!Please read and review!
Chapter 3: Fair & Strife
As they made their way to floor 62, Dalia and Zack couldn't help feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness.
The thought of finally finding a lead on the Whispers was both thrilling and terrifying.
When they arrived at the floor, they were greeted by rows upon rows of filing cabinets, stacks of paperwork, and endless rows of computers.
It was overwhelming, to say the least.
Zack turned to Dalia with a determined look on his face.
"Let's split up and search for Cloud Strife's name in the resident list," he said firmly. "We'll cover more ground that way."
Dalia nodded in agreement and they set off in different directions, scanning through pages upon pages of names until finally...
"Zack! I found him!" she exclaimed excitedly, waving her brother over to her computer screen. "Cloud Strife, age 14, living in…-"
Suddenly the young girl smashed her forehead against the table.
"Dali, what's wrong?!", asked Zack worried, rubbing her red forehead.
"I'm also a dumbass…", she whined. "Cloud told me that he was an infantryman and tried to become a SOLDIER…Of course, he lives in the barracks of the infantryman."
Zack couldn't help it.
He laughed.
"Asshole!", growled Dalia, hitting over on over with her tiny fist on his shoulders.
This made Zack only more laugh.
"We truly are brother and sister! I can't!"
His little sister just whined and hit him more.
The SOLDIER Third Rank finally managed to calm down and catch his breath.
"Okay, let's focus. We need to find the barracks for the infantryman and search for Cloud Strife there," he said, trying to regain his composure. He checked Cloud's info. "Apartment Block G. Seventh Floor. 7A."
They left the record room and headed towards the barracks.
The excitement mixed with nervousness was back again, but this time it was stronger.
They were getting closer to finding Cloud Strife, a lead to unlocking the mystery of the Whispers.
As they walked through the halls, Dalia wondered if her brother would have lived here, if they didn't get a family unit as he joined ShinRA.
Normally all SOLDIERS, to-be and infantrymen lived in Apartment Blocks around ShinRa, but if someone was married and/or had kids they were moved to the Apartment Complex where the Fair Siblings lived.
Their apartment was originally designed for a young couple with one child however was remodelled for the sibling pair.
If Zack hadn't been number one on the entrance exam for SOLDIER they surely wouldn't have given them the chance to live together under ShinRa protection.
Anyway finally, they arrived at Apartment Block G and made their way up to the seventh floor.
They found 7A easily enough and knocked on the door.
There was no answer at first, but then they heard shuffling inside.
The door opened slowly and a young boy with spiky blond hair peeked out nervously.
"Are you Cloud Strife?", Zack asked eagerly.
The boy nodded silently, looking like he was about to bolt at any moment.
"It's him.", confirmed Dalia. Seeing him again made her remember how good-looking she thought he was.
"Do I know you?", asked Cloud warily.
Reassuring the only girl smiled.
"I know what we will tell you will sound crazy, but it's best we talk in your apartment. Can we come in?"
"Who are you both exactly?"
"I'm Zack Fair, SOLDIER Third class.", introduced Zack. "That's my little sister Dalia alias Rosethrone!"
For that, Dalia smashed her elbow into her brother's stomach.
"Zack I wanted to tell him that in his apartment! No one who doesn't need to know my secret life as Idol Rosethrone needs to know!", she hissed angrily.
What if someone else in the apartments heard them?!
Cloud looked at them sceptically for a moment, yet then he seemed to make up his mind.
"Fine," he said finally, stepping aside to let them in. "But I don't have much time."
As they entered the small apartment, Dalia couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young boy. The place was sparsely furnished and clearly had seen better days.
But there was a giant poster.
Of Rosethrone.
Of her!
And on a shelf, she saw some of her CDs.
"I thought you weren't my fan?", she asked him grinning from ear to ear.
Zack pursed his lips at the poster. It was not anything naughty because Dalia was underage and she knew better than to do such things, however, it's not like he liked the thought that people had posters of his sister in their homes.
Especially teenagers.
Especially boys!
Cloud looked embarrassed, but also a little proud. "I may have started to like Rosethrone music after the concert," he admitted sheepishly. "Her music is really good."
Dalia couldn't help but feel touched by his words.
It was one thing to have fans who didn't know her personally but to have someone like Cloud, whom she had come to respect and admire, appreciate her music meant the world to her.
"Thank you."
Cloud frowned at her.
"And you say you are Rosethrone? You have both blue eyes, but she is a redhead and you have spiky black hair."
With a cheeky grin, Dalia just started to sing the chorus of one of her number-one hits to make Cloud believe she was indeed the Idol.
It seemed to work.
Thank god, her voice was so unique.
That Cloud was shocked was an understatement, he blushed furiously and facepalmed.
"Now I'm ashamed about the poster..."
"Don't be, I don't mind!", she told him truthful. "I made this photo shoot for this poster knowing people would hang them up in their rooms. Really all is good."
Now that this was out of the world, they settled into the small apartment, and Zack and Dalia began to explain their situation to Cloud.
They told him about the Whispers, the strange events that had been happening around them, and how they believed he might hold the key to unlocking the mystery.
Cloud listened intently, his eyes widening as they spoke. When they finished, he looked at them in fear.
"I don't know anything about these Whispers,", he admins. "They certainly didn't visit me. Also, I'm just an infantryman, I'm nothing special."
"Aren't you trying to become SOLDIER?", asked Zack to clarify.
The blond nodded slowly.
"How is this going?"
"Could be better..."
The siblings gave him a sympathetic look. They could tell that Cloud was giving his all, yet he seemed to not advance.
Zack and Dalia exchanged a look. They knew that Cloud was holding something back, but they didn't want to push him too hard. After all, they had just met him and he was clearly scared.
"Okay," Zack said finally, trying to sound reassuring. "We understand if you can't help us. But if you do remember anything, please let us know."
Cloud nodded silently, his eyes downcast.
"I don't get why the Whisper attacked Dalia after we met. I mean, she is the Idol, I'm nobody.", mumbled Cloud.
"But the meeting left an impression on you, you became her fan.", reminds Zack playfully.
At least the blond-haired boy grinned a bit.
Suddenly Dalia sat upright.
"Wait a second! What if this is the answer?!", she shouted.
Her sudden outburst left Zack and Cloud both looking confused.
"What do you mean, Dali?", Zack asked, his brow furrowed.
Dalia took a deep breath before continuing, "Think about it. The first Whisper attack happened right after my concert when Cloud became my fan."
Cloud looked up at her with a mixture of shock and realization dawning on his face. "You think that my becoming your fan somehow triggered the Whispers?"
"It's possible," Dalia replied, excitement creeping into her voice. "Maybe they're after me because of my influence or something."
"Sis, a lot of people become your fans daily, why would Cloud become your fan being so big that it changes the course of destiny?", wondered Zack, crossing his arms.
"There must be something special on Cloud then!", she rebuked.
"I'm not special...", mumbled Cloud.
"I think you are! You really dedicated to your dream this is admirable!", complimented Dalia.
This turned the blond into a tomato, scratching his cheek embarrassed.
Zack couldn't help himself and teased: "Aww, does someone have a crush on my sister?"
Cloud turned only redder, while Dalia gave her brother a look.
"Not helping Zack!"
Suddenly all hell broke loose.
Out of nowhere a swarm of Whispers appeared in Cloud's apartment, zeroing in on Dalia!
"Anomaly, you must be erased!", they hissed as one.
Frightened Dalia screamed, trying to hide behind Cloud's couch.
Thankful Zack and Cloud reacted fast. Her brother drew his sword and Cloud took his infantrymen gun to shoot at them.
The Whispers were relentless, attacking from all sides.
Zack and Cloud fought back with everything they had, but it seemed like there was no end to the swarm.
Dalia huddled behind the couch, tears streaming down her face as she watched the chaos unfold.
She prayed for a quick end.
Why was she so helpless?
Why must she always be protected?
Why didn't she learn how to fight for real?
Because she always knew Zack would protect her, that's why.
"Dali, Dali, sis, Imoto-Chan, it's okay.", she heard Zack coo. Strong arms picked her up and hugged her like a small child. Dalia hugged her brother tightly back. "They are gone, they are gone."
"But for how long?", she whimpers.
"This are also the Whispers. They really have it out for Dalia, I'm so sorry.", told her Cloud, looking at her sadly.
What a nightmare she had to live through. These things shook him up and that was her third encounter with them.
"It's not your fault, Cloud."
"Actually, I think it is."
Shocked Dalia and Cloud looked at the grim Zack.
"When I teased you if you had a crush on my sister, the things appeared, can you guys guess what this means?"
The two younger ones blinked at him in confusion.
Zack signed and placed Dalia back on the floor.
"I think the Whispers don't want Cloud to have a crush on you Dalia or fall in love with you. Seems like it will change destiny in a way that they don't like."
Hearing the word love made both 14-year-olds blush bashfully.
"It's...it's just a little celebrity crush...", confessed Cloud, turning redder any second. "Not like she would like me back..."
"Erm, actually, I did think about you more than I should have...", was now Dalia's turn to confess and turn red. Both males stared at her flabbergasted. "Our meeting made a big impression on me because you treated me like a person and not some kind of divine being...yeah..."
In Zack formed the urge to coo at the two young teens, who shyly looked at each other with red cheeks.
But he needed to stay focused.
"This is all really cute, but I think I have the solution for our problem.", began Zack.
Curious and hopeful the younger ones looked at him.
"You both have to stay away from each other and don't get into a relationship. I repeat don't date each other, destiny doesn't want you guys together!"
The SOLDIER'S third words hung heavy in the air as Dalia and Cloud looked at each other with a mixture of disappointment and understanding.
They both knew that Zack was right - the Whispers were after them because of their connection, and if they wanted to stop them, they would have to stay apart.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Dalia knew it was necessary.
She couldn't risk putting Cloud in danger just because of her own feelings. And she couldn't let the Whispers win by destroying their friendship before it even had a chance to blossom into something more.
Cloud seemed to be thinking along the same lines, his expression resigned but determined.
"I understand," he said finally, his eyes meeting Dalia's for a moment before looking away. "We'll stay apart."
The girl nodded slowly, feeling a lump form in her throat. It wasn't fair that destiny had to be so cruel sometimes, but she knew that she had to accept it and move on. She looked up at Zack, who gave her a small smile of encouragement.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "It will be okay, there are plenty of fish in the sea."
Yeah, sure.
The Fair siblings said their goodbye to Cloud and apologised for dragging him into this mess, however, he just waved their concerns away.
"I'm just sad we can't even be friends. We three, I mean."
"It sucks man, but better save than sorry."
They all nodded in agreement.
With that, the Fair's left and Cloud closed the door behind them.
A little tear slipped down Dalia's cheek.
It was so unfair...
She couldn't even be friends with Cloud.
All because destiny didn't want to and would send his Whisper after them.
Just who was destined to be with Cloud and why was it so important that she couldn't be it?
And why call her an Anomaly?
This still was strange.
As they walked away from Cloud's apartment, Dalia couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled in her chest.
It was true that destiny could be cruel sometimes, yet she refused to believe that she and Cloud were not meant to be friends.
She glanced at Zack, who seemed lost in thought, before speaking up.
"I don't want to give up on our friendship with Cloud," she said firmly. "There has to be a way for us to stay in touch without putting him or ourselves in danger."
Zack nodded slowly, his expression serious. "I agree. But we have to be careful about it. We can't risk exposing ourselves or Cloud to the Whispers again."
Dalia knew he was right, but she couldn't help feeling frustrated.
She had always been a fighter, someone who didn't give up easily, and the idea of giving up on her friendship with Cloud felt like a defeat. However, she also knew that she had to listen to reason and come up with a plan that would keep them all safe.
"Maybe we can communicate through encrypted messages or something," she suggested after a moment of silence. "That way we can still talk without revealing too much information."
Zack smiled at her approvingly. "That's a good idea. We'll work on it when we get back home. Maybe Kunsel can help us."
Dalia nodded, feeling slightly better now that they had a plan in place. She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the sense of unease that still lingered within her.
!Please read and review!
If you have time read Hippolyta featuring Dalia who tries to live her life after Aerith's and Zack's death.