She will feel the pain I feel…
Vincent had taken Tifa down into the basement with him, leading her into the darkness of his sleeping chamber where his ghastly coffin awaited.
She will feel the guilt I feel…
Tifa watched as the pale, cloaked Vincent swept her towards the coffin. Suddenly, she was enveloped in a nervous fear.
"Vincent… what are we doing?" she asked slowly, turning to face him and letting his hand go. He was so cold…
Vincent is not here… sweet dear one…
She will feel the cold I feel…
"Vincent?" she called, reaching to touch his shoulder and then his neck. He wasn't responding and that sent an eerie chill through Tifa's tensing body. His eyes swept closed and she could hear him breathing harsh, ragged breaths.
Oh god no… no…
Consume her spirit!
No… no, no, no… not Chaos!
Tifa blinked and brought back her hand. Her heart was pounding in her chest as waves of fear washed over her. She felt the color drain from her face as she recognized Vincent's demon being unleashed.
"Vincent!" she screamed, throwing herself backwards and against the wall.
He stood perfectly still except for the occasional choked breaths he took. Tifa was pleading for him to calm down, begging him to stop all this. Yet inside, she knew it would do no good… Vincent was gone.
At that moment, Chaos burst forth furiously, making Tifa sink to her knees and cover her face as frightful tears came streaming down her cheeks. She kept her eyes tightly shut, reluctant to see what stood before her instead of Vincent.
She trembles in your presence… she cowers…
I will break her…
Chaos took a step towards Tifa's cornered form, his eyes glancing over her drooping shoulders. A few more steps closer and he was grasping her by the back of the neck with one hand, pulling her to her feet. She protested immediately, swinging her fists wildly but missing each time. Tifa whimpered in defeat, awaiting the pain.
What am I doing!
The pain never came as she expected, but instead Tifa felt Chaos's cold grip slowly release her neck. She dropped to the floor with a frantic sob of relief, all the adrenaline in her body seeping away.
Tifa! Don't cry… it wasn't me…!
You could've destroyed her… You could've spent all your pent up sadness on the destruction of her…
No! She's the only one that has cared! I can't destroy her!
Finish her now… while she's lying prone to your claws!
I won't!
Chaos growled deeply, making Tifa yelp and scramble back against the wall again. But something seemed different as he crouched low and shuddered. She watched him melt away and become Vincent again with tear filled eyes.
As the transformation completed, Vincent sighed gently, as if in satisfaction, and collapsed on to the floor. He seemed to be unconscious for a few minutes, his breathing subdued and calm. But then he stirred and was rising to his feet, his hand going to his forehead.
"Damn," he muttered, shocked at what had just happened.
Tifa was still huddled in the corner, wide-eyed and silent. It pained him to see her so scared of his presence.
"W…what happened?" she asked finally, her voice a soft whisper.
Vincent shook his head and sighed, feeling guilt build up inside.
"I became possessed… please… forgive me if you can. I meant for no harm to ever come to you," he spoke sincerely and gently, making no move to come towards her.
Her dark eyes blinked a few times before she rose up to her feet, leaning against the wall for support. Clearly she had been traumatized.
It was then that Vincent moved swiftly to her, gracefully picking her up off the floor and into his strong arms. Her heart melted at this act of tenderness and she snuggled in to him, wanting desperately to cry. He held her there, content to feel her warmth against his body.
"Oh Vincent!" she sobbed, clinging to his cloak and burying her face into his chest.
"It's all okay now, Tifa. I am myself," he reassured her softly, hating himself for what he had put her through.
The entire night had been one complicated mess that neither Vincent nor Tifa could understand. She had come to him as the sun had set; hoping to cheer him up, but she had only intensified his emotions. She had taken care of him when he had blacked out, she had tried to comfort him; but he had lost control once and ended up hurting her and then he had lost control a second time and had frightened her so badly that she couldn't stand on her own.
"I'm so sorry…" he whispered to her, hoping that her tears would cease.
Her head lifted and Vincent could see her eyes gaze into his. It was as if he had known those eyes of hers much longer than he truly did.
"Do you want me to leave now?" she asked sadly, breaking their eye contact.
She cares…she's not scared of me… she sees who I really am…
No words came to his mind as he continued to look at her face, still holding her like a child.
"Vincent?" she asked again, noticing his thoughts wander off.
He snapped back to the present and gave her a weak smile, even though it was hidden behind his cloak.
"No… stay…" he replied dreamily.