Behind Black Curtains
Chapter 45: Behind Black Curtains
Amaranthos
Note: After years readers will discover why the story is named Behind Black Curtains! Please enjoy…
Sephiroth had left for the afternoon, not stating the whereabouts of his absence or return, leaving the bored and ever tiresome creature Tifa Lockhart behind. She sat waiting for the tall, eccentric man to return to perhaps have him bore her about the political agenda of the world, or maybe why war armadas were a thing of the past. She smiled unknowingly that amidst his somewhat boring dialect and interests, he was strikingly uncommon and that made her intrigued. Still, she had been here for the last three hours and hadn't the tiniest idea what to do. By now she had read almost three-fifths the books in his library and while there's nothing like romance memoirs or pretty proses there was an extensive array of tactical and strategic warfare material to entice the senses. If she ever reckoned a career shift, there was hope she could be a fine war machinist.
'There are three ways to tune the valves of a rotary shift on a Model Class SP1 Tank. This requires former knowledge of the suspension of the tank, and the proper understanding of the gauges on board' she read, "oh dear… am I seriously this bored?"
She shut the book and found herself looking up at the white staccato ceiling. 'Well… if I am to die, at least let it be exciting' she mused nonsensically.
Standing to her feet, her fingers pushed open the door to Sephiroth's room – the second most boring place in the apartment; she had an urge to poke around in places she ought not to, and was reprimanded sternly on two occasions for her inquisitive nature. But come on she mused – there was nothing in this apartment to address her attention.
In the corner of the room stood the olden cupboard she had never opened. Slowly her fingers worked the doors apart and clutching her hands into the cupboard of clothing, she pushed piece after piece aside. She marveled that the articles of the cupboard were as bland as its owner. Black, and grey, and navy, and ughhh, she had never seen so many ugly military uniforms owned by someone. There were a number of medals on the outfits and it startled her that someone like him had been this important – so much to say, he achieved merits of war.
Her finger found a particularly shiny medal and absently she circled its smooth gold surface. Everything here felt so personal and she wondered for a moment what would happen if Sephiroth were to discover her at the exact moment. She peeked an eye over the door and softly blew a breath. Yep, he was out for the day.
It was only then, something gold glinted momentarily at the back of the cupboard, pushing the uniforms aside she found a gold nail?
'How unusual'
She instinctively did what most people would do in her situation; she pried at the nail and seeing it was stuck good into the wood she sighed aloud. 'Oh well…'
There were no secrets or skeletons in his cupboard, just a whole bunch of boring, boring uniforms and medals.
Slamming the cupboard shut, her eyes instinctively returned to the Masamune and katana collection on his mantle. Only once had she lifted the tanto of the collection, but felt now was good time to observe his prized collection. She leaned forward doing her best to contain herself of any noticeable noises, finally her fingers grabbed the middle katana which admittedly had an impressive weight.
Unsheathing the blade smooth and fast, she instinctively smirked. There was really nothing like striking a whip of the sword through the air and for a moment it felt exhilarating as it was terrifying. There were perhaps so many who had died at the hands of this wee blade. Sheathing it shut, she noticed the beautiful carvings and handiwork done on its hilt. Noticing a tiny – 'what is this – looks like some type of inscription', she narrowed her eyes and noticed the letters A.L.
'Hmm… what's that mean?'
Skimming her fingers over the inscription, she heard a noise in the cupboard?
A little scared, she drew closer and pushing the clothes aside, she noticed the gold nail was gone and in its place a deep, black cavity in the cupboard.
'Okayyy, that's definitely very strange'
Sticking her hand in, something like fabric caught her eye. It was a black uniform with a red insignia… 'hang on…' she narrowed her eyes and found herself intently eyeing the insignia.
"Good evening" he sorted his throat, the predator now at the door on looking the image of her discovery…
She turned around and found the devil she had loved looking back with a reserved expression. He advanced a single step towards her, his eyes suddenly narrowed at her muse. Only nothing but silence drew them close…
"Sephiroth…" she whispered…
The lasting sensation was real when he arrested his fingers through her hair and then spoke anew…
"Lockhart…"
"What is this? Why do you have it?" she questioned, straining herself to keep her voice from breaking.
The look in her eyes was absolutely delicate he couldn't help himself. Gently Sephiroth grabbed her throat.
"You know exactly what it is.." it was a seductive whisper…
"W-Why do you have it Sephiroth?" she quizzically inquired
"Some skeletons are meant to stay in the cupboard." He informed, "I warned you about touching didn't I?" he pushed her into the opposing wall.
She tightened her fingers around the fabric of her dress.
"Yes!" she whispered fiercely, "yet I must know, why do you have this?"
"And what exactly have you seen, Lockhart?" he asked in a clipped tone.
"Why do you have a Red Hearts uniform in your cupboard?" she inquired with all the strength she could.
He leaned deathly close, "you are alive for one reason Tifa Lockhart. Just one.." he looked her square in the eye.
"I don't ..I don't understand" she shook her head.
"The world is what I 've engineered. Past the shadows and dark titles are truths that are bound to me. Moving past them, one begins to realize… you and I… aren't that different after all" he explained.
For once in her life she didn't understand Sephiroth.
Her expression was priceless. Oh if he could only keep her like this.
"Some are pacifists. Some are leaders, other stay behind the great black curtains doing their part in a more cunning atmosphere. I flit between both shadow and light, articulating so well the lines are almost blurred. Yet, observe so carefully and you'll find secrets but more importantly discoveries for why I am the way I am. For why for example, are you alive…" he explained, "that past what you think you see…there is someone beneath me…someone …like the man in the closet" he explained.
"No!" she whispered fiercely, "it can't be…you can't be!"
"Be what, say it.." he whispered.
"...it's impossible" she shook her head, suddenly her eyes in tears.
"Say it!" he ordered loudly.
"You're …y-you're a Red Heart"
"Why must you assume I'm a Red Heart? Couldn't I have killed and robbed someone of their uniform?" he inquired, turning his back from her and returning the Masamune to it's place over the mantle.
She shook her head, "this is an imperial uniform. A uniform of brotherhood – there are only a handful made and I happen to know everyone who owns one …" she breathed steadily, "why is it a uniform so rare in collection is found in your possession?"
He turned his face to his shoulder and sighed, "perhaps I should kill you now"
She stiffened.
"You've made this all so difficult… so messy" he flipped around, "your pestering, your curiosity, your nonsensical whining and now this…" he paused, "I really should kill you" he smirked, "but then I wouldn't get the liberty to be free alas in your eyes"
"So you are.. a Red Heart" she whispered
"Yes" the word magnified in the dead quiet of the room.
It had been years he confessed his true identity.
Her eyes flooded, "this is incredible…" she covered her mouth in astonishment
"Your father found me a long time ago, when I was young, and more willing… admittedly" he paused to consider his words, "he asked me to fight in his war – I told him to go away." He introspected, "instead I foolishly found myself agreeing to the high price of fighting in a trivial war for riches and wealth… funny how time puts into perspective the true expense of one's decisions" he sighed, "I should have killed Arthur the moment I saw him" he laughed lightly, "bastard knew what he was signing me up for"
Amidst her mild confusion – okay, her plenteous confusion, she could tell from his light mood he had some type of friendly relationship with her father?
"So you and my father… you're…friends?" she inquired.
He stared at the woman, "mm.." he himself wondered, "I could hardly call a man who subjects another to do his dirty work his friend, but I suppose in some sort he might be…"
"Sephiroth…" she started, "don't you understand what this means?" she asked anew
"I imagine you're about to tell me" he retorted.
"It means…" she drew closer, "we can finally be united after the war" she explained.
He took the uniform from her hands and shoved it gruffly back into the cupboard. Twisting the golden nail in a strange position, the safety mechanism effected the hidden compartment.
Noticing his change in demeanour from something playful-ish to stark annoyed, she wondered – had she said something. He brushed past her heading into the adjacent bathroom. He placed on the faucet and washed his face a few times.
Slowly she followed him to the archway, holding her hands nervously.
"Have I said something to upset you?" she questioned.
"We've been through this before Lockhart, why aren't you getting it clear?" he snarled.
She blinked back, now very confused at the vicious onslaught.
"S-Sephir
"The war is meant to cut all loose ends and give peace to those of us who have no place amongst the living" he explained.
It broke her heart. Again she was reminded this war was more than just servitude, it was about release – about a peace for fallen soldiers. It must have been lonely and sad to think you had no brothers, no friends all your life, and the only ones you could associate with, well … you'd have to kill.
"I don't want you to die…" she found her voice once more. "I want to be with you"
He closed his eyes slowly, "why?"
"I couldn't quite say…" she whispered, "I've never spent so much time with someone of your caliber – so mysterious, so well kept and calculated. You're about precision and strategy, and … war. Pacifism was the language I grew up believing and in school we aren't taught to entertain your kind the way I have" she paused.
"Must make you a one-of-a-kind" he sarcastically whispered.
"I didn't expect that by being a prisoner I would somehow see inside the captor, so much to say, I would see you" she looked into his eyes.
"And what did you see?" he inquired
"I saw your pride… your desire to win, your frustration and a piece of the real you buried. I somehow could see the sacrifice and what it cost to be your legend and the burden endured because the world didn't understand your genius no… they feared it, they twisted it… they ran from it" she shuddered, "and somehow I .. I think it was the moment I stopped believing you were a god, I fell for a man.." she explained, "you dummy… I'm in love with you"
He took a breath and looked down, "for the sake of the unpredictability of what is to come…" he turned to her, "kill it"
"Kill it?" she questioned, "kill it?" she repeated more annoyed the second time.
"You would have me kill the thing in my heart when I know you feel it too?" she questioned, "how dare you Sephiroth?"
"How dare me? Look onna.."
"No, look you!" she challenged, "I'm done with you telling me you can't this and that and to kill this and that. I don't know if I'll live to the end of the war, but knowing now what you are, who you are, its given me greater hope to believe and trust we can be together" she paused, "only if you'll… "
"Now is not time for this…" he dismissed.
"So when then?" she shouted stopping him dead in his tracks, "when the hell is the right time?"
He breathed, "don't you see it would be an injustice if I kept you in the illusion to believe in an us…"
"But it's not impossible" she countered.
"It is" he answered heavily
"No, it isn't…" she approached him, "I know you don't believe in much these days spending half your youth wasted on foolish decisions. I get it can't be easy to open your heart after the things you've seen, and done…and felt" she placed a hand to his cheek, "but please, for the last time, for the time it would matter most – open your heart that we might live, that we might be…" she wrapped a hand around his neck.
His jaw locked, but truly what could he say?
It was the eve before the war and all around the great empire there was a stagnant air. Arthur found his eyes looking at the clock, feeling a heaviness slowly weaving through his mind. His days serving were coming fast to an end, and in a spectacular showdown.
Black Crescents had no idea about the devices he had strategically deployed these many years all to assure the success of tomorrow's war. His greatest however, was the acquirement of Sephiroth Crescent. He was a young man when Arthur first saw him, with penetrating green eyes and a striking prettiness about him, yet past his youth and his feral smirk, was something about the disconcerting know-how that someone so young could possibly – could remotely be so deadly. There were stories about the SOLDIER project, stories that men like Sephiroth were biologically engineered, those stories were disproved, funny though… that Sephiroth's prowess on all matters regarding life and death made it a credulous one.
Now many years later Sephiroth had grown up and became in all honesty – more deadly. More vile.
"Now you and I will fight together one last time my friend and rid the world of this suffering" Arthur breathed.
His eyes fell to the windowsill and his eyes caught hold of Tifa's picture. According to Sephiroth she was well, she was alive and in his custody. It comforted him that Sephiroth personally oversaw her, all the while ensuring she remained oblivious to their agreement.
Still… one day, it was his hope he could present her with the truth of who Sephiroth truly was…
To Be Continued…
Author's Notes: I'm sorry the chapter was a little short but I didn't want to downplay the revelation or thematic discovery of this chapter. Again, so happy to see some of the old commenters and reviewers, and new ones too, please leave some support and love and I appreciate it as always.