Sether: Hidden, Unseen; Hurting

Hurting

Act 1

Katai was blinking her emotions at the floor, not really knowing what were those feelings, tumbling inside her gut.

She frowned; the memories of her drunken stupor came in a haze.

She kissed him. Twice.

She remember him pushing her away, his eyes gentle and frightened.

So different from the condescending look he gave her first time they met.

Different from the looks he gave her when he was mad at her.

Different from the exasperation he showed when she demanded to know about Sephiroth.

So different from that murderous glare he frightened her with.

And totally and completely different from the glowing, hovering ones that belonged to his dead brother.

She sighed heavily, not really knowing what to do.

Katai then shook her head in dismay.

She started packing.

When almost everything was inside her Store materia, her hands brought to her a hat and a trenchcoat. The treanchcoat was slightly worn, and pitch black. From the pocket peeked a pair of slim sunglasses.

Katai's eyes grew wider.

The hat in her other hand was pretty old. It was cowboy-ish.

Inhaling sharply, Katai turned and rushed out of the room, the trenchcoat and hat in her hands.

Act 2

When Sether managed to surface from his sea of anguish, he found himself in the park. Further down the little coddled path was the small park Marlene had put up.

He found that he was holding a piece of bread in his hands. He also discovered that the pigeons were giving him a look, as if asking why he had stopped crumbling it.

He started picking pieces from it and tossing them to the birds. Apparently he was doing this for some while, but only now was he fully aware of his doings.

He crumbled the whole piece in his mighty hands and tossed the crumbs to the birds.

Sether looked at his hands; big and calloused from training. He slowly turned his left hand over and watched the back of his palm with a grim look.

These are the hands that could kill Katai. Kill that ridiculous creature. End her life, no more. No more annoyances, no more teasing, no more playing with his heart, no more scoffing, no more making him laugh, or at least, chuckle.

He had fun today, if you ignore the homicidal episode. More fun then he had in ages.

He didn't have such a good time since Ryuto died.

Funny, Ryuto always complained to Sether how insignificant he felt, but here he was, messing up Sether's life like nobody's business.

Sether had only himself to blame; it wasn't Ryuto's fault.

…It was an accident…

He wished it were…

And Katai was his girlfriend? He didn't know who was more miserable: Ryuto or Katai?

A sliver of a bitter smile passed his lips, fading as fast as it appeared.

Ryuto wasn't miserable anymore, thanks to Sether.

Now that he thought of it, Sether could almost be certain he had seen Katai at the funeral. But since he was so far away, he couldn't really tell faces.

He gulped hard to force back the lump of tears in his throat. What if someone were to see the mighty Sether on the verge of tears like some… some… Katai.

She probably used the time and escaped. If she knew what was good for her, that's what she did.

The birds kept pecking around, oblivious to his turmoil.

He could have killed her.

And instead, he was dying. That thought forced him to take a deep breath of air. And another.

Dying. He was dying. No more Seth-chan!

No more Sether.

What an odd thought.

He wondered if someone (beside his parents) would miss him?

Who would? Ryuto's parents? The Highwinds, whose daughter he nearly slaughtered?

Again the bitter smile.

All these were silly thoughts. He didn't really understand yet that he was going to die.

Sure, he faced death here and there. Its not like he fought a lot of death defying battles. He was a warrior, and so, was familiar with the concept of dying when-not-old. But he figured it'd be swift- a jab to the chest- Bam! No more Sether.

But dying of a sickness? He didn't even ask why he was dying… It slipped his mind in favor of not murdering her.

A question lingered in his mind. About Ryuto and Katai.

He tilted his head just so as he pondered.

Another smile.

The way she looked at him; like he was another iguana… A monster.

"Monster!"

That's right.

"Monster!!"

The yell suddenly jolted him from his brooding. He shook his head and looked around, alarmed.

Marlene was there, shouting from some distance away.

It took Sether a few moments to realize she was shouting at him.

It took Sether some more time to realize that there were quite a lot of people behind her.

The latest realization, though, was that he was without his hat, without his trenchcoat and without his sunglasses.

He was a Sephiroth clone in broad night-light. He straitened and gave the group a concerned look.

"Damn." He said plainly, lacking the mental strength to even panic properly.

No worry, the panic was slowly but surely gripping his heart as he raised from the bench he was sitting on.

Act 3

Marlene was glaring at him, hatred that came from fear in her eyes. Sether gave them a worried look, not knowing what to do.

It is good to mention that they all had what the police would call 'blunt instruments' in their hands.

"For the sake of our children, and for the fate of the entire world, we shall end you; oh, One Winged Angel!" She pointed an accusing finger at Sether, who took a step back.

The people behind Marlene shouted and waved their weapons. Sether started shaking his head as he retreated backwards,

"Hey…! You… You got the wrong guy…! I am not… I am not Sephiroth!"

But they didn't listen. Marlene was too into her religious zeal to listen, too much enjoying being a hero to hear him.

"Herald of destruction and wielder of the Black Materia; prepare to die!"

As the people roared and started rushing towards him, Sether turned tail and started running.

He could have evaded them in no time, were he in top shape, but he was both physically and mentally exhausted, not to mention panicked and afraid.

Yes, he was very much afraid as he dashed through the park and into the city's streets. Afraid of what they might do if they would catch him, and afraid of what he himself might do if he gave in to his fear…

Afraid of the senseless pain that came each time. Afraid of the looks and stares in the people's eyes when they had beaten him…

He ran on.

He had no idea were he was going to; the only thought was that he had to escape. He could constantly hear their angry voices. Hear Marlene urging them on.

He didn't even stop when he reached an intersection in the road. He started crossing when a car came screeching by. But Sether didn't have time to be hit by cars; he leapt, back-flipped over the car, and continued on. The driver opened the door and stared as a mob rushed afterwards.

Running.

All he could do was run. His breaths were panicked gasps, his heart raced and his head pounded. If anyone were to see his face, it would be a mask of fright. His eyes were wide with terror and his teeth clenched.

This wasn't an exorcism of evil, it wasn't self-defense; It was a hunt.

Sether; the prey. The pain and misery of countless people who were raised and thought to hate the One Winged Angel; the hunters.

And they were closing in.

More and more streets zoomed by. Faceless, merciless. No sanctuary for the wicked! Die, messenger of evil! Herald of destruction!

Another turn, another street.

No place to hide, no place to stop.

His strength started failing as his breaths became pained gasps. Too much of his strength was used to control himself back at the hotel, too much strength taken by trying to cope with the new news.

As he ran through the city, more people saw him.

More hunters joined the hunt.

People who had no one else to blame. He looked enough like his brother for them to hate. That's good enough, isn't it?

His running was now a continuous struggle to just keep on his feet. His strides more stumbling than running.

Don't look back! Don't look back!

"Die!"

"Death to the murderer!"

He was… A murderer…

He was the monster they feared…

Ryuto…?

"Die!"

He cried out as Marlene finally caught up with him and tackled him down with a staff she was holding.

Sether fell to the ground, and kept tumbling over until he stopped on his stomach.

He tried to get up, his silver hair fell around his face in thick locks, blocking the view.

"I'm… Not… Sephiroth…" He managed to whisper between gasps.

He didn't need to look to know the situation.

People… All around him… circling closer and closer… Blocking all escape, blocking air… Light…

The blows were soon to come.

At first only a few dared touch the monster, but as the monster did not strike back, more felt confident to take a shot.

Sether was helpless. All he could do was cuddle into a tight ball, protecting his head with his hands and taking the blows with pained grunts.

Sometimes he would yell a choked sound.

And the blows continued coming.

They were everywhere… Even without looking, he felt them… Closing around him… No light… No air…

He felt his skin tear at several blows. He felt the hatred on his flesh.

Above him he could sense another presence…

Sephiroth.

He heard him, although no one else did.

He was crying for them to stop. If they had a bone to pick, let them come to him!

Sether could… He could…

No! Never again…

But…!

"STOOOP!!!"

The screech was high pitched and lungful. The crowed, though, was enjoying it too much to stop.

Suddenly, the blows were only heard as thuds, but no pain came from them.

Confused and dazed, Sether cautiously opened his eyes and parted his arms a crack from around his head.

There were no people, no street, only light. No, it wasn't light… It was a great big mass of… Blond hair?

"That hurt, you %^#!%^!!!" Katai, who took the last few hits instead of Sether, placed her hands gently around Sether as she cursed the mob.

"You &^@$ monsters!!" She yelled, her face flushed red.

Katai? What are you doing here? It's dangerous, you moron! Leave me and run- if they learn that you're connected to me, they might beat you too!!

That's what Sether intended to say, what came out of his mouth was slightly different:

"Ugh."

Katai looked at him, worry etched on her face.

"Ugh."

Didn't you hear me? Go away!

With even more wrath than before, Katai bounced to her feet, facing the crowd with clenched fists,

"You're a bunch of pathetic ^&$@% bastards!! What did he ever do to you?! WHAT?!"

Marlene took a step forward, an expression of self-righteousness on her face,

"Move aside! We must eliminate evil!"

Katai positioned herself between Marlene and Sether,

"I see only one evil here, you ^&#*, and I'm staring right at it!" She gave Marlene a blood-chilling glare, daring her to raise her staff at Sether again.

"He has you under a spell," Marlene continued, getting angrier, "If you do not fight with us, we will kill you both!"

The crowed cheered.

Katai looked around frantically,

"What's wrong with you, people?! Are you stupid?! This isn't Sephiroth! He's name's Sether and he's the kindest soul I've ever met! You're… You all- are just a bunch of monsters, picking on him!" She pointed down at him. He was still on the floor, motionless and covering his head tightly with his arms.

"Has he done anything to disturb you?! Has he? Can anyone say that he has? You're a bunch of self righteous ^&$@%&*$@ in a %^$@%!!!"

Several people turned red at this. Some with embarrassment at the accusation, some because of Katai's language.

She fell to her knees beside the silver haired warrior,

"You should all be ashamed of yourselves." She said. Her voice was no longer angry, but infinitely sad, "You should go home now. Live with yourselves now and everyday. Remember what you did today for the rest of your life."

She gently placed her hands around Sether, and he shuddered at her touch, as if fearing it to be another strike.

With patient gentleness, she untangled him from his protective shell and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

She helped him up.

"You want evil?" she asked without really looking at anyone. Sether's eyes were cast downward, his face shadowed by his now dirty bangs and hair.

"You want evil? Go look in the mirror. Fix yourselves before you try and fix the world."

Katai helped Sether, and the two started to leave. The people parted in their path, not knowing what else to do.

No one said a word or made a move until they were out of sight. Then they left to their respective homes in silence.

Marlene stayed fixed in her spot a while longer, staring at where the couple had gone to and narrowing her eyes.