author's note: i know the first chapter's really vague, but expect more from the rest of the crew 
later on! (and when sentences are like this: <Cloud...>, it mean's it's in their head)

Final Fantasy Seven Fan Fiction- "Altered Horizons" by Callen Matsoka

Prologue


His focus shifted to the clear sky above him, the crystal blue color of the atmosphere matching 
the glow of his stare. He breathed in the cool air that surrounded the coast which he stood at, 
taking in the moisture traveling with the wind, feeling the beach in his lungs. The sound of 
waves crashing onto the warm sand was all that could be heard, and Cloud Strife allowed himself 
to be captivated in the tranquility of the moment, even if it was only temporary. He looked over 
the horizon. <Why...can't I find...peace?> The thought ran over and over in his head. <Six 
months...you'd think after six months...> He shook the feeling off, not wanting to strain over it 
any longer.<But...these dreams...> Again, he shook his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, 
sighed deeply, and let his eyes wander into the blue heaven that rested above him.

***

A long, feminine figure draped in a midnight blue dress stood in front of a crystal mirror, 
watching a young man standing at the edge of a beach, his golden hair swaying with the wind. 
With the mere movement of a slender finger, the mirror's image moved closer to the man, 
closing in upon his vivid blue eyes staring into space. A thin smile crept across the sorceress' 
lips.

"Your eyes...they show a sense of uneasiness...suffering...yes, child...there is a reason your soul 
cannot find freedom from strife. Even after six months since you've destroyed my beloved...it 
will be soon that you will find out your fate, your...'peace'...oh, but even after you are dead, 
child...I will make it my life to make sure your soul should never be able to rest."

Her violet eyes shone with intensity, hatred growing as she gazed into the eyes inside the mirror. 
"These dreams are only the beginning. You will pay, young one...I promise you...I swear upon 
Sephiroth's grave...you will pay..."




Chapter One: So It Begins


The breeze carried a soft tune as it danced through a garden of flowers. Tifa Lockhart was 
tending to the garden in her backyard, and was humming a song she learned when she was a 
child. A drop of sweat made it down to her chin, and she wiped it away gently before it could 
escape to the ground. She finished watering the last couple of rose bushes, and stood up and 
looked at the beach below her. The view of the ocean made living in Costa del Sol all the more 
worth it. Of course, living next to Cloud made it worth it enough, but anyone who woke up to the 
view of the waters would fall in love every time they woke up in the morning. Tifa allowed the 
cool morning breeze to enter her lungs, and let her ruby crimson eyes follow the waves of the 
water. But something caught her attention. A handsome figure stood at the very edge of the 
coast, hands in his pockets, eyes to the sky. 

"I can't believe it's still bothering him." She said to herself. She let herself re-live the night three 
days ago when the dreams started. 

"Cloud!!"

"No! Sephiroth! You're...dead!"

"Cloud...wake up. Please."

"Get away from me! You're dead!"

"Cloud..."

Three nights ago, she heard screaming from his room. Quickly, she ran to him, and was barely 
able to wake him from his nightmare. For the past three days, the dreams have haunted him, the 
screaming getting louder and louder every night. Last night was the worst.

"You killed...Aeris..."

"Please wake up..."

"I...think I loved her...it's your fault I couldn't love her!"

"...Please...wake...up...I...don't know how much longer...I can keep this up..."

When she woke him up, he looked her in the eye.

"Tifa..."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah...I'm...sorry I keep doing this to you. You don't have to worry about me."

"Yes. I do."

"I...need some fresh air."

<He's been out there for the past six hours.> She glanced at her watch. Six a.m. <Should I go 
down there?> She watched for a moment as he walked closer to the edge of the water. His head 
remained to the skies, as if seeking an answer from the gods. <No...> she decided. <He's 
probably thinking...of her.> Reluctantly, she pulled her view away from Cloud and went back 
into her house.

***

<Why these dreams? Why now?> Cloud bent over and picked up a small rock that was sitting 
near his foot. He cupped it gently in his hand. <You're dead.> A surge of frustration swept 
through his body. "Do you hear me?! You're dead! You're in hell!" He threw the rock as far as he 
could into the ocean, trying to release his anger. "YOU'RE DEAD!" For a few minutes, he stood 
there, saying nothing, breathing hard. He closed his eyes and collapsed to his knees, letting the 
cold ocean waves wash over his lower body.

<Cloud...> 

"Tifa?" Cloud looked around for the owner of the voice that he heard. It was a female voice, 
immediately he thought it was Tifa. But...it wasn't Tifa's voice. One...her voice was softer, 
warmer. And two...Tifa wasn't there when Cloud turned around. He closed his eyes and shook 
his head. <You're losin' it again, Strife.>

<...I know you can hear me Cloud Strife...>

Cloud's head jerked up, a bewildered look plastered on his face. "Hello?" 

<Yes. Hello.>

"W-who's there?" The voice was coming...from inside his consciousness.

<You do not know me...but I certainly know you...>

"What...what do you want with me?" <Talk about weird...>

<I think this being weird is the least of your worries.>

"What? Hey! Would ya get out of my head? This is starting to creep me out."

<Believe me child...this is only the beginning.>
"Look...what do you want?"

<You.>

"Me? What do you want me to do?"

<I want you...to die.>

"Woah! Wait a minute lady, I usually don't die on the first date."

<Your sarcasm will only take you so far, child.> The voice took on a nasty tone. She disappeared 
for a couple of seconds, then <It's only been six months, Cloud. I'm surprised you've already 
forgotten.>

Right away, he knew exactly what she was talking about. "If you're talking about-"

<Yes. Exactly. Let me remind you what you have taken away from me.> A darkness took over 
Cloud's senses and for some time, he couldn't see anything but black. Then...he saw the scene set 
that night six months ago. Flashes of light accompanied the flashback, blood could be seen 
amidst the darkness, screams could be heard amidst the clashing of the swords.

<Do you remember? What you did to my beloved?>

"I had to! He was going to destroy the planet! Everything I loved!"

<You don't know the meaning of the word!> 

The images turned into pain. With everything being shown to Cloud, a deep throbbing entered 
his head, cutting into his mind like a knife. 

<See! See everything! The pain you've caused me!> Am array of images flooded his mind, Aeris 
being killed...his promise to Tifa that night under the stars...drinking with his friends...joining 
SOLDIER...and Sephiroth laughing...

"STOP! Stop it!" Cloud couldn't control the images he was seeing. One, right after the other, 
memories were being bombarded at him, to a point where he could not do anything but cry out.
]
"ARGGHHH!!!!!" 

<Yes...let this be a warning...a warning for your demise...> The voice laughed...and that was all 
Cloud could hear...laughter. Cloud gave into the pain, looking to the black abyss of 
unconsciousness to take over.

END OF CHAPTER ONE>>> there it is! the first chapter of my first fan fiction story! 
comments? concerns? things to make it better? angeldagger@fantasysquare.com. expect chapters 
2&3 in about three days or so...depends on how school (ugh) goes!