Chapter Text
I. Rufus
“Two… I was expecting one. Just the boy.” Aqua eyes shift between the two bundles in the nursemaid’s arms. “Where is the mother?”
“Your father discarded her after her usefulness was fulfilled, your highness.”
“Of course he did...” The prince frowns. “Does he expect me to care for those?”
The nursemaid stares at the prince, gaze stern and unwavering. “They are your children, your highness.”
“Children that I was forced to make as a precaution… That aside, they need structure and a woman to care for them.” He never signed up to take on that particular task himself. In fact, he didn’t sign up to be a father at all, and yet, those children exist. And he can’t be a father. Not now. Maybe not ever. He simply can’t. Can’t deal with children that he wanted (and still wants) no part of. But he does need them. In the future. “Did she name them?”
“Yes, your highness. The prince is called Cloud and the princess is Tifa.”
He nods and stares and thinks about how names picked by Mystics are always good luck… they will do. “Good. Take care of them until I gather the proper staff to do so.” If he’s lucky, this will be the last time that he personally sees to his children.
Such burdens… There is far too much at stake and their entrance into the world cannot have possibly come at a worse time.
Before the prince and princess have the luxury of experiencing their first week into life, their father takes the throne.
Rufus Shinra stages a coup and gains the absolute trust of his military and the Shinra Empire of Midgar. With his own hands, he takes the life of his tyrannical father –subsequently gaining the respect and admiration of his entire court, the generals, and the shadow dwellers that have pledged themselves to his bloodline unconditionally.
The people rejoice and embrace the fifteen-year-old former prince as their new Emperor.
His older half-brother, Lazard, concedes to his succession with ease and grace.
When Prince Cloud and Princess Tifa are born, their mother (a lowly concubine) is prepared to be cast away. She is prepared to leave her children with little more than the blessing whispered from her lips and the names the Mother wants her to bestow upon them.
“You will be wise and beautiful children. Children that are worshiped and sought beyond imagination. You will have good lives. Lives brought about through bliss and hardships, but good lives nonetheless.”
True as it is, their versions of a “good life” are vastly different.
Princess Tifa is an unexpected addition that the Emperor does not want, however, he is not quite as heartless as his father and he can’t find it in himself to abandon her. Instead, he has her placed in the Southern Quarters of the estate –the servant’s quadroon. A place he never deigns to go but it exists and serves a purpose. Just as she will with time. Thus, the princess is to be raised by one of the very nursemaid that took care of him for the vast majority of his youth, Aerith the Mystic. In addition, Rufus feels as though the princess should, at the very least, have an attendant and a shadow to watch over her and keep her safe.
So he is not cruel. Nothing like his own father.
See, for the princess, he has still gifted her with a destiny bound to a simple and modest life in luxury. Gifted her with a family in the form of the servants (though she will, perhaps, yearn for the love and adoration of her father and brother). In the future, the Emperor predicts that she will become a useful pawn –a princess to marry off to a kingdom for the sake of forming ties.
The gift of serving a purpose… Until then, her life is the Southern Quarters.
Emperor Rufus considers that a small price for her to pay given that she is unwanted.
Prince Cloud, on the other hand… he is wanted no more than his sister, however, he serves a grand purpose. After all, every emperor needs a true heir and the prince will one day take the reins of the empire –will become a man that the people look up to and serve.
Rufus has high hopes for his son. Very, very high.
As such, he gives the prince the world. Figuratively.
Giving Cloud the entire Western region of the estate is nothing more than a sampling of what’s to come in the future. A small taste that will flourish. If the prince is properly groomed, of course. Which, for all intents and purposes, he will be.
Rufus has arranged for his son to be cared for by nothing less than the best.
The Ancient Mystic Lucretia will serve as Cloud’s nursemaid –she will cultivate and mold the prince to peak potential. But potential is nothing without foundation and guidance, which is why the Emperor chooses his three most trusted generals to watch over his son in hopes that the prince will be raised and trained into the perfect representation of a man. Of an Emperor. But a future Emperor is nothing without his shadow –without the one who will forever serve and protect the young prince (unconditionally) through life and beyond the grave. For that task, Rufus took a risk and dared to ask the great Demon Chaos.
Yes… he’s amassed a powerhouse for his son. An untouchable source of knowledge to feed the boy’s growth and development alongside a small army of staff to cater to the child’s every whim and fancy. People who have and will vow with their lives to serve and protect their young prince no matter the cost…
Just the thought puts a smile on Rufus’ face because he’s done well for his son. For his future. He considers his job (with regard to his children) complete. At least until they are needed. After all, royal children are nothing more than pawns that will blossom into brilliant pieces when the time arises.
That is a lesson Rufus knows all too well. A Life lesson that he can never unlearn.
II. The Emperor’s Progeny
“Our new assignment is to- is to raise a child.” Outrage colors Genesis’ tone and face as he walks ahead a bit because he cannot believe Rufus’ audacity. Cannot believe that the brat has the gall to assign them to- to babysit.
Sephiroth simply says “yes”. He can believe it.
After all, Rufus is the man who took his father’s life ‘for the greater good’, thus, it makes sense that he would apply such arrogance to ensure the life of his son.
Angeal frowns. “We’re going to be taking care of the crown prince –that’s not a job trusted to just anyone.”
“I never said that it was. I’m simply stating that there are better tasks for us. Tasks that involve a battlefield, bloodshed, and the opportunity to watch in earnest as the life is snubbed from the retinas of a dying man.” Genesis finds comfort in those situations. He feels right at home –courtesy of the Demon that cursed half of his blood.
“Your take on war is awfully poetic.” But Sephiroth, regretfully, agrees. The battlefield is home. Being stationary…
Genesis smiles and pauses, allows the other two to catch up to him and hear him properly. “War is poetic.” It is grim, morbid, and oh-so beautiful. One of the most splendid forms of art.
“Maybe that’s why Rufus stuck us with his kid. You give us a bad reputation.” Though every fiber of his being enjoys the bloodshed that a war encourages, Angeal doesn’t embrace that aspect of his life. He prefers peace –longs for leisure days where he can ignore and suppress the yearning of his Demon tainted blood. They need an assignment like the one they’ve been handed. An assignment that will remind them of the benefits of being free and the value of the average life. “Besides, we haven’t been back here since he took over as Emperor.”
“Since we helped him take over as Emperor,” is Sephiroth’s easy correction. “A life on the estate doesn’t suit us, nor does raising and being responsible for an infant.”
Genesis flashes Angeal a quick grin because victory tastes divine on his tongue, however, it easily falls when Sephiroth speaks again.
“Even so, it’ll be nice to relax. And, perhaps, this will be temporary.”
“I hope so.” Genesis pushes open the doors that lead to the prince’s bedroom. Standing beside a golden bassinet is a woman he’s never particularly cared for. But he is nothing less than a gentleman, “Lucretia.”
The woman’s lips twitch as she glances away from the bassinet, dark, pitiless gaze seemingly endless. “Ah, if it is not the renowned Cursed Generals. I was told that you would be joining the prince’s court but I did not believe it until this very instant.”
“We’re as surprised as you’re feigning to be.” Genesis offers his own sardonic smile.
Lucretia openly laughs, “Indeed. Only the best for our future Emperor and what better guardians than those cursed and defiled by the sins of Mako.” All mirth subsides as though it were never there to begin with. “Come, take a look at the child that you intend to swear your lives to.” She moves to the side and watches as the three men crowd around the bassinet, their gazes and expressions ever amusing. “He is a beautiful child, no? It will be both his strength and his blight as he ripens.”
Genesis doesn’t doubt that for a moment. Staring up at him are the most startling pair of sapphire irises (reminiscent of gems) –alluring and enticing. Many will one day succumb to that gorgeous gaze, he’s sure. Feather soft light blond hair covers the boy's head and seems ever illuminating when pitted against that flawless ivory flesh. Forever unblemished is all he can hope and pray for. The infant is indeed gorgeous –will grow into a beautiful adolescent that men and women alike will yearn to covet as their own. He himself is already enticed and drawn to the prince… “Rufus made this?”
“He helped, minimally. This child is a Mystic Halfling, he and his sister.” Lucretia leans forward to pluck Cloud from his crib, her smile warm as she stares at him.
Angeal glances between the two. “There’s another one?” He can’t imagine one child like that, let alone two. Dear Gaia… they’re in for a world of trouble.
“The three of you need only be concerned about the prince. The princess is an unintended blessing that Rufus is unconcerned with, therefore, you should remain unconcerned.”
“I often forget that you’re a cold witch.” Sephiroth holds nothing but disdain for the Ancient Sorceress.
Cold black eyes meet aqua as her lips tug into a wicked smile. “I wonder what that makes you.” Because they are one in the same, really. “Nevertheless, this child will become someone grand under the blessings of his mother and Gaia. And the three of you will aide in producing the optimal heir to the throne.”
“What of Rufus?”
Lucretia takes a moment to shrug off the shoulder of her gown to provide a swollen breast for the hungry infant in her arms before her attention returns to the Generals. “The Emperor only knows one way to handle his children and it is as he was taught: to hand them off to the help and use them when the time comes. His purpose for prince Cloud is as an heir to the throne. The princess –nothing more than collateral for future dealings. Between the five of us, we are all that the prince has- all that he will know, learn, and become will stem from us.”
“What a burden.” Sephiroth, in no way, wants such a lengthy assignment.
“The five of us?” Angeal glances around the room and- yes. There are only four people present.
Lucretia glances towards the large window at the far end of the room. “His Shadow is here. And if Gaia is not mistaken, he too will play a vital part in caring for the young Prince.”
After one full year, the Emperor decides that a report about the wellbeing of the children is in order. Annual reports are necessary if he is to ensure their safety –ensure their usefulness. So he summons both nursemaids to the throne and listens, “First, the princess.”
Aerith smiles a bit. “She’s well and developing as per the rate of any other child her age.”
Average is the only phrase that comes to Rufus’ mind, however, he has no intentions of expecting more from his spare child. Being an average princess is, still, worth far more than being an average commoner. “Very well, you may be on your way.”
Aerith bows slightly, her gaze narrowing before she turns away and makes her exit from the throne.
“I would like a full report on the prince.”
Lucretia’s smile touches her eyes and it is the sincerest expression the Emperor has ever bared witness to with regard to her. It’s both unnerving and promising. “Prince Cloud has, undoubtedly exceeded my expectations. He is Resonating perfectly with the portions of himself that belong to the Mystics –to the Mother and Gaia. Through telepathy, I have taught him speech. He can understand commands, punishment, and reward. Of course, he can only understand so much at his age but he is a fast learner. He also has the Sight.”
She can clearly recall being amazed when a six-month-old Cloud babbled and smiled at his Shadow. And when he learned to crawl, often enough, he would make his way to the Demon hidden between spiritual planes. Now, the beast has taken to the ceiling as to avoid being chased around and beckoned by the prince. It is simply incredible and highly amusing.
“And his guardians?”
At that, Lucretia frowns. “They spoil him. Prince Cloud wants for nothing when Genesis and Angeal are around, however, knowing such affections is not a detriment to his development.”
“What of Sephiroth?”
“He keeps his distance but he watches over the prince. Those creatures rarely do well with assimilating to modern societal structures and conventions. It makes me wonder how you managed to tame one, let alone three.”
Creatures she calls them… the Mystics are ever so pompous and think themselves superior in comparison to everyone. In their own way, they are. As are the Demons and the Cursed. When compared to humans, they are all so very extraordinary… and Rufus –a younger and naïve version of himself- wanted to liberate and integrate all of the species. Create one united world. It is that idealistic version of himself that led him to buy, free, and employee his Generals. It is that version of himself that he misses but can no longer be because the reality of his foolish aspiration to unite the Empire is just that: foolish. There is far too much bad blood between the species, which always and inevitably gives rise to war and bloodbaths.
However, unlike the previous Emperor who encouraged division, slavery, and oppression of non-human species, he is slowly gaining their trust. And trusts, alongside loyalty, are a binding contract for Demons, Mystics, and all those that lay between.
Rufus smiles. “Trust goes a long way and loyalty is gold.”
“If that is what you would like to believe, so be it.” Loyalty and trust… all fickle sentiments to her. Honor and honesty, on the other hand- “Returning to the prince, it should be noted that he is rather honest in the most admirable of ways –a trait I am sure he did not garner from you. What he lacks is a sense of impending doom. Fear. That, of course, could be a blessing… or a curse.”
Rufus nods absently. “I’m sure you’ll attempt to rectify that.” Fear is a healthy sentiment. It tends to ground people in reality and that child will need to be steeped in it in order understand the world.
“I will try.”
“Very well. Continue on as you have been and I expect an update the same time next year.”
“Of course, my Emperor.”