Disclaimer: All characters in this story belong in their entirety to Square-Enix.
Notes to the story: I injected a little more romance into the whole Aerith/Tseng thing, making it more story-worthy - but basically most of this follows the game pretty accurately. As far as Tseng's death goes, in the game it seems pretty evident that he dies, despite the fact that he later pops up in Advent Children (which was something of a surprise). This is actually the last time Tseng appears in the game, and even though he is not dead in AC, I kept him dead here in order to fit in with the game's events, and also because I'm lazy and can't be bothered to change stuff. Hope that explains things. :) DiamondxXxDust: The whole thing with Dio wasn't as overt as I've made it in the story, but it was fairly obvious in the game. I hope you get hold of a copy of FF7 too. It still ranks up there as one of the very best of all time. :) RaeDragongirl: You're welcome. My story doesn't follow the game exactly, but I'm glad you're enjoying it nevertheless. But you should be able to play FF7 on an old Playstation, since it was made for Playstation format in 1997. Hell, I bought a PS just to play that game. ;p
Well, that's it for the personal messages... Now onto the story, and as usual, please read, review, and most of all enjoy!
-Ludi x
-oOo-
: Chapter Nineteen : The Temple of the Ancients
Cloud had experienced a terribly fitful sleep that night. His mind had been torn between two things: his 'date' with Aerith, and Cait Sith being a spy.
The latter had preoccupied him the most, primarily because Cloud was in the mood to think about things that tickled his anger. If only he hadn't taken Cait Sith into their group, then they might have caught up with Sephiroth by now. Although he had known there was a spy in their midst, he had not expected it to be Cait Sith. And what was more, he had not expected the spy to be a prominent member of the Shinra, as Cait Sith appeared to be. The way in which Tseng had spoken to him that night had made that fact clear.
However, over the night, Cloud's rage with the cat had deadened. There were several reasons behind this. The first was that he began to believe that Cait Sith was truly repentant. Much as he distrusted the cat, he could see that he was much more devoted to the group than he had been previously. Something in the words Cait Sith had said to him - about his way of life - had genuinely touched him. He had not realised that his life had seemed so to outsiders - he had not even intended it to be so. All he knew was that he must destroy Sephiroth. Making sacrifices had never come into it. The second reason was that Cait Sith could come in useful to Cloud as a member of the Shinra. He felt certain that the cat was willing to collaborate with them.
The third reason was that Cloud had begun to revert his thoughts from Cait Sith to Aerith.
The lucidness of her words still struck him: 'I am searching for you.' And yet they still remained strange and enigmatic. He had tried to shake off that very sudden feeling that he was moving away from her, even though they'd only just come closer together. He couldn't understand any of it. None of it had made much sense. The only thing that had was the overwhelming willingness he'd had in sharing whatever it was she was giving him. It was something he found difficult to place as an emotion, mainly because he'd never felt it before. But it had been real enough, he realised. He couldn't forget it, even if he tried. It was like her hand. Now that he had searched it, he'd found it impossible to forget its details. And her lips...
Cloud had flushed at the thought of it. The things that she'd told him in that kiss still replayed themselves endlessly to him, but he simply could not comprehend them. In the end, they'd begun to fade away and loose their clarity. Finally, they'd sent him off into a troubled sleep.
Cloud had awoken reluctantly. The others had already gathered downstairs in the lobby, waiting for him. Each one of them seemed either serious or annoyed. Barret was one of the latter.
"The cat here jus' told us 'bout the whole charade," he grumbled instead of greeting Cloud. "I don't believe you're lettin' him stay."
Cloud shot a glance in Aerith's direction, a look that she neither returned nor even noticed. He looked round at the others apologetically.
"Look, we've got no choice but to take him along," he returned briefly yet a little awkwardly, "so let's just forget about what's happened, okay?"
Cait Sith nodded.
"Thanks, Cloud." He turned to the others. "I'm sorry guys, but this is the way it is. And believe it or not, I'm here to help you lot."
"How are you supposed to be helping us?" Tifa interrupted hotly. "How do you expect us to ever trust you again?"
"I could make a case for myself," Cait Sith replied with a short shrug, "but it'd be pointless. What matters now is finding Sephiroth. Right, Cloud?"
Everyone looked at Cloud expectantly, waiting for words to be said, waiting for any kind of confrontation. But Cloud had already weighed the matter in his mind overnight. Instead he nodded, a little reluctantly, but firmly too.
"Right," he said grimly. Everyone apart from Aerith glanced at one another, surprised and shocked; Barret looked ready to start a fight. Cait Sith, however, showed no signs of noticing.
"Then let's keep the conflict to a minimum," he began to speak in a business-like fashion. "Sephiroth is our priority, and as it happen, my sources back at the Shinra H.Q. are telling me that the Temple of the Ancients is on an island east over the sea, just off the East Continent. If we take the Tiny Bronco, we should be able to find it."
Cloud, who'd been listening cross-armed, nodded.
"All right. We'll take the Tiny Bronco eastward."
Barret looked doubtful. "Cloud, are you sure...?" he broke in, but Cloud silenced him.
"Cait Sith's right, much as I hate to admit it. We have little choice. The Shinra may be ahead of us now, but Sephiroth's still our main goal and we still have a chance to catch up. Get the Tiny Bronco ready, Cid. We're leaving."
-oOo-
The trip to the Temple of the Ancients did not take long, considering the wild sea that the nine had to cross in order to get to the island that housed it. Eventually, they got there, and could not waste any time in getting to the temple. It was obvious that Tseng and the Shinra had entered the building already, but how far they'd got was a mystery. And Sephiroth's movements so far were also ambiguous. If he had also infiltrated the temple, then Cloud would have to be even quicker in order to get somewhere.
The island was quite a large one. The actual temple lay to the northeast side of the continent, in the middle of a dense, thick forest. The building was a ziggurat formation of yellowed stone, magnificent and imposing on the line of a misty horizon. The group had been enchanted by its mystic aura. It seemed likely that no one had entered this temple, indeed this very island, in many years. Perhaps they had been the first to view this wonderful landscape for centuries. Images of the Cetra, a long-lost civilisation, climbing those tall stairs and worshipping whatever it was that they had worshipped abounded. Or maybe this had not been a tribute to a set of gods. Perhaps this had been the place where the Ancients had gathered, and sought to find the Promised Land - the end of their journey - together. Cloud had considered asking Aerith whether her mother knew the answers to these questions, but somehow, he had not the courage to ask her. Even though he had realised that more than just friendship had awakened in him toward her, he still believed that he would never be able to act normally toward her again. This, in itself, had made him feel slightly disappointed. He had not bargained on this happening in the middle of such a momentous quest.
Cloud was reluctant to bring the whole group into the temple with him. There was no evidence to suggest that Sephiroth was there already - he could still be searching for the Keystone, unless he was waiting for the Shinra to do the job for him. So the next problem was whom Cloud was to take up with him. This Aerith readily agreed to do, but this had been expected anyway. The temple was a part of what she was, and it wouldn't have been right not to let her go with them. Her knowledge of the Ancients would also probably prove invaluable. It was the others who fought about who should go too.
"Let me go with you, Cloud," Tifa insisted. "I'm in the mood for a good fight."
Cloud said nothing for a moment, finding that the suggestion didn't appeal to him. Whatever had happened between him and Aerith the night before had unsettled him, and having Tifa in their little group would've been more than he could take. Cloud wasn't stupid. If Tifa sensed there was something between the two of them, there was the distinct possibility of a distaster occurring. And things were complicated enough already.
"I'd rather not have you come, Tifa," he replied at last. "It's dangerous up there, what with the Shinra and Sephiroth all meeting up there at the same time."
"But Aerith's going," Tifa muttered sullenly.
"But it's different," Aerith explained earnestly, her sweetness of tone instantly disrupting the shadow on Tifa's face. "What I might find out in that Temple could answer all the questions I've ever asked about myself and the Cetra. It was the home of my people."
"Yes, I know Aerith," Tifa replied uncomfortably. "But I..."
"I'll come!" Cait Sith chimed in before Tifa could finish. "After all, it was me who got you into all this mess."
"Says the traitor," Barret muttered under his breath.
"You still don't trust me, do you?" Cait Sith sighed loudly, then spoke in a sanguine voice to Cloud. "I'm gonna prove to you that I'm a decent, trustworthy human being."
"Should be a bit difficult," Cid put in, crossing his arms, "seeing as you're a cat."
Cait Sith was about to argue heavily with him, when Aerith cut in.
"Look, Cait Sith, you can come if you want to, but please can we just go without fighting each other first?"
Cait Sith looked crestfallen.
"Sorry, Aerith, you're right." He turned to Cloud expectantly. "What d'you say, Cloud? Let me join you and Aerith and I'll play fair, I promise."
Cloud sighed and shrugged, despite his misgivings. "All right. One more chance. But if this is a trap..."
"No traps," Cait Sith insisted seriously. "I swear it. I don't know what's in there and neither do the Shinra. We're all walking in blind. The playing field's level, and besides, I told you - I want to help."
The scepticism was still evident on everyone's expressions, but Cloud was aching to continue the persuit and knew there was no time for bickering.
"Okay," he declared decidedly, "we're going in. It's going to be hectic up there, what with Tseng and Sephiroth, so anything could happen. I don't know how long we're going to be, but give it a day or so, okay? If we're not back with the Black Materia after then, you'll know something's happened."
Tifa reached out and lightly squeezed his hand.
"Cloud, good luck. You'll come back, I know you will."
Cloud nodded, smiling softly at her.
"I will."
-oOo-
Waving goodbye to the waiting party left behind, Cloud and his small band set off through the forest and toward the temple. It was a full hour's grinding trek before they were standing in the looming shadow of the awesome and magnificent Temple of the Ancients. A towering row of steps led to the temple's entrance. It looked as if it would take an age to simply scale the stairs. Cloud gave a low whistle.
"That sure is some staircase."
Cait Sith chuckled.
"It'll probably take a day to get up that alone. The others will probably think we're dead by the time we reach the top. Don't you think, Aerith?"
Aerith did not reply. She was staring up at the temple, her face almost ghostly, her hands clenched so tight they were white.
"Aerith?" Cloud reached out to touch her arm, but she suddenly began to run up the stairs very fast. Cloud attempted to follow her, but stopped. Something in her face had struck him, and besides, he found it impossible to climb the steps at the pace she had.
Nevertheless, she had not got very far when she stopped and stood quite still, her body facing the building.
"Aerith, what is it?" Cloud called out loud to her. She did not turn.
"I can hear them!" she replied, an exultant note in her voice. "I can hear them, Cloud!"
She dropped flat down onto the ground quite suddenly, her ear against the cold, stone step. She began to speak loudly.
"What is it that you're saying? Yes, I understand...You're frightened...and yet you're glad I'm here..." Her eyes closed, shut tight, and then finally opened again. "No, I'm sorry...I can't hear you anymore..."
Cloud shook himself out of his trance-like state. He began to climb up the stairs, until he reached her form lying outstretched on the floor. He gripped her arm to lift her up, but she did not respond. Her body felt like rock to his touch, like a stone statue. He breathed in a painful breath.
"Aerith...get up."
She stood up then, but her eyes remained focused on the distance.
"Cloud, I heard them. They're calling to me, loudly..."
Cait Sith came bounding up to them.
"Aerith, what happened? The Cetra, were they speaking to you?"
For a moment, something indescribable passed over her eyes; then she turned to Cait Sith and smiled her warm, cheerful smile.
"Yes, they did. It's made me feel happy - I'm not afraid anymore." She turned back. "Let's go inside!"
They walked up the flight of stairs, each step an achievement in itself, there were so many. Once at the top, they took a few minutes rest to catch their breath. Cloud would have spent longer, had it not been for Aerith's eagerness to enter the temple. He hadn't the heart to hold her back.
The temple's hallway was like nothing the three of them had ever experienced before. Murals decorated the walls in faded paint, pictures of a past that had been lost even to history. Argent, gold and bronze glittered in the dim light of the flaming torches. In the middle of the room stood a small, altar-like table, shimmering in glistening gold, and adorned with ancient symbols. On its top face was a deep depression, as though a piece of the altar were missing. Apart from the table, there was nothing else: no doorway, no entrance that they might go through.
The three had not got over their wonder when a slumped figure appeared from behind the altar and began to drag itself forward.
"So. At last you are here."
As the form moved forward into the light, Cloud saw that it was Tseng. He was clutching at his stomach with an agonised expression etched upon his features - there was blood oozing from between his fingers and onto the floor. Aerith gasped.
"Tseng! What's happened to you!"
Tseng smiled faintly, leant against the edge of the low altar.
"Sephiroth...he's here."
"Sephiroth! Did he come before you did?" Cloud demanded. Tseng shook his head.
"No. I opened the gateway to the Temple of the Ancients with the Keystone. He came...he stabbed me with his sword. I had no idea..."
He coughed raspingly, fell back against the golden table, leaving a trail of blood on the timeworn fresco. Aerith moved toward him and knelt down beside him, tenderly lifting his head and cradling it in her arms.
"Tseng..."
He gazed into her face, a look of wonder glazing his eyes. For the first time, a smile tried to lighten his face.
"Aerith, dear, sweet Aerith...who'd have thought it would have ended like this?"
She shook her head, tears in her eyes.
"Tseng, please don't talk like this..."
"No." His voice was firm and resolute as he said it. "This is the end for me. And I don't regret what I did for the Shinra." He closed his eyes. "But you're the last, Aerith. You've got to stop them all, before it's too late."
She did not answer. Cloud saw that her attempt to fight back her tears was too much for anything else. Tseng opened his eyes and saw her pain. Raising his clean hand to her cheek, he gently wiped a tear away.
"Aerith, don't cry." He smiled at her, a tired, resigned smile. "I love you..."
She held him to her for a while. Then he shifted himself away from her, onto the cold floor.
"Take the Keystone and place it on the altar. A door will open. Do you understand?" She nodded and he seemed relieved. "Then tell Elena," he began in an almost inaudible voice, "tell her...to carry on being a good Turk...please."
Aerith nodded, ran a hand through his black hair, then stood up slowly, never taking her eyes off him. Cloud walked up to her, hung his head as he stole a look at Tseng. His eyes were closed, his face white and harggard. He turned his eyes to Aerith, but her hair was covering her face. He spoke uncomfortably.
"Do you...want us to leave?"
Aerith shook her head.
"No, don't. Don't leave me." She turned and buried her head into his chest and he could feel the moisture of her tears soaking through his top.
"Aerith..."
"Oh, Cloud," she said, her voice muffled. "I can't help feeling so sorry for him, it's so stupid, I know. But I really can't help it." She stood back slowly, wiping her eyes. "I knew him when I was just a little girl. Even then, I knew he was a good man, underneath. And I always knew he liked me, in his own awkward way." She lowered her voice. "There are few people in this world that know me. But he..."
Cait Sith encouragingly handed her a tissue.
"Please don't cry, Aerith," he begged almost shyly. "It makes me sad to see you unhappy."
She tried to laugh and wiped at her eyes plaintively with the tissue.
"Oh, Cait Sith, there's no need to pretend. I'm all right, really I am."
"Aerith," Cloud tried to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry."
She looked up at him gratefully.
"Don't be, Cloud." Her face changed and suddenly she looked determined. "Let's move on. Cloud, we can't let Sephiroth get away with the Black Materia."
He nodded wordlessly. Bending down, he picked up the Keystone from between Tseng's cold fingers. Then he stood up and walked to the altar. The Keystone looked as if it would fit into the depression on the surface. He turned round to the others.
"Let's hope this works."
Cloud lifted his hand toward the indentation in the altar. Carefully, he placed the stone into the hole. It fit perfectly.
There was nothing. Cloud looked round at the others.
"I guess Tseng was mistaken."
No sooner had he said the words, than a reverberating rumble shook the temple. The room began to shudder raucously and the Keystone started to leap up in its seat in a wild, jumbled dance. Aerith stumbled forward and grasped on to Cloud's arm.
"Cloud, what's happening!"
Cloud didn't have a chance to reply. At the bottom of the altar, a shaft began to open up. The three of them stared down into it in surprise, as a flight of stairs appeared leading down into the depths of the earth. Finally, the growling and shaking ceased, and the ground seemed to level out. Cait Sith stared down the hole at the bottom of the altar.
"Do you think it's safe to go down there?"
They were silent for a moment or so, until Aerith walked to the first step.
"Yes, it's safe," she told them softly. "The real temple is down here. This is only the outer sanctuary." She took a step down, stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "They're waiting for us," she whispered, and all Cloud and Cait Sith could do was watch the shadows swallow her before following in her wake.
-oOo-
They wandered down the stone steps wondrously, their feet clanging resonantly down the long-forgotten corridor. Ancient patterns had been etched on to the walls that surrounded them and, where a dank, musty smell had been anticipated, a light, fresh fragrance that was quite indescribable floated about them. As they reached the end of the tunnel staircase, a soft, cloudy light marked the entrance into the so-called inner sanctuary.
Passing through this hazy light brought a slight disappointment to the three as they entered into the next chamber. Instead of being led into the inner sanctum, a huge Escher-like maze greeted their eyes. Tall flagstone stairs, platforms and archways seemed to meld into each other, steps leading in and out of each other, and chambers where they should not be. Vines sprawled over the walls, moss crept across the smooth stone floor. A lingering mist was settling over the labyrinth, causing the mystifying layout to become even more so.
Cloud waved his hand about in order to try to clear away some of the fog lying about them.
"Great," he muttered in dismay. "How on earth are we going to find our way through this?"
Aerith moved forward and stared about her as though entranced.
"It's all right," she finally told them with assurance. "Follow me."
Without waiting for any sort of compliance from the other two, she wandered forward and down a flight of steps, right into the heart of the maze. Shrugging their shoulders, Cloud and Cait Sith clattered down the steps after her. Although they kept her in sight for several minutes, they seemed to get nowhere. She appeared to drift through the tangle of stone construction like a thin, graceful ghost. Then, quite suddenly, she stopped. Cloud and Cait Sith halted directly behind her.
"Aerith, what is it?" Cloud whispered, half afraid at the silently observant look in her eye. In answer to his question she pointed upward to an archway on a platform above them.
"Look up, there."
Cloud and Cait Sith moved their eyes to the spot she was pointing out. There, looking down on them through eyes curtained with wrinkled skin was a short, squat, ugly-looking creature, very much like a dwarf. A cascading white beard tumbled down a faded robe to his feet.
"Ugh!" Cait Sith exclaimed. "Who's that?"
Aerith stayed staring up at the deformed figure, wonder on her face.
"He's...he's one of my own," she whispered.
"What!" Cait Sith stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and embarrassment. "You mean that guy is one of the Cetra?"
Aerith did not answer. She seemed engrossed in the presence of the other man, who stared straight back down at her and then suddenly turned round and disappeared. Cloud turned to her.
"Aerith, what happened?"
She remained with her eyes cast upward as she spoke.
"He...he spoke to me. He wants me to follow." She swivelled round to face Cloud, her eyes glimmering. "We've got to follow him Cloud, he's got something to say!"
She ran up a flight of stairs hurriedly, leaving the other two to stare at her in bewilderment.
"How does she know where to go?" Cait Sith questioned Cloud, but he could not come up with a definite answer.
"The Ancients are telling her, I suppose." He gazed up at her slowly disappearing form. His heart gave a wrench of indescribable emotion as he watched her move away from them. At all costs, he suddenly thought, he must not lose her. If she disappeared into the mist and never returned, he truly felt as if all would be lost. With this disturbing thought pricking his mind, he turned and raced the stairs after her.
"Cloud, wait! Cloud...!"
But Cloud could not stop to wait for Cait Sith, nor heed his calls. Reaching the stairs and stopping, he waved away the haze before his eyes, and vaguely saw Aerith's figure moving through an archway and into a small chamber. Hardly able to breath, he picked up his pace again and traced her steps into the room.
"Aerith!"
He halted.
The chamber was a small, dark room, lit only by two dim torches. In the murky, shadowy centre stood the misshapen man, his partially sightless eyes staring at the strangers with a kind of pitiful expression. Aerith was standing, facing away from Cloud, gazing back at the old man. Cloud found himself rooted to the ground, unable to move or speak. He wanted to call her name, question her, but it was impossible, he couldn't move his lips. Aerith was moving forward toward the man, who followed her with his eyes, a look that imparted hope on his face. Cait Sith, finally catching up with the two, stopped behind Cloud breathlessly and spoke.
"Cloud, what's going on?"
He didn't reply, but remained facing Aerith and the man. Cait Sith, seeing his sombreness, looked up also. Aerith had approached the man, was standing close beside him. As she did so, the old man's doleful face suddenly became animated. He began to talk to her, in some sort of fashion - perhaps by telepathy. Cloud could not tell because though the man's mouth was moving, no words were flowing forth. Aerith listened intently for a moment or two, then she began to relay back his messages in a small, soft voice.
"He...he says that he is no longer here, that he is speaking from beyond another realm. This is not his real body, but a...a sort of spirit form that has been sent to guard this temple. While the others have moved on, he has been left behind to carry out his duty." She paused, and for a moment pain clouded her delicate features. "He's telling me that this form he is occupying is dying. He says that he is glad I am here, for I will be the one to bring him and the others to peace. He...he says 'good luck.'"
She stood back and the man continued to make insistent signs to her with his mouth. Closing her eyes in bitter anguish, she shook her head slowly.
"No," she whispered. "I can't understand you anymore...I'm sorry."
The man, sensing that she had lost touch with him, faltered in his silent speech helplessly and began to shuffle toward a broad staircase, lit by blazing torches, to the side of the room. With a quivering finger he motioned for them to the go through.
"Go down there?" Aerith asked him. The man nodded to her. She hesitated. Cloud, seeing this, walked up to her slowly.
"Aerith, is it safe down there?"
She looked down the steps and did not turn to him.
"Yes, I think so." She paused for a moment. "There's something down there. I think it's important."
Slowly, with a reverence that they could no longer hide, they followed Aerith down the steps. At the bottom was a large circular chamber. In the centre of the room was a sort of pond, full of some prismatic kind of liquid. Broken pillars surrounded it, crumbling with age. The liquid, however, shone an iridescent light on to the walls of the chamber, conveying a fresh, unspoiled atmosphere. Aerith circled the pool at a leisurely speed, staring into the slowly shifting waters. Cloud watched her patiently walk round with his eyes.
"Aerith, what is this?"
She stopped and stood up straight, spoke to Cloud in a softly excited voice.
"I've finally got it!"
"Got what?"
She gazed across at him with dancing eyes.
"This temple, Cloud, it's to do with time. It is a shrine that houses the brain or the memory of the Cetra. Everything that happens within these walls is recorded in this pool."
"So we can see the Cetra in the pool?" Cait Sith asked, confused.
"Alas, there is no one left to see it, save for I." Aerith gazed into the glowing liquid pensively. "In the past, the Cetra would come here to spread their messages, their knowledge, to others of their race. The Cetra could converse with their ancestors or impart their wisdom to their descendants. It's...sort of like a place where the Cetra, every single one of them through history, can meet together, be together."
She halted and Cloud spoke.
"Can you feel their knowledge?"
She looked up at him as though startled.
"Yes..."she replied shortly. "But there is so much of it locked inside this pool, that it's confusing." She paused. "But there's something the Cetra want to show you."
"Show me?" Cloud was surprised. Aerith stared up at him, and there was a strange, intelligent, knowing look in her eye.
"They know you, Cloud."
"Who? The Cetra?"
She nodded.
"Yes. They can feel a part of you. It frightens them, but they think they can help."
"I don't understand."
She gestured for him and Cait Sith to join her.
"Come here."
Feeling mind-boggled and perplexed, the two scaled the edge of the pond and joined her at the side. Aerith waited for them to stand beside her, then closed her eyes. For a minute or two, she remained as such, then the silence was interrupted from a sudden burst from the pool. Cloud started. The liquid, he saw, had begun to buckle and swirl, and the room was filling with an ever-growing shimmering light. Then, another burst from the water sounded and a flash of light caused Cloud to shield his eyes hastily. When he opened them, he saw that they were no longer in the chamber, but in a long, gold room with solid, gilt pillars.
He stared round in wonder and amazement. The room was beautiful, with strange signs and paintings embellishing the shining walls. At the end of the room was a high table-like platform, like an altar.
"Where are we?" he breathed.
Aerith, who had been standing next to him quietly all the while, raised a finger to her lips.
"Shh."
As she did this action, a door at the far end of the room opened. To their bewilderment, Tseng's figure walked through the door and into the room. Wonderment etched his face as he too gazed round the glimmering room.
Cait Sith gasped in surprise.
"Tseng! But he's dead!"
Aerith shook her head.
"This is only a past event that has been locked into the pool's memory. You will see what happens."
Mystified, they turned back to the scene. Tseng was walking up to the altar at the end of the chamber, neither registering nor hearing the other three. When he got to the end, he turned.
"Come in, Elena. There's nothing here to worry about."
Cloud blinked in surprise. It was almost as if this past event was happening in the present, everything was so clear.
Elena had emerged from the door and was looking round in awe.
"Tseng, what is this place? It's beautiful."
Tseng, who'd been examining the altar fastidiously, looked up at his comrade.
"This is the main sanctuary. And this is the altar on which we'll find the Black Materia."
Elena walked up to join him and peered over his shoulder to look.
"But I don't see the Black Materia here," she said, puzzled. Tseng stood back and looked carefully at the altar.
"I know. But we must find it before Sephiroth comes." He turned to Elena. "Elena, report at once to the others, and tell them that we've found the Black Materia. I'll come back with it later."
Elena nodded assuredly.
"Of course, Tseng. Anything else?"
He shook his head.
"No, nothing." He did not watch her leave, but suddenly spoke before she went out of the room. "Oh, Elena. There is something I'd like to ask you."
She turned hopefully.
"What's that?"
"I was wondering," there was no emotion on his face, "if after this job's finished, you'd like to go to dinner tonight?"
She gazed at him with a mixture of rapturous pleasure.
"Oh, Tseng, do you mean that? Of course I would." She stopped and blushed. "Oh...I'd better get going with this report."
He nodded.
"Yes."
Elena, much satisfied, hurried out of the room, leaving Tseng to carry on with his job. As the doors closed, Tseng let out a breath and shook his head.
"What do I do to get this Black Materia?"
As he was saying this, another sound indicated some movement at the door. Tseng turned.
"Elena?"
The door opened, but it was not Elena who entered. Instead, Sephiroth stepped inside the room, sword in hand, his boots clattering on the golden floor, as he walked forward, his face full of diabolical intent. For the first time, surprise filled Tseng's sedate features, then impregnable fear as the villain drew closer toward him, the unrestrained look of death in his eye.
"Sephiroth!"
-oOo-
Next: Sephiroth finally makes his move and leaves Cloud reeling in the process...