Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ Akirame Norwen ❯ Veni Veni Venias ( Chapter 24 )

(A/n: yesh, after spending a total of five days, from 8 at night until 7:30 in the morn, I have conquered *with a total of 67 hours, thank you* Final Fantasy VII! And, behold! Inspiration rings anew! Plus... I'm in an exceptionally good mood right now, no reason to delve into why. Music selections for the day: Apocalyptica/Metallica *not sure which band it is* "Nothing else matters." And...you have got to hear an orchestrated version of Sephiroth's theme song, "One-Winged Angel". Also good is Apocalyptica's "Of Wolf and Man".)

Chapter 23: Veni Veni Venias

Erik sat down on the edge of his bed and started to undress. The day had been considerably good, even though at times he couldn't help but feel as if he was being...watched. A small shiver ran down his spine as he thought of the brief glow he saw in people's eyes as they glanced at him. Red's eyes occasionally did the same thing, but it was probably because he was, after all, a dragon. Erik tried to shake the unnerving notion off and took off one of his gloves, hesitating at taking off the other one. Did he really want to walk around flashing his scars? Sora would probably---

Erik's train of thought derailed when the brunette boy in the other bed gave a loud snore. Then again, maybe Sora wouldn't freak out and make a big deal after all. For a moment he felt sorry for the kid. Earlier Sora had been complaining about being ditched by Riku. Erik wondered how it would feel, to be ditched in favor of another. Then again, his entire life had felt like that. Erik pulled back the covers on the bed and slid in, reaching up to turn off the lamp. At least his life seemed better now.

Suddenly he remembered something, and quickly turned the light back on. Reaching down the littered floor, he rummaged through the mess of clothes and junk, and somehow managed to pull out his jeans. He slipped his fingers into the back pocket and pulled out Kira's gift.... a bottle? There was also a note secured by a rubber band. He pulled the rubber band off and unfolded the paper. It was a message, scrawled in Kira's messy handwriting.

*Dear Erik,

Thank you so much for telling me about why you ran away. I wish so badly that I could take away the pain... but this is all I can do.

These pills are suppressants. Whenever you feel another panic attack coming on, take only one. They should help you manage your emotions. Please be careful... they're highly addictive.

- Kira*

Erik furrowed his eyebrows... pills? But....why? Why would she give him pills? He shook his head and put the bottle back in the pocket. Whatever was she thinking? Yawning, he turned the light out once again, and finally settled into bed.

"Mizu? Mizu Tora, are you here?" the young Al-Bhed called out, searching the large cargo room for his lover.

Where could she possibly be? Rustling, from amidst the large crates. "Mizu?" he slowly stepped forward, the sense of danger pumping adrenaline through his veins.

"Veni veni venias." A deep male voice called out.

From behind one of the crates, a tall figure emerged, entirely clad in black. The intense green eyes was the last thing the young man saw before the searing pain exploding in his stomach brought him to nothingness.

Sephiroth grunted as he retracted his sword from the boy's stomach. "Ungh!" He took little notice of the gasp of pain the shocked boy gave.

Catching the body as it fell, he carried it as he found a place to hide it. How many more of these incompetent fools would he have to kill before he could rest in peace? He laughed at the thought. He had done this before, except it was a ship at sea... back when Jenova had still been in charge. Lucky for him, Mother had finally died. Or at least gone into some sort of hibernation. Either way, he was finally free to do as he pleased. Just as long as he did a few last-minute chores for her. Then again, they could hardly be called chores. What he was about to set in motion would change everything, and this time, Cloud wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

Done stuffing the body away next to what he presumed was once "Mizu Tora", Sephiroth returned to the hiding spot he had chosen for himself, and hunkered down to wait, and perhaps see what his prey was doing. His eyelids closed as his glowing green eyes rolled into the back of his head... a smirk twisted the corner of his face. How he did love playing these mind games with him. Perhaps a nightmare, on a whim. "Dance, my puppet, dance."

*The carpet....soaked with blood. He reaches down and presses his hand into the dark red fibers, a cold feeling gnawing his stomach as liquid death gushes up and over his hand. "He's.....he's dead?" a small boy's voice says. He grips the sword tighter in his hand, and slowly rises, his clothes covered with blotches of drying murder.

"Indeed, he is dead. You killed him." A deep voice confirms.

Piercing green eyes hold him in place, making it impossible to move. "But...I...I didn't mean it....I...." the boy's voice stutters.

"Oh, but you did... don't you think he deserved to die by your hand?"

"I....but....how...I didn't..."

"Oh, dear boy, what are you going to do now? You're alone now."

"What....what should I do?"

"Don't worry....it's going to be all right. I'm going to take you somewhere far away, where you will be taken care of." The man stooped down and picked up the almost catatonic child.

The bloody knife fell to the floor....*

Riku jerked awake, gasping for air. Another nightmare? How many of these would he have to endure? He slowly sat up and stilled his racing heart. Akirame still lay sound asleep in her own bed. So she had left him while he had slumbered after all. A small pang dented his heart. Trying to ignore the pain the small act of abandonment brought, he stood up and stretched, realizing that he had fallen asleep in his clothes. He quickly peeked at the blaring red numbers from the alarm clock. 4:30 AM. Sighing, he knew that he would never get back to now. He quietly parted the curtains from the window, allowing the moonlight to flood the room. He stepped over to Akirame's sleeping figure, and took a minute to admire her profile, her skin glowing, reflecting the lunar light. His fingers gently brushed a stray piece of hair from her face, and gently bestowed a kiss on her cheek. Satisfied, he worked his stiff knees as he walked to the door and into the hall.

After a few moments of blindly following the lights on the floor, Riku managed to find a secluded, roomy area that would be sure to inspire him until morn.... the kitchen. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. Erik sat at one of the tables, staring into space with an unnatural look in his eyes. "Erik? You okay?" Riku half-whispered.

Erik's eyes snapped toward him, and the eerie glow faded. "I'm fine. Can't sleep. Nightmare."

Riku nodded and sat down across from him. "What's going on? You look real pale."

Erik shook his head and sighed. "It's nothing... just dealing with some personal issues."

"Care to share?"

"Not really, sorry. I'd rather keep this to myself."

"...All right. I can't force you to do anything."

"*Veni.....veni....venias.....ne me more facias...*" a deep voice suddenly echoed through the room.

Riku and Erik both instantly shot upright, completely alert.

"*Veni....veni....venias....ne me more facias...*" The voice echoed again, sending chills down the boys' spine.

"Who....who are you?! Where are you?!" Riku shouted, standing and searching the dark, barely-lit room for the source of the almost musical chant.

"I....am....vengence....I...am the night.... I am Ratman!" The voice rang out as Sora tackled Riku from behind.

"Sora!" Riku growled, quickly putting the boy into a headlock. "What the heck are you thinking?"

Sora laughed uncontrollably. "You shoulda seen the look on your face.....priceless!"

Erik sighed and buried his face in his hands. "Dear Hyne... save me!"

"Sora, what are you doing up, anyhow? It's 4:30 in the morning."

Sora gave a huge, cheesy smile and sat down on top of the table, next to Erik. "Actually, it's 4:47, and I was hungry." A loud growl from Sora's stomach concurred.

Riku sighed and rolled his eyes. "Well, there's probably something in the kitchen, go look in there and leave us alone."

Sora pouted and folded his arms. "Fine then. I will." And with that the brunette stomped away and into the stainless steel dungeon, making sure to leave no cabinet unopened and no fridge unsearched.

Suddenly an alarm went off inside of Riku's head. "Guys... hurry and grab your weapons... something's going to happen."