Chapter 2: Cries of Heaven
Cloud:
...(*hiss*)...(*crackle*)...You...know…
Know what?
...you...know who I am...You have...always...known...
...I don't remember...
...ha ha ha........don't say that...you...know...even though you forget...you will always know...
... ... ...
...he knows too...he, who is...beyond...all others...he can't make...the connection...but he...knows (*snap*) (*hiss*)...
...Who are you?
...(*hiss*).......I am...that which has always been...and that (*crackle*)...that which will always be...
...You will realize...and it may be...too...much......but you will understand, when the...time...comes...
...I don't understand...
(*hiss)... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
"Cloud...Cloud, hey – do you hear me?"
... ... ... ... ... ...
~{:*:}~
Cloud woke with a start, the faint sunlight from the darkened skies of Nibelheim reaching his aching eyes.
"Cloud, come on man, wake up..."
His vision, blurred by the long hours, focused slightly – he saw his fellow grunt standing before him, wearing his blue uniform, but missing his helmet.
Groggily, he shook himself and lifted his body up to its feet.
"Alright Grey, I'm coming...what's going on?"
"Sephiroth says it's time...time to go."
Cloud looked over to his left. Standing by a window, Zack was deep in conversation with Sephiroth. Even in the early hours of the morning, Sephiroth's calm, cool exterior created a powerful aura against the semi-raving attitude of Zack.
Trying to hear what the two SOLDIERS were talking about, Cloud waved a hand dismissively towards his counterpart.
"Go ahead, get ready...I'll be along in a minute."
Grey nodded and left the room. Pretending to search for his uniform, Cloud crept over close to the spot where Sephiroth and Zack stood.
"...don't think it's right Sephiroth. I mean, she's just a girl – we don't know what we're going to be coming up against, and her being with us puts her in greater danger than any of us intend!"
Sephiroth slowly tilted his head at Zack, his eyes piercing into his SOLDIER counterpart.
"She will be safe, I promise you that."
He gazed out the window, looking at the ominous scepter of Mount Nibel.
"It's been a long time since I've been here – she's a reliable guide, and she'll get us there."
Conscious of another presence, Sephiroth slowly swirled around to meet Cloud's eyes. The radiance that extended from those orbs froze Cloud on the spot – he couldn't move, he couldn't breathe; his body was held in stasis by an atmosphere far greater than his own.
"Yes?"
Quickly composing himself, Cloud stuttered out a response.
"Uh...nothing, sir...just that, well...Grey and I are ready...whenever you are, of course..."
Cloud cursed at himself – being this close to Sephiroth had been a dream of his since childhood, and now, in his first mission with his idol, he was being stupid.
However, if Sephiroth noticed anything, he held it in check. He nodded shortly and made his way down the stairs.
"I'm going to find our guide. Meet me outside."
Cloud snapped a crisp "Yes, sir" while Zack merely nodded. Devoid of Sephiroth's presence, Zack turned to his friend, smiled, and lightly punched him in the arm.
"Don't worry, Cloud – Sephiroth does that to everybody. Even me – his power; no, his very being just holds you there...like you are no longer in control of you…"
He turned quickly and followed Sephiroth's path down the stairs. At that time, Grey came to stand next to Cloud, now wearing his helmet. Through the voice enhancers, Cloud heard Grey expel a large breath.
"Ready?" he asked.
Cloud nodded and put on his helmet.
"Let's go."
~{:*:}~
Sephiroth:
He stood, waiting near the fountain in the middle of the square. Casually, he observed the goings on around the town, using his mind to perceive every aspect of it. It really was a beautiful place, he though. But then again, Sephiroth had never been one to admire beauty – he prided himself on knowledge, wisdom...the will to administer strength when needed...
Sephiroth glanced up and saw Zack moving towards him, followed closely by the two Shin-Ra soldiers sent to accompany them. Privately, Sephiroth felt that these infantry soldiers were a waste – he and Zack could handle anything they came across.
Come to think of it, thought Sephiroth, Zack is a of no need here either. Besides the requirement of his training, he serves no purpose here...I am the one…the one who can do anything...no living thing is a match for my power...
(*hiss*)
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sephiroth felt himself sharply brought our of his reverie. Where had that come from? he wondered. It was as if...something had...invaded his mind...as if something had brought him to a conclusion he would never have brought himself to...
He looked up, bringing himself back to reality as he saw her. Their guide. She was a young girl, about 16 years old, wearing a cowboy hat over her long brown hair.
Sephiroth frowned. Maybe Zack was right – the girl was young; she might get hurt...and with whatever was out there, having her increased their danger tenfold.
No, he thought, we need her. There is no other way.
By chance, the girl and the rest of the Shin-Ra crew arrived near Sephiroth at the same time. The girl smiled and introduced herself.
"Hi, the name's Tifa Lockhart. I can't tell you how great it is to meat you Mister Sephiroth."
Sephiroth frowned, but quickly turned his look into a forced smile. Why did people always call him Mister Sephiroth...?
He introduced Zack, but didn't see the need to introduce the two grunts. Come to think of it, he couldn't even remember their names...
As Tifa introduced herself to Zack, Sephiroth noticed one of the grunts shiver slightly. Frowning, he wondered what it was – he wondered what the soldier's nerves were like, and what could have sparked them so...
~{:*:}~
Cloud:
There she was. Standing right in front of me. So close that I could smell the perfume she was wearing…she was here, right when I wanted her to, and yet, through all of it, I wanted her to leave before she discovered the truth.
Cloud stood, face stony behind the tinted visor of the mask. He had hoped that they could complete their mission without ever running into her. But here she was – she was part of the mission now.
He continued to stand there – Tifa, it seemed, was able to exert the same kind of influence as Sephiroth; maybe not directly, but the outcome was entirely the same.
"Alright Miss, show us the way."
The voice of Sephiroth floated through the air, bringing attention to all who heard it. Tifa skipped ahead, and beckoned the Shin-Ra troupe to follow. Cloud marched, along with Grey, behind Zack – he hoped beyond all hope that this terrible ordeal would be over quickly – he couldn't stand to face her, even when that face was covered from her sight.
~{:*:}~
Sephiroth:
Sephiroth followed the girl, wondering how she could be so cheerful when there was dire work to be done.
He looked up, traced the faint outline of the Mako Reactor on top of the mountain. There...there, he would find the answers. The powerful energy he had felt since arriving in Nibelheim grew, and with it, the shadow upon Sephiroth's heart. He had to know...
~~~~~
And yet he did not know – nothing in his long years of training would prepare him for what lay upon the mountain. A chain of events had started around him – with one man now lay the destiny of the world and all those who inhabited it.
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Author's Note: Haha, I know, still dull – but we're getting there kids, we're getting there! Also, the name Grey for the other grunt: totally mine. I couldn't keep calling him "the other grunt," could I!? Haha! - Please read and review. Cheers!!
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