Questions swirled inside both heads as they silently regarded one another. Unaware of their similar backgrounds and experiences, they wondered what the future had in store for them.

Circumstances would soon make up their minds for them, as danger lurked around the corner...

Chapter 2: The Deal.

''I almost forgot...'' Dagran gazed down into her face, her hand still clasped in his. ''I'm Dagran a mercenary for hire. What you address me as is up to you, either is fine...''

Tifa tilted her head to the side in confusion at his statement. Giving him a questioningly gaze. ''Is it not normal to use people's names here?'' she asked curiously.

''For normal people, yes...but not when it comes to mercenaries.'' Dagran answered bluntly. ''They are considered very low in society and are often just addressed by their line of work.''

''Oh, I see...'' Tifa answered softly, not really sure what to make of that. She settled for giving him a small smile to show him she did not think that way about mercenaries. ''Dagran, would you mind showing me around so I can get acquainted with my new surroundings?''

Dagran returned her smile with a small nod of acknowledgement before leading the way. He did not know why, but it felt nice that she choose to use his real name. It had been a while since someone had used it, and he felt more like a person again than a man for hire which no one cared about, ''Since it's already afternoon, you won't be able to reach Lazulis city before the gates close today. I suggest you spend the night at my place tonight, so we'll be heading there after our walk, sounds good?''

''Sounds good.'' She answered quickly. ''Thank you, Dagran...''

''We may come across monsters though, so don't wander too far away from me or I can't protect you, seeing as you are a mage.'' he gestured towards the thick bushes and trees they neared.

His assumption of her being a mage felt odd, but seeing as she knew nothing of this place, she thought it best to play the part. She reached inside her pack for an item she never thought she'd see in use again. Her hand closed around Aeris' staff: the princess guard which she had kept as a memento. One light touch to the red gem and the staff unfolded into its full length, ''Just lead the way and I'll follow.''


Dagran took Tifa around the many paths he liked to walk and showed her different parts of the small islands he now called a home. They chatted about various things during their walk. They exchanged bits of information from their childhood and lives in general. They quickly discovered that they had a similar background: coming from small country village in the middle of nowhere.

Neither wanted to bring up the sad parts of their previous lives, so they simply touched upon subjects that was neutral and fairly easy to talk about. The more time went by the easier it was for them to talk with one another as they relaxed more in each others company.

He told her about life as a mercenary and how badly people treated them for being people for hire. She in return told him that mercenaries were respected from where she came from, and were often sought after because of them not having any attachments to the government, aside from following the laws of society.

The both of them found it interesting that the both of them had been part of a large group, and that both groups had wound up having the survival a whole planet resting on their shoulders. Both had experience with people of authority wielding their power wrongly, which caused grave consequences for the masses. In Tifa's case it had been Shinra company who had corrupted both nature and men for their own sick goals, and a life forms from another planet who sought the destruction of the entire planet. The Outsider was also a life form which did not belong on this planet, but would have never come here if it weren't for humans. It had been summoned here in the hope of ending a war between nations, but it had ended up doing more harm than good even after ending the fighting.

They stopped when they reached the stone ruins in the centre of the island. It was here Dagran and his old friends had fought their way through a spider's lair in search of the guardian Mirania wanted to meet. It was as mysterious and breathtaking now as back then, if not more overgrown since nature had recovered. Birds chirped happily in the trees, and it painted a completely different picture this time around.

''What happened to the people you worked with before?'' Tifa asked curiously as she stopped to look at some wild flowers growing near the stone walls. ''When listening to you talk, it sounds like they were your friends...''

''Me and my friends had to...part ways...'' Dagran answered rather uncomfortably, unable to look her in the eye. He was far from ready to discuss the reasons behind him not being with his former friends. ''How about you? What happened to your friends in Avalanche?''

Her fingers lovingly brushed the soft petals of a rose growing in the shade of the ruined stone wall. She contemplated his words carefully in her mind before turning towards him with an answer. ''After accomplishing our goal of keeping the planet safe, we simply went our own separate ways. Our friendship was forever, but we returned to our own lives. Keeping in touch and meeting up whenever we could.'' she answered with a pained look on her face.

Dagran recognized the look of longing on her face, and the pain in her voice. She missed her friends, and he could not blame her because he knew of how she felt. Even though he could still see his friends, he had no right to claim them as such after what happened. ''Tifa...I'm sorry for your loss...'' He mumbled quietly, as he watched her brush away a single tear that had rolled down her cheek.

''I found the bastard, spread out men!'' A voice called from behind them.

Dagran immediately tensed, and drew his sword. He silently cursed himself for letting down his guard and not noticing how quiet it had become. He whirled around to come face to the owner of the voice. His eyes widened when landing on a man he never thought to see again. The man standing before him was one of the knights who had attacked his home village, a man he though to have died many years ago. Roald must have survived the fire that Dagran though claimed his life after their last encounter. His skin showed clear signs of burn damage, and the light brown hair that once came down to his shoulders were now just odd tufts on top of his head. His skin was uneven and red and one of his hands was badly deformed.

''So we meet once more, Roald.'' Dagran greeted the man before him coldly. ''I see your outer appearance now matches your inside,'' he gestured with his hand towards Roald in a mocking manner. ''a shame I can't meet that brother of yours too..''

''I'll make you rue that day, you filthy cur!'' Raold spat agitatedly, his eyes shone with hatred. He smirked sickeningly, as him and his three men surrounded their prey. He pointed the tip of his sword at the woman who had remained silent thus far: enjoying the look of surprise on Dagran's face. ''I'll have you watch us have some fun with her before I kill you. If she proves to be any good I'll even consider sparing her life. A fair exchange for my brothers life don't you think?''

Tifa's eyes hardened when Roald's sword was pointed on her. She did not really know on which foot to stand on. She only just met Dagran, and did not know what he was capable of. Just by listening to the two men it was clear that Dagran was to blame for the other man's injury and the death of his brother. On the other hand the other man was quick to involve her into his personal revenge. Dagran had not shown any signs of not being worthy of her trust. She had seen how quickly his features had turned from gentle to stone cold, it was like he was two completely different people. The Dagran she looked at now had a dark, and dangerous look about him.

''Leave her out of this!'' Dagran snarled angrily, and used his own blade to swat Roald's sword from being pointed at Tifa. He stepped protectively in front of her, not wanting to involve her into his personal mess. ''This woman has nothing to do with me, I just met her and was helping her get off this island.''

''A death more or less means nothing to me, '' Roald answered with a pleased chuckle. ''Besides, it's always refreshing to teach idiots to keep better company.''

''I'd rather stay in his company than in yours,'' Tifa countered and fell into position behind Dagran with her back pressed to his. She noticed that non of the men surrounding them seemed to fight with their hands, so she thought it best to keep her cover as a mage. Though she wondered how she was going to fight with the thing between her hands. Images of Aeris during battle flashed before her eyes as she raised the staff – ready for the battle to come. ''and I so enjoy teaching lessons to ignorant idiots...''

''To hell with the both of them!'' Roald roared angrily and lunged himself into a duel with Dagran. Their swords clashed loudly against each others. He huffed heavily after a series of assaults he had to parry. The muscles in his arms screaming in protest at the unwelcome strain he put on them. ''Don't just stand around, help me!''

The staff in Tifa's hands connected to the side of her opponents head, dropping him quickly to the ground. The poor mage never had the time to even start casting a spell. He landed onto his back in ungraceful heap on the dirty road. A small stream of blood flowing from the open wound on his head. The second man parried her blow with ease, the staff felt like it vibrated in her hands after the blow she landed on her enemy's shield.

''Not to seem ungrateful, but what are you doing?'' Dagran whispered after quickly casting a glance over his shoulder before raising his sword to block a powerful swing. He gritted his teeth as his opponent showered him with blows – all which he blocked except one: which slit open a shallow wound on his right arm. ''Why not use that weapon of yours to cast spells?''

''Huh?, oh right!'' Tifa blushed when realising she had been using the staff as a baseball bat. ''Guess I just got carried away in my need to bash someone's head in. It worked though!''

Dagran chuckled at her statement, but felt the air behind him change instantly, as she channelled her focus on casting spells. Soon enough he heard ice crackling behind him and a nice coolness settled around them. It was hard to fight when he did not know how far he could stray from her, in case she needed protection. He did not put it past Roald to attack her the moment he left her side. He scrutinized his opponent's moves closely, as they clashed back and forth: switching between defending and attacking.

''Not to seem ungrateful, what are you doing?'' Tifa mimicked teasingly as she noticed him staying behind her. It was only a matter of time before her opponent would be finished off. Her last ice spell had left him limping as he tried to skewer her with his spear, ''I can handle things on my own, now do whatever you need to in order to finish them off!'' She ordered while her fingers trailed lazily along the staff until she gripped the middle, twirling it to float in front with the help of the built up magic. She raised on hand above her head, and then pointed it towards the panicked looking man, when her hand once more came in contact with the staff, gripping it: the fire ball shot towards her enemy and enveloped him in its flames.

Dagran did not need to be told twice. He leaped to the side in a dodge roll, taking the man completely by surprise. One swift kick to the henchmen's back and he was sent crashing to the ground, an easy target for his blade which he quickly sank into the man's back. One quick pull and the blade came free, ready to deliver the same sentence to Roald: finally putting and end to his life once and for all.

Roald was quick to realize he was the one losing this battle. As soon as Dagran had sunk his blade into his bodyguard's back, he made his move. He stood no chance against his enemy in a fair fight, and this was a fight he intended to win through any means. Quickly he made his way over to Tifa as quiet as possible, in hopes of grabbing her from behind.

''Like hell you are!'' Dagran snarled and latched onto the man. Making them both crash to the ground, startling Tifa in the process. He winced when his face connected with Roald's fist, but smirked in satisfaction when he landed a blow on his own, successfully managing to break the man's nose before pinning him to the ground. ''A cowardly bastard never changes his colours...''

Roald merely grunted angrily in response as he tried to wiggle himself free from underneath Dagran. He glared hatefully into the other man's face, bearing his teeth at him. Not able to contain the rage he felt at being at the mercy of his sworn enemy. He had promised his brother before he died to kill the bastard who had attacked them that night, ''That may be so, but that applies to you as well, you, murderer!''

''What do you know!? I've never killed anyone because I enjoyed it unlike you!'' Dagran angrily spat before being thrown off by Roald. He quickly rolled onto his feet and stood before Tifa – shielding her from harm, ''I survived that night 13 years ago. When you and the other knights attacked and burned down my village. You killed my family and the other villagers in front of my very eyes. I took it onto myself to make sure those lives are avenged and to stop others from falling prey to the same demons!''

It can't be true! Roald thought desperately. His eyes widening when allowing himself to finally take in the form of the man before him. He had almost managed to completely drink away all memories from that night, but a young boy's face flashed before his eyes. There had been a survivor from that horrible attack. No wonder this man had hunted and killed everyone involved, even his own brother. It had been a foolish mistake to follow Thornton that night, a mistake that had haunted him ever since. What happened that day had altered him into the cold hearted man he was today. The time for atonement has finally come...

Tifa who had stood silent and observed the two men froze at that statement. The shocked look on Roald's face had confirmed it to be the truth, and painful memories from her own childhood came back to her. How flames had greedily licked the houses in her own village, igniting them in a matter of seconds. Enveloping the whole of Nibelheim in flames. The cries and pained moans from the dying villagers still gave her nightmares even to this day. Compassion flared in her from hearing about Dagran's past which was so alike her own. It felt like she had a connection with him because he understood how it felt, just like Cloud had.

''Ice!'' She shouted out.

''Damn it!'' Roald cursed as the icicles knocked the blade out of his hands. He drew his last remaining weapon, a dagger from his belt, and darted forward. Swinging it wildly before him in a last desperate attack.

Dagran back stepped easily to avoid the sharp blade. Making sure to lure the crazed man away from Tifa as he continued to block and parry. When the opportunity presented itself, he ended it with one quick thrust: burying his sword deep in Roald's chest. Watching him fall onto the ground in a bloody mess, with eyes staring in shock up at the sky. ''It's over now...'' he extracted his sword, making blood pour out quicker.

''You'll never get to him...boy...'' Roald's cracked, rasping voice spoke. His body shuddering from pain. ''For what it's worth...I am...sorry for that...night...''

''His sorry isn't worth shit!'' Dagran wiped his sword free clean from blood. Frustration laced into his voice as well as his body language. Ending his life had meant a small burden being lifted from his chest, but Roald's words worried him. What if he really wasn't all that different from them?

''Don't do that to yourself...'' Tifa spoke softly as she came to stand behind him. ''I may not know you, but I already know that you are not like that man over there.''

Dagran turned around to meet her piercing gaze, which was filled with understanding. Something that surprised him and also gave him hope, ''What makes you so sure of that?''

Tifa smiled at that. It was a simple enough question, but it wasn't just that. It was also a challenge laced into that simple question. He was testing her abilities to read a situation and how she viewed people because of such situations. ''Because you tried keeping me safe whereas he wanted to kill me simply because I was in your company,'' she tilted her head to the side when he arched one of his eyebrows, as to question her judgement. ''and you second doubted yourself for a brief moment, which speaks volumes about your character and also separates your situation from his.''

''You don't say?'' Dagran couldn't help but smile at her logic. She was perceptive and smart, he'd give her that. Though he thought her to be too quick to trust. Luckily for her, he was not interested in using that to his own advantage. He was tired of being alone, and she seemed to be a person that he someday could call a friend, ''Well, I say you're too quick to trust someone...''

''Maybe I am, but I was taught to listen to my instincts and so far they haven't guided me too astray.'' She answered with a small laugh when seeing the doubtful expression flashing across his features. ''The man Roald spoke of...he's the leader of those knights I take it?''

''Yes, and also the last one standing...'' Dagran's voice darkened slightly with emotion. ''and the hardest to take down too.''

''Let's get working then!'' Tifa warmly encouraged him and stuck out her hand towards him. ''I help you out and you in return can help me getting adjusted to life here. Do we have a deal?''

''Are you sure?'' He asked her. ''This revenge of mine was the reason why I had to part ways with my friends. ..''

''I know from personal experience how much revenge means and how freeing it is when achieved.'' She simply answered. Her eyes gazing into his with determination and understanding. ''As a child, my village was also burned down and people I loved with it...''

''You have yourself a deal.'' Dagran firmly clasped her hand in his: sealing the deal properly. Hearing about their similar pasts made him feel like he really could trust her. In the past he usually tested people he worked with, but this time around he decided to break the usual protocol he had lived by. ''Welcome to the life as a mercenary.''

Strength in numbers was a common expression which suited the situation the two strangers found themselves in. Neither knew much about the other, but thanks to fate, the two of them had come together and a bond had been formed.

The question now was...would that bond last?