For Honor or Glory

Bloody Letters

Chapter 89

The sun was already up, and technically Sephiroth's turn at watch was over. However, before the whole team sat down to the lengthy discussion that was likely to happen, he decided to walk once more around the perimeter. Not that he expected anything.

When he was satisfied that all was clear, he headed back into the mansion. He paused when he saw Genesis walking up the stairs but did not call out. Given all that Alex had said the night before, he knew it would be best for them all to speak soon, but that could wait until after the current issues were handled. He pushed back the discomfort caused by the idea of hurting a man that he had once considered a friend and instead turned to the room they had used the day before to see if the rest were there waiting.

When he entered, it only took him a moment to realize Alex was not there. Angeal and Bugenhagen were chatting on the other side of the room with Nanaki at their feet. They paused when he called out. "Has Alex been down?"

Angeal gave him a warm smile that he opted to ignore. He had already heard the man's response to seeing Alex in his bed. Not that Angeal had been angry, but he did issue a stern warning. At least he seemed to be in a better mood this morning. The man waved toward the door as he said, "You just missed her. She said she wanted to go get some fresh air about twenty minutes ago. She should be back soon."

He barely caught a frown at that news and instead nodded before he went to make himself comfortable while they waited. Although, he didn't make it to the dusty settee before the man they had found in the basement walked in. Sephiroth was going to try being polite, but any question he might have asked froze when the gunman held up a scrap of paper that was very clearly covered with fresh blood.

Somehow, Vincent was able to gather all eyes to himself without saying a word. Once the rest of the room faced him, he held out the paper to Angeal. "I believe this may be for you. I found it on the trail a short way past the mansion."

Angeal frowned but took the paper without a word. However, Sephiroth was shocked when a curse was the next thing out of Angeal's mouth. The commander further shocked everyone in the room when he grabbed the man in the red cloak and practically yelled in his face. "Did you see anyone? Are you sure this is about Alex?"

By that point, Sephiroth had already picked up the paper that Angeal had dropped. Whatever he had been expecting, it wasn't this. His blood ran cold, and he felt his heart beating erratically as he read the words once more.

The little bird has come to roost, and our family is nearly complete. All that is missing is you. We will be waiting with Mother.

Sephiroth looked up with wide eyes and tried to keep his voice calm. "Who could have done this? This does not seem like the work of the Turks or any other Shinra personnel. Why take Alex?"

Vincent had ignored Angeal, but he frowned at Sephiroth's question. However, he wasn't given a chance to respond. Genesis had just walked in and was already glaring. "What was that about Alex?"

By that point, Angeal had calmed. At least enough to be coherent when he said, "Vincent found a letter on the path outside the mansion. It doesn't specify, but given the location, it would seem that someone took Alex. The note is cryptic, but I believe whoever it is might be talking about that alien. I can't think of another place besides the reactor that might be considered a roost."

Genesis snatched the letter from Sephiroth. As soon as he read it, he glared at the gunman. "And how do we know this isn't your doing?"

It was a valid question since they did not know the man, but something in the way Alex had treated him made Sephiroth believe that wasn't the case. He was about to say as much, but Angeal beat him to it. "Now isn't the time Genesis. There is no point in placing blame. Instead, we need to find her. She left less than half an hour ago, so they can't have gotten far."

Genesis looked like he was about to explode, but he shocked them all when he took a deep breath and said, "Fine. We are already familiar with the path and should not need a guide. It would be best if we left post-haste, even if it might be dangerous for us to head to that cursed place."

That statement worked as a catalyst. All three Soldiers headed for the door. Despite worry about what could befall them if they got too close, none of them were willing to delay the search for Alex. However, they were shocked when both Vincent and Nanaki stepped forward. The former spoke first. "I am familiar with the area and have patrolled here many times. Allow me to accompany you. Especially if you are correct. That alien is more than what she seems."

His words caused a shiver to go down Sephiroth's spine since he was familiar with how much more she was than a rotting body. However, he didn't voice that. Not that he would have been able to. Nanaki was quick to add his own concern. "I offer my assistance as well. I am familiar with Professor Hewley's scent. If we rush, I may be able to track them if they leave the trail."

Sephiroth was glad when Angeal nodded. He would accept all the help they could get if it meant they could find Alex quickly. None of them had yet mentioned the blood that was still drying on the paper, and each of them hoped that it didn't mean what they feared.

Bugenhagen wished them luck as the group of five left in a hurry. Unfortunately, it did them little good. Vincent showed them where he had found the note, and Nanaki was able to verify Alex's scent in the area. However, the trail only led a short distance past the scarce brush and to a small clearing. It was there that it disappeared. However, Vincent found traces in the dirt of a recent helicopter landing, and Nanaki was able to verify the metallic scent that lingered.

No one in the group was happy with that news, but it did verify that Alex was taken, and they hoped that Angeal was correct. If she had been taken back to Midgar instead, their options would be limited.

After that discovery, Vincent was able to show them a shortcut to the reactor. The path was nearly nonexistent and would have been impossible for an average human to traverse. However, no one in their group was normal. They managed to make it to the reactor in less than two hours. When they arrived, they found two empty helicopters surrounded by nearly a dozen dead men. The uniforms were black and unfamiliar, but it was still an unsettling sight.

However, the sight confirmed that Alex was likely inside the reactor. They didn't have time to waste and decided to investigate later. When they moved to enter, another note was waiting for them on the steps.

We are glad to see you wish to join us. Follow the path, and you will find the heart of the matter.

Sephiroth was the last to read it, but as soon as he was done, he balled it up and crushed it in his fist. At least this one had been devoid of blood. When he looked up, it was to see Genesis was already up the steps, and Angeal was not far behind. The fiery commander pointed to the door as he said, "The heart of the matter. Given the cryptic nature of the note, I would say we head to the center of the reactor. I believe that was where Alex said the alien was anyway, correct?" Both Angeal and Sephiroth nodded. Nothing else was needed as they made their way in.

It was a relatively short amount of time before they made it to their destination. The whole group stopped at the sight of a plethora of pods that lined the room on each level. Nanaki growled at the nearest one, and Sephiroth was inclined to agree with him. They reminded him of some of the things he had seen in depths of Hojo's lowest labs and had no desire to see if they held similar 'subjects.'

Genesis and Angeal had both spread out, and each of them looked away with disgust as they saw what was in the cells. However, everyone's attention was drawn when they caught the sound of feminine laughter. Sephiroth felt his heart skip a beat. That had sounded like Alex, but it couldn't have been. However, Angeal shared a dire look with both him and Genesis and he could tell they had heard the same thing. No words needed to be spoken between them before they made their way up the stairs and to the open door at the top.