For Honor or Glory

Breaking

Chapter 55

Silence reigned between Alex and Sephiroth as they made their way back to camp. They were both preoccupied with their thoughts. Alex was mostly worried about how she was going to fix things with Genesis. Not that she didn't expect him to still be angry, but they had to at least figure out how to work together. They all did if they wanted to get through this.

Those thoughts whirled through her head all the way back to camp. However, they had barely made it into the small clearing when her attention was forcefully diverted. Sephiroth grabbed her arm and pulled her behind himself with no warning at all. The whole series of events happened so fast that it took her brain a moment to catch up and realize the general had done that to keep them both from being blasted by a giant fireball. He had shielded the both of them with a spell.

Thankfully it did not take her brain long to catch up. She stepped from behind Sephiroth to see Genesis glaring at them both. Her brother was standing between them, which was the only reason the red-head had not thrown the next fireball that was still sitting in his hand.

Genesis ignored Angeal's glare and reprimand. Instead, he focused on Alex with a sneer. "So this is where you ran off to? You could not stand and talk to me but rushed to him for comfort. Could you not face your own lies? Though, I suppose running seems to be something you have become good at."

Every one of his words hit Alex with the force of a physical blow. She couldn't breathe past the burning in her chest as her mind scrambled to find the words to refute him. It was several seconds before she could speak. She pulled her arm from Sephiroth's grasp and stepped forward as she shook her head. "That isn't what happened at all. We bumped into each other, and I helped him bring the chocobos back. I just needed space to—"

Genesis snarled when she cut off, and she could immediately tell her words had no effect. Thankfully, Angeal cut in before Genesis could say anything. "Wait, don't overreact. I already told you that the only way we will figure this all out is with level heads. You can't expect her to stay calm and talk to us while you are yelling and throwing fireballs. It doesn't work that way."

Genesis sneered at Angeal's advice as he said, "Do not spout your sanctimonious drivel at me. We both know there needs to be a reckoning. It is you that should learn to express yourself more. You cannot tell me you are not as disturbed as I."

For a second, Angeal looked as though he was unsure of how to respond. The look quickly passed, but unfortunately, it was there long enough for Alex to see. It broke her heart further to see her brother's disappointment. She expected it, but she barely choked back a sob as she said, "I wasn't planning on keeping any of this from all of you. I just needed to gather the proof to show you. I promise."

Her words did not seem to make any difference as Genesis glared back and said, "Your words have little weight—not after what you just told us. All I can see is that you knew and continued to hide the truth from us. So much could have been averted if you had not run from the truth."

Alex tried to make words form. Tried to find whatever would work to prove her intentions had been to tell them from the beginning, but nothing came. She was still struggling when Genesis turned and picked up his bag. He turned back with a sneer that encompassed both siblings and the general that had been silently watching the exchange. Though, his words were for Alex alone.

"You've run so many times that I am unsure if it was ever me you were running from. Although, I find it no longer matters. Perhaps it is time that I be the one to walk away. I have had enough of all of this."

When he turned his back, Alex jumped forward. She ignored both Sephiroth and her brother as she called out, "Wait! Please don't leave. Even if you are mad at me, none of us can face this alone. We have to stay together. Please."

Her last plea fell to a whisper as Genesis didn't even flinch as he walked away. Alex felt like her world was falling apart around her ears, but she still couldn't see a way out. However, that didn't stop her from trying to race after Genesis anyway. All she could think was that he couldn't leave.

Before she made it far, Angeal grabbed her. She barely reined in a glare as she looked over at him. He ignored it as he said, "Going after him right now will only make it worse. We both know he needs time to cool down before he is able to think straight. Just let him be."

Alex's eyes got wide, and she had to bite her tongue to keep from yelling. Her voice was still hard when she said, "I understand what you are saying, but this isn't him being a poor sport because he lost at tag. All our lives are in danger—his included. You can't expect me to ignore that."

Angeal sighed as he pulled his sister into a hug. His voice was barely more than a whisper as he said, "I know—believe me. But we should still give him time. If he isn't back by dawn, then we will go look for him. It will delay us, but I give you my word we won't let him face this alone."

Alex finally relaxed into the embrace. She hated that her brother was correct. Right now, if she had followed Genesis, it likely would not have ended well. Not until he finally cooled off. This was far worse than any fit he had thrown when they were younger, but that didn't change the situation.

When she finally pulled back, she looked over to see Sephiroth giving them both an odd look. She had to stifle a groan. Undoubtedly he wanted to know what that had been about. Unfortunately, she was in no shape to try and explain. She almost reconsidered when doubt hit her, and she wondered if she was just running away again, but she didn't get to worry long.

Angeal nudged her toward her tent. "Get some sleep for now. I promise to wake you if anything changes."

Alex didn't argue. There was little that could be done, and her sitting by the fire and staring at the woods wasn't going to change things. That didn't stop her from grabbing her bedroll out of the tent and setting it next to the fire. She was thankful when her brother didn't ask the questions she could tell he wanted to. At least he gave her a small smile when she burrowed into the sleeping bag.

She knew Sephiroth had to have questions as well, but the general only gave her a slight nod when she caught his eye. She tried to give him a thankful look before she turned away from them both and tried to relax.

It wasn't until sleep was almost on her that she remembered Peter was still in camp. Or at least she thought he was. The tent was still there. It wouldn't have surprised her if he didn't come out of it until morning. Not that she blamed him. If she wasn't involved in this fiasco, she certainly wouldn't want to face it either.

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The next morning, Alex groaned as she rolled over. Sleeping on the hard ground was not doing her any favors. She opened her eyes to see the fire had died down into embers, and the dawn was barely more than lightening of the sky. However, what got her attention was the man sitting across from her.

Her heart froze for a second before it started hammering in her chest. Genesis was back, and she thought he had been staring at her. She blinked a few times to clear the sleep from her eyes, but when she looked again, he was already on his feet.

His voice was cold as he spoke into the early morning air. "If we are to be done with this, it is time we quit this place. We have already spent far too long on this mountain."

She could tell he hadn't been speaking to anyone in particular, but she saw Sephiroth stand from where he had been seated to her left. "You are correct. I believe Peter is the only one left to wake."

Genesis sneered at the general, and Alex couldn't tell if it was what had been said or just that Sephiroth was the one speaking. Not that it mattered. He had already turned to the one occupied tent. Thankfully, Angeal beat him to it and managed to rouse the sleeping scientist before anything bad could happen.

Dawn had barely started to show a rosy glow over the top of the valley by the time they had everything packed and on the chocobos. It helped that they now had a ride for all of them and their supplies. Once they were out of the valley, they were able to make better time. The rest of the path out of the mountains was wide enough that they could ride without fear of harm coming to their mounts. Though the way down was even quieter than the way up had been.