A terrible darkness looms directly behind me.

'Drip, drip, drip…' The blade that pierces through me from behind is wreathed in blood…my blood.

I cannot feel any pain from the intrusion; I am numb as I stare forwards into the surrounding white abyss unable to move. My mind is mesmerized by the drops of blood as they hit the hard marble floor beneath me and I wonder how I got here-

Suddenly, the blade tears from the wound it has opened in my stomach; it's slice echoes so loudly within my mind as if it were screaming.

The sound of frantic boots and desperate cries begin to approach ever closer as I begin to stumble forwards.

I can see, but I still cannot move.

Through a blurred vision I see figures approach one by one, and I can hear them clearly - Each voice laced with the despair of loss.

My heartbeat begins to pound within my chest. Am I dead? What happened?! Who are you?! I try to speak, but no words rise to the surface. I am helpless.

Then…the silence comes. I listen intently still battling to move within my mind, but again, silence.

After a few more moments that seem to pass by like hours, approaching boots venture toward me again, followed by a strong embrace lifting me upward.

"I'm so sorry- that I couldn't protect you Aerith…" A deep, melancholy voice murmurs.

…Aerith…? No! You have it all wrong! I'm not Aerith! Please! Again I try to scream with all my might, but nothing escapes my still lips.

It's alright Cloud…I don't blame you- A soft voice not unlike her own whispers in my mind.

Wha-?

Hush now, bless your soul and be still. Your time will come. The soft voice spoke again, but this time to me.

You can hear me?! What's going on?! Please, please don't let this be real this time! Please just let me wake up!

I whimper, praying for a release from this terrible place.

As if in answer to my unspoken prayer, the surroundings and the embrace that held me only a few moments ago all melt away, leaving me floating in a vast nothingness.

Silence becomes my new embrace, until the sense of another presence fills the air - the same evil presence that I felt earlier.

I panic once again, and scream inwardly as I see a tall, black figure grasping my wrist with a forceful strength. I attempt to struggle of course to no avail. I would shift my gaze to the right, for my eyes seem to be the only part of me that I can move, but I dare not. I have a fear within me that pleads with me not to look.

I do the only thing I can do and shut my eyes tightly willing the shadow to vacate. I cannot feel the hand on mine, but I could see it- clear as day I could see it.

I cannot take much more of this torture, but nor can I open my eyes again for fear of what I will see lurking in the darkness.

Suddenly, I feel a harsh pull on my arm; I begin to feel like I have a weight upon my whole body that is slowly getting heavier and heavier… crushing my very spirit.

"No! Let me go!" I scream and open my eyes completely sweat drenched.

Yet...I am not in the same darkness anymore and I can move again.

I appear to be back in my bedroom.

"Another nightmare…" I whisper aloud.

I look around the room checking for anything that looks to be out of place…I want to know if I am really back with reality.

My eyes rest on a piece of crumpled up parchment on the table to my left. Curious…

I free myself from the restrictions of my sheets and lean over to pick up the parchment.

I slowly smooth it out in order to examine it better- what I see chills and confuses me…

It simply reads: "Fear not sleeping soul, you shall awaken soon."