Chapter 7 The Twelve Zodiacs

As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, Revee refused sleep the whole night and locked himself in his underground complex. It was now around eight o'clock and he was working hard on his computer. Logically, one would think he would be trying to save his son, but Revee, no. He only cares now to see what will become of him. Inspired again from his old dream, that would have seen reality in only one more year. Except his dream was interrupted by Sephiroth, and all that remained was a needle that was never tested; locked away forgotten, till it was found.

As of right now, he searched for more information on the land of Spira. It's a wonderful world, full of unknown powers that he wished to gain control of. Except those powers are greater then one can imagined. So instead he tried to learn more about them, before going back, vowing to himself to have unknown power.

As he looked even deeper his cell phone rang suddenly. He pulled it out his pocket and glanced at the screen with a smile before answering. "Hello?" He said with a smirk. "I see…" The voice on the other end was muffled, but enough for Revee to make it out. "You think that they suspect anything?… Good, then so far our plan has gone off without a hitch… What?… Of course. I promised you a decent share of the rewards…. Yes, I understand that he was not supposed to be part of the scenario but things have changed. Besides I think I can easily work this into the plan without too many troubles… Well we're bound to hit one problem or two… yes, I know don't worry.

"Now as for the second part. I want you to find out where they are going and get there before them. Tell them about there new enemy, they should feel frightened, and that's when you round everyone up again. Make sure Cloud is in the group. He and I have some un-finished business to take care of… I never forget the past…. Keep to yourself, I'm nothing like him; but better in brains. He tried taking over using brute force and fear. I will just use science to make me what I want… Fuck you, Hojo was crazy, I know what I am doing. Just do the job you were assigned to, and leave it to that." Revee hung up the phone and placed it back in his pocket.

"Alright Kassia…" He turned off the computer and spun in his chair looking up to the ceiling. "Make me proud." He grinned evilly and stood up, walking to the one hanger that held the most deadliest of machines, the two revived weapons from earth. He stared at them with wide eyes, their power so great he remembered what little was done to destroy the home of Sephiroth. Now he will call for their power again, in the aid and recovery of the key to unleash the one.

Kassia and Jassi traveled for several hours, and the sun made its way higher in the sky. It is going to be a very hot day. Shortly after, their trip came to a sudden stop as they drove into an old village. "What, why we in Nibelheim for?" Asked Kassia as Jassi continued to drive through the newly formed village. After the years of Sephiroth's death, Cloud returned where his hometown became famous. People came all over to visit or live in the village of their savior. This caused his hometown to grow dramatically, from only a small handful of homes and three shops, to over fifty buildings. The only thing that was not changed was a large clearing where there once stood a haunted mansion, Sephiroth's mansion. Filled with secrets that would warp a mans soul, and forever haunt his mind.

"This is were Vincent lived many, many years ago. Before Cloud was born. When his mother was just a child. He was only twelve years old when he was confronted with his idol, Professor Gast, at the age of nineteen. Young, he was a great and talented professor. That's the day Vincent joined Soldier, but ended up failing and soon ended with a band of bandits that work on a black budget, and the well being of others torments, the Turks. He was killed eight years later, shortly after Miss. Strife found out she was pregnant with Cloud. Vincent was later buried in his hometown."

Kassia looked confused, and watched Jassi turn into an old cemetery. "But if Vincent died, then how could he have been around during the time of Cloud and Sephiroth's feud?"

Jassi laughed at her question. "That's funny because I do not know that as well. Unless he has a twin brother, then he was never killed."

"Perhaps a conspiracy?"

"Possibly, who knows." She pulled the car over and shut the engine off. "If you still wish to know, his grave is on top of that hill."

She noticed a single weeping willow acting as a silent sentinel over a lone grave.

She walked resolutely up the hill. Occasionally glancing at other headstones along the way, some of which looked older then time itself for their inscriptions were illegible... no grass seemed to have grown there for years. She shuttered as the wind whistled through the leaves creating an edgy atmosphere. She stopped suddenly, for there straight ahead, was a tightly sealed casket, partially protruding from a poorly dug grave. She noted unusual markings on the lid of the casket, they seemed to have been placed there without the aid of a tool. It was as if something other then an human hand had inscribed it. There was simply a name: VINCENT VALINTINE.

Was this all the proof needed? She shook her head and walked closer and tried removing some of the coffin's lid. The nails were rusted through time and grew weak. Her attempts succeeded as some of the lid broke away. She looked inside as an eyeless skull looked back at her with it's mouth open, trying to speak unspoken words.

"So he was right… Vincent was dead, and my questions will never be answered." An arm rested on her shoulder and she spun around quickly. It was her mother. She relaxed and looked back at the grave. "Alright, I've learned what I needed to know." She looked back over at her mother. "Take me to my father, I wish to speak to him."

Jassi nodded her head slowly while taking her daughters hand, leading her back to the car, and away from the haunting cemetery where people of a forgotten past rest.

Their trip sent them to the far northern continent, where it grows colder every passing day. Ahead laid the only resting place of Sephiroth, inside the heart of the crater. A crater larger then one hundred Midgar's in a row. Unlike many years back they were not forced to walk through the harsh weather to reach the crater. Instead they were now able to rent black chocobo's that could climb the crater with no problem.

Jassi has not visited Sephiroth's grave in a long time. The last time does not come to her clearly, but she remembered falling to her knees unconscious, waking hours later in her own bed. She was sure she was alone, and had never visited here ever since.

"How long will it take to reach the crater?" Asked Kassia, trying to speak over the loud winds.

Hours on foot. Jassi was glad to be able to use chocobo's instead. She thought for a moment and answered simply. "Two hours, maybe less." She then became lost in her thoughts, completely ignoring her daughter as she would attempt a conversation. She saw Sephiroth walk ahead and laugh the way he always would. He talked about his dream while Jassi just smiled and walked by his side. She can hear him say to her how he will become a god and gain full power over everything. She doubted this, but worried not if it came true because she would be with him.

She was drawn into the crater with supernatural forces. Inside she witnessed the evil sparkle that shown in his eyes. She watched him look below at a meaningless fight. She saw herself standing beside Sephiroth, no smile was on her face and seemed upset about the outcome of the current events that have happened. Jassi watched her force a smile every time Sephiroth would look over at her. Jassi looked away from the image and closed her eyes.

"Hey, Jassi!"

Jassi shook her head, the images of Sephiroth before her faded into the now falling snow. She looked over at her daughter and answered annoyed. "What?"

"…Where here… Can you lead the rest of way?"

Jassi was startled how much time seemed to have faded away as she was lost in her thoughts. It took a moment for her to regain her bearings, and when she did she led Kassia off the trail onto a hidden path that led deep into the crater. Inside it was not as colder, the high walls protect from the harsh weather outside. The path was not made for chocobo's, but they managed to get them into the huge cavern which was still scared from the battle that took place.

"Up there," Jassi pointed to the top of a cliff, where a single ray of light shown down on. "…is where his grave is. With these birds, we can climb to the top in seconds." Jassi led the way as her chocobo began the steep climb. Their claws dug into the rock giving them their support. After reaching the top, Kassia followed behind and soon stood by her mother. Ahead was the only light, yet strong enough to fill this cavern. It shown down onto a single spot on the ground.

"Is that… a sword?" Asked Kassia as she got off her chocobo after he mother. She walked over with her mother stood over the hilt of a sword protruding from the rock.

"…Yes. It's your fathers sword. It's the legendary Masamune. He gave up that sword so that he could have all the power in the world at his fingertips. The only sad things are that after achieving them he did not live long before he was murdered. Also, a few years back there were people who heard of the legend and traveled here to try and free the sword, but no man strong enough could lift it out, or break the rock to get it."

"That was why they made it easier to reach the crater those years back. But after giving up the dream of holding Sephiroth's sword, the people stopped coming. Soon after nature closed the only way the people could have taken to get here." The girls turned around startled by this new voice. It was Arius. "I must admit I even tried to pull it out, but fate had not shown upon me."

"What are you doing here? We didn't call for you?" Said Jassi.

"No," Answered Arius. "…but I was actually in the in the town picking up supplies when I heard that two women took off to the crater on black chocobo's. Figured it was you's and came up to see what you's were up too." He walked closer and stood over the hilt of the Masamune, then looked back at the two.

"You're here for something else aren't your?" asked Kassia.

"Well, as a matter of fact I have. It's about Revee." A subject he can see neither of them wanted to hear about.

"What about him?" Jassi said getting annoyed now.

"Well it is a long story that I will try and sum up the best that I can." He cleared his throat and began to speak. "Revee, his mind has been corrupted by the power of Midgar. Weather it be from the original, or the new, his mind is lost. Like all who have ever became president. Shinra was not the first to be swayed by the power of unknown forces, and he was not the last. Everyone that becomes president over Midgar has always died horrible deaths. Now it's Revee's turn. He now seeks power like that of Sephiroth's. He's studied the Jenova Project for a great sum of his life and I guess learned more then Hojo ever did.

"With Spira now taking up half the world because of Sephiroth, Revee learned of their history and their legends. What he found out was of a power that lays dormant inside of a monstrous crystal. One they speak of as large as our tallest mountain. What makes it bad is that he knows how to unleash that power. You see, throughout the land of Spira there are twelve great cities. Each have their own guardian. Oddly the names of the cities are the same as the guardians. I like to call them the Twelve Zodiacs, which is an old world that means guardian. Now their legend says that under dire stress or dander they appear for protection and guidance. What no one was supposed to know was that each of them hold a piece of the crystal that was broken off in the beginning of their time. When all pieces come together they form the key needed to finish the crystal and release the power."

He was silent then for a few moments. Jassi and Kassia assumed that he was finished. They took in that story he told and almost could not believe it, but Kassia knew that it had to be true after visiting the land.

"That seems absurd, nonsense." Said Jassi with a snort.

"No mother… it's true. I have been to the land beyond and witnessed one of these guardians. They have great power that made Revee's ships vanish without a trace. This is all got to be true. But…" Kassia looked over at Arius. "…why would he do this?"

"Did I not make it clear a moment ago? Everyone who becomes President of Midgar suffers from the same thing… Mind corruption, and death. Revee has his mind corrupted, now he travels for the only thing that is going to cause his death, and maybe now… the worlds. We have got to do something to stop him before he gains those twelve crystals."

Jassi took in his words, and thought of what he had said. If they try and stop him, that means another long hard journey with a group of people she hates the most. Can she really bare another trip like that after loosing someone she cared for dearly? "Listen, Arius. If that is your real name. I've come up here for one thing, and having to make a decision like this was not it. Let us talk in privet and let Kassia have her talk with her father."

Arius agreed and walked to the far end of the cliff with Jassi and left Kassia alone to talk to Sephiroth.

Kassia knelt down by the sword and closed her eyes. She can see her father now, his images stands tall and bright in her mind. For years she had known of and heard of the great General, who had lost his mind and killed thousands. She just never thought he was her father. "Sephiroth, my one true father. I understand my life a little better now, but I wish that you were here with us now. So much has been taken away from me it hurts to think about it. And now there's talk of another battle for power. That means more meaningless deaths. I'm just so confused… and just with you were here."

She opened her eyes and looked at the hilt that stood out of place in solid rock. She smiled knowing her father must have been the strongest to wield such power that sword has. Un-questioned instincts told her to reach out for it, and so she did. The moment her finger tips had touched the hilt images rushed into her head. She saw flashes of the battle taking place, the conversation Sephiroth had with Anubis and watched him thrust the Masamune into the rock in which it remained. She watched how Anubis was defeated by a young looking girl, and watched the death of her father from his point of view. Her throat burned and soon there was darkness followed by the sound of water.

When the images came back she saw her father walking away from the shore. He had on only his pants and leather strapped boots, his hair pressed against his body from being wet. There was an open wound with fresh blood flowing from his throat and as he collapse from lose of blood. He laid there when a stranger soon walked up to him and placed a hand over his head. The person looked surprised and ran away while white light began to form over his body and he vanished.

"Take what is given and wield power that can't be used by no other. Shed vengeful blood and seek out my evil brother Murasame. He has the first key." The voice was in her head and was deep and shallow. Her eyes opened and she stood up pulling the sword with her.

There was a loud screeching sound followed by shower of sparks as the sword was set free from it's rocky prison. Arius and Jassi were interrupted by this display of fireworks and their mouth's hung open with disbelief. The sword that could never be pulled out has been set free. Arius was the first to run up to her and speak.

"What did you do?" He shouted rather loudly. "How did you pull out the sword?"

Kassia looked over at him and simply shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I was talking to my dad, and when I went to touch the sword there was a flash of images that swept through my mind and I heard a voice that said: 'Take what is given and wield power that can't be used by no other. Shed vengeful blood and seek out my evil brother, Murasame. He has the first key.'"

"Murasame? He's the legendary brother of Masamune, the maker of the sword you are holding. They say his brother had also created a sword to surpass his brothers." Arius walked closer and held out his hand. "Please, let me look at the sword."

Kassia looked at his hand and she felt a resistant force in her arm. She held him the sword and as it left her hand Arius fell to his knees as his hand was weighed down from the sword.

"Holy fuck, that shit is heavy." He let go of the sword and rubbed his wrist looking back up at Kassia as she picked it back up with ease. "Hmph, just like you said, 'can't be used by no other.' Very interesting. So what are you going to do with it?"

Kassia looked down at the sword in her hand and suddenly she saw herself draw the sword back and impale Arius with it. She saw herself pull the sword out and taking a step to her right brining the it down onto her mother. The blood just dripped off the sword and she saw a smile on her face as she jumped down the cliff where Sephiroth had fallen.

"Um, well I don't really know." Kassia was worried about the image she had just seen. She could not make no sense from it. "…I've never been too much of a fan of blades, or even guns. Just not fare fight to me."

"Well in any case. Your mother and I were talking and we came up with a small plan. We decided that it would be a wise idea to go after Revee, only if he dies by Jassi's hands. The only thing that has to be decided is, will be help as well?"

Kassia had thought for a long time that she feels it to be a necessity to help the world, in some way possible. After the images she saw, she began to question those thoughts she had of helping. In the end she swept her thoughts just to the side and nodded her head, but will this effect her in the long run? "Alright, I'll help."

Jassi was happier now; getting a chance to fight along side her daughter. Though it does feel odd in some ways, she gets used to the ideas of fighting with her only daughter. With everything now understood, and a place to go, they had no point in staying any longer. Jassi turned to her lovers grave and smiled. No words left her lips but the smile was enough to say I love you.

They all left down on their chocobo's. Arius led them back out the crater, slowly, not to cause the chocobo's harm. The trip didn't take long, but when they finally got outside the wind had stopped and the air seemed thinner then usual. Quieter then it always was, Arius stood still and looked around. He seemed worried.

"The wind had stopped… danger I sense around us."

Jassi and Kassia looked all around, but saw nothing but white snow. Kassia took a step forward, feeling something push in on her chest.

"Something's coming… and it's all around us."

Arius drew a pair of black handguns that had a shiny tint to them. Jassi jumped off her chocobo and landed in a stance, while Kassia just sat, holding the sword loosely. Minutes passed and in the distance they began to hear howls and screeches. They looked confused but as they saw a monster jump over a hill it all came clear they were surrounded by monsters.

More and more monsters jumped over the hill as well as down cliff sides. Less then a hundred, the monsters looked fierce and hungry for something. Arius took a few shots and watched as his attack had done nothing serious to kill it. Shortly after they were forced to bunch closer, but Kassia suddenly leaped from her chocobo and ran forward and glaring over all the monsters that began to surround them all. She looked down at her sword and clenched it tightly. She could feel a strange power flow from the sword into her body, her head had a strong pain that was ignored. As she lifted the blade up and looked back at her mother and Arius and as her eyes were flickering uncontrollably and said, "Get down…."

They got down and watched Kassia swing her sword around in a circle that caused a force of wind to blow off from the blade and fly towards the monsters. They never had a chance as their bodies were burned instantly. As their dead bodies fell to the ground, Kassia's did too.

Looking around, Jassi and Arius were shocked at this glimpse of power. They walked to her side and Jassi knelt down by her side. She placed her fingers on her neck and was relived to feel a pulse. "She's alive, but unconscious… we have to get her some place warm or she will die from the cold."

Arius nodded and bent over picking her up in his arms and carried her to her waiting chocobo. He tied her secure on her and wrapped another rope around the chocobo's neck to help guide it to the village.