Genesis lets the apple tumble from between their fingers - clasps Sephiroth's hand in his, unburdened. He says the words that Sephiroth - had always wanted to say, in his heart, to that mother he would never meet. Save me. And let me save you. Because that was what it was, to need others. Sephiroth, whose youth had been spent in a bright, clean facility, honing his body into a weapon - who was punished when he cried, and punished when he laughed, and most of all, punished when he needed - in this moment, he needed someone, and was needed by him.

(That feeling in his heart, that sometimes rose up when they would spar, is rising again, the one he always crushed back down. That unnameable, unspeakable feeling.)

Suddenly, the walls aren't closing in. Suddenly, the pipes are again inert objects. It is as though a clear, bright wind had rushed through, blown the shadows away. Depending on what happens...

Without turning his head, or looking away from Genesis, or pulling his hand away, Sephiroth speaks. "SOLDIER First Class Zack Fair," he says, pitching his voice so that it can be heard.

Behind him, he hears Zack say faintly, softly, "Don't..."

(He doesn't look at him. He knows he might lose his nerve if he did. Another cowardly burden Sephiroth has unloaded onto Angeal's protege. Zack didn't want to slay Angeal. He didn't want to kill Genesis. He doesn't want to have to fight Sephiroth in the future. All of the men who went before him, peeling away - for a moment, Sephiroth thinks he should bring Zack with them, bleed Shinra of its entire force. But - the infantryman and the young woman wait outside. Someone has to remain to escort them back down the dangerous mountain path.)

"I hereby resign my commission in the Shinra Armed Forces. I retain no rank. I dishonorably discharge myself, on suspicion of collusion with the traitor Genesis Rhapsodos." His eyes do not leave Genesis's face as he speaks. He wants to see him. "You are now the ranking SOLDIER operative on this mission. The reactor has been serviced."