Chapter 9

WHAT A CETRA MUST DO

Cetra….

A deep voice rings inside his mind. As if he is prepared for the event, the man closes his eyes to concentrate his mind.

Yes, Planet ? The man, Vic, sends his response back. He then waits patiently for Planet's reply.

Planet's wound….it gets deeper….Planet's voice rings again. Vic nods his head solemnly. He already knew that.

That's why I'm here…..He replies. Vic puts an intonation on his sentence, something is surely beneath his words as if they are not easily spoken.

You have something inside, Child….but your heart is true….Planet responds. Somehow Vic feels Planet's reply is lighter than before. Still, he knows that Planet is suffering.

Just wish me luck, Planet….this isn't going to be easy…I'll do my best…Vic smiles to himself, still closing his eyes. Although he smiled, he really meant his words. He clenches both of his fists.

Planet trusts you, Cetra…please remember that…

Again, Vic smiles. Slowly, he opens his eyes as Planet's voice fades out, signing that the communication is over. Vic stands up from his chair in the inn room and walks to the window. A soft light of dusk falls on his handsome face. Quite attracted by the light, he opens the window and gazes to the sunset while leaning at window frame. A lot of things roam inside his brain.

Eventually, Vic's eyes meet his masamune, laid beside the bed. Its grip and sheath are made from hard wood, covering a sharp blade within. Sometimes, it looks more like a staff than a sword. He stares at the sword for some seconds. His mind flashes a picture of his last fight with some bar scoundrels, making him smile again. It is not because of his fight, but more because of he got a chance to know Cloud Strife. Someone he needs for his plan, but not as much as Aeris. When it comes to her name, Vic takes a deep breath.

Finally…I met her…She is so…beautiful….Vic thinks. Aeris, the flower girl. She is the one he needs at most for his plan.

My plan…I must not fail myself…or….Vic raises his palms and stares at them. His face looks worried after studying his palms for a second. With abrupt move, he clenches his fists again and throws his sight away, into the west horizon.

…………

Aeris rests her head on bathtub edge. She is having a hot-bath now, removing her tiredness away after the day. Hot water washes every inch of her soft skin, giving her relaxed and comfort sensation. She then stares at the bathroom ceiling, enjoying the hot water sweeps on her perfect body, while thinking about what happened today. She cannot forget that, it was very meaningful to her, yet worrying her. Aeris runs her hands on her honey brown hair as she reconstructs what she has experienced this day, together with Vic.

/*flashback*/

"Aeris…are you ready for my…explanation ?", Vic asked Aeris, showing a serious expression she never saw before. Aeris sighed and replied, "We only knew each other since two days ago, I bet you're in hurry to tell me your story, aren't you, Vic ?". Vic nodded his head and was going to say something, but Aeris cut him off, "I hope you're telling the truth…because…I didn't sense any danger from you…and we're…uh…we're Cetras, after all..". Clearly, Aeris was still in a little disbelief that Vic was a Cetra like her. She smiled at him after saying her words.

"That's okay…", Vic responded, "but first, I need to know what happened after Meteor was destroyed, related to you…Please tell me about that first…".  He looked at Aeris, requesting for her agreement.

"Why ?", Aeris asked him in confusion. "You wanted to say something, but now you want me to tell my own story ?".

"If you let me know what you know, then it'll be easier for me to prove what I said", Vic replied. Aeris thought for a moment, then nodded her head and sat on a bench. "Okay..", she replied shortly. After took a breath, she then started her story, beginning from her revival, and Sephiroth as well. She told Vic the story of their second fight with Sephiroth (Author : this is told in Lasting For An Eternity, my previous fanfic), and how Lifestream banished him with its new knowledge gained from the past, hopefully forever. Vic paid his full attention to every Aeris' words. He folded his arms and looked serious. Not even a word missed from his attention. At some points of Aeris' story, Vic closed his eyes, tried to imagine the situation described in her words. Usually, he then told her to continue or nodded his head. When Aeris's story came to the end, Vic still closed his eyes. He kept quiet, his right fingers played around on his left arm. Aeris thought that he was thinking hard. At first, she thought Vic was unsure about her story, but quickly she erased that thought. His expression told her that he trusted everything she said. Aeris just watched and waited for Vic to ask something about her story. Slowly, Vic opened his eyes. Through his sunglass, he looked at Aeris with a mysterious look. Aeris just raised her eyebrow, she grew curious with Vic's attitude.

"What else happened after that ? Did Planet ever contact you again ?", Vic asked Aeris. Starting from nodding her head as gesture, Aeris then replied, "Well…yes…it contacted me…..". She tried to recall her first communication with Planet again after Sephiroth's second defeat. "It happened several days ago…It said that I must prepare myself….I didn't know what Planet mean…but I had a feeling that it wouldn't be something nice…". Aeris took a breath to fill her lungs before she continued. "And last night…Planet talked to me again…", she almost said her words in a whisper. This time Vic reacted, his eyes went curious, and excited. "Yes..? What did Planet say ?", he chased Aeris. Aeris did not reply, she just frowned a little, contemplating about something that annoyed her heart for so long. She then stood up from the bench and walked toward the altar. Vic turned his body to follow Aeris' direction. He only saw Aeris' back.

She didn't want me to know her face…maybe her next answer would be hard for her…Vic thought.

Aeris just stood on her spot. At a sudden, soft wind entered the church, playing her long honey brown hair.

"Vic…", Aeris finally called him. Her tone sounded so sad. "As long as you became a Cetra, did strange things ever happen to you…just like me ?". Silence arose after Aeris spoke up. Vic fixed his circle shaped sunglass position, he knew Aeris did not need an answer. All she needed was affection to her as being a Cetra, a human race that had special ability to communicate with Planet. With this understanding, Vic let her to talk about her feeling first.

"Go on…", Vic responded with low, yet comforting voice.

A sigh was coming out from Aeris' mouth. Still standing, Aeris continued, "At first, I thought that I had to bear this responsibility because I was the last Cetra…and it took a lot from me….My life, my hope, my dream….and…my love…". Her voice trailed off. She managed her feeling so she could continue her words to end.

"It didn't matter to me if I could save other's life with cost of my life…but I felt that fate is playing around me…I was once dead, and then I was resurrected to save Planet from  Sephiroth again…Actually, I was afraid that I would be taken back to Lifestream after I finished my duty to save Planet…but somehow I believed that it's not the way I supposed to be. I kept my faith this is the way I supposed to be, to live again, and to find my way…although I had to suffer watching him go away…". Aeris paused for a moment. She talked with calm tone, but there was a deep sorrow beneath her every word. Her eyes stared at ceiling. Although Aeris only mentioned 'him', Vic already knew who he is. Patiently, he waited for Aeris' next word.

"But last night…", she piped up, "I was forced to ask my faith again….I started to doubt myself, whether I would be able to live…because…Planet told me to go back to my previous place….". Aeris paused again to hold her emerging tears. After she managed herself, she then continued. "I felt…it is not fair…it's not fair at all….Why did fate tinker with my life ? Is my life worth only for defeating Sephiroth ? So, whenever Sephiroth or another Sephiroth come to spread menace, I will be resurrected from my death, and when it's over, I have to go back to death….". Aeris took a breath as she ran out of it. Her voice was rather shaking. "I know it is also worth of people lives too…but…what about me ? I didn't ask for return, I just question my own life….I am an ordinary human too….I need an explanation, an answer…If this is my true fate, then, as long as I can make others live in happiness, then let it be...all I need is decision, that's all…". With a certain tone, Aeris ended her story. Her tone remained calm. She spun her body and faced Vic again. She could see that the man was quite surprised with her words. To him, Aeris' last words really struck a realization inside him.

She is…really an angel…not only her figure…but also on her heart…what a tough girl ! She faced the cruel fate bravely…she only thought others life…Vic thought, amazed. Aeris gave Vic a puzzled look, she did not have any idea why Vic was looking at her like that.

"Why did you think Planet want to take you back ?", Vic asked her after gained his tranquility. Hesitantly, Aeris replied, "I guess…it relates to circular life on this Planet…You know, every living that deceases is replaced by other's birth…It's a kind of reincarnation…I'm not really sure, but I couldn't find anymore thoughtful reason". Aeris then shrugged her shoulder.

"So…your resurrection, which turned you from death to life in the same form, left a…let's call it 'blank spot', on this circular life ?", Vic asked to reach the point. Aeris kept quiet for a moment as she thought about Vic's words. Finally, she nodded her head. "Kind of that, and it made Planet in unbalanced state…", she concluded hesitantly. Aeris still seemed in doubt.

Vic then added her, "Your death should be replaced with others' birth in different form…maybe it was in form of people's life you saved from Meteor…but your resurrection should be replaced with others' death…It's not that simple…Your resurrection would make other person or living form dies, but he or she, must be the one who bears another edge of your 'fate string' !".

Aeris' eyes were opened widely to hear Vic's words. She felt a bit unfamiliar to some of his words. "Fate string ?", she said with confused look. Vic nodded quickly. "You didn't look familiar with those two words…Heck, I thought you already knew that….". He then scratched his head.

"Hey…tell me about that…Vic-cie…", Aeris told him. She actually never knew that 'fate string' term before. This made her excited and curious for more explanation. For a while, she forgot her sorrow. Aeris felt a little ashamed to Vic that she did not have more knowledge about her race, moreover, she was the last Cetra, at least she thought about that.

Vic raised his eyebrow. "Viccie ? How could you change my name like that ?", he gave a surprised look. Aeris only smiled at him and responded, "Whoopss…I guess I slipped my tongue…". She closed her mouth in playful motion and giggled softly. Vic did not know what to say, he just grinned at her. Short time ago, he was saying the same words as Aeris just did, now it turned to her side. He didn't mind she called him with such name, because he found it made her heart lighter and brought a smile on her beautiful face. For him, that was more important than defending himself from being called with a silly nickname.

"Yeah…whatever…", Vic laughed a little. He must admit that the angel in front of him had her charm on him. Whenever she went sad, he also felt the world also stopped to beat, and whenever she was happy, he was very sure that even Planet felt her happiness. She was so attractive, yet caring, and those made him always wanted to see her. For another reason, he had to take care of her.

Vic leaned to the wall and stared at Aeris. Turning his tone into calm yet serious tone, Vic then said, "I'm not good at lecturing speech, so I'll try to explain with simple words.". He coughed to clear his throat, and then started to explain. "Fate string is a kind of balance embodiment. Everything in this world has its pair, good and evil, light and dark, man and woman…and so much more. These pairings must be in balanced order, and when one side grows more than other side, then the balance is broken. You already know that Planet is still living because Lifestream maintains it. When something wrong happened to Lifestream, then Planet would suffer too. The way Lifestream maintains The Planet is by keeping it in balanced state. This is where circular life applies. If one dies, its spirit returns to Lifestream, roaming within it and eventually will become a life force of newly born of another being, and this pairing is connected by what I called fate string. Let's say, if one dies, then which one should born ? Contrarily, if one is born, then which one should be deceased ? No, it didn't happen randomly. Every substance in this world, has an unseen bond that connects to another substance called fate string. If one substance returns to The Planet, then the other edge of that substance's fate string will be affected the chained effect, that it is given life force to rise as new living form. Should there be a substance losing its fate string for some reasons, then, in my humble thought, it will disturb the balance, and slowly, this disturbance will propagate Lifestream, leading it into self destruction. Fortunately, that's just a theory that hasn't been happened since this cycle has been happened normally, but it seems this time, exception is happened.". Vic stopped his explanation for a moment and looked at Aeris who listened to him carefully. With her eyes, she asked Vic to continue his explanation.

"Aeris, do you start to understand what I said…related to you ?", Vic asked with soft tone. Hesitantly, she replied with low voice, "Is it because I was being resurrected again that made Planet no longer in balanced state ?". Inside her heart, Aeris prayed that she was wrong and Vic would shake his head or said 'no'. Unfortunately for her, Vic nodded on her reply as agreement, although he reluctantly did it.

"Yes, that is. Actually, you were supposed to be…dead…but it seemed more complicated….", Vic looked at Aeris with clueless look. He did not know how to say his next words, but he had to. Aeris went more curious upon looking him in such condition. Vic then walked approaching Aeris and straightened his hand with his palm faced upward. With a gesture, he told Aeris to place her palm on his. Still in confused look, Aeris did his order. "Now close your eyes and concentrate to your mind", Vic gave another instruction. Without saying anything, Aeris closed her eyes, followed by Vic. Not long after she closed her eyes, Aeris felt something unclear flooded her mind, it was much more like moans and yawns, along with other crowded noise.

"Wh…what was that ?", Aeris asked Vic, a bit afraid, but she kept her eyes closed. "That's the vibration of your fate string…it looked for another edge, but alas, it couldn't find it", Vic replied. This answer made Aeris gasp. With her reflex, she opened her eyes and pulled her hand from Vic's palm.

"That was another ability of a Cetra, Aeris…to sense other people's fate string…", Vic explained. His eyes looked so sorry. Aeris stared at him with shocked look. She could figure out Vic's sad eyes and she was going to say something, but her lips felt locked.

"Yes, Aeris….you didn't seem to have….fate string…", Vic spoke the conclusion with low voice. His words were clearly made Aeris very shocked. She stared at him with her mouth opened as a sign of disbelief. Her face showed a heavy expression that Vic could not figure it out.

"Nooo….", she whispered, still shocked. "How could this happened to me ? Are you telling the truth ?". Aeris hided her face with her palms. She wanted to pretend that Vic lied to her, that Vic just made a joke with her, but there were too many things Vic knew what she didn't. Vic became a guide for her, guiding her to deeper knowledge of Cetra race. She knew she must trust him, no matter what.

"Aeris…", Vic approached her, his tone sounded concerned. His hand ran through her hair with caring motion. Aeris just let him did it. She wished that it was Cloud who cared her, but this was Vic, her new Cetra friend. At first, she wanted to refuse him, but she realized that she needed another person who could understand her. "I know what you're thinking…trust me, it's not so bad…", he tried to ease her. The poor girl just shook her head and said, "No…you don't know anything, Vic….". After releasing her palms from her face, she then looked at Vic's eyes. Those emerald green eyes depicted real sad eyes, but beneath them, Vic found a lot of unanswered questions. He prayed that he could answer them, or at least, some of them.

In trembling voice, Aeris then spoke up, "Vic…I may understand that my resurrection brought Planet in unbalanced state because since I died, my energy should give birth to other life form, but it then came back to me, giving new life to me in my old form…but…it was Planet which revived me ! And it sent me back to life for a special purpose…Was that my fault, Vic ? Tell me… This is…unfair !!". Aeris spoke her thought desperately. She never knew what really happened upon her, yet she kept her questions on it. Now, she found other Cetra who hopefully could answer her uneasy feelings.

"And one more thing, Vic…How could I lose my…fate string ? What will be happened next ?", Aeris pursued Vic for answer. Knowing that Vic just looked at her with sympathetic look, Aeris hung her head and said, "Sorry, I know that I should not ask everything to you…Although you had more knowledge about Cetra, I must realize it doesn't mean you know the whole thing…but…if you ever know, even one, answers to my question, please Vic…tell me the truth…These questions annoyed me for too long…". After saying her words, Aeris lifted up her face and stared at Vic with pleading look. That was a look that no one could resist indeed, even Vic.

Gosh…she's so…desperate…but she's still strong…Vic said to his mind. Surely he knew answers of her questions, all of them. Moreover, he knew the answers would be something that turned her thought, and hopefully would please her. Thinking about this, Vic smiled and replied, "So…you felt The Planet was not fair to you after everything you did to save it, huh ?". His eyes sparkle mysteriously. Aeris sighed being asked such question. She knew Vic was right, she felt that her fate was really twisted, but she could not blame it on The Planet. She just did not know to whom, or what, she addressed the riddles upon her.

"I…I just don't know what to do…", Aeris replied faintly. She hung her head down for second time.

"Well then…it's a matter of misunderstanding between you and Planet !", Vic exclaimed. Aeris lifted up her head quickly after Vic said his words. A slight hope flashed on her beautiful green eyes, but still there was a doubtful thought beyond her mind.

"I…I don't understand…don't make me clueless in riddle anymore…", she said, half-begging to Vic. "No…not at all !", Vic responded while shaking his head with strong motion. "I didn't want to make you more confused…I really meant what I said, Aeris ! You thought wrong about Planet ! I could prove my words later, but trust me on this : Planet resurrected you not only because of Sephiroth, but also because you had a very strong will to go back to life ! I don't know what kind of strong energy you had, but it was so strong that Planet could sense it. In fact, Planet was really grateful to you, so it made your wish came true ! You were brought back to life because you deserved it ! Planet…really cared about you". Vic spoke his words in bold tone. He stared at Aeris' green eyes with sharp look. Aeris could not speak or say anything, she just kept stunned on her place by Vic's explanation. Her eyes went to their fullest form, emitting a doubtful look at first, but finally Vic captured a flickering hope on her eyes.

"Re…Really ? Are you saying the truth ?", she asked in half doubtful and half hopeful tone. Vic just made a 'V' sign with his fingers and replied, "I swear I told you the truth…that's all I know, and I can prove it…". Aeris sensed there was something beyond Vic's words, but she knew he told the truth, her heart told her. This guy really meant his words. Planet was not selfish, it knew how to thank her after what she had done to save Planet and every life being. After considering it for some moments, Aeris decided to follow her heart, and to trust Vic. However, she found a little thing annoyed her heart, making her unable to express her feeling. She knew that she should be happy, but she also knew that there was a hidden danger that sealed her happiness for this moment.

"Hey, aren't you happy with my explanation ?", Vic asked Aeris as he did not notice an expression he expected. Smiling faintly, Aeris replied, "Yes…I know I should be relieved to hear it…but Vic…the problem is not over yet, right ? You were right, that was a misunderstanding between Planet and me. I thought Planet just revived me only to save it, but you said that wasn't it, …you said my resurrection was a gift from Planet. I'm very glad to know that, but either case, the outcome was still the same, Planet's equilibrium was corrupted…How about that, Vic ?". Aeris gave Vic a worried look. She absolutely could not be relieved yet, at least before she knew how to handle this matter.

"Aeris…", Vic called her name with deep voice, "Glad you're still aware, and here…we reach the true matter now…". Aeris paid her attention to Vic, she was more prepared now. Vic continued his words, "As I told you, Planet resurrected you because you deserved it, and it came with cost for sure…that is Planet's stability. It happened since Planet brought you back to life, but it didn't want to bother you with that balance matter because you already had other important task, so Planet try to keep itself in balanced state…but a hole is still a hole. From a small hole, slowly it turned to a big hole that threatened Planet's overall….If it was only because of such thing, Planet could handle it…I bet you already knew that Planet and Lifestream could learn from the past…that was really happened, you already proved it. But it went worse…with Planet's weakness, something tried to explore its weakness for irresponsible actions. I guess that mysterious thing was responsible for your losing fate string, somehow I'm sure about that…". Vic paused for a moment, giving Aeris a chance to give her opinion, but he only got a silence. In other side, Aeris just held her breath. She knew something terrible would be spoken out from Vic's mouth. With low voice but certain tone, Vic continued, "In other words, there is someone…or something tried to destroy Planet from inner side….". He said almost in a whisper. Aeris, although she had prepared herself after some surprises, still looked shocked. For a moment, both of them could not say anything for different reason. Vic was actually waiting for Aeris' response, meanwhile Aeris was too shocked to say anything. She never thought so far. If Vic was right, and somehow she trusted him, then Planet had endangered itself to keep her alive. Her resurrection, although it was Planet's own will, still left a trace that exposed Planet's weak point. Now, someone or something would use that opportunity for an unknown reason to them.

"I understand now..", Aeris muttered. "That's why Planet told me to go back to Lifestream…It was because of me who made Planet suffered. Now…I must not be selfish…I must save Planet before it's too late…I'm going back to…Lifestream". Her voice went weaker at the end. A slight doubt was reflected from Aeris' tone. She knew what to do, yet she could not deny her heart that she was…afraid. Aeris turned her face to outside.

"I doubt that Planet will take you again, Aeris…and I disagree with that way !!", suddenly Vic's voice came in, rather harshly. Quickly, Aeris turned her face again and looked at him.

"Vic ? Why did you say that ?", Aeris asked him, surprised.

"Because I believe there must be another way !", Vic replied, he looked rather emotional, different from his normal feature. This made Aeris stepped backward. "Vic ? What happened to you ? Something wrong ?", she inquired Vic's condition with concerned tone. Vic clenched his teeth and replied, "Aeris…we're both Cetras…we must help each other, and together we must get rid of this matter ! We cannot let Planet suffered longer, because the others will suffer too ! I already told you everything I know…still, there are some things we need to find out…and it'll be tomorrow ! This is what a Cetra must do !!"

Aeris stood still on her spot. She could not believe the cool guy Vic Skye now turned to emotional one. However, she started to feel there was unseen curtain enveloped Vic, covering him from being completely seen. For some reasons, he just let some parts outside the unseen curtain while keeping the rest beneath it. Aeris knew Vic is not a bad guy at all, but he was just too….mysterious.

/*end of flashback*/

Aeris splashes an area of hot water near her chest softly, making the water waves. Some of the splashed water drops on her face, giving her more exotic look. Another event comes into her mind, that is when she went home together with Vic. There was Cloud outside, watching her so close with her new friend. She did not pay too much attention to her surrounding at that time, but as far as she remembers it, she is sure that she catches a strange flash on Cloud's eyes.

"Cloud…", she mumbles, calling his name, but only receives a silence.

AUTHOR'S POST-CHAPTER NOTE :

Well well well…Finally I revealed what the hidden danger is, and it sticks to Aeris and Vic. Surely, that'll make Vic and Aeris get close to each other….teeheehee…but..hey, this doesn't mean the love triangle will become love square ! …Or does it ? ^_^ Naah…I won't give up easily, readers ! Aeris loves Cloud very much, right ? And what about Vic's secret intention ? Is it something good…or…bad ? I promise you will be very surprised at the end ! Tata for nooww…..

I'll be accepting any kind of R&R…I always appreciate them ! Thanks !