Crimson Demons (FF7)

6) Fallen Angel

Gongaga is a quiet, rundown place, like most these days. The air smells like mako and the people here are always mourning their families that exploded with the reactor. Violet has been uncomfortably silent our entire journey back to this place. Cloud was dragged by his feet, and I carried Aeris until she woke up.

We haven't talked much, and even when Yuffie and Cid bickered, it was half hearted. What was it that made Cloud start beating the person he had been falling for since the beginning? What invisible force are we fighting against? If it takes control of Cloud again... Could he kill someone? What if it got one of us to do something we couldn't control? To be honest, I'm not too concerned about it, but I can see the worry in the others' eyes. They want to know what's going on. This isn't a blind chase after Sephiroth and Shinra nay longer. It's becoming real pain, real problems, real nightmares coming to life.

Someone walking through the darkness interrupts me from my thoughts. I stand and follow from a distance, recognizing the person's pink dress and large brown boots. Then I see her try to sneak past where Violet's been standing all night, staring out at the remains of the mako reactor and thinking. Her shoe crushes a twig and Violet swivels around tensely, fingers moving for her weapon. When she realizes it's just Aeris, she relaxes and I melt into the shadows.

"Aeris."

"Violet," Aeris replies gently, sounding less happy than usual. "Can I... Talk to you about something? And trust you not to tell anyone else?"

"I guess so," Violet cocks her head to the side. Her blonde hair falls over her shoudler and the moonlight makes it seem eerily pale. "Why?"

"I'm leaving," Aeris sighs. "It's not because of Cloud though."

"Why then?"

"The Planet is calling me. I need to hear what it's saying." Her head drops sadly. "But I can't here. I need to go to the place of my ancestors."

"That's not easy to the others, I suppose."

"The thing is, I might not come back," she admits. "I had a dream. But I can't really believe in that, can I?"

"What you choose to believe is not my problem," Violet brushes her off. "But if you think you should go, then do. And before the others wake up. I won't tell them."

"Okay," Aeris nods. Then she pauses, looking ready to say something. "Violet?"

"Yes?"

"I just want you to know that we care about you. Barret might not show it, but even he'd be sad if you weren't here one day." Is this false reassurance or does Aeris honestly believe it? How could someone care about something so inhuman? "I want you to promise me you'll finish your journey with Avalanche. You know, in case you don't come back." She thinks she's going to die? Where is she going? Violet looks down at her shoes, her hands playing with the heavy black material that drapes around her. Then she looks back up.

"I promise." Our Ancient nods.

"Um... So goodbye, I guess."

"Goodbye," Violet nods back. Aeris leaves with two of our materia orbs, her new Princess Guard, and a small bag of our rations. Violet looks over in my direction and I know she knows I'm there, but she turns and walks away. And I follow, not wanting to be alone all of a sudden.

"You meant your promise?"

"I owe it to her," Violet say, still walking.

"How is that?"

"Personal thoughts. You wouldn't understand."

"I see. So you believe she won't be returning."

"I didn't say that."