Before the arrival Part 1 & Part 2: Stings of Fate

"Deverin!" Everin rarely shouted, let alone the name of his traitorous brother. With quick speed with a masterful ease and grace, Everin made his way through the derelict of the ruined Breland City street.
There he lay, dyed red like the gaudy clothing his brother enjoyed wearing. Blood had been pooling out from his wounds for a while now, and the pool which stained the brick beneath him was already becoming black. He dropped down to his knee, lifting his dying brother's head into his lap, setting Yamato down at his side. He looked about, but Rebellion was nary to be found.

"Well...if it is'nt the prick... about time you showed up, big bro. War Gods... think they are so mighty. Tanks that I couldn't...lay much of a scratch on him."

His brother, a demon from the proud house of Faust, extinguished by a relic of the past? Inconceivable! Deverin was a proud demon, despite his forthcomings, he shouldn't have gone down so easily. "Deverin... your complacency with the mortals... it's what brought you ruin. Though these wounds make no sense, why isn't your body regenerating?!" Everin spat, looking them over. Everin never learned any demonic forms of healing, he found the idea laughable in his younger years...but now... as his brother lay seemingly dying before him...

"Yeah...heh crazy isn't it? He shrouded his blade with some sort of corrupting energy... that creepy goth clown... he found a way to use our demonic powers against us... you see... it's my own demonic energy that's keeping me from standing now. Its becoming unbearable. My body can't withstand the energy output thus its turning my basic functions do-" Deverin explained splewing a ton of blood from his mouth. His body was festering with demonic energy that kept devouring his flesh from his severed limbs.

"Deverin!" Everin shouted once more, shaking his brother, eyes wide with disbelief. Deverin's remaining left hand griped Everin's collar, and forced older brother to meet with the younger brother's eyes.

"Everin... you've got to understand. Mortal might... is something worth fighting for. The freedom of 'choice' is stronger than Demonic strength. Ultimate...power...resides with those who protect others, who are willing to die over what may be considered by 'us' as trivial matters...!" Deverin coughed harder, gripping Everin's collar tighter.

Everin took Deverin's hand in his own, gripping it tightly. "Deverin, shut up! Your releasing more energy, it's consuming you!" he exclaimed, watching as his brother's waist began to vanish, and the festering black and red energy was steadily climbing up his torso. "To Oblivion with the Mortal affairs, all I wanted was for you to return to your rightful place, to embrace your heritage! Reign the demonic realm we have come to know as 'home', as brothers! It is what we fought for all those eons before mortals even existed in this plane! Mortals are weak, easily disposable, and nothing but livestock for the uncivilized! They are but rats whose petty squabbles sent you into this perilous state!"

Deverin chuckled. "Brothers...huh? Been a while since I've heard that word in a manner that wasn't degrading..." he says closing his eyes, smiling with blood stained teeth. The energy was crawling up his torso and severed right arm, and weakly he opened his eyes. "Then tell me... if mortals are weak, and meaningless... why do our kind harness their energy? Their energy comes from their 'spirit', their 'mortal will'. That's something we cannot fully grasp...no matter how we try. Mortals...are interesting creatures. They know not the power they have... and it's that very reason why I defended them." Deverin's body was almost entirely gone now, and his face was becoming like ash and slowly dissolving away.

"Deverin!" Everin cried, gripping his brother's hand tighter.

Deverin chuckled once more. "Huh... I thought you said demons couldn't cry..." he says as his face vanishes and the energy crawls up his left arm, and then finally his hand. Everin's right hand claps into a fist since there was nothing left between his fingers but a fine sandy substance that was there and then wasn't. Everin blinked, and his eyes were blurred. He had been crying without realizing it. He slowly bows his head, his eyes covered by his silver bangs as he opens his palm, letting what was left of Deverin to drift from his right hand into the air.

A small, bright red orb of light was where Deverin's torso had been. It flickered as it descended slowly into the pool where he had lain down.

"Don't let that caped bastard win. Save them, Everin. Do not abandon them..." came Deverin's disembodied voice before the orb touched the puddle of blood, rippling it like a rock thrown into a pool before it extinguished like a flame.

Everin sat there for several moments, ignoring the looks of passers by as the darkened skies let down rain which began to wash away his brothers blood, wet his hair, and mask his lamenting tears. "..There is no afterlife when we die, brother..." He says, standing up in the pouring rain, instinctively grabbing Yamato's scabbard as he stood erect, his blue leather outfit shining from the pouring rain.

"It isn't much..." he says, turning away, his coat's tail bellowing out as he turned abruptly, Everin placed his left hand's fingers through his matted hair and slicked it back, revealing a momentary flash of red in his otherwise deep azure eyes. "...but may Sephiroth's corpse be the 'cross' which marks your grave!" he exclaimed, eyes full of conviction, despite the warm tears streaking down his cheeks.

Are demons... allowed to cry?

He made his way through Breland without glancing at a single individual...he didn't even notice he was at the coast till he felt the salty waters of the Scardian Ocean seep into his boots. He paused, looking down at the moons reflecting upon the still surface. He felt not empty, but filled with a strange emotion which was alien for him. The tears had not stopped, and his reflection was not of a Noble Demon of otherworldly origin... but a broken creature that looked far to pious than he liked... it made him feel both angry and filled with sorrow. Emotions he's never personally expressed, even with the loss of his father and his culture. He felt confusion, for his brother's actions. Loss?

He shook violently, swinging his hand furiously at the reflection. It warped his image, and he stared at the distorted body he had become. What mortals took him for...what they took their kind for. Even Deverin...who died a pointless death, died for mortal reign. Were they worth his sacrifice?

He looked into both of his open palms, and saw the water seep through his fingers. How will they recognize Deverin's significance for their survival? He will forever go down as a nameless demon who died a mortal's death, for a handful of creatures who sow their own destruction for trivial matters? Foolish creatures who challenge beings far greater than their own physical and mental capabilities... and die, a lonely and unceremonious death needlessly.

"Mortals die, worthless deaths... yet their deaths carry far more weight than those of our own kind... As they are not immortal... they have to live life faster than ours... to throw one's existence away so freely...is annoying..." he says, bowing his head again, closing his eyes and gripped his fists tighter. "My brother... I do not understand your logic for defending these pitiful creatures. However, it would be a shame if my younger brother discovered an incredible insight on humanity before I could, and alone, take it to his grave." He pauses, as the waves begin to pick up, and he opens his blue eyes, turning them to the sky.  

"Sephiroth..." he spoke, once more, in a harsh and echoing tone held in resentment. His body became bright blue, and his features, like his reflection, warped; becoming his true form. His wings spread and he shot through the clear night sky; streaking across it like an azure comet as it headed towards the continent of Gailden...

____
'Shane'

Shane woke up startled by the stern tone, blinking as he looked around. He was at the base of a large ironwood in southern Scardia. His back was against the tree for support, his left knee bent and the scabbard of his sword was leaning against his left shoulder. He closed his eyes, letting out a faint sigh and claps his face with his open right palm. "Oh...it's you."

'You saw it again. I figured you'd have stopped peering into my memories by now'

"Yeah, sorry... it wasn't intentional." Shane replies openly, yawning as he rubbed his eyes and clapped his face awake. "I've not been sleeping well, I've been having reoccurring nightmares lately."

'How vexing it is to be a human. Remember, we share the same body. If you don't sleep or give yourself proper nourishment, it effects my performance as well. It is not healthy to occupy a body which can hardly raise a sword' Everin commented, his voice echoing like if he was standing inside a cave.

"Technically, talking to yourself isn't exactly healthy either, but we haven't been committed yet. That's always a plus." Shane says in a sarcastic response, before stretching his arms and slowly picked himself up.

'How diverting. Accentuating the present state of mental stability, let me wager on the topic of your inability to properly sleep... it's about that woman' Everin asked in a dry tone.

Shane remained still, frowning a little as he looked out to the dark skies that were slowly changing into a brighter blue of the dawn to soon arrive. He only sighed in response.

'Those who wield Yamato cannot be brought back from death, Shane. I have told you this countless times in the last eighteen short years we have been... 'room mates'. That blade was never meant for mortal hands. Honor her sacrifice and be done with it' Everin stated coldly, but it was true that he thought Shane shouldn't dwell on the old scar.

Shane closed his eyes, a frail smile painting his face. He leaned against the tree on his right shoulder. "What you ask is impossible old friend. You did not know her like I had. Gods...she was so damn talented. Beautiful. Courageous. I keep thinking... Maybe if I had made it there sooner, watched for her sucker punch...she wouldn't have taken that accursed blade."

'It was a foolish decision. Demonic blades are tools for demon hands alone. However, for a mortal she somehow managed to wield Yamato without letting the blade control her. However, if it was only a temporary alliance between devil arm and mortal, I am not certain...' Everin says with an exhausted or annoyed tone.

Shane opened his eyes, taking in the sunrise across the beautiful green lands of Scardia. The corner of his lips raised into a half smile as he admired the view of the scenery. "Not to speak out of line, but do you still resent mortals, Everin?" he asked, keeping the answer to Everin's previous statement to himself for now.

'Yes. I find mortals annoying. Weak and feeble minded creatures. I still cannot understand why my brother found your kind so amusing' Everin stated matter of factly.

"Then what about me, old friend?" he asked keeping his smile.

'Especially you. And stop calling me 'old friend' like that Samurai or the King'

Shane crossed his arms, and raised a brow. "Then why did you help me back then?"

---

Everin lay with his back against a section of the outer wall of the spiraling scaffolding leading up to the upper most sections of the Asrond Tenik HQ. That foolish girl had ran off with Yamato, his severed left arm unable to heal, and all of his previous wounds were opening without Yamato's immediate assistance. "Damnable wench...she has doomed us all!" he exclaimed, grunting at the immense pain built up by that blinding counter attack which claimed his arm and nearly sliced him in half.

He wasn't going to make it... Everin felt that. 'I make it all this way for my brother... just to die needlessly like him? How could I have let such frivolous logic blind me? Now I lay at Death's door and having accomplished nothing!'

Thats when his azure gaze glanced over to a young man with red hair climb up the staircase. He was injured, yet he fought against his grievous wounds to make it to this level. It took another moment to realize it was the boy who's journey was destroy Yamato.

"Tifa!" he exclaimed, huffing and puffing. He held his chest, where she had punched him hard enough to almost break his lower ribs. He turned to Everin and gasped. "You! Where did Tifa go? Answer me!" he exclaimed, hobbling closer.

Everin raised a brow, presuming the girl who stole Yamato was this 'Tifa' for which the boy spoke of. "If you speak of the energetic and well endowed one, she just ran off with the sword you sought to destroy." Everin replied, looking away from him. It was bothersome enough he was to die a pitiful and dishonorable death, let alone have this human who saw himself as his 'nemesis' watch him clock out.

"You're lying!" the boy exclaimed, alarmed. You could read the panic in his eyes and understood that the girl was very important to this one.

Everin managed to let out a pained groan of irritation. "Boy...do I look like I am in the capacity to lie to you? As you see, I am without Yamato, fatally injured, and I have nothing left to gain by lying to you. Since you got in the way, I was unable to land a fatal blow to that forsaken God of War. Instead, I am dying. I suppose she figured Yamato's strength would give her the 'edge' against Sephiroth. Foolish. The stupid girl cannot hope to control Yamato's demonic energy on her own. The blade will consume her before she can lay a hand on Sephiroth." Everin explained.

The boy paled, and he looked up as the battle above continued with the combined efforts of that Samurai, the Ninja, that Gunslinger, the Girl, and that Demon Slayer. Down below them, the CKB despite being leaderless, were still fighting their former allies of the disbanded T.I.R.S. members and the DarkSEED loyalists.

"I can't let that happen... this is a burden only I was made to bear. I have to stop her! I won't let her become consumed by the curse that's befallen my family!" the boy declared.

"Useless. In your current state, you'll just get in the way again and die or worse, get someone else killed." Everin spat. "Besides, mortals cannot handle the power stored within Yamato. Only a demon of high caliber can wield such a blade. It is an impossible task for a weak human." he says, eying the boy's blue eyes evenly.

The boy, however, seemed to have a second wind hit him and he turned towards the demon with a pale yet determined face. "If I do nothing they will die! I will not sit by till this all blows over, if I am to die, I would rather die knowing I did something rather than having achieved nothing! I won't let Yamato's power consume Tifa, nor will I let that caped bastard win, or I'll die trying!"

This caused Everin's eyes to widen, and his body pulsed.

"Everin... you've got to understand. Mortal might... is something worth fighting for. The freedom of 'choice' is stronger than Demonic strength. Ultimate...power...resides with those who protect others, who are willing to die over what may be considered by 'us' as trivial matters...!"

Deverin's words echoed in his mind as he witnessed the boy's resolve. For a moment, he thought he may have grasped his brothers parting words. He too, was just speaking of how he didn't want to end his life here. However, his time on this planet was also drawing to a close. Everin could already feel death encroaching upon him and his body becoming numb. He watched as the boy was painfully beginning to ascend the stairwell, a frail mortal blade in hand.

"Without Yamato's sheath, there is little chance a human can silence the seductive power within the cursed sword..." he began, bowing his head, his eyes shadowed by his bangs as the boy continued upward. "However... there may be a solution. But, it isn't fool proof. And the price is steep." he adds which causes the young man to turn towards him. Everin did the best he could to stand, blood spewing from his missing left arm and leaving a trail up the wall of the Asrond Tenik Building floor 76 Exterior.

Quickly the boy came to him, gripping Everin's lapels of his now damaged blue jacket. "What is it? Tell me! I am willing to do anything to save everyone, don't keep it to yourself!" he exclaimed, desperate for Everin's hidden knowledge.

Everin looked him in the eyes. He found his next words ironic, and figured Deverin would have had a laugh over this had he been around. "If we are to win, we will need to use Yamato. In order for you to be able to use the blade, I will have to become one with you. Our souls will have to fuse with one another, for in my current physical state I am not capable of holding the blade physically; however, if I possess your body, with our fusion of souls, you should be able to carry and use Yamato."

The boy had a strange mix of emotions upon his face, and his eyes wavered. "Boy... we have little time to think it over. I told you the price is steep. Either you agree, or you don't. In a few more minutes, it will not even matter. So choose: will you accept me, or will you reject my offer?" Everin amended.

The boy closed his eyes, and then opened them, looking at him. "Yes. I accept."

Everin's eyes narrowed in on him. "What is your name, boy?"

"Shane. Shane Highsworth of Scardia."

"...Shane Highsworth. You body will be a vessel for both of our souls. I, Everin Faust, complete this contract and will fuse my essence with yours!" Everin declared, his entire body and clothing blue, before shrinking into a blue orb of light that slammed into Shane's chest. The bonding and fusion process was quick, but painful, but in the end the youth was radiating azure light and making way for Sephiroth... or at least, that was how Everin remembered it....

---

'I did not help you. I merely used your body to save my own soul and use it as a vessel to defeat Sephiroth. Given the chance for a different vessel I would leave you in a heart beat'

Shane frowned, looking up. "Really? Is that what you think? Then why did you stick around for so long, train me in your martial arts, help bring glory back to Scardia and aid the Beijionese in the Five Year War?"

'Do not over think things boy. I have simply not seen a proper vessel worth taking. As for the training, it is all about survival. I cannot reside in a body that cannot properly execute high speed sword skills or is too slow to match my original speed. All that other rubbish was either you or survival instincts to keep me alive' Everin replied almost heatedly.  

Shane shook his head, chuckling. "So that means I match your speed then? I'll take that as a compliment." he says still grinning as he walked towards the remnants of camp to grab their things. He was, on record, the fastest being in Galiavan. Some of the Royal Soldiers had taken to calling Shane the 'Scardian Wind', due to his fleet feet and blinding agility and speed. The cold chill that runs along your back as you invade Scardia could simply be the chilly North Wind, or it could be the cold steel of a Scardian blade that parts your flesh before you realized your dead. The 'Scardian Wind' is someone to be weary of when challenging the Royal Empire.

'Hmp. Not even close. If I had my original form, I could run laps around you, boy' Everin replied.

"Sure, dutifully noted Everin." Shane replied, still giggling after shouldering their pack and headed further south towards Youris Port. He would be setting sail for Beijio soon.

'Shane. Why is it we are heading to Beijio anyhow?'

Shane's face was blank, and his next words came out easy and full of truth. "I don't know."

'Shane, you are as a court jester to me.'

Shane was taken back from the seemingly random acknowledgement from Everin. He blinked, looking up as if to see Everin hovering above his head, but was only greeted by the crisp blue skies overhead and the dance of gulls as their ship drew closer to Beijio. "Excuse me?" he asked softly, given he was alone yet again didn't want to look like he was crazy. He leaned against the mast, arms folded, his blade rattling upon his hip.

'An annoying being who gives me slight amusement, but still is most assuredly an annoyance.' Everin explained.

Shane, frowning nodded with lidded eyes. "Uh huh... thanks for the compliment." He says rolling his eyes. After he took a moment to sigh, he closes his eyes. "...why is that, Everin?" Shane begrudgingly asked, as he was sure he'd be told anyway.

'Well your actions are very against that of mortal practices. I like this, as it amuses me.'

Shane blinked. "...such as?" he asked, prodding the demon.

'You save this world, put it at peace, yet are determined not to embrace it. That old man offered you his daughter, to have a seat of mortal royalty. Yet, you gave it all up; working against that which all humans crave: stauts, power, wealth, love and sex....hmmm.... well I cannot say you haven't acted on all the seven deadly sins. You shelter envy, and lust in your heart.'

Shane, looking a little more furious now furrowed his brow. "What's that supposed to mean?" he said, raising his voice a little higher by accident.

'You throw all the earthly pleasures of man and prevent yourself from living the rest of your days a gallant king of a prosperous nation because you do not have her in your life. I know how you act when you see lovers, how your heart yearns to be with her. How you lust for her, even after she has already returned to the earth-'

"HOLD YOU'RE TONGUE!" he exclaimed, gripping his fists tightly, full on screaming which made one of the crew hands look at him strangely. Embarrassed, Shane cringes, scarlet rushing to his face. He could almost envision Everin smirk.

'Again, simply amusing, Shane.' he stated before adding: 'However, you abandon your current life, seeking out Beijio, with no idea or reason for being drawn there. Which is annoying...'

Shane sighed, then blinked, leaning back with a suspicious look upon his face as he folded his arms again, this time as if he found a child about to steal an apple from the market. "...Everin, you're hiding something from me. You know more about me being drawn to Beijio than you lead on, don't you?" he asked, somewhat in a playful accusation way.

'Perhaps I do. But allow me to be further amused before I answer you truthfully Shane, do you think in all worlds, in all matters of time, present or future, that you have a chance with your woman that passed? Do you believe that in some other fantasy, you and her are together, perhaps with a few mutts out on the green plains of Scardia, a little cottage to yourselves? Do you think that exists for you out there?'

Shane was confused by his rhetoric. "What are you getting at, Everin?" he asked raising a brow.

'Do you think in another existence, a dimension so to speak, worlds similar but different that your little love story has a happy ending?'

Shane still looked puzzled, but after a moment or two he answered truthfully, as he couldn't hide things from the demon regardless. "Statistically, it should be possible."

'Hmm... curious. You put man's terms into the thinking process of which that is completely above the realms of understood logic. Interesting... let me put it in this perspective then: What if Yamato's Curse was not the only curse you have? What if your fate has been predestined for you? That you cannot have what you seek, and if like you, all others have failed? What then?'

Shane, feeling a tad anxious and a bit unnerved rose a brow. "What are you trying to get at Everin? Is something bothering you?"

To this, Everin went silent. It was as if the demon prince was pushed from Shane's body and had left to seek console. Shane, blinking, another hint of anxiety in his tone as he thought Everin had finally 'left', spoke up: "Everin?"

'Nothing. There is nothing to speak of. As for the answer you seek, I wish not to answer; you now bore me.'

Shane shook his head, sighing heavily. "Aw c'mon! Don't do this to me man!"

Everin seemed to sigh inwardly. 'I am going to 'rest' so be sure not to get into trouble while I am. But I will leave you with this, if not to agonize you a little longer: the road we now face, will be vastly more perilous than anything we have either dealt with in any timeline. Sacrifices will be made, and there will be no escape...no third chances.' he then vanished, allowing himself to collect his own thoughts in privacy.

Shane blinked, feeling a cold chill run down his spine. "Everin?....Damn it..." Closing his eyes he sighs. He could sometimes not understand the creature which dwelled within him, rubbing his stubbly chin, he opens his blue eyes, looking at the grand city of Beijio on the horizon being drawn closer. If his fate lay there, and this new road is about to open, what will the strings of fate lead him to? He wondered this, and waits with bated breath as the ship corals itself in Beijio's Harbor...

_______________________________________________________________________-

Everin, while taking sanctuary within his own soul, thought about what Shane had said. Indeed, he was bothered by this event. In every other existence, all of the other 'Everin Faust' and 'Shane Highsworth' personalities had been snuffed out of existence as their lives were intertwined. However, something intervened in this existence. Now, Shane's lover is dead, and both Everin and Shane live. Out of all existences, they were the most powerful of the bunch; but he was certain... power was not the reason they live. Not directly, anyway. Something drew within that woman that fateful day to take up his blade, wield it with a pure touch, unaffected by Yamato's temptations. Once her form had done as she was needed, she was cast aside like the pawn she was all along. Cruel to be sure, but necessary for the scene to unfold for both Shane and himself. He had his suspicions over time, but now he was sure... their story was altered, but it's ending will remain the same. Of the three constants, one will die. But who will that be? Shane? The Girl? Or, will it be himself? To experience the 'void' fully after millennia of fleeing it. Despite his faith in his own power, he knew from his superior intellect that he cannot escape death's grasp forever. The thought of being cast aside and forgotten made him uneasy. He never produced an heir in this dimensional arc, and it was one of the duties he was preparing his future Queen, the Baroness, in the existence they were heading to now before his untimely demise. However, he knows from looking through the dimensional looking glass that her heart, ultimately belongs to another... a human.

The very thought of it makes his skin crawl...well in a 'manner of speaking', two very human phrases which amused him over the years with Shane. To be honest, his time with the mortal people was indeed academic, having spent more time on this plain with Shane than he had his entire existence in this dimension. Before, he had a concept of them as morally weak, as physically incapable, and metaphysically at a loss of ever becoming anything more than just maggots for the weaker masses to feed upon. To this many demons wondered why he would chose to devour the souls of demons rather than the mortal kin, his response was simple: "Do you eat the grass which the cow grazes upon? There is indeed trillions of blades of grass, but eating them directly has no effect. However, concentrated within the body of a large mass, the cow, you gain not only their accumulated power, but the energy it has stored over its lifetime as well. Compared to the short life mortals have to that of demons, it is easy to see that mortal power is something one should not seek, but instead towards the deeper recesses of which that makes demons themselves powerful."

His soul brightened. His very style was created in the execution of demons, his own energy devouring their existence with clean strikes and dimensional displacement between his 'other selves'. There will not be much of that these days as he is the last that remains. On a digressing state of affairs however, the demon prepared for the journey ahead of them. He would have to seek himself an heir, and the means which would keep himself and Shane alive. He will sacrifice the girl if it meant their prolonged survival, and it was through the three of them that some one's story will ultimately be drawn to a close.

It was do or die now.