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Description
FFVII
Taking a City

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Emotive themes
Setting: 3 years after DoC
Rating: M
Status: WIP
OCs: 25%
Disclaimer: All related Final Fantasy VII names and characters are copyrighted © by Square Enix. However, this story and the OCs are mine. Thank you.

NOTE: I've named some of Cloud's swords. I hope you can work them out. It's possible they will change, depending on how well I like them after some time has passed. There are notes below

TAKING A CITY

A few feet away, Cloud left Denzel lying on the stone, his head resting on his pack and fast asleep. His need for rest reminded Cloud the kid was just a regular teenager, and unlike everyone around him currently, he was a normal human being. Cloud had to follow Denzel's lead on that, having no idea what the limits were for a normal man anymore. Not until Cloud discovered what was inside him and he looked back, did he realize how hard he had pushed his friends during their travels to save the planet. He always wanted to go faster and further, never wanting to halt, and he was sometimes annoyed at their lack of enthusiasm. Of course, it was not a lack of drive, but an absence of supernatural abilities. The materia and life-stream energy would go far in restoring Denzel, but still the fatigue was becoming noticeable. Beside Denzel, sat Shelke staring at the distant cavern walls in pensive reflection, and Cait was somewhere out there and hopefully keeping a lookout. Cloud turned back to face Veld and Elfie.

"You know we should leave soon," Elfie stated.

He nodded his agreement. If it was just him, he would have left straight away, but there was much to consider.

Her hood was thrown back and her deep wavy hair gleamed in the life-stream glow, and she raised a delicate eyebrow at Denzel. "Is it better if he remains here?"

Her query was valid and Cloud refrained from observing Denzel in contemplation. Whether she said it out of kindness or selfish motives, he couldn't tell from her harsh expression. Everything she said seemed to be tinged with sternness. He answered curtly, "He's not staying here."

Cissnei sat, her back against the pillar, and she piped up, "It's no skin off our nose, besides he's kinda fun to beat on."

"I'm sure Denzel would love to hear that." Cloud remarked holding back a smile. There was almost a hint of fondness in the red-head's voice. "I'll wake him soon, but first I want to know some details…"

"Denzel can rest." Veld looked at Elfie, his gaze soft, almost patronizing. "I think we may have some time."

Elfie frowned at him and opened her mouth to speak.

Directing his eyes towards the larger of the tunnel openings, Veld said quickly, "I don't believe they would waste their time looking for a handful of intruders."

Along with Elfie, Cloud considered him with a thoughtful frown, and he replied, "True, they might assume we are headed back to town to warn them."

"It's a logical assumption," Veld said.

Elfie's shoulders stiffened and her eyes skipped over the two men. "That doesn't mean we take our time. Most likely they are moving faster than before."

"Maybe." Veld crossed his arms and his mouth made the barest hint of a smirk. "But there's still time to make some plans for which you should be well aware."

She pursed her lips in an exasperated pout.

"Right," Cloud said to Veld and looked to Deneh, sitting near the life-stream, listening to their conversation. "Deneh, how big is this city and what is the number of the enemy?"

"The city is carved from the rock in the center of a giant cavern. It has multiple levels and curved stairs and walkways, many high dwellings, and tunnels below. It is not fully populated and is more like a military base." Her mouth twitched with anxiety for some moments. "Perhaps five hundred, not less, maybe more."

Cloud kept his face clear of any reaction, but still – that many.

"Mmm," Elfie scratched her chin in deliberation, "five hundred is a great number."

Veld glanced at her. "It's a reasonable number. I imagine there could be more if they're planning on taking a town."

Cloud's piercing gaze took in Veld and Elfie, both possessing powerful skills and years of experience. "Five hundred against nine is a great challenge," more than that, it was a dangerous venture and risky if it all went wrong. "But we won't face them head on."

"No," Elfie replied, reluctantly.

Cloud responded to her grim look with a derisive glint in his eyes, "You were the leader of Avalanche, wasn't it always a handful against five hundred?" He knew because he was one of those five hundred.

She pursed her lips together almost in annoyance. "Always."

"Right." Cloud narrowed his keen eyes at her. "We won't be fighting as we did just now."

"No, we need decoys, traps, ambushes, and we need to be able to escape tight spots. We need to bluff them—"

"We need the wits," Veld interrupted, "which we have."

Elfie folded her arms. "We don't know what we're up against."

Deneh responded to her sudden hard gaze, directed at her, "Many large armed men. There seem to be an abundance of monsters under their control."

"Any red-scaled warrior women?" Cloud asked, knowing they could pose more of a threat than all the others combined.

"Yes," Deneh replied, "a few that I saw from a distance."

"We will have the advantage of surprise," Veld said.

Elfie stepped away and stared ahead, her face crimped in earnest deliberation.

"Right now they should be assembling," Cloud speculated. "Even if we free Nanaki and do what we can—"

Elfie turned on him with her hands on her hips and demanded, "You want to stop them, don't you?"

Cloud faced her head on, matching her hard stance and feeling a sudden fire burning in his gut at her confronting attitude. "I do, but I don't want to lose anyone–"

"We work together or we won't pull this off." She raised her palm and spoke with abrupt passion.

Veld folded his arms and watched them, a knowing look on his face.

Cloud could see first hand why she had been the leader of Avalanche. He didn't know if he wanted to hit her or follow her. He rumbled in a low voice, "I already said I'm going."

Elfie nodded and her eyes narrowed as she took everyone in with her steadfast gaze. "We'll need an effective distraction. I will do thi—"

"No." Cloud raised his voice, trying to maintain his building temper. "I will do it." She was good in her transformed state, but for this type of battle, he knew he could do more damage and endure longer.

She screwed her lips up and tilted her head to view his solemn expression. "I'm not sure… you need to be fast and you have to constantly be on the move."

"I know." He hadn't pushed himself to this level of endurance for a long time, but it was all starting to come back and with a vengeance.

Cissnei spoke up, her voice was unusually somber. "It can be done." She ignored all the eyes turned her way at the sudden enigmatic remark, and said, "I've seen the aftermath of that number caused by only one man." Her eyes scrutinized Cloud from head to toe and the doubt clear in her voice, she queried, "Can you do this?"

Cloud knew who she referred to and he calmly nodded, affirming his answer. That renown had come with a high price. Zack was well deserving of the rank of SOLDIER 1st class. Although in this case, Cloud was hoping to see the aftermath.

Veld also eyed him and his gaze was piercing as it settled on Cloud's challenging eyes. "He can do it."

Elfie gave Cloud a steely gaze. "You must not let yourself be cornered."

"That's the plan." Cloud drilled her with a cold stare, putting all the confidence he had into his words.

Elfie continued, "And we'll need a decoy to break off the forces."

"Me," Cissnei offered.

Elfie shook her head hard. "No. You and the rest of us will be skirmishing. Cait will be the decoy."

"He's most likely got powerful materia up his sleeve, or is that under his hat." Veld added, "Cait leads the enemy away from the glut."

Cloud finished, "And into an ambush…"

"Of a sort," Elfie mumbled. "Not as well planned as we would have liked." She frowned with sudden concern. "Deneh and Denzel can find Nanaki—"

Cloud butted in, "Shelke and Denzel and Deneh." He would have no way of watching Denzel. Shelke was the next best thing.

"Both of them?" Elfie's pale face scrunched up in contemplation.

"Both of them," Cloud repeated firmly, in case she didn't get it. "Shelke's best ability is getting through security."

Elfie looked around at Cissnei and Veld. "That leaves everyone else to us."

"Until you regroup," Cloud informed her.

"The cells are guarded," Deneh said, "It will not be a mission without risks."

"It's for the best," Veld stated, his voice deep and definite, and he looked at Cissnei and Elfie, "We work well together."

"Yes," Elfie nodded and her mood became lighter.

"Use every materia you have," Cloud said to them all.

"Oh, we plan on doing that," Veld affirmed, and the corner of his mouth curved in a half grin.

Cloud stated, "I'll wake Denzel and we'll head off."

After Cloud woke Denzel they briefly discussed their plans before walking down from the temple. With Deneh leading them, they started down the largest opening in single-file. Cait minus his Mog ran to catch them up and passing them all, he walked alongside Deneh. The trail led them between smooth rocks in winding tunnels sometimes spacious or at least high enough to stand upright and all lit with the soft greenish hue. Cloud took a few quick steps to catch Denzel up, walking in the middle of the pack.

Denzel crooked his head at him and grinned.

Cloud didn't get why he was looking so… cheerful or was that amused. Denzel had heard their plans; didn't he know what they might be facing? He shook his head. "Why are you smiling?"

"I don't know…" he shrugged, "it's just… I guess you're like my boss now." He chuckled.

"Yeah, guess I am." He stretched his neck, a grin playing on his lips, seeing the humor in his remark. "That means you'll really have to behave yourself."

Denzel's cheeks had a slight blush.

"Let me look at that stolen weapon." Cloud reached his hand out to him. Now he was the one smiling and Denzel looked uncomfortable. Denzel withdrew the blade slowly and placed it in Cloud's waiting palm as they walked the cavern space. Cloud turned it in his hands and the bright metal glinted in the soft light. With one hand, he dug around in his pocket, searching for the two globes of materia he placed there while they rested near the life-stream. "There's a reason some weapons are unauthorized."

Denzel kept his eyes on the ground and replied gruffly, "Yeah. I know."

Maybe. But maybe now he was really beginning to get the picture of how powerful his weapon could be. "But it can't be helped now." Opening up the secret compartment, Cloud popped in a blue ball, he followed it with a rough yellow materia.

Denzel's eyes lit up like the flash he was watching. "And they do what?"

"Keep you healthy," Cloud said. Blinking at Cloud in puzzlement, Denzel opened his mouth to speak. In answer to his questioning brow, Cloud explained, "This will do double damage, or double the cut and at the same time give you life. You won't need to activate them either."

"Cool!"

From behind, Veld watched Denzel's enthusiasm. "The combination is a good one, but can be spiritually draining."

"Can be," Cloud agreed. It could be too much magic for Denzel as well, but, he attempted to reassure himself, Denzel had been supporting a lot of magic for a couple of years; he should be accustomed to some spirit weight. "Right now we're going to risk it." Injury or something worse was a far greater peril. Still holding Denzel's sword, Cloud lifted it and pointed it out to the side to measure its balance. It was a well-crafted weapon. The techs at WRO had done a good job. "Now that you have materia in, you won't need to worry about that ammo so much. You have the advantage of both the blade doing excess damage and your materia shots."

Denzel nodded with an eager look on his young face as he eyed the gun.

Noticing his dreamy gaze, Cloud admonished, "But you must be aware of your inner exertion. You don't want to tire yourself out. That means you have to think ahead and fast to find the best use for your weapon at any given moment in any and all situations. Remember you have the advantage of distance with this weapon. You can stand feet away and still do damage." From what Cloud had seen of Denzel's fighting technique, this seemed to be his weakness. It was simply a case of inexperience.

Denzel scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Yeah…"

"But when you do get close, you don't fight as you normally do with a sword." Cloud aimed the weapon forwards. "Be aware where your barrel is and make sure it's at your opponent."

"Right."

"Otherwise your shots are going to miss." Cloud gripped the blade's handle and his other hand skimmed over the undercarriage and he tapped it. "It's all about this." He swiveled it around so the handle was directed at Denzel.

A tight smile on his face, Denzel took the gun-blade back. "Thanks. How do you know all this? Did you use one of these?"

Cloud shook his head in answer. "Never." And he creased his brow, searching his memory. It was a good question. He wasn't sure how he knew. "Someone told me how to use one."

"Who was that?"

The fact that Cloud knew the technique and yet had no reason to explain why he knew bothered him. And he knew without a doubt as if someone had specifically told him and told him with confidence. Someone he felt connected with, someone he trusted and yet there was no name that came to mind or even a face. "I can't remember." He shook his head to clear the strong impression from his mind. "It doesn't matter right now."

Veld nodded towards the blade. "You'll probably remember. Gun-blades are rare."

Denzel ran his hand along the top side of the sword, only touching it with the palm of his fingerless glove. He murmured, "So it's kinda special."

"It is." Cloud observed his awe with concern.

In front of the procession, Deneh stopped and turned to them. She said in a hushed voice, "We have come to the passage leading to a small alcove that looks onto the city. We must be as quiet as we can."

Cloud and Denzel followed behind Elfie and Deneh. In near darkness they crept out onto a low ceiling crevice in the rock face. Cloud lowered himself into a crouch as the others filed in around him and he looked out on the city. They were not more than fifteen feet from the nearest wall. The stone and architecture resembled the fine craftsmanship of the temple. Smooth ivory shaded stone loomed up, forming a labyrinth of curving walls and balconies, ramps and spiral stairs lead onto bridges and tiers around the seamless tower buildings. Materia orbs reflected from statues adorning arches and towers, and the whole city was bathed in a green hue, most likely from life-stream fountains. At the feet of the cliff was a narrow stream of murky green. A substance Cloud could not discern with any certainty. His eyes were drawn to a tower he could just see in the midst of the buildings, and so high it almost touched the rock ceiling of the mammoth cavern. A wide platform at the top circled the uppermost level of the tower and a convex stair joined each platform below it. It was an impressive edifice that appeared to be carved as one solid mass.

"Who would have imagined…" Denzel finally breathed out.

Cait stood beside Denzel lying on his stomach and sang, "It's a magnificent masterpiece!"

Cloud couldn't see any people or creatures, but he could hear a rumbling of voices from within the city. "They're gathering."

"There's a large pavement by the main gateway where they might be." Deneh lay on her stomach, her paws hanging over the edge. "We can jump onto that balcony." Her whole body stretched out and she leaped down with little effort.

Looking down, Cloud observed the balcony some feet away and over the green water. It was a jump and drop, easy enough for him. For Denzel he wasn't sure.

Veld studied the distant walls. "There's enough shadows to shield us."

Elfie nodded. "I'll go and seal the area. Follow one at a time." And without a backwards glance, she jumped and landed steady.

"And don't make any noise," Cloud stressed, staring at Cait with a stern frown.

Cait squinted and his lips cocked to speak. "---"

Denzel tried not to laugh. "You could cast a silence on yourself."

Cait lifted his finger, but must have thought better of speaking his thoughts aloud and he pulled an imaginary zip across his mouth and raised his chin in defiance. He threw himself off the crevice and with one somersault glided through the air with his cape as a mini sail behind him and he landed like a graceful dancer without a sound.

Cloud rolled his eyes at his posing, and said, "I'll go."

Denzel frowned at the jump and then at Cloud. "I can jump that."

Cloud nodded. "I'm still going first." And he leaped down onto the stone slab. Denzel followed and landed with a thump and a roll, but he did it without injury. He crouched by Cloud in the shadows of the wall while the rest jumped down. Then they waited.

Eventually, Elfie snuck back to them and whispered, "Two down." She beckoned them further in before darting once more.

"Great," Cissnei said, dryly. "Only another four hundred and ninety eight to go."

"I dunno if my heart can take it." Cait moaned, biting his fingernails like he was eating corn.

Cissnei stared him down. "It better."

"He'll do what he has to do." Cloud gave him a foreboding stare.

Cait shivered and stepped into Denzel who grinned and said, "And I won't be there to protect you."

Cloud turned his concerned stare to Denzel. "And you just do what you need to do. Find Nanaki, free him and come back."

Denzel looked serious this time. Perhaps even he knew how dangerous the situation was. "That's the plan."

Shelke whispered to Deneh, "Are the cells far?"

She replied, "They are on the opposite side in the lower levels."

"We better get moving." Veld half crouched at the back of the group. He had already equipped one of his guns and his eyes were set on the walkway leading from the balcony in the direction Elfie had taken.

They stole along walkways empty of life. All the city's inhabitants seemed to be congregating in one place. They stopped at a junction of walkways and a ramp down. Elfie finally reappeared and met them. "I've scouted this block and the enemy is beyond these structures. I've cleared the area ahead. I believe we can have the advantage there."

Denzel stared at her in awe and he whispered, "She's good."

Cissnei chuckled at him.

Elfie stared at Veld with a slight frown. "I've had to be."

Cloud said to all of them, "today we all have to be good."

Deneh's amber eyes burned with passion. "This is where we shall part."

Cloud looked at Deneh, Shelke and lastly at Denzel, and he fixed a commanding gaze on him. He couldn't help but give him some warning. "Do not take any unnecessary risks."

Denzel watched him from under his hanging fringe. "Right. Only necessary ones."

As if sensing Cloud's growing agitation, Shelke looked between the two and said to Cloud, "We won't."

Denzel turned sincere and he gripped Cloud's bare arm with affection. "Don't worry, I can do this. You have to make sure you survive." His eyes darkened, reflecting earnest worry.

Cloud gave a sharp nod in agreement. He had to live. He still had a mission to fulfill. "I know you can do it."

Deneh's deep voice had a calming affect. "May Gaia be with us."

"…yeah and not with them." Cissnei took hold of her large shuriken from her back in readiness.

Cloud swiveled round to face those who were left, not wanting to watch Denzel depart down the ramp. "I'm ready." Keeping an eye on Elfie ahead, Cloud dashed up stairs and to an open courtyard, surrounded by terraces bordered with fluted pillars. He snuck through the shadows against the wall under the first floor terrace to Elfie waiting for him at the entrance to a walled laneway. She raised her hand and he stopped. Shouts and heavy footfalls echoed up to him, but it was impossible for him to discern the enemies' numbers.

Veld and Cissnei stood at a distance concealed by shadows and Cait he couldn't see anywhere. Putting some space between Elfie and himself, he withdrew his Defender blade which already had Shadow and a Back blade connected along with Fang, one of the smaller swords. It left the other Back blade as his off-sider, and the second smaller blade would stay holstered for now.

Elfie set her steadfast gaze on him, apprehension evident in her pale expression. "Don't let yourself be cornered, you're the distraction, and remember, you're not alone." She slid her fine swords out and stepped back.

"Right." Cloud added, "Good luck."

"You do or you die. There's no luck." She moved away, leaving him standing alone.

He shook his head, from what he had gathered of her, her response shouldn't be a surprise. The truth was he had to succeed no matter what. He darted along the short path, walled by the smooth windowless buildings and stopped at the end to observe the landscape. The walk he looked out on was a mezzanine branching to the right and left and curving around the courtyard. A cacophonic wave of shouting and bellows came from the massive open piazza below. He wouldn't get a good look at them till he rounded the pavement via the mezzanine bridge. On the opposite side was a wide staircase leading out into a pitch dark tunnel. The mezzanine went above it, and overhead was an arch carved with giant monster statues, spanning the whole length of it. It didn't appear level enough for walking, but perfect for viewing the scene below. He studied the mezzanine on his right side, and it merged into a cloister. Spiral steps led up to the balconies above. There was one ramp on each side of the bridge mezzanine. Which was fortunate or unlucky depending how you looked at it. From what he could see of the left side, it seemed that one high terrace ran the length of the mezzanine, but was separated from it by a five-foot gap. Thick thirty-foot high twisted pillars held up the stone ceiling. At least both sides would offer some protection.

Crouching low, he crept quickly towards the mezzanine that went along the right side of the piazza below, and keeping close to the short wall of the bridge, his one drawn sword was inches from the stone. With each step closer to the escalating cries of stimulated men, he questioned whether he really was the right man for this. He quelled the doubt. There was no turning back. He dashed up the spiral steps nearest the end and leaped from the balcony wall up onto the lower end of the archway. The chamber was dim enough for him to remain unseen as he weaved among the man-size carvings of demi-god creatures. He stopped at the center between two dragons facing each other. A man's commanding voice spoke from the staircase below the bridge and the horde of soldier's settled. As yet unnoticed, Cloud squatted, half hidden behind the dragon's neck. The force didn't appear as many as he expected but still in its hundreds. Similarly attired to those he fought at the temple, men with blades and long weapons made up the numbers. What he was really looking for he found apart from the rabble, on the edge at the back observing the soldiers. The Rosso creatures. He groaned at the number. At least two dozen that he could see. Dealing with them would be the hardest thing of this whole venture.

After forming some sort of vague strategy, Cloud tuned into the man speaking; his voice carried over the piazza, "—capture all the humans, especially the young ones. Let none of them escape and kill everyone who dares stand against us. Destroy everything. Leave no trace of their existence. Our day has come. The humans of this world will taste our power." His proclamation was celebrated with raucous chants of victory and excited cheers.

Cloud shook his head at the man's arrogance. So they were planning on stealing people. That meant they would know where those people were being sent to. The question was, could Cloud make them tell him where that that was. Through his leg pocket, he toyed with the materia, contemplating whether it was wise to use. If he did, he would be nearly depleted of power before starting. He was going to need every bit of strength he had and it would all go into his swords. He watched the perfect edge of the sword he named Shadow, glint slightly in the hue of the materia embedded in the dragon's eyes above his head. It fit perfectly at the front of his main blade, Defender and he admired it and the smaller blade, Fang, sitting snugly over them all. It wasn't only the sword's appearance that he revered but all the effects imbued into the individual blades. One sword couldn't hold them all. Two swords still sat on his back. He would need at least one of them before long. He stood and surveyed the scene, making his presence felt before speaking, if he even spoke at all. He was never good at speaking in front of crowds. At the sight of him indignant cries and shouts hit the pavement like an angry wave. Cloud kept his eyes on all of them, but he predominately watched the Rossos. "There's been a change of plans." He spoke and surprisingly his voice held over the crowd. For precarious moments the soldiers waited, fixated, as if Cloud's statement had some precedence.

The one who made the initial speech yelled, fury burning in his voice, "He's the one who saved the demon. Brothers, he is not one of us. He must be destroyed."

With that all hell broke loose as Cloud had anticipated. No time for his materia now, he dashed along the right of the arch down to the opposite side, evading fire bursts and bolts of lightning. Dust from the exploding stone provided some cover until he leaped down to the walkway underneath, pulling out from his halter, Razor, the second back blade as he went. It was now on, there would be no turning back. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a red mist in the air above the pavement. It formed a gigantic and impressive Bahamut. He hoped it wasn't one of theirs. It started spewing fire from its extended snout, and it must be doing damage to anyone and anything below. Good. At least it saved him from using his. Armed men began ascending the ramp further down the mezzanine. Using the few seconds he had, he pulled his arm back and threw his Defender blade at the stream of men. Its rapid speed concealed its trajectory and it sliced the outer line of soldiers. Dodging fire bursts and evading gun-fire with his second sword, Cloud ran at the enemy and his hand shot up to catch the returning blade.

The only way to assure any success or survival was to move with swift accuracy through the enemy ranks, cutting and cleaving as he went. Throwing all his power into his swords, he gave himself over, almost mindlessly to the abilities of the blades. He cut into the men coming at him, slicing at vital organs and not discerning who they were or where they fell. It was nothing more than a hack and slash as Denzel would call it, although the results of this battle had to be effective and in his favor. He sensed his strength flowing into the swords, and he relied on them and every effect as they did their work. He gave his energy to the swords and in return they gave him health and power back. Surrounded by men, fighting in a similar fashion to those at the temple, Cloud continuously swirled and parried, always keeping one sword at his back. Fighting with supernatural speed and heightened reflexes, he perceived the blades entering his presence as if through a blue haze of augmented awareness and vision. Due to a thunderous boom across the pavement, he looked briefly and glimpsed another creature attacking the Bahamut. From where he was he could feel the force of the creature's effect, pushing him and making him unsteady. Must be a Typhon.

Gritting his teeth, he gave himself over to the bloodlust, and fought instinctively and without thought, and ignoring the wounds to his own body, he dragged his sword through men, killing them with one blow. Tuning out the enemies' rage and driven attacks, he ran on, not remaining in one spot for any time. Primal instincts to survive guided his strikes, and his exact movements flowed into a flawless dance of destruction and defense. Men fell, but he paid them no mind. He was nearing the end of the bridge and he eyed the upper balcony. Still no sign of the Rosso creatures. Damn it. Where are they? Adrenaline pumped through his veins, firing up his muscles to an accelerated speed. He forced the power down into his limbs, restraining the urge to let it lose. He let it build, waiting for the right moment and the right opponent.

Countless bodies littered the bridge behind him. But it only meant he had no more opponents to provide him cover. Alert and focused, sensing the incoming enemy, he positioned his fused Defender sword, broad side at the ready. She jumped up from below and landed on the wall, shooting fire at him from her sword bow. Blocking her attack, he moved in, anticipating the arrival of the rest of her clones. Not wasting any time, he stabbed into her chest. She fell back to where she came. Here they come. Two. Three. Four. They landed on the wall and the bridge. They would need more than a deathblow to bring them down. He sliced in half the nearest one before she could react. Protecting himself from their long range attacks, he ran to the Rosso on the edge of the pack. She struck hard and quick onto his parrying blade and he rounded her, placing her between him and the other Rossos. Two. Three. More landed behind him.

The scaled-woman smirked and her strikes became more languid as if the presence of her comrades gave her confidence. His strikes grew harsher, more focused, and he narrowed his blazing blue eyes in hatred. They were getting closer. Now he would be stretched. He sprang back, taking out one of the wounded clones on his downward swing. Another arrived to take her place and than another, twirling her long blade at his back. They had him on the back foot and they knew it. The bridge was now too open for him to fight with any success. He leaped up, passing the five foot gap and landed on the wall of the terrace between the giant pillars of white stone. Three more Rossos joined the ranks. He lost count of them, but it didn't matter. The more the better. For seconds he stood, just enough to make sure they were following him. He bounded off the short ledge to the tight yet high space. The terrace was as long as the bridge yet the width was narrower and a sleek wall bordered them all in.

They came at him, a hunger for blood reddening their eyes. Running through the midst of them, his blades thrust with purpose and powerful abilities. Springing from one attack, he struck up again and again, putting strength into each hit and always dodging out from the pack and remaining on the edge to keep from getting swamped. They were not going to let him maneuver their positions or determine their reach, and they darted around, aiming for any side that would prove the weakest. Crowding in, they were forcing him into an unwieldy stance. He couldn't keep this up. But he wouldn't need to. Blood flowed from his shoulder and other wounds that he ignored. If for a moment he hesitated to comfort his pain, it would cost him everything. Swarming too close, a sharp blade sliced deep into his side. The stinging pain was the catalyst he needed. The power that had been manifesting and he had been suppressing, he released from his core. It erupted in a storm of indefinable energy, sending him into a frenzy of whirling swords, and spinning upwards to the vaulted ceiling in a vortex of lethal damage. Despite his accelerated speed, his hits were precise and fatal. Every Rosso in radius of his sword's frenetic attack fell dead. Those caught in the tornado updraft were cast at the speed of light, smashing into the wall and pillars never to rise again.

Cloud dropped back down, falling into a half kneel and crouch, breathing hard. The exertion was taking its toll and that had nearly depleted him. Breathing deeply, he took advantage of the semi protection of the balcony's pillars to let his body recuperate. As he did, he listened to the dull sounds coming from across the pavement. After some moments, he hopped up onto the wall and jumped back down to the bridge. Ashen smoke floated upwards in the air now devoid of spirit creatures and to the height of the cavern. The stone floor was cracked and upturned, in some places rocks had torn through the smooth stone from the earth underneath or fallen from the cavern's ceiling. Supernatural fire burned in places, and amongst all the destruction, bodies were scattered in random groups. Monsters still roamed, but he could see no human movement.

Shouts and the clash of weapons came from the area where Elfie was positioned. Deciding to head their way, he noticed a sole figure running up stairs and across a balcony. Gripping his two swords, Cloud bolted along the bridge, giving chase to the enemy still alive. He dashed through an open space, his eyes set on the man, who appeared to be headed towards the central tower. Cloud bounded across a ten-foot gap to reach stairs and then up to a ledge. After sprinting up more winding stairs, he came to the highest platform of the tower. The lone fighter's back was towards him. His long graying hair dangled over his bloodied and torn crimson quilted coat. Holding two slender swords, he walked at an unhurried pace towards the double doors of the tower. "Stop!"

He swiveled round at Cloud's command, his eyes were dark with wrath and his lip snaked into a vicious sneer at the sight of Cloud.

Cloud, his Defender blade pointed neck height, walked directly at him, fast.

He stepped back, raising his swords, one in defense, the other ready to attack.

"Tell me where you're sending the people." Cloud stopped, just out of range of his swords, but with his own sword still intent on slicing his throat.

Not flinching at the close proximity of the weapon, he snarled, "I'll not betray our cause."

Cloud clenched his teeth and gripped his hilt harder. He couldn't hold back his seething anger that had not yet been satisfied. "You can die for your cause." He swooped in with his second blade and the man only just managed to avoid it. With as much speed as he had left, Cloud came at him, pummeling hard. The man's hits seemed delayed which was fortunate. Cloud felt the weight in his own limbs, drawing-out his flow. Cloud lacked accuracy in his strikes and he was relying on brute strength. He drove into him with an unrestrained ferocity. His cause was far more important and once again he still had no answers.

His opponent attempted to back off, but Cloud prevented him from evading him. The platform was too large and he had no desire to do any more running around. Finally, his enemy faltered and Cloud's Defender blade met with flesh, tearing into muscles and organs. The man stumbled backwards and further from Cloud's reach. He fell and lay still. The doors of the tower flew open with a startling bang and a dense black haze poured out. Cloud, loosening his grip on his swords, fell to his knees, breathing erratically. Every fiber of his being knew that taint. It cast a profound fear over his heart as he sank into its evil depths.