InsaneJournal

“Stop,” Sephiroth whispered, staggering under the weight of ShinRa’s hubris. “Please, stop.” The voice had become strident, demanding, even as he felt his life blood pour from the wound in his back – in his back, that trooper had stabbed him in the back like a criminal, like an animal, like –

“Sephiroth.”

His sword, meant for greater things, meant for honor and – what? Protection of the innocent? Innocent humans? No such thing, they were insects, thieves, murderers, and –

“Sephir.”

::Don’t listen to him! He’s a traitor, blood traitor, just like the rest!:: The voice of Jenova screeched, howled, cut through his thoughts and his conscience, tearing at his strength –

“GENERAL.”

“Goddess help me,” Sephiroth gasped. Reality felt as slippery as the ground underfoot; and that damn trooper was coming at him again, when would it realize it was dead, dead and useless like the rest of its species –

“My friend, you still have the power to stop this.”

“Angeal…” Tears stung his eyes as he met the gaze of that young trooper, so desperate, so hopeful – a golden shadow of Zack, the man hand-picked to carry Angeal’s legacy. Angeal, perhaps the only honorable SOLDIER who had ever or could ever have lived.

::Destroy them! Drink their strength, and give me life!::

“Trust me.”

Holding fast to his grisly trophy, that physical link for a monster’s rebirth, Sephiroth closed his eyes and leapt.

He did not see the look of horror upon his friend’s face as alien talons curled around him and pulled him down and away from the light.