[ ν ] – εуλ 0001: May

Shan Akechi

When Shan woke up, it was early evening. At first, he was a little disorientated as he was lying comfortably on a pallet style bed favored by most Wutains, and not on the hard ground of the shelters he had made for himself when he had gone into hiding. Slowly as memory caught up to him, and he remembered he was safe, and in the guest house on his Uncles' property.

Sighing with relief and knowing he wasn't going to be disturbed, Shan laid on the pallet and re-examined the events of the past few months.

He had been promoted to Second Class and received the second Mako injection. This time though, he felt ill when he had come out of the sedative that was used prior to injections. The nurse assured him that this could happen and not worry but if he still wasn't feeling better in the morning to come back to the hospital ward and they would give him something to help. Once she had completed her check-up Shan was released, and allowed to go to his barracks. Being the only one in his unit to actually become 'SOLDIER'. That he was Wutain and had proven himself loyal to Shin-Ra; the higher-ups felt he would be an asset in the war. So they had given him Rank and with that, his own private quarters. Which is where he headed straight to.

He unlocked his door with his Key Card and let himself in. Turning on the lights as he walked into the relatively small space. It wasn't much; A small kitchenette, living, sleeping area, and a three-piece bathing room but it was all Shan's, and after having to share quarters with twenty other people the year of his Basic Training, he was grateful for having this. He had had the single bed removed and replaced with a pallet bed he was more used to sleeping on. Added a few decorative pieces he had taken with him from home and had a good supply of tea; thanks to his Grandmother, who sent him care packages from Wutai at least once every couple of months. Even with the war that raged between Wutai and Midgar, she still found a way to get these to him and Tseng.

He went into the kitchen and started to boil water for some tea, as many of the blends he had also had soothing properties in them and would ease his tummy. He also made some toast, and cut up some fruit and mild cheese, as he had not eaten since the night before. A mandatory stipulation prior to receiving Mako injections as the end result was the recipient usually became violently ill.

Once everything was ready he sat down on the chair, turns on the radio and slowly ate his meal. Just taking the time to relax and unwind enough that he would be able to sleep. Fatigue is the most common side effect to Make injections.

He had finished eating and was pouring himself a second cup of tea when there was a knock at his door. Answering it, he saw that it was an Infantryman with papers in his hand. "Yes Private?" He asked mildly.

"Sorry to bother you Sir, but I was told to bring these to you ASAP!" He saluted as he spoke.

Shan took the papers from him and replied. "Thank you! Do you need to wait and take anything back?"

"No Sir! Just told to give them to you!"

"Alright then. You're dismissed."

The young Infantryman saluted again, turned and left. Shan closed the door. Got his tea and sat down to read the missive. They where orders! Shin-Ra was going to make their final assault on Wutai, and he and his Company were being sent as support for the Firsts who were to engage the 'enemy' at Fort Tamblin! They would be leaving tomorrow afternoon.

He sighed. He knew that the likelihood of this situation was great but it was one he hoped to avoid because no matter what had happened between him and his father or the fact the Council had voted to ban him; they were still his people and many not only where friends but family.

This was war though and sometimes your principles put you on opposite sides. He was a Samurai Warrior and now a SOLDIER. He could use magic freely, without the focus of Materia, although he seldom did! He had chosen this life freely. So now he would face his people on opposite sides. Pig-headed, stubborn, prideful idiots, he thought to himself as he went to inform his men of their orders.

It had taken two weeks to arrive at their drop off point. Military trucks to Junon; Boat to Costa Del Sul; back on Military trucks to Rocket Town; back to boats to get the Western Continent. It was a mind-numbing journey as there was little for him and his men to do but go over strategy. They were to come in from the north and surround the Fort. Simple really except, Shan had also gotten 'Classified Orders'!

SOLDIER 1st. Class, Genesis and his Company were officially AWOL, and to be apprehended and taken into custody! Lethal force was to be used if the Target refused to cooperate! This brought cold sweats to Shan. He had only just become 2nd, and yes, he was a very skilled Warrior but Genesis had been a First for years now! How in Hell was he going to be able to kill him let alone apprehend him? The thought made Shan sick with dread and he sent fervent prayers to Leviathan, that he and his company didn't cross path with him!

The didn't even get a chance to engage the enemy! They had been working their way through the forest towards the Fort when they were assaulted by an unknown force. From out of no way they came and started to attack Shans' men with a ferocity only comparable to those who were SOLDIER! There were only five of them but the decimated his men in a matter of seconds. Shan fought like a demon-possessed, as they turned their attacks on him.

His world narrowed in vision as he concentrated on his attackers. Striking, parring and dodging their sword attacks. Casting energy balls of fire and ice at his assailants. Implementing every tactic he knew; he was able to dispatch three of them. The last two flanked him on either side and as he turned to block the strike from the one on his right, the one on his left pushed his sword in under Shans' guard and into his midsection.

The world stopped at that moment as the white-hot, searing pain of the sword entering his body registered. He stared at his attacker in stunned disbelief, not because he had been hit but because the man in front of him looked like Genesis dressed in a 2nd Class uniform. He turned his head to look at the one who had skewered him, and he too bore a striking resemblance to the Commander but this one was dressed in a 3rd. class uniform. Shan's pain fogged mind wasn't able to comprehend what he was seeing.

He tried to regain focus but he had already lost too much blood, and there was a strange buzzing sound inside his mind that drove out all thought. As he slowly slipped into unconsciousness, he heard the one-state "He is not compatible!" in a chilling monotone voice. Then darkness descended on him and sent him into oblivion.

He awoke to the warm sensation of 'cure' magic being used on him. Opening his eyes, he realizes that it is full night. He had no clue as to how long he had been unconscious for though. He turned to see who was casting magic on him and recognized Commander Angeal Hewley.

"Commander..? What..? How...?" Shan stammered as he tried desperately to convey his confused thoughts. But the buzzing in his mind was still present making it difficult for him to string together any sort of coherent thought.

Angeal was looking at him sadly and only shook his head. He then checks the wound in Shans' side, nodded, and the got up and left without another word or glance. Shan felt betrayed! Why would the Commander just leave him here? He was too weak to even get up. As the silence became absolute Shan felt so lost... So alone... He felt defeated.

Slowly, too slowly, Shan began to become aware of his surroundings. The smell of blood and gore surrounded Shan and even though he was repulsed by it; it evoked a discomforting feeling of extreme hunger. Each smelt different and made him feel slightly intoxicated. He felt he no longer controlled his body as it began to thrash and twitch. He flushed with fever, then felt as if he been immersed in ice-cold water. His mouth was dry, his lips cracked, and as he tried to wet them with his tongue, he grazed it off the edge of his teeth. They cut his tongue and the taste of his own blood sent him spiraling into madness.

Leviathan materialized himself in the clearing when he realized one of his warriors was in mortal danger. The scene before him made him cry out in horror. Shan was on top of a dead soldier and seemed to be drinking its blood. So Leviathan hit him with a sleep spell.

Going over to his fallen warrior, he places one hand over his head the other over his heart and reads him. He had been tainted with the calamities cells and his wound was causing his own cell structure to mutate.

The Deity cursed. This was so unexpected. There was nothing he could do to reverse this mutation in him but he could slow the degradation of his body and so he cast a spell of healing that would help his warrior survive long enough for him to come to terms with what had been done to him.

To help him hold onto his sanity, He mentally tagged The Warriors Code to the forefront of Shans' mind. To remind him of who he is and the oaths he swore.

Hearing the oncoming sounds of booted footsteps, Leviathan picked up his Warrior and carried him away from the clearing to a spot where he would be left undisturbed and finish healing physically.

For two days Leviathan watched over him, providing small amounts of his own blood to help keep the madness at bay, and some food and drink that he would be able to keep down.

He mourned silently as he watched Shan change. So subtle it was, that none would probably notice. His teeth were now permanently sharp, and when the hunger overcame him, he became like a rabid animal. His eyes would glow a vivid purple and he spoke in snarls closer to that of the beast rather than that of a human. Leviathan truly hoped he would pull through this and become the man he had foreseen.

Shan woke up completely disorientated. He was still lying on the ground but it was more comfortable then he remembered. The air was fresh and crisp and the sunlight was muted by the canopy of trees above him. The buzzing in his mind had finally ceased, and he could now think clearly. Getting up slowly stretching his sore muscles but surprised the wound in his side ached only slightly. Checking it, he saw that it was healed, with only a slight scar was visible.

He heard running water and went to investigate. It was a stream. And Shan realized he was thirsty and dirty, surprisingly though he was not hungry. Checking his surroundings and confirming he was safe, he went to the edge and drank his fill of the cool liquid from his cupped hands. Once he was satisfied he stripped his soiled uniform off and waded into the stream. It was cool but so refreshing. Letting himself sink into a sitting position so that the water covered him and begins to wash the gore from his person, and he begins to relax. After a few moments, he scoops sand from the bottom of the stream and uses it to scrub himself clean.

Feeling more himself he climbs out onto the bank and stretches out on the soft grass and lets the sun and breeze dry him but now with nothing occupying his mind, the events of the battle invaded him in vivid detail. Dead, they were all dead! A wave of deep burning anger swells inside of him and he screams, "WHY?" but there was no answer.

Burning with righteous anger he heads back to where he had woken up, and noticed his rucksack was lying in the grass, as well as his Katana, sheath in the scabbard he had made for it! Growling in frustration he pulls out the contents of the rucksack until he finds a change of clothes and dresses himself. Pulling his sword out of its scabbard he begins to exercise. Going through a series of Katas designed to calm and focus on oneself. Being Mako enhanced, it was harder then one would think as the motions were fluid but slow. As Shan went through this age-old ritual of his people he finally found his center and was able to calm himself but he mourned for his fallen comrades who ultimately gave their lives for nothing.

The days turned into weeks and soon turned into months as Shan tried to come to terms with himself. He fought the hunger for blood; denying himself what his body seemed to crave, as he made his way towards his hometown. His only thought was to find his Grandmother as she would know what to do. But then the buzzing in his mind would start and he would lose himself. those periods of time he blessedly could not recall when he regained control over himself, ultimately being in a different place then he had been in before he had an episode.

Thankfully he was still familiar with the area and was able to get his bearings quickly and continue towards the capital. But every day got harder and he felt he was losing pieces of himself; until the night he had literally dragged himself to his Grandmothers porch and dropped. This was as far as he could go, his strength was spent. Fortune shone on him though, as his Grandmother had been outside and heard him; coming to his rescue.

Jerking himself out of the clutches of memory, Shan gives himself a mental shake. It was time to go. He bathed and changed quickly. Ate a decent meal and grabbed his rucksack, now packed with supplies. Strange that he could not remember having it with him by the time he reached the village but some things you just didn't question.

He then swung the strap of his scabbard over his chest so that his Katana hung properly at his side and headed out the door.

It was late into the night by the time he was ready to leave and taking one last look over his home, his gaze lands on the Temple. With a prayer of thanks to Leviathan and then to his Grandmother. He heads East! His destination? Midgar! He would find his cousin and explain what he could and hopefully, Tseng would be able to help him or at least provide him with the necessities needed for a new life.