He was “The One Winged Angel.” She, on the other hand, had always loved a fictional game character that was the main antagonist of Final Fantasy Vii. In a twist of fate and the help of science, Sephiroth was transported smack dabbed in the middle of the busiest transport system in Metro Manila. When fans who love his character started to swarm, he was about to destroy them when a warm hand reached out and clam the beast inside. When fantasy became reality, could a cold-hearted One Winged Angel learn to love? Or will he destroy the world he is now residing in? ~~~ Disclaimer: I do not own the cover or the franchise. I do not own FINAL FANTASY VII, or any of the associated characters, and no profit is being made. All rights belong to Enix”
Gaia's Core
Two men were locked in a fierce battle.
One was a 1st Class SOLDIER. The other was a young man who was experimented on. He was a puppet, a supposed vessel. A failure.
Yet he lived and survived. He took the persona of a dead friend because he was Zack's living legacy.
Just like him.
However, the outcome was obvious.
It was the protagonist that would win. Each blow he gave weakened his opponent. The slash of his Ultima Sword deems formidable against his Masamune.
He was the strongest. He was the best. He was killed, but he lived. He evolved and controlled those who were injected with his Mother's cells.
He was a god.
He was Sephiroth.
And this man, this puppet, this insignificant ant, was delivering slash after slashes that matched his speed. This ant's strength was able to match his, and rather than be angry, he was glad.
Cloud Strife.
He was the man who had killed him that many years ago. He was the man who made it possible for him to 'bond' with the life stream of the planet. Cloud made it easy for him to access and 'see' what was happening to the planet. It also gave him the power to manipulate people who share the same cells as him.
"Ah, Cloud, Mother would be pleased. You are my shadow, she would be happy that you are not in my level of power. You, Cloud Strife, will continue Mother's legacy." He taunted.
The sweet, sweet look of anger that flashed on Cloud's face made Sephiroth happy. This ant has Mother's cells. He was like him.
[But I would always be better, Sephiroth thought.]
When the final blow was delivered, Sephiroth could only smile as he slowly sank back into the lifestream. He will never truly be gone. He had a mission after all.
He needed to revive his Mother.
This was a setback. A minor one at that. He would once again be freed and by the time that happened, there would be a reunion.
A reunion he would gladly torment and make people suffer.
~~~~
Metro Manila, Philippines
Finally, I am done with playing Final Fantasy 7. After months of trying to finish the RPG that shaped my perception, I am done.
But why do I feel so empty?
As I listened to the closing soundtrack of the game, I could not help but wonder about the main antagonist of the game.
Sephiroth.
He was the main reason I played FF7, to begin with. You see I have had a crush on him since the game was created. I cannot help but swoon at his cyan-colored eyes. His long silver hair reached his waist and his bangs that were parted to either side of his face.
The way his clothes molded to his well-built body made me imagine 'things'. The signature look that I love. A long black coat, those shiny silver pauldrons that made his shoulder looked border.
The combination of black boots and pants made him look like a DOM in the modern world. Then there was his chest that was exposed because his coat was open and the leather SOLDIER suspenders crossed over it.
Then there was his wing. The way he effortlessly manifested a single black wing on his left shoulder was so beautiful. Hence, the name, The One Winged Angel.
As the last notes of the closing song died, I could not help but think, as crazy as it sounded; I wanted him to be here. I wanted The One Winged Angel, Sephiroth, to be transported to Earth.
To me.
I bumped my head on the wall of the MRT carriage where I am in. I am obsessed with a fictional man.
A man, may I add, that would never be alive in ANY parallel universe. He was nothing more than a game character. He would never be alive no matter how much I wanted him to be.
I needed to get laid, or better yet, I needed to lose my V-card. I must be out of my mind to think a man like Sephiroth would be real. He was perfect. While I was not.
"Ortigas Station. Ortigas Station. We are now approaching Ortigas Station."
I sighed. It was a good thing that I was able to finish playing the game before I reached my stop.
I looked out the window and glanced up at the mid-afternoon sky. Glum, was the right word to describe this weather. I guess the alignment of the planets has something to do with it.
Who cares? Obviously not me.
I sigh once more. Since I am done with the game, I might as well watch Final Fantasy VII Advent Children.
Sephiroth would just be a minor part of the movie. Then again the way he looked like a real person was the reason I would be watching it.
As I walked out of the platform and headed to the mall located near it, I decided to hang out at the coffee shop and watch the movie.
I just wished my friends would hurry though.
~~~~~
Midgar Ruins
Another battle.
This time, Cloud had grown better. Better in battle, somewhat better in communicating with people, and had grown better in skill.
But the guilt? Oh how much Sephiroth loved the guilt this man carries. Seeing the look on his face when Kadaj's body became his own was priceless.
So when one of the children that were in his care got infected and acted like a puppet, the joy he felt was satisfying.
Sephiroth was being repeatedly stabbed by Cloud's new attack. Instead of defending himself, he let the other man do as he pleased.
It was a way of letting Cloud know that he will never be defeated.
With one final strike, he smiled as Cloud whispered, "Stay in my memories."
"I will... Never be a memory".
Was his reply as he slowly closed his wing around himself, he once again faded and be one with the life stream. His thoughts were on their next meeting.
He would be back. And when he does, it will be the final battle, where he will be victorious.
~~~~~~
Why? Why does he always need to be the one to die at the end? It was irrational for me to think like this, but I can't help it!
My friends decided to change the location of our meet-up, hence I got irritated which carried over to what I felt about the movie. I know I was being childish, but I just can't help it.
Can't my friends understand the word on time?!
I stepped on the MRT carriage and looked for a place to sit. Sigh, of course, there was none. I just held on to the vertical handrail and leaned against the wall again. This will be a quick ride anyway.
Sephiroth.
I really need a normal life.
I have been thinking about him for the past couple of days. Who was I kidding? It has been more than days, years is the right word, to be honest.
I sigh and close my eyes.
"I wish you were here. I wish you were alive Sephiroth…"
~~~~~
The sky began to darken as the planets started to align themselves. There was a sudden cluster of clouds that began to cover the sky.
Something was about to happen. Something that would forever change the world.
A hole began to form and a swirling dark mass of clouds started to descend upon a building in the middle of the metro. The dark mass grew until it was the size of a human body.
Slowly, as the planets are not aligned, the sky gradually brightens. The thick clouds dispersed and faded.
But one the dark mass.
In one fluid movement, the dark clouds which surrounded the mass were scattered as a man suddenly came out of nowhere. His single black wing kept him afloat, while his silver hair floated around him like a shield.
Ah, he was free again. My torment of the world will continue…
"Kyahhh ~~~~~"
Excited squeals and shouts made him open his eyes.
He had to blink several times because people were taking his pictures, and they were screaming going around him. It was chaotic and they they were all saying the same thing:
Sephiroth is here!