…Even through the torrential rain, Tifa could see the explosion from her position in the front passenger seat of the second vehicle parked one hundred meters further back. She didn't need any more instructions.

"Let's go!" she yelled, almost ripping her door off of its hinges in her haste, not waiting for the others present to acknowledge or caring if they followed. Barret, Cid, Yuffie, and Elena did not take more than a moment, though, to agree with Tifa's assessment and exit the vehicle.

"Will someone give me a report of what's going on!" Reeve screamed through the radio over the sounds of melee and gunfire.

"The first vehicle has been destroyed." Elena responded as she sprinted after Tifa. "Second team approaching as backup."

"Yeah." Tseng's voice echoed through the radio. "We've been attacked by a…" the transmission cut off as another large explosion tore through the city.

"Tseng!!!" Elena called, her voice changing from alarmed to hysterical by the time she had finished uttering the name. She raised her hand to her ear, pushing in the radio as far as the flesh would allow, straining for any sign that her friend and superior was still alive…

The Phoenix Eye

Prologue

Legacy of Honor

-- Island Empire of Wutai, 27 Years Ago:

The morning sun gleamed across the great sea to the East; breaking into thousands of golden shards across the backs of the gentle waves. The shifting breeze mixed the smell of saltwater with the aroma of the freshly blooming tree blossoms scattered through the island's spring forests. On the beach separating the land and the sea, a great spectacle had developed; an event that had never before been seen, and never would again be duplicated.

Standing on the white sands, Lord Goshen surveyed the scene before him. The beach was full of his people. Before him were legions upon legions of his finest samurai warriors interspersed with elite ninja scouts and assassins. Warriors, young and old, and of every house and clan stood side by side united. The marks of every fighting style embellished the armor and weapons of men and women alike. Champions, who should by all rights be enemies and competitors, stood together, prepared to fight and die for each other and for their country. Lord Goshen's eyes lingered a moment on the face of his younger brother Godo, a noble warrior, who might one day be required to lead the people, as Lord Goshen himself had no heir. Behind the ranks of soldiers were assembled the rest of Wutai, gathered to bid their farewell to their kindred, knowing that many of them, if not all of them, might never return.

Satisfied with the support of his people, the revered general turned his attention to the other part of the gathering. To his right and left, Lord Goshen beheld the works of countless Wutaian artisans and craftsman. Paper dragons the size of large dogs littered the shoreline, their articulated painted wings echoing the honor and dedication of the house and family the artists sought to venerate. Each one was different, in shape and color, reflecting the ultimate care and dedication poured into them by their creators. A little further up the beach, carved brass panthers hunched frozen against the sand, and behind them twelve foot tall wooden statues of men stood in formation, their stoic vigil a stark contrast to the fiery colors of the painted dragons. And though the panthers and giants lacked color, they were far from simple or plain. Intricate designs and symbols of house and honor adorned their lifeless features. Each brass panther bore sharpened steel claws and hand hewn eye-gems of precious jade. Each wooden giant reflected in his carved countenance patience, dedication, and wisdom. Each motionless work of art testified to the skill and dedication of the craftsman who had painstakingly created it.

Goshen, lord of Wutai, tore his gaze for a moment from the marvels surrounding him to glance back at the sea. Waiting just beyond the surf were scores of battle ships, scout ships, and transport ships, all with sails furled, waiting for his command to send them to war. And further still, standing majestically upon the natural rock jetty that formed the harbor, was the great monument to Leviathan. For Generations beyond remembrance the great serpent statue had remained embedded deep in the granite cliff, guarding the people of Wutai with its eternal watch, guiding wayward fisherman home from the storms, and standing as a remembrance to friend and foe of the gods that watched over the sea. Lord Goshen smiled to himself. Many things would change this day. It would be a day remembered in history for centuries to come.

A balding old man with a snowy white beard approached the lord of Wutai. "We are ready, my lord Goshen." he said in an earnest voice. "The people await your command."

With that the old man withdrew a step and waited. Lord Goshen passed his eyes over his people once more. He was proud of his people, they had given their all to this effort and he would not disappoint them. "Lords and ladies, venerable samurai and loyal ninja, people of Wutai. Today we face a common enemy. For years the people of the outside lands have abused us. They have mocked our honor and shamed our ancestors. They have slain our ambassadors and stolen our children. They defile the very water they drink and the air they breathe with their smoke and their noxious fumes.

"And now, they have struck the final wound. Their greed is not satiated by the power and wealth they already have, no, the Shinra have now assaulted the earth herself to despoil her very soul. The elders have foreseen that this path, if followed to its ultimate conclusion, could threaten every living thing in all creation. For these reasons we go to war. It is for our children, and their children, that we will fight and die with honor. My people – for you are today, all of you, my brother and my sister, my father and my mother, my son and my daughter – fear not. Our ancestors are with us. Creation itself, is with us. And we shall not fail."

His words echoed across the distant Da-Chao Mountains as he fell down to one knee, his face raised skyward, and his left hand moving to the pendant around his neck. His people watched their lord now in eager anticipation. Most of the people present had only heard legends of the power of the Phoenix Eye, few remembered its glory.

Lord Goshen clutched his left hand around a magnificent rose-carved ruby. Entwined around it was a meticulously crafted gold phoenix connecting the ruby to the chain that hung around his neck. With his right hand lord Goshen withdrew his ancestral katana, the Sword of House Kisaragi, and held it in the air in front of him. His eyes focused, and his voice bellowed out to the heavens, reading the inscription on the blade. He spoke slowly, but loud enough for his people to hear. Enunciating each word carefully in the way he had been taught by his father. "Spirits of life and death I beseech you. The hour of darkness has fallen and only the light of the phoenix can illuminate the path once again. Come to our aid gods of the old lands, hear our cry ghosts of the ancestors, your children need you once more." His voice grew in crescendo and he chanted, culminating in fervor of emotion as he finished the incantation.

The people of Wutai shielded their eyes as an intense red light burst forth from their lord, extending into the heavens. The clouds above them evaporated as the red light filled the sky. The morning sun burned purple and the mountains seemed to catch fire. Wood creaked as the carved giants flexed their fingers for the first time. The brass panthers growled low and shifted their weight, testing their retractable steel claws. Paper dragons spread their wings and rose gracefully into the crimson sky. And then the earth trembled and shuddered as the great stone serpent Leviathan dislodged itself from its ancestral home, tearing apart the cliff side and smashing the rocks that separated it from the foaming current. Larger than any of the ships in the harbor, the great sea serpent shot forth columns of water hundreds of feet into the air as it plunged into the sea. Leviathan returned to the surface, floating as no stone should be able to float, before bellowing an earsplitting roar across the harbor.

The burning light faded and several elders rushed forward as the great Lord Goshen almost collapsed into the sand. Pride and confidence filled the hearts of every warrior as they beheld the magical army before them. How could they lose with such a power behind them? After a few moments Lord Goshen stood up, signaling to the elders supporting him that he was recovered enough to stand on his own. He called forth again to his people, his voice slightly strained this time, obviously taxed by the miracle he had called forth. "Warriors of Wutai, to battle!"

As if they had been waiting for this moment their entire lives, all the people of Wutai cried out in one voice. The Samurai and the Ninja, and all the animated constructions rushed forward to the boats that awaited them. Even Lord Goshen himself turned and began walking towards the ocean. His captains and lieutenants gathered around him eagerly.

"My Lord Goshen, such a miracle has never been seen by mortal eyes. Victory is already ours!" one of his captains proclaimed absolutely.

"Do not let overconfidence cloud your judgment," Lord Goshen calmly rebuked. "The Shinra have wonders of their own. I have foreseen that this will not be an easy fight." A silence fell among his men, though they continued to escort the lord of Wutai toward his place of honor among the ships "You are all tasked with maintaining the unity and morale of our forces, we must remain as one if we are to stand a chance at winning against this enemy." Lord Goshen's men fell into careful pondering. None of them could possibly imagine what "wonders" their enemies could posses to rival the power that had been displayed before them.

The remaining people of Wutai watched as their warriors entered the ships, and unfurled the sails. The people then prayed silently to their ancestors that the men and women would come home as the army of Wutai sailed into the rising sun.