Hold on to me love
You know I can't
stay long
All I wanted to say
is I love you
And I'm not
afraid.
Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in
your arms?
Soft breath upon my face. I don't want to open my eyes. What if I don't see you there?
Aeris smiled at the longing in Cloud's eyes. She stepped lightly into his arms and reached up to smooth the lines on his face. 'Please hold me,' she whispered. 'I cannot stay.'
Cloud drew in a gasping breath and convulsively pulled her into his trembling body. He buried his face in her hair and tried to suppress the tears that welled up behind his eyes. Seeing Aeris again, she had died on Sephiroth's blade. How could this be?
Letting out his pain in low moan, Cloud pulled back slightly to gaze into Aeris' face. Since she had died he had lived in the shadows. His life was a dark nightmare of lost chances and shattered love.
Aeris blinked and a single tear traced the lines of her cheek. 'I love you Cloud. I miss you more than I miss life. But I am not afraid to go. I love you; can you let me go? I know you can feel me here, and even once I am gone I will be with you. Please let me go love.'
At those words, Cloud went numb. He could not live without his shining dream angel. He could not lose her again.
Holding my last breathSafe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you?
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight.
Aeris gently stroked Cloud's cheek. All she wanted was to comfort him with hope and give up her journey of transition, but she could not. She could not linger, but nor could she leave until he let go. Her final breath of life was trapped inside her soul and to let it out would release her from the twilight.
'I am here between worlds, neither in light nor dark. All I can think of is your pain, your suffering. I must go tonight my sweet warrior, my savior. You are my light as I am yours, please light my way now.'
I'll miss the winterA world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree
Come find me.
'You know I will miss you most of all Cloud.' Aeris whispered in his ear. 'Please don't cry for me, I will be where I love it most. Remember our winter forest? Find me there when it is your time. I will be waiting there for you. I would wait for you forever.'
I know you hear meI can taste it in your tears.
'Please listen Cloud,' Aeris cried softly. 'I know that you hear my voice. I am here, and you are holding me, your tears are flowing down my face. I know you love me enough to let me go.'
Say goodnightDon't be afraid
Calling me, calling me
As you fade to black.
'Our time is ending. Tell me you love me and send me on. I am not afraid of the parting, please don't be scared.'
'Aeris, I love you.' Cloud whispered brokenly. 'I am yours and you are mine, but now I will release you. I am just so grateful to hold you one last time. Go in my love; take my light as a guide. I will find you when I am gone. Please wait for me.'
With that last whispered statement, Aeris felt something in her soul give way. The chains binding her to the dusk of her life fell away and the world of Cloud's dream began to fade. She stretched out her hand one last time and murmured 'I will love you for eternity.'
Felling his light slip away Cloud crouched, trapped in his own mind. From the depths of his tortured spirit a cry ripped from is throat and echoed into the darkness. 'Aeris!'
Are all my thoughts of you?Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight.
