Eva's mind bulked in disbelief. No-one could have survived her mind-weld at its most powerful strength. Her eyes flew open, her black pupils dilating, as she found herself staring down into his emerald green orbs, a look of wry amusement playing about his face.
Eva made to run, but she was too slow. With lightening quick speed, the man took hold of one of her wrists, and held her firm. Sheer panic now seized her. Who was this man? He was no mere mortal, of that she was certain. His fingers began to squeeze in a vice like grip, crushing and hurting, causing her to cry out in pain. Eva noticed that her distress brought about a cruel smile to his lips. She desperately needed to escape him.
Her instinct for self preservation took over and, without even realizing what she was about to do, she brought her head crashing down onto his, smashing the top of her skull against the bridge of his nose as hard as she could.
It worked, for as a thin trickle of blood began to pour from his nose, he relaxed the hold on her just enough for her to pull free and break away. She ran as fast as she could through the doorway and out into the middle chamber, knowing that she had to have some time to think, to understand what was happening, and most importantly, to figure out how to tackle him! Knowing that he would be right behind her, she took advantage of the few seconds head-start she had, quickly casting a cloaking spell, and rendering herself invisible. She ran quickly and hid behind the plinth, a little wary in case he should still be able to see her.
Standing, Sephiroth wiped a hand across his bloodied face, smiling down at the crimson red smear. She had drawn first blood. He would draw the last. Reaching behind his back, he pulled forth the deadly sword, Masamune, from its sheath. His eyes travelled along its glistening shaft, and he imagined it penetrating the girls slim body, entering and exiting in one swift move. With a chuckle of pure delight, he went after her.
Eva saw him stride out of her room, saw too the lethal weapon that was held in front of him. She watched as he stopped and looked around him, his eyes quickly searching the area. He gazed straight at her, and Eva held her breath. He moved forward, and she breathed a sigh of relief as he ventured into the other two empty rooms, before finally going back out into the passageway that led to the outside world.
Still cloaked, she stood up and went to run back into the safety of her room, only to stop in fright as a slim man with spiky blonde hair came out through the open doorway first. Eva froze, as he too glanced around the chamber, a puzzled, almost frightened look upon his face. She stared at him, taking note of his muscular physique, his wide blue eyes and his sensual mouth. But there was something wrong with him. His form was not solid, it was ghost-like, effervescent, changing in hue and colour before her eyes.
Eva gave a small gasp, and he turned and looked directly at her, his blue eyes narrowing. She quickly moved to one side, and was alarmed to see that his eyes followed her.
He can see me, she realized.
At that moment, the silver haired man returned to the chamber, his eyes opening wide at the sight of the other male. He walked up to him, inspecting him, intrigued at the others condition.
"It would appear that my sister's magic has forced you from me," he said, impassively. "She has saved me a job, I suppose".
Eva's temper bristled. Why did this stranger keep referring to her as 'sister'? She didn't like it, and when she had gotten some strength back, she would show him just how much it angered her. But for now, she saw that the exit to the passageway was clear, and she took her chance to flee.
Cloud's eyes immediately followed her movement. Sephiroth, without a moments hesitation, brought his mighty blade around in a wild swinging motion, smiling with satisfaction as he saw drops of blood begin to drip to the floor. They pooled for a few seconds, before beginning to run down the passageway, betraying Eva's escape route.
Sephiroth turned to face Cloud, his eyes bright with excitement. "So, you're still coming in useful," he sneered, before turning to go after the fleeing girl.
He was in no hurry. She had nowhere to hide from him.