Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Lifestream: Shadow Blood ❯ Chapter 11: Ancient City! ( Chapter 11 )

Tifa ran out screaming, a hailstorm of bullets following her. Cloud blocking them with his sword. Marlene lay on the ground sobbing; Rude carried Cid over his shoulders in from the deck. Denzel stood facing them, and motioned with his hand to the exit. They all ran, Cloud standing ground deflecting the hail of bullets; Marlene sobbing still on the ground. Denzel fidgeted, and ran for Marlene, grabbing her.

`We have to go!' He said to her, she shook her head, the tears splashing of the floor, rippling on impact. Cloud grunted. `Cloud, go!' Cloud stared, shaking his head. `Trust me.' Finally, Cloud jumped to the side, running for the door. Out of the door walked the body of Barret, with another soul inside him. Dark, evil, corrupted. Marlene stood up, facing her father, and walked towards him.

`You won't hurt anyone anymore!' Barret shuddered his raised arm. Marlene loosened up. `You are my father; you fight for the world, not fight against it, especially your friends.' Barret's face shone, his eyes smiling. Marlene ran for him, hugging him. His face turned distorted, Denzel jumped up, and leaping for him, but it was too late. He grabbed Marlene, running for the deck door, barging Denzel out the way before leaping over the railing to the below. Denzel punched the wall angrily, his knuckles bleeding gently down his arm now. Slowly he marched his feet out the door to the rest of the group.

 

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The group marched through the Sleeping Forest, gently. Cloud and Rufus lead the way, both weapons ready, Denzel and Tifa at the back. They were flanking the injured Cid, who was being carried by Rude.

`Where are we?' Denzel said, stopping and looking around.

`This place looks familiar.' Tifa replied, in contrast to what Denzel said.

`Well I played the Harp, maybe it doesn't work anymore?' Cloud said, questioning the Harp that he held in his arm. `I don't really feel like walking forever through this forest.'

`Let's…set…up…camp!' Rude panted, gently lowering Cid to the ground. `He's heavy!'

`Stop for tonight then?' Tifa faced Cloud, in question.

`Yeah, probably for the best.' He faced Denzel. `Let's go get some wood for a fire.' Denzel shook his head and followed him.

 

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They had collected a small pile of logs, enough for a proper fire, when Cloud stopped and turned to Denzel.

`Denzel,' Cloud said, in a friendly way, although there was a hint of sadness. `I know you must go alone, I want to come with you, but deep down it is up to you alone. You know that right?' Denzel shook his head. `I didn't play the harp. You must go alone, make the decisions you feel are right.' He handed Denzel the harp, smiling. `Good luck…my son!' Denzel felt a tear in his eye and lowered his head, before throwing himself around Cloud's neck.

`You have always been like a father to me. You are a father to me.' Cloud shook his head. `I'll be back real soon, I promise.' He wiped his eyes, smiled and walked off into the darkness.

`That's my boy!' Cloud said, looking after him till he was out of sight. He slowly headed back to camp, to face the wrath of Tifa.