Chapter 31: Leap Of Faith

-April 12, 2009-

Elena's POV

Donald sent one last bolt of lightning at Cerberus. The canine's eyes slowly closed as he fell heavily to the ground.

It was a slow series of events that took place next. All of us managed to evade the large limbs except for three us. Sylvia and Sora were the first to react, the rest of us in tow to help remove the leg from Kassy, Hazel, and Goofy.

Goofy was lucky to come away with only a bruised leg. Kassy gasped brokenly and coughed weakly against Sylvia. There came a sudden blood curdling scream from Hazel. Her leg was bent at a very disturbing angle. I held my hand to my mouth to prevent from throwing up.

Poor Donald did his best to heal Kassy's collapsed lungs with the piercing screams of Hazel close by. Once Kassy was able to breathe properly, he went to work on Hazel's leg.

"I healed you both, but it might be best not to fight with us for awhile just to make sure." Donald frowned.

Both girls immediately began protesting. I cut them off, as well as Sylvia who had opened her mouth, "He's right. In fact I think it'd be a good idea for all of us to rest the night."

There was a grumbling of discontent through the group before they agreed. Sylvia slipped an arm under Kassy's legs and around her upper back, hoisting her up. Kassy protested for a moment before sighing and settling into the brunette's arms. I helped Hazel to her feet. I insisted she lean most of her weight on me just in case. She reluctantly obliged.

All of us made our way into the lobby. Cloud was nowhere to be seen. Phil stepped onto the pedestal, a scroll in hand. Hercules stood by him.

Phil grinned, "So, for your brave assistance today, I have something to bestow on you all."

Everyone eagerly gathered around. He read from the scroll in an official and loud voice, "-Thus I hereby dub thee junior heroes, and confer upon thee full rights and privileges to participate in the games. Further-"

"Hey!" Donald squawked angrily, "What do you mean 'junior heroes'?"

The satyr put his hands fists against his hips, frowning down at the duck "You rookies still don't understand what it takes to be a true hero."

Goofy tilted his head at that, "So, what does it take?"

"Well, that's just something you'll have to find out for your selves. Just the way I did." Hercules replied with a smile. The image of Megara popped into my mind.

"No problem. We'll start by proving ourselves in the games!" Replied Sora with a bright grin.

Phil snorted in derision, "There ain't gonna be any games for awhile. Gotta clean up after that last battle first."

The spiky brunet nodded, "Okay, we'll be back."

3rd Person POV

Phil and Hercules watched the group walk out of the lobby. Phil stroked his beard, deep in thought, "I still can't believe that squirt actually beat Cerberus."

Hercules leaned down to speak in a stage whisper, "Just between us, I'd already worn Cerberus down by the time they jumped in."

"My lips are sealed." Phil chuckled, "But you know? There's something I don't like." Hercules glanced at him in silent question, "That silver girl... There's somethin' fishy... And I got a bad feeling..."

"You're just paranoid! Quit your worrying!" Hercules smiled. After a moment, Phil smiled back.

Sylvia's POV

As we approached the World Exit, a spiky blond figure glanced up from his seat on the steps.

"Hey, are you alright?" Sora asked, warily.

"Yeah." He mumbled. I think Elena just swooned.

"Sure you're alright." I drawled sarcastically, "Not like you were stepped on by a giant ass dog and broke something vital. Seriously. I think the next planet over heard that crunch."

I wasn't surprised at his silence.

"So... Why did you go along with him, anyway?" Sora frowned.

Cloud began walking forward past us, "I'm looking for someone. Hades promised to help. I tried to exploit the power of darkness, but it backfired. I fell into darkness and I couldn't find the light."

"You'll find it. I'm searching too." Sora replied encouragingly.

With a smile, he glanced at Kassy out of the corner of his eyes. However, she was focused on Cloud. I resisted the urge to throttle them both.

"For your light?" He glanced at Kassy and then back at Sora, "Don't lose sight of it. It might even be right under your nose."

The blond began walking away. Sora called out to him before he could leave, "Hey! How about a fight with Donald, Goofy, and I sometime? Fair and square, no dark powers involved."

Stopping, Cloud looked over his shoulder, running a hand through his hair, "I think I'll pass."

I glanced at Elena out of the corner of my eye before smirking at Cloud, speaking before I could think through my next words, "We know where Sephiroth could be!"

Cloud immediately advanced on my person. I heard everyone take a step or two back. I smirked, standing my ground, "But you have to come with us."

His lips curled in a soft snarl, "Where is he?"

I shook my head, "Come with us."

It was a several calculated moments later that he finally responded with a quiet, "Fine."

"Glad you see it my way." I grinned, clapping him none too gently on the shoulder, "Now, let's head back to the ship. I want some beauty sleep."

Elena let out a shuddering sigh, following behind me, "Oh, I am so sorry for her. Really."

Cloud remained silent, only asking quietly which room he would be sleeping in. He disappeared immediately. Silence met the cockpit.

I rolled my eyes in the awkward silence, "Well, goodnight bitches."

The girls followed close behind, bidding the boys goodnight. As soon as the bedroom door was shut, the back of my head began throbbing.

I rubbed the tender spot, glaring at my ravenette friend, "Da fuck was that for?!"

"Sephiroth? Have you lost your mind?!" She hissed, clenching her fists.

"Hey, it got him to come with us, didn't it?" I retorted, with a roll of my eyes

"But he's not even supposed to be here!" Kassy whimpered, "What if it screws something up?"

I stripped and dove into the bed, "Quit your worryin'. Nothing's gonna happen. And hey it's an extra hand in boss battles. What's the big deal?"

Elena fumed silently for exactly two minutes before getting ready for bed and lying down on the opposite side of the bed from me. Kassy and Hazel snuggled in between. I don't think the others slept that night, but I can assure you, I slept like a baby.