Cloud quietly stood in line shifting side to side, he wasn't sure he wanted to try out. The general seemed to be ripping all of the other men's dreams apart, not only was he telling them they were too weak, but he also was toying with them. Cloud felt himself sweat and tighten his grip around the weapon he was currently holding. God, why did his mother want him to do this? That escaped him.
Then, all too soon, it was his turn. He took a huge breathe in and braced himself. The general just smirked happily, like this torture was absolute fun for him. Cloud took the stance he'd been trained in the two weeks to do. The general's expression became blank as he quietly took the first step forward. Cloud gave a gasp and dodged the first attack, hitting the general in the arm.
Cloud couldn't believe it! He'd actually hit the general! Not that the other's hadn't, he was probably going easy on him at first. Then, all too suddenly, he felt an incredible blow to his head. He blacked out for a short moment swaying from side to side, but shook himself and tried the best he could to stand up holding the huge sword he was being forced to use.
The general seemed slightly amused and dashed at him with extreme speed; he was hardly even a blur! Cloud ducked as he felt air whoosh by his cheek. Cloud knew this was all hopeless, he'd just have to keep dodging the general's attacks to even hope to still have his pride in tact. He felt another very painful blow to his leg causing him to kneel in front of the general. Then another blow to his head causing him to bow down, his head at an incline.
The general gave a laugh as he bent down ever so slightly to taunt Cloud. "You bow before me, just as you should-"the general walked over to Zack taking the paper from his hands and marking something down. Cloud felt the other potential SOILDERS staring a whole in the back of his head. "-Cloud Strife is it?" he asked as if he could careless what his name was. "You've passed." the general inclined just the slightest bit to Cloud and Cloud staggered up unable to believe his ears.
The general turned to the other potential SOILDERS. "Not one of you did what he just did in that fight; can anyone tell me what that is?" he asked in a loud booming voice that made even Zack jump. Not a soul spoke as the general paced in front of each man. "None of you picked yourselves up after you were hit just once, you didn't keep trying. If you can't even pick yourselves up from one blow how are you expected the fight off thousands of rebels?" again, not a soul spoke.
The general gave another one of his famous smirks. "You are all parentally dismissed!". Cloud looked at the general oddly, but didn't say a word as he strode towards him. "Go get your things, I'll have Zack take you to your room" then he walked off leaving Cloud and Zack alone.
Cloud sank to his knee's showing how utterly exhausted he was. Zack gave a small laugh and offered his hand out to Cloud, who, eagerly took it. "Yeah, the general doesn't go easy on anyone, that's for sure!" Cloud was happy at least one person understood his pain. "You'll learn though! Plus, I think Sephiroth took a liking to you." Cloud was perplexed. "Sephiroth..?"He asked as Zack sat him down on a bent. Zack gave him a funny look. "The general, his name is Sephiroth. He's the son of a very famous scientist! Doctor Hojo, he did the experiments for Omega and the life stream. He works here at Shinra now though; he helped develop the system that keeps the power here." Cloud was now thoroughly impressed. Zack just gave him another friendly smile and helped support him as they walked down the hallway to Cloud new room, and his new life here at Shinra.