Chapter Twelve

Aeris visits Nibelheim

Sleipnir led Aeris along the path he'd traveled with her best friend. For three whole days and two whole nights, they traveled, stopping only for food and rest.

On the second day of their journey, during a pause, Aireth asked sleipnir something. She made the Seal of the Horse, and spoke to him.

"Sleipnir. Did Aireth tell you anything about what she was so upset about during your journey together?" "She didn't talk to me about anything. But during the whole journey, while she sat on my back, I could feel her endless love for me and all animals on this planet."

"She still loves Earth?" Aeris asked quietly, smiling. "I have no doubt about it." Sleipnir replied assured. Aireth undid the Seal her hands made, and looked up at the sky. The stars were sparkling magnificently up there. "Aireth. You're still the same person I've always known, then." Aeris thought.

On the third day of their journey, they saw a mountain towering above them. On the foot of the mountain, was a small village.

"Nibelheim!" Aeris said surprised, and Sealed her hands again. "I didn't realize you'd taken me along the path to this village, Sleipnir."

"I'm just taking the same route I led your friend along." The eight-legged horse replied. They reached the gate to the village, and Aeris got off Sleipnir's back. She went over to the gates. She looked around at the houses she and some other Cetra had rebuilt three months ago.

She walked over to the house the girl named Tifa lived in, and knocked on the door. After awhile, the door opened, and the Tifa stood there. "Aeris!" She said surprised. Aeris smiled at the sight of her friend. "Hi, Tifa. How's life nowdays?" "It's a little too quiet with just me Cloud and Zack here, but it's alright. Wanna come inside?"

"Sure." Tifa stepped inside the house so Aeris could come inside.

They were standing inside a big living room totally different from the houses in Himitsu Shi. The house wasn't round, like the houses of the Cetra village. Most of the tables and chairs were of black and dark wood, most of it looking new, due to the fact it had all been restored three month's ago. Opposite of the entrance door, a little to the right, was a wooden staircase leading up to the second floor.

"It sure looks like you're having a nice time in this village." Aeris said, looking around. "Yeah. It's really good. Cloud! Zack! Aeris's here!" Tifa called happily. They heard the sound of four feet scrambling across the second floor, and saw two boys descend the stairs as fast as they could. Suddenly, Zack stumbled, and Cloud fell over him. Both of them rolled as fast as they could down the stairs, looking as if they were both trying to reach Aeris first. (I won't describe their appearances, since you've all played FF 7)

"I'm first, chicken! I have say "hi" first!" Zack said in a muffled voice, due to the fact that he was from time to time, pressing his face towards the stairs. "No, you're not, you dumbhead!" Cloud said in the same muffled voice. Both of the extremely rowdy boys reached the floor first. Aeris laughed for the first time in days. Tifa and Aeris both fell to the floor as they laughed. The whole house got filled with laughter as the boys joined in.

A half an hour later, they were sitting around the table in the living room, talking. "By the way, Aeris." Tifa said after awhile.

"A girl came by here about a week ago. She claimed to be of your people, and she had this weird look in her eyes." "Aireth!" Aeris burst out. "Probably. She didn't tell me her name, though she asked for mine. She said that she'd "put the Cetra behind her".

"That sounds like Aireth. Did she say anything else?" "Not anything important." Tifa replied. "Where is she now?" Aeris asked.

"Don't know. She proceeded up towards the mountains, so I'd guess she's up there somewhere." Aeris got up. "Sorry guys, I've got to find her." "We get you, Aeris." Cloud said. "Anything we can do to help?" Zack asked. "You've done enough for the Cetra. I don't want to drag you into something like this, even though I don't know how serious it is. I know my best friend is up to something bad, and I'm the only one who can save her. The Cetra swore they'll kill Aireth if they find her." Aeris said anxiously. Tifa nodded. Aeris left Nibelheim.