Warm morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the the cracks repaired church roof, casting pillars of celestial light onto the bed of yellow lilies below.
Johnny, a towering figure at 185 cm with the massive Dragon Slayer sword resting by his side, was taking a moment to rest. Across from him, Aerith Gainsborough—petite at just 152 cm—was arranging flowers with a gentle smile playing on her lips. (Reminder they're still 14 years old)
On Johnny's shoulder, Puck, the small elf, was in the middle of recounting a fiery tale of heroism.
"You should have seen it, Ivalera! It was insane!" Puck hovered with intense enthusiasm, punching the air with his tiny fists. "Johnny explained what happened at the Colosseum, but he's being too humble. Back then, it was I—Puck the Great—who managed to beat back the Final Boss, that 'Tank'! Of course, it was thanks to a team-up with Johnny's Summon Materia, 'Chocobo & Moogle,' but I was the key!"
Ivalera, Aerith's fairy companion, laughed crisply, covering her mouth. "Are you serious, Puck? You fought that iron monster? Don't brag."
"Of course! I am the greatest elf!" Puck cried out, puffing out his small chest.
Ivalera snorted in amusement, flying closer. "Back then, you only helped by throwing a 'Chestnut Flower.' You threw a prickly seed that didn't hurt at all."
"Hey!" Puck took offense. He zipped forward and pinched Ivalera's cheek. "Take this!"
"Ouch! You little onion fairy!" Ivalera retaliated, pinching Puck's cheek even harder. The two wrestled in the air, looking like two bickering fireflies.
Johnny and Aerith laughed as they watched the antics of the two small creatures. Aerith's laugh sounded like small bells, a sound that always managed to quell the turmoil of rage inside Johnny's chest. However, Johnny's face slowly grew serious. He stared at the wooden floor, then looked up at Aerith with a guilty expression.
"Aerith," Johnny's voice was heavy and deep. "I'm sorry. The Turks... they're watching me now, too. My existence is only drawing more of Shinra's attention to you."
Aerith didn't stop arranging her flowers. She smiled calmly. "I already know, Johnny."
Johnny raised an eyebrow, surprised. "How do you know?"
Aerith set the flower down and walked over to Johnny. She looked up into the big man's face. "They told me themselves. Reno and Rude drop by often just to make sure I'm still here." Her emerald eyes twinkled mischievously. "Actually, I'm happy about it. Now we're even—both being watched by those men in suits, hehe."
With a quick movement, Aerith reached up and pinched Johnny's nose.
"Ouuuch," Johnny winced—a rare sight for a man accustomed to taking sword slashes without blinking.
"That's why you shouldn't be too conspicuous, Johnny. You've become too strong." Aerith let go of his nose and sighed softly, her tone shifting to one of slight worry, yet mixed with pride. "So, today you're going to fix the back of the church where it's damaged, right...?"
Before Johnny could answer, the front doors of the church creaked open loudly. The sunlight was blocked by two very familiar silhouettes.
Reno strolled in with his signature casual slouch. Behind him, the bald, sunglass-wearing Rude followed with a stoic stride.
"Helloooo, Johnny! Sorry to interrupt the lovebirds..." Reno called out with his typical lazy drawl. "But your mission has arrived. It's time to fight a Behemoth that escaped from the lab."
Johnny snorted. His muscles tensed instantly. His right hand snatched the hilt of the Dragon Slayer.
However, seeing how calm Aerith was beside him, Johnny exhaled a long breath. He released his grip on the sword.
"We've met three times now, but why do I still hate seeing your face, Reno?"
"Don't be like that, pal. I'm still paying you, see? 5,000 Gil." Reno tossed a gold coin into the air.
Johnny caught the coin with one hand without looking. "Now that, I like." He turned to Aerith, his gaze softening. "Aerith, I'm going to work for a bit."
Aerith pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Rude, Reno, you two are such a nuisance. Johnny is mine today, you know."
Johnny's face flushed a deep red, embarrassed by the possessive claim. Rude simply adjusted his sunglasses—perhaps hiding his own awkwardness—while Reno smirked.
Johnny crouched down slightly to be eye-level with Aerith, then patted her head gently. "Just for a little while, Aerith. I promise I'll be back by noon. And I'll take care of myself..."
Johnny pulled out a glowing green Cure Materia and several bottles of Hi-Potion. "...I'll use these. So you won't feel any pain from the Lifestream Bond connecting us."
Aerith looked deep into Johnny's eyes, searching for a lie, but found none. "Be careful, okay? Don't be reckless."
Johnny stood up, sheathing the massive sword on his back. Puck quickly slipped into the leather pouch at Johnny's waist, hiding away.
"Let's go."
Underground Sewer Junction - Sector 6
The journey to Sector 6 didn't take long, but the atmosphere changed drastically. They went from the warmth of the church to the damp darkness of the underground sewers. This route was an ancient drainage system connecting the ruins of old Midgar. The stench of sewage mixed with the sickly sweet aroma of leaking Mako filled the air.
Rude and Reno walked in front, leading the way, though Johnny had actually memorized the layout of this underground labyrinth.
"So," Johnny's voice echoed off the wet concrete walls, "Why are you handing this Behemoth problem to me? Shinra has SOLDIER operatives, don't they?"
Reno chuckled, his voice bouncing off the walls. "Who's brave enough to fight a Behemoth alone in a cramped place like this? That's why we hired you, Johnny... You're strong, cheap, and independent. Who knows, maybe you'll succeed... and if you die, we'll give you a proper burial, promise..."
Johnny grunted roughly. "I've only seen them in monster encyclopedias, but I'm used to fighting brute-type monsters like that."
"The 'Tank' at the Colosseum was physically similar to a Behemoth," Rude added flatly, without looking back.
"Makes sense," Johnny muttered.
They finally arrived at a vast chamber, a massive waste containment reservoir. Rushing streams of pitch-black water flowed on the left and right. In the center of a cracked concrete platform lay the monster.
The Behemoth.
It wasn't as big as a house, but its muscles were dense and terrifying. Its skin was dark purple with a flaming red mane. Two gigantic horns protruded from its head. The beast was asleep, its snoring vibrating the puddles on the floor.
"So, do I just kill it?" Johnny asked, drawing the Dragon Slayer from his back. The sound of heavy metal sliding against leather rang out clearly.
"Directives from upstairs: Yes," answered Reno, backing away to a safe area near the entrance. "It escaped and killed several Shinra lab workers. Show no mercy."
"Alright."
Johnny stepped forward. His footsteps were heavy. He had no intention of sneaking around. His fighting style wasn't assassination; it was total destruction.
The Behemoth was still sleeping. Johnny raised his massive sword high. With a single breath, he swung the giant slab of iron with all his might directly at the monster's head.
"HAAAAH!"
CLANG!!!
The impact didn't sound like cutting meat; it sounded like a sledgehammer hitting an iron bell. It's hard! Johnny thought. His sword had managed to tear the skin and make the Behemoth's head bleed profusely, but the skull was too thick to be cleaved in a single strike.
The Behemoth's eyes snapped open. Its pupils were glowing red, filled with pure rage.
The beast rose instantly, ignoring the blood pouring from its head. It roared, a sound that made ears ring and hearts tremble.
"GRAAAARRRRGGGHHHH!"
The Behemoth wasted no time. It immediately attacked with Heave. Its head dipped low, and its massive horns swept upward, aiming for Johnny's gut.
Johnny leaped backward, but the tip of the horn still managed to graze his chest plate, creating a shower of sparks.
"Too fast for something that big!" Johnny yelled.
Before Johnny could plant his feet perfectly, the Behemoth executed a Spin. It rotated 360 degrees, its tail and claws becoming a deadly propeller. Johnny was forced to block the attack with the flat side of his sword.
BAM!
Johnny's body was flung five meters back, his boots grinding the concrete floor until they smoked. The vibration of the impact traveled all the way to his shoulder bone.
"Damn it," Johnny cursed. "If I take a direct hit, Aerith back at the church is going to feel it." The thought made him hesitate for a split second.
A fatal mistake.
The Behemoth exploited that hesitation. The monster performed a Leap, jumping high and crashing down toward Johnny. Johnny rolled to the side, but the Behemoth landed with a Body Slam. A shockwave exploded from the point of impact, throwing Johnny off balance.
As Johnny stumbled, the Behemoth used Pin.
Its massive front claw slammed into Johnny's body, crushing the man into the concrete floor.
"Ugh!" Johnny coughed up fresh blood. The monster weighed tons. The claw pierced his armor, stabbing into the flesh of his left shoulder.
"Johnny!" Puck screamed from his crushed pocket.
The Behemoth began to Maul him with its other claws. Johnny held the monster's jaw back with the hilt of his sword, but his strength was failing. Blood dripped onto Johnny's face.
Pain. This hurts so much. Aerith... Aerith must be in pain right now.
The thought of Aerith clutching her shoulder in pain back at the church made Johnny's anger detonate. It wasn't fear; it was fury.
I promised I would return. I will not let her bear my pain!
Johnny's eyes changed. Black smoke began to wreath around him. His pupils dilated into dark voids surrounded by red veins. Berserk State: Active. The pain was no longer a hindrance; it was fuel.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY, YOU BIG DOG!!!"
With a roar just as savage as his opponent's, Johnny released one hand from his sword, grabbed one of the Behemoth's horns, and with inhuman back strength, he slammed the monster's head to the side.
The Pin grip broke.
Johnny vaulted to his feet. His body was covered in blood, but he didn't care. He spun his massive sword as if it were nothing but a twig.
Whirlwind Strike.
"DIE!"
Johnny spun like a top of death. His greatsword created a vortex of razor-sharp wind. The first rotation smashed the Behemoth's front leg. The second smashed its ribs. The third smashed its face.
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
Flesh tore and bones snapped. The Behemoth was pushed back, roaring in agony.
But the monster wasn't done. Its body emitted a red aura. It entered Rampage mode. It became resistant to normal attacks and far more aggressive.
The Behemoth opened its mouth, gathering non-elemental magic energy. Counter Flare.
An explosion of energy slammed Johnny right in the chest. Johnny was thrown back, smashing into the sewer wall hard enough to crack it. However, in Berserk mode, Johnny didn't fall. He rebounded off the wall.
Somersault Slash.
Using the momentum of the rebound, Johnny stabbed the tip of his sword into the floor, using it as a vaulting pole. He launched his massive body into the air, flipping forward over the head of the Behemoth, which was preparing to charge.
In mid-air, Johnny pulled his sword free and slashed downward as he landed behind the monster.
SLAASH!
A gaping wound opened on the Behemoth's back. The monster roared, trying to perform a Tail Swipe, but Johnny jumped again, this time not to dodge, but to attack.
Brutal Thrust.
Landing back in front of the turning monster, Johnny held his sword level with his waist. His stance was solid. With an explosive burst of power from his legs, he thrust the giant sword straight forward.
The blunt, thick tip of the Dragon Slayer hit the Behemoth's chest with the speed of a bullet. The thrust was so fast and hard that it pierced the thick hide, shattered the sternum, and stabbed deep into the internal organs.
The Behemoth vomited black blood. However, as a high-level monster, it had one last defense mechanism. It roared, and its body began to glow bright green.
Revitalize.
Its wounds began to close rapidly. It intended to recover the HP of both its upper and lower body while releasing shockwaves to knock Johnny back.
"It's trying to heal! I won't let it!" Johnny snarled. His energy was running low; he needed a distraction for one final, lethal strike.
His left hand grasped a glowing red orb on the Dragon Slayer. Summon Materia.
"COME OUT! CHOCOBO & MOOGLE!"
A blinding light appeared above the Behemoth's head. A fat, cute Chocobo appeared, with a small Moogle riding it.
"Kupo!" the Moogle cried.
The Chocobo sprinted forward, slamming into the Behemoth's face with a Chocobo Kick, making the monster stagger and cancelling its Revitalize process. The Moogle atop it then threw a Moogle Blast that exploded into white smoke, confusing the monster's vision.
"PERFECT!"
This was the opening Johnny had been waiting for.
Johnny raised the Dragon Slayer high. The muscles in his arms swelled to their absolute limit, veins bulging in his neck as if ready to burst. He channeled every ounce of remaining strength, pain, and fury into a single focal point on the sword's edge.
Time seemed to slow down. The sound of dripping water and the Behemoth's roar suddenly fell silent. The air in the sewer vibrated violently, not from fear, but from the sickening pressure of raw energy.
The dim Mako light in the room suddenly dimmed, sucked toward Johnny's giant iron blade. The sword no longer looked like iron; it looked like an elongated black hole—a tear in reality. A pitch-black aura edged with blood-red rimmed Johnny, forming a terrifying silhouette.
"LIMIT BREAK..."
Johnny's voice echoed, sounding as if it came from the depths of hell.
"ECLIPSE SLAYER!"
He swung the sword down.
It wasn't just a slash; it was the descent of calamity. The blade came down carrying absolute darkness, creating a giant black arc in the air that swallowed all surrounding light—exactly like an eclipse killing the sun.
BOOOOOOOM!!!
When the sword hit, there was no sound of slicing meat. All that was heard was the sound of an explosion of the void.
The black energy slammed into the Behemoth, not only cleaving skin and bone but seeming to erase the existence of the matter it touched. A black-and-red shockwave exploded in all directions, parting the flow of sewage water wide open and cracking the concrete floor down to the very foundations of Midgar.
The Behemoth didn't have time to roar. Its body was bisected vertically with perfection, from the crown of its head to the base of its tail, accompanied by a spray of dark energy incinerating the remaining cells.
For a moment, the world turned black and white. Then, gravity returned to normal.
The monster's body collapsed to the left and right with a heavy, pathetic thud, charred and cleanly severed by the slayer's strike.
Johnny stood in the middle of the carnage, black smoke billowing from his sword buried deep in the ground. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes still burned wildly behind the slowly fading darkness.
The Berserk mode ended. The pain from his shoulder and chest slammed into him all at once.
"Ugh..." Johnny staggered, using his sword as a cane to keep from falling.
Puck popped out of his pocket, his face pale. "You... you're crazy, Johnny. But that was so cool."
From the distance, Reno clapped slowly. "Wow. He really killed it alone. Pure physical violence."
Rude nodded in agreement, looking impressed behind his sunglasses. "Unreasonable, my friend."
Johnny immediately reached into his pouch with trembling hands. He smashed a bottle of Hi-Potion and poured it over the wound on his shoulder, then used the Cure Materia to close the internal injuries. Green light enveloped his body.
"Heal... heal fast..." Johnny muttered frantically. "I don't want Aerith to feel pain any longer..."
Once the wounds closed and his breathing regulated, Johnny stared at the Behemoth's carcass, then turned to Reno and Rude.
"Business is concluded. Where's my pay?"
Reno smirked. "I already paid you upfront, didn't I? But alright, here's another 5,000 Gil. I'll treat you to a drink if we meet again. Good work, Monster."
Johnny wiped the blood from his face, then offered a thin smile. His mind had already drifted back to the warm church, to the lilies, and to the woman waiting for him there.
"I'm coming home, Aerith."