Page 110 - RKJ 2019 Online Flip Version

Company had ultimately deemed the pair’s existence too great a threat, “That’s right,” Zack affirmed, fighting to breathe. “You’re gonna…”
unleashing SOLDIER and its infantry battalions to eliminate two former
servants. Grimacing as he turned his head slightly, careful in his minute
movements, Zack glanced back towards the rock formation that he had
concealed his friend within, his pulse quickening as he saw no sign of life.
The aftermath of battle was prominent across the plateau, a cruel
patchwork of blood and sludge: Hardedge swords stood erect in the soil,
some cleaved in half; assault rifles were strewn amid thousands of
discharged slugs; dozens of defaced helmets had been abandoned. The
Shinra military had at least shown some decency by retrieving the bodies
of those slain by Zack’s hand.
It was not in his nature to kill unless absolutely necessary, and it
disgusted him to think that his last meaningful act in life had been to send
so many to their graves. However, that was cast from his mind as
something stirred behind the nearest boulder.
A shuffling sound floated on the wind, then a distinct scrape of plated
metal against stone. To the right of the bulbous rock, a clumsy hand
appeared, followed by a drooping head of spiked golden hair. Despite his
overwhelming gladness, Zack could do little more than wheeze with relief,
smiling weakly, the sight dulling the searing pain that tore through every
inch of him.
He…he’s okay…he’s moving on his own…
Cloud clawed at the earth in an awkward bid to drag himself forward.
His frail arms shuddered under his weight with every strained
advancement, burdened further by the armoured pauldrons of the old
SOLDIER uniform. He grunted as he pulled his knees determinedly
through the thickening mud, crawling on all fours like a newborn beast.
Their flight from Nibelheim had brought the duo halfway around the world
and, for the first time since escaping the laboratories of Shinra Manor, the
effects of Cloud’s Mako poisoning were evidently subsiding.
More than a minute had passed by the time the boy managed to haul
himself over to where Zack lay, the rain falling harder upon the bluff. With
considerable effort, he propped himself up alongside his comrade, his
glistening blue eyes steadily processing the scene before him. As his
confused gaze scrambled from the holes where countless bullets had
ripped through Zack’s clothing to his grime-smeared face and matted
fringe, Cloud’s expression was swiftly overcome with fear.
“Z…Zack…?” he whispered softly, using his voice for the first time in
almost five years.
To hear those words filled Zack with elation. He wanted to embrace his
friend, to shout aloud how proud he was of him, but only a stifled groan
emerged from his lips. He gaped at Cloud, his eyes wide with frustration,
desperate not to waste what scarce time remained for him. Gulping to
clear his dry throat, he winced, gathering as much energy as possible to
speak.
“For the…both of us…” he stammered, ignoring the torture that came
with each forced syllable.
“Both…of us…?” Cloud repeated distractedly, his mind barely coherent.
“Gonna…?”
An alarming surge of discomfort pierced his muscles as he slowly
reached out with his left arm, and placed his hand firmly at the back of
Cloud’s neck. As he did so, a great swell of emotion erupted inside him:
all the heartache; all the worry; all the complexities; everything that had
happened with Genesis; being pursued to the ends of the Planet; every
last drop of sweat; it was all worth it just to see Cloud released from his
state of perpetual vulnerability. Overcome with compassion, Zack drew
the young man’s head to his own chest, knowing that part of him could
continue on.
“You’re gonna…live…” he vowed, gritting his teeth with resolve. “You’ll
be…my living legacy. The proof…that I…existed…”
He trailed off, helpless to prevent his hand sliding away as his grip on
Cloud slackened, his arm slumping to the ground. Cloud remained there a
moment longer, savouring the intimacy, before rising once again. The
jagged locks that framed his face now dripped with blood, the pattern of
Zack’s injuries imprinted upon his cheek, losing form as the rain washed it
away. Their crestfallen gazes met, lingering, both finding a silent
understanding amid a howling wind.
Cloud was scared, that much was obvious, but the same power and
drive that had conquered Sephiroth all those years ago still resided within
him. Zack felt obliged to protect him, like the unconditional love of an older
brother, but he knew he had to let go; Cloud would be able look after
himself now. Zack’s journey was almost over, but Cloud’s was only just
beginning. Glancing to the Buster Sword, he clasped his fingers once
more around its handle as tightly as he could.
“My honour…my dreams…” Zack gasped, summoning every last
ember of strength left in his broken body as he lifted the weapon towards
Cloud, offering it to him, “they’re yours now…”
Hesitantly taking the greatsword from his guardian, Cloud stared
mesmerised at the gilded decoration carved at its hilt, its value
immeasurable. The Buster Sword was an heirloom to be treasured, a
privilege to brandish. It was a heritage to uphold; just as Angeal’s dying
wish had been for him to take on its might, so it was for Zack. As the boy
accepted it with both hands, he gave one final push, relieving himself of its
tenure forever. Only the fading sound of the storm endured as he closed
his eyes, smiling, and with that, Zack Fair went to sleep for the last time.