an: Sorry for such a long delay. I do mean to finish this story. Thank you everyone for your support! It really helps motivate me, even after literal years.

During the journey, Aerith found herself with Cecil. He had been wandering about from the opposite direction and they, unintentionally, met in the Crater. The streams of green lifestream swirled around them, thick with energy. This had been the first time she saw a small piece from her world, and immediately felt at home here, if not uneased. It was strange how shards of their origin littered the battlefield. Cecil, too, spoke of his own discomfort when regarding his own shard.

"There's certainly a lot of mysteries around here." Aerith commented. A hand touched her chin in thought, the other lifting an elbow as stability. "I guess it's not hard for gods to do that. Still..."

Cecil gave a small nod of agreement. "I'm finding it difficult to fight." Melancholy wrote all over his delicate face. Brow marred in worry, ethereal blues stared down at white armored boots. "I know I must, but with my reasoning lessoning more and more..."

"I get it." She placed a hand on his arm and he looked to her, face crumpling in despair. "I feel the same way."

Cecil was a delicate soul. One she felt a companionship with. If anyone would understand her feelings, it was him. Still, she refused to tell him anything. She didn't want him wrapped up in whatever happens. He had his own battles to deal with.

A sigh left both of them, then.

"Hey." He looked to her as she spoke, his sadness slowly fading. "Why don't we talk about something else?" With a nod, she continued, "You're a gentleman, right? I mean, in the knightly way."

"Uhm... yes." He was a little confused with her wording, that much was clear. She couldn't help but snicker at that.

"I was wondering... What does it mean when a man gives a lady his handkerchief?"

Tilting his head, Cecil finally offered a smile, "It's a symbol of love."

"Love?" Suddenly, Aerith's chest felt heavy and hot. Her cheeks lit up, as it wasn't an answer she had been expecting.

"Aerith!" She jolted, staring at Cecil with wide eyes. "Did someone give you his handkerchief?"

"Wha- Ah-"

His smile only increased and he took her hands with both of his. "How wonderful! Congratulations! Who was it?"

"Th-that-" Clearing her throat, Aerith was finding it hard to think straight. Mateus had given her his handkerchief on their first meeting. Did that mean...? No, that couldn't be right. But then again, thinking back on it, the way he held her and showed his vulnerable self had left her wondering.

"Forgive me." Cecil's joy was reeled back tenfold, immediately embarrassed by his forward behavior. "It isn't my place to inquire."

He was right, it wasn't. Besides, how was she going to explain to him that it was their enemy? What a pickle she threw herself in.

"It's alright. I just... wasn't expecting that, is all." Composure regained, she pulled her hands away and offered a smile. "Didn't think he felt that way. So soon, too..."

There was that nagging feeling once again. He must have known her from somewhere, and she, in turn, felt that there were memories unrecalled. It would explain why she had been so taken by him almost immediately.

A clack of metal alarmed her. Head reeling up, Cecil had drawn his odd lance-like weapon, a hand held back in a protective stance. There, in their line of sight, was an odd figure of green. It almost blended in with the lifestream too well.

"It looks like Onion Knight..." Cecil breathed.

"Zidane and Bartz told me about it. But... they said it was purple." It certainly looked like an action figure, like they described. Did this mean that it changed colors, or there was more of them? As slowly as she could, Aerith summoned her staff. There was going to be a fight, she was certain of it.

"I'll draw the line of fire." Leather gloves creaked with increased pressure. "Support me back here."

"Got it."

The "thing" attacked. It robbed them of the first move, throwing a speedy fire spell. Cecil and Aerith threw themselves away from the explosion, distanced now from each other. True to his word, the paladin launched an attack.

Aerith waited for an opening, watching the clanging of metal and magic. She moved towards the edge of current platform, the shrieking of the Planet distracting her from a shadow looming nearby. Eyes widening, she threw her hand up only for it to be captured. Turning sharply, her vision was blocked and the world swirled into darkness.