If my earlier readers are wondering, I changed Sephiroth's name to Nefilim! I decided to change it before it's too late! It was LadyKadaj's idea! And I think the name is awesome!

Chapter 7

"Oh hell… what happened here?" Nefilim said as his eyes ran over the Promised Land.

Dark storm clouds painted the skies. Dead trees were scattered across the ground and there were withered flowers that were once beautiful. Dead grass was scattered across the field.

In the distance, lightning flashed and there were rumbles of thunder, but no rain. It was hard to tell, but with his expert eyes, he could see that there was smoke in the sky. His heart sank at the sight. Guilt washed over him, this was how everybody else felt when he tried to destroy the world.

His heart ached. He watched the scene, but then turned away, not able to bear the pain any longer.

"Now do you understand?" Aeris asked softly, her eyes filling up with tears. "Before Jenova came, the sky was such a deep blue… it was so beautiful… like the ocean, and the flowers… they bloom so quickly here. Each of them had a different voice… I could talk to them, they were like the Planet. When I was bored, they would keep me company. Do you understand?"

She bent down, to pick up something. He looked at her, noticing that a tear had fallen from her eye. He watched as the droplet fell to the burnt ground. Almost immediately, that area turned green again. He watched in amazement, as the green spread, until it reached him... then it stopped. He bowed his head in shame. I shouldn't have murdered... shouldn't have listened to Jenova. Look at me... even the purest do not except me... all but you, Aeris.

"What are you picking up?" He asked stupidly, mentally kicking himself.

Idiot! You shouldn't have asked so bluntly. Now you sound like a complete retard! His mind yelled at him.

He watched as she opened her hand. In the center of her palm, was a tiny flower. It was all that was left from all the destruction. Only a small flower.

"It's… beautiful." He found himself confused at his own words. He had never noticed beauty… until now.

The flower was a deep red… almost like blood. It was only about the size of Nefilim's thumb. Aeris slowly got up and gently put the flower in his hand. He stared down at it.

"Even through so much death, there is still life." She whispered. "Do you know what this flower means?"

He thought for a while. "Hope." He answered. "There's hope even when the task at hand seems impossible."

- - - - -

"Aeris!" Cloud yelled.

The Cetra opened her eyes, and smiled at him. She seemed so calm and so happy. She looked so beautiful that moment, her emerald eyes staring back at him and the gentle look in them.

Kill the Cetra girl. Sephiroth's voice echoed in his mind. The evil man's will controlled him.

He felt as if he were nothing but a puppet. He fought with all his will, but his hands disobeyed him. They drew his sword; he raised his arms, although his mind screamed for them to stop.

He saw the confused look in the girl's eyes. They stared at him and he wanted to stop so badly. How could Sephiroth do this to him!

"Cloud, wut the hell are you doin'!" Barret screamed.

"Put down your sword, Cloud." Nanaki had commanded.

"SHIIIIT!" Cid shouted.

Tifa screamed at him. He heard her voice above all of the other's. What are you doing! His mind yelled. Listen to Tifa… put down the damn sword!

He found himself in control of his body again and he immediately dropped the blade. He heard laughing in his head. If you can't do this…Sephiroth's voice taunted. I'll do it myself!

Just that instant, that fateful moment, the man dropped out of the sky… and stabbed Aeris.

Just like that. It went through her like a knife on melted butter. Her eyes widened as the blade went through her back and out her chest. Then, they dulled, the last look she had given Cloud was a pleading one.

It seemed all in slow motion. Her body crumpled to the floor and the White Materia fell from her hands. Making a gentle 'plink' sound each time it bounced against the ground. Then it dropped into the lake and sank.

The pain and sadness smashed into him, etching the moments into his heart. He wanted to scream and cry like a child, but didn't. He only watched helplesslyas she fell in front of his feet.

Then the anger came. It burned so much… entwining with the pain and screamed at him. If only he had screamed at her in warning… if only he had pushed her aside and taken the stab for her…

"If only I could have changed that moment…" He whispered to himself.

"Cloud?" Tifa looked at him. "Are you alright?"

The blonde man felt tears burning in his eyes. He blinked a few times and kept them back. "Yes…" His voice cracked. "I'm fine."

Barret, Tifa, and Vincent all gave him weird looks. "Man… I don't believe that he would be with Aeris! After all that bastard did to her! I know she's a nice girl and all and would forgive people for mistakes… but she forgave him for killing her!"

"Barret, calm down, maybe Sephiroth is really good. Aeris isn't stupid, she would know if he were still evil." Tifa said.

"Ehh… yer righ'…" Barret sighed. "But I haven't forgiven that bastard…"

Vincent quickly cut in. "Before we all get angry… I have some more news… Jenova is rampaging in the Promised Land."

The three others stared at the red-eyed man in alarm. "What?" Tifa gasped. "But we defeated her… at the Northern Cave, just before we fought Sephiroth."

"I haven't forgotten." Vincent said. "But remember… Jenova can regenerate. Haven't you noticed, Cloud? You heal very quickly for a person."

Cloud nodded. "The only problem is… how are we going to get to the Promised Land."

Thanks to all my loyal readers and EbonyWinds, Shale 101, Nando RPS King for reviewing! I really take my reader's opinions at heart! Thanks again!