DISCLAIMER: If it ever becomes possible for me to buy Sephiroth, I will. But until that day Squaresoft owns (and neglegts) him.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Yes you guessed it, this is the 28th chapter! Sorry it took me longer than usually to update, but there were scenes in this chapter that required a lot of work. I wrote parts of this chapter over and over again.. It was just horrible. So I really hope this turned out OK? And oh, thanks so much for all the encouragement. ^_^ It really means a lot to me!
CHAPTER 28.
If you come as softly
as wind within the trees
you may hear what I hear
see what sorrow sees.
- Audre Lorde -
Just a short walk, and he'd be there. Sephiroth stared at the crumbling remains of a former Wutaian Holy site. It was the Earth shrine.. He could still vaguely recollect the memory of being here. He remembered the flames, as the Wutaian battle-ships had shot at Dargan with their Mako-Cannons. They were powerful weapons, but for some reason Sephiroth had survived. Like a child that curls into a fetal position when in danger, he had protected himself with a spell.. Sephiroth stared at the magnificent building a long while, trying to remember where all the buildings of Dargan had been. He remembered the town-square, and the booths of people selling their vegetables and fish.. But it was still a very fragmented memory, nothing but flashes of events that didn't really matter anymore. Sephiroth began walking slowly towards the shrine while still carrying Aeris on his arms, suddenly feeling like he had stepped back in time, to that fateful afternoon.
On the empty patches of land where there had formerly been houses of families, some trees had begun to grow. Sephiroth could still see signs of the flames though. The cliffs that rose at the side of the village had several burned parts to them, and Sephiroth realized the heat of the Mako-Cannons attack had been enough to melt stone. But the shrine was still intact, Sephiroth smirked, and it was really all that mattered. Bowing his head respectively, Sephiroth entered the building. He had never realized it's importance, but even back then he had felt it.. may it be the hand of destiny. He had been so certain there was something important about this place.
"Don't worry.. We're here now.." Sephiroth spoke in a calm voice, as he carried Aeris towards the farmost wall of the shrine. There was a platform with shriveled flowers on top of it, and he rested Aeris' body against it. He folded her arms gently on her chest, and then spent a moment just watching her. She looked like a piece of art, each curl of hair perfectly in place. Not daring to touch her, Sephiroth backed up and moved the the wall. The walls were made of crystallized mako, so the whole building appeared to be one huge orb of materia.
Sephiroth was getting a little worried, as he couldn't find the Holy materia anywhere. There was a empty slot in a stone tabloid, that looked about the size of a normal materia orb. Had the white materia been stolen? Sephiroth couldn't figure it out. With a displeased look on his face, Sephiroth knelt down to the side of Aeris, wondering what it was he should do. Now that Sephiroth had brought Aeris to the shrine, he felt helpless. There weren't any writings he could read anywhere, no instructions as to how one contacts the souls of Cetra.
"..Hello?" He cleared his throat a bit uncertainly, and closed his eyes.
~You shouldn't be here..~ A voice whispered him.
"I.." Sephiroth forced himself to concentrate, even though the angry sound of the voice surprised him.
~What do you want, decendant of Jenova?~ The voice asked again, and Sephiroth wasn't sure was it male or female. The whole building seemed to be filled with whispers, as Sephiroth contemplated his answer.
"I want to help the last one of your kind, Aeris." He quickly answered, feeling a breeze of cold wind blow inside the shrine.
~We won't help you.~ The voice soon replied, and Sephiroth felt the consiousness of the Planet slip further away from him. ~It is not for us to decide who lives and who dies..~ It said then, very quietly.
"But.." Sephiroth opened his eyes, and saw that the entire room was glowing with pale green light. "..I love her.." He whispered, and the light quivered as though of compassion.
~You can't love.~ A voice stated, and for a moment Sephiroth wondered whether it was the Planets or his own. ~Jenova's species.. Have a collective mind.. Your will is therefore her will. And we cannot act in Jenova's best interest even if it meant the extinction of our species.~ The voice told Sephiroth, in a distant cold voice.
~You should leave. You don't belong here.~ A voice warned Sephiroth, and he wasn't sure if it was the same or another one completely.
"But Aeris does.. You must help her, the future of this Planet depends upon her!" Sephiroth reasoned, raising his voice in despair. "Help her.." He asked, as sincerely as he could. Sephiroth had never begged for anything in his life, rather he had just taken it. But even if the situation made him uncomfortable, he didn't hesitate.
~And if we could revive her? What kind of a future could she possibly have? More suffering, if she got ill again?~ The voice asked a bit more warmly.
"I'll leave her alone.. I'll go away. Just.." Sephiroth bowed his head. "Make her better again.." He stared at the floor, feeling ashamed and humiliated yet he couldn't bear to leave. "Please.." Sephiroth begged.
~You must realize, there isn't much we can do at this point..~ The voice announced quietly, and Sephiroth felt a warm energy touch the side of his face.
"This point?" He tilted his head, and turned to look at Aeris. It wasn't until now that he noticed how cold Aeris' skin felt like, how motionless and still she layed. He couldn't even hear the steady rhythm of her breathing..
"No.. She's not dead." Sephiroth shook his head in denial, staring down at Aeris blankly. "Aeris..?" Sephiroth attempted, and pressed his fingers against the side of her throat. He couldn't feel a pulse. Sephiroth pulled his hand back slowly, and stared at Aeris' closed eyelids for a long time.
"I'm sorry." Sephiroth mumbled, feeling the pain in his heart grow unbearable. He leaned down, resting his head on Aeris' hands, careful not to let his tears fall on Aeris' body. It was as though he thought their mere presence somehow stained the ethereal beauty of the last cetra.
~You'd have a chance to survive Jenova's venom, if we transfer it from Aeris to you.. She would be then brought back to life.~ The voice suggested, and Sephiroth was quiet a while.
"OK.. I wouldn't mind." He muttered, and in an instant they were both surrounded in a blinding aura of light.
Sephiroth could hardly believe his eyes, when he saw Aeris arch her back and take a deep breath. He backed up from her, surprised by the intensity of the light. "A-Aeris?" He asked, in a weak voice, as he soon felt the poison transfer into his body. With great difficulty, Sephiroth managed to extend his hand out for Aeris, never quite reaching her though. Even if he was in a great amount of pain, Sephiroth couldn't help but smile satisfied. With a drowzy look in his eyes he watched, as the aura of light dimmed, and finally faded out of sight, revealing the whole of Aeris' body. She twitched, just like when waking up from a deep sleep, and Aeris opened her emerald green eyes into the surrounding darkness. Sephiroth smiled widely, trying to keep himself counsious for a few more seconds. After looking up at the ceiling of the shrine with a somewhat puzzled look on her face, Aeris turned her eyes and noticed Sephiroth who was lying closeby. That brief flash of recognition, when a warm glow lit up to Aeris eyes, was the last consious thought in Sephiroth's mind before he passed out.
* * * * *
"Yo.. Where's Sephiroth?" Barret asked, while looking at Cloud. The blonde man was standing at the front of a group of tired, sad looking AVALANCHEr's.
"He kind of took off. With Aeris." Tifa spoke from beside Cloud.
"OK.. So what is it that I've missed? Coz the last time I checked, she was--" Barret silenced himself, and his gaze sunk to the floorboards of Highwinds upper deck. It hadn't been easy for Barret to find out that the woman who had saved his daughters life, had really died at such an early age.
"She is." Cloud spoke up, and glanced at Tifa for support. "Sephiroth just.. refused to believe it, I guess." Cloud finished.
"So what yer sayin' is that da man went nuts?" Barret raised his brow.
"Basically, yes." Cloud nodded in affirmative.
"Well, colour me surprised." Barret sighed, and pointed towards the door that led in to the inner parts of the airship. "You'd better go tell dat to Cid." He muttered, and followed the others just a step or two behind them. Barret had feared Sephiroth's reaction would be extreme, but it had never occurred to him that Sephiroth might block the entire tragedy of his mind. In a way, Barret snorted, it also made sence to him. Aeris had been Sephiroth's link to sanity, and now that she was gone.. Barret shook his head, a sad look in his eyes. He sincerely hoped, that they wouldn't be forced to kill the ex-General.
* * * * *
"Sephiroth?" Aeris sat up, painfully aware of how each muscle in her body hurt. Even though she couldn't remember how she had gotten to the place she was suddenly at, something about it was familiar to her. It reminded her of The Temple of the Ancients, but hadn't that building been destroyed? Aeris then returned her attention fully to Sephiroth, wringing her brow as she noticed in what state he was in. His eyes were closed, and he looked like he was sleeping the most troubled sleep Aeris had ever seen. His breathing was shallow and fast, as though he was running from some monster of his dreams. Aeris realized Sephiroth had somehow managed to cure her, and obviously he had also payed the prize for her recovery.
"Oh I love you.. You stupid self-sacrificing jerk.." Aeris shook her head, a deeply sad look in her eyes. She knew the desease wouldn't kill Sephiroth, for after all he was a half-breed. The Jenova cells in his system rendered him immune to the poison, but it would most likely take him a while to process the venom out of his body.
Aeris crawled to Sephiroth, and pulled him to her arms. She still felt weak, even though the sickness had left her body. "Try to hang in there, Sephy.." Aeris whispered him, and leaned closer to him. She could hear him breathing, and even if he was unconsious, it felt good to just hold him. Aeris smiled in her thoughts as she realized how Sephiroth would feel about her seeing him in such a vulnerable state. As strange as it was, to be dependant upon someone was probably his worst nightmare. It wasn't likely there was a thing he feared more, than to be sick and weak. But still, Aeris smiled sadly, he had exchanged his health for Aeris' recovery. She promised in her mind, that she'd make it up to Sephiroth, somehow. It made no difference, that the others still didn't fully accept her relationship with Sephiroth and that being with him might mean Aeris could get sick again. She just simply didn't care..
Aeris lifted her gaze from Sephiroth after a long while, and then studied the surrounding area. She could see the familiar black chocobo in the distance, but where were the others? Why was Sephiroth on his own? Aeris wished he was in a condition to answer. "I wish I knew what's going on in that pretty little head of yours.." Aeris murmured thoughtfully, while staring down at Sephiroths head, that was rested in her lap. A lock of his hair caught Aeris' fingers, and almost instictevely she started braiding it. While her hands had something to do, Aeris thought about her situation. She was..
Aeris blinked. She had no idea where she was exactly. But at least she had the chocobo. And her health, and not to mention Sephiroth. Even if they were alone in a foreign place, at least they were together, she chuckled. The most important thing at the moment, was to get Sephiroth well again. For that to happen, Aeris realized, she'd need some food and water. And maybe a small campfire. It looked like the sun was setting, so Aeris knew she'd have to hurry. "I'll be right back." She told Sephiroth, and cautiously slipped out from under his back. Aeris smiled warmly at Sephiroth, before she walked out into the sunlight.
"Hi chocobo.." Aeris walked over to the bird, and grabbed all the equipment Sephiroth had packed along him. She then took them back to the Temple, glancing at the skies worried. There were dark clouds everywhere, that seemed almost like they were just waiting for the perfect moment to begin raining. With a nervous speed, Aeris gathered some dry wood, and carried it to the shelter of the Shrine, built of crystallized Mako. Finally Aeris pulled the chocobo into the Shrine too, feeling bad for the animal. She didn't want it to get soaked, so Aeris tied it's reins near the entrance of the Shrine. When she walked back in though, she noticed Sephiroth had woken up, but only barely. He was staring at a part on the ground so sadly, Aeris couldn't understand what he was seeing - or rather, what he was not seeing.
"Are you OK?" Aeris asked, and in a fraction of a second Sephiroth turned his head back at her.
"A-Aeris?" He asked, squinting his eyes as though not seeing straight.
"It's me.." Aeris laughed, hearing the rain had begun outside. The humming, constant sound of rain poaring down was somewhat soothing to her, but the look on Sephiroth's face was far from peaceful. He backed away from Aeris, swallowing hard.
"A-are you.. am I awake..?" He muttered, stopping as his back reached the wall behind him.
"What?" Aeris smiled at him puzzled, and placed the dead branches she had collected back to the ground. Building a fire could wait. "What's wrong with you." She shook her head as she walked closer to Sephiroth. When reaching the man, Aeris crouched down in front of him, and studied the scared look in his eyes.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." Aeris chuckled, as Sephiroth reached out his hand, slowly. When his trembling fingers met the side of Aeris' face, she saw his entire body jerk. Instantly, tears appeared in Sephiroths eyes. His fingers crept higher on Aeris' skin, and she didn't resist it. Aeris was so mesmerized by what she saw in his eyes, and so stunned as a clear teardrop rolled down Sephiroths cheek.
"You're supposed to kill me now. That's usually how the dream ends." Sephiroth spoke, in a calm voice that portrayed so much emotion it frightened Aeris.
"What dream..?" Aeris moved closer to Sephiroth and sat down beside him. He just stared back at her, and closed his eyes as he felt Aeris lean closer to him.
"Why are you behaving so weird? You found a cure, didn't you? I'm fine!" Aeris laughed, trying to cheer Sephiroth up.
"B-but.. You.." Sephiroth stammered. Aeris thought he looked adorable, and so completely confused.
"You're.." Sephiroth muttered, and suddenly fell silent.
"I'm what?" Aeris asked, but Sephiroth didn't aswer her. "Sephiroth?" Aeris' voice was deeply concearned, as she watched Sephiroth lean closer to her. He kissed her gently on the lips, and Aeris returned the kiss with equal passion. In the stillness of the shrine, while the rain continued to poar down, the two lovers were as though enveloped in their own private universe. Their tongues met, curiously exploring the unknown territory. The kiss went on an on, as though the relatively short moment of time was stretched by the seems. The unreal feeling only magnified, as Aeris finally pulled back from Sephiroth. He was just staring at her, so strangely Aeris couldn't help wondering what was wrong with him.
After all, Aeris still remembered the 'incident' Vincent had mentioned. She didn't feel like pushing Sephiroth for the answers, instead Aeris helped him to the campfire.
"You should sleep a while." She told him, worried for his condition. Allthough Aeris knew Sephiroth was able to recover from so much more severe injuries than any other human being, she was still worried about him all the same.
"I'm all right." Sephiroth just answered, in a faraway voice.
"Do you want me to pinch you or something? Because this is really happening. No dream, OK?" Aeris told him in a humourous tone, but Sephiroth looked like he seriously considered it a while.
"..I believe you." He only said, and for some reason his words made Aeris feel very happy.
* * * * *
"What the hell happened here?" Cid scratched the back of his head. The AVALANCHEr's had landed the Highwind a small distance away from Wutai, so that they wouldn't draw any unnecessary attention. From the moment they had entered Yuffie home town though, they noticed something was very wrong. Scattered on the ground, were corpses of villagers. Some beautifully designed buildings at the front of the village had been lit up, and they were still burning. In the air reeked the smell of death and thick smoke.
"My.. village.." Yuffie gulped, as she looked around at the familiar bodies of her neighbours and childhood friends. There were trails of blood everywhere, and flies buzzed around the air.
"They're all.. dead.." Yuffie took a few steps forward. The sign on a tall building, that invited people to visit 'Turtle Paradise', was swaying in the air, with blood splashed on it's surface.
"Sephiroth.." Cloud snarled, clenching the handle of his sword. All the horror surrounding them reminded Cloud of Niebelheims events to such an extent, that he was absolute certain they were done by the one and the same man.
"Looks so much.. like in Niebelheim.." Tifa nodded quietly, smiling sadly as Cloud wrapped his arm around her.
"He's gone too far this time.. Sephiroth's gonna pay for this." Cloud looked at Yuffie concearned, as she took in what had happened.
"..Dad.." She suddenly muttered, and began to ran through the village towards a tower in the distance.
"We'd better go after her.. Who knows if he's still here." Tifa glanced at Cloud, who looked very angry. "I can't believe.. I almost thought he could change. But he's a cold-blooded killer and will always be just that.. Too bad Aeris never realized it. She could've had a life without Sephiroth!" He raised his voice, and strode after Yuffie.
"Man.. Whatta damn fool I was, sayin' he's not a threat."
Cloud heard Barret mutter, and the blonde man agreed. They had all been stupid. Had they eliminated Sephiroth the first chance they got, these people would still have their lives.
* * * * *
"Hello sleepyhead."
Sephiroth heard a familiar voice ask. Cautiously he peeked a glimpse at the woman sitting by the camp-fire. She was smiling at Sephiroth, while stirring something in a black casserole with a wooden spoon. "Aeris." Sephiroth blinked at the sight of her. So it hadn't been a dream.. maybe. Just as Sephiroth had begun to realize Aeris had died, she was there, smiling so close to him. And as he was taught, things that looked too good to be true, usually were.
"You were asleep for a few hours.. And don't worry, I didn't take advantage of your vulnerable state. Much." Aeris giggled at him, a bit worried as Sephiroth attempted to get up.
"Oh, no you don't." Aeris rushed to his side. "You're gonna rest now, alright?" She told him in a scolding voice, and pulled a blanket to cover Sephiroth.
"Where are my.." He suddenly noticed he wasn't wearing anything but his black pants. "I took it off. I thought you'd sleep better without those things." Aeris smiled sheepishly.
"You.. really are here, aren't you?" Sephiroth suddenly asked, and Aeris giggled at his question.
"Of course I am, silly! Did you think I'd just leave you alone after you had healed me?" She shook her head, and noticed Sephiroth grab her arm. "What?" Aeris smiled at him.
"I'm glad you're here.. Even if it's only a dream." Sephiroth told her, staring up at her face intensely.
"You're behaving so weird.." Aeris thought, and placed the back of her hand on Sephiroths forehead. His skin didn't feel as warm as an hour ago, and she took it for a good sign. He was recovering far more quickly than Aeris had expected, but he was still weak.
"I made something to eat! It should be ready already!" Aeris told him, and left his side to go poar some of the dinner she had made into two cups.
"You're not gonna feed me, are you?" Sephiroth pulled the blanket over his face.
"You're such a baby!" Aeris laughed at his behaviour.
"You're smothering me.. And I really don't like it. I just don't." He muttered, in a slightly angry voice from somewhere under the blankets.
"Oh, it's not the worst thing in the world, to be sick!" Aeris pulled the blanket away from his face, and helped him sit up. "Besides, I absolutely love pampering you." She smiled, and picked up a cup of the soup she had made.
"I'm supposed to eat that?" Sephiroth stared at the obscure liquid, that had pieces of herbs and vegetables floating in it.
"Hey!" Aeris looked at him a bit offended. "This is good soup! ..And all the food we have. For some strange reason, you didn't take any with you." She looked at Sephiroth quizzically.
"I was.. in a rush.." He answered, rolling his eyes as Aeris moved the wooden spoon closer to his mouth. "Oh stop. I can't do this." Sephiroth backed up.
"Humour me." Aeris made a face at him, then smiled satisfied as Sephiroth did as he was told. "There. That wasn't bad, now was it." She asked Sephiroth, noticing he had a strange look on his face.
"What exactly.. is in this soup of yours?" He asked.
"Just stuff I found outside." Aeris shrugged.
"Well.. it's really.. good." The look on Sephiroth's face told quite an opposite story. He was wincing in disgust.
"Oh, you're horrible." Aeris snorted.
"You know, Aeris.. I'm not sure if I ever told you.." Sephiroth's voice was suddenly serious.
"What?" Aeris asked, and pulled her own cup of soup to her. Bravely she ate the whole amount, even though she had to admit the stuff tasted like it had already been digested once or twice.
"But I do feel.. like we know each other from somewhere." He finally admitted.
"Really? You do?" Aeris smiled brightly. She was glad her feelings were mutual.
"Sephiroth.." Aeris suddenly fell silent as she considered something. "You know.. Will you marry me?" She suddenly asked, and Sephiroth choked, taken completely by surprise.
"W-what?" He just asked, blinking.
"After everything I went through, the sickness and us nearly breaking up.. I realized how important it is to hold onto someone you love.. Because you'll never know what might happen and.. I really want to be Mrs. Sephiroth." Aeris explained, blushing a bit.
"Aeris.. What if you get sick again? And the whole children thing.. You know what happened to my.. mother, don't you?" Sephiroth asked, and Aeris nodded, silently thinking this was one of the first times she had heard Sephiroth speak of Lucreasia as his mother. "How can you even consider it.." He sighed.
"Believe me, I've had time to think about that and I realized.. None of it really matters. What's real is what I feel for you." Aeris just shrugged.
"You've made up your mind about this, haven't you." Sephiroth asked, his expression a mixture of exasperation and quite frankly, fear.
"Don't you want to get married then?" Aeris asked.
"I don't know.. I guess I never thought I'd end up in a situation, where that option would be available." Sephiroth shrugged.
"Well you think it over. But don't forget to let me know what you decide." Aeris smiled at him sheepishly.
"I won't." Sephiroth answered. "It's strange though.. Can you really imagine us settling down?" The silver-haired man had a slightly doubtful look on his face.
"Sure.." Aeris nodded. "Don't tell me you've never thought about doing something else for living than.. killing things?" She asked.
"I haven't, really. What's the point in thinking about something I'll never have." Sephiroth shook his head. "And besides, killing's really the only thing I've ever been good at." He continued.
"I don't believe that." Aeris smiled at him sheepishly. "I doubt there's a thing you're not good at." She told him, smiling as he sighed at her in response.
* * * * *
"Dad.." Yuffie cried. It seemed most of the villagers, including her father, had been killed. "I can't believe it's true.." She sobbed.
"Yuffie, I swear we're gonna get him for this." Cloud muttered, and turned to the other AVALANCHEr's who nodded at him in silent agreement. They had forgiven many things to Sephiroth, but this was too much. Slaughtering innocent people was far above what the AVALANCHEr's were willing to tolerate from him.
"He's gonna die.." Cloud snarled, as he exited the tower. Outside, rain had began to fall. It was poaring down, and the entire sky was dark and grey. Red and Vincent, who had been silent ever since they had arrived to Wutai, were suddenly discussing something in low voices. Even though Cloud couldn't pick out the words, they were probably just as baffled as Yuffie, that Sephiroth had been capable of doing something like this after everything that had happened between him and Aeris.
"I wonder where he is." Cloud glanced at Tifa, as though he had just asked a question and was waiting for an answer.
"Well, I'm just glad he's not here.. We need time to prepare. Sephiroth is not your average enemy." Tifa shrugged.
"I know.. But we have to take revenge.. I can't let him keep doing this.. I swore Niebelheim would be the last time he'd hurt innocent people.. And I inted to keep my promise." Cloud's voice was very determined, and Tifa didn't doubt his words for even a moment. A man who had gone crazy over the death of his girlfriend was a difficult enemy, for nobody could really predict how he would behave. And from what Red had told them, he had been acting in a pretty self-destructive way lately. Could there really be anyone more dangerous, than a man who had nothing to lose? Still, Tifa had faith in Cloud's success. She had seen him develope as a fighter, faster than she had ever thought possible. At times, the attacks he was able to perform surprised even her.
* * * * *
It was early the next morning, that Sephiroth finally found the courage to go try walking again. He was feeling a lot better, and not only because the poison had nearly left his body. He was with Aeris again.. The thought made Sephiroth smile briefly. At first he had been afraid to blink, in case Aeris might dissappear from his side, but little by little Sephiroth had began to accept that his plan had been successful. As much as he felt joy over all the plans Aeris had shared with him, he couldn't help wondering that there were still a few obstacles in their way he'd have to take care of. The most important of them being Jenova and Zenobius. Jenova would have to pay for what she ha done to Aeris, Sephiroth thought, an angry look shadowing his features. For a while, the black-clad man looked genuinely threatening. He was standing nearby the shrine in perfect posture, as the rising sun warmed up the cold mountain air. A layer of mist covered the ground, like a veil that hid the grass under it.
"Oh, isn't this a surprise."
Sephiroth heard someone say. He turned his head, drawing the Masamune out of it's sheath. "Zenobius.." Sephiroth recognized the voice even before he noticed the pale-looking man standing not far away.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, allthough the answer was really quite obvious. Jenova had guided the black-haired man to Sephiroth, hoping Aeris would be with him. And she was.. Only Sephiroth wasn't going to let either of them hurt Aeris, not after nearly getting himself killed in the process of getting her back.
"Where are the others? Or is it just you two lovebirds?" Zenobius' expression was malevolent, as he twirled his jade-green bladed sword between his fingers. "All the better then.." He continued, and smirked.
"What do you mean?" Sephiroth snorted. "I thought you liked to have a little crowd.. To make things more challenging?" He stared at Zenobius prudently. "I suppose all that losing has reduced your need for challenges.." Sephiroth lips drew into a poisonous grin.
"You arrogant bastard.." Zenobius clenched the handle of his sword, and took a stab at Sephiroth the silver-haired man was able to avoid no problem.
"You're a brilliant fighter. Perhaps a little too brilliant?" Zenobius sneered. "But I don't really need to kill you to get rid of you.." He laughed, and wielded his sword again. It clashed against Sephiroth's Masamune, and the two men glared at each other.
"I'm afraid.. you do." Sephiroth grunted, twirled around and lifted his sword for a strike. Zenobius was caught off guard, and Sephiroth was able to slash at him. The wound was not much more than a superficial wound, but there was still lots of blood, that dribbled down to the blade of Sephiroths sword and his boots.
"You just signed your death-certificate.." Zenobius burst into an insane laughter, teleporting away with the wave of his hand. Sephiroth crouched down, and studied the powder that the spell left behind it. He decided not to follow Zenobius though, because he didn't want to leave Aeris alone in case something might happen. Sephiroth kicked at the dust, wondering why Zenobius had behaved so confidently. He had hardly any reason to do so, Sephiroth smirked. Just then he noticed the group of AVALANCHEr's, cross a bridge that led straight into the former village of Dargan.
From the bridge, the AVALANCHEr's had a clear view of Sephiroth. The silver-haired man couldn't help noticing, how the expressions of each of them darkened at the sight of him. Sephiroth realized they had probably not liked his behaviour much, but he could hardly change the way he felt.
"Sephiroth.." Cloud snarled, and drew his sword. The rest of the team followed their leader only a step behind, looking very determined. "Why did you do it?" He asked.
Sephiroth didn't quite understand. Were the others mad at him for saving Aeris' life? It didn't make any sence.. He had been sure the others had liked Aeris too.
"Were you just bored? Or were they just 'in the way', as you put it?" Cloud asked, a clearly enraged sound in his voice.
"These are ravings.." Sephiroth snorted, and cleansed the blade of his Masamune from Zenobius' blood.
"You monster! How could you do it to me! I trusted you!" Yuffie screamed, and pulled out her shuriken. She was clearly preparing to perform a limit-strike on him, but Sephiroth couldn't understand why.
"I thought it was what you wanted.." He spoke nonchalantly.
"Only a sick twisted mind such as yours could believe that!" Cloud raised his voice. "Did it feel good, to kill all those innocent people!?" He asked.
"What?" Sephiroth tilted his head, not really understanding. Something had obviously happened. He wondered if this had anything to do with Zenobius' cocky behaviour. It would make sence, he'd try to frame Sephiroth for something in hope the AVALANCHEr's would take revenge.
"I haven't killed anyone. It was Zenobius." Sephiroth muttered.
"You expect us to believe that! We saw Wutai! It was exactly like in Niebelheim, a massacre done in your authentic style!" Cloud raised his palm, and cast a Bolt2 spell on Sephiroth. He was able to cast reflect on himself though, so the spell bounced right back at Cloud, without really doing much damage.
"Jenova knows--" Sephiroth began, but Cloud interrupted him.
"I don't want to hear it! Let's just finish this!" He growled, and launched at Sephiroth, swinging his wide bladed sword in anger.
"You ignorant fool! He's only using you!" Sephiroth raised his voice as he blocked Cloud's attack.
"I won't listen.. to a murderer!" Cloud shouted, and tried to kick Sephiroth off of his feet. The ex-General took an evasive step back though, and Cloud missed him.
"You probably went insane over Aeris' death but that's no excuse!" Cloud shouted, and managed to scratch Sephiroth's arm.
"Aeris is not dead." Sephiroth spoke, casting an Ultima spell. As the mako-green energy swallowed Cloud, he quickly cast FullCure on his arm. As the spell shattered, fading into a whisper, Cloud was ready to attack Sephiroth. The others kept encouraging him, casting healing spells on him. Even though Sephiroth managed to make a lot of damage on him, he kept recovering. After just being sick, Sephiroth wasn't at his best. He kept blocking most of Clouds attacks, not having much chance to counter-attack.
"Die!" Cloud roared at him, just as a frightened womans voice ran in the air.
"Sephiroth!" the voice screamed, and everyone turned their eyes at Aeris, who was running from inside the shrine. She ran to Sephiroth just in time to see Clouds wide bladed sword sink into his chest.
* * * * *
Well..? Jenova asked.
"He's out of the way. After what I did, the AVALANCHEr's are bound to suspect Sephiroth.. They'll get rid of him." Zenobius muttered.
Too bad.. I would've needed his cells.. But since he's now determined to destroy us, I had no choise. Jenova explained, hovering above snow. The sunlight was gleaming on the pure white layer of freezing cold snow, making the scenery almost blinding to human eyes.
"No need to explain.. Besides, I had a lot of fun." Zenobius muttered, thinking back to the way the Villagers had run from him. It had been fun to hunt them down like animals. He had felt so powerful, in comparison to such pitiful beings.
I did too.. Jenova laughed. We should still go take care of that Cetra girl.. It shouldn't be a problem, now that Sephiroth is out of the way. She turned to Zenobius, her tentacles swaying only a little. She looked like she was waiting for an answer.
"Yes.. I'm sure it'll be like a walk in the park." Zenobius smirked.
Good.. For once she's out of the way, we can finally go forward with the Reunion.. Jenova announced proudly.
"Great.." Zenobius continued to sneer at the scenery.
We should be prepared.. For she will come here.. It is what the pitiful cetra are designed to do.. Pray to Holy.. Jenova laughed, while thinking about in what a vulnerable state the young woman would be. While praying, it would be easy for anyone to kill her.. For Zenobius, who had finally gotten his act together, it would probably be as easy as stealing candy from a baby. The thought made Jenova chuckle. She was glad things had finally began to look up for her. She had the Black Materia, Sephiroth was out of the way, Cloud would most certainly come to the Reunion, and it wouldn't take long before that wretched cetra girl would join Sephiroth in death. It was really poetic justice, that the two traitors would be elimininated in not so different ways. Perhaps even by the same person? Jenova thought it would be quite amusing to see that blonde haired friend of the cetra girls kill her.. Yes, it seemed like a very hilarious thought.
Oh I know, this is probably the biggest cliffhanger EVER. I'll try not to let you wait for the next update too long. ^_^ This story definately needs some more cuteness.. I can never have enough!