Warning: If you thought chapter 2 was bloody and gorey, then you might want to leave now. This chapter far surpasses 2.
Chapter 5: Village of Destruction
It was the week before their marriage and Lark was helping Briana check the store inventory. Suddenly, a loud ringing sounded from outside.
"What's that ringing?" asked Lark.
"It sounds like the warning bell. Something must be wrong." responded Briana.
"I'll check it out. You stay here and finish the inventory."
"Ok Lark"
Lark rushed out the door and into the city streets. The streets were packed with people who had heard the bell. Two men were standing in the middle of the masses and were having a heated conversation. One of them Lark reconised as being the city mayor. The other, Lark didn't know. He wore a suit and had long black hair. Lark made his way through the crowd to listen to what the two men were talking about.
"President Rufus here by commands that this city be put under military control until the completion of a Mako reactor in this area." said the man.
"Look Mr. Tseng, this is a peaceful village. We owe the Shinra nothing and we will not be put under military control. The citizens of Cavion will not stand for this. There will be no Mako reactor." said the mayor.
"Look, I'll give you a choice, you either submit to the presidents orders or Cavion will be destroyed."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, wouldn't I? I'll take that as a no." with that, Tseng took a gun from one of his troops and shoot the mayor in the head. Blood sprayed over the crowd.
At the sound of the gun shot, fifty more Shinra soldiers rushed into the village and started killing the towns people. Lark rushed back to the items shop to warn Briana.
"Briana!" he yelled.
"What is it Lark? I heard a gun."
"Briana, get up stairs and stay with Rone. The mayors been killed and the Shinra are attacking. Make sure you barracade this door." He turned to run back outside.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I have to go out there and help the other villagers."
"But you could be killed! I want you to stay here with me."
"Briana, I must go. I cannot stand by and let them be killed."
"You're right. I was being selfish. Go Lark...."
Lark pulled her close and kissed her passionatly. Then he turned and ran back outside. Briana baracaded the door and ran up the stairs. Tears tricked down her cheeks.
As Lark left the items shop, he could immeadiatly see the carnage the Shinra had down. Shrieks filled the air and the ground was bathed in dark red blood. Everywhere there was signs of death. Dozens of bodies littered the streets, the corpses being trampled on as the remaining villagers fled the Shinra massacare. Soldiers hacked, stabed, and shot the helpless people. Few villagers fought back, only a dozen or so. The people used whatever they could to fight with, swords, axes, stones, logs, all were used as weapons.
Anger washed over Lark and he lost all notions of common sence. He drew the Sword of Leah and swung at the first soldier he saw. His hack chopped of the man's sword arm. Blood spurted from the ravaged stump. He fell to his knees and cried out in agony. With one quick swipe, Lark took off the man's head, his cries ended for eternity. A red haze fell over Lark's vision as he stalked for his next victim.
Another soldier was spraying bullets into a group of people with a machine gun. Lark slipped behind him and plunged his sword though the man's back. The blue crystal blade ripped through the spinal cord, cut into his heart, and thrusted out his chest. Lark ripped his sword out with such force that blood flew everywhere. He saw a shadow creep behind him. The figure swung a blade at his head. In one fluid motion, Lark ducked, turned, and stabed the man in his belly. The man's sword fell to the ground just as his guts oozed through the bloody hole.
A scream cut through the air. Lark reconized the voice as Briana's. He raced down the body filled streets and ran through what was left of the item shop door. Two bodies lay limp on the floor and a man loomed over them. The man looked up at Lark's entry, suprise filled his eyes.
"Sean? Is that you? Man, we thought you were dead." said the man.
"Lark could say nothing. He looked from the man to the body of Rone. The old man's head was completely cut away. A puddle of blood stained the carpet. Lark then turned to Briana. Her skin was pale and her face was swollen. Her life blood flowed freely from a gash across her chest. She looked like she had ben beaten before killed. The man noticed Lark gaze at the dead girl.
"She's a real beauty, huh? Well, at least she was. I thought I might have some fun with her before I left. I even beat some sence into her pretty head. Then this old bastard attacked me from behind. I took care of him, but then she started fighting back harder. Finally, I just said 'To hell with it!' and killed her."
Again Lark could say nothing. He locked eyes with the man and his rage grew. His body trembeled as the anger burned withen him.
"Sean? You ok, Sean? You do remember me right? It's me Gren. You know, Gren, from Soldier."
"Briana..." Lark said softly. "You killed Briana....my beloved Briana."
Lark raised his sword and let out a yell of fury. He slashed ferociously at the startled young man. He killed the man with his first strike, but continued to slash and stab. He unleashed his full fury on the young man. Finally Lark stopped, the man was little more that a bloody mess on the floor. Lark's hand angerly clinched his sword. He turned and stumbled out of the shop. A dark figure stood outside the shop. He was a man dressed entirely in black. A large sword was slung across his back. Lark looked around, but they were the only ones on the street. All the Shinra soldiers were either dead or retreating, the houses and shops were burning, and Lark heard some villagers in the square.
"We won" Lark said.
"Oh no Sean. These people have won. Your battle is just begining." said the man.
"What do you mean. We do people keep calling me Sean?"
"Now is not the time for answers, but know this, your destiny awaits."
The dark man raised his head and Lark could see his face. Lark's eyes widened in shock. The face before him was his own.
"Who are you?" asked Lark.
"You shall know soon enough."
With that, the man slamed his fist into Lark's chin. Lark reeled over, unconcious. Then the man turned and vanished into the shadows.
Chapter 6: Wandering
Back to the Title Page