Chapter 5

Tifa took Bernice to the WRO laboratory, where a young girl (or at least she looks like a young girl) sat, working busily on her computer. Strange machinery as well as three large tank filled with fluorescent green liquid could be seen at the far end of the lab.

The girl stood up and in a semi-monotonous voice said, "Bernice, I expected you earlier. I assume that you are here to learn about the events which have brought you to Gaia."

Tifa spoke, "Shelke, I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted. I'll be back in a few hours."

Shelke nodded.

Together, the two girls went through countless files and articles concerning the recent crisis faced by the WRO. Bernice learnt of the prophecies of Chaos and Omega, the ruthless organization known as Deep Ground, and parts of the history of Gaia, as well as the missions of the WRO.

Also, Shelke told her why Tifa had been sent to rescue her. In addition, due to their common interests in computers (so to speak), they got to know a little about each other. And by the time Tifa returned to get Bernice, they had already become fast friends.

Bernice had been assigned a room of her own in the WRO headquarters, where she spent the night trying (sort of) to get some sleep. How can they expect me to sleep? I've only been asleep for A FEW DAYS, besides…I'm too excited to sleep…

The next day, after a light breakfast, Tifa took Bernice to the weapons room.

"Besides being taught to fight bare-handed, you'll be taught to use a weapon of your choice. Choose wisely…" Tifa winked.

At the sight of all the unique weapons available in the room, Bernice's heart leapt. Thank Father Christmas!

She wondered slowly through the isles, examining the wide array of unique weapons available. So many kinds…all amazing…it's impossible to choose…spears…nah…bows…no way…swords…maybe…guns…oh, this is too much!

Then, she saw it…the most beautiful weapon she'd seen so far. A three-barreled gun lay gleaming on top of a work table beside a can of polish. She admired the spectacular craftsmanship, the ingenuous design Simple, elegant, practical.

"Actually, that one belongs to me." A deep voice shattered the silence and pulled the teenager from her thoughts.

Bernice turned around to see a tall man standing behind her. He wore black leather clothes and a tattered crimson cloak. But what intrigued her most about this man was that he possessed a golden claw instead of a normal left hand. "I was just admiring the…who…" she stammered.

"Vincent Valentine." The man replied. He strode forwards and picked the gun up. "This is my gun, the Cerberus." In one swift motion, he flicked his fingers, and the gun spun in his hand. In two shakes, the gun was safely put away at his side.

"That was amazing! How'd you do that?" Man, this place is full of surprises!

"Hmm…perhaps I'll show you sometime…" he said as he turned to leave.

They heard footsteps. Tifa appeared soon after. "So, guess you've met Vincent. Say, have you picked out a weapon yet?"

"Nah, not yet. There're just too many types to choose from…"

Tifa smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. You'll know when you've found the right one for yourself. But don't take too long, okay?"

Bernice nodded. She took a deep breath and continued sifting through the seemingly endless collection. Finally, after several long minutes of searching, her eyes fell upon a modest looking blade. The blade, which was roughly two feet in length, was thicker than most of the blades she'd seen so far. It looked like a formidable weapon to carry. The markings carved into the blade were beautiful. However, it was only when she picked the blade up that she realized the distinctiveness of this particular blade.

"A trigger…and a barrel!" she exclaimed. This wasn't just a blade, it functioned as a gun as well! How cool is that!

She felt the lines of the weapon. Perfect, she thought. And it's quite light too…considering. Simply remarkable…yes…you're the one!

She took a moment to caress her new companion, and then brought it to the awaiting Tifa.

"Are you sure this is the one?" Tifa asked when she realized what Bernice had chosen. "Learning to use a gun-blade is no bed of roses…it's more like a bed of thorns…"

"Yes, absolutely. This is the weapon I will strife to master."