Final Fantasy and its characters are owned by Square Inc., and I do not claim them as my own. However, this story, and all original characters do belong to me.

Days had passed. I had seen many places, many people, all so foreign to me. But somehow, there lingered a faint knowledge of it all in the confines of my mind, and I ached to know more... If only the buried memories would awaken inside of me, then perhaps I could fully understand the world around me. But I was only a newborn; I was three weeks old, with little common knowledge and feeling, but plenty of sense.

My travels were fairly uneventful; I slain many in my path to reach my destination, and I did not encounter Shinra at all on the way. Perhaps they were intentionally staying out of my warpath--if so, it was a clever thing, as I certainly would not have minded murdering an executive or two.

Path traveled and journey done, I now stood in the entrance of the small, cozy town of Nibelheim. Suddenly, flames began to leap up around me, feeding off the wood of the houses around. A strange sensation pounded within me; worry in my head and the desire to run in my legs. Could this be fear? Yes, the situation made me fearful.

As the town turned yellow-orange, I stood in amazement, wondering why no one rushed out of their homes. All the buildings were swallowed in angry fire now, and nobody came running, nobody cried out, nobody moved. I saw no inhabitants, and started to wonder just what was going on.

Then, there was movement. Swiftly, darkness swept over me, leaving me feeling even more shaken. Now I could move. I drew a sword that I had never seen in my life but was with me, not knowing what was in store. A person materialized not far off, walking straight through the flame with no burns of anything. I gasped-it was me! ...but as a man. This was all so unexpected... I quickly pulled my sword up to fight, but the figure was on me already, and I felt an acute pain in my chest. Not believing what was happening, I peered down slowly, knowing what would be there and not wanting to see it. A glistening blade had skewered me, passing into my chest and out of my back. As I lifted my head, I saw my own face there, smiling, laughing.

I sat up quickly, looking around. A dream. But it had been vivid, horrific. Had it truly been all in my mind? I felt myself sweating, and this newly discovered feeling of fear passed over me in a wave, and then was gone. How foolish of me. It was but a dream. Why had it frightened me so? I knew I mustn't let it bother me.

Glancing around, I made a quick record of my surroundings. Gray mountains... dull, gray dirt. I pulled myself up to my feet and brushed myself off. I must have passed out here... Looking to my left, I noticed Nibelheim, perfectly tranquil, resting not far away. That meant I was near Mount Nibel. But how had I gotten there? It was beyond my comprehension; the last thing I could recall before my disturbing dream was my approaching the city. In any case, I was there now, and I figured that I should go back to the city.

On my way down the rocky slope, I began to think. (My mind was really the only thing to occupy me, and I often pondered my existence, my creation, my father, and the one whom I was cloned from.) Something unknown had brought me to this city in the first place, and so I had no idea what I was to do once I got back there.

My mind ached now... and more so, my head did as well. Placing a gloved hand to my forehead, I stumbled along, feeling as though I would pass out again at any given time. It was a terrible feeling, for I had no idea what might become of me this time around.

Luckily enough, I made it into the city. Of course, I meandered a bit before deciding on a course of action. I was alight with ideas now, and so I made my way to the weapons dealer.

Entering the shop slowly, I looked at the fresh, yellow wood that made the walls. The store even smelled of 'new', and it placed an odd sense of distrust within me. Why was it so fresh and clean? I supposed my thoughts weren't so prominent, because I noticed a man behind the counter addressing me.

He gaped at me for some reason, but spoke in a normal manner. "Can I help you? What is it you're looking for?"

My face expressionless, I went to the counter, Mako eyes looking over everything I could see. "Something... unique. A sword, I'd prefer."

"Ah, a swordswoman. Of course." Winking, he leaned over behind the counter, then stood back up straight and dumped a bundle of swords onto the top. Carefully untying the string that held them together, he kept his eyes on me. "So, take your pick." He waved a hand over the swords, now strewn about the countertop, then chuckled. "Rather, let your pick take you. These swords are each very magical; once they choose their owner, only that person and wield them. Very rare," he said, and I could sense the lust for money in his voice.

Outstretching a hand over the table, my eyes locked onto the swords. None of them seemed particularly special to me. Then, suddenly, one of them began to glow, but with darkness, not light. It was a long masamune-probably the longest of the swords there. My eyes must've shown my interest, for the shopkeeper eagerly chimed in again. "Oh yes... that one... that's the cursed Satsu-Masamune. It's possessed by tormented demon spirits that can rip apart the very soul of a weak opponent. But it would be hard for a righteous person to handle, so I take it you're... oh, never-mind. I'll charge you 40,000 Gil."

The price was ridiculous. Not that it mattered; I had no money anyway. Shaking my head, I grasped the sword about the handle. The clerk seemed irritated, but apparently didn't expect me to try what I was about to. "Care to bargain?" I inquired, grabbing the sheath of the sword with one hand and holding it before me.

"Oh, sure. What do you offer?"

Smirking wickedly, I tore the sword from its sheath and swung it at him in one fluid motion, slicing open his stomach. "That is my offer." His innards began to spill out, and after the man fell to the floor, choking, bleeding, I quickly tired the sheath to my waist before slipping the sword back into it. Now I was ready to carry out my mission. Hopefully, it would be swift and easy. If my target was technically myself, how could it possibly be difficult...?