TOMB OF LIFE
TOMB OF LIFE
CHAPTER 5
Lara slowly regained consciousness, surprisingly her head did not ache as much as she had expected it would having taken that solid knock into the very hard building wall. She opened her hazel eyes and squinted at the bright light that reflected all around her.
Eventually, as her eyes began to adjust to her surroundings, she noticed she was in white-walled room lying on a medical bed. There was one person present with her – judging by the white lab coat she assumed he must be a doctor of some sort. She must have made a sound for she noticed as the bearded man turned around, eyes widening before moving behind a nearby desk and grabbing the phone. She could clearly make out the words he stated before replacing the phone receiver.
"She's awake."
Lara's anxiety did not reach its full potential before the door to the lab swung open and two men strode in. She recognized the silver-haired man instantly and felt her body tense. His companion was a slightly shorter man with raven black hair and exotic looking eyes – the bindi in the center of his forehead drew her attention as it was not something she was used to seeing on men of her world.
Lara turned her full attention back to the taller man, deeming that she had more to worry about where he was concerned. She had seen this one fight and it was all she could do to try to get away from him in one piece. She noticed he was still carrying his extremely long sword – it was strapped to his back slightly horizontal so that the tip would not hit the floor. Lara's hands tightened into fists as she attempted to sit up, only to realize that her wrists were bound by thick silver chains. She tugged against the chains for several seconds but they wouldn't budge.
"The chains were a necessary precaution," Sephiroth stated.
Lara's eyes locked with the silver-haired man's gorgeous jade ones. His voice had soothed over her like warm butter – deep but not gravelly. He didn't seem angry, only curious.
"I am General Sephiroth and this is Tseng of the Turks."
"What do you want with me?" Lara asked deciding it was best to get straight to the point.
"Your name first would be appreciated," Sephiroth replied.
Lara looked at him again slightly confused. He had seemed so fierce and unrelenting when their fight had first begun, but now he seemed the complete opposite – patient and understanding. She decided that it wouldn't hurt to co-operate with these people, perhaps they would be the answer she needed to help get her back home. "Lara, Lara Croft."
The Turk who had been silent during this whole exchange finally spoke up. "Now that the formalities are over it's time to get down to business. What are you doing here and what were those creatures that came through the portal with you?"
Lara was taken aback by the question – she had been wondering how much these people knew about her reason for being here, and it seemed they were well informed thus far. Lara decided the truth wouldn't hurt and perhaps in this case it would indeed set her free. "I come from a planet called Earth – I'm an archeologist and was exploring a cavern beneath Gaza Egypt, when a portal appeared and I was sucked in."
Tseng glanced to Sephiroth their eyes locking as if some silent communication was passing between the two. "Go on," Tseng urged her.
"I woke up in this 'alternate realm' if you will, it was reminiscent of a void in space." Lara went on to explain about the aliens and the arena match then her hasty escape. "I didn't realize the creatures would follow me through the portal, I apologize for the loss of life. I had been unable to defeat them post haste."
"But you did manage to take one out," Sephiroth stated and glanced at the shoulder rip in her shirt. "Is your injury healed?" He glanced at Dr. Hollander who stood behind the medical table. He had been silent since he had called the two men in.
"She is physically fine," Hollander replied.
"I only want to find my way home," Lara explained.
"What can you tell us about this device?" Tseng asked as he pulled the portal device from his pocket.
"It has to be the key to get me back home – I just haven't figured out how to work it," Lara said as she once again tugged against her bonds. "Am I a prisoner?"
All were silent for a moment as Sephiroth gazed at her – his jade-green eyes soothing yet disconcerting, "For the moment."
"I mean you no harm," Lara said squeezing her eyes shut as she sighed.
"If you'll excuse me," Sephiroth stated before turning to leave the room with Tseng, leaving Lara alone with the untalkative Hollander. Lara raised her head and banged it against the table slightly – this situation was most distressing.
Moments later in the president's office Sephiroth and Tseng were giving Rufus their report on the alien. "She doesn't seem dangerous, at least not to us. I think we should keep her here at the ShinRa complex, so we can keep an eye on her. I sense that she is determined to find her way back to her home world one way or another – so perhaps it is best that we allow her that opportunity, and keep track of her progress in the meantime."
Rufus observed Sephiroth calmly. He had never known the General to be so lenient with prisoners, especially when the deaths of some of their own people were involved. Granted the woman did not kill the men herself, she was indirectly responsible for leading the offending creatures to them. "Are you suggesting I give her free reign of this facility?" He asked simply.
"Place her in my charge. I will make sure she doesn't step out of line," Sephiroth stated.
"May I ask why this is so important to you?" Rufus and Tseng both pinned the general with a questioning stare.
Sephiroth pondered the question carefully. Why did he seem to care so much about this strange yet beautiful woman that had enraptured his senses. Instead of revealing the havoc Lara was causing on his cool demeanor he simply replied, "I feel it is the best course of action to take in this matter. If I'm wrong then I will hold myself fully responsible."
"Good enough for me," Rufus replied.
Sephiroth bowed to the president before excusing himself.
--
Lara stood in her quarters examining her attire in the mirror. She would have to talk to Sephiroth about some different clothing, for the ones that had been brought by for her were all dresses, and she was typically not a dress person. Dresses were just not practical for her profession. At the moment she was wearing a white clinging dress which was sleeveless with thin spaghetti straps. It flowed to just below the knee and hugged her hour glass figure like a glove.
Strappy white sandals with a stiletto heel completed her attire – it was the only appropriate pair available for she couldn't very well wear her rugged sole boots with this outfit. Her freshly washed auburn colored hair flowed to their full length which was just below her shoulder blades – this was a deviation from the norm as she mostly wore her hair in a ponytail while adventuring, to keep it out of her face.
Sighing at her appearance and realizing she couldn't do much about it, her thoughts drifted to the events of the afternoon. Sephiroth had returned to the lab and released her, then had immediately brought her to her new quarters and had sent a guard along with some new clothes and shoes for her. He had revealed that she would not be thrown in jail, but that she would be under his protection for the duration of her stay here. It irked her that he thought she needed protection but she did not dispute his claims. He had left her with the knowledge that he would escort her to dinner tonight at around 7pm. It was 6:50, and the butterflies in her stomach seemed to be in high flight.
She had tried the door several times only to realize that it was locked, so she still was a prisoner in essence even if she no longer wore chains. Lara hoped it would be explained to her tonight at dinner what she would be allowed to do during her stay here.
At 7pm sharp, there was a knock on her door. She walked towards it and called through the door to him, letting him know he could open it. When the door slid open, Sephiroth stood there awaiting her. It was the first time she had seen him out of his trench coat armor. Tonight he was wearing black leather pants, boots and a silk black shirt that hung to the contours of his slender yet muscular build. She was grateful his nightmarish sword was absent. His long silver hair which she was beginning to admire, hung freely to just below his waist. She found herself wondering about the texture of it, and had to forcefully keep her hands to her sides to prevent her from doing something about it. As Lara continued to admire his appearance – she did not realize that he was doing some admiring of his own.
Sephiroth gazed at her studiously – his jade eyes floating over her perfect form drinking her all in. She was astonishingly beautiful. Her auburn hair which gleamed in the well lighted room fell over her face provocatively. Her stunning hazel eyes which seemed to devour him were framed by some of the thickest lashes he had ever seen. Her full lips shone slightly indicating that she wore some type of gloss there. As if her face was not pleasant enough to look at -- her body displayed so sexily in that white dress caused an uncomfortable reaction in Sephiroths loins. "I see you're ready to go," He stated, finally breaking the silence between them.
Lara nodded and walked out into the hallway. She watched as he closed the door behind her then motioned down the hall as the route they would take. "While I appreciate the clothing – this is not my usual routine," She said indicating the dress with a flourish of her hands.
Sephiroth found his gaze drawn to her shapely behind and quickly forced himself to look away. "The clothes were temporary solution. I can take you shopping later in the week to find clothing more appropriate to your style."
Lara was speechless – the general himself was offering to take her clothing shopping. It didn't take much for her to realize that Sephiroth was well renown among his peers and such frivolity would be better suited to someone else less important. She said nothing to this and dismissed it until later expecting that he would not follow through with this plan.
When they arrived at the ShinRa dining hall – all eyes were suddenly glued to them. Sephiroth tried not to roll his eyes as he saw some of the obvious gapes by a few of the personnel gathered there. Reno looked like a fish with his mouth opening and closing several times over as he stared at them.
Sephiroth noticed Zack was there as well, but he was with someone he hadn't counted on seeing. "Aeris, how wonderful to see you," He pulled his sister in a quick embrace.
"Sephy, the feeling is mutual," Aeris replied her forest green eyes sparking as she turned to Lara. "Who is this beautiful creature?"
"Aeris, Zack, allow me to introduce, Lara Croft," Sephiroth stated.
Lara held her hand out and shook first Aeris and then Zack's hand. "Pleasure to meet you," She said smiling.
"Likewise," Zack replied grinning from ear to ear.
Aeris was smiling as well. "I did not know my brother was dating."
"Uh…" Lara glanced at Sephiroth, hoping he would diffuse the situation quickly.
"I am not, Miss Croft is someone we will be working with here at ShinRa," Sephiroth explained calmly.
"Well Zack and I were just leaving. We were going to have dinner on the roof looking at the stars, but if you would like us to join you…"
"No please go enjoy yourselves," Sephiroth stated, giving his sister a hint of a smile.
The half smile Sephiroth bestowed on Aeris almost stopped Lara's heart, he was so breathtakingly handsome and seeing his features even in a slight smile seemed to light him up so much more.
They helped themselves to the buffet table before taking a seat at one of the secluded tables in the corner of the room. Lara had met several more of Sephiroth's friends and SOLDIER 1st during this exchange. She did notice that someone seemed to be missing though. "So where is he?"
"Of whom do you refer?" Sephiroth asked taking a sip of his wine beverage.
"The one who laid me out in the alley, the man with the blue skin," She couldn't help noticing when Sephiroth visibly stiffened.
"He is not here," The silver haired man replied.
"He is not a part of ShinRa?"
"No."
"Then why did he aid you?" Lara wanted to know.
"I'd rather not get into this conversation just yet." Sephiroth's lips had turned into a thin white line. He hadn't even thanked Vincent for his help in capturing Lara. She most likely would have gotten away if his father hadn't intervened.
Lara took the hint and changed the subject. She'd have to bring the man in the alley up later, but apparently, now was not the time. "The food is amazing," She commented idly.
"It's the night we serve Wutian culinary cuisine. Most people enjoy the spiciness of this food," Sephiroth replied before brining a fork to his mouth filled with steaming noodles.
Lara couldn't help but notice the stares they continued to attract while they ate dinner. She simply assumed it was because she was a stranger and perhaps they were curious. She had no idea that Sephiroth normally ate alone or with his male companions, never with another female other than Aeris. He was staking an unspoken claim on her which emanated throughout the room that she was under his protection. Lara remained oblivious of this as she took another bite of the spicy food. She thought that perhaps she could use this opportunity to find out what would be the status quo for the duration of her stay there. "Will I be allowed to work with the portal device soon?"
Sephiroth finished chewing what was in his mouth before replying. "Our scientists need a few days with it first to run some tests."
"They should know that any tampering with it could attract more of the alter realm monsters."
"Yes, that is why they are taking precautions and using a shielded room which should mask its effect," Sephiroth explained.
"Good, I hope you understand my desperation before which led me to try to activate it out in the open, but as you can tell I didn't have much success." It dawned on Lara that she had been discovered shortly after fiddling with the device. "By the way how did you find me?"
"We had been tracking foreigners in the area since the invasion to find the human that had come through with the creatures. We had no idea this person was a woman until I came upon you. One of our officers who had been doing his rounds had seen you there with the device and called for back up," Sephiroth explained.
"I see," Lara began, though the rehash of her capture made her think about the blue skinned man that had leveled her. She wanted to ask of him again but was reminded of the way Sephiroth clammed up earlier and thought better of it. "So am I to be locked away in my room until your scientists deem it appropriate for me to work with the portal device once more?"
"I will escort you wherever you need to go, if I am not available I will assign someone to it."
"I think I'm missing something – you're a General, so why are you babysitting me?" Lara asked boldly.
Sephiroth locked emerald green eyes with hazel ones. "I am responsible for you during your stay here. I made an arrangement with President ShinRa – he agrees not to leave you in chains and I agree to keep you in check."
Lara blinked a couple of times before searching for the appropriate answer, "Thank you."
"Is there anything in particular you'd like to do during your stay here?"
"Sure – Exercise, target practice, and sight seeing I suppose. When I do make it back home, I would like to have a story to tell and visual memories to fill it with," Lara grinned.
"That can be arranged," Sephiroth stated before taking another bite of his food.
They completed their meal in relative silence and afterwards Lara was escorted back to her room by the general. The evening had run sort of like a date except that she was Sephiroth's prisoner and that left very little room for romance – make-believe or otherwise. He had glanced at her briefly once at the door before saying, "I'll be in touch," Then waited for her to go inside. She heard when the door locked behind her and listened to the beat of his retreating steps until she could hear them no more. Sighing she turned around to settle in for the night. Things could be a lot worse than they were at the moment and she had to be grateful for that.
--
"I really appreciate this," Lara said smiling at Zack fair who stood across from her on the running track. The SOLDIER 1st had come to get her late the following morning to give her a tour of the ShinRa complex. She had opted for some exercise instead, and he had indulged her.
Wearing the attire she had traveled to Gaia, which had now been laundered and mended, Lara was once again in her comfort zone. They had just completed 3 laps around the track of which they had barely broken a sweat.
"It was my pleasure really, I had a little time in between missions and thought I'd get to know you better," Zack said grinning.
Lara had to admit the dark-haired man was very handsome, but she was already aware that Sephiroth's sister was his girlfriend – not that she had been interested in him otherwise. He seemed to be a notorious flirt and reminded her of Zip. She tried not to think of her friends and associates back home or the ache to return would be unbearable. "Well if I'm here for you to pick my brain then hopefully I will be able to reciprocate."
"Well reciprocate away." Zack hadn't stopped smiling.
"Sephiroth has been very forthcoming except in one matter. The day I was captured there was someone else there – a winged man with blue tinged skin," Lara explained.
"Uh huh, what about him?"
"Who is he? Sephiroth said he wasn't a part of ShinRa."
"That's right, he's not. His name is Vincent Valentine, but you met him in Chaos form," Zack explained.
"Chaos form?" Lara echoed.
"He's a shapeshifter – has several different forms actually."
"How fascinating -- I think I shall like to meet him again, under different circumstances of course." A grin lifted the corner of Lara's lips as she thought of not having to face the powerful man as an enemy once more.
Zack had a thoughtful expression on his face as he observed her with his deep blue eyes. "What did Sephiroth tell you about Vincent?"
"Not much of anything, why?" Lara sensed he was keeping something from her and was almost positive when he gave an evasive reply.
"Ah nothing," Zack smiled, realizing she didn't know about their special relationship so he moved on. "Care for another go round?"
"Another few more," Lara replied smiling.
They completed three more laps around the field basically neck and neck before they came across Sephiroth standing at the finish line. "Hey Sephy – I just thought I'd take her out for a little exercise," Zack grinned.
"Exercise is good," Sephiroth replied unsmiling.
"I was thinking perhaps a little sparring next," Zack suggested.
"Were you really?" I'd love that," Lara replied, her face lighting up.
"Sparring is not a bad idea and I have a little free time now," Sephiroth replied.
"Ready for a rematch?" Lara locked hazel eyes with emerald green ones.
Sephiroth looked at her while raising a silver eyebrow, "Of course."
"Alright! To the gym it is," Zack said excited.
Once in the gym – Zack took Lara aside and pulled out a small glowing ball from one of his pockets. He grasped her hand and slowly let the ball sink into her wrist. At the alarmed expression on her face he quickly explained. "Strength materia – the General is unusually strong, this will even up the odds. And I've got another idea to make this fight more interesting." He turned to Sephiroth, who now held the Masamune in his hands as Lara stood on the opposite end of the gym awaiting his opponent. "No special swords today Sephy, how about you and Lara use the standard issue ShinRa swords, which is only fair since the scientists still have the funky green one she came here with under lock and key."
"The funky green one you refer to is actually called Excalibur," Lara said as she followed Zack towards Sephiroth.
"Excalibur? What a cool name!" Zack exclaimed.
"I wish I could take credit for naming it but alas – Excalibur is an ancient artifact that was named long ago by my predecessors."
"You truly wish to fight me Miss Croft?" Sephiroth asked thinking that she would reconsider on the way here, but she had not.
"Of course General, it's all in good fun is it not?" she asked.
"Indeed," Sephiroth replied as he relinquished the Masamune and took a standard sword that was a good 3 feet shorter than what he was used too, Lara grabbed a similar weapon and they stood in the center of the gym arena about to face off.
Little did they know a ShinRa grunt who had been doing squats when they arrived had run off down the hall to tell everyone who would be interested that the alien woman was about to go one on one against the General. It didn't take long before a small crowd began to gather, but by then the fight was underway and the two combatants were more interested in fending off the others attacks than wondering why they now had a bigger audience.
Lara's eyes locked with Sephiroth as she blocked his attacks, they had begun the fight with her on the offensive but now the tables were turned. His quick attacks were frenzied and she was grateful for the strength materia as she was certain that during the moments they locked swords he would have sent her flying otherwise. Suddenly, Sephiroth got in a lucky swipe that sent her sword askew. Lara immediately did a series of back flips and was able to re-gain repossession of her sword before Sephiroth came down on her with another blow which she was able to fend off easily.
The fight continued in earnest both unaware that Zack was walking around taking bets on who would be the victor. Gil was being passed around freely as there was a decent gathering of ShinRa 3rds and 2nds and even two 1sts if you counted the General and Zack.
They had now been fighting for a good twenty minutes and neither seemed to be tiring. If Tseng hadn't arrived requesting Sephiroth's presence then Shiva only knows how long they would have continued. The fight was labeled a draw. As Sephiroth left the room with Tseng, there were many disappointed groans of the audience who were unhappy there wasn't a definite winner.
"Oh yeah!" Zack exclaimed walking up to Lara grinning. "You held your own like a Soldier 1st. The General is a tough fight."
"Hmm, well I'm glad I didn't disappoint," Lara replied.
Meanwhile Sephiroth accompanied Tseng to the President's office. Tseng didn't understand Sephiroth's fascination with the foreign woman but it was not in his place to question the General.
Rufus was not alone in his office – Shelke Rui was present as well.
"I am ready to begin the Synaptic Neural Dive procedure as soon as the recipient is ready," Shelke said to Rufus and acknowledged the newcomers with a nod.
"Good, you're both here," Rufus said glancing at the two men. "Sephiroth I will need you to help mediate the situation that will arise once Miss Croft finds out what needs to be done."
"Please explain," Sephiroth said, the blank expression on his face not revealing one inkling of what he was truly feeling – anxiety.
"We need to learn all that we can about this Lara Croft, more than she is willing to tell us. I feel the best way to do so is to have Shelke perform her SND to get as much information as we can about this woman."
"That's rather invasive, I don't think she would be opposed to telling us what we wanted to know," Sephiroth stated.
"But then we'd have to trust her explicitly to tell us the truth – with the SND there is no risk of her lying to us," Rufus explained.
"The Turks are ready to bring her in on my order," Tseng said.
"Wait, you are planning to force this on her? Give me a few minutes to ask if she will willingly submit to the procedure. Handling this otherwise will no doubt lead to resentment on her part." Sephiroth's emerald green eyes flashed as he spoke, his passion for the foreigner was obvious. "I just spent the last 30 minutes sparring with her, she fights like a SOLDIER 1st and is intelligent to boot. If you asked me here to be a mediator then allow me to do that and I will convince her to come quietly."
"You've made your case – go," Rufus said his dark-green eyes unwavering as he watched the General leave.
"I will be in the science lab awaiting the prisoner," Shelke stated.
"Yes, and Shelke – do not refer to her as a prisoner while in her presence. Apparently we will be forced to – handle her with care," Rufus smirked as he watched the petite woman leave.
Once they were alone Rufus turned to Tseng. "Do you think Sephiroth is becoming too enthralled with this woman?"
"It's too early to tell," Tseng replied.
"Keep an eye on them, I want to know the moment he begins to think of her as more than a refugee."
Tseng was a bit annoyed by this but tried his best not to let it show in the tone of his voice. "Sir, I am not a mind reader, I have no way of knowing if he's falling for her."
"Well chances are if you find them in some inappropriate situation I think you'll have your answer. Delegate as you see fit but I want them watched at all times." Rufus turned and strode behind his desk and began flipping through some papers. Tseng knew that he had been dismissed and left the room quietly.
Shelke's Synaptic Neural Dive is obviously a variation of the Synaptic Net Dive -- I didn't know another way to write this and I hope it's at least plausible. Also I want to give a shout out to the reviewers - Sarah Jones and Lockets and Beads thanks for your support!