Days of Exile

Chapter 22 – Uncertain Future

28 December 0007

In the short five minutes, some went to fill their glasses with a drink while others spoke in low voices, clarifying certain parts that they did not understand or they've missed. The short break was most welcomed because everyone needed some time to gather their thoughts and prepare themselves for more information. Soon, the Turks were ready for more.

Katherine took a deep breath and continued. "Back to Sephiroth being somehow able to manipulate the clones. Think we've all figured out that Sephiroth is not as dead as we think." There was a murmur of assent. "Question in our hearts is probably 'What the Moogle's tail has he been trying to do?' Well, from Tseng Meia found out that Sephiroth's plan had always been to summon the Black Materia."

"Sorry, but what is the Black Materia?" Leia asked.

"Um…" KK made a face. "Let me try to remember it…" She muttered to herself. "It's not easy to remember all these details at one shot… Ah yes, I remember now! If you recall, last year we were collecting 4 Support Materia to defeat Zirconiade?" Several nods followed. "The Black Materia is like that. It's not a common Materia for battle, because it is capable of summoning the ultimate destructive magic – Meteor. For such a dangerous weapon, the Ancients had kept it under lock and key in the Temple of Ancients."

"Let me guess, the Black Materia, like Zirconiade, is capable of obliterating the entire Planet?" Haato asked, earning a quick nod from KK. "Why is our Planet always in the threat of being destroyed?"

"I don't know, ask Shinra!"

"Alright, we're digressing." Veld cut in. "We are not here to discuss about Shinra's transgressions, but to understand the situation we're in better so that we can help."

KK pouted but obeyed Veld. "So Tseng found out that Sephiroth intended to summon Meteor so that when the Planet tries to heal itself with the Lifestream, he can absorb it all and… become some sort of a god." She flushed. "I know it sounds lame and so kiddish, but that's how Meia explained it!"

Alana shook her head. "Meteor, Northern Crater… all these I can understand, but making yourself a god by absorbing the life force of the Planet? It is a little too fantastical and unrealistic. I feel like I'm in some sort of a game."

"Where your life feels like it's controlled by someone else?" KK taunted. "Let us not wax lyrical about this."

"Farfetched as this may sound, I believe that we need to believe them at face-value." Cissnei said seriously. "After all that we've seen in the last few years, you know very well that there are some things that aren't logical."

"I agree with Cissnei," said Haato. "We can never know all the answers, but we'll try to work with what we have."

Alana looked at the knife-specialist. "Is that why Tseng was so badly injured?"

KK nodded. "Tseng tried to stop Sephiroth- um... Sephiroth-clone, but he was too strong, no surprise there."

"This will be a wonderful conversation starter when I see him next time." Haato sniggered. "Hey Tseng! Heard Sephiroth whopped your ass pretty badly!" KK grinned in response. Who said that no one could joke about it even in the serious situation?

"The purpose of the clones," continued KK. "Apart from reuniting with Sephiroth, was to bring the Black Materia to him. And… One of his clones, a failed experiment to be exact, managed to make it all the way to Sephiroth. He was… the leader of AVALANCHE, a man named Cloud."

"AVALANCHE gave it to Sephiroth?!" demanded Alana. "I thought they were chasing Sephiroth too."

"That is the truth. But Meia said that that man looked kinda funny, as though he was hypnotised. She didn't give further guesses, but that's not the main point. Cloud gave Sephiroth the Black Materia and so…" KK trailed off.

"That is the reason why a ball of fire is above our heads?" Haato suggested, pointing above him.

"… Yeah."

"… Because Sephiroth summoned it."

"Uh huh."

"Is anyone getting this?" Haato rubbed his temples frustratedly. "Because it links together, but it's too crazy to believe."

"Oh, um, sorry to do this… but there's something more. I gotta add the cherry on top, you know what I mean?" KK said sheepishly. "Again… because of Meteor being a threat to the Planet… the Planet sensed that it is in danger…"

"… You are joking with me," said Haato with a low, voice of anticipation. "Another WEAPON?"

"…" KK looked at the four people in front of her and said gravely, "Actually it's five more."

There was a long silence that followed. Veld closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I believe that this is one of the biggest crisis we've met… yet again, colleagues."

"A meteor wiping out a Planet in less than a month," said Cissnei.

"And Sephiroth being alive…" added Leia.

"Five WEAPONs on a rampage…" Alana rejoined.

"Plus our happy JADE Weapon to join the party," groaned Haato.

"Which brings me to my own question: What the heck is Shinra doing in response to all this?" KK spread her hands at Veld.

Veld too, did not know. "Ever since Tseng went missing in action, I have not been able to contact him, as with the rest of Shinra. Now that I know where he is… Alana."

"Yes, sir."

"I will need to trouble you to go to Junon tomorrow to check on him once again. See what his plans are from here... Though that would show him that you're involved. Are you okay with that?"

"It is no trouble, sir."

"Good. Is your sister fine?"

Alana smiled faintly. "Yes, she came home a few days ago, safe but looking extremely upset. She did not explain to me what happened either."

"Of course she's upset," Haato joked. "They probably think Tseng's dead or something."

The blonde shot the Gongagan a dirty look. "Haato."

"It's not a joke!" He said, though he was grinning. "Tseng had never stayed missing in action for more than two days. Knowing how much your sister is smitten with him, the thought of him being dead is more than just… sorrow." He murmured to himself towards the end of his sentence and Leia reached over to squeeze his shoulder. No doubt Haato had his own pasts and fears too.

"How's the JADE Weapon coming along?" asked Cissnei quickly. Ever since the JADE weapon appeared in Midgar, there had been no sign of it at all. Everyone quickly surmised that the JADE Weapon will not harass each Turk more than once. At the end of it, they concluded that the Turks remaining who had not encountered the JADE Weapon were Leia, Haato, Jasper and Rod.

"What will we do about Jasper?" Leia asked. "He hasn't been picking up our calls and such."

"Let him be," said Cissnei roughly.

"My, my, is this the sweet Cissnei I know?" Haato smiled slyly.

Cissnei shot the katana Turk an irritated look. "No, it's not that I don't care about him. It's just that there's only so much we can do for him. Let's just hope that the JADE Weapon doesn't find him in Bone Village." The other Turks nodded thoughtfully.

"Very soon, the JADE Weapon will be destroyed... that would be best." remarked Alana hopefully.

"Now that we have the important things settled..." Veld looked at KK sternly. "Where is Meia?"

KK could not understand why even though she wasn't the one in trouble, she felt a small twinge of anxiety as her former leader gazed at her. "She um… She went to Nibelheim."

The effect was instant; everyone uttered a sound of surprise or exasperation. Veld, rubbing the bridge of his nose thoughtfully, asked, "What is she intending to do, going there?"

"She wants to find out about everything. About Sephiroth, about Zack Fair-"

"Basically sending herself into her death," snapped Alana irritatedly. "Does she have any more sense in her? Doesn't she know that Nibelheim is Shinra's territory? What if Shinra finds her?"

Leia's frown deepened. "Worse still, if the higher ups found out that we exiled Turks are still working together..."

"Under Veld..." Haato mumbled.

"Then we are all dragged down into this as well." Cissnei groaned, slapping her palm on her face. "But let's not be too hasty. Any chance that we can call her to talk some sense into her?"

"It's no use." KK said. "She switched off her PHS before leaving."

"That idiot!" Leia gritted her teeth. "KK, why didn't you stop her from going?"

KK placed her hands on her hips and looked at Leia with equal frustration. "I am not her nanny! And she is 20 now, you know at some point we gotta stop baby-ing her and let her face her own consequences!"

"Yes, she's 20," Leia argued. "But if she can make such dumb decisions to get us into trouble, then maybe it's not wrong of us to treat her like a kid still."

"Argh, listen to yourself!" KK groaned. "Meia will never grow up like this. She will keep thinking subconsciously that her actions bear no consequence. That's because all this while we adults have been cleaning up her mess after her!" Turning to Veld, KK pointed a finger at him. "Sorry, sir, but you're at fault too."

"What does this have to do with Veld?" Haato exclaimed.

"You knew that Meia was reading our Archives, but you did not intervene!"

"What?!"

"Is that true… sir?" Alana turned to Veld with disbelief.

Veld, who had been silent for a while, looked up and at KK. "Yes." He answered.

"Sir!"

"When was this?" Haato asked.

"It was many years ago," Veld replied. "When she came to me, I gave her permission to continue. I wanted to use her super memory, in case our archives are destroyed. Many of you have forgotten that despite her average fighting skills, her memory makes her a valuable living archive of information."

"But she was only 13 years old!" Leia argued. "The consequences of knowing that much information..."

"See what I mean?" KK shot back. "We all have our soft spots for Meia, but indulging her will not help her. Not that I know everything about Meia, but sir…" KK looked at Veld, not insolently, however. "If I may be honest-"

Veld gave a small smile. "You never bothered to sugarcoat your words anyway, Katherine."

The knife user grinned. "This whole thing is not that you allowed Meia to read the documents. What I didn't like was that you didn't tell her the truth. I mean, it would have been more… professional for telling her your plans for her once she has read everything…" She paused briefly, trying to analyse the austere look on Veld's face. "And perhaps prepare her a bit more about the consequences."

"Don't be apologetic for being honest, Katherine." Veld said softly. "I am no longer your boss just as how we are no longer Turks. Perhaps I could have explained it better, I do not remember. It had been a busy period for us, with the former AVALANCHE and their Ravens. Meia was sufficiently informed of her consequences, but I doubt that it would hinder her desire any less."

"That's true." Cissnei nodded. "In any case, Meia is on her way to Nibelheim. Since we can't do much, I suggest we focus on destroying the JADE Weapon and helping Shinra… if Tseng has any plans whatsoever."

Alana nodded. "After visiting Junon, I would like to find Meia."

Cissnei gave Alana a look of surprise. "Why?"

When Alana did not answer, Haato chuckled. "It's because the mentor is a softie at heart and could not bear to see her little Meia getting into trouble."

Alana narrowed her eyes. "Last chance, Haato."

"Hey! No fair!" Haato threw his hands up in protest. "You didn't give me three chances!"

Cissnei looked at Leia. "I agree with KK. Meia is not mature enough. Let's see how things go." She smiled and folded her arms. "It's not like she's getting caught for sure."

"By Gaia, I hope you're right." Leia said seriously.

29 December 0007

Nibelheim could be described with one word. Creepy.

Who wouldn't think so? In the chilly wind, the town looked extra lifeless at night. All the houses were dull and the streets were empty. Meia couldn't resist a shiver when she entered the town. Is this how Nibelheim looks like now? She wondered to herself.

Reno and Rude used to tell her stories about the liveliness and activities in town. But that was a long time ago, just months before Sephiroth burned the town to its were no signs of children running around, no hustle and bustle of a town life. In fact, there was no noise. That's it. Meia realized, looking around the empty town. Where are the townspeople?

Meia walked into the building closest to her, the inn. Upon entering, she felt the warm orange cast upon her face. Some warmth at last. She thought. "Hello?" She called towards the receptionist by the counter. When the man turned around, Meia almost gasped.

"Hi, welcome!" He greeted cheerfully.

So it is true. She thought. The Shinra employees are called to work here under the guise of Nibelheim citizens.

She knew this man. He would not have recognized her. Even now as she stood before him as the most original self, black hair curled up at the ends and beauty mark erased from her face, there was no sign of recognition. Meia wouldn't blame him. She only met him twice in her entire time in Shinra. After the Nibelheim incident 5 years ago, this man, together with a whole team of staff were transferred to Nibelheim as a cover up strategy of the burning of the town. So of course he wouldn't remember her, but Meia never forgets.

"Um…" She stammered. "May I ask what town is this?"

"It's Nibelheim, dear traveler."

"Ooh!" She cooed. "I've heard lovely things about this town! Such a shame that I'm leaving so soon…"

The innkeeper put on his best smile. "Why don't you stay for the night? It is too dark to travel to any town in the vicinity."

Meia agreed. "I guess I'll stay for a night. How much for a night's stay?" When the innkeeper quoted his price and got his money, he summoned a helper (whom Meia also recognized) to usher Meia to her room upstairs.

The room was spacious enough for one person. She placed her backpack on the table and heaved a sigh of relief. She could really use a hot shower and a hearty dinner. Then, after the night is gone, she would travel away from Nibelheim and return at night… to the Shinra Mansion. She would probably need to get enough food supplies so that she could last a few days in the mansion without needing to leave.

She opened her bag and saw her PHS, the one that Rod had given to her. Her first one, the one supplied by Shinra, was dismantled and thrown away. In fact, Meia was the last person to do so. Everyone else had dismantled their Shinra-given device the minute they received their new untrackable PHSes. Meia kept her old phone because of Reno. But things were becoming more dangerous; she could not afford to have the old PHS around in case she gave herself away. So before she left for Nibelheim, she had dismantled the PHS. Now she only had her new PHS and the contact number of Reno in her head. Meia felt bad for not telling Reno about this but she had no choice. Reno will just have to wait until she contacted him herself.

She walked towards the window and gazed at the dark mansion just north of her window. The house was large, and the lack of streetlamps and porch lamps made the house look sinister at night. A perfect venue for crazy human experiments and unknown secrets to be kept, indeed. Meia ran her finger across the scratchy glass window, tracing the outline of the mansion that she'll be visiting tomorrow. A shiver crept up her spine and Meia quickly turned away to distract her uncertainty with a book.

It's time to unravel all the mysteries of Shinra. She declared to herself.

Even though she is 26 years old, Cassie always feels a sense of impatience and dread when she sits in her usual armchair, waiting for her father and mother to speak to her. It had been too long since she last sat in this particular armchair – the decade of being a Turk made her hungrier for action and thrill. However, it would not be so today.

As with all rich families, comfort is compromised in the face of courtesy and formalities. Cassie's family ran a long line of successful businessmen back in the 19th century, though with many historical events the family line had diminished to a small timber's business in Mideel. She will have to sit in that armchair for hours if needed, and look comfortable.

Cassie glanced at the living room. Barely anything had changed since she left. She spotted new stuffed deer mounted on their walls and a new set of curtains adorning their full length windows, but that was about it. The couches were the same, the fireplace still sputtered coals once in a while, a large crest bearing the initial of their family name - Windell - remained emblazoned above the fireplace.

Her parents were typical rich people - you see plenty of them in the upper plates of Midgar. Mrs Pamela Windell was born into wealth and lived her life in luxury and comfort. Although it had been an arranged marriage, she grew to love her husband and was a dutiful wife. Due to her protected upbringing, Pamela was condescending to people of poorer backgrounds, refusing to socialise with them unless absolutely needed.

Quentin Windell, her husband and Cassie's father, was extremely humble. His business flourished through his hard work and a perfect opportunity in his younger days. Often he would share a good joke with his friends and treated the servants with the respect they deserved. The couple held different beliefs of how one should live by. Pamela preferred the high society and often met her friends for a few rounds of bridge. Quentin will rather go out hunting and fishing than to sit through a dinner party filled with pompous people. The couple barely quarreled over their beliefs, choosing to compromise each other's preferences over the last 26 years.

Cassie knew that her adventurous spirit and desire for challenges were inherited from her father. Her mother had disagreed strongly of her behaviour, wanting her to learn the proper lady ettiquette as appropriate for a girl her status. Her father enjoyed his daughter's passion in hunting and young Cassie yearned for the rare days in the month that her father would bring her hunting. When Cassie was older, she went on hunting expeditions herself. It was the greatest thrill and challenge to do so without her parents' knowledge. And that she did for some years, until she boldly decided that her desire for challenge and adventure laid outside of Mideel, in Midgar.

"Cassandra," said her mother. Cassie made a face at her mom – she didn't like her full name. Ignoring the childish look, she continued, "It is most wonderful to see you coming home again. You have a lot to listen from us during dinner."

"Pam, I'm sure Cassie has her own adventures to tell us." Quentin Windell wrapped an arm around his wife's waist tenderly.

"You are most certainly right, father." Cassie smiled. To many of her friends and colleagues, Cassie is simply a wild child who sometimes talks too outfrontly for her own good. However, not many know that she is very capable of speaking and behaving appropriately, a natural result from years of social ettiquette and walking with a book on her head. It was her upbringing that made her the best candidate for the late President Shinra's escort-cum-secret bodyguard during many of his international parties many years back.

Cassie's behavior, no matter how appropriate, never satisfied her mother's standards. Pamela's lips turned up with a sneer. "I see that Shinra did nothing to your mannerisms. If anything, they've degraded you to be just like a… commoner." She said the word as though it was full of soap.

"I am perfectly fine, thank you, mother." Cassie snapped. "I will remember well to hold off my personality when you hold your grand parties."

"Oh! Listen to her, Quentin!" Cassie's mother turned to her father. "This is exactly why I did not agree with you sending her to Shinra!"

"Mother…"

"You said that you are capable of etiquette? We shall see about that when the suitors arrive tomorrow."

"Wait, what?" Cassie decided against standing up from her chair in protest, but made her point by sitting straighter in her armchair. No news will ever be shocking enough to justify jumping out of her chair. "What suitors?" She demanded.

The older woman glared at her husband, as though she needed to prompt him to speak. Quentin Windell coughed and finally eased himself into a couch opposite Cassie. "Your mother and I both agreed, now that you're back for good-"

Cassie stared at her father. "I am not back for good!" She declared.

"What?" Her mother glared at her. "How much longer do you intend to stay outside, you ragmuffin?"

Quentin Windell raised a hand to soothe his wife's rantings. "Cassie, you had your fun in the last ten years. It is time that you find a husband for yourself." He said, not unkindly. "Since you've returned, we have invited many people to welcome you home."

"And find you a husband." Her mother added.

Cassie watched her father reach out for her hand and patted it lightly. "I am very sorry, little Cassie, that I didn't inform you earlier about this."

Upon hearing her favourite nickname said so affectionately, Cassie relaxed. She took a deep breath. "Not what I was hoping, but I'm not surprised."

"Not everything always goes our way." Her father smiled and Cassie couldn't help but smile back. "Your mother and I were together because of an arranged marriage and look, we turned out fine in the end."

Cassie's smiled dropped… and she said nothing. Her father knew where her heart laid, but there was nothing he could do… will do to support her desires. He had his own dreams and desires too. He had started out the timber business all by himself and braved through many hardships to be where he was right now. She knew that it had been her father's desire that one day, someone would inherit the business.

Upon seeing that her daughter had nothing to protest about, Pamela placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh Cassandra darling," smiled her mother excitedly. "You'll love what we have in store for you. We've got pretty good suitors all around ready for you… Kalm, Rocket Town, Bone Village…"

"Wait, what?" Cassie stared at her incredulously. "Bone village? Good Gaia-"

"Cassandra! Your language!"

"I mean, oh dear," said Cassie in a flat tone. "You don't mean … Jasper Gemsworth, do you? Please say no!" She pleaded, pressing her palms together. "I mean, he was my colleague!"

"That's exactly the young man I was talking about!" Her mother clapped her hands with a pleasant smile. "Isn't that wonderful?"

The sandy-haired woman stared at her parents in amazement. Surely they were joking about arranging a marriage with Jasper? It was beyond weird that Jasper was her colleague for the later part of her Turk career, it didn't help that Jasper was supposedly in love in Meia. Whatever would everyone say about them if they were to hook up?

Or what would Rod say…

"Eew!" She scrunched her face. "No! Jasper is 3 years younger than me!"

Pamela reached for her china teacup and swirled it slightly. "Age is not an issue, Cassandra," commented the older woman before she took a sip of tea.

"I don't want to marry!"

"Cassandra!"

"Arranged marriage may be appropriate in your time," Cassie retorted back. "But it is definitely not at this age! How could you possibly bear the proposal of sending your daughter to live with a man whom she had never met before?"

"Aren't you always complaining that you need a challenge?" Her mother raised a defined eyebrow at Cassie. "You have a huge challenge ahead of you, Cassandra."

Cassie shook her head slowly at her parents. "I cannot believe it. You would actually give me up into an uncertain future? I love challenges, but I know my limits… well, kinda. Please be reasonable!"

"Do you really want to discuss reason, Cassandra?" Pamela Windell peered at her through her teacup.

"Pamela…" Quentin tried to soothe her, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Let me tell you what is unreasonable." She placed the teacup and saucer back onto the table. "To see my daughter, whom I've brought up for 16 years of her life to be a socially appropriate woman who can behave herself as needed, running off in the middle of the night with just a goodbye note! Even in the times when you returned home, it infuriates me to see you without a single remorse."

Cassie bit her lower lip. "I admit, that was immature and rash of me. But if I didn't do that, then you would never let me be a Turk even if I were to ask."

"Insolent child!" Pamela stood from her chair. "How dare you talk back against me! Who do you think you are-" It was when Cassie's face stung with pain that she realized her mother just struck her. Cassie clenched her jaw and refused to let her tears flow. She had suffered much more than that as a Turk, this bit of humiliation will not tear down her pride.

"Enough!" Her father now stood and spoke with authority. "Pamela, stop this instant. Cassandra is no longer a child. You don't even hit Andrew anymore."

If she could, Cassie would very much walk out of the room and swore never to return. But she didn't. Rebellious and adventurous as her heart was, Cassie never disrespected her parents. Besides, her family ran by a strict discipline. This was not something new to her. Draconian as it sounded, Cassie was grateful for it – she was one of the fastest rookies in the Turks to be submissive to higher authority when others question and argue with it.

"I offer you my sincere apologies, mother." Cassie stood and bowed towards Pamela. "If I had been disrespectful of any kind. There had been many things I've learnt out there as a Turk, of which were greatly different from what you've instilled in me. If I had unsettled you with my insolence, I beg a thousand pardons."

The older woman sat back down in a huff. "… I… I accept your apology." She said mildly. "I have a little headache coming, I'm afraid."

"Honey, why don't you take a short break? I'll try my best to convince Cassie to attend the party." Quentin Windell smiled. Cassie always loved how dazzling her father looked whenever he smiled. There was no doubt that her mother must've fallen in love with that charming demeanor in their younger days.

Pamela Windell smiled faintly and soon she excused herself from the living room.

I apologise if the latter part of my story has mistakes. I got sloppy with my proofreading. Hope everyone had a good week!