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"Oh, just something I'm very sure you're familiar with Sephiroth," Genesis calmly answered. With that he slid his left hand behind the crimson blade, running it along its length. As his hand moved a bright aura surrounded it, with runes glowing upon its blade. "Now then, it's time to end this."

"Genesis, stop, that's too dangerous. You could kill him!" Sephiroth ranted.

Blaze however stood his ground. He was nervous, but would not show it. He wouldn't show his opponent that he was apprehensive about the ability of the crimson blade.

"Genesis, stop this now! This battle is not a regular training session. You're only testing a SOLDIER 3rd Class! Using that technique here is overkill," Sephiroth lectured.

"Are we going to continue this useless chatter, or are we going to continue?" Blaze impatiently asked.

"So sure of yourself. But that won't last long," Genesis commented. With a quick swipe of his sword he left a cut along Blaze's right arm. "And that's just the beginning of your troubles."

As a second slash sailed through the air, the scarlet-maned young man sidestepped the blow. He lashed out with his SOLDIER broadsword, intent on showing Genesis that he wouldn't be easily stopped.

"I will, don't worry Bella," Sephiroth answered. Just as he drew Masamune he saw the crimson blade of Genesis' Rapier sword carve through the air horizontally. The blade left a deep gash across Blaze's torso, cutting open the navy blue shirt of the SOLDIER 3rd Class uniform. "Genesis, stop!"

Blaze staggered backwards, his blade clutched tightly in his hand. His right hand clutched at his abdomen. The force of the blow was so great he could feel at least six broken ribs. His breathing grew ragged and increased in tempo.

"Where's your strength now?" Genesis mockingly asked. A fourth slash whipped outwards, inches from Blaze's torso again when it was stopped by the curved, seven-foot long blade of Sephiroth's Masamune. "You're in my way!"

"That doesn't matter. That blow would have killed him. He is your comrade, not your enemy. Do you realize he could be out for a week, if not longer, because of that stunt!?" Sephiroth raged.

"Not really... at least six of my ribs are broken, and it kind of hurts when you're hugging me like that," Blaze responded.

"Well, here's something you'd like to know. Based on your performance against Genesis, even when he used that technique, you were able to hold your own very well. You were even able to remain standing after taking a direct blow from his augmented blade, when it had the potential to knock you to the floor, and into unconsciousness. I will recommend your promotion to SOLDIER 2nd Class. If Bella seconds the notion, as the other witness to the test," Sephiroth remarked.

"I'll be sending in a report to Director Lazard of this incident. Consider yourself warned Genesis," Sephiroth commented. He too walked out of the room.

Blaze looked at Bella and smiled. "Thank you Bella. And Mod. The fact that you're not cracking jokes right now is welcome in my eyes."

"I knew that a long time ago. And thanks Bella, you're the greatest friend I've ever had," Blaze stated.

The LOVELESS fanatic merely looked at the wall of the training room, unfazed by the remarks. "Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return."

Blaze looked at the plushie, a grin on his face. "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" A light chuckle escaped him.

Sephiroth walked by them, his eyes on the elevator. "I suggest you take him to the infirmary Bella. That wound he's suffered looks to be very serious."