Not that either Hero would be able to tell until they came to their senses after stopping, but the mandragora continued to follow them -a large clutch of at least six or seven- until they'd passed back into that area of the forest from which they had kited the golem. One by one they dropped back, chittering between themselves.

Lydia would be able to hear Sephiroth's pace, those heavy footfalls of his boots cracking at undergrowth as he ran, slow as he came within her vicinity. He hadn't seen exactly where she'd ducked to get cover, but judging by the deep heaving breaths he started to take when he stopped, it was probably about as far and as hard as he could have ran -at least as far as he knew he was capable of.

Leaning down and putting hands just about his knees, Sephiroth leaned over and forced himself to take slower breaths in the meantime.