Chapter 29: Sephiroth and Jenova

"A special simulation?"

"Yeah. Apparently, they’ve upgraded the SOLDIER simulation, and they want you to be the one to test it out, Sephiroth."

A while back, Rufus had mentioned his intention to prepare a dedicated simulation for my training. Lately, my only sparring partner had been Zack, and though I’ve found that quite enjoyable, things were changing.

Before I knew it, the simulator had become the exclusive domain of Zack and myself.

Though originally designed for the SOLDIER department, the unit we used was constantly being modified and overhauled until it reached a level of extreme difficulty. At Rufus’s request, the Science Division and the Advanced Weaponry Division updated the programs daily to ensure my skills never grew dull. As a result, it became impossible for even a 2nd Class SOLDIER to clear, effectively making it a custom machine for Zack and me.

Grinning, Zack pushed me by the shoulder, ushering me along. When we entered the training room where the simulator was housed, two unexpected figures were waiting—people who rarely set foot in such a place.

It was Rufus and Chadley from the Science Division.

It was an unlikely pair to see together. Before I could voice the sense of unease I felt, Rufus spoke up with an amused tone.

"Forgive me, Sephiroth. I’ve prepared a small surprise. This time, with the cooperation of young Chadley from the Science Division, I’ve decided to have you undergo a specialized simulation."

"Master Sephiroth, I look forward to working with you today."

Chadley bowed to me with an innocent expression. Rufus watched the scene with a smirk.

"What’s wrong? Why not show a little 'fan service' to the youth who admires you so much?"

"Rufus, you’re doing this on purpose."

I simply do not have pleasant memories of the Science Division—or more specifically, of scientists in general. I felt it was childish to avoid the boy for such a reason, yet for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to be at ease around Chadley.

"My apologies. It’s just that... I don’t have many fond memories of the Science Division."

"No, I understand your distaste for Professor Hojo. To be honest, the other SOLDIERs avoid him too. But please, keep that between us," Chadley said with a wry smile, placing a finger to his lips.

By all accounts, he was a pleasant boy—polite and seemingly out of place in a den like the Science Division. I couldn’t help but wonder: if I found Hojo so repulsive, who exactly was this boy who had managed to find favor with him? As if sensing my question, Rufus spoke.

"Chadley is a cyborg created by Professor Hojo. Oh, don’t tell a soul—it’s strictly classified."

"A cyborg?"

"He only just told me, too! But he doesn’t look like one at all, does he? Even when you shake his hand, it’s soft and warm. He looks completely human to me," Zack added brightly, reaching out to ruffle Chadley’s hair.

"Wh—Wait, Zack! Please stop that!"

"Haha, sorry, sorry! Your head is just at such a perfect height for patting."

Zack likely sensed my discomfort toward Chadley. I could tell he was acting intentionally cheerful to help me soften my stance. I couldn't keep letting my junior look out for me like this; I needed to settle these restless feelings eventually.

"Master Sephiroth, I understand how you feel about Professor Hojo," Chadley said.

"It’s about your birth. Though, I imagine you’ve had your suspicions," Rufus added.

In Rufus’s hand was a small folder of documents. In this age, almost all mission briefings are handled via digital terminals, yet these seemed to be physical records—the kind strictly forbidden from being removed from the archives.

"This is everything I’ve uncovered regarding your birth, using my internal collaborators and the Turks. It contains records of both your father and your mother."

"You’re giving that to me?"

"I’d like to say yes... but I went through a great deal of trouble to obtain this. If you want it, clear the simulation."

"So give it your all, Sephiroth! I helped with the calibrations, and I’m telling you, this is the toughest one yet. Be ready for a fight!"

With those words, Rufus and Zack left the training room. I was left behind, my mind struggling to keep up with the sudden turn of events, standing there with Chadley, who likely knew the whole truth.

"May I ask you something?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Your creator is Hojo. In a sense, he is a father to you. Do you not... resent that?"

Chadley looked slightly surprised by my question. However, his expression quickly shifted into a gentle smile as he answered. Despite being a boy, he exuded a strangely mature aura.

"I don’t mind it at all. It is thanks to the Professor creating me that I was able to meet such wonderful people. I’ve met so many, and I am enjoying my life."

"I see. It seems you are much stronger than I am."

I despise my father, Hojo, and I know my mother only by name. There are times when I don't know if the life I am living is one of joy or suffering. I lost Genesis and Angeal, and I met Rufus and Zack. Through a cycle of meetings and partings, I have been searching for the meaning of my birth—a reason for my existence. And yet, this boy before me, who shares a creator with me, is far stronger than I.

"Through meeting people like Mr. Cloud and Ms. Elena, I’ve learned to enjoy life. I’m certain there are people who care for you just as much, Master Sephiroth."

"Yes... perhaps you’re right."

Rufus, Zack, and the SOLDIERs who look up to me—they likely do care for me. Yet, a part of my heart remains skeptical. I fear they might leave me behind, just like the mother I only know as a name.

"Now, shall we begin the simulation? Many people helped prepare this just for today."

Right. I should focus on the simulation for now. Rufus likely saw right through the darkness I was harboring. This simulation—and the "bait" offered as a prize—was his way of helping me dispel it.

"No use brooding over it... I suppose in times like these, the best thing is to move my body."

"Oh, you’re quick to change your mindset."

"I’m just taking a page out of my junior's book. No matter how much I shoot him down, he uses that logic to pester me for training. I might as well try it for myself today."

Now then—this high-difficulty simulation that Rufus and Zack had a hand in. I wonder what they’ve thrown at me...

"Hey, are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I believe this is what Sephiroth needs right now."

When the possibility of Jenova turning against humanity was discussed, Cloud was the one who proposed this plan.

"Rather than starting as enemies, it would be much more reassuring to have Sephiroth as an ally."

"What is this? Some kind of atonement for Lucrecia? I really hate being dragged into this," I complained.

"Now, now, Lady Scarlet, let’s trust Cloud-senpai! Everyone cooperated because he decided it was necessary. I’m sure it’ll be a success!"

While I couldn't help but perceive Sephiroth as a potential enemy, Cloud’s proposal was to reveal the secrets of his birth and bring him to our side. Since we’ve shared all data regarding Jenova with Rufus, we can certainly explain it without any misunderstandings.

But originally, my plan was just to prevent Sephiroth from coming into contact with Jenova. I had trained Cloud, Vincent, and Elena specifically for the inevitable battle against Sephiroth. Yet, Cloud spoke up, insisting there was something we could do before it came to blows. He even went so far as to seek cooperation from Rufus and even that man, Hojo. Things have escalated far beyond my control.

Ever since I was reincarnated into this world as the villainess Scarlet, I’ve tried to use everything at my disposal to avoid my own tragic future. Sure, I wanted Cloud close because he was the protagonist I admired in the game, but the original goal was to have him fight Sephiroth. However, my presence as an anomaly is changing everything.

The story of FF7 has shifted. There’s no chance of Cloud being a 'former SOLDIER' involved in a Mako Reactor bombing anymore. Perhaps I was arrogant, thinking my knowledge of the original game meant I could control everything.

But the people in this world are alive. They do what they can every day, and Shinra has continued to change because of it.

Fine. I’ll just have to commit to this.

"Alright, I get it. Everyone’s on board with Cloud’s plan. I can’t believe you guys went behind my back and did all the legwork with Rufus and Hojo before talking to me."

"I am very sorry."

"Well, I’m the one who taught you how to do that. As your boss, I suppose I should be happy to see your growth, but still..."

"Don't be so hard on him. Cloud used to be stuck to your side, but now he’s standing on his own. You should be happy for him as a supervisor," Vincent added.

"Cloud-senpai worked incredibly hard! I was helping him the whole time, so I know. And it was all for your sake, Lady Scarlet!!"

Vincent and Elena both jumped to his defense. It’s true that Cloud’s independence is a good thing, but it leaves me with complicated feelings.

"Sigh... fine. Let's put Sephiroth aside for a moment and talk about Jenova. Elena!"

"Yes! There’s a discrepancy between the amount of Mako drawn from the Nibelheim Mako Reactor and the Mako converted into energy. The Urban Development Division believes the chance of a leak is low.."

"My turn then," Vincent spoke up. "Regarding the remnants of Avalanche scattered across the regions: they haven’t shown much major activity, but we’ve lost the trail of the warriors suspected of being implanted with the G-cells Hollander leaked. According to info from the Turks undercover, those individuals suddenly deserted Avalanche and vanished."

In other words, someone is siphoning Mako from the Nibelheim Reactor. And the ones implanted with Jenova cells—the failed experiments who were with Avalanche—have gone missing.

They got us. I was so focused on Sephiroth, and since we were handling the Avalanche terror threats effectively, I underestimated the danger of Hollander joining them.

"That Jenova... she’s not using our SOLDIERs, she’s manipulating those failed SOLDIERs from Avalanche."

"I checked with the employees managing the Shinra Manor, and no suspicious individuals have entered the village. However, my childhood friend who guides people up Mt. Nibel reported seeing suspicious shadows in the mountains. It seems they aren't going through the village, but taking paths that are normally impassable to reach the reactor."

"Even if they're failures, they’re still terrorists who were turned into SOLDIERs through Mako exposure. A mountain climb is nothing compared to fighting monsters."

They are definitely being controlled by Jenova. And they’re moving cautiously so as not to be noticed. The Urban Development staff inspecting the reactor didn't notice a thing; we only caught it because Reeve spotted the numerical anomaly in the Reactor.

"So, what's the word from the higher-ups?"

"For now, the official stance is that there’s a high probability of an Avalanche remnant terror attack at the Nibelheim Mako Reactor. To settle the situation, SOLDIER, the Turks, and our department are being deployed."

Normally, SOLDIER and the Turks would be enough for an Avalanche case, but I’ve coordinated with Rufus regarding Jenova’s involvement behind the scenes. We’re going to eliminate Jenova without the company finding out. That’s why it looks like overkill, but we’re sending in our experimental units as well.

"Still, I’m surprised that sample-maniac Hojo was willing to let go of Jenova. Did you do something, Cloud?"

"No. According to Professor Hojo, for the mass production of SOLDIERs, the cells from the main Jenova body are no longer necessary."

That’s right—they’ve already seen results from mass-producing simplified SOLDIERs using cells from Sephiroth and Angeal. If Hojo, who was so obsessed with Jenova, is letting it go, perhaps his obsession wasn't with Jenova itself, but with Sephiroth. Now that Sephiroth is "complete," Jenova is obsolete to him...

"If only that man could act a bit more like a father, we wouldn't have to go through all this trouble."

"Expecting anything other than a scientist from that man is a mistake."

"Sigh, I suppose you’re right. Listen up, everyone. This is the turning point. Make sure you come back alive."

Author's Note:

We are gradually drawing closer to Jenova.

After I mentioned the heat in my last post, I received so many great tips on how to handle it in the comments! I’m going to do my best to survive the summer!

...Or so I thought, until water started leaking from my apartment ceiling. After the "fire" (the heat), now comes the water hazard.

Anyway, while it won't be in the very next chapter, Tifa will be appearing eventually, along with several other characters. Just a little announcement for you all!