Disclamer: I don't own any of these characters, they are all property of
Squaresoft, or Square Enix, whichever name they are going by now.
Author's notes: I am experimenting with first person narration. Please give me feedback on whether or not you liked it, and please *Review*
Apocalypse Rising
Chapter 2: The Planet's Champion ....................................
People have called me many things. They call me a killer, a freak, a monster, and even a demon. I am all these things and more. I have slain hundreds, including my one true love's only child. My name is Vincent Valentine, and I am worse than scum. That is why for the life of me I can't figure out why I am riding as fast as I can to try and save the planet. Why would a monster like me want to do anything that could help other people?
It all started I think, three years ago, when Lucreica died. That night it was like my very soul had died. All emotion disappeared, replaced by a numb sensation of uncaring hatred. I hated the world for taking my beloved, I hated mankind for producing Hojo, the reason she died, and above all else I hated myself for not being able to save her. So for three years I just wandered the world, searching for some meaning in life.
By the second year of wandering I was tired of life. I so wanted just to die and join my love, but death does not seem to come easy to me. I shot myself in the head with my own gun only to wake up hours later with a migraine. So with suicide out of the question, I sought a new means of death. I traveled through the most dangerous areas of the planet, just daring monsters to try and end my life. It never worked. When I was too badly injured, Chaos would take over and kill the beasts.
My loathing of life was finally put aside by the third year. I had given up on my death. The world seemed to be almost telling me that it was not my time to go. So I left alone with my inner demons. I made a small home for myself about a hundred miles east of Bond Village. I stayed somewhat close to a town to hear any news about my old comrades in Avalanche. It seemed they were all enjoying this period of piece.
I myself couldn't seem to rest easy. For about a month now Chaos had been on edge. If it were possible I would say he was afraid. I tried asking him about it but he would only snarl at me and continue his pacing inside my head. So for the past two months I have been living by myself with only the monsters in my head to talk to. Then one week ago the voice came to me.
I had just been thinking about leaving this temporary home, and move to a different location. Reeve had rebuilt Midgar, and I almost wanted to go visit it. I was packing my supplies and about to leave when I heard it.
Vincent, come to me Vincent. The voice said.
The voice was distinctly feminine, but had a commanding force to it.
I ignored the voice and kept on packing, however, it was very persistent. Finally I answered it. Asking it what it wanted. It told me to visit it at the City of the Ancients. Part of me wondered what this mysterious voice would do to me if I refused, but my interest had been sparked and I wanted to see who was calling for me.
It took me three days to get to the City of the Ancients. Raven was exhausted, so I took the saddle off the bird's back and set up camp right outside of the city. I didn't go into the city that night. I was tired and not in the mood to deal with any mysteries that night.
In my dream I was floating in the lifestream, the pale green glow covering me from head to foot. In the lifestream I could make out shapes. Slowly I moved to them. What I saw was, people in black cloaks, they were speaking in soft murmurs and their hands were outstretched. From their hands black rot and corruption flowed, tainting the very lifetstream. Slowly the corruption spread around me until the area around me was pitch black, and from that darkness I could see a pair of red eyes move closer to me. It never came close enough for me to see it but it spoke to me, in a voice that was a mix of a snarl and a grunt. It only said one word, but that word was enough to wake me up. It said, soon.
I arose the next morning shaken. I was tired of riddles. I was ready to meet whatever was waiting for me in the city.
As I entered the city, I passed a pool of water. This was the burial ground of a close friend. Aeris had given her life to summon Holly, the only spell that could save the world from Sephiroth. She had died to save us all, yet I was the only member of our group that had not wept over her loss. Now as I walked pass her burial site, I did not even look at it. My heart was cold as ice. I cared not for her, nor anyone else.
I walked the paths of the city blindly, listening for any sounds that would guide me. I walked for what had to be an hour, until I heard it. I was in the middle of an ally in the ruins when I heard the sound of humming. The sound was soft, but I was able to trace it. I followed the sound until I came to a very familiar place. The sound was coming from the same place Aeris had been killed. From where I stood I could make out the outline of a figure. The figure seemed to be wearing a pale green robe.
I jumped on the pillars that to me to the mysterious figure. My gun loaded and aimed at the person's heart.
"Who are you?" I snarled
The figure merely chuckled and turned. "Why Vincent Valentine, I am hurt that you would forget an old friend."
I was stunned. The figure was a young woman in her twenties, long brown hair tucked into the robe's hood, and striking green eyes.
"Aeris?"
"Yes Vincent, it is good to see you again" She replied in a calm and collected voice.
Considering the fact that I was talking to a dead woman, I was surprised that I was not more shocked. Instead, I found myself looking into her eyes. They were not the same as the young woman I had once known. They were brighter, almost glowing, but they were hers.
"You have changed Aeris."
"Yes, I have ascended Vincent. When I died the planet absorbed my body, now I act as its voice. I am the planets protector, its Avatar so to speak. "
What was I supposed to say to that? A friend that I had thought dead for three years suddenly pops up and summons me. I did what I always did I talked business.
"What do you want Aeris?" I muttered almost coldly
"Always straight forward eh Vincent? Well fine, there is no time anyway. I called you because I need your help."
This caught my attention why would the embodiment of the planet need help with something? "What is the problem?"
Aeris gave a large sigh "Strange things are happening Vincent. The planet is suffering, a new threat is arising and I can't figure it out. All I know is that soon the enemy will reveal itself and the planet will needs its warriors again. I need you to lead Avalanche against this unknown threat."
Ok I was shocked. I was not too surprised about this new threat. It explained why Chaos had been nervous, but the fact that she wanted me to lead Avalanche was almost laughable. "Why me? Why not Cloud? I am sure he would be more than willing to fight this force."
Aeris's face took a very solemn expression. "Cloud is . incapacitated at the moment."
"What do you mean? What has happened Aeris?" I said softly, I knew her feelings for the blonde man had probably not changed over the years.
"It would take too long to explain, here let me show you." Aeris said and reached out to me.
When her arm touched my skin, the world began to spin, when it stooped I found myself in the village of Kalm. What I saw there was enough to make most men cringe, but I maintained my calm. Cloud was laying face down on the floor. Tifa was running to him, trying to bandage his wound. The world began to spin again and I was back.
"When did it happen?" Was all I said.
"Three days ago, now do you see why I need you?"
"Yeah, but what makes you think I will?"
I was pissed, why should I help these people, sure it was sad about Cloud and all, but it was not my problem. I just wanted to be left alone.
"Vincent, the fate of the world depends on you, you can't shrug this responsibility."
"No, your wrong! This is your responsibility not mine. Find yourself another champion." I growled.
Without speaking Aeris struck my face, and I saw stuff that I wish I had never seen.
I saw fire falling from the sky, burning the land to rock. Monsters ripping down villages. But the worst thing I saw was, the members of Avalanche fighting off hundreds of men in black robes. Each was putting up a great fight but eventually they all died, and standing on a cliff above it all was a man, he was cloaked like the rest of the mystery warriors, but his had a golden trim. The figure turned to look at him, and grinned.
When the visions started I had to take a moment to compose myself. The visions of Avalanche dying had been enough to enrage me to the point that Chaos was almost able to take over my body. "What was that?" I asked in a raspy voice.
Aeris looked tired after the visions and it took a moment for her to answer. "That was my premonition. Now you see why you must prepare them, otherwise the world is doomed."
At last I fully understood what was happening. " You have my word, I will find and destroy whatever this new evil is, or die trying."
Aeris gave me a small smile. "Good then go now, I feel that the evil will strike very soon. "
I did not need to be told twice, I turned and left the city. I rode Raven into the pitch-black night. The meeting had taken all day. As I rode I looked up to the sky. I saw the stars beginning to fall from the sky. It looked like they would hit the earth in a day at the max.
So here I am, racing against time to get to Kalm. Trying to do my part to save the world. Will wonders never cease?
Yes people call me a monster, and a demon, and now I have a new title, one I think I can wear proudly, the planet's champion. I just prey I am not too late.
Final Notes: Thanks for reading. I promise in the next chapter more there will be more action. These two are really just exposition, but I will update quickly, and by all means if you have any ideas tell me, I hoped you enjoyed this, and please review. Thanks.
Author's notes: I am experimenting with first person narration. Please give me feedback on whether or not you liked it, and please *Review*
Apocalypse Rising
Chapter 2: The Planet's Champion ....................................
People have called me many things. They call me a killer, a freak, a monster, and even a demon. I am all these things and more. I have slain hundreds, including my one true love's only child. My name is Vincent Valentine, and I am worse than scum. That is why for the life of me I can't figure out why I am riding as fast as I can to try and save the planet. Why would a monster like me want to do anything that could help other people?
It all started I think, three years ago, when Lucreica died. That night it was like my very soul had died. All emotion disappeared, replaced by a numb sensation of uncaring hatred. I hated the world for taking my beloved, I hated mankind for producing Hojo, the reason she died, and above all else I hated myself for not being able to save her. So for three years I just wandered the world, searching for some meaning in life.
By the second year of wandering I was tired of life. I so wanted just to die and join my love, but death does not seem to come easy to me. I shot myself in the head with my own gun only to wake up hours later with a migraine. So with suicide out of the question, I sought a new means of death. I traveled through the most dangerous areas of the planet, just daring monsters to try and end my life. It never worked. When I was too badly injured, Chaos would take over and kill the beasts.
My loathing of life was finally put aside by the third year. I had given up on my death. The world seemed to be almost telling me that it was not my time to go. So I left alone with my inner demons. I made a small home for myself about a hundred miles east of Bond Village. I stayed somewhat close to a town to hear any news about my old comrades in Avalanche. It seemed they were all enjoying this period of piece.
I myself couldn't seem to rest easy. For about a month now Chaos had been on edge. If it were possible I would say he was afraid. I tried asking him about it but he would only snarl at me and continue his pacing inside my head. So for the past two months I have been living by myself with only the monsters in my head to talk to. Then one week ago the voice came to me.
I had just been thinking about leaving this temporary home, and move to a different location. Reeve had rebuilt Midgar, and I almost wanted to go visit it. I was packing my supplies and about to leave when I heard it.
Vincent, come to me Vincent. The voice said.
The voice was distinctly feminine, but had a commanding force to it.
I ignored the voice and kept on packing, however, it was very persistent. Finally I answered it. Asking it what it wanted. It told me to visit it at the City of the Ancients. Part of me wondered what this mysterious voice would do to me if I refused, but my interest had been sparked and I wanted to see who was calling for me.
It took me three days to get to the City of the Ancients. Raven was exhausted, so I took the saddle off the bird's back and set up camp right outside of the city. I didn't go into the city that night. I was tired and not in the mood to deal with any mysteries that night.
In my dream I was floating in the lifestream, the pale green glow covering me from head to foot. In the lifestream I could make out shapes. Slowly I moved to them. What I saw was, people in black cloaks, they were speaking in soft murmurs and their hands were outstretched. From their hands black rot and corruption flowed, tainting the very lifetstream. Slowly the corruption spread around me until the area around me was pitch black, and from that darkness I could see a pair of red eyes move closer to me. It never came close enough for me to see it but it spoke to me, in a voice that was a mix of a snarl and a grunt. It only said one word, but that word was enough to wake me up. It said, soon.
I arose the next morning shaken. I was tired of riddles. I was ready to meet whatever was waiting for me in the city.
As I entered the city, I passed a pool of water. This was the burial ground of a close friend. Aeris had given her life to summon Holly, the only spell that could save the world from Sephiroth. She had died to save us all, yet I was the only member of our group that had not wept over her loss. Now as I walked pass her burial site, I did not even look at it. My heart was cold as ice. I cared not for her, nor anyone else.
I walked the paths of the city blindly, listening for any sounds that would guide me. I walked for what had to be an hour, until I heard it. I was in the middle of an ally in the ruins when I heard the sound of humming. The sound was soft, but I was able to trace it. I followed the sound until I came to a very familiar place. The sound was coming from the same place Aeris had been killed. From where I stood I could make out the outline of a figure. The figure seemed to be wearing a pale green robe.
I jumped on the pillars that to me to the mysterious figure. My gun loaded and aimed at the person's heart.
"Who are you?" I snarled
The figure merely chuckled and turned. "Why Vincent Valentine, I am hurt that you would forget an old friend."
I was stunned. The figure was a young woman in her twenties, long brown hair tucked into the robe's hood, and striking green eyes.
"Aeris?"
"Yes Vincent, it is good to see you again" She replied in a calm and collected voice.
Considering the fact that I was talking to a dead woman, I was surprised that I was not more shocked. Instead, I found myself looking into her eyes. They were not the same as the young woman I had once known. They were brighter, almost glowing, but they were hers.
"You have changed Aeris."
"Yes, I have ascended Vincent. When I died the planet absorbed my body, now I act as its voice. I am the planets protector, its Avatar so to speak. "
What was I supposed to say to that? A friend that I had thought dead for three years suddenly pops up and summons me. I did what I always did I talked business.
"What do you want Aeris?" I muttered almost coldly
"Always straight forward eh Vincent? Well fine, there is no time anyway. I called you because I need your help."
This caught my attention why would the embodiment of the planet need help with something? "What is the problem?"
Aeris gave a large sigh "Strange things are happening Vincent. The planet is suffering, a new threat is arising and I can't figure it out. All I know is that soon the enemy will reveal itself and the planet will needs its warriors again. I need you to lead Avalanche against this unknown threat."
Ok I was shocked. I was not too surprised about this new threat. It explained why Chaos had been nervous, but the fact that she wanted me to lead Avalanche was almost laughable. "Why me? Why not Cloud? I am sure he would be more than willing to fight this force."
Aeris's face took a very solemn expression. "Cloud is . incapacitated at the moment."
"What do you mean? What has happened Aeris?" I said softly, I knew her feelings for the blonde man had probably not changed over the years.
"It would take too long to explain, here let me show you." Aeris said and reached out to me.
When her arm touched my skin, the world began to spin, when it stooped I found myself in the village of Kalm. What I saw there was enough to make most men cringe, but I maintained my calm. Cloud was laying face down on the floor. Tifa was running to him, trying to bandage his wound. The world began to spin again and I was back.
"When did it happen?" Was all I said.
"Three days ago, now do you see why I need you?"
"Yeah, but what makes you think I will?"
I was pissed, why should I help these people, sure it was sad about Cloud and all, but it was not my problem. I just wanted to be left alone.
"Vincent, the fate of the world depends on you, you can't shrug this responsibility."
"No, your wrong! This is your responsibility not mine. Find yourself another champion." I growled.
Without speaking Aeris struck my face, and I saw stuff that I wish I had never seen.
I saw fire falling from the sky, burning the land to rock. Monsters ripping down villages. But the worst thing I saw was, the members of Avalanche fighting off hundreds of men in black robes. Each was putting up a great fight but eventually they all died, and standing on a cliff above it all was a man, he was cloaked like the rest of the mystery warriors, but his had a golden trim. The figure turned to look at him, and grinned.
When the visions started I had to take a moment to compose myself. The visions of Avalanche dying had been enough to enrage me to the point that Chaos was almost able to take over my body. "What was that?" I asked in a raspy voice.
Aeris looked tired after the visions and it took a moment for her to answer. "That was my premonition. Now you see why you must prepare them, otherwise the world is doomed."
At last I fully understood what was happening. " You have my word, I will find and destroy whatever this new evil is, or die trying."
Aeris gave me a small smile. "Good then go now, I feel that the evil will strike very soon. "
I did not need to be told twice, I turned and left the city. I rode Raven into the pitch-black night. The meeting had taken all day. As I rode I looked up to the sky. I saw the stars beginning to fall from the sky. It looked like they would hit the earth in a day at the max.
So here I am, racing against time to get to Kalm. Trying to do my part to save the world. Will wonders never cease?
Yes people call me a monster, and a demon, and now I have a new title, one I think I can wear proudly, the planet's champion. I just prey I am not too late.
Final Notes: Thanks for reading. I promise in the next chapter more there will be more action. These two are really just exposition, but I will update quickly, and by all means if you have any ideas tell me, I hoped you enjoyed this, and please review. Thanks.
