A Memory [Sephiroth x Reader]

Memory III

"If you can enjoy yourself, Zack, then you could go training just as much.", a deep voice was heard and behind Zack, Angeal built himself up, with a deadpan expression. Abruptly, Zack's face went pale, but than a smile arose anew on his face. He swirled around to his mentor and wished him a good morning cheerfully. But Angeal was still angry, so he grabbed his arm and dragged him along, out of your sight.

The upcoming silence was nearly palpable. Slowly, you dared to glance at Sephiroth, who looked like dark clouds surrounded him. Had you went too far with your jokes?

"You know what, Diamond?", his eyebrow raised. "You will have to undergo my relentless training at once. You have to understand that your new life is a hard and unforgiving one. Maybe the other men could forgive you, even I may forget about your errors, but neither SOLDIER, nor Shinra will. They will crush you to the ground of the ranks in an instant." His voice was as cold and harsh as ice.

You gulped audibly as a result of his words. Without any influence on it, your body was shaking. And like cold water the knowledge that after that, you could be at Dr. Hojo's mercy, turned your face pale.

"I – I'm sorry Sir. I didn't think about...", you couldn't manage to end your sentence. When you felt a hand on your shoulder, you glanced shyly up to your mentor.

"I think you got it. So let's start with the training. Follow me."

___________________________________________________________

After Sephiroth and you had entered training room 5, he asked you some questions. Which weapons you preferred, where you had learned fighting and what you had done before joining SOLDIER. But you couldn't answer all of them, because the last day you remembered was the day of the incident. So he had to work with not knowing much about you.

"I think we will start with an exercise fight, so I can assess your skills. Afterwards, I'm going to declare all important information you need to know from now on. Like missions and other stuff", he said as you stood in the training room, facing him.

"Now draw your weapon!", he shouted in order for you to hear him.

With a fluent movement, your katana exited its sheath and made a soft promising sound, like small chimes in the soft wind of spring. You could hear a similar noise from Sephiroth's long katana, which sounded more sinister. Then, before anyone got into action, it was like the time had stopped. Your vigilant eyes observed Sephiroth, who was no longer your mentor, but your sparring partner for the durance of the training.

Suddenly you both got into motion, as if you were geared to each other. The two of you had broken into a run and as you approached each other, the swords clashed with a screaming sound. Surprised by your strength, Sephiroth raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, that's interesting", he marvelled sardonically.

Swiftly, you deflected his Masamune and got out of his reach. He was stronger than you, which you had known before your encounter with his attack. With an enemy like him, you have to trust your knowledge of fighting and your speed. You would have to reverse his strength to return it to him.

It was not the time to overthink your movements, though, because in the next seconds, Sephiroth reached you and you had to block his strike again. With a strained gasp, you had to hold the block, but then you had to skip away. Otherwise his brutal strength would have broken through your defence. With severe panting, your eyes fixated Sephiroth and watched his next move.

However, now the experience had shown that you could not block his strikes often enough and he knew it. Sephiroth was fast beyond nature. You only had to be faster than him. And that was possible for you. You could feel it deep within your wild blood pumping heart. At that moment you brought your katana right before your body, the coarse side close to your torso. With confidence, you closed your eyes and deeply breathed out the air within your lunges out. Then you opened your eyes - within them laid a determined expression.

Rapidly you dodged the next attack from him, swirled around to dodge again and repeated this as often as you could. After a certain time, you could tell his next movements and suddenly you discovered an opening. Without hesitation you swung your weapon and an inch before you could manage to hit, Sephiroth barley blocked it.

No one would have thought that. With an outcry you stumbled backwards because the impact had bruised your sword hand. Like you, Sephiroth had to take steps back. Now your breathing was really quick and aching. Sephiroth wasn't even slightly out of breath. You recollected yourself, checked your wrist and gripped your katana tighter.

"My next attack will be the last one, it seems", the silver-haired man mocked you a little. And he succeeded - unfortunately for you. Your anger was spurred on at that moment.

"I will not give up that easily!", you snapped. With high speed, you charged at him but he blocked you easily. Anew you hit, your anger filled your veins with hot lava. But with Sephiroth's cold and counting counterattack your anger soon got cooled down.

"Is that the best you can do? I thought that you would not give up easily?", he scuffed again.

"I'm still standing! As long as I am, I will not give up. Never!", you hissed.

"Sometimes it's better to know when you should give up"

"Have you ever done this in your career?"

"No. Never."

"See! So, why should I?!", you growled haughtily. These were your last words, because the battle started again.

You attacked your mentor furiously and he had to dodge. It was your turn to block and dodge, then to strike and make a move towards him. With your katanas engaged, both of you eagle-eyed each other. Then he pushed you hard with so much power, that you slid across the training room. Two meters from the wall, your sliding stopped. Just then, you had to block an energy-robbing strike from Sephiroth and with a curse on your lips, your mauled wrist yielded painfully.

I'm not done yet! , you thought. You grabbed your sword with your other hand. But within the glimpse of an eye, the weapon was whipped out of your hand.

"After all, you have to surrender. Face it and learn from it.", he commanded.

The air left your lunges roughly and your strained body trembled. Sephiroth had turned his back to you and wanted to leave the room.

"Maybe-", your voice broke for a second. "Maybe I still have to learn a lot, but life taught me one thing that I will never ever forget! If you give up, you will die. You have to believe in yourself and face every obstacle! Otherwise you are unworthy of the granted life."

"Your beliefs are results out of your ignorance." Sephiroth had stopped, but he didn't face you. Then he left and you were still catching your breath.

"Speak for yourself...", you mumbled to yourself in an undertone of sadness.