-Cloud-

Here, alone

Here, I stand

Here, I am judged

Here, my nightmares become real

Cold sweat trickled down my neck as the noise from below grew stronger. Different emotions washed over me at that moment. I was anxious, enthused, thrilled by the scent of bloodshed that was coming; but, fear rose above all. I wasn't afraid of dying. The first dictum we, SOLDIERS, always remember is: fearing Death is a coward's doing. We were trained to face Death many times and conquer it. This time, I…

I stole a glance at her and my eyes widened at what I saw. She was calm and collected, like she had been in this predicament countless times. She wasn't afraid of death, and that makes me a coward. But there was something in her eyes that bothered me. What had escaped there, I may never know.

"Go! There's a truck waiting for you outside!" Henrick commanded while pushing the door—which was barraged by an angry mob—shut. Buckets of sweat had already dampened his shirt. "I'll hold them off! Go!"

"I can fight!" I announced as I stepped forward. If there was something I was good at, it was to fight… till I die! Even though I so boldly said that, my feet were firmly rooted on the ground, and my knees trembled. I had to clench my prided hands that killed countless people to prevent them from shaking. What if I lose control again?

"Damn it Cloud!"

When I heard that from Henrick, I froze. Something from within me ached. This feeling was for this man who was standing in front of me, trying his best to protect strangers he didn't even know. Why?

"There are much more important things you could do! For now, let me have the spotlight," after he said that, he smirked and continued, "Go! Protect Aerith!"

Aerith? I turned around and I caught her looking at me with sad eyes. I approached her and looked back at Henrick who had his thumb up for me.

What is this? Why do I feel this way with a person I just met? I had hurt people he lived with for years, but why did he shelter me? Why did he give me a second chance?

One possibility can lead to a thousand occurrences. Take that challenge. Immerse yourself with the world.

I nodded at him and faced the green-eyed girl. I looked at her and then, I didn't know what to do! How should I…? Looking at her bruises made me consider how painful it would be if I merely touched them. How could I—

Then, without announcement, without words… Aerith encircled her arms about my neck and stepped closer. My eyes widened, my heartbeat quickened… I—I breathed hard, crouched, and slipped my hands under her legs. I can feel her heart beating slowly, rhythmically on my back. It made my own gradually beat steady like hers, then my fears dissipated instantly.

You appeared like an answer to my nightmares

That tiny light that began to glow brightly

Fragile, like a thread that connects me to reality

When darkness sits in, I see you

Within a few seconds, I was out the window and into the darkness of the night. I advanced towards the edge of the rooftop, my feet sitting dangerously on the gutter. For a moment, I turned to the man who took care of us. There was this word that I despised. Right now, that word is at the end of my tongue. I looked at his weary yet content face and suddenly my lips formed a small smile.

"We're going now."

He grinned back and replied, "Take care, you two."

I trudge from nowhere going nowhere

My life had no meaning, no song

But, here with you, I found something

And I'm taking this chance with you

Rain began to pour heavily and thunder filled the skies. Aerith moved closer and her embrace tightened. Who knew? She does have certain fears. I grinned at my new discovery and looked forward. Here is my chance. I stood from where I stand; ready to leap into uncertain grounds. I'll take this chance, and I'll follow it wherever it may lead me.

"Let's go, Cloud."

Then, we jumped.