Chapter 3

"Cloud! Stay right there. We'll find a way across." The others yelled from across the gorge. Cloud rolled his eyes, scoffing at them. He was the best, everybody new that. Making sure his sword was securely in place, he entered the cave in pursuit of the his foes. He new that the woman wouldn't be any trouble, but he was unsure about her body guard. The man had shown inhuman feats, his agility, his strength. In addition to that, his skills in combat were unmatchable, even for Cloud. "You defeated Barret, and brought an end to Avalanche, you can take out two people." Cloud told himself. The cave was black, and he could barely see a foot in front of him. Finally, he made it into a cavern, light shining in the center, computers littering here and there, definitely their headquarters. Trying to remain undetected, Cloud slowly began making his way through the cavern, trying to get a visual on his enemies. Unbeknownst to him, Cloud had already been spotted. High above the cavern floor, on a ledge that overlooked the entire operation, the two people he was chasing were watching. Slowly, Lumarisa turned her head towards Damian. "Kill him." She ordered him curtly. Without even blinking, Damian lept from the ledge, silently falling towards Cloud. He was halfway down before Cloud even heard him. Cloud turned, but barely managed to deflect Damian's attack. Before he could regain his balance, Damian attacked again. Cloud stumbled back, dazed from the blow. Luckily, Damian had yet to draw his weapon. Still, the next blow sent Cloud stumbling back into a computer. The sound of the Buster sword falling against the floor echoed throughout the cavern, Cloud having dropped it.

"You..." Cloud began, his ears ringing. "You don't have to serve her."

The sound of Damian's sword being slowly drawn was the only response he got. Cloud struggled, but managed to look up. Damian stepped forward, thrusting the sword into Cloud's flesh. Cloud let out a groan of pain as the blade embedded into his leg. Swiftly, Damian removed the sword, letting Cloud collapse to the floor.

"Just kill me." Cloud spat, staring Damian dead in the eye.

Finally, Damian gave a response. Stabbing his sword into the stone ground, he knelt down next to Cloud. Then leaning in closely, so closely that his lips were almost touching Cloud's ear, he spoke. Cloud's eyes went wide at the words. Suddenly, Cloud tried to climb to his feet, tried to reach for his weapon. Damian easily shoved him to the ground and in a flash grabbed his sword. Before Cloud could cry out, the blade of Damian's weapon had pinned his outstretched hand to the floor. Having immobilized Cloud, Damian sat down on Cloud's back, his eyes glued to the room's entrance, patiently waiting. In was only a few minutes later that Cloud's allies ran in. They all stopped at the sight before them, but one in particular was affected more than the others.

"Cloud..." Aerith whispered, taking a step forward. "Please brother, don't do this." She pleaded with Damian. A cruel smiled slowly spread across Damian's lips. His eyes locked on Aerith's, he stood up, and in only seconds, pulled his sword from Cloud's hand, and spun. The sound of metal slicing flesh seemed to echo through the room, and Damian was mesmerized by the sight of Cloud's head rolling across the floor. Aerith screamed, as a couple members restrained her from running to her now dead boyfriend.

"Get her out of here!" A female voice demanded. The two men holding Aerith quickly carried her out of the room, apparently heading back to their airship. Now, Damian was standing alone with three soldiers, and the woman whom he was only all to familiar with.

"Damian, you can not escape." The woman said. "Just give us Lumarisa and surrender."

"Kira..." Damian responded. "I thought you'd come." Slowly, Damian began stepping forward. "Will you tell Aerith that I waited just for her before I killed the little pest." As he spoke these last words, he gave a light kick to Cloud's severed head. "I told him I'd send her to him soon... I've never been a liar."

"Damn it! Damian, you were one of us! Why won't you just give us Lumarisa." Kira demanded.

"Because She's just so much more fun." Damian said, smiling. He opened his arms wide, exposing himself. "Now come on, I'll give you first blow."

"Very well!" Kira said, sending a bolt of energy from her hands. The magic attack hit Damian with astounding force, sending him flying back. "Keep your weapons ready!" Kira told the three soldiers, whom had lowered their guard. "He won't die that easily."

"He won't die at all!" Lumarisa challenged, appearing suddenly next to the downed Damian. "Not with me at his side."