Chapter 6

Disclaimer: The Maiden of Autumn owns nothing.

-She would like to thank the guest reviwer for the last chapter and the other readers as well. She hopes they continue to enjoy the story.

When he got to his room, Vincent removed his jacket, loosening his tie as he made his way across the room, and set it carefully onto the back of a chair, making sure not to wrinkle it. He'd have to wear it later this evening, and showing up looking like a wrinkled mess was not something he wanted to do.

Vain, aren't we, Vincent?

He froze as he heard he growling, deep voice again, his hand that was just reaching up to start unbuttoning his shirt stopping on the first button. So, it hadn't just been a dream? Then, what was this…?

No, it wasn't a dream. Go to the mirror; we can talk face to face there. I mentioned it earlier, remember?

A gentle push at his mind made him turn his head to the let wall, where opposite of the bed, there was a full length mirror. Approaching it hesitantly, he paused a moment, before stepping in front of it, facing his reflection.

His brows furrowed in confusion as he beheld his own reflection. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but-

His mind came to a halt as his reflection's eyes slowly bled to a bright, glowing gold, a small smirk that he knew was not present on his own face twisting his lips. So, we finally meet.

The reflection's mouth moved, but the words resounded in his mind, making no noise in the outside world. His reflection crossed his arms, leaning against the side of the mirror in a casual pose. This… it couldn't be real? Could it? Reflections didn't speak in his mind, and didn't, -didn't- have a mind of their own, much less a body to control.

Yes, well, exceptions are made for me. Our relationship is… complicated. The reflection's smirk turned dry, and his golden eyes seemed to dim in thoughtfulness. I am you, and therefore a reflection of you, you're right. But, I am also my own being, a different entity. Therefore, I am you, yet not you.

The reflection stood up straight, flashing a mischievous grin at Vincent. Our unique relationship allows for rules to be bent, considering what we are.

"And what are we?" Vincent blinked as he heard himself talking to his reflection. This was honestly something he could say that he had never imagined himself doing.

Thought you'd never ask. The reflection chuckled, humor shining in his eyes. I'm suddenly glad I chose not to take over your body and destroy the whole world. He couldn't help but sigh at the thought. Talking with you in this state is something I'd not want to miss out on.

Cold chills ran up Vincent's spine at the reflection's words. Take over his body and destroy the world? What the hell was this thing? And why was it inside of him?

Wait, inside of him? Vincent's brows furrowed as he thought about the thing's past words..

Ah, so good to see you again, Host…. decided to take control of your body… I'm you, Vincent. Or at least, a part of you… I'm everywhere, Vincent; in your brain, your body, and numerous other places… take over your body and destroy the whole world…

His eyes widened as he realized the implications of the thing's words, and he let his knees give way as disbelief made them weak. He stared unseeingly at the ground as the words churned over and over in his mind. In... me… but that would mean…!

He slowly lifted his head, seeing the reflection looking down onto him, a gleeful smirk that did not fit his face on the reflection. "You… You're a demon?"

The smirk widened, and the reflection mimed a shotgun, jerking his hand upwards to indicate a shot. Bam. Correct. The smirk faded into a frown, and the demon tilted his head thoughtfully inside the mirror. Although, 'demon' is quite a crude term. Technically true in regards to my actual appearance, but I prefer to be known as my name, or what I actually am: a WEAPON. And my name is Chaos, by the way. The demon winked at him, fangs peeping through the smirk on his face. It's good to meet you for the second time, Vincent.

"The second time?" Vincent was utterly confused at this point, the wheels in his brain turning furiously, trying to process the new information regarding himself- he was possessed! And having a conversation with his possessor!

His reflection rolled his eyes, giving Vincent an Oh- my- goodness- are- you- really- that- daft look. What, did you just think that I suddenly popped up in your body after you woke up from your fall? Really Vincent, the demon snorted, think for a moment. I've been here for quite a long time. A corner of his lip furled up, and he gave Vincent an appraising, very thorough look that left Vincent feeling… violated.

He almost groaned. Optically violated by his own reflection. Well, strike off another thing on his list of things that he never imagined happening. Because the impossible had just happened.

A chuckle drew him from his scattered thoughts, and he saw the demon in the mirror raising a single brow. Actually, for someone of our age, we look quite good, Vincent. Aerith did a good job. The demon took the opportunity to run a hand down the front of his own shirt slowly. I'm actually quite pleased. He looked up mischievously at Vincent. You really were quite the cute teenager, Host. I saw what you were like from your memories, but I'm very glad that I got to experience seeing us like this for myself.

Vincent snapped his head up to glare at the demon. "Would you stop molesting our body?! And you mentioned Aerith earlier. I don't have any memories of her, yet you say she could be the key to unlocking my memories." His brows knitted, and then shot up as the demon's first words sunk in. "What do you mean, looking good for someone our age? You may be ancient, but I'm… I'm…" He couldn't remember what age he was. Well, that was a hindrance. "I can't be older than 16 or 17, at the most!" he continued.

The demon scowled at Vincent's words, but dropped his hand from his body, huffing and glaring at Vincent. You're just as dour now as you were before, always placing these restrictions. And your true age isn't something I can tell you- I can't reveal the memories of your past to you- only things that concern you and I, such as who I am. He saw Vincent's shoulders slump in despair, and the demon winced at seeing the way his Host's whole body drooped. I am sorry, Host, the demon said sincerely.

Vincent looked up, acceptance visible in his face and captivating crimson eyes. "I know, and I don't blame you." He rubbed his temples, a question that had been running through his mind unable to be kept in anymore. "You mentioned a deal; was my life before the loss of my memories so bad that I felt compelled to trade them away?"

Chaos closed his eyes, and in the hidden recesses of his mind, the memories that were hidden away from Vincent replayed. Hojo's tortures in the name of science, all matter of fact, and lacking any emotion, Lucretia's betrayal, the 30 year sleep filled with nightmares, the distrust and wariness of AVALANCHE when his Host had been desperately in need of human contact, yet they were to distrusting of the man to offer it until it was too late… All of it flashed through his ancient mind. In all his years on Gaia, in the Lifestream and out, in all his observations of the humans, he had never met one that had suffered so much as Vincent Valentine had in his short life.

Coming back to himself, and reconnecting himself to Vincent, yet still keeping the memories hidden, he opened his eyes, and nodded slowly. Many people would call your choice a coward's way out, Vincent, he whispered, but in your case, there was no other option out. I don't respect you any less for your decision; after all we've been through together, it's hard not to hold respect for an individual such as yourself. He took a deep breath, even though he didn't really need it. Vincent, I suggest that you stop trying to recall your past; it's very painful, and you had your memories erased for a reason. Don't pursue it.

Recalling all Vincent had been through had made him come to his own decision. Vincent had traded his memories and the ProtoMateria, the one thing keeping him in check, away in return for relief from his constant nightmares that haunted him day and night. It had been a risk, for if Chaos wanted to, he could take over Vincent's body and have his way with the world, and no one would be able to do anything about it.

He had been offered a new life, and if Vincent was going to keep pursuing his memories, there was no point to have made the deal. And his presence, he suddenly realized, with his subtle hints to Vincent's past, were not doing anything to help him find peace in his new life.

Therefore, his decision to go to sleep, dormant in the back of Vincent's mind, unless the man- no, boy now, really- absolutely needed him. It was decided. He was just lucky that he had been able to put the other three demons to sleep. They were not as intelligent as him- they had more animalistic minds, really, and there was no telling what kind of havoc they would wreak if Chaos had not intervened with them as he had.

But now, all he had to do was wait for Vincent to go to sleep and then so would he, for a very long time. The boy's body was still immortal- Aerith's transformation of his body had been merely physical. There was still the mako that liberally laced his veins, thanks to Hojo's treatments, and his own immortal presence.

They would not be aging or dying anytime soon.

Vincent had been silent, thinking to himself as the demon had done the same. He finally lifted his head, though, brushing the long strands away as he observed the demon lost deep in thought. Aerith… just who was she? The name kept popping up in their conversations, and Vincent was just about to ask about her again when a knock sounded at the door.

"Vincent-kun?" The voice at the door was upbeat, and Vincent recalled the voice as belonging to the blonde haired student with green eyes, Takuma.

Vincent turned to the mirror in panic. Chaos couldn't be seen!

The demon must have known what he was thinking, because he nodded from his side of the mirror. I know- it's time to go. Goodbye, Vincent. And like I said before, don't forget to get our gun from the Chairman. He gave one last, lingering look at Vincent, before he slipped away, and back into Vincent's subconscious, curling up into his space. He would only be out once more before he settled down to sleep, and so he closed his eyes and waited.

The sight of one's own altered body that had disturbingly become…. Normal in the short span of time that the demon had had control of his reflection slipping back into its normal form was weird, to say the least.

He watched in fascination as the eyes slowly faded back to their familiar, yet definitely not normal by any means, crimson color, his body slowly sinking to the ground to mirror his own position on the floor. Finally, the reflections' head slowly tilted up, until he was looking into his own red gaze, devoid of any of the demon's presence- his reflection was simply that once more.

~In the Lifestream~

"Oh, dear. Chaos…" Aerith shook her head as she gazed down into the pool that showed her memory-lacking friend in his new world.

Zack looked up from where he had been drowsing in the pale light afforded by the Lifestream, legs crossed and head supported in his hands. "What was that, Aerith?"

The brunette Ancient sighed, bleakly staring at the scene laid out in front of her. Chaos may not be talking out loud, but she knew what was being said- one of the perks of being a Cetra. "Chaos is causing trouble. He had a pure intention, going to sleep as he is, but I fear…"she trailed off, wringing her hands.

"What?" Zack prompted, more alert. Aerith didn't usually worry about things, most of the time smiling in the gentle way of hers, and saying that the Planet would make it all right. So when she began the hand- wringing, and the losing of the smile, it signified that it was time to start feeling uneasy. But it wasn't until the lip- biting that something serious that you should be worried bout was going on.

And so far, it was just the- Zack's violet gaze zeroed in on the bottom lip that was being worried between white, straight teeth. Damn. "Aer, what's wrong?"

"I may have messed up this Planet's fate with my actions, and dammit!" Her fist came down on the ground, smashing some grass.

Zack jumped, nervous and perhaps frightened of Aerith for the first time in his life. The Ancient had been sad, worried, even upset before. But pissed like this? How did you handle a Lifestream-infused being capable of communicating with the Planet and possessing enough power to do basically anything they wanted?

Zack was clueless as hell in that regard.

"Chaos, why do you have to be so stubborn? I told you before you left with Vincent not to go to sleep and just leave him alone, no matter how much you may think it's right!"

"Aer, Aer!" Zack said placatingly. "Calm down, and tell me what you mean."

She breathed in deeply, getting her emotions under control, before turning to Zack. "In every planet, every world, the fate and story of that planet is preordained- not perfectly, but the gist of it is there- and it can be altered somewhat in accordance with the people who inhabit it."

"Our Planet, Gaia, even had one- we all were part of it, still are, actually. All planets do. Vincent was a part of it, and still is. Leaving Chaos inside of him before he left was a way of ensuring he had some connection to Gaia, and that he'd come back when he's needed. But," she said, casting a glance towards the watching pool, "my actions may have doomed the fate of another planet, the one I sent Vincent to."

Zack shook his head. "Aer, I understand what you're saying, but how, exactly, would Vincent mess up the planet's fate? His memories are gone; in time, he'll come to accept that and live his life like any normal person; exactly what he wanted."

"No, Zack." Aerith said, "After much debate with the Planet, she agreed that Vincent could regain his memories, if he cared enough to pursue them. The more he searches for them and tries to remember, the more will come back. He already dimly remembers some things, unconsciously. It will only be a matter of time before the memories of his past here on Gaia start returning. Those memories are what are going to lead to the world's downfall. That is why I told Chaos not to sleep- he alone could keep those memories at bay, or at least, the ones that would lead to this situation. With him dormant, there is no filter, and the consequences…" She leaned forward to the pool, and tugged Zack closer with one hand, the other reaching into the water to stir it. "Watch," she ordered.

Zack did so, his violet gaze focusing on the images that were slowly starting to solidify in the pool of water. His eyes grew wide as the fate of the world revealed itself, how it would pan out with Vincent's interference. "Shit," he breathed. This was not good. "What do we do?"

Aerith dispersed the images with one swipe of her hand through the water. Letting her head fall forward into the water, she let out a muffled sigh. "This fate is not determined; think of the planet's written fate as a formula, and Vincent as an unknown catalyst. We throw him in there, and anything could happen." She looked up, waving her hand back over the pool to show the world again, and focus in on what Vincent was doing. "The only thing we can hope is that the explosion that Vincent makes isn't too devastating."