Abyss: Yeah you're right. I was wondering if anyone else had seen the movie lol.

Thanks to everyone who keeps reviewing!

Curses and Celebrations

Eric looked around, panting a little from his battle. He looked down at his shoulder and was surprised to see the injury wasn't there anymore. He looked down at the blood that filled the crack. His father had always told him about dragon blood holding magical powers but he had never really believed it, until now. He started stripping his clothes before he lowered himself into the liquid. After he was satisfied it had been absorbed by his skin, he got out and rinsed himself outside at the river.

He walked back inside to get his weapons when he looked around again. A bright light was noticeable from the pathway and it had Eric's curiosity going. He edged forward slowly into a small cave and his eyes widened at the sight before him. There was gold everywhere, its glow illuminating the cave. Eric put down his sword and reached out for some.

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." Came a stern voice. Eric grabbed his sword and turned quickly, finding himself face-to-face with what seemed to be half a dozen spirits.

"Who are you?" He asked suspiciously.

"We are people of dusk and twilight. The gold was ours until Bahamut stole it from us. You gave us it back, and for that we thank you." Eric raised an eyebrow and slowly lowered his sword.

"That's all very well but I'm the one who risked my life to kill the dragon. Surely that's worth something."

"It is not worth a single coin of this gold! Not when it comes with a curse!" The spirit replied sternly. Eric turned away and his eyes fell on a ring, sitting on it's own on a small stone. He picked it up and examined it, admiring it's beauty.

"That is the ring of the spirits. Whoever wears it is the owner of the gold." The spirit explained, frowning as Eric slipped it on to his finger.

"It's beautiful." He commented.

"And as deadly as all the other treasure here." Eric rolled his eyes and walked through the ghosts.

"It's going to take more than words to scare me today." He laughed as he walked out of the cave. He was just past the tree next to the entrance when the spirits appeared again.

"I'm warning you. The curse will find your weakness, and threw it, destroy you." He warned before they disappeared once more. Eric barely had time to take in the words when he heard a rustling behind him. He turned and his eyes widened.

The man before him was identical to him, except carrying a spear. He reached for his sword instantly but the imitation ran forwards and shoved his spear at Eric's stomach. The man stared at the blacksmith when no blood came out, and moved again. When it failed a second time, Eric grabbed the spear and flipped the man over. His hand caught on something and when he let go, the man was in his proper form. Eric glared down at the greasy-haired man before glancing at the trinket in his hand. It seemed to be a mask.

"What sorcery is this?" Eric demanded.

"Don't kill me and you can keep it." The man answered.

"What is it?" Eric asked again.

"It allowed me to take your shape!" The man insisted. Eric snorted.

"What would I need that for? I look like me already."

"Yes, but with it…you can take any shape you desire." Eric looked at it again.

"Prove it!"

"Put it on." Eric sighed but obeyed. He looked down at his hands and saw no change. He immediately went for his sword.

"Listen are you trying to…"

"No!" The man cried as Eric unsheathed his sword. "You have to say the magic words. Shadows and vapours all the same! And then think of who it is you want to turn in to." Eric glared but again complied.

"Shadows and vapours, all the same." He whispered, focussing on the man's features. He felt a tingling feeling run through his body and looked down. His hands were different as were his clothes. The man gave a look of disgust.

"You're really ugly." He commented. Eric laughed.

"Well I must look like you." He replied before taking the mask off. Immediately, he was restored to his proper form.

"Are you going to spare me?" The man asked. Eric glanced at him as he pocketed the mask.

"Go." He said. The man leapt to his feet and raced away into the trees.

"Yet another mistake young blacksmith." The spirit sighed. Eric raised an eyebrow.

"Why? Who is he?"

"His name is Hojo and he was one of us. But greed took him over and he wanted the gold for himself. Just like you."

"How about a deal?" Eric suggested. "I'll only take half the gold."

"Half the gold. All the gold. It's the same fate." The spirit whispered before he disappeared. Eric stared for a moment.

"It's all mine now." He muttered.

Midgar was quiet in the aftermath of the recent attempt to kill Bahamut. Tifa had told the Kingdom that Rufus had regained consciousness but he was still very weak. She often stood on the balcony, looking out to the forest of Bahamut, with a worried look on her face.

In the town, Vincent was helping Cid pack some weapons into sacks. The Prince first noticed Eric walk through the doors. The blacksmith was mounted on his chocobo and was pulling a large cart behind it which he had picked up at a nearby house.

"Eric!" Vincent greeted. Cid turned around and put his hands on his hips.

"Where have you been?" He asked. Eric dismounted the chocobo and walked to his father, handing him a small wrapped object. Cid opened it quickly and frowned. Vincent looked curious.

"What is it?" He asked. Eric chuckled.

"What does it look like? It's a dragon's claw!" He replied. Vincent's eyes lit up in awe but Cid didn't seem impressed.

"Huh, you think you can fool your old father." He chuckled. Eric smiled, expecting such news.

"If you don't like it's claw," he began while mounting the cart and throwing the cover off. "How about it's head?" Vincent gasped as he recognised Bahamut's head. Cid stood in shock.

"Eric killed the dragon!" Vincent cried. "Eric killed Bahamut!"

Soon the townspeople were gathering on the steps and around Eric to see for themselves. Tifa appeared on the balcony, her eyes glimmering as they stared at the blacksmith. She felt her heart skip a beat as she saw it for herself. She needed to hold onto the wall for support as she continued to stare dreamily.

In the highest room, Sephiroth appeared at the window to look for himself. Rufus looked up at the sound of cheers and shouting before he made his way to the window. He stared in shock at the head of the dragon. Sephiroth leaned over.

"What if he did this to show power?" He whispered as a warning. Rufus laughed and patted his advisor's shoulder.

"He did this for me. Give your suspicious mind a rest, Sephiroth." He commanded jokingly. He turned back to the window.

"People of Midgar!" He announced, causing the town to silence and their stares to turn to the King. "I hereby proclaim Eric the Blacksmith, a hero of Midgar." As soon as the words escaped his lips, the air erupted in cheers and applause.

The night sky was illuminated as fireworks crashed against it. Cheers filled the air as the band started to play and the people began to dance. Tifa emerged from the castle with Yuffie and they glanced at each other before they nodded and pulled down their masks. Tifa walked slowly into the middle of the ground where Eric was dancing and waited. He left the woman and turned to her, outstretching a hand which she took immediately.

"Can I not see your face?" He asked. Tifa laughed but was careful that her voice came out different.

"No! That would spoil everything!" She replied. It was Eric's turn to chuckle as he twirled her around before heading to the drinks stall. Tifa followed behind and watched him drink the water.

"So what does a dragon slayer do now there is no dragons left to slay?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. Eric swallowed his drink and turned to her.

"Goes back to his smithy and makes more swords." He replied. It was true anyways, he did intend on returning to his smithy before going to Aerith.

"Slay dragons with iron but…win maidens with gold." Tifa said quietly. Eric smiled at her.

"My heart is pledged already." He whispered, almost dreamily. He didn't notice Tifa's smile drop.

"To who?" She asked curiously.

"She's of high status. A royal." He explained. Tifa's heart skipped a beat. Could he be talking about her?

"Maybe she does not know you love her so. All sorts of arrangements might be made for a dragon slayer." Eric laughed slightly. Tifa took a breath.

"Would I know her?"

"No," He said immediately. "She lives in a far off place." He stared across the distance, a small smile itching on his lips before he snapped out of his daze.

"So what about you? Are you married?" He asked, still not recognising her. Tifa sucked in a breathe and shook her head.

"No. If I do marry, it will only be for love." She replied before she turned and walked off. Eric frowned slightly after her but soon forgot about it when another woman asked to dance. He didn't see Sephiroth standing behind the stall and listening to everything Tifa and Eric had said.