Chapter 10 - The Walk Home
Nightfall. Cloud and Zack finished up and decided to call it a day after searching the rest of the waterworks for more creatures.
The search proved pointless and it only made the two more bitter, after all been saved from death by your worse enemy is one of the most demeaning things that can happen to a Soldier.
Cloud carried on down the dimly lit street, his shoulders were slumped down and his head sunk low. 'This is all just a big joke.' He kicked at the air in frustration, the whole day had been one big screw up.
"What the hell is going?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Cloud straightened up and spun round hearing the voice. Behind him Sephiroth stood in his usual pose.
"I.. I want to know what you're planning." Cloud scowled at the ex-General. "What's the point to all these games."
Sephiroth laughed shaking is head. "Still in the dark hmm? Well if you think it's dark now you haven't seen anything yet."
"Stop with the riddles already."
"Cloud you were the best under my command, a Soldier who executed his orders without question... Even, when it came to taking out your own commander."
The blond haired Soldier crossed his arms and just glared at him. "I've changed since then."
"Ahh yes, your new life here." He smirked. "Don't think you can hide your true self from me."
"I have nothing to hide."
"Is that so, not even from your Cetra friend. Have you told her about your past?" Sephiroth walked up to him slowly. "I can remember the missions nobody but you would sign up for, the ones only a heartless mercenary would even touch."
"I told you!" Cloud shouted. "I'm not like that anymore."
He turned to walk away when a black shadow appeared in front of him, Sephiroth put his arms on Cloud's shoulders and grinned. "Who do you think your talking to? I can see right through you, the darkness in your heart is still there."
Cloud reached for his sword and swung it in front of him only to hit the air. "Enough games! Either stand and fight or get lost."
"I'm not here to fight you Cloud." He sighed shaking his head. "Your too valuable."
"Valuable? That's it?" Cloud turned his blade towards the voice.
"Strife, the darkness in your heart will only stay hidden for so long. When it surfaces, then you will understand."
"I don't want to understand." He took another swing, this time the blade made contact with Sephiroth's masamune. "I'm happy like this."
"You don't have a choice." The sliver haired fighter slashed ahead at Cloud knocking him back, this was followed by another three blows nearly knocking the blond off his feet.
The Soldier charged forward performing his Sonic blade attack, unlike when he was fighting Aerith he put all his strength and speed into it. Sephiroth stepped to the side missing the blade but was caught off as Cloud instantly spun round repeating the move again and again.
Jumping back the dark fighter grinned holding up his hand. The ground beneath glowed brighter and brighter until he was engulfed in three huge towers of fire.
Cloud jumped back as his arm was caught in the inferno, he quickly tried to shake the flames off. Inside he could feel his body becoming inflamed with the desire to destroy his enemy. As soon as the walls dropped he ran ahead at Sephiroth stopping just in front of him and jumping into the air, his blade sparked at the force he brought it down in.
Sephiroth's eyes widened and he quickly stepped back into the darkness disappearing from in front of the blond attacker, he appeared a few feet behind to view the result of the attack. The buster sword cut through the stone road and went down to the hilt. Cloud turned round sharpening his eyes on his target while pulling the weapon back up.
Grinning Sephiroth swung his masamune at his Cloud's chest only to be parried once again. Cloud pushed forward striking at the ex-general again and again, his rage pushed him further and further. After the last swing his opponent disappeared once again appearing behind him, he felt the black- gloved hand pressed against his back and soon after the attack that followed.
Sephiroth cast the full fire spell right into Cloud's back, the force sent the Soldier airborne until his body made contact with the wall of a near by house. Taking no time to feel the effects of the last attack Cloud pushed off and sprinted back towards his target.
"Hey see! I told you it came from this street."
Squall nodded drew his gunblade.
"Though I'm not sure what could have caused a tower of fire." Yuffie scratched her head.
"I know," The SeeD member pointed ahead at the two fighters. "Go, get help."
The ninja stared for a few moments as Squall ran to aid Cloud in his fight. "Okaaay then, this looks big."
Squall reached the silver haired man and swung his gunblade while he was still fighting Cloud. Sephiroth half turned and caught the blade in his hand before picking him up off the ground still holding onto the handle.
"Do not interfere." He threw him to the ground and then brought up the masamune blocking another one of Cloud's attack.
Squall shot at glance at dark man realizing just how powerful he was. "Like hell I'd listen to you." He jumped to his feet and joined the blond Soldier.
The two then attacked head on at Sephiroth who was managing to block the attacks coming from both fighters. He grinned parrying blow after blow, the new comer proving he wasn't just another rookie looking for a fight. 'Too bad, I don't have any use for you.'
Sephiroth jumped back and raised his hand in the air, swirls of red soon began to follow. Cloud glanced upward and saw the incoming attack.
"Get down!" He jumped at the floor in time to dodge the meteor that crashed into the spot he was just standing in.
Squall brought his gunblade up trying to block the huge mass of rocks but even for a SeeD member they were becoming too much. "Hey! Try this on."
Sephiroth looked at the new comer not really interested. The gunblade he had been holding now began to glow with a blue aura, the blades tip stretched out doubling the size of the weapon. 'Hmph, mines still bigger.'
"What the hell?" Cid stopped out of breath after been dragged here by the young ninja.
"We have to help them." Aerith held out her arms ready to cast the first spell that came to mind. From above a thunderous lighting bolt hit the dark fighter though, his only reaction was to turn and grin amused at the girls attempt to stop him.
Squall used the time to attack with his stronger weapon, as the blade made contact with the masamune this time it was Sephiroth who had to back down. The SeeD member continued to throw attack after attack now knowing he could cause damage.
Cloud in the mean time brought himself to his feet feeling the effects of Sephiroth's last few attacks catching up with him. He looked up to see Squall attacking madly at his enemy, the improved gunblade using enough power to hold off the winged freak. 'So it's power huh? Well.. Let's try this then.'
Sephiroth was growing more annoyed with the new comers constant attempts to win. He dropped his sword to the side waiting for the next blow, the gunblade came down from the front and Sephiroth held out his free hand catching the sword tip, showing no effort he held the sword still. "I told you to leave."
Cloud finished resting feeling he had no more time to wait, he griped the handle of his weapon tightly and ran head on at winged target. Sephiroth looked over seeing Cloud charging straight towards him, he kicked Squall out of the way and raised his masamune to block the first of the Soldier's attack.
Cloud continued to slash madly at Sephiroth not stopping for any need, each swing just became part of the move making each attack into one solid act. Sephiroth watched while still in danger he smirked at the force of the attack, each time the buster sword passed by he could barely see it. Cloud felt the clash each time his weapon met Sephiroth's, but instead of quitting he pushed harder and harder determined to win.
Cid, Aerith and Yuffie watched in awe as the two continued to fight. At the speed they were going at it was impossible to see each attack coming.
Sephiroth felt something along his arm and smiled, he took a giant leap back out of the range of Cloud's attacks. The blond held his weapon firmly aimed at its target, beads of sweat dripped off of his brow and his breath was slowly returned to normal.
Looking down the Sephiroth continued his grin. The blade had cut through the black fabric and into the skin beneath, a small trickle of blood began to run down his arm. "You see now?"
Cloud made no move apart from tightening his grip. Squall stood up and walked up next to him.
"The darkness in your heart." Sephiroth slowly walked up to the two. "You felt it then, it gives you your strength."
Cloud lunged forward but this time Sephiroth just stepped to the side and before the Soldier could even blink a black gloved hand took hold of his neck squeezing it tightly. "Just let it go. You can't hide it away for ever."
Still struggling Cloud tried to hit Sephiroth but each punch missed its target, the winged fighter thrust his arm out throwing Cloud into Squall. The two jumped up instantly preparing for another attack.
"Enough, perhaps you should sleep on this." Sephiroth raised his hand into the air as the two charged at him, a faint red circle appeared above it. "Sin harvest."
Cloud didn't notice the same circle appearing above his head, but as he reached his target he was stopped by an incredible force hitting his body. The invisible attack brought him and Squall to their knees, their swords dropped to the floor too heavy to lift. Cloud desperately tried to bring his strength up but there was just nothing left to give after that attack, he dropped his chest to the floor and closed his eyes unable to do anything else.
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Note: Smaller chapter this time, I wasn't sure how well this one worked out so I didn't want it to drag along. It's good to see my usual reviewers are enjoying the story along with some new ones. And that's all so hope you enjoy.
Nightfall. Cloud and Zack finished up and decided to call it a day after searching the rest of the waterworks for more creatures.
The search proved pointless and it only made the two more bitter, after all been saved from death by your worse enemy is one of the most demeaning things that can happen to a Soldier.
Cloud carried on down the dimly lit street, his shoulders were slumped down and his head sunk low. 'This is all just a big joke.' He kicked at the air in frustration, the whole day had been one big screw up.
"What the hell is going?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Cloud straightened up and spun round hearing the voice. Behind him Sephiroth stood in his usual pose.
"I.. I want to know what you're planning." Cloud scowled at the ex-General. "What's the point to all these games."
Sephiroth laughed shaking is head. "Still in the dark hmm? Well if you think it's dark now you haven't seen anything yet."
"Stop with the riddles already."
"Cloud you were the best under my command, a Soldier who executed his orders without question... Even, when it came to taking out your own commander."
The blond haired Soldier crossed his arms and just glared at him. "I've changed since then."
"Ahh yes, your new life here." He smirked. "Don't think you can hide your true self from me."
"I have nothing to hide."
"Is that so, not even from your Cetra friend. Have you told her about your past?" Sephiroth walked up to him slowly. "I can remember the missions nobody but you would sign up for, the ones only a heartless mercenary would even touch."
"I told you!" Cloud shouted. "I'm not like that anymore."
He turned to walk away when a black shadow appeared in front of him, Sephiroth put his arms on Cloud's shoulders and grinned. "Who do you think your talking to? I can see right through you, the darkness in your heart is still there."
Cloud reached for his sword and swung it in front of him only to hit the air. "Enough games! Either stand and fight or get lost."
"I'm not here to fight you Cloud." He sighed shaking his head. "Your too valuable."
"Valuable? That's it?" Cloud turned his blade towards the voice.
"Strife, the darkness in your heart will only stay hidden for so long. When it surfaces, then you will understand."
"I don't want to understand." He took another swing, this time the blade made contact with Sephiroth's masamune. "I'm happy like this."
"You don't have a choice." The sliver haired fighter slashed ahead at Cloud knocking him back, this was followed by another three blows nearly knocking the blond off his feet.
The Soldier charged forward performing his Sonic blade attack, unlike when he was fighting Aerith he put all his strength and speed into it. Sephiroth stepped to the side missing the blade but was caught off as Cloud instantly spun round repeating the move again and again.
Jumping back the dark fighter grinned holding up his hand. The ground beneath glowed brighter and brighter until he was engulfed in three huge towers of fire.
Cloud jumped back as his arm was caught in the inferno, he quickly tried to shake the flames off. Inside he could feel his body becoming inflamed with the desire to destroy his enemy. As soon as the walls dropped he ran ahead at Sephiroth stopping just in front of him and jumping into the air, his blade sparked at the force he brought it down in.
Sephiroth's eyes widened and he quickly stepped back into the darkness disappearing from in front of the blond attacker, he appeared a few feet behind to view the result of the attack. The buster sword cut through the stone road and went down to the hilt. Cloud turned round sharpening his eyes on his target while pulling the weapon back up.
Grinning Sephiroth swung his masamune at his Cloud's chest only to be parried once again. Cloud pushed forward striking at the ex-general again and again, his rage pushed him further and further. After the last swing his opponent disappeared once again appearing behind him, he felt the black- gloved hand pressed against his back and soon after the attack that followed.
Sephiroth cast the full fire spell right into Cloud's back, the force sent the Soldier airborne until his body made contact with the wall of a near by house. Taking no time to feel the effects of the last attack Cloud pushed off and sprinted back towards his target.
"Hey see! I told you it came from this street."
Squall nodded drew his gunblade.
"Though I'm not sure what could have caused a tower of fire." Yuffie scratched her head.
"I know," The SeeD member pointed ahead at the two fighters. "Go, get help."
The ninja stared for a few moments as Squall ran to aid Cloud in his fight. "Okaaay then, this looks big."
Squall reached the silver haired man and swung his gunblade while he was still fighting Cloud. Sephiroth half turned and caught the blade in his hand before picking him up off the ground still holding onto the handle.
"Do not interfere." He threw him to the ground and then brought up the masamune blocking another one of Cloud's attack.
Squall shot at glance at dark man realizing just how powerful he was. "Like hell I'd listen to you." He jumped to his feet and joined the blond Soldier.
The two then attacked head on at Sephiroth who was managing to block the attacks coming from both fighters. He grinned parrying blow after blow, the new comer proving he wasn't just another rookie looking for a fight. 'Too bad, I don't have any use for you.'
Sephiroth jumped back and raised his hand in the air, swirls of red soon began to follow. Cloud glanced upward and saw the incoming attack.
"Get down!" He jumped at the floor in time to dodge the meteor that crashed into the spot he was just standing in.
Squall brought his gunblade up trying to block the huge mass of rocks but even for a SeeD member they were becoming too much. "Hey! Try this on."
Sephiroth looked at the new comer not really interested. The gunblade he had been holding now began to glow with a blue aura, the blades tip stretched out doubling the size of the weapon. 'Hmph, mines still bigger.'
"What the hell?" Cid stopped out of breath after been dragged here by the young ninja.
"We have to help them." Aerith held out her arms ready to cast the first spell that came to mind. From above a thunderous lighting bolt hit the dark fighter though, his only reaction was to turn and grin amused at the girls attempt to stop him.
Squall used the time to attack with his stronger weapon, as the blade made contact with the masamune this time it was Sephiroth who had to back down. The SeeD member continued to throw attack after attack now knowing he could cause damage.
Cloud in the mean time brought himself to his feet feeling the effects of Sephiroth's last few attacks catching up with him. He looked up to see Squall attacking madly at his enemy, the improved gunblade using enough power to hold off the winged freak. 'So it's power huh? Well.. Let's try this then.'
Sephiroth was growing more annoyed with the new comers constant attempts to win. He dropped his sword to the side waiting for the next blow, the gunblade came down from the front and Sephiroth held out his free hand catching the sword tip, showing no effort he held the sword still. "I told you to leave."
Cloud finished resting feeling he had no more time to wait, he griped the handle of his weapon tightly and ran head on at winged target. Sephiroth looked over seeing Cloud charging straight towards him, he kicked Squall out of the way and raised his masamune to block the first of the Soldier's attack.
Cloud continued to slash madly at Sephiroth not stopping for any need, each swing just became part of the move making each attack into one solid act. Sephiroth watched while still in danger he smirked at the force of the attack, each time the buster sword passed by he could barely see it. Cloud felt the clash each time his weapon met Sephiroth's, but instead of quitting he pushed harder and harder determined to win.
Cid, Aerith and Yuffie watched in awe as the two continued to fight. At the speed they were going at it was impossible to see each attack coming.
Sephiroth felt something along his arm and smiled, he took a giant leap back out of the range of Cloud's attacks. The blond held his weapon firmly aimed at its target, beads of sweat dripped off of his brow and his breath was slowly returned to normal.
Looking down the Sephiroth continued his grin. The blade had cut through the black fabric and into the skin beneath, a small trickle of blood began to run down his arm. "You see now?"
Cloud made no move apart from tightening his grip. Squall stood up and walked up next to him.
"The darkness in your heart." Sephiroth slowly walked up to the two. "You felt it then, it gives you your strength."
Cloud lunged forward but this time Sephiroth just stepped to the side and before the Soldier could even blink a black gloved hand took hold of his neck squeezing it tightly. "Just let it go. You can't hide it away for ever."
Still struggling Cloud tried to hit Sephiroth but each punch missed its target, the winged fighter thrust his arm out throwing Cloud into Squall. The two jumped up instantly preparing for another attack.
"Enough, perhaps you should sleep on this." Sephiroth raised his hand into the air as the two charged at him, a faint red circle appeared above it. "Sin harvest."
Cloud didn't notice the same circle appearing above his head, but as he reached his target he was stopped by an incredible force hitting his body. The invisible attack brought him and Squall to their knees, their swords dropped to the floor too heavy to lift. Cloud desperately tried to bring his strength up but there was just nothing left to give after that attack, he dropped his chest to the floor and closed his eyes unable to do anything else.
___________________
Note: Smaller chapter this time, I wasn't sure how well this one worked out so I didn't want it to drag along. It's good to see my usual reviewers are enjoying the story along with some new ones. And that's all so hope you enjoy.