He came again. Still, I can't believe it. I suppose he was staying in an inn, or something. Unlike before, he was wearing the same clothes as he was in AVALANCHE.
He ordered from me as though he had no idea who I was. Perhaps he didn't. In every way save physical, he looked dead. Another few whiskeys later, he was out for the count. There was no way I was offering him residence, not again. But to my surprise, just as I was about to kick him out of the now empty bar, he woke up and walked out.
Me being me, I am curious as to where he is going. Wouldn't anybody be? He doesn't look as though he is going to an inn.
He walks briskly, at a steady pace, his footsteps silent. Surprised that he hasn't noticed me already, I use that as positive motivation to keep on going. He walks, and I follow. Easy. We walk for a while, until I realise where we are. Near the old landmass where Midgar once was. Then, he turns towards the mountains, before dropping to one knee. At first, I have no idea what he is doing, until wings rip through his shoulder blades and I start, nearly falling out of my hiding place, a slight indent in the rocky mountains.
He's… transforming? Why? There's no reason, no threat, no pain…
…at least physical, anyway.
The wings are fully grown now, blood or some fluid covering them like an unctuous glaze. They are flapped once, twice. Each is so powerful that you can hear it in the nearly silent area.
Chaos lets out a bellowing roar, filled with something else. From what I remember about Chaos in battle, he- no, it – always sounded fierce, ready to kill and was ready to spill blood. This roar sounds more like an intimate expressing of pain. Perhaps Vincent has more control over Chaos then I remembered?
Suddenly, Chaos flies up into the sky, but still faintly visible, even with the darkness of the night-time. It flies back the way it came, past Kalm. I sprint to follow. Where is it taking Vincent? What's happening? To my surprise, I realise that we have reached the grassland area. From where I am standing, I can see a flock of chocobos, their silhouettes outlined against the night sky. Their heads are in their wings, and they are roosting quietly.
Not for long, however.
With silent grace, Chaos flies above them. Still they remain asleep. I can't yell, because then Chaos would see me. But I can't watch this. Occasionally chocobos are annoying, yes. But I don't want to see a flock of them die. Unfortunately, it seems as though I do not have a choice.
Chaos immediately attacks, using the attack known as 'Chaos Sabre'. It hits the chocobos and startles them awake, sends one of the younger baby ones to its knees, squawking in pain. Not enough for Chaos. It uses the attack again. This time, it is more effective. All of the chocobos fall to the ground, cuts and slices causing pools of blood to form under them. All but one. The youngest, by the looks of it. It stands, swaying, before letting out a helpless cheep and slumping to the ground by its fellow counterparts.
Vincent… I never would have guessed. He was the killer all this time? I suppose the facts led to it, but I never would have suspected him. Even enigmatic, stoic, holy Ifrit, downright cold, he was still a friend. Not a monster.
Without thinking, I race back to Kalm. Cloud might be there. I have to tell him. He should be; he usually returns the first night or so before camping out wherever he has to be. Misses the home cooked meals, he jokes. Hopefully he will be back. He should be back. He has to be back. Otherwise, I could have made a fatal mistake.
A mistake, which could ultimately result in Vincent's death at the hands of the Ultima Weapon.
Hmm… dodgy cliffhanger, hey? Anyway, enjoy, as always! :)
