Took them a while, but they began to hear rumors of a man going mad in the swamp area killing anything and everything that crossed him. When they heard the rumors in Lestallum, they agreed to make their way to the area as fast as possible.
As they closed in on the swamp they could immediately see the damages. Trees were cut in such a unique way it had to the long thin blade that Sephiroth wielded. Monsters and animals were mutilated with stabs and cut in pieces scattered everywhere.
The group cautiously followed the trail of destruction. Soon they were close to the swamp waters. There they could hear the telltale sounds of battle. The swamp monsters were swarming on a lone figure.
"What the?" Prompto wasn't the only one confused.
Cloud was surrounded by darkness, the Starscourge so advanced that the darkness was eminating off his body in a black aura. His eyes were a glowing green. The platinum blonde was now silver. And despite what must have been a huge amount of pain from the disease Sephiroth wielded the long blade and Cloud's broadsword together expertly.
He would use the broadsword to block, then swing it effortlessly to send the opposing monster away. Then he placed the sword on his back to continue with the other blade. It was a perfect balance of the two completely different swords that the group couldn't help but watch as Sephiroth took care of the monsters within two minutes.
When Sephiroth stood victorious he turned to face them. Noctis felt his stomach drop. Cloud's skin was so pale, he would be mistaken as a walking corpse. Some of his veins could be seen through and they were dark blue or green. Sephiroth breathed raspy breaths, but he breathed evenly like he didn't even have to bat an eye after all the killing and destruction he just caused.
"The power of kings. Let's see how well you can wield it." Sephiroth said before he charged.
Noctis willed his sword forth, but he didn't have time to block. Gladio intercepted with his broadsword, grunting as he struggled to not falter from the amount of strength Sephiroth had. Close up Sephiroth smirked at the heroic act.
"A knight in shining armor indeed." The silver swordsman chuckled.
With quick reflexes Noctis spins around Gladio to strike. Sephiroth grabbed the handle of Cloud's sword to block. On the opposite side Ignis took his chance with his daggers. Behind the prince at a slight distance Prompto took aim.
Sephiroth twisted in a full circle to use both swords to block all attacks at the same time. Masamune intercepted the daggers and sent Ignis aside. The tip of the blade stopped Gladio from another swing. The broadsword sent Noctis flying while blocking the bullets at the same time.
He then uses Cloud's sword to fend off Gladio to make him back off. With everyone at a distance Sephiroth charged at Noctis with Masamune, First Tsurugi on his back. Noctis barely managed to parry. He instinctively placed his blade to block. A second later he felt pressure from Sephiroth's blade that made an attempt to slice him.
"Noct!" Gladio raced after.
Prompto fired shot after shot to distract Sephiroth from the prince. It didn't work so well as Sephiroth continued his onslaught against Noctis. Thinking fast Ignis casted lighting on his daggers before charging. With careful calculation he managed a few hits on Sephiroth's back and side.
The silver swordsman grunted as the lightning made his legs immobile thanks to being dampened by the swamp. Sephiroth found it difficult to use his arms but he managed. His movements were slower so he wasn't fully able to block in time for some the attacks as the boys went full offense.
As the effects of lightning subsided Sephiroth stretched out his black wing from Cloud's right shoulder. The wing knocked back Gladio into the water. Noctis was immediately at his side and helped him up. Ignis and Prompto paused in mid attacks, amazed and unsure how to process this change sprang upon them.
Taking his chance Sephiroth ascended into the air. But then the Starscourge began to do something rather peculiar. It began to eat away at his wing. Sephiroth braced himself with a rough landing, barely standing on his feet as the wing disappeared just as it came. He grit his teeth in fury.
"There's no where to run!" Noctis threw his blade, piercing Sephiroth's side. The prince warped at his enemy's side in a flash of blue aura.
Following the prince's bravery his friends charged after him. They knew they had Sephiroth cornered. He couldn't escape. And he was weakened by the Starscourge. He didn't show it but Sephiroth was beginning to panic. He could feel the disease reach it's breaking point. Yet somehow he didn't feel as if he was dying at all.
Suddenly Gladio struck with great force. Then coming up behind him was Noctis. The glaive grabbed the prince's arm and with his strength he sent Noctis flying up. The prince raised his sword above his head to build his momentum for his final blow. Sephiroth tried reaching for the broadsword to block.
Anticipating the move Ignis struck the arm reaching the sword. Then in a twist he did the same with the one wielding Masamune. Sephiroth felt his arms grow numb. Ignis had struck the nerves that would render him next to useless. Suddenly Noctis landed his strike. Sephiroth collapsed to his knees. Darkness swirled chaotically around his body.
The boys stepped back cautiously. As the darkness danced Sephiroth dropped the swords. Masamune dissipated into thin air. First Tsurugi clang on the swamp floor. Sephiroth suddenly felt a pull and he blinked. He was now standing? He realized he was taller than before. In front of him Cloud collapsed. Sephiroth raised his hands and stared.
"How ironic." He said to himself. Guess he had a favor to owe.
"How did you get your own body?" Noctis took a stance, ready for another fight.
"The Starscourge. It's a darkness that I've conquered, for I am the darkness. Until next time, Prince Noctis. Send Cloud my regards." A black wing spread from his shoulder. With one flap Sephiroth ascended and took flight.
A single black feather drifted slowly onto Cloud's open hand.