Note: I do not own the rights to Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy VII, any of the original characters, places, or situations of the said games. These are properties of Square Enix, a really great company. Now, I really should have put this disclaimer up a while ago.

Chapter 12: Ancestry

Caden was quiet when he entered the locker room after his debriefing, but he was visibly very angry and riddled with guilt. He did not acknowledge Marlene or Bowden, but merely walked up to a concrete wall and punched it, leaving a slight impression. Caden leaned against the wall and did not say a word. Marlene walked up to Caden and put her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's going to be alright."

"I let him die..." Caden said softly and almost inaudibly.

"What?" Marlene asked, not knowing what Caden had murmured.

Caden sharply turned around, catching Marlene off guard. "I let Sephiroth die!" Marlene backed away, more upset then frightened. Caden stopped and all but broke into tear. "It was my fault. I could have done something other then stare blankly. I could have fought beside him."

"And be killed too!?" Marlene asked abruptly with pain. "Jenova was too powerful. You wouldn't have stood a chance."

"I could have cast Holy..." Caden responded, trying hard to hold back a flood of tears. "I failed him... and all of you... It was a trap... I lead you all into a trap."

"What!?" Marlene and Bowden asked together.

"Cid just told me," Caden continued. "The anti-aircraft rounds were blanks. He didn't think any of us were coming out alive... Loki, Lenex, Hel, they were all sent to guide us to Jenova..."

"Caden, it's not like you could have done anything," Bowden said walking up to Caden. "Face it, we really didn't know what was in there. You didn't lead us into a trap, we followed you into a blind spot."

"Yeah, cause that sounds so much better," Caden said sharply, but immediately realized what he did. "I'm sorry... I don't even know what's wrong with me anymore."

"Don't worry about it," Marlene said reassuringly. "We're here for you. Always remember that."

A tear began to run down Caden's cheek. "Thanks guys." In a never before seen gesture by him, Caden hugged both Marlene and Bowden at once. "So, you guys ready to go?"

Bowden shrugged. "Yeah, but how are we getting to Wutai?"

Caden began to open his mouth to respond, but Cid walked into the locker room. "On the Highwind." Marlene and Bowden turned around to face the admiral. "I just got off the phone with the Prime Minister. The Highwind is detailed to Caden until the threat from Jenova is neutralized. Shit kid, my worst nightmare's coming true. Try not to fuck her up like the last time." Cid was only kidding, and his smile gave that away.

"I won't," Caden said, raising his hand as if he were taking an oath.

Cid laughed at the sight. "Alright, one more thing. Yuf... Kami Kisaragi has personally asked that you see her."

Caden was a little confused by Cid's message. It was rare that Yuffie ever summoned anyone to see her. Caden tried to shake the thought though, because he had another issue to deal with. "I will, but first we need to make a visit to the Southern Province." Caden was once again melancholic. "Shall we go?"

Several hours had passed since Caden and the others had left Junon on the Highwind. It had mostly been a quiet flight, but Caden still had his dreaded task on his mind. "Lot on your mind?" a familiar woman's voice said. Caden looked around him, and turned to see the crew members turning white, and screaming about a ghost. Caden finally turned around enough to see what they were screaming at. "You would think they've never seen a ghost before."

"Aeris," Caden said in exasperation.

"What?" Aeris asked cheerfully. "I always wanted to fly on the Highwind."

"What are you doing here?" Caden asked, unable to understand Aeris' sudden appearance. "I thought you had to stay in Icicle."

"The Planet sent me to protect the White Materia and wait for Cetrae Angelus," Aeris explained. "How am I supposed to do that while you and the materia are jetting around the planet?"

Caden leaned against the railing at the bow of the airship. "Granted, but I know there's another reason."

Aeris sighed the best a spirit could. "Sephiroth has already made it to the Lifestream."

Caden stared out across the bridge. "That's at least some comfort." Caden turned around and looked out the bow windows at a distant land mass. "Looks like we're coming up on Wutai. Time to do this..."

"Be strong," Aeris said as reassuringly as possible.

Caden turned around again. "Thanks... but I don't think I'm strong enough for this. At least not in the way I need to." Caden began to walk away from the bow of the bridge.

Aeris watched Caden walk away. "You know you really can't walk anywhere I can't find you."

"Then please," Caden said calmly and sadly. "Don't follow me. I need some time alone." Caden continued to walk away, but Aeris did not follow.

"You are strong though," Aeris said, even if no one heard her. However, there were still crew on the deck too frightened to move. Aeris stared at them in almost disgust. "Geez! You would think people would be happy to see there is something after death." Aeris disappeared in a huff, much to the relief of the crew. Aeris, however, was not ready to let them off the hook so easily. "Boo!" Aeris shouted, partially materializing in a bulkhead then disappearing again. Much of the crew on the bridge became paralyzed with fear again.

Caden breathed in deeply, approaching the door before him. It was a task he dreaded doing, but he owed at least this to Sephiroth. It was hardest things he had or ever have to do. Caden knocked on the door, trying to maintain his composure. However, it was hard to hide his pain. Caden wore it plainly his face, not noticing it until Lucrecia and Vincent opened the door. It was enough to tell her that Sephiroth was no more. "No..." Lucrecia said, stepping back into Vincent's arms and wept. Vincent tried his best to comfort her, but it was of no use.

"I'm sorry..." Caden said solemnly, unable to say anything else. "He died trying to save us." Caden stood erect and presented Masamune, wrapped in cloth, to Lucrecia. Even in his formality, Caden had to fight tears of his own.

Tearfully, Lucrecia turned from Vincent and rejected the wrapped sword. "I was there when he tried to give it to you, remember? I know Sephiroth would be proud if you carry Masamune." Lucrecia wiped away her tears and motioned for Caden and the others to enter. Caden entered solemnly, followed by Marlene and Bowden. Vincent shut the door behind them, but remained silent.

Lucrecia motioned for her companions to sit, and they did so. Caden looked down, still unable to fully comprehend the situation and how to respond to it. "He knew the full potential of Jenova, and tried to shield us from it. We would never have gotten as far as we did without him. ...Jenova is weaker now and afraid."

"...Jenova..." Lucrecia said under her breath. "It was him wasn't it? He was Hojo.

Caden was surprised by Lucrecia's questioning. Somehow, Lucrecia had known what they had known only for a short time. "H-how did you know?"

Lucrecia sighed, knowing that she was now obligated to speak up. "I've known for almost sixty years..."

"What!?" Caden asked in great surprise. "Why didn't you tell us!?"

"Caden, calm down," Marlene said, trying keep Caden from doing anything drastic. "She probably has her reasons."

Lucrecia sighed again, now forced to admit her reason, no matter how painful it would be. "It's hard to admit that the man you loved once, had a child with, was a monster." Lucrecia tried to hold back tears, but with little success. "He knew I was aware of his true face, and retaliated be taking Sephiroth from me." Lucrecia's face hardened and her fists clenched. "That monster took everything from me. My life, my child, my hope. No more!" Lucrecia stood up again. "Caden, you're going after it again, right? You're going after Jenova?"

"...Lucrecia," Vincent said approaching Lucrecia. She said nothing, but put her hand up to stop Vincent. Lucrecia wanted Caden to answer her.

"Yes, eventually," Caden said, confused by Lucrecia's sudden change in attitude.

Lucrecia walked over to a window and looked out. A flock of chocobos walked by while Swift socialized with them. "I want to go with you," Lucrecia said bluntly.

Caden was surprised by Lucrecia's candor. "I can't let you," Caden said, shaking his head. "You're..."

"Too old?" Lucrecia interrupted, not moving from the window sill. "I'm not some decrypted old woman." Lucrecia raised her arm, which was now tinted slightly blue with long claw like nails. "I'm more like him then any other Jenovan, able to shape shift in a limited way and fly." Lucrecia let her arm return to normal. "I'm still working on the mind control thing." Lucrecia wryly smiled, but her attempt at humor passed through the others.

"I was going to say that you weren't thinking straight," Caden said. "But I doubt that would change your mind. Welcome aboard."

"Before we leave, I need to get something for you," Lucrecia said calmly, then turned to leave the room. Caden wondered what Lucrecia was retrieving, but did not bother to ask. Lucrecia promptly returned, carrying a long saya. "I assume you will need this for Masamune."

Caden took the saya and removed the cloth from Masamune. Respectfully, he slid the blade into the black lacquered scabbard and secured it to his back underneath his old sword. "Thank you. I will make sure that it's honor is kept." Caden turned around and looked outside, contemplating their next move. "We'll have to get going soon. We're expected in Wutai."

"Caden!" Cid yelled from across the Highwind's engine room. "The fuck are you dragging more people onto my ship for!?"

"Yeah, nice to see you too," Vincent said sarcastically, walking past his old friend and ally. "It's not like you don't know us."

"Damn it! You know how protective I am of her," Cid said, trying to defend his position. "I can't just pack everyone on the planet in her!"

"Oh calm down Cid," Aeris said, popping through a bulkhead. Cid turned to face her, then proceeded to turn white. Apparently he had no idea Aeris was on the Highwind. "It's not like there's an army on board." Aeris noticed Cid's sudden fear of ghosts and stared into his eyes. "Geez, you knew I was around, and that I've always wanted to fly on the Highwind. So why are you so surprised, Cid? Cid? You even in there? Hello?"

"CID!" Caden shouted while snapping his fingers, in an attempt to break Cid from his fear induced stupor. "Cid, snap out of it! Aeris is supposed to watch over the White Materia until Jenova is destroyed. That's why she's here."

Cid began to shake the fear from himself and regained his normal composure. "What the fuck, Aeris!? Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?"

"Ok everyone, he's fine," Caden said, jokingly announcing to the crew.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Cid responded, slightly annoyed. "Now are we going to Wutai or not?" Caden looked over the bow of the ship, but did not respond immediately. "Well?"

"We can't keep Kami Kisaragi waiting now can we?" Caden said without turning around. "Lets go."

Caden entered through the door of the Five Storied Pagoda and tried to proceed towards the stairs with Marlene, Bowden, and Lucrecia not far behind him. "Stop!" the voice of an old man said from next to the stairs. "You know our ways, Caden."

Caden did not turn to face the man. "I know Kami Gorky, but Kami Kisaragi personally summoned me here."

Gorky stood up from his seating mat and approached Caden. "Then I shall inform Kami Kisaragi of your arrival."

"That won't be necessary, Gorky," Yuffie said, descending the stairs. "I am aware of his arrival." Yuffie turned to Caden and smiled. "You have your father's timing."

"So why did you call me here?" Caden asked, getting straight to the point.

Yuffie did not say a word, but walked past Caden. "Just follow me. I will explain when we get there." Caden was still curious, but did as he was told. Marlene, Bowden, and Lucrecia tried to follow as well, but Yuffie turned and stopped them. "This is something Caden must do on his own."

"I apologize, Kami," Marlene said, bowing slightly. "We aren't used to letting our people go into the unknown alone."

"I know," Yuffie said with a gentle smile. "That's why you and Caden were even considered for the Shinobi no Kami program." Yuffie turned around again and lead Caden away.

The two walked in silence until they had reached a residence not far from the Five Storied Pagoda. Caden was still curious as to why he was summoned to Wutai and wished to know more. "I still don't understand why I'm here," Caden reiterated.

"Someone needs to test you," Yuffie said, sliding open the panel door to the residence and entered.

"Who?" Caden asked, entering the residence.

"You will find out soon enough," Yuffie responded stoically. "Just know that he has been watching you from the very beginning." Yuffie continued to lead Caden past a koi garden and through the halls. Eventually, they came to a large room with a brass idol. "Now, Caden, you must fight me."

"WHAT!?" Caden asked in complete surprise. "Why do I have to fight you?"

"Because," Yuffie said, flinging off her kimono, revealing the ancient armor she wore beneath. "Even I take orders from someone."

Caden unsheathed Masamune and held it ready. "No... How long have you been taking orders from Jenova!?" Caden spoke spoke with fire in his words and eyes.

"I'm not taking orders from Jenova," Yuffie said, unsheathing her dagger. "But he need to know if you are truly ready to face the 'Crisis from the Skies'." Yuffie pressed a button on the dagger and spun it around. At every ninety degrees, a seemingly new dagger appeared and locked into position. It was now a large shuriken. "He wants to see your skill with the Masamune, so neither of us may use materia. Agreed?"

Caden stood ready for what ever was about to happen. "Agreed."

"One last thing," Yuffie said, preparing for an attack. "Come at me as if you were going to kill me, because I will be doing the same!" Yuffie threw her shuriken, but Caden able to deflect the incoming attack. Unfazed, the throwing star promptly returned to its owner. Knowing full well that Yuffie would continue to attack at her full capacity, Caden charged in an attack of his own. Caden swung the gigantic Masamune towards the young Kami, but she jumped out of the way in time. Caden recovered his attack in time to defend against Yuffie's next throw. The shuriken struck the floor boards and shredded them. Even though the weapon struck the floor, it still returned to as it had before. Caden responded by attacking and missing again.

Caden raised up Masamune back to a ready position and circled Yuffie. "Looks like we're at a stalemate." Caden charged again, but Yuffie was able to catch Masamune on her shuriken and force it to the floor.

Yuffie took advantage of Caden's temporary disadvantage and kicked him to the ground. "I wouldn't say that. It seems I have the upper hand." Yuffie threw the shuriken hard at Caden. However, Caden was able to roll out of the way in time. Dodging another attack, Caden picked up Masamune and sheathed it without delay. "What're you doing!?" Yuffie asked impatiently.

"Evening the odds," Caden said assuredly. Caden ran towards Yuffie, and in one fluid motion, swung his arms down, his legs up, and struck Yuffie in a spectacular attack. Not wasting any time, Caden sweep kicked Yuffie to the ground.

Caden tried to strike with his fist, but Yuffie rolled out of the way just before Caden's fist shattered the floor plank once beneath her. "Impressive. He didn't think you were ready."

"Who didn't think I was ready!?" Caden asked impatiently, unsheathing Masamune. "Who's lap dog are you!?"

"Do you really want to know?" Yuffie asked calmly, almost tauntingly. She began to focus, allowing the pendent around her neck to glow bright green. Soon a green mist began to surround Yuffie, and glyphs surrounded her. "Then you must meet him! Leviathan!"

Caden looked down at his own pendent, which was glowing as well. "What happened to no materia!?"

"If you need a reason, then use this," Yuffie said, backing away into the shadows of the corridor. "Never trust a ninja!" The mist that once surrounded Yuffie formed a hole in reality from which the sound of a raging sea could be heard. On the other side, Caden knew the guardian of Wutai was preparing to burst through.

Caden stepped back, continuing to watch the progression of the summoning. Soon enough, the portal became a sphere of water and burst in a spray of sea. In the place of the sphere was Leviathan staring down at Caden. "Please, Leviathan, don't make me do this," Caden said, pleading with the ancient serpent.

I'm truly sorry, Child, but I must be sure, Leviathan said through Caden's thoughts. "Now, Caden. Show me that you can fight Jenova!" Leviathan charged head first towards Caden. However, Caden was able to jump out of the way. Leviathan immediately turned around and unleashed a stream of water from his mouth. Caden continued to dodge and evade the attacks, moving gradually towards Leviathan. "What are you doing? Why aren't you attacking?" Leviathan swung his gigantic tail around, narrowly missing Caden head, but smashing one of the fragile walls. "Fight me!"

"Who said I wasn't going to," Caden said, unleashing an attack below Leviathan's eyesight. Caden was able to strike and fall back before Leviathan could react. It did not stop the giant serpent, but the attack did slow him. Leviathan responded by knocking Caden away with a clean strike to the chest head. Caden was quick to rise to his feet again, but not before Leviathan began to summon forth a wall of water. "Oh shit!" Caden exclaimed, but tried not to panic. However, he knew the power that was in Leviathan's attack. When the wall reached him, Leviathan stretched out and rode the wave. Caden knew his only chance would be to dive into the wave, but the decision Leviathan made would make things difficult. The wall neared Caden before he could think of a different plan of attack, and so he dove into the incoming wave. While under the water, Caden slashed at the underbelly of Leviathan, causing the serpent to cry out in pain. The water dissipated leaving Caden unhurt, but wet.

Leviathan turned around, exhausted from the fight. "You are ready." Caden lowered Masamune and looked at it. The blade reacted in such a way that made the steel look liquid. "Ah! So the Masamune remembers me. I'm surprised it still recognizes me after all these years." Caden was confused, but had his suspicions. Leviathan saw Caden's uneasiness, and turned to Yuffie. "Yuffie, could you leave us be for a moment."

"Yes, Leviathan," Yuffie said, bowing in respect and departing.

Leviathan waited for Yuffie to be out of hearing range before saying another word. "Caden, what I say here will be hard to take in, but you need to know."

Caden smiled wryly, and even laughed a little. He knew where this line of conversation was going. "If it's that you are the soul of one of my ancestors, I already know. Aeris told me all about it." Caden grew serious again, focusing on the heart of the matter. "The question is, who are your really?"

Leviathan was silent for a moment, trying to contemplate how to approach Caden's question. "Look at Masamune. You can see the image of a serpent." Caden did so, noticing the striking resemblance between the serpent and Leviathan. "That image is a scar from when it was rebuilt with the metal from Jenova's prison."

Caden was still not satisfied by Leviathan's answer, but never the less perplexed by Leviathan's approach to the question. "How do you know that?" Leviathan did not answer, but instead became surrounded by a bright light. The light became so bright that Caden could not see. "No! Wait!" Caden yelled frantically. "I need to know!"

The light passed leaving a strong, but ghostly looking elderly man. His hair was long and mostly white, as well as tied back. His clothes were simple and what would have been what the Cetra wore in ancient times. His face strangely reminded Caden of Aeris, but with a beard and worn eyes. "You asked how I knew so much about Masamune?" the man asked cryptically. "Well I know so much about it because I was the one who forged it."

"Ifalanoe..." Caden said, stepping back in surprise.

Ifalanoe nodded not moving any further. "Although I haven't been called that in several centuries." He looked at Caden's surprise. "Come now, I know you have seen ghosts before. What about the guardian of the White Materia?" Caden did not respond to Ifalanoe's question. "Actually, I am quite surprised that she did not mention that Leviathan and I are one."

Caden relaxed considerably, and proceeded to sheath Masamune. "But why? Why are you Leviathan? Why are you the guardian of Wutai?"

Ifalanoe turned around, and thought for a moment before turning to face Caden again. "I became bound to Leviathan so that I could continue my vigil against Jenova in a limited way. I chose to become the materia so that the true warriors of this planet could have an ally in me. I chose to protect Wutai because it was the land that I made my pilgrimages through. Though back then, the continent was further north then today. Back when it too was part of the Knowlspole."

"Oh," Caden said in his usual blunt way. "But..."

"Why did I want to test you?" Ifalanoe interrupted. "When I rebuilt the Masamune, I gave it to the captain of the Templar, Dalnae. The sword made him ill, but did not harm either myself or Cyone."

"Dalnae, Cyone?" Caden asked confused by the two new names.

"Yes, Dalnae was the captain of the Templar, and Cyone was my son," Ifalanoe said calmly. "I believe Cyone is bound to the dragon Bahamut. Anyway, we'll have to save the genealogy lesson for later. Back to what's important." Ifalanoe composed himself and began to speak again. "As I was saying, Dalnae could not hold the sword, but myself and my descendants could wield the blade with ease. It was decided then that the Masamune, and the newly created White Materia be held in our line."

"What do you mean newly created?" Caden asked, unaware of the materia's origins.

"I was the last of the grand mages left after Jenova's rampage," Ifalanoe said. "The souls of my comrades became twisted and contaminated from Jenova's toxin. There was no way for them to return to the Lifestream. Gaia decided that their Spirit Energy must be used to protect the planet." Ifalanoe walked up to Caden and put out his hand. In his palm appeared an image of the White Materia. "I used the machine Jenova carried, not much different from the accursed Mako Reactors, to create the White Materia. Sadly though, a dark materia was formed as well." Ifalanoe opened up his other hand, making the image of much darker, far larger orb. "The Black Materia was formed from the dark influence of Jenova. While one contains the purest essence of the planet, the other can destroy it. If the two were to ever come into contact." Ifalanoe brought his hands together, forcing the orbs together. A bright flash took their place. When the light subsided, the orbs were gone. "The would destroy each other." Ifalanoe backed off and began to ponder. "We got too far off topic."

"Yeah," Caden said wholeheartedly. "So why did you test me?"

"I'll try not to stray this time," Ifalanoe concluded. "As I was saying, only myself and my line could wield the Masamune. I knew that one day, a descendant of mine would have to wield the sword and materia against Jenova. Back in my time, Jenova became fascinated with my resilience against his pestilence. It was believed that he would try to combine his blood with our's"

"But why?" Caden asked, interested in the reasoning for his creation.

"Because, you can feel the planet," Ifalanoe said. "If you were to become like Jenova, you would be able to take life from the planet directly. Jenova is dependent on Mako, and wanted a descendent that would not controlled by the availability of reactors."

Caden was a little concerned by this news. "So how can you trust me?"

"Because there is no other option," Ifalanoe said. "Besides, your path is not one way. You have the choice to follow a light or dark path. You have chosen. You have proven yourself strong against Jenova's temptations. Even when you thought it was him in the stable."

Caden looked at Ifalanoe in surprise. "...Atavus?" Ifalanoe nodded. "But how did you...?"

"Become corporeal?" Ifalanoe interrupted.

"You really have to stop doing that," Caden said half jokingly. "It's starting to creep me out."

"I apologize," Ifalanoe said. "It's kinda hard not to read your mind. We are connected as long as the materia glows." Ifalanoe pointed at Caden's pendent. "Anyway, back to the topic, I can form myself into beings other then Leviathan. Just not as powerful."

"So you weren't kidding when you said you were 'Atavus'," Caden said laughing slightly. He soon became stoic again, concerned with what he must do. "So what now?"

"Jenova will make his move soon," Ifalanoe said, sighing silently. "The other has found a way to track the Promise Land."

"So, that's why Loki's there... That's why he wanted me." Caden said, somewhat disheartened by this revelation. "But what do you mean 'track'? Is the Promised Land mobile?"

"It has to be," Ifalanoe said with a serious face. "When Jenova first appeared, Gaia warned us to stay away from the Knowlspole, the land that was once the stationary position of the Promised Land. We refused to run from it, but Gaia did so herself. Our wandering pilgrimage is the same as hers. It was the only way to protect the Promised Land." Ifalanoe looked at Caden and saw the confusion that grew on his face. "You never heard the name Gaia before, have you?" Caden shook his head, and Ifalanoe understood why. "That's right. You have always just referred to Gaia as the Planet." Ifalanoe stopped and began to focus again. He was just avoiding the subject at hand. "Caden, your power has just awoken and is still unfocused. Before you can face Jenova again, you must be able harness the full potential of the White Materia. There just isn't enough time to do so properly."

Caden sighed, knowing what it would entail. "I understand."

"Just know that I will be there if and when you need me," Ifalanoe said before fading away.

Caden looked down at his pendent and watched the glow fade as well. "I know"

"Hey, Caden! You back yet!?" Marlene yelled out from the entrance to the Highwind.

"Marlene, could you not yell so loud?" Bowden said, holding his head in his one good hand. "My headache's getting worse."

"Well, you should know better then to try and drink me under the table," Marlene responded, laughing. "Drink some water and take an aspirin. You'll be fine." Marlene sighed, walking down the stairs. "Caden, where the hell are you? I just made Bowden regret learning beer pong again."

Lucrecia walked out of the stables and hastily approached Marlene and Bowden. "I have some bad news, and I don't know how to tell you... Just read this." Lucrecia handed a sheet of paper to Marlene.

Marlene looked over the paper, and dropped it, looking up in horror. "Caden left."

"Come on Swift," Caden said from atop his chocobo. "Let's get going." Swift 'warked' in response. Caden looked one last time at the Highwind before he and Swift turned around, making their way across the cliffs.