Random Scene
Sep. 16th, 2007 03:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladybug_archiveIt wouldn't stay silent and wait for its turn to be written. **pets it.** Listening to The End of All Things and the beginning of the next track on the ROTK soundtrack definitely sets the mood.
"But why? Why, Mr. Sephiroth?! Do you know how many people got hurt when you were acting like that?! Do you know how many got killed?!" The tears were coming to her bright green eyes, as she was unable to control her emotions. Sephiroth had seemed so blasé, so unconcerned, when he had said that he was fine. And Meteor had shredded her heart so much, as well as many other hearts. Didn't he care? Did he care at all about what he had done?
Sephiroth looked her straight in the eyes as he took hold of her shoulders. "Yes, I know." His eyes were filled with seriousness, as well as indescribable sadness and regret. "I think about them every day, Maryn. I can't fully explain what was going on in my mind at that time. I didn't have possession of my senses at all. But it isn't an excuse. It could never be an excuse. I am responsible for the destruction of countless lives." Slowly he released her. "I don't expect to be forgiven. I don't deserve it."
She stared at him, biting her lip. The feelings she had seen in his eyes were so intense, so powerful, so . . . so heart-twisting. He cared. He cared so much more than she could ever comprehend. It was tearing him up inside. Somehow he had tried to move on, to turn his life around, while still being chained by his past. And it would always haunt him.
"Mr. Sephiroth. . . ." She gazed into those tormented eyes. "I . . . I do forgive you! I forgave you a long time ago, when Cloud talked to me. I knew it would be so horrible, to . . . to be doing those things, when it isn't even what you would want if you really knew you were doing them and could stop yourself. . . ." She caught herself, knowing she was starting to ramble. "I . . . I just . . . I didn't understand today . . . when you acted so . . . so . . ." She shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sephiroth. I'm the one who should be asking your forgiveness, for not just knowing that you would be feeling awful, even if you weren't showing it!"
Sephiroth gazed down at her. Now she was the one who looked tortured, as if she had committed some treacherous sin. He smiled slightly, kindly. "There's nothing to forgive," he answered.
She brightened, moving forward slowly and then pausing, debating within herself. But then she reached out, wrapping her arms around him in a shy hug. "I'm really glad you're back, Mr. Sephiroth," she said in earnest. She had never been as close to him as she had been to Zack, true, but she cared about Sephiroth as well.
Sephiroth blinked in surprise. That was not what he had expected at all. After a moment he reached out, awkwardly placing one hand around her shoulders.
Zack, observing from the doorway, had to smile.
The heat, as well as the sound of something rushing and bubbling, filled his ears. Lavender eyes weakly opened, attempting to focus on the scene. He was partially laying on something smooth and soft, and growing cold, but his legs were somewhere to the side, on a jagged and uncomfortable surface. Through his clothes, it felt warmer than he would like.
And speaking of warm, something was wrapped all around him, holding him close as if protecting him. It was like the thick downy blankets his mom had made back in Gongaga. . . . But when he tried to see more of what was going on, white obscured his vision. He would have to come back to that. Right now he did not know what to make of it.
That memory he had dreamed, when he had witnessed it taking place between Seph and Maryn, was so long ago now. Even the fight seemed long ago. That weird amethyst rock had gone nuts, and Seph had tried to stop it . . . and he had not been able to let go of it . . . and . . . and . . .
Seph. . . . He was laying on Seph.
A choked cry left his lips as he pushed himself upright, his hands pressing against the rock upon which they were sprawled. Seph was still, his hair spread all around him as the long bangs drifted into his face. His skin was pale, but the cast from the lava rushing all around their tiny sanctuary gave it an unnatural fiery hue at the same time.
His seven wings were up, stretching around Zack's shoulders. As the brunet rose, the feathery appendages loosened, falling to the rock as the wind rustled through the black and white growths. A hand and arm followed, landing on top of the left wings with a dull and yet somehow loud thump. He had been protecting Zack . . . trying to hold onto him as they had tumbled from the sky. And now . . . now . . .
"Seph!" Zack screamed, his voice hoarse as it emerged from his parched throat. "Seph, wake up!" He gripped at the strong shoulder, shaking his friend as panic threatened to consume him. There was no response.
He screamed again, his dazed and feverish mind heightening his growing hysteria. Seph would not wake up . . . his skin was cold . . . pale. . . . Was there a heartbeat? He leaned down, dizziness sweeping over him as he searched desperately for what he had to find . . . what had to be there . . . but what was not.
"Dead," he whispered. "Seph's dead. . . ."
He tore off his glove, placing his fingers at Seph's neck. Nothing. And he could not feel any breath. Seph's chest was not rising and falling. The energy he had used, coupled with what the amethyst had taken from him, had killed him. And the fall to a hard rock, with him making sure to take the worst of the blow, could not have helped.
Hot tears sprang to Zack's eyes, uncontrollable in his sickened horror and grief. "No . . . God, no . . . not Seph," he choked out. "Not now, after all this. . . ." And not here, of all places, on a rock that would soon be buried under the lava! Their bodies would be lost forever. Aerith and Cloud and Maryn and all the others would never know what had happened.
Zack swallowed hard, clenching a fist on top of Seph's chest. Seph had tried to save him, but there was no escape from here. Zack would undoubtedly die as well. And there was such a helpless, torn feeling because of it! He wanted to see Seph again, to see him awake, his spirit still alive, to talk to him. . . . But he did not want to leave behind everyone else. They had already suffered losing him once. How could he do that to them again? How could he?
. . . How could he stop it?
He looked up, the rushing fury of the lava increasing. If they were not buried, the rock would probably tear free, riding the burning waves until it was dragged under the surface. His eyes narrowed. At least, if they had to die, they would go together. Zack would not let the substance tear them apart when it washed over them.
Reaching out, he rested one hand on Seph's shoulder while easing the other around his back. Lifting the body with gentleness, he let Seph's head lay on his shoulder, gritting his teeth at the horrible, limp feel of his friend's form.
The left wings spread out to the side, resting against Zack's side and right leg. The right wings fell over Seph's legs, all but concealing the black cloth around his loins.
It was too much. Zack cast his gaze to the dark, storm-covered sky. Off in the distance, thunder crashed and lightning split the horizon. The rain would probably come there soon, but it would not be able to put out this inferno. And Seph, slumped against him, would not ever open his eyes again, or speak, or tease Zack, or smile. . . .
Zack had not been able to save him. If he could have dragged the stone out of Seph's hands, thrown it into the lava, before it had drained Seph. . . . If he could have stopped their fall. . . . Maybe if they had not slammed onto this rock, Seph still would have been alright, with some care and rest. . . .
"WHY?!"
Zack's voice ripped from his throat as he cried out to the Heavens. Why had this happened . . . why had Seph been lost to his insanity in Nibelheim . . . why had Zack not been able to save him then. . . . Why did everyone he love always have to suffer?
He shut his eyes tightly, lowering his head onto Seph's as the tears began to slip free again.
Dizziness was sweeping over him once more, oblivion rushing to claim him. He would not last long enough to see his final moments. But maybe it would be better that way . . . not having to feel the lava melt his flesh. . . . And then maybe he would wake up in Heaven, and Seph would be there. . . .
But he did not want to leave the others!
Why did they have to die? Why did any of them have to die?
He slumped against his best friend, still holding onto him as unconsciousness carried him away.
****
It was soft . . . soft and warm and welcoming. It was what Heaven should feel like, especially a Heaven that was not in the Lifestream, where individuality was not encouraged and there was such a feeling of hopelessness and despair. He mumbled, snuggling into it. It felt like a pillow, almost---a pillow and mattress and soft quilt. . . .
"Zack. . . ."
And Seph! This was Heaven, then. . . . Seph had died. . . .
"Zack, wake up."
Wake up. . . . The same words he had screamed upon finding Seph's body. . . . But there was no panic, no anguish. Seph's voice was calm, maybe a bit relieved, as if he had been worried.
Zack forced his eyes open. Seph was looking down at him, clothed in a black robe as he stood by the side of the bed. His wings were gone and his hair had been washed, the bangs hanging to his chest while the rest tumbled down his back, as per usual. He looked very much alive, but that was how it was in any afterlife. People did not look dead.
There was a different feeling here, however. It did not feel like an afterlife. And the bed, and the room . . . it was his, back at the manor.
He stared up at Seph, awestruck. "Seph . . . how?" he breathed. "You . . . you were dead. I woke up and saw you laying there on that rock, and I knew I was going to die, too. . . ." Subconsciously he was gripping a handful of quilt. The memory of it was too horrible, even with Seph standing right there in front of him.
A slight smile came across Seph's features. "I still have a lot of life left," he answered. "We both do. We were rescued from the rock by Cloud and the others. They were looking for us in the Shera."
Zack lay there for a moment, digesting this news. They had been saved . . . and they were both alive.
He broke into a grin, leaping up with a sudden adrenaline rush as he launched himself at Seph, throwing his arms around the other. Seph was not limp and lifeless, unresponsive as Zack had held him on the rock. Had he been dead at all? Zack had been in such a daze. Maybe he had only believed it to be true. It really did not matter. What mattered was that they were alive and safe.
"Oh man . . . you scared me so much," Zack exclaimed.
He felt Seph hug him back after a moment. Though Seph usually did not, he felt that this occasion called for it.
"You're becoming skilled in that same art," he grunted. "And when your energy wears off, you might collapse."
As if on cue, Zack felt weariness come over him. He sank to his knees on the bed, still gripping Seph, now partially for balance.
Seph released him slowly, gently pushing him into the pillow. "You shouldn't have done that," he said, but the vague smile was still visible.
Zack grinned up at him. "I know," he chirped.
"But why? Why, Mr. Sephiroth?! Do you know how many people got hurt when you were acting like that?! Do you know how many got killed?!" The tears were coming to her bright green eyes, as she was unable to control her emotions. Sephiroth had seemed so blasé, so unconcerned, when he had said that he was fine. And Meteor had shredded her heart so much, as well as many other hearts. Didn't he care? Did he care at all about what he had done?
Sephiroth looked her straight in the eyes as he took hold of her shoulders. "Yes, I know." His eyes were filled with seriousness, as well as indescribable sadness and regret. "I think about them every day, Maryn. I can't fully explain what was going on in my mind at that time. I didn't have possession of my senses at all. But it isn't an excuse. It could never be an excuse. I am responsible for the destruction of countless lives." Slowly he released her. "I don't expect to be forgiven. I don't deserve it."
She stared at him, biting her lip. The feelings she had seen in his eyes were so intense, so powerful, so . . . so heart-twisting. He cared. He cared so much more than she could ever comprehend. It was tearing him up inside. Somehow he had tried to move on, to turn his life around, while still being chained by his past. And it would always haunt him.
"Mr. Sephiroth. . . ." She gazed into those tormented eyes. "I . . . I do forgive you! I forgave you a long time ago, when Cloud talked to me. I knew it would be so horrible, to . . . to be doing those things, when it isn't even what you would want if you really knew you were doing them and could stop yourself. . . ." She caught herself, knowing she was starting to ramble. "I . . . I just . . . I didn't understand today . . . when you acted so . . . so . . ." She shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sephiroth. I'm the one who should be asking your forgiveness, for not just knowing that you would be feeling awful, even if you weren't showing it!"
Sephiroth gazed down at her. Now she was the one who looked tortured, as if she had committed some treacherous sin. He smiled slightly, kindly. "There's nothing to forgive," he answered.
She brightened, moving forward slowly and then pausing, debating within herself. But then she reached out, wrapping her arms around him in a shy hug. "I'm really glad you're back, Mr. Sephiroth," she said in earnest. She had never been as close to him as she had been to Zack, true, but she cared about Sephiroth as well.
Sephiroth blinked in surprise. That was not what he had expected at all. After a moment he reached out, awkwardly placing one hand around her shoulders.
Zack, observing from the doorway, had to smile.
The heat, as well as the sound of something rushing and bubbling, filled his ears. Lavender eyes weakly opened, attempting to focus on the scene. He was partially laying on something smooth and soft, and growing cold, but his legs were somewhere to the side, on a jagged and uncomfortable surface. Through his clothes, it felt warmer than he would like.
And speaking of warm, something was wrapped all around him, holding him close as if protecting him. It was like the thick downy blankets his mom had made back in Gongaga. . . . But when he tried to see more of what was going on, white obscured his vision. He would have to come back to that. Right now he did not know what to make of it.
That memory he had dreamed, when he had witnessed it taking place between Seph and Maryn, was so long ago now. Even the fight seemed long ago. That weird amethyst rock had gone nuts, and Seph had tried to stop it . . . and he had not been able to let go of it . . . and . . . and . . .
Seph. . . . He was laying on Seph.
A choked cry left his lips as he pushed himself upright, his hands pressing against the rock upon which they were sprawled. Seph was still, his hair spread all around him as the long bangs drifted into his face. His skin was pale, but the cast from the lava rushing all around their tiny sanctuary gave it an unnatural fiery hue at the same time.
His seven wings were up, stretching around Zack's shoulders. As the brunet rose, the feathery appendages loosened, falling to the rock as the wind rustled through the black and white growths. A hand and arm followed, landing on top of the left wings with a dull and yet somehow loud thump. He had been protecting Zack . . . trying to hold onto him as they had tumbled from the sky. And now . . . now . . .
"Seph!" Zack screamed, his voice hoarse as it emerged from his parched throat. "Seph, wake up!" He gripped at the strong shoulder, shaking his friend as panic threatened to consume him. There was no response.
He screamed again, his dazed and feverish mind heightening his growing hysteria. Seph would not wake up . . . his skin was cold . . . pale. . . . Was there a heartbeat? He leaned down, dizziness sweeping over him as he searched desperately for what he had to find . . . what had to be there . . . but what was not.
"Dead," he whispered. "Seph's dead. . . ."
He tore off his glove, placing his fingers at Seph's neck. Nothing. And he could not feel any breath. Seph's chest was not rising and falling. The energy he had used, coupled with what the amethyst had taken from him, had killed him. And the fall to a hard rock, with him making sure to take the worst of the blow, could not have helped.
Hot tears sprang to Zack's eyes, uncontrollable in his sickened horror and grief. "No . . . God, no . . . not Seph," he choked out. "Not now, after all this. . . ." And not here, of all places, on a rock that would soon be buried under the lava! Their bodies would be lost forever. Aerith and Cloud and Maryn and all the others would never know what had happened.
Zack swallowed hard, clenching a fist on top of Seph's chest. Seph had tried to save him, but there was no escape from here. Zack would undoubtedly die as well. And there was such a helpless, torn feeling because of it! He wanted to see Seph again, to see him awake, his spirit still alive, to talk to him. . . . But he did not want to leave behind everyone else. They had already suffered losing him once. How could he do that to them again? How could he?
. . . How could he stop it?
He looked up, the rushing fury of the lava increasing. If they were not buried, the rock would probably tear free, riding the burning waves until it was dragged under the surface. His eyes narrowed. At least, if they had to die, they would go together. Zack would not let the substance tear them apart when it washed over them.
Reaching out, he rested one hand on Seph's shoulder while easing the other around his back. Lifting the body with gentleness, he let Seph's head lay on his shoulder, gritting his teeth at the horrible, limp feel of his friend's form.
The left wings spread out to the side, resting against Zack's side and right leg. The right wings fell over Seph's legs, all but concealing the black cloth around his loins.
It was too much. Zack cast his gaze to the dark, storm-covered sky. Off in the distance, thunder crashed and lightning split the horizon. The rain would probably come there soon, but it would not be able to put out this inferno. And Seph, slumped against him, would not ever open his eyes again, or speak, or tease Zack, or smile. . . .
Zack had not been able to save him. If he could have dragged the stone out of Seph's hands, thrown it into the lava, before it had drained Seph. . . . If he could have stopped their fall. . . . Maybe if they had not slammed onto this rock, Seph still would have been alright, with some care and rest. . . .
"WHY?!"
Zack's voice ripped from his throat as he cried out to the Heavens. Why had this happened . . . why had Seph been lost to his insanity in Nibelheim . . . why had Zack not been able to save him then. . . . Why did everyone he love always have to suffer?
He shut his eyes tightly, lowering his head onto Seph's as the tears began to slip free again.
Dizziness was sweeping over him once more, oblivion rushing to claim him. He would not last long enough to see his final moments. But maybe it would be better that way . . . not having to feel the lava melt his flesh. . . . And then maybe he would wake up in Heaven, and Seph would be there. . . .
But he did not want to leave the others!
Why did they have to die? Why did any of them have to die?
He slumped against his best friend, still holding onto him as unconsciousness carried him away.
****
It was soft . . . soft and warm and welcoming. It was what Heaven should feel like, especially a Heaven that was not in the Lifestream, where individuality was not encouraged and there was such a feeling of hopelessness and despair. He mumbled, snuggling into it. It felt like a pillow, almost---a pillow and mattress and soft quilt. . . .
"Zack. . . ."
And Seph! This was Heaven, then. . . . Seph had died. . . .
"Zack, wake up."
Wake up. . . . The same words he had screamed upon finding Seph's body. . . . But there was no panic, no anguish. Seph's voice was calm, maybe a bit relieved, as if he had been worried.
Zack forced his eyes open. Seph was looking down at him, clothed in a black robe as he stood by the side of the bed. His wings were gone and his hair had been washed, the bangs hanging to his chest while the rest tumbled down his back, as per usual. He looked very much alive, but that was how it was in any afterlife. People did not look dead.
There was a different feeling here, however. It did not feel like an afterlife. And the bed, and the room . . . it was his, back at the manor.
He stared up at Seph, awestruck. "Seph . . . how?" he breathed. "You . . . you were dead. I woke up and saw you laying there on that rock, and I knew I was going to die, too. . . ." Subconsciously he was gripping a handful of quilt. The memory of it was too horrible, even with Seph standing right there in front of him.
A slight smile came across Seph's features. "I still have a lot of life left," he answered. "We both do. We were rescued from the rock by Cloud and the others. They were looking for us in the Shera."
Zack lay there for a moment, digesting this news. They had been saved . . . and they were both alive.
He broke into a grin, leaping up with a sudden adrenaline rush as he launched himself at Seph, throwing his arms around the other. Seph was not limp and lifeless, unresponsive as Zack had held him on the rock. Had he been dead at all? Zack had been in such a daze. Maybe he had only believed it to be true. It really did not matter. What mattered was that they were alive and safe.
"Oh man . . . you scared me so much," Zack exclaimed.
He felt Seph hug him back after a moment. Though Seph usually did not, he felt that this occasion called for it.
"You're becoming skilled in that same art," he grunted. "And when your energy wears off, you might collapse."
As if on cue, Zack felt weariness come over him. He sank to his knees on the bed, still gripping Seph, now partially for balance.
Seph released him slowly, gently pushing him into the pillow. "You shouldn't have done that," he said, but the vague smile was still visible.
Zack grinned up at him. "I know," he chirped.
