"So Cloud, do you have any ideas how to track Sephiroth down?"

He knew the question was coming. Cloud was a little peeved it was asked as he emerged from the tent. He sent a knowing look at Gladio, then continued for a cup of fresh coffee.

"I don't know yet. But, I can't shake the feeling he won't be alone."

"Why do you think he'll be working with someone?"

"Even though I can't remember, the feeling he met kinship with someone still lingers. It's... Difficult to explain. I've never seen him interested in another person besides..." Cloud trailed off, shutting his mouth. Sephiroth only showed interest in Cloud to work with him.

Was he jealous? Or was he imagining things? Cloud ran a hand through his spikes. Well this was awkward. To his surprise Sephiroth didn't reach out to his head with a snarky comment either. It turned him even more sour for some reason.

"But if you say he found kinship in someone else, that leaves us with only one suspect." Ignis frowned as he exchanged a look with Gladio.

"You said someone tried to help?" Cloud tried to recall the name.

"Ardyn Izunia."

"What does he look like?"

"Older man. Red hair, roughly the same height as Gladio."

Still couldn't picture a face. But a detail did come forward in his mind.

"Yellow eyes?"

"Uh, nope. That doesn't sound like Ardyn. That's all you remember, though?"

"Yeah. I don't know why I remember that now."

"Oh, we nearly forgot. Do you happen to still have the Starscourge? We know Sephiroth overcame it, but I just want to make sure nothing still lingered with you."

Now that he thought about it, Cloud didn't feel pain. Even so he loosened the shoulder guard to have a look. There was no darkness of the disease in his skin.

"That's a relief, at least."

"Morning bros." Prompto yawned with a stretch of his arms. "So Cloud, do you remember where you left your bike?"

"Oh shit. No." Cloud wanted to slap himself. He had forgotten about the replica. "I crashed at a gate? I think? That's when we were attacked."

"We?" Gladio narrowed his eyes.

"I..." Cloud couldn't bring himself to correct the statement.

"A gate you say? There's only one left for us to break down." Ignis to the rescue.

"But would it still be there?" Prompto was skeptical.

"I'm pretty sure when I was possessed Sephiroth took out everyone there and then some. So maybe?" Cloud shrugged.

"Let's go check it out then. Morning sleeping beauty." Gladio chuckled as Noctis emerged, looking very much like a zombie.

"Where are we going?" The prince yawned.

"To the last gate. That's likely where Cloud crashed his bike."

"Wait, we taking Regalia or chocobos?"

"No room in Regalia for the five of us, so we would have to go by chocobo."

"Yay!" Prompto exclaimed.

After a short breakfast the group summoned their chocobos. Cloud was almost knocked over by Tifa. He laughed as she shoved her head against his chest.

"Okay, okay! I won't make you wait so long! Tifa!" He grabbed the reins with one hand while the other gently petted her neck. Tifa cooed and finally calmed down. However she still leaned almost her full weight against him.

"You certainly have a way with chocobos." Noctis commented.

"They probably think he's one of their own!" Prompto joked.

"Yeah, yeah." Cloud rolled his eyes. He gently pushed her to get the idea that enough was enough. Tifa straightened up and he climbed on.

"Okay, we ready?" Gladio eyed them one by one.

"Noct, lead the way." Ignis said once they were all on their birds.

Noctis and Stella set off in a fast pace. Behind him was Ignis, Cloud and Prompto side by side while Gladio took the rear. Hotshot tried to coo and flirt, but Tifa snapped her beak at him. Hotshot hung his head, heartbroken.

"Sorry, buddy." Prompto cheered him up.

Cloud looked up to notice all the damage Sephiroth had done. So many trees, animals and monsters spread all over. He started to have flashbacks to the day Sephiroth killed off his friends one by one. He could smell the blood and burning flesh and metal. It was suffocating. Sensing his distraught Tifa skidded to a stop. Gladio had to swerve to avoid crashing into them.

"Whoa! Hey, watch it!" Gladio snapped. When he passed he caught sight of Cloud's face. He pulled his bird around to face Tifa. "Hey! Cloud!"

By now the others had turned around and approached. Gladio moved forward to reach and grab an arm. His grip was surprisingly gentle and Cloud snapped out of it. He stared at dark eyes, visibly shaken.

"Don't let him win. If you feel like a panic attack is about to happen, fight it off. Because if you allow these episodes to control you, you're letting him win. Then you won't be able to fight him when the time comes."

Throat dry, Cloud nodded. If he were honest, he was tired of the constant mental war against Sephiroth. Fighting him off over and over for years was draining. But he knew he couldn't stop now. It wasn't in Cloud's interest to give up. Giving up would mean his new friends fall victim to Sephiroth, and ultimately the world of Eos.

"Gladio? Thanks." Cloud said once he found his voice.

"No problem. Try and work on being more open with us if you feel an attack coming. You're not alone in this. You can't carry that burden on your own forever."

Cloud nods. He was beginning to see Gladio in a new light. He didn't think they shared something in common.

"You ready to keep going?" Noctis asked.

"Yeah. Let's go."

The prince turned Stella around and continued the lead. This time around Prompto was behind him and Ignis took it upon himself to be next to Cloud. Once again Gladio covered their backs.

"You all right?" Ignis inquired.

"Yeah. I'm doing better." Cloud was still amazed with all the damages. Then he noticed a few details. "He used both my sword and his?"

"Yeah. It gave us quite the trouble to fight him. I had to use the element of the swamp against him to make the odds a little more even."

The blonde felt a mix of horror and admiration.