Staring at the creature approaching him was calling roots from the ground, binding his legs in place as he was forced to watch it advance. Sephiroth struggled and flailed against the invisible ties, wanting to fulfill Mother's wishes and cut the monster down where it stood.

So why couldn't he?

Zack, with his hand still outstretched, continued to solace his friend with words.

"I know you're scared... I know..." He watched the emeralds carefully, stepping around any potential embers. "You're scared to hurt anyone else..."

There is nothing to be scared of, my son... Monsters kill... You are fulfilling your destiny.

Sephiroth felt the roots begin to crack. "Monsters kill!" he echoed, hoping it would dishearten the other.

But Zack was undaunted. "You're not a monster, Seph..." he kept his eyes kind and soft. "It made you do it. You would never hurt anyone..."

Sephiroth snarled in protest. But then, his eyes seemed to flicker. "I'm... not...?" It was a pained reply, low and cracked.

Zack's heart both sank and lifted. Seph was still in there. He was doing all he could to respond.

"Buddy..." he offered a wan smile, finally standing before his friend. He reached out his glove to squeeze the other's shoulder. It was something Seph had always done to calm him down; a small but meaningful gesture to show how much he cared.

But before his hand could make contact, the emeralds flickered darkly. He slapped it away, letting another snarl ride his breath. "Of course I am a monster!" he snapped, and without any further hesitation, lunged.

"Zack!" Cloud cried from under an awning. He prepared to jump in himself, but was soon restrained by two villagers snatching him by the collar.

"You'll be killed!" one yelled, holding back the squirming teen

Meanwhile, Zack had been slammed into the dirt, splashing amongst the crimson puddles. Without Buster to call, he swatted away Sephiroth's 'slashes' by hand.

"Seph, c'mon!" he pleaded, scurrying backwards as he deflected each strike. "You gotta fight if off!" It was a heart-wrenching sight. The person who had once been the most skilled fighter in all of ShinRa reduced to such a pitiful, vile state.

Missing the rhythm of single slash, Zack was once again knocked to the dirt. This time, however, Sephiroth seized him by the neck before he could recover. He dug his nails into the brunet's skin, tightening his hold as Zack's lungs began to deflate.

"S-Seph..." he was hardly able to choke, "I know you're there..."

Tears slipped down from the aqua orbs, rolling off his lashes and cheeks until finally, falling upon the leather wrist.

As they landed, Sephiroth's attention was turned. The emeralds widened as reality was unveiled from over his eyes.

Zack...?

When Zack opened his eyes, he found that his neck had been freed, gasping for the sweet embrace of oxygen. He wasted no time climbing to his feet.

Sephiroth had retreated down the road, once again brought to his knees. The violent tornado of clamors and screeches had returned; ribboning around his conscious in a spiraling and unforgiving dance.

Until he was lost within it.

xxxxxxx

The warrior didn't know where he was. As far as the eye could see, it was all but a black canvas; not even a star to be seen.

As the emerald eyes slid open, he found himself floating among this void. Still dressed in his leather cloak, he realized Masamune was back in his left hand. He clutched the hilt tighter, resisting the urge to bring her close in an embrace.

But something else was on his mind: and that was that it was clear. No violent impulses, no whispers breathing solace into his veins. So... why didn't he feel at peace?

Sephiroth surveyed his surroundings. Nothing. A sea of literal nothing.

Had he died? Was this the Lifestream? But he still had his soul, his essence, his memories...

He was ShinRa's General, Soldier First Class. He was twenty-four years old. And he wasn't alone. Not anymore.

Just as that very thing came into thought, a frenzy of tentacles had seized him from below. They climbed up his form, wrapping around his arms and constricting his legs. One slithered up his back, winding around his neck as it began to smother.

Sephiroth screamed for help, but no words came out. The more he struggled, the tighter the grip would become. Masmaune soon slipped from his glove, falling into the mass of turquoise, squirming limbs. He felt himself beginning to sink.

You will soon be no more... Sephiroth. This body is rightfully mine. Your thoughts, they have all been mine. Never once did you have an independent thought! Your strength, it was granted by me. I tried everything I can to have you assist me, but still you insist on resisting. You... are mine. You always were.

Sephiroth feverishly flailed and bucked, doing all he could to regain his freedom. But it was to no avail. His wrists constricted, his legs were tugged down, drowning himself further into the quicksand.

It was hopeless... Jenova had won. There was nothing he could do, not when this being resided inside him. There was no escape.

So, Sephiroth let his limbs fall slack. He stopped resisting. The emeralds slowly closed as he dipped his head, allowing for the tentacles to digest him.

Mine… Mine…

You belong to me…

C'mon, Seph! You gotta fight it!

Sephiroth's eyes flew open. Zack... was he here? No...he was somewhere outside. The voice had echoed all around the abyss, slipping through the closing crevices of the tentacles above and into his hearing.

Please... I want my friend back...

I'm here! Sephiroth tried to call, but was met only by silence.

He was wrenched completely under, submerged in the encompassing, parasitic jungle. His eyes darted desperately, seeking for a way — any way — to escape. But he was blinded by the vines.

Seph…! Please… I can't lose another friend. Please… listen to me…!

The voice was growing further and further away as Sephiroth did the same.

He formed the words in his mind, collecting them in his throat and screaming them out through his teeth. But only a brutal and mocking silence left his mouth.

I hear you! he screamed. I hear you!

Soon, his throat could handle no more. He let out a soundless, infuriated exclamation. Was there really nothing he could do? No ears to receive his cries?

No... he had to get out. He had to get out and prove he was still here, that there was a person worth calling for.

He had to break free.

Sephiroth focused all his strength into wringing himself free. But of course, his latches only tightened. Instead, the warrior only focused on freeing his left arm — the arm in which Masmaune fell. He wriggled his fingers, one at a time, soon moving onto his wrist. He could feel the veins inside constricting; his circulation being obstructed by these parasitic binds.

But he didn't stop. Sephiroth sucked in his breath. And with a rush of newfound adrenaline, tore apart the tentacles that confined his arm.

Jenova let out a blood-curdling screech, ultimately tightening grip the rest of her grip. Sephiroth allowed for his blood to reflow. Once he felt that his arm was ready, he stretched his muscled to their utmost limit in a tactile search for Masamune.

His fingers groped through the mass of squirming appendages, still able to graze the oily and foreign texture through his gloves.

Finally, the familiar material slapped against his hand. He locked his fingers around the hilt, hoisting Masamune through the sea of turquoise until her sleek metal came into view.

You think you are anything more than a puppet?!

Raising Masamune over his head, Sephiroth prepared to slash. His eyes narrowed in determination.

"Then I shall cut my strings."

And this was said aloud.

His blade struck in a silver blur, lacerating the appendage off his other arm before freeing his legs. Jenova shrieked upon each collision, sending a new tentacle to handle and rebound her captive.

YOU ARE… NOTHING! NOTHING BUT A PUPPET!

Another limb whipped, instantly met by the swift demise of Masamune's edge. Limbs were chopped and scythed before another could even be produced. Sephiroth dodged and cut and slashed, climbing through the nest with his eyes locked ahead.

There was a fissure, just above!

He strengthened his hold on Masamune's helve. Taking one last breath, his eyes sparked not with poison, but with fire.

"You. Will."

PUPPET!

"Never."

He readied his katana.

MY PUPPET!

"Take... ME!"

And with that, Masmaune slashed through the last of Jenova's barriers. She emitted one final screech, her limbs flailing and beating until finally, cracking. They fissured apart, one by one, crumbling into the bottomless chasm below.

Sephiroth stood victorious amidst it all, watching his prison shatter and plummet. His chest lightened, his mind sharpened, and his eyes shined brighter than ever before.

Finally, he was alone in the abyss. He let his hair flow freely, let his cloak follow the motions. He embraced the precious, precious liberty for all it was.

Seph...? Seph! Speak to me!

Glistens of light were casted upon Sephiroth's features. He looked up to see that an opening had been made, graciously beaming its illumination through. It rayed into Sephiroth's very heart, calling his name and restoring his strength. He was ready.

And so, Sephiroth began swimming towards the egress. He swam and swam until the light had engulfed him entirely, washing through his being and cleansing the tainted blood.

"I'm here, Zack. I'm coming."

He was free.