(Author's Note: Barrett and Red XIII are two of the most ignored character POVs in all of Final Fantasy VII. For cryin' out loud, even Reno gets more writer time. It's only fair that someone try and rectify some of this horrid injustice. That being said…R/R, if you don't mind.)
Seto's Child
Humans are a strange species. They age faster, die sooner, and yet, seem to make a bigger impact on the Planet than many who outlive them. I must confess I have yet to examine the history of my own race, and its effects on the Planet, but there is time enough for that later. Provided we can defeat Sephiroth, I suppose.
Cloud's confession to us, that the history he gave in Kalm was a lie, came as quite a shock to most of us. Tifa knew most of the truth, yet chose to hide it. I, on the other hand, saw several gleaming omissions in the story to begin with. Yet…I felt that it wasn't time to call attention to the discrepancies. Besides, there were plausible explanations for most of them. The trauma of losing one's home can do horrible things to the human psyche.
My battle with Sephiroth is not much different than any of my other ship-mates. His aim is to hurt the planet. As part of that planet, I can't allow that to happen. We all have our reasons. Barrett wants the planet safe for his daughter, Cid hates the Shinra, as do I, and Vincent feels he must atone for his sins regarding Lucrecia. Yuffie simply wishes to restore her home to its former glory. Cloud and Tifa want revenge for what happened in Nibelheim five years ago. Cloud also wants Aeris avenged. Though no one is really sure about Cait Sith, whoever is running him back in Midgar must really hate the Shinra mentality, employee or not.
But for me, there's something else.
I have a legacy to live up to. My family's heritage won't allow me to give up. The son of Seto must go on this quest to prove not only his worthiness, but in a way, to apologize for the things I used to believe about my father. He was not a coward, but was willing to allow that thought, if it kept his home, and his family, safe. It shames me to think I bought into that lie so easily. I have to prove myself worthy of that name…even if it's only to myself.
I am Nanaki, son of Seto, and with the help of Cloud Strife and AVALANCHE, I will prevail.
I like to think that my father would be proud of what I'm doing…I hope I don't disappoint him.
