#01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth]

[ghostofnibelheim]

"I apologize for the interruption. I'm Sephiroth, one of Hojo's SOLDIERs." He introduces himself with a mechanical bow of his head. "I am in detention for breaking the rules. I was ordered to assist you in any way necessary for the next four hours."

#02b || εγλ 1991/1999 [canon verse: soldier / before crisis core] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #05a || shinra hq 49f [open starter]

[ghostofnibelheim]

@azure-steel || Continued from here!

"Way ahead of you..." the words left him in little more than a breath while he attempts to make sense of whatever it was he was feeling right in that moment; that strong thump in his chest, a crippling sense of impending doom.

He'd felt it before, it was undoubtedly familiar, the same when he was listening to the cries of the dying back home, while he watched his birthplace burn. It was the same as when those pale jade eyes locked with his own, back then, and here in this vast expanse of nothing.

But it was none of those things triggering this flight or fight response, but something else, something bigger than the both of them combined. Bright mako stained eyes continued to comb the surrounding area, flickering only momentarily to the Buster still propped against an outcropping of stone, so sickeningly out of immediate reach. Not that Cloud had the skill to wield the thing as his own weapon.

But then he saw it, in the near distance; the glow of yellow eyes glowering over the waters of the ever encroaching tide invading the grotto, the reflection of which glittered in the murky ocean, and that sense of impending doom intensified. The breath stilled in the very bowels of his throat, eyes wide at the sight of whatever those eyes belonged to, staring at the pair of them, sizing them up, before the tell-tale plink of the water as the creature submerged.

They had encroached on another's territory and now they were the prey right here in this cave.

"Attention at Two O'clock... It's big." A harsh whisper as he dares to take a single step back, the silence of this place deafening, the glow of the surrounding corals so very suddenly blinding to the eyes and that sensation of dread forcing the bile into his throat.

So, he'd noticed. Even with his SOLDIER days behind, Sephiroth couldn't hold back a satisfied grin beneath impassive eyes.

"Very good. You are sharp." He praised him, rising his sword to eye level then, in a two-handed stance at the shoulder.

"But not ahead of me."

Slit pupils dilated slightly as the shadow of the creature beneath the surface came into view. The silver-haired one moved forward, two long strided steps, and swung. The sword danced at an angle, in an upwards sweeping motion like the stroke of a painter on his canvas. The blade itself would make no contact with the rocks he'd aimed at. And still, the shock wave hit the cave ceiling with violence, shaking the whole bowels of rock around them. Large boulders broke off, severed by neat moon-shaped cuts and plunged into the waters below, in a deafening crash of dust and water.

Sealing their way out; the one they knew of, anyway. But it would buy them some time.

#01B || This goes on your permanent record. [IC: Sephiroth] #12a || you belong to me. [cloud strife] #04 || four seasons [divergent megaverse] #04t3 || Fall of Angels [Thread] #azuresteel #azure-steel

[ghostofnibelheim]

@soldier-lodbrok || Continued from here~

"I'm not jealous. Or hairless." A lie could be better hidden if accompanied by at least a factually correct statement; would that Sephiroth's eyes did a better job at playing along, instead of pointing right down at some rock on the ground that suddenly seemed so very interesting to stare at.

"But I never heard of a ritual. What's magic got to do with basic human biology?" He countered that low blow with his own flare of scientific pragmatism. Clearly, a mannerism borrowed by someone whose influence Sephiroth would die denying if necessary. "If you meant to say there's a 'test' involved, on the other hand, bring it on. I can take on anything."

#02b || εγλ 1991/1999 [canon verse: soldier / before crisis core] #soldierlodbrok #soldier-lodbrok #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth]

[ghostofnibelheim]

"Destroy the bridge." The General speaks after a contemplative pause over the map. "That will cut off their troops' passage over the canyon, and allow the military to fully entrench their camps on the river banks. The enemy will be forced to wait on the good weather before the only available road can be used, or risk becoming vulnerable against our ambush."

#05a || shinra hq 49f [open starter] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth]

[ghostofnibelheim]

@umbral-stigmata-unbound || Continued from here

"The Gods of this Planet would never curse what came from it." Sephiroth's voice carried his eerie and calm tone before he even came into view back inside, where Kadaj was crouched.

Coming to a stop, the man tipped his head slightly. "Only outsiders like you and I. Does that make you angry, Kadaj?"

#01B || This goes on your permanent record. [IC: Sephiroth] #12I || Mirror of my heart. [Kadaj] #03G || What Became [AU] #umbral stigmata unbound #umbralstigmataunbound

[ghostofnibelheim]

@azure-steel || Continued from here!

"That's not-" He almost fell for it. Almost. Genesis saw through Sephiroth's taunt and reined himself in, sitting straight and scoffing. "Hard pass on that. It's not my size, and unlike other people in this room, I wouldn't put on a show so on the nose."

And still, the man decided to exit stage left, taking a deep chug of his mug to empty it of what remained, eyes burning straight into Cloud's as he did, almost as though to intimidate with his swallowing talents. He rested it crudely on the table before stalking off towards the stairs.

Sephiroth seemed to register the event only tangentially, directing his attention on Angeal just long enough to warn him. "We'll be claiming the main bathroom for a while. I don't want to be disturbed."

"… Knock yourself out." The man said with a touch of irony, but no smirk. He did however take the time to look at Cloud, appraising him. Perhaps wondering if he had what it takes for… whatever it was that was about to happen.

As Sephiroth uncoiled away only to lead the other by the wrist towards a different door at the end of the hall.

#12a || you belong to me. [cloud strife] #azuresteel #azure-steel #01B || This goes on your permanent record. [IC: Sephiroth] #03H || Power Play [AU] #03Ht1 || Toxic Bloom of the Deadly Nightshade [Thread]

[ghostofnibelheim]

@umbral-stigmata-unbound || Continued from here~

The question seemed so simple, even a playful tease of sorts. But Sephiroth found that it gave him pause, instead of being humored. He didn't turn to look back right away.

"Is that what you're hoping for? To be assigned to someone who won't care?" He asks. No provocation in his voice; the tone is dry as ever, but there might be curiosity. "You think that would be better for you?"

#01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #umbral stigmata unbound #umbralstigmataunbound #12G || Can you also bleed faster? [Reno] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core]

[ghostofnibelheim]

it's too soon [ from zack ]

This is Goodbye || Always Accepting~

"... Now it's you again. Are you... and that little boy taking turns? Excellent synergy."

Behind the cold venom of those words, Sephiroth's voice was changed beyond recognition. Gone was the subtle warmth that used to express care and nobility beneath the steely dryness of a tone tempered by years of war and formality. That domesticated flame had gone from candle to wildfire, and scorched everything in its path.

Before even consuming Nibelheim, that inferno had burnt Sephiroth's spirit to the bone, and what was left now was black charcoal, toxic smoke and embers.

Underneath his leather coat, Sephiroth could feel his own body threatening to slip down on the floor, against the slick surface of his own blood that had been pooling from the deep wound opened by Angeal's sword, straight through the back and out of his chest.

'Turning your back to the enemy. Your overconfidence will destroy you.'

He'd said that to someone at some point. Couldn't remember when or where. But was it not ironic?

The sword his friend would never use. A symbol of honor... funny how things came back to haunt you, one way or another.

When Zack had made his way back to where Sephiroth sat, slumped against a vent at the far bottom of the Nibel reactor, the silver-haired had almost mistaken him for his mentor instead. But then he remembered Angeal was dead. Genesis would also die soon.

Zack probably thought now was Sephiroth's turn now, didn't he? Turning against him, like everybody else. How blind he'd been. Sephiroth felt like his eyes were finally open for the first time in his life... only to watch himself die? What sort of pathetic joke was this?

Maybe if he died it'd be the most fitting irony before the arrogance of men who had decided to play God. That thought elicited a laugh out of him, and it hurt.

"Haha... hahaha..." He laughed, and coughed. Felt his own blood crawl straight down his airways and bubble against breaths he could no longer afford. Sephiroth's upper body lurched forward, with a choked gasp, and he spat.

Exhausted, he sank again back against metal. In that moment, Sephiroth was spending every leftover of his energy on keeping his left boot against the ground. It was carrying all of his weight from slipping down on his back, firmly planted on the cold metal of the platform.

"Tell me something... Zack. Do you feel like a hero, now?" Sephiroth asked, and at the same time, he did not. He found that he didn't care one bit what Zack had to say, after all. It no longer mattered. And he'd been a fool to think it did before. "I have never wanted... Never wanted to be one. Other people decided that for me. All I ever..."

A sharp sting to the head cut off his thoughts, and he stuttered.

He was feeling a heavy wave of dizziness. A fainting spell blackened his sight, and Sephiroth had to fight it. His features contracted, he felt his hands squeeze. Only then he realized he was holding onto things still. His sword in his left. His right was wrapped around something, pushing it against his chest.

Mother...

That painful twist in his stomach, was it the wound, or his own agony? Before his sight had even returned, Sephiroth's eyes opened to point down a mournful look on the fossilized features of Jenova cradled against him. An expression of sincere grief, sadness and despair that his face had never displayed before. His brows twitched, his mouth couldn't curve in a way that felt right. The struggle of a child who'd never learned how to show whatever he was feeling right now.

"All I ever wanted was just..."

The home I was robbed from. The unconditional love they had stolen. The life he never had.

To be with her. To feel whole again. To fill the hollow in his heart.

It was here, so close to him at last. He refused to lose it now. That weight on his chest spoke to him, it cried for justice. For retribution.

I cannot die here. I cannot leave you in their hands. They will see...!

His hand had lifted the blade, stabbing it with vicious strength into the floor. With that support, Sephiroth groaned, and slowly stood.

"All I ever... wanted..." He heard himself say again while fighting to find balance on his feet. Left foot first, then the right. His legs were shaking, cold with the drape of death that slowly tightened around his form. Sephiroth drew one last breath, and with it looked up again. Seeing again.

Seeing true.

Seeing a traitor.

"... You will see it come true."

The curse was little more than a whisper, while his feet stepped back, one after the other... towards the edge, and the bleeding pool of lifestream awaiting beyond.

#00j || that's what they said. [asked & answered] #warofthebeasts #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core] #cw: blood

[ghostofnibelheim]

"Whether ShinRa has the best for the Planet in mind or not, that is not our call to make."

"It is not my call."

"It is not your call. It is not your mother's call-"

"-- You should call your mother, though."

Oops. Found his edge and lost it again.

SOLDIER growth pains.

#03d || *groans in monotone* [crack] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #02b || εγλ 1991/1999 [canon verse: soldier / before crisis core]

[ghostofnibelheim]

Sephiroth has a hairy bum

"If you must spread gossip at least be accurate. That is a genetic trait I have inherited on my father's side."

"... Though I'd rather not think about how Dr. Hojo was able to assess that so confidently."

If he could choose, he'd rather it be from his mother's genes.

#00j || that's what they said. [asked & answered] #Anonymous #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #03d || *groans in monotone* [crack]

[ghostofnibelheim]

What if you were Genesis Rhapsodos and someone leaned in to whisper in your ear:

"Jessie Rasberry has been spotted in Sector 7."

#01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #03d || *groans in monotone* [crack] #//yes yes I know #Genesis was likely already a defector and hunting down Zack by the time Jessie was casted in LOVELESS #but it's still funny to me to picture him as a Jessie fanboy\\

[ghostofnibelheim]

"Come sit in my lap, pet."

Soft Dominance || Always Accepting~

"... Your lap?"

He raises his head from where he's standing, arms crossed and an ominous presence before their window on that rainy, cold winter day in Midgar. Normally he's used to Genesis' provocations, but the way his "friend" has been pushing his buttons of late has reached a new level.

And Sephiroth is quick to express just how hot a fire the other is trying to play with.

"Are you talking about that small thing between your legs?" He asks, abandoning his position to stalk closer, gazing down on the crimson fencer in his seat. "If I tried, I worry I might crush it."

#00j || that's what they said. [asked & answered] #poeticphoenix #[& genesis rhapsodos] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core]

[ghostofnibelheim]

💎

"There's only one person in this place this could belong to." Sephiroth had picked this out from a towel that had been misplaced amongst the ones to be delivered to the Firsts' personal apartment.

He held it up between two fingers, like a miner examining a new stone. The thing looked thin, red, and particularly sharp.

"Director Scarlet's fake fingernails. There's actually an impressive and frightening amount of collectors of her personal paraphernalia on the underground market's network." The warrior mused. He cast a sideglance on his friend. "I think I've seen one going for 20,000G."

#00j || that's what they said. [asked & answered] #poeticphoenix #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth]

[ghostofnibelheim]

it's too soon

This is Goodbye || Always Accepting~

"Huh..." Just as he thought death felt strangely ticklish on the skin, Sephiroth had opened his eyes once more to finally register the touch of thin, dark feathers brushing against his face. It was all he could feel besides the throbbing agony of the gaping wound running through his stomach and back.

Angeal's sword had been handled crudely; the strike was not accurate. But what had lacked in skill was compensated by the sheer magnitude of the weapon: he was bleeding out, and quickly. It explained why his face and limbs felt cold already. His legs wouldn't move. His spine had been probably severed by the fall from the top of the reactor down to the platform below where he and Zack had shared their final moments.

And now, as life itself slipped away, and the clouds of his hatred parted to give him a final moment of clarity, there was but one lone spectator left on the seat of honor.

"... Genesis..." Sephiroth murmured, surprised to be even able to speak. What bitter bad luck that his lungs were still strong and free of obstruction, somehow. Like they'd been spared so he could say his friend goodbye. Hopefully the red-head (not so red anymore, to be fair...) did not expect some elaborate monologue from him.

He had none to give. He'd been angry the last time they had spoken. And that anger had consumed him like a wildfire. What remained was a spent husk of himself.

"... Was this scene... anywhere in that epic poem of yours...?" He chuckled, hearing his own words in a way he could not recognize. Muffled, gurgling. Was his voice leaving him, or his hearing? Probably both. His surroundings were already fading to darkness around the edges.

But he still saw the green glow of mako dancing against the steel walls. Beneath him and Genesis, the Lifestream bled and screamed its neverending cacophony.

"It took me... much longer than you, but this is my turn ... to be free, now. I'm done letting others decide who I'm meant to be... and where." And already, he was so tired of speaking. Sephiroth's eyes blinked shut, and opening them again felt like the hardest thing he's ever done. He couldn't even tell if his face was capable of giving Genesis that bittersweet smile he'd like.

With his last bit of strength, he let his head turn to the side, limp as he looked towards the edge of the platform, and that green hue burning below.

"This is my plea... Hero of Dawn." He heard himself whisper. "Deliver me... to her."

Before his mind would be drifted too far to not perceive his Mother's embrace.

#00j || that's what they said. [asked & answered] #poeticphoenix #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #[& genesis rhapsodos] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core] #cw: death #cw: blood mention

[ghostofnibelheim]

A man with long red hair and a white cloak around his shoulders approached the SOLDIER, from a basket hanging off his arm within said cloak, he pulled out an apple with a distinct red hue." Would you like an apple? its only 5 gil"

Apples again. Why is it always the apples? What's the deal with dumbapples, anyway? Angeal still hasn't told him. He's making fun of him with this, isn't he?

Nevermind. Thoughts for another time. With his usual penchant for dramatic timing, Sephiroth takes a good ten seconds to turn around. Sometimes this was on purpose. Some people gave up early and left him if he kept them waiting. This one, however, was, if anything, at least curious-looking enough to warrant a more direct response.

Resting his eyes on the fruit in his hand, he regarded first the bargain, then the vendor himself.

"Do you sell a lot of apples around here?" He asked.

#sageofjustice #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #02c || εγλ 0000/0002 [canon verse: crisis core]

[ghostofnibelheim]

"What is the pay for scratching post mercenary service these days?"

#03d || *groans in monotone* [crack] #01b || this goes on your permanent record. [ic: sephiroth] #[dash commentary]