WHERE ANCIENTS FEAR TO TREAD
CHAPTER 9
It was now mid day as the pair of assassins and one mercenary made their way into the city gates of Junon. Cloud wiped his arm across a very sweaty brow. They had been traveling for days non stop in the incessant heat of the beating sun. After leaving the caves not much had happened. His wounds were all completely healed thanks to Cid and his skilled use of Cure 3 materia.
The journey was long and tiresome. Another problem was that it brought back bad memories. The last time Cloud traveled amongst people who followed the same occupation as him, he was together with Zack. They would watch each other's backs and make sure nothing fishy was going on. It pained the blond knowing that those days would never come back to him. It was strange how much he missed the dark haired mercenary. What was that old saying? You never truly appreciate something until it's gone…
Cloud sighed heavily as his footsteps carried him further and further into the wide open city.
"Got something on your mind kid?" Cid asked, flanking the spiky haired mercenary on his right. "You've been awfully quiet for the last few days."
"Cloud shook his head, a few vacant strands of blond hair swaying in the wind. "No. It's nothing. I guess I'm just tired."
The ex-pilot chuckled at this. "I can attest to that sonny. My old bones can't even remember when the last time was that I relaxed and actually took a break. But you know something kid? There's more then just the plain ol' bones in my body telling me that fatigue ain't what's got you acting so despondent as of late. Don't take me for a fool, I'm a lot smarter then you think."
This time Cloud glared angrily at the blond pilot. "Look it's nothing ok? Just leave me alone!"
Cid ground his teeth preparing for a retort when suddenly a firm hand cupped down on his shoulder.
Both men trained their eyes on the presence of their third companion.
"Sometimes it is best for us to deal with our own demons alone. Cloud has his own fair share. I suggest we give him his space."
Cid glared angrily towards his long time companion then roughly yanked his shoulder away. "Fine. $hit, that's the last time I'll ever try helping you out!" He seethed at the spiky haired mercenary.
And with that, the group continued to walk forth in silence. It wasn't long when Cid suddenly called out.
"Hey, that looks like a hotel. We might as well set ourselves up with a place to sleep for the night. We might be able to find information of Sephiroth if we stay for a bit."
"The option sounds valid enough." Vincent agreed nodding his head slowly.
"Yeah, I guess it's settled then."
Cloud walked over towards the direction of the hotel, Vincent and Cid following closely in tow. Cloud walked in and once more he was assaulted with memories of his painful past. Memories of he, Zack and Aeris all crowding around a warm dinner in the hotel. It was almost too much for him to bear.
Anxiously, Cloud shook his head, clearing it of the unwanted visions.
"Something wrong?" Cid asked.
"Nothing. Lets just rent the room already."
Vincent quickly beat both of them to the punch and stalked quickly and skillfully up to the clerk at the desk.
"Greetings, may I help you?" The man asked rather hesitantly at the sight of Vincent's intimidating figure.
"Yes." The dark haired assassin answered coldly. "I want a room to accommodate three occupants."
"Sure sure," the man replied nervously and quickly typed in the command, situating their room. "That'll be 50 gill for the night."
Vincent quickly fished his human hand into his pocket then flipped a few coins towards the man. Without saying another word, the dark haired assassin spun on his heels and walked towards his companions.
Cid smiled appreciatively. "That's the first time I've seen you actually interacting with people without planning to kill or interrogate them. I'm proud of you Vinny."
The mysterious assassin's eyes narrowed into angry slits. "Don't ever call me that again."
The ex-pilot wasn't fazed as he merely chuckled at the man's reply. "heh yeah sure thing Vinny."
Vincent said nothing, as he simply spun on his heels and stormed out of the door in his usual fashion.
This disturbed Cloud however. "Is that guy for real? Are you sure we can trust him Cid? He doesn't seem all that friendly and I can find no reason to support why he should help any one of us."
Cid smiled at Cloud's question. "Don't worry kid. The guy may be a grouch but I've been with him long enough to know the guy's heart is in the right place."
Cloud shrugged and headed for the door. "I hope you're right. You collect the room keys and make sure everything's in order. I'm going to look around town a bit more and see if I can find any useful information."
"Hey!" The ex-pilot yelled furiously. "Since when did you become leader and I become the F#cking house sitter?!? You get your candy as$ back here right now!"
Cloud shook his head lightly, ignoring the blond man's insults as he continued along his way.
After traveling with them for a while Cloud had to admit they didn't seem that bad of company. Given, Vincent was still cold and mysterious, Cid had a point in the fact Vincent never did anything overly offensive to them to cause them worry or doubt. He just had an uncomfortable demeanor about him. Cid too was a bit on the snotty side. The man grumbled and argued about anything and everything so much that Cloud was sure his ears would bleed at times. Yet Cloud knew that what the gruff old man was saying was nothing more then pure bravado. He was actually very much similar to Barret in that respect. They both liked others to see them as strong, and stone hearted yet deep down they had hearts of gold and only wanted to help others.
Thinking of his companions the thought once again crept up upon Cloud. Where did that leave him? His friends were all fighting for good and the preservation of peace but what was he fighting for? He hated to admit it but Barret had been right when he accused him of only seeking revenge and of just using the whole 'save the planet' theme as a mere excuse for his true intentions. Was he really in the wrong for thinking this way? Was he, deep down inside, becoming no more different then the man he had set out to destroy?
Cloud shook his head roughly, dispelling any possible alternatives that train of thought may have lead him down. There was no more time for regrets. Even if he was only doing it for personal selfish reasons, the threat still remained. Sephiroth was still plotting to destroy the world and Cloud knew he was the only thing that would separate Sephiroth from his demented goal.
A soft smiled reached up to Cloud's face at that thought. He would love to have the satisfaction of being the one to cause Sephiroth the unending anguish of always getting in his way, preventing him from accomplishing what he wanted.
"AAAGGHHHH!!!"
Cloud was immediately broken away from his thoughts and was slightly shocked to discover that he had subconsciously traveled a long way while he was silently thinking to himself.
Cloud looked in all directions for the source of the scream, gathering his bearings together at the same time. He spotted a man running out the corner of his eye. Cloud immediately rushed up to the sprinting man.
"What's going on here? What was that scream all about?"
The man stared at Cloud with exasperated eyes. "Don't you know? The water beast has come back! We've all got to take cover now!"
"What? What's this water beast and where did it come from?"
The man became even more anxious and was now desperately trying to separate himself from Cloud's firm grasp. "Look man I don't know ok? All I know is that every once in a while the water beast comes out and today he came out while a little girl was playing with her dolphin! That's where the scream came from. Once he's done devouring her he'll spread his wrath on the town!"
Cloud couldn't believe what he was hearing. "How can you say that so easily? A little girl is in danger and all your going to do is run away and hide? Hasn't Shinra done anything about this?"
"Hey man we tried! Believe me we tried! The damn thing has attacked twice already. Shinra just doesn't give a $hit anymore. The first time it came, two Shinra guards tried to stop it and ended up being eaten by it. After that, Shinra stopped helping all together."
Cloud nearly chuckled in irony. "Hmph it's just like Shinra to behave like that." Without another word, Cloud released the man's grasp and the slightly flustered citizen scattered away within a heartbeat.
Cloud turned his eyes towards the beach. "Look's like I'll just have to deal with this threat on my own." Gripping his gloves tighter about his hands, Cloud took off into a mad dash towards the village beach. As he ran, he caught sight of people scattering about, desperately trying to find shelter from the attacking monster. It disgusted Cloud at how cowardly the people were behaving, even while one of their own was in danger; a young girl at that. Cloud ground his teeth and ran even faster, spurred on by the anger and enmity he was beginning to feel both for Shinra and the villagers.
Cloud hopped down the railing, jumping all the way down the stairs towards the beach level. What met Cloud's eyes next astonished him. Rolling across abnormally close waves was a huge sky blue/ light green, colored serpent spitting up slimy clear liquid from its mouth. It had three beady little eyes on its face and huge human like fins that almost seemed to command the waves. It was long, ranging out at at least 70 to 90 yards in length. Lying directly beneath the creature was a young girl sprawled out on the sandy ground. Her face was turning blue, a trait attributed to someone who's swallowed a bit too much water and was now choking from it.
Cloud drew his huge buster sword out and pointed towards the huge beast. A determined glint shined in his eyes. "This ought to be a good workout!" he said silently to himself.
Almost at the speed of light, the blond haired man took off towards the water serpent, jumping high in the air, he brought his sword down hard, aiming towards the sea creatures third eye. At the last possible second, the creature veered its scaly head away so that Cloud came crashing down into the sandy floor.
Cloud growled in angry frustration. Every second it took him to finish off this creature was a second too late to save that girl form choking to death.
Cloud had no more time to think as the serpents tail came whizzing his way. Cloud was slightly shocked to notice the sharp blade at the end. The blond deftly back flipped out of harms way as the tail came breezing by him.
Once his feet hit the ground, Cloud dashed into the fray once more. The monster lashed out with it's tail again and Cloud narrowly angled to the side, avoiding the blow. The spiky blond was unheeded, however, As he continued to run head long towards the beast. Leaping forwards, the mercenary took yet another swing. Unfortunately, the beast used it's lengthy size to lift it up out of harms way before his weapon could cut deep into its flesh.
Cloud flashed the creature an angry glare. Yet he didn't notice his position or the fact that he was now standing in a small pool of water.
The creature did a small gesture and suddenly huge volts of electricity came crashing his way. Cloud's eyes widened in shock as he quickly jumped out of the water. However it was too late, as the electric volts bit into his flesh, sizzling his blood and frying his veins.
Cloud let out a low howl of pain as his charred body fell limp onto the hard sandy ground. The creature continued to slither above him, obviously praising itself for its victory.
Cloud struggled to fight through the pain. He clutched out at the loose sand, trying to grasp something solid to keep him focused. Cloud felt the sizzling once more. Only this time it came from above.
The young mercenary angled his head up slightly to see that freshly spilled, slimy saliva was falling from the creature's mouth onto him. It was at that moment that Cloud realized what the creature's intentions were. It was salivating over him because it was going to eat him.
This thought, sent more shivers up the blond's spine, giving him even more incentive to get up off the ground and fight once more. Yet it was easier said then done. The blond continued to struggle with his failing strength as the creature lowered its head baring glossy white sharp teeth. It eyed him hungrily as wispy trails of fish breath attacked Cloud's senses. Cloud nearly gagged right then and there. The scent was so oppressive, that alone could act as a subduing agent to keep its prey in check. Cloud buried his face into the dirty sand, trying to block out as much of the putrid stench as humanly possible. He knew that it wouldn't be long now. Soon the creature would catch him up in its grasp then he would feel his bones slowly breaking, being mulched piece by piece as he would soon be digested into the creatures gullet. Cloud cringed at the thought. 'I can't die now. I still need to…'
Cloud couldn't hold on. The stench was so great now, his mind began to turn. He felt as if his mind and body were both jelly. Cloud gagged and shut his eyes tight.
Suddenly a loud screech jerked him out of his anguish forcing him to look up. Once more, wet droplets were raining down on him, only this time they weren't the burning sensation of saliva dribble. This time they were the fresh wet stains of blood.
The creature continued to howl out in miserable pain and for the first time, Cloud saw what it was screeching about. Clear for the eye to see, was a firmly secured lance embedded deep in the creatures third eye.
Cloud was shocked. Now that the creature was a far enough distance away, Cloud could feel the air returning to his lungs and the acrid stench of fish breath slowly dissolving from the air. With great effort, the blond slowly began pushing himself away from the ground.
Much to his surprise, firm hands helped him the rest of the way up to his feet.
"You just had to go in there on your own didn't you? Just couldn't wait for back up huh adventure boy?"
Cloud whirled around at the familiar voice only to find himself staring into the faces of Cid highwind and Vincent Valentine. Cid was steadily keeping Cloud balanced while Vincent meticulously took steps closer and closer towards the serpent.
"Can you still fight?" the ex-pilot asked in a slightly anxious voice.
"I… I think so."
"Good, cause my lance is still stuck in that f#cker's face. We'll need some added support."
"You got it." Cloud replied, balancing himself on his own weight.
The creature, now angry at the last attack, lunged forth towards the dark haired assassin. Vincent deftly leaped out of the way of the attack. However the creature wasn't done. After Vincent had leapt to the right the creature had simultaneously angled its tail to attack at that spot as well.
"Vincent look out!" Cloud yelled yet it was too late.
Vincent turned at the last minute and was impaled head on by the long tail. Tendons and muscles tore as the tail ripped through the man's dark cloak coming out the other end.
The creature lifted Vincent's body up off the ground as the dark haired man simply clutched at the fresh wound, his life's blood leaking from the incision as water would leak from a faucet.
"Oh god!" Cloud gasped in exasperation. "VINCENT!"
Cid narrowed his eyes and chewed anxiously on his cigar. "Hold up kid." The gruff pilot interjected, grabbing Cloud's arm. To his surprise, Cid then began to lead Cloud back.
"Cid what are you doing?" Cloud yelled anxiously. "Vincent's dying over there! He needs our help!"
"NO HE AINT KID!" Cid yelled back with equal intensity. "If there's one thing that guy can't do, it's die. Nothing I've seen has been able to do that to him yet and this creature sure as hell aint getting that kinda drop on him."
Cloud looked at the man in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Just watch." For extra protection, Cid drug Cloud even further away from the battle.
Suddenly Vincent's eyes flared up redder then before and before they knew it, he let out an inhuman growl as his form slowly began to change.
"What the hell?" Cloud gasped.
"Don't say a word!" Cid cautioned. "We don't draw attention to ourselves!"
This confused Cloud even more yet he remained silent and continued to watch the appalling scene ahead of them.
Vincent's form continued to become distorted more and more as his arms and legs elongated. His skin darkened into a beep brown color and his flesh began to sprout fur. His face elongated so that it took on an almost exact replica of a werewolf. His clothing continued to rip, allowing his bulging animalistic muscles to protrude through. His cloak had fallen loose onto the ground and his shirt sleeves and the bottom portions of his pants legs were shredded. Even parts of his chest were bulging through rips and tears in his shirt. His fingers angled out into claws and the once huge tear in his stomach had now closed up completely.
The sea creature too must have been shocked by his transformation as it halted slightly in its attack.
Vincent now clutched onto the sharp tail spike. Without warning, he suddenly sunk his teeth into the hard flesh causing the creature to scream out in agony. Vincent didn't stop however. He continued pressing down hard with his fangs until the limb was completely severed. Blood sprayed everywhere, mostly covering all over Vincent.
He didn't care. Drool continued to salivate from his mouth mixed in together with the serpent's blood and tendons. Vincent rushed forth in a wild charge then leapt on to the mid-section of the serpent's tail. The creature continued to howl then summoned huge waves. At its command, a huge typhoon of water came crashing down on both it and Vincent. Cloud and Cid had to cover their eyes and draw back even further from the impact.
Once the water was cleared they were both surprised to see that Vincent had not budged at all. In fact, he was now delving deep into the creature's flesh with his teeth, sucking out the serpents life blood as one would draw water from a straw. The creature's howls of agony were becoming weaker and more vain as Vincent continued to claw at its flesh, tearing through bone, cartilage and veins. The creature gurgled a final blood soaked moan before finally falling limp to the ground. Vincent prowled over it, still vacantly chewing on a few pieces of flesh and tendon. The creature's blood dripped freely from both his mouth and his body wherever the liquid had hit him.
Both Cloud and Cid watched anxiously to see what his next move was. Vincent prowled around a bit more then finally stopped. Right before their eyes, the dark beast slowly began to shiver and then it began to shrink back into the man they both knew and remembered. Dark hair retracted to reveal pale white flesh. Sharp claws faded into dull fingers. And large hoofs reverted into bare feet. Vincent, spent of his strength, and now completely human, fell head long into the sandy beach floor.
Both Cid and Cloud heaved a collective sigh of relief.
"He woulda killed us, had he spotted us you know?"
Cloud looked sharply at Cid. "What? Are you serious?"
Cid nodded sagely. "I don't know the details but whenever he gets injured bad like that, it means he's gonna change forms. I've seen it happen only twice before. It can get pretty awful."
"And he has no control over it? It's like he's a berserker!"
"That he is my friend." Cid replied heavily. "I don't think there's even a shred of humanity in him when he reverts to that thing"
"Then why do you continue to fight with him?" Cloud asked exasperatingly. "Why do you continue to put your trust in a guy like that, knowing that any minute something could go wrong and he could transform into that beast again."
"I've been with him long enough." Cid answered evenly. "I trust him enough to take that risk."
Cloud narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't understand. He prepared to say more when suddenly Cid spoke first.
"In any case, we better help that kid. She may already be dead."
Cloud's eye's snapped wide. He had forgotten about her. Immediately he rushed past Vincent towards the still form of the girl next to him. The creature had miraculously avoided hitting her when it fell to its death but the girl was still very blue and she had huge amounts of the creature's blood on her.
Cloud kneeled down next to her vigorously wiping the blood away from her face. He quickly dropped his head low and preformed CPR.
Cid watched on sadly. "It may be too late kid. She's been that way for a while…"
"Shut up!" Cloud snapped in between breaths, while he pumped her chest to get her heart beating again. "I won't let this little girl die! Not like this!" Once again he dropped his head low and gave her mouth to mouth.
Cid scratched the back of his head. He caught the sight of a man nervously making his way down to the beach.
"Oh so now you come, after we kill the beast huh? Get the f#ck out of here you cowardice piece of $hit!"
"I… I can't." the man said hesitantly.
And why not?" Cid retorted back.
"Because that little girl you're trying to save is my daughter."
Cid narrowed his eyes but could see the desperate glint in the man's tear stained eyes while his hands shook nervously. Cid noticed he repeatedly cast glances over towards Cloud as he continued trying to resuscitate the little girl.
"My condolences." The ex-pilot said in a light voice then made his way over to Vincent's still form. He pulled the unconscious man over to a more secluded area so people wouldn't look at him as much. More spectators began filing down the stairs, surprised to see that their monster had been destroyed and that no one had been killed yet.
Anxiously Cloud continued giving the girl mouth to mouth. "C'mon kid breath!" Cloud hissed. He pumped her chest once more and to his joyous surprise, she began coughing up the liquid then rolled over onto her side, coughing even more.
Cloud breathed a heavy sigh of relief then sat back on his haunches. The girl's father cried out in glee then immediately rushed up and embraced the young child. Turning to Cloud, eye's watering, the man smiled. "I thank you kind sir. I can't possibly repay you for this. I am completely in your debt."
This brought a smile to Cloud's face. Rising up to his feet, Cloud shook the man's hand. "It wasn't a problem. I was only doing what needed to be done."
The man continued to fire accolades at Cloud until finally the village doctor came down. After a few more words were traded, the mob of people all left, following the doctor and the girl and her father away towards the village clinic.
Once they were all gone, Cid walked back up to Cloud from the distance, whistling his surprise.
"Well damn kid I gotta tell ya. I didn't think you could do it, to be honest with you."
Cloud smiled once more. "Sometimes you just gotta have a little faith."
Cid nodded and thought about his words. "It's the same as with him."
"Huh?" Cloud looked at the man curiously.
"Our teammate." Cid responded pointing towards Vincent. "Having to deal with him becoming that beast. It's the same. You gotta have faith in him. If you can trust him as a man then you can trust him to continue trying to do the right thing, right?"
"I… I guess your right." Cloud answered in a rather subdued voice. 'To trust each other…'
These words kept floating through Cloud's mind, even after they returned to their hotel and he was lying silently in his bed.
'I wonder, will we still be able to trust each other like this when we finally confront Sephiroth? Or will we revert to something even we ourselves hate to look at? Are we all just like Vincent? Will I be able to control myself when the time comes so that I don't become a monster?' These questions continued to assault the blond mercenary well into the night and onwards into his dreams.
::::::::::To Be Continued::::::::::
Author's note: Thanks for reading and please stay tuned for chapter 10.