Chapter 3

(Mt. Nibel - Base)

"Did you hear that?" Carl Berkhan whispered. "It sounded like…"

"It looks like not all the monsters decided to mate this season," Elliot Crewe grumbled.

Marcus' eyes widened in fear. "No…" he whispered weakly. "It's not that. We were too late."

Carl raised an eyebrow. "'We'? Or do you mean 'Tobias'?"

"Enough! We have to hurry - if he is still inside by himself, I doubt he would stand much of a chance."

"Nice…monster…" Tobias croaked. He was armed with only a smelly mountain pick, an axe, and a sharp stick. The monster before him, on the other hand, was armed with its body weight, needle-sharp teeth, and large talons.

The monster mustered a cry that made Tobias cringe - he prayed that it wouldn't have lightning-fast reflexes like a bird or snake. Didn't you want to do this? He thought to himself. Didn't you come up with this idea in the first place? This is your chance to do what you've always dreamed of doing. He gripped his pick even tighter - the sweat and heat along with this fear of certain death made him feel sick to the pit of his stomach. Sarah and Cloud are waiting for you. Get through this, and you get your life back.

Deal, he answered himself.

Tobias made the first move - run towards the monster's side and then roll out behind it to escape. My timing has to be just right… He executed his movements with clumsiness, as his legs were still weak from hours of picking combined with the initial fear and shock he had upon being snuck on so suddenly. He still made it, nevertheless, and began to run. Don't look back, he told himself. Don't think. Just run.

He could hear the crushing of rock behind him and vibrations in the ground that grew stronger and stronger with each second. The monster was chasing him - and it was catching up, fast.

Tobias forced his legs to move even faster, never mind the expense of energy it would have on him. The quicker he could get out of here, the safer he would be…at least, he hoped so. His knees nearly buckled beneath him as he mistook a step after tripping over a wedge of rock sticking out. He was able to recover, though he could now feel his strength and energy being sapped away. He realized he was losing this battle and that if he could not escape the monster's reach, he was as good as dead.

He quickly scanned what lay ahead of him - he spotted a tiny area to his right, something that appeared to be a type of narrow pathway. Despite the pain in his chest and legs, he smiled - an area that he could rest in without facing the literal jaws of death. Fitting inside was no problem for Tobias, as his slender body was able to squeeze in-between the columns with minimal difficulty. The monster, on the other hand, could not. As soon as Tobias squeezed through and stood on the naturally-carved pathway, the monster struck one of its talons inside in an attempt to break through.

"Whoa!" Tobias cried, switching his pick for his axe. "No you don't!" He swung the axe on one of the talons with perfect aim - not strong enough to actually sever it, but enough to have it cut deep.

The bird-like creature screamed in agony as it quickly stumbled away until it disappeared altogether/ Tobias clutched his aching chest and sighed against the wall between breaths. "Better not face that bird again." The chase sequence left him in a predicament: He had no idea where he was now, or where he could go to get out of the caverns altogether. He groaned; this entire ordeal was like one big frustrating nightmare - his nightmare.

"Now where do I go from here?" He looked down the pathway - it was dark at the end, but there was enough light that let him know that at least there wasn't a dead end. I'll head down here for a while, he decided and began to walk. If I'm lucky, it will lead me back to the entrance. And even if it doesn't, no worries. It'll eventually lead me somewhere, and I'll think of something…

The route was as eerie as it was narrow; Tobias came across several stumbles along the road, and the pathway itself became dangerously steep. Tobias slowly took each step so as not to fall and tumble down; such as mistake would seriously injure him, if not kill him.

The further down he went, the brighter the light grew, if only just a little. It was still enough to guide him, to encourage him, to give him hope. His strength returned, he was able to handle the steep and narrow journey. What a night… he thought to himself. Crushing eggs, almost becoming a midnight snack for poultry with anger issues…what next?

The route broke off suddenly into a naturally-broken edge - it required a small jump or long climb to reach the other side. Tobias decided to try his luck and jump. He took his pick out again to use as a support as he leapt across from one side to the other. The ground was a bit moist and slippery, which he had expected it to be. He used his pick to avoid a harsh fall that would cause serious injury. He sighed in relief as he looked back behind him from where he had traveled and allowed himself a small grin. He was making progress; he was certain that if he was able to go on like this a bit longer, he would eventually find his way back to the entrance.

He carried on without any hesitation - he was certain he was almost home free. He wondered if the others were still holding off well on their own, or if any of the monsters were actually attacking.

Monsters…at one point in his life, he didn't believe in them; he told Sarah so himself. Now, however, he wasn't so sure. Weren't these just creatures, just living their own lives apart from the people who continued to take their homes away with each passing year? He shook his head; no, he answered his own question some time ago. "I guess I consider anyone, or anything, that would attack my family a monster."

He stopped short suddenly. The vibrations were coming back. INo/I… he choked. He looked behind him - no, the rumbling wasn't coming from behind. He could feel warm air breathe on his face and neck. In horror, he turned back to face the bird-creature once more, mere inches in front of him. Its talon was still bleeding profusely, its eyes wild in fueled anger. "How?" he whispered fiercely.

The creature rose its head and roared. The ground shook hard enough to cause Tobias' legs to buckle underneath him, the noise itself deafening. The entire area shook violently, not that the monster seemed to notice or even care. It smashed Tobias against the cold, wet wall, which caused even more of an uproar. Boulders and debris fell on top of the creature who now continued to scream in pain and fury, and turned to continually step on Tobias again and again, causing its victim to scream as well. The forces caused from the vibrations of sound and the creature's weight resulted in the area to crumble on top of everything - including the bird-creature and Tobias himself.

Within minutes, all was quiet again. All that remained of the area was a large pile of dirt and boulder, and not a sign of life was seen or heard.

"This way!" Carl called, urging Marcus and Elliot to follow him. Aside from Tobias and possibly even Gramps, the Nibelheim inspector was more familiar with these twisted mountains than anyone else.

The three men realized now that they were racing against time, which they were quickly losing. The bridge that led the way to the mountains was even shakier than ever before, but that did not stop them. By the time they reached the reactor, dawn was breaking and the storm was lifting up. They entered the mouth of the cave instantly, without warning hesitation of any kind. They took flashlights out from their packs and investigated the area. It was quiet and damp - nothing out of the ordinary.

Another noise soon sounded, which was more powerful than before when the men were making their way to the caves/ They cringed at the noise and wobbled from the vibrations underneath.

"Underground?" Elliot asked. "Is he underground?"

"I'm not surprised," Marcus muttered. "These mountains always had several layers above and underneath them. Tobias might have been trying to escape by venturing into one of these layers."

"So, should we go after him? By which I mean…do we split up?"

"No, it's too dangerous," Carl replied. "Suppose one of them attacks us when we're cut off from each other? I say it's too risky."

"But if we split up we'll have a better chance in finding him than in a group."

"We'll head underground together," Marcus announced firmly. "That's where the noises kept coming from. And if I'm right, that may be where Tobias is as well."

"You're probably right, Marcus," Carl agreed. "We'd best start heading underground."

"Then lead the way, Inspector Berkhan."

Heading down the caverns proved to be an eerie task - the noises and vibrations had long stopped and there was a deathly silence. The flashlights proved to be valuable with each step of the way, the caves grew darker and quieter.

Where is he? Marcus pondered to himself. Was he able to get away, or…?

None of the three men spoke and aside from their footsteps and the occasional sound of water drops falling, there was no noise. Time passed until they came across a series of narrow tunnels that would be difficult for just anyone to pass through.

"Do you see these markings?" Elliot suddenly spoke up, pointing towards the ground. "There was marks here - something came by here in a hurry."

"A chase?" Carl asked.

"Perhaps." Marcus frowned. "I have a bad feeling…"

"The tracks continue on from here," Elliot pointed to one opening in particular - the edges were clawed and violently shaped - the visible sign of a creature desperately trying to claw its way through. "This trek is just getting more depressing by the minute."

"Let's try to get inside - I see a pathway," Carl suggested. "Let's see where it leads to."

After several attempts, the men managed to squeeze inside and were now faced with the challenge of walking across the narrow surface. The trail was even darker than before, which made exploration hazardous. The three men exchanged wary glances in the dark as they shone their flashlights on what lay before them. The faster they investigated, the sooner they could leave.

They came across a sudden ledge that required a great jump across; after careful precision, the three men were able to do just that and were able to move on ahead once more.

"Hey…" Elliot suddenly stopped. "I smell something." A strange odor reached him, confusing him on just what lay ahead. Carl shone his flashlight to reveal a fog of dust - something occurred here not too long ago as both could tell was fresh fog, very thick and very new.

Marcus broke through the fog and his companions, sprinting until he stumbled over a large layer of rock. "What the-?" A claw stuck out from the rubble.

"What's this?" Carl asked, once he and Elliot had caught up with the mayor.

"Wait…" Marcus motioned for them to hush. The air was silent, for a moment. "Do you hear that?" A murmur was heard, deep within the rubble. "Is it…?"

"Only one way to find out!" Carl Berkhan pulled out a shovel, motioning his companions to do the same. They began to dig slowly at first, then faster, anxious at the possibility that their friend now lay before them. The mound of rubble began to level as more and more was exposed. Two figures had laid trapped inside, much to their astonishment. The first was a monster, as large as they had ever seen before, dead as a result of a heavy blow to the head. The second was their own size and shape, young and slender, the barely conscious Tobias Strife.

"We've found him!" Elliot cried. Tobias coughed heavily, as dirt was wiped off his bleeding face.

"Tobias, are you all right?" Marcus asked him softly.

Tobias' eyes opened halfway. "I…I…"

"Can you move? We've almost dug you out and we need to get you home. Now, can you walk?"

Tears welled up in Tobias' eyes. "I can't."

"Don't worry. We'll get you out, and after a few weeks of rest-"

"I can't…move." Marcus fell silent.. "It's true. I can barely even turn my head…Marcus, I can't feel anything below my neck."

Marcus' heart stopped. "Are you…paralyzed?"

"…I think so."

Elliot shook his head before turning away. "One of these boulders must have crushed his spine. Maybe even worse."

Carl leaned down, attempting to position Tobias' body properly. "We won't know by staying here. We need to get him home and get him examined properly." He locked his eyes into Tobias'. "Honestly, Tobias, I wouldn't want to be in Sarah's position at this point."

"Oh…Sarah," Tobias moaned, stifling a cough.

The inspector took immediate action. "Mayor, wrap your coat on top of him so that he doesn't catch cold - trust me, he doesn't need that right now." Marcus did as he was told to do. "Elliot, run back to town to the general store and get a stretcher as well as three other men to help us carry him."

"Should I let Sarah know?" Elliot asked, with Tobias moaning in protest.

"You're going to have to. Let her know that he's all right…for now."

"What about Cloud?" Elliot wondered in a softer voice.

"Gramps…" Tobias croaked. "Take him to…Gramps."

Elliot nodded. "Right…" He immediately took off through the fog until they could no longer hear his footsteps.

"It's better if I stay here," Tobias whispered while the two left behind tended to him. "It's not worth all this just to carry me back to town. I probably won't last long even if you do get me back-"

"Shut up, Strife," Carl grumbled, wiping off the last of the debris that had covered the half-crushed young man. "We're taking you back home, you hear me? Even if you have to go…don't you want to spend one last time with Sarah and Cloud?" Tobias made no comment and fell into silence before finally relaxing, content in knowing he was finally in good hands.

(Nibelheim - Strife residence - 9:00 AM)

Sarah rocked quietly in her chair, eyes gazed on the floor. She was waiting - waiting for him to return. Cloud was playing him himself nearby where she sat, playing with toys that were both home-made and store bought, all from Tobias. Sarah noticed how quiet he was despite all that was going on around them, but he wasn't crying or throwing tantrums like the other children she could hear from nearby. He was calm - a trait Sarah envied at that moment. She had been up ever since Tobias left, which left her very sleepy and sore from worrying. She almost succeeded in falling asleep when a sudden series of knocks erupted on the door. She almost jumped, running towards the entrance, with Cloud perking his attention away from the toys to the front door.

"Mr. Crewe?" She exclaimed in surprise upon setting her eyes on the hot-pink haired grocer, now grubby and heaving heavily. She noted the look of concern on his face, which caused her heart to jump. "Elliot…" she whispered. "Is…is he…?"

Elliot looked around the house then out back behind him before finally turning his attention back to her. "Where's Gramps?" he asked, a deep heaviness in his voice aside from exhaustion.

"I don't know. I thought I heard him from on top of the well."

Elliot looked back once more. "Oh…he's still up there, huh?"

"Elliot…tell me what's happening."

"I don't have time to explain everything right now, Sarah," he replied. "I need you to make room in the house and get your bed ready. I also need you to send Cloud over to the Alsips' place, just for a little while."

"'Bed'?" she gasped quietly.

Elliot leaned in closer, so that only she could hear his words. "Tobias's been hurt. Real bad." A shudder shot through Sarah's body. "He's alive, but we need to get him back here fast so that we can examine him and hopefully fix him up." He opened his mouth to say more, but hesitated before actually speaking again. "…I don't know how or why, but his body's been crushed in such a way that's left him unable to move…paralyzed, really."

"Paralyzed?" Sarah shrieked.

"Mom?" Cloud spoke up quietly. Elliot shot him a concerned glance. "Is Dad coming home soon?"

"If you don't mind, Mrs. Strife, I'll go ahead and take the little one to the Alsips." Sarah was silent, fighting back tears. "Things have quieted down outside, so it's safe. I'll explain everything to Gramps; just get your bed ready."

"Mom?" Cloud persisted.

Sarah slowly walked over to him, with each step heavy in numb grief. She gently picked him up, digging her chin softly on top of his small shoulder. She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall freely down her face. "Soon, Cloud," she whispered into his ear. "Soon."

Once Elliot took Cloud away, Sarah set to work cleaning the house and preparing the bed. A numb feeling of emptiness drowned her heart in sorrows, which caused her to set her mind in her work. She was scared and angry at Tobias; but more than that, she loved him more now than ever and would see to it that he was as comfortable as possible. It was the least she could for now, in his time of need.

A group of men suddenly entered, carrying a stretcher with Tobias on it, covered with a white blanket. Sarah held her hands together with concern engraved on her face as she watched the men from the side set Tobias down gently on the bed, propping him up so that he could face everyone. His face was contorted in grief and agony, as he laid sad eyes on his fair wife.

"We'll be back in a second, Tobias," one of the men told him. He turned to Sarah and explained, "One of the men from Shinra here is a doctor from Midgar. He'll be here to examine Tobias and see just how bad the damage is."

The group left as quickly as they had come, leaving both husband and wife alone and with an unbearable silence. After a few moments, Sarah took one of the chairs from the dining table nearby and set it up next to the bed to sit, gazing over Tobias' sorry face.

"Are you mad at me?" he spoke first, in a hushed whisper.

Sarah sniffed hard, her face twisting in grief once more. "Furious," she replied, her voice breaking. "I'm furious."

"I see." He sighed deeply. "I probably deserve it. I probably wasn't careful enough. Or maybe I wasn't fast enough,"

"What exactly happened in there?"

"Well…I had just finished the job when one of the monsters somehow found me and tried to attack when I wasn't looking. I barely managed to escape that first time, but later when I thought I was close to the entrance, it found me again. That time it made enough of a noise and commotion to create a cave-in that fell on top of the two of us. I guess that…thing died inside. Me, on the other hand…" His eyes gazed on his body. "I can't feel anything, Sarah. I can't move at all. And to be honest, Sarah, I can't breathe so great either. That's why I can barely speak up." He paused, taking a few deep breaths.

Sarah stared at her ailing husband in silence, her face expressionless, but Tobias knew that in her heart, she was mourning quietly for him.

A man in a white coat carrying a dark leather bag entered the room, alerting the young couple of a new presence. He was followed by Mayor Lockhart and Carl Berkhan, and both stood side by side with Sarah, who had moved aside to give the men room.

"Good morning, Mr. Strife," the man in the coat greeted him in bed. "My name is Dr. Wren, and I'm a doctor from Midgar." He pulled out from his bag a small clipboard and pen. "I was informed that earlier this morning there had been an accident, and now I've been asked by your mayor here to examine you - that is, if it is quite alright with your wife."

"Yes. It's alright with me, if you could hurry, doctor," she spoke in a quiet voice, barely above a whisper.

"Very well." The doctor drew the chair closer to Tobias. "Then let us begin."

Sarah gazed into Tobias' tired eyes, tears sprawling down her face. Dr. Wren had long examined Tobias and left, his prognosis was nothing less than a grim one.

"His back was just about crushed completely by the combined weight of the monster and the boulders during the cave-in," he had told them bleakly as he was packing to leave. "It really is a miracle how he was even able to survive through that. On the other hand, I wouldn't say to keep your hopes up."

"What?" Sarah gasped quietly; was what she hearing true?

"He has trouble breathing, and in these types of scenarios, it's very easy for someone to choke while they're eating or stop breathing while they're sleeping, if they're not careful." He glanced at his patient. "Judging by the state he's in, and his injuries…" He sighed deeply. "What I would advise you, Mrs. Strife, is to take care of him and try not to keep your hopes up. Keep him as comfortable as possible with no noise or excitement that may cause him to stop breathing."

"Does this mean I'm going to die?" Tobias asked Sarah once everyone had left, breaking her out of her thoughts. The house was quiet. The village was quiet.

"Perhaps," she answered him. "He said that it's very possible that you may choke to death while eating or sleeping, if you aren't careful. But it's unlikely that you'll ever move your body on your own again…"

"Is this the punishment people get for trying to follow their dreams?" he asked in an even quieter voice, his eyes welling up with tears.

Sarah tenderly closed his eyes with her fingers and began to rub his forehead gently - it was important that Tobias did not cry; in his position, that would very well make him choke as well "Not all the time."

"What is your dream, Sarah?"

She smiled warmly. "You," she answered, planting a small kiss on his lips. "And Cloud."

Tobias did not speak for a few moments, enjoying Sarah's delicate touch on his face. He then opened his eyes, a determined look overtaking his features. "…I would like to see my son."

Sarah's heart beat faster and faster. "…Are you sure?" she asked him gently. She was afraid of how Cloud would react upon seeing his father lying on bed so stiffly, when every second passed by could be his last…

"You owe it to him," Tobias told her. "And to me. Think of this like a final request."

"Don't say things like that!"

"You yourself said that I might be dying." Sarah fell silent. "You should go get him. Now." He heaved air, his half-closed eyes peering sharply at his wife.

"…All right, then." She stood up, silently exiting the door and slowly walked over to where the Alsips lived to retrieve their son.

(Nibelheim - Strife residence - 12:10 PM)

Tobias opened his eyes as he saw two familiar figures walk through the door, hand in hand. He smiled affectionately at his young family.

"Sarah, if you don't mind, I'd like to spend some time alone with Cloud. Why don't you go out and visit the Lockharts for a while?

Sarah nodded slowly and shut the door after gently pushing Cloud further inside.

The young boy curiously spun his head around the house, which had remained relatively unchanged despite all the commotion earlier. He could see Tobias lying in his bed, propped up by a pillow.

Tobias smiled weakly at him. "Hey, bud," he whispered. "You wanna come on up next to me? I've got plenty of room."

Cloud immediately dashed to the side of the large bed and made a struggle to climb up on top, as it was still quite tall for him.

"Comfortable?"

"Yeah." Cloud snuggled under the covers, careful not to accidentally bump into his father's body. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you in bed? Are you tired?"

"Sort of…I can't move anymore," he answered softly, so as not to startle him.

"Why?" Cloud turned over to face him, his deep blue eyes staring into his clear grey eyes.

"Daddy got hurt this morning, really bad. And now, Daddy can't move at all."

"…Does it hurt bad now?" Cloud whispered quietly; this conversation between his father and himself made him feel, for the first time, alone; as if no one else could hear or see their problems.

Tobias smiled lovingly at his little boy. "I can barely feel a thing."

The little boy thought about this for a moment. "Well…I guess that's good," he finally responded. "I mean…if you had to get hurt, not feeling anything would be nice."

"Yeah. Well…" Tobias sighed heavily, careful not to overexert his breathing. "Pain can sometimes be a good thing." He peered at Cloud, who was now carefully snuggling against his broken body. "It lets you know your body's working right." The two fell silent, and though Tobias couldn't feel anything with his body, his heart felt warm with the fact that both father and son were together once more. He needed this time to tell him something important, while he could. "Cloud…" he spoke up again, with firmness. "Do you remember what I told you last night before I left?"

"You said that if anything happened to you, I would need to take care of Mom."

Tobias grinned. "Good boy. Listen to her, do what she tells you to do, and mind her. All right?" Cloud nodded. "You have to promise me now."

"I promise."

"Good."

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to get better soon?" A hint of worry was found in the tone of his voice.

Tobias sighed. "I don't want to lie to you, Cloud…I don't think I'll ever walk again, or even be able to get out of this bed. And the doctor who came this morning to check on me said that I likely won't live for very long in this condition."

Cloud was silent as he absorbed these words carefully, his young face puzzled and perplexed; Tobias was worried he might have upset him.

"Are you going to die?" he finally asked quietly.

There was no easy way to break the news to him, but Tobias was no liar either. "…I think I will…soon." He gazed up at the ceiling. "I just hate the thought of leaving the two of you behind," he said, his voice breaking. "Your mother already understands what I'm about to say to you, but because you're so young, I want for you to know…" He swallowed hard. "You and your mother, Sarah…you're my entire world to me, the two of you." He looked back at Cloud, who was listening intently. "You don't know how upset I am right now…I can't even move my arms right now to give you a hug, or to hold you tight. Every time I speak now, like right now, it makes it harder for me to breathe." He rested a moment briefly to relax his aching lungs. "My body is so broken now…even though I can't feel anything anymore, I know it's going to cave in completely pretty soon. So when it does…" He glared back at the wooden ceiling. "Know that even though you won't see me…I will always see you, and will be with you. If you're ever afraid, or feel alone…don't be. I'll be with you."

"You're going to become part of the earth, aren't you?" Cloud inquired. "I heard somebody say that when someone dies, they get buried into the earth, don't they?"

"Well…death is a very funny subject to talk about. There are many interpretations and beliefs of how it works and how it affects everyone. I think the way you should start learning about death is to realize that every single human being has a body and a soul. The soul is invisible to the human eye, but they're inside us, and they're what makes us humans…human. It gives us our individuality, and makes us who we are. Inevitably, at one point or another, all living things pass away, whether it be plants, animals, people-"

"What about them?"

"Who?"

"The animals and plants. What happens to them?"

"Well…they pass away, just as we do. There are people who know more about these types of things, and they believe that along with our own souls, the animals and plants of this planet have souls that return to the planet. Whether or not it's true…I don't know. Maybe someday, you can ask someone who may know more about his or her expert opinion. It was just knowledge I picked up along the way when I was young. In either case, our bodies, and those of animals and plants decompose into the earth once they die, giving the planet nourishment, and in most places you go in this world, there's a burial ceremony in which people remember the person they've buried, which they call 'putting to rest,' which is a true enough thing to say. The body rests inside the earth, while the soul is released from the body."

Tobias could see the genuine expression of wonder on Cloud's face, and caused him to recall memories of himself asking his father these types of questions. He went on to explain to Cloud that some people who studied the cycle of souls, as he put it, believed that the souls of living creatures would embark on a journey to return to the planet, the accepted belief stemming from as long ago as when the Cetra, the ancient race preceding the humans, roamed the planet and took care of it. "Of course, there are many people today that don't believe the Cetra ever existed - that they're fictional. Stuff in legends. And there are also many people who don't believe that the soul embarks on some journey or descends to the heavens…they just assume that death is the end, and that is that. Hmm…oh well…" Cloud yawned and then grinned at his father. "Getting a little sleepy, Cloud?"

"A little bit. Do you feel better?"

"Much. It's been a long time since I've gotten to talk about these things to anyone anymore. Well, except for your mother, but she's heard all of this from me before. Did you understand most of it?"

"Yeah."

"Really? Good." The pleasant expression became melancholic before much time had passed. "Cloud…these next few months are probably going to be very hard on you, and your mother. But you'll be able to find the strength and move on. I really do want you to look after your mother, Cloud. You may not realize it, but you remind her more of myself than anything or anyone else in this town. You'll be the man of the house when I'm gone, and I want you to learn whatever you can from her. I know she feels as though she can't teach much to you, but she knows much more than she believes."

"I will, Dad."

"I also remember having a certain conversation with your mother, when you were a baby. I remember telling her that, when you grew older, you should pick whichever path you wish to follow. Whether or not you want to work here when you come of age…that's up to you. Alright?" He wheezed again; he was surprised how he had been able to speak for so long without any serious breathing problems.

"Are you okay, Dad?" Cloud asked him quietly.

"…I'm fine," he answered, grinning embarrassedly at him.

"Can I get you something?" Cloud began to take the covers off and get out of bed.

"No, no…" His eyes glazed on Cloud's face. "Actually, there is something I would like you to do for me."

"What?"

Tobias smiled sadly. "Can I have a hug? And a goodbye kiss?" Cloud hesitated for a moment, before climbing back into the bed and embraced around his father's stiff shoulders. Tobias closed his eyes in bliss, and he could feel his heart pumping faster and faster as he felt the little boy's tiny lips touch his cheek. "Thank you, Cloud." His eyes opened and glistened with tears. "You'd better head over to the Lockharts and get your mother; she'll take you back to the Alsips."

"Can't I stay?" Cloud pleaded.

"No," Tobias replied. "I don't think your mother would like it if you were to see me leave all of a sudden. Understand?" Cloud nodded and climbed out of the bed once more. Tobias was able to stop him before he reached the front door. "Hey, bud?" He called out to him weakly. Cloud turned around; his father panted heavily, knowing that this was likely the last time he would see his son. Good heavens…he's the spitting image of Sarah, he thought to himself for what seemed to be like the hundredth time. What last words could he let Cloud depart with? "Take care of yourself…okay?" That's really all I want for you - to be safe.

"Okay," his son replied quietly, granting him a smile. He continued to rush out the door, with Tobias gasping rapidly soon after he had closed the door.

(Nibelheim - November 27th, 1988)

Fifteen days had passed since Tobias' accident. His breathing problems continued as oncoming winter was coming at an increasingly rapid rate.

Sarah took this time, aside from caring for Tobias, to talking to him as well. They continued to exchange stories, despite Tobias' wavering condition. Most of the time, Sarah did the talking, so as to save Tobias' breath. It was difficult for Tobias to be silenced for long, however, as he was always intrigued by what she had to say. Needless to say, she carefully watched his breathing for any significant changes and fed him properly so that he would not choke.

This afternoon, Sarah was updating on how Cloud was doing, staying over with the Alsips for the time being. She was saddened that the two barely saw one another; for the past two weeks, Sarah had taken Cloud on walks around town, and she'd always point through their window where his father lay inside. Cloud would always call over to him from outside and wave, and Tobias always smiled at him in response.

"He's growing up so fast," Sarah finally finished. "But he misses you. He keeps asking how you're doing and when he can come home to see you again."

"I don't…think so," Tobias coughed. "If something…were to happen…I don't want him…here…to see…"

"Shhh…" Sarah hushed him. "You shouldn't talk so much."

"I…can't help it," he whispered. "There's still…so much that…I need to say. Stories…I need to share…" he gazed wearily into her eyes. "You'll…have to tell him…those stories now…"

"Me?" Sarah's eyes widened. "I don't…I can't…I mean-"

"You'll have to…Sarah." He wheezed before speaking again. "I'll be gone soon. I know it. I've been given time so far, but pretty soon…I'll be gone. You'll need to be strong…so that he can be strong. You both can lean on each other…until…you both can stand properly…stand strong on both feet."

Tears welled up in her eyes, as she gripped his unfeeling wrist. "I don't like this. This was never supposed to happen. We were supposed to be a family - the three of us."

"Sarah…we ARE a family. Always have been…" Silence. He spoke again, quieter than before. "Always will be." Sarah kissed his limp hand. "I'll always watch over the two of you."

"I love you."

"…I love you too…"

Two nights later, Tobias' breathing was at its lowest point. Gramps, Mayor Lockhart, and Carl Berkhan were at his bedside, while Sarah paced back and forth nervously, her hands cold and her body shaking. It was only an hour or two earlier that Tobias had been making strange noises, and Sarah was frightened to notice that his face had become as white as a sheet of paper. She had run outside in the cold, screaming for help. Help had come, but was it too late?

Carl stopped in his tracks when he began to hear a disturbing noise - gurgling from Tobias' throat.

No…

"What's happening?" Sarah shrieked.

Gramps' face twisted in agitation. "You idiots! Get the lady out of here NOW!"

Marcus firmly grabbed Sarah's shaking arm and dragged her out the door before shutting it in her face.

Gramps shoved his hand behind Tobias' upper back and hoisted him up. Tobias continued to choke harshly, much to the fear of the three men present.

"What the heck's the matter with him?" Carl muttered.

"There's fluid build up in his lungs - it's impossible for him to breathe now."

Gramps began beating Tobias' back, similarly to how one would beat a new-born into breathing. The team worked with great effort in an attempt to loosen the bile and fluid that was killing him, but to no avail, They could soon do nothing but watch in horror as what little of Tobias' breath left his mouth and he breathed no more, his eyes wide open and blank.

Carl weakly walked back to the door to open it - a sobbing Sarah stood, fear written on her face. She knew, as soon as he opened the door that her dearest friend and loving husband had left her. She let the tears fall as she approached the bed - Marcus had closed Tobias' eyes and relaxed his features, but Sarah knew that Tobias had suffered great pain up until his last moments.

She wrapped her hand in his and sobbed, caressing his face and his hair. It wasn't supposed to end like this…she thought to herself. We were supposed to be together…grow old together…

The problem she now faced was how to tell Cloud what had happened…

Sarah traveled to the Alsip residence, accompanied by Gramps. She greeted young Cornelia, Gramps' grown and married daughter, and spotted Cloud resting on a couch set up as a bed for him; Cornelia's own son, Oliver, had long been sent to bed.

"Hi Cloud," she greeted him with a sad smile. The Alsips' fireplace blazed quietly, illuminating the small house with colors of gold and dark orange. A truly beautiful sight, despite all that had just happened.

"What happened, Mom?" Cloud asked sleepily from the couch, as Sarah gently patted his head.

"Nothing. Umm…" she gazed at the source of the warmth of the house. "Let's sit together by the fire." Mother and son placed themselves in front of the gentle fire - Cloud laid his head in his mother's lap, while Sarah gently stroked his hair. "I have a story to tell you, Cloud," she murmured to him softly.

"A story?"

"Mm." She closed her eyes, recollecting. "Once upon a time, long, long ago…when this village was still very new, there lived a young boy. This boy was very special in the eyes of the town-folk - he would respect his aging parents, even when no one was looking. He helped his neighbors with their chores and housework, expecting no reward. He was regarded as wise and productive beyond his years." Her eyes shone as the light of the great fire reflected off of them. "This promising young man suddenly became very sick. No one knew why or even how to treat him in his pain. He died not long afterwards, leaving behind his grief-stricken parents and a shocked town."

"That's it?" Cloud spoke up.

"No…there's more. Shortly after the boy's death, a young girl of about three wandered too far into the mountains while she was playing. She went on the bridge that connects the two mountains, which soon collapsed."

Cloud's eyes widened. "She fell?"

"Yes…but she didn't die. No one knows exactly how, but her fall was somehow broken, miraculously. She had a vision of herself being on the other side of the mountain - the boy who had recently passed away was beside her, holding her hand. He spoke to her tenderly, saying that he had protected her from death from the deep height she had fallen. He explained that he had always loved Nibelheim and its people with all his heart, and that he would continue to help them by guiding their souls safely across and over the mountains in order to rest. The little girl awakened back in her room in home - some of the villagers had searched for her and found her after she went missing. She told her family and friends of the boy who had passed away. And to this day, every time someone passes away in our Nibelheim, we think of the little boy, guiding our loved ones to the other side of the mountain."

"Was the little girl you, Mom?" Cloud asked.

"No…this is a story that my parents told me, when I was very young. It's one of the village's oldest legends." She brushed her fingers through his hair. "Right now, that little boy is helping your father cross the mountain." She gazed into the fire. "…He passed away not too long ago," she whispered.

Cloud continued to lie still after he heard those words. He slowly turned his face into her lap and began inhaling and exhaling deeply.

"It's alright to cry, dear," she coaxed. "Your father was a very special man, and we'll all miss him terribly."

He turned to look at her, his eyes filling up with tears that never fell. "He's just gone on a journey…right?" he croaked. "I mean…he'll still be able to see me sometimes, right?"

"Darling, he'll be watching you and caring for you even when you feel the most alone." She affectionately kissed his forehead. "The ones we love never really leave our lives. They're still there, even when we can't see them."

"But we'll see him again one day…right?"

"Yes, dear. One day…"

The words meant as much to Sarah as they did for Cloud. She would now have to raise him alone as she saw fit, but she would keep in mind and respect the wishes of Tobias.

While mother and son continued to gaze into the fire that brought warmth and comfort to their grieving hearts, Carl, Marcus, and Grandpa Alsip began preparations for the burial of Tobias Strife.