Prophecies


Prologue


A lone figure completely enshrouded in dark red robes stands on the shore of 
a lake inside The City of the Ancients. The figure stares at the body of a 
woman with auburn hair, and wearing a simple, pink dress resting in eternal 
peace on the bottom.

The life force that flows through the still lake contain a healing power. 
This power has perfectly preserved the body ot the woman at the bottom, as 
if she was in a state of suspended animation.

"So, you have returned." the figure says he crouches next to the water's 
edge. "I should have been here." He draws back the hood of his cloak, as 
if he was revealing his identity to the woman. His short blond hair sticks 
up in all directions after being under the hood for so long. He makes a 
futile attempt at smoothing his hair out with his hand, but brings it back 
to his side, admitting defeat. One solitary tear falls from his dark green 
eyes. The tear tumbles down a face that appears to others to be no older 
the eighteen years. He wipes the tear away as it reaches the stubble of his 
newly-grown beard. The shape of his muscles well defined, even through the 
thick cloth of his robes.

"That's twice I have failed you." he says in a deep, calm and surprisingly 
soothing voice. "Twice I have failed myself." he sighs, like the weight of 
the world was resting on his shoulders. "Redemption I was seeking in coming 
here. Now, I find my punishment. He reaches a hand down through the water, 
attempting to grasp the hand of the woman, but catching nothing but water. 
He pulls his hand out, shakes off the water and dries the dampness on his 
cloak.

He reaches into a pouch on his belt and pulls out a small, crystal rose 
carved from a ruby. "'Take this, find peace within yourself, then return to 
me.' It was a different version of you then. Your hair was a bit darker, 
but that was all. I left you, my love, seeking to subdue the turmoil 
within me. I returned here to find the city abandoned. The Crisis had 
started. I finally tracked our people down only to discover that you had 
been the first casualty. The Elders, to my disgust, reminded me of the 
life bond we had, my sworn duty to protect you. They condemned me to 
eternal life, forever punished until I fulfilled my vow. And so it has 
been, these last two thousand years. Born, killed and reborn in a pattern 
unending, until the day I save you." He puts the crystal back in his pouch. 
"And once more, the pattern will repeat itself. I will not fail again, my 
love. I will return to you."

With that, the man stands, and takes one last look at the body of Aeris 
Gainsborough.



This man would not have to wait long. Just two years earlier, a child was 
born to Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart. Bearing auburn hair and emerald 
eyes, Rose would grow to experiance the full force of The Prophecy.