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Paradiso was always a place that took Cloud’s breath away as no matter how many times she came here she had to appreciate its beauty. Dawnlike heavenly light shone in every corner of the beautiful realm as if it were in a perpetual state of morning. The warm air reminded Cloud of a spring breeze while flower petals and pure white feathers fell from the sky like snow in winter amongst an endless sea of clouds. Beautiful pathways of magically carved stone and lush, carpets of emerald green grass line the ground as rows of vibrant flowers fill the air with a sweet scent throughout the courtyard. Crystal clear water pours endlessly from a nearby fountain of a statue bearing a vase standing directly behind her.
In front of the blonde was some sort of cathedral which Cloud knows is one due to the large cross and stained glass windows decorating the building. The fragrant scent of frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, blooming flowers and dew blow on the wind, immediately filling her nose. Cloud’s icy blue eyes fly open nearly brimming with magic.
“Bartz,” the name inadvertently slips past the blonde’s lips. Her legs dash forward automatically then kick the Cathedral’s wooden doors down. She can feel her blood boiling under her skin, fists clenching at the sight in front of her.
Paradiso may have been a sight for sore eyes but Cloud had vowed to never ever bring Bartz here, even if either of their lives depended on it. Inferno would have froze over if that were the case. The brunet stood in one corner of the room bloody and cowering in fear as around ten angels circled him like hungry vultures, each armed with spears. Wings of the purest white grew from their backs while golden halos hovered above their heads.
The angels were not only guardians but inhabitants of Paradiso as well. And those damn things were after Bartz for some odd reason which didn’t sit right with Cloud.
“Hey! You ugly, winged, halo-wearing assholes!” She barked to get their attention. “Over here!”
They turned around to meet her icy glare through her thinly framed shades, somehow managing to take a hint and back away from him as she took a step forward. Cloud took a quick glance at the brunet, grayish-blue meeting icy blue which intensified her anger before she furiously descended upon the angels. A storm of magic followed by dust and smoke fill the air mixed with the metallic tang of crimson blood staining the cathedral’s magnificent interior.
Some of the angels drop their weapons out of fear and attempt to flee from this new menace who can not only see but kill them too. Unfortunately for them however, the golden haired woman doesn’t give the angels a chance to do so, thus decorating their bodies with brand new gashes along with a fresh coat of blood. Cloud then shouts the name of a spell, summoning a magical portal engraved with glyphs and symbols.
A dragon soon emerges from the portal smashing the remaining angels with its claws then obliterates them with a powerful laser that somehow damages a portion of the cathedral's walls. It roars in the language of the Infernal before disappearing through the portal. She then turns her attention to a terrified Bartz and slowly approaches him, his head immediately tilts upward at her.
“C-Cloud...? Is t-that you?”
Even though he was 100% human Bartz Klauser can clearly see his childhood friend’s silhouette amidst the blinding light. Sure enough, as Cloud Strife draws closer, Bartz can clearly see his savior in most of her ebony clad glory. Her outfit was a high collared sleeveless dark indigo shirt, black shorts and leggings with matching boots along with a black cloth covering her left leg and arm. A shoulder pauldron sat snugly on her left shoulder, while her chest is covered by two straps, held in place by a Fenrir badge. Cloud sometimes also wore her hair loose instead of a high or low ponytail or a braid. Although imposing and wearing colors completely opposite of Paradiso’s setting, Bartz can’t help but lunge at the female, letting loose frightened and overjoyed tears while shaking in the blonde’s arms.
“It’s okay, Bartz,” Cloud said gently while soothing him. “You’re safe now.”
Something about the gentleness in her voice just makes the brunet cry even harder.
“I-I’m so sorry C-Cloud!” He chokes in between sobs, burying his face deeper into Cloud’s right shoulder.
The blonde continues to tell him that he’s safe and that everything’s going to be okay in a soothing tone, rubbing circles in Bartz’s back while keeping an arm secure around the male’s shoulder. Bartz eventually calms down after about ten minutes. Hesitantly, she loosens her grip on him so he can move a little.
She temporarily allowed herself to get lost in Bartz’s eyes. Lost in the way those eyes see her as neither a murderous, demonic witch or monster lurking in heaven’s shadow. Cloud’s an angel in his eyes, an angel with a draconic wing and an icy glare with a lone wolflike disposition. An angel that would make anyone wary of her if they so much as crossed her or picked on Bartz. Instead those eyes tell a different story. Bartz sees amazement of that raw power, awe in the way she speaks her mind, as well as admiration of the blonde’s appearance, not caring or judging the fact that she looks or acts different from everyone else.
“Come on, Bartz. Let’s go home.” Cloud helps him stand but keeps him close, her arm is still curled possessively around Bartz’s shoulder. The brunet and smiles warmly up at the blonde.
“Anywhere is home with you, Cloud.”