For Honor or Glory

Fallout

Chapter 54

Angeal couldn't seem to finish his question, but he didn't need to. Alex already understood what he was asking. She couldn't seem to make her voice work, so she mustered a nod. She tried to reach for him when he took a step back with a horrified look on his face, but before she could get to him, Genesis interrupted.

His voice was low and cold, but Alex could tell he was barely holding his temper back by the way his fists clenched as he said, "Let me see if I understand correctly. You are saying that we share genetic material? Not only that, but if I am inferring correctly, you are also saying my parents are not my parents? Am I correct so far?"

"Genesis I—"

Before Alex could get any more out, Genesis had stepped forward and grabbed her arm. He ignored Angeal as he was staring into her eyes. "Do not think to lie now. Tell me, did you know all of this before we slept together?"

Alex felt her whole body shaking under his anger. She could not deny that he had every reason to be angry. The strangled noise her brother made did not help her frame of mind. When Genesis's hold tightened, she managed to form a response. "Genesis, please. I never meant to deceive you. I didn't know how much genetic material we shared at the time, only that there was a connection."

His eyes flashed, and he leaned a little closer. However, before he could say more, Angeal jerked him back as he said, "That's enough, Genesis. I understand why you are upset, but taking it out on Alex will not solve anything."

Genesis snarled at both the siblings, and Alex took a step back when she noticed the fire flickering around his fingertips. She had never seen him so angry before, and even if she knew he had a reason, she had never been so terrified.

He barely spared a glance at Angeal before he glared at Alex. "Did you not think that was something that I should have known before? Were you so self-absorbed to not think that I should have had some input on that decision?"

Alex couldn't find the words to speak. He wasn't wrong. She had known this was the most probable outcome, and it still hurt. She had not wanted to try and start over with him. She knew their relationship was doomed from the start, but somewhere deep down, she had hoped that they could have at least salvaged their friendship eventually. With the way he was looking at her now, that didn't seem likely. His eyes held more than anger; they were filled with disdain.

When she didn't answer, he looked down at the fire as it grew in his hand. He then looked back up with a sneer. "I see now why you gave up so easily. Was it ever worth trying? I suppose you felt it was the best way to get off without feeling guilty. Did I ever mean anything to you?"

His words tore at Alex. She barely noticed the tears that started to fall finally because her chest felt like it was on fire. She couldn't breathe as they stared at each other. She had no defense, no reason for her actions beyond selfishness. She deserved his hatred, but she could not face it.

When she finally managed to suck in a breath, she turned and ran. She heard her brother calling out, but she didn't stop. No matter what else needed to be said, there was no way she could yet. She could barely see where she was going, much less try and focus on telling them everything else without falling apart. Not that she expected Genesis to ever want to listen to her again. She had no doubt that the look of betrayal he had given her would haunt her as much as her nightmares of Hojo.

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Sephiroth was walking back toward camp with three chocobos in tow. He had come across a group of them and was lucky that more than one stayed. Despite only having tack for two, they could rig a lead and use the third for their gear. They would not be able to ride until they were off the mountain, but the fortuitous turn of events would allow them to make better time than anticipated.