Post by Sephiroth du Lac on Apr 29, 2010 20:45:33 GMT -6
“We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.”
- Charles R. Swindoll
- Charles R. Swindoll
*The camera falls on a long country road hidden deep in the hollows of the New York countryside. Away from the bustling metropolis of New York City, hidden deep in the roving green forests and fields, the road stands silent as a gentle morning mist begins to come from the ground. The long gravel path seems dim in the morning light as a single figure moves closely in the fog. His cane clicks upon the gravel as he walks forward out of the mist. His long black, cloak like coat draped about his person. His poet shirt made of fine clean linen glows with the light of the still shining moon as his tights are the collar of the early morning night around him. He walks with purpose with a gilded belt glistening upon his shoulder. The figure is that of Sephiroth du Lac and he walks slowly up the road. His face emotionless, focused on the road ahead. Suddenly, like so many times before, we hear him talking to us as he walks the long road in the misty fog.*
Seph (Voice Over): How long have these steps walked this path? It's footfalls are as familiar to me as a beloved childhood memory. It's winding way, it's landmarks, even it's perils are second nature to me now. Every tree I have watched grow from a sapling. Every bush from the tiniest seed. Do you know what it is like, Doc? To know every detail? To see every aspect of something start from beginning to end? I have seen empires rise and fall. I have witnessed the fall of heroes and the rise of the meek to the strong. I have witnessed events so insignificant and small that they could hardly be said to occur at all. What manner of man are you that you could compare to me? You are no more a threat to me then an insect on this road.
*A lone caterpillar crawls and scrambles across the road only to be squashed under Sephiroth's cane as he begins the long walk down the road. At length a wall of brick covered in creeping ivy appears in the mist to the right of the trail. Seph smiles as he sees it, his smile twisted onto his face as he slowly walks further down the path. His face stern and unmoving.*
Seph (Voice Over): These walls hold something far greater then mere shrubbery and trees, you see this path is made by those who are dead.
*Finally Seph sees the chained gate, massive iron gates that remained chained and padlocked. Seph makes his way to the gate and peers in as he leans on the gates. His face twisted in a smirk*
Seph (Voice Over): And the dead keep it.
*Seph grips the lock and pulls hard snapping it in two. He opens the gates with a sudden shove and smirks silently as he steps upon the small path that leads deep among the dead. As he walks the rows upon rows of the fallen he notes each name as he passes. His eyes passing from gravestone to gravestone remembering the fallen and honored dead.*
Seph (voice over): Where we tread now, is sacred ground. To me this is walking amongst old friends. Old faces who are gone and I will never see again. Michael Grant, beloved friend. Born 1837- Died 1926 in the prime of life. A skilled man in the ancient art of necromancy. Sara Parell, beloved daughter. Born 1872-1890. A bit temperamental but a fine lass. Her mother and father deserved what they got. Ah, Saladin Amere, a converted Assamite. A dear friend and a gifted assassin. Cunning and ruthless he dispatched his foes quickly. He died in 1910 protecting my life instead of taking one. What do these people have in common with you, Doc? What possible connection could you have with such people? I will tell you. There all dead. As you are, dear Doc. You just don't know it yet. You see I don't care about your little pity party. Nobody loves me. Nobody thinks I can win. Grow the f*ck up! But in the end maybe it's good you doubt yourself? Maybe it's good you realize your inferiority? Because all that is going to be waiting for you at a Night to remember is not victory, is not a shiny belt for you, only pain and humiliation. Because I'll be damned if you take this belt from me. Because I'm sick of your self reflection. I'm sick of you embarrassing yourself to me week in and week out. But most of all... and pay attention this is important. I am sick of YOU!
*Seph continues walking through the graveyard again saying nothing. He passes by Cleo's crypt, the pyramid shaped tomb that houses the half a dozen incarnations of Cleo that Seph has known over the years. His eyes wander to that of his brother Sothren's grave site. The earth still turned upward where he crawled out of his own grave. Seph could only smile at the fact he put him there. Suddenly the path sharply turned and Seph found himself walking into a part of the graveyard he knew all too well. He stopped before a double grave and dropped down to a knee. The stone epitaph was simple...
Dante Darius du Lac,
Tobias James du Lac,
Beloved sons,
Born: October 29th, 1998- Died January 20th 1999
"Robbed from us before life had begun"
Tobias James du Lac,
Beloved sons,
Born: October 29th, 1998- Died January 20th 1999
"Robbed from us before life had begun"
... Seph reached into his coat and pulled out two small toy cars. He placed them on the grave and ran his hand along the gravestone.*
Seph: Have you ever buried your child, Doc? Have you ever buried a wife? A lover? A brother? A sister? Have you stood weeping at a graveside service? What would you do if you lost your precious Julie? Or saw that which you love taken from you in an instant? It is a fate worse then death and the worse part is it was my sins which caused it. Can you imagine, Doc? Can you imagine burying your sons and knowing it was all your fault? You see I trusted them with her. I thought the woman that sired them, that gave them life, would protect them. I didn't count on the loneliness. I didn't count on her missing me to the point of madness. Smothered by the hand that gave them life. A hand that took her own life from her. Three more bodies for this holy ground. My life is like this cemetery, Doc. Cold, silent, and filled with death. I have seen all I love stripped away to nothing. I have seen all that I care about waste away to the ravages of time. I have witnessed everything I believe in vanish and fade before my eyes till I have nothing left. Nothing but battle. Nothing but empty hollow victories and this belt.
*He clutches the title staring down at the graves as he stands. His eyes fighting back crimson tears as he walks away. His hands gripping at the belt.*
Seph (Voice over): You see, Doc, this isn't just a match for me. This isn't some game. This is all I have left in this world. Battle is all I have left. Everything, everyone, I ever loved is long since dead and buried. Their bodies forming an endless road, a path I have walked for far too long. You see, Doc, I am not a coward. I am a man with nothing. Nothing but battle. Nothing but this belt and I will never ever let you have it. This belt is my honor, my glory, my victory.
*Seph at length comes to the mausoleum which sits at the end of the graveyard. His eyes staring up at the title above the tomb...
Du Lac
... as he enters the mausoleum a single tomb with the figure of a knight in full armor laying upon a slab sets before him. An ancient text sets at the base of the simple slab...
"Here lies he who guards the path,
In him the kingdom is open,
His sword draws in defense of
those who walk the path,
Let he who shepherds the dead
walk among them."
In him the kingdom is open,
His sword draws in defense of
those who walk the path,
Let he who shepherds the dead
walk among them."
... he walks to the slab and grasps the sword of the lying statue. With a hard tug the sword moves up revealing a hidden trigger. A door opens at the other end leading downward into a lightless stairwell. Seph walks forward staring into the empty dark.*
Seph (Voice over): So how far are you willing to go, Doc? How far are you willing to push yourself. Because I am willing to go all the way for what I want. I am fully committed to victory. This belt... this battle... this victory is all I have. How far are you willing to go on this road we walk, Doc? Because me...
*He steps inside the lightless stairs as the door seals shut behind him. The camera fades to black but in the blackness we hear one statement a statement that sends a chill to the very core of all who hear it.*
Seph (voice over): ... I'm going all the way.