Disclaimer:

All Final Fantasy VII characters; Sephiroth, Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, Vincent, Yuffie, Cid, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Barret, Lucrecia, Reeve, Jenova, Hojo, Heidegger and the others are the properties of Square. Characters other than those mentioned earlier are the properties of ME so kindly take note of a simple thing such as that. Will be slightly AU in the later chapters.

Legend:

/……/ - Mind talk. You guys know…like telepathic or some sort…yawns

(……) - Thoughts…you know, private conversation between you and your brain? XD

Italics - I can't elaborate...I think it's a kind of feeling...yeah...that's it...and flashbacks too...maybe...

“One's only real life is the life one never leads.” – Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

CHAPTER I : Life

…Warm……

(…W…where……am I……?)

……Floating……

(……Am I……dead……?)

……Silent……

(…What……happened……?)

……Still……

(……I don't……remember……)

…Bright……

He first gained consciousness, feeling his body floating weightlessly in the air. No, not the air……space. He was breathing, he could hear his respiration…yet he doubt air filled his lungs. It's something…thicker…yet easier to breathe upon. His heartbeat thumped dully in his ears, another sign of being alive. With eyes still unwilling to open, he moved his frozen hands weakly to feel his surroundings. It did little help anyway, he couldn't feel much because his whole body was still numb. He felt something slick and soft brushed against his bare skin. It tangled itself around him like a silk web. He had always recognized the texture…since long, long ago…it felt like…silk. His silver tresses, he wagered, complete determination on his choice, even though he hadn't open his eyes. His head was clear, at least he felt joyous for that. Clear…and free.

“…Free……?”

That voice sounded hoarse and strange yet familiar, only to be recognized as his own after some moments of contemplation. His eyes fluttered open, jade Mako eyes slowly adjusted to the vast amount of light around him. His vision was blurry, yet he could see the greenish hue surrounding him, swirling endlessly around him. Strands of silver slapped his face and he brought his hand to brush them away, only to find crimson staining his fingers. “…I'm……hurt?” he asked himself, wondering where did the blood came from. He didn't remember…not all……

He stood there…waiting……smirking… Masamune in hand… A blond warrior…glaring at him with calm hatred…… The last duel… The intensity…the anger…the blows…the pain…the horror… He lost…he let him……

His head jerked up in shock. “…W-what…!?” The visions vanished and he didn't realize he was panting slightly. “…What…h-happened…? Why…? I lose……purposely……? I can't…remember…” There was none to answer his questions. They're his own to answer. He let out a shaky breath, his head still throbbed. Why did he feel free in the first place? Why did he let the stranger beat him? Why did he want to die? What was he running from? ”Running…” It sounded strange for him to do that. Why him, the strongest man alive, would want to run away? He would proudly die than to run away. And he remembered that was what he did in the last time. Dying…he let that blond man killed him…yet he still felt like running away. “…Death…is an escape……it's the same as running away…” he muttered slowly, softly as the truth sunk in. He, the strongest man, ran …

/…Sephiroth……/

“Huh!?” He looked around for the source of that voice. None. He was alone…

/…Sephiroth……/

That woman's voice echoed throughout the empty space again. It kept whispering his name… His name, he remembered that. “Who's there?” he choked, pushing his voice out of his throat. He was still not used to hear his own voice resonated within the empty void. “Who're you? W…where are you!?” he asked, anxiety thick in his voice as he searched wildly around him but still not even a shadow appeared.

/Sephiroth……my child… My dear Sephiroth……/

Sephiroth felt the hair behind his neck stood. That call! He remembered who used to call him like that. The one that manipulated him, used him until he was discarded as trash in the end, left to die and suffer. He was aware of the whole event, only to watch helplessly as his body executed its command. It put them all to his blame. Anger rose from within him as he scowled and reached to his waist, purely instinct, only to grasp…nothing. He whipped his head to stare at his hand in shock, Masamune was not by his side! The sword he forever trusted his life with, was gone. He could not fight without a weapon, let alone an unseen foe. He was the best in swordsmanship, without a sword his skill was nothing but a waste.

/……Sephiroth……there is no need to wield your sword against your mother……/

“Jenova!!! Come out! Even with that new voice you can't fool me!” His voice regained the usual strength he possessed. He raised his fists in defense, not having a weapon did not mean he's susceptible. He would fight to the very end if that's going to end his nemesis's life. He would not forgive Jenova for what it did to them, to everyone else and moreover, to him. It had tainted his name and his hands with the blood of innocents, the lives he, as a soldier, as a protector, had sworn to defend. Even after being labeled as cold and uncaring, ‘The War Machine', yet that did not mean that he had no heart. He still had feelings, emotions that he often hid most of the time. And his heart rebelled when it broke his every principle; murder, slaughter, destroy, destruct…all crime that he, in his right mind, in every human's right mind, would not commit.

/Jenova is not your mother, Sephiroth…I am Lucrecia…your real mother……/

“Lies!!! I won't fall for your game this time, Jenova!!!” (That name doesn't even ring a bell…)

/…My poor child……you have been hurt badly…until you trust none…/

“Hmph, enough of your sweet talk. I'll never believe your words, Jenova!!!” (Don't trust…)

/Please, Sephiroth…do not let anger cloud your mind/

“Silence!!! You…,” his voice trembled with rage, “…shall not use me again!! Jenova, come out!!!” The voice did not reply, which agitated him more. Slowly he saw a figure materialized in front of him, a figure of a woman with long, chestnut hair that reached her waist and she had her back on him. Slowly she turned around to face him and Sephiroth found the woman was very beautiful and intelligence played in the air around her. Her face was in a heart face and her emerald eyes almost bore the same shade as his, only clearer and free of Mako. The warrior was puzzled.

(Who is this woman? …Lucrecia? She doesn't…I don't sense any malice from her……) Yet Sephiroth knew better than to let his guard down. Maybe this was another one of Jenova trick? He tightened his knuckles and raised them higher as the woman neared him slowly. That woman, Lucrecia as she claimed herself to be, silent all along, smiled warmly at him, her eyes glittered with something he could not comprehend.

Sephiroth was mesmerized by her presence, her beauty, her eyes, her voice. “…Sephiroth……” Sephiroth jerked back, that was the voice that kept chanting his name earlier. He tried to back away from her touch when she reached for him. He tried to move but his body froze, even his voice could not work. He merely watched with horror-filled eyes as the woman slowly grasped his clenched knuckles and lowered them by his sides. He could not respond and this time he could be manipulated again, like last time.

(No!)

Sephiroth flinched as she gently cupped his face in her soft palms. Lucrecia spoke again, now he realized the glitters in her eyes were actually tears. “Sephiroth…my son……how I longed for this moment…ever since you're born…… Now look at you…,” she scanned him up and down, “…all big and strong……and handsome too……,” she choked, tears streamed her cheeks as Sephiroth watched confusedly. Her words rang in his head with unfamiliarity. “I know that I'm not worthy to be your mother…but……don't think of that evil being as your mother……it's not anyone's mother. It's a virus, a disease, an enemy to all living creatures. You are far better than that…”

Sephiroth forced his mouth to work, “…I d-don't…understand…… You're my…real mother?”

Lucrecia smiled sadly and hung her head low, “……I'm sorry……”

She was going to let go of him but Sephiroth quickly yet gently caught her hands. “Wait! You're…not lying…aren't you……?” he asked again, cautious as his jade eyes search for honesty from within the emerald depth. He felt his heart answering his own question yet his logical mind needed to hear the truth.

The woman looked at him for a while before she slowly wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and wept mutely against his chest. He went stiff at first before a wave of warmth washed within him. That was the best answer to his curiosity yet Sephiroth did not know how to react to this warm feeling. He never felt anything such as this before. Had there been a gravity pull in that space, he would surely sunk to his knees. He felt something burned in his eyes and he quickly blinked them away. He lowered his head and slowly rested his chin on her head, arms timidly moved to wrap around her shoulders. He knew humans need to feel each other's presences by warm gestures such as hugging but he never did it, not even once, until now. He could feel Lucrecia smiled against his chest at this acceptance as her sobbing worsened.

“Sephiroth…?”

He opened his eyes slowly to look at his mother's kind face, the face he longed to gaze upon since he was just a child. “…Yes, Mother?” he inquired softly. He could feel the special tie that bonded them and it was love …between a mother and her child. He had always been able to sense that…even from monsters, which saddened him greatly that even such low creatures have the wealth of affection. Lucrecia smiled warmly at his call, how she longed to hear that coming from him, to her. She gently brushed his silver hair and smoothened his bangs, silently awed at the beauty he possessed. Sephiroth sighed in content. He yearned to feel a mother's touch ever since he was small. All aches in his body vanished and the wounds disappeared from his ethereal skin, leaving him looking fresh and new. Perhaps mother's touch had that power, the power to calm and to heal. Lucrecia enjoyed the peacefulness displayed on her son's handsome face.

“You are given a second chance…to go back to the mortal world and live as yourself…” Sephiroth straightened up, his face contorted to a frown, a habit he kept during his previous life.

“Why should I? I don't want to go back. I want to stay here, with you,” he protested, hating the thought of being apart from his long lost mother. Lucrecia smiled sadly, her heart felt the similar pain yet she knew her son needed this chance…this life…

She shook her head, “Sephiroth, you must understand…you don't belong here… You're still alive…while I am…did you hear my heartbeat?” The tall warrior was silent, he didn't even hear her breathe. Lucrecia took his silence as a positive answer.

“I'm already dead, my presence here is only to tell you the this… had I given any option, I don't want to part from you too but…they need you.“ “……Who?” (Who needs me?)

He saw…'he' fell…fell from a high place…deep down… Masamune…firm in ‘his' hands…the altar…a girl… Masamune's tip pointed down…aimed at……her middle… The rush……exhilarating…the sound……metal tearing flesh… invigorating…thrilling…… ‘He' looked up…a cruel smirk…on his face…… The sword…'he' pulled slowly……sinisterly…..twisted…tearing through her…..again……

Sephiroth shook his head vigorously; the images disappeared as soon as it came. “Sephiroth?” asked Lucrecia worriedly seeing her son held his head as though he was troubled. The tall man quickly dismissed it. He stared at the brunette with a disturbed look. “You……that girl…I remember…I killed you…… Cetra, what-!”

“Sephiroth…,” Lucrecia hushed him softly, “Aerith's here to guide you. She'll follow you back to the world.”

The silver-haired warrior whirled to face his mother in shock, “What!? But…how? She's dead! I killed her!” He turned to face Aerith, “I killed you, at the altar! I……I remember……”

The Cetra smiled sweetly and slowly nodded, “That's true. I died…but I was resurrected by the planet. I was given a second chance, like you, Sephiroth. I know what Jenova did to you. I know you're not the one to blame.”

(A second chance? Me?) Sephiroth scoffed inwardly. Him? The one who nearly destroyed the world? A second chance? It sounded too good to be true. Why would the planet agree to allow the very person who once tried to destroy everything walk on its surface again? Sephiroth shook his head slowly, shamefully. (I'm not worthy…) He stared at the Cetra again, searching for truth amongst all the absurd things he heard. He'd die first before trusting his enemies…or what he thought were his enemies. He trusted Jenova and it proved to be the real enemy; which cost him everything. Now he found his real mother and he realized he could trust her. Sephiroth felt a gentle touch on his right bicep and turned, it was his mother's. Lucrecia smiled and slowly nodded at him, “Go, my son… If you could trust anyone, she is the one that you should.” “But, Mother! I-!”

Lucrecia silenced the warrior with a delicate finger on his lips, “Sephiroth, I want to see you happy…always… This place held nothing but sorrow and regret for you. You need to find what you seek all along in your life. Please…follow Aerith… You deserve this life…do not waste it…… ” Sephiroth was speechless, he knew he couldn't argue with his mother, not that he can't; he won't.

“……Yes…Mother……,” he surrendered at last, heavy-heartedly.

The two women smiled hopefully at his decision. Lucrecia hugged her son lovingly, “I know you won't let me down, Sephiroth. I'm proud to have a son like you.” All his entire life, none was truly proud of him for what he was. This time Sephiroth could not hold back, a tear slid down his cheek as he returned the embrace with all his heart.

(Those words……mean so much…) “Mother…,” he pulled away to look into Lucrecia's kind eyes, “I shall not disappoint you. I promise,” he vowed, his tone firm and stout. His mother smiled and pulled him down, kissing both his cheeks and forehead once. “Go, I shall be watching over you, my dear child. I love you,” Lucrecia said, chuckling when she saw what she did embarrass the great warrior. Sephiroth nodded and hugged his mother again and, as gently as he could, planted a soft kiss on her forehead in return, “I love you too, Mother.” They parted quite reluctantly and they watched the figure of Lucrecia faded into the void. Sephiroth turned to face Aerith with his usual stern mask on, “Let's go.”

“Are you ready?” she asked sweetly, the six foot one warrior stood tall a few steps in front of her.

Sephiroth had nodded, curtly before he spoke, the tone he often used during his career as a general, “Let's not waste time.” Aerith nodded, eyes closed slowly as she concentrated. She stretched out her hands, beckoning the tall swordsman to take them. She felt big, warm hands clasping her palms and long, surprisingly smooth fingers gently grasping her smaller hands. Aerith struggled not to blush and scolded herself for thinking such trivial matters. She resumed concentrating and particles of greenish hue danced from her, it traveled through their joined hands and enveloped the tall swordsman.

Aerith opened her eyes just to see Sephiroth looking astonished at the usual ensemble on his body. A simple yet confusing question rose from him, “How did you…?”

The Cetra grinned cheekily, slightly proud to have startled even The Great Sephiroth. “I figured you wouldn't enjoy walking around without a shirt on, especially when we return to the real world,” replied the brunette smoothly, watching his response quietly.

The silver-haired man shrugged a silent gratitude before he resumed checking on his attire. His expression softened a little when he touched Masamune and Aerith considered it was one of his most beloved possessions. She could not help but to shudder though, the feel of the cold, seven foot blade impaled through her still etched within her mind before she quickly dismissed it, feeling the man's intense gaze trained on her. She would worry about that later, now to avert his attention from her, his sharp gaze was deadlier .

“So…you know where we are?”

Sephiroth fixed his jade, Mako eyes on the brunette in front of him. His mother told him that he could always trust this girl yet he was still hesitant. After all, his entire life and death were based on lies and deceit, so no one could blame him for being cautious. At her question, he averted his gaze and scanned their surroundings. This whole place came to his concern once more after he abandoned the question he asked himself a while ago. (Where? This place…I woke up here…I found Mother here…this girl too… Wait, I know this light…I saw this before…)

“Lifestream?” he guessed, purely trusting his instinct.

The Cetra smiled brightly, “Yes, and we must find the surface. I remember there's a Lifestream lake in Mideal…don't know where though…”

Sephiroth sighed and shook his head slowly, how were they supposed to find the surface when there was no way telling up or down in the non-gravitational space? (No choice…we'll have to search for it on our own…)

“Follow me,” he ordered tersely while he swam his way forward. Oddly enough, they could only move faster like that. That place did not support any footing so they had to swim their way around. To him, it felt eerily familiar to flying, the ability he once gained from Jenova. The silver-haired man cringed; he hated recalling things that reminded him of his nemesis. He focused his thoughts into finding a way out until he heard a faint call from behind him. “Hey-! Wait up!!”

Sephiroth halted and spun around, watching the cheery brunette gradually closed the twenty feet gap between them clumsily. He had been so eager to find a way out that he had forgotten about his company.

Aerith grinned goofily when she finally neared the man, “There. Wait for me next time. I can't go that fast.”

Sephiroth was about to make a face before he decided against it. With the usual solemn look on his face, he sighed, “If you want to follow me, don't slow me down, Cetra.” His tone remained cold and unfeeling, as he always appeared. The silver-haired swordsman was more comfortable like that, especially after the encounter with his mother. It was his most vulnerable moment and he did not quite trust the Cetra audience yet to keep it to herself.

The tall swordsman did not seem to take this seriously though. “Fine, Aerith,” he stated boringly before whirling around and began to swim away, not really waiting for her. He made his point, it's up to her whether she's up to it or not. Luckily for Aerith, she would go a long way before giving up. (I won't back down. He needs us as much as we need him) Smiling at the incoming, bright future, Aerith swam to follow the silver-haired warrior.

After spending long hours floating aimlessly, Sephiroth began to doubt his bearings. He had planned to move straight ahead yet he felt as if they were moving in circles. Heat of frustration began to rise within him yet he reminded himself of his self-control. He shook his head, it's not wise for a superior like him to act rashly. Years of being a general thought him that simple rule and he abided by it ever since. Calmly, he forced his brain to work. (Where is it? If this place is as big as the real world, then there's no point on going straight…and to find a ‘surface' one needs to know the ‘up' from the ‘down'…)

Sephiroth snorted inwardly at the thought, how very little help the information had been. He looked past his shoulders to see the girl floating right behind him. Exhaustion etched in her every feature, reminding him of the long period of their exploration. He frowned, not favouring the outcome at all. (She's beginning to tire out too…this is certainly not what I hoped for…) He could not leave the brunette, no matter how much he wanted to. Lucrecia had told him to follow this Ancient and he would not defy his real mother at any circumstances. Slowly he brought himself to a complete halt and waited for the girl to near him.

Aerith looked up at his sudden pause, eyes noted puzzlement at his actions. She was tired yet she fought to catch up with his pace, longing to find the real world too. However, his sudden stop granted her a moment to rest from their tiring journey, and she was grateful of that, though he might not know it. “What is it, Sephiroth? Have you found the exit?” she calmly inquired, relishing the relaxing feel of her throbbing muscles.

The silver-haired man shook his head slowly, silver tresses flowed gently around his head like soft strands of light silk. “Not yet. We're moving too slow,” he stated flatly, not caring whether his words offended the girl or not. Unfortunately, they did and Aerith sulked. Sephiroth however, did not allow any attempt of argument to start as he saw her lips opened to speak, by offering a hand towards the bewildered brunette. The Cetra was now looking at him with large, emerald orbs, shock and bewilderment written all over her young face. “……We'll travel faster and you won't get tired easily like this,” he explained when the girl hesitated to accept his hand after some time, his long fingers curled and uncurled themselves as if to urge her to accept them but he understood the process would take time…time that he, if given any other option, would spent on looking for the exit alone.

(If I want him to trust me, then I must learn to trust him first…) Aerith nodded without a word at her blunt hypothesis, based solely on the theory of ‘treat others the way you want the treatment returned' and slowly accepted his hand, her slim fingers brushed against the thick, black leather of his glove. She pushed all the doubt and hesitation aside, feeling the soft creases of leather against her fingers. Sephiroth's long, gloved fingers easily encased her smaller hand in a firm grasp, tight yet gentle. Once again Aerith was stunned at his tenderness yet the warrior was oblivious to this. Sephiroth turned around, eyes looking to all directions as if contemplating on the direction they should be headed. He tugged the girl along with him as he began to swim ahead, eyes wary of their surroundings. It was not long before far ahead of them, Sephiroth saw the faintest glimmer of light.

(What…is that…?) Curiosity won over doubt, he kicked his way towards it and swam faster. Aerith began to move faster too even though she was pulled along, not wanting to only become a burden. She then realized that his speed was unmatched and then only she allowed herself being dragged by the tall man. Sephiroth seemed unaffected by the weight he towed as he raced towards the light. Their hopes flared to life as the light drew nearer and the silver-haired man gave all he had to boost their speed. “This is it!” cried Aerith in pure joy, confirming the former general's suspicion. They found that as they reached it, bright, white light filled their visions and soon they felt nothing….

Cold breeze of the night blew past him, brushing against his silver bangs softly yet failed to chill the tall swordsman as he whipped his head around, silver strands flailed freely around him, to find his companion, realizing that she was no were within his perimeter of vision. (Where are we now?) “Anc-Aerith! Where are you?”

He heard no verbal response to his call, only a faint thud from his left indicated where he should check next. Sephiroth pushed himself up to his feet and suddenly an awkward feeling washed over him at being able to walk on solid ground for the first time. Wasting no time to check on this new feeling, he made his way towards his companion.

“Aerith.”

He saw a figure in pink lying face down not far in front of him, also amongst piles of broken woods and planks. Her chestnut hair shone beautifully against the soft moonlight and her dress wasn't tainted with dirt although the place was muddy. She showed no sign of movement though. Sephiroth kneeled beside her still figure and flipped her over, checking for any visible injury. He brushed her tousled bangs out of her face and found out that those magnificent emerald orbs were hidden under the closed eyelids. He carefully pressed two fingers on her neck, just above the black chocker she wore and felt a faint pulse beating against his fingers, relieving him.

(Good, she's alive)

Charily and gently, he collected the limp body into his strong arms and hoisted her up against his chest. Praying that no monster would come their way, he marched towards the nearest source of light, which also meant civilization. The silver-haired warrior hoped that no one would recognize them, especially him, with his reputation, which could turn even the friendliest creature hostile. He would find a place for them to spend the night and the next day, they would be able to plan their next moves wisely.

A nearby house opens its door, bathing them in bright, warm light. Sephiroth slowly turned to face the light, his lashes lowered partially at the unfamiliar brightness. “Why's that dog barking in the middle of the night-huh?” A man in his late thirties stood by the doorframe, squinted his eyes to see in the dark. What he found startled him before he pushed his glasses up his nose bridge to take a better look at the two. “Hey, you there! Is she hurt? Come in, let me have a look on her, I'm the only doctor here,” he offered his help to the silent man. Sephiroth stayed silent as always yet he went towards the other man. (I could use his help…)

The doctor stepped out of the doorway, allowing the taller swordsman to carry the limp girl inside, careful not to bang any part of her body against the doorframe. The ‘house' that he called it earlier, was actually a small clinic, complete with three single bed, a table, a rack of medicines and a few stools. A nurse were standing by one of the bed, she looked a bit younger than the doctor did. “Put her here,” ordered the nurse towards one of the bed.

Sephiroth obeyed wordlessly and slowly laid Aerith on the bed's white sheet. The silver-haired man watched with wary jade eyes as the doctor began checking on the girl. “What were you two doing out there anyway? In the middle of the night?” asked the Mideal doctor.

“……………” Sephiroth did not answer his questions; he simply ignored the other man's friendly attempt to start a conversation for he was not a conversationalist himself.

The doctor, sensing the awkward silence enveloping them decided to leave all his curiousity left unvoiced. After all, not all his patients enjoyed being probe about. Some even preferred to stay anonymous, like the previous blond he treated for severe Mako poisoning not too long ago. He didn't notice the silver-haired man's eerie resemblance of a fairly known warrior in the past for he was too focused on the pallid brunette lying on the bed. At last, after a few minutes, he let out a satisfied sigh, “She seems fine, only a little overworked. She will be okay after a good, night sleep. Sir, why won't you take the other room to rest too?”

Sephiroth nodded politely at this kind offer, too tired to argue, his body craved for relief, “…Thank you.” The doctor in his late thirties smiled amiably and told the nurse to show the silver-haired warrior towards one of the spare rooms they had inside their small clinic. She complied easily and beckoned the taller man to follow her. Sephiroth found that the soft thumping of his boots against the wooden floor was awfully loud to his Jenova enhanced hearing and it left a dull ringing in his eardrums. He wondered if the woman was oblivious to them as he could not see her cringe at the sound as he did.

“You can stay in this room, sir,” said the nurse kindly after pushing a door towards a small yet comfortable-looking room and flicked the switch on. Sephiroth had thought that the single bed look really promising that he could not wait to relish the feeling of finally lying down. The woman had prattled about spare pajamas and clean towels in the closet should he wanted to refresh his body the next morning but Sephiroth's mind had worked too much for one day.

As soon as the nurse was gone, not before wishing him ‘good night', Sephiroth switched the lights off, leaving him in the much comforting darkness as he heaved his long sword from his waist and placed it carefully on the table beside the bed. He wasted no time in shrugging his armors off, unbuckling the belts that held them firmly in place and let the heavy, black leather slid down his tall frame. He placed his garments on a chair by the table and kicked his boots off, now clad in only his leather pants, finally falling back on the bed with a pleasurable groan. It had been ages since he laid on one and Sephiroth was too tired to even remember when. After massaging his sore feet for a while, the silver-haired warrior allowed his eyelids to drop, lulled into the enchanting feeling of a perfect slumber.

Thanks to bachus and Sephiroths lil Kitty for their undying support. I owe you guys so much. Thank you so much for motivating and restoring my confidence, my friends. This first declaration of my return is dedicated you both of you. Thank you again

Divine Star