An Age Old Secret
By: Illusion of the Mirror
It's a strange feeling; knowing that someone hates you enough to kill you. But it's even worse when you don't even know who they are or what you did to make them despise you so avidly. This was the realization that Tifa had come to. True, she had been in situations before when there were enemies that would have ripped her to pieces in their rage and hate, but that was different. Those enemies were tangible beings, and though some of them were unearthly monsters, they weren't nearly as terrifying.
Tifa sighed deeply and sank into one of the front room chairs. Cid and Barret had left to get the supplies needed to repair the cut gas line and to board up the basement windows in order to prevent the same thing from happening again. Yuffie went with them, but only because she had left some of her things in the Shera.
She glanced about the room and stretched her sore arm muscles. She was about to go check up on Shera and the kids, when her eyes fell to the letters sitting on the coffee table. Curiosity took control and she slowly slid out of the chair and situated herself on the floor next to the table. Out of the ten yellowed slips of parchment, only four had been translated. Interestingly enough, all of the translated ones seemed to be in different handwritings. Hadn't it only been Barret, Cid, and Shera? That is, unless Buttercup was one of those writing cats.
"Well," she spoke out loud to herself. "Let's see if Tifa can't get a few more of these done." She grabbed one of the pencils sitting next to her on the table and leaned over her prospect. The symbols weren't all that confusing, and since they had the key, it shouldn't be too hard to translate. Tifa leaned back, tied her thick chocolate locks in a ponytail, and then set to work.
O
Marlene sat across from Denzel on the floor of their room. In truth, she really had no idea what was going on, but she had a feeling it was bad. She looked up at Denzel, who gave her a small smile. "Denzel, I don't understand, why would someone want to blow us up?"
Red XIII, who was lying on one of the children's beds, let out a sniff and then turned his good eye towards the frightened child. "They're bad people, Marlene. They think that we've stolen something from them."
Marlene cocked her head. "But, we didn't. Did we?"
"No. But they don't believe us. They're doing everything they can to get it back."
Denzel scratched the back of his neck. "But why kill us? I mean, I know that they want that talisman thingy, but if we had it, they wouldn't get it back when we were blown to smithereens."
Marlene whimpered and rose to sit next to Red on the bed.
"I don't know what to tell you, Denzel. It'd be nice to have all the answers, but I don't." He flicked his ear as Denzel sat on his other side. "But don't worry. Everything is alright. I won't let those bad guys hurt you." He ended this statement with a protective growl and Marlene giggled as Buttercup ran under the bed in fear. "Oh dear, it seems as though I have frightened our little kitten friend." Red rose and leapt off the bed. "Come on, you two. Let's do something fun."
Marlene leaned under the bed and reappeared with the little cat. "Like what?"
Red grinned deviously. "Like hiding Yuffie's stuffed materia plushes."
O
Tifa sat up straight and gathered all the papers together. That hadn't been all that tough. She glanced up at the clock that was ticking above the mantel. She squinted to see if she was seeing right, but the hands stayed stationary. It had taken her only thirty minutes to translate the remaining six letters. Hmmm…well, maybe I just have a special talent for working with runes.
She stood and tucked the papers under her arm. They had been interesting to read, and now she wanted to share them with the others. The light outside was fading and she was sure that Yuffie, Cid, and Barret would be done in the basement any minute.
Just then, the front door creaked open and Vincent stepped through. He removed his black leather jacket and draped it over one of the chairs, then he met Tifa's waiting gaze. "No other signs of anything; anywhere." He looked out the window and clenched his teeth. "Even the foot prints."
"You mean the ones we found last night!?"
"The very same."
Tifa nearly screamed in frustration. "So we can't even figure out who was prowling around?!" She crossed her arms and stuck out her chin in anger.
Vincent's brows lowered in silent anger and he bit his lip. Tifa sighed and put a hand on Vincent's shoulder; causing him to turn and face her, his muscles tensing nearly imperceptibly at the contact.
"I'm sorry; I know you must be more aggravated than I am." Vincent only grunted and then touched the papers tucked under Tifa's arm.
"Oh yeah, I translated the rest of those letters."
Vincent's eyes widened, if only slightly. "Already?"
"I know, I guess I'm just rune-savvy." She shrugged and then took a small bow. "No applause necessary."
Vincent arced an eyebrow and a ghost of a smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
"Alright! That's done! Let's just hope that those boards are enough to keep those sons-of-bitches out of the basement!" Cid stalked into the room and tossed his tools on the couch.
Yuffie rolled her eyes and pushed her way passed the irked pilot. "Well it wouldn't have taken you so long, if you hadn't screwed it up the first time."
Cid spun around and was about to bellow out a retort, but after receiving a warning look from Shera, thought better of it. He simply shrugged and pulled a cigarette out of the box tucked behind his goggles. He looked accusingly at Vincent. "May I?"
Vincent was in no mood for sarcasm or wry remarks. He didn't even give Cid the benefit of his annoyance. "Be my guest," he stated flatly although his eyes sent fire in the pilot's direction.
Cid plopped in one of the chairs and set his boots on the coffee table. "Geez, Valentine, what's got your panties in a wad?"
Tifa flinched and half expected Vincent to draw his gun and shoot the lighted cigarette right out of Cid's hand, but all he did was grunt and turn back to the window.
Tifa suddenly remembered the letters she was holding. "Oh yeah, I have those letters done. Oh, and you were right Shera. They were diary entries."
Barret pulled a chair over from the dining room and took a seat. "Well, what are you waitin' for? Let's hear 'em."
As if on cue, Red came trotting down the stairs. Yuffie gave him a suspicious look. "What were you doing up there for so long?"
Red shrugged and sat next to her on the floor. "Talking to the kids about school."
Yuffie wasn't convinced, especially after he had revealed her most ticklish spot earlier that day. "Uh-huh," she replied suspiciously.
"Fine, you don't have to believe me. So Barret, they have this week off?"
"Yeah. Teacher's in service or somethin' like that."
Shera piped up. "Tifa is going to read us the letters."
Nanaki blinked. "They're done? Well okay. I'm all ears."
Cid rolled his eyes. "Yes, golly gee wilikers, Tifa! Tell us a story!"
Yuffie giggled at Cid's high voice and received a look from Shera. "You're only encouraging him, dear."
Tifa cleared her throat and they all looked at her. "Shall I begin?" She received no answer but Shera and Yuffie sat next to each other on the couch. "Alrighty then…"
"Oh, but today was a happy day! I felt the baby kick. I have become so anxious I can hardly contain myself. And yet, amid all my excitement over the coming baby, I have been given yet another assignment. Nathaniel feels it is necessary for me to aid the Howells family in getting to the countryside. True, I have been helping them to hide in town so that their children would be able to attend school, but The King's Men have discovered their identity and now they are marked. I am to help them flee to the woods where they shall meet Grace Royal as so many others have already done. I am regretful that they could not stay, besides being good friends, their eldest, Marguerite, is sixteen and has fallen in love but now has to leave. To think that I am only two years her senior! I hope that when Seth arrives home tonight he will bring good news. His father has taken ill, and though I have no strong love for Sebastian, I know how dearly Seth cares for his adoptive father. I must go now, for Timothy is in need of attention."
Tifa looked up at the others and they all seemed to be wrapped in her readings. She sat in the free chair and moved on to the next entry.
"I have not been able to write for these past days in the fear that Seth might see. It grieves me to keep my connection to the Resistance from him, but Nathaniel has the final word on all things. Nathaniel has certainly been trying lately, for he is near to discovering the identities of the leaders of The King's Men. He has become quite irritable with the anticipation. He is even more demanding than usual! How strange it is to me, dear Diary. I have the Gift, and yet, Nathaniel is the leader. True, I am not yet eighteen, but my grandmother was but fourteen when she assumed leadership of the Resistance. But I must not dwell on these thoughts. Nathaniel is as wise as he is cross. I trust him."
Yuffie looked completely confused. "Alright, who are all these people?" Tifa only shrugged. "They're from the past." Yuffie straightened. "Well, this proves that the Resistance is real. The professor was wrong."
Cid knocked his ashes into the ashtray on the side table next to him. "Why don't ya quit your gabbin' an' let her finish?"The ninja huffed as she crossed her arms and hunched into the couch cushion.
"Seth has not been arriving home until very late. Even though Timothy tries to stay up and wait for his father, he never is able to. I am becoming worried. Seth says his father's illness has worsened and he has been staying late to help with the family business. While it's true that I now have more time to conduct business for the Resistance, I still miss my husband terribly. I do hope that once the baby is born, he will come home. I received word that the Howells family reached safety yesterday. I do hope that they can start a better, but more importantly, secret life. The King's Men have been searching for us. I can feel their desperation through the Talisman. I have told Nathaniel so and Dimitri tells me they are very close to finding the leaders. I hope that we will find out soon."
Tifa scrunched her nose. She hadn't read these yet, despite the fact she had translated them. But it had been letter by letter. These entries were confusing. "So, apparently, this woman, Marie Wolfe, was married to some guy named Seth whose dad was sick?" Yuffie queried.
Tifa set down the pages she'd already read. "Apparently."
Vincent stepped away from the window and stood behind Tifa's chair. "She writes of a group called The King's Men. What do you suppose that is?"
Tifa brushed her bangs out of her face. "Maybe we'll find out later." Vincent motioned for her to continue.
"I am so very angry! First, I read an article in the paper that was telling the public about how the Resistance is a group of thieves! The King's Men are swaying the public's opinion with their lies and are gaining popularity. But that is not even the worst news. Nathaniel has come to me and told me that he had discovered who the leader of The King's Men is. I was excited to hear until he made his ludicrous claim. He believes that my father-in-law, Sebastian, is him! That would mean that Seth is somehow involved as well. I cannot believe this. I will not! He is my husband and the father of my children. I will not turn on him."
"Oh how awful!" Shera exclaimed. "She's not even eighteen!" Tifa had nothing to say and only kept going.
"Today I intercepted a letter for Seth. I am so very afraid, for it was proof of his involvement with The King's Men. Not only is he a member, he is training to become its leader! I do not know what to do. The very man I sleep next to each night is my sworn enemy! But even in my confusion, Nathaniel means to use me. He wishes for me to pry into this matter, and find The King's Men's plans. But I fear this is not wise. I have nightmares of running with Timothy through the woods. I feel a sense of foreboding, as though I shall not survive. I wish that my grandmamma were still here. She would know."
"I cannot live this way. Each night I sleep in fear. My enemy plays with my child each morning. And now, I have discovered his plans. While Seth was absent, I went through his roll-top desk and I read of his father's condition and orders. It is as Nathaniel feared. We are all marked for death! Sebastian has become mad in his old age and with his illness. He wishes to obtain the Talisman and wield it. If he knew that I possessed it, I cannot think what would happen. Seth and Kale, his wretched younger brother, have been recording the names of the members of the Resistance and are searching for me! The one with the Gift! I shall tell Dimitri and Nathaniel of these things on the marrow, for I know not what else to do."
"Hm," Nanaki began. "Kale? Isn't that the name of the leader of Darknation? Is it possible they're related?"
Vincent crossed his arms. "It is feasible."
Tifa looked up from the writings. Nightmares of running through the woods. That was all too familiar. And what of this gift she kept mentioning? Did it have to do with the nightmares? Also, she talks about the talisman as though she had it with her. Is that even possible? Tifa looked up and noticed that everyone else in the room was watching her with puzzled expressions. She suddenly remembered that none of them knew about the nightmares.
"Sorry about that. Just thinking," she said with a nervous chuckle. Then she began the next entry.
"Dimitri and the other members of the O'Connor clan have come to the conclusion that I am to flee as I have helped so many others to do. Even Nathaniel feels the time has come for my assignment to end. If I am discovered sneaking about, they would soon find my identity. I am to take my son and run away. Before Seth departed this morning, he told me that he loves me. I am broken. How can he love who he does not know? And I do not know him. To think that his kind is responsible for the death of my dear parents…I cannot stay. I will flee."
"I have fallen ill with worry. We now have made the arrangements for my escape. Nathaniel and Dimitri are going to make it look as though Timothy and I have died. I am now counting the days. I act as though I am alright and Seth is none the wiser, but my nightmares have worsened and I dream of pain and death. We have verified their plans to revive the bloodstone. Sebastian truly is mad if he believes he can wield it. The power would be his demise just as it was Sloan's. The Talisman has been restless and I know we must leave soon lest I be discovered. If that were to happen, all would be for not."
"Sloan!"Yuffie interjected. "That's what the professor said the name of the evil king was!"
Tifa hadn't remembered that. "You're right, Yuf."
Yuffie beamed with pride until Cid spoke up. "How many of these do we have left?"
Tifa looked down. "Only two." She could take a hint and wasted no time on beginning the next one.
"This is the escape plan: I am to steal out of the house with Timothy under the cover that we are going for a walk. We will travel to the river and meet Grace. She will take us to the mountain village. Nathaniel and Dimitri will leave mine and Timothy's clothing torn on the bank, so as to make them believe that we had drowned. But I am afraid that we will be caught. I can feel my health failing each day, though I am loathe to tell the others. I will bear it, for I would not risk all our lives over a simple cold."
"Tonight I shall leave this place. I do not know how Seth will take our supposed demise, but I try to think only on the baby. I know she will be a girl, for I can feel it in the Talisman and in my heart. But now, dear Diary, I sit and wait with worry. I know not if our plan will work, but this I do know; I must try. I have developed a cough now, but Nathaniel tells me it is due to nerves. I hope he is right, but I still feel the shadow in my heart. I will hide these last pages in the armoire since I cannot risk Seth finding the secret room. We only have three short hours until I am to depart. Goodbye, dear Diary. You have been my most trusted friend."
Cid crushed his finished cigarette in the ashtray. "That it?" Tifa nodded and set the diary pages aside.
Vincent rubbed his chin. "You found these in the armoire, correct?" Tifa nodded again. "So then that would mean-"
"That this was the house that Marie lived in!" Yuffie jumped up in excitement. "She talked about a secret room. Maybe it's still around!"
"A secret room? Cool!"
Everyone turned to the source of the voice and saw Marlene and Denzel sitting at the bottom of the stairs. Denzel grinned sheepishly, realizing that his outburst had given them away and Marlene hit him with her stuffed tiger. "Denzel!"
Barret stood and crossed over to them. "Aren't you two supposed to be in bed?"
Denzel stood and looked at Red. "No one ever told us to."
Marlene pulled Buttercup from her seat on a stair and stood. "It's true!" By now, everyone in the room was standing. Denzel stuffed his hands in his pockets looked hopeful. "Can we help look for the secret room?"
Tifa laughed. "I don't see why not! You two could be a lot of help!"
"YES!!" Marlene and Denzel shouted in chorus.
O
And so, the whole group split up in order to search the house; Barret and Marlene took the basement, Cid and Shera the main floor, Red and Denzel took the second floor, and Yuffie and Tifa went up into the attic. She didn't know where Vincent had gone; he had disappeared from the room before they had a chance to divide up.
Tifa reached up and pulled the string hanging from the attic door and the ladder folded down to land at her feet. "Why do we have to search the musty old attic?" Yuffie complained. Tifa only suppressed a giggle and helped the girl up the last few stairs.
"Because, Yuffie, everyone's out to get you."
Yuffie glared at Tifa as she clicked on the attic light. "Real funny."
They set to searching the attic. They moved aside the boxes and crates and searched all along the walls, but found nothing.
"Well this has been terribly fun, but I think that I'm done now." Yuffie shoved the box she was holding back into its place and turned to leave. But she was stopped when she nearly ran into Vincent, who had just reached the top of the ladder. "Oh, hey Vinny…er I mean Vincent. We just looked, there's nothing here."
Vincent only moved past her and strode over to one of the corners of the attic. He then began walking along the wall, making note of the paces that he carefully executed. Tifa and Yuffie watched in complete confusion until Tifa realized that Vincent was measuring the dimensions of the room. Wow…I hadn't even thought of that.
Once Vincent had reached the second corner on the wall next to the armoire he stopped. "Hmm…"
Tifa walked over and joined him. "What is it, Vincent?"
Vincent looked up at her smugly. "Just as I said when we were up here before, the dimensions don't match." He placed a hand gently against the wall and knocked. "I'll bet you that if there is a secret room in this house, it's behind this wall."
Yuffie, who was watching them from her seat on one of the larger boxes, spoke up. "But how do we get back there?"
Tifa blinked, and then an idea poked at the confines of her mind. She reached out and pulled the doors of the large armoire open. She then ran her hand along the back until she felt a break in the wood. She pushed in and there was a loud clicking noise.
Yuffie stood and stared at Tifa in perfect bewilderment. "How'd you know about that?"
Tifa backed up and looked at her dust-covered hand. "I'm not sure." She then noticed that there was a gap that had opened up between the back of the armoire and the wall. Both she and Vincent peered inside.
It was completely dark. Vincent turned around and addressed the fidgeting ninja to his left. "Yuffie, go tell the others we've found it."
Yuffie snapped to attention and gave Vincent an exaggerated salute. "Aye, aye, sir!"
Tifa looked up at Vincent. "Should we wait for the others?"
Vincent only smirked and pulled the armoire farther from the wall. "We should.
He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, which he flicked on. They couldn't see very far into the room, but Tifa could make out what looked to be a desk. Vincent took a step inside and Tifa followed. "What is this place?" she uttered and then she suddenly felt a great pressure on her head, as though someone was taking both sides and squeezing. She put a hand to her temple and nearly fell over as the room seemed to reel about.
Vincent sensed a change in her breathing and turned around. "Tifa?"
Tifa reached out and grabbed his arm for support as a loud ringing started up in her ears. She closed her eyes tightly and could suddenly hear all manner of noises. Hoof beats, shouting, explosions, a woman crying, water rushing, thunder rolling, screaming; they all bombarded her with an intensity that threatened to crush her. She let out a loud scream as she began wildly thrashing until she plummeted to the floor holding her head in her arms.
"Stop it! Stop it!" she screamed over and over, but the ringing only magnified until suddenly, it ceased. Immediately the pressure alleviated and all the noises with it.
Tifa opened her eyes to find herself cradled in Vincent's arms. The expression on his face was contorted with concern and curiosity. "Tifa," he spoke gently. "What just happened?"
She whimpered held a hand to her forehead. All the others were standing around them in a circle; fear and worry radiating off of them in waves. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she buried her face in Vincent's steady shoulder. "I wish I knew."
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