A welcoming, cushioned surface laid under his form. Something lighter, far more secure was unfurled over an awakening figure. In the distance, tapping into reality, a monitor beeped.
Darkness was cracked ajar, allowing speckles of light to intrude. Blinking, vision began to obey. He was staring at a ceiling; metallic and contemporary.
He now realized the several tubes wired to his skin. They were supplied with... his own blood? The figure craned, revealing a taut neck casted in gauze. Stitches entwined the flesh below.
"You're awake!"
Emeralds widened, falling upon the young Soldier who had spoken. Zack was just entering the room, one leg supported by a wooden crutch -- a cast fixing the other in place. Plaster wound around his forehead, separate blemishes offering similar treatment. It made I'm the older man sick; to realize why they were there and who inflicted them.
Zack hobbled to the bed. The struggle was well apparent in his fragile movements. "How much do you remember?" he gently posed.
Sephiroth solaced his forehead. Now awake, a migraine took no hesitance in its malicious greeting. "You and I... we collapsed in the Reactor..." The warrior groaned. "Where are we?"
Zack carefully lowered himself onto the mattress, setting his crutch to rest against the handle bars. "The hospital," he informed, "back in Midgar."
That would explain it. Emeralds veered to the uncountable scars now marring his best friend's form, the revulsion returning at full force.
"I'm..."
Zack laid a hand on the other's wrist, giving it a squeeze.
"You know it's not your fault, Seph." He locked his gaze into the afflicted emeralds.
Yes. He did know that. He knew that he would never consciously attack innocents, or attempt to slaughter his second-in-command. But inside, there was no denying it. Their blood was on his hands. And it could never be purified.
Sephiroth refused to acknowledge the statement. Instead, his mind wandered to another concern. "Are the villagers alright?"
Zack smiled. Of course Seph would care. "Yep! They're all fine," he assured. "A little shaken up, but time oughta help."
The warrior sank into the plush, finding himself relaxing. "Thank Gaia..."
Nodding in agreement, Zack suddenly sobered. "Seph... what the heck happened in that library?"
The previous night...
--
"So! These Ancient people, you're saying they all got wiped out?" Zack inquired, lolling into the abandoned chair.
Sephiroth nodded. "It appears so. According to these records, it was an instance of societal collapse."
The other blinked. "What's that?"
"It means that their civilization imploded due to a rise of violence." Sephiroth turned the page. "They were eradicated during a massacre, started by themselves."
Zack listened attentively. "That's crazy!" he exclaimed. "I thought the Cetra were all sunshine and rainbows!"
"As did I," Sephiroth concurred. "Although, there seems to be a direct link between this 'calamity', and the Cetra's sudden savagery."
The brunet digested this for a moment. "How so?" he pressed, leaning back against the dated leather.
"There isn't a documented explanation," the warrior admitted. "Which I find a bit coincidental."
"You think someone out there is trying to cover it up?" Zack proposed. "Like, maybe they know what that thing's capable of and they don't want anyone else to know."
"It's possible," Sephiroth acknowledged. "Or... perhaps they want that information for themselves."
Zack playfully smirked. "You always gotta think the worst of people, huh?"
Sephiroth grunted. "It's my job to be vigilant."
"I know, I know," the brunet grinned. "And that's why ya got me!"
Sephiroth shelved the book, guarding a smirk of his own. "Maybe so."
Zack laughed. "Yep, you handle all the smart stuff, and I'll just come along for the ride!"
The warrior returned to his friend, now deadpan. "You can do more than that. Get over here."
Continuing to laugh, Zack sprang to his feet. The duo shuffled through the various files, allowing silence to dominate. It was only broken when a jaded yawn decided to make itself known.
Sephiroth shifted, regarding the other with authority. "You should be heading back to the inn. It's nearly midnight."
Zack stretched a pair of taut arms. "Yeah! All this Cetra stuff can really tire a guy out. Let's go."
Sephiroth shook his head. "You get some rest. I have to finish this field of our research before we return to Midgar tomorrow."
The brunet mockingly frowned. "C'mon, Seph. You need some sleep too!"
Setting down his current book, Sephiroth retrieved another. "I'll be fine."
Zack opened his mouth to protest, although he was quick to reconsider. Seph was as obstinate as they come.
"Alright!" he submitted, proceeding to the door. "Just don't overwork yourself, okay?"
"I won't."
Zack yawned, amused at his friend's mulishness. Seph would never change. "Night, pal!" he waved, closing the rusted wood behind him.
"Goodnight."
Sephiroth lingered then, yielding to a faint smile. How did such an exuberant person manage to slither into his life? He had no idea. Maybe it was just meant to be.
Heh, what was he saying? Now he sounded like Zack.
Sephiroth returned to the desk, laying his book atop. Hopefully, he would be able to decipher some information -- despite so much seemingly being lost.
This record presented a much more detailed depiction of the massacre. The following page told of resurrected bones. And the next... aha!
Gloved fingers were traced along the text. "Jenova..." he muttered. "We have deduced that this being is capable of emitting-"
My son...
Sephiroth's head shot up. He was certain that this library had been long deserted. Could it simply be the consequence of working too long? Yes, it had to be.
My son...
Emeralds narrowed in suspicion. The whisper sounded far real to be a hallucination... he scanned the vacant room. Nothing.
My son, do not be alarmed. I am here to help you...
Son? Who dare refer to him as such? His mother had died upon giving birth to him. And he wasn't one to believe in specters.
You must listen to me... Humanity, the world. Your precious friend... they are all lying to you.
Sephiroth snarled. His hand fell to his hilt, preparing for the offensive. "Reveal yourself!"
The warrior's voice was venom; the very tone that dwindled arrogant foes into shivering cowards.
You are my son...
"Who are you?!"
Sephiroth slashed thin air, striking several books in the process. They avalanched off the shelf, landing untidily at his feet.
I am your Mother...
Now he knew he truly was alone; the voice was in his mind.
My son... you must cleanse this world of the horrors that had lied to you so...
Sephiroth clutched his forehead, now mercilessly pulsating with each uttered breath. It felt... as if a spear was lacerating into his consciousness.
The people who claimed to care... they have been using you. You were taken away from me... and now we shall be reunited..."
The voice... It echoed, over and over.
Over and over.
My son...
It grew louder and louder.
Louder and louder.
Free me...
He now cowered over the desk, eyes straining taut. He searched feverishly for solace in the wooden surface.
But the voice carried on.
No matter how buried in his hands, no matter how much he strained... it followed.
My son... my son... my son...
He could feel it in his veins. The blood, his essence -- it was being drawn to this voice. It pounded against his flesh, etching to break free. His body was being torn asunder from the inside
My son... my son... my son...
The warrior screamed as a blood-curdling screech barraged into his hearing. His legs buckled under their weight, sending him collapsing to the carpet. Trembling hands never retracted.
What was... happening?!
You are my son... my cells... my voice-
Sephiroth contorted into a mere coil. Knees drew into his chest, desperately trying to escape the incomprehensible agony that was clawing through his being.
-my will... it courses through you...
"G... ge..." he couldn't muster the words. Jaws caged against his will; rendering himself silent.
Humans... they are disgraceful creatures. They have concealed me away... Come to me. Save me... Make these monsters suffer for what they have done...
Sephiroth seized the table's leg, heart threatening to burst from his chest. The shriek continued to carve into panicked ears -- enhanced by the satanic, feminine calls. The world was nothing more than a fiendish ring.
"Z... Za..." he strained for the memory of his...
His...
It cares nothing about you, my dear son. No one does... they never have.
The screaming stopped.
Gloved hands fell limp at their owner's side. His muscles relaxed, breathing steadied.
Besides me.
Emeralds reawakened. They stared emotionlessly at the ceiling. The dimming light illuminating from above, casting gentle shadows upon a pair of constricting, feline daggers. It was such a warm embrace... almost like that of a...
"You... do care."
Of course I do, my dear son. More than anything on this planet. That is why I shall protect you from this foul world... free you from the lies that bonded you. Listen to me... and all will be well.
It was true. The world was such a cruel, desolate place... all because of those who tainted it with their own, corrupt ideals. She really did know...
Stand.
Sephiroth did as instructed, carefully rising from the ground as he climbed. Once standing, his head wilted; silver tresses veiling the soulless emeralds.
Good... Very good. Now come to me. Come to me, my son. Free me...
A distorted grimace invaded his features at the approval. No one has ever appreciated him as such... His expression then faded, a new question arising.
"Where... are you?" He spoke to shallow air. "I... want to meet you..."
I know. I know you do, my son. I am where you had previously visited with that young monster. They sealed me away, beyond their filthy technology. They took you away from me. Now we shall be reunited...
How long had he been blinded to this information? The only being who ever cared about him, and they were separated. The only being who ever cared for him, and she was being tortured. Who was responsible for this atrocity?
The humans are, my dear son. Those mindless demons. Please... they have hurt me... wounded me so deep. I can not let them do the same to you. Please... stop them before they can cause further harm...
His eyes narrowed, indignation fueling the befouled veins. "What would you like me to do, Mother...?
Kill them... kill them all. Make them suffer for all they have done...
Sephiroth fixed the carpet with an entranced glower. He bent down, retrieving his blade. Within the bloodless luster, glistened a visage of sweltering, newfound hatred.
You... belong to me now.
Zack looked absolutely horrified. His skin resembled that of a ghost, aqua orbs left agape.
"Well... I sure learned my lesson," he shuttered. "You are never leaving my sight again!"
Sephiroth frowned. "You're going to monitor me forever?"
"Nope!" Zack grinned. "But you're stuck with me, anyway!"
His smile soon faltered, the wit clearly forced. "Oh man, Seph..." He shook his head. "I don't even want to know what could have happened if you didn't snap out of it..."
Sephiroth had to wonder the same. His thoughts were merely an infestation of violent impulses, and Jenova made it feel so... natural. Who knows what kind of atrocities she would have urged him to commit.
Not that it mattered.
He turned, facing his friend. "But I did."
Zack offered a genuine smile. "Yeah... you did."
A cautious knock interrupted their musing. The burnished steel inched open, and in entered Cloud. His attention instantly fell upon the bedridden warrior, eyes flushing with relief.
"Sir!" he greeted with a flimsy salute. "You're alright!"
Zack patted the older man's arm. "Yep, he's gonna be just fine."
The blonde approached with natural bashfulness. The burden of guilt was hasty to resurface over Sephiroth.
Nibelhiem was his hometown... and he had tried to eradicate it. From the charred images in his mind, he had even attacked someone whom he now recognized as his mother.
"Cadet Strife... I'm..."
However, he found that his neck had been enveloped by a pair of juvenile arms. The cadet drew back, embarrassment quickly prevailing.
Sephiroth merely stared.
Cloud scratched his head, noting his commander's perplexity. "It's not your fault, Sir. I mean... it wouldn't really be fair to blame you when you weren't in-control of yourself."
The warrior blinked. He casted an expecting glance to Zack, searching for answers.
The brunet perked. "Oh yeah!" He shuffled through his pockets, fishing out a crumpled, dusted paper. "I uh... went back to the library, just to see if I could figure anything out. And I found this in a book that was left open."
He offered the leaf to Sephiroth -- who after some consideration, hesitantly accepted.
We have deduced that this being is capable of emitting her influence into others. Through test subjects, it has been discovered that those injected with her cells are susceptible to Jenova's mastery. Subjects have been recorded displaying immense acts of violence when within her range. Including to their own kind.
Natural instincts have been overridden. Aggression and murderous tendencies have been enhanced among the mice, and those injected have been recorded guarding her capsule; perhaps, similar to way the bee protects their queen.
It appears that all forms of free agency have been subsumed. These mice belong to Jenova now.
Sephiroth let the paper fall from trembling hands. His eyes widened, so many untraceable emotions flashing through the emeralds.
"It... got you, Seph," Zack resolved. "She was controlling you, just like these mice."
"We showed it to the villagers too," Cloud added. "They all understand, Sir." He then looked sheepish. "Well... as much as anyone can understand this stuff."
The warrior lowered his head. "But... in order for Jenova to do so... my..." he strained, clenching the mattress until his knuckles ran white. It was all too much to process.
"Yeah..." Zack smiled remorsefully. "Looks like you've got some pretty unique genetics, pal."
"I'm... I'm really not human..." Sephiroth's voice trailed off into the distance. "I... am a monster..."
It was an assault to Zack's own heart. Seph had to know that wasn't true... He had to...
The brunet shook his head. "You're still you, Seph. You're still the same strong, noble person you were when we first got here."
Gently, he added, "And... your biology is never going to change that."
Zack laid a hand on the other's shoulder -- mindful not to disturb his cast.
"Remember what I said?"
Sephiroth stiffened, brought back to the present by his sudden gesture.
"You're my best friend," Zack reassured. "And nothing is ever gonna change that. Not war, not some crazy alien DNA... Nothing."
The other's words were short and simple, yet they spoke louder than any could imagine. Sephiroth could hear the sincerity in his friend's words, could see it written it his benign eyes.
Zack meant what he said. With all his heart.
He may be different, he may be inhuman. He may always be a lab rat at his core. But... so what?
He was still wanted. He was still loved. He still had the greatest friend in all of Gaia. And no one could ever take that away from him.
Sephiroth shifted to his friend, the turmoil slipping away as he returned a now resolute stare.
"I know."
Zack beamed. He withdrew his hand, leaning forward to enfold the other in a tender embrace.
Seph did know...
Winding an arm of his own around the brunet's shoulders, Sephiroth allowed Zack to slump against his chest. A gentle smile lingered as he closed his eyes, drifting off in sleep. He finally felt at peace.
.