Thanks for the review Guests!
Here's another chapter for you my dear readers! The second to the last chapter to be exact.
I deeply apologize for making the plot so confusing. Honestly, it's also difficult for me to incorporate the plot of FFVII with FFXIII just to generate my own AU out of both franchises. But, I really wanted to connect them so despite the challenge, I still pursued this plot. Hopefully, I'll improve writing fanfictions in the future.
Thank you for all your continuous patronage and support for this piece, this story is almost at its end. So hang on tight!
Songs inspired by this chapter in proper order (I strongly suggest you play the following songs as you read on ):
"FFXIII Main Theme – The Promise" FFXIII OST
"Answers (Full Lyrics)" FFXIV OST
"The Last Journey" by Adriana Figueroa (FFXIII-2 Noel's theme cover)
"Memory" by Frances Maya (FFXIII-2)
"Ga Iru Kara (Slow Version)"by Sayuri Sugawara (FFXIII OST)
"My Hands" by Leona Lewis (FFXIII Ending OST)
Chapter 37 – A Silent Sacrifice
Genesis arrived at the Shera, settling carefully on the airship's deck. He gently puts Lightning down and both of them gazes deeply into each other's blue irises. The door suddenly opens, interrupting them from their silent reverie as Weiss and the others emerged from the door and spilled onto the deck.
"Brother, I'm glad you're safe." Weiss exclaimed delightfully as Genesis smiled at him. Serah runs towards Lightning as the latter welcomes her sister with open arms. The others look on in relief and joy as the siblings has finally been reunited after a millennia.
"You're back… I'm glad, you're alright." Serah mumbles in tears of joy.
"And I'm so happy you're finally here with me… Serah." Lightning whispers softly in her younger sister's hair. Serah gently pulls away from her sister's embrace as Lightning looks straight in her eyes. "About Snow…" Lightning started brokenly.
Serah shakes her head lightly and said, "I know… he… he bid me farewell. While I was in crystal sleep, he reached out to me in my thoughts. I heard his voice. He was sincerely apologizing to me because of everything he's done wrong and I forgave him. At the same time he was happy that you set him free, Light."
"But still… I… it's still my fault that he resulted in his last action. I put you and the others in grave danger by just listening to the Fal'cies." Lightning continued as she bowed her head, tears escaping from her closed eyes.
"You don't have to blame yourself Lightning… Snow made his choice, I don't blame you for whatever happened, it's inevitable. Though I know… it won't be easy for me to accept his death. The pain of losing him will be etched in my heart for who knows how long? But I have to be strong, because I'm sure Snow wouldn't want me to face tomorrow with sadness." Serah replies in solace, trying to sound positive though her voice is clearly breaking.
"Forgive me… Serah…" Lightning utters sadly as she looks at her sister in tears. Both of them embraced each other again and cried, letting out emotions they've been holding inside them for so long.
Meanwhile, in the snow covered plains of Narsus Polia, the battle between the void beasts and the brave combatants defending Academia continues. When suddenly, the ground starts to crack and swallows the beasts and humans alike into its hellish and fiery abyss. Barret, Shelke and Nanaki try to run away from the fissures as fast as possible, the warriors defending Academia followed suit as they all try to find safe ground. Some parts of the land in which Academia stood starts to crumble, and the tainted world of Gaia starts to darken as black winds swirls in every direction, creating a clump of thick black smoke. Barrett glances at Academia and saw Marlene looking at him through the window. Denzel stands beside her, holding her hands as Elmyra stands behind the children.
Barrett clenches his fist, Nanaki notices his friend's distress and said, "All we can do now is hope for a miracle."
"I'd ne'er thought I'd even see this day when the Planet is literally dyin' right in front of meh eyes!" Barret blurts out motioning his hands for emphasis on his surroundings.
"Gaia and Terra, has truly reached its end isn't it? Are we all going to die?" Shelke asks the fiery tailed beast.
"I don't know Shelke, I honestly don't know. Perhaps the gods can save us, we just have to believe." Nanaki replied as he looks at the sky.
All of them who survived the fall into the abyss were either crying out of fear, or shrouded in terror. Everyone looks dejected, losing all hope for salvation.
The SeeDs aboard the Ragnarok, looks at the devastated world, Selphie is sobbing in Quistis' chest as the latter tries to console her. Zell was currently talking to his mom who's currently in the Academia, via the Ragnarok's communication line. Irvine removes his cowboy hat and holds it against his chest while looking at the slowly crumbling world.
Rinoa leans her head gently on Squall's shoulders as she locks her arms around his. "Do you think… this is the end?" she whispers quietly.
She's not showing any signs of fear or anxiety. Her expression is passive, and yet Squall felt her hands gripped his arm tighter. He gently placed his hands on hers and whispered, "It may be the end… no one knows for sure. But do not be afraid Rinoa, I'm just by your side no matter what happens."
Rinoa lifts her head and gazes at him softly, he gently smiles at her and nods. She smiled back and said, "I'll be by your side too."
Meanwhile inside the Proudclad, Yaag, his crew, Zidane and Kuja looks at the holographic screen showing video and image footages of what's currently happening across the globe. Terra, which is currently hovering, looming over Gaia's atmosphere is slowly descending from its floating state.
"If Terra descends into Gaia, the world is finished… an apocalypse shall happen when these two Planets collide." Yaag says in a hopeless tone.
"Why do you even care? Isn't it what you want?" Kuja speaks sarcastically, arms crossed against his chest, not even sparing the man a glance.
"My loyalty lies with the people Kuja." Yaag replied firmly.
Kuja turns around and faced the ship's commanding officer, "Have you forgotten? You killed my knights, you killed my friend! Were you seriously thinking about the people when you were following Aulstyne's orders?" he shouted at him in an accusing tone.
"Kuja…" Zidane whispered softly as he approaches his brother.
"I did not see what the Goddess Etro is trying to achieve. From the way Caius informed us about his plans I thought it was Etro who's trying to destroy the world but I was wrong. Little did I know, that this is what Caius is trying to achieve. Aulstyne did not know that Caius is trying to destroy the world, he thought he was just creating a world where time flow will be stagnant. You may no longer forgive me for what I did… but as a Soldier and as a person, I am asking for your forgiveness." Yaag bows his head as he sincerely apologizes to Kuja, who was currently shock at his display of benevolence.
Kuja clenches his fists as he remembers his former self, how he wronged the world, almost destroying the world too, but Zidane, Zidane forgave him anyway. So he set himself off a different path and make up for his mistakes by putting the welfare of Terra's citizens above all else.
"I… know how it feels to do something which you thought was the right thing to do. But end up realizing that it was wrong all along. I believe… I have no right to not grant you the forgiveness you're asking me. However, I can't also grant it to you right now. Whenever I think of all the people who died protecting me, looking at you makes me want to crush you mercilessly. Killing you won't bring them back, I would just add a stain of blood on my own hands. Perhaps… Someday I'll be able to find it in my heart to forgive you."
Yaag looks at him as Kuja's stern gaze burns right through his soul. The platinum haired mage then turns his back from him and walks a little closer to the screen, his arms still crossed against his chest.
Zidane shrugs his shoulders and said, "We still owe you our lives Colonel."
"I just did what I think is right. No need to thank me, Your Majesty." Yaag replied.
Zidane scratches his head shyly and said, "Don't call me that, just Zidane is fine."
"A king who refuses to be addressed accordingly, you surprise me." Yaag states in between confusion and awe.
"Nah, it's my wife who holds the power and authority in Alexandria, not me. I became King just because we got married." He said truthfully. Yaag smirks as Zidane did the same.
"Sir, we have an incoming call from the SS Invincible." A crew informed Yaag. Yaag notice how Zidane suddenly went giddy and Kuja shifted his gaze to the crew.
"Open the communication line." He orders.
"Sir, yes sir!" the crew accepted the call and on the screen appeared Garnet and the others inside the airship, SS Invincible.
"Zidane!" she called out to him, her voice filled with worry.
"I'm here!" he answers happily.
Garnet breathes a sigh of relief and said, "I'm glad you're alright!"
"Of course!" Zidane replied proudly as he puffs his chest out and taps it in a dignified manner.
Garnet's brows furrowed and admonishes him, "I told you to quit being so overconfident! What if Yaag weren't there to pick you guys up? How can I even face the New World without you?" tears welled up in her eyes as Zidane starts to panic and tries to console his wife, "I'm sorry honey! I swear I won't die, we will still have kids, lots of them, remember?"
Garnet chuckles softly and nods, "Keep your promise, I'll see you in a bit, in the New World!"
Zidane smiles and said, "Yeah…"
"I'll see you later Kuja!" Rikku shouted from the background while waving at him as Kuja nods and smiles at his girl.
Meanwhile in the Shera's deck all of them watch at the grim sight of the Planet's death. Terra's descent to Gaia is agonizingly slow, all of them knows the consequence of defeating Bhunivelze. No world awaits them at the end of this apocalypse.
As they were watching, a loud rumbling noise suddenly resonated from the gloomy skies, followed by a strong quake, swaying the Shera and causing all of them to stagger. Sephiroth held Aerith tightly in a protective embrace. Burning rocks were falling from the sky, like small meteorites as Terra starts its slow, burning descent to Gaia's atmosphere.
The skies were dark, as flashes of thunder and lightning grazed its pitch black canvass. The only light they can see were emitted from the flames slowly enveloping Gaia. The seas were angry, giant waves lashes out against rock formations, as if trying to wear it down and drown their particles into its foamy depths. The wind howls making strange and terrifying noises akin to the undying moans of the damned. The ground cracks open and swallow everything on its surface, pulling them into its void chasm. Volcanoes start to erupt hither and thither, spewing boiling lava, thick black smoke and tons of ashes from their cones.
"Such a grim sight…" Genesis mutters.
"I… can no longer hear the Planet." Aerith remarks, everyone shifts their attention to her.
"The Planet has died isn't it?" Tifa asked.
Aerith nods as tears wells up in her eyes. "It's… it's all over I guess..."
"Man… can't we do anything to rectify the situation?" Zack exclaimed desperately, sinking to the ground and punching the floor with his bare fist.
Everyone wears a grim expression on their faces, except for Sephiroth who, unlike the others, wears a determined expression on his face.
"A Silent Sacrifice…"
He closed his eyes as he mentally repeats the three words which can change everyone's Fate. With a new steely resolve he faces his comrades and said in a firm voice, "There is still a way to save everyone."
They all looked at him with a mix expression. It was Genesis who spoke first, "What do you mean, there is still a way?"
"Etro… told me what needs to be done." He states firmly.
"Are you kidding me? Etro was the traitor and you still listen to her?" Cloud retorts.
"I somehow felt in my heart, that Etro speaks the truth." Sephiroth replied with conviction.
"Bullsh*t" Genesis muttered under his breath.
"Genesis." Angeal said sternly to his friend, Genesis raised his hands in surrender before putting them back down to his sides.
"Cloud's right, Etro toyed with us. How can we even trust that lying B*tch?" Fang seconded.
"Etro saved us from Bhunivelze remember? Or have you all forgotten that?" Sephiroth countered in defense of Etro.
"But she's also the one who led us into this situation." Lightning replied indignantly.
"It's all part of her plans. She did all of it so she can end the reign of the Fal'Cies who grew arrogant with the powers they've received from the blessing of Light. Everything is necessary, so she can outplay Bhunivelze the supreme Fal'Cie and defeat him completely." Sephiroth explains.
"Because of her stupid plans, we lost friends! And not just that, but million innocent lives! How can… how can you still speak of her that way?" Lebreau protests.
"Sacrifices are necessary, but the souls who lost their lives will still have hope for a reincarnation in the New World. If we don't take the risk now, then there's no hope, not even a future for all of us who'll perish with the Planet." Sephiroth argues.
Everyone was looking at him now, questioning his judgment on everything that has happened.
"What if she's just doing all of this for herself? She can see through about anything because she's a Goddess right?" Cloud berates then continues as if challenging Sephiroth's argument. "What if she's manipulating us again to do her bidding, for her own benefit? Sephiroth, you can't just trust her after all she put us through! For Gaia's sake, be rational will you?"
"I am rational Cloud, trust me. What do you suggest then? Burn with the Planet?" Sephiroth challenged as he looked at the blonde sternly.
"Alright, enough bickering, let's be adults here. Perhaps let's hear out the solution Etro presented to Sephiroth. Then from there, we can derive our own judgment. We only have two choices anyway. One is to accept what's happening and die. Second, to gamble with whatever we have in order to survive and probably, live." Raines said as he went in between Sephiroth and Cloud.
"I agree… " Angeal said casually.
Everyone exchanged looks, then Cloud replied, "Very well, tell us what you have to say."
"Sephiroth? Pray tell." Raines cajoles the silver haired SOLDIER. Sephiroth nods at him before looking at everyone, their attention were now fully on him.
"Etro spoke to me in a dream, while I was unconscious after my battle with Caius. She told me about the universe and how Planets were formed. She told me why all of this needs to happen, to stop the Fal'Cies from their selfish claim and manipulation of mortals. Etro may be a Fal'Cie, but just like each one of us, Etro possesses a heart and a soul that can understand mortals more than any of the Fal'Cies. She needs to play along and hid her true intentions among her fellow Fal'Cies so she could enact her plan. That is, to destroy the Fal'Cies and give back to the mortals the control to regain their future, their fates, their destinies."
"She told me that a Fal'Cie can only be destroyed completely if all of its essence is obliterated, just as what happened to Bhunivelze who gets crushed within the void. As for Etro, she may have lost her heart and her will but essence of her powers still lingers in each of us."
Everyone's eyes widen in realization. It was Minerva who spoke first, "The brands…"
"The brands have her powers sealed within. Does that mean this will save us?" Lightning asked.
"I know! The brands which contain Etro's power will be enough to create us a New World!" Zack exclaimed giddily, a spark of hope from his voice.
Sephiroth takes a deep breath and said, "No Zack, it doesn't work that way."
They all looked back at Sephiroth as he continued. "The brands which contains her power, is no longer enough to create a New World. All it can do is open a dimensional portal to where Gaia and Terra's interconnected core is located. Every Planet has what they call the ember of life, the seed form of a crystal of origin. Since Gaia and Terra's interconnected Crystal of Origin is fully destroyed, the cycle of life is in shambles. It no longer circulates properly, thus the ember no longer pulsates with the blood of the Planet, which is the Lifestream. it no longer has the power to recreate the Planet from its ashes. What needs to be done is to activate it, restore it to life. Control it and use it to siphon all life from this Planet to a New World. Etro has already prepared the path which all souls shall travel to in order to reach the New World."
"Sounds like a plan." Raines said as he holds his chin between his thumb and forefinger.
"Will it only include the souls of the living?" Noel said.
"Using the ember in such a way will not only migrate the living, but the souls of the dead that is about to be reborn and reincarnated, will be transmigrated as well." Minerva answers.
"A new cycle will continue into that New World, when all the living and the souls of the dead will be migrated." Aerith states with a spark of enlightenment.
"We don't have much of a choice do we? I suggest we do it now before we all die." Weiss suggests.
"So, how do we do it?" Genesis asked Sephiroth with a sense of urgency in his tone.
"Etro's symbol imprinted on me, will gather the power from the brands." Sephiroth said as he walks past everybody and stand near the railings. With his back turned against them he continued, "I will open the portal and find the ember. I will restore it back to life, I shall take control of it and open the portals of light that will direct everyone to the New World."
"Then let us assist you with this mission." Angeal offered.
Sephiroth shakes his head lightly and said, "The remaining power of Etro can only transport one person to the Crystal realm to where the ember resides."
"So technically it's you, since you have her symbol." Genesis remarks in understanding to which Sephiroth nods.
"Alright… then I guess we have to trust you in this right?" Cloud asked. Sephiroth looks at him and nods again.
Aerith who feels something's amiss takes a few steps forward, stopping right behind him. "Sephiroth…" she mumbles.
He glances at her before shifting his body to face her completely. He stared deeply in her emerald orbs as she looks deeply into his.
"We'll… go together to the New World… right?" she asks while searching his eyes for the assurance that they'll get through this together.
He gave her a sad smile as he holds her hand gently to his, swallowing hard as he tries to fight back the tears threatening to fall from his Mako eyes. He's looking at her face, and he reminded himself again how beautiful she was. From the moment she entered his life, she has owned him completely; body, mind and spirit. He didn't realize how hard he'd fallen for her, it seems to him like an eternity has passed, when she easily turned him back into a man after being the monster who tried to drown the world in flames. But in reality it hasn't even lasted more than a hundred days since they started this mission together. He blinked a couple of times before taking a deep breath as he slowly let go of her hands.
Not being able to stop himself knowing that this is the last time he'll be with her, he wrapped her willowy frame in his arms as he buried his face in her hair. He felt her enveloping him in her lithe arms as she leans in deeper into his embrace.
He couldn't tell her that he will no longer return once he leaves, that this is the end of the road for him. He won't live to see the New World, he won't live to fulfill his promises to her, he won't live to see her new life with everyone.
How ironic… this is what he wanted before they were sent back to Gaia, this was his wish. To redeem himself and to perish after, but now… how he'd wish he could live every single day with her. To spend his life with Aerith, to wake up each day and be greeted by her warm smile, and to close his eyes every night as he melts in her affectionate touch - to hear her laughter, to feel her soft lips against his, to drown in her emerald gaze forevermore.
How truly ironic that he was able to live in grandeur most of his life but felt empty all the same. Because all he wanted and what he truly needed is to belong somewhere and experience how it feels to be loved. Which he found and was selflessly given and shown to him by his dearest flower girl. Aerith's kindness, her beauty, her touch… all of it gave him purpose, gave him reason, gave him joy… gave him life.
He gently pulls away from her as he closed his eyes and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. Aerith closes her eyes in bliss, he felt him shift and she opened her eyes, he was looking at her deeply. She couldn't fathom the emotion concealed in those mako orbs.
He gently caresses her cheeks as he slowly glides his fingers down to the sides of her face and down to her jaw, committing every inch of her beautiful face to memory. Mentally reflecting on his affections to his beautiful flower girl.
'A girl as slender as the lilies, whose smile is as bright as the sun, whose laughter is as melodious as the sound of tinkling bells, whose movements were like the dandelions blown in the gentle spring breeze – has pulled me towards her with more force than I could ever imagined.
She has so much love to give, her heart is like the sky and it feels so liberating - freeing me from the shackles of my torment. Her presence is like the sun, bright and warm, breaking through the cold walls imprisoning my heart. And just like the tale of Icarus who flew too close to the sun, I did the same and I burned… I burned my darkness so I can fully embrace her light.
Similar to a fruit that falls from a tree, she's like the gravity which pulled me towards her, I rolled without stopping until I collided with her. And from the ground she picked me up, I am helpless in her touch, and from that moment I know… I fell in love.
She was my first love… and she is my last. There has been no one but her…'
"Aerith… "He says softly as he touches her chin with his thumb and forefinger. "You've taught me to see the bright side of things, that there is something good in everything, no matter how small. Your love showed me how to view life in a different perspective, it opened the eyes of my heart and it's like I'm seeing everything beautifully for the first time. I want you to keep doing that… because it's just one of your many beautiful traits that I admire the most. Keep shining my love…"
He pulled her close as he angles his lips to hers, suppressing his tears as he closed his eyes and tasted her soft, supple lips one last time. Kissing her passionately as she returned his kisses with the same ardor, he pulled away from her languorously, his eyes still looking deeply into hers. She looks at him warily as if there's a nagging question she could not voice out.
He released her and shifted his gaze as he looks at everyone and said, "It is time to draw Etro's power and change our Fate."
Everyone nods at him, he then spread his wing and soar into the sky. In deep concentration, he touched Etro's symbol engraved on his chest.
"Etro… I call upon your power, guide me according to your last will."He whispered to himself. The symbol begins to glow as the brands starts to light up as well. Everyone felt the warmth their brands were emitting.
Squall and the others from the Ragnarok were astonished as their brands gives off a golden glow. "It's… glowing, the brands!" Selphie exclaimed in a surprised tone.
"Yeah… and it feels warm too. It's Etro isn't it?" Irvine inquires.
"I'm not sure but I guess this means… we'll be saved?" Squall replied in uncertainty.
Meanwhile in the SS Invincible, Garnet and the others' brands begins to glow as well. "Etro's light…" Yuna exclaims breathlessly.
"Is it starting? The New World… it's really somewhere out there right?" Rikku asks still astonished by the light from her tattoo.
"Brace yourselves, we're going to our New World everyone!" Garnet said smiling.
Inside the Proudclad, both Zidane's and Kuja's brands were giving off the same soft golden glow. Yaag rises up from his seat with an astonished expression on his face.
"Is this… Etro's power?" he asks the siblings.
"Well… looks like it. Etro is finally making her move, I can't wait to see the New World! New hope and new life for us all!" Zidane exclaimed jubilantly. The crew from the Proudclad rejoices and Yaag can't help but celebrate with them.
Kuja closes his eyes and smiled to himself, 'Vesper… we finally did it. A new world for everyone, your sacrifice was not put in vain my friend.'
Back in Narsus Polia, Barrett and Nanaki's brands were glowing as well, Shelke and the other warriors who defended the Academia with them, were looking at their brands in awe.
"I feel warm just by looking at the light… is this Etro's presence?" Shelke asked Nanaki.
Nanaki nods gently, "Yes… they said that the chosen warriors of Etro who possesses the brands, holds a piece of the Goddess' powers in them. Perhaps, it's time for her to gather her powers into one."
Back in the Shera, Yuffie was startled to see that her brand was emitting gold light, she noticed Vincent's brand giving off the same glow.
"Is… is it… Etro?" she asks to no one in particular.
The same happened to the others currently resting unconsciously inside the cabins, Hope, Vanille, Maqui and Yuj's brands were all glowing as well unbeknownst to them.
Back on the deck Cid came rushing to them holding out his arm with the tattoo. "My brand suddenly started glowing!" he exclaimed in panic.
"Do not be afraid Cid, Sephiroth is gathering Etro's remaining essence concealed in each brand so we can all be saved." Tifa answers on a positive note in order to calm the frantic pilot. Cid nods in understanding as he redeems himself by lighting a cigarette and trying to act all cool about it.
In the meantime, Sephiroth's symbol glows, the brands of his comrades' starts to dissipates from them, creating a path of golden particles towards him. The particles were being drawn in Etro's symbol marking his bare chest.
'She doesn't have to know what I am about to do. A silent sacrifice... that is how it should remain.'
Once the brands have completely disappeared, Sephiroth opens his eyes and as if on cue, the symbol vanished from his chest and appeared in front of him. He touched the symbol with his left hand as it shines brightly, a bright white light shines forth from the symbol upon his touch and enveloped everything in ivory hue.
When he opened his eyes, he was back in the Crystal World, his wings instantly vanished in a flurry of black feathers. However, this is entirely different as to where the Crystal of Origin was. Laid out in front of him was a huge crystal staircase, he begins to ascend the stairs and as he reached the top, what awaits him was a huge circular room with huge baroque style pillars made of crystal. And on its center is a dais, floating on it is a huge chunk of colorless crystal shaped like a frozen flame.
"This… I think I've seen this before…" Sephiroth tells himself. He then remembers the time when they were sent back to Gaia, before he and Aerith enters the dimensional gate to the world of the living, he saw a glowing flame like structure, which seems to stare right through him.
"I remember now… so that was the ember back in Historia Crux. However, the ember in front of me is lifeless. Etro was right, I have to activate it and that means I have to give it my life force."
He looks at his hands, there's no turning back now. He shifts his gaze back to the ember and closed his eyes as he reminisce the memories he has of Aerith.
"Aerith… I apologize for being a coward… I couldn't find the strength to tell you about this until the very end. I'll be giving you back the life I took from you and with it, the new world where you can lead a new life and a new future devoid of me. I'm sorry for I cannot keep my promise, but know that I'm doing this for you, for our friends and for all the people you once protected with your life. It is now my turn to protect you and everyone. I have to disappear In order for you to live, that is the decision I made for the both of us. I want you to know that I do not regret anything, I'll be more than happy to give my life if it's meant to save yours."
He opened his eyes and with a sad smile he raised both of his hands in front of him.
"I hope in the near future you'll think of me and smile at the memories. And if within Hydaelyn I am allowed to dream, I would always dream about us and your love that shaped me for who I am today. Thank you for the memories, thank you for the love… Thank you for showing me what infinite love feels like, you gave me forever even in our limited number of days."
The ember emanates a low hum as it begins to glow dimly, like it senses the presence of life within its realm.
"Aerith my love, this is the part where we have to travel a different path. This is the end of the journey for me, while you have to go on. There's so much more in store for you, I pray that life would be kind and gentle as you continue your journey with our friends. You are strong in mind and spirit, and I know you'll be able to get through your life without me."
The ember's glow begins to pulsate as it starts to glow brightly. Sephiroth's body was enveloped in green light, the color of the Lifestream. The Lifestream slowly pours out from him as the ember starts to absorb his life force.
"My love for you is infinite like the universe and as countless as the stars in the heavens... I love you more than my life…."
Sephiroth winces as he starts to feel the bout of weakness, he dropped to his knees but his hands remained raised. He was panting but still perseveres. This is the only way to save everyone from the dying Planet.
"I'll keep our memories… our dreams… our love… as I succumb to my eternal slumber…"
Back at the Shera, the ones on the deck were all looking at the gruesome sight as Terra continues to sink within the Mesosphere, piercing through Gaia's atmospheric layers in a slow, deliberate descent. Some of them are patiently waiting, while some were anxious for the results of Sephiroth's endeavor.
"We have to trust Sephiroth, I'm sure he'll be back and it'll be mission success." Genesis said, gripping the railings tightly.
"He never fails, no record of failed missions, he was Shinra's strongest SOLDIER, he was the Hero of the Wutain War." Angeal narrates as he approaches his childhood friend.
"But he's famous among the Wutains as Shinra's Silver Haired Demon." Genesis retorts playfully.
"Gin no kami no akuma…" the words rolls out smoothly from Angeal's tongue, thinking of the days they were all fighting for Shinra's Mako monopoly war.
"We've definitely come a long way haven't we?" Genesis asked his friend, whose now standing beside him.
"Well, we've been to the Lifestream and back, so I would have to say yes." Angeal replies half-jokingly as he leans on the railings with his elbows.
Genesis snorts and said, "Nice try to crack a joke my friend."
"At least I've tried." He replied and they both chuckled lowly.
"Why does this exact scene reminds me of Meteor?" Cloud said as all of them watches from the ship's deck.
"How ironic right? This time, it was Sephiroth who's trying to save the world instead of the other way around." Tifa replied casually.
"Yeah… who would've thought that there will come a time, Sephiroth would truly become a hero, and not just Shinra's hero, but the world's." Cloud remarks, clearly amused.
"Well, Aerith's love changed him." Tifa answers with a smile as she glances at her pink clad friend whose hands were clasped in her chest, eyes closed and head bowed in a silent prayer.
Zack approaches Aerith, she senses him and she stopped what she's doing. "Are you… praying?" Zack asked.
She nods in response, hands still clasped against her chest.
"The Planet will no longer respond to you right? To whom are you directing your prayers?" Zack asked curiously.
"The Planet may be dead… but the souls are scattered everywhere. So I was… I was trying to somehow reach my mom, my ancestors. I'm asking them to protect Sephiroth." She replied apprehensively.
"Sephiroth will come back, I'm sure of it." Zack said, trying to appease the flower girl's mind.
"I somehow felt, there's something he's not telling me. The way he looked at me, the way he acted around me. It somehow felt like he was saying goodbye to me… permanently..." Aerith replies with a mixed tone of anxiety and sadness.
"Don't overthink Aerith... I'm sure he'll be back." Zack reassured her.
Aerith bows her head and said, "Did... did he mention anything about himself? About the New World? About... anything unusual?"
"Aerith... I understand your worries... but I think this is the best time to put our complete trust in Sephiroth, don't you think so?" replies Zack in a calm tone.
"I'm not saying I don't trust him Zack... I'm just saying that, he might do something reckless, like sacrifice himself or something, I don't know. I... don't even want to go down that road, but I can't help it! I really am worried about his actions Zack!" Aerith answers in a desperate tone.
"I... don't think Sephi..roth..." Zack tries to say until a realization hits him hard like a ton of bricks.
"Yeul sealed my fate with her prophecy..."
"I am to die in the final days."
"No..." Zack mumbles to himself.
Aerith was looking at him in bewilderment. "Zack...? is something wrong? You turned pale all of a sudden."
Zack gazes down at her, he's contemplating whether to tell her or not.
"Did Aerith know?"
"I don't want to burden her more than she is now..."
"Zack...? You're making me feel nervous..." Aerith mutters snapping him out of his silent musings.
"H-hold on Aer... I... I just have to tell Angeal something really important." Zack replied nervously as he quickly turns around and hurriedly approaches Angeal while calling out his mentor's name.
"Angeal!" he called, a sense of urgency in his voice. The two Former First Class SOLDIERs turned their attention to him.
"What's the matter Zack?" Angeal asks as Zack stops right in front of him.
"Relax puppy, you've looked like you've just seen a ghost." Genesis playfully remarks.
"Do... do you guys remember about what Sephiroth said back in Memoria?" he asks trying to make them remember.
"What is?" Angeal asks clearly having no idea what Zack is trying to pull.
"About the prophecy...? Yeul's vision!" he blurts out.
Both Firsts shared the same aghast expression before exchanging knowing looks.
"You don't mean..." Angeal utters in shock.
"No... f**king way..." Genesis curses as realization slowly dawns on him.
"How... how can we even forget about it?" Angeal says in disbelief.
"We were so absorbed in fighting Bhunivelze and surviving and all that sh*t, and we totally forgot that very important detail!" Genesis exclaimed in rage.
"What's happening here?" Lightning asks curiously as the others approaches them.
"Zack... do you have something to say?" Aerith asks warily.
"Aerith..." Zack mutters sadly as he averts his gaze from the flower girl.
Angeal turns to the Valkyrie as he wants to clarify something. "Minerva... where does the ember of life get its source of power?"
"From the LIfestream... The cycle of life, pumps life in all things living within a Planet. If the cycle has been breached and halted in its entirety. The ember loses its power and shatters with the Planet." Minerva explains.
"What are you implying Angeal?" Raines asked curiously.
"So... the Planet is technically dead, the cycle of death and rebirth has stopped completely so the ember is technically useless. That's the reason why Sephiroth went in there to kick it back to life right?" Fang said in a casual manner.
"That's the point! The ember is useless, it needs the Lifestream to function, but with the Planet dead, the ember will not be restored! Unless... a force similar to the Lifestream is produced." Zack explains.
Cloud's eyes widen in realization, "One's life force... Sephiroth..."
Aerith covers her mouth, eyes wide with shock as tears began to run down her cheeks at the mere mention of Sephiroth's name. Her knees felt weak and she almost lost her balance, but Tifa was able to catch her friend in her arms and they dropped to the floor as Aerith begins to cry uncontrollably. Tifa strokes Aerith's hair as a way to comfort her while she let her pink clad friend cries her heart out.
Everyone's expression turned grim when suddenly a huge pillar of Light shots up towards the sinking Terra freezing it in its place, totally preventing it from advancing. Everyone looks on as they saw innumerable pillars of Light begins to appear everywhere. The souls aimlessly drifting across Gaia starts to move towards the pillars as if they're being pulled by an unknown force. The Chaos tainted souls, which makes up the scattered black winds and clumps of foamy smoke across Gaia, becomes purified Lifestream once they get touched by the light from the pillars. What was once dark and gloomy looking scenario becomes covered in bright lights emanated by the pillars of light.
"The transmigration of souls to the New World has began." MInerva exclaims.
"This means... Sephiroth has succeeded." Raines said in a low voice.
"Sephiroth you bastard..." Genesis mutters under his breath as he drops to the floor and pounds the floor with his fist.
The green glow of the Lifestream has once again filled the dying Planet as millions of souls soars through the pillars. Cloud runs his hands through the tendrils of Lifestream flowing right through them on the deck.
"This light... this warmth... was it truly Sephiroth's...?" Cloud asks himself as he somehow felt sympathy to his former archenemy.
Aerith stands up carefully as Tifa assisted her, her tear-stricken face scans the vast expanse of green sea. And in a clear, soft and sad voice she narrates the final part of the Prophecy.
"To become the dew that quenches the land. To spare the sand, the seas, the skies. I offer thee... this silent... sacrifice..."
A/N: I'm not sure if I translated "Silver Haired Demon" in Japanese correctly. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong so I can still edit it.
Please R&R! Thank you very much! ^_^