Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Lifestream: Shadow Blood ❯ Chapter 15: The Shadow Returns ( Chapter 15 )

The tower was a smooth, white. The walls lead straight up into the bright light above, but there was no way to reach it. Turning back to the door, Denzel found it was gone, just like the door in the castle that lead back to Reno and Yuffie. He looked up, the light still twinkled lightly. Sighing he sat down against the wall.

 

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The snow jumped of the ground as bullets fired across it, making a straight line. Cloud hid behind the rocky exit from the Ancient City. Following the footsteps through the snow was easy for Cloud. The lumbering large feet of Barret were easily recognisable in the snow, and the dragging marks of Marlene lead a straight line. His sword dragged across the snow, making another cut in the snow, as he chased after the two. He skidded round the next corner. Barret was up ahead, lying face down in the snow. Marlene had kicked him down, and was now running to the gates of the Icicle Resort. The gorilla size of Barret sluggishly picked itself of the ground, and yelled out in anger. It aimed for Marlene, but shuddered, unable to shoot. Cloud quickly ran to him, leaping at him, his sword gathering power in the air and crashing down. A beam of light emitted out the blade and hit Ashfo, knocking him down again. This time the body pushed itself of the ground into the air. A large amount of energy was gathering at the gun. Beams of light fired towards Cloud, who was stood frozen to the spot.

`Cloud!' A voice spoke deep inside his head. It snapped him back to reality, and he raised his sword in defence, but it wasn't enough for the blast which hit him flying backwards and lying in the snow. Ashfo laughed, and headed towards the resort. Cloud lay on the ground, his chest in pain. He could hear the blast of Barret's gun.

 

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Denzel started yawn. There was no escape. The light suddenly burst right down, hitting of the ground. The walls were brought to life and showed ancient markings of a grand battle. It showed what Denzel had seen, a grand battle between light and dark. He slowly stepped into the centre of the light, and slowly stared up. Far above a figure stood. The light overtook Denzel, his mind felt empty, his body light. He felt like he was being ripped apart, and placed back together. The light intensified as he seemed to fly up and up. Brighter and brighter. His eyes were burning with a hidden fury, a forgotten anger. His fists shook, and suddenly he burst through the light. It took him a few seconds to realise he was in a different place, and not floating up a tube of light. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. Looking around he could see he was in some sort of cave. The rocks looked like a giant metal object had pushed through here many years ago. He looked up, the sky beaming down. A movement behind him caused him to spin around. The first thing he seen was his sword lying a few feet in front of him. He stared at it for a second, before noticing something else move behind it. Something living, a woman. She turned and faced him, her black hair spinning around her body. Her large blue eyes gazed on Denzel. He knew who she was.

`Hello…' she smiled, `...brother!'

 

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The snow stung his eyes, as Cloud slowly opened them. The snow had soaked up some his blood. His spat out some more, before standing straight up. The sky had got darker, something was about to happen. He grabbed the cold hilt of his sword and ran towards the burning resort. Bodies where strewn around the entrance, covered in bloody red bullet holes. In the distance, between the burning flames and crackling wood, he could hear a gun being fired. The flames were burning strongly in his path, and he backed away trying to find another way around. The flames had created a barrier, blocking Cloud out. He plunged the sword deep into the snow, and walked away from it, stopping, turning, and ran leaping onto the thin hilt, kicking it up to his hand and flipping over the flames to face Ashfo.

`Glad you could make it,' Barret's body burned black flames. An image was created in the deep darkness of a man, big built, sneering at him. `Now you shall see the power of me. The most honoured soldier of the Grand Captain.'

`And who is this Grand Captain?' Cloud questioned, walking around Ashfo, not taking his eye of his target.

`Danzol,' he laughed, `or as you knows him, Denzel!' Cloud pushed it aside for now. He had more pressing matters. But he couldn't believe his ears. First he finds out Denzel is Jenova's brother, now he was a Captain of these dark soldiers. Ashfo pointed to Marlene, who was lying unconscious on the edge of a cliff. The sea crashing down below.

`Her life,' he put his arms up, `is in your victory!' He laughed, firing the gun.

 

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Denzel grabbed the sword, pulling it out the ground. He stared at Jenova.

`Danzol now is the time. I have waited for you.' Denzel stared at her, puzzled. `We are the heir's of the power of the Shadow.'

`What? Us?' She nodded.

`But…' Denzel knew what was going to come next. `Only way to access the area is with the soul of the other.'

`So, a fight to the death?'

`Yes, but Danzol, don't worry. I'll make it quick!' A giant pillar of darkness swamped over her, underneath her appearance transforming. She appeared back again, her full body dark, her eyes twinkling. She pointed an arm at Denzel. `Your turn, brother.' Her voice bubbled out, as if she was under water. A sudden burst of memory flashed in Denzel's head, as a pillar of darkness appeared around him, similar to that of Jenova. Landing on the ground, he felt more power and anger in him than ever before. His sword in his hand, he readied himself.