No… my breath is coming out in white puffs. It's so cold here. Here… where is here?
The world has completely disappeared. Looking around, there is darkness. Drowsiness takes over my body. I can barely breathe… but, it feels so comforting. Stop… I've stopped breathing altogether. I'm going to die… dying. I see no light. Is there no way out of this place? Where am I?
A single voice echoes out in the silence. Only it's not really a voice. More like a… presence. You are inside of your mind, Cloud.
"Who are you?"
Me? I am your hope. Your happiness. The reason for you continuing to live.
"My… hope?"
Yes, Cloud. You are not hopeless.
I can make out a slight figure in the darkness.
"I… can't see you."
Of course you can see me, Cloud. You are inside of your mind. You can do anything you want.
"I want… out."
You cannot escape the truth, Cloud. That is the one thing you cannot do. No one can.
"Why?"
I'm afraid I cannot tell you that, Cloud.
"Who are you?"
Who do you think I am? I am not a stranger to you, Cloud.
Everything is flashing by me… memories. Some are happy, others are not. A single person stands out in every one of them.
Always been there, always will be.
It's you. It was you all along, wasn't it?
"Aerith…"
The word echoes and disappears into the darkness as all around me fades to nothing.
