Storyline

[Tifa Lockhart]

------The Prologue------

Since time unknown, the cosmos would undergo a predetermined cycle of destruction and renewal. Such was the cause of a celestial deity known only as the Calamity. This malevolent entity lingered between the dimensions, which separated the various worlds. One thousand years ago, her continual cycle would begin once again, as it had before, ushering in a wave of destruction that would eventually lead to the destruction of every living world in existence. With her purpose accomplished, she would retreat to her own corrupted dimension leaving behind her Arbiters to discreetly obverse the eventual progression. In perplexing irony, the departure of the Calamity would give birth to revival of those able will. Few would retain recollection of what had taken place, simply left to rebuild. Those who did could only speculate the Calamity was meticulous, assuring enough life would exist for her inevitable return.

Time would pass and life had begun anew, with ever diversifying worlds now lingering amongst the dimensional divide. However, there was to be an unforeseen change from the predetermined cycle that had plagued the plains of existence for eons. The Arbiters, who acted as the Calamity’s vanguard and signaling when worldly progression had reached ideal capacity for her return did not response when beckoned, therefore the deity maintained in a dormant state exceeding the length that was intended. This would allow the newly established worlds to progress in a significantly greater manner than they had ever previously. When awoken from its slumber, a millennia following the last cycle, the celestial deity could only theorize the reason her Arbiters had not heeded her summons. In the past their roles in the inhabitant’s lives were of a linear nature, strictly witnessing the scenarios depicted whilst shrouded in obscurity.

------When Dimensions collide------

In these now established dimensions, their role became more prominent, some utilized in combative form, tamed to serve as allies, other universes saw their role has spirits manifested from a sacrifice. In addition, their numbers had swelled immensely, thus they sought a rebellion against enslavement to the whims of annihilation. Unbeknownst to them this betrayal was long prophesized and counter measures had already been placed in motion. The Calamity anticipated difficulty in commencing with the original cycle, fearful of both exposure and the uncertainty of who would stand against her and the power they might now wield. Instead, she devised a new strategy, using her dominance over the dimensions to merge them together into her own world by shattering the barriers that had once separated them. The ramifications of this would be instantaneous, fragments of the worlds being abruptly split, materializing on a newly manifested continent. Cities such as Archades and Alexandria bore minor differences, the populous mostly unaware of the severity of what was transpiring; others were of less fortune: the geostingma virus materialized in Midgar, the Blizball stadium in Luca completely vanished, and this was only to name a few…

------Wayward souls begin their story------

In this distorted dimension time, itself seemed to cease, the sky above cloaked beneath a ominous lavender veil. Gradually a mist would be to emerge in every corner of the recently created continents, affecting everyone who lingered within its clutches. A subtle form of indoctrination would wash over the exposed, providing a almost soothing sensation and unknowingly pacifying its victims. Thoughts would become muddled, memories would drift into obscurity and even defining aspects of their lives may seem nothing more than a fleeting afterthought, a unimaginable dream. These effects varied, some capable of recalling lost thoughts were their mind at ease and their spirit of exceptional resolve, however even they would succumb eventually.

Finalizing it plan, the Calamity confined her former Arbiters to a crystallized prison within her core, although some would resist, the Calamity’s power within its own dimension far exceeded their own and the effects were ultimately futile. A single occurrence the Celestial Deity did not consider, with the blending of worlds was the potential effects clasping sways of power could have upon one another. The isles of Heaven and Hell, the phenomena of the pyrefiles and the essence of the lifestream would collide together, the intensity of the magic imbedded in them imploding, resulting in a gateway from the dead to open, propelling creatures of all variety that had once fallen, to reappear were their strength of will sufficient enough to warrant their return. Most would awaken upon the city of the dead, Zanarkand, the basis for where dreams of the past could once again walk among the living.

Thus begs the question, can this malevolent deity’s cycle be prevented, can those not completely pacified through indoctrination be capable of realizing what has become, that his is not truly their reality? The Storm On the Horizon has come and the very fabrics of the dimensions lay in the hands of a few. Can they do what no other could? Their story begins today…