For Honor or Glory

Request

Chapter 62

It was another day before the healers finally agreed to let Alex out of the ward. When she woke that morning, she saw her brother talking to one of the healers. It would have only made her cringe at the reminder of her situation if it weren't for the tiny smile he wore. That caught her attention and made her focus on who he was speaking to.

She was surprised to see it was a tiny woman. She was younger than any of the other healers that had been in previously. More noteworthy was the fact that she was pretty. No matter her mood, Alex could not stop an echoing smile when her brother's lips tilted further upward. She almost hated to interrupt whatever was going on, but she knew as soon as she sat up they would notice, and she had to use the facilities.

She was glad to see her brother's smile didn't disappear when he turned and saw her smiling back. It gave her hope that life went on, no matter how hard it was for now.

The girl spoke before Angeal was even given a chance to. "Great, you're awake! How do you feel? Do you need anything?"

The healer's constant smile and seeming genuine concern helped lift Alex's spirit further. She could see why her brother was smiling at the girl. Still, she had a reason for being in Cosmo Canyon, and it wasn't to get bogged down in this room. She managed a return smile as she gestured down at herself and said, "I feel much better, thank you. However, I do need to use the facilities, and then I need to talk to someone about why we are here."

The girl's smile fell a little, but it was back quickly as she said, "Of course. Do you need help?"

When Alex shook her head and stood, the girl stepped back and gestured toward the small door in the back of the room. "Please call out if you need anything." Alex gave her a nod before she disappeared into the other room.

It was only a few minutes when she came back out, and the girl had set a clean set of clothes on the bed. She gestured to them as she said, "I am sure you would like a chance to clean up. Once you are ready, the Elders have asked to speak with you if you are feeling well enough."

Alex took the clothes and gave the girl a curt nod. "Thank you. I was hoping to speak to them anyway." She then noticed her brother watching them both. She caught his eye as she said, "Did you get cleaned up as well? You look better."

Angeal chuckled at her statement but made a shooing motion as he said, "I'm fine. I've already been told where to meet them, so as soon as you are ready, I can take you there."

Alex was glad to see her brother in better spirits. She used that to keep her mind off the things she didn't want to consider. There would be time for that later after she had more time to accept the impossible situation.

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It was a relatively short time later that both siblings walked into a room that held several men. She wasn't sure if she was glad or upset that Sephiroth and the others were not there waiting. However, her attention was pulled to the center of the room when a man floated forward with a smile.

The sight of him sent a flash through Alex's brain that had her grabbing her head with a grimace. As soon as it happened, Angeal caught her arm in support. His voice was low and worried as he asked, "Alex? What's wrong? Do I need to take you back?"

She waved off his concern and tried to ease the action with a smile. He didn't look convinced, but it was the man facing them that followed up. "Miss Hewley, while we are interested in finding out what brings you here, there is no point in jeopardizing your health."

By that time, the pain had passed, and she looked up with slightly widened eyes. She recognized the man in front of her, but that didn't change why she was there. She gave the man a reassuring look as she stood straight and shook her head as she said, "I do appreciate your concern, but I am fine. Our reason for being here is far more important anyway."

The man gave her an unconvinced look, but he didn't argue. Instead, he gestured to the rest of the group as he said, "My name is Bugenhagen. Please, join us and explain why you came here of all places."

She took the seat the man indicated before she looked around. Most of the men either wore blank faces or frowns, which did not help her sudden nerves. Still, she did not have the option of walking away. Instead, she looked to her brother for a moment to bolster her nerves before she said, "The situation may be complicated, but our reason for being here is simple. I was previously one of Shinra's genetic scientists. That position allowed me to discover horrible things done by Shinra scientists to my brother and me before we were born. They were abominable and need to be mitigated. Both Sephiroth and Genesis are similarly affected. I have tried on my own to reverse the potential damage, but I cannot. I had hoped to ask for assistance."

Her words caused a murmur in the group of men, but it was Bugenhagen that spoke for them. "While that gives us cause to be more believing of your claim to be here peacefully, it does not answer why you are here specifically. The people in this village are dedicated to the study of the planet. We are not genetic scientists."

Alex took a deep breath and looked at her brother once more. She had still not told them the origin of her knowledge, and she didn't think it would be feasible to ever do so, but she had no doubt her next words would cause questions. Then again, she did have other sources besides her murky memories.

She gave him a tight smile before she turned back the group of men. "I know this knowledge may not bolster your confidence in any of us, but I will reiterate that this was done while we were still in the womb, so we had no say in it, nor do we want it to continue unchecked."

When she paused, the volume of the murmurs increased, but she didn't allow them to cut her off. She looked Bugenhagen in the eye as she said, "Specifically, we were integrated with the cells of an unknown being. Professor Gast thought she was a cetra but found out after the damage was done that she had a different name. The cetra called her the Calamity From the Skies or Heaven's Dark Harbinger."

Those words garnered instant attention from all the Elders. Bugenhagen specifically looked deep in thought. It took him a moment before he responded. "Faremis Gast was an associate of mine. I have not heard that name in some time."

Alex was shocked for once. Nothing in her faded memories had indicated the two men knew each other, but she wasn't allowed to ask. Bugenhagen had already cleared his throat and continued. "I can understand your hesitance to share this information, though I cannot claim to know how to help. However, we will allow you to stay here for the time being to gather yourselves and rest. Perhaps we can at least gain a better understanding of the situation."

She stood and held out her hand. The Elder looked at it for a moment before he chuckled and shook. She somehow managed to keep her voice steady as she said, "I appreciate any help you could give. I doubt you have the facilities to manage genetic manipulation, but an uninvolved set of eyes could help me see something I may have missed. You may be dedicated to the study of the planet here, but even so, you know of the being I spoke of, correct? At least in lore. Perhaps that is what I need here, and not another geneticist."

Bugenhagen looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded. "Indeed, we have long collected any lore that we could find passed down from the Cetra. The Calamity is but one of those tales, though an important one. I cannot guarantee that we may have suitable input, but we will help. I will call for you later after we Elders have had a chance to convene. We can discuss your specific needs and what help we may be able to provide at that time."

Alex nodded in thanks. "That is all I could ask for. Thank you for letting us stay."

The old man smiled at her relief as he gestured toward Angeal. "I believe your companions have already had a chance to look around. If you feel up to it, why don't you let your brother give you a tour? I am sure the others would appreciate knowing you are well."

She nodded once again before she turned to her brother and let him lead her out. She was worried about how the others were doing, but for now, her mind was full of the things she might learn in the days to come. It was both exciting and terror-inducing. She only hoped they would find some clue that would help her keep them all from the worst outcome.

A/N: I know, rather anticlimactic after the last chapter, but we did need to lay some groundwork. I promise the next chapter or three will more than make up for it. We have some real character development and interaction coming up while everyone is stuck in a holding pattern. I hope you're looking forward to it! Cheers and thanks for reading! Feel free to let me know what you think, please.