The taste of victory seemingly at the price of the end of the world was all Zack could feel as the meteor hastened to the world, but suddenly the floor of the cathedral gave way as he fell into the light. The warm breeze slowed his descent and a feeling of love and good began to course all through his being. The feeling comforted him believing he had at least defeated Sephiroth's malice. The warm breeze and the dazzling colors rejuvenated and relaxed his body and mind causing him to fall into a deep slumber.

After a restful sleep Zack began to stir as he slowly opened his eyes realizing he was back in Aerith's cathedral resting peacefully on the front pew.

"Did I..." Zack raised his hand in front of his face grasping at the air unsure if what he was now experiencing was a dream.

"Na... I couldn't have dreamt that! It all felt too real" Zack said closing his hand taking a deep breath. He looked straight ahead at Aerith's favorite yellow flowers seemingly glimmering in the light at the front of the church. Memories began to flood in him bringing him back to his present situation and redirecting him back to his main goal, to save and reunite with Aerith.

"Just as worlds unite, so too do they part..." Zack repeated Sephiroth's last line before he was separated from Cloud.

"Pfft..." Zack sighed and leaned back against the pew to take another moment to collect his thoughts and assess his new situation.

"But who's to say they can't unite again?" Zack said with a new optimism as he leaned back against the pew taking in the beauty of the cathedral. The high ornate ceilings with the remaining chandeliers hanging with the remaining stained glass brought a sense of peace. All the memories he had shared with Aerith began to return to him. A bittersweet feeling began to rise. Zack was really wondering what was real and what wasn't.

After a few minutes of musing of what existence he now felt like he was in, he stood up and walked over to the edge of the flowers careful not to step on any of them. All of the sudden an impulsive feeling came over him to kneel down, bow his head, and close his eyes. He had seen Aerith do this before in the church so many years ago. Zack guessed she must have been praying to the planet, but Zack also wondered if the planet had a Goddess? Perhaps the same one who appeared to Genesis? He began to pray.

"Great Planet or Goddess, I humbly seek your guidance as to what to do next..." Zack prayed until he felt a draft of wind from up above.

"What the!?" he quickly executed a somersault and took a defense stance with his buster sword in hand ready to fight; but could not believe his eyes what he saw next.

"Zack!"

"Angeal!" Zack cried out in disbelief, but then quickly backed away with his sword in a defensive stance.

"No, you can't be Angeal!" Zack looked him in the eye as Angeal slowly descended to the ground level with Zack.

"You're just another illusion by Sephiroth! You can't fool me! How is it you have two wings!?" Zack said defiantly.

"Very good Zack, always the consummate soldier" Angeal beamed with two bright white wings. He was dressed in a golden gleaming armor with a great sword adorned with gold and an emerald at the hilt.

"I'm very proud of you Zack, you have embraced your dreams and become a hero..." Angeal said with almost a sad tone.

"It's really you!" Zack begin to look into Angeal's eyes sensing the warm benevolence. "Tell me Angeal, what's going on?"

"Sephiroth is manipulating fate to his benefit while also manipulating an evil cosmic being which we know as Jenova" Angeal explained thoughtfully as his wings closed walking up to the flowers gazing at them.

"I noticed..." Zack said shaking his head disapprovingly.

"...and he is trying to taint your legacy" Angeal went on.

"Cloud..." Zack murmured.

"When fate is breached, new worlds are created" Angeal explained.

"What does that mean?"

"Aerith has chosen to lead Cloud and his friends down a new path in order to stop this unholy breach of fate"

"Aerith! Is she ok?! What can I do to save her!" Zack desperately looked to Angeal.

"I am only allowed to intervene on your behalf so much Zack, but you have been given another chance... the scales of fate must be balanced" Angeal kneeled down adoring the flowers.

"Tell me Angeal, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of worlds. I thought I had died but here I am..."

"As I have said Zack, you have been given another chance. I can only tell you this, go home, reawaken your roots, seek out Bugenhagen in Cosmo Canyon, and perhaps the path will reveal itself to you" Angeal stood up and walked behind the pulpit.

"Sephiroth has a power I have never known him to have before" Zack remarked.

"Yes, it is abominable, and what you do in this world will matter if you wish to save Aerith and help Cloud... but it won't be easy" Angeal said resolutely.

"Have you tried to reach Sephiroth?" Zack asked a bit zealously.

"His memories of our past is being blocked by Jenova, but perhaps a version of him will soon remember... for better or worse"

"Versions?"

"As you now know, new worlds are created, and Sephiroth and Jenova can manifest clones that are seeking the reunion"

"So other Sephiroths exist as well?"

"You will see..." was all Angeal would say.

"What happened to Genesis?" Zack suddenly remembered.

"He still lives and has found his redemption. Perhaps you will see him at some point on your path"

"Did Cloud save Aerith?" Zack suddenly asked Angeal.

"I once loved someone too..." Angeal mused.

"What was that...?" Zack not too sure he heard Angeal say what he just said.

"It's nothing...Cloud has done all he can do, the rest is up to you Zack. Only you can truly save Aerith. May your heart guide you, receive the blessing of the Goddess!" Angeal said with a finality in his voice disappearing into gold light which surrounds and absorbs into Zack's body. Zack closes his eyes feeling the warmth and vitality flowing all through his being giving him a renewed sense of purpose.

"One step at a time, I need to go check on Cloud and Aerith if I'm in the same world I first saw them" Zack said placing his buster sword on his back taking one last look at the flowers which seem to be glimmering brighter in the light, then exiting the cathedral making his way back to Elmyra's house.