Chapter 3 The Basilisk

Cloud brings Fenrir to a halt close to a cave. The only other person waiting for him, is the quiet ex-turk. He knows tonight they are hunting a very dangerous beast, making sure to bring Fusion blade with him.

Cloud, " I'm surprised Cid isn't here. "

Vincent, " I have him stationed outside the local town. " He doesn't add that he rather Cid not be included in this fight.

Cloud doesn't give it much more thought, " You think the nest is in there? "

Vincent nods towards the entrance they will be using, " The basilisk nest is in there. " The Basilisk is a terrible winged creature that can kill with a glance, or so people claim. They look more like over grown lizard and less like dragons. Vincent is certain they can take the monsters down.

They both carefully enter the cave. The travel is slow, as the route is dimly lit and they are trying to keep that element of surprise. Between the two of them, and their enhancements, the dim lighting is not a real issue. The passage is not very wide, a times making the two men squeeze by. There is even the occasional a slimy feel to the rocks. Vincent can hear the sound of the beasts followed by the smell. Its still bad enough for his nose to wrinkle in disgust. The nest itself in a chamber with a hole in the ceiling. The three nests sit next along the walls, leaving the center for the returning monsters. Broken bones littering the ground. Hard to tell how many eggs are in the nests, as a creature seems settled on top. Sound of some outside, guarding the main entrance of the nest.

Both men are well used to each others fighting style. No words need to be spoken, just a few hand gestures. They begin their attack, with Cloud taking aim nesting mothers and Vincent taking aim for anything that tries to enter the cave. Head topples from the first kill, cleanly cut off with Fusion sword. Cloud moving to the other two beasts. The others cry out in alarm, bringing the guards in. Cloud dodging attacks, with Vincent firing his gun, and illuminating the dim room with bright flashes from Cerberus. Soon enough the adults lay dead in the chamber. That left the grim task of destroying the eggs.

Cloud, " Is that it? " Asking with a hopeful voice. Killing the unborn is not his idea of a fun time. Cloud has seen what these things can do to people. An enraged scream of a Basilisk echoes through the cavern. " I guess not. "

The last beast looking down upon the slaughtered remains of its family. Cloud feels the creature glare in his direction and the tingle of a death spell. The only thing that saves his life is the protect ribbon on his arm. A shot rings out, forcing the Basilisk to fly off.

Vincent could curse his luck. If the beasts kills anyone now, their death will be upon him, " We must catch it. "

Cid doesn't mind giving people rides to their destinations. Sometimes he doesn't mind having to hang back. He knows he has his limitations. The only reason he isn't pacing, Cid knows both are highly skilled men, He almost pities the beasts. Almost. He has the easy part of just hanging around.

Both Cloud and Vincent have become very important to him. More then mere comrades. Cloud is such an innocent and makes a great bottom. Vincent has a hidden passion and likes to be dominate. Cid takes what he can get. Having such different lovers is rather fun.

His airship sits outside the city itself with dusk presenting a lovely scenic view. This view would be perfect with a smoke in one hand and a beer in the other. Shame he quit smoking. Hard to ignore that growing feeling in his gut that the peace is about to end.

Cloud calls on the PHS, " Cid, one of the basilisks escaped. How close is it to the city? "

Cid gets special goggles out, looking in the direction Vincent went. There is a shape of something flying towards the city itself. The shaping growing closer and an impressive speed. Even with the distance, he can tell its an impressive size.

Cid, " Fuck... Yeah I see it. Coming in fast. "

Cloud, " Try to delay it, Cid! Just don't let it look you in the eyes. It has a death spell. "

Cid, " Oh #&^ joy... I'll do my best. " Grabs for Venus Gospel on the way out to the top deck. Once there, uses a small craft, that looks like a flying scooter. The airship is too small to take on this type of creature. The last thing they need is a falling aircraft near a city. With spear in hand, he jumps, landing on the back of the winged Basilisk, using his weight to help spear the monster. Only after his jump, will he start to regret this idea.

The creature didn't expect an air attack and tries to throw him off. Almost succeeds, the spear being shoved into its back enough to keep Cid latched on. The beast, momentarily forgets the need to kill easier targets, in favor of dislodging the pilot. It flies erratically, flipping in the air and not losing him. Most of this flight, Cid is left hanging desperately. Its not the fall he fears, its the chance he might get bitten in half on the way down. He gets a chance to push the spear in deeper, earning an ear piercing scream for his deed. Then the Basilisk falls out of the sky, has a spinning out of control. There is little Cid can do but hang on tight.

The creature hits hard, sliding along the ground, and taking off the human who gave it so much pain. The spear still stuck inside its back, as it lays panting. It slowly gets up, making its way to to where new ditch, where the human fell off Can smell Cid's blood. Won't be satisfied till he personally snuffs out the human's life. The Basilisk would never reach its target, as something attacks. A creature older then itself.

Pain through his body and the taste of blood in his mouth. Cid knows how close he is about to get chomped. Unable to look away as the Basilisk looms closer. A blur of red, forcing the monster away. Sound of a brief and blood battle close by. Moving proves to be a bad idea as the pain flares through him even stronger. Yes, he shall just lay here a while. It seems like forever, before Chaos makes his way over. Looks down at Cid, one hand fresh with the blood of his enemy, the other one hand gripping Venus Gospel. Gives Cid a scan. Sections of skin that was taken off with some broken bones and internal injury. If this mortal was not someone they liked, he would be a very tempting morsel right now.

Cid looks up, " Hi Chaos... " Getting harder to get his breath back. His vision still wavering in and out.

Chaos frowns a little, " You do know you can't regenerate, right? "

Cid, " No Shit.. " Coughing, " So .. that bad huh? "

Chaos uses the cure materia on the spear, " It is serious. " Kneels next to the wounded man, " We are blocking Vincent from seeing you. " Bloody hand pets Cid's cheek gently, " Have no fear, we will not let you die." Picking him up as gentle as he can.

Cid is biting back the wish to cry in pain. Noises of pain still escape him as his ruined back is being touched. It is enough to make him pass out.

Chaos takes him back to the airship. Settles the wounded man on the deck so he can get a few things inside. Comes out with a container of fluid. Inside their shared head, Vincent who demand to know what is going on. Never has he been held back by three of the other demons before. Chaos kneels next to Cid, as the pilot struggles to wake up again.

Cid tries to see what Chaos is holding, " You want me to chug that? "

Chaos quickly shrinks Cid. " We must swallow you quickly. It shall be more pleasant if the pain is numbed. Once inside, we can use our abilities to heal you. There is something we wish to extend upon you. "

Cid, despite feeling so damn tired and in pain, is curious " What is it? "

Chaos, " We will discuss it after you healed some. " Gives an unnerving smile, " Do you trust us? "

Cid is reminded of the first time Vincent ate him alive and it was just as creepy, " Damn straight. I ever trust you, Chaos. I trust ya with my life. " Almost passes out when his tiny broken body is lifted. The pain starts to recede once he is slipped into the container.

Chaos did want to try something along these lines but with tastier liquids. Wine or barbecue sauce. A potion does not make a good basting sauce. Tipping the container back, he proceeds to drink the contents down. Despite the horrible healing potion, he can still taste the delicious meat that rests in it. The taste is brief, as he swallowing as much down as he can. The aftertaste though is enough to make his growl.

This trip is more like a weird water-slide, with a stomach awaiting instead of a pool. His closes his heavy eyelids, losing the fight to stay awake. As his body starts to empty into the stomach, his body is is caught by tendrils. They pulling him more against the squishy walls that move to cover the open wounds on his body. Some of the tendrils attaching themselves into his arms and chest, and stomach. The pilot unconscious for all of this. Cid's heart starts to beat in tune with Vincent's own.

Vincent finds himself at the helm of the airship. The airship seems to be landed. It always takes a moment to collect himself, once he retakes control of his body. The first thing he does it look around. His hands are clean of any blood. An empty contain and empty potion bottle nearby. He recalls that Cid was injured. Why they wouldn't let him know of the extent worrisome. His Turk training helps keep him from panicking.

Chaos, with a little pride, ' Look at thy stomach. '

Vincent finally notices the bump in his stomach area, " What happened? "

Chaos, ' Cid was wounded. We took him inside us. '

Vincent, " We can do this? What did we do after that? " Gets no answer. Not sure if he should be worried or relieved anymore. There has to be some side effects to what his demons did. None of them seem inclined to answer any more questions.

Cloud arrives, rushing over, " Is everything okay? There was a lot of blood on the deck! "

Vincent places his human hand over his stomach, " Yes, The chief was wounded while stalling the basilisk. " Adds, " Chaos had us swallow him "

Cloud starts to look guilty, " How bad was he? Maybe I shouldn't have asked him to stall for time. " Vincent is reminded how mentally young Cloud is.

Vincent, softly speaks, " I would be as guilty as you, Cloud. If I was faster, he would not have been left to wrestle the beast alone. "

Cloud shakes his head, " No, you flew your butt off. Its hardly your fault. " Then stops in his tracks.

Vincent points out, " We both know how rash Cid can get. "

Cloud gives a reluctant nod, " Yeah, I guess. " Looks at Vincent's stomach a little closer, " You look a little pregnant."

Vincent in a dry tone, " Thanks, Strife. " Wondering if this is the first time he noticed. " Cloud, perhaps you could go inside and check on him? I need to know what Chaos did to him. "

Cloud blushes slightly but nods, " Sure.. Umm, can we do this in the bedroom? Too many windows here. "

Cloud undresses in front of Vincent. He knows the other man enjoys watching him undress. How the eyes wander over him. Slight curve to his lips. Since joining Vincent and Cid, Cloud has discovered how warm both men can be. Sometimes he feels little guilty, as they told no one of their little arrangement. Sometimes, he wonders how he got lucky enough to have two lovers in his life. Neither one expecting anything more then he can give.

Vincent indeed enjoys the show, " Ready? "

Cloud, " Let me sit down first, " settles on the bed, much easier then being shrunk while standing. The room gets bigger around him. He wonders when he will ever get used to the feeling the spell gives or seeing his friend looking so tall before him? It does help him appreciate the perfect teeth of the ex-turk. Vincent can easily chew him into a meaty paste. His puny remains dissolving into a soup in those amazing guts.

Vincent places a small glowing crystal next to Cloud, " This might help. "

Cloud takes the crystal, " Okay, lets mosey in!"

Vincent carefully picks him up, " Good thing Cid didn't hear that. " and holds him before his face, "By the way Chaos wants us to buy sauce. He won't tell me why. "

Cloud has no idea why but now has the craving for some ice cream, " Maybe caramel sauce? Not the heated kind. "

Vincent slides Cloud's body into his mouth, tongue, his mouth already getting wet with warm drool. Neither man can claim this isn't appealing. All the sucking and moving, Cloud almost loses the crystal. Tossing his treat back, Vincent is fascinated at how this never gets old.

Cloud plops down inside the stomach, which is roomier then he lasts remembers, and uses the crystal for light. It doesn't take took long to see the weird, fleshy cocoon over Cid. His arms had what looked like tentacles growing into them and sleeping. Hard to tell what the extent of his injuries are as they are covered up.

Cloud, " He seems to be partially in the stomach lining. And weird things.. Kinda like tentacles, are embedded into him. They don't seem to be hurting him."

Vincent wonders what his demons are even thinking. " Try to wake him. "

Cloud tries to touch Cid but is unable to touch him. " Hey, Cid. " Cid continues to sleep, " There is a barrier around him. "

Vincent knows most his inner room mates seem to have the same desire as him, keeping Cid alive. At times, he isn't really certain where Chaos stands on things. Until Chaos decides otherwise, Cid will have to stay in there.

Vincent, " Nothing for now. You told me all I needed to learn. " Rubs the bulged of his belly fondly, " We just need to keep quiet about this and hope he doesn't stay too long. " The sound of a very worried Yuffie is heard calling through the small airship.

Cloud, " Sounds like Yuffie. "

Vincent rubs his round stomach and mutters, " Crap. "

To Be Continued!