So grow, libido throw dominoes of indiscretions down - falling all around in cycles, in circles; constantly consuming, conquer and devour.
The Hollow - A Perfect Circle-----
"Aerith."She awoke with a start, the sound of her name echoing forth from the remnants of her dream. Her eyes opened and focused on the visage of Sephiroth, crouched over her, looking pale and insubstantial in the grey light of the overcast dawn. His torso was bare but for the wide leather strap of his scabbard crossing his chest. She sat up with a murmur, disoriented and still very tired.
"Good morning," he said quietly.Brushing a hand over her eyes, she nodded in response. He hadn't moved and was watching her with barely concealed agitation. As she began to gather up his coat he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"Aerith," he said again, and there was something different in his voice, something intense that made her raise her eyes to his own. His expression was serious, almost grim, and his gaze carried concern and something akin to ... uncertainty? He didn't speak for long moments, studying her, his fingers now moving in a light caress over her wrist."What -?" She began to ask him, frowning, but he shook his head to interrupt her.
"There are ... some things that I must tell you.""What are they?" Still frowning, slightly worried, she intertwined her fingers with his. When he didn't immediately reply, she went on, "Sephiroth?"
He made a noise then, frustrated, and glanced away. Her eyes fell then to the traces of blood that painted his pale skin, and with an exclamation she reached out her free hand to probe gently what appeared to be a bullet wound. Noticing then that there were two, she caught his chin in her hand and forced his head around until his gaze was again level with hers."What happened?"
He settled himself down on the ground, cross legged, and with a quickness that surprised her he drew her into his lap, her back against his chest. Nestled securely within his arms, she could feel the steady thud of his heart against her skin. He rested his cheek against her hair, and sighed. Another moment passed before he began to speak.He told her all he had to tell; pieces of his childhood that were relevant, his past with Hojo, all the things he had once believed to be of the utmost importance. She remained silent throughout his telling, listening, beginning to understand, finally, what had made Sephiroth into the man he was. He spoke vividly of Mother, of her words to him, of how she had made him feel as though they were one, two beings separated from the rest of the world by their power. And he told her of the Temple of the Ancients, and of his encounter with Tseng, and when he his voice died away she was quiet for long minutes after.
Almost apprehensively, he turned her to face him then, needing to know what it was she thought and felt. Her expression, though grave, did not contain what he half feared it would: fear, revulsion, panic. With the merest trace of a sad, wistful smile she brushed her soft fingers across his brow."So," she whispered, and for a moment he lost himself in the intensity of her gaze, "this is where we stand?"
"This is where we stand." He confirmed quietly."Then I am glad." She kissed him, tenderly, quickly, and drew away again. "I do not want to be anywhere else."
His eyes, just as intense, were grim and questioning. "You are sure?"She nodded, once, and her smile then was serene. "I am."
"Then," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting, pulling her in close once more, "so am I."-----
The plane they had chartered the day previous returned for them midday; Sephiroth had left instructions for the pilot to do so. Sephiroth had wanted to venture to the next place Mother had insisted he visit, a place once hailed as the City of the Ancients. There was something there, he explained, something that Mother dearly wanted, and perhaps by finding it they could seal it away, keep it safe. Sephiroth could hardly fathom now doing Jenova's bidding - so much had changed in such a short time. Aerith was excited about the Ancient City for many different reasons, most of which had something to do with the fact that she was the last surviving Ancient.The flight was much longer this time, well over 8 hours, and Aerith and Sephiroth sat together in the back of the plane, out of earshot of the pilot. Aerith spoke then, telling him about her ancestors, about her Materia, and her dealings with Hojo and the Turks. He listened avidly and with great interest; it was surprising the way he wished to know everything about her. With her telling he began to realize more and more just how much of a fool he had been, and exactly what kind of manipulation Jenova had used upon him.
The plane landed in the late afternoon, and they emerged into a climate much different than the one they had previously left. It was a cold land; upon reaching the open air Aerith shivered. They stood upon a plain patched with snow; behind them, to the south, were the frigid waters of another ocean. To the north rose towering, white capped peaks. Directly before them, lying in the shadow of the mountains, was what appeared to be a thick forest, and from above that forest rose the hints of civilization."What is that?" Aerith asked Sephiroth as the plane departed again, shouting over the noise of the engine and pointing to the rooftops that were visible.
"Bone Village." He replied, face obscured momentarily as the chill northern wind whipped long strands of his hair forwards."And beyond that?"
"The Ancient City."They exchanged a glance; the bond they shared now, however unexpected, was stronger than either cared to admit. Whatever lay in the past, whatever they had done previous was of no importance now. There was just this: the two of them once enemies, now sharing an affection like neither had ever known. Taking her hand in his own, he led her forwards, resolute.
-----The inhabitants of Bone Village, who were in reality nothing more than a few scientists and archaeologists, paid Aerith and Sephiroth little mind as they passed through the small encampment which was what Aerith had seen rising above the trees. They lived, it seemed, amongst the scattered bones of some enormous creature that had existed in centuries past. Beyond the small campsite, above on a ridge was the line of the thick forest. As the two attempted to enter the forest, however, they found that the trees formed an impenetrable barrier that they could not pass.
"I do not understand," Sephiroth muttered after several minutes of trying to hack through the offending greenery with his masamune. "Mother made it sound as if entrance would be easy."Aerith did not answer, her expression distant as if hearing something he could not. From where it lay in her braid she withdrew her materia, and held it forth. Almost immediately it began to glow, and slowly and with a great groaning sound, the trees moved to form an entrance.
"How ...?" Sephiroth asked her, but then trailed off, seeing the faraway look in her eyes. He stepped closer, concerned. "Aerith?""I can hear them," she whispered, tucking her materia into one of her coat pockets. Without glancing at him, she stepped past and entered the forest. He was quick to follow, and grasped her by the elbow as they drew further into the trees.
For long moments neither of them spoke. This place seemed almost mystical; wispy tendrils of white fog drifted in and around the trees, and there was an eerie silence surrounding them, as if this setting were too holy to mar with sounds. Their footsteps seemed harsh and echoing in the stillness, and Sephiroth found himself becoming increasingly alert the further they went.A change had come over Aerith upon entering the trees. Her face was drawn, lines of extreme concentration creasing her face. Beneath his grasp, Sephiroth could feel her trembling. She seemed as though she was in another place entirely, called onwards by something that was unheard but must be obeyed.
And then, so fast it was startling, they found themselves on a ridge overlooking what had to be the city of the Ancients. Sephiroth cast a glance behind them, wondering for a moment if the trees had expelled them. At his side, Aerith made a sound, and quickly his eyes returned to her. She was speaking soundlessly, incoherently, and then with a swiftness that took him by surprise she wrenched free of his grasp and hurtled down the path before them.He was after her an instant later, and it did not take long for him to overtake her. He tried to catch her arm, and with a scream she twisted away. For a moment they stared at each other, and he saw in her eyes no sign of recognition whatsoever.
"Aerith?"She was panting slightly, cheeks flushed. And then slowly her eyes calmed, and she said in a quavering voice, "I'm sorry ... Sephiroth. I can hear them ... it's confusing ..."
"What are they saying?""I don't know. I can't tell." Her tone was alarmed now, almost panicked. "They're screaming at me ..."
Feeling helpless, knowing the answer lay within the city, he said only, "Let us continue."-----
The city was breathtaking. Built of shells and gleaming stone set amongst the branches of a massive white tree, it rose from a canyon floor, towering and majestic. Aerith led the way unerringly, as if she had been here before. Sephiroth followed her closely, not wanting to lose her here, and concerned about what would happen if he did. After several minutes at a brisk pace they reached the base of the enormous city; a slender, sinuous path made of pearly shell stretched out before them. Without hesitation, Aerith pressed on, but the moment Sephiroth set foot on the pathway pain like nothing he'd ever known ripped through his head.
-SON-He cried out then, and at the sound Aerith whirled around. Mother's voice, suspiciously absent for so long, had returned in force. Never had he heard her like this, never had her tone caused such searing, rending agony, and the impact of it all dropped him to his knees.
-MY SON, YOU MUST-"Sephiroth?" Aerith's voice, rising for a moment above Mother's; a sound soothing, a sound he longed to hear.
-YOU MUST DESTROY THE CETRA-Yes! He must do this; Mother wanted him to, and he wanted Mother to be happy. Staggering to his feet, he pulled with shuddering hands his masamune free and brought it over his shoulder. Through bleared eyes he stared at the girl -the Cetra- where she stood several feet away, fear blatant in her expression. She said his name again, and Mother's call receded. He stared uncomprehendingly at the blade in his hands -had he drawn it?
-DESTROY THE CETRA, MY SON-"N-No ..." he panted, but took a faltering step towards Aerith anyways.
-DO THIS FOR ME-"Mother -" He choked, and raised the blade.
"Sephiroth," Aerith breathed.He let drop the blade, and it hit the ground with a sharp clang. Stumbling backwards, trying to block Jenova's voice, he threw up one arm and shouted, "Get away from me!"
Instead, Aerith took a hesitant step closer."Get - away - from - me!" He screamed as Mother's rage engulfed him. He wanted nothing more than to rend the Cetra's flesh with his blade, tear her limb from limb - but somewhere, in the furthermost corner of his mind something was shrieking at him that he couldn't harm her, he couldn't -
She was still standing there, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks. He lunged at her then, unable to help himself, but stumbled and fell. Glaring up from where he lay, he roared in fury, "RUN FROM ME!"She needed no further persuasion. With one last terrified glance, she turned on her heel and fled.