30A/N: Lmao bringing this over from AO3.
"So, we're off to Nibelheim, huh?" Zack scratched absentmindedly at his cheek with a finger.
Angeal nodded. "There was a sighting of a possible necromancer there."
"And if there's a necromancer, perhaps we will find that dark and terrible god, Sephiroth," Genesis remarked with a dramatic flair.
Zack looked about Gongaga's town square as they stood outside the church that honored not only the creator goddess Minerva, but one of her many children, Ramuh. Just like most of the other gods, he was thought to roam the Planet to tend to his duties. It was also believed he would come in one form or another during feasts and festival days honoring him; occasionally a storm swept by during his worship ceremony in the white stone church, a sign to the devout that he watched.
As he glanced at a stain glass window of Ramuh throwing bolts of lightning at one of the four gods that had fought against Minerva's loyal children, Zack thought back to the beginning of his journey as an Esper. Espers were the champions of individual deities, and given powers most humans were not capable of wielding. In this day and age, they were to find any dark cultists that worshiped the four blotted gods and put an end to their vile acts.
Most people in the modern age took little notice of them. It wasn't an irreligious age so much as one focused upon scientific progress, and deities and magic took a backseat to that. People still honored the mostly quiet gods, whether they believed in them or not. Espers were just seen as humans with rare materia.
Their other duty was to find the god of death, Sephiroth, who had mysteriously disappeared five hundred years ago after joining ranks with the Infernal Lord of Destruction, Abyssion. One god had done so, and three underling deities he had been given charge of from Abyssion had been sealed away. There were no records of anyone being sent to stop Sephiroth.
"Isn't that supposed to be where he's based at?" Zack asked as he turned back towards the other two, his boots scraping the pavement and shuffling the fabric of his dark pants. "Why not just keep Espers there and wait for him to show up?"
Angeal sighed. "Because the castle has been checked multiple times for him and each time, no one was there, pup."
"It would be a waste of resources. But now, we have a possible lead. A necromancer hasn't been spotted in years, and one in Nibelheim of all places? It had been centuries..." Genesis responded. He straightened out his rust colored leather vest. "Mark my words, this is no coincidence. I bet he's mustering up his followers to begin his revolt against Creation again."
Zack put his hands behind his head. "Then let's go already!" He turned towards their vehicle and took a few strides towards it.
"He's such an impatient sort," Genesis remarked.
Angeal chuckled, and put his fists on his hips, straddling the area between his dark blue jeans and blue-grey work shirt. "He is an Esper of Fenrir, after all."
The red head huffed. "Strength and loyalty." He moved his head to look at his friend. "Alexander is patient and holy, but your protege honors a hyper wolf god," he teased lightly.
"And you pal around with us both, mister high and mighty," Angeal retorted.
They began walking towards the vehicle as Zack fidgeted from foot to foot. "Phoenix blesses all with Her flames of renewal," Genesis responded.
Angeal had decided to take the driver's seat, claiming his friends were far too reckless on the road. Zack called out shotgun, and soon they were on their way towards Nibelheim. The car was quiet except for the radio and Zack's hand patting his knee in time with the beat. The landscape grew drier, and rocks sporting various shades of earthy browns and red became more common. Emerald grass gave way to dusty, compact dirt and spindly weeds.
Genesis looked up from his book, and turned to the back of Zack's spiky black head. "You've never been to Nibelheim, have you, Zachary?"
Zack looked behind him, his indigo eyes vibrant even in the shade of the car. "Nope. What's it like?"
Angeal sighed, and rubbed his eye with a gloved hand. "I told you, didn't I?"
"Just that it was Sephiroth's former place of worship, and that it's a quiet place."
Genesis nodded. "It is rather deary, in the shadow of Mount Nibel and the castle formed from the very rocks atop it."
Zack scratched at his hair. "So, do the citizens there worship Sephiroth, or what?"
The red head hummed, then placed his book on his lap. "No, but some still see him in a slightly favorable light. It is probably from the older legends and his duty before he revolted."
"I can't really blame them, when a god is part of your culture. That would sting," Angeal replied as he continued to drive down the road. "Even if it was a god of death and the restless dead."
"And people worshiped that?" Zack asked incredulously, turning his head towards his teacher.
"Yes, but death is a part of life. Sephiroth also imprisoned and soothed the restless dead, until the day he used them as his army against creation."
"That sounds kinda strange."
Angeal nodded slowly. "Well, what one can spirit away, one can also unleash upon the world," he replied blandly.
"Which is why this necromancer sighting is so important," Genesis said. "Whether they found a relic of Sephiroth's or they have become an Esper of his, it needs taken care of."
A relic. Zack leaned into his seat and stared out at the barren expanse in front of him. Deities had minor relics that could be given as a small token to a follower or Esper, or a greater object that granted god-like powers to the wielder. Those were said to be held only by a most favored mortal.
He fingered his own, a little brass talisman in the shape of a wolf's head with a light purple orb in its mouth. A small taste of Fenrir's might was contained within the bauble. The three of them each had a talisman gifted by their god after successfully completing their geas. With each came unique abilities.
"So," he began as he brought his hand back down to his lap. "What happens if we find Sephiroth? I don't think we have anything on us powerful enough to seal him away."
"Not to the extent the other three had been, no. But, a temporary seal until we can is within our abilities," Genesis said as he reopened his book and looked down to read it.
"A death god sounds pretty powerful," Zack said offhandedly. "Should be a hell of a fight."
Angeal's shoulders stiffened. "It's something we're going to proceed with very carefully, pup."
"Mhm. It would be best if any violence was saved for an uninhabited area," Genesis replied from the back seat.
"I know that!" Zack looked at his partners, then back out the window. "Just sayin'."
They were quiet for most of the trip to Cosmo Canyon, stopping for the evening when they reached the town. Zack had never been to this location before, and he took note of the sacred fire in the town's center. A church had been carved out of the rocks nearby, and Angeal pointed at it.
"They honor Ifrit here. That fire is the sacred Cosmo Candle, and it's said to keep monsters and demons away," Angeal explained.
"Ifrit, huh?" Zack looked the church face up and down. It had detailed carvings over its surface. "Man, this blows Ramuh's church out of the water!"
"The people here were protected by the onslaught from Nibelheim when Sephiroth unleashed his hordes upon the Planet. His purifying flames kept back the wave of misery that threatened Cosmo Canyon, and he fought against Kadaj and his spirits of pestilence."
"Just like Fenrir fought Loz, right?"
Angeal nodded. "Some of their greatest feats."
Genesis walked towards them as they spoke. "I've acquired our lodging for the night. We should retire soon, so we can get a head start early tomorrow."
"Are we there yet?"
Genesis rolled his eyes. "No, Zachary."
"Angeal, let Genesis drive. You're goin' too slow."
Angeal glared at his student. "We'll get there soon."
Zack looked about the landscape. They were driving up a hill, and the peaks of purple mountains were peeking from the crest. "You mean by nightfall."
Angeal was silent until they reached the top of the hill, and a large, quiet looking town came into view. "There it is."
"Oh. Well, finally!"
They arrived an hour later, and Zack immediately noticed upon leaving the car that the sun felt so much weaker here than in Cosmo Canyon and Gongaga. He wondered if it was just because of the area or because this used to be a village to a god of darkness. Zack watched as Genesis went to inquire about an inn room, then followed Angeal towards a pale stone church in the form of a very large crypt. There was a sprinkling of moss here and there, and it felt like a place of respite from the living world.
Zack scratched the back of his head as he studied a worn carved figure of a cloaked being holding a scythe. "Kinda unsettling for a church," he remarked.
"And yet, peaceful. Just like death should be, don't you think?" Angeal chuckled dryly, then looked back at the sturdy oak door. "This is just a church to Minerva now. Anything that specifically mentioned Sephiroth or the other three gods were destroyed or converted to something else." He walked towards the door.
Zack made a face as he followed behind. "We have to go into this creepy place?"
"The new priestess here saw the alleged necromancer. I'd like to talk to her before we go off searching for them."
"Ah, right." They entered into the church. The inside held wooden pews and weak colored light from the narrow windows. Zack noticed a woman in a simple white dress and soft brown boots standing by the pulpit. She had long chestnut hair and emerald green eyes, and she smiled as she walked towards them.
"Hello! You're the Espers I requested, it's nice to meet you!" She gave a short bow. "My name is Aerith."
"Oh, you could tell we're Espers?" Most people couldn't tell the difference between a normal person and an Esper.
She nodded, and gave a sassy wink of her eye to Zack. "Of course I can. I'm a little sensitive, you could say." Aerith put her hands together in front of her chest, and cocked her head to the side. "But, that doesn't mean I can read minds or anything like that. So, you'll still need to tell me your names."
Zack chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "My name's Zack."
"I'm Angeal," the elder Esper said.
Aerith nodded. "People like me are kinda rare, they say. We can feel things like Espers do, without being identified as one." Her mood shifted to something a little more serious and somber, and she looked up at Angeal. "Which is also why I could feel something off about this woman who lives in town."
Angeal crossed his arms and raised a brow. "Tell us more, please."
She put her hands down to her side, and motioned for them to sit on the front pew. Angeal humored her while Zack continued to stand, hands on his hips. Aerith blinked a few times as she looked up at the arched ceiling of the church, then after a few moments looked down at Angeal.
"I've only been here a few weeks, you see. After the last priest died, I suppose the church in Midgar decided it was time I tended my own church." She rubbed the fabric of her dress with her fingers. "There is a woman in town who has the most...off feeling about her. Outwardly she seems normal, but I've caught her visiting one of the cemeteries near the base of Mount Nibel on various occasions. I wouldn't think much of it, but she's even gone at night!
"I never get too close to her when she goes up there. But, she runs a bar in town. Maybe you could sleuth a bit at her establishment." Aerith shrugged.
Zack hummed. "We could go tonight. Wanna come with us?" he offered with a playful smirk. She smiled back, and feigned shyness with a hand over her mouth.
Angeal ignored his protege's flirting. "What does she look like?"
The priestess returned her gaze to the older Esper. "Long dark hair, reddish eyes. Um, she's large chested, too."
"I see." He stood up and nodded. "Thank you, Aerith. We'll take it from here."
"Wait, that's it?" Zack pouted, looking between the two.
Aerith giggled. "I'll still be in town if you wanna talk later."
Zack gave a quick, firm nod. "You bet I do!" He turned to Angeal. "Let's go get this necromancer!"
Aerith gave the name of the establishment the supposed necromancer tended in the afternoons and evenings. They bid her farewell, and went off to find Genesis. The red head was patiently waiting by the inn, his back leaning against the stone wall as he read from his small, leather-bound book. He glanced upwards as Zack and Angeal walked up to him.
"And what of this necromancer?" he asked. Angeal nodded and gave Genesis what scant information they had on the woman. The red head hummed before closing his book and holding it to his side with an elegant movement. "Perhaps we should make a stop at her establishment after we bring in our luggage, hm?"
Zack shrugged his shoulders, then walked up to the car's trunk. "Sooner the better!"
They went about bringing their suitcases to their room, freshening up in the bathroom after their long journey. They tucked away their talismans on the off chance the supposed necromancer would recognize them; it would be one thing if she was indeed Sephiroth's Esper, but if she wasn't, hunting her down would be no different than the others.
After a few wrong turns and Zack asking for directions from locals, they found the bar. It had just opened if the hours posted on the window were correct, and they let themselves in. A handful of tables were taken up by locals enjoying a pint and a sandwich or some fries. There was a normal looking woman that matched the description Aerith had given watching them from behind the counter, and she smiled at them with her hands behind her back.
"Hello, and welcome to Seventh Heaven! My name is Tifa."
Zack laid on the charm as he walked towards the counter. "Nice to meet ya Tifa, I'm Zack!"
Her smiled stayed the same, but her eyes grew a little weary. "It's nice to meet you too, Zack." She motioned at the bar. "Sit where ever you'd like."
Genesis immediately sat himself at a table near a window, shifting himself into the booth. Angeal, then Zack followed his lead. Tifa walked from behind the counter with several menus that she handed to the trio. "What kind of drinks can I start you out with?"
Angeal shrugged nonchalantly while studying her. "Um, we actually had need of something that I hope you could help us out with."
Tifa studied him with a curious gaze, a fine brow raised. "What would that be?"
Without missing a beat, Genesis finished the request. "We just arrived in Nibelheim, and heard talk of a festival occurring soon."
Her deep red eyes lit up. "The Autumn Festival!"
Angeal nodded. "We're sorry if we're bothering your establishment, but we were wondering if we could talk to you about it."
"Oh." She didn't seem disappointed that they weren't here for drinks. "Well, it's the biggest fling the town has all year. I'll be right back, the organizer dropped off some pamphlets in case anyone wanted them." Tifa went off towards the bar.
Zack was still grinning at her backside when Angeal jabbed his side. The young Esper turned around and frowned. "What?"
Angeal leaned towards him. "Did you see what she was wearing?"
"Did I ever," Zack said with a smile growing on his face. "That shirt is barely holding—"
"The necklace!" his teacher hissed in a whisper.
"Oh. No."
Genesis rolled his eyes. "It was clearly a relic. Couldn't you feel it?" His eyes went to watching Tifa as she rummaged through papers she had hidden under the counter. "I wouldn't doubt she's an Esper, and she can probably feel we are, too," he said in a hushed whisper.
Zack frowned. "She seems pretty nice."
"It's an act."
"We'll have to watch her carefully, and make sure she doesn't leave town." Angeal's eyes went towards her as she began to walk towards them again with brochures in her hands. She still seemed wary, her shoulders unnecessarily tense and her eyes studying them closely. Still, she kept her smile up.
Tifa began placing the papers down on the table in front of them, then looked at the three in turn with a nod. "Here you go! And if you ever wanna stop by for drinks in the future, you're always welcome!"
They all gave a nod of their heads. "Thank you, Tifa," Angeal said before collecting a paper and scanning it.
"Alright. If you need anything, just holler." Tifa left them and scampered back behind the counter, taking a rag and cleaning the stony surface while striking up a conversation with another customer. Occasionally, one of the three would notice her eyeing them for just a moment.
Zack looked down at a brochure, then at Angeal. Genesis eyed what was written on the papers. "Quaint little festival they have in these parts..."
They sat there, looking over everything strewn on their table and studying the barmaid as she welcomed customer after customer. At one point it felt as if the life had been drained from the bar, setting the three on edge. Zack had seen Tifa at that moment, holding her necklace with her eyes closed. She opened them again, and he turned his head back.
"I...think we should go. Before she gets more aggressive," Genesis warned.
Angeal nodded, and placed some gil on the table for her troubles earlier. They began their leave, waving when Tifa bid them farewell. As soon as the door shut behind them Zack shuddered.
He dramatically shook his leg. "Whew, that place gave me the heebie-jeebies!"
Angeal grunted. "We'll get some rest, then watch the street when she leaves for the night."
"Isn't she gonna feel our presence?"
Genesis nodded. "She won't know from where...especially if we aren't in a group."
"And that's when we get her, right?"
Angeal hummed. "We want to try to get her away from any populated areas. I suggest we find a place we can funnel her towards that's not around any civilians."
Zack nodded, then rubbed the side of his head. A hostile Esper. "Well, let's get ready then."
The three made their way towards the inn, but not without a wayward glance at the tavern that was slowly filling with customers. Those folks were in danger every moment that woman was here in the town.
