Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction of the Darkness ❯ Chapter 4: Learning the Ropes ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Learning the Ropes

 

AVALANCHE was up bright and early the next morning when Hellfire walked into a large room. She glanced around at the small group and smiled at Tifa and Cloud who greeted her cheerfully as she entered. She caught sight of the quiet Vincent Valentine leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest and his legs crossed at the knees. The lower part of his face was hidden by the high collar of his cloak as he fixed his crimson eyes on the floor, keeping to himself as was his habit. Hellfire made a small gesture with her hand in his direction and he glanced up. She smiled awkwardly at him and he inclined his head towards her in turn. Satisfied to get a response from the gunman, she turned and saw Cid walk in. He was restless, as though a fire that could never be quenched burned within him. She frowned, wondering why they'd been sent here.

 

`All right, I just got word from the higher ups that Deep Ground's retreated so they can regroup,' Cid said. `And considering we've got a newbie on board, I think it's only best that we put her through a crash course.' He glanced at the young woman who was dressed in a tight black leather vest and loose black trousers. `So, I was thinking we start on fighting skills, considering our situation. Cloud. Vincent. You got the honours of being her opponents so step on up.'

The two young men stood in the middle of the large room, waiting for the next order. Hellfire turned to Cid.

`Now. Hellfire, isn't it? Cloud is going to attack you. Act like it's a real battle, but don't hurt anyone too badly, okay? All right, let's see what you got.'

Hellfire nodded and stepped into the middle of the room. Vincent walked off to the side to give his friend some room, leaning against the wall once again. She narrowed her eyes as she saw Cloud assume his battle stance. Every muscle in her lean body tensed.

Cloud attacked, charging with all the finesse of a speeding bullet. She stepped aside before he collided with her and whirled around in time to see the young man attack again. She blocked his blow with her arm and swung her leg in a vicious arc that connected with his side. He flew across the room and landed on the wall on the far side. She faced him and Cloud streaked towards her. She drew her sword and charged him, the battlelust now coursing through her. There was a clang of steel upon steel as their blades met. The young man's strength surprised her; she could barely hold his blade back. She pushed off and slashed at his torso. Cloud leaped back to avoid her blade and glanced at Vincent. The gunman pushed off the wall and lunged for her as Cloud sprang back, leaving the battle.

 

Hellfire attacked Vincent, knowing that he was stepping in for his friend and brought her blade down. Vincent blocked it with his claw and swept his leg across the floor. She leaped over his foot and pulled back as the gunman swiped at her face with startling speed. She blocked his arm and weaved under it as she swung her blade at his back. Vincent blocked her again and went for his shotgun. Hellfire pulled back once more and artfully blocked the shot he just fired with her sword, twisting her wrist elegantly as the bullets came from all directions. She charged him, moving into a crescent moon pass that would have sliced him in half had he not leaped into the air. She followed him into the air, blocking the shots he fired. She kicked him square in the ribs, or would have had he not grabbed her ankle. He swung her like a ball and chain and hurled her across the room. She landed on the sidewall and sprang off again, flying towards the former Turk. Vincent sidestepped her attack and firmly swiped her across the shoulders. She landed on her hands and knees hard but still managed to hold onto to her weapon.

She immediately sprang to her feet, swinging her leg in an arc that was meant to collide with the side of his neck. She raised her sword over her head for the final blow. Vincent leaned back to avoid the arcing foot and, taking advantage of the fact she was half an arm's length from him, threw his clawed arm around her waist. Hellfire gasped as the gunman pulled her against him, leaving her in his tight grip, her weapon still raised. Vincent's gloved fingers glided up her arm and curled around the hand that held the sword and pushed her arm down so it hung by her side. The gunman slid his fingers effortlessly under hers, forcing her to loosen her grip. The sword fell with a loud crash on the wooden floor. Hellfire stood in the gunman's arms, crushed against his lean body and staring into those brilliant crimson eyes as though spellbound.

 

`All right,' said Cid. `Let's get some feedback from your opponents. Cloud, what's the verdict on our new recruit?'

`She's tough,' said Cloud. `She definitely has some power in her. I could barely keep her sword back.'

`Vincent, seeing you're all cosy there?'

Vincent glanced at Cid before fixing his eyes on Hellfire. `She's strong. Exceptionally skilled in combat. But she still needs work.' He released her.

`Well, that I'll have to agree on,' said Cid. `And seeing you two've already fought together, I'm putting her in your charge. Unless you want help.'

Hellfire stared at Cid before glancing at the quiet gunman. Was he being serious?

`I can handle this alone,' he said, his voice seemingly cold.

Cid grinned at the young girl. `Guess that means “Welcome to AVALANCHE”. Let's get our new friend here better acquainted with the ship.' Cid and the others left the room with Hellfire and Vincent lagging behind. Hellfire glanced at him sidelong and shrugged gracefully.

`Seems like you're stuck with me,' she said. `I suppose fate has seen it fit to put us together.

Vincent stared straight ahead. `One would think,' he replied. Hellfire got the feeling that he would say nothing more so she stared straight ahead, following the rest of the group as Cid gave her a tour of The Shera. It was a very impressive vessel and judging by the large crew she saw milling around the turbines and the control panels, it required a lot of teamwork to keep the ship flying.

The tour ended at the bridge and Cid turned to Hellfire. `So, that's my bird in a nutshell. Think you can handle life here?'

The raven-haired woman turned to the small alliance, taking in her new friends before turning back to the captain with a nod. `I'll adjust.'

`That's all we needed to know,' said Cid. `All right everyone, take a raincheck, and I'll see you again when we've got some new info. Dismissed.'

 

AVALANCHE dispersed and Hellfire decided to explore the ship on her own. She came to a dark room with a large computer console set into the wall. A glass casket was in the other side of the room attached to a number of tubes and valves. It seemed it was used for something, but what she didn't know, nor did she want to know. She was jolted out of her reverie by a rusty voice.

`We use this facility as headquarters during combat,' Vincent said. Hellfire closed her eyes and tried to slow her racing heart.

`Could you stomp your feet next time? I could've taken your head off.'

The young gunman was silent and he stared at the glass casket, lost in his thoughts. Hellfire turned to him.

`Have you been following me?' she demanded.

Vincent turned to look at her. It was amazing someone so young and seemingly delicate could be filled with such fire. `No.'

`Then how did you know I'd be here?'

`It may be a large vessel, but there aren't many places to go when it's quiet.' Vincent turned back to the casket, remembering another woman. One with dark brown hair and soulful eyes. Someone he loved dearly, even though he knew he would never be able to touch her…

`Vincent? Who's Lucretia?'

The former Turk turned to Hellfire as though he hadn't been interrupted. `She was a friend.'

Hellfire saw the ghost of memory flit across his face and nodded to herself. `I didn't mean to impose. I was just wondering why you called her name.'

Vincent looked at her with a slight frown. There was a strange look in her eyes but what she was thinking, he couldn't tell. `I just…' He turned away from her. He couldn't tell the woman; it was still too painful for him to remember…to remember that it was his fault that she died….

`It's all right,' Hellfire said softly. She laid a hand on his shoulder. Vincent turned to her and saw a strange light in her eyes. Could she read his mind? Could she see what he was thinking? As if to answer his unanswered question, Hellfire shook her head. `I don't have to read minds to see it brings you great pain to answer my question. I shouldn't have asked.'

 

The former Turk looked at her and she saw the ghost of emotion shadow his face. Was it guilt? And if so, why did he feel guilty?

`I appreciate your tactfulness,' he said. Hellfire smiled.

`Just call me Miss Tact,' she said brightly.

`That won't be necessary.' Vincent's tone was even but she thought she detected a hint of warmth in his raspy voice. The moment was broken by a loud thunderous explosion. The blast threw the pair against the wall as the ship rocked from the impact. Vincent instinctively threw his arms out as he fell against Hellfire. She snarled as she was slammed into the wall by the impact and looked up to see the gunslinger was just an arm's length from touching her. She gazed into those crimson eyes, wondering what the enigmatic man was thinking.

`Report for battle stations!' shouted Cid over the public address system. `We're under attack. Get to the bridge on the pronto! Now!'

Vincent pushed off the wall and the pair raced to the bridge where the rest of AVALANCHE was already assembled. Cid looked at each of them in turn.

`All right. It seems Deep Ground have regrouped sooner than we expected. So we have to double time our assault. Cloud, you lead our old WRO buddies in the ground attack. Tifa, you and Barret follow him as soon as he takes off. Yuffi, you're leading the first aerial squad while Vincent'll take the second wave. Shelke will open the bay doors and let you know when to drop. Any questions?'

After waiting briefly for any feedback, he turned to the crimson-clad gunman `Now, Vincent, I'm counting on you to look after Hellfire. She's a damn good fighter, but she still needs looking after. You got me?'

Vincent nodded shortly.

Cid turned to the alliance with the light of battle in his eyes. `All right, let's saddle up and get this show on the road!'