~Prologue~
"Genesis." Sephiroth drew his sword and waited in anticipation.
"My soul, corrupted by vengeance, hath endured torment to find the end of the journey in my own salvation and your eternal slumber." Genesis recited, drawing his own in response and rushing at his opponent.
Their blades clashed together in a violent, yet somehow intimate struggle for but a moment, before Sephiroth leapt back, preparing to counter with Octoslash.
He hesitated briefly, noticing the state of his rival. "Your body is deteriorating quickly, now."
"My friend, the fates are cruel. There is no hope – no honor remains. The arrow has left the bow of the goddess." Genesis stepped into the attack and blocked nearly every blow – save the final one. He took the hit with no reaction and flew into the sky.
Sephiroth released his wing and followed suit. The two soon became engaged in what seemed to be an evenly-matched duel. Genesis had become much stronger since their last fight, Sephiroth noted, however due to the state of his degradation, he would not be able to keep it up for too long. He knew Genesis must be aware of this, and wondered why he would even consider challenging him now.
Regardless, Sephiroth decided, Genesis will not survive this encounter.
After a painful blow from Apocalypse, Sephiroth took to the ground again. Though the attack had done the intended amount of damage, it had taken most of Genesis' energy to use it. He landed, feeling weak in the knees… but not in the heart. He was determined to destroy his foe at any cost.
He ran forward and aimed the point of his sword toward where he suspected Sephiroth's heart would be, if he had one at all.
He never made contact though, for at that very moment, Sephiroth was extending a gloved hand to the sky.
Genesis stumbled and nearly dropped his weapon, speechless, as fear of the inevitable finally came to terms with him.
"Descend, Heartless Angel."
A flash of red light engulfed Sephiroth's long-time friend and rival. Genesis staggered; the attack had left him breathless, hanging onto life by but a thread.
"Sephiroth…" he gasped, falling to his knees. He'd challenged him for the last time, intending to best his enemy once and for all with the last of his life… He held his hands before his eyes – they were gray. He'd failed. He would die by Sephiroth's sword.
"Any last words?" Sephiroth pointed his blade at Genesis' neck and waited, knowing that he would wish to recite more lines from his favorite poem, Loveless, before his demise. I can allow him that sympathy, at least.
Genesis inhaled painfully and stood before his foe.
"Even if the morrow is barren of promises… nothing shall forestall my return." He extended his arms out and unfurled his tattered, black wing - as though embracing death itself - as he looked to the sky.
Sephiroth hesitated, wondering if he was finished, when he heard Genesis' voice upon the wind, no more than a whisper.
"…I offer thee this silent sacrifice."
A strong wind came suddenly, encircling Genesis and lifting him from the ground. Sephiroth recoiled, unsure of what was occurring. A ball of darkness had descended upon them from the sky. Like a black hole, everything began to pull toward it. Already, Genesis was lost.
"You… really pulled it off." Sephiroth murmured to himself.
Since learning of the experiments that had created him, Sephiroth had had no attachment to the planet or its inhabitants. With a single thought, he followed his comrade into the darkness and never looked back.
"I'm coming… mother."