I gotta say. This year’s Strifesodos Week has made such a big improvement than last year’s, and it’s all thanks to you wonderful people out there for your participation.
That’s why I want all of us to give our thanks to the hard-working participants of this event:
‘Twas my beloved roomate’s birthday over the weekend, so not a huge amount of time for the last couple prompts. But hey, Strifesodos week has been a blast and it was really awesome seeing so many artists and writers making some incredible content! Kudos everyone!
So anyway, Day 7: Soulmates | Hero; a little red string of fate cliche hehe.
Most of these count - based off a soulmate prompt the particulars of which I’ve forgotten. Also - I’m still awake so it’s not late. Shhhhh.
The youth of Gaia sang.
They began the moment they learned their first song and continued until one of two things happened: either a young voice petered out as they gave up looking, or they found one to sing with them. Though they called it many things most called it the heart song.
There was a growing group that felt that ‘heart’ was not precisely right if not entirely wrong, but Cloud was inclined to disagree – loathing was just as much a matter of heart as love after all. He'd seen a few heartsongs end in hate, and it was not uncommon whenever a superstitious singer should find themselves in unplanned duet of a sad or angry song that they went out of their way to avoid the other. Country songs about a girl and truck were generally considered a bad sign, even among those who liked the style. Cloud himself had once witnessed a pair break into an honestly phenomenal rendition of ‘When You’re Evil’ one memorable karaoke night and watched as they promptly exchanged basic contact details so as to never meet again, something he’d found kind of disappointing. He knew a couple back home who’d lived a long, devoted and wondrously happy life after connecting through a song literally called ‘The Betrayal’ and a set of long friends who’d never heard each other sing until they were drunk at the bar and ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ came on.
Really it was fun when it happened but it was just some kind of chocobo shite, if you asked him.
The whole thing was arbitrary, no one really knew what it meant, and it could happen many times through a person’s life. Hells, it’d happened to Cloud three times – once as a child with a Tifa and a folk song about someone’s love at the fair, again much more recently with Zack Fair when they grabbed dinner after a mission and again an hour later when they, excited, went to demonstrate to Zack’s girlfriend Aerith and she’d joined in. They at least had all tried dating together but apparently ‘Uptown Funk’ wasn’t conducive to that, but best friends who slayed together? That it could do. Or something. But that was was what they told people.
Which was a lot to say that deciding something was bung didn’t make his heart beat any slower when it happened again.
They’d been sent to Wutai to deal with a bug problem that had been deemed below the attention of the SOLDIERs manning the base there. Cloud questioned the cost efficiency of a SOLDIER or three who were already there versus shipping in a squad plus a SOLDIER with higher materia clearance, but he wouldn’t wonder too hard because that was Shinra for you, and he was getting paid extra for the job anyway. They really did need the SOLDIER though, since only he and Phan were allowed any materia, and those were only low level cures – not exactly helpful against thunderbirds approaching their swarming season, or worse, those turtle things.
(Adatai? Adaments? Ada-something. The squad consulted itself in whispers, debated, considered, gave up and called it turtle dad.)
They were assigned a mixed blessing; mixed, because Genesis Rhapsodos was a legend, but the kind of legend that could become a terror if he decided he didn’t like them. Cloud for his part knew he was safe, having met Genesis through the hyper social roller coaster that was Zack, and he seemed to like him. The downside was that that meant Cloud had to find increasingly sketchy excuses to be quiet and aloof or absent or someone would notice him pretending that he could manage multisyllabic words around the magnificent man. Or sentences at all.
Thankfully no one had noticed yet – and you could bet your best rations the squad would give him hell when they did – but they’d mostly been hiking and fighting in relative silence, grunts of effort under the heavy, humid canopy and yes-sirs to orders, interspersed with the occasional “Syler get your ass out of my face” (“But what if I’m into that?” “Someone throw a canteen at him.”) until the others started trying to give each other ear-worms.
Rhapsodos let them be for a while, but eventually put his foot down.
“As entertaining as this is, you’re scaring off our prey.”
Whether by volume or off-key singing he didn’t say, but the smirk he wore suggested that latter.
“I don’t suppose that counts towards ‘clearing them out’ sir?”
“‘Fraid not soldier.”
Unfortunately for Cloud he didn’t stop them soon enough – by the time they found a nice little overhang up a hill and just below the trees to camp under for the night ‘Alejandro’ had been circling his head on and off for nearly four hours. Better than poor Diaz humming ‘The Song that Never Ends’ but still annoying enough that he nominated himself for one of the first watches, snagging the coveted high ground ‘with actual sky for real’ post. Gathering his dinner and equipment maintenance kit (bug guts were the worst) he climbed up watch for death from above.
Above the trees he could see that the hill was technically probably a mountain, but time had eroded its edges and long years of growth had buried its feet leaving a low, rounded plateau surrounded in a sea of green, darkening under the dying light. It reminded him a little of the lowlands near home – the wrong trees of course, no pines in Wutai – with it’s low old little mountains peeking though the sea and the line of jagged peaks in the distance he could almost imagine it. And so while he’d thought to chase out his worm with something new, as he set to work cleaning his gear he chose something older.
“There were three rawens sat on a tree~”
He finished his cleaning before the sun dipped behind the mountains and the sky deepened behind the stars, singing softly all the while. There were, he thought as he packed his things away, a concerning number of murder ballads such as the one he just finished, and he could understand that having met his neighbours in Nibelheim, but they were balanced by just as many soppy ones, with the odd heroic or tragic one thrown in for spice. Soppy, he decided, was a better fit for the view. With maybe a little mystery.
Two bars into a romance so old that the meaning was lost though the story remained and he was no longer singing alone.
Genesis was a little ways off – Cloud distantly noted that he must have been scouting and come up another path across the plateau, either to check on him or just as a quicker route back. If whatever magic was in the heartsongs would allow it Cloud thought he might have passed out from his blood suddenly relocating in a full body blush or choked into silence, but it wouldn’t and instead forced them to sing it and remember it in whole as Genesis approached with a considering look at a song he’d never heard but could never forget and Cloud continued dying a little inside.
The song was short at least, and after a minute or two their voices trailed into silence. All was still for a moment until motor skills returned enough for Cloud to bury his face in his hands. There was probably a noise accompaniment because Genesis frowned with a question:
“What, was it about someone’s death? Love’s who left?”
Cloud shook his head.
“Then am I so displeasing to you?”
“Wha-?” Cloud jerked up behind his palms, wide eyed, “What? No- I. Um. Shit. Ah- No. No.”
Peering over his fingers he saw Genesis watching with a raised brow.
“Shit. I- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...” He looked down, fiddled with his scarf, and mumbled “‘s the opposite problem.”
After a moment boots moved into his view and crouched. A finger caught his chin and then Genesis was looking into his flustered face, still burning from his ears on down his neck.
“You could have said something.”
“... I’m bad at pretty people.”
The eyebrow lifted again. No shit, it said.
“Zackary said otherwise.”
“Spiders Georg is an outlier an’ doesn’t count.” Aerith too. Those two were their own category, but the answer startled a barking laugh out of the other man.
Genesis released his chin with another snort and rolled to settle next to him.
“Fair enough,” he said, voiced coloured in amusement, “but I’ll not have one of my soul mates too shy to even talk with me. But you’re relief’s not due for at least an hour. So!” He nodded to himself out the corner of Cloud’s eye. “How about we start with you telling me what on Minerva’s green Gaia we just sang?”
Our Lives as Your Stories are Truly Worth Reading for
Prompt fill for strifesodos week day 7 - Soulmates
A/N: I can’t believe myself that I actually made it through the whole week of writing fanfic prompts for Strifesodos Week 2017! Wow... At first, I thought I would stop around Day 3, but a part of me worried that there will be less submissions like Last Year, and I DO NOT WANT THAT HAPPEN AGAIN AND LET ALL THE HARD WORK @helenrenee MADE GO TO WASTE. So, no mater how terrible my prompts are, better I go yolo and make it rather than do a no show just like my last year’s strifesodos event.
I already let most of my followers and supporters down last year, and I refuse to let that happen to them again this year. Well, hope you enjoy the final prompt. And thank you @helenrenee, I glad to know that this year if finally sucessful.
Also, this prompt is kinda inspired by one of silentpeaches‘ Soulmates AU Story Ideas: mostly the writer writing popular stories, which in reality were based of the previous reincarnated lives of the writer and their fan, or the Reincarnation section. With AU elements, dreams included, references of Freedom Wars, the Compilation, and Sinnatious’ Beloved, and some tiny hints about my fanfic’s plot.
... Sorry I made it long.
They said soulmates would reincarnate numerous times to keep being together throughout every lifetimes, and that these reincarnates will receive dreams of their previous lives. As for Cloud’s case... well...
When Cloud Strife was young, he had glimpse of his unusual dreams as he grows up. Dreams he could hardly understand as a young boy. He had a dream of being a knightly king with his adviser, who is also some kind of mage, by his side. He had a dream of being young blonde girl, originated from a noble family, meeting a young brunette farm girl. He had a dream of being an android that serve as a parole officer for a redheaded prisoner in the dystopian future. Dreams of accursed school life to Dreams of clashes in the criminal world. From this world to another.
However, there is one particular dream Cloud favors the most.
The glimpse of this particular dream is truly something. It involves him and the auburn-haired man, who shares similar qualities with the other brunette or auburn-haired characters in his previous dreams. The dream of their struggles, their destinies, tragedies they faced along the way, the relationship they developed together.
Cloud tried to understand what is more to these dreams, but only catches glimpses of them instead. He really wished what really happened in the end...
When Cloud was around eleven, he was went to the library afternoon in preparation for Summer Reading. After all, his parents insist that he should find something to read rather than do nothing at home, since he hardly had any friends to play with this summer.
He’s getting really bored after wandering around every sections on finding some book that could interest him.
When he noticed some of the librarians finished stacking the latest release at the center of the library, he decided to check out the new book.
“The Forgotten History of the Dragon King“ by Genesis Rhapsodos
... That title... Cloud could’ve sworn he heard that title before...
The young boy wasn’t aware that it’s already midnight as his eyes were still glued to this book. He was almost surprised that this author manage to publish this first book that Cloud is still reading at the age of seventeen! Genesis must be some kind a prodigy or something.
Ever since he checked, got home and finished dinner with his parents, Cloud stated reading, and is already halfway there. The Mage Merlin, the boy named Arthur, who is destined to become king, the sword of the stone, the quests, the tales of the king’s twelve knights, and he’s still halfway there!
For some reason, this book is nearly similar to the dreams he had. Just reading this almost gave him a clear picture behind these dreams. He wondered if the author, Genesis, has these similar dreams like him, or perhaps came up with this creativity out of coincidence.
“Cloud, it’s getting late, time for bed.“
Cloud rubs his tired eyes as he heard his mother’s voice across the hallway before looking at the clock. Two minutes passed midnight, and he’s still not finished. Cloud yawns and leaves a bookmark on where he left off and closes the book before turning off the left. As he laid to rest, he brought the book close to his chest.
He’s disappointed that within a few weeks, he have to return it to the library once he’s done. That’s why Cloud decided after returning the book, he’ll go to the book store and buy it as his own. Also, he heard from one of the librarians that Genesis is currently writing another book that will be published within less than a year, and Cloud can’t wait for it.
Ten years has passed, and Cloud has owned every books Genesis published, and he slowly starts to understand the connection between his dreams and Genesis’ books bits by bits.
“Risk-Takers”, the story about Alisha and her childhood friend, Theodora, as they developed something more than friendship regardless of their social status as they grew up since their encounter, which led to struggles, elopement, trials, and still a satisfying ending for the two girls as the family issues have been resolved.
“Freedom Wars“, the story set in the far dystopian future where the rest of mankind are prisoners of the underground city-states, which also serves as prisons, being sentenced for one million years for existing, and are currently at war one other. This chronicles the story of amnesiac Sinner and his Accessory, an dual-purpose android that serves as an observer and combat partner that will later grow sentient as their relationship develops throughout the story as they gained liberation near the end.
“Polar Opposites“ tells a tale of a Investigator, Natasha, being forced to team up with cynical former-criminal-turned-informant, York, who desires revenge on Mephis, the gang that Natasha is trying to capture, for betraying him.
“Not that Normal or Natural in this Ordinary Life“ involves with a boy name Howard who transferred to his new and got himself recruited by Gwendolyn, the president of the Occult Club, ever since his first encounter with the Paranormal activities in the after school hours to help uncover mysteries of the school grounds, with other elements such as ghosts, demons, and even magic and ESP along the way.
All these books he read, this dreams slowly come back to him, almost like in full pictures, slowly connecting the dots after he finished every chapter, every book.
However, there’s the series that Genesis is currently writing.
“Raison D'être“
Unlike the previous, this is the first series that Genesis started, due to the length that his editors advised him to separate into volumes and release them once a year.
The First Volume of “Raison D'être“, “Principalities”, was released around the Cloud’s sophomore year. Starting with mythological origins of creations and heroes preparing for the upcoming threat. The volume ends with the birth of Arthur.
Even the author, Genesis confirmed that his first book is connected to the series as a companion book. And Cloud would totally agree with his claim.
More volumes published. “Powers” Start with Myrdin Emrys, Merlin’s reincarnate, the crimson soldier who deserted after learning the shocking truth of his birth as an experiment, starting war criminals and nearly wreck havoc and causing downfall, especially cause his companion to fall into despair and inevitably became a next threat to the Planet, until he is defeated by a friend of Artorias Penhaligon, and later seal himself away with regret of his action.
“Virtues” continues with Artorias, Arthur’s reincarnate, and his journey with new comrades of stopping the threat and saving the world, while suffering lucid memories and false persona modeled after his fallen friend, the one who defeated Myrdin. “Dominions” follows the aftermath from the previous volume, this focus Artorias’ struggle with guilt, a global epidemic and an uprising, which end’s with Myrdin’s awakening.
“Thrones” then continue with the with Artorias finally meeting Myrdin. A rough start due for Artorias due to Myrdin’s background, especially when the threat, a former friend of Myrdin, returns. But, as the story progress, there were some development going on that the two main characters slowly start to develop a relationship.
Years passed to the present time, Cloud has one year left on completing his College year and will soon graduate. So far, “ Raison D'être” series has become a huge hit. Last year, “Cherubim” follows the aftermath that “Thrones” left off. The journey that Myrdin and Artorias must prepare themselves when the true final threat appears to mankind, and so far ends in a cliffhanger.
To everyone, “Raison D'être” is a popular must-read series that every readers around the world. But to Cloud Strife, there is something else. Every time he read Genesis’ series, he felt something.
Though there are some Sadness, Pain, Guilt. But, along the way, there was Joy, Satisfaction, Nostalgia. There are bad times he felt ashamed of, but there are still the good time that he was grateful he experience throughout the journey he read.
It’s almost if... Cloud is relieving moments...
Few more weeks, at the same time his Fall Semester will end, Genesis will finally release his final Volume, “Seraphim”. The best part? Genesis will be present for his book signing at the famous Ashcroft bookstore, where it resides in the same city that Cloud was attending college.
And Cloud Strife make sure that he will be there.
Ten in the morning, and Cloud was getting anxious as he stands in line for over an hour. But, at the same time, he’s really excited to meet his favorite author. He always wanted to meet Genesis since reading his first book. He wanted to meet him, but there are sometimes, Cloud couldn’t afford to travel to far city or country that Genesis was attending, and sometimes with complicated schedules. But now, perhaps his prayers has finally answered, Cloud finally got this chance to meet him.
Finally, Cloud is next. As Genesis finished signing the for his fan before Cloud, their eyes locked each other.
Cloud doesn’t know what just happen, but he sees numerous familiar people in Genesis’ places along with the change of setting, from one-winged man in a red coat standing next to a white tree, to a female student with in a school club room, to a young man in a police car during the heavy rain, to a prisoner in a futuristic prison cell, to a beautiful farm girl, to a cloaked mage in the throne room.
Cloud was brought back to reality when of the security cleared his throat and ushered him to step forward. He finally approaches to Genesis the newly bought final volume.
“Um, my name is Cloud,“ he spoke up. “Cloud Strife.“
Genesis kept staring at Cloud for almost a minute as he forms a small smile to him. The author then looked down and open the cover to the title page. As he signs it, Genesis when to the final page of the last chapter and wrote something else before closing it and return the book to Cloud.
“Promise me you’ll keep reading this to the very end, and then you’ll finally understand.“ he said. “Thank you for coming, Cloud Strife.“
“Y-you’re welcome.“ Cloud as he shook Genesis’ hand before leaving “Thank you, it’s really an honor to finally meet you.“
“... I would like to meet you again.“ Cloud manage to hear Genesis’ last response to him before the author continues signing. Now he’s curious about that meaning.
As Cloud did promise to not skip to the last chapter, he decided to check out Genesis’s signature. As Cloud starts to admire the signing from his favorite author and the way he wrote Cloud’s name, he furrowed his eyebrow at something else Genesis wrote.
I’m sorry I took so long to finish this
What did Genesis mean? Whatever it is, Cloud must finish the book, maybe things will make sense.
Cloud was stunned as he’s nearing close to the Epilogue. Ever since he first started reading, some parts of the chapter made shed tears as he kept reading.
It’s just... everything
Artorias’ Father. Myrdin’s Father. The One with Many Names. The Call of the Void. The Presage. Lucifer. Michael. Minerva. Diabolos. Janus. Cosmos. Arthur. Merlin. The Lady of the Lake. The Final Battle. The Sacrifice. The Alpha.
It all makes sense now.
The Dreams. They’re finally coming back to him.
... No. These were Not Dreams...
They’re Memories... Memories of Cloud’s past lives...
Memories of Genesis’ past lives as well.
He finally remember them. He remember who he originally was, he also remember who Genesis was originally.
Cloud was Arthur, Alisha, Natasha, Howard, and Artorias; while Genesis was Merlin, Theodora, York, Gwendolyn, and Myrdin.
The “Raison D'être“ series... this was their previous life before this.
So, Cloud and Genesis... are Soulmates.
As Cloud finally reached the end with the two main characters, promising to always be together, even in the next, he can finally read Genesis message at the last page.
Now you finally remember, My King?
Cloud finally understand. These books... Genesis wrote them not just his way of retelling their previous lives, but to call out to Cloud, wherever he is.
Below that message... was Genesis’ phone number. Cloud quickly picked up his phone and dialed it.
Cloud was overjoyed when Genesis picked up.
Regardless that it’s nearly midnight, the city lights are beautiful. Cloud kept sprint to where he would meet up with Genesis: at the park by the bay bridge.
His heart was racing, but kept on going. After all the lifetimes he experience, it’s time for a reunion.
Cloud finally arrives and stops to catches his breath before looking around. Less populated, good for privacy for both him and the famous author. As he finally spotted Genesis, standing by the tree, looking across the bridge, Cloud starts to approach him.
As he got closer, Genesis, who is aware of Cloud’s presence, turned to face him.
“I should be the one to apologize to you,“ Cloud spoke up “for not being able to realize this sooner.“
Genesis smiles to him as spread his arms out. “It was worth the wait.”
Cloud then rushed to Genesis’s arms as they embraced each other.
