A/N: I'm having trouble posting in AO3 so I'll post here first.. If you're using that site as well, maybe you can tell me a fix? ;_;

Anyway, I would just like to say that this chapter is the end of Zack's arc. It took me 10 chapters but finally I can now reveal the entire motivation behind this fic and Zack's character. You know your mama (me) loves you right, Zack?

.

It has not even been a week, Zack thought. But that short span of time was more than enough to drive someone mad, it seems. Genesis had caused destruction to one of Shinra's expensive laboratories, blowing everything up to smithereens. The whole building has gone alert as an explosion disrupted the silence of the night. The entirety of the Soldier Third's floor was on shambles as well; its occupants were stunned in awe or probably in dread as Genesis Rhapsodos, a first class Soldier, sent upon destruction at the very floors of Shinra. And just like that he left, along with a chunk of the Seconds and Thirds, leaving the remaining Soldiers anything but crippled. Nobody seemed to know the reason behind his sudden outburst still, and right now he, along with all the other Soldiers with him were considered as a threat that's currently at large unless they decide to surrender. Lazard looked utterly troubled more than anyone else, possibly because Angeal went after Genesis right after the incident. Zack doesn't know what to think about all of this. Shinra is beginning to be more and more suspicious as the days passes by without a report from Angeal about the whereabouts of the First, to the point that even he has been questioned if he knew something about this—act of rebellion.

"So did Angeal tell you where he is?" Zack asked, frown deepening on his forehead.

"Yes. He told me he had an idea where Genesis could have gone to, but he had not report to me after that. He had told me he'll bring him back."

"What are you planning to do now?"

"I was thinking about sending you there, Zack. He is your mentor, I'm pretty confident he'll hear you out."

"So you think, he's with Genesis, in all this? Why would he do that? This does not make any sense—"

"You'll probably get the answers when you see him again. We're counting on you Zack, even Sephiroth says so." Zack clicked his tongue in frustration. Lazard just crossed his fingers in front of him, looking collected as usual.

"So he doesn't want to deal with them, huh?"

"Yes. I think he's confused as well. Can you do it? I cannot think of anyone else." Zack clenched his jaw tightly. He never imagined there will come a day where he'll need to confront his mentor about treason, of all things. He was the one who taught him about pride and honour of being a Soldier, for fuck's sakes. Yet he is now on brink of being considered a deserter and a threat as well.

"Just recently terrorists wanted to take down Shinra, now Soldiers themselves wants to tear themselves apart. Such an exciting development, isn't it?" Zack blurted out sarcastically.

Lazard does not know whether to feel guilty or pity for the young Second. He must be feeling so conflicted at this point. At first he thought he might cause a bit of trouble for them for he seemed quite— fickle, but now here he is, hoping that this young one could salvage the situation. He wished things were a bit easier, but nothing has gone according to plan and it all came crashing back down on him. Sending Zack Fair was the only best option, whether he conforms or rejects their ideals, there is a big chance to avoid a grave confrontation. At least that's what he is hoping for. The moment Genesis decided that he'll take matters in his own hands, it seemed like bloodshed will be inevitable. What an expensive price to pay for a dream that will no longer come true.

.

The last thing Zack wanted is to have someone breathing down his neck. He was surprised that the Turks will be assisting him in this "retrieval" mission, but he guessed Shinra doesn't like the idea of losing more Soldiers to join the other side. If he is being honest, he thinks they just don't trust him at all. They might be thinking he's some kind of accomplice. This makes all the foreboding feeling he's got to intensify all the more. Sephiroth has wiggled his way out of it, not wanting to face his comrades. Now it's all on him, and if he wouldn't manage to convince them to "return" then—he really doesn't want to think about it. Zack had learned that there was a small forgotten town in Mideel which was covertly used as a front for a Shinra laboratory. Under the town was an abandoned mine that was now being used as a science facility, and a hideout apparently for Genesis and the other deserters. Banora was Genesis's and Angeal's hometown; a place where Soldier dreams were built between two young children who wanted to become part of a heroic and honourable journey, just like him. How ironic. Though reluctant, he is determined to find out the truth in all of this.

Their helicopter inevitably landed on Banora, or what remained of it, and they proceeded with the plan ahead. It was a ghost town, to put simply. There was nothing but old houses, and an undeniable silence that enveloped its entirety. There was nothing alive in there except for the apple trees, their otherworldly, bluish white fruit swaying along the branches and the wind. Angeal had told him once they were the best apples in Gaia and they grow nowhere else besides Banora. The sudden thought had balled into the pit of his stomach, heavy and uncomfortable. They didn't need to venture into the mines before they encountered Genesis; standing tall in all his glory under the largest apple tree at the edge of the town. It's as if he was waiting for them all along, and he greeted Zack with an ever-condescending smile as they moved closer. But of all the things that Zack imagined, this wasn't one of it. The First class Soldier looked so fragile, Zack thought, as he gazed at his ashen face. He looked rather sickly to be exact. Even his once vibrant red head seemed so dull, and the only thing that felt alive were his blue eyes that gleamed from within.

"How do you like my hometown Zack? I came out here to personally welcome you guys."

"You need to put a stop on this already, Genesis. You're putting everyone in Soldier in a tight spot." Zack replied as calmly as possible. He was on edge ever since he boarded that helicopter with these men in black suits. But he didn't come here to argue with him. The smile on Genesis face faded away and the brunet felt the Turks behind him go on alert.

"Put a stop? They're the ones who started all of this—and I'm the one who's going to end it." Zack really doesn't want his emotions to take over but this might be the only chance he'll get to confront him.

"Why should you involve other people on your own shit? Do you think this is only about you? Just what is it that you want?" The brunet demanded, anger spilling from his mouth.

"Why should I not when they willingly agree? I will use everything that I can get my hands on to achieve what I want, Zack." His reply felt like a stab in Zack's gut. Somehow he was suddenly reminded of Cloud, and how terrible he was on expressing himself. He felt an utter need to recoil.

"Stop. Just stop this nonsense— where's Angeal? I know he's here. I want to talk to him."

"Non-sense huh. What about me? What about what I want Zack? If you love Shinra that much just shut your mouth and go back to them. You're wasting your time here." The First replied, and Zack saw the hurt in his eyes. His anger had fully deflated.

"Lazard—he wants you and Angeal back." Genesis's face turned impassive.

"Lazard.. Well I guess, I disappointed him in the end. But I really don't care anymore. I'm going to bring down Shinra with me, whether you and everyone else likes it or not."

"Stop being so selfish— I didn't come here to fight you."

"Yet you are here. Are you itching to know the truth? It's okay Zack, you can just pretend that we don't know each other if we met in the battlefield."

"Are we gonna do this now, then? Is that what you want!?" He just can't get through him, Zack realized. It felt like he was talking to brick wall at this point and it frustrates him for he knew he only have one shot at this.

"Stop it Zack." Zack spun his head on the unmistakeable sound of Angeal's voice.

"Angeal—Just why? Please tell me—"

"I'm sorry Zack, I won't let you hurt him. You're gonna have to kill me if you'll insist that we go back to Shinra." Zack eyes widened at his mentors reply, his face turning white.

"What are you saying so suddenly? Make me understand. Just fucking—make me understand!" The brunet yelled in another surge of anger, voice echoing through the silent trees.

"Genesis, go now." Angeal muttered, his gaze not leaving his once apprentice. Genesis felt the overwhelming reluctance that engulfed him from that command, but he nonetheless obliged. He's the only one he trusts. He doesn't want to leave his side, but he has other matters to take care of other than his childhood friend. This wasn't just about him, Zack said. How true that was, and how he hated the thought of it so damned much.

"Don't do this to me Angeal. You know I'll listen—"

"And then what? Make you fight for me? I'm giving you a choice. An option that was never given to us I realized, since we were born. What are you fighting for Zack? How much are you willing to sacrifice for it?" Angeal replied, his stern face unrelenting.

"I just wanted—"

What is it that he wanted?

Zack watched in dread Angeal's features transformed into something entirely different—something foreign, something that is definitely not human. It was—a monstrous God that held judgement on his hand, a towering spear that could cut him in half. But how—just why? Is this Shinra's doing? It wasn't Angeal anymore. This isn't his mentor who taught him about the great thing that is Soldier. This isn't the man who told him not to think lightly about the outcomes of his decisions. This isn't the man who told him to have pride and honour with everything that he does. But if this isn't him, then who was he all this time? The sword that Angeal gave him felt heavy against his back. He always admired it as it hung proudly behind his mentor way back then when he was still young and dreaming. He had always coveted it. Angeal told him he'll give it to him when he becomes a First and how surprised and happy he became when he gave it to him as a present when he became a Second. That moment suddenly seemed inconsequential now. The very symbol of his pride and dreams had lost its meaning now that he needed to use it against him.

The events that happened next felt like a sudden, dizzying blur, as Zack acted purely on instinct. He cannot fight the adrenaline that rushed through his body as the other-worldly being went for Tseng and and the turks, the sound of gunfire ringing against his enhanced senses. His heart was racing and he felt the Mako coursing through his veins.

"Go back to the helicopter now!" Zack yelled to the men in suit as he blocked the attacks from Angeal with his sword, his muscles tight and straining against the sheer strength of his blow. Every attack Zack launched has become his basic response for survival. He faltered as he received a series of attacks in return, the ground shaking beneath him. His reflexes were far too slow than this—god-like being. He was stunned as a sharp thud had hit his shoulder in what seemed a blink of an eye, and his arm gave away. The buster sword slipped from his numbed hand, clanking heavily into the dirt. His shoulder was definitely bleeding at this point and he wondered dumbly if it was still intact. He was sent flying in a blink all of a sudden, his body tumbling down like a ragdoll against the wind. He hit the ground in a hard thud, wincing against the blinding pain on his abdomen. He threw up blood as he tried to stand up, and he crashed back down on all fours. He can't feel his right arm anymore. He bet he can kill him now if he wanted to, Zack thought darkly, as he heaved and coughed more blood. His ears were ringing and his body shook as he tried to stand once again.

"Do you understand, Zack? This is what it takes to be a Soldier."

"Are you willing to throw away your humanity for it?"

His ethereal voice echoed on his mind, and he shuddered. But Zack stood yet still, shaking. The buster sword felt impossibly heavy in his hand. His vision blurred as an explosion reverberated on the land, and he almost collapsed but he miraculously held on as someone collected him, shouting against his ringing ears. Tseng had hauled him back to helicopter he realized, worry etched in his face. He caught a glimpse of Angeal's retreating figure as their helicopter flew away, accompanied by other Shinra helicopters that are now passing by along theirs. His eyes widened and he can only watch as a series of explosions followed, defiling the small town and the lands that surrounded it, setting everything ablaze. Banora was bombed out of existence once and for all.

"Why did you do that?" Zack asked in anger, fisting the Turk's immaculate suit as he tried to bring him closer, mustering all strength he had left against the consuming pain in his body.

"We have different orders than yours. Whether or not we capture Hollander and the Firsts, our orders is to destroy the Shinra facility and their hideout." Tseng replied in that impassive face of his. Zack's injuries looked bad but they have more problems that it seemed. They should be on the same side of things.

"We need to go back as soon as possible. I just received a report that Shinra's reactors had been attacked by Genesis's army. "

"What?" Zack asked, releasing the other man.

"Don't worry it has been taken care of. But some of them were damaged."

Tseng wasn't so sure about what he had done. His orders where to leave the Soldier Second behind if he showed any sign of betraying Shinra. But the Firsts didn't tell him anything concrete and went for them instead. Zack was severely injured as well. It will be a waste of talent to discard him just like that. He just made what he thought was the rational decision. Something nagged at him at the back of mind but he dismissed it. The completion of their tasks are always the priority.

.

Zack woke up at the Soldier's infirmary feeling a bit foggy. How long has he been here? His limbs hurt more than ever but it seemed like his injuries has been patched up quite nicely. His midsection does not hurt like hell anymore. He checked his email first and foremost when he found his phone and realized that Lazard had sent him a report, stating that both Angeal and Genesis were "Killed In Action". His temples thudded dully in response. It was such a blatant lie but somehow he's not surprised anymore. Shinra just officially killed the both of them; he thought with a slight panic as he remembered that he almost got blown into oblivion if it wasn't for Tseng. The turk could've just finished his own mission and leave him alone to perish like some expendable grunt—Zack caught himself and cut off the train of thought that instant.

He really wanted to know something. He really doesn't want to have anything to do with Professor Hojo but there is no one else to ask. He wasn't able to meet Hollander in Banora either. He doesn't know if he'll get into trouble for prying about this kind of thing, but damn it he is a Soldier as well and he thinks he's got some right to know. They've been keeping him the dark for so long. He cannot erase the mental image of Angeal and Genesis from his brain. Just what it is that Shinra is doing? How did Angeal turn into that—thing? And Genesis, he looked like he's literally dying. To think just a few weeks ago he was alright but now suddenly he looked like he was slowly degrading. Zack briefly checked himself before he proceeded to don a brand new uniform that was prepared for him, discarding the flimsy hospital-like robe that he currently wore. His right arm felt fine. He was pretty sure it got torn somewhere when he fought Angeal.

A choice, huh? His mentor's voice swirled in his head. But why does it feel like he doesn't have one? What should he do when he finally knew the truth? Nobody is going to tell him anymore what to do in a situation like this. He looked around for the buster sword and stared at it for what felt like an eternity. He replaced it on his back and headed to the laboratories.

.

"Were going on guard duty it seems. It says on the report that the defectors are planning on destroying all the reactors across the continent. Since Shinra is short on Soldiers, we will help with the guards strengthen the security and act as back up if ever something nasty happens." Both Delita and Cloud's face were knitted into a frown as Ramza explained in brief terms their duties for next couple of days or weeks (who knows, really). It was quite concerning because, yes, they are prospected Soldier candidates but they are still at infantry level at this point, and to think they would encounter Third or Second Class Soldiers out there is quite worrisome. All they do is train for the most part and assist in whatever random mission that was thrown at them. Guard duty is one of those sometimes and the most trouble they had faced were pesky drunk civilians who scram at the sight of a rifle. He hated those times but those were easy tasks and this is an entirely different situation. He received trainings from Genesis and sparred with Zack one time and he had never won once.

It hit him with a shock, if he's going to honest. Official reports say that Genesis declared war against Shinra himself, and it seemed that he was conniving with other Soldiers for quite some time now. He thought he really loved Soldier. Yes Genesis was such an ass but now that he thinks about it, he had wasted a great deal of effort to train him. It was definitely because deep inside he absolutely believed on what he was doing and lived for it. But now, he wants to destroy something he had loved the most. Cloud chewed his lower lip in frustration and gave up the thought after a second, sighing heavily.

"So can we go together probably? Is there any Soldier that will be assisting us?" Cloud asks, eyeing the other blonde that was seated across him. Talks about missions over lunch had become the norm to them at this point. It was regarded as the main dish.

"We are mostly on the same squad often times so I think we will be together, hopefully. Maybe they'll assign one Soldier at most?"

"Just one?" Cloud mused aloud, chewing his lower lip once again.

"Hoping for Zack? I also would this situation." Delita replied with a half smile, as he tried to lighten up the mood by teasing Cloud. His expression changed by a mere mention of the Second, and he feel a little triumphant. The blonde returned his cockiness and gave him a look that says he knows something that he doesn't. Typical Cloud response.

"I guess we'll just have to see how this all turns out." Cloud finally replied as he purposefully evaded Delita's remark. Ramza does not seem to worry one bit, Cloud noted. He was always like that ever since, he thought. Even when they faced each other in an assessment, or when they are assigned over some vague missions, he doesn't seem to be bothered, and just push his way through anything in a positive note. His lack of self-preservation worries Cloud the most.

.

"This is really bothering me. Something feels odd." Luxiere remarked, as he stood amongst his squad. There was nothing but silence amidst the vast expanse of the Mako reactor and it makes him feel restless.

"Why? Nothing bad happened so far." Cloud replied, watching as the Soldier contemplated before them. Their squad seem rather alert but they were probably bored as hell beneath those visors. Ramza and Delita was an exception to that though. He's sure as hell they can entertain each other to no end.

"That's exactly why. Nothing's happening. We've been stationed here for quite some time now. We have intel that there was going to be an attack on the reactors. I don't think that's just a false alarm."

"Should we go back?" Cloud asks, as he started to feel uneasy as well. Luxiere eyed him warily in return.

"I'll go back to HQ and check just in case. I'm getting no signal here somehow. You guys stay here with the squad leader."

"Can I come with you?" The blonde asked hesitantly. He hasn't heard from Zack yet either. He was sent on a mission just the day before and he hasn't heard anything from him since. Maybe he can find some information from Kunsel. He should've just asked for his email now that he thinks about it.

"Alright. " Luxiere replied after some consideration. He then turned around to address the rest of the squad. The soldiers rushed over to formation at once.

"I need to go check the HQ real quick. I'm taking Cloud here. We will be right back, okay? I don't think something grave will happen but just stay extra alert just in case. Follow what your squad leader has to say, alright?" The squad replied in unison and they watched them leave. Cloud turned once again and gave his friends a nod. Ramza raised his hand and waived at him.

"Finally that Soldier left. You can relax now." The squad leader said, motioning for the team to be at ease. The soldier patrol vehicle roared from a distance until it faded once again to silence, leaving them alone. He gave the squad a once over and walked a good distance away as if he himself would leave the premises, and unlatched his rifle. The soldiers looked amongst themselves in confusion. Their squad leader turned his heel and opened fire.

.

Cloud parted ways with Luxiere when they reached the Shinra building, the both of them in full alert when they arrived at a scene of total chaos. It looked like the intruders had caused a lot of destruction as alarms set off the entire headquarters, soldiers and employees running to and fro everywhere. He checked the infantry bunkers first and was informed by his colleagues that Shinra was indeed under attack by Genesis's army. The remaining Soldiers had dealt with the attack they said, but many had suffered because there had only been a few left. It all sounded crazy, Cloud thought, and he remembered what Luxiere had said. It was most probably a diversion then, stationing the Soldiers to guard the Mako reactors across the continent. His mind kept on wondering about Zack and he raced towards the upper floors of Shinra. An eerie atmosphere had enveloped the top most floors. Even the sound of the alarms seemed distant from where he was. The employees had evacuated it seemed, and with no one left to ask, he decided to follow the path of destruction.

His fingers tightened against the hilt of his rifle as he walks past the mutilated bodies that adorned the hallways. Goose flesh had covered his entire body and he gagged as he scrutinized the Soldier that was lying on the floor, almost cut in half. The others had suffered the same fate or even worse, some had completely lost their limbs, and some had almost, dangling or held together by some measly flesh and skin. He stopped walking for a moment and tried hard to keep the urge to heave in response. It was an utterly horrifying sight to behold but he guessed what unnerved him the most was that these dead Soldiers strongly resemble Genesis Rhapsodos, albeit from the few that doesn't. Something really fucked up was happening, Cloud thought as he then continued to drag his feet toward the vast Soldier floor, following the trails and splatter of blood until he reached the main lobby. He kind of regretted coming up there. Garbled, strained noises can be heard amongst the silent floor, accompanied by a flicker of lights and a gasp for breath, in a final attempt to hold on for dear life. In the middle of it stood Zack Fair, unmoving, blood trickling ever so slowly against the sword in his hand. Cloud's heart was racing against his chest, as it told him to turn his boot and go back now, far below where safety was, while his back was turned away, while he still has the chance. But that is just so wrong because Zack was his safety. He laid his rifle quietly, carefully on the ground. His now trembling legs took a tentative step forward, then another, his own breathing the only sound he could hear. He reached out his hand to touch him, and his breath hitched as air got caught in his throat, sudden, strong fingers squeezing his neck. He felt his veins pulsing against Zack's death grip, and he panicked, pleading to him with a choked voice.

"Zack—stop. P—please—"

"It's m—me, C—cloud-"

"St—opp—"

His glowing eyes burned into Cloud's mind as he tried to untangle himself, prying the brunet's hand away. His feet barely touched the ground.

If he squeezed just a little bit more, he will surely—No. Something isn't right. I already.. Yes—I killed them all, there's just only one left—

"Z-zack—"

His eyes widened as a revelation seemed to hit him, and he recoiled in haste, dropping the blonde.

"C-cloud—I.. I'm so sorry—" Zack choked out as if he was the one suffocating, eyes unfocused from shock. His sword thudded heavily on the ground beneath him as he backed away from the coughing mess that was Cloud, now sprawled on the ground. An overwhelming need to run away engulfed his body. He had hurt him; he almost killed him just now—

Cloud's vision blurred as tears started to well in his eyes, squinting from the strain of his coughing and the pain on his neck. He almost stumbled as stood immediately, but he luckily caught onto his retreating blur of a figure. He cannot see him so well but his broken voice was very clear in his head and held onto him tightly, clutching to his midsection in an embrace. He struggled in his arms in response, trying to walk away, unlatching his grip.

"What the fuck am I doing—Let go— let me go Cloud—"

"Go away—"

"No." Cloud managed as he held on, wishing that Zack would stop struggling. He soon realized that he was hurt, as he felt warmth creeping into the sleeves of his uniform.

"Go away—"

"I said, NO! You're hurt. Stop pushing me away or I'll get really angry—" He wasn't sure how he can raise his voice at this point but Cloud guessed he's getting really desperate. He squeezed him tighter and he thankfully gave in, and they both collapsed to the floor. He looked at his bloodied hands and sleeves as he released him from his tight embrace, feeling revolted. He might have lost so much blood at this point.

"I almost fucking killed you! Why aren't you running away—?!" Zack asked in a panicked voice, his back still turned against the blonde. Cloud moved across him instead, squeezing himself between the other's legs and arms. He cupped his face in his palms and stared against his sky blue eyes and completely broken face. Tears streamed down his pallid cheeks. He was shaking. Cloud drowned the overwhelming urge to cry in return. He doesn't know how to ease his suffering one bit. He never felt so extremely useless in all his life.

"Don't say that—I'm not gonna leave you." The blonde replied as he gently brought the other closer to an embrace. Everything else suddenly felt unimportant. So what if he killed all those people—a soldier has to do what he's got to do.

"Just leave—Cloud. I'm so s-sorry. I didn't know it'll be like this—"

Cloud held him tighter as he choked out his words, fingers raking through his raven hair. Zack had always done this to him when he felt even just a tiny bit agitated and it calmed him every time. He prayed to the Gods that he can do the same at this very moment, and for Zack to stop breaking even more, for he felt like he was about to shatter in his hands. He doesn't know what to say—He cannot think of anything to say.

"You know—all I.. All I ever wanted was to make a difference—

"Even for just one person—"

Zack retorted, nothing but pure hurt in his voice. He felt like all his decisions until know just didn't made any more sense. It felt like everything he believed in was thrown in the trash just like that, in a blink of an eye. He thought loosing friends over duty was difficult enough, but then there came his mentor. Then there were his once comrades—and they are now all dead. He had killed them all—but for what, exactly? Cloud's comforting warmth filled him with extreme guilt. He raised his hands to the hands that encircled him and gently pushed them away. He was afraid to see his face but he wanted to look, even just a glimpse. If he's got no use left, then is he going to be thrown away in the end after all? His eyes were so blue and his beautiful face is marred with anger that made him choke with his own breath. He cannot help the tears that dripped along his face again yet he cannot make a sound, for the silent turmoil had consumed him whole. Cloud's face seemed to have shifted into something he cannot read, and all he felt were his hands that held his face close once again.

"Stupid! Stupid— Zack."

Cloud heard his own desperate voice break into pieces. How could they hurt Zack like this? He was getting so angry but he doesn't know who is to blame. And now Zack was torturing himself over the mess that other people had created. And all he couldfucking do is watch him suffer.

"Stop saying those things—because you already did. You hear me?"

"You already did."

Zack only continued crying his heart out. He does not deserve any of this kindness at all. He wanted Cloud to go far, far away from here. He wanted him to stay away from Soldier, from him, and anything that has got to do with Shinra. He felt so utterly lost and guilty. But Cloud was here, and he was embracing him tightly, not letting him go. He wanted to do the same so badly.

.

Cloud refrained himself from panicking when the brunet groaned from pain, his earlier state of shock finally wearing off. He was bleeding a lot still, and his own fatigue uniform was soaking at this point. At least he seemed to finally calm down. He's not sure whether it's a good idea or not to move him, and so he decided to go and look for help. He doesn't want to leave him amongst this chaos but his life it at risk at this point. He needs to find help as soon as possible. Zack had somewhat regained his normal self and told him to not worry too much, but hell—he doesn't know what he looked like right now. Cloud thinks he's going to lose consciousness anytime soon, and he told him to keep the pressure of his balled uniform against his wound. The blonde was about the stand up after much internal debate when he heard footsteps coming their way. He turned to face them and he didn't know whether to feel relieved or not.

"Look at you. I just fixed you and you're broken again."

His white lab coat looked pristine against the blood-spattered walls. Behind him were a group of uniformed soldiers who were scanning the area and the bodies strewn on the floor, probably looking for a survivor. Hojo adjusted his glasses as he loomed towards the blonde and the Second, inspecting them both.

"He's bleeding non-stop." Cloud replied hesitantly, returning the cold gaze from the doctor. He instinctively held the brunet tighter in his arms as he felt him go limp, finally losing consciousness. Hojo glanced towards Zack one last time and waived for the soldiers to come forward.

"Take him as well." Hojo said, motioning for the brunet.

Cloud's gut revolted against the idea and felt his whole body tense when the soldiers took Zack away from him arms and into a stretcher. The professor didn't spare him another glance nor asked any other question. He didn't pay attention to anybody else on the whole floor neither. He just dismissed everything and went on their way. Cloud wanted to take him back but he cannot seem to move from the spot. No sound came out from his throat.

Only his bloodied uniform remained, discarded on the floor.

.