Saitharius walked out on to a large platform. No walls, no barriers, just a straight drop on all sides. He looked around, confused. This couldn't be the end of the temple. He still hadn't found the Dreamweaver.

"You're a curious one," came a sudden voice from the darkness.

Saitharius spun around. A man stood behind him. His raven black hair stood off in styles spikes around his head. His piercing blue eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. He wore all black, with a guard over his left shoulder and a large sword sheathed to his back.

"Zack Fair?" Saitharius whispered, remembering the man from pictures he had seen.

"What is it that you seek?" Zack asked.

"I'm looking for the Dreamweaver."

Zack's eyes narrowed. "What business do you have with that?"

"I need it. To free my father."

Zack's eyes darkened. "Your father belongs to the Warlord."

Saitharius took a step forward. "Please. The Dreamweaver is the only thing that can save him."

Zack inclined his head. "How did you get this far into the temple?"

"I'm the Hunter."

Zack chuckled. "I think not. You're nothing but a child. The Hunter was a beast."

"I can prove it."

Saitharius held his arms out to the sides and the Demon's Fang blades appeared in his hands. Zack studied him with curious eyes.

"These were the Hunter's weapons, yes?" Saitharius asked. "Would I be able to summon them if I wasn't who I said I was?"

"You may have the weapons, but that doesn't mean you know how to use them."

Zack pulled out the sword, revealing it to be the Buster Sword. The blade gleamed, seeming to glow with hunger.

"Prepare yourself, child. Prove your worth and I will tell you where the Dreamweaver is."

Without hesitation, Saitharius threw one of the blades at Zack. He deflected the strike with ease, charging forward. Saitharius caught the blade and held both up as Zack brought the sword down. The chamber rang with the clash of metal on metal.

Zack rained down blow after blow, keeping Saitharius on the defensive. "Come on, Hunter. Show me your true strength."

Saitharius yelled and swung his blades, going on the offensive. The Demon's Fang felt heavy and awkward, and soon his arms began to ache from the strain. Zack took advantage and struck. With a cry, Saitharius went down.

"Disappointing, I must say," Zack said. "I thought you had more in you. Go home, boy. This war has no need to children."

Saitharius's eyes shot open, solid, burning green. Wings tore from his back as his fingers turned into claws. He swung to his feet. Zack grinned.

"There he is."

The battle began anew. This time both sides were evenly matched. The air sang with the clashing of steel. The jewels in the Demon's Fang glowed brighter with every hit.

Zack stepped back, waiting. With a roar, Saitharius slammed the blades together. A blast of jade green energy burst from the weapons. Zack braced himself as the wave washed over him.

Saitharius sank to his knees as his resumed his normal form. He gasped for breath. His body ached, screamed for relief from the pain. He looked up as Zack approached.

"Now that's the mark of the Hunter," he said, placing the sword back in its sheath. "I will show you where the Dreamweaver is. But you must promise, no matter what happens, it cannot fall into the Warlord's hands."

Saitharius nodded. "I promise."

Zack smiled as his body began to glow. "I knew there was something special about you."

He tilted his head back as the glow engulfed him. Saitharius gasped. Where Zack had been a moment before, now stood a majestic silver great lance. A dream catcher hung from the blade, and a purple jewel glowed in the butt of the handle.

Saitharius got to his feet and pulled the blade out of the ground. It shimmered with energy.

"Reunite body and soul," Zack's voice echoed through the chamber. "Let them become one to dispel the Darkness."


The door slammed shut as Dominico stumbled into the cell. He let out a shocked breath and hurried over to the figure curled up in the corner. He dropped to his knees.

"Mom?"

Nero lifted his head, red eyes dull and lifeless. Dominico looked him over. His suit had been removed, and his clothes hung in tatters over his bruised body.

"What did those bastards do to you?" Dominico asked. He looked around, not finding what he was looking for. "Weiss?"

Nero shook his head, but didn't say anything. He curled back into a ball, arms around his stomach. Dominico sat down beside him and pulled him into a protective embrace.

"I'm sorry, Mom," Dominico whispered. "I never should have left you. I lost focus. I was so determined to find Dad that I forgot about your safety. I am so, so sorry."

Nero took a shaky breath. "Sai?"

"Alive. He's searching for the Dreamweaver."

"Be careful. The Darkness is stirring. I can feel it. It knows your brother is coming. It knows its time is near. Saitharius could very well be walking into a trap."

"Sai's a smart kid. He always has a plan."

"He was created as the protector," Nero said. "He will do anything to save those he loves. The Warlord knows this. He will use that against him."

The door of the cell opened again and Reno stood in the doorway. His eyes shimmered, setting Dominico on edge.

"The Hunter has arrived," Reno said.


Saitharius descended into the depths of the Shinra building. A voice guided him to a large chamber with a Mako reactor in the center. A throne stood in front of it, and on the throne the last person he had expected to see.

"Sephiroth," he breathed.

"Welcome. Welcome. I have been expecting you."

Saitharius looked around. The remnants stood on the right, while Reno stood on the left behind a masked figure. The man knelt with his head bowed and wrists clasped behind his back.

"Wasn't expecting this warm of a welcome," Saitharius said.

"Nonsense. You are the guest of honor. We have been waiting for your arrival for some time," the Warlord replied.

"Where's my family?"

"Your parents are fine. A little worn down, but alive and well."

"And my brother?"

The Warlord motioned towards Reno. "See for yourself."

Reno pulled off the bag, revealing a gagged Dominico. Saitharius swallowed hard.

"As you can see, he's unharmed. And he will continue to stay that way if you give me what I want."

"The Dreamweaver."

"Precisely."

"How do I know you won't go back on your word if I give it to you?"

"You don't."

"At least you're honest."

"If you would be so kind as to hand over the spear, I do have work to attend to."

Saitharius pulled the lance out of thin air. The Warlord smiled as Dominico made a whimpering sound. Loz walked down and took a hold of the weapon. Saitharius refused to let go, but Loz won in the end.

"At long last," the Warlord said, getting up and taking the spear. "The power to control dreams is mine."

Dominico hung his head. The Warlord walked down from his throne, studying the weapon.

"It is even more glorious than I had imagined."

Saitharius noticed something move beside the throne. His father's Terror Born form uncurled from its resting place. Purple eyes narrowed at him as the door opened and Nero was led into the chamber, followed by the rest of the Turks and Avalanche.

Like a curious cat, the Terror Born stalked up to the Hunter, but no one seemed to notice. Saitharius inches away from the Warlord, hands behind his back.

"Now, the Darkness will reign eternal," the Warlord declared.

"There's just one problem with that plan," Saitharius said, seconds before the lance dissolved into sand.

"What?!" the Warlord roared, spinning to face the boy.

Saitharius hauled a silver great lance out from behind his back. "Decoys can't beat the real thing."

The Terror Born snarled and leapt.

"No!" the Warlord screeched.

The chamber erupted in a blinding flash of light. Saitharius opened his eyes and looked up. The lance impaled the Terror Born, however, no blood could be seen. Instead, sand began to flow. Saitharius fell back as the lance dissolved, sand swirling around the creature in a cocoon.

"What have you done?!" the Warlord cried.

"The very thing he was brought here to do," a voice sounded from the twister.

The sand dispersed, revealing a fully recovered Dmitry. The lance pulsed with energy in his grasp. He spun it over his head before slamming the blade into the floor. Purple energy blasted across the room, engulfing everyone in its path.

The remnants cried out as they were consumed in flames. The other's eyes flashed as the spell over them fell.

The Warlord roared. Dmitry turned burning eyes to him. "You have taken control for the last time, Terror Born. Your reign ends here."

"You will never be rid of me. As long as power flows through you, I will always live on."

"Goodbye, my other self."

With a yell, Dmitry drove the lance through the Warlord's chest. He screeched as he was consumed in a blazing fire. Ash drifted to the floor.

"Dad!" Saitharius cried, throwing his arms around Dmitry.

He laughed and held his son close. "Thanks, kiddo. Thanks for bringing me back."

Reno untied Dominico and gave him a sheepish grin. "No hard feelings?"

Dominico smirked and gave him a punch in the arm. "Glad to have you back, Sinclair."

Cloud walked up to Dmitry. "I guess this is goodbye, then."

Dmitry put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be around. There's still this mess to clean up. But, right now, I'm needed in the waking world. So, take care of things until I get back."

Cloud smiled and nodded. Dominico and Nero joined Dmitry and Saitharius. Dmitry held up the lance and sand began to swirl around them.

Saitharius waved. "It's been fun."

The sand engulfed them and everything vanished in a soft, purple light.