The Summoning of the Wind Beast

"Let's go, just don't let me let go of my gunblade and everything should be ok," Silver said and nodded, walking out of the hospital. "If I can get the smell on the box the guy from the sphere was talking about then I can trace down the one who put it there and make him speak."

Silver silenced for a moment. "I was thinking we would do well in going to Bevelle... there we might clear some stuff with those priests. I don't think low rank priests know anything about whatever they are planning, but I bet the Praetors do. Ever since Baralai was thrown out, New Yevon has been crazy. Stupid religious stuff."

Serenity nodded, wondering what Silver meant by making sure he kept a hold on his gunblade. Is it somehow connected? Before she thought too far of it, Silver had gone silent, and then spoke again. "You sure you want to go to Bevelle? I mean, you don't like Yevon very much. But I agree. Praetor Baralai was the best thing that ever happened to New Yevon. It must be going corrupt again. Maybe it has something to do with the people he had thrown out before him. Something about them wanting too much power." Serenity then went silent herself. A meeting with the Praetors wasn't exactly a fun thing to do, especially under such circumstances. Anything could happen.

As they walked towards the docks, Serenity scanned around the busy streets. She hoped that if a fight broke loose, no one would get hurt. "Smell anything?"

"Yeah, your strawberry perfume has almost worn off," Silver joked, sniffing the air. "I can smell the chlorine still around, but it's obvious, once out of the locker rooms from the vents it had to go outside. Luckily, it's almost gone. I still don't get it, why would a Yevonite want to kill us all? The bounty over my head isn't that big, and the Guado and the Ronso are indifferent to Yevon, nor are they friend nor are they enemies. So it has come to us... it would be a good idea if we all had a little mushy-mushy talk about ourselves when we are done here. It could help explain some things."

Mainly, Silver was talking about Zephyr. The girl sure was mysterious... and even when he would trust her with his life, Silver couldn't help but wonder if there was anything she hadn't told them yet. And there was Tallulah, too. Where had she gone in the time they were apart? She was a revolutionary just like him, and hated Yevon as well. And then he thought about it...

... What if they are after Serenity? She's Lady Yuna's daughter after all... what if they are trying to get the High Summoner using her daughter...

Yeah, but then they would be after Kai, too. He has as much from her mother as Serenity does, don't you think?

I know, but Kai doesn't seem to irradiate the same kind of aura Serenity does. Having her around is like having Lady Yuna herself... and they all look up to her as a leader just like her mother used to be... and will be once again when we find her...

What are you trying to say?

Kai is more easy-going, and more like a warrior than a politician. Lady Yuna is a warrior as well, but her presence or in this case, her absence always seems to affect Spira in one way or another. Kai may be her son, but he is much more the Guardian type than the Summoner type Serenity is... those two brothers are the clue to something Yevon wants, I just know it...

Easy there, you are talking about both your girl and your soon-to-be brother-in-law... that is if you have the guts to ask her...

Shut up! 'Course I will when the time comes, but for now I'll just have to shut my big mouth and look after Serenity, if Yevon comes after her then they will have to go over Silver...

... And Wolfe...

... Over both of us to get her! They won't lay a finger on her as long as there is life inside this body!

"There are far too many possibilities," Silver went on after falling silent for a little while. "But I can bet whatever it is, Yevon has something to do with it. True I don't like Yevon very much, but if we can get some leads to your mother by getting them then I say it's worth a try. Don't worry, as long as you are with me to keep me in my right mind the bounty on my head won't have to rise." Silver looked at Serenity's beautiful eyes and smiled.

"We better find whatever clues we have here, and then go get your brother and Tallulah and reunite with Zephyr at the hospital. It's best if we keep are all together. When it comes to this, it's always better to be in groups than alone and have the 'You watch my back, I watch yours'... and please put on more of that perfume, I just love it."

"Oh you mean that guy the Tiger demon dude came in here with." The front desk clerk of the Luca Inn said to Lhinx. "Yeah, I remember him comin' in sometime yesterday. Seemed real jumpy, like he was doin' somethin' wrong."

Both Lhinx and Lucine were now at the Luca Inn and were talking with any personnel that may have clues for them.

"Anyone come in to see him?" The Ronso youth asked.

"Well, now that you mention it, there was this girl who came in askin' for him around early this mornin'. Real cute one, a bit young to be his girlfriend in my opinion, but what do I know? And you know how things are, old guys with money pickin' up young girls. I dunno who's to blame for that, but oh well."

"So she go to his room?"

"Nah, she just waited for him down here and they took off somewhere. I heard somethin' about watching a blitzball game, and then all of this chlorine mess happened."

"What girl look like?"

"Eh, well... She was about 5'1 I'd say, killer body, hazel colored hair, green eyes, and hips like there was no tomorrow. Heheh." The desk clerk looked like he was in a dream, making both the Ronso and Al Bhed give him a dirty look. "Oh, yeah, sorry. She was wearin' a strapless blue top with her hair down, it was wavy and down the middle of her back, a black mini skirt, and a pair of black leather knee high boots, those kind with the really long laces. Didn't look older then you." He pointed at Lucine.

"I didn't hear her name, but I bet she might still be in town." The desk clerk said to the Ronso and Al Bhed.

Serenity giggled softly and playfully hit Silver. "And what? Distract you with that scent? Never!" She giggled again. "I would, but I left the bottle back in my bag, which is back at the Inn. I guess you're going to have to wait a little while." She winked at him. "And the heart-to-heart chat doesn't seem like such a bad idea. Are you suggesting that maybe one of us was the target because of some sort of past issue? Maybe the talk would help, then."

As the came along Dock 3, Serenity slowed down to a stop and looked around. The docks were pretty quiet, which as odd in itself and this one only had a few people lounging around, making it seem all the more suspicious. "If Yevon's involved we best watch our step. Didn't they throw Lady Yuna in the Via Inferno and left her guardians for dead?" And mom said they killed a couple…Lenne and Shuyin? "It may have been ages ago, and nothing as drastic has happened since, but let's just keep it in mind. It can't hurt."

Putting a hand on her hip, Serenity took a couple steps forward out down the open dock. Closing her eyes, she took in the ocean breeze. It was nice, but everything felt too serene…she was beginning to have a bad feeling something was going to happen.

"Well, whoever recorded that sphere didn't seem to stick around. I hope Lhinx and Lucine had better luck. Can you lock onto the smell now? Or maybe one of these people seen something."

"I don't think this people would like to talk to one such as me," Silver said as he saw how people looked at him. "Yet, I don't think they would like to talk to anyone, something must have happened besides that incident with the chlorine... I can smell fear out of these fellows."

Silver sniffed again and shook his head. "No good, but let's check it a little deeper, maybe there are some leads. I still think Yevon might be after us... I'm a pain for them but the bounty on my head isn't that big... whomever they want they won't get near while I'm around." He turned to Serenity and smiled a little, not wanting to tell her what he was thinking of a while ago for he didn't want to scare her. "Serenity, just stay right beside me. If something happens I'll protect you."

He responded to her previous wink with one of his own and a cocky grin, then continued walking, trying to sniff anything that could lead them to the responsible. "Hey, I wanted to give you this a long time ago but I forgot." Silver searched inside his pocket and took out a clip magazine. It was the same power as the ones his gunblade used but this would fit inside Serenity's gun. "Explosive rounds, as deadly as a bad movie in a stormy weekend, if you know what I mean" he joked, handing her the clip.

But then he felt something more inside his pocket and reached inside to get it... it was the pendant he'd found in Kilika. It was as cold as ice, even when it had been on his cloths for a long time. Silver pull it out of his pocket and showed it to Serenity. "Hey, I forgot I had this too. Remember Kilika? One of the half-fiends was wearing it inside the temple... where it got it I have no idea."

He became silent then, kept his blitzball tight between his arm and hip and looked into Serenity's eyes once again. "But I bet someone would pay good enough for this, at least will get us a few coins if we run out of money."

Serenity smiled slightly when Silver told her to stay beside him, wondering if there was something more behind it, and took the magazine clip, looking at it briefly with a raised eyebrow. "Explosive rounds?" Serenity laughed at his joke, and loaded one of her guns with it. "Thank you. I hope I can handle it."

She looked at the pendant Silver was showing her. "A half-fiend was wearing it in Kilika Temple?" Serenity touched it lightly, but quickly pulled her hand back when she found it was ice cold. "Odd…I hope we don't run out of money soon. Maybe it has some sort of connection with this whole half-fiend phenomenon. I didn't find anything at the temple in Besaid, though. Did you? We'll have to ask the others about that as well."

Warming up her fingers by rubbing them against the fabric of her shirt, Serenity took another look around the dock. "I wonder what else could have happened to make them afraid if you smell fear…Should we leave them be and head back to the others? I don't want to force anyone to talk to us."

"I didn't see anything on the fiend at Besaid... but it may be connected," Silver looked again at the people and kept on walking. "I don't think they are only afraid of me... what worries me is this smell to powder. Could somebody be holding guns around besides you? Better stay alert, Serenity."

Serenity blinked, confused, and continued walking beside Silver. "Anyone can be carrying guns…but if you smell gun powder, someone must have fired recently. And with everything that's been going on…that can't be good." She continued looking around, and caught sight of the man they had talked to at the inn.

He was cowering at the end of the nearest dock surrounded by a stack of crates that were being used as some sort of cover. In front of him stood two guards carrying rifles and a younger girl that wore a strapless top and mini skirt. The man's eyes locked onto Serenity's and he froze. The other three noticed and turned to see what he was staring at. Using that as a distraction, the man took off.

"Silver! Look! It's him again," Serenity said astounded. "I think he's in trouble."

Though it only took a moment for the trio to hear and see him running, that was all he needed for he had a good enough lead on them. The two guards quickly pursued him, and a bigger group of armed guards appeared. The girl stopped and began talking with them, before turning and pointing at Silver and Serenity. The guards began making their way forwards, and the girl put a hand on her hip and smirked before going off to chase the two guards.

Serenity took a step backwards as the guards came closer. Turning her head, she heard more running footsteps coming from behind them. They were going to be ambushed from both sides. "And it looks like we are, too," Serenity added, biting her bottom lip slightly.

Silver looked around, severe expression on his face. They were surrounded by guards with guns. Now they were in deep trouble but still Silver wouldn't let them touch Serenity. "If you all go back to your own business I'll spare your lives... if you don't, I hope you said 'I love you' to your wives and kids."

The armed guards laughed at him and Silver slowly took off his gloves. "I told ya'... Serenity..." He got his head closer to hers "... Shoot the floor with the rounds I gave you." He winked slightly as one of the guards moved closer.

"You two are not to leave this place," he said and readied his gun.

"You talking to a Demon, you loser," Silver replied and grinned, showing off his fangs and drawing his gunblade very fast. "Now, Serenity!"

Serenity looked at Silver when he told her to shoot at the ground with the explosive rounds he gave her. But she threw all hesitations away for she trusted him with all of her being.

"Now, Serenity!"

Serenity pulled out the gun she had loaded with the said rounds and quickly targeted the ground in front of her and began shooting.

An explosion of light and fire could be seen as the bullet touched the ground, blinding all the humans around. "Close your eyes, Serenity!" he shouted as a huge grin appeared on his face and he jumped. The guards, trying to cover themselves from the blinding light, couldn't do anything. Silver threw his blitzball at one of them and cracked his skull. The ball returned to its owner and Silver hit it again and again. At the end, four guards were on the ground, their skulls bleeding badly.

Once he landed, Silver gritted his teeth and started running towards the guards. One slice, two, three. Not mortal wounds, but enough to take them out. When the light was gone, only seven where left.

Tallulah woke up after a few minutes of slumber. She was tired, she had been healing those who were poisoned for a while and now she was exhausted. She stood up from the bed and walked around a little dizzy.

"What happened... oh yes, the chlorine... my head aches," she whispered to herself, shaking her head a bit. Tallulah looked for her staff and bag and located both on the corner of the very little room where she was. The clinic, Kai and some other guys helped her there along with Silver's cousin. She had rested and then helped to heal those with the worst injuries. But... where were Silver and that other girl? Where were Lucine, Lhinx and Zephyr? Where was Kai? She couldn't think, her head was spinning and she again collapsed on the bed, trying to remember.

Serenity closed her eyes as quickly as she could when Silver had shouted, though she was blinded momentarily. She could hear grunts escaping the guards as they were hit and felt bodies falling all around them. When the light finally died out, Serenity slowly opened her eyes, still finding them a bit sensitive, and found that only seven remained. Glancing around, she found most of them bleeding profusely.

Grabbing a hold of her other gun, Serenity watched as the ones left eventually came around themselves. Though she knew Silver could have taken care of them as easily as he did the others, Serenity wouldn't just leave it all to him, especially if they all were going to end up like the ones on the ground. She really didn't want to use those explosive rounds so soon again. And she had to chase after the others that had left as well.

"Silver, I have to go after them," Serenity informed Silver, and shot at guards' feet with her non-explosive rounds to catch their attention. Nodding reassuringly at Silver, Serenity turned and began running in the direction that she saw the rest go.

"After her!" Commanded the apparent leader of the group, and three of the seven followed close behind her, then other four staying behind to take Silver on. Looking back as she ran, Serenity raised a gun and closed one eye, targeting as close as she could at the ground nearest to the guards around Silver. The three guards chasing her quickly spread out of the way, giving her a clear shot. Pulling the trigger, Serenity let loose another explosive bullet in hopes of helping Silver in his fight, for she had left him with quite a bit to deal with, and faced forward again running with all her might.

Silver closed his eyes for a second as the bullet exploded and another light appeared. Quickly he ran and took the first one on his way. He sliced his arm and kicked him, sending him to fly a few meters. The second one was a slash on the chest; same for the third and finally the fourth one was only a broken face by Silver's fist.

"Now to get my lady," he told himself and took off running as fast as he could, so fast most humans only saw a black flash running next to them. Yet, the guys that went after Serenity and the other guards that had left before where far away by now. But still he could hear them, and knew he was going to get to the three that went after his girlfriend got even close to her.

Serenity flinched and brought her hands to her ears as another shot went past her and hit the ground in front of her, causing rubble to fly up in the air. She had to move to the side to avoid getting hit by the debris or trip in the hole that it left in the ground. Looking back at her non-relenting pursuers, she noticed the entire walkway littered with holes from their shooting. Closing her eyes tightly, Serenity turned her head forwards as another shot whirled past again, glad that the streets of Luca were relatively empty. It made it easier for her to run and it ensured no one would get hurt in the crossfire.

"You guys do know who we're shooting at, don't you?"
One of the guards laughed, amused. "Yeah. Makes it all the more fun chasing her."
"Just don't damage the goods, you hear?"

Serenity continued to run, unable to do much else. She wasn't sure which way the others had gone, but ran towards the exit of Luca. She soon came across the circular-shaped square with the fountain the middle, and the people sitting on the benches screamed as they came crashing through, running for refuge in the Luca Café. As she started up the first flight of stairs, and explosion behind her caused her to trip on a step and fall harshly.

Coughing from the smoke, Serenity slowly, and with ache, sat up, but couldn't see anything but black smoke all around. A dark grenade? Serenity groaned as she came to her feet, clutching her ribs. Hearing the guards hastily approaching, Serenity climbed the rest of the stairs blindly.

"Dump him and let's move. He's no longer any use to us," the girl from earlier said. The three were standing in at the base of the stairs that lead to the Highroad. Turning their heads towards the commotion that was coming, the guards dropped the man as they were lifting him up to throw him over the balcony and ran to cut Serenity off.

The effects of the grenade finally wearing off, Serenity's eyes widened at the sight of two more guards making her way towards her. Pulling a card out from her pocket, she threw it high into the air and climbed upon a bench. Stepping up onto the railing, the card stopped twirling in the air in which it was thrown and glowed, causing a summoning circle to appear beneath Serenity's feet as she stood balanced on the railing. Four of the now five guards froze at the sight and Serenity jumped up into the air and forward, bowing her head back as she began flipping backwards, holding her arms out and pointing her guns away from her.

One of guards, however, was unfazed and threw up a sleep grenade. Serenity let out a cry as she got hit by the blast, and lost the battle to keep awake, going into a forced slumber. She now fell aimlessly down towards a watery grave. The clouds above parted into a swirl as something shot downward and flew in a curved ˜L". Swooping down below Serenity, Valefor's wings glided above the water as he caught the unconscious girl on his back, the tips of his wings submerging underwater from the brace of it.

The guards, now accompanied by a few spectators, gasped and looked over the edge of the railing.

"What do we do now?"
"Are we to jump in after her?"
"After all the trouble we've just been through because of her, we better do something."
"What of that demon she was with?"
"With any luck the others have disposed of him."

"You wish," Silver muttered under his breath as, in the distance, he heard one of the guards talking about his comrades having disposed of him. He was getting close, a sudden new scent on the air made him wonder if Serenity was all right. This was something new to him; the smell was like wind over the Calm Lands. Refreshing and still... frightening. "I'm coming, Serenity!"

Silver made an effort to run faster, no longer feeling his feet under him for they were moving at such speed that human legs would've already have a destroyed muscle. Finally, he got to the square just to see a huge bird-like creature fly. There were many guards around, and the Demon couldn't see Serenity around. A sudden rage took control of him, and Silver fought Wolfe trying to not let him out.

No! I can fight this!

You idiot! They've done something to Serenity!

We don't know just yet, but if they do I'll let you come out and tear them into pieces if you like!

Back off, Silver, I'm going out now! I'm feasting on their flesh and blood... if something has happened to Serenity I will not rest until I kill the last human, onto the very last child!

Don't be stupid! Calm and I'll fix it, I'll fight them... remember Mother... she was a human... and she loved Father. Neither of them would want us to be like that...

My physical body died when I was born, but you keep me here, I am still alive and I can fight!

Not this time, brother. You back off and let me handle this... I promise, if something happened to Serenity, I'll give you my body completely to do what you please with it...

Deal...

Silver's eyes turned back to the obsidian black they normally were, but his face kept the rage expression on it. A powerful roar could be heard once again, and the Demon ran in furious rampage towards the guards. One of them grinned and aimed his gun towards the upcoming Silver, then pulled the trigger and three bullets where shot. One touched his shoulder, but Silver didn't feel it. He threw his blitzball towards the one that shoot the rifle and his face was smashed in just a second.

The guard fell and the ball returned to Silver. Four guards now stood completely froze. "What have you done to Serenity? Tell me or I'll butch you like cattle... you will ask for dead before I'm done with you!"

Or better say, when Wolfe is done with you...

You got that right, Silver...

"Answer me worthless scum!" he yelled.

"Why would I answer to someone such as you?" one of the guards asked, trying to sound arrogant even when his voice was filled with fear.

"If you wanna live you'll tell me... if you're a suicide crazy maniac then stay silent" Silver replied, tightening the grip he had on the hilt of his gunblade "Where is Lady Serenity?"

Silver's question was answered by the screech of the bird-like creature and the fresh scent to forest wind.

Valefor screeched, and flapped his wings lightly as to not bump Serenity off, rising in the air till it was above the railing of which she had jumped off from. Unable to land properly or attack for Serenity would slide off, Valefor rose higher into the air, unsure of where else to go. One of Serenity's guns fell from her loose grip, and landed with a clatter beside Silver, the other safe between her stomach and the hand that held it there in place. With another screech, Valefor lowered itself 'till he was parallel with the railing, floating there until someone would lift Serenity off its back.

The small crowd that had gathered looked from the Aeon with Serenity to the demon to the armed guards, they themselves too afraid to move in case they were to be attacked by either of them. So that left either the guards or Silver to claim the unconscious High Summoner's daughter, and with it being four to one, wasn't looking too good.

"Get the girl!" the arrogant man called and two of them ran towards Valefor and unconscious Serenity. Their mistake. Silver threw the blitzball pretty hard and them, it hit the stomach of the first one and pushed him back, falling on top of the other. He made a long jump and landed just inches away from the Aeon.

"Serenity... wake up." Silver took the girl and rose the upper part of her body, still not lifting her off Valefor "Serenity, it's me. You are safe now..."

He leaned his head lower and placed a soft kiss on her lips, kiss that was forced apart by a shooting rifle that almost hit him. Silver looked at the attacker, forgetting the surprised feeling he got when he noticed the Aeon didn't fly away. "Look after her for a little more" he asked the Aeon and jumped again, landing on top of the guard, smashing his head against the ground.

"Only one to go," he said, almost laughing as he glared at the arrogant guard. Silver made a wrist movement and his gunblade span. The guard, shaking from toe to head, looked in horror as the Demon got closer to him and with one slash put him out of his misery.

What... happened! I never let Wolfe out! Then why was I so... cold-blooded!

Because the two of us are Demons, Tiger Demons. And you are the wildest of all for you share the same body with the soul of your twin. Silver, I may be your evil side, your heartless cold-blooded part, but you still got much of a Demon yourself inside your own soul.

So... am I just like you?

No, you are more human, but still you are a Demon. Why are you so worried? You've killed before and never said a word about it...

I know... but never like this... the only time I was like this was...

The priest that called Mother a slut...

That was me... that wasn't Wolfe, that was me!

Because you actually got to know our mother. I was never awake when you were with her. Everything was so peaceful then...

And when she left... the key to my feelings was lost...

Until now... Serenity is just like Mother. Kind, beautiful, loving... she is the new key. That is why you feel regret when you kill. It never happened since Mother died until now, not even when you were with Tallulah... the human side of you is awake once again...

Why didn't Tallulah awoke my human side?

Because she wasn't The One... brother, like I said I may be evil, but still I am your brother. Save the killing for me and keep the loving, caring Silver Fang for yourself...

Shut up!

The crowd was terrified as Silver walked up to where Valefor waited, grim expression on his face. He looked down at the floor and saw Serenity's gun, he picked it up and caught up with the Aeon. "Thank you," he said and lifted Serenity of its back.

It's…so dark…I'm afraid. Silver…are you here?

"Serenity...wake up."

That voice. It echoes within me…It sounds so familiar…But...is it you?

"Serenity, it's me. You are safe now…"

Silver? Silver…it is you. I'm…so happy.

Serenity's hand that was on top of her gun made the most faintest movement as Silver kissed her, like it was helping in awaking her from her forced slumber, though it was so slight it was unnoticeable. It was some time before she felt herself in someone's arms, and Serenity quivered meagerly as if trying to wake herself up, using the person's aura to help subconsciously.

Valefor screeched again as Silver thanked him, and landed properly now beside him, nipping at the side of Serenity's head softly with its beak to try and wake her up. With that, the winged-beast soared back up into the air, disappearing into the clouds, dismissing itself. Soon after that, the card Serenity had thrown into the air dropped down from the sky and landed in front of Silver. It was embedded into the ground as if it was a sword, light smoke lifting from the sides of it as if it was on fire and was just put out.

"Serenity, please wake up. Please, I need you Serenity," Silver kissed her nose and cheek, trying to wake here. Most people around were watching in fear, not being able to believe a Demon was actually with Lady Serenity, daughter of High Summoner Yuna and Grand Guardian Tidus. He could hear some muttering things like 'That monster has Lady Serenity' or 'Get away from her you scum!'. But Silver didn't care, he just wanted Serenity to open her eyes and see her smile again.

Then, he suddenly saw the card falling and moved an inch aside. "This... this is what brought that Aeon? It is... just like the one I have..." Silver knelt and took it, supporting Serenity against his chest "Serenity, wake up. I'm here, no one will hurt you now."

"Serenity, please wake up. Please, I need you Serenity."

…And I need you.

Serenity shivered and let out a tiny gasp, closing her already closed eyes even tighter. Coming back into consciousness, she felt pain everywhere.

"Serenity, wake up. I'm here, no one will hurt you now."

Serenity nestled her head against Silver's chest and slowly opened her eyes, blinking them a few times for the sunlight was too bright at first. "Silver," she whispered, burying her head deeper. It felt so good to be in his arms. "I was…so afraid."

"It's ok now. Try and rest a little, we both need it," Silver said, sitting on the edge of the railing and placing Serenity on his lap, still holding her "Those guards are gone now, all we have to take care off is that girl. I got her scent, she won't get away."

"Leave Lady Serenity alone you monster!" a huge man in sailor clothing demanded. "Take your unworthy hands off of her!"

"Yeah! Let her go! You'll have to kill us all to get her!" another one yelled.

"Don't give me ideas" Silver mocked, disgusted. The humans always treated him like a monster without questioning why he did what he did. They only saw a Demon hurting other humans, yes but then whenever humans are in danger cry and beg for someone to help them. And for sure a Demon was the most unwelcomed hero of all.

"You can't take us all out, stupid beast," the sailor said. "We are far too many for you!"

"I can take you all out, human, but I won't," Silver's cold voice appeared once again, though his eyes were still as black as always. He stood up again with Serenity in his arms, lifting her properly along with the blitzball which he trapped between his lower back and his tail "Now, let us go."

"You won't go anywhere!" the sailor ran towards him, raising his considerable big fist and ready to strike. Silver just sighed and waited, just when the sailor got to him he jumped. The sailor wasn't able to stop, and then Silver just kicked to back of his head from the air, pushing himself to jump farther away as the sailor hit the ground.

"Monster!" a woman cried.

"It's called agility, miss," Silver shot back, almost with a sarcastic voice "I'm sorry about that, Serenity. Let's go get your wounds healed."

Serenity nodded slowly then hanged her head forward as she put her hands behind her neck and flipped her head back, flipping her hair back with her hands as she did this. Closing her eyes, Serenity swayed a bit, blinking her eyes open again. "Just…one moment," Serenity said to Silver and squeezed his hand lightly.

Serenity gradually made her way over to the fallen sailor, and kneeled down beside him as he sat back up with a groan. "M'lady," the sailor said with some difficulty, and Serenity looked through her pockets and handed him a Potion.

"Please…" Serenity trailed off as she looked about the anxious crowd, "Everyone…No more fighting."

"But-but, m'lady…" another man started, but stopped abruptly as Serenity stood up.

"…I wish you all a safe and happy voyage, wherever you are going," Serenity said, not wanting to hear anymore about what a monster Silver was, and she bowed. The crowd promptly bowed back, and Serenity turned and walked back to Silver, holding onto his arm from support. "Let us go," she said, and started walking. The crowd began murmuring amongst themselves again as they walked off.

"That Lady Serenity…so very kind, just like her mother."

"But why would she grant an audience with the likes of that-that thing?"
"Perhaps she is too naive to see that demon for what he really is."
"I bet he has thy lady under some sort of spell."

Hearing none of this, Serenity looked up at Silver worriedly as they went down the stairs. "Are…you okay?" She asked softly. Serenity asked partly because of all the fights he had fought, but also because of his behavior back there. It seemed like it was his other self again, but he didn't seem to change.

"Don't worry, I'm ok. Just had a few rounds with my twin. I'm... very sorry about that, but when I get angry... I become another person as you've already seen. But not just when Wolfe comes out. There are times when I myself become a rather fearsome... beast." Silver looked down at his feet, holding Serenity's waist and arm.

"I... I try to control myself when it comes to humans. Something Wolfe does not. Maechen told me that while there are two mixed personalities inside of me, there is a third one that consists in the mix of this two. I think that is the one that comes out when humans call me a monster just by seeing my ears and tail." He felt the great burden of regret now, about killing those persons, about letting Serenity see his enraged self, about letting himself being controlled by his feelings.

Silver sighed again, then smiled a little. "But... I know there is something I can do about it. Tallulah offered it to me back then... the Spell of the Souls. I think your mother is the one that did it for first time. A spell to mix two different souls into one. The problem is... I don't know if I want to become one with Wolfe. So far I've been able to keep him from killing innocent people, but he hates all humans save for Mom, may she rest in peace. If I become one with him... I may be more aggressive... but still it would be my body and most of my soul."

He stopped dry and looked deep into her eyes. "What should I do Serenity? I... I don't wanna let Wolfe free ever again. I am and will always be a Tiger Demon, and I have my wild side on the edge of a knife. My human side is stronger, but if I mix myself with Wolfe let's say it would be a fifty/fifty. Tallulah can explain all that stuff better than me..."

But she cannot cast the Spell on me...

Why do you want the Spell? Aren't we ok together?

We would be better mixed into one. For example no more brother-brother chat, we would both know...

I'm ok with it, I would be able to fight more often...

And you wouldn't be as wild as you are right now... unless Tallulah casts the Spell. Much of the personality of the person who casts the Spell would be inside of me too...

Which means I would be wearing thong and being a bitch every time I saw Serenity!

No, idiot! Which means I would be a time bomb as we both know Tallulah is...

Ok then, what if Serenity is the one that casts the Spell?

I think... that's the best idea, Maechen told Tallulah and me that the best way to cast that Spell is if someone you love is the one that casts it. That's why Tallulah offered it to me... but she was different back then. She was a lot like Serenity...

Yeah, she wasn't a bitch back then. Although she already liked to wear that thong...

Watch your tongue now... If Serenity casts the Spell...

We would become one without losing your humanity... and I would fight...

Wanna try?

Let's do it, Tiger!

For first time in a long while, Silver felt a complete mixing of ideas inside of him. It felt as if a flow of both happiness and relief took over his tired body. He smiled suddenly wider at Serenity and kissed her nose. "...If we can get Tallulah to explain how does it work exactly, then you could cast it on me... and so it would be just like Wolfe was just gone. I would be myself... no longer rage attacks. And the most important thing... a part of you would always live inside of me... that is... if you would like to cast it..."

Serenity tilted her head to the side, looking at Silver from an angle. She looked at him with concern at first as he talked about his anxiety regarding the Spell of the Souls. But after he was silent for some time, Silver seemed to cheer up, liking the idea more, and Serenity smiled back brightly and nodded. "Yes, of course. If this is what you really want to do, I'd love to be the one to cast it."

If mother cast this spell first, it must work, right? Maybe…it could be a key to the half-fiends…Silver said it was a spell to combine two different souls into one.

She giggled happily and hugged Silver tightly. "I knew there was a way," Serenity whispered, more to herself. She pulled back, smiling at Silver again before continuing their way back to the hospital, hoping the others made their way there as they said they would meet to go to the stadium together. "If…I may ask," Serenity said, a thought coming to mind, "Why wasn't this Spell cast before, when you were with Tallulah?"

"Io sono prigionero," Silver simply said. "Means, 'I am a prisoner'. Back then, I was afraid. Tallulah offered it to me... but I didn't accept. I was almost a different person, I had such hatred against humans that looked up at me as a monster, and I didn't care whether Wolfe would go out and feast on them. Everything because of a stupid Yevon priest that called my mom a slut on the same day of her funeral... he called her that because she fell in love with my dad and I was born... I just re-arranged his body, put his arms instead of legs and legs instead of arms along with some more new organization."

Silver looked down, then hugged Serenity closer to him. "But then... after Tallulah dumped me... I traveled all around Spira once again along with Maechen. He... told me so many things that changed my way of thinking. And then... an angel came into my world... and Io sono prigionero of her love. You know very well who that angel is." He laughed softly, and suddenly lifted her again. "Though I didn't know she had wings until today, when I saw that huge bird that came to save her."

"So that's why you hate Yevon…" Serenity said quietly, and shuddered involuntarily at the image she was getting of a mangled body, closing her eyes as Silver hugged her closer to him. Serenity laughed in surprise as he carried her again, and she put an arm around his neck gently, resting her head on his chest once again. "Well, I'm glad you're not afraid to use the Spell now. Maybe I can meet this Maechen sometime." She blushed at the fact that Silver thought her to be an angel.

"Huge bird?" Serenity repeated, having a moment of memory loss. "Oh!" She exclaimed suddenly, remembering that she did summon something before she passed out. "Valefor…didn't hurt anyone, I hope?" Serenity shook her head slightly. "What…was going on back there? Why did they attack us? I hope Lhinx and Lucine found something out. And I wonder where the others are…" Serenity closed her eyes tiredly. They still had so much to do. "My head hurts," Serenity said gently.

"No, it was a good boy. It didn't hurt anyone. Those guys were connected to the chlorine attack. And that girl... I can't stop thinking she is somehow real deep into what happened to us. Maybe some crazy lover of the guy that set all this up, you know how things like that can happen." Silver kisses Serenity's forehead as he heard her head hurt and smiled. "We'll get your wounds healed in no time... just need to smell Tallulah's lavender perfume. It may be terrifying she is wearing... that thing but it's handy if you are trying to find her" he joked.

Silver sniffed the air. "No good, I can only smell blood around here. Let's go back to the inn first and find Lucine and Lhinx. Then we can find your brother and Tallulah to help us with the Spell." His voice was shaky when he mentioned Tallulah and the Spell, thinking how his ex-girlfriend would react when he told her he needed her to teach Serenity how to use the Spell Silver didn't want a long time ago.

Serenity nodded, too drained to read too much into Silver's shaky voice. "I think I can walk," Serenity said, though she really didn't feel up to it. But, she didn't want Silver to carry her all the way to the Inn, either. He must be just as exhausted, and Serenity would have to be strong, too. She just hoped the inn was near so they didn't have to walk for much longer. "Blood? People…are dead?"

Silver looked at her with a grim face and nodded. "Two... I tried to go easy on the... but those two were a pain. The rest will live, I'm positive," he said, regret marked in his voice. "And no, you can't walk. You got to rest right now. Don't worry, you are as light as a feather, I think my blitzball is heavier than you." The joke was supposed to break the tension, though Silver didn't laugh, only a puppy-like smile crossed his face.

Serenity smiled sadly at his joke, and kissed him lightly on the cheek in hopes of cheering him up. "It's alright, Silver…we should send them before they become fiends, and attack Luca. I think the city's had enough excitement for one day. And if I rest, I don't think I'd ever be able to get up again. Besides, we have things to do…I can't stop to rest. It'll…hold everything up…" Serenity said, though she knew he was right, and hoped they reached the inn soon.

"Tallulah can send them, it's part of her job. And you got to rest, even if I have to carry you till Djose you have to rest." Silver kissed her nose softly, smiling. "Just let everything to me, ok? Then... I'll cook something real nice for you. You just need to regain your strength."

He smiled again and looked up... surprised how soon they got to the inn. There he could hear Lucine's and Lhinx voices and walked a little faster, waking inside still with Serenity in arms. "We've got serious problems, they tried to murder us back at the square." Silver walked closer to Lhinx and placed the girl in the Ronso's arms. "May I ask you to take her to the room we've got here and look after her? I'll go get Tallulah and Kai... we are better if we stick together now. Then I'll take Tallulah to the hospital, she will be able to heal Zephyr and I can carry her here even if she's asleep."