Part 2- Sephirah
Chapter 4- Reburial
The funeral was held three days hence. Cloud was heartbroken... She was gone once more, and this time they would not have a second chance. He held the baby to his muscular chest as she gurgled and played noisily, her bright eyes staring curiously about the room. He had named her... she had taken from him his love; she had destroyed his world, his heart.
He had named her... Sephirah.
Once again, she had died with a smile perched divinely on thin lips. Her face was peaceful, even though fine lines of pain creased it, displaying age that she hadn't experienced in her short lifetime. Once again must he put her to rest... but this time in the ground.
Many people watched as they lowered the casket into the soil, watched as Cloud broke down completely into one last bout of tears... watched as the baby played, indifferent and ignorant to the situation.
Cloud was infuriated... she had given her life for another once again, but this life was not grateful. But deep in his mind, the pricking pain met him, reminded him that the baby could not know... that she would always be with him... that she loved him.
And so he cared for the child. It was a dull pain in his heart that made him keep from loving her as much as he could... a pain that would never leave him. But he did love Sephirah. He taught her to be strong and virtuous. He raised her properly, did everything that a real parent should... except show his love for her. Every time he picked young Sephirah up and swung her about, he saw Aerith's face. Perhaps it was the long silky bangs, or the innocent child-like eyes, but... he turned his head away and put her down, choking over a rising sob.
Sixteen years later, she had become a beautiful young woman. Her long silver locks were the envy of the town, not to mention she had better fighting skills than all the boys in the town put together. She had grown as a tomboy, swift and strong, lithe and sleek. But when she wished to, she could act like a perfect model of a lady, especially when Aunt Tifa came over to visit. Tifa and Sephirah shared a bond... Tifa had shown Sephirah the love that had been missing from her life... she had done what Cloud was unable to do.
And so Tifa taught Sephirah lady-like things... how to care for her abundant sliver locks, allure a guy, and far more. And Sephirah looked upon her like a big sister... no almost a mother...
Sephirah had never known much about her mother. All she knew was that she had died during complications after giving birth to her, the only child of her parents. Cloud would not speak much of his late wife to his daughter, for then he would turn away and head to a place of seclusion before breaking into bitter tears... the wound had not yet healed, the scar had not yet formed on the new flesh... And so Sephirah held her tact and her tongue.
On her 16th birthday, Cloud gave her a present, wrapped in a long oiled cloth. Her blue-green eyes glowed in curiosity and surprise as she unwound the strips of protective cloth carefully, revealing the sleek, slender blade. She gasped with surprise as she held it in her hand, the hilt balanced perfectly to her muscles. It was almost as if it were made for her... She hugged her father tightly, thanking him profusely as he stood there, dumbfounded at what he just did...
Later that long and fateful night, Tifa came to visit the Strifes' home in the outskirts of Nibelheim. Sephirah flew happily to her, babbling excitedly about her father's wonderful present.
"Happy Birthday, my dear Sephy!" she laughed. She hugged the slender figure joyously.
"Aunty, let me show you Daddy's present!" she said excitedly, bounding up the stairs in a frantic hurry. "Come on!" she called to Tifa, beckoning her. Tifa climbed the stairs swiftly and agilely behind her. Entering the room, she was shocked to see Sephirah wielding the Masamune before her as the streams of bright sunlight created a crazy gleam in her eyes... Tifa gasped and fell back, pain searing across her chest with the memories. The scar still remained...
"No!" the shrill shriek rebounded from the rafters, catching Sephirah off-guard. Tifa crumpled to the floor in silent agony, clutching at the scarred flash as she winced and drew breath in agony.
"Aunty, what's wrong?" asked a shocked Sephirah, dropping the sword with fright. It clattered harmlessly off the floor tiles, seemingly just a sharpened piece of metal...
"That sword..." she panted fearfully, "It can't be! Is Cloud insane?!"
"What is it?" Sephirah picked up the sword and placed it on tabletop, backing away frightened. Her eyes widened in horror.
Tifa broke down completely. "That sword... did he never tell you?"
"Tell me what?!" cried Sephirah. Tifa shook her head.
"I can't... I mean... your father and I need to have a talk!" she said, gathering her composure and remaining dignity. She descended to the stairs in search of Cloud, but could not find him in the house. She saw him, leaning blankly against a wall outside, sword drawn and hanging by his side in the shade beneath a tall willow tree.
"Cloud... how could you?!" she hissed. "You daughter had a chance for a normal life, and now you wish to take it from her?" she began.
It was an absent Cloud who replied to Tifa, pain consuming his soul like a dark flame. "No... she never did..." he replied quietly. A salty tear slid down his cheek, tucking itself snugly into a corner of his mouth. "It's beginning again. She has to face her destiny as I did mine. I have learned that you cannot run from fate..."
"What do you mean?!" Tifa cried.
"I mean that she is Sephiroth. I have to destroy Sephiroth. I must kill my own daughter," his voice dropped to a whisper. "The blood line has mixed... I've had all three staining my hands," he looked down painfully. "And now I must have all 3 on my blade. Aerith's... my own... Sephiroth's... his head descended woefully into his hands, hiding away in them.
"Oh, Cloud," Tifa murmured. "How do you know...?"
"Just... trust me..." he said, turning away. "And perhaps it's time we told her the truth... about everything." With that, he called her in a powerful yet grief-stricken voice:
"Sephirah!!"
The story had begun to be told that night, under the soft light of the stars that shone through the clear crystalline glass of the window. Tears were shed as many long forgotten wounds were freshly reopened during the course of those few days. The sun gleamed cheerily through the frosting windows, penetrating the gloom of the past, yet not penetrating the darkness of the tale as it sunk into each of their hearts. Breaks were taken for food and rest, yet Sephirah could not sleep peacefully with the horror of the story. "Sephiroth, Sephirah... It's no coincidence. The Ancients... The very thing that Sephiroth lacked... I have by blood. He would say that the Planet was mine by right, as it was Mom's..." she jerked her mind away suddenly. "I am not Sephiroth!!" she cried into the empty night.
Her mind strayed to something her father had mentioned near the beginning of the story. "The legend..." she whispered. "Sephiroth was never destined to succeed. Mom was destined to die. Dad was destined to spill Sephiroth's blood..." she thought hard, recalling her father's words. "Our Queen does not awaken. The one with blue eyes and the great sword on his back will not reach the Promised Land." She shuddered fearfully. Everything had become true... Soon she fell into a disturbed and restless slumber filled with broken hearts and shattered lives...
The next morning, she rose early and dressed hurriedly. Sneaking out of the house quietly, she zipped up a warm black coat over her house clothes, and ran towards the town-square of Nibelheim. Running stealthily, her long hair glinted sleekly in the light of the moon and stars as it streaked back, fluttering gracefully behind her fleeing form. Soon she had reached her destination: the great Shinra mansion of Cloud's tale, with the enormous library still miraculously intact, even after the savage monsters had inhabited it for so many years. Her father had vanquished the creatures many years ago, so she ran into the rickety building carelessly, dashing down the secret stairs and into the basement. Her footsteps echoed eerily as she entered the empty stone hall, the silence almost deafening to her sensitive ears. She shivered frightfully, but summoned the courage to continue as she proceeded towards the rows and columns of books, volumes and encyclopedias. The past had put into writing by the many people who had recorded their stories here. Tales of joy and woe, history and fiction... it was an endless resource... a fountain of knowledge. It was no wonder that Sephiroth spent so many days here, doing nothing but read and research... you could read about anything here!
"Let's see," she muttered, "'S' for 'Sephiroth'..." Her eyes grazed over the book, falling upon a stack that had been pulled out obviously a long time ago. The smooth leather bindings were coated thick with dust and cobwebs. Disgusted, she gingerly wiped them off with a coat sleeve and sat down. She flipped through quickly... "'Shinra,' 'Jenova Project'..." she muttered, as she deemed the documents useless material. "Aha! 'Sephiroth!'" she cried triumphantly as she slipped the faded ribbon bookmark into the page, snapping the covers of the book shut quickly. She stashed it under her coat and dashed from the basement, terrified that her father would awaken before she arrived home...
She sneaked quickly into the house, dashing silently up the stairs and into her room, where she undressed hurriedly, attempting to climb back into her pajamas. Halfway undressed, she whirled about to see her father standing in the doorway.
"Dad!!!" she cried. "Can't you let me get dressed?!" she snapped, gathering her blanket to her chest to cover her in outrage. Cloud rolled his eyes at his daughter's antics. "That's not the important thing... Where did you go this morning?" he asked coolly.
Sephirah stiffened suddenly, tensing with a rushing fear. Did he know? "I was here all morning..." she tried timidly.
"Don't lie to me!" Cloud hissed threateningly. "Where did you go?" his voice was stern and angry. Sephirah broke down into sobs. She dashed recklessly from her room, pulling on her dark trench coat as she fled down the stairs and out of the house. Cloud heard the heavy door slam below and he shook his head sorrowfully as he drew his sword and followed slowly after her, knocking on the guest room door as he passed. A bleary-eyed Tifa answered the knock, poking her head out grumpily.
"Is something wrong?" she yawned, opening the door for her old friend.
"It's Sephirah. Get dressed and let's go..." he turned away towards the door and quickly marched away, slinging his sword over her back with amazing agility.
"W-wait!" cried Tifa as she slipped quickly into her fighting clothes and ran after Cloud. "What's going on?! Wait for meeeeee..."
Chapter 5- The Cries of the Planet
Sephirah ran wildly down the dusty dirt path, the sharp rocks that her boots kicked up scuffing against her ankles painfully. She did not feel them, however, for she was too busy with her panicked flight to notice the many bruises and cuts that were oozing blood down her ankles and into her shoes. She ran until she could run no more, until she was panting and out of breath. Beginning to stumble in exhaustion, she tripped over a large flat stone in the road and flew forwards, smacking her head violently against a nearby rock. She went out like a light as darkness descended upon her vision, consuming her mind in a vicious black shroud of pain... She gasped sharply as her body became limp upon the green grass, staining it with a rosy tinge.
***
Darkness... Pain... Hatred... Fear...
Those words were given new meaning that night as Sephirah lay still in a comatose state. Her prostrate body was as still and cold as ice, her body fighting for life against the rushing blood, the life that was slowly draining away from her...
She found herself suddenly at the head of a small path leading towards a calm and peaceful lake. Her throat burned like fire, screaming at her mind for water, the scorching heat choking her, gagging her, each breath a burning blade rasping in her lungs. She tried to scream but found that she couldn't; her voice box was dry and caked in her larynx. She ran with born desperation towards the water, that clear and sparkling fluid, which beckoned her, tempting her with it's radiating coolness. She splashed into the cerulean waters, splashing it frantically into her face, her mouth. It healed the pain, soothed it, stroking her soul with its gentle touch... She backed out of the water and stood in the radiant sun to dry, her long hair soaked to the root. She twirled it casually around her palms, wringing the water out and shaking its shining length down her back, flipping the wet strands over her shoulder as she began to walk away from the lake, feeling reborn...
She felt a nagging itch on her bare leg, and instinctively, her hand reached down to scratch the spot. It made contact with something long and slimy, startling her. She looked down at her legs, her skin... and screamed in horror.
Leeches.
So many of them, hundreds, clinging onto her skin, sucking her blood, draining her body and killing her slowly, parasitic creatures that steal the very life from under your nose. She screamed, the sound resounding off the trees, the mountains... but she could not move her body. She collapsed to the forest floor in agony, the life ebbing from her body as a voice spoke.
"I figured that you'd understand better if I showed you this way..." laughed a deep rich voice.
Suddenly, the leaches disappeared, her voice returning to her shaking throat. "W-what? Who are you?!" she inquired shakily.
The voice laughed again. "Don't you know me, Ancient?" he said incredulously.
Sephirah gathered her courage, rising to her feet and took a fighting stance. "Show yourself!!!" she cried into the sky.
The laugh grew louder, more focused. "As you wish, my dear..." it whispered in her ear. She whirled about, surprised and ready to battle. She gasped in terror, drawing back from the tall looming figure. She looked into the bright blue eyes that were so much like her own, the smile so familiar, the long lightness of his hair...
Sephiroth!
She gasped with terror. "W-what do you want with me...?" she gasped, stepping back slightly. Sephiroth laughed at her fear and smiled gently.
"You think I want to hurt you?" he said gently, stepping forwards towards her mesmerized form. He touched her arm gently, his large hands enveloping her biceps easily yet timidly, the soft caress relaxing her mind.
"I suppose you want to know why I made you go through with that experience, right?" he smiled at her. She nodded dazedly, her eyes never leaving his in distrust. He put his arm around her waist, a gentlemanly gesture as she slowly settled into a feeling of security as she leaned against his side as he lead her towards the sparkling lake.
"The Planet..." he whispered softly as the image of a small sphere appeared before her, resting into the outstretched palm of her hand. She shivered as the watched her world grow and develop, from the beginning of time and creation to the present, watching beautiful swirls of colored light encircle the planet, gathering in the North at the center of a valley, the colors merging, forming a stream of green power, of life.
"The Lifestream..." he said gently as she stared, her eyes focusing on the stream. Soon, small buildings, signs of civilization began to appear, scattered across the face of the Planet. A comet hit the image at one point in time and distorted the peace of the sphere, but as no harm seemed to be done other than the gathering of the Lifestream at the northern pole, she paid no heed. The activity in one city ceased suddenly as small red dots began to spread across the region steadily... then suddenly disappeared without warning.
Sephirah watched the many cities intently as they grew and expanded, feeding off the blood of the Planet. She noticed the reduced size of the Lifestream as it thinned out. Suddenly, green haze began to rise from a single metallic grouping on the land.
"The first of the Mako reactors... the beginning of the city of Midgar and the Shinra," he added as she remained fascinated by the globe. The green mist began to grow... other metal regions appeared on the landscape, seemingly polluting the air with a greenish tinge. The air began to blacken over the developing city of Midgar as the plate was erected, darkening the city by blocking out the sun, the very source of life and energy that supported the world. Suddenly, a miniature explosion appeared in one of Midgar's reactors, to Sephirah's surprise. The green mist dissipated over the reactor, replaced by the wicked consuming smoke of fire and destruction.
"The beginning of the adventures of a small resistance group called AVALANCHE, headed by Barret Wallace and an 'Ex-SOLDIER' named Cloud Strife, backed by the owner of a small bar in Sector 7, named Tifa Lockheart..." Sephiroth smiled as he said those names, elongating and emphasizing the vowels. Sephirah's eyes widened as the three names rang in her ears. "Mr. Wallace? D-Daddy? Aunty Tifa?" she choked over the last two names, swallowing her sobs bravely.
He laughed heartily, not an evil cackle, nor a giggle of pure delight. Just a laugh of a normal human... "I see that you know these people..." From the area of the reactor, colorful wisps of light issued, gathering and traveling North. "The people who died in that explosion..." he pointed out as she gazed deep into the vivid spectrum.
"B-But... what do you mean?" she stammered.
"Just keep watching..." he gestured. Once again her eyes focused in on the Northern Mountains, the Lifestream still present there. The stream was drastically thinned, its strength disappearing with its mass. The rainbow of colorful light stretched towards the mountains, merging with the remaining stream. Her mind clicked with realization.
"The Lifestream... Is it where the souls of the dead go? Is that where Mom is?" she urged of him. He nodded. The stream began to fade even more, and soon a sound was evident... a long, painful shriek, the cry of a person in a deep tortured agony.
"The screams... Can you hear the cries of the Planet?" she nodded, fearful and shaken. She could hear it louder than others could because she was an Ancient, born to hear those cries. "That's all it could do... scream, and no one would hear... or care for that matter. Just like the leeches... sucking the life from the host, useless parasites that exist only to make others more miserable," he murmured, with a gloomy chuckle.
"Did Mom hear those too...?" she asked timidly.
"Yes..." he bowed his head shamefully. "That's why..." he began, gesturing towards a spot near the north, towards a city that she had remembered had bustled with activity ages ago, but had gone dead after the sudden celestial body had collided with the Northern Mountains thousands of year ago. A scream issued from that spot, a cry of utter horror and agony. She jumped slightly, quaking with fear.
"W-What was that?!" she cried.
He hung his head, not proud of his deeds. "That... that was the death of the last of the Ancients. The slaying of your mother at my hands..." His arm wrapped around her stunned body tighter, but she shook him away.
"How dare you!! Bastard!!!" she screamed hysterically, tearing frantically away from him.
"B-But..." Sephiroth began.
"Shut up! I want to hear no more of this!" she threw herself to her knees on the floor, sobbing brokenly. "Mom..." she gasped.
"You don't understand. You weren't even born yet..." he said. "My mother gave Aerith another chance at the life I had taken from her, by my request. And so she was given it. Unfortunately, when you were born, she lost her life again." he shook his head sadly.
She looked up at his clear blue eyes as hers filled with tears. "So it's true... I killed her!" she murmured softly, ashamedly.
"I'm sorry, my Sephirah... it's true," Sephiroth said, putting his arms around her and leaning her head gently against his shoulder. Tears rolled onto his shirt, soaking it in their salty mixture, as she cried her youthful heart out in his loving embrace. Her bowed head rested against his chest, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. Sephiroth smiled cruelly. Only one more step left. He lifted her chin with a soft smooth movement and met her eyes to his own. He leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips, her neck. His arms felt stealthily around her back, unzipping her dress, his hands caressing her bare back as he slipped the garment from her shoulders... she fell helplessly into his embrace, his sexual trap.
She was young and innocent... but not for long.
The last thing she remembered was his voice breathing into her ear as his lips grazed over hers, "Remember... no matter what we'll always be together..."
Chapter 6- The Gaze of the Firebird
She woke in his arms, his fond embrace. His strong chest heaved with strength in each breath of his sleeping form. She felt warm and comfortable as she leaned her head closer to his, the two shades of silver meshing slightly. She rolled slightly, taking in her surroundings. A familiar sight for her tired eyes... her room? She sat up, shocked. How did she get here? What would Daddy say when he saw them...? Her mind raced and panicked as she threw off the sheets, hurriedly pulling over her nightgown. Sephiroth stirred beside her, rolling luxuriously with a yawn.
"Oh no!! Daddy will kill us both!" she wailed.
Sephiroth laughed. "Don't worry, my dear," His arm snaked around her waist, inviting her back into the warmth of the bedcovers as he propped himself up on an elbow. "Hahaha... he's already killed me once before! Besides, this is all in your mind... but that doesn't mean that it all isn't real. I am really here... with you... and I would like to ask a favor of you." She nodded slowly, confused.
"Of me? Why... what can I do?" she asked incredulously.
"I would've appeared in real form, but as you know, your father was the one who destroyed that possibility when he ran his sword through my unprotected body..." she nodded in acknowledgement. "Well, you see, your mother was given another chance by my mother in the Lifestream. Unfortunately, my mother, Jenova, could only perform this favor once, so she did it for the one she felt sympathetic towards... Aerith. To allow her to live once more, she had to use what we call the pinion feather of the Dark Phoenix. The Dark Phoenix is the bird that results when the very bird of life, the Phoenix, dies itself. When you slay the Phoenix, the light will drain from it, and it will fall to the ground. If you do not take the feather quickly, the carcass will disappear. It's only happened once in history..." he looked away, as if with grief. "Phoenixes are rare and endangered. There are very few left in this world. I know of the location of one, but perhaps to ask you to do such a task for me-" he turned away form her, facing the wall, "- is far too much to ask..."
Sephirah shook her head hastily. "Just tell me where to go, and I'll do it... for you," she finished decisively.
Sephiroth smiled towards the wall, an evil grin invisible to the young girl. He turned and swept her into his arms joyously. "Thank you, my Sephirah... Now here's what you have to do..."
***
Pain.
A deep excruciating pain.
Darkness again... a merciful darkness
Sephiroth... the Dark Phoenix...
Aunty! Daddy! ... Mother!!!
Feeling slowly registered into her brain, feelings of pain, sorrow, anger, and confusion... Her mind struggled with her body, fighting for control, for strength from her drained container as a pounding, crushing weight enveloped her skull, throbbing and probing at her brain, merciless and agonizing. She tried to cry out, every inch of her tortured body was urging her to, but she found that she couldn't. The darkness was excruciating and lonely...
A bright light appeared ahead of her, a blinking pulsing star, filling her vision with white and blinding her temporarily. She heard a faint voice echoing around her.
"Oh Cloud..." it sighed.
"..." the grief-stricken voice grunted softly.
"Wait... did I just see her eyelashes move...?" the eager first voice was decisively female.
Her father gave a small and muffled cry of surprise, followed by Tifa's disappointed voice.
"...Maybe not," she sighed.
Sephirah's mind raced. "But I did!!" she thought furiously, trying to move her stiffened body helplessly. Pain coursed through her like a stinging whip, causing a mangled cry of anguish to be squeezed from her tortured lungs.
"Sephirah!" a hoarse masculine voice cried in reply. She heard a form rise suddenly, the wooden grain of the chair creaking with the change of weight balanced on it. She could feel the shadow her father as he bent over her, watching patiently, worriedly. She groaned slightly and used her strength to lift her eyelids, which seemed as if they consisted of impossibly heavy stone. She managed to overcome the searing pain as her bloodshot eyes attempted to focus.
"She's ok!!" Tifa cried happily, jumping to her feet, knocking the chair back from behind her.
Cloud began to weep uncontrollably, hunched over his daughter's numbed body, his spiked head contained in his arms, which were resting gently on top of her stomach.
"Daddy," her voice rasped in her throat. His head lifted silently, his cheeks and eyelids swollen and scarlet from his tears. A rueful smile crossed his face as she met his glance feebly, his throat choking with joyous laughter. Sephirah was surprised at the sight. She had never seen her father cry or even show his emotions before, and family friends had confided to her that he hadn't shed a single tear in front of another soul since she was born and her mother had died.
A rush of emotions poured out of Cloud, feelings that he had hidden and bottled up securely in a distant corner of his heart for the past 16 years. His bitterness from Aerith's death, the joy of watching his daughter grow and discover life, worry at her troubles, sorrow from the suffering of his loneliness... She attempted a grin back at her weeping father, a tear rolling likewise from her pain clouded eyes. Cloud leaned down and hugged her gently, rocking her back and forth lovingly. His eyes closed slowly as he bent and kissed her cheek lightly just as he used to secretly as she slept when she was younger.
"Cloud, perhaps you should let her rest some more..." Tifa said tentatively, interrupting the tender moment. Cloud laid her gently down on her pillow and stood, nodding silently at his friend as he turned. He glanced over his shoulder one final time before the exited the room quietly, allowing her to fall back into a deep slumber.
***
The next morning she woke to the peaceful chirping songs of birds outside her window, the sun streaming in cheerily, shadows dancing with the music of a fresh spring morning. The strength of the star's bright rays empowered her, healing her battered body. She absorbed it gratefully, the warmth spreading through her entire body. She yawned tiredly, stretching her lax muscles... then sat up in shock and surprise. "I feel... fine..." she whispered, awestruck. She was in her room, as she remembered, like on a normal pleasant morning. She sprang energetically out of bed. "Wow... I feel good as new!" she thought with a laugh as she skipped down the hallway and stairs. With a foolish grin plastered on her face, she leapt the last few stairs, landing roughly on the rug at the base. The rug bunched at the awkward angle at which she hit it, and with a cry of surprise, she fell with a crash to the floor. Her head pounded furiously as she scrambled to her feet, gathering her bruised dignity as she dusted off her flannel pajama bottoms.
"Ok... almost as good as new," she muttered into the air, rubbing the bruised thigh ruefully. She strolled into the kitchen to look for her father, finding Tifa instead at the stove, a cup of hot water boiling in the kettle. She held a ladle in her hand and stood over a small metal pot in the sink. "Geez... now only if I had some onions..." she muttered busily, flipping through her recipe book. She whirled around suddenly, reaching for a pan in the oven... Seeing Sephirah leaning in the doorway, she froze completely, gasping in surprise as she dropped her ladle in shock. Time seemed to stop for both of them as the plastic clattered noisily to the floor and Tifa stared, wide-eyed, at the healthy girl.
"S-Sephirah?!" she cried incredulously, bending fearfully to relinquish the ladle, her eyes never leaving the girl's face. Sephirah noticed how her hand shook as she picked it up, sauce dripping onto the newly polished floor. Tifa stood up, tears rushing to her eyes as she flung the ladle into the sink and rushed to her, flinging her arms around her.
"Oh Sephirah!!!" she sobbed. Sephirah was shocked... What was going on?
"Aunty Tifa..?" she asked, returning the hug with a shocked expression.
"My dear Sephirah... I thought I'd never hear your voice again!" she cried into the girl.
"W-What do you mean...?" she drew back, confused.
"My child... you've been asleep for over a year!" she whispered excitedly. "You went into another coma after that day... and wouldn't wake up. All the doctors in the countryside visited, trying to get you to come to, but you wouldn't. Cloud was heartbroken..." Tifa bowed her head tiredly.
Sephirah was taken aback with shock. "A-A year?!" she gasped, stuttering over the shocking words.
Tifa's head bobbed once. "Yeah..." Sephirah stepped back, shaking her head dazedly back into reality.
"By the way, where IS Daddy?" she asked Tifa, gazing around the room with interest.
"Your father went out for a little while on a job in the town. Some of the younger children got lost in the mountains yesterday. He'll be back later today," she said, turning back to her culinary preparations.
"It only seemed like one night..." she breathed. She heard footsteps outside, and turning around suddenly, Tifa rushed out outside to declare the news to Cloud. Sephirah moved deftly to the window, watching the weary figure trudge down the rocky path, kicking stones with his heavy hiking boots on the way. Suddenly, his eyes lit up in surprise as he slung his sword nimbly over his shoulder, rushing towards the house with outstretched arms. She cried out with joy and rushed towards him in return... then Tifa filled his arms instead. She saw his strong arms embrace the slender figure, his ungloved hand stroking her hair with love and gentleness. He smiled brightly as he looked into her eyes, locking the gaze as he leaned towards her, kissing her with a deep and obvious passion.
Sephirah's blood boiled as she watched her father caress his lover. She ran furiously out of the house, slamming the heavy rear gate behind her as she confronted Cloud.
"?!" Cloud's throat could not reply in his shock. "...S-Sephirah...?"
"How dare you, Father?! How dare you betray my mother like that?!" The words were ripped from her throat as her eyes blazed with fury. She had never felt so angry before in her life, but internally, she was surprised. "Why am I angry?!" she thought frantically. "This is something I've always wished for when I was little..." Yet the words continued to flow, continued to condemn... but it was almost as if she wasn't speaking them. She tried to stop them, to cease the flow of profanities, words of hatred... but it was beyond her control.
"But Sephie..." he began, pleading with his eyes, her gaze meeting his like ice.
"Hah... well, goodbye. I hope you have a great time with Tifa behind Mom's back..." she sniffed as she walked away haughtily. She took a step into the garage, and out of the shadows, she drew the sheathed form of a long and slim blade, fastening the ties to her belt. With her head held high and dignified, she stalked down the path towards the town.
"Wait!!! SEPHIRAH!!!" Cloud cried, regaining his voice as he watched his daughter leave home... forever. He shook his head sadly as Tifa put a gentle hand on his arm, leading him back into the house. Tears formed in the eyes that had begun to cloud in pain and age. The beads formed slowly, trickling slowly down the channels formed by his slightly creased cheeks. Taking a single glance back, he headed sorrowfully into the house.
Chapter 7- Who are you?
It was soon dusk, and the dust slowly settled over the rolling hillsides, a slight chill settling into the land with the coming of night. Sephirah shivered slightly, control returned after the morning's outburst. The sun glimmered sympathetically as it set over the distant mountains, seemingly retiring for the night as the creamy full moon and stars began to spread their gentle light over the peaceful land.
She had no idea where she had run to... She had gone where her legs could take her, seemingly with an inhuman strength... perhaps because he was with her? She could feel him beside her, within her... a part of her soul. She could hear him whisper... a whisper so faint yet so real... "I love you... my Sephirah."
She shivered in fear, wrapping her arms about her torso protectively. This couldn't be real... it had to be another dream... Yet she knew from the bone chilling cold of the feeling in her spine that this was as real as she was.
All she could do was pray for the best as she set sluggishly off down the path, the frost beginning to creep through her clothes, dragging her down with incredible weight. She attempted to continue doggedly as she realized in dulled panic that she hadn't recovered fully... Her eyelids began to droop with tiredness as the tears began to freeze them shut, and tottering slightly, she stumbled and fell amongst the weeds on the path, frost lining her face and hair, freezing her slowly as she drifted off into unconsciousness...
***
Her eyes focused blearily within the depths of her mind... cries could be heard from the depths of the darkness, cutting across her eardrums. Shrieks of pure agony, of pain, and hatred. Then... a song. The sweet coaxing melodies of voices in unison, united and harmonious. Her mind was peaceful, relaxed and at rest, her heart with neither fear nor apprehension. She stood in awe, gazing around her at the soft pulsing green waves of energy immersing her ankles. She knelt rapturously, dipping her hands into the mist, cupping them as she drew them towards her heart. The mist dissipated in her hold as she brought it up, dripping slowly back into the body of the fog. She stood, gazing into the blackened distances of the horizon around her. The Lifestream...
She felt a slight tap on her shoulder, and the back of her neck prickled with fear as she whirled around to confront the entity. She gasped in fear and apprehension, eyes widening as her throat attempted to wrench out a gagged scream of revulsion. The figure was hideous and distorted, with long pinkish tendrils slithering and trailing behind its slimy twisted body. A bluish tinge in its flesh reminded her of death and disease, spots in its skin blackened and mottled over the throat and jaw.
Sephirah opened her mouth to scream, but a tentacle snaked quickly across her throat and mouth, gagging her firmly but not too tightly.
"My child," was its sibilant hiss, "Do you not know me?" Sephirah's eyes clamped shut in revulsion and fear as she fought the hold valiantly. "Perhaps... this would be a more comfortable form for you..." A small deft twirl coupled with a flash of light revealed a young woman, dark of hair and eye. Her loosely pulled back hair shimmered gently, her spectacles gently resting upon a thinly bridged nose, reflecting the green of the Lifestream in her dark pupils. She was clad in a white lab dress, obvious intelligence shining through her very aura.
She smiled gently. "I am Lucrecia Hojo."
Sephirah took a step back in surprise. "You mean, Lucrecia Hojo from the textbooks? Known for many famous discoveries, assisting the scientist Hojo as his wife in experiments? Some of which including... including the lifeform found in the Northern Mountains that the scientists named "Jenova"... And the very mother of an experiment to create the world's greatest SOLDIER for the company Shinra..."
Lucrecia slid her glasses further up her nose, smiling shyly. "Yes, I guess that would be me," she blushed.
"Wow... It's an honor to meet you, Professor!" she extended her hand to meet that of Lucrecia's, but drew back suddenly with realization.
"Mrs. Lucrecia Hojo... died over 40 years ago soon after giving birth to a child that did awe the world by becoming the greatest SOLDIER... his name was Sephiroth. Had reportedly been seen periodically at the site of a waterfall near Corel, but 17 years ago, reports of sightings had ceased to appear." She sniffed angrily in contempt. "At least those years of textbooks and school paid off finally. What kind of trick are you trying to pull over me?!"
"What do you mean?" Lucrecia looked genuinely surprised.
"I mean that you are a fake! Nice try, monster." she laughed.
The figure looked disturbed, and wrung its hands in dismay. "Hpmh!" grunted Lucrecia. With another quick turn, and a more powerful flash of light, the creature revealed another form. She seemed vaguely familiar to Sephirah, an image conjured by same faint dream as her mind strove to remember.
Her thoughts wandered to an emerald porcelain vase that lay on her father's nightstand, a vase that was always filled with fresh garden flowers. It had always been a mystery to the town why their garden flourished so, without the family caring for it, without them even weeding the patch. Cloud had always shrugged off the inquiries about fertilizers and plant treatments, leaving the villagers even more puzzled. She remembered how they used to lie amongst the sweet fragrances together, the sweet perfume of flowers filling their senses completely. Cloud would pick them fresh from the garden each Sunday to lay in the delicate vase at his bedside, straightening a small crystal picture frame that was lined with dried and pressed red roses. It was delicate and beautiful, an object that she, as a curious child, had never even dreamed of touching. It was said by family friends to have been made by her mother in her final days... by thin delicate hands as she carried her daughter in her womb. A smiling face lay within, guarding and guiding their souls and home with her gentle vigil. She recalled, "The vase was the color of her radiant eyes," as her father used to say in a dreamy tone...
"M-Mommy?!" she gasped. A familiar scent of fresh garden flowers filled the air, catching her in its seemingly tangible embrace. She recalled many years ago, when she had discovered a bottle of her mother's homemade perfume in an old forlorn drawer. She had used it sparingly since on special occasions, the pretty scent admired by men and women alike.
"My Sephirah..." the voice was silky in its joy. "Sephirah... come to me, my daughter. Let me hold you in my arms, just once..." She extended her arms in welcome, inviting Sephirah to fall into her embrace, to rest her tired cheek against her bosom. "You will forever be mine, Sephirah..." the voice seemed to echo from afar.
"No!!!" ripped another voice from the air, a strangled cry. Aerith's eyes closed and reopened once, pleading with her daughter.
"Oh, my Sephirah, fight it!!" the voice seemed to be squeezed from her lungs. "It is too late for me... don't let her control you with her trickery!" The eyes of the figure widened considerably with panic and pain. "She is not your mother... Don't submit!! Agh!!!" A scream emitted from the woman, violently beating the consciousness into submission.
"Now as we were," a smile lit Aerith's face, a smile now seemingly fake to Sephirah's purified eyes. She stared within Aerith's eyes... she could see the dancing shadows flitting across... No, it was no shadow, but a monster instead!
"No!!" she screeched, swiping her arm angrily, startling the apparition. "I will not be your slave, you... you... witch!!" Sephirah spat. Aerith frowned seemingly in confusion.
"What do you mean, Sephie? I'm your mother..." a tiny tear slid down Aerith's cheek, glistening in the low light. Sephirah turned away painfully, closing her eyes as she hesitated in momentary uncertainty.
"You are NOT my mother!" she backed away, shaking her head decisively.
The woman laughed cruelly, and with a final flash of light that caused Sephirah to flinch weakly, confronted her. "No, you're very right, my clever girl..." a deep velvety voice sounded upon her ears. "I am Sephiroth." The greenish eyes glinted, filling her vision with a pulsing, hypnotizing rhythm. She couldn't resist it, not in his eyes... "I love you," he whispered, catching her swaying body in his arms as he kissed her firmly. Strength broken, Sephirah submitted, allowing herself to fall into his control, his mighty power. The warm and pungent smell of flesh and sweat wreathed about her nose as he rocked her in his arms. Her eyes closed slowly as she rested her cheek tiredly against his bare chest.
"You are mine, my Sephirah," his voice echoed around the Lifestream as the vision began to fade...
***
Chapter 8- The Tiny Bronco
"Oh Cid, do you think she'll be ok?" asked a woman's voice impatiently as Sephirah's mind came to through the haze of darkness.
"Heh... if she's really Strife's girl, she'll have enough spunk to pull through," another voice answered gruffly.
"I'm really worried about her... so you think we should call Cloud over here?" the woman whispered anxiously.
Cid chuckled lightly but heartily, coughing up a slight film of cigarette tobacco. "If I know those damned Strifes, they have a spirit of their own. We'll wait and hear what the girl has to say first."
At the sound of a friendly and familiar voice, Sephirah stirred and groaned, muscles stiff and aching from the deep cold she had been exposed to. She stretched and yawned sleepily as she recognized the figures before her.
"There ya go, Shera. She's ok." Cid shrugged as he puffed away on a cigarette.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Shera breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so worried..."
Sephirah gazed around the room. "Mr. Cid? Aunt Shera? What's going on?" she groaned.
"Same question back to you too." Cid said casually. "We found you layin' half dead in a field close to the mountain. Care to explain what you were doing there?"
"Knock that off Cid! Wanna play the 'tough guy,' eh? You were as worried about her as a mother about her newborn baby. So shut up!" Shera intervened with a wink and a playful poke at Cid's unguarded ribs. He grumbled ashamedly at her. "Well, honey, are you okay?" she resumed speaking to Sephirah.
Cid chuckled at the growing spirit of his wife. "Whatever, woman. But it really shouldn't have taken a rocket scientist to see that she's ok..." Sephirah's eyes rolled at the awful joke.
Shera sighed. "Oh... just shut up, will ya?!" she yelled with a playful grin at Cid as he smiled in return through the heavy haze of cigarette smoke.
Sephirah sat up tiredly from the couch in the cluttered house where the Highwinds lived. The curtains in their living room were tattered slightly and objects lay strewn carelessly over the floor, but it was the way they liked it. Shera had always complained good-naturedly about the mess that she'd have to clean up every day in their cozy home, yet she never had the heart to let the house go completely clean. It'd seem so bare and simple for their personalities. Engine parts and science magazines littered the floor and tables, marking the life of busy people. The light filtered in through the shining clean windows, spots of light cast over the coffee-stained rugs through the time worn curtains. A delicious aroma arose from the stove as a teakettle whistled musically. Shera rose to her feet and snapped off the range, lifting the teakettle while searching through their cabinets for a tea set. With a welcoming smile, she poured the contents of the kettle into a small mug and presented it to Sephirah.
"Drink up, dear. Perhaps you'd like to share your story with us when you're finished?" Shera coaxed. Sephirah nodded with the steam from the mug filling her eyes as she gulped down the hot drink.
"I-It's rather hard for me to explain..." she began. "Well, you see, um... I need to research the Phoenix for a field project in school. I have a two-week leave to travel to Fort Condor, where the Phoenix has been sighted periodically. Mr. Cid, would you mind flying me to the other continent... please?"
Cid grumbled reluctantly and lazily as he heard the request, pending it on his mind. Shera turned to him with a sly smile and elbowed him in his slightly rounded stomach. "Oh, honey, just do it for her!!"
"Don't 'honey' me, woman!" he mumbled under his breath. Then with a sigh, he resigned and ground his cigarette stub forcefully into a waiting ashtray. "Fine! I'll do it. For Aerith's daughter." Sephirah's heart leapt with joy. "Oh, thank you!!" she cried, kissing her father's friends on their cheeks. Cid blushed slightly and recoiled, turning away grumbling as he left the room, leaving Shera wrapped deep in Sephirah's embrace. Sephirah felt a slight bulge pressing against her stomach as they hugged, and puzzled, she withdrew slightly.
"What's this?" Sephirah pulled away, looking down at the shallowly rounded bulge that protruded shyly from Shera's loose casual dress at the abdomen. Shera blushed timidly and smiled at her.
"Oh my god!" Sephirah cried joyously. "Is it...?" Sephirah could read Shera's answer from the proud gleam in her eyes. Sephirah gave a girlish squeal as she took Shera's hands and danced her around in excitement as Shera giggled good-naturedly.
"Well, after your father finally convinced Cid to marry me, it took a year's worth of negotiation, but we decided to have a child. The hard part is that I made him promise to give up smoking for the baby's sake once it comes," she burst out laughing.
"Oh, that's wonderful!!!" Sephirah's light breezy laugh joined Shera's.
Sephirah spent the entire night at the Highwinds as Cid readied the restored Tiny Bronco for the next day's flight. She talked and gossiped merrily with Shera the entire night as they packed provisions and useful items for her journey. Sephirah realized with embarrassment that she was still clad in her nightclothes, so Shera readily lent her a lovely sky blue summer dress, claiming with a cheeky grin that it wouldn't fit her for a very long time. By the time that the first ray of colorful light leaked its way across the cloud scattered sky at dawn, she was ready to depart.
Sephirah climbed into the passenger seat of the older plane tentatively, carefully placing her baggage in the compartment at her feet as she smoothed the wrinkles from her borrowed skirt and sat down. After a few minutes, Cid emerged from the house, Shera tugging his sleepy form by the arm. She gave him a gentle kiss goodbye as she gave a giant grin and a wave to the girl. Sephirah waited patiently as Cid gave the plane a final inspection and climbed deftly into the pilot seat.
"Take care you two!!" she could hear Shera shout over the roar of the engines and the whistling whir of the propellers. Sephirah gave a cry of delight as they lifted into the sky, seemingly heading into the great ball of fiery energy that floated serenely in the sky.
***
Cloud and Tifa ran through the Nibel Mountains frantically, searching high and low amongst the sparse crowds of monsters near the cliffs. The shadows of the tall rocks made it hard for them to navigate during the early morning. Cloud cursed under his breath, a fine mist forming from his breath from the cold. If only noon would come... the sun would be overhead and the search conditions would be perfect.
"She's gotta be here somewhere! This is the only place left to search. The villagers have been combing the town and its outskirts, but there's been no sign of here anywhere!" Cloud's voice was barely audible to anyone but himself. Tifa sighed sorrowfully. He'd been that way ever since she had run away, always mumbling to himself under his breath, never relenting on his frenzied hunt. Sure, he had the right to be worried... she was too, yet...
Reaching the ancient perilous rope-bridge, Cloud began to climb it, not even noticing that the bridge's unsteady planks were swinging over such a great ravine. Tifa followed reluctantly, memories of the collapsing bridge flooding back and haunting her soul. She shivered as they crossed it, all of their senses tense and alert. Her ears pricked up, hearing a faint roaring sound from the horizon. It grew slowly louder, until Cloud and Tifa were almost on the other side of the cliff, about to place their feet on the rocky mountain soil.
A heavy roar of engines sounded nearby, followed by the light whirring of propellers. A cloud of smoke trailed like streamers behind a colorful airplane, flying over the mountains and into the distance. Cloud's head shot up like a rocket as he broke into a run down the path.
"Wait Cloud!!!!!" cried Tifa, panting in an effort to catch up to him. Cloud didn't even turn his head as he yelled in simple reply:
"To Rocket town!!!"
Chapter 4- Reburial
The funeral was held three days hence. Cloud was heartbroken... She was gone once more, and this time they would not have a second chance. He held the baby to his muscular chest as she gurgled and played noisily, her bright eyes staring curiously about the room. He had named her... she had taken from him his love; she had destroyed his world, his heart.
He had named her... Sephirah.
Once again, she had died with a smile perched divinely on thin lips. Her face was peaceful, even though fine lines of pain creased it, displaying age that she hadn't experienced in her short lifetime. Once again must he put her to rest... but this time in the ground.
Many people watched as they lowered the casket into the soil, watched as Cloud broke down completely into one last bout of tears... watched as the baby played, indifferent and ignorant to the situation.
Cloud was infuriated... she had given her life for another once again, but this life was not grateful. But deep in his mind, the pricking pain met him, reminded him that the baby could not know... that she would always be with him... that she loved him.
And so he cared for the child. It was a dull pain in his heart that made him keep from loving her as much as he could... a pain that would never leave him. But he did love Sephirah. He taught her to be strong and virtuous. He raised her properly, did everything that a real parent should... except show his love for her. Every time he picked young Sephirah up and swung her about, he saw Aerith's face. Perhaps it was the long silky bangs, or the innocent child-like eyes, but... he turned his head away and put her down, choking over a rising sob.
Sixteen years later, she had become a beautiful young woman. Her long silver locks were the envy of the town, not to mention she had better fighting skills than all the boys in the town put together. She had grown as a tomboy, swift and strong, lithe and sleek. But when she wished to, she could act like a perfect model of a lady, especially when Aunt Tifa came over to visit. Tifa and Sephirah shared a bond... Tifa had shown Sephirah the love that had been missing from her life... she had done what Cloud was unable to do.
And so Tifa taught Sephirah lady-like things... how to care for her abundant sliver locks, allure a guy, and far more. And Sephirah looked upon her like a big sister... no almost a mother...
Sephirah had never known much about her mother. All she knew was that she had died during complications after giving birth to her, the only child of her parents. Cloud would not speak much of his late wife to his daughter, for then he would turn away and head to a place of seclusion before breaking into bitter tears... the wound had not yet healed, the scar had not yet formed on the new flesh... And so Sephirah held her tact and her tongue.
On her 16th birthday, Cloud gave her a present, wrapped in a long oiled cloth. Her blue-green eyes glowed in curiosity and surprise as she unwound the strips of protective cloth carefully, revealing the sleek, slender blade. She gasped with surprise as she held it in her hand, the hilt balanced perfectly to her muscles. It was almost as if it were made for her... She hugged her father tightly, thanking him profusely as he stood there, dumbfounded at what he just did...
Later that long and fateful night, Tifa came to visit the Strifes' home in the outskirts of Nibelheim. Sephirah flew happily to her, babbling excitedly about her father's wonderful present.
"Happy Birthday, my dear Sephy!" she laughed. She hugged the slender figure joyously.
"Aunty, let me show you Daddy's present!" she said excitedly, bounding up the stairs in a frantic hurry. "Come on!" she called to Tifa, beckoning her. Tifa climbed the stairs swiftly and agilely behind her. Entering the room, she was shocked to see Sephirah wielding the Masamune before her as the streams of bright sunlight created a crazy gleam in her eyes... Tifa gasped and fell back, pain searing across her chest with the memories. The scar still remained...
"No!" the shrill shriek rebounded from the rafters, catching Sephirah off-guard. Tifa crumpled to the floor in silent agony, clutching at the scarred flash as she winced and drew breath in agony.
"Aunty, what's wrong?" asked a shocked Sephirah, dropping the sword with fright. It clattered harmlessly off the floor tiles, seemingly just a sharpened piece of metal...
"That sword..." she panted fearfully, "It can't be! Is Cloud insane?!"
"What is it?" Sephirah picked up the sword and placed it on tabletop, backing away frightened. Her eyes widened in horror.
Tifa broke down completely. "That sword... did he never tell you?"
"Tell me what?!" cried Sephirah. Tifa shook her head.
"I can't... I mean... your father and I need to have a talk!" she said, gathering her composure and remaining dignity. She descended to the stairs in search of Cloud, but could not find him in the house. She saw him, leaning blankly against a wall outside, sword drawn and hanging by his side in the shade beneath a tall willow tree.
"Cloud... how could you?!" she hissed. "You daughter had a chance for a normal life, and now you wish to take it from her?" she began.
It was an absent Cloud who replied to Tifa, pain consuming his soul like a dark flame. "No... she never did..." he replied quietly. A salty tear slid down his cheek, tucking itself snugly into a corner of his mouth. "It's beginning again. She has to face her destiny as I did mine. I have learned that you cannot run from fate..."
"What do you mean?!" Tifa cried.
"I mean that she is Sephiroth. I have to destroy Sephiroth. I must kill my own daughter," his voice dropped to a whisper. "The blood line has mixed... I've had all three staining my hands," he looked down painfully. "And now I must have all 3 on my blade. Aerith's... my own... Sephiroth's... his head descended woefully into his hands, hiding away in them.
"Oh, Cloud," Tifa murmured. "How do you know...?"
"Just... trust me..." he said, turning away. "And perhaps it's time we told her the truth... about everything." With that, he called her in a powerful yet grief-stricken voice:
"Sephirah!!"
The story had begun to be told that night, under the soft light of the stars that shone through the clear crystalline glass of the window. Tears were shed as many long forgotten wounds were freshly reopened during the course of those few days. The sun gleamed cheerily through the frosting windows, penetrating the gloom of the past, yet not penetrating the darkness of the tale as it sunk into each of their hearts. Breaks were taken for food and rest, yet Sephirah could not sleep peacefully with the horror of the story. "Sephiroth, Sephirah... It's no coincidence. The Ancients... The very thing that Sephiroth lacked... I have by blood. He would say that the Planet was mine by right, as it was Mom's..." she jerked her mind away suddenly. "I am not Sephiroth!!" she cried into the empty night.
Her mind strayed to something her father had mentioned near the beginning of the story. "The legend..." she whispered. "Sephiroth was never destined to succeed. Mom was destined to die. Dad was destined to spill Sephiroth's blood..." she thought hard, recalling her father's words. "Our Queen does not awaken. The one with blue eyes and the great sword on his back will not reach the Promised Land." She shuddered fearfully. Everything had become true... Soon she fell into a disturbed and restless slumber filled with broken hearts and shattered lives...
The next morning, she rose early and dressed hurriedly. Sneaking out of the house quietly, she zipped up a warm black coat over her house clothes, and ran towards the town-square of Nibelheim. Running stealthily, her long hair glinted sleekly in the light of the moon and stars as it streaked back, fluttering gracefully behind her fleeing form. Soon she had reached her destination: the great Shinra mansion of Cloud's tale, with the enormous library still miraculously intact, even after the savage monsters had inhabited it for so many years. Her father had vanquished the creatures many years ago, so she ran into the rickety building carelessly, dashing down the secret stairs and into the basement. Her footsteps echoed eerily as she entered the empty stone hall, the silence almost deafening to her sensitive ears. She shivered frightfully, but summoned the courage to continue as she proceeded towards the rows and columns of books, volumes and encyclopedias. The past had put into writing by the many people who had recorded their stories here. Tales of joy and woe, history and fiction... it was an endless resource... a fountain of knowledge. It was no wonder that Sephiroth spent so many days here, doing nothing but read and research... you could read about anything here!
"Let's see," she muttered, "'S' for 'Sephiroth'..." Her eyes grazed over the book, falling upon a stack that had been pulled out obviously a long time ago. The smooth leather bindings were coated thick with dust and cobwebs. Disgusted, she gingerly wiped them off with a coat sleeve and sat down. She flipped through quickly... "'Shinra,' 'Jenova Project'..." she muttered, as she deemed the documents useless material. "Aha! 'Sephiroth!'" she cried triumphantly as she slipped the faded ribbon bookmark into the page, snapping the covers of the book shut quickly. She stashed it under her coat and dashed from the basement, terrified that her father would awaken before she arrived home...
She sneaked quickly into the house, dashing silently up the stairs and into her room, where she undressed hurriedly, attempting to climb back into her pajamas. Halfway undressed, she whirled about to see her father standing in the doorway.
"Dad!!!" she cried. "Can't you let me get dressed?!" she snapped, gathering her blanket to her chest to cover her in outrage. Cloud rolled his eyes at his daughter's antics. "That's not the important thing... Where did you go this morning?" he asked coolly.
Sephirah stiffened suddenly, tensing with a rushing fear. Did he know? "I was here all morning..." she tried timidly.
"Don't lie to me!" Cloud hissed threateningly. "Where did you go?" his voice was stern and angry. Sephirah broke down into sobs. She dashed recklessly from her room, pulling on her dark trench coat as she fled down the stairs and out of the house. Cloud heard the heavy door slam below and he shook his head sorrowfully as he drew his sword and followed slowly after her, knocking on the guest room door as he passed. A bleary-eyed Tifa answered the knock, poking her head out grumpily.
"Is something wrong?" she yawned, opening the door for her old friend.
"It's Sephirah. Get dressed and let's go..." he turned away towards the door and quickly marched away, slinging his sword over her back with amazing agility.
"W-wait!" cried Tifa as she slipped quickly into her fighting clothes and ran after Cloud. "What's going on?! Wait for meeeeee..."
Chapter 5- The Cries of the Planet
Sephirah ran wildly down the dusty dirt path, the sharp rocks that her boots kicked up scuffing against her ankles painfully. She did not feel them, however, for she was too busy with her panicked flight to notice the many bruises and cuts that were oozing blood down her ankles and into her shoes. She ran until she could run no more, until she was panting and out of breath. Beginning to stumble in exhaustion, she tripped over a large flat stone in the road and flew forwards, smacking her head violently against a nearby rock. She went out like a light as darkness descended upon her vision, consuming her mind in a vicious black shroud of pain... She gasped sharply as her body became limp upon the green grass, staining it with a rosy tinge.
***
Darkness... Pain... Hatred... Fear...
Those words were given new meaning that night as Sephirah lay still in a comatose state. Her prostrate body was as still and cold as ice, her body fighting for life against the rushing blood, the life that was slowly draining away from her...
She found herself suddenly at the head of a small path leading towards a calm and peaceful lake. Her throat burned like fire, screaming at her mind for water, the scorching heat choking her, gagging her, each breath a burning blade rasping in her lungs. She tried to scream but found that she couldn't; her voice box was dry and caked in her larynx. She ran with born desperation towards the water, that clear and sparkling fluid, which beckoned her, tempting her with it's radiating coolness. She splashed into the cerulean waters, splashing it frantically into her face, her mouth. It healed the pain, soothed it, stroking her soul with its gentle touch... She backed out of the water and stood in the radiant sun to dry, her long hair soaked to the root. She twirled it casually around her palms, wringing the water out and shaking its shining length down her back, flipping the wet strands over her shoulder as she began to walk away from the lake, feeling reborn...
She felt a nagging itch on her bare leg, and instinctively, her hand reached down to scratch the spot. It made contact with something long and slimy, startling her. She looked down at her legs, her skin... and screamed in horror.
Leeches.
So many of them, hundreds, clinging onto her skin, sucking her blood, draining her body and killing her slowly, parasitic creatures that steal the very life from under your nose. She screamed, the sound resounding off the trees, the mountains... but she could not move her body. She collapsed to the forest floor in agony, the life ebbing from her body as a voice spoke.
"I figured that you'd understand better if I showed you this way..." laughed a deep rich voice.
Suddenly, the leaches disappeared, her voice returning to her shaking throat. "W-what? Who are you?!" she inquired shakily.
The voice laughed again. "Don't you know me, Ancient?" he said incredulously.
Sephirah gathered her courage, rising to her feet and took a fighting stance. "Show yourself!!!" she cried into the sky.
The laugh grew louder, more focused. "As you wish, my dear..." it whispered in her ear. She whirled about, surprised and ready to battle. She gasped in terror, drawing back from the tall looming figure. She looked into the bright blue eyes that were so much like her own, the smile so familiar, the long lightness of his hair...
Sephiroth!
She gasped with terror. "W-what do you want with me...?" she gasped, stepping back slightly. Sephiroth laughed at her fear and smiled gently.
"You think I want to hurt you?" he said gently, stepping forwards towards her mesmerized form. He touched her arm gently, his large hands enveloping her biceps easily yet timidly, the soft caress relaxing her mind.
"I suppose you want to know why I made you go through with that experience, right?" he smiled at her. She nodded dazedly, her eyes never leaving his in distrust. He put his arm around her waist, a gentlemanly gesture as she slowly settled into a feeling of security as she leaned against his side as he lead her towards the sparkling lake.
"The Planet..." he whispered softly as the image of a small sphere appeared before her, resting into the outstretched palm of her hand. She shivered as the watched her world grow and develop, from the beginning of time and creation to the present, watching beautiful swirls of colored light encircle the planet, gathering in the North at the center of a valley, the colors merging, forming a stream of green power, of life.
"The Lifestream..." he said gently as she stared, her eyes focusing on the stream. Soon, small buildings, signs of civilization began to appear, scattered across the face of the Planet. A comet hit the image at one point in time and distorted the peace of the sphere, but as no harm seemed to be done other than the gathering of the Lifestream at the northern pole, she paid no heed. The activity in one city ceased suddenly as small red dots began to spread across the region steadily... then suddenly disappeared without warning.
Sephirah watched the many cities intently as they grew and expanded, feeding off the blood of the Planet. She noticed the reduced size of the Lifestream as it thinned out. Suddenly, green haze began to rise from a single metallic grouping on the land.
"The first of the Mako reactors... the beginning of the city of Midgar and the Shinra," he added as she remained fascinated by the globe. The green mist began to grow... other metal regions appeared on the landscape, seemingly polluting the air with a greenish tinge. The air began to blacken over the developing city of Midgar as the plate was erected, darkening the city by blocking out the sun, the very source of life and energy that supported the world. Suddenly, a miniature explosion appeared in one of Midgar's reactors, to Sephirah's surprise. The green mist dissipated over the reactor, replaced by the wicked consuming smoke of fire and destruction.
"The beginning of the adventures of a small resistance group called AVALANCHE, headed by Barret Wallace and an 'Ex-SOLDIER' named Cloud Strife, backed by the owner of a small bar in Sector 7, named Tifa Lockheart..." Sephiroth smiled as he said those names, elongating and emphasizing the vowels. Sephirah's eyes widened as the three names rang in her ears. "Mr. Wallace? D-Daddy? Aunty Tifa?" she choked over the last two names, swallowing her sobs bravely.
He laughed heartily, not an evil cackle, nor a giggle of pure delight. Just a laugh of a normal human... "I see that you know these people..." From the area of the reactor, colorful wisps of light issued, gathering and traveling North. "The people who died in that explosion..." he pointed out as she gazed deep into the vivid spectrum.
"B-But... what do you mean?" she stammered.
"Just keep watching..." he gestured. Once again her eyes focused in on the Northern Mountains, the Lifestream still present there. The stream was drastically thinned, its strength disappearing with its mass. The rainbow of colorful light stretched towards the mountains, merging with the remaining stream. Her mind clicked with realization.
"The Lifestream... Is it where the souls of the dead go? Is that where Mom is?" she urged of him. He nodded. The stream began to fade even more, and soon a sound was evident... a long, painful shriek, the cry of a person in a deep tortured agony.
"The screams... Can you hear the cries of the Planet?" she nodded, fearful and shaken. She could hear it louder than others could because she was an Ancient, born to hear those cries. "That's all it could do... scream, and no one would hear... or care for that matter. Just like the leeches... sucking the life from the host, useless parasites that exist only to make others more miserable," he murmured, with a gloomy chuckle.
"Did Mom hear those too...?" she asked timidly.
"Yes..." he bowed his head shamefully. "That's why..." he began, gesturing towards a spot near the north, towards a city that she had remembered had bustled with activity ages ago, but had gone dead after the sudden celestial body had collided with the Northern Mountains thousands of year ago. A scream issued from that spot, a cry of utter horror and agony. She jumped slightly, quaking with fear.
"W-What was that?!" she cried.
He hung his head, not proud of his deeds. "That... that was the death of the last of the Ancients. The slaying of your mother at my hands..." His arm wrapped around her stunned body tighter, but she shook him away.
"How dare you!! Bastard!!!" she screamed hysterically, tearing frantically away from him.
"B-But..." Sephiroth began.
"Shut up! I want to hear no more of this!" she threw herself to her knees on the floor, sobbing brokenly. "Mom..." she gasped.
"You don't understand. You weren't even born yet..." he said. "My mother gave Aerith another chance at the life I had taken from her, by my request. And so she was given it. Unfortunately, when you were born, she lost her life again." he shook his head sadly.
She looked up at his clear blue eyes as hers filled with tears. "So it's true... I killed her!" she murmured softly, ashamedly.
"I'm sorry, my Sephirah... it's true," Sephiroth said, putting his arms around her and leaning her head gently against his shoulder. Tears rolled onto his shirt, soaking it in their salty mixture, as she cried her youthful heart out in his loving embrace. Her bowed head rested against his chest, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. Sephiroth smiled cruelly. Only one more step left. He lifted her chin with a soft smooth movement and met her eyes to his own. He leaned down and kissed her passionately on the lips, her neck. His arms felt stealthily around her back, unzipping her dress, his hands caressing her bare back as he slipped the garment from her shoulders... she fell helplessly into his embrace, his sexual trap.
She was young and innocent... but not for long.
The last thing she remembered was his voice breathing into her ear as his lips grazed over hers, "Remember... no matter what we'll always be together..."
Chapter 6- The Gaze of the Firebird
She woke in his arms, his fond embrace. His strong chest heaved with strength in each breath of his sleeping form. She felt warm and comfortable as she leaned her head closer to his, the two shades of silver meshing slightly. She rolled slightly, taking in her surroundings. A familiar sight for her tired eyes... her room? She sat up, shocked. How did she get here? What would Daddy say when he saw them...? Her mind raced and panicked as she threw off the sheets, hurriedly pulling over her nightgown. Sephiroth stirred beside her, rolling luxuriously with a yawn.
"Oh no!! Daddy will kill us both!" she wailed.
Sephiroth laughed. "Don't worry, my dear," His arm snaked around her waist, inviting her back into the warmth of the bedcovers as he propped himself up on an elbow. "Hahaha... he's already killed me once before! Besides, this is all in your mind... but that doesn't mean that it all isn't real. I am really here... with you... and I would like to ask a favor of you." She nodded slowly, confused.
"Of me? Why... what can I do?" she asked incredulously.
"I would've appeared in real form, but as you know, your father was the one who destroyed that possibility when he ran his sword through my unprotected body..." she nodded in acknowledgement. "Well, you see, your mother was given another chance by my mother in the Lifestream. Unfortunately, my mother, Jenova, could only perform this favor once, so she did it for the one she felt sympathetic towards... Aerith. To allow her to live once more, she had to use what we call the pinion feather of the Dark Phoenix. The Dark Phoenix is the bird that results when the very bird of life, the Phoenix, dies itself. When you slay the Phoenix, the light will drain from it, and it will fall to the ground. If you do not take the feather quickly, the carcass will disappear. It's only happened once in history..." he looked away, as if with grief. "Phoenixes are rare and endangered. There are very few left in this world. I know of the location of one, but perhaps to ask you to do such a task for me-" he turned away form her, facing the wall, "- is far too much to ask..."
Sephirah shook her head hastily. "Just tell me where to go, and I'll do it... for you," she finished decisively.
Sephiroth smiled towards the wall, an evil grin invisible to the young girl. He turned and swept her into his arms joyously. "Thank you, my Sephirah... Now here's what you have to do..."
***
Pain.
A deep excruciating pain.
Darkness again... a merciful darkness
Sephiroth... the Dark Phoenix...
Aunty! Daddy! ... Mother!!!
Feeling slowly registered into her brain, feelings of pain, sorrow, anger, and confusion... Her mind struggled with her body, fighting for control, for strength from her drained container as a pounding, crushing weight enveloped her skull, throbbing and probing at her brain, merciless and agonizing. She tried to cry out, every inch of her tortured body was urging her to, but she found that she couldn't. The darkness was excruciating and lonely...
A bright light appeared ahead of her, a blinking pulsing star, filling her vision with white and blinding her temporarily. She heard a faint voice echoing around her.
"Oh Cloud..." it sighed.
"..." the grief-stricken voice grunted softly.
"Wait... did I just see her eyelashes move...?" the eager first voice was decisively female.
Her father gave a small and muffled cry of surprise, followed by Tifa's disappointed voice.
"...Maybe not," she sighed.
Sephirah's mind raced. "But I did!!" she thought furiously, trying to move her stiffened body helplessly. Pain coursed through her like a stinging whip, causing a mangled cry of anguish to be squeezed from her tortured lungs.
"Sephirah!" a hoarse masculine voice cried in reply. She heard a form rise suddenly, the wooden grain of the chair creaking with the change of weight balanced on it. She could feel the shadow her father as he bent over her, watching patiently, worriedly. She groaned slightly and used her strength to lift her eyelids, which seemed as if they consisted of impossibly heavy stone. She managed to overcome the searing pain as her bloodshot eyes attempted to focus.
"She's ok!!" Tifa cried happily, jumping to her feet, knocking the chair back from behind her.
Cloud began to weep uncontrollably, hunched over his daughter's numbed body, his spiked head contained in his arms, which were resting gently on top of her stomach.
"Daddy," her voice rasped in her throat. His head lifted silently, his cheeks and eyelids swollen and scarlet from his tears. A rueful smile crossed his face as she met his glance feebly, his throat choking with joyous laughter. Sephirah was surprised at the sight. She had never seen her father cry or even show his emotions before, and family friends had confided to her that he hadn't shed a single tear in front of another soul since she was born and her mother had died.
A rush of emotions poured out of Cloud, feelings that he had hidden and bottled up securely in a distant corner of his heart for the past 16 years. His bitterness from Aerith's death, the joy of watching his daughter grow and discover life, worry at her troubles, sorrow from the suffering of his loneliness... She attempted a grin back at her weeping father, a tear rolling likewise from her pain clouded eyes. Cloud leaned down and hugged her gently, rocking her back and forth lovingly. His eyes closed slowly as he bent and kissed her cheek lightly just as he used to secretly as she slept when she was younger.
"Cloud, perhaps you should let her rest some more..." Tifa said tentatively, interrupting the tender moment. Cloud laid her gently down on her pillow and stood, nodding silently at his friend as he turned. He glanced over his shoulder one final time before the exited the room quietly, allowing her to fall back into a deep slumber.
***
The next morning she woke to the peaceful chirping songs of birds outside her window, the sun streaming in cheerily, shadows dancing with the music of a fresh spring morning. The strength of the star's bright rays empowered her, healing her battered body. She absorbed it gratefully, the warmth spreading through her entire body. She yawned tiredly, stretching her lax muscles... then sat up in shock and surprise. "I feel... fine..." she whispered, awestruck. She was in her room, as she remembered, like on a normal pleasant morning. She sprang energetically out of bed. "Wow... I feel good as new!" she thought with a laugh as she skipped down the hallway and stairs. With a foolish grin plastered on her face, she leapt the last few stairs, landing roughly on the rug at the base. The rug bunched at the awkward angle at which she hit it, and with a cry of surprise, she fell with a crash to the floor. Her head pounded furiously as she scrambled to her feet, gathering her bruised dignity as she dusted off her flannel pajama bottoms.
"Ok... almost as good as new," she muttered into the air, rubbing the bruised thigh ruefully. She strolled into the kitchen to look for her father, finding Tifa instead at the stove, a cup of hot water boiling in the kettle. She held a ladle in her hand and stood over a small metal pot in the sink. "Geez... now only if I had some onions..." she muttered busily, flipping through her recipe book. She whirled around suddenly, reaching for a pan in the oven... Seeing Sephirah leaning in the doorway, she froze completely, gasping in surprise as she dropped her ladle in shock. Time seemed to stop for both of them as the plastic clattered noisily to the floor and Tifa stared, wide-eyed, at the healthy girl.
"S-Sephirah?!" she cried incredulously, bending fearfully to relinquish the ladle, her eyes never leaving the girl's face. Sephirah noticed how her hand shook as she picked it up, sauce dripping onto the newly polished floor. Tifa stood up, tears rushing to her eyes as she flung the ladle into the sink and rushed to her, flinging her arms around her.
"Oh Sephirah!!!" she sobbed. Sephirah was shocked... What was going on?
"Aunty Tifa..?" she asked, returning the hug with a shocked expression.
"My dear Sephirah... I thought I'd never hear your voice again!" she cried into the girl.
"W-What do you mean...?" she drew back, confused.
"My child... you've been asleep for over a year!" she whispered excitedly. "You went into another coma after that day... and wouldn't wake up. All the doctors in the countryside visited, trying to get you to come to, but you wouldn't. Cloud was heartbroken..." Tifa bowed her head tiredly.
Sephirah was taken aback with shock. "A-A year?!" she gasped, stuttering over the shocking words.
Tifa's head bobbed once. "Yeah..." Sephirah stepped back, shaking her head dazedly back into reality.
"By the way, where IS Daddy?" she asked Tifa, gazing around the room with interest.
"Your father went out for a little while on a job in the town. Some of the younger children got lost in the mountains yesterday. He'll be back later today," she said, turning back to her culinary preparations.
"It only seemed like one night..." she breathed. She heard footsteps outside, and turning around suddenly, Tifa rushed out outside to declare the news to Cloud. Sephirah moved deftly to the window, watching the weary figure trudge down the rocky path, kicking stones with his heavy hiking boots on the way. Suddenly, his eyes lit up in surprise as he slung his sword nimbly over his shoulder, rushing towards the house with outstretched arms. She cried out with joy and rushed towards him in return... then Tifa filled his arms instead. She saw his strong arms embrace the slender figure, his ungloved hand stroking her hair with love and gentleness. He smiled brightly as he looked into her eyes, locking the gaze as he leaned towards her, kissing her with a deep and obvious passion.
Sephirah's blood boiled as she watched her father caress his lover. She ran furiously out of the house, slamming the heavy rear gate behind her as she confronted Cloud.
"?!" Cloud's throat could not reply in his shock. "...S-Sephirah...?"
"How dare you, Father?! How dare you betray my mother like that?!" The words were ripped from her throat as her eyes blazed with fury. She had never felt so angry before in her life, but internally, she was surprised. "Why am I angry?!" she thought frantically. "This is something I've always wished for when I was little..." Yet the words continued to flow, continued to condemn... but it was almost as if she wasn't speaking them. She tried to stop them, to cease the flow of profanities, words of hatred... but it was beyond her control.
"But Sephie..." he began, pleading with his eyes, her gaze meeting his like ice.
"Hah... well, goodbye. I hope you have a great time with Tifa behind Mom's back..." she sniffed as she walked away haughtily. She took a step into the garage, and out of the shadows, she drew the sheathed form of a long and slim blade, fastening the ties to her belt. With her head held high and dignified, she stalked down the path towards the town.
"Wait!!! SEPHIRAH!!!" Cloud cried, regaining his voice as he watched his daughter leave home... forever. He shook his head sadly as Tifa put a gentle hand on his arm, leading him back into the house. Tears formed in the eyes that had begun to cloud in pain and age. The beads formed slowly, trickling slowly down the channels formed by his slightly creased cheeks. Taking a single glance back, he headed sorrowfully into the house.
Chapter 7- Who are you?
It was soon dusk, and the dust slowly settled over the rolling hillsides, a slight chill settling into the land with the coming of night. Sephirah shivered slightly, control returned after the morning's outburst. The sun glimmered sympathetically as it set over the distant mountains, seemingly retiring for the night as the creamy full moon and stars began to spread their gentle light over the peaceful land.
She had no idea where she had run to... She had gone where her legs could take her, seemingly with an inhuman strength... perhaps because he was with her? She could feel him beside her, within her... a part of her soul. She could hear him whisper... a whisper so faint yet so real... "I love you... my Sephirah."
She shivered in fear, wrapping her arms about her torso protectively. This couldn't be real... it had to be another dream... Yet she knew from the bone chilling cold of the feeling in her spine that this was as real as she was.
All she could do was pray for the best as she set sluggishly off down the path, the frost beginning to creep through her clothes, dragging her down with incredible weight. She attempted to continue doggedly as she realized in dulled panic that she hadn't recovered fully... Her eyelids began to droop with tiredness as the tears began to freeze them shut, and tottering slightly, she stumbled and fell amongst the weeds on the path, frost lining her face and hair, freezing her slowly as she drifted off into unconsciousness...
***
Her eyes focused blearily within the depths of her mind... cries could be heard from the depths of the darkness, cutting across her eardrums. Shrieks of pure agony, of pain, and hatred. Then... a song. The sweet coaxing melodies of voices in unison, united and harmonious. Her mind was peaceful, relaxed and at rest, her heart with neither fear nor apprehension. She stood in awe, gazing around her at the soft pulsing green waves of energy immersing her ankles. She knelt rapturously, dipping her hands into the mist, cupping them as she drew them towards her heart. The mist dissipated in her hold as she brought it up, dripping slowly back into the body of the fog. She stood, gazing into the blackened distances of the horizon around her. The Lifestream...
She felt a slight tap on her shoulder, and the back of her neck prickled with fear as she whirled around to confront the entity. She gasped in fear and apprehension, eyes widening as her throat attempted to wrench out a gagged scream of revulsion. The figure was hideous and distorted, with long pinkish tendrils slithering and trailing behind its slimy twisted body. A bluish tinge in its flesh reminded her of death and disease, spots in its skin blackened and mottled over the throat and jaw.
Sephirah opened her mouth to scream, but a tentacle snaked quickly across her throat and mouth, gagging her firmly but not too tightly.
"My child," was its sibilant hiss, "Do you not know me?" Sephirah's eyes clamped shut in revulsion and fear as she fought the hold valiantly. "Perhaps... this would be a more comfortable form for you..." A small deft twirl coupled with a flash of light revealed a young woman, dark of hair and eye. Her loosely pulled back hair shimmered gently, her spectacles gently resting upon a thinly bridged nose, reflecting the green of the Lifestream in her dark pupils. She was clad in a white lab dress, obvious intelligence shining through her very aura.
She smiled gently. "I am Lucrecia Hojo."
Sephirah took a step back in surprise. "You mean, Lucrecia Hojo from the textbooks? Known for many famous discoveries, assisting the scientist Hojo as his wife in experiments? Some of which including... including the lifeform found in the Northern Mountains that the scientists named "Jenova"... And the very mother of an experiment to create the world's greatest SOLDIER for the company Shinra..."
Lucrecia slid her glasses further up her nose, smiling shyly. "Yes, I guess that would be me," she blushed.
"Wow... It's an honor to meet you, Professor!" she extended her hand to meet that of Lucrecia's, but drew back suddenly with realization.
"Mrs. Lucrecia Hojo... died over 40 years ago soon after giving birth to a child that did awe the world by becoming the greatest SOLDIER... his name was Sephiroth. Had reportedly been seen periodically at the site of a waterfall near Corel, but 17 years ago, reports of sightings had ceased to appear." She sniffed angrily in contempt. "At least those years of textbooks and school paid off finally. What kind of trick are you trying to pull over me?!"
"What do you mean?" Lucrecia looked genuinely surprised.
"I mean that you are a fake! Nice try, monster." she laughed.
The figure looked disturbed, and wrung its hands in dismay. "Hpmh!" grunted Lucrecia. With another quick turn, and a more powerful flash of light, the creature revealed another form. She seemed vaguely familiar to Sephirah, an image conjured by same faint dream as her mind strove to remember.
Her thoughts wandered to an emerald porcelain vase that lay on her father's nightstand, a vase that was always filled with fresh garden flowers. It had always been a mystery to the town why their garden flourished so, without the family caring for it, without them even weeding the patch. Cloud had always shrugged off the inquiries about fertilizers and plant treatments, leaving the villagers even more puzzled. She remembered how they used to lie amongst the sweet fragrances together, the sweet perfume of flowers filling their senses completely. Cloud would pick them fresh from the garden each Sunday to lay in the delicate vase at his bedside, straightening a small crystal picture frame that was lined with dried and pressed red roses. It was delicate and beautiful, an object that she, as a curious child, had never even dreamed of touching. It was said by family friends to have been made by her mother in her final days... by thin delicate hands as she carried her daughter in her womb. A smiling face lay within, guarding and guiding their souls and home with her gentle vigil. She recalled, "The vase was the color of her radiant eyes," as her father used to say in a dreamy tone...
"M-Mommy?!" she gasped. A familiar scent of fresh garden flowers filled the air, catching her in its seemingly tangible embrace. She recalled many years ago, when she had discovered a bottle of her mother's homemade perfume in an old forlorn drawer. She had used it sparingly since on special occasions, the pretty scent admired by men and women alike.
"My Sephirah..." the voice was silky in its joy. "Sephirah... come to me, my daughter. Let me hold you in my arms, just once..." She extended her arms in welcome, inviting Sephirah to fall into her embrace, to rest her tired cheek against her bosom. "You will forever be mine, Sephirah..." the voice seemed to echo from afar.
"No!!!" ripped another voice from the air, a strangled cry. Aerith's eyes closed and reopened once, pleading with her daughter.
"Oh, my Sephirah, fight it!!" the voice seemed to be squeezed from her lungs. "It is too late for me... don't let her control you with her trickery!" The eyes of the figure widened considerably with panic and pain. "She is not your mother... Don't submit!! Agh!!!" A scream emitted from the woman, violently beating the consciousness into submission.
"Now as we were," a smile lit Aerith's face, a smile now seemingly fake to Sephirah's purified eyes. She stared within Aerith's eyes... she could see the dancing shadows flitting across... No, it was no shadow, but a monster instead!
"No!!" she screeched, swiping her arm angrily, startling the apparition. "I will not be your slave, you... you... witch!!" Sephirah spat. Aerith frowned seemingly in confusion.
"What do you mean, Sephie? I'm your mother..." a tiny tear slid down Aerith's cheek, glistening in the low light. Sephirah turned away painfully, closing her eyes as she hesitated in momentary uncertainty.
"You are NOT my mother!" she backed away, shaking her head decisively.
The woman laughed cruelly, and with a final flash of light that caused Sephirah to flinch weakly, confronted her. "No, you're very right, my clever girl..." a deep velvety voice sounded upon her ears. "I am Sephiroth." The greenish eyes glinted, filling her vision with a pulsing, hypnotizing rhythm. She couldn't resist it, not in his eyes... "I love you," he whispered, catching her swaying body in his arms as he kissed her firmly. Strength broken, Sephirah submitted, allowing herself to fall into his control, his mighty power. The warm and pungent smell of flesh and sweat wreathed about her nose as he rocked her in his arms. Her eyes closed slowly as she rested her cheek tiredly against his bare chest.
"You are mine, my Sephirah," his voice echoed around the Lifestream as the vision began to fade...
***
Chapter 8- The Tiny Bronco
"Oh Cid, do you think she'll be ok?" asked a woman's voice impatiently as Sephirah's mind came to through the haze of darkness.
"Heh... if she's really Strife's girl, she'll have enough spunk to pull through," another voice answered gruffly.
"I'm really worried about her... so you think we should call Cloud over here?" the woman whispered anxiously.
Cid chuckled lightly but heartily, coughing up a slight film of cigarette tobacco. "If I know those damned Strifes, they have a spirit of their own. We'll wait and hear what the girl has to say first."
At the sound of a friendly and familiar voice, Sephirah stirred and groaned, muscles stiff and aching from the deep cold she had been exposed to. She stretched and yawned sleepily as she recognized the figures before her.
"There ya go, Shera. She's ok." Cid shrugged as he puffed away on a cigarette.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Shera breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so worried..."
Sephirah gazed around the room. "Mr. Cid? Aunt Shera? What's going on?" she groaned.
"Same question back to you too." Cid said casually. "We found you layin' half dead in a field close to the mountain. Care to explain what you were doing there?"
"Knock that off Cid! Wanna play the 'tough guy,' eh? You were as worried about her as a mother about her newborn baby. So shut up!" Shera intervened with a wink and a playful poke at Cid's unguarded ribs. He grumbled ashamedly at her. "Well, honey, are you okay?" she resumed speaking to Sephirah.
Cid chuckled at the growing spirit of his wife. "Whatever, woman. But it really shouldn't have taken a rocket scientist to see that she's ok..." Sephirah's eyes rolled at the awful joke.
Shera sighed. "Oh... just shut up, will ya?!" she yelled with a playful grin at Cid as he smiled in return through the heavy haze of cigarette smoke.
Sephirah sat up tiredly from the couch in the cluttered house where the Highwinds lived. The curtains in their living room were tattered slightly and objects lay strewn carelessly over the floor, but it was the way they liked it. Shera had always complained good-naturedly about the mess that she'd have to clean up every day in their cozy home, yet she never had the heart to let the house go completely clean. It'd seem so bare and simple for their personalities. Engine parts and science magazines littered the floor and tables, marking the life of busy people. The light filtered in through the shining clean windows, spots of light cast over the coffee-stained rugs through the time worn curtains. A delicious aroma arose from the stove as a teakettle whistled musically. Shera rose to her feet and snapped off the range, lifting the teakettle while searching through their cabinets for a tea set. With a welcoming smile, she poured the contents of the kettle into a small mug and presented it to Sephirah.
"Drink up, dear. Perhaps you'd like to share your story with us when you're finished?" Shera coaxed. Sephirah nodded with the steam from the mug filling her eyes as she gulped down the hot drink.
"I-It's rather hard for me to explain..." she began. "Well, you see, um... I need to research the Phoenix for a field project in school. I have a two-week leave to travel to Fort Condor, where the Phoenix has been sighted periodically. Mr. Cid, would you mind flying me to the other continent... please?"
Cid grumbled reluctantly and lazily as he heard the request, pending it on his mind. Shera turned to him with a sly smile and elbowed him in his slightly rounded stomach. "Oh, honey, just do it for her!!"
"Don't 'honey' me, woman!" he mumbled under his breath. Then with a sigh, he resigned and ground his cigarette stub forcefully into a waiting ashtray. "Fine! I'll do it. For Aerith's daughter." Sephirah's heart leapt with joy. "Oh, thank you!!" she cried, kissing her father's friends on their cheeks. Cid blushed slightly and recoiled, turning away grumbling as he left the room, leaving Shera wrapped deep in Sephirah's embrace. Sephirah felt a slight bulge pressing against her stomach as they hugged, and puzzled, she withdrew slightly.
"What's this?" Sephirah pulled away, looking down at the shallowly rounded bulge that protruded shyly from Shera's loose casual dress at the abdomen. Shera blushed timidly and smiled at her.
"Oh my god!" Sephirah cried joyously. "Is it...?" Sephirah could read Shera's answer from the proud gleam in her eyes. Sephirah gave a girlish squeal as she took Shera's hands and danced her around in excitement as Shera giggled good-naturedly.
"Well, after your father finally convinced Cid to marry me, it took a year's worth of negotiation, but we decided to have a child. The hard part is that I made him promise to give up smoking for the baby's sake once it comes," she burst out laughing.
"Oh, that's wonderful!!!" Sephirah's light breezy laugh joined Shera's.
Sephirah spent the entire night at the Highwinds as Cid readied the restored Tiny Bronco for the next day's flight. She talked and gossiped merrily with Shera the entire night as they packed provisions and useful items for her journey. Sephirah realized with embarrassment that she was still clad in her nightclothes, so Shera readily lent her a lovely sky blue summer dress, claiming with a cheeky grin that it wouldn't fit her for a very long time. By the time that the first ray of colorful light leaked its way across the cloud scattered sky at dawn, she was ready to depart.
Sephirah climbed into the passenger seat of the older plane tentatively, carefully placing her baggage in the compartment at her feet as she smoothed the wrinkles from her borrowed skirt and sat down. After a few minutes, Cid emerged from the house, Shera tugging his sleepy form by the arm. She gave him a gentle kiss goodbye as she gave a giant grin and a wave to the girl. Sephirah waited patiently as Cid gave the plane a final inspection and climbed deftly into the pilot seat.
"Take care you two!!" she could hear Shera shout over the roar of the engines and the whistling whir of the propellers. Sephirah gave a cry of delight as they lifted into the sky, seemingly heading into the great ball of fiery energy that floated serenely in the sky.
***
Cloud and Tifa ran through the Nibel Mountains frantically, searching high and low amongst the sparse crowds of monsters near the cliffs. The shadows of the tall rocks made it hard for them to navigate during the early morning. Cloud cursed under his breath, a fine mist forming from his breath from the cold. If only noon would come... the sun would be overhead and the search conditions would be perfect.
"She's gotta be here somewhere! This is the only place left to search. The villagers have been combing the town and its outskirts, but there's been no sign of here anywhere!" Cloud's voice was barely audible to anyone but himself. Tifa sighed sorrowfully. He'd been that way ever since she had run away, always mumbling to himself under his breath, never relenting on his frenzied hunt. Sure, he had the right to be worried... she was too, yet...
Reaching the ancient perilous rope-bridge, Cloud began to climb it, not even noticing that the bridge's unsteady planks were swinging over such a great ravine. Tifa followed reluctantly, memories of the collapsing bridge flooding back and haunting her soul. She shivered as they crossed it, all of their senses tense and alert. Her ears pricked up, hearing a faint roaring sound from the horizon. It grew slowly louder, until Cloud and Tifa were almost on the other side of the cliff, about to place their feet on the rocky mountain soil.
A heavy roar of engines sounded nearby, followed by the light whirring of propellers. A cloud of smoke trailed like streamers behind a colorful airplane, flying over the mountains and into the distance. Cloud's head shot up like a rocket as he broke into a run down the path.
"Wait Cloud!!!!!" cried Tifa, panting in an effort to catch up to him. Cloud didn't even turn his head as he yelled in simple reply:
"To Rocket town!!!"
