In Which We Find Our Immortality
Chapter 18: The Offspring of Legends
The Dragon attacked. Collin unleashed his anger at the same time in the form of a powerful spell. His magic burned its flesh, ripping at the gashes made by the Ultima Weapon and opening them further. It entered the creature's body and tore at its innards until it screamed shrilly in agony. The Dragon recoiled, still writhing. Its body fell and twisted, melting and burning. The strength of Collin's injustice was without mercy. Soon there was little left of the once impressive animal; no more than a heap of charred flesh and splintered bones.
From the stand of trees, well away from the battle, five figures watched as the Weapon Dragon burned, melted, and became no more than a pile of dust. "Mother f--king mercy," Cid gaped, the cigarette falling unnoticed from his mouth. "Did--did you see that? He vaporized the damn thing!"
Nearby, Tess was speechless. She had seen, but couldn't believe that Collin had caused such destruction. He was standing perfectly still now, somehow different than she remembered him. Even though she'd seen the evidence of Collin's power before, only now could she fully understand the abilities that were feared by an entire planet. Her body grew numb as she held tightly onto Marlene's own trembling hands.
The three Dragons that had been advancing on them halted. They turned, clearly just as amazed by the unexpected death of their comrade. Without any indication to each other the trio switched targets. They began to lumber toward Collin.
"Collin!"
Tess leapt to her feet, releasing Marlene's hand. He hadn't seen his approaching threats, and she had to warn him somehow. He was still Collin, and she couldn't stand by. A hand on her arm halted her before she could take a step. It was Vincent, now de-transformed from Chaos. He looked haggard and exhausted. Don't go," instructed firmly. "If he tries that again, you'll just be in the way. There's nothing you can do now."
"How can you say that?" she demanded frantically. "What if he dies? All this will have been for nothing!" She tried to break free of his hold. "I can't…I can't watch him die." Her eyes began to water, and she slapped at them so her vision would not be impaired. "Mr. Highwind, Mr. Valentine, I can't….."
Vincent didn't speak. His gaze remained forward, watching the Dragons' advance. He was drained and weary--only as Chaos would he be of help now, and that was no longer possible. He could only pray.
Collin dropped to his knees at his father's side. His entire body trembled with exertion. "I overdid it," he murmured, finding and gripping the man's hand tightly. "I'm so tired."
Cloud stared up at him. Tears ran from his eyes like the blood from his smiling lips. "The air is warm," he whispered, the words hoarse and choked. "Like…before."
He nodded. "You didn't kill Mother--we didn't. It was them. And I…." His eyes watered as well. "And you couldn't have known I vaporized them."
The pair laughed together despite themselves, overjoyed at the recovery of the truth that had for so long stood between them. "It's ironic," Collin chuckled. He didn't attempt to stop his tears. "In a few days I went from being terrified of you to being…your son. And it ends like this."
The Dragons surrounded them, eyes blazing. Deep growls rose from their throats, echoing about them, as if threatening the human pair. Their jaws worked as they snorted.
Cloud coughed, and blood dribbled over his chin. He pressed his hand to the wound on his chest; already it had begun to heal, but his strength was waning and he had no time. "Is it over?" he rasped.
"What do you mean?"
He took a moment to recuperate before continuing. "I cam here…to see if I could find the truth before I died. I…didn't expect to live." A fit of coughing forced him to pause. "Why…did you come?"
"I…I don't know," said Collin. The air was growing hot and thick around him. "I don't know what I was thinking. I just…."
"You don't have…much time left…to remember."
From within the Dragon's mouths a blinding orange light burned. Their jaws gaped wide in preparation for their coming magic.
"I came…to show them myself." Collin gulped, wiping his eyes. His other hand clutched his father's in a desperate grip. "I didn't come here to die, or to see you die. I just wanted…." He faltered on the words, on his goal that was no longer possible. "I just wanted everything to be okay."
Cloud's eyes softened, and his stained lips turned in a faint, slightly pained smile. He reached up and pulled his glove off with his teeth so that he could touch his son without barriers. "I never…looked closely enough," he murmured, letting his fingers slide down the boy's face. His gaze held only pride. "You have…your mother's smile."
"Father…." Collin held the hand to his cheek, and smiled. "Thank you."
The Dragons unleashed their fire.
"Collin! Collin!" Tess struggled to break free of Vincent's firm hand, and nearly succeeded in doing so. He had to wrap both arms around her to keep her still. "Let go!" she screeched. "Collin! No!" Her strength faded quickly, and in despair she clung to the man and cried. He held her, eyes averted from the scene of flames. He couldn't bare to see the fate of his ancient comrade and his son--another innocent life lost.
I can't believe it Tess's mind cried softly. She sagged against Vincent, trembling with the ferocity of her emotion. It wasn't supposed to end this way….
"It's not over, young one."
Tess froze, releasing Vincent in surprise. She recognized the voice--it was the same as what had spoken through her before, to Cloud and Collin. She swallowed back her tears. "Who's there?"
"Don't be afraid. I'm sorry I had to use you before. There was no other way to get through to them."
You're…the Flower-Seller, Aeris, aren't you?
"Yes."
Tess bit her lip, looking back to the Dragons. Oh God, Collin…. But she saw no charred remains; only a bright circle of white light where the pair had once been. She squinted, trying to make out the figure within. The Dragons appeared just as puzzled a she.
"Trust in Collin," the soft voice came again. "You can trust in him."
Tess bit her lip, and with a rush of effort freed herself from Vincent. She didn't care that he called after her; she ran toward the white sphere. The Dragons pain no notice as she passed between them, trying to get a better view. The sight stole her breath away.
Collin stood above his father protectively. He was the source of the light. It danced over his limbs, for no longer were they made of flesh; transparent crystal now replaced what was once muscle and bone. Arms, legs, even the boy's torso appeared to hold no organs or blood. His hands had been stretched into glass-like claws, and tiny polished fangs protruded from his immobile lips. Sparkling Dragon wings spread from his back, reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling array of glittering luminescence.
He was perfect. Each appendage was formed and polished gorgeously until he shone like light off the ocean. But there was something else his image radiated: a sense of vulnerability in a so delicately constructed body. His insides were hollow--one strike from the Dragons would shatter him in an instant. And yet, as the Angel had taken Sephiroth, and Chaos Vincent before that, the Glass Dragon Serramph that was Collin stood firm, unafraid to expose his life to these creatures.
Something touched his hand, hesitant at first, then curled gently around his crystal fingers. It was Tess. She looked beautiful and strong, even when compared to the shining spectacle Collin had become. She trusted in him. And behind him, though he was weak and torn, Cloud trusted in him. He couldn't let them down.
The Dragons lowered their heads, burning red eyes changing to snow white. Collin could feel their minds probing his, questioning his bravery in face them. And then they did something he hadn't expected: they spoke to him. The sound, meant only for his brain, was like an avalanche of whispers; like rocks grating and water flowing; like wind through mountains and trees; like the cry of an entire planet, speaking to him.
We know what you are.
Collin stood up straight, still holding Tess's hands. He closed his brilliant diamond eyes and, in a voice just as silent and strong, replied, I know who I am.
His response seemed to surprise the massive creatures. Though they made no sound somehow he could tell that they were communicating with each other. When he opened his eyes once more their heads were lifted, and their eyes were obsidian in color. The closest animal stared at him--stared hard, piercingly--but the cold feeling did not return to Collin's chest. He knew that he had done it.
The Dragon turned its head away. It looked to Vincent, who had been watching the scene in disbelief, regarding the man with silent, unmoving scrutiny. And then, slowly, the creature began to move away with its comrades.
Collin released a sigh of relief as the Dragons turned their backs on the destroyed camp. He nearly had to fend off Tess from giving him an enthusiastic hug; it would have to wait. The same went for Cid, Marlene, and Vincent as they came running with cheers and hollers. Instead he knelt beside Cloud, using his magic to carefully repair the wound across his torso. The man was unconscious, but still smiling.
Collin himself couldn't help but smile, pouring his spirit into his spell. "I did it, Father," he murmured. Already he could feel the effects of his transformation wearing off. His fatigue rose up against him, and as the cure was completed he felt himself falling into slumber. Someone caught him and held him tightly. Still he could only smile, relaxing against the warm body. A soft, contented sigh escaped his lips as he drifted off to sleep.
Collin awoke slowly to the sound of voices. They mixed and swirled about his muffled brain, unintelligible and thick. When he strained to make them out, one stood above the others and filled him with relief. It was his father.
"…short, no, Collin is not Sephiroth. It was all my fault from the beginning."
The boy sighed thankfully, which alerted the attention of those around him. The conversation ceased. "Collin?" Something prodded his shoulder, and he grimaced a bit at how sore it was. "Can you hear me? Are you awake?"
"Tess?" Collin opened his eyes, then closed them immediately, as the sun was far too bright. After a moment her allowed his lids to unfold at a more gradual pace. Slowly, faces came in focus. Tess was beside him, as was Cloud. The others were spread around them: Cid, Marlene, Vincent, Nu--even some of the scientists. They were all watching him, some with relief and others with apprehension. He smiled to show them he was all right, which earned him several similar gestures in return. "Hey, everyone."
"Oh Collin, thank God." Tess wrapped her arms around him, nearly causing him to fall over once more. She apologized quickly and, embarrassed, recoiled. "I'm…just so glad you're okay. After all that…."
He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so."
"How do you feel, kid?" asked Cid. He'd managed to get a cigarette from one of the soldiers; that, combined with Collin's well-being, spread a grin across his face.
"A little sore, but okay," Collin replied, gingerly working his arms and shoulders. Nearly every muscle in his body was stiff and complaining. Thankfully, that was the extent of his discomfort. He glanced about the camp; though nearly all the trucks had been completely destroyed, it seemed that most of the soldiers had survived, and were salvaging what they could. Broddick Matthews was some ways away, swearing continuously at the scientists as they tried to reverse the effects of Dr. Arswick's drug.
"It looks like not too many people got hurt," he remarked, thankful that they'd avoided a tragedy. He turned to Cloud, and was glad to see that though Cloud's wound appeared somewhat serious, it had stopped bleeding and was beginning to heal. "Are you all right?"
Cloud nodded. Though he looked exhausted and pale, the pride in his azure eyes gave life to his entire face. The sight of him nearly took Collin's breath away; it was as if he'd been brought back to life, for once his emotions painted clearly in his visage. He was proud, and rejoicing.
"Father…thank you." Collin gazed at each of his family members and friends in turn, hoping that he could convey all his tumbling emotions so openly. "And all of you."
"It was you, Collin," Vincent replied simply. "You're the one that saved us."
"But don't get damn cocky," advised Cid. "I did a good job raising ya'--no smart asses in my family."
They all laughed, and Collin grinned. "Sure, Dad. You did a great job." As everyone began to discuss how they would get back to the city, he reached out and took Cloud's hand. The man glanced down at him curiously. Softly, so that no one would hear but his father, the boy said, "I forgive you. If you'll forgive me, too. For kicking your ass, that is."
Cloud stared down at him, his eyes widening at the words. Slowly a grin tugged his lips, and for the first time in fifteen long years, he laughed.
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