Author's Note: A little on the surreal side...hope it's not too weird... Thanks to those who are keeping up with this crazy story...
Chapter 14 – Whence I See
Vincent walked along angrily, his metallic boots actually daring to make a noise with each step. His eyes were absolutely flaming. He could feel the prickle of the others in the back of his mind.
Not far away enough. Not here.
We need it...you can't hold us back.
A pain seared through his head, causing him to bend over, stopping his flight. He choked back his voice, trying desperately to move onward. His human arm felt clammy, cold, and had a grayish hue. A burning sensation trickled up his spine.
No! Stay back!
This is the exchange for your anger. Give it up.
"You're a liar!"
The feminine shout nearly sent him over the edge. He did not know where it came from, but he had a good idea who it was. Another wave of pain shot through him, bringing him to his knees.
If you take over, promise to be useful. She is in trouble, we must help.
A maiden wandered into the dark wood...
Then I will resist. Don't think I can't.
But before he could hear the retort, he felt the wings...and he hoped that his plea would go answered.
...She saw the flash of metal bones, and a lilting eternity.
Chaos lifted his head upwards, sniffing into the wind; he smiled hungrily when he could sense the source. He jumped off the ground, hastily taking flight. He was not even fully transformed physically, and this annoyed him.
Her hair splayed out like raven wings, her gossamer torn and faded.
He followed the scent, the flesh becoming clearer in his mind, and soon he could smell the emotions, and the wonderful side effects they entail.
What was it like to tear the petals? Do flowers feel pain?
The metallic odor lent no information, however. But soon there would be no need for olfactory probing.
He saw them.
When man made gods to control history, did they hear her scream?
Tiveph looked up at the oncoming demon, and something in his shoulder hissed. The multicolored lights from his torso converged and then shifted into a deep red, pulsing in variations of the hue. The reflection of the light in Tifa's eyes looked like blood.
Every demon was once a man, and every man his lover's tool.
His left arm started to reshape, the luminescent blade lengthening and thinning, and splitting at the ends into three prongs. It was a ghastly weapon once it took its final form, like a thrice forked snake tongue. He thrust it into the air at the demon, whose wings were brushing the stray hairs on Tifa's head. She dared not take her eyes from the machine in front of her.
No wanton valkyrie, no Amazon of old...they are but tatters of lace in the wind.
Chaos screeched; avoiding the slash of the blade. A scrape of metal on metal resounded, accompanied with a flash of brown hair swaying with the rhythm of a dancer. Her breath labored, for no invention of flesh could compare with the unholy perfection of metal. Her eye flashed to her glove, the orbs glowing in false colors, stained by the red light.
Voice! Glean the heart from the mind! Leave no warrior standing 'twixt the cries!
The brilliant blue mixed with the red, tingeing the unanticipated arena a violent amethyst. Chaos narrowly missed the bolt, feeling the electric tingle on his skin. He clawed through the air, tearing teeth into wire. Soon, the crimson claimed her vision again, and she doubled over, a strange shudder overtaking her body.
Whence I see you... no longer behind your mask of pretense...I will strike.
Chaos crumpled his wings, hastily heading into the ground. Faint human features coexisted with the demonic grimace. The ever searing red eyes opened wide, and a trickle of blood dribbled on a long dark lash. But the viper had not yet been charmed into its basket.
React. Then think.
His hand reached his side, pulling the shotgun free from its bonds. Hands worked automatically, and senses picked out the target...but humanity hesitated.
What IS that?
Then he saw Tifa, shivering on the ground, holding a Bolt materia in her trembling fingers. There was no time for thinking, and the sound of three shots echoed in the air. His aim was at its head, and he never misses.
This is not human...maybe not even alive. That should have killed it.
"Your left hand is beautiful," it said, the euphonic voice of an archangel. Vincent leapt up, finally standing at his full height. It was nearly a foot taller than him. It had half a mask on, almost, one side smooth and polished dark...the other a mess of blinking lights and gears. He aimed at the latter side.
"Die," Vincent replied, looking down the barrel of the gun, a wave of deadly anticipation creeping up his arm. Tiveph chuckled with an innocent sounding amusement.
"Too bad the Fallen always has to be replaced the most," he said, placing his palms together, a strange ripple emanating in the air from their union, "You meddle far too much to remain useful."
"And what of the Exulted?" a familiar voice said, a low hum of finely tempered metal as accompaniment. Tiveph whirled around, only to experience his head being severed by the Masamune.
Umm...short. Sorry. I didn't want to drag it out too much. Now you can understand why Tifa and Vincent trust Sephiroth...he kinda has good timing.