"I wonder how many years it's been since I last came over here. Gosh, it brings back so many memories," said Cait Sith, thoughtfully.
Everyone sitting around the eternal bonfire of Cosmo Canyon seemed lost in their own thoughts, and Cloud wondered if that was a strange effect that the bonfire had on people. Cloud sat down next to Aeris, and he noticed at once that she seemed both sad and sorrowful.
"I heard that Bugenhagen had a talk with you, too. What was that all about?" asked Cloud, concerned and worried, while Aeris sighed sadly.
"I learned a lot here, since we arrived. I looked around the whole place, and visited the elders of the canyon to learn more about the Planet. The elders taught me many things, and it wasn't just about the Planet. They also taught me many things about the Cetra, and about the Promised Land. And now I realise more than ever that I'm…I'm alone. I'm all alone in this world now," said Aeris, sadly.
"But what about us? We're still here for you, right?" said Cloud, gently, laying a hand on her shoulder.
"I know you are all here for me, but…but I am the only Cetra left alive on the Planet now…" said Aeris, her head bowed, and her gaze still directed at the ground, while Cloud was getting increasingly worried for her.
"Does that mean that we can't help?" asked Cloud, concerned, wanting desperately to help her, instead of feeling as helpless as he felt right now.
Aeris made no response and she turned away from him, and she lowered her head in sadness and despair. As Aeris was silent, Barret then began to speak his thoughts, looking glum and thoughtful as well, but everyone else paid close attention to him as he spoke up.
"Cosmo Canyon…this is where AVALANCHE was born and founded. I promised my three best friends, that when we saved the Planet from Shinra, we would all go to Cosmo Canyon and celebrate. Biggs…Wedge…Jessie…now, they're all gone. They died for the Planet. Really…? To save the Planet? We all hated Shinra. Do I even got to go on? Will my three best friends ever forgive me? Right now, I don't really know. But I do know one thing. If there's anything I can do to save the Planet or the people living on it, then I'm gonna do it! I don't care if it's for justice or revenge, or whatever, I don't care. Let them decide for themselves. Shinra's going down! I'm gonna do it!! Again, again!! AVALANCHE is born again!!" shouted Barret, more determined then ever.
"Cloud…bonfires are funny, aren't they? They make you remember all sorts of things. You know, Cloud, five years ago…no, it's nothing. Forget it. I'm afraid to ask," said Tifa, quickly, nervously avoiding Cloud's gaze.
"What is it?" asked Cloud, concerned, seeing that Tifa was looking suddenly very worried and troubled.
"It feels…as if…as if you're going far away from us…from me. You…really are you…right?" asked Tifa, anxiously.
Bewildered, Cloud didn't know what to say to that, so he made no response to Tifa's bizarre question, but Tifa seemed to still be giving it a lot of thought, apparently it was something very important to her for some strange reason, and Cloud wondered what it was, and what it had to do with Nibelheim, five years ago. Red XIII then started to speak, snapping Cloud out of his thoughts.
"Long, long ago…when I was still very small…a small pup…we were all around this flame…no, never mind," said Red XIII, quickly, shaking his head.
"What happened?" asked Cloud, curiously, also concerned to know what Red XIII seemed troubled about.
"This flame, Cosmo Candle, is never allowed to go out, not even for a moment. Once it did, and...disaster…but enough about that, this is about my parents. When I think about my mother, I am full of pride and joy. But when I remember my father, my heart is full of anger and hate," said Red XIII.
"Is this when your mother fought and died bravely like you said earlier?" asked Aeris, gently.
Red XIII nodded solemnly in response.
"The canyon was attacked by vicious warriors of the GI tribe. And my father abandoned us, while my mother fought to her last breath. I can never forgive him for such a cowardly act," said Red XIII.
"Hey, Red XIII, why didn't you tell us that your real name was Nanaki in the first place?" asked Yuffie, curiously, raising an eyebrow, while Red XIII snorted in response.
"I am Nanaki. I, Nanaki, am the protector of this canyon, not a rebel. And besides, it makes no difference what my name is. Soon, you'll all be going on your journey without me, and you won't have to call me anything anymore. I am staying here. I will succeed where my father failed. I will never forgive him for such a cowardly act," said Red XIII.
Just then, Bugenhagen suddenly arrived, moved towards them and he faced Red XIII, and sighed quietly.
"You really can't forgive your father?" asked Bugenhagen.
Red XIII shook his head and snarled angrily.
"Of course not. He left my mother for dead. When the GI tribe attacked us, he ran off by himself, leaving behind mother and the people of the canyon!" roared Red XIII, burning with rare murderous rage.
"Come Nanaki. There is something that you should see," said Bugenhagen.
Red XIII stared at him with curiosity and surprise.
"The place that I'll take you to may be dangerous. Cloud, will you and one other person please come with us?" asked Bugenhagen.
"Dangerous? Count me out," said Cait Sith, shivering.
"I think I'll just stay here and relax for a while," said Yuffie.
"I wonder what he wants to show Red XIII?" said Aeris, curiously and thoughtfully.
"Where the hell are they going?" asked Barret.
"Can I go too?" asked Tifa.
Cloud nodded and they followed Bugenhagen and Red XIII up the stairs and through the houses until they came to a secret metal door in the wall of the canyon.
"Are we all set?" asked Bugenhagen.
"Yeah," replied Cloud.
"Then shall we go in?" asked Bugenhagen.
He pressed a button and the metal door opened.
"Alright, then. Come in," said Bugenhagen.
"Hey, aren't you going with us, grandpa?" asked Red XIII.
"What, are you crazy? It's dangerous in there! I told you that! You want an old man like me to go in first? I'll be in right behind you," said Bugenhagen.