Chapter 9
Clashes of steel echoed through the halls as Seifer and Squall continued their battle, both refusing to budge an inch as they continually slashed, chopped, and slashed at each other. Alone, without anyone else in sight, Seifer finally saw his chance to rid himself of his rival once and for all. Squall, however, saw the same opportunity, and fought with all his heart. Seifer raised his hand, preparing to use fire once again, but nothing happened.
"You don't have any magic left!" Squall pointed out, using Seifer's distraction deliver a kick to his stomach. Seifer stumbled back, and responded with a spinning blow. Squall managed to block, but only because Seifer's blade hit the wall, slowing it down. Blades locked, both men pushed, trying to overpower the other.
"It's not too late to stop this!" Squall said, managing to get the advantage. "Why do you continue to fight me."
"You stole my dream!" Seifer spat angrily, using his rage to push squall away. He brought his gunblade up, missing reopening Squall's scar by inches. He was shocked when the spell hit him, the aero spell throwing him back. He climbed to his feet as the sound of metal scraping stone filled the hallway. He looked up, finding Squall rushing him, his maneuver one that Seifer had known only too well. Squall skidded to a stop as he lifted the blade up in a cutting motion.
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The sword stopped inches away from Tseng's face, it's wielder a surprise to Tseng. A grenade went off behind the legend, causing him to lurch forward into the hallway with Tseng.
"Sephiroth! What are you doing here?" Tseng demanded as the gunfire seemed to intensify inside the lab.
"Return to Midgar." Sephiroth said, looking around the hallway. "Do you know where their leader is?"
"No, I don't know anything. Also, I can't leave yet, we do have allies over here." Tseng said.
Sephiroth eyed Tseng, uncertain. Finally, he spoke. "We have orders to get you back, you will return to Midgar. Who are your allies?"
"There's only one so far, young man named Seifer."
"Very well, if I find him during my mission, I will bring him back." Sephiroth said, making the if clear.
Tseng nodded, knowing better than to argue with the most dangerous man in Shinra.
"Wait until the gunfire dies down, then get to the doorway." Sephiroth said, leaving as he began to make his way down the hall.
"It's closed up ahead." Tseng called after him.
"No it's not." Sephiroth called back.
Soon after, Sephiroth found himself alone, strangely void of the enemy. Where were they? Finally, he came to a closed gate. It must have been what Tseng was talking about when he said it was closed off. Not hesitating, Sephiroth cut through the gate easily with his sword, carving a path for himself. The local alarm blared, and Sephiroth soon found himself confronted by the enemy.
"Finally, it took you long enough." Sephiroth said. The enemy soldiers aiming their weapon at him. "Let us see if your power can stand up to SOLDIER."
The soldiers opened fire.