Chapter 4 - An Unlikely Hero
In the beginning we lived as thieves, Stealing fur and fang of beasts for survival. Then came the Builder who brought us the Hammer, and with it we forged a new way of life. To reject the Hammer is to denounce the Builder… The Hammer Book of Tenets...
No… nothing was going to be the same anymore…. But as Sephiroth held Alyssa in his arms…. A feeling of joy ran though him… Those simple words…. "Father…. I… I've missed you." Made him cry as well… Alyssa then let go of Sephiroth looking up at him with a smile that formed through her tears.
"Now that you're with us…" A silver headed man spoke… "We can finally grab hold of the Black Materia once more." The man then approached her, putting a hand out. "My name is Jarrell, My lady. We must find the Materia… but only you know where it is…"
Alyssa looked at them in surprise. She knew where to find the Black Materia? How was that possible? A second cloaked man then approached her. He had a hint of black in his hair, but it was still silver. His eyes were a crimson red as he gazed upon her. He didn't wear a tight leather suit like the others, but wore all black and even a black trench coat.
Alyssa nodded as she acknowledged his approach. "Who might you be?" She asked, looking into his eyes.
"My name is Avidan, Alyssa… it's my pleasure to meet you…" He bowed down low, respecting her.
She then looked around. The other silver headed man left… ah well… at least some of them introduced each other. Sephiroth then put a hand on her left shoulder. Alyssa looked back at him and gave a slight nod. "Take sometime to clear your head, then meet me by the lake you woke up at."
Jarrell left shortly after Sephiroth spoke. Avidan was about to leave, but Sephiroth stopped him by whispering something in his left ear. Avidan listened carefully for a bit, and then nodded. "Of course, Lord Sephiroth." He then left quickly, trying to catch up with Jarrell.
Sephiroth looked back at Alyssa. "I'll see you in a bit." Sephiroth then left, leaving Alyssa in a beaconing silence.
Alyssa looked around the forest, admiring its beauty as a twisted feeling grew inside of her… Something was telling her that she was now safe… something was screaming in her, telling her that she was now finally home. Alyssa grinned, it now felt like she took a long journey and returned.
Right then, a soft rustling in bushes nearby made her jump a bit. The smile on her face soon died down. Was someone here watching her? "Hello?" Alyssa asked worryingly. "Is… Is someone there?" Nothing was heard once more… but then the noise grew closer, but this time the crunching of leaves…
Before Alyssa could react, it felt like something pulled her, grasping her body tightly. She screamed, until she then felt a type on soft leather press against her mouth. Frightened, Alyssa felt her own cold tears now running down her face. Her voice couldn't scream out for help… she could only hear it muffled…
Alyssa was then dragged deeper into the forest as the sound of rushed footsteps filled the air.
"What's going on? Is everything all right?" It was Avidan. He soon discovered Alyssa wasn't around. "Alyssa!"
Soon enough, Sephiroth came running to the scene… "Was that Alyssa?" He asked in worry. A snapping of a twig was heard. It was the thing that had Alyssa. She looked up seeing it was yet another man in a black cloak. Her eyes widened as she saw his scar. He looked down at her, making a gesture to have her stay quiet.
"Did you hear something over there?" Avidan asked as he took out a shotgun from his trench coat. He quickly loaded the gun, pointing it in Alyssa's direction. Sephiroth response was to pull out his sword, heading in the same direction.
The man slowly pulled Alyssa deeper into the forest as she trued to struggle. "Quiet… I'm here to take you to Cloud." The man hissed. Alyssa reacted by moving with him. How did he know Cloud? Did he offer up a mission? She was worried about Cloud, but what about Sephiroth? How could she get back to him? "You can leave Cloud and come back here if you wish… but he just wants to know how you are—"
A sound of a shotgun was then right behind the man's back. He turned around, seeing Avidan. "Let the girl go… if you don't… I'll blow off your head." The man soon let go of Alyssa, dropping her to the ground… Avidan then kept his eyes focused on the cloaked man as he helped Alyssa get to her feet.
Sephiroth and two other silver headed men came running through the forest, catching up with Avidan. Two of the silver headed men had guns as well… Sephiroth soon put his sword to the man's neck. "What is your business with my daughter…? SPEAK!"
The man didn't say a word, he only glared at Sephiroth. A half smile then took over on his face. "You don't wish to speak? Avidan… get his attention will you?"
"As you wish." Avidan spoke. He then took his shotgun, shooting the man in his right shoulder. The man gave a yell; blood now ran down him, soaking his shirt. He put his left hand over his shoulder.
"Well?" Sephiroth demands, lowering his sword. The man still didn't respond. "Avidan…"
"Of course." Avidan says, pumping his shotgun. He now aimed it at his head. "If you don't answer… the next shot isn't going to miss…"
"Wait!" Alyssa then screamed putting her hand over the shotgun, and forcing it down.
"Orders are orders, I have every right-"
"No, Please!" Alyssa begged, starting to cry once again.
"Very well…" Sephiroth says, breaking both their concentrations. "We'll take him as prisoner for now… then we'll decide what do from there…"
Two of the silver headed men the left as Sephiroth shoved the man, making him walk. Alyssa watched as they left, then looked back at Avidan. "Just give him a chance." She begged.
Avidan put his shotgun back in his trench coat. "You don't even know him, why bother?" Avidan questioned as he left. But then something stopped him. He looked back over his shoulder. "His name is Garrett… Out of all the things a Master Thief tried to get you back to Cloud… how ironic." Avidan then left Alyssa in silence once again.
Alyssa walked to catch up with the others, but then stopped. An object crunched beneath her feet. Alyssa knelt down picking up a dagger… "Garrett, Master Thief?" She questioned looking at the dagger. Standing up she rested the dagger in her hand, assuming it was Garrett's.