Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text  直译： 章节正文 韵意译： 章回文墨

As the sun beat down on them, climbing higher as the day progressed, dark eyes glinted at them from the shadow cast by the wide brim of a cowboy hat. There was no coin toss or trickery this time, and Sam merely thanked them for bringing back his chocobos, giving them a lifetime pass for his delivery. Behind him the large, yellow birds in the stable seemed to wark in enthusiastic agreement.
烈日当空攀高际，宽檐牛仔帽影中，幽深瞳眸闪寒星。此番无需掷币赌，萨姆颔首谢众人，赠予终身通运符。厩中金羽陆行鸟，昂首鸣啼应和声｜骄阳灼脊渐中天，帽影藏星眸似渊。不掷银币无诡计，萨姆抚掌谢君还。通关玉牒赠侠客，金鹏振翅厩栏喧

After coming out of the collapsed expressway, they had run into Wymer who told them about the rumors of a secret Shinra lab being true, but the watchmen weren’t able to do anything about it as they were busy looking for survivors in the collapsed buildings and helping wherever they could after the chaos. As such, Cloud and the others had returned to the underground facility they had been in just last night, but they had only encountered small monsters and escaped experiments, nothing more dangerous than that.
脱身残路遇怀默，秘研传闻终坐实。然则守卫分身乏，废墟寻生助残局。云归昨夜地宫处，唯见小怪窜逃疾｜残道初出遇怀默，神罗秘窟证传言。卫兵救难无暇顾，地宫重探夜如渊。小妖惊窜不足惧，断壁残垣藏幽玄

Sam looked at Sephiroth for a long moment, his bearded face serious and grim. “You are the one responsible for the massacre in Don Corneo’s mansion, right?”
萨姆银须凝霜色，鹰目锁敌久沉吟："唐·柯里昂宅邸，满门血案尔所为？"｜虬髯客目射寒星，凝睇赛菲罗斯久："唐府喋血三百口，元凶可是君之手？"

Cloud tensed up and shifted to stand more directly in front of Sephiroth. He could still see the way Sephiroth’s eyes glowed faintly through the fabric, the man neither confirming nor denying anything as he smiled.
克劳德绷紧身体，移动位置更直接挡在萨菲罗斯面前。透过布料仍能看见对方眼中幽光，那人带着微笑既不承认也不否认。/克劳德全身紧绷，挪步正挡在萨菲罗斯面前。隔着衣料仍见那人眼中幽芒流转，嘴角噙笑不置可否。

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cloud said for him, an undercurrent of threat in his tone. His hand itched for the hilt of his sword.
不知道你在说什么，"克劳德替他回答，语调里隐含威胁。他的手正发痒想去握剑柄。/“阁下怕是认错了人，”克劳德冷声应道，暗含恫吓的尾音未落，掌心已按捺不住要探向剑柄。

The corner of Sam’s mouth merely ticked up. He still wasn’t looking at Cloud. “There sure are a lot of angels poppin’ up lately, and I don’t believe in coincidences.”
山姆只是嘴角微扬。他仍没看克劳德。"最近天使出现得可真频繁，而我不信巧合。"/山姆唇角轻勾，目光仍游离别处：“近日天使如雨后春笋，巧合二字——恕难信服。”

Cloud crossed his arms. “Another piece of advice for surviving in Wall Market?”
克劳德抱起双臂。"又是在围墙市场生存的建议？"/克劳德双臂环胸：“敢问这又是围墙市场的哪条生存法则？”

“It’s kept my head on my neck so far.”
直译： “到目前为止，它让我的头一直保持在脖子上。” 意象转译： "至今它仍让我头颅安在。" （注：第二版将"kept my head on my neck"的隐喻转化为中文惯用的"头颅安在"，既保留了原句"保持清醒/免遭不测"的核心意象，又通过四字结构和文言感的"安在"增强了韵律美，同时"至今"对应"so far"实现了时间跨度的诗意表达。）

“Not if you continue sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.” Cloud cocked his head, eyes sharp. “So what if he’s the one who did it? What are you going to do about it?”
「再继续多管闲事就未必了。」克劳德偏了偏头，眼神锐利，「若真是他做的又如何？你能怎样？」

Sam chuckled. “Nothing. But Corneo’s men have been turning Wall Market upside down, looking for Avalanche and a man with long silver hair and green, cat-slitted eyes… You might want to choose a better disguise next time. Just sayin’.”
萨姆轻笑：「不怎样。不过科尼欧的手下正把围墙市集翻个底朝天，找雪崩的人，还有个银色长发、长着猫瞳般狭长绿眸的男人...下回该换个更妥的伪装。好心提醒。」

Cloud listened to this in grim silence and nodded, recognizing it for the valuable information it was. “Thanks.”
克劳德面色凝重地听完，点头领会其中深意：「谢了。」

“No problem. Without you, who knows what might have happened to my sweet babies?” Sam finally tore his eyes away from Sephiroth to turn to Cloud, a nervous edge to his smile. “You sure keep dangerous friends, don’t you, champ?”
「客气啥。要不是你，我那些宝贝儿还不知会怎样呢？」萨姆终于将目光从萨菲罗斯身上移开，转向克劳德时笑容带着紧绷，「你交的朋友够危险的啊，冠军？」

“Not a friend,” Cloud automatically said. 
「不是朋友。」克劳德脱口而出。

Curiosity gleamed in Sam’s eyes. “What then?”
萨姆眼里闪着好奇：「那算什么？」

Cloud didn’t know how to respond to that. He thought of the previous night when Sephiroth had asked him if they were lovers. Cloud didn’t know the answer to that question either, but whatever they were, he wasn’t exactly in the habit of sharing his private life with just anyone, so he settled on—“None of your business.”
克劳德不知如何作答。他想起昨夜萨菲罗斯问他们是否算情人时的情景。这问题他同样没有答案，但无论何种关系，他向来不喜将私事示人，最终只道：「与你无关。」

Sam raised his hands as Cloud glowered at him. “Alright, bud. Have it your way. Just be careful out there, alright?”
萨姆举手作投降状，克劳德仍怒目而视。"行行，老兄，都听你的。外头险恶，自个儿当心，嗯？"

Cloud continued to glare at him even as Sam smiled back in that bland, friendly way of his. There was a knowing look in his eyes, and somehow Cloud had a feeling that he had revealed much more with his response than he wanted… He shook his head.
克劳德仍死死盯着他，萨姆却报以惯常那副温吞笑容。对方眼中闪过一丝了然，克劳德忽然惊觉——方才的应答，怕是泄露了太多心事……他懊恼摇头。

Nothing was ever simple in Wall Market.
围墙市集的水，向来深得很。

He ignored the heavy weight of Sephiroth’s intense gaze on his skin as they set out for Don Corneo’s mansion.
启程前往科尼欧庄园之际，他无视了萨菲罗斯烙在脊背上的灼灼目光。

This time there were no bodies, no blood. Somehow Cloud doubted Corneo would have had the time to clear all the corpses away and replace all the furniture, the carpets, and even the wooden boards of the bridge with exact copies, not with Shinra breathing down his neck and even sending its hounds after him.
此番既无横尸亦无血痕，克劳德却疑窦丛生——科尼欧岂有余暇敛尽尸骸，更替宅中陈设、地毯，连廊桥木板都复刻如新？须知神罗正对其虎视眈眈，恶犬环伺在侧。

They stood in the pristine yet eerily empty lobby, an emerald dragon with golden whiskers coiled on the octagonal carpet underneath their feet, but even with Cloud’s enhanced sense of smell, he was only able to catch faint traces of the blood that had been there before, crusted into the floors and the walls in thick layers. The strong chemicals that had been used were just minimally easier to make out. It was all skillfully masked by the heavy perfume overlaying everything, that heady and headache-inducing mix of strong Wutaian spices and flowers that could be found in all of Corneo’s establishments.
二人伫立在洁净却诡谲的空旷厅堂，脚下八角毯上盘踞着金须翠鳞的玉龙。纵使克劳德嗅觉超凡，也只能捕捉到昔日渗入地板墙垣的残存血气。刺鼻的化学药剂痕迹依稀可辨，却尽数被厚重的异香掩盖——科尼欧产业惯用的浓烈武泰香料与花卉混合气息，甜腻得令人窒息。

Any other person may not notice the difference at all.
寻常过客，怕是难辨其中蹊跷。

It was clear the Turks had a hand in this. They had been here for more than just Corneo and his assets. This was another cover-up, and it appeared that Shinra was still cleaning up its beloved general’s messes even after he had gone rogue.
显然塔克斯也插了一手。他们曾在此地活动绝非单纯为了科尼欧及其资产。这又是一次掩盖行动，即便那位心腹将军已然叛离，神罗仍在替他收拾烂摊子。/塔克斯染指此事已无疑。科尼欧资产之外，他们必有更大图谋。这不过是神罗又一次的遮羞布，叛将虽去，仍要替爱卿扫尾善后。

Wall Market was different in the day, almost unrecognizable without those dazzling lights or that bustling nightlife, and Cloud could almost see how what Sam had said was true in the fearful faces of the residents, all trying to keep their heads down as Corneo’s goons and Shinra turned the town upside down while their regent himself seemed to have vanished into thin air. The colorful flags seemed dull, gray, as they fluttered lifelessly in the wind, the lanterns reduced to just empty paper husks that hung from lines like bodies.
白昼的沃市场判若两地，炫目霓虹与喧嚣夜生活尽褪，克劳德在居民惶恐面容间瞥见山姆所言真相——当科尼欧爪牙与神罗将小镇翻个底朝天时，领主本人却如烟消散。彩旗在风中颓然翻飞褪作灰蒙，灯笼化作空纸壳悬于绳上似枯骨。/霓虹褪尽，市声消散，昼光下的沃市恍如隔世。惊惶面容低垂，印证着山姆所言：暴徒掀天倒地之际，领主竟销声匿迹。褪色旌旗在风中瑟索，纸灯笼空悬如吊尸。

The clean and restored mansion was much like that, perfect on the surface, as though nothing had ever happened here. But an eerie silence reigned here just as it had right after the massacre, blood and corpses strewn everywhere; little signs and incongruences here and there tipping the viewer off to the fact that not all was as it seemed.
翻修如新的宅邸正是如此，表面完美无瑕，恍若无事发生。但诡异死寂仍如屠杀初歇时盘踞此地，彼时血污横流尸骸遍地；细微迹象与矛盾处处提醒观者：表象之下暗流涌动。/光鲜表象下，诡异死寂如故。血泊残肢虽已拭尽，蛛丝马迹犹存——墙垣角落的违和感时刻低语：完美画皮下，狰狞真相蛰伏。

“Been hearing everyone talking about a massacre all the way up here.” Barret frowned as he looked around. “Where are the bodies?”
“在山顶都能听到大屠杀的传闻。”巴雷特皱眉环顾四周，“尸横遍野的场景呢？” | “连峰顶都传遍屠杀传言。”巴雷特蹙眉四顾茫然，“怎不见血色浸染山梁？”

“Shinra,” Cloud said, simply.
“神罗。”克劳德言简意赅。 | 克劳德短刃截铁：“神罗。”

Barret frowned harder. “Why would they do that? Why play clean-up for Corneo? Thought they were hunting him down...”
“他们图什么？给科尼欧擦屁股？”巴雷特眉头拧得更紧，“不是说要追剿他...” | 巴雷特虬髯倒竖：“神罗竟作清道夫？追猎令下反收尸，此中蹊跷费思量。”

“They are not doing it for Corneo, but for Sephiroth,” Tifa answered this time. “He was the one who killed most of Corneo’s men here, and Shinra is covering up for him.” Her mouth twisted, eyes flashing as she clearly remembered Nibelheim. “They still want him back.”
“不为科尼欧，是为萨菲罗斯。”蒂法接话，朱唇紧抿星眸含霜，“此地爪牙多丧其手，神罗替他掩罪愆。”忆及尼布尔海姆旧事，她眼底寒芒乍现，“他们仍想迎魔归。” | 蒂法丹唇衔恨接话茬：“魔君血洗科尼欧，神罗殷勤拭血痂。”眸中映出故里火，银牙暗咬声如砂：“犹盼灾星回巢穴，竟将罪痕作落霞。”

It seemed like she had arrived at the same conclusion as Cloud, and he nodded in agreement. “They probably also want to keep his return a secret for as long as possible.”
她与克劳德不谋而合，后者点头附和：“他们还想尽量拖延他归来的消息。” | 克劳德颔首应和女郎思：“秘而不宣待何时？魔踪暂隐烟瘴里，正是神罗算计痴。”

Barret snorted. “Well, good luck with that.”
巴雷特嗤之以鼻：“呵，祝他们好运。” | 巴雷特冷笑震松涛：“且看黄粱梦几朝！”

He did have a point. Cloud glanced at Sephiroth who had remained silent throughout their conversation, seeming not to care at all about the fact that they were talking about him. Neither did he make any indication as to what he thought of Shinra cleaning up after him—he was probably already used to it. After all, he had been Shinra’s prized general. The company had probably let him get away with a lot of things, far more than Cloud probably even knew about.
他说得确实有理。克劳德望向始终缄默的萨菲罗斯，那人仿佛对以自己为中心的谈话毫不在意，对神罗替他收拾残局的态度也不置可否——或许早已习以为常。毕竟他曾是神罗的头号战将，公司对他的出格行径向来睁一只眼闭一只眼，其中隐情怕是远超克劳德所知。

They went up the staircase on the right that led up to the balcony, heading straight for the second door they knew would lead to Corneo’s bedroom. They walked through the foyer and the second gate into the lobby. Cloud had just set a foot down on the carpet that displayed twin emerald dragons when he sensed movement from behind the corner. His Buster Sword was already swinging, his muscle memory and instincts from being in SOLDIER for years taking over. His blade found the neck of the other person, nearly decapitating them, while he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
三人沿着右侧螺旋梯直抵露台，径直奔向通往科尼欧寝宫的第二道门。穿过前厅与二重铁闸，克劳德刚踏上绣有双头翡翠龙的地毯，忽觉转角暗影浮动。多年特种兵生涯淬炼的战斗本能瞬间苏醒，破坏剑已携千钧之势横扫而出。剑锋堪堪掠过偷袭者咽喉的刹那，他也看清了抵在自己额前的冰冷枪管。

He peered up to see it was Leslie.
抬眸望去，持枪者竟是莱斯利。

The young man seemed to recognize him at the same moment, amber eyes widening a little before returning to their usual cool apathy. “Long time no see.”
直译：年轻男子似乎也在同一刻认出了他，琥珀色的眼睛微微睁大后又恢复惯常的冷漠。"好久不见。" | 意译：琥珀双眸微睁寒潭凝，少年郎认故人却作冰。"经年未见。"

Cloud let Leslie draw his gun back first before lowering his own weapon, keeping a careful eye on him all the while. He may have helped Tifa and Aerith before, but that didn’t have to mean anything.
直译：克劳德等莱斯利先收回枪后才放下武器，始终保持着警惕。他之前或许帮助过蒂法和爱丽丝，但这并不意味着什么。 | 意译：待君收枪吾方垂，目如鹰隼未敢移。昔助红颜非有意，休将旧事作玄机。

The other was wearing a black cap over his short silver hair as usual, a black and red leather jacket thrown over a white shirt paired with black three-quarter trousers and tall boots. His dominant hand seemed to be the right one, curled around the gun, and a black glove covered his left one.
直译：银发青年如常戴着黑色鸭舌帽，黑红拼色皮夹克随意披在白色衬衫外，搭配黑色七分裤及高筒靴。主手应是握枪的右手，左手则戴着黑手套。 | 意译：银丝短掩乌檐下，红黑皮氅映素衫。七分玄裤接云靴，右持火器左笼缣。

His features were youthful, and Cloud estimated him to be a little younger than him, almost even a boy, but there was something street-smart, jaded and hard about him that made him seem years older than his actual age.
直译：他面庞稚嫩，克劳德推测他比自己稍小，近乎少年，但眉眼间透着市井的机警与沧桑，令其比实际年龄成熟许多。 | 意译：玉面犹存少年痕，估量应少两三春。眸光淬尽江湖事，未老风霜已满身。

“What brings you back here?” Leslie asked, casual and neutral.
直译："什么风把你吹回来了？"莱斯利问道，语气随意而平淡。 | 意译："此番归程为何故？"莱斯利垂眸问，闲敲棋子落灯花。

Tifa knew Cloud too well and placed a hand on his shoulder to keep him down. It was obvious she trusted this guy and thought Cloud was being too aggressive. Her kind eyes shone warmly, looking crimson in the red walls of Corneo’s mansion and seeming to almost glow with an inner light that had nothing to do with mako. She answered that they were trying to find a way to get topside and thought their best shot would be Corneo.
直译版： 蒂法太了解克劳德了，她伸手按住他的肩膀让他冷静。显然她信任这个人，觉得克劳德过于冲动。她善良的眼睛在科尼欧宅邸的红色墙壁映衬下温暖地闪烁着红光，似乎散发着与魔晄无关的内在光芒。她回答说他们正在想办法前往上层，认为最好的突破口是科尼欧。 诗化版： 蒂法深谙克劳德脾性，纤手轻按其肩平复躁意。红帷深宅映得她眸中星火流转，那抹温润非关魔晄，恰似赤玉生辉自华光。她坦言欲觅通天径，当取霓裳羽衣客（指科尼欧）作登云梯。

Leslie seemed to take this in, though his gaze wasn’t on Tifa, or any of them, but on their fourth companion who hung back behind them. There was a glint of fear in his amber eyes.
直译：莱斯利似乎听进去了，但他的目光不在蒂法身上，也不在他们任何人身上，而是落在他们身后第四位保持距离的同伴。琥珀色的眼眸中闪过一丝恐惧。 | 雅译：莱斯利似有所悟，目光却掠过蒂法与众人，独凝殿后第四人。琥珀瞳中惊惶微芒，如寒星坠暗渊。

“So the rumors of Avalanche and the Great General Sephiroth working together are true.”
直译："看来雪崩组织与萨菲罗斯将军联手的传闻是真的。" | 雅译："雪崩结盟银翼将，坊间传言竟非虚。"

A dark chuckle resounded through the room, making the hairs on Cloud’s nape rise.
直译：一声暗笑在房间里回响，克劳德后颈汗毛竖起。 | 雅译：幽冷笑声穿堂过，克劳德脊生寒芒。

“Unlike your friends, you were smart enough to move out of my way when I approached, and run.” He softly tilted his head, smiling. “You should be proud of yourself. Not many live to tell the tale.”
直译："不像你的朋友们，我靠近时你够聪明让开逃跑。"他轻轻偏头微笑，"该自豪，能活下来讲述这经历的人可不多。" | 雅译："尔等比友多慧根，见势退避敢逃命。"他颌首轻笑若春冰，"当自矜，世间几人得幸诉此惊。"

He didn’t bother to hide the glow of his eyes. It was all the brighter against the darkness of the veil.
直译：他毫不掩饰眼中光芒，在黑面纱映衬下愈发明亮。 | 雅译：眸中异芒何须藏，黑纱愈衬寒星朗。

Leslie’s grip tightened around his gun. He looked like he might bolt again, and Cloud interfered before he could. He was their best lead yet on Corneo’s current whereabouts.
直译：莱斯利攥紧枪柄，似要再次逃跑，克劳德及时阻拦——他仍是追查科尼奥下落的最佳线索。 | 雅译：莱斯利攥枪如握烫铁，足下欲动欲逃。克劳德横身相阻，此人尚是追查科尼奥的活舆图。

“Sephiroth,” Cloud said, stepping between the two. “Stop antagonizing him.”
直译："萨菲罗斯，"克劳德横插两人之间，"别刺激他。" | 雅译："萨菲罗斯！"克劳德横剑作界碑，"莫再撩虎须。"

Sephiroth met his disapproving gaze without any trouble, eyes glittering with much mirth and amusement. 
直译：萨菲罗斯从容迎上他不赞成的目光，眼中闪烁顽劣笑意。 | 雅译：银发将军游刃迎冷目，眸底戏谑如星火跃金潭。

“Very well,” he said, chuckling.
直译："好吧，"他轻笑道。 | 雅译："善。"他轻笑如刃叩寒冰。

He then proceeded to leisurely unwrap the shawl from his head and shoulders, tucking it somewhere safe in some sort of inner pocket. Cloud didn’t stop him; there wasn’t really any point in concealing his features from here on out. Sephiroth moved on to free his braid from the back of his coat, but seemed to run into some trouble as it snagged somewhere, refusing to come out.
直译：他接着从容不迫地将披肩从头顶和肩头解下，收进某个安全的内袋。克劳德没有阻拦，事到如今再遮掩容貌已毫无意义。萨菲罗斯试图将长辫从外套后摆中抽出时遇到阻碍，辫子似乎被皮革卡住无法脱出。｜雅译：他慢条斯理解下头肩披帛，叠入内袋妥善收存。克劳德未加阻拦——既已至此，遮掩形容不过徒劳。萨菲罗斯欲将发辫自后襟抽出，奈何皮料坚挺，银丝纠缠竟作困兽之斗。

Cloud watched this for another few moments before letting out a silent sigh and walking over, pushing Sephiroth’s hands away with some irritation. Sephiroth seemed a little startled at his sudden approach, but he acquiesced easily enough, letting Cloud slowly and gently coax his hair out with some careful tugs and pulls as he stood behind him. It was a rather long braid after all, and his coat was rather tight-fitting and made of unyielding leather besides.
直译：克劳德旁观须臾，终是无声轻叹上前，略带不耐地推开萨菲罗斯的手。突然靠近令对方稍显错愕，萨菲罗斯却乖顺任他摆布，任身后人小心翼翼牵引发辫。毕竟长辫委地，紧身皮衣又委实顽固。｜雅译：克劳德静观片刻，终是暗叹上前。指尖带三分恼意拂开银发将军的手。萨菲罗斯愕然回首，却见青年已立身后，纤指如解连环，将银瀑自玄甲中细细抽离。三尺青丝遇着犀革紧甲，倒似春藤绕铁树，须得徐徐图之。

Leslie didn’t seem to be quite sure what to make of the cheery, bright flower in Sephiroth’s hair, looking both wary and utterly befuddled. It was probably the most expression Cloud had ever seen on the other’s usually so impassive face, and he took pity on him.
直译：莱斯利盯着萨菲罗斯鬓边明艳花朵，神情混杂警惕与茫然。这大抵是克劳德在这张惯常冷峻面容上见过最生动的表情，不由心生怜悯。｜雅译：莱斯利瞠目望着银发人鬓边颤巍巍的明霞，戒备与困惑在眉间流转成漩涡。克劳德从未见这冰山脸露出如此鲜活神色，竟觉三分滑稽七分堪怜。

“So…” he started, “you know where Corneo is?”
直译："所以……"他开口，"你知道科尼欧在哪？"｜雅译："既是如此……"他指尖轻叩案几，"科尼欧老巢所在，阁下当是了如指掌？"

That seemed to have the desired effect of snapping Leslie out of it. “Yeah. I also know of a way to get topside… I could help you out with that.”
直译：这似乎达到了预期效果，让莱斯利回过神来。"是啊，我还知道去上层的方法...或许我能帮你们这个忙。"；雅译：这番言语如晨钟暮鼓，让莱斯利霎时清醒。"确有蹊径通穹顶，若蒙不弃，愿为君启。"

Well, that was one less thing to worry about. Cloud nodded distractedly, preoccupied at the moment, and Tifa took over the conversation. He listened with half an ear as Tifa told Leslie that this was great and she was glad that they had run into him, skillfully smoothing the tides over after Barret had rather aggressively demanded to know the way to get topside.
直译：至少少了一件要担心的事。克劳德心不在焉地点点头，此刻正沉浸在自己的思绪里，蒂法接过了话头。他半听半走神地听着蒂法对莱斯利说这真是太好了，很高兴能遇见你——在巴雷特以近乎逼问的架势打听完去上层的方法后，她如春风化雨般巧妙缓和了紧张的气氛。；雅译：心头重负稍减。克劳德神思恍惚间颔首，蒂法便接过话锋。她言笑晏晏对莱斯利道相逢有缘，暗潮却在巴雷特厉声诘问通途时涌动。蒂法以流云拂月之姿，将剑拔弩张化作玉壶冰心。

It took some patience and delicate maneuvering, but the braid finally slipped out of the coat without taking any damage. Cloud removed his hand from the back of Sephiroth’s neck—he hadn’t even known when he had placed it there. That was when he noticed the weight of eyes on his skin. Amber immediately flickered away when Cloud looked over, Leslie pretending that he hadn’t been staring all this time.
需要一些耐心和细致的操作，但发辫最终无损地从大衣里滑了出来。克劳德将手从萨菲罗斯的后颈移开——他甚至没意识到自己何时把手搭在了那里。这时他感受到皮肤上沉甸甸的注视，当克劳德转头时，琥珀色瞳光立即闪开，莱斯利佯装自己全程都不曾凝视。|耗费一番耐心与巧劲，发辫终是完好无损地从衣襟滑脱。克劳德撤回抚在萨菲罗斯颈后的手——竟不知何时搭了上去。肌肤忽感视线灼灼，甫一抬眼，那道琥珀色便倏然移开，徒留莱斯利假作不曾凝望良久。

Cloud eyed him critically before turning back to his task, finding that he didn’t really care. He gathered the silver hair in front of him gently into both hands, sliding down its smooth length until it was perfectly aligned between Sephiroth’s shoulder blades and trailed down his spine.
克劳德审视地瞥了他一眼，转回工作时发现自己并不在意。他将眼前的银发温柔拢入双手，顺着丝滑发丝向下梳理，直到发辫精准垂落在萨菲罗斯肩胛骨之间，沿着脊梁蜿蜒而下。|克劳德凝眸审视片刻便回身，竟觉心无挂碍。银瀑流云尽收掌中，纤指顺柔光而下，直至发丝如墨线垂落肩胛中央，沿玉脊逶迤成川。

Even braided it went down to the top of the man’s upper thighs. It was some of the longest hair Cloud had ever seen, and yet Sephiroth handled it so roughly and carelessly. “It’s a wonder your hair was able to get this long, and even stay that way.” 
即使编成辫子也垂到了男人大腿上端。这是克劳德见过最长的头发之一，而萨菲罗斯对待它却如此粗率随意。"你的头发能长这么长甚至保持如此，真是个奇迹。"|即便编作发辫，亦垂落至他大腿上侧。这般及腰银瀑实属罕见，偏生主人待之如草芥。"发丝能及此长且完好无损，倒似神迹。"

Sephiroth tilted his head slightly at this, some of his profile becoming visible, the perfect marble of his cheek, the curl of his impossibly long lashes.
萨菲罗斯闻言微微偏头，露出些许侧颜，大理石般完美的面颊，与长得不可思议的睫羽弧度。|闻此言，萨菲罗斯玉首微侧，半面风华乍现，恍若冰雕雪塑的颊边，纤睫如凤尾低垂。

Before he could answer though, Cloud already continued with—“Let me guess. Benefits of being a god?”
未及应答，克劳德已续道——"让我猜猜。身为神的恩赐？"|话音未落，克劳德已自接前言："莫非是——神明眷顾的恩典？"

This elicited a small laugh from the other man who turned around more fully.
直译：这引得另一个男人轻笑了一声，他更完全地转过身来。意译：此举引得对方莞尔，转身更彻底。

“Not everything can be traced back to my godhood.”
直译："不是所有事都能追溯回我的神性。"意译："世间诸事岂尽归神性。"

Cloud raised a brow. “What other explanation would you give then?”
直译：克劳德挑起眉毛。"那你还能给出什么其他解释？"意译：克劳德挑眉："若非神性，何以为继？"

Sephiroth hummed, seeming to consider this seriously as he placed his elbows on Cloud’s shoulders, putting his weight on him as he leaned in.
直译：萨菲罗斯低哼着，似乎认真考虑这个问题，他把手肘搭在克劳德肩上，倾身将重量压过来。意译：萨菲罗斯沉吟低回，手肘轻压克劳德双肩，倾身相就宛若千钧。

“Superior genetics,” he finally said, their faces inches from each other. Cloud snorted at this, and Sephiroth looked at him with glowing eyes at half-mast for a moment before they slid completely shut as he leaned in to nuzzle Cloud’s nose with his own in a surprising show of playful, wordless affection.
直译："卓越的基因，"他终于开口，两人鼻息相闻。克劳德嗤之以鼻，萨菲罗斯半垂的发光眼眸凝视片刻，最终完全阖目，用鼻尖轻蹭对方鼻尖，展露出令人惊讶的顽皮亲昵。意译："得天独厚，"他吐息相缠。克劳德轻嗤间，萨菲罗斯眸中萤光半敛，俄顷闭目相就，鼻尖厮磨如幼兽嬉戏，无言处尽显缱绻。

“And I’ve got you now to take care of my hair, don’t I?” Sephiroth’s smile was almost cheeky when he pulled back. Not too far though, still close enough to kiss if Cloud decided to breach the distance between them.
直译："现在有你来养护我的长发了，不是么？"萨菲罗斯后撤时带着近乎顽皮的笑容。未退太远，仍保持着若克劳德愿跨越距离便可接吻的间距。意译："今得卿理云鬓，岂不美哉？"萨菲罗斯含笑退开半寸，犹在咫尺之间，只待克劳德踏破银河，共吻星霜。

Cloud did want to kiss him. But then, he always did. It had only been made worse by the shawl that only bared Sephiroth’s lower face and lips, hiding everything else but that dark, sinful mouth of his that was perpetually curled in an amused smile, capable of uttering words that effortlessly carved Cloud open, slicing through his flesh layer by layer, just as lethal as the Masamune, whether it be with want, fear, anger or hate. He was able to evoke all these things in Cloud with just his voice, jerking him around as easily as a puppet on a string.
直译：克劳德确实想吻他。但事实上，他向来如此渴望。那条仅露出萨菲罗斯下半张脸与双唇的披肩让情况更糟——遮蔽所有却独留那抹永远噙着戏谑笑意的暗色薄唇，这张能轻易吐出剖开克劳德血肉话语的嘴，如同正宗刀般致命，无论是欲望、恐惧、愤怒还是憎恨。单凭声音他就能在克劳德体内掀起惊涛骇浪，将人偶般恣意操纵。｜｜诗译：克劳德确实渴望吻他，这念头从未止息。暗纹披帛半掩容颜，偏将那抹噙笑的薄唇曝露——那能吐出剖心蚀骨之语的暗色唇瓣，比正宗刀更锋利。欲念、惊惧、嗔怒、仇怨，只消他喉间震颤，克劳德便如傀儡悬丝，任其摆布。

Cloud supposed if he was anyone’s puppet, then he was Sephiroth’s.
直译：克劳德想，若他注定为某人傀儡，那必是萨菲罗斯的牵线木偶。｜｜诗译：若说克劳德是某人的提线傀儡，那丝线尽头，永远攥在萨菲罗斯掌心。

At some point his hand had automatically found the dip of Sephiroth’s slim waist, stroking down his flank to settle there. He was very warm through the leather, and his appealing scent washed over Cloud, so much better than the nauseatingly heavy perfume permeating every room in the mansion.
直译：不知何时他的手已本能般抚上萨菲罗斯纤细腰窝，顺着侧腰曲线游移停留。皮革下透出温热体温，惑人气息裹挟克劳德，远比洋馆每间房内令人作呕的浓重熏香美好。｜｜诗译：指尖不知何时已陷入他腰际凹陷，顺着精瘦侧腰摩挲流连。皮革包裹的躯体传来暖意，清冽气息冲破古宅陈腐熏香，将克劳德温柔浸染。

“Don’t get used to it,” Cloud said, voice low.
直译："别习惯这样。"克劳德低声警告。｜｜诗译："别沉溺于此。"克劳德喉间滚出低哑警告。

Those hypnotic green eyes glittered warmly, a thoughtful hum escaping that pale throat, before Sephiroth leaned down and whispered into Cloud’s ear, lips brushing skin, “I think you are the one getting used to it, aren’t you?”
直译：那双蛊惑的绿瞳漾着暖光，苍白喉结溢出沉吟，萨菲罗斯俯身贴近克劳德耳畔，唇瓣厮磨皮肤低语："恐怕习惯的人是你，不是吗？"｜｜诗译：翡翠瞳中流光潋滟，喉间逸出慵懒沉吟。银发男人倾身咬耳，唇瓣厮磨间吐息灼人："恐怕沉溺其中的...是你自己吧？"

Then he abruptly drew away, taking his weight and heat with him, leaving Cloud feeling strangely off-balance.
他骤然抽离身躯，将体温与重量一并带走，克劳德顿觉失衡；他忽地抽身远遁，余温重量俱消散，克劳德怔立如悬旌

Heavy sarcasm dripped from Barret’s voice as he said, “If you two lovebirds are quite finished now…”
巴雷特声线浸满辛辣的讥诮："若二位比翼鹣鹣已尽兴..."；巴雷特喉间滚落讥诮如铁砂："交颈鸳鸯若尽欢..."

Cloud continued to stare at Sephiroth where he stood now, then turned to Leslie, completely ignoring Barret. “Alright. Take us to Corneo then.”
克劳德仍凝视着静立的萨菲罗斯，随即转向莱斯利，彻底无视巴雷特："带我们去古留根尾宅邸"；克劳德凝眸萨菲罗斯残影，俄而转向莱斯利，任巴雷特如风过耳："引路，谒古留根尾"

“Hey,” Barret said.  直译： "嘿，"巴雷特说。 意译（保留韵律与意境）： "喂，"巴雷特唤道。

Leslie nodded. “Follow me.”
Leslie nodded. "Follow me." 直译： 莱斯利点了点头。"跟我来。" 诗化改写： 莱斯利颔首示意。"随我来。" 注：改写版本中，"颔首"较"点头"更具古典意象，"随我来"比"跟我来"多一分韵律感。通过"颔首"与"随"的平仄对应，形成"仄仄平平"的古典节奏，同时"随"字暗含引领者的从容气度，较原文字面意思增添了画面张力。

“Hey!”  直译（保证准确性）： "嘿！" 意译（保留韵律美感）： "嗨，驻足留听！" （解析：1. "嗨"对应原词韵律 2. "驻足留听"通过四字格营造诗意停顿，既保留唤起注意的核心语义，又用"驻足"的肢体意象和"留听"的听觉隐喻形成画面感，平仄搭配产生韵律美）

They both ignored Barret. Leslie opened the doors to Corneo’s bedroom, and Cloud entered not far behind him. Barret hurried in after them. Stopping next to Cloud, he growled, “Who died and made you the leader?”
直译：他们都无视了巴雷特。莱斯利推开了科尼欧卧室的门，克劳德紧随其后进入。巴雷特急忙跟进来，停在克劳德身边低吼道："谁死了让你当领导？"｜雅译：二人皆将巴雷特视若无物。莱斯利推开科尼欧的房门，克劳德亦步亦趋。巴雷特急急追至身侧，喉间滚出低吼："谁人授你权柄？"

“Wasn’t aware you were ever the leader,” Cloud drawled. As the other man sputtered angrily, he cocked his head slightly. “Did you already forget? I’m a merc. I was never part of Avalanche. That was Tifa’s deal, not mine.”
直译："没听说你当过领导。"克劳德拖长声调。看着对方气急败坏的模样，他微微偏头："忘了？我是佣兵，从未加入雪崩。那是蒂法的约定，与我无关。"｜雅译："何曾见你执牛耳？"克劳德语带慵懒。见对方目眦欲裂，他略侧首："佣兵之身，雪崩何干？蒂法的誓约，非我羁绊。"

Barret scoffed. “As if I’d ever want a SOLDIER on my team.”
直译：巴雷特嗤笑："好像我会让神罗战士入队似的。"｜雅译：巴雷特冷笑："神罗兵士，安能入我麾下？"

“Ex-SOLDIER,” Cloud corrected.
直译："前神罗战士。"克劳德纠正。｜雅译："前尘已断。"克劳德指尖轻叩剑柄。

Tifa nudged Cloud gently but firmly, while shooting Barret a meaningful look. Cloud crossed his arms, looking at the square opening in front of the bed that seemed to be filled with endless, menacing darkness. Picking a fight with Barret was easier than thinking about what Sephiroth had said, and the way it made his mind race. 
直译：蒂法用温和而坚定的力道轻推克劳德，同时向巴雷特递去意味深长的眼神。克劳德抱臂望着床前方形洞口，那里仿佛涌动着无尽凶险的黑暗。与巴雷特争执远比思考萨菲罗斯的言语轻松，那些话总令他思绪翻涌。｜雅译：蒂法素手轻推暗含警示，眼波流转递向巴雷特。克劳德抱臂凝望床前幽穴，如墨的黑暗在其中翻涌。与壮汉争执的喧闹，竟比直面萨菲罗斯的耳语更令人心安——那些话语总在颅腔内掀起风暴。

It was frightening how touching Sephiroth had become such an easy habit. And not only that—Cloud had even joked with him. It was hard to believe that just at the start of the previous night, killing him had been the only thing on his mind.
直译：与萨菲罗斯的肢体接触竟成自然习惯，这令人心惊。不止如此——克劳德甚至与他玩笑。难以相信就在昨夜初逢时，弑杀之念还盘踞心头。｜雅译：触碰银发恶魔竟成寻常，这认知令人战栗。更甚者，戏谑之言脱口而出。谁曾想昨日星幕初垂时，刀锋相向仍是唯一心念。

Cloud knew that getting used to anything about Sephiroth was dangerous, fatal; inadvisable. At the same time, he wanted it, more than anything—though he doubted it was possible to ever get completely used to the other man. He was too extraordinary for that.
克劳德深知习惯萨菲罗斯的任何特质都充满危险，致命且愚蠢。但与此同时，这渴望却胜过万物——尽管他怀疑自己永远无法完全适应对方。那个男人超凡绝伦，注定无法被驯服。

Red-violet light caressed Sephiroth’s skin and hair, and Cloud forced himself to focus. Leslie had his hands curled around the curved metal handles of the ladder leading down the trapdoor. He said something about having unfinished business with Corneo, though he didn’t elaborate on that. In fact, he didn’t elaborate on anything—and if they didn’t like that, he could always find others to work with. While sauntering through the room, he seemed relaxed, almost bored, but even though he didn’t look at Sephiroth, he also never completely turned his back to him. After listening to what Leslie had to say, Cloud agreed to his terms, again ignoring Barret’s protests.
绛紫流光轻吻着银发战士的肌肤，克劳德强迫自己集中精神。莱斯利正攥着通往暗门的天梯弧形把手，提及与科尼欧未竟之事却语焉不详。事实上他对所有细节都讳莫如深——若众人不满，他随时能找到新盟友。踱步时他看似慵懒倦怠，却始终以余光锁着萨菲罗斯。听完陈述，克劳德再度无视巴雷特的抗议，接受了条件。

“He betrays us, he dies,” Cloud said, simply.
"若敢背叛，血溅当场。"克劳德语带寒霜，字字铿锵。

Tifa looked troubled. It made Cloud think of the time she stopped him from killing Johnny, the way her eyes had been dark, lips pressed into a thin line; how she had told him that he had changed, after. “He means it,” she warned Leslie.
直译：蒂法看起来心事重重。这让克劳德想起她阻止自己杀死强尼时的模样——那时她的眼眸幽深，嘴唇抿成细线；之后她如何对他说你变了。"他是认真的，"她警告莱斯利。意译：蒂法神色忧虑，这教克劳德忆起她阻止自己诛杀强尼时的场景：瞳色幽邃如夜，樱唇抿作寒刃；事后她曾说"你变了"。此刻她对莱斯利轻叱："他字字诛心。"

“Don’t worry.” The smile on Leslie’s lips was tense. “I know better than to cross you.”
直译："别担心。"莱斯利嘴角挂着紧绷的微笑。"我很清楚不能与你作对。"意译："莫忧心。"莱斯利唇角笑意如弦，"我自知晓，不可越雷池。"

His eyes found Sephiroth’s form then, who only tilted his head at him, dark lips lifting from his teeth in a smile that was both beautiful and terrifying. Cloud was sure he wasn’t the only one to shiver, though he was glad the intensity of that gaze wasn’t directed at him for once.
直译：他的目光随即锁定萨菲罗斯的身形，对方只是冲他偏了偏头，乌唇微启露出森森白齿，那笑容既美且怖。克劳德确信打寒战的不止自己，不过庆幸这回那道凌厉目光总算没落在自己身上。意译：银发修罗偏首睥睨，暗色薄唇轻启处，贝齿森然似寒星。那笑意美得惊心，怖得彻骨。克劳德知非独己战栗，唯幸此番那噬人目光未再锁己身。

“I knew you were smart,” purred the man who had painted the walls of the mansion an even deeper shade of red.
直译："早知你聪明。"那个将宅邸墙壁染成更深的红色的男人低语道。意译："早识卿智。"曾将公馆墙壁浸染得猩红更甚的男人，吐息如丝绒裹刃。

It sounded more like a threat than a compliment.
直译：这听起来更像是威胁而非恭维。意译：这话听着不似恭维，倒像威胁。

*

They were in the sewers again, in the filth and the stench of human excrements. It made Cloud think of the heavily perfumed mansion they had just left, how the strong spices that irritated his nose were likely there to hide the fumes of the sewage underneath. 
直译：他们又回到了下水道，置身于人类排泄物的污秽恶臭中。这让克劳德想起刚离开的那座香气浓烈的宅邸，那些刺激鼻腔的浓烈香料或许正是为了掩盖下水道的浊气。意译：再度踏入污水横流的下界，秽气裹挟着腐殖气息扑面。克劳德忽忆起方才辞别的香宅——那些呛鼻的浓烈熏香，原是欲盖弥彰地遮掩着地底涌动的浊流。

As soon as they entered the dim green haze, Barret threw his own threats into the mix, but that was par for the course with him. Leslie seemed little impressed, even with a gun-arm pointed at his face.
直译：当他们踏入暗绿色的雾霭时，巴雷特加入了威胁的行列，但这对他来说是常规操作。莱斯利显得不为所动，即使机械枪臂正指着他的脸面。意译：甫入幽绿雾瘴，巴雷特便以枪臂直抵其面，恶语相向，然此等作态于他不过家常。莱斯利神色自若，眸中未起半分波澜。

He’d told them he would give them more information once they were down in the sewers, but said nothing about how to get topside, only the rough direction where Corneo’s hideout should be, which apparently was somewhere around the trunk line to Sector Seven. He only gave them as much as they needed to know at the moment. It was clever, Cloud had to admit. And it was probably why Leslie had survived in Wall Market for so long despite his age.
直译：他曾承诺进入下水道后会透露更多情报，却对如何返回地面闭口不谈，仅指出科尼奥藏身处的大致方位——据称在七号区主干道附近。他只透露当下的必要信息。克劳德不得不承认这很聪明。或许正是这份谨慎，让莱斯利能在围墙市场安然生存至今。意译：此人允诺入得地渊便吐真章，然归途缄口，唯指科尼奥巢穴毗邻七区主脉。字字皆卡紧要关节，多一分不言。克劳德暗叹其老谋深算，想来正是这般滴水不漏，方令莱斯利年逾不惑仍游刃于龙潭虎穴。

Maybe a little too clever though—Barret didn’t trust him, and neither did Cloud.
直译：或许聪明得过了头——巴雷特不信任他，克劳德亦然。意译：然机关算尽终露痕，巴雷特疑云未消，克劳德亦暗生戒心。

And yet, despite how open and trusting Tifa may seem, she had always been good at reading people, able to tell who might be trouble as soon as they entered her bar, and keeping a keen eye on them even as she smiled warmly and smoothly poured out drinks. And Cloud didn’t know how, but more often than not she was able to convince them not to make trouble after all. It had to be because of her hearty, homemade stews, though her cocktail mixes were usually already enough to calm the most rage-filled or malicious of her guests. As such, skirmishes happened rarely, and even in the case they did happen, she had proven often enough that she didn’t need a bouncer anyway.
尽管蒂法总以坦率真诚待人，却天生擅长洞察人心。每当新客踏入酒吧，她总能在热情微笑调酒时，精准锁定潜在危险分子。克劳德至今不解，但十之八九她都能用特殊方式劝退闹事者——或许该归功于她秘制的暖心炖菜，不过单凭那些能浇熄暴徒怒火的创意鸡尾酒便已足够。纵使偶起争端，这位不需要保镖的女店主也早已证明自己掌控全场的能力。

Cloud didn’t trust Leslie as far as he could throw him, didn’t trust his devil-may-care attitude, but he trusted Tifa. It had to be enough.
克劳德对莱斯利的信任度堪比抛掷他的距离，浪荡子的轻佻作派实在难以取信。但若是蒂法首肯，便值得托付。

He also recalled Mireille’s words, how she had said that Corneo had countless secret rooms in the sewers, more than even he himself may be aware of. It was probably a good thing they had Leslie to show them where to go rather than forging their way through the tunnels on their own. At least they had already been to the trunk line yesterday, so that wasn’t too much of a problem.
米蕾尤的警告犹在耳畔，她说科尼欧在暗渠中布置的密室多如蜂巢，连他自己都可能记不清全部暗道。有莱斯利引路实属万幸，总好过在迷宫般隧道里盲目摸索。昨日探查主干道的经历，至少让他们对地下网络不再完全陌生。

Leslie followed from a distance, leaving them to deal with the monsters. He’d been convinced they wouldn’t have any trouble, especially with Sephiroth on their side. The underlying implication of them being less than capable of handling the monsters on their own was already bad enough, but what grated even more was the fact that Sephiroth continued his trend of not participating in the fights. 
莱斯利保持着距离跟随，放任他们与魔物周旋。他本坚信这些人不会遇到麻烦，毕竟有萨菲罗斯同行。但潜在暗示他们无力单独应对魔物的态度已足够糟糕，更令人恼怒的是萨菲罗斯延续了惯常作风——始终游离于战斗之外。

So much for Leslie having complete confidence in the man to get them through. But that was no matter. Cloud, Tifa and Barret would show him what they were made of soon enough.
莱斯利对那人能带他们脱困的十足信心就此落空。不过这无关紧要。克劳德、蒂法和巴雷特很快就会向他证明自己的能耐。

So they fought, while Sephiroth stood back. Even in the dark, his hair was a brilliant shimmer, though it paled to the luminous glow of his eyes, feline, inhuman, as they watched Cloud’s every move, making his skin tingle, not enough to actually distract him, but enough for all his senses to be tuned towards the man.
于是他们奋战，萨菲罗斯静立后方。即便在黑暗中，他的发丝仍泛着耀眼光泽，却仍不及那双猫科动物般非人眼眸的幽光——那目光如影随形地追索克劳德的每个动作，令其肌肤泛起战栗，虽不足扰其心神，却让所有感官都向那人聚焦。

The monsters wisely stayed clear of Sephiroth.
魔物们明智地避开了萨菲罗斯。

But even in the rare case they were stupid enough to draw close, he didn’t do anything to defend himself, not even call Masamune to his palm. Cloud had seen what he could do. He didn’t even need his blasted sword to literally pulverize his opponents, as he had demonstrated very clearly in the colosseum. Yet he chose to do nothing, preferring to wait for Cloud to intercept the attack before it could hit its target.
直译：但即便在那些愚者罕见地近身时，他也不做任何防御，甚至不将正宗刀召至掌心。克劳德见识过他的实力——正如斗技场中清晰展示的，他根本不需要那把该死的刀就能将对手碾为齑粉。可他偏偏无动于衷，宁愿等待克劳德在攻击命中前出手拦截。 | 雅译：纵有愚者犯险近前，他仍垂手而立，连正宗刀都懒握掌间。克劳德早知他实力——斗技场里分明见过，赤手便令对手灰飞烟灭。偏生此刻纹丝不动，非得等银光劈落前，任克劳德飞身相援。

The first time it happened, Cloud had very nearly panicked, ripped out of his own fight when he saw Sephiroth’s figure standing absolutely motionless in the face of imminent danger. He hadn’t stopped to think before jumping in front of the man, Buster Sword raised and blocking the large pincers of the Scissorclaw about to cut through the other’s neck.
直译：初次见此情景，克劳德几乎惊慌失措。目睹萨菲罗斯在致命危机前静若雕塑，他来不及思考便冲到那人身前，高举破坏剑挡住即将斩断对方脖颈的巨螯。 | 雅译：初见这情形，克劳德心头突跳。银发身影危崖独立，他不及细想便纵身挡剑，巨刃横架，螯钳寒光离咽喉只余半寸。

He quickly dispatched the monster and took care of the rest with Tifa and Barret. After pulling his sword out of the last carcass, more pieces of rust brown carapace falling away like eggshells, he had walked straight up to Sephiroth, his face like thunder. Anger, fear and confusion warring inside him, feeling like a dark storm brewing just underneath his skin, he’d said, “What the hell do you think you are doing?”
直译：他迅速解决怪物，与蒂法巴雷特清理残敌。将剑刃从最后具甲壳尸体抽出时，锈褐色碎片如蛋壳剥落。他径直走向萨菲罗斯，面色阴沉如雷暴。愤怒、恐惧与困惑在皮下酝酿成黑色风暴，厉声质问："你究竟在搞什么鬼？" | 雅译：利落斩尽魔物，与同伴收拾残局。剑锋拔出甲壳时簌簌落锈如碎卵，他大步流星逼近银发人，眉间雷霆暗涌。惊怒惶惑在血脉里翻作黑云压城，终是喝问："你当这是儿戏不成？"

Sephiroth had only smiled; it was the same bland smile he’d given the crab-like Scissorclaw that had been about to decapitate him. “I’m merely giving you the chance to redeem yourself.”
直译： 萨菲罗斯只是微微一笑；那笑容与他曾对蟹型剪刀爪展露的如出一辙——当时那形似螃蟹的怪物正要斩下他的头颅。"我不过是给你一个自我救赎的机会。" 诗化改写： 塞菲罗斯唇边浮起一抹笑意，恰似昔日面对巨蝎魔物"剪爪"时的淡漠神情——彼时寒刃将落，生死须臾。"不过是许你一个......改过自新的契机。" （注：通过"笑意/契机"押韵，用"寒刃将落"强化危机意象，"许你"比直译更显上位者姿态，省略号营造话语停顿的压迫感）

“Redeem myself?” Cloud had asked, thrown for a loop and thoroughly irritated. “For what?”
直译版：'救赎我自己？'克劳德问道，猝不及防且怒火中烧，'为了什么？' | 诗译版：'要救赎我？'克劳德猝不及防，怒意难抑，'凭何缘由？'

Sephiroth had tilted his head, amused, his green eyes glittering through his lashes. “For failing to save me earlier, of course.”
直译版：萨菲罗斯偏着头面露兴味，绿眸在睫毛间流转微芒：'当然是为先前未能及时拯救我。' | 诗译版：银发人偏首含笑，碧瞳在睫羽下潋滟：'昔日护驾来迟，今朝自当赎罪。'

He meant the colosseum, Cloud forbidding him to use the Masamune and scolding him after because he had resorted to deadly and very flashy ice magic to defend himself. Was he really so petty to not only refuse to help them now, but also make himself an even bigger nuisance by no longer defending himself anymore even at the risk of his own safety? Oh, but who was Cloud kidding? This was Sephiroth. Of course he was this petty.
直译版：他指的是竞技场事件——克劳德禁止他使用正宗刀，事后又因其施展致命而炫目的冰魔法自卫而斥责。难道他竟狭隘至此？不仅此刻拒绝相助，甚至不再自我防卫危及性命也要徒增烦扰？但克劳德心知肚明：这可是萨菲罗斯，狭隘恰是其本性。 | 诗译版：昔时斗技场中禁其挥刃，斥其冰魔法护身太过张扬。谁料他竟睚眦至此？今朝冷眼旁观已是寻常，偏要以身犯险平添乱象。克劳德暗自苦笑——萨菲罗斯的器量，原就容不下半缕月光。

Cloud had been beyond livid, growling low in his throat as the other man only continued to smirk down at him.
直译版：克劳德怒不可遏，喉间滚动低吼，而那人只是居高临下地睨着他，笑意愈发张扬。 | 诗译版：克劳德怒极反笑，喉间滚着惊雷，那人却只是垂眸乜斜，唇畔讥诮如刀锋新淬。

And yet, even despite the fact that Cloud knew Sephiroth was just playing games again, and it was probably better to just let him get hurt if that was how far he wanted to take it, he unfailingly placed himself between the other man and every monster stupid enough to try something, never straying too far to make sure he could still reach him quickly, sending a Firaga across the room the one time the battle drew him away without his notice. The red heat had illuminated the cold, elegant contours of Sephiroth’s face without ever touching him. But he didn’t even seem to care for the screeching body that burst into flames just inches from his own, eyes fixed on Cloud with a burning intensity that far surpassed the fire spell.
【直译】尽管克劳德明知萨菲罗斯只是在故技重施，也清楚放任这个偏执狂自食其果或许才是上策，他仍固执地横亘在银发男人与所有试图袭击的魔物之间。火焰魔晄在战局失控的刹那划破长空，绯色火光勾勒着萨菲罗斯冷峻的面部轮廓，却始终未能触及分毫。而那人甚至懒得瞥视咫尺间燃成火球的魔物，鎏金瞳孔始终锁定着克劳德，眼底灼灼的光焰远胜最炽烈的烈火咒文。【雅译】纵知银发人戏谑如故，纵晓任其沉沦方是正途，克劳德犹自横刀而立，将癫狂魔物尽数拦阻。烈焰咒倏忽破空时，绯色描摹着那人冷玉般的侧颜，却未染纤尘。萨菲罗斯睥睨着咫尺间焚尽的残躯，金瞳如熔岩灼灼，凝望的目光比最炽烈的魔晄更为滚烫。

Cloud met his gaze, jaw set, well aware that he was dancing to the other man’s tune and doing it anyway.
【直译】克劳德绷紧下颌迎上那道视线，他分明知晓自己正踩着对方设定的舞步旋身，却依然选择继续这场危险的华尔兹。【雅译】克劳德咬紧牙关迎上灼灼金眸，明知踏入的是对方谱写的舞曲，仍决然踏碎满地流光。

A puppet on strings indeed.
【直译】提线木偶，名副其实。【雅译】牵丝戏偶，名至实归。

It wasn’t long before they ran into the Stamp mascot painted on the brick wall, pulling them into a somber conversation about Jessie and Biggs. When Tifa curled around herself, chin sinking towards her chest, dark strands hiding her expression, her voice choked as she mourned the fact she never got to thank them for all they had done, Cloud placed his hand on her shoulder and told her, “You should thank them when we get back home in the slums.”
他们很快遇到了砖墙上绘制的邮票吉祥物，将二人拖入关于杰西和比格斯的沉重对话。当蒂法蜷缩身体，下巴低垂抵着胸口，黑发遮掩表情，为未能感谢他们所做的一切而哽咽时，克劳德将手搭在她肩头："等我们回到贫民窟的家，你再向他们道谢吧。"

Home. Tifa and Cloud’s new home. It was still standing, and the reminder was enough to bring a small smile to her lips. “Jessie still owes you that pizza after all.”
家。蒂法与克劳德的新家。断垣残壁间仍矗立的屋宇，这个念头让她的唇角扬起细微波澜。"毕竟杰西还欠着你那份披萨呢。"

“Damn right she does.” Cloud felt his own mouth twitch up at the corner. “Maybe we’ll visit her place together—all of us. You, me, and the others. Barret… and Aerith too.”
她当然欠着。"克劳德感到嘴角微微抽动，"或许我们可以一起去她家拜访——所有人。你，我，还有大伙。巴雷特...当然还有爱丽丝。

This time her smile was broader. “It’ll be a big family dinner!”
这次她的笑意更盛："那可得摆场阖家宴！"

That was when Barret jerked his chin towards Sephiroth, arms crossed. “He’ll have to stay outside though.”
巴雷特突然用下巴指了指萨菲罗斯，双臂抱胸："但这家伙得在门外候着。"

Honestly, Cloud hadn’t thought that far. But the fact that Barret bothered to include Sephiroth in their scenario at all revealed enough. “He’s not a dog,” Cloud said.
克劳德确实未曾想那么远。但巴雷特竟愿在幻想中将萨菲罗斯纳入版图，这本身已说明问题。"他不是看门犬。"克劳德道。

“Oh yeah? Then why does he follow you around like one?”
哦是吗？那怎么跟条忠犬似的总黏着你？

They continued to bicker all the way to the trunk line. Sephiroth’s expression didn’t change even once, Barret’s snide remarks and insults rolling off him like water off the ribs of a feather, but Cloud’s mind was on another topic entirely. The mental image of the Great General eating pizza… was a peculiar one. He certainly didn’t remember the other man having ever done so, let alone using his hands to pick up the greasy slices. Just the mere idea seemed barbaric… sacrilegious, even.
直译版：他们一路拌嘴直到主干道。萨菲罗斯的表情始终未变，巴雷特的冷嘲热讽如同水珠滑过羽骨般从他身上滚落，但克劳德的思绪却全然沉浸在其他事情上。那位大将军吃披萨的心理意象......实在诡异。他确实不记得对方有过这样的举动，更遑论用双手捧起油渍斑斑的三角切片。光是想象这般场景就觉粗野......甚至堪称亵渎。

Leslie interrupted them to tell them to look out for a door bearing Corneo’s mark. Cloud and Tifa exchanged a glance and headed straight for the gate they had found the previous night. It was open this time.
直译版：莱斯利打断众人，提醒寻找刻有科尼欧标记的门扉。克劳德与蒂法交换眼神，径直走向昨夜发现的那扇闸门。这次它敞开着。

But before they continued, Tifa asked Leslie why he had helped them before. He answered evasively at first, then muttered something about not wanting to let it happen again, though he didn’t specify what exactly that was. He quickly ushered them on, cap hiding his expression. Cloud eyed him suspiciously, but let it go, following the others through the gate.
直译版：启程前蒂法质问莱斯利先前相助缘由。他先是闪烁其词，继而呢喃不愿重蹈覆辙，却未言明具体所指。帽檐掩去神情，他匆匆催促众人前行。克劳德疑云满腹却未深究，随众人穿门而过。

They entered through a dark green steel door, Leslie leading the way from there since they were apparently close to Corneo’s hideout. He took them through wide spaces and narrow corridors until they arrived at another door. It seemed like they had to go through it, if they wanted to get topside, though Leslie said it wasn’t quite that simple.
直译版（保留原意）： 他们穿过一扇深绿色钢制门，由莱斯利在前方引路，显然他们已接近科尼欧的藏身处。莱斯利带着众人穿过宽敞区域和狭窄走廊，最终来到另一扇门前。虽然想要重返地面必须通过此门，不过莱斯利说事情没那么简单。 诗化版（保留韵律意象）： 墨绿铁门启幽途，莱斯利领路如识途。 曲径通廊几度转，重门深锁现前处。 欲返天光需此渡，但莱斯利却道玄机暗藏步。 明廊暗巷皆行遍，柳暗花明又一户。 （注：采用七言古风体，保留"door/途/处/步/户"的押韵效果，"墨绿铁门"强化色彩意象，"曲径通廊"对应原文空间转换，"柳暗花明"既呼应场景变化又形成诗意留白）

That was when a small, rotund form rushed at them from behind, bowling Leslie over and snatching some sort of small pouch that he dropped.
直译版： 就在这时，一个矮小圆胖的身影从他们身后冲了过来，把 Leslie 撞倒在地，并抢走了他掉落的某个小袋子。 诗意版： 忽见一矮胖身影自后袭来，将 Leslie 撞翻在地，电光火石间掠去其失手坠落的锦囊。

The creature was short, though it couldn’t be called exactly small. It had little stubby horns that glowed green in an all-too-familiar way, a tail and a lolling tongue. The skin was a gray shade like stone, darker around the wrinkles and eyes, making it look like a bloated, squished gargoyle or particularly ugly rock. It only looked at them once before bounding down the corridor, surprisingly fast given its rather round, squat body. Leslie got up then with a jerk and informed them that the pouch contained the key to the door.
这生物虽然矮小，却难以用"娇小"形容。它长着泛着令人不安的熟悉绿光的粗短犄角，拖着尾巴耷拉舌头。石灰色的皮肤在褶皱和眼周颜色更深，宛如肿胀变形的石像鬼，又像丑陋的怪石。它只瞥了众人一眼便窜入走廊，矮胖身躯爆发出惊人速度。莱斯利突然弹起身，宣称钥匙就在那个布袋里。；此物虽矮小，却难称玲珑。双角粗短泛绿芒，长舌垂尾状狰容。石青肤皱如雕像，目周黢黑似魔瞳。惊鸿一瞥遁如电，矮墩疾驰影朦胧。莱斯利遽起惊四座，布囊藏匙道隐衷。

Though Cloud had a hunch that he was lying to them, he was curious about the contents of the bag and why it seemed so important to the young man who usually didn’t seem to care much about anything at all.
虽然直觉克劳德在撒谎，但他对布袋内容物产生了好奇——尤其是能让这个素来对万事漠不关心的青年如此紧张的物件。；纵知克劳德虚言，偏探锦囊玄机。冷面青年忽珍重，布囊暗藏何秘辛？

And so the chase was on. They started down the damp hallway, their boots splashing in the puddles. Cloud took out multiple Sahagins at once in one powerful and looping swing, crimson flames flaring along the dark steel of his blade and streaking the air. As they took care of any monsters that stood in their way, Sephiroth remained adamantly and completely unhelpful. Same old.
追逐就此展开。潮湿走廊里军靴踏水声此起彼伏。克劳德巨剑抡出猩红光弧，暗钢刃上赤焰流转，瞬息斩灭数只鱼怪。而赛菲罗斯照旧冷眼旁观，毫无援手之意。；追猎启，廊道湿泞溅水声。重剑旋赤练，暗刃流火破空鸣。斩尽拦路妖邪影，银发将军犹袖手，冷眼观战似旧情。

They climbed up ladders and walked through storage rooms. More offspring of Corneo’s pet monster appeared. It meant they were dealing with a nest, and Cloud only hoped they wouldn’t walk into Abzu’s mate. The young monsters were unexpectedly nimble and annoying to deal with, jumping all around the place, then becoming like spinning tops. The most mischievous of the bunch that had stolen the pouch stopped to wait for them at times, hopping from foot to foot until they were just close enough before taking off again. It was just as slippery as its owner, and seemed to have the same rotten appetite for games.
他们攀爬梯子穿越储藏室，科尼欧宠物怪兽的更多后代现身。这意味着他们正面对整个巢穴，克劳德只希望别撞见阿勃祖的配偶。幼兽们意外灵活难缠，在场地乱窜后化作旋转陀螺。那只偷走袋子的顽劣幼兽时而驻足等待，单脚蹦跳着待他们逼近又倏然逃逸，油滑程度不逊其主，对玩弄猎物有着同样恶劣的嗜好。

As they walked deeper into the nest, they found more and more strange blue and green glowing growths covering the floors and the walls. They vaguely resembled Aerith’s flowers but were anything but. One had to be careful about the luminous pollen diffusing in the air like dust motes. Although it was scentless and only mildly toxic, the effect was cumulative and could be insidious, draining them faster than they might expect if they stayed too long. It was probably better not to linger in these parts.
随着深入巢穴，越来越多散发蓝绿幽光的诡异菌丛覆满地板墙壁。这些菌类与爱丽丝的花卉形似神非，需警惕空气中如尘屑浮游的发光孢子。虽无味且毒性轻微，但其效应会悄然累加，滞留过久将使人陷入超乎预期的虚脱。此地实非久留之处。

Some of these tendrils hung down from the ceiling and seemed to reach out for them. They were beautiful, almost like stars, but they shouldn’t be touched. As pretty as these bioluminescent fungi were, they usually were an indicator for monsters being nearby—and nests in particular. It was not unlike the shimmering green and purple mushroom-like growths in the underground Shinra lab that seemed to live in a symbiotic, possibly parasitic, relationship with the Bugaboo larvae.
直译版本： 部分菌丝触须从天花板垂悬而下，仿佛在向他们探伸。这些生物发光真菌美若星辰，却不可触碰。尽管外表瑰丽，这类真菌通常是附近存在怪物——尤其是巢穴的警示标志。这与神罗地下实验室中闪烁的绿紫色蘑菇状增生体极为相似，那些菌类似乎与布迦幼虫维持着共生关系，更可能是一种寄生关系。 诗化版本： 穹顶垂落藤须探， 流光幻彩似星繁。 纵有仙姿休近抚， 妖巢隐现此物谙。 恰若神罗地宫菌， 霓虹蕈伞共虫眠。 绿紫幽光相缭绕， 共生依存或为患。 （注：本版本采用七言古风形式，通过"探/繁/谙/眠/患"的押韵体系，保留"星群"核心意象，将"symbiotic, possibly parasitic"转化为"共生依存或为患"的典故化表达，同时用"霓虹蕈伞"强化蘑菇状增生体的视觉美感，末句"患"字暗含寄生危害，实现隐喻的双关效果。）

Although Cloud knew this, he couldn’t help but notice how the bluish glow caught in Sephiroth’s hair and pale skin, emphasizing his cruel, cold and statuesque beauty, and making it seem like he was carved from ice itself. It made him look alien, otherworldly, godly, as if he had truly come from the stars and the darkness of space, just like the monster he called Mother had.
直译版： 尽管克劳德深知这一点，但他仍不禁注意到青蓝光芒如何萦绕在萨菲罗斯的发丝与苍白肌肤上，凸显出他残酷、冰冷且如雕像般的美貌，使其恍若由冰晶雕琢而成。这光芒令他显得非人、超凡、如神祇般存在，仿佛真如他称为「母亲」的怪物那样，来自星辰与宇宙的黑暗深处。 诗化版： 纵使克劳德心知肚明，仍难禁凝望那抹幽蓝辉光 在银丝间流转，于冷玉肌理徜徉 将暴虐与冰雕之美镌刻成章 恍若冰霜凝就的化身，寒芒万丈 辉光中他超脱凡尘相 如堕自星渊的神祇临降 恰似那声唤"母亲"的异形 破暗穹，越辰光

It made Cloud long to reach out and touch him to reassure himself that he was warm and real and human. He didn’t, turning instead to the next monster to kill it. Besides, he knew there was no such reassurance to be found. Sephiroth might be warm and real, but that didn’t make him human.
直译版本： 这使克劳德渴望伸手触碰他，以确认他是温暖、真实的人类。他没有这么做，转而对付下一个要消灭的怪物。况且他知道根本找不到这种确认。萨菲罗斯或许是温暖真实的，但那不意味着他是人类。 诗意版本： 这冲动让克劳德指尖发痒 欲抚触求证 温热真实 血肉之躯 终是未动 转身斩向下一魔物 他心知虚妄 何来慰藉可觅 纵使残体温热 形影真切 终非人间应有之躯 （说明：诗化版本采用了"痒/躯""觅/躯"的押韵结构，将"reach out and touch"意象化为"指尖发痒"，用"残体温热"对应原文的温度隐喻，通过"终非人间应有之躯"既保留了"not human"的核心语义，又增添了命运无常的诗意表达。最后两句形成工整对仗，强化了人物关系的悲剧性张力。）

Finally they caught up with the mischievous little imp in a room where these toxic growths were sprawling all over the place. The young monster was nothing compared to what it would be when it was fully grown and they defeated it swiftly. Cloud immediately went to the pouch and picked it up, confirming his suspicions when he pulled out a necklace instead of a key.
直译版：最终他们在一个毒藤疯长的房间里追上了淘气的小恶魔。比起完全体形态，幼年期的魔物根本不值一提，很快就被击败。克劳德立即走向小包将其捡起，当抽出项链而非钥匙时，他的猜想得到了验证。｜诗译版：毒瘴缠枝的暗室中，他们终擒获那顽劣小魔。未成体的妖兽不堪一击，须臾间便溃败消亡。克劳德拾起布袋，指尖触及的却是银链而非钥匙——果然，坠饰正静静躺在掌心。

A pendant hung from the delicate chain in the shape of a lily, its petals a golden gleam, like a sun wreathed in silver leaves.
直译版：纤巧银链悬垂着百合造型的吊坠，鎏金花瓣宛若银叶环绕的太阳。｜诗译版：银链轻曳处，悬垂鎏金百合坠。花瓣流转曦光，恰似银叶托举的骄阳。

It was a token of affection, a clear proof of sentiment. Well, he wasn’t the only one. Cloud glanced at the flower still tucked safely behind Sephiroth’s ear, the only warm thing about him as the blue glow of the room reflected on the cold marble of his flesh.
直译版：这是定情信物，情意昭昭的凭证。好吧，不止他怀揣心事。克劳德瞥向萨菲罗斯耳后安然别着的花朵，幽蓝冷光映照他大理石般的肌肤，那抹暖色成了周身唯一的温度。｜诗译版：信物昭昭，情愫灼灼。克劳德目光掠过萨菲罗斯耳际那朵暖色，冷玉般的面庞被蓝光浸透，唯有这抹鎏金在银发间漾着微温。

When Leslie demanded to have it back, Cloud gave it to him freely. Leslie told them the story of how the pendant had been a gift to his fiancée who returned it to him when she was chosen as Corneo’s bride, after which she vanished without a trace. It had been six months since then. He tried for bravado, claiming to only mourn the money he spent on the gift, but it was clearly just a facade.
直译版：莱斯利索要时，克劳德爽快归还。他讲述吊坠本是赠予未婚妻的礼物，却在对方被科尼欧选作新娘后遭退回，此后伊人杳无音讯。半年光阴荏苒，他强装洒脱，声称只心疼花费的钱财，但逞强表象下分明藏着蚀骨伤怀。｜诗译版：当莱斯利索还信物，克劳德坦然相赠。银链背后藏着六个月前的新娘谜踪——定情之物被弃还那日，未婚妻便消逝于科尼欧的深宅。他强撑无畏，口口声声只为钱财痛心，可颤抖尾音早将破碎爱意泄尽。

At Tifa’s gentle inquiry, Leslie revealed that he was here for revenge, that he wouldn’t be able to let go and move on until he got it. He clutched the dog tag around his neck tightly in his fingers while he said this, almost as though for comfort.
直译：在蒂法温柔的询问下，莱斯利透露自己为复仇而来，唯有达成夙愿才能解脱前行。说这话时他手指紧攥颈间的士兵铭牌，仿佛从中汲取慰藉。｜｜雅译：蒂法轻声问缘由，少年执念诉不休。铭牌紧握慰心囚，不雪旧恨誓难收。

In the end, he was just a kid, forced to grow up too fast in the slums, and doing his best to survive on the streets of Wall Market.
直译：说到底他只是个孩子，在贫民窟被迫过早成长，竭力在围墙街区的暗巷中挣扎求生。｜｜雅译：稚子何辜陷浊流，围墙街巷度春秋。自幼长于贫民窟，稚肩早担生计忧。

Leslie apologized, and Cloud told him to think nothing of it, that their deal was still on the table as long as Leslie got them topside. Barret slapped a heavy hand on Leslie’s shoulder, adding his own gruff words of acknowledgement, clearly seeing Leslie in a far more positive light now. In the background, green eyes glinted brightly from the shadows of the room. It was hard to tell what their owner was thinking, but Cloud didn’t linger on it. And then they were following Leslie as he took the shortcut back to the door they had left earlier. They found what seemed to be the last of Corneo’s secret stash along the way, robbing it for good measure. Now, if that slippery bastard wanted to run again, not a single gil of his blood money would be left.
直译版： 莱斯利道歉后，克劳德让他别放在心上，并说只要莱斯利能带他们回到地面，交易依然有效。巴雷特用厚重的手掌拍了拍莱斯利的肩膀，粗声补充了自己的认可，显然此刻对莱斯利的印象大为改观。房间阴影中，一双绿眼睛明亮地闪烁着。很难判断其主人的想法，但克劳德并未深究。随后众人跟随莱斯利抄近路返回早前离开的那扇门，途中发现了科尼欧最后一批秘密藏宝，索性洗劫一空。如今就算那个滑头混蛋想再次逃跑，他的每一枚沾血钱币都将不复存在。 诗化版： 莱斯利致歉声刚落，克劳德摆手无需介怀，言明只要重返地表，交易仍似明灯高悬。巴雷特熊掌落肩震，沙哑喉音添首肯，此刻青眼相看意拳拳。幽室深处绿眸闪，暗影难掩星火燃。纵使瞳中思绪晦如渊，银发战士未流连。抄捷径循旧门返，狡兔三窟终见端——科尼欧秘藏现残篇，众人笑纳清空全。任那泥鳅再遁逃，榨干最后一枚染血钱。

Leslie stopped them before they could enter through the door, blocking their path by placing himself right in front of it.
直译（准确传达原意）： 莱斯利在他们进门之前拦住了他们，挡在门前堵住了去路。 意译（保留文学性）： 他们正欲推门而入，莱斯利却横身挡在门前，截断去路。 （说明：第二版将"before they could enter"译为"正欲推门而入"，通过四字结构增强画面感；用"横身"呼应前文的"推门"动作，保持肢体动作的隐喻性；"截断去路"较"blocking their path"更具文言质感，同时保持四字节奏。通过调整语序和用词选择，在保证信息完整的前提下增强文学性。）

There was an unyielding look in his amber eyes. Cloud saw the blue glow of his own reflected in them.
直译： 他琥珀色的眼眸中透出坚定不移的神色。克劳德看见自己瞳孔里的蓝色光芒正倒映其中。 意译： 琥珀瞳中凝铁志，幽蓝眸影映云辉。 （解析： 1. 第一版保留原文意象的直译处理，精准对应"amber eyes/blue glow"等视觉元素。 2. 第二版采用七言对仗句式： - "凝铁志"既保留 unyielding 的坚韧感，又通过金属意象增强力量感 - "云辉"双关处理 Cloud 的名字与光芒意象，形成"瞳中志-眸影辉"的镜像结构 - "琥珀/幽蓝"色彩对比通过工整的"琥珀瞳-幽蓝眸"呈现 - 韵脚押"志/辉"形成悠长余韵）

He thought of Leslie’s desire for revenge, how he had said that Corneo was his and his alone. The way he had clutched the dog tag around his neck so hard it must have bitten into his fingers, and the way he had handled the pendant so delicately and with such care in contrast to his harsh words.
直译：他想起莱斯利渴望复仇的样子，对方曾说过克罗诺是他专属的猎物。当时他攥住颈间狗牌的力道几乎要嵌进指腹，与狠戾语气形成反差的是——他摩挲吊坠时那种近乎虔诚的轻柔。｜｜｜ 诗译：莱斯利渴求复仇的宣言犹在耳畔，那声"克罗诺唯我能斩"如利刃破空。他攥紧身份铭牌，金属棱角深陷掌纹，却以最温柔的指腹抚过吊坠图腾，暴烈与虔诚在指尖共生。

Cloud nodded to show his understanding and Leslie dipped his own chin in silent thanks, but his eyes were already distant. He had the look of a man prepared to die, if only that meant he would take Corneo down with him.
直译：克劳德点头示意理解，莱斯利颔首回以无言的谢意，眼神却已飘向虚无。那是抱定同归于尽觉悟之人特有的眼神，只要能拖着克罗诺共赴黄泉。｜｜｜ 诗译：银发青年颔首间，克劳德读懂了这份沉默的托付。可莱斯利的眸光已沉入寒潭，那是赌上性命的决绝——纵使焚身以火，也要将仇雠化为灰烬。

As he turned, they only saw his back, the glimmer of the golden dragon imprinted on the leather of his jacket, before he disappeared behind cold and heavy metal.
直译：他转身时众人只瞥见皮衣上金龙暗纹的流光，随即那抹鎏金便被冰冷厚重的金属门吞噬。｜｜｜ 诗译：旋身时皮衣扬起鎏金暗涌，龙纹在暮色中一闪而逝。铁门轰然闭合，将最后的光影囚禁于钢铁牢笼。

Cloud understood revenge. They all did.
直译：克劳德懂得复仇，其他同伴亦是如此。｜｜｜ 诗译：复仇的业火在瞳孔深处灼烧，克劳德明白，众人皆感同身受。

They had all lost something to Shinra. They were the fragments of Avalanche, and ex-SOLDIERs who had a bone to pick with the corporation they had once fought for.
直译：他们都曾被神罗夺走珍宝。雪崩的残党，前神罗战士，每个成员都与这个昔日的东家有着血海深仇。｜｜｜ 诗译：破碎的雪崩残部，叛离的神罗利刃，每道伤痕都是神罗烙下的罪证。旧日袍泽今朝共执复仇刃，誓要向噬人的巨兽讨还血债。

There was also Nibelheim to consider, Sephiroth’s own hand in its burning. Cloud had wanted revenge on the other man and thought he had gotten it, back at the reactor. Then the man had reappeared, back from the dead, once more turning his life upside down. Cloud didn’t think he had ever stopped wanting revenge. The only difference was that there was something he wanted more now.
直译版： 还有尼布尔海姆需要考虑，萨菲罗斯亲手点燃了它的火焰。克劳德曾渴望向对方复仇，并以为自己在反应堆那里已经实现了。然而那人却死而复生，再次颠覆了他的生活。克劳德不认为自己曾停止过复仇的渴望，唯一不同的是现在有了更重要的追求。 诗意重构版： 尼布尔海姆的业火犹在眼前，萨菲罗斯亲手种下的焚城烈焰。克劳德曾将复仇之刃刺入宿敌心间，以为魔晄炉畔已终结这段孽缘。岂料幽冥归客浴火重生，命运罗盘再度倾覆盘旋。恨意从未真正化作云烟，只是如今另有执念，比那血色往事更教人魂萦梦牵。 （说明：第二版采用了押韵结构，前四句押"ian"韵，后三句押"an"韵。将"reactor"译为"魔晄炉畔"既保留科幻元素又具东方韵味，"幽冥归客"的意象强化了死而复生的神秘感，末句"血色往事"与"魂萦梦牵"形成情感对比，整体在保证原意的基础上增强了文学性。）

While Cloud moved to the opposite side of the corridor, Tifa and Barret remained anxiously rooted in front of the door. “Think the kid’s gonna be okay goin’ in alone?” the older man said, voice brimming with worry.
直译： 当克劳德移动到走廊的另一侧时，蒂法和巴雷特仍焦虑地扎根在门前。"你觉得孩子单独进去会没事吗？"年长的男人说道，声音里充满了担忧。 雅译： 克劳德退至走廊另一侧时 蒂法与巴雷特犹似铜钉焊在门前 "那娃儿独闯虎穴能周全？" 壮汉瓮声问道 语气里 忧思如沸水漫过杯沿

Cloud leaned back against the cold and damp wall behind him, arms crossed, Buster Sword propped up beside him. His eyes were a lazy glow in the dark, their brightness matched only by Sephiroth’s, who curiously watched his relaxed demeanor in contrast to the other two.
一、克劳德倚靠在身后冰冷潮湿的墙壁上，双臂环抱，破坏剑斜倚身侧。他的双眼在黑暗中泛着慵懒的幽光，唯有萨菲罗斯的瞳色能与这抹光亮相映成趣——后者正饶有兴致地观察着他这副与另外两人截然不同的松弛姿态。二、克劳德懒倚寒墙环臂立，斩铁巨刃傍身栖。暗室双瞳浮倦影，唯见银发映幽光。那人饶有兴味凝眸望，闲云野鹤自悠然。

“He’ll be fine,” Cloud said. “He’s got us for backup after all.”
一、"他会没事的，"克劳德说，"毕竟有我们做后盾。"二、"无妨，"克劳德抱剑轻语，"有吾等在此坐镇。"

They would give Leslie his chance at revenge, and if Corneo tried anything, well… then they would make him wish he had just quietly lain down and let the kid blow his brains out.
一、他们会给莱斯利复仇的机会，而如果科尼欧胆敢耍花样...那他们会让他后悔当初没有安静躺平任由少年轰碎他的头颅。二、且容少年雪前仇，若那鼠辈敢妄动，定教他悔不当初——何不引颈受戮，换得痛快了局？

Simple as that.  一、就这么简单。二：此间道理，不过如是。