[FF7][SC] Star Flower

scenarios, each answer points to a different outcome.But only this option made him a little regretful, "I thought you would take it apart to see, after all, this is a former Shinra package, maybe some evil plans are being brewed."

"I'm not that boring."

"Okay, okay." Sensing the impatience of the young man, Rufas stopped pretending, "Let's talk about some not-so-boring business, such as - your stagnant time."

Claude shivered as if being scalded, and the faint radiance of magic trickled down his eyes. They were a deterrent and a cover, but they were useless in front of Rufas.

"I believe that your understanding of this matter is far deeper than ours, so I will not waste time on the fact-immortality, this is your problem." Bursting the last bubble of hope, Rufas Quickly and straight to the point, "Recently, we successfully recovered some research materials, about special forces...about sample C."

Sample C.the distant past.It is already in the past.But with an uncontrollable rage welling up in his heart, Rufas reminded him once again of what he had lost, and of the plans of such people that were forever simmering.His lips twisted, giving up the last bit of kindness, "So eager to find my weakness?"

"It can be understood in this way. Calm down, Cloud, before breaking my neck, there are still some things you need to know. Answer me first, where was the last time Sephiroth appeared?"

"What do you mean?" The anger stopped abruptly, replaced by uncertain eyes.Sephiroth is not something to joke about, Rufas is serious.

"Literally. Two months ago, in the pasture area, you destroyed dozens of the best pastures. I paid for this for you." Rufas knows everything, he doesn't need a memo, and his extraordinary memory is One of his weapons, and at the same time, the matter about Claude is indeed ahead of all the priorities, "Seven months ago, the ice field area, fortunately there was nothing there. Two years and one month ago, Wutai, you completed the god A feat that Luo has never succeeded—there are no more five towers in this world. Two years and eight months ago—”

Unobvious guilt flashed across Cloud's face, and he said quickly and quietly, "I stopped Sephiroth."

"Yes, you did a good job and deserve all of our gratitude." Rufas reassured.Ten years was enough for him to investigate everything about Claude Strife clearly.He couldn't imagine how a person could maintain his sanity after going through those things, especially for an ordinary person, knowing that the same batch of special forces had all disappeared from this world, and the only remaining one was always ready to destroy the world.

Cloud seemed settled now, and time and new connections helped heal, but Rufas realized the hypocrisy of this settling before anyone else.He considered it for a while, and still planned to make a detour, "...Don't you think it's too coincidental?"

"Sephiroth can appear anywhere. Basically, we have figured out the principle, but the spread of the Jenova factor is irreversible. We can only hope for the self-purification ability of the planet. This will be a long-term resistance. The real The problem is, he appears in front of you every time." It was still a puzzled expression, and that kind of blankness made Rufas feel uncomfortable, but he knew that he was cruel enough, "Like a ghost haunting, but not Follow your footsteps, he will only appear where you are."

After a long silence, Claude really didn't realize what Rufas meant.He just frowned, his sapphire blue eyes wandered, and the lake light shining outside the floor-to-ceiling glass was reflected in it, reflecting an inconspicuous daze.Like a lamb to be sacrificed, but Rufas understands that this is not just a metaphor.He thought inappropriately, Claude's serious expression always seemed wronged to familiar people, never knowing how young he looked, even though he knew that he was already a 30-year-old adult.

But age never means whether a person grows up or not.

His eyes suddenly moved back, and the blue layer was covered with thin ice by his sullenness. Claude understood, "Do you think—" He took a quick breath and gritted his teeth, "You mean, I summoned him?"

"I didn't say that." It sounded like a buck, but Rufas felt the need to clarify the distinction. "I'm just telling you the truth."

"Listen, Rufas, don't play these guessing tricks with me, I—" After a pause, the sound of Fenrir shooting out and the bullet rebounding only happened for a moment, and then was pierced through Only then did the thin glass groan, and the cracks bloomed layer by layer like beautiful flowers.

Shouts came from the outer edge of the hall.It's from Renault.He was pressing down on someone who couldn't help but fired a gun and beat him violently. His cursing voice was as energetic and recognizable as it was ten years ago. "How many times have I said it's just for show! Show it! How many of you go up are sent!" Silent Rude organized the personnel to go to the shooting point, the first bullet came from across the lake, and sniped.And the scene can only be handed over to one person, and there is no doubt that it must be Zeng.

Zeng has always been the type that looks gentle and elegant, and the precipitation of the years has made this temperament more restrained and harmless.He took off his coat in the distance, took out two pistols from the holsters and put them on the ground, raised his hands, and turned around to indicate that there were no more weapons.Claude stood still and didn't respond, only a large swath of blood spewed out from his neck, and an expanding pool of blood gathered on the ground.

"It was an accident, Strife, an assassin broke in." Zeng approached anxiously, trying to take the two away from that place, but he couldn't figure out what was going on with Cloud, "Here No one intends to hurt you, you are safe." An injured special soldier, it is not known whether he is still conscious, the destructiveness is immeasurable.

When he was about 15 meters away from the dining table, Claude moved slightly, drew the side knife from Fenrir and swept across Rufas's chest, and the pistol that was just revealed fell behind Zeng in a parabola.The recovery magic stone on Mystil's bracelet flickered softly, the bleeding gradually slowed down, and the remaining gap was enough to use the magic ko.

"Accident?" The soft voice hit their hearts heavily. The blond young man looked at the WRO chairman who was covered in the shadow of Fenrir. He wanted to protect this man at the moment of the attack, but the opponent's hand with the gun was still in place. Talented posture.He looked at the glass that was still making a slow shattering sound, and now he couldn't see clearly because of the expanding crack.Soon he pulled his gaze back, the bullet that hit him came from Turks, and Renault's scolding over there gradually weakened, as if he couldn't hold it any longer. "Accident?" he repeated. "Why?"

I just wanted to save you.

Everyone present heard the silent questioning. They would not feel ashamed or guilty, but they would not be able to face the eyes of the young man.

"Because as long as you live, Sephiroth is immortal." Rufas replied seriously, his similar blue eyes staring straight into the young man's soul.He is just so unscrupulous, so he is Rufas, never changed.

These words set off a huge wave in Claude's heart, even Rufas' killing intent could not shake him so much.The deputy knife was still pointing steadily at the enemy, but he was no longer sure what he wanted to do.Sephiroth, Sephiroth, the nightmare of his life, now trades his death for eternal peace.

"...so I'm going to die?" He asked in disbelief, finally understanding what Rufas really meant, with traces of pain in his voice, "So I shouldn't live?"

"Yes, you shouldn't live." If words can kill, then Rufas' firmness at this moment is enough to sentence Claude to death a thousand times.He knew that Claude flinched, and that the sternness and inward thrusting were just the last defense, and the sharp arrow had already hit the hero's Achilles' heel.

"What if you guess wrong?"

"Do you think I'll take this risk?" Rufas stood up, threw off the dining table and leaned forward to force Claude to retract the dagger, not worried about being disemboweled at all.He ruthlessly grabbed the young man by the collar of his sweater and pulled him over, with an angry breath spraying in his ears, hot and wet, "If you die, Sephiroth returns to this world, yes What good is it for us? Waiting for 'Chaos' to reorganize the world?" He touched the unhealed wound, stained with sticky blood, where the artery had ruptured, "The question now is not at all whether you should die or not , but how to die!"

The absurd thing of persuading death can only be tried by Claude Strife.Rufas's hand was attached to the opponent's slender neck, and he felt the violently throbbing pulse, which was a sign of shaking.He felt a little pity, a little reverence for the tragic hero, and then there was nothing left.Now he can't say anything more, he must wait for Claude to make his own decision-one of the two must die.

"Don't listen to his nonsense, it's not like you can't beat Sephiroth, why do you have to die?" 』

A hearty voice jumped out, and a flower bloomed in my heart.

"Rufas." Claude held the hand holding the sweater, and the smaller hand pulled him away without hesitation.Rufas didn't understand what happened. The two traits of calmness and indifference returned, and the switching speed was comparable to that of a mental patient. "I won't kill you, but it doesn't mean I can't beat you."

The deputy knife penetrated the floor in front of Zeng in the blink of an eye, stopping Director Tax's small movements.Claude twisted his wrist and punched Rufas easily, and when he heard the sound of the broken nose bone, he thought indifferently that it should be quite painful for ordinary people.He mentioned Fenrir's main knife, and looked at the miserable appearance of the other party curled up covering his face, "You don't understand anything." He is not only carrying his own life, because he can stand here because of the sacrifice of many people, no matter who He is not qualified to ask him to give up, "I refuse. Even if I should die, it is not up to you to decide."

"Who decides that, yourself?"

"More qualified than you."

"But you won't die, Claude, your decision is nothing more than a self-deceiving joke." Two rows of nosebleeds hang ridiculously on Rufas' face, and the well-arranged hairstyle is also a little messy.He wiped it casually with the back of his hand, it doesn’t matter, the refusal is also planned, “You can still fight Sephiroth now, so what about hundreds or thousands of years later? How can you ensure that you won’t become another Sephiroth?” Philos? Who will stop you when you fall into darkness?"

Is this the reason?Unfounded guesses? — the first few times, because they share the same cell, so he has to be the second Sephiroth.How much time did the young man spend freeing himself from the shadows, he wasted no patience in convincing others, "So you believe in Sephiroth more than me?" He was glad Rufas didn't say the key words , so that he doesn't have to work harder to control himself.

"I believe in human nature." Rufas' face was distorted in pain, he grabbed the napkin and pressed it against his face, "There is nothing more trustworthy than human nature. Jealousy, greed, arrogance, suspicion, prejudice, and most importantly, fickle."

"Fickle." Claude chewed the word, twitched the corner of his mouth ironically, and finally failed to laugh, "Why don't you believe that Sephiroth can change back and become Shinra's hero again?"

"He's not human, where is his humanity?" Blood was pouring profusely, maybe it was just because ordinary people would bleed like this.Rufas waved his hand to Zeng, stood up staggeringly, and as far as a playboy could bear the pain, "You know better than anyone, don't you?" He narrowed his eyes and stared at the soldier in front of him. I personally experienced the terrifying power hidden under the muscles and bones, "What does it feel like to be omnipotent? Everything in the world is at your fingertips, and you can easily decide the life and death of others, and you don't have to consider anyone's feelings anymore. Crowe De, do you enjoy the pleasure of doing whatever you want?"

"—Who is it that does whatever it wants?" Moko's magnificent luster was ignited, and the repressed and long-silent hatred burned up.They have always been there and have never disappeared because the price has not been paid.The narrow cat pupils cautiously locked on the man who spoke rudely, rubbed his fingers against the handle of the knife and tightened, all expressions disappeared, "Is it my fault for becoming like this? How can you—how dare you?"

Under the cover of the napkin, Rufas smiled.If they failed to kill Claude, then he would die here, the last multiple-choice question in the plan.Rage him, drive him out of control, call out guilt while he still has reason and conscience, and Cloud Strife will do the rest himself.

Strangely enough, even though those eyes were so similar to Sephiroth's, Rufas found at this moment that he could easily tell the difference between the two.

Claude said nothing, turned around suddenly and left.

that's all?Rufas looked at his back in astonishment, until the blond young man walked up to Zeng and pulled out the side knife, he didn't remember to speak back, "Just run away, Claude? To escape your responsibility, and fate?" blurted out The words were weak, and it was Rufas's most failed speech, because the young man merged the side knife into Fenrir smoothly, and walked towards the gate without looking back.

Zeng reacted immediately and pressed Claude's shoulder.

He has no weapons, no hostility, and all his weaknesses are exposed in front of Claude, so the young man hesitated for a moment, without fighting back, "let go."

"The president didn't tell you all the facts." The simple but crucial information held back the young man's footsteps, and Zeng let go of his hand, "We have no position on this matter, but I still hope you can listen Listen to—"

"Zeng!" An unprecedented stern voice sounded, and then Rufas realized that he had lost his composure, "Don't do unnecessary things." He ordered coldly.

Zeng shook his head, "Strive, anyway, we are trying to solve your problem." This sentence was actually addressed to Rufas, indicating that he had no intention of overstepping the rules, "Our methods are too drastic Yes, I am very sorry on this point. Of course you have the right to decide your own life, live, die. This is not only about Sephiroth, but more importantly, we want redemption."

"What happened to you is irreversible, so at least stop what hasn't happened. Strife, tell me," Zeng continued gently, trying to make the question sound less cruel, "Can you accept living forever?" Go on? The people you know return to the stream of life one by one, turning into nothingness in the long years, and you live alone, only the battle will accompany you forever."

Moko's brilliance gradually faded, these eyes were no longer threatening, replaced by uncertainty, he looked away.

Many times they are surprised how a person can be hurt so easily.Language, sight, movement, all tiny details can break through the resolute body of a fighter and break through the fragile line of defense.However, what is even more surprising is that every time he would stand up, with a scarred heart, never willing to give in, unwilling to change himself.

Although I didn't realize it.

The pain drove Sephiroth towards revenge, but what taught Claude was tolerance.

"You can't." Zeng sighed deeply in his heart, which is at least one of the reasons why Rufas deliberately forced the young man to show up, "Join us, and then we will find a way to kill you. You can live as much as you want There is no time limit on this invitation, but we want it as early as possible to avoid the worst."

"Then?" Obvious distrust—the last special soldier in the world, Hojo's perfect work in fact—Claude knows what he is, "Then you can rebuild a special forces corps?"

"About this..." Zeng looked at Rufas, ignoring the warning, "There will be no more Shinra in this world, I think, this is what Rufas meant."

It wasn't until the news of Rufas' death came shortly afterwards that Claude understood what that sentence meant. The last Shinra died and they fulfilled their promise.Rufas was sick, very sick, and sickness was something Cloud didn't feel anymore.Maybe the lingering nosebleed that day was a sign of something, and why he couldn't wait to tackle the biggest trouble in his last days.Claude didn't feel much about this, he just understood that this grievance was completely over, and his burden was reduced and added.

Rufas is so unscrupulous.He is capable and ambitious, and the most important thing is that he never pays any price, even if it is himself.But what is the reason this time?For a country brat in a remote mountainous area, what is it worth making such a big sacrifice for?

Obviously, Sephiroth couldn't figure this out either, but at that time, there were still trucks going backwards, so there were too many strange things.The investigation report on the driver has not yet come out, but these doubts are enough for him to accept Claude's statement, but his on-the-spot judgment is too quick, which is very strange.

"I asked him." Claude suddenly remembered this part, and it made sense. "I asked him why he wanted to kill me. Rufas didn't deny it. He opened the car door and got out."

The word "roll" is very appropriate, Sephiroth had to admit, "Then?"

"What then?"

"What I told Angel was that you were thrown out of the car. After all, I can't explain why you fell off the bridge." The ice cubes collided, and the young man shook the glass gracefully, "Since you were still alive at that time, why didn't Rufas directly Kill you? He should have a pistol with him."

"I don't know." A very uncooperative answer, just when Sephiroth was thinking about whether he had learned enough lessons, the boy added hesitantly, "Maybe it's because he thinks I'm sure to die... The steel bars nailed me through The position is fatal." There was a short pause—it seemed that he was not so accustomed to this kind of statement—and then he concluded precisely, "I don't think he needs to leave other evidence."

Sephiroth paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes slightly.This simple action made Claude tense up instantly. Although he was stuck in the sofa and couldn't make a defensive posture, Sephiroth had no doubt that he would get a cup thrown head-on with a slight movement, and then that The kid will take advantage of the momentum and roll to the back of the sofa.

Interesting though, there's no time to waste now, "You should have said that earlier."

"……What's the meaning?"

"Still don't understand? The explanation given to Angel and the truth witnessed by Rufas are completely different. Do you think I can make up a self-justified theory?" Sephiroth felt the long-lost irritability, and things became very complicated.Of course he can't silence Rufas, but it's too late to kill Claude now... Maybe it's too late?

Although the apartment area is monitored, with the authority of the general, it is not difficult to destroy it.While it meant a night of hard work in vain, Sephiroth was gifted with trade-offs.Then show the evidence to Angel, and there is no doubt that the friend will understand.

This attitude towards people is often the part that other people fear the most, but in fact it is not temperamental or capricious, it is just that few things are important to Sephiroth, so he doesn't care at all.

Not surprisingly, the killing intent was detected.That child seemed particularly sensitive in this regard, maybe a good candidate, Sephiroth remembered Wade's evaluation.But this time, Claude did not show the panic and retreat of last night. Although he was still nervous, "Killing me is not the best solution. Let me talk to Rufas, and I can convince him."

Sephiroth put down his glass and stood up, his hair sweeping a tiny arc.Under this series of elegant but threatening movements, Claude looked directly at him, without blinking, without flinching, "I have no intention of running away. PHS, you must have his number, and Rufas It is impossible to monitor the phone calls, and there is no risk."

Authentic and PHS are both on the coffee table. To Sephiroth, there is almost no difference between killing someone and dialing a number. It seems that there is no need to choose the one that is more troublesome.

"The person who provided help to Wutai is Rufas!" Claude stared at Sephiroth unwillingly and announced loudly.

To be honest, it was unexpected.

Sephiroth didn't quite know what he was thinking when he pressed the dial button, but he believed that this hypothesis was worth trying.But if it is true, then there is one more thing worth exploring—how did this conclusion come about?

The tedious repetition of the long beep. The people at the PHS seem to have no intention of paying attention to this presumptuous communication. Considering that Rufas is an ordinary person who has been seriously injured after all, and considering that the work and rest time of the dude is not so regular, Sephiroth actually didn't hold it too much. expect.This reminded him of another thing. When they met for the first time, Claude seemed to fall asleep listlessly in Angel's arms, but now—after a thrilling night, he is still in good spirits?

Maybe it can be attributed to Mako.

After a beep, the dial switched to recording mode, and was immediately cut off by Sephiroth, leaving only silence in the space between the two.

Silence is the death sentence.

"Hit again." Claude closed his eyes, opened and closed his mouth a few times, and slid down his throat with difficulty, "Please." The request was an obvious humiliation to him, and the matter itself was more serious than what he asked for. embarrassing.

"Just want to live like this?" The PHS in his hand closed and opened again, "Does it make sense?" He was really curious about this question, which was on a different level from the ones he had explored before.

Angel lives for glory and responsibility, Genesis for poetry and heroes, Shinra wants wealth and power, Hojo loves his weird research, it seems that everyone has their own things to do... But Safi Ross did not.Living is just a kind of inertia, the inertia of maintaining the status quo.That doesn't mean he's going to die, but he doesn't see much point in living if it's just biological.

"Then should I die?"

"Should, because of the trouble you caused." Of course there are other options, but Sephiroth does not intend to let this opportunity pass easily, and some methods are needed for Claude to answer the question honestly.

"I can solve it!"

"Me too." They both understood that the two solutions meant different things.Sephiroth asked about the confusion she had been having all along, and the last time it ended because of an accident, "Is there a reason in this world worth your life? Ms. Strife is going to die soon, and the most important thing is that you are in her There is nothing in your eyes—what else is worthy of your nostalgia?"

This was the part he couldn't understand the most.Because of "love"?Such an illusory existence?He has seen similar things in other places. Mothers cover their children with their bodies when disasters strike, suicide notes found in the pockets of fallen soldiers on the battlefield, and five people hitting machine guns one after another... It makes the ants not look like ants , cowards no longer evade... The facts are in front of him, he does not deny their existence, but this does not mean that he can admit them.

What's more, the situation of the Strife family cannot even be applied to this situation.

"You won't understand."

This topic did not make the boy explode like before, on the contrary, his voice dropped.He was upset, and even Sephiroth could see that it was a question that hurt him deeply.

"I don't care, it doesn't matter if she doesn't know me, it doesn't matter to me." Despair muttered from the depths of his throat, a broken, weak voice floated gently, "Maybe one day she will see me, her There will be me in her eyes, but it doesn’t matter if she can’t see me. Maybe one day her body will improve and she can stand up. It doesn’t matter if the person hugging me is not me. As long as there is such hope, I can live. A little bit, as long as A little is enough."

"I have nothing for a long time... a long time ago..." Lips trembled, and the bright blue eyes like washing looked straight into Sephiroth's heart, which was far more beautiful than the photos, "I don't live to have, what I get is always Will disappear...everything is precious, I just don't want to lose..." He choked up, and he was ashamed to show his weakness in front of Sephiroth, Claude lowered his head again, "I will not lose live."

After the defendant's statement is over, it's time for the judge to decide.

Sephiroth quietly looked down at a head of drooping blond hair.The boy looked so small, huddled in the sofa, unable to resist, leaving everything in the hands of the hunter.Weakness never makes Sephiroth feel pity, so he is the perfect weapon for Shinra.Many thoughts flashed through, some simple judgments of interests and interests, but there were also some other inexplicable things mixed in.

In silence, he pressed PHS and dialed another number.

"This is Zeng, what's the matter?"