Feast of The Planet

by Freyablue369

Summary:

A reunion of memories, truth will either set you free or push you deeper into madness.

The General stood still watching the tree branches swipe against each other, laughter and chimes filled his ears, his eyes and grip on the masamune hardened. Tuning close into his senses, Sephiroth felt faint hasty steps grow closer each second until he spotted white approaching him. Once pursed lips loosened opened and his breath drew deeper with each inhale. Royal blue and familiar silver white, now before his eyes, she stopped to gather his being into her eyes. Her eyes earthly green, and his winter jade. His hair was hers.

"Father!"

At once, both their arms open for each other, Sephiroth pulled the child close into his chest. He didn't know why, but his body just simply moved on its own.

Behold, destiny's child.

 

This work is part of a duology. Please refer to part 1 above, one shot.

Chapter 1: Prologue: From the earth

From the earth, my body was formed with clay and breath rushed through my nostrils. The roots are my hair, and the rich green stones are my eyes. Gaia, the Planet, has given birth to me, Aeris Gainsborough, the last Cetra.

 

And for what?

 

Once human sentience hit me, I realized I was cold and naked. Filthy from the earth, or blessed to be resurrected. I wasn't sure. I was shocked to have risen from the mud, my ears rung to the sound of constant water fall. Bewilderment quivered through my gasps while I tried to make sense of my surroundings in pure darkness with moonlight as the only aid. Looking around, a sense of familiarity warmed me, a house I unintentionally abandoned a long time ago. While holding my breasts together and covering the center of my legs, I jumped into the pool of flowing water. The cold needles shocked me, but the outcome of a clean filth free body was worth it. My head emerged from the water taking a second look around, once again, I spotted the home. Slow chimes ticked in my ears, as my eyes made out the shape, but as it became too clear I see what time has done to it. My heart sank at the sight my home with my mother, some of it's roof was gone or had collapsed due to time. She was gone too. I knew then I was all alone, the only one brought back by the Planet. 

 

"Elmyra..." only a faint whisper left my mouth. It was useless to say her name, my mother is gone. Saying her name wont manifest her spirit or body back. So now, I swallow the lump down my stomach and promised myself to never utter any names again. 

 

Each creeping step I took was like a tick to a tock, a storm brewed inside of my stomach as I carefully approached the entrance of my home. My hand wrapped around the door knob and painful heat undulated throughout my heart fizzing to my core. Dead memories and remnants await me behind this door. My grasp tightened, I needed to rip the band aid off, one turn and push. Silence. Dust and darkness, no ghosts or apparitions played the past before me as I had feared. Nothing. Tears burned my eyes as they fell out. What I had initially feared was now what I yearned to see. I truly am alone in this god forsaken world. 

 

 

Chapter 2: A Church's Prayer

The new world was anything but renewed. 300 years in and humanity regressed, shadows emerged forth from darkness of unity- one mind in all humans, connected by darkness. Darkness in the mass when poverty, illness, greed, and anarchy rose from the need to live. Even I had darkness within me, I wanted to give up. My last ditch hope brought death's blade to my body. In death, my last ditch hope brought forth plague. He won, didn't he? He did. The world was now what he wanted it to be. The only thing missing was him to lead it further into oblivion. The battles I fought, the remnants I brought home, the healing that was done-. Memories was all I had now, my only friend who sometimes gave me solace, but often grief. They replayed in order inside my mind as I closed my eyes. Even while I prayed, it was all I could see. Or I'm just here to pray the hunger away when scraps became too difficult to come by, or because I was sick of eating clover soup with edible weeds. Be that as it may, these days I realized that I'm not even praying, I was just floating in this church. 

A sudden fast ring in my ears snapped my eyes opened. An audible gasp left me, men were outside shouting perverse wanton actions. I immediately got up and hid between the broken stage floor of the church's altar. Rush filled my veins as I struggled to cover myself with the plank, making sure I was obscured from their sights. The loud broken doors dragged open and three men's boorish voices filled the holy sanctuary. Following them was a small trembling voice pleading for mercy. My breath hitched and I held it still within my throat. 

"Please! Let me go! I need to help my father, he's sick!" her tear filled words were painful to my ears. She was someone's baby, someone's world and she was out here only trying to sustain what little she had left. My imagination played her story like a projector. Tears seeped out of me as the breath within my throat became too painful hold. 

"Oh, she want's her daddy, eh? Hear that Markus?" The man's taunts stabbed me to pieces. What was going to happen became evident. 

A slimy lick to the lips, I could see the twisted smile on their faces. "Don't cry, sweetie, daddy's right here. And I'm gonna take good care of you." the last words came out as a low whisper, but soon cracked into a yell.

"Fucking bitch! Be good and I might just give you a penny. Be a horses ass, and I'll cut your face." the sound of a blade switch turned. My imagination could see her nodding with tears. 

This is what you brought me back for? 

The Planet did not answer me. No words or songs. Only screams and the grunts of sick pleasure. 

 

÷

 

In the dark room I laid on the floor covered by an old rag, my bed had dissipated into springs and wires over the years. My body was frozen still from events that had just transpired. No thoughts came to mind. The thousand yard stare were in my eyes that night and will remain so evermore. 

 

÷

 

What was once Wall Market was now a district for pleasure, red lights dawned the nights everywhere, I avoided that place the best I could. However, business was bustling there and over time, I couldn't avoid it if I wanted to afford anything. Everyday before going out, I'd rub soot and dirt over my face to obscure any features that could denote beauty to anyone. With an old basket over my arm, I sold flowers for a penny or two depending on the customer.

 

Well, that depends on the customer...

 

Grief. Again. How long am I given on this planet to endure? 

 

A shoulder pushed me aside snapping me back to reality, "Watch it." a man glared back as he continued walking. Composing myself, I brushed the hooded cloak with my hand while the other held onto a white lily. 

I cleared my throat continuing to offer a flower to anyone, "Flower?" 

Most of my clientele were women of the night, they wanted anything to adorn themselves with to attract customers. Or as I sometimes liked to think, they just wanted something small for themselves even if it was a fleeting flower. Everyone deserved a small piece of heaven in their lives. Children who wanted flowers, I did not charge, I only prayed that their dreams lived longer than the flowers. For they are the future, they have the potential to bring about change, and maybe this small short lived beauty of nature could spark inspiration in their hearts. 

Later on, I now found myself at the steps of the church again after that night. It's over been a week. My hands trembled. I did not step in using the front door, it would draw too much attention. Instead, I utilized by sneaking through the broken back obscured by wreckage and waste. Hastily, I crept and hopped forward as carefully as I could. My steps stopped at the broken wooden floor where I had hid. From my basket, I placed six lilies on top before kneeling down to pray. 

I prayed asking the Planet to comfort her with peace and rest. 

"...Please provide her with peace, rest, and happiness. For she will no longer suffer man's darkness, free from her mortal bonds and burdens. I ask that you protect and look after her father-" warm drops had found it's way out of my eyes. I bit down the urge to sniff by clenching down on my jaw. 

"P-please-..." 

Sobs crashed against my grinding teeth and my face fell into my palms. 

"I'm sorry... I'm so so sorry." 

My back shook in and out, I heaved cries into my hands until I could no longer support myself and my palms met floor holding up like pillars while my eyes continued to rain. 

"Forgive me please! I am so sorry!" 

Faintly, a deep rich sound of ringing bowls gently grew around us, me and her. My head darted up towards the broken roof, but there was nothing. I looked around searching for anything. A soft gentle caress fluttered against my hands. I inhaled a sharp breath before glancing down, lilies bloomed forth from her beneath the church. Watching it magicked before me, multiple colors bloomed and fluttered open reaching me, gracing my abdomen. The smell of death evaporated into floral sweetness tickling my nose. Pleasant yet sharp, so sharp, my stomach began churning on itself. 

"Houh!" my guts rose to my aching throat. The visceral urge came abruptly spewing gurgles out of my mouth, and I hunched over as everything spouted out of me for a moment. 

I spat the remainder out from my mouth, "Pft! Pft! Pft!" 

The doors suddenly opened and I came back to the present again grabbing my basket ready to run for my life. 

However, the man that came in was not a threat. He was alone, limping, with loss in his eyes. He paused to look at me for a second before continuing for the altar. Stepping far aside, embarrassment filled me at the mess I just left on there, but the man didn't bother to care and knelt down before the flowers looking up to the sky. For a minute he sighed, "These flowers do smell awfully beautiful..."

"They do."

"I've never prayed before in my whole life. I don't believe in any gods..." 

"I can understand, sir."

A moment passed by and I decided maybe I could offer to pray for him, "I could help you pray, if you'd like?" 

"You believe in gods?"

"It's... complicated, but yes..." 

He chuckled, assuming from my answer, but it was only the truth. Carefully, he scooted left, gesturing for me to join him for a prayer. 

"What would you like for to pray for?"

The man was silent for a moment. While he pondered, I observed his features up close, his graying hair and sunken deep autumn red eyes. Those eyes gave me a deep sense of warmth behind them. There was light scarring on his right cheek. The man had certainly not eaten for a good while, or much throughout his life. It was not uncommon for people to be underweight in the slums of Midgar. 

Then his voice broke the trance, "My daughter, Erena, has not been home for about a week..." 

I felt my face dropping, my arms heavy, and once again my guts churned. 

"She had left to do an odd job for some money to help us but..."

"I'll pray for you both..." I began to show him how to pray, clasping my hands together against my heart:

"Oh Planet, I, Aeris Gainsborough pray to you at this hour to seek your love, kindness, guidance, power... and justice. I pray asking thee to protect both Erena and her father. Bring them peace and prosperity. Oh great Planet, please feel and see the distress of this loving father who yearns for his beloved child's return. Bring her back home to where she belongs, with her family, to her father who loves her dearly. Please ensure her safety and wellbeing, no matter she is. Bless him with assurance and peace that his daughter is safe and will be home with him again-..."

Oh Planet, please bring swift justice for Erena and her father. Bring them both rest and peace, protect her father, bring him abundance and prosperity. Use your sword against those who have committed crime against this family, bring justice and peace. Do you not see the crimes and injustices that all people here suffer at the hands of those with darkness in their hearts? Why do you sit idly? Mercy upon this family! Mercy on all! Please do this please do this please do this-

The rumble of thunder broke my prayers, heavy rain from the heavens poured down upon Midgar.

Turning to look at the father next to me, he was hunched over holding a lily between his fingers, his lips pursed together with his eyes squinted. 

"I just want her to come back home." he cried. "I've never begged for anything in my whole life, and now I'm begging whatever forces out there, please bring her home!" 

I couldn't hold back anymore at this point, I sobbed with an open mouth, "I'm so sorry!" my arms wrapped around him. "She's here!" I bawled. "She's here!" my hands hit the fresh flower bed repeatedly. "I laid her here!" 

"Auwwh!!!!" his howling tears shredded my heart to pieces. His baby was here. His arms reached out towards the flowers gripping each so tightly as he moved to sprawl across them. "My baby!!!" 

Soon, it caught his eye. With urgent determination, his finger parted the flowers and pried the broken floor revealing her. 

"Auughhh!!!" he tore it away from her, out of the church, he pulled her against his chest calling her name repreatedly, "Erena!!!" I cried even more alongside him with howling shrieks.

Erena's body was bloated and bled from every orifice, but to him, it was his daughter. His only family. He found her but still lost everything. 

Tell him, child... 

"I was..." My stomach was heavy, I couldn't formulate the words to explain what had happened. "I-I was h-here- hu-ugh-!" the urge returned, it was knotted inside my core, each word I tried to start tugged at it. "I w-was- augh!!!" it disgorged out of my system in front of the father and his daughter. He looked at me with only pain in his eyes. It drove me to say it all without a hiccup. 

"I WAS HERE! HIDING UNDER THE CHURCH WHEN SHE WAS KILLED!" 

His lips downturned exposing his teeth even more followed with another cry. 

"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HELP HER! IT WAS ALL MY FAULT I'M SORRY!" 

Tell him. Her voice echoed throughout the church. Panic and fear surged inside me, I looked around in all directions searching for her. Please tell him my message. 

I dropped against the floor with hands around my head, "Please stop!!!" lightning struck barely missing me. 

Please, Aeris, please tell my father...

"Okay..." I nodded. Taking a deep breath, I rose sitting up, "Dad" 

The man squirmed at the voice shaking, "Who are you?!"

"It's me, dad. I was scared, they hurt me so much, and it still hurts. But I'm okay now, please don't worry. Aeris took care of me afterwards. I'm safe now, I've returned home to the lifestream. We will be together again, I love you, dad." 

Thank you, Aeris. 

The rain lightened to a drizzle as the thunder came to a silence. Rays of the sun for once shined onto Midgar.

 

÷

 

Together we rearranged the flowers back after laying Erena carefully back into her final resting place. The moment was silent and oddly peaceful. Even after the downpour, the flowers still retained their strong scent. After finishing, he brushed his hands against his thighs, sniffing a little. 

"She loved flowers even though she'd never seen one before." 

I couldn't turn to face him directly especially after what just happened.

"Thank you." 

His gratitude shocked me forcing me to look at him, "I didn't do anything to help her. If I wasn't such a coward, she would've been still alive!"

"Erena's at peace now in the lifestream. She doesn't have to worry or suffer like she did anymore in this lifetime. I couldn't do anything for her while she was here, but you gave her a beautiful resting place." With his stump leg, he limped carefully out without saying another word.  

Why did you bring me back?

Giggles, bells, and songs of lovebirds filled my ears brightly, the Planet was teasing me. 

Stop this. 

The sounds toned down, but never fully faded, Gaia refused to tell me what her plan's are. Anger and sadness was all I could feel right now at her idleness and neglect. With no answer provided, I turn on my heels walking out of the church through it's door. 

Chapter 3: House of Sanctuary

Notes:

Warning: Suicide attempt at the beginning.

I couldn't remember what had happened to me in the lifestream shortly after my resurrection. The Planet has refused to speak to me, only chiming in when there was potential danger. Just recently three days ago when I had left the church through it's front doors, I heard the familiar voices of three certain men grumbling nearby, and the Planet had sent a shock in my stomach urging me to leave as soon as possible. My steps quickened and I heard laughter from them, however, their voices slowly yet soon faded away with the crowd. How I wished she granted me physical strength if not magic. Trying to conjure the power I once had only made me sick; so sick to where my vision was only darkness, and the strength to stand grounded faltered. I begged her. I begged the Gaia to send me back to the lifestream, but her silence was my only answer. Rage, sadness, and bitter content was all I felt, accompanied by emptiness. When will all this agony turn into just another memory? I've given up trying to seek answers, but the question will always remain for as long as I lived. If she won't give me anything, I will take control of what I could.

Gray mornings as always in Midgar, it was getting old seeing the same sky every day. The old beams across my ceiling bedroom seemed sturdy, and the long rags I braided into a makeshift rope seemed perfect. However, my height initially posed as an issue, but it was quickly solved with an old trunk that would hold my weight as I stuck one end of the rope through one beam. I never knew how to tie a knot to save my life, but here I was doing anything to end it. Both ends of the makeshift rope have been tied together into a messy tight knot forming a "U". With a deep breath, I sighed for the last time on this planet. A funny thought came into mind: in the previous life, I wasn't ready to die, yet it was my duty for the greater good of all. The cold steel of death penetrated my flesh scraping against my bone. It was painful, but quick. This would take some time, but I didn't care because in the end, I'll be gone once again. I was ready. My neck rested inside the loop as both hands gripped the sides, the toes of my feet kicked the trunk aside. 

"HUagh!" the air locked within my throat as stuttering ugly gasps choked out of me from the initial strangulation. 

Yes... I smiled. 

HOW DARE YOU?! 

Yes! Yes! 

"KkrrKKkrgh..." 

A peaceful darkness, all alone, without any care. I was gone once again, this time by my own terms. This darkness was comforting as I laid afloat on the calm still waters. I felt no pain, no sadness, nor happiness. I simply did not exist. There was no past, no future, nor time. Only the present. Then slowly it came crawling from the void, a sharp ringing pierced like needles. With it was a sorrowful wail far away, but slithered closer every inching moment. It was no man or woman, but an infant child's cry. Peace was disturbed and the water below shifted vibrating violently. I now happened to exist as I swam around looking for any ground to grab hold of. My heart was shaking. Being blinded by only pure darkness became unbearable, I wanted to see! I wanted to feel! Finally, I screeched in desperately plea, "Please help me!!!" Flames erupted and still it was only darkness. From the fire, a figure stood far away, so far it was like a needle. In an instant, it glided fast before me, clothed with a robe over it's lowered head. Lingering out of open hood were silver threads, and out of it's sleeve was a baby. The infant screamed and kicked shaking it's head side to side in the horror's hand. Lifting up it's head revealed beaming purple eyes with a distorted grin. Everything inside my body dropped into the pits of endlessness, and my eyes widened in terror. The screams of the infant still screeched as her free hand gripped the top of it's head slowly crushing the skull into mush. 

Shrieking horror escaped from my gaping mouth.

The knot in my neck was numbingly painful, my gasp was met with a wall at the back of my throat. My feet thrashed back and forth, then my hands pushed the loop away, and I greeted the floor with a thud. Drool pooled down the corner of my mouth as I inhaled gasps of scratching air into my hacking lungs. I laid on the floor for Gaia knows how long, all I knew was dusk has cloaked the heavens above. 

What was that?...

Sick of the silence, I rose up with a yell, "I am sick of your silence! What was that-that I saw?!!!" my teeth gritted against each other clamming shut, but the cries were escaping through their chatter. My chest broke into spasms trying to hold it all in. "Now you wont answer me!!!" tears burst forth, the pain was too much. Could anyone blame me? My friends are gone, my mother is gone, and I am here all alone without a clear purpose trapped under the steel sky. I leaned my forehead against my knees letting all the ugly sobs flow out. For some reason as I thought about the feverish nightmare remembering the baby, my hand brushed up against my abdomen pressing firmly, that was when I felt something. A fluttering spark and my intuition ignited. I stiffened and my head rose up, wide eyed, I continued by digging through the rags I wore until my palm pressed against my hot abdomen. The spark was strong, now consistent of a lit candle. 

Life was growing inside of me. 

"Oh my gods..." I whispered gasping in disbelief, "What did you do to me?!" 

A gift, Aeris. A chance to experience life that was unfairly stolen from you. Treasure it for time flies.

"And the father?!"

Hehehehe~ 

Songs of birds and love echo in my ears. Gaia was happy for me and I felt nothing but agony. 

 

+

 

12 weeks along, it was awful, the vomiting still did not cease for most days. The days I could not function as an individual, there was nothing that my body could sustain. Not the free flowing water outside nor the vegetation the Planet provided. If I remained still enough keeping my eyes closed, it would subside for a little bit. However, one sudden shift even as minimal as twitch sent me spewing acid from my guts. I couldn't see myself, but I was sure I looked and reeked of death. Gaia did nothing but sang songs of love and fertility. It was taunting and hurtful to me while she celebrated her will, and not mine. She won't let me live, she won't let me die. If ever fully slept, visions plagued me in dreams, this life was no rest. The lifestream swirled back and forth from white and black; silver and green. The blackness that tainted it remained as it was: evil and scheming. I saw and felt it all. Finally clear, I saw what the Planet had done, she had snatched me from what little heaven there was and placed within my womb, the essence of corrupted evil. His and mine together, and she dare called that a gift. Over and over again I observed, I felt hopeless and pathetic unable to stop Gaia's actions as she took me against my will. Dear friend, once it is all said and done, I will turn my cheek and never look back. 

 

+

 

17 weeks in, the sickness finally subsided. How I even made it through, I don't know. The kicks and movement it made inside me was uncomfortable and annoying. I had no idea I could hate living this much. Vegetation and water was the only thing I enjoyed at the moment. I could even maybe start peddling flowers again, besides, I wanted to visit the church. Cloaking myself with torn broken hoods covering my pregnancy, I made my way to see her and pay my respects. Walking through the crowds, children asked for a flower, and four prostitutes paid 5 gils each for one. Finally nearing the church, I spotted from afar that the doors were wide open, repaired as people walked in and out. Quickly I sprinted towards it, I saw children playing, elderlies praying, and Erena's old father sweeping dust away. Even small animals such as kittens played alongside with the children. Obscuring myself behind the opened doors, I could feel a breath of fresh air emanating from inside, it was hope reborn. Maybe, I didn't know. However, this scene before me should've been what the world was, not this chaos and destruction. A memory struck through my head: The children with Cloud at the end of the fight against the three remnants. Everyone was there: Tifa, Marlene, Red XII, Barret, Vincent, Yuffie and so on... Even Zack and me. We were all there, then Cloud finally realized he was no longer alone. He never was. He needed no forgiveness from anyone, but himself. That was the beauty of life, it goes on. 

Once again, the life inside me kicked zapping flutters throughout my body, and for a second everything made sense. Taking the first step in felt as if I had just walked into a whole new world. How I wished for all the people I loved to be here, but I wasn't alone for life was growing inside of me. Yet, subconscious shadows still lurked within my mind, my will with the urge to fight the sea's current inside. 

Sephiroth, you were all alone and now I truly understand. 

Each day more and more people visited the church, and I would visit daily to spend time with the folks and children who visited. This small piece of heaven everyone needed, but not deserved by everyone. With people frequenting the sight, word spread attracting unwanted attention. Where there is good there is also evil, duality in all of life's wake. Without balance, perverse corruption is born. Today, my stomach protruded quite prominently, if my calculation was accurate I am bridging towards the third trimester. Mothers around me were helpful and thoughtful with tips, small gifts, and warnings. Some even unwarranted births- gone- wrong stories. They wanted to prepare me for my first time, and hopefully last. Questions of the father arose and I would only say he was deceased. It always worked and soon the questions came to a complete stop. As of this day, strange tingling in my eardrums hummed, the child within me laid still. It was strange of it to do so, and I felt apprehensive, had it passed inside of me? Or was it tired? Gaia never answers. The women were worried with me as well, but the conversation came to an abrupt stop as one dozen group of rugged men blocked the entrance.

"Howdy ladies!" the ominous greeting and energy around them spiked anxiety inside my heart and the child roused a hard kick against my rib. "Ngh!" I bit the inside of my mouth. Children gathered behind their mothers, and the elderlies stayed put with their heads down. Everyone was ready to fend for themselves, but me who was openly pregnant, which made me the easy target. "We're here to get our prayers answered today, hehe!" I recognized that voice coming from a tall blonde man.

"Oh, she want's her daddy, eh? Hear that Markus"

Anger burned the anxiety and my eyes locked onto his remembering that dreadful night. No, I will not run. I asked for Gaia's courage and justice.

Please help me just this time. 

No answer of course, but I doubt she would let anything happen to me. 

Chuckles and snickers creeped amongst the band of men, two amongst them, I also recognized coming from a shorter brunette with missing front teeth. The other of average height, long black hair with a prominent scar down his left cheek. I answered loudly with assertion, "This is a house of sanctuary for those in need of healing and hope. Not for your dubious purposes!"

Laughter erupted from them, their crooked smiles with ragged stained teeth exposed disgusted me, but I stood grounded, "You are not here to seek hope, healing, or faith. Carry your legs out of this church immediately and take your disgusting intentions with you!" 

"Oh?" The tall dirty blonde stepped forward into the church, "What are you gonna do about it missy? Your friends just scattered like cockroaches. I say you could teach me and my friends how to get into your little cunt. That's heaven!" cheers rallied behind him as he spat onto the floor coming closer. "Or, I could force myself in if you'd like." the deep raspy voice drew dangerously low. "After all, I love pregnant women...fsss..." his blue eyes snaked up and down stopping at my belly, "They're heavenly wet and they have the best screams..."

Planet do something!

Alarmingly close, I was now panting with my fingernails digging deep into my own hand, "No, you will not!"

"Ahuh-" One of the men dropped onto the floor twitching. The blonde turned his attention back and in came shouts and screams of men outside bursting through the blockade, he ran back immediately pulling out a stun baton from behind his belt. I watched frozen in place with wide eyes until a pair of arms pulled me aside. "Aeris!" Lorie, one of the women dragged me back to the corner, "What were you thinking?!" 

"I-I don't know..."

Her arms braced over me as we all watched the men fought hitting each other with metal parts, wood, batons, and bricks. The tall blonde stunned many of the good men who defended us, and within the crowd, I saw the Erena's father fighting. Despite his disability, he came out of his way to ensure nothing would happen to any us in justice to his daughter. Then, I saw the blonde raise his baton against him and all idleness was burned away. I shouted at him, "Look out!" but he had already fallen onto his knees landing against the floor lifelessly. Sudden strength with rage broke me out of the woman's hold, I grabbed a hold of the closest brick from corner throwing it then hitting him right alongside his head. I screamed and hollered, "GO TO HELL!!!" gesturing all able bodied women to do the same. First hesitant, Lorie stepped up throwing rocks rallying the women to step forward, it was then one after the other all at the once. We threw bricks, wood, and rocks at them. Some even ran up grabbing weapons of the fallen men on both sides and began fighting back. Lorie, she grabbed the stun baton and began pressing the button while swinging. Soon, the men ran off dragging their goons with them leaving those dead or unconscious at the door. Amongst the left behind was the tall blonde and his two wretched companions. Thank Gods... I was sapped when it all came an end and I fell backwards only to be caught in arms of two other women. 

"Sit her down!" 

"Come on, let's go, Aeris"

Dizziness and nausea overcame me, but I shook my head, remembering Erena's father and stumbled forward while their grasps tightened. "What are you doing? You have to rest!" 

"No!" my elbows tugged free from them and I made my way to him. Kneeling down by his side, I turned him over onto my lap brushing my hand down the sides of his face. Tears streamed from my eyes, I sobbed over him closely and quietly, "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry!" I brushed my hand to his placing them over his chest. Lorie and the other women tended the other men who were injured or unconscious. How lucky we were today to have only lost one person...

 

The rest of the men laid him to rest as I instructed, with his daughter beneath the church where the flowers grew. They gently tore apart the planks revealing the budding lush wildflowers alongside with the lilies and laid him there were he belonged. As Erena had said to him, "We will be together again, I love you, dad." I just didn't think it would happen this way. 

Thank you, Aeris.

 

I kneeled to my knees before them both and prayed.

 

Chapter 4: Elmyra

I have removed the Gaia, the Goddess of the Planet, completely from my heart at this hour. Nights are just nights, but even the hours of the sun itself had become darkness. This moment right now was my darkest hour, alone in suffocating pain. Each twisting knot in my back and ribs tightened in intervals, my grip against wood turned my knuckles pale. The cramping of my left leg was unbearable as I was left unable to move, I cried, shrieking silently biting down on a rag, as I clutched onto life's edge on the wooden floor.

35...36...37...38...39...40

The ache, terrible beyond words, ceased for a moment. I gasped breathing deeply. I've been in this torturous loop for endless hours I've lost count. I only began to perceive the blatant patterns once the agony got worse. Only five minutes of so called rest before the counting started again. In this moment, I thought about my birth mother, Ifalna, who had given birth to me. I thought about the pain I had caused her, but the love immense love she had for me had kept her going. For me, this was a difficult task. Did I love the child? I couldn't say yes. Did I hate it? It didn't ask to be born, but to the lifestream and back, I do so much right now. It was the Planet's will. She took mine and his essence, combining to create an unholy union, was he aware of this? Doesn't matter now because I am the one paying the price, not him. I carried this child for nine months and here I was now in labor to give birth to it. My womb acted as a home emulsifying our polar essences to create one single being.

My will, my dignity, and my being; stripped from me by her whom I trusted with everything! 

 

...55...56...57...58...59...60-

 

My teeth gnashed against the cloth tightly with my sealed eyes, "Nngrh!!!" a bead of sweat glided down my cheek. 

My dear friend, once it has been said and done, I will turn my cheek away and never look back. 

My lower back, my ribs, my belly altogether twisted together shooting sharp pain through my stomach. Indescribable. Oh the so called miracle of life that I would adore and celebrate in any other circumstances. My leg remained cramp as the torment intensified this time. How long until it is all over?! HOW MUCH MUST I KEEP ENDURING!? Should I just kill us both now? End it all... I wasn't able to months before when it was so little and I hadn't known then. I tried and failed. Maybe now I could with all this suffering. 

 

...56...57...58...59...60...61!

 

...63...

 

Pain not only heightened but increased with time! "Kknnngh!!!"  

In the heat of exhaustion and lightheadedness, I imagined both my birth mother, Ifalna, and adoptive mother, Elmyra, kneeled down at both of my sides assisting me. Both of them encouraging me with love and compassionate words. Was it really my imagination or was it the Planet's doing? Whatever. This loveless child was tearing it's way out of me desperate for life. Desperate to breathe air. It's first encounter would be me, it's mother. Mother... the thought made me sick. I was it's mother. Mother to a child who's father killed me with his blade into my body. My very antithesis, my antipole, my opposite in every single way.

Child, I am your mother, it will be me who decides your fate. I am your God right now. I decide your fate.

My head thumped against the wall in relief for a brief moment. "Hhrnuh..." a sigh left my lips. 

Relief may not last as long anymore with the intensity upping itself. I braced as I closed my eyes to rest and retain as much energy as I could for the short time being. 

The anguishing cycle lasted for Gaia knows how long until right now I felt the pain cease a little. Remembering what the ladies told me, if by this time, if pain lowers by even a little; it was nearing the moment for pushing. The feeling would come naturally. 

Soon it came... the head was crowning and a searing pain of excruciating fire blistered throughout my opening, "AAAGGHHH!!!!" 

Hazy visions blurred my mind. Visions of me strapped to a gurney with blood. Blood everywhere. Sharp slitting pain etched into my pelvis gaping red as hands pulled two babies out of me. Sounds of the white walls collapse filled my ears.

My own screams pulled me out of the trance. It's coming as it's finally torn out of me, all it needed now was my help, but I could just let us both die right now. The child now wears the crown of life. For nine months, it had taken my strength and abilities from me, harnessing them as if it belong to it. I touched the crowned head covered in blood and fluids, it shook me as I finally accepted that this was all real. Touching it was different than just feeling. I screamed and shouted denying it all still. 

It is time, Aeris, gather yourself. 

"NO!!!" I shook my head bellowing at the top of my lungs, "NO! I CANT TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!"

The voices of my mothers came forth both asserting me to finish it. 

"NO!!! MOTHER!!! NO!!!!!" 

"You must, Aeris. There is no going back." Elmyra's voice sounded the same as I always remembered from the previous life. 

Whether it was the Planet tricks or my actual mothers, eventually, I relented and did as I was told.

Doing as instructed, I positioned myself to squat taking in deep slow full breaths despite the contractions still peaking through.

Push, Aeris. 

Holding my breath in, I pushed, "Hnngh!"

..5...6...7...8

"Psftt!" the air gushed out of my system, I pant heavily mustering up more breaths to push again.

 

"Tsssk!" 

 

1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8

 

What lasted hours, finally came to an end when the last and final push came, the child was delivered right into my hands. 

The Planet played songs of joy and celebration with birds and insects chiming with pleasure. 

I felt nothing.

Looking at it, silver hair was present, her cries to the world were loud. That silver hair... his face came right into my mind. I saw not a child, but him, reborn. I tried to find love within my heart for it, but nothing was caught by the fishing hook. I only see and felt his blade penetrating my skin. My hands held the child away... my hands were no longer my hands. My heart was no longer my heart. In a flash, my hands were white with dark claws pressing against her skin. My heart was not mine, it was foreign, it belonged to someone else. Someone who felt nothing but desire for blood, flesh, and it's own life. My thoughts are not my own, but thoughts of someone thinking about murder. 

Cut her throat! Take the world! Cut her throat! Take the world!

Those thoughts repeated like a mantra in my head, and I without senses grabbed the scissors nearby. Then laying her on the floor, I hovered it over her neck, locked in place.

The Planet screamed in sorrow and horror with her cries slowly piercing my head pulling me awake. 

I gasped tossing the scissors aside, I looked at her and saw all my love in her. Her little mouth crying wide open, her little tightly clenched fists, her tiny nose, and her purple skin... my heart quivered. She was mine. Mine alone. All this pain I suffered and she was there with me through it all. She was my daughter. If I had killed her... It would've killed me. 

I stammered tearfully, "I'm sorry... Mommy's so sorry, baby. I love you!" I scooped her into my arms cooing to calm her cries down. I place her against my exposed breast for nourishment and love. Seeing her suckle my breast was a blessing, a gift I could've never imagined before; tonight it was real.

The Planet erupted in tearful joy celebrating the birth of my daughter.

Our daughter, Sephiroth. 

Her name is Elmyra. 

 

 

+

 

 

Her little cries and screams were difficult to handle at first, but one step at a time. I soon figured out the reason for her cry, she was unfamiliar to the open world as she was still used to being inside my womb. Elmyra felt more comfortable swaddled in my arms hearing my voice gently wash over her, or the taste of milk from the bud of my breast. The open air and world around felt too awfully large and chaotic for her little heart to handle. I understood what she was feeling. I used to feel the same way too, and ever since having her, I felt it everyday. Every single night, whether she was sleeping silently or screaming terror, I could never take my eyes off of her. I loved her, my little baby, my blessing. Cradled snuggly in my arms, I took in her little face, she looked like him. 

"Beautiful..." I whispered. "My beautiful Elmyra you deserve dresses of silk, a crown of spring flowers, and golden sunshine..." 

Sadness crept in slowly into my heart, "Not these rags or this broken home, my love. I promise you, I will take us out of this hellhole." 

I looked onward towards the window to the shrouded sky of darkness. This promise to my daughter was sealed against my heart. 

Her tiny whimper reeled me back into her; she had me wrapped around her small little fingers, "Oh, shh-shh, it's okay. Mommy's here." my nose brushed down against her forehead softly, the newborn scent filling my head with euphoria. Elmyra's quivered breaths turned into a cry, her tears wrenching my heart, and my voice sang a lullaby for her.

 

"A soft pillow of flowers, underneath the willow

Soft grass of green, butterflies aimlessly

Still your little heart, for all is safe and sound

The sun shines gold for you, in a promised land

 

Here it's warm, here it's happy

In the promised land you are safeguarded

The planet sings your dreams and dawn makes them true

This is the place where my love showers you

 

A soft pillow of flowers, it is your crown

Dresses of silk and soft down

Forgo your woes, let sadness stray

The golden sun showers them away

 

Here it's warm, here it's happy

In the promised land you are safeguarded

The planet sings your dreams and dawn makes them true

This is the place where my love showers you"

 

The cries tenderly ceased from her and my heart could beat again. My eyes gloss over her once more and the silver threads from her head made me think of her father. I wondered if he would have loved her too. There were monsters out there, would he forgo his life for her? These thoughts were never something I'd ever tell her.

"I'm sure, Elmyra, he would've loved you too. Even if he never loved me." My own words stabbed my heart, a pain so deep, it's piercing sting watered my eyes. Why? Why did I cry for my killer? The Planet's enemy. 

 

 

+

 

In the depths of the North Crater, lies a figure in sleep, the obsidian ice hummed mournfully against the wind in aeolian. Endlessness was his punishment.

 

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Emergence