-III-

Vincent checked his watch. It was 8:40. It was almost time. He searched through the crowd of well dressed men and women, in search of Royale. He had to see for himself if it was him. Vincent spotted him at a roulette table. He was watching the small white ball hopping all around, then stopping in a number. A man sank his head on his arms, while a group of chips were taken away from in front of him. And Royale was still smiling.

Vincent took a long look at him. Although now some gray could be seen on his temples, he looked still the same. And judging by that smile, he still enjoyed making others suffer. Vincent would be more than happy to put a bullet in his head.

Royale then turned around and went towards he casino area exit. Vincent followed him until he got to an elevator guarded by two giant guys. The guns they had under their clothes could be guessed from a mile. Vincent then went to the bathroom. He carefully loaded the bullets on the gun, and put the silencer on. He would have to act quickly.

He got near the guards like he was fooling around. The guards must have thought he was a lost client, when he suddenly turned around and then, two red holes appeared at both of the guards heads. They fell silently to the carpeted floor. Vincent then opened the elevator and carried them in. He checked the long hallway to see that, in the casino, everything was as busy as ever. He closed the doors and pushed the only button on a panel next to the doors.

The doors opened, revealing a luxurious office. Bookshelfs crammed of books were at both sides. A wall had TV monitors, showing various scenes from the casino. And at the end of it, a big oak desk, with a black chair turned to a big window.

Vincent carefully aproached to it, his gun ready. He forced his ears to see if he had noticed his presence. He was in front of the desk. Just a couple of shots, and he could end this work.

"Do you really think I´m stupid?"

The voice came from behind the chair. Rough, deep, with authority.

"Do you really think you´re going to kill me?"

The chair then turned around to reveal Royale. He was there, with his eyes fixed on Vincent. Vincent inmediately pointed his weapon to the middle of Royale´s eyes.

"Yes, I do. Who´s going to stop me?"

"After all those years, you´re still the same rebellious little boy."

"I´m not afraid of you, and I´m not that little boy anymore."

"You still are not interested in my offer?"

Vincent laughed, a cold, sad laugh. Royale just stood there.

"Do you really think I want to be a part of your company, after all those years? You´re an evil man, Royale. I would die rather than work for you!"

"And do you really think that the Shinra are better than me? Of course not! The only thing you want is power, just like me. You didn´t want to share it with me, that´s all."

"I don´t want anything that comes from you Royale. Now, I´m getting bored of this conversation, so I´ll kill you. Any last words?"

"I forgive you, son."

Vincent then felt it. Something was very wrong. Before he could pull the trigger, an electric shock coming from the floor rendered him unconscious. He tried to fight the darkness, but he couldn´t. He couldn´t move a muscle. He felt how he was carried outside the office, and after a long while, he opened his eyes again. His head was still clouded, and he couldn´t see or hear very well. A voice that appeared to come from a very far place said something. He could feel he was lifted. Then, he was now falling. He was glad that he was still to dazed to scream. He didn´t want to give him that pleasure.