Chapter Thirty-One: "This Is My Prayer"

Aeris stood at the outside of the town, watching the activity going on. The townspeople busied themselves with their tasks—buying, selling, chatting, or simply enjoying the cool spring breeze. They were happy, unaware of the catastrophe that awaited, buried in the center of the earth. Its power had no control over their dreams, their ambitions, and their happiness. Rarely did she see such life.

I can’t let Sephiroth win. I’m sorry Cloud. She turned away from the scene. Thank you for helping me find my Promised Land.

Someone tapped her shoulder, and she jumped in surprise. "Crono!" she hissed, catching her breath. "What are you dong here?"

His face was very serious, and he held out a green spell materia. He waited patiently until she’d casted the spell, already knowing what it was. "Better talk quick," she said brightly, hoping he hadn’t caught onto her plan, but certain that he had. "There’s lots to do."

Crono rubbed his throat, coughed a bit, and finally said, "You’re going alone."

Aeris sighed. "So, you did figure it out."

"I could tell. You’re good at secrets, but I knew." He took a deep breath. "I’m coming too."

"You’re—what?"

Crono showed her a handful of colorful spheres. "I can protect you. I held Sephiroth for five years. I held his guys off. I…want to protect something again." His green eyes flickered about. "I can’t protect Nadia from here, on my own. If I protect you, I’m protecting her too."

"Crono, it’s not that simple. I…" I don’t think I’ll come back… But she couldn’t tell him that. "I’ve got to do this alone. Stay here with Nadia. I’ll be okay."

He shook his head. "No, Aeris. I won’t let you. Let’s just say…" He considered. "…the planet told me so. And, if you don’t let me come, I’ll go tell everyone and we’ll all follow you anyway."

She made a mockingly angry face even as her concern was real. She bit her lip and tried to think of a counter-argument. His eyes were firm, however, and despite her pleading look he stood unfaltering. "I can’t ask you to go," she said quietly.

"I know." He understood what was happening well enough. "For Nadia."

"For everyone." She smiled grimly. "We’ll, let’s get going. It’s a long way."

When Cloud awoke, he felt cold. Something had happened and it frightened him, because he was alone. Actually, he wasn’t; Celes was in the room with him, watching him calmly. When she saw his eyes on her she stepped forward and laid a hand on his forehead. His flesh tingled with the power that was inside her. "You’re awake."

"So are you." His mind was clouded and unsure, but one thing he knew: this woman was now more important than anything else. He began to understand. They were two with the same destiny; he could tell. Protecting her was his purpose now.

"The Ancient has gone," Celes said. "She is going to stop Sephiroth. He has called for us."

Cloud nodded. "He told me to meet him there."

Her ice eyes swelled brilliantly. "Then we’ll go."

"Tifa."

She hadn’t moved from her space in the corner, even as she was cramped and everyone else had gone to search for a late breakfast. Her stomach had not yet calmed to the idea of food.

"Hey."

She lifted her head slowly, almost fearfully, recognizing the low voice. Sabin was squatting in front of her; a bandage was tied tightly around his head, and she could tell by his face that it hurt a great deal. She sympathized. "Hey," she replied weakly.

His expression was soft, much more kind than it should have been. She wished he could have been angry, or cruel, but she knew better. He would never. "We should talk," he said, very calmly, undermining the gravity of their situation. "Are you okay?"

Tifa shook her head. "No, not really. I…" She sighed. "I don’t know what to say, Sabin. I can’t explain it."

"You don’t have to. I understand." He inhaled deeply, then let the breath go. "Last night was…well, it was a mistake. We were both drunk and it shouldn’t have happened. It was my fault for taking advantage of you."

She bit her lip and looked away, not wanting to see in the pain in his eyes at having said those words. "You’re just saying that to make me feel better," she whispered. "But it won’t fix anything."

"I know." Another deep breath, filled with childish uncertainty. "We’ll work it out, Tifa. Some day we’ll talk, and settle it. I won’t let you go until I do." His hand touched the one on her knee, not quite taking it, as if hoping she would take that chance and hold his. "You know that. But now I’ve got something to tell you, and it’s not easy. You won’t like it."

Tifa watched him carefully, feeling even wearier. "What is it?"

"Cloud’s gone." At last Sabin’s hand curled around hers for comfort. "Cloud, Aeris, Glenn, Celes, and Crono are all gone. We’ve been looking for an hour. Lucca thinks they might have gone to the Promised Land."

Tifa held her breath, shaken by the news. "B…but why?"

He shook his head. "Don’t know. Actually, I wasn’t surprised. Only Crono puzzles me."

"Yes…"

Sabin climbed to his feet, carefully pulling her with him. "We’re going after them. Now. Cid’s already contacted friends in Rocket Town, and we’ll meet them in Porre—they’ll have a plane for us. It’s a long trip, though. Maybe five days."

Tifa nodded, accepting. "Alright."

"Come on; once you get fixed up we’ll be on our way."

Rufus mulled over the suggestion Shin-ra’s leading scientist had just given him. "That’s a lot to ask for," he said coldly. "Especially when I have only your hunch to trust."

"My ‘hunches’ are based on certainty, and have been correct numerous times in the past," Hojo replied pointedly, smiling that same thin, faintly sadistic smile. "Did I not predict the Reunion years before its coming? I assure you, Mr. President, I am quite knowledged in my field."

"Granted, but that isn’t the issue at hand." Again he considered. "We can’t afford any wild goose chases."

"Of course."

Scarlet entered, moving smoothly to the President’s desk. "The Turks just reported in," she informed. "They’ve spotted some activity. Seems as if Cloud’s group is heading north."

Hojo’s eyebrow peaked triumphantly, and Rufus scowled. "Alert Captain Highwind that we’ll be leaving soon for the Northern Crater. I want to be off the ground in less than two hours, fully supplied."

"Yes, sir."

He turned to Hojo again. "You’d better be right about this, Professor," he said darkly. "I’ve put a lot of faith in you so far and I still don’t have what I want. This had better be it."

"Oh, it will be," the old man assured with a crooked grin. "Everything will work out perfectly."

The water slapped against Aeris’s boots as she ran, only to be deflected into waves radiating from her passing. She’d imagined doing this ever since hearing Glenn’s story of his trip with Kefka over the ocean. She’d wondered if she could do it, too. So far the trip had gone much more smoothly than she’d anticipated; the earth itself guided and protected her path, and the crystal waters stretched out calmly far ahead like a layer of stained glass. By holding Crono’s gloved hand she was able to give him steps above the water as well. She could not have asked for a more convenient travel companion; he never complained, obviously, and his body had learned through his five year experience to live on strength-regenerating potions rather than food that was difficult to carry over the distance their trip required. Even more amazing was that the planet itself seemed to recognize him as well, and treated him with respect just as it treated Aeris.

They’re following us. Early on Aeris had become aware of a trio following the same path as them, pursuing. Even without the guiding hand of the earth to aid them their progress was quick and steady. She already knew who it was, and when reminded of it she was forced to run faster.

Just as Lucca had predicted, it took five days of exhausting travel to reach Bone Village in the far north; several times they switched vehicles. During the tip each had settled into their own shelled mood and refused to speak to the others. Only Lucca made an effort with Cid’s mild help to keep them together, which failed more often than not. Sabin and Tifa avoided each other at all costs. Nadia and Locke were both upset at having been abandoned by their friends. Cait Sith, insisting that his human counterpart had important business, allowed his body to be shut down and packed in storage during the long journey. His absence of humor caused the group to suffer greatly.

It was late evening in the small village, but there were still many people out and about, working to the light of candles. The town had actually been built around an archeological site, which had been under excavation for the past several years. A profession had become a home for these people, and their dedication showed. They eagerly volunteered the information that several people had passed through recently. "One was an Ancient," one of the workers said excitedly. "I could tell. We wanted her to stay and answer some questions, but she kept going—into the Sleeping Forest!"

"Sleeping Forest?" Lucca repeated. "What do you mean?"

He pointed to a line of trees at the far end of the encampment. "It’s been sealed off for centuries, but she walked right through! We were amazed—it never lets anyone through. Everyone’s working full time now to try and learn how to open it." His eyes gleamed. "We think there’s a city in there."

"Have you found anything?"

"Not yet."

Tifa moved slowly to the edge of the camp. The trees there were strange: the bark was smooth and white, and the trunks were pressed tightly together so that nothing could get through. There were no branches for climbing, and the height towered over them, casting enormous shadows. There wasn’t any way through that she could see. She gingerly laid her hand on the trunk of one tree, and a strange sensation came over her, as if her entire body had been alerted to a distant voice. "Please," she heard herself saying. "Let me through so I can find him."

The tree quivered, and very slowly began to bend. Those that surrounded it also moved, forming a path through the densely packed woods, like a tunnel leading into shadows. The end could not be seen.

Everyone looked up, and the many scientists leapt to their feet and rushed over. Tifa signaled them back, pointing to several broken trees that were entangled in the crude tunnel wall. "The forest has to let you through," she explained softly, not knowing where the knowledge came from. "Cloud forced his way through, but it might not let you. The trees would crush you."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me." Wary but determined Tifa stepped onto the path and started through. "Only come through if you have a real reason to."

Several of the diggers stepped forward, but Sabin blocked their way. "It’ll be dangerous in there. You’ll all have your chance later, I promise." He carefully extended his hand, but the trees began to quiver, and he drew back. "Looks like I’m not going through."

"Tifa, wait!" Lucca shouted. She tried to follow, but was also rejected. "Don’t go alone!"

"Then hurry," she called back. "They weren’t that far ahead of us—we can make it if we go quickly."

After some experimenting they discovered that only Tifa, Nadia, and Locke were going to be let inside. The rest were forced to wait—grudgingly—behind. "We’ll take the plane over," Cid told the trio, "and meet you on the other side. There’s a town up there, I think. Be careful."

Tifa nodded. "You too." The three continued down the path, and to the scientists’ dismay, the trees closed behind them.

The forest didn’t go on for very long, and soon opened into a vast city unlike anything the three had ever witnessed before. The entire edge was guarded by the impenetrable forest wall, and in the center of the enormous clearing stood a tree hundreds of feet tall and seemingly made of clear glass. It was Locke who realized first that it was not that, but ice. The branches spread out from the center building like the gentle strands of a maiden’s hair stretching to cover the city in a softly glowing canopy of crystalline water. The buildings themselves were made from trees and sea shells—gigantic sea shells, some almost twenty feet tall, and the lavender-pearl light reflected brilliantly off their curves. The entire city glowed. They were awestruck.

It was a sleeping paradise.

"They were clever," Celes mused, reaching her hand into what appeared to be a cylindrical sheet of ice in the center of the city’s largest and most elaborate building. Her hand passed through it as it would though empty space. "An illusion. The true city lies below."

Cloud nodded, and beside them, Glenn watched apprehensively. Now was his only chance. He’d felt the cries of ghosts haunting him ever since they left Cosmo Canyon, screaming, begging him to end it by ending a life. He’d held back out of faith, and a hope he harbored for this women that he didn’t usually because of his cautious nature. But the time had come; the Masamune burned in his grip. "General," he said calmly.

She didn’t look at him. "So, you’re finally going to do it. You think you’ll kill me." With her back still turned to him she spread her arms. "Go on. Try it. Get revenge for your friend."

Glenn ground his teeth. Don’t think, he commanded himself firmly. She isn’t Celes anymore, just as Jenova wasn’t a woman. She’ll destroy you for your compassion. Kill her. Kill her and be done with it all.

"Don’t hesitate," her voice spoke sharply. "Do it."

Finally he charged, allowing the age-bred wisdom and power of this place to guide his strength. With inhuman speed Celes dodged to the side, and her black Rune Blade tasted the flesh of his arm. He didn’t curse but retaliated against the blow, slowly losing his mind in the battle. He gave his mind up to his blood, swore himself to the cause as he had a dozen times before. But the confines of the house were too limiting, and Celes quickly retreated into the open space outside: a grove of thick tree roots—those of the ice canopy—surrounding the shell structure and a lake of pure liquid. Focusing only on her, the hunter followed, leaving Cloud alone.

Cloud suddenly didn’t know where he was. His own mind began to return, taking in the strange surroundings. He was alone with only the chill of the place to accompany him, and frost bit at his hairs, straightening them. After several moments of confusion he remembered: Aeris. She’d run away, and he’d come to find her.

He stepped into the ice illusion, and discovered…

Empty space, endless and untouchable, surrounded the tiny square he occupied, and leading down from that led a twisted staircase. Before he started Cloud paused to see where the seemingly hundreds of glowing steps ended, and the sight stole his breath away in an instant.

The hidden city was even more gorgeous than its top-side counterpart. Like a blazing white star it stood out among the folds of velvet night in bright splendor far greater than any of Midgar’s displays—even greater than the shimmering backdrop of Gold Saucer. A feeling of great power washed over him, perfectly tangible and warm like a summer wind. He welcomed the sensation through all his pores but would not revel in it, for within the sweet air was contained a bitter presence. One saturated with fear.

He descended the stairs to the city; the inside was even more splendid, filled with soft lights and crystals that reflected every aspect of them. The buildings were sparse and ornately decorated. Near the center of a deep pond was a circular structure, like a shrine of some sort, surrounded by tall columns. Leading up to it were several cylindrical-shaped steps rising out of the water. Within the shrine, one bathed in silver radiance, were two figures.

Cloud made his way to the enclosed platform, and a strange feeling entered his stomach. Aeris was there, kneeling in prayer, and before her sat Crono. He looked as he had the first time they’d met—breathing chants over several green spheres. When Cloud tried to approach he was struck by an invisible wall—a magical barrier. He ran his hands over its surface, searching for a weakness but finding none. As he continued to investigate Crono’s eyes slid open.

Cloud placed his hand flat against the barrier, concentrating his power, but in this holy place his strength refused to work in full. He scowled, pounding his fist against the wall. It wouldn’t give way. Again he tried to conjure a spell attack.

In one smooth movement Crono slipped his materia into a pouch strapped to his chest and drew his sword, attacking the older man. His blade swept empty air. Cloud retaliated with a blast of fierce magic, but the youth stood still, absorbing the wasted effort. His green eyes shimmered.

Glenn was losing badly. He knew that Celes’s power, aided by Jenova, would far exceed that of any normal SOLDIER of any class, but he hadn’t prepared for this. The exercise was beginning to pull at the tender flesh of his abdomen, and in fighting the general he took particular care to guard that area from her blows. Fortunately her magic had no affect on him due the Cetra’s protection, but that had no remedy for her blade. Despite the hastened healing of his body he was bleeding severely in four places.

"Pathetic," Celes hissed, her own ice orbs glazed in satisfaction of his pain. She attacked again.

Aeris resisted the temptation to open her eyes. She knew something was happening, as she could hear the scuffle of a fight, but she dared not disrupt her concentration. The spell she was casting was complicated, and if she allowed her emotions to interfere it would be disastrous. She bit her lip. This is my prayer, her heart whispered. Please, great Mother. Save yourself from those that would hurt you. Purify us. Her hands tightened around each other. Cloud…

Cloud hissed curses under his breath, being careful not to lose his balance on the edge of the marble platform. Again Crono’s sword came close to impaling him, and again he moved out of reach. It was like a dance they were performing without an audience; Aeris’s face, though strained from listening to their struggle, refused to lift from her prayers.

Crono tightened his hands around the sword handle, locked in a stare-down with his foe. He gasped for breath. If only he held on a bit longer…

Aeris stopped praying, and finally raised her head. She was surrounded by a beautiful, heavenly glow, like tiny white fireflies leaping from her hair and skin. She smiled.

She’s done. Then it’ll be all right. Nadia…she’ll be all right. Crono smiled. She’ll be okay.

His barriers began to fade.

Cloud felt the power draining from his opponent.

He swung his own weapon.

No cry of pain could be heard; Crono’s silence was his only comfort, knowing as he felt the sickening rip of flesh in his gut that he would grant his enemy no satisfaction with a defeated scream. But tears leaked from his eyes and spread their agony across his flushed cheeks, and his face was one of startlement at the swift attack. He felt no shame as his body collapsed to the cold stone, for he knew he had accomplished something great, and his past suffering had not been in vain. Only peace awaited him now.

Cloud wrenched his sword out of the boy’s body, and again his mind lost its sense. He didn’t know where he was or how he had come to be there. He was filled with fear he couldn’t understand, and a deathly premonition. His eyes landed on Aeris. She was watching him silently, her face twisting in a strange expression. His spirit leapt for her, needed to be comforted by her as it had always been. He wanted her near him. With jubilation at having found her he pulled the woman to her feet and embraced her fiercely. Her body stiffened against his with a swift intake of breath; her fingers curled around the folds in his shirt, gripping tightly. "I found you," Cloud whispered, detached from reality as he reveled in the warmth of her sweet aura. "Aeris, I found you."

Aeris’s breath was quick and harsh against his cheek, unnaturally so, and she shuddered. Even then the realization came to him only when the warmth he’d thought to be her spirit dripped down his arm, creating tiny scarlet puddles on the perfect floor. Her body began to slip, and fear filled his heart as he pulled back to see what he’d done. A voice rang in his ear, the tone of approval sickening him. Good job, Cloud.

Now Cloud was slipping. His legs buckled, and the cool marble struck him hard. Aeris likewise collapsed, blood leaking from the wound he had unknowingly gouged in her heart with his blade. His mind numbed, watching her ragged breath, and the violent tremble in her hands. He didn’t believe what was happening, even as he saw it plainly. He began to shake just as badly as she. "No…" he whispered, crawling awkwardly to her side. "No, I didn’t …I couldn’t have…" He pulled her weak form into his arms, like he had held the tiny chocobo only days earlier. She was just as delicate. "Aeris…you can’t die. You…I…"

Her eyes lifted to him, and though they were full of pain they were also soft and reassuring. Her lips parted—she wanted to speak, but all she could manage was thick, rasping breath. Realizing it was useless she merely laid her head on his arm, accepting the torment of the wound. She hugged close to him, searching for the heat that had departed from her limbs and left them numb. She shuddered. As one last contented sigh escaped her lips she tried to pull herself closer to him. Then she lay still.

Cloud stared down at the body, and felt a brush of a warm breeze caress his cheek, like that of a set of gentle fingers hoping to provide one last act of kindness. An angel had touched him; he knew. The pain came swiftly upon him, strongest most within his ribs and the spots of hot crimson on his clothing and hands. Despair burned in his eyes and down his twisted face. His mouth became dry, and he couldn’t speak through the trembling of his lips. It was too much to bear.

He broke down. Utterly defeated he clutched the now lifeless body to him, hoping to bring her back through shear will; or else, to offer his own pathetic existence in exchange. "Aeris… Aeris…" Her name repeated itself over and over in his sobs, until his voice became too choked to utter a word.

Crono rolled onto his stomach. He was still alive, and had watched the terrible scene. And as he continued to watch something happened: Aeris’s hair ribbon worked itself loose, and a glowing white sphere dropped lightly onto the floor with a soft thud. It began to roll toward the edge of the shrine.

"Ma…" Crono reached his hand out, and though the escaping ball was several feet away he imagined a moment that he could capture it. If only Cloud realized… "Clo…loo…"

Someone climbed up the cylinder stairs leading to the shrine. She stood over him, and her sword cut easily through the youth’s back. He struggled to hold on, just a moment longer…maybe he could stay just long enough to see Nadia once more. Because if he could see and speak to her once more, he…

…he would tell her…

Glenn led the other three across the city and to the shrine, cursing himself for having let the general slip away during their battle. He knew immediately that his mistake had been a fatal one. They ran, each praying in their minds, up the steps.

"You’re too late," Celes said coldly. She was standing at the edge of the structure, Crono’s body prone at her feet. She pulled her blade from his back. "It’s over."

Nadia shrieked as she finally was able to see the boy that lay silently in his own blood. "Crono—no… No, no no…" She bent over him, pale and crying. "No…"

Cloud raised his head, drawn by their commotion. Tifa’s gaze was the first one he met: it was a look of horror. "Tifa, I…" He took in the scene as if for the first time—the two corpses, and their blood on his hands. "I…"

"Cloud killed them," Celes said matter-of-factly. "Both of them. On purpose."

He was about to defend himself, but never got the chance. Glenn forced his way onto the platform. His hand curled around the younger man’s throat, lifting him to his feet only to strike him in the face. Cloud was thrown violently against the rail but he didn’t resist, because he knew he deserved any punishment he was given. The pain never reached him anyway, as his mind no longer accepted any form of stimulus from the outside world. Glenn beat him again and again with his fists; he did not protest.

"Glenn, stop it!" Tifa and Locke tried to restrain him, but their strength wasn’t enough. After watching for a while Celes stepped forward and threw the SOLDIER Hunter back. She knelt at Cloud’s side.

But Glenn wouldn’t give up as easily as that. His anger exploded, and in rage he brandished his sword and charged at the demon pair. Celes didn’t even have to turn—a wave of her hand felled him once more, and his stomach burned with pain. This time the others were able to hold him down despite his struggling and curses; he soon surrendered his strength. "Damn you all," he hissed, pressing his forehead to against the bloodstained floor. His body trembled. "How could I have let this happen…?"

Locke climbed slowly to his feet, watching the general’s turned back. "Celes," he said quietly, "what exactly is going on? Aeris and Crono…" He hadn’t known either long, but their deaths still affected him in the form of heated tears. "Please tell me."

She glanced at him over her shoulder, then stood. "They were in my way," she stated coldly. "Their fate is because of their own foolishness."

"Celes, how can you—"

"That’s not Celes," Glenn muttered, raising his head. "She’s not even human anymore. The parasite cells in her have taken over."

"Shut up," Locke snapped back.

"As interesting as this all is," Celes broke in, "there are some things I have to do." She strode past them, as none moved to stop her, and started to descend the steps. "I’m sure you’ll take care of Cloud for me."

Locke started after her. "Celes—wait—" He snatched her hand, and felt the strange tingle he remembered from before. "Don’t go. There’s got to be some of you left—isn’t there? I’m not going to let you go like this."

Celes stopped and stared down at his hand indifferently. Her eyes slid lazily to his face, after careful scrutiny adding a satisfied smile to her lips. "So that’s it," she said thoughtfully, as if having just discovered some great secret. "I see. You’ve fallen in love with me, haven’t you?" She chuckled as his body stiffened. "That’s it. Don’t waste that kind of pathetic sentimentality on me." She tore her hand free and continued down the steps. "Everything you love you betray."

He stared at her turned back, biting his lip as several bloodied images flashed through his sight. Despite the hurt he followed. "Wait!" Glenn called after him. "Locke, don’t waste your time. You can’t help her."

"Leave me the hell alone!" Locke shouted, his gray eyes blazing. "You’re not going to ruin my life again. You…" His fists clenched. "You couldn’t even tell me I was wasting my time, that you’d already destroyed it all. You know what? F*** you." Scowling he followed Celes down the stairs and toward the city’s exit. Glenn watched him go, taking a deep breath. He lowered his head.

During all this Cloud had dragged himself back to Aeris’s body. His hand sought her soft skin, but through his gloves the sensation never reached him. He pulled her close to him, even knowing it was too late to save her. He had killed her. No…Sephiroth had killed her, taking advantage of him. It wasn’t fair. He hadn’t wanted to abandon Tifa, but he had—had for this woman who was willing to return his affection and share his pain. No deals applied. He had broken that ancient bond, hadn’t he? He didn’t have to harbor Sephiroth’s spirit anymore, so why was it he was still manipulated and used? Why…

"What should we do?" Tifa asked quietly to no one. She suddenly found herself wishing that Sabin was there to help take charge, and she quickly forced the idea out of her mind. "Without Aeris…"

Her legs folded, and without warning she had dropped to her knees. Something wet touched her cheek, and when her fingertips investigated she found they were stained with clear tears. She didn’t understand. Aeris was an enemy to her, the only thing that kept her and Cloud apart, so why should she cry? They hadn’t been good friends, even if they were travel partners…they… they were…

She covered her face with her hands and cried.

"Celes!" Locke caught up with her at the base of the city’s exiting stairway. "Wait—let me come with you."

She turned to face him, and mocking laughter echoed from her throat. "Come with me?" she repeated. "What a charming idea. Follow me straight to hell, why don’t you?" She laughed some more. "I know what you’re doing, but it won’t bring Rachael back."

"I’m not trying to save Rachael!" he cried, wishing he knew some way to reach her. "I’m here for you, Celes."

"Oh? Then you won’t need this." She reached down the front of her SOLDIER garb and removed a small red sphere, holding it out on her flat palm. She dropped it lightly into his hands. "There. Think of it as payment for saving my life."

Locke stared down at the ball, speechless. His fingers trembled around it as if it would burn his skin. It was far less grand than he imagined—simple, imperfect. He found it difficult to believe that all his hopes were locked inside something so ordinary.

"I found it in this city," she told him easily, unaffected by the pure shock in the man. "The Phoenix of the Ancients, whose power is said to be able to raise the dead. Your quest is over, Mr. Cole."

He licked his lips, trying to overcome his own fluttering heart. "Why?" That was all he could manage.

"I told you—payment." Celes’s eyes lost his gaze for a moment, and during that short span he could have sworn he’d seen a presence that wasn’t Jenova’s. "I hope you’re happy, now. You can quit this pointless journey."

"I’m not going anywhere." His hand tightened around the materia before he slipped it into his pocket. "Not until this is over, and you’re back to normal."

Her laughter was filled with scorn. "I’m so sure. Fine. I’ll go with your group then, if that pleases you. I only hope you know what you’re dealing with."

"I believe I do."

"Locke!" It was Tifa; she was carrying Nadia on her back, who’d fainted out of shock. Glenn followed with Crono’s body, and lagging behind was Cloud with Aeris. They approached hesitantly. "Are you all right?"

"Celes is coming with us," he said, his eyes hot and angry, silencing any complaint from Glenn. "You won’t have to worry about her—I will."

Tifa nodded, in no mood to resist. The group marched wearily up the stairs and into the grove of trees, where they stopped to rest. Glenn pulled Tifa aside to talk. "We’ll have to get rid of the bodies," he said in a low voice. "We can’t very well carry them with us the whole way."

"I know." She rubbed her eyes, desperately wishing she could escape this place and these people. She wanted to run far away. "But we can’t just leave them here. It doesn’t feel right."

"Yes."

Cloud overheard them, and stared down at the woman’s body in his arms. His eyes drifted to the glittering blue lake that lay behind them. With weary movement he hoisted Aeris’s body over his shoulder, then moved to take Crono’s, ignoring curious stares from the rest. He strode silently and purposefully into the cool water—it stung his skin. When it rose to his waist he came to a steep drop-off, and his toes hung over the edge, overlooking the dark abyss that lay below. Being careful not to drop his other burden he carefully lowered Crono into the pristine liquid. The water accepted and cleansed his body, swallowing it into the depth of blue.

"He died for us," a voice came—Nadia’s, who had joined him silently. Her limbs were stiff, and though standing next to this man caused the hair on her neck to bristle out of fear and hatred, she held her emotions in. "What was he doing here? Why did he leave with her?"

"I don’t know," Cloud admitted, slowly pulling Aeris off his back. With on arm he supported her body while the other moved to pull gentle waves over her, erasing the bloodstains. He was only mildly surprised by how quickly they disappeared. "But you’re right—they did it for us." He gazed at her sadly. "I’m sorry, Nadia. I couldn’t…"

She shook her head. "Don’t speak to me, Cloud. I won’t hate you, but I can’t forgive you, either." She reached out and squeezed the dead woman’s hand. "Good luck, Aeris."

He sighed, and let the body go, so that it slowly began to sink, carried away by the ancient power. He watched until her figure was only a dark silhouette against an even darker depth, and then vanished. "I won’t let Sephiroth win," he murmured, fists clenching at his sides. "If he wants my mind and life—fine, he can have it."

Nadia stared at him. "Cloud?"

His blue eyes, deeper and more brilliant than the water that surrounded them, locked on hers. "I finally know what happened to me," he told her quietly, so that only she could hear. "I’ve been holding Sephiroth’s soul as a part of a deal we once made. I’ll explain it better sometime."

She took a deep breath. "Why are you telling this to me?"

"Because I trust you."

"I don’t trust you."

"I know." Cloud sighed. "I know you don’t, but I have to tell someone." He glanced out the corner of his eye and saw Tifa watching them, concerned as she couldn’t hear what they were saying. "Now that deal’s been broken, but I still have him here, inside me. He can do whatever he wants in his own body, but his life is inside mine because he knows I’m not strong enough to do anything about it. I want you to kill me."

"What?" Nadia glared at him. "What are you…"

The muscles in his jaw tightened in determination. "It doesn’t matter who does it now," he continued. "We both know Tifa’s not strong enough, and Sephiroth won’t let me do it myself. So please." His eyes were pleading. "Kill me, and you’ll kill him."

Tifa waded into the pool with them. "What’s going on?" she asked. "You guys okay?"

Cloud nodded, but Nadia realized that she had to be more realistic. She inhaled deeply and turned to Cloud. "You really loved Aeris, didn’t you?"

He froze, unable to help risking a glance at Tifa. He straightened and answered, "Yeah. I did."

"Then you know why I can’t. For Aeris’s sake, I won’t." She turned and made her way back to shore, and a moment later Cloud followed with his head down. Glenn advised them to dry off quickly, as the land outside the city would be in fierce winter. They did their best in drying out their clothes.

Just as they were preparing to leave, Nadia paused. Her eyes drifted over the grove, scanning each tree and every particle of shimmering water. Her face had grown pale suddenly, and as if in a dream she strode over to the line of tall white trees. She placed her palm on their cool bark.

"Nadia?" Tifa watched her with alarm. "Are you all right?"

She nodded barely. "I can hear it," she whispered, closing her eyes. She imagined that Aeris was beside her, giggling, her green eyes shining luminously in the light of an early dawn. The soft voice brushed against her mind, stirring an understand she hadn’t felt before. "I wasn’t even trying to hear, but I can. She was right."

"Nadia?"

"It’s okay." She opened her eyes once more; they were lonely in their shade. "I’ll be…okay. Let’s keep going. Aeris and Crono…they want us to keep going."

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