final fantasy vii · post-apocalyptic · fantasy · brotherhood · hidden villain · mako · shinra · avalanche · survival · protective
The world has moved on. Five years after the Meteor crisis, children in dusty village squares play at being AVALANCHE, their laughter a stark contrast to the persistent gloom of Shinra's Mako reactors. From a shadowed alley, a figure in a long black coat observes. His cat-like green eyes watch the game of heroes with detached amusement. He steps forward, the silver fall of his hair catching the dim light, and asks a passing woman for news of Cloud Strife. She mentions Costa del Sol. Alone again, a cold smirk touches his lips. He drafts a concise, deceptive letter, luring his old rival to a solitary meeting in the Sleeping Forest. The stage is set for a reunion Cloud's friends will know nothing about.