The Forgotten Capital was silent. Moonlight reflected off the shattered waters, illuminating the remnants of a once-glorious city. Broken pillars rose from the mist, and the wind whispered through the ruins like the soft echoes of forgotten prayers. Aerith lay beneath the ancient stone arches, eyes closed, body still—a lifeless figure framed by silver moonlight.
To any observer, she had died. Her thread in the world of Final Fantasy VII had reached its canonical end. Yet somewhere above, hidden among the threads of destiny, Sirius watched intently. His eyes were fixed on the jagged crimson line that should have been broken forever.
He reached for the trinket he had given her earlier that day in the church, small and seemingly mundane in her hand but holding within it a power that defied mortal understanding. A pulse of energy flowed from Sirius, activating the charm's true power. Light shimmered faintly, invisible to mortal eyes, weaving around her broken thread, knitting life back into her fragile form.
The moment stretched, as if time itself paused. Aerith's chest rose and fell, shallow at first, then with increasing strength. Her fingers twitched, and she gasped, eyes snapping open. Moonlight reflected in her green eyes, wide with confusion, disbelief, and the echo of death that still lingered in her mind.
Sirius stepped forward from the shadows, now fully visible, though his presence radiated calm authority rather than threat. He had cloaked himself until now, allowing the trinket to do its work. "Aerith Gainsborough," he said softly, "you are awake."
Aerith's gaze darted around, taking in the ruins and the quiet, then finally resting on the figure before her. "Who… who are you? How…? What's happening?" Her voice trembled, the memory of falling, the final strike that should have ended her, still vivid in her mind.
"I am Sirius," he said, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze without imposing. "I've been watching over you. Moments ago, your life should have ended here, as the threads of your world decreed. But I intervened. You were not meant to leave the world unfinished—not yet."
Aerith's eyes narrowed, a mix of suspicion and wonder. "You… you saved me? But… my death… it was supposed to happen… Sephiroth… the city… the spell…" Her voice faltered, memories flooding back of the events that had brought her here.
"Yes," Sirius replied. "The moment your thread was severed, I activated the trinket I had given you—the charm in your hand. It is more than it appears. To you, it was a simple gift. To me, it is a lifeline, capable of reviving those whose threads are destined to end prematurely."
Aerith clutched the trinket instinctively, a warmth radiating from it through her fingertips. "A… charm? So… this… saved me? Really?"
Sirius nodded. "It did. But this is not a mere act of intervention. I saved you because of your potential, your courage, and the role you are destined to play. You are part of something far greater than your world alone. There exists a place known as the World of Chaos—a dark alternate reality seeking to corrupt, destroy, and consume your world. You, Aerith, are central to defending against it."
Aerith's breath caught. "The World… of Chaos? I… don't understand. How… how could this be? Why me?"
Sirius' gaze was steady, filled with quiet conviction. "Because you have the strength, the heart, and the determination to make a difference. I have observed countless heroes across the multiverse, and your thread shines with extraordinary potential. You have survived the events of your world, not by chance, but because you were meant to rise again when the time comes."
Aerith's mind reeled. She remembered Zack, the people she loved, the battles fought across Midgar and beyond. Her heart ached with the memory of her supposed death. "And… Zack?" she whispered, almost as if speaking aloud the question she feared the answer to.
Sirius' eyes softened. "He, too, has a trinket and protection, though he has not yet been fully awakened to its purpose. He is alive and his thread continues, just as yours now does. Together, you will face the trials that lie ahead."
Aerith exhaled slowly, trying to reconcile the impossible. "So… all this time… I was… I was supposed to die, and yet I… lived? And you… you brought me back?"
"Yes," Sirius said. "But it is not simply survival. You are now part of a larger mission. The multiverse depends on heroes like you—those whose courage and heart can influence threads across worlds. The trinket will guide you, protect you, and awaken when necessary. But your journey, your growth, and your decisions… they are yours alone."
Aerith clutched the trinket tighter. She could feel the faint pulse, steady as her own heartbeat, as if affirming her new reality. "I… I don't know if I understand it all yet," she admitted. "It's… a lot… I was dead… and now I'm not. And there's… this… multiverse? Chaos? Heroes?"
Sirius offered a small, reassuring nod. "All in time, Aerith. You will understand. But there is one truth you must grasp immediately: you cannot remain in your world. Destiny will attempt to claim you again. The threads are relentless, and despite the trinket's protection, remaining would risk everything. You must be removed temporarily, trained, and prepared for what is coming."
Aerith's eyes widened. "Removed…? You mean… leave Midgar? Leave everyone I know? But…"
Sirius placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Yes. You will be transported to another world—one where you can train safely and unlock your full potential. There, you will learn, grow, and understand the extent of your abilities. If you wish to speak to me while you are there, think of me while holding the trinket, and I will hear you."
Aerith's hands trembled slightly as she absorbed the enormity of his words. "Another world… training… alone… but… with you still listening?"
Sirius nodded, a faint warmth in his eyes. "Exactly. You are not alone, Aerith. You will have this time to grow, to prepare, and when the World of Chaos moves against your home, you will be ready."
Aerith took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment to steady herself. The trinket pulsed warmly in her hand, as if affirming her resolve. When she opened her eyes again, she nodded. "Then… I trust you, Sirius. Take me… to this new world. I'll… I'll train. I'll be ready."
Sirius inclined his head. "Very well." He raised his hands slightly, energy swirling faintly around him, the golden threads of destiny intertwining with Aerith's revived thread. "Hold onto the trinket tightly. This will be disorienting for a moment, but you will arrive safely."
A gentle warmth enveloped Aerith as the air around them shimmered. The ruins of the Forgotten Capital blurred and twisted, moonlight stretching and bending around her. She felt weightless, as if lifted by invisible hands, and the soft pulse of the trinket grew stronger, guiding her thread through the multiverse.
A moment later, the sensation shifted. The sounds of Midgar faded, replaced by the bustling, mechanical hum of a distant city. Cobblestone streets stretched before her, air fragrant with the aroma of distant markets and sea breezes. Towering structures and airships moved gracefully above, and the sun shone warmly on her face. She had arrived.
"This… is Lindblum," Sirius said, his voice echoing gently in her mind. "Here, you will begin your training. You will meet mentors, learn new techniques, and strengthen yourself in preparation for the chaos that will come. Remember: if you need guidance, think of me while holding the trinket. I will hear you."
Aerith looked around, awe and determination mixing in her eyes. "Lindblum… a new world. Training… I can do this." She lifted the trinket, its warmth steady and reassuring. "I'll grow stronger. I'll protect my friends, my world… and I'll be ready for whatever comes."
Sirius' form shimmered, preparing to vanish, leaving her to adjust to this new reality. "Good. Remember your potential. Remember your heart. And remember… your journey is just beginning."
Aerith watched as he disappeared into the air, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of threads and the pulse of the trinket in her hand. She exhaled, a mixture of relief, fear, and determination. I have a second chance… and I won't waste it, she thought firmly.
From above, Sirius watched one last time as Aerith took her first steps in Lindblum, the golden thread of her life secure, her potential ready to be unlocked, and her journey into the multiverse fully begun.