Chapter 14: Confrontation-Sephiroth vs. Genesis
Warning: Major Sad Shit Ahead! You've been warned!
Just as Sephiroth and Zack headed to the inn, a girl's voice cut through their thoughts and they turned to see a pretty young woman with long dark hair wearing a cowboy hat. She wore a brown short skirt and vest with a white patterned corset. She wore brown cowboy boots and a belt with a blue rhinestone on it. She had an apathetic look on her pretty face and large brown eyes that cut through Zack like a knife.
"Are you one the soldier people who've come to investigate?" she asked in a soft voice.
"Yeah," replied Zack, walking towards her, "my name is Zack, and I'm with Soldier. First class, mind you, first class!"
"Huh?" she remarked, placing a hand to her chin in thinking.
"What do you mean, 'huh?'" he asked in exasperation, looking insulted.
"Are there a lot of Soldiers first classes?" she asked curiously, staring at Zack.
"Nope," replied Zack exuberantly, "we're a small elite group!"
"They only sent two?" she asked, looking a bit confused.
"Yep," answered Zack calmly, "me and Sephiroth!"
"Uh-huh…" was her unsatisfied answer and she turned her back on them to walk away.
Zack shrugged and suddenly she turned back to him. She lifted her hand and opened her mouth like she wanted to ask something but she shook her head and then ran off, leaving Zack stumped. He scratched his head and furrowed his brow awkwardly.
"Weird girl…" he remarked as he turned to go back to Sephiroth, who seemed indifferent to the girl's reactions.
As soon as Sephiroth, Zack, and Cloud regrouped, the general turned to Cloud and kindly spoke to him.
"Ah, that's right…" he said gently, regarding Cloud in a friendly manner. "You have permission to go visit family and friends, if you so wish."
Cloud nodded his thanks and walked off to where his house was and Sephiroth and Zack entered the inn.
…
Later that day, Sephiroth and Zack regrouped with Cloud near Shinra Manor and found the girl who they met earlier. She stood near them with a determined look on her face and she nodded to them.
"Tifa!" exclaimed Zack, looking surprised. "You're our guide?"
"At your service," said Tifa politely, standing straight like a soldier.
The three then got together and a man from town took a picture of them. After that, the three (including Cloud) walked up the dangerous slopes of the Nibel mountains to the reactor. Zack protected Tifa from monsters as she led the way and after a while they finally reached the reactor. The two soldiers went to go up but Tifa wanted to join them. Sephiroth wouldn't allow it, though.
"I want to go and look inside, too!" cried Tifa, sounding like an excited eight year old who got a puppy.
Sephiroth looked at her firmly and shook his head. "This is a top-secret facility," he replied firmly. "Non-Shinra personnel are not permitted inside."
"But…!" shouted Tifa, looking wounded.
Sephiroth turned to Cloud and ordered, "Keep the young lady safe." With that, the two soldiers went in and left Tifa to Cloud's able hands.
…
The two walked into the reactor and Zack began exploring while Sephiroth inspected the valves of the area. Zack looked at the door at the top of the stairs and saw "JENOVA" inscribed in the metal frame. He had heard that name before somewhere, probably from Sephiroth or Angeal, but what was it?
"Interesting…" murmured Zack, staring at the door. "The door is…sealed, of course…" He went to turn around but then he remembered Sephiroth telling him that his cells were full of essence from Jenova. "Jenova!" He looked at Sephiroth and saw that the general walked briskly towards the valves in the area.
"This is the cause of the malfunction," said Sephiroth, staring at the capsules. "This section is broken." As he spoke, Zack came down the stairs to join him. "Zack, go seal the valve. Why did it break?" He murmured the last part to himself.
After Zack sealed the valve, he saw Sephiroth staring at a capsule sadly and approached him hesitantly. The general said nothing and stepped back so Zack could take a look. The younger man let out a gasp and his face filled with shock. Inside the capsule was a creature that looked half-human, half-monster and it floated in liquid mako.
"What is that?" he asked in a shocked tone.
"You average soldier members are mako-infused humans," replied Sephiroth tersely. "You're enhanced, but you're still human. But then, what are those things?" He nodded to the creature inside the capsule. "Their mako energy levels are exponentially higher than yours."
"Are they…monsters?" asked Zack, looking a bit freaked out.
Sephiroth walked past Zack and stepped off the platform to where the stairs were. "Yes," he replied, nodding. "The Shinra scientist Hojo was the one who created them. Abominations spawned by mako energy…that's what monsters are."
"You said 'average member,'" said Zack, giving him a confused look. "What about you?"
Something strange happened: Sephiroth felt as if his head began pounding and he clutched his head in his hands to prevent himself from crying out it pain. He heard Zack calling his name but Sephiroth didn't respond. He honestly didn't know what he was, a human or monster. What was he?
"Could it be…" he gasped finally, "that I was created the same way? Am I the same as these monsters? Haruka…" He trailed off and looked down to his feet in distress.
Zack felt bad for Sephiroth so he walked back up to him and touched him on the back tentatively.
"I was not like others," remarked Sephiroth feverishly. "I knew mine was a special existence. But this…this is not what I had in mind. I thought I was born like everyone else. Haruka told me that my mother Lucrecia carried me and gave birth to me. Am I a human being?" He looked at his hands and tears burned his eyelids. He wanted Haruka near him right now…
"No such luck," replied a lyrical voice that Sephiroth was too familiar with. "You are a monster…"
Suddenly, a fireball came out of nowhere and it hit Zack but Sephiroth caught it in his hand simply. Genesis came floating down with his wing fluttering and had a smirk on his face. His auburn hair was greying and the top of his coat looked like it was covered in ash.
"Sephiroth," he continued carelessly, "you were the greatest monster ever created by the JENOVA Project."
"Genesis…" gasped Zack weakly, clutching his side, "so you are alive?"
"I suppose I am," he remarked, touching his degrading face, "if you can call this living."
"What was the project?" asked Sephiroth coldly, back to Genesis.
"Your mother, Lucrecia," remarked Genesis, smirking, "was a scientist who willfully participated in the project. It was a project to make total monsters. When you were in the fetus, they injected you with Jenova's cells, thus making you the most powerful monster on Gaia."
Sephiroth gasped, feeling as if someone literally punched him in the stomach. Now, more than ever, he wanted Haruka here so he could ask for her input. He was a monster all along? His mother willingly made him into a monster? What was this?
"Sephiroth," said Genesis, getting the man's attention, "I need your help. My body is continuing to degrade. Soldier First Class Sephiroth!"
The loud sound of his name made Sephiroth snap his head up and his eyes widened.
"Project G gave birth to Angeal…" continued Genesis imperatively, "and monsters like myself. Jenova Project S…used the remains of countless failed experiments to create the perfect monster."
Sephiroth shook his head, not believing this. "What do you want of me?" he demanded firmly, sounding pissed.
"Your traits cannot be copied unto others," replied Genesis calmly. "Your genes can't be diffused. Therefore, your body cannot degrade." Seeing that he wasn't getting a response from Sephiroth, he walked closer the man and continued, "Share your cells with me. My friend, your desire is the bringer of life, the Gift of the Goddess." He held out a Banora White apple to Sephiroth, who looked at it and then to the doors of JENOVA.
"Whether your words," said Sephiroth quietly, "are lies created to deceive me…or the truth, that I have sought all my life, it makes no difference." With that, he knocked the apple out of Genesis's hand and glared at him.
"You will rot." Those were the most venomous words Sephiroth had ever said to his friend but he was through with Genesis's lies.
After he spoke, Sephiroth walked out of the reactor, giving no heed to Zack or Genesis.
"I see…" remarked Genesis as Sephiroth walked away. "Perfect monster, indeed…When the war of the beasts bring about the world's end, the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar, she guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting." With that, the man walked down the steps and left the reactor too.
…
Haruka sat in her room, reading a book, when she heard a whisper in her head. It was a woman's whisper and the words were audible. She could hear the woman speaking to her…like the spirit did when she was a little girl.
Help him, the voice said, causing Haruka's head to snap up in attention.
"Lucrecia?" asked Haruka out loud, hearing the woman's words.
My son…, she continued gently. Tell him I love him and that I'm sorry.
"I will," replied Haruka softly as if she was speaking to the woman face to face. "I promise, Lucrecia…"
Thank you, Haruka…Be happy with my son. I know that he loves you very much.
"I love him too," whispered the woman, feeling a smile spread on her face. "I will tell him you love him, Lucrecia."
She heard the woman laugh and say, Good-bye, Rukie. I hope you're happy…Then, the spirit voice no longer spoke and that meant Lucrecia wasn't present any longer.
Suddenly, Haruka's phone rang and she answered it. On the other end, she heard Sephiroth's voice speak to her.
"Sephiroth," she said happily, sounding pleased to hear from her boyfriend.
"Haruka," he replied to her in a grim tone, "I need to talk to you about something."
"What is it?" she asked in a serious voice, sobered by his gravity.
"About my mother…" he whispered almost tearfully. "Did she ever love me?"
Haruka sighed lightly. "Yes," she replied gently. "Sephiroth, you know I'm an Ancient. She spoke to me from the Lifestream and told me she loves you very much. Please believe me, Seph. Why are you asking me this?"
"Genesis," he breathed sadly, "told me my mother willingly gave me up to become a monster."
"Seph," said Haruka gently, "Genesis is just blowing hot air. He doesn't know your mother firsthand so he can't know her without really knowing her. How's the mission so far?"
"It's going swimmingly," he replied, sounding a bit happier. "We fixed the reactor. It was just a broken valve. Haruka, I need to speak to you about something serious."
"What is it?" she asked, growing serious once more. "Is Zack okay?"
"Zack's fine," he answered quickly, "but that's not what I need to tell you. I'm going to leave Shinra."
"What!?" exclaimed Haruka, literally jumping a foot off her bed. "I mean, why? What made you make this decision?"
"I'm through with the lies of Shinra," he replied coolly. "I just need a new start. You get what I'm saying, right?"
"Yes," whispered Haruka, nodding. "You're breaking up with me, aren't you?" Tears crept into her eyes, burning her eyelids.
"No, of course not," he said softly, almost laughing at that thought. "I'm asking you if you want to start the new life…with me."
Haruka felt a flush warm her cheeks. "Are you asking me what I think you're asking me?" she gasped in a voice full of awe. "Are you…proposing?"
"When I get back to Midgar," said Sephiroth lovingly, "I will ask you. I love you, Haruka, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I know," she whispered softly. "I have to go, my mom's calling me for dinner. Good-bye, be safe, and I love you. Always remember that."
"I will," he replied gently. "I'll be home before you know it, Rukie. See you later."
After he said that, the line disconnected and Haruka went down to eat but before she could, she was swept out of her window by an unknown person. Before she could scream, she was knocked unconscious.
…
That night, Sephiroth crept out of the inn and went to find Genesis. He had to confront him once and for all, no hiding or pretending. He traveled up to the Nibel mountains and with his mako-enhanced eyes he could see in the dark. Not many monsters were prowling around but he still kept his sword at the ready. As he walked, he heard movement behind him and he whirled around to find Genesis.
"I thought I'd find you here, Genesis," said Sephiroth coolly, pulling his sword out. "Are you ready to settle this?"
Genesis smirked in an irritating way and shook his head. "I wouldn't come any closer, Sephiroth," he said laughingly. "You wouldn't want to hurt her, would you?"
Then, he stepped aside and revealed an unconscious Haruka lying on the ground. Was she dead? Sephiroth's heart rate increased and fury filled his body.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded in a tone scary enough to frighten even Hojo. "Answer me, damn you!"
"Oh, she's just taking a nap," replied Genesis like it was nothing. "Don't worry, she's not dead…yet."
Sephiroth was now seeing red. "If you put one hand on her, so help me God," he growled dangerously, readying his sword. "Fight me now, you fucking bastard!"
Genesis smirked and pulled his rapier out. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Sephiroth," he remarked gladly, brandishing his sword. "My soul, corrupted by vengeance, Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey, In my own salvation, And your eternal slumber."
"Stop quoting that shit!" shouted Sephiroth, finally through with Genesis's idiocy.
The two former friends dashed at each other, swords ready, and they clashed in a way that they would have in the training room of Shinra, had Angeal not intervened. They pirouetted, dodged, and sliced at each other. The fight between them lasted until the sun began to dew the sky. Sephiroth got the upper hand and, in blind anger, pierced Genesis through with his blade. The General didn't stop until Genesis was bleeding from various areas of his body and his breathing grew shallow.
Finally, Genesis fell to the ground, defeated, and his breaths came out as rapid, painful breaths. He gazed at Sephiroth with a look full of grief, pain, joy, and longing. Tears welled up in the red-head's eyes and he smiled slightly. He reached up weakly and took Sephiroth's hand in his like they were friends before all this horror.
"Even if the morrow is barren of promises, Nothing shall forestall my return, To become the dew that quenches the land, To spare the sands, the seas, the skies, I offer thee this silent sacrifice." Genesis chuckled weakly and smiled shakily. "That is my…ending of…L-Loveless…" he whispered hoarsely. "Sephi…roth, I'm s-sorry…for all the…pain I put you…Zack…Angeal…and Haruka through. You…are the one I care about, Sephiroth…and Angeal."
"Genesis…"murmured Sephiroth, feeling saddened by his friend's upcoming demise. "I'm sorry…"
"I'd rather…" he panted, "die now…then be a monster…for the rest of my life. Sayonara, Sephiroth, my friend…" With that, Genesis closed his eyes and breathed no more.
Tears welled up in Sephiroth's eyes and he bowed his head in sadness. Plink! Plink! Plink! The teardrops fell with abandon and Sephiroth didn't care. He gathered Genesis's limp form up in his arms and held him like he would a child. He cradled his friend as his tears fell onto the dead man's body. He was alone now. There was no Angeal or Genesis. Now, Sephiroth would have to be alone for the rest of his life. The General let out a loud cry that described the sound his heart made. His stone heart was breaking…and his friend was dead.
…
Haruka finally awoke to find herself in the rustic mountains outside of Midgar. The sky was so beautiful and the breeze felt so nice but the sounds of sobbing attracted her attention. When she looked over, she saw Sephiroth bent over something and his back was trembling. Immediately, she got to her feet and ran over to see what the problem was. In Sephiroth's arms was Genesis, the man who had taken her, but he was dead. Tears welled up in Haruka's eyes and she took one of Genesis's free hands in hers, bringing it to her lips.
Finally, she and Sephiroth looked each other in the eyes and nodded. Sephiroth placed Genesis on the ground and made him comfortable. Haruka gathered flowers and placed them around Genesis's body. It was like he was lying on a bed of flowers. He looked calm and happy.
At long last, the Crimson Hero was at peace…with himself and with his friends and with his destiny.
A/N: Okay, it killed me when I wrote this but this is how Sephiroth is going to turn his back on Shinra. The death of his friends changes his mind. Please R&R! Reviewers will get a tissue!
Even if the morrow is barren of promises,
Nothing shall forestall my return,
To become the dew that quenches the land,
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee this silent sacrifice…
-Genesis Rhapsodos, Crisis Core—Final Fantasy VII, 2006
Here's a quote from Genesis to make you all feel better! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There will be more to come so fasten your seatbelts!