Time
by Kayla
Note: If you are not of legal age or if it is illegal to view such material, please leave. Some names are copyrighted by Squaresoft and the Final Fantasy series.{} denote speech with the Nine or the various spirtis. "" represents speech with all else.
Chapter 2: Vengeful Realizations
He steps back from me quickly, perhaps too quickly. I just smile. For once, I do not resent the facts that I have my powers. It has given me the knowledge I needed.
"So, dearest love, tell me, how much was it?" I did nothing to hide the malice that kept seething forth from me. I knew he could feel it, and I was cherishing in that fact.
"I don't know what you're talking about." His fear was grossly obvious. I give him a venomously sweet smile and prod his mind. He gasps and tried to raise his defenses.
"Going on the defense love?" His eyes betray much as he tries to hide from me. I sigh and realize we should go back to the other world. I try and touch him once more but he backs off, scared that I would receive any more knowledge at his expense. "Look, you can stay in this dimension, that's fine with me. But what would the Grand Council think if their leader was missing. Terrible business isn't it?" He gulps and realizes he has no choice but to subject to my will. I tap him on the shoulder once more and we're back on Earth, current time, right dimension.
The hollow black color leaves my eyes and Minerva looks at me. I can tell that she is concerned, scared that he might have hurt me in any way. I give her a smile of reassurance and turn my attention to Troy and Lex.
"I'm sorry to ruin your evening Lex, but I just had to talk to Troy today. Now if you will both please escort yourselves, I'll be thankful." Troy looks at me with scared eyes and tries to edge in a word or too as he has a reputation as a Grand Council Member to protect. I silence him with my stare and he hangs his head.
The door opens and I feel another presence I have not felt in so long, such a long time. I shudder as his mind searches through the people. He notices me straight away and starts walking toward me.
"Ah, my lovely Angel. I have finally found you, after so long. How are you?" Troy, Lex, and Minerva stare on at both of us as he starts to take me into an embrace. I stiffen and shake his hands off me. "Oh babe, your not still mad at me are you. He was going to pay me huge sums to me you know. I had no choice. He was about to become Grand Council Member too and I wasn't going to get off on a bad start." Before he can continue I hold up my hand and silence him. I look at Troy and I can tell he remembers the beast that stands in front of all of us.
"You would have sacrificed me so that you might have been on good terms with the Grand Council? Is that who you truly are Firux?" I spit towards the beast.
"Angel, you have to try and understand. He was paying me a hundred grand. How could I resist, after all, you know I'm a demon of greed and lust." I turn to Troy and pierce into his very soul through his eyes.
"So, I was worth a hundred grand? I would have figured I would be much cheaper, but then again, you didn't want to take any chances with me, did you?" Troy holds his tongue as he knows that I have him in a trap that is unbreakable. I look at Minerva and I can tell that she is heartbroken again. I give her a small smile and she comes and hugs me tight.
"I'm so sorry Angel. I never knew what this bitch was going to do. But this is all I need, your testimony and this beasts'. Yours alone will be sufficient though Angel. You don't know how much power you hold in the Grand Council even though you're not a part of it. When they were lamenting over your death, I told them you were still alive." It seems that our cowardly Troy had regained the ability to speak because he starts to speak.
"Wait, how did you know? If even Lucio couldn't find him, how could you?" Minerva rolls her eyes and looks back at Troy with raging fury.
"You are so blind Troyan. I don't know how you made it onto the council, but you are so thick. I think they did it out of pity for you. Imbecile, I am Lady Nina." Troy's mouth falls open as clear revelations settle into his mind. "Yep, the same Lady Nina that was your best friend who you tried to kill when I warned you about having second thoughts about Angel. It was thanks to Angel that I survived that time, and it also because of him I made it to the council, he recommended me in his place. And voila, here I am." Troy looks back at both of us, unsure of what to believe.
I sigh to myself. I won't be able to enjoy staying here anymore. I look for Marcus and send to him that I'm leaving. He sends back in a worried tone whether he needs to came back with me. His concern fills my heart with a serene calm and I gently tell him that I'll be fine. He stays a bit instant but I wear him out and return my attention back to the squabble at hand.
"Alright, Nina, lets go. I don't want to stick around here anymore." Before I can leave, Firux grabs my hand.
"Need company tonight?" Normally, that would not have made me exceptionally mad but tonight was not a good night for me and I snapped. I break my hand from his grip just as the winds once more start to pick up. Outside, it was starting to rain and I could hear the thunder and see the lightning. Deep in me, I could feel that Valefor, Leviathan, and Ixion were very worried. That gave me a bright idea as I turn to Nina.
"Nina, there's some business I need to tend to right now. Do you mind if I leave you alone for right now?" She nods her head and I just leave without looking back. I'm done with Firux and Troy, they are nothing but parts of my past. As for Lex, that's just too bad.
I head outside and stop as the rain patters down. I walk towards a dark ally and look up to the sky. [Valefor, can you get me?] I hear the distant whisper of the wind and the hum of Valefor's beating wings as he comes towards me. I turn out all the lights and I ask the clouds to stop their bolts of light for now. In the very pitch of night, I sense the shifting of the air and feel the feathers of Valefor as he lands next to me and bends his head for me to pet.
I stroke Valefor's soft head as he bends over for me to get up on. As soon as I am on, Valefor takes off and we head to the mystical place of Tikira's Woods. We both gently land and he lets me get off. I hear the hoofbeats and the stomps and the various other noises of the animals as the Nine gather to me. The Nine ethereal beats of Urur. The Nine who can shun forth any beast and vampire without a worry. The ultimate controllers of their separate elements, they stand majestically before me.
The gentle, flowing voice of Leviathan flows over me as she whispers to me if I wish to train. I simply nod and she races off, flowing through the world as would a river and is back within seconds with my weapons and robe. I don them on and proceed to do some exercise movements.
The Nine stretch themselves and prepare them for an intense fight as they can feel the rage that is within me. They keep their questions to themselves and for that I am grateful. Ixion approaches me and shakes it head and gives me a gentle smile. [Why not take a rest from training and instead just roam the woods for now?] I smile at Ixion, she always cared for me. I nod my head and she gets on her knees and I jump up onto her back. She rises back up and starts at a gallop, soon attaining the speed of light as we trek through the Woods.
As we pass by one spot, a feeling of great sorrow and pain was over me and I start to shake ferociously. Ixion tilts her head up and stares into my eyes. [Are you ok?]
[I don't know Ixion. Someone here is suffering greatly.]
[In the Woods? No mere mortal or immortal can gather into these Woods without the permission of one of the Nine.]
[That's what worries me.]
[Let's go and find out then.] Ixion speeds up once more and we trek towards the outskirts of Tikira's Woods. Near the very edge, the pain becomes so intense that I shut my eyes as they threaten to overflow. We get closer and the pain becomes unbearable and I tumble off from Ixion and crumple onto the ground, shaking in sobs. Never have I before in all my life felt the pain that I feel right now, the feeling of utter hopelessness, the feeling of utter loss of everything that is dear to one.
Ixion kicks up into the air and neighs. The Woods become alive and come to protect me from whatever is happening. Above, Valefor soars overlooking everything. Leviathan joins the foray through the small creek that flows through. Bahamut digs through underground as he approaches the source of my trouble. Ixion lays down next to me and jolts of electricity flows around us. Ifrit comes bounding up and lands next to me, adding a shield of pure fire around me. Cristile bounds through the frost crystals of the clouds above as she helps Valefor and Bahamut search for the source of trouble. Typhoon blows through as a whirlwind comes to protect me, adding to the defense of lightning and fire. Anima forces its way through the land and tracks down to the point of where the pain is coming from. As soon as he finds it, he envelops himself around it cutting off all the pain. Raidena comes and takes me in her embrace and I once more feel content.
[Thank you, all of you.] They merely shake their heads.
[Angel, the pain was coming from a boy at the outskirts. He is a mortal who is about to take faith and leap into the arms of death through way of sacrifice. Should I interfere and help him?]
[Thank you Anima. No, let me see what I can do.] As soon as those words have left me, the Nine look at me with unyielding eyes. They make it very clear that they don't want me any closer to him. [Guys, sacrifice isn't the only way out. Let me try and talk to him. The only reason I grew so weak was because I was unprepared. Plus, if he tries anything, you guys will be there to protect me.]
Begrudgingly, the allow me to get up and proceed to the where the boy lays. Raidena and Anima both follow me, though at a distance.
I finally spot him and I let out a deep sigh. His feelings are so free to me that I can tell exactly what is going on. His name is Joshua, Josh for short. Recently, his parents abandoned him because they found he was gay and he was living n a shelter home for homeless kids. Even there, people were wary of him because they couldn't figure out why he was there. Today was the breaking point because he finally broke down and told them. Many shunned him but there were a few who tried to console him. Even then, he just couldn't take it. The two people that meant most to him in the world didn't care anymore, why should he still live. He had a long, slender knife, perfect for stabbing oneself, and was preparing to take that faithful leap. He wanted it short and sweet. As he prepared to take it in, I step in.
"Wait." His eyes shot up to meet mine and the tears that cascaded down his face stopped for a while. "Sacrifice isn't the only choice you have." His eyes became hollow and he answers in a dead tone that I have no idea what he is growing through. I take a brisk run and sludge him in the stomach. He drops to the floor and the knife falls out. He buckles in pain. I bend down and hold him back up. "I know what you're going through. No one cares for you right?" He nods and I slap him, hard. "Your going to stop living because of someone else? That's the stupidest thing I've heard in my life. There's so much to see and experience in this world. Don't give that all up because of someone else. Let them fuck themselves for all I care, but don't let them fuck you." He pulls himself away from me and looks up at me.
"Who are you?"
"My name is not your concern. Your life is your concern right now. Go back into the world. Prove to your parents that you are better than them. Shove into their face the fact that they abandoned you. Make them regret that choice."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Time has taught me that the things that matter most to us, are often the things we give up most easily because we're too scared of doing any more harm to them. Don't be scared of that. Don't make the same mistakes I've made."
I take the knife and fling it out into the night and it lands with a clatter far away. I take his hand and gently kiss his forehead. "Being gay isn't wrong, my friend. Don't let others tell you otherwise." His eyes shoot up in amazement. As I turn to walk away, he grabs my hand and spin me around.
"How did you know?"
"There are many ways to get to know a person kid. You just have to know how to use them to your advantage."
"Why do you call me kid? I'm older than you."
"Appearances can be deceiving young one. Trust me." As I once more start to head off, he grabs my hand again.
"Take me with you. I have nothing else here."
"I cannot take you with me. I'm sorry. There are somethings you just don't understand."
"Then help me understand."
"Easier said than done. Trust me, just live your life to the best, make this world your realm. Prove that you're better than them all."
"Then let me start with you." He leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head. He looks back at me with hurt eyes. "Am I no good?"
"No, your very beautiful. But I'm looking for something more than just looks and a body kid. I've had my share of that for a long time."
"Where are you going?"
"Who knows. I've found it's easier on the soul and heart to keep moving. Traveling helps ease the pain of memories."
"Can't I just come with you? I promise I won't be a hassle." I can hear the pleading tone in his voice. But I can't let my resolve fall, not now, not here.
"I know you wouldn't be. But this, I have to do alone. I'm sorry it has to be this way. Just promise you will stay away from these woods and that you will not hurt yourself or kill yourself." He looks at me with questioning eyes. "Promise me."
"I promise but I don't understand why you care so much."
"Let's just say I've seen too much suffering in my life to just let this go by." With that, I dash off into the woods. Raidena hugs me once more as I weep into her shoulder. That took up a lot more of me than I had expected.
[Are you ok Angel?]
[I will be Anima. It just took a lot out of me. It's been a long time since I've talked to a mortal.]
[And a long time since you felt your heart flutter.] My eyes shoot up to meet Raidena's beautiful white eyes. She smiles at me with a knowing smile.
[Perhaps. But I think that is the last time I will see him again.]
[No one can exactly tell Angel. Who knows?]
[Yes, who does.]
[Angel, the Grand Council is trying to contact you.] The emergency in Typhoon's voice worries me and I latch onto Typhoon as he soars through the winds and takes me back home.
I jump off and land down and proceed to my chamber. I take up the phone and look at it. There's a voice message:
"Angel, this is Nina. You have to come quick. The Wyerks are attacking. The Grand Council can't do this alone. Our troops are already starting to fall. Please, we beg you."
I look up and call forth the Nine to me. In mere seconds, they are all around me.
[The Wyerks are attacking. I must go. If your help is needed, I will call.]
[Do not worry Angel, we will be there the moment you call us. I just hope it doesn't come to that. If the Grand Council were to find out that you are the one that has the sole power over us, the things that they might put up on you makes me shiver.] All Nine nod their head in assent to Raidena's small speech.
[Take your weapons and rob. You will need them. The Wyerks are nothing to joke about. They are some of the strongest demons. And knowing them, they will have ensnared to them some vampires.]
[Thank you Ifrit. All of you, get some rest. It's time for me to go.]
[Should I take you Angel?]
[No, it is far too dangerous Valefor. I will beseech the winds to aid me. Goodbye all.] I dash off with the wind propelling me on. I can hear Typhoon's and Valefor's powers as the push the wind harder to help me. In but a few minutes, I reach the headquarters of the Grand Council. I step in an immediately sense a disturbance. I run in and look at the floor, strewn with bodies.
"Angel?" I can hear Nina's voice but it is so week. I rush over to her and gently pick her up. She tries to resist as she slowly tell me something. "Angel, you must run. It's a trap."
"Bummer Minerva. You had to give that up didn't you. Now it's all ruined. Oh well, it'll still be all good. Welcome back to my hands, my brother."
Closure: What's up people? Before I start on my speech, I just want to say thank you to all the people that sent me an email. It means so much for a reader to know that someone out there appreciates their writing. But I just have to snicker at Gui E, you sure know how to knock someone on their ass, thanks babe, I'll keep that in mind nextime. Anyway, on to the speech. There were so many ways I could have taken the story and that's why it has taken me so long to get this out, I just wasn't sure what to do. I just hope you guys like the path I ended up choosing. If anyone wants to edit for me, I'd be grateful, just email me. I'm gonna try (no promises) to post weekly but it all depends on my work and college stuff, so wish me luck. And another cliffhanger huh, I must be getting good. You can kill me next week though, it will be better. Send all comments to naomi_kiyoshi@yahoo.com
Other Stories: Dangerously in Love, under Celebrity