I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.
[A/N A rather long note this time. I had a make a lot of story decisions in this chapter – where I planned the story to go vs. what happens in the game. There are a couple of game elements that were going to be discarded right from the start, and a couple were left off as the story developed. I had a number of ways I was going to approach the end of this story, and as I've now come to it, I've had to make a decision. There was cut scene rewatching, Last Order rewatching, map studying, mapping possible routes, encounters, etc… All my ideas had pros and cons, little deviations or big deviations but what has driven the plot in the direction it is going to go is the world map and moving around undetected, which requires as little interaction with people as possible. Some may like it, some may hate it but here it is.]
The Price of Freedom – The Burdened
Zack wanted to get an early start – Midgar was now much closer, they had left the Turks mooching around on the other continent, or so Zack hoped, and food was more readily available so travelling would be much easier than it had been. All round, things were looking up and Zack whistled a tune at the prepared breakfast.
Zack was busy preparing breakfast when he saw Cloud was moving his fingers slightly. At first he thought it was involuntary movement, it had happened before. He had got excited before. However, as he continued to prepare their food, Cloud continued to move his fingers slowly. In the past, movement that Cloud had made would be somewhat stiff and jerky, and short lived - involuntary. But this was different, the movement was smoother and looked to be deliberate. Cloud also seemed to be looking at his fingers while he moved them. Zack studied Cloud for a moment, his eyes were the clearest Zack had ever seen them and unlike when he followed Zack's hand when Zack fed him, he wasn't just following movement, he was looking and seeing. Zack was almost sure Cloud was running his fingers through the sand because he wanted to.
As he finished up their breakfast, Zack thought back on how much progress Cloud had made. When he had broken them out of the mansion, Cloud had barely been alive – an automation instead of a person. But over the last few months, he had crawled back from the edge. Zack quickly calculated how long they'd been on the run and the progress Cloud had made. Two things came to light – one, they had been on the run for longer than Zack realised and two, it would only be a couple more months before Cloud was back to his old self. Well, if he continued at his current pace, he would be back to his old self, Zack added as an afterthought.
But the smile left his face as he crouched down in front of Cloud with his breakfast. What was Cloud's old self? A shy 16 year old boy. Four years in a lab, his body had grown but had his mind? What about his own mind? The thought caused Zack to pause. How old was his mental state? He didn't feel like a young man in his mid-twenties. Strangely, at the moment he felt older.
Shaking himself from such thoughts, he continued with breakfast.
XxX
The Woodlands Area was beautiful. Zack felt incredibly peaceful as they made their way east. There was always water to drink and berries to eat, there were a multitude of birds and small animals to hunt. Between the area itself, the food and water and the walking Zack was feeling better than he had in months. He felt as if the last remnants of excess Mako had been worked out his system. He was even sleeping well, he'd had not nightmares for weeks and Cloud hadn't woken him with his nightmares either. He was also eating a lot better as well – good healthy portions, and he hadn't refused to eat a meal in ages. For Zack it was just as much of sign progress was being made as if Cloud had picked up the spoon himself.
"So, you got to have your feet apart, knees slightly bend, weight balanced evenly – it allows you to go either way in a fight."
Zack settled into his ready stance as he spoke. They had paused in a clearing for lunch, and were lingering a bit. If may have been slightly unconscious but Zack wasn't speeding through the Woodlands Area as quickly as he could have. He had this notion that Cloud would improve faster if they stayed, but at the same time he wanted to get to Midgar. So while their journey never stopped, it had slowed a little.
"Too much weight on either of your feet means a moment of shifting weight, your timing will be off. Timing is key in battle – strength is good, but timing is better," continued Zack demonstrating as he went.
"You following, Spike?" asked Zack.
Cloud was looking at him, something Zack was immensely pleased about, but there was no comprehension of what he was looking at. He was looking but not seeing. His moment of almost clarity at the beach hadn't been repeated. He was back to following movement.
As long as Zack moved Cloud would 'watch' him but shortly after he stopped Cloud's attention would drift to something that was moving, or his gaze would fall to the ground. So it surprised Zack when Cloud turned to look at something else – it gave him that breath of a moment to hear the swing of a blade.
He was surprised to find himself facing Genesis.
"Genesis," he breathed in surprised both with the attack and the man's appearance.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the Goddess
We seek it thus, and take to the sky," murmured Genesis, his gaze studying Zack intently.
Zack was disturbed to note how like Hojo Genesis' gaze was in the moment. Studying him, looking for something in particular. Zack pushed him back and angled his body so he was guarding Cloud.
Genesis noticed, Zack wasn't foolish enough to think he wouldn't, and slid his eyes in Cloud's direction. The same scrutiny in his eyes. Zack returned the favour, noticing for himself the way in which Genesis held himself, his colour, the look in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" asked Zack.
"Looking for you," answered Genesis smoothly.
Zack's eyes narrowed. Why would Genesis be looking for him? It made no sense.
Genesis spread his arms in a show of himself, displaying his aged form.
"Degradation," he said.
Images of Angeal ran through Zack's minds – a lifetime of images that happened a lifetime ago.
When Zack didn't respond, Genesis shifted his stance.
"I've come for the cure," he said.
Zack snorted in disbelief.
"I don't have it," he snapped. "Do you think if I had the cure, I would have killed Angeal?"
"You didn't have it then," responded Genesis. "But you have it now."
Zack was confused by Genesis' comment.
"I don't have it," repeated Zack. "I have nothing."
Genesis gave a small patronising smile.
My soul, corrupted by vengeance
Hath endured torment, to find the end of the journey
In my own salvation
And your eternal slumber
Zack shifted his stance as Genesis said the last line. He wasn't quite sure but…
"You want to kill me?" he asked.
"Not particularly," drawled Genesis. "I want the cells – the S-cells Hojo injected into you."
Now that was a disturbing thought.
"What are you talking about?" asked Zack.
"Hojo injected you with S-cells, Sephiroth's cells, and they can cure of this affliction," explained Genesis.
Zack was sickened by the thought of being injected with foreign cells. He suppressed a shudder as his mind ran wild for a moment, thinking of all the things Hojo had done to them.
Genesis took that moment of distraction to attack. Zack didn't have time to counter, he was forced to dodge out the way. But he returned the favour as he righted himself. Genesis had anticipated some sort of retaliation and so had plenty of time to block the attack. A few more blows were exchanged as they each tested out their opponent – looking for weaknesses, testing their resolve to fight.
Zack believed Genesis didn't want to kill for killing sake – he got the impression Genesis wanted to wear him down, incapacitate him and somehow extract the S-cells he wanted. The last did not bear thought.
But suddenly that changed. Without much warning, Genesis changed his mind and set about really trying to kill him. Something in Genesis demeanour toward Zack changed as well. He no longer looked at Zack as his saviour, he was looking at Zack as an obstacle.
It didn't help that Zack was struggling to keep Genesis at bay. It had been years since Zack had fought anyone. He had being going through his kata and training when he could spare a moment, but actually fighting someone… It was beginning to show. He couldn't match Genesis' speed, he was still stronger than him and when he did manage to land an attack he pushed Genesis back. The advantage was short lived though.
It took Zack a while to realise it, he should have seen it sooner. Genesis wasn't trying to match his strength, he couldn't because of the degradation. His speed was all he had. Quickly Zack changed his strategy to defence. Even a SOLDIER would tire, and Genesis would tire faster than usual. However, unlike Zack, Genesis realised what Zack was doing almost immediately. He scowled and leapt back, also re-evaluating his strategy.
Zack took the respite and subtly shifted his position so he was in front of Cloud again. It was then that Zack realised why Genesis was suddenly intent on killing him. He thought Cloud also had S-cells. Whether Cloud did or didn't, Zack didn't know. What was important was that Genesis believed he did and would try and get hold of Cloud. Currently, he was in Genesis' way.
Suddenly Genesis leapt into the air with a shower of black feathers and disappeared from sight. Zack stepped forward into the clearing to get a better line of sight but the sky was empty. Zack didn't believe Genesis had gone – he was up to something but Zack wasn't sure what.
After a few minutes of quiet Zack dropped his gaze from the sky. He wasn't convinced that Genesis had left. And even if he had, he would be coming back. Of that Zack was certain.
As Zack start toward Cloud, he felt himself being grabbed under his arms and lifted from the ground. It was next to impossible for Zack to wield his sword with any effectiveness. As it was he was having great difficulty manoeuvring at all.
"Put me down," growled Zack.
"Of course," said Genesis and let him go.
Zack didn't have time to curse as he started falling. He wasn't high enough up to be killed when he landed but he would be winded, and that's all that Genesis needed. It didn't help that Genesis flew up to him, grabbed hold of his front and ploughed him into the ground.
For a moment the world went black, then light returned but breath did not. Zack felt he wasn't capable of breathing. But breath or no, he wasn't going to let Genesis have his way. He glanced round looking for Genesis and saw his crouched down in front of Cloud. The blond was looking up at him, his brow slightly furrowed like he didn't understand why he was looking at a different face.
Rolling to his feet, ignoring protesting muscles, Zack raised the Buster Sword and charged Genesis. As Cloud had alerted Zack to Genesis' presence, he did the same for Genesis. Genesis rolled to the side, but a little too late. The fight and flight had tired him just enough and the Buster sword cut into his thigh.
The wound was not deep, but in his degraded state it was enough to force Genesis to abandon the fight.
He stood a way from Zack and spread out his wing.
Dreams of the morrow hath the shattered soul
Pride is lost
Wings stripped away, the end is nigh
And then he was gone.
Zack watched him fly away, and only once he was truly out of sight did he sink down next to Cloud with a groan. Every breath felt like fire and his head buzzed with pain.
Before he could relax, he turned his head to check on Cloud. He was looking at Zack without any expression again. But Zack thought it better than the frown of confusion he was graced Genesis with.
XxX
Their encounter with Genesis has disturbed Zack a great deal. Not only would they have to dodge ShinRa and the Turks, they now had Genesis to contend with. Genesis' comment had also stirred up memories that Zack didn't care for. Things had been going so well.
Zack poked the fire angrily. He had been up all night thinking about it but no other solution presented itself. He had to kill Genesis.
He couldn't out run the Turks and Genesis together. They might be able to hide themselves from the Turks in the sprawling mass of Midgar but not from Genesis. And Genesis posed more of a threat to Cloud than he did to Zack. Zack could defend himself and he knew he would be getting stronger while Genesis would only get weaker. But even a weak Genesis was not to be taken lightly.
Zack was pretty sure the last bit of Loveless had been a promise more than a threat. Genesis had nothing left to loose, even with the degradation slowly eating away at him, he was still active and fighting fit after four years. Waiting for Genesis to die wasn't an option.
The next question was where to find Genesis. He had to be hiding out somewhere, and it couldn't be somewhere where he had no contact with the world, or more specifically what the ShinRa science department was doing. It appeared he knew more about the specifics of what went on in the mansion than Zack did. He also had to be working with someone - Genesis was clever, a brilliant materia user and a good strategist in battle, but he wasn't a scientist.
The last thought gave Zack a moment of pause. Why hadn't Genesis used any materia when they fought? It was his signature.
He was still jabbing at the coals of the fire when his stomach let him know he was getting hungry. With a sigh he tossed the stick into the embers and looked round their make shift camp. He got a slight fright when he met Cloud's eye across the dying fire. The blond was looking at him, watching him. It looked like he was waiting for something.
"Oh," realised Zack.
Cloud was also hungry and he was waiting for Zack. Cloud had come to understand the thing he always saw fed him, if he was hungry or thirsty he just needed to look at it long enough and he would get something to eat or drink – sometimes both.
"Sorry about that, Spike," muttered Zack and he started scratching around in the pack.
Questions about Genesis would have to wait a little. After breakfast Zack needed to do a little hunting and gathering. Their food was getting low and he needed to stock up a bit if they would going to start looking for Genesis. He wouldn't have a much time to hunt as he did now. His knowledge of the Woodlands Area wasn't that great, he'd never actually been to it before. He had seen it when they flew to Banora. That was something from long ago - Banora. Banora...?
Of course - that's where Genesis would be. It had been bombed so no one lived there anymore. It would be a perfect hiding place for Genesis – no one would think to look for him there. That is, if they even thought he was still alive.
"Banora," he said out loud.
And was startled when Cloud whipped his head toward him at the sound of his voice.
It was the first time Cloud had reacted to something he heard. He was still no recognition in his eyes and when Zack didn't move, his gaze drifted away.
Zack waited a few minutes before calling Cloud's name. Nothing happened, he had known nothing would – initial progress was never repeated. He would have to wait a little longer before Cloud responded to his voice automatically. Then he could pretend that Cloud understood his own name.
XxX
Zack didn't want to do it. The decision torn at him, but he could see no other option. It was the safest option for Cloud. Really? His doubt was making itself known. This is the fastest option and that make it the safest option, he told himself.
But what if something went wrong?
No, Zack decided. He couldn't do it. He couldn't leave Cloud for the day while he went to kill Genesis. Leaving Cloud behind would mean he could look for and kill Genesis quickly and easily. But, Genesis could just as easily see Zack was alone and ignore him in favour of finding Cloud.
Besides, over the last few days Cloud had started to respond to Zack's voice and to look at Zack when he spoke - Zack liked to think Cloud was understanding what he was saying - the more aware Cloud became the less happy Zack was at the idea of leaving him alone. What if he woke briefly and found himself alone? Zack wanted Cloud to know he wasn't alone and to be there for him when he did wake.
They had been making their way steadily eastwards along a small river way. Once again, Zack had to admit that the Woodlands Area was beautiful, he could imagine Aerith being happy here. The tranquillity of the place reminded him of Aerith's church. It was silly but Zack almost felt like she was with them. He almost expected to hear her call him, or see her walking next to him.
Another problem was niggling Zack. He was pretty sure Genesis was in Banora, but he also aware that Banora was on an island. And after all the time and effort it took to cross from the west continent to the east continent, he wasn't all that keen to do it all over again. Not to mention that fact that he had tried his damndest to steer clear of people, and any signs of people.
In the end the decision was made for him when Genesis showed up – he had a cure in his sights, he wasn't going to hang around waiting any longer. As soon as he had recovered as much as he was going to, he set off in search of Cloud.
Zack had been keeping away from any clearings and large area of open ground. He didn't want Genesis to surprise him again, and have the advantage of flight. But luck had slipped away in the coolness of the forest though. As Zack and Cloud stumbled out the tree line onto the coast, the first thing to greet them was Genesis. He seemed as surprised as Zack, but quickly recovered and attacked.
My friend, your desire
Is the bringer of life, the gift of the goddess
Genesis unfurled his wing as he draw closer.
Zack had to act quickly or be killed where he stood. He let go of Cloud's arm, letting him fall to the sandy ground as he drew his blade and managed to block Genesis' attack.
Genesis' attacks were quick and deadly, he wasted no time testing the boundaries and looking for weakness. His advantage would be short lived, he didn't have the strength to maintain a long fight. He had to deal with Zack quickly.
Unfortunately for Genesis, Zack knew this as well, and planned to use it to his advantage – he just had to survive the initial onslaught. Easier said than done. Zack was just keeping up with Genesis as it was, he didn't have time to look for openings – he had to follow the red blade or he would stain it redder with his life. A prickling sensation alerted him to the imminent material attack. Fire, of course.
Zack rolled under the flames and came up next to Genesis, swinging his sword in an upward arc. Genesis jump back but it wasn't enough, he had to block with his sword as well. Zack stepped forward, driving the Buster Sword over the rapier. With a violent flap of his wing, Genesis managed to lift himself out of reach. He landed immediately and changed his guard stance. He couldn't risk flying more than absolutely necessary.
Genesis raised his hand, heat distorting the air around his fingers. Zack readied himself for the fiery attack but was completely thrown when Genesis directed his attack at Cloud.
Angeal used to tell Zack that reacting instinctively was a good thing, but sometimes just pausing for the briefest moment and thinking about what was happening and reacting based on that was what would win the battle. It was after that briefest moment that he directed his attack at Genesis and made no effort at all to block the attack aimed at Cloud.
"Why?" asked Genesis as the flames petered out.
"You can't kill Cloud," said Zack. "You need him alive."
Genesis turned to look at him then.
My friend, the fates are cruel
There are no dreams, no honour remains
The arrow has left, the bow of the goddess
Zack said nothing as he stepped back and Genesis dropped to his knees.
They both knew he was dying. Zack looked over at Cloud. The blond was where Zack had let him fall, he lay on his back but he was looking at them. Zack reached down and took Genesis' arm, pulled him to his feet. They made shuffling progress to the tree line where Zack positioned Genesis against a tree looking out over the white shore and shimmering blue water.
Zack didn't know if he should say anything. Genesis beat him to it.
To become the dew that quenches the land
To spare the sands, the seas, the skies
I offer thee this silent sacrifice
"The Gift of the Goddess," he added looking at Zack with clear eyes.
"What is?" asked Zack.
"Angeal was right," murmured Genesis as his eyes turned to the sea and glazed. "The pride of SOLDIER."
Zack stood for a few minutes – not moving, not thinking. Just standing. With a deep sigh, he left Genesis' side and went to get Cloud. As he passed Genesis he said,
Legend shall speak
Of sacrifice at world's end
He didn't know why he remembered such an obscure line but he was glad he did.
XxX
Zack and Cloud had disappeared northward when the helicopter landed and two men stepped. There was an exchange that was lost in the sound of the whipping blades before one of them gathered Genesis in his arms and they all boarded the helicopter leaving only disturbed sand.
Even if the morrow is barren of promises
Nothing shall forestall my return