When the group of three made it back to the mansion, they were greeted by the elder. For once, he didn't have a smile for them. Instead, his brow was drawn down. The sight of it had Alex's heart in her throat. Had something happened to Genesis, or maybe Nanaki? Either way, she was quick to ask, "What happened? Is there something we need to do?"
Bugenhagen finally smiled as he answered, "Ho, ho, not at all. Everything is as you left it, with one exception. Commander Rhapsodos returned right before you. However, when I explained where you were, he said he would be around but would leave the rest in your hands. I am unsure if this will cause complications or not."
Sephiroth and Angeal both had furrows between their brows at that news, but Alex still had questions. She wasn't about to let Genesis run off alone. Despite her anger at him and his attitude, that didn't mean she no longer cared. She couldn't let anything happen to him. "Do you know where he went?"
Bugenhagen gave her a sympathetic look. "He left again already. He did not say where he was going but that he would be back by dark."
Angeal's aggravated voice was the only thing to break the silence after that announcement. "That reckless fool. What is he thinking? And right after—"
He was cut off when Alex put her hand on his arm. Her voice was barely more than a whisper as she said, "Geal, this my fault. I'll find a way to make it right, don't worry."
Angeal let out a deep breath before he pulled her into a hug and said, "No, it's not. No matter what happened between the two of you in the past, his actions are his alone. You can't blame yourself."
Alex wanted to be comforted, to believe him, but she couldn't. She pushed back and shook her head. "But he wouldn't have lost it if I had just—"
Angeal gave her a stern look that cut her off before she was finished speaking. "I know what you are trying to say. This may not be the time for any of this, but you can't make yourself miserable just to keep him from losing his temper. Things will eventually even out. I can't say I don't understand, but again, it's his choice how to react, not anything you have control over."
Alex still wasn't convinced, but her brother didn't give her time to say more before he turned to Sephiroth and Bugenhagen. The former still looked to be deep in thought, so he addressed the elder. "We have been given a month before we must leave. Also, we may need to leave earlier if there is any sign of Shinra. Given that, it would be best to gain access to the labs as soon as possible. There is no point in waiting until tomorrow."
Bugenhagen put a hand on his chin as he said, "Hmm, I suppose if that was the decision, then you are correct. We can at least locate what we need and ensure the workspace is secure."
With that, he turned and waved for the rest of them to follow. "Nanaki is guarding the door. After Alex's warning, he felt it would be better to be safe."
A few minutes later, the group was again standing in front of the spiral staircase, minus Genesis. Angeal stepped toward the entrance and motioned for Sephiroth to follow. "We should at least scout to see what is down there. We can come back and get the others once we have dealt with anything we find." Sephiroth only paused long enough to give Alex an unreadable look before he followed Angeal down into the darkness.
Alex sat on the edge of the bed and tried not to worry. She knew there could be little down there that would even provide a challenge to the two Soldiers, much less put them in danger. However, the more minutes that passed, the stronger her anxiety became. It did not help matters that every time she tried to focus away from those thoughts, she instead wondered about Genesis and the troubles he could be in.
She jumped to her feet with relief when the two men finally came back out. She barely stopped herself from giving them both a hug. Though part of that was the goo that was splattered across them both. They were both frowning, but neither seemed hurt.
Sephiroth caught Alex's gaze as he said, "There were a few monsters down there, but nothing too dangerous. We cleared out to the end of the cave and briefly checked the lab and library. However, we could hear nothing else moving, so it should be safe for us all to descend."
He then turned to Bugenhagen and said, "The stairwell is sturdier than it looks. I believe that if you go slow, it should not be problematic. If you are willing, Angeal can take point, and I will take rear to mitigate the possibility of a surprise attack. It is unlikely, but there is always the possibility that something hid on our first pass."
The elder had a hand to his chin, but he nodded. "As Commander Hewley has already stated, there is little time and no reason to put this off. Please lead the way."
Angeal turned to Alex as he said, "We need to stick close together until we can ensure nothing else is lurking."
She gave him a nod as they all fell into line. Angeal went first, and Nanaki was right behind him, both as a way to help Bugenhagen if necessary and to make sure nothing in front would get past. Alex started to go behind the elder, but she was stopped by a hand on her arm. Sephiroth's voice was barely more than a whisper when he said, "One moment, please."
Alex could tell something was bothering him, but she didn't get to ask before he continued, "I wanted to apologize. I understand that this situation has put you in an uncomfortable position. That is something I never wished for."
Alex grabbed his hand before he could say more. She couldn't manage a smile, but she still squeezed his fingers. "I appreciate what you are trying to say, but it isn't your fault. This also isn't the time to talk about it. You have my word that once we settle down tonight, we can go over everything. For now, we should get down there in case something happens."
There was a slight pause before he nodded. None of this was ideal, but Alex hoped they would soon figure out how to stop the ups and downs. None of them needed it—especially amidst the rest of what they had to deal with. Instead of dwelling on it, she headed down the stairs and moved as quickly as the narrow walkway would allow her until they caught up to the rest of the group.
Once they were at the bottom of the stairs, Nanaki stepped to Angeal's side, and the two of them walked forward with all senses alert. Thankfully, it seemed as though the two Soldiers really had cleared everything out and nothing was waiting,
They were almost to the end of the cave, and Alex could see the lit room beyond the one open door when Angeal stopped. He pointed to the door next to them as he said, "We didn't take time to examine everything in the labs, but the rooms looked clear. This was the only one we didn't check because it was locked, but we can't hear anything inside. It should be safe to save for later."
Bugenhagen nodded in response, and the group turned to head to the end where the labs were, but Alex could not seem to move her feet. The longer she stared at the door, the more she had a feeling that this was not just another lab. Something was behind that door.
It wasn't until Sephiroth called out her name that the others stopped to see her staring. They all came back in a rush when she made her way over. Angeal called her name several times before she finally responded. "This—there is something here."
"What? Did you hear something?" Angeal's voice held a note of worry as he took a step closer. However, he stopped when she held up a hand and shook her head. "No, I can feel it. I don't understand."
Her brother was obviously disturbed by Alex's strange actions, but none of them moved to stop her when she put a hand out to touch the metal. As soon as her fingers brushed the door, Alex was inundated with a slew of images. They were not memories that she had been given previously. These were all new and vivid. For the first time, it was more than discomfort as they rushed through her. The pain brought her to her knees as she groaned. Though her hand never left the metal. None of the men with her had a chance to react before the door swung open to reveal darkness that was only broken by two golden glowing orbs.
As soon as the door was opened, Alex fell forward. Both Angeal and Sephiroth jumped to try and catch her, but neither of them got to her side before two arms shot out from the darkness to break her fall. Both their weapons were instantly drawn as those arms lifted her before a man exited the room while holding her—if man was even the right word. The being had skin that was grey and almost appeared to be cracking as well as wings that were currently folded close to his back.
Angeal didn't want to attack with his sister in the danger zone, but that didn't keep him from holding his sword up as he spoke in a strained voice. "Put Alex down and back away. I do not want to fight."
The man ignored his words. He also ignored the nōdachi that was inches from his face. Instead, he was focused on the groaning woman in his arms as he said, "Child, you have been touched by the divine. It would not hurt you so, if only you quit trying to deny the truth. You must accept what you have been given, or it will only grow worse."
Alex groaned again as she pushed against the man. The shove was hard enough that she nearly fell from his grasp. Thankfully, he was fast enough to right her before he set her on her feet. She was still wobbly and had one hand on her head as she said, "I am not denying anything. This—this is—"
Despite putting her on her feet again, Alex swayed dangerously. Both Sephiroth and Angeal let their weapons down to catch her, but the stranger was still closer. He grabbed her, but almost as soon as he had her by the arms, one hand went to his head in a similar manner to Alex. He growled before they both fell to their knees.
By that time, Alex's head was at least clear enough to see the distress in the stranger as he let her go and clutched his head with both hands. Angeal had already reached her to pull her back, but she twisted from his grip and grabbed the stranger by the shoulders. Her voice was nearly panicked as she called out. "Vincent! Focus."
Angeal had already reached to grab her once again but froze when he heard what she said. "Alex, do you know this—man?"
She barely spared a glance back at her brother as she said, "I—I'll explain later."
He started to protest, but instead, he took an involuntary step back as the man in front of Alex began to change. The wings on his back were shrinking, and his skin was slowly smoothing over as the color changed from grey to pale. Alex barely held on as the writhing got worse.
Only a matter of seconds later, the whole ordeal stopped, and a man in a red cloak with black hair and red eyes was looking back at them. He brushed off Alex's hold as he stood. The man looked over their still tense group before he looked back down at Alex. She tried to stand to meet his gaze but was still too wobbly. Sephiroth noticed and helped her to her feet before he pulled her back a few feet.
It wasn't until both Soldiers had their weapons back up that the man looked at Alex and said, "Who are you? How did you know my name, and why did Chaos take over right before you appeared? I get the sense that he knew you."
Alex felt like a deer in the headlights. She had no idea how to respond without exposing secrets she had never wanted to share. It was finally Angeal that turned to her and said, "What is he talking about, Alex? You knew his name, and it seemed that, whatever that was, it knew you. It knew why you have been having these attacks. Don't think we haven't noticed. They have been going on since you came to Midgar."
Alex looked back and forth between the ex-Turk and her brother with widened eyes. After a few moments, her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. Her voice was barely more than a whisper when she said, "Both of your questions have the same answer. I can try to explain, but it will not be quick. We should head back up so we can get more comfortable." No one looked happy with the suggestion, but none of them objected either.
Sephiroth had been staring at the stranger with narrowed eyes, but as soon as Alex tried to turn to head back to the stairs, his attention was drawn back to her. "Allow me to assist you. You are still unsteady."
Alex looked back with both gratitude and trepidation. She had no doubt that what was about to be revealed would cause a rift between them all. She never wanted it to come to the light of day. At least she hoped enough proof had been provided before now to help them look past how insane she was going to sound and accept that they still needed to keep moving forward as they had been.
The trip back up was even tenser than the trip down had been. It wasn't helped that Angeal had insisted Vincent go first—a notion seconded by Sephiroth. They both wanted to keep him in sight and away from Alex.
Instead of stopping when they reached the top, the stranger made his way out of the room and downstairs. He didn't stop until he entered the drawing-room. He gestured to the couches and chairs. "This should suffice."
Both Soldiers frowned at him, especially since he seemed to know his way around the place, but neither spoke. Instead, Angeal went to his sister and took her arm gently as he asked, "Can you please explain what just happened?"
Alex sighed as she fell into one of the chairs. She gestured to the others as she said, "You might as well sit down. This won't be any easier to hear just standing there."
Angeal did not look reassured by her request, but he still took the closest chair. Alex put her face in her hands and tried to think of a way to tell them everything without it sounding like she had gone off the deep end. Unfortunately, she was not given long to think. Vincent broke the heavy silence. "I occasionally get impressions from that which hides under my skin. I believe I am being told to trust you, but I have no reason to comply. Tell me why I should not leave right now and go back to my sleep."
Alex looked up at his stern voice before she sighed as she shrugged. She was out of time and options. "I honestly can't think of a single thing to say to you that would make you trust me. Though, the visions I was given when I touched that door told me there is some part you have to play in this debacle. I believe several of us have had a common experience, and perhaps we share a common enemy."
Angeal gave her a confused look. "Visions? Alex, what is going on?"
Before she could answer, Vincent stood from where he was leaning against the wall and said, "What makes you believe you know anything about me?"
Alex threw her hands in the air with frustration. It was only when she caught Sephiroth's eyes and saw the concern in them that she was able to calm. She sighed again and looked over at the gunman. "I will have to start more than a year ago. If you want the answers, then at least give me the courtesy to shut up and listen."
Vincent raised a brow at her, but his answer was to lean back against the wall. She took that as permission to continue. She gave her brother a regretful look before she took a deep breath and said, "I suppose I should start with an apology to both you and Sephiroth as well as Genesis when he finally pulls his head out of his ass and gets back."
She thought she heard a cough from the gunman at her language, but she ignored it and looked at Sephiroth. "I'm sorry for not telling you any of this sooner, but to be honest, I barely believe it myself. I didn't think it would go over well."
Sephiroth's expression still only looked concerned as he said, "Alex, I have already told you that you are the reason we have made it so far. I may not understand what has happened, but I will not start doubting you now—no matter what we face."
Alex felt her tension ease at the look he was giving her. Still, he hadn't heard the truth yet. She tried not to get her hopes up as she sat back and tried to avoid their eyes as she started. "My part in this mess started a little more than a year ago." She paused and looked at her brother as she said, "On our 19th birthday."
His brow furrowed, but he stayed silent so she could continue. She looked forward again before she said, "After my party, I went to explore the caves. Mom was insisting that I think about following my dreams, and I was seriously considering it. The visit was a way for me to say goodbye."
She smiled at her brother when he put a hand over hers, but she didn't hold his gaze long before she continued. "While I was there, I heard something strange and went to investigate. Whatever it was, it led me to the goddess materia."
She saw Angeal stiffen out of the corner of her eyes and swallowed another sigh as she continued, "While I was there, I saw Minerva. As unbelievable as that sounds, she told me that I needed to remember before I passed out. I don't know how I got from there to back home, but when I finally woke up, I had a lot more in my head than my life as Alexandra Hewley."
A/N: I know that is a god-awful cliffhanger, but I am working on the next chapter. Hope to have it done within a few days. We have a HUGE moment coming soon, and I really want to get to it. I hope you all like this first introduction, and are looking forward to where it goes! Thanks for reading and cheers!