Even Demons Can Be Saved

Purification

When the group made it to the top of the stairs, Eve paused at the sight of Veld standing next to Tseng. They both stood at attention as Rufus Shinra leaned back in his seat. When they came in front of the large desk, the young president looked them all over before his eyes landed on Eve and he gestured for her to step forward.

"I find that I am uncertain whether I should be thankful for your help or worried about what you have planned next. Tell me, are you really content to be done with simply the death of my father and the collapse of the science department?"

Eve's eyes narrowed. She hadn't missed the looks Tseng was giving her as well. Despite both men's glares, she kept her voice even. "My goal this whole time has been to prevent the destruction of this world. Part of the threat was due to their influence, which is why their demise had to be addressed. That was not all though. Surely you have been updated with the current situation and outcome if nothing else changes."

Veld was surprisingly quiet through their exchange, but Tseng stepped forward with a frown. "Do not forget that you are still a Shinra employee. You are not beyond being tried for treason. You have already pushed the limits."

Eve knew that part of his irritation was redirection. Despite his calm demeanor, she could tell that he was livid that Aerith was there. She held tight to that thought as she ignored him and addressed Rufus. "President, you are welcome to try me. I am aware of the penalty for treason. However, I assure you that killing me will not solve your problems. With the way things were going, this company was headed toward disaster."

"That is only one of the problems still left, but let me explain so you can understand what we are facing long term." She looked around briefly and noticed a cup of water sitting to the side. She nodded at it. "May I?"

Rufus had been silently listening to her tirade. His expression didn't change until she asked for the water, but he nodded his approval. Eve took the cup and stepped back. "Gaia has a finite amount of energy to create life." She paused and poured a little of the water into her cupped palm. "Normally, the planet uses this energy to create new life. Let's say that this handful of water represents a village full of people. As they die, the energy is sent back to the planet, and then others are born along with plants and animals and so forth."

She let the water tip back into the cup before she poured it into her palm again. "Now, let's say this is the amount of that same energy used to power this city for a year." She looked at the water in her hand for a moment before she tipped it and let it fall to the floor. "Once it is used, it is no longer available to replenish the planet. It will not be long at all before there is none left."

Eve heard a suspicious snicker behind her but ignored it as she held Rufus' gaze. "This is not conjecture. I am telling you facts. In addition to that, the Promised Land that everyone's plans were being hung on is a fallacy."

She felt Aerith stiffen next to her and took the girl's hand as she continued. "As a Cetra, I have a choice when I die. I can hold onto my consciousness even after death and use that to help mold the planet. To continue to work, per se. The Promised Land is nothing more than the choice to let go and meld with the rest of the planet. To let go of that burden. It is not a physical place."

Eve had been so focused on Rufus that she had not noticed the fact that Sephiroth had moved to stand between her and Tseng at the first mention of her being tried for treason. When she finished speaking, he stepped in between her and the men in front of them. His shoulders were stiff, as were his words. "Even if you cannot believe what she has said, I refuse to allow her to come to harm. She has repeatedly stated her secondary objective is the continued stability and growth of this company. Despite the need to deal with certain aspects, she has proven continuously she has no ill will toward Shinra Power and Electric."