It had been three days since Cyrus's triumphant return to Nibelheim with the Clear Materia. Tension was running high amongst the Repentant as they waited for the inevitable confrontation with the WRO. Atlas kept the troops busy over the past few days with drills and instructions on how best to combat and defeat the much-larger and better-trained WRO army. Saion had taken it upon himself to make sure the automated turrets and re-purposed Shinra mechanized combatants were up and active to help bolster the Repentant's ranks. Meanwhile, Rei and Alanye under orders from their master scouted the path to the Mt. Nibel Reactor to ensure that, when Cyrus completed his research, he would be able to reach his destination.

It was at this time that Cyrus, accompanied by Nimuria, finished deciphering the Prayer of Life. This Cetra prayer, as Cyrus believed, would allow him to reach the collective consciousness of the Planet and grant him the spirit energy he would need to use the Clear Materia. Since there were no Cetra left in the world to consult with and there were no records of a normal human ever attempting what Cyrus was about to do, there was a significant chance that this wouldn't work.

But Cyrus was confident in his research and knew that acquiring power on such a scale was not impossible. Sephiroth had done it nine years ago, and only because he refused to dissolve into the Lifestream when struck down by Cloud Strife at the very same reactor Cyrus's journey would lead him to. And whereas Sephiroth coerced the Planet into divulging its secrets, Cyrus would instead ask the Planet for the same power…with reverence and piousness like the Cetra did millennia ago.

Cyrus smiled as he closed his notebook and stood up from his chair. He grabbed his coat and cane from the corner of the bedroom he was working out of in Shinra Manor. After putting his coat back on and checking his pocket to ensure that the Clear Materia was where it needed to be, he turned his gaze towards Nimuria sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Nimuria had remained by his side ever since the day he returned to Nibelheim. While Cyrus poured over his old research, Nimuria remained silent, spending her time either sharpening her daggers or meditating like she was right now. Her eyes peered out the window, but her consciousness was elsewhere.

Cyrus sighed as he walked over to Nimuria. Out of all the Repentant, Nimuria alone held a special place in his heart. She had stood by Cyrus ever since the day he saved her from a pair of Shinra grunts five years ago in Midgar. The scars on her right cheek were as a result of one of Hojo's twisted experiments aimed at testing the limits of human potential in combat. Day after day, Nimuria was forced to fight off other "test subjects" one after another armed with only her daggers and whatever chemical stimulant Hojo decided to test that particular day. She managed to escape after six months in captivity before running into two Shinra infantrymen in Sector 3. The Shinra goons would've dragged her back to Hojo had Cyrus not eliminated them with a Break spell, turning them into statues.

Like Cyrus, Nimuria had seen firsthand the true nature of humanity and had decided after hearing Cyrus's plan to aid him in his work. Together, they recruited others who shared their philosophy. Their group became a following…a following that eventually became a legion. Thus, the Repentant was born.

And soon, the Repentant along with all life on the Planet would return to the Lifestream, becoming the energy to bring about the new utopia. Cyrus kept his feelings of euphoria bottled up inside as he reached Nimuria and place his hand on her shoulder, breaking her self-induced trance.

"Nimuria, I've completed my studies. It's time to make our final journey."

Nimuria turned around, the life returning to her dark-blue eyes. "Yes, master. It's time for us to pay a penance long overdue by humanity."

Cyrus nodded as he led Nimuria to the manor's front door. Before he could head outside, Atlas burst through the door with a look of concern on his face.

"Master Cyrus…Our comrades have spotted the WRO vessels unloading troops and assault vehicles. Their armored personnel carriers will be in sight of Nibelheim in five minutes!"

"And thus it begins," Cyrus muttered. "Atlas, you and Saion will lead our comrades in battle. I will take Nimuria, Rei, and Alanye up the mountain to the reactor. Do NOT let any of the traitors follow us."

"None will pass, master. I swear it."

"Well, to be honest, my friend…I doubt it can be avoided. Especially if Strife and his companions are participating in this battle. If nothing else, delay them as long as they can. If one or two happen to get past you, we'll handle them."

Atlas bowed. "Understood. The will of the Planet be done. You can…"

Atlas stopped when he noticed his master's gaze averted to the sky. "What is it?"

Cyrus peered out towards the night sky for a few seconds before looking down and smiling. He started to laugh for no apparent reason as he stated, "It seems our comrades missed something at the assault on Fort Condor…"

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"All right kids, listen up!" Cid's voice said over the intercom of the Shera as Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Yuffie, Red, and Vincent stood on the outer deck. "We're over Nibelheim, and the WRO will be engaging the Repentant at the front gates in a few minutes. Now's your chance to jump down and catch those sons-of-bitches with their pants below their asses! Cloud, you take care and beat that bastard Cyrus's ass for me!"

Cloud nodded as he ran towards the edge of the airship and jumped into the darkness. He was followed closely by his friends as they plummeted towards Nibelheim. One by one, the members of AVALANCHE pulled the ripcords on their backpacks and releasing their parachutes. They gently glided down in the area surrounding Shinra Manor as the WRO began its assault. Cloud was first to touch ground as he quickly freed himself from his parachute and moved to regroup with his friends. Once everyone was safe and on the ground, Cloud led them around the outside of Shinra Manor towards the Mt. Nibel path.

There, standing in the mouth of the path with three other Repentant, stood a tall man with black hair wearing a grey overcoat. He was adjusting his glasses while tapping his left shoulder with the cane he carried. The look he shot at Cloud was one of arrogance and ego as he gave the spiky-haired warrior a wicked smile.

"Cyrus!" Cloud shouted as he and his friends readied their weapons. "This ends now!"

"Cloud Strife, it's so nice to finally meet you face-to-face!" Cyrus replied facetiously. "However, I have an appointment with destiny that I can't miss, so I must bid you goodbye until next we meet in the afterlife!"

Cyrus and his allies started running towards Mt. Nibel as Cloud started to give chase. His path was blocked by two Repentant: one looking like a living skeleton and the other built like the mountain that towered over Nibelheim. The smaller man stepped forward and removed two automatic pistols from the holsters strapped to his back as he quietly said:

"Cloud Strife. It is the will of Master Cyrus that you and your comrades are to be eliminated. I am Saion, third lieutenant of the Repentant…and I will be your reaper."

"The work of the Repentant…our holy task…it must be completed," the large man added as he produced a five-foot diameter mythril shield and fastened it to his right arm. "I am Atlas, second lieutenant of the Repentant, and I will crush you in the name of Master Cyrus and the Planet."

As the two Repentant commanders readied themselves, Vincent stepped forward and drew Cerberus from its holster and pointed it at the man called Saion. "Cloud, go on ahead. I'll hold these two off."

"Not alone, coffin-stuffer!" Barret shouted as he aimed Ungarmax at Atlas. "Can't let ya do it all by yourself, damn it! Cloud, me and Vincent'll handle these two jackasses. Find Cyrus and whup his ass good! For me and Marlene, got it?!"

Cloud nodded. As much as he would've like to help Vincent and Barret, he knew what his job was. He motioned for Tifa, Yuffie, and Red to follow him towards the mountain path as Saion tried to stop them.

As the Repentant gunner attempted to get a shot at Cloud, Vincent, like a bolt of red lightning, blocked his line of fire with his body and instantly pulled Cerberus's trigger. Saion dodged the shot and dashed towards Shinra Manor. Upon realizing that Cloud and the others were gone, turned his attention to his red-cloaked adversary.

"Very well, Vincent Valentine," Saion said gravely. "I will reap your soul first. Let us see if you are strong enough to stand against me without Chaos to lend you strength."

Vincent didn't say a word as he continued pointing Cerberus at his opponent. He took one glance over to where Barret and the hulking Repentant were squaring off. Barret looked confident enough as Vincent returned his attention to the matter at hand. In Vincent's mind, it didn't matter who won this duel of theirs, so long as Cyrus was stopped.

"But still…no reason to die today," Vincent thought as both he and Saion opened fire.

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Author's Notes:

Woot, woot! The epic clash between the Repentant and AVALANCHE...and the WRO as well. But who cares about them?

To all the Cid fans out there (of which I'm one), don't worry...he'll be getting in on the action eventually in his own way. Besides, would Cid Highwind WILLINGLY avoid a fight?

(Insert joke here) Review!

Later,

"The Exile" Cyrus Truth