"Quiet Deacon! I'm here to fight. We'll talk when I win. And then you will tell me what I want to know!" Cloud pointed his buster sword towards the knight.

"I suggest you turn around and comeback another day Cloud. You will not defeat me. And so long as the bitterness in your soul remain, that will not change." Deacon warned.

Cloud bolted towards Deacon, his sword at the ready. He swung his blade down at Deacon. At what seemed to be light speed, Deacon pulled his sword out and blocked Cloud's strike.

"Hmph…if you insist."

Deacon kicked Cloud right in the chest, pushing him back. The battle had begun. The two circled around, not taking their eyes off the other. Deacon was quite intimidating. He stood at least eight feet tall, and held his massive sword in just one hand. Unlike other Darknuts, he did not use a shield.

Cloud shouted as he moved towards Deacon and attacked. He swung his Buster sword three times, each strike blocked was blocked. He blocked two of Deacons attacks, while ducking under the third. He used the opening to slice at his legs, getting a successful hit. However, Deacon didn't seem fazed by the attack. Deacon stomped on the ground with great force, creating a small shockwave that sent Cloud tumbling back. Cloud sent a green Blade Beam from his sword at Deacon. He used it as a distraction to leap in the air and do a plunging attack. Deacon smacked the beam away with his open hand, and then rolled away from Cloud's attack. Deacon's size deceived his agility. The knight was actually very quick and athletic despite his massive figure.

Deacon thrusted his sword and hit Cloud with the blunt tip of the blade. Cloud was knocked on his back from the hit.

"Anger is not the weapon of true fighters Cloud."

"Shut the fuck up!" Cloud pounded the ground as he rose to his feet.

"It will not lead you to victory. It will lead you right into your own grave."

Not wishing to hear anymore, Cloud dashed at Deacon and attacked with a flurry of slashes. Deacon blocked many of his attacks, but a few managed to make their mark. But Deacon didn't stagger when he got hit, having seemingly unbreakable poise. Cloud went for another strike, but Deacon smacked his blade aside with his bare hand and hit Cloud with a massive shoulder bash. Cloud stumbled back, and Deacon followed up with a downward slice. Luckily for Cloud, he managed to dash away to avoid getting crushed while positioning himself behind Deacon. He winded up for a strong attack, but any hopes of it landing were crushed when Deacon kicked Cloud in the face. An upward slash launched Cloud up, and Deacon kicked him mid-air as he was coming down.

"Anger causes frustration." Deacon began, walking towards Cloud as he slowly rose to his feet. Cloud thrusted his sword forward, but Deacon dodged to the side and smashed Cloud with a fierce right hook.

"Frustration leads to recklessness." Then Deacon grabbed Cloud by the throat and lifted him off the ground, showing his incredible strength.

"And recklessness causes death."

Cloud struggled to free himself from the Knight's grip, but with no success.

"It's a path that leads to a terrible fate, yet you continue to tread that path without a second thought. Is this truly the fate you seek?"

Cloud didn't say a word, refusing to answer the question. Deacon then slammed Cloud onto the ground, making his back burn with terrible pain. As he laid on the ground, Deacon kicked his Buster sword out of his reach and held his sword against Cloud's throat.

"Yield, Cloud. You've lost."

"Dammit!" Cloud muttered. "Fine! You win."

Deacon sheathed his sword and stepped away from his defeated opponent.

"Cloud Strife. A meaningful surname, don't you think? You always seem to be conflicted about something. Makes me wonder if there was ever a time you were actually happy about your life."

"Don't preach to me Deacon!" Cloud threatened.

"And if I don't then what? Are you going to fight me? That hasn't worked out well for you the past two times." Deacon taunted, Cloud letting out an irritated growl. "You will never defeat me so long as you are a part of the crestfallen."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Cloud asked.

"Because honestly Cloud, you're just so damn depressing to be around. You're always wallowing in your own self-pity, blaming the world for all your problems. You have no goals, no motivation, no purpose. You care for no one but yourself." Deacon said with brutal honesty. "You seem to think that your life has it the worst, but really there are so many people that have it just as bad, if not worse than you do. And yet many of them still carry on, holding onto hope and keep moving forward."

Cloud just remained silent, arms folded and back turned to Deacon. He looked bitter as always.

"I don't see why they bother. Things won't get any better. Even when things start looking up, it's bound to come crumbling down anyway."

"If everyone had the same mindset as you, then that would be true. Fortunately, people like Snake and the other members of the United Republic don't think that way, and are actually out there making a difference. And those people have been through things that would make most people give up. If anyone can beat me, it's probably one of them."

"And why is that? Do they have something I don't?"

"Yes. Something to fight for. Their goal is admirable. Putting their lives on the line to protect the people who just want to make a life for themselves. They have motivation, you don't. And that is why you'll never defeat me. Now get off my mountain!" Deacon ordered.

And so Cloud descended that mountain angry and defeated. As for what he would do next he didn't know. And frankly, he didn't care. Such is the attitude of the Crestfallen swordsman, Cloud Strife.