I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol
I do own my own character – Jalyne and other originals.
Chapter 49 – The Calamity
"Any word, yo?"
"Not yet." Tseng stated, looking at the screens in the office. "We have intel that Cloud's group is at Icicle Inn."
"Rumors state that the Ancient hasn't been seen for a day or so. Locked herself in her room." Rude commented.
"We're waiting for confirmation." Elena confirmed tapping and looking at displays at her desk. "Some locals think the energy around the cave is fluctuating. We're trying to get readings on it now but there is some interference."
Reno came over to the holographs, looking at the specs of the surrounding areas. "You don't think she made it to her ship, do you, yo?"
"No." Tseng replied. "The sensors are still intact."
A light glow surrounded Reno and taken aback, he reached into his pocket withdrawing Jalyne's necklace. Dislodging the coms, he tapped it lightly, bringing the view of the Queen of Light to them.
"My Lord." She stated formally. "I received your message."
The others gathered around him, wanting to see the Queen and listen to what she had to say.
"It's my fault, yo." Reno solemnly stated. "I should have stayed – but she was so angry, yo."
"Reno," Solaria kindly stated looking softly at him. "It is not your fault. There are events that no one can control, Not even Faterian." She clutched an open book to her chest.
"You found something." Rude interposed, indicating the open book.
"I believe so." She stated. "But first I must confer a bit of history in the hopes that understanding the current situation will become clearer."
"About?" Rufus questioned.
"T'Karvian lore." Solaria paused. "Much has been lost and no one truly knows the history, except perhaps Faterian or the Lifestreams themselves. At the beginning of the Heavens, many beings came into existence – each with their own attributes. We called them Ancients."
"What we would call Ancients?"
"Yes and no. We called them the gods and goddesses of the Heavens. But truly those are only words to describe the attributes and wonders that they beheld as they are different from us."
"Faterian mentioned this to me." Reno said.
Solaria nodded at him. "Yelovria, or Jenova as you named her, was a beautiful, young and loveable personage. Within her travels through the Heavens, she met another and fell in love with him."
"I really find that hard to believe." Reno stated sarcastically.
"It is believed that this one had other intentions and at the correct moment in time, he stole half of her power – transforming it and bending it to the chaos and corruption that all beings inherently can contain. It is theorized that this caused a divergence with Faterian and Tiemera."
Elena let out a gasp and Tseng threw a glance towards her to silence her, nodding at Solaria to continue.
"So distraught over betrayal, Yelovria mutated, calling the rest of her abilities and decended into darkness and chaos, for she was distraught that he did not love her as he claimed and she wanted nothing else but to be loved and cherished." Sol continued. "She traveled the Heavens, destroying planetary systems and infecting them with her essence, causing what we would term as misfits or monsters."
"The Calamity." Rude quietly stated.
The Queen nodded. "We term it that also. The beings, or people, of the Heavens are considered the Ancient's children, as it was the Ancient's duty to populate, create and have the worlds thrive. Yelovria found an area untouched by any and decided it was her domain, creating a population that would rule over all."
Reno watched as the text she was carrying shimmered lightly. "The birth of T'Karvia."
"I've heard Jalyne talk about it." Rufus said.
Solaria nodded again. "But something occurred that shouldn't have, at least by what we know of the Ancients and the old ways." She paused in thought. "Yelovria was enamored with one she created and though the true love and Soul Forge wasn't there, she was content to accept his affections."
Reno's eyes widened considerably as he slowly put the pieces of the puzzle together. He reached up and touched the box that held her feather. Solaria nodded at him and paused.
"Yes, My Lord, you are correct." She stated in explanation. "In simple terms, we gift each other something special – as a symbol of devotion and intention. A gift from our own beings and similar to a courtship. The core of it is the hope of a true soul forge. And a true one has not occurred in hundreds of billions of years."
It was Rufus's turn to look shocked and then he spoke. "So two Ancients created a Soul Forge."
Once again Sol nodded. "Yes – but the brutal taking of something so precious is forbidden."
"That's why Jurvien wanted Jalyne on Trerran, yo." Reno surmised. "But she had already given it to me."
Sol sighed. "Yes, Reno. Once a gift is given, it is nigh impossible to overtake a being. One must break the other and make them submit through domination."
"She's never submitted to anyone – not that I've seen."
Sol smiled wanly at the flamed-haired Turk. "Do not confuse submission with domination. Submission is giving one's entire being to another without regret or consequence. It is the truest love that we all wish to find and a bond that is so deep it is almost incomprehensible. It is the totality of giving one's self to another. There are some that occur on a minor level but the true Soul Forge has been lost."
"Very interesting." Rude commented bringing a hand to his chin in thought.
"It remains to be seen what will happen in the future. Yelovria deceived the one she created, for she wanted to rule for all eternity."
"But she was pregnant with Jalyne." Elena breathed quietly. "What's so abnormal about that?"
Sol sighed but continued. "Ancients do not 'give birth' like we do, but Yelovria swelled and carried the baby as if she was one of the lesser children."
Tseng narrowed his eyes at the Queen, deep in thought about what was being spoken. Something was amiss. "So Jalyne really is her true daughter?"
"Yes. And she is the only known daughter of an Elder Ancient and a lesser child." Solaria nodded. "I am not sure if she mentioned any of this but I will. Faterian noticed something within her and took it, molding it, transforming it and hid it across the Heavens for no one to find in the hope to quell the night. He asked SilDrokta to oversee her from afar."
"It is the reason she only has one wing." Rude ascertained.
"Yes. In an effort to contain the call of the Dark One, Faterian and Tiemera interceded, hoping that those traits would be hidden long enough for her to be able to control it. Jalyne inherited all of what Yelovria was prior to the betrayal."
"But it is a part of her." Rufus stated in concentration. "We didn't find any Jenova's cells within her when father first found her. She was a normal human."
"She had yet to acclimate to this world, My Lord, and in truth, Jalyne's power is like no other seen. Not only does she exceed those of us in the Empire, anything she puts her mind too, she can create…or destroy. She inherited Yelorvria's mutation abilities along with so much more down to a molecular and atomic level."
"Sol?" Reno asked, eyeing the book that suddenly glowed brightly. "What are you holding, yo?"
The Queen of Light turned the book around as it glowed brighter within her hands, showing the group the flickering pages. "One of the Book of Fates."
They stared at the two pages, glowing and rapidly shifting images and words until it settled. Reno didn't hide the shock. It shifted again and he narrowed his eyes at the picture.
"Is this similar to the mirror SilDrokta showed her, yo?"
"Very."
"Why are you showing us this?" Elena asked, peering at the Queen in question.
"This book foresees all fates of all beings, hence the ever changing pages. A gift of Faterian." Sol explained. "All except hers."
"She is outside of Faterian vision, yo." Reno stated shrugging his shoulders. "She's said that."
"Yes. And we don't know why. When the great betrayal occurred – it changed all that there was foredained."
"Chaos." Rude nodded looking at the glowing pages.
"On the grandest scale there is." Solaria stated solemnly. "At the core of everything, we are given choices, no matter how big or how small. It is those choices that define who and what we are."
"Frae mentioned that at the holidays, yo."
"We all know it is coming. We all feel it." Solaria elaborated. "We all believe she will make it right."
"Aerith has said the same thing." Tseng recalled. "But Jalyne is not from here."
"It doesn't matter. The Lifestreams are all calling out to correct the divergence."
"Sephiroth is trying to change Fate." Rufus stated.
"Indeed, he is." She paused. "From what Jalyne has told me, he is a child of Yelovria, so to speak. If he continues on this path, the Heavens divergence will continue on until the darkness consumes and destroys it all and there will be no one to stop it."
"What do we do?" Rude questioned.
Sol gazed at Reno before answering. "Save her." She reached out and the hologram touched his breast pocket. "One way or another, a choice and decision will be made by her. But the reality will be – is it the correct one." Sol glanced behind her and nodded at the guards that came in. "I have to go." She reached out to Reno again, the hologram touching his cheek. "Trust yourself and your feelings."
"Before you go, yo." Reno objected. "Jalyne said Faterian told her to think on what her names means?"
"Our names define who or what we are to become." She hesitated and looked at the group, landing her eyes on Rude. "For instance – my true name is Solariabriiella sa Litrandan. Solaria – Litrandan's brightest light. I am the first born and gifted with the first sun's warmth and energy – the first sun is named Solaria and shines the closest and brightest."
"And Jalyne?" Rufus asked.
"I do not think Jalyne knows the true meaning of her name." She replied glumly. "None of us do."
She watched the flowing turquoise-green water, drifting around deep with the walls of the Gaia. Underneath it's waves, forms took shape and she recognized them. What exactly it meant, Jalyne didn't know and therefore was lost in thought.
She could hear the whispers, the calling, and the power. The Black Materia was nearby as she suspected and the question she wondered was why did he bring her here? The last few days were blurry, only with images and fleeting visions.
Jalyne looked down at her wrists inspecting the bracelets that adorned her new gloves. She had broken the spells associated with them and she wasn't sure he knew. She could feel that her power was muted and not fully returned to her by whatever bindings Sephiroth had placed.
Jalyne glanced at her attire. She admitted he had good taste and picked the perfect assemble for her style. The boots were comfortable and heeled and the leggings fit her perfectly. The corset hugged her body and the shoulder armor was done in SOLDIER style, yet held her trademark blue inlays. Around the belt sash and boots were materia slots and though she didn't carry any at the moment, they were inlaid with jewels. The cloak sash was a deep blue with her insignia at the clasp.
He planned this very thoroughly. Jalyne surmised. An Empress SOLDIER – how fitting. She extended her wings outward, letting what little white light that was left to reflect off of the Lifestream. Strangely, Sephiroth left two swords for her which hung at her belt, ever at the ready.
Jalyne thought of the images that were so real to her of the last day or so and she didn't know how long he's held her captive. It wasn't despair, but rage that fueled her. Sephiroth made her relive all that she tried desperately to forget. It burned within her, the chaos and anger and as she looked upward to the green glow of the night sky all she wanted was to be free.
But the price of freedom was steep.
A certain Turk's image floated before her eyes and her thoughts turned to sorrow. Jalyne hadn't seen him since New Year's Eve and she was left in frustration and shock at his words. It hurt. It pained her to her soul and she felt like her heart was ripped out and she was suffocating.
Jalyne only remembered tidbits of the last reality that Sephiroth showed her. They were together, very intimately and it was the touch she always craved. She shook lightly at the memory, how real it felt and how he played upon the Turks dismissal of loving her.
She felt him entering the cavern but Jalyne never moved, keeping her stance overlooking the Lifestream. Jalyne could feel his will imposing upon her mind and closing her eyes, she let him.
Sephiroth came to stand behind her, lightly running a hand over her darkened wings, causing Jalyne to tremble slightly at the contact. He marveled at the blue-black swirls moving along the length of the feather as no other he has ever known had changes like this.
He stepped back and Jalyne turned to him, eyes reflecting the glow of the Lifestream and an unreadable look across her face.
"They're beautiful." Sephiroth finally commented.
"They're a nuisance." Jalyne snapped, folding her wings back into her body. She turned to him fully in a relaxed stance.
Sephiroth reached out to her wrists. "You broke them."
"Yes." Her eyes hardened as he pulled her closer though she didn't put up a struggle. "Why?"
Sephiroth turned her around to look at the Lifestream, firmly wrapping an arm around her waist. Jalyne bit back the groan at the emotion he exuded within his aura. She felt him push against her mind as he reached up to her mark, trailing silkily down her cheek and neck.
"You can stop with the manipulation, Sephiroth." She stated. "I won't fight you."
He tightened his grip. "I know you won't." he whispered in her ear. She slightly turned raising an eyebrow. "I can give you want you want most."
"And what do I want most?"
"Freedom."
Jalyne twisted within his grasp to face him, eyes bore into his and rested her hands on his shoulders. Subtly she pushed out with her aura in searching and soon found what she was looking for. Jalyne stroked it, slowly raising that emotion further to his awareness. "And you can set me free?" she asked him innocently leaning closer to his lips, raising on her toes.
Sephiroth unconsciously pulled her closer, allowing her hands to circle around his neck, sliding one down under her ass and lifting her. His cat-like eyes studied hers and he pushed more forcibly with his will, overtaking her mind.
Jalyne closed her eyes slowly and lolled her head back, taking a deep breath. He took a chance and kissed her, causing her to melt to him further as her fingers intertwined into his hair. Sephiroth had her.
Or so he thought.
Jalyne flared her aura, pushing the desire found within his to new heights, effectively relaxing him. As she broke the kiss and trailed lightly down his jawline to his ear she whispered sultrily.
"Never toy with a woman scorned, My Lord." She deadly whispered.
Jalyne kneed him in the abdomen and pushed off of him. Dropping to the ground, she spun the kick his shoulder, sending him sliding back.
"Bitch." Sephiroth growled, eyes dangerously narrowed.
"It's a gift." She shrugged and jumped high towards the opening to the Northern Cave not knowing there was a barrier.
She crashed into it and with a scream, fell downward only to hover beneath the shimmering of the shield. Sephiroth was on her, grabbing her collar and throwing her to the ground. She crashed with a sliding heap coming out of it with a backflip and baring the swords he gifted her.
Jalyne looked at the sky and crossed the swords, concentrating and staring at him. He smirked at her, raising Masamune and charged. Jalyne grinned back accepting the challenge and darted forward with blades at the ready. She swiped his stroke aside and spun to extend her magic and dissolve the barrier.
It backfired and with a yelp of surprise, Jalyne dropped both swords into the Lifestream below, her hands burned. She turned and glared at Sephiroth as he came in front of her.
"You play well." She stated with a nod.
"As do you." He complimented raising a hand to her. "Will you submit?"
Jalyne smiled dangerously at him. "No." she stated non-chalantly. "Not yet."
She reached her arm upward, eyes ablaze and lightly grazed the shield causing it to dissipate much to Sephiroth's surprise. Jalyne flew upward above the northern cave to the dark air of night with him following. She paused, holding her arms outward and with a curl of her lip, closed her eyes to concentrate, feeling her full abilities soothe her.
The clink of metal rattled off of the table every few seconds. He was twirling one within his hands while the shaft and other lay on the table. The workmanship was superb and he was grateful he chose this design. Turquoise eyes flittered to the collapsed staff as his thoughts drifted to his white-haired partner.
They were in the President's office, combing through information as it came in, both on Cloud's group and for any word on Jalyne.
"Reno."
"Sorry, yo." He replied to the President. "Nervous energy."
Elena reached out and took his hand in comfort. "We'll find her."
"It's been four days, yo."
"I know, Reno." She paused studying him, moving a blond strand from her eyes. "What are you thinking about."
"Everything."
"All at once?" Elena questioned smiling softly at her partner.
"Yeah, yo." Reno paused picking up the second sword. "I just can't figure out why he would take her too, yo. Sephiroth was always after the materia – he would kill her on the spot if given the chance."
"Another objective?" Rude asked raising a brow.
"But what, yo?"
"Perhaps he doesn't even know." Rufus commented not looking up from the paperwork he was reading.
"What the…" Reno exclaimed as energy filtered through the swords. All of them turned to look at what was happening.
The shimmer encompassed both swords and staff, pulsing lightly. The light phased in and out and Reno could barely feel the hilt of the blades. In front of his eyes, the swords dematerialized and vanished leaving the Turks and the President in astonishment.
Aerith opened her eyes and climbed off of the bed to look out of the window. This did not go unnoticed by group, who clumsily followed her to gaze outward.
"What is it?" Zack asked, concerned.
"Sephiroth will call Meteor." She answered with a shake of her head. She pointed out towards the mountainous terrain that marked the Northern Cave. They watched the bright flash off towards the horizon. "We need to go there."
"It's still snowing hard." Cloud interjected.
Aerith shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I have to get there – before it's too late."
"Then we move out." Barret asserted heading for the door. "Bundle up and let's get going."
They all nodded and followed, heading to their prospective room to make ready for the cold journey.
Sephiroth watched her as she pulled power from the Lifestream, gazing at the beautiful sight before him. He raised his free arm to the sky, calling the dark clouds of corruption downward. He looked as two swords graced her hands, slowly raising a brow.
Jalyne settled her gaze upon him, lips pursed. "You are not the only one with tricks, Sephiroth."
"And yet you still wish to play by their rules."
"I will always do what I feel is right."
"And be at their beck and call." Sephiroth sneered.
"The price of freedom is steep."
"You will beg and plead for my mercy before long."
Jalyne's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps. But I will never truly submit to you."
Sephiroth's lip curled in a smirk and he swept his arm downward unleashing the darkness around them. He charged at her with sword raised to strike. She blocked, pulling both swords across her body and swept the left across his as the other rang with the clash of steel.
Jalyne grunted as he connected a punch to her shoulder. She lashed out, extending her hand and calling fire flares at him. Sephiroth easily dissolved them, breaking through and slashing at her. She blocked and went on the offensive swinging both swords with rapid speed.
He resorted to magic as she flew around him, casting flare after flare. Jalyne dodged and weaved until he connected with the full force of his will, sending her to the rocky cliffs below. Jalyne stood in the rubble, her aura flaring dangerously and glared at him as he descended into the cliffs. Sephiroth watched her carefully, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Jalyne launched towards him with swords in reverse and ready. They traded strokes, the sound reverberating around the cliffs and both auras sprang to life lighting up the sky. The clouds and dust began to rise around them as they each called different magics to battle. The bright orb of gravity came out of nowhere striking her downward in the air.
She righted herself but Jalyne lost track of him with the darkened cave walls as her eyes adjusted to the glow of the Lifestream. She felt the arm wrap around her waist, pulling her against him.
"He does not love you, Jalyne." Sephiroth whispered. "You waste your thoughts on him."
Jalyne scowled and struggled against him. "Stay out of my head." She seethed.
"I knew him." He continued in her ear. "Reno was a cocky bastard then and he will not change now no matter how much you think you love him." Sephiroth paused leaning closer. "But I can give you everything."
"I doubt that, Sephiroth." She paused. "You have no idea what I feel or what I have been through."
"How little you know."
Jalyne chuckled. "I could say the same about you. You are a pawn in a much greater game." She heard the sharp intake of breath from him and smirked.
"I am no one's pawn." He retorted. "Let me remind you of the last time we were in this position."
Jalyne felt him tense and acted first, sliding her blade backwards. Sephiroth gasped at the blade gliding through him and pushed her away. She spun to face him only to be knocked downward by his retaliation. Jalyne landed at the cave bottom only to feel Masamune slide through her right shoulder. He pinned her to the ground.
Sephiroth studied her as she ground her teeth in pain and tried to dislodge Masamune. He yanked it out and knelt down, grabbing her by the throat as she glared at him.
"Is this the pain you felt when I threw you in Junon's ocean?"
Jalyne glared at him but her eyes flickered to his wound. "You tell me."
Angered at the response, he lifted her up and threw her into the stone wall of the Northern Cave. Sephiroth grabbed his sword and slid it again into her shoulder causing her to drop both of her swords. He slid one knee in between her legs to hold her steady and she lifted one to around his waist pushing against his shoulder with her free arm.
"And now what will you do?"
"Are you sure?"
All eyes snapped to Tseng as he closed his phone down with pursed lips. "Sir?"
Rufus met his gaze expectantly and waited for the Director to continue. Reno and Rude immediately stood and Elena waited with curious eyes. There was news.
"We found her." Tseng stated. "Reports are coming in that Cloud's group left and headed towards the Northern Cave."
"That doesn't mean that she is there, Tseng." Rufus interjected.
"There are also reports that there are bright flashes and magic being cast along the area. Dark clouds have also decended in the sky."
"Sounds like she is there, yo." Reno commented and started for the door.
"There seems to be some sort of energy flaring." Elena stated checking the sensors and readouts that were floading into the system and beeping around her.
"I'll get the chopper, yo."
They heard the rush of energy and all heads snapped to the helipad. With a bright flash outwards in dark red energy, the Gate opened. Ever being the quickest of them to recover, Reno's eyes widened at the scene presented before them. He took off running through the office towards it.
"NOOOO!"
They stared down into the Northern Cave and could barely discern what was happening. Cloud heard the clink of metal ricocheting off of the stone walls as it filtered upward.
Aerith had dropped to her hands and knees, looking over the edge. She saw Sephiroth close the gap to Jalyne and she leaned back on her heels, pulling her hands together in prayer.
"Aerith?" Zack asked.
"I must reach her." Aerith stated. "She must know that it will be alright."
"How?" Tifa questioned placing a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Through the Lifestream." She replied. "I must try."
She closed her eyes and the familiar greenish glow of the Lifestream started to surround her. It strengthened then waned and she pursed her lips in frustration.
In a rush of air, the Whispers emerged surrounding the ragtag group of warriors.
"What the…" Barret started to say.
Aerith opened her and shook her head slightly as Zack knelt beside her. "Sephiroth will call Meteor."
"We have to stop it!" Barret exclaimed only to see Aerith shake her head again.
"There is no stopping it." She explained. "It is one event that cannot be changed."
"What!" Cloud said astounded. "There is nothing we can do? This has all been for nothing?"
"It hasn't been for nothing, Cloud." Tifa tried to reassure him as he looked at her dismayed.
"Though this can't be changed," Aerith continued quietly trying to peer through the Whispers. "the circumstance surrounding it has."
"What do you mean?" Zack asked swatting at the Whispers, trying to peer downward.
"She is there." Aerith pointed. "She is the one that will change the outcome, irregardless of Meteor being summoned."
Jalyne writhed in pain as Masamune slid into her right shoulder for the second time. Sephiroth had her by the throat but didn't put his strength behind it. He edged his left hand to her right, binding the wrist to the rock. He glanced behind them as burst of power opened the Gate. He returned his glare and growled at her.
"You think they will save you?"
"I didn't summon it." Jalyne struggled out in pain.
Sephiroth studied her, gauging the green irises of the lady he ensnared. He adjusted his stance with her, grabbing her hip and pulling closer to her. Her eyes flickered to the Gate.
If there wasn't any form of love, he wouldn't be running to the Gate. Jalyne thought and closed her eyes focusing her magic upon it. Perhaps…
Reno ran towards the Gate with the others behind him, intent on reaching Jalyne. She was in pain and he could feel it through their bond. The Turk saw the shimmer of magic right before reaching the threshold and came to a sliding halt. Extending the mag-rod, Reno tapped the Gate only to see the shimmer radiate outward. She shielded it.
Gritting his teeth, Reno let out a charged blast from the weapon and watched as the barrier absorbed it. Again she was protecting them. He snarled at it in frustration raising his fists and pounding on the shield. "Jalyne!"
Jalyne watched as the others came behind Reno and her eyes returned to her captor. "Why?" she whispered.
"Because I am a god." He replied.
"You have it…the Black Materia." She breathed staring at his cat-like eyes and fighting against her bonds. "Why did you bring me here? Summon it."
Sephiroth leaned into her ear and whispered. "Because there is something you will do for me." He felt her body tense as the dawning in understanding began to filter through her. He smirked quietly, giving her a feathery kiss on her mark inciting an automatic shudder. "It is not I that will summon Meteor." He continued as he reached behind for the materia. "But you."
Jalyne leaned her head back against the wall, eyes shocked as he raised the materia near her face. "No." she took a deep breath, her struggles renewed as her mother's power called to her. "Please!" She glanced at the Gate to her family. "Sephiroth! Please! Don't do this! PLEASE!"
Sephiroth smirked even more, amused that she would actually plead with him. "I love to hear you beg."
"NOO!" Jalyne raised both legs upward trying to fight him off. Her free arm pushed against him in futile movements. "By the gods! Please…PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" she screamed as tears flooded her eyes and flickered to her love behind the Gate.
Reno watched the woman that held him captivated do the one thing she never did in all of the time that he knew her. She never begged in this way, never pleaded with an enemy to gain the objective. He watched Sephiroth push the Black Materia into her wounded shoulder and the spiky, normally relaxed, red-headed Turk, screamed and pounded on the shield in a feeble attempt to break it.
Sephiroth did not summon the Calamity.
She did.