He had to appreciate the ex-General's protectiveness for any injury that he sustained no matter how many. How long ago had it been that Sephiroth would have relished in his agony and wanted to inflict more pain upon him? Those days were over, and the hovering, over-protective partner that Sephiroth had developed into was endearing. He made certain to try to avoid more injury, but the scratches were little more than annoyances to him.

Still, the strength between them seemed to build even at the honest reply, and he dodged a falling Kishin Egg and lopped the head off of the confused one behind it. "My chest... it feels strained," he said, not wanting to alarm his partner, but it kept getting worse. Still, he fought on as the ranks seemed to converge on them both as others were forced to fall back.