Calamity From The Skies: Sephirah Verus

[Seraphim]

"Loneliness a life time long,

All I have is gone.

Remorse through each night and day

Since I gave your love away…"

Goodbye.

A word that was so final, no second chance for atonement, why then did I agree to Halo’s plan? The answer was because of my selfishness. I wanted a child that belonged to me wholly. A child that I could love, who would love me back in return without any conditions. Someone that would love me regardless of what I was, who I was.

Halo knew all about this secret desire and played me for the fool that I was. I was a convenient tool that was discarded once I had outlived his purpose. He had released Shuinia to the city, where she had come in contact with a young pregnant woman, relinquishing her omnipotent powers into the child that was yet to be born. That child was immediately taken from the mother, who died at birth, and was studied by Halo secretly under Professor Vaerin's nose. Professor Vaerin had named the boy "Sephirah", one of the ten enumerations, whom is the highest ranking 'angel'. I watched idly by as Ash had gotten close with Sephirah, once again finding another way to charm away the men from the less fortunate. When she had left, Sephirah was never the same. I saw him..I was the only one to see him. He had seen Caeladius with Ash, and before my very eyes, struck him down with that evil blade he possessed. Sephirah Verus..he was truly the son of Shuinia. Flawless, perfection. He had taken something from me..but given something back in return.

My heart.

[Seraphim]

Darkness. Absolute stillness.

Silence.

Like a child sleeping in its mother’s womb. An all encompassing peace and a cherished quietness. There was only night, with no beginning and no end. A void of purest black where no light ever shines. I drifted, reluctant to wake, trying to grasp the vanishing wisps of a dream. However, like the morning mist dissipating upon the rising of the sun, they eluded me.

Ever so slowly, I opened my eyes yet there was nothing. No horizons, no daylight, no life.

I was alone.

"Where am I?" I questioned. Unbidden scenes of what happened in that desolate house flashed across my mind.

"Is this Death’s domain? Have I finally submitted to your cold embrace?" I uttered softly.

"Come and goad then! Have you not won a victory?"

Fury surged inside me, filling me with the urge to rend things apart, to destroy. With effort, I reined in this impulsion. Shaking my head to clear unwanted thoughts, I begun to ponder, contemplate.

"No…no…wait, you did not win. Do you not see? You have fallen. Yes…fallen…fallen so low as to resort to such machinations. You dare not stand against me, don’t you? You fear me!"

My laughter rang out contemptuously, echoing in the silence. It died gradually, waning like a pale dying moon. Glancing beyond the darkness, I waited for an answer. The moment passed into eternity.

Time does not exist here.

Perceptibly, a glow caught my eye, a glint of light against the infinite night. Intrigued, I started forward, impelled by a strange desire to be closer. As I drew nearer and nearer, it grew into a white star. Blazing brighter and brighter, it burned with a clear, unblemished flame. I reached out my hand, seeking to touch, heedless that this fire might consume me whole.

Closing my hands round the nimbus, I was surprised to feel no heat but a gentle warmth. It pulsed with life and as I grazed into its depths in contemplation, the light engulfed me.

I watched random images from my past as they unfolded before me. All the punishing training I had willingly undertaken to become an Elite, to become the best. The intense satisfaction on my face as I first held Masamune in my hands. It was the one thing that belonged to me wholly and utterly, attuned only for me. Some brief scenes of previous missions I had performed throughout my career. Without warning, an image flashed before my eyes, blinding me.

When I recovered my sight, I was surrounded by darkness again. Releasing a cry of frustration, I reached out with my hands, trying to touch, to hold something. I was astonished when I felt a presence touched my outstretched palms. The presence grew stronger, encompassing me.

It was as if an angel has enfolded me with its wings, I felt so safe, so sheltered, feelings I had thought forgotten. Emotions long suppressed, threaten to overwhelm me. I shut my eyes, abandoning the present, following where they lead. Within me, just like a ship in uncharted waters, I stumbled blind to discover, buried so deep in my heart and mind, so deep that even I had no recollection, memories that I believed had died.

A face. A name. A voice which once called to me.

I remembered…<br>
I remembered love.

[Seraphim]

"This sorry affair with Raecan would have ended sooner if those suits send us over in the first place. Two whole regiments of guards were lost, counting the casualties and the injured. What a senseless waste," Kale Dawson, 2nd Company Commander of SENTINEL, remarked to his companion, snuffing out his cigarette snub impatiently with his heel.

"Regardless that I’m the head of SENTINEL, a direct order from President Shiranui has to be followed. Did you think that I enjoyed escorting him around those villages?" Ash Silvestri, 1st Company Commander, shook her head at her fellow officer.

On reflection, Raecan had declared itself free of Shiranui control, starting a revolt for independence. Shiranui dismissed it as a joke until a whole regiment of guards sent to control the situation failed to return. More units were sent but unfamiliar with the terrain, many fell to the guerrilla tactics of the rebel fighters. Having made such a mistake by underestimating the Raecan forces, an embarrassed Gregan in an attempt to remedy the situation, had ordered SENTINEL, the corporation’s elite group of professional soldiers to take over the Raecan affair.

"Say, I’ve been wondering how you knew about the back trails and caves. The resistance wouldn’t have been smashed so fast if not for your plans. They sure don’t call you the best for nothing, Ash," Kale said as they walked across the parade ground to the officer’s quarters.

Returning the salutes given by the recruits undergoing training, Ash paused for a while before answering.

"When you know an enemy as well as you know yourself, it’s hard to lose any battle. Always seek out information on your enemy, no matter how trivial it may be. A small dagger can still maim if not kill."

"Yeah, but the fact is that we don’t have maps on those trials so you haven’t answer my question," A loud crash accentuated the question, as Kale kicked in the door to his quarters after it failed to open to his battered key card.

Cursing and swearing, Kale lugged his bags through the doorway. Placing a few more kicks to the already mangled door, he made such a dreadful din that he almost missed the ghost of a reply.

"Raecan was my hometown…"

Dumbfounded, Kale charged out into the corridor only to see her gradually fading out of his sight as she climbed up the stairs to her own quarters. A solitary figure in midnight blue.

"What a dumb ass I am, should’ve known by the way she replied," Kale sank heavily onto his bunk, which protested with a loud creak.

Now that he finally had time to sit down and think, Kale realised that was very little he knew about his senior officer. Ash has always been friendly and approachable, enjoying a good rapport with her comrades. Yet at the same time, she was as deep and unfathomable as the sea. She was a very private person, often seen alone rather than in company. What Kale knew was common knowledge: Her father was head of military operations before Gregan and that she entered the Valkyrie at a young age. Being a woman and a young and beautiful one at that, earning the respect of grown men was almost an impossible thing. However, Ash had proven herself with her fine analytical mind and her astounding skill with her blade, Chi Tsuki, Blood Moon. It had not came as a surprise when she was promoted as head of SENTINEL at the age of only eighteen.

"She’s a beautiful enigma with that long hair the colour of a raven’s wing and those sapphire eyes that a man could literally drown in. Boy, if only she weren’t my superior…Bah! What the hell! I’m wishful thinking again. Better get some sleep, fatigue’s driving my wits into forbidden territory," With a grunt, Kale hit his pillow and promptly feel asleep, snoring loud enough to disturb the whole ground floor.

[Seraphim]

Ash stepped out of President Shiranui’s office, releasing a pent-up breath. She did not know why she bothered to give a report in person when the president was obviously not paying much attention. As usual, he had just nodded his head absently and congratulated her for a job well done. Thinking that a stroll would relax her nerves, Ash decided to walk down to the Science Division. It’s been a long time since she paid Professor Vaerin a visit.

Ash made her way through the maze of small offices and testing labs silently. Those scientists, who saw her, greeted her with smiles or a wave before returning to their work. She was no stranger here for all knew that she had a long-standing friendship with the gifted professor. After maneuvring her way round a few corners, Ash finally reached Vaerin’s cluttered office. The door was open as usual and she was about to step in when she noticed that the professor was speaking softly to a child.

A wistful smile touched her lips, as she recalled that he had spoken in that same gentle way to her so many years ago. Reluctant to intrude, Ash was about to withdraw quietly when a clear, piping voice halted her.

"Professor Vaerin, you have a visitor."

The professor turned around, his face breaking into the familiar smile she knew so well. Deep in her heart, Ash had always felt that Vaerin was more of a father to her than her real father ever was. Her father had never cared for anything except his career and he was so disgusted when he knew that his wife borne him a daughter instead of the son he had been hoping for. Trying to win his affections, Ash had devoted all her life to the military but he never acknowledged her achievements. Even when he laid on his deathbed, the glaze he gave her was not one of pride but of disappointment. Banishing these melancholy thoughts, Ash stepped forward to be enveloped in a warmth embrace.

"It’s been ages, Ash, I’ve missed you. I’m so glad to see that you’re alright."

"I’ve missed you too, Prof." Simple words but they carried true feelings.

"I know I’ve said this incessant times but I still think you’ll make a better scientist than a soldier. At least then I could stop worrying over you," Unable to meet the professor’s concerned eyes, Ash looked away.

"We’ve been through this before, Prof. I know that you care but it’s too late to change anything now. Where are your manners, Prof, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?" Unwilling to say more, she diverted Vaerin’s attention.

"Oh my, I’m really getting absentminded. Ash, meet my young friend, Sephirah," Vaerin turned back and tenderly pushed the child forward.

On a closer look, Vaerin’s young friend was a little boy whose age, Ash guessed to be around seven. He was shy, facing her with his hands behind his back and eyes downcast. Ash glanced at Professor Vaerin who shook his head silently, without any words being said, an understanding was passed. The child was one of the many children with no parents, left in the care of the corporation. Those who were more fortunate, knew their parents and enjoyed brief visits but then there are those who did not even know their parent’s names or were abandoned, which Ash suspected was more probable for this young boy. Having experienced the taste of such lonely childhood, her heart filled with pity and remembered pain. She walked forward and kneeled so that she could meet the child’s eyes. Reaching out a hand, Ash introduced herself.

"Hello Sephirah, I am Ash."

A pair of aquamarine eyes met sapphire and she was lost in their depths. Without fully comprehending how or why, she sensed and felt a loneliness and a need for affection that cut her to the bone. Ash instinctively wanted to hold him in her arms, to give whatever comfort she could but she resisted the urge for fear of frightening Sephirah. Instead, she smiled encouragingly, holding out her hand to him.

His small hand reached out tentatively, a little unsure of himself. Intuition told him that he could trust her and Sephirah made up his mind, placing his hand in hers. The moment their hands touched, Time stopped. Like two lost souls who have found each other in darkness, a bond was forged in that instance. A bond so strong, broken only by Death.

[Seraphim]

Seven years, she spent with me. Seven years, an eternity to some but to me it was too short, a diminutive grain in the hourglass of Time. Ash was more than a mentor and friend, she was the mother I never had. She was the one who declared December 25th as my birthday. I still remember what she said when she discovered no official date was listed in my files. In fact, Ash could not find out anything about me other than the name of my mother, Shuinia.

"It doesn’t matter, Sephirah. From this day forth, December 25th shall be your birthday and I promised you that regardless of whether I am away on a mission, I’ll always make it back to celebrate with you." She had crossed her heart, swearing it as a vow to me.

The other children, who used to tease and taunt me mercilessly because of my lack of a parentage, changed their attitude when they found out my close relationship with Ash. As the head of SENTINEL, she had gained a formidable reputation. Everybody wanted to be associated with her. They offered friendship and acceptance if I would introduce them but I shunned their advances. Hypocrites, they deserve nothing but my contempt. With Professor Vaerin and Ash, I did not need any more friends.

They were the two most important people in my life. Both taught valuable lessons, which aided me, much. Vaerin imparted his scientific knowledge while Ash schooled me in swordplay. Without her guidance, I would not have been such an adept with Masamune.

Professor Vaerin left the Shiranui when I was eleven, leaving Halo in charge of the Science Division. I never liked the man, he always gave me the creeps especially when I caught him watching me with a speculative gleam in his eyes. I used to think with a child’s overactive imagination that Halo would use me for some ghastly experiments if he managed to get his claws on me. In order to stay on the safe side, I avoided Halo like the plague. I missed the kindly professor and waited ever so eagerly for his letters, which came once a month. As a special present for my thirteenth birthday, Ash took me to visit Professor Vaerin in Dachao. We spent a very memorable week with him and his wife, Iaria. That was the only time when I felt how it was like to have a family. We left with the assurance to return next year.

Yet within one short year, the professor departed this world. I was shattered when Ash broke the news to me. I was too young to comprehend the brevity of Life and the abruptness in which Death could strike. I lapsed into a state of denial, unable to deal with such cruel fate.

"Why? He was fine when we saw him. He can’t be dead! He can’t be dead! It’s all a mistake!"

Ash did not say anything, she just held me as I cried myself to sleep on her shoulder. Throughout the entire period I needed to get over Professor Vaerin’s death, Ash was always there for me. She smoothed away my tears and rocked me to sleep through the long nights when I woke, crying for the professor. On one of these nights, she made me another promise to stay by my side always, come what may. She was all I had left, she cannot leave me, I would not allow it.

To keep my mind off this unfortunate incident, Ash started teaching me military tactics and strategies. What begun as a diversion became a full growth passion. I surprised Ash with my appetite for learning and ability to grasp abstract concepts. I was proud, knowing that I had already surpassed the achievements of the trainees undergoing the same discipline.

I was fourteen years old when I revealed my aspiration: I was going to be a soldier. There was nothing else I would rather be. When I was younger, I wanted to be a soldier, as it would grant me the respect I craved but now I was doing it out of a genuine love for soldiering. Understanding the impetuousness of youth, Ash laid a hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye.

"I understand but I want you to wait for three more years. Regulations stipulate that the youngest recruit has to be at least fifteen. If by then, you still feel the same way, I will personally sponsor you into the army. There’s no turning back once you’re committed so no regrets. You hear me."

I heard her and agreed to be patient but the person who sponsored me in the end was not Ash. She broke her promises. She left on a mission and never returned. I was utterly devastated. I waited and waited but she never came back. She never came back to me.

[Seraphim]

"Forgotten in this watery grave,

I slept through time and age.

Waiting for the moment,

When I will taste blood once again…"

It was waiting.

Waiting ever so patiently.

It did not care how much time had passed because time held no meaning. Eons had gone by but its edge was still as sharp as the day it was forged. It recalled the moment of its existence at the hands of a master swordsmith. Born from ultimate despair, created for solely for death and destruction.

It had gotten drunk on the taste of blood in an age of war, following its creator and wielder into countless battles. Becoming feared and dreaded wherever its presence was felt. Known by the name of Masamune, it grew stronger and stronger with each death it delivered. Too late did its master realize that no longer was he in control. Having lost everything he held dear, his hate had vested his creation with a vengeful spirit. Masamune had become a sentient blade with a will of its own, driving its wielder ever closer to the verge of madness.

Masamune felt a brief flash of anger as it remembered how its creator had sought to destroy it by thrusting it into the furnace of its birth but he was not strong enough to stand against Masamune’s seductive call. Yet now it lay forgotten by the world in a cavern that time had long sunk beneath the ocean since the days when Masamune saw the sun. Taken to this place by its master who ended his life with his creation’s keen edge. The swordsmith always knew without a shadow of a doubt that many would seek his blade for its destructive power. He traveled far, concealing his whereabouts, searching for a place to be his grave as well as a place to hide the demon he gave life to.

Masamune stirred, something had roused it from century long sleep. It sensed an emotion akin to anticipation. Having spent the past and present, standing among what had become bleached white bones, it had learned patience if nothing else.

It waited.

[Seraphim]

"Leave the ignorant to dream

Of honor and glory

I am a solider born and bred

All I know is my mission…"

"Farore, how are the recovery operations going on? It has almost been one month since the carrier craft crashed, " President Shiranui did not bother to mask the annoyance in his voice. He was clearly displeased.

" Errr… My men are already on it, Sir. There is uhmm… some problem unfortunately. " The stout, scar-faced Head of Military stammered uncomfortably, unable to meet the President’s eyes.

" Problem? What do you mean by problem? You do know what the craft was transporting. The refining equipment must be in Najira and installed two months before if the Headquarters is to be fully functional at its official opening on the 29th of January. " A mighty frown ceased President Shiranui’s face as he grounded his cigar out in an overflowing ash tray.

" My dear Farore, I’m sure you remember that the 29th is the founding anniversary of Shiranui Corporation. Now it would really be a shame if the system cannot go on-line on the same day after all the announcements, not to mention very embarrassing. " Rose smirked openly, goading at the expense of Farore.

Damn bitch! Farore thought furiously. It was an open fact that they hated each other, never missing any opportunity to make each other look bad in front of the President. So she thought him a fool but he would prove her wrong even if he have to pull the Valkryie back from the revolts stirred up by the rebels. The groups was an embedded thorn in Farore’s flesh.

" Deal with it. I don’t care what you do, Farore. See to it that the equipment reaches Najira or you’ll answer for the consequences. Now leave. " President Shiranui dismissed him with the thinly-veiled threat.

Farore stormed out of the President’s Office in a foul mood, wishing he could get his hands on Rose and throttle her to death. Nothing would make him happier if that were the case. It did not improve his dark disposition to hear her loud, coarse laughter even beyond the thick closed doors. Without a doubt, Rose was again mocking him behind his back. Clenching his fists in impotent anger, Farore snapped his order to his aide.

" I want the best unit of Valkyrie out with the next submarine. See to it! "

" Yes, Sir! "

[Seraphim]

"Into uncharted depths, I ventured.

Seeking yet not knowing,

What would I find beneath the

Shifting waves of blue and green…"

"Approaching crash site, shutting down main engines."

An ominous silence reigned as the ever-present background whine of the motors died. The interior of the submarine was bathed in red light, casting many bloody shadows on the cold steel walls. In the dim light, Sephirah opened his eyes and for a moment thought he had woken up in hell. His fellow Valkryie was still dozing. There was no time to rest, the two of them had reported directly from their quarters for the briefing and were sent out immediately. They were the elite, stronger and more intelligent than a normal soldier, which is why they were chosen. It was a trial that not many survived but still there was a limit to their endurance.

"Sir, please get ready, this is as far as we will take you. We can’t go any closer for fear of drawing out the creature. All the best, Sir! "

Sephirah did not answer.

His attention was on the darkness that lay beyond. No one had fully explored the ocean’s vast depths, unearthing its secrets. His thoughts shifted to the mission at hand. The first recovery sub’s crew unprepared had disturbed something while trying to excavate the equipment from the wreckage. The last record on the black box was a mixture of screams of absolute terror and babbling about a monster. No one survived.

This was the problem that plagued Farore and now Sephirah and his partner had to deal with it. His orders were precise: find the creature and dispatch it so that the machinery can be recovered and shipped to its final destination. Sephirah turned away from the view the pothole offered and checked his weapon before nudging his partner, Alex, awake.

"Prepare yourself, we are disembarking in 5 minutes."

[Seraphim]

"Deep in your lair, you waited

With infinite patience.

Guardian, sentinel against those

Who sought your wealth…"

The creature opened one azure eye once bright but now dulled by age. It was old, ancient even among its long-lived kind. Its beautiful emerald scales had long lost their iridescent shine with the passage of time. Indeed, time had no regard for any living being, be they great or small. Everything felt time’s touch sooner or later.

Old it may be but it still remembers the name given to it by people long fallen into dust. Zerdarken, the name of the great sea dragon who ruled the oceans, the origin of consternation and devastation. It used to terrorize all that dared venture into its domain, sinking and destroying vessels with its icy breath and the weapons bestowed by nature. Finally, tired of this game it played with the puny humans, Zerdarken returned to the ocean’s depths. It’s exploits soon forgotten.

The dragon slept a lot due to its great age and it knew the time of its passing was soon. Zerdarken had chosen the cavern long ago to be its home and ultimately its final resting-place. The cavern was a huge hollow subterranean grotto with a natural lagoon and a wide expanse of dry land, just ideal for keeping the serpent’s treasures. It was also in this place that the mighty creature discovered a treasure, a sword with a soul, another addition to its hoard.

Zerdarken raised its great horned head and shifted its immense body restlessly. Its slumber had first been broken by the crash of the carrier plane and subsequently by the first recovery submarine. The monster’s anger at been wakened had not abated even though it had gained a new bauble and now it sensed another disturbance. It did not help that the sword was emitting a strange humming sound that was giving Zerdarken a terrible headache. It slowly submerged under the blue-green water and waited as a spider waits for the fly.

[Seraphim]

"Deep in the bowels of the sea,

Far from the sky and sun,

In a world of darkness,

I searched for you…"


The entire tail section had been ripped away from the impact of the crash leaving the aircraft in two pieces like a broken toy plane. They entered the plane wreck with utmost caution, ready for any unpleasant surprises. Unable to use any form of light to see, Sephirah and Alex could only depend on what their infrared goggles showed. They swam through the dark hull like silent ghosts, combing every corner thoroughly. Yet there was no sight of any creature living or dead. To complicate matters more, the equipment they were sent to find was missing.

"Something’s not right. It’s entirely too quiet," Alex's voice crackled eerily through the intercom.

"Wait, I want to take a closer look at this section." Sephirah ran a hand over a series of long deep marks engraved on the metal skeleton.

The marks were almost human-sized and they looked to be made by claws. Extremely sharp claws that slashed across the steel like a knife through hot butter. From the size of the claw marks, Alex was not sure he wanted to think about what lay ahead. What sort of creature were they up against?

"It’s a good bet whatever left those, made off with the equipment. So any ideas as to what are we going to do now? There’s nothing more here and I don’t think we have enough oxygen in our tanks to wait around for the creature to show." Alex looked questioningly at Sephirah.

"I noticed a cavern when we were approaching the wreck. It’s highly possible that it may just be the lair of what we are looking for. I’m checking it out."

"I’ll go with you."

As they headed towards the cavern opening that yawned before them like a hungry, gaping maw, Sephirah heard a humming sound. At first, he dismissed it as the noise from the intercom, but as they made their way deeper into the caliginous passage, it grew increasingly louder.

"Alex, did you hear some kind of humming noise?" Sephirah paused for a moment to ask.

"What noise? I only heard you loud and clear."

"Must be some problem with the intercom unit. Let’s go on."

They continued through the tunnel and discovered that the water depth was decreasing. It was not long before Alex found land beneath his feet. Both readied the blades strapped to their backs and proceeded warily out of the water. The sound was getting louder, more urgent. Yet it was not harsh on Sephirah’s ears, instead there was almost a persuasive quality to it. It seemed as if something was calling him, drawing him deeper into this forgotten place.

"Sephirah, do you think it’s safe to light a flare? I can’t see a bloody thing. If we’ve got to fight, I’ll rather see what the hell I’m fighting." Alex checked the materia on his scimitar again with a hint of nervousness.

"Light one, I want to see what’s in here myself."

It only took a moment to light the flare and illuminate the pitch darkness. Nothing could have prepared them for the sight that met their eyes.

Piles of glittering gold and heaps of precious stones that sparkled with hidden fire littered the sandy floor. Alex could not help gaping, what he was seeing was something out of a legend. Sephirah’s keen eyes sported the piece of equipment they were sent to retrieve and at the same time, he found the source of the call.

A sword stood impaled on a pile of bleached white bones, the leather wrapped around the grip long rotten away. Yet there was not a speck of rust on the gleaming blade, light shimmering off its shiny edge like water. It spoke to him with a silent voice, soft, persuasive and sibilant, one word.

"Master…"

[Seraphim]

"Master, wield me well,

Together we shall create another hell.

Let me sing once more

A song of blood, death and gore…"

The time had come.

Zerdarken rose with an earth-shattering roar that thundered across the cavern. They would take its treasures, the great beast thought furiously. It opened its massive jaws, drawing air into its lungs.

The two men stood paralyzed momentarily by the frightening splendor of the mighty dragon breaking out of the water. Truly, the creature was a thing of beauty, never had they seen such magnificence and strength. The fury in the azure eyes however broke the trance Sephirah had fallen into. Shouting a warning, he reflexively dove to the side before a cone of unspeakable cold blasted where he stood.

Jolted into action, Alex took cover behind a pile of gems and retaliated with a series of fire spells from his fire stone. Zerdarken bellowed with pain as the flames scorned its side, blowing off pieces of emerald scales. Whipping its powerful neck, the dragon breathed another freezing blast Alex could not avoid in time. He screamed as the cold burned his legs.

Intent on finishing off its immobilized prey, Zerdarken ignored Sephirah, moving out of the water entirely on its fins tipped with razor-sharp claws. It was a mistake on the beast’s part, its immerse bulk was too ponderous on land rendering it unable to react swiftly. Alex was down but not out of action. Together with Sephirah, they blasted the dragon alternatively with the effective fire spells.

Zerdarken had lived through many battles though and was far from finished. Its long tail circled over its scaly back like a serpent and struck home, slamming Sephirah against unyielding hard stone, sending his sword flying. There was a sharp crack of bone as he fell, his consciousness almost slipping away. They were losing, their spells depleted. The dragon was wounded, some of its hard protective scales broken away to expose the pale vulnerable flesh beneath. Yet with Alex incapacitated, Sephirah would not stand a chance against the monster alone in a melee without a weapon.

It was then he heard the voice again.

"Master… I am here.."

The sword.

Instinctively, Sephirah reached out and grasped the blade. In that instant, a name flashed across his mind: Masamune. He heard a mental cry of triumph as Masamune awaken fully once more. This was the man, it had been waiting for a whole millenium, the man worthy for it to call Master. They were one, mind and soul, heralds of death and desolation as destiny had foreordained.

"Cover me!" Sephirah shouted as he hurled the stones he never used over to Alex.

Without any hesitation, Sephirah executed an overhead slash against the exposed dragon flesh. What he had not expected was the annihilative power of the sword in his hands. The cut frayed right to the bone, almost severing the great wrym into two. Zerdarken keened with pain, its horned head snaked towards Sephirah, ready to breathe an icy death when a fireball seared its eyes. Hate consumed the dragon; it had never felt such agony. Blinded but its senses were still superior, Zerdarken easily marked out Sephirah’s position and lunged, seeking to crush the human between its jaws.

Holding Masamune straight out in front of him, Sephirah faced the beast without fear. The sword was vibrating; he could feel the unspeakable power within the length of steel. Composed, he braced himself, launching into a twirl at the last second, barely evading the terrible maws. Foiled, Zerdarken sought to rear its head when raw agony tore its windpipe. Great gobs of dragon blood splattered liberally, dying Sephirah’s silver hair red as he thrust Masamune to the hilt into the base of Zerdarken’s jugular with all his strength.

The mighty wrym was dying, the immense body thrashing violently in its death throes. Sephirah lost his grip on Masamune as he was thrown clear as Zerdarken lurched away. Gradually, the sea dragon moved no more. Sephirah drew a ragged breath as he struggled onto his feet, his body telling quite plainly that he suffered from at least two broken ribs. Staggering, he inched his way over to the gigantic carcass, withdrawing the blade cleanly. Not a single drop of blood marred the shiny edge.

It was strange but Sephirah felt as if he had found a part of himself, a part that he never knew he had lost. He spoke the sword’s name aloud in wonder as he ran his hand over the blade lightly, marveling at the artistry its creator. He was interrupted by a weak cry.

"Sephirah? Help me, I can’t felt my legs…"

Sephirah stumbled over to Alex’s side and checked his condition. He was all right except for the fact that he would most probably never walk again, atleast that's what he thought. Alex was much more resiliant than that, however, and was healing at that very moment. After making sure that Alex’s intercom unit was working, Sephirah contacted the waiting submarine crew.

"Mission accomplished."

[Seraphim]

"I swear it was a ghost!"

"No! No! No! It’s a demon! A monster!"

More shouts and wails split the air as the villagers gave voice to their fears. The three escort guards, trying to calm the terrified villagers, became more flustered as the situation slipped more and more out of their control.

"Get a hold on yourselves! Everything’s going to all right. No more lives will be lost. Be it ghost or demon, we’ll take care of it!" A voice rang with authority.

The crowd parted to let two figures through. Both were young men who looked scarcely a day past sixteen. The villagers eyed the two young men with apprehension. So they were members of the new elite fighting corps, the Valkyrie, who had replaced the now defunct SENTINEL. This new breed of soldiers was formed as a step-up from the previous units, far superior in both strength and intelligence. It was rumoured that the Shiranui were making an Elite class among the Valkyrie, but no one was positive. Many of the villagers were sceptical but they needed help and as the saying goes: a desperate man has no choices.

I knew they doubted our abilities, it was unavoidable, as we were the first unit of Valkyrie the Shiranui produced and had yet to prove ourselves in active service. Two of us had been sent to investigate the recent spate of mysterious murders that plagued Raecan. The killings seemed random and illogical without any pattern. Young, old, male, female, fell victim. The only common links were that they had all been killed by a single stroke with an extremely sharp bladed weapon and that all the killings took place near or on the Dachao statue mountains. Another intriguing point was the disappearance of livestock. The animals simply vanished without a trace. The villagers had assumed it to be the work of a wolf or fox but I had a suspicion that the animals had been taken by the killer for sustenance.

"If it weren’t common knowledge that only ye can wield that sword of yers, I would have named ye as the number one suspect, Sephirah," My companion, Alex said grimly.

"The wounds are all caused by a weapon similar to Masamune."

Having examined the bodies myself, I agreed with his assessment. The killer was no demon nor beast but a master swordsman.

"All murders occurred near or on the Dachao, there is a high possibility that our killer is hiding in one of those many caves on the mountain. The question is why were the villagers killed? Did they discover something the killer wish hidden?"

"Death needs no reason, Alex. However, you do have a point. Furthermore, according to the coroner’s reports, the time of deaths were estimated to be around the witching hour. Since our killer has a nocturnal nature, daybreak will be the best time to begin our hunt. It’s too late to start today, nightfall’s approaching. Why don’t you see to our accommodation while I try to get more useful information from the villagers?" I suggested.

"I doubt you’ll get anymore than some old legend. They are the most superstitious people I ever met. Good luck!" Alex threw the remark over his shoulder as he sauntered off.

I did not talk to the villagers, it was just an excuse to sent Alex off and I was glad none of them approached me. I wanted to be alone. This was Ash’s birthplace, a place I heard so much about as a child sitting on her lap in the twilight. I had always wished that I could see Raecan through her eyes, which had a distant, faraway look, whenever she spoke of her hometown. Now, I glazed upon Raecan with my own eyes and it was as picturesque as she described. Dusk had arrived, the setting sun slowly withdrawing into the horizon, an eternal orb of fire. Glowing with defiance as it reluctantly relinquished its hold on day to the approaching night.

Closing my eyes, I tried to remember the way Ash had held me in her arms, the way she whispered her stories by my ears. I still felt her loss keenly, six years had not lessened the pain. I never told her now much she meant to me and now I would never had the chance. I could feel a dull throbbing ache emanating from the depths of my heart. I was grateful when Alex’s shout dispersed my reverie, bringing me back to reality. As I headed to whatever accommodation Alex had managed to find, the sky was filled with stars that shone like tears amidst the vast darkness.

Night had fallen.

[Seraphim]

We set off at daybreak, not wanting to waste a single moment. Sunrise was as magnificent as sunset but I paid scant notice, there was a mission to accomplish. Our search started systematically from the base of the Dachao mountains, working our way up. All caves and caverns were searched meticulously, leaving no stone unturned as we scrutinised every area for possible tracks of our elusive killer. No guide dared to accompany us, a crudely drawn map was all we relied on. As we went higher up the mountains, the map lost all usefulness. The main trail branched out into smaller, narrower paths that snaked off in various directions, with the need to cover more ground, we split company.

Five of us headed down a different path, with the order to holler if anything was discovered.

My chosen trail wound and twisted its way through the mountains like a serpent. I trudged on relentlessly, determined to find and stop this murderer. It was not out of a sense of duty, I owed nothing to the people of Raecan. I was intrigued by the skill, the level of mastery with a blade, this unseen opponent possessed. It had became personal, I wanted this challenge, being a perfect opportunity to test myself.

I was near the summit when I met Alex whose path had converged with mine. Together, we continued on until we reached a fork. I took the left trail while Alex went right. It was not long before my trail led me to a dead-end. I paused to relish the panoramic view granted by the altitude and the feel of the wind against my face. Cries, swiftly choked off, shattered my peaceful interlude. It was the others, and I knew with a grim premonition, they were dead. I adjusted my grip on Masamune as I hastened to meet their killer.

A black silhouette stood outlined by the setting sun, a personification of Death. Their bloody bodies lay a few feet away, fear and surprise frozen on their faces. I approached warily, ready for any sudden moves. I studied my unknown adversary. Shrouded in a black cloak that flapped like the midnight wings of a raven in the wind, his face was concealed beneath the folds of a long scarf. I caught his eyes, dark blue eyes that were vacant, like a still, dark pool, revealing nothing. Without a word, he raised his sword. A gleaming, sable blade that I have not seen in six years.

"Chi Tsuki?! Impossible!" My mind reeled with the implications.

Chi Tsuki, her sword, Ash’s sword. My eyes narrowed with suspicion and rage. I raised my own Masamune both in acknowledgement and warning. Who was he? How is he connected to Ash’s disappearance? Why did he have her sword? The thoughts tumbled in my head. Before I could articulate them, my adversary made the first move.

Steel met steel with a resounding clash as two blades met. I disengaged first, spinning full circle to attack with a slash. He twisted, defecting Masamune and countered with a thrust. I caught the weapon with my sword, locking the blades hilt to hilt in a move that brought us face to face. His eyes were cold, emotionless, a visage of impassivity. I knew I had to control my anger and keep a cool head. Unbridled rage aid against lesser opponents but was folly when faced with one equally skilled. He heaved suddenly, throwing me back.

I went with the move, needing the distance to regain inner equilibrium. He attacked swiftly, his blade wailing a song of death. I met him with a sequence that was designed both to defend and attack. I was shocked when my opponent launched into a series of moves expressly conceived to break my sequence. He executed all the right maneuvers foiling my offensive routine again and again but I matched him, deterring his attacks.

Under the brilliant moonlight, we fought on long into the night without either gaining any advantage. We moved like partners in a dance, a deadly fatal dance. Yet a familiar sense haunted me, a sense of dejavu. I could not shake the feeling that my opponent somehow knew me but committed to the battle, I focused all my concentration on defeating him. I sweep Masamune in a series of feints in an attempt to lure him into making a mistake. He countered them easily, slapping my blade aside. We withdrew and stood apart, regarding each other. I was starting to feel exhaustion. I knew that the next time we engage it will be the end.

I took a gamble and charged with Masamune in a thrust. I fully expect him to spin away out of my sword’s path. My eyes widened with surprise as my blade met not the hard resistance of steel but the soft resistance of flesh. Masamune sank through his abdomen to the hilt. I drew my sword free with a sickening wrench. Blood still warm spattered upon my face as I looked up into my opponent’s face and glanced into a pair of sapphire eyes I knew so well.

"Sep…hi…rah" A voice, her voice.

I caught her as she fell, bright red blood gushing from the terrible wound. My mind was in turmoil; my world was crumbling down in that instance. I cradled her, cushioning her head against my shoulder as I gently lay her down on the ground. With trembling fingers, I tried to unwrap the scarf that hid her face. It was the wind, which tore away the scarf, unveiling a pale, white face that I loved.

"Ash…. Ash," I touched her face, unable to believe my eyes.

"Sep..hirah, I’m.. so ..glad ..it was.. you. I …wanted to …die. Now, I can ….leave..in peace."

"No! No! You must live now that I’ve found you. Come, I’ll get you down, there will be help at the village."

"No..listen to me. There… is..no..time. I..have..so ..much to ..tell you but.. so little..time. In..that..cave..a journal…you must…read it." A cough wrecked her body, her blood vivid against her snow-white face, speckled her lips.

"Don’t say anymore. You’ll live, you promised me. Don’t leave me again," I cried wretchedly; holding her lifeless hand to my lips.

"I’ve ..always….wanted to ..watch…the sunrise..here with you. Hold me closer…I’m..cold..so..cold."

I hugged her closer to me, her face against mine. Her breath was getting softer. Her eyes were brimming with love and unshed tears. I wiped them away with a gentle hand, kissing her cold brow. Ash reached out a hand, weakly cupping my face. She smiled and closed her eyes forever, her hand fell away limply. Clutching her lifeless body, I howled my anguish into the night.

A howl of grief which the mountains echoed on and on.

[Seraphim]

She died by my hand, the only person I ever loved. I sat with her through the night, watching the sunrise together. It was her wish yet I was ashamed that I could only fulfil it after her death. I lay her to rest in the cave that had been her sanctuary, sealing it after retrieving her journal. From its entries, I pieced together a picture of what happened after she left me.

Ash accomplished her mission without a hitch and was going to return. However, she took a side trip to Acara, a place she visited every year in remembrance of her friend Zaen, a SENTINEL who went MIA on an escort mission ten years ago. It was not clear what happened in the Shiranui labs, but it seemed that she discovered something and was wounded before she lost consciousness.

The entries became increasing confusing with full pages of illegible scrawls and gibberish. Ash was losing her mind, slipping from one lucid moment into insanity the next. In one of her saner moments she wrote that she was held at a scientific facility and some kind of experiment was performed on her. Who did it and why, she did not know. Her thoughts and memories were fragmenting. She escaped one day and came to Raecan guided by her instincts. She lived, losing her grip on reality day by day.

Her last entry written in her final lucid moment was directed to me. Ash had too many regrets, having led a life bound by another’s rules. She wanted me to be free, to live as I will. She gave me choices and decisions she left to me. I remembered her speech to me nine years ago.

No regrets.

[Seraphim]

The sky was black and the wind howled, heralding the approach of a thunderstorm. Lighting flashed, bolts of white light, which illuminated the darkness momentarily. Obvious to the tempest about to rage, yet paying it no heed, crouched the lone figure of man on a rooftop. Eyes closed, he faced the wind that whipped his crimson cape about his tall, lean frame.

" Ash, my love…. My only love… why did you have to leave me so soon? I found you only to lose you again. Is this the price I have to pay for my sins? Ash…..Ash……" His voice was heavy, filled with a raw agony that sprung from the depths of his soul.

It was cold, anyone still out in this weather would have been chilled to the bone but nothing could compare against the ice encasing his heart. His life should have ended along with his beloved’s demise yet he lived because of the promise he had sworn to her. He opened his eyes, eyes the vivid color of emeralds. Rising to his feet slowly, he stood in defiance to the storm. His long silver hair steamed out behind his back with the force of the gale.

" So many times, have I heard people say the home is where the heart is. My heart is with you, Ash, I have no home in this world. Gladly would I follow you beyond yet I can’t. I can’t….. Alone I have to live without you by my side. This will thus be my fate. " His sigh was swept away.

Placing his right hand upon his heart, he stepped towards the edge. He leaped into space, frozen in a spilt second, like a silver dragon taking flight. Falling, he bent into a somersault with boneless grace, landing on his feet on the pavement with scarcely a sound. Without a single backward glance, he walked away. A solitary shadow emerging with the darkness of night.

His name was Sephirah Verus, and this was the beginning of the tale of Terra Veras.