not even here. Have you ever considered that you are on the wrong side? You were the best of them from what I understand." Jalyne stopped in the main area and concentrated, opening Heaven Gate to leave.
Sephiroth grabbed Jalyne from behind and threw her into the wall, pinning her hands above her. He leaned in and spoke silkily. "And you deny what and who you are. Mother told me."
"She told you nothing. Jenova is not my mother. My mother was named Illyandria." Jalyne struggled against him. Sephiroth pulled her to him, snaking a hand around her abdomen to hold her still.
"And that's what you were raised to believe." He snickered lightly. It was harder to for Jalyne to keep the Gate open to her place in Midgar. She stopped and thought of the group outside of Nibelheim. Sephiroth glanced behind him to just at the right moment to see the scene shift within the gate.
"Release me." Jalyne steeled voice came out, being careful not to move to bring further unbidden emotions forward.
"Not without me giving you a gift." Sephiroth breathed, pulling his left hand up to her throat. Jalyne froze as she felt him kiss the crescent moon mark behind her left ear. The rush of energy made her gasp and before she knew it, he spun and threw her through the gate.
He slowly shrugged awake; the green orb still grasped within his grip. Reno looked over to his partner, Rude, who was just awakening himself. Reno rolled over and slipped the binoculars down so he could see the mansion.
"Nothing seems amiss." He yawned to his partner. "Might need a hyper after this."
"What'd she hit us with?" Rude questioned, looking at the mansion too.
"Sleepel I would imagine." Reno ran a hand through his hair. "But I have no idea how she would have cast it. She hasn't used Materia other than lightning."
"…"
"Do you think we missed anything?"
"Don't know." Rude commented.
Reno felt it before it happened. Flames erupted in front of his eyes and lapped at him, calling him. He fell backwards, his stomach dropping to nausea and he waved his hands in front of his face, much to Rude's mirth. Reno was in awe of the majesty of what he saw before him and though he did not know what it was, he settled and let the vision continue. Calmly the flames took form and Reno stared into the fire born eyes of an entity. The shriek that filled the area set both of them on edge, tearing Reno from the vision and causing him to look around frantically.
I WILL NOT let it come to pass!
Reno heard the voice, knew who it belong to, but it was coming from behind him and not from the mansion. "Jalyne?"
The chopper landed next to the one the Turks had used as the text came through. Rufus opened his phone to look at it.
I will return…
Rufus smirked lightly. Maybe he didn't need to be here. He descended out of the chopper with Darkstar; and a guard on either side, forever ready for anything. Rufus was in the process of texting Tseng when the scream rang through the area from the south of where they landed. Closing his phone, he turned and grabbed his shotgun and started making his way to the sound with his guards.
She was hurled through the Gate and crashed into a tree, tumbling forward to land on her stomach in front of Cloud and the others. The Gate closed rapidly and Jalyne struggled to get up. The group started to stir restlessly as the Sleepel spell was broken as commanded. She clutched her head in her hands and moaned. "What did he do to me?" she muttered. Jalyne's eyes clenched tight and she felt the influx of power taking over her. She had no control over it and rolled to her back in pain.
Cloud and the others had slowly awoken from the sleep only to see Jalyne writhing in pain next to them. Neither of them knew how or why she was there. Tifa got up to go over to her when Cloud held her back, shaking his head lightly. Jalyne's hands flared and a pulse of power knocked them over. Cloud scrambled to his feet, sword in hand.
"Cloud – NO!" Aerith pleaded. "We must help her!"
He looked at her questioningly but stopped. "How?" But Aerith just shook her head in the negative.
"We need to restrain her." Red XIII commented as he watched her writhe. "She is not herself. She smells different."
"Cloud take her shoulders. Tifa, her stomach. Cait Sith and Yuffie, keep watch; we don't want to be disturbed." Barret said and moved to restrain her legs. They looked at Aerith, but she had her hands folded and was praying. Cloud saw the faint green glow coming from just below her ponytail.
Jalyne writhed on the ground arching her back. She clenched her eyes shut but beneath the eyelids her eyes frantically moved, trying to absorb the visions she was stricken with. Jalyne watched the aircraft land on a foreign world and with what seemed liked seconds, it was destroyed by a winged lady, who molded the world into her personal vessel. She watched it sail across the heavens in search of more planets to take over, only to come to a lone one and bring the calamity. Jalyne gasped and whimpered at the sights before her, struggling to make sense of all of it. She watched as the Lady met with the people of the planet and slowly work her way into their graces, only to wipe them out, slowly. The scenes changed rapidly, and she saw Meteor descending on Midgar by Sephiroth's hand, her new home. Jalyne screamed out, fear yet determination lacing her voice as she struggled to decipher truth from lies, past from future.
"i e nawilai pasaia kumi!" she screamed into the air in her native tongue. Her hands glowed dangerously, and she struggled against Cloud, Tifa and Barret.
"What's happening?" Barret questioned.
"Despair." Cloud answered solemnly. "This is a most severe case I have ever seen."
"Is she seeing something?" Tifa asked.
"She is." Red XIII commented. "We must keep her restrained until it passes. If it passes."
Reno had seen the clearing coming up ahead as he and Rude ran to it. He vaguely heard the others in the distance as the pull to where Jalyne is was getting stronger. His thoughts were to the flames he had scene, but foremost what was happening to the newest Turk. They stopped just short of the clearing and waited behind a few trees and listened to the conversations ensuing.
"He did something to her." Reno asserted.
"Sounds like it." Rude commented. "I don't think it was just despair. It was something else with it. Sounds like she is seeing visions too."
"If it is anything like I experienced…I'd be like that too." Reno said. "Should be break up the party?"
"…" Rude paused. "We're instructed to watch, nothing more."
"You know I'm not going to let this pass idly." Reno stated starting forward. He was stopped by a gold and black shotgun and a growl. Looking down the barrel, Reno lifted an eyebrow. "Sir?"
"You are not to interfere." Rufus stated, lowering his shotgun, and keeping Darkstar still. "They have her stabilized at the moment."
"She's in pain." Reno asserted.
"I know." The president commented softly. He turned to look at the Second-in-Command. "I didn't fully agree with her decision to come here. I knew Sephiroth couldn't be trusted." He looked at the scene from a distance, watching the events unfold. "The Ancient is fond of her. She will interfere."
"How so?" Reno asked.
"Look." Rufus pointed at her. "She is using her power as an Ancient."
"We do nothing, then?" Rude questioned.
"Nothing at the moment. We are not to be detected by them."
"Why are you here, Sir?" Reno suddenly inquired, knowing he was stepping over the line. Rufus narrowed his eyes.
"I do not answer to you." He stated. "But if you must know, I was worried."
"That you made a wrong decision?"
"Partly." The young president smirked. "But there are other reasons."
"Tseng and Elena?" Rude questioned quietly.
"At the Northern Cave."
Reno turned his attention back to the group, not choosing to go up against Rufus and watched in dismay what was happening to the woman he longed to speak to.
The visions changed again, showing her the planet that was destroyed and the people that inhabited it. It was part of the T'Karvian Empire that Jalyne mildly recognized. She remembered being with her father on a trip there, though she was barely walking. The lush landscape was full of colorful foliage with rivers flowing idly all around. Tropical in nature, the climate was simply put – a paradise. Jalyne saw the people and recognized the race, as one of the members was on the Council. She observed the same tactic, the woman landed, professed peace and all of took place in front of Jalyne in fast motion. When the time came, the woman flared her wings and chaos started to take place. In this particular vision, like a distorted wavelength, Jalyne saw herself interposed with the angel, destroying all that there was on the planet and taking it from them. As the dream took hold, Jalyne screamed out in terror.
"Naiiiiiioooo!"
Barret looked particularly stressed at the outburst. "We're gonna have to shut her up! Or she'll bring Shinra down on our heads!" he exclaimed looking around frantically.
"And your suggestion would be?" Tifa asked.
Barret shrugged his shoulders and ran a hand over his head nervously. "Gag her?" Jalyne convulsed dangerously, crying out in fear. He looked at the others features of astonishment. "I don't want too! But if we're discovered—"
"We'll need to do so." Red XIII said coming to lay his front paws on one shoulder. "If she is convulsing, she could injure herself." He stated looking pointedly at Cloud.
Cloud sighed and moved to place her head in his lap, trying to keep her immobile. He reached down and undid one of his belts, sliding it off. Folding it in half and then again, as Jalyne struggled against them and gasped, the ex-SOLDIER slid it in her mouth to silence her. Guilty for the action, Cloud lightly ran his fingers through her hair, hoping the action would further calm her. He saw the tears drop from the corners of her eyes and slowly wiped them away. He glanced over at Aerith only to see that she was still praying, though the green glow had gotten stronger.
Jalyne's mind swam with cataclysmic events. She felt another presence within the vision and looked around frantically. Her face contorted in terror and her eyes darted rapidly behind her eyelids. Flames erupted around her as she witnessed the events that Sephiroth enacted in Nibelheim when he burned it to the ground. As she scanned the flames, she saw the entity of the Pheonaie; its majestic wings fanned outward. It gave a terrorizing shriek and turned its back upon her as a pulse of dejection reached her soul. Jalyne whimpered through the gag in hopelessness and rejection, feeling the anger and heat from the entity. She recognized the presence she felt, and the wave of anger and disappointment of the one she wanted most, broke her heart even more.
Aerith was suddenly by Jalyne's side and the Ancient reached out and placed a hand over her heart releasing a white power. Jalyne's breathing starting to calm and the white started to expand throughout her body. Like a candle in a dark room, Jalyne glowed, flooded with the energy the Ancient had bestowed upon her. Aerith looked briefly at Cloud and nodded and rocked back on her heels. She closed her eyes briefly then stood, looking down at them.
"She will be okay." Aerith stated quietly.
"What did you do?" Tifa asked.
"I purified her body, to the best that I could." Came the reply. "She will be tired for a bit."
"What happened?" Cloud questioned.
"She carries darkness, as we all do. Sephiroth purposefully heightened it. I would believe that all of her fears and terrors, she lived in that moment." Aerith answered.
"She was cursed?"
"Mm" the Ancient commented in thought. "I don't think so, but I am not sure. Almost like it was put there, but hard to tell."
"Will she be okay?" Barret asked.
"I believe so." Aerith looked at Cloud. "Please stay with her. She is in need." Cloud was about to object when he saw the look on Tifa's face. Aerith pulled Tifa to the side to explain quietly.
"She'll be okay, Tifa."
"Are you sure Cloud should be the one to be with her?" Tifa said, looking at the ex-SOLDIER, who removed the gag and sat with Jalyne, slowly caressing, and comforting her like a child, though he looked awkward doing so. Tifa couldn't squash the jealously that sprang to the surface. Aerith put a hand on her forearm and shook her head.
"I needed to speak with you." Aerith began. "Cloud won't develop any feelings for her, if that is what you are worried about." She continued noticing the look of disgust that Tifa was wearing across her features.
"What really happened?"
"The darkness is warring within her." Aerith stated. "I believe there is more to her than we know."
"Like?"
"She is really powerful. I heard the Lifestream, Tifa." Aerith shook her head slightly. "They were crying, the voices. This wasn't supposed to occur. Sephiroth circumvented Fate again."
"What do we do, then?" Tifa questioned, still looking dangerously at the two sitting on the ground.
"I don't know. She is connected with someone here, but there is a rift." Aerith continued. "I saw something when I cleansed her. I am not sure what to make of it."
"Saw what?" Tifa quietly asked.
"She is connected to one here on this world, much, much, deeper than either of them realize. She does not know how to handle it. For good or ill, it will affect her. Her decisions will affect Fate."
Tifa glanced over at the duo in wonderment. The others were settling in the camp. Tomorrow they would enter Nibelheim.
"We leave." Rufus calmly stated.
"What?" Reno exclaimed. "We're not bringing Jalyne back with us?"
"No. She'll be fine with the others for the moment. When she wakes, she'll return."
Reno had a hard time controlling his ire. He glared at the President and hesitated, looking back into the clearing.
"Reno – come." Rufus commanded harshly and led Darkstar towards the choppers. Anger rising, Reno turned his back to the group and walked away. The job came first again, and Reno was forced to make a decision between personal and professional choices. They walked silently until the choppers came into view. As they broke through the clearing, Reno raised his fist and punched a tree, hoping to release some pent-up frustration over the events. Rude never said a word and walked to the second chopper to start lift off. The guards were waiting at Rufus' ride, when the President stopped and put a hand on Reno's shoulder.
"Reno," he began quietly. "When you see her, apologize for the other night. Even if you don't think you were wrong."
"What?"
"Believe me – it would help her. She's struggling most with what she saw."
"And how would you know that Sir?" Reno incredulously asked, though his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Heal the rift, Reno." Rufus commented with a smirk. "And don't hurt her." He added with steel in his blue eyes. "She told me what she saw." The President turned and boarded the chopper leaving Reno to question what that conversation was all about. He eyed Rude in the cockpit and jogged to board the chopper. When he reached the cockpit, he couldn't hold back his frustration.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"…"
Reno looked at his partner in confusion but elaborated. "Rufus said to apologize to Jalyne. What the hell! We leave and…and he takes her from me!" He exhaled deeply and settled into the pilot's seat. After a few minutes and the helicopter started up, Reno spoke again, this time, a little more solemnly. "I'm not even angry with her." They lifted out of the clearing to head back to Midgar, Reno deep in thought with all of the possibilities that could have happened in the three days since her return.
She sensed him near and reached out to him, only to feel the wave of anger directed towards her and then disappear, the connection broken. Jalyne opened her eyes to stare into Mako infused ones framed in blond hair. She heaved a deep breath, closed her eyes, and let the lone tears roll down her cheek. Jalyne rolled to her side within Cloud's lap, while he looked at the ladies with wide eyes and a shrug of his shoulders. All three of them gave the nod of approval for him to stay put with Jalyne. Cloud minutely shook his head and adjusted to a more comfortable position. He absently wiped the tear from her cheek.
Jalyne let sleep claim her, for she needed the rest. It was not a deep sleep for her consciousness kept her awake enough to sense danger. She felt herself being lifted up and placed somewhere else and knew that Cloud moved her to be more comfortable. Jalyne could feel the wind against her as she feel a little deeper into the abyss and heard the others talking softly, as not to disturb her. Her mind, however, wouldn't shut off, which prevented her from falling completely asleep. She was trying to process everything that she saw or heard.
Finally sensing the light shift, Jalyne opened her eyes to see the sun dip behind the trees in the west. She stood slowly, stretched, and dusted off her uniform. Aerith stood and joined her.
"You're leaving?" the Ancient asked peering at Jalyne's eyes.
"Yes. I have other matters to attend to." Jalyne stated looking away from her. "What did you do to me?"
"I healed you, in a way."
"I feel different."
"You're exhausted." Aerith commented. Jalyne shook her head denying the statement. "Yes, you are. Stay the evening and rest."
"I can't." Jalyne said. "I promised I would return tonight."
"Who is he?" Aerith suddenly questioned, peering once again at Jalyne. She turned away from the Ancient to hide, only to have her skittle around and be in front of her again.
"I'd rather not say." Jalyne said with a sigh. "It is useless, anyway. He's moved on."
"Are you sure about that?" Aerith stated fiercely. Jalyne looked at her trying to decipher what she was meaning.
"I saw it with my own eyes."
"Perception is tricky, Jalyne." The Ancient responded. "Did you even speak with him?"
"No." Jalyne sighed again. "I don't want to see him."
"Why?"
"I'm hurt and angry." Came the stubborn response. Aerith took Jalyne's hands in hers.
"It's okay to feel that way, but don't let it fester long, or it can tear you apart." Aerith wisely stated. "Besides, Reno doesn't hold a grudge." She added with a wink.
"How did you know?" Jalyne incredulously asked.
"I didn't." Aerith giggled. "I guessed." She thought for a moment. "He's not a bad guy, Jalyne. He used to watch over me when I was younger, though I recently only found that out. Tseng's orders of all the Turks. I always thought he was just there to be there."
Jalyne stood there a moment in thought and was taken off guard when Aerith hugged her. "He's hurting too you know." She whispered.
"I know. I saw some of it."
"Are you sure you won't stay?" she asked in her girlish voice. "Tifa, Yuffie and I would love it!"
Jalyne smiled softly. "I can't. I promised Rufus I would return by nightfall.
"Be safe, Aerith."
"I will." Aerith responded. "and Jalyne?" she called as Jalyne turned to leave. She looked inquiringly at the Ancient. "Heal the connection." She said.
Jalyne turned to walk into the forest, slowly concentrating on her apartment to open Heaven's Gate, as night descended upon Nibelheim, leaving her with the darkness of her of her soul.