When the alarm was raised regarding the illithid crash, Cloud Strife was quick to heed the call with the Buster Sword in tow. He is, after all, a man of action. Most of the life he thinks he can remember occurs between battles- especially all of his journey that happened immediately before being sent to this world. The prospect of combat with dangerous aliens is a challenge, but also an opportunity for Cloud to sink back into a certain headspace, a rhythm. To charge in and follow his instincts and blade to the end, rely on his own capabilities and finesse. To let go of things for a while, and be helpful in the process.
Or so he thought. Nothing is ever quite so simple for Cloud. Hasn't been for longer than he even fully realized until recently.
Path 1: Sephiroth
Cloud for the most part manages to grapple with a small horde of intellect devourers safely. He watches for the explosions after landing any kind of decisive blow, putting good space between himself and the dying beasts before they can inflict whatever the shockwave might cause on him. Though one Angeal Hewley might see his form and scoff at it (and probably kick his ass, really), the merc gets the job done. At least, he does until he gets a little too sloppy with a spinning attack. One of the terrible, alien things in front of him crumples into a heap, whilst the one behind is sent sailing through the air from the impact of the sweeping swing. Ultimately, when Cloud leaps away from the first one, he lands directly into the aftershocks of the second.
"Shit-"
The world blurs and starts to fade away. Cloud briefly panics as his head begins to throb, wondering if this is yet another of his hallucinations. What reforms around him, however, is not like anything he has ever seen, be it in dreams or nightmares...
Path 2: Kuja Although he would be the first to claim he works best alone, Cloud can be, and has been a good team player back home. Fighting a threat to Town, or probably even the whole nearby region means that the skill to fight cooperatively will need to come in handy whether the blond wants it or not. Around the crash site, he sees a few faces he recognizes, busy fighting or investigating. One of the fighters in particular stands out: A man with long, silver hair in a strange and distinct style (definitely not Sephiroth), who moves and even fights with a particular undeniable grace. He's doing well for himself against his group of intellect devourers, but Cloud notices three more charging towards the lone warrior's back at alarming speeds. Without missing a beat the merc falls into step, springing forward to close the gap and cleave clean through them with the Buster Sword before they can get within exploding range of their target.
"More of em coming from all sides. Keep your guard up."
[Closed to Sephiroth, Kuja]
Or so he thought. Nothing is ever quite so simple for Cloud. Hasn't been for longer than he even fully realized until recently.
Path 1: Sephiroth
Cloud for the most part manages to grapple with a small horde of intellect devourers safely. He watches for the explosions after landing any kind of decisive blow, putting good space between himself and the dying beasts before they can inflict whatever the shockwave might cause on him. Though one Angeal Hewley might see his form and scoff at it (and probably kick his ass, really), the merc gets the job done. At least, he does until he gets a little too sloppy with a spinning attack. One of the terrible, alien things in front of him crumples into a heap, whilst the one behind is sent sailing through the air from the impact of the sweeping swing. Ultimately, when Cloud leaps away from the first one, he lands directly into the aftershocks of the second.
"Shit-"
The world blurs and starts to fade away. Cloud briefly panics as his head begins to throb, wondering if this is yet another of his hallucinations. What reforms around him, however, is not like anything he has ever seen, be it in dreams or nightmares...
Path 2: Kuja
Although he would be the first to claim he works best alone, Cloud can be, and has been a good team player back home. Fighting a threat to Town, or probably even the whole nearby region means that the skill to fight cooperatively will need to come in handy whether the blond wants it or not. Around the crash site, he sees a few faces he recognizes, busy fighting or investigating. One of the fighters in particular stands out: A man with long, silver hair in a strange and distinct style (definitely not Sephiroth), who moves and even fights with a particular undeniable grace. He's doing well for himself against his group of intellect devourers, but Cloud notices three more charging towards the lone warrior's back at alarming speeds. Without missing a beat the merc falls into step, springing forward to close the gap and cleave clean through them with the Buster Sword before they can get within exploding range of their target.
"More of em coming from all sides. Keep your guard up."