PROJECT D

Chapter Four

The next two days passed slowly with the sun beating down upon us. Sephiroth allowed us no breaks, a punishment for the manner of my experiment. According to Zack Sephiroth was just grumpy because i met with success.

I agreed whole-heartedly.

On day three of our walk we arrived at the base of the Nibel mountains, the plant life seemed to die off just before reaching it creating a very great contrast between the mountain and its surroundings. I did'nt care, i just wanted a break

from walking. "Woah, that's eery looking." I commented. Sephiroth scoffed and asked "Do'nt tell me our mage is scared of a large rock." "Hey! Uh, i forgot what else i was gonna say." I said rubbing the back of my neck which was rather

sore.

"Come on, how could you forget what you were gonna say? Especialy when it was a retort, i mean how do you do that!?" Zack asked laughing. I shook my head with a sigh and then asked "Hey, Sephiroth, can i ask you a question?"

"You just did!" Zack said, struggling to contain his giggles. Sephiroth inclined his head, which told me he was listening.

"Clouds already beaten you twice now right? So what makes you think this time will be any different?" I hoped he would'nt be offended by my question. Zack froze and watched us carefuly, i was willing to bet he was a bit concerned

about how Sephiroth would react. Suprisingly Sephiroth anwsered with "This time i have insurance, Cloud only one last time because he had his allies helping him. However with you two as leverage, he wo'nt dare pull his freinds into

this." I nodded in acceptence. Zack sighed, and Sephiroth started up the mountain path. It was a cold place as i had thought, but not as cold. The tall spiky peaks jutted above the land and towered over us.

After Sephiroth got far enough ahead of us to not hear what we talked about Zack said "Are you crazy!? He could rip you to bits in a second, and you've been taunting him and asking him questions that you know will likely tick

him off. Why?"

I understood his reasons for being concerned and agreed with them completely. "I beleive it is neccessary, he is right when he says that Cloud only won because he had his freinds with him. I'm trying to make him doubt himself, self-doubt

will weaken him. I am also trying to develop my own abilities so when that fight comes i'll be able to help instead of sit back and watch." I explained.

Zack nodded in understanding but then asked "Could'nt you find a less life threatening way to do it?" "Nope." I replied.

Suddenly a growl came from off to the right causing me to whirl. Standing there was a pack of wolves baring their fangs menacingly. "Heh, finally something fun to do!" Zack exclaimed drawing his sword. I flexed my fingers at my side.

Despite my being very tired from our journey i still had these odd powers.

The wolves rushed foward reaching me easily snapping their teeth and swiping at me with their claws, only to be stopped by my barrier, though i was still sent sliding backwards though i managed to stay on my feet.

Zack rushed forward chopping the first of them in two, then he became a blur of slashes and blocks as the wolves ganged up on him. Two of them moved towards me and i quickly raised my barrier ignoring the mental strain

it put on me. The wolves slammed against it repeatedly trying to break my gaurd. "Crap." I said as my strength began to fade. Zack retreated as the wolves numbers alowed them to gain the upper paw, i mean hand.

My barrier broke and the wolves rushed me once more. I decided that this was a bad day. Suddenly Sephiroth flew between me and the wolves decapitating them easily before rushing forward to help Zack. I felt confused for a second

before i remembered, we were his leverage. Without us he would not be able to garantee a victory against Cloud. A frown crossed my face as another wolf came out from behind a nearby boulder. "Oh, shit." I said, to tired to yell the words instead. The wolf leapt at me, i lifted my arms in hopes of somehow escaping my doom, and then i felt a rush of energy through my veins that made me feel like my blood was boiling and my hands lifted up before me and an explosion of fire

burst from my palms and reduced the wolf to cinders. For several seconds i just stared, which was mostly what Sephiroth and Zack were doing as they had finished off the wolves that they had been fighting.

"Wow, wish i could do that..." Zack said slowly.

Sephiroth smirked and said "From now on you get to defend yourself, no help from me, or Zack. If these rules are broken, i'll kill you myself, it wouln't be that hard to find someone else to keep Zack in his place after all." Then he turned, and lead on.

"Damn." I stated.

"Yeah." Zack replied. A cricked chirped nearby. We followed Sephiroth.

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AN:Finally updated!! I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but i was in a rush to get this updated. For those of you who read my other stuff, i will try to update it all soon. Thanks for reading.