MARVEL I AM DRAGON GOD

The swirling blue light of the portal faded, replaced by the soft glow of stained-glass windows.

The air was warm, sweet with the scent of blooming flowers. Arthur found himself standing in a small, quiet church, sunlight filtering through the colorful glass to cast vibrant patterns on the worn stone floor.

Vines heavy with white flowers climbed the walls, and in the center, a small, circular garden thrived, overflowing with an array of colorful blooms.

This was it. The fourth floor.

He took a slow breath, the scent of the flowers filling his lungs. It was peaceful, almost serene.

A soft chime echoed in his mind, and the mission brief materialized.

[Mission: Prevent Aerith Gainsborough death]

[Reward: Parameters up, Lifestream.]

Aerith. The name hit him with a wave of recognition.

Final Fantasy VII. Of course. He knew the story, the heartbreak, the iconic moment. Aerith Gainsborough, the last Ancient, the flower girl, destined to die at Sephiroth's hand.

His gaze swept around the church, searching. He needed to find her.

The mission was clear, but the "how" was still a mystery. Prevent her death?

That meant he had to be with her, protect her, change the very fabric of this world's tragic fate.

A gentle rustling sound drew his attention. From a hidden alcove, a young woman emerged, carrying a small watering can.

Her green eyes were bright and kind, framed by long, brown hair braided with a single pink ribbon.

She wore a simple pink dress, and a large, delicate flower bloomed at her side.

It was Aerith. There was no mistaking her.

Arthur watched her for a moment, a pang of something akin to sorrow stirring within him.

'Oh no, my childhood sweet heart… I still remember it vividly… I will kill you Sephiroth…'

She was so vibrant, so full of life, yet her fate loomed like a dark cloud. He had to change that.

He took a step forward, and she looked up, her gaze meeting his. A surprised, yet gentle, smile touched her lips.

"Oh, hello,"

She said, her voice soft and melodious.

"I haven't seen you around here before. Are you lost?"

Arthur gave her a smile.

"Not lost, exactly. Just... new to the neighborhood."

He paused, wondering how to explain his presence without sounding completely insane.

"My name is Arthur Leywin Stark."

"Aerith, Aerith Gainsborough"

She replied, offering him a warm smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Arthur."

She gestured to the garden.

"Are you a fan of flowers?"

"I am now,"

He chuckled, genuinely enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

"This is a beautiful garden, Aerith."

"Thank you,"

She said, her eyes sparkling.

"They're special. They connect me to the Lifestream."

Lifestream. The reward for his mission.

It was clear now. The Tower Dungeon System wasn't just sending him on a rescue mission; it was offering him a direct link to the very essence of this planet. This was big.

"The Lifestream?"

He repeated, feigning curiosity.

"What's that?"

Aerith's smile softened.

"It's the flow of spiritual energy that runs through the planet. It's where all life comes from, and where it returns when we... well, when we're done here."

She looked at him thoughtfully.

"You seem to have a strong connection to something similar, don't you?"

Her words surprised him. She could sense his power, his connection to the Tower Dungeon System and It could be said to be some kind of lifestream as well.

It was proof of her unique abilities.

"Something like that,"

He admitted.

"You're very perceptive."

"It's a gift,"

She said simply, then turned back to her flowers, gently watering them.

"So, Arthur, what brings you to Sector 5? Not many outsiders come to the church."

"I'm actually looking for someone,"

Arthur began, choosing his words carefully.

"Someone who might be in danger."

Aerith paused her watering, her green eyes meeting him again, this time with a flicker of concern.

"Danger? Who are you looking for?"

"You,"

Arthur stated, his voice quiet but firm.

Aerath's eyebrows rose in surprise, a faint blush touching her cheeks.

"Me?"

She chuckled softly, a nervous sound. She knew full well that she was actually in danger. She had been escaping from Shinra since she was just a little girl with her God mother.

"Why would I be in danger? I just tend to my flowers."

Arthur knew he couldn't reveal everything, not yet. He had to be subtle, earn her trust. He knew how to do that though.

"I've… had visions,"

He explained, hoping the mystical angle would resonate with her connection to the Lifestream.

"Visions of a great darkness approaching, and you are at the center of it. I'm here to help, to prevent it from happening."

Aerith looked at him, her gaze surprisingly intense. For a moment, he thought she might dismiss him as a madman. Instead, a thoughtful expression settled on her face.

"Visions, you say?"

She turned back to her flowers, her fingers gently tracing a petal.

"The Lifestream does sometimes show me glimpses… fragmented memories, echoes of the future."

She sighed.

"There has been a strange feeling in the air lately, a coldness that doesn't belong."

She turned back to him, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes.

"So, you're here to protect me from… something you've seen?"

Arthur nodded.

"Exactly. And I believe we'll need to work together."

He gestured vaguely, encompassing the world outside the church.

"Do you… feel anything specific about this coming darkness?"

Aerith closed her eyes for a moment, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"It's… a shadow. A very powerful, very old shadow. And it feels connected to the planet's very core, but twisted."

She opened her eyes, her gaze piercing.

"You're not from around here, are you, Arthur? Your energy… It's different from anything I've felt before. Like a star that's fallen to our world."

Arthur smiled, impressed by her intuition. He was an Adolescent Reality Blending Cosmic True Dragon after all.

What a mouthful race…

"Something like that. But my intentions are good. I promise you that."

Aerith studied him for another long moment, as if weighing his words, his presence. Finally, a small, trusting smile returned to her lips.

"Well, Arthur,"

She said, her voice soft but resolute,

"It seems I have a new guardian angel."

She paused, then tilted her head.

"Tell me, do these visions of yours… do they tell you where this 'shadow' might strike first?"

Arthur felt a surge of relief. He had gained her trust, at least for now.

"They don't tell me where it will strike first,"

He admitted,

"Only that it's coming, and that you're in danger."

He knew he couldn't push too hard, couldn't reveal too much. He needed to be her protector, not some omniscient prophet.

Just as Aerith was about to respond, a harsh, metallic clanging echoed from outside the church, growing louder with each passing second.

The serene atmosphere shattered. Aerith's gentle smile faltered, replaced by a weary sigh.

"Speak of the devil,"

She murmured, a hint of resignation in her voice.

The heavy wooden doors of the church burst open with a crash, revealing two figures silhouetted against the bright sunlight.

They were men in dark suits, their expressions grim. One was tall and broad-shouldered, with a shaved head and dark glasses that obscured his eyes.

The other was lanky, with a sharp, almost bird-like face and a more casual, if still menacing, demeanor.

"Aerith Gainsborough,"

The bald man, Rude, stated, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"You are under arrest by order of the Shinra Electric Power Company."

The lanky man, Dino, stepped forward, a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in his hand.

He avoided Aerith's gaze, looking instead at the stained-glass windows.

"We're sorry about this, Aerith. Orders are orders."

Arthur felt a spark of anger. These were the Turks, Shinra's elite special forces. He knew their reputation, their ruthless efficiency. And he knew their role in Aerith's tragic fate.

Aerith, however, seemed strangely calm. She didn't flinch, didn't show fear. Instead, she offered them a small, sad smile.

"Again, Dino? Rude? You know this is pointless."

Dino finally met her eyes, and Arthur saw a flicker of genuine regret in their depths.

"This time it's different, Aerith. President Shinra himself is involved. We... we can't let you go."

Rude remained stoic, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Come quietly, and no one gets hurt."

Arthur stepped forward, placing himself between Aerith and the two Turks.

"Hold on,"

He said, his voice firm.

"What exactly do you want with her?"

Rude's head tilted slightly, his dark glasses turning towards Arthur.

"Who are you? This doesn't concern you. Stand aside."

"It concerns me if it concerns Aerith,"

Arthur retorted. He checked their level and it was really low.

They were at most level 3. Which was around Shield Agents' level.

Aerith placed a hand on Arthur's arm, a gentle pressure that seemed to ask him to wait.

"It's alright,"

She said, her voice surprisingly steady.

"They do this from time to time."

She then turned to Dino and Rude, her expression softening.

"You've always been kind, in your own way. Is it truly so urgent this time?"

Dino shifted uncomfortably.

"They're getting desperate. With the... recent incidents, they believe your abilities are needed."

"Unique abilities?"

Arthur questioned, glancing at Aerith. He knew about it but had to keep on an act.

Aerith sighed.

"They believe I can communicate with the planet, control the Lifestream. They want to exploit it, use it for their own gain."

She looked at Arthur with a knowing look.

"Just as your visions predicted, Arthur. A great darkness, fueled by greed."

Rude took a step forward, his voice losing its flatness.

"We don't have time for this, Aerith. Come with us, or we will be forced to use less... gentle methods."

Arthur stood before Aerith.

"I won't let you."

Aerith squeezed his arm.

"Arthur, no. Please."

Her eyes pleaded with him.

"They're just doing their job. And besides,"

She added, a faint, mischievous glimmer in her eyes,

"I'm quite good at escaping."

Before Arthur could react, Aerith suddenly darted past him, her movements surprisingly swift and graceful.

She weaved through the pews, heading for a small side door that led to the church's rear garden.

"Aerith!"

Dino shouted, a mix of frustration and resignation in his voice.

Rude, surprisingly, didn't immediately give chase. He remained still, his dark glasses fixed on Arthur.

"You," he said, his voice a low rumble. "You're new. And you interfere."

Arthur stood his ground.

"So what?"

Dino, meanwhile, was already moving, but his pursuit of Aerith seemed almost half-hearted, as if he knew it was futile.

"She always does this,"

He muttered, shaking his head.

"Always through the flowers."

Arthur knew this was his chance. He needed to create a distraction, to give Aerith more time.

"You want to talk about interference?"

He said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Let's talk about how Shinra is destroying this planet."

Rude remained silent for a moment, then took another step forward.

"This is your last warning. Do not interfere with Shinra business."

Arthur smirked.

"Consider me an unwelcome interruption."

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