A Door Between Worlds

It had started off so well

Except for the 'not talking' part.

Quistis just hadn't known what to say. She knew it was him the moment he appeared. She would have known his face anywhere, because she had seen it in her mind just about everywhere lately. She wanted him to say something, she needed him to. Quistis needed to know that the voice she had heard was his. It would clear up a lot of confusion.

But he simply watched her. He didn't even stare, just watched. Squall had a gift for hiding expression, but he was as open as Zell next to this statue. Even his eyes betrayed nothing. Usually when she looked into someones eyes that deeply, it made them nervous. Quistis wasn't used to someone holding her gaze for long. But he seemed unaffected by it, or her. With all that had happened, with all that had happened to the two of them, he should be showing more. More what, she didn't know, but more something. It wasn't even that he looked disinterested, or in any way showed that he wasn't taking this seriously. But his whole aura was calm. Not relaxed, just calm.

Since he obviously wasn't going to start the conversation, his companion did it for him.

"Miss Quistis, Miss Rinoa, may I introduce my good friend? Vincent, this is Rinoa, and Quistis. Though I suspect you knew that."

The last part had been a bit light, almost sarcastic. Nanaki was clearly enjoying himself, though Quistis couldn't understand why.

She cleared her throat. "It's a...it's nice to meet you. Again."

Still he looked, silent. Now it was getting uncomfortable.

"I know you wish to maintain your reputation of aloofness, but a word or two isn't uncalled for, don't you think?"

Finally, nodding to Nanaki, he spoke.

"Thank You."

Quistis blinked. She hadn't been expecting that.

"Um, Your welcome. What am I being thanked for?"

"You provided me a way to enter the Lifestream, a way to set things in motion. A way...to redeem myself. For that I am grateful."

"So that's what you call it, then? Lifestream? Interesting. In any case, I wish I could take credit, but I'm still figuring out how all of this works."

Finally he showed some emotion. In this case, confusion.

"Figuring out? I am unable to understand. Are you suggesting that you didn't choose to aid me?"

"Well, no. I wanted to help. I just don't know how I did it. There's a man back where I am from who knows how this works. I'm not entirely sure how, but I have been going off of his explanations. He didn't give me a lot of details. He just said I needed to help you. And then he...sent me here to do it."

"He sent you? Aerith had given me an understanding that it was a female who instigated this. A sorceress, I believe, she was known as."

"Yes, she is. And yes, she did do it. He just couldn't explain to me how to get here, he had to show me."

Now it was Rinoa who looked confused.

"Showed you? This is Seifer we're talkin' about, right? What in creation did he show you?"

"He...it doesn't matter. I'll explain later."

Nanaki, still smiling, nodded his head, slowly. "While it isn't my place to pry, Quistis, I feel that it is important that you be as forthcoming as possible about what you know. We are dangerously in the dark in much of this. We came hoping you had answers."

"And I waited for you hoping you all had some."

Now Vincent was beginning to look upset. "So you came here, unknowing of how, or of how to help us save the planet? You fell from the sky, and hoped we would simply lay out for you the road to walk? Why are you here, then? We are to believe that the planet summoned a protector, but left her naive of her purpose? What madness is this?"

Quistis frowned. "The vote of confidence is overwhelming, Vincent. It's not like I asked for this. I was content to live my own life. I already had to save a world once. I wasn't looking forward to having to do it again."

"So this is a game to you? Something you choose to participate in, or find one more suited to your whims?"

"For someone who says he is grateful, you don't seem to be. I'm here, aren't I?"

"But for what? Are you a demi-god that has the power to undo this? Do you have visions, as Aerith does? Do you even know who she is?"

"Not yet. But I guessed there had to be a sorceress here. This...man...said you called them Ancients. She's one, then? An Ancient?"

"So you are a sorceress as well? Aerith said that it was a sorceress we were relying upon for help. But she didn't expect it would be one who would be sent to help. If you have this power, how are you unaware of it's use?"

"So this is what I came here for? 20 Questions? I didn't know I was a part of this until recently. Rinoa had known she was a sorceress for some time."

"She is one as well? I suppose that would explain how she is here. Could she not explain these things to you?"

"She doesn't do this. We don't have the power to do this. Only Aria does."

"Aria?"

Quistis sighed. "Look, this is going to take a while to explain. Is this your whole party? Where is this Aerith you talked about?"

Vincent looked toward the city entrance, still upset.

"They will join us momentarily."

"Then let's hold off on the story 'till they get here."

"Story? What is there to tell? You seem to be a small fish who was dropped into an ocean."

"Sorry if I don't live up to the hype."

"Aerith's dream told of the coming of salvation, not a doe eyed child."

"If she has had dreams, as I have, then they will help explain this."

"They will? Then why do we need you?"

"I didn't ask for any of this, or your help, either. But I am clearly the one you're looking for."

"Than perhaps the dream was misinterpreted, perhaps we were wrong."

"We were? Or you were?"

Before they could continue, Vincent saw Tifa, Aerith and Cloud approaching. He backed away from the fight, trying to regain his composure.

"What are you two shouting about?"

This from Cloud, trying to 'handle' the situation.

"It would seem that matters are not as we had hoped. Quistis and her companion will explain."

Yuffie piped up, "Who's gonna explain why Nanaki looks so pleased with himself?"

Vincent looked down at Nanaki, who did, indeed, look quite pleased with himself.

Nanaki, the smile not leaving his face, chuckled. "I will explain that later. Perhaps. We have more pressing matters. Let us make our way to the Observatory."

Rinoa spoke up. "Yea, there's somethin' you should all see. It might help clear up some stuff."

As they headed out, Yuffie looked at Vincent. He was pissed. Royally pissed. The kind of pissed he saved for someone who disrespected Lucrecia's memory. Yuffie couldn't imagine how she could have come up in the conversation, but anyone who could get under his skin that well was trouble. Chaos may be gone, but he still knew how to turn rage into a cold fire, and use it in battle. This chick didn't seem to know what was healthy for her.

Vincent was trying to hold that rage in, and he knew now that Yuffie had been right. He could never be this angry without feeling the presence of Chaos, trying to be set loose. So he was gone, after all. Would that complicate things, or simplify them? Who could say. And what if he had also, as Nanaki had suggested, lost his immunity from aging? Would it impair his ability to heal from wounds? So much left unknown, and they would have to find the answers on their own. The sheep had sought a shepherd, but only found more sheep. It had seemed so strange the first time, how the correct path had been laid out for them. They always seemed to find the news, or event, that carried them to the next phase of it all. Now he wished for that again. He felt more lost than he could ever remember feeling before.

Quistis was equally confused. The voice definitely wasn't the same. Someone else had been talking to her that day.

-----

Selphie couldn't remember having ever been this tried. She had tried to sleep, but what little she could find didn't seem to be helping. It also didn't help that Irvine looked ready to collapse. As a sniper, he was accustomed to long spells without sleep, but this was pushing his limits. Selphie had simply accepted the fact that Squall and Seifer were robots. She hadn't seen either sleep in days, but both held their vigil. Strangely enough, she was more worried about Seifer. Squall sitting by Rinoa's bed was the most natural thing in the world. He was expected to. But Seifer looked out of place next to Quistis. Selphie had known for some time that Seifer had been lost and alone. It seemed to be his purpose in life. But his crush on Quistis had been news to her. He just didn't seem the type to love in secret. She had imagined he would be the one to walk right up and drop it in their lap, take it or leave it. Truth be told, he also had never struck her as a guy who was big on commitment. She could see him more as a "don't get tied up" bachelor. But then, most of her perceptions of him had changed in the last few days. He was showing a lot of traits he hadn't been known for.

Patience

Trust

Hygiene.

Okay, so maybe not so much on the last one. But as he sat, his long coat tossed carelessly on a bed behind him, Seifer seemed almost incomplete without his Hyperion crosses. She had no idea where he had gotten the symbol, but it had become his.

Idly, she wondered what Irvine's symbol was. A thought came to find, and she started to giggle.

Irvine looked over at her, but the smile he tried to give looked as dead as he did. They really needed to get some sleep.

Seeming to read her thoughts, Seifer looked at her, then Irvine. "You two need to find a bed to collapse in for a week or so."

"And you don't?"

"I'll sleep when I'm dead."

"That will be pretty soon, the rate you and Squall are goin' at."

Seifer's smile faded. "I know. And I appreciate the concern. I just...can't yet."

Selphie was still coherent enough to be surprised. She couldn't recall Seifer saying thank you, or anything close to it, since she had known him. She looked back at Quistis. If she was able to change him this much, maybe Selphie had been wrong about being so hard on Seifer. She still wasn't ready to trust him, but giving him the benefit of the doubt wasn't out of the question. Quistis had gone it alone for a long time, and having someone care as much as he seemed to just didn't seem like it could be a bad thing.

"She'll still be here after you sleep."

"I have to be here when she wakes up. It's important."

"That could be days."

Seifer sighed. He knew she was right.

"Is this about something else you need to tell her? You weren't holding back, were you?"

Seifer wasn't sure if this was supposed to sound like a genuine accusation, or just playful banter, but it didn't sound much like either.

"I've told her everything she needed to know. To tell her everything I know, everything I saw, would be stupid. Besides, a lot of it I don't understand yet. Or, at least, I hope I don't"

"That doesn't sound very encouraging."

"You want encouraging? Go find Zell."

Selphie did manage to smile at that. If Seifer wasn't able to come up with an insult for Zell, he must really be gone.

"What did you mean, you hope you don't understand?"

"It's not like she sat and explained to me what I was seeing, like I was 3, or something. I just saw. And a lot of it is open to interpretation."

"So most of what you've been telling Quistis has been going off of what you think it means?"

"Most of what I've told her has been right out of Aria's own mouth. I just wish I knew..."

"You will. In time."

If anyone in the room had been more aware, they would have been startled at the sudden presence of the man. As it was, the best they could do was look up in surprise. He was older, hair beginning to grey, with a foreign look and hint of an accent that Seifer couldn't place. But he had seen him before. That much he knew. It was where he had seen him that was the problem.

"How did you get in here?"

Squall looked between the newcomer and Seifer. "You know him?"

The man smiled, "In a sense. But your young friend has much to consider before answering that question, or those to follow. I am here to serve several purposes. The first is to see that all of you get some rest. I can assure you, neither of your friends will yet come to harm, nor will they awaken for some time."

"How do you know that?"

"It is not in my nature to be mysterious, but in your currant state, you will not be prepared for much of what I have to tell you. It is essential that you all be well rested for what is to come."

Squall frowned. "And what is that?"

"I cannot stress this enough. You need rest. Then the answers to much of this will come."

"I'm not leaving them in the care of someone I don't know."

"Given that you lack the constitution to even pick up your weapon, you haven't much choice. Which is precisely why you must rest. Again, your friends will be well upon your return, and you can do nothing for them now."

"Look, man, I'm not leaving 'till I get at least a name."

"Very well. You may call me Archibald"

The tension was broken by Selphie snickering.

"Archibald?"

-----

"It is as I had feared."

Quistis hadn't seen the lower lens of the Telescope, the one designed for Nanaki to use. It would have seemed comical, but given the circumstances, nothing did. He moved away from the lens to look at her. She looked back, "What do you mean?"

Nanaki sighed, weighing his answer. "The door is opening. Perhaps door is not the right term. This opening is more reminiscent of fabric being torn apart. Unlike a door, this opening was not intended by all that is natural, and it will be difficult to close."

Cloud's face hardened. "So that's the danger? Whatever is doing this?"

"It would seem so, though I do not doubt there is much more to it. Aerith, it is important for you and Quistis to compare what you have each seen, to see if together you can find answers that neither can find alone. You must also consider more the presence of Rinoa here. While I do not wish her to think she is unwelcome, it is unlikely that she is here simply as a consequence, a side effect as it were, of Quistis coming here. The Powers don't tend to do things without purpose."

Quistis, like the rest assembled, looked over at Rinoa. She blushed at the sudden attention.

"I don't get any of this. I'm totally out of my league here."

"We all are, my dear. But have you had any sign of your purpose? A dream, or a voice in your head?"

Rinoa hesitated, looking at Quistis. "Maybe."

"A curious, if ambiguous, answer."

"What I mean is, I've had dreams that I have a lot, that don't have anything to do with this. I have bad Pizza dreams that don't make any sense. And I have, I don't know, just dreams. I haven't had one that is as mystical or powerful as all that."

"The Planet's hand is often found in the subtleties. It is often the most unassuming of souls that change the course of history. Look at all of us. Some, such as Vincent or Cloud, have training as fighters, and would seem to fit the mold of saviors. But what of myself, or Aerith, or Cid. Who would have thought us fit for such a duty."

"Thanks for the thought, pal.", muttered Cid.

Nanaki smiled again. "The point is, we cannot leave out what could be of vital importance because we assume it to be common. Your own purpose may be just as essential as any other, and it may to found by considering your 'just dreams'."

"He's right, Rinoa. At this point, we can't throw out anything."

The silence that followed was broken by a soft rumbling sound.

"What was that?"

Elder Bughe answered. "We have had them for the last few days. I feel it is an effect of this opening. I am afraid it will progressively get worse."

Quistis turned back toward Aerith. "Look, the sooner we figure out what to do, the better it will be. I think Nanaki's right. You, me, and Rinoa need to put our heads together on this one."

"I am welcome to the idea."

"And what of the rest of us? What are we to do in the intern?"

Quistis hadn't noticed Sephiroth until now. His style of speech was softer than his appearance would suggest, and seemed to be more on the I.Q. level of Nanaki and Vincent. Strangely, it was Aerith who answered.

"It's time, Sephiroth. It's time for things to end."

Tifa was startled to see that Aerith was looking right at her as she said this. "What things? What are you talking about?"

Sephiroth sighed, looking first at Cloud, then Tifa. "We must travel, Tifa. A long journey. In more ways than you know."

"We? Like you and me?"

Cloud moved toward Tifa. "Over my dead body."

"Let them go Cloud.", This from Aerith.

"No. I'm not gonna..."

"CLOUD!"

The room shook from the statement. Cloud looked as though someone had hit him across the face. He had never heard Aerith speak with such force. He had heard her shout, in fear and excitement, but never with this much authority. The look in her eyes, and on her face, was stern, waiting for him to challenge her.

"I don't understand."

"You are not meant to. Tifa has reached a road she must walk down to find peace, a road you cannot walk with her."

"But HE can?"

"Only he can. And you have yourself to blame for that, Cloud. Let them go."

Tifa turned to Aerith, "Who said I'm going anywhere, with him or otherwise?"

"This is about your past, Tifa. It isn't all as you remember it. That's why it's still haunting you. Do this, and you will find some closure."

"Any part of my past that involves him is a part I don't want to go back to."

"This isn't about what you want anymore, Tifa. There are answers you have to find, answers that will be lost forever if you don't do this now."

"But why him?"

"You will see."

"This is crazy!"

"So are you."

Tifa stepped back, hurt. It wasn't like Aerith to be this blunt, or critical.

"I will make no apologies. You are incomplete, and it's getting worse with time, not better. It's a poison that robs you of strength, joy, and peace. You will never find happiness, or hope, unless you do this. With him."

Tifa had faced the worst of what the fates had thrown at her. She had struggled, danced at death's door, and carried the weight of several lifetimes. But this was more than she had ever been asked to face. The pieces were beginning to fall into place.

Sephiroth coming back

She retrieves his sword.

He tells her to hold onto it.

His sword. The sword. Her past.

She was being asked to walk into hell itself. To face the demons of her own making.

"I can't. I'm not strong enough."

"Not alone."

She looked at Sephiroth. She had hated him for most of her life. She had hated him because of most of her life. He had taken everything from her, except Cloud. And he had tried to take that, too. He was everything she hated, and everything she feared, all at once. But she didn't know who, or what, he was. She had never tried to, never wanted to. He was Sephiroth. What else did she need to know?

As she stood, looking into his eyes, she became lost in how troubled they were. He was afraid. For her, or of her, she didn't know. But he was afraid.

Monsters don't get afraid. They don't feel anything but rage, and pain. And he was a monster. Wasn't he?

"Tifa"

He spoke.

"What?"

"I will not tell you that this will be easy, or painless, as both would be an obvious lie. But I can tell you that it will be worth it. You dream of a peaceful life, when all you know is war. But there is a peace that is only to be found on the other side of war. A peace in knowing that all that was, is laid to rest, and cannot take from you all that will be. I plead with you, for your own soul, to do this. It will be hell for me as well, you must believe that. But it will bring us both what we need."

"What do you need, Sephiroth?", almost a whisper.

After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke.

"Redemption."

-----

She was asleep. She knew that much.

Selphie was standing outside of the old orphanage. Children were running, playing, moving everywhere. But she didn't recognize any of them. When someone walked out of the front door, it wasn't Matron. She had never seen this woman before, but she was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was white, a powerful contrast to her deeply tanned skin. And it didn't seem to end. It almost dragged on the ground as she walked.

Selphie watched as she went about, touching this child, laughing with that one, comforting another's tears. Selphie felt a warmth from her, a mother's love. She was so calm, so peaceful. The she looked into Selphie's eyes, and Selphie felt like she was held in place by time. Within her eyes were ages untold. To look into them was to look into time itself.

And then she spoke, a voice as smooth as honey, as soft on the ear as a drop of rain.

"Hello, Selphie."

"How do you know me?" It almost felt like she was addressing a god. She didn't know if she should even speak.

A warm laugh. "I have always known you, Selphie. And Irvine. And Squall, Quistis, Zell, Rinoa, even..."

Seifer

And he was standing there, next to Selphie. He was wearing his coat, but his face...

The scar was gone.

Selphie was amazed at how handsome he was without it. Not just the absence of the scar, but the content, peaceful look in his eyes. He face was always twisted with a scowl, or hatred, or worry, or shame. She had never seen it simply at peace.

"It's okay, Selph. I didn't get it at first, either."

"Get what?"

"This is Aria."

Selphie looked back at the woman, not sure what to say. Whatever she had pictured in her mind, this wasn't it. But now she realized why Seifer seemed to revere her so much. How could you not, looking at her. Selphie wondered if this was a spell, an enchantment of some kind. But when she had been enchanted, she mind had been hazy, everything was about feeling good, not thinking. Now, her mind was sharp, her thinking clearer than it had been in a long time.

"Why me?"

Another laugh. ""So many questions."

Selphie blushed, embarrassed.

"It is alright, sweetheart. You were always the curious one. It's what he loves about you."

"Irvine?"

"Yes, dear. He loves you so much more than you know. And he worries about you. He worries about hurting you when he talks to another girl, when he teases you. You are his other half, you complete him."

"I feel the same way."

"I know you do."

"Why am I here?"

"Because you wanted answers, to know for yourself that your friends are going to be alright."

"And they will?"

Now a look of sadness. "I wish I could promise that, child. But darkness lay ahead for them. A darkness I have known for ages unmeasurable. He seeks to capture all that is good, and twist it to his will. He seeks to end everything but him."

"What a monster."

"It was not always so. Once, he was much like you. But he wanted to know too much. Where goodness would not allow him to wander, for his own protection, he went regardless. And darkness found him. The taint was small, at first. But it grew. Discontent. Malice. Resentment. Jealousy. And, eventually, Rebellion. He cast off all that was light, wanting power he was not ready for, power he couldn't control.

"What power?"

"Knowledge. All power is born in knowledge. It is well that you are curious, Selphie, it will serve you. But temper it, control it. He couldn't, and it consumed him, drove him to madness to acquire more. In time, he controlled his world, but it wasn't enough. He sought power over time, over space, over all things. To be more than a god. He will not find this power. But I fear what he will destroy in seeking it."

"Why don't you destroy him?"

"Even if I had the power to do so, I would not. I cannot act so directly to influence the course of time and space. I am here only to restore balance when it is lost. All I have to give is the power of knowledge. Others must then act with it."

"Is our world threatened by him?"

"No. But you alone can save another, as you have already saved your own."

"I don't understand."

"Then come. I will show you his world, what he seeks to do to all he touches."

In that moment, all of the happiness and peace was washed away. In it's place was darkness.

No light

No warmth

No sound

Just emptiness.

When Selphie spoke, it sounded like a crack of lightening in the stillness.

"Where am I?"

"You are where you were, only without light. In everything, there is balance. Light and Dark, Life and Death, Joy and Pain. Light is stronger than dark, but must surrender to it all it leaves where it is absent. This...man wishes to banish the light, for in darkness is his strength."

"I thought he wanted knowledge?"

"He did, for a time. But it wouldn't come. He couldn't steal it, or take it by force. He was unwilling to pay the price for it, so he seeks to deny it to others."

"Knowledge, or light?"

"They are one, child. It is through knowledge of all that is, that light comes. In darkness, we find only more darkness, endless and empty"

"Then we have to stop him!"

"Indeed. But know this. Darkness, like ignorance, cannot be destroyed. It can only be filled, light in the place of dark, warmth in the place of cold, joy in the place of sorrow. You can defeat him with swords and spells, but darkness is his master and his servant. It cannot be defeated, for without it, there is no light."

"So how do we defeat him?"

"Together. You will find the answer when it is time. To soon, and it would destroy you as well. Patience, Selphie. Be at peace."

With that, the darkness was gone, replaced by the image of Aria standing where she had been. Seifer was still where he had been.

"So what do I do now?"

"Still the questions. For now, Child, rest. You will need it."

"Who was the man that came to us? The one who is watching over Quistis and Rinoa right now?"

"You will learn in time. Be at peace, he will not harm them."

"How do I rest?"

"This place is your sanctuary. Welcome into it anyone you wish."

"You mean..."

"Yup."

Selphie spun around at the sound of his voice. Irvine was laying in the grass, his hat over his eyes, a smile on his face.

Way to lazy for her liking.

She went over and knocked the hat of off his face. The smile never left.

"Hey, beautiful."

Selphie looked back. They were gone. It was only her and Irvine.

A naughty thought came to mind.

-----

The line "there is a peace that is only to be found on the other side of war." comes from the movie "First Knight".

Sorry for the long delay. Life happened.