[While Crystallis' version of SOLDIER probably isn't a shade on the level of skill that Sephiroth would be bringing on their homeworld, there is still the fact that he's been a swordsman for the majority of his life. He knew how to quickly spot incoming attacks, subtle changes in his oppenent's balance and form that foretold what they were going to execute with.
As a result, not only would Cloud's burn-out right at the start become more apparent as they went on, but more immediately the silver haired warrior is able to tell -when that first sword comes in- that it's something of a feint of an attempt to get him to deflect.
Still, deflect he needs to, though not with all of the blade and certainly not with enough strength so as he'd struggle to fall in with the movement and anticipate the second slash. It's instantaneous but Sephiroth blocks -seems to move around that first connection- to put himself out of harms way for much of Cloud's follow up, only to chip Masamune back in at the last second and deflect that away too.
Having given Cloud a taste of what it's like inside his range, Sephiroth's not about to give it up again easily.
Not even another breath divides the end of Cloud's attack and Sephiroth's counter, gracefully turning Masamune off the back of the last deflection and coming horizonatally in a long sweep. If that didn't make him need to back up a bit, there's very little that would.]
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As a result, not only would Cloud's burn-out right at the start become more apparent as they went on, but more immediately the silver haired warrior is able to tell -when that first sword comes in- that it's something of a feint of an attempt to get him to deflect.
Still, deflect he needs to, though not with all of the blade and certainly not with enough strength so as he'd struggle to fall in with the movement and anticipate the second slash. It's instantaneous but Sephiroth blocks -seems to move around that first connection- to put himself out of harms way for much of Cloud's follow up, only to chip Masamune back in at the last second and deflect that away too.
Having given Cloud a taste of what it's like inside his range, Sephiroth's not about to give it up again easily.
Not even another breath divides the end of Cloud's attack and Sephiroth's counter, gracefully turning Masamune off the back of the last deflection and coming horizonatally in a long sweep. If that didn't make him need to back up a bit, there's very little that would.]