Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Starla's Dance ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 23 )

It took all Noriel had not to scream as cold sea water was doused over his head burning into his open wounds. In the light of a few lamps he felt someone wipe the gore off his upper body. Then another bucket of water. Tears continued to fall quietly down Sephiroth's face, tears not from hurt, but inner pain. He had to force himself to relax as someone began sewing shards of flesh together.

Around the deck everyone could hear the smoldering mood of the captain by the click of his boots on the deck. Men ran around gathering hunks of monster meat to sell as specialty meat at the market. Few people bothered to ask what it was so it was worth the extra money. The clicking of the boots came over to Noriel, and some men scattered further from Captain Uno.

"How the lad be doing?" Anger was poorly hidden in Captain Onu's voice.

The burley man that served as cook and medic didn't looked up from his sewing. "He'll be sore, especially after we set his arm, but he'll live."

"Crippled?"

"No."

"Good, then when the sun comes up his scrubbing this deck."

The cook/healer moved Noriel's arm into place not giving argument. By now Noriel zoned out from the pain. Even as his fingers probed the flesh to see how the bones sat. Tears finally faltered. Slowly he felt himself dragged into oblivion. Somehow the world around him remained. Dark blobs moved without definition, voiced sounded far, but disconcerting.

"He's in shock." The cook/healer said. "Best we get him below once it's set."

Darkness over came Noriel.

Noriel came back into consciousness with the feel of a sharp pain. As it faded he tried to clear his mind and senses from the grip of sleep. His body begged to be let return to his restful slumber. Grudgingly he pulled his mind further to consciousness. He felt another sharp pain bringing reality back in a jolt. Opening his eyes he stared at Captain Onu ready to strike again.

"I'm awake." Noriel replied groggily.

Captain Onu struck him anyway. "Tis a storm coming, and ye need to get the deck scrubbed. I don't need me men slipping an' having more hurt."

"Yes sir," Noriel replied without flinching.

"The bucket will be up dead waiting. I'd say use the mob but ye-" Captain Uno didn't finish as he stared at Noriel's shoulder.

Repeating the same replay as before, Noriel rose from the bed and made his way towards the latter. Being very careful to move with the swaying of the ship.

"And one more thing lad, if ye might." Captain Uno's voice grew chill. "What is with the sword ye was usin'"

In an instant Noriel froze, something started to com to his memory, then fizzled. Frustration grew as he couldn't recall what. Desperately he tried to remember using all his will power. Not anyone, not anything, not even his own name. Glaring back at Captain Uno his green eyes glowed greener as his emotional dam burst. He was sick of these events and nothing making any sense to him.

"Look I don't know who you are, your just some person who claims to be Captain Uno. That besides swears I belong here! You say my bloody name is Noriel, but bloody hell if I know it's true! Nothing seems familiar and I have no damn clue who any of these wankers really is.

"So before asking me about something look for your own answers, because I don't bloody know! Your supposed to know me, are you not?"

Captain Uno faltered in how to reply. Frustrated more then angry Noriel turned on heel and stormed up deck. Having managed the latter all right Noriel snatched the bucket and started retrieving water to rinse of the deck. In the brightness of the sun Noriel could see this would take him hours one handed, the storm was also just an hour away. Dark foreboding clouds already peeking in the distant horizon.

"Curse the sea, curse the land beyond, curse the being who took my memories. Curse anyone with their memories."

Exhausted Noriel wiped the sweat from his forehead. By the distance of the clouds he finished the task in a half an hour. Good time for a one handed person. Carelessly he dropped to the deck of the ship to feel the cool breeze. His arm hurt fiercely, but he ignored it. Dark colored water sloshed back and forth threatening to mess of the shiny deck.

The sharp tinging of medal on wood, and a splash of dark water drew his attention away from his day dream. Dazed he stared at the medal blade and he began to reminisce. In the back of his mind a memory stirred. The world around him went out of focus as he started into a distant memory.

'A little boy waddled to his dads lab. A little red apple jingled a merry tune with every step he took. White hair hung down a bit past his shoulders, and was tied back in a black bow. He wore a white and crimson shade sailor suite. Bare feet padded on the floor as he made his way to the end of his dads office. Carefully he opened the door, gleefully like many times the little boy shook the apple hard.

Angry hands gripped the little boy's shoulders and shook him hard. The apple slid from the boys hand and crashed to the floor. Fearfully he stared at his father, who before now, never raised a voice to him. As the apple bounced his father's hand smacked across the little boy's face. Forcibly turned around he was shoved out the door.

Hearing a commotion a woman ran in. Seeing the boy on the floor she ran at his father. It was the little boy's mother. In his memories he couldn't recall the words said. To stunned, and to young to understand what happened. He was even more horrified by the increasing screaming by his parents. Tearfully the boy rose.

"STOP IT!" The boy screamed. "JUST STOP IT!"

In a bout of rage the boys father smacked his mother. Knocked off balance she crashed into the wall. Something on display slipped from the wall and crashed to the floor. Amazed the boy stared at the blade, it's sharp tinging ringing in his ears. It called to him, drew his attention. Even as he was scooped into the loving arms of his mother his eyes could not draw away from the sword.'

Then the door slammed shut.

Noriel turned his eyes to the group of men in the door way. His face contorted with a look of confusion, and relief. He had a memory, they were not lost for good. A lump formed in his throat, and quickly he glanced at the blade. The men stared expectantly at him waiting for answers. Finally the words came to him.

"I remembered something." Noriel blurted. "Small but I remembered something... However it-was-not pleasant."

"Oh really?" A voice sneered from back.

"Yes, it was the first time my dad ever struck me, first time I saw him strike my mother." Noriel paused. "When she hit the wall she knocked down that sword."

"Lad, there be only one who carries that cursed sword. Grey hair, and," Captain Uno walked over and lifted Noriel's chin. "Maco green eyes." His hand tightened till the skin whitened under his grip. "That be Sephiroth, slaughterer of many."

"But you said my name was Noriel," he replied unable to move his jaw.

"We lie," Captain Uno shoved Noriel/Sephiroth back unto the deck. "Secure him in the iron maiden... Aye, I think it time we make an unscheduled stop."

"YOU LIE YOU! YOU BLOODY LIED TO ME!" Sephiroth screamed as strong arms grabbed him and dragged him to the corner of the ship. "I didn't slaughter anyone!"

'Flames licked around a black trench coat. Screams of the dying, and fleeing surrounded him. The smell of burning wood and flesh joined in with the thick black smoke. Madness swirled in a sea of confusion. Sickness from years of torture and abuse whispered lies into his ear. Half truths rang in his head like full truths. His sword stood strait out from his side, his eyes cold and uncaring.

Why should he care?

These people were beneath him, not worth his time or effort. They did not deserve to live, just insects buzzing around in meaningless lives. They had no idea how things really were. He would wipe out these people, he would do so by killing their planet it did not matter to him. Yes, wiping out this planet would find him peace. Laughter burst from Sephiroth as he pictured his hopeful pending victory.'

"Niebelheim," Sephiroth gasped and went limp in his captors grip.