Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Final Fantasy- Final Destination Part 2 ❯ A Risky Choice ( Chapter 1 )

Not for the first time, Salira Strife was wondering the halls after sunset alone. She stopped at a window and looked at the moon rising from the east. It's golden glow dimly lit the halls, and gave the lake up ahead a shiny surface. She continued her walk after a few minutes of admiring the beautiful view. The halls were quiet, nothing but the sound of her own footsteps and occasionally some whispers of others. Every now and then will she pass by a few students and some professors, giving them quiet hellos. It has been five months now since she has seen her home and her father, Cloud. About a year since her encounter with Sephiroth. During the five month, however, she made some friends and even celebrated her 14th birthday here as well. Raven, Lega, and Sicotto, being her best friends, are the only people Salira hangs out with and talks to. Unless you count Irvine Heroan, Salira's training partner. Slowly, these two have became good friends.

"Hey, Sal. How `bout we do a quick round? We have a few hours before they send us in," Irvine said as he caught up with Salira and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Not today, Irvine. I need a break sometimes, you know," Salira remarked as she pushed Irvine's hand off of her.

"Oh, come on, Sal. Our exam's next week. We need to practice," Irvine responded. He walked by Salira's side.

"I'm not in the mood right now," Salira said, "And besides…the last time we practiced together, you messed up on counter and almost sent us, Sicotto, and Lega to the infirmary."

"Oh, yeah." Irvine stopped and thought about the previous practice they did with Sicotto, Lega, Raven, and Yuni -another student in their class-. He looked at Salira, who kept on walking. "You're never in the mood, Sal," Irvine said as he caught up with Salira, "What gives?" There was no answer. Irvine stopped Salira. "You're not going any further, unless you tell me what's up." There still was no answer. Salira just glared at Irvine. He didn't seem to care; his was used to it. Salira tried to continue her walk, but Irvine just got in her way. "You walk every night, Sally…Let me guess. It has to do with that necklace of yours."

"How?…"

"I hear you talk to Raven and Sicotto about it, and often even Lega," Irvine interrupted, "So I kinda figured."

"Lucky guess," Salira sneered.

"Just tell me what's…" Irvine started, but was cut off by a passing professor. "Irvine Heroan…I need you for a few minutes. Come." Irvine and the professor left Salira. She continued her walk. Salira looked at the gold crescent moon pendent in her hands. The moon's glow from outside made the pendent shine and the diamond in the center glitter. As she looked at it, she remembered the small boy from the orphanage, the one who gave her the necklace. While remembering him, she also remembered what he had told her, what he promised her many years ago. "I promise we will see each other again. I'll look for you, I promise. Don't cry during the time, promise me that?", was what he said. Those thoughts repeated in her head. Salira just reached her dormitory when another professor came up to her. "Mail delivery, Strife. Simple letter from your father." The professor handed an envelope to Salira.

"Thanks, Professor Cetra," Salira answered, taking the letter.

"No prob. See ya tomorrow, Strife. On time, too," Professor Cetra replied, walking to the next dormitory. Salira entered her room, opening the letter. There were two pieces of paper with it. She shut the door, flopped on her bed, and read the first page:

Dear Aeris,

Just writing to say hi. Having fun? I know this is kind of late, but happy birthday! I miss you a lot. Come and visit when you get the chance. I hope you're not getting in trouble over there! Nothing much is happening here. Just meet a new neighbor. Her name's Sethrinn. She's quite nice and just moved in this sector. I hope you two get to meet sometime. Well anyway, tell Lega I said hi.

Love ya forever,

Dad

PS

The other piece of paper was received on your birthday. It was addressed to you, so I sent it along with mine that I sent. I think it's a poem, but I'm not sure.

Ahh…how cute. Dad found a girlfriend, Salira thought to herself as she read the second piece of paper:

I've seen you before

Long, long ago

Many years have past

And I haven't seen you since

Remembering you, I always do

But do you remember me too?

In your hands

You hold the gift

The gift of friendship I gave you

A crescent moon of gold

Sparkles as light shines upon

Remembering you, I always do

I wish to see you once more

Once more, all I ask

I wonder if you remember

Remember me, at all

Remember the times we were together

Just you and me, cause I do

Endlessly I travel

In search for you, just you

I hope you do the same

The same as me

So we could be together

Once more

Love,

Your old orphanage friend

~I will be at the church in Sector 6 of Midgar. I wish to see again. Please if you can, come. I haven't forgot the promise I made to you.

My old orphanage friend?…Salira thought, could it be?! She skimmed through the letter her father had given her. Sethrinn…that name…It sounds familiar…but…Oh my god! It can't be…not the one Raven told me about…Sephiroth's daughter!…oh shit! Salira put the letters on the table and ran to her closet. After grabbing her normal cloths, she locked the door and got dressed, throwing her BRMSeeD clothes under her bed. I need to sneak out…but what's my excuse for being out if they ask? I'll think of that when the time comes. Someone knocked on the door. Salira went over and opened the door a crack to see who it was. "Irvine?" She was surprised to see him.

"What? Didn't expect to see me again tonight?" Irvine said as he gently forced the door open, making Salira move back. He held a small sword in his hand. Irvine looked at Salira and noticed she changed her clothes. "Where are you going?" Salira pulled him in and shut the door.

"Shh…listen. I won't be able to practice anymore."

"Why? You have a nurse note or something?" Irvine asked as Salira grabbed her Buster Sword leaning against the wall.

"No, but you promise not to tell a soul what I'm about to tell you?"

"I promise. Why don't you want anyone to know?"

"It's self-explanatory."

"Okay, shoot. You know I can keep a promise."

"I'm sneaking out. Something's gone wrong where I live and I need to fix it."

"Sal! Are you kidding? You can't sneak out!"

"That's where you come in. You see, I'll go with you to the training center, but I won't go in. Instead, I go out the front gate right next to it. You're to say I went back to my room and I don't want to be bothered if anyone asks where I am. Got it?"

"Even if this does work, Sally. It will take you a good two days or so to get to Midgar on foot."

"I'll just take a chocobo sitting by the front gate. Professor Karowitz always leaves them there after class," Salira said as she pulled out the hidden sphere out of her suitcase, and clipped it on her belt. Irvine noticed it.

"Hey, isn't that a…"

"Holy Materia? Yeah, I know," Salira finished his sentence. "Now come on. Lets get going!" She gets up and heads toward the door with the Buster Sword in her hand, but Irvine blocks her path.

"After you tell me about that necklace of yours," Irvine said as he put his hand on Salira's shoulder.

"It's a gift okay," Salira remarked, "Now can we go?"

"There's more to it then that, Sal. I know there is. So tell me."

"My friend gave it to me long ago before he left and also promised me that we will see each other again."

"That's all I wanted to know," Irvine replied. Salira pushed him out of the way and left the room. Irvine followed. "Someone's not in a good mood," he mumbled. Salira overheard and sent him a harsh glare followed by a hit upside the head for saying that. "Not in a good mood at all," Irvine mumbled under his breath, rubbing the side of his head where Salira had hit him. They began to walk to the training center by the front gate.

As they walked down endless halls, Irvine whispered to Salira, "Be glad the center's next to the gate."

"Be quiet about it!" Salira softly sneered. As that time, Professor Centris walked by. She stopped to talk to Salira and Irvine. "Strife and Heroan. I see you're going to practice for those exams next week. I expect a lot of effort from you two. You two are the top in the class along with a few others. You have four hours till it's time to return to your rooms." She then left and Salira and Irvine let out a sigh. They continued their walk to the training center; passing many students without notice, including Lega.