Chapter 5

It is hard not to notice that more dragons were appearing on the island. Though the ones letting the group stay at the nests do live here naturally. Cid was caught up on what they knew. Though he wishes he could give them the same amount of info back. They didn't tell him a lot. Cid does admit to one small secret: He can also understand dragons. Never really needed to use it, as most of the dragons who attacked the group was mako crazed. The ones on the island are far more stable. They also have shared memories that go back several generations. Back to when they were bonded to Dragoons.

Cid, " The dragons live here to watch over the temple. I was damn lucky one of them spotted me. They'll can take us to the temple but they can't tell us how to activate it. "

Cloud cocks his head, " Something tells me you have an idea where the temple is. "

Cid smirks, "Hell yeah... Come on. " Cid carefully climbs to the top of the nesting caves. The view here is amazing. Cid points to a perfectly smooth and man-made hole. " I would bet you, that on the inside is a huge ass throne. Big enough for something like Bahamut to sit on. "

Merlin, " Must be a pain when it rains. "

Cloud, " We would have to go inside to see more. "

Cid, " I think tonight is going to be the lunar eclipse of a super moon. Look, we have some time and the dragons got us a lot of fish. So lets cook it and head down after we eat. "

Vincent, " Will you be up for it, chief? " Offering Cid his goggles back.

Cid just grins as he accepts them back, " My lucky goggles! Thanks, Vince!. I'll be fine. "

Merlin, " I think I can help figure it out. Though without my staff, I'm going to need some help with my control. Remember when we were kids? "

Cid scratches his jaw, " Oh, yeah! You used to help you focus your magic better. " To the others, " He just would put his hand on my shoulder. "

Merlin, " These days my powers have been really jacked up. Not sure if using you as a focus won't make your condition worse."

Cid rolls his eyes, " Stop being a pussy. Hey Vince, can you help me get back down? " Vincent tries to hide the smile as he does.

Cloud gets a concerned look on his face, " I better go make sure they don't burn the fish. " Heading down as well.

Yuffie noticed that Merlin is still standing there, looking troubled., " Hey. This is a lot of pressure you. Will you be okay?"

Merlin, " I guess... Fuck! How can he be so positive this is going to work?! We don't know what will happen if we do this ritual. Doing it might kill him. One screw up could kill him. And not doing it will kill him! He's the only family I have left. What if … I don't have anyone else. When we were kids, I don't remember my father not drinking and Mom either arguing with him or working. Never knew any uncles or aunts. I did have Cid... Yeah, we fought, but what brothers don't? "

Yuffie, " Hey, you aren't alone anymore. I know we just met but we're friends, right? We can do this. We just need to stay positive. " Stands on a bit of rock so she can get to his height, " You know, the only time I seen him depressed was about the space program. He never gave up on that dream until he made it up there. I bet you're a bit like that, too! You are both very stubborn when you have a goal. Like getting control over your powers. "

Merlin finally looks Yuffie in the eyes, " Yeah, I guess. " Can't help but smile shyly.

Yuffie leans in to give Merlin a kiss. Merlin blushes before pulling her to him and returning it. Holding each other close, they start to make out. Then Cid yells out. " Get ya asses inside. The fish is about ready! "

Merlin groans, " Can we pick this up later? If you want I mean... I want to but I can't understand if you change your mind " Sighs, " I'm not good with this word thing. "

Yuffie just laughs and gives him a playful grin, " We can pick this up later. You are lucky I have a thing for dorks. "

They are each flown down by the dragons, who leave to join the collective flying in the sky,. Even Cid is puzzled but says he doubts they will be much help till after the eclipse. The hole is a lot larger now that they are in the chamber. There seems to be not much to this place aside craved markings in the floors, stone torches carved out of the stone, and the throne. Cid doesn't mind it being basic. This is where he will live or die, huh?

Cloud, " I better go stand guard outside. "

Vincent, " I'll go with him. " Before he can leave, Cid grabs the front of Vincent's shirt and pulls him down into a kiss. Merlin stands in shock. Cloud though keeps walking out the room, muttering ' about time'. Yuffie shamelessly watches the whole scene. They break the kiss, so Cid can catch his breath. " ... We will discuss this later. "

Cid, " Ha! I am going to fuck your brains out when this is done. " Making little brother even more flustered. Vincent's cheeks get a tiny bit of color for the first time Merlin has met him. Then he follows Cloud out.

Yuffie calls out to Vincent, "Good luck! " Turns to Cid, " Wow... how long have you been waiting to do that? "

Merlin, " So.. you like guys? " Quickly adds " Cause I'm okay with that. I mean I prefer women. "

Cid ignores their questions, "Let's just get this started. "

Yuffie scratches the back of her head, " So he just touches you and does his magic? "

Cid shrugs, " Pretty much. Ready, Merle? " Merlin nods mutely and places his hand on Cid's shoulder. His eyes close and, when his eyes open, they have a soft glow. Even Cid seems to become entranced. Merlin can feel the energy focus more. He can feel the materia inside him as they all flow to the one over his heart. He can see translucent people. Echoes of those long gone. The ghosts vanish and he sees a light above. Two massive dragons fighting. One with multiple heads and the other with scales the color of the night sky. His focus changes. He can see the etchings begin to glow and the five materia floating in the center and focused on a sixth materia. As the eclipse begins, a 6th materia begins to glow.

Merlin, " So the eclipse will trigger it. Cid just needs to stand in the center before the eclipse starts. "

Cid goes to the center of the platform and sits down, " That's it? I can do that! Hey did you find any cigarettes? I had a pack under the strap of my goggles. Been fucking dying for a smoke. "

Merlin seems to debate giving them over or not. " These things will kill you, bro." Tosses them over anyway,

Cid catches the pack, " Thanks! " Cid lights one up and savors it.

Merlin, " Oh hey, we found out that the Highwind clan had a family once in Wutai. So we might still have landed there. "

Cid, " No shit?! " blows smoke and watches it drift away, " I do like Wutai. They have the best fucking tea. "

Yuffie looks delighted to hear that, " I didn't know you liked Wutai that much. Yeah, my country makes a lot of great things. "

Merlin adds, " The house is probably a death trap by now."

Cid waves that off, " Minor detail. Yuffie, think we might have some claim to it? "

Yuffie, " Maybe. When we get back there, I can find out. I bet Godo will even cut some of the red tapes if you help Wutia with an airship or two. "

Cid looks at Merlin and smiles, " Yeah I think I can design something. " Seeing Merlin pumps his fist in excitement is well worth whatever work that house will need. Not the first time he had to rebuild a house. It is nice planning something for the future with his brother. Maybe he can take off more time from the WRO.

~ To be continued