A Unique Encounter

[belzee]

Gongaga village, a place that lies in the center of a forest just south of the Gold Saucer. It was once a prosperous town, now it's nothing but a pile of ruins. A man was roaming around here. The sun's rays reflected upon his azure hair. He stood at a height of 5"11". He slowly looked up at the sky with monstrous eyes of dirty yellow and blood stained pupils. He appeared to be wearing a leather vest, cargo pants, and a pair of arm gloves- where one was longer then the other. He used his left index finger and thumb to take hold of the the right glove and tug the end over his forearm. He then did the same with his left glove, only having tugged it over his bicep.

Just as he looked up, he slowly brought his eyes in front of him. A pack of wolves stood a few meters away. They were slowly approaching the figure. He moved his eyes to the side, having felt the presence of others just behind him. Soon the creatures sarrounded their prey. The man simply tilted his head to the side wondering if they wanted to die.

[onyveth]

Onyveth came through the clearing only to find the small village of Gongaga, now reduced to ruins after the explosion just a few years ago. It was hardly anything that she remembered anymore. Onyveth once lived here too with another foster family that decided to adopt her. Maybe if she didn't run away from them either, she would've met the same fate, she thought, as a horrible image of her foster family came to mind as they suffered. God, I hope they weren't here when the explosion happened, she prayed silently. It wasn't because she hated that family. It was more because they weren't her family...

She spotted a man in the rubble, with a pack of wolves approaching ever so slowly. He seemed big, tough even, or so Onyveth had percieved from the distance. But he didn't seem to be doing anything; just tilting his head -- what was going on through that head of his? Didn't he know danger when he saw it?

[glow=purple,2,300]"Hey!!"[/glow] Onyveth called out, as she took out her rattan sticks and charged towards the wolves that started to surround the man. She summoned a small ice spell, scaring away one of the wolves, but the rest of the pack kept their sights on their prey. Onyveth took an opposing stance besides the strange man as if willing to fight alongside him. [glow=purple,2,300]"You've got a deathwish or something? You do know wolves kill more people than Cacutars, right?"[/glow]

[belzee]

The man suddenly brought his head up and turned his eyes towards the stranger that called out to him. It was a young woman. She had long strands of raven-black hair with a slender physique. Her height seemed to be around five feet, perhaps five feet and four inches; otherwise it was five feet and five inches. She had a lightly tanned complexion and she wore bold clothing-a denim and tank top, including some bell bottom leg warmers. He watched as the young woman suddenly approach the pack of wolves and brought out what could only be presumed as Rattan sticks, or a pair of batons. He looked onwards as she then unleashed an ice spell and scared one of the wolves away.

His monstrous eyes gazed into her own eyes for a moment. Her eyes were cerulean-blue with a hint of green around them. This young woman had beautiful eyes but he couldn't say the same for his. She then stood beside him in a fighting stance, suddenly stating if he was asking for a deathwish, and quickly informing that wolves killed more people than cacutars. He didn't know what she was talking about. “What are cacutars?” he spoke out of curiosity in a calm yet deep voice. He turned to look at the opposition in front of him. If they killed people, that was enough of a reason for him to slaughter them.

He slowly brought his left arm over his back and took hold of something. There was a long momentary sound of friction. In one smooth motion he brought the object downwards pointing the tip towards the ground. It was a katana. The weapon was composed of some kind of special alloy with a diamond design on the hilt, including a brown strap and a red strip attached to the end. It was radiating the aura of mako. “So they do wish to meet their end,” he confirmed.

[onyveth]

[glow=purple,2,300]"A cactuar."[/glow] Onyveth repeated, giving a quizzical sideways glance at the man, quite astonished that he never of such a creature. Out of all the strange creatures she had encountered while travelling -- Garudas, Malboros, Tonberries, and Behemoths, Cactuars were her most hated creature of all.

[glow=purple,2,300]"...y'know, those little cactus-like thingies that would stalk you and kill you with a thousand needles or something..."[/glow] She explained. Onyveth wasn't exactly the perfect one to give out a detailed description, but then again there were other pressing matters at hand. Seeing him unsheath his long katana that emitted a strange glow, Onyveth averted all attention back at the wolves. Once again, another menacing creature to deal with, but she didn't intend on killing -- more like just scare them away so we can just deal with today.

One particular wolf snarled at her, bearing its sharp fangs, ready to pounce at her at any given moment, and Onyveth made sure not to lose eye contact with it. She wasn't intimidated. A little worried, but not intimidated. The wolf launched itself at her but Onyveth pointed her rattan stick towards the wolf and summoned a strong gravity-based spell, sending the wolf hurling over the opposite direction.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Hmph... stupid dog."[/glow] she smirked, tucking a bit of her hair behind her right ear as it obscured her sight.

[belzee]

The man slowly shook his head when she repeated the name of the creature. He still didn’t know what a cacutar was. However, when she mentioned needles and cactus, he quickly realized what she was talking about. His mind was suddenly struck by images of cacutars killing him off with thousands of needles. These were not his memories, they belonged to the dead. He did experience their last moments though even when they were just memories. Their screams, feelings, the last words they spoke before they had died, it was all in his mind.

Before the man was able to speak, a wolf quickly leaped forward towards her. He watched as she extended a rattan stick and unleashed a gravity-based spell. The gravity spell was powerful enough to force the wolf backwards crashing through the rough surface and into a large pile of rubble. There was no doubt in the man’s mind. This young woman was strong. “I understand now,” he stated as he slowly lifted his katana, aiming it towards the pack of wolves in his way. Suddenly the mako shrouding the blade was replaced by a purple aura.

The man then cocked the katana over his shoulder. “If I may,” he simply said as he extended his right arm towards the female and gently took hold of her hand. In one quick motion he launched her into the sky. He was attempting to increase her advantage over the situation by assisting her in covering a greater diameter of their battlefield. At the same time he dashed forward without any hesitation and came to a smoking halt a few inches away from one of the targets. During those few seconds, his monstrous eyes were fixed on the wolf in front of him. The wolf flinched backwards by the sight of what he was looking at face to face. The man then shot upwards like a bullet while swinging the blade in a vertical 360 degree rotation. This was followed by a purple explosion that blew the rest of the batch away. It was the same spell that the female had used and it appeared to be equivalent in power.

After, he turned his head to the side just enough to see the female a few meters behind him in the corner of his left eye. He wondered what she was going to do with the rest of the wolf pack. If she had this kind of power, why didn’t she kill the wolf awhile ago with that spell?

[onyveth]

Onyveth was about to taunt the other wolves to come after her, if it wasn't for the man who averted her attention. If you may what? she was about to inquire, raising an eyebrow. But no sooner than she realized, he grabbed a hold of her hand and hurled Onyveth at least five or six stories into the air. She couldn't help but give a slight squeal, not of frieght, nor of heights, but due to the speed it had taken for him to launch her upwards.

She felt a small gush of wind behind her, as if an explosion had occured as gravity started to take its toll. Onyveth somersaulted in mid-air, falling face-down, almost completely helpless as the battle took place on the ground. But then again what were materias for anyway? Concentrating hard, Onyveth released a strong ice spell on the pack that remained -- so strong, she felt a bit of her stamina wearing out. The ground was coming in rather fast with nothing but rubble to break her fall. She had hoped the man would be there to catch her, but instincts started to kick in and there wasn't any time to wait to get rescued. Onyveth casted another small gravity-based spell towards the ground, careful not to send herself hurling upwards towards the sky. Instead of crashing towards the ground turning into a human pancake, Onyveth repelled against the ground and crashed onto the man.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Umph... sorry... about that..." [/glow]

[belzee]

He watched as her powerful ice spell blew the entire remaining pack away. Impressive, he thought. Suddenly he saw her falling towards the ground. He slowly turned as if he wasn’t going to make it in time. But then he was going to launch himself forward, which was until he saw her come flying at him after producing a magic force against the ground to repel her from danger. What was he to do in this kind of situation? He hesitated for a moment motionlessly. Without much time to spare, he threw his katana to the side. What, he threw his katana to the side? what am I thinking, he thought. He should have sheathed it.

It was too late, as soon as he threw the katana away; the young lady crashed into him and hurled him through the air. He quickly placed his right hand over her head and his left forearm gently wrapped around her stomach. He kept her close to him as he turned and slid through the ground on his back like a weight board. Suddenly his head smashed onto a pile of rubble. His default expression disappeared for a moment and was replaced by a look of what appeared to be cringing pain. It only lasted for a couple of seconds before reverting to a default expression. There was a moment of silence as he slowly unwrapped his arms and tried to lift his torso off the ground. After this event, there would have been a major problem with his back.

[onyveth]

Onyveth tumbled to the ground, feeling the man wrap his arms around her; protecting her as she crashed into him. She started to feel uncomfortable being held this way. For one thing, it was an invasion of personal space. Another thing was for a moment his entire body weight nearly crushed her.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Sorry..."[/glow] she muttered apologetically again after noticing a painful look written across his face as she pulled away from him. She stood up and began to wobble a bit -- after using such a strong materia spell, it took up a lot of her energy. She was just surprised she still conscious! Looking on at the distance, she could see the pack of wolves running away.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Yeah! You'd better run!!"[/glow] she shouted, sheathing back her rattan sticks. This moment of victory was something to savor for the time being, and Onyveth couldn't help but smile.

[glow=purple,2,300]"We make one helluva team!"[/glow] she exclaimed, turning around and extending a hand in case he needed any help getting up. For once Onyveth took a good look at the man. He was tall. Very muscular. His azure-colored hair she had already spotted from the distance, but what really took her interests were his eyes: yellow-shaded with blood-stained pupils. An interesting combination, but one not quite so common, and began to wonder what sort of story lied behind them.

[belzee]

The man was glade that the young one wasn’t hurt. If he hadn’t done anything, he would have been the one feeling at fault seeing how he was the one that boosted her into the air. But, how could she still be so energetic. He just didn’t understand. As soon as he came to this place he was already encountering the unexpected. This truly was a weird world. He simply watched as she retracted her batons and smile. Her smile was so wide, why was it that he couldn’t do that. At that time he felt envious. Not just because of her beautiful eyes but also due to her wide smile.

Suddenly he came back into reality as he saw her look into his eyes. He quickly moved his eyes to the side. Was this fear he felt, the fear of being looked at as if he was a monster? That didn’t seem to be the matter though. How strange. He slowly brought his eyes back towards her as she extended an arm towards him. He slowly brought his left arm and gently took hold of her hand as he lifted himself up. “I guess…” He gave himself a boost with his right hand in order to lessen the strength required to stand up using his left hand. Once he stood up it appeared his vest was torn and his entire back was gashed. What is she, he thought to himself while looking at his back. He then brought his attention onto the ground. Instead of blood on the ground, it was mako in its liquid form. It continued to seep through his wounds.

“What am I,” he mumbled under his breath while he continued to stare at the ground which was now tainted with mako. He released the female’s hand and approached his katana. He slowly leaned his torso forward and took hold of the hilt. The sheath for his blade was not penetrated. He then proceeded by sheathing the katana and so relinquishing the aura of mako around it. He turned and walked towards her. He came to a halt and looked at her with that default expression of his. “Why did you do try to help me back there?” he spoke naively with somewhat of a raised eyebrow.

[onyveth]

Onyveth tried with all her might to pull him up as he took her offered hand. Her smile slowly waned as she got the distinct feeling that he was trying to avoid her gaze. Was it that embarrassing, she thought. To be helped and aided by the mere likes of her, a teenage girl? While he himself seemed capable to handle the situation on his own? Maybe. Perhaps. She dusted off her shoulder as he released her hand. She heard him mumble something under his breath. Something inaudible and she could only assume it was something about her. His sudden question inquiring her reasons for lending him a hand fending off a pack of wolves was almost insulting. Clearly his attitude seemed to have confirmed her thoughts.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Because,"[/glow] she began as she crossed her arms. [glow=purple,2,300]"... it was the right thing to do. If you came across a person facing numerous pack of... of cactuars, for instance! Wouldn't you at least help?"[/glow]
It was more of a rhetorical question, but Onyveth was quite intrigued what his answer would be, if any. She traced the edge of her rattan stick with her thumb as it remained sheathed on her right strap and then added, realizing they had never exchanged each others names yet.

[glow=purple,2,300]"I'm Onyveth by the way. Or just plain Ony for short. And you are... bleeding!"[/glow] She trailed off, spotting the droplets of what was supposed to be crimson blood replaced by something... else...

[belzee]

This rhetorical question was something that left him gazing at the sky for a moment. “Would I?” It appeared he was questioning himself as well. Not only did he not know himself, but also whether or not he would have assisted that in need. He continued to stare blankly up at the sky with that default facial expression of his. He suddenly brought his eyes down, however, not his head. “You’re not… afraid of my hideous eyes?” He asked in somewhat of a surprised tone.

Suddenly she told him her name. It was Onyveth. The man simply tilted his head to the side before looking down after he was asked for his name. “I... don’t know who I am…” He spoke with truth in his tone while he stared blankly at the rough ground. “Or where I came from…” It was amusing yet sad. He couldn’t answer even the basic of questions.

When he slowly looked up, he realized that she was looking at his wound. It continued to drip with the substance of mako. He turned his head just enough to see it in the corner of his eye. The greenish-blue substance continued to trace over his back and pour onto the ground. Why did he have mako contained in his body and everyone else around him had a red substance called blood. “Mako,” he simply stated. “It is what circulates throughout my entire body.” He touched his back with the right index finger and showed Onyveth the mako smothered on it.

“Am I… some kind of monster like… those wolves?” He didn’t expect her to answer it, but awaited her anyway while he looked at the mako with a hint of sadness across his face, which he didn’t realize. He brought his arm down. The mako traced his finger tip and fell like blood droplets. He looked at her and struggled to put on a smile. Truly, he never did smile before. “No matter, I’m glade I was able to protect your well being towards the end though.”

[onyveth]

Onyveth was lost for words. She couldn't turn her gaze away from the blood... no, mako. So that was what it was. The blood of the Planet, or so she heard from all the protest from an anti-ShinRa rebel group a couple years ago. But in this case, it seemed to run through the veins of this man instead. It was strange. Maybe he was some kind of monster, like he said. Somehow, she couldn't help but pity him. Onyveth wouldn't dare say that out loud, but that was how she truly felt. She understood what it was like -- always searching, never knowing. But to not know even the basics of ones identity...well, Onyveth considered herself a little lucky, and realized how much she and the man had in common as she too struggled to find her origins and a purpose in this world. His attempt to smile brought her back to reality. She shook her head, casting away any negativity and doubt that crept to the back of her mind. He saved her. Tried to protect her. Monsters wouldn't do that.

[glow=purple,2,300]"I'm more concerned of your wound than the color of your eyes right about now! Now hold still. This might sting a little..."[/glow] She walked over behind him, examining the wound. Mako seeped through the large gash. This wasn't normal. She took out a cure materia and clutched it tightly on her left hand, placing the other over the wound. Murmuring the incantation under her breath, a faint glow of light formed in the palm of her right hand, soothing the wound, slowly closing itself up. Onyveth felt herself grow a little weaker, and a little lightheaded than usual due to the number of spells she had conjured up recently. Right there and then, Onyveth silently promised herself no more spells. At least, for a while.

[glow=purple,2,300]"There... that should do it. Can't say the same for your vest though. But... seriously. You don't know your own name?" [/glow]she asked, trying not to be judgmental. She was just curious. How in the world could anyone get by without a name?

[belzee]

The man’s effort smile soon faded away when she shook her head. He felt somewhat depressed. He couldn’t intently make a smile. “I’m sorry if I’m unsuccessful in making what is called a…” he pondered for a minute. “A smile, I think it was,” stated embarrassingly. He sighed. Perhaps it was a bad idea for him to even try and put it on. He gazed onto the ground for a moment. Suddenly he brought his head up when the lady told him that she was more concerned about his wound than his eyes. “You’re not afraid?” he repeated in disbelief of what she had just said. However, when he was about to turn his head, he felt her do something on his back. She was holding something that was glowing very brightly.

After, she appeared somewhat fatigued. How was he supposed to act in this kind of situation? The lady spoke once again, telling him that everything was all better, except she couldn’t say the same for his vest. She was right. He looked behind him and saw that the wounds were gone. “I’ve seen this once. I never thought I would see it again.” It was actually a long time since he got hurt. It was awhile since he saw restoring magic like that. His first time seeing this was just when he had left the traveling group. There was a mountain landslide and he was caught in it. Although it was gruesome, he still made it through with the help of an elderly that had come from a place called Cosmo Canyon.

He quickly came back to reality. “That’s alright I’ll find a tailor.” She then asked if he really didn’t know his own name. He didn’t turn to face her; instead he scratched the left temple of his head. “I honestly don’t know… I was discovered lying around the falls beyond the mountains close to a place called Fort Condor. Those who found me were a group of travelers. They had told me the story. That’s as far as I can think of.”

[onyveth]

Onyveth rolled her eyes, smirking as the azure-haired man asked once more if she wasn't afraid. She didn't answer, instead she just gave a look as if saying of course not! As far as she was concerned, there were a lot more things that bothered her than men with maroon-stained eyes who bled out mako. Like cactuars for instance. They were the real threat, according to her.

[glow=purple,2,300]"Discovered?"[/glow] She blinked hard, bewilderd with what she was hearing. It was more astonishing than the fact he didn't know what a smile was called. She pocketed the materia and walked over to face him, gazing at him in wonder.

[glow=purple,2,300]"So, let me get this straight: you don't know who you are. You don't know where you came from. And you were found a little way further from Fort Condor. You got amnesia or something?"[/glow] she said, thinking out loud. It was sort of strange and probably unlikely, but it was the only one that made sense, at least to her.

[glow=purple,2,300]"What are you doing here in Gongaga anyways?"[/glow]

[belzee]

When she came around him and looked at him face to face, his eyes moved away. He wasn’t use to people looking at his face in such a close distance. No one had ever approached him this close before. So it was only understandable that he would react by turning his eyes away. He brought his hand to his side and listened intently to what she was saying.

She attempted to interpret what he had just said awhile ago about having been discovered by a group of travelers. Suddenly she began to ask questions. They were direct questions-she was very bold to do that. Amnesia, he thought during a moment of silence. “So this is the name of the place,” he said in satisfaction of knowing where he was. “I was just passing by and hoping that perhaps someone may know me…” He trailed off. Something was disturbing him.

The man motioned his eyes to his left, then towards his right, and over the young girl. He slowly brought his right hand over his shoulder and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his katana. Based on his appearance, it would have been easy to tell that he sensed something. Then suddenly the sounds of howling covered the sky. A swarm of wolves stared down from the peaks of rubble. In mere seconds all the paths were blocked as well by other wolves. Those that followed behind were bandits. It appeared that allowing the wolves to escape from awhile ago was not something he should have allowed.

“I hope you’re capable of fighting, if not, seek refuge,” he completely stated in a firm tone with his eyes starring off in the distance. It was as though his persona had changed immediately. The sky was covered by the sounds of howling once again. Without any hesitation, three wolves came leaping at once towards them, including an array of fireballs (Fire lvl. 2) from all sides which were cast by some of the bandits.

The man’s pupils sharpened after he unsheathed his katana’s hilt by an inch. There was a sense of sure death being radiated from his body. He was going to finish this once and for all. He looked on with a default expression and tiger-like eyes.