why are monsters invading the cities?

[rina_inverse]

Its a shadow, like Heartless, those Sephiroth clone in AC, not the real thing but still pack the punch (even harder)
And there's no dead status in FF, only KO

[Xerius]

Also in a Grid side quest (I can't remember which one) they say that Nael has a bunch of decoys that run around acting like him. It could be them as well.

[Estellios]

Phoenix Downs dont bring the dead to life...


*hp falls below 1, falls to the ground incapacitated....someone uses phoenix down..hp is restored and fight continues...*

Yeah, sure, if you say so.

Unconscious =/= dead

The newer games specifically call it "K.O." probably to avoid that. Even though the spell is called "Death"... you know its probably best not to split hairs.