Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

A/N: I've decided that I wanted to establish this before continuing Sins of the Father, so for those of you that haven't read Sins, read this first, because this will be the romance story that kicks off Sins. I don't foresee this becoming very long, but I can't give a good estimate of how long it will be. At the moment, I'm just writing, and we'll see what happens.

For those of you that have read Sins of the Father, a lot of groundwork for the plot of Sins is laid in this prologue. The rest is just romance and establishing the relationship that probably turns most people off to Sins.

Forgive the prologue for not being so good. I'm a little rusty. It's been a while since I've put words on a page.

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PROLOGUE

In the darkness, it waited.

It was malevolence, a dark stain amidst the purity of the Lifestream, slowly creeping, patiently waiting. Its tendrils wove into the light around it, the spot of darkness ever growing, ever expanding. It's growth was slow, barely noticeable now. It would take a long time before it recovered to its full strength, but it was calm. Haste had almost destroyed it before. Haste would not destroy it again.

She had waited eons for this moment. She had been thwarted time and time again—her plans destroyed, her servants broken, her sons led astray or vanquished in battle. But no more. She would be patient, and she would wait. Her remaining sons, she would nurture in secrecy, her plans, she would keep to herself. She would allow the world to grow again, to become complacent.

And then she would strike.

And none would stand in her way.

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A world away, a light shone.

The light surrounded her, radiating from her very being as she stood in the center of the place she had made of herself. It reflected off her pale blond hair, weaving into the fabric of the simple white dress that she wore. She watched the Lifestream and watched the darkness, sadness reflected in her clear blue eyes. She stared almost directly in front of her, seemingly into nothingness, calmly disregarding the black feathers scattered around the surface of the floor around her and patiently waiting for the man that leaned against the pillar behind her to speak up.

When he said nothing, she sighed softly and raised her head.

"Do you mean to dissuade me, Genesis?" she asked.

The man known as Genesis raised his head, his single black wing curling inwards slightly. His arms were folded, a pensive frown on his face. "I said no such thing," he said.

"You need not," said the woman. "Your feelings are written all over your face." She raised a hand. "Speak freely and of your own accord, please. I would hear what you have to say."

Genesis hesitated only for a moment. "If you act, she will notice," he said. "And she will act as well."

"And if I do not act, she will win," said the woman.

"Your plan could turn against you as easily as it could turn in your favor. Even if it works. We're talking about Sephiroth here. You're forgetting, I know him well. Even better than you do."

The woman sighed. "It is true," she said. "Sephiroth is no child of mine."

"But you would go ahead with your plan anyway," said Genesis, frowning at her.

The woman bowed her head. "It is the only way," she said.

"You would hurt her," said Genesis. "The Cetra woman. Isn't she one of yours?"

She lowered her eyes to the ground, and for a moment, the light around her seemed to diminish. But it was only a moment, before the light around her strengthened, becoming stronger than before. "...I have lived a long time, Genesis," she said. "Though it pains me, I have learned that sometimes, one must be ruthless in order to survive. I grow weak. She grows strong. In time, she will overpower me, unless I act now." She raised her head, looking him in the eye. "I am sure you know this well."

Genesis said nothing for a few long moments. Finally, he looked away.

"So be it," he said, straightening up. He turned away from her, placing his hands in his pockets and beginning to walk.

"Will you fulfill your role, when the time comes?" she asked.

Genesis stopped. "Goddess…" he said quietly. "…I gave you my word."

Minerva sighed, nodding her head. "I thank you," she said. "Sleep, until the time comes."

Genesis said nothing, beginning to walk away again. He had gone only three steps before he stopped, looking up.

"Sephiroth…" he said softly. "…wanted to destroy you."

"Yes."

"…When your plans come to light…" said Genesis. "…he will want to again."

"Sacrifices must be made. For the sake of a future."

Genesis paused for a moment, before slowly beginning to walk away.

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A/N: Genesis fans, don't expect to see him much in this story, as everything after this will be focused on Aeriseph.