Chapter Five: The SIREN of Gongaga
"Welcome to Gongaga!" Zack, now deprived of his armor, spread his arms out in a wide welcoming gesture that made Cloud's chest warm. He didn't know the Marquess of Gongaga too well, but his actions in Nibelheim proved him to be a good and just man. He didn't have to take Cloud into his territory nor did he have to invite him into his home, but he did so out of the kindness of his heart and Cloud would never be able to repay him, but he would figure it out away. His mother didn't raise a quitter and he would work himself to the bone if it meant repaying Zack's kindness. But, in the meantime, Cloud had to make sure he was actually allowed to stay in Gongaga. Zack might be its Marquess, but it was Archduchess Helena who would have the final say in its citizens and Cloud had no intention of getting comfortable until he heard it from the Chocobo's mouth. He inquired about the Archduchess' whereabouts only to met with a small grin and sympathetic eyes.
"Isn't my word good enough?"
"Of course," Cloud reassured with a mild grin of his own. "As Marquess of the City-State of Gongaga, your word is your bond, but Archduchess Fair is still the SIREN and Head of State Affairs and that means...?"
"Her word is what matters." Zack finished with a clenched jaw shaking his head at the unfairness of it all. "I'll fight her on it if I have to, Cloud. A promise a promise."
Cloud shook his head, a protest on his lips. "You don't need to get into an argument with her over my sake, Zack. While the thought is appreciated and I'm absolutely flattered. I think we should fight as a little as possible among us." Cloud jerked his head to the gates that did little in protecting them against JENOVA. "After all, we have a common enemy, right?"
"Right." Zack agreed, sliding his gaze towards the locked gate before returning to Cloud's calm blue gaze. "And if we don't convince her to accept another citizen - a very special citizen - then we might have another common enemy."
"Don't go starting fights when there shouldn't be, Your Grace." Cloud chided softly. "I'm not special at all. In fact, I'm just a refugee-"
"You're the son of Commander Crimson Strife." Zack interrupted softly. "You're special for that alone." Zack reached out and ruffled Cloud's flattened spikes earning an irritated swipe and deadpanned stare. "Although, to be honest, I don't think that's going to be enough in the long run."
"I don't expect it to be." Cloud never expected to ride his parent's coattails and he wanted to make a name for himself as a mechanic - a master mechanic -
He just needed to find an Operator.
However, with the destruction of Nibelheim still fresh in the minds of the people, Cloud didn't think it would be an easy task considering that he was one of the two survivors marking another stain on the Strife family name. It would only be fair to consider his bad luck at this point.
He was nudged out of his thoughts when Zack wrapped around his shoulder bending down to shoot him a small grin which Cloud reluctantly returned.
"It's going to be hard for a little while." Zack nudged him along, careful to keep his gaze locked to Cloud as they progressed through the semi-crowded streets, drawing more than one curious gaze. "I admit that people aren't going to happy when it's announced that you're entering our territory as a full-fledged citizen-"
"Barring the Archduchess approval."
"Right." Zack agreed tightly still feeling burnt at the thought that he needed his mother's final approval for something as simple as a citizenry approval, but Cloud was a special case
And a political one.
Zack wasn't much older than Cloud when the shockwave happened still in throes of learning his duties as an Archduke and Operator to either TITAN or SIREN so he didn't understand the animosity towards Crimson Strife until his mother sat him down and explained the ramifications of Crimson's actions to the people and the land. Of course, he had saved them all, but at the cost of thousands for l for Gongaga and had inadvertently released the seal of the Gi Tribe - mortal enemies to the ruling tribe of Cosmo Canyon. A sacrifice for a sacrifice.
The incident had taken his father's life, but again, Zack bore no hatred towards Cloud or his mother. Why would he? However, just because he bore no ill will towards the Strife Family didn't mean others didn't feel the same. The older generations - those that remembered what happened after would loathe Cloud and what his legacy stood for in the Northern Territories. But, Zack had no intention of letting harm come to Cloud and Tifa. He would make sure his orders came across clear and firm: No harm would come to Cloud Strife and violators would be expelled from Gongaga and its neighboring territories.
It harsh but it was necessary.
"Now who's thinking too much?" Cloud teased flicking Zack's forehead before a thoughtful frown took its place. "Shall we go? I'm sure Her Grace is waiting."
"Are you sure you want to meet her so soon?" Zack, nonetheless, lead him towards the massive set of stairs separating the village from the manor proper. "She's going to ask about Nibelheim."
"I would be surprised if she didn't." Cloud retorted, quite surprised at the simplistic and elegant nature of the manor. It seemed that the Her Grace didn't care for luxury which added a point in his book. "Are you going to be a gentleman and let me in, Marquess?"
Zack shrugged before nudging the door open. "Your funeral."
He didn't expect to see the Archduchess as soon as they slipped into the foyer. And yet, there she stood at the bottom of the stairs, stripped down to her under armor used as a buffer for the UNITS. She looked none the Archduchess whose soothing voice reassured her people of continued safety from JENOVA, but she reminded him of his mother who looked exhausted but proud after all long day of toiling.
He didn't know why the sight of her made his eyes sting with tears but he bowed deeply in an effort to hide it making sure his voice was firm and without the touch of sadness he held for the loss of his mother.
"Your Grace-"
"Cloud Strife." Archduchess Fair greeted softly. "You don't have to bow to me. If anything, I should be bowing to you for all that the Strife name has done." she did so in a small curtesy that would have looked foolish in her state of dress, but the woman pulled it off. "Welcome to Gongaga."
"Thank you." Cloud rushed out at a loss as to what to say. "I wanted to speak to you about my citizenry if you have a moment, Your Grace."
Archduchess Fair shook her head, a thoughtful frown on her cracked lips. "I'm afraid it'll have to wait, Cloud."
"Nibelheim?"
"Smart man. I need to know about what happened and how many are you left."
"Mom-"
"Your Grace-"
"Helena." the Archduchess corrected softly. "I don't think I would be comfortable with you spewing out my title while we talked about the destruction of your village." Helena guided him to one of the side rooms for privacy shooting Zack a chiding look. "You should have been taken to one of the lower paths to avoid detection. Zack knows better than to lead you through town. I can't imagine the spectacle it would have caused."
"We didn't have trouble, Your Grace." Zack snipped out displeased that he was being chided in front of their guest. "We were greeted at the front gates with celebration."
"And trepidation," Helena added. "Come sit and get off your feet. I know it's been a long journey for you. Zack? Some tea if you would?"
"What would you like to know?" Cloud settled into the seat, relieved to have gotten off his feet. She was right. It had been a long and terrible night, but it seemed like it was far from over. The leaders of the territories would come calling and demanding answers about the destruction of Nibelheim and Cloud could only provide so much when he knew so little.
"Did you know about the JENOVA nests in the mountains?"
"No." Cloud's brows furrowed in thought. "We would have known if there were JENOVA nests in the mountains. They're detectors from the BASE at the bottom to the summit."
"Ah." Helena murmured, eyes lowering in thought. "The JENOVA nests were deep inside Mt. Nibel. So deep that it took us hours to dig out the cores."
"C-cores?" Cloud whispered heart wrenched in fear. "There were cores in the mountains?"
"Yes, I would say about seven cores were in the mountain." Helena raised a hand when Cloud grew pale. "All inactive, of course, but the fact remains that they were inside. The amount of energy within would have overtaken us had you not destroyed the mountain then the Queen would have hatched them in about six to eight months. It was a good thing that you destroyed the mountain."
"How did you know that I-"
"The explosives used were of Gongagan make," Helena explained. "I know our own work when I see it. Nibelheim and Gongaga were allies for generations before Crimson's actions and such familiarity included trade agreements which included weapons and the like, but the charges were from Cosmo Canyon and Bugenhagen - his tribe made them personally."
"Ah." Cloud couldn't express how at a loss he felt at the information. Gongaga and Cosmo Canyon along with Nibelheim had a strong relationship before his father's actions ripped the continent apart. Again, and not for the first time, Cloud felt a rush of shame for bearing his father's name. Crimson Strife's actions will reverberate into the echelons of history and Cloud's children and grandchildren will have to bear the burden and he couldn't be more sorry for it.
"I...do offer my condolences for the loss of your mother and the village," Helena murmured, unaware of Cloud's thoughts. "I cannot imagine what you are going through and what you are feeling."
"Thank you."
"No." Helena softly protested. "It is I who must thank you, Cloud. If it hadn't been for your actions then the wave would have reached Gongaga and Nibelheim wouldn't be the only village lost on that day. Your family has made inconceivable sacrifices for Gaia and in return, we can do nothing but hate you for it." Helena reached out and placed a hand on his own. "I plan on making it up to you and Miss Lockhart even if it takes the remainder of my days, I will make it up to you."
"Your Grace." Cloud began falling silent when Helena shook her head to silence his protest. "If you will not listen to my words then I will accept the plans you have in place for my remaining people. I have no place to go and I am at your mercy."
"You are a guest, Cloud." Zack cut in gently. "You are not nor ever will be at our mercy. The Gates of Gongaga are open to your and yours."
"Of course." Helena agreed. "I will start the citizenry paperwork today for you and Miss Lockhart, but I'm afraid that until things settle down we can't place your name on the board. I hope you understand?"
"I understand."
He understood all too well the implications of her actions. Inviting a Strife into the borders would be disastrous and it would cause unrest and Cloud had no intention of causing trouble for such kind-hearted people.
"You are welcome to stay in our home while we get all of it straightened out." Helena rose and placed a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "I would like it if you got some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."
"Of course and Your Grace?"
"Yes?"
Cloud bowed at the waist, grateful that his hair hid his unshed tears. He kept his head lowered despite Helena and Zack's protest at the action. He would thank them and honor them even if it took the rest of his days. They would never accept it, but Cloud would work and toil to protect his new home and in time, he would get what he wanted most in this sad and cruel world:
Justice.