Author's Notes: This story will be shorter than I first intended. I won't have a chance to update anytime soon, so deal with it. I hope to finish this soon and leave it as a short story, as there are other FF7 related things I would like to do. For example, I have another Reno song-fic in mind… This one would be about the first time Reno got REALLY drunk, and it's gonna be good. I also want to go in depth into the life of my favorite FF7 male… No, not Sephiroth or Reno or Rude. I mean Reeve! Yes! Yayness!

Blodughadda: It is slightly AU… In the end. You need to be patient. God, why do I put up with people like you?

Whatevergirl: I swear, you stalk me almost as much as my two top girls… Are you following me? Oh well. I'm sure you'll love the chapter hun.

Hana: It is simple hun. I love Reeve, not Tseng. So that is the way of things.

Chapter 5: The Chosen One

Renonalte

"Reno? Lord Reno, get UP!" Tseng growled and shook me violently, an attempt to wake me. "Awaken Reno, it is TIME. Tailye is already here!"

The name of our fellow conspirator instantly roused me. Quickly I noticed the blood on my body and bed, as well as the absence of Rude's strong, warm arms around my waist. This could only mean one thing. I quickly remove myself from the bed and rush to the bathing room. Once most of the blood had been removed from my body and wings I returned to the main room, ignoring the efforts of Tseng to get me to eat. Things have greatly changed since the day almost half a year ago when Rude told Rufus and me the total truth. Since then I have perfected my plans with Rufus's help, and have come far closer to the one I love.

"It he in much pain?" I ask as I come up behind Tailye and Rufus.

"No, he is sedated," Rufus said, probably holding him under by way of a powerful spell.

Tailye did not even turn to address me as she repeated her actions of a year ago, anointing Rude's wings with sacred pains and sealing it with spells. Yet this time the wings would not be cut and Rude would step up to his place in the world. Yet it was a painful idea that Rude would step up to High Priest, for continuing our relationship would be impossible. You see, not long after Rude told us his heritage we became an item of sorts, enough of one to be sleeping together that is. I honestly have no clue about his feelings for me, but I know I am in love.

"Prince Renonalte?" Tailye said, looking from Rufus and his spells to Tseng who was helping her, and finally to me. "You must protect him Renon."

"I intend to," I said softly.

"He is the Chosen One, Reno," she whispered before returning to her labors to aide her little brother.

The Chosen One, as much a legend amongst our people as it was in any other. Over the years many prophets and seeresses told of a great Priest that would come and lead us to a glorious era of peace. If Rudelynth is truly the Chosen One, then he will never be mine. Legend says he is meant only for the final ruler of our people. He would live on as long as our people's world survived. It's hard to think of him having to be alone again, and for so long, but I know I must find a way to move on.

"Father, we must speak of an urgent matter," I accosted the King in the halls of the palace. I knew him well enough to know he always went to the High Priest at this time.

"Why, of course Reno," he said as he looked at me in confusion. I can only imagine the look one my face, for I've just half-run, half-glided here to the High Temple from my room in the tower on the other side of the palace.

"Come with me, m'lord. It is something you must see…"

It took us less time to reach Rude than I'd expected, for while I was searching out my father Tseng and Tailye and Rufus had been moving Rude to Rufus's room on this floor. Before we began the ascent to the tower, Rufus poked his head out of his room and calls us over. My father seems rather confused, but follows me and Rufus into the room.

"Renonalte, Rufus, what is this about…" the King began but trailed off when his eyes met those of Rudelynth. The large 'guard' had a new rob on, one brought to him by Tailye, made expressly for him. Now the Priestess was affixing whole gems and wires of silver to the wings, symbols of the great office.

"By Cytle!" the King choked out hoarsely.

Rude stood and began to bow, but only until Tailye placed a hand on his shoulder, "You bow to none but the Gods."

"Father," I began, "Hhojyodeymga has been hiding his successor in plain sight!"

"Renonalte, would you lie to your father about such a matter?" he demanded of me.

A look of anger passed through Rude's eyes and he moved to my side, "Reno would never lie, how dare you accuse him of such!"

My father took a long hard look at Rudelynth and frowned, "I have always suspected you could talk, and that Hhojyodeymga was up to something, but this crime is the worst he could have committed… You are sure that this Rudelynth is truly a Priest?"

"He has been since birth m'lord," Tailye said, bowing to him, "My little Rune is the blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh. When we were young Hhojyo betrayed my brother and it is time to right the wrong."

"Priestesses do not lie," I said softly to my father.

He looked around and sighed, "Yes, I am sure you give me the truth. Come, Lord Rudelynth, my Prince Renonalte, Lady Tailye, Lord Rufus… Come all of you. We must speak of the future…"