“Sephiroth. I knew I’d find you here.” The man being addressed jumped slightly, but composed himself quickly before turning to face the one who had spoken. ‘Sephiroth’ was tall with straight, silver hair that fell past his waist, and he dressed in black from head to toe. He smirked. “Cloud, it’s so good to see you.” The first man laughed bitterly. He had spiky, blonde hair, and he wore dark clothes too. The two men looked very alike. “But why on earth could you be looking for me?” Sephiroth feigned confusion.
Cloud growled. “I’m here to end it all.” With that, he drew a mighty sword and readied himself for a fight. Sephiroth laughed loudly and flicked his hair out of his face before drawing his own sword. It was several times as long as he was tall, but he wielded it with ease. “Don’t be silly, Cloud. You don’t want to get in a fight with me. You need me. I’m a better version of you, and I’m the only person who can help you right now.” Cloud’s voice wavered slightly as he spoke next. “I don’t need you. I have people who care about me, who love me. I need to find my light, I don’t want your darkness. You can just leave me alone!” he cried, sprinting forward, letting his sword scrape across the floor as he ran.
Cloud swung his sword at Sephiroth, but it seemed to just slice through him. “I’m over here, Cloud. Your aim has gotten worse,” Sephiroth mocked. Cloud looked around frantically, and saw Sephiroth had teleported behind him. He charged again, but stopped abruptly as he heard a familiar scream. In front of him, it wasn’t Sephiroth, it was someone else…”Aerith…” Cloud whispered. The woman in front of him nodded. She was crying softly. “Don’t do this, Cloud. You don’t have to kill him; don’t you see? Doing that will only make you a worse person…please don’t do it. For me?”
Cloud tried to rationalise the situation. He knew it was impossible for Aerith to be there, Sephiroth was just playing tricks again. That had to be what was happening, but even so…he couldn’t take that chance, could he? Besides, her words seemed to ring with the truth. Killing Sephiroth, it couldn’t be justified – it was still taking a human life. But then, Sephiroth wasn’t a whole person…and Cloud couldn’t be a whole person whilst Sephiroth was still here. Cloud sighed deeply, and looked back up at Aerith’s kind face. And the anger built up inside of him.
Shock registered on Aerith’s face as Cloud stuck his sword in between two of her ribs. She gasped, and staggered backwards, coughing slightly. Cloud’s hand slipped off the handle of his sword, and he fell to his knees. He heard Aerith breathing heavily, and closed his eyes. Was it finally over? Would he finally have his whole heart to himself? Was Sephiroth finally gone forever? He didn’t want to, but he forced his blue eyes open, allowing a few tears to spatter on the floor.
In front of Cloud, feet away, Aerith had undergone a terrible transformation. Her usually kind face was twisted with rage and pain. She pulled the great blade out, and dropped it. The resounding clatter bounced around, and then Aerith faded into Sephiroth. “How dare you…use Aerith…in that way? You had no right…” Cloud gasped. Sephiroth chuckled. “Had to be done. Now, the curtain falls, as do you.” Sephiroth flicked his sword, and Cloud clenched his teeth. At last, he was going to be with Aerith wholly again…no more having to dream about her…he could see her, touch her, know her again. He smiled slightly, and then realised that nothing was happening. He looked at Sephiroth.
Sephiroth stood calmly, his sword at Cloud’s throat. Blood was blossoming around the wound in his chest. He swallowed. “I don’t like to break my toys. I just play with them.” Cloud stared up in disbelief. Sephiroth sheathed his sword. “I’ll be seeing you again, Cloud. Very soon, I promise you.” He allowed himself one last, lingering laugh as he disappeared into darkness, leaving Cloud alone on the hard floor.
Cloud bowed his head. He had almost been looking forward to dying; that was the only way he could be with Aerith again. But Sephiroth had left him here, still alive. It had killed Cloud’s pride, but it had strengthened his resolve. He had to kill Sephiroth now; for Aerith’s sake as much as his own.
