Silmeria - It has been a long while, hasn't it? I wanted to thank everyone for being so patient and understanding for re-creating these stories. To be honest, I want to get these out now not only because it's Spring Break, but it will be my only free day left until May. So, I will continue to update as quickly as I can while finishing my last semester of college and getting ready to graduate. Once again, thanks for being understanding!

Disclaimer: I claim no rights to video game Final Fantasy VII or Sentinel

"We can't run from who we are. Our destiny chooses us."
- Abe Petrovsky

Chapter One - The Veiled Guide

"Do you remember Old Woman Alyssa, Cloud?"

"Of course." Cloud murmured, placing the cold cloth on his mother's forehead, even through the rough rag, he could still feel the heat emanating from her skin. It worried him that her fever had yet to break. He didn't want to think that is was more than a mere sickness due to the winter. He didn't want to think that her soul was burning from the inside. He couldn't bear the thought that she was going through the Guide's Final Departure due to his father's death no less than eight months prior.

He wondered how much longer he could lie to himself?

"Do-do you remember what she said about you? About your birth?"

Cloud nodded absentmindedly as he reached for the cool glass of water sitting next to empty bowl that once held warm soup. "Of course. It was my bedtime story since I was seven years old. I could sing it if I wanted."

Cloud Strife's birth was one of celebration. He was the first Guide born in Nibelheim in more than twenty years and the Priestess-a woman who still believed in the Old Gods told his parents that Cloud's birth was special and that he should be treated with the utmost kindness and that he would bring fame to their small village. Praises upon praises that made his mother glow with pride and his father grow wary of the prattling old woman who visited their tiny village once she caught wind of a pregnancy. Cloud's father hated the old woman with a passion and silently sent a prayer of thanks-rather guilty- when she finally passed away with a smile and twinkling eyes, however, Cloud's father relief faded when it was revealed that Old Woman Alyssa left his parents a message.

"He will be at the center of the Trinity. He will give birth to a wolf."

Cloud had caught wind of the message when he was thirteen and had inquired about it to his father and was met with a stony silence that sat in the house for days.

Cloud never asked about the message again.

"I-I was so proud when she praised you." Clarissa Strife smiled, her brittle lips wet with water and saliva. "My little boy was special and was going to bring the village prosperity and fame. I was a little smug at the fact that Jason's daughter didn't get the same praise."

"Sentinel Lockhart is a good girl." Cloud's cheeks burned at the thought of Tifa-who had left the village two years ago- to pursue a career in Midgar. He had a dream of becoming her Guide but it turned to ash when she was found to be unsuitable for any and all Guides. It had upset the village for weeks until Tifa left with a mild grin and sad eyes saying that she was going to take on the world.

Cloud wasn't fooled.

"She'll go far with her stubbornness. I hope she's safe..." Clarissa's eyes turned dark. "Send her my love, won't you? I was always fond of her."

"You can tell her yourself." Cloud snapped, turning regretful when his mother lips thinned in sadness. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I just don't want you talking like that, alright? You're going to be fine."

"Cloud-"

"You're going to be fine." Cloud whispered fervently, struggling back the tears that prickled at his eyes. He couldn't lose her either. Not after his father.

"Oh, baby," Clarissa sighed, closing her eyes in sadness. "You and I both know that's not true."

"I-" Cloud's hands shook causing the wet towel to drip water onto the wooden floor. "Mama."

Clarissa reached out a thinning hand from underneath the thick furs and took Cloud's hand into her own. "You are the center of the Trinity. You're going to bring a baby wolf into this world." Cloud shook his head against his mother's fever induced prattling. He wish he could stop it, but even if the words were a bunch of non-sense, it was her last words. So, he would listen even if it broke his heart.

"You're going to be okay, baby." Clarissa's grip slacked and Cloud scrambled to hold it, to hold on to the life that was quickly fading. "You're...such a good boy." Clarissa's hand shook in his own and she spoke again, her voice growing quieter as the life slipped from her body. "Will...you do something for me, baby?"

"Anything." Cloud choked back a broken sob when his mother's lips pulled into a weak smile. "W-What is it?"

"I want you to leave Nibelheim." Clarissa's breathing slowed and Cloud's grip tightened on her hand. "I want you to find your place in this world. Be happy."

Cloud's mouth opened a fraction to tell his mother how could he be happy when the only family he had left was leaving him alone? But, he clamped his lips together and nodded, not stopping the tears from sliding down his cheeks and to the floor.

"You'll be fine." Clarissa closed her eyes and she grew still, too still for Cloud's liking. "I love you, baby."

"I love you too, Mama." Cloud body grew numb at the realization that his mother was gone, his whisper too late. "I love you." he repeated, bowing his head and finally letting out a broken sob when no reply came. Not a day passed by that his mother didn't reply and the fact that she couldn't ripped his heart in two. What was he to do now?

Be happy.

Cloud shook his head wildly against his mother's whispered words. How? How could one be happy when all of their family was gone? Ripped away by disease and heartbreak? He wanted anyone to tell him the direction in which he should turn. He wanted a hand on his shoulder to guide him to the right path. He wanted to scream and beg and plea for his mother to open her eyes and show him her warm smile. He wanted his father to step through the door, announcing his presence with his loud footsteps and booming voice. He wanted joy and happiness to grace his footsteps. He wanted his life to return to normal.

He wasn't surprised when silence greeted his desires.

His mother was buried next to his father as the sun rose coloring the skies in oranges and purples. He listened with a numb heart as the priest murmured prayers to depart his mother to the Lifestream. He was grateful that he chose a closed-casket funeral, he couldn't bear to see the glow of her spirit fade into the skies. It was enough to stand among people who cared little for his mother, but to see such a private event was one thing he wouldn't stand to watch. His mother was one of the few Guides in the village who had enough power to calm the beast on the mountain and the people were grateful and often took advantage. So, it was no surprise that the very same people who looked at his mother with fear and reverence now stood at her grave with twitchy nerves wondering if her son would take up the task. He had no intention of continuing his mother's work. He had a promise to keep and Nibelheim was the last place to do it.

The citizens of Nibelheim were in for a rude awakening.

His head was lowered in prayer when a solid hand landed on his shoulder, startling him and making him turn to see the mayor staring at him with a sympathetic expression.

"I'm sorry about your loss, Cloud." Jason Lockhart murmured. "Your mother was a good and proud woman. Rest assured that she's with her father now."

"There's no place she would rather be than with him." Cloud made to bow his head again when Jason shook his shoulder lightly causing him to look up again. "Yes?"

"I know that this isn't the right time or place to ask, but what is your plan now? To be blunt, nothing is holding you in Nibelheim." Jason looked contrite at his own words. "Your mother was one of the three that had the duty of calming the monsters on Mt. Nibel, but son, I don't expect you to do the same. I don't expect you to walk the same path as your mother-" he looked back at the crowd with a scowl of distaste. "I think Clarissa would tell you to leave, right?"

"I-" Cloud nodded, his mother and Jason were good friends, despite the fact that her husband and friend disliked one another. "Yes, as a matter of fact, she did."

Jason's lips pulled into a fond, exasperated smile. "Just like Clarissa. If you don't mind me asking, did you have a place in mind?"

"I've...always wanted to see Midgar." Cloud responded, thinking back to all the stories his father told him. "It seems like a wondrous city."

"...are you sure that's the place you want to go?" Jason stared at him, his brow raising as if he didn't believe Cloud was saying. "I mean, it seems like a decent place to live, but the people..."

"I mean no offense, but your daughter resides in Midgar and you don't mind-or perhaps you do mind." Cloud lowered his eyes when Jason's eyes narrowed in irritation. "My apologies."

It has always been a sore subject with the mayor about his daughter leaving for Midgar instead of remaining in Nibelheim to become the next Alpha. Goddess forbid should anything happen to Jason then the small village would be without an Alpha and they would be appointed one by Shinra and no one was jumping over hoops for such a thing to happen.

"It's fine. The disappointment still stings, I'm afraid. Cloud? You remember the message Old Woman Alyssa left?"

"You mean the one about the Trinity?" Cloud nodded. "I never understood what she meant by that, you know? I mean, the only Trinity we have is..." Cloud's voice faded and he shook his head in disbelief one to Jason's nod and the other to the incredulous of the situation.

The Trinity of the Goddess or The Trinity for short, were three Alphas currently in competition for the title of Alpha Sentinel Prime-a title and position that would allow an Alpha to rule over all of Gaia. If Cloud left for Midgar then not only would he be in the middle of the conflict but it wasn't too far-fetched if he caught one of the Alpha's attention.

"You're catching on to what I'm saying, right?" Jason tightened his grip on his shoulder. "The other part of the message said that you would give birth to a wolf."

"That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm going to catch the attention of one of the Alphas nor does it mean I'm going to pop out a wolf." Cloud flushed at his wording, the fact that he could bear children was never really discussed in Nibelheim but the looks he got from some of the Betas in town was enough for Cloud not to forget his unique ability.

At the end of his rope, Jason sighed in exasperation. "If you're so dead set to going to Midgar then at least meet up with Tifa, alright? She runs a bar called Seventh Heaven and I'm sure would love to have you."

"She runs...a bar?"

"Bar and Grill to be more specific." Jason grinned with pride at the thought of his daughter being a popular and successful business woman. "It's a gald mine and they could use the help. Working there can let you get a feel of the city."

It wasn't a bad idea. Working for Tifa and exploring Midgar on his own time.

How bad could it be?