TOMB OF LIFE
CHAPTER 4
The following morning Rufus ShinRa stood in one of the labs on the medical floor of the ShinRa building wearing a face mask, while looking at the pieces of alien flesh that had been autopsied. Their head scientist Dr. Hollander was present, along with Tseng and Sephiroth.
"Creatures that do not return to the Lifestream – how unnatural," Rufus commented.
"We do not know what world they came from or if there will be more coming. We now have SOLDIERS guarding the crevice of which they appeared from now on," Tseng replied.
"I did analyze the red blood you found with the creatures' it is definitely human," Hollander stated.
"Then perhaps this person is an ally," Tseng offered.
"Just because we have the same enemy does not mean anything – this person could be friend or foe," Sephiroth spoke up.
"True, has your search of the city turned up anything?" Rufus asked.
"No, but Midgar is a big city and even if we were looking at this person we would not know it – all we know is that he had been injured recently," Sephiroth stated. "My men will be on the lookout for anything strange as well as performing routine searches and questionings of foreigners."
"Good, let me know if there are any other ShinRa resources you will need and I will make them available," Rufus replied.
"Sir, one more thing," Sephiroth began. "We probably should delay the annual party at least until I deem the city is safe again."
"I can't do that, to delay the party would mean that things are out of control and they are not – are they Sephiroth?" Rufus asked pointedly.
"I cannot assess the situation in two days," Sephiroth stated.
"I'll mobilize the army to perform processions through the streets at several intervals during the day. Plus we'll have extra security at the party – will that satisfy you Sephiroth?" Rufus pinned the taller man with his forest-green gaze.
Sephiroth bowed his head slightly and nodded. He didn't like it, but realized that Rufus would not budge on this issue. Although his wish to delay the party probably had something to do with the fact that he despised parties in the first place.
"Good, I think I've had enough of inhaling that for a lifetime." Rufus motioned to the pieces of smelly alien appendages that lay on the operating table. He turned and left the room.
--
The night of the ShinRa party had arrived, and dignitaries from countries across the globe were piled into the large reception area where the party was being held. Among the ShinRa executives present were Reeve Tuesti who was in charge of urban development; Scarlet, the head of weapons development and Heidegger, the head of public safety. Yuffie Kisaragi had arrived with an entourage of Wutian troops as well as several members of the eco group Avalanche which included Tifa Lockhart, Barret Wallace and Cid Highwind.
Sephiroth was not surprised to see Cloud absent – they had worked together for the rest of that night searching the streets of Midgar, but by the time they had parted ways in the early hours of the morning their temporary truce was over. Cloud had flung accusatory words of ShinRa's incompetence and stated that before this was resolved many more innocent lives would be lost like, the two men Cloud had failed to rescue in the alleyway. Sephiroth had been tempted to clash swords with the blond but had let it slide realizing that it would not help matters.
Although Sephiroth was grateful Cloud didn't show up, he was even more pleased to not have to see his father. How it irked him to think of the raven haired man as a family member. He remembered fighting him during the eco wars, if their skirmishes could be considered fighting. Basically, Vincent would fire the Death Penalty and Sephiroth would expertly block the bullets with the Masamune. There hadn't been much love lost between the two back then, but after the truth was revealed Vincent had tried to make amends by apologizing to his son. Sephiroth had refused to accept their relationship or his apologies.
As the night wore on, the slew of greetings and dances with dignitaries soon began to wear on the silver-haired mans' nerves. Seeking a brief moment's respite, Sephiroth entered a balcony off the reception room and closed the double doors behind him. He sighed in relief as he breathed in the fresh air and took in the view of the well cultivated ShinRa lawns sprawled before him.
The night was cool and clear, the stars twinkling brightly in the sky. Sephiroth wondered if he retired for the night if he would be missed. Most likely he would, as the renowned General -- the President would find some other use for him that Sephiroth would probably hate. He ran a gloved hand through his silver tresses that cascaded just below his waist. People often questioned why he wore his hair so long – he would give a vague response, though he supposed wearing it long offered a sense of freedom which was something Sephiroth didn't feel he had in his everyday life. As a General, he was in charge of a lot of people as well as several aspects of ShinRa relations yet he was still answerable to the President, and it left him feeling as if his life were not his own. The president had simply to snap his fingers and Sephiroth would come running to obey his every order.
Sephiroth was distracted from his thoughts when suddenly a red cloaked figure dropped down in front of him. His green eyes narrowed when he recognized his father. He wondered how long the man had been watching him. It bothered him that he had not sensed his presence before. "What are you doing here?"
Vincent turned ruby colored eyes to his son. "I was invited…" was his simple reply. He observed his Sephiroth, who was dressed in his usual army attire of black patent leather boots and pants with a long flowing black trench coat and white shoulder guards that partially covered his bare chest. They were approximately the same height both slender in build, though Sephiroth was slightly bulkier than Vincent.
Sephiroth frowned at the dark-haired man. It was ridiculous to consider him his father – the man looked no older than Sephiroth. The experiment that had made Vincent's body almost indestructible had also slowed his ageing process rapidly. Vincent looked no older than he had been when the operation was performed at age 27. Sephiroth on the other hand had celebrated his 32nd birthday a few months ago, so even though Vincent was statistically 60, he and Sephiroth would more easily pass for brothers than father and son. "What do you want?" Sephiroth asked quietly, his handsome features contorted in a scowl.
"I wanted to offer my help – Cloud told me about the creatures that attacked in the city," Vincent explained.
"ShinRa doesn't need your help – and neither do I," Sephiroth replied stiffly.
"Of course," Vincent lowered his head, further obscuring his mouth from view behind his red mantle. "But if you reconsider – I will be available."
"Get out!" Sephiroth said through clenched teeth.
Vincent looked deeply into angry green eyes – the ache in his heart deepened. "I'm sorry, about everything."
"No matter how many times you say that it won't change anything," Sephiroth said his green eyes flashing. "Now go before I decide to use you as a chopping block."
Vincent lowered his ruby gaze before vaulting into the air and immediately transforming in an amorphous red mist that began to sail off toward the sky.
Sephiroth heard the balcony door open behind him and saw Zack poke his head through. "How much of that did you hear?" the silver-haired man asked.
Zack pushed his way out on the balcony before closing the door behind him. "Not much," He then began chuckling.
"What's funny?" Sephiroth demanded.
"Oh nothing important -- was just thinking, leave it to Vincent to come to a party and never let anyone know he was actually here." Zack raised mirth filled blue eyes to Sephiroth's. "Don't you think you're being a little hard on him?"
"Don't start," Sephiroth warned.
"Okay," Zack began holding his hands up in defeat. "Was only thinking that Vincent is a powerful guy. It might be nice to have someone like him in our corner should this whole alien thing get out of control."
"We don't need him," Sephiroth said before opening the balcony door. "I'm going back to the party." The silver-haired man didn't wait to see if Zack followed, before he immersed himself in the crowd once more.
--
Lara's wound had healed nicely during the past few days since the injury. She had kept a low profile as much as possible trading her PDA for some of the local money to get supplies. She had bought a long flowing, hooded gray cloak to cover her from view for those moments when she did go out in public. Although she mostly kept to her hideout until she was healed.
Lara had been reluctant to use the device again fearing what would happen until she was felt able to fend off further attacks from the creatures, but now it was time to try to find a way home. She had traveled to the outskirts of the city she now knew was called Midgar, and hoped that if she attracted any of the creatures to her that she would be able to dispatch them before they could harm anyone.
She leaned against the wall of a two story brick colored building and began punching buttons on the device. The air grew cold and it seemed that a portal was attempting to convalesce as wisps of black smoke began to form but then quickly dissipated. She kept punching buttons to no avail and soon realized that she had been at it for an hour. Sighing she slipped the device into her backpack and turned to leave -- that is when she saw him.
A tall man with piercing green eyes and extraordinarily long, straight silver hair was striding towards her. He was dressed in a black flowing trench coat that seemed molded to his perfect physique. If she had not been so stunned by his extreme good looks she would have instantly noticed the sinister looking and extremely long blade he held in his right hand. He was almost upon her when Lara finally pulled her pistols and aimed them at him, only to have him vault into the air to attack her. Squeezing the triggers she fired at the handsome man and watched slightly amazed when he blocked the bullets effortlessly with his deadly sword.
Performing a side flip and a roll Lara evaded the stranger and began firing once more. He kept coming at her, blocking the bullets while attacking. Realizing she had to try a different tactic she replaced her guns back in the holsters strapped to her thighs then grabbed Excalibur. She flicked the blade sending a green shockwave at her attacker only to have him slice the wave in two with his long sword effectively disabling the blast. Lara was taken aback by this which allowed him to lock swords with her and slam her forcefully into a wall. She felt the breath being knocked out of her as her hood fell back revealing her face. The surprised expression on her attacker's face barely had time to register before she was pushing back at him with Excalibur. He seemed to back off slightly and Lara intended to use this opportunity to put some distance between them only to have him rip her cloak off instead.
Lara stumbled then turned around to face the silver-haired man whose beautiful green eyes were now roving over her revealed body. Lara had never felt uncomfortable in her shorts and sporty tops before but his gaze somehow left her feeling naked. She decided to take his distraction to her advantage and once again flung an energy blast towards him. She didn't wait to see if he'd blocked it before she began her retreat.
Racing around a building she ducked into an alleyway. Lara could hear her pursuer as he raced after her, but she dared not look back and kept cutting through buildings then back out to another side alley. She realized she might escape him yet when she ran into a clearing figuring she had lost him, only to find something else awaiting her. It was a winged creature, humanoid but not beastly like the alter realm ones she had encountered. It had gleaming yellow eyes and blue tinged skin. Lara didn't get a chance to think further on the matter before the creature began to glow in a dim red hue. Seconds later a shockwave emanating from the creature slammed into the gunwoman knocking her forcefully into the building wall behind her. She fell in a heap – unmoving.
Sephiroth entered the clearing to find Chaos slowing floating to the ground. He watched as the demon transformed back into Vincent Valentine, then he quickly glanced around and saw the woman he had been fighting laying prone on the floor. It bothered him that she may have gotten away had it not been for Vincent. He ignored his father and ran to the woman's side. There was a slight bump forming on her forehead but she was warm with a steady pulse. The silver-haired man flipped open his phone and pressed a few buttons then spoke into it. "Send the chopper I have her."
"Her?" Came Tsengs voice through the receiver.
"Yes, it seems the man that came through with the demons was actually a woman," Sephiroth replied.