The poisonous innards of the mechanic beast confronted the pair as they slowly climbed down towards it's heart; the reactor core. A constant hum of machinery echoed continuously around them as though warning them of an impending danger, but it was too late to turn back now. Tifa gazed around in awe as she was led through the reactor, clinging tightly onto Clouds arm as though she would fall the moment she released her grip. It was a long way down to disappear into total darkness…

They paused as they reached the large mechanical door, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps disappearing with a sense of insecurity. Tifa glanced up nervously at Cloud as he reached out a hand and tapped the command panel. With a small noise that could barely be heard above the hum surrounding them, the door slid open violently, revealing a scene of complete chaos.

The room was larger than both had expected, reaching up to an invisible ceiling hidden in the shadows. Against the far wall, a long metallic stairway surrounded by large egg-like pods on its ascending path to a simple metallic door with a decorative sign welcoming all whom entered.

Jenova

However, the focus of attention was on the foot of the stairs where two warriors were enacting a scene, locked in combat: The determined, heroic face of the dark-haired hero staring relentlessly into the eyes of the sneering silver-headed general.

"Damn it, Sephiroth! What are you thinking?" Zack looked to be struggling with Sephiroth, not just through the difference in physical strength but his confusion at his idol's actions. His eyes shone with rejection and disappointment, yet he kept his grip on his broadsword firm. "Sephiroth! Answer me!"

The air seemed to slow, making it hard to breathe. It was as if everything fell silent as Sephiroth pushed the younger fighter backwards and brought his masamune slowly above his head, its surface glittering in the artificial light of the reactor. Then, with deadly speed, it sliced through the air and through the SOLDIERs chest without changing speed at any point. Gradually, painfully, time returned to its usual pattern as Sephiroth gazed down at Zack with a look of satisfaction. The young man gasped for breath, dropping to his knees slowly before collapsing to the floor with a haunting thud. Tifa gasped in horror and turned away to shield her eyes. Cloud watched his fallen friend silently. With unnerving grace, Sephiroth flicked his long silver hair out of his face and turned towards the stairs, slowly ascending each step before disappearing through the door overhead.

Neither Cloud nor Tifa wanted to move. The body of the fallen man was so still; so peaceful in appearance. Tifa buried her face into Clouds back, her tears soaking into the material of the uniform. They seemed to be standing there for an eternity, but it was Cloud who finally moved first. Stepping forward carefully, he crouched by Zacks body and bowed his head in silent prayer.

'Goodbye…'

"… Cloud?" Tifa's voice was lifeless and drained. The blonde stood and gazed up towards the doorway, his eyes brimming with rage. "What are we going to do?"

'Sephiroth… What have you done?'

"Cloud, I… I'm scared…"

'I cannot forgive you. This isn't right…'

Reaching down, Cloud lifted Zacks broadsword. It was lighter than he had expected, but perhaps the adrenaline was affecting his judgement. He had only one aim in mind right now, and everything else seemed to slip into a meaningless insignificance.

"Tifa. Go back to Nibelheim."

"No! Cloud, I'm not leaving you alone with him!" The desperation was obvious in Tifa's voice as she ran infront of Cloud to block his route to Sephiroth. "Cloud, you can't face him!"

"I have to!" Cloud frowned, struggling with the rage that was building within him. "I can't let him get away with this!" Tifa's gaze dropped to the metal floor.

"I don't want to lose you…" Her comment echoed in the air as Cloud watched her silently. Fresh tears were beginning to appear in her eyes, and she made no effort to disguise them. She was genuinely terrified at the prospect of losing him. Cloud reached his arms out gently and embraced her as she buried her face into his chest now, choking back the sobs.

"You'll never lose me," he whispered gently in her ear, "I promise." Brushing a strand of jet black hair out of her face, he smiled reassuringly at her. "This is something I have to do. I need you to understand that." Tifa acknowledged with a single nod, then pulled away slowly out of his arms and wrapped her own around herself, suddenly feeling very cold. Helplessly, she watched as the Cloud slowly mounted the steps towards Sephiroth, broadsword in hand.