Sinner's Descent
Chapter Eleven-Chaos In Hell
Maleficent approached the worried Jafar with a quickened pace, something she never did. Though Jafar was resting rather comfortably against the walls of the hall, the tense poise of his body and the pale color of his taut skin told her something had gone wrong.
He turned sharply when he heard her footsteps. His knuckles were white where they clutched the staff with an iron grip. "Maleficent," he greeted, ignoring all pleasantries as he took a step forward and inclined his head. "It has been taken."
She regarded him silently as he said this. She could tell from the worried set of his jaw and the slight trembling of the hand clutching a fistful of his robes that it had not been he himself who had taken it. He was openly worried, something Jafar was not prone to do.
"What information do you have of it?" she asked quietly, seemingly unconcerned with this revelation. In truth, she had expected it to disappear the day before when he had stowed it. The members of the Alliance were too cunning and greedy to work as a group.
"Ultimecia was killed. And we have reason to believe that Ansem knows of it," Jafar replied quickly, his breath coming out raggedly. Maleficent bit back a smile of amusement. He feared that the blame would be put on himself for the materia being taken.
"Indeed." She went over the meeting from the other day. Ursula was out of the running for the theivery. She was too complacent, and she had been with Maleficent herself the entire rest of the day after the meeting. Hook was less likely. He had no possible reason to take it; it would bring him no sadistic violence to take joy from. Jafar had already been sorted. That left Hades and Kuja.
Kuja... Her eyes narrowed. "Who found Ultimecia?" she asked sharply, startling Jafar with the sudden question.
"I-I believe Kuja did. What does that have to do with anything?" he asked, his remaining hand clutching his staff as well. Maleficent did not reply.
The only question that remained in her head was why Kuja had taken it. As far as she was concerned, he had been easy enough to sway against Ansem, and, although he was quiet, he did not appear to have ulterior motives.
"No matter," she muttered, causing Jafar to raise a brow in inquiry. "Where are Kuja and Hades?" she asked placidly, turning to Jafar with bored eyes. Jafar worried his bottom lip momentarily.
"Kuja took his leave early this morning for personal business and Hades-wait! Kuja has taken it!" Jafar exclaimed, earning a few startled glances from passing employees.
"Keep your voice down, Jafar," Maleficent said, starting past him. Jafar followed her, his breath coming in heavy pants as they headed toward Hades' office.
He was sitting beside his desk when Maleficent pushed his door open slowly. He looked up, glancing from Jafar, to Maleficent, and then back.
"What brings ya here?" he asked, adjusting his robes and mockingly fixing the smoldering light atop his head. Maleficent gave him a scrutinizing glare, her eyes taking in his unconcerned demeanor. "Well?" he prompted, gesturing at them impatiently.
"Close the door, Jafar," Maleficent said, not taking her eyes off of Hades as she wrapped her hands around her staff, resting it against her person and regarding him coldly. "You know not of the news?" she asked, narrowing her eyes fractionally.
"What are you talking about? I got work to do, lady," Hades said, sighing at the paperwork mounted on his desk. It covered most of the surface and the floor.
"The materia was taken," Maleficent said. "We have ruled out all other componets besides yourself and Kuja," she said, remaining stoic as ever when Hades seemed unaffected by this new information.
"Of course it was taken. They ain't nothin' but a bunch of power hungry wolves. Toss a piece of meat in the middle and it's bound to get taken," he said, smiling faintly at his clever anology. "'Sides, if you're implying I took it, I got Hook to vouch for me. We've been in here all day and night working on this damn crisis. Ursula was in and out, too," he said, reaching for another piece of paper as he spoke.
"Perhaps it is possible that all three of you planned it?" Jafar said, his voice coming out softly from behind Maleficent.
"Or maybe you two are running together?" Hades shot back, scribbling something down with his pen. He squinted at another sheet of paper and threw them an uninterested look. "Anything else? I do got work to finish," he added, reaching across his desk and jotting something else down on apiece of paper.
Maleficent turned without another word. Jafar followed suit, leaning back to close the door before he left.
"Oh, hey!" Hades called, causing Maleficent to pause, her head turned partially. "Tell Hook he better get back here and help!" Hades bellowed. Maleficent continued her pace, leaving Jafar to close the door behind him.
"Impudent fools!" Ansem raged, slamming his fist against the table.
Hades involuntarily jumped, a few whisps of smoke emanating from his head as he did so. "Hey,it ain't my fault! That Kuja guy beat me to it! And he got rid of Ultimecia!" he added, glowering at nothing and everything.
"If you were not so incompetent, you would have taken it from Jafar the moment he took his leave!" Ansem bellowed, flinging a sheet of paper off his desk violently. Hades scoffed, turning his burning glare to Ansem at the insult.
"If you weren't so damn incompetent, you'd be able to do all this by yourself," he snapped back, ignoring the flames that spouted from the cracks in his robes. He gripped the arms of the chair he was seated in tightly.
"Fools," Ansem repeated, turning his back and pacing quickly across the floor of his office. "We must pursue Kuja. I need that materia! If it should fall into the mercenary's hands..." Ansem shook his head, throwing Hades another angry look.
"Have you ever considered that the Sephiroth guy is in league with Kuja?" Hades asked, inspecting his nails and settling back into his chair with a bored expression. Ansem sneered from his place across the desk.
"Of course they are in league, you imbecile! Why I have such cretins employed..." he muttered to himself. Hades stood up, unable to take the insults anymore.
"Yeah, well, unlike some people, I have real work to do," he said, striding toward the door. "I suggest you confront Maleficent about her little plans," he tossed over his shoulder, slamming the door shut.
Ansem gave the closed door a heated look, cursing his luck. Out of all the others, he had expected Maleficent to do such a thing. Kuja's actions, however, did seem to make more sense. The man was unusally quiet and soft, the perfect disguise. He gave a gutteral sound, closely resembling a growl, before swiping at his desk once more.
Walking quickly to his door, he flung it open, bellowing at nobody in particular. "Get me Maleficent. Now!"
He heard a meek reply before someone scurried past his door. Breathing heavily as he waited for the witch, he seated himself, fidgeting with his cufflinks impatiently.
"You required my presence?"
He looked up at her silky voice, his eyes narrowing. "Witch," he greeted, not kindly, "You will tell me if it is true that this fool of a man has taken my materia," he demanded, watching her impatiently.
A faint smile touched her ghostly lips. "Indeed, it seems so."
"Hmph. I have known of your lowly deeds for quite some time, Maleficent," he said, folding his hands in his lap.
"Yes, I'm well aware of that. Hades served as a good messanger," she said simply, staring at him blankly. Ansem regarded her coldly, his upper lip curling in a sneer.
"It seems you are not as foolish as I took you to be. It was not a wise decision to oppose me, Maleficent. You will not go unpunished," he said, standing swiftly. Maleficent did not flinch, nor did she move.
"While I have no wish to kill you, your presence is not required," she said quietly, her voice carrying across the room. Ansem scoffed at her percieved threat, resting his fisted hands on his desk.
"I have no intention of disposing of you," Ansem retorted tersely, glancing at his desk, which was littered with scattered papers.
"You fear the mercenary," she informed him, positioning her staff to a more comfortable spot on her shoulder. Ansem glowered at her, his golden eyes burning.
"I fear no one," he immediately responeded. Maleficent sent him a dry, hollow chuckle.
"You know as well as I do that the mercenary and Kuja have been working together for some time, now. The materia will be transported to him, and he will carry out his plans," Maleficent said evenly, curling her fingers more tightly around her staff.
"And just what do you know of his plans?" Ansem said, unable to keep the disdain out of his voice.
"Very little." Her eyes shifted to the door when a faint knock was heard. Ansem sighed impatiently.
"What do you want?" he snapped, glowering at the slip of a girl who slipped through the door. She had a file clutched in her hands, which wereshaking uncontrollably. She slipped past Maleficent, who regarded her calmly, before setting the file down on Ansem's desk.
"Urgent, sir," she said meekly, turning on her heel and nearly sprinting out of the room. As soon as the door closed, Ansem snatched the file up, ripping it open and scanning it quickly. He looked up slowly at Maleficent.
"I know of the Mako," Maleficent said, nodding silently. Ansem felt a small swell of relief, and he knew exactly why. While Maleficent was scheming and conniving, she was a worthwhile ally.
"One of the half-thawed ponds have been drained," Ansem said, giving the file a brief look. He held it out to Maleficent. She took it slowly, her brightly lit eyes narrowing to slits as she read it quickly.
"Strife or Sephiroth. Either way, we have a loss," Ansem muttered. Should it be the mercenary, there was no telling what the lunatic was going to do with it. Should it be Strife, however, Ansem could be assured that he himself would never see it, which would stall his own plans with the Mako.
"I believe it is the mercenary," Maleficent said quietly, startling Ansem from his musings. "The materia was taken sometime yesterday, of that we are sure. Kuja has had ample time today to continue his business with the mercenary," she explained stoically. Ansem nodded his head in silent agreement.
"He has been impossible to catch, by any Alliance," Maleficent added. Ansem regarded the file in her hands.
"Perhaps we should take the remaining Mako," he said suddenly. Maleficent did not comment. He stood up, feeling a need to defend his plan. "I will not be denied the rest! I have worked for weeks on securing the thawed pools! Should it fall into the mercenary's hands, my plans will be ruined!"
"I shall speak to Ursula about acquiring footmen to do so," Maleficent said, turning to leave. When she was half-way out the door, Ansem stalled her with his words.
"Consider this opposition of yours disregarded," he said calmly. She nodded curtly, accepting the unvoiced truce.
"Very well."
Kongol watched silently as the two from Gijitsu approached. They had been the second entourage sent by Haschel today, and after the fiasco with the first, Kongol was quite eager to see what amusement the second would bring.
"Hello, we have an appointment with Strife," the man said, stopping in front of him.
Kongol shook his head, shifting his large frame. "Kongol let's no one by."
"But, we have to see Strife," the girl said, clutching the man's arm tightly. Kongol shook his head once again.
"Kongol let's no one by today," he repeated. "Master Strife wishes silence."
"What's wrong, Kongol?"
Tifa approached him wearily, the dark rings under her eyes showing more than usual. She stopped next to the two from Gijitsu, offering them a neutral smile.
"Can I help you?" she asked, stepping back when the man stepped toward her. Instinctively, Kongol reached out, yanking the man back by the shoulder. He didn't like how close and threatening he was getting toward Tifa.
The man shrugged Kongol's hand off with an apologetic look. "Sorry, I didn't even introduce us. I'm Dart, and this is my wife, Shana. We made an appointment to speak with Strife personally," Dart explained. He turned to Kongol.
"He said we weren't allowed by," Shana added, smiling at Kongol. Kongol turned to Tifa.
"Master Strife said no disturbance," he protested, setting his frame against the doorway.
"I know, Kongol," Tifa said gently, laying a small hand on his arm. Kongol offered her a rare smile, nodding his head and turning back to the Gijitsu associates. "I'm so sorry, but Clou-Strife doesn't want to accept appointments today," she said, catching herself.
Dart pursed his lips for a moment, ready to protest more on their part, but a hard look from Kongol changed his mind. He nodded his head. "Very well. Tell Strife to contact Haschel as soon as possible, please," Dart added, taking Shana by the arm and leading her out of the office.
Tifa remained silent as she watched them go. She finally turned to Kongol. "You did fine," she said, squeezing his arm. Kongol nodded once again.
"You need rest. Face look unhealthy," he added gruffly, indicating the bags under her eyes. She brushed his concern off with a strained laugh, waving her hand dismissively.
"It's fine, I've just been working too much," she insisted, turning to go.
"Some stuff not meant to change," Kongol said cryptically. Tifa stopped, blinking several times before frowning up at Kongol's face.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked softly, watching his impassive face. Kongol simply shrugged, refusing to elaborate further. Tifa shook her head. He could be a very confusing person sometimes.
Strife stared down at the Mako with glazed eyes. It had thawed within days, leaving him with a cup of shimmering liquid. He reached out absently, running his finger along the rim of the cup.
The knocking at his door snapped him back to reality and he quickly shoved the cup behind a stack of books, admitting the person, who he knew was Tifa, entrance.
"Cloud? Hey, that's the second troupe from Haschel. Are you sure you don't wanna accept?" she asked tentatively, noticing the way his eyes kept flitting to the books. She sighed, the sound escaping her lips before she could stop it.
"Of course. I said I didn't wanna be disturbed,"Strife snapped, causing her eyes to go wide with surprise.Strife shook his head, reaching up to rub his temples. Tifa took a step forward, frowning in confusion. She blinked several times, noticing the concentration Strife was putting into focusing his eyes.
"Sorry for disturbing you," Tifa murmured, hurrying out the door.
"Tifa, wait!" he called, sighing when the door slammed shut. He rubbed his forehead, which was throbbing with pain.
He had been dreaming of her again. It had been happening a lot lately, the strange dreams. They seemed almost real. Yet, everytime he got close to her, everytime he had the chance to reach out and touch her, something interrupted him.
A part of him felt guilty for not telling Tifa and Barret. But, the other, more personal side, wanted the dreams. It was a secret pleasure he shared only with himself. Shaking his head to rid himself of the disturbing thoughts, he glanced at the Mako.
If only he had a way to get more of it... The Mako he currently posessed was no longer usable. Taken from it's natural habitat, the Mako had thinned and become a dull grey, a sign that there was no longer any power within it. Swirling the liquid in the cup, he dipped a finger inside.
He felt nothing. Just the cold rush of liquid meeting his skin. The building was kept heated at the moment, due to the unusual cold spell that had hit Sector Seven once again. Withdrawing his finger, he wiped it on a stray piece of paper. It left behind no residue, another thing that assured him it was useless.
Perhaps he should contact Haschel. They could work a plan out ot secure the Mako pools before Sephiroth did. Strife felt a pang of bitterness at the thought of the mercenary. If he had only realized Sephiroth's plans earlier, none of this would have been happening.
Finding out the most recent news of Sephiroth being in Alliance with Kuja and the stolen materia confirmed it. Sephiroth had different motives than a simple materia book.
He jerked his hand toward the phone. No use dwelling on it. He dialed Haschel's number, waiting patiently as it rung.
"You rejectfour of my Associates, yet you personally call me. I'm telling you Strife, you're getting as unpredictable as Cid," Haschel said conversationally.
"Nevermind about that," Strife said, getting straight to the point. "I need your help."
"Oh, really? Well this is a surprise," Haschel said mildly. Strife ignored the mocking tone in his voice.
"We need to find a way to get that Mako."
Oh, whew, I cannot stop laughing my ass off! I had Tadpole edit while we were watching Aqua Teen, so sorry for any of her mistakes, lol! OMG, it was the Super Birthday Snake episode, lol, and the snake pecks at Meatwad and you can see little chunks of his meat fall on the ground, LMAO! Oh, god, just read and review, lol...