Chapter 5: Revelations



It was the day of the Security Council meeting when Caden and the others arrived in Cosmo Canyon. They were tired from the long trek, but especially Bowden. Caden, despite his own fatigue, knew they had no time to rest. "We gotta hurry. The Security Council meeting is twenty minutes."

The four moved quickly through the International Union's headquarters, but barely made it in to the council room in time. They arrived in the conference room and took their seats just as Chairman Carrol entered. "Council to order. We are here to finalize the details for Operation Fallen Phoenix. Caden, is your task force ready."

Caden sat up. "Yes. All we need is an insertion point and a time frame."

Carrol seemed strangely pleased.. "Good, that's what I expected from a Musashiden." Carrol turned his attention to the council. "If anyone has any new insight, you may bring it to order now."

The Councilwoman from Junon slowly raised her hand in a gesture to gain the attention of her peers. "Junon Special Ops is reporting that there has been massive movement in the vicinity of sector three in the Midgar Ruins. Personnel are moving out of the other sectors, and banding west of Mako Reactor…" a ringing phone interrupted the Councilwoman. She answered a small phone that she was carrying. "Councilwoman Innara, What? …alright, yes. …how many? …alright, bye." Councilwoman Innara closed her phone and placed it on the table. "Ladies and gentlemen, that was Junon's Deputy Minister of Defense. Kalm has been invaded and is now being held by terrorist cells from the Midgar Ruins. Apparently they moved under the cover of darkness and took Kalm with little resistance. The Junon army is moving in to reinforce the Special Ops lines, and we expect little resistance in the city itself. We may have to rethink some of our tactics."

"I guess we'll need to change our landing plans," Carrol said. "The primary objective is bound to be in the central tower of Midgar. Recent recon missions show that the building has been repaired up to the 64th floor since Meteor fell. The best landing zones will probably be in sector six with a secondary at sector four. Remember, avoid sector five and seven; there's nothing left but rubble.

"As for the details on the campaign components. Wutai and Coral ground forces will reinforce Junon forces, with Mideel ground forces creating a barrier between the Midgar Ruins and Kalm. Before they take any actions, Windwalkers from FIRE and EARTH squadrons will commence bombing runs to soften up the forces near sector six. In the final phase WIND and WATER squadrons will make a dummy bomb run. WATER will be the cover, and WIND will be the delivery vehicle. After the reactors have been disabled and the terrorist threat has been neutralized, the strike force will return in the Windwalker.

"It'll take at least three weeks to assemble all military personal. Caden, have your strike force ready and waiting at Nibel Air Command in Rocket Town. You will be briefed completely there. Before we adjourn, are there any questions or ideas to be submitted?" Carrol asked, but there was only silence. "Good. Meeting adjourned." The members began to leave, but Caden and the others remained.

Marlene turned to Caden. "We have three weeks to get to Rocket Town, so… what now?"

Caden stared blankly into space. "There are a few things I need to know, so… I guess we're off to the City of the Ancients. I need to find out more about my Cetra heritage. Maybe even something that may help us."

"City of the Ancients?" Marlene asked. "But that's where…"

Caden interrupted Marlene. "Where Aeris died, I know, but there are a lot of things I still don't understand. There's some… 'things' there that may help."

Sephiroth sat in a very reserved manner, almost as if he were mourning. "…I don't think I should go…"

Caden laid his hand on Sephiroth's shoulder. "Come with us. You need some kind of closure."

Sephiroth brushed Caden's hand away. "What, am I just supposed to do, lay some flowers by the city's entrance and feel better? I let Professor Gast down. They are all dead because I let him down... …I don't know… maybe it is time I face my past again."

"Then you'll go?" Caden asked.

Sephiroth did not move. "Yes."

"Alright then," Caden continued. "After our little experience with the chocobo riding, it looks like we'll need something bigger. So here comes the fun part, convincing my father to let us borrow the buggy."

Bowden, with his normal intellect, thought of a solution. "Why don't we just bring him with us?" Caden looked right at him and then began to shift his eyes between Bowden and Sephiroth. It took Bowden a minute, but he got the idea. "Oh, right… my mistake. Well… I'm outta ideas."

"That's a relief," Caden tried to say under his breath, but was unfortunately over heard. Bowden glared at Caden, but Caden just brushed the look off. "Now how do we get it without revealing Sephi… Oh… shit!" Caden looked up to find Cloud in the doorway, and Cloud was beyond the state of anger. His eyes glowed like two blue flames, and focused like lenses on a book.

Cloud walked into the room. "You son of a bitch. How the hell could you still be alive? " Cloud reached his hand out to Caden. "Caden, your sword, now!"

Sephiroth stood, but took no other action. "Your fight is not with me. In fact, I owe you more then any one man can offer. You kept me from very well threatening all life for a thousand kilometers. Had I regained control of my senses, I would have field promoted you on the spot."

Cloud stared at Sephiroth with vigor and hatred. "Don't feed me that bull shit! I watched you burn my hometown! I watched you murder Aeris in..."

"I did not kill Aeris!" Sephiroth shouted, interrupting Cloud. Sephiroth began to break his stone appearance. "I would never, in my power, harm her."

"Then what did I see!?!? Did I imagine the pain, the years of emptiness!?!? No, I didn't! Do you expect me to watch you're illusions anymore!?"

"Do you want to 'watch' something?" Sephiroth, in one fell swoop, unsheathed Masamune and sent it through Caden. Caden sat still as Masamune passed harmlessly through him, and cleanly sheared the backrest off Caden's seat. Sephiroth continued as he returned the Masamune to it's sheath. "Masamune was made by an ancient, and made so it could not kill an ancient. Now listen, Sergeant, after you threw me into the bowels of the Mako reactor, I became frozen in materia for fifteen years. There is more to the story, but first I need to know that you will not try and kill me."

Cloud sat down in a near by chair. "I can't believe I'm swallowing this."

Caden walked between the two adversaries. "Maybe we should hear this story on our way to the City of the Ancients," Caden said calmly, but soon remembered the question at hand. "Uh… Father… can I borrow the buggy?"



It took three days from Asgard, but Caden and the others arrived in the ancient ruins. They were all tired except for Sephiroth, who was too absorbed in his thoughts to be exhausted. Bowden, though he appeared to be breathing through his stomach, broke the silence. "What…huff huff… a… huff… wasteland."

Caden turned to look at him. "Yeah, but in it's hey day, it was a sight to behold. Welcome, my friends, to the City of the Ancients. So, who wants to go sight seeing?" Marlene and Bowden stared at Caden in horror. "Ok, so sight seeing is out of the question."

Marlene looked straight at Caden. "Caden, how can you possibly have so much energy after that hike."

Caden smiled. "Not energy; just a little enthusiasm."

"Didn't you come here for a reason?" Marlene asked, trying to force Caden to calm down at least a little.

"Yeah, right, right. Follow me." Caden turned again and began to walk towards the cavern directly ahead of them.

The rest followed him, with Bowden taking up the rear. "I thought you joking about the sight seeing!" Bowden uttered in complete horror.

They walked until they reached the entrance to a cave. Caden turned around as the others filed in. "Make sure not to touch the crystals unless I say so. They're triggers to a trap." They walked a little further, and again stopped. Before Caden was the same glowing crystal that he had encountered before. He reached out and touched it, to all but Cloud's horror. All the crystals soon turned red, but Caden stayed calm. "Wait! It's me, Caden."

The cave reverted to normal again as Lifestream came pouring out. As it formed to together, it spoke. "You couldn't resist touching the crystal again."

Caden casually shrugged. "Ehh, you don't have a doorbell, and this was the only other choice. It worked, didn't it?"

The Lifestream finished forming into Aeris. Both Marlene and Sephiroth looked at the ghost before them in fearful awe, while Bowden froze like a statue in December. Aeris stood still while she looked over the group. "I see you brought some others, and… you!" Aeris stared through Sephiroth with an icy gaze, and reverted to her specter form ready to attack. "After all that you've done, you would dare come here again!?!?"

Caden tried to get between Aeris and Sephiroth, but Sephiroth held his hand up to halt Caden. "It alright. I need to take care of this." Sephiroth walked forward, but did not draw his sword. "Aeris, stop!" Sephiroth said remaining calm. "Think back to Midgar. Think back to the day you and your mother escaped from Hojo."

Aeris stopped as her memory played out. There was a lab with guards everywhere. She saw her mother, tying to hold strong. Aeris was no more then seven at the time. "Don't worry Mama. Sephy will save us." Ifalna turned and smiled at her.

A moment passed and Aeris heard the sound of gunfire in the distance. Soon after, she saw the blade of a long narrow sword coming from behind a corner. From around the corner a young man with long white hair under a SOLDIER's helmet carrying the sword. Young Aeris knew who was approaching. "Sephy's here to save us."

Sephiroth approached the glass test subject cells that held Ifalna and Aeris. He was wearing a SOLDER 1st class uniform, but wielded Masamune instead of the usual Shinra issued sword. "Ifalna, Aeris, stand back!" Sephiroth threw down his helmet, raised his sword. He struck the glass, shattering it. "Let's go. Reinforcements will be coming soon to see what happened. I can guarantee there will be top members of SOLDIER with them." Ifalna picked up Aeris and followed Sephiroth out of the lab.

The scene changed, and Aeris saw a train in the sector seven station the three had just gotten off. Aeris soon heard another voice. "After them! Don't let the Ancient get away!" Aeris saw five armed soldiers running towards them. Sephiroth ran forward to defend against them.

"Ifalna, stay back with Aeris." Sephiroth charged forward, and dispatched two of the soldiers. One of the remaining soldiers aimed his riffle at Sephiroth and fired a single round. The shot missed Sephiroth, but struck Ifalna in the stomach. Sephiroth turned as she fell to the ground. "Ifalna!!!"

The other two soldiers approached Sephiroth from behind and restrained him. "The Ancient's dead and we lost two men. Hojo's gonna waste us... ...Might as well bring in the traitor. Maybe we'll get ta keep our lives." They carried Sephiroth away.

Aeris remained with her dying mother, crying. "Mama, you'll be better. Look here comes someone to help. Mama, you can't leave me."

Ifalna looked at her daughter. "Aeris, my sweet child, I will not be able to stay. I will soon return to the planet. Before I leave, take this." Ifalna took a small scarf with clear crystal bead and tied it to Aeris' hair. "I want you to grow up strong."

The woman Aeris approached them. "Hold on, and don't move. It will only make the bleeding worse."

Ifalna turned her head towards the stranger. "Thank you, but I'm not long for this world."

"Don't say that! You need to save your strength," the woman said, trying to stop the bleeding.

Ifalna's head fell softly to the ground again. "I don't have long… Please… take Aeris… somewhere… safe…" Ifalna died with those words.

Aeris began to cry harder. "Momaaaaa!"

"After I… dealt my captors, I returned to find Elmyra carrying you away from the train station." Aeris looked up from her dream like memory, to see Sephiroth before her. "I realized then that you would be happier with her then a renegade soldier. I did my best to keep the Shinra off of you, and made sure you were raised comfortably. I watched from a distance as you grew up."

Aeris took her human form again. "Se-Se-Sephy. But, how? Why…? Twenty years…?"

"I was never here twenty years ago. I was frozen in Materia." Sephiroth takes the Masamune out of its scabbard. "Caden, if you be so kind."

Caden walked up to him and just stood still. "Do it." Sephiroth took Masamune and slashed Caden down from head to toe, but was injured nowhere.

"Masamune can not kill an ancient. Ifalonoe knew the power of the sword he created. He also knew it could be used against him or his descendants, so he forged it with the Lifestream. Masamune has a soul its own, so it will never harm any Ancient. As for me, I vowed to protect you and Ifalna. I would never be able to harm you. Not even Jenova could force me."

Aeris looked blankly through the air. "Jenova... the fake…"

"It always had the ability to shape-shift. Twenty years ago, someone released the puppet, made from Jenova's wings," Sephiroth tried to explain. "It was able to remember my form from five years earlier, and so copied it. From what I heard, it was not that bad of a copy. But the true Jenova is still out there… somewhere…"

Marlene tapped Caden on the back. "Didn't you come here for a reason?"

Caden turned to Marlene. "Yeah, right." He turned again to Aeris. "I need to learn... learn about the Cetra. Legends, stories, hell, even what time I should wake up on Sundays. The point is, I want to know more about... well... me."

Aeris looked at Caden. "I figured that's why you came." Aeris froze for a moment, as she sensed a new presence. "Every one, follow me. You too, Cloud." Aeris turned and began to move, and everyone followed her. They walked into the large shell building just outside the cavern. "Caden, you know what to do."

Caden walked up to the image of a fish. As he did this, the fish disappeared, and was replaced by a long staircase. "Shall we go?" The group followed Caden as he descended into the depths of the Crystal Shrine, even the reluctant Cloud. Caden looked back and saw the fish return above him.

As before, Aeris was already waiting at the bottom of the staircase. "You will all be safe here. Now, Caden, what did you want to know?"

Caden leaned against a railing, and crossed his arm. "Everything I can. I want to learn about the Cetra. I want to learn who I where I come from."

"Well, this might take a while," Aeris said before beginning her story. "Long ago, the Cetra were a nomadic people. They wondered place to place, never staying long. They lived off the planet, so they would never harm it. In time, the planet began to speak to them, and share its knowledge. They loved the planet, and the planet loved them. Then, it came.

"The Cetra watched as a small planet crashed north of their only city; this city. Days latter, the first of the Cetra villages came in contact with him. They welcomed him believing he was the reincarnation on their ancestors. He promised peace to them, but he betrayed them. It moved on, from village to village, leaving a trail of monsters and innocent blood.

"The Cetra began to call him the 'Crisis from the Sky;' Jenova in their language. By the time he reached this city, word had already spread about his lies. Mages lined up to fight, but were not immune to Jenova's virus. One mage fighter escaped, and fought Jenova alone. His name was Ifalonoe.

"Ifalanoe cast a spell that trapped Jenova in stone, knowing he could not destroy him. It was decided that because Ifalanoe survived this encounter, his descendants would be the only one able to finally defeat Jenova. To ensure this, he created the White Materia from the Lifestream of his fallen comrades. Unfortunately, the distorted Lifestream from Jenova's virus created another materia, the Black Materia. The magic of the two were opposing forces, and together annihilate each other. If the two materia came together, they would destroy each other in the same way.

"Ifalanoe also created from the very stone that imprisoned Jenova, a sword of immense power. It was made in such a way that would mean Jenova, or someone immune to him, were the only ones able to wield it. This lead Ifalanoe to create it with a soul of its own, so it would never kill without reason. Created to destroy Jenova, it became known as the holy sword, but Ifalonoe named it Masamune.

"Ifalonoe entrusted his eldest son with the materia and the Masamune, to protect them from the hands of Jenova. Though trapped, it continued to cause pain and misery. The wild beasts created by Jenova, terrorized all of civilization. Ifalonoe's descendants fought these beasts to protect what was left of the Cetra people. While they wielded Masamune, they were never able to use the White Materia. Sadly, his line would be the last of the Cetra."

Caden stared with eyes wide open. "…Wo… That explains a lot ."

Aeris continued. "I was finally able to summon Holy with the White Materia, but I died in the before the summon reached it. I was never strong enough to make a difference though. When Holy started to move, the planet was there to strengthen its power. The entire Lifestream came to Holy's aid, shattering Meteor. But Caden, you are stronger then any of your ancestors. When the time comes, Holy will obey you. It will become your wings."

Caden stood vacant, trying to absorb what Aeris said. He tried to step back, but the railing stopped his retreat. "I... this... this is all way too much..." Caden drew a deep breath, and collected his thoughts. "I'll do it," he said while he looked into the eyes of all his companions.

A hard epiphany came Sephiroth as he pondered Aeris' words himself. After all the years he wielded the Masamune, he knew it was no longer his place to carry the ancient blade. Hesitantly, Sephiroth pulled the Masamune's scabbard from his belt, and solemnly held it blade up in front of him. "Caden, take the Masamune. It is obvious that you must wield it."

Caden, seeing the hesitation in the man before him, waved his hand once towards Sephiroth. "If were supposed to wield the Masamune, I would probably have it already. Besides, it's almost like a part of…" Caden stopped abruptly and looked the stairway.

Marlene looked at Caden. "Caden, what's wrong?"

Caden stood still, staring at an unseen target. "He's here."

"Who?" Marlene asked.

"Jenova," Caden said as he drew his sword. "Sephiroth, can you sense him?"

Sephiroth squinted as he returned the Masamune to his belt. "Yes, I can." He drew his sword as well.

Aeris moved between Caden and the stairway. "Stop! He can't find us down here. Just calm down; I'll go see what is going on. Stay here where you're safe." She formed into the Lifestream and disappeared. She was not gone long. "There are six men up there. Five are armed, but the other is going out of his way to stay in the shadows."

Caden was still staring up the winding staircase as if he were in a trance. "That must be him. Mar, Bow, watch Sephiroth and me. Jenova may try and use us. If it comes down to it, you may have to kill…"

Aeris interrupted Caden. "That may not be necessary. Jenova lost all control of any cell outside of its body, when Cloud destroyed Jenova's influence in his mind."

Cloud turned around to look at Aeris. "Then it was…"

Aeris smiled. "I was laughing." Cloud shuttered as he realized it was Aeris who had sent him to face his greatest fear and hatred. Aeris looked straight at Cloud. "I made you realize there was something let to fight, and you defeated it. It was a good thing too. If you didn't fight it, you would still be Jenova's puppet." Cloud did not respond, but he understood what Aeris was saying.

Caden relaxed and turned to face everyone else. "So, what do we do about them?" he said, unsatisfied with a sit and do nothing tactic.

Sephiroth sat down on a step. "Relax. It won't take them long to search the entire city. Also, since this part of the city is under a 'pond,' they will not even know it is here."

"I hope, for all our sake, you're right. The last thing we need is a fight in such close quarters..." Caden turned around and looked down at the altar that had once held the White Materia. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Everyone looked over the banister to where Caden was staring. What they saw was the old bloodstain, but instead of lying dormant like it had for twenty years, it began to flow again. Sephiroth held Masamune ready, as if he expected something. "It is one of Jenova's guardians. Jenova had three Sentries that also acted to lead the enemy from finding him, Fenir, Jormungand, and Hel. I don't know which one this is, but I guess we'll find out soon."

A creature grew from the stain on the floor. As if a massive ooze had grown from the earth, it sprung up and formed into the image a very large wolf. Its fur was thick and as black as night, but twice as dreadful. Broken chains formed around its neck as if it were a caged animal, and its clawstore into the stone of the altar. It foamed at the mouth like a rabid dog, and its eyes glowed with an unholy glow.

Sephiroth stepped back into a ready stance as he watched the creature find its footing. "It is Fenir."

Fenir looked up and howled a blood cuddling sound. Caden turned towards the stairway that led to the altar. "Now, that we need to take care of." Caden began to run towards the altar. "Who's coming?"

Sephiroth and Marlene followed Caden. The three ran down the stairs to confront the beast. They stopped right in front of the towering creature. Each had their weapon drawn, ready to attack. Caden struck first, as he slashed Fenir's neck. The wound immediately healed. "The Hell!?!? It healed!"

"Child..." a small and distant voice said, but Caden did not respond.

Marlene nocked an arrow, and aimed it at the monster's heart. She fired, and struck her target. The beast again healed immediately. "Shit!"

"Child, use the Materia," the distant voice called out, but Caden ignored it again, as he focused on the battle.

Sephiroth tried to slash across Fenir's body, but the beast dodged the attack. The Masamune was left with nothing to stop it. The Masamune continued on its arcing path, and passed through Marlene.

Caden turned around just as Masamune moved from Marlene. "Marlene!"

Sephiroth feel to his knees as he regained control of Masamune. Sweat began to run down his face, and he began breathing hard. "What have I done?" a panic stricken Sephiroth asked himself.

Marlene looked down at where she thought Masamune slashed her, but there was no wound. "Wha-what happened?" Marlene asked, veiled in fear.

Caden, although relived that Marlene was unharmed, did not stop and question what happened. "Questions later, we have to deal with thing first," Caden said, still shaken by the ordeal. "Focus on taking out Fenir for now."

"Child, the Materia glows," the distant voice again tried to speak to Caden.

This time Caden payed attention to the mysterious voice. He looked at his sword, and saw what looked like light moving between the two White Materia. "I understand," Caden said quietly to himself. While Caden's focus was strained, Fenir took the opportunity to strike Caden with one of its gigantic claws. Caden was knocked to the ground hard. Caden wearily stood up again. "Hey, Mut! Time to go to the pound!" Caden said taunting Fenir.

Marlene, unhappy with Caden's timing for his humor, backed away from the snarling beast he insulted. "Caden, didn't we discuss insulting things trying to kill us with cheesy lines?"

"Yeah, well I didn't have a clue how to waste the Slavedriver. I have something now," Caden said as he began to attack Fenir. "Holy!" Caden exclaimed. On command, his sword began to glow blue. When he swung the blade, a blue trail followed its path through Fenir. The beast howled out in pain as it fell limp to the floor. The unholy glow in its eyes was extinguished, and it began to turn to dust. Caden relaxed his arm, but watched from the corner of his eye as the two White Materia formed into one again.

Caden relaxed as the White Materia returned to normal. Marlene and Sephiroth also relaxed, staring at Caden as if he had performed a miracle. From a distance, Caden could see Bowden and Cloud in the same state of shock. Aeris, however, remained calm. Caden sheathed his sword and turned around. "Jenova's leaving. His sentry fell, and the White Materia is restored. There's no reason for him to stay." The three returned to where Cloud, Bowden, and Aeris were. When they were back with the others, Caden turned to Marlene. "Now the question is, what happened back there? Masamune is unable to harm any Cetra, so Marlene, is there something you want to tell us?"

Marlene stuttered, "I-I don't know... A sword just cut me in half, but... a sword didn't cut me in half..."

"I may have an answer for that," Aeris said hesitantly. "When I first met Marlene, she sounded like she was talking to herself. I thought then that she had an imaginary friend, but realized pretty soon that she heard the same voices I did." Aeris faced Marlene. "You were sitting alone in a corner, and whispering. When you turned around, you didn't seem all that afraid. In fact the first thing you said was 'Tifa asked you to save me.' I knew then that you were an Ancient, and that meant you would be in danger. I never told anyone."

Marlene stepped back until she backed into a wall. Marlene was filled with fear as she sat on the floor. "...What is this supposed to mean...?"

"'Nothing more then what has already been,' I think was Arlyn's quote," Caden said, trying both to calm down and cheer up Marlene. He offered his hand to help Marlene up.

A smile began to creep across Marlene's face, and she began to calm down. "You had to quote Loveless, didn't you?" Marlene asked as she grasped Caden's arm.

Caden helped Marlene to her feet. "It works, doesn't it?" Caden asked while smiling warmly. "Now, are you alright?" Caden asked, but with sadness in his voice. The ordeal had reminded him of when he was told of his heritage.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Marlene said, but noticed Caden's sudden change in mood. "Caden, what's wrong?"

Caden pondered the question. "…I think I need to do something else first. I don't know if I can though." Caden stood silently.

Marlene knew what Caden was talking about. "Mako Reactor one…"

Caden stood still, staring down at the floor before him. "Yes. I need to see where it all began."

"You know you won't be alone," Caden looked up at Marlene. Marlene smiled as she continued, "I'll be there."

Bowden followed suite. "So will I."

Cloud stood where he was, but faced Caden. "Always have been."

Caden faced Sephiroth. "So what about you?"

Sephiroth thought for a moment, trying to find words of meaning. Mako Reactor One was a source of grief for him as well. "It will not be easy, but I will be there with you."

Caden was moved by the support he received from everyone. "Thank you, everyone," Caden said as he solemnly bowed his head. "Then we better get moving soon."

Aeris move to intercept Caden as he walked towards the stairway. "It's getting late. Maybe you should spend the night here. Besides, that fight must have worn you out. The old house east of here is should be comfortable."

"Ok, I guess we will. Thank you." Caden walked up the stairs, and the rest followed.



Caden looked out upon a metropolitan wasteland; very little remained but scattered debris and stone. He thought to himself as he walked through the baran and deserted streets, where am I? He looked up at a very tall building. The remains of a platform lay fifty meters away from the rest of the structure, or so he thought. He gazed up at what must have been the 67th floor at one time. What he saw looked human, but it had bluish flesh and long icy hair. Its eye's were like a serpent's, but they burned a bright yellow. The creature wore a dark cloak like robe, but its most distinguishing feature were four large ominous dark colored wings protruding from it.

From the distance Caden could see the creature's glowing yellow eyes and sadistic smile, as if it were expecting him. Its face appeared ancient, as if death had visited it a thousand times over. He thought to himself, what monster is this? The creature leaped from the building, but did not freely fall. It glided upon its monstrous wings down to the front of the building. Caden caught a glimpse of an old electric sign next to where the creature landed. Shinra? Then this is… Midgar.

After the creature regained its footing, it approached Caden slowly. "What do you have to say now, boy? You see me for what I am. Now, are you ready to join me?"

Caden moved his hand to draw his sword, but it was not his. Somehow the Masamune had replaced, but was equipped with the White Materia. "No." Caden raised the Masamune over his head. A blue mist like energy flowed out and surrounded Caden, as his eyes began to burn brightly with green fire. The mist that surrounded him formed itself into six magnificent white wings. Caden unfolded his new wings, and lowered the Masamune and held it before him. "I will end your existence."



Within that instance, Caden awoke from his dream. He got up from the bed he laid in, took his coat, and left the conical house silently trying not to wake the others. Although with Bowden's snoring, Caden saw it as a wonder anyone was asleep. Outside, he sat down on some rocks, and stared up at the night sky and wondered. There are so many stars, but where do I fit in? His thought haunted him for a minute, but then he thought about his dream. What was that thing, and why did it call me 'boy'? …Maybe I've just been working too hard, but I need to know if that dream meant anything.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Caden looked down from sky to see Aeris before him.

Caden smiled a little. "Do you even sleep?"

Aeris silently laughed to herself. "I don't need too."

Caden also laughed, realizing the error of his question. "Right, right. Lifestream."

Aeris refocused on her original question. "So what's troubling you?"

Caden relaxed. "A dream, and a hell of a lotta questions from it. There was some sort of creature in it. It had almost blue flesh and four large dark wings. Other than that, it looked kind of like me…"

Aeris seemed withdrawn. She knew what the creature was. "Jenova…"

Caden remained calm. "So what I saw… was Jenova; the true Jenova. How am I supposed to beat it?"

Aeris looked at Caden with warm eyes. "Your wings will carry you through battle. Caden, the only reason it has not already destroyed the planet is because Holy prevents it from happening. He has been working slowly, and will work slowly until he is complete. He's not far from his goals as it is. Caden, be strong. You are the only one that can defeat him. Never forget that."

"I won't forget," Caden said, holding onto Aeris' words.

"And if you still wonder where you fit in, just remember, you've already found it."

"I think I know what you're talking about. Thank you," Caden said, as he got up and returned to the house.

Aeris stayed behind. "Caden's this planet's last chance. He will do fine."