Summary- Instead of leaving Zack's body out there to be devoured by monsters and such. In his last final moments he's given a glimmer of hope. Surviving the fight, Zack is going through the path of restoration. The pain, the torment, perhaps it would have been easier to have simply died out there. He doesn't have to face it all alone; however, and he's allowed just one more chance at life.

Author's Note- I do not own Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, or any of the characters.

Release the Pain

So this was it, this is how it's going to end. At least I had managed to save Cloud, that makes me a hero right? He'll remember me, Aerith will remember me. I'm alright with this. I never really thought about what death would be like, I always thought maybe it would cause you to think about everything you've done, all those precious memories you've gathered up. That whole white light at the end of the tunnel scenario? Complete bullshit. I don't see a damn thing. I think I preferred it when it was raining, at least then I could feel something; it may have been cold and wet, but it had been a sensation. Now I'm just numb.

The last thing I saw was the sky before vision seemed to just decide that enough is enough. I never did get those wings, that freedom. Wings symbolize freedom. Where had I heard that before? Angeal and Genesis believed it to be a symbol of a monster. Those wings, I wanted them. Such a pity I ended up like this, I never got to see my parents again. Nor am I able to keep that promise that I shared with Aerith.

"…Zack."

Hmm? Who's there? What's that rumbling? Or is that more thunder? Perhaps it hasn't finished raining after all. Guess I'm having one wish come true. Is someone poking me in the neck? I think I still can feel, here I thought that I was completely numb, guess I still have some blood flowing in my body and not out.

I think the most undesirable thing to happen at the moment is for me to move. Really, it was a pain just to give my final farewell to Cloud, and I think I pretty much zapped out any strength I had left just to do that. You would think people would be considerate and just let me die in the most comfortable way possible.

"Ughnn.." I don't think that helped letting them know that dragging me is uncomfortable. Well, there is some good news about this all, I guess I won't be left out here for the vultures to pick away at, or any other type of monster wanting to eat at my flesh. Can't exactly defend myself and it's a miracle that I've been left alone for this long.

"Fight it Zack."

Heh. This person doesn't know what it feels like to have several gunshots to the chest. Not to mention I just fought an army of Shin-Ra soldiers. I think I did enough fighting for one day. I'm just so tired, just want to rest. I think I deserve it, I've done all I can. Does this person think they can save me? I'm usually optimistic about these things, but I also know my limit, I'm pretty much screwed. If I was going to be helped, it should have happened during the battle, not after. That would have been useful.

How does this person know my name anyway? I might be able to recognize the voice if it didn't sound like a voice passing through a wall. At least I have enough sense to figure out the words and their meaning. Why is that thundering getting louder? Is the storm that close? What does it matter anymore? I paid my dues, and fought with all that I am, it's time to rest.

Beautiful angels, I'm yours to claim.