A dark cave in a forgotten area of the world, known only to a select few.

A dark and damp place that was devoid of life. Where light made into crystalized mako lit the darkness and led deeper into the cave. Deep into the back was a spring, where many small crystals were located, including a larger one.

It was here that Vincent Valentine found his peace of mind. Where he could go and not have to worry about the world around him.

It was here that, in the darkest dark, he found his light. That was in the form of a woman, appearing inside the large crystal in the center of the chamber. A beautiful brunette, her long hair up in a tail and wearing a white dress, she looked to be at peace inside the crystal. Alas, that was not the case. For Vincent knew the truth.

"You're not really there. Your body became one with the Lifestream years ago..."

Lucrecia Crescent was no longer on this planet, and he knew that. By some magic or some scientific anomaly her image became one with this crystal and ever since he had found it, Vincent had come to this cave almost every day to do nothing but sit in her presence. He would speak as if she could hear him, about what he had done recently, and what he planned to do. All that he was returned with was silence but he didn't care.

It was comforting for his weary heart, even if she couldn't talk back to him, that he believed that she could hear him. Such a simple thing was all he needed to be able to move on.

Yet, each time after he had spoken to her, he swore that in the silence following his last words he could very faintly hear her voice echoing int he cave.

Sometimes it was so low he almost thought he was hearing things, but then there were times he could hear her tell him other things. Private things. Intimate things. Like they used to share from what felt like a whole other lifetime ago.

But he was grateful to hear her voice. That helped him remember her smile, her face, her laugh, and everything else about her.

Then it would help him remember his feelings for her, and it would make his heart ache a little. Not enough to sink him into depression but just enough to want to see her again. To touch her once more and do something he couldn't do the last time they had met.

He wanted to tell her how much he loved her.

Alas he had been far too late for that, and now had to live with it. "That time has come and gone, but...regardless of how many lifetimes I live, I will always cherish our time together the most. I will forever miss you but will forever love you."

He lowered his head and closed his eyes, and for a moment, he thought he had heard a whisper in the air amongst the dripping water falling in the cave. A female voice whispering back to him from across time.

'As will I..."