He didn't know whether it was day or night. In the place where souls were laid down to rest, time was irrelevant. This place was where nothing and no one ages nor changes. It was only filled with memories of the souls that compose the Lifestream; the past since life began and the hazy, distant future of new lives that was to come. Even so, these thoughts didn't make any sense to him. Walls of brilliant light surrounded and enclosed his pale, fragile body. It was calm in such a way that it reminded him of a nostalgic feeling. A feeling that relaxes him, a feeling that warms him…a feeling that he felt only once. Even though he tried to think hard about it nothing comes into his mind. He felt lightheaded, cold and confused.

Cloud…

A call resonated from his broken mind, taking him out of his silent reverie. His gleaming blue eyes turned to pair of emerald orbs that belonged to a familiar face. There was a slight tightening of his hand causing him to look down. His hand was covered by pale, translucent, slender fingers. He looked up again to gaze at the person's face. Who? Who was this strange person that held him? Cared for him? Who was this person whose face was saddened at the moment? He wanted to know. He wanted to understand. Why was this person with him now?

At this rate, he'll…

Aerith pursed her lips in concern. Looking at him now pained her. It would only take little time before they'd reach the surface but, she wanted to keep him. The time that would take for him to heal wasn't enough. He was still broken and lost to his fake memories. With his ego gone, what was going to happen if the highly concentrated Mako, containing the aggregated memories of the Planet, entered his system? She was afraid he'll be lost forever. The fake Cloud that she knew, the real Cloud that she loved. He was going to be lost forever.

If only… If only I knew earlier…

What does she know? What would she have done if she knew? The eternal questions swirled around her like particles of the Lifestream. Could she have done something to prevent the inevitable? Her whispers and thoughts expanded into waves and they spread out into the Mako, awaking three shadows from the past. The forms of a man with a thin beard and another that was stout-bodied rapidly formed.

"Hey, Ms. Aerith!" The two greeted, simultaneously.

"Mr. Wedge, Mr. Biggs!" Aerith's eyes widened as her frown bloomed into a smile. "What are you doing here?"

Biggs drifted closer to her and grinned, "Ol Zacky told us you were delivering something to the surface so we tagged along."

"Biggs! Biggs!"

"What?"

"You'll never guess who this is…"

Irritated, Biggs turned to Wedge who was poking a familiar blonde head. His eyes widened when he saw Cloud floating in the Lifestream with them. Biggs quickly went to Cloud's side, his mouth still agape.

"W-W-W-What is he doing here??"

Wedge poked his head incessantly, trying to get over the fact that he is really here and it wasn't just a dream. Just as Aerith was about to open her lips to explain, another shadow rose from the Mako. It wasn't clear an image as Aerith but it was a remnant of a female.

"Please stop it…"

In an instant, Jessie of Avalanche drifted along Cloud, Biggs and Wedge. Aerith told them all that happened in the world above.

"So, that's what's happening."

Their faces showed different emotions when the flower girl had finished her explanation; it ranged from anger to sadness, and finally, determination.

"We gotta take Spiky up, asap!"

There was a lot of commotion among the phantoms of the Avalanche members as they laughed and smiled. Aerith watched them with a smile, her heart was lightened a little but sadness still burdened her heart.

His sapphire blue eyes turned to every face that surrounded him. There was nothing that made him remember of anything. They were strangers, yet somehow…he knew. He knew that these people must have known him, cared for him. Looking at their faces now seemed to take the confusion away from him. His head turned left to right, looking for someone. Amidst the happy atmosphere that surrounded him, his hand was still locked. Where was she? Was she happy? Where was this girl who brought all of this for me? Those questions that revolved around him were answered when his eyes rested upon her face, finally.

Huh..

A silent whimper came out of the blonde; his hand was trying to loosen from her grasp. Aerith stopped thinking and alarmingly looked at Cloud. He was grimacing, his head was aching.

"Is something wrong, Ms. Aerith?"

The brown-headed girl looked up into the concerned eyes of her friends. Jessie turned to gaze at her and at Cloud.

"He must sense there's something troubling you." She shook her head disdainfully. "He must have been through a lot, huh? However, he isn't that emotionless at all."

Wedge and Biggs both placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"With all the confusion goin on his mind, he even thought of you."

"He's trying hard to fight, to somehow grab some light." The stout member of Avalanche gazed at Cloud and at Aerith with gentle eyes. "Yer the only thing that he could hold right now. He needs you, Ms. Aerith."

Her eyebrows furrowed in guilt of her actions. Cloud's mind is brittle and fragile. If she mixed her problems with his own… She was supposed to be his support, his strength. But what was she doing now? Aerith blinked when she felt a tear fell from her eye.

Wha—

When she was about to cup her face, Jessie placed a hand on her shoulder and looked forward.

"It's time."

The brown-headed girl forgot about the transparent tear and she gazed at the fake Soldier.

"This is my stop…" Aerith bitterly smiled at Cloud's face as the opening of the crater was at sight. "Take care of yourself, Cloud."

The blonde gazed at the girl's face, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. His lips parted but no sound came out of them. Cloud finally closed his eyes and turned to the brilliant light in front of him. With that silent farewell, Aerith turned back with tears gathering at the end of her eyes. The members of Avalanche looked at them and at each other with sad, worried expressions. Jessie nodded at the other two and floated to Cloud.

"So…this is goodbye, huh?"

"For us it is!!" The two men said simultaneously with a sly grin on their faces.

Aerith crossed her eyebrows confusingly at Biggs and Wedge. She turned her attention to Jessie who was holding Cloud's hand and locking it with hers. Aerith's eyes widened bewilderedly when she felt her hand sticking itself with the blonde's.

"Wha—?"

The flow of the current was now very strong for they were nearing the open crater. Parts of the Lifestream were swirling out into the shining abyss of the overworld. Aerith felt like she was being vacuumed into the vortex with Cloud.

"I-I can't!"

She tried her best to reverse the process and return to the Lifestream where she belonged, but the members of Avalanche had another idea. Biggs, Wedge and Jessie touched the small of her back and pushed her forcefully into the void.

"Sorry for pushing you, Aerith!"

"Have fun!"

"Take care of Spiky for us, ayt?"

A strong wave passed through the bodies of their friends and they disappeared instantly. Aerith desperately held out a hand to their vanishing bodies as they were being sucked into the void of endless darkness.

"B-But I—!"

Wherever her eyes went it was still darkness. It wasn't like the Lifestream that was full of life and whispers of the Planet. Somehow, she felt vulnerable and afraid. Then a tiny tug brought her to her senses. That's right. There was still one thing that was real to her, that was important more than anything. Aerith floated closer to Cloud, her very own bodyguard.

Hey…sorry about that.

The flower girl fluttered her eyes after recognizing the voice.

Zack? You did this?

There was a very long time interval before the First Class Soldier spoke again.

Well, not exactly… I had help.

His laugh echoed throughout the darkness. Aerith furrowed his eyebrows in puzzlement at the action that he undertook without her consent. It was strange of him to do things on his own. Well, not really. He left her and she later found out that he died without any warning.

Why?

C'mon, Aerith… Don't tell me you don't need help too…

Aerith's eyebrows went up at his question. She felt like she was being considered as a damsel-in-distress, which she greatly contradicted.

Help? I can fend for myself.

You always say that. You're trying to be strong when the truth is you want somebody to help you too.

Silence befell upon her. His voice was serious this time.

Aerith, Cloud needs you and you need Cloud too.

But I— She bit her lip in deep thought. My place is at the Lifestream with you and the others. If I stay here, the balance will be ruptured.

The voice heaved a great sigh.

The Planet wants you to settle things in the overworld. If you still have unfinished business within yourself, you could never guide the Lifestream into the impending trouble that will come.

Aerith's emerald eyes deepened in color as she tightened her grip on the blonde's hand.

When would I return? How should I return? What will I do?

The voice apparently smiled at victory for its usual cheerfulness returned.

You gotta find it in yourself. For now, help Cloud in every way that you can. When the time comes, you'll be right back here.

Defeated, Aerith nodded her head.

Enjoy!

The way Zack said his farewell made Aerith think that bringing her in the overworld was still a big joke. Nonetheless, she looked forward. With their hands interlocked, even the approaching danger won't be able to stop her from helping him. This hand that saved her numerous times, this hand that hurt and comfort her, this hand that laid her down to rest for the last time. Come what may, this time, she will be the one to save him.