“Ugh.”

A sharp, burning ache across his entire body pulled Kalstein out of unconsciousness. Shaking his head to regain focus, he felt some energy return to his limp limbs, as if he’d just awoken from a deep slumber.

As his senses sharpened, he pushed himself upright and surveyed his surroundings. Silence greeted him—a desolate ruin stretched out before him.

“What…?”

Moments ago, he had been in a perfectly normal conversation.

His sluggish mind worked to piece together what had happened.

Right…

He’d been exploring the Sephiroth stronghold within the World.
He’d touched the illusion of the massive tree enveloping …