Greetings and welcome to the sequel of Treading the Edge! If you're reading this for the first time, I highly suggest you read the above mentioned story first, for if you don't, it will most definitely result in immense confusion at some points in this fic. If you, however, decide not to read Treading the Edge first, I suppose you can pipe your own little tune to this story, and make up scenarios to the scenes you don't understand. Do what you will, it's your choice. Also, I warned in the summary, and I will warn again. Spoilers to nearly every section in the game Dirge of Cerberus make up this story, so don't go saying that I didn't warn you and that because of me, you now know that Vincent throws off his cape and frolics in a field of flowers after he defeats Omega, for example. Oh, I'm sorry. Was that a spoiler? Pity……….And I hope you all know that the above statement was a joke. Though if you picture it, it would make for a funny fanfic.
The pairings in this fic are as follows.
Not Vincent/Reeve, but Reeve/Shalua instead (smile).
and
Vincent/Lucrecia (I'm a fan).
Now. To the fun part.
Disclaimer
(Gives an odd laugh)
Let's start.
I do not own the storyline, script and settings of any Square Enix Final Fantasy Games. I merely use these two things to make the story interesting. Just like in Treading the Edge, you will know where I used game dialogue and where I added my own. I also disclaim any of the following characters or creatures.
Vincent (regretfully), Reeve (sadly), Shalua (disappointedly), Cait Sith ("meh"), Yuffie (don't really give a damn. Not a fan anyways. Although it is fun to write her), Cid (&#$ it), all other members of AVALANCHE (shame), the Turks (I wish……), Rufus Shinra and his father (not so much), Hojo (bastard), Lucrecia Crescent (still considering whether I'd like her or not…….If the "I'm so sorry's" not kill me before I decide, that is. But other than that…..), Shelke Rui (I'd much rather prefer Shalua), Deepground (they should go…….let's loose a stream of swear words that would rival any of Cid's), the Tsviets (see previous comment)……..Tomberrys…….Chocobos……Mogs…..Would someone care to tell me why I even bother writing disclaimers? And I think I'm done……I fervently hope I'm done. If I've forgotten anything in this utterly useless full of nonsense disclaimer, then please alert me and I will add it to the above list.
Moving on.
A warm welcome back to all of the reviewers from Treading the Edge, and I hope you all enjoy Requiem of the Depths as much as I enjoyed writing it. I received plenty of wonderfully encouraging reviews from you people, and they spurred me to continue writing.
Lastly, a note to end this horrendously long author's note.
I will by no means force anyone to review this story, but it helps my writing if I get feedback, and constructive criticism regarding any flaws and how to better them. One could also write a review on their enjoyment of any humorous or witty scenes (if there happen to be any). It builds up. It really does.
So. I wish you all laughs and cries while reading, and, as always, enjoyment.
Cheers!
Kyyrin
Requiem of the Depths
Chapter One
"Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous".
Vincent Valentine brushed stray cobwebs and dust out of his eyes as he entered an elevator in the run-down, rickety building that called itself Shinra Manor. For Deepground being stationed here, this elevator seemed like it hadn't been used in decades, even though he had seen the soldiers using it. He sighed. Perhaps it was just his phenomenal good luck that got him into these situations.
Just like that bout of pneumonia about two weeks back. But then again…….A small smile crossed his face as he remembered the week and a half he had spent with his two friends, Reeve Tuesti and Shalua Rui. Apart from his illness, and from the injuries he had sustained while battling Azul the Cerulean, a member of the Tsviets, he enjoyed the time spent with the two of them immensely. And it was rare for him to enjoy anything at all as of late. He would give the world to spend time with them again. But in the future, perhaps without being ill and injured………..
Leaning back against the wall of the elevator, Vincent closed his eyes and let his thoughts stray to his current location. He had surmised that the only place he could do any more research on his demon Chaos without needlessly endangering anyone was here, in the Shinra Manor. He might find answers, he might not. But at least he could be certain that no one he cared for could be hurt.
He breathed in the musky, age-old air of the crumbling building. The atmosphere reminded him of his years of service here as a Turk. As her bodyguard. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter. Memories of Lucrecia came flooding back with the speed of an avalanche.
The day they had first met……..
For him, it had been love at first sight……..
"Hello? Anyone here?"
Twenty-seven year Vincent Valentine inched into the unlocked quarters that supposedly housed his charge, surveying the room before stepping in completely. He found the quarters to be……well, lovely. It was almost heart shaped, the left side being something of a living room, and the other that of an office.
Moving to the right side, he looked out one of the windows.
He noted that the person who lived here had a marvelous view of the Manor gardens and the distant Nibelheim. A bit of envy bubbled up inside him, as he thought it a pity that he only a small window in his already uninteresting room.
Vincent was startled from his thoughts when he heard the door open. He spun around and faced the most attractive women he had ever seen in his life.
And he had seen a lot of women.
A mild look of surprise, and then something of shock crossed her face as she walked over to face him. They gazed intently, as if not quite sure what to make each other.
For Vincent's part, he was beyond surprised that the doctor was a woman. His assignment files had always referred to his charge as the doctor, quite anonymously and general at that. He realized he had never really been sure of the person's gender.
But it seemed that question had been answered.
He knew he was staring, so he caught himself, and realized that the woman was now looking at him expectantly.
Right. Of course, Valentine. She wants to know what the hell you're doing in her room.
Pulling himself together, he mustered his most professional Turk poise and posture, looking her in the eyes.
"Vincent Valentine reporting for duty, ma'am. I have been assigned your protection." At this, the women gasped audibly, and began to murmur things that Vincent could barely understand.
"No… …", was all he heard. Cocking an eyebrow, he gave her a skeptical look. "Huh?" But the women gave no indication that she had heard him. In fact, it seemed to Vincent that she was no longer aware of him any longer.
He sighed and rolled his eyes a little. Had he done something wrong? "
Why would they send his……", the women spoke again. She seemed nervous and troubled over something. But Vincent, though he was skilled at reading others, could not pick out what the problem was.
"Excuse me?" Vincent settled for a polite phrase, although he was sure his slightly indignant expression didn't do much to sell the manners.
Quite suddenly, the woman pulled herself together as well, a dazzling, warm smile beginning to form on her features. Vincent felt heat rise to his cheeks. He swallowed hard. Damn, was she beautiful.
"I apologize……", her full, audible voice smooth and melodious. " This is the first time I have ever met anyone from the Turks." The smile widened, she clasped her hands behind her back, looking up at him. "Lucrecia Crescent. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Valentine."
Far beneath the ruins of Midgar, Cait Sith #4 traversed the slippery walkways of Mako Reactor 0. He had been one of five other Cait' to survive the Deepground siege, and doubted that his master would have time to build him any more brothers. Reeve had given him the job of finding out Deepground's true intentions, so he had snuck one of his creations into the underground labyrinth. After evading dozens of Deepground soldiers (a feat which Cait was quite proud of), he had managed to get all the way to the middle of the reactor without being noticed.
A large, silver container that was emitting terrifying screams was being guided to an unknown destination on a kind of ceiling rail.
"That's the same container I saw in Kalm!", Cait murmured worriedly, following it's route with his eyes.
Hopping nimbly down a flight of stairs, Cait proceeded to trail the strange container.
Scampering wildly after the fast moving object, he eventually reached what he assumed was the middle of the massive reactor.
Cait stopped to watch the horrifying scene that played out before his eyes. The container was being guided towards the middle of the massive pit of mako. The screams from it escalated, and before Cait knew what was happening, the rail released the container over the middle of the pit, and it plummeted down towards the glowing, green depths.
"What!? Good gracious me!", Cait exclaimed, wearing as much a look of surprise and fear as a robotic cat could.
He looked on as the container fell farther, but just before it hit the mako depths, an enormous hand reached out from the pit, and grabbed it, pulling the object and all the screaming people inside down into the green pool.
"Wha….What in the blazes is growing down there?", Cait stuttered, unable to fathom that he had just helplessly stood by and watched as a hoard of innocent people had been swallowed by a giant abomination.
"Usher of souls…..", came an eerie voice from behind him. "My brother…."
Cait spun around, and came face to face with dark clad, winged man, with shadows spawning from his body. The darkness vanished from the mans head, to reveal a face wrapped cloth, only his strange eyes being visible.
"Omega", came the enigmatic reply, as the shadowed creation moved closer to him.
The tiny cat gulped.
"It's Nero the Sable. Oh dear.……"
And before Cait could send any warning to Reeve, the man's shadows surrounded the small creation, and sucked him into their depths.
The last rather human emotion that Cait felt was a tinge of regret that he hadn't been able to say goodbye to his master.
Amidst the green glow of the mako pit, one could make out a small object floating on the surface of the substance.
If one looked close enough, they would have seen a small mog doll slowly but surely sinking into the blazing mako depths.
Well, I sincerely hope you all liked that. And that the first chapter lived up to any expectations you guys might have had.And regarding Thank You For Loving Me, I will finish it, but I happened to have the first chapter of this finished before the next chapter of that fic. But mark my words, I will finish it even if I have to stay up all night. Cheers!