Tifa was a childhood friend of Cloud's in Nibelheim, her hometown. Before Cloud departed for Midgar, Tifa made Cloud promise to rescue her should she ever be in danger. When Shin-Ra sent SOLDIER to investigate the monsters invading Nibelheim and the Mako Reactor there, Tifa acted as their guide to the Reactor. However, the situation quickly became perilous: Tifa's father was a victim of Sephiroth's destruction of Nibelheim. From that moment Tifa formed a lasting grudge against Sephiroth... when she attempted to assail Sephiroth, she was cut by his blade.