Realm Legends: Legend 1: The Prince of Darkness By: Chandra Rooney _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Sega and Archie comics. Sephiroth, and all related FFVII characters/likenesses are copyright or Squaresoft. Used without permission. Sarah Aylward copyright of herself...and now that she knows she's in this I guess I used her with permission...kinda...yeah. Well she never said I couldn't use her... Anyway Lirsage Sephiroth, Gabriel Shadows, Nexus Jarre, Tamashii, Zephyr and all other Realm Sagas and new Realm Legends characters/likenesses are copy-right of Chandra Rooney. All the characters and ideas presented are my own, unless otherwise noted and are not to be used without consent. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Prologue: Local: The city, Night Realm Local: Unknown Time: Sunday night The girl sat on the curb of the busy street. She had pale purple hair, and large red-gold eyes. Dressed in a blue pleated skirt and a white blouse she seemed the picture of childhood innocence. The cars raced by, and people bustled down the sidewalks. A police siren sounded in the distance, and a car honked at some shoppers jaywalking across the street. She seemed totally unaware of the chaos around her. A small pet-sized cabbit sat on her lap and she patted it affectionately, but absently. "Are you all alone, child?" A kind-faced woman asked, bending down beside her. She had plain brown eyes, and blond hair pulled up into a bun. The girl smiled, and nodded. "Oh dear. This is a rather large city for a small child to be all alone in. Where's your mother, dear?" "No mother," the girl said in a musical voice. "Only Cabby." "Oh dear," The woman frowned. "You'd best come with me, honey. I'll take you home and-" "No!" The girl jumped. "I won't go with you!" "Honey, don't run-" the woman began. "No no no!" the girl cried. She jumped up and ran off into the crowd. Within an instant she was gone. The street became empty suddenly. No one else appeared to be around. But the woman knew that was because she was no longer on the street. She was in another place. Another "plane". A plane that was connected to the one of the living world, but also invisible to it. "Well done," the figure from the shadows said. "Not only did you fail to get the girl, but you've managed to cause me to lose her again." "I'm sorry, my liege, please forgive me," the woman whispered. "The girl...she detected I was sent from you." "Did she." He leaned lazily against the wall. Slightly slanted, blue-green eyes glinted in the darkness as the boy put a cigarette to his lips and took a long drag. He exhaled a smoke ring, and watched it absently as it floated away in the cold night air. He was dressed in black. Black turtle-neck, black pants, and a black suit-jacket. From the end of the suit jacket white cuffs were visible, and a white collar poked out from the shirt's collar. "I could see it in her eyes..." the woman replied. The boy inspected his nails. His skin was an odd pale greenish-blue color. "You're making excuses." "No, my liege, I swear I saw it in the child's eyes!" she protested. He took the final drag off his cigarette, and stepped fully into the pool of light on the sidewalk. His hair hung in his face, cover one of those blue-green eyes. The pupil and the iris of each were ringed with gold. His hair was long, coming down to his chin, and falling before his long, pointed ears. Then behind them it flared out to the sides. And it was purple. "You know how it works," he told her calmly. "You make a deal with me; I expect you to be able to honor it. If you can't perform the simple task I ask of you in return I have no choice but to deal you the appropriate consequences." "Please.." she begged, backing away from him. "Please, my liege...give me another chance. One more..." "I've given you three already. Three strikes you're out. That is how the game works, isn't it?" She whimpered and looked for a place to run to. A place to hide. "And you, my dear," he flicked the cigarette butt on the ground and stamped it out with his heel. "Have stuck out." "Please...I beg you..." "A bit of advice for your next pitiful incarnation," he sneered. "Don't try bargain with demons...our contracts are iron-clad. Adieu." He turned, and shadows swirled. They gathered around her, and covered her. Then they slowly began to rip her apart. Chapter One: Local: The city, Day Time: Thursday Afternoon He walked down the halls of the high school just trying to avoid making contact with anyone. The boy with the clear, green eyes, and the short, black hair just wanted to get out of here and away from people. He'd always thought himself tall, but many of these students were taller than he was. His indigo blue uniform jacket was slung over his arm. It was too hot to wear it. The school had pumped on the heat and he was sweltering. His white dress shirt was clammy against his neck. The black required tie certainly didn't help matters. His pants matched his jacket, and they felt too heavy as well. The stiff black dress shoes hurt his feet. He'd gotten away with wearing his boots for the first month of school till someone had ratted him out to the teacher. He'd received a stern lecture about the consequences of breaking school dress code and then sent home to get some appropriate footwear. He sighed. Friday seemed centuries away. He scolded himself silently for his impatience. This school wasn't the reason he was here. He would just have to be patient. Time had taught him that much if nothing else. "Hey," a girl's voice called from behind him. "Hey, you! Lir! Lir Shadows!" He stopped at hearing that name. It didn't matter that it didn't really belong to him, it still sent a shiver of remembrance down his spine. No matter how hard he tried to forget, no matter how good he became at pretending, his name always reminded him of who he really was. Of *what* he really was. She ran up beside him. She had curly brown hair, and pretty green eyes hidden behind glasses. She wore the girl's school uniform. White shirt, navy skirt, and navy sweater. Her black dress shoes looked even more uncomfortable than his own. He searched for her name. Sarah. Sarah Aylward. She was in the History class he attended. "Sarah, right?" he asked. She nodded. "I'm glad I caught you." He didn't say anything. "Yeah, well, anyway," Sarah smiled. "I wanted to give you this." She thrust a piece of folded, purple paper in his hand. "What's this?" He asked, unfolding it. It had silver lettering and it read "Halloween Bash!" "It's an invitation to my Halloween party." "Uh...why?" "Why? What do you mean 'why'? So you can come." "You want *me* to come to *your*..." "Party?" "Hai, that's the word. Arigatou." She gave him a funny look. "I didn't realize that you spoke Japanese." "I don't." She blinked. "Right. Yeah. Anyway, I know it's tomorrow and this is a little late for notice, but you don't have other plans, do you? I mean, you will come won't you?" "Explain why you want me to come. I don't understand why you'd *want* me around." He resisted narrowing his eyes. She hadn't turned this into some sort of prank yet so there wasn't any reason to be obviously suspicious. But there was no telling when one of them might discover who he really was. "What do you mean?" She laughed. "I just thought it would be nice to invite you. I see you walking around the campus all by yourself; like you haven't got a friend in this world." "You've been watching me?" Immediately his suspicions rose. She blushed. "Uh...well you're hard not to notice. I mean...you stick out. No, that's not what I meant. I meant that you don't blend very well...no that's not it. I meant-" "I know what you mean," he cut her off. Not no reason to be suspicious. She was just a human girl who'd taken a liking to him. "But I don't mean in a bad way!" She protested. "Oh...damn. I just don't know when to shut-up sometimes." "No, really. It's okay." He leaned back. "You remind me of...someone, Sarah." "Really? Someone from where you used to live?" "Hai, her name was Lillian." He stared off into space for a while. "Just with the way you always speak your mind. It's a good quality to have. Even if it gets you in trouble sometimes." She seemed unnerved. "Yeah...I guess." "Sometimes people don't want to hear things, but they need to." He turned. "I'll think about what you said." It was only after he was gone that she realize he'd never told her if he would come or not. Local: Lir's Apartment The boy turned the key in the lock. He was still thinking about that girl...Sarah. She seemed to like him. Hrmph. But how could she possibly? She didn't know anything about him... Sometimes having to borrow someone else's body could really get on a guy's nerves. Gabriel sighed, and went inside. He liked this apartment. It was spacious, open. Lots of light in the day and a good view of the sky at night. There were large windows, but since he was on the top floor no one could see in. He had access to the roof, so he could pretty much come and go as he pleased. The apartment itself was just a big room with a kitchen, bedroom and bath off of it. Up some stairs to a loft where he slept. The floors were all hardwood, covered with the impressive hand-woven area rugs in each room. The furniture was wood, and fine fabrics. The whole place looked like it had been decorated by someone with impeachable taste; all warm earth tones, or cooler seascapes only natural colors found in nature. Everything was top quality. It was simple. Sparsely furnished really. But it only added to the atmosphere of wealth and prestige. And everything from the way a rug was the floor to the position of a chair matched the ancient guidelines of placement. A professional Feng Shui consultant couldn't have done a better job. Okay so it wasn't a modest bachelor pad that you might except from your average 18-year-old kid going to school without a job or any family to support him. But then, he was far from an average kid. He wasn't really even a kid. He inhaled the scent of home. It was the last night he had here. Last night he'd finished what he had returned to this plane to do. The Book of Shadows was now complete. There was no need to continue this little...possession of his any longer. "Possession," he muttered. He had the habit of muttering out loud to himself. "Such a harsh word. It just has such a bad implication. It's not as if I used Lir's body for evil...and it was an already agreed and permitted temporary possession..." He stopped. He'd been here in this plane, controlling this body for three months. Ever since Moon had fought Akugou. When she'd sent that blast of pure light into Chaos, Lir's soul had been nearly been swallowed into the Black Materia with Akugou. The only way to save him, and give him a chance to heal, was for Gabriel to step in. "He would have been lost forever," he repeated softly. "There's no reason to feel guilt for what I've done. I said it was only for as long as I needed, and tonight is the last night. He'll wake up here tomorrow...and ..hrmm...perhaps I should leave a note to explain what's happened. He's going to need to know about this 'school' for one thing, and more importantly this 'party' tomor-" He stopped. He could feel eyes on his back. There was someone watching him. Chapter Two: Local: A roof, Night Time: Monday Night The boy sat on the edge of the roof. He lowered the sunglasses he wore to allow his brilliant green eyes to scan the windows of the apartment across the street. Normally he wouldn't have dared to let those lenses leave his face. Anyone could see the silver rings around his pupil and iris. They were not the eyes of a human. Further inspection of the boy would confirm he wasn't human. In the deepening twilight before moonrise, his pale skin was almost glowing. But it was a simple matter of needing to get out in the sun more often. His skin was silver. He reached up and pushed his silver hair from his eye. It hung in jagged edges to past his chin, and half obscured his face. It also hid well his long, pointed ears. Almost elven in shape, but he wasn't an elf either. So just what was this strange boy dressed in dark demin jeans, and a white dress shirt collar flung over the lapels of his dark brown suit-jacket style over coat? The coat hung about mid-thigh once he stood, dusting himself off. He rested an elbow on his knee, as his one dark brown-shoed foot rested on the roof's raised ledge. A cool breeze swept across the roof, causing the coat to flap slightly, and his hair to ruffle. He'd followed the power to the building across the street, and waited. Waited and watched to see who it belonged to. He'd never sensed anything like it. Strong...touched with shadows...but not evil. Not a human's soul call, not a demon's call. Humans of this world shouldn't have the ability to broadcast such a strong power. Only two beings he could think of possibly being here might be able to. But neither Tamashii nor Nexus was in the building. The power wasn't pure enough to be Tamashii, nor dark enough to be Nexus. So who...? "I'd better find out," he muttered, softly. "And whether it belongs to a friend...or a foe." Chapter Three: Local: The roof The boy watched as the door to the apartment below, slid open. The tall figure stepped out, first revealing the black boot, then the indigo blue pant leg, and matching trench coat. The light continued to play upwards. A white shirt; black finger-less gloves; the sleeve of the coat, and then a black tie, and the coat's black lapels. Then the face. The sharp chin, and long silver hair. "Sephiroth...?" the boy whispered. "It cannot be!" But once the long, elegant sword was revealed all of his doubts vanished. It *was* Sephiroth. Who else could it be? "All right, come out. I know you're up here. No use hiding from me." Same commanding, authoritative voice. Same vicious, demon's eyes. It didn't matter if they didn't share the traditional rings of color around the iris and pupils. He stood, and melted out of the shadows. "Good," Sephiroth said. "You're going to be reasonable." "Of course," the boy nodded. "I have no reason to attack a fellow player of the Games." He bowed his head slightly. "This is an honor, Great Sephiroth. Your name is held in high-esteem amongst all the Shadow Demons." "Is it. And do you know why?" "Because you've lived for so long, and done so many things. You've won more games than anyone. And...you come from the most powerful of families." The boy blinked. "Do you have a name?" Sephiroth asked. "Excuse me?" "It's hardly fair. You seem to know who I am, but I have no idea who's up on my roof at 11 o'clock at night." He crossed his arms. "Nor do I know why you're here." "Zephyr, sir," the boy bowed. "My name is Zephyr." "No family name?" He avoided the subject. "I am but a poor apprentice, my name has no importance to the Great Players." "And what are you doing here then, apprentice?" "I was looking for...something." "Did you find ot?" "No." "I see. Then why are you still here?" Zephyr stood. "I was just leaving." Sephiroth nodded. "Be off then." He watched the figure leap off the roof and vanish in the shadows. But he could sense that Zephyr was bounding across the adjoining roofs. He moves fast, Gabriel thought. Fast, and smoothly. And he knows about me. But mostly the regular stuff passed down legends. He's young then. New in town. "And if he's an apprentice he's not alone." He finished the thought out loud. "Time to go scare some information out of the local haunts." Chapter Four: Local: Sarah's apartment Sarah sat up, writing. The flat was quiet. He roommate, Tonia, was asleep. She yawned. She could have had this assignment done in class, but she'd been distracted. English had been spent in a heated, but hushed debate with Erik Black over whether or not Lir Shadows was a drug dealer. Erik had pointed out that the guy dressed nice, and lived by himself in this ultra high-end apartment, and that he just had that "dealer look" to him. When she'd demanded to know what that meant, he'd replied "look at his eyes, and tell me he's not on something". She reminded him that no one knew anything about Lir, and maybe he was from a rich family. She hadn't noticed anything weird about his eyes when she'd given him the invitation. All of Chemistry class had been spent doodling in the margins of her scribbler while she thought of story ideas instead of drawing the atoms molecules that had been assigned. But at least she only had this last question. "Meow!" Her black cat, Kazul, jumped down from the window sill, hissing. "What's wrong, Kazzy?" Sarah asked, reaching over to pet the cat. Kazul hissed, and ran off. "Demented cat," she muttered. "What's your problem?" The glowing blue-green eyes stared into the open window. Their rings of gold glinted slightly, as a lighter flicked and a cigarette was lit. The demon boy in the shadows put the cigarette up to his lips, and inhaled. He blew out a smoke ring, and watched as the girl sighed then closed up her books and left the room. "Lovely," he remarked. "Very nice. Sweet...bright...even intelligent, pretty...maybe beautiful, and innocent. I love it." He snapped his fingers, and caught the purple invitation that fell from the air. "A Halloween bash? Why Miss Alyward I would love to come." He took another drag of his cigarette. "In fact, I've already got my costume. A demon's got to have a little fun, you know. And you, honey, could *definitely* provide me with some fun." Chapter: Five Local: The Demon's Claw club Gabriel switched back into disguese before going into the club. The music was dark and gothic, just like the atmosphere, and most of the patrons. "How come only messed up Goth humans ever want anything to do with demons?" He muttered to himself. "Just once I'd like to go to an arcade or something to get information." It was a demon's tap club all right. It was a major draw for humans willing to be victims, or...playmates. He shuddered. Goddess, he hated these places. They were so...not his style. Not more than two minutes went by before some girl with purple-ringed blue eyes smiled and made her way over to the table he'd sat at. "Hey there, stranger. You look a little lost. Anything I can help you with?" Gabriel looked down at his dark pants, and light blue sweater. It did make him seem out of place here. Everyone else was dressed in black. He rubbed at the back of his neck. "Maybe," he replied finally to the girl. "So what are you looking for, sugar?" she asked, sitting down. "Information." She placed a hand on his knee. "Oh so you're *that* kind of customer. Who sent you, cutie?" "I'm apprenticed." He brushed her away. "I see. To who?" "Sephiroth." She gasped. "H-h-he's got influence...in town?" "This is his world. Naturally he has someone here to look after things." "Oh wow," she was genuinely impressed. "So what do you want to know?" "Who's new in town. Comings, goings. That sort of deal." She stood. "Yeah sure. There's someone you might like to talk to then. Just hold on, I'll go get him." Gabriel watched as she went over to a booth, and talked to someone in it. She pointed back at him. Moments later, a figure got up and walked over. The figure was male, maybe 20. He had purplish hair, and blue-green eyes. Gold rings encircled his pupils and irises. He had pale aqua colored skin, and was dressed all in black. At least that's what he saw. No telling what the other guests saw. Lirsage had been born lacking any of the traditional tell-tale Shadow Demon's features like the pointed ears or ringed eyes, but in accordance had a talent none of the rest of them did. He could see what was behind any illusionary mask someone put up. He saw both demons, and anything else as they really were. It was a trait they would have shared had not Gabriel been brought under the power of the Black Materia. "So you're an apprentice, eh?" the demon asked, blowing a smoke ring. He inhaled another drag from the cigarette in his hand. "And to Sephiroth himself, no doubt? I knew him, kid. We go way back. Frankly, you aren't the type Sephiroth would associate with. So tell me, who really sent you?" "A member of the Sephiroth family." " 'A member of the Sephiroth family'." The demon snorted. "You expect me to believe that? I'd better get a name from you, boy." He stood. "Why should I give you my name? You haven't given me yours." The other looked him up and down. "Spunky little brat, aren't you? Well, let me give you some advice. Spunk usually ends up spread out on the sidewalk. You catch my drift?" "If you expect to receive any sort of respect from me," Gabriel continued, crisp, civil. "You had better show me some. If not, then this exchange will be terminated." There was a pause. Then a chuckle. "You've got real brass, boy. You sure the hell aren't Sephiroth, but I can see why he might keep you around. So tell me, who are you?" "Isn't it only polite for the elder to introduce himself first?" "Damn!" The other slapped the table. "Your parent's didn't give you a name to go along with that attitude of yours?!" He took a drag of his cigarette. "Fine, fine, fine. My name, you little punk, is Nexus Jarre. Now, what is yours?" His eyes flashed slightly. "Well of course it is. Very well. My name is Lir Shadows." Nexus dropped his cigarette. " 'Shadows'? Never heard of you. Now, if you're done. I have business to attend to. Adieu." Gabriel blinked. Then nodded. "Of course." He left. Nexus went back to his booth, fuming. So a Shadow Angel was here? This made it all the more important that they find what they were looking for as quickly as possible. It also meant someone was going to have to take care of the Angel. He slid into the booth and looked across at the others. "Cybele." The demoness with the violet-ringed eyes and blond hair looked up. "I want you to go and talk to that guy that was just in here. Make it real clear as to what happens when you mess with me." "Right, boss." She stood and went out. He looked at the other. The silver-ringed green eyes were far off. One silver hand was resting under his chin, as the younger demon stared off into space. His ear tips poked through his silver hair, and he wasn't even bothering to try to hide them. Nexus took a drag of his cigarette, and wonder how the one that looked so evil could possibly have such a soft heart. "You look like your father," Nexus mused, jarring the other out of his trance. "I thought you said you didn't know my father." "Don't be an idiot, Zephyr. Of course I know your father. I stole you while he and your mother played with your brother." Nexus paused, a plan forming. "Awful isn't it? They didn't even care." Zephyr blinked. "You never told me I had a brother." "Oh sure. A twin. Funny, isn't it? You were only a month old and they already had a favorite." "You make them sound like heartless people," Zephyr replied. "Hrmph. Not nearly as heartless as they should have been." He took another drag. "I think maybe it's time you heard all about your parents. Your father, especially. You've got a mighty dark legacy to uphold." Nexus paused. "But first...go check on Cybele for me." Local: The alley behind the Demon's Claw Gabriel sensed he was being followed, and ducked into an alley. By the time his persuer caught up to him he was waiting at the back of it, leaning against the wall and completely out of his disguise. "Nice night, isn't it?" he asked, casually. "You!" She snarled, bringing out a gun. "So we met again, Shadow Angel." "And I promise I'll leave you another scar with to prove it," He replied. "So, you're Nexus' little puppet, are you?" "I've had enough of your interfering in my business," Cybele told him. "For the last three months you've made my life living hell any chance you got, and tonight I'm going to return you the favor." The masamune materialized in his hand. "You can certainly try." She cocked the gun. "I'm gonna riddle you so full of bullet holes that-" He lunged forward, smoothly and stuck the masamune through her. "You know what your problem was, Cybele? Over-confidence for one thing. But mostly...you just talk too much." He pulled the long sword out as the other demon ran into the alley. He looked up, ready for another fight, but stopped. "Oh...it's you from the roof. Zephyr, right?" He looked at Zephyr's drawn gun. "Let me guess...you're going to kill me, too?" Zephyr hesitated. "Cybele..." She coughed up blood, and in a pain-choked voice snapped at him. "Cock your gun, and shoot the bastard you idiot. For Akugou's sake watch out for his damn sword." "But..." Zephyr began. "Zephyr! You moron! There's no time for your cowardice right now! Shoot him!" "She's just upset that three months of fighting ends with her losing," Gabriel told Zephyr. "I've been trying to get a stab at her since I came here. Oh, no pun intended." He yawned. "Getting late. Keep yourself out of trouble, Zeph. You're not my enemy yet." He pushed past, and the sword vanished as he did. "What are you?" Zephyr asked. "Who are you?" "My name is Gabriel Shadows. This is my family's personal Realm. You tell your friend Nexus he's not to mess with it, nor me. I'm not someone you want to get on the bad side of." He paused. "If you decide to join the winning side of this battle...well, you know where to find me. This Nexus isn't the wonderful guy you think he is." Zephyr watched him walk away. "You lost your nerve, Zephyr," Nexus said. "You let him get away." "He didn't attack me..." Zephyr muttered. "Why?" "Oh, it's against their code to attack someone that doesn't pose any threat to them." Nexus exhaled a smoke ring. "You're unfamiliar with Shadow Angels, aren't you?" "Shadow Angels?! They really exist?!" Zephyr exclaimed. Nexus sighed. "Dammit kid, why you gotta act so stupid sometimes? Of course they exist you idiot!" "Nexus, are you going to tell me about my family now?" Nexus paused. "Sure, kid. Sure. Let's see now...your father was Sephiroth, your mother was named Lillian something-or-other...it's not important. Oh, your brother...your twin? Lirsage something or other. He's a Shadow Angel. Probably the guy that just left." Zephyr blinked. "Wha...what?" "C'mon, then, Zephyr Sephiroth...jeez...that's sounds awful. Let's stick to just plain ol' Zephyr," Nexus waved him on. "We've got to find that amulet. All Hallows Eve is coming up on us fast, and with the Shadow Angel lurking about-" He paused. "Hey, Zephyr, dammit, kid! I'm talking to you! Don't you go gettin all high and mighty now that you know about your past! We still have a job to do. And you're still *my* apprentice. Don't forget that. You take your orders from me. Got it?" Zephyr looked up, and then replied. "Of course, Nexus." "Good." Nexus replied. "Very good." End of Legend 1. To be continued in Legend 2. 1st draft 9:00 pm, Nov 16th, 1998 2nd draft completed Nov 18th, 1998 Tweaked 9:46 pm, Nov 24th, 1998 Final draft 9:50 pm, Dec 10th 1998 Made into HTML file: 4:33 pm, March 2nd, 1999 Yay! It's my first attempt at continuing mess that was Realm Sagas. No doubt this will be more twisted and confusing than RS ever was. Ha ha ha! I pity you poor souls! Oh the things I have planned! Anyway, hope you liked this enough to want to read #2. Gabe is back, yeah, and it's because everyone I know in RL threatened my life when I killed him off...{I have militant friends, okay?} So too bad if you wanted him to stay dead. But you know this might be a start of something. Hrm...will more "dead" characters be returning? ~ Moon ~