XIV
CHAPTER XIV
THE NIBELHEIM INCIDENT:
SECRETS OF MOUNT NIBEL
The early morning breeze was crisp and fresh as it wound its way many miles from the sea in the south, to the black wrought-iron gateway of Shinra Mansion where the party waited on the outskirts of Nibelheim, a short distance from the alcove entrance to the mountains. Needlekiss birds of magnificent blue and purple sang merrily in the pine trees that branched chaotically from the gardens and hung over the pathway, their flirting music a joy in the brightness of day. Beneath the shadow of the cliff face, Sephiroth paced the trail irritably, a severe glower upon his brow, casting repeated glances back towards the sloping rooftops of the town.
"It's about time," he growled, hearing the faint patter of footsteps approaching.
Cloud looked up to see three figures emerge from beyond the rocky knolls, hurriedly making their way along the unkempt road. His heart caught in his throat for a moment as he saw her; Tifa as radiant and beautiful as he remembered her. She wore a short brown miniskirt and waistcoat over a cropped white blouse, her black hair long and straight beneath her Stetson. Two men accompanied her; one a few years Cloud's senior, with scruffy dark hair, the other considerably older, his rugged features revealing he had not shaved in days. Their eyes were trained on Sephiroth and, as they drew nearer, Cloud recognised them as Tifa's father and Rick Fergus, son of the Nibel Accessories store owner, who was carrying a large flashbulb camera.
"Sorry I'm late," she called, panting as she arrived at the gate.
"Don't let it happen again," Sephiroth snarled impatiently.
"My name's Tifa," she smiled clumsily, her cheeks flushing. "It's...uh...nice to meet y'all."
"So, you're the guide, huh?" grinned Cloud, stepping out from behind his superior and the two infantrymen, watching Tifa's jaw drop.
"That's right," she laughed, her big brown eyes wide with surprise. "At your service. I just happen to be number one in the town. How are you, Cloud?"
"I'm good," he replied, pausing as his tone turned serious, "but, I don't think you should be involved in something like this. It's too dangerous."
"Listen, Sephiroth," interrupted her father, his voice firm as he took a step forward. He was a handsome man, broad in stature, and Cloud could see he shared a number of Tifa's features. "If something happens to my daughter…"
"Trust me," he answered flatly.
"I'll be alright, papa," insisted Tifa, as if they had already discussed the issue. "I have two men from SOLDIER with me."
"Then, there will be no problem if Cloud here protects her," Sephiroth said almost sarcastically as he brushed past Mr. Lockhart and began towards the mountain. His tolerance had clearly reached its limit. "Now, we've already wasted enough time. Let's go…"
"Mr. Sephiroth?" gulped Rick, the young photographer, tapping his arm nervously. Sephiroth turned slowly, a fierce expression spreading across his face.
"What?"
"Um…could I please take a picture?" he asked feebly, pulling the camera from around his neck and holding it out for them all to see. Sephiroth clenched his jaw, his Mako eyes flaring, but said nothing. "I'm such a huge admirer of yours. I'm even part of your Silver Elite fan club. Just one picture…as a memento. Tifa, you too. Together with both SOLDIERs."
With a giggle of excitement, Tifa grabbed Cloud's arm and playfully dragged him to a spot in front of the black gates. Sephiroth stalked after them, shaking his head in frustration. Tifa posed gleefully between the SOLDIERs, adjusting her hat to prevent it falling from her head, with a cross-armed, nonchalant Cloud on her right. Quickly adjusting the lens of his camera, Rick gave them a thumbs-up and, with a blinding flash, took the photograph.
"Great! Thank you," he beamed, unable to take his gaze from his hero. "I'll give each of you a copy once I get them developed."
"Take your time," Sephiroth muttered to himself.
"…we set off after that," continued Cloud, each detail of the tale unfolding in his memory as he spoke. "Although the town was situated at the bottom of the mountain range, we had to trek the five mile distance to the only passable incline. After the Reactor was built, the Shinra employees used a ropeway system to go between the facility and the town, but it had apparently been damaged at the time of the disappearances, and was completely out of commission."
"Yeah, that kinda happened while me and Samantha were riding it," added Tifa. "We had to jump out of the cable car before one of the dragons tore it down. It was pretty scary stuff…but, that's not important."
"It simply wasn't safe anymore," Cloud agreed. "We were forced to scale the jagged face of Mount Nibel, carefully following Tifa's navigation along old and withered trails. It was after midday before we neared the summit. The townspeople used to say the mountains were once covered in vast forests, but now it was just a desolate landscape. According to folklore, no-one could cross to the other side alive, but that was just a tale to keep kids from playing on it. The cold air was no different than I had remembered…"
Cloud felt a single bead of sweat trickle down his cheek as he walked, leaving a tingle on his skin as it quickly cooled in the low temperature. Tifa and Sephiroth marched a number of feet in front of him, hopping between the collection of grey rock and stone that rested across the weaving pebbled ridge of the Bahba-Velamyu Pass. Above them, the deep amber glare of the sun beat down on the party, its unforgiving rays broken only by a faint mist that hung over the horned peaks of the dark mountains like the chilling breath of an ancient foe. There had been little conversation among the party during the ascent, even when passing the lone rambler, and when Tifa slowed to walk alongside Cloud for a few moments, her hushed voice seemed to echo through the air as she spoke.
"Cloud, can I ask you something?" she whispered out of earshot of the others.
"Uh...sure," he replied, returning from his own wandering thoughts. "Fire away."
"Are there a lot of SOLDIER First Classes?"
"Nope," he answered with a cocky grin. "We're a small, elite group. Not too many of us."
"Oh..." Tifa trailed off. She glanced down, opening her mouth as if to continue, but no words came. As she met his gaze again, there came a terrible shriek from behind.
Cloud spun in time to see a death claw leap from a ridge above them, its bony pincers snapping wildly at its back. It hit the ground running, its powerful legs pounding towards the group. His reaction was instinctual, lightning-quick. As the death claw propelled itself forward, Cloud heaved the Buster Sword across his shoulder and swung, the thick edge of the weapon catching the monster's midriff, launching it into the cliff face. There was a sickening crunch as its body collided with the rock, twitching as it toppled to the ground.
Cloud turned back towards his colleagues with a shrug, paying no attention to Sephiroth's indifferent expression. He noticed that his young friend had managed to get himself between the creature and Tifa, his rifle raised, protecting her from the attack, and nodded in acknowledgement of his bravery. The soldier took a few nervous steps forward, his gun trained on the death claw, and gave the unmoving fiend an investigative kick.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, buddy," Cloud said. "It's just knocked out. It could wake up and start chowing down on you."
"It's not dead?" Tifa gasped in surprise. "Why?"
"Use of my sword brings about wear, tear and rust," he replied with a sigh, admiring the great blade before slotting it onto its holder, oblivious as Sephiroth rolled his eyes. "So I normally just hit with the blunt side. No need to kill if you don't have to, right?"
Slowly making their way around the side of a steep stretch of path over the next hour, the road marred by a number of small Mako swells like ghostly pale green springs, the silence of the lonely landscape was shattered by a sudden grunt from the SOLDIER Captain. Cloud glanced up, seeing him stop and take a moment to gaze towards the height of the adjacent mountain top, shielding his eyes from the sunlight. Tracing his stare, Cloud could make out a series of enormous pipes protruding from varying points on the opposite cliff, and what seemed to be the bulbous chimney of the Mako Reactor concealed within the walls of a vast isolated ledge. A large hollow had been cut from atop the twisting tentacles of treacherous rock that reached out malevolently around the natural boundary, from which an old rope bridge extended to the crest of the trail a short way from the group.
Taking their time to shuffle one by one along the ridge, the party came at last to the slender crossing. As the five gathered by the wooden posts that secured the bridge to the ground, Cloud felt a wave of unease pass over him, peering warily into the misty gorge that ran between the peaks. The chasm was approximately fifty feet in depth, shaping the descent of the flowing waters that would become the River Stygian, but was lined on both sides by armies of sharp stalagmites. Smirking to herself as she read his expression, Tifa casually placed her hands on the frayed ropes.
"You better watch your footing," she warned, "the path gets harder from here on in. We'll need to cross in single file."
The bridge groaned agedly as she stepped onto the first of the wooden boards, creaking as it swayed gently under her steady movement. Sephiroth went after her, his undeterred focus on the opening at the walkway's summit, followed closely by Cloud and the infantrymen. Only the noise of heavy breathing surrounded them as they proceeded, anxious and quick, unnerving amidst the closing fog. Harriers circled overhead in a defensive formation, cautiously surveying the intruders rather than scavenging as they were best known to do.
As they approached the centre of the bridge, an unexpected shudder sent each of them scrambling for support. Cloud swallowed hard as the tension of the rope rapidly began to loosen, and froze as there came a great tearing sound from behind. Spinning in time to see the wires break free of their foundations, he suddenly felt himself grow weightless, hearing Tifa scream as they plunged into the ravine.
He hit the icy torrent at speed, gulping down a mouthful of water as he cried out in pain. He gasped for breath, kicking with all his might as he fought his way blindly to the surface. His lungs ready to explode, he burst from the river, snatching at air as his eyes stung with fizzing foam. The waters began to pick up speed and, as he strained to see, he could make out the shadow of Sephiroth clambering onto a rocky shore nearby. Dragging himself against the current, he grabbed an overhanging ledge, and yanked himself onto dry land. Wheezing, he rolled onto his back, looking up in time to see the young Shinra soldier pull Tifa to the safety of the embankment.
"You guys okay?" Cloud croaked, brushing the matted spikes from his face, watching the others gradually rise to their feet and wring the water from their drenched clothes. Tifa and the soldier gestured to say they were fine. The second infantryman was nowhere in sight.
"Everyone seems to be alright," replied Sephiroth after a few moments, frowning. His furrowed gaze was set towards a lone cave entrance at the base of a small decline further along the river, the murky hollow the only obvious outlet from the shore. "Can we get back to where we were?"
"I think so," nodded Tifa, her teeth chattering, "these caves are all intertwined like an ant farm. It shouldn't be a problem to get us to the Reactor, or even back down the mountain this way."
"Good," said Sephiroth. "We can't afford to waste any more time. We must continue on."
"But, Sephiroth," paused Tifa, scanning the area around them, "isn't there someone missing?"
"I know it sounds cold," he exhaled, shaking his head, "but we really don't have the time to search for him. We can only hope for the best. Now, come on. You're the guide, so lead the way."
Hesitant in her step as if she wanted to argue against Sephiroth's order, Tifa trudged towards the underground passage, shivering as her dripping clothes absorbed the chilling bite of the air. The party were met by a low stone corridor as they passed beyond the opening, and began their ascent into the dark tunnels of the mountainside. Though thin strips of distant light pierced the cave walls through fissures etched in the ceiling, briefly illuminating the otherwise black pathways, Sephiroth chose to keep a flame of Fire magic burning so as to warm and dry the group. The climb was long and laborious, drawing them into the insect-infested labyrinth of Mount Nibel, the steep slope proving a challenge even to the trained legs of the soldiers and Tifa.
After a short while, the tunnels widened to form colossal caverns of shimmering rock, and their trail began twisting amongst the maze of granite sentinels that spanned the vast height of the caves. Waves of pale greens and yellows rippled on the smooth face of the limestone as they were bathed in bursts of concentrated sunlight, the colours merging as if in harmonious motion. The soothing sound of trickling water reached their ears as they came to a small stretch of pointed stalagmites, their mossy bases dampened by a thin brook of slow current that crept down a natural elevated stairwell on the wall, laying a veil of serenity over the surroundings.
"What is this place?" Cloud asked Tifa, his voice hushed as he gazed upon the magnificence of the cavern. "I've never seen this part of the mountain."
"I just know them as the mysteriously-coloured caves…" she whispered.
"It's the Mako," answered Sephiroth from behind, his voice breaking the tranquillity. "The coloured walls are part of the Mako energy's effect. This mountain is particularly abundant in it because the Mako rivers run so close to its heart. That's why the first Reactor was built here."
"This is actually the deepest I've ever been from this side," admitted Tifa. "I know the passages through here lead straight to the Reactor, but when I often used to come here with my cat, I would feel so at peace that…"
"Enough," Sephiroth interrupted sternly. "This is no time for your useless reminiscing. We must carry on, and if you no longer have any additional knowledge to guide us, then I will."
"But…" Tifa spluttered in protest, turning to Cloud to seek his support. Placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort, he shrugged, and lowered his eyes in silence.
Pushing briskly past them, Sephiroth took the head of the party, striding with determination along the path, his firm glare beckoning them to follow with haste. For almost an hour they trekked farther through the enriched tunnels and caves, too hurried to slow and admire their beauty, constantly forcing their way against the incline as they circled the inner boundaries of the mountain. Tifa cursed the Captain of SOLDIER under her breath as she slogged aside Cloud, fleetingly mumbling her disdain for his ignorant attitude towards her.
Approaching the summit under Sephiroth's direction, the four could feel the temperature drop slightly, and the drifting clouds begin to penetrate the passages. Darkness had vacated the passageways, leaving only the lingering dew of golden daylight that spread from the distant mouth to the underground caverns. When at last they reached the pulsing swell of the sun's rays beating through the haze, the tunnels parted to shape an enchanting sight that none had expected, melting even their leader's hardened expression.
"I don't believe it…" breathed Sephiroth as he marvelled at the expanse, his words almost inaudible.
They had come to a secluded grotto that marked the gateway from the arid peaks of Mount Nibel to the gleaming catacombs within. The hollow was large in size, partitioned wholly by high curving walls of limestone but for a slim channel on the northern face that revealed the grey landscape of the mountain range beyond. The decaying remains of a number of oak trees lined the perimeter of the cavern, unusual to be found at such an altitude. Bent and lifeless, their dried roots snaked across the floor like prying fingers towards the very location that had captured the fascination of the group.
At the centre of the grotto, sparkling beneath the beams of sunlight whose energy seemed to focus entirely on the spot, stood a rocky fountain amid a small pool of ethereal pale green liquid. Cloud could make out a crystallised object at the pinnacle of the structure, held in a deep cup of stone, glimmering intensely as it reflected the light that poured from the ceiling. Seeing the natural alter, Tifa gasped with excitement, her mood lifting immediately as she squeezed between the soldiers, scurrying over the brittle tree roots to the edge of the motionless pool.
"Where are we?" she called, shielding her eyes as she ogled the shining crystal.
"This is a Mako fountain," replied Sephiroth, his gaze filling with wonder as he and the others crossed the cave to join her. Branches crunched underfoot as they walked, the sound a strange resonance in their isolation.
"It's so pretty," Tifa whispered, inspecting the spring.
"A miracle of nature," agreed Sephiroth.
"But, if the Reactor continues to suck up Mako energy," asked Tifa, her tone sinking as she nodded towards the withering oak, "won't this dry up too?"
"Eventually," he sighed grimly. "Fortunately for Shinra, most people on the Planet are willing to allow such things to fade from existence in order for them to lead the easy life that the Company's electricity can provide. If it's any consolation, the Mako fountain will be one of the last parts of the mountain to die."
"Why is that?" said the young soldier.
"Although it seems relatively small, this crystal contains an enormous amount of Mako inside it," explained Sephiroth. "You should know the name we give to it."
"Name?" he muttered, staring hard at the crystal. A swirling mist of blue had formed beneath its glassy surface, gently throbbing inside. "I have no idea."
"Materia," Sephiroth revealed, a thin smile broadening on his lips as the infantryman looked at him with surprise.
"Huh?"
"When you condense Mako energy, the solid form produced is called Materia. You've seen it before, right?"
"Yeah, but not like this," said the boy, leaning closer.
"Most of the Materia on the Planet has been manufactured in the laboratories at Shinra Headquarters using excavated Mako stones," began Sephiroth. "The researchers of the Weapons Development Department have learned over the years how to produce and modify its properties using specialised compression capsules. This is where the huge arsenal of Materia with different magic available to SOLDIER and the Security Department comes from.
"It's very rare to see Materia in its natural state, so I can understand your confusion. In fact, this is the first time I've ever seen it with my own eyes. Materia has to be created synthetically because certain delicate conditions must be met in order for it to form, otherwise the Mako will take decades to crystallise on its own. There are a few known places around the world where this actually occurs, though. For example, in fertile areas of the Southern Continent such as Mideel or Banora, you can find small swells in the ground where the Mako rivers have breached the surface to form tiny pools. We passed some of these on our way up the mountain trail. These are the spots where, if left undisturbed, Materia will begin to crystallise over time."
"C'mon, man," Cloud teased, slapping his friend playfully on the back, "didn't they teach you this stuff at the Academy?"
"I guess not…"
"But, Sephiroth, why is it that when you equip Materia, you can use magic?" asked Cloud, spinning sharply as Tifa let out a sudden burst of laughter. Sephiroth scoffed, brushing the long strands of his fringe from his face as he shook his head in mocking disgust. "What? What is it?"
"You are a SOLDIER and you didn't even know that?" chuckled Tifa.
"The knowledge and wisdom of the Ancients is held in the Materia," explained Sephiroth. "Anyone with this knowledge can freely interact with the land and the Planet and call upon its powers as they once did. Thus, when you equip a Materia orb, the knowledge contained within that orb will act as a conduit between you and the Planet, unleashing its magic…or so they say."
"Magic…" Cloud murmured thoughtfully. "The mysterious power…"
"Someone once told me never to use such unscientific a term as 'mysterious power'," said Sephiroth, his grin diminishing slightly. "It shouldn't even be called 'magic'. I still remember how angry he was."
"Who?" asked Cloud. "I've never heard that."
"Professor Hojo," Sephiroth rolled his eyes with distaste. "He was an inexperienced man back then, assigned to take over the work of a great scientist. Forever a walking mass of complexes. But, no matter. Let's just keep going. We've dwelled too long here…"
Gesturing with his hand towards the narrow exit of channelled rock a short way from them, he wordlessly bade his comrades to return to their ascent of the mountain. With an air of revitalised enthusiasm and a spring in her step, Tifa took charge of the party, the heels of her boots echoing between the high walls on either side as she led the group through the ingress.
The passage brought them to a cliffside walkway looking west across the dark twisting horns of the great shapes that grew like coiled spires in the mist, and the endless moors of the Rilfsak Plains beyond, whose lush greenery had already commenced the long journey towards the horizon. A thin trail of gravel made its way from the ledge along the north face of the mountain, rising as it continued on beneath a series of huge rusting pipes that arced from the cliff and disappeared into the gorge below. The four began to climb the rim, wary as they scaled the crumbling path, the throbbing warmth drying their damp clothing, moving in single file and without sound as they strove to reach their destination.
They arrived finally at the height of the trail, coming to a broad clearing overshadowed by the towering ridge of Mount Nibel's tallest peak. Only the enormous cylindrical chimney of the Mako Reactor was visible at the centre of the space; the body of the facility was buried deep within the confines of the mountain. It had been constructed decades before with slabs of grey brick, and little had changed of the exterior over the years but for the rot and rust of the steel piping that extended the length of its figure, and the erection of a supporting base shell that led to the secured entrance of the Reactor. It was accompanied solely by a smaller containment structure at the far side of the clearing, connected by a single funnel whose colour had drained over time to leave a brown residue along its casing.
As they ventured towards the Reactor head, their attention was set on the nests of the scavenging harriers tucked high in the derelict fissures of the chimney's domed crown, and the blue-feathered birds themselves as they soared without purpose around their settlement. The pebbled terrain smoothed to flat rock as they neared the slender stairway of the support podium, the sudden sound of crunching all the more startling to the party as it resonated from under their boots. Above them, there came a shrill cry from the harriers, each of them swooping from their flight at speed and rising again in an alert formation. Sephiroth slowed as he watched the birds, and swiftly withdrew the Masamune from its sheath, his silver head jerking sharply as he scanned the area, waving the others back.
Cloud was quick to adopt a defensive stance as he and the young soldier moved immediately to protect Tifa, but was puzzled by his superior's apprehension. It had been more than a week since the mysterious disappearance of the Reactor workers, and it seemed that the presence of the group had simply caused agitation among the harriers. Opening his mouth to question the command, Cloud felt his muscles tense instantly, the faint tremor of the earth unmistakable. Thin wisps of smoke began to float into the air from the darkened corner of the site as something stirred in the shaded region beyond the building, and released a roar that pierced their ears like a siren.
Sephiroth held his sword aloft as the emerald dragon emerged from the shadows, its beady stare trained on the black-clad SOLDIER. The creature was of the same species, but much larger than the dragon the Shinra party had encountered in Nibel Forest, its green scales tarred by the dust and grime of its resting place. The ground shook relentlessly with the beast's every step, the vibrations worsening as it rapidly began to pick up speed. The dragon lowered its rigid neck like a battering ram as it careered towards Sephiroth, propelling itself forward with a great surge of power from its hind legs.
As it closed on him, Sephiroth leapt from its path, landing gracefully a number of feet from the mighty animal. Hurtling past him, the dragon skidded to a halt, its momentum dragging it across the decline of the rock, beating its enormous wings in an attempt to recover its attack. Sephiroth lacked expression as he lifted his right arm towards the foe, the dim glow of his equipped Materia creating a green haze around it as he prepared to unleash the orb's magic.
Targeting the monster, Sephiroth spun abruptly, his concentration faltering and the magic haze diminishing as a second dragon charged without warning from the shadows. Its horned snout flaring, the beast snapped its foaming jaws wildly, bearing down on him with the untamed force of an enraged giant. Sephiroth parried the assault effortlessly with the Masamune, restraining the animal with incredible strength as it swung its claws violently at him. Glancing up as the first dragon reared back to emit another thunderous bellow, its nostrils smoking as it gathered the energy to exhale a wave of fire upon Sephiroth, Cloud burst from his position, advancing hastily upon the creature as it dropped to its feet.
Thinking fast as the dragon began to move again, Cloud pulled his Ice Materia from the pouch of his utility braces, hurriedly pressing the small orb against his forearm. The Materia merged with his flesh easily, melting beneath his skin. Seeing the image of a frozen lake in his mind, a green haze gathered around his arm and frosty sparks of Blizzara magic fired from his fingertips, forming a sheet of thick ice under the marching claws of the monster. Working against the minor slope of the clearing, the hulking animal shrieked in confusion as its legs kicked frantically, but its body slid backwards towards the cliff. The earth around them trembled fiercely as the dragon lost its footing and collapsed, emitting a terrible howl as it sped helplessly down the decline, vanishing beyond the mountainside.
Turning, Cloud saw Sephiroth push the second dragon from him, ruthless as he skewered the beast's heart. There was a great quake as its body shuddered and tumbled limply to the ground, its corpse twitching as globules of thick blood began to ooze from the wound. His brows furrowed as if lost in thought, Sephiroth returned to the party, wiping the blood from the Masamune with a stained tissue as he walked.
"What is it?" asked Cloud as his superior strode past him, kneeling at the spot where the ground had crackled below their feet.
"Something's not right," he muttered, trailing his fingers through the crumbling dirt. "Those dragons…it's very strange to see them so high in the mountains. The Turks' report was right."
"About the dragons?"
"And the possible fate of the Reactor's workers…"
As he spoke, Sephiroth leant forward, and picked something from the grains of dust scattered across the rock. Exhaling deeply, he grew slowly to his feet, examining it in his hand. After a moment, he held out his palm, inviting the others to take a look at his find. The object was small and thin, like a tree branch, charred at the edges as if it had been exposed to a naked flame.
"What is it?" said Tifa.
"A human bone," answered Cloud solemnly, lowering his head. "It means that the workers didn't disappear…they were eaten…"
"But…" stammered Tifa, holding a hand to her mouth as her expression turned to grief. "That…that's awful…"
"We have to find out what's causing this," asserted Sephiroth, gazing up at the entrance of the Reactor. "Cloud, come with me."
"What about me?" exclaimed Tifa, grabbing Cloud's arm as he followed Sephiroth towards the grilled steps of the facility.
"You two wait here," Cloud instructed. "Don't worry, you'll be safe enough."
"But, I wanna go inside," pleaded Tifa, gripping tighter, her large brown eyes burning into his. "I wanna see what's going on."
"I'm sorry…" Cloud shook his head, gently pulling away from her grasp.
"This is a restricted facility," Sephiroth stated firmly. "Non-Shinra personnel are not permitted inside. This place is full of Shinra, Inc.'s industrial secrets. I can't let you go any further."
"But…"
"Stay here until we get back," ordered Sephiroth, nodding to the infantryman. "Take care of the young lady."
"Yes, sir," obeyed the boy, clicking his heels together as he raised his hand to his helmet in salute. Taking a single pace, he stood between Tifa and the SOLDIERs as they started up the stairway, blocking her from pursuing.
"You better treat me real good, then!" moped Tifa, crossing her arms in a sulk.
When Cloud and Sephiroth reached the broad doorway to the facility, they discovered the heavy security gates were lifeless and parted easily, scraping over the grated panels of the support platform. They opened into a wide corridor whose white plastic walls had become stained by the Mako fumes of the Reactor's lower depths, leading them to a cold stone stairwell. The steps circled the circumference of the chimney's inner walls, descending a great number of levels, the high ceiling of the slim passage echoing their footsteps in the near-silence. Only the distant rumble of machinery could be heard as they made their way into the buried heart of the building, their pathway lit by what few bulbs had survived the facility's abandonment.
After a short time, they came to the base of the stairs, and to another corridor that took them farther into the confines of the Reactor. Cloud noted that it appeared far less modern than its Midgar counterparts, as if no attempt at restoration or redevelopment had been made. Rounding a corner, the two were enveloped by an intense heat, forced to screen their faces from the thick gases that had drifted from the cavernous core of the Reactor. Before them, the hall ended to form a metal grid that stretched between their location and an adjacent doorway, overlooking the internal workings of the facility, and the pale green rivers of liquid Mako far below.
Outdated machines scaled the sweeping brick walls of the interior, coated with decay, their grinding cogs and greasy pistons creating the image of a world without Shinra's modern technology. Huge funnels came and went across the area, the largest of which plunged into the rivers, piping much of the extracted energy into a discrete room one floor beneath them. The entrance to the room was situated on a platform alongside the Reactor's core activation system, and seemed oddly out of place among the pressure valves and controls. A walkway extended from the head of the platform, accessible from their position by a lone ladder that stood against the railings of the grid.
Taking the first rung, Sephiroth began down the ladder, his leather trenchcoat clinging to him in the dense humidity. Mopping sweat from his eyes, Cloud followed, hurrying to keep up with his determined Captain as he hastened along the walkway. Coming at last to the platform, Sephiroth stopped before the long panel on the wall, caressing his chin as he examined the readings on the many pressure diodes. Four valves were placed above the panel, each one distinctly colour-coded in reference to which part of the Reactor system they were relevant.
"Can you see what's causing the failures?" asked Cloud, analysing Sephiroth's empty stare.
"The Reactors are being managed poorly nowadays," he responded in a low voice, "and the older plants are becoming increasingly damaged due to wear and tear from excessive Mako consumption. In this case, the pressure levels in the main Reactor are far too high. It seems to be making the Mako surge through the pipes and put extra strain on the compressors, causing them to malfunction."
"Can we reverse the effect?"
"I'm not sure," said Sephiroth. "But, I think this explains why there has been a sudden increase in dragons around the mountain."
"Huh?"
"Many creatures on the Planet are attracted to places were Mako is rich and plentiful. An increase in Mako would inevitably see an increase in these animals."
"So, if we lower the pressure in the Reactor," Cloud nodded in comprehension, "we should be able to halt the malfunctions and put an end to the dragons."
"In theory, yes," said Sephiroth thoughtfully, "but…there's something else…"
"Something else?"
"You see these four gauges?" he asked, pointing to the small black screens beneath each of the valves.
"Yeah."
"They represent the flow of Mako inside the Reactor. So, doesn't it strike you as odd that there is very little flow to the three main generators, but maximum flow to a fourth location? The one marked 'Control Room'?"
"What do you think it means?" pondered Cloud.
"It tells us that someone has decided the Mako has more use there," Sephiroth replied, "and that this person has little regard for the consequences. It appears that the Mako flow to the control room can only be lowered from inside. Something's not right about all this."
"What do you mean?"
"The Mako rivers that permeate the earth of this Planet is no mere energy. Where do you think it comes from? Where does this substance, whose existence is unfathomable by our science, originate from? Does it just come from nothing? Or does the Planet make it? What is the purpose of this energy? Is it just electricity to power a light? No, it's not; Mako energy is far more than that. These Reactors are just a means of making money, but Shinra learned the secrets of the Lifestream's true potential long ago. I expect some of the Company's most classified work went on down here, and I don't think we'll have to go very far to find out what it was."
"I don't get it…"
Straightening up, Sephiroth glanced over Cloud's shoulder to the partially concealed entrance behind them, and again slipped the Masamune from its scabbard. Cloud turned, frowning as he too inspected the broken security gate. The thick metal door had been shifted unlawfully from its default standing, leaving its cleaved locks twisted and bent. An eerie red light from the room beyond filtered through a narrow gap, luring the SOLDIERs into the darkened unknown. Taking a deep breath, Sephiroth stepped forward.
"Watch out," he said as he hauled the door aside, "it appears this isn't just a Reactor…"
There was a great screech of metal on stone as the gate slammed against the wall, the chilling sound reverberating along the passage in front of them. Creeping down the short hallway, they found a concealed chamber, the misty air cool and damp inside. The control room was vast in size, submerged in an unnatural glow of deep red, its walls and ceiling covered by an entanglement of rubber tubing. A steel staircase climbed the centre of the inclined room, passing between four rows of egg-shaped capsules. The enormous pods rested noiselessly, but seemed strangely alive as Mako was pumped into them from the organic-like piping above, a blue light radiating from the small glass pane on each. At the height of the steps stood a single electronic doorway, marked by a series of biohazard warnings, with an engraved plaque nailed above the entrance.
"It can't be…" whispered Sephiroth as he read the name on the tablet aloud. "Jenova?"
Spellbound, he floated hastily up the stairs, quickly reaching the doorway. His gloved fingers silently traced the strange vertical markings on the door, somewhat resembling a genetic code, as if searching for an answer to the encrypted lock. Suddenly, he snatched the hinges and rattled them with all his might.
"Sephiroth?" yelled Cloud from below. "What are you doing?"
"It won't open!" he moaned, a hint of suppressed disappointment and frustration evident in his voice as he turned from the doorway.
Without sound, he slowly began to examine the individual capsules around him, his expression growing more sullen as he read each of the labelled plates. The panels bore nothing but a series of digits arranged into what seemed like dates and advanced chemical formulae, clearly designed to keep the secrets of their contents from being uncovered. Murmuring to himself as he trudged down the steps, his eyes glazed and his mind distant, Sephiroth gave the faintest of nods towards a small computer monitor on the wall behind Cloud.
"We should be able to reduce the Mako flow from there," he concluded, coming to an abrupt halt at the first row of containers, focusing on those to his left. "Cloud, you release the valves."
Striding across the grilled floor, Cloud found himself gazing at a display that showed a three-dimensional map of the control room. The screen flashed under a thin film of flaking white dust that seemed out of place in the sterile chamber, but he thought nothing of it. Aside the rows of capsules on the monitor were coloured pressure sensors, gauging the levels of energy pumping into each.
Careful to adhere to the instructions, he systematically entered the commands on the keyboard, watching as the sensors gradually reduced to normal pressure. There was a droning mechanical hum from above, followed by a great hiss as the blue glow of the pods began to fade. With this, Sephiroth hoisted himself up onto the nearest capsule, and peered through the porthole. He dropped back seconds later, his face lowered and jaw set as he shook his head.
"What is it?" gasped Cloud, darting up the steps to join his superior. "What's in there?"
"Now I see…Hojo…" whispered Sephiroth through gritted teeth, ignoring the question. "But, even by doing this, you will never achieve the same greatness as Professor Gast. Cloud, my suspicions were wrong: this isn't Hollander's equipment."
"What are you talking about?" pressed Cloud, drawing back as Sephiroth glanced up at him through dark and brooding eyes.
"These pods are not like what we saw at the Reactor in Midgar. This is a system that condenses and freezes the Mako energy being extracted from the rivers…" he said, a wry smile flickering on his pursed lips, "that is, when working correctly. Now…what does Mako energy become when it's further condensed?"
"You're talking about Materia, right?"
"In truth, it's not always the case," he replied. "There are rare circumstances in which condensed Mako can become stagnant and develop different properties, but normally, yes…Mako energy becomes Materia when condensed. That was the original purpose of these machines: to manufacture Materia for use during the War. However, Professor Hojo has since modified them and put something else in there. Take a look…"
Stepping aside, Sephiroth motioned for Cloud to investigate the capsule. Hesitant, Cloud pulled himself up to the round pane, shifting his weight onto the rubber tubing for support. With the blue radiance of the streaming Mako all but gone, he strained to see into the stale and murky liquid inside. As his eyes began to focus, a humanoid creature took shape before him. The figure's thin features had rotted to leave only a skeletal form, its crystallised skin shimmering in the dim light. Leaning closer, Cloud stared at the hollow eyes on the silvery face of the wild-haired being through the glass, losing his grip with a start as it suddenly grinned wickedly at him. He landed hard on the ground, quickly scrambling to his feet in a fearful daze.
"What the hell?" he spluttered. "What is that thing?"
"Most members of SOLDIER are humans that have been showered with Mako," said Sephiroth quietly, his breathing thick and heavy, "using its power to enhance their abilities far beyond normal capacity. The infusion process is what gives you the gleam in your eyes, your superior strength and agility, and your body's tolerance to pain. You are different from others, but still human. But, they…they have been exposed to an abnormally high degree of Mako, much more than you…"
"You mean they're some kind of monster…?"
"Monsters are plants and animals that have absorbed too much Mako, deliberately or otherwise, and it has disrupted their genetics. Guard hounds, for example, are derived from the bandersnatch wolves that used to roam the Midgar Wastelands. Some were created in the Science Department's labs like so many other experiments, but others mutated because of the toxins in the soil. You've seen how aggressive those beasts can get. If such a physical and behavioural alteration can take place in an animal due to overexposure…imagine what it could do to humans…"
"So the things in the pods are…?"
"They are makonoids," Sephiroth answered, his words so low that they were barely distinguishable, "abominations spawned by Mako. These must be the "brutal creatures" mentioned in the distress call. I would guess that the Reactor workers discovered the link between the malfunctions and the increase in dragons, and came through here after someone had broken inside, aiming to shut down the flow…only to find something far more sinister."
"That Shinra were producing these creatures…" stammered Cloud, feeling suffocated by the growing realisation.
"Exactly," nodded Sephiroth. "And it is Professor Hojo that is responsible for it all. Mutated living organisms transformed by Mako energy…that's what these monsters really are. They're much less human than normal members of SOLDIER like you."
"Like me?" Cloud repeated, frowning. "You mean…you're different?"
"No!" Sephiroth roared in anguish, his scream an eruption of emotion. His lips trembling, his eyes filling with tears of rage, his fist clamped around the long blue handle of the Masamune as he began swinging it wildly through the air.
"Sephiroth!" cried Cloud, leaping from the platform to the safety of the ground below as his deranged Captain sliced away chunks from the surrounding capsules. With a deep mournful wail, he lowered the sword, his shoulders sagged, his back to Cloud.
"Jenova…these monsters…" he sobbed, "was I…was I created in this way too? Am I the same as these monsters? Am I the same as them? You saw it…all of them were human!"
"Human?" refuted Cloud sternly. "No way!"
"Ever since I was little, I've always felt that I was different from the others," he said in a broken voice, "that somehow I had a special purpose…even after I met Genesis and Angeal. But, not like this!"
Cloud opened his mouth to reply, but stopped, noticing the green haze gathering around Sephiroth's right arm. In an instant, there was a great pulse of invisible energy, followed by the screech and groan as, all around Sephiroth, container metal crumpled and tubing was ripped from its base. Cloud was thrown backwards from his position against the control monitor with a surge of power, slumping to the floor. He looked up to see Sephiroth at the epicentre of the blast zone, the pods closest to him disfigured and leaking, his maddened stare locked on a now-shuddering capsule on the level above.
A deafening whistle of steam burst from the damaged seal of the pod, the compressed gas forcing its way out. With a snap, the door fell from the container, clattering noisily on the walkway before it. From the pale green cloud of rising vapour emerged another silvery figure, its naked body dripping with the substance it had been immersed in. The makonoid was over six feet in height, with powerful limbs and clawed hands, attached to the capsule by wires across its extraordinarily-strong physique.
Paralysed by muscular atrophy from its stasis, the monster toppled forward. Behind him, the cords tugged and were stripped from its flesh, each spurting a different liquid. It let out a high-pitched shriek that resonated disturbingly throughout the control room but, as the last wire was yanked from its body, the makonoid's eyes rolled back inside its head, and it collapsed into a foetal position on the oval pod door. His heart racing, Cloud glanced anxiously back at Sephiroth as his commander closed his eyes and lowered his arm. There came a few moments of suspenseful silence, until at last the Captain of SOLDIER spoke, his words sending a chill down Cloud's spine.
"Am I even…human…?"
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