Vagaries of Fate

Deepground

Chapter 17

She started running toward him and was yelling. "Where is Vincent!"

Her attention was snagged by a grinning Reno as he called out. "Yo, Angel. You need Turk help already?" She gave him a glare, but it changed to shock when he tossed her something. She quickly caught her blades and gave him a questioning look. He shrugged when he answered. "You left them behind."

She didn't have the chance to question him further when Vincent dropped next to her. As sudden as his appearance was, she didn't let it faze her before she started. "You are the only one that can face Nero and walk away. I have to get the others back before that shadow reaches them."

Vincent had been wincing since he landed, but at her words, he finally grunted and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were gold. "It is me that must face him."

She only nodded, not letting his transformation get to her. The Weapon growled before he spoke. "I can feel the tainted lifestream surrounding him. I will take care of it."

Clarissa yelled out as he started to turn. She was antsy to get Genesis and Zack away from danger, but she couldn't let Chaos kill Nero. "He needs the mako to survive. It has surrounded him since birth."

Chaos paused, but only for a moment. "I cannot let it remain tainted. Let's hope he survives the purification."

She cringed, but she knew she couldn't prevent what was about to happen. Once he started toward Nero, she immediately went to Genesis. She helped Zack to his feet and yelled at her husband. "We need to move out and help the others. Chaos will be the only one that can withstand those shadows."

Genesis turned and gave her a glare at her interruption, but his eyes widened when he saw her. He was by her side in an instant and nearly pushed Zack away as he reached out. Her eyes widened when he was on her so quickly, but it made sense when she felt the wound on her stomach start to heal under his spell. She shook her head at the look he gave her. "It wasn't that bad. It happens. Now let's go take care of the rest."

He gave her another glare. "We will discuss this later."

She smirked at him as she was casting her own cure on the injured Second. "Yes, sir."

She didn't wait for another response. Zack was up by that point, and she grabbed Genesis by the arm and turned him toward the fight with Weiss. Zack went to help fight off some of the Ravens that had busted through the barrier while Clarissa and Genesis moved to help the others corner Weiss.

The Tsviet didn't seem bothered by being outnumbered. "I was really hoping Soldier would prove to be more of a challenge, but even the Great Sephiroth needs his friends to help him face me."

Sephiroth looked like he was about to speak, but Clarissa stepped forward before he could. "You talk big, Weiss, and for a good reason, but everyone has their weaknesses."

At her last statement, she cut her eyes to where Nero was fighting Vincent. Weiss didn't look that way right away. Instead, he sneered at her before he spoke. "It looks like Rosso had a bit of fun. It's too bad. I wanted to be the first to greet you to the family."

She wasn't sure what his expression was trying to say precisely, but she knew she didn't want to find out. When she heard Genesis growl and take a step forward, she stepped to block him, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she tilted her head slightly and raised a brow at the Tsviet before cutting her eyes to Nero again.

Weiss laughed at her response, but that time did glance the way she was looking. His surprised gaze was jerked back that way when he saw that Chaos had taken flight and was batting away the shadow balls Nero was throwing at him as if they were playing catch. Weiss looked back to the four with an incredulous look. "What in the nine hells is that?"