When I gaze up at him, I can't help but give him one last smile.
He looks down upon me, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Pain is etched in every muscle in his face "... Aeris."
I begin plummeting toward the alter, and Cloud leaps forward to try to hold me. I'm overwhelmed with comfort, I can't even wipe away the tears that spill from the corners of my eyes. His face becomes a blur before me, but I can still see him moving closer, and in a moment he embraces me just as I had always wanted. The warmth of one of his hands upon my neck, the other tenderly cradling my face, it brings me solace. I'll be alright. I'm going home. They know I'm coming. They're ready. I'm ready.
"This can't be real!" He cries out, his hands trembling as he lays his face onto mine and sobs.
Cold. I'm co- cold. I'm sorry, Cloud. I- I- I- I'm dying. Hold me. Just hold me.
He begins rocking back and forth as his sobbing intensifies. Lifting his head up to look at me, the last time our eyes will ever meet.
Then, he wraps me even more tightly in his arms as he continues to weep against me.
"Do not worry. Soon the girl will become part of the Planet's energy. All that is left is to go North. The 'Promised Land' waits for me over snowy fields. There, I will become a new being by uniting with the planet. As will this girl..."
"...Shut up. The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing. Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry... or get angry... What about us... what are WE supposed to do? What about my pain? My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!"
You'll be all right. You'll be all right. You'll be all right. You're okay. You've got to go, Cloud. You've got so much to give. Promise me.
Ever since our story first began, I'd dreamt that one day Cloud would tell me he cared for me; and yet I'd never quite believe it would really happen. I certainly hadn't imagined that he would show me that I was special to him. Being remembered this way, we can face anything. Can't you see, Cloud? I'll always be with you. I love you, Cloud Strife.