Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Lifestream: Shadow Blood ❯ Chapter 12: Secrets of the Past ( Chapter 12 )

Ancient City called out to Denzel. His heart was echoing here, he could feel a lost strength here. He walked down the winding path, the power calling out to him, beating inside him. The truth is here! He knew he would find something out here that would most likely change his world as he knew it. As he walked towards the giant white tree of the city, he thought back to the words of the dark figure. He, Denzel, was the same power as Jenova. He reached the bottom of the path, his focus started to blur and a shooting black arrow fired forward deep inside the city, splashing into the water ahead. Turning his head he faced an army of Darkness. He jumped backwards and landed on the ground. The Leader walked forward and raised his hand, archers mirrored raising their bows. He swung his arm down, the arrows fired emitting rays of black dust as they flew, killing the air around it. The tree was beaming white with power. All of a sudden, thousand light beams fired on the army behind Denzel. Many soldiers fell, crumbled heap, their body instantly turning into dust. The Leader ran forward, followed by hundred upon hundreds of soldiers towards the capital. Denzel followed, bursting through the soldiers like ghosts. As they charged, it the distance, thousands of Cetra soldiers ran forward to meet their attackers. The tension was building as they got closer, battle cries getting louder, till it was a flashing light. The bright light disappeared; Denzel faced a pool of water. Only the Leader was there, behind him the echoes of battle. In front of him a man stood in heavenly light, swamping over him. The Leader pointed at the man.

`It ends now!' The man shook his head, floating above him.

`You are very naive my good friend!' He laughed, `Ho ho ho ho!!'

`You never learn Bugenhagen!' Denzel recognised the name, but couldn't place it... `Now you shall feel the wrath of the Shadow!' He swung his sword for Bugenhagen, but the Cetra leader raised his arms, shooting out a thousand rays of light, circling the Leader, creating an orb around him.

`Argh……!' His screams sent out waves across the battlefield. Soldiers ran up the long path from the battlefield, swords drawn, white blood dripping off them. They were stunned at the sight of their leader, screaming, in a ball of light. `Get her brother. Jenova's brother. Get Denzel!' Something snapped and Denzel was brought to reality. He stood beside the pool, alone, nobody around him. He was the brother of Jenova. The pool rippled, water spilling onto Denzel's feet. Something shook underneath the surface of the lake. Denzel stared into the lake, nothing. He turned his back, making to walk away when a loud splash from behind him caused him to fall swerve around, deflecting a strike from a long silver sword. The figure leapt around, silver and black flashes around him. He stopped his hair over his eyes. He swept it over, drilling into Denzel.

`Hello Denzel!' He bowed. `You know who I am?'

`Sephiroth!' He gripped his sword, awaiting another strike.

`Now, now, why would I attack you? After all you are my uncle.' He shook, not in rage or in nervousness; in fact he didn't know why he shook. `I have come to give you this, a present from your sister, my mother.' He walked forward, swinging out a sword and stabbing it in front of Denzel. `Now,' he grabbed the sword from Denzel's hand and threw it into the lake, `be gone!' He smashed his chest, and kicked him in the face, causing Denzel to fly backwards down the collapsing corridor. The tree started to sink underneath the city, a giant rush of power taking in the tree. A million cries came from within in the planet, shaking Denzel's heart. He opened his eyes, holding onto a new sword, fashioned in a way it seemed like a dark power protected Denzel. The tree disappeared beneath the ground and in its place laid a giant dark pool. A pathway seemed to appear as Denzel made for it. He walked along it, a sense of foreboding about him, making sure not to miss his fall. Beneath the water, shooting lights dashed in the decaying tree. He looked over the side, into another world, only this world sparkled green and black. This was the lifestream. The elevator stopped, and stairs formed that led down into a floating castle. Slowly he made his way to the castle.