I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol
I do own my own character – Jalyne and other originals.
Chapter 53 – The Evolution
I love you.
Jalyne's eyes snapped open, the dam opening and she fully awoke, keen on all that she felt and thought. She could feel Reno and knew he was truthfully sincere with the three words she always wanted to hear and thus it strengthened exponentially.
Lovariae meia…I will return.
It swirled around her, each vying for dominance and each pulling Jalyne in different directions. She screamed out as the pain filtered throughout her entire body. The swirl of energy was calling to her and begged a decision to be made.
Her mind was in chaos, the flood of images rapidly entered showing her different outcomes and events throughout the existence of all. It centered upon her mother and one she barely recognized. They were on an unknown world that Jalyne didn't know, laughing and enjoying each other.
Yelovria was beautifully dressed in a flowing gown with striking light blond hair and pale violet eyes. Her wings were outstretched behind her, resting lightly upon the ground as she spoke with another. Jalyne concentrated on the other one noting the symbol upon his head, the dark midnight blue strands and the horns that curved backwards. He looked regal and passive, listening intently to her mother.
Jalyne watched as he pinned Yelovria to the ground, giving her a sensual kiss. They were laughing and nothing seemed amiss. The surroundings darkened as he put his right hand underneath her breastbone.
Watch, Empress, and see your fate at my hands. A voice chuckled to her.
Jalyne suddenly screamed, horrified at what she witnessed, unconsciously reaching outward within the cosmos. He pulled her mother's soul and Forge from her, darkening the light that was struggling to fight. Yelovria screamed pushing the man backwards with her power and lifting off the grounds with her wings.
Her mother looked on, shocked at what occurred and Jalyne screamed again as she watched him tear the glowing orb into two. Yelovria shrieked stretching out a hand, trying call one half back to her and attacked the other as it solidified into an black opal. He obtained one half and stepped through a Gate to disappear.
Yelovria screamed power flailing around her wildly and darkening as seconds seemed to take forever. The darkness within overtook her and Jalyne saw her mother mutate into the being that the people of Gaia had found a few lifetimes ago. Jenova wasn't strong enough to withstand the pain, guilt, and heartache of what he did to her and descended into chaos and pandemonium.
Tears fell down Jalyne's cheeks. The outcome tore reality in two and the princess opened her eyes to light and dark struggling in a conflict that has gone on since almost the beginning of time. She tried to bring up her shield to block the energy, but darkness would shatter it before it could materialize.
You can't run from me, Empress.
Jalyne swatted at the power, moving rapidly around the vortex. She lashed out trying to dissipate the darkness enough to see. The light flared, blinding her and finally Jalyne stopping fighting, looking outward at the two halves as they moved around her. She closed her eyes and wondered what this vortex was waiting for.
Jalyne felt something intrude upon her, slowing squeezing around her heart. Calmly, she drifted backwards and opened her green orbs to stare into deep dark red ones.
"Naio." Jalyne stated as a pulse of white shocked the intruder. "Belugie na e u."
"Belugie e maie."
"Naio." Jalyne asserted to him. The bright white light pulsed again making him snarl at the princess.
"It is a fickle emotion - Love. And not worth having. It makes one weak." He raised a gloved hand to her cheek and stared into her green eyes. He leaned in close to her, mere inches from her face. "I took your mother." He whispered. "I will have you as well." He pulled Jalyne close, tilting her head to the right baring her left side. He traced his thumb over her crescent moon. "Especially now that you have evolved."
"No, you won't, My Lord. You won't have me." Jalyne whispered back. She closed her eyes and when they opened again her fighting glint and smirk returned. "I belong to one and one only, and not even you can take him from me. He is worth the fight and all there is in the Heavens."
"You are so sure?" He countered. "It is not complete."
"Yes." Jalyne stated. "I know who I am now, and the choice was made." She paused, concentrating within for the gift that Aerith gave her. "But it will be. Nothing will stop it."
He tried to get into her mind but Jalyne's mental shields held. He couldn't see what she was thinking and growled lightly, backing away from her and directing the darkened energy towards her.
It flowed through Jalyne, the darkness that he summoned, but she accepted it. It tried to infiltrate her memories, her thoughts and showed her images of chaos and destruction. Her light pulsed again and white energy moved towards her and filled her being. Jalyne started to glow lightly within the heavens. He bombarded her with images of hate, anger and malice. Jalyne raised her arms, crossing her wrists in front of her.
"ENOUGH!" She screamed throwing her arms outward. The white light flew outward…and stopped. At the end of her right hand hovered an orb of white light and on her left, an orb of purple dark energy.
His red eyes widened minutely at what he saw in front of him. Jalyne scanned the figure in front of her, noting as much detail as she could and committing it to memory.
"You see, Lord of Night, only one broke me and only one will ever break me." Jalyne began, "And the same one saved me. The Choice is made. Now, it is Time." She closed her eyes as voices rang throughout her mind. It wasn't just Gaian thoughts and feelings, but of all the worlds and Lifestreams.
He clenched his jaw as the light strengthened, swallowing the two of them. In a great rush of energy and light, Jalyne unleashed her awakening and power allowing both dark and light to coexist. It radially exploded and paused. then collapsed inward with such force that the shockwave emanated outward across the heavens like an aurora.
Lovariae meia…I will return.
The gasps of surprise came from each of them as they stared into the early morning sky above the Northern Cave. If under different circumstances, it could be said that it was a most beautiful sight within the heavens. The white energy orbed radially and then collapsed.
"Supernova." Elena whispered in awe next to Tseng.
"We leave." Rufus stated and signaled to Rude to bring the chopper down.
Reno stayed gazing at the remnants of Jalyne's power. Faterian studied him, gauging the fiery Turk before speaking.
"She will return."
"I know she will, yo." Reno stated quietly not averting his eyes. "She said so." Finally, Reno dipped his head in thought. "She's not there, yo."
Faterian's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I can't feel her there, yo." Reno concentrated. "It's like a void." He paused reaching outward slightly while gazing at the flowing Lifestream near them. He closed his eyes concentrating. "She's changed. She's elsewhere, yo."
Faterian glanced skyward before nodding and moved to the chopper.
"You're coming with us, yo?" Reno inquired, shocked.
"Until she returns, yes." And proceeded to climb the ladder, taking his seat next to the President who nodded at Cloud's group. "From there, who knows?"
"Reno." Rufus called.
Reno held up his hand while Tseng and Elena ascended into the chopper. The red-haired Turk looked at the group before him.
"No hard feelings, yo?" he stated, bringing his hand upward in salute.
Aerith rushed forward placing the discarded staff in his hands. "She'll return, Reno. I'm sure of it."
"Of course she will, yo." He turned to board the helicopter, not allowing them to see his reaction to Jalyne's staff. It pulsed within his hands, almost in comfort or relaying a message to him. He sat across from Faterian and Rufus, next to Tseng as Elena moved to co-pilot with Rude, placing his present across his lap and stared out of the window, deep in thought, ignoring the look from Fate.
Faterian stayed by Rufus' side most days once he realized that Jalyne had brought some of the Writings and texts to Gaia. Rufus obliged to send for what his father and scientists had ascertained in terms of Jenova. Reno and Rude travelled to Nibelheim to search for anything hidden or missed within Hojo's laboratory and library.
It was two weeks later and they were all gathered at the Presidential suite and office. The Turks maintained operations there instead of their offices due to the rumblings of an assassination attempt on Rufus. There was another group rising up against Shinra and the Turks gathered intelligence diligently.
Faterian mostly stayed at the table Rufus had for Jalyne during her studies. He grumbled and complained, commenting on how askew some of the Writings were and how Gaian scientists misinterpreted signs and symbols. Throughout the two weeks he would pause and provide explanations when needed. It became obvious that Gaia was an unknown from what Rufus and the Turks learned.
Occasionally, Reno would spy Faterian looking intently at him and pondered why the god of Fate would be so interested in him. Reno would leave sometime in the evenings and stop by her place, slowly cleaning up the destruction of the walls and tidying her rooms and patio for her return. He kept her necklace and earrings with him at all times, along with the feather, and would gaze out at the city and stars, thinking of her.
His dreams were vivid and nightmares returned ten-fold in strength. He remained stoic at what he saw but kept it to himself and usually the next morning would wonder if her thoughts were coming through to him. Their bond was stronger and reappeared the moment he made his choice.
Rufus sat at his desk overlooking papers on reports of the common people of Gaia. They were scared and outbreaks of violence rang throughout the major areas of the world. The President spent some time in the training rooms alone these past two weeks. He would be prepared if nothing else. Other times he would watch and interact the simulations of Jalyne, for in truth he missed her. He paused raising his head to stare at the office door zoning out within his thoughts.
Tseng noticed but didn't react, internalizing his own thoughts and emotions. Something nagged at the Director and he couldn't quite place his finger on it. He shifted lightly at his desk, reviewing the data and reports on Jalyne's initial research by Hojo, and maintained his calm demeanor even though he was confused by some of what Faterian mentioned.
Elena, with Rude, scoured the reports coming in from various informants, though her mind was subconsciously replaying events with Jalyne. She missed her girlfriend. She missed Fraeztka and Solaria too, as they had a wonderful time over Christmas. In a million years, even with all the magic and powers of materia, would she have thought to be a part of something so wondrous and new as meeting and knowing there were other worlds and people in the cosmos. Elena smiled wanly handing a report on Cloud's group to Rude.
He worried for his partners – the fiery red-haired one and the silver white-haired one that was no longer with them. Rude glanced at Reno, conferring his thought that it would be alright to feisty Turk, who nodded in return. As he took the report from Elena, Rude pondered all that he had seen and had taken part. He missed the unpredictable lady who allowed him to experience a joy he never thought he would be able to given his profession of a Turk. The image of Solaria filtered to him and he inwardly sighed for as much as Reno loved Jalyne – his feelings for Solaria were growing. The silent and reserved Turk enjoyed the Queen's company and was enthralled with all that Litrandan offered.
Faterian stirred, standing suddenly and shimmered to disappeared. The President and Turks bolted upright shocked at the quick disappearance of the deity. The loud shrieking scream at the helipad turned them all to that direction. The flames of the phoenix stretched to full height and width as Faterian hovered just above the cement…and waited.
They dashed outward, Reno grabbed the staff in earnest, unconcerned of the cold winter night and stopped just below and to the side of the hovering god, each wondering what would have caused the god to react this way. Another screech filled the area and wings flapped, dripping flames downward.
It opened with a bright blue flash across from them and swirled with the darkness of the heavens. It settled calmly and they waited patiently for the outcome. Tseng and Elena stepped in front of Rufus while Reno and Rude withdrew their weapons.
She walked calmly through the Gate, head held high and still donned the empress soldier attire Sephiroth had given her. Her eyes flickered to her family and minutely nodded at them.
Rufus could have sworn he saw something hover and vanish above her head but didn't outwardly show any emotion. Reno noticed the crescent moon upon a silver chain that adorned her head.
I'm sorry. She threw out at them and her eyes flickered skyward towards Meteor. For all that I did. Jalyne reached Faterian and leapt lightly into the air to hover near his face. She could see his form within the flames and barely gave a smile.
"You've returned." The god of Fate observed.
"I forgot something." Jalyne retorted sarcastically. As if on cue, Reno stepped forward and javelined her staff to her. She reached out and snatched it out of the air with her left hand. She felt the pulse within it and her eyes widened. Jalyne twirled it around and passed it to her right, inspecting it closely. "It's missing something."
Jalyne raised her left hand to the wound the Sephiroth gave her and with blue power engulfing her fingers, extracted the black materia from her shoulder. Grasping it firmly, she attached it between the blades of her staff within a shield of energy, ignoring the gasps from below for the moment.
She repeated the gesture with the other shoulder and nodded at her family below to calm them, taking out the white orb from the left. Once both were secured within her staff, Jalyne hovered it between her palms and closed her eyes to concentrate. She placed her hands, palms inward, to her abdomen and pulled sparking blue energy to mold into a sphere.
Reno's eyes widened and he held in the surprise gasp for he felt the stir within him. As he peered at her, just a hint of a smile graced her lips and he noticed the purple tinge along the out edges of the blue circle. Reno watched Jalyne put the blue orb within her staff to hover and the three orbs continuously circled one another in the space between her blades.
"Is that wise, child?" Faterian asked quietly.
"Perhaps." Jalyne smiled. "Perhaps not. But they will be safe." She grabbed her staff, raising two fingers to her lips and blew outward causing the orbs to flicker and disappear. Jalyne slid the staff in her holster behind her back and paused, smiling devilishly at the deity. She flexed her shoulders and stared at the pheonaie before her.
"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar, she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting. Legend shall speak of sacrifice at world's end. The wind sails over the water's surface, quietly, but surely." Elena whispered in awe instinctively reaching for Tseng, reciting Loveless.
"Holy shit, yo."
Outstretched from her, the two white wings glowed within the evening and in the feathers, the dark twinkling's of chaotic and dark power swirled, ever changing and shifting. That wasn't what took the group aback. From her right side flowed two black wings and in perfect synchrony of shifting, they glowed with the multicolor light of galaxies, stars and worlds.
The call from the phoenix brought them out of their stupor as he resumed his human form. Both god and Turk floated to the helipad below, Jalyne's boots landing softly upon the cement.
"To answer your question, My Lord of Fate, on what my name means." She raised her eyes and stared intently at him. He nodded lightly for her to continue and she glanced at Reno quickly.
"As darkness bound this heart within, my Light faded but the Forge began. As the Calamity is called the Light will fall. As night spreads across the land, Light's love will lend a hand." She paused eyes resting upon Reno. Jalyne closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them to the god of Fate.
"I am the light that first shines as the night waxes. I am the last light to fade as the darkness wanes." She paused feeling her staff pulse behind her and cast her eyes downward. "I am the Heaven's great weapon and I am the Heaven's greatest protector."
Jalyne raised her determined eyes to meet Faterian's. "I am no longer a child of T'Karvia, Lord of Fate." She looked at Rufus. "Just as I am no longer a child of Gaia." Jalyne inhaled deeply as Fate waited her final word. "I am Jalynemidenovia e Nehaeviendria – the Midnight Star of the Heavens."
"We have waited for you for a very long time, Empress." Faterian bowed deeply to her, noticing her circlet, and when he straightened, a smirked played on his face. "You are trying though, child."
Jalyne suddenly laughed at his humor before turning serious once again. She pulled each of her gloves down to below her wrists and raised them to him. On her left was the glowing black infinity symbol and on her right was the same which glowed silver. "But Faterian," Jalyne inquired. "What am I?"
The burgundy haired deity cupped her cheek fondly. "You are," he started tracing her mark, "what your mother should have been."
Jalyne's eyes widened at the sudden understanding came crashing down upon her. She closed them as a tear escaped, trailing down her cheek and Faterian nodded to the others to come closer. They approached warily, unsure of what to do or even how to act at this revelation and the evolution of their partner. Reno stayed back, letting the others get to her first.
Rude reached her first, throwing all caution aside and encased her in a bear hug, lifting her up. As he set her down, the silent Turk whispered. "I've missed you."
Jalyne chuckled as Tseng and Elena followed, each greeting their partner and whispering the welcome back's. Elena trailed a hand along the outstretched wings in wonder, studying the swirling feathers.
"They're beautiful, Jalyne." She whispered as she stepped aside.
Jalyne kept her head bowed as tears and emotions over came her. She spied the white leather approaching and started to drop to her knees, wings flaring back. His shotgun raised to rest at her chest.
"Don't." Rufus commanded as her eyes snapped to him in shock. The gun landed on the ground as he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her body. His lips landed on hers and in shock, Jalyne allowed it. In present company, the President wasn't afraid to show them what this frustrating, alluring and intriguing woman meant to him. When they broke apart Rufus stared at her eyes, reading her and seeing the one last change he assumed she was scared to show Reno. The President smirked at her. "You are still MY Turk."
"Yes, Sir." Jalyne obliged head still bowed.
Rufus stepped aside as Jalyne folded her wings back within her body and slowly raised her head to her love who was in his relaxed stance quite a few feet back. She paused, the bond pulsing within her and she was suddenly nervous, especially with what Rufus just did.
Come what may.
Jalyne darted to Reno, who was suddenly wide eyed at the sudden motion, and leapt into his arms, bringing her lips to his. The Light within pulsed and she lifted lightly off the ground, wrapped within his arms. Reno returned the kiss fervently, as if he was missing the drug he was addicted to, and didn't miss the pulse that answered hers.
As they settled, he opened turquoise eyes to…an emerald one and…one that was as dark green as the forest leaves reflecting light from a moonless night. "Beloved…" he stated bringing both hands to her cheeks and caressing under her eyes. "How I love you." He paused and smirked. "But don't let that get out, yo. I have a reputation to maintain."
Jalyne laughed suddenly and truthfully didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She turned to Faterian and led Reno over to him, wiping her eyes of tears. She studied him but was hesitant to say what she was thinking and glanced at Meteor in the night sky, coming ever closer to Gaia.
"Yes?" Fate urged.
"It was Azarian, wasn't it?" Jalyne questioned calmly. When he didn't answer she continued. "He ripped the Forge from her, splitting her soul and power."
"Yes." Faterian solemnly answered. "My brother is the cause of this rift."
Jalyne looked back at Reno, who stood with his hands on her shoulders, before continuing. "The Forge was so strong it tore Fate and Time."
"Yes. It is that which Sephiroth is exploiting and trying to find the correct moment within Time to change the outcome."
"It isn't whether you can change it – but whether you should."
"Very true, Empress."
"Whoa, wait, yo!" Reno exclaimed. "You said 'Empress', yo."
Jalyne sighed but reached up and grabbed his hand. "It's unofficial but official." She exclaimed and looked at Fate. "I figured you knew."
"Of course." He replied flippantly. "It is you I can't see the outcomes." Faterian paused. "It's quite exhilarating actually."
Jalyne looked at him incredulously before turning to the rest of the group. "My father passed the moment I called Meteor." She whispered. "It ripped the power that he held of mother's from him. That was what was keeping him alive. It is also why I was so late in returning." She looked upward to the calamity before settling once again on Faterian. "Please…" she pleaded to the god as tears welled up again. "Judge him not for how he was these last few years, but what he was."
Faterian studied the Empress before replying. "You saw him."
"Yes, My Lord, and I understand why he did what he did." Jalyne looked at the stars. "May your soul travel the Heavens in peace and thank you, Father, for giving me the strength to become who I am."
Jalyne bowed her head allowing the tears to flow and a moment of peace passed. Rufus spoke up, breaking the silence.
"What happens now?" He inquired of Fate.
Jalyne raised her eyes to the calamity once again, though this time, they were hard as steel. She squeezed Reno's hand in comfort as her eyes took on a distant look.
"And so it begins."