Chapter Text
The revving of a motorcycle echoes throughout the metallic abandoned wasteland of Midgar, in what was once Sector 5. Cloud maneuvers around the area, cursing under his breath as he runs over a piece of scrap metal, jittering and bouncing his motorcycle. Of course, where else was he off to, than the Sector 5 church. A building damaged, broken, yet it stood on. Resilient, like the yellow flowers still blooming within.
The place where he had met her officially. Aerith.
It had now become a sort of unofficial resting place for her, besides the Forgotten City. Cloud had been driving to the church, as the anniversary of her death was coming up. He needed some space and quiet to honor her. He didn’t blame himself for her death, not anymore. That didn’t mean he hadn’t missed her. Of course he did.
Cloud missed Aerith, almost every day. There were times where he stopped and could only stare at items that reminded him of her. Places, objects, foods, things he wished he could show her. There’s times where he swears he can hear her laugh, or smell the scent of flowers when none are nearby. Deep down, Cloud still yearned for a way he could’ve saved her.
Cloud parks near the entrance, turning the keys and hopping off his motorcycle. He gives a smile, beginning to make his way in. In a way, he can still feel Aerith’s presence here. A warm, inviting one.
He pushes the doors open, nudging a little harder this time around. Sliding in, his eyes first go to the holes remaining in the ceiling. A remnant of the past, fond memories trickling into his mind like a lazy river.
“Helloooo?” Her voice hummed, bringing him back into consciousness. “You okay..?”
His eyes move towards the flower bed. As always, they’re here. Blooming, golden yellow lilies.
“They say you can’t grow flowers here in Midgar, yet they have no trouble blooming here…”
“And they still stand here,” Cloud finds himself speaking out loud, to nobody. He makes his way over towards the pile, to tend to them. However, something moves. It catches his eye, and he turns his head for the source.
Cloud stiffens up, face going pale.
What? What? What?
There, in the lilies, laid a woman. A woman with flowy brown hair, sprawled out behind her, laying over the flowers. Her eyes closed, but they held the color of green. Her dress, pink and reaching the ends of her legs. She had no socks or shoes on, and she was lying on her back. Her arms resting under her head. She hadn’t made a sound, but her chest rose and fell in gentle breaths. Living, breathing.
Cloud feels as if his legs are about to give out. His mouth runs dry, his frame trembling. This can’t be, this had to be some sort of cruel joke. She’s dead. She’s dead, he had to accept that, there was no way she could come back. So why…
Why is Aerith right there, just inches from his feet?
He extends his hand outwards, to her shoulder. Just to see if this is all a dream. A hallucination. A sighting of the paranormal. Skin contacts skin, and Cloud jerks his hand away like it burnt him. His breath hitches, tears flood his eyes.
“Aerith…” He breathes out, falling to his knees. He brushes some of the hair away from her eyes. A couple tears trickled down his face.
And then, Aerith began to open her eyes.