"I bear true and an existing witness to this barrel of monkeys. A self
proclaimed immoral success, perfected by each whereof. Individually
deadly and equally so, and spread about the surrendered troops. For even
thousands of miles will not tear apart their communication, or the lack
thereof. Vultures, liars, thieves, each proclaim their innocence in no
suggestion or rhyme. Your weapon is contained in the wrecking of the
keeping the desired effect. The breaking of the spirit thwarts the whole
being. Your weapon is guilt."
_Sludge Factory_ Alice In Chains
**********************************************************************
Aeris stood trembling slightly in the newfound breeze. Her tattered clothes had been covered in dust, and her once vivacious hair was left distressed beyond repair. She scanned her new surroundings and bit back harshly on the fear that threatened to consume her very soul. Thick walls of concrete had been reduced to ashes that swirled together to form an obscure blanket of destruction. Shattered glass poked their shiny heads from the debris, threatening her with their sharpness.
In the middle of it all, there he lay. Untouched by the explosion; not a single cut or bruise marring his exquisite features. The roar of the blue fire had singed his leather coat and slightly blackened his porcelain skin... but he seemed unhurt. The most powerful attack that she had ever performed hadn't even fazed the powerful general.... but still he lay there. He hadn't stirred in the few seconds that ticked by while she stood rooted in amazement.
Unconsciously Aeris wondered what was going on in his sick mind. Was he unconscious? Was he just laying there waiting for the perfect time to strike? Would those terrifying emerald eyes shoot open the second she would take her first step?
There was no time to answer these hysterical questions. The woman knew she had to make her escape as soon as possible. Surely the explosion had rocked the whole complex, and hundreds upon hundreds of guards would burst in screaming for her blood. And then there was the threat of the silver headed man who was positioned inches away from her. There was no doubt in her mind on how he would react when he woke up.
No... she couldn't stay here. She had no idea where she would go, but she had to get away from here as soon as possible.
**************************************************************************
"What can I do?!" Cloud screamed hysterically, "Holy gods! Vincent! Tell me what to do!!"
The transformation was usually a quick procedure. Although it disgusted Vincent beyond measure, he would usually give in to satisfy the beasts that he could no longer contain in his head. Every minute of every day they lay just beyond reach, taunting his every move.. His every thought. At the sight of emotion they were the strongest, feeding off his fears, his affections, and most importantly, his anger. For the slim chance of just a sliver of inner peace, Vincent would loose control and surrender his mind at a last move of desperation.
However, today he was trying to contain the monsters, for he knew of the grim consequences if they won over his being. He himself had no intention of hurting the ill fated leader, but Chaos had other things in mind. It was true that Cloud was the ultimate source of his anger, and he knew that his inner demon was willing to take revenge. Revenge he did not desire, yet experience told him that the beast would never listen to reason. He could feel its thoughts of feeding on Clouds innards pounding in his skull, making him deepen his resolve on not letting the beast out.
Vincent realized he was failing. As time and time again repeated itself, he knew another sin would soon be on his conscience.
"You've got..to..get.." Vincent struggled as an incoming bolt of pain erupted in his right shoulder.
"Get what Vincent?!" Cloud shouted anxiously, hanging on to his every word.
Between labored breaths he sputtered out, "Get out.."
The blonde stood grounded in confusion. "Get out?! Where the hell am I supposed to go?! If you hadn't noticed yet, we're locked up tight!!"
Vincent clenched his teeth which where growing noticeably larger and sharper. Seeing his skin darken from it's original pallor to a deep shade of purple, he knew that time was rapidly running out. "Then think of something!"
"You can't just force it back, can you?!" Cloud shouted desperately.
Vincent threw the man a glare that would have made Sephiroth proud. His eyes were no longer human; a bestial knowledge swimming eagerly in its black depths. Force it back?! If the ignorant being had only known how much agony suppressing the beast for a few extra moments was! If he hadn't been so foolish so many nights ago!
"I assume you want your death to come a lot sooner." Vincent stated coldly, his voice coming out more of a growl then anything remotely human.
Ignoring the cryptic statement, Cloud looked around the small room urgently, intent on keeping his life from the razor sharp claws that were forming from Vincent's fingers. They were surrounded with concrete, the plain bricks staring hollowly down at his terrified profile. No windows. No hidden panels. He was trapped! He was going to die down here in this soiled prison, his only witness concealed subtly inside the mind of a murdering beast.
Cloud took a cautious look towards his cell mate, who was hunched over, a foot or more added to his height. A pair of massive demonic wings sprouted from his back, causing Vincent to yell out in pain.
"What's going on in there?!" A gruff voice from outside the door rattled Cloud back into the present.
Cloud's head snapped in the direction of the prison door, its iron bars taunting him with the view of safer haven. The guard held a semi automatic rifle in his gloved hands, gripping it with an extra tightness than he would have a few moments ago. He peered into the cell with harsh eyes.
"You gotta get me outta here!!" Cloud yelled, his voice gripped with terror.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" The guard spat as he readjusted his grip on the gun, "Why the fuck should I let you out?"
"Look at him!!" Cloud pointed to Vincent who was no longer recognizable, "He's gonna kill me!"
The guard looked past Cloud to glance at Vincent. The shock on his face was genuine. "What the hell is that?"
Cloud gripped the iron bars, his face pleading to the heartless guard. "Please.. I know I'm in no position to say this, but you have to help me! Unlock the door!!"
The guard took a second look at Vincent and then centered his attention back on the man in front of him. "You must think I'm an idiot," he muttered harshly, "If I let you out then THAT comes out with you. Personally, I don't give a shit if it tears you to shreds. That's one less person I have to look after."
"You think iron bars is going to stop him?" Cloud yelled desperately, "If you don't let me out and let me help you understand him, then you'll be seconds!"
Taking a moment to think about what the blonde had just revealed, the brash man studied the near-demon closer. "You say that can get past iron bars?"
"Gods, a ten foot thick concrete wall wouldn't even faze him!"
This had gotten his attention. "Hang tight kid," he laughed sadistically, "I'll be back with more men."
As his only chance of survival ran down the corridor, Cloud felt a wave of defeat. It was all over, and he didn't even get to save Aeris. Instead she would be the captive of a mad man... with no hope of ever being rescued. He had failed her again! He had failed everyone... and now it was time to collect his punishment.
***********************************************************************
A/N: Well, originally this chapter was going to be a lot longer, but since this has taken forever, I decided to post this up! I hope you all like it.. And hopefully I'll be able to get the next one out sooner! A updater chapter is coming up in the next couple days, so look out for it! Please review and tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything 'cept the story! The characters are all Squaresoft's, and the lyrics are Alice In Chains!
_Sludge Factory_ Alice In Chains
**********************************************************************
Aeris stood trembling slightly in the newfound breeze. Her tattered clothes had been covered in dust, and her once vivacious hair was left distressed beyond repair. She scanned her new surroundings and bit back harshly on the fear that threatened to consume her very soul. Thick walls of concrete had been reduced to ashes that swirled together to form an obscure blanket of destruction. Shattered glass poked their shiny heads from the debris, threatening her with their sharpness.
In the middle of it all, there he lay. Untouched by the explosion; not a single cut or bruise marring his exquisite features. The roar of the blue fire had singed his leather coat and slightly blackened his porcelain skin... but he seemed unhurt. The most powerful attack that she had ever performed hadn't even fazed the powerful general.... but still he lay there. He hadn't stirred in the few seconds that ticked by while she stood rooted in amazement.
Unconsciously Aeris wondered what was going on in his sick mind. Was he unconscious? Was he just laying there waiting for the perfect time to strike? Would those terrifying emerald eyes shoot open the second she would take her first step?
There was no time to answer these hysterical questions. The woman knew she had to make her escape as soon as possible. Surely the explosion had rocked the whole complex, and hundreds upon hundreds of guards would burst in screaming for her blood. And then there was the threat of the silver headed man who was positioned inches away from her. There was no doubt in her mind on how he would react when he woke up.
No... she couldn't stay here. She had no idea where she would go, but she had to get away from here as soon as possible.
**************************************************************************
"What can I do?!" Cloud screamed hysterically, "Holy gods! Vincent! Tell me what to do!!"
The transformation was usually a quick procedure. Although it disgusted Vincent beyond measure, he would usually give in to satisfy the beasts that he could no longer contain in his head. Every minute of every day they lay just beyond reach, taunting his every move.. His every thought. At the sight of emotion they were the strongest, feeding off his fears, his affections, and most importantly, his anger. For the slim chance of just a sliver of inner peace, Vincent would loose control and surrender his mind at a last move of desperation.
However, today he was trying to contain the monsters, for he knew of the grim consequences if they won over his being. He himself had no intention of hurting the ill fated leader, but Chaos had other things in mind. It was true that Cloud was the ultimate source of his anger, and he knew that his inner demon was willing to take revenge. Revenge he did not desire, yet experience told him that the beast would never listen to reason. He could feel its thoughts of feeding on Clouds innards pounding in his skull, making him deepen his resolve on not letting the beast out.
Vincent realized he was failing. As time and time again repeated itself, he knew another sin would soon be on his conscience.
"You've got..to..get.." Vincent struggled as an incoming bolt of pain erupted in his right shoulder.
"Get what Vincent?!" Cloud shouted anxiously, hanging on to his every word.
Between labored breaths he sputtered out, "Get out.."
The blonde stood grounded in confusion. "Get out?! Where the hell am I supposed to go?! If you hadn't noticed yet, we're locked up tight!!"
Vincent clenched his teeth which where growing noticeably larger and sharper. Seeing his skin darken from it's original pallor to a deep shade of purple, he knew that time was rapidly running out. "Then think of something!"
"You can't just force it back, can you?!" Cloud shouted desperately.
Vincent threw the man a glare that would have made Sephiroth proud. His eyes were no longer human; a bestial knowledge swimming eagerly in its black depths. Force it back?! If the ignorant being had only known how much agony suppressing the beast for a few extra moments was! If he hadn't been so foolish so many nights ago!
"I assume you want your death to come a lot sooner." Vincent stated coldly, his voice coming out more of a growl then anything remotely human.
Ignoring the cryptic statement, Cloud looked around the small room urgently, intent on keeping his life from the razor sharp claws that were forming from Vincent's fingers. They were surrounded with concrete, the plain bricks staring hollowly down at his terrified profile. No windows. No hidden panels. He was trapped! He was going to die down here in this soiled prison, his only witness concealed subtly inside the mind of a murdering beast.
Cloud took a cautious look towards his cell mate, who was hunched over, a foot or more added to his height. A pair of massive demonic wings sprouted from his back, causing Vincent to yell out in pain.
"What's going on in there?!" A gruff voice from outside the door rattled Cloud back into the present.
Cloud's head snapped in the direction of the prison door, its iron bars taunting him with the view of safer haven. The guard held a semi automatic rifle in his gloved hands, gripping it with an extra tightness than he would have a few moments ago. He peered into the cell with harsh eyes.
"You gotta get me outta here!!" Cloud yelled, his voice gripped with terror.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" The guard spat as he readjusted his grip on the gun, "Why the fuck should I let you out?"
"Look at him!!" Cloud pointed to Vincent who was no longer recognizable, "He's gonna kill me!"
The guard looked past Cloud to glance at Vincent. The shock on his face was genuine. "What the hell is that?"
Cloud gripped the iron bars, his face pleading to the heartless guard. "Please.. I know I'm in no position to say this, but you have to help me! Unlock the door!!"
The guard took a second look at Vincent and then centered his attention back on the man in front of him. "You must think I'm an idiot," he muttered harshly, "If I let you out then THAT comes out with you. Personally, I don't give a shit if it tears you to shreds. That's one less person I have to look after."
"You think iron bars is going to stop him?" Cloud yelled desperately, "If you don't let me out and let me help you understand him, then you'll be seconds!"
Taking a moment to think about what the blonde had just revealed, the brash man studied the near-demon closer. "You say that can get past iron bars?"
"Gods, a ten foot thick concrete wall wouldn't even faze him!"
This had gotten his attention. "Hang tight kid," he laughed sadistically, "I'll be back with more men."
As his only chance of survival ran down the corridor, Cloud felt a wave of defeat. It was all over, and he didn't even get to save Aeris. Instead she would be the captive of a mad man... with no hope of ever being rescued. He had failed her again! He had failed everyone... and now it was time to collect his punishment.
***********************************************************************
A/N: Well, originally this chapter was going to be a lot longer, but since this has taken forever, I decided to post this up! I hope you all like it.. And hopefully I'll be able to get the next one out sooner! A updater chapter is coming up in the next couple days, so look out for it! Please review and tell me what you think!
Disclaimer: Don't own anything 'cept the story! The characters are all Squaresoft's, and the lyrics are Alice In Chains!