Ch-- 14

The air in the cave was stale. Causing one to dread each breath with it's foulness. The cave had been underground for a while it showed in how every place that water had pooled there was a dip in the ground and it was weak. Terribly weak so weak that one step too hard and you would possibly fall threw well at least that's how it felt. So as they trudged along watching their steps over the unsafe ground. One by one almost in complete single file for hours they marched.

"This is pointless..." Skye said shaking her head as she looked in front of them and behind them. Each way looked equally dark and foreboding.

"I'm sure if we walk on a little more we'll be able to see the exit I mean it can't be that far" Cloud said peering into the eerie darkness.

"Unless of course this is the cave that leads straight to the Crystal City I mean... That's always a possibility unfortunately" Tifa said shaking her head.

"Unfortunately..." Skye said shaking her head.

"Lets go back we'll just try going over the fucker you know what they say if you can't go under go over" Cid said laughing. Just then a dark shadow could be seen looming in the distance.

"What was that?" Skye said as she drew her sword

"What was What?" Cloud said looking around. I moved in the shadows again this time closer.

"That!" Skye said pointing to the large figure that was getting closer. Cloud drew his sword and the others quickly dropped everything and took out their weapons.

As the being loomed closer they could tell that it was the Crystal dragon.

"You know what... on second thought I think we should split up and meet out side" Skye said as she sheathed she sword and ran from the dragon. They all did weaving this way and that hiding under rocks. The dragon seemed to have it's sights set on Skye. She couldn't seem to shake it long enough to hide any where and she was starting to slow down with fatigue.

She let out a loud wail as the dragon picked her up roughly by the waist in one giant taloned hand. Cloud darted out towards the dragon with Blade drawn and pulse racing he could feel the fear making a nice neat home in a ball in his throat making it hard to swallow. He did the only thing that he could he stabbed the dragon at the closest spot which just happened to be it's leg he prayed that it would be enough to make the dragon drop Skye but it wasn't. Instead the dragon looked back at him snorted and took off. Cloud refused to let go of the sword driving it deeper into the creature with every beat of it's wings. It was very appearent that something was going to have to give either the blade was going to break of the creature would die of exhaughstion or blood loss. The more likely one being that the blade was going to break. And it did right before a bridge the blade snapped with a sickening clank nearly sending Cloud over the edge.

"Cloud!" She screamed as she watched him struggle for balance.

"Skylie!" He screamed as he reached out like he could touch her as she was dragged away. He threw the handle of his sword at the dragon who was little more than a white speck in the darkness. He pounded at the ground how could he let this happen again. He started to cry. Why was he crying? He had no reason to cry... He didn't love her did he? how could he they had known each other for about a week now... She did fascinate him to some extent though... the way her moods changed so quickly. How long did it take him to know that he loved Aeris, of whom he let die as well. Skye wasn't dead though just not with me. He stood up and took a deep breath. He wiped his eyes in hopes to hide his tears. The others were standing behind around him,

"It's going to be okay" Tifa said smiling as she walked over to him and held him close. He colapsed like a small child. Cloud couldn't bring himself to do anything. He could scarcely bring himself to breathe.

It took them a while to get over the fact that she could be ripped from them like that it took minutes that was all it took minutes to yank her out of their lives.

"She's probably okay... Skye's strong like that" Barret said nodding as Cloud looked over to where the dragon had gone.

"yeah you're right" He said nodding as he stood up and dusted himself off.

"And we can come back... we'll have to the fait of the world depends on it" Vincent said nodding

"then it's agreed... we're coming back now lets get out of here before it comes back" Tifa said as she turned and started to walk for the door the others followed. Cloud turned around and took one last long look down the corridor. He kept looking at the ground as he walked out something off to the side glinted. He walked over to it to find that it was Skylie sword. He remembered watching the man in North Corel try to pick it up. He wrapped his hand around the hilt and gently pulled up. The sword was heavy but it lifted off of the ground with ease. He didn't like the feeling he got when he held it. The blade smelled faintly of wind and morning rain. He smiled and put it in the sheath for his sword and continued to walk out.

"I'll come back for you Skylie I promise" He said as he looked back once more before leaving with the others.