Chapter XXXV: The Rising Of Shadows.
Kahn had decided to follow Vincent. The demon was walking beside Vincent, airily talking about random events in demon history, which Vincent listened to half-heartedly. The black demon went down into the nature of every demon race, explaing their individual abilities, their unique appearances, their tendencies, and various other things.
"...The Sita Na are what are commonly known as "The different ones", because of their odd ability to change form at need. They also are blessed with extreme physical strength, but that is where their abilties end. Their greatest ruler was actually caught staring at his reflection for three hours. He thought there was another person there. That night we had fun. Now, their opposties are the Tilo N'Gar, or "Mind Demons", who actually have no form at all, merely changing things around them to give the illusion of form. Despite this, they have the deadliest of magic. They have the ability to change reality itself. For example, they can change a human to a small toad, a have someone start jumping with kleets. The Shelox..."
Vincent snapped to attention at this. This was not the first time he had heard that! He listened carefully to what the demon said. The words Chaos had said in Midgar came back to him.
JAZAC NA, HIS NAME IS JAZAC NA. HE IS OF THE N'ZAC ZANN TRIBE, AND OF THE SHELOX RACE.
"...are probably the most deadly of all the races, because of their terrifying ability to poisen the lifestream of anything that is wounded by it. It doesn't even have to touch you with its claws. Its part of the demons magic. If you are wounded by one, you either die a slow, painfull death, or became a Shelox demon yourself. It depends on the wound."
Mech-Head was a Shelox demon. Reno was wounded by Mech-Head. Reno survived. Reno became a Shelox.
Vincent shuddered at the thought of what kind of mental torment Reno must be going through.
"Can the victom be returned to normal?" Vincent asked.
Kahn was surprised to hear Vincent's voice.
"You were listening?"
Vincent gave an ashamed look at the for.
"Halfway." He murmurred.
Kahn shrugged.
"Well, anyway, a victom can be cured of the Shelox's poisen. The shelox that had poisened the victom must be killed for the poisen to be nullified. The poisen itself is purely mental. It spreads through the mind, spreading the demons evil thoughts. I wouldn't feel safe with a created demon by my side." The demon shuddered. "They can be the most cruel l things on either side of life." Kahn sniggered. "I hear that Nox Seran had to put on a full act of insanity against the one YOU created."
"What happened?" Vincent asked.
"Your," Kahn smiled wickedly at this. "Baby attacked Nox Seran, and actually drew blood. Nox wrapped around him and gave the demon a biiiiig smooch."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. Kahn apparently thought this was hillarious, and was laughing heartily. After a while he noticed Vincent wasn't laughing with him. Slowly, the laughter died.
"Nox Seran is a Nox Tana."
Still nothing.
"Their saliva is acid! If they spit at your eye you can kiss it good-bye. That demon is gonna have a lip-shaped scar straight across his forehead." Kahn said annoyingly.
This didn't exactly amuse Vincent, but it did wring a wry smile from him. Kahn gave Vincent an evil glance.
"If I was a little Brown-haired Ninja, now that would be another case completely. You would be on the floor laughing." He muttered.
Vincent acted like he didn't hear this.
"Do you know someone called Jazac Na?"
Kahn looked up at Vincent.
"Sure. Jazac Na was one of the last Blood warriors. Very good one too. Burnt three cities to the ground, destroyed two armies and conduced four political assassinations. Very loyal. 'Till Chaos killed him."
"How exactly does the story go?" Vincent asked.
"Oh," kahn said. "Around the end of the ancient wars, we remained with only five blood warriors. They were going to land the finishing blow to the ancient capital, but the blow never landed. By the time we learned of Chaos's betrayel, an army of soldiers was already on its way. No matter how powerfull demons can be, the Cetra managed to protect themselves against us. The armies ploughed through our defence line like they weren't there, and destroyed the majority of demon souls. Those that resurfaced, were destroyed as well." Kahn had a sad, distant look on his face. "But Jazac Na was smart, and while Chaos and his freinds escaped the Cetra, Jazac Na waited for the fall of the Cetra. When this happened, he returned to the world. Chaos thought he was the only surviving demon, and was taken by surprise by Jazac Na. Chaos was sealed inside a lump of Kroto, imprisoned. The others were easy pray to the infuriated demon, and they fell into his hands as well. Finally, he went to Gaea's peak, and dwelled there, forever improving his already impressive sword skills. Thus did rumours of the Massamune spread. At last, the GREAT" Kahn snorted at this. "Sephiroth came and killed Jazac Na, and stole the Massamune. Hojo was with him, and saw the possibilities of a livung demon. Thus did Jazac Na begin his trip to his to the Vandetta he's on now."
Vincent too a while to digest this.
"Exactly how much can you see from here?" He asked spectically.
Kahn smiled.
"Everything. And I must say, Vincent, you have some of the most bizarre dreams I've ever seen!"
Vincent punched the demon playfully on the shoulder. Kahn laughed.
"Tell me Vincent, what is your oppinion on cheating?"
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"How are we gonna do this?" Cloud asked as he stood beside Seph X, who was studying a map of Midga.
"Very,very, very carefully." Seph X answered.
This didn't comfort Cloud.
"No plans?" He asked.
Seph X Shrugged.
"None that I know of." Seph X dissmissed.
Jarred joined them.
"Can't we just charge?" He asked.
They both looked at the half breed oddly. Jarred backed off.
"Fine. Be that way." He murmurred.
Cloud watched as the dark-skinned man walked to the window, happily destroying things with his strange power.
"What an odd man." He remarked.
"I have it!" Seph X shouted suddenly.
Cloud returned to the map.
"What?" he asked.
The others began grouping around the map, except Jarred, who was still blowing things up from the window, and laughing madly.
"Is there some way we can stop him from doing that?" Reeve asked.
"Why would we want to?" Elena asked. "He's so good at it. I wouldn't dream of taking that much fun away from him. And he's so good at it."
They all ignored her.
"Okay," Seph X continued. "Fourty soldiers Tifa, Cloud, Cid and Jarred will attack here." He said, running his finger across the map. "Cloud, this may be too much for you, but, I'd like for you to lead the attack."
Jarred stopped destroting things.
"Hey!" He yelled.
"You can lead the charge." Cloud yelled back.
Jarred smiled.
"Oh," He turned back to the window. "Good."
"Atleast he's easy to please." Red XIII remarked.
"You only need to hold them off for a few minutes." Seph X said "How many helicopters do we have?" He asked, trying to get his plan through to them.
"Three." Reeve sadi.
Seph X sighed.
"Perfect. Get a soldier with a rocket launcher on each of them. I want them cause some chaos among the enemy ranks before they meet with Cloud." The clone explained. "Red, can you direct them from here?"
"Can do." The flame red dog answered.
"Rude, Elena, and the riders will harass the enemy from the rooftops." Seph X turned to Rude and Elena. "Their loyal to me. I hear they're good shots. But beware of any ambushes. There will be seven of you all together, if you get attacked your screwed up the ass. No one will help you."
Rude and Elena both nodded.
"We're done this sort of stuff before." Elena said.
"Good to hear." Seph X said. "You guys?" He asked, looking at the riders, who had returned a few hours ago.
There was a mixed agreement.
"Right," The machine concluded.
"What are gonna be doing?" Cid asked suspiciously.
Seph X smiled.
"I'm going to lead the rest of our forces against the enemy from behind. If everything goes well, we might win this war now." Seph X finished resolutely
Jarred looked away from the window.
"What fun would that be?"
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Mech-Head watched the girl walk up the stairs, but still kept his attention on the Cetra below.
This was going to be hard ro pull off.
The girl walked into the room above him. The demon grinned evilly.
He spread his wings and glided down to the apparation below.
"Now, whats an endangered species like you doing in a place like this?" He asked.
No response.
Mech-Head slitted his eye.
"Answer me." He said darkly.
The apparation smiled.
"What are you doing here?" It asked. "I'm already dead. The girl is the quarry that's important."
Mech-Head plucked a strand of metal hair from his head.
"This how much I will sacrifice to get her." He answered. "You may present a danger yet unforseen."
It smile widened.
"Then keep thinking that. But you will never kill that girl, Vincent or that machine in Midgar. You fate will end on the snow of this country."
"That is still to be seen." Mech-Head said.
"But it will be seen." The apparation said, and suddenly vanished.
Mech-Head stared at where the ghost had stood.
Then he made a howl of rage.
The girl had escaped him again!
Kahn had decided to follow Vincent. The demon was walking beside Vincent, airily talking about random events in demon history, which Vincent listened to half-heartedly. The black demon went down into the nature of every demon race, explaing their individual abilities, their unique appearances, their tendencies, and various other things.
"...The Sita Na are what are commonly known as "The different ones", because of their odd ability to change form at need. They also are blessed with extreme physical strength, but that is where their abilties end. Their greatest ruler was actually caught staring at his reflection for three hours. He thought there was another person there. That night we had fun. Now, their opposties are the Tilo N'Gar, or "Mind Demons", who actually have no form at all, merely changing things around them to give the illusion of form. Despite this, they have the deadliest of magic. They have the ability to change reality itself. For example, they can change a human to a small toad, a have someone start jumping with kleets. The Shelox..."
Vincent snapped to attention at this. This was not the first time he had heard that! He listened carefully to what the demon said. The words Chaos had said in Midgar came back to him.
JAZAC NA, HIS NAME IS JAZAC NA. HE IS OF THE N'ZAC ZANN TRIBE, AND OF THE SHELOX RACE.
"...are probably the most deadly of all the races, because of their terrifying ability to poisen the lifestream of anything that is wounded by it. It doesn't even have to touch you with its claws. Its part of the demons magic. If you are wounded by one, you either die a slow, painfull death, or became a Shelox demon yourself. It depends on the wound."
Mech-Head was a Shelox demon. Reno was wounded by Mech-Head. Reno survived. Reno became a Shelox.
Vincent shuddered at the thought of what kind of mental torment Reno must be going through.
"Can the victom be returned to normal?" Vincent asked.
Kahn was surprised to hear Vincent's voice.
"You were listening?"
Vincent gave an ashamed look at the for.
"Halfway." He murmurred.
Kahn shrugged.
"Well, anyway, a victom can be cured of the Shelox's poisen. The shelox that had poisened the victom must be killed for the poisen to be nullified. The poisen itself is purely mental. It spreads through the mind, spreading the demons evil thoughts. I wouldn't feel safe with a created demon by my side." The demon shuddered. "They can be the most cruel l things on either side of life." Kahn sniggered. "I hear that Nox Seran had to put on a full act of insanity against the one YOU created."
"What happened?" Vincent asked.
"Your," Kahn smiled wickedly at this. "Baby attacked Nox Seran, and actually drew blood. Nox wrapped around him and gave the demon a biiiiig smooch."
Vincent raised an eyebrow. Kahn apparently thought this was hillarious, and was laughing heartily. After a while he noticed Vincent wasn't laughing with him. Slowly, the laughter died.
"Nox Seran is a Nox Tana."
Still nothing.
"Their saliva is acid! If they spit at your eye you can kiss it good-bye. That demon is gonna have a lip-shaped scar straight across his forehead." Kahn said annoyingly.
This didn't exactly amuse Vincent, but it did wring a wry smile from him. Kahn gave Vincent an evil glance.
"If I was a little Brown-haired Ninja, now that would be another case completely. You would be on the floor laughing." He muttered.
Vincent acted like he didn't hear this.
"Do you know someone called Jazac Na?"
Kahn looked up at Vincent.
"Sure. Jazac Na was one of the last Blood warriors. Very good one too. Burnt three cities to the ground, destroyed two armies and conduced four political assassinations. Very loyal. 'Till Chaos killed him."
"How exactly does the story go?" Vincent asked.
"Oh," kahn said. "Around the end of the ancient wars, we remained with only five blood warriors. They were going to land the finishing blow to the ancient capital, but the blow never landed. By the time we learned of Chaos's betrayel, an army of soldiers was already on its way. No matter how powerfull demons can be, the Cetra managed to protect themselves against us. The armies ploughed through our defence line like they weren't there, and destroyed the majority of demon souls. Those that resurfaced, were destroyed as well." Kahn had a sad, distant look on his face. "But Jazac Na was smart, and while Chaos and his freinds escaped the Cetra, Jazac Na waited for the fall of the Cetra. When this happened, he returned to the world. Chaos thought he was the only surviving demon, and was taken by surprise by Jazac Na. Chaos was sealed inside a lump of Kroto, imprisoned. The others were easy pray to the infuriated demon, and they fell into his hands as well. Finally, he went to Gaea's peak, and dwelled there, forever improving his already impressive sword skills. Thus did rumours of the Massamune spread. At last, the GREAT" Kahn snorted at this. "Sephiroth came and killed Jazac Na, and stole the Massamune. Hojo was with him, and saw the possibilities of a livung demon. Thus did Jazac Na begin his trip to his to the Vandetta he's on now."
Vincent too a while to digest this.
"Exactly how much can you see from here?" He asked spectically.
Kahn smiled.
"Everything. And I must say, Vincent, you have some of the most bizarre dreams I've ever seen!"
Vincent punched the demon playfully on the shoulder. Kahn laughed.
"Tell me Vincent, what is your oppinion on cheating?"
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
"How are we gonna do this?" Cloud asked as he stood beside Seph X, who was studying a map of Midga.
"Very,very, very carefully." Seph X answered.
This didn't comfort Cloud.
"No plans?" He asked.
Seph X Shrugged.
"None that I know of." Seph X dissmissed.
Jarred joined them.
"Can't we just charge?" He asked.
They both looked at the half breed oddly. Jarred backed off.
"Fine. Be that way." He murmurred.
Cloud watched as the dark-skinned man walked to the window, happily destroying things with his strange power.
"What an odd man." He remarked.
"I have it!" Seph X shouted suddenly.
Cloud returned to the map.
"What?" he asked.
The others began grouping around the map, except Jarred, who was still blowing things up from the window, and laughing madly.
"Is there some way we can stop him from doing that?" Reeve asked.
"Why would we want to?" Elena asked. "He's so good at it. I wouldn't dream of taking that much fun away from him. And he's so good at it."
They all ignored her.
"Okay," Seph X continued. "Fourty soldiers Tifa, Cloud, Cid and Jarred will attack here." He said, running his finger across the map. "Cloud, this may be too much for you, but, I'd like for you to lead the attack."
Jarred stopped destroting things.
"Hey!" He yelled.
"You can lead the charge." Cloud yelled back.
Jarred smiled.
"Oh," He turned back to the window. "Good."
"Atleast he's easy to please." Red XIII remarked.
"You only need to hold them off for a few minutes." Seph X said "How many helicopters do we have?" He asked, trying to get his plan through to them.
"Three." Reeve sadi.
Seph X sighed.
"Perfect. Get a soldier with a rocket launcher on each of them. I want them cause some chaos among the enemy ranks before they meet with Cloud." The clone explained. "Red, can you direct them from here?"
"Can do." The flame red dog answered.
"Rude, Elena, and the riders will harass the enemy from the rooftops." Seph X turned to Rude and Elena. "Their loyal to me. I hear they're good shots. But beware of any ambushes. There will be seven of you all together, if you get attacked your screwed up the ass. No one will help you."
Rude and Elena both nodded.
"We're done this sort of stuff before." Elena said.
"Good to hear." Seph X said. "You guys?" He asked, looking at the riders, who had returned a few hours ago.
There was a mixed agreement.
"Right," The machine concluded.
"What are gonna be doing?" Cid asked suspiciously.
Seph X smiled.
"I'm going to lead the rest of our forces against the enemy from behind. If everything goes well, we might win this war now." Seph X finished resolutely
Jarred looked away from the window.
"What fun would that be?"
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Mech-Head watched the girl walk up the stairs, but still kept his attention on the Cetra below.
This was going to be hard ro pull off.
The girl walked into the room above him. The demon grinned evilly.
He spread his wings and glided down to the apparation below.
"Now, whats an endangered species like you doing in a place like this?" He asked.
No response.
Mech-Head slitted his eye.
"Answer me." He said darkly.
The apparation smiled.
"What are you doing here?" It asked. "I'm already dead. The girl is the quarry that's important."
Mech-Head plucked a strand of metal hair from his head.
"This how much I will sacrifice to get her." He answered. "You may present a danger yet unforseen."
It smile widened.
"Then keep thinking that. But you will never kill that girl, Vincent or that machine in Midgar. You fate will end on the snow of this country."
"That is still to be seen." Mech-Head said.
"But it will be seen." The apparation said, and suddenly vanished.
Mech-Head stared at where the ghost had stood.
Then he made a howl of rage.
The girl had escaped him again!