Chapter Nineteen

The airship arrived in Nibelheim on schedule, scattering dust as it landed in the mid-afternoon sun a short walk from the town.

“I am never going to get used to the time changes,” Tifa complained as she climbed down off the ship.

“It does get a bit confusing,” Cid admitted, having climbed down first to hold the ladder for the others. “That’s why I don’t travel by airship all the time. Makes my head ache after a while.”

“I have a few things to add before we split up,” Cloud said, as he jumped off the ladder. He had been the last one off the ship. “First, don’t forget to use your PHS the moment you come across any information on Sephiroth.” The others nodded at him, as if that was a given. “Yuffie lost her PHS a few years ago, so Cid, please stop by Midgar and see if Reeve has a replacement you can give her.”

“I have to deal with Reeve and Yuffie?” Cid complained. “Why do I have to…” The pilot realized everyone was staring at him. “Never mind,” he mumbled, taking out a cigarette. Tifa scowled at him as he lit it.

“Also,” Cloud continued, “we need to gather the artifacts from the Ancient’s City and return them. Talk to everyone. It sounded like quite a few people have been up there recently, so the artifacts could be anywhere by now.”

“Betcha Dio’s got some,” Cid said, “I’ll stop by there first.”

“No, I want you to find Yuffie first and investigate Midgar,” Cloud replied. “The Golden Saucer isn’t that far, my group will cover that area.”

“Fine,” Cid said, a little annoyed that he wouldn’t be able to stop by the Golden Saucer for himself. He would have liked to gamble a little bit. He rather thought he fit in better in that crowd then Cloud did, but he didn’t say it aloud.

“Cid, I’d like the Highwind to return here in a few days and pick up the graduates I’ve selected to go the Northern Continent. Is that possible?”

“Yeah, Gyrn can pilot her on his own. But,” Cid wagged his finger at Cloud, “She’s going to need at least a week to rest after that. I have some components in there that take time to re-charge. I don’t have the time to make the replacements if they go out. So that will be the last moving around the Highwind can do for a short while.”

“That is all right,” Cloud said, “I don’t want to be announcing our location all the time by always traveling by airship.”

Cid nodded, then headed back up the ladder. Vincent followed, then Nanaki, who by-passed the ladder and just jumped to the deck from the ground. Cloud led Barret and Tifa toward Nibelheim, knowing the airship couldn’t take off when they were in close proximity.

Neither Cloud nor Tifa outwardly expressed their relief at finding Nibelheim in the same condition they had left it in. Both had been seeing visions of the town in flames – like it had been well over a decade ago. The three walked quickly to Cloud’s house, which also served as the training headquarters. They were met there by Travena, one of Cloud’s key trainers, who was manning the paperwork in Tifa’s absence.

“Sir,” Travena said, rising quickly to her feet and offering Cloud a salute. “Welcome back, sir.”

“Thank you, Travena,” Cloud said, indicating that she should sit back down. He and Tifa took a seat on the couch against the side wall of the office, leaving Barret to sit in the large chair in front of the desk.

“How was your trip, sir?” Travena asked, moving some papers she had been working on into neat, orderly piles.

“Not good, I’m afraid,” Cloud said. “I do not have good news. Sephiroth is back.” Travena’s hands stopped their movement, frozen holding a half-dozen or so papers midway between two piles.

“Sephiroth, sir?” Travena shook her head slightly, quickly regaining her composure and finishing the movements of her hands. She rested her hands on the desk and stared intently at both Cloud and Tifa.

“Yes.” Cloud returned her gaze equally, not betraying any emotion other than seriousness.

“You aren’t kidding. The bastard is really back?” Cloud and Tifa nodded. “How? You said that… he was gone… forever.”

“I don’t know,” replied Cloud, finally breaking off eye contact. “I wish I knew. But it doesn’t really matter. I have to hunt him down. Quickly. And kill him. Before he is able to do any more damage.” Travena nodded, still struggling to comprehend what her commander had told her.

“What do you need us to do, sir?” Travena finally said.

“Select twenty of the best graduates. I need them to be sent to the Ancient’s City. It’s been looted for the past 5 years, and that has to stop. Also, there are… artifacts there that Sephiroth might want. They will be the first line of defense against him gaining access there.” Travena nodded, taking out a piece of paper and making a few quick notes. “Also,” Cloud continued, “I will need another squad to be sent to Condor.”

“Condor?” Travena asked, raising her eyebrow at mention of their military rival.

“Cloud, you said you wouldn’t-“ Tifa started, but Cloud cut her off with a wave of her hand.

“I can’t afford the time to wait until Red and Vincent decide about Condor. I want the squad on the way there as soon as possible, as the airship won’t be able to take them there. Also, I want to get graduates out on the continents, as spread out as possible. I don’t want us to be concentrated in one place. Simply too dangerous.”

“That does make sense,” Tifa admitted, nodding. “But,” she cautioned, “we don’t need to start a war with Condor. We have enough trouble.” She turned to Travena. “Instruct the squad going to Condor that they are just to watch. Nothing else. Make sure they all have level-heads,” she added, giving Cloud a meaningful look. “We need them to take position outside of Condor, and to be able to explain why they are there without causing a conflict. You may even want to station them as far back as Junon.”

“That is too far,” Cloud argued.

“Well, the main part of the squad, at least,” Tifa countered. “After all, if they were to position twenty of theirs near us, we would certainly expect the worst of it. I think that they can take turns watching over Condor – pairs, I think.”

“Quads,” replied her husband, “at the very least.”

“Cloud, you have always said that one of ours is worth ten of theirs. Two will be sufficient for watching over their activities.”

Cloud considered her reasoning for a moment, realizing he had been out-witted by her. Finally, he gave her a quick smile, nodding his agreement. “You are too good of a rationalist for me to argue with,” he said. “Travena, make the orders as Tifa has specified. Both squads need to be prepared to leave immediately. The Highwind will return in a few days to pick up the squad going to the Northern Continent.”

“Will do, sir,” Travena said, making a few final notes. She rose, ready to take her leave and prepare the orders as instructed. “Sir, how do you want me to tell them about… about Sephiroth?”

“Perhaps you should tell them, Cloud,” Tifa said, considering the shock it would cause. Travena had years of training to keep her composure at such shocking news; most of their trainees wouldn’t know what to think or do.

“Perhaps,” Cloud answered. He looked at Barret, who had been listening in uncomfortable silence as they had been having their conversations around him. “Sorry to leave you out there, Barret,” Cloud said, “just have a lot on my mind. How would you tell the world about Sephiroth being back?”

“I dunno, Cloud,” answered Barret. “Planning and talking wuz never my part. I’m just a fighter.”

“You are more than that,” Tifa said, smiling at Barret. “You always remind us of the real things in life. And remind us to get moving when we start thinking too much,” she added with a laugh.

“Thanks, Tifa,” Barret said, blushing. “You always did know how to put a man in his place.”

“Well, I guess I should tell them, then,” Cloud said, looking back to Travena. “Call a meeting for me, will you?”

“Right away, sir,” Travena said, saluting smartly and quickly leaving to follow his orders.

Less than an hour later, all of the trainees of Cloud’s Academy had gathered in the main training yard. They were sitting quietly in orderly rows, waiting until the last few stragglers to find out what the un-announced meeting was about. Quiet whispered speculations flew around the crowd. Was Cloud going to retire? Had Condor done the evil deed he was always warning them about? Were they getting an unexpected holiday? Was there a new instructor? All the whispers died instantly when Cloud stepped on the platform in front of them.

“Several years ago,” he began, “a great and terrible evil was destroyed. You know it as Sephiroth. We thought we had destroyed Sephiroth completely.” Cloud drew a deep breath, his eyes measuring the crowd. “However,” he continued finally, “we were wrong. And now he is back. Sephiroth. . . is back.”

The trainees immediately began to talk, some to express horror, others shouting questions of “How?” and “Is he coming here?” Cloud raised his hand for silence, having only to wait a moment.

“It is our duty to rid the world – finally – of this evil. I will be assigning you to groups. The Academy will disperse during this time of danger.” More agitated whispers started at that, but quickly died down again. “Your squads will consist of a few graduates, who will serve as trainers and guides for the others in the field. Some of you will have specific tasks – I will be contacting you momentarily. The rest of you are to merely move around the continents, watching. Watching and waiting. I may have to call on you. Hopefully, I will not. When this is over, we will come back. At this time, the only information we have about his whereabouts is that he sailed south from the Northern continent a few weeks ago in the company of a woman. She is described to be of medium height, red hair, likely an apt fighter with the staff. If you encounter her, you may assume her to be the enemy.”

Cloud allowed them to talk for a few short minutes among themselves, then raised his hand slightly to get their attention again. “I have one last thing to add. When this is over, the Academy will be moving.” He looked significantly at Tifa. “Those who wish to remain may stay here as a branch of the core, but we will be moving to the southernmost tip of the Northern continent, just south of Bone Village. By the beach,” he added at the last, smiling broadly at Tifa. She jumped up on the platform, hugging and kissing him all at once.

“I love you,” she whispered jubilantly in his ear between kisses, “oh I love you! This will be so wonderful!” Amused laughter a few speculations followed her outburst, but neither she nor Cloud paid them any attention. They trainees all knew how much their founders loved each other, and, despite all the teasing, they admired their relationship with great respect.

The trainees dispersed, as the meeting was clearly finished. More than a few could hardly think, but they found solace in the sharp commands given to them by the trainers and graduates. They were able to ground their reality in the orderly movements of packing to leave.

Travena stood very still, just in the shadow of the platform, not having moved since she had heard Cloud’s description of the woman accompanying Sephiroth. Medium build, red hair, likely an apt fighter with the staff… She had met this woman. She had admired her, been friendly with her. She had even considered offering this accomplice of evil a job as a trainer at the Academy.

How am I going to tell Cloud? Travena’s mind whirled in hopeless circles. There was no way I could have known. None at all! What I am going to do? I could not have known! She then remembered that there was another who had seen this woman. Jyleth. What Olaji had already reported to Cloud? And the message! She had totally forgotten about the message delivered to her by Jyleth. The request from Bone Village for graduates for protection. She had dispatched twelve graduates a week ago to meet that request. How would she explain that to Cloud?

“I have to go,” she said aloud, although quietly. It may mean my job, but I have to tell him. She resolutely headed toward the Strife’s house.

She knocked timidly at first, but after standing for several uncomfortable minutes at the door and not getting a response, she knocked again, more firmly. Cloud opened the door, looking slightly disheveled and halfway out his uniform.

“Sir,” she said, averting her eyes instantly. “Sorry to disturb you sir, but there is something I must report.” She glanced at him through the corner of her, catching a glimpse of Tifa shuffling into view, hastily straightening her clothing, and quickly turned her gaze away again.

“I take it this can’t wait,” Cloud said, smiling a little in amusement at Travena’s discomfort. “I know you wouldn’t disturb me for something trivial like a trainee squabble, now would you?”

“Travena?” Tifa glanced around Cloud at the person standing in the doorway. “Well, don’t just stand there, come in.” Travena looked at Tifa, who was beckoning her in, and smiled faintly. Travena always felt more comfortable with Tifa.

After they were seated around the Strife’s kitchen table with mugs of tea, Cloud asked Travena what the visit was about.

“Sir, about your description of the woman accompanying Sephiroth,” she paused as Cloud visibly tensed when she mentioned his enemy.

“Yes, go on,” he said.

“Could you describe her any more?”

“She’s been here, hasn’t she,” Cloud said, immediately grasping what Travena was alluding to.

“I believe so, sir,” Travena said slowly, keeping her eyes on her tea. She hadn’t even tasted it.

“When?” Cloud’s voice was even, but Travena could feel the heat of his anger.

“Last week, she gave me a message,” Travena placed the battered missive from Bone Village on the table. Cloud just stared at it. Tifa reached out and picked it up, scanning over the contents quickly.

“Bone Village was requesting graduates,” she said. “With nice benefits, too.”

“I’ve already said, they won’t get any graduates to protect them from their greed,” Cloud said, yanking the paper from Tifa’s hands, wadding it up before tossing it up and incinerating it with a small fire spell.

“I dispatched a group of graduates the day after I received the message,” Travena continued, her voice barely a whisper, “sir.” She kept her eyes studiously on her cup, watching a single stray tealeaf bob in and out of sight. She waited on the outburst she knew would follow. But, after long minutes of silence, she dared to look up.

Cloud wasn’t looking at her. He had brought his hands for his face, massaging the area over her temples. He eyes were closed, and he seemed to be concentrating on something.

“Cloud,” Tifa asked, quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Those graduates,” he said quietly, “are dead.”

“Sir!” Travena jumped out of her seat, staring at her leader in astonishment. “They were acting on my dispatch, sir! If someone is to be punished, then it must be me!”

“Sit down, Travena,” Cloud said, opening his eyes and meeting her furious gaze. “I’m not going to do a thing to them. Think about it for a moment. The woman traveling with Sephiroth brings a message for graduates. It’s a set up. He’ll be waiting for them. They are probably already dead.”

“Why would Seph---he do that, sir?” Travena slowly sat down again, feeling very shaken.

“It is what I would do, if I had an enemy. Separate off a few to test their ability.”

“Oh,” Travena answered in a very quiet voice.

“Who did you send?” Tifa asked.

“Avery, Marcus, Brielle, Totuk, Martun, Shegel, and Yveny,” Travena answered. “And I think they were planning on meeting up the group we sent to Junon a few months ago on the security force.”

“That would be Brunus, Chan’ia, Tynos, Erick, and Forster,” Tifa said.

“Yes, they wanted to be an even dozen,” Travena replied.

“Well,” Cloud said, taking a long draught of his tea, “at least, if they were able to join up before they… well, they would have put up a great fight.”

They sat silently around the table, each lost in their thoughts of the graduates they now mourned.

“Travena,” Cloud said, “You are dismissed. Get some sleep. You deserve it.” Travena stood and saluted to them both, then left without a further word.

“I wish Reeve had found a way to duplicate the PHS technology,” Cloud said quietly. “All of this could have been avoided if we could have communicated faster. Now, it’s just like before. He’s always one step ahead.”

“Cloud, don’t—“

“Don’t what, Tifa?” Cloud shoved her hand off his. “It is just like before. We have to wait until the next catastrophe happens, so we can go look at the carnage he has left behind. Or, we have to split up and make ourselves weaker! This isn’t fair! We defeated him already!” Cloud buried his head in his hands.

“Cloud, please,” she pulled him toward, encircling his tense body with her hands. “It will not be like last time. We have the whole world on our side. We are the power that controls the world now, not Shin-ra. This is nothing like last time. Believe me.”

“I don’t want to do this again,” he whispered, raising his head from her shoulder. “Tifa, I don’t think I can. Everything is boiling back up the surface, everything.”

“Shhhhh,” Tifa replied, smoothing back unruly strands of his hair. “You can do this. I’m here, with you. We can do this. There are many people looking to for strength. As long as you are strong, they have hope.”

“I know,” he replied quietly, “and that is what I fear most. Failing them. Failing everybody. Every person who dies, every home destroyed, it will be my fault.”

“No, Cloud, it will be Sephiroth’s fault. You are the one standing up to the evil. And you will win. And that,” she smiled lightly, “is that. Now, my husband, I think the bedroom is calling…” she smiled coyly at him, “shall we answer?” She stood up, drawing him up with her, and he allowed himself to be pulled to their bed.