Chapter 22
Materia Staff
Vincent opened his eyes and saw complete darkness for a moment, but quickly it seemed as if the world was constructed around him. It looked similar to the world he knew save for some differences, one being that every square inch of grass appeared to have been burnt to nothingness. Burnt to nothingness along with everything else it appeared.
Vincent walked forward and looked around; he spotted nothing but endless mutilated grass and all-round blankness. It only took him a few seconds to recognize where he stood, a few miles to his left and just in view was Midgar. Rather a version that made the Midgar he knew look brand new. The only thing that actually resembled Midgar was the fact the huge black crater filled with black twisted debris was circular, that and a somewhat recognizable Kalm sat not far from it.
Vincent headed toward the mess that was Midgar and got close enough to look down into the huge crater. He then turned and looked at Kalm; it too was in shambles but not quite as run down, buildings were still standing there. Decrepit buildings, granted, but buildings all the same.
Suddenly a noise came from the Midgar crater, it sounded like metal clattering together. Vincent spun and aimed his revolver at the crater expecting something horrifying to come out of it.
Instead he was aiming his gun at a man crawling out and standing up, it was Samael.
"Jesus!" Sam said seeing Vincent and jumping in surprise. "For Christ's…tall dark and shadowy, what are you doing here?"
Vincent holstered his gun, "Aeris sent me to help you."
"I said don't follow me," Sam growled.
"You told her not to follow you," Vincent replied, "so I decided I would."
Sam shook his head, "Don't start with semantics. I meant no one should follow me."
"You must have realized I could do this," Vincent said, "I wonder why you felt you needed to sacrifice yourself?"
"Well, the idea was to make sure no one else had to get through the defense mechanism, it's no fun unless you're like me," Sam said.
"Defense mechanism?" Vincent asked.
"The thing the Cetra set up to guard the Omega Materia is not so much a thing but a…test you could say," Sam explained.
"Test of what?"
"Mental strength more or less."
"What would I have to do?" asked Vincent.
"Relive every horrible moment of your past," Sam said, "which for you, dude, I do not recommend."
"Kind of you, but it was unnecessary to think you should kill yourself when there was a safer option," Vincent said.
"That and I don't really have any horrible moments," Sam said. "Still would have sent me back to the Lifestream though, no one can withstand it, it messes you up real good."
"You've seen it happen?" asked Vincent.
"It's how I died," Sam replied, "dying there twice would be like comic irony really."
"Is there any way we could share the burden?" asked Vincent.
"That's possible I suppose, but at this point I'm not sure we'll have to worry about the defense mechanism at all," Sam said cryptically.
"What?" asked Vincent.
"The Outcasts are here, or were here," Sam said.
"I thought they didn't know about this place," Vincent replied.
"I didn't think they did," Sam said, "but I only know of one weapon that does damage like this."
Vincent looked around, "A weapon did all this?"
"I just got the scoop from some friends in Midgar," Sam said nodding, "they call it the Materia Staff…or more ominously, just The Staff."
"In Midgar?" asked Vincent.
"When everything got leveled the survivors found a way to take cover in the wreckage," Sam said. "They mentioned an old man with a staff that brought forth Summons that completely wiped out this entire area. Guess they didn't bother finishing off Kalm because there shouldn't be anything left standing there. I've seen that staff work and it's not a pretty sight."
"Outcast developed weapon?" asked Vincent.
"Probably, I've never seen it before in my life," Sam replied. "I heard one eye witness say that they saw two Summons, Ifrit and Bahamut."
"It can summon two simultaneously," Vincent deduced, "or more."
"That means we're dealing with a guy with some serious magical abilities here, I doubt just anybody could handle the thing," Sam said. "I didn't get a good look at the guy before but I think I know who's wielding the staff: the oldest member of the Outcasts, Alden Varidian."
"Is it like this everywhere?" asked Vincent.
"I haven't been past Midgar, but if it is then we only have to follow the trail of destruction."
"We can't let them have that Materia," Vincent said.
"You got that right tall dark and shady, if they do get their hands on it we might as well kiss existence as we know it good bye."
"Then we should get going," Vincent said.
Sam nodded and they put words to action.
The two headed in the direction of the City of the Ancients, as they did they slowly realized they were in fact following a trail of destruction.
"They destroyed every place that didn't have the Materia," Sam said shaking his head.
"If they did have the Materia they would have destroyed it anyways," Vincent said deadpan.
"Good point," Sam agreed.
"Are we actually going to walk and swim our way there?" asked Vincent.
"I was thinking teleportation actually," Sam said, "care to join me?"
"Whenever you're ready," Vincent said.
"Hang on," Sam said and snapped his fingers.
As quick as the Cetra could snap his fingers they were standing outside the City of the Ancients.
"Now that's convenient travel time," Sam said.
"They haven't come here yet," Vincent said.
"Looks that way," Sam agreed. "Though these guys are very pro-Cetra, I don't think they'd blow this place up anyways."
They headed toward the city and found it was in fact untouched; it appeared the Outcasts hadn't come yet.
"Alright, the Materia should be sitting at the altar where Aeris bit the dust," Sam said, "getting there is the problem."
"There's no way to deactivate the defense mechanism?" asked Vincent.
"No, the Cetra didn't put in any kind of deactivation method, we'll have to…" the noise of an airship cut Sam off.
"Outcasts," Vincent muttered.
Sam smiled, "This we can use."
"What?" asked Vincent.
"Come on, let's get out of sight, we'll let these guys do the work for us," Sam said.
"How so?" asked Vincent following Sam to a hiding place.
"If the mechanism is busy with the Outcasts then we can walk right through," Sam said, "the thing itself is really only an invisible field set on top of the staircase that leads down to where the Materia is. It's only fault is that if it's busy with say…a group of Outcasts, then it can only focus on them and not say…the tall dark and shady fellow with a Cetra in tow, savvy?"
"Savvy?" asked Vincent.
"Jack Sparrow," Sam said and then shook his head, "right, you guys don't have stuff like that, I'm never gonna get used to how boring your lives are. If they ever come out with Pirates of the Caribbean where you're from definitely go see it."
Vincent remained silent.
"Onward and forward, then," Sam said dismissively.
It wasn't long before a group of Outcasts came into view; Vincent and Sam were out of sight and watching the group. It consisted of about six men and one other Sam recognized. The old man with the staff that leveled Costa Del Sol.
"Alden," Sam muttered, "I knew it was him."
"That's the staff?" asked Vincent.
"That's it, looks they're going through," Sam said.
Indeed, one Outcast attempted to go down the stairs. Immediately the first froze in his tracks, shortly after he began to look distraught, almost afraid, then in a few minutes he was screaming as if trying to get away from something. He fell headfirst down the stairs and was likely dead.
"Not very appealing, eh?" asked Sam. "The White Materia can hold back the affects of the field temporarily, that's why I brought it."
Vincent felt that a response was unnecessary.
"Stand back," said the old man and, after seeing what had happened to their comrade, the others listened.
Alden raised the staff and suddenly a Summon burst forth from it, Sam and Vincent both recognized Shiva.
"He's attacking the defense mechanism with a Summon," Sam murmured.
"Will that work?" asked Vincent.
"I wanna say no, but," Sam shrugged, "nothing surprises me anymore."
"I know the feeling," Vincent said.
The Summon quickly turned the invisible field into what appeared to be a wall of ice.
"Now if they shatter the ice the field disappears," Sam said, "son of a bitch, at least they're clearing a path for us."
Alden had Shiva return to his staff and then used the bottom of the said staff to shatter the field blocking their path.
"Onward," Alden ordered and the remaining Outcasts stepped through cautiously.
"Let's go," Sam said.
He and Vincent followed a good distance behind the Outcasts and they came to the familiar spot. Alden and his group were stopped and looked across to the altar where, in the very centre, floated a sparkling silver coloured Materia.
"Omega Materia," Sam said.
Vincent drew his weapon, "I'll take care of the Materia, you make sure that staff doesn't get used."
"Deal," Sam said, "be careful tall dark and shady, these guys are bad news."
"I've fought worse," Vincent replied.
"Hey, wait," Sam said to Vincent, "back in the other existence, when I asked for people who could kill Sephiroth to raise their hands, why didn't you?"
"I'm not sure I could," Vincent said.
"I used that to discourage people from wanting to follow me," Sam said.
"It didn't work," Vincent said.
"I'm almost glad it didn't," Sam said, "don't go getting yourself killed."
Vincent headed toward the Materia; Sam moved to enact his own plan.
Just across from the Omega Materia the Outcasts listened to Alden.
"One of you go across and grab the Materia," Alden ordered, "then return it to me, we will then return to the airship and give the Materia to Feardorcha."
"Sir, what does the Materia do exactly?" asked one Outcast.
"Fear was only recently informed of its existence," Alden said, "once he has it in his possession we will know."
"I'll retrieve it, sir," another Outcast volunteered.
"Very well, do so quickly," Alden said.
The Outcast nodded and started to jump across to the altar. After a few moments he stepped on to the altar and headed for the Materia. He reached out and was ready to close his hand around it when something red flashed by. It was so fast that the Outcast wasn't sure he'd actually seen it. However something must have passed by because the Materia which was once floating in front of him was now gone.
"What the…" the Outcast lost his words as a golden claw stabbed through his back. The man's dark eyes widened as he fell to the ground, dead. Vincent stood behind him, Omega Materia in his other hand.
"Kill him, get the Materia, quickly!" yelled the old man, the Outcasts did so immediately.
As the remaining four began to jump across Vincent put the Materia away safely and drew his revolver. He then started jumping across toward the approaching Outcasts. The Outcasts drew weapons; each of them had a different sword in hand.
The first Outcast landed in front of Vincent and attempted a slash with his blade but Vincent quickly ducked the attack and tripped the dark clad man who then in turn fell into the water.
Vincent made quick work of the other three, blocking blades with his golden claw and shooting the ones who had enough balance to stay on their feet. The first Outcast shot out of the water and landed behind Vincent. He attempted a vertical slice that the Outcast was sure would work; he had the drop on his enemy.
However, Vincent was prepared for the attack. He quickly spun and used his gun to block the downward chop. The Outcast's weapon stopped above Vincent's head, Vincent then kicked forward knocking the Outcast back. He managed to keep his footing and came at Vincent again. This time Vincent jumped straight up, flipped gracefully forward, and landed behind the Outcast. Before the Outcast could even think of turning to attack Vincent shot him with his revolver and he fell dead into the water. He had finished off the last of the Outcasts.
Across from the altar Alden watched the last of his men die and raised his staff to attack his new enemy.
"Alden," said Sam standing behind the old man.
Alden froze and turned to face Sam.
"Samael, what a surprise, Fear mentioned you were in town," Alden said.
"Where'd you get that staff?" asked Sam.
"The Outcasts manufactured it," Alden said, "amazing what you can find in other existences. Quite the little weapon, have you seen it work?"
"Once or twice," Sam replied.
"I suppose you'll want to see it again, then," Alden said, "as you're obviously not an Outcast anymore."
"We're on different sides this time," Sam said shrugging.
Alden nodded and suddenly shot up into the air.
"Agile for a man of his age," Vincent commented now standing in front of Sam.
"If we split up he won't be able to summon on us," Sam said.
The floating old man activated his staff and summoned three Summons: Ifrit, Shiva and Bahamut.
"Well, unless of course he summons three simultaneously that is," Sam muttered.
"I can handle the Summons, you get that staff away from him," Vincent said and shot up into the air.
"Alden you old bastard, you just had to make this difficult as usual," Sam growled and disappeared.
Sam reappeared up beside where Alden floated.
"Back to earth with you," Sam said tackling the old man and the two of them landed back on the ground, Sam and Alden stood at the same time.
Sam waved his hand and Alden's staff flew out of his hands.
"Fetch boy, fetch," Sam said as the staff sailed away.
Alden muttered something and a blast of fire shot out of his hands at Sam.
"Crap," Sam growled and dived left to avoid the attack, barely.
Alden went for his staff and Sam gave chase.
Above, Vincent fired away at Ifrit who was tossing fireballs at him left and right. Vincent was easily dodging them, his bullets, however, weren't doing as much damage as Vincent would have liked.
Suddenly Shiva made a move, a large spear made of ice shot at him from his right side. Vincent sailed backward in a flip that made the spear narrowly miss. Immediately after, Bahamut charged in from behind.
Vincent landed on Bahamut's back and emptied his revolver into the Summon's head. It appeared to hurt the creature but it still had more than enough energy to throw Vincent off. As he fell through the air Ifrit rained more fireballs on him and Shiva sent a flurry of sharp small daggers of ice at him. Vincent twisted and spun to avoid the fireballs and daggers, one of the ice projectiles hit Vincent in the leg and he growled. He reloaded in mid-air and fired at Shiva. He then spun and fired at Ifrit, Bahamut was too fast, however, and he hit Vincent with a downward force that sent both of them into the water below with a huge splash. The impact of both the water and the ground under the water should have killed Vincent…then again a lot of things should kill Vincent.
Sam kicked the staff away from Alden and the old man managed to fire off another magical spell, a bolt of electricity hit Sam and sent him flying backward into a wall. Sam growled as he collided and fell to the ground. His head was spinning and his back hurt like hell, but he knew he had to get up or Alden would grab his staff back. Sam got back just as Alden got a grip on the weapon.
"Unhand that stick!" Sam yelled charging into the old man and they both rolled off into the water. They both struggled against the water to throw the other off and get to the surface. The staff floated off to their left and started to sink.
Sam noticed out of the corner of his eye something strange, Bahamut was face first into the ground under water and something red was glowing in the small space between Bahamut and the ground.
Then suddenly Bahamut was hurled upward and out of the water followed by a streak of crimson.
Sam looked up through the water above and saw the same streak shooting around above. Though his vision was distorted he saw enough to know that Chaos was kicking some serious ass. The streak was shooting from Summon to Summon and each time the creatures appeared to deteriorate more and more. At one point Ifrit had lost both of his horns and was finished off by the red streak passing straight through the Summon. It disappeared and the others soon followed suit. Chaos made short work of them and soon all three were sent back from where they came.
Sam then realized that Alden had managed to swim away and toward the sinking staff. Sam turned to give chase, realizing he couldn't hold his breath for much longer. Then he heard a splash from behind him and something with wings shot past him and appeared to grab Alden and the staff before shooting back out of the water.
Sam swam for the surface and climbed out of the water. He caught sight of the demonic creature that was Chaos before Vincent turned back into his normal self, Alden lay on his back, his staff was in Vincent's hand.
A soaked Sam walked over to Vincent, "You should do that transforming stuff more often, dude, it's really cool."
Vincent didn't respond.
"Well, Alden," Sam said, "this was fun, but now to business."
"Feardorcha will prevail, he has everything on his side, he doesn't need the staff," Alden said bitterly.
"He doesn't have this either," Sam said showing him the White Materia.
"Nor this," Vincent said handing Sam the Omega Materia.
"At this point we have more than Fear does," Sam said matter of factly.
"He will destroy you, traitor, if your lover doesn't do it first," Alden growled.
Sam shook his head, "I don't know what she's thinking, she must realize how crazy Fear is."
"Charna believes in the cause, something you do not possess: faith in the Cetra," Alden growled, "we will rule the planet once more."
"After Fear destroys every possible existence, I don't think so," Sam said.
"The Outcasts will prevail!" Alden yelled. "Bolt3!"
Alden almost managed to fire off the spell but Vincent was faster, he drew his gun and fired, killing Alden instantly.
"Fear's got them all as stupid as him," Sam said shaking his head, "these people…they used to think for themselves."
"It is possible to want something so much you'll ignore anything that contradicts the possibility," Vincent said.
Sam nodded.
Vincent shrugged, "Alden might have known, they all might know, exactly what will happen if they succeed, but maybe no life at all is better than life without the Cetra for them."
"That's not their call to make," Sam growled.
Vincent nodded slightly.
"Come on," Sam said, "we've got somewhere to be."
"Another artifact?" asked Vincent.
Sam nodded, "The others can get along fine without us, I was planning on bringing you along to get this one, now's a good a time as any."
"Where to?" asked Vincent.
"Bottom Point Existence Alpha, as Fear would have it called," Sam said. "He's probably got men there already, maybe an army."
"An army," Vincent said.
"Yeah," Sam said.
"I've fought worse," Vincent said.
"You always say that," Sam replied.
Vincent holstered his gun, "It's always true."