Chapter 6 Jassi; Mother of Kassia
Finally reaching the end of the trail, Arius and Kassia rode on level ground. She was now wearing Arius's coat. The cold finally getting to her. It was little past three and fatigue was working it's way to the surface for Kassia.
"Were almost there," Arius spoke suddenly, startling Kassia awake. "be ready. Your going to meet one of my old friends. He was put through a lot of trouble when he was younger, and he… well his past is nothing he likes to reminisce on. So don't try and ask about it, cause you won't learn much of anything." He looked back to see Kassia nod her head..
About half an hour later they emerged into a large clearing in a forest. In the middle was a very well lit an airship. She was surprised to see how large it was. It was greater then any of the airships she's seen in the hangers at her old place. And better then the airship of legend, the High-Wind. Used on Cloud's adventures. This one represented a great black dragon with folded wings. A neck as long as Revee's headquarters, with fangs as long as a boat. It had claws dug deep into the ground for support.
"This is the most beautiful looking airship I have ever seen in my whole life. The creator has extreme amounts of talent. I would love to meet him, or her one day." Kassia looked over the ship as they grew closer. Taking in every amount of detail that she could with her dim vision in the darkness.
As they got closer they saw the belly of the beast open and a man lowered down on a wire. He was extremely good looking Kassia thought as she could make out his face. He had short black hair that was spiked, and the tips were died red. There was no scars on his face as Arius that she noticed, and his eyes were not red, but brown. As they stopped Arius got off the chocobo and walked up to his good friend.
"Ah, Sloan. It is good to see you well." Arius reached his arm and out and Sloan reached out with his and grabbed it. They pulled each other together and embraced in a friendly hug, patting one another back for a few seconds before pulling back. "Again, thank you for your help. Without your ship, the journey would have taken longer then I can spare."
Sloan nodded his head and looked beyond Arius to the girl that stood next to the black chocobo. He smiled and said, "So, this is the fare maiden you rescued from the evil king." He laughed and bowed his head in her direction. "Ma'am, it's a pleasure to meet you, and an honor to have such a beauty on my ship." Kassia blushed slightly and was going to pay back a complement when Arius interrupted.
"Sloan, you wanted to talk to me before heading out?"
He nodded and signaled Arius to follow. He did and Sloan directed him to the line of trees, several yards away from Kassia's ears. She watched as they both talked, feeling a little annoyed for not being involved in the conversation. What could be so important to talk in secret? She crossed her arms and just waited, rolling a small rock on the ground with her foot. Finally she saw them both shake hands and she was able to hear one thing, 'Ambrose.' She then saw Arius raise a single finger to his lips and glanced over at Kassia. Arius and Sloan nodded their heads and walked back over to Kassia.
"What was that all about you too? Something not worth saying to everyone is something that should not be said at all." She waited, and grew angry when they said nothing to answer her. "Fine, be that way then. But I will not forget this, I will sooner ot later find out what you were talking about."
"Come, we fly." Sloan said as he and Arius walked over to the ship.
Kassia followed then stopped turning over to the left behind chocobo. "Hey, what about your chocobo Arius?"
He turned around and shrugged saying, "Nothing. It is not mine. Only a wild kit that I found feeding. She is still in her general area of home, so she has but turn and run." Arius said nothing else as he held onto the rope and made his way into the ship. Sloan and Kassia did the same and the belly of the beast shut with no trace of there ever being an opening.
"We'll be home in a short few hours. Please, do not touch or wonder around my ship. It is older then any thing on this planet and I care for it as I would a child." Sloan walked ahead with Arius to the bridge as Kassia just thought of what he said. The ship was older then anything on the planet, and it looks like the ship Cid and Zell owned, the High-Rock.
There was nothing she could do on the ship as it flew. She had major respect for Sloan, but yet she had always had substantial amount of curiosity. She walked around the main deck where the exit was and only found three doors, two of which were locked tight. She opened the door cautiously. The room was poorly lit, and she imagined no one was in here for years. Dust and cobwebs conformed her suspicions. Walking in further she strained her eyes to adjust better and when they finally did she was able to make out a few chests that were chained shut, and drawers that had locks on them.
Analyzing one of the drawers she found that it was just a simple lock and just picked it open. Inside there were countless amounts of papers and pictures. She reached in and looked over one of the papers. It was in another language that she was not familiar with. Scanning through the papers she stumbled over some pictures. They were rather old and tattered, turning yellow from the on going years. In the picture three men stood together in front of an old torn down building.
Only two of the men she could barley recognizes; Arius as he wore a trench coat and had hair just past his chin with a dark bandana. Another she assumed was Sloan, but the picture had to have been older then him. Shaking her head she looked at the third person who only looked to be around the age of thirteen or fifteen. He had hair coming just barely past his shoulders and no smile on his face. She felt a weird feeling rush through her veins looking at the young boy, and put the picture down. She went back to the papers and looked them over. Still unfamiliar with the language she put them back and turned around surprised she was being watched.
"E dumt oui, hu fuhtanehk ynuiht so creb. Ed rumtc calnadc dryd cruimt hajan pa najaymat du yhouha frus luimt ica dras dra fnuhk fyo." It was Sloan, his shouts faded into the corners of the room. He walked in further and she could tell just how angry he was. He glared at her still and said, "Drehkc uv dra bycd cruimt hajan pa tfamat ibuh eh dra vidina." He grew quiet and calmed down enough to speak English. "Get of this room. We will be arriving within the hour."
Sloan led her out of the room and locked it behind him. Keeping an eye on her he told her to follow him and she was led to the bridge. Upon arriving Arius looked over at the two. He said, "Is anything wrong?"
Sloan walked over to him and looked over at Kassia and then Arius. He answered saying, Cra fuhtanc so creb, kuac drnuikr y caymat ib bycd. Muugehk ibuh dra beldina uv ic yht Sephiroth frah ra fyc y lremt uidceta uv Gongonga jemmyka. Drec kenm ryc duu silr lineucedo, ed luimt kad ran gemmat." Arius smiled and nodded.
"Oac, E ghuf. Pid cra ec dra tuikrdan uv Jassi yht dra knayd Sephiroth ajah druikr ed byehc sa du cyo dryd huf. Cra femm ajahdiymmo ryja du maynh dra dnidr ypuid ajanodrehk. Yht oui ghuf dryd cra femm ryja du maynh ypuid oui yc famm. Oui bmyo zicd yc yh esbundyhd numa eh ayndrc recduno yc tu E."
Sloan glared at him, hating the idea of another person learning his past. "Drah cra maynhc ed vnus so suidr, yht hud cusa udran bancuh." He glared coldly at Arius indicating he was talking about him. Arius looked over at Kassia and smiled.
"Fa lyh'd gaab dymgehk mega drec." He cleared his throat and walked over to Kassia. "You are probably wondering what was just happening. Sloan and I speak an old language. The language of the Cetra. One day, maybe you will get to learn to speak it."
Kassia glared over at the two and smirked. "Yet again you hide more secrets from me. You speak in front of me in a language you know I know nothing of, just to annoy me. Well your doing a splendid job of it. I want answers right now or else."
Sloan walked up to her and looked down at her. "Listen girly, on this ship you follow my orders. You do everything I tell you to do you go back where we got you. You will learn everything in a time when you can handle everything. Now just sit your ass on in a chair and wait like a good girl till we get to our destination, in only an hour." He glared at her and she glared back just as coldly. He was getting on her nerves and she just wanted to slice his throat where he stands. But instead she simply turned and walked over to a chair and sat down, eyeing Sloan like a hawk it's prey. He didn't like that, but simply ignored her and continued talking to Arius in a low tone.
Kassia watched the two talk in the same language yet. Having no idea just maked her more angry. They laughed aloud and soon she began to ignore them. She watched clouds outside fly by, something to help past the time away. Eventually nearing the point of boredom, there was a ringing by the main controls. Sloan walked over to them and nodded.
"Alright everyone, where here." Below a small village was barely lit up. Many of the people were still sound asleep. The sun was still a little ways away, but there were faint signs of its existence over the horizon. A small smile was found Kassia's face, kinda excited now to meet her real mother.
The ship began to land without making a noise and Sloan led the two off the bridge to the belly of the beast where the opening was already open and waiting. Kassia made her way down fist followed by Arius and then Sloan. It was really warm all of a sudden, and Kassia wondered where they were.
"So, no one here to welcome us?" Asked Kassia softly looking over at Arius.
"Nope. Only inside the village. I told your mother it be best to wait inside then outside." Arius began to walk over to the village while Sloan just stood by his ship. He had no intentions on going in, and Kassia really didn't care.
They walked inside and Kassia looked around with a smile. She finally remembered where she was. This is an old village that was once rotting after a train crashed into the middle, destroying almost everything. "This is Coral. It looks so much better then when I last looked at pictures of this place. Your telling me that my mother lives here?"
Arius shook his head and said, "No, she is only here because of security reasons. In case we were ever followed. We did not want anyone to know of the village your mother really lives in. Besides, she owns property all across the world, but only resides at one place all the time. That place I can't tell you as of now." Arius led her all around in many directions before coming up to a lit house that is built next to the only remaining tracks from the village.
Arius knocked on the door slightly and crossed his arms. He waited with Kassia at her side. Her face filled with excitement and yet fear and worry. This is the first time she is seeing her mother in twenty one years. She took a deep breath as the door began to unlock from the inside and open slowly.
"Hello?" The door opened all the way and standing in the frame was a tall woman that had long red hair past her back. Her eyes were emerald, with a faint glow behind them. She looked over at Arius, but her gaze locked onto the girl at his side. Her head was hung low, but then Kassia lifted her head looking into the eyes of the woman. They were like hers, and she was shocked how much alike they looked. The woman's eyes swelled up with tears as she tried to speak.
Kassia looked into the woman's eyes and spoke softly, saying, "Mother?" The tears in her eyes could not hold back after hearing that word and she broke out crying.
Arius put a hand on her shoulder and smirked. "I have granted you your wish. I have retrieved your daughter unharmed. May we come in?"
The woman wiped away the tears only to be replaced with even more. She nodded her head and stepped back letting them in. They walked in and Arius shut the door behind him. They walked into the living room where they sat down.
"Kassia…" The woman took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm Jassi, your mother. I have waited so long for this day to finally be able to have you back in my life."
"Jassi?" Remarked Kassia. She knew that name. It was commonly spoken between Scarlet and Revee, but only when they were arguing. And seeing her now, she remembered seeing her at several times in her life. Every time she tried to bring it up with her parents they would always yell at her and told her to forget about it. "I remember seeing you many times in my life. I always tried to learn who you were, but they would never tell me."
"Though out your life of growing up, I tried and failed hundreds of times trying to bring you back into my life. If only my lover would be around, your father, then those fuckers would never have fucked up our life." Jassi glared into space with hatred, learning what she did from Kassia. Her eyes flickered like lightning and Kassia noticed this.
"Your eyes are like mine. When I am angry they flicker out of control until I was old enough to harness the energy." She became more relaxed talking to her mother, and then thought of something, her father. "Jassi… mother who was my father?"
"Kassia, your father was a great man, a leader among leaders. The great general of Soldier. His name, was Sephiroth. He had power that no man could ever possess, or ever imagine having. That was who your father was Kassia, my lover." Jassi became a little more upset now talking about Sephiroth.
Kassia's eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped. What she just learned was something she never had expected. It answered her question of who the figure was in her dreams. Her father was the most powerful being on the planet. Her father was the legendary wielder of Masamune, Sephiroth, and she will never get to talk with him, or learn from the vast knowledge he holds deep within. Her father was killed twenty one years ago Vincent traveled with friends to the north crater. "Sephiroth… It explains so much now. I now know who was in my dreams."
Jassi looked up fast and dried her eyes from hearing that. "He was in your dreams?" Jassi thought back the time he once communicated to her, telling to let them take her child. She wondering if he had spoken to her at all, in some way or another. "Kassia," She said kind of fast, then cooled down and finished her question slower. "Did he speak any words in his dream?"
She thought back and nodded her head slightly. "Yes, but only once, a few months ago." She thought hard to remember what was said, struggling to pronounce it the way he had said. "Cu jyyt lnoss ltyp irti tny lordl ij tacy vnyhy A vass hytehr jih tvi."
Arius raised an eyebrow and put a hand to his chin. "That sounds like the language of the Cetra, but yet it translate into nothing…" He thought hard trying to finger out what it means. Shaking his head he stood up and started walking towards the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Asked Jassi watching him walk to the door. Kassia staring as well.
"I have done what I said I would. There is no reason now for me to remain here. I have to go." He opened the door and stopped halfway out and turned his head looking back. Nodding his head he did speak before leaving. "If for every reason you are in need of help, look to the west and fire a single shot from a Peacemaker. I will hear your cry and arrive as fast as possible." He walked out shutting te door behind him. Jassi and Kassia were now alone. An eerie silence fell upon them, but then Kassia decided to ask more about Sephiroth.
"So, um. Is there anything else you can tell me about Se.. about my father?"
Jassi smiled grabbing a few tissues. It's going to be a topic that always makes her upset. "Well, he was the former five stare general in Soldier. He had power that no human could have in their lifetime. He was born to only be tested on his whole entire life. He was a very respected man, until a mission went the wrong way at Cloud Strife's hometown in Nibelheim. There he lost his mind and went completely crazy burning the village and it's people to the ground. He was just in search for a better place for all people, except that his killings brought the wrong impression to the people.
"So as he continued, someone had to do something. And that someone was Vincent. After having his wife and son killed outside his own home he vowed to pay their respect with the death of Sephiroth. Their journey went on until Sephiroth came to one village where he met me. There I was forced to leave with Vincent and the rest of his group until finally meeting back up with Sephiroth, and I left with him. We traveled as did Vincent and his friends, made more enemies and learned secrets that would have put the world in danger if in the wrong hands. The most horrible thing happened when in the North Crater he was murdered. Arrow pierced right through his throat. The look on face was filled with fear and confusion, and what made it sad was he reached out for something and when I got there he was gone, fell backwards down the cliff to a home of Lifestream."
Kassia was shocked by this amount of information. Father murdered before ever getting to see or know him. So much more taken away from her she realizes. She sat back in the chair taking in all that information. "I see now…" She finally says breaking the almost endless silence. "Where I get all my traits now. I wondered for many years how I knew the things I knew. It makes me feel better inside knowing more about my father, but…" She grew silent and it seemed that there was a tear swelling up in the corner of her left eye. "I would like to meet him…"
Jassi covered her mouth and took a deep breath nodding her head. She stood up and singled for Kassia to stand as well. She did and Jassi walked up to her and quickly embraced her tightly. "Oh Kassia, I've missed you dearly, and I am sorry how long it took to get you back… I can't help but feel a little responsible for this, but Sephiroth paid me a visit many years ago and told me to let them take you. I don't understand why, and still don't. But at this moment I just don't care anymore since you are back into my life…. I love you."
Kassia gave a little smile and leaned back, looking into her mothers eyes. They were identical to hers and she could see her reflection looking back at her. "I love you too, and please, don't blame yourself."
Jassi smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Come on then. I will take you to your fathers… grave."
"What about Vincent Valentines? I need to know if Arius was telling the truth. Because if he wasn't I need to talk to him… I think he knows something…"
Jassi nodded her head and put her arm around Kassia's shoulder. "I understand. I will take you to his grave, but once there, I don't know what answers are going to be told to you."
Kassia nodded in agreement. This has been a night of unexpected adventure. Truths and lies bewilder her judgment, and yet she's eager for more information. She's ready now for anything that is to happen from this point on in her life.
Finally ready they both walked out the door and to a car that was parked on the other side of the village. She cared not of locking her door, there was nothing really important to her in there. Everything she could possibly want or ever need is right now back with her. All she needs now is her lover, Sephiroth to make the rest of her life completed.
[A/N: You will need an Al Bhed translator to understand what was said in this chapter, and any other chapters that will have this language in. Please note, I am changing this story, and taking out the crossover of FFX, but leaving the land known as Spira. You will not see any of your favorite characters in rest of this book, or in the third and last installment of When Two Forces Meet. However, any characters mentioned in the first, from FF8 will still be mentioned. Hope you understand and accept this change. Until later, the chapter (s) in the beginning that mention Blitz Ball, Luca, and FFX characters will one day be changed. Thank you.]