/N: So, this is my version of how Cloud has been able to survive multiple stab wounds to the chest/heart/lungs area. xD THE GODDESS! Genesis is totally jealous, don't ya know. Anyhow, so I thought 'Breathe was a good one for Cloud and the Goddess; Cloud because he does struggle to breathe a lot throughout all the stuff he goes through and the Goddess because she gives life, therefore breath. See? SEE? Anyhow. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII Characters and Places belong to Square Enix.
He felt the blood bubble up his throat and slowly dribble down his pale chin, his eyesight going fuzzy. He could hear a deep voice talking to him, yet he wouldn't quite make out the words. His vision was edged with black, and he knew—just knew—that this was the end.
He was lying down on something could and hard—probably the floor. He had stumbled out of the room with the creep alien after throwing Sephiroth to the wall, tripping over his own feet and falling; he must've been on the stairs, then. His eyes saw nothing but blurry outlines, and he could only hear fuzzy words wash over him. The black was growing thicker as he laid there; he was probably still bleeding really badly from that chest wound.
He coughed as his heart stuttered, and he shut his eyes tightly, trying to force down the sudden surge of pain that rushed through him. Gaia, why wasn't he dead yet? He just wanted this pain and this uncertainty to end already…he wanted to be with his mother and…with Tifa…because surely she hadn't made it…that gash had looked really bad…
Suddenly, he felt pleasant warmth surround him, and he opened his eyes to see the most beautiful woman he had ever gotten the chance to see. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes that held gentleness that reminded him strongly of his mother. She touched his cheek then, smiling softly to him.
…Cloud Strife.
He started at his name, coughing again and feeling more blood come out of his mouth, covering his chin. He rattled a deep breath, coughing harsher than before.
Do not speak, my Chosen One. She said in her mystical voice. It sounded like church bells and the clashing of swords in battle. This is only the first of your tests…There is so much more for you to do.
He looked at her uncertainly, blinking a few times to see if she would disappear. All that happened was that she sharpened in focus. Suddenly she bent down and pressed her lips to his forehead. Cloud gurgled a cry of pain as what felt like one thousand needles went through his skin, scorching through him; he could feel heat cling to everything in his body, running through his veins, wrapping around his lungs, stomach, and heart while it weaved through his blood and throat.
I will watch over you as you go through your trials, my Chosen One. She said then, laying gentle fingers against his throat. He felt the blood that had been coming up from his chest wound suddenly evaporate, and his eyes started to droop closed as the Goddess smiled at him serenely.
Now breathe.