CHAPTER 4 – A VISION OF A LOST LOVE
Cloud entered the Sleeping Forest.
He remembered how he walked through it those few years ago, never knowing that in a mater of hours, Aeris would be dead…
He sighed, and carried on travelling. Memories of old times and images flashed through his mind yet again, and once more he saw Aeris' face…soft and beautiful as it was, smiling up at him, as Sephiroth, the dark and black hearted man who fell down to her, and took her life.
He sighed and strived forwards, for he had an unexpected visitor waiting for him in the city.
Once past the mystical forest, he was in the city. He made his way to the gate to the Ancient city, which was indeed sealed. Cloud thought hard…would there be any possible way of getting in? As he thought, his mind hard at work, something was about to happen, that Cloud did not intend...
A bright light glowed…white, it was glowing white. Cloud lifted his head…he saw the gate open as if magic! Surprised, he stepped back…when a voice that he longed to hear…for so long he wished to hear it, spoke…
"Cloud?"
Cloud stopped. He stared helplessly at the glowing light shining out of the gate, almost blinding him so he could not see what, or who the voice belonged to…but he knew, oh yes he knew.
"Cloud?" The voice paused.
"You came…"
Those words had been spoken to him before…
"So," The soft voice gave a giggle.
"Why did you come?"
At this moment, Cloud froze; he knew for sure it was her…it was Aeris!
"…Aeris?" Cloud whispered, and heard her gentle laugh
"I thought if asked you those words once more…you'd know it was me…and you did." Her voice hesitated.
"Im so happy…" "You are?" He asked. "Yes…tell me, why are you here?"
"Because…you know why, I…I need to find you once more, again."
"I never blamed you for what happened, you know that, and forgave you a long time ago…why find me now everything is alright?"
"I…I have to."
"…Follow me Cloud…follow me…" Her voice drifted gradually.
"Aeris?" Cloud called. "Aeris!" He shouted, the light faded away. "Follow her?" He whispered to himself. Of course! Follow her voice!
Cloud began to run after the fading light…the wind rushed with him, as if it were her spirit guiding him, the wind and light was directing him through the crystalline city, to the centre and heart of it…
Cloud willingly followed, his mind and heart racing…trying to hold onto her presence, gripping it with his mind and following its every direction.
He soon found himself standing opposite the glistening altar in which Aeris died upon. Cloud could see Sephiroth falling down and slicing through the only thing, and only person that he cared for deeply, who guided his heart, and drove him towards his goal, and gave him that confidence in the times he needed it the most…the person who made him smile, even when everything else in the world was hopeless and corrupted…through it all…she was there…
Before her passing, and after her passing, she was there…helping, guiding and caring for him always, for everyone…
The light was its strongest, glowing and shimmering at Cloud, white like a dove it hovered on the very spot where Aeris died…Cloud shielded his eyes as the light grew even brighter…when BANG…the light faded – it was gone…and a twinkling was heard...Cloud removed his hands from his eyes and dropped his arms…silver dust like particles sprinkled and drifted over him, and Cloud's jaw dropped as he witnessed what he had been searching for, for so long…
In replacement of the light, in the spot where she died…locked in prayer…was Aeris.
Cloud, stunned and dizzy, was glued to the spot…was it her? Was it really her?
Cloud took a small step forwards to the celestial Flower girl…
"…Aeris?" He spoke softly, a little louder than a whisper
Her head slowly raised, and Cloud looked upon her true allurement…
Her features were just as Cloud remembered…soft, fair, and refined, but seemed much more beauteous, and blooming full of elegance…she was beautiful! Cloud gulped, as he suddenly felt not worthy as to be in her mystical presence.
"Aeris?" He said again. When suddenly…she smiled! Her pink lips stretched slightly into a soft and sparkling smile that glittered right through Cloud…
"Yes, it's me Cloud…" Said her voice…Cloud stopped and felt his eyes sting slightly, as a smile spread on his face. "It's not possible…" Aeris let her hands fall to her sides, and she stood on the altar, only a meter or two away. "Maybe it's not…but im here," She said. "And im watching over you Cloud, just remember that, okay?" Cloud nodded quickly. "Of course…" He paused, and looked at the angelic girl, her flowery vibrancy blowing over him softly. "This is no dream…im not dreaming right? Has…all my dreaming come to an end, now?" Aeris looked upon the lone soldier with a kind, yet gentle look of pity. "Your dreaming ends when you find true happiness…supreme happiness," She said giving him a small clue…
Cloud stopped, he looked into her entrancing emerald green eyes, which sparkled at him. "The Promised Land." He said. Aeris smiled brightly, he witnessed her delightful and lively smile once more – and as it was, it made him lively and happy inside, and with a sense of warmth. "Yes," She answered. "Cloud…my time is short, I do not wish to hinder your journey, or misguide you to remain here, for here, in the City Of The Ancients is not where you will find me, I am in your happiness, in the Promised Land…just find it, and I'll be there…" Her voice faded dramatically…
"I'll be there…waiting for you…" Cloud ran to her, but she was gone…her vision and spirit was no longer stood in front of him…
Cloud looked to the skies. "Find my Promised Land…that's what I must do," He lowered his head, and with a small smile whispered. "…Thank you, Aeris."
No matter his will or not…Cloud could not forget the young woman, Aeris, who touched his heart, and in fact, indeed took it…
She showed him a way of life he had never known…accomplishment, equality, spiritual guidance, and hope…never a falter could down on her spirit, for Aeris the Flower Girl was so full of hope, her spirits could never be dampened, and if by chance they were, it wouldn't be for long.
As Cloud pondered these thoughts quietly, a sudden light in his life just hit him where he stood, as he realised, why all his dreaming, all his searching and mourning…why it all meant something…
It was because…those few years ago, Cloud met the innocent and pure Flower Girl, and she took his heart. Slowly, and surely Cloud grew evermore closer to her, as little by little true feelings grew, and his barrier was broken down. Aeris freed him from his shell, and was the first person to break down his defensive barrier……
Cloud knew for sure then, that the beautiful, lovely Aeris took his heart, and he never got it back.