Disclaimer: I don't own Tifa, Cloud, Aeris, Sephiroth, Red XIII, or any other characters mentioned that are from Final Fantasy 7. I own everybody else though, so na na na na na(giggles childishly). Feel free to use my characters, just e-mail me first.
CHAPTER 3: ECHOES OF MEMORIES
The next morning everybody was awake shortly after dawn. One by one they filed down to the breakfast table. Destiny had awoken before all of them and cooked a small meal. Silence was the only dialogue between them. Each person was thinking about his or her problems.
At last Tifa took it upon herself to start a conversation. "How did you get caught up in Titan's web?"
Immediately Destiny dropped her fork. A look of sorrow on her face. "A friend asked my to help the world. I didn't know what I was getting myself into at the time, I didn't know how much I was going to loose."
"What do you mean 'loose?'" Aeris questioned. She too had a thirst for knowledge.
"I lost my world. My friends died right in front of me-" Destiny's shoulder shook with unleashed tears. "And it was all my fault!" She wailed in sorrow. Collapsing onto the table she cried.
"Easy, calm down." Aeris comforted her. "Tell us what you can."
"It all began many years ago..."
~Flashback~
A young woman desperately searched in vain for a place to spend the night. She couldn't bare another night in the unforgiving cold. She was pregnant and wouldn't risk the health of the baby. Numerous times she begged an inn owner to let her spend the night in even the most tiny room, even if it wasn't for guests. Each time she was rejected without a place to stay. Last night she half-slept against a chimney in hopes of keeping the baby warm. The soon-to-be mother had chosen a bad place to find, she was in Thoron, the city of thieves.
Half dead, she staggered her way to a doorstep. She wasn't aware of who's it was, or even if anybody was there. She simply collapsed and shut her eyes.
A feeling of warmth invaded her senses, giving her the comfort she longed for so. She opened her eyes and turned her head. Her sight was blurred but she could make a figure out that sat beside her.
"Are you all right?" A male voice sifted into her ears like the tide.
"Yes." Speaking hurt her throat terribly.
"It doesn't look like it." He thought for a moment, "Or sound like it. Can you tell me your name?"
"Savanna." She croaked.
"Well Savanna, you look like you are in need of some serious health care." He replied softly.
Savanna was sure he would throw her out of his house now. Who would want to look after a pregnant woman who has no ties with you. She attempted to stand up but was held back by gentle hands.
"No, stay." He said. "I, Albert, will nurse you back to health. You have an unborn child that needs protection."
"You would help me?" Savanna gazed into his eyes.
"Yes, I promise." Albert answered.
Albert did as he had promised. After a few weeks they had even become good friends. It turned out Savanna had drifted to a rich part of town, unmolested by the bandits and cutthroats that lived so close. Albert had a young daughter that was only two years old. Her name was Sabreena. Her mother had died during childbirth. Savanna aided Albert with the girl when she was strong enough to stand.
Soon Savanna was well again and was able to leave. As she neared the door Albert stood in her way.
"Where are you going?" Albert asked in a strong tone.
"I am well once more." Tears came to her eyes, she didn't really want to leave. She had grown to love him in the short time they were together. "I must not be a burden."
"You are no burden." Albert replied, taking a few cautious steps towards her. "You help me with Sabreena." He reasoned.
"I have nothing to give you in return for your kindness." She tried to press further. Completely ignoring his comment.
"You drive the loneliness from my heart." Albert held her by the shoulders. "I want you to stay, if only for Sabreena's sake. I love you."
Savanna had fallen into his arms in a flurry of tears then. And once in them, she never left them.
Years past and they grew only more deeply in love. Savanna raised Sabreena as if she were her own daughter. Albert took immediately to the son Savanna gave birth to days after his confession.
The son, they named Titan. He was strong, even from birth. Savanna said it was because of his father. A man she had a one night stand with, a handsome man with platinum hair.
Savanna later confessed that the man was Sephiroth. When Albert asked how that could be possible, since Sephiroth died almost five-hundred years ago. She told the story of how she had asked to be sealed away for all time, after finding out Sephiroth's plans to destroy the world. She did not want to bare the child of him, afraid that he would find out and twist the boy into a smaller version of himself. She had been sealed away but had been unsealed by a disruption in Lifestream.
Albert still loved the child as his own and the child flourished under the love. Titan and Sabreena, although not real siblings, had always had sibling rivalry. This carried on for seven years, until Savanna and Albert had a child once more. A girl they named Destiny. Unfortunately Savanna became gravely ill short months after Destiny's birth. The reasons for her illness was that she did not heal after childbirth. Savanna died in the loving embrace of Albert.
~End Flashback~
"What!" Screamed Aeris, "Titan is your brother!"
"Half-brother, actually." Destiny wiped tears from her face then continued. "After my Mother's death my Father couldn't handle having his true love die, so he committed suicide. He left us to his brother. His brother wasn't half the man my Father was, he hit Sabreena and Titan. Then one day Titan hit him back, and hard. In a rage, uncle cast him out. Sabreena unable to leave her brother in the cold, left as well with me. By now I was about two years old."
"That is a horrible thing to do to children." Tifa thought aloud. "Sorry, please continue."
"After a few weeks on the streets of Thoron Titan became involved in street-fighting. Sabreena begged him to stop but he wouldn't. He blamed me for our Mother's death, even tried to kill me while Sabreena was sleeping. Sabreena didn't want me to get hurt so she left Titan behind and set out for a new city, we found Midgar." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Titan on the other hand took our leaving him as an ultimate betrayal and lost all humanity. I don't really know what happened to him in the years that followed but it couldn't have been kind."
Destiny sighed and took a drink of water from her cup then continued. "Sabreena raised me as best she could. Then about fifteen years later Titan reappeared babbling something about Black Materia. We didn't know it then but he was out to destroy the world. When we figured out what he was going to do, we assembled a group of people and tried to stop him. That was called the Crises..."
~Flashback~
"Demon's Gate!" Sabreena attacked her once brother with her final Limit Break. He took the damage and laughed. :What is he?: She panted, out of breath. Her team wouldn't last much longer, he would win. Her heart could barely sustain her spirit after Dion was killed.
"Weak! You must do much better then that!" Titan swung the Masamune at her, connecting with her stomach. Deep red blood gushed from the wound, she couldn't fight anymore.
"Sabreena!" Destiny wailed. She stood up and limped over to her sister. She lifted Sabreena's head onto her lap, blonde hair flowed off her lap. "Please open your eyes, don't leave me." For the first time in years Destiny cried.
"Destiny?" Sabreena's voice was a mere whisper. "Don't let him win, keep fighting..." Sabreena closed her eyes again, for the final time. All Destiny could do was cry over her sister's body, clutching onto memories.
Dirk crawled over to Taliana with his good arm, the other had been cut so deeply even Cure didn't work all that well. He knew he was going to die.
"Taliana." He coughed up a little blood.
"Dirk, it's getting really dark." Taliana replied. "I don't know if I'm coming out of this fight."
"I love you." Dirk managed to look into her eyes. "I just wanted you to know that."
Taliana smiled faintly, "I love you too." With the little strength she had left she reached out for his hand and held it. Together they passed into Lifestream.
Destiny wasn't aware of how long she had been crying until a sword tapped her shoulder.
"Give up?" Titan glared daggers at her. Destiny stood and met his gaze.
"Never." She said simply. He raised the blade to her neck until a violent shake knocked him off balance. Taking the opportunity she was given, Destiny ran a few feet away from him but he quickly regained his balance and chased after her. A green-blue tendril shot up in front of him.
Lifestream. It was erupting all over. The cave the Crises had taken place in would collapse in on itself soon. The energies from the fight must have caused Lifestream to flare.
Destiny ran full force for the opening, only to see Titan fly past her. :Must go faster!: She ran faster then she had ever run in her life.
Only to be eaten whole by a hole that opened in the ground. Destiny splashed into Lifestream and began to sink.
~End Flashback~
"I woke up untold days later, close to my house." Destiny's Mako eyes searched the faces of her comrades for a moment. "All my wounds had healed. Strangely enough I went into Lifestream with brown hair and chestnut eyes but came out looking like this." She looked at a strand of her iced blue hair in wonder. "Still can't figure it out."
"You were in Lifestream for days and came out alive?!" Cloud's jaw dropped to the ground. "I fell in and almost died."
"Like I said, I don't understand it." Destiny said calmly. "Everyone was dead, except me. And it was all my fault." Again, she cried.
"Stop it!" Cloud stood up, much resembling a drill sergeant. "You fought as best you could didn't you?" Destiny nodded. "And it's not like you sided with the enemy at the end. So what's the problem?"
"They are dead! I could've saved them!" Destiny rose to meet him. "I still have a final attack that I didn't use." Tears fell from her eyes. "I could have used Lady Death, but I didn't. It would have killed me in the process, but they would have lived. I'm so weak, one life for four." She collapsed onto the floor.
"No," Cloud sat next to her. "You aren't weak, or at fault for your friends deaths, Titan is. You were strong enough to live long enough to resurrect us, and to challenge Titan." He drew Destiny to his shoulder for comfort.
"I don't even know why I was able to do that." She sobbed into his shoulder.
"You seem strong enough, let it go." Sephiroth spoke.
"I can't let it go, not until I avenge their deaths." Destiny turned her head enough to look him in the eyes.
~You need not kill yourself in the process.~ This time the female voice spoke to them all. ~ I suppose it's time to reveal myself~ She gave the impression in her voice that she shrugged. Slowly a blue mist began to encircle a dim silhouette. Blonde hair began to form, and then a body.
"Sabreena!" Destiny all but leapt into Sabreena's arms. Sabreena smoothed Destiny's hair as she had so many times before.
"This is important, I can't stay in this form for long, so please listen carefully." Sabreena told them all. "Sephiroth, I was the person who was talking to you in your mind."
"Really." He raised an eyebrow, trying not to get angry. "You were listening in on my thoughts, huh. For how long?"
"Since you were resurrected." She replied sweetly.
Sephiroth blushed horribly, "W-why?"
"Because you have bee given a second chance at life. The life you led before wouldn't allow passage into Lifestream. I'm also responsible for the Rage-Sleep spell." Sabreena seemed to enjoy his discomfort.
"That isn't fair." Sephiroth grumbled under his breath.
Sabreena ignored him and faced Destiny. "You must be wary of the Ultima Sword you have. It is able to control the bearer, control them through their emotions. Think with your head, not with your emotions."
"If you say so." For the first time in a long time, Destiny had a true smile on her face.
"Why are you here? No offense but you are supposed to be dead." Piped in Cloud.
"Upon death I have been chosen to remain in the space between Life and Lifestream. I am a Guardian. As a guardian I am a keeper of secrets and a protector." Sabreena sighed. "Though my power is not infinite, I can only do so much..." She trailed off. "Destiny has also been infused with powers like mine, that's why your eyes and hair are different colors. You are a Guardian as well, though you are a living one."
"I am..?" Destiny was taken back slightly. "I am." She spoke with more confidence this time. "I am a Guardian, and I will protect the world!" Her ego soared.
"Good." Sabreena smiled sweetly. "And don't blame yourself for the past."
"You would forgive me?" A surprised reaction from Destiny spilled from her mouth.
"There is no need, you have done nothing wrong." The Guardian spoke reassuringly. "There is one more thing, find two more warriors to help you." She pulled a map from her belt. "I have chosen the two I found to be most reliable and strong. Find them and confront Titan." Her expression became grave. "Our brother intends to use the Black Materia. Once you defeat him, destroy it. This can not be allowed to happen again." Sabreena's body was quickly dissolving into the blue mist once more. "See that you all come out alive as well."
And then she was gone.
Titan sat on his throne made of black jade, stirring a glass of wine idly in his hand. Staring intently into his scrying mirror (a mirror able to see and hear other people) at the would-be warriors. :Feh, they'll never defeat me. But it is fun to watch them struggle.: He chuckled to himself until a vision came upon the mirror.
Sabreena.
She was taking human form. "No..." He hissed. This isn't supposed to happen, he's supposed to be the winner. He wasn't expecting help from the Otherworld for them. This was NOT a good thing. He watched the exchange and became very angry.
In a rage he smashed the glass on the floor, spreading red wine all over the floor. His eyes glowed with a hatred even feared in the Seven Hells. After much destruction and senseless violence Titan managed to calm himself from his killing-rage. A thought came to him that made his blood-lust disappear. He walked over to his weapon collection and pulled out his favorite pair of fighting gloves, ones with small spikes on the knuckles, perfect for pain and blood. He rubbed his sore chin and smiled, exposing long canine teeth much like fangs.
Concentrating for a moment, Titan opened a portal to Destiny's house...
"It will take days to get to them!" Cloud yelped after examining the map. "Hey, this is Cosmo Canyon. Do you think she means Red XIII?"
"Doesn't it say?" Tifa looked over his shoulder. "Hey the other place is where Yuffie's hometown is."
"It doesn't say..." Cloud inspected the map for the third time. Unbeknownst to him a silent portal had opened and a figure had stepped through. Tifa's scream tore his attention away from the map.
Titan stood there with Tifa draped over his hand, he had punched her. Tiny trails of blood trickled down his hand, he savored every drop of pain he had inflicted upon her. Before anyone could react, much less think, Titan grabbed Tifa by the waste and brought her back into the portal with him. Leaving everyone else in shock.
"Tifa!" Cloud managed to cry out. "Where did he take her!" He looked wildly around the room.
"Shit. We better get the others quickly." Destiny whispered. She opened a portal much the same as Titan's. "Go in."
"What about Tifa!?!" Cloud roared.
"I don't know where Titan is right now. Our best chance is to find the others and challenge him." Destiny replied, although it was more a command.
"But he'll hurt her." He screamed. "Don't let her die too!"
*SMACK*
Destiny backhanded him in the face, she had regained some of her courage. "If you keep fighting me she will die for sure. Now are we gonna find the others and rescue her or are we gonna let her die while we're fighting?"
Cloud could only look away, he didn't like it but she was right. "Let's go then."
The other side of the portal led to Cosmo Canyon, it was still dark in the Canyon. The group walked up the stairs, little had changed. They reached the top then a red shadow snarled and jumped Cloud.
"What are you doing here?" It growled. It's red paws held Cloud to the ground. Holding the intruder was easier then it looked.
Cloud on the other hand recognized his attacker and did not try to get away. "Red XIII, it's me, Cloud."
"Foolish, Cloud died hundreds of years ago." Although Nanaki kept a cool exterior he was taken back by the name. He hadn't been called that since the last of his friends from the fight for the planet against Sephiroth died. "Don't you dare use his name."
"Red it's me! Dumb hairball." Cloud used an old nickname from Nanaki's past. No one could have known that except for the people who were there.
Nanaki sniffed Cloud then immediately he stepped off of Cloud. "Sorry. I though you were dead." Nanaki eyed him up and down with his enhanced night vision.
"I was, until Destiny resurrected me."
"Destiny, no such thing."
"Excuse me, there may be no such thing, but there is a such person." Destiny was a little pissed. Nanaki's red eyes went from face to face until it settled on Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth!" He lunged again, attacking Sephiroth. Aeris voice stopped his fangs from settling into Sephiroth's throat.
"Stop!" She cried. "It's okay, he's with us."
"With you? Impossible."
"Believe it buster. He's been given a second chance by Lifestream." Destiny was getting more cocky by the minute.
"I see." Nanaki got off his prey once more.
"Who is it?" A strong female voice came into their ears. A female version of Red XIII came into the dim light.
Nanaki flashed a toothy grin at her, "Old war buddies..."
To be contiued...
You have just finished reading chapter three, feel special. Hope that answers some questions you had. It was more of a plot explainer then an action chapter, the next one will be though. PLEASE REVIEW!!! If I get a good reponse I'll do a group pic of the characters and put it up, tell me if it's a good idea.
Preview: The warriors must get the two fighter to come with them but will it be that easy? Tifa seems to be having troubles herself... Damn that evil Titan.
Ryoko The Muse
CHAPTER 3: ECHOES OF MEMORIES
The next morning everybody was awake shortly after dawn. One by one they filed down to the breakfast table. Destiny had awoken before all of them and cooked a small meal. Silence was the only dialogue between them. Each person was thinking about his or her problems.
At last Tifa took it upon herself to start a conversation. "How did you get caught up in Titan's web?"
Immediately Destiny dropped her fork. A look of sorrow on her face. "A friend asked my to help the world. I didn't know what I was getting myself into at the time, I didn't know how much I was going to loose."
"What do you mean 'loose?'" Aeris questioned. She too had a thirst for knowledge.
"I lost my world. My friends died right in front of me-" Destiny's shoulder shook with unleashed tears. "And it was all my fault!" She wailed in sorrow. Collapsing onto the table she cried.
"Easy, calm down." Aeris comforted her. "Tell us what you can."
"It all began many years ago..."
~Flashback~
A young woman desperately searched in vain for a place to spend the night. She couldn't bare another night in the unforgiving cold. She was pregnant and wouldn't risk the health of the baby. Numerous times she begged an inn owner to let her spend the night in even the most tiny room, even if it wasn't for guests. Each time she was rejected without a place to stay. Last night she half-slept against a chimney in hopes of keeping the baby warm. The soon-to-be mother had chosen a bad place to find, she was in Thoron, the city of thieves.
Half dead, she staggered her way to a doorstep. She wasn't aware of who's it was, or even if anybody was there. She simply collapsed and shut her eyes.
A feeling of warmth invaded her senses, giving her the comfort she longed for so. She opened her eyes and turned her head. Her sight was blurred but she could make a figure out that sat beside her.
"Are you all right?" A male voice sifted into her ears like the tide.
"Yes." Speaking hurt her throat terribly.
"It doesn't look like it." He thought for a moment, "Or sound like it. Can you tell me your name?"
"Savanna." She croaked.
"Well Savanna, you look like you are in need of some serious health care." He replied softly.
Savanna was sure he would throw her out of his house now. Who would want to look after a pregnant woman who has no ties with you. She attempted to stand up but was held back by gentle hands.
"No, stay." He said. "I, Albert, will nurse you back to health. You have an unborn child that needs protection."
"You would help me?" Savanna gazed into his eyes.
"Yes, I promise." Albert answered.
Albert did as he had promised. After a few weeks they had even become good friends. It turned out Savanna had drifted to a rich part of town, unmolested by the bandits and cutthroats that lived so close. Albert had a young daughter that was only two years old. Her name was Sabreena. Her mother had died during childbirth. Savanna aided Albert with the girl when she was strong enough to stand.
Soon Savanna was well again and was able to leave. As she neared the door Albert stood in her way.
"Where are you going?" Albert asked in a strong tone.
"I am well once more." Tears came to her eyes, she didn't really want to leave. She had grown to love him in the short time they were together. "I must not be a burden."
"You are no burden." Albert replied, taking a few cautious steps towards her. "You help me with Sabreena." He reasoned.
"I have nothing to give you in return for your kindness." She tried to press further. Completely ignoring his comment.
"You drive the loneliness from my heart." Albert held her by the shoulders. "I want you to stay, if only for Sabreena's sake. I love you."
Savanna had fallen into his arms in a flurry of tears then. And once in them, she never left them.
Years past and they grew only more deeply in love. Savanna raised Sabreena as if she were her own daughter. Albert took immediately to the son Savanna gave birth to days after his confession.
The son, they named Titan. He was strong, even from birth. Savanna said it was because of his father. A man she had a one night stand with, a handsome man with platinum hair.
Savanna later confessed that the man was Sephiroth. When Albert asked how that could be possible, since Sephiroth died almost five-hundred years ago. She told the story of how she had asked to be sealed away for all time, after finding out Sephiroth's plans to destroy the world. She did not want to bare the child of him, afraid that he would find out and twist the boy into a smaller version of himself. She had been sealed away but had been unsealed by a disruption in Lifestream.
Albert still loved the child as his own and the child flourished under the love. Titan and Sabreena, although not real siblings, had always had sibling rivalry. This carried on for seven years, until Savanna and Albert had a child once more. A girl they named Destiny. Unfortunately Savanna became gravely ill short months after Destiny's birth. The reasons for her illness was that she did not heal after childbirth. Savanna died in the loving embrace of Albert.
~End Flashback~
"What!" Screamed Aeris, "Titan is your brother!"
"Half-brother, actually." Destiny wiped tears from her face then continued. "After my Mother's death my Father couldn't handle having his true love die, so he committed suicide. He left us to his brother. His brother wasn't half the man my Father was, he hit Sabreena and Titan. Then one day Titan hit him back, and hard. In a rage, uncle cast him out. Sabreena unable to leave her brother in the cold, left as well with me. By now I was about two years old."
"That is a horrible thing to do to children." Tifa thought aloud. "Sorry, please continue."
"After a few weeks on the streets of Thoron Titan became involved in street-fighting. Sabreena begged him to stop but he wouldn't. He blamed me for our Mother's death, even tried to kill me while Sabreena was sleeping. Sabreena didn't want me to get hurt so she left Titan behind and set out for a new city, we found Midgar." She closed her eyes for a moment. "Titan on the other hand took our leaving him as an ultimate betrayal and lost all humanity. I don't really know what happened to him in the years that followed but it couldn't have been kind."
Destiny sighed and took a drink of water from her cup then continued. "Sabreena raised me as best she could. Then about fifteen years later Titan reappeared babbling something about Black Materia. We didn't know it then but he was out to destroy the world. When we figured out what he was going to do, we assembled a group of people and tried to stop him. That was called the Crises..."
~Flashback~
"Demon's Gate!" Sabreena attacked her once brother with her final Limit Break. He took the damage and laughed. :What is he?: She panted, out of breath. Her team wouldn't last much longer, he would win. Her heart could barely sustain her spirit after Dion was killed.
"Weak! You must do much better then that!" Titan swung the Masamune at her, connecting with her stomach. Deep red blood gushed from the wound, she couldn't fight anymore.
"Sabreena!" Destiny wailed. She stood up and limped over to her sister. She lifted Sabreena's head onto her lap, blonde hair flowed off her lap. "Please open your eyes, don't leave me." For the first time in years Destiny cried.
"Destiny?" Sabreena's voice was a mere whisper. "Don't let him win, keep fighting..." Sabreena closed her eyes again, for the final time. All Destiny could do was cry over her sister's body, clutching onto memories.
Dirk crawled over to Taliana with his good arm, the other had been cut so deeply even Cure didn't work all that well. He knew he was going to die.
"Taliana." He coughed up a little blood.
"Dirk, it's getting really dark." Taliana replied. "I don't know if I'm coming out of this fight."
"I love you." Dirk managed to look into her eyes. "I just wanted you to know that."
Taliana smiled faintly, "I love you too." With the little strength she had left she reached out for his hand and held it. Together they passed into Lifestream.
Destiny wasn't aware of how long she had been crying until a sword tapped her shoulder.
"Give up?" Titan glared daggers at her. Destiny stood and met his gaze.
"Never." She said simply. He raised the blade to her neck until a violent shake knocked him off balance. Taking the opportunity she was given, Destiny ran a few feet away from him but he quickly regained his balance and chased after her. A green-blue tendril shot up in front of him.
Lifestream. It was erupting all over. The cave the Crises had taken place in would collapse in on itself soon. The energies from the fight must have caused Lifestream to flare.
Destiny ran full force for the opening, only to see Titan fly past her. :Must go faster!: She ran faster then she had ever run in her life.
Only to be eaten whole by a hole that opened in the ground. Destiny splashed into Lifestream and began to sink.
~End Flashback~
"I woke up untold days later, close to my house." Destiny's Mako eyes searched the faces of her comrades for a moment. "All my wounds had healed. Strangely enough I went into Lifestream with brown hair and chestnut eyes but came out looking like this." She looked at a strand of her iced blue hair in wonder. "Still can't figure it out."
"You were in Lifestream for days and came out alive?!" Cloud's jaw dropped to the ground. "I fell in and almost died."
"Like I said, I don't understand it." Destiny said calmly. "Everyone was dead, except me. And it was all my fault." Again, she cried.
"Stop it!" Cloud stood up, much resembling a drill sergeant. "You fought as best you could didn't you?" Destiny nodded. "And it's not like you sided with the enemy at the end. So what's the problem?"
"They are dead! I could've saved them!" Destiny rose to meet him. "I still have a final attack that I didn't use." Tears fell from her eyes. "I could have used Lady Death, but I didn't. It would have killed me in the process, but they would have lived. I'm so weak, one life for four." She collapsed onto the floor.
"No," Cloud sat next to her. "You aren't weak, or at fault for your friends deaths, Titan is. You were strong enough to live long enough to resurrect us, and to challenge Titan." He drew Destiny to his shoulder for comfort.
"I don't even know why I was able to do that." She sobbed into his shoulder.
"You seem strong enough, let it go." Sephiroth spoke.
"I can't let it go, not until I avenge their deaths." Destiny turned her head enough to look him in the eyes.
~You need not kill yourself in the process.~ This time the female voice spoke to them all. ~ I suppose it's time to reveal myself~ She gave the impression in her voice that she shrugged. Slowly a blue mist began to encircle a dim silhouette. Blonde hair began to form, and then a body.
"Sabreena!" Destiny all but leapt into Sabreena's arms. Sabreena smoothed Destiny's hair as she had so many times before.
"This is important, I can't stay in this form for long, so please listen carefully." Sabreena told them all. "Sephiroth, I was the person who was talking to you in your mind."
"Really." He raised an eyebrow, trying not to get angry. "You were listening in on my thoughts, huh. For how long?"
"Since you were resurrected." She replied sweetly.
Sephiroth blushed horribly, "W-why?"
"Because you have bee given a second chance at life. The life you led before wouldn't allow passage into Lifestream. I'm also responsible for the Rage-Sleep spell." Sabreena seemed to enjoy his discomfort.
"That isn't fair." Sephiroth grumbled under his breath.
Sabreena ignored him and faced Destiny. "You must be wary of the Ultima Sword you have. It is able to control the bearer, control them through their emotions. Think with your head, not with your emotions."
"If you say so." For the first time in a long time, Destiny had a true smile on her face.
"Why are you here? No offense but you are supposed to be dead." Piped in Cloud.
"Upon death I have been chosen to remain in the space between Life and Lifestream. I am a Guardian. As a guardian I am a keeper of secrets and a protector." Sabreena sighed. "Though my power is not infinite, I can only do so much..." She trailed off. "Destiny has also been infused with powers like mine, that's why your eyes and hair are different colors. You are a Guardian as well, though you are a living one."
"I am..?" Destiny was taken back slightly. "I am." She spoke with more confidence this time. "I am a Guardian, and I will protect the world!" Her ego soared.
"Good." Sabreena smiled sweetly. "And don't blame yourself for the past."
"You would forgive me?" A surprised reaction from Destiny spilled from her mouth.
"There is no need, you have done nothing wrong." The Guardian spoke reassuringly. "There is one more thing, find two more warriors to help you." She pulled a map from her belt. "I have chosen the two I found to be most reliable and strong. Find them and confront Titan." Her expression became grave. "Our brother intends to use the Black Materia. Once you defeat him, destroy it. This can not be allowed to happen again." Sabreena's body was quickly dissolving into the blue mist once more. "See that you all come out alive as well."
And then she was gone.
Titan sat on his throne made of black jade, stirring a glass of wine idly in his hand. Staring intently into his scrying mirror (a mirror able to see and hear other people) at the would-be warriors. :Feh, they'll never defeat me. But it is fun to watch them struggle.: He chuckled to himself until a vision came upon the mirror.
Sabreena.
She was taking human form. "No..." He hissed. This isn't supposed to happen, he's supposed to be the winner. He wasn't expecting help from the Otherworld for them. This was NOT a good thing. He watched the exchange and became very angry.
In a rage he smashed the glass on the floor, spreading red wine all over the floor. His eyes glowed with a hatred even feared in the Seven Hells. After much destruction and senseless violence Titan managed to calm himself from his killing-rage. A thought came to him that made his blood-lust disappear. He walked over to his weapon collection and pulled out his favorite pair of fighting gloves, ones with small spikes on the knuckles, perfect for pain and blood. He rubbed his sore chin and smiled, exposing long canine teeth much like fangs.
Concentrating for a moment, Titan opened a portal to Destiny's house...
"It will take days to get to them!" Cloud yelped after examining the map. "Hey, this is Cosmo Canyon. Do you think she means Red XIII?"
"Doesn't it say?" Tifa looked over his shoulder. "Hey the other place is where Yuffie's hometown is."
"It doesn't say..." Cloud inspected the map for the third time. Unbeknownst to him a silent portal had opened and a figure had stepped through. Tifa's scream tore his attention away from the map.
Titan stood there with Tifa draped over his hand, he had punched her. Tiny trails of blood trickled down his hand, he savored every drop of pain he had inflicted upon her. Before anyone could react, much less think, Titan grabbed Tifa by the waste and brought her back into the portal with him. Leaving everyone else in shock.
"Tifa!" Cloud managed to cry out. "Where did he take her!" He looked wildly around the room.
"Shit. We better get the others quickly." Destiny whispered. She opened a portal much the same as Titan's. "Go in."
"What about Tifa!?!" Cloud roared.
"I don't know where Titan is right now. Our best chance is to find the others and challenge him." Destiny replied, although it was more a command.
"But he'll hurt her." He screamed. "Don't let her die too!"
*SMACK*
Destiny backhanded him in the face, she had regained some of her courage. "If you keep fighting me she will die for sure. Now are we gonna find the others and rescue her or are we gonna let her die while we're fighting?"
Cloud could only look away, he didn't like it but she was right. "Let's go then."
The other side of the portal led to Cosmo Canyon, it was still dark in the Canyon. The group walked up the stairs, little had changed. They reached the top then a red shadow snarled and jumped Cloud.
"What are you doing here?" It growled. It's red paws held Cloud to the ground. Holding the intruder was easier then it looked.
Cloud on the other hand recognized his attacker and did not try to get away. "Red XIII, it's me, Cloud."
"Foolish, Cloud died hundreds of years ago." Although Nanaki kept a cool exterior he was taken back by the name. He hadn't been called that since the last of his friends from the fight for the planet against Sephiroth died. "Don't you dare use his name."
"Red it's me! Dumb hairball." Cloud used an old nickname from Nanaki's past. No one could have known that except for the people who were there.
Nanaki sniffed Cloud then immediately he stepped off of Cloud. "Sorry. I though you were dead." Nanaki eyed him up and down with his enhanced night vision.
"I was, until Destiny resurrected me."
"Destiny, no such thing."
"Excuse me, there may be no such thing, but there is a such person." Destiny was a little pissed. Nanaki's red eyes went from face to face until it settled on Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth!" He lunged again, attacking Sephiroth. Aeris voice stopped his fangs from settling into Sephiroth's throat.
"Stop!" She cried. "It's okay, he's with us."
"With you? Impossible."
"Believe it buster. He's been given a second chance by Lifestream." Destiny was getting more cocky by the minute.
"I see." Nanaki got off his prey once more.
"Who is it?" A strong female voice came into their ears. A female version of Red XIII came into the dim light.
Nanaki flashed a toothy grin at her, "Old war buddies..."
To be contiued...
You have just finished reading chapter three, feel special. Hope that answers some questions you had. It was more of a plot explainer then an action chapter, the next one will be though. PLEASE REVIEW!!! If I get a good reponse I'll do a group pic of the characters and put it up, tell me if it's a good idea.
Preview: The warriors must get the two fighter to come with them but will it be that easy? Tifa seems to be having troubles herself... Damn that evil Titan.
Ryoko The Muse