Nibelheim was just as I remembered it- an old dusty town. Nothing had changed...nothing at all, which gave it an eerie feeling. It was a ghost town that had literally come back from the grave.

"So this is where it all started," I muttered to myself as Tifa and I rode in on our chocobos.

"Gives me the creeps coming back here," Tifa shuddered.

I ignored her and dismounted the chocobo. The town was so calm that my footsteps echoed in the dust.

"Cloud, I have a terrible feeling about this. I want to go now!" I vaguely heard Tifa talking behind me.

The world seemed to point towards the ShinRa mansion. Of course...that's really where it all began so many years ago. I felt myself being pulled towards it. Everything was spinning by the time I reached the door. Tifa was talking behind me, but it sounded like she was underwater very far away. I could not look away from the mansion.

"CLOUD!" Tifa grabbed my arm and sharp reality smashed back into place. Clarity scratched my vision. I blinked.

"W...what?" I asked stupidly as though nothing had been wrong.

"I was talking to you," she stated crossly.

"Oh..." I didn't know what else to say.

"Cloud, I really have a terrible feeling... I really want to leave here," she was saying, but it was difficult to concentrate on her words. It was as though a bubble surrounded me. Things seemed to be made of cardboard, like props set up everywhere in preparation backstage at a theater. The mansion was the only real object, drawing me closer.

/Reunion/ the chill voice whispered across my ear. No, not this again.

"Did you hear that?" I said, although the words seemed to come out all mumbled. I turned to Tifa, but she wasn't there. "Tifa!" I shouted, my heart pumping faster, suddenly wishing she were by my side. Where would she go? "Tifa?" My lips felt dry.

I heard footsteps running towards me, but upon turning swiftly, found nobody there. My breath quickened and I desperately tried to control my imagination. I panicked, my pulse racing, and backed away from the mansion door. It seemed to stretch outwards towards me, the silvery rusted handle itching to be turned.

"Tifa?" I called again, fear creeping into my voice, my eyes locked on the hideous door beckoning me. "Please make this stop..." I begged, closing my eyes tightly, trying to erase the pounding image of the mansion from my sight. The voice was snickering now; its whispers faintly trailing around my head.

I opened my eyes and I was startled to find myself inside the mansion's foyer! Terror crept over me. How had I gotten inside without opening the door? I turned slowly, hearing the floorboards creak under my shifting weight and saw the door was open, swinging gently on its hinges.

My vision began bubbling with big patches of swirling color. Oh god, what's wrong with me? What is happening? I wanted to leave, but my feet were glued to the floor, my eyes watching my environment deteriorate slowly, enveloped by giant splotches that warped everything terribly as they passed. I shut my eyes tightly again, feeling warm tears on my cheeks.

I felt like I was losing my mind. It was a mistake coming back here. A big mistake.

"Jenova?" my voice was unsteady in the thick air.

"Open your eyes, Cloud, and take a look at the size of this place!" A familiar voice shouted in amazement.

I opened my eyes obediently and saw Zack and myself standing in the doorway.
Everything paused.