FAR FROM THE TREE CHAPTER 32
Authors' Note: We wanted to upload this a couple of days ago, but holiday time is so crazy. We have one more chapter to go, and then we will jump right into the next story. Good inspirational music to listen to while reading this is "Pieces" by Red. We hope you have enjoyed the ride. If you wish to join us in continuing the journey, we have so much more planned.
-I'LL NEVER LET GO-
It took around an hour for the dust to settle enough for everyone to start searching. The rescue crews wouldn't begin until daytime for safety reasons, so it fell to the people who refused to wait: Tifa, Angel, Reeve, and Zack. They carefully weeded through the twisted metal and crushed stone, trying to clear as much as they could without shifting the balance to create a further collapse.
Some of the wreckage Tifa couldn't lift, and she had to rely on Zack's super SOLDIER strength. By sunrise, they had managed to clear a small portion of it. While everyone was working in one spot, something told Tifa that the place she was clearing was the right one. As she picked up one of the beams, her heart skipped a beat. She saw a patch of yellow hair.
"ZACK! REEVE! ANGEL! I FOUND HIM!" she yelled.
She couldn't see him very well, only the part of his head and some of his arm.
Zack, covered in a layer of dust, was right beside her in a flash, and he gripped the giant slab of the pillar. As he tried to lift the reinforced concrete, the support structure was incredibly heavy, and he felt his muscles screaming under the strain. Ignoring this, he lifted the massive slab of stone and let it fall to the side with a heavy thud, revealing the warrior, and the sight of him terrified Zack.
There were still small bits of rubble and debris covering the blond; that wasn't the problem. However, his entire torso was dyed red from the large, jagged beam sticking clear through his chest from the back and aiming upwards, protruding by at least a foot. Blood trickled from the warrior's mouth.
Suddenly, there was movement, and slowly, his eyes opened but only about halfway. Tifa knelt beside him, sliding a hand underneath his head for support.
"Gaia... Cloud..." Tifa gasped, staring down at his injuries unable to keep hot tears from streaming out of her eyes. "I'm here..."
"...Teef..." He wanted to let down his walls and let the tears fall, but for some reason, none would surface. A lot of things wouldn't obey his commands to move, he realized, and it was really hard to breathe. Every intake was short, painful and a struggle. He looked down and saw it then, and he knew... He knew what an injury like this meant... even with his enhanced abilities, there were some things even mako couldn't heal.
The worst part was knowing what it would mean for Tifa...
"...s-s-sorry..." Each word took a herculean effort to get out. He could feel his strength fading fast, but... there was so much he had left unsaid.
Zack knelt down next to them and couldn't hold back his tears. "Spiky, you...you gotta hang in there. I'll grab the medical team! You just gotta hang in there!"
"Zack..." the blond reached out with a weak hand, and the ex-SOLDIER didn't hesitate to take it in a firm grip.
"I'm here buddy," Zack told him.
"T-take care... of... Ti-fa..."
Zack tried to force a smile, "C-come on, man. Stop foolin' around. Looking after her is your job."
Cloud gave him a look that said so much more than words ever could. "You'll be... my living legacy..."
The heartbroken look on Zack's face prevented him from saying anything else as he shut his eyes tightly as the tears openly flowed.
Cloud turned his gaze back to Tifa. His strength was fading faster, and he knew he didn't have much time left. His vision was already starting to darken; the mako shine in his eyes was starting to disappear, unable to support him any longer.
He reached into his pocket and smiled when he felt his gift still there. He pulled it out and offered it to her.
"I... love you... Tifa... you're the only one... I ever wanted to... marry..."
Tifa took the box carefully, the tears streaming down her cheeks. She opened it and sobbed, gazing down at a beautiful silver ring in the shape of a dolphin, with two sparkling blue diamonds.
"Cloud... please... hang on." Tifa begged, leaning down whisper to him "Don't leave me... I love you, Cloud..."
She held onto his hand, turning to Reeve.
"Go get help!" she shouted at him, and the head of the WRO wasted no time, dashing off to find aid.
Lowering her eyes to meet Cloud's once again, she pulled his hand up to her cheek. He couldn't feel her warm touch anymore, but he did feel the moment his body relaxed and his destroyed lungs lost the ability to take another breath. His time was done.
He wanted to cry to the heavens and beg to stay, but instead, he chose to be brave. Looking up at Tifa, he offered her a genuine smile and the same look he had given her all those years ago when he refused to let go of her as they plummeted from the bridge as kids.
"I'll... never... let... go..."
The mako shine faded entirely, and his eyes closed.
Tifa embraced him, breaking down and burying her face in his neck. The sobs were only interrupted by her gasps for air. She released a long wail that echoed with such sorrow and heartache. Wisps of green energy began to surround him as the Lifestream prepared to welcome him.
Angel approached Cloud and Tifa, the barmaid's anguish reaching into her soul and forcing tears to fall. She knelt down beside the fallen warrior, placing her hands on the twisted metal beam that had snatched the life from him, and her eyes glowed... not green... but red. The piece of debris began glowing that same color before vanishing.
Angel placed her hands over his heart, closing her eyes. A brilliant, cyan light began to shine, enveloping the girl as she spoke.
"It's not yet time for you to go, Cloud," she said, her voice deepening and rich with power. Small ribbons of light poured out of her and into Cloud's wound, and as each one did, everyone could hear his voice. Tifa looked up through the tears, her eyes wide.
Hold on! Don't let go! I got you, Tifa!
Alright, everybody! Let's mosey!
I think... I want to be forgiven... more than anything.
I feel lighter... maybe I lost some weight... all that dilly-dallying.
I am your living legacy.
I know... I'm not alone. Not anymore.
This is where a hero began his journey.
I... love you... Tifa...
I'll… never… let… go…
It was then that Tifa realized that each ribbon of energy was a piece of Cloud... his memories... moments in his life that defined who he was... and all of them were pouring back into Cloud through the wound, healing it. Finally, the light began to fade, and Tifa looked down, waiting.
Zack, keeping back, through his pain and heartache over his fallen brother watched with pure fascination at the miracle Angel was performing. He had seen her do it before, but never in such a brilliant way nor with such power. Angel's eyes rolled upwards, and she fell backwards. As the light faded, he lunged forward and caught her, preventing her from hitting her head.
He looked back over to his friend, willing him to open his eyes, praying it had worked like every other time.
Slowly... his chest started to rise... and then it fell... and rose again... it was weak, but Cloud was breathing. A few seconds seemed like an eternity as his eyes slowly opened, brilliant blues restored and glowing. He directed his gaze up at her and offered her a weak smile.
"Teef..."
Tifa smiled and laughed through her tears, which now had new meaning. She lunged forward and kissed him for all he was worth... and then some.
Cloud's eyes opened as wide as they could go as they lit up brightly with their mako shine, a look of complete shock screaming from the twin orbs, but then realization dawned on him... of what just happened and what this meant... he shut his eyes tightly then and kissed her back with just as much passion.
He never EVER wanted to leave her again.
Testing his arm to see if it moved, he took it and placed his hand gently against the back of her head as he slowly sat up and pulled her closer, wrapping her in an embrace that would put any other to shame. After enjoying a few moments of passion, Tifa leaned back and cupped his face, just looking at him as if he might vanish any moment.
"Come on. I want to get out of this place," Tifa encouraged. "Let's go home."
Cloud nodded in return. He stood, slowly as his muscles protested, but once he started moving he felt perfectly back to normal. Cloud looked back over at Zack as the warrior slowly stood, Angel held gently in his arms. Cloud was sure that his friend would have punched him otherwise.
His bright blue eyes fell upon Angel, laying in Zack's arms, but something wasn't right. She looked far too pale and Zack was regarding her with worry, and fear. Suddenly, Jenova's dying words came back to him.
"And... if she... tries to revive you... she will die... I wasn't... lying about... that. Either way... you... lose... Cloud... Strife..."
"Angel!"
Tifa looked confused, watching Cloud react. "Cloud, she always passes out after she does this. It's all right."
Nevertheless, Tifa followed Cloud's lead.
Zack looked up at the blond's approach. "I... I think she's..."
Cloud took her into his own arms and set her down. She had no pulse, and she wasn't breathing.
"Come on," Cloud begged. "Don't let this be the one time Jenova was telling the truth!"
Taking his thunder materia, he set it on her chest and activated a weak pulse of electricity, turning the materia into a makeshift defibrillator. He did it four more times and nothing happened. He knocked it away, sending the orb flying before he tilted her head back, pinched her nose, and started CPR.
"Come on!" he pleaded as he pressed his hands on her chest, trying for all he was worth to save her, "You can't save my life and not let me return the favor!"
He pinched her nose again and forced air into her lungs before he started the compression again. "I told Lucifer I'd take care of you! Don't make me break my promise!"
Suddenly, everything around the blond vanished, and Cloud found himself in a familiar place, one he visited on his way to save Denzel and Marlene from Kadaj and his gang. It was comforting and peaceful, this place, bathed in a warm white light and filled with those flowers that Aerith loved. Looking down, he noticed that Angel was also there, on the ground… still… unmoving
From behind him, he heard footsteps approaching. As he turned, he saw a woman dressed in long white flowing robes with a hood over her head. She strode up to the warrior, stopping only a few feet from him.
"Welcome, champion of Gaia!" said a soft yet powerful voice.
He wanted to keep trying, refusing to give up on Angel, but... he couldn't look away from this strange woman. She looked perfectly normal… beautiful, sure… but normal, and yet she seemed to hold such immense power he couldn't focus on anything except her, and he didn't know why, but he felt so small and weak in her presence.
Lovely blonde hair the color of the sun cascaded around her shoulders, framing her fair complexion and dazzling blue eyes. A white robe draped around her, flowing down to her feet, seemingly dissolving into a mist along the ground.
"...Who are you?" Cloud asked.
Her gaze pierced his soul. "I have many names... you may call me Minerva."
His eyes widened and he was instantly humbled. Lowering his gaze. One of the planet's highest-ranked goddesses was standing before him, and he couldn't help but tremble. But... nervous or not, he wasn't about to lose Angel because he acted like a deer in headlights.
"Sorry, but... I need to save her... and it's not working..."
He chanced to look directly at her then, determination clear in his eyes. "I promised her brother... and I couldn't save him either..."
She looked at the girl on the ground. "Fear not, champion. She has not perished and will awaken, soon. It has been decided, however, that she will no longer possess the power to recall souls from the Lifestream. I am sure the champion understands the necessity for this."
"What about the people she's already restored?" Cloud asked as respectfully as he could. He didn't wish to anger the goddess, but he couldn't take it if he lost Zack or Aerith all over again.
She smiled at the blond. "They will continue to live, hopefully with gratitude at their gifts. The girl's intentions were noble, and I saw the wisdom in her reasoning. Therefore, all that have been revived will remain. But her ability lacks balance. Not even she is aware of all those she calls from the Lifestream, as you will discover soon enough. So, we will not return that ability to her."
The goddess stood in silence for a moment. "You are well known in the Pantheon and have recently rid us of an age-old scourge. For this... we are grateful. Therefore, I have retrieved the energy of her brother out of the Void and into the Lifestream. He is no longer lost. This, I have done in return for your courage and many sacrifices for the good of the planet."
The goddess spread her arms. "Go forth and be at peace... Cloud Strife."
And just as suddenly as he arrived, his surroundings switched, and he knelt over Angel again. This time, however, her chest began rising and falling. And looking at her, Cloud could see that there were no shadows beneath her eyes... no discoloration to her skin... she looked healthy... as healthy as she did when he first talked with her that morning in the kitchen.
"-iky... Spike! ...CLOUD!"
The blond jumped in place before looking up, his gaze panicked at Zack who was returning the stare with worry. "It's okay...you did everything you could..."
Zack went to pull her away, gently, but Cloud hugged her close. "No, she's... she's"
His eyes widened as he felt her breath against his neck and looked down. "She's alive."
He closed his eyes and sighed. "Thank Minerva."
He pulled her away and brushed some loose hair from her eyes. "Angel?"
The silver-haired girl did not stir but still continued to breathe, appearing much healthier than before.
Tifa reached in and placed a finger on the girl's neck, and her eyes widened as she felt the steady pulse of life.
"I guess all of your efforts paid off," Tifa told him, grinning, slipping in a confused look at Zack, who returned her confused look and gave up with a shrug of his shoulders, "We should get her checked over, though."
The blond warrior leaned her against him as he slipped his arms beneath to pick her up, "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess."
Zack's jaw dropped open. "Ohhhhh no no no, if you're gonna start Quoting loveless, I'm outta here. That's prime Genesis territory. It's bad enough when I have to listen to him recite the damn thing over and over; I don't need it from a chocobo, too."
Cloud turned to Zack then and smirked. "I'd join Study Group, if it was still around."
Zack's jaw hit the floor. "Okay, you're not allowed to spend any more time with Genesis. Period."
Cloud just shook his head. "Just wait until you meet her one day; then you'll understand."
"Meet who?" asked the dark-haired warrior, but Cloud only smiled in response. He smiled!
Zack just blinked and looked over at Tifa. "Angel did revive the right Cloud, right?"
Tifa smirked at his joke then looked at Cloud. "Are you really going to start quoting Loveless?"
Cloud smirked at Tifa, "Not excessively. I only know that one line; I haven't touched the book in years."
They began walking in the direction where Reeve had run. Cloud caught Zack glancing his way with a troubled expression. "What?"
"Don't ever do that to me again, Spike. I can't handle the living legacy bit."
Cloud just huffed with annoyance. "Well, how do you think I felt? Only reason I handled it was because I was sick."
"Fine, neither one of us will die and force the other to live on for him. Deal?"
The blond smirked then, "Deal."
"Cloud?"
Reeve's voice was beyond shocked. He approached them, staring at Cloud like he was growing a second head.
"How in the hell...?"
Cloud blinked and looked over at Reeve then, smirking at the man's surprise and just shrugged his shoulders. "Guess I've still got luck on my side."
Reeve cleared his throat then. "I'm sorry, but unless we want to answer questions for Edge Tribune I suggest we relocate, perhaps to the bar? Come on. The vans are this way."
As they made their way towards the waiting WRO vans, which worked well to shield the group from the press and reporters that had begun to gather, Cloud was starting to wonder if they could escape them at this point. If they saw him then they'd just flock to the bar and pepper him with questions there, which would ruin business for Tifa and he didn't want the kids to deal with it either.
Reeve had brought a small group of WRO officers to protect civilians, but he also thought ahead enough to include a couple of medical vans. Cloud gently set Angel down on the gurney in one of those vans.
"Here," Reeve said as he offered him a fresh, folded black shirt. Cloud blinked with confusion until he looked down at his own and realized how horrendous his looked. It wasn't just torn and ragged but horribly stained with blood. He accepted the clean shirt as he pulled off the tattered, sticky sweater-vest and slipped on the clean one.
Reeve picked up the discarded shirt and shook his head, astonished at the level of damage the warrior had suffered. The fact that he had even survived long enough for them to find him had been a miracle. He took the tattered clothing and walked to another van, intent on bagging the garment and saving it as a part of history… the champion of Gaia.
Tifa approached the blond hero, seeing the shirt Reeve was holding, and couldn't stop the sharp intake of breath. It had been so close! If Angel hadn't revived Cloud, she would have lost him. A pain throbbed deep within her at the thought. She promised not to waste one more moment, wondering if she should share her feelings. Life was far too precarious, especially for them.
Cloud turned his gaze to Tifa, "So... I know I didn't ask it right, but... was that a yes?"
Tifa smirked at him.
"No, that wasn't a yes..." she paused for dramatic effect, "That was a Hell yes."
She grabbed his hand.
The smile he gave her in return held such love and joy, it was a wonder he didn't sprout wings and do a few backflips in the sky, with or without Jenova cells.
A collection of gasps and panicked calls from the crowd of reporters followed by flashing cameras signaled the arrival of a possible new threat, and Cloud jumped out from behind the van only to see Sephiroth, Genesis, and Angeal land on a smaller pile of rubble. The general was scanning around until he spotted the blond who made his way around the crowd and climbed up the mound to meet them.
"Sephiroth!"
The reporters started taking more pictures, expecting a fight while some of them started to back up. They were in for a surprise though, as Sephiroth took the warrior's hand and helped him up the rest of the way.
"I came the moment I lost connection to your mind. What happened?"
"And we met up with him when Genesis couldn't wait anymore," Angeal added.
Cloud smirked. "Jenova is gone," He looked over to Genesis then, "Minvera herself thanked me."
The fiery commander's eyes widened. "You've been blessed by the goddess?"
Angeal's PHS buzzed and he flipped it open before chuckling. "We should prepare a quick speech for the gathering crowd. Zack just told me we're on Live TV."
Cloud turned to look at the crowd and inwardly groaned; so much for avoiding the reporters.
The majority of the crowd seemed to be focused on both Cloud and Sephiroth, and the two regarded each other, realizing what they were expecting.
"Should we tell them we're not bitter enemies anymore?" asked the blond.
"I doubt they'd take my word," the ex-general replied. "Seems more than likely they'd accept the word of their champion."
Cloud let out a defeated sigh, "Yeah, yeah, you're right… damn it."
He slid down to get closer to the group without landing among them, stopping on a platform of debris about ten feet above their heads. The first question was raised before the dust settled.
"Mr. Strife, where should the citizens gather to hide from this attack?"
"Mr. Strife, what is Sephiroth planning this time? How will you defeat him?"
"Are we really safe if he keeps coming back? When will it end, Mr. Strife?"
Taking his sword, Cloud slammed the flat of the blade against a metal beam that was sticking from the rubble. The metal boomed and rang out, bouncing off the nearby buildings as the group instantly hushed. That secretly impressed Sephiroth.
Why hadn't I ever thought of that? the silver warrior thought.
Cloud glared down at the group and made sure he had their attention before he started.
"Wait until I finish before you ask your questions because I'm not repeating myself. I've just won a fight, and I am tired, sore, and hungry."
The crowd was silent, except for the flashes of the cameras. "Thank you."
He looked back up at the trio before smirking at the crowd below. "The holy trinity should be cleared of all crimes."
The reporters erupted with a wall of comments and questions and Cloud took his sword and struck it against the beam again. "I said I would explain!"
"But Mr. Strife, Sephiroth nearly destroyed the world! You, yourself had to kill him! Why are you defending him now?"
"How do we even know these are the real Holy Trinity," asked a female reporter who glared up at the three.
"The answer… is simple," Genesis replied as he and the other two joined Strife, flanking him on either side.
"Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess," he quoted. "I do not know if any still remain, but I call upon those who once called themselves the Keepers of Honor, the Silver Elite, Red Leather, and Study Group. You of all people would know if we are indeed genuine or not. We have one new difference from those days, but they only make us stronger."
He flexed his wing for emphasis.
Cloud nodded to the others before turning back to the crowd. "These three were never the real threat. There was a different evil at work. She could take on any form she wanted to, up until now. She had taken the form of the one everyone once looked up to. Think back, how many regarded Sephiroth as the world's hero? The very face of strength, and symbol of Shinra's power? I know I did.
"The shapeshifter called herself Jenova; she was an ageless evil that had wiped out the ancient race long ago, and she wanted to do the same to us humans. That's where GeoStigma came from! She's tried many times in the past, and always took on the form of Sephiroth to frame him. Meanwhile, the real Sephiroth was trapped all this time, lost from the world. We recently found him and when he saw what the impostor had done, he continued to hide out of shame, his honor tarnished."
Sephiroth regarded the blond then, not understanding some of the lies he was telling. Cloud glared at the reporters, looking right into the cameras, his eyes filled with conviction, challenging anyone to argue with his next statement. "The real Sephiroth, standing next to me, is a noble man of honor, who has learned through his ordeals and sufferings, and he is just as much a hero as I am. Genesis and Angeal too have struggled with their own trials and the three that stand before you are the same elite force that protected you with pride and honor. I'd stake my own honor on their behalf. Jenova is finally dead, and all her evil died with her. That's all."
With that, he jumped down and headed back to his friends. Blinding camera flashes lighting up his form as he parted through the crowd. The three regarded him with a new wave of respect. In one, small speech Cloud had cleared their names completely and restored their honor and they each regarded each other and came to a silent agreement. If they were able to pull it off, then they'd be adding one new member to their ranks.
*FFTT*
It was so quiet... nothing like the Lifestream. When she had retrieved Denzel from the Planet's life water, there were voices... so many voices that spoke as one. Aside from that, there had been nature's noises... running water... gentle breeze... rustling of plants... and such a sense of peace.
But this was... just darkness. Was this her fate? To be alone in nothingness, silence for all eternity? Was it her... punishment... for being what she was? Part of that wretched creature that tried to hurt Cloud and his family... her family.
Slowly, she opened her eyes and was so happy to see light. She had no idea where she was, but it felt very comfortable. Her eyes settled immediately upon the man with the spiky blond hair and brilliant blue eyes, sitting in a chair beside her.
"Cloud?" she rasped. Goodness! Her mouth was so dry! She tried to clear her throat, but it felt so scratchy.
Cloud looked up from what he had been reading and the look he gave her was filled with relief.
"Angel..."
His gaze hardened a bit then. "I am so mad at you. Why'd you risk your life like that?"
He looked down, a shadow of guilt covering his features. "If you had died... saving me..." He looked her straight in the eye then. "It'd be like losing Zack or Aerith all over again."
She jerked her chin up a little. "I would do it again... I couldn't let you die."
Her lips formed a small pout. "You can't be mad at me. Especially when you would do the same thing for me, Cloud."
It was slow going, but her throat stopped being so dry.
He sighed then and looked down, before giving her a helpless smirk. "You got me there."
He then remembered something he had planned to do when she woke up. "Angel... I'm so sorry for what I did... I just... I couldn't let you go through with that."
What he did? What was he talking about? Everything was so... confusing right now. Why would he be apologizing? She tried to think back...
... and it came to her.
She was about to take Jenova into herself... to give up all that she was and ever would be. But then she blacked out.
"You... knocked me out?" she asked.
Cloud nodded. "It was Lucifer's idea, and I was eager to agree with it, but I never realized what he meant to do instead..."
He gave her the most regretful look. "Angel... your brother he... he made the hero's sacrifice. To save you."
The immense pain that shot through her almost stole her breath. All those years... never knowing what had happened to her brother. The loneliness was almost unbearable at times, days, weeks, months, years... of wishing she could see him, if only for a brief amount of time.
And then the elation of finding him... the feeling of finally being whole again, only to have it ripped away. The pain she felt in that moment dwarfed anything the lab had done to her.
Angel tried very hard to hold it in, but a few traitorous tears slipped through... and then a few more.
"Gaia... Lucifer..." she sighed in a choked voice, "My... brave brother..."
She knew exactly what that meant, too. His spirit, his soul... the Lifestream energy that made him who he was... had been obliterated. She would never see him again, not even in the Lifestream.
Cloud heard her thoughts, her pain, as if she had whispered them into his ear.
He took her hand into his own. "I'm so sorry, Angel. If I had known he meant to take your place... I would have tried to stop him, but all he said was that it would save you and that it was the only way."
The silver-haired girl nodded, realizing what her brother had done... he had tricked Cloud. The tears continued to leak through, and she drew in a sharp breath.
"I'll never... see him... again..." she managed to get out before she finally gave in and cried, grasping Cloud's hand as though she was holding on to him like a lifeline.
Cloud's heart hurt for her, and he hated that he hadn't realized Lucifer's intentions sooner.
He wrapped his free arm around Angel's shoulder, realizing that now... he was the only family she had now.
"C'mere."
Angel wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly. "Oh, gods... Cloud, he's gone forever! He's not even in the Lifestre-"
She stopped, feeling something that couldn't be possible. How could it have happened? Her senses reached into the Lifestream and could feel his essence!
"Wait..." she sniffled, sitting up, her cheeks still wet with tears, "That is... impossible... he can't... how is he..."
She reached out once again, and there was no mistake! It was her brother she sensed in the Lifestream! "He is... there... How is he there?"
He pulled back and gave her a look that said more than words could express. "It was Minerva. She brought him to the Lifestream, I think as thanks for getting rid of Jenova."
"Who's Minerva?" Angel asked, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. Whoever this Minerva person was, the young girl wanted to thank her.
"She's one of the Gods. She watches over the Lifestream, according to legend."
He thought back to that moment when she stood in front of him. "She was... a lot like her statue. Blonde hair, she wasn't wearing her armor... just a plain robe."
"A... god? Saved Lucifer?" Angel repeated. Her heart cried out to this god, whoever she was.
Thank you... so much for saving his soul! Thank you!
"But... if he's in the Lifestream," she reasoned, "then I can bring him back!"
Her eyes brightened as she smiled. She could be with her brother again!
The warrior's expression fell then, knowing what was about to happen...
"Angel, when Minerva appeared to me, she said you would live, but... she also said that your gift... it wasn't balanced. You can't bring people back from the Lifestream anymore."
The light that had just shined so brightly vanished immediately, her demeanor deflating.
"Oh..." she replied in a small voice, "O-of course..."
So, she couldn't return her brother to the land of the living. After a very short time with him, she would be forced to sacrifice him for a world without Jenova. Her heart broke all over again.
But... at least he had not been obliterated. His spirit would now reside in the Lifestream. "...then... I have no family left..."
She hadn't meant to say it like that, but she failed to stop it. Tears slipped down her cheeks, no matter how hard she worked to contain them.
Cloud's heart broke for her. Jenova had taken everything from her, and before that those vile scientists had treated her like a tool.
And then he realized how much the both of them had in common.
"Angel. That's not true."
He tried to get her to look at him. "You've got Tifa, the kids..."
He offered her a small smirk. "And me."
"I can't replace Lucifer, but I can do my best, if you'll have me as a brother?"
Cloud gently wrapped his arms around her. "I know, Angel. It hurts like hell, and it always will, but at least he's watching over you, waiting for the day you finally join him."
He then pulled back and added, "Sorry, but that'll be a long time. I'm not letting you meet back up with him for several decades if I can help it."
"Okay, Cloud," she gave a soft giggle.
Minerva, thank you for saving my brother. And forgive me if I seem ungrateful. I just miss him. Please... take good care of him until we can be reunited again.
