Chosen
Title: Chosen
Author: Tripsoverhercats
Recipient: icedark_elf
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII, Heralds of Valdemar
Characters: Zack + 1 other
Rating: General
Prompt: Final Fantasy VII Fusion with Heralds of Valdemar, Being Chosen, Zack.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy is property of SquareEinx and the Heralds of Valdemar is the property of Mercedes Lackey.
Warnings: None
Notes: This isn’t quite a fusion, nor is it Zack being Chosen. But Zack is the main character and there is a Choosing. This is more like the opening of a larger work, one where I’ve got notes scribbled down here and there for. This takes place during an unrecorded time in Valdemar's history.
He'd been an odd colt, even for a Companion. Most of the foals were given quite a bit of leeway by the older Companions, the first few years were mostly spent simply learning how to be a rather unusual horse, the soul gradually remembering more details of who they once were as the mind and body evolved to support it. But this colt was startled by the oddest things. As if some ideas and concepts were completely new to him, as if he'd never even seen Companions before. Or horses. Or any of a thousand little things that a former Herald should have known instinctively. Wirren, the Companion of the King's Own had listened to the worries of the colt's dam and the senior Companions calmly.
**There is no damage to the soul,** Wirren said, tail swishing in the afternoon breeze as he watched the colt in question drift along the fence, watching the equestrian class further afield. **I do not know why this soul was chosen, only that it was needed. He was not a Herald, this truly is all new to him. He will learn.**
That had set more than a few heads bobbing in the Companion's Field. Companions that weren't former Heralds were very rare. More than one eye was kept on the young colt, though as time passed it was becoming evident that he was growing well and fitting in with the others. Though odd quirks still cropped up from time to time. Like not recognizing any of the stars and being wary around frogs (convinced that he might be turned into one).
He'd been restless all night. All of the young mares and stallions had been told that between their sixth and eighth years, they would fully regain their old memories and name. Several of his age mates had already recalled their pasts and were preparing for the call of their Chosen. The stable was quiet save for the sounds of breathing and shifting of hooves, it was cold enough out that most of the Companions had chosen to remain indoors. It only took a moment to unlatch the stable door and step out, it'd been designed to be easy to manipulate with just teeth. The stallion pushed the door shut again and struck out towards the open field.
Don't know why I'm so edgy tonight. Nothing is going on at all. Midwinter festivities are all over, nobody but fools like me are even awake. Hooves clicked steadily as he weaved back and forth, the grooms that took care of the un-Chosen companions had thoughtfully put spiked shoes on after the ice had set in, it made for sure footing even in the deep winter. The more he paced, the twitchier he got, great puffs of steam snorting out in front of him as he huffed, impatient with himself.
Gods, I keep this up and I'll start cribbing the fence like some over-bred palfrey with only two brain cells to rub together. I don't even like snow this much... never did. Never snowed back home and Midgar never got more than a dusting even above the Plate. Hated maneuvers up North, nothing there but Jumpings, Chocobos and Snows... he froze.
It was coming back now... like a wave crashing down, inexorable. He remembered. Legs trembled, animal instinct telling him to run, hard, fast, forever. Discipline and teaching held him fast, a Companion was supposed to be more than their instincts and a SOLDIER didn't run.
**You remember.** He didn't need to turn his head to identify the presence brushing up alongside him. Wirren was a fixture among the young Companions, mentor, councilor and disciplinarian. He'd been reprimanded quite a few times for small pranks played on the unsuspecting. Companions were supposed to be serious... Companions....
**Aeris!** He called up towards the stars... no wonder that he'd had a hard time learning the patterns. They were nothing at all like the ones back home. **You said I was needed... you didn't say I was going to become a four-legged chocobo!**
There was a whicker of laughter and Wirren bumped his head lightly against him. There might have been lighter laughter elsewhere. Sneaky wench, she knew he'd been feeling useless staying in the Lifestream with her and watching over Cloud, but he couldn't just let himself move on, not and leave them behind. She'd said she had an idea... he should have remembered what her ideas entailed.
**...and what is a chocobo youngling? Another mythic creature like your magic frogs?**
**Touch-mes are real. Grew up with them outside my town. One wrong poke and bam, you're frogged all day long.** He retorted to Wirren's question. Wirren's voice was amused, though he didn't let up his gentle lean on the younger stallion. It was grounding, comforting. It was starting to get less odd , the memories settling into place. He'd been a Companion long enough that it didn't feel like he was suddenly wearing a strange new skin, he'd been four-legged for seven years now.
**And that's why it takes so long for your memories to return. You don't get hung up on learning how to walk all over again, you’ve already known how for years.** The Grove-born's mental voice was soothing, he could feel his own body relaxing, the trembling easing to normal shivers. **Well, we are out in the deep cold in the middle of the night. You picked such a lovely time to have your breakthrough....** There was an expectant pause.
**Zack,** he said, dropping his head and pawing a bit at the snow. **My name is... was... Zack Fair.**
**Zax?** Wirren replied, not quite getting the accent right, even mentally. **Short and simple. Easy to alter.** Wirren's mental voice hummed for a moment, **Zair. It suits you.**
Two years later... midsummer
Zair had followed the tug in his mind for the past two days. This was where he needed to be, his Chosen was just beyond the walls of a rather old and well kept manor. It was the timing that was giving him thoughts. It was late afternoon and not far from the supper hour. Getting his Chosen now would mean that the youngster would most likely miss dinner - and the inn he’d planned on stopping at along the road would be long past a hot meal by the time he got there. If he waited, then he'd be assured that his Chosen had eaten, but it would make for a very late arrival.
There was the possibility of using a Waystation, but the nearest one was past where the inn was, making for an even later night. He was confident that he could make Haven in a single day from the inn, he hadn’t had to trek out that far. Lucky for him, poor Tala had been out for weeks, nearly to the border and she’d had to evade bandits getting to her Chosen. Bridle bells were occasionally unhelpful when you didn’t want to announce your presence.
...and while he’d been lurking on the roadside, chewing grass, the manor gates had shut for the evening. Just splendid. Zair shook his head and trotted up to the encircling wall. Close to fifteen feet high and nicely thick. Doable, just barely. Good thing he had one of the best jumps around, Zair could clear obstacles that left other Companions completely blocked. Wirren had surmised that it was probably a holdover from his days as a human, he remembered being able to leap like that, while most of the former Heralds remembered sheer speed. Zair didn’t mind not being quite as fast, not when he could do this...
A short run for momentum and he launched himself at the wall, fore hooves gaining a moments purchase at the top for just a breath of extra shove. He landed hard on the other side, stirrups knocking against his belly and legs, bells jangling wildly for a moment. Zair collected himself and did a fast scan of the area, ears swiveling to catch any stray sounds. Ah, there were alert sentries here, he could hear them calling to each other. Time for "Fun Companion Trick Number Two: Just because you see the big white horsie, doesn’t mean you noticed it". Wutai ninjas would have paid in materia for a vanishing act this good.
Zair cheerfully tailed the slightly confused sentries back towards the main entrance, careful to step so that the bells didn't chime. Too much sensory stimulus would break the illusion, he’d been taught. He was impressed by the guards though, instead of just writing it off, they actually reported what they'd heard and didn’t find to the other guards. Spoke well of the Lord here, to have well disciplined men-at-arms. He ghosted past them, moving around the manor house, listening for the sounds of the household. The nagging feel was practically pulling his nose around now, the person he was looking for was right there… ears picked up the sounds of a large family eating and Zair flattened his ears for a moment.
Fine... he could wait until dinner was over. He could.
After 70 years of living, very little caught Lord Justin Valeworth unawares anymore. He planned things out properly, everything scheduled neatly. He even had disasters considered, he was confident his home could handle a dysentery outbreak on top of a barbarian invasion. So a guard with a startled look upon his face showing up at the family table just before the sweet course announcing that Companion had "just appeared" at the main door was a mild surprise. The scheduled Herald wasn’t due for another month and there hadn't been any hint of news that would require an official announcement.
"Well, send the Herald in," he said, pushing back a little from the table. If the Herald wasn’t in too great a rush, he could at least favor them with a meal and a guest room.
"There's no Herald milord," the guard said, hand twisting a bit on his belt. "Just the Companion. With bells and such on."
Well, that was a different matter entirely. Lord Justin didn't even have to glance over at the Children's table to know that every single little head (and some not quite so little) were now fixated at the hallway leading to the front door. There hadn't been a Companion on a Search in Valeworth since his father was a young man. But, surprising as the news was... he did know what to do.
Zair was still privately snickering to himself over the sheer bug-eyed startledness in the guard’s eyes when he'd decided that enough time for dinner had passed and he’d dropped the "don't notice me" illusion. There'd been a startled yelp and reflexive grab for sword hilts, but as Zair had just stood there and stared at them the pair had started looking around for the Herald that was supposed to be with him. Zair had pawed the ground and given a definitive shake of his hackamore, sending the little bells chiming. Companions didn’t wear formal array often… but they always did on Search.
"Be fetching the Baron, Toby," the taller of the two guards said. "He'll be needing to see th' Companion." The other guard fled into the manor house and Zair snorted. It really wasn't the Baron he needed to see, not unless the Baron was very, very young. It was only a few minutes before he caught the sound of footsteps heading towards the door. A lot of footsteps, and many with the lighter pitter-patter of youngsters. By the steadily growing pull, the one he'd been looking for was coming.
The first person through the door was a silver-haired old fellow - most likely the Baron and certainly not his Chosen - who looked as pleased as if he’d been the one Zair was here for. "Line up... line up... let the Companion have a good look at all of you," he said, beckoning to the line of children following him out. A fair man, Zair noted with pleasant surprise, there were clearly servant's children along with the family being lined up for his inspection. But he didn't need to look hard, he could see his Chosen already.
She wasn't a tall girl, a bit thin and pale, clearly she favored more indoor activity, and just starting into the first blush of womanhood. Her hair was long and a pale blonde that matched much of the Baron's family. Zair lowered his head so that his brilliant blue eyes met her softer green and he felt it. The connection, the instant rightness, the clever soul that reached out with a glad cry to meet his own. He knew her, his Mirya... now and forever... and then, he knew.
**I Choose you, Mirya. Now and forever.** He called to her, the words striking deep within both of them. Her eyes filled with tears and she wrapped her arms about his neck for a fierce hug.
"Zair..." her voice was soft, amazed. "I... I hear you... Zair..."
It was a good thing that the initial moment of Choosing was well known to be overwhelming, because right now, Zair didn't think he could move. There was cheers and people hugging each other all around him, one or two people were weeping, but he was fixated on Mirya. The last piece had finally fallen into place. He'd actually forgotten... or perhaps was just encouraged to not remember, not until now.
He'd forgotten the real reason why he'd agreed to this.
There was no place on Gaia for the soul in Mirya, it was too stubborn to disperse and the Planet too unforgiving. It was locked in a cycle of hate... until Aeris had learned of a way. Here on Velgarth, far from Gaia, souls could be given a new chance. The ones who were gods here had taken the still struggling remnants and forged it anew. Given it a home where it had been loved from the beginning. Zair - still Zack then - had come along so that the soul of his once friend would have a familiar companion. Companion. He wanted to laugh, it came out an amused whicker.
**Let's go, Chosen,** Zair urged her, while the connection was still new enough for her to hear him. That would fade quickly, once the rush had worn off, they'd have to build their bond again.
"I... I have to go," she said, looking back at her family. A woman, looking to be her mother, burst into fresh tears at the words.
"You're too young! You'll be so far away!" the woman blubbered, trying to cling to her departing child. The baron though, seemed to understand, he lifted Mirya up to Zair's back, in her dinner dress and all and helped to seat the girl sidesaddle. "She's never ridden anything so big! She'll be hurt!" Came the mother's frantic plea.
"Now, Anna, you know that a Companion will take care of her," the Baron rumbled. "She'll be safer with him than with all our guards. Our Mirya's going to Haven, to the King's Palace itself."
Zair stepped back, letting his head shake so that the bells chimed brightly in the early evening air. He could feel Mirya sway a bit, tense but not afraid in the high saddle as he took several showy, gentle steps, away.
"Write us, Mir!" one of the other children shouted. "Tell us all about Haven and the Heralds!"
"I will!" she called back as Zair turned to where the guards were opening the gates for him. Pity, no impressive jump back out, but then, he didn't think his Chosen was quite ready for that. He move straight into a fast canter, hearing Mirya squeak as his hooves chimed across the stone road leading out. It was a smooth gait and she recovered enough to wave just before they disappeared through the gate.
You and me, we'll show them what a pair of SOLDIERs can do... Sephiroth. For one moment he savored it, here was the person he'd admired so. This time... this time they'd do it right.
He ran towards the future, and hope.
Author: Tripsoverhercats
Recipient: icedark_elf
Fandom: Final Fantasy VII, Heralds of Valdemar
Characters: Zack + 1 other
Rating: General
Prompt: Final Fantasy VII Fusion with Heralds of Valdemar, Being Chosen, Zack.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy is property of SquareEinx and the Heralds of Valdemar is the property of Mercedes Lackey.
Warnings: None
Notes: This isn’t quite a fusion, nor is it Zack being Chosen. But Zack is the main character and there is a Choosing. This is more like the opening of a larger work, one where I’ve got notes scribbled down here and there for. This takes place during an unrecorded time in Valdemar's history.
He'd been an odd colt, even for a Companion. Most of the foals were given quite a bit of leeway by the older Companions, the first few years were mostly spent simply learning how to be a rather unusual horse, the soul gradually remembering more details of who they once were as the mind and body evolved to support it. But this colt was startled by the oddest things. As if some ideas and concepts were completely new to him, as if he'd never even seen Companions before. Or horses. Or any of a thousand little things that a former Herald should have known instinctively. Wirren, the Companion of the King's Own had listened to the worries of the colt's dam and the senior Companions calmly.
**There is no damage to the soul,** Wirren said, tail swishing in the afternoon breeze as he watched the colt in question drift along the fence, watching the equestrian class further afield. **I do not know why this soul was chosen, only that it was needed. He was not a Herald, this truly is all new to him. He will learn.**
That had set more than a few heads bobbing in the Companion's Field. Companions that weren't former Heralds were very rare. More than one eye was kept on the young colt, though as time passed it was becoming evident that he was growing well and fitting in with the others. Though odd quirks still cropped up from time to time. Like not recognizing any of the stars and being wary around frogs (convinced that he might be turned into one).
He'd been restless all night. All of the young mares and stallions had been told that between their sixth and eighth years, they would fully regain their old memories and name. Several of his age mates had already recalled their pasts and were preparing for the call of their Chosen. The stable was quiet save for the sounds of breathing and shifting of hooves, it was cold enough out that most of the Companions had chosen to remain indoors. It only took a moment to unlatch the stable door and step out, it'd been designed to be easy to manipulate with just teeth. The stallion pushed the door shut again and struck out towards the open field.
Don't know why I'm so edgy tonight. Nothing is going on at all. Midwinter festivities are all over, nobody but fools like me are even awake. Hooves clicked steadily as he weaved back and forth, the grooms that took care of the un-Chosen companions had thoughtfully put spiked shoes on after the ice had set in, it made for sure footing even in the deep winter. The more he paced, the twitchier he got, great puffs of steam snorting out in front of him as he huffed, impatient with himself.
Gods, I keep this up and I'll start cribbing the fence like some over-bred palfrey with only two brain cells to rub together. I don't even like snow this much... never did. Never snowed back home and Midgar never got more than a dusting even above the Plate. Hated maneuvers up North, nothing there but Jumpings, Chocobos and Snows... he froze.
It was coming back now... like a wave crashing down, inexorable. He remembered. Legs trembled, animal instinct telling him to run, hard, fast, forever. Discipline and teaching held him fast, a Companion was supposed to be more than their instincts and a SOLDIER didn't run.
**You remember.** He didn't need to turn his head to identify the presence brushing up alongside him. Wirren was a fixture among the young Companions, mentor, councilor and disciplinarian. He'd been reprimanded quite a few times for small pranks played on the unsuspecting. Companions were supposed to be serious... Companions....
**Aeris!** He called up towards the stars... no wonder that he'd had a hard time learning the patterns. They were nothing at all like the ones back home. **You said I was needed... you didn't say I was going to become a four-legged chocobo!**
There was a whicker of laughter and Wirren bumped his head lightly against him. There might have been lighter laughter elsewhere. Sneaky wench, she knew he'd been feeling useless staying in the Lifestream with her and watching over Cloud, but he couldn't just let himself move on, not and leave them behind. She'd said she had an idea... he should have remembered what her ideas entailed.
**...and what is a chocobo youngling? Another mythic creature like your magic frogs?**
**Touch-mes are real. Grew up with them outside my town. One wrong poke and bam, you're frogged all day long.** He retorted to Wirren's question. Wirren's voice was amused, though he didn't let up his gentle lean on the younger stallion. It was grounding, comforting. It was starting to get less odd , the memories settling into place. He'd been a Companion long enough that it didn't feel like he was suddenly wearing a strange new skin, he'd been four-legged for seven years now.
**And that's why it takes so long for your memories to return. You don't get hung up on learning how to walk all over again, you’ve already known how for years.** The Grove-born's mental voice was soothing, he could feel his own body relaxing, the trembling easing to normal shivers. **Well, we are out in the deep cold in the middle of the night. You picked such a lovely time to have your breakthrough....** There was an expectant pause.
**Zack,** he said, dropping his head and pawing a bit at the snow. **My name is... was... Zack Fair.**
**Zax?** Wirren replied, not quite getting the accent right, even mentally. **Short and simple. Easy to alter.** Wirren's mental voice hummed for a moment, **Zair. It suits you.**
Two years later... midsummer
Zair had followed the tug in his mind for the past two days. This was where he needed to be, his Chosen was just beyond the walls of a rather old and well kept manor. It was the timing that was giving him thoughts. It was late afternoon and not far from the supper hour. Getting his Chosen now would mean that the youngster would most likely miss dinner - and the inn he’d planned on stopping at along the road would be long past a hot meal by the time he got there. If he waited, then he'd be assured that his Chosen had eaten, but it would make for a very late arrival.
There was the possibility of using a Waystation, but the nearest one was past where the inn was, making for an even later night. He was confident that he could make Haven in a single day from the inn, he hadn’t had to trek out that far. Lucky for him, poor Tala had been out for weeks, nearly to the border and she’d had to evade bandits getting to her Chosen. Bridle bells were occasionally unhelpful when you didn’t want to announce your presence.
...and while he’d been lurking on the roadside, chewing grass, the manor gates had shut for the evening. Just splendid. Zair shook his head and trotted up to the encircling wall. Close to fifteen feet high and nicely thick. Doable, just barely. Good thing he had one of the best jumps around, Zair could clear obstacles that left other Companions completely blocked. Wirren had surmised that it was probably a holdover from his days as a human, he remembered being able to leap like that, while most of the former Heralds remembered sheer speed. Zair didn’t mind not being quite as fast, not when he could do this...
A short run for momentum and he launched himself at the wall, fore hooves gaining a moments purchase at the top for just a breath of extra shove. He landed hard on the other side, stirrups knocking against his belly and legs, bells jangling wildly for a moment. Zair collected himself and did a fast scan of the area, ears swiveling to catch any stray sounds. Ah, there were alert sentries here, he could hear them calling to each other. Time for "Fun Companion Trick Number Two: Just because you see the big white horsie, doesn’t mean you noticed it". Wutai ninjas would have paid in materia for a vanishing act this good.
Zair cheerfully tailed the slightly confused sentries back towards the main entrance, careful to step so that the bells didn't chime. Too much sensory stimulus would break the illusion, he’d been taught. He was impressed by the guards though, instead of just writing it off, they actually reported what they'd heard and didn’t find to the other guards. Spoke well of the Lord here, to have well disciplined men-at-arms. He ghosted past them, moving around the manor house, listening for the sounds of the household. The nagging feel was practically pulling his nose around now, the person he was looking for was right there… ears picked up the sounds of a large family eating and Zair flattened his ears for a moment.
Fine... he could wait until dinner was over. He could.
After 70 years of living, very little caught Lord Justin Valeworth unawares anymore. He planned things out properly, everything scheduled neatly. He even had disasters considered, he was confident his home could handle a dysentery outbreak on top of a barbarian invasion. So a guard with a startled look upon his face showing up at the family table just before the sweet course announcing that Companion had "just appeared" at the main door was a mild surprise. The scheduled Herald wasn’t due for another month and there hadn't been any hint of news that would require an official announcement.
"Well, send the Herald in," he said, pushing back a little from the table. If the Herald wasn’t in too great a rush, he could at least favor them with a meal and a guest room.
"There's no Herald milord," the guard said, hand twisting a bit on his belt. "Just the Companion. With bells and such on."
Well, that was a different matter entirely. Lord Justin didn't even have to glance over at the Children's table to know that every single little head (and some not quite so little) were now fixated at the hallway leading to the front door. There hadn't been a Companion on a Search in Valeworth since his father was a young man. But, surprising as the news was... he did know what to do.
Zair was still privately snickering to himself over the sheer bug-eyed startledness in the guard’s eyes when he'd decided that enough time for dinner had passed and he’d dropped the "don't notice me" illusion. There'd been a startled yelp and reflexive grab for sword hilts, but as Zair had just stood there and stared at them the pair had started looking around for the Herald that was supposed to be with him. Zair had pawed the ground and given a definitive shake of his hackamore, sending the little bells chiming. Companions didn’t wear formal array often… but they always did on Search.
"Be fetching the Baron, Toby," the taller of the two guards said. "He'll be needing to see th' Companion." The other guard fled into the manor house and Zair snorted. It really wasn't the Baron he needed to see, not unless the Baron was very, very young. It was only a few minutes before he caught the sound of footsteps heading towards the door. A lot of footsteps, and many with the lighter pitter-patter of youngsters. By the steadily growing pull, the one he'd been looking for was coming.
The first person through the door was a silver-haired old fellow - most likely the Baron and certainly not his Chosen - who looked as pleased as if he’d been the one Zair was here for. "Line up... line up... let the Companion have a good look at all of you," he said, beckoning to the line of children following him out. A fair man, Zair noted with pleasant surprise, there were clearly servant's children along with the family being lined up for his inspection. But he didn't need to look hard, he could see his Chosen already.
She wasn't a tall girl, a bit thin and pale, clearly she favored more indoor activity, and just starting into the first blush of womanhood. Her hair was long and a pale blonde that matched much of the Baron's family. Zair lowered his head so that his brilliant blue eyes met her softer green and he felt it. The connection, the instant rightness, the clever soul that reached out with a glad cry to meet his own. He knew her, his Mirya... now and forever... and then, he knew.
**I Choose you, Mirya. Now and forever.** He called to her, the words striking deep within both of them. Her eyes filled with tears and she wrapped her arms about his neck for a fierce hug.
"Zair..." her voice was soft, amazed. "I... I hear you... Zair..."
It was a good thing that the initial moment of Choosing was well known to be overwhelming, because right now, Zair didn't think he could move. There was cheers and people hugging each other all around him, one or two people were weeping, but he was fixated on Mirya. The last piece had finally fallen into place. He'd actually forgotten... or perhaps was just encouraged to not remember, not until now.
He'd forgotten the real reason why he'd agreed to this.
There was no place on Gaia for the soul in Mirya, it was too stubborn to disperse and the Planet too unforgiving. It was locked in a cycle of hate... until Aeris had learned of a way. Here on Velgarth, far from Gaia, souls could be given a new chance. The ones who were gods here had taken the still struggling remnants and forged it anew. Given it a home where it had been loved from the beginning. Zair - still Zack then - had come along so that the soul of his once friend would have a familiar companion. Companion. He wanted to laugh, it came out an amused whicker.
**Let's go, Chosen,** Zair urged her, while the connection was still new enough for her to hear him. That would fade quickly, once the rush had worn off, they'd have to build their bond again.
"I... I have to go," she said, looking back at her family. A woman, looking to be her mother, burst into fresh tears at the words.
"You're too young! You'll be so far away!" the woman blubbered, trying to cling to her departing child. The baron though, seemed to understand, he lifted Mirya up to Zair's back, in her dinner dress and all and helped to seat the girl sidesaddle. "She's never ridden anything so big! She'll be hurt!" Came the mother's frantic plea.
"Now, Anna, you know that a Companion will take care of her," the Baron rumbled. "She'll be safer with him than with all our guards. Our Mirya's going to Haven, to the King's Palace itself."
Zair stepped back, letting his head shake so that the bells chimed brightly in the early evening air. He could feel Mirya sway a bit, tense but not afraid in the high saddle as he took several showy, gentle steps, away.
"Write us, Mir!" one of the other children shouted. "Tell us all about Haven and the Heralds!"
"I will!" she called back as Zair turned to where the guards were opening the gates for him. Pity, no impressive jump back out, but then, he didn't think his Chosen was quite ready for that. He move straight into a fast canter, hearing Mirya squeak as his hooves chimed across the stone road leading out. It was a smooth gait and she recovered enough to wave just before they disappeared through the gate.
You and me, we'll show them what a pair of SOLDIERs can do... Sephiroth. For one moment he savored it, here was the person he'd admired so. This time... this time they'd do it right.
He ran towards the future, and hope.