Author's note: Hi guys :)! I'm back with a super cool chapter of Bold Climax! Enjoy :).

Chapter 4: Mirrors

Cloud was starting to feel perplexed. An unknown yet welcoming sensation soon surged within him.

'What is this feeling..? Why does it linger within me?' He questioned.

The feeling was an odd sense of hope, much to his surprise. He soon felt the mark of Chaos on his body beginning to fade.

"The pain of this mark is fading... I don't know why but it doesn't feel unwanting." Cloud spoke to himself.

Fatigue soon claimed his body. He fell asleep, unable to keep awake.

Within Cloud's dream, a ethereal figure revealed itself. The person was female, wearing a white dress. She had blue, ocean eyes that glowed sapphire. Cloud knew whom this person is.

"Cosmo.." Cloud commented.

"Do not be alarmed, Cloud Strife. I did not come to you as an enemy." The woman named Cosmo spoke.

"But for what purpose? I am an agent of Chaos." Cloud questioned with despair.

"You have been questioning your role since Chaos branded you unwillingly. I can see that you're rebelling agaisn't him." Cosmo replied.

Cloud was surprised, but he couldn't deny Cosmo's explanation. He did not like working with the agents of Chaos, let alone with Sephiroth.

"I've been rebelling Chaos, as far as I can remember. But he's somewhat still there inside, I could probably still feel it. He cannot cause anymore trouble now. I need him to stop this," Cloud demanded a bit softly.

"You will have the strength and power to overcome your adversaries. I can promise you this much. I'd rather you be prepared for what's to come. My warriors will help you." Cosmo explained.

Cloud sensed Cosmos's presence fading. He realized, albeit late, she was using a great deal of power to overcome the blocking influence of Chaos.

"Am I able to redeem myself?" Cloud questioned to himself.

A flash of light blinded his sight. During that instant, Cloud swore he saw the mark of Chaos flashing, turning into a light shade blue with a different appearance.

'Was that.. Chaos himself?' Cloud had thought to himself as it faded away. Regardless, he moved on forward, remembering Cosmos' plan in his memory.

Tifa trained with Lightning to help get ready for any conflicts. Yuna was with the group as well.

"You have been training hard, Tifa. It is because of Cloud?" Lightning asked.

Tifa caught off guard, got her face flushed red in embarrasment. She was forced to stop the spar to regain control of her emotions.

"What led to this questioning, Lightning?" Tifa questioned.

"Anyone whom has been with you can see you have feelings for him. It's clear to notice that." Lightning answered.

'Of course anyone would notice. Even my friends from Gaia also noted that.' Tifa thought.

"I won't pry about your love life, Tifa. Just hope it doesn't become an encumberance if he decides to fight back." Lightning warned.

Tifa frowned in response. Soon, Cosmos's presence alerted her.

"There's no need for concern. I had a word with one of the agents of Chaos. This one was rebelling agaisn't the god of discord." Cosmo revealed.

Lightning and the other girls were shocked to hear the news. Tifa, even more so, realized who it is.

'Cloud! You really are fightning back agaisn't Chaos! Please find the light.' Tifa thought.

"I can see that you know and care for whom I'm referring to, Tifa. Yes, I had a talk wtih Cloud. He intends to leave Chaos." Cosmo answered.

"Will he be successful?" Tifa asked.

"Very much so. Cloud needs to find his way agaisn't the discord and darkness. Otherwise, he won't break free." Cosmo answered.

Tifa felt a sense of hope. Cloud was able to fight through his inner struggles.

'I know you can do this, Cloud. I have hope for you, and... I love you..' Tifa thought.

Cloud was at a hall with a mirror at the far end. The hall was like a void, but monochrome.

'If I have to overcome this mark of Chaos, I'll need to fight my literal inner demons and lay them to rest. However, I don't know how much of a change it'll affect me.' He thought with concern.

Will he ever get the chance to fight back agaisn't Chaos? It was a question that plagued his mind. Cloud knew he would have to face Chaos one day.

Tifa looked more postitive than usual. After hearing about Cloud rebelling agaisn't Chaos, she was more determined to find him. Despite the enthusiam, she knew she had to be ready if something goes wrong.

'I will be ready to meet you again, Cloud. Just don't give up.' Tifa thought.

Soon, Lightning, one of her dear allies, crossed her path. She gave Tifa a curious look, but one of pure honesty.

'Tifa has been acting rather postitive lately. She really does have feelings for Cloud, yet when she was near, he was downtrodden. Is it an underlying guilt or something else?' Lightning thought.

Yuna sympathized with Tifa. She knew what it felt to lose a loved one, having remembered Tidus.

"It's not too late, Tifa. You'll have your chance to meet the one you like." Yuna said.

Tifa blushed, but had a bashful smile on her face. Her eyes closed in sincerity, remembering Cloud's presence.

'Cloud is the reason why I want to continue going forward. I want to be near him and support if he ever falls to his knees in defeat so I can help him back up.' Tifa thought.

'I also wonder if Cloud is still fightning agaisn't Chaos, he's yet still fighting for ourselves.. he's so strong and brave.. Chaos won't stand a chance agaisn't him.' Tifa thought in a sincere manner.

Cloud was now standing in front of a large mirror. It showed a dark, twisted version of his appearance. The mark of Chaos flushed brightly on his body, burning within.

'It hurts, but this mirror might be the key, according to Kefka's report. I need to confront what lies within me if I have any hope of rebelling agaisn't Chaos.' Cloud thought.

Cloud soon touched the mirror, causing it to flash in brightness. Soon, it faded and he was no longer standing at the screen of the mirror. Rather, he was WITHIN the mirror, walking in deeply.

'This has to end.. I don't want to be an agent of Chaos no more. Enough is enough.' He thought.

Soon, Cloud stared back at the mirror in question as the mirror reflected a image of a familiar warrior. This turned to be looking quite similar to Cloud.. himself.

Author's note: So :), what do you think? Feel free to leave a review :), several more chapters are coming soon! Thank you for reading :).