Chapter XXV:

Visions

"I have never met a talking Chocobo before," Sephiroth confessed. Emer was running quickly through the forest, forcing her rider to struggle to keep a hold of both the bird's blue-feathered neck and Bergljot's limp form.

"Can't… talk… must… run…" she panted. They rode in silence for a few more minutes before Emer finally slowed down. "Almost there. I can talk now."

"As I said, I've never-" Sephiroth was cut off by a mournful howl in the distance. "What was that?"

"I don't know," Emer squawked, moving in an agitated way. The noise was gone almost as suddenly as it had come. "Whatever it was, I don't like it."

"Me neither. Let's get to your camp soon."

Emer began to run again, but she went slower to avoid attention. Whatever made the noise, it was now long gone. A spring shower soon began to pour. They arrived soaking wet at the cave long before the others.

"Thank you," Sephiroth said graciously as he gently laid Bergljot on the ground.

"No problem, man. My name is Emer. What's yours?"

"Sephiroth. This woman's name is Bergljot."

"Why are you guys here?"

"This woman is all that stands in the way of darkness. If she fails in her mission to free the worlds, we will all die," he explained solemnly. "A man named Ansem tried to destroy all worlds over one thousand years ago. He was destroyed by a boy named Sora, but he has been revived and has set the Heartless back into the universe."

"Heartless? What the crap are those?" Emer asked, fluffing her feathers and settling down.

"They are creatures born from darkness in people's hearts. That's why we don't know why they are here. They tend to feed on people more than animals."

"We haven't seen any here. You think that the thing we heard was one?"

"I don't know. Honestly, I just turned to the hero's side. For the past one thousand years, I have been one of the evilest sons of bitches one could ever hope not to meet."

"What do you mean?"

"My past…" Sephiroth sighed, leaning against the entrance to the cave and staring at the raindrops. "… it is a long, long story that I do not wish to relive."

They remained in their places for several more minutes when another scream brought chills down there spines. This one, however, was more terrifying, for they knew who it was, but not why.

"SEPHIROTH, DON'T DO IT!" Bergljot sat up and screeched suddenly. "DON'T DO IT! IT'S NOT WORTH YOUR LIFE! STOP!"

"Bergljot! Bergljot, wake up!" Sephiroth snapped, running over and shaking her shoulders. Her eyes were still tightly shut.

"NO! YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIE! STOP! DON'T SUMMON!"

"Wake up!" Sephiroth yelled. Bergljot stopped screaming and opened her eyes. She looked around blearily, taking a moment to realize who was in front of her. Bergljot abruptly burst into tears and buried her face in Sephiroth's shoulder.

"Oh, my god… thank god it was a dream. I was so scared. Oh, shit…" she sobbed. Sephiroth held her shakily.

"What was it? What did you see?" he asked. He never got an answer; she closed her eyes and promptly fell asleep in his arms.

"What the crap was that about?" Emer inquired, watching as Sephiroth carefully laid her back down. He only shook his head and stroked her face. He brushed his fingers gently over the scar left by Angra Mainyu, almost a year ago now, before Sephiroth became a hero.

"Bergljot? Sephiroth? Are you okay?" Anselm called. He and the others charged into the cave. "Is she okay?"

"She was having a nightmare," Sephiroth said simply. He stood and walked to the entrance. He said nothing more.

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

-My child… you have come far.-

"Who are you?"

Bergljot kneels before a short woman in a brown cotton robe. She seems to be very, very old.

-I am the all-knowing eye. Ask me anything, and I will answer.-

"Where are you?"

-I am on the planet Omolara.-

"When will we meet?"

-You still have a ways to go. You have many worlds to visit.-

"Please tell me something. My friend, Sephiroth, mentioned a world called Ruya. What is there?"

-Alas, poor Sephiroth. He lost a beloved one long, long ago. He has not told you of him. Sephiroth still mourns his loss. It seems that your foe has found out about this person. Unfortunately, you are not meant to know any more than this at the time.-

"I understand. When will we learn more?"

-Be patient. You will learn soon enough.-

"Thank you."

-Be warned, young light princess: there is a traitor in your midst. Keep your eyes open. You have met this person only recently, and he has ill feelings towards one specific person in your group. Beware, young one. I hope you will rid yourselves of him before it is too late.-

"Who?"

-That is for you to find out.-

"Don't you know when?"

-Not exactly. I see the choices, and then I am able to see only what may happen if each is chosen. I know not which is the definite outcome. Now, go. Your friends are very worried…-

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

"Are you okay?" Anselm asked as Bergljot sat up slowly.

"Yeah, fine. Why?"

"Sephiroth said you had a nightmare that he died," Raj explained. Sephiroth left the cave angrily at those words.

"Oh, that…" she said softly. "Never mind that, I'm fine now."

"Bergljot…"Gwandoya began.

"No, it's fine."

"What's his problem?" Raj muttered. He pointed in the direction the one-winged angel went. "Sephiroth. He doesn't like anyone, does he?"

"He's led a lonely life," Gwandoya whispered. "He has no family. The woman he wanted to wed died before they could, and he had to kill his last love only recently. He's an angry man. Would you like a lot of people if you had a life like that?"

Raj was silent. Cernunnos laid some wood on the ground, Lycou lighting it with the flame on his tail. They sat around, drying and waiting for Sephiroth. He didn't come back for several more minutes. When he did, he was shivering and soaking wet, even with the thick leather on. He gazed longingly at the flames.

"Sephiroth come sit by fire," Cernunnos invited. Lycou looked up and emitted a low growl as Sephiroth began to sit by him.

"The cub of Red XIII," Sephiroth muttered. "Your ancestor was strong. I see that he passed on his hate for me to his descendants."

"His name was Nanaki. He was given the name Red XIII by your scientists," Lycou exclaimed angrily. He stood and curled up on the other side of the cave. He didn't return to the warmth of the flame, but he kept a close eye on Sephiroth.

"What happen between Sephiroth and Nanaki?" Cernunnos asked. Emer answered.

"His past… it is a long, long story that he does not wish to relive," she imitated. The rest of the group laughed weakly, but not Sephiroth. In one swift movement, he leapt over the fire at the bird and grabbed her by the throat.

"Do NOT push it, Chocobo! One more little crack like that and we're having roast bird for dinner!" he snapped.

"Leave her be!" Lycou growled, running up to them and baring his teeth threateningly.

"Very well. I apologize," Sephiroth angrily muttered. He nearly threw her aside and stormed to the back of the cave. He hid himself with his wing and didn't move. He seemed to be asleep, so they left him alone.

"Cernunnos, I couldn't help noticing that the horn on your head is broken," Bergljot said, trying to engage everyone in conversation. "What happened?"

"Ronso people usually have horns on head. Larger the horn, stronger Ronso is. Kimahri Ronso, ancestor of Cernunnos, have horn broken off while a pup. Kimahri fight with Biran Ronso and suffer defeat. Kimahri refuse to accept loss, and so Biran break Kimahri horn in anger. Kimahri flee in shame from Mount Gagazet, home of the Ronso when Spira still one world. Later, Kimahri become guardian of Summoner Yuna, the-"

"-last Summoner to destroy Sin?" Anselm finished. "We've been to the world of the Guado already."

"Guado still live in Guadosalam?"

"Actually, it's called Ogden now, but yes," Gwandoya explained.

"Cernunnos understand. Kimahri become hero when Eternal Calm come. For next two year, Kimahri try to stop Ronso from killing Guado after ruler Seymour kill many Ronso while search for Yuna. With help of Lady Yuna, Kimahri succeed. Since then, Kimahri descendants break horn in memory of strong ancestor.

"Cernunnos have food. Friends eat well," Cernunnos said finally. He went to their stash of food and presented two slain creatures that resembled deer. The light bringers held the meat over the fire, refusing to touch the bloody mess.

"Why do men cook food? Maral meat taste better raw," Cernunnos said, shoving a piece of raw leg into his mouth. Raj promptly left the cave, retching sounds clearly audible. When he came back in, not even the creatures felt like eating much. They spread throughout the cave and slept.

"You know what?" Anselm announced as the others prepared to sleep. "I'm going to bring the ship over here. We're pretty far, and I don't want us to lose time getting back to it."

"I will accompany you," Lycou offered. Bergljot objected.

"Please, take Cernunnos or Emer with you," Bergljot said to Anselm quietly.

"Why?" Anselm shrugged. Bergljot told him that she had dreamed about a traitor who disliked one of their number, but she didn't know who. She suspected Lycou and Sephiroth, as Nanaki had issues with the man. "Hon, I promise, if anything happens, I can take care of myself."

He and Lycou left as the others settled in. Only two hours later, while everyone else slept on, Raj was walking quietly towards Sephiroth's body.

"What do you want?" he muttered as Raj tapped his shoulder.

"I was going to ask if you want to be closer to the fire," Raj explained.

"No," was the prompt reply. Sephiroth rolled over to face the young prince. "And I will not be accepting any other offers of yours, thank you very much."

"I know that you know," Raj whispered.

"And what is it that I know?"

"You know what I'm talking about. It won't be long before you'll be rid of me. Not long at all. I almost have all that I need. But then," Raj smiled. "You won't remember this conversation tomorrow. And you're not going to tell Bergljot."

"Huh?"

"You're going to die, Sephiroth. You know that what she dreamed will come true before this is over. Why not come to my side and rid yourself of the pain you know will come if you stay with them?" Raj began persuading him. The only thing he got was Sephiroth's spit in his eyes. "Ah!"

"I would rather die trying to make amends for my past deeds than die alongside evil."

"You disappoint me, Sephiroth."

"I wa-URGH!" Sephiroth yelled, but his scream was muffled by the cloth over his face. Whatever Raj had put on the cloth, it knocked Sephiroth unconscious almost immediately. As the air around him went black, Sephiroth muttered, "Traitor."

"Let's just wait and see who betrays who, shall we?" Raj whispered to the still body. He approached Bergljot, the twins curled up in her arms. He grinned menacingly.

NINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

"Urgh…" Sephiroth moaned. Someone was shaking his shoulder.

"Sephiroth, get up!" Bergljot snapped. He opened his eyes and looked around.

"What time is it?" he asked. Everyone else was running around, looking for something. Bergljot's eyes were slightly red and she seemed to be in a panic.

"Never mind that. Did Raj talk to you last night after we went to bed?"

"Hmm… maybe," Sephiroth muttered. His mind was foggy from the knockout gas. "I can't remember. Why?"

"Raj is gone. Gemini and Genesis are missing, too. Cernunnos says that they might have been carried off in the night by some forest creature. It happens to Ronso all the time, he said. We think Raj might have gone to retrieve them. Sephiroth, I know you don't like him much, but I must find my children. We're leaving in a few minutes to find him and the Keyhole. Would you stay with Emer in case he or Anselm get back?"

"Anselm?"

"He didn't come back last night. Sephiroth, please?" she begged. Her friend nodded.

"Who comes to cave?" Cernunnos howled suddenly. They heard the roaring of engines outside. They cut off, and Anselm, Lycou, and a blonde woman were walking in.

"Hey, Bergljot!" the girl yelled.

"Alpha? What are you doing here?" Bergljot exclaimed. Alpha ran up and hugged her.

"Father sent me to give you something for your ship. Here," Alpha smiled. She held out a small block. "It's a warp block. If you'll let me install it, you can go back to a world almost instantly whenever you want! But, it only works for worlds you've been to."

"Thanks," Bergljot muttered. When Alpha asked what was wrong, Bergljot explained quickly. "I want my children back."

"As for the Keyhole, we can use the ships to look for it. This man you found… his name was Raj, king of Disney Castle, right?"

"Yes."

"Shit. We're in deep trouble," Alpha sighed. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.

"Why?" Gwandoya asked. Alpha looked around at the faces staring at her.

"Amazing that he could be king of a world that no longer exists."

"WHAT?" the entire cave cried.

"Five hundred and forty-two years ago, the prince of Disney Castle began to see what Ansem was talking about with darkness, and decided to research where his body was so he could bring him back and help. He became corrupt. Darkness took over. The descendants of Donald and Goofy tried to stop him. I don't know what happened. All I know is that they turned the entire world against him. Rather than be killed by his subjects, the prince summoned a terrible monster to destroy them all. Your descendants," she looked at Gwandoya and Anselm, "managed to escape with a few small groups of people. No one knew where they went. The grandchildren of Riku, Sora, Kairi, even my ancestors and those of the people on Itziar all tried to contact them, but to no prevail. My ancestors left Itziar to see what happened to the planet. Do you know what they found?"

"Um… Bob?" Emer squawked. Everyone gave her a dirty look. "Well, sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood. Gosh."

"The world was gone. Not one stone was left. Another ship was there. The people on board had been there when the world ended, having barely escape in time. They didn't know where the survivors went, either, but they helped my great-grandfather record the story," Alpha finished. "He and his crew went to Drummond to tell the king of light. Granddaddy never went back to Itziar. A few of years later, Sora's descendants stepped down from the throne. The monarchy fell to a democracy, and it has been that way for the past five hundred years. It was decided that the history of Sora and the Heartless wars would never be told."

"What was the prince's name?" Gwandoya asked, although he and the rest of his friends thought they knew the answer. Alpha sighed. She didn't look at them when she answered.

"His name was Raj."NINJAMAGEGAMAJNINNINJAMAGEGAMAJNINNINJAMAGEGAMAJNIN

Me: I'm sad.

Kadaj: Why?

Me: I only got one review for the last chapter…

Lulu: Oh, boohoo. Maybe if you update more often, you'll get more readers and reviews.

Me: Yeah? Well, who's the one that got TWO stories posted on a website? Huh? HUH??

Lulu: ((shuts up))

Me: Yep, this and 'Love of an Angel' have had links posted onanother site. Unfortunately, this won't let me post the site here. I'll try to put it in my bio. It's a pretty neat site, dedicated to the true Keyblade master, Riku. It's still being set up, though.

Squall: How about you go onto reviews instead of bragging?

Me: Is that a stab at my only getting one review?

Squall: Never mind… ((leaves))

Me: …

Kadaj: …

Me: ...

Kadaj: …

Me: …

Kadaj: …

Me: I already replied to that review!

Kadaj: In that case, I better warn Loz and Yazoo.

Me: Eh?

Kadaj: They're right outside. I don't want them getting captured, too.

Me: ((grins))

Kadaj: Oh, no… ((runs))

Me: ((knocks Kadaj out of the way)) Here, clonies-clonies-clonies…

NINJA MAGE

PS: REVIEW, PEOPLE!!! (Although, you might want to wait until the review feature is back up. Down Sunday-Tuesday if ya don't know.)