Chapter Eight

AN – Another really quick update! But I have to let you know that I've been excited about this one since I wrote it, and couldn't wait to share it with you!

Angeal waved a hand in front of his face, dislodging some of the flies hovering around him. The marshes were even worse than they were in his memory, with treacherous ground and insects everywhere. Luckily, they had Red with them. The quadruped was sure-footed and seemingly able to swiftly find a path through no matter where they were, something Angeal was very grateful for as they were making much better progress than he'd anticipated. Even Sephiroth seemed happier, as the faster movement through the marsh was offsetting the slow progress through the foothills.

That didn't make it pleasant, though. The flies might not be biting Angeal and Sephiroth in the same way that they were attacking Barret and Red, but they still formed a dense cloud in front of his face. He was fed up with inhaling the things. But it could be much worse.

"Gah! I ain't never comin' near this hellhole again, ya hear me?!"

Barret was almost dancing as he swung at the insects. One foot slipped on the edge of a tussock and he might have fallen into the bog if Angeal hadn't grabbed his gun arm and pulled him back to his feet. The big man scowled at him.

"I don't need no help."

Red, his ears pinned back miserably as his tail swished from side to side, merely snorted. "Unfortunately, I fear that a layer of bog does nothing as a deterrent." Mournfully, he looked down at his own feet. The mud reached several inches up his front legs from where he had been testing the ground. "It just makes it harder to see them."

Barret cursed under his breath. "How long d'you say we were gonna have to put up with this?"

Angeal rubbed his chin, absently noting that the small amount of stubble he habitually left on his jawline was getting long and scruffy. "We've made good progress. I'd say we're nearly halfway across it. We're aiming for that point over there." He gestured towards the mountains in the distance, where two ridges seemed to meet. "There should be a gap between them that we can follow. The entrance to the mines is not far beyond there."

Barret rubbed his large hand across his head before trudging after Red again. "Well, we ain't gonna get there by standin' around."

"Quite." Sephiroth watched as they approached him. Barret scrutinised him with a furrowed brow.

"You feeling better now, then."

Sephiroth exhaled, a slight sound that would probably have been a full blown huff of annoyance if he was anyone else. The tall SOLDIER fell in line with Angeal as they continued to follow Red. "Tomorrow we will meet up with the others."

Angeal looked at him out of the corner of his eye. "Has that been the problem? They will be fine. How much trouble can they get into on the plains? The worst-case scenario is that they will be delayed by taking the longer route."

Sephiroth shook his head slightly, silver hair cascading at the motion. "The story that Cloud recounted… I have needed time to think."

"Right." Angeal turned his attention back to their path. That was hardly unreasonable, given everything they had been told. He himself wanted to know how he and Genesis fit into the equation, if at all. Whilst he knew that supposedly they died within the year, believing in it was harder. They were fit, enhanced SOLDIERs in the prime of their lives. Despite dealing in death, it had always felt like a distant enemy – one which only applied to those who fell at their hands.

"I suggest we think about resting for the night." Red's words broke into Angeal's thoughts, his tongue licking at his upper lip while he looked around. "I believe this is a suitable area, and the light will fade soon."

Angeal couldn't really tell what made this particular patch of lurid green grass any more suitable than all the others that had passed or were ahead, but he was not going to argue with the leonine creature that had kept them safe all day. He simply started to erect a tent where Red told him too, while Barret set up the other. Sephiroth looked out across the marshes to the south east, before settling down with his back against a small hummock.

"I will take first watch." He stated calmly, pulling Masamune to him and starting to polish the blade.

Barret didn't argue, just waved a hand before crawling into his tent whilst complaining under his breath about the flies. Angeal shrugged at Sephiroth before entering his tent to catch what rest he could.

The next day dawned damp and cloudy. A layer of fog hung over the marshes, reducing visibility and bringing a chilling damp that permeated everything. Angeal couldn't help the shiver that ran through him – despite not feeling the cold, the oppressive atmosphere chilled him to the bone.

The only saving grace was that even the flies were unwilling to come out in this weather.

It was a quiet party that packed away their tents, reluctantly stowing the sodden canvas. Luckily, Red's sense of direction didn't seem to be hindered by the fog, nor his route-finding capabilities. By mid-morning, the ground underfoot was becoming much more solid and reassuring. By lunchtime, Angeal thought he could almost make out the shape of the ridge in front of them.

The track that wound between the two mountains wasn't as well-worn as it had been the last time that Angeal had passed this way, with undergrowth reclaiming the cobbles that had once been laid. But the way was still obvious despite the ravages of time; a wide, grass-covered track that wound through two steep valley edges, folding around a corner and disappearing from view.

"Finally!" Barret twisted, his back cracking unpleasantly. Red sighed deeply, shaking one of his hind paws as he tried in vain to dislodge some of the mud. Placing his paw back down, he scented the wind. His eyes narrowed.

"I smell blood."

Angeal looked back out at the marsh, the white fog obscuring anything from view. "Could be anything."

"No, not out there. That way." He pointed with his nose towards the entrance of the mines. Taking a firm grip on his sword, Angeal stalked along the path with the others following closely.

Any relief that he might have felt at finally reaching solid ground and the entrance to the mines was wiped out when he rounded the corner and saw what was waiting on the path through the hills.

"Shit. That ain't pretty."

Angeal thought Barret's exclamation was something of an understatement, eyeing the huge snake that had been impaled grotesquely on a dead tree. The thing had to be over fifty metres long, but that hadn't stopped it being hoisted into the air and dropped onto the dead branch that stuck straight up like a skewer. The snake was upside down and was fixed to the tree just below the flared hood on the top part of its neck. Its head hung down, mouth gaping open. Rivulets of blood ran down from the wound and dripped off the end of its nose. The tree was also covered in blood, the ground beneath a sopping mess. The scent hung thickly in the still air, a sweet metallic that you never got used to no matter how much you were exposed to it.

Despite having a strong stomach, Angeal had to turn his face away. "What would do this?"

Sephiroth moved closer, looking up at the snake from below. "I can only think of one person."

"Hm," Red made a noise of agreement. "It does look as though we are on the right track. It's almost like he wants us to follow."

"What're you sayin'? This was that other Sephiroth?"

"It is a tableau set up for us to find." Sephiroth turned his cat-like eyes on Barret. "He is taunting us, as he did in the former president's office. To what end, I do not know."

"No offence, but that other you is one helluva nutcase."

Sephiroth's lips quirked in what might have been a smile, for the first time in several days. "That, we are in agreement on."

Angeal frowned. "Do you think the others would have come past this?"

Barret scratches his head. "I dunno. Don' think so though, but we might wanna check."

Sephiroth stalked past the body of the snake and around the next bend in the valley that led to the entrance of the mine. Angeal exchanged glances with Barret and Red, before they came to an unspoken agreement to wait nearer the marshes. Sure enough, Sephiroth was soon back and shaking his head.

"There is no sign of them, they are not here yet." Angeal could detect the faintest trace of disappointment in his voice.

"Well, we knew they were unlikely to get here ahead of us," Angeal placated. Sephiroth didn't react, but the tension in his shoulders loosened just a little.

Whilst waiting, Barret and Angeal set up a small camp. Even if the rest of the group turned up today, they wouldn't want to be entering the deserted mines at night. Getting a crackling fire going helped to chase away some of the lingering damp, even if visibility was still poor.

Sephiroth and Red suddenly both standing up and staring out into the marshes drew Angeal's attention immediately. "What is it?"

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed a little. "Something is coming this way, and quickly."

Angeal stared through the mist, able to hear the pounding of feet now. Whatever it was, it sounded panicked. He drew his sword, noticing Sephiroth do the same. Barret carefully cocked his gun and aimed it forwards while Red crouched defensively.

He couldn't tell what it was, the strange shape that started to form in the fog. But it swiftly became more defined, darkness giving way to bright yellow, with feathers and beaks attached. But the chocobos were nearly on top of them before Angeal realised that Tifa and Aerith were clinging desperately to their backs.

The birds slid to a halt, startled, when faced with Sephiroth brandishing a blade. It was enough to send Aerith tumbling to the floor. Tifa just about managed to slide off her mount in a slightly more dignified way before the birds tore free, racing across the marsh and out of sight.

"Tifa? What happened?" Angeal was nearly knocked off his feet by Barret as he raced forwards to crouch by the brunette. For the first time, Angeal noticed the tear tracks down her face.

"That bastard!" She cried out, hitting the ground with her hand. "I'm going to kill him!"

"Who? The merc?" Barret's good hand clenching tightly made Angeal fear for Cloud if he had been the one to distress Tifa.

"No." Aerith was stumbling towards them now, wide green eyes locking on Angeal. "Genesis. There was this huge snake thing, and he and Cloud stayed behind to fight it. He sent us away." Her shaking legs gave out and she would have collapsed if Angeal hadn't stepped forwards to catch her. He blanched, thinking of the size of the snake that had been left on the path just behind them.

Sephiroth was already striding away into the marsh without a backwards look. Angeal locked eyes with Barret, who nodded his head after the other SOLDIER. "I'll stay here with Tifa and Aerith." Reassured, Angeal strode after Sephiroth. Red brushed past his side, ears twitching.

"I hear something ahead. Hurry."

Angeal rushed to catch up with Sephiroth's long strides, the urgency in Red's voice egging him on.

The fog seemed to muffle the sound as well as blanket the vision, so they were nearly on top of the battle before they realised it. Angeal felt his jaw drop as he saw the size of the snake that Cloud was facing. The diminutive blonde was dancing in and out, avoiding the strikes from the monster but unable to easily land a hit on it. As if one mind, both SOLDIERs instinctively ran over to help him.

But as they approached, Cloud looked over his shoulder at them. "Get Genesis!" He shouted, gesturing to their right where the ground began to slope upwards. Angeal received a sharp gesture from Sephiroth, who immediately leapt into the fight alongside Cloud. Angeal peeled away and started to scan for his friend.

He doesn't see him, at first. He could blame it on the shifting fog, disorientating him and distorting the world around him, but he can't. He just doesn't connect the unnatural angles and faded colours as something that could be a human, could be Genesis. It isn't until Red cries out "There!" and races on swift paws across the uneven ground to the crumpled heap that he realises he is looking at his friend.

Genesis's breath is coming fast, too fast. It is rasping as he fights for every mouthful of air that makes its way to his lungs. It sounds terrible, but to Angeal it is the sweetest sound he has heard – it is proof that Genesis is still alive. His eyes are closed and he is so pale he is almost grey, except for the trickle of blood that runs from the corner of his mouth down his cheek to his jaw.

Angeal deliberately doesn't look at or think about the huge black wing that stretches out along the ground beside him.

There is a flash of green and he realises that whilst he has been standing there, looking on in a dazed stupor, Red has fired up a cure spell. And then a second. But they are basic spells, unable to do anything about the level of injuries Genesis has sustained.

But the breathing gets quieter. Angeal doesn't know if that is a good or a bad thing. He doesn't think too long about that, either.

The swordfighting stops abruptly, leaving a strange stillness in the marsh. The only sound now is the rasp coming from Genesis, and the drumming of Angeal's heart.

A figure slides to a crouch next to Red and suddenly a much higher-level cure spell covers them all in a pale blue light. This time, there is a visible effect as Genesis turns just a little less pale. A gloved hand moves Angeal gently to the side and starts to straighten Genesis's legs out. Another high level cure washes over the redhead, limbs snapping visibly back into straight lines as the magic does its work.

Cloud then passes the materia to Sephiroth and steps around the other side of Genesis. With a careful hand, he reaches into the wing and pulls it until the white bone no longer sticks out from the centre of the feathered mass. Sephiroth casts this time, skin and bone and flesh knitting themselves together under the strength of the spell.

Angeal sits, helpless, grasping Genesis's hand just so that he can feel the pulse in his wrist. While the others work, he prays to Genesis's goddess that he survives.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Cloud rolled away from yet another lunge, before trying to get another strike in. This was taking too long! He'd seen Genesis take a heavy hit from the snake's tail that had launched him into the air, but since then it was all he could do to keep the snake away from wherever Genesis had landed. Cloud had no idea if the redhead was even alive, but if he was then he must be badly hurt if he wasn't back in the battle.

The snake tried to bite him again, this time Cloud blocked him using the Buster Sword. The snake bore down on him, and Cloud could feel his feet sinking into the soft surface of the marsh. Knowing that he could easily get bogged down, he flung the snake away from himself with a burst of strength and then worked to regain his footing again.

He turned when he heard the sound of running, relieved to see that Sephiroth, Angeal and Red were all there. Both of the SOLDIERs had drawn swords and were heading towards him. Cloud shook his head, he could keep the snake occupied for now. "Get Genesis!" He shouted, waving behind himself in the direction he thought that the other had fallen. He returned his attention to the snake just as it dove back towards him again, forcing him to move.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sephiroth leap forward, Masamune in hand. Even together, the creature still managed to dodge and evade as it tried to wear them down. But just as Cloud felt like he was flagging, the air started to shimmer around him and he felt himself invigorated with unnatural energy as his limit break finally arrived.

"Get back," he called to Sephiroth, before launching in with an almost impossible series of strikes as his limit took over. He finished with one long uppercut that slit the upper body of the snake cleanly into two halves. Both sides thudded to the ground before Cloud landed, absorbing the shock through bent legs with his sword held out behind him.

He looked up straight into Sephiroth's stunned face.

"Cloud," Sephiroth breathed, his lips parted and pupils dilated. His eyes glowed iridescent green as all of his attention was focussed on the man ahead of him, an intense expression on his face that Cloud couldn't place. His free hand clenched at his side, as though he was physically stopping himself from moving. Something inside Cloud's stomach churned, leaving him feeling oddly heated given the cold, damp conditions. Unable to process it right now, Cloud turned his attention to the rest of the party instead. With a quick shake of his head he turned and was running back up the hill and away from both Sephiroth and the carcass of the snake.

Genesis was easy to find, the bright flame on Red's tail lighting the way. Angeal was standing there, seemingly mute in horror, as Red was doing his best with an unlevelled materia. Cloud slid in beside Red, trying not to look too closely at Genesis's injuries. He was alive; therefore he could be cured. Reaching for his own healing materia, he shot a higher level spell at Genesis and was relieved to see a small amount of colour return to the man's face.

Sephiroth calmly started rearranging Genesis's limbs so that the obvious breaks were realigned. Once he'd done so, Cloud used the cure spell again and watched in satisfaction as the limbs straightened noticeably. He popped the materia from his sword and held it out to Sephiroth, who took it and cast again.

Then Cloud turned his attention to the wing. It was clearly badly damaged, with a piece of bone breaking through the surface and feathers in all directions. Working his way around Genesis, Cloud could see that the sticky substance on the feathers that he had assumed to be mud was in fact blood, the red shining oddly against the deep black of the feathers. He reached his hands in and began to straighten it, aligning the bone as best he could though he suspected it would always look a little deformed now. As though reading his mind, as soon as he was finished another high level cure spell washed over the wing, causing the break to heal itself in front of Cloud's eyes.

There was a quiet moan from the crumpled form, one which had Angeal hunching over. "Genesis?"

"'Geal?"

"Don't try to talk," Angeal said soothingly. "We're just fixing you up now. Then we'll get you back to the camp."

"Here." Cloud passed Angeal a small bottle containing a rare dose of elixir. "While he's awake, give him this."

Angeal's large hand closed around the precious bottle, as he looked up at Cloud with gratitude shining in his eyes. But he didn't waste time for any extra words as he coaxed Genesis into drinking the vial. As soon as he did, Genesis slumped again into unconsciousness.

"His body needs to heal." Sephiroth stated, standing up. "We need to take him back to the others; we cannot camp here." Cloud scanned the surroundings but agreed, they were still in the middle of the swamp.

"Were Tifa and Aerith ok?"

Sephiroth's green eyes locked on his face once more. "They are with Barret, close to the mine entrance. It will be a good place to rest for the night while Genesis recovers."

"Red, can you go ahead and let them know we're on our way? And…" Cloud looked uncertainly at Genesis. "Better let them know he's badly injured. Aerith's going to need to look at him."

"Of course," Red inclined his head towards Cloud, raising himself from his crouched position. "Take care." Then he was off, paws drumming as he raced back to the rest of their party.

Cloud looked down at the figure lying between them. "How are we going to do this, then?"

Angeal took Genesis up into his arms and stood, cradling him gently. But the wing was long and dragged along the ground. Sephiroth considered it for a moment, tilting his head in thought. Then he strode forwards and lifted it carefully, pulling it across Genesis's body and Angeal's shoulder. He let the remainder trail down Angeal's back. "That should suffice."

Cloud snorted, unable to hold back the inappropriate amusement he felt at seeing the SOLDIERs draped in the feathers. He earnt himself a glare from Angeal for doing so. "Right, sorry." He coughed slightly. "Let's go, then." He caught Sephiroth's glance and thought for a moment he saw the edge of his mouth twitch up slightly. But he must have imagined it, for the next moment Sephiroth was as impassive as ever.

Gesturing for Angeal to take the lead, Cloud followed closely and kept an eye on the wing as the tips dragged along the floor behind the SOLDIER. He was still having a hard time processing what he was seeing, but for now he put that to one side and just hoped that there was something Aerith could do.