Broken Wings - Revised

by Riverside Sakura

In many ways, it was a grave, though no body was buried beneath. It symbolized the same thing. There, under the shelter of that tree, he had died. This was the anniversary. This was the only time she allowed herself to think of him. SephirothOC. A revision of a story originally posted 6 years ago.

23. The Guardian

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Guardian

When the man dared to look past the gun, he saw Aralyn in the grip of a tall, dark haired and crimson-eyed man. The hand that protectively shielded her was gauntleted, the long, golden claws resting harmlessly on her shoulder. The man's tattered cape had been draped over her, hiding most of her body from his view.

"What are you doing?" The gunman's voice was dark and level, but he could feel the fury nonetheless.

"I j-just wanted to talk to…"

"Talk?" the man asked. "Aralyn's reactions seem to suggest otherwise." He cocked his gun and placed it to the center of the stranger's forehead. "Care to revise your answer?"

"Gloria has to come with me!" he ventured, slightly more boldly.

"Your time would be better spent harassing this Gloria of which you speak," the dark man countered.

"That's Gloria!" Verian insisted, pointing a finger at the shaking girl. "Gloria, it's me, Verian! Don't you remember?"

Crimson eyes narrowed as he pulled Aralyn in closer, sensing the man's rage. "You are gravely mistaken."

"No! She is my Gloria!"

"I don't know or care what that means," Vincent retorted. "But I strongly suggest that you leave."

"Gloria, please listen to me…!"

"How dare you speak to her?" Vincent roared, striking Verian viciously with the barrel of his gun. As he fell back, Vincent readjusted his aim. "This is your last chance. Choose quickly, or I will choose for you!"

The man sent one last imploring look at Aralyn, who was turned away. He stepped back cautiously, then pivoted and ran, disappearing from view, still holding his bleeding cheek.