In the eyes of a demon.

Vincent's story.

Summary: The Final Fantasy gang are back in this cryptic tale of evil and deceit. Find out the true side of Vincent and the real secrets which lie beyond the walls of the crater. Please read and review, and be nice this is my first story.

Disclaimer: I do not own final fantasy from 7-9 or any of its characters.

Authors note: (sniff, sob) still no reviews lol. Ah well it's early yet. Please read and review people it's a good story I promise. Chap 3 is up soon…….. I think……(taps chin).

Chapter 2

Strangers in the dark

Cloud stared at Vincent, "so what are you going to do now, just stand there all day?" he was getting more and more stressed, his unruly spiked blonde hair waving around in the increasing winds, "Vincent I…." he began, but was cut short by a scream from Vincent.

"NO!" Came the pained cry as his skin started to turn a blackish purple, "NO…..not…..now…..not…here." Pain was written across his face as his body pulsed and shook. He collapsed onto his hands and knees, burying his fingers in the soft dirt. His eyes burned and glowed a deeper crimson as huge black bat-like wings emerged from his back. Blood splattered on the ground as they tore threw the skin, making Vincent moan even more. They rose and tore threw his tattered cape, spreading out in a arc. Large, devil-like horns protruded from either side of his forehead, resulting in more pain. Vincent ground his teeth as sharp claws and talons replaced his feet and hands. How…can this be? The demon…no…Vincent's mind was full of questions that he himself could not answer, an evil presence made itself known, speaking threw his thoughts "come to me my bringer of death, there is a task I need to set for you" the voice disappeared as he screamed his last human cries at the others to run as far away as possible, to leave the forest. Then he let out a blood curdling roar, the transformation was complete.

As they heard the roar, Cloud, Tifa, Nanaki and Aeris fled the area, running back into the dense maze of trees.

"Wh…what about Vincent?" Aeris gasped, she was tiring already.

"I know this might sound cold, but we have to leave him. He's a monster, Aeris, no matter how hard he tries to hide it," Cloud said in the same monotone as before.

"NO! He's not a monster!" Aeris had stopped running, "he's human. You saw how he was before he changed. He was….normal, well sort of. Well anyway I'm going back for him," she huffed and started to run back.

"NO!" Cloud screamed, grabbing her roughly by the arm, "Aeris if you go back there alone, he will kill you," he thought for a moment, "I'll go with u."

"Me too!" Tifa piped up, "I'm not leaving him here either."

Cloud looked at Nanaki, the huge cat sighed, "I guess I should warn the others then?" he stated, though he knew the answer.

"Yes thanks Nanaki." Cloud said, nodding.

Nanaki strolled away while the others made their way back to Vincent, back to the danger.

Nanaki was bored of all the walking; he was tired and wanted a nap. Eventually he reached the huge airship and sighed, "I hope Cids already lit his cigarette." Cid seemed to have developed the habit of lighting his fags with the fiery tip of Nanaki's tail. It annoys Nanaki as he always ends up with ash in his fur which usually burns threw to the skin.

He steadied himself on the rope ladder and clumsily made his way up, slipping several times as he went.

When he reached the top, Barret was waiting for him, "Yo cat! Where's the others?" he bellowed.

"Still with Vincent." Came the calm reply.

"You mean they found him? Thank For that! When are they planning on bringin' the 'vampire' back anyway? Bout time we were leavin' you know?"

"It's not good news I'm afraid. Let me come inside, its best if you all hear it." Nanaki and Barret made their way to where Cid standing by the ships controls, cursing, "goddammit stupid ing machine!" he kicked the metal. The staff were patiently trying to teach him how to operate the new control system they had installed, "ah screw it!" he said stamping his foot and lighting up another fag. The staff chuckled and carried on with their duties.

"Hey! Guys!" he shouted as Barret and Nanaki came into the room, followed by Yuffie. She's small and fragile looking, but she is actually a descendant of the Ninjas from the western county of Wutai, now a resort town. She has short, dark hair and stormy grey eyes. She carries a huge shuriken and has an armguard which looks too big on her tiny arms. She walks over to Cid, "getting the hang of things I see." She giggled and jumped away in surprise as he threw an aggravated punch in her direction.

"Goddammit!" he scowled, "so," he turned his attention back to Nanaki and Barret, "any news on Vincent?"

Nanaki explained the whole story, about Aeris and the pool, and about the change in Vincent.

"Wow…" Exclaimed Yuffie, her mouth open and her eyes popped out.

"That's ed up," Cid growled, he never really like Vincent.

"We heard some screamin' before, what was that? Sounded like a wounded beast or summit," Barret asked, tapping his stubbled chin.

"Hmmm…." Nanaki pondered this for a moment before looking at the floor, "I am sorry, I do not know what or who made those noises, although they did appear to come from the direction I came from."

He eyed Yuffie with caution; she had a tendency to make braids in his mane.

"So what your saying is that theres some big piece of out there and we are just gona stand here and wait for the others!" Cid exploded, his cig falling from his mouth, "I say we fight that thing!"

"No, we have to wait here." Nanaki was calm but slowly losing his patience.

Cid grumbled, "Fine. I'll be in my study." He walked out leaving the rest of the group to think about what to do next.

Meanwhile, back on the ledge, Vincent perched himself on the edge like a giant bird. He scanned the area for any tell tale traces of the ruins he had seen so vividly in his vision I do not understand he thought how is it I can still control my body even after the transformation has taken place. It must be…him. He pondered that thought for a moment that voice…who was it? Then it came again, the voice, the one that had spoken to him before, the cruel cold voice "Vincent…..you are mine! Follow my orders! Come to me" Vincent winced who are you? Why are you enabling me to control the demon? Are you responsible for the visions? A pause, "yes I am responsible for the visions, I needed to show you what you and your kind are capable of, I needed to show you the real you that served me all those years ago. As for the demon, his conscience left you as soon as I made my presence within your mind; you are no longer under his control. Now, awaken Vincent! Or should I say CHAOS!"

The earth beneath Vincent's feet trembled as an opening formed beneath the ledge. He fell to his knees, screaming in agony as the demon soul inside him consumed his own. Slowly he rose to his feet, eyes glowing an eerie red.

At that moment, Cloud, Tifa and Aeris came bursting threw the trees. Chaos whipped around to face them, but he did not advance on them, Vincent's conscience was still clear inside his head, his soul had not been completely extinguished. Instead, he merely groaned and turned back.

Aeris stepped forward, "Vincent? Are you alright?" the question seemed inappropriate but she carried on, "what happened? Vincent? Vincent, can you here me?"

"My name is not Vincent," came the threatening reply, "I am Chaos. What do you want human?" he spat the last word with distaste.

This sudden reply startled Aeris. She fumbled with her dress and moved closer to the monster. Cloud tried to pull her back but she brushed him away.

Tifa was becoming increasingly worried. Concern was etched in every pretty feature of her face. She looked at the monster which no longer resembled her former lover, "Vincent please stop this. Please, stop fooling around." Tears brimmed her eyes as she realised the futility in her pleads.

"I told u I am not Vincent anymore!" tears were in the burning red eyes as the huge monster raised himself off the ground and slowly circled round to face them before landing closer to the group.

It was Cloud's turn for questioning, "Then who are you?"

"I am Chaos! How many times do I have to tell you pathetic humans! And you!" he pointed a long clawed finger at Aeris, "Cetra filth! You shall die along with the rest of your kind!" manic laughter filled the air as he flapped his giant wings and circled the group, shooting electric through his arms. One hits Aeris and she falls to the ground.

Cloud runs over to her, dodging the ever coming lightning, Chaos was relentless.

Tifa stared in horror at the scene before her. She collapsed onto the floor, clutching her head as pained cries escaped her lips.

Hearing her moans, Chaos stops the assault and turns in mid air to face her. He swoops down, creating a huge gust of wind to knock over Cloud, who was already making his way over to Tifa. He picked him up and threw him back over towards Aeris, knocking the blonde unconscious.

Tifa stirred and looked up, screaming more as a huge clawed hand wrapped around her arm. Chaos lifted her and cradled her body in his arms, she had fainted.

Chaos flew into the air once more before diving back down over the ledge. He grasped hold of the hooked edge and launched himself into the cave underneath. He placed Tifa onto the cold stone floor and stepped into the darkness of the cave, turning to face her. He chanted a spell under his breath, causing her to stir and slowly rise. A lone tear trickled down his twisted face as he turned and made his way further into the crevasse.

Tifa stood, unable to speak. She looked around her and jumped back as she saw she was overlooking a huge forest. I long drop awaited her if she was to lose her footing. She turned and saw the opening and looked up to see that she was indeed underneath the very ledge Vincent had been standing on only a few moments before his assault. Suddenly her mind turned to the others, Cloud and Aeris. She cocked her head to one side, listening out for their voices, nothing. Seeing no other way back up, she decided to explore the hidden depths of the cave. The darkness seemed to lure her in, like a huge beckoning hand.

Slowly she walked forward. Suddenly a faint moan echoed through the cave and drifted past her. A cold breeze combed threw her hair, pulling it loose from its band. She took another shaky step forward. The moans came again, closer this time, along with a scraping sound, like a dragging corpse. She held back a scream and walked further. A small lantern hung on the wall, large inscriptions, written in an ancient language were inscribed around its edges. Tifa studied it before carrying on her venture.

Soon, she came to a huge cavern, dimly lit by a small campfire in the centre, someone had already been there. Tell tale footprints scattered the room. It looked like there had been a fight of some sort. Dried blood was splattered on the floor and walls. Tifa grimaced as she stepped threw it towards the fire. As she came closer to the warmth, a cold hand grabbed hold of her bare leg and wrenched her down onto the floor. The lantern crashed and shattered on the stones surrounding the fire and burnt out. All was quiet…

Authors note: wow that was a looooooong chapter. Sorry about that. And sorry I've made Vincent so evil, but hey, he looks the part right? More to come anyway. Please read and review otherwise I can't write no more lol.