Chapter 1: The Heroes Arrive
Burning Inside With Violent Anger
By Zach McCoy (Cloud612)
Chapter 1: The Heroes Arrive
The bantam town of Nibelheim was quiet as the great SOLDIER Sephiroth
approached it, and a strong scent of mako still lingered in the air. He was an impressive
force at just over six foot and had mastered the art of strength and control, it had been
said that no other man alive could successfully handle his eight-foot masamune blade,
which he carried at his side at all times. He stopped and looked over the small group that
followed behind him, glancing at one of the guards.
“How does it feel?”
“How does what feel sir?” the young guard questioned.
“It’s your first time back home in a while, so how does it feel? I have
no home to return to so I wouldn’t know.” Sephiroth said looking at him with his harsh
eyes. The young guard shrugged.
“What about your parents?” he asked thoughtfully. Their leader’s
eyes seemed to soften for a moment.
“I don’t have parents. My mother is Jenova, she died right after
giving birth to me. My father...” He paused and suddenly the fire flared inside him again.
“What does it matter?!” he shouted causing the guard to jump back in fright.
“I, I’m sorry sir.” he replied quickly. Sephiroth turned back in the
other direction and took a deep breath of the air around them, wincing slightly from the
strained fragrance of mako.
“Alright, let’s go.” he said.
“Yes sir!” All the men replied in unison. The other 1st Class
SOLDIER walked up to the guard who had spoken and nudged him.
“You gotta be careful what you say to Sephiroth.” the guard just looked at
him and sighed.
“I know, but I get bored not doing anything...”
“You mean you want to do what we do?” the other young man asked.
“I’d just like to fight for once.” was the guard’s reply. The black
haired member of SOLDIER just looked at him in thought.
“Well, in the mean time, you should practice your pose.” the guard
nodded.
“You mean like this?” he asked as he put his hand on his hip and
stood with an arrogant mannerism.
“Good job!” the other young man replied.
“Does someone in SOLDIER really have to worry about how they
look for everybody?” the guard asked. His friend just shrugged.
“Well, we are representing ShinRa, after all.” the guard sighed.
“I really don’t want to be in SOLDIER.” he said under his breath.
They waited for a moment in silence and then walked off to join Sephiroth at the
entrance of the Inn as he glanced back at them once more.
“We leave for the reactor at dawn. Make sure you get to sleep early.”
he said and then stretched his tired muscles. “We only need one lookout, so you others,
get some rest.” He then walked up to the door and turned around. “Oh, that’s right...
You may visit your family and friends.” he vanished through the door of the Inn and
walked into the lobby. The Innkeeper saluted him and he nodded in turn, begging to
ascend the stairs leading to the room reserved for SOLDIER. The maid who opened the
door and smiled met him.
“Will this do sir?” Sephiroth glanced around the room and frowned.
“It’s short one bed.” he said with a note of annoyance in his voice.
She was quick to supply a reason for the scant supply of places to sleep.
“We were notified that one of the young men traveling with you
would be staying with his family, I believe his name was Cloud Strife.” He nodded and
continued into the room, his eyes darting about. He sighed to himself and walked to the window, looking out quietly.
What is this feeling? he asked himself. The town still seemed
subdued, although he could see his men talking with the some of the town’s children, and
in the distance stood Mt. Nibel. The reactor, what could be wrong? he thought.
“What are you looking at?” the young SOLDIER asked walking up
beside him.
“This place, it just feels like I’ve been here before.” The mighty
warrior replied.
“Well, I don’t know about that, but the towns people seem like
they’re handling the situation pretty well, yet at the same time they are very happy that
we’re here to take care of things.” Zack laid his sword on the table next to the window.
“Yes...” he said quietly. “I believe it would be wise if we got some
sleep soon, it’s going to be an early morning.” he looked at Zack. “I hear we have a
young girl for our guide tomorrow, I hope we can depend on her.” He turned and hung
his masamune on the rack which was on the wall beside his bed. “Go tell the others not
to stay out to late, because I won’t wake them up when we leave.” Zack smiled.
“Sure thing sir.” he turned and walked out of the room. Sephiroth
looked out the window one last time and looked up at the large moon that was beginning
to rise in the sky.
Where is this? Have I been here before? No, I don’t
think so, but... It feels different, almost like... home.
Chapter 2
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