Second Chance

The Price of Freedom

"Boy oh boy... The price of freedom is steep."

He recited as he drew his last calm breath. One hand reached toward his oversized sword, attached to a mechanism like a magnet on his back. As he did so, he could see them flinch, all 300 men and women alike. He slowly got into his battle stance and glanced around at his opponents, a small smile forming on his face. Years ago, he used to call these people his allies, friends even, but in the blink of an eye, their comforting smiles turned into frowns of disgust. Allies that used to cover him are now stabbing him square in the back. Army life can actually change a person in just a few short years.

Until now, he had been avoiding the army since his escape from that lab in Nibelhiem. It would have been much easier for him to just take his comatose friend and hide somewhere Shinra would never think to look, but he couldn't just yet. Before that, though, he needed to get somewhere first. Someone in equal danger as he and Cloud were, Someone he could never leave behind again, and she was right there, in Midgar, waiting for him. But to get to her, he has to get through the damn army first.

"Embrace your dreams... And whatever you do... Protect your honor... As SOLIDER!"

The battle was all in his favor in the beginning. One after another, the infantrymen and women fell with one hit of his Buster Sword, and he wasn't even breaking a sweat yet. But as more fell, others quickly continued where their fallen comrades left off. It all seemed endless for some time. For the longest time, he fought without rest, slashing and swinging his massive blade with the might that killed in a single hit. His breathing got heavier, his heart beat faster, sweat started forming all over his skin, and his once dusty clothes began collecting the blood of his enemies. But he couldn't stop now; if he did, his hidden friend would be found. If he stopped, he wouldn't be able to see her again.

The number of opponents dwindled down dramatically. He could count them on one hand now. The problem was that he no longer had the strength to continue the same way he did at the beginning of the battle. He had a hard time lifting his sword because of his lost stamina, and all the sweat made his grip loosen. His knees bucketed after a while; he was beyond tired now. His focus was clouding over the more time passed. He could see his memories coming one after another. Of his hero, well used to be a hero anyway, his mentor, comrades, friend, and lover, all important ones. His lover, dear sweet Aerith, what he wouldn't give to just see her again.

The small group of Infantrymen advanced towards him immediately after his sword finally slipped out of his grip. They cornered him on the cliff's edge, kicking him down to keep him on his back, their gun nozzle aimed right at him. His sword was too heavy to lift at this point, nor did he have the strength to lift himself. He had to admit it. He fought with all his might; he did all he could, but sadly it wasn't enough to get him through this time. He lost the fight, and now he must pay the price. This was his last stand.

As his opponent's readied their guns, he took one last look at the environment around him, this place that would soon be his grave. He was, at least, thankful that they didn't find his friend. He'd rest easy knowing that. With or without his help, Cloud will do good after all this is over.

While he was getting closer to knocking on death's door, at the very least, he had an excellent view of Midgar. The city had changed so much since the last time he saw it. More Mako reactors were built, and many sectors were up and running, too, except one. However, the land surrounding it has gone darker and barren, probably because of the mako usage.

His enhanced hearing picked up on the familiar sound of a Turk helicopter. He turned his head slightly just in time to see one in the far-off distance coming his way, but it didn't seem like the Infantrymen were stopping their execution anytime soon. It was probably Tseng or Cissnei, or maybe some random Turk member. Either way, it was too late for even them to help him. Nevertheless, he was still grateful for their effort.