CHAPTER 6 - BEAUTY TO BEAST
Cloud travelled through cliffs, struggled against the winds, and finally made it to Lucrecia's cave…
He crept through the dull and towering rocks, which showed the entrance to the cave. He stopped outside of it, took a deep breath, and entered…
The gloom of the cave grew on Cloud, as his eyes got used to the weird lighting that gleamed down on him. Shadows seemed to follow him everywhere in the cave, and echoes voices…voices from his past and present. Whispers of a fearful name crept throughout the cave, and then a sudden light could be seen…Cloud followed it, growing anxious and more anxious by the minute…he followed it…until he was opposite where the light was glittering out…
The light led to a woman. This woman was named Lucrecia. A scientist who assisted Professor Hojo many years ago, until she fell pregnant by him, and sadly agreed to be a specimen of his warped experiments…
Cloud shielded his eyes, and then put his hands by his sides. The light was glowing brightly, and it seemed to dim every moment or two…
"…Lucrecia?" Cloud whispered. "Lucrecia Crescent!" Cloud called. He waited…
"…Who wants to know?" Said a dark voice. Cloud was shocked. "…Cloud. My name is Cloud Strife. I come in peace…I wish to know the whereabouts of Vincent Valentine."
There was a long pause…
"Then wish no more," Hissed the voice. "For you have found him." The light dimmed, and out came Vincent from it…he stood tall at 6ft, his unruly long black hair blew rapidly, as his red, blood coloured cloak wrapped around him loosely, and he looked upon Cloud with an unreadable expression.
"Vincent." Cloud said. The dark man looked at Cloud, his eyes focusing on him, he wasn't shocked like Cid, nor happy, he seemed…almost transparent…there was nothing there; just a cold and shadowed face with no personality but a dark and mysterious voice.
"Cloud…long time no see." He muttered. Cloud felt intimidated and stood his ground. "Vincent. I didn't," He paused. "I didn't come here to hinder you in anyway…I just need to tie up loose ends. Catch up maybe, just know that everything is alright." Vincent looked at Cloud, his red eyes gave a glint, and an evil smile crossed his face.
"You? Cloud Strife?" He looked at him straight…his smile fading. "You do not humour me?" He asked. Cloud smirked at his use of language. "No, Vincent." Vincent nodded, and turned his back on Cloud, his cape swaying.
"I've been keeping fine, thank you. You, yourself Cloud?" He asked. Cloud sighed. "Alright, I guess. But, im on a journey again." He said. Vincent turned. "Is it…for her?" Cloud gave a slight frown. "Her?" Vincent nodded. "Is it for Aeris?" Cloud looked away. "…I haven't found my Promised Land yet. She's waiting for me there…" Vincent studied Cloud closely…
"They say people can never forget loved ones…for they always remain in here," He tapped his head. "In our memory they live on," He paused. "But that is only those who have…returned to the life stream." He said watching Cloud's reaction. Cloud looked at Vincent, who looked back. "She has not yet returned." Cloud said. Vincent nodded. "And that is why…Aeris will never remain a memory in your mind," He hesitated. "Much like why Lucrecia will not remain a memory in my mind…" He sighed, and turned back to the faint light glowing…
"…Lucrecia." Cloud said. "That woman is Sephiroth's mother!" Cloud stated. Vincent growled. "That woman is the woman I fell in love with," Vincent stopped quickly…but it was too late, he had already said it in front of Cloud…
"Vincent…don't be ashamed." Cloud said. Vincent turned to him blankly. "Ashamed? I have lived on through my life, and have now learned to deal with the feeling of ashamed…and to feel like the whole world is crushing down on you, like you have no escape. Your life is a nightmare. You are the nightmare. But now I live on here…and dwell on my lost love's memory…" Cloud thought. "Wait, I thought you said she was not a memory? She hadn't returned either. She remained here, yes?" Vincent sighed and closed his eyes.
Images of the beautiful and intelligent Lucrecia flashed through his mind…
He opened his eyes.
"Humans are complex creatures Cloud, but, when she is not here…and wishes not to face me, I dwell on all I have left. Most of what I have left in life is memories…memories of older times, not the present. Lucrecia was a major part of my past, therefore she is in my memories, but because she lives on, she is not a complete memory, do you understand?"
Cloud nodded. "I think so…" He said. The two men fell silent.
"I have to go." Cloud said breaking the silence.
"…Vincent?" …Said a voice suddenly.
"Lucrecia!" Vincent called turning to the light. Right before their eyes, an entrancing woman appeared in the light...
"Vincent? Why do I hear so many voices…do you have visitors? Is it my son? Has…has he returned to me?" She asked. Cloud gulped and looked at her…somehow wishing she would not notice him.
"No…" Vincent said. "Cloud Strife is here, Lucrecia. The man who I joined to save the planet. I wish you to meet him."
Lucrecia eyed Cloud. "…Cloud Strife?" Cloud stepped forward.
"Yes?" He said. Lucrecia looked at him closely, her light brightening behind her. "…You are searching for a loved one…aren't you? Who got lost in the struggle…the struggle to save the planet." Cloud sighed…how she knew this, he did not know…
"Yes. Her name is Aeris Gainsborough." Cloud stopped, and sighed. "…She died a few years ago. She fell to the sword of Sephiroth," He frowned. "Your son." Lucrecia's expression turned sad.
"I know my son is evil…I will never forgive him." She said hugging herself tight and rocking gently. Vincent couldn't bare see her upset. "Lucrecia…please, don't cry. Im here…" He said. Lucrecia mourned silently. "…Vincent, im sorry…im so sorry." She cried, and disappeared before them…her light dimmed once more.
Vincent shot at the walls of the cave with his gun, and cried out in rage…
"Cloud…you should leave. The Chaos within me takes over me when I feel emotions…please Cloud…there is nothing more to say. I thank you for meeting with me once more. Now go! Now!" He shouted. Cloud nodded, and slowly backed away, as Vincent began to change and twist to the beast inside of him…
Cloud breathed the free air once more, as he came to the outside of the cave…it made him sad to watch his friend suffer, but Vincent Valentine had many horrors in his past…that could never be changed.
Lucrecia Crescent and Vincent Valentine were both doomed. Doomed to the fate of living on with nothing left but memories of despair…Cloud was glad that some of his memories were not contorted, some were filled with light as Aeris would shine through them like an angel…
Beauty to Beast, Lucrecia and Vincent were both fooled by Hojo, and to Cloud…were helpless. It was times like these he needed Aeris to pull him up and say…
"Cloud…everything will be okay. I will help them, you can count on me…Cloud. As long as your there, by my side, I can do anything."
Cloud sighed. He wished to meet Cait Sith, and save Barrett and Tifa until he returned to Midgar. But the weight of the journey dragged harder and harder as he wondered of the message from the mutant Tiger woman…was she sent by Sephiroth? Has he returned? Perhaps Cait Sith would give him the answer…
But for now. He had to rest…
A voice was telling him somewhere that he would soon find her…his supreme happiness…and maybe, just maybe…she would come back…