"Hurry, Cloud! Aeris needs us!" Tifa called back to Cloud. Near the Forgotten City, Cloud lagged behind Tifa and Vincent. He understood the severity of the situation, as well as the need for urgency. However, he didn't wish to save Aeris. He didn't want to go. He cared for her like a sister, and he wanted her to be well. But he just couldn't shake this peculiar feeling about this mission. Tifa seemed to notice his dread. She stood to wait for him, and smiled worriedly as he caught up to her.

"I know you're worried. We all are." she said in a reassuring voice.

Cloud averted his eyes and looked else where. "Yeah, Tifa. I know." He looked back at her. He let his eyes bare into hers. "I've got a really bad feeling about this."

The smile disappeared from Tifa's optimistic face. She could relate. She'd had the same feeling before the mission even began. Vincent stared back disapprovingly at the two, but he said nothing. Tifa and Cloud had gotten the point, though. They started again, but Tifa slowed her pace to match Cloud's. Why do I have the feeling that you're going away, Cloud? I don't want that, not ever again.

They reached the Forgotten City not too long after. The place was eerie, yet provided a sense of absolute calm. Aeris was here, everyone was sure of it. But Cloud sensed another presence here. He strayed behind Tifa and Vincent as they searched the city together.

Soon, night had fallen, and Cloud stumbled upon a house with three beds in it. While the others slept peacefully, Cloud remained awake. A voice mumbled in his thoughts, keeping him awake for endless hours. He struggled to sleep, but sleep evaded him like a taunting child. Finally, he rose. He stared at the ceiling mournfully. Tifa stirred, and noticed him standing at the other side of the room.

"Cloud?" she stood and approached him.

"She's here. I can hear her voice." Cloud said,shaken.

"Let's get Vincent." Tifa said.

There wasn't a moment to lose.

This time, Cloud led the way. Through a twisted, crystalline path. A lower level was soon revealed to them. "How'd you know about this place, Cloud?" Tifa asked. Cloud shrugged. He pointed to an alter. Aeris knelt down, praying. Cloud began to approach. Tifa started to follow, but Cloud motioned for her to wait. Vincent put a hand on Tifa's shoulder. Cloud leapt up to the alter. Gazing at Aeris, Cloud started to feel dizzy. Thoughts that were not his own began to filter through his brain. Cloud grabbed his head. He tried to ignore them, shut them out. But for all his effort, they grew to an astounding roar. Cloud knew his mission. He brandished his weapon in front of Aeris.

Aeris looked up at Cloud. Her smile soon became a look of fear. He sliced off her head with a quick blow. The others hadn't even gotten the chance to say anything. Tifa screamed. As she did, a little white materia fell into Cloud's hand, waking him to reality. Before he even realized what happened, a bullet from Vincent's gun raced through his chest. Cloud fell to the floor, grasping the smooth stone. He saw Sephiroth's figure smiling at him from a distance.

Sitting in a pool of his own blood, pain holding him prisoner to their scorn, Cloud soon was given the wisdom of the Ancients. He knew now how to defeat Sephiroth. A tear dropped down his cheek, as he realized now that his friends, the last hope for the world, shall never know this secret.His heart beat one last time, and was silenced... forever...