Cloud grits his teeth as he readies his sword in front of him. “If you’re not with us, you’re against us,” he tells you curtly. His body stings but there’s a deeper ache settling in his chest. You’d been his childhood friend once, but while he deserted Shinra, you never did. You continued to climb the ranks and acquaint yourself with the luxury it brought you, even at the expense of Midgar. He doesn’t want to have to hurt you, but you’re not giving him much of a choice.

“Just stand down,” he says darkly, gripping his sword tighter to ignore how his fingers are trembling. The thought of hurting you makes him sick to his stomach, but he’s out of time and out of options.