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Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

Chapter One: Idol-Sama

Zack knew what he was doing was wrong.

Departing without notifying his parents, solely to pursue his aspirations of becoming a hero, was unwise.

However, he couldn't remain in Gongaga; only by joining ShinRa Corp's SOLDIER program in Midgard would he realize his dream.

 The raven-haired youth sighed deeply and placed a hand over his mouth as he attempted to slip out undetected.

The prospect of being caught by either parent or worse yet, HIS sister - who despite being two years younger possessed an impressive swing - loomed ominously.

He had dedicated himself to teaching her how to fight so that she wouldn't be relegated to the role of damsel-in-distress; contrary to popular belief, Zack knew that she wasn't fragile like a flower – far from it!

 When Dalia was born, she fell gravely ill. The esteemed physician, Old Doc Brown, even feared for her survival. However, he sensed within his sister a tenacious spirit and remained by her side for three days straight, holding her tiny hand and urging her to fight on. Despite the despair in their parents' eyes, Zack refused to give up hope on Dalia's recovery. His unwavering faith was vindicated as she gradually regained strength.

Zack beamed with pride at his little sister's resilience - an indomitable force of nature despite their parents' overprotectiveness.

 Therefore, it came as no surprise when he found her waiting for him in front of their home - blue eyes fixed squarely upon him and hands firmly planted on hips - sporting a fierce scowl that only added to her already formidable presence.

 "And where do you think are going?", she inquired.

 Until his death, he vehemently denied his whining.

 "Dali, Lia, my precious songbird-"

 "Flattery will not get you anywhere, Zack-Nii!"

 "Imoto, please understand. I must go! I cannot become a hero here!"

 Dalia scrunched up her adorable nose and let out a huff of frustration.

 "You do not seem like much of a hero to me if you run away from home in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye or letter left for me!"

 Now he truly whined; the sight of disappointment on his sister's face was unbearable.

 "I’m sorry, Imoto-Chan," Zack began.

 "Just stop right there, Zachery," his sister interrupted sharply.

 Oh no, he realized with a sinking feeling as she used his full name - this was serious. It seemed that things were not looking good for Zack.

 As Dalia made her proclamation, "You have two options before I start screaming for Ma and Pa! Option one: turn around and get inside; never try to leave me again. Option two: leave a goodbye letter and we will go."

 The older boy couldn't believe what he was hearing.

 "We?!" He almost shouted but caught himself in time; there was no need to wake up the whole neighbourhood or alert their parents.

 His little sister nodded vigorously, causing her spiky locks to bounce - another shared trait between them - while pointing at a bag by her feet. "If you go, I go! We are a team Nii-Chan! I won't be separated from you. You are the only person who treats me like an equal rather than some sick child."

 "You're not sick; you're strong and clever- how did you manage to escape before me?" Zack complimented her with a grin.

Dalia grinned back mischievously.  "I had an excellent teacher who sometimes makes questionable decisions."

 Zack knew he deserved that jab at his character- it wasn't easy being the older sibling responsible for taking care of someone younger than him all the time after all...

 "Shall we proceed now?" inquired the little girl, extending her hand to him.

"And what about the letter for Ma and Pa?" he wondered aloud.

The mischievous grin on her face returned as she replied, "I have already left one."

He snorted in amusement at his own naivety and took her hand as they embarked on their journey together.

"So I intend to join ShinRa and become a SOLDIER. What are your plans for Midgar, Dali?"

She squeezed his hand tightly before whispering conspiratorially, "I aim to become the biggest Idol that Midgar has ever seen!"

"Idol-Sama, Idol-Sama! Rosethorne? For goodness sake, Dalia, wake up!"

With a hefty yawn, Dalia Fair arises from the couch in her backstage room and stretches herself. She had dozed off - how peculiar that she dreamt about the time she ran away with Zack. 

"Rosethorne!", the voice called out her stage name.

Dalia rubbed her drowsy eyes.

It seemed to be Amelia, her manager's voice.

Oh yes, it was Amelia!

"Hey Amelia, what is happening?" 

The brown-haired woman facepalmed at Dalia while grumbling something about why she was stuck with such an unruly child - hey!

"You have a photo shoot in 30 minutes, Dalia. Get ready quickly," Amelia said with a stern expression.

Dalia groaned and checked her PHS for any messages or notifications.

Thus far, solely her cherished sibling had sent her a message.

A meme featuring a chocobo that elicited an amused snort from her.

Zack unfailingly knew how to lift her spirits.

The idol resolved to dispatch a brief message to her brother.

Songbird: Hey Nii-Chan, isn't Mister Angeal giving you a run for your money? You'll never advance beyond Second-Class SOLDIER if you're preoccupied with memes!

The response arrived promptly.

Puppydog: I'm on break! Kunsel says hi. Don't you have something to do, Imoto-Chan?

Blast it all!

Dalia hastily freshened up and donned the attire hanging on the door before adorning herself with makeup and affixing her crimson wig.

She couldn't help but ponder what mischief Zack was getting into at ShinRa today; it was nothing short of miraculous that he'd achieved even Third-Class SOLDIER status thanks to his mentor Angeal Hewley despite having caused significant damage during his acclimation period.

"Dalia, we must go now!" Amelia hollered from outside the door, rudely interrupting Dalia's thoughts.

With that said, Dalia retrieved her purse and accompanied Amelia out of the room in readiness for another day masquerading as Rosethorne - an idol worshipped by legions yet known by few except for Zack himself.

It suited Dalia just fine since she could lead a normal life as a sister to a SOLDIER without having crazed devotees swarming about while also experiencing life as an idol with fame and love from her fans.

As they stepped out of the building, Dalia couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. 

Another successful photoshoot was completed without any hiccups.

She glanced at Amelia who was checking her PHS, probably making sure everything was in order for their next appointment.

Dalia's mind drifted back to Zack and she wondered what he was up to now. She quickly pulled out her PHS and sent him a message.

Songbird: Hey Nii-Chan, how's your day going so far? Any interesting missions?

She waited for a response but none came. She shrugged it off and slipped her phone back into her purse. He would message her when he had time or he would tell her when they were both home.

As they made their way to the car, Dalia thought about how lucky she was to have a sibling like Zack. Despite his antics and carefree attitude, he always managed to make her laugh and forget about any troubles she had.

The car ride was quiet as both Dalia and Amelia were lost in their own thoughts. Dalia couldn't wait to get home and take off the wig that was starting to itch her scalp.

As they arrived at their destination, Dalia took a deep breath before stepping out of the car. Another day as Rosethorne awaited her, but for now, she just wanted to relax and be herself with Zack by her side.

Amelia playfully inquired of Dalia if she was prepared to showcase her latest single.

Dalia responded with a smile, affirming that she had been eagerly awaiting this moment.

She went on to explain that the song held a special place in her heart and she couldn't wait to share it with everyone.

Observing Dalia's excitement, Amelia nodded in agreement - clearly just as thrilled for the performance.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd cheered, Dalia transformed into Rosethorne - embodying her Idol-Persona.

The red-haired vixen donned a short black sparkle dress adorned with a single red rose, knee-high white socks and black high heels featuring small roses.

Gloved hands grasped the microphone before taking a deep breath and beginning to sing.

The melody flowed effortlessly from her lips as she poured her heart into each word; it became increasingly evident that this was more than just a performance - it was an emotional journey that resonated with every member of the audience.

By the time Rosethorne finished singing, every member of the audience was standing on their feet applauding wildly.

It was clear that Rosethorne's music had touched them deeply leaving them inspired and uplifted.

As Rosethorne stood there beaming from ear to ear, she felt grateful for sharing her music with such enthusiastic fans.

In response to the enthusiastic demands of the audience for more music, Rosethorne graciously delivered some of her classic Number One hits.

The crowd was elated and joined in with her, their voices melding together in a beautiful harmony. The atmosphere was electric as the entire room filled with joy and the sound of music. Rosethorne's energy and passion were absolutely infectious, leaving all members of the audience craving more of her amazing tracks.

As she wrapped up her final song, there was a collective sigh from everyone present that it had come to an end.

However, Rosethorne had made an unforgettable impression on each person who was lucky enough to witness her performance that night.

 Expressing her gratitude, Rosethorne exclaimed into the microphone and humbly bowed down. Applause reverberated throughout the room accompanied by joyous cheers and exclamations of adoration.

Smiling radiantly, she blew kisses to her devoted fans before announcing a special opportunity for one lucky audience member to meet with her for five minutes.

With bated breath, the crowd anticipated as she paused momentarily before calling out in suspenseful triumph: “The spotlight is on seat number 77!”

The occupant occupying seat 77 exhibited extreme shock, as evidenced by their reaction.

Rosethrone observed that the youthful gentleman with spiky blond locks and piercing azure eyes turned pallid like a sheet of paper.

Despite his condition, she couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome he appeared; if she had to guess, he was her agemate.

So 14?

It seemed apparent that he wished to be anywhere else but here.

This piqued Rosethrone's interest; such a response was novel to her experience as normally her admirers would jump for joy or even faint (one time someone foamed out of their mouth), however, this particular reaction was quite intriguing indeed.

 She walked towards him, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

As she approached, he looked up at her with a mixture of fear and awe in his eyes.

Rosethrone smiled warmly at him, trying to put him at ease.

"Don't worry," she said softly. "I won't bite."

The audience chuckled at her joke, but the young man didn't seem to find it funny.

"Come on," she said, holding out her hand. "Let's go backstage and chat for a bit."

He hesitated for a moment before taking her hand and standing up from his seat.

Together, they walked towards the back of the room as the crowd cheered them on.

 Once they were alone in the green room, Rosethrone offered him a bottle of water and sat down next to him on the couch.

"So," she began, "what's your name?"

He told her his name was Cloud.

Cloud Strife.

Who named their son Cloud, she wanted to ask, but had a feeling he was asked that a lot and it would annoy him.

All in all, he really seemed to not want to be here.

 Rosethrone cleared her throat, attempting to alleviate the tension in the air. "So, Cloud," she inquired, "what brings you here today?"

 Cloud shifted uncomfortably on the couch before responding. "I... I obtained tickets from one of my comrades...he couldn't attend and no one else had time or said their girlfriend wouldn't allow them to go to the concert of the Beautiful Rose of Midgar, their words not mine," he whispered softly.

 "Comrades, are you affiliated with ShinRa?", she asked with interest.

 "Yes Ma'am erm Idol-Sama?"

 "We are the same age; Rosethrone is fine."

 "Erm, right, okay. Yes I'm a part of ShinRa. I aspire to become a SOLDIER!"

 Wow! What an unexpected surprise it was that a SOLDIER candidate would be her guest.

Did he know Zack?

Unfortunately, she could not ask him since no one could know who Rosethorne truly was.

 Rosethrone listened attentively as Cloud shared his aspirations for becoming a SOLDIER and described his training process. Despite his initial reluctance to be there, she sensed determination in his voice. As they conversed further, she became increasingly impressed by this young man's character.

 Then Cloud realized how much he had been talking about himself and turned adorably red-faced. "I apologize for prattling on about my SOLDIER training without letting you speak at all," he whined slightly.

The young Idol waved it away."No problem at all! You didn't want to waste the ticket and just went ahead with attending anyway", she said."Well, I hope you're satisfied with your prize."

Cloud shook his head vigorously."No, no! It's just...it's all so overwhelming," he admitted."I'm not good with people."

Rosethrone smiled kindly at him."I understand exactly how you feel", she told him."Sometimes, it can be tough believing that all of this is real."

Cloud looked incredulous when hearing this statement. He asked hesitatingly, "You feel like that too?"

Rosethrone nodded affirmatively once more."Of course!" she exclaimed; "Don't get me wrong- I adore what I do, and am grateful for each fan, but sometimes, it can simply be too much."

They both sat silently for some time until Rosethorne spoke again: "Do you have any questions for me?"

The young men hesitated momentarily before nodding slowly ."Um, yes actually...How did music come into your life?”

 Rosenthorn grinned broadly as she began recounting her origin story.

She explained how singing and performing were always passions but never thought it possible career-wise until Amelia, her manager heard her singing on the streets, was charmed by her voice, and took her under contract immediately after discovering her talent.

 After a while, Rosethrone realized that their five minutes were up. She stood up from the couch and offered her hand to Cloud, who took it hesitantly. "It was really nice meeting you, Cloud," she said with a smile. "I hope you achieve your dreams."

 Cloud nodded gratefully before turning to leave.

As he walked away, Rosethrone couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him.

She had met many fans over the years, but there was something special about this one.

Perhaps it was his determination or the fact that he didn't fawn over her like so many others did.

 Whatever it was, Rosethrone knew that she would never forget meeting Cloud Strife.

And who knows? Maybe one day she would see him again - perhaps even in the newspaper as a full-fledged member of SOLDIER.

Finally, Dalia was home!

With a groan she took off her shoes and jacket, walking into the living room like a zombie.

Zack was already there, playing on his Gamestation.

“Hey Imoto-Chan, rough day?”, he asked grinning.

She just hit him over the head with a pillow from the couch.

“Hey, for what was that for?!”

“Zachery, I had a photo shoot, a concert, then two interviews, one for the television and one for the newspaper, while wearing high heels, I’m this close to murdering someone.”

Wisely her brother shut up and just kept on playing.

“What’s for dinner?”, she wondered, as she made her way into their kitchen, specifically looking for food.

There was a pizza carton.

“Again, pizza, Zack? I wanted Sushi.”

“How can you like the uncooked fish is beyond me.”

“How you can be a fit SOLDIER Third with the much pizza you eat is beyond ME!”

 Groaning, Dalia opened the pizza carton and started eating, not bothering to heat it up.

Zack shrugged, "I didn't feel like cooking tonight."

"Well, I'm too tired to argue," Dalia said between bites.

As she ate, she thought about her upcoming schedule and sighed.

"I have another concert tomorrow night and a photo shoot early in the morning," she said to Zack who was still playing his game.

"Sounds like another busy day," he replied without looking away from the screen.

Dalia finished her pizza and went to take a shower, hoping it would help her relax after the long day she had just had.

After her shower, Dalia sat down at her desk to go over her schedule for the next few days.

She had a rehearsal with her band in the afternoon, followed by an interview with a music magazine.

Then, she had to attend a charity event in the evening.

The following day was even busier, with a radio interview early in the morning and a music video shoot later in the day.

 Dalia felt overwhelmed just thinking about it all.

She knew she needed to stay focused and organized if she wanted to succeed in the music industry, but sometimes it felt like too much. She took a deep breath and reminded herself why she loved what she did - the rush of performing live, the connection with her fans, and the thrill of creating something new.

 With renewed determination, Dalia got to work on preparing for her busy schedule ahead.

She made lists of everything she needed to do and packed her bags for each event.

As she drifted off to sleep that night, she felt ready to take on whatever challenges came her way - one concert, photo shoot, or interview at a time.

The young woman didn’t expect to face some kind of freakish grim reaper wannabe that night!

Anomaly Index

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

Chapter 2: Haunted 

Zack was dreaming of becoming SOLDIER First Rank when a loud scream awakened him from his slumber.

Confused he blinked into the darkness of his room.

Huh?

What was going on?

“ZACK-NIICHAN!”, shouted the voice of his sister. “HELP ME!”

Instinct took over, not only from his SOLDIER training but also from a lifetime of being a big brother.

The black-haired man jumped out of bed, gripped his sword and ran into his sister's room.

“Dalia, I’m Here!”

The scene before him belongs in a horror flick.

His sister was cowering in her bed and over her, a shadowy-foggy-like grim reaper wannabe floated above her!

The SOLDIER Third Class didn’t waste any time took a deep breath and focused his energy, calling upon the Mako within him to enhance his abilities.

He charged towards the shadowy figure with his sword raised high, ready to strike. As he swung his blade, it passed straight through the apparition without making contact.

“What the fuck?!”, he shouted in disbelief.

The grim reaper wannabe just stared at him.

At least that gave Dalia the chance to hide behind him.

“Zack what is that?!”, she shrieked, gripping his sleeping shirt tight in her fists.

“I don’t know and I don’t care, I will burn it to crisp!”

Thankful he had Fire Materia on his sword.

He cast the spell and at least this seemed to work.

Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper hissed.

“Anomaly.”, came a scary voice from the being. “You will be erased.”

With that, he disappeared into thin air.

Dalia clung to Zack tightly, still trembling in fear. He comforted her and assured her that everything was going to be alright.

“Going alright, that thing wanted to kill me!”

“It can’t hurt you anymore, I made it go away.”

“Zack, what kind of thing was that?”

“Don’t know.”, he admitted stroking her long spiky hair. “Probably a new monster. Something Ghost-like, I dunno.”

“Why does it want to erase me?”

“I don’t know sis, why do monsters attack us? No one really knows.”

With a loud sigh, Dalia formally fell into her brother's arms.

Like she was a little girl again she asked quietly if they could share a bed.

Zack understood her. He was still shaking from this encounter too.

They moved to his bedroom and Dalia clung to him like a barnacle.

Thankful after a while she fell asleep, only Zack refused to sleep.

If Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper came again he wanted to be ready.

Never was he more thankful that as SOLDIER he didn’t need that much sleep like a normal person.

***

“Rosethrone what is wrong?”, asked Amelia the next day at lunch break. “You are normally good at photo shoots, but you seem off.”

“I’m just going through some personal stuff,” replied Dalia, trying to brush off her manager's concern.

But Amelia wasn't convinced.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asked, placing a comforting hand on Dalia's shoulder.

“I don’t know, are you a part-time monster expert, while being my manager?”, Dalia sassed and gulped down her water.

Amelia chuckled at Dalia's remark, "No, I'm not a part-time monster expert, but I am your friend and I care about you. If you ever need someone to talk to or just vent, I'm here for you."

The younger girl smiled gratefully at her manager, feeling a bit better. It was nice to know that she had someone in her corner.

As they finished their lunch, Amelia made a mental note to check in on Dalia more often and make sure she was doing okay. After all, being a good manager meant more than just overseeing photo shoots and deadlines - it also meant being there for your team when they needed you the most.

“I have a little surprise for you.”, she told her protege as they made their way back to Rosethrone's backstage room. “Maybe it will lift your spirits a bit.”

“Mmh?”

“Your new Idol outfit is finished, you can wear it today at the concert.”

Dalia's blue eyes lit up with excitement at the news. She had been looking forward to the new outfit for weeks.

It was a custom design made just for her, and she couldn't wait to see how it looked on stage.

"Really? Thank you so much, Amelia!", she exclaimed, feeling a burst of energy and enthusiasm. "I can't wait to try it on!"

The brunette woman smiled, happy to see Dalia's mood improving. "I knew it would make you happy. Now let's go get ready for the show!"

As they entered the dressing room, Dalia spotted the outfit hanging on a rack in the corner. It was even more beautiful than she had imagined - a glittering black, white and red ensemble that sparkled under the lights.

She quickly changed into the outfit, admiring herself in the mirror as she did so. The fabric felt soft and silky against her skin, and she loved how it hugged her curves in all the right places.

Now she really was Rosethrone, Midgar’s Beautiful Rose.

When she emerged from the dressing room, Amelia gasped in delight. "You look amazing!"

Rosethrone beamed with pride as she took her place on stage.

As she began to sing and dance, all of her worries faded away.

For those few hours, nothing else mattered except for making music and entertaining her fans.

Afterwards, as Dalia was packing up her things backstage, Amelia approached her with a serious expression.

"Dalia," she said softly. "I know that something is bothering you. If there's anything I can do to help - anything at all - please don't hesitate to ask."

Dalia hesitated for a moment before admitting. "It's just...last night something really strange happened."

Her manager leaned in closer, listening intently as Dalia recounted what had happened with Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper.

"That sounds terrifying," Amelia said sympathetically when Dalia finished speaking. "But you know what? Zack was there and protected you. Your brother always has your back."

Dalia nodded slowly, feeling a sense of pride wash over thinking about what an awesome older brother she had in Zack.

"And besides," Amelia added with a grin. "If any other monsters come after you again...well, we'll just have to make sure you have some backup."

Together they laughed off their fears, feeling stronger knowing that they had each other's backs no matter what challenges lay ahead.

***

As the weeks went on, Dalia found herself feeling more and more confident in her role as Rosethrone. Her concerts were selling out faster than ever before, and she was receiving more fan mail than she could keep up with.

But despite her success, there were still moments when the memory of Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper would haunt her thoughts. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else out there, waiting to harm her.

One night, as she was getting ready for bed after a long day of rehearsals, she heard a strange noise coming from outside her window.

At first, she tried to ignore it - maybe it was just the wind or some stray animal.

But as the noise grew louder and more persistent, she realized that something was definitely wrong.

Heart pounding in her chest, she tiptoed over to the window and peered outside.

There, lurking in the shadows below, was a group of monsters like Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper! He had friends it seemed!

The black-haired girl froze in terror for a moment before remembering what Amelia had said about having a backup.

Quickly grabbing her PHS, she dialled Zack's number and waited anxiously for him to pick up.

"Zack! Oh my god, there is Mr. Creepy Grim Reaper outside my window! What do I do?!", she whispered.

"Stay calm," he replied calmly over the line. "I'm here."

True to his word, not a second later her bedroom door opened. Zack armed with his trusty sword and a handful of materia orbs was standing there.

He pointed with his head to leave her place at the window. She did so, as he walked over, opened the window and jumped down!

Good thing he was a SOLDIER Third and their apartment was only second floor.

Morbid curiosity made Dalia look out the window, as her brother fought off the Creepy Grim Reapers, with his sword and spells.

After the last vanished into thin air, her brother climbed back up their apartment.

When he was back in her room Dalia collapsed into Zack's arms sobbing with relief.

"I don't know how you do it," she whispered between sobs. "How can you be so brave all the time?"

Zack just smiled down at her gently. "It's easy," he said softly. "I do it for you."

“You are already a hero, Zack, my hero!”

“Thanks, Imoto-Chan, but we need to do something about this Creepy Grim Reapers. They said to me they have to erase the anomaly.”

Confused Dalia looked up into Zack's grim face.

“What do you plan?”

“Tomorrow is your free day right? We go together to Angeal, maybe he knows this kind of monster.”, then he facepalmed. “And I just realized I could have asked him weeks ago, I’m such a dumbass.”

This released the nervous energy in Dalia and she couldn’t help but laugh.

Yep, Mister Angeal's nickname for Zack, puppy, fitted indeed her brother.

He was not only friendly and eager as one, he could forget things easily.

***

The next day, Zack and Dalia went to see Angeal.

This meant for Dalia she would be the first time on the the SOLDIER floor of the ShinRA building.

She had visited her brother at his work, but they always had met up at the foyer.

It would be a lie to say Dalia wasn’t a tiny bit curious about how it looked there.

With Zack vouching for her and checking that she really was his sister, she got her visitor pass for the day from the kind secretary in the foyer.

Now the siblings could take the elevator to their destination without a problem.

On the SOLDIER floor, of course, Dalia saw SOLDIER from Rank three to two and even some infantrymen.

But no Genesis or Sephiroth.

Like probably all girls in Midgar she had wanted to see the Crimson Commander and Silver General in the flesh.

Zack looked amused at her.

“Are you looking for someone?”

“It’s not any day you can go up the SOLDIER floor, would be awesome if I could get an autograph from Mister Genesis and Mister Sephiroth, especially Sephiroth, Amelia has the hots for him. If I brought her autographs she would die happy.”

As they walked down the hallway, Angeal's office came into view. Zack knocked on the door and they were welcomed inside by the First Class SOLDIER.

"Zack, and Dalia, what a nice surprise.", he greeted them warmly. "What brings you here?"

They explained what had happened with the Creepy Grim Reapers and how they had tried to attack Dalia twice.

Angeal listened carefully and then said, "I think I know what these creatures are. Even if it seems impossible.”

“Why Angeal?”, asked Zack, holding Dalia's hand tight as they sat before the FIRST CLASS SOLDIER.

“They considered legends. An accretion of Whispers, the so-called arbiters of fate. The creatures appear when someone tries to alter destiny's course. They are connected to all the threads of time and space that shape the planet's fate.”

"The Whispers?" repeated Zack, looking puzzled. Dalia wasn’t far behind.

Kinda lame name for something that scarred her shitless.

"Yes," replied Angeal. "Whispers, also known as the arbiters of fate, are beings born of the planet said to enforce the course of destiny. They appear in large gatherings whenever events stray too far from fate's intended path. Or so they say.”

Zack and Dalia listened intently to Angeal's explanation, trying to wrap their heads around the concept of beings that enforced destiny. It all seemed a bit far-fetched, but then again, they had just fought off a group of monsters that could disappear into thin air.

"So what do we do?" asked Dalia anxiously. "Why would they be after me?"

Angeal sighed, looking pensive. "I'm not sure. Is there something which you do that can alter destiny so much? Zack told me you are just a normal school girl.”

Ups.

Both Fair siblings turned red and looked ashamed at the ground.

The older man looked at them. So they were hiding something.

“Zack, I hope you had a good reason to lie to me.”, scolded Angeal his protege.

If even possible, Zack shrunk more in his seat than before.

“Mister Angeal, please don’t be mad at Zack-Nii.”, begged Dalia. “I told him to lie.”

Then she told him that she lived a double life as the Idol Rosethrone because she didn’t want to be swarmed with fans all the time. Dalia loved being an Idol, but she loved her privacy with her brother too.

Angeal nodded. He could understand this.

Being First Class, was also a bit like being a celebrity. He had his own fan club and often people asked for his autograph, which was crazy since he fought in a WAR.

He was a warrior not a singer like Dalia.

“I see.”, mumbled the black-haired man and gripped his chin thoughtfully. “It could be that your recent success as Rosethrone has caused a ripple in fate's course. Or it could be something else entirely."

Zack frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. "Whatever the reason, we need to find a way to stop them from coming after Dalia again."

Angeal nodded in agreement.

“Let’s see...Dalia, when did the first Whisper appear?”

“It was after my successful concert in the Chocobo Lounge. I got home, ate and then got to bed. Then The Whisper appeared in the middle of the night.”

“Was there something special this day?”

The girl frowned, thinking.

What was noteworthy on this day...?

“Oh I had a Fan-Meeting after the concert.”, she told Zack and Angeal. “The young man I talked to was not even one of my fans. He just had come to my concert so the card of his friend, who couldn’t make it, didn’t go to waste.”

That alerted both males.

“Do you remember his name, sis?”

“I think...It was Cloud. Yes, Cloud Strife!”

Angeal nodded.

“I have a hunch, Mr. Strife could be a lead you could follow.”

“I don’t know anybody with that name.”, whined Zack and gripped his hair. “How should we find him? Just asking around all Midgar? That would take years and that’s not counting the Slums!”

Dalia felt also distressed and petted her brother on the back.

How should she find this boy, she only met once?

“Now, now, no long faces. There is a simple but efficient way.”, tried Angeal to cheer the Fair siblings up.

“Which way, Angeal?”, they asked together.

“You could go to floor 62. All of Midgar’s documents, records, and reports are stoked there. So also the resident list!”

“Angeal, you are a genius!”

The SOLDIER First Class chuckled quietly at the happiness of the Fair siblings.

With his authority, he gave them passes for floor 62 and the two were off.

Time to find out, where to find this Cloud Strife.

***

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

Chapter 3: Fair & Strife

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

***

As they made their way to floor 62, Dalia and Zack couldn't help feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. 

The thought of finally finding a lead on the Whispers was both thrilling and terrifying.

When they arrived at the floor, they were greeted by rows upon rows of filing cabinets, stacks of paperwork, and endless rows of computers. 

It was overwhelming, to say the least.

Zack turned to Dalia with a determined look on his face. 

"Let's split up and search for Cloud Strife's name in the resident list," he said firmly. "We'll cover more ground that way."

Dalia nodded in agreement and they set off in different directions, scanning through pages upon pages of names until finally...

"Zack! I found him!" she exclaimed excitedly, waving her brother over to her computer screen. "Cloud Strife, age 14, living in…-"

Suddenly the young girl smashed her forehead against the table.

“Dali, what’s wrong?!”, asked Zack worried, rubbing her red forehead.

“I’m also a dumbass…”, she whined. “Cloud told me that he was an infantryman and tried to become a SOLDIER…Of course, he lives in the barracks of the infantryman.”

Zack couldn’t help it.

He laughed.

“Asshole!”, growled Dalia, hitting over on over with her tiny fist on his shoulders.

This made Zack only more laugh.

“We truly are brother and sister! I can’t!”

His little sister just whined and hit him more.

The SOLDIER Third Rank finally managed to calm down and catch his breath.

"Okay, let's focus. We need to find the barracks for the infantryman and search for Cloud Strife there," he said, trying to regain his composure. He checked Cloud’s info. “Apartment Block G. Seventh Floor. 7A.”

They left the record room and headed towards the barracks.

The excitement mixed with nervousness was back again, but this time it was stronger.

They were getting closer to finding Cloud Strife, a lead to unlocking the mystery of the Whispers. 

As they walked through the halls, Dalia wondered if her brother would have lived here, if they didn’t get a family unit as he joined ShinRA.

Normally all SOLDIERS, to-be and infantrymen lived in Apartment Blocks around ShinRa, but if someone was married and/or had kids they were moved to the Apartment Complex where the Fair Siblings lived.

Their apartment was originally designed for a young couple with one child however was remodelled for the sibling pair.

If Zack hadn’t been number one on the entrance exam for SOLDIER they surely wouldn’t have given them the chance to live together under ShinRa protection.

Anyway finally, they arrived at Apartment Block G and made their way up to the seventh floor. 

They found 7A easily enough and knocked on the door.

There was no answer at first, but then they heard shuffling inside.

The door opened slowly and a young boy with spiky blond hair peeked out nervously.

"Are you Cloud Strife?", Zack asked eagerly.

The boy nodded silently, looking like he was about to bolt at any moment.

“It’s him.”, confirmed Dalia. Seeing him again made her remember how good-looking she thought he was.

“Do I know you?”, asked Cloud warily.

Reassuring the only girl smiled.

“I know what we will tell you will sound crazy, but it’s best we talk in your apartment. Can we come in?”

“Who are you both exactly?”

“I’m Zack Fair, SOLDIER Third class.”, introduced Zack. “That’s my little sister Dalia alias Rosethrone!”

For that, Dalia smashed her elbow into her brother's stomach.

“Zack I wanted to tell him that in his apartment! No one who doesn’t need to know my secret life as Idol Rosethrone needs to know!”, she hissed angrily.

What if someone else in the apartments heard them?!    

Cloud looked at them sceptically for a moment, yet then he seemed to make up his mind.

"Fine," he said finally, stepping aside to let them in. "But I don't have much time."

As they entered the small apartment, Dalia couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young boy. The place was sparsely furnished and clearly had seen better days.

But there was a giant poster.

Of Rosethrone.

Of her!

And on a shelf, she saw some of her CDs.

“I thought you weren’t my fan?”, she asked him grinning from ear to ear.

Zack pursed his lips at the poster. It was not anything naughty because Dalia was underage and she knew better than to do such things, however, it’s not like he liked the thought that people had posters of his sister in their homes.

Especially teenagers.

Especially boys!

Cloud looked embarrassed, but also a little proud. "I may have started to like Rosethrone music after the concert," he admitted sheepishly. "Her music is really good."

Dalia couldn't help but feel touched by his words. 

It was one thing to have fans who didn't know her personally but to have someone like Cloud, whom she had come to respect and admire, appreciate her music meant the world to her.

“Thank you.”

Cloud frowned at her.

“And you say you are Rosethrone? You have both blue eyes, but she is a redhead and you have spiky black hair.”

With a cheeky grin, Dalia just started to sing the chorus of one of her number-one hits to make Cloud believe she was indeed the Idol.

It seemed to work.

Thank god, her voice was so unique.

That Cloud was shocked was an understatement, he blushed furiously and facepalmed.

“Now I’m ashamed about the poster...”

“Don’t be, I don’t mind!”, she told him truthful. “I made this photo shoot for this poster knowing people would hang them up in their rooms. Really all is good.”

Now that this was out of the world, they settled into the small apartment, and Zack and Dalia began to explain their situation to Cloud. 

They told him about the Whispers, the strange events that had been happening around them, and how they believed he might hold the key to unlocking the mystery.

Cloud listened intently, his eyes widening as they spoke. When they finished, he looked at them in fear.

“I don't know anything about these Whispers,", he admins. “They certainly didn’t visit me. Also, I’m just an infantryman, I’m nothing special.”

“Aren’t you trying to become SOLDIER?”, asked Zack to clarify.

The blond nodded slowly.

“How is this going?”

“Could be better...”

The siblings gave him a sympathetic look. They could tell that Cloud was giving his all, yet he seemed to not advance.

Zack and Dalia exchanged a look. They knew that Cloud was holding something back, but they didn't want to push him too hard. After all, they had just met him and he was clearly scared.

"Okay," Zack said finally, trying to sound reassuring. "We understand if you can't help us. But if you do remember anything, please let us know."

Cloud nodded silently, his eyes downcast.

“I don’t get why the Whisper attacked Dalia after we met. I mean, she is the Idol, I’m nobody.”, mumbled Cloud.

“But the meeting left an impression on you, you became her fan.”, reminds Zack playfully.

At least the blond-haired boy grinned a bit.

Suddenly Dalia sat upright.

“Wait a second! What if this is the answer?!”, she shouted.

Her sudden outburst left Zack and Cloud both looking confused.

"What do you mean, Dali?", Zack asked, his brow furrowed.

Dalia took a deep breath before continuing, "Think about it. The first Whisper attack happened right after my concert when Cloud became my fan."

Cloud looked up at her with a mixture of shock and realization dawning on his face. "You think that my becoming your fan somehow triggered the Whispers?"

"It's possible," Dalia replied, excitement creeping into her voice. "Maybe they're after me because of my influence or something."

“Sis, a lot of people become your fans daily, why would Cloud become your fan being so big that it changes the course of destiny?”, wondered Zack, crossing his arms.

“There must be something special on Cloud then!”, she rebuked.

“I’m not special...”, mumbled Cloud.

“I think you are! You really dedicated to your dream this is admirable!”, complimented Dalia.

This turned the blond into a tomato, scratching his cheek embarrassed.

Zack couldn’t help himself and teased: “Aww, does someone have a crush on my sister?”

Cloud turned only redder, while Dalia gave her brother a look.

“Not helping Zack!”

Suddenly all hell broke loose.

Out of nowhere a swarm of Whispers appeared in Cloud's apartment, zeroing in on Dalia!

“Anomaly, you must be erased!”, they hissed as one.

Frightened Dalia screamed, trying to hide behind Cloud's couch.

Thankful Zack and Cloud reacted fast. Her brother drew his sword and Cloud took his infantrymen gun to shoot at them.

The Whispers were relentless, attacking from all sides.

Zack and Cloud fought back with everything they had, but it seemed like there was no end to the swarm. 

Dalia huddled behind the couch, tears streaming down her face as she watched the chaos unfold.

She prayed for a quick end.

Why was she so helpless?

Why must she always be protected?

Why didn’t she learn how to fight for real?

Because she always knew Zack would protect her, that’s why.

“Dali, Dali, sis, Imoto-Chan, it’s okay.”, she heard Zack coo. Strong arms picked her up and hugged her like a small child. Dalia hugged her brother tightly back. “They are gone, they are gone.”

“But for how long?”, she whimpers.

“This are also the Whispers. They really have it out for Dalia, I’m so sorry.”, told her Cloud, looking at her sadly.

What a nightmare she had to live through. These things shook him up and that was her third encounter with them.

“It’s not your fault, Cloud.”

“Actually, I think it is.”

Shocked Dalia and Cloud looked at the grim Zack.

“When I teased you if you had a crush on my sister, the things appeared, can you guys guess what this means?”

The two younger ones blinked at him in confusion.

Zack signed and placed Dalia back on the floor.

“I think the Whispers don’t want Cloud to have a crush on you Dalia or fall in love with you. Seems like it will change destiny in a way that they don’t like.”

Hearing the word love made both 14-year-olds blush bashfully.

“It’s...it’s just a little celebrity crush...”, confessed Cloud, turning redder any second. “Not like she would like me back...”

“Erm, actually, I did think about you more than I should have...”, was now Dalia's turn to confess and turn red. Both males stared at her flabbergasted. “Our meeting made a big impression on me because you treated me like a person and not some kind of divine being...yeah...”

In Zack formed the urge to coo at the two young teens, who shyly looked at each other with red cheeks.

But he needed to stay focused.

“This is all really cute, but I think I have the solution for our problem.”, began Zack.

Curious and hopeful the younger ones looked at him.

“You both have to stay away from each other and don’t get into a relationship. I repeat don’t date each other, destiny doesn’t want you guys together!”

The SOLDIER’S third words hung heavy in the air as Dalia and Cloud looked at each other with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. 

They both knew that Zack was right - the Whispers were after them because of their connection, and if they wanted to stop them, they would have to stay apart.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Dalia knew it was necessary.

She couldn't risk putting Cloud in danger just because of her own feelings. And she couldn't let the Whispers win by destroying their friendship before it even had a chance to blossom into something more.

Cloud seemed to be thinking along the same lines, his expression resigned but determined.

"I understand," he said finally, his eyes meeting Dalia's for a moment before looking away. "We'll stay apart."

The girl nodded slowly, feeling a lump form in her throat. It wasn't fair that destiny had to be so cruel sometimes, but she knew that she had to accept it and move on. She looked up at Zack, who gave her a small smile of encouragement.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "It will be okay, there are plenty of fish in the sea."

Yeah, sure.

The Fair siblings said their goodbye to Cloud and apologised for dragging him into this mess, however, he just waved their concerns away.

“I’m just sad we can’t even be friends. We three, I mean.”

“It sucks man, but better save than sorry.”

They all nodded in agreement.

With that, the Fair’s left and Cloud closed the door behind them.

A little tear slipped down Dalia’s cheek.

It was so unfair...

She couldn’t even be friends with Cloud.

All because destiny didn’t want to and would send his Whisper after them.

Just who was destined to be with Cloud and why was it so important that she couldn’t be it?

And why call her an Anomaly?

This still was strange.

As they walked away from Cloud's apartment, Dalia couldn't shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled in her chest.

It was true that destiny could be cruel sometimes, yet she refused to believe that she and Cloud were not meant to be friends.

She glanced at Zack, who seemed lost in thought, before speaking up.

"I don't want to give up on our friendship with Cloud," she said firmly. "There has to be a way for us to stay in touch without putting him or ourselves in danger."

Zack nodded slowly, his expression serious. "I agree. But we have to be careful about it. We can't risk exposing ourselves or Cloud to the Whispers again."

Dalia knew he was right, but she couldn't help feeling frustrated.

She had always been a fighter, someone who didn't give up easily, and the idea of giving up on her friendship with Cloud felt like a defeat. However, she also knew that she had to listen to reason and come up with a plan that would keep them all safe.

"Maybe we can communicate through encrypted messages or something," she suggested after a moment of silence. "That way we can still talk without revealing too much information."

Zack smiled at her approvingly. "That's a good idea. We'll work on it when we get back home. Maybe Kunsel can help us."

Dalia nodded, feeling slightly better now that they had a plan in place. She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the sense of unease that still lingered within her.

***

!!!!Please read and review!!!!

If you have time read Hippolyta featuring Dalia who tries to live her life after Aerith’s and Zack’s death.

Anomaly

Anomaly; noun: something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

While her older brother Zack rises in the ranks of SOLDIER, Dalia Fair is one of the biggest Idol’s Midgar has ever seen! All seems well for the siblings, till the Whispers appear and try to kill Dalia. Now brother and sister must unrevail ShinRa’s dark secrets and why Dalia is an anomaly in the eyes of the spectral beings.

Or:

Zack has a younger sister whom the Whispers want to get rid of because they must protect the sacred canon.

Spoiler Alert: Dalia won't let herself get killed or erased by the spooky grim reapers wannabe!

Also, canon who, it's her show now!

I made Dalia's wardrobe, take a look.

Also I want to say if I mess up Genesis please don’t be too mean to me, I do not really get Loveless, I think I’m too stupid to interpret it right *drop*

I tried my best, but if I can improve please tell me.

Now on with the story.

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Chapter 4: Searching for answers

The Fair Siblings walked in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts. As they made their way back to their apartment, Dalia couldn't help but think about Cloud and the strange events that had brought them together. She wondered if they would ever find out the truth behind the Whispers and what destiny had in store for them.

Zack seemed to sense her unease and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"We'll figure this out," he said reassuringly. "We always do."

Dalia nodded, feeling grateful for her brother's support. She knew that they were in this together and that no matter what happened, they would face it as a team.

As they reached their apartment complex, Dalia felt a sense of relief wash over her. 

They were home, safe from the dangers of the outside world - at least for now. She looked up at Zack and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks for having my back." 

"Always," he replied before ruffling her hair playfully. "Now let's get some rest and we'll start working on our plan tomorrow."

She nodded eagerly, feeling more hopeful than she had before. 

With Zack by her side and a plan in place, she knew that they could overcome any obstacle - even destiny itself.

***

Meanwhile on the SOLDIER floor of the ShinRa building one Angeal Hewley rubbed tired his eyes.

He was still in his office, researching on his computer.

What Zack and little Dalia told him, worried him endlessly, even if he didn’t show the kids when they had visited him.

Dalia being hunted down by the Whispers, the legendary beings who protected faith's course and eliminated any obstacle which diverged it, scarred him.

He was scared for little Dalia. She still was only 14, barely had left her childhood behind, and wasn't a fighter.

Angeal knew his protege Zack would do anything to protect his sister, but he couldn’t be around her anytime.

What if the Whispers attacked her while she was performing as the Idol Rosethrone and Zack was with him away on a mission?

No, he didn’t want to think about that. The thought alone was chilling.

So after work, he stayed in his office and searched the Database of ShinRa for anything about the Whispers.

There wasn’t much which he didn’t know and the rest was classified.

What should he do?

Angeal leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.

He had to do something to help her.

Anything.

Not only for her but also for Zack.

The SOLDIER First Rang didn’t want to imagine how his protege would react if something happened to his sister.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. 

He quickly typed a message on his computer and sent it to his childhood friend Genesis Rhapsodos. 

Genesis was known for his extensive knowledge of ancient legends and myths, and Angeal hoped that he could shed some light on the Whispers.

As he waited for a reply, Angeal couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He had always been one to follow orders and stay within the confines of ShinRa's rules, yet this situation was different. 

He knew that if he didn't act soon, Dalia could be in grave danger.

Just then, his computer beeped with an incoming message from Genesis.

I’m on my way, old friend.

Huh, Genesis is still in the building too? 

Angeal thought he already had gone home.

His office door opened and not only Genesis but also Sephiroth walked in.

“That’s a surprise.”, said Angeal, looking at his two friends. “I thought only you would come Genesis.”

“Sephiroth read rudely over my shoulder, when I got your message.”, explained the red-haired SOLDIER First with a huff.

The black-haired haired fought off a grin as he saw how Sephiroth rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t think helping our friend was something classified.”, rebuked the Silver General dry as the dessert.

“Pride is lost, Wings stripped away, the end is nigh.”, counter Genesis with a Loveless quote.

“Alright, alright you two, calm down.”, told them Angeal. “I assume you both being here means you know something about the Whispers?”

He looked at his two friends, hoping they had some information that could help Dalia. Genesis took a seat on the couch while Sephiroth leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

"We know a little," Genesis began, "The Whispers are ancient beings that have existed since the beginning of time. They protect the course of destiny and eliminate anything that threatens it."

Sephiroth nodded in agreement. "They have been known to intervene in major events throughout history, ensuring that things go according to plan."

Angeal listened intently, feeling a sense of dread wash over him.

"But why are they after Dalia? What does she have to do with destiny?" he asked.

The Crimson Commander shrugged. "That's unclear, but it's possible that her role as Rosethrone has something to do with it. The Whispers may see her as an obstacle or a threat to their plans."

Angeal sighed heavily, feeling more worried than ever before. "So what can we do?"

Sephiroth spoke up this time. "We need more information about their motives and their methods of operation. We also need to find out if there's any way to stop them."

Angeal nodded slowly, feeling a glimmer of hope at Sephiroth's words. With his two closest friends by his side and a plan forming in his mind, he knew they could protect Dalia from whatever fate had in store.

“Well we could start here.”, said Angeal feeling a bit unwell. This was directly going against ShinRa's orders. It didn’t make him feel good. “There is some classified information ShinRa has on the Whispers, but I don’t have the clearing for them. Maybe one of you...?”

Both his friends walked over, to read what was written on his computer.

Suddenly Sephiroth growled: “That Security Seal...that’s the one from the Science Department.”

He didn’t need to say more.

Genesis and Angeal made a face.

So Hojo had some information on the Whispers.

Of course, it would be the obsessed scientist who would have the answer for them.

Angeal's stomach churned at the thought of involving Hojo in this. He knew firsthand how twisted and dangerous the man could be. But if it meant protecting Dalia, he was willing to take the risk.

"Can we trust him?", Angeal asked, his voice laced with concern.

Genesis scoffed. "Of course not, but desperate times call for desperate measures."

Sephiroth nodded in agreement before turning to Angeal. "We'll go see him tomorrow and see what he knows."

Angeal nodded reluctantly, knowing that they didn't have much time to waste. 

The Whispers were closing in on Dalia and they needed all the information they could get to protect her. 

With a heavy heart, Angeal closed his computer and stood up from his desk. 

They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow, but for now, he just wanted to go home and rest - if he could sleep at all with the weight of their mission bearing down on him.

***

Once upon a time, she didn’t mind showing her face but after all things that happened...

She was thankful for the long black coat with the hood Elmyra had made for her.

The hood over her head gave her a sense of security, something she hadn’t experienced anymore since Zack...since Zack's disappearance.

Dalia walked the street of the Slums of Sector 5 in the direction of a special church.

Aerith forgot time again.

She would collect her sister-in-law and then they could go home to Elmyra.

Suddenly she felt a chill down her spine.

She knew what this meant.

Dramatically Dalia reached for her bow and an arrow.

A Whisper was before her, she shot at the apparition with precision and it vanished.

“Better luck next time, asshole.”, she spat.

Was it sad that she learned to live with the Whispers who followed her every step?

She couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and frustration towards these beings that seemed to be constantly after her.

It was exhausting to always be on guard and ready to fight at any moment.

As she approached the church, she saw Aerith waiting for her outside.

The two sisters-in-law embraced each other tightly, grateful for each other's company in this dangerous world.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Aerith said apologetically. "I lost track of time again."

Dalia smiled, feeling a sense of calm wash over her in Aerith's presence.

"It's okay," she reassured her sister-in-law. "I just had a run-in with a Whisper on my way here."

 Aerith's face fell with worry. "Are you okay?"

Dalia nodded, patting the bow and quivering on her back for emphasis. "I'm fine, thanks to the arrows you blessed.”

The brunette woman nodded in agreement before both women jumped into the air.

Something had crashed through the roof of the church!

“Aerith, stay behind me!”, commande Dalia, getting bow and arrow ready.

Together they walked into the church, ready for anything.

Well almost.

The black-haired woman didn’t expect to see HIM in Aerith's flower field!

“CLOUD!”, shouted Dalia and raced over to him.

“You know him?!”, wonder Aerith, still not coming near.

Dalia kneeled over the knocked-out blond man and cried openly.

Five years...

Five years it had been since she last saw him!

When he got with Zack to this mission neither of them returned from.

And now he was here!

She gently caressed his cheek, her tears falling on his face.

“Is this the Cloud you talked about, Lia?”, wondered Aerith, walking up to them. “The one who was your love and was with Zack on this damned mission he is still missing from?”

Not sure she could talk, Dalia nodded at her sister-in-law.

A gasp left Aerith's mouth.

“Do you think...”

“That he must know where Zack is? I bet! They both have to explain some things.”

It’s then that Dalia noted how the man under her hands started to wake up.

“Cloud.”, she whispered softly.

His eyes opened slowly and the black-haired woman had nearly a heart attack.

Mako eyes!

But Cloud wasn’t a SOLDIER!

Come to think of it, why was he dressed as one?

Cloud was now fully awake.

What Dalia saw in his eyes scared her.

No recognition whatsoever.

How was that possible?

“Cloud?”

“Who are you?”, he said, which broke Dalia's heart in a million pieces. “How do you know my name?”

***

Confused Dalia sat up on her bed and rubbed her face.

There were tears flowing down her cheeks.

What a strange dream she had!

Who was this Aerith?

Since when was Dalia good at archery?

Why did Cloud not recognize her?

Why did her brain make her dream such nonsense?

Argh, it was frustrating!

Dalia shook her head, trying to clear the remnants of the dream from her mind. 

It had felt so real, but she knew it was all just a figment of her imagination. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and groaned - it was still early in the morning. She tried to go back to sleep, but her mind kept wandering back to the dream.

She couldn't help but wonder what it all meant. 

Was it some sort of sign or premonition? 

Or was it just her mind playing tricks on her? 

Dalia sighed heavily, feeling more confused than ever before.

As she lay there in bed, lost in thought, she heard a knock on her door.

"Dalia? Are you awake?"

It was Zack's voice.

She quickly wiped away her tears and called out, "Yeah, I'm up."

Her brother walked into the room and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"You okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

The younger Fair nodded slowly. "Yeah, just had a weird dream."

"Want to talk about it?"

She hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell him about the dream. 

As she spoke, Zack listened intently and when she finished he looked thoughtful.

"Hmm," he said after a moment's pause. "Maybe it means something."

Dalia rolled her eyes playfully. "Or maybe it's just my brain being weird."

Zack chuckled softly before standing up from the bed. "Well, either way, we've got work to do today."

The girl nodded eagerly, grateful for the distraction from her strange dream.

***

Angeal, Genesis and Sephiroth stand before the door of the science department.

You could clearly see in their faces that neither wanted to go in and talk with Hojo about the Whispers.

“My friend, do you fly away now?”, asked Genesis.

“No, someone has to go to Hojo. Zack is my pupil, Dalia his sister, I should enter.”, said Angeal.

That’s when Sephiroth raised a hand.

“I should talk to the man.”, he reminded his friends. “I know him better than you both, I will detect if he is lying or hiding something from me.”

“Sephiroth I can’t possibly ask you to do this.”

“What are friends for?”

The silver-haired man gave Angeal a tiny smile, which warmed his heart.

He was glad to have such a good friend in Sephiroth.

“What are going to tell the slimeball.”, asked Genesis in curiosity.

Sephiroth nearly spat: “I will tell him I had encounters with the Whispers, I won’t tell him anything about the Fair siblings, they don’t need to attract Hojo's interest. Hojo will surely tell me something since his most precious specimen is in danger.”

Both Angeal and Genesis looked worried for their friend, even if Genesis would deny it.

“I hate it when you talk like that about yourself.”, signed Angeal.

The Silver General just waved a hand and entered the room, while Angeal and Genesis waited for him.

As Sephiroth entered the room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disgust wash over him. The smell of chemicals and decay filled his nostrils, making him want to gag.

He saw Hojo sitting at his desk, surrounded by vials and test tubes. The man looked up as Sephiroth approached him, a smug grin on his face.

"Well, well, if it isn't my favourite experiment," Hojo said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "What brings you here today?"

Sephiroth fought to keep his composure as he spoke. "I've had some encounters with the Whispers recently and I was wondering if you knew anything about them."

Hojo's expression turned serious at the mention of the Whispers.

"What do you know about them?" he asked sharply.

The silver-haired man narrowed his eyes, sensing that the creepy scientist knew more than he was letting on.

"Not much," he replied calmly. "But I thought you might have some information that could be useful."

Hojo hesitated for a moment before reaching for a file on his desk. He handed it to Sephiroth with a warning look in his eye.

"This is classified information," he said sternly. "You better not let anyone else see it."

The SOLDIER First nodded curtly before turning to leave the room.

As he walked out, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about Hojo's behaviour and that never was something good.

***

!!!!PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!

Her hair is so beautiful 🥹

so Zack gives Aerith the ribbon she wears until the day she dies, he suggests she wears pink and she does, and it seems like there’s forget me nots on her letters to him and that matches her necklace. And she keeps that ribbon and that dress until she dies and when Cloud lowers her into the water, reuniting her and Zack, she’s still wearing the date dress for Zack. And let’s not forget all the sweet compliments Zack gives Aerith and how hard he worked on her flower wagon! And how Aerith loved him so much she waited for him even longer than they’d dated! And Zack loved her so much he literally died trying to see her again! She was one of the last things he was thinking about as he died. 😭 it’s also very sweet how Cloud keeps reuniting Zack and Aerith. Of course he’d do anything for his friend who kept him safe, but he reunites Zack and Aerith when he lowers her into the water, he does it by taking Zacks sword to Aeriths church, and then he does again by taking Aeriths flowers to Zacks grave. Cloud loves his friends and he is the biggest Zerith shipper.