Nibelheim is a peaceful village where most people looking for an escape from city life would go. It was where the Lockhart and Strife household shared a genuine friendship and a rather ambitious dream. Now, they stand on top of their own respective fields while not forgetting their roots.
The wind was welcoming, letting Eliza sigh in relief. She felt at peace. Every fight has its toll, and after more than half a decade of fighting, Eliza's body had given up. Her medication no longer worked as much as they used to. The very virus in her body growing stronger every day. She wasn't ready to give up before, but now, she's decided to let her life take its course, one last time in this beloved village she once called home.
Zangan has joined in, and was helping sort all the luggage. They were all expected to stay in the once known Shinra manor. An old manor that the Lockhart has received as a gift. Shinra was not a very open, but kind nonetheless. Close business partners to the two families, they even decided to have the old mansion renovated before generously giving it to the Lockhart family.
Looking out into the small village, Eliza was now observant with her surrounding, leaving no detail unattended. She wanted to savor every second she had, before her own body gives out on her, whenever that may be.
Zangan was continuously instructing the servants to place each suitcase into their respective rooms. He was assisted by Claudia who was now going off about the lack of order that the furniture was arriving in. The two had spared no effort when they decided they were handling everything in relation to the house.
"Be careful with that!" A rather panicked tone came from a brunette wearing a lab coat. She was fumbling around with boxes while failing in a rather ridiculous way in telling people where her things should head to.
"I'll take it from here." A rather broody looking young man with black hair decided to take the boxes from her frail looking arms. He tilts his head to the confused movers who were looking desperately for clear instructions. The brunette laughs, embarrassed, goes to the movers and apologizes while she guides them to her intended room. The young man sighs, hands over the boxed to a bald man wearing a nice black suit. He then pats his own suit clean and follows the lady into the house, the bald man following.
Over by the gate was her husband and Cloud. Throughout the years, she watched this little shy boy turn into a well-respected man. He was already in charge with more than half of the family business, giving Claudia ample of time to relax now and then. She knew her illness was not just affecting her family, but them as well. Brian was giving Cloud instruction over some meeting he will be attending again in Brian's place. Brian did say since he was going to be family soon, he should be used to it.
Tifa then appears at the corner of her eye, having just arrived. Her head was down and the very vibrant teal dress she wore was not matching her depressed mood. Cloud decided to come to her side while Brian headed straight into the house to check on things.
"I'll be back in a few days." He mutters while placing his hand on her cheek. She lifts one hand and places it over, pressing his palm into her face even more, savoring the warmth emanating from it. When the news was dropped on them like a bomb, everyone was silent. Brian was shaking, Eliza staring off into the distance as if she had expected it, and Claudia became silent. But Tifa, she was just emotionless. She was the first to speak up, and all she said was an 'okay. Thank you'. Ever since then, she had not uttered a word, but kept close to either Cloud or Eliza.
Much to Eliza's displeasure, any plan for a proposal or a wedding was off the table. Tifa was in no shape or form, regardless of her mother's wishes. Cloud respected it and understood. He kisses her lips. "Lucrecia is here."
Dr. Lucrecia Crescent is a well-known doctor for her medical skill. Though her powers could not find a cure, she managed to keep Eliza looking healthy and active. She was taken in to do everything she can to keep the Eliza alive, as much as her body can allow. Turks, a special security enforcement agency have also been taken in with the doctor to watch over the family. Heading them in the Mansion was Vincent Valentine. He was a close friend of the doctor and had offered his services to the family. The condition of the Lockhart family was no secret, and being one of the wealthiest families of Midgar, they can never be too careful.
A cough separates the two lovers together, and there stood the bald man from a while ago. Cloud frowns. "The security details, we need to discuss them with you."
Cloud nods at him and watch him walk away, he then faces Tifa. "Don't tell me Rude is staying here?"
Tifa smiles, she knew Cloud didn't like Rude. Rude has made it clear that he fancies Tifa, though it would've stayed a secret if his partner Reno had not blabbed about it. Especially, if he hadn't decided on blabbing about it to Cloud. When the Turk learned who Cloud was, let's just say things were not great. Ever since then, Cloud was rather apprehensive when Rude was there.
Tifa kisses his cheek to reassure him, then goes on to pull him along towards her mother and father. Cloud couldn't hide his annoyance with the news he just learned.
Cloud had been handling two companies in the frontlines while his mother and soon to be father-in-law backed him up. He was in and out of the Nibelheim, but that didn't faze him. These past few days, Tifa has been talking and smiling now, however, she was now much more attached to her mother, even if Cloud comes. It makes him feel a little lonely, but he wouldn't say that.
Zack Fair has been a great help to Cloud during these hard times. His father, Angeal, had decided that getting Zack used to business functions would be good exposure, and so he lent his own son to Cloud. The two of them had formed a close friendship since high school, and Zack would even go and visit the Manor a few times.
While the blonde juggles everything, Tifa has devoted almost all her attention to her mother. She felt bad when she denied her mother the chance to see a wedding, but did try to make it up to her by wearing her mother's old wedding dress. Floral lace pattern sleeves that reached her wrists covered the top of her boat neck dress, a thin ivory belt by her waist showing off her small frame, and a dazzling trumpet train with intricate floral accents and crystals. It made her mother cry the moment she entered her room. Everyone had a rather good time seeing mother and daughter in a very touching moment, taking pictures, and even having Eliza dress up for a formal photoshoot. Cloud was however not present during this time, but he did receive tons of pictures. He was much more troubled about the fact that Rude had to see Tifa and that his reaction was recorded by a very cheeky Reno with matching commentary. Even though the days were numbered, each one passed by with treasured memories.
Lucrecia had done all she can, giving enough medication for Eliza to get by each and every day. However, her miracles can only do so much, and Eliza, though unnoticeable, was slowly limiting her food intake due to decrease in appetite, finding rest much comfier than walking around the manor. Her room was her favored place now, unlike before when she couldn't stand being inside it unless it was time to sleep. However, she added another place, and that was a balcony that managed to show a glimpse of the once full of life Mt. Nibel.
With a few fake coughs, Tifa joins her mother on the balcony, behind her was the packet containing the afternoon medicine. Eliza had grown to hate her medication, but kept it to herself.
"Join me for a while, Tifa." Tifa goes to her mother's outstretched arm. Both brunette embraced each other while they lookout to the scenery.
"Did you know that Mt. Nibel was once a beautiful place?" Tifa's brows furrowed, not convinced that such a barren land could be anything but beautiful. She just stared though, unwilling to voice her opinion.
"Ever since it became a wasteland, people have made stories about it being roamed by spirits of the dead." Tifa embraces her mother even tighter. Hearing about death from her mother's lips was distasteful. "They say only the spirits of the dead can see its beauty…I would like to see it."
Rain was a blessing for a lot of reasons, however, it became a curse in the Manor. It was a good two years of serenity for Eliza Lockhart. She barely felt the pain and troubles of her failing body. She did unfortunately have to see her friends and family stare at her with horror as she collapsed one rainy evening. It could have been from the impact; it could have been from her already regressing health; it could have been her sudden decision to leave her room and see everyone one last time in the main hall. Whatever it was, Eliza Lockhart gave her last breath with her last word being her daughter's name.
Tifa who had been waiting for Cloud to get home, worried because of the rain just stared in horror the entire time. How her mother weakly called out to her, then collapsing the next second. The Turks suddenly appearing out of nowhere managing to shield her head from hitting the unforgiving marble floor. Lucrecia and Claudia screaming her mother's name as they ran down the steps, medicine and food in their hands. Brian Lockhart running from his study to his wife's side, barking out orders. The last thing Tifa remembers in her frozen state was cold hands covering her eyes and her father's booming voice to take her to her room. Tifa willingly followed and was now inside her room, tears uncontrollably flowing from her eyes, but still silent. Her mind was completely blank. She just sat on her bed the whole time, the strong wind and rain not bothering her.
Vincent had thought of staying with her, but he was quite worse than Cloud when it came to such situations and decided that she needed time alone. Claudia came soon after, hugging her tight, not saying anything. Tifa returned the embrace weakly and mumbled one single word. "Cloud?"
"He's near, he knows what happened. The rainstorm has been delaying him." Tifa only nodded and allowed Claudia to leave once her father entered the room. Brian Lockhart was not much of a presence in his daughter's life, but they understood the reason for that. He sits down in front of his daughter, both of them unable to look at each other. The moment they did have courage; they saw the answers to questions they never spoke. They cried. For the first time, Tifa lets out her sob. Her father was no better and they both let out the grief they shared and kept deep inside.
Their grief lasted for a few good minutes, but the moment they had calmed down, Brian Lockhart stands up and informs her daughter that he will be handling her mother's dying wish.
"She wanted her ashes spread from Mount Nibel. It seems silly, but let's do this last wish of hers, alright?" with that, he closes the door. The wheels in Tifa's mind began reeling. After half an hour in her owns thoughts, she took her shoes and left.
It was a bad idea to ride the motorcycle he just bought without checking the upcoming weather. Cloud learned this the hard way. He is now hours late and it's from the slippery road. You wouldn't expect cemented roads in Nibelheim anyway. By the time his mother called him about the bad news, he was halfway back and couldn't help but risk himself by driving faster, soaking wet from the rain didn't matter anymore.
He slams the door open once he arrived, huffing and soaking. Most of the staff stared at him with swollen eyes. None of the main residents actually welcomed him. He only said one word.
"Tifa." No one replied, but he did hear his mother running from upstairs and down the stairs. She was panicked and crying. She stops in the middle of the stairs, and looks at her son who now had a sinking heart. "Cloud. Mt. Nibel."
Vincent has been restraining Brian from heading out the Manor. Everything was getting out of control and he had no idea what to do. That was when Cloud caught his eye. Brian Lockhart stopped resisting and started begging. Claudia couldn't take seeing her best friend in such a defeated state.
"Cloud, please. I shouldn't have told her about Mt. Nibel. I know she knew the stories. Please. Find her. Please." The two men stared at each other, Cloud ready to storm out again in the storm.
"I've sent the other Turks. You don't have to-" before Vincent could reason with him, Cloud was gone.
He didn't care about his ragged state, nor his lungs screaming for a stop just so it can recuperate some of the air its lost. He can hear the helicopter up above him, also in search for Tifa. The sky was getting darker, visibility was soon gone, but Cloud wasn't stopping. He pushed his body to move, ignoring all the growing aches.
Relief ends up washing over him to see a brunette with long hair blowing upward from the wind. It didn't last long when he got near to see she was about a third away on a rickety bridge. He shouts her name, adrenaline now seeping back up his veins, he was holding the two poles on the end of the bridge, as if it would help.
"Tifa!" the voice was familiar. She knew that voice. She loved that voice. All this time, her mind was blank, unaware of her own surroundings. All she had in her mind was to see her mother where she had wanted to go. "Tifa!"
The second call snapped her out of her daze, she turns to see dirty blonde hair, but clear blue eyes looking at her intently. She knew who he was. "Cloud."
Thunder rumbled and from that point on, Tifa was now aware where she was, and she was scared. Cloud slowly when near her, trying to be careful with each step while the wind swayed the bridge. Tifa remained in her place, unable to move anymore. Cloud kept his composure, taking each step slowly, but the storm was not helping an old bridge carry the weight of two people, it soon gave out. Hearing the rope slowly snapping, Cloud decided to run and shout Tifa's name. Tifa had an idea what was now happening and ran towards Cloud, her shaking legs finding strength, but by the time Cloud took hold of her wrist, the bridge snapped. The two fell.