(ZIDANE) Double Game

[Vincent Valentine]

The moonlight, so soft and enrapturing in this world that seemed enshrouded forever in lunar light over the darkness. In the river of time's stream it seemed to remain embedded in stillness, with silhouettes falling and rising as the earth and moon did their celestial dance. To Vincent Valentine the landscape seemed to tug gently at his memories the most of a similar serene landscape with white trees, but where it was he could not recall. So far it had been the most nostalgic place he had come across in his travels, not having yet crossed over into the neutral territory and into the land of discord. If he kept moving in his remote isolation, perhaps he could find a few more places that would bring back more of his memories, recollections that he felt had been lost since being summoned like a personal void of emptiness within his own heart.

Raven black hair darker than the violet twilight heavens above him swayed along with the tattered ends of his cape, pulling the cloak around his body more as the cold night air whistled through the surrounding rock faces. His golden boots crunched over loose rock and gravel, not seeing or sensing anyone in sight just yet to veil his presence from. Perhaps that was a fortunate thing, as he had come across neither warrior of either of the gods that had summoned his presence here. He had not answered the call, but something deep inside him told of a truth of those presences that were higher than any other mere mortal he had come across. He himself was only half-mortal, but only because of the horrific memory of waking up to a body that was not his own, for Minerva's sake. An uncompromising chill ran up his spine as his heart began to quicken at the thought, but chose to muffle and shut away the memory he did not wish to ever recall again.

The fact his Turk uniform had been replaced with this demonic-looking attire was the only physical evidence that proved his body had undergone a physical change, and the youthful-looking man discarded that as his last thought of his final memories. If he could find more about this world and the conflict he had no wish to take part of, perhaps he could find a way to retain his normal self and find a way back home to reclaim his lost memories. The world he had awoken in definitely was not the Shinra Manor basement he had purposely sealed himself in, and if it were not for being summoned in this world which caused his awakening he would have indefinitely punished himself forever for what he had done. And not only for the sins he had committed, but for the way they had hurt the one he had cared for the most. Inadvertently or not, he had to atone for what he had done. Feeling strong presences in this world that felt foreign yet strangely familiar to him, it had brought him out of his self-inflicted prison in order to do so. As the white lunar light darkened his deathly pale skin of his face, crimson eyes looked out towards the horizon as he stood on a cliff to navigate his next destination. A black gloved hand folded over his golden gauntlet on the other, and he wondered to himself what was to become of him.

For what I have done and punished myself for... maybe it isn't worth trying to make up for sins I'll never be forgiven for.

[Zidane]

With each step he took strolling through the seemingly eternal night coated terrain there was the soft sounds of splashing echoing from one foot to another. Walking through the small ravine with his tail up in the air swaying from side to side slightly, the genome looked at all angles of the area, taken in by the beauty of the scenery all around him. The soft luminescent glow of the light gave him a faint feeling of home - remembering only the blue light that glowed as soft as it did in this territory.

Another reminder, another fact that kept him driven to keep moving no matter how lonely the road he was traveling on might get. If he wanted to see his friends again - to return back to the place promised in his early days - then he'd have to keep walking down the path, leading him closer and closer to what he desired. Until it was almost within arm's reach.

His crystal blue eyes peered up above to the endless sky above. A sea of stars hovered over Zidane which helped calm him down. It was a beautiful evening - it was a shame that he had to share it all by his lonesome self. It was the kind of night he'd most certainly love to share with a significant other. The thought tittered through his mind, tugging at the loneliness that already wrapped itself around his wavering heart. How much longer before this isolated feeling disappears completely? He didn't like being alone, but perhaps it was better than to walk into enemy territory.

Zidane paused in his tracks. His train of thoughts put on abrupt hold as soon as his crystal blue eyes peered over to another human being in sight. He nearly mistook Vincent as a figment of his imagination for second, before he realized that the man was real. "Evening," he greeted, in his usual casual tone. He waited for a reply, confirming that he wasn't going insane, and seeing figments of imagination.

[Vincent Valentine]

No. He wouldn't try to have his sins forgiven, and he deserved to be punished. There was no doubt that part of the physical blame were the scientists in his memories, but it was just as equally his fault for not stopping it under his supervision. He would not try to selfishly find atonement, to expect to be so easily accepted back into the arms of his lost love. She could not feel anything for him but shame and guilt, and she would forever forsake him from her life. But if he could make things right, it would be showing this world what it could be ideal as the tranquil landscape laid out before him.

There was movement behind him, but the gunman did not turn around when he sensed the disturbance in the wind. Until he heard the sound of a blade being drawn or a spell being fired, he was just a cautious bystander in this war. A warrior was not a warrior until combat was engaged, but he sensed this intruder was not looking to make a sneak attack as he heard the sound of boots splashing from the echoes through the lunar ravine. It was later confirmed when the figure called out to him in greeting, and it appeared to him he was the friendly type. But he was also the enemy, but even if he wasn't Vincent did not turn to face him and greet him back equally in response.

Vincent was still the strong and silent type he had been from his days as a Turk, but now the events that had made him into the aloof and unsociable man he was in this conflict were all that remained of his fragmented memories. His heart had closed from the harshness and cruelty of the world around him, and it would remain so to this stranger until he had to come through doing what was justified when it mattered. At first, he did not turn to greet the voice of the newcomer as he remained as still as a statue. He looked out upon the umbral landscape blanketed in gentle lunar light before him, to enjoy his solace for one final moment.

Then he spoke out in a deep, low voice without turning around to face his acquaintance. "What is Cosmos attempting to do?" he asked the warrior of harmony. Blunt, and straight to the point he came with his question as he slowly turned to face the voice in the night. In the vision of his crimson eyes came the vision of a short male, dirty blond hair with blue eyes and a tail. Curious, for as far as he knew he was the only male who was genetically enhanced. He disregard that as he looked to the stranger for an answer, most likely not getting a direct response but willing to try to get answers regardless.