FINAL FANTASY : FATED Chapter 16: A Brief Interlude By: Sasha Harlow Concept by Samantha Rodgers `The voices are gone.' Inno realized suddenly. The gibbering voices that had plagued her since Midgar had faded to nothing when she had entered Cosmo Canyon, leaving her free to think clearly for the first time. Free to decide what she was going to do next. `I'm a burden. I don't have any fighting skills, my 'powers' are erratic and uncontrollable, and I put my friends in danger. So why am I still tagging along?' Inno sighed softly, `because they're all I have. I... I want to help them'. `They've been down in that cave for hours. What could be taking so long? I wish Nanaki had let me go, but I would just be in the way. He knows he can't rely on me in a fight...' She shook her head violently. `Oh, do stop feeling sorry for yourself. It just doesn't become you. Why don't you learn to fend for yourself? Then you won't have to hide behind Gabriel anymore. He's too busy protecting Aeris.' She wondered where that last thought had come from. "Cait? Do you know anything about swords?" She asked. The little cat nearly toppled from his moogle in surprise. "Give a person a little warning when you're going to talk after ninety three minutes of complete silence!" She smiled ruefully. Trust Cait to keep track of the minutes. `Or maybe, because he's a machine, he just does it automatically... Huh, only ninety three... I guess it hasn't been as long as I though it was.' "So, do you?" "Well... I know some, the Boss programmed me with all sorts of combat knowledge. But most of what I know is how not to get stuck with sharp, pointy objects. Paws aren't really meant to swing swords, you know." He said the last a little haughtily, as though swinging a sword was truly beneath him. Despite her tension, Inno giggled. "Why do you ask, Inno?" "Well... I...." She glanced nervously at Aeris, who had been watching the conversation with mild interest. "I want to learn how to fight!" She blurted out. Cait blinked. Twice. "But... don't you know..." Inno cut him off. "Yes, I know I can throw spells around, but I really want to learn how to use this sword Gabriel gave me. Then I can help out even when the magic fails me." She winced at that last, she hadn't meant to let it slip. `Especially when I'm talking to one of the people I nearly destroyed with it.' Cait Sith hadn't seemed to notice, instead he was scratching his furry head idly. Suddenly he brightened, puffing out his little chest as though he had just solved all their problems. "Well, I probably could teach you which end to hold!" He said enthusiastically. "Cait!" "All right, just kidding! I could teach you some stuff, but you really need someone who can spar with you. Why don't we go down to the weapons shop and see if anyone uses those practice swords they sell down there." "Cait Sith! Thank you!" She cried, rushing over to give his moogle a bear hug. "Ah..." he said, patting her head awkwardly. "Don't thank me yet! Actually, we can skip the thanks. I don't think my hydraulics can take any more of this!" She felt confident, somehow, as she followed her friend down the stairs to the weapon store. Maybe now, things were going to work out. Aeris watched their descent thoughtfully, electing not to move from her vigil by the cave door. "'`When' the magic fails me'?" She said softly. * * * Inno sat across from a man who was perfectly average. Middle aged, neither handsome nor ugly, average height and weight, neither muscular nor thin. His hair was a shade midway between blond and brown, and his eyes were an indeterminate muddy color. Not even his clothes set him apart, they could have been found on anyone in any city. They had tracked down this Swordmaster Sven at the bar inside the inn from the description given by the clerk at the Tiger Lily's Weapons Shop. Apparently this man gave lessons to some of the scholars here, keeping them fit in spite of their sedentary lifestyle. He gave her a raking gaze. "Well, you've got the build to use a sword. A small one, anyway. But I can't teach you what you want to know." Inno sagged visibly. "But..." He cut her off with a sharp gesture. "What you want would take years to learn. I can't give you mastery of the sword in just a few hours. But I can show you the basics, enough to keep you in one piece until help arrives. Would that be sufficient?" "Yes." She said slowly. It was better than nothing, after all. "Very well. My fee will be 10,000 gil, non-negotiable. Half due now." "WHAT?!" Cait Sith cried, bringing up his megaphone. The bar's occupants all flinched, except for Sven, who continued to look at Inno evenly. "Well? Is it worth it to you, girl? I'm going to have to postpone all my regulars for this little romp, so I expect to be handsomely reimbursed for leading you around by the hand for a day or two. And," he continued, turning to Cait Sith for the first time, "if your little friend backs out after she gets a few scrapes and bruises, this way I still get paid." Inno flushed at the criticism, but handed over the gil. `I don't know how, but I'll find a way to pay back the others. This is important!' "Well then, shall we?" He smirked, gesturing to the door. "We don't have all the time in the world, you know." Inno followed him out into the canyon floor, determined to prove that she wasn't the helpless little girl he took her for. He tossed her a wooden practice blade, which she surprised herself by catching expertly. She tried to remember how it had felt, back in Midgar, when she had used her sword on the ShinRa troopers. `I can do this!' "Well, let's steal a little time. *Haste*." The world around them slowed to a crawl as Inno faced off against Sven. * * * With the application of an antidote and the use of a Cure materia, Nanaki was once again on his feet. Yuffie, on the other hand, was out cold, and slung over Gabriel's shoulder as they made their way out of the cave and into the moonlight. `We were down there a long time...' He looked around cautiously, searching for attackers and praying he would find none. He was exhausted from the countless Gi spirits they had fought, and he had a burning gash on one arm where an oversized spider had caught him with its claws. They had emerged in the center of a small canyon, the walls rising on either side of them. In front a multi-stepped platform of rock rose to perhaps half the height of the canyon walls. Above he caught the silhouette of something against the moon, tensing, he turned toward it, but he relaxed when he realized it was a statue. "Grandfather?" Nanaki said, uncertainty in his voice. He looked up at a perfect representation of one of his race, defiance written in his stone muscles. The creature was depicted with arrows sticking out of him, enough to be fatal even to such a proud spirit. Bugenhagen floated ahead of the little group. "Here stands Seto, guardian of Cosmo Canyon, even in death. Here he stood alone against the overwhelming numbers of the Gi tribe and turned them back even as he was turned to stone by the poison on their arrows. Here he continues to watch for intruders, bringing honor to his line." Nanaki bowed his head, standing as still as the stone figure above him. For a long moment he stood so, and then, without warning, began his leaping climb to the pinnacle in the center of the canyon. When he reached the top he raised his head in a full-throated howl. "I am Nanaki, son of Seto, warrior of the Cosmo Canyon Tribe!" he shouted to the silent stars. Again he howled his defiance. "Honor rests here with my line, and with me!" Gabriel turned back to the caves, feeling as though he were intruding on a personal moment. Tears threatened at his eyes as memories rose unbidden. Images of his own father, dying to protect his wife and child, and of his mother, dying to defend the place that offered her son safety. For once he wished for the icy armor of his other half, to shield him from the pain that still seemed so strong. He almost didn't catch the whirr of Bugenhagen's machine as he floated into the cave. He didn't turn, though, electing instead to busy himself setting Yuffie on the ground. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Bugenhagen spoke. "It will take me a while to reinforce the wards on this cave. Perhaps it would be best if you made yourself comfortable." Gabriel nodded, still listening to the sound of Nanaki's howls outside the cavern. * * * Tifa had been watching scenery fly by for nearly four hours. She was certain she'd seen that mesa before. "Um... Cloud? Is Cosmo Canyon really this far? Maybe we should have asked someone in Gongaga..." "Hell, no!" Barrett shouted. "Daddy!" Marlene admonished. "Sorry, kitt'n. We knows were wes goin'! Right, Spike?" Cloud nodded absently without taking his eyes of the land before him. "Don't worry Tifa. I'm sure it's just ahead." Tifa slumped back in her chair, crossing her arms. `No one I've ever heard about has ever found Cosmo Canyon, and these... these MEN think they can just waltz along and find it without help!' She returned to facing the window, angry at the world (and men) in general. `I thought that once Aeris was gone, he might start noticing 'me, `but he hardly seems to know I'm here'. She frowned slightly. `Actually, he hardly seems to notice anyone's here...' She sighed forlornly. `Probably just pining over Aeris...' That thought didn't ring true, somehow. Lost in thought, she almost missed the flash of sunlight between the trees. Frowning, she leaned forward. `Was that...?' "STOP!" She shouted, causing Cloud to brake in alarm. Behind them, Reeve had to swerve frantically to avoid hitting them. Ignoring their surprised look, Tifa jumped out of the car and ran up a nearby rise. There, just below them, was a river. And not just any river, the river they had crossed four hours ago. She could still see the scrapes in the gravel where Reeve's craft had struck the opposite shore. Turning back, she saw everyone scrambling out of his or her respective vehicles, perhaps thinking she'd lost her mind. `Maybe I have. But I'm not the only one who's acting strange...' "Tell me straight." She said, pining Cloud, Barrett, and Reeve with her glare, "are we lost?" "A' 'course not..." Barrett began. "Then its all part of your master plan to come back the SAME RIVER WE STARTED AT FOUR HOURS AGO?!" "Well..." He said nervously, backing away. "I suppose I could call Cait Sith, and ask how he got there..." Reeve said nervously. She whirled on Reeve, who looked like he was wishing for invisibility. "YOU CAN DO THAT? AND YOU HAVEN'T YET? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU MEN!?" "Tifa... We knew where we..." Whatever Cloud started to say, he never got to finish. Tifa turned to him slowly, ki glowing about her hands. He gulped and took several rapid steps back. For a tense moment she just glared at him, shaking with rage and frustration. Finally she gave an inarticulate cry and ran into the woods. For the next few minutes, trees toppled, the ground shook, and dirt flew. Finally, there was calm. "Wow. Aunt Tifa sure got mad, didn't she?" Marlene whispered to Jessie and Biggs, who had watched the entire spectacle wide-eyed. Looking only slightly rumpled, Tifa marched back to the little group. She walked right up to Cloud without stopping. "Listen here, Cloud Strife. We are getting back into these cars, Reeve, here," she shot a glare in his direction, "is going to call Cait and `get directions', and we are going to drive straight to Cosmo Canyon. Got it?" Cloud did what any pillar of manliness would do in that situation. He nodded meekly and got back in the car. * * * Inno was panting harshly. Her grip on the sword had changed to two handed when Sven had sent her shield flying a few minutes ago, and sweat was making her grip slippery and obscuring her vision. She was caught off guard when he charged her, and had to backpedal wildly. She saw his giant sword coming down and desperately raised hers to block. They met with a clang, and Inno's sword went flying away. Inno herself landed on her back in dirt, hands numbed by the assault. Again the sword came at her and she rolled away, hearing it thump in the dust to her right. She scrambled to her feet and looked desperately for her weapon. She spotted it several feet away, but Sven was between her and it. There was no way she could reach it. She relaxed. At this point Sven had always called a halt to their sparring. Thus she was caught by surprise when he rushed her again, and only her tripping over her shield saved her from another painful bruise. She reached down, grabbing it and bringing it up just in time to ward off another blow. He was standing over her, expression unreadable, as he raised the sword again. This time deflecting it wouldn't be so easy. `Wait. He's standing at my feet...' Inno lashed out viciously with one foot, catching Sven behind the knee just as his sword reached its apex. As he stumbled backwards, she leapt to her feet and smashed him with her shield, and turned, running for her sword. At any moment she expected him to strike her from behind, but she reached it without incident. Without pausing, she scooped it up and turned to face him. Sven was still standing where she'd last seen him, nursing a swollen lip and bloody nose. Before she could stammer out an apology, he grinned broadly. "Well now, I knew you had it in you, girl. Just remember, your sword isn't your only weapon. You look innocent and helpless. Use that." With a gesture, he canceled the Haste spell. "Why don't we take a break, and then get back to work. With real swords, this time." Cait was still waiting on the sidelines, waiting to lavish the effects of his Cure materia on her. She limped over to him, feeling as thought she had been bludgeoned repeatedly with a blunt object. Which she had. "You didn't do nearly as bad this time, Inno!" She gave him a dirty look, which he pretended not to notice. "You don't have to rub it in. Just use that marble." She groaned as she eased herself to the ground. "I don't know why I thought this was a good idea." She sighed with relief as a green glow settled around her, and a breeze tugged at her hair. "Thank you, Cait." She noticed that it had gotten dark sometime since her last rest. Cait's moogle plopped down next to her, causing dust to puff up around him. She sneezed and gave him a baleful glaze. "Haven't I suffered enough today?" "Hey, it's only been three hours!" "For you, maybe. But for me it's been closer to six." They sat in silence for a moment. "Has Nanaki come back yet?" "Nope. Neither has Gabriel." The cat said, winking at her. Inno flushed and ducked her head. "Is... Aeris..." "She's still up by the cave." "Oh." Inno hung her head lower. "Well, girl, you ready for the real thing?" Sven said, tossing her the sword and shield Gabriel had gifted her. "We don't have all night, you know." He grinned, brandishing his Claymore. "Or are you ready to quit?" Inno's only answer was to climb stiffly to her feet and walk out into the canyon once again. * * * After rummaging about in his bag, Gabriel had finally found the fluffy object he was looking for. Separating one fuzzy feather from the rest, he set it on Yuffie's unconscious form. It glowed red momentarily, and then broke into glowing red sparks that settled over her. She groaned and sat up, clutching her head. "Here. Drink this." He handed her a small glass vial. Nanaki had finally come back into the cave, but he was withdrawn and introspective. Gabriel could probably count the number of syllables he'd uttered on one hand. He hadn't seen Bugenhagen again since he'd floated off to do whatever needed to be done to the cave. With Yuffie out like a light, it had been a fairly boring evening. `There's only so long a man can be alone with his thoughts... especially when those thoughts are of the past. Or of two lovely ladies both needing my protection.' Yuffie obediently drank the potion and leaned back against the stone walls. She cracked one eye and gave him a measuring glance. "Where did you learn to do that?" "Do what, hand out potions? Or carry around unconscious females? The later is a far more recently acquired skill, I must confess." He gave her his most winning smile. "You know what I mean! Splitting Light!" Gabriel did his best to look shocked. "Splitting Light? I'm not sure what you mean. Are you sure the poison hasn't made you hallucinate?" Yuffie just glared at him in silence. She didn't look like she bought it. `Then again, maybe my thoughts were better company...' Gabriel sighed. It was going to be a long wait. * * * Following Cait's directions relayed to Reeve, they had finally arrived at Cosmo Canyon long after dark. Tifa marched up the stairs, followed by a uncharacteristically meek Cloud. He sighed. `I just wish I could have switched cars like Barrett and Marlene. Driving for hours with someone staring daggers at you is not at all pleasant.' Tifa abruptly stopped, and Cloud walked into her. Surprisingly, she wasn't angry, but instead clutched his arm. "Listen! Do you hear that?" She whispered, face pale. He cocked his head for a moment. Somewhere in the Canyon came the clang of metal on metal. `Is that... swords?' He and Tifa shared a look, and then he started running, Tifa at his heels, leaving the rest of the group to stare after them in shock. He brushed past the equally amazed guard at the entrance and into the Canyon itself, drawing his sword as he did so. Just to the right of huge bonfire, two combatants fought with swords. Both were so covered with dust it was difficult to tell who they were, and both were moving with supernatural speed. The larger of the two had a longer sword, but his opponent had a shield, thus mostly eliminating the advantage. "Inno?" Tifa shouted, looking ready to jump into the duel at any moment. Cloud waved her back. Talented she might be, but a martial artist had no business in a duel of swords. He tensed himself, and leapt at her attacker when he judged the moment right. Somehow the man sensed him coming and whirled, bringing up his own sword to block, and thus preventing his head from being cleaved. However, Cloud pressed the attack, as was his style, attacking viciously with no thought for defense. The man desperately parried the attack, but his Cloud's larger sword and aggressive style was taking its toll on the already exhausted man. Inevitably, a hole in his defenses opened, and Cloud feinted to one side, and then reversed the stroke, spinning around to catch him on the unguarded side. Instead of biting into flesh, he felt a bone jarring crash as his sword met the metal of the stranger's sword. `Impossible! There's no way he could have blocked!' He looked closer and saw that what he had taken for the man's sword in the firelight was instead much shorter and far more elaborate. Inno was holding the end of it, shouting something at him. The man she had been dueling had backed off instead of pressing the attack while they were both vulnerable. "Inno?" He said uncertainly. "What are you doing?! You nearly killed Sven!" She shouted angrily. "Sven?" He said, feeling more than a little confused. `How can I get two women this angry at me in one day?' "Yes, Sven. The man you nearly cut in half." She said slowly, as if to a particularly dull-witted child. "Oh. Sven." He blinked, not really getting it, but ready to accept that the stranger was not a threat. `For now, anyway.' She sighed deeply, then smiled suddenly and hugged him. "It's okay, Cloud. Thanks for the thought, anyway. You were just trying to save me." She kissed him on one cheek and let him go to walk off towards Sven. `It seems they've both forgiven me, anyway'. He turned towards Tifa only to see her fist just before it connected. "Idiot!" She hissed, stalking off. `Ouch. Maybe not. I just don't understand women..'. * * * Gabriel led his group out of the caves sometime near midnight. Aeris was still sitting near the exit, fast asleep. Sighing, Gabriel walked over and scooped her up. `I guess this is my lot in life.' She stirred slightly in her sleep and smiled, snuggling her head against his chest. He shifted uncomfortably, turning back to his silent group: Nanaki, still lost in thought over his father; Yuffie, staring at him suspiciously; and Bugenhagen, who was exhausted from his work in the cave. "I suppose this is it. Why don't we see if Cloud and the others are here yet?" Bugenhagen smiled wearily. "If you'll excuse me, I no longer have the stamina of youth. Why don't you bring your friends up to the observatory tomorrow, Nanaki?" "Indeed. An excellent suggestion, Grandfather." The group made their way down the stairs and into the Canyon below. Gabriel froze on the last stair, seeing Inno wrap her arms around Cloud and kiss him. `What?' Inno walked away, towards another man further on. She hadn't seen him yet. He started forward, moving a little less quietly this time. Unfortunately, it was not Inno's attention he attracted, but Cloud's. The young man was nursing one side of his face, but he dropped his hand and drew himself up when he saw Gabriel with Aeris in his arms. "What did you..." "She's just sleeping, Strife." Gabriel tried to summon the icy disdain that characterized his other half. "I suggest we do the same. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." He marched off towards the inn, not looking back. After a moment, the others followed. * * * "Inno," called Sven as she started to follow Gabriel. "Oh! I'm sorry! I forgot to pay you!" "No, not that. In fact, you can have this back." He handed her the gil she had given him earlier. Inno stared at him in confusion. "But..." "No 'buts', girl! Just getting to teach a fine pupil like you was more than enough reward. In just a few hours, you've outstripped some of the pupils whom I've been teaching here for months. You've got a gift, girl. I a year or two you'd be better than me and your spiky-haired friend. I wish you'd consider staying." Inno stared, dumbfounded at such kind words from the gruff man. "Well, you just going to stand there like a landed fish, girl?" Inno realized her mouth was open and shut it. "As long as you are, you might as well have this." He handed her a soft leather bag. She looked at it stupidly for a moment, and then shoved it back at him. "I can't take this!" "Well, you don't know what it is yet, do you? Maybe you should open people's presents before you reject them out of hand!" He turned and stalked away, ignoring her protests. Inno glanced down at the supple leather bag. She undid the drawstrings and turned it upside down. Out tumbled living fire in green, blue, and, lastly, red. Five materia orbs glinted in the firelight, three green, two blue, and one red. "Oh, Sven! Thank you!" She closed her fist over the crystals, feeling their latent power. Suddenly, she didn't feel so sleepy. Inno strolled out into the predawn darkness, marveling at the beauty here at Cosmo Canyon. `It's so peaceful here. Tomorrow, everything will change again'. She would have to ask the elders how to rid herself of this mysterious 'Other.' She would have to face her personal demon and admit her danger to the others, if only to herself. But for now, she was free to roam the night, enjoying the quiet. A low growl was all that alerted her to the danger. She spun, sword out, to knock aside the attacking shape. It fled back into the darkness, but not before she caught the outline of a roughly lupine form. "Ioviano?" She whispered, fully expecting that nightmare to come walking out of the blackness. Nothing came but the rustling of grass, however. Frightened, Inno realized just how far from the settlement she'd wandered. She began walking back, hearing death approaching with every rustle or squeak. Her steps began to come faster. She felt more than heard the second approach of the monster, managing to move just before she was hamstrung. The creature's teeth still sunk into her ankle, however, and she cried out in pain. The thing turned to finish the job, teeth snapping at her throat, but she brought her sword down on it. She was off balance, and the blow was not fatal, but it caused the wolf-thing to shy back and circle warily. Several more joined it, warily watching their wounded prey for an opening. Inno counted two dozen of the wolf-like things. Far too many for her to fight off. They continued to slink around her, moving in and out of the shadows. `Fine. I'm not going down as easily as they think'. Green flared from the hilt of her sword and one of the creatures yelped as fire consumed it, falling back. The others paused uncertainly, then began to tighten the circle. * * * "Gabriel." "Mmph. Jus' a little longer..." Gabriel mumbled. `So warm and soft...' "Gabriel!" "What?!" he exclaimed, sitting bolt upright. For a moment he wasn't sure were he was. There was a large red creature at the foot of the bed. `Nanaki. Another inn. An inn in.... Cosmo Canyon?' "What time is it?" "Almost dawn. The Elder Shift has agreed to see us about his research into the Other, but I can't find Inno." "Inno!?" alarmed now, Gabriel hopped out of bed, nearly stepping on Yuffie. One-room hotels were always tight quarters for this group. `At least I got a bed. Maybe I should be the first one in more often! ' "She's not within the Canyon confines. Something may be wrong." Gabriel just nodded as he grabbed his weapons and headed for the door. `Heh. I hope I don't have to carry her back this time!' He smiled slightly despite his urgency. "I'll need your nose, Nanaki." * * * In a forgotten corner of the hotel room, Jessie moved closer to Biggs, who put one arm over her. A smile flickered across her face as she slept. * * * She had managed to kill or wound a handful of the creatures, but she was exhausted and shaking from the effort and the things seemed to keep coming. So far they had not managed to wound her again, but she was certain it was only a matter of time. `Only one thing left. I just hope Sven had some good materia'. She screamed hoarsely at the wolflings, causing them to scatter back. She hoped it would give her the time she was looking for. She bowed her head and concentrated, dimly aware that the things were charging her en masse. She looked up at the gaping jaws of one in midair as it came for her throat. `Too late, wolf-thing!' "*Chaos Flare!*" Inno faded out and the lupines milled about in confusion as the world turned to utter darkness. All of their eyes turned to the nearby mountain range where a soft glow was starting. The glow grew steadily brighter, illuminating a huge figure perched on a mountain that had not been there moments ago. The light reflected of eyes, horns, scales, and wings. As it grew brighter, it became evident that the glow was coming from its mouth. Tiamat reared her head back, snapped open her wings and drew in a deep breath. When she exhaled, the valley was obscured with the white-hot glow of her breath. When Inno returned, nothing was left of the creatures but ash. "Thank you, Sven. You were right, my sword isn't my only weapon." She sat down heavily in the dirt to watch the sun rise over Cosmo Canyon. It was like this that Gabriel found her. "Are you all right, Inno?" The worry was evident in his features. "I'm fine. I just wanted to see the sunrise." * * * Sephiroth-half was resting. Soon they would return to Nibelheim, and he would find the information needed for Reunion. Soon he would soar upon the wings of the Final Dream made real. He would be a god and all who stood before him would die. All... Visions of green eyes returned to haunt him. `...you're safe with me. I'll protect you, I give you my word.' They pierced his strongest barriers, filling him with emotions he was unfamiliar with. The walls of the steel cell he had built around his heart were crumbling under the assault. `If Jenova commands her death... To whom do my loyalties lie?' * * * Inno and Gabriel mad their way down a flight of stone steps. Aeris walked a pace behind them, having goined them upon their return to the Canyon. Nanaki had elected to remain above, stating that the library was a crowded place. At the bottom of the stone steps was a solid wooden door, that protested being opened with a grating noise. A room packed wall to wall with books was revealed, some neatly arranged on shelves, others stacked haphazardly on the floor. A wizened old man sat at a desk in the center of the chaos, looking up at the noise. The Elder peered at the trio curiously, lifting his head from his pile of books. "Are you the ones Bugenhagen spoke of?" "Y, Yes." Inno stuttered. She felt someone lay a reassuring hand on her shoulder and turned to smile feebly at Aeris. "Imagine, interrupting an old man's research. What is it that you want?" "We wish information on the Other." Gabriel stated firmly. "The Other? As in the other space traveler, I imagine. Any information in particular or should I just read you my life's work?" "Just information on Its Host." "Ah, the Host phase of Its life-cycle. Indeed. The Cetra's ancient writings spoke of this. When one of Its species is wounded, It can take a host to recuperate, or to interact with another species. If it is to recover, than It must remain in the Host until It is recovered, or be forced to start again. However, Its normal healing processes is unfathomable slow, and is accelerated while inside a Host. When It is completely healed, It simply kills the Host. If It is using the Host to interact, than It can kill the Host at any time and be free. Why do you ask?" He seemed completely oblivious to the reactions his words had caused. Gabriel looked ill, and both Aeris and Inno had turned white. "One of our number may be the Host for the Other." He said, trying not to look at Inno. "Hmmm. Then it would probably be wise to destroy the Host now." "What?!" "Don't interrupt me when I'm lecturing, young man. It is likely that this 'Other' is still wounded from Its battle with Jenova long ago, else it would have destroyed our planet by now. Killing the Host now would force It to find another and give us time to research the situation. Leaving It in Its current Host would be unwise, considering It could finish healing at any time, from tomorrow to next year. We just don't know how long It's been there, or how fast It will recuperate, or what kind of injuries It has. Being a Host is a death sentence either way. Better to end it now." "What if it's not 'healing' and we only free it?" Gabriel was angry now. "Don't you have one shred of human emotion? This is a person we're talking about here! Not to mention the fate of the entire planet!" "Emotions interfere with effective research. It's truly simple if you don't let them cloud your judgement. If the 'Other' were completely healed, It would have seared the planet of life and broke free by now. Therefore, It is incapable of doing that. Ergo, It is healing. If you find the Host, bring him here for research. That is all." He waved his hand dismisively, returning to his reading. They walked in silence up into the sunlight. Inno shivered and crowded closer to Gabriel. She felt too exhausted, mentally, emotionally, and physically, even to think, let alone speak. Gabriel put his arm around her. "Don't worry, kid. It'll be alright." She snuggled against him, wishing that it was true. * * * The Other howled in pain as the psychic guardians lashed out at It again. Once again, It buried Itself deep within Its host's mind, seeking to escape those that sought to drive It out. The future paths were confused, twisting and coiling beyond Its comprehension, and the host grew stronger with each passing day. The talk of killing Its host disturbed It, for it had not yet outlived its usefulness. The Other still needed the host, both to recover and to face Jenova on the physical plane. It's host and its allies would defeat her physical incarnation, and It would feast on her dying life force. The energy would trigger Its first evolution, into Its adult form. Then, It would feed upon this planet and HER inhabitants, and escape to hunt again. It Saw that if Its host died, none of these things would come to be. It was frustrated by Its inability to affect Its host due to the strange spirits guarding this location from malicious intent. While they could not kill It, they could and did cause It a great deal of pain. It must be free! Once again It attempted to wrest control of Its host, only to draw back from the unbearable pain. Free! * * * Jenova-half stroked the box her servant had brought her, a cruel smile playing briefly across her features. *Well done, my loyal servant. You have served me well.* Ioviano felt a rush of pleasure at Jenova's words. "Thank you, Mother." *You may go.* She did not even look to see if her words were obeyed, instead turning to the box, caressing it lightly. She had felt the dissent in Ioviano's mind, but it did not concern her. Soon, nothing these mortal creatures did would concern her. With the 'seeds' of the Tree of Life, she would no longer need them. She opened the box, gazing at the stone features of a beautiful woman and, next to that, an orb that glowed dimly. *I am whole once more.* Now to bring her angel back under her guidance. It was true he had been acting oddly since the incident with the one who'd closed his mind to her, but she was certain she could convince him of the rightness of their cause once again. Once again she would show him the glory of the Final Dream. She turned her mind within, seeking that of her son. For a moment, she felt a flutter, like a bird escaping its prison. For an instant, she was sure that her son had escaped this body, but, no, he was where she had left him, resting for the coming ordeal. *Are you ready to return to Nibelheim, my angel?* `Yes, mother. I am ready.' * * * Gabriel was resting on the stairs, watching Aeris and Inno speculatively. He still wasn't sure why Aeris had joined them in the library, or how she had known they were going at all. She had simply been waiting at the doorway, and was with Inno even now, providing her with a shoulder to cry on. `I can see what Seph sees in her...' As if his thoughts had summoned him, his other half came rushing back, filling the aching void Gabriel had only been subliminally aware of. `Where the hell have you been?' `Sowing the seeds of doubt.' Sephiroth answered succinctly. His eyes were for Aeris alone. `What has happened in my absence?' Gabriel was still filling him in when Nanaki came down the stone steps behind him. "If you would all come with me, Grandfather has something he wishes to show you." * * * Hi everyone! Sorry this is a little late, I got snowed in at my parents and didn't get home to mail it until Monday morning. I should have mailed it in before the holidays, but I really wanted to work on it some more. Oh, well. Thanks go out to Lady Chaos and Rift for pre-reading! My interpretation: Jenova now has her head and the Key to the Temple of the Ancients, Gabriel-Sephiroth 'followed' Jenova-Sephiroth back to his body and is trying to undermine Jenova's influence (but escaped to avoid detection by Jenova). However, all of you are (as always) free to take it any other way. Take it away, Jones-san!