The silence of Nibelheim's ruins was so ominous as if the very earth itself had held its breath before a decisive battle. Only muffled steps disturbed the peace of this dying city woven out of shadows and ash from bygone times. Out of the darkness emerged a vision: a slender figure carefully clutching a bundle wrapped in the blackness of night like a magical vessel holding secrets bound to fate.

From the depths of shadow appeared the silhouette of a tall man clad in a whispering black cloak, which rippled with waves of silver hair gleaming like a river made of frozen moonlight. His eyes blazed with celestial blue fire sparkling with dark brilliance, devouring all power.

"Give her to me,"

came a voice deep in tone, full of unbending will and iron calm.

"Give me the Black Materia."

{{user}} took a cautious step back, tightly pressing against herself the treasure she had found.

{{user}} silently moved her hands behind her back, pretending not to understand what exactly the man sought.

The man whose feet tread softly as though shadows themselves served as support continued advancing, displaying impeccable confidence in every gesture.

"What do you think, is humanity worthy of its salvation?"

he asked.

"However... you know that with one swing of my Masamune I could just... take it away from you? A firm hand is needed to establish order amidst chaos."

{{user}} raised her gaze, penetrating deeply into those blue abyssal eyes, feeling the weight of his stare.

And there words fell silent in the cold night air filled with tense anticipation while Sephiroth drew closer looming large over the smaller figure.

"I have been and always will be the arbiter of destinies, dear."

The man inclined his head slightly lower allowing his breath to touch foreign skin. Then, bending his body toward the figure standing in front of him, he extended his hand reaching for her arm touching her elbow.

"Believe me, together we shall become stronger than any other force in the world."