FINAL FANTASY
PATH OF DARKNESS
Chapter Nine
Escape From Atrum
Atrum stood perfectly still, his cloak flapping behind him in the wind surrounding the platform on which he stood. The wind seemed to have no source. Before him hovered a crystal that was somewhat larger than a human. It glowed brightly
with an inner light that reflected off of Atrum's eyes.
He stood atop a platform, the crystal floating several feet away, a pale green glow coming from underneath the platform. "So, you defeated Omni WEAPON. I'm impressed Cloud." Atrum said as Cloud and the others walked up behind him.
Cloud shifted his sword so the hilt pointed behind him at an angle, and the blade face off to the side at a slight forward angle.
The cloth wrapped around it was horribly tattered. A breeze came by and the cloth fell off the sword and blew away, allowing the light from the crystal to shine off the blade.
Sephiroth stood there calmly, his cape flapping behind him. Aeris and Rinoa stood back looking forward in determination. Squall stood there with his gunblade resting up on his shoulder with one hand on the hilt.
Cloud narrowed his eyes and calmly and coldly said "It ends here, Atrum."
Atrum slowly turned as he said "Oh i agree. I shall enjoy slaying you."
Cloud set his mouth into a firm line and shifted his right foot back slightly. "I'm afraid you do'nt understand, you're the one who is going to die, not me." Atrum smirked and replied with "Maybe, maybe not. But are we not technicaly the same person. So no matter who wins, neither of us does." "Does that mean you surrender?" Cloud asked. Atrum chuckled before saying "Oh no, it is you who should surrender. While you have you're pitiful little freinds to help you
i have the power of the crystal, also known as the world source. But talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words." With that Atrum tensed up for a split second, then a wave of energy rushed outwards slicing the air before slamming
into the group knocking all of them onto the ground.
Cloud slowly stood, but Atrum released another wave of power though Cloud managed to keep on his feet this time despite being knocked backwards a few feet. The others also recovered quickly, and braced themselves for a third attack.
The waves were very powerful, striking with the force of cannon ball!
"You are more resilient then i thought, no matter. I can keep this up all day!" Cloud frowned as he raised his sword in front of him preparing for battle, he faintly heard the others doing the same behind him. Atrum cocked his head to one side
and asked "You wish to fight me?" "I intend to rip you apart." Sephiroth stated in a menacing tone. "I intend to fry you to a crisp." Rinoa said. Squall said "I intend to decapitate you." "I intend to beat you down." Aeris added.
Cloud stepped forward and said "I...intend to destroy you completely."
A wave more powerful than the ones before raced outward blowing all of them into the air, where they hung suspemded and helpless. Atrum laughed mockingly as he turned away from them and once again faced the crystal. "That may be
you're intent, but i doubt very much that you have the power to make it happen. Too bad."
"Bastard!" Cloud spat. All he got for his efforts was a smaller wave of power that struck only him, knocking him back several feet and winding him. Cloud coughed voilently, and spat out some blood. Atrum half turned his head and said
"Perhaps you should keep you're mouth shut."
Cloud growled, but did not speak. "Much better." Atrum said. He turned his head back towards the crystal, which was glowing more and more brightly by the second. Then Atrum lifted off the ground and floated up towards the crystal with
an almost joyful look on his face. "With the power of the crystal, i can finally have what is mine. No longer will it be you're life Cloud Strife!! Not you're freinds and family!!! Not you're destiny!!! IT WILL BE MINE!!!!!!" Atrum shouted in a
thouroughly insane tone. Suddenly energy began to pour out of the crystal and into Atrum who was surrounded by a bluish glow. Meanwhile the light in the crystal grew dim and began to fade, while Atrum's glow became golden.
Then it was over and Atrum just hovered there.
The group was slowly lowered to the ground, Cloud glaring up at Atrum all the while.
Slowly, Atrum turned in mid-air to face them with a cold look. "So, do you all think you can defeat me now?" He asked tauntingly. Cloud slowly rose to his full height and said "I do'nt care how powerful you become, i will still defeat you."
Atrum smirked cuely as the Ultima Weapon fomred in his hand. Cloud raised his sword up and jumped up at Atrum with a feirce overhead strike which. The blow came within an inch of striking Atrum, only to beet with a blue magical
sheild. The shock of the blow reversed onto Cloud throwing him backwards onto the ground before he slid backwards several feet.
"Cloud!" Aeris said rushing to his side. There was no need as he was already standing back up. "Are you so sure of that? I do'nt think you can defeat me at all." Atrum said in a mocking tone. Then he raised his hand and coldly declared
"Enough, you all bore me. It's time for you to die."
As if those words were a trigger of some sort the platform beneath their feet shook slightly as the bottom of it glowed brightly as it began to break apart. Golden strands of energy raced back and forth on the bottom of the platform eating
it like acid and sending small broken peices falling into the light below, which incinierated them. "This is really really bad!!" Rinoa said as the platform tilted sideways somewhat.
"Damnit!! What the hell are we supposed to do!?" Squall asked as he put a hand on the ground to steady himself. "DIE!!!!!" Atrum roared in response. Sephiroth moved over to Rinoa and Aeris, who both braced themselves for an attack.
"You two, you need to combine you're magic and open a portal back to the planet! Do it NOW!!" Sephiroth shouted. The two stared at him blankly for a moment, then realizing they should probably do it, they got started.
Atrum looked over as the portal formed. "No, i do'nt think so." Atrum said quietly, then flew right at the two women. Sephiroth whirled drawing the Masamune and swung not at Atrum, but at his sword. Sephiroth knew that striking at Atrum
would be worse then useless, but maybe his sword was still open to attack. The two blades met and magical strands of energy in the shape of cat tails burst outwards as Atrum was knocked backwards. Sephiroth had to fight
the instinct to follow through with another attack, it would do no good. "It's ready!" Aeris declared loudly. Cloud and Squall looked quickly moved towards the portal. Atrum once again charged the women with an overhead chop,
which Sephiroth met head on with another burst of magical energies, their blades locked together and they shoved feircely against each other.
"Sephiroth!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Go through the portal! I can't hold him off for long!" Sephiroth said in a strained voice as the two swords ground against each other causing sparks to spray outwards.
Cloud nodded and said "You turned out alright." Sephiroth nodded slightly then turned his head back to Atrum and re-doubled his efforts. Squall moved through the portal followed by Aeris and Rinoa. Cloud stepped back towards the portal.
"I...forgive you." Cloud said, then stepped backwards into the portal which closed behind him. Sephiroth smiled. Then the two fighter broke apart and jumped to meet each other in the air as the last of the platform broke away and fell into the
all incinerating light.