The story began in Midgar, city of mako, where a corporate superpower known as Shinra used its monopoly of mako energy to dominate all aspects of life, securing political power in the process.
Shinra's mako reactors dotted the city, harvesting the energy and converting it to a viable source of power.

However, mako energy was not the wellspring of happiness Shinra claimed it to be, but rather the vitality of the planet itself, the source of all life. Some began to realize: If we let this continue, the planet will die. These individuals set up an anti-Shinra organization called Avalanche, and began resistance efforts using guerilla tactics.

Finally, Avalanche decided to blow up one of the mako reactors. Among the members chosen for the mission was Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinras elite guard, SOLDIER.

Cloud showed no emotion and was bound by no principles; he was an ex-SOLDIER and a merc, and there was nothing more to be said. But apathy could not shield Cloud forever. The reactor strike awoke in Cloud the need to confront the holes in his past and his very reasons for being. And that journey, perhaps, took the heaviest toll...

Two tears have passed...

Though Midgar, city of Mako, city of prosperity, has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction.

However, a mysterious illness called geostigma torments them.

With no cure in sight, it brings death to the afflicted, one after another, robbing the people of their fledgling hope.

And so Cloud, who walked away from the life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again...