Sleeping Cetra
Chapter 8
The Rescue
Cloud awoke, unable to move. His head was pounding as though someone was beating a drum in his brain, and it throbbed painfully. His eyes focused, adjusting to the dim light, and he found himself in an unknown place. It was a dank, small, stone room. Chains decorated it. It was definitely a holding cell. Cloud shifted his blue eye to his hands and noticed his wrists were bound to the wall. His ankles were stuck against the wall as well, keeping him from budging them an inch.
The last thing the young prince remembered was entering the cottage. He walked in expecting to see Aerith welcoming him, but instead there was a figure in the shadow, before all went black.
Questions flooded him. Why did someone do this to him? What about Aerith, was she here too? Cloud tried to break free, but the chains were too strong from him. He kept trying because the only thing on his mind now was Aerith, and whether or not she was all right. Unnoticed to him, a small puddle was forming at his feet.
Suddenly, the door to his holding cell opened. Cloud's eyes moved to the door to see a figure with half of his body covered in shadow. Cloud could see his black pants, long coat, and boots, but his face remained concealed. The man chuckled at the sight of Cloud, angering the blond prince.
"Who are you?" the prince demanded.
"Don't you like your room, Your Highness?" the man replied mockingly.
"Why are you doing this to me? Who are you? Show yourself!"
The figure smirked and stepped down the steps into the deep cell. The light coming from the single small window was enough to allow Cloud to see his captor's face. Cloud's eyes widened, and his mind raced back to the time when he was a small child. He was in the throne room of the Cetra castle. This man was walking across toward the cradle where the newborn princess was, his sadistic smile showing as he pulled out a black feather from his back, and how his curse sent her into hiding.
"It was you!" Cloud yelled. "You're the one who cursed the Princess of the Cetra!"
Sephiroth smirked.
"What do you want from me?" Cloud demanded again.
Sephiroth moved down and was now inches away from Cloud. The young prince stared at him without fear. The only thing on his mind was what this demon of a man could want with him.
"Why, I'm only keeping you away from the Cetra Princess," he finally explained.
"Why?" Cloud countered.
"Because only her true love can awaken her."
Cloud snorted a laugh. "Well, you have the wrong person. I am not in love with the Princess. I've never even met her."
Unbeknownstto Cloud, the puddle of water on the floor had moved up a few centimeters. Sephiroth took a step back onto the steps. He grinned and then held out his hand holding out a black orb.
Suddenly, the orb began to illuminate. Cloud squinted, his eyes flinching from the brightness, but when the light died down a bit, he saw a person in the orb. He stared at it, unsure, until he realized just who it was.
Inside the orb was Aerith. She was lying in a bed and seemed to be sleeping. Flowers decorated the space around her, and her brown hair was spread across her pillow. Her features were pale, but she looked so peaceful, like an angel. Suddenly, her image vanished and Sephiroth placed the orb in his pocket. Cloud eyes glanced up at him fiercely.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER!" he shouted more than asked.
Sephiroth laughed, "Don't worry, she's not dead… yet. Unfortunately, I could not kill her as I planned. If it were not for her meddling guardians, she would be dead as we speak. However, if she can never wake up, she might as well be dead and that, Prince Cloud, is why you are here."
He looked down at the ground. The water was slowly rising. Sephiroth took another step up.
"I don't think you can notice but water is slowly pouring inside," the silver haired man explained.
"Within five hours, Your Highness, the water will reach above your head, and in your current state I do not believe you can hold your breath long enough for it to drain. Goodbye, Your Highness; I hope you enjoy your last few hours."
Sephiroth exited the room, shutting the dungeon door behind him, and locking it. Cloud tried desperately to budge, but he could not move from the restraints. He cursed loudly and continued to struggle, but to no avail.
The young prince leaned his head back and looked up at the single window. He could not believe what was happening. Aerith was the Princess. Now he was trapped here in some unknown place, while she lay practically dying.
X, X, X,
Tifa, Barret, and Yuffie hurried through the forest on borrowed Chocobos. The three had to reach the cabin fast, knowing that if Sephiroth knew about the man, everything could be over. Just as they were nearing their old home, Yuffie let out a loud gasp. The three looked back and saw her pointing up to the sky. The three glanced up to see a large cloud of black smoke filling the air. The three urged their Chocobos faster.
Once they reached the clearing to their home, the Chocobos skidded to a halt and the three jumped off. The three watched in horror to see their cabin burning and a pack of monsters attacking two creatures they had never seen before.
Nanaki and Cait Sith were backed into a corner. Nanaki was bleeding from the neck and Cait Sith favoring his arm. Yuffie gasped at the sight. Without thinking, Barret shot out several rounds with his gun at the beasts. The creatures dodged them easily. Nanaki and Cait Sith escaped to the guardians' side.
"Who are you guys?" Tifa questioned. "What happened here?"
"We are Aerith's friends," Cait Sith spoke. "These weird men came here and…"
Before he could finish, Nanaki slumped to the ground in pain. Suddenly, the pack of monsters all began to rush at the group. Their speed was amazing, as well as their outstanding agility. Yuffie threw her weapon at them; however, one of the creatures grabbed it in its jaws and flung it away.
"AH!" Yuffie screamed in shock.
One of the Creepers lunged at Tifa, but she sent a well-placed kick into its face. However, one of them snuck up from her side and clamped onto her arm. The raven-haired girl screamed as she was dragged to the ground. Barret using his gun arm slammed the hard metal against the creature's skull.
The five looked around. They were surrounded. The creepers moved closer, snarling at them. Their fangs showed blood and their eyes glinted their urge to kill. Just as they where about to attack, a gigantic creature emerged from the rubble of the burnt down cottage. The rubble from the cottage was sent flying in every direction and all anyone could do was stare at the monstrous form. It had a pale white face with glowing yellow eyes. Enormous crimson gargoyle-like wings flapped behind him. His body looked like a crimson armor with one long, pale arm and another with a golden claw. On the creature's head, a crimson red crown-like object with twisted into spires.
The creature led out a monstrous scream, gaining all the attentions of the Creepers. The all turned and in one quick motion, viciously attacked. The creature slashed at several that jumped in the air at him, slicing them in half. He tore through them like a knife through butter, his strength and power impressive, yet scary. Once all the Creepers lay dead, the creature looked at the five.
Tifa, although hurt, took a battle stance while Barret aimed his gun. There was an unnerving silence as the five stared back at the Creature. His golden eyes were unblinking. A small breeze blew pass them and then, the figures eyes blinked and his exterior dissolved. Long waves of ebony hair, ruby red eyes, and a long, lean body shrouded in red and black appeared. His one hand, as the creature, was a golden claw, while the other was normal.
"Now you know why I am Captain of the Guard for the Kingdom of the Nibelheim," he said quietly.
Tifa and Barret lowered their defenses. Vincent walked over to them, pulled out a small pale green material, and held it up to Tifa's arm, healing her. He did that to each of the five until all their wounds were gone. Vincent towered over almost everyone save for Barret, who was taller. Yet, the intimidation this man brought was frightening. He wielded raw power, and his eyes were like twin pools of blood. One could look into them and instantly feel fear rise throughout them.
He stared at each of them, his face a mask that held no emotion. He looked between all of them and
stopped at the red creature with a tail of fire. Nanaki rose his head up as if waiting to answer a question that the Captain of the Guard might possess.
"Prince Cloud has been seeing a peasant here?" he asked. Tifa swallowed hard.
"Yes, and these are her guardians."
"THE GUY AERITH LIKES IS PRINCE CLOUD?" Yuffie blurted out. "WE'RE NOT IN TROUBLE!"
Barret and Tifa both let out a sigh of relief and Vincent, although he did not express it, was relieved as well. He was supposed to keep Cloud in check.
"So where is His Highness? We need his help because…" Yuffie began but Barret quickly shut her up.
"His Highness was kidnapped by Sephiroth." Vincent replied.
Barret cursed. Vincent arched an eyebrow in his direction. Cait Sith and Nanaki looked questionably.
Sighing, Tifa realized the truth would come out. Therefore, she explained to them the circumstances.
The group looked at one another. There was only one conclusion: save Cloud. However, there was one problem. How could the group get to the castle where Sephiroth lived? It was on another continent and built on top of a mountain.
"It would take us days or weeks to even get to the continent, and who knows how long Prince Cloud has to live!" Yuffie whined in frustration.
"I believe I have an idea," said Vincent.
X, X, X,
"YOU WANT ME TO WHAT?" shouted Cid in indignation and disbelief, standing on the entry ramp to his airship.
Vincent's bright idea was to get Cid to fly his airship to Sephiroth's mountain lair. Cid stared at them as though they were crazy.
"There is no way in hell am I taking my airship to that place. It took me forever to build this, and I'm not about to let it get destroyed!"
"We need to save the Princess of the Cetra and Prince Cloud!" Tifa pleaded.
"That is NOT my problem!" Cid said, turning around. "We would never make it. He would blow us out of the sky the moment he sees us!"
Vincent grabbed Cid by the arm and lifted him off the ground. Cid let out a string of curse words. The group looked threatening at Cid, who was still screaming "no" repeatedly at them.
"You may not have to take orders from either kingdom." Vincent said slowly. "But if you do not help us, we will take this airship, whether you like it or not."
Cid sighed and looked down as Vincent gently placed him back on the ground. He shook his head several times. Nanaki stopped at Cid and looked him in the eyes with his one good eye.
"Aerith found you amazing… I see no reason why."
The group slowly boarded the airship, passing him by. The headed onto the deck and Yuffie screamed in amazement she ran up and down the ship. The others looked in awe. Never in their life had they come across something so incredible.
"You know you're going to need a pilot," Cid called from the door, "since I highly doubt any of you know how to fly."
The group welcomed the pilot happily. He took to the controls and began his airship for flight. Yuffie excited stared out the window.
X, X, X,
Cloud closed his eyes, the water already at his knees. He had tried desperately to again break the restraints, but to no avail. Cloud hung his head forward, frustration consuming him.
X, X, X,
Sephiroth sat atop his throne, proud of accomplishing his goals. The young Prince Cloud was in his clutches and the Princess Aerith was in eternal sleep. Nothing could possibly destroy the feeling of success inside the evil man. He looked down at his servants, Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo. Each of them did their part in finding the princess.
"Once the Prince is dead, we will invade the Kingdom of Nibelheim and burn it to the ground," Sephiroth declared. "Once destroyed, we will then wipe out the Kingdom of Cetra. Then, we will find their most precious treasure, the white materia."
"For what, my lord?" asked Kadaj.
Sephiroth smirked, and held out his hand. An ominous black light formed in his palm, and a materia as black as the darkest night appeared in his hand.
"To make sure my plans do not fail," he said. "I will use this black materia to call down Meteor and finish what my dear mother had tried to do, before those infernal Cetra interfered."
X, X, X,
"So you're saying that Sephiroth's mother Jenova tried to destroy the planet?" Tifa asked Vincent.
"Yes, the Kingdom of Nibelheim and Cetra have had close ties for many years. Yet, only the royal families are suppose to know; however, under current circumstances, the Queen informed me as well."
As Vincent explained, the group listened well. Cid also paid attention as he piloted the airship, still feeling it was a bad idea to go to Sephiroth's own territory. Nanaki was curled on the floor, enjoying
Yuffie scratching him behind the ears. Cait Sith was nearby playing with a set of tarot cards, hoping to see a good fortune to come. Barret was sitting in one of the chairs near Cid.
"Jenova was corrupt," Vincent continued. "She waged war on the Cetra believing, that they were the cause of her people to be dying out by a disease."
"Disease?" Yuffie questioned.
"The disease was not curable. At least, there is no known cure. Jenova insanely sent her armies to destroy the Cetra, but even her armies were sick, and slowly dying as well. Near the end of the war, Jenova made a last ditch effort to win by using a materia only known as "the black materia" to finish off the Cetra and the planet. However, the Cetra were able to repel it."
"How did they do that?" Barret asked.
"I do not know," Vincent said quietly.
"And I thought Sephiroth wanted the Cetra throne." Tifa frowned.
Cid smirked and let out a brief, barking laugh. "No shit he wants that too, but that nut case has too many screws loose in his head. He'll probably end up destroying the whole world."
Tifa hung her head. Barret and Yuffie could tell she felt responsible for this mess. Then again, those two did as well. Yet, they were determined to free the Prince and rescue Aerith. They just had to.
"Hey, we're coming up to the mountain palace," Cid announced.
Everyone stood up and saw the massive structure embedded into the mountain. The area around the mountain looked devastating and completely uninhabitable. The earth screamed of pain and suffering.
The group could feel the horrors the Jenovians must have suffered. The pain of disease wiping out an entire kingdom echoed to them.
"So how are we going to get in there without being noticed?" asked Cid.
"I've got an idea!" Tifa said. "Get as low as you can to the water. The Chocobos we borrowed can run across water."
Cid lowered the ship as low as it could go without having the hatch open up into the water. Tifa climbed on a Chocobo along side Vincent, who was on his black one. Barret and Yuffie shared one* while Cid rode one with Cait Sith and Nanaki. They traveled across the water quickly, hoping they were not spotted.
They traveled along the water until they reached the land. They spread out, hoping to find an entrance into the castle. Yuffie and Barret went along the water edge of the mountain and found no way to climb up, for it was too* steep and there was nothing to grasp. Nanaki, who was now running alongside Cid, traveled along the northern side but found it too dangerous to climb. The mountain terrain there was unstable, posing the problem of being crushed.
Tifa and Vincent had more luck than the others did. They discovered a cave opening a few meters up. The terrain did not seem as dangerous as the other sides and it seemed like the best bet. Leaving their Chocobos behind, the seven made their climb up the mountain. Upon reaching the cave, the group moved on, using the handy fire materia to light the way. The cave twisted and turned downwards until the group came to a large cavern with a underground lake.
"Do you think we're under the castle?" Tifa asked Vincent.
"If we are, I don't think Sephiroth knows about this," Vincent observed. "No way out but the way we came in."
"We're running out of time!" Barret voiced loudly. "I'll just make one!"
Before anyone could object, Barret took out an earth materia and split open the wall. The splitting caused the ceiling rocks to shake and fall. The group scrambled, trying to avoid the rocks. When the shaking finally stopped, Tifa smacked the materia away from Barret.
"Are you crazy? You could have killed us!" she snapped.
"Look! There is a hole in the ceiling, and I see light!" Yuffie exclaimed. "How do we get up there?"
Nanaki rushed up and jumped across the falling rocks, which conveniently made a path up the hole. He poked his head out and looked around before deeming it clear of any guards. The group followed his lead, jumping up the rock path and through the hole, and found themselves inside Sephiroth's castle.
"Now we have to find Cloud," Cait Sith said.
"Easier said then done, he could be anywhere!" Yuffie whined.
Nanaki sniffed the ground several times. The group watched him, hoping he could pick up the scent.
He sniffed the air and then let out a growl.
"Someone is coming!" he whispered.
Nanaki turned around and headed down the hall. The group followed and quickly darted into a room.
Quietly they pressed themselves against the wall of the door and listened as they heard footsteps.
Outside the door, Yazoo and Loz were walking, obviously sent to see what the noise was.
"An earthquake?" Loz questioned.
"Possibly…" They heard Yazoo's faint reply. "I shall tell our brother. You should go check on the Prince. We do not want anything to happen to brother's plans now."
Yazoo and Loz separated. Seeing their chance, the group followed Loz quietly down the castle, hoping he would lead them to where Cloud was. As they walked deeper and deeper into the castle, Loz stopped shortly. Vincent noticed the change in Loz and without hesitating, charged forward and hit the young man.
Loz went sailing into a wall but he got back up, wiping the side of his face where Vincent had punched him. Suddenly, four large Creepers appeared out of the ground and grabbed Vincent, tearing at his red cloak. Realizing he needed help, Nanaki charged forward and pounced one of them, chomping down on the neck and strangling the life out of it. Cid used his spear and stabbed one through the snout, and then flung him into a wall. Barret fired bullets at one, rattling it into dust. Vincent used his free hand, grabbed the last remaining Creeper, and threw him at Loz. Before Loz could recover, Tifa charged forward and sent three punches at him before slamming a hard sidekick at him, sending him through a wall.
"We need to hurry!" Vincent ordered. "If he realized we're here, more guards could show up!"
X, X, X,
Down in his holding cell, the water was now surrounding Cloud's head. He tilted his head up as it splashed over his face. Again, desperately, he tried to break the restraints but they were too much. Fear and panic began to consume the young prince. He was going to die. He was going to die without seeing Aerith one last time, and he would never be able to tell her that he loved her.
The water splashed over his face again and into his nose. The prince coughed and snorted out the water and stretched his neck, trying to keep his face out of water as long as possible. However, the water was getting too high. He could no longer delay it. The water rushed over his him, submerging him completely.
X, X, X,
"I FOUND THE CELLS!" Barret called out.
The gang all rushed from different halls. Cait Sith himself found the large sword that Cloud always carried with him. He dragged it behind him as he watched Barret break open the door to the holding cells. They ran down the hall breaking open each door and looking for Prince. Several of them were also submerged in water, causing the group to have to make sure the prince was not in them.
"I found him!" Tifa called.
The raven-haired girl kicked the door off its hinges and ran inside the flooded room. Horrified, she found the young prince under the water, his head lolling back and forth. She screamed in terror just as Barret and Vincent entered the room. Without thinking, Barret charged his gun and blasted a whole in the side of the wall. The wall broke away and the water gushed out, draining the room. Luckily, the water came from beneath the castle.
"Oh my god, we're too late!" Yuffie said in hysterics.
Vincent stepped forward and with one good slap, hit Cloud so hard that the water came out of his mouth. The young Prince coughed up the water and slowly looked up at the group. He let out a groan and muttered something.
"Hold on," Vincent said grabbing the chains that restrained him. With his claw hand, he snapped the chains easily, freeing the prince. He grabbed his highness by the shoulder and helped him up.
"Vincent…" Cloud muttered. "The Princess… I want to marry her now."
"I figured," the captain of the guard replied.
After Cloud got himself together, he no longer required Vincent to help him. Now rescued, they had to make their escape. Whistling out the broken wall, the group of Chocobos rushed over and stood on the water, waiting for them. No matter how it was possible, the groups were thankful some Chocobos could walk on water. Carefully climbing down the side the group got onto their Chocobos. Choco was much happier, having Cloud back. As they rode across the water back to the airship, Cloud looked back at Tifa, who was sharing his Chocobo.
"Is she all right?" he asked, referring to Aerith.
"She's safe at the Cetra palace," Tifa confirmed.
Cloud sighed with relief and the entered the Highwind. Cid ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the deck. He quickly piloted the airship higher into the air and closed the entrance ramp.
"Once we get to the Cetra Palace, we will take you to Aerith," Tifa explained. "She is in the highest tower, safe and sound. She is asleep, the curse came true; but you can wake her up!"
"Me…?" Cloud asked.
"Yup," Yuffie giggled. "All you have to do is…"
Suddenly, the ship rocked violent as if something hit it. Suddenly a project screen appeared showing the castle. It focused on a lone figure on a balcony glaring at them.
"DAMN! He spotted us!" Cid cursed.
Loz had very well got word to Sephiroth that the prisoner escaped, and he was not happy. He dropped the lighting materia, for now they were out of range, and retrieved another one, shining blood red. He held it out and the dark clouds parted, creating a circle. Soaring down at an insane speed, a large dragon-like creature appeared, showing black scales with an orange belly, black and purplish wings; a long, whip-like tail, and sharp black claws came out from the creature. Sephiroth pointed it toward the ship. The creature flapped its wings and faced the ship. It stretched out its long neck and opened its mouth. A large ball of energy began to form and then, once large enough, the creature sent it soaring at the Highwind.
X, X, X,
Author note- Hey everyone, how is it going? Happy New Year to you all. Also, I hope you like this chapter, about 1-2 more until it's done. Anyway, please leave a review.
Revised- Thanks for my beta for editing my story.
