In his tumbling Cloud found himself need the First Tsurugi once more. The blonde swordsman braced himself against it as he hauled to his feet, still goggling at what he did survive that attack. Or was it him? It was that tickling again, that other voice. It had been shouting in his ear the whole fight now it was quiet.

Good. Now he could concentrate on what he needed to do. He didn't need someone yelling at both him and Sephiroth to stop. This would never stop as long as one of them drew breath.

Flicking more catches he pulled another sword out of the compound weapon so that he had one in each hand. He tossed it aside and into a far wall before drawing another. He'd need all the blades out just in case.

"You're right it has. You should have died long ago. Or maybe I should have. Maybe neither of us should have left that reactor that day." He tossed another sword aside, stripping it down. Another pull and all he was left with was the base sword and the last remaining satellite piece. He settled into his stance just as Sephiroth began his attack.

Cloud was fast, and his swords rose to block each strike, but every fifth slipped through....and soon every fourth...and then every third.