Cloud remained where he was, quiet and still. He watched Kalki's body as the others milled about. He watched the crystal. He waited for them to do...something.

But more time passed and it seemed that things were settled. No, not settled. He couldn't shake the feeling that they somehow played into Kalki's plans here. She'd manipulated them before. Why should this be any different? Why would her plotting have fallen apart now.

The crystal made his skin crawl, even from here. The glow of it just seemed wrong, moreso than the black crystals they encountered before. But it was Sheena's words that helped him bridge the gap. Getting back to his feet he approached the body.

"She wanted us to do this. I don't know what her plan is, but I think we played into her hands again. If she really wanted to fight us then she would have done more than just teleport away like that." He glanced down at the crystal once more. He didn't want to leave it here but he could feel every bit of himself pulling away from it.

"I'm worried about the others, but it's probably not safe to stay here much longer. If we don't have a way to take it with us right now then we should go." He made sure to catch Jade's eye. They could talk about their theories later but his gut was telling him it was time to go.