A silver disc glowed above the rippling water. The night had been clear, stars beamed in the lucid navy sky. The pond resided where her flowers had once bloomed. Around the jagged edges of the jerky pool tiger lilies had began to blossom. To those who had known her, it signalled that she was still there living amongst them. More than ever, Cloud wanted to see Aerith.

So much had happened since his last conversation with her. Though she was physically gone he had been allowed a pathway to meet with her. Through the Promised Land, a land of eternity, Cloud could meet with her. Just talking to her provided him with satisfaction. Their final conversation, however, had weighed on his mind. At the time he did not understand. Now he understood the weight of her concern.

'The planet is in danger Cloud.' Her voice had usually held a carefree charm. As she spoke he sensed concern maybe even fatigue.

'I can handle it. Don't worry.'

'Normally I wouldn't worry but this time it's different. There's not just an external enemy to defeat. An internal threat is attacking the planet. The soul, Gaia, is in danger.' Cloud wished to turn to face her. Here in the Promise Land he'd never be allowed to fully see her. He rested his head against the tree he leant on. Behind him she sat on a thick branch. Her necks were drawn into her chest.

'What do you need me to do?'

'You're going to need shovel. I'm afraid the Lifestream can't help anyone right now.'

She disappeared without any warning leaving Cloud in a field of wild flowers. He scratched the back of his head pondering what Aerith had just said.

It had been weeks since the warning that what she had alluded to came to pass. The first was the body of an eight year old child. In the beginning physicians were baffled as to the cause of the child's death. The parents of the deceased had been arrested pending an in depth investigation. It was the tell tale black mark that was located in the ebony hair of the child that finally answered everyone's question. Geostigma, or something like it, had killed the boy.

Panic was at a high even before the diagnosis. When the child died his body remained. Even after days it remained then soon it began to stink of decay. That was the first body they buried. More causes of the new or old disease were reported. Some before death, some after. Then rumour spoke of the healing pond of the Ancient in Midgar. However the pond did not heal and many, many more died.

Cloud sat around one of the edges of the pool. He had laid his rucksack on a pew behind his head. He allowed his bare hand to play along the surface of the water. The touch had not been as cool as he had expected. In fact, the water had felt lukewarm. Cloud shook off the droplets from his hand back into the pool.

'Where are you?'

A thunderous bang sounded against the door. Cloud jerked his head around to the direction of the entrance. The heavy sounds footsteps pounding outside had startled him. Cloud picked himself off the floor then reach for his sword. He could hear the shouts of men nearby. The doors to the sanctuary burst open. Barret stood by the entrance.

'Get out here! We've got trouble.' Cloud took his rucksack then followed Barret out onto the darkened streets. The shrieking voices ceased. The air was still yet an unnerving presence sliced through the silence. Barret thrust his finger to his lips. He beaconed Cloud to follow him behind a nearby building. The two crouched waiting.

'What is it?'

'Shh.' Barret scolded. 'It's still here.' Within moments the sound of something dragging against the street could be heard. The two peaked through the cracks in the building. A few yards away a man dragged himself across the floor with his right hand. His left arm had been severed from his body. Blood gushed to the wound. He moaned as he carried himself. Cloud attempted to stand but Barret held out his hand. A shriek penetrated through the atmosphere. A black figure with piercing yellow eyes jumped from the ground. He leapt above the head of the man then pounced on him. The creature punctured through the man's chest dragging out a still beating heart.

'What is that?' Cloud whispered. The creature turned its head in the direction of the two. It shrieked turning its head up to the sky.

'I don't know but whatever it is, we better shut it up.' Before the men could barely stand several more creatures had sprung forth from the ground. Within minutes they were surrounded by a sea of vicious enemies. They used their claws as weapons. Their ability to seep under the ground to avoid attacks soon grew weary some. They had destroyed hundreds but hundreds more had come to replace the fallen.

'This isn't working.' Cloud rose his sword above him then swung it in a circular motion slaying several of the monsters. A blur of smoke emerged as they were destroyed.

'Got a better idea?' The sound of wheels racing toward the two men could be heard over the shrieking voices of the enemy. Bullets pierced through the smoky battlefield. A tail of fire trailed behind the bullets. The two looked over to see an unfamiliar face assisting them.

'Come on.' The stranger urged Cloud and Barret to get in his vehicle. The two men looked first at each other then back to the stranger. Barret waved Cloud to follow him in the direction of the van.

'You mind telling us who you are friend?' Barret sceptically eyed the man.

'We don't have time for introductions just get in.' Inside the vehicle Tifa sat, her arms embraced around Marlene and Denzel. Barret was about to speak but Cloud hurried him in shutting the door behind them.

'Where are you taking us?' The man revved the engine. Shadow creatures had emerged from the ground surrounding the van. Their claws raised in an attempt to attack. A blast forced the van through the circle of enemies.

'Hollow Bastion. It's the only safe place left.'