The End is the beginning
Chapter 5 - Parentage
The woman in her fifties finally paused. Her voice, filled with profound sadness, still echoed in the room. Over an hour had passed since she began her tale, and her dark gaze remained fixed absentmindedly on the cold remains of tea in her cup. Across from her, the peculiar visitor with crimson eyes waited with silent patience, ready to listen further without interruption.
Letting out a slight sigh, she continued :
"After that incident, my daughter stopped writing to me. No news reached me, except through our mutual friend. Then, one evening, she appeared on my doorstep. My poor dear was... oh, words fail me ! she lamented, shaking her head sadly. Several months pregnant, she arrived out of the blue. Believe me, it was quite a surprise ! Months without any news, and here I find her, pregnant ! She confided in me that she and that... that 'Golden boy' had a fling, and it ended when she told him about her pregnancy. Fame and fatherhood didn't sit well with this young man, and apparently, he didn't want the child she was carrying ! They separated shortly before his death was announced in the newspapers. When my daughter arrived, she was devastated. Nevertheless, she held on to give birth to her child. Unfortunately, she suffered a serious hemorrhage after childbirth. At that moment, I think she let life slip away from her..." she concluded.
The ensuing silence was heavy. Vincent regarded the woman with compassion, understanding the pain she carried. After a moment, he delicately broke the silence and spoke :
"I am deeply sorry for what you've been through. It's a heartbreaking story. How did you cope with all of this after your daughter's death ? "
His sincerity shone through his eyes as he spoke in a soft voice.
Selene gave a bitter smile. The grief in her eyes remained unabated:
"I had to find the strength to move forward, for the little one, to honor my daughter's memory. I took charge of raising my grandson, and despite the lingering pain, he became my source of comfort."
"Are you... absolutely certain that this former SOLDIER was his father ? "
" You're joking ! You've seen the boy's face yourself ! It surprised you as well !"
" Yes, you're right," he concluded.
The steady ticking of the large clock resonated quietly, seeming to harmonize with the whistling wind and the frantic patter of rain outside. Selene placed her cup back on the coffee table in front of her armchair. Then she meticulously adjusted a stray lock that had escaped from her bun while resuming with a voice filled with emotion :
"My daughter never went into detail about this relationship. Nevertheless, she told me how he got rid of her... Ugh ! Why did she ha"ve to fall for that man ! she cursed. Sure, he had what it takes to turn young girls' heads, but...
" What happened between them, if it's not too indiscreet ?"
"As I mentioned, it happened shortly before this young man's death..."
The need to confide took over, and she continued her story…
As the first light of day broke, the young SOLDIER discreetly left the modest room of the rundown little hotel, lost in the maze of Midgar's streets. It was their preferred place for their secret meetings. Together for only a few months, neither of the lovers wished to reveal the existence of their relationship publicly. Therefore, the renowned warrior left his girlfriend, still nestled in sheets imbued with warmth.
Thus, a few tens of minutes later, when she heard three light knocks on the door of the room, Théïa naively thought her companion had returned. She quickly slipped into a large shirt, the one she had shamelessly taken from the warrior's wardrobe and enjoyed using as a nightgown, then headed towards the entrance. Upon opening, she found herself face to face with a young man. Instantly recognizing him, she exclaimed :
"Berny! What are you doing here ? And how did you know I was here ! " she immediately snapped at him.
"I'm a spy too ! Don't forget that ! " he retorted.
" Why come to see me outside the lab ? You risk compromising our cover !
" I needed to talk to you ! It's really urgent ! "
The redhead quickly glanced outside to make sure no one was following the scientist.
" Ok ! But hurry up ! Go ahead, I'm listening ! " she exclaimed, closing the door behind him.
His accomplice, visibly uncomfortable, began :
" It's... about your latest blood samples. The ones I had you take last week…"
" And what? Don't tell me you didn't inject enough Mako, and I have to undergo another injection ! I've had enough of these procedures !"
" No... Theia... you... you're pregnant..."
The young woman's eyes widened before repeating, stunned :
" I... what ? "
" You're pregnant. About five weeks along," her accomplice added.
"Are you sure about what you're saying ? "
Seeing his accomplice at the door, she had imagined a whole series of scenarios. Except for this one. Caught off guard, her heart rate quickened. She struggled to believe what she had just heard.
Nodding, her counterpart affirmed :
" Positive. During the samples, we measure different hormone levels. It's protocol. To avoid suspicion, I always tampered with your results before filing them in your medical records. Your estrogen levels were off the charts this time. I found it strange, so I did further analysis and... well, there's no doubt about it..."
Sitting on the edge of the bed, the young woman tried to gather her thoughts in the face of this unexpected revelation.
" Sephiroth is the father, isn't he ? " Berny inquired.
" How do you know ? " she replied, wary.
" You just need a bit of intuition. And I remind you that AVALANCHE tasked me with keeping an eye on you. You're lucky Hojo suspects nothing... at least not yet."
Theïa's gaze was lost in uncertainty.
" I can't believe it," she murmured.
" If you want, I have solutions to... get rid of the problem," hesitantly offered her accomplice, evidently concerned.
" That's out of the question ! " she exclaimed abruptly, without thinking.
Conflicting emotions overwhelmed her. The news shook her while filling her with deep joy. A lingering anxiety mixed in as she anticipated her companion's reaction to the forthcoming announcement. She found herself caught between the excitement of this new life and the fear of the repercussions on their relationship.
" You'll have to tell him sooner or later anyway. Besides, he would eventually figure it out on his own. "
" Yes, I know. I won't be able to hide it from him for long."
" Do you think it will be okay ? "
" I don't know," she replied, somewhat absentmindedly.
Aware of the upheavals this news would bring to their shared existence, the anxiety over her companion's future reaction tormented her. While she had often expressed her feelings to him, the warrior, too accustomed to hiding his emotions or burying them, had never shared his own. They had never promised each other anything, not even any fidelity. Their intimate relationship had begun completely unexpectedly and had developed over time without them addressing the subject of their mutual expectations.
With her gaze fixed on her belly, Theïa gently placed her palm on it, gradually realizing the reality of the situation. So much so that she no longer paid attention to the young scientist by her side. She then addressed her child, her future child :
" But don't worry. Whatever he may say or do, I won't abandon you... never... that's out of the question..."
Touched by the little spy and convinced that she would make the right decision, Berny entrusted her :
" You'll have to leave your role for us, at Shinra…"
" I know. The reactor plans have already been transmitted anyway. I've completed my mission. "
" A piece of advice: it's best if Hojo doesn't find out. But I think Sephiroth will be aware too. In the scientific department, there are rumors circulating. But I suppose you must be aware."
" What rumors ? " she questioned.
" Like the Great Hero doesn't really hold Hojo in his heart..."
The redhead smiled :
" No, that's putting it mildly ! "
" ...and that he's supposed to be his father, " he concluded.
" Yeah. He's already told me."
" Do you believe it ?"
" Not really. Even he isn't entirely convinced. It seems too... unbelievable ! "
" Professor Hojo is a twisted being! If you knew what he puts his specimens through, you'd have nightmares ! "
" I can very well imagine..."
In her mind, Theia recalled the too many times she had found the warrior in a catastrophic state after his regular visits to the laboratory.
"Well, I'll leave you. If you need me, you know where to find me..."
" Yes. How can I thank you for everything you've done for me ? "
" You don't have to thank me, as a member of AVALANCHE, we have to stick together ! "
The scientist offered an encouraging smile.
" Good luck, Theïa. We're here for you, no matter what happens."
He saluted her with a gesture and, the next moment, left the room. Meanwhile, the young woman, consumed by doubt and anticipation, prepared to reveal this new chapter of her life to Sephiroth. She gently pressed her belly, murmuring to the uncertain future that lay ahead for the three of them.
The day was drawing to a close when Theia resolved to join the First Class at the tower. Despite her multiple attempts to contact him via her PHS, her calls had gone unanswered. Yet, according to her information, he had no urgent missions that day, only a few reports to review and overseeing a presidential visit.
As she approached the small office reserved for SOLDIERs, an unprecedented nervousness gripped every fiber of her being. Regardless of the timing, whether it be today or in a few weeks, she would have to tell him sooner or later. Might as well do it now. Theïa had mentally formulated the sentence she was going to say hundreds of times.
" Everything will be fine. I'm sure he'll be overjoyed... Yes... I'm sure everything will be fine," she repeated to calm herself.
Arriving at his office, she knocked softly on the door. No response came. Guided by her intuition, she entered nonetheless. That's where she found him. His back to her, he gazed out at Sector Three of Midgar through the window. Why hadn't he answered her ? It was strange. She knew his exceptional hearing must have allowed him to hear her footsteps from the corridor. Something was wrong.
" Sephiroth ? Is everything okay ? " she asked.
Slowly, she approached a few steps.
" Get out of here... I didn't authorize you to enter..."
His voice was chilling, devoid of humanity, and he didn't even bother to turn around.
" What... What's gotten into you ? " she stammered.
" I told you to leave. I don't want to see you. I don't want to see you ever again."
At that moment, she finally glimpsed her lover under the light in which he was so often depicted : cold, haughty... inhuman. What was happening ? Why was he acting like this ? Completely lost, she muttered weakly :
" I... I don't understand..."
" You don't understand ? Then let me explain : I overheard your conversation this morning with that man."
The young woman paled. He had heard everything, and he knew. With sweaty hands and ragged breath, she struggled to contain her emotions. Unable to articulate a single sentence, she let her lover continue :
" I'll be perfectly clear: leave SOLDIER. Leave Midgar. And never come back, both of you. I never want to lay eyes on you again. Consider yourself lucky that I don't reveal your little secret to the Turks..."
Theïa leaned against the door to keep from falling. She felt like she was in a nightmare. Breathing heavily, she choked back her sobs. A feeble "I'm sorry..." was all she could manage, her throat tight. Feeling her sobs overwhelm her, she left the room.
Two weeks later, the death of the Great Hero Sephiroth, in a tragic accident in the Mako reactor of a small town lost in the depths of the mountains, was announced in all the newspapers.
" Who would have thought Sephiroth had a son ? " murmured the former Turk, lost in thought.
" Oh, for my part, it doesn't surprise me at all ! If memory serves me right, that young man was rather handsome and in the prime of his life ! Tss ! I wouldn't even be surprised if he left his mark all over the world, given his reputation ! Maybe not all offspring inherited his physical characteristics, that's all ! " Selene declared disdainfully.
The remark struck Vincent. After all, he had never known the ex-SOLDIER. Upon reflection, it wasn't improbable, given his age at the time of his first death, that he could have had a few natural children here and there.
Cutting short his reflections, Selene stifled a yawn behind a delicate hand and declared :
" We should go to bed, Vincent. It's very late. I'll show you the room where you can get some rest."
She led him to one of the rooms on the ground floor, arranged as a bedroom. He thanked her, then she bid him goodnight :
" Good night, Vincent."
" Mmh ? Oh, good night, Selene. And thank you for everything," he replied distractedly.
The door closed behind him, and Vincent lay down on the bed. Sleep eluded him. The recent revelations occupied his mind, and he struggled to assimilate the reality : Sephiroth had a son. A son he hadn't wanted, from what he understood. Furthermore, the boy's grandmother was unaware of his father's recent disappearance, as well as his actions under the influence of Jenova. She remained completely ignorant of his role in summoning Meteor. How could she have known ? Apart from Avalanche and Shinra, no one knew the truth. For Selene and the others, the Great Sephiroth had perished in an explosion five years earlier. Imagining Cloud and the others' reaction if they discovered Sephiroth's son troubled him. The blond might want to eliminate the son for fear he would follow in his father's footsteps. Vincent found himself at an impasse, unsure of what decision to make.
They say the night brings counsel, and after spending another two hours tossing and turning in his bed, he finally fell asleep.
The former Turk woke up a few hours later. Through the small window in the room, it was still dark, indicating that the day had not yet dawned. Another rainy day, as evidenced by the sound of the weather beating against the window.
" What am I going to do now ? " he lamented aloud, his gaze lost in contemplation of the ceiling.
The destruction of the underground or the mansion was no longer an option.
Suddenly, a small voice whispered from the end of the bed :
" Why do you look sad ? "
Vincent sat up abruptly to discover a little head emerging behind the foot of his bed. The room was plunged into almost total darkness, so Vincent wondered how the child could discern the expression on his face. Then, he remembered that the child had inherited his father's eyes, which undoubtedly gave him sharp vision, day or night.
Half-hidden behind the mattress, the child was quietly spying on him.
" Hello, there ! the brunet responded calmly, smiling. You know it's quite impolite to spy on people ! "
" That's what granny says too..."
" I thought you were afraid to go down the big staircase alone ? " Vincent added.
" No ! I'm a big boy ! I'm not scared ! " the little boy protested in a small voice.
"But your granny says so."
" Yeah ! That's because before, I was scared ! But I'm not scared anymore ! "
Yes, at four years old, you can be scared... or hungry... or need to pee, at 05:52. And not be scared or hungry or need to pee at 05:54. The present moment is all that matters at that age, and Vincent, a little perplexed, had just realized it.
" So ! Why are you sad ? " the child insisted.
" I'm not sad..."
"But you made a strange face ! "
"I was... just lost in thought. And you, do you often come to spy on visitors while they sleep ? Does your granny know you sneak out of your bed so early in the morning ? "
" No, she doesn't know. But I get bored in my room waiting for her to wake up ! And I didn't do anything wrong..." he finished with a perfectly adorable pout.
A real angelic face that seemed to match a strong character !
" You won't tell her, right, Granny ? "
" No... it'll be our secret ! " Vincent assured him.
A glimmer of hope lit up in the little boy's shiny eyes.
"Promise?" he pleaded.
"Promise!"
"Great ! That's awesome ! exclaimed the little one. Thanks, um... what's your name again ?"
"Vincent. And you?"
"I'm Adonis, and I'm four and a half years old ! Say, why is your arm like that ? "
"Ah ! That's because I've had great adventures against sea dragons !"
"Woow! So you're an adventurer ! Say, will you tell me about your adventures ?"
"With pleasure ! Come sit here !"
Adonis climbed up with a bound and took a seat. Then, his curiosity overcame his shyness, and he lightly tapped the metal claw with his little fingers. Vincent let him, amused, while beginning to weave elaborate tales filled with terrifying monsters...
After more than an hour spent recounting a wonderful adventure, in which the brave Vincent Valentine had to sacrifice his own arm to save a litter of terrified kittens from the claws of a sea dragon spewing scalding geysers, the daylight gradually pierced the darkness of the night.
With sparkling eyes of excitement, the little boy began to chirp and hop around, fighting imaginary enemies with an equally imaginary sword. This child was brimming with happiness and joy. Yet, in Vincent's eyes, the physical similarity to his father still troubled him. Reflecting, it seemed unlikely that young Sephiroth, as a child, could have known such joy. Unconsciously, the ex-Turk's heart tightened at the thought of the warrior's childhood, left to fend for himself, in the hands of Hojo. Before guilt could overwhelm him again, Adonis suddenly exclaimed :
" Oh! I have to go back to my room ! Otherwise, Granny will know I'm not sleeping ! "
The child darted away, quick as lightning, under Vincent's amused gaze, unable to resist smiling at this ingenious attempt to keep his nocturnal escapade a secret.
About an hour passed before Vincent heard noises coming from the kitchen.
" Good morning, Vincent ! Did you sleep well ? " Sélène questioned as he joined her, just after she finished preparing breakfast.
Adonis was already seated, devouring his toast eagerly. With a welcoming gesture, Sélène invited Vincent to join them, and they shared a convivial breakfast. The grandmother often joked with her grandson, and the tense atmosphere from the previous day seemed to have dissipated. Once the bowl of chocolate and toast were finished, Adonis rushed outside to play.
" I can never keep him still ! the woman grumbled. This child is worse than a chocobo that hasn't had any exercise for weeks ! "
"Yes, that's what I see," Vincent agreed.
The woman suddenly lowered her chin. She nervously fidgeted with a small metal spoon between her fingers, before speaking again, somewhat hesitantly :
"Um, I don't want to seem rude, but... how can I put it..." she began.
She was clearly searching for her words, and Vincent wondered where she was going with this.
"I've been thinking about the situation. If this house belongs to you, I imagine you would like to take possession of it. You caught me off guard, and... well, I would like to know if it wouldn't bother you if the boy and I stayed here, at least for the next few weeks. Until I find another place to stay. I'll pay rent, of course ! "
Faced with this admission, the ex-Turk felt relieved :
"You don't have to do that, he replied kindly. It's rather me who should apologize for disturbing you. And, after all, I have no more connection to this house. It's rather me who would like to ask you for hospitality, for a few days. Let's say, until the bad weather stops, so I can hit the road..."
They exchanged a mutual smile before Sélène finished :
" You are at home here, Vincent. Stay as long as you like..."
They finished their breakfast in comfortable silence. Then, Vincent helped his hostess tidy up and do the dishes. Sélène's company brought him obvious well-being. She was cheerful, avoiding any indiscretion in her questions, and had an innate talent for putting even the shyest person at ease...
The few days initially planned by Vincent turned into weeks, and then into months. Time flew by at an incredible speed. He had truly become friends with this remarkable grandmother, and a sincere attachment had formed between them. Consequently, when she offered him to stay, he gladly accepted. Moreover, he had developed a genuine affection for the child. They spent their days playing, walking, or engaging in various other activities, and in the evening, Vincent would tell him stories to put him to sleep. For the brunet, it was a chance to redeem the mistakes of the past, to erase his "sin." He had failed to protect Lucrecia and her son. He was determined not to fail this time, with the grandson of his beloved... and his own as well, as he would discover that day.
We were in the heart of January. Sélène had gone to visit some of her friends in the village, and naturally, Vincent had volunteered to watch over Adonis. A generous sun illuminated the snow-capped mountains, making the roofs of the modest houses in the village sparkle. The region had been under the grip of snow for several weeks now, and the child, tired of snowball fights and sledding, had chosen to stay indoors:
"Hey! You're cheating!" exclaimed Adonis.
"Me? Never!" replied the ex-Turk with a mischievous smile.
"But that's not how you play!" remarked the little one, grumbling.
"Oh? Then how do you want me to play?"
"You have to jump over that square there! And I collect the newel !" he explained.
"The jewels, Adonis!" corrected Vincent with a laugh.
"That's what I said! The newel !" persisted the child.
Adonis gathered the small plastic jewels scattered on the game board on which they were both engrossed, then he retrieved his pawn and resumed the game, following his own rules, to Vincent's surprised gaze. Over time, the latter had come to know the child. Although his appearance resembled that of his father, it was difficult for him to imagine that Sephiroth could have had a temperament as unique as his son's. Grumpy, a bit temperamental, with disconcerting clumsiness, he nevertheless compensated for his shortcomings with boundless mischief and overflowing generosity, which made him a particularly endearing child. At least in Vincent's eyes.
The two of them were settled in the child's room. The room, like the rest of the mansion, had undergone a slight refreshment and had been transformed into a haven of softness and games: the walls repainted in soothing shades of sky blue and pale green welcomed colorful posters of his favorite heroes; phosphorescent stars adorned the plush bed and created a magical atmosphere at night. A light wood desk, adorned with Adonis's creative drawings, proudly occupied the space. Adorable stuffed animals nestled here and there, ready to become playmates. A well-stocked bookshelf offered a world of adventures at hand. Finally, the bed, adorned with a cheerful quilt, was the perfect place to dream and relax. Light curtains framed the window, letting in soft light throughout the day. Lucrécia's former room had thus become a harmonious place, conducive to a child's development.
"Alright, let's change the game now! I have an idea! Let's play hide and seek! You count and I hide! Ready?" suddenly exclaimed the boy, sitting up with enthusiasm.
"Understood! One... two... three..." began the brunet.
Immediately, the little one dashed out of the room, laughing joyously. Usually, Vincent would start counting, then wait a few precious minutes before starting his search. This gave him ample time to tidy up the room they were in.
Earlier, Adonis, constantly squirming, had accidentally knocked over a large pot of colorful marbles. They had scattered all over the floor, and they hadn't had the courage to pick them up immediately. As he leaned over to retrieve some of them that had slipped under the bed, he noticed something rather curious: under the bed frame, a floorboard stood out from the others and had a tiny metal handle. A trap door, right on the floor. This mansion was indeed full of hiding places! Intrigued, he opened the trap door and discovered an old dusty journal at the bottom of a hole. Blowing on the cover to dust it off, he immediately recognized the fine and neat handwriting of the name inscribed on it. "Lucrecia Crescent."
He had never suspected that she could have written such a thing, or that she could have hidden it under her bed. To think that he had stayed in that place for nearly thirty years. Completely forgetting his game of hide and seek, where Adonis was supposed to wait patiently in his usual hiding spot, namely his grandmother's wardrobe, he opened the journal and flipped through the pages...
End of the chapter