Cloud was in awe. He never had the chance to admire how they all flew. Chaos was fast and agile with his leather wings. Genesis had power to his long wing as it didn't need to flap as much to keep up. And then there was Sephiroth's wing.
It was a new development not even Sephiroth knew. To Cloud it reminded him of a black swan. Beautiful. Strong. Regal. It suited Sephiroth perfectly. In a way all of their wings suited their personalities just right.
It made Cloud's heart ache that he didn't have wings.
The travel took nearly all day. It was well into the night when they finally caught sight of the waterfall with a cave behind it. They landed with clear exhaustion. The group had flown the entire distance without any breaks.
Genesis was the worst off, staggering as if he was earning his sea legs on a ship. Chaos landed with a loud thump and immediately switched back to Vincent without a fight. He had spent all of his energy for the flight here. Lastly Sephiroth faltered as he landed on his feet. However he kept himself steady so he wouldn't drop Cloud.
"Should we rest or dive right in and get this over with?" Cloud studied them. Even though he didn't have wings he was just as tired as them.
"If I try to fight now, I'm going to vomit." Genesis glared at them. "I might share your cells, Cloud, but I'm not entirely the same as you three."
"I feel..." Sephiroth was in a daze. Despite Cloud's protection he could still hear her.
From her pull Cloud felt it, too. He looked up at Sephiroth, noticing the slightest change in his eyes that trapped him in place. She was pushing her will for him to surrender and become his puppet. He felt his knees grow weak as he found it hard to resist.
"Snap out of it." Vincent reached for Sephiroth's shoulder.
Cloud finally breathed and felt his chest constrict. He had seen visions of the destruction of the planet, and in the aftermath it traveled the cosmos in search for a new one to create the Promised Land. It was almost too beautiful to deny that outcome.
"I guess we shouldn't wait then if she's so desperate." Genesis hadn't seen the visions or heard her call.
"Why are you immune to her? I understand Vincent because of Chaos, but what does that make you?" Cloud found his voice.
"I met the Goddess. After being injected with your cells, it sent my body into shock because I was in an advanced stage. And then I met her. She gifted me with life, naming me her champion." Genesis explained, his voice growing fond as he spoke about her.
"She's real? Perhaps there is some truth in the poetry you're so fond of." Sephiroth blinked in amazement.
"We should hurry." Vincent urged them.
Weary from their travels, they continued onward despite the exhaustion holding over their bodies. The second they entered the cave the atmosphere changed. A heavy weight was in the air, as the cold seeped through the skin into the very bones.
Sephiroth took the lead to navigate through the maze of pathways. He felt her calling and thus followed to the source. His three companions watched him with critical eyes, watching for any signs of him succumbing to her lies.
Finally when it felt endless they found her.
In a column of a glowing mako crystal was the body of a woman. Her white coat exceeded her short dress. Her long brown hair held in a high ponytail. She seemed so peaceful in her slumber inside. It was difficult to believe she was alive.
As they drew closer Sephiroth willed forth Masamune. Yet before he could swing he paused. He now had a good look of her and was transfixed. He now knew what Vincent meant. This was the woman who gave birth to him.
"Mother..." Her grip on him cut deeper.
Cloud reached for him. The second he tried pain seared through his head. It hurt so much he screamed. His hands gripped on either side of his head and he staggered, doubling over as he struggled to breathe.
His cries of pain brought enough of clarity to Sephiroth for he made two quick motions with his blade. He split the mako crystal above her head and below her feet. The crystal shattered into a million pieces like shards of glass.
Sephiroth raised Masamune with one more strike. As she fell her eyes opened. A loving smile formed on her face. He couldn't bring himself to make the final blow. Cloud summoned all of his strength and wrapped his arms around Sephiroth's waist.
Taking the initiative Genesis swung his crimson blade. Before his blade could pierce her side Masamune sang her song. It was the only warning before the long blade interrupted the attack.
"No!" Cloud tried to pull on Sephiroth's arm. He was pushed away hard. The blonde landed hard on the cold rock at their feet. He looked up to see her standing over him. She held out a delicate hand to him.
Will you accept my offer, child? It would be a shame to lose you.
In a flash Genesis changed targets to the silver General. His attacks were slower than usual. Even so his eyes burned with determination. He raised his spare arm and activated the fire within. The Goddess had also gifted him with the flames of destruction and rebirth.
With a swift motion he sent flames at her direction. Sephiroth raised an invisible shield to protect her. She tilted her head at Genesis, regarding him with a curious expression.
Cloud reached out to the planet with his connection as a lab created Cetra. He prayed for the strength to fight her. The planet was hesitant, knowing he wasn't a true Ancient. Cloud felt another presence and he knew it was Aerith helping his prayer with her own power.
The blonde felt the planet respond to his call under Aerith's will and gifted him a unique broadsword in his grasp. The metal felt light in his hands, yet he could tell it was made of the strongest material for a weapon. This blade was what he needed.
He inhaled. When Cloud exhaled he was on his feet and raised his sword. His attack was blocked by Masamune. Sephiroth was unrelenting as he focused on Cloud. The blonde backed up as he was forced to be on the defense.
Vincent and Genesis moved to help him.
"I'll handle him! Take care of her!" Cloud ordered.
"Such arrogance Cloud. Can you really resist me?" Sephiroth's voice was so tempting. His smirk sent shivers.
"The sooner you accept our Reunion, the easier it will be." Her voice was heavenly.
Cloud couldn't breathe. His body felt like lead. Up until this point he had been able to resist her. But when she had Sephiroth under her control Cloud found he had a harder time to resist him. She was using his one and only weakness.
Sane or otherwise Cloud was addicted to Sephiroth.
Then in the distant reaches of the Lifestream he heard the cries of his own mother. Images of his childhood home burning flashed in front of him. How did he forget? How could he forget?
Hatred and fury filled his heart. Gritting his teeth Cloud pushed back. His will to resist caught Sephiroth and Jenova off guard. And suddenly the silver General was on the defense. However he wasn't budging from where he stood.
Since Cloud was now able to hold his own against Sephiroth, Vincent and Genesis turned their focus on her. She frowned at the pair. Her gaze settled on Vincent.
"You would kill me? After everything we have been through my love?"
Vincent hesitated. He remembered. But he knew before him wasn't Lucretia anymore. His heart had moved onto another. Realizing that she couldn't reach him she glared coldly at Genesis.
"I would apologise, my dear. But you're not worth it after all the pain and suffering you have caused." He raised his arm for another fire attack.
She took a step back. The shield Sephiroth had raised was gone. She glanced over to her son and panicked when she saw that he was too far away, too focused on enjoying crossing swords with his lover.
"Sephiroth!" She yelled.
He stopped. Sephiroth looked over his shoulder just in time to see her body burn. She let out a horrible scream that echoed within the cave. The scream was followed by gunshots that pierced her heart and head. The body collapsed as the flames consumed flesh and bone.
A clang of the broadsword on the cave floor Cloud collapsed with an ear splitting scream of his own. She was trying desperately to take control of his body. He felt the pain in his chest and head to match the bullets. His skin felt like he burned.
Released from her hold Sephiroth knelt to pull the writhing blonde into his lap. His touch was enough to somewhat make Cloud snap out of it. But in his panic he raised an arm to strike, not realizing who held him. A familiar hand gripped his wrist and Cloud stilled.
His eyes opened to meet green. Love and affection danced in that gaze. Slowly it brought Cloud to reality and separated him with the identity of Jenova. His lungs hurt from his panicked gasps. Cloud swallowed dryly as he forced himself to slow his breathing down.
"Sephiroth..." He whispered, voice cracking.
"It is done Cloud. She's gone."
