No…
I don't want to die! I don't want to go out like this!
The man felt himself falling, plummeting through nothingness. Gone was the pain the blade had left him, gone was the agony that came with each breath. He could no longer feel his body, and knew he was dead.
(Ha ha ha…)
He tried to look for the source of the laughter, but saw only darkness. He desperately cried out, hoping for help, but dreading the worst.
Who's there?
(The one person that can help you. The one person able to give you what you want.)
The man could almost make out the silhouette of a spiky-haired young man sneering at him. He cringed, partially with hope, partially with fear.
What do you mean?
(You fear death, but it has come for you. Your life is over. But, I can give it back to you. I can give you all that you want…)
Thoughts whirled through the man's head. He tried to remember, but couldn't. Finally, a single image came to him, along with a feeling. He could see a beautiful young woman, saying something he couldn't hear. He latched onto the thought, holding on to it like a life preserver.
What do you want from me?
(Your services…for a short while. And then, you can live, be free. Just help me, and I will give you your life back.)
The man held his head, shaking. He tried to ignore the feeling of wrongness coming from the other. The thought of the woman returned, and he nodded.
I'll do it.
A smirk came across the face of the other, and there was a cold glint in his eyes.
(Good. Good. Come with me, and we shall have the world.)
Light erupted around the man, and he shielded his eyes. He tried to move, but couldn't. Pain returned to him, growing, and then he fell unconscious.
******
Estuans interius
Ira vehenti
Sephiroth…
Estuans interius
Ira vehenti
The blade of the Ultima weapon…
Sephiroth
Sephiroth
The look of disbelief on Sephiroth's face as he was finished by Omnislash…
Sors immanis
Et inanis
The dark man, disintegrating…
Sors immanis
Et inanis
Meteor, crashing into Midgar…
Veni, veni, venias
No me mori facias
Holy, failing to stop it…
Veni, veni, venias
No me mori facias
The Lifestream, saving the day…
Sephiroth
Sephiroth
Aeris…
******
Cloud Strife jerked awake, holding his head. He opened his glowing blue eyes, and cast a glance towards the window of his villa. He could see the sun rising. A new day had begun.
Author's Note: Well, folks, here's my secondary project. I've been working on it for a while, and I like how its shaping up, so I figured I would go ahead and post it. A warning: posts will be slow on this fic, at least until after finals. Then...who knows? Anyways, enjoy the fic, and, as always, comments, compliments, and criticism to hyrules_hero@hotmail.com . Until next time. ~Wynn Pendragon