Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ About Darkness ❯ Betrayal ( Chapter 8 )

With long, forceful strides, fingers clutching the handle of her sword hard enough to turn her knuckles white, Tifa hasted towards the sparring hall.

 

She did not slow down when she pushed open the large double-doors with her free hand and marched past Squall, Reno and Yuffie coming to an abrupt halt before Ellone, the sharp tip of her stainless blade pointing at the brunette's slender throat.

 

Cherry eyes, narrowed and filled with cold anger met brown ones that returned the hard glare with a shocked one.

 

“Reveal yourself” Tifa growled, voice shaking with barely suppressed fury.

 

A stupefied silence filled the room in which Tifa's labored breathing and Ellone's coarse gasps were the only sounds.

 

“What the FUCK are you doing?” Cid finally exclaimed, eyes wide. He took a step towards the two women but halted as Tifa brought the piece of pointed steel closer to Ellone's throat, almost touching the sensitive skin.

 

“Stand back, Cid” Tifa demanded without averting her eyes from Ellone's face. “When are they going to attack, Ellone?”

 

The brunette let out a chocked breath, lips trembling. “I don't know what you're talking about, Tifa. This is a mistake…”

 

“SHUT UP!” Tifa spat. “The only mistake is that we trusted you for too long! I know about your plans! I've seen you! When will the sorceress' troops arrive?”

 

“You're out of your mind…” Ellone whispered then caught her breath as the tip of Tifa's sword broke her skin to draw a drop of blood.

 

“Stop it now, Tifa, before it's too late” Squall spoke up, voice calm, anxiety thick on his features. “I told you before. As soon as you have evidence for your accusations you can put an official charge against Ellone. Self-justice isn't the right way…”

 

“It will be too late if we don't act now” Tifa interrupted. “I told you everything I saw and heard. Why do you not believe me?” Her voice was stern but a flicker of hurt clouded her eyes for a split second.

 

“Because you're a paranoid, insane bitch!” Cid shouted, receiving a warning glance from Squall and Rinoa.

 

“C'mon, Tifa, let's talk this over, ne?” Irvine spoke up, spreading his arms and turning out his palms. His voice was as composed and light-hearted as always but it did not serve to soothe Tifa's rage.

 

“Tell them!” she repeated. “Let them know what…”

 

She caught the sliver of a motion from the corner of her eye as Rinoa jumped at her. Tifa side-stepped, but it had given Ellone enough time to draw her own sword.

 

The blades collided with a sharp clang, and without giving her opponent the chance for another attack Tifa maneuvered her into a corner of the hall, her free hand clasped around Ellone's wrist in a bruising grip.

 

“STOP IT!”

 

Tifa ignored Rinoa's yell and pushed, her sword pressing towards Ellone. The brunette ducked and slid aside, bringing her blade around in a semi-circle, aiming for Tifa's shoulder.

 

The cherry-eyed soldier managed to duck the attack but not without retrieving a deep gash in her upper arm. The pain fueled her rage further and her eyes were deep pools of black as she threw herself onto Ellone, tackling her to the ground with the momentum, slamming her sword arm onto the floor.

 

Ellone gasped and let go of her weapon. Tifa was kneeling above her, sword pointed at her chest, breathing coming shallow and ragged.

 

“I'll ask you one more time” she hissed through gritted teeth, noticing Ellone's free hand sliding beneath her jacket to grope for the small yet efficient short-distance crossbow she kept in a holster.

 

“You'll be dead before you can pull the trigger” Tifa whispered, then tensed as the cool metal of a gun pressed against her temple hard enough to force her head to tilt.

 

“And you'll be dead before you can strike” Cid growled, his voice dark and cold.

 

Tifa's eyes had widened but she held her position, eyes fixed on Ellone, sword pointed at her heart.

 

“Drop. Your. Sword.” Cid demanded, the threat in his tone growing, the revolver trembling against Tifa's temple.

 

“Cid, she's a traitor…” Tifa began.

 

“DROP! YOUR! FUCKING! SWORD!” the soldier hollered. His hands were clutching the grip of his weapon hard enough to bruise the skin of his palm. His face was a distorted mask of hatred.

 

Tifa realized she would die. Through Ellone's hand or through Cid's. If she had to choose she wanted to fall under the enemy's blow, not under her friend's.

 

Slowly, her blood turning to ice, she loosened her hold on the sword. Tears welled up in her eyes as it slid from her grasp and Ellone's hand glided out from under her jacket.

 

Tifa barely noticed the pressure against the side of her head fade but she felt her flesh break as Ellone's small bolt pierced her chest with enough force to throw her over.

 

“Ellone! No!”

 

Rinoa's voice was faint in Tifa's ears as she dropped backwards, head and shoulders hitting the ground with a dull thud.