Terra paced through the forest, admiring the trees around her. The morning was still young and the sounds of the wildlife waking up were all around her. Her shoes were damp from the dew on the grass that gave it its unique shine. Birds chirped over her head and squirrels scampered around the ground.

This was the only place that Terra could be alone. It wasn't that she felt better off alone, like Squall. It was just…there was too much chaos pent up inside her and to get close to anyone was too great a risk. It sounded so cliché, but without her memories, she had no idea why she felt this way. This was the only way, she was sure.

The sound of a twig snapping woke Terra from her thoughts. Looking up, the young girl found a man with long silver hair and a long sword held in one hand standing only a few feet away. The man was staring at her with eyes like a predator, as if he was sizing her up.

Terra stepped back, immediately scared. "Uh..uhm…can I help you?"

It was then that the identity of the man clicked inside her head.

"You-you're from Team Chaos!"

Sephiroth smirked. Swiftly, the soldier pointed his sword at Terra's throat, faster than her eyes could catch. Even with the distance she managed to gain from him, the katana was still long enough to poke the skin of her neck.

"You know, I could take you out right now." Sephiroth said, smirk still etched onto his face. "Reduce my chances of losing. Might even drive up higher ratings."

Terra stood perfectly still, sweat glistening down her cheeks.

Sephiroth continued to stare, as if admiring an animal caught in a trap, before letting out a breath. Slowly, the soldier pointed the sword away and sheathed it.

"I'll be back tonight." Sephiroth stated before turning around and walking away.

For minutes Terra stood there and watched the mysterious man disappear into the trees. It was only after he vanished from sight did she find she was shaking.

Back at Camp Cosmos, Onion Knight rubbed the sleep from his eyes and got up from his bed of leaves. The events of last night had exhausted him and so he had slept far later than the others, all of who were up and about.

It only took a few moments too account for everyone. Firion and Zidane were strolling into the forest to hunt, Squall and Cloud were gathering firewood, Warrior of Light and Cecil were sparring, and Tidus was swimming in the ocean. With a sad pang, Onion Knight noticed the absence of Bartz.

But where was Terra?

As soon as that thought left his mind, the young girl appeared from the trees. She looked distraught, looking down and lost in her own thoughts. Despite this, a huge smile grew upon Onion Knight's face as he quickly leapt up and dashed toward her.

"Terra! Hey, Terra!" Onion Knight waved, trying to get her attention.

Terra didn't notice her comrade's cries until he got close enough to touch. Once again was she struck from her daze, this time to find a younger knight with a much friendlier smile looking at her.

"Oh…hey." Terra said meekly, looking away.

"So where've you been?" Onion Knight asked.

Terra didn't answer, instead choosing to walk away toward the fire where Firion and Zidane had already set up breakfast. This didn't perturb the young warrior, who hastily followed after her.

"Sorry if that was a personal question." Onion Knight spouted nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I was just curious."

Terra looked at her companion. "Oh, don't apologize. I just…like to keep some secrets."

"Are you alright?" Onion Knight asked before realizing his mistake. "Oh crap, screwed up again, I didn't mean, I mean, I…"

"I'm alright." Terra answered, cutting off Onion Knight's startled blubbering. "I'm just…worried about the game."

It was the truth, if only a fraction of it.

It took two days, but it was done.

In front of Kuja stood the perfect hut. Circular in shape, the performer had used only the finest branches he could gather for the walls. The roof was a cone of palm tree leaves adorned with seashells and seaweed. Vines held it all together, enough left over to allow a shroud entrance. It was fabulous.

"OOO, Bear Grylls meets Queer Eye." Kefka giggled. "So when are you going to make me one?"

Kuja turned around to find the clown standing behind him, admiring the hut with exaggerated enthusiasm. Kuja's left eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"Why would I ever make you a hut, you babbling buffoon?" Kuja barked.

"Because we're best friends!" Kefka smiled, wrapping his arm around Kuja's shoulders. "Amigos, buddies, comrades! The Bonnie to my Clyde!"

"We are nothing close." Kuja pushed the clown away.

"That hurts." Kefka frowned, putting a hand to his chest.

"Good, maybe that'll drive it into your head." Kuja walked through the shroud of his hut-

-only to find Kefka already inside. "Hey buddy!"

"What the…" Kuja gasped, looking outside before being pulled back in.

"Listen up." Kefka whispered, pulling the actor in close. Kuja was almost repulsed by his breath. "You don't really seem to know how desperate of a situation you and I are in. People are already making alliances and guys like you won't make it to the next round, much less the merger."

"People like me?" Kuja snarled. "What about you?"

"Oh I have no idea how I got this far." Kefka grinned. "Honestly, I thought I would've been kicked out ages ago."

"Lucky you." Kuja mumbled under his breath.

"So I suggest we team-up." Kefka continued. "Form our own little gang. Sound like fun?"

"Even if I was on the brink of elimination, I would not joi—"

Kuja's words were cut off as an envelope came flying through the shroud. Like a shuriken, it flew through the air before Kefka caught it in his hand. The point of the envelope had come an inch away from stabbing Kuja's eye.

"Why look at this!" Kefka beamed sinisterly, opening the letter with a clawed fingernail. "A challenge."