FFMUX Log:Aerith's Memories

[icebrand]

Another log where Aerith is tested by the planet in her quest to rid the world of Geostigma..

The scene so far..

Having just awoken in a strange, mystical field full of hundreds of hundreds of flowers, the air is quiet, slightly damp and foggy, hazy almost as if in a dream. The sky above is a pale blue, cloudless sky, the sound of trickling water coming from somewhere..
Zack goes from sprawled to standing with out actually occupying and space in between. Hand on his sword's her name is half way our his lips before everything lines up nicely. "Aer-Oh there you are. Where the heck are we?" His tone is casual, like he's asking what she's reading or what they were having for dinner. His body is bowstring taut, every muscle and sense on alert.
"Ummm..." she looks around, biting her lip, "This is a part of the lifestream, or more specifically..." she looks a little worried, clenching her fists as she notices the doors, the flowers at her feet, "My memories..My fears..The darkest part of my soul..Yes, the planet is testing me, to ensure that I'm worthy, no..Strong enough to undertake this task.." though a bit daunted by this task at first, she puts on a smile, a brave face, turning to look back at Zack, reaching out to take his hand as if to reassure herself, "Hey, are you ready for this? It should be a snap, right?" no worries. What could she possibly be afraid of?

Zack looks skeptical. "Shouldn't we be boiling like soup in a microwave? I mean, the LifeStream's all radiation and stuff isn't it?" The leather of his glove is soft against her hand, warmth increasing as he squeezes gently. "Darkest parta your soul, eh? Piecea cake. Nothing we can't handle." For some reason Zack is picturing a little bunny with fangs

She laughs a bit, shaking her head, "Dont worry, if things work out okay, by the time we wake up, we'll be healed..Great Gospel, remember?" IF things work out. If they dont? Well, she doesnt want to think about that. Things are bound to work out for sure! "Come on, let's hurry..The less time we stay in here, the better!" she skips down the first cobblestoned pathway that leads to a stone arched doorway. Clutching his hand a bit tightly, she closes her eyes as she steps in..

Zack trails along, allowing himself to be guided by her. Unlike her, that 'What if?' holds a bit more weight with him. Unfortunately, by the time he's able to articulate what he wants to say they're all ready stepping through that first gate. Well, here's hoping!

Almost instantaneously, the temperature plummets to below freezing. The soft, cloudless sky is suddenly replaced by deep cobalt blue, star spangled sky from which large snowflakes fall softly to the snow covered ground. The village laid out before the two is small, quaint, nestled in the heart of the mountains, dwarfed by the massive crater in the pit of the biggest mountain south of the village.

"I know this place..Icicle Village..My birthplace." her voice drops to a near whisper as she glances around at the sleeping village, trying to spot out her home. "I was so young back then, just a baby, but somehow I remembered this place..The pictures, the images.." spotting a little log cabin on the edge of town, she quickens her pace towards it, "But then..This must be before.." shaking her head, she pauses a moment, "Can I change the past? Can I stop that fateful day from happening?"

Zack stares at the mountains, unaffected by the sudden change in temperature. "Icicle Village…." He's obviously awed. "This place's got the best snowboarding on the planet! You grew up…" Not only has he not being paying attention, she managed to get ahead of him. "Hey, wait up!"

Caught up in her own little world, she doesnt slow her pace, doesnt stop to let him catch up with her, though admittedly she's not very fast. The deep snow drifts make running difficult, especially for a small person like her and she trips several times, falling in the snow, causing her to shiver all the more as her clothes are weighed down by the snow. Finally, she pauses for a moment or two to catch her breath, her gaze still locked on the house in the distance. "I can change the past! I'm sure of it! I can make it so all those bad things didnt happen...Then..Then..." then what? she doesnt really know. She's not really making sense, really thinking things through, totally caught up in the illusions of this world, the now is all that matters.

Snow drifts? What snow drifts? Aside from the fact that he's tall, the aforementioned outdoor sports have accustomed him to this kind of thing. Zack's caught up to her about the second time she falls, and quickly picks her up and dusts her off. "Hey, you okay? You're going to freeze solid! Here, hop on." He kneels in the snow, looping his arms so they make perfect leg holds.

She shakes her head, dusting the rest of the snow off, but smiles at Zack, "Thanks..I'll be okay, it's not far!" though she's still shivering, not that she seems to notice much. "Come on, we have to hurry!!" she hops up again, running only a few paces to reach the house, banging on the door, trying to get it to open, and surprisingly, it gives easily at her touch. "Zack...Come on!" she pauses only briefly at the door, wondering if she should go in or not, frowning a bit. "If I change time, will it make things better? Will it screw things up? But it has to work!!"

Zack follows at a much slower pace, obviously perplexed. Change time? Didn't she say they were in the LifeStream? "Aer, I don't think you're thinking this through. We're in the Lifestream, not the past. This is part of your test, remember?" He's behind her soon enough, wiping the snow off her clothing as well as his own.

She shakes her head, holding her hand over the doorknob. "Test? What test? I'm in the past, dont you see? The planet sent me back to the past so I can change time, so I can make it so that my parents never died...So that I was never raised in a ShinRa lab..If I can stop 'him', then...." she shakes her head, pushing open the door, 'I'll do it! I'll stop time! It's the only thing that matters!!" Everything else is forgotten in that moment. Fortunately, she leaves the door open, swinging on its hinges as she rushes inside, glancing around as the scene unfolds around her. It's just as she remembered: A small, cozy little log cabin, a warm, inviting fireplace flickering in one corner, the sound of a baby crying in the room nearby, and sitting in a rockingchair, her back turned from the door is her mother, holding a softly crying baby in her arms, lulling the child to sleep with her beautiful lullaby.

Zack's frown deepens. This wasn't good, not at all. He wasn't an expert on this kind of stuff, but in the comics heroes never actually got to change the past in their dream sequences. They were there to learn something. Well, maybe the delusion was part of the process? He sighs, this was going to be a lot harder than he assumed. Quietly he follows her, closing the door behind him so as to not let the draft in. Ever practical that one! "You're mother?" He asks softly, not thinking for one minute they are anything but observers.

Who knows what she's thinking right now, perhaps she has forgotten the test or perhaps that's exactly what the planet wants her to think. This is certainly the test itself, is it not? But what has she to learn from it? "Umm...." she takes another step towards mother and child, arching her neck to see her face, feeling her heart beat more rapidly as her fists clench tightly by her side. "My mom...And me! But..Where's dad? Is he..Did he..?" no no, he couldnt be the one who....! She seems terribly worried for a moment, biting her lip as she watches what should be a warm, serene and heartwarming scene. But she cant help but feel a certain tension in the air as the snowstorm begins to pick up outside the window, moments before Zack closes the door on it. Even then it can be heard, the relentless wind whistling through the snow, churning up white fluffy stuff that tints the windows in frosty white snow..
"Hmm? Is someone there?" Ifalna turns around, rising from the chair, still holding the baby and stares straight through the two of them as if they didnt even exist. "No, it must be the wind...Dont worry, Aerith, your father will be home soon..."

Zack eyes Ifalna. Were they really in the past and not a recreation of Aerith's memories? Cautiously he approaches the woman, reaching out to touch he shoulder. What would happen if they could change the past? Would he still meet Aerith? Would he still enter SOLDIER? The butterflies might have something to do with it….Idly he notes the storms increase. Suddenly he's filled with this apprehension. Something Bad (tm) was about to happen, wasn't it?

Zack's hand goes right through her, not surprisingly, although her body is still solid, her voice still as real as if she were really here. An illusion? Mirage? A phantom perhaps? Who can say for sure? The past isnt talking. Neither is the planet. But Aerith doesnt seem convinced still, doesnt even seem to notice as Zack's hand passes through her mother. "Mom? Mom, can you hear me? You've got to get out of here!! ShinRa is coming! Theyr'e going to get you! They will kill you..Please mom, get out of here!! Mom?!"

Though for all her warnings, Ifalna simply walks right through her, moving towards the window as she peers outside at the snow blizzard and sighs as if nothing had happened. Closing the curtains, wrapping her shawl around her thin shoulders, she strokes her baby, wrapping the blankets warmly around her as she turns to the fireplace, warming her hands over the warm, ember flames as she gazes up at the many pictures of her and her husband in happier times. "Oh Gast..Where are you? I hope you are safe.." she sighs.

Zack sighs, partly with relief partly with frustration. Why were so many things in his life both good and bad at the same time?! With the woman walking through them he takes his default position, behind Aerith with his hands resting on her shoulders. "We're just watchin, Aer. It's like 3D T.V." The storm catches his attention again. Man, good thing they weren't really here! That sounded like the kind of weather you needed to dig yourself out of! Which could be fun, but not with this nagging sense that something unpleasant was about to happen.

"Nooo!!! I cant accept it! I wont sit here and watch her die, all over again!!" she pulls away from Zack, blinded by her determination to save her mom, by her frustration in not being able to help, "I'll stop him from coming! I'll change the past! That's why I am here...It's got to be..Why else?" she runs towards Ifalna again, trying to shake her, trying to get her attention, "Mom...Mom!!! You've got to listen, you've got to get out of here! Now!!! Please, listen to me!!!" though her words go unheeded, her hands touching only thin air as they pass right through her mother, who turns and walks off towards the rocking chair again, settling down with a tired sigh. Baby Aerith has started to cry now too as her mother rocks her gently in her arms, trying to calm her to sleep. "There there, Aerith..Dont be afraid, your father is coming..He will protect us..."

Just then, three sharp knocks resound on the large oak door...

Zack reaches to take Aerith in his arms, restraining her as gently as possible. "Aerith! You gotta come to terms with this. It happened, you can't change it now." He's trying to be soothing, but knows it really isn't any good. The scene that's about to unfold isn't going to be an easy one. Through the Stigma bandages, she can feel his heart beating. Hard and steady, a more subtle reminder of his presence than the limbs that encircle her.

"Hmmm? That must be him now...Dont worry, Aerith, it'll all be okay..Dont worry.." Ifalna whispers soothing words to her crying baby, rising from her seat to answer the door. "Gast..Is that you?" slowly she reaches out to open the door, hesitating only briefly as she turns the knob achingly slowly...
"Noo! No, please...Zack! I can stop it! This is my dream I can..I can..." she shakes her head, struggling against him, tears streaming from her eyes, "Please, let me do what I have to do!! I know, this is why I'm here, it has to be! I can change history!!"

Zack tries his best to hold onto the small woman. Had this happened a few weeks earlier it wouldn't be any problem but right now he's at a distinct disadvantage, every thrash and bolt jostles against his Geostigma, which feels like she's stabbing him with bullets. Just before the door opens he is forced to let go, taking a knee and clutching his chest. OW! Falling back on his training, he isolates the pain, separates himself from it. Aerith needed him! "Aerith don't!"

"Who's there? Gast, is that you?" she reaches for the door handle, openning the door easily to admit..A scientist, a middle aged man in a white lab coat..Hojo..No, Professor Gast! He's holding a gun, he's accompanied by two Shinra soldiers as they storm into the small cabin, Gast aiming his gun at Ifalna, an evil gleam in his eye...
Under normal conditions, Aerith probably could never break free so easily, would never have left him there, hurting and in obvious pain. But she's clearly not thinking straight in this strange, surrealistic dream world as she rushes to the door, moments after her mother opens it. "Dont worry, it's my dream! I can change it!! I can change the future!!" though not even SHE is prepared for what she faces, all her fears, her darkest doubts and fears come true! "F-father?? But why? How could you..." is this for real? Is this how it really happened?" she shakes her head in disbelief, positioning herself between her father and her mother. "No! I wont let you hurt mom!!"

"Aerith!" Zack calls again, struggling to his feet. Real or imagined, standing in front of a man with a gun was never a good idea! Maybe he was going about this wrong? The Lifestream wouldn't put her in any real danger would it? Uncertain, he moves to her side ready to give her a shove should imaginary bullets prove as fatal as real ones. "We're not in the past." He says softly. "We're in your head, not the past. This is something you fear, angel."

She shakes her head, closing her eyes, stubbornly refusing to believe this is happening. Though of course she could never completely ignore him, his words, wise and true, ring through the air. "A dream...My dream? Then..Then I can control it! Maybe..." shaking her head, she stares at Professor Gast, holding out her arms to stop him from crossing and for a moment, his form seems to flicker, pause as he looks at her as if he saw her. "Dream or not, maybe I can still stop the past from happening..I can stop you!!" pointing at Gast, suddenly a gun materializes in Aerith's hands, pointing it at Gast with trembling, hesitant hands..Can she do it? Can she kill her own father to save her mother??

Zack frowns, looking from the gun to the scientist. Was this right? Seeing Aerith there, ready to kill the man who helped bring her into the world just seemed off. "Aer…" He reaches to set his hand on top of the gun. "I don't think this is right." He gestures with his free hand from her father to her mother. "You can control this right? What would you say to him if he could talk to you right now? I...I think you're supposed to forgive your dad for being involved with ShinRa, for not being able to save you and your mom."

She shakes her head, still staring at her father through her tears, though as Zack lays his hand over her gun, she seems to hesitate, glancing back at him, blinking in confusion, "But..But he was working for ShinRa! He betrayed her! He must have! How else did ShinRa know my mom and me were here? How can I forgive him?" she looks back at Gast..Gast..or was it Hojo? His image is suddenly a blur, either due to her tears or something else, she cant see him clearly, cant make out who he is..But another voice cuts in, a soft echoing whisper throughout the cabin, either from Aerith's own mind, her memories or both.

"..Your father loved you..He loved us both very much..."

"But..How do I know? How can I believe him, trust him? He was..ShinRa.." but..But Zack was ShinRa too!! The scientist (Gast? Hojo?) takes another few steps towards her, still holding the gun, his ShinRa soldiers following close behind.."I dont know..I dont know what to do!!" still she clenches the gun in her hand, not having let go, though not shaking Zack away this time.

Zack puts a gentle pressure on the gun, trying to get her to lower it. "You gotta accept that he loved you. Maybe he made some mistakes, but he really did love you. Listen to your ma, she'd know."

"Zack? But...." she bites her lip, closing her eyes as she hears her gentle voice, those gentle words echoing back to her once more.

"Your father..He loved you..He loved us both, very much.."

"But..But dad was working for ShinRa. How...Why?" she blinks, glancing at Zack, "Just like...." she shakes her head, "Zack..But.." but even so, he loved her more than that, maybe her dad did too..The gun falls from her grasp, either falling to the floor or to be caught up by Zack if he's still holding onto it. "Oh no..." she drops to her knees, staring up at her father. "I nearly...Dad..I love you! I'm sorry! I dont know what I was thinking!! I'm so sorry..."

The blurred figure suddenly vanishes, replaced by none other than Professor Hojo! Behind him, where her mother stands with baby Aerith, her father suddenly appears in a phantasmal form, stepping in front of her mom and her baby self, shielding them both with his body as Hojo and his soldiers surge forward, shooting him full of bullets, ignoring her mother's screams and pleas, the baby's cries, as her father's dead body falls to the ground in a lifeless heap..

Aerith too, collapses to the ground, overcome by grief, covering her tearstained face as she continues sobbing away quietly..

Zack is ready, tightening his grip on the gun the moment she starts to let go. Dropping a gun was dangerous! Though his handle on the situation seems to be a good one, little things like that keep slipping through. You can't beat conditioning some times.
As Aerith falls he drops with her, setting the gun on the floor and gathering her up in his arms. He holds her tight, wanting desperately to protect her from the things she has to face. The pain the planet wants to make sure she can endure. The military had done the same thing to him. It beat the hell out of you to make you something better, stronger. "Shhh…It's okay." He whispers, stroking her hair and rocking her gently. "Now you know for sure, you don't have to doubt ever again."

Aerith doesnt open her eyes even though she didnt have to. She knew what happened now, she could feel it, sense it, even if she tried to block out the images with her eyes. They were still there in her head, in her memories always. But at least now she knew the truth. She rests her head against Zack's shoulder as she continues to cry, finding some comfort at least in his presence..It was so painful, to see her father die like that, not betraying her but protecting her, and she! She doubted him! How could she? "Zack..I doubted him..He lost his life..Protecting us! Will he ever forgive me??" more importantly, did she pass the test?

"A parent's love is unconditional. Least that's what my dad always said." Which was a good thing, cause Zack had gotten in enough trouble to violate any condition! "I'm sure he does, you just gotta forgive yourself now." As to the last question? He peers around the room, looking to see if some kind of grade or something pops up at them. A+ for efficiency and drama! I'd like to thank the academy!

Unfortunately, there is no such luck! no cheerleaders to cheer 'em on, no judges holding up 10 score billboards..Only a faded dream, a quickly fading memory that suddenly melts away before them, replaced once more by the familiar flowerfield..Only this time, the sun is just setting, casting the sky in an eerie glow of red, gold and soft violet hues, a kind of strange, beautiful twilight.

Aerith blinks, staring skywards, feeling the warmth, the feeling return to her body once they're out of that cold, cold place. She smiles weakly at Zack, wiping away the last of her tears. She had no time for tears! Though of course she understood that tears had their place too. Could one really be called weak for crying, crying for the dead, for their own doubts and fears?
"Thank you, Zack...I'm sure you are right. I know...I could never have shot him in the end..Never.." though its more than just words, it's the truth. She couldnt hurt a fly! The planet was surely just testing her, and it seems that she passed. Thank goodness that Zack was here though! "For just a moment, I doubted but...I dont doubt anymore. Even if he was working for ShinRa once, he still loved me and my mom, right? I guess not all ShinRa people are evil.."

Zack beams happily and ruffles her hair. "That's the spirit! Told you we'd get through this!" He takes a second to look around, enjoying the pretty colors and what not. He stands, holding his hands down to her. "One down, three to go!"

She nods, gathering strength, courage even from the first gruelling ordeal.."Yeah, okay.." slowly she rises to her feet, reaching out and grabbing Zack's hands to help pull her up and glancing around. Phew, it feels pretty good even, to be finished with the first trial, as if a little weight had been lifted from her shoulders. But what else could the planet have planned for her? What else did the planet plan to throw her way?

"Alright....Let's go!!" she hurries off towards the next pathway, this one made of beautiful, shining seashells, curved into a long flattened pathway that vanishes into the second archway, this one also made of jewelled gold.

Zack helps her up, stealing a kiss before she starts off for the next gate. Sea shells eh? Wonder what the symbolism is…

Seashells...Hmmm...Familiar somehow, yes. As Zack enters into this place, he might realize that Aerith is nowhere to be seen. Either she's incredibly fast all of a sudden or...Who knows? This place is utterly beautiful, a city made entirely of gigantic seashells and corals, glimmering in a mysterious mystical beauty. Numerous coral pathways lead here and there, leading to large houses made of seashells. The sound of beautiful but faint music seems to whistle on the wind, something akin to windchimes dancing in the wind, though a hundred times more beautiful. Beautiful but sad, so very sad. This place seems deserted, deserted perhaps for many years. The City of the Ancients.

Zack whistles appreciatively, turning around once before he notices Aerith's AWOL. "Oye! Where'd you go?!" His voice echoes rudely through the solemn memorial of a people. "Aerith?" The faintest hint of panic rises in his voice.

The words echo sharply throughout the deserted city, almost eerily so. But there is no voice in response, no sign of Aerith anywhere. The entire city seems like it has been deserted for a millennia at least..Or is it? Despite no sounds, no signs of life from anywhere, one structure seems to stand out more than the rest, a large, temple like structure, more stunning, more impressive than the others as it resembles a giant, spiralling shell stands in the very centre of the city, a single, brilliant light piercing the darkness of the twilight sky.

Zack fights the panic. "Hey, calm down man. It's all right. Some one can't get lost in their own mind…Can they?" Nervously he swallows, picking at the bandages around his neck. This was either really good, or really bad. "Focus!" The graying man talks to himself as his feet guide him towards the Pretty Glowey Shell.

As Zack nears the glowy object, he would see a large, elegantly spiralling staircase leading down down down into the deptths of the earth. But rather than growing dank, dark and gloomy, it only becomes more beautiful the further down one goes, like a massive crystalline cavern beautifully carved out of the side of a mountain. Though it is a bit of a maze once down there, numerous pathways leading this way and that, one or a few of them surely lead to the very centre of the crystalline temple at the very bottom. To the keen observer or one with enhanced hearing, the soft, sweet sound of a certain angelic voice can be heard whispering, as if she were praying coming from the very bottom of the cavern.

Zack's ears practically twitch upon hearing that voice. Oh thank god! His boots ring out across the space as he clomps his way down the stairs, riding the railing where he can and running as fast as he can towards that sound. "Aer! Dang it you've gotten fast!" He calls.

Her? Fast? Not really..Maybe she just learned better ways of moving about in her dreams..Or maybe she became a part of her own dream. Who knows? She's kneeling at the altar at the very bottom, on a stone pedestal raised higher than the others, in the centre of what appears to be a beautiful crystalline lake. A series of small stone stepping stones spiral around the pedestal and altar, leading eventually to the stairs around the where she is. She remains there a moment longer in deep concentration, her eyes closed, smiling softly as she gazes up at the point of light in the very centre of the room, shining down from a narrow opening in the roof of the spiralling cavern. She doesnt need to speak. Her thoughts, all of them, are so clear in this surrealistic world. Raising her gaze as she hears the footsteps, she smiles gently, happily as she sees him...Cloud...You came!! The words are thought, though resonating softly throughout the cavern as if they were said, whispered.

Zack freezes on the spot. Cloud?! Where?! He looks around anxiously, hoping beyond hope that this is another ones of those cannot-touch dreams. There was a good chance the blonde didn't have anything nice to say to…Wait, stupid! This is a memory, you're probably dead here! He scowls.

She blink-blinks, peering at him carefully, and smiles shaking her head. "Oh.....Sorry! It's you, Zack!!" You finally came...! She seems even happier, if possible, to see that it's him, not Cloud, though she doesnt move from her spot, her hands still clasped in prayer. I'll save them....Dont worry..I'll stop meteor, and take care of Sephiroth....Again, words thought, more than said, though heard as easily as if she had spoken them. It's about that time that a sudden, sharp breeze suddenly shoots through the area, a moment of foreboding, of anxiety if one could feel such things so easily. But in dreams, such things were as clear as if they were words. The faint serene music that was once playing now becomes more anxious, more tense as if something were about to happen..

Stop meteor?! Zack's eyes widen as his stomach drops. Oh gods, no. He squeezes his eyes shut. ~Please. Please don't make me watch this.~ The atmosphere turns ominous and he knows he's not getting out of it. Like Aerith before, he wants to flail and scream. To try and stop the events from unfolding. But he knows better, this is a learning experience. It can't be stopped. "Yea, eventually. You're going to die first though." He says softly, looking around for his insane best friend.

Yes, that fated night, that night when she died..But this is merely a dream, isnt it? And dreams can sometimes distort the truth, the reality as has been seen already. She continues to smile at Zack happily, but suddenly her gaze shifts to a point nearer her, a dark figure that suddenly materializes, not from the rooftop above, but right in front of her, right where Cloud had stood, had tried to save her but failed..Only this time, it takes the form of Zack himself! And he's holding a very solid looking sword raised above his head, his eyes blank as he moves slowly towards her as if in a trance..Her eyes widen suddenly at the realization..Zack is being controlled by Sephiroth..Zack is going to kill her!

If Zack's eyes were wide before, they nearly bug out of his head now. "Oye! Knock that off you!" He yells at the phantom, loosing all composure. "I wouldn't do that and you know it!" He makes to leap towards the figure and give him a good beating!

"Wouldnt you?" the phantom echoes in a voice that is eerily similar to Zack's own. As Zack leaps for him, his form is more solid than the last and he staggers back a bit as he is shoved against the wall. Turning to his double, he simply laughs, "We both know that she is getting in our way..Get rid of her, and we can be with Sephiroth forever..We can have our reunion.." he slashes his giant buster sword at the real Zack, trying to get through to Aerith who watches in wide-eyed horror, not at the real Zack, but at his double. In fact she seems to stare right through the real Zack as if he wasn't even there. "Zack..? Why?" So..It was true, all along. She shakes her head in disbelief, backing away from the fight even as the phantom draws nearer. "You're betraying me? For him..?"

In his anger, Zack forgets where he is or what it represents. The slash is met with a well aimed kick to the sword, point of impact meant to jar the weapon from unZack's hands. "Take it back you bastard! It's not like that! I wouldn't ever hurt Aerith!" Her words slice through the rage. Wait, this wasn't real. We're facing her fears and she fears…Oh god.
The Soldier turns to the Cetra. "Aerith. I know you're scared and I'm sorry it's like this for you. I-" He drops to his knees, clutching his chest as the first ripples of a Geostigma flare dance along his nerves. Any time Sephiroth was an issue; it bypassed all his normal defenses and tore at his frail little heart.
"Maybe once upon a time I'd wondered something like that, if what I felt wasn't normal…" He inhales sharply, the air through his clenched teeth making a hissing sound. No one else in the world new that. Not even the man in question! "But it isn't, I swear it isn't. That part of my heart belongs to you and no one else!"

No no, this wasnt right! Zack loved her! He had showed her already in so many ways! But..Somewhere in the darkest recesses of her mind, she always doubted, always worried, always feared that he loved Sephiroth more, that he would sacrifice anything - even Aerith for Sephiroth's sake. Watching in wide-eyed fear, she realizes for the first time that her deepest fears are true, and for the longest moment her gaze is locked upon Un-Zack, not hearing half of Real-Zack's words until the geostigma flares up again. "Zack? No!" she blinks, taking a cautious step towards them, seeing Real-Zack for the first time as well as Un-Zack at the same time..Oh no, which is the real Zack? Is this a trick? Is he trying to fool her..Or are they both just more Sephiroth clones! Caught like a deer in the headlights, unsure if she should help him or run, she just stands there staring, trying to sort her mixed up feelings. "He's hurt but...If he's just another Sephiroth clone..Could it be..?" she sighs, hanging her head. Was Sephiroth controlling him all along, just so he could use him to kill her like this?
"Oh yes, it's exactly like that! That's exactly how I feel! You're nothing, just a minor distraction..Sephiroth is everything to me!" Un-Zack cackles as he continues to fight Real-Zack, grabbing tightly to his sword despite the kick, retaliating with a well aimed thundara blast from his materia, aimed at Zack's mid-section, particularly towards where the Geostigma flares and while he is distracted with the geostigma, he lunges again for Aerith, arching his sword towards her to deal a glancing but wicked blow that draws blood from her shoulder, sending her careening against another pillar.

The electricity courses through Zack's all ready weakened system, winding him long enough to allow the un-Zack to get through. You know, for a dream this really hurt like hell! "No!" He scrambles to his feet, one arm protectively covering the Stigma while the other whips the Bowie knife from his boot. "LIES!" Zack roars, lunging to plant the blade into unZack's back.
"Damnit Aerith! Seph's not an evil mastermind, my lover or any other nasty thing! I love you, and I'd die before letting anything, including him, happen to you!"

"Aaaah!!!" she flinches as she slams into the nearby pillar, blood trickling from her wounded shoulder. But its nothing compared to what Real-Zack must be going through! At least some of his talking is getting through to her this time, causing her to sit up right and take a good look at the two Zacks..Something was off about one of them, even if she feared what what he said was true, why was the other one fighting to hard to protect her, and in such obvious pain? She blinks "He would...Die for me..?" His last words cause her to nearly cry at the honesty but even as she staggers to her feet to try and help him, Un-Zack moves faster..
"Hahaha...Lies? Are these lies? Or just the secrets of your own heart? Listen to me, Zack, I am you..And you are me! I am the truth you fail to believe, that you refuse to show to the world..You know I'm telling the truth!!" he's stopped again from causing any more damage to Aerith as the knife strikes him in the back, slowing him down some, but not even drawing blood or stopping him. "So, maybe you just need a little more convincing, huh.." he spins around rushing towards Zack with a series of quick hacks and slashes, moving as if his giant sword were lighter than a feather. Being a phantom Zack, this Zack seems tireless, faster, and not hampered by any sort of Geostigma!

Zack just barely manages to draw the short sword, conditioned response the only thing saving him from being a smear on the pavement. The hell?! Eventually the phantom breaks through his defense, sending him slamming through the wall with a bone cracking crash. Moments later he's clambering back through, sword held limply in his arm. "You're not me." The Soldier coughs, a trickle of blood and ooze dribbling out of the corner of his mouth. "You're just a part of Aerith's mind." Once again he lunges at the man, hardly able to defend himself much less attack.

Aerith lets out a strangled gasp as she watches the fake Zack beat the real Zack to a bloody pulp! "Zack!! Nooo!!" she rises to her feet, focusing her gaze on the seemingly unstoppable Un-Zack, gritting her teeth. He was telling the truth, he really would die for her. She couldnt watch him die, not again! "I understand now, you're a fake! A nightmare! Zack...Zack would never do those things..Look how hard he's fighting for me, even though he cant even stand..Look what he's doing for me, because..Because he loves me!..No way you are for real!!" She points at the fake Zack, "You arent real! You dont exist!! Go back to where you came from!" Her words seem to echo around the temple, You arent real..You arent real..Clear, sharp and true. The words seem to have a profound effect on the phantom who screams, clutching its ears as its form begins to become blurred, shapeless, little more than a shadow before melting away completely, becoming little more than a shadowy mass on the ground, dissipated easily by the light from the spire above.

Yay! He's gone! But she hardly has time for celebration as she hurries to Zack's side, only then realizing the extent of his injuries. "Oh no..Zack!! You're hurt.." she attempts to steady him on his feet, holding her hands on his shoulders in front of her as she murmurs a quick prayer, glimmering with energy as she summons magic from both her heal and restore materias this time. Clearly her powers are stronger within the lifestream than without, and a soft healing green light mixed with blue shimmer around Zack's wounds, strong enough to heal all of his wounds and at least momentarily ease the pain of the Geostigma. "Here, rest for a bit.." she tries to pull him to the ground, kneeling down on her knees herself as she watches him with obvious concern.

Zack sighs contentedly as the magic surges through him. Normally he'd make a fuss about letting his body heal on it's own and what not. But they had two more doors left! Who knew what things would want to beat him up behind there?! He sinks to the ground, leaning against the remains of the wall with a content little smile. "S'good. You're super charged here for some…Umm…Shouldn't we be back in the field?"

She smiles faintly as she sees the color come back to his face. "I'm sorry..I doubted you. I thought I have gotten over it but still.." sighing a little, she hangs her head sadly, "I was scared...I was really scared..I thought I'd lose you all over again, because I didnt trust you even if just a little. The planet used that tiniest bit of doubt, of fear, turned my nightmares into reality.." Nightmares could be so cruel sometimes. "Even if it is just a dream, they say that if you die in your dreams, you will die in the real world too..Oh, Zack, will you forgive me?" she suddenly lurches forward, flinging her arms around around his neck, desperately searching his eyes for the forgiveness she so desperately needs. His question goes unanswered, either because she didnt hear him or because she intentionally ignored him.

Zack's arms encircle her waist and he pulls her close. "I don't blame you." His words are soft and tender. A gloved hand moves to stroke her hair, tucking her bangs behind her ears. "And there's nothing to forgive." He arches his neck and plants a gentle kiss on her forehead. That question is troubling him, nagging at the back of his mind. There was more, wasn't there?

She shakes her head, not listening to half his words, of course there was everything to forgive..He nearly died because she doubted him! He got hurt because she didnt believe..But still, her trust and faith and most of all her love for him was stronger than the doubt, and in the end, that's what saved them both. "Thank you..Zack..You gave me the courage..To do what I have to do.." She rests her head against him a moment longer, drawing strength from his warmth and nearness. At least now she knew that she was fighting for a cause. He was ready to sacrifice himself for her. Now she can return the favor. She glances up at him again, smiling, though a sad smile, a tear shining in her eye, and she's suddenly trembling, as if she was cold..Or scared.

"Hey! What's wrong?!" This should be a happy moment, is this one of those I'm-so-happy-I'm-crying girl things? "Oh, you're hurt!" Dumb ass! She's spending all this energy on you and not taking care of herself! A green glow surrounds her as he accesses his own healing materia. "There, all better." He beams, as if a little magic can help.

The healing materia instantly goes to work, glimmering over her bleeding shoulder, healing the wound and calming her a bit. Enough to cause her to smile, to laugh nervously even as she leans forward to kiss him softly but hurriedly on the lips. "I'm so sorry..Sorry Zack." she sighs, clutching his hands tightly, staring at him long and hard as if this was the last time before rising slowly to her feet, pulling away from him, turning her back on him as she stares at the altar once again. Yes, the altar in the centre of the temple, in the dream that should have ended by now..

Relieved that she's healed and calm, Zack can't shake this feeling that something worse is about to go down. This isn't helped by the way she kisses him and that look. He returns the gaze, obviously puzzled. "Aer, what's going on?" Then she's going towards the altar and he's struck with a sudden terror. "Don't!" He leaps to his feet, trying to get between her and it.

She laughs and shakes her head, wiping away the tears. There is obvious fear in her eyes, but there's something else too, an eerie kind of calm. "You cant stop it, Zack..You cant stop fate.." the sound of wind chimes gently singing on the breeze of the deserted city can be heard from some unseen source. They seem to sing out beautiful and ancient song, a song that seems to fit Aerith well, the song of her life and her death..Sad but beautiful. "Please, dont try and stop me from what I came here to do..I'm going to save the world, Zack! I'll protect everyone and, I'll protect you too! This is why I came here, so I could prove myself to the planet, prove that I'm not afraid to sacrifice myself for the greater good..If I could do it again, I would..I have to, even though I'm so scared.." she steps towards him, reaching out to grab his hands if he'll let her, bringing them to her lips to kiss his knuckles softly, gently, trying to comfort him as much as herself. "You understand, dont you? It'll be okay in the end, right? It's just a dream afterall, and afterall, the happy ending cant come in the middle of the story.."

Zack stares at her, tears pooling in his violet eyes. "I can't," Emotion thickens his voice, makes the whisper hoarse and desperate. "I can't stand here and watch…" The tears streak down his face, leaving large dark stains on his jacket. "Let me go with you? We'll face…him together." He was certain he was there in their timeline, waiting to bring her to the other side with open arms.

"I'm sorry Zack..I cant..I have to do this alone.." she smiles still, fiercely brushing away her tears. "Dont worry, I'll come back, I promise! Everything will be okay.." she had told Cloud those same words on that fateful night, and even then he couldnt protect her because it was destiny. He came to save her, but in the end all he could do was bury her. "Dont you see? It's part of my test. I have to do this, otherwise I'll fail..People are counting on me! You want to live, dont you? You're dying of Geostigma, I'll save you, just you watch!" she reaches out to touch his face, to wipe away the tears from his eyes, smiling up at him. "I'm sorry..I dont want to do this, but.." she's suddenly glimmering with energy as if she was about to cast a spell.
"You gave me the strength, the courage to go on. You've done all you could. Now the rest is up to me..Zack, dont forget.." Closing her eyes, reciting the spell in her mind even as she distracts him with her words, she suddenly reaches out to touch him gently in the centre of his chest, showering him in glimmering violet flower petals, then a flash of light as she casts seal evil on him, attempting to momentarily stun him, to prevent him from following her. "I love you..Always.." unfortunately, the spell doesnt work entirely, and he is not muted but still able to speak. Not waiting to see if the spell worked, she turns and runs off, runs towards the altar that suddenly seems so very very far away, an island in the middle of a great, cerulean lake. "Goodbye, Zack, til we meet again!"

Her words, her touch, they captivate him. Love like this, oh if she could feel how much he loved her! Then that worry wouldn't be there, and likely the jealousy as well. By the time he realizes what she's done, it's too late. "Aerith!" Zack's voice cracks with strain and emotion. Even though he's stuck, he still trying to force his way though. To keep it from happening to do SOMETHING!

I'm sorry Zack...So sorry. I didnt want this to happen, didnt want you to hurt like this..But there was just no other way. I'll come back to you, I promise! She closes her eyes, afraid to look back lest she lose her courage and instead charging onwards, hurrying before the spell wears off. When she reaches the altar, she draws a deep breath, a breath that may well be her last. She knew now that she couldnt change history, that she could only learn from it. That last memory didnt affect her because she hadnt died, hadnt been hurt in it..But this one, will she die for real if she dies in this memory, a memory that she had become a real part of? Only one way to find out!
She clasps her hands tightly, kneeling on the cold marble ground in front of the altar, smiling softly as she closes her eyes and prays..Prays for holy, prays for the planet..Prays for the millions of people she will save with her sacrifice, and yes, prays for Zack too. She's not afraid anymore, she knows now that if it happened all over again, she would be willing to make the sacrifice for the greater good. The tension in the air becomes that much more tense, a shining silver light seems to glimmer from above before it is suddenly blocked out by a large, black shadow..

Zack's sobbing now, struggling against a spell that isn't going to budge. There aren't any words that can convey what he's feeling. The rage, fear, love…The increase in tension makes it even worse and some how gives him words. "Sephiroth don't!" The exclamation rings across the room, the mix of emotions some how expressing in the echoes.

Best friend or no, this Sephiroth certainly doesnt seem to care, even when he hears him. It's not enough to stop him, not this one. He descends, as if in slow motion, his long black cape billowing about him, rustling silently on the wind as he gracefully floats down towards the praying Aerith. His glowing emerald Mako eyes lock onto his prey with hungry cold malice as he draws out his massive shining blade, and in one swift, heart stopping movement, cleaves it right through her stomach and out the other side before drawing it slowly, agonizingly out again, its long, shining tip now stained with the deep red blood of Aerith.
She winces, drawing in a deep breath, unable to draw it out again because of the unbelievable pain. The pain..Like something she felt once, something she hoped she would never feel again as it cuts through flesh, through bone, through almost every organ in her body, spurting an unbelievable amount of blood onto the floor, staining her pink dress red. Like being burned, cut, crushed and pierced, sucked of all her life blood all at the same time. The pain's just too great, too much to breath, to even move and it lasts too long, longer as he draws it out. She just wants to die, to get it over with, and suddenly, it's over.
The glimmering emerald materia falls from her nerveless fingers, bouncing with shocking clarity on each stepping stone before splashing silently into the lake below. At the same moment, Aerith flops over like a ragdoll as the sword is pulled out, then crumples to the ground in a lifeless heap, her beautiful eyes, once full of life now blank, staring empty and lifeless. At the same instant, her spell upon Zack is broken, releasing him from its hold.

"Noooo!" Zack's scream rips from his lungs the moment the sword strikes home. Every excruciating moment etches itself into his memory. The look on Sephiroth's face as he pulls the sword loose, how the light fades from Aerith's eyes as her blood stains the floor. The second the spell breaks, the Soldier flings himself at his former friend, sword drawn. There isn't any thought here, no fond memories of a lifetime past. Just unbridled, roiling rage. "You bastard!" He snarls.

The script is played out once again, just like it was, long long ago. Only this time, Cloud is replaced by Zack. Sephiroth seems unphased by the event, unshaken by the display of emotion shown in his former friend. Instead, he calmly wipes the bloody blade on his cloak, polishing the weapon lazily until it shines, until it looks brand new, as if it never pierced and killed the body of one so kind and gentle and helpleses as Aerith. Finally, he looks back to Zack, stepping swiftly out of the way, easily dodging the attack as he leaps onto a higher column out of reach. And laughs, As if this were some sort of joke. As if there were something funny to be laughed at.

"Ha, ha, ha...... Stop acting as if you were sad. There's no need to act as though you're angry either. Because, Zack. You are...Just a puppet.."

Zack stumbles as Sephiroth moves out of range, falling to his knees as his katana clatters to the ground in front of him. He remains there a moment, trying to gather himself. "Bullshit! You're the puppet, the toady for Jenova!" Violet eyes burn with hate and hurt, tears streaming down his face. Even if he knew what happened then, he wouldn't have stuck to the script. He crawls over to Aerith's body, gathering it in his arms. She was still so warm…He strokes her hair from her face, trying to hold back the choking sobs. "Why…what was the point of bringing us here if it was just going to kill you?!"

He laughs, his emerald eyes glinting, glowing in the eerie dark twilight of the temple. "Do not worry, 'brother', every death serves a purpose..This girl's death will not be a waste..Farewell, we will meet again..." he tosses his head back, laughing in that eerily elegant, graceful yet cold, heartless way before he vanishes, melting away into the background of this eerily beautiful yet sad place. Still, the dream remains, Aerith lays still in Zack's arms, unmoving, unbreathing, still warm to the touch. But the dream hasnt ended yet, for some reason.

So consumed by his grief, Zack has no parting words for the monster that used to be Sephiroth. Nothing he could say would make this better, would change anything at all. The second chance was gone now, that white-picket future he'd built in his mind.
"What do you want from us?!" He screams into the silence.

Sparkling golden light streams in from the spires above, enveloping Aerith's still body in a warm, golden glow as dawn approaches. How much time had passed now since she had died? Minutes? Hours? Days? And the dream still remains as if waiting for something. Or maybe Zack is stuck here forever, now that the dreamer has died. Maybe there is no way back. But from somewhere, out of the silence there is a voice, a whisper in answer to his pleas. The words are Aerith's but the voice is difficult to identify. It's like a voiceless whisper, words one might hear in their own head.

"Are you afraid? Afraid of dying? Wouldnt you give your life up for a greater cause? Wouldnt you make that sacrifice for the greater good?"

Time weighs heavy on him, and yet passes in an instant. No matter what happened the pain of this moment would never lessen, it would eat at him for the rest of his life. So that's what happened to Cloud! "I'm not afraid, SOLDIER's are made to die." Zack sniffles, wiping the tears from his face and smearing it with blood as a result. "Of course I would! I'd do that and more." Especially if it would bring her back. She'd have Cloud to watch out for her.

There's no response. Only silence answers his pleas. Maybe his pleas went unheard. Maybe the planet intended it as his test all along, as a way to punish him. As a way to make him stronger. Who knows? Whatever the case, there are no answers to his questions, no bargains to be made. Only silence. But after a long agonizing moment, Aerith finally stirs faintly in his arms, finally breathes again though softly at first. She blinks slowly as if waking from a dream, her eyes flickering open slowly as she gazes up at Zack with a soft, happy smile on her face. "Hmmm....Zack..?"

Zack stares down at her disbelieving, tears still unshed in his eyes. Could it be? He's afraid to move, that he'll some how break the spell and have to bury his true love.

Finally the dream melts away, leaving the pair once again in the flowerfield. It is early morning now, the deep cerulean sky now painted in pale violet streaks as the first rays of sunlight fight to break through the darkness, painting slender golden fingers across the sky. Aerith is still alive, still breathing. This one is definitely not a dream. She glances up at Zack, smiling faintly, still drained from her second death and sudden revival, though there's an almost teasing sparkle in her eye. "Told you..I'd come back.."

The reappearance of the flowers breaks the spell. It was all right! Everything would be all right! Zack struggles to laugh and cry at the same time. "Yea, you did." His chuckles is mostly choke as he paws at the moisture in his eyes. "Guess this means I gotta believe you next time."

"I'm sorry Zack...I didnt mean to hurt you like that..Make you cry.." she shakes her head as she rises a bit shakily to her feet. That last one really took it out of her. "Are you gonna be okay? want to rest a bit? I guess there's just one more to go, right? Then we're done!" she offers an encouraging smile. They mad e it this far. Somehow it gives her the strength to go on.

In a blink he's back to his usual grinning self, albeit a slightly soggy one. "Ayup! I'm ready if you are." Zack's a little shaky on his feet too, but quickly gets his stride back. "Prolly saved the worst for last." Whatever could be worse than those two he's really hesitant to find out. But what was the point of going through all this if they weren't going to see it to the end? He takes a deep breath, her hand and starts for the next door.

"Yeah, no sweat right?" she too, puts on her brave face, clutching his hand tightly and forcing a smile. On the one end, she's feeling a little more courageous now that they've come so far. On the other hand, she's a little fearful that the next one might be even tougher. Who knows? "Okay! Let's go!" she follows him into the third and final portal..
Another freezing snowstorm greets the pair as they enter this portal. This storm is perhaps worse than the last one, though at least there is some light in the sky from the slowly approaching dawn. They appear to be at the bottom of what seems to be a very steep mountain, a single narrow, winding path leading ever upwards, winding through a beautiful crystalline forest of trees and multicolored mako springs and crystals. This is the Northern Crater, a beautiful and deadly place, a place that some have believed to be the promised land.

"Notta chance." He smirks and squeezes her hand back. Together they were unstoppable! Zack greets the place with open awe. And he thought Icicle Village was nice! Burrr! The chill hits him harder than before, drained from the emotional roller coaster of a few minutes ago. Man Aerith'll freeze if she stays in this too long! He kneels with his back to her. "Hop on; I assume we're goin up?"

Indeed it is cold out here! She shivers visibily, nodding to Zack as she hops rather hesitantly onto his back, "Um, are you sure it'll be okay? It looks pretty steep.." she's not much of a hiker though. "I wonder what's at the very top? What a strange place.." Is this place even in her memory? she wraps her arms around his neck, finding a little warmth as she snuggles against his body, making sure she wont fall off. "Ready when you are.."

"Sure as a hangover, babes. Just don't squish the Stigma too bad and we'll be there in no time!" Only as he takes off does it occur to him that she doesn't know where they are. If this wasn't a memory then…? Well, they'd sort it out when they found shelter from this storm. With the surety and skill of some one who free-climbs for fun, Zack starts up the treacherous path.

"ehehe.." she laughs a bit nervously, looking around, "Hum, I suppose it looks..Vaguely familiar? It's kind of beautiful, in a strange sort of way..I wonder if it's the promised land?" she bites her lip, peering into the forest as they start the tedious climb. Strange, shadowy figures seem to follow from the darkness, and as they climb steadily higher, the beauty and life of the forest seem to gradually dwindle, the trees growing ever more twisted and distorted. Soon, it seems that they are in some sort of haunted place, and eeries voices seem to sing, seem to beckon towards them, trying to lure them off the trail, trying to get them lost. Suddenly, they leap from the shadows, nasty, humanoid creatures made of shadow and darkness, but solid to the touch as they demonstrate as they slash out at Zack and Aerith with their long and deadly claws!

"Promise what? Frost bite?" Zack mutters, glancing curiously at the moving shadows. Well that was interesting. They seem to be happy tagging along and he's happy to leave them be. No one ever said the Lifestream didn't have denizens of it's own, right? He becomes increasingly aware of the welcoming committee as the surroundings changes.
The hell?! Zack struggles to free his sword, keep his balance and keep moving. Ultimately one of these forces as to give, if he's unable to get the sword out in time he blocks with his arm releasing her from his other so she can run. "Go on! I'll hold them back!"

"Eek! What are they? Watch out!" she rolls off of Zack's back, glancing around. She's about to head up the trail herself when she's cut off by another group of monsters. "Eek!!" backing away, reaches a bit hesitantly for her staff. She may not be a great fighter but..Biting her lip, she glances around at the creatures, unsure of their strength, though there is definitely something evil about them, as if they had no hearts..Heartless? The term comes to mind, for some reason. "Okay, I guess they're trying to stop us from reaching the top..What are they guarding?" shaking her head, she lashes out at a few heartless that come her way, swinging her staff this way and that, slashing the creatures to bits. Fortunately, they're not too tough to beat, though what they lack in power, they make up for in sheer numbers. Even as Zack throws a warning her way, more lunge at Zack, striking and slashing, trying to slow him down, to wear him out.

Once he's certain Aerith is clear, Zack goes into battle mode. The cheerful, devil-may-care attitude that usually hovers around him runs for cover. This is a different man from the one who built her the flower cart, different even from the one who fought his double off not so long ago. There isn't any emotion behind these strikes other than, WE WILL LIVE!
The first ones manage to get a scratch into him, but it's the last thing they do. Sword in each hand, Zack starts cutting a swath through the monsters. Using all the speed, strength and training at his disposal he doesn't bother to confirm the kill or end things mercifully. Not until he clears the way for her.

The heartless fall quickly and easily to Zack's sword. Aerith however, seems to have greater problems felling the creatures as she loses strength, slowing down as she tries to catch her breath. Although she manages to strike a few down, she is simply not a strong enough fighter, and they quickly outnumber her, leaving the SOLDIER alone completely now. "Aaah!!" she yelps as they slash through her light clothing, leaving bloody marks on her arms and legs as they back her into a corner, "Zack!"

Half a heart beat. That's how long it takes for Zack to be at her side. No matter what manner of damage he has to take, the SOLDIER will get between them and her. The finely wrought swords sing two separate and hauntingly beautiful tones as the slice through air and Heartless. Recovered from the Geostigma flare, Zack once again has the tireless air of the mako-enhanced and Jenova tainted.

The heartless screech as they're quickly sliced to bits, dissipating as readily as they appeared, melting into piles of darkness before vanishing completely. Aerith draws a deep breath, puffing for air. This mountain air's getting really thin. Wincing a bit from the wounds, she leans against a nearby tree as she tries to catch her breath, "Thanks..I thought I was a goner..Is that all of them?" what would she do without him?

Zack spins the swords, momentum and the placement of his fingers easily cleaning them of what ever debris might stick to them. He hasn't come down and likely won't considering how the weird monsters just disappeared. They'd probably be back. "Dunno." From the tone he doesn't want to hang around to find out. Cure shimmers over her wounds as the materia on his belt glow. Once again he kneels. "Come one, lets get going before something else jumps out at us."

She relaxes some as the cure heals her wounds, smiling a bit as she notices the monsters are mostly gone. "Phew..That was close..Hey, how about we rest for a bit? Is that a cave over there?" she points to a little openning a little ways up the mountain, "How much further do you think we have to go? I wonder if there are more monsters around?"

Zack is clearly uneasy with the idea, but if she's tired he really can't push her. "All right, stay close until we get to the entrance." He movements are tight and controlled, eyes ever vigilant. Hand on the pommel of the short sword he moves to said opening. "Stay put and try to stay still, most monsters are attracted to movement. I'll scope this place out, shouldn't take to long." He gives a wink and a smile, trying to soothe whatever anxiety his change in behavior has given her. Assuming nothing hinders him, he ducks inside to have a look see.

No monsters seem to lurk within, or without. The place is quiet, eerily so even. Aerith however, seems to be becoming more and more uneasy as she glances around some, shivering violently in response to the frigid winds starting to blow through the area. "C'mon, I think it's okay, let's rest okay?" she steps in rather hurriedly, before he gives the okay. It's a cozy little cave, warm enough to keep the cold out, deep enough not to be too cramped for too people. "Phew, what was all that about?" she's got a sneaking suspicion about what might be near the top. Glancing around, she takes a seat at a nearby log, peering at the burned remains of what was once a fire place. "Do you have anything to start a fire?"

Well that's a relief! He's about to call her in when she does so of her own accord. All right then! Zack shrugs. "S'your head, angel. You tell me?" He grins, some of his good humor kicking and screaming its way through the business-like façade. "Sorry. Left all the traveling stuff back at the church. Buuut…" He produces a tiny square of silver material from one of the ammunition cases. With a quick flick of the wrist it unfolds into a crackly metallic bit of warmth keeping. "Viola! Thermal blanket." He holds it out to her.

Ooh! Looks warm! She's about to take it, but glances back at Zack questioningly, "What about you? Will you be okay? It'll be a pretty cold night.." she peers out at the openning, watching the storm get even worse if that's possible. They'll probably get snowed in soon, wont have much time to rest, but she is soooo tired. Once again, she inwardly wishes she could be as strong as a SOLDIER, instead of this little weakling. Unfortunately, in this strange dream world, every last thought of hers can be heard clear as day and she bites her lip, wondering if Zack had listenned.

Zack lifts his boot and points to a label that isn't there. "SOLDIER: Not for use in temperatures under fifteen degrees below." He grins broadly and gives her a thumbs up. "All good. You get warm and we'll get moving agai