Chapter ten
I'm awaken by the feel of a hand gently rocking my achy shoulder.
My whole body ached really. Sleeping was the one thing I felt like doing at that moment.
"Come on. …We should go now…" A voice spoke in the darkness of my closed eyes.
I REALLY felt like sleeping now. But I forced my nude self to sit up anyways. Sephiroth stood over me, fully dressed and smiling dimly. It was so obvious he was hurting at the moment, yet he still tried to play the fearless leader role. I shook my head and flopped back down into the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was this really happening? Or is this some kind of cruel joke?
"Why are you dressed in that?" I spoke coldly, still eyeing his favorite part of any room.
He was wearing his old outfit. The long leather coat with the metal shoulder pads, leather pants and tall black boots. That brought back so many unwanted memories…
He stretched his glove over a hand, wiggling his fingers in place. "I figured it would be more fitting this way."
My head snapped towards him. "It doesn't matter what you're wearing. Death is death." I flung the covers from off me and stood. Cautiously. Then walked past him angrily, making sure to not make any eye contact.
My thigh stung like hell, but I didn't pay it any mind. I rushed to my room and grabbed something to put on, turning around in time to catch my sword that was flying towards me. It was feather light to my disbelief. As if it wanted me to slice through Sephiroth. I dropped it and continued to get dressed while he leaned against the doorframe, looking down at the floor.
"I hate you, I hope you know that.." I picked up my weapon and brushed past him. He said nothing.
I jogged down the stairs and snatched my coat.
> >
The cold air stung my face as I stepped out into the open continent. Sephiroth walked from behind me and out into the endless land outside the city. He raised his Masamune and pointed north. I asked him before we left why he brought his sword, he told me 'just in case.' …Whatever the hell that meant.
"Where are we suppose to be going anyways?" I murmured, crossing my arms across my chilled chest.
"Meteor's landing. Where the planet is hurt the most." His sharp green eyes looked over towards me for a few seconds, then back out towards the sky.
"What?"
He sighed. "Do you want my coat?"
"Keep it." I shot back, walking in the direction he pointed.
"It doesn't have to end like this, Cloud." I heard him walking after me. Somehow I had became the leader.
"How else do you expect it to end, Sephiroth? It's not like I had time to prepare for such a thing.." I laughed slightly.
Seph remained behind me. "I know that… I.. I just wasn't sure if you needed to know or not. I was still experimenting."
I stopped my pace.
"Yes, Cloud. All the so called blood you kept finding… was my own. But I doubt you even considered that…" It was his turn to be pissed now.
"…Whatever," I mumbled. "Let's continue this journey in silence." I marched on, at the verge of tears for some unknown reason.
"I want to talk." The older one responded bluntly, now passing me up in pace. My eyes looked at him before narrowing down in hatred. Oh sure, now that he's about to die, he wants to talk. What kind of crap is that?
"It takes your death to open up to me? Ha, sure.. I'm through talking."
"What do you mean?" He shot back.
"I mean.. You never just wanted to talk before this.." I was over my anger. It was time for depression.
He walked in silence for a moment before replying. "That's not true. Cloud, when I first brought you to the mansion I was dying to talk with you. Yet, you weren't exactly very friendly. It was a long time before you even started answering my questions."
Focusing on my boots, I blinked slowly. Absorbing his words and placing them with the situation back then. My arms wrapped themselves around me tighter as I turn my face from the blistering cold wind. I sniffled. It was so cold I couldn't tell if I was sniffling from a runny nose or if I was just crying. On top of that, I totally neglected my crutches, so I had to limp. This day kept getting better and better.
"Should've brought your crutches.." He teased. Noticing my limping.
"..I didn't know what you were doing then. How was I suppose to know? …We were just trying to destroy each other last time I saw you.." was my tardy response. Might as well get some answers before he leaves. I thought bitterly.
"This is true.." He sighed heavily, resting his sword on a shoulder.
"But you know…" He started again, looking over his shoulder at me. "I'm glad you opened up to me."
I managed to blush a little.
Damn! …Just how far IS it?
I gritted my teeth together, to cease their clattering. It felt like we've walked miles upon miles. Plus it was turning dark. Well, it turns darker sooner in the winter months anyways. Sephiroth still walked a couple of paces ahead of me. We both ran out of stuff to say a while ago. So I quietly watched his long silver hair dance in the strong winds that surrounded us. But hell, it could've been spring by the way he was walking. As if it wasn't below zero out. My numb fingers wrapped around the leather strap of my sword's harness. Clutching it in anxiety.
"It's important you stab me through the chest." His voice suddenly boomed over the howling wind.
"Why does it matter?" I barked.
"It's the central connection between the body and life-force area. And since we're at the planet's sore spot, it should be able to fully recognize the energy source."
"…We're here?" The words choked their way out me. He nodded.
I walked past him and peered down into the huge creator. It was a long way down. Very long way.
"Where's Meteor?"
Seph blinked. "It's gone. Once summoned, it served its purpose and vanished."
"That's not telling me where it went…" I mumbled, gripping the harness strap harder.
"Look, enough with the questions. Let's get this over with."
I stood, speechless at his harshness. "What, do you want to die or something?"
"The longer we drag on with this, the sooner you'll be mourning over your friends."
"The longer we drag on, the longer I get to spend with you."
I felt my body being pulled by the same strap I clung to and pressed against Sephiroth's body. My chilled face rested on the side of his warm neck. How he managed to stay so warm, I do not know. But who cared. Our arms shot around each other desperately, as if we would drift apart if we didn't. My eyes closed as he rested his head on top of mines.
"I love you, Cloud…" He whispered in my ear, sending a wave of sorrow through me. Then it became clear to me. It all made sense. I knew what I had to do to save my loved ones. Even though it meant sacrificing another life.
I backed away from him, nodding. "I love you too…."
His eyes shined brightly with joy. My words had brought him some peace. Then without another word, he jumped down into the side of the creator, sliding on his feet towards the bottom. I peeked over the edge at the tall trail of dust he was kicking up and slowly reached for my sword. With a leap, I did the same, holding my sword out stretched behind me. It was a bumpy, cold ride. The vibrations was killing my bad leg. Yet soon I landed at the bottom with a stumble.
"Ugh, what's that draining feeling?" I moaned, feeling as if my energy was being sucked out of me slowly.
"So you feel it? The planet is draining again. We should hurry."
He walked in front of me, partially holding his arms out at his sides. Awaiting my attack.
I raised my blade, aiming it at his chest. He looked me in the eyes and nodded. Assuring my doubtful stare.
I pull back.
He closes his eyes.
I swing… and stop right before I make impact with his chest. I guess I didn't understand like I wanted to.
"What the hell-! This is insane!" I yell in frustration, wildly gesturing with my Buster sword.
"Cloud.." He began.
"How can you accept this!" I cut him off, trembling.
"Haven't I proven myself trustworthy to you?" His voice is eerily calm and irritated at the same time.
"Yes but-!"
"Then trust me already! Do it!" He hollered demandingly.
I shake my head and drop the sword. "I can't."
I could plainly see the rage growing within him.
"Pick it up!" Seph practically roared at me. I didn't bulge. There was no way I was going to kill him. I had made my mind up. We would just have to find another way.
"I know you feel it too, Cloud, the planet won't stop taking lives until it reaches a safe level."
"We'll find another way…"
"Stop this! Do you have any idea just how hard this is for me? I'm doing this for you! All for you and the…the people you care for!"
"We'll discover another way.." My tone was heavy and lifeless.
"I'll force you then…" Sephiroth turned from me and retrieved his sword from the ground. Ooh, that's why he brought it. In a flash I was ducking to avoid the flying blade that was aimed for my head.
I stumbled over and out the way, just to be met with a knee to the stomach. The air was sucked from my body and I hit the ground. He's going to beat me into killing him! My mind shouted as I inhaled sharply, trying to breathe. I didn't have much time though, for I had to roll out the way of a stomping foot. I crawled over and retrieved my sword. Then swiftly rolled on my back, using the weapon to block off another attack by his Masamune.
The clank of the metal swords echoed out.
"Stop it! This isn't going to make me want to kill you!" My voice crackled under the stress of two heavy weapons being pressed towards me.
"Stop thinking with your heart, and think with your brain!" He kicked me my bad leg.
"Ahhh!" I hollered at him and flung my body off the ground, into him.
He stumbled back a few paces and I stumbled forward, swinging my sword at him. Seph blocked it, spun around and knock me in the head with the handle of his sword. It caught me off guard and I tumbled back onto the ground, rolling backwards.
I laid there on my back, panting like crazy and staring up at the dark blue, cold sky. My eyebrows came together at the feeling of a warm liquid oozing out the side of my temple. I coughed, tasting something metallic. Damn, he's actually fighting me with his all?
I saw him walk over towards me. Displaying no emotion. My eyes grew wide and I quickly moved my throbbing head before it was skewered into the ground by his Masamune. Guess he is!.. My head panicked. That was close. So close my cheek sat against his ice cold blade that stood deep in the ground.
"Now do you understand? This is more than about you…" He withdrew the blade and backed away.
I sat up, shaken by this all. My nerves couldn't handle such a predicament.
So without thinking I leaped forward, yelling at the top of my lungs.
Ehh.. Here comes that sucky slow motion.
Of course Sephiroth took this advantage to aim his blade right for me. As in any standard offensive positioning. And I'm suppose to either: A, clash metal with him or B, move my spiky haired ass out the way. Funny, neither of them came to mind as an option for me.
Instead, I threw my sword aside and landed my body on the point of his sword. I spat up a small amount of blood as the weapon went straight through me. It landed on Sephiroth's ghost white face, rolling down his cheek. After that instant I fell completely limp. Pretty much just hanging there on the Masamune. I couldn't breathe… My lungs were filling up with blood. My heart was racing. Everything was hazy..
He snatched the sword from me and flung it somewhere, catching me as I fell forward. My head hit his chest lifelessly. I couldn't move anymore.
"Stay awake, Cloud! You hear me?" He shook me, then looked around for a spot to lay me.
"No…use…" I whispered hoarsely, smiling. We both knew I was dying. And fast.
We fell to the ground, he landed on his butt allowing me to crumble down into his lap. He cradled me in his arms, rocking gently.
"Why did you do that?… What are you trying to prove?" He asked devastated.
"You..said we are the….same, remember?.. The planet.. Can reach its safety level with my …life..energy…too.." I could barely stay awake in order to talk.
"No!… ..Why..-.." There were strange pauses in his sentence. As if he was crying. …But he never cries.
"See… I told you.. I'd find a way to keep…. You all…alive.." I outsmarted the Great Sephiroth.
I felt something warm hit my cheek. A few more droplets joined it. I opened my eyes briefly before they shut themselves. Indeed he was crying. A sight I never, ever once saw. So the myth was just a myth after all…
"…How can I live without you? …How am I suppose to do that? …This was my sacrifice to you…" His sobs faded out and that was the last thing I remembered about that side of the world…
Nothingness. I'm surrounded by nothingness.
"Cloud.."
A woman's voice calls to me from the darkeness.
"Cloud… You can rest now."
My eyes opened to see me standing in a endless field of wild flowers. The aroma hit me suddenly. I look from side to side. Seeing nothing but a mixture of yellow and white, looking up to see a cloudless blue sky. Satisfied with being totally lost, my hand eases its way up to my chest and withdrew. No blood. No pain.
"Where am I? Am I dead?" I speak out to no one in particular.
Just then I feel a hand touch my own. I spin around and gasp.
"Aeris?.."
She smiles at me and pulls me towards somewhere. Still wearing her pink dress and jean jacket.
"You did great. I'm proud of you." She smiles, walking besides me, holding my hand. I smile back and nod. For some reason.. I feel relieved.
I squeezed her hand a bit and she giggled. "My friends… they're all safe now?"
"Yes." She stops and picks a flower, handing it to me. "And trust me.. You'll be united with them all one day… So don't feel blue. Ok?"
I take the flower and look away for a minute. "That's right. I'm dead… What about ..Sephiroth..?"
Aeris smiles dimly. "He'll live on.. You told him to take care of them all right? So, they'll be fine. He'll be fine… in time.." She tagged on the ending quietly.
I laugh, turning away from her. "It's good to see you again. But…I miss them like crazy already. All of them… Is it possible for me to check up on them from time to time?"
"Of course. Don't worry Cloud, this isn't the end… Trust me."
I feel her lean against me and I smile brightly, folding my arms behind my head. Inhaling deeply.
"This isn't the end… Gotcha."
> TBC> >
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
OMFG! Where have I been! I know… I know.. And I have about a trillion more stories to update! Eee! I've been SO busy with school lately! Plus… minor… internet..issues.. But yeah, I'm trying. Thanks for reading this. My first single-character-p.o.v. story. I also decided to make a sequel to this. So heads up for it. It's going to pick up from Cloud's death, but in Seph's perspective. I determined I owed at least that… seemed like it kinda ended with a lot of cliff-hanger type questions. Thanks for the reviews! I love those, so keep 'em coming! Yeah and I actually put some "Uke-roth" in it. (For the person who suggested it. Thanx.) Keep giving me suggestions people, I DO take them to mind.
DoesSephiroth's sudden revelation of the planet's vile plan to use people as energy seem...sudden? Good! That's what I was reaching for. It's to clearify the rashness of Cloud's choice. Anyways! Thanks for reading and/or reviewing! Laterz.