Chapter 8 - Unseen Path
All I wanted to really do is find a purpose in life… Keeper Dragon…
Alyssa scrambles to her feet, seeing both Cloud and Garrett come into her sights. Cloud hops off his motorcycle as Alyssa sprinted the rest of her to him. He opens his arms taking full impact from her.
"Cloud." Alyssa was only able to say.
Cloud held her tightly in his arms, holding her head against his chest. "Alyssa, I'm glad you're safe."
Garrett on the other hand met up with his members who were edger to speak with him. They both knelt down before their leader.
Nornaz spoke up first, "Black Hawk. I see that you have made it back safely. We have came to you in panic of the prophecy that was recently found."
Deyxem arose to his stance, gave a slight bow and returned to Garrett sight, his dark eyesight. "You must explain to them, Lord Garrett."
"What did I tell you about calling me by formal names and yes, I will tell them of the prophecy." Garrett snaps.
Garrett looks back at Cloud seeing him sitting on his motorcycle, holding Alyssa. He saw that she was already fast asleep in Cloud's arms and warmth. She must have been tired. But he didn't really know, because he didn't know who Alyssa was unlike Cloud.
Cloud was feeling her heartbeat combine with his as he closed his eye upon being tired of driving all night without rest. Alyssa was relaxed in his arms. She was happy, but tired, falling asleep as soon as her arms wrapped around him. They were finally together and many feelings overwhelmed the both of them.
Alyssa was just happy for the fact that she was with Cloud, but she worried if she had to tell him about Sephiroth's return or not. Even the decision about having to tell anyone else, not just Cloud.
Alyssa was holding on tightly to Cloud, but her grip released him as she had drifted off to sleep. Everything was calmed down for the moment, she finally got rest after two straight days. The moment wouldn't last for long, and they all knew that. They needed to leave before more silver headed men would hunt them down.
Cloud opens his eyes, looking over at Garrett as he approached. "I really don't know how to thank you Garrett, I'll do some-"
"Cut the small talk Cloud, what I told you for our reason going after Alyssa was a lie. There is only one true reason. We have studied hieroglyphs for many years that have come to pass. Of all the prophecies that came true already, yet another is bound to happen."
"Please Garrett, let me tell him the prophecy." Nornaz suggests.
"Very well Keeper Nornaz, but make it quick." Garrett's voice sounds impatient and annoyed.
"Sooner or later, you shall see great changes. Extreme horrors and persecutions, the moon lead by her angel, the heaven draws near its inclination." Nornaz explains boldly.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cloud questions with attitude. "Everyone knows that the prophecies are just written. They don't-"
"Try doubting that again when you turn your back and risk many things in your life." Garrett growls back at Cloud. "Then maybe you'll understand how important the prophecies are to come."
"So who are you guys anyway?" Cloud asks, demanding answers.
"We are known as Keepers. Only very few of the ones that are still surviving from a recent attack that has altered history for us. What we do is keep a balance in life, making sure nothing gets out of hand. No one becomes dirty of clean. But, as I said, one of the most recent attacks has weakened us. Someone figure out our plans, interrupting the balance we kept for so long. But now we come to a new crisis that will be our last hope."
"What would that be Garrett?" Cloud questions.
"The glyphs told us that we must find the true Keeper and get the balance of life back to were it was. If not, Sephiroth will succeed in destroying this world like he did or try to accomplish a year back."
"I stopped him in his tracks, he wasn't able to accomplish his goal." Cloud reminds.
"As we knew it would, as it had to be." Deyxem says. "We were the ones that pulled you out of the Jenova Reunion, having you end up in Mideel."
"What are you saying?" Cloud asks again, seeing that even he only had questions. "I was just lucky."
"No Cloud." Garrett answers. "We must tell you this. You are the second child of Jenova as we know. Sephiroth being the first. We were lucky to save you and help you shift the balance to destroy Sephiroth. This time he is stronger. Only can the third child keep the balance and send him into the Lifestream if she decides. The third child has power to become good or evil."
"Third child? What are you saying?"
"Shinra wished to create the ultimate warrior, but she managed to escape. But the point is, she is the true Keeper. Only she can keep the balance. If the third child does not succeed, Sephiroth will overpower you along with taking this world with him."
"So… if the third child dies, so the balance?" Cloud guesses.
"Yes." Garrett responds. "She can decide what happens. But we understand that she has another person in mind to keep alive so that he can help her defeat Sephiroth and send him back into the Lifestream."
"All right, I'll give. Who's the third child you speak fondly of?"
Garrett gave a laugh. "You're holding her, Cloud. The third child is Alyssa. She is the essence of balance."
Cloud looks down at her in surprise. "You got some explaining to do Garrett, because I don't think that a child such as herself would be capable or even possible of something this huge of a 'crisis'."
"Very well Cloud, if I explain, don't be surprised what started this all." Garrett says with a smirk.
Avidan sat in the cave Garrett stayed in for a while. The thoughts of Garrett himself and Alyssa had come to mind. He overlooked the area, deciding what to do. Silence filled the rancid air, forcing it to be calm. What will Lord Sephiroth do now since Alyssa was taken from him again? Avidan thought.
Avidan arose to his feet, stretching out his legs. What if Sephiroth will kill Garrett? No… he can't. If he does, what would that become? Avidan jumps at the sound of footsteps near the cave. Nothing to be concerned about. Another thought whispers in Avidan's head. Maybe not. He responds back to himself.
"Lord Sephiroth!" A frightened voice calls out. "Garrett has killed one of us. We demand revenge!"
Avidan ran out of the cave, seeing three silver headed men. One of them was carrying a body. Lifeless as the body looked, no life would return to him again. The eyes were shut, the face was colorless and there were no signs at all for breathing. The sight itself was too hard to bear. Garrett was capable of killing anything, but he would never kill anyone, at least that's what people heard.
"Revenge is what we'll get when we get my daughter back. Garrett shall suffer. Alyssa will see that her white knight is not able to even live for a split second." 'Lord' Sephiroth responds out as he walks into view.
Sephiroth walks up to the dead silver headed man, taking him into his own arms. A saddened expression over took Sephiroth's face. Something told him immediately who killed his follower.
The silver who was holding the dead body, speaks up, "Lord Sephiroth, rumors are now that Cloud is now with Garrett. They must be with Alyssa by this time."
"We will kill him…" Sephiroth speaks. "We shall plan to get my daughter back to me, and kill the black sheep as well. There will be no survivors."
Avidan back up to the shadows of the trees, getting out of sight and ran. What was Sephiroth thinking? Avidan even predicted what he was going to do. Avidan knew he had time on his hands. Rather he needed to tell Cloud what Sephiroth had said or at least get Garrett to a 'safe' place. His feet quickened at that thought. What was the feeling at the pit of his stomach? All he knew is that he wanted no one dead and Alyssa safe.
I need to head to Midgar. I'll need to at least try. Avidan thought. I can't do this anymore. I need to help Cloud. The Reunion is going way too far this time.
Avidan ran to the entrance of the Bone Village, focusing on his strength. His body then morphed into a wolf, letting him run faster now. He decided to head to Costa Del Sol, where he wolf still take disguise and head over to Midgar.
Avidan made good timing, arriving on the continent. He was greeted by several monsters. He leapt upon entry, quickly clawing at the monsters, ripping them apart. Avidan then did a series of Lightning attacks along with combining his own attacks, making Lightning Claws to kill them faster.
Avidan slipped past a few people upon entering Costa Del Sol. The one thing he didn't do is form back into human because many would probably recognize who he was. His body was overwhelming with heat, which wanted him to move faster. He continues to slip by many more people and arrived at the docks within seconds. A cargo ship still going back a forth from Junon arrives on time.
Avidan hops on, avoiding detection. He then figured it was safe to form back into human. Standing on two legs again, Avidan put the collar of his trench coat up, hiding his face. He then ran up a set of stairs and into a lookout tower, watching as many sailors swiftly got on and. Many stayed as if they wanted to enjoy a little break.
The ship left the docks; giving the whistle to signal they were leaving. Avidan jumps off the tower, ignoring the height, but still avoiding detection. He drops down quietly to the wood and sneaking to an area that he knew where no one would spot him.
A breeze of sea air brushed his hair. It gave him time to catch his breath and stay alert if someone would walk by and spot him. Avidan sat on the railing, gazing upon the deep blue, twilight sea and sunset that was cooling everything around. He sat back against a metal bar, being dazed by the scene.
Another thought of Alyssa crosses his mind. Sephiroth has no right to be her father. No matter how many times he tries to convince her. Sephiroth killed her real father after what experiments they put her through. He shakes his head. Her father was my best friend; I grew witness to the day she was handed over to her adoptive family. I'm surprised to see that all these years Alyssa was kept safe.
Avidan took a deep breath, relaxing in the calm breeze even more. It's time to tell her the truth, it's time I tell you that I'm not a follower of Sephiroth. That I just wanted to make sure she would live. Now everything has come to this.
Avidan watches as the sunset, giving the sky a beautiful purple, blue and orange blending. He gave a smile, thinking of memories and closed his eyes. If he could make it to Midgar in time, then everything would be ok. Avidan just had to arrive there. He was rightfully her dad's friend, which would make him Alyssa's godfather. That was what made him smile for some odd reason. That same reason was why he was panicking now.
Hours had passed before the ship arrived in Junon. Avidan goes into his wolf form again, avoiding people. The long journey ahead convinced him to form back into human as he left Junon. The area around him turned into grasslands and mini forests all around.
Avidan easily fought off the monsters, doing a combination of magic and firing shots from his shotgun. At times, even the monsters would get close enough to have him break their necks. He gave a casual walk, not really caring how many monsters he had to fight off. His main concern was the Midgar Zolom.
Avidan arrives at the Mythril Cave, moving lightly and ending up at the other side, now preparing to head through the sandpit where the Midgar Zolom would be lurking around. He checked his ammo and takes out plenty of magic bullets he made for himself. Avidan takes a deep breath, rushing into the dead silent area, waiting for the Zolom as he ran.
Seconds passed as a long, huge and deadly snake body slithered by, making its own movement silent. Avidan raises his gun, taking time to follow the Zolom's movements. He gave a few shots and leapt into the air, avoiding a strike. While in midair, Avidan gave another shot, having time to land on the monster's head, and giving yet another sequence of shots.
Quickly landing on his feet after being thrown off, Avidan dodged a few more attacks, jumping out of the way. He then felt his body thrown in the air as the snake whipped him with its tail. Avidan was lucky to land on two feet. With a few more swift movements, he shot the Zolom. It tried striking again and Avidan took out a dagger from his coat, stabbing the metal through its eyes.
The Midgar Zolom fell, but rose high up. It was about to use its attack Beta. Avidan knew what it was going to do. He started running, knowing that he was near the other side. It tried striking as he ran. Avidan's eyes light up, but his heart sank. The grasslands were just ahead. So taking his courage, Avidan leapt with hope. He rolled and ended up on the grass. The snake stops, just inches away from Avidan's own skin. It retreats into its sandpit, disappearing from sight.
"Damn… that was real close." Avidan mutters, panting heavily. Trying to catch his breath.
Seeing that Midgar was just miles away, he got to his feet, relaxing his body a bit and heading off in that direction. Avidan was hopping that he could convince Cloud to believe him before Alyssa would tell Cloud who he was and what he did to Garrett. Along with possibly still hating him for what he had done.
Avidan arrives at Midgar, heading to Seventh Heaven by asking around. All hope had drained from his thoughts as he saw Cloud's motorcycle parked in front. Yet a new scene was foreshadowing his thoughts and he prayed that there was still time to explain before Sephiroth would discover what he was doing. The tables were about to finally turn.