[FF7][SC] Star Flower

When I opened my eyes, it was a vast expanse of gray and black.

The exhaled mist was dense in front of his eyes, and dissipated in the air in a treacherous gesture.A ray of starlight leaked from the dilapidated roof, fine silver flakes of snow fell into the dim pupils, his eyelashes trembled, he closed his eyes, and then opened them again.The whole body lost consciousness, only the dull pain remained, so he knew that he was frozen.

frozen?

He knew the meaning of the word... No... He closed his eyes tightly, and a chaotic picture flashed... The man holding the pitchfork was gnawed by a chocobo inadvertently... The prostitute moved the net along the arc of her leg The patterned stockings were taken off, and the small room was filled with smoke... No... The giant python swallowed the twitching young deer... The bound man watched in horror as his little finger was cut off... No!These are not his memories!

Like the nebula blooming at the beginning of the universe, massive amounts of information poured into his brain, countless sparks exploded at every nerve ending, and countless chaotic memories were eroding his thinking.

Fear and remorse at the moment of falling from a tall building...The bride smiled happily at the wedding...The drowned man stretched out his hand in vain...He stretched out his hand...He stretched out his hand to save his departed best friend...Best friend...Zacks...This is it , there must be something else, he struggled to find a familiar face among the various characters, but they disappeared in a flash, and were immediately replaced by strange things.Too much, really too much, like picking up a special grain of gravel on the beach, and finally you can't hold anything in your hand.

"I'm so scared...I don't want to die..."

the woman wept.

For a moment, he couldn't tell whether it was a memory or reality. Every inch of light, every sound, and the suffocating pain and despair were so deeply engraved in his heart that it was unbelievably real. .He saw the woman's beautiful garnet eyes blurred by tears, and the dry lips opened and closed.

"How I wish you died at that time, it would be great if you were killed by him... Claude..."

Taking a deep breath, the boy opened his eyes again, panting to calm down.Claude Strife, that's his name, he knows who he is.Take your time, the most critical clues have been grasped, the rest will not be too difficult, he has experience in this matter.Forcibly ignore those complicated images, and what happened a few minutes or hours ago gradually came back to my mind.

Murder, leave as soon as possible.

Safe place where no one knows.Now he needs this, nothing else matters.

The boy put the momentary confusion behind him and struggled to control his body.First his fingertips trembled, then his arms and shoulders, he felt his heart beating faster, blood jubilant in his veins, and with every breath his body revived like a bud in spring.He propped himself up and sat up, then left the wood fragments under him, and the bright green liquid dripped down.

cold.He glanced at his naked body, and then looked around. He didn't know where it was, but piles and piles of junk were neatly arranged.He managed to find a blanket to wrap himself in, then staggered to the door, and the rotting wooden door opened with a sting of cold wind that stings his cheeks.

There was a faint light flickering in the distance, like the lamp that was waiting for when returning home late, which made him feel a little dazed.

When Angel organized people to search along the highway and branch roads, Sephiroth greeted casually and left.The general's time should not be wasted on such useless trifles. Everyone thought so, and no one noticed in the chaos. This gave him the convenience of acting alone, and it also meant the opportunity to satisfy his curiosity.

He couldn't feel the anxiety expressed by his friend. Although he could see it, he couldn't really understand it.Some say he's aloof, but he's just right for a commando.This is the case, but it does not prevent him from doing things he is interested in.

Boots rattled on shards of glass, and the ground was piled with fine gravel, unburnt charcoal, bits and pieces of empty cans.The pier under the elevated bridge is a homeless settlement, and dilapidated shacks are scattered here and there, because the steel frame can barely shelter from the wind and rain.Certain missions would pass through this kind of place. He glanced at it briefly and didn't pay much attention to it, but at this moment he still found a sense of incongruity.

nobody.Even if they were going out to look for food, there would be no one in so many houses, not to mention that it was not the time to go out.

But Sephiroth quickly stopped thinking about it, it didn't make sense to him, and a faint green light of a moko in the dark attracted him, even if it wasn't the strengthened eyesight of special forces, he could easily see it.He walked over on the gravel, and the traces were already very faint, extending from a certain shed.After thinking for a moment, he went to inspect the house first, and there were some details that had to be confirmed.

Zhengzong pushed aside the cotton-like cobwebs, the door frame was so short that he had to bend down to enter, and some floating dust still fell on the loose silver hair.The room is not dark, and the debris is so messy that there is almost no place to set foot.Then, as he expected, the big empty hole in the roof—or overhead—was pouring in cold air because the door was left open.Even if there is a buffer, ordinary people should be injured if they fall from that height. Sephiroth, who had kicked the opponent, knew how soft the boy's body was, but he didn't smell blood, only the pungent smell of Mako linger.Yes, Mako.In the faint beam of light cast by the hole is a large pool of splashed liquid, covered under the thin snow, the shape is faintly visible.

Rufas' car did not explode, and the flames were not as violent as expected, indicating that there were not many Moko left in the fuel tank, which should be the case under normal circumstances.

But what if those demons flow to other places?

This idea is a bit absurd, but for Sephiroth, who is familiar with Hojo's methods, it is not so difficult to accept.He half-kneeled down, took off his gloves and squeezed some liquid with his hands.cold.The boy has been away for a while, but considering the speed at which the magic volatilizes, the residual amount is actually very considerable—not to the extent that it was just picked up casually—at least it took a magic bath.

Sephiroth couldn't help thinking of those samples in the laboratory.They have strange shapes, and their abilities are often beyond imagination. There are many varieties that are well adapted to this highly toxic energy source, and it is not impossible to actively absorb demons.Tax's report is true and reliable, but it doesn't mean it's exhaustive. They still haven't figured out how Hunis was poisoned to failure, but now Sephiroth has found a good reason for them - human experiments, and they are not in the state of mind. Luo flag.

Because Shinra never let go of a sample.

Sephiroth exited the shed and put the gloves back on slowly.Special soldiers never wear gloves because of the cold, just to hold the killing weapon more tightly.He held the long knife flat with one hand, and a pair of demon eyes without any emotion reflected on the blade, the conclusion was already obvious.

It all made sense, with his overly mature performance, his unusual body, and his playful attitude toward him, it wouldn't be surprising if Cloud was the product of some illegal experiment.Now the problem becomes how to convince Angel that the child he picked up is not a human being. He knows that his colleagues can do the best thing, but—flicking his fingertips, Masamune let out a clear neighing sound, as if switching a certain switch, A beast of slaughter will be unleashed.

Get rid of it before Angel knows it all.Good for all.White lie, no?

If Angel knew that his words were interpreted in this way, he might beat him to death regardless of his identity and strength.

The boots crushed the fine gravel just like when he came, and Sephiroth walked along the dry Mako.This kind of change without warning is often frightening. After all, no one wants to be decapitated by someone who lives in peace one second, but Sephiroth knows that he just made the right choice.Human beings and human-shaped creatures are very different things, and once the line is drawn, there is no turning back.Regardless of whether the boy will end up as crazy as other experimental products, as long as he exists, it will trouble Angel, and once the matter is exposed, it will inevitably implicate the latter.

Nothing, he has destroyed so many beautiful things that he has never once felt sorry.This is the way of thinking that Shinra taught him, everything serves the greatest benefit, perfect.

But the footsteps stopped in front of the thin snow.

A strange emotion suddenly melted in his heart, and the killing intent was faint.Sephiroth doesn't know how to describe it, it's like being teased by soft feathers, just...just want to laugh.He unconsciously lowered the corners of his mouth, but the fact that there was no one around allowed him to laugh out loud.

A small string of footprints remained on the snow and walked shallowly into the depths of the slums.Those are really cute little feet, each toe is clearly printed, and the distance between steps is even less than one-third of his.A small feeling stepped on his heart, touching a soft place, so soft that he thought it never existed.For a moment, Sephiroth didn't think about the footprints proving that the boy still maintained a human form, nor that bare feet might cause frostbite, and he didn't even think about where Claude was going in this case.

He just constructed a simple but clear picture in his mind, the blond boy stepping on the snow, his short legs pattering fast.Just by imagining it, I couldn't suppress my smile.

It seems that he understands Angel's mood a little bit.

After laughing for a while, two strings of footprints remained on the snow.

Not the same as before.

After going around several times and almost getting lost, Claude realized that the building in front of him was a church.Midgar was not a city built out of thin air. Before the disk was erected, there were some small towns here. The aborigines and the gold diggers who came after the prosperity of the metropolis gradually became second-class people, and then the church gradually declined.Only then did he know that the unrecognizable reliefs etched by acid rain on the wall were heroes riding griffins, swinging spears and stabbing the legendary pythons; golden holly was scalded on the arches, and the branches were full of fruits moistened by melted snow , soft light seeped from the half-closed door.

Claude stared blankly into the depths of the building.There are no girls who grow flowers, and no flowers with dew on them.The homeless people who had received communion were lying on the benches, snoring comfortably, and murmured a few indistinct words from time to time; the lights flickered on the candlesticks, and the wax droplets solidified into a long stream, interlaced with light and shadow The statue of the Madonna casts a pitiful glance at the world.

It is very warm and comfortable inside, which is what he needs most now, but his feet are so cold and blue that he can't take a step.

This place does not belong to him.no longer belonged to him.

Can't go back anymore.

He flinched and took a step back, hitting something on his back.

"Aren't you going in?" A terrifying voice came from above, with a little confusion, "You have been standing outside."

when--

In an instant, the memory about that person was pulled out of the mess, clearly and without a trace.Sephiroth.Sephiroth made Cloud Strife pick up the largest piece of the jigsaw puzzle and finally complete it.But before that, two completely different emotions of fear and fighting spirit controlled him, and his body rushed into the narrow crack of the door before thinking, like a nimble dodging chocobo, they are always timid by nature. Can be the first to avoid predators.Sephiroth subconsciously reached out and grabbed a piece of dirty rag. He looked at it in silence for a while, and then threw it aside in silence.

Knees hurt from the wooden floor, and the relief from freezing made the pain even more unbearable. Claude breathed lightly and tiptoed through the darkness.The darkness and the small space made him a little uncomfortable, but he finally got rid of the influence of Mako and acted according to his own will.He was fed up with feeling like he couldn't find himself, didn't know what to do, everything was messed up and out of control.He will never forget the back of Zacks leaving in the blurred vision, but the outstretched hand can't grab anything, it is a scar that he can't heal in his life.

But... Mako?Claude lightly touched his right rib, where the steel bars used to penetrate, and now there is nothing left.He was a little confused, but also a little clear, and he was not entangled in this issue.Perhaps a long time ago, he had accepted that he was no longer human.

The old wooden door creaked harshly as soon as it was pushed, and Claude's attention returned to reality. This was the biggest problem.He realized he shouldn't have hid in here, shouldn't have let Sephiroth step in here.

Sephiroth didn't hide his presence, he stepped on casual steps, the authentic tip was pulled on the floor, clicking and clicking in demonstration.He was indeed demonstrating, and a few homeless men who were awakened saw him, and the curses were swallowed back the moment they saw the person coming.Even if you don't know it's Sephiroth, the appearance of Moko's eyes is always dreadful. They mean special forces, strength, and some troubles that ordinary people can't afford.

"You have one minute to leave." The voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the chapel.This is the purpose of Sephiroth, there are too many witnesses, and killing them will cause some more inexplicable troubles.No one seemed to notice the little mouse that had slipped in, and everything was still under control.

The drunk stumbled around Sephiroth and fled towards the gate, staggering on his feet, and was cleared up in a short while.The aged clergyman looked hesitantly at the young man standing in front of the door, but Sephiroth ignored him, turned his head slightly, and found that there was a small door at the back of the church, but it was locked.He turned his gaze back again. There were melted water stains around his feet, but without Claude, maybe he should praise the boy for his carefulness or calmness in danger?At this time, remember to roll, great anti-tracking skills.Finally, he stared at the trembling old man, "30 seconds."

"At least tell me why..."

"25."

"Where do you want me to go in such a cold day?"

"twenty."

"You can't do this! Shinra had an agreement with us!"

"nineteen……"

The old man closed his mouth, shook his beard angrily, and said nothing more.Shinra is a dictator rather than a ruler, and the establishment and maintenance of Midgar has demonstrated this.He glanced around a few times, picked up the only bottle of red wine left, hurried past Sephiroth with his robe dragging his feet, paused, and hurried away again.This bored Sephie Roth, who thought he was going to smash the bottle.

But that's okay, now is their time.

He closed the only exit.

The changing atmosphere and temperature made Claude shiver, he tried his best not to tremble, even if Sephiroth didn't do anything, he would freeze to death here.He didn't even know why he was hiding, the church was so big, he would be discovered sooner or later, but he was keenly aware that he couldn't go out.It wasn't because Sephiroth dismissed everyone, nor was it because the other party blocked all the exits, it was just a habit, a tacit understanding.He never knew what Sephiroth was thinking, but he could tell when the killing intent was on display. After countless battles, it had become an instinct. Your Precious Stuff" game.

Rufas wanted to kill him, he didn't know why, but based on what he knew about the Shinra family's bad things, what happened on the viaduct couldn't have been an accident.So this is why Sephiroth appeared?If so, Claude swallowed with difficulty, breathing more and more tiredly, does Angel know?

He bit his arm hard, half to resist the drowsiness brought on by the cold, and half to stop thinking about it.

There was a creak on the floor, and Claude's heart jumped.

Sephiroth walked to the bench in the third row from the left, gracefully, with every step on the tip of Claude's heart.Of course he has the grace to spare, one is Shinra's top combat power, and the other is an unarmed child. This unfair battle was doomed from the very beginning.

Claude closed his eyes, held his breath, put aside all chaotic thoughts, and focused all his attention on the voice.

Zhengzong silently stuck to the back of the chair, lifted it up with a light lift.

It's now!

The bench landed to reveal nothing underneath and the sound of the stained glass shattering behind him sounded almost at the same time. Sephiroth turned around in astonishment, just in time to see the golden hair disappearing in a flash.It was not the telltale feet of a hiding mouse just now, but the natural sound of old wood under uneven heat and cold!But how could he be sure that the voice would not appear on his side?Before he had time to think about it, Sephiroth followed that figure out of the window, the oncoming cold wind ruffled his long hair, and his black boots clattered onto the snow.

The boy can't run away, there will be left on the snow-

Sephiroth was shocked.

He glanced quickly to the left and to the right, at the small, five-toed footprint.When he came, Claude stood in front of the church door. Out of curiosity, he kept watching, but he didn't notice that the footprints around the church were exactly the same.But why did the boy walk so many laps outside?Anticipating that someone will come after you?No...it doesn't make sense, if that's the case, he should have gone somewhere where there was no snow in the first place.

But what the hell is this mess?

If Genesis was present, he would probably have been surprised by Sephiroth's humane expression for a long time, but this was indeed the first time in his life that he experienced the illusion that his IQ was not enough.

There was a slight sound at the gate, and then the sound of stepping on the snow came one after another.Maybe this is another illusion, but it doesn't matter, his speed and reaction are enough to make up for the inferiority in intelligence, so Sephiroth went around the main entrance without hesitation.

The fingers resting on the handle of the knife moved alternately, and the moment Sephiroth turned around the corner, he felt angry for a long time. He reminded himself not to be too outrageous, but he felt that it would not be difficult to dispose of the corpse if it was just one person.The two thoughts intertwined for a while, and finally the idea of ​​finding Claude prevailed. The drunken old man by the door was lucky enough to save his life, "Is anyone passing by?"

"What?" The old guy hiccupped, and his nerves became aggravated by the alcohol.

The tip of the knife touched the opponent's throat, and moved precisely in tandem with the breath, fitting tightly without gaps.At the same time, Sephiroth was still paying attention to the movement around him, and there was no sign other than the fluttering snow, and he did not go far.

"Kill if you want, I've had enough of you guys, hiccup! How many god-damaged things Shinra has done... killing people... transforming human bodies... sooner or later, you monsters-"

The pain made him silent, and he stared blankly at the white-haired soldier in front of him.The white hair looks really cold in the deep winter, but it is less than one ten-thousandth of the light blue eyes.Those eyes are not what humans should have, they should be colder and crueler...beasts.He didn't know which of his words offended him, maybe all of them.Generally, people don't deliberately step on a bug to death, but they don't mind moving their feet when they are bitten, don't they?The heavy oppressive feeling made him kneel down, trembling and unable to utter a complete sentence, "No...no..."

The point of the knife left him, a little blood dripping from the sharp edge.The perfect workmanship made the long knife hardly leave the enemy's blood, but Sephiroth still wiped Masamune into the snow without expression.After a while, it seemed that he realized that the old guy was still there, and his thin lips slightly raised his words.

It must still be nearby, but there is no effective search method, and the unexpected situation did not make Sephiroth feel anxious. On the contrary, excitement faintly took the upper hand after the anger.Not a good sign, but he's not going to lose control, and it's a game to enjoy.He had made mistakes, and there were many environmental constraints, but he had to praise the other party for delaying a whim and one-sided hunt into an evenly matched confrontation.

Flipping through a few magic stones with his right hand, the ice was given to Angel, and he only had destruction, lightning, and resurrection at hand.Too much movement.Generally, authenticity is enough, and there are very few situations where he can use magic stones. After all, spells can never be faster than the speed of a knife, but at this moment, what he desperately hopes to bring is gravity or closure.

Maybe he should change his mind. He let go of the magic stone and thought about some routines commonly used on the battlefield.provocative?It's a good attempt, but if you can't get it right, the follow-up effect will obviously not be good.He had to choose his words carefully, and try to make the other party lose control with one sentence.

It's so easy.

"Claude, your mother is going to die." Sephiroth raised the corners of her lips, very happy, "Aren't you going to see her for the last time?"

The noise came from inside the church and was captured by the extraordinary hearing of the special forces.So daring, he even ducked back, and Sephiroth almost applauded this witty response.This is much more interesting than the group of officers raised by Heitinga who know nothing but political struggle and drilling. You know, in the early days of the Wutai War, he wiped the ass of those guys.

But the young man didn't break in immediately, even though he knew that the boy would not have another chance to escape this time, it would be a pity for this wonderful performance tonight.He has to wait for Claude to come out by himself and stand in front of him. This is a complete victory.

"I won't spend it with you, and neither can Hunis." Facing the main entrance, he continued to say provocative words, "You can't get a pass to Yuanpan, and if you miss this opportunity, you won't even be able to catch up with the funeral."

The footsteps were soft and shaky, but they were there.Sephiroth waited patiently for a while, the wooden door was scratched, and there was a strange stomping sound... He was subtly aware that the boy was not tall enough.In short, Claude finally managed to open the door latch, and appeared in front of Sephiroth with disordered breathing and a trembling body.

He's really small, Sephiroth thought.He couldn't see it through the heavy winter clothes, but when he appeared naked and undisguised in front of his eyes, he could clearly see the ribs attached to each other under the thin skin, and the pale blue blood vessels penetrated the pale skin exposed.Considering that Angel should have fulfilled his duties as a guardian perfectly in the past four months, one can imagine the situation before coming to Midgar.But Sephiroth would not underestimate such a body, strength and appearance are not always related, especially after he noticed that all the wounds on the boy's face had disappeared.

The strange thing is that this time there are no complex emotions in the eyes of the other party, whether positive or negative, they are all hidden under the calmness.The boy stood on the steps just enough to be at eye level with Sephiroth, and the mist rose with his breath.

"You want to..." Claude's lips were blue and white with cold, and the cold made him a little slurred, which also prevented the questioning from blurting out.This time the confusion of memory is no longer due to Mako, it's just a little silly from the cold.He thought for a while, and regained the focus of the question, "She's fine...isn't she?"

"Oh?" Sephiroth stared at his booty, fine snowflakes fell on him one after another, "You know?"

Claude shook his head, but it didn't mean negative.

He knew that Sephiroth was bluffing him, he was no longer a brat.At this point in time, this incident, no one would believe it when it was told like this - except for an idiot who always screwed things up.He just can't...can't...what if that's true?Even if the probability is only one in ten million, he can't miss this possibility.The mother's terrified face was contorted in the flames, and she died alone, waiting for the return of the child who had gone away.Even if he only proved it was a lie, it was a lie - enough, wasn't it?

"That's not important." A slight sigh, almost non-existent.Claude closed his eyes, and the shadow of death hovered like a vulture, but at least he would die standing up, "If you want to kill me, do it quickly."

not enough.That wasn't enough for Sephiroth.What a young man needs is not a defenseless prey, and bullying a child will not bring him any pleasure.Cutting open Claude, tearing apart every secret, and chewing them to pieces is what he wants.There was no Angel, no one else, and the cold had weakened the boy's will, and this was perhaps the closest he had ever come to something essential.Sephiroth starts with the simplest question, slow, graceful, and most obviously irresistible, "Why do you think... I'm here to kill you?"

"..."

It was expected, but not difficult to deal with, "I don't think silence is a good answer, since Hunis is still under Shinra's control."

Claude opened his eyes suddenly, so Sephiroth understood that he had taken the initiative in the conversation. "You can't do this... she won't pose any threat... just need the last moment..." The boy racked his brains, but the fire in Nibelheim made him understand that Sephiroth didn't need anyone to kill. any reason.But he also managed to calm down, begging the enemy to be useless to the status quo, "Angel promised me that mom will be fine."

"Yes, Angel promised." Sephiroth nodded of course, and turned mocking and sharp again in a blink of an eye, "But that's because he thought you were human, and you were taking advantage of his kindness, what would happen if I told him the truth Like?" He noticed that the boy's eyes became unbelievable, and the calm was torn apart, revealing suppressed fear and despair, "I thought you should understand that he is my friend, and you are nothing."

There was a long silence in which Sephiroth was surprised that Cloud didn't refute a single point.Failure to refute does not mean admission, but at least it proves that the threat was effective.He really thought Angel would break the promise?Or, do you really think that you don't have even a little weight in Angel's heart?

It's just unbelievable.Even if he is always judged as unreasonable, Sephiroth also understands that this matter must be done without telling Angel, why can't he see it?

"...Which thing did you do that didn't look like you were here to kill someone?" Claude compromised.If he didn't mind even death, then of course a few questions didn't matter, he couldn't provoke Sephiroth.At the same time, he was more confused about these useless questions, he didn't understand what Sephiroth wanted to do, and he never understood, but he was used to it.

This complaint-like remark made Sephiroth want to laugh a little, and he felt a kind of cold humor that he might not have realized, "Okay. The next question, what reason made you jump off the bridge?"

"You... don't you know?"

"Should I know?" Sephiroth asked back, "Other than to cover up that you're not human?"

Another short silence, which usually means hesitation, but it could also be making up excuses.Claude's ability to stand up proves that Hunis is a bargaining chip, but Sephiroth has no way to distinguish the authenticity.He can interrogate the prisoners separately, use torture and psychological offensive to extract the desired information, but most of the time, this is not his job.He could indeed break the boy's arm, a question repeated three times would be no harder than breaking a pencil and would be quite effective, but this question is not necessary.

Claude seemed to have finally made up his reason, he opened his mouth, and then suddenly bent down clutching his heart in pain, the pain made him panting uncontrollably.Sephiroth didn't show any extra expressions until he knelt down.Hypothermia, not a serious problem, just urging them to hurry up.

"Don't tell Angel..." He clenched his fingers, trying to breathe calmly, "The car accident was not an accident, Rufas wanted to kill me... I don't know why. Maybe there are other plans, so I have to leave as soon as possible." He Coughed a bit, as if I was going to throw up, "Then I'm not going back. Better off without me, isn't it?"

"Then, I think the conclusion is clear.Scarlett. 』

The noon vote, wasn't that accidental?But why?

Sephiroth would indeed not tell Angel that the quarrel with Shinra's heir is not a good thing for a special soldier, and of course he is more unhappy with Rufas's almost offensive behavior.But he also noticed another detail, putting Rufas' matter on hold for now, "If you don't plan to go back, what do you want to do?"

"I don't know..." Claude shook his head blankly, "I never thought..."

The white-haired young man noticed the subtle contradictions almost immediately. Contrary to Claude's weakness, the excitement made him more focused.This means that at least one of two things is false, "Leaving can't see the last side of your mother."

"It's different." Claude said softly, the thin snow had accumulated on his back and it would no longer melt.He is not good at talking, and he has tried his best to satisfy Sephiroth, "If you hadn't come here, I would have no chance to go back, maybe I wouldn't think of her like this. At first there was no hope, and when there is hope, then despair ,are different……"

The boy looked up, and it took a moment to find Sephiroth.It was so embarrassing.He didn't wear anything, couldn't stand up, and could only look up to him.But there is nothing embarrassing, he has always been so embarrassed in front of him, the first time he wanted to behave well, he was killed by a monster, or he vomited in front of General Shinra in the small car There was a lot of noise.Those shadows were still there in the years after he had actually grown up, in deep, deep places.As if it should be so, Sephiroth is always perfect, and Cloud Strife is only suitable for shame and lowliness.

God, he looks so good...same indifference...same cruelty...if only Sephiroth had always been like this, he would be more used to it and more at ease.Why do people always change?

"Next question." The white-haired man said without mercy, without giving any room for buffering, "Who made you into this person?"

This way of questioning is terrible, Sephiroth almost asks whatever comes to mind, whatever he wants.Although the sudden situation did not leave him much time to think, even if he had plenty of time, he probably had this style.Claude is quite comfortable with this simple and rude, "I don't know."

"Lying doesn't do any good."

"I didn't!" Sephiroth had to be convinced, but his tongue was stuck and he couldn't explain it.How the hell would he know what kind of answer this guy wanted?Or can he only see what he wants to see and hear what he wants to hear forever? "It's been like this since the beginning, before I was born, is it my fault?" Isn't it because of you?What right do you have to ask?

Facing the sudden anger, Sephiroth raised his eyebrows, he didn't understand, "Are you angry?"

"..."

"why?"

"...does this question make sense?"

"It's not up to you to decide whether it makes sense, now answer me why."

The boy moved his lips in pain and depression.Those sapphire blue eyes were contagiously beautiful when they gleamed with joy, but when they endured humiliation, they took on an extraordinary feeling.Sephiroth knew there would be some who would like it, some sick, misshapen people in Midgar high society.

"Or let me guess...you thought of someone?" Sephiroth said seemingly casually.No, he could see that he guessed wrong, "Some experiments?" No response, still being glared at, but that kind of anger is more like some kind of useless, pathetic self-defense, "Or is it just to admit that you are a monster?" So unbearable?"

"Sephiroth," Cloud roared hoarsely, exhausting all his strength.He can't stand it, if nothing stops this conversation, he can't help but berate Sephiroth and say everything, "Kill me!"

Sephiroth frowned.

He stepped up the stone steps in front of the church for the second time, and came to the boy through the snow.Claude had to lift his head higher to meet those pale blue eyes.The young man was silent for a while, originally he had many questions, but now he changed his mind.

"One last question." He bent down and leaned close to the boy's ear, his long silver hair scattered on the thin snow like silk.Maybe he wasn't mean, but