A Story of A Love... A CloudxAerith Club

[Aerifa]

Aerith's death was such an emotional blow to all who played it, not just fans of Aerith. That really shows how much the death of an innocent can really just leave people speechless. She was goodhearted and innocent, and the last person one would imagine to be killed in the game. I still stand by that she knew she was going to die. It's totally foreshadowed, not only by Cait Sith, but by Aerith herself. "I'll be going now. I'll come back when it's all over." If that isn't foreshadowing, I don't know what is. That's one thing that really impacted me about her death. She knew it was going to happen, but she loved the Planet and its inhabitants so much that she allowed her death to happen so that she could save them all. Cloud's reaction to her death also touches me. His reaction is almost like a person who is absolutely heartbroken to the point of death. This shows so much that they had a strong connection to one another, and that Aerith wasn't just a party member. Aerith impacted Cloud so much, yet people are too blind to see it. I'm so glad that we do, though. Their relationship is so beautiful. It starts by chance, and with Aerith she was reminded of a past love, but they fall for each other for them, rather than memories. They learned from each other and they impacted each others lives. Aerith made Cloud want to save the world even more. It made him snap. It made him want to sought out Sephiroth and to save the world; to avenge her death. Without Aerith I don't think there would be no Final Fantasy VII. She was the catalyst for so many events in the game, and was the hero of FFVII. She saved the Planet, yet so many people fail to see that. Oh man. It's just so amazing how great these characters are. They aren't paper-esque, and neither is their undying love for each other.

CLERITH FOR LIFE

This and your avatar = SO MUCH WIN

Tori That pic in your sig is sooo cute, what game is it from?

 

[Saints&Storms]

D'aww, I love you, too! Yeah, people are just ignorant of Aerith and her character. They don't give her a chance. They just think she's some Mary Sue character that's paper-esque, when in reality she is one of, if not THE, most well developed character in the entire franchise.

I don't even really care if they think she's a Mary Sue, I care that they deny she's a pure and innocent woman, people, her theme is called "Pure Heart" and Cloud himself said she was innocent that pretty much sums her character up.

I agree, Aerith is a well developed character. Which is another thing Cloud and Aerith really are the triggers for one another's amazing character development!

I feel the same way. I love Aerith and Zack. Heck, it's my favorite pairing just because I find it ridiculously cute, but I do love Clerith, as well. It's so obvious in the game. They think that Aerith should strictly be with Zack. She loved him so much, but she learned that Cloud was the one for her. That's fine. She loved him, and Zack understands that, I'm sure. She even loved him while in the Lifestream! She had him on her mind the entire time. People just want CloTi, even though it was non-existent. There were never mutual feelings ever. He liked her when she didn't like him, and I don't think it's ever said that she liked him, though it's obvious, yet he loved Aerith. Give it a rest, people! D:

Yes, its just like the Dismantled and Maiden of the Planet says, She loves Cloud, more than she ever did Zack, of course Zack has a special place in her life but that's where it ends now.

Exactly, also wanting a knight in shining armor, isn't love or even romantic feelings, it border-line immature fantasy, and Tifa's feelings were just this, she wanted a Hero, she didn't even know Cloud.

This and your avatar = SO MUCH WIN

@Tori That pic in your sig is sooo cute, what game is it from?

Its from Kingdom Hearts I, when Cid reunites Aerith and Cloud here's the video link; if you want to see it :3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnQ07ttRkLw

 

[Aerifa]

Aww that was sweet! thank you

I've heard of Kingdom hearts but thought it was a Disney game, I didn't know final fantasy characters were in it! I saw Squall and Yuffie too Does it have a lot of final fantasy characters in it? And their worlds, like Midgar? Do Cloud and Aerith have major roles? What's their story?
Never mind I'll google it, instead of bugging you with a million questions

 

[Channizard]

-tears up- I've been so in love with Far's gifs and the ones you've been posting, @Tori! They're just so, so precious. Aerith's death was such an emotional blow to all who played it, not just fans of Aerith. That really shows how much the death of an innocent can really just leave people speechless. She was goodhearted and innocent, and the last person one would imagine to be killed in the game. I still stand by that she knew she was going to die. It's totally foreshadowed, not only by Cait Sith, but by Aerith herself. "I'll be going now. I'll come back when it's all over." If that isn't foreshadowing, I don't know what is. That's one thing that really impacted me about her death. She knew it was going to happen, but she loved the Planet and its inhabitants so much that she allowed her death to happen so that she could save them all. Cloud's reaction to her death also touches me. His reaction is almost like a person who is absolutely heartbroken to the point of death. This shows so much that they had a strong connection to one another, and that Aerith wasn't just a party member. Aerith impacted Cloud so much, yet people are too blind to see it. I'm so glad that we do, though. Their relationship is so beautiful. It starts by chance, and with Aerith she was reminded of a past love, but they fall for each other for them, rather than memories. They learned from each other and they impacted each others lives. Aerith made Cloud want to save the world even more. It made him snap. It made him want to sought out Sephiroth and to save the world; to avenge her death. Without Aerith I don't think there would be no Final Fantasy VII. She was the catalyst for so many events in the game, and was the hero of FFVII. She saved the Planet, yet so many people fail to see that. Oh man. It's just so amazing how great these characters are. They aren't paper-esque, and neither is their undying love for each other.

CLERITH FOR LIFE

Can I just ask, what about that scene made you think she thought/knew she'd die? If anything, I think it goes against it.. she talks about coming back.. when it's over.. She says to Cloud only a Cetra like her can stop Sephiroth. She goes on her own because Cloud can't (well he's also mentally unstable).

It completely debunks the message that Kitase and Nomura wanted to leave with VII. They didn't want another heroic yet sacrificial lamb of a character to give themselves for the greater good. They suggested Aerith thought she was coming back to Cloud when it was over, because when she can't, it hits the player (and Cloud) more. Death comes suddenly. It leaves not a dramatic feeling, but a feeling of great emptiness

This is what a lot of players felt, and through Aerith being optimistic about the future, then they were successful with her character and her depth to us as players. We were crushed (and Cloud) by her death. If she was willing to go sacrifice herself and we just accepted it.. then pah.

Sorry, it just bothers me. I love the gal and remain a firm believer that she didn't mean to sacrifice herself and that her death was an unfortunate, yet more realistic, incident.

 

[AerithG]

Can I just ask, what about that scene made you think she thought/knew she'd die? If anything, I think it goes against it.. she talks about coming back.. when it's over.. She says to Cloud only a Cetra like her can stop Sephiroth. She goes on her own because Cloud can't (well he's also mentally unstable).

It completely debunks the message that Kitase and Nomura wanted to leave with VII. They didn't want another heroic yet sacrificial lamb of a character to give themselves for the greater good. They suggested Aerith thought she was coming back to Cloud when it was over, because when she can't, it hits the player (and Cloud) more. Death comes suddenly. It leaves not a dramatic feeling, but a feeling of great emptiness

This is what a lot of players felt, and through Aerith being optimistic about the future, then they were successful with her character and her depth to us as players. We were crushed (and Cloud) by her death. If she was willing to go sacrifice herself and we just accepted it.. then pah.

Sorry, it just bothers me. I love the gal and remain a firm believer that she didn't mean to sacrifice herself and that her death was an unfortunate, yet more realistic, incident.

You have to think about how she said, "I'll come back when it's ALL over." 'ALL' is the keyword. She did come back when it was all over. Sephiroth was gone, and the world was at the verge of destruction. That's what you call 'over.' She's correct. Only a Cetra like her can, because of her ability to summon Holy. The original plan was to summon Holy to stop Meteor. It, unfortunately, came too late, and thus the Lifestream had to be used a weapon to push Meteor back enough so Holy could take effect. She lead all of this. Remember, Holy was the one to stop Meteor, it just needed assistance.

You need to also read what Tori said above in her quotes from Maiden and Dismantled. Both of these are canon.

It's still sudden, even if she knew it. Cloud didn't know it, and we didn't know it, so it was sudden for us regardless, even if the meaning behind her words were different.

I get the vibe that you seem to think that the idea of Aerith being self-sacrificial makes her signifance less? I think it would make it more significant. It makes the game more than just using technicality to save the world. What's great about a story that's like 'herp derp let's use materiaaaa'? It goes further.

 

[Saints&Storms]

I actually think both of these things are the correct facts, while she may not have known completely 100% that she would in fact die, I think that she had a strong sense call it Cetra sense or whatever, that she WOULD indeed have to give her life to save the planet from Meteor and Sephiroth.

Aerith knew that death didn't mean to be annihilated. She even knew about the world that a Cetra would reach in the end once they had fulfilled the mission they had on the Planet. That was why she accepted death fearlessly even when she had a strong feeling that it was going to happen to her soon one day. She fulfilled her mission the way she should have without any fear. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

It says in Maiden who Travels the planet she knew there was a very strong and possible chance of her death, sometimes it even said she actually did indeed know, like the quote above, it states she accepted death fearlessly, which is one of the best things about her as well as one of the most Aerith--->Cloud romantic proofs. imo.

Cloud was her hero and he couldn’t get away from danger. She saw him as someone full of confidence, cool and had the impression that he would disappear in an instant if she took her eyes off him. She wanted to stay by his side forever if she could. She really wanted to. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

If she didn't know she was going to die or at least have some foresight of the matter why does it continually suggest she was prepared or that she was sad and pained by not being able to "be with" Cloud anymore, if she didn't know she was going to die...why the cryptic thoughts and such?


That was where Aerith hesitated. Will she let all humans die or was she going to avoid such a disaster in exchange for her life... But she never did think about it and was already prepared. When she did hesitant about leaving Cloud in sorrow, she would think about how it wouldn't save her companions or the people of the world. She had already made up her mind. There was no other choice. It was all for Cloud too. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

Honestly I'm fine either way whether she knew or didn't, but I love that Aerith gave her life for Cloud, its one of if not the single most romantic things I have ever seen in the story-line of a measly RPG video game, its deep and beautiful and its Aeriths greatest trait. Selflessness.

And quite honestly I always thought Aerith was continually optimistic because she didn't want to bring her friends down, similar to what Yuna was doing to Tidus and co, she continued to say they'd do all things special things knowing she would die.

Also, Kitase and Nomura wanted to avoid the cliche of a Man dying heroically for the one he loved and instead made a Woman die heroically for the Man she loved, they were referring to the flip aspect of Gender's dying for the one they love, they wanted to avoid the cliche of Titanic, House of Flying Daggers etc. etc.

But I think it could easily be either way, so yeah.

Aerifa Your welcome! No! its no bother, I could gush about my favorite game for hours and hours, sadly Cloud and Aerith don't have too big of a role in KH, as far as side characters go Cloud doesn't really fit, but Aerith is a decent role; And Sora (the protagonist) fights Cloud later and Cloud tells hims not to give up on finding his light as he was searching for his own; to which he is reunited at the end with Aerith/his light Its a great game, you should def play it!

AerithG I agree, it can still be a sudden tragedy, since we players and the friends of the group had absolutely no idea it was going to happen in the first place.

 

[Channizard]

You have to think about how she said, "I'll come back when it's ALL over." 'ALL' is the keyword. She did come back when it was all over. Sephiroth was gone, and the world was at the verge of destruction. That's what you call 'over.' She's correct. Only a Cetra like her can, because of her ability to summon Holy. The original plan was to summon Holy to stop Meteor. It, unfortunately, came too late, and thus the Lifestream had to be used a weapon to push Meteor back enough so Holy could take effect. She lead all of this. Remember, Holy was the one to stop Meteor, it just needed assistance.

You need to also read what Tori said above in her quotes from Maiden and Dismantled. Both of these are canon.

It's still sudden, even if she knew it. Cloud didn't know it, and we didn't know it, so it was sudden for us regardless, even if the meaning behind her words were different.

I get the vibe that you seem to think that the idea of Aerith being self-sacrificial makes her signifance less? I think it would make it more significant. It makes the game more than just using technicality to save the world. What's great about a story that's like 'herp derp let's use materiaaaa'? It goes further.

I actually kind of do think that her sacrificing herself makes the significance of it less, and it pains me to think that way because I LOVE her character. And here's why:

I actually think both of these things are the correct facts, while she may not have known completely 100% that she would in fact die, I think that she had a strong sense call it Cetra sense or whatever, that she WOULD indeed have to give her life to save the planet from Meteor and Sephiroth.

Aerith knew that death didn't mean to be annihilated. She even knew about the world that a Cetra would reach in the end once they had fulfilled the mission they had on the Planet. That was why she accepted death fearlessly even when she had a strong feeling that it was going to happen to her soon one day. She fulfilled her mission the way she should have without any fear.~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

It says in Maiden who Travels the planet she knew there was a very strong and possible chance of her death, sometimes it even said she actually did indeed know, like the quote above, it states she accepted death fearlessly, which is one of the best things about her as well as one of the most Aerith--->Cloud romantic proofs. imo.

Cloud was her hero and he couldn’t get away from danger. She saw him as someone full of confidence, cool and had the impression that he would disappear in an instant if she took her eyes off him. She wanted to stay by his side forever if she could. She really wanted to. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

If she didn't know she was going to die or at least have some foresight of the matter why does it continually suggest she was prepared or that she was sad and pained by not being able to "be with" Cloud anymore, if she didn't know she was going to die...why the cryptic thoughts and such?

That was where Aerith hesitated. Will she let all humans die or was she going to avoid such a disaster in exchange for her life... But she never did think about it and was already prepared. When she did hesitant about leaving Cloud in sorrow, she would think about how it wouldn't save her companions or the people of the world. She had already made up her mind. There was no other choice. It was all for Cloud too. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

Honestly I'm fine either way whether she knew or didn't, but I love that Aerith gave her life for Cloud, its one of if not the single most romantic things I have ever seen in the story-line of a measly RPG video game, its deep and beautiful and its Aeriths greatest trait. Selflessness.

And quite honestly I always thought Aerith was continually optimistic because she didn't want to bring her friends down, similar to what Yuna was doing to Tidus and co, she continued to say they'd do all things special things knowing she would die.

Also, Kitase and Nomura wanted to avoid the cliche of a Man dying heroically for the one he loved and instead made a Woman die heroically for the Man she loved, they were referring to the flip aspect of Gender's dying for the one they love, they wanted to avoid the cliche of Titanic, House of Flying Daggers etc. etc.

But I think it could easily be either way, so yeah.

I normally don't dispute the cannonicity of Maiden/Dismantled, since I haven't sat down and read it cover to cover (or webpage to webpage ;D). But I disagree. Those came after, a little later on, and I think it takes away from Kitase and Nomura's original statement on Aerith's death. I also disagree on your emphasis on that Nomura mentions "a man's sacrifice" and go with that it was meant to be "any sacrifice". In the quote, they mention 'him' as a protagonist once, but go on to elaborate that any protagonist love to impress/save their loved one, so I think this goes either way.

While designing Final Fantasy VII Tetsuya Nomura was frustrated with the "perennial cliché where the protagonist loves someone very much and so has to sacrifice himself and die in a dramatic fashion to express that love". He found this appears in both films and video games from North America and Japan. Yoshinori Kitase concludes:

"In the real world things are very different. You just need to look around you. Nobody wants to die that way. People die of disease and accident. Death comes suddenly and there is no notion of good or bad. It leaves, not a dramatic feeling but great emptiness. When you lose someone you loved very much you feel this big empty space and think, 'If I had known this was coming I would have done things differently.' These are the feelings I wanted to arouse in the players with Aerith's death relatively early in the game. Feelings of reality and not Hollywood."[1]

While reflecting on the game, Tetsuya Nomura comments that "Death should be something sudden and unexpected, and Aerith's death seemed more natural and realistic." "When I reflect on Final Fantasy VII, the fact that fans were so offended by her sudden death probably means that we were successful with her character. If fans had simply accepted her death, that would have meant she wasn't an effective character. "

I think that by saying Aerith knew she was going to die, completely takes away from this, and does, in a way, take away from her death. Nomura's right, nobody wants to die this, nobody WANTS to sacrifice themselves, even if it's for the good of anyone else.


I still remain a firm believer that she meant to come back after it was over, and in a sense, yeah she did with the help of the lifestream and all that, but.. You know.. alive.

 

[Saints&Storms]

I normally don't dispute the cannonicity of Maiden/Dismantled, since I haven't sat down and read it cover to cover (or webpage to webpage ;D). But I disagree. Those came after, a little later on, and I think it takes away from Kitase and Nomura's original statement on Aerith's death. I also disagree on your emphasis on that Nomura mentions "a man's sacrifice" and go with that it was meant to be "any sacrifice". In the quote, they mention 'him' as a protagonist once, but go on to elaborate that any protagonist love to impress/save their loved one, so I think this goes either way.

Actually, Dismantled was released in 1997 practically alongside the video game itself, that's why its taken as an if not the only actual authentic source for the LTD and anything FFVII related besides the actual and only game itself. Anyway, I'd agree except there's another interview that basically refers to what I said they meant;

"We knew even in the early concept stage that one character would have to die. But we only had three to choose from. I mean, Cloud's the main character, so you can't really kill him. And Barret... well, that's maybe too obvious. But we had to pick between Aerith and Barret. We debated this for a long time, but in the end decided to sacrifice Aerith . . . In the previous FF games, it became almost a signature theme for one character to sacrifice him or herself, and often it was a similar character type from game to game, kind of a brave, last-man-standing, Barret-type character. So everyone expected that. And I think that death should be something sudden and unexpected, and Aerith's death seemed more natural and realistic. Now, when I reflect on Final Fantasy VII, the fact that fans were so offended by her sudden death probably means that we were successful with her character. If fans had simply accepted her death, that would have meant she wasn't an effective character." ~ Interivew with Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura from Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue #196, October 2005. ​

Like I said, I think they really just wanted to change the type of character that sacrificed himself/herself not really how they died, because either way sacrifice or not it was still a shock because none of of saw it coming (i.e. similar to Yuna's situation) and the interview above kind of hits that home.

And for another note that exact interview you quoted there isn't even from the same years as Final Fantasy VII the Original, or even any years close to it, it actually was published in EDGE magazine in 2003, so if the Guide Books, Novella's (Maiden who Travels the Planet which was released in the UO in 2005)and Ultimania's are unreliable/insufficient so is that interview, even more so actually. Since its even further from the release of FFVII.

I think that by saying Aerith knew she was going to die, completely takes away from this, and does, in a way, take away from her death. Nomura's right, nobody wants to die this, nobody WANTS to sacrifice themselves, even if it's for the good of anyone else.

It was for Cloud, he was the driving force to which she was WILLING to die if not truly knew she would already, like I said either way whether she knew the possibilities or that it would in fact surely happen. I think that was one of Aeriths most beautiful characteristics willing to sacrifice herself for the ones she loved. How could being selfless possibly take away from her death?

I still remain a firm believer that she meant to come back after it was over, and in a sense, yeah she did with the help of the lifestream and all that, but.. You know.. alive.

Wasn't that cryptic the way she said she'd come back when it was all over? Of course she would come back again why would she even feel the need to speak that way if there wasn't an imminent danger? I mean if the canon books themselves aren't enough the actual game has to be.

Cloud himself even said he believed that Aerith knew what would happen and that she knew she had to die that way, when they relive her death with Bugenhagen.

Cloud --
"That was Holy...... That's why, she had the White Materia.
Aerith knew about here... and what she had to do."
"Aerith has left us great hope. But, it cost her her life... her
future..." ~ Final Fantasy VII

​

While its not directly stated in Dismantled it is heavily implied by the way Aerith is speaking, I mean she says very sad things and recalls everything she cares about and has a very, why say the things she does and what "Mission" of the ancients/cetra is she referring to exactly? To pray? That's not really a "mission" per se but so much of a small duty rather. [the text I am referencing is below]

[Aerith: Inside Cloud's dream] in Dismantled (1997)

"Cloud... can you hear me?"

"I'm talking to your heart while you sleep right now. I hope this reaches you okay, like when I hear the voice from the planet."

"Sephiroth is trying to summon Meteor using the Black Materia... He's trying to wound the planet badly. If Meteor really does fall, then everyone's going to die. People, animals, flowers... The life on this planet will disappear completely."
"The only one who can stop it is the last surviving Cetra. Me. I realize that. That was the mission of the Cetra."
"So, leave Meteor to me. You just think about yourself, Cloud. Remember your own ways... so you don't have a breakdown."
"Well, I'm off. When it's all over, we can meet each other again."*
"Oh, Cloud... I enjoyed our date at the Gold Saucer. The view from the gondora that night was really beautiful. I'll never forget it. I'll never forget you, Cloud..."
​

Her speech just seems very crytpic, and I should also mention that in Dismantled it shows that the words Aerith actually said was that they could meet each other again, instead of coming back when its all over, and that seems to show that THIS is what Aerith meant in FFVII as opposed to literally "coming back"

"Holy", the ultimate white magic to combat the destructive magic "Meteor"--- The only way to save this planet from being destroyed by a meteorite. Aerith had already called Holy. In exchange for her own life, she left us... she left the planet the hope for a future.~ Cloud, Dismantled, 1997
​

And again its referenced and said that she did indeed sacrifice herself in the Ultimania Omega for the 10th Anniversary of FFVII, there is a trivia that explains they wear the ribbons to remember her sacrifice. Its not like Aerith hadn't been willing to give her life/freedom for people and others before, she gave herself to ShinRa for Marlenes safety and she offered herself to The Don for Yuffie --- she is just selfless.

• FFVII 10th Anniversary UO, Trivia 1; In AC, we can see all members that saved the Planet wear a pink ribbon on their arms. Mentioning the pink ribbon, it will necessarily bring to mind the one that sacrificed herself in the previous battle in FF7—Aerith. This ribbon is the symbol of all members’ feeling that “she will always be remembered”. Although Marlene does not tie the ribbon around her arm, she keeps a hairstyle which reminds us of Aerith.

 

[Channizard]

Actually, Dismantled was released in 1997 practically alongside the video game itself, that's why its taken as an if not the only actual authentic source for the LTD and anything FFVII related besides the actual and only game itself. Anyway, I'd agree except there's another interview that basically refers to what I said they meant;

Sorry, I am aware that the two are different, but I was mainly mentioning Maiden. I've got a copy of old Dismantled and love flipping through it, and pretty aware of it's history/regarding release and such.

"We knew even in the early concept stage that one character would have to die. But we only had three to choose from. I mean, Cloud's the main character, so you can't really kill him. And Barret... well, that's maybe too obvious. But we had to pick between Aerith and Barret. We debated this for a long time, but in the end decided to sacrifice Aerith . . . In the previous FF games, it became almost a signature theme for one character to sacrifice him or herself, and often it was a similar character type from game to game, kind of a brave, last-man-standing, Barret-type character. So everyone expected that. And I think that death should be something sudden and unexpected, and Aerith's death seemed more natural and realistic. Now, when I reflect on Final Fantasy VII, the fact that fans were so offended by her sudden death probably means that we were successful with her character. If fans had simply accepted her death, that would have meant she wasn't an effective character."

~ Interivew with Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura from Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue #196, October 2005.

Like I said, I think they really just wanted to change the type of character that sacrificed himself/herself not really how they died, because either way sacrifice or not it was still a shock because none of of saw it coming (i.e. similar to Yuna's situation) and the interview above kind of hits that home.

Does this not though, also explain what I've been saying? I mean, pretty much RIGHT after your highlited bits, comes the part of a sudden death.. a realistic, natural, death comes suddenly.

It was for Cloud, he was the driving force to which she was WILLING to die if not truly knew she would already, like I said either way whether she knew the possibilities or that it would in fact surely happen. I think that was one of Aeriths most beautiful characteristics willing to sacrifice herself for the ones she loved. How could being selfless possibly take away from her death?

It's not about her being selfless that I'm disputing.. I think that if in any sort of dangerous case such as that, then one would take death as a factor. However, I do believe that she intended on coming back, in body, mind and soul.

Wasn't that cryptic the way she said she'd come back when it was all over? Of course she would come back again why would she even feel the need to speak that way if there wasn't an imminent danger? I mean if the canon books themselves aren't enough the actual game has to be.

Cloud himself even said he believed that Aerith knew what would happen and that she knew she had to die that way, when they relive her death with Bugenhagen.

Cloud --
"That was Holy...... That's why, she had the White Materia.
Aerith knew about here... and what she had to do."
"Aerith has left us great hope. But, it cost her her life... her
future..." ~ Final Fantasy VII​

​

Everyone in the game has their opinions (such as here xD) about Aerith and her coming back. I have to side with Tifa on this, as Tifa brings up that Aerith always talked about 'the next time' and a future.
​

While its not directly stated in Dismantled it is heavily implied by the way Aerith is speaking, I mean she says very sad things and recalls everything she cares about and has a very, why say the things she does and what "Mission" of the ancients/cetra is she referring to exactly? To pray? That's not really a "mission" per se but so much of a small duty rather. [the text I am referencing is below]

[Aerith: Inside Cloud's dream] in Dismantled (1997)

"Cloud... can you hear me?"

"I'm talking to your heart while you sleep right now. I hope this reaches you okay, like when I hear the voice from the planet."

"Sephiroth is trying to summon Meteor using the Black Materia... He's trying to wound the planet badly. If Meteor really does fall, then everyone's going to die. People, animals, flowers... The life on this planet will disappear completely."
"The only one who can stop it is the last surviving Cetra. Me. I realize that. That was the mission of the Cetra."
"So, leave Meteor to me. You just think about yourself, Cloud. Remember your own ways... so you don't have a breakdown."
"Well, I'm off. When it's all over, we can meet each other again."*
"Oh, Cloud... I enjoyed our date at the Gold Saucer. The view from the gondora that night was really beautiful. I'll never forget it. I'll never forget you, Cloud..."​

Ahh, can I cheat and chalk one up for translational differentiation?

While I normally like what Dismantled says, I personally take the text from the game as it occurs as canon, over a translated book. Granted, the have nearly the same intention.. however the conversation is quite different than what actually happens. I think that maybe if they intended it, they would have left it?

As for her mission, well, summoning Holy and all that.. its not necessarily about the praying, but her speaking and asking the planet for help, cause only a Cetra could.

Her speech just seems very crytpic, and I should also mention that in Dismantled it shows that the words Aerith actually said was that they could meet each other again, instead of coming back when its all over, and that seems to show that THIS is what Aerith meant in FFVII as opposed to literally "coming back"

"Holy", the ultimate white magic to combat the destructive magic "Meteor"--- The only way to save this planet from being destroyed by a meteorite. Aerith had already called Holy. In exchange for her own life, she left us... she left the planet the hope for a future.~ Cloud, Dismantled, 1997
​

And again its referenced and said that she did indeed sacrifice herself in the Ultimania Omega for the 10th Anniversary of FFVII, there is a trivia that explains they wear the ribbons to remember her sacrifice. Its not like Aerith hadn't been willing to give her life/freedom for people and others before, she gave herself to ShinRa for Marlenes safety and she offered herself to The Don for Yuffie --- she is just selfless.

• FFVII 10th Anniversary UO, Trivia 1; In AC, we can see all members that saved the Planet wear a pink ribbon on their arms. Mentioning the pink ribbon, it will necessarily bring to mind the one that sacrificed herself in the previous battle in FF7—Aerith. This ribbon is the symbol of all members’ feeling that “she will always be remembered”. Although Marlene does not tie the ribbon around her arm, she keeps a hairstyle which reminds us of Aerith.

I think that's all pretty wishywashy to me, tbh. =/ The "crypticness" of it, anyway.

I remember a mention of Aerith's ribbon, ala AC too... Nomura mentioned that when they noticed no one actually said Aerith's name, they wanted to ensure that she was still thought of and mentioned, even after this time. But it doesn't really mention sacrifice. But it's just a FF wiki, so should be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[AerithG]

Again, just because the player and Cloud didn't know doesn't mean that it wasn't a sacrifice. We had no idea and it happened unexpectedly, hence it called 'sudden.'

There is so much proof that supports her death as sacrificial. Hell, it comes right out and says it. Why can't you not take what she says with a grain of salt? Really think a bit outside the box. This is an emotional game that has much depth. It's not a piece of cardboard like a a crappy game.

 

[Saints&Storms]

Sorry, I am aware that the two are different, but I was mainly mentioning Maiden. I've got a copy of old Dismantled and love flipping through it, and pretty aware of it's history/regarding release and such.

Does this not though, also explain what I've been saying? I mean, pretty much RIGHT after your highlited bits, comes the part of a sudden death.. a realistic, natural, death comes suddenly.

So, then why does the numerous times it [Maiden of The Planet] states that she was indeed aware she would die and gave her life to save the planet not taken into account yet again? I mean Maiden is just as dated as the interview you say proves your point why shouldn't what Maiden states be taken into account, its said far more that once that she knew she would die, and it still is sudden and a shock to both US game players and the other characters of the game.

I just gave evidence that Maiden is just as authentic as that interview that thereby gives it the same exact merit if not a lot more since SE officially published it in the UO.

No, once again, I am sorry but just because it says her death comes suddenly, which it still in fact did, doesn't mean it wasn't a sacrifice, and I haven't seen anywhere that her death was "natural" because sacrifice or not she was still murdered, which isn't natural.

So, if you are aware that Maiden Of The Planet in authentic and indeed a factor in the compilation; shouldn't it end the discussion since it states things like the excerpts from Maiden I have posted in my earlier post? Doesn't that state it enough time both from an omniscient point of view and Aerith's herself?

It's not about her being selfless that I'm disputing.. I think that if in any sort of dangerous case such as that, then one would take death as a factor. However, I do believe that she intended on coming back, in body, mind and soul.

No, I apologize I didn't mean to accuse you of that, sorry if it came off as such

She technically DID come back though, both in Advent Children and in the original Final Fantasy VII, I think she did come back...in a sense. Which actually isn't a stretch considering what we see in Maiden, Dismantled and the Ultimania Omega.

Everyone in the game has their opinions (such as here xD) about Aerith and her coming back. I have to side with Tifa on this, as Tifa brings up that Aerith always talked about 'the next time' and a future.

Weell~I'm going to have to side with Cloud then, for numerous reasons, I mean he knew Aerith the best and its HIS dreams she entered in order to establish her last words to Cloud.
​

Ahh, can I cheat and chalk one up for translational differentiation?

While I normally like what Dismantled says, I personally take the text from the game as it occurs as canon, over a translated book. Granted, the have nearly the same intention.. however the conversation is quite different than what actually happens. I think that maybe if they intended it, they would have left it?

Um, sure I don't see why not, everyone has there preferences and I actually agree with going with Officially translated material instead of fan translations. I just though it would bring some insight >.<

I agree, but does that mean we should all ignore EVERY databook and ultimania out there when they are indeed canon as well, fan translations or not?

As for her mission, well, summoning Holy and all that.. its not necessarily about the praying, but her speaking and asking the planet for help, cause only a Cetra could.
I think that's all pretty wishywashy to me, tbh. =/ The "crypticness" of it, anyway.

Okay, I guess so, but I still have to push the matter on Maiden of the Planet, in which Aerith continually states and says that she knew she'd have to die and other things that back that case up in the same exact novella.

I can't think of any other reason someone would say something like "I'll nerver forget you Cloud..." ending it with that sort of drop off? Of course she wouldn't forget him, why the sudden need to say that?

I remember a mention of Aerith's ribbon, ala AC too... Nomura mentioned that when they noticed no one actually said Aerith's name, they wanted to ensure that she was still thought of and mentioned, even after this time. But it doesn't really mention sacrifice. But it's just a FF wiki, so should be taken with a grain of salt.

What? Umm, No -- that quote that I posted is an excerpt on Trivia from the Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversayry Ultimania Omega not an FFWIKI, I can't help that it seems it was just given the brush off here, its a short trivia statement form the actual SE and creators themselves -- and it call her death a sacrifice -- hell, it calls Aerith herself "the one who sacrificed herself" and again this book is as canon as they come, it practically spells it out; that she DID know she'd die and it was a sacrifice...

*I'm gonna go for now, its a little past midnight, so uh, g'night

 

[Channizard]

Again, just because the player and Cloud didn't know doesn't mean that it wasn't a sacrifice. We had no idea and it happened unexpectedly, hence it called 'sudden.'

There is so much proof that supports her death as sacrificial. Hell, it comes right out and says it. Why can't you not take what she says with a grain of salt? Really think a bit outside the box. This is an emotional game that has much depth. It's not a piece of cardboard like a a crappy game.

I just dont like looking at it as a 'sacrificial' death because, imo, it means more that they wanted to take her away from us in a more, natural, less Hollyword sense.. Not that she went on the journey and knew this was going to happen, and had no hope for a future with Clloud.

So, then why does the numerous times it [Maiden of The Planet] states that she was indeed aware she would die and gave her life to save the planet not taken into account yet again? I mean Maiden is just as dated as the interview you say proves your point why shouldn't what Maiden states be taken into account, its said far more that once that she knew she would die, and it still is sudden and a shock to both US game players and the other characters of the game.

Well, if I may get technically, the interview was published in a magazine dated about late 2002.. Maiden was written just before AC was released to go with the UO, later in 2005.. So I dunno, there's a lot of retcons that the series puts up with as is, and I tend to stick with as much original content as possible.

I just gave evidence that Maiden is just as authentic as that interview that thereby gives it the same exact merit if not a lot more since SE officially published it in the UO.

I'm not arguing its authenticity.

No, once again, I am sorry but just because it says her death comes suddenly, which it still in fact did, doesn't mean it wasn't a sacrifice, and I haven't seen anywhere that her death was "natural" because sacrifice or not she was still murdered, which isn't natural.

What a minute, what? I would say that in the realm of normality and realism, getting murdered is far more natural than going off and sacrificing yourself.

So, if you are aware that Maiden Of The Planet in authentic and indeed a factor in the compilation; shouldn't it end the discussion since it states things like the excerpts from Maiden I have posted in my earlier post? Doesn't that state it enough time both from an omniscient point of view and Aerith's herself?

Again, not sure as I haven't sat down and read it myself cover to cover to take in the entire context of it. xD

No, I apologize I didn't mean to accuse you of that, sorry if it came off as such

She technically DID come back though, both in Advent Children and in the original Final Fantasy VII, I think she did come back...in a sense. Which actually isn't a stretch considering what we see in Maiden, Dismantled and the Ultimania Omega.

No problemo. :3

VII is debatable as the ending is very... open in how you want to look at it. With how vague it is by just giving us the same scene at the beginning, yeah, we realize she came back.. but as just an apparition in the lifestream? I mean, later on in Maiden doesn't it say that Aerith didn't have the strength to really manifest herself physically (until much later on after Seph was gone)?

Weell~I'm going to have to side with Cloud then, for numerous reasons, I mean he knew Aerith the best and its HIS dreams she entered in order to establish her last words to Cloud.

True. To each their own, I suppose.

Um, sure I don't see why not, everyone has there preferences and I actually agree with going with Officially translated material instead of fan translations. I just though it would bring some insight >.<

I agree, but does that mean we should all ignore EVERY databook and ultimania out there when they are indeed canon as well, fan translations or not?

I guess not, but a lot of things get misconstrued easily if something small, even as small as a word, is mistranslated or the meaning is taken in the wrong way. I mean, look at koibito and all the drama that word has caused on the LTD. xD

Okay, I guess so, but I still have to push the matter on Maiden of the Planet, in which Aerith continually states and says that she knew she'd have to die and other things that back that case up in the same exact novella.

I can't think of any other reason someone would say something like "I'll nerver forget you Cloud..." ending it with that sort of drop off? Of course she wouldn't forget him, why the sudden need to say that?

But it wasn't in the game. xD

What? Umm, No -- that quote that I posted is an excerpt on Trivia from the Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversayry Ultimania Omega not an FFWIKI, I can't help that it seems it was just given the brush off here, its a short trivia statement form the actual SE and creators themselves -- and it call her death a sacrifice -- hell, it calls Aerith herself "the one who sacrificed herself" and again this book is as canon as they come, it practically spells it out; that she DID know she'd die and it was a sacrifice...

*I'm gonna go for now, its a little past midnight, so uh, g'night

No no, sorry, some of the things I posted have been from a wiki (ff or regular). Even when backed up with interviews and sources, some things have to be taken lightly. Sorry if I implied that.

But anyway, I didn't realize that. So I'll concede there.

Goodnight

 

[AerithG]

>I just dont like looking at it as a 'sacrificial' death because, imo, it means more that they wanted to take her away from us in a more, natural, less Hollyword sense.. Not that she went on the journey and knew this was going to happen, and had no hope for a future with Clloud.<

Whether you don't like to look it at that way or not...that's how it is, and Tori has shown you the clear evidence of this. Denying this is saying that the writers lied and nothing is canon, when reality they didn't lie and everything is canon. You can't just deny the truth because you don't like it.

> What a minute, what? I would say that in the realm of normality and realism, getting murdered is far more natural than going off and sacrificing yourself.<

That's not what's she saying. She is saying that whether it was sacrifice or not, she was murdered, and murder isn't natural. Murder isn't natural at all. It's not a natural cause of death. It is caused when someone intrudes on someone's life and ends it. That's not the least bit natural.

You need to not rely on just the game for your information. These works were written around the time period that the game was released and are canon. Anything that is in these novellas and dismantles are additions to the story of FFVII, just as much as Crisis Core, Before Crisis, and Advent Children are.

 

[Saints&Storms]

Hey again FC; I was reading my Case of Tifa copy and I found the part of the book where it says Aerith gave her life to save the planet, and this is the OFFICIAL English translation that came with the copy of Advent Children; I can give a scan if nessasary later but for now I'll type what it says manually here;

"Tifa went to see Aerith with her friends; Aerith, fated to lie sunken at the bottom of the spring in the Forgotten City. The world she gave her life to save, Tifa told her, was all right now." ~ Case of Tifa, 2005

Well, if I may get technically, the interview was published in a magazine dated about late 2002.. Maiden was written just before AC was released to go with the UO, later in 2005.. So I dunno, there's a lot of retcons that the series puts up with as is, and I tend to stick with as much original content as possible.

No, its was published in 2003 [here's the link to the original poster who put it up], but either way you were disregarding anything not initially released with Final Fantasy VII that would include that exact interview since it was released some 6 years after the original game in which case fan translated or not Dismantled is more trustworthy in age.

I'm not arguing its authenticity.

It kinda looks and feels that way when you say you'd rather just stick to the original game or that single interview xD

What a minute, what? I would say that in the realm of normality and realism, getting murdered is far more natural than going off and sacrificing yourself.

Well, they aren't really in the realm of normality and realism first off and no, what I meant was whether you're murdered or sacrificed neither of these two these classify as Normal or natural. No matter how its sliced.

Again, not sure as I haven't sat down and read it myself cover to cover to take in the entire context of it. xD

Well, I posted the quote its not as if I forged them, I can link several different versions of the book if that's the case even though I can assure you everyone comes to that same translation, I am learning Japanese and have to say single words might be debatable at times but whole sentence's? No >.>

VII is debatable as the ending is very... open in how you want to look at it. With how vague it is by just giving us the same scene at the beginning, yeah, we realize she came back.. but as just an apparition in the lifestream? I mean, later on in Maiden doesn't it say that Aerith didn't have the strength to really manifest herself physically (until much later on after Seph was gone)?

I thought that was just the same exact scene from the beginning being played back to honor Aerith and show that she indeed is the start and core of the stroy? I mean its the exact scene from the beginning, no? And honestly I think "Aerith coming back" was what she does at the end of AC, really, she even says everything's alright as she comes back since everything is finally over (since Sephiroth is dead for good)


​

I guess not, but a lot of things get misconstrued easily if something small, even as small as a word, is mistranslated or the meaning is taken in the wrong way. I mean, look at koibito and all the drama that word has caused on the LTD. xD

Well, that single word has multiple meanings but the sentences that say she "exchanged her life for the planet" can't possibly be mistaken, its a whole sentence and a little bit harder to twist it another way xD

Koibito is debated because it matters truly on the context of the relationship and entire sentence rather than standing alone.

While normally I'd agree I have to say no here on this one, because these are entire sentences and many words that Aerith herself and the author is saying; way different than a single word.

But it wasn't in the game. xD

Neither was the interview that you pose here >.>

No no, sorry, some of the things I posted have been from a wiki (ff or regular). Even when backed up with interviews and sources, some things have to be taken lightly. Sorry if I implied that.

But anyway, I didn't realize that. So I'll concede there.

Oh...well, alright then

 

[The Witch]

Wow... TWO pages since I last logged on

What is goin' on Was a scene of Cloud kissing Aerith released or somethin?

Glad to see discussion goin on, though.

Anways,

@f a r f a l l a , Oh my glob, those gifs are just...amazing and -- Wow! Square Enix, subtle much? I mean you may as well have spelled it out for all you fans out here, what with Yuel liking flowers as well, its just too -- ROMANTIC! I really think they know how to hit is home, I mean really, too bad Yuel and Caius aren't brunette and blond though amirite?

Mmmhmm That's about the only thing missing.

-tears up- I've been so in love with Far's gifs and the ones you've been posting, @Tori! They're just so, so precious. Aerith's death was such an emotional blow to all who played it, not just fans of Aerith. That really shows how much the death of an innocent can really just leave people speechless. She was goodhearted and innocent, and the last person one would imagine to be killed in the game.

I knoww She was just such a sweety, a real unique character in video games. In DISMANTLED, even Cloud asked himself/the heavens "why did Aerith have to die?" .... that just breaks my heart.

still stand by that she knew she was going to die. It's totally foreshadowed, not only by Cait Sith, but by Aerith herself. "I'll be going now. I'll come back when it's all over." If that isn't foreshadowing, I don't know what is. That's one thing that really impacted me about her death. She knew it was going to happen, but she loved the Planet and its inhabitants so much that she allowed her death to happen so that she could save them all.

Ooooh, so so so much win! I completely agree. That line is so heavy with emotion. To me, this line proves that Aerith was trying to assure Cloud she would be okay even though she knew this was the last time she would see him alive. I know people usually say Aerith said this because she honestly thought she would live but I disagree. I think she knew she was going to die and she knew Cloud would come after her so she tried to comfort him by telling him she'll be back.

Cloud's reaction to her death also touches me. His reaction is almost like a person who is absolutely heartbroken to the point of death. This shows so much that they had a strong connection to one another, and that Aerith wasn't just a party member. Aerith impacted Cloud so much, yet people are too blind to see it.

Almost? He is. and I completely agree! Anyone who would deny the immense show of heartbreak and pain Cloud goes through is just in plain shipper denial. Like you said, you would have to be blind to not see how painfully obvious Cloud's heart break was.

His arch nemesis/eternal rival(the one who burned his home town killing his mother in the process, and the one who sliced Tifa almost to death) was striking a pose of victory behind him, proclaiming to Cloud that his plan of mass planet destruction to kill everyone and everything on it was going to take place... and all Cloud cared about was the flower girl he built a two person world and bond with that he grew to have undying feelings for.

Cloud didn't show an ounce of concern towards Sephiroth's plan that threatened the life of the planet, and yes, even the life of Tifa. No, Cloud didn't care for the planet's death nor about the people's lives who could be lost... instead, all he cared for was the woman that just died in his arms as he held her tightly. He told Sephiroth himself that his plan didn't matter any more now that Aerith was gone, now that she could never smile, laugh, or get angry ever again.

That's right, the battle to save the lives of everyone he knew meant nothing to him if Aerith was gone. And in the end, it was Aerith's love for the planet that urged Cloud to finish the battle, had he never known that about her--he wouldn't have cared to fight for the planet's life.

How can anyone watch Cloud cradling Aerith's lifeless form in his arms, seeing him calling out her name as he tried to shake her awake, and still miss the emotional factor that proved that he loved her past the moon? Actually, even the phrase past the moon fails when trying to verbalize Cloud's love--we should probably just go with the words Nomura used; undying and eternal. Because that's what his love for her is, undying... eternal.

Aerith made Cloud want to save the world even more. It made him snap. It made him want to sought out Sephiroth and to save the world; to avenge her death. Without Aerith I don't think there would be no Final Fantasy VII. She was the catalyst for so many events in the game, and was the hero of FFVII. She saved the Planet, yet so many people fail to see that. Oh man. It's just so amazing how great these characters are. They aren't paper-esque, and neither is their undying love for each other.

I. Could. Not. Agree. more!

And you're right, you know. It's true, Aerith was the main pushing factor in Cloud's life that made him want to fight for the planet. As Cloud states in DISMANTLED, he was fighting above all else to unfreeze her smile... a smile that he very boldly states to have adoration for, saying that he misses it.

Their love is unlike any other.

Bravo for your post, AerithG. It was beautiful.

Can I just say, I love you for saying this? Not many people are willing to admit that Aerith DID know she would die and did so anyway; which makes her character all the more tragic and great, which makes me TRULY admire thatshe was willing to give herself to The Don in exchange for poor young Yuffie

Oh, lordy You just had to bring that up? Now my fangirl heart is all in pieces all over again. Aerith truly is the most selfless character of all. Offering to give herself up to the Don in order to save a young girl. She is truly amazing. I don't even care how fangirly that is.

"She wanted to stay by his side forever if she could. She really wanted to. When she left her companions and headed for the Forgotten City, Cloud's heart was like an egg that was on the verge of cracking open. It wasn't going to crack open like the way an egg hatched but, as if only the yolk was going to seep out of it. It was as if his mind was going to shatter. She wanted to comfort him.If she wasn't the last survivor of the Cetra she probably would have done so without a doubt." ~ Maiden of The Planet

And this quote from her novella proves it all really, Cloud was literally broken-hearted from her death and on the verge of insanity,

That line always makes me cryyyyyyyyyyyy I am not even slightly kidding. I just love how in your face it is when describing Cloud's pain over her being taken from him. To see Aerith longing to be with him forever but unable to because of her duties as a cetra to die for the planet--it breaks mah heart

Also, note how he was reduced to this immense heartbreak when she just left--she hadn't yet died. So it's even more romantic that Cloud felt this way before she died... he just wanted to be with her that much.

People really do whitewash Final Fantasy VII's story, they'd rather butcher the story just so they can drag Aerith's character/romance with Cloud through the mud, I mean to each their own of course but, honestly, trying to put Aeriths character through the meat grinder and ignoring the most important parts of FFVII just to keep her from loving Cloud and make her look bad, it sucks.

Word. It really does suck when "fans" do that. It totally takes from her character and her importance to Cloud and the plot.

And from the beginning Aerith was the reason that Cloud even cared for the planet, he told AVALANCHE he could care less until Aerith met him.

Bingo, And remember, he briefly didn't care for the planet after Aerith died. And in the end, just as it happened in the beginning of the game, Cloud ended up fighting for the planet because of Aerith. It's a beautiful cycle I must say.

Aerith and Cloud are the core of the story, they truly are.

Indeed.

people are just ignorant of Aerith and her character. They don't give her a chance. They just think she's some Mary Sue character that's paper-esque, when in reality she is one of, if not THE, most well developed character in the entire franchise.

The most? She is the best developed character evar. (her and Cloud )

I don't even really care if they think she's a Mary Sue, I care that they deny she's a pure and innocent woman, people, her theme is called "Pure Heart" and Cloud himself said she was innocent that pretty much sums her character up.

Yus, yus, yus, and Y-U-SSS!

How could anyone say she's a Mary sue? That just doesn't make sense to me.

Yes, its just like the Dismantled and Maiden of the Planet says, She loves Cloud, more than she ever did Zack, of course Zack has a special place in her life but that's where it ends now.

Hm, hm! That's what a lot of people don't want to accept. Yes, Aerith loved Zack. He was her first love and will always be special to her for that reason, but like you said, that's really where it ends between them. Aerith moved on, people have to accept that. She used to love Zack, she cried from the pain he unknowingly inflicted on her, but she moved on. And honestly, she moved on to someone better.

It's like she says in DISMANTLED, Zack was her first love but she never got intimate with him. :/

Exactly, also wanting a knight in shining armor, isn't love or even romantic feelings, it border-line immature fantasy, and Tifa's feelings were just this, she wanted a Hero, she didn't even know Cloud.

That's... sad but true. :/ She was just set on having a hero save her, it could have been anyone from their hometown, it just so happens Cloud was in the right place at the right time.

I've always kinda felt that her crush on him was... shallow. But that's just me, I guess. >.<

Do Cloud and Aerith have major roles? What's their story?

Please, allow me. This is just the VII cast's story:
In this AU Cloud grew up with Cid, Yuffie, and Aerith(and I believe Squall). Well, nine years before the start of KHI, Hollow Bastion falls under siege by Heartless. In the midst of this battle, Cid takes the young Yuffie, Aerith, and Squall and flees the battle grounds, accidentally leaving behind Cloud. Nomura has said Cloud wasn't "left behind" but rather was lost in all the commotion. Flashfoward 9 years to the point of KHI and we have Squall, Aerith, Yuffie, and Cid all located in Hollow bastion... but Cloud is still missing.

During the game you can head to the Hercules' fighting stadium and see that Cloud is in works with Hades--striking a deal with the devil that if he kills Sora to get to Hercules(aiming to kill the fallen God) then Hades will give Cloud his end of the deal--which was to "find someone". Here's a scene of them mentioning Cloud's deal:

Hades: "That little punk is your next opponent, okay? Now, don’t blow it. Just take him out. "

Cloud: "The great god of the Underworld is afraid of a kid? Sorry, but my contract says— "

Hades: "I know! You think I don’t know? I wrote the contract! I know it says you’re only required to kill Hercules in this tournament. But you’ve gotta fight that kid to get to him. Come on. Hey, it’s like that old goat says: Rule 11: It’s all just a game, so let loose and have fun with it! I mean, a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right? "

Cloud leaves.

Hades: Geez. Stiffer than the stiffs back home. Still, suckers like him are hard to come by...
(You can see part of the above scene here)

Once you begin your battles in the coliseum, Sora can either win or lose against Cloud, but neither really matter because Cloud is smashed by Hades' demon god--Cerberus--to which Sora will have to fight and defeat in order to obtain the Olympus cup. After the battle, Sora leaves the grounds of the battle stadium only to find Cloud sitting at the steps of the gate leading from it. Sora then speaks to Cloud and THIS scene takes place.

Sora: Hey, are you all right?

Cloud: Yeah.

Sora: So why did you go along with him, anyway?

Cloud: I’m looking for someone. Hades promised to help. I tried to exploit the power of darkness, but it backfired. (stands up) I fell into darkness, and couldn’t find the light.

Sora: You’ll find it. I’m searching, too.

Cloud: For your light? Don’t lose sight of it.

(Cloud gives Sora something.)

Sora: How about a rematch sometime? Fair and square, no dark powers involved.

Cloud: I think I’ll pass.

Watch the scene here: Part 1 & Part 2

During the ending of the game is when the scene Tori has in her sig takes place. As Tori said you can find it on youtube.

The ending is very significant for Cloud and Aerith, especially when you know of these interviews by creator and designer Nomura.

Question: In which case, when Cid took the others and escaped from Hollow Bastion, was Cloud left behind?
Nomura: He was just lost in the confusion, he wasn't really left behind (laughs). Because presumably Cid and co were escaping in the midst of the disarray. - Kingdom Hearts Ultimania

Question: Okay then, so the person who Cloud is searching for is Aeris, right?
Nomura: Well, what do you think? If indeed it was Aerith, then the bit in the ending was the answer. You might say it was made so that you can take it that way. Cloud is a popular character, and I don't really want to decide myself, yes he is like this. Because players make strong conclusions by themselves, I want to leave room for everyone's line of thought.
&
“Interviewer Question: What's the theme that you most wanted to express this time?
Nomura: "Not just this time; "Kingdom Hearts" always have something like "a person's heart" and "connection of hearts" as its theme. Like the strength of an invisible "heart" or what's the most important thing to you, that’s what I was thinking while drawing the story." -KH II ULTIMANIA
&
Question: What was the thought behind bringing back Aeris [in Kingdom Hearts]?
Nomura: Yes, she died in Final Fantasy VII, but there's no real relation to where she was at or what role she played in FFVII. There's no relationship from FFVII to the Kingdom Hearts stories. I consider them separate stories. But if you play Kingdom Hearts, toward the end, some of the questions about the relationship between Cloud and Aeris in FFVII might be answered. It's sort of like a side story, and this was an extra bonus that I wanted to give to players. ~Official U.S. Playstation Magazine; October, 2002, page 139-140

Notice how Nomura specifies about Aerith's role and where she was and then says we might find the answers to her and Cloud's relationship in the ending. What happens in the ending? Cloud is shown reuniting with her--they're together. Kinda strange how this interview and Cloud and Aerith's ending takes place in a game about connection of hearts and important people, especially when Cloud has been lost from her for nine years.

So yeah... basically that's their story.

I get the vibe that you seem to think that the idea of Aerith being self-sacrificial makes her signifance less? I think it would make it more significant. It makes the game more than just using technicality to save the world. What's great about a story that's like 'herp derp let's use materiaaaa'? It goes further.

I agree. I think it just adds beauty to her story. How could being selfless ever be a negative?

I actually think both of these things are the correct facts, while she may not have known completely 100% that she would in fact die, I think that she had a strong sense call it Cetra sense or whatever, that she WOULD indeed have to give her life to save the planet from Meteor and Sephiroth.

Aerith knew that death didn't mean to be annihilated. She even knew about the world that a Cetra would reach in the end once they had fulfilled the mission they had on the Planet. That was why she accepted death fearlessly even when she had a strong feeling that it was going to happen to her soon one day. She fulfilled her mission the way she should have without any fear.~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

Yeah, that's it exactly IMO. I think just like she sensed Elmyra's husband die she knew that she(Aerith) would die sooner than she should. It's not out of this world to think she sensed her impending death.

And THAT quote you provided proves your point extraordinarily good.

It says in Maiden who Travels the planet she knew there was a very strong and possible chance of her death, sometimes it even said she actually did indeed know, like the quote above, it states she accepted death fearlessly, which is one of the best things about her as well as one of the most Aerith--->Cloud romantic proofs. imo.

I agree. Aerith being strong enough to carry the burden of knowing when she would die and still going through with it is just so fearless. Q-Q

Cloud was her hero and he couldn’t get away from danger. She saw him as someone full of confidence, cool and had the impression that he would disappear in an instant if she took her eyes off him. She wanted to stay by his side forever if she could. She really wanted to. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

If she didn't know she was going to die or at least have some foresight of the matter why does it continually suggest she was prepared or that she was sad and pained by not being able to "be with" Cloud anymore, if she didn't know she was going to die...why the cryptic thoughts and such?

Hm! Hm!

I've always thought that the "she wanted to stay by his side forever" was really heavy in meaning. I mean, think about it. If Aerith believed she would honestly come back why is she acting like she will never see him again. Like you said, I don't think she knew how she would die, but she definitely felt it. Why else would she think such a sad(and romantic) thought like that if she thought she was coming back?

That was where Aerith hesitated. Will she let all humans die or was she going to avoid such a disaster in exchange for her life... But she never did think about it and was already prepared. When she did hesitant about leaving Cloud in sorrow, she would think about how it wouldn't save her companions or the people of the world. She had already made up her mind. There was no other choice. It was all for Cloud too. ~ Maiden who Travels the Planet

Honestly I'm fine either way whether she knew or didn't, but I love that Aerith gave her life for Cloud, its one of if not the single most romantic things I have ever seen in the story-line of a measly RPG video game, its deep and beautiful and its Aeriths greatest trait. Selflessness.

Oh, geez.
After rereading that, I'm a little shocked that anyone would argue it. That paragraph clearly says that she was willing to exchange her life in order for everyone to live-- case closed.

And I agree. My heart just melts when I read the part about Aerith doing it all for Cloud too. It's just so beautiful.

What other female love interest has ever been so brave to face death all for the one she loved in order for them to live?

Makes me wonder, had Aerith somehow lived, would she have left Cloud at the cave when he gave the black materia to Sephiroth and possibly could have died? I know the gang had no choice but I'm finding it hard to believe that she would just walk out of there.

And quite honestly I always thought Aerith was continually optimistic because she didn't want to bring her friends down, similar to what Yuna was doing to Tidus and co, she continued to say they'd do all things special things knowing she would die.

This.

And if Yuna did that then it's very believable and realistic that Aerith was doing the same. And I think you mentioned earlier, Tori--Cloud said it himself. Aerith knew she was going to die.

Cloud: "That was Holy...... That's why, she had the White Materia.
Aerith knew about here... and what she had to do. Aerith has left us great hope. But, it cost her her life... her future...
I'm sorry... Aerith. I should have figured this out sooner.
...You left us without saying a word...... It was all so sudden, so I couldn't think...
That's why it took so long for me to find out...
But, Aerith... I understand now.
Aerith... I'll do the rest."
Tifa: "You mean, WE..."
(Cloud turns to Tifa.)
Cid: "The big gift the flower girl left for us... It'd be sad if we didn't finish it!"
(Cloud turns to Cid. He nods. He turns to face both of them and raises his arms.) Cloud: "Thank you... Aerith."

(off topic, oh mah glob, that entire scene is so freaking romantic. Cloud raises his arms? really? my gosh, that is so fluffy!! )

Also, Kitase and Nomura wanted to avoid the cliche of a Man dying heroically for the one he loved and instead made a Woman die heroically for the Man she loved, they were referring to the flip aspect of Gender's dying for the one they love, they wanted to avoid the cliche of Titanic, House of Flying Daggers etc. etc.

This. The interview says exactly that. That they wanted to avoid the cliche of the man dying for the woman, so instead, they flipped roles around and made it the woman who died for the one she loved.

I actually kind of do think that her sacrificing herself makes the significance of it less, and it pains me to think that way because I LOVE her character. And here's why:

...

I think that by saying Aerith knew she was going to die, completely takes away from this, and does, in a way, take away from her death. Nomura's right, nobody wants to die this, nobody WANTS to sacrifice themselves, even if it's for the good of anyone else.

I don't know... if Aerith wasn't willing or okay with possibly dying would she have offered herself up in hopes that Marlene and Yuffie wouldn't get hurt?

Actually, Dismantled was released in 1997 practically alongside the video game itself, that's why its taken as an if not the only actual authentic source for the LTD and anything FFVII related besides the actual and only game itself.

This is true. It was released once in 1997 and then a release in 2005(for the publish of AC).

"We knew even in the early concept stage that one character would have to die. But we only had three to choose from. I mean, Cloud's the main character, so you can't really kill him. And Barret... well, that's maybe too obvious. But we had to pick between Aerith and Barret. We debated this for a long time, but in the end decided to sacrifice Aerith . . . In the previous FF games, it became almost a signature theme for one character to sacrifice him or herself, and often it was a similar character type from game to game, kind of a brave, last-man-standing, Barret-type character. So everyone expected that. And I think that death should be something sudden and unexpected, and Aerith's death seemed more natural and realistic. Now, when I reflect on Final Fantasy VII, the fact that fans were so offended by her sudden death probably means that we were successful with her character. If fans had simply accepted her death, that would have meant she wasn't an effective character." ~ Interivew with Yoshinori Kitase and Tetsuya Nomura from Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue #196, October 2005. ​

Like I said, I think they really just wanted to change the type of character that sacrificed himself/herself not really how they died, because either way sacrifice or not it was still a shock because none of of saw it coming (i.e. similar to Yuna's situation) and the interview above kind of hits that home.

Hmm, strange how well that proves she was a sacrifice. You made it up.

It was for Cloud, he was the driving force to which she was WILLING to die if not truly knew she would already, like I said either way whether she knew the possibilities or that it would in fact surely happen. I think that was one of Aeriths most beautiful characteristics willing to sacrifice herself for the ones she loved. How could being selfless possibly take away from her death?

It adds to it, if you ask me.

Her speech just seems very crytpic,

I gotta say I agree. The way she's talking is just very sad sounding. like she was about to do something she knew she would lose out on.

and I should also mention that in Dismantled it shows that the words Aerith actually said was that they could meet each other again, instead of coming back when its all over, and that seems to show that THIS is what Aerith meant in FFVII as opposed to literally "coming back"

"Well, I'm off. When it's all over, we can meet each other again."*-- Aerith

Holy-------------!

Dear word! I don't remember reading that!! Tori you mad genius! How could I have missed that and you have spotted it It's glorious! It not only forshadows that she means to meet him again after the deed is done, but it says that she still wants to meet him again. And for her to say that they can meet each other again gives me the sense that she felt that Cloud wanted to meet her again.


Bravo to your post, Tori. I'm gonna add them to the front page.

Sorry, I am aware that the two are different, but I was mainly mentioning Maiden. I've got a copy of old Dismantled and love flipping through it, and pretty aware of it's history/regarding release and such.

Wait--what's the cover look like? *foams at mouth*

I can't think of any other reason someone would say something like "I'll nerver forget you Cloud..." ending it with that sort of drop off? Of course she wouldn't forget him, why the sudden need to say that?

*raises hand*

Because(IMO) she knew she wouldn't have another chance to tell the man she loves that she would never forget him. When facing approaching death, words like that are just comforting for the ones you're about to leave behind. :/ It just makes sense that she said it for that reason.

I just dont like looking at it as a 'sacrificial' death because, imo, it means more that they wanted to take her away from us in a more, natural, less Hollyword sense.. Not that she went on the journey and knew this was going to happen, and had no hope for a future with Clloud.

Doesn't that just add to her optimism and strength though? She sensed that her death would be soon but never let it weigh on her. She never stopped thinking of the future or encouraging her friends to hope for the best in said future--she carried her heavy burden quite well and maintained a normal optimism about the future.

It's really cool, if you ask me. :/

No, once again, I am sorry but just because it says her death comes suddenly, which it still in fact did, doesn't mean it wasn't a sacrifice, and I haven't seen anywhere that her death was "natural" because sacrifice or not she was still murdered, which isn't natural.

&

That's not what's she saying. She is saying that whether it was sacrifice or not, she was murdered, and murder isn't natural. Murder isn't natural at all. It's not a natural cause of death. It is caused when someone intrudes on someone's life and ends it. That's not the least bit natural.

Good point you two.


-

My personal opinion of the matter, Cloud says Aerith knew she was going to die but then Tifa says no that's not what she intended... in the end, I'm gonna go with the conclusion that the one Aerith built a two person world and bond with has.

She could have a sudden death and still know she was going to die. The suddenness of her death is acted out when we play the first disc and see nothing but the flower girl going on about the future and what she intends to do in said future. That alone installs the element of "surprise" in our minds and for the characters of the game.

So yeah... I know she knew she had to die.

 

[Saints&Storms]

That line always makes me cryyyyyyyyyyyy I am not even slightly kidding. I just love how in your face it is when describing Cloud's pain over her being taken from him. To see Aerith longing to be with him forever but unable to because of her duties as a cetra to die for the planet--it breaks mah heart

Also, note how he was reduced to this immense heartbreak when she just left--she hadn't yet died. So it's even more romantic that Cloud felt this way before she died... he just wanted to be with her that much.

You and me both sister, I love how the book focuses on Clouds pain alone, its like SE published this JUST for the LTD, I mean every little question was answered in this book, how Cloud felt, how Aerith felt, how she didn't feel about others, and most of all what her mission was and who it was for. Bah, I just love that Aerith had such a beautiful story written for herself & Cloud.

I really like that its really hit home that Cloud was on the verge of insanity just because she left his side, it just proves she was the only reason he hadn't snapped because the shit he had been through thus far. She was holding him together.

Bingo, And remember, he briefly didn't care for the planet after Aerith died. And in the end, just as it happened in the beginning of the game, Cloud ended up fighting for the planet because of Aerith. It's a beautiful cycle I must say.

"The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing. Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer laugh, cry, or get angry."

That is all.

Hm! Hm!

I've always thought that the "she wanted to stay by his side forever" was really heavy in meaning. I mean, think about it. If Aerith believed she would honestly come back why is she acting like she will never see him again. Like you said, I don't think she knew how she would die, but she definitely felt it. Why else would she think such a sad(and romantic) thought like that if she thought she was coming back?

Yes, yes, I love that quote and it literally melt my heart, because she really would stay by his side and protect him from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, not leave him as soon as a crater begins to erupt and certainly not let hunger be the first words from her mouth after he'd been left behind. He's the reason she could give her life for the planet, because she's protect him no matte what.

Oh, geez.
After rereading that, I'm a little shocked that anyone would argue it. That paragraph clearly says that she was willing to exchange her life in order for everyone to live-- case closed.

And I agree. My heart just melts when I read the part about Aerith doing it all for Cloud too. It's just so beautiful.

What other female love interest has ever been so brave to face death all for the one she loved in order for them to live?

Makes me wonder, had Aerith somehow lived, would she have left Cloud at the cave when he gave the black materia to Sephiroth and possibly could have died? I know the gang had no choice but I'm finding it hard to believe that she would just walk out of there.

Yeah, but I have to agree on the most part, I'd hold out until an official translation too because well, it makes more sense that way honestly anybody could twist a quote and we can never be 100.00% sure on what the true translation is I suppose, but thankfully the official english translation of CoT summed it up nicely.

I actually have never seen many heroines who were willing to do this for the one they love I mean one other comes to mind but I'll let them remain nameless xD

No, honestly I think Aerith would have dived in there and pulled a stunt similar to Hercules to save her man or at the very least have tried something even a simple attempt to go to the crater as they were in lift off would suffice...I mean would that be SO damn hard to do for anyone else?

(off topic, oh mah glob, that entire scene is so freaking romantic. Cloud raises his arms? really? my gosh, that is so fluffy!! )

How in the hell is that off-topic woman, bring more of that here

Hmm, strange how well that proves she was a sacrifice. You made it up.

What? No I didn't google the interview and see for yourself

Holy-------------!

Dear word! I don't remember reading that!! Tori you mad genius! How could I have missed that and you have spotted it It's glorious! It not only forshadows that she means to meet him again after the deed is done, but it says that she still wants to meet him again. And for her to say that they can meet each other again gives me the sense that she felt that Cloud wanted to meet her again.


Bravo to your post, Tori. I'm gonna add them to the front page.

Nessun problema, maybe I should write an "Aerith sacrificed herself" essay for our LJ community? Yeah? I think on it maybe. Because looking back at these posts its seems like I'd be more than able with all the material xD

 

[The Witch]

You and me both sister, I love how the book focuses on Clouds pain alone, its like SE published this JUST for the LTD, I mean every little question was answered in this book, how Cloud felt, how Aerith felt, how she didn't feel about others, and most of all what her mission was and who it was for. Bah, I just love that Aerith had such a beautiful story written for herself & Cloud.

That's a good point. MoTP does seem to answer a heckuvalotta questions about Cloud and Aerith's relationship/feelings and what her mission was.

I really like that its really hit home that Cloud was on the verge of insanity just because she left his side, it just proves she was the only reason he hadn't snapped because the shit he had been through thus far. She was holding him together.

Oh, glob
That's so true I remember in DISMANTLED(after Aerith's death) Cloud asks Aerith "who he was"... to me, that just screams Cloud felt/believed Aerith knew him best and doesn't that just show how much he cared for her? So yeah, I agree Tori. I think she was helping to keep Cloud's sanity afloat.

"The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing. Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer laugh, cry, or get angry."

That is all.

QFT

Yes, yes, I love that quote and it literally melt my heart, because she really would stay by his side and protect him from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, not leave him as soon as a crater begins to erupt and certainly not let hunger be the first words from her mouth after he'd been left behind. He's the reason she could give her life for the planet, because she's protect him no matte what.

I couldn't agree more. T^T
I just don't see her ever leaving Cloud in danger like that. If she risked her life to save him then she would probably die trying to save him in a scenario like that. *le sigh* I could see it now, the others would be trying to lead her outta there but she'd break free and run to get him, then, when she was in danger Cloud would snap out of Sephiroth's control--just like he did before her death--and rescue her.

/ramble

I actually have never seen many heroines who were willing to do this for the one they love I mean one other comes to mind but I'll let them remain nameless xD

Why? Tellll mee
You're thinkin' of Yuna, right? That's the only one I can think of.

No, honestly I think Aerith would have dived in there and pulled a stunt similar to Hercules to save her man or at the very least have tried something even a simple attempt to go to the crater as they were in lift off would suffice...I mean would that be SO damn hard to do for anyone else?

True. I thought I remembered the gang trying to get Cloud but they don't... they all just up and leave and desert him like he's some stranger. :/ That's... oddddddddd

How in the hell is that off-topic woman, bring more of that here

D'aww, okay
Isn't that scene romantic though? It's so sweet that Cloud feels so normal talking to her even though she's gone.

What? No I didn't google the interview and see for yourself

I was joshin' around, misses!!

Nessun problema, maybe I should write an "Aerith sacrificed herself" essay for our LJ community? Yeah? I think on it maybe. Because looking back at these posts its seems like I'd be more than able with all the material xD

Oh, please do!! I've started up my new Live Journal community for Cloud & Aerith and I would love to have a well written essay about it.


here's a link if you want to submit one:
http://cloud-x-aerith.livejournal.com/profile


random topic: I was just watching a walkthrough of the childhood flashback of Aerith's and noticed that when Elmyra finds out that her husband had died Aerith's theme starts up again(it's already playing during the whole scene, but it starts again when Elmyra finds out). Anyway, the strange part is it resumes playing at the exact part of the song that plays when Cloud sees Aerith die.

Coincidence in these scenes: the song begins to play when both lose someone they love.

Just a random thing I noticed...

 

[Saints&Storms]

Oh, please do!! I've started up my new Live Journal community for Cloud & Aerith and I would love to have a well written essay about it.


here's a link if you want to submit one:
http://cloud-x-aerith.livejournal.com/profile

I definitely will then

random topic: I was just watching a walkthrough of the childhood flashback of Aerith's and noticed that when Elmyra finds out that her husband had died Aerith's theme starts up again(it's already playing during the whole scene, but it starts again when Elmyra finds out). Anyway, the strange part is it resumes playing at the exact part of the song that plays when Cloud sees Aerith die.

Coincidence in these scenes: the song begins to play when both lose someone they love.

Just a random thing I noticed...

Oh my gosh, thats so strange? So, what is Aeriths theme the theme for separated lovers or something, now? I distinctly recall there being some silly debacle about songs mattering in context during the debate of whether the C/T date was Canon so why should this be any different?

But overall, just -- wow, I can't believe they thought this out so thoroughly, that is very sweet though, the team directly compared Aerith and Cloud to her Mom and her mothers soldier Husband, who were also separated, so cute!

 

[The Witch]

Did any of you guys hear about IGN saying Cloud and Aerith were one of the greatest video game couples of all time for their Valentine's Day news??

Here's the article!
http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/121/1218628p1.html

The best part is that they lumped CloudxAerith up there with TidusxYuna and SquallxRinoa! so awesome!

It's wonderful, though, isn't it?

 

[Aerifa]

Please, allow me. This is just the VII cast's story:
In this AU Cloud grew up with Cid, Yuffie, and Aerith(and I believe Squall). Well, nine years before the start of KHI, Hollow Bastion falls under siege by Heartless. In the midst of this battle, Cid takes the young Yuffie, Aerith, and Squall and flees the battle grounds, accidentally leaving behind Cloud. Nomura has said Cloud wasn't "left behind" but rather was lost in all the commotion. Flashfoward 9 years to the point of KHI and we have Squall, Aerith, Yuffie, and Cid all located in Hollow bastion... but Cloud is still missing.

During the game you can head to the Hercules' fighting stadium and see that Cloud is in works with Hades--striking a deal with the devil that if he kills Sora to get to Hercules(aiming to kill the fallen God) then Hades will give Cloud his end of the deal--which was to "find someone". Here's a scene of them mentioning Cloud's deal:

Hades: "That little punk is your next opponent, okay? Now, don’t blow it. Just take him out. "

Cloud: "The great god of the Underworld is afraid of a kid? Sorry, but my contract says— "

Hades: "I know! You think I don’t know? I wrote the contract! I know it says you’re only required to kill Hercules in this tournament. But you’ve gotta fight that kid to get to him. Come on. Hey, it’s like that old goat says: Rule 11: It’s all just a game, so let loose and have fun with it! I mean, a casualty or two along the way is no big deal, right? "

Cloud leaves.

Hades: Geez. Stiffer than the stiffs back home. Still, suckers like him are hard to come by...
(You can see part of the above scene here)

Once you begin your battles in the coliseum, Sora can either win or lose against Cloud, but neither really matter because Cloud is smashed by Hades' demon god--Cerberus--to which Sora will have to fight and defeat in order to obtain the Olympus cup. After the battle, Sora leaves the grounds of the battle stadium only to find Cloud sitting at the steps of the gate leading from it. Sora then speaks to Cloud and THIS scene takes place.

Sora: Hey, are you all right?

Cloud: Yeah.

Sora: So why did you go along with him, anyway?

Cloud: I’m looking for someone. Hades promised to help. I tried to exploit the power of darkness, but it backfired. (stands up) I fell into darkness, and couldn’t find the light.

Sora: You’ll find it. I’m searching, too.

Cloud: For your light? Don’t lose sight of it.

(Cloud gives Sora something.)

Sora: How about a rematch sometime? Fair and square, no dark powers involved.

Cloud: I think I’ll pass.

Watch the scene here: Part 1 & Part 2

During the ending of the game is when the scene Tori has in her sig takes place. As Tori said you can find it on youtube.

The ending is very significant for Cloud and Aerith, especially when you know of these interviews by creator and designer Nomura.

Question: In which case, when Cid took the others and escaped from Hollow Bastion, was Cloud left behind?
Nomura: He was just lost in the confusion, he wasn't really left behind (laughs). Because presumably Cid and co were escaping in the midst of the disarray. - Kingdom Hearts Ultimania


Question: Okay then, so the person who Cloud is searching for is Aeris, right?
Nomura: Well, what do you think? If indeed it was Aerith, then the bit in the ending was the answer. You might say it was made so that you can take it that way. Cloud is a popular character, and I don't really want to decide myself, yes he is like this. Because players make strong conclusions by themselves, I want to leave room for everyone's line of thought.
&
“Interviewer Question: What's the theme that you most wanted to express this time?
Nomura: "Not just this time; "Kingdom Hearts" always have something like "a person's heart" and "connection of hearts" as its theme. Like the strength of an invisible "heart" or what's the most important thing to you, that’s what I was thinking while drawing the story." -KH II ULTIMANIA


&
Question: What was the thought behind bringing back Aeris [in Kingdom Hearts]?
Nomura: Yes, she died in Final Fantasy VII, but there's no real relation to where she was at or what role she played in FFVII. There's no relationship from FFVII to the Kingdom Hearts stories. I consider them separate stories. But if you play Kingdom Hearts, toward the end, some of the questions about the relationship between Cloud and Aeris in FFVII might be answered. It's sort of like a side story, and this was an extra bonus that I wanted to give to players. ~Official U.S. Playstation Magazine; October, 2002, page 139-140



Notice how Nomura specifies about Aerith's role and where she was and then says we might find the answers to her and Cloud's relationship in the ending. What happens in the ending? Cloud is shown reuniting with her--they're together. Kinda strange how this interview and Cloud and Aerith's ending takes place in a game about connection of hearts and important people, especially when Cloud has been lost from her for nine years.

So yeah... basically that's their story.

Thank you, gosh that sounds romantic
and I thought the creators were supposed to be vague on who Cloud loved, that doesn't sound very vague to me *shrugs* Oh well, its still sweet as apple pie.
I'll have to grab a copy of Kingdom hearts sometime, I think I might enjoy it.