Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Squresoft characters, ideas, ect, only the events that unfold before you.
Lost Hearts and Souls
Chapter 3: Playing in the Rain
As the young soldier ran out into the warm drizzling rain his mind was awash with confusion. Question upon question begging to be answered right now.
OK, Ok get a hold of yourself, one step at a time Strife. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his nerves. First I need to find some kind of weapon. He ran his left hand over his damp hair while scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. Black smoke rose into the air from the various coal refineries giving the city a menacing feel. Around the right side of Mustadio's house was a pile of wood from a disassembled wagon. Amongst the pile he found a long, hefty 2x4 with a rusty nail hammered through it near the end.
"Heh, perfect, firearms are for wimps" Across the street a lone thief watched him from the shadows. At first he thought the foreigner to be the perfect victim. Seeing the blond man grin with a slightly crazed gleam in his eyes quickly changed his mind.
Weapon in hand, he began wandering through the "machine city" until he reached the city gates. He didn't know exactly where he was headed but he continued on by instinct. Something was pulling him east, so east he went. "Please go there…" he turned her words over again in his mind. Zarg-something wasn't it?
As he traveled he was awed by the beauty of the landscape. The plant life seemed greener than he ever remembered it, and the creatures were certainly exotic. All of the towns had a very rustic feel, like something he'd seen in history books. For a time he thought maybe he was lost in an uncharted area of his world, but deep down he knew something far more disturbing had occurred.
On a particularly cool evening travel his suspicions were confirmed. He'd decided to make a fire due to the chilly wind cutting through his light uniform. The seasons are changing. How long has it been…? After gathering and arranging the necessary timber he raised his hand over the wood summoning fire as he had countless times in the past. As he sat down upon the cool grass it struck him; he didn't have a single materia on him. It's just not possible." Cloud bowed his head in deep thought, staring at his hand that called fire. The stranger's words echoed in his mind. "..some type of forwarding device…"
"It doesn't make any sense." Frustrated, he flopped onto his back with a sigh. He lifted his eyes to the stars comforted by the familiar constellations blanketing the sky. Alone, the blond warrior thought of his friends and teammates until his tired mind fell asleep.
The sun was just cresting over the horizon when Cloud's wanderings led him to a bustling trade city. Having earned a fair amount of gold from the monsters along his travels he decides to take sleep in a bed tonight and stock up on supplies. He takes a seat at the bar, and orders a drink from the bartender. The bartender slides the mug skillfully across the bar top. He stops it easily with his left hand. As he drinks he becomes lost in a sea of thoughts.
Something's familiar about the way they slid me that glass.. He looks up for the bartender, but doesn't see anyone.
Oh, well, the real question is where am I, and HOW did I get here? He though for the hundredth time, frowning into his glass. A burly man in leather armor with greasy brown hair swaggers up behind him.
"Lookey here at this Noble's funny clothes!" he says loudly. Aside from inwardly cringing at the man's breath Cloud ignores him and continues sipping his brew.
"What's the matter spiky? Cat got ya tongue?" Several of the inn's patrons in the bar stare, and some begin laughing.
"Get lost. " Not to be ignored the man grabs the back of Cloud's shirt. The frustrations of the blond man's ordeals finally boil over.
" That's IT!"
Cloud grabs the man's arm and flings him over the counter top into the wine shelf. There's a loud sound of glass shattering as the ruffian falls to the floor. Others take a run at Cloud, but end up just like the first or worse. Soon there is an all out bar fight ragging on. Cloud takes the opportunity to leave during the confusion.
"Damn idiots, I'd better get some protection." Having broken his trusty 2x4 in some monster's corpse a while back he decides to buy a sturdier weapon. He goes into the nearby weapons shop, and buys Diamond Armor. He notices a giant sword hanging on the wall.
" I want that one." he says pointing at the huge sword. The shopkeeper raises an eyebrow looking at Clouds light frame.
" THAT thing? Why the Buster Sword is very rare antique!"
"That's the one I want." he states matter of fact.
He buys the Buster sword, and practices with it. The shopkeeper is amazed that a man his size is able to hold it let alone USE it so well! Cloud strolls out of the door feeling a good deal better. He notices a girl with a flower basket singing the most beautiful song in the street. He stops and listens to her with his mouth hanging open.
Early one morning a flower girl walks through the peaceful town. Well it was peaceful after the noise from the tavern died down. She pulled her hood up to keep the wind from tossing her wavy brown locks around her face. She takes a dandelion from her basket and stares at it before remembering her reoccurring dream of a man with sea blue eyes. The dream seemed so real to her she couldn't help thinking there was something more to it. She sighs and begins to quietly sing her favorite song.
"Now here, I stand. Oh in the morning sunshine. Dreaming only of that Promised
Land. Somewhere they say, beyond the great horizon, lies a beautiful island.
Everyone says he longs at heart for Shangri-La, but that it's a nowhere land after all.
How I wonder why no one tries to sail out looking for a strange paradise!
In my dreams I've seen people there, exchanging words of love and care. In the
bright sunbeams they're dancing with the birds, and they're singing all day long
beside the streams. One day, some day you'll surely find me sailing away. For
the white beach of that promised land. "
When she finishes she notices a strange looking man in blue staring at her.
"Is my singing THAT bad?" Cloud snaps out of his trance when he realizes that she's talking to him.
" N, no it was ..beautiful." He stares at her, mouth agape, with his heart going a mile a minute. She looked so much like the girl he'd failed to protect, some bodyguard he turned out to be.
"What's the matter? Do I remind you of someone? " She folded her hands behind her back and leaned closer playfully.
"It's nothing." He turns away abruptly and leaves to the find an inn. He didn't want to start accosting every brown haired flower peddler in the street.
She watched the strange man leave then began to walk home when she revitalizes that he's the guy from her dreams. She's about to go after him when the local gang stops her.
Oh, I can't stand these jerks. The group starts to encircle her cutting off any chance of escape. The leader of the group, Grey, is a rather buff guy with jet-black hair and eyes. He strolls up to her looking her up and down with his beady eyes.
" I thought we told you not to sell anything in our neighborhood. Grey admires her body, practically raping her with his eyes.
" I guess it's time for you to pay up, heh. Other members begin leering, and calling out crude remarks.
"I'm only selling flowers.." she stated meekly
"Oh but there is a flower I do intend to take." He says in a low menacing voice. Her eyes widen as she realizes what his intentions are. He advances toward her, grabs her around the waist, and then tries to kiss her. Aeris struggled in his grasp. Help, someone please.. She sees his lips closing in on her, and shuts her eyes.
"Come to papa." Just as he's about to make contact a fist plants an upper cut square in his chin. He's knocked backwards a few feet and sits their stupefied.
How could SHE hit me like that? Ow, that's smarts. After the spinning stars fade he looks for Aeris, but sees a guy with Spiky blond hair glaring down at him.
"Keep your paws OFF of her!" he warned. One of the gang members shoves the girl to the ground, while the others draw their weapons. The sound of riders can be heard approaching.
"Cloud! " Ramza, Agrias, T.G Cid, and the rest of his army appear as Grey staggers to his feet.
" Attack them you idiots! "Ramza doesn't wait for the others to move. He focuses in on a female archer aiming her bow at him, and jumps.
" It's good to be a lancer! " he says to himself as he soars up high.
As an enemy knight engages Cloud a loud CRACK is heard. The knight uses an armor break technique to demolish his diamond armor.
" You bastard, that was brand new!" He feels his limit gauge start to rise. He decides to stay where he is and beat the crap out of this guy, not noticing the two wizards casting Bolt3s on him. Agrias and Cid team up to help save Cloud.
" Lightning Stab!" They call in unison as white-hot electricity shoots forth from their swords, and frying the unsuspecting wizards. Their bodies shake violently as the lightning pulses through them. Their bodies fall limp to the ground, and smoke rises from their tattered robes.
Meanwhile the female archer looks around for Ramza, realizing the charge +5 wasted." BANZAI!" he yells from above. Blood spatters his clothing as his spear cuts right through her.
The last thing the knight saw was his own reflection in the Buster Sword, before Cloud swatted him with the flat of his blade. The knight counters just before he falls to the ground. He slashes Cloud across the arm and blood begins to ooze down his upper arm.
Cloud wanted desperately to use his limit, but he couldn't quite get it mentally. The flower girl stared in shock at the fighting around her.
I just wish there was something I could do to help. She looked around and spotted a wooden rod propped against a nearby building. She put down her basket, and began practicing with it. After a moment she was spinning it like a pro.
"Well then… " She turned around to face the group leader.
" I'll get you now, you little bitch. " He stalked towards her spitting out a few of his teeth. She dodged just as he swung at her, grazing her cloak. His head still hurt from earlier, and he lost his balance after his swing. The young woman spun her rod for momentum, then hit him with across his shoulder causing a whacking sound. She jumped up and down very pleased with herself.
Growling he lunged at her, but Agrias used Holy Explosion which almost and finished him off. She saw him coming and picked up a rock.
" I hate to do this but.." She hit him right in the side of his head. His eyes rolled up and he stayed on the ground this time. After seeing their leader beaten, the remaining group members scatter down the back alleys.
" Very well executed!" Ramza ginned at her.
" Thanks. " She said weakly. She could still feel her heart pounding rapidly.
" Are you ok?" Cloud looked her over carefully, aside being a bit disheveled she seemed all right.
" Yes fine, thanks to you guys! " T.G Cid walked up to her and bowed with a sweep of his brown cloak.
" Not a problem my lady. What is your name?" he asked, taking her hand. A bit melodramatic isn't he? She thought smiling all the same.
" My name is Aeris, pleased to me you. " Cloud didn't hear the sound of his heavy blade hitting the street.
" Aeris...Aeris! It really IS you!"
A/N: Music really influences the mood of my writing and since I always envision Aeris singing that song I just couldn't help myself. The song Aeris sings is from the Final Fantasy Pray CD.
Tiffany Hartline