Though the rest of the world was in the grip of a fading winter the cold had never touched the heart of this place.
Concepts such as "Weather" or even "Time" didn't seem to have much meaning in these empty halls where children once ran and played, where laughter once echoed off the walls...where life had once been abundant.
A figure in a brown robe and hood made his way down the hall to a giant pool in the center of the room, if he closed his eyes and focused he could almost hear the ehoes from the past, see smiling faces, beautiful children, but one face in particular always came to him when he closed his eyes...
(They will need you soon)
The voice came from nowhere yet everywhere at the same time, in this place of the Ancients it could only be the voice of the Cetra...
Though the voice was soft spoken there was subtle tone of urgency that didn't escape his notice
"You know i will serve you always" the figure said bowing his head as he came to stop in front of a calm pool of water surrounded by silver stone "But it is written that I cannot directly involve myself in human affairs any longer"
(The Cetra can no longer directly involve themselves in the matters of humans, we lacked a physical presence in the world now with...)
"With your death..." The hooded figure said with guilt clear in his voice
(Yes with my death)
There was a warmth in the voice that banished the guilt, holding onto such emotions in this place was futile, there was simply no reason to allow them free reign
"But i can hear you" the figure said "I thought only the Cetra could communicate amongst themselves"
(You are an anomaly...You possess a piece of Jenova as a result of Hojo's experiments...our bond when I was alive was a strong one...so strong that it could not be broken even in death...The Planet recognizes you as it's Gaurdian, and it will call upon you in it's time of need...now is such a time)
The pool in front of the figure began to shimmer, gazing down upon it he recognized Nibelhiem, as he watched he saw both the attacks on Vincent and Tifa, and though he couldn't see it he could sense a malicious presence lurking not far from sight.
"Who is responsible for this?" the figure asked feeling his chest tighten in anxiety
(All will be made clear in time)
"How can i help if i don't know who is responsible for this?" the figure asked
(The growing conflict will only allow you to play a small part, in the coming days there will be much joy and sorrow...it must be allowed to happen)
"But lives could be lost..." The figure said frustration beginning to creep into his voice
(Lives will be lost)
The voice replied calmly
(But such is life on the planet...it is natural for people to die)
"Not needlessly...not like the lives lost when Meteor and Holy collided!"
(Even those...death is merely an exit to the lifestream and true happiness...there is no such thing as a needless death)
"There was one..." The figure said lowering his head slighty as Vincent began to Transform into Chaos, he watched as the beast tore into the attackers with reckless abandon, with no concern for its well being or Vincents
(My death was the part i needed to play)
The cloaked figure sighed
"Once upon a time i would have said that was unacceptable, but the more time i spend here the more i feel the peace of the Cetra, I understand it was a part you needed to play..."
(Though you are not a Cetra you are beginning to accept the Cetra principles of fate One may not place their own needs above the needs of the many)
"What am i then? I died...but I am alive here and now...you say that I am not Cetra...then what am i?" the hodded figure asked
(You are many thing...you are a bridge between worlds...A conduit that the Cetra may speak through in order to protect the planet...You are the Planets Guardian)
The figure paused letting these words sink in, then with a nod he accepted the words for what they were.
His duty
"Tell me what part i need to play" he said, his tone was iron
(You will need to help them but you cannot reveal your presence to them yet...You must travel to Wutai)
"What must i do there?"
(The land stands in the shadow of a great evil...you must destroy it...an old foe seeks a weapon of great power...you must make sure he does not find it)
"Very well...I will leave quickly"
(Travel with great caution...the trails are no longer safe as they once were)
"It will take more then a few monsters to stop me" the figure said with resolve "I will return to you my love"
Turning on his heels the figure made his way out of the chamber, his heart beat a little faster as thoughts of days gone by and past adventures awoke again in his mind, his handed drifted to the weapon at his side.
The formidable Masamune...
A blade that could only be wielded by a true master.
Let peril come to him, let it come rushing headlong into him, he would meet it steadfast
And deal it death in return.
--
Tifa turned and looked over her shoulder one last time...
The melting snow sent up a fog over the town of Nibelhiem, she wondered if she looked close enough if she could make out the shapes of ghosts wandering through the empty streets, only god knew how many restless spirits inhabited the small town filled with sorrow and tragedy.
"Are you alright?"
The warm hand on her shoulder was an interuption from her sad thoughts...it was a welcome interruption.
"I was just...thinking" Tifa said "About the past"
Vincent nodded
"Something I have pondered for many years..."
"Do you think Nibelhiem will ever be the town it was before?"
"I don't know..." Vincent said and then after a moment of silence he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze "We should go...we need to put distance in between us and them, plus we need to see if Cid is ok"
"It will be good to see Cid again" Tifa said turning away and putting a cheerful smile on her face "I've missed that grumpy old man"
Vincent said nothing more as he urged the chocobo into motion, the golden bird gave a "Wark" of complience and broke into a run despite it's two passenger load.
Tifa wrapped her arms around Vincents waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
Looking back wouldn't help.
So she didn't.
AN: From here on out faithful reader the picture begins to get bigger, branching out from Vincent and Tifa we'll start to look in on the lives of other characters, this story is getting bigger then i'd ever imagined it would in my head and with your continued patience it will continue to unfold...slowly.