Blood Ties: Part IV
Title: Blood Ties
Anime: Final Fantasy VII crossed with Vampire: The Masquerade
Setting: AU, set in the world of Vampire: The Masquerade, complete with Camarilla and all it's clans
Pairings: Zack x Sephiroth, Sephiroth x Zack
Rating: 18+
Warnings: This one is violent, technically bloodplay, torture and extreme themes in some chapters
Summary: The Camarilla is rotten to the core. The anarchic Brujah decide to take a stand, and approach the Gangrel to ask them to honour the old alliances, the Blood Ties...
~> Chapter 1; ~> Chapter 2 ; ~> Chapter 3
Rescue is at hand, Hojo is about to get what is coming to him - that bit is a little icky be warned and power transfers from one generation to another.
Blood Ties
Zack dragged the whetstone down his oiled blade in a spray of sparks, taking in the sound of metal against stone. He was idly identifying the many scents on the wind. They belonged to members of his Clan, and many had gathered for the fight to come. Most of them he knew personally; no matter how solitary a Gangrel’s lifestyle was, you still checked in with the Clan. As dispersed as they were, they were still a cohesive unit. The file on Cloud had been the catalyst and the muster had been called with a swiftness that had surprised even him. It was the final straw in the mounting atmosphere of discontent it seemed. And so they waited and prepared, in the forests around Midgar, the kind of place the Gangrel happily called home, anticipating the Brujah’s arrival. The air was heavy with anticipation, and even the humans who were unaware of the battle that was a soon to commence, going about their lives as normal in the city, could sense something was brewing.
He was testing the edge of the blade with his thumb when he caught the scents approaching on the wind. A great mass of them, all new and unfamiliar bar one. Even at this distance he could pick out the scent of his warrior, and it seemed that Sephiroth knew where he was, since he was heading straight for him. He stood tall, placing his sword to his back against the magnet that would hold it in place. He was in his battle gear, leather trousers, wearing a chest piece of hardened leather and hide, and the harness to hold his sword. He wore hide bracers on his forearms, but these were all constructs to help reduce injury, getting hurt was to be expected. But he was more than ready to greet his lover, easily spotted with his long silver hair catching the breeze; Zack would have thought it would be fettered for this, but apparently not.
Sephiroth was flanked by two companions, the first a redhead, obviously with a sense of style as he was wearing a long red leather coat and black leather pants. His mesh shirt on closer inspection proved to be a light chain mail, black pauldrons built into the red coat. He also carried a sword with an ornate crosstree and hilt, the blade as red as his hair, etched with Clan symbols and sigils almost as old as time. The second was broad where the first was slender, and while the redhead exuded an air of excitement, almost champing at the bit, this one was quiet and calm. He was more obviously dressed in a soldier’s uniform, traditional pauldrons on his shoulders, a harness for his blade that was so broad it seemed impossible to wield the immense weapon. But Zack knew better; the Brujah would not bring it to battle unless he could use it to a terrifying degree.
It was odd to see Sephiroth dressed for battle. He was wearing the same leather coat he had worn on both occasions that they’d met before, though he too now wore pauldrons, his silver and jointed. His chest was bare beneath the coat, apart from the crossed leather straps connected to the high-waisted leather breeches. He wore boots that reached to mid thigh, strapped to his legs. He was really digging the slight bondage overtones in his battle gear, but the real coup de grace was the huge sword, a Masamune of truly epic proportions.
“If I didn’t know better I would say you were compensating for something,” Zack grins.
Sephiroth surprised his companions by chuckling slightly.
“So this is Zack,” the redhead stated, plainly interested in that reaction.
Sephiroth nodded.
“He will be with us as we head into the labs. That way he can get his friend out too.”
Zack nodded in gratitude but the redhead scoffed, having plainly thought it would just be the three of them.
“How do you know we can trust him?” he demanded, plainly ignoring the alliance they were currently all honouring in this battle.
Though it was a fair question, the last thing they needed in such a situation was an unknown, a liability, or even a loose cannon as they fought in what would inevitably be a tight space.
“He has already proven his worth Genesis,” Sephiroth replied evenly.
The redhead raised an eyebrow in question, looking from Sephiroth to Zack and back again, pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
“So that’s how it is,” he chuckled.
“Genesis,” the third of the trio admonished, “enough, we have a battle to fight, people to return home.”
None of them missed the slight flinch from Sephiroth at the mention of why they were fighting, the light of fun leaving Zack’s eyes, being replaced by a grim determination. Genesis softened, approaching his friend.
“It’s alright, just listen to Angeal, we’ll get Vincent back.”
“We’ll get them all out,” Zack said firmly.
Yes, whoever else ShinRa had gotten their claws into would also be freed. Though none of them quite knew what they would find when they got there. The next hour was spent organising their forces. Their group of four would be behind the main attack force who in turn would be dispersing throughout the building. While that was going on the four of them would head to the lower levels to free the captives, or if necessary kill them to put them out of their misery. It was a chilling thought, even for vampires, but they were aware that it might be a necessity. Everything had been carefully planned, even at such short notice. Side streets and back alleys had been cleared so that the combined forces of the two united Clans would be able to slip into the city without alarming its human population. They might be about to overthrow the ruling seat of the Camarilla, but they would still uphold its laws, keep the Masquerade as best they could.
Sephiroth was plainly itching for battle to be joined, actively pacing in this calm before the storm. Genesis was rolling his eyes at his impatient behaviour, but Zack quietly thought the redhead was equally antsy to get on with things, just for an entirely different reason. Angeal took Genesis to one side, speaking to him in hushed tones about how he was making it worse. Zack shook his head and approached Sephiroth who was looking longingly at the city. Zack didn’t say anything to comfort him, they would have only been empty words for the very same thing lay in his heart too. He just remained silent at the warrior’s side.
“It’s agony, this waiting,” the Brujah’s tense voice broke the silence.
“It’s been a long time since he was taken huh?”
“Yes, and every hour we wait is another hour where they could be killing him, or worse.”
Zack suppressed a shudder. There had been a lot of information in the file Sephiroth had given him aside from information on Cloud. That information had been on experiments conducted in those labs, and the horrors that lay within that file had caused the gathering of forces to be so swift. It had been but two nights since Sephiroth had come to him, and now they waited impatiently for things to get underway. Fortunately they did not have to wait much longer, both turning, quiet and serious as the call to move out came.
Had anyone been around to notice, it would truly have been an impressive sight to watch such a large force move into the city with such stealth. It was quite some feat to get in so many vampires fully armed and unnoticed. But soon they were gathered in a ring around the building and it was time. Everything happened at once, carefully choreographed. The forward guard stormed the building, screams echoing from the humans who all scattered out of the building in a rush like leaves on the wind, as alarms blared and gunshots sounded. The four held back with the main body of troops who would tear the building apart as soon as they were pretty sure that the humans were out. Then came the signal, and as one the four drew their swords, eyes glittering and hard, leading the rest of the troops inside.
The only way down to the basement levels was the elevator in the President’s suite at the top of the tower, and it was there they headed straight for. It was a hard fight to the top, met by ShinRa minions both human and vampire, employed to protect ShinRa’s assets and secrets. Four swords cleaved through flesh and sinew alike, blood spray and bone fragments being scattered in the wake of the four wraiths of the night. Sephiroth and Zack fought back to back as if they had done so in battle after battle, Genesis and Angeal also a single unit, carving a path upwards to their destination. When they got there no sign of the President could be found, having already fled in the furore caused by their attack. He could not have made it out of the building; he would be found yet and brought down. But no matter, he was not their target, leave that work to others, ordering the troops to search the building and leave the labs to them.
So to the elevator down into hell they turned, but instead of having to hack the security codes, as soon as they neared the code pad the elevator doors slid open smoothly. The silent sweep of metal doors revealed that the elevator car had four occupants already, plainly waiting for them. Four swords were instantly trained on the awaiting group, only to be countered by two guns and an electromag rod. The suits plainly marked out the dark Assamite, the redheaded Caitiff and the dark haired vampire of Wutain origin as who they were.
“Turks.” Genesis spat.
“Indeed,” the fourth vampire in the car agreed with a smirk, the only one unarmed, his suit white in contrast to the Turks around him.
“But you are no Turk,” Sephiroth said to the blond, “and I get the feeling you want something from us.”
“Quite correct. My name is Rufus ShinRa, and I want you to take my father down. Well, not you specifically, your attack. Its all the same to me as long as he ends up dead.”
“And the reason you are standing here with your bodyguards?”
It was Angeal who posed the question this time.
“You are heading for the labs, we can make the way easier.”
“And why should we trust you ShinRa’s whelp?” Genesis snapped. “We take out one king pin to replace him with a younger version? No point in the attack then is there?”
Rufus’ eyes hardened and Tseng was about to step in and speak on his behalf till the blond stopped him.
“Firstly, I am nothing like my father. Power, yes I want it I will not deny that, but not his way. If he is left to continue all he is doing then all I shall inherit is a world crumbling to dust having been consumed from the inside out, falling apart at the seams. A change of leadership is required to stop the world caving in on itself as a result of my father’s scheming. I am acutely aware of what needs to be done to survive all that he has inflicted on this world, to keep the old ways, the Masquerade. All the Clans need this, you know that, or you would not be here.”
“Sephiroth scrutinised him intently for a long moment, then slowly lowered the point of his Masamune.
“You can’t be taking his word on this,” Genesis looked at Sephiroth astounded.
“I’m with him on this one,” Zack agreed.
Genesis raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“I could get to like you.”
“Genesis!” Angeal snapped.
The redhead had a nasty habit of getting seriously sidetracked by the silliest things at precisely the worst of times. In hindsight it was endearing, but at the time it was plain annoying and downright dangerous.
“He has a point,” Sephiroth said coolly, silencing them all. “But that doesn’t answer why you would help us get into the labs.”
Rufus had to look up to meet Sephiroth’s searching gaze, the occasional flicker to those cat like eyes showing how close his Beast was to rising, but meet it he did unflinchingly, his blue eyes as hard as iron.
“I want them to burn. I want the screaming to stop. If I am to take my father’s place then I cannot walk back into this building to rebuild knowing what is down there, the atrocities that have been done. I cannot and will not let them continue. Our society cannot be based on this.”
His impassioned speech was enough to convince them all, invaders and Turks alike lowering their weapons as one. No-one seemed to dare to move, until with a sigh someone broke the silence.
“Well let’s get going yo’, even though the alarms have been disabled down there they are gonna notice sooner or later.”
The Caitiff had a point, they only had so much time before whatever help Rufus and his Turks had been would be nullified. They stepped inside the elevator, glad that the car was large enough for all eight of them, including the four swords.
“Watch where you are pointing that thing yo’,” Reno grinned at Sephiroth, though at the answering growl he got from the Brujah he promptly shut up.
They made the long descent in silence, knowing instantly when they were below ground as the sirens abruptly stopped. They all watched as Sephiroth grew increasingly tense, Zack likewise, though to a lesser degree. Zack had not been sat in the knowledge of Cloud’s capture as long as the silver haired Brujah and that was the only factor in their reactions. Both had their eyes fixed firmly on the elevator doors. But when they opened again they were met by a double rank of Turks all awaiting orders.
With a smirk, Rufus and his Turks stepped out of the elevator first, the blond giving Tseng the nod. With a series of hand signals the dark haired Turk gave orders and the ranks silently moved out, blocking off exits and barring the way for those that would now become prey. Reno and Rude led the way, punching in security codes, making sure their entrance was as quiet and seamless as possible, stepping out of the way of the four swordsman as the killing had to be done. In a sense they delighted in it - Sephiroth tearing into the scientists with an abandon that had the others clamouring for blood. Rufus watched on as Sephiroth fell to his Beast, his companions allowing him to be unchecked. In fact his rage helped, as in reality to stop all that had been going on down here not a single scientist could leave alive, but it was grim work. Let the need for revenge on those who took his brother do its work and take the uncomfortable task from them.
Rufus and the Turks watched the roaring form of the homicidal Brujah from a distance, occasionally guiding the raging whirlwind of destruction towards their final destination. Soon they had reached the holding cells, and even in this state, his Beast and his rage consuming him, Sephiroth’s desire to find his brother overwhelmed everything and he calmed enough to help free those within. The first cell they came to held two vampires as opposite in appearance as could be. One broad in frame, white haired and shining with an inner radiance that was felt as much as seen, the other with hair as dark as midnight, slender of build and wreathed in darkness. Both shot to their feet at the sound of the door, the strange metal structures grafted to the dark one’s back fanning out like wings. Zack’s heart filled with a mix of emotions as the larger moved to protect the smaller, both afraid, but both determined to fight.
“We won’t hurt you,” he said gently. “We are here to set you free.”
The two obviously didn’t trust him, thinking this some trick. Well who knew what they had been put through up to this point, looking at those ‘wings’ it didn’t bear thinking about. With a sigh Zack ran bloody fingers and claws through his messy spikes. It was hard to see them behaving like this, even harder to think of something to say to convince them of their good intentions. It was understandable, look what had been done to them, the dark one especially, and those strange auras, what the hell could be causing that? But as he was floundering for words a scientist ran their way, trying to escape the rampaging slaughter that was Sephiroth, only to find himself impaled on Genesis’ sword. The sight and sound of his death seemed to convince the two where his words could not, and they visibly relaxed.
Relieved Zack led them out of the cell, following him out into the carnage. The scent of blood saturated the air, the atmosphere reeking of it, it was enough to put any vampire on edge. On to the next cell and as the door opened a blond head shot up, one Zack recognised in an instant. He rushed over, the blond getting to his feet, the two embracing fiercely.
“Shit! Cloud, are you alright?”
Cloud had to fight to breathe Zack was squeezing so hard and had to get him to ease his grip a little to reply.
“I’m fine, honest, at least I think so…”
“What did they do to you buddy?”
“I… I’m not sure… it’s…”
“We don’t have time for this.”
Zack flinched and turned at Sephiroth’s acid tone, a little surprised at the jealousy in it. But the warrior was slave to his Beast right now, cat like eyes glaring openly at Cloud. Zack now really looked at his friend, seeing that he had been changed by his short time here, that much was obvious at a glance. He was broader, more muscular, and in the semi-dark of his cell his eyes glowed in a way that was unnatural for even a vampire. A growl from the homicidal Brujah was enough to pull him from his observations. He would not push his luck with Sephiroth when he was in this state, though the Brujah had nothing to be jealous of.
“Come on pal, we are getting you out of here.”
Their search of the cells resumed, releasing vampire after vampire, though in a couple of cases they found individuals so far gone, so badly mutilated and gibbering in fear that it was a mercy to end their suffering, rather than force them to cope with the world again. But Sephiroth was getting frantic. They had been through the holding area, no containment cells remained, and there was still no sign of his brother. Tseng and Rufus exchanged a look before the dark haired Turk cautiously led the way to the main lab complex. They had to sweep there anyway, but the blond and his Turks had a bad feeling about this now. It took many key-codes to get past all the levels of security, but soon frosted glass doors opened to reveal a figure in a bloodstained white coat hunkered over a pale and restrained form on the steel table in the centre of the room.
They saw no more as the six guards who were on standby in the room leapt into action. The four swordsmen took them apart in sprays of blood and splinters of bone, cleaving them into pieces as the one in the white coat shrieked bloody murder. Rude, Tseng and Reno stopped him from fleeing, the Assamite grabbing and holding him, hand over his shrieking mouth, for him to be dealt with later. By now Sephiroth could make out the pale and sweating form, and with a cry dropped his great blade to the ground, unfastening restraints in a hurry as the others took in the sight of the man on the table. Zack could see how much this affected Genesis and Angeal too, both shaking with anger. He was one of their own and they plainly knew him.
Aside from the obvious brass gauntlet that was all too clearly now part of his arm, the figure was too thin, covered in scars. Given that vampires almost never scarred unless healing was prevented, they could only imagine what he had gone through. His left shoulder was bloody, a red and angry wound stitched closed over a slight bulge that was protruding from just above his left collarbone, as if someone had placed something in the recess between the clavicle and scapula. Sephiroth had freed him, but the vampire lay there ever so still, even though he was plainly breathing, Sephiroth brushing sable hair out of his face.
“Vincent,” he breathed in a cracked whisper.
A flicker of response came from the supine form, flat eyes becoming more aware, turning to look at the figure leaning over him.
“Is this a dream?” the tortured vampire asked in a raw and gravely voice.
“This is no dream, we are here to take you home.”
Bizarrely Vincent chuckled.
“Such sweet torment, how did you do it, reach in my mind to find out what I would want? But I am done participating in your games, hurry up and finish your business with me.”
It was clear the poor vampire thought he was talking to the scientist, who squeaked in Rude’s hold, the Assamite having tightened his grip cruelly. Sephiroth’s blazing gaze was turned on the scientist, emerald fire promising that the small man covered in his brother’s blood would soon meet his end horribly.
“I think Hojo, your time is up,” Rufus said cheerfully.
Reno grinned nastily at the pinned scientist. There was absolutely no love lost between the Turks and the Professor, who oversaw all the normal medicals and screenings of vampire staff. He gave everyone the creeps and no-one would be sorry to see him go. But Sephiroth was turning back to his brother, who was looking around himself. So many unfamiliar faces, but then, Genesis and Angeal? How could they be here in this place, with blades bloodied and notched by battle? Sephiroth reached out to grasp his good hand, squeeze it tight as hope dared to creep into ruby orbs.
“Come back to me my brother,” he whispered, praying that Vincent was not too far gone, he wouldn’t be able to bear it if they were too late.
He flinched slightly as the metal claws brushed at his cheek, but Vincent was sitting up, ignoring his hurts, all so minor after everything he had been through, eyes only for the apparition before him.
“Seph?”
The question was soft, fearful, almost not daring to hope. And as alien as this artificial hand felt against his face, he leaned into the touch, wanting Vincent to see him, realise this was real.
“I’m here Vincent, I’m only sorry I couldn’t be here sooner, forgive me.”
He thought he had been used to his brother’s strength, but when Vincent’s arms suddenly wrapped round him, grabbing onto him in a desperate embrace, he could barely draw breath. It was hard to believe that when he was now so frightfully thin, he was so much stronger than he had been. But what was more shocking was the feel of tears, hot against his neck as Vincent pressed his face there. To see the proud warrior reduced to this, it was unforgivable.
“It had been so long, I’d given up hope,” Vincent said hoarsely, and by the sounds of it, his voice would never be the same again after his ordeal. “I thought you wouldn’t want to come, not now I am a monster.”
Sephiroth felt his heart break to see Vincent like this. He took Vincent’s head in his hands, lifting it, pressing his brow to his brother’s.
“We promised each other a very long time ago, we would never leave the other behind. No matter what Vincent, I will never leave you behind,” he hissed fiercely, fingers entangled in matted sable hair.
Vincent chuckled, the sound slightly wet from crying.
“That’s my little brother.”
Sephiroth smiled a little, his heart easing. This was the Vincent he knew, in fact Vincent was letting him go, sitting up straight, Genesis and Angeal relaxing a little as they saw shades of the strong bearing in their friend that they were used to. Battered and worn, the vampire they knew was still within. Sephiroth wiped away the tears that had halted, fearing that there were going to be many more as a result of this ordeal, that no matter how functional Vincent was he was going to have a raft of issues coming from his time here, no-one knew what had been done to him. Vincent was currently looking down at his latest wound, reaching to tear out the stitches and remove the orb from within.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The snide voice of the scientist broke through the silence, ruby and emerald eyes suddenly fixed on the squirming form of the scientist, struggling to get out of the Assamite’s hold. The dark man looked apologetic at being unable to silence him.
“Unless you want to transform into one of your demons at random, unable to control it, you will leave that where it is.”
“This… thing you’ve put inside me. It will give me control of the monsters you put in me.”
“Why yes, wouldn’t want the transformation to happen at random, what kind of soldier for ShinRa would you make if we cannot control your most dangerous aspects?” he snorted condescendingly, thinking it beneath him to answer such a question.
The dark man holding him shifted to grip him with both hands round his neck about to snap it, until Rufus stayed his hand.
“No Rude, I think the honours for that lie with our new friends.”
Rude got the hidden message and let go of the scientist entirely, stepping back, in fact, there was a strange and disturbing aura emanating from Vincent, who was pushing his brother back, everyone stepping away from him as ruby eyes suddenly flared into gold.
“You might regret telling me that,” Vincent growled. “Though it is a fitting end, to be destroyed by one of your creations.”
Astoundingly, when everyone else was stepping back out of the way of the sudden transformation Vincent was going through, the scientist was grinning and marvelling at it. Unlike the previous occasion, where it felt like he was being ripped apart mentally and physically, Vincent retained his consciousness. The physical shift was uncomfortable, but no more than any normal Protean change. None of them could hold back the gasps as in the midst of sulphurous fume, enormous bat like wings extended from Vincent’s back, his visage becoming demonic, fangs elongated and eyes blazing with an unholy fire. In this form Vincent leapt on Hojo, pinning him to the ground, the scientist showing the first signs of fear as burning breath wafted onto his face.
“What’s wrong? Do you not like your creation?”
Vincent’s voice had an eerie duality to it in this form, grating on all their ears. So transfixed were the vampires on the scene in front of them that they did not notice the gathering crowd around them, of vampires they had freed from the cells, all sensing carnage and being drawn to it. The demon Vincent looked at his left hand, not brass in this form, but still seemingly metallic, the claws longer, even sharper if it was possible. With a wicked grin the creature buried those claws deep within its creator’s ribs, tearing a high scream of pain from the pinned man, the sound shrill with agony.
“How does it feel to be the one cut?” the Vincent creature sneered, twisting the claws in deeper, Hojo shrieking. “How does it feel to be the one screaming?”
Zack was becoming aware of the other presences in the room. He turned slowly, almost flinching but not quite, seeing the gathering throng, eyes all fixed on what the transformed Brujah was doing. It was hard to see, all that burning hatred, that contained violence they desired to inflict on for the vampire now screaming. He realised they had all come to watch the scientist die, had to see his corpse or they would never sleep again, though it might be impossible for some of them by now. One was a girl, she looked no more than nine years old, though her eyes seemed so much older, clearly a vampire, but so young! And she was one of many, the two with the strange auras here, the dark one’s ‘wings’ flexing in agitation, men, women, all obviously altered and tortured by this man. He turned to see the shade of the same feelings in Cloud’s eyes, even in the Turks to a small degree. Zack got the feeling that the scientist had this coming from a long time ago.
Vincent withdrew bloody claws, leaving a sucking chest wound, blood pouring onto the nondescript floor.
“If I had time and patience, I would make you live through every horror you put us through.” Vincent hissed in the sobbing man’s face. “I would make you scream for every scream you tore from us. But I find myself rather short on time.”
Dripping claws eviscerated the vampire in a swift motion, the demon rolling him onto his side as he gasped and screamed, shaking hands grabbing for the steaming intestines falling out of his body and onto the floor. They all winced at the foul smell from where part of the tubing had split, filth mixing with blood and gore. Hojo let out an unholy shriek as the demon stamped on the writhing organs, still connected to him, pain sent through the trampled flesh. But the demon was far from done. Pushing the vampire facedown in the pool of his own entrails, he used razor sharp claws to slit his clothing up the back, ripping it wide to expose his back before slicing him up the line of his spine.
What he did next was hard to stomach for them all, using those claws to wrap round the base of his spine and rip it upwards through the rent in his back and away from his pelvis. Hojo’s legs twitched feebly as they were rendered useless but the demon kept pulling, tearing muscle, nerves and sinew. As the demon reached his ribcage Hojo was screaming nonstop, but with sickening pops as bones were wrenched out of sockets the creature tore the spine out up to the neck, before renewing its grip, and ripping it up to the head, the skull tearing away from the neck with the sound of wet fabric ripping, the scientists screams cut short as his life ended in terror and agony. There was a collective holding of breath as the demon got to its feet, golden gaze turning on Sephiroth. Then as suddenly as he changed, he changed back, pale skin looking ashen, Sephiroth only just able to catch him before he collapsed.
“See what I’ve become,” he wheezed, barely able to remain conscious.
But Genesis had come to prop him up from the other side.
“You are still my brother.” Sephiroth said softly.
Zack noticed how Sephiroth’s eyes had returned to normal, his beast sated by his brother’s revenge. The collective breath that had been held seemed to be let loose in a communal sigh, as Vincent smiled weakly while he struggled to keep his feet, even with the support on either side. An unknown Turk walked into the throng, approaching Tseng to whisper in his ear.
“The scientists have all been eliminated,” Tseng said flatly, as if such things that they were witnessing were everyday events.
He looked to Rufus who curled his lips in distaste as the bloody rags that was what remained of Hojo.
“Get everyone out of here, then I want this place to burn like the hell it is.”
Slowly the prisoners were led to the elevator to freedom, it was going to take many trips, and they were escorted by Turks the whole way. Rufus watched, his jaw clenched tight as he saw how many lives had been torn about through his father’s cruelty.
“We have to help them Tseng, they are our responsibility. I cannot leave them in the cold with nothing after what my father has done.”
Tseng nodded in quiet approval.
“Arrangements will be made.” He agreed.
Eventually all that were left in the midst of the carnage were Rude and Reno. Reno was stood over Hojo’s remains, and being the overgrown kid he was, couldn’t help poking them with his electromag rod.
“Fuck, if I could have done that to him I would have done it ages ago yo’.”
“Hmm.”
The two stood in silence as they surveyed the remains of ShinRa’s secret research facility.
“What say we have a barbeque yo’?”
Anime: Final Fantasy VII crossed with Vampire: The Masquerade
Setting: AU, set in the world of Vampire: The Masquerade, complete with Camarilla and all it's clans
Pairings: Zack x Sephiroth, Sephiroth x Zack
Rating: 18+
Warnings: This one is violent, technically bloodplay, torture and extreme themes in some chapters
Summary: The Camarilla is rotten to the core. The anarchic Brujah decide to take a stand, and approach the Gangrel to ask them to honour the old alliances, the Blood Ties...
~> Chapter 1; ~> Chapter 2 ; ~> Chapter 3
Rescue is at hand, Hojo is about to get what is coming to him - that bit is a little icky be warned and power transfers from one generation to another.
Blood Ties
Zack dragged the whetstone down his oiled blade in a spray of sparks, taking in the sound of metal against stone. He was idly identifying the many scents on the wind. They belonged to members of his Clan, and many had gathered for the fight to come. Most of them he knew personally; no matter how solitary a Gangrel’s lifestyle was, you still checked in with the Clan. As dispersed as they were, they were still a cohesive unit. The file on Cloud had been the catalyst and the muster had been called with a swiftness that had surprised even him. It was the final straw in the mounting atmosphere of discontent it seemed. And so they waited and prepared, in the forests around Midgar, the kind of place the Gangrel happily called home, anticipating the Brujah’s arrival. The air was heavy with anticipation, and even the humans who were unaware of the battle that was a soon to commence, going about their lives as normal in the city, could sense something was brewing.
He was testing the edge of the blade with his thumb when he caught the scents approaching on the wind. A great mass of them, all new and unfamiliar bar one. Even at this distance he could pick out the scent of his warrior, and it seemed that Sephiroth knew where he was, since he was heading straight for him. He stood tall, placing his sword to his back against the magnet that would hold it in place. He was in his battle gear, leather trousers, wearing a chest piece of hardened leather and hide, and the harness to hold his sword. He wore hide bracers on his forearms, but these were all constructs to help reduce injury, getting hurt was to be expected. But he was more than ready to greet his lover, easily spotted with his long silver hair catching the breeze; Zack would have thought it would be fettered for this, but apparently not.
Sephiroth was flanked by two companions, the first a redhead, obviously with a sense of style as he was wearing a long red leather coat and black leather pants. His mesh shirt on closer inspection proved to be a light chain mail, black pauldrons built into the red coat. He also carried a sword with an ornate crosstree and hilt, the blade as red as his hair, etched with Clan symbols and sigils almost as old as time. The second was broad where the first was slender, and while the redhead exuded an air of excitement, almost champing at the bit, this one was quiet and calm. He was more obviously dressed in a soldier’s uniform, traditional pauldrons on his shoulders, a harness for his blade that was so broad it seemed impossible to wield the immense weapon. But Zack knew better; the Brujah would not bring it to battle unless he could use it to a terrifying degree.
It was odd to see Sephiroth dressed for battle. He was wearing the same leather coat he had worn on both occasions that they’d met before, though he too now wore pauldrons, his silver and jointed. His chest was bare beneath the coat, apart from the crossed leather straps connected to the high-waisted leather breeches. He wore boots that reached to mid thigh, strapped to his legs. He was really digging the slight bondage overtones in his battle gear, but the real coup de grace was the huge sword, a Masamune of truly epic proportions.
“If I didn’t know better I would say you were compensating for something,” Zack grins.
Sephiroth surprised his companions by chuckling slightly.
“So this is Zack,” the redhead stated, plainly interested in that reaction.
Sephiroth nodded.
“He will be with us as we head into the labs. That way he can get his friend out too.”
Zack nodded in gratitude but the redhead scoffed, having plainly thought it would just be the three of them.
“How do you know we can trust him?” he demanded, plainly ignoring the alliance they were currently all honouring in this battle.
Though it was a fair question, the last thing they needed in such a situation was an unknown, a liability, or even a loose cannon as they fought in what would inevitably be a tight space.
“He has already proven his worth Genesis,” Sephiroth replied evenly.
The redhead raised an eyebrow in question, looking from Sephiroth to Zack and back again, pieces of a puzzle falling into place.
“So that’s how it is,” he chuckled.
“Genesis,” the third of the trio admonished, “enough, we have a battle to fight, people to return home.”
None of them missed the slight flinch from Sephiroth at the mention of why they were fighting, the light of fun leaving Zack’s eyes, being replaced by a grim determination. Genesis softened, approaching his friend.
“It’s alright, just listen to Angeal, we’ll get Vincent back.”
“We’ll get them all out,” Zack said firmly.
Yes, whoever else ShinRa had gotten their claws into would also be freed. Though none of them quite knew what they would find when they got there. The next hour was spent organising their forces. Their group of four would be behind the main attack force who in turn would be dispersing throughout the building. While that was going on the four of them would head to the lower levels to free the captives, or if necessary kill them to put them out of their misery. It was a chilling thought, even for vampires, but they were aware that it might be a necessity. Everything had been carefully planned, even at such short notice. Side streets and back alleys had been cleared so that the combined forces of the two united Clans would be able to slip into the city without alarming its human population. They might be about to overthrow the ruling seat of the Camarilla, but they would still uphold its laws, keep the Masquerade as best they could.
Sephiroth was plainly itching for battle to be joined, actively pacing in this calm before the storm. Genesis was rolling his eyes at his impatient behaviour, but Zack quietly thought the redhead was equally antsy to get on with things, just for an entirely different reason. Angeal took Genesis to one side, speaking to him in hushed tones about how he was making it worse. Zack shook his head and approached Sephiroth who was looking longingly at the city. Zack didn’t say anything to comfort him, they would have only been empty words for the very same thing lay in his heart too. He just remained silent at the warrior’s side.
“It’s agony, this waiting,” the Brujah’s tense voice broke the silence.
“It’s been a long time since he was taken huh?”
“Yes, and every hour we wait is another hour where they could be killing him, or worse.”
Zack suppressed a shudder. There had been a lot of information in the file Sephiroth had given him aside from information on Cloud. That information had been on experiments conducted in those labs, and the horrors that lay within that file had caused the gathering of forces to be so swift. It had been but two nights since Sephiroth had come to him, and now they waited impatiently for things to get underway. Fortunately they did not have to wait much longer, both turning, quiet and serious as the call to move out came.
Had anyone been around to notice, it would truly have been an impressive sight to watch such a large force move into the city with such stealth. It was quite some feat to get in so many vampires fully armed and unnoticed. But soon they were gathered in a ring around the building and it was time. Everything happened at once, carefully choreographed. The forward guard stormed the building, screams echoing from the humans who all scattered out of the building in a rush like leaves on the wind, as alarms blared and gunshots sounded. The four held back with the main body of troops who would tear the building apart as soon as they were pretty sure that the humans were out. Then came the signal, and as one the four drew their swords, eyes glittering and hard, leading the rest of the troops inside.
The only way down to the basement levels was the elevator in the President’s suite at the top of the tower, and it was there they headed straight for. It was a hard fight to the top, met by ShinRa minions both human and vampire, employed to protect ShinRa’s assets and secrets. Four swords cleaved through flesh and sinew alike, blood spray and bone fragments being scattered in the wake of the four wraiths of the night. Sephiroth and Zack fought back to back as if they had done so in battle after battle, Genesis and Angeal also a single unit, carving a path upwards to their destination. When they got there no sign of the President could be found, having already fled in the furore caused by their attack. He could not have made it out of the building; he would be found yet and brought down. But no matter, he was not their target, leave that work to others, ordering the troops to search the building and leave the labs to them.
So to the elevator down into hell they turned, but instead of having to hack the security codes, as soon as they neared the code pad the elevator doors slid open smoothly. The silent sweep of metal doors revealed that the elevator car had four occupants already, plainly waiting for them. Four swords were instantly trained on the awaiting group, only to be countered by two guns and an electromag rod. The suits plainly marked out the dark Assamite, the redheaded Caitiff and the dark haired vampire of Wutain origin as who they were.
“Turks.” Genesis spat.
“Indeed,” the fourth vampire in the car agreed with a smirk, the only one unarmed, his suit white in contrast to the Turks around him.
“But you are no Turk,” Sephiroth said to the blond, “and I get the feeling you want something from us.”
“Quite correct. My name is Rufus ShinRa, and I want you to take my father down. Well, not you specifically, your attack. Its all the same to me as long as he ends up dead.”
“And the reason you are standing here with your bodyguards?”
It was Angeal who posed the question this time.
“You are heading for the labs, we can make the way easier.”
“And why should we trust you ShinRa’s whelp?” Genesis snapped. “We take out one king pin to replace him with a younger version? No point in the attack then is there?”
Rufus’ eyes hardened and Tseng was about to step in and speak on his behalf till the blond stopped him.
“Firstly, I am nothing like my father. Power, yes I want it I will not deny that, but not his way. If he is left to continue all he is doing then all I shall inherit is a world crumbling to dust having been consumed from the inside out, falling apart at the seams. A change of leadership is required to stop the world caving in on itself as a result of my father’s scheming. I am acutely aware of what needs to be done to survive all that he has inflicted on this world, to keep the old ways, the Masquerade. All the Clans need this, you know that, or you would not be here.”
“Sephiroth scrutinised him intently for a long moment, then slowly lowered the point of his Masamune.
“You can’t be taking his word on this,” Genesis looked at Sephiroth astounded.
“I’m with him on this one,” Zack agreed.
Genesis raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“I could get to like you.”
“Genesis!” Angeal snapped.
The redhead had a nasty habit of getting seriously sidetracked by the silliest things at precisely the worst of times. In hindsight it was endearing, but at the time it was plain annoying and downright dangerous.
“He has a point,” Sephiroth said coolly, silencing them all. “But that doesn’t answer why you would help us get into the labs.”
Rufus had to look up to meet Sephiroth’s searching gaze, the occasional flicker to those cat like eyes showing how close his Beast was to rising, but meet it he did unflinchingly, his blue eyes as hard as iron.
“I want them to burn. I want the screaming to stop. If I am to take my father’s place then I cannot walk back into this building to rebuild knowing what is down there, the atrocities that have been done. I cannot and will not let them continue. Our society cannot be based on this.”
His impassioned speech was enough to convince them all, invaders and Turks alike lowering their weapons as one. No-one seemed to dare to move, until with a sigh someone broke the silence.
“Well let’s get going yo’, even though the alarms have been disabled down there they are gonna notice sooner or later.”
The Caitiff had a point, they only had so much time before whatever help Rufus and his Turks had been would be nullified. They stepped inside the elevator, glad that the car was large enough for all eight of them, including the four swords.
“Watch where you are pointing that thing yo’,” Reno grinned at Sephiroth, though at the answering growl he got from the Brujah he promptly shut up.
They made the long descent in silence, knowing instantly when they were below ground as the sirens abruptly stopped. They all watched as Sephiroth grew increasingly tense, Zack likewise, though to a lesser degree. Zack had not been sat in the knowledge of Cloud’s capture as long as the silver haired Brujah and that was the only factor in their reactions. Both had their eyes fixed firmly on the elevator doors. But when they opened again they were met by a double rank of Turks all awaiting orders.
With a smirk, Rufus and his Turks stepped out of the elevator first, the blond giving Tseng the nod. With a series of hand signals the dark haired Turk gave orders and the ranks silently moved out, blocking off exits and barring the way for those that would now become prey. Reno and Rude led the way, punching in security codes, making sure their entrance was as quiet and seamless as possible, stepping out of the way of the four swordsman as the killing had to be done. In a sense they delighted in it - Sephiroth tearing into the scientists with an abandon that had the others clamouring for blood. Rufus watched on as Sephiroth fell to his Beast, his companions allowing him to be unchecked. In fact his rage helped, as in reality to stop all that had been going on down here not a single scientist could leave alive, but it was grim work. Let the need for revenge on those who took his brother do its work and take the uncomfortable task from them.
Rufus and the Turks watched the roaring form of the homicidal Brujah from a distance, occasionally guiding the raging whirlwind of destruction towards their final destination. Soon they had reached the holding cells, and even in this state, his Beast and his rage consuming him, Sephiroth’s desire to find his brother overwhelmed everything and he calmed enough to help free those within. The first cell they came to held two vampires as opposite in appearance as could be. One broad in frame, white haired and shining with an inner radiance that was felt as much as seen, the other with hair as dark as midnight, slender of build and wreathed in darkness. Both shot to their feet at the sound of the door, the strange metal structures grafted to the dark one’s back fanning out like wings. Zack’s heart filled with a mix of emotions as the larger moved to protect the smaller, both afraid, but both determined to fight.
“We won’t hurt you,” he said gently. “We are here to set you free.”
The two obviously didn’t trust him, thinking this some trick. Well who knew what they had been put through up to this point, looking at those ‘wings’ it didn’t bear thinking about. With a sigh Zack ran bloody fingers and claws through his messy spikes. It was hard to see them behaving like this, even harder to think of something to say to convince them of their good intentions. It was understandable, look what had been done to them, the dark one especially, and those strange auras, what the hell could be causing that? But as he was floundering for words a scientist ran their way, trying to escape the rampaging slaughter that was Sephiroth, only to find himself impaled on Genesis’ sword. The sight and sound of his death seemed to convince the two where his words could not, and they visibly relaxed.
Relieved Zack led them out of the cell, following him out into the carnage. The scent of blood saturated the air, the atmosphere reeking of it, it was enough to put any vampire on edge. On to the next cell and as the door opened a blond head shot up, one Zack recognised in an instant. He rushed over, the blond getting to his feet, the two embracing fiercely.
“Shit! Cloud, are you alright?”
Cloud had to fight to breathe Zack was squeezing so hard and had to get him to ease his grip a little to reply.
“I’m fine, honest, at least I think so…”
“What did they do to you buddy?”
“I… I’m not sure… it’s…”
“We don’t have time for this.”
Zack flinched and turned at Sephiroth’s acid tone, a little surprised at the jealousy in it. But the warrior was slave to his Beast right now, cat like eyes glaring openly at Cloud. Zack now really looked at his friend, seeing that he had been changed by his short time here, that much was obvious at a glance. He was broader, more muscular, and in the semi-dark of his cell his eyes glowed in a way that was unnatural for even a vampire. A growl from the homicidal Brujah was enough to pull him from his observations. He would not push his luck with Sephiroth when he was in this state, though the Brujah had nothing to be jealous of.
“Come on pal, we are getting you out of here.”
Their search of the cells resumed, releasing vampire after vampire, though in a couple of cases they found individuals so far gone, so badly mutilated and gibbering in fear that it was a mercy to end their suffering, rather than force them to cope with the world again. But Sephiroth was getting frantic. They had been through the holding area, no containment cells remained, and there was still no sign of his brother. Tseng and Rufus exchanged a look before the dark haired Turk cautiously led the way to the main lab complex. They had to sweep there anyway, but the blond and his Turks had a bad feeling about this now. It took many key-codes to get past all the levels of security, but soon frosted glass doors opened to reveal a figure in a bloodstained white coat hunkered over a pale and restrained form on the steel table in the centre of the room.
They saw no more as the six guards who were on standby in the room leapt into action. The four swordsmen took them apart in sprays of blood and splinters of bone, cleaving them into pieces as the one in the white coat shrieked bloody murder. Rude, Tseng and Reno stopped him from fleeing, the Assamite grabbing and holding him, hand over his shrieking mouth, for him to be dealt with later. By now Sephiroth could make out the pale and sweating form, and with a cry dropped his great blade to the ground, unfastening restraints in a hurry as the others took in the sight of the man on the table. Zack could see how much this affected Genesis and Angeal too, both shaking with anger. He was one of their own and they plainly knew him.
Aside from the obvious brass gauntlet that was all too clearly now part of his arm, the figure was too thin, covered in scars. Given that vampires almost never scarred unless healing was prevented, they could only imagine what he had gone through. His left shoulder was bloody, a red and angry wound stitched closed over a slight bulge that was protruding from just above his left collarbone, as if someone had placed something in the recess between the clavicle and scapula. Sephiroth had freed him, but the vampire lay there ever so still, even though he was plainly breathing, Sephiroth brushing sable hair out of his face.
“Vincent,” he breathed in a cracked whisper.
A flicker of response came from the supine form, flat eyes becoming more aware, turning to look at the figure leaning over him.
“Is this a dream?” the tortured vampire asked in a raw and gravely voice.
“This is no dream, we are here to take you home.”
Bizarrely Vincent chuckled.
“Such sweet torment, how did you do it, reach in my mind to find out what I would want? But I am done participating in your games, hurry up and finish your business with me.”
It was clear the poor vampire thought he was talking to the scientist, who squeaked in Rude’s hold, the Assamite having tightened his grip cruelly. Sephiroth’s blazing gaze was turned on the scientist, emerald fire promising that the small man covered in his brother’s blood would soon meet his end horribly.
“I think Hojo, your time is up,” Rufus said cheerfully.
Reno grinned nastily at the pinned scientist. There was absolutely no love lost between the Turks and the Professor, who oversaw all the normal medicals and screenings of vampire staff. He gave everyone the creeps and no-one would be sorry to see him go. But Sephiroth was turning back to his brother, who was looking around himself. So many unfamiliar faces, but then, Genesis and Angeal? How could they be here in this place, with blades bloodied and notched by battle? Sephiroth reached out to grasp his good hand, squeeze it tight as hope dared to creep into ruby orbs.
“Come back to me my brother,” he whispered, praying that Vincent was not too far gone, he wouldn’t be able to bear it if they were too late.
He flinched slightly as the metal claws brushed at his cheek, but Vincent was sitting up, ignoring his hurts, all so minor after everything he had been through, eyes only for the apparition before him.
“Seph?”
The question was soft, fearful, almost not daring to hope. And as alien as this artificial hand felt against his face, he leaned into the touch, wanting Vincent to see him, realise this was real.
“I’m here Vincent, I’m only sorry I couldn’t be here sooner, forgive me.”
He thought he had been used to his brother’s strength, but when Vincent’s arms suddenly wrapped round him, grabbing onto him in a desperate embrace, he could barely draw breath. It was hard to believe that when he was now so frightfully thin, he was so much stronger than he had been. But what was more shocking was the feel of tears, hot against his neck as Vincent pressed his face there. To see the proud warrior reduced to this, it was unforgivable.
“It had been so long, I’d given up hope,” Vincent said hoarsely, and by the sounds of it, his voice would never be the same again after his ordeal. “I thought you wouldn’t want to come, not now I am a monster.”
Sephiroth felt his heart break to see Vincent like this. He took Vincent’s head in his hands, lifting it, pressing his brow to his brother’s.
“We promised each other a very long time ago, we would never leave the other behind. No matter what Vincent, I will never leave you behind,” he hissed fiercely, fingers entangled in matted sable hair.
Vincent chuckled, the sound slightly wet from crying.
“That’s my little brother.”
Sephiroth smiled a little, his heart easing. This was the Vincent he knew, in fact Vincent was letting him go, sitting up straight, Genesis and Angeal relaxing a little as they saw shades of the strong bearing in their friend that they were used to. Battered and worn, the vampire they knew was still within. Sephiroth wiped away the tears that had halted, fearing that there were going to be many more as a result of this ordeal, that no matter how functional Vincent was he was going to have a raft of issues coming from his time here, no-one knew what had been done to him. Vincent was currently looking down at his latest wound, reaching to tear out the stitches and remove the orb from within.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The snide voice of the scientist broke through the silence, ruby and emerald eyes suddenly fixed on the squirming form of the scientist, struggling to get out of the Assamite’s hold. The dark man looked apologetic at being unable to silence him.
“Unless you want to transform into one of your demons at random, unable to control it, you will leave that where it is.”
“This… thing you’ve put inside me. It will give me control of the monsters you put in me.”
“Why yes, wouldn’t want the transformation to happen at random, what kind of soldier for ShinRa would you make if we cannot control your most dangerous aspects?” he snorted condescendingly, thinking it beneath him to answer such a question.
The dark man holding him shifted to grip him with both hands round his neck about to snap it, until Rufus stayed his hand.
“No Rude, I think the honours for that lie with our new friends.”
Rude got the hidden message and let go of the scientist entirely, stepping back, in fact, there was a strange and disturbing aura emanating from Vincent, who was pushing his brother back, everyone stepping away from him as ruby eyes suddenly flared into gold.
“You might regret telling me that,” Vincent growled. “Though it is a fitting end, to be destroyed by one of your creations.”
Astoundingly, when everyone else was stepping back out of the way of the sudden transformation Vincent was going through, the scientist was grinning and marvelling at it. Unlike the previous occasion, where it felt like he was being ripped apart mentally and physically, Vincent retained his consciousness. The physical shift was uncomfortable, but no more than any normal Protean change. None of them could hold back the gasps as in the midst of sulphurous fume, enormous bat like wings extended from Vincent’s back, his visage becoming demonic, fangs elongated and eyes blazing with an unholy fire. In this form Vincent leapt on Hojo, pinning him to the ground, the scientist showing the first signs of fear as burning breath wafted onto his face.
“What’s wrong? Do you not like your creation?”
Vincent’s voice had an eerie duality to it in this form, grating on all their ears. So transfixed were the vampires on the scene in front of them that they did not notice the gathering crowd around them, of vampires they had freed from the cells, all sensing carnage and being drawn to it. The demon Vincent looked at his left hand, not brass in this form, but still seemingly metallic, the claws longer, even sharper if it was possible. With a wicked grin the creature buried those claws deep within its creator’s ribs, tearing a high scream of pain from the pinned man, the sound shrill with agony.
“How does it feel to be the one cut?” the Vincent creature sneered, twisting the claws in deeper, Hojo shrieking. “How does it feel to be the one screaming?”
Zack was becoming aware of the other presences in the room. He turned slowly, almost flinching but not quite, seeing the gathering throng, eyes all fixed on what the transformed Brujah was doing. It was hard to see, all that burning hatred, that contained violence they desired to inflict on for the vampire now screaming. He realised they had all come to watch the scientist die, had to see his corpse or they would never sleep again, though it might be impossible for some of them by now. One was a girl, she looked no more than nine years old, though her eyes seemed so much older, clearly a vampire, but so young! And she was one of many, the two with the strange auras here, the dark one’s ‘wings’ flexing in agitation, men, women, all obviously altered and tortured by this man. He turned to see the shade of the same feelings in Cloud’s eyes, even in the Turks to a small degree. Zack got the feeling that the scientist had this coming from a long time ago.
Vincent withdrew bloody claws, leaving a sucking chest wound, blood pouring onto the nondescript floor.
“If I had time and patience, I would make you live through every horror you put us through.” Vincent hissed in the sobbing man’s face. “I would make you scream for every scream you tore from us. But I find myself rather short on time.”
Dripping claws eviscerated the vampire in a swift motion, the demon rolling him onto his side as he gasped and screamed, shaking hands grabbing for the steaming intestines falling out of his body and onto the floor. They all winced at the foul smell from where part of the tubing had split, filth mixing with blood and gore. Hojo let out an unholy shriek as the demon stamped on the writhing organs, still connected to him, pain sent through the trampled flesh. But the demon was far from done. Pushing the vampire facedown in the pool of his own entrails, he used razor sharp claws to slit his clothing up the back, ripping it wide to expose his back before slicing him up the line of his spine.
What he did next was hard to stomach for them all, using those claws to wrap round the base of his spine and rip it upwards through the rent in his back and away from his pelvis. Hojo’s legs twitched feebly as they were rendered useless but the demon kept pulling, tearing muscle, nerves and sinew. As the demon reached his ribcage Hojo was screaming nonstop, but with sickening pops as bones were wrenched out of sockets the creature tore the spine out up to the neck, before renewing its grip, and ripping it up to the head, the skull tearing away from the neck with the sound of wet fabric ripping, the scientists screams cut short as his life ended in terror and agony. There was a collective holding of breath as the demon got to its feet, golden gaze turning on Sephiroth. Then as suddenly as he changed, he changed back, pale skin looking ashen, Sephiroth only just able to catch him before he collapsed.
“See what I’ve become,” he wheezed, barely able to remain conscious.
But Genesis had come to prop him up from the other side.
“You are still my brother.” Sephiroth said softly.
Zack noticed how Sephiroth’s eyes had returned to normal, his beast sated by his brother’s revenge. The collective breath that had been held seemed to be let loose in a communal sigh, as Vincent smiled weakly while he struggled to keep his feet, even with the support on either side. An unknown Turk walked into the throng, approaching Tseng to whisper in his ear.
“The scientists have all been eliminated,” Tseng said flatly, as if such things that they were witnessing were everyday events.
He looked to Rufus who curled his lips in distaste as the bloody rags that was what remained of Hojo.
“Get everyone out of here, then I want this place to burn like the hell it is.”
Slowly the prisoners were led to the elevator to freedom, it was going to take many trips, and they were escorted by Turks the whole way. Rufus watched, his jaw clenched tight as he saw how many lives had been torn about through his father’s cruelty.
“We have to help them Tseng, they are our responsibility. I cannot leave them in the cold with nothing after what my father has done.”
Tseng nodded in quiet approval.
“Arrangements will be made.” He agreed.
Eventually all that were left in the midst of the carnage were Rude and Reno. Reno was stood over Hojo’s remains, and being the overgrown kid he was, couldn’t help poking them with his electromag rod.
“Fuck, if I could have done that to him I would have done it ages ago yo’.”
“Hmm.”
The two stood in silence as they surveyed the remains of ShinRa’s secret research facility.
“What say we have a barbeque yo’?”