Realm Legends: Legend 8: ...But Some More Than Others. By: Chandra Rooney ______________________________________________________________________ Legal stuff: Sephiroth, Vincent Valentine and all other FFVII characters/likenesses are copy-right of Squaresoft. Used without permission. Zero-chan is copyright of Zero. Used with permission. Ashrire Guardian, Lirsage Sephiroth, Gabriel Sephiroth and all other original Realm Legends characters/likenesses/concepts are copy-right of Chandra Rooney. All the characters and ideas presented are my own, unless otherwise noted. ______________________________________________________________________ "Deep in another world Someone is listening - - - Look back there's the key Deep in another life" -- "Love is the Groove", Cher ______________________________________________________________________ Chapter One: Along the coast near Wutai "Beautiful day, isn't it?" Lirsage remarked, as he pushed limp, soaking silver hair off his face. "Quite lovely," Sephiroth replied. "Simply perfect." "Anyone else feel hungry?" Ash asked dismally. "I could sure go, well, anywhere so long as it's warm and dry." "I'm in the mood for Chinese." He turned to see that Sephiroth had become Gabriel. Gabriel answered his look with a shrug. "Less consipicous this way." "The Great Sephiroth is worried about being recognized?" Lir asked. He started to say something else but doubled over from a coughing fit. Gabriel bent down beside him, concerned. "This is the second time today." "It's just...a cold," Lir gasped. "It's nothing." "It's not nothing," he pulled off his coat and put it around Lir. "It's whatever is causing the effects of the GEMINI to remain with you for so long." "I'm okay," was the whispered reply. "I just need to rest." "Let's go into town." Ash sneezed. "Fine by me. Cold and wet have got to be my two least favorite feelings." Vincent Valentine cursed the rain. He was no closer to discovering why he had followed Sephiroth to Wutai. But from observing he had begun to form an idea of the relations between the three travelers. Sephiroth and the girl were somehow connected. The almost fatherly gestures that the man displayed towards her confirmed it. The other boy was...perhaps the girl's escort or boyguard? Both the boy and the girl had called Sephiroth by name on several occasions. The girl had been called Lir, but Vincent assumed it was short for something a little more feminine like 'Lira', or 'Liranna'. The boy's name was Ash. Until now a tiny fragment of doubt had still remained in his mind that it might not be Sephiroth returned. But now, right before his eyes the man had altered his appearance; a feat that Sephiroth alone was capable of. Chapter Two: Local: Wutai They found an Inn to stay at for a reasonable price. Lir layed down as soon as they got into the room. Gabriel muttered concern, and hesitated before going with Ash to get something to eat. But there wasn't any reason to stay. Sitting in the bar beside the son of the Goddess of Existance and the heir to the Senshi crown was a surreal-feeling event. No doubt the other boy was a little uncomfortable too. Ashrire kept shifting positions, as if he couldn't sit still. "Eager for some action, are we?" Gabriel asked finally. Ash rubbed his neck and looked sheepish. "Yeah, I guess I've just got some nervous energy to burn." "I remember being like that...a long time ago." "Not much gets you excited," Ash remarked. "I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing." Gabriel was silent a long time before replying. "It's not necessarily a good thing either. I don't feel emotion the same way others do. It's one of the many downsides of having your soul split in two." Moments passed in silence. The waitress returned to fill their cups. It was only after she left that Ash spoke. "What do you want with this power source?" Gabriel considered not answering, then sighed and gave in. "This power is the secret of all life. Whoever comes in contact with it shall have all their questions answered and all their wishes granted. We each have a question to ask of it. We might not know them right now, but we'll learn of them along our journey. My question has been the same for over 1000 years." He leaned forward. "I want to know who I am." Ash's eyebrow raised. "Who you are...?" "Once I know who I am supposed to be, what I am supposed to do will become clear." "I think I understand. Isn't it what everyone wants to know?" A small smile. "Most of us. That's why we're together." They returned back to the room with the promise to start searching for the scroll the next morning. Lirsage was still asleep and there seemed no reason to wake him. With simple 'good-nights' they both went to sleep. Chapter 3: He felt like he was suffocating. Every breath was a hot, shallow intake of flame. He couldn't move, and it terrified him. What was holding this power over him? Then as quickly as it had come, it passed and he bolted up in bed. Black hair fell down across his cheeks as he held his face in his hands. Everything felt wrong. A maddening sense of wrongess; a fury of confused shadows raced across his mind. Where was he? Who was he? <> a voice echoed through his mind. <> <> He rubbed his face again, and stood up. A very long time indeed. Years and years. The truth was he just wasn't as suited for this world as his Other Self. <> There was a cold growl. <> Van chuckled, and left the room. <> < Mock you? I wouldn't dream of it, Other Self.> He surpressed another small chuckle. A coughing fit overcame him. Lirsage was resettling in his astral plane. <> Van stopped. <> He cursed. <> <> <> <> Silence. Van got up and tip-toed to where the scroll's metal box was hidden. After lifting the lid and removing the ancient paper he unrolled it. <> > <> "Lirsage? Is that you?" a voice asked behind him. <> Lirsage went quiet. <> <> "Ash and I decided to go looking for the scroll in the morning. You can show us where it is, right?" the voice yawned. "Feeling better?" "I'm...okay," Van replied, not turning to look at this 'Gabriel'. "How are you?" "Huh?" Gabriel walked over to him. "Oh, hello there. You must be Van, right?" Van nodded, and stood. "I am. Well...am I in a sense...I'm not usually female." "Neither is Lirsage." Gabriel had Van's black hair and same green eyes. "You would be...?" There was a thoughtful pause. "I guess I could be your father. Sorry, that sounds neglegent, but I really don't know everything that Sephiroth does. I wasn't even sure if you existed; I've only ever seen Lirsage." "Lirsage is vastly pushier than I am. I suspect it's only because of his weakened state that I was able to gain control. With any luck he might be more willing to share in the future." <> Gabriel yawned again. "Don't count on it. The only way you're going to be in control is to learn to master your demon half. If you don't, then they decide." "Is Sephiroth stronger than you are?" Van asked. "Hrm? Oh probably. He's locked me away for several long periods. Can the rest of this keep till morning, Van?" "What am I supposed to call you?" Van asked, as he walked away. "Lirsage calls you Gabriel...but..." "If you want to call me Gabriel, go ahead," Gabriel replied. "But you keep in mind I don't tend to act very authorative unless it's necessary. You can meet Ashrire in the morning. Good night." "Good night," Van repeated. <> <> Chapter 3: Morning Van came into the small kitchen area of the room around 8: 30. Gabriel was already up, and so was the blond boy with the spiky hair. <> <> "Ah, you're up," Gabriel said, noticing him. "Ash, this is Van. Van, this is Ashrire." "Where'd you come from?" Ash asked in way of greeting. <> "The bedroom." Van replied, sitting down. "Where's Lir?" Ash asked. <> "Lirsage is locked away for now," Van told Ash. "Until he choses to fight for control. Right now he's being rather subsidient." "Heh? You lock him up in a little bottle or something?" Van blanked out for a moment. When he regained himself a few seconds later, Ash was rubbing his arm. "Jeez...you just wig out and whack people on a regular basis?" <> "Lirsage and Van's relation to each other is hard to explain," Gabriel began. "Actually it's rather easy. Lirsage is my Other Self." "Your...other self?" Ash's eyebrow cocked. "All Ser-" <> He winced and held his head as a fresh shot of pain flared, causing little black spots to dance across his vision. "You're right, you're right. It's very complicated," he gasped. "Far too hard to explain." Gabriel put a concerned hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "that's enough, Lirsage." "Er, right," Ash gave him a strange look. "Where should we start looking?" "The Da-Chao mountain. All the way to the top," Van repeated what Lirsage told him. "All right then," Gabriel stood, "if you're feeling up to it, Van, we'll head out right away." "Of course." <> <> "You and Lirsage communicate freely, don't you?" Gabriel asked Van on the way up the mountain path. "Yes. Don't you and Sephiroth?" Van asked. "No. Sephiroth and I are completely separate from each other. He knows everything I know, but I only know what he allows me to know," Gabriel paused. "It's a very long story. I'll explain it to you sometime." <> "No, that's quite all right. I understand." Van looked up at the mountain. "There seems to be quite a crowd up ahead." "I wonder what they could possibly be doing?" Gabriel mused. Ash stopped and looked at the banner. " 'Third annual Da-Chao climb'. What the hell?" Gabriel came up behind with that 'Van'. Ash looked back at the black-haired girl. Something odd was going on, and he'd be dammed if he wasn't going to find out what. "It says here we need a team of four to complete," Van replied. "The winners will each recieve an assortment of Pez, a lifetime supply of Chocolate Pocky, and 1 million Gil. Winning team also recieves a Sacred Scroll to hold as their trophy." "Well, that settles it. We have to win this contest," Gabriel replied. "Now where to find a fourth climber?" "We need to have two males and two females on our team. Males must be dressed as some anime character. Females must be either scantly dressed or dressed in impossible anime outfits." Van read. "We'll have to find another girl who isn't on a team already," Ash told Gabriel. "And some nice...impossible anime outfit for Van. Maybe a nice Amelia or some other Middle Earth mostly covered priestress garb." "Right. Of course." A girl with a tiger-stripped robe, and blue-green hair walked up beside Van. Her tiny horns stuck up from her hair, and she looked very much like Lum. "Pocky! Pez! Money!" the girl exclaimed. "Awwww...where can I find three others who don't have a team?" "Do you need a team?" Van asked. "Uh huh. Why?" "How convinent!" Van smiled. "I happen to know of such a team that needs a fourth climber. This is your lucky day, Miss...?" "I'm Zero-chan," she replied. "You are?" "Van." "Van what?" "The rest is a secret, Miss Zero," he smiled. "Now, if you'll come this way I can introduce you to the team." Chapter 4: Da-Chao "What do you mean all they had left was this?!" Van held up the Devil Hunter Yohko costume. "I can't climb a mountain in this!" Not "I won't wear this" or "There's no way in hell you'll get me in that"... "Oh well," she shrugged and went to go put it on. "It's all for a good cause." Ash's left eye convulsed. "There is something seriously wrong with...er...Van." "There's something seriously wrong with most of us," Sephiroth muttered. Ash blinked. "Hey, could you, um," he paused and made sure Zero wasn't listening, "warn me or something when you're going to switch back and forth?" Sephiroth smirked. "Now that wouldn't be any fun." "Actually," Zero looked up after Van, "we don't have to climb. There is a path. It's just like a relay race," Zero said. "How do you know that?" Ash asked. "Have you done this before?" "No, baka, I read the instructions they gave out to team captains." "You're our team captain?" Van returned wearing the slinky red Yohko costume, and high heels. "I don't see why people complain. I don't have any trouble walking in these shoes. They're very nice, don't you think? They make me look taller." "They're lovely shoes," Sephiroth replied. "After we're done we can go back to the bar and play tricks on the drunks if you like." "Well, gosh, Sephie-sama, I'd love too!" Van grinned. "Can we pit friends against each other, corrupt local goverments and cause general mischief?" Sephiroth smirked. "I see the reason why Lirsage never lets you out hasn't changed." "Well, gee, Sephie-sama, even *I* can see why he won't want Van on the loose," Ash said. "He makes you look stable!" "Shut-up, Ash." "Yes si- hey why am I listening to you?!" "Attention climbers," a voice over a loud-speaker began, "the third annual Da-Chao climb is about to begin. Team Captains, assign your team members positions then send the first runner over to the starting line." "Okay, you heard the man," Zero began, "all of you go to the starting line." "Aren't you going to assign us numbers?" Ash asked. "You're not a very good team captain." "Just for that you're first," Zero told him. "I'll be second, and um, the guy dressed like Sephiroth can be third, and you can be last, Van. Now go to the starting line, and remember that we're going to win this...or else." "That sounded like a threat," Ash remarked. Zero's eyes glowed an eerie gold color. "Aren't you supposed to be at the starting line?" Ash stood at the starting line amongst the representatives of nine other teams. Apparently the Da-Chao climb wasn't a very popular event. "The idea is simple," the judge, a nice blue-haired girl in a tight body-suit was saying. "You each get up to the top of your team's path and return here. Then the next member of your team goes. The first team done wins. Any questions?" "Yeah," Ash waved to get her attention. She came over. "Do we have to actually *walk* the path?" "You're asking if you can use teleportation or molecular displacement?" "Yes." She laughed. "You're very funny. My name's Candy. Let's talk after the race." She walked away with a wink. "Hell, yes." Ash grinned. One of the guys next to him glared. "Jealous!" "On your mark...Get set....Go!" As he started up the path, Ash wondered about just how wise it was to leave Van and Sephiroth alone together. "Run up a hill...run down a hill." Van yawned. "It all sounds just so repetative. Can't these humans come up with anything more fun to do with their time?" "What if we upped the stakes?" Zero asked. "How so?" "What if...you had to fight a monster before you could come back down?" "Ooooooooooh...now that would be fun!" Van tapped his cheek. "That would mean...ten monsters to start with. Well I think that can be arranged." "You know where we can get ten monsters on the spur-of-the-moment who aren't busy to come and kill...I mean fight our opponents?" "I have connections." "From where?" "Let's just say I'm a well-known name amongst their kind." Ash reached the top of the path, and stopped to catch his breath. There was no telling if any other teams had made it yet. He turned and started back down the path when the monster appeared blocking his way. It was a huge, hairy beast that looked like it belonged on some snow-covered field. "I don't remember Candy mentioning this..." "If you wish to return down the path you will have to defeat me, mortal fool!" The monster announced. "Prepare to die!" "You have got to be kidding me...can't you monsters ever say anything original?" The beast growled. "Ice 3!!" "What does that-" Ash was cut off as a huge ice ball nearly landed on his head. It was a good thing he had his spiky, razor sharp hair to slice it in two as it fell. "Hey..." Ash looked from one half of the ice ball on his left to the other half on the right. "You're seriously trying to kill me, aren't you?" The monster growled. "Ice 3!" Ash dodged as another ice ball slammed into the spot he was previously standing at. "Hey! I don't have all day to play dodge ball with you. I have a race to win, y'know. So...." He brought a clenched fist up to his closed eyes. "Devine..." he opened his eyes and snapped his fingers, "...Inferno!" A flash flare swept across the clearing devoring the monster and a good deal of the scenery. Ash looked up. "Well...maybe that was just slightly overkill." He shrugged, and started back down the path. Chapter 5: Some time later. "All right," Sephiroth tapped Van. "It's your turn. Zero's just come down the path." "Nani yo?" Van looked up. "Oh, the race. Right. I'm going." "Is it just me, or is has Van had a sudden swing from manic state into depressive?" Ash asked. "And why didn't they mention that monster at the top of the path?" "What monster?" Sephiroth asked. "The one I killed?" He looked thoughtful. "Could that be why we're the only team that seems to have had our members return?" Zero looked. "Van and I decided it would be more fun if you had to fight a monster. So she called in some favors from some of her friends." "Oh. Hai, Van has a lot of those sorts of friends," Sephiroth nodded. "Isn't that cheating?" Ash asked. "No. It's not our fault the other teams are a bunch of weaklings." She shrugged. "I can't wait for my Pocky! I'm going to wait at the finish line for Van." "Well...as long as we get the scroll," Sephiroth began after Zero was gone, "who cares if the means are a little crooked?" "Assuming Van doesn't forget to come back." "Why are you so hard on Van?" he asked. Ash paused. "Well...this guy is supposed to be the saner half of Lirsage, right? Then how come he acts like he's got no idea what reality is?" Sephiroth paused. "Oh, I see. You think Van is Lir's Seraphian half, don't you?" "No," Ash looked confused, "I think Lir is Van's demon half. Lir is a demon, isn't he? I mean he is your kid..." Sephiroth was quiet for a moment. "There are many types of Seraphian personalities," he said finally, "just as there are in humans. When a demon and a Seraph combine to make a Nev'aehian many different factors come into play. The Balance of each personality must interplay to Balance the whole. In that way, a Seraph will either be a close personality match of his demon half, or the two will be counter-parts of a Balanced whole. Lirsage has the tendancy to be quite serious and focused. Van is a counter part of that solemness to help the greater whole's Balance. Because of this Van tends to be more...'fun' and mischevious." Ash was silent a long time. "So...Van and Lirsage should almost have switched personalities? I mean Lir is the kinda human-ish one and Van is more a traditional demon?" Sephiroth frowned. "Van is Lirsage's demon half." "But...wouldn't that make him your son?" "He is." "But he looks like Gabriel!" He frowned. "All right...listen carefully, Ashrire. In Nev'aeh bloodlines, the children always look like their parents' Other Selves. It's how variety amongst the species is ensured. I look like Gabriel's father, Vincent Kage; Gabriel looks like my father, Erebus." "I think I see.." Ash nodded. "Can I ask one last question? What's a Nev'aehian?" Van walked merrily up the path. There really was no reason to rush; besides, even he wasn't stupid enough to try to run in high heels. It appeared the GEMINI's effects were wearing off precisely as he'd calculated. At the top of the path he opted for a more masculine style, and quickly switched into the traditional demon priest's robes and boots. Then he, now *he* in both spirit and body, walked merrily back down the path. "Is that Van?" Ash asked as the "priest" came strolling across the finish line. "The GEMINI's effects seem to have finally worn off," Sephiroth commented. "Well, shall we claim our prize?" Oddly enough they were the only team to finish. They were named the winners by default. Sephiroth and Ash donated their Pocky and Pez to Zero. Van gave her his Pez and money, but refused to part with the chocolate-covered biscuit snack. In exchange Zero gave them the scroll. "I don't have any use fo