Chapter Seven: A Gathering Storm
As Tifa and the children hurry out the door, Cloud urges them to run down the street, gently pushing Peshe to go with them. "Go on," he says when Peshe looks back. "I'll be right behind you."
Peshe nods, then turns and follows the others. Cloud makes his way around into the building's garage and presses a button upon his motorcycle, Fenrir. The vehicle's side hatches swing open, revealing Cloud's impressive sword collection. He plucks his faithful First Tsurugi from its slot and slides it into place on the harness he wears.
Leaving the garage, Cloud glances up into the sky for a moment and pauses. Far off, in the distance, he spots what may be something flying towards the bar, but it's nearly impossible to tell. The swirling clouds mask its possible approach and makes it hard to determine if it was ever there at all. Preferring to stay on the safe side, Cloud assumes the worst and hurries off to find his friends.
He catches up with them shortly and urges them to move faster. Peshe glances back, then slows his pace to run alongside Cloud. "Woah, where'd you get that?" Before Cloud makes any sort of answer, the teen shakes his head and remembers the situation. "No. What's going on? What are we running from?"
"I don't know," Cloud answers truthfully. "But I'd rather not find out."
Peshe stares at his friend, slightly unnerved, but he says no more. Then, without warning, Cloud holds a sword out to the teen, who stares at it in amazement. "Take it," Cloud orders.
Peshe grabs a hold of the handle and examines the long, sharp blade in his hands before turning his attention back to fleeing. "So, what's the plan? Where are we going?"
Cloud dips his head forward. "The ruins of Midgar. We can hide there for a while until we think of a better plan." He takes a short breath. "At least if we're found there, no one else will be around to get involved."
Peshe stares at his friend in disbelief. Just a few days ago, his life, although far from normal, had been peaceful and enjoyable. Now, he was fleeing for his life from an unknown threat, carrying a large sword in his hands and feeling more scared than he could ever remember being.
Cloud rushes ahead to overtake Tifa, swooping Denzel up into his arms as he does so. "You remember where to go, right?" he asks her as he pulls alongside.
She nods once, then tightens her grip on Marlene as she rushes down a side alley, Cloud close behind her. "Are we in danger, Cloud?" Denzel asks, his eyes wide with fear.
Cloud smiles as he follows Tifa into the ruins of the old city. "Don't worry buddy. We're gonna be okay."
Denzel reaches into his pocket and pulls out the emerald materia. Holding it towards Cloud, he murmurs, "Here. You might need it."
Cloud laughs to himself. "No, you hold onto it. I won't need it, but you guys might."
Denzel looks down at the jewel before putting it back in its place. Up ahead, Cloud sees Tifa dart into the old church that holds so many memories for him. Following her in, he lets Denzel down and the boy hurries to meet Marlene as the two take refuge behind Tifa. She turns to face Cloud as Peshe reaches the door, slightly out of breath and leaning against the frame for support. He looks around at the old building questioningly, but focuses on catching his breath instead of speaking.
Cloud tosses his phone to Tifa. "Call Reeve. Tell him what's going on. See if he can't get Cid out here."
Tifa nods. "I understand."
Cloud returns the nod, then turns to go when he hears Marlene. "Cloud!"
He looks back at her, and she hurries over to him. He kneels down to her level as she stops before him. "Don't leave us again, please! I'm scared."
Her tear-filled eyes are a painful sight for Cloud, but he musters a smile. "Hey, don't worry. We've gotten out of tight spots before, remember? Besides, you and Denzel have materia you can use to protect each other with."
"But you never taught us to use them!" Marlene cries. The others watch on, feeling bad, but not knowing what to do or say. Understanding, Cloud reaches into another pouch and produces a third materia, this one red in color, and hands it to Marlene.
"Here," he says softly. "Give this to Tifa. I'm sure if you ask her nicely, she'll teach you how to use yours, right Tifa?"
Tifa nods an affirmative and Marlene seems to feel better as she returns to Tifa's side, passing the small jewel off to the adult as she does so. Cloud stands back up and gazes at his family. "I'll be back soon," he promises, then turns to go.
"What if we need you?" Tifa calls.
Cloud locks eyes with Peshe, who's starting to catch his breath. "Got your phone?"
Peshe tries to speak, but manages only to nod a yes. Cloud glances back at Tifa, then steps through the doorway, disappearing. Peshe gesticulates on the spot for a moment, finally jabbing a thumb in the direction Cloud's going before vanishing himself.
Tifa stares at the spot where the two men just were for a moment, then turns to the two children beside her. "Well, let's see what you've got, huh?"
Cloud leads Peshe through the old ruins of Midgar at a brisk pace. They travel slow enough for the teen to keep up, but don't linger anywhere for long. Peshe tries to study his surroundings, having never been here before (at least, to the best of his knowledge). Cloud takes them to the remains of Shin-Ra's former headquarters and proceeds to climb the large tower.
After numerous flights of stairs, Cloud seems to choose a level that satisifes him. He strides through an open door and into a decrepit office, its single large window devoid of glass and looking out over the city, Edge visible in the distance. Peshe follows him, and when the warrior stops, the teen has a seat on the floor, needing the rest.
He watches Cloud's back as he stares out the window across the city, then manages to ask between gasps, "Care to explain yet?"
Cloud leans up against the window sill, staring out it as he answers. "What more is there to tell?"
"I dunno," Peshe sputters. "That's why I'm askin'."
Cloud turns to face the teen. "Believe me Peshe, if I knew more, I'd tell you, but I don't. I'm just acting on the information I have."
Peshe nods in understanding, then hefts the sword in his hands up. "What about this? You expect me to use it?"
Cloud smirks. "I hope you're not complaining. If I were in your position, I'd want a weapon in my hands." He begins to wander over towards the young man. "And don't worry. If you need to use it, you'll figure out how to."
Peshe snickers. "Ha! That's easy for you to say, Ex-SOLDIER. As far as I know, I've never even held anything like this before. You really think I can manage it?"
Cloud smiles to himself, casting his gaze back towards the city. "I have confidence in you."
Peshe stares up at his companion, concerned, but says nothing. Instead he looks the sword up and down again before following his friend's gaze out the window.
Back in Edge, Genesis stands in silence upon the edge of the building's roof. The winds of an approaching storm whip his coat and hair about him as he stares at the streets below serenely. The citizens of the city go about their business normally, unaware of what is taking place above them. He watches them as they do so, feeling just a bit jealous of their carefree attitudes.
"Amazing, aren't they?"
Genesis does not respond to the cold voice that calls out to him. He simply continues his observations, feigning ignorance.
"Tell me brother, how many of them have you been responsible for destroying since your creation?"
Genesis continues to stare out over the city, but chooses to respond this time. "Come to lecture me Teiaiel, or to fulfill your little quest?"
"What's the matter brother? Not interested in chatting a little?" When Genesis doesn't answer Teiaiel smiles cruelly. "You do realize you won't get another chance, don't you?"
Genesis' hand slowly balls into a fist, quaking minutely with his temper, but he does nothing more.
Teiaiel stands upon the roof, smiling for a moment, but it slowly fades. "I can see that you're not interested in sharing your thoughts, or learning a little. Pity. I do enjoy a good talk." He begins to approach Genesis' exposed back, walking with a smooth measured stride. "What do you say we get on with it?"
Genesis slowly turns as Teiaiel approaches. "Do your worst," he utters as he pulls his crimson blade from the air, pointing it at his enemy as he smiles to himself. "You may be more powerful than me, but perhaps this act will finally make me into a true hero."
Teiaiel returns the smile. "Very well, my brother. I will indulge you. Perhaps that will make this more...enjoyable." He holds his right hand striaght out to the side as blue energy shoots out of both ends of his clenched fist. Slowly, they materialize into a long, double-bladed sword which he holds before himself, locking his crimson eyes with Genesis' teal ones. "Your move, brother."
