SIX

Aerith met Cloud, Jessie, and the others out in the courtyard. They were near the main gate loading Drake's truck with supplies while they talked and repairs to the fort continued. The air was filled with sounds of hammering, welding, and more, and some of the men waved as they kept an eye on the former Shinra soldiers who'd been taken prisoner in the battle and who were now helping with the work. And overhead on the hill above the fortress was the mako reactor, with the condor sitting on top in its nest as it ignored the whole ruckus.

Jessie was smiling at Cloud. "Ready to go?"

"Of course, Jessie," he smirked faintly. "I'm always ready."

"Don't I know it!" she teased.

Aerith grinned in spite of herself, amused at the way those two got along and happy that they'd grown so close. As she watched Cloud and Jessie, her resolve to accept the fate that lay ahead of her grew firm. No more doubts troubled her. Cloud and Jessie were still developing their complicated relationship, still learning about each other. Not entirely a true couple yet, but much more than friends. Aerith could see the love in Cloud's eyes whenever he looked at Jessie, even if he couldn't yet put it into words. She knew he would someday, though. And she wanted to give them a chance at the happiness they deserved.

When Edywn joined them outside with Samuel, Biggs, Wedge, and Lena, Aerith sighed bitterly, knowing in her heart that this was the last time she would ever see them. With an effort, she slipped on her usual warm smile to hide the pain as she'd so often done, waving to everyone as she, Cloud, and the others all got ready to leave.

After Jessie had said goodbye to Lena, Aerith took her turn, giving her a gentle hug as she sat in her upgraded wheelchair. "Well, looks like this is it, Lena. Hang in there, okay? You'll be fine."

She returned the embrace. "I will. Be careful out there, Aerith. And come back safe when you can. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," Aerith murmured. More than you know.

When she said goodbye to Edwyn again, this time more restrained since they weren't alone, it was all Aerith could do to keep herself from rushing into his arms and holding him tight. But she did put a hand on the left pocket of her jacket where she had put the brooch he had given her. He nodded, his eyes telling her what his words couldn't. Hers gave him the same message, reflecting all the care, tenderness, and affection she felt for him. Aerith gazed longingly at Edwyn and let the memories of the week they'd spent together fill her heart.

Laughter, fun, passion, tears… they'd shared them all. Aerith didn't want to go. But she had to. If she didn't, her friends would die. She had to be the one, had to take their place so they could have the lives they'd always been denied before. Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge. Even though that meant losing her own. But she didn't mind, knowing it would allow her to save theirs. She watched Biggs and Wedge share a fond farewell with Jessie and then Barret before they turned to her.

"Bye, Aerith," Wedge hugged her.

She smiled. "Bye, Wedge. Look after Lena for me, okay?"

He grinned. "You bet!"

"And you keep Tifa safe," Biggs added, taking Wedge's place. "Even though I'm still gonna worry about all of ya."

"So what else is new?" Aerith teased.

He chuckled. "Take care, Aerith. See ya when you get back."

"You, too," she murmured.

After letting go of him, Aerith gazed at the guys for a moment and imprinted them on her mind, wanting to keep the images of them with her in her thoughts during the dark days ahead. She was so happy she'd gotten the chance to get to know Biggs and Wedge this time. Lena, too. Her other selves never had. Aerith kept the memories of her time with her friends close to her, missing them already.

As Tifa and Biggs embraced and shared a tender kiss, Aerith's eyes found Edwyn's, unable to hide her longing for him. She thought of the moments like that they'd shared this past week and wished, more than anything, that they could've had more time together, a chance to really explore how they felt and see what they could have had. A future, a life, maybe even a family. But that could never be. The path ahead was dark and unyielding, a long road she had to walk alone.

Once everyone had finished saying their goodbyes, Samuel looked at Aerith and the others. "Good luck, my friends, and a safe journey to you on your quest. You'll always be welcome here."

"Here, Jessie," Edwyn said, opening his leather pouch. He took out the slender knife he'd shown Aerith. "I'd like you to have this. Consider it a token of appreciation for all the help you and your friends've given us. We wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for all of you."

She laughed. "Aw, you shouldn't have! I—"

Jessie's voice died when she saw the knife he was holding out to her in its leather sheath, its handle black and slightly curved. Her face went pale, white as a sheet, and her eyes widened as she stumbled backward a step or two in shock. Aerith saw the fear in her friend's eyes, but that wasn't all. There was also recognition. At that moment, she thought of what Sephiroth had said to her last night and shivered, afraid for Jessie and understanding exactly what he had in mind.

A dagger in the back—or the chest—from someone you trust.

So he'd meant it literally. Aerith saw that now. She didn't for even a second blame Edwyn, though. He didn't know, couldn't possibly know, that the knife he'd meant as a tool to help Jessie in her travels was what Sephiroth planned to twist into a terrible weapon of bloody murder for her to use against one of her closest friends.

That sort of thing was exactly Sephiroth's style, though, and as she thought about it, Aerith clenched her fists at her sides, angry at the way he was hurting Edwyn and Jessie by perverting an act of kindness into something horribly brutal. She knew that he was really tormenting her most of all, though, turning the gift given by the man she had come to care for and be so intimate with into the instrument of her death at the hands of someone she loved as a sister.

Aerith swore she wouldn't let that happen, though. She would stop Sephiroth's plan and save Jessie from the dark fate that lay ahead of her, just as she'd promised Phoenix that she would. Edywn's thoughtful gift would not be Sephiroth's plaything, either. She would help Jessie find a better purpose for it. And she thought that knowing it had been useful would help Edwyn to accept her loss when the time came and begin to heal. It hurt to think about it and how much she wanted to come back, but she understood what had to be done.

"Jessie?" Cloud asked.

She calmed herself. "I-I'm alright. Just caught me by surprise."

Edwyn blinked. "Sorry about that, Jessie. I've had this blade on me for a long time. It's helped me out a lot over the years, but I want you to have it now. I hope it keeps you safe out there."

"I appreciate it, but… I can't," Jessie said, her voice a little shaky. "I didn't do what I did here for a reward, Edwyn. None of us did. Besides, you've already done so much for all of us in return."

Edwyn smiled. "I know, but I insist. Please."

She laughed, but Aerith could tell that it was more forced than real. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can't refuse."

"Here you are, then," he said, carefully handing her the knife.

"Thanks," Jessie replied.

At first, she seemed cheerful enough, her buoyant facade firmly in place. Then, as she took the knife, a sudden shiver passed through her, and she tightened her grip on the handle so much her knuckles turned white. She closed her eyes for a moment, but Aerith had already begun moving and gently took her shoulder.

"Time to go, Jessie," she murmured.

Although Jessie nodded, smiled, and took a breath to calm herself, Aerith still saw the pain in her eyes. She could sense it, too. How much in turmoil Jessie's spirit was. Before letting go of her, Aerith sent a little of her healing energy into her. Not really enough for her to notice, but enough to soothe her frayed nerves and give her some peace. Once she saw Jessie had relaxed, she gave her shoulder a light squeeze to reassure her, then finally let go of her and stepped back.

Once Jessie and the others had finished their goodbyes, they went over to the truck and started to get in while Edwyn and Samuel turned to head back into the fortress. All but Aerith. She watched Edwyn, her heart aching as she took in the sight of him for the last time. He paused for a moment, his eyes finding hers, and nodded. Aerith waved, and he lifted his hand in return. As she gazed at him, she was nearly overcome by the desire to rush into his arms, and she knew he felt the same way. But with the others nearby, she couldn't do it.

Instead, Aerith just smiled, wanting Edwyn to see her happy so he could remember her this way, and stored the one he gave her in return in a special place in her heart and memory so she could always carry it with her. Then he slowly followed his father into the fort. Aerith didn't look away until she couldn't see him anymore.

Tifa was already up front in the truck while Jessie, Barret, and Red had all climbed into the back with Yuffie. Cloud was just getting ready to join them when Aerith beckoned to him, wanting to have a word in private with him first. She led him to a refreshingly cool patch of shade by the gate where the others couldn't hear them.

"Looks like we're all set," she smirked.

Cloud folded his arms in front of him. "Yeah. So what's up?"

Aerith giggled. "And now you've got two girls to look after. Me and Jessie. Double the work for our bodyguard."

"I can handle it," he assured her.

"I don't doubt it," she quipped, seeing a little of Zack in the way he was standing and in the little grin he gave her. "You're really good, you know. Just like him. Almost too much, in some ways."

That was much more true than she dared to admit. Ever since she'd first met Cloud outside LOVELESS Theater the night he and the others had torched Reactor 1, she'd seen glimpses of Zack in him, in things he said or poses he'd strike. It was both strange and bittersweet, as was the sight of Zack's sword on Cloud's back. She'd recognized it right away as soon as she'd first seen it but had never spoken of it.

He blinked. "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter," Aerith shrugged. Then she looked intently up at him, steadying herself to say what had to be said. "Cloud, I know you'll do all you can to protect us, no matter what."

"But…?" he prodded.

Her emerald eyes grabbed his baby blue ones. "But even so, a time may come when you can't save us both, no matter how much you want to. And if it ever does, I want you to save Jessie. Don't worry about me. Promise me you'll do this, alright?"

Cloud stared at her. "The hell? I'll save you both!"

"That might not be possible someday," Aerith insisted.

"I'll make it possible," he swore.

She knew he'd try his hardest to do that, but she didn't back down. She looked up at him, her gaze intense. "Try if you want. But you know I'm right. And I want you to be ready. Don't think you can talk me out of this, either. You know how stubborn I can be."

"Aerith…" Cloud frowned.

She moved closer, her tone not a request but a command. "Promise me, Cloud! Promise me that if that day ever comes, you'll choose Jessie instead of me, that she'll be the one you save."

He looked away for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. I promise."

"Good," Aerith replied. "And also, it should go without saying that Jessie isn't to know anything about this. No one is, really. But especially her. This is between you and me. Got it?"

Cloud nodded. "Yeah."

She smiled. "Well, then! Glad that's settled!"

"Anything else?" he asked.

"Nope!" Aerith giggled. "All done! Now we'd better get going. Don't wanna keep the others waiting, you know."

He shrugged. "Lead on, then."

Despite her outward cheerfulness, her heart ached as she led Cloud toward the truck, knowing she would never return to this place and see Edwyn and her friends here again. She climbed in front with Tifa while Cloud quickly hopped in the back with Jessie and the others. A minute later, once everyone was settled in, Drake started the truck, the engine rumbling to life as they finally got underway.

Aerith was quiet as they drove through the open gate and soon left Fort Condor behind. Repairs were still going on in the ravine where all of Jessie's traps had devastated the Shinra forces a week ago now, and a simple bridge had been built across the massive hole in the ground that had been blown open during the battle as the invaders had rushed over it, dumping them into the caves far below.

As the truck left the ravine and made its way across the badlands, Aerith gazed out the window and saw patches of bright desert flowers, marigolds and lavender sage, growing here and there amidst the rocks and the dry, barren hills. The blossoms gave her hope, thriving as they were in this desolate place. Life from death.

Not really so different from herself. Aerith thought she understood now. She would die, but through it, others would live. She could accept that. More than anything, her thoughts turned to Edywn, missing him and wondering about what might have been, what they might have had together. But it could never be. Although he would grieve after she was gone, he would heal in time and find his happiness. Aerith would make sure of it. And part of her would always be with him.

Resolved now, she rode onward to Junon.

A few months later, Aerith moved alone through the glowing white trunks of the Sleeping Forest, knowing what she had to do. She had left everyone and everything behind, even Jessie, who had gone north with her on this last journey, giving her friendship and company and easing her loneliness on this final road. But she had only been able to go so far with her. Aerith had forbidden her from venturing into forest with her, leaving her at Bone Village to wait for the others.

Jessie hadn't liked it, but Aerith hadn't budged. In spite of what had happened between them on the dock where they'd arrived in this harsh region, she was deeply grateful for her friend's presence. Always before, she had made this journey alone. But it had been nice to have someone with her this time. Someone for her to share these last days with. After the disaster at the old temple, she'd known she couldn't stay with Cloud and the others any longer. And Jessie had caught up with her while she was trying to slip away in the midst of the chaos.

So they had left the island together, just the two of them.

Of course, that was exactly what Jessie had been desperately trying to avoid ever since Fort Condor. Being alone with Aerith. Both of them had been quiet and withdrawn on the journey north, and Aerith knew why. She hadn't forgotten what Phoenix had told her, and she had seen the fear in Jessie's eyes almost constantly. Fear of that terrible moment, that instant when her nightmare would become real. But even knowing what lay ahead, she hadn't been able to let Aerith go off alone. And that had set things in motion for that fateful instant.

Jessie had wavered when the time came, caught between the will of Jenova and her own as she'd held the blade inches from Aerith's chest at the end of the dock, ready to strike. But her friendship, her loyalty, and Aerith's power had tipped the balance and brought her back to herself. Standing there in the growing twilight, the knife lying forgotten on the wooden planks, they had shared a tight embrace together, tears sliding down Jessie's face in a rare show of raw emotion.

Eventually, the trees thinned, and soon Aerith finally left the forest behind and stopped for a bit to rest. She ate, glad for the supplies Jessie had secured for them during their journey north, and also drank some of the water she'd brought with her. Once she was ready, Aerith moved on, making her way through the rugged mountain pass beyond. It rose upward at first as the snow-covered peaks frowned down at her, and as she walked, she pulled her thick coat closer around her shoulders. The weather was colder here than it was further south, and she couldn't go around in just her dress and red jacket anymore.

Aerith had left the rest of her things with Jessie—even the Princess Guard, the powerful staff she'd found in the temple. She wouldn't need it any longer where she was going. The monsters that lived and roamed in the mountains left her alone, but whether that was the planet's doing or Sephiroth's or both, she couldn't be sure. She made her way carefully up the winding trail, knowing where to go. All of her doubts about the path she had to walk, all the struggles and regrets she'd endured on the way, fell from her with every step she took. Now she was like the arrow fired from the bow. Straight, unwavering, and true.

As she reached the top of the pass a few hours later, Aerith paused, her eyes on the valley below. Nestled within it lay her destination. The Forgotten City. The homeland of the Cetra. On the surface, it was only a seemingly simple village of huts shaped like giant spiraling shells. But underground lay the true city, the crystal palace of the Ancients. And it was there that she had to go. It called to her.

A path made of giant, calcified seashells descended down from the top of the pass into another patch of woods, their trunks glowing a soft white like those of the Sleeping Forest. The village lay within them, and Aerith moved silently through the trees until she came to the wide lake that lay at its center. Its cold blue waters were broad, deep, and still. She paused at the shore for a moment, her green eyes looking up at the tall, towering conch shell that stood on the far side, its long spokes sticking out all along its thick, spiraling bulk. The unusual and elegant building and what lay waiting within it was her goal.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Aerith moved on, following the shore around until she came to the shell. Then she went inside and made her way around the curving halls until she reached the barrier. A gesture and a moment of concentration, and it faded, revealing the top of the long, winding crystal staircase that led to the hidden city below. As Aerith made her way down, she willed the energy barrier back into place, an illusion sealing the path behind her until the time came for it to open again. Once when Cloud and the others arrived, and again one more time in the years ahead, for her successor.

At the bottom, almost a thousand feet below ground, Aerith finally reached the city itself. She knew where to go, and after passing silently through winding marble streets along rows of curved, empty buildings and slender towers with pointed windows, she finally reached another, shorter set of stairs and followed them down to the bottom level. Here, she could see more clearly the vast subterranean lake the city was built on, its streets supported by strong pillars that rose up from the depths. And in the center, on a solitary platform above the water, was the altar. Light shone down from above, illuminating it.

Aerith gazed at it for a moment, gathering herself before going on. She knew what lay ahead of her, what she had to do. She didn't want to die. But there was no other way. She had to save her friends and restore balance to the planet and its cycle of life and death. Although she could have unlocked the power to call Holy back in Fort Condor—the mako fountain where Phoenix resided was a sacred place, and her call would have reached the planet from there just as well as here—preserving her own life would have cost Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge theirs. Their original fates would have claimed them to restore the balance.

The thought of her friends, Edwyn, and Zack gave Aerith courage, and with her resolve strengthened, she climbed the short columns that rose up from the water to the central platform, made her way up a final short set of stairs, and came at last to the altar. It was round and marble surrounded by a short railing and three slender, curving arms reaching above her to a smaller, clear dome just overhead.

After kneeling at the far end facing the stairs, Aerith reached back between the petals of her pink bow and loosened the pocket where she kept the white materia. It would fall when she did. She couldn't allow it to be taken by Sephiroth and corrupted. And it would be needed again one day. Only her successor would know how to retrieve it and awaken its power. Until then, it would wait in the depths.

Ready now, Aerith clasped her hands and prayed, her thoughts on the planet and what she had to do. And as she did, she felt its presence in her mind, soft and powerful, ready to do what was needed. And she saw glimpses of things to come, flashes of insight from the planet. Her life was almost over, but her role as a guardian wasn't. She understood, knowing some of what was to be, and accepted it.

After a while, as she continued kneeling at the altar, Aerith realized she wasn't alone. But it wasn't Sephiroth. He wouldn't arrive until later. No, this was someone else. But not unexpected, not with all the planet had just shown her. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her hands still clasped in front of her, and looked up at the newcomer.

"I've been expecting you," she said.

The woman before her said nothing at first. She simply stood there in front of the stairs, hooded and cloaked all in black, her long hair like midnight that had been spun into silk as it spilled down her chest. Her skin was a pasty gray, almost white, as if all the color had been drained out of it long ago, and her face was young but also somehow old, a face frozen in time. Although her eyes were hidden within the depths of her hood, Aerith could still feel the weight of her gaze.

The rest of the woman's outfit was also black as pitch, all of it made from some soft, velvety material that the light seemed to slide off of. A slender, slightly curved sword hung on each hip, the hilt fashioned into the shape of a black serpent with the blade issuing from out of its gaping jaws. And around her, the light had grown dim, as if her very presence could snuff it out. Aerith hadn't heard her arrive, but there were plenty of shadows in this place, and she suspected that the woman was skilled at using them to go where she wished, silent and swift as a wraith. And had been doing so for a very, very long time.

Finally, the woman in black spoke, her voice soft, crisply accented, and hard, like steel wrapped in velvet. "And I you."

"I had to come," Aerith replied.

"As did I," the woman murmured. "All will be as it should."

Aerith shook her head. "History isn't for you to decide. We'll make our own path soon enough and be free of you."

A soft hissing filled the air then, and she shivered as a small snake, its scales and eyes jet black, slithered out from the woman's sleeve and coiled itself upon her gloved hand. The serpent was maybe a foot long, no thicker than Aerith's thumb, and gazed coldly at her as it rested atop the woman's outstretched palm. Its forked tongue shot in and out of its mouth between sharp, curved fangs dripping with venom, and there in its dark eyes, Aerith saw a malevolence and intelligence that chilled her blood. This was no animal. This was something else.

"I have walked this planet for an age," the woman whispered. "And in all that time, history has been mine to weave. That shall not change, not now when what I long for is so close."

With all that she'd learned from the planet, Aerith felt for her. "You can still turn back, you know. It's not too late. You've cheated death for thousands of years to find him. You love him that much. But his soul is beyond your reach. It always was. Let him go."

The woman looked away for a moment. "I cannot. Not now, when the time is so near. I will bring him back."

"Why did you come here?" Aerith wondered.

The woman's hidden, impenetrable gaze found her once more. "To be certain you did. What must be, will be."

"You need Sephiroth out of the way as much as we do," Aerith said, understanding. "And you know my friends will take him down. You're not one to act directly unless you have to, aren't you?"

"No," the woman agreed.

Aerith went on. "It won't make any difference, though. Not for you. The one who'll come after me… she'll stop you."

The woman gently stroked the serpent's head. "We shall see."

Then, after letting the snake slither back into her sleeve, she faded away amidst a shadowy swirl of dark energy with barely a sound, just a faint whisper of wind. Once she was gone, the light grew brighter again and shone down from above as it had before. Aerith's eyes lingered for a moment on the place where the woman in black had stood, then she slowly slid them closed again and quietly returned to her prayers, more determined than ever to do what she had to do.

It wouldn't be much longer now. She could sense him approaching, his dark imprint making its way through the city far above. Sephiroth. And not so far behind him, Cloud, Jessie, and the others. A promise to keep. One life to save and one to lose. Aerith felt a sense of peace come over her, a calm she'd never felt before, and felt the white materia grow warm. The planet had answered her call. Now all that remained was to wait for the end. And she was finally ready for it.

As she knelt there, Aerith laid her hand over her chest pocket for a moment, the one with the brooch Edwyn had given her. A small smile crossed her face as she thought about him and understood at last. Zack had wanted that for her. He had wanted her to have some happiness in the time she had left and had brought Edwyn to her. The journey with the others had taken her to Fort Condor, but Zack had quietly nudged him into noticing Aerith while they were there and caring for her as he did. The realization filled her with joy, giving her strength and resolve. And as she waited patiently for what was to come, she let the memories of her friends, Zack, and Edwyn fill her heart.

When the end finally came, she was smiling.