The Ranger

Chapter 9

The walk from the apartment to the training room held a different kind of tension than usual. Normally, Zack would be walking with the confidence and swagger of the worlds strongest man, while I would be a bundle of nerves. I would be able to hold my own, but for all my joking the other day I knew Zack was holding back by a wide margin. Now I felt as though I could stand up to his monumental strength with my own strength and determination. After all, this is going to be the very first time that we will be fighting one another as enhanced Soldiers.

"Let's take the stairs," I suggested, looking back at Zack with a friendly thumbs up.

He shook his head, then said, "I thought you hated the stairs, after all, you always take the elevator. Even if you are only going up by one floor."

I stuck my tongue out at him, feeling very vibrant and young. I didn't think that the injection would make me feel like I was Zack's age, but I'll be damned if it ain't a miracle. With each step, my legs didn't burn even in the slightest. It was something like twenty-five steps to each landing, and another twenty five to the next floor, and these steps weren't shallow either. I believe that some of these landings actually lead to secret Turk stashes and training rooms, but I doubt they'd ever say anything.

As the door slid open, the first person to catch my eye was the Second that Zack hung out with yesterday at dinner. He's about five foot eleven, and nobody knows what his face looks like. Apparently, the dude never takes his helmet off, and I doubt his name is actually just Counsel. He also is a lot like me, and only ever wears the uniform, but then again he could be dressed like something else with his helmet off and nobody would know. "Hey guys," he said coming forward.

I extended out a hand and said, "I don't think we've officially met, Abraham."

He shook my hand with kindness, then said, "Zack told me about you a bit yesterday. Said you were getting enhanced today, I see it already happened." As the handshake ended, he turned to Zack and asked, "So, you going to see Lazard?"

Zack's mako eyes pierced through Counsel's standard issue helmet, as he replied, "Abe wants to spar for real." With that, Zack took the lead walking towards the training room.

Before I left to follow Zack, Counsel's jaw just about dropped. I could hear some whispers around the room, then after about ten seconds I could see Soldiers all following loosely behind us. I could swear I heard murmering about some bets being placed, but I didn't let that phase me. My only concern with the event that was about to take place. I was confident that Zack couldn't steam roll me right away, but the Second Class injections were a direct upgrade to the Third Class injections.

The crowd of multicolored people, all adorn in the uniform of Soldier, began to part like the Red Sea had for Moses. I glanced back, and I could swear that I saw a flash of silver hair glint in a dark corner. 'Could be that Seph wants to see how much stronger I have become since the injection. Or perhaps there's another soldier with silver hair?' I thought to myself silently.

We reached our door that we had encountered a dozen times or more. It was the training room designed specifically for people who wanted some simulation training, but until now we focused on fighting each other. Zack pressed the bottom right button on the keypad next to the door, and the door that had always seemed to slid open quickly took its time. Maybe I was just so hyped on adrenaline that everything seemed to slow down? I noticed that each of us, while we knew the others style of combat, looked like we were walking on egg shells. As he removed his blade from his back, I did the same. I felt a jolt of static electricity run through my body as I twirled the blade around with one hand. This blade, that a few months ago weighed a ton, now seemingly only being a few pounds at most.

I placed both hands on the hilt, and brought my arms up to a high guard position. Knees bent slightly in my offset stance, and confidence set to burst. I witnessed Zack take a more defensive stance than he usually takes, but the cross body defensive position he had taken could just as easily become a threat very quickly.

There was a hush around the onlookers who had funneled into the observation room. None of that seemed to matter though, as Zack and I neither moved nor broke the stare down that had developed. Right as I was about to make a move, I heard the intercom come on.

"Standing in the right corner, weighing in at approximately…" Somebody began.

I noticed Zack flinch at the noise, to be honest I sort of did too, but I charged forward. I did a thrust with my blade at Zack, but he simply side stepped the blow. He countered with two quick slashes diagonally at me, which I attempted to block. The first clash of steel on steel sent some sparks flying, but the second didn't make contact. I jumped back to avoid that second slash. He pressed his advantage with a thrust of his own, but I ducked just under the strike and delivered I punch to his gut. He gasped and nearly dropped his blade with the blow, only to jump back.

He coughed up a tad bit of blood, then I noticed his eyes began to glow a deeper shade of blue. The two of us began to strike and parry the other's attacks with expert timing. All the training that the two of us had undergone together really shone through. I could see that this fight was at a stalemate for the time being, but I realized that Zack hadn't given his all yet. I jumped back, felt a surge of adrenaline course through me, and pointed my blade at Zack. I noticed my arm was glowing blue, the energy went from my body and through the sword until it reached the tip. A thin blue beam blasted from the blade tip, but Zack jumped out of the way to avoid it.

He charged forward with expert speed, pushed the blade away with his own blade, and now he was blue. He punched me in the gut with his left, as he sheathed his blade with his right, then sent volley after volley of blows at me. He ended the assault with a kick that sent me careening towards the wall. My blade was wavering in my hands, but I wasn't ready to give up just yet. He unsheathed his blade, and we clashed. The collision of out two blades was a little too hard, as his blade split into two. I immediately sliced into his shoulder slightly because of this, but he had dug his blade into my belly. I didn't quite register the pain just yet, but I could feel the blood trickle down my front.

It was apparent to me now that I had lost the fight. Even though we had good blows on each other, Zack was clearly the better in this bout. That and a few seconds ran into the room and immediately cast cures on the both of us. Even so, I looked up to the puppy, who now seemed to tower over me from my kneeling position, and smiled at the big lug. As I stood up, feeling around to make sure the cut had healed properly, I raised Zack's arm as the victor. We both looked on toward the crowd, hearing cheers, and for a brief moment I could swear that I noticed green eyes amongst the sea of blue.

As the two of us left the room, I could see many people who bet on me shooting me dirty looks as they slapped gil into someone else's hands, but that's what happens sometimes when you play the game. Apparently, our fight had become a must-see main event because even Lazard had shown up to see us fight. The man who normally wore his tan suits and was never seen without a coat on had been in a button up shirt and had his sleves rolled up. It was nice to see the man had let his hair down, at least I assumed this was what he was doing. A thought crept into my mind, did Lazard make a bet on us? He most certainly would have put it all on Zack, but still that didn't bother me in the slightest.

As the man walked up to us, he put a hand on both shoulders and said, "Damn fine fight boys, you make Soldier proud!"

"Thank you sir," Zack and I said in unison. We both gave a salute to the compliment. Lazard was always a man of few words of praise, so when he gave it, it meant something.

"I want you guys to grab a bite to eat, and get a shower. I have a very important assignment that would be perfect for the both of you!" Lazard ordered, making the both of us suddenly realize that maybe Counsel was giving us a hint that Lazard was looking for us earlier…

Forty minutes later

Zack and I were sitting at Lazards table being briefed on our next mission. It was a rare treat for me, because I'd never worked with Zack up until now. It has come to light that the charming First Class who wore the blood red coat that was a very big prick to me defected. It pissed me off that the dude gave me shit for being here, yet he apparently couldn't stand it here himself.

"We have reported the Genesis has gone MIA in Wutai a few months ago, that was a lie. While he didn't defect to the other side, he is taking shots at any ShinRa personnel that he comes across. We followed the trail of bodies back to his home just south of Midel," Lazard stated looking for a reaction from either of us. I realized that this was supposed to be where I was from, but I didn't say anything about it. "We will be sending the two of you to Banora with a member of the Administration Department," Lazard continued.

My face perked up as I thought of my Turk buddy, Revolver, from the train a few days ago. "Who are you sending?" I asked, secretly hoping that Zack could meet the man who saved my life.

"I will be accompanying you, my friend," a voice said from the side of the room. We all turned to see a thin, tall man that I knew to be the Wutainese defector known as Tsung.

Zack and I got up, and it was then that Lazard said, "Abraham, would you please wait outside?"

I nodded, and walked out of the room and went to the end of the hall. Tsung was behind me all the way. I wondered why I was being left out of the briefing from this point forward, but it didn't bother me too much. I was finally getting to kick the living shit out of that traitor who pissed me off all those months ago.

As Tsung caught up to me, he spoke. "It would seem that you've left an impression on one of our new members. He won't stop talking about his last joint mission. Veld even caved in and changed his code name to Magnum to shut him up," Tsung paused, then looked me dead on. "How are you holding up with the company?" He asked very directly.

"I'm actually settling in quite nicely. It seems as though I was destined to become a Soldier," I answered truthfully. I loved the non-stop missions and the new found power. I still didn't fully grasp magic, but that didn't really bother me too much. I only needed one to work for me to be useful in combat.

"Is that so? I heard about the fight that happened about an hour ago. It would seem that you've both stirred up a bit of controversy. Some people actually believed that you would win that fight, others thought it would be a stalemate," Tsung said.

As Zack left the room and walked towards us, I said to Tsung, "I lost after he hit me so many times in a row. All my joints were screaming at me by that point."

I turned to Zack and could see pain in his eyes. That shouldn't be in my friend's eyes, so I said to him, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Zack curtly replied, not sounding too reassuring.

"Zack, we live together. I know what is a natural look and mood for you. Obviously, you are upset," I began to dig in a little.

"Later..." Zack said, trailing off in thought.

"I'll hold you to that," I said calmly.

The three of us rode the elevator in uncomfortable silence for a good minute, before we reached the lobby. As we walked down the stairs, I noticed they were stocking clothes that looked like it would fit. I needed a new wardrobe if I were to be staying here any longer. Once outside, we went to the helipad that was in the corner of the large grounds. We entered a chopper and put on our headsets. The sound of the chopper firing up began to alleviate some of the tension from the elevator ride.

"Reno, mission begin," Tsung said as he settled in.

"Alright, yo! I'm Reno, and I'll be your pilot for this evening. Please buckle your seatbelts, and in the unlikely event that shit goes down, I'll be providing airial support!" The fiery hot head pilot known as Reno said. I swear these Turks are all crazy! The chopper began to ascend into the sky, then fly into the direction of some village. I fell asleep along the way.

"Abraham, wake up!" Zack said.

I screamed awake and startled all of the occupants of the enclosed space. I apologized, then when we were all out of the chopper, I stretched and relaxed a little. I looked on as we were in an orchard that had a few dozen houses here and there. They were all smaller than the main house of the orchard owner.

"What are those?" Zack asked pointing at a tree that had fruit hanging from the branches

"Those are dumb apples, Zack," Tsung answered.

Zack looked as though he were on his own world, which is fine by me so long as he's not thinking about whatever had him upset. After he came out of his thoughts, he nodded in the direction of the village. We began to put some distance between us and the chopper as we entered the orchard. The trees were in full bloom, which is a crazy thought as it's getting close to fall time. At least that's what I've been told by some of the others I've seen these past months.

The village itself isn't much to talk about either. There are about a dozen homes, and the mansion that the traitor's parents owned. From the looks of things, the town was abandoned recently. I'm assuming that Tsung's job is to determine just how long since the villagers disappeared, and if it was willingly or by force. We didn't see any signs that the snake was anywhere to be found though.

We entered the center of town and looked in all directions. Tsung shook his head and said, "Fan out and search for survivors. I'm going to investigate the mansion."

I frowned at the word 'survivors', but nodded. Zack and I turned, then I made a hand signal for him to go to the six homes nearest to him. I went off to the first home to see the door kicked in. I unsheathed my blade to find it too long to use indoors. I sheathed it and pulled out the revolver that Veld gave me.

I took a deep breath, then slowly entered the home. My old training kicked in, as I checked all corners and hoped like hell nobody was in the home. I wasn't looking forward to finding anybody, living or dead. The foyer and kitchen were cleared, but the bedrooms held a great surprise. As I entered the room, I saw a decomposing body covered in maggots, worms, roaches and flys. I held my breadth as the stink stung at my eyes and nose. Flesh had been burnt away and bone shrapnel lay in a few places around the body. I couldn't tell the gender, nor did I want to. I couldn't stand the sight and left the house in a full sprint. It was clear that whoever did this wasn't quite keen on leaving survivors.

Once out in the air, I fell to my hands and knees. I was hunched over puking my guts out. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the body. With every breadth, the scent of death filled my lungs. It wasn't the first time I had seen that type of carnage, but I will do everything in my power to ensure it's the last time I see it. Unfortunately, as I moved to the next set of homes, each story was the same. I got used to the smell, but I broke again at the last house, where I found the body of a kid. I moved to the center of the village, and waited. I kept my head on a swivel, until I saw Tsung come out from the gate that was around the mansion.

Tsung walked up to me and said, "I found Genesis's parents in a grave near the front of the home."

I frowned and retorted, "So the monster has a heart for his parents. Fuck him and every other bastard who can kill an innocent."

From behind us, a sing song British accent said, "I would hardly call the men of this village innocent."

I got to my feet and had my blade out as fast as possible. In rifle form, I stood pointing the gun at Genesis. "Hitler thought he was doing good too, even as he slaughtered millions of innocent men, women, and children," I calmly replied knowing full well that he wouldn't get the reference.

"You're not innocent either, are you Abraham? I know I wasn't after Normandy. I personally crushed a storm troopers' skull in after we took over our beach head. He and his friend had killed five of my buddies in my squad. I couldn't stand that smug bastard's smirk as he said 'I'm doing the lords work,'" Genesis replied.

"So, you were a fucking prick to me, even though we're from the same place!" I screamed in a fit of wrath.

Genesis smiled and said, "My soul may be of old, but I am flesh of this world. Your presence is an abomination. For that, you deserve a slow death."

I saw a black wing spring from Genesis's back, but I wasted no time and began to fire at him. He had his blade out and deflected the billets like a skillful ninja. Before I had time to react, he darted forward and hit me in the head which knocked me out.

When I came into consciousness once again, the village was alight in fire. I watched it burn from the spot we were dropped off and frowned at the new revelation at Genesis's life...

End of Chapter

I completely forgot that I made Genesis a British soldier from WW2… How the hell could I forget something like that?

Edited on March 16th, 2020.