Mission from Hell [M]

Tseng turned his gun back on Reno. "He's a lost cause, Reno. The choice now is whether you join him or return to us... to me."

Reno closed his eyes, it was taking all his energy just to convince himself to keep breathing steadily at this point. "I'm fucked no matter what I do, Tseng," he replied, not turning. "If I go with you then I betray my husband. If I don't then I betray the only other person in this world that I care about."

He finally turned, looking at Tseng. "He has a death wish - I should have known it from the second he walked into Seph's tent." He swallowed, visibly upset. "The least I can do is retain a few moments of hope that I'm not losing him again... before I lose him forever."

He turned back, his eyes fixated on Genesis again. "I'm not asking for much," he said, more quietly now. "We both have to stay here anyway. At least grant me the right to watch my husband die."

"He's degrading, Reno." Tseng said softly, almost sadly. "Genesis' project was deemed a failer. I doubt you want to see what will happen to him."


He could see that Sephiroth was having an issue with killing a friend, Tseng had no such qualms. "If you wish it, I will shoot him here and now." He said to Reno but loud enough for the others to hear, including Seph.

Tseng's words cut home - he knew that his boss was right, and everything fell into place.

"We'd have had more time together," he said, crossing his arms almost defiantly. "I could have been there for him, and I would have been gladly." He closed his eyes, trying to will away the tears. "Don't shoot him - it's not how he wants to go. Let him fight... let him die with some dignity."

His last plea he knew Tseng would understand - both as being Wutain, and a TURK.

"As you wish, General." Tseng said and turned back to Reno. "Don't give me a lecture about honour and dignity, Reno. You left what little you had left behind when you betrayed the company.

"I wasn't lecturing you," he replied, voice barely above a whisper. "I was begging you... Like you said, it's not like I have any dignity left to be bruised by doing the one thing I swore I never would."

His shoulders tensed more, physically closing in on himself as much as he was emotionally. This wasn't what he wanted, this wasn't how it was meant to happen. The only thing he feared was to be completely alone... and at that moment he felt truly abandoned by everything.

It felt as though the blade had pierced his heart too, and it took all the strength for him to not fall to his knees as he felt his entire body go weak. He had seen thousands of deaths, been the orchestrator of many more grisly and yet as he stood there he could feel the bile creeping up his throat.

Not knowing what he was doing, and not caring of the consequences, Reno went to Gen's side, kneeling and carefully resting his head on his lap, gently stroking his hair. "It's not your fault," he whispered, looking up at Seph through tear-filled eyes. "You did what he asked of you..." He leant down and kissed his husband's forehead. "It was a mercy, not a murder."

He looked over his shoulder at Tseng, completely defeated. "You win," he said softly. "ShinRa is all I have again..."

Tseng narrowed his eyes slightly as Reno left him and he put his gun away again. "We'll take him back to HQ, the President will want proof of his death." He said and looked at Reno. "You can come with us willingly or you can chose the hard way, you know the drill." He said and turned to talk to one of the head locals who was watching them.

"Even if I chose the hard way, you wouldn't kill me," he muttered, not leaving Genesis. "Just wound me enough to make it easier to bring me in, and I'd rather avoid a bullet."

He was completely numb, not caring if his words bought him punishment - losing his love was punishment enough for anything he would ever do.

He drew Genesis closer, not able to let go of him. Not yet. Not now.

((Now... in Lifestream land... <3 I mean you didn't really think I was gone, did you? ;D))

"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end
The goddess descends from the sky
Wings of light and dark spread afar
She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting

Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess
We seek it thus, and take to the sky
Ripples form on the water's surface
The wandering soul knows no rest.

There is no hate, only joy
For you are beloved by the goddess
Hero of the dawn, Healer of worlds
Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul
Pride is lost
Wings stripped away, the end is nigh

My friend, do you fly away now?
To a world that abhors you and I?
All that awaits you is a somber morrow
No matter where the winds may blow
My friend, your desire
Is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess
Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return

My friend, the fates are cruel
There are no dreams, no honor remains
The arrow has left the bow of the goddess
My soul, corrupted by vengeance
Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey
In my own salvation
And your eternal slumber
Legend shall speak
Of sacrifice at world's end
The wind sails over the water's surface
Quietly, but surely

Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return
To become the dew that quenches the land
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee this silent sacrifice"

"Genesis."

A female voice rang through his ears, and suddenly the darkness became a blinding light. He opened his eyes and looked upon a face he had only seen in dreams. He looked upon the face of the Goddess.

((yeah guys I'm gonna randomly jump in here to keep you updated on Genesis in the lifestream XD))

Zack let out a breath.
Everything had moved beyond his control and he had indeed stepped back.
He looked to Reno apologetically, he had wanted to end this a different way.
He also didn't know what to say without hurting someone.
"I'll... um be." he motioned walking away from the scene.

Zack wanted Reno to have his moment, he also wanted to gather his thoughts.
He understood in a way, he would die for Seph, he had those same feelings.
But at the same time he would be logical about it. It was one thing he was still learning.


[wooo yay thx work for making me miss most of this -.-]

Tseng eyed Reno carefully and turned to follow Seph. "Bring him with you, Reno." He said gently, not ordering him this time, as he walked off, knowing the red head would follow him at his own pace.

It took several moments for Reno to register what Tseng had said, and several more for him to find the will to move. Carefully he scooped Genesis into his arms, proving that his lithe frame hid more strength than many would ever be able to tell.

"You should have told me," he murmured. "I promised you..." His voice broke. "I meant that promise..."

Reno lapsed into silence again as he stepped into the chopper, carefully resting Genesis' body on the floor, pulling him into his arms again. He didn't care that he was soaked with blood, or that his husband was turning cold... He still couldn't let go.

He didn't look at the others, he didn't say anything to them - he knew they were just doing their job but he couldn't help but despise them for it, for their part in it. Even if it was what Genesis had wanted...

... It wasn't what Reno had wanted.