Sephiroth's soul redemption

a/n; for all you people who are brave enough to plow through, i have posted some artwork on my own characters in the fanart section, under sephiroth soul redemption. i hope it makes the read more enjoyable when you have some visual idea of my home made characters.

Erik and his beast.

Take this invitation
Bishop’s queen to pawn
All of us where taken
All that was is gone

Of this information
Shames us, one and all
Where’s my compensation
Watching others fall

Welcome to the fall
The fall, Ministry

As they finally arrived at the Shinra main gate, their moods fell. A regiment of SOLDIERs were waiting for them.

“Whoa, a welcoming committee! I should run away more often!” Erik grinned widely.
Jeh-ri looked at his friends who nodded in aggreement that he had guessed right. Erik just saw this as a game, a wonderful way to get attention. If he didn’t intervene things would get wildly out of hand to the point where redemption was impossible.

Erik stretched himself to his full height and width, taking on a hand –to-hand combat stance. Just as he made ready to fly at the advancing SOLDIERs, Jeh-ri gathered the charge his hands, drawing from the powers within him, shaping it to rapier keenness, and struck at Erik’s undefended neck, disrupting the nerve impulses to his body. Erik went rigid, and would have fallen like a felled tree if Enak and Ian hadn’t flown past him in a haze of moment, catching him by the shoulders, and slowly lowered him to the ground.

Jeh-ri let his arms fall beside his body, feeling drained and wretched. He had felled one of his best friends, betraying him so he could be incarcerated without injury or further aggravating the General, who looked at the squad commander and jerked his head toward the door. The soldiers moved to take Erik off Ian and Enak but they refused to hand the unconscious man over. So they simply guided them to the detention level below.

Jeh-ri walked with them, coming into a large underground space, there the walls were lined with square metal cells with plexiglass fronts. He was surprised to see how many cells were filled, most of the occupants laying quite still or looking at the newcomers as they passed. Their eyes glowing strangely, dazed and confused. There were surveillance camera’s everywhere. And the atmosphere was filled with a strange metallic scent.

Erik would not be happy when he woke up. Jeh-ri pulled the mattress of the bunk in the cell and put it on the floor, folding the frame against the wall, and secured it. Then he sent every one out, and as Erik started to stir on his mattress, the door slid shut.

About fifteen minutes later they were in their room again, getting ready for the night. He had a feeling that it would be a short one, as Erik would realize what he had done, and where he had been put. All withdrew into themselves, engrossed in their own thoughts.

Then his phone rang. It was Zach, telling him he was wanted in the General’s office. Great, just what he was in the mood for. He quickly changed, as the clothes he had been wearing stank to high heaven of smoke and booze.

He entered the office after softly knocking on the doorframe, as the door was ajar.

“You wanted to see, Sir?” He asked, and looked at him sitting behind his desk, his hands folded in his lap.

“That was quite impressive, how you took him out.” He said.

“There isn’t anything impressive about attacking a man when his back is turned, General. I am not proud of what I did. I did it to prevent further complications.”

“You fear retribution?” he asked, his voice level, but slightly concerned.

“I don’t fear what I have coming to me. I have betrayed him. I deserve anything he will decide to do to me.”

“Did you realize the repercussions of the plan you suggested?” he asked.

“I did. Erik can be as dangerous with his bare hands and feet as one of your SOLDIERs armed. He would have seen it as a challenge to take as many of them down as he could.”

“What do you expect he will do?”

“You witnessed the fight between him and his brother, that is probably what he’ll have in mind.” He said.

“You knew I was there? How could you have seen me? The windows of the observation lounge are mirrored.” He asked, slightly surprised.

“You should remember to keep the doors closed when you’re in there. I could see your profile in the backlight from the corridor behind it” He said, but of course he would have sensed his presence anyway.

“You’re no match for him, you could get hurt, even killed. I won't stand by and watch this happen.”

Jeh-ri was surprised by the amount of care he was showing, and didn’t really know what to make of it. “The only thing that made him stop was the scent of his own blood, a mere cut wont do, it will have to be deep. If I can get close enough to cut him, then only will he stop.”

“And if you don’t?”

“He will keep coming at me.”

“I see.” He said. “We will just have to wait it out then.”

Sephiroth sighed deeply. “I don’t think that what ever he will decide to do to you, can be much worse that what you are already doing to yourself, Graduate Seng.” He said. “You’re dismissed.”

The night was fresh and clear. He saw where Cloud had been stationed for guard duty that night, and decided to keep him company. He couldn’t stand the accusation in the eyes of his friends anymore, and had avoided contact over the last day, and needed to talk to someone who wouldn’t judge him too harshly. The blond young man jumped up when he saw the red haired man approach, puzzled why he was here.
“At ease, cadet.” He said.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” he asked.

“I can’t sleep. No rest for the wicked, Cloud.”

“You wicked? Nah!” he said, smiling.

“I have done something very bad, you know. It is so weird how you can get an idea on how to solve something, but when you actually do it, the results don’t weigh up to consequences.”

“You mean about Erik?” he said. The news had spread fast. He was very perceptive, this boy. Not like his friend Zach, who wasn’t one for subtlety.
“You regret having him put in the brig?”

“No, he needed to be taught a lesson, but this one will be very costly to both of us. He can’t stand being locked up, you see.”

“Is he claustrophobic or something?” Cloud asked, frowning. He obviously had a hard time imagining that burly, fierce combat instructor being afraid of small spaces.
“How did he get that way?” he asked.

“Can you keep secrets, Cloud?” He asked, and he nodded quietly. Jeh-ri told him how he grew up in the Citadel on Althea, and that Nathan had been a father for him when his real father couldn’t. They all figured that Erik’s fear had began to develop on the frequent visits to Admiral Stone, his father, who permanently lived on the Cara Maximes, which was the Project Ark flag ship in a semi permanent orbit around Althea. As his dislike for his father had grown, so had his claustrophobia.

“What will happen to him?” Cloud asked.

“I have no idea. I hope the General will be merciful on him and let him out soon. He won’t last long. Things can get very bad.”

“Will he be mad at you?” Cloud asked.

“How do you think Zach would feel if you shot him in the back?” He asked. “Even if you did it to make sure he didn’t do something incredibly stupid, he would still hold a grudge don’t you think?”

“I think he’d totally kick my ass! But if I really did it to keep him safe.. I don’t know. Not that I ever will be able to do something like that to him, he’s way to fast and strong for me to get the better of him.” He said, and the older man could feel the insecurity in him rise again.

“Erik is the same to me. He taught me everything I know. He is the one that taught me the interrupter spell.” He mused.

“Is that what you used on him?” he asked, “How does it work?”

“It is a little hard to explain. It is just like hitting someone physically, only using your mind to do it. What I did disrupted the energy stream that connects his brain to his body.”

“So it is like a short circuit?” he asked.

“Yes, exactly, only the wires don’t get fried, and to him, I can use it only once. He will have a defence against it now, as his body will remember how it got attacked.” He explained, glad to see how he understood.

They just sat quietly looking at the moon, not saying much anymore. Jeh-ri let his head rest on the slightly smaller young man’s shoulder for a bit. At first he seemed a little awkward, but he placed a hand against his neck, gently stroking the hairs with his thumb.

He wrapped his arms around him and laid his legs across his lap. He kissed Jeh-ri, quickly, just a soft peck on his cheek. He repressed the slight shock that went through him, and looked at him, seeing the softness in his face. He gently took his chin in his hand and kissed him again, his lips so light and careful it made his pulse shudder.

Cloud’s mouth was soft and yielding, as the slight brush of downy whiskers tickled his skin. Jeh-ri let his hand rest on Cloud’s belly, feeling his breath shudder through him. Then broke their kiss to look him in the eye. He looked at the older man, and frowned.

“Do you want me to stop?” He asked, then he slowly shook his head. “I am on duty, if something happens.. “ making his own answer.

“Your time is almost up. We’ll wait for a bit.” He said, after looking at his watch, and he smiled shyly.

“Have you been in love before?” Jeh-ri asked.

He nodded. “I liked Tifa, and there where a couple of other boys here, but I never..”

“Got anywhere.” The other supplied softly, nuzzling his chest where his arm joined his shoulder.

“Strife! Front and centre!” They heard a voice from the entrance we where guarding, just below them.

“I’m up here, Sir.” He said and jumped down.

“Why were you up there?” The voice asked.

“Better view, Sir.” Cloud answered.

“Next time I expect you to stay on the spot, have I made my self clear, Cadet?”, the voice not al together angry, but not impressed either. “Now hand your weapon over, and get some sleep.”

“Yes Sir, good night.” He said, and the door slammed shut. Jeh-ri dropped down beside him, and put one arm around his waist.

“I know a little private place, come with me.” He said, and took him inside, down to a forgotten corridor. There he took out a key, and opened a small storage room of about fifteen by fifteen feet. It was largely empty, except for some boxes, and the two large trunks he had stored in here.

One containing drums and other various instruments, the other containing ritual items, hides and medicinal herbs. He opened the trunk, and pulled one small furry hide from a strap on the inside of the lid, and let Cloud rummage through the rest of the contents, discovering animal skulls and bones, braided strands of Sweet grass, prayer flags, tobacco pouches, feathers and talons of various birds of prey.

He was very taken by the variety of small carved figures of all kinds of animals, stalled out on one large box. He also found the large ceremonial candles, which he handed to the other so the room could be lit by something other than the harsh neon.

“Have you been intimate with Zach?” He asked, getting back to the former mood, as he sat down the hide, looking at the younger man’s back as he still gently picked up some of the tiny carvings, looking at them in the soft light. He shook his head.

“I don’t know why not, it just feels wrong somehow.” He said, his face pensive.

“I know what you mean.” He said, thinking of how Leisa had offered herself to him, but hadn’t been able to bring himself to take her.

“You mean it is wrong for me to be attracted to him?” he asked, softly.

“No sweetie, I mean that sometimes it can seem such an obvious thing to do, but in the end, there is always something to stop you.”

He crawled toward the redhead, and put his fingers against his chin, kissing him again. He looked in his eyes, and could see surprise in there, at his own courage.
“Cloud, don’t get me wrong, but why are you doing this.?” He asked.

“I don’t know, I just felt like it.” He said dropping his gaze, frowning.” I think you need it, or something. Does that make sense to you?” The other nodded and put his hands on his shoulders, getting him to lay down on his back, his legs around the others waist.

“Do you want to take your sweater off?” He asked. He seemed to think about it, then nodded and sat up a little so he could pull it over his head.

He undid the laces of his boots and took his socks off. Then placed his feet so that he could feel the coarse fur of the hide tickle on the soles and between his toes.

He giggled slightly as the other smiled at him. He was relaxing now, but his breath was starting to shudder again.

“Cloud, I want you to breathe for me, down here.” He said, placing one hand between his navel and his pubic bone, just on the belt that kept his pants up.

“It is all about balance, you know. Your body might want it, but your mind has to want the same thing.” He said, looking at him. “Tell me what you want, Cloud.” He asked, wanting him to be aware, making him say it out loud, to be mature about it.

“I want you to touch me” he said, he frowned, his voice pained.

He nodded. “Consider this a crash course in sensuality.” Jeh-ri said and he smiled, “But first things first.”

He placed his other hand over his throat.

“I want you to push your breath down through your body when you inhale. Just follow my hand.” And he moved his hand down to the other one as he took another shaky breath.
He kept repeating the motion until Cloud was able to push at the hand with his lower abdomen. Then he started to run the tips of his index fingers from top of his head down to his hips. Then placing the palms of his hands on his skin, tracing the breath back out, to his mouth.

His breathing now deep and smooth, his eyes closed as his energy shifted. Jeh-ri slowly undid buckle of his belt, and fingered the buttons. His breathing became erratic again, and the muscles of his thighs spasmed slightly around his waist, but steadied out as he was gently shushed. The older man slid his hands under his pants and around to the back, and pushed hem down, so he could take his buttocks in his hands, and started to knead the muscles.

Cloud made small noises in the back of his throat as he lifted his hips off the hide, so he could pull his pants off.

He laid his legs around him again as he cupped the slightly rounded curve of the hamstrings and bend down to place wet slow kisses on his chest and belly.

“You smell so clean, Cloud. So pure.” He whispered. “You are not receiving Mako injections yet, are you?” he shook his head.
“Not until I pass preliminary exams.” He breathed, and he started to push his erection against his belly. His hands reached up and he started to pull at Jeh-ri's shirt, but he just wanted to focus on the body under his hands.

“It’s okay, sweetie, just lay back and enjoy the ride.” he whispered, taking his hands and kissing the palms, then placed them on his shoulders. He must have guessed what he meant by that as he started to gently squeeze the muscles. Jeh-ri took him into his hands, and closed his mouth around his tip, gently stroking him, as he clenched his him between his knees . He pressed his mouth against his tiny nipples, squeezing them between his lips, looking at his face.

His breathing sped up so rapidly he had to be close. Cloud yelped as he came, Jeh-ri closing his mouth over him, just in time to catch his spill.

Cloud groaned as he heard him swallow, and he propped himself up on his elbows. Jeh-ri drew one hand across his mouth, then moved to kiss him. He hesitated first, then pushed his tongue in. “You horny little devil.” The other said, briefly breaking his kiss. He laughed as he leant back, the smaller blond on top of him.

“You sure you don’t want me to.. you know?’ he said, his hand moving over his lower abdomen. He thought it over, the feeling of wretchedness rising in him again, he realized he’d maybe hurt the young ones feelings if he turned him down, but felt his resistance slowly abate as Cloud kissed him again.

He nodded, and undid his belt and folded his knees under him. Then took one of Cloud’s hands and let the saliva run in the palm. He took his head in his hands, making sure that his mouth never left his own. His hands closed around him, as he gently but determinately let him come in his hands. They dropped on their sides, and just laid there for a while.

“I should head back to the dorm, get some sleep.” He said softly. The other nodded. finding some paper towels to wipe himself clean.

“Aren’t you going to stay at your own room?
He asked as he saw how Jeh-ri was getting ready to sleep here in the store room.

He shook his head. “I don’t feel very comfortable in there right now. I prefer to be here.”

“You can come and stay in our room if you want.” He offered. The idea seemed nice enough, at least he’d have some people around him instead of cardboard boxes. He rolled up the thick hide and took a blanket and a change of clothes for the following day.

Cloud looked down at him from his bed, his eyes dreamy.

“Don’t kiss and tell, Cloud. Our little secret, ok?” He whispered, so no one would wake up. He nodded.

“You sure you are going to be okay on the floor?” he asked.

“This is a lot more comfortable than it looks, I just don’t like sleeping off the ground. I constantly have the feeling I am going to fall” He said. Cloud shrugged his shoulders, and crawled under his covers. “You’re weird, Jeh-ri.” He sniggered.

“You have no idea, Cadet.” He said quietly.


* * * *


As it turned out, Erik was let out a few days after they returned. Zach told him the morning he woke up on the floor beside their bunks. He had been pleasantly surprised to find him there after Cloud had told him that he had been sleeping in the store-room. As they headed up to the office for another harrowing day of work, he was very glad to be tucked away up there, away from the punishment that would inevitable come.

“You are very quiet today, Seng.” The General observed. “I thought you’d be happy to see Erik Stone released so soon.”

“I am grateful for that, thank you, Sir.” He replied, his voice so low in energy it caused them to lock eyes for a moment, and this time, could do so without feeling any of the discomfort it usually caused him. He actually had sensed his worry, his fear for Erik’s rage.

“What is that?” He asked, pointing at the sheath of the Katana slung across his back.
“I don’t like you bearing arms in my office, Graduate.” He said flatly.

“He will not come into this office, Jeh-ri.” Zach said. “Just put it back on when you leave.”

“You don’t know Erik very well, do you.” He said, but took the sword off anyway.

* * *


Erik had no idea what had possessed Jeh-ri to pull such a sick stunt on him, paralysing him and him waking up in that shitty cell with all those poor Mako casualties all around him.

He had felt sick to his stomach, nervous sweat pouring down his body. It had taken all his concentration just to keep the coldness out of his head, his hands trembling uncontrollably. The metallic scent of the Mako was making his nose and eyes burn.
Then the door had opened, and that tall silver haired freak had come in.

“You realize why you are in here, Instructor Stone?” he had asked.

“I walked out without filling in some kind of form, I presume, Sir?” He had asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice, realizing that if he aggravated him more, he’d probably have to spend more time in here. He tried to sit up, supporting his upper body on his fists.

“Are you feeling alright?” the General asked.

“I’m fine, thanks for asking, Sir.” He said sitting up, trying to make his eyes focus, but unable to make his breathing smooth out the shakiness out of his voice. “There is something in the air here, it is irritating my eyes.”

“I realize that our procedures might seem quite rigid compared to the Project Ark Academy, but we just have our way of doing things here. From now on, I expect you to do as everyone else, or I will have not only send you out, your whole group will go, no matter what President Shinra and Nathan Charrander agreed upon. Have I made myself clear?” he said with the same cold calm in his voice with which he seemed to deal with all annoying matters around him.

“Yes, Sir.” He nodded numbly. Please let me out please let me out please….

“You are free to go. I expect you to resume classes first thing tomorrow.”

“I will, Sir.” He said, and felt a hand on his arm, pulling him up. Not being able to make out who it was until the palm touched his bare upper arm, he recognised Enak. He gratefully let his arms slide around his brother’ shoulders.

**Get me the hell out of here, Enak.**

**I will, just hold on. **

Enak pulled his arm around his shoulders, letting the slightly bigger man lean on him. Guiding him through several security gates and into the elevator that would bring him out into the light again. There his other arm was taken by Ian, and they walked out of the building onto the practice grounds, between the barracks.

The moon shone, and the stars were out. Erik felt his breathing ease, and the trembling subsided. He let go of his brother and friend, and sank to his knees. He started to dig his hands in the soil, sending his discomfort and fear into the ground, leaving it behind. He gathered the dust into his hands, and rubbed it over his arms and neck. Scouring the fear sweat off his skin. Enak knelt opposite him, took some silvery grey leaves out of a small box, and set them on fire, dropping the leaves on the ground just between Erik’s hands. The smoke of the smouldering plant material streaming upward and all around his upper body and head, as he started to feel clean, able to finally rest as he hadn’t slept properly for several days. “I think I will go and sleep now.” He said, getting up.

“You better shower first, the Midgar zoo will mistake you for their missing Wapet Bear.” Ian said.

“Where is Jeh-ri at?” he asked as they walked back indoors.

“I don’t know. He went to see the General last night, and I haven’t seen him since.” Enak said.

“I will deal with him later.” He said through clenched teeth.

Erik spend most of the week working classes, and as he had been assigned to teach in a different area from the academy, he didn’t see the rest of his friends either. That suited him just fine, as he didn’t feel like talking to them anyway.

He really did enjoy teaching again, and these cadets sure had taken to him.
He had to admit, even though the treatments these kids received irritated his eyes form time to time, it made them stronger, tougher, faster. All they needed was some coordination to make it all come together, and that was precisely what they were receiving from him and the others of his group.

They really enjoyed moving to the sound of the drums, making it into an artform, and he fed on their positive energy. Soon they would be ready for the next level, first learning to ward off slower moving projectiles like stones, then arrows and eventually bullets. Then things would really get good, him, Enak, Ian, and Jehri receiving fire arms training. That was one of the big reasons he staid here, giving in to the formality, adhering as he could see the reward.

Jehri jumped into his mind again. He couldn’t wrap his head around what had happened.
He had the hardest time coping that he had managed to place himself so far beyond his reach. Creating such a distance between them, by becoming undesirable for him, and then alienating him even further by attacking him from behind.

His anger still boiling in him like cold fire. He was glad that he had kept his distance these last few days, not even sleeping in the room with the others anymore, but electing to stay in the barracks with Zachy-boy and his little blond friend. At least it showed that he was ashamed of what he had done, but this couldn’t last.

* * * * *

And so it came to be that he had finally had enough of his separation from his friends, and sought him out. It was already late, and almost everyone had already gone to bed. He could sense that Erik was not with them, and went looking for him.

He was wandering around the exercise grounds around the barracks. He found he couldn’t say anything, jaws just refusing to unlock, and no words came to his mouth. Not that it mattered, nothing he could have said would have made any difference anyway.

He heard the steely rasp of his double katana as he pulled it from its sheath on his back.
“That was an underhanded trick you pulled on me, bitch.” He said, his voice cold. This was a tone he wasn’t used to hearing from him, and it hurt him.
“You could have told me what was going to happen, and I would have bend over and taken my ten whacks like a good boy.”

“That is not true, Erik. You could have surrendered the moment we walked into the main gates, but you chose to fight.” He countered.

“You knew they were going to be here, waiting for me. You knew it all along and you said nothing.” He hissed, pacing back and forth like a caged predator.

“Why couldn’t you just for once have behaved? I’m just glad Sephiroth asked for a progress report, than at I could show him something positive and he was willing to let you stay. He was already more than willing to throw us all out, you know, and for in case you have forgotten, I still have a task to complete.”

With every breath he took, his anger was growing. “I know I deserve to be punished, I raised my hand to my superior, so if you want to beat the living crap out of me, lets get it over with.”

“You don’t deserve to become a unit member” He snarled. “I don’t know how you change loyalty that easily, you did it to please him, didn’t you? You betrayed me and disgraced yourself to fall in his favour! You should be disgusted with yourself, and leave the temple.”

“You know what you don’t deserve Erik? My nutria after you go out of your mind on booze and drugs, just out of need to satisfy your selfish needs.”

“Why didn’t you let me fuck you then?” he snarled.

“That is why, Erik. That is all I would be to you, just another in an endless line.”

“You gave it to Zach easily enough though, as if that has any chance of getting anywhere."

“Oh, and you and I have a better chance, do we?”

“You attach way to much emotion to it, idiot. Going all ga ga over something so trivial.”
That remark struck home, hard and more painful than if he had run him through with his Souba.

“If it is so trivial, how come you keep hounding me about it? You should have considered our mission here, before your desire to get laid and behave like a selfish jerk like you always do, Erik. That’s the problem with you, you never look any further than one piece of ass in front of your face. Eat, fuck and leave, that is the existence you want for yourself, fine. What the hell do you want from me anyway? If I didn’t know any better I’d say you’re jealous.”

He flew at Jeh-ri then, sword held high, who caught the down-stroke, as it drove him down on one knee, and then the fight started.

He finally let go of all the self pity as he kept coming at him, hacking away, sending Jeh-ri from one side of the grounds to the next, and finally driving him inside, thought the corridors into the darkened dome. He managed to knock the sword from his hands, and struck him, sending him to the wall.

It was exactly what he needed, as he got mad now in self defence, and stopped himself from slamming into the wall by landing on his feet against the wall then dropping to the floor, and jumping and running to get his sword back, but Erik was just too fast. Every time he went for the hilt, he’d get there first and kick it out of his reach. Grabbing hold of him, and sending across the dome again.

The anger at all the bullshit he’d had to endure at his hands now boiled to the surface and he ran at the much bigger man unarmed.
“Come on you bad tempered brute, fight me, or are too shitty to put down your weapon?” He yelled. Erik snarled and threw his Souba into a corner.

He might be stronger, but Jeh-ri was more agile and faster as he struck fast and hard at his adversary. They chased each other around the dome running and jumping into the rafters, feigning he was going for his sword again and managing to dodge under his guard as he swung at the smaller man, landing a blow against his jaw.

He was stunned for just a couple of seconds, but it was enough for Jeh-ri to get his sword back. He retrieved his Souba and came at him with renewed intent, wanting to break his resistance, pounding at him until the other’s strength gave out. He tripped him up, and pinned his shoulder under his knee, dislocating the joint. Jeh-ri screamed, as he pulled the shuddering frame to his feet again, and threw the redhead so fast he couldn’t get his feet around fast enough to break the impact.

He slammed with his back against one of the walls, knocking the breath from his lungs, sliding down onto a sitting position. The double blade slammed into the wall just beside his shoulder, but after striking metal. He had hit his head quite badly and tasted blood at the back of his throat, and as he opened his eyes, saw the long silvery length of the Masamune that had deflected Erick’s stroke.

“That will do, Instructor Stone.” A deep stern voice said. “I won’t have you kill one of my staff over a misunderstanding. You see, Sung acted under my orders, so why don’t you pick on someone your own size.”

“You’re lying, General.” He hissed.

“Careful now, Instructor Stone, you are bordering on insubordination. I told Sung to bring you in, using what ever means necessary, to be made an example of. It is me you want to fight, seeing as I am the one responsible for Graduate Seng’s course of action, but I warn you, when you lose, it is the brig for you again.”

When, not if, Jeh-ri heard him say, the General’s arrogance made Erik flare with rage. “Fine!” Erik roared. “Lets dance, Sephiroth!” spitting out his name like it was a curse.
Erik was beyond reproach as he flew at the General, all warmed up and fuelled by his anger as Jeh-ri watched them fight.

The sound of the two ringing swords cutting through him, were keen as darts, pain flashing brightly in his head. He felt arms around him, as Zach carried him out of harms way.

He could feel Zach's body twitch and move as he seemed to experience the fight himself, breathing hard as he witnessed the sheer violence Erik unleashed upon the General.
“Good Gaia, he’s going to have to kill him if he keeps this up.” He heard Zach say.

Erik threw everything he had at his adversary, now seeing the General as the father he never managed to get close enough to, projecting years of pent up resentment and frustration into every stroke, every advancing and parried attack. The General actually had a challenge keeping the seething man at bay, as Erik managed to get within the protective circle of the Masamune, dodging it an aiming a couple of strokes that glanced off the armoured shoulders. But he knew that this level of fighting was sapping the others strength quite rapidly, and having waited patiently, deflecting and parrying, now reversed the fight, forcing Erik to defend, driving him back.

If this fight didn’t hold such an emotional charge for Jeh-ri, it would have been beautiful. And even though Zach was supposed to get him out of there at the General’s orders, he couldn’t tare himself away.

Eventually Erik was disarmed and driven back into the wall, where Sephiroth impaled him, on his left side, just below his ribs, and ran him straight through. Erik grabbed the blade, and shoved it back with all his strength, leaning against the wall, his hands pushed to his back and his side.

“Good fight, General.” He said, his breathing laboured. “Thank you.. I needed that.” and he sank to the floor, leaving a bloody smear against the wall.

“You’re welcome. You’re quite a challenging opponent. Who has been your teacher?.”
Sephiroth knelt down, and placed on hand on the side of Erik’s head, who started to slump into the supporting arm.

“Nathan.” Erik gasped.

The General nodded, he had recognised some of the moves and attacks he has seen during the combat exercise. As the other lost consciousness, he pulled the defeated man’s head on to his bended knee.
“Erik.. “ Jeh-ri said softly, seeing the blood stain the wall.

Zach whistled on his fingers, and several SOLDIERs came into the dome. They picked the still form of Erik up, and took him away. Jeh-ri lost consciousness then, slipping into darkness.


continued in Aggivating Hojo

Preview: Erik loses his mind being incarserated again, the P.A.A. people meet professor Hojo, who gets no cooperation from them or Sephiroth, much to his annoyance.

for all you people starved for some Yaoi, Sephiroth remembers his night with Nathan.