Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Starla's Dance ❯ Chapter 20

(AN: While reading this chapter play Dance of the Dead: Song of Seraphim-Thanks Tess.)

A deep throated growled rumbled from Sephiroth's throat. Green eyes glowed brighter in warning as they narrowed. The blade move in Sephiroth's hand begging for violence. New macro pounded in his veins. Clouds stared back at him still smiling smugly. He stood holding Starla with insane vibrance.

"Kill her Sephiroth." Cloud said near whisper. "I order it."

Sephiroth felt himself move. Frantically he tried to escape the control that Cloud had over him. But he was struggling like a fish on a fisherman's hook. Involuntarily, like a fish being reeled in, he took two steps forward. Tears welled in his eyes when his sword raised to strike Starla dead.

"How does it feel Sephiroth? When your the puppet being forced to kill the one you love. Hmm? This is sweet to see." Clouds arm tightened on Starla's. "Now kill her."

"N... No." Stuttered Sephiroth as he fought control.

Stoically Starla stood not saying a word. She trusted that Sephiroth would stop. No matter how much control Cloud had, she had faith in Sephiroth's abilities. Despite all her faith in him, the closer the got the wider her eyes got. By the time he moved into striking distance Starla was so close to Cloud she could feel his erection.

"But that's right isn't it? I didn't kill Aeris, you did." Cloud paused. "Guess I should straiten that out."

Watching in horror Sephiroth looked on as Cloud shoved the dagger into her side. Her eyes went wide as she let out an unheard scream. Satisfied with the scene Cloud shoved her forward. Starla stumbled and fell at his feet.

"Star!"

Free from control Sephiroth rushed to her side. Helplessly his hands hovered from the knife to her face and back. Horror filled his senses as he knew if he removed the blade she would bleed to death but to do not she would die also. Either way he was helpless; She would die no matter what he chose.

"S…Sephi…," she choked out as blood began to bubble out of her mouth.

"Shhh, it's all right, you'll be fine, I swear." Sephiroth lied trying not to sob.

"I'm scared…." She whimpered, as tears flowed from her eyes.

"No… No Star don't you dare… Don't you dare…" he sobbed

"I'm tired…" she sighed coughing more of her life away.

"Oh please… No star look at me…. No star look at me damn it, don't sleep…", he cried to her panic stricken.

"Hold me for a little while?"

Sephiroth leaned over and kissed Starla on the lips. The taste of copper was on his lips… He cried as he kissed her, ignoring the sudden pain coming from his back as his black wing sprouted. She smiled and glanced at Cloud who glowered at Sephiroth. In fantastic vision she saw two sickly white wings spread out behind Cloud. Putting his head against her cheek he cried.

"Please star don't leave me, I need you…." He pleaded, "I don`t want to be alone anymore. Please don`t leave me … I love you ."

"And I you," she said her voice barely above a whisper. She closed her eyes, and he knew she was gone.

"Oh … no… no, no, no, NO" he cried out as he held her to him rocking slowly he cried.

Nothing registered in his mind, nothing existed. Everything he had dreamed of was torn from him. Holding her to him he pressed his cheek to her head, kissing her temple. His breath came in shutters as he gathered his emotions.

Slowly Sephiroth stood, picking up her body he walked towards the place Cloud and Sephiroth's fight first began. To offer her body to the mako. A scream resounded behind him, and Sephiroth felt something slam into his back. Starla rolled from his arms to the edge of the platform. Swinging back he fought off Cloud and readied his sword.

"You have to win the fight like I did before you can send her to peace." Cloud hissed.

Sephiroth raised his sword, his bare chest rose and fell heaving with the pain of loss. Chuckling Cloud raised his sword and steadied himself to attack. Both sized each other up. Cloud had obviously spent a short time in a maco chamber also. But a fraction of the time that Sephiroth did. Feathers rustled and in a blur Cloud and Sephiroth launched at each other.

Sparks lit the air with a deafening cry of steel clashing. Sephiroth shoved Cloud back, Cloud rushed back forward. In momentous strength and with his wings he launched himself high into the air before striking downward at Sephiroth. Meeting his challenge Sephiroth leaped into the air to meet him with all he had. The swords clashed together pushing each other back.

Meeting the ground they wasted no time in attacking again and again. Their swords clashing to create a light show, and there swords sang the a song of death. Sephiroth swung low, as Cloud swung down. Cloud's blade cut a gash across his shoulder, before Sephiroth could move back. Holding his bleeding shoulder Sephiroth gasped for air.

"Face it you lost this battle." Cloud sneered.

"Not on your fucking life." Sephiroth growled.

Sephiroth launched at Cloud, Cloud ready for Sephiroth's sudden advance raised up his sword. Both clashed together in a dazzling array of sparks and feathers. Shoving back Sephiroth Cloud swung at his legs while Sephiroth still remained unbalanced. Sucking in air, Sephiroth jumped back and feels the blade as it gently glided across the skin of his legs. Only small wounds, but enough to startle him.

"Oh did I draw blood again." Cloud teased.

"Shut up," Sephiroth shouted.

Cloud launched forward and both meet again in a clash of swords. Each other vying for space and to make the other to screw up. There hits falling fast and faster, to the point it looked like either swords might give. Sephiroth gave out a blood curling scream and launched at Cloud. Cloud sword pierces into Sephiroth's stomach, as Sephiroth's masumune swings around, but his blade did not catch Cloud's head.

As Cloud ducked spray of blood and bone showers the walk, as two disembodied wings fall to the floor. An agonizing scream ripped from Cloud as he clutched behind him. Staggering off the sword Sephiroth backed up towards the body of Starla. Looking down at his fatal wound, Sephiroth tripped over Starla's body.

As his fell his hand gripped the walk as his back half tumbled over his front half towards the green stream. Fearfully he eyed Starla's hand that reached out for him. Curse his weakness, for now he could not avenge her death. Above him Cloud pushed past the pain and moved towards him. Sephiroth readied his hand on his sword. This would be his last strike, he would not get another chance.

Stupidly Cloud peered over low, letting go he swung the sword around before gravity claimed him. Grey matter and blood exploded out in final testament. As he fell he thought he saw part of Cloud's head pass him as he reached for Starla's hand. By now Starla was to far away. Closing his eyes and accepting death Sephiroth fell into the stream of maco.

In an unknown amount of time Sephiroth opened his eyes to see green and only green. Something whispered in his mind anew before the world went dark again. The next time Sephiroth awoke he stared at fish as he felt his body bob on the surface. His body screamed for air, but he felt not the strength to pull himself above surface. The third time he awoke he felt his body being dragged upwards, his lungs still did not pull air.

But before blacking out he felt them revive him.