Sinner's Descent

Chapter Seven-Rising Tension

Frog seated himself comfortably across from Chrono, making eye contact as he straightened himself awkwardly in the chair. Chrono nodded solemnly in return, reaching over to the table on his right and picking up a sheet of paper.

"Customary privacy issue,"Chrono said, offering the paper and a pen to Frog. Frog jotted down a signature, placing the pen down sharply before eyeing his human host.

"I assume you know why I'm here?" Frog asked quietly, his voice coming out in a deep croak. Chrono remained silent, simply nodding his head once again. Frog waited patiently. It seemed that this man would be a bigger obstacle than Haschel had predicted.

"You're here," Chrono started softly, "Because Haschel is concerned over the Mako."

Frog waited to see if the Advisor would say more. When it became apparent that the man was insistent on silence, he took up the end of the conversation.

"Then what are Underground's plans? I know Strife has had as much luck as ourselves in hunting the mercenary," Frog stated, nodding his head when Chrono raised an eyebrow. "So, it seems there is more to it than Strife has let on?" he persisted, leaning forward slightly.

Chrono finally sighed, though in aggravation or defeat Frog didn't know. It was a while before he spoke. "Strife has informed me that the Mako is taken care of. As Haschel was informed, our messanger discovered the Mako pools. It is known that only Underground and Gijitsu know of this, excluding the original source," Chrono said, almost mechanically.

Frog narrowed his eyes. It was all information that he already knew. "Yes, I am informed of these matters. However, I have come to inquire as to why Strife has been unable to track the mercenary down. Are they not on personal terms?" Frog asked, his tone hardening as he glared at Chrono.

"I know not whether Strife and the mercenary collaborate. It is not likely they are on good terms, however, considering the immense lack of the man we have," Chrono added, though his tone held no sarcasm. Frog clenched his jaw in annoyance.

"Obvious," Frog bit out, ignoring the Advisor for the moment. He mulled over the information in his head, seeking a way to draw more out from the insufferable man sitting across from him. "Every Alliance, excluding Devil's, is currently hunting the mercenary. Is it fact that Devil's is in league with the mercenary? And why is the mercenary being hunted in the first place?" Frog demanded, his tone becoming aggressive.

Chrono's upper lip curled into a sneer, his first blatant display of emotion throughout the whole meeting. "Strife informed me that should it come down to this, you were to be dismissed. He has also informed me to tell you that his reasons are for him, and him alone, to know. Good day, sir," Chrono finished snidely, rising from his chair and swinging the door open.

Frog left silently, inwardly seething at the complete failure the meeting had turned into. He was a strategist, and he worked with what he was given. However, Chrono had not supplied any information he didn't already know.

Shaking his head in frustration, he waited impatiently for the elevator. Haschel was going to be angry when he returned empty-handed.

"Oh, come on, Squall! It won't kill you to go in public."

Leonheart resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Rinoa, I'm not going in there," he stated firmly, thinning his lips in resolve when she narrowed her eyes and moved toward him.

"Why not?" she pouted, crossing her arms over her chest and blowing a lock of black hair out of her eyes. She waited patiently as Leonheart gave a dramatic sigh, gesturing at the resturant.

"People know me in there. It's a Gijitsu haunt. They'll recognize me," he said, pursing his lips further when she stalked away from him, a heated look on her face. "Where are you going?" he called, jogging to catch up with her.

"You're being mean! You won't even go in a stupid resturant with me!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. He scoffed, throwing the said place a dirty look.

"It's just a resturant! We can go get take-out," he offered, leaning against the light pole.

Her eyes became slits as she glowered at him. "Squall Leonheart, you are horrible! You want to take me to a fast-food place?" she demanded, stomping her foot.

He blinked in confusion. "What's wrong with take-out?" he asked innocently.

"Nothing," she snapped, turning on her heel and starting away again. He sighed, scowling at the floor as he scuffed his shoe in irritation. Damn women and their weird emotions. He saw nothing wrong with take-out food. In fact, he rather preffered it over resturant meals anyways.

"Get away from me!"

He looked up sharply at the distressed tone in Rinoa's voice, gaping as he lunged forward at a heavy sprint. A girl with silver hair currently had Rinoa by the arm, a knife in her hand.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he bellowed, grabbing the girl's wrist and giving it a savage twist. The knife clattered to the floor, and he kicked it out of her reach. After grabbing Rinoa and shoving her safely behind him, he looked around to see if the silver-haired girl had accomplices. After finding nobody else in the streets, he turned to face her.

"Who the fuck are you?" he snarled, narrowing his eyes when she glanced wildly at the knife. She remained silent, simply standing there, breathing as heavily as Leonheart himself. "Who are you?" he repeated, raising his voice.

"I ain't nobody, jackass! Now leave me alone!" she retorted, turning on her heel and taking off. Leonheart gave chase immediately, tackling her to the ground and pinning her wrists behind her back, shoving his knee in her spine.

"Answer me, damnit," he demanded, yanking painfully on her arms. She whimpered in pain, going limp against his hold.

"My name's Meru! I was told to go after any other Alliances!" she cried, hollering in more pain when Leonheart twisted harder on her arms. "I swear!" she added, struggling against his grasp.

He let her up with an indignant scoff, shoving her away from himself and Rinoa. "Get out of here, Meru. And tell your boss to watch out," he added, glowering at her as she nodded her head.

When she was well out of sight, Leonheart turned to Rinoa, who was shaking terribly. "What was that?" she asked, glancing at Meru's vanishing back.

Leonheart shook his head. "I don't know. I guess it's worse than I thought. Come on, let's get back home," he added, taking her by the arm.

"He is not being truthful."

Sephiroth slanted his eyes at the soft-voiced man. "I know this."

"Yet you do nothing," the man added, raising an eyebrow slightly. He folded his hands into his sleeves, leaning back to better observe Sephiroth from under the black hood encasing his head.

"He serves his purposes," Sephiroth replied. The quiet man inclined his head.

"Perhaps. Yet he poses a greater threat than you believe," he added, turning slowly and starting back down the trail from Mythril Cave. Sephiroth stared after him for a moment.

"How so?" he finally asked, calling the man back. The man stopped, though he did not turn.

"Do not forget who Kadaj is, Sephiroth," the man said softly, continuing back down the trail. Sephiroth narrowed his eyes, though he did not answer.

Turning to stare at the Mako ponds, now steadily filling the containers positioned tocatch the excess dripping, he fought the urge to sigh. Perhaps Kadaj was more of a threat than he had assumed.

Yuffie paused outside the door to Seifer's office, putting her ear to the door when she heard the voice again. She was absolutely sure she had not permitted anyone entrance today, due to Seifer's orders, and she had no idea who he had personally let in.

"Kill...Kill Gijitsu and Underground Alliance leaders?"

She drew back slightly, confused at Seifer's own voice. Was he talking to himself?

"But, why?" Seifer asked, causing Yuffie to lean in further so she could hear his loud muttering. "Who are the leaders? Why can't I remember?" he asked, his voice becoming aggressive as he banged something around.

Yuffie blinked in confusion, not sure if her boss was still sane or not. She had heard that there was extra stress, especially out in the streets, due to the ties Northside now had with Devil's. Seifer's incoherent mumbling brought her ear closer to the door.

"Have to kill leaders... Then, then..."

"What are you doing?"

She jumped back, startled, the papers in her hand dropping to the floor and scattering about as she turned to face the intruder. She mentally cursed herself when she recognized Gippal's bush of blonde hair.

"Nothing," she lied quickly, hurriedly bending down to pick up the papers. To her annoyance, Gippal stomped on her foot, though not hard, and forced her to look up. "Really, I was just checking on him. He said no visitors and I heard a voice," she added, yanking her hand from under his foot.

"Well, who's in there?" Gippal asked, throwing a suspicious look at the door. Seifer would reject his own mother if he said no visitors.

"Nobody. He was talking to himself," she added quickly, standing up and cradling the papers against her check. "I have to sort these, excuse me," she added, hurrying around him and out the hall door.

Gippal remained silent. He narrowed his eyes at the door, creeping forward slowly and placing his ear to it.

"Don't speak of mission or contract, kill Alliance leaders, don't speak, don't speak..."

He frowned, drawing back slowly. Maybe the stress was getting to Seifer. He tried the doorknob, only to find it locked, and from the sound of it, bolted shut. Rattling the door, he called to Seifer.

"It's me, Gip! Let me in, Seifer," he said, pounding on the door.

To his surprise, Seifer's muttering only grew louder, as if he were raising his own voice to be heard over the pounding. Pulling his hand back, he stared at the door for a long moment before turning and leaving the office. Maybe Seifer would be better tomorrow.

He couldn't remember where he was.

The items on the desk he was sitting at were familiar, but he couldn't remember why. Everytime he tried to think, the harsh voice came back into his head, giving him his orders.

"You will sever your contract with Ansem."

"But I already did that!" Seifer protested, groaning in pain as his head throbbed painfully. He had broken the contract days ago!

"Good, good. You will let it be known that you have hired the mercenary, Sephiroth, to kill the leaders of both Underground and Gijitsu."

"But I hired him!" Seifer exclaimed, grasping his head roughly and shaking it. Why wouldn't they leave him alone? He was doing everything they asked!

"How do you know this? The leaders are not dead."

"I...I just do!" he insisted, chewing harshly on his lip when the throbbing increased.

"Very well."

The voice disappated and the throbbing soon followed, leaving Seifer breathing heavily at his desk, his head in his hands as his elbows rested against the polished wood.

"Make sure the mercenary kills them," he muttered to himself, struggling to get out of his seat. With a tired sigh, his knees gave out, and he fell to the floor with a thud.

With a final, blinding flash from the eyes of the snake, the staff slithered back into place, becoming still and motionless as Jafar stroked it fondly.

Turning to Maleficent and Hook, he nodded his head, a smile forming on his lips. "It is going well. He put up much more resistance than anticipated, but it is taken care of. Strife, the Thundergod, and Haschel should be well out of our way in a few days," he added softly, throwing the Staff of Snakes one last, loving look.

Maleficent nodded her head, golden eyes coming to rest upon Hook. "I daresay the recent cause of violence should be a product of your work?" she asked quietly. Hook beamed proudly at his hand, rubbing the metal claw with a predatory grin.

"All part of a day's work," he said modestly, shining the hook on his coat. Maleficent nodded once again, cradling her own staff against her robes.

"Do keep with the work, you two. I will check up on your progress in two days," she said, swiftly turning and exiting the room. Jafar chuckled merrily, standing and stomping his staff against the floor.

"It won't be long, now," Hook muttered, gazing at his claw.

Jafar joined him by the door, taking his leave as well. "Yes, soon the whole of Midgar will belong to us, Hook. Soon," he added, grinning to himself as he took a seperate path.

The two of them were very easy to manipulate. He had no doubts that Maleficent would turn on them the first chance she got to gain the advantage in power, and Hook would do anything for violence or his doom of greed and power. However, their efforts would all go to waste.

Soon, his Staff of Snakes would completely overpower Seifer's own will, and he would have controlof Northside. With their brute strength and quick violence, it would be simple to overtake the others as well.

Well, Tadpole is still sick. In fact, she's in the hospital, so if there are any errors, point it out. Thanks to the review from last chapter. I did go back and edit it! And, this is the only chapter I can submit for a few days, because I want to try to edit the other three, without Tadpole. Best of wishes, honey! Love ya, get better soon if you read this!