Chapter 10

"Sephiroth!" Cloud yelled, diving out of the way of the blade. "Don't do this!"

"You are my friend, Cloud. I wish that there was some other way, but as long as you refuse to let me pass, I see none."

Sephiroth swung again, Cloud tried to raise his sword, but his aged body wasn't fast enough to compete with Sephiroth's un-aged body. The blade sliced through Cloud's skin, sending him to the ground. He found himself unable to move, but besides the pain from his wound, he seemed unhurt.

"I have rendered you immobile." Sephiroth said, walking past him. "I lied when I told you I would be willing to kill you to see my son. I was willing to fight you, but I could never kill you. I am no longer that monster. Good bye Cloud. You will regain you movement in roughly an hour." Sephiroth picked up his pace. Cloud watched him until he disappeared over the horizon. Then he started to focus on moving his body. After about 30 minutes something caught his eye. The spire had turned bright red.

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The journey up the mountain was tiring, but Sefirosu managed it. Mira had lagged behind, so Sefirosu eventually took her onto his back. Giving her a piggyback ride didn't make the climb any easier, but eventually they reached the top. The climb down was easier, but more hazardous; one wrong step could wend you plummeting to the bottom. When they finally reached the bottom, they found this glowing portal.

"This must be the gateway." Mira said

Sefirosu nodded, "I'm going through first. If I make through I'll come back to tell you. If I don't come back, go home and tell mom."

Mira watched as he stepped into the gateway. As he disappeared beneath the surface, Mira waited. One minute went by, then another. After several minutes passed by, Mira was starting to get worried. Just when she decided to go get her mom, Sefirosu appeared out of the gateway.

"Come on." He said.

Without hesitation, Mira jumped into the gateway, immediately finding her self in the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

"Wow." She said in awe.

"Yeah, I knew you would like it." Sefirosu said, appearing behind her.

Not knowing what to do, they decided the best path was probably the straight one. They began walking, and finally a spire came into view.

"Wow." Mira said again

Sefirosu smiled; glad his sister was happy. His smile quickly faded when he spotted his father. Cloud lay in a bloody mess. The two children ran to him.

"Dad!" Mira yelled.

The two children reached him; Sefirosu knelt down beside him.

"Is he going to be alright?" Mira asked.

Sefirosu looked up, gazing into Mira's eyes. He didn't want to but he forced himself to say it.

"He's dead."