Final Fantasy VII: The Story 2nd Instalment

Emerald Princess of Vernea

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Cloud charged forward, his hands gripping the handle of his sword so tight that his knuckles turned white. His eyes glowed brightly, the mako inside him burning as fervently as his blood. He yelled a battle cry as he plunged the sword deep into the thick skin beneath Jenova's waist. The sword sank in to the hilt. Black blood slicked down his hands.

Pain shot through Jenova's body. She looked down, snaking her long neck downward to stare at the human by her feet. Her mouth pulled into a frown, stretching the dark skin of her shrunken face tight across her cheekbones. The pain was terrible—she could feel the metal inside her, and felt the blood oozing from her wound. But the pain did not trouble her. In fact, it excited her. The frown turned into a malicious smile as the images of their deaths appeared in her mind. The pain turned into bloodlust, making her black blood bubble. She drew back her right tentacle-arm, preparing to strike.

Looking up, Cloud saw Jenova's arm swing down toward him. He let go of his sword, which was stuck tight in Jenova's ridged folds of skin and leaped back, letting the arm pass underneath. The ex-SOLDIER flipped through the air, reaching behind him and drawing his other sword. When he landed he spun to face Jenova, making to lunge again.

"Cloud, wait!"

Cloud ignored Tifa's cry and leaped up, his sword drawn behind as he prepared to land a lethal strike to Jenova's heart. Seeing him approach, the ancient calamity swung her arm the other way. Cloud was barely able to raise his sword in defence before she struck, smacking him and sending him crashing to the ground behind his friends in a cloud of dust.

Wrapping her arm around the handle of Cloud's sword, which was still stuck inside her, Jenova wrenched it free and held it up. More blood slid from her wound. The calamity twisted her body around and then hurled the sword away from her. The blade flashed green in the mako light around them as it zipped toward the rest of the group, who stood nearby.

Swiftly the group ran aside, running out of the way of the approaching blade. The sword struck with ground with a flash of red light, becoming stuck in the rocky path. The aim had been deadly accurate, landing precisely where Tifa had been standing.

Seconds after running aside, Yuffie came to a stop and spun round to face Jenova. Holding her shuriken firmly in one hand, she moved it in front of her in some kind of ritualistic movement, before raising it up above her head. The red materia she had received back in Wutai flashed brightly in response.

The ground around them rumbled, and then suddenly a surge of water rose up from the depths of the Lifestream. The water rose in a single towering wave, rising until its frothy peak was high above the path. From the depths of the water a single thin shadow moved, sliding up through the water as it headed for the surface. It broke through the surface of the water with a piercing roar, bursting into the night. Droplets of water fell upon Jenova and the companions as they looked upon the sacred beast of Wutai.

The creature was Leviathan, a great sea serpent whose power was passed on to the leaders of Wutai. The serpent's massive body was covered in thick, bluish scales that were as hard as diamonds. Powerful fins lined his long, sleek form. His head was long and dragon-like, ending in a pointed jaw filled with dozens of tiny serrated teeth. Water constantly slid down his scales, as though the beast himself generated the water by will alone.

Bursting free of the water, Leviathan turned his long body downward. His fins flapped through the air and the serpent began to swim forward, swimming through the air as easily as if it were water. He slid his way around the group, passing close to Yuffie, who was lost in the trance of her summoning.

Red XIII ran forward, his powerful legs pounding the rock with each bound. Upon his back sat Cait Sith, megaphone in hand and clutching the long hairs at the back of Red XIII's neck. The hound caught up to Leviathan as he swam forward and leapt upon his back. He dug his claws into the hard scales and hung on.

Seeing the sea dragon approach, Jenova protectively drew her large shoulder blades close to her, making the large pieces of hard flesh close around her upper body like a shield. Leviathan roared loudly, making the ground shake with his mighty cry. Upon his back Red XIII howled, then bared himself for the collision.

Leviathan struck, ramming into Jenova. Jenova must have used a special attack at the same time, for the impact sent a rippling shockwave of heated wind down Leviathan's snake-like body. Cait bellowed, leaning forward and clinging to Red XIII's fur to stop him from falling. Red XIII dug his claws deeper into the serpent's scales.

After much pushing and shoving Leviathan finally won, pushing past Jenova's body and sending her hurtling backward. The serpent swam forward at speed, his body passing close to Jenova's as he passed. At this point Red XIII leapt from Leviathan's back and onto Jenova's. He landed on her great shoulders, which were just reopening. He went straight for her neck, while Cait jumped off and began to beat her face with his megaphone.

"All right, lads, it's your turn!" the cat called before returning to his beating.

As Leviathan disappeared into the watery depths of his tidal wave, the others ran in to attack. Tifa, enraged that the sword had been aimed at her, went into the fray with her fists accurately ablaze. The Fire materia in her wrist armour was active, turning her fists into blazing balls of flame. She proceeded to kick and punch Jenova's lower body with all her might, leaping up to avoid the lashing tail that tried to knock her down.

Barret was making good use of his materia as well. His materia active, it turned the bullets he fired into bullets of ice. These bullets pierced Jenova's hard flesh easily, digging much deeper and causing more damage than any other bullet would. When he was close enough to use his chainsaw, he thrust his arm deep into the flesh. The chainsaw shredded the inner flesh, and the Ice materia caused the wound to freeze open, allowing no chance of healing.

The others were all attacking with equal ferocity, stabbing and shooting and hitting with everything they had. Cid clambered up Jenova's back and thrust his spear forward. The spear barely pierced the flesh, but went deep enough to cause Jenova to screech and flail wildly. This created an opening for Vincent, who was leaping from rock to rock and firing his gun each time he saw an opening.

As Jenova flailed her chest became exposed and Vincent leapt off the rock. Closing one red eye he aimed at the spot where he thought her heart would be, and fired. Somehow sensing the threat, Jenova swung her arm to block the bullet. The bullet passed straight through the arm, but was slowed enough to barely penetrate her chest. Blood spurted from the wound in her arm.

Behind Vincent, Yuffie leapt off a rock and into the air. She flicked her wrist and threw her shuriken away from her. The circular razor ring spun through the air like a deadly Frisbee. It zipped past Tifa, narrowly missing her head as she flipped upside down to land a powerful kick. It skimmed past Cid, nearly making him fall. It suddenly spun round and sliced through Jenova's shoulder, cutting a deep groove before zipping back to Yuffie, who caught it briefly before throwing it again.

Red XIII and Cait Sith were still working together to sever Jenova's head. The hound had his jaws locked around the calamity's thick neck and was kicking his back legs furiously. The acrid taste of blood filled his mouth and dripped down his jaw, but he resisted the urge to retch and continued to claw. Cait Sith shouted his support as he continued to hit Jenova's head.

Her bloodlust turning to rage, Jenova turned her head to glare at Cait Sith. The cat, too busy bashing her forehead and yelling fierce insults, did not see what was coming. Jenova's dark eyes lit up into narrow slits of blood red light and focused on the robotic feline. Cait noticed only at the last second before Jenova fired.

Twin beams of thin red light burst forth from Jenova's eyes. They struck Cait in the chest, pushing the cat off her shoulder and into the air. Cait yowled in pain and shock as he was pushed back. The world spun before his eyes, the ground moving constantly so that it was never in the same place for more than a second.

Suddenly a flash of pink-white appeared before his eyes as he crashed into something large and soft. The thing he landed on fell back and rolled over with him. Cait closed his eyes, praying to whatever god there was that this ended soon. When he finally stopped Cait opened his eyes, dazed. The Mog was beneath him, looking equally as dazed. Cait cried in relief and hugged the Mog body tightly.

Cloud had recovered his first sword and was now using both at once to cut huge chunks of flesh from Jenova's shoulders. The two blades together caused major damage to Jenova's form as more and more pieces of flesh fell to the ground. With each new wound more blood filled the air, and with each new wound Jenova became more incensed.

Her eyes lighting up once more, Jenova turned to face the other creature still clinging to her neck. Red XIII saw the attack coming and released his hold on her neck. He leaped aside just as the beams were released. The twin beams missed Red XIII's body but hit the end of his tail, making the hot flame flicker and threaten to go out. Red XIII yelped more in surprise than in pain. In anger he pounced upon Jenova's face, his sharp teeth seeking out her eyes.

Jenova could do nothing to defend herself. The attack left her momentarily blind, and in that instant Red XIII's teeth found their mark and delved into her sunken sockets. Jenova screeched loudly as blood and lumps of jelly poured freely down her face. She could do nothing to defend herself—her arm was too short, her body too large. All she could do was thrash her small head this way and that and try to throw the hound from her face. But Red XIII had dug his claws deep into her flesh and would not let go.

"Hey, Red!" came Barret's voice from below. "Get away from there!"

Red XIII complied, giving Jenova one last, vicious bite before jumping away. Though now blind, Jenova could smell the hound nearby and swung her left shoulder with all her might. Red XIII turned his body out of the way and instead used the misshapen flesh as a springboard, pushing himself away so that he was safely behind her. Then Barret opened fire, letting dozens of ice bullets rip through the flesh around Jenova's face and neck.

That was just the beginning of the assault. As Barret fired, Tifa charged forward. The fighter's fists were clenched and the diamond studs on her knuckles were glowing red with flame. Tifa leaped up as Barret quit firing, and landed on the hard, ice-covered flesh in front of Jenova's face. Jenova's sightless eyes, black and dull, looked around blindly.

"Take THAT!" yelled Tifa.

Tifa punched forward, striking Jenova's jaw with her right fist. The sheer force of Tifa's expert punch sent the calamity's head flying back with a loud, painful crack. The ice around the head shattered and fell away, taking the top layer of flesh with it. Then Tifa attacked with her left fist, knocking the head sharply to the right. Jenova gave a garbled cry as her jaw fell open, broken. Her tongue lolled out of her broken jaw, black and thick with blood.

Still Tifa was not finished. Without waiting for Jenova to retaliate, she grabbed the limp head of the calamity and brought it swiftly to her knee, butting it firmly against her. The sound of cracking bone could be heard, but Tifa did not care. Releasing the head and spinning smoothly around, the fighter swung her leg and kicked it straight across Jenova's warped face. Tifa continued to kick and punch, using all the moves she knew from Dolphin Blow, a swift upper kick, to Meteodrive, where she grabbed Jenova's head and thrust it back.

Finally, Tifa jumped back from Jenova's head. She drew her fist behind her, drawing all the power of her Fire materia into her fist. The flames gathered around her hand, compressing and contracting into a sheer ball of flame. With a mighty cry Tifa punched forward, slamming the ball into Jenova's chest.

The force of Tifa's punch sent Jenova flying backward. A shockwave filled the air as she was forced back, tumbling over herself as she careered over the rocky path. She slammed into a large piece of jutting rock, causing it to shatter beneath her heavy bulk. Tifa landed on the ground, the flames dissipating around her.

Slowly, steadily, Jenova stood up. The multiple attacks—the stab wound in her back, the chunks cut from her body, the bites to her neck—had left her weaker than she had expected. The collision with Leviathan had severely damaged her insides—she could feel the blood filling in the depths of her stomach and other vital organs. Pain filled her from every point on her body. Pain caused by the humans.

Jenova became so enraged by the humans that she sought to end their lives in a single strike. Though blinded and with a broken jaw she roared loudly, her roar sounding more like a garbled cry. She spread her shoulders wide as though they were wings, and cried again. She cried to the heavens, drawing upon all the energies that gave her power. Yes, she would end the lives of these humans in one strike.

As Jenova roared, a strong wind began to blow. It was a tropical wind, unbearably hot to the touch and filled with the bitter scent of acid and rotting flesh. The wind came from Jenova's body, powered by her body and getting stronger the more she roared. Her sightless eyes were turned to the starry sky above.

The hot wind struck Cloud and his friends' seconds later. The eight of them cried out and tried to shield themselves from the bitter wind as it tried to force them back. The wind was hot and burned against their skin, making their skin tingle. Barret stood in front of Tifa as she held onto his shirt for dear life, shielding her from the wind.

Cait Sith had been caught up by the wind and was once again rolling over the rock. He ended up rolling dangerously close to the edge, when an arm suddenly wrapped around him and pulled back. Cait held onto his crown and looked up.

It was Yuffie. The ninja was biting her lip painfully as she pulled him close to her, trying to keep her own balance now she was left open to the wind. Her younger body and more delicate frame burned underneath the hotness of the wind and Yuffie cried out. She felt like she was on fire! The pain became so unbearable that she lost her battle for balance and tumbled to the ground, pushed back by the burning wind. She rolled over the ground, taking Cait with her.

This time it was Yuffie who was saved as a cloud of red zipped past her, picking her up and taking her to the safety of a large rock. A red cloak fell over her, along with a fiercely cold liquid. The burning cold turned into a soothing cold as it fell over the burns across her back and shoulders. Steadily the burns softened and faded. Finally able to open her eyes, Yuffie looked up.

"Vincent!" she exclaimed. Vincent looked back at her, his eyes expressionless. He lifted his cloak from the ninja and threw it back over his shoulders. Then he stood and made to walk out from the rock wall where he had moved her.

"Stay here," he ordered. Before he stepped out, he glanced back. "Look after Cait," he added. Then he was gone, running back to join the others.

"What?" Yuffie demanded angrily. She looked down. Cait was limp against her, his eyes dazed and his tongue lolling limply out of his mouth. The cat had fainted. "What! Hey!" Yuffie cried, shaking the cat fiercely. "No fair! Wake up!" The cat did not respond. Angrily Yuffie thumped him on the head, and then sank to her knees, sulking.

By the time Vincent rejoined the fray, the wind had receded and the remaining companions were making their final assault on Jenova. Tifa had just leapt back from another ferocious martial assault when Vincent drew his gun and joined Barret in shooting the creature down. The two together used their Ice materia to shoot gaping holes into Jenova's flesh. Cid threw his spear at the calamity. It pierced the base of her neck, sending blood flying.

Cloud finished slicing through Jenova's shoulders and returned to the ground, landing between his friends. Turning to face Jenova, he raised both swords above his head and closed his eyes. The materia placed in both swords flashed red. Cloud opened his eyes and thrust the two swords down, sending two large beams of red light hurtling toward Jenova.

The two beams separated as they reached Jenova, curving away from the calamity and flying out into the distance around the great crater. The two beams expanded and began to take shape. The light flickered and wavered, swirling as the forms of two powerful dragons emerged from them. The dragons, similar by name but different in power, spread their wings and began to fly back toward the path.

The dragon Bahamut attacked first. The large black dragon beat his great wings against the air, pushing his body ahead to reach Jenova. Before he reached the calamity Bahamut pulled his body back, bringing his powerful black legs forward. The thick talons of his feet found their mark and delved into the marred flesh of Jenova's shoulders. Using the momentum of his flight Bahamut flapped his wings and lifted Jenova up. Roaring as only a dragon can, he threw Jenova into the air.

A second set of legs grabbed onto Jenova's flesh and carried her higher into the air. Neo Bahamut, Bahamut's more powerful form, was a fiercer dragon covered in dark red scales. Age and wisdom caused this dragon to grow a second set of wings, making him lord of the skies. This dragon lifted Jenova easily, carrying her up and up into the air. Bahamut followed, flying past the older dragon and landing fierce bites and slashes on Jenova whenever he could.

When the two dragons had taken her high enough, they let Jenova go. The calamity fell from the skies for a second time, the wind howling past her as she fell to the ground. Bahamut hovered in the sky and opened his mouth. From the depths of his throat a burning light grew, and the air around him began to shimmer and draw together. The air took shape into a ball of light, which Bahamut then fired down in a long beam of light.

The flare pierced Jenova as she fell, pushing her down faster until she smashed into the ground. Clouds of rock and dust flew into the air around her, blocking her from view. Bahamut raised his head to the skies and roared loudly, while Neo Bahamut circled him, roaring in triumph. The two dragons continued to roar even as their bodies faded into the night.

On the ground, Jenova lay unmoving amidst the rubble on which she had landed. Her tentacle-arm, half-severed by Cloud's sword, twitched feebly before falling limp onto the ground. Around her the companions watched, waiting for the inevitable moment when her body would dissolve into the planet.

They did not have to wait for very long. As Jenova passed away for the third time, her body bubbled and hissed as it began to dissolve and disperse into liquid. She dissolved into black water, which seeped steadily across the rock and dripped off the sides of the path into the Lifestream at the bottom. As the black water touched the green water it fizzed and disappeared, sinking from view. In less than a minute all traces of Jenova's presence were removed from view… Except for one.

Floating about half a metre off the ground was the Black Materia. That was all that remained of Jenova after she disappeared into the Lifestream. The group stared in awe as the seemingly harmless black ball floated gently in front of them, rising up and down steadily as though breathing. Nobody dared to step forward and take it.

Eventually Cloud stepped forward. His head was lowered in thought and he did not look at anyone else. He almost seemed to be listening to something. After a few moments he nodded, as though he had just come to realise something.

"Jenova's cells……" he said softly, more to himself than to the others. They all watched him as he walked toward the Black Materia. "Hmm. So that's what this is all about. The Jenova Reunion…" He closed his eyes, trying to remember… what?"

"Not Sephiroth!?" exclaimed Tifa. "You mean all this time it wasn't Sephiroth we've been after?"

Cloud shook his head. "I'll explain later," he said. "Right now, the only thing I'm thinking about is beating Sephiroth."

Tifa lowered her eyes. "But Sephiroth is…"

"He's here," said Cloud. He pointed up into the rocky canyons before them. "The real Sephiroth is just beyond here. It's both incredibly wicked and cruel… But it's releasing a powerfully strong will from deep within the planet's wound."

While everyone pondered over what Cloud was saying, the ex-SOLDIER stepped up to the Black Materia and picked it up. There was something different about the Black Materia this time round. When he touched it, it sparked with energy, as though fighting for life. Cloud clasped his other hand over it and turned back to his friends.

"…The Black Materia is back in our hands," said Cloud. He looked down at the black ball resting in between his palms. Everyone's gazes followed, staring at the materia in awe and trepidation. Cloud raised his eyes, looking at his friends. "Now all we have to do is defeat Sephiroth and that'll be the end of it."

"We'd better not take the Black Materia any further," Tifa said. "Why don't you give it to someone else to hold onto?"

Cloud was about to question Tifa, but then stopped as he realised why she said that. He remembered what happened in the Temple of the Ancients. It was his fault they had to come here to get the Black Materia in the first place. And looking into the faces of the others, he could see that they remembered, too. Tifa was right… Someone else should hold onto the Black Materia. But who should he give it to?

He looked around at the others. Nobody looked too keen to hold the Black Materia for him, and with good reason. This materia had the power to destroy the very planet on which they stood. Guarding it would be a heavy burden on anyone's shoulders, and was not one many were willing to take. Yuffie conveniently looked away from Cloud, finding the ground much more interesting to look at. Vincent was impassive, but even he did not look too keen.

"No, not the Black Materia, please," pleaded Cait when Cloud looked his way.

"Me and Black Materia just don't mix," Cid said.

Cloud turned to Barret and Red XIII. Barret looked at the Black Materia in distaste, while Red XIII clawed the floor nervously. Both were good candidates. Barret had the strength to defend the Black Materia, though his hotheadedness would surely get them into trouble. Red XIII was destined to be the guardian of Cosmo Canyon, and his speed and skill could take him far away if need be. His mind made up, Cloud walked over to Red XIII and held the ball out. Red XIII stared, his eyes wide.

"You want me to take the Black Materia?" he asked nervously. Cloud nodded. The hound stared, wide-eyed, at the Black Materia. He was about to refuse the charge, until he remembered his grandfather, back in Cosmo Canyon. Bugenhagen would not want him to step down from an important challenge. Red XIII swallowed nervously. "……All right," he said finally. "I understand." He lowered his head, and Cloud clipped the Black Materia to a small materia slot on the back of Red XIII's head clip.

"Don't give it to ANYONE," Cloud warned the hound. "I'm counting on you."

Red XIII tilted his head. The materia was light—he could barely tell it was there. "Cloud, be careful!" he said, giving Cloud a gentle pat on the leg with his paw.

"You never know when Sephiroth may show up…" Vincent said to Cloud sternly. "So don't let your guard down."

"Let's find Sephiroth!" said Tifa, running over to stand by Cloud. Before Cloud could say anything, Yuffie also ran over to join them. Annoyed that she had missed the end of the battle protecting Cait Sith when he fainted, she was determined not to miss any possible battle with Sephiroth. Cloud sighed heavily. Three would be enough, and protecting the Black Materia was more important. Besides, if anyone were going to fight Sephiroth, it would be him and him alone.

"We're going in first!" he said to the others. "You guys stay and keep watch." He nodded to Tifa and Yuffie, and the three of them ran up the path.

Red XIII watched as the three began to run up the path. Suddenly feeling apprehensive, he leaped up and bounded to the front of the group. Clambering onto a large rock, he shouted, "I'll protect the Black Materia no matter what!" as loudly as he could. He prayed they could hear him.

Cloud, Tifa, and Yuffie continued on up the path, leaving the others behind them. They heard Red XIII call after them, but they were too busy running up the path to reply. The crater's edge stood before them only a short distance away, and they were hurrying to make it to the crater before the Shinra found Sephiroth. They pushed on, their muscles burning with fatigue, making their way to the last barrier.

The whirlwind barrier lay just ahead. This was the last of the crater's three barriers, and was also the most intense. As well as the familiar gushing winds and streams of mako energy, there were also bolts of lightning that struck the ground at regular intervals. The energy streaming from the lightning bolts made the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end. Yuffie's hair seemed to frizz and swell out, making her look comical. Even Cloud's spikes fluffed out in amusing patterns across his head.

It took more than one attempt to pass through the barrier. Just as the winds and mako bursts subsided, the lightning bolts flashed repeatedly and stopped them from moving. There was only one brief moment when the group could attempt to pass—in those few brief seconds after the lightning finished flashing and the winds started to blow once again.

Cloud made the attempt first, stepping up so close to the barrier's edge that he could feel the electric energy of the lightning crackling against his skin. Jenova's acid winds had already slightly burned his skin and made it sensitive, making this more painful than it should be. But he stood his ground and waited for the lightning to stop.

The lightning stopped. Holding his breath, Cloud darted forward. When he was halfway through the barrier he could feel the wind starting up again, blowing through his electrified hair. Cloud pushed himself harder and broke through the other side of the barrier just as the winds exploded into rage. He skidded to a stop and turned back to Tifa and Yuffie. He was safe.

It took more than one attempt for Tifa and Yuffie to get through. Tifa hesitated at first and missed the first opening, making her wait for the next before she broke through. Yuffie, on the other hand, was not at all happy with the situation and very nearly turned around to go back to the others. Then she remembered her loss in the last battle and angrily charged through the barrier the moment the lightning stopped. When she had made it through she yelled triumphantly at the barrier, shaking her fist and daring it to try and stop her again. Cloud and Tifa carried on up the path.

Tifa followed Cloud closely, watching him from behind as they walked steadily up the path. She frowned. Something had changed in her childhood friend since reaching the crater. He seemed more agitated than normal. Not that she could blame him. But his thoughts were focused entirely on finding Sephiroth all the time; it was as though he was incapable of thinking about anything else. Aeris's death had shocked them all, but somehow she thought that Cloud blamed himself more than anyone else.

Tifa lowered her eyes to look at the ground. She knew she ought to tell Cloud, but deep inside she hoped that she was wrong. She hoped she was wrong with all her heart… What would Cloud say if he knew? What if Sephiroth…?

Suddenly the air around her shivered and wavered. Tifa stopped. A bright light fell down from nowhere, piercing her eyes and forcing her to close them. When she reopened them she saw that Cloud and Yuffie had vanished from her sight. The path before her was gone, along with all signs of the crater, the Lifestream, and the sky.

"What is this?" Tifa demanded fearfully. "What happened?" She looked around desperately.

"Calm down, Tifa," came Cloud's calm, cool voice from somewhere beside her. "Sephiroth is near. Anything could happen."

Taking a cautious step forward, Tifa stretched out her hands. She felt about blindingly, trying to find Cloud through the sea of white. She knew he was nearby—she could feel his presence as though he was right beside her. But she could not see him, could not find her. Her heart beat faster as she started to panic. Where was Cloud!?

Tifa started to call out for Cloud, but as she opened her mouth the light suddenly faded. The path in front of her returned, but it was not the path on which she had stood a few moments ago. And the landscape around her was not the same, either. Tifa gasped. The white light revealed an entirely new setting, a familiar setting, and one that was as dear and as painful to her heart as anything could be. Her heart beat faster once again, now not in panic, but in sheer dread. She looked around her, her mouth open, a single tear swelling in her eyes as she uttered one word.

"Nibelheim…"

Emerald: A much better ending there, methinks. X3