Things were as usual all too quiet in the basements of the mansion in Nibelheim. Books clustered everywhere just where Sephiroth left them, as well as discarded laboratory equipment used by the ShinRa in hidden experiments that took place down in these depths.
"One of the experiments was me."
Vincent picked up one of the books that had inspired Sephiroth, a book composed of several research diaries, the main one being Dr. Gast's. After reading this and realizing the truth behind his origin, Sephiroth had gone into a homicidal rage to kill off the human race, and make way for an ancient race known as the Cetra. "He should've read between the lines." What Sephiroth didn't know is that he wasn't what he believes he is. He believes that he is part of the Cetra race, when in reality he is a human who has only received DNA while in the womb from the remains of Jenova, a female Cetra specimen. This made Sephiroth age and grow at an enhanced rate, gaining unimaginable strength.
Vincent tossed the book aside and sighed, knowing it was all in the past now. What concerned him now is himself, and what his own future will bring. "Lucrecia, I should've been there before Hojo cursed us all..damn him.." He had to hold back his emotions as much as he could, so he didn't transform into a demon from the power he was cursed with. Several years ago, Vincent was a member of the Turks, an elite force that serves as formal bodyguards and servants for the President of ShinRa Corporation. However, on one day in this very room several years ago, Hojo rebelled as he was conducting his experiments. He shot Vincent, and used his body for a new type of experiment. Though, Hojo did not live long enough to tell what kind of experiment it was.
"It made me into a monster who isn't among the living, that's what. I can never die and be by Lucrecia's side..that is my eternal curse." Lifting his head to examine the room once more, Vincent examined the two pods in one of the walls, each one large enough to store a body. "If I remember correctly from the projections I had during my slumber..this is where Cloud and Zack lived." Cloud and Zack are in a way one in the same. Seven years ago, ShinRa's military group called SOLDIER was sent to Nibelheim to deal with a monster threat in the area, as well as in the Mako Reactor set up in the mountains outside of the town. SOLDIER'S finest, Sephiroth and Zack, along with two basic ShinRa army soldiers, traveled to the town to solve the issues. One of the soldiers in the army was Cloud Strife, 16 at the time.
As they traveled to the Mako Reactor to deal with the threat, Tifa Lockheart, Cloud's longtime friend, guided them there. But since Cloud was suffering from embarrassment that he didn't make it into SOLDIER like he promised Tifa, he kept hidden in his uniform and helmet. At the reactor, Cloud waited outside with Tifa as Zack and Sephiroth inspected the reactor. After fixing the issue that made monsters be produced with the technology, Sephiroth noticed something that piqued his curiosity. A chamber at the top of the room, labeled with the same name as his supposed mother, Jenova. However, he couldn't enter, and this made him confused, as well as frustrated.
After the ordeal, they returned to Nibelheim to rest for the night. However, the night did not last for long. Sephiroth vanished in the middle of the night, and left to the Nibelheim manor to check the books left behind by researchers there, to find more information on Jenova. After several nights, Sephiroth finally realized his origin, and had his mind set on bringing order to the earth by going to the Promised Land, a world left behind by the Cetra before they were eliminated by the human race. Zack attempted to stop him, but was struck down before he had the chance by Sephiroth's own sword. He then left to the Mako Reactor to find his mother.
Tifa and Cloud chased Sephiroth to the Mako Reactor after he had left Nibelheim ablaze, wanting to see the humans die by his own hand. When they reached the reactor, Tifa found her father dead on the ground, with Sephiroth holy sword lodged in his back. Tifa took the sword and chased after Sephiroth, and tried to strike him down, but was cut through as well. Sephiroth entered Jenova's chamber, and the only one left to stand against Sephiroth was Cloud. Cloud removed his helmet and moved Tifa to a safer location so she wouldn't bleed to death, also carrying Zack's weapon, the Buster Sword along with him.
He followed Sephiroth into the chamber where Jenova was being held. As he went in, Sephiroth was standing atop a platform holding the remains of Jenova, a severed head. While Sephiroth had his back toward Cloud, he lunged the Buster Sword into Sephiroth's torso, blinded by rage and anger. "Tifa..my town..give them back.." Sephiroth let out a gasp, blood oozing from the lips. "Who are you?.." Sephiroth pushed Cloud aside and tried to continue outward, to leave the reactor. As Sephiroth reached the pipes that connected the rooms above the purified Mako pit, Cloud chased after him once more, but before he could get close enough to attack, Sephiroth took his sword in hand and pierced Cloud through his right shoulder. "Don't push your luck.."
Without feeling any pain, Cloud took the sword out of his flesh and picked up Sephiroth with his own sword, tossing him into the Mako pit and watching him melt away into nothingness. His vision blurring, Cloud collapsed onto the pipes with the Buster Sword at his fingertips and consciousness slipping away. When Cloud had awoken, he could see nothing but grays. There was glass on all sides, and it didn't feel like he was standing on solid ground. Within a few moments, the thick liquid that contained him was drained out, and Cloud could finally see in colors as the glass door opened in front of him, revealing Zack.
"Let's go, Cloud! We can escape!" His mind was a blur, he couldn't find the words to say. It is as if everything was completely wiped out in his mind, and there was something swimming through his blood. He took a step forward, and nearly collapsed to the floor as he moved out. Zack helped him up, and took one of Cloud's arms around his shoulders. "Let's move, they could bring re-enforcements at any time.." Zack and Cloud made their way out of the mansion and Nibelheim itself, resting on the overlook outside of town. Cloud was still trying to piece his mind together as he sat there, his mind a blank. "It looks like Jenova really hit you hard, Cloud..don't worry, I'll take care of you."
"Cwa…Cwod..Clowd..Cloud..name..Cloud.."
Cloud gazed at his hands, and at his clothes, trying to remember exactly what they were. "Sol..SOLDIER.." Zack nodded to him, to try and give him some sort of encouragement. He seemed to have lost his mind, and had a severe case of amnesia after the experiments done to the both of them. Professor Hojo injected them both with the DNA of Jenova in different ways to see the reactions, but Zack couldn't feel any change within his own body.
Later on in the evening, Zack and Cloud slept on the overpass to rest after their experiences in Nibelheim. While they were resting, soldiers had spotted them and quickly took action. Zack quickly got to his feet while Cloud laid motionless on the ground. "You're not taking us again!" Zack yelled as he picked up his Buster Sword, cutting through one of the machineguns a soldier had and attempting to make a run for it so they wouldn't notice Cloud. While he was moving, however, one of the machineguns made its mark, and struck Zack in the knee, causing him to fall hard to the ground and not be able to stand.
The soldiers examined Zack as he laid unconscious, matching the picture given to them by Professor Hojo to find and capture his specimens to him. "This is the one, all right. We have orders to exterminate him, as he is a failure." The soldiers opened fire as Zack laid motionless, making sure he wouldn't wake again. After he was finished off, one of the soldiers spotted Cloud lying on the plateau. "What about this one?" The captain gazed at him and shrugged, turning away. "We don't deal with him. Orders." The troop returned to their van and drove back to ShinRa, without a second thought as to whom it was that President ShinRa and Hojo ordered to murder immediately.
Hours later, Cloud had awoken from the light of the morning sun. As he stood on his knees, he could see Zack's murdered body a few feet from his. Managing to get on his feet, Cloud stumbled toward the body and collapsed to his knees as he reached it, placing a hand on his face to examine for life. A jolt filled Cloud's body in that moment, and his eyes wandered to the Buster Sword lying next to Zack. He picked it up without hesitation, and made his way to the edge of the plateau, with a clear view of Midgar up ahead. He did not know how long he's been captured, nor what he can do now, but he felt that his future would take place there.