Disclaimer: Square-Enix owns Final Fantasy VII… If I did, Cloud would have been diced several times over by Sephiroth.

Notes: Look! I can still breathe!

PROJECT MAIDEN
Phase Two: Image
Step Two: Message A

I look at the stacks of posters, a grin upon my face. Aerith lay on the images, her hands clasped in prayer, an angelic light surrounding her. She looked every bit the messiah. "They're perfect."

"She looks so pretty like that," Marlene admired.

"Whore."

For once, I actually agree with Mother. "Yes, so let's get these up." I hand her half of the copies, and pass the staple gun to the unnervingly quiet Denzel. "Put them up all over town."

They scamper out of the Seventh Heaven, hell-bent on fulfilling their mission.

People really are sheep.

Oh, what a terrific turnout. I lean against the statue commemorating the destruction of Midgar, a smile on my plump lips—isn't that a queer thought? The great, powerful Sephiroth with plump lips.

About me, people of different ages, professions, and dispositions swarm to hear the message of the 'Maiden who Travels the Planet.'

I wait.

I need them restless.

I need them anxious.

So, I wait.

And I wait some more.

The tension fills the plaza.

Some turn as if to leave.

Perfect.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" My voice booms through the crowd, stilling them all.

"I come before you to tell you of a maiden. The Maiden who Travels the Planet.

"She protects you," I point to an elderly man towards the center, "and you," a woman at the edge of the mob, "and even you," a small child clinging to his mother.

"The Maiden watches the Planet and all its inhabitants, protecting them from harm.

"I come before you as a messenger of the Maiden. There are still… individuals… that would wish the Planet harm. Individuals that wish you harm.

"The Maiden needs these remnants and traitors removed from the Lifestream…"

No one moves from their spot.

They are entranced.

And then they erupt into a frenzy.

Everyone needs something to believe in.

And I heartily believe that I am evil incarnate.

And I love being evil; it's entertaining.

Comments? Questions? Concerns? Urges to wish me violent death?

Peanuckle, CornCob, Butterfly of Death 2007, Stella the Sniper, Selunchen123, Phoenix Elentari, Bells of Requiem, Kyae Sohma, Hajime Morikawa, and Skavnema receive "Evangelical Priestess Sephy" keychains for reviewing.