Marle
Pro Adventurer
- AKA
- Ava, Spike Spiegel, Stella Nox Fleuret, Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, Princess Zelda, Alice, Raven Roth, Faye Valentine, Tifa Lockhart, Khal Drogo
Oh boy, Tiff, why am I doing this again? D: Ahem. Okay, so. Here be my fanfiction since I was asked to post it. And basically, my mind is quite insane. So prepare yourself for ideas and plots that make very little sense and contain a very dry sense of humor. Seeing as how this is a Final Fantasy VII forum, I'll be posting FF fanfiction (mods, let me know if this is cool). 
Makes sense, right? Right?
Okay, cool. Recently, I started up an idea that's probably the newest invention of my unstable imagination and I know I shall be mocked for it, but here it goes, anyways. I AM PREPARED.
Okay, so a brief background (that none you will actually care to hear) about the story: It's called "The Last War" mainly due to the fact that I couldn't come up with anything as epic as LotR. It is slightly AU (alternate universe), although, like most of my FF7 fanfiction, I try incorporating as much of the FF7 elements as I can.
Although I'll be trying my hardest to have a huge variation of FF7 compilation characters show up, I make no promises as the story will be primarily focused on Aerith, Tifa, Cloud and Zack. I find having a set of constant characters makes writing a little easier and because I'm lazy.
The story will start off slow in an effort to reveal important plot points and whatnot so bear with me! There will be meat and potatoes, I promise.
Now that I've babbled on long enough, I give ye the first chapter; just click on the spoiler linkie!
Makes sense, right? Right? Okay, cool.
Recently, I started up an idea that's probably the newest invention of my unstable imagination and I know I shall be mocked for it, but here it goes, anyways. I AM PREPARED. Okay, so a brief background (that none you will actually care to hear) about the story: It's called "The Last War" mainly due to the fact that I couldn't come up with anything as epic as LotR. It is slightly AU (alternate universe), although, like most of my FF7 fanfiction, I try incorporating as much of the FF7 elements as I can.
Although I'll be trying my hardest to have a huge variation of FF7 compilation characters show up, I make no promises as the story will be primarily focused on Aerith, Tifa, Cloud and Zack. I find having a set of constant characters makes writing a little easier
The story will start off slow in an effort to reveal important plot points and whatnot so bear with me! There will be meat and potatoes, I promise.
Now that I've babbled on long enough, I give ye the first chapter; just click on the spoiler linkie!
Summary: AU. "One is a dream that shall conquer all, two is the soul that is cursed to fall, three is the mind that madness craves and four is the heart that they will save." Aerith centric.
After centuries of endless battle, the Cetra and the Jenova wish to reach an alliance in the proposal of a matrimonial union between royalty. Aerith Gainsborough, princess of the Cetra Kingdom, and Cloud Strife, prince of the Jenova throne, are to be married. However, treachery is afoot and things do not go as planned.
The princes are dead and a new ruler takes over the Jenova Empire, promising prosperity and strength to defeat the mighty Cetra who have betrayed them. As both kingdoms prepare for the war to end all wars, we follow the four individuals who are determined to change fate's course, for better or for worse, together or alone.
THE LAST WAR
PART I
.1.
A Day in the Life The future queen must know her history; the history of her people, of her land, of her culture and of her lineage. She must know it like she knows her own magical prowess. She must understand it with all her heart and all her mind. Knowing the background story to all the events that have past will help build a clearer future as a new Queen. Mistakes will not be repeated and valuable lessons will be learned.
So, if all of these things were so important, why was it that Aerith Gainsborough, the princess of the Cetra and next in line for the throne, could not bring herself to read the endless amounts of books on her ancestors' history?
Oh, of course, she sighed to herself while rolling to her back on the carpeted floor of her bedroom, it is because they are so boring!
She closed her eyes briefly and was immediately lost in her thoughts of things that did not include the lengthy and tedious history of her people. Things such as the urgency in her father's voice earlier regarding some important meeting that her presence was mandatory for. Things like what her life would be like once peace was finalized between two of the strongest and oldest kingdoms in the world. And most importantly, her thoughts were consumed by an uncertainty surrounding the requirement of becoming Queen one day.
To lead her people, her mother had said.
How was she supposed to lead all of those people? There was only one of her and millions of them. Not to mention, how old should she be when she becomes Queen? Right now, she was still young, only in her early twenties. And if she could not even focus on her history lessons, how would she focus on battle strategies or issues and concerns brought up to her by her people?
Her brows knitted in frustration as the more she thought, the more uncertain she became.
One day at a time, Aerith. One day at a time...
After all, the future was still far away and dwelling on it any further would only be giving her youthful face wrinkles. Maybe she should go back to her readings. They may have been boring but at least this way, no one could say she didn't try. With one last defeated sigh, Aerith opened her eyes and rolled back over to her stomach where a book lay before her, open and ready.
Her eyes were already beginning to go and she had barely even started. But she forced herself to keep awake and focus on the words...words that were just letters...letters that were just lines...
What time was it? Wasn't her father supposed to have summoned her already? Perhaps she should go check or ask one of the guards. Or maybe, whatever the meeting was to be about no longer mattered anymore and she was free for the rest of the evening to do as she pleased!
A quick, hard rapping on her bedroom doors immediately shattered her temporary happiness and she knew that she had probably hoped a little too soon.
"Who is it?" She called out, kicking up her bare feet in the air and resting her chin in the palm of her hands.
"It is Zack Fair, your highness." A male voice responded gruffly and slightly muffled from behind the locked doors.
Aerith smiled to herself before getting up and walking towards her vanity set, staring at her reflection in the mirror. A young and fair girl looked back at her, green eyes like jade staring through. Soft brown curls tousled around her face and fell in thick ringlets down her back and past her elbows. A large, pink ribbon sat loosely in her hair, holding a few pieces together at the back. With a clear face of porcelain skin and lips the colour of almost ripe cherries, Aerith truly was the spitting image of her mother.
She made to adjust the ribbon in her hair when the man behind the door knocked again, growing impatient with his princess. She inwardly rolled her eyes before adding a few quick touches to the ribbon and shouting, "I'm coming!"
With that, she walked briskly towards the doors and unlocked them, throwing them open to reveal the tall figure of a man dressed in the indigo blue colour of the Cetra cavalry, standing before her. Upon seeing her, he smiled and bowed, black hair falling in his face. But Aerith had already given him her back and was bustling about in her room, picking up her books from the floor and neatly stacking them back on their shelf.
The man who went by the name of Zack, entered the room and scratched the back of his head as he watched the brunette busy herself despite his presence.
"Uhhh...princess?" He asked, trying to gain her attention.
It did not work; she had continued to ignore him. Instead, she chose to go through her large wardrobe, thinking on each and every single dress while occasionally fingering some of the material with a look of contemplation on her features.
"...Aerith?" Zack tried again.
At this, she gave him her undivided attention. Green eyes came to focus on him and he couldn't deny that it made him feel slightly self conscious around her. Aerith, however, did not smile in greeting; she merely stood by and awaited the next words out of Zack's mouth.
He cleared his throat before he continued, "Your father, King Faremis, wishes to have you come to the dining room at once."
Aerith blew out her cheeks before letting out a long and loud sigh of
exasperation. Her hands fell away from the fabric of a deep emerald coloured dress, to rest on her hips. Zack's expression remained stoic as his serious blue gaze lingered on his princess' face. They were having a mini staring contest before Aerith finally threw her arms up in the air and conceded defeat. Zack couldn't help the grin that lit up his features.
"Oh, don't get so cocky, Zack! I only let you win because father is going to end me if I don't get there immediately." Aerith cried, while picking out a bright red dress with golden embroidery and placing it on her bed.
Zack continued smiling at the irritable girl and said, "Of course...it would be silly of me to assume that I won out of sheer skill."
He bowed mockingly, revealing the hilt of the blade he wielded, strapped on his strong back. The blade itself was massive, the sharp tip reaching Zack's knee and the very hilt coming up just a little below his ear. It was much wider than an average sword and its uniqueness marked it's wielder as a specific and highly regarded role.
Aerith still ignored Zack, choosing to rustle about in her room instead in an effort to prepare for whatever this meeting was to be about.
As she ran a comb through rich brown curls, she called over her shoulder a request to Zack, "Can you please get Elmyra in here? I'm going to need her help if I am to be ready in time to save my life from my father's clutches."
Zack gave a quick nod to Aerith's watching eyes in the reflection of her mirror before heading out of her quarters and closing the doors behind him.
Once in the hallway, he slumped against the cold cement of the walls and ran a shaky hand through messy jet black hair.
Why'd I get myself into this again? He asked himself.
"Zack!" A sharp voice echoed his name and broke the soldier out of his own thoughts.
Zack's head snapped to attention as he stared at the familiar figure rushing down the hall towards him. The man was dressed in a similar uniform to Zack's only the colour was slightly different and the sword he wielded was of average size and typical of all the Cetra soldiers. Zack's dark brows furrowed together as his body readied itself for a hint of action once detecting the urgency in the man's voice.
Once he had reached him, Zack asked, "What is it, Kunsel?"
Kunsel was catching his breath once he had come to a complete stop in front of his superior. Zack grabbed him by his shoulders in an effort to help steady the man so that he would be able to speak sooner.
"The King..." He started, pausing for air, "...is growing impatient..."
At this, Zack quirked up an eyebrow and let go of Kunsel's shoulders. So, that was the emergency? He already knew that the King was not a very patient man, especially when it came to his rather spontaneous daughter. Zack rolled his eyes and allowed his body to cool down and ease off the tension that had only recently built up.
"Geez, Kunsel. And here I thought the Jenova had invaded us or something. Way to get a guy's hopes up." Zack stated, shaking his head at his friend while he recuperated.
"I think I'm gonna have you do some extra laps during training. If running down this hall's got you this winded, we have to work on that." Zack grinned teasingly much to the chagrin of the fellow soldier.
A look of horror crossed the portion of the man's features that wasn't covered by his massive helmet. Zack laughed before punching him lightly on the shoulder.
"Aw, come on, Zack! I ran up the whole castle just to get to you! I really don't get why the princess just had to choose her chambers in one of the highest towers of the castle!" Kunsel grumbled, rubbing the area of his shoulder that Zack had punched.
Zack's face grew serious when he said, "Watch it now. Don't be mocking the princess in my presence."
Kunsel clammed up before his superior as he realized his error. But Zack couldn't maintain his serious face for long and broke out into a fit of laughter at the expense of his friend. Kunsel frowned and gave Zack a glare as he realized that he had been joking. Zack draped his arm around the shorter man's shoulders and they both started walking down the red carpeted hall, away from Aerith's quarters.
"Kunsel, you really need to lighten up sometimes. Come and help me find Elmyra if you want to avoid having our King throw us into the chocobo stables for the night." Zack chided.
"Why must I help you?" Kunsel growled.
Zack smiled, "Because, she hates my guts and never listens to me anyways."
"Well, if you stopped playing so many pranks on her all the time, maybe she'd listen to you more often!" Kunsel stated.
"Maybe. But where's the fun in that?" Zack winked at his friend as a devious grin played along his mouth.
Kunsel just shook his head, "You never learn, do you? Sometimes, I wonder how you can be so childish all the time as the Princess' Guardian."
"You try spending more than five minutes with that girl and see what it does to you." Zack said, and then they both burst out into laughter.
The princess' reputation was quite a notorious one, after all.
"Come now, Kunsel. I believe Elmyra is in her chamber and possibly taking a nap that she must be rudely awakened from. Shall we?" Zack spoke, a devious smile returning.
Kunsel merely shook his head and sighed as he watched Zack run down the hall like an excited child. He quickly followed behind him though and wondered what sort of trouble Elmyra was going to give him now after this latest prank.
When they both reached the doors to her room, Zack pressed a gloved finger to his lips and indicated to Kunsel that he keep quiet. And then, Zack instigated his prank of the day. He knocked hard on the door, pounding his fists against the wood so loud that the noise echoed throughout the hallway.
And then he shouted, "Elmyra! Elmyra! We must evacuate the castle at once! The soldiers of the Jenova kingdom have infiltrated us! You are in danger, we must go now! Forget your belongings and quickly come out!"
Kunsel stared at his friend in complete and utter shock while Zack just smiled like a giddy school child. It wasn't long before they heard the panicked sounds of the older lady coming from inside the room. Zack tried his hardest to quell his laughter while taking his position against the wall. The door burst open and a frazzled woman stepped out in nothing but her night gown, her dark brown hair a disastrous frizz and a disgusting paste coating most of her face but her lips and eyes.
"Oh dear! We've been invaded! May the gods protect us! Where is the princess? Is the princess safe? She must be protected, Zack!" The woman cried, turning her head this way and that, looking for the man who knocked on her door.
Once she spotted him practically on the floor, tears in his eyes from his laughter, the surprise and worry left her face and was replaced with anger and irritability instead.
Hands on her hips, she chided him, "Zack Fair! How dare you make a mockery of such a serious scenario? If you keep this childish act up, no one will believe you anymore and, may the gods forbid it, but if it were ever to come true, we would all be doomed because of you!"
Zack continued laughing but once her angry glare cut across to Kunsel, the shorter soldier immediately stopped and began to feel terrible for what he'd witnessed Zack do.
"And you, young man! I'd never have expected such behaviour of you, Kunsel. I am disappointed in you. I'll be sure to report this to your superior, Sir Hewley and he will see that this stops immediately!" Elmyra threatened.
"What is with all the shouting?" It was Aerith who interrupted, walking down the hall to where Elmyra's room was, in nothing more than her dressing robe.
Kunsel's eyes widened at his princess' boldness and looked away before he examined her figure to the point where he'd earn a beating from Zack. The latter was still laughing from his prank and did not seem to be paying attention to the agitated women around him.
"Zack Fair, you are completely useless! I asked you to get Elmyra for me in order to be ready before father has a fit, and instead, you've taken your sweet time! Now I'll be late and it's all your fault!" Aerith cried accusingly at the soldier at her feet.
Zack wiped his eyes as the laughter finally seemed to have subsided and he looked up at the woman he served, her hands on her hips and her bottom lip jutting out in agitation.
"If I want something done right, I should just do it myself." Aerith grumbled, moving past Zack's tall figure and grabbing Elmyra's hand.
"M-my lady! I was unaware of your predicament! We shall go get you ready at once!" Elmyra cried as she was dragged by the princess towards her chambers with the paste still on her face, her hair still a mess and in nothing but her night dress.
Elmyra gave Zack one last dirty look before moving as fast as her long skirt would allow her. Kunsel punched Zack's back as hard as he could, taking the soldier by surprise.
"Hey! What the heck was that for?" Zack shouted angrily, glaring at Kunsel.
The soldier moved past him while squinting up at Zack, "That's for getting me in trouble with Angeal. Now I'll never get my promotion."
Zack watched him go, guilt settling in at last, "Aw, come on Kunsel! You know it was funny! It's not like I meant for you to get in trouble! Kunsel, don't be so uptight! Angeal is a harmless puppy if you know where to scratch him right!"
But Kunsel did not turn around; instead, he continued walking. Zack's shoulders slumped and he shook his head.
I didn't go that far...did I?
That was when he felt someone directly behind him; a shadow looming over his head. His skin prickled as he slowly turned his gaze to take in who it was that had come so close to him without having Zack even pick up on the presence until it was too late. His eyes came in contact first with a strong pair of arms, thick with muscles, folded across a broad chest coated in the same indigo blue clothes that Zack wore himself.
When he looked up, his eyes locked with a stern and cool blue gaze of an older man. The creases on his face showed his age but the experience and wisdom that lurked in his eyes explained that he had seen a lot and done so much more.
"A-Angeal! You might wanna back up a little bit there!" Zack cried, feeling slightly intimidated by the man towering over him.
Blue eyes never left him even as Angeal spoke, "What are you doing fooling around, Zack? The princess has been summoned and her father is growing more and more impatient as time moves forward. His guests are also patiently waiting and you know how much the King hates keeping people waiting."
Angeal seemed to be biting back his anger when he stepped closer towards Zack and his lips twitched into a forced smile, the vessel in his temple throbbing, "...And when the King has to get me to perform the menial task of checking in on the princess, you know how angry I can get, Zack."
Zack leaned back, sweat breaking out on his forehead as he became aware of the anger in Angeal's expression.
"Okay, okay! It's not exactly my fault she takes a long time to get ready, you know! If you don't believe me, go see for yourself!" Zack cried defensively, closing his eyes as he braced himself for the impact of Angeal's fist into his face.
The gods knew it wouldn't have been the first time he'd experienced that sensation.
Angeal then grabbed Zack by his collar and started dragging him to the princess' room, Zack almost tripping and falling at the sudden movement. But Angeal's grip was far too strong and he was surprised that the material of his uniform was still intact after all the manhandling.
"Woah! Okay, Angeal, buddy! Take it easy!" Zack cried, but it was no use; Angeal was pissed.
Once Zack was outside the familiar doors of the princess' room for the second time that evening, he watched as Angeal knocked lightly against the wood.
"Your highness, it is Angeal Hewley. Your father has sent me to escort you to the dining hall immediately."
No response. Angeal looked at Zack warily. Zack merely shrugged his shoulders in response. And then, when the two least expected it, the doors flew open and there stood their princess with Elmyra behind her, still fixing any creases on her red dressing gown. Zack's eyes widened as he took in the beauty of the woman he served. But then his gaze softened upon seeing that the pink ribbon was still embroidered in her hair. He smiled genuinely for the first time that night.
"I'm ready! But I believe I don't need two soldiers escorting me to the dining hall. What's the worst that could happen, anyways? Will the both of you start up a war with the stairs dare they trip me on my way?" Aerith joked, smiling up at the two men in uniform before her.
Angeal cleared his throat but said nothing, while Zack continued to smile at her.
"Aerith dear, that ribbon is awfully tacky! Especially with the dress you've got on. Won't you listen to me before you head off and make a fool of yourself? I've got a lovely assortment of ribbons that will work perfectly with your dress! Just take that one off and throw it in the garbage." Elmyra exclaimed, eying the aforementioned pink ribbon with disgust.
Zack's smile fell away and he watched Aerith curiously. Her eyes met his briefly before she smiled and turned her attention to the woman who had become like a mother to her.
"I have chosen this ribbon and I will wear it. So don't you ever throw it out or I will be very upset." Aerith said, fingering the edges of the pink bow in her hair affectionately.
Zack let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding. Then the group left Elmyra behind and, much to Aerith's chagrin, attended the princess towards the dining room.
"I understand that you are unhappy to be escorted, my lady. But your father had requested it, and so, there is no choice in the matter." Angeal tried to explain as they walked down the stairs.
Aerith shook her head, curls bouncing as she did so, "Then I'll just have to have a word with him myself. It's not like I carry a weapon just for decoration, you know."
She raised her skirts high enough to reveal her thigh, where a short metal rod was strapped to the outside of her leg. Angeal instantly looked away but Zack smirked at the boldness of his princess. It was a trait he had grown very fond of. Aerith giggled at Angeal's reaction and allowed her skirts to fall down to a decent level again.
"So now you know. Be sure to let my father know as well the next time he sends me two escorts." Aerith added.
When they reached the dining hall after ten minutes of traveling from Aerith's quarters, the two soldiers standing guard, opened the grand, porcelain doors for her and her entourage. Aerith curtsied for them politely before stepping into the hall. Zack and Angeal were sure to follow behind.
"Well if it isn't my adoring daughter that has finally decided to join us!" King Faremis cried upon witnessing Aerith's entrance.
The dining hall was as large as any castle's but was furnished much more decently, with a warm and large fireplace and homey touches making it far more of a relaxed environment than that of serious and rigid royalty. It had been Queen Ifalna, Aerith's mother, who had insisted upon it. The King sat at the head of the table with his wife right next to him. The couple, however, did not look anything remotely royal. They were dressed casually and each with a plate of food before them. As Aerith approached her parents, she could see that the smile on her father's lips was being forced and that she was indeed in for a lecture shortly after the meeting.
Nonetheless, she offered him a genuine smile and curtsied before him and her mother. Then, she walked over and placed a gentle kiss on his stubbly cheek before making her way to her mother and doing the same. Zack and Angeal stood on guard next to the doors inside the room, perfectly still and unmoving but listening and watching all the same. Their presence was easily ignored and their similar swords sheathed, but, should the need arise; they were ready to defend their King, Queen and princess within a heartbeat.
Aerith then made her way to take her place at the dining table when she spotted them; her eyes widened and her gaze flickered from her parents to the two strangers seated near them. They were royalty, of that she was sure, but why their presence had initially eluded her was still something that boggled her mind. One of them was a woman, hair like golden silk, straight and clean falling down her back. Her eyes shimmered an unnatural aquamarine and her skin was pale and smooth without a hint of a wrinkle. Her dainty nose was upturned on her heart shaped face and her small lips were red and full. She observed Aerith with her cool eyes and smiled.
The man sitting next to her was, without a doubt, her son or sibling, depending on her age. Their features were similar; the same wheat coloured hair, the same striking blue eyes and perfect skin, only his was not so pale. Perhaps he spent his time in the sun more so than she?
Either way, the boy could not meet her eyes and when he did, he abruptly looked away with some mild colouring rising to his cheeks. But what truly allowed Aerith to recognize the two was not the unnatural glow in their eyes or the trademark gems embroidering their clothes, but the colours that they were wearing and the emblem they boasted. The head of the viscous Jenovian lion and the dark green shades of their expensive clothing were enough to mark them as the enemy.
What on Gaia is the Jenovian royal family doing at our dining table? Aerith thought to herself as she registered this new information.
Contempt and anger rose in her being as her fists clenched while she glared at the descendents of those most responsible for all the death and tragedy that had plagued the world for centuries. She may not have been paying much attention to her history classes and her ancestors' detailed wars, but she knew as much as any other Cetra knew; the descendents of Jenova were her enemies.
"Aerith, I'd like to present to you Queen Strife, the current ruler of the Jenova Kingdom." King Faremis started and the lady with the golden hair smiled more brightly at the girl before her, eyes twinkling.
Is this for real? Aerith thought to herself.
Zack, in the corner of the room flinched instantly, his hand going to the hilt of his sword at the mention of the enemy, but Angeal gave him a warning look and nodded his head, as if to let him know all was fine. Zack couldn't fight off the surprise he was feeling at this sudden news; since when did the King feast with his enemies? Something was up and Zack tuned in more carefully now, resting his twitching hand at his side and watching the scene with a scrutinizing gaze.
"And next to her...is her son, the Prince of the Jenova Kingdom, Cloud Strife. And also...your fiancé."
After centuries of endless battle, the Cetra and the Jenova wish to reach an alliance in the proposal of a matrimonial union between royalty. Aerith Gainsborough, princess of the Cetra Kingdom, and Cloud Strife, prince of the Jenova throne, are to be married. However, treachery is afoot and things do not go as planned.
The princes are dead and a new ruler takes over the Jenova Empire, promising prosperity and strength to defeat the mighty Cetra who have betrayed them. As both kingdoms prepare for the war to end all wars, we follow the four individuals who are determined to change fate's course, for better or for worse, together or alone.
THE LAST WAR
PART I
.1.
A Day in the Life
So, if all of these things were so important, why was it that Aerith Gainsborough, the princess of the Cetra and next in line for the throne, could not bring herself to read the endless amounts of books on her ancestors' history?
Oh, of course, she sighed to herself while rolling to her back on the carpeted floor of her bedroom, it is because they are so boring!
She closed her eyes briefly and was immediately lost in her thoughts of things that did not include the lengthy and tedious history of her people. Things such as the urgency in her father's voice earlier regarding some important meeting that her presence was mandatory for. Things like what her life would be like once peace was finalized between two of the strongest and oldest kingdoms in the world. And most importantly, her thoughts were consumed by an uncertainty surrounding the requirement of becoming Queen one day.
To lead her people, her mother had said.
How was she supposed to lead all of those people? There was only one of her and millions of them. Not to mention, how old should she be when she becomes Queen? Right now, she was still young, only in her early twenties. And if she could not even focus on her history lessons, how would she focus on battle strategies or issues and concerns brought up to her by her people?
Her brows knitted in frustration as the more she thought, the more uncertain she became.
One day at a time, Aerith. One day at a time...
After all, the future was still far away and dwelling on it any further would only be giving her youthful face wrinkles. Maybe she should go back to her readings. They may have been boring but at least this way, no one could say she didn't try. With one last defeated sigh, Aerith opened her eyes and rolled back over to her stomach where a book lay before her, open and ready.
Her eyes were already beginning to go and she had barely even started. But she forced herself to keep awake and focus on the words...words that were just letters...letters that were just lines...
What time was it? Wasn't her father supposed to have summoned her already? Perhaps she should go check or ask one of the guards. Or maybe, whatever the meeting was to be about no longer mattered anymore and she was free for the rest of the evening to do as she pleased!
A quick, hard rapping on her bedroom doors immediately shattered her temporary happiness and she knew that she had probably hoped a little too soon.
"Who is it?" She called out, kicking up her bare feet in the air and resting her chin in the palm of her hands.
"It is Zack Fair, your highness." A male voice responded gruffly and slightly muffled from behind the locked doors.
Aerith smiled to herself before getting up and walking towards her vanity set, staring at her reflection in the mirror. A young and fair girl looked back at her, green eyes like jade staring through. Soft brown curls tousled around her face and fell in thick ringlets down her back and past her elbows. A large, pink ribbon sat loosely in her hair, holding a few pieces together at the back. With a clear face of porcelain skin and lips the colour of almost ripe cherries, Aerith truly was the spitting image of her mother.
She made to adjust the ribbon in her hair when the man behind the door knocked again, growing impatient with his princess. She inwardly rolled her eyes before adding a few quick touches to the ribbon and shouting, "I'm coming!"
With that, she walked briskly towards the doors and unlocked them, throwing them open to reveal the tall figure of a man dressed in the indigo blue colour of the Cetra cavalry, standing before her. Upon seeing her, he smiled and bowed, black hair falling in his face. But Aerith had already given him her back and was bustling about in her room, picking up her books from the floor and neatly stacking them back on their shelf.
The man who went by the name of Zack, entered the room and scratched the back of his head as he watched the brunette busy herself despite his presence.
"Uhhh...princess?" He asked, trying to gain her attention.
It did not work; she had continued to ignore him. Instead, she chose to go through her large wardrobe, thinking on each and every single dress while occasionally fingering some of the material with a look of contemplation on her features.
"...Aerith?" Zack tried again.
At this, she gave him her undivided attention. Green eyes came to focus on him and he couldn't deny that it made him feel slightly self conscious around her. Aerith, however, did not smile in greeting; she merely stood by and awaited the next words out of Zack's mouth.
He cleared his throat before he continued, "Your father, King Faremis, wishes to have you come to the dining room at once."
Aerith blew out her cheeks before letting out a long and loud sigh of
exasperation. Her hands fell away from the fabric of a deep emerald coloured dress, to rest on her hips. Zack's expression remained stoic as his serious blue gaze lingered on his princess' face. They were having a mini staring contest before Aerith finally threw her arms up in the air and conceded defeat. Zack couldn't help the grin that lit up his features.
"Oh, don't get so cocky, Zack! I only let you win because father is going to end me if I don't get there immediately." Aerith cried, while picking out a bright red dress with golden embroidery and placing it on her bed.
Zack continued smiling at the irritable girl and said, "Of course...it would be silly of me to assume that I won out of sheer skill."
He bowed mockingly, revealing the hilt of the blade he wielded, strapped on his strong back. The blade itself was massive, the sharp tip reaching Zack's knee and the very hilt coming up just a little below his ear. It was much wider than an average sword and its uniqueness marked it's wielder as a specific and highly regarded role.
Aerith still ignored Zack, choosing to rustle about in her room instead in an effort to prepare for whatever this meeting was to be about.
As she ran a comb through rich brown curls, she called over her shoulder a request to Zack, "Can you please get Elmyra in here? I'm going to need her help if I am to be ready in time to save my life from my father's clutches."
Zack gave a quick nod to Aerith's watching eyes in the reflection of her mirror before heading out of her quarters and closing the doors behind him.
Once in the hallway, he slumped against the cold cement of the walls and ran a shaky hand through messy jet black hair.
Why'd I get myself into this again? He asked himself.
"Zack!" A sharp voice echoed his name and broke the soldier out of his own thoughts.
Zack's head snapped to attention as he stared at the familiar figure rushing down the hall towards him. The man was dressed in a similar uniform to Zack's only the colour was slightly different and the sword he wielded was of average size and typical of all the Cetra soldiers. Zack's dark brows furrowed together as his body readied itself for a hint of action once detecting the urgency in the man's voice.
Once he had reached him, Zack asked, "What is it, Kunsel?"
Kunsel was catching his breath once he had come to a complete stop in front of his superior. Zack grabbed him by his shoulders in an effort to help steady the man so that he would be able to speak sooner.
"The King..." He started, pausing for air, "...is growing impatient..."
At this, Zack quirked up an eyebrow and let go of Kunsel's shoulders. So, that was the emergency? He already knew that the King was not a very patient man, especially when it came to his rather spontaneous daughter. Zack rolled his eyes and allowed his body to cool down and ease off the tension that had only recently built up.
"Geez, Kunsel. And here I thought the Jenova had invaded us or something. Way to get a guy's hopes up." Zack stated, shaking his head at his friend while he recuperated.
"I think I'm gonna have you do some extra laps during training. If running down this hall's got you this winded, we have to work on that." Zack grinned teasingly much to the chagrin of the fellow soldier.
A look of horror crossed the portion of the man's features that wasn't covered by his massive helmet. Zack laughed before punching him lightly on the shoulder.
"Aw, come on, Zack! I ran up the whole castle just to get to you! I really don't get why the princess just had to choose her chambers in one of the highest towers of the castle!" Kunsel grumbled, rubbing the area of his shoulder that Zack had punched.
Zack's face grew serious when he said, "Watch it now. Don't be mocking the princess in my presence."
Kunsel clammed up before his superior as he realized his error. But Zack couldn't maintain his serious face for long and broke out into a fit of laughter at the expense of his friend. Kunsel frowned and gave Zack a glare as he realized that he had been joking. Zack draped his arm around the shorter man's shoulders and they both started walking down the red carpeted hall, away from Aerith's quarters.
"Kunsel, you really need to lighten up sometimes. Come and help me find Elmyra if you want to avoid having our King throw us into the chocobo stables for the night." Zack chided.
"Why must I help you?" Kunsel growled.
Zack smiled, "Because, she hates my guts and never listens to me anyways."
"Well, if you stopped playing so many pranks on her all the time, maybe she'd listen to you more often!" Kunsel stated.
"Maybe. But where's the fun in that?" Zack winked at his friend as a devious grin played along his mouth.
Kunsel just shook his head, "You never learn, do you? Sometimes, I wonder how you can be so childish all the time as the Princess' Guardian."
"You try spending more than five minutes with that girl and see what it does to you." Zack said, and then they both burst out into laughter.
The princess' reputation was quite a notorious one, after all.
"Come now, Kunsel. I believe Elmyra is in her chamber and possibly taking a nap that she must be rudely awakened from. Shall we?" Zack spoke, a devious smile returning.
Kunsel merely shook his head and sighed as he watched Zack run down the hall like an excited child. He quickly followed behind him though and wondered what sort of trouble Elmyra was going to give him now after this latest prank.
When they both reached the doors to her room, Zack pressed a gloved finger to his lips and indicated to Kunsel that he keep quiet. And then, Zack instigated his prank of the day. He knocked hard on the door, pounding his fists against the wood so loud that the noise echoed throughout the hallway.
And then he shouted, "Elmyra! Elmyra! We must evacuate the castle at once! The soldiers of the Jenova kingdom have infiltrated us! You are in danger, we must go now! Forget your belongings and quickly come out!"
Kunsel stared at his friend in complete and utter shock while Zack just smiled like a giddy school child. It wasn't long before they heard the panicked sounds of the older lady coming from inside the room. Zack tried his hardest to quell his laughter while taking his position against the wall. The door burst open and a frazzled woman stepped out in nothing but her night gown, her dark brown hair a disastrous frizz and a disgusting paste coating most of her face but her lips and eyes.
"Oh dear! We've been invaded! May the gods protect us! Where is the princess? Is the princess safe? She must be protected, Zack!" The woman cried, turning her head this way and that, looking for the man who knocked on her door.
Once she spotted him practically on the floor, tears in his eyes from his laughter, the surprise and worry left her face and was replaced with anger and irritability instead.
Hands on her hips, she chided him, "Zack Fair! How dare you make a mockery of such a serious scenario? If you keep this childish act up, no one will believe you anymore and, may the gods forbid it, but if it were ever to come true, we would all be doomed because of you!"
Zack continued laughing but once her angry glare cut across to Kunsel, the shorter soldier immediately stopped and began to feel terrible for what he'd witnessed Zack do.
"And you, young man! I'd never have expected such behaviour of you, Kunsel. I am disappointed in you. I'll be sure to report this to your superior, Sir Hewley and he will see that this stops immediately!" Elmyra threatened.
"What is with all the shouting?" It was Aerith who interrupted, walking down the hall to where Elmyra's room was, in nothing more than her dressing robe.
Kunsel's eyes widened at his princess' boldness and looked away before he examined her figure to the point where he'd earn a beating from Zack. The latter was still laughing from his prank and did not seem to be paying attention to the agitated women around him.
"Zack Fair, you are completely useless! I asked you to get Elmyra for me in order to be ready before father has a fit, and instead, you've taken your sweet time! Now I'll be late and it's all your fault!" Aerith cried accusingly at the soldier at her feet.
Zack wiped his eyes as the laughter finally seemed to have subsided and he looked up at the woman he served, her hands on her hips and her bottom lip jutting out in agitation.
"If I want something done right, I should just do it myself." Aerith grumbled, moving past Zack's tall figure and grabbing Elmyra's hand.
"M-my lady! I was unaware of your predicament! We shall go get you ready at once!" Elmyra cried as she was dragged by the princess towards her chambers with the paste still on her face, her hair still a mess and in nothing but her night dress.
Elmyra gave Zack one last dirty look before moving as fast as her long skirt would allow her. Kunsel punched Zack's back as hard as he could, taking the soldier by surprise.
"Hey! What the heck was that for?" Zack shouted angrily, glaring at Kunsel.
The soldier moved past him while squinting up at Zack, "That's for getting me in trouble with Angeal. Now I'll never get my promotion."
Zack watched him go, guilt settling in at last, "Aw, come on Kunsel! You know it was funny! It's not like I meant for you to get in trouble! Kunsel, don't be so uptight! Angeal is a harmless puppy if you know where to scratch him right!"
But Kunsel did not turn around; instead, he continued walking. Zack's shoulders slumped and he shook his head.
I didn't go that far...did I?
That was when he felt someone directly behind him; a shadow looming over his head. His skin prickled as he slowly turned his gaze to take in who it was that had come so close to him without having Zack even pick up on the presence until it was too late. His eyes came in contact first with a strong pair of arms, thick with muscles, folded across a broad chest coated in the same indigo blue clothes that Zack wore himself.
When he looked up, his eyes locked with a stern and cool blue gaze of an older man. The creases on his face showed his age but the experience and wisdom that lurked in his eyes explained that he had seen a lot and done so much more.
"A-Angeal! You might wanna back up a little bit there!" Zack cried, feeling slightly intimidated by the man towering over him.
Blue eyes never left him even as Angeal spoke, "What are you doing fooling around, Zack? The princess has been summoned and her father is growing more and more impatient as time moves forward. His guests are also patiently waiting and you know how much the King hates keeping people waiting."
Angeal seemed to be biting back his anger when he stepped closer towards Zack and his lips twitched into a forced smile, the vessel in his temple throbbing, "...And when the King has to get me to perform the menial task of checking in on the princess, you know how angry I can get, Zack."
Zack leaned back, sweat breaking out on his forehead as he became aware of the anger in Angeal's expression.
"Okay, okay! It's not exactly my fault she takes a long time to get ready, you know! If you don't believe me, go see for yourself!" Zack cried defensively, closing his eyes as he braced himself for the impact of Angeal's fist into his face.
The gods knew it wouldn't have been the first time he'd experienced that sensation.
Angeal then grabbed Zack by his collar and started dragging him to the princess' room, Zack almost tripping and falling at the sudden movement. But Angeal's grip was far too strong and he was surprised that the material of his uniform was still intact after all the manhandling.
"Woah! Okay, Angeal, buddy! Take it easy!" Zack cried, but it was no use; Angeal was pissed.
Once Zack was outside the familiar doors of the princess' room for the second time that evening, he watched as Angeal knocked lightly against the wood.
"Your highness, it is Angeal Hewley. Your father has sent me to escort you to the dining hall immediately."
No response. Angeal looked at Zack warily. Zack merely shrugged his shoulders in response. And then, when the two least expected it, the doors flew open and there stood their princess with Elmyra behind her, still fixing any creases on her red dressing gown. Zack's eyes widened as he took in the beauty of the woman he served. But then his gaze softened upon seeing that the pink ribbon was still embroidered in her hair. He smiled genuinely for the first time that night.
"I'm ready! But I believe I don't need two soldiers escorting me to the dining hall. What's the worst that could happen, anyways? Will the both of you start up a war with the stairs dare they trip me on my way?" Aerith joked, smiling up at the two men in uniform before her.
Angeal cleared his throat but said nothing, while Zack continued to smile at her.
"Aerith dear, that ribbon is awfully tacky! Especially with the dress you've got on. Won't you listen to me before you head off and make a fool of yourself? I've got a lovely assortment of ribbons that will work perfectly with your dress! Just take that one off and throw it in the garbage." Elmyra exclaimed, eying the aforementioned pink ribbon with disgust.
Zack's smile fell away and he watched Aerith curiously. Her eyes met his briefly before she smiled and turned her attention to the woman who had become like a mother to her.
"I have chosen this ribbon and I will wear it. So don't you ever throw it out or I will be very upset." Aerith said, fingering the edges of the pink bow in her hair affectionately.
Zack let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding. Then the group left Elmyra behind and, much to Aerith's chagrin, attended the princess towards the dining room.
"I understand that you are unhappy to be escorted, my lady. But your father had requested it, and so, there is no choice in the matter." Angeal tried to explain as they walked down the stairs.
Aerith shook her head, curls bouncing as she did so, "Then I'll just have to have a word with him myself. It's not like I carry a weapon just for decoration, you know."
She raised her skirts high enough to reveal her thigh, where a short metal rod was strapped to the outside of her leg. Angeal instantly looked away but Zack smirked at the boldness of his princess. It was a trait he had grown very fond of. Aerith giggled at Angeal's reaction and allowed her skirts to fall down to a decent level again.
"So now you know. Be sure to let my father know as well the next time he sends me two escorts." Aerith added.
When they reached the dining hall after ten minutes of traveling from Aerith's quarters, the two soldiers standing guard, opened the grand, porcelain doors for her and her entourage. Aerith curtsied for them politely before stepping into the hall. Zack and Angeal were sure to follow behind.
"Well if it isn't my adoring daughter that has finally decided to join us!" King Faremis cried upon witnessing Aerith's entrance.
The dining hall was as large as any castle's but was furnished much more decently, with a warm and large fireplace and homey touches making it far more of a relaxed environment than that of serious and rigid royalty. It had been Queen Ifalna, Aerith's mother, who had insisted upon it. The King sat at the head of the table with his wife right next to him. The couple, however, did not look anything remotely royal. They were dressed casually and each with a plate of food before them. As Aerith approached her parents, she could see that the smile on her father's lips was being forced and that she was indeed in for a lecture shortly after the meeting.
Nonetheless, she offered him a genuine smile and curtsied before him and her mother. Then, she walked over and placed a gentle kiss on his stubbly cheek before making her way to her mother and doing the same. Zack and Angeal stood on guard next to the doors inside the room, perfectly still and unmoving but listening and watching all the same. Their presence was easily ignored and their similar swords sheathed, but, should the need arise; they were ready to defend their King, Queen and princess within a heartbeat.
Aerith then made her way to take her place at the dining table when she spotted them; her eyes widened and her gaze flickered from her parents to the two strangers seated near them. They were royalty, of that she was sure, but why their presence had initially eluded her was still something that boggled her mind. One of them was a woman, hair like golden silk, straight and clean falling down her back. Her eyes shimmered an unnatural aquamarine and her skin was pale and smooth without a hint of a wrinkle. Her dainty nose was upturned on her heart shaped face and her small lips were red and full. She observed Aerith with her cool eyes and smiled.
The man sitting next to her was, without a doubt, her son or sibling, depending on her age. Their features were similar; the same wheat coloured hair, the same striking blue eyes and perfect skin, only his was not so pale. Perhaps he spent his time in the sun more so than she?
Either way, the boy could not meet her eyes and when he did, he abruptly looked away with some mild colouring rising to his cheeks. But what truly allowed Aerith to recognize the two was not the unnatural glow in their eyes or the trademark gems embroidering their clothes, but the colours that they were wearing and the emblem they boasted. The head of the viscous Jenovian lion and the dark green shades of their expensive clothing were enough to mark them as the enemy.
What on Gaia is the Jenovian royal family doing at our dining table? Aerith thought to herself as she registered this new information.
Contempt and anger rose in her being as her fists clenched while she glared at the descendents of those most responsible for all the death and tragedy that had plagued the world for centuries. She may not have been paying much attention to her history classes and her ancestors' detailed wars, but she knew as much as any other Cetra knew; the descendents of Jenova were her enemies.
"Aerith, I'd like to present to you Queen Strife, the current ruler of the Jenova Kingdom." King Faremis started and the lady with the golden hair smiled more brightly at the girl before her, eyes twinkling.
Is this for real? Aerith thought to herself.
Zack, in the corner of the room flinched instantly, his hand going to the hilt of his sword at the mention of the enemy, but Angeal gave him a warning look and nodded his head, as if to let him know all was fine. Zack couldn't fight off the surprise he was feeling at this sudden news; since when did the King feast with his enemies? Something was up and Zack tuned in more carefully now, resting his twitching hand at his side and watching the scene with a scrutinizing gaze.
"And next to her...is her son, the Prince of the Jenova Kingdom, Cloud Strife. And also...your fiancé."
-.-
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