Prologue

A small squad of Shinra soldiers had been sent to the Northern Crater to investigate the aftermath of the massive battle that had taken place there. Their mission was simple - investigate the area, find the whereabouts of the man in the Black Cape, then report to President Rufus. The more recently recruited soldiers shuffled uneasily as the entire squad traversed down a treacherous rocky passage, their footsteps echoing in the darkness.

The commander stopped after a while and whirled on his heel to face the rest of the squad. "Keep your guard up, men. Don't forget who we're dealing with." The soldiers saluted in response and resumed marching. Only the sounds of footsteps, crunching snow and nervous breaths could be heard.

Something silvery could be seen in the distance. The squad picked up their pace and went to investigate. A discarded sword, long and shiny, its blade coated with dried blood. The other soldiers stepped back shivering, but the commander held his ground. He hushed the others and ordered them to remain silent. There was the sound of breathing... laboured, riddled with coughs, and not one of their own.

Quickly he ushered the soldiers towards the source, and there they found who they were looking for. The man in the Black Cape. However, something was not right. He was not even poised to escape, let alone attack. The soldiers were ordered to surround him and aim their rifles.

The clicks of the rifles being armed echoed throughout as the man in the Black Cape made a slight jerking movement.

"Hold your fire!" The commander stepped forward and held his hands up. "President Rufus would want to see him alive." The rifles were lowered and the four strongest soldiers hoisted the man in the Black Cape up and took him away, the rest of the squad keeping a close watch on him.