if shame had a face I think it would kind of look like mine

Cloud stared at the image in front of him, Aeris being run through by a massive sword. He felt the image of her
dropping down off the masamune, into his not-so-protective arms, burning it's way through his brain. But he
didn't care anymore. He had failed her. He had failed her one last time.

if it had a home would it be my eyes

Tears started to well in his eyes, but he was beyond caring. Sephiroth said something to him and he rsponded,
on automatic. His real question lied deep within the eyes of his love, who laid in his arms, dying.

would you believe me if I said I'm tired of this

He stared at Sephiroth with a hatred fit only for demons and hellspawn. Him...It was him.He had killed Aeris. He
had failed, and she payed with his failure with her life.

well here we go now one more time

Sephroth leaped up into the air and dropped another piece of Jenova. Cloud quickly defeated it and went over to
where he had layed Aeris. He carfully picked up her body and brushed a little bit of hair away from her soft skin
on her face. He cradled her body in his arms and carfully made his way out into the lake of the Ancients.

I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how low I could get down to the ground and
I tried to earn my way
I tried to change this mind
you better believe that I have tried to beat this

He was near the middle of the lake when he slowly lowered her beartiful body into the freezing water. He slowly
lowered his face until his lips kissed her forehead. "Sleep well my angel. I'm sorry." he whispered into her ear
before allowing her body to sink to the bottom, where it would never be seen again. He slowly made his way to
the shore.

so where will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this for good

When he reached the shore he walked past the others and toward the steps leading up to the top level. The
others followed without question. He went up the steps and through the opening. He turned and waited for the
others to file through the opening. "We need to get some rest before continuing. We'll stay here for the night."
Without waiting for a response, he went upstairs and went to sleep.

I never thought I'd end up here
never thought I'd be standing where I am
I guess I kind of thought that it would be easier than this
I guess I was wrong now one more time

That night, he dreamed for the first time in years. He dreamed of his adventures, of his mother, and of Aeris. He
was standing in a grassy field that seemed to sway like a ocean in the wind. Aeris was kneeling on a platform in
the middle of the field. It was not unlike the alter she was murdered on. She was wearing a pink tunic and grey
slacks. She glowed with a vibrant light that seemed to stop time itself. She was beautiful. Cloud tried to approach
her, but it was not allowed. Her beauty was destined to be forever out of his reach. Suddenly, the sky grayed
over. And he was coming.

I tried to climb your steps
I tried to chase you down
I tried to see how low I could get down to the ground and
I tried to earn my way
I tried to change this mind
you better believe that I have tried to beat this

He tried to push forward, but he could not. He reached for his sword, but it was now missing. He watched in
horror as Sephiroth forced his evil sword through the Aeris' delicate skin. She was dead. Again.

so where will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this

He sat up in bed suddenly as the aftermath of the dream struggled to make him cry. He knew now what he had to
do. He quietly slipped out into the night. He headed out toward the center of the the city.

sick cycle carousel
this is a sick cycle, yeah
sick cycle carousel
this is a sick cycle, yeah

He knelt down by the lake. He saw a soft glow at the bottom but thought nothing of it. "I'm sorry everyone, but
this is how it should be." He started his descent into the icy depths of the ancient lake.

so where will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this for good

Suddenly he heard a voice in his mind. Not a voice, but a sudden flash of information. There was no doubt who
had sent it. Aeris. And the message was clear. He loved Tifa. She needed him and he needed her, and that was all
that really had to matter. He pulled himself onto the shord and headed back toward the houses.

where will this end it goes on and on
over and over and over again
keep spinning around I know that it won't stop
till I step down from this for good