The Final Fantasy

Remnants

There is no hate, Only joy,

For you are beloved by the goddess.

Hero of the dawn, healer of worlds...

-Dylan Alcorn

Reno was the man charging out at me. His arm with the gun in it was raised and was coming down for my shoulder. His red hair danced past me as I dodged his swing and jumped inside the door, locking it behind me and leaving him outside.

"Alright, your good," Reno said from behind the door.

I ignored him as I turned around and looked into the face of Rude another member of the Turks just like Reno.

Rude was a bald and his posture imitated most enemies. He wore a black suit with a velvet tie. His dark sun-glasses hid his eyes from mine. He too lunged toward me but I stopped him as I quickly drew the sword that I always carried on my back and pointed it at him. He smiled and took a few steps back. Then putting the sword back, I looked over to the other man in the room.

The other man was in a wheel-chair and sheet covered his body. He spoke first.

"Hello Cloud," he said, "i have been expecting you."

I looked at the man with curiosity in my eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Cloud," he said, " I have been searching for you. But alas, you have not been in the area, so when I heard you were in Midgar I figured that was close enough."

I turned to Rude who was staring me down with a serious look on his face which told me that this situation wasn't to be taken lightly.

I turned back to the man in the chair.

"Why have you been looking for me?"

The man rustled around underneath his cloak when finally he raised his hand to his face, the sheet fell from part of his hand. I noticed that he too had the Geostigma. The man sighed.

"I have the Geostigma Cloud," he said, "I'm dying."

I couldn't see his face but I could hear the deep, meaningful, desperation in his voice. I looked at him for a few moments without speaking. Part of me wondered if he could see through the sheet, but I didn't have the nerve to ask.

The reason I have called you hear Cloud," he said, " is because I require protection."

"From who?" I asked.

"From Kadaj and his brothers. They are young but very dangerous. We believe that the after effects of the Northern Crater some how infused Sepheroth's memories into 3 living manifestations." there was a long pause, "They are Sepheroth's remnants. That is why we believe they are hunting Jenova's head."

My body trembled at the name. The whole reason for Sepheroth's insanity. The thing he sought to find in his episode of madness. Jenoa's the reason there was Geostigma. When Shinra destroyed her body, she left her unforgivable legacy. The Geostigma. When she died her cells somehow merged with the lifestream which released the foreign disease.

"Why do you think they want the head?" I asked.

"Cloud...we think they are trying to begin the reunion...."

* * * * * *

Three young men stood before a towering formation of rock where they believed Jenova's head was hidden. The oldest one Kadaj stood before the other two with his silver hair whipping him in the face. The other two stood behind him with chains in their hands connected to the formation. They looked at Kadaj, waiting for the signal. Then Kadaj raised his arm above his head with his hand curled into a fist. Yazoo and Loz looked at each other and nodded. They began to pull on the chains. Pulling as hard as they could. Cracks started to erupt from the outside of one of the support pillars. A loud crash echoed through the sand covered valley and the three stood before what was a few moments ago the remains of Jenova's crash site.

"What a perfect place to hide her," Kadaj yelled with his voice echoing. "They thought they could hide you from us didn't they mother. Well they couldn't! We are here mother! We have come for you!"

Kadaj climbed over the pillar into a small cavern with Yazoo and Loz close behind. Kadaj crouched down next to a pile of debris and stuck his hand deep into the dirt pile. When his hands submerged they held a large titanium box. Kadaj smirked as he turned around to show the other two.

Kadaj's eyes went back to the box.

"We have her," he said, " We've finally found her!"

Slowly and gently Kadaj grasped the grip on the box and pulled it open. Kadaj's smirk faded and was replaced a teeth grinding hate driven expression. His eyes flared as he threw the box onto the dirt and walked toward one of the cavern walls. His fist pounded the walls in anger. After a few moments he subsided and turned to Yazoo and Loz.

"She's not here," he said...

* * * * * *

I walked out of the house shutting the oak doors behind me and hearing the brass handles clink as it closed. The rain was still coming down lightly, soaking the earth's soil. As I walked to my mud covered bike I splashed through puddles as I recalled what the man in the wheel chair had asked me.

"Cloud I need your protection. I am weak and I am ill. Help me. Show me that you are as strong as the Soldier you once claimed to be." he said.

"Yeah, in my head," I said as I walked to the door, "I'm not capable of protecting anyone."

"Cloud," he said in a sincere tone, "please, you are a hero."

I looked over my shoulder.

"But I..."

From outside Reno spoke through the door.

"C'mon Cloud, do it for Shinra." he said

I turned back toward the door.

"Not interested," I said as I opened the door and shoved Reno out of the way.

As I hopped on my bike I recalled Rude telling me that Kadaj's gang had possibly already sniffed out two possible locations where Jenova's head. I shouldn't worry I thought. There only remnants. I started the engine and drove down the driveway and through the gates onto the dirt jungle roads. As I drove I remembered stories that I had heard about Jenova. Don't remember exactly who told them to me but I heard them.