Cloud watched the stars above. He was laying in a patch of grass with Tifa curled up around him as his pillow. He had studied the stars for a good while now. They weren't his skies. He had hoped he would recognize some of the stars, any formations that he memorized from his travels on his home planet.

What are you searching for? You know it's hopeless. A voice whispered.

... You. Cloud sat up, glancing around. Immediately Tifa was alert as she stood up, looking every which direction.

Did you think I would be so easily erased? Pain seared through. Cloud felt the familiar flashes of headaches. His head throbbed.

This was bad. Very bad. Cloud could feel as Sephiroth pushed through to the surface. He tried to push his enemy back. His resistance was met with more pain as Sephiroth maneuvered inside his head with ease.

Just as he thought it was over Sephiroth paused. Something else caught his attention. Cloud heard footsteps. He glanced up to Noctis. He seemed nervous as he studied the blonde.

"Hey... You okay?" The prince asked.

"... Yeah." Cloud nodded. For some reason Sephiroth receded, but his presence was still felt.

"Can't sleep either?" Noctis moved closer as if he sensed the danger had passed.

"No. I was... It was false hope."

"What is?" By now Noctis sat next to him.

"I was searching for any star formations that I would recognize. Anything really that was the same sky I knew. And... Nothing matches."

"You miss home, don't you?" Noctis guessed. Cloud wordlessly nodded. "Do you... Do you ever regret your decision to fight back? Even after everything was destroyed?"

Cloud glanced at the prince. It was an odd question. Did it have anything to do with the fall of Insomnia?

"No. Even after the loss of everyone I love I would still fight. I fought because... Because I knew he would have me in his grasp." Cloud realized Noctis was seeking advice.

"If you're asking how I managed to not fall into despair, I don't exactly know myself. But, when I was at my lowest I felt all the anger, all the sadness, the grief, the happiness I once shared with them, all of it came together and it burned. It stirred up something in me to keep fighting. Even... Even after watching everyone else fall one by one from him."

Talking about it brought those emotions back. And Cloud sensed Sephiroth's retreat. That's right. He couldn't succumb to him. It would mean all his fighting would be for nothing. And it would also mean the end for Eos. The end of Noctis and his friends.

The prince considered his words a moment. It was a lot to take in, and Cloud wasn't sure if he explained it well enough. But after a long moment Noctis nodded. And Cloud almost smiled. He was glad he gave the prince enough peace of mind to find his own courage. He sensed it wasn't at its full potential, but it was a step in the right direction.

"Thanks, Cloud. You know, when you fell, something pulled me to you. They didn't want to come closer. But my instincts told me to anyway. I'm glad I did. I think... I feel a little better of where I stand. Thank you."

"Thank you for coming to my aid first." Cloud nodded, the faintest hint of a smile on his pale face.

Noctis yawned, so he bid goodnight then went back to the camper. Cloud leaned against Tifa. Soon he fell asleep as well.

Cloud awoke to the smell of breakfast. He slowly got up, blinking with how bright the sun was already. Soon as he was on feet Tifa cooed as she followed his lead. The movement caught the attention of Ignis and Gladio.

"Ah, good. You're an early morning riser. Noct isn't much of a morning person." Ignis had ordered their breakfasts.

"So what did you and Noct talk about last night?" Gladio raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?" Cloud was caught off guard. His mind was fuzzy, and he could feel Sephiroth in the back of his mind, watching. The feeling was distracting.

"Oh come on." The tattooed warrior frowned.

"Perhaps he's not fully functional until after he's had something to eat." Ignis theorized.

"I am right here." Cloud frowned. He felt the sting of pain as Sephiroth tried to take advantage of his negative emotions. The blonde quickly suppressed them.

He flinched when a migraine hit him full force like a tidal wave. Cloud raised a hand to his head. He knew they were watching him curiously. Gladio was suspicious while Ignis misinterpreted the reactions.

"Don't take us so seriously. You don't have to answer our questions if you don't want to."

"What's happening?" Prompto emerged from the camper with a big yawn. Behind him Noctis followed, moving more like a zombie.

"Breakfast is ready." Ignis was quick to set the mood.

Cloud felt eyes studying him. He didn't have to guess who it was. Why was Gladio so suspicious? Was he just naturally over protective of Noctis or something? Whatever the reason the blonde brushed it off for now.

Taking the hint Gladio dropped the subject. Cloud suspected Ignis had a way over the man. He made a mental note of this interaction. Should there be any trouble then he would approach Ignis first.

When they set off on their birds Cloud grimaced from a flashing migraine. He raised a hand to his head, gritting his teeth. The others noticed the pained look on his face.

"Are you all right?" Ignis moved his bird closer.

"Yeah. I'm good. It's just a headache."

"Do you get those often?"

"Sometimes." Cloud wasn't sure if he should explain what they meant.

Already hiding from them? You've grown fond of them. Sephiroth observed.

Shut. Up. Cloud pushed him out of his mind. He could still feel his enemy watching in the furthest part of his mind.

"Why the sour face?" Prompto asked.

"Nothing. Just shaking off the headache. So, where are we going?" Cloud redirected the conversation.

You can't escape from me forever, puppet.