Second Slaughter

The next temple stood boldly in the sunlight. After the last bout with the Guardian Kamaya, this new temple seemed all the more menacing. A brief discussion was held in the Highwind over what the group's next plan of action would be. It was unanimous that they would listen to Sephiroth and attempt to power the Diamond Breaker. Would they be able to do it? After all, they were already fated to fail. Why else would Sephiroth help them?

The team of warriors approached the temple and reveled at the basin in front of them. Which materia crystal would they use as the keystone this time? Horrible memories of the other day made their way into Cloud's mind; the suffering pain of Ultima. The guardian had used the most powerful magic spell known, and emitted it from none other than the Huge Materia keystone in its core. If the temple guardians attacked with commands from the Huge Materia, then the Red Huge Materia should give way to the most powerful guardian. The team was not physically or mentally prepared to face summon magic yet. They did not want to think of the suffering that their own summon beasts could inflict upon them. Eventually they would have to endure the pain that they had caused countless enemies, but not yet.

Vincent placed the Yellow Huge Materia into the glass basin. The world around them began to spin, curses flew from Barret's mouth, and once again they stood atop one of hundreds of staircases in the bizarre room. After deciding to allow the members of the team who fought yesterday to rest, Cloud decided that today's battling team would be Tifa, Cid, and himself. After passing most of the obstacles of the temple and after countless battles of experiencing gaining, the team finally reached the room across from the temple's final hallway. The team double-checked their item supply, cast some much-needed "Cure" spells, and proceeded to file into the hallway.

It was obvious from the writing on the walls that this temple's message was very different. It depicted a man with what appeared to be a ghost erupting from his stomach. They could not read the Cetran writing above the picture, but one thing was unmistakable: the look of agony on the man's face.

"Frightening picture isn't it?"

Once again the team stood face to face with the almighty Sephiroth. Though fueled by anger, Cloud could not help but feel grateful that he was facing an apparition of Sephiroth than actually "being" Sephiroth through possession.

"The images on these walls show a man in blissful pain, willingly giving his soul for his planet. Much like I did, but in a far less 'heroic' fashion…It won't take me long to read you the writing this time; its only two words!"

The words rang in Cloud's mind and he was once again filled with memories of Aerith; memories he was not prepared to handle now. The whole team was filled with a sense of horror, for they knew not what would happen next…

"Sacrificial Chamber. 'The righteous shall stand before the alter of the spirit breaking sword and offer himself to the temple. This will provide the fuel to summon the guardian of the temple.' I can hardly wait to see who will go! I've never seen this particular ceremony performed and I am quite anxious to see how this turns out! Why would I have seen it? This temple arising from the ground is proof that the planet is in a grave danger, the likes of which it has never known. I'm almost honored!"

"Shut up, now!" Cloud stepped menacingly towards Sephiroth, Hard Edge already clutched tightly in his hands. "I can't decide this, it's not fair! We've been through this together. I've… already lost one person who was very important to me..."

"What do you plan to do, fight someone who isn't here!? Stop being so dramatic. You never thought twice about slaying those who opposed you, what makes you people so special!? Anyway, choose quickly. I have preparation to do and I wanted to see this. Don't worry: I won't interfere too much…"

Quick thinking usually leads to reckless actions. What happened next was a perfect example. Cloud dashed ahead of the group and sprinted as fast as his body could, all in a great effort to reach the other side of the hallway. He would attempt to steal the next object needed to make the divine sword; no sacrifices, no guardian battle necessary.

"No! That will not work!" bellowed Sephiroth from across the hall. "The sacrifice is necessary. Go ahead, try and grab the blade and reach into the solution. Your hand will be burned clear off your arm. Only one who has beaten the guardian may power the Diamond Breaker, and only a sacrifice in this particular temple can awaken that guardian. I am tired of waiting. Make your decision…"

Cloud looked down at the rusted blade in his hand. It was unusable in this condition. He would not trade the life of a comrade for the planet. Since when did he start caring about the fate of the planet? In the beginning he had worked for AVALANCHE; had stated perfectly clear that he didn't give a damn about the planet. Would he trade for it one of the great friendships he had developed? Why was he suddenly thinking like this? He knew he cared for the planet and he knew what was right, but how to go about it? If the Ancients truly wanted the planet to survive this attack, why would they make a trial this devastating in the first place!?

"Times up! You are trying to think of alternate ways of solving this dilemma, of which there are none. Your reasoning is futile and you are boring me beyond my limitations. So… allow me… to Spice things up a bit!!"

Without turning to allow any previous warning of his actions, the ghostly apparition thrust his Masamune behind him, wielding the six foot long sword effortlessly. In the instant that followed, no one knew what to do or say: It had all happened so fast. The silence was shattered by a scream from Yuffie. Tifa lay lifeless on the ground, bleeding immensely from the sword wound. Cloud ran up to her sobbing. He had only recently realized the strength of his emotions for her. Both the loves of his life, taken from him by the same man; it was too painful. Running down the alter steps, Cloud took a deep breath and leapt into the air. The room flashed with in a dazzling display of yellow and blue. Cloud fell to the ground, his sword lying heavily in the temple floor's scar that he had created. Before he could even recognize how his "Braver" Limit Break had missed his opponent, his neck was pinned against the cold steel of the Masamune.

"Must I remind you that I am not here? And what exactly are you complaining for? She was touched by an angel, and now you don't even have to make a decision! Save your anger; you'll need it. The guardian will be among us soon. I have yet to see your true strength… don't disappoint me, Cloud."