Prologue

Dust filled the air and rubble lined the streets. Gone was the wealth and arrogant splendour that had once been boldly proclaimed from every shop front and street sign. In its place was utter ruin and desolation. My head spun and I staggered, unable to comprehend what I was seeing.

Midgar was a ghost town. When had that happened?

Forcing my leaden feet to work, I took a few disbelieving steps and turned my bulging eyes to soak up every image I possibly could.

ShinRa was gone. Decimated, just an ugly pile of broken concrete, snapped reinforcing bars and grey plaster. A strange feeling settled in the bottom of my stomach and I was unable to decide if I felt sick or overjoyed. Perhaps a combination of both.

My head throbbed and I pressed a hand to it, squinting my eyes. Images flitted across my vision, stirred from the depths of my mind. The pain in my head increased and I cringed. What was going on? Why was I here? What had happened? Wasn't I supposed to be ...

Dead.

With a gasp I straightened and stared down at myself. Strange cotton pants were the only clothing that adorned my body. Trembling fingers ran over my chest as I traced the odd scars before reaching up to my left cheek, sliding over the smooth groove there. My heart thudded wildly behind my ribs, confirming with every beat that I was, indeed, alive.

No! This wasn't possible! I remembered everything, I remembered dying!

The shots ringing out, the bodies falling. Pieces of lead slicing through my flesh but my resolve too stubborn to let it affect me. A need, a purpose, driving me on with every breath that I struggled to bring into my lungs. Freedom! It was worth it all. If not for me, then for him ...

My legs suddenly weak, I sat abruptly on a pile of broken concrete, not caring as it dug into my rear. Too much, this was just too much! I had died. I couldn't be alive. It was physically impossible! Yet here I was, heart beating, lungs working. A living oxymoron. Huh. Living.

The minutes ticked by as I sat there, letting the memories flood my mind and trying to digest it all. At length, I slowly got to my feet and stared around once more.

I sort of knew where I was. The main street of Midgar, if I was correct. Not that it looked like the main street anymore. I carefully began to walk, clambering over rubble and testing every foothold before applying my body weight to it. I was barefoot, half-naked and completely alone in a world I didn't recognise anymore. I had to be careful, go slowly and try to figure out what had happened here.

Such destruction, it was unbelievable! I felt giddy again and paused for a moment, regaining my bearings. Was it another war? An attack from Wutai? No, Wutai did not have the strength nor the numbers to launch such an offensive. But what else, then?

Avalanche, perhaps? They had proven rather violent and potent in the past. Perhaps they had finally broken through ShinRa's lines.

I trembled and wrapped my bare arms around myself, wishing that there was someone else here with me to reassure me and tell me everything was going to be alright. I longed for the presence of a superior, for either Angeal or Sephiroth ...

My heart twisted and my gut clenched. How could I have forgotten? They were both dead. Because me. Because of my incompetence at saving them.

Tears blurred my vision and I swiped them away angrily. Now was not the time for crying! I had to stay focused, keep a level head. I needed to find some clothes, some food and a place to spend the night. Basic survival needs had to come first. Emotions could come later. Seriously, what would Angeal think of me, allowing my pathetic emotions to cloud my judgement-

The tears flowed harder and I gave in, unable to fight them. It was all just too much. Too much had changed too quickly. My body ached and my head pounded. A crumbling wall became my pillar of strength as I collapsed against it and sobbed.

The orange sun burned low in the western sky as I curled up against myself. I did not have the strength for anything more right now. Some small, logical part of my mind told me I was in shock and that I needed to warm up and eat something. I ignored it, clinging tighter to myself and pressing my tearstained cheek to the rough wall beside me.

Please, please let this just be a nightmare. Please let me wake up. I can't do this alone. Please, just ... just let it end.