Chapter 25
It was all too strange for Sifan Leonhart. And the feeling of being there, his own hands looking like a ghost's, made him even more confused. There was only darkness but he started to walk. He continued to walk until his legs grew tired. He was panting hard but stopped when he saw a glimpse of two figures a few feet ahead of him. He kept walking, not sure why, in the direction of the two figures and soon, he saw them at close range.
A handsome, blonde spiky-haired warrior stood holding his glimmering, diamond-like blade, which had a handle that was shaped like an eagle. Sifan had studied about the sword in garden, and then he remembered, it was the called the 'ultimate weapon'. The warrior's eyes were bright...a rather bright...blue. He stared furiously at the other man in front of him. Neither of them seemed to have seen Sifan. The other man, Sifan noticed was as handsome as the first, if not more. He had shiny silver hair that fluttered behind him. A couple of long strands of hair stretched down either side of his face. His eyes were, like the warrior, unusually bright but green. A green that made Sifan's heart quiver. And the way he stared down at the warrior, it was evident and clear as crystal, his gaze was simply filled with nothing but evil. In his hand was a long and shiny metallic masamune. Neither of them moved. And then Sifan saw the warrior take a step forward and lift his sword. And then many auras rushed into it and made it glow brighter than ever. Sifan's eyes widened with recognition. There was no doubt...absolutely none...in Sifan's mind that his father charged his Lionheart the same manner. And then, the warrior leapt in to the evil one's space. And what followed was simply, a wild carnage of sword shots. The man with the long silver hair and gleaming green eyes could only spit out blood as it rained slashes and cuts on his body. He bled...all across his face...but the warrior didn't stop...he continued to nail him with piercing swings...and then he leapt in to the air, his sword raised over his head and landed the final blow. The evil one staggered back, blood dripping from almost every inch in his body. His feet lifted slowly from the ground and then he disappeared in a way of light. The blonde-haired warrior was then surrounded by many lifestreams...all that had come out of the evil one's body. Sifan kept watching. The warrior then sheathed his sword on his back and walked to a small light that had appeared ahead of him. From the light, the hand of a woman reached out. He reached out for it too. But then...Sifan felt his body drawn to the warrior's. As he floated towards him, the warrior's body became translucent and disappeared. And then to his horror, Sifan noticed his hands become real and his body was no more ghost-like. He watched the light from where the hand had reached out to the warrior fade without a sound. It all went dark again, and a death silence prevailed. And then...there was a laugh. An arrogant, loud and confident laugh. Sifan slowly turned around. And in front of him stood, the evil one the warrior had slain. Not a trace of blood was in his body and his eyes were burning greener that ever and they were focused on his own. He could feel it. And then he slid it out from his side...a long...a very long sword that Sifan knew to be the masamune. He walked towards Sifan, his footsteps echoing in his head. He bore a casual but an evil smirk on his face. Sifan could only watch...he was not armed. A feeling of hopelessness overcame Sifan and then, the next thing he knew...his assailant had run into him, laughing, and half of the masamune had disappeared...right through Sifan's stomach...
Sifan sat up straight in his bed, sweat trickling down the sides of his face. He was breathing wildly and his heart was beating like it had been tormented. He leaned across his bed and switched on the lights. His coat lay on the tea table beside him and only the shirt he had worn inside for the dance covered his torso. He watched the clock that stood ticking with both its hands on the number one. After washing his face in the sink inside the lavatory, he walked over to the end of his room in the costal de sol inn, and flung open the balcony doors. A cold wind blew through his hair, in a comforting manner and dried his face. He felt the salty smell of the sea enter his nostrils. He swallowed hard as he clenched the edge of the balcony and watched a lighthouse at a distance turn it's lights. Earlier that day, Lyris had made him promise that he would accept what she told him that night if she gave him a chocobo. Sifan had agreed but then Sifan had inadvertently scared away the chocobo. However, he knew that he still had to keep his promise. The promise that he would have to accept what Lyris would tell him. But Sifan had fallen asleep very early. As early as nine o' clock. The moment he had slipped into his bed, he had started to sleep peacefully...until the nightmare...
[Was the nightmare the thing Lyris wanted me to accept...? b-but she said...she would tell it to me...not SHOW it to me...]
There was no reply from Lyris.
**************************
Relafen's airship was huge and Avatar took most of the time during the trip to Mideel taking a quick tour. Shin-Ra emblems were of course engraved everywhere in the steel. On the walls, on the doors and everything Avatar came across. He still couldn't figure out how Relafen had been made commander and given an entire airship. He never did like Relafen and traveling in his airship only soured his mood. Sighing heavily, he came out through a door leading out of a cabin when he heard Relafen's voice. Avatar didn't move as Phillona's voice replied something. Avatar flattened himself to the wall and waited around the corner to eavesdrop. Avatar didn't hear any footsteps and he was sure that they were just standing in one place.
"Nice airship, eh Phillona?" Relafen said a bit of pride vibrating in his voice, "Shin-Ra's pretty nice at taking care of their commanders..."
Phillona was silent for a while when Relafen spoke, "I-I am s-sorry...it's just that having an airship and this post and all...it's made me quite boastful..."
"Well...I guess its hard not to boast when you have your own airship..." Phillona replied.
Avatar's lips tightened. He didn't understand why Phillona was being nice to Relafen. She got her trip to Mideel and there was no necessity for her to be nice to him... Avatar thought. Unless of course, she really likes him...Avatar continued to think...yeah right, Relafen's got a rat's ass of a chance getting Phillona to like him.
"So...um..." Relafen continued, his voice not cocky as it usually was, "Y-You're beautiful...you know that...?"
Avatar couldn't help but snigger a little. He peeked around the corner and saw Phillona's reaction. She had simply smiled and said, "Thank you..."
Avatar wanted to avoid the risk of being seen but since Relafen had ordered all his crew to the ends of the airship, and since Relafen and Phillona were not looking in his direction, he decided to keep sneaking a peek. What tickled Avatar's funny bone really was the fact that Relafen was acting like a melted bit of chocolate when back in balamb, he was as hard as stone.
"So...it was really nice of you to give us a ride to Mideel, commander..." Phillona said very artificially, "I am very grateful..."
Avatar could see Relafen's smile broaden so much that he was afraid his face would get disfigured, "Call me Relafen...drop the commander bit, will you?"
"Ok..." Phillona replied, "Thank you Relafen..."
"Least I can do for a beautiful girl like you..." Relafen said, beaming at the prospect of her calling him by his name.
Avatar almost burst out laughing but he contained his glee. And then, the way Relafen's eyes became dreamy, it became clear to Avatar that Relafen was infatuated as hell with Phillona. It wouldn't be long before he'd burst out to her about his feelings. And to Avatar's surprise, it happened the very next second.
"Ph-Phillona..." Relafen stuttered, "I think I'll come out with it straight.... I... the minute I saw you, Phillona...I ...fell for you..."
Avatar's eyes quickly turned to Phillona who looked quite pale, "I...Well...Relafen..."
"Please..." Relafen cut in, a sad tone of pleading in his voice, "W-We...can...be together...I can...I mean...I want you...you're so..."
Phillona was silently looking at the floor, much to Avatar's disappointment. He was wishing she would smash Relafen's heart to bits by telling him to get lost.
Relafen continued to beg, "I...I can stop em' Phillona...from e-ever attacking Mideel...I'll a-ask the president..."
Avatar was as shocked as Phillona. Relafen was the last person to know about the Mideel thing, according to Trex.
"Y-You know...about Mideel and m-me...?" Phillona said looking up at him, "That I-"
"I know...everything..." Relafen said, "I overheard Rupert talking to his soldiers...you're the resistance leader right? And every soldier's been directed to arrest you at first sight...I...I ordered the ones deployed to the gold saucer to stay away from y-you...
Phillona swallowed hard, "Relafen...I..."
He continued to talk, "And...I know they're planning to attack Mideel in a few hours time...That's why I am taking you back...s-so...you can save Mideel..."
"Y-You could lose your position...Relafen...helping us..." Phillona said looking at him.
"I don't think anyone saw us take off..." Relafen replied, "and I gave all the soldiers who were supposed to keep a look out for you at the saucer the night off."
Phillona looked as if she would throw herself around Relafen and hug him. But she stood her ground, "Thanks..."
Relafen took a step towards her and took her hands in his, "All I am asking is...please...be mine...I-I could...give you everything...I'll talk to the president about Mideel, I'll take you a-around the w-world...please just..."
Avatar knew Relafen had gone totally around the bend over Phillona. Avatar gave himself a soft slap on his forehead. Sifan would probably die of surprise if he saw all this...He thought.
Phillona cleared her throat, "I...I need to drink some water please...uh...alone..."
Relafen pointed to a cabin at the other end of the airship. Phillona smiled at him and left to the cabin and disappeared into it. Avatar grinned in an evil manner. This was the perfect time to do it. To play the devil, and irritate the hell out of Relafen. He walked around the corner with a smug grin at Relafen, who was looking at the ground in thought.
Relafen looked up when he heard footsteps, saw Avatar's grin and then, turned white, "F-Fenis! Don't tell m-me you were..."
"So..." Avatar said twitching his neck, "Relafee's gone soft eh...?"
"Damn you, Fenis..." Relafen snapped, "The hell were you doing eavesdropping? I woulda had you chucked out if it hadn't been for Phillona..."
Avatar grinned, "Head over heels over Sifan's angel, I see..."
"L-Leonhart's WHAT!?" Relafen cried, an utter look of anger and misery appearing on his face, "You're bullshitting me, Fenis! I know that..."
"Hey..." Avatar said calmly, "The way she walked out to -ahem- drink water...isn't it obvious, Sifan's the only one she cares about?"
"Can't be, Fenis..." Relafen replied, "It's been just a day...Precious Leonhart's a wuss when it comes to women anyway...Hell, no way...he coulda got her...in one day..."
"Sigh...Denial's not gonna get you anywhere kid..." Avatar continued, "You were at the dance, weren't you...?"
Relafen gulped. Sifan had snatched Phillona right under his nose. Moreover, when Relafen had walked back across the ballroom in hope of finding her alone, minutes later, he had found her dancing with Sifan, she was dancing much closer than he had expected. He had walked away, determined to catch up with her after the dance. Sighing, he looked up at a grinning Avatar.
"You don't have a chance with her...Relafen..." Avatar said applying salt to fresh wounds, "She ...-ahem-" he made a mock tone of Relafen's voice, "belongs to 'Precious Leonhart'..."
"No!" Relafen shouted, his dislike for Sifan in his chest burning like fire, "Leonhart can't take EVERYTHING, Fenis! Not everything..."
Avatar chuckled, "Why not, Relafen? Sifan's always took everything away from you. Back at garden...he had recognition, fame, fans, girls craving for him, instructors willing to take him up while you...sigh...you were just another brick in the wall..."
Relafen burned with fury, "And all...because..."
"...He was son of Squall Leonhart..." Avatar completed, and continued though his conscience was telling him he was going a bit too far "And then of course...Ultimecia's fallen knight, Seifer Almasy somehow managed to have a son who-"
Avatar didn't see Relafen's Gunblade coming, it caught him right across his cheek, sending him staggering backwards and clenching his cheek, blood oozing through his fingers. Avatar swiped out his katana, but before he could advance at Relafen, a dazzling white flash blinded him and when everything returned to its usual brightness, Avatar felt his heart stop with shock.
Relafen Almasy was curled on the ground, and near him stood the Fenis guardian, his foot on Relafen's chest and his sword raised over his head, ready to pin Relafen's heart to the metal floor of that airship.
****************************
It was all too strange for Sifan Leonhart. And the feeling of being there, his own hands looking like a ghost's, made him even more confused. There was only darkness but he started to walk. He continued to walk until his legs grew tired. He was panting hard but stopped when he saw a glimpse of two figures a few feet ahead of him. He kept walking, not sure why, in the direction of the two figures and soon, he saw them at close range.
A handsome, blonde spiky-haired warrior stood holding his glimmering, diamond-like blade, which had a handle that was shaped like an eagle. Sifan had studied about the sword in garden, and then he remembered, it was the called the 'ultimate weapon'. The warrior's eyes were bright...a rather bright...blue. He stared furiously at the other man in front of him. Neither of them seemed to have seen Sifan. The other man, Sifan noticed was as handsome as the first, if not more. He had shiny silver hair that fluttered behind him. A couple of long strands of hair stretched down either side of his face. His eyes were, like the warrior, unusually bright but green. A green that made Sifan's heart quiver. And the way he stared down at the warrior, it was evident and clear as crystal, his gaze was simply filled with nothing but evil. In his hand was a long and shiny metallic masamune. Neither of them moved. And then Sifan saw the warrior take a step forward and lift his sword. And then many auras rushed into it and made it glow brighter than ever. Sifan's eyes widened with recognition. There was no doubt...absolutely none...in Sifan's mind that his father charged his Lionheart the same manner. And then, the warrior leapt in to the evil one's space. And what followed was simply, a wild carnage of sword shots. The man with the long silver hair and gleaming green eyes could only spit out blood as it rained slashes and cuts on his body. He bled...all across his face...but the warrior didn't stop...he continued to nail him with piercing swings...and then he leapt in to the air, his sword raised over his head and landed the final blow. The evil one staggered back, blood dripping from almost every inch in his body. His feet lifted slowly from the ground and then he disappeared in a way of light. The blonde-haired warrior was then surrounded by many lifestreams...all that had come out of the evil one's body. Sifan kept watching. The warrior then sheathed his sword on his back and walked to a small light that had appeared ahead of him. From the light, the hand of a woman reached out. He reached out for it too. But then...Sifan felt his body drawn to the warrior's. As he floated towards him, the warrior's body became translucent and disappeared. And then to his horror, Sifan noticed his hands become real and his body was no more ghost-like. He watched the light from where the hand had reached out to the warrior fade without a sound. It all went dark again, and a death silence prevailed. And then...there was a laugh. An arrogant, loud and confident laugh. Sifan slowly turned around. And in front of him stood, the evil one the warrior had slain. Not a trace of blood was in his body and his eyes were burning greener that ever and they were focused on his own. He could feel it. And then he slid it out from his side...a long...a very long sword that Sifan knew to be the masamune. He walked towards Sifan, his footsteps echoing in his head. He bore a casual but an evil smirk on his face. Sifan could only watch...he was not armed. A feeling of hopelessness overcame Sifan and then, the next thing he knew...his assailant had run into him, laughing, and half of the masamune had disappeared...right through Sifan's stomach...
Sifan sat up straight in his bed, sweat trickling down the sides of his face. He was breathing wildly and his heart was beating like it had been tormented. He leaned across his bed and switched on the lights. His coat lay on the tea table beside him and only the shirt he had worn inside for the dance covered his torso. He watched the clock that stood ticking with both its hands on the number one. After washing his face in the sink inside the lavatory, he walked over to the end of his room in the costal de sol inn, and flung open the balcony doors. A cold wind blew through his hair, in a comforting manner and dried his face. He felt the salty smell of the sea enter his nostrils. He swallowed hard as he clenched the edge of the balcony and watched a lighthouse at a distance turn it's lights. Earlier that day, Lyris had made him promise that he would accept what she told him that night if she gave him a chocobo. Sifan had agreed but then Sifan had inadvertently scared away the chocobo. However, he knew that he still had to keep his promise. The promise that he would have to accept what Lyris would tell him. But Sifan had fallen asleep very early. As early as nine o' clock. The moment he had slipped into his bed, he had started to sleep peacefully...until the nightmare...
[Was the nightmare the thing Lyris wanted me to accept...? b-but she said...she would tell it to me...not SHOW it to me...]
There was no reply from Lyris.
**************************
Relafen's airship was huge and Avatar took most of the time during the trip to Mideel taking a quick tour. Shin-Ra emblems were of course engraved everywhere in the steel. On the walls, on the doors and everything Avatar came across. He still couldn't figure out how Relafen had been made commander and given an entire airship. He never did like Relafen and traveling in his airship only soured his mood. Sighing heavily, he came out through a door leading out of a cabin when he heard Relafen's voice. Avatar didn't move as Phillona's voice replied something. Avatar flattened himself to the wall and waited around the corner to eavesdrop. Avatar didn't hear any footsteps and he was sure that they were just standing in one place.
"Nice airship, eh Phillona?" Relafen said a bit of pride vibrating in his voice, "Shin-Ra's pretty nice at taking care of their commanders..."
Phillona was silent for a while when Relafen spoke, "I-I am s-sorry...it's just that having an airship and this post and all...it's made me quite boastful..."
"Well...I guess its hard not to boast when you have your own airship..." Phillona replied.
Avatar's lips tightened. He didn't understand why Phillona was being nice to Relafen. She got her trip to Mideel and there was no necessity for her to be nice to him... Avatar thought. Unless of course, she really likes him...Avatar continued to think...yeah right, Relafen's got a rat's ass of a chance getting Phillona to like him.
"So...um..." Relafen continued, his voice not cocky as it usually was, "Y-You're beautiful...you know that...?"
Avatar couldn't help but snigger a little. He peeked around the corner and saw Phillona's reaction. She had simply smiled and said, "Thank you..."
Avatar wanted to avoid the risk of being seen but since Relafen had ordered all his crew to the ends of the airship, and since Relafen and Phillona were not looking in his direction, he decided to keep sneaking a peek. What tickled Avatar's funny bone really was the fact that Relafen was acting like a melted bit of chocolate when back in balamb, he was as hard as stone.
"So...it was really nice of you to give us a ride to Mideel, commander..." Phillona said very artificially, "I am very grateful..."
Avatar could see Relafen's smile broaden so much that he was afraid his face would get disfigured, "Call me Relafen...drop the commander bit, will you?"
"Ok..." Phillona replied, "Thank you Relafen..."
"Least I can do for a beautiful girl like you..." Relafen said, beaming at the prospect of her calling him by his name.
Avatar almost burst out laughing but he contained his glee. And then, the way Relafen's eyes became dreamy, it became clear to Avatar that Relafen was infatuated as hell with Phillona. It wouldn't be long before he'd burst out to her about his feelings. And to Avatar's surprise, it happened the very next second.
"Ph-Phillona..." Relafen stuttered, "I think I'll come out with it straight.... I... the minute I saw you, Phillona...I ...fell for you..."
Avatar's eyes quickly turned to Phillona who looked quite pale, "I...Well...Relafen..."
"Please..." Relafen cut in, a sad tone of pleading in his voice, "W-We...can...be together...I can...I mean...I want you...you're so..."
Phillona was silently looking at the floor, much to Avatar's disappointment. He was wishing she would smash Relafen's heart to bits by telling him to get lost.
Relafen continued to beg, "I...I can stop em' Phillona...from e-ever attacking Mideel...I'll a-ask the president..."
Avatar was as shocked as Phillona. Relafen was the last person to know about the Mideel thing, according to Trex.
"Y-You know...about Mideel and m-me...?" Phillona said looking up at him, "That I-"
"I know...everything..." Relafen said, "I overheard Rupert talking to his soldiers...you're the resistance leader right? And every soldier's been directed to arrest you at first sight...I...I ordered the ones deployed to the gold saucer to stay away from y-you...
Phillona swallowed hard, "Relafen...I..."
He continued to talk, "And...I know they're planning to attack Mideel in a few hours time...That's why I am taking you back...s-so...you can save Mideel..."
"Y-You could lose your position...Relafen...helping us..." Phillona said looking at him.
"I don't think anyone saw us take off..." Relafen replied, "and I gave all the soldiers who were supposed to keep a look out for you at the saucer the night off."
Phillona looked as if she would throw herself around Relafen and hug him. But she stood her ground, "Thanks..."
Relafen took a step towards her and took her hands in his, "All I am asking is...please...be mine...I-I could...give you everything...I'll talk to the president about Mideel, I'll take you a-around the w-world...please just..."
Avatar knew Relafen had gone totally around the bend over Phillona. Avatar gave himself a soft slap on his forehead. Sifan would probably die of surprise if he saw all this...He thought.
Phillona cleared her throat, "I...I need to drink some water please...uh...alone..."
Relafen pointed to a cabin at the other end of the airship. Phillona smiled at him and left to the cabin and disappeared into it. Avatar grinned in an evil manner. This was the perfect time to do it. To play the devil, and irritate the hell out of Relafen. He walked around the corner with a smug grin at Relafen, who was looking at the ground in thought.
Relafen looked up when he heard footsteps, saw Avatar's grin and then, turned white, "F-Fenis! Don't tell m-me you were..."
"So..." Avatar said twitching his neck, "Relafee's gone soft eh...?"
"Damn you, Fenis..." Relafen snapped, "The hell were you doing eavesdropping? I woulda had you chucked out if it hadn't been for Phillona..."
Avatar grinned, "Head over heels over Sifan's angel, I see..."
"L-Leonhart's WHAT!?" Relafen cried, an utter look of anger and misery appearing on his face, "You're bullshitting me, Fenis! I know that..."
"Hey..." Avatar said calmly, "The way she walked out to -ahem- drink water...isn't it obvious, Sifan's the only one she cares about?"
"Can't be, Fenis..." Relafen replied, "It's been just a day...Precious Leonhart's a wuss when it comes to women anyway...Hell, no way...he coulda got her...in one day..."
"Sigh...Denial's not gonna get you anywhere kid..." Avatar continued, "You were at the dance, weren't you...?"
Relafen gulped. Sifan had snatched Phillona right under his nose. Moreover, when Relafen had walked back across the ballroom in hope of finding her alone, minutes later, he had found her dancing with Sifan, she was dancing much closer than he had expected. He had walked away, determined to catch up with her after the dance. Sighing, he looked up at a grinning Avatar.
"You don't have a chance with her...Relafen..." Avatar said applying salt to fresh wounds, "She ...-ahem-" he made a mock tone of Relafen's voice, "belongs to 'Precious Leonhart'..."
"No!" Relafen shouted, his dislike for Sifan in his chest burning like fire, "Leonhart can't take EVERYTHING, Fenis! Not everything..."
Avatar chuckled, "Why not, Relafen? Sifan's always took everything away from you. Back at garden...he had recognition, fame, fans, girls craving for him, instructors willing to take him up while you...sigh...you were just another brick in the wall..."
Relafen burned with fury, "And all...because..."
"...He was son of Squall Leonhart..." Avatar completed, and continued though his conscience was telling him he was going a bit too far "And then of course...Ultimecia's fallen knight, Seifer Almasy somehow managed to have a son who-"
Avatar didn't see Relafen's Gunblade coming, it caught him right across his cheek, sending him staggering backwards and clenching his cheek, blood oozing through his fingers. Avatar swiped out his katana, but before he could advance at Relafen, a dazzling white flash blinded him and when everything returned to its usual brightness, Avatar felt his heart stop with shock.
Relafen Almasy was curled on the ground, and near him stood the Fenis guardian, his foot on Relafen's chest and his sword raised over his head, ready to pin Relafen's heart to the metal floor of that airship.
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