So go on and scream, scream at me - I'm so far away. I won't be broken again.
Going Under - Evanescence-----
He watched as the girl fled from him; watched as she scrambled up the stairs. She had incited in him a fury he had not felt in ages, and he was going to indulge it. The guards, alert to his presence, were shouting their alarm, and he moved in an intricate dance of death through them. When they had fallen silent, he climbed the stairs slowly, purposefully, to stand once again in the full light of day.There she was, and at the sight of her his hand clenched around the grip of the masamune. She was with Strife, being held in his arms, and the rush of possessive fury that raced through him was strong enough that he momentarily lost his breath. He took one step forwards; when he was through with Strife she would fully and completely understand what he was ... at that moment Strife whirled to face the ranks of Shinra officers who had discovered the strangers in their midst. He watched as the girl hesitantly backed away, and a thought crossed his mind. One of her friends, the other woman, was down in the hold. Perhaps he would start with her ...
Smiling, he descended again.-----
"Sephiroth." Cloud repeated grimly, pulling away and scanning the area. "Where?""Down there," Aerith said wildly. Cloud's entire countenance became solemn; determined, as he unstrapped from his back his sword. She tightened her grasp on his arm suddenly, frightened not only for herself but for her friends as well. He glanced at her, and his expression softened at her open panic. He said then, gently, "I won't let him hurt you again, Aerith."
"Cloud," She said, not releasing him. They could all leave; they could abandon ship and leave Sephiroth here ...What makes you think, asked a small part of her mind not clouded by apprehension and concern, that he will not follow?
"It will be okay, Aerith. I promise." Cloud's hand closed over her own, prying her fingers from his arm. She could see his own nervousness, his own fear, trickling into the blue depths of his eyes, though he was trying valiantly not to show it. Cloud was no fool; he knew exactly what he was up against in Sephiroth. Still he would stride forth to meet the once General of Shinra, would willingly engage him in hopeless combat.He would do it for her.
She was shaking her head now, frantically. She could not let him do this, for she knew better than he exactly what Sephiroth was capable of. She had seen it; had taken care to remember it all. She clutched his arm again and opened her mouth to speak, just as a cry went up behind them, towards the helm. They both turned as one, to find Shinra officers racing towards them, weapons drawn. They had been discovered. Cloud faced them with a growl; joining him a minute later was Red, his uniform discarded, hackles raised. Barret appeared a moment later. Together they faced the oncoming horde with grim assurance.As the battle was joined, Aerith made her decision. Her panic faded away; numbness rushed in. Seeing her friends like this, so full of life, so determined ... there was no other choice for her to make. She backed away from the fray, one slow step at a time, before turning and walking to the stairs. She stood there a moment, gazing into the shadowed depths of the level below. She could see nothing; heard nothing. Her eyes went back to her friends, to Cloud. He was in profile, moving with skilled practice through the ranks of the enemy. She took a deep, calming breath, and descended the stairs.
There was blood at the bottom, as she had expected. Pieces of what had once been the guardsmen littered the floor, and Aerith swallowed thickly as she stepped off the stairs and into a large, unavoidable crimson pool. She paused for only a moment, looking around but studiously avoiding the carnage. As far as she could see, there was no one here. Carefully, slowly, she waded through the blood until she stood again on dry ground. She made her way hesitantly, heart pounding so loudly that she was sure it could be heard above deck. Sounds of combat filtered down, letting her know that her friends were still occupied. She turned then, looking back the way she came. Her own bloody footsteps were all that she could see. Struggling to keep her breathing even and calm she turned to face the rear of the ship."Aerith," A quiet whimper.
She closed her eyes then, in resignation so very bitter. Before her stood Sephiroth, and before him, kneeling with his blade at her throat, was Tifa. When she opened them again, he was watching her, smiling."Let her go." She said quietly.
"Why?" He asked, baiting her."Please." She whispered. He sneered, raising the gloved fist not holding his blade. He held a handful of Tifa's hair, and at his movement her head wrenched back sharply. She made a small sound, and he chuckled.
"I would rather," he said in that tone she knew so well, "kill her. And everyone of her friends. And then I could deal with Strife ..."She couldn't help the way she reacted to Cloud's name, or his threat. He saw this, and his sneer became ugly. "I could kill him while you watch ..." He pulled again on Tifa's hair, stretching her neck taut against the blade. Aerith could see the furious pounding of her pulse from where she stood. She knew very well that he was infuriated, and that this fury was different from any of the other anger he had ever displayed around her. He would kill, and he would enjoy making her suffer through it. How was she to stop him?
"Please ... Sephiroth, please." She said again, her voice emitting a calmness she herself did not feel. "Please, let her go.""I ask you again ... why?"
Whatever softness; whatever human attributes she had ever seen in the luminosity of his eyes was gone, replaced with a hard, unfeeling shell. This was Sephiroth, Son of Jenova, utterly ruthless and totally in control. This was the aspect of him she had never wanted to encounter, knowing all the while it was inevitable. He would take everything she had without a second thought ..."Take me," she said, "and leave her behind. Leave them all behind."
He made a derisive noise, and the masamune trembled minutely from where it graced Tifa's neck. "You will come with me; there is no doubt of that." He fell silent, his hand idly tugging at the mass of Tifa's hair. Tears of pain and fear were streaming down Tifa's face, and yet as she gazed at Aerith she made no outward sound. It was as if he were considering her words, considering whether or not to let this insignificant slip of a girl live ... He released her hair suddenly, and with one booted foot propelled her forwards so that she fell face down to the cold floor. He sliced the air above her, soundlessly and with great ease, with his massive blade; his eyes were on Aerith, watching her reaction. Tifa scrabbled away from him, towards her friend who knelt and gathered her in her arms."Aerith," Tifa gasped, gripping her arms tightly, "You can't. You can't go with him!"
"I will be alright, Tifa." Aerith replied in a voice completely devoid of emotion. Her arms, enfolding Tifa, were shaking violently, and for one split second Tifa could see her stark abject terror and the harsh acceptance in the cracked depths of her eyes. But then they were gone, and Aerith was gently but firmly pushing her away. Tifa grasped the leg of Aerith's uniform. "No, Aerith!"Aerith was focused solely on Sephiroth. He had watched their exchange without expression, wordlessly, and when Aerith had rose to her feet the small smile that crossed his face was triumphant and malevolent. He extended one long arm, and held out his hand palm up. "Come."
Tifa did not miss the solitary tear that traced its way, glittering, down Aerith's pale face, and neither did Sephiroth. With slow, faltering steps Aerith made her way forwards, stopping inches away. She did not look at him. He made a sound; his hand shot forwards and grasped her by the collar. Hauling her forwards he pressed his lips to her in a brutal, arrogant kiss; it was a cruel and cold gesture. When he broke away he met her eyes, finding himself mirrored in their reflective surface. He laughed then, maliciously, and spoke then to the girl on the floor."Tell Strife," he said with a malevolent smirk, "that I will take good care of her."
"Aerith ..." Tifa breathed in dismay.Sephiroth sheathed his masamune and gathered Aerith in his arms all in one movement. There was a sound of metal being rent; high pitched and screeching, and the wall behind Sephiroth peeled away from the frame of the hull. The light of day washed in to bathe them all. Sephiroth gave Tifa a mocking bow, turned, and walked to the opening.
Aerith's gaze, over his shoulder, met Tifa's. In it was a wordless apology, and a plea for acceptance.And then they were gone.