The World That Never Will Be Chapter 16

by the infamous and notorious tocasia

2/24/2019

CHAPTER 16

"There's got to be a better way," Aqua pleaded, "...or, a more noble reason..."

"He's an enemy. It's the most practical solution."

"I know," she cringed.

I wish I didn't! ...but maybe, that's like wishing Terra wasn't falling into darkness. If I refuse to see the truth, it doesn't change it...

Sephiroth drove straight to the point, "I appreciate your strict adherence to your principles, Master Aqua, but I will not be given an ultimatum. Are you going to attack me in an attempt to free him?"

"Would it work?"

"No."

"Then I guess I won't," Aqua concluded.

"Good."

A moment of quiet passed between them.

"What would you have me do instead?" Sephiroth's question was unexpectedly bereft of targeted condescension; he was brainstorming aloud. "Call in a favor with Maleficent and put Cloud to sleep for a hundred years? Actually... that's not a bad idea. However, getting her involved is risky. Normally I'd find that refreshing, but we have Xehanort to deal with. He's a threat I should take seriously..."

Aqua had different concerns. She gestured towards Cloud, "...is there any of him left?"

"Of course," Sephiroth chortled, strangely proud, "Cloud resists constantly! As ever pretending to be the most indomitable of them all! Were I to release him, he'd only attack us again with the same misplaced heroism as before."

"I wonder..." she felt her voice grow small, "If there's any of Terra left... or if Xehanort... completely..." She looked away. "Ha! I'm not even sure Terra is still alive! Why would Xehanort want me, if he still had Terra's body?"

"I'm not familiar enough with hearts to know. I can say..."

Aqua waited for Sephiroth to continue.

"Who has the stronger will? You, or Terra?"

Aqua remembered some childhood shouting matches. "Terra. I don't like to admit that."

"Hmm. There is a possibility something of him survives." Sephiroth nodded. "How cruel is Xehanort? How vindictive?"

She needed no hesitation. "Very."

"It may not sound like it, but that's better for your friend. Gloating torture rather than merciful oblivion... yes, that would be the darkness's way. Although ten years is a long time..."

"You're making it hurt, aren't you," she accused.

Sephiroth raised an eyebrow, "Cloud is being punished, yes."

"I don't want that," Aqua said.

"Why not? He almost killed you. He is an enemy, not an innocent."

"We should treat prisoners honorably. And I think..."

"Oh?"

"I think he was just confused! I don't think Cloud would've attacked me if I hadn't defended you. If I explained what I'm trying to do... that I'm trying to rescue a friend from someone's control... he'd be sympathetic to our cause!"

Sephiroth answered with a hint of a snicker, "He can be no more sympathetic than this."

"You know what I mean! He's pretty strong; he could help against Xehanort!"

"I don't believe he'd help me willingly. The enmity between us... he's sworn it is eternal."

"Isn't it worth a try?"

Sephiroth shook his head. "He'd be a liability. If our opponent posed merely a physical challenge... I might consider it. But Cloud is, obviously, vulnerable to manipulation. I don't want to hand Xehanort that opportunity."

Aqua had to agree; she'd seen into Cloud's troubled heart. "He could not withstand Xehanort's darkness..."

"Exactly. Which is why he won't be coming with us. It would strain my attention to keep hold of him, and protect you, and free your friend, and battle Xehanort myself. Honestly... I could not do it."

It was weird to hear Sephiroth admit to not being able to do something.

"I want us both to be stronger before I take the chance of releasing him. Once we are well, he won't present the same level of danger, and when the time comes, I shall ensure Cloud's condition is such that we needn't worry about him interfering in our mission. He will eventually recover. Does it comfort you to know that? That this is a temporary arrangement?"

"A little..."

It's still wrong!

Even as brave as she was, Aqua had difficulty forming the important words, "Something still bothers me."

"What is it?"

She braced for his anger. "You said I reminded you of yourself. If what Xehanort tried to do to me reminds you of yourself, why do you do it to Cloud? How can you?"

Sephiroth looked... puzzled? "I've never had the experience you did. I was referring to our similar strengths, not our suffering. We share... a certain force of will. A goal that will be achieved, a loyalty to that cause. A refusal to give up. And power. Because of that, I want to see you succeed. I want to see your violent justice. To see how my choice plays out."

"Choice?" Aqua asked, equally startled by branching interpretations.

"To watch over you, Master Aqua! You have the most powerful guardian angel ever to exist in all the worlds! You pledged friendship to me..." Sephiroth spread his arms wide for the sky, always dramatic, "Your pledge to me is sacred! Your wish for revenge would be carried out even if you had died! For you, I will destroy the darkness..."

Abruptly, he calmed at her silence. "Why are you uneasy? I thought you already had access to one devastating power?"

"What?"

"The keyblade. Why does it disturb you to have me as an ally when you already wield such a thing?"

Why...? Deep in her heart, Aqua found the answer, the secret shared desire, the core of shameful need, and whispered its admission, "It's because... I can't control your darkness."

I'm scared of not being able to. If I could...

...I recognize myself in you, too.

Sephiroth understood the unspoken, and provided the reassurance she craved, complete with a knowing smile and gentle laugh, like an intangible embrace, "No, you cannot control that. But I can. And I will not betray you."