Chapter Six
The Sniper
He stood there on the side of the cliff. They had gotten hungry and were now seeking food in the town of Coral. He had hunted them from the Northern continent to the Eastern, and now here on the Western continent he would end the hunt. He could see the people running in hysteria, they would keep the dragons occupied so that he could set up the sniper X and kill them in his own time. He could feel his blood pump in anticipation of a kill. You must kill. Kill and make me strong, so that I may once again...Be.
Tifa tore out of bed and grabbed her gloves as she rushed out of the house. People were screaming and shouting, all looking up at the sky in fright. Tifa looked up to see what everyone kept looking at. Flying low, just above the rooftops where two circling full-grown ruby dragons! The smaller of the two suddenly let out a roar that echoed through the valley, and blew flames at the people running below. Screams of pain reached Tifa's ears as people were burned and killed.
Concentrating hard, Tifa called upon the power of ice 3 and aimed at the dragon that had just burned so many people. The ice shot at the dragon, surrounding it and for a brief moment the dragon was completely covered in ice. With a mighty roar, the dragon shot flames, melting the ice. It'd hide was covered in many tiny cuts that bled. Suddenly an explosive echo rang through the air, and for a moment, Tifa was def. Blood spurted from the wing joint of the smaller dragon. Its wing closed in to the dragon's body and it feverishly tried to keep its altitude with one wing. It fell to the ground with a sickening thud. It would not move again. The larger dragon let out a roar of anger and hate before diving low amongst the buildings. The dragon landed heavily, shaking the ground.
Tifa ran to meet it in the hopes of allowing those still inside time to escape. The dragon reared on its hind legs and shot a huge fireball at Tifa. She barely had time to dodge that when it swung its tail around, hitting her square in the stomach. Her breath was knocked out of her but still she managed to roll out of the way as its claws came slashing down where she had been moments ago. Getting to her feat, Tifa unleashed a blinding fury of punches onto the dragon. Roaring in pain, the dragon once more blew flames at Tifa, she was ready for them. Dodging, Tifa called upon the power of haste, and then ice 3. The ruby dragon was knocked back under the on slaughter. Without letting it regain itself, Tifa once more unleashed ice 3 followed by slow. The dragon was forced back; its slow movements frustrated the normally quick beast. Tifa heard a sound behind her and turned towards it. The dragon took the opportunity to lunge at Tifa with its massive jaws. Tifa spun around in time to see its jaws impossibly close to her. 'Crap!' she thought, as a deafening sound echoed once more through the valley. Blood spurted from either side of the dragon's head as it crashed to the ground, narrowly missing Tifa. Time seemed to stand still as Tifa stared at the unmoving form before her. "What the hell...?"
Tifa cautiously moved toward the now dead ruby dragon. She saw a large hole at the base of the dragons jaw bone. Tifa was reminded of the Vlakorados at Fort condor. "Just who the hell can kill a dragon with just one shot? Not even Vincent was that good!"
The people of Coral were starting to come back into town, others came out of their houses. Chad walked over to where Tifa was inspecting the second dragon. This dragon had a matching hole to the other dragon only in the wing joint instead of the neck. Chad watched as Tifa mumbled to herself.
"West." Tifa jumped. "Chad! Hi, everyone ok?"
"Most of the people are alright, but some didn't make it." "What do you mean by 'West'?" Tifa asked. "From the angle of the shot, and the direction, the shot would have come from the Western Mountain. Are you going to check it out?" Chad asked. "Hmmm. when I was at Fort Condor a Vlakorados was killed with one shot. I'd like to find out who can kill such powerful monsters with only one shot. So, I guess my next destination is west towards Nibelheim." Chad let out a sigh. "Wish I could go with you, but I need to help the people here. Come with me, I'll give you the supplies that you'll need to go over the mountain. Barret is going to be pissed that he missed this." Tifa laughed.
A little while later, Tifa was on here way towards a place she hoped that she would never see again. Nibelheim, her old home. That night Tifa dreamed. Nibelheim was burning, Sephoroth stood in the flames, laughing. The fire ate away at the wooden builtings, consuming, killing. He kept laughing. Tifa screamed but no sound came out. The dream changed. Sephoroth was gone, in his place stood...Vincent. he stood there silently staring back at her. Tifa tried to call his name, beg him to help her save the people. Silently he stood there in the flames, staring at her with crimson eyes. He said something, but she couldn't here it over the roar of the fire. She knew it was important, everything he said was important. She tried calling his name. suddenly flames shot up all around her. Tifa woke with a start, she was covered with sweat and she was breathing heavely. Her breath suddenly caught in her throat as she stared down the long muzzel of a gun. It was pointed straight between her eyes. Softly, like a whisper "Give me one good reason why I shouln't kill you."