A Pain That Won't Leave
By Soul Hunter
Part Ten
The dankness of the path connecting the quiet town of Nibelheim to the enigmatic ranges of Mount Nibel was something Cloud thought he would never get acclimated to. He had been here countless times, too many for his liking. It was here that he first tasted real horror in the midst of his harrowing experience with Tifa all those years ago. He can still remember the distraught face of a girl seeking solace after her mother passed from this world on to the next. The bitter taste in his mouth still lingered, perhaps a permanent mark left by that excruciating episode. The rejection of her peers, the plunge down the deep gorge, the sheer sharpness of accusing eyes that bore down on him from those who refused to accept his account of the events.
That was the first time that Tifa almost died before his very eyes. The first time that he felt his soul overwhelmed by blood-curdling fear. He thought he was going to lose her then.
Has he lost her now?
He shook his head, vehemently asserting to himself the urgency of the situation at hand and how his personal concerns had to take a back seat. He almost succeeded, if it not have been for that casual side-glance that brought to his eyes the unsuspecting impression on Aeris' face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She said, bringing a sudden fit of shame to the spiky-haired warrior.
He tried to ignore her, but Aeris was not to be denied this time.
"I know what you're thinking. You're still wondering about me, and how I was able to fake 'your' Aeris."
"This is not the right time to talk about this."
Aeris clenched her teeth in frustration. At this moment, the only thing she wanted to do was lash out at Cloud for his utter insensitivity. She wanted to understand him, the pain that must have lingered in his heart when she departed. Aeris had to accept the surprise she felt after learning about Cloud's misery. She never expected him to be struck so hard. Perhaps that's why she's trying to understand him as much as she can. She was even elated to some degree. This kind of love was foreign to her, something that not even the raven-haired boy she once regarded so highly revered her absence with this much impact.
But even the most patient of souls has its limits. And if not for the pressing matter at hand, she would have surely opted to unleash her ire on the one who stubbornly insisted on rejecting her. There's only so much Aeris can take.
"Fine." She echoed with a not-so-typical hardness in her voice. "You know what, let's just forget about this whole thing. I promise I won't bother you anymore after we find Marlene.
Cloud felt his heart skip a beat after that dejected utterance from Aeris. For some reason, he became somewhat fearful of the possible meaning behind those bitter words. And for the first time since all of these started, he felt repentant for having treated her with much impertinence during the past two days.
The rest of the trek went on in complete silence, with neither one of the two willing to speak out for fear that whatever words they say will only worsen the already bludgeoning state they're in. Not a few hours elapsed when Cloud and Aeris caught site of a dismal structure standing just past the hanging bridge over the dreaded ravine. Exercising standard caution, Cloud signaled his companion to stay on her spot while he carefully proceeded for a closer look. Just a couple of yards from his position stood the old Shinra Mako reactor an edifice that subsequently brought forth a flood of ugly memories.
The second time he saw Tifa almost succumb to the call of death.
"Damn" Cloud mumbled. He can't figure out why he had been thinking too much about her lately. Did he do the right thing in letting her go?
A cacophony of faint voices broke his reverie. Training his attention back to the old reactor, Cloud witnessed a sight that made his brows meet in wonderment. The dark blue uniforms sported by the men coming out from the building's front entrance were indeed familiar. But they weren't Turks.
"SOLDIER?" He muttered in surprise. "What are they doing here?"
Inching forward as much as he could allow without being spotted by his prey, Cloud examined the miscreants more closely. Everyone seem to be in casual spirits, talking and blabbering incessantly about the results of the Triple Crown Chocobo Championship event held just the night before. One expressed a rather distasteful way of showing his frustration with a melange of expletives that can offend even the most grizzled ear. Another, who appeared to have won a wager, produced a bottle of Sylkie and offered it to the one who lost, only to see the vintage wastefully spill on the ground after the loser shoved his comrade aside in a fit of impetuosity. The rash instant would have triggered a skirmish had it not been to the intervention of cooler heads.
Cloud jerked in attention when he heard what the man who had just come out of the door said, something about keeping the noise down lest they disturb the little girl who had just fallen asleep. Fighting his own impulsive urge, he slowly backed off from his perch before turning to his brown-haired companion.
"I think we've just hit paydirt. Those men were talking about a little girl with them."
"What do we do, Cloud?" Aeris came back, her eyes wide with worry. "We can't just storm the place, they might hurt Marlene."
"I know." He agreed, "Besides, those guys aren't your run-of-the-mill Shinra goons. They're members of SOLDIER. There won't be any easy way to take them on."
Cloud then fell silent in a state of deep thought, trying to come up with a plan. He was nevertheless disrupted when Aeris offered a suggestion.
"Let me create a distraction, buy you some time to sneak up from behind them."
"What do you have in mind?" He asked her reluctantly. "Don't do anything stupid, okay?"
"Why Cloud, what do you care?" Aeris shot back, almost sarcastically. But the swiftness of her snide remark was immediately followed by an equally quick, repentant tone. "Sorry, that was uncalled for. Anyway, just let me do my thing, all right? Wait for my signal before you move in."
"What's the signal?"
Aeris flashed a dark smile.
"You'll know it when it happens."
Unsure whether to allow her to her own scheme, Cloud nonetheless opted to trust Aeris, thinking that he didn't have any choice. Spending another moment to examine the surroundings, he then darted forth to an adjacent ledge, clawing along its jagged surface to swiftly climb on top of it and consequently disappear from her sight. Aeris allowed a few minutes to elapse before proceeding with the plan she had in mind.
She bowed her head momentarily, her face straining in a contorted look. She then followed with a few labored steps while scuffing her feet heavily against the ground to be sure that her arrival was noticeable enough to draw attention. A voice ringing out from the group occupying the front ramp of the reactor prompted her to let her limp body fall on the ground.
"Hey, who's that?" One of the SOLDIER operatives bellowed upon catching sight of the Ancient who had just collapsed on the rocky earth. "Whut the is that a girl?"
"No, it's a moogle with a ribbon on her head." Echoed another. "Of course it's a girl, you half-wit! Go and find out what she's up to!"
"What? Says who? You're not the boss of me. Why are you ordering me around?"
"Ahh! Forget it. Stay here while I check her out."
Aeris maintained her stillness despite the racing sensation coursing through her chest. Her hands tightened its grip on the Princess Guard, preparing for her next move as the rapid reverberations of heavy footsteps drew closer.
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They had thought it over, done with. They had thought that together with the vanquishing of the greatest threat the planet had ever faced was the total eradication of all the gigantic pseudo-beasts that were spawned for the world's protection. The last time it was recorded in history, there were five who rose from what seemed to be death, surging forth from the underworld bosoms that nurtured them to lay siege on what they mistakenly thought as a danger to their parent.
The Weapons, born of a desperate planet, spoken of in mythical timbre, feared by every generation. The Weapons, a quintet of the most fearsome creatures who ever walked the face of the planet they professed to protect. Their threat, though real, was then conquered under the concerted effort of those who considered each other as enemies. Two fell along the line of fire of one big gun, while three bowed down to the gallant efforts of mere mortals who just refused to say die.
That was all of them. Nothing was left. Most especially, the threat against the planet had been eliminated completely. The planet has no reason to spawn its malevolent defenders anymore. These powerful, almost god-like creatures whose ignorant cruelty knew no bounds they really thought they had seen the last of this great race of mindless nihilists.
The crying form in the nexus of the flailing maelstrom proved them so horribly wrong. As they gazed at the blob-like fetus, they can't avoid gasping in awe from the sheer force of its presence even though it was still beneath the stage of infancy. His wails were terrible yet magnificent, his flowing anatomy of black blood and green globs swirling with the ebullience of an infant predator eager to pounce on its first victim. As in a chrysalis, the funnel of violent forces crackled with life and energy, feeding the babe with power and strength. It repeatedly shrieked in the shrillest and most ear-piercing manner, as if demanding for its mother to give it more. The planet obliged, and consequently darkened the surrounding terrain to channel all its energies toward the birth of this new nihilistic terror.
It didn't have to require the wise counsel of his grandfather for the great warrior beast to know what to do. Like his enigmatic comrade, he was aware that the destroyer of worlds must not be allowed to breathe into full maturity. He can still recall the sheer difficulty of having to battle one such as this. He can still remember how that battle they fought under the constraining bosom of the ocean almost cost his and his friends their lives. He doubted then of his capacity to face a threat of similar magnitude once more. He wished then that he didn't have to.
That's all a moot point now.
The source of the upheaval must be determined, yes. They still have to uncover the mystery behind the hurt plaguing the planet. But for now, they must deal with this newborn death-bringer first. They must strike now before the creature achieves its full capacity.
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Cloud had been perched on an overhead support beam for merely a few minutes, but it felt like eternity for him. Looking down once more, he counted the guards again standing vigil at the concealed back door of the old structure. Beads of sweat were now running across his wrinkled forehead. How long does he still have to wait before Aeris gives him the signal?
Reaching down to his gleaming weapon, the warrior made sure anew the array of materia affixed on the round slots provided to hold them, taking extra care to account for the scarlet Phoenix orb linked to the Final Attack sphere. The fail-safe that had provided him with numberless nights of peaceful rest with the assurance that no matter how much the tides of battle may turn against him, he will always be given at least one more chance. One more chance to prevail, one more opportunity to right the wrongs in his life.
He then asked himself, what else was there that needs to be corrected? Notwithstanding the brief but ugly episodes amidst the insatiable demands of the self-seeking Midgar elite now holing in the town of Kalm, he had been living most of the last year in quietude and contentment with Tifa. He thought he had finally found peace, at least with those people who had been around him. But the real peace he sought had always escaped him in light of his silent yet nagging longing for the one who left them a long time ago. She had come back, merely a few days previous. At least that's what the others believed. Cloud wanted to believe it to, if not for the gnawing paranoia that had been possessing him.
He thought he was happy with Tifa, despite the fact that he still missed Aeris. And now, Aeris is back, and yet he refused to believe it. He may have logical reason for his lack of faith. But somehow, he knew that it hardly mattered. There is only one thing that he can be sure of: something was still definitely wrong with his life. Something that not even all the Final Attack materias in the world will be able to help him to rectify if he can't be true to himself.
"Damn" Cloud murmured, forcing himself back to attention. He then noticed that there was now only one sentry standing guard by the backdoor. He wondered, what could be happening to Aeris at this very moment?
"What are you all doing here? Who's keeping an eye on the girl?" Echoed one SOLDIER henchman.
"Ahh, don't worry about her. Cipris is keeping guard. Besides, we're not gonna let you have all the fun now, are we?"
"Don't be stupid, and stay alert. Who knows if this dame is only trying to draw our attention. Now go back to your posts!"
"Uhhh" Aeris moaned, making sure that she makes just enough ruckus to further attract the attention of the men around her. "I feel cold"
"See? She's in trouble! If you want, you can go and guard the little girl. I'm staying here to help this dame." Bellowed the bigger operative, his eyes curiously affixed on the Ancient's gentle face.
Cloud didn't know whether to feel pleased or worried about Aeris. What she was doing, though seemingly effective, was also extremely risky. He had been a member of Shinra's official guard. And though he never really made it to SOLDIER, Cloud was still aware of the deprived life most of them lead in the performance of their duties. Aeris may not be in danger of getting killed, at least not at the moment. But he shuddered at the thought of the 'other' kind of threat the Ancient was facing.
He then wasted no time in proceeding with his plan, never mind the fact that Aeris still hasn't given him the signal. Cloud was just about to pounce on the solitary when a series of loud, ringing noises startled him.
"Dammit!" He snapped out while frantically trying to silence the PHS device tucked under his belt. But it was too late, as Cloud felt the sharp pain of a hard bunt on the back of his head. Consequently feeling a spinning sensation, he then absorbed another round of hurt that came with a strong kick in his midsection. Through his squinting eyes, Cloud made out the form of the SOLDIER thug who was then already unsheathing his sword.
"I don't know who you are" The enemy voiced out. "But it doesn't matter. Give my regards to Elvis."
He swung hard, and blade clashed against blade when Cloud managed to raise the Ultima Weapon just soon enough to fend off the attack. He then used his feet, planting it hard against the enemy's stomach in a hard kick that sent him careening against the moss-covered wall of the reactor base.
Still reeling from the attack, the spiky-haired warrior grew more alarmed when he saw the guard reaching for a black device hanging from his chest pocket. He didn't have to be a sage to know that the device was a universal pager of some sort, and one press at the blue button on its face will alert everyone wearing the same device within a thousand yard radius. Ignoring the pain in his gut, Cloud immediately dashed for the enemy.
But it was too late, and he had already pressed the button.
"Hey, something's up!" The leader of the SOLDIER battalion hollered when his signal device went beeping scandalously. "I told you that girl meant trouble. Aelius, Maximus, keep an eye on her. Boris, you're with me." They ran off in such a frenetic fashion that they didn't notice Aeris reaching down for her weapon. When the pair that was left behind turned to her, she was already ready and waiting.
"Nice names." Aeris said while swinging on the two guards, connecting the tip of her battle rod solidly on their helmet-clad heads.
At about the same time, the two SOLDIER operatives who went to investigate were struck back by the flying body of one of their comrades. Quickly regrouping, they then saw Cloud by the front entrance, his huge sword held aloft like a symbol of strength and honor. Buying a second, he quickly looked back to Marlene who was hiding just behind the large metal door.
"Just stay there until I tell you to come out, okay?"
"Okay, Uncle Cloud."
Turning his attention back to the enemies, Cloud didn't waste any time in unloading a Tornado attack that again knocked them off their feet. He then quickly followed with multiple level 3 Fire assaults to sustain the pressure. These are SOLDIERs, he kept telling himself. He was only too aware of their capabilities, and he can never allow them a chance to gain the upper hand. He relentlessly continued his assault until the two henchmen collapsed on the rocky earth before him.
Seeing his battle over, Cloud then focused his attention on Aeris. At first his instinct was to help her, but the sight that met his eyes momentarily froze this urge. He then watched her intently as she fought the remaining enemy left standing. And as he did, Cloud was rendered silent, dumbfounded by what he saw.
Every swing, every stab and every pivot that Aeris skillfully performed in battle each blow, each parry, each poke He taught her all that. He gasped in awe as Aeris executed the debilitating Chopstick Pincer -- the very last maneuver that he taught her before she disappeared -- in utter perfection. He almost laughed upon noticing how she heeded his advice on always glancing quickly at her back to see if an enemy is sneaking behind her. And a soft and gentle touch caressed his heart when the Ancient winked and saluted at him after the battle. The same wink and salute combination that she had grown fond of after the first time he did it to her during their escape from the Turks in that chapel in lower Midgar, one year ago.
No one else could have known all that except Aeris.
Apparently reading his mind, the Ancient smiled at him with that same sweet smile she used to meet his wink and salute routine. Whatever was running inside Aeris' mind during that time, only she knew. But it was evident from the look in her eyes how relieved she was at that very moment.
Cloud was just about to call for Marlene when his eyes suddenly widened with horror. One of the enemies she had previously beaten had managed to regain consciousness and was presently aiming a rock on her head.
"Aeris, watch ou!!!"
She hardly heard his warning, her head instantly jarred by a strong impact that nearly robbed her of consciousness. Aeris consequently felt her head spinning from the blow and promptly fell down on her knees. Almost equally dizzy, the SOLDIER thug then reached for the sword sprawled just behind him, grabbing it with hands quivering with rage.
"Oh shoot!" Cloud yelled as he sped to her aid. But suddenly, strong hands grabbed his two ankles, tripping him down on the ground and ultimately incapacitating him. "Let me go! Let me go!!!" He screamed desperately just as another enemy jumped over him to pin him against the ground. Cloud struggled ferociously, albeit in vain as the combined strength of the two SOLDIERs was too much even for him. He then looked back at Aeris and froze in utter horror upon seeing her kneeling form in front of a man with his sword raised high above her, getting ready to plunge its sharp blades into her frail body.
This wasn't the first time that Cloud witnessed an event like this. For one terrible moment, he realized that he's living the same nightmare all over again. And like the one before, he's again too helpless to do anything about it.
"No! Not again! NO!!!"
End of Part Ten