FF7R: Hollow Is About Aerith [lyric comparison & explanation]

**watch until the end for the explanation**
What's your interpretation of Hollow? Share any thoughts below, and keep the comments civil!
Translation credits:
1st quote: gurekura/status/1...
2nd quote: / 1
Sephiroth's lines: / 1249601266319101953
socials:
/ yououuii

[@yououui9573]

A point I forgot to add to the video: Another reason it couldn't be about Cloud's suppressed self is indicated in the line, "But I know that you're long gone." Although Cloud creates a new persona for himself, his true self is never gone, and by the end of the game he's found himself again.

[@Koniving]

I may offer this which also supports that the song is not exclusively about the remake... and that the remake as a whole is a titled entry and not an actual remake, but a sequel within the compilation, set within within the original timeline. Here's my supporting evidence. 1) Ultimania Omega 2005 explains that all the "inner voice" scenes are, with the few obvious exceptions, young Cloud speaking to his 'new persona'. 2) In the original game, Sephiroth-controlled Jenova did not know who Cloud was. Only what Cloud is. One could attest this to the fact that Sephiroth-controlled Jenova and thereby extension the clones, are slowly "learning," as Sephiroth is learning how to control them during this time. The "Sephiroth" in Cloud's head, however, knows everything about Cloud's future. He knows who Cloud is, who Cloud will become, and who Cloud was. In fact, literally everything is about Cloud. 3) There are two Sephiroths, *at least.* We first meet the "original" game's Sephiroth around the same time as the cut content from the original game, the night/morning returning from the first reactor mission. In the cut content it was a forced nightmare while losing consciousness on the elevator down. See "The Lifestream.net" 's unused text series. In the original game, Sephiroth does not know (or in the case of Crisis Core remember) Cloud's name until Cloud actually tells Sephiroth [Jenova's arm] in the cargo ship. "Who are you?" "Don't you remember me? I'm Cloud." "Cl..oud? You're just a puppet." In FF7 Remake, this is represented specifically with the #49 clone, Marco. Upon seeing another person with strong Jenova cell content, still-learning-to-manipulate-clones Sephiroth locks eyes with Cloud and his first reaction is a smile of convenience, and an attempt to murder. To Murder. To Kill. No conversation. No goading. No "Sephiroth-antics." Just die. Die. Die. DIE.. (You can even chant that for great effect during that scene.) Sephiroth's control over the clone however is quite pathetic. In a last ditch effort, the clone attempts to summon Cloud to the Reunion... which is calling all clones to find a way to arrive at the North Crater where both Sephiroth is, and Jenova died. The second clone, however, is not being controlled by the original Sephiroth. He only takes form after touching Cloud...after touching New Sephiroth's body (aka Cloud). This one speaks. Original Sepiroth throughout this game does not refer to Cloud by name at any point. There is a series of events where he speaks to Cloud... but he isn't speaking to "Cloud" so much as the cells in him. "Don't deny me." "What a touching reunion." Cloud is not a person, per the original Sephiroth. Cloud is just a puppet, a thing, yet another clone and nothing more. No name, no identity. Sephiroth is also remembered as speaking by Cloud but in a flashback; and immediately the flashback summons New Sephiroth to the forefront of Cloud's mind, after the platefall, in which he says "You have failed again." Speaking specifically about the platefall. Even though the deathtoll has drastically changed, the fact is you have failed to stop the plate from falling. You failed...again. And note that repeatedly new Sephiroth wants Cloud to become stronger. To hold on to hate. That brings us to point 4. 4) Sephiroth's obsession with Cloud is how Sephiroth kept from truly dying after the events of the original FF7. To quote "Case of lifestream", "So long as Cloud remembers me, I will always come back." Also to quote elsewhere in the same novel: "He made Cloud the core of his being." "Cloud became everything." "Without Cloud, he would be nothing." That Sephiroth would want to bolster, boost, and encourage Cloud. Feed the hatred, drive memories of Sephiroth to become stronger, stronger and stronger still. So then why would Sephiroth try to kill him in Stargazer Heights? Or in the Shinra building by becoming Jenova? That's not the same Sephiroth. But we know that "New" Sephiroth is from the future. Every thing he refers to with "again" and even how Cloud killed him, "Oh you needn't remind me." (OG Sephiroth needed to be reminded). What's more, the obsession... the obsession.. The way he says "Cloud" over and over again, the way he puts so much emphasis on it... 5) Sephiroth's mental haunting "simmers down" significantly after encountering #2. This is because a chunk of the new Sephiroth has connected to and will be taking control of #2 ("This guy are sick") in the near future. His final in Cloud's head scene after this is really brief. 6) Two Sephiroths, two places, two goals. Shinra building. New Sephiroth, messes with the holodeck, gives Cloud nightmare fuel. Old Sephiroth: Walks through Shinra building like he owns it, scaring Palmer. Old Sephiroth: Claims Jenova. "Don't deny me" (tries to take control over Cloud but fails). "What a touching reunion" when attacked. New Sephiroth: Makes to President Shinra first, throws him to the balcony and lays in wait, knowing the Original Sephiroth will be there any minute. Old Sephiroth: Kills President Shinra, then Barret. Proceeds to try and kill everyone else before failing. Old Sephiroth's body: Dies. Disappears. Jenova's body (taking his form but covered in black goop) materializes right next to where Marco died, and is deliberately in a completely new position to draw a LOT of attention to this fact. New Sephiroth: Appears and claims Jenova's body (in the form of a black-gooped Marco) and leaves. Proceeds to "merge" by dying with Jenova in hand akin to advent children. 7) The whispers were always in the series: At the highway, Aerith explains the Whispers are "the Voices of the Planet" meaning that they are in fact always there. Dirge called them the "Screams of ten thousand souls" and began seriously alluding to some serious implications about their purpose. Turks aren't alright has Rufus referring to them without knowing what they are. Not knowing why he is there, having had no reason to be there other than an urge, a push, a whisper that he cannot hear telling him that he needs to be there. 8) The three guards of the Arbiter of fate are confirmed to be apparations of Sephiroth's reincarnations, Yazoo, Loz and whatever the other one was named. 9) Sephiroth's reincarnations in advent children didn't look like him, because Sephiroth forgot what he looked like in life. This is because he channeled everything inconsequential into Meteor, per Case of Lifestream. In the battle against Sephiroth, he brings us to the future (literally, not hallucinations, he literally brings us to the future) and sucks up Meteor. This is why people have noted his Japanese voice pattern changed from "original" to "Crisis Core", post-and-pre-insanity. This is important. This means he now knows everything about who he was before Meteor, something he gave up long ago. He has his humanity back... 10) In the fight against him, at no point does he fight seriously. We are shown this in the final cutscene with Sephiroth where Sephiroth wants to talk to Cloud. Cloud performs omnislash, a move which from his perspective he literally just invented. But... Sephiroth has already faced this move and its improved version. So in comparison this is child's play, Sephiroth blocks every hit and disarms Cloud like nothing. Sephiroth has stopped playing, and instantly closes the gap and gives his final phrase for Cloud to think about. Oh, and 11) Aerith has nothing to do with the whispers. Aerith knew nothing about them as they are in the remake until halfway through the game. She could not see them until she touched Cloud. It is after several battles that, as she explains in the Shinra building, every time they touch her she loses a piece of herself..(and what she doesn't mention is she gains visions of the future). This relates to another novel with a name I can't hope to write due to it only having a Japanese title, in which similar to "Flower Maiden" Aerith notices Sephiroth is making a move and tries to stop him. But after he goes into a black void, she can't. But as (Dirge) "tainted lifestream" enters this void by attaching to the "screams of the planet's invisible defenders", she finds that she can attach parts of herself, messages and memories. These are what is "replacing" Aerith as we know in the 'present'. Glimpses of the future, memories of dead Aerith's past and life after death. 12) Akin to Aerith, every person that has seen and interacted with whispers has touched Cloud at some point. It is important to note that Hojo himself cannot see the whispers, he doesn't question or react until suddenly they are thrust upon him. Much like the Shinra troops can't see them. 13) My last tidbit: Flashes of the future. I suspect New Sephiroth is behind these.

[@luluchickenhead7375]

I had never really thought about who the song was talking about, but the reasons are very good and I can now clearly tell that it's about Aerith.

[@killmeplz2688]

This is so true also thanks for making. Me cry also also I saw all your other vids

[@whateversong3331]

also this part of the game has almost nothing to do with Cloud's false memories. Even at the climax they frame it as about Cloud and Aerith's complicated history and fate.

[@yukineven]

@@whateversong3331 LOL 😂 😂😂

[@my7162]

hollow obviously sounds romantic, not just guilty in Japanese lyrics. Cloud loves Aerith. Then we've got No promises to keep. love song from Aerith to hollow Cloud . it's amazing.

[@SydCar]

Aerith’s theme literally plays right after the song ends in the credits. In case anyone missed the point.

[@ShuiroHotaru]

The instrumental of the song also only plays in Sector 5, aka Aerith's sector. If someone still miss the point, they're voluntarily playing dumb.

[@yukineven]

@@ShuiroHotaru When Nojima wrote the lyrics, he didn't even know where the music was going to be used. He wrote the lyrics for a trailer. stop mixing everything up.

[@ShuiroHotaru]

@@yukineven stop lying... Nojima wrote the lyrics for the THEME SONG of Final Fantasy VII Remake... Not just for a trailer... Nomura told him what he believe were Cloud's feelings before he wrote them and then NOMURA chose to place the instrumental of the song in Sector 5... Stop being salty about it and spreading lies, it makes you look stupid and insecure.

[@bladerj]

@@yukineven you stop being in denial, the reason they dont put their foot in the sand is because they know the fandom is divided. But i think remake will be a way to have their cake and eat it too.

[@yukineven]

@@bladerj very funny ,, now shut up

[@TheMrGiannisgr]

Of course it’s about Aerith, who else could it be for. This song made me real emotional when I finished the game. Hadn’t played the OG when I did, it was my first experience and the romantic moments of Aerith & Cloud were the best parts for me. Incredible chemistry between the characters too.

[@abookamongsthemanypj7140]

Everybody knows Cloud loves Aerith. Only a fool couldn't see.

[@warrencaelum9536]

obviously cloti fans

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@warrencaelum9536 They are the fools . I mean, they can support what they like. But there is no denying something as obvious as the love of Cloud and Aerith . They should accept their love as a fact . But they deny everything . You don't need to be a Clerith to see the love of Cloud and Aerith , but you need to be a fan of Cloti to see Cloud and Tifa as a couple

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s Even Tifa knows what's going on. Hence she mentions how sad she is about Cloud and Aerith in her own resolution scene, nags him the sewers, gets jealous when Cloud asks if Aerith is OK on and on. So obvious Cloud and Aerith's chemistry.

[@sophiette4001]

IKR.

[@mambo_combo]

You sure your not the one who's the fool? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ6YgYSkrJWfj6s Like seriously? kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3TPYn-ZZ9Cnps0 You absolutely sure you know what your talking about ? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGPEf62lqJmkn5Y

[@tai1704]

FF7 is Cloud and Aerith' story..I mean you literally see Aerith first at beginning and end of both games. Her death in FF7 OG is the most iconic moment in gaming history. Zack and Tifa are part of the story to give Cloud and Aerith more depth.

[@SuperCrysiscore]

Even in Advent children he is suffering of her Death. He Lives together with tifa then jes but, its obvious, she cant replace her for him.

[@LuisSR01]

STRAIGHT FACTS

[@elizabethchint2391]

You're forgetting Sephiroth. Cloud was originally supposed to be an actual clone of Sephiroth. Also I've never seen it as just Cloud and Aerith's story (even though I do ship them), this game is so much deeper than that. It's a story about life.

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@elizabethchint2391 To be honest and correct. This is the story of Cloud, Aerith and Sefhiroth. They are the main characters and the whole plot is based on them. This is very difficult to deny . The other characters are important, but not so much

[@flowergirlff7505]

@@SuperCrysiscore Hardly lives with Tifa. They don't even stay in the same room and then he moves on to live alone in Aerith's church.

[@MoonPrincess28]

This song is 1000% about Aerith and anyone who says otherwise is being willfully ignoring or are reaching for any possible doubt so they don't have to accept it. I can't wait for Cloud and Aerith to finally be together and have that happy ending they were robbed of in the past.❤❤❤❤

[@lordsaladito]

Tbf, if the game ends similar it means aerith will need to die, and if she doesnt die in that part, maybe she would need to kill herself or worse, cloud will kill her

[@LeahJade87]

@@lordsaladito People are always claiming how Aerith had to die to cast Holy, but that's bogus. Otherwise, why was Sephiroth trying to kill her to stop her prayers to the planet, because was trying to stop her from releasing Holy! All he did was create a powerful ally for Cloud that could manipulate the lifestream and be a royal pain in his ass from the afterlife. If anything, one would imagine if he has any sense that he wouldn't touch a hair on her pretty little head this time around! 😅

[@MrCheezyBoi]

IDK man with zack seeming to be alive this time its gonna be very complicated

[@moatezmoussi9751]

FF7 is Aerith it's as simple as that.

[@chibimoon1003]

Also in Dissidia Cloud thinks about her💗 he goes into the flowers, Zidane told his friends that they returning to were belong and Cloud goes in the field of flowers while he holds the green materia

[@Mari4Mari4]

I will sue someone if she dies again and Cloud loses her AGAIN.

[@TheMrGiannisgr]

Same here ✋🏻she saved us all so many years ago, it’s time for us to save her this time.

[@Ncholasbloom]

if sora can save kairi cloud can save aerith

[@shawwalmuhammad]

Sora looks like Aerith and Cloud son, Spiky Chestnut Hair and Blue Eyes 😆

[@Ncholasbloom]

@@shawwalmuhammad aerith fills the void inside him like kairi is sora's light

[@andresgarza8511]

It will be zack

[@shawwalmuhammad]

Nicholas Bloom yeah, they make it so obviously in Final Fantasy VII Remake 👍🏻 Aerith and Cloud they complete each other. Aerith even call him “mine” in chapter 11. 😆

[@akago3912]

@@shawwalmuhammad honestly I noticed during my second playthrough that when Aerith proclaims, "Mine!" Tifa's face is gold

[@Irina-lv5bd]

I have no idea how people can say with a straight face that the song is about Tifa (I've seen this it's weird). Tifa never died. Tifa is around Cloud and she actively tries to be in his life. How can a song about Cloud's feelings about someone he lost be about Tifa? I'm pretty sure this is also supposed to be about Advent Children Cloud's feelings as well so it really don't make sense if it's about Tifa then. Advent Children Cloud was still dealing with his grief and regret that he wasn't able to save Aerith. All signs point to it being about her. Even though Cloud did lose Zack he literally forgot that Zack existed for a while. Also being able to heal wounds applies more to Aerith since she's the white mage of FF7.

[@makvande576]

Don't worry, Princess Cetra. We're all coming for you. We'll save you this time.

[@ScarletEdge]

Squeenix: Kills Aerith Fans: Let's invade Japan

[@nicolassabio2470]

​@@ScarletEdge Some say Oppenheimer needs a sequel.

[@NordicWiseguy]

Anyone who says that this song isn't about Aerith is in denial. I think this song is heavily foreshadowing that saving Aerith will be one of the major plot points in rebirth.

[@bomnitoperro9422]

I dont want that i actually think that arrith being the major conceptual force in ff7 you know kindness, love and understanding despite a grey and diying world that inspired a group of broken people to fight against destiny is amazing her death mean something, even if hope dies, even if the best of us dies we are still the ones to decide, cloud never heals he fight sephirot against all odds as a broken man, no personality left, no love left and still he choses to be hope for others. Thats in my opinion the strenght of aeriths death, she cared about the world and died like a martir but she loved everyone and believed in them so hope was never lost

[@NordicWiseguy]

@@bomnitoperro9422 i personally would like to see Aerith live through this trilogy in remake world or at the very least in the alternate world where Zack is alive. I'd like to see atleast one Aerith having her happy ending.

[@sora123aqua3]

I'm from the future. We can't tell whether we saved her or not xD

[@LeocaprioDinardo]

@@sora123aqua3lol

[@bradleyhall1815]

​@@sora123aqua3need that 3rd fame.

[@nguyenthanhhai6725]

Let Aerith live.

[@meyou2120]

I second this

[@eternaldarkness2101]

If she dies, will Square get a second wave of hate mail again, I wonder.

[@mtn9272]

@@meyou2120 I third this.

[@primeslayer1735]

That is ultimately Square Enix's choice to make.

[@_Ikelos]

The reason she's memorable is that pivotal moment where she dies. Just like Zack finally achieves his dream of becoming a hero by dying, Aerith brings life back to a group of survivors (everyone in the party) with her willing sacrifice, and her leading role after she dies. If you remove that, you remove a main part of what makes the entire game's story so memorable. It might sound patronizing, but people who ask for Aerith to live remind me of children who think adding candy or chocolate to every dish will make it taste better, because they like sweets. You love FFVII, but you don't understand why.

[@lightninghope7265]

Aerith and Cloud deserves a happy ending. Aerith, hear me once more. This time I will never let you go. Cloud, we can do this, together. 🌸🎀☁️🗡☄️

[@sophiette4001]

I really hope that she'll be saved...

[@brotheroflight8761]

Aerith deserves Zack. Cloud deserves Tifa.

[@dsimpleton]

​​@@brotheroflight8761 laaawd here we go 🫠 you biased fans are really taxing 🤦‍♀️ Clearly this song is Cloud's pov for Aerith whether you want to see it or not 😅

[@ryanninjutsu]

7 seconds, is the time cloud have to alter aerith fate of death

[@mayamiko684]

​@@dsimpleton...........................now tell me, why does zack have his own game, and why is tifa the main girl connected to cloud's character arc? Hmm ? You sound so confident with your delusion, and have the audacity to say someone is biased. The creator of this song states its about cloud standing under the rain on barren land , add to that the hollow word where cloud essentially hollows /shout when zack died. If anything the most appropriate way to describe this song is about the numerous tragic events in cloud's life rather than a romantic one. It spits on the painful things cloud had to experience in his life. That's why I think cleriths are morally deprived, if anything, why didn't SE do a FFX-2 for aerith and cloud then? What about the cresent moon charm then? I swear you guys are totally missing out in the true beauty of FF7 because your eyes are closed. I pity you people.

[@xZarazWracam]

Wonderful video, it boggles my mind how some people can possibly deny the obvious meaning of this song.

[@kriziaeloraf3581]

The lyrics also say “embrace” which makes it definitely not about Zack

[@jordanbetts7233]

when people try to say this is about tifa LOL literally where

[@jet44444]

Reaching like always, just look at some Cloti vids. Yikes.

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

They're just offended . Because officially, Cloud's feelings are in the song . And these feelings of love and pain . They still don't want to admit that Cloud loves Aerith , even the dream scene with Aerith is not enough for them, where Cloud can be said to have confessed his love

[@aerithstrife20]

I know right? Lol

[@kalynn1589]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s yeah that dream sequence isn't actually aerith's resolution but cloud's to save aerith. as stated in the description those three different resolutions are for the party members in other words tifa, barret and cloud. aerith wasn't in the party, she was in shinra building.

[@sophiette4001]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s clotis are toxic af.

[@sarahlizetteaquino-cafino3249]

I don't understand how there's a lot of divide in opinion as to whom this song is for? The lyrics say so itself. And it's pretty obvious that it is for Aerith. I mean, the only thing lacking is for them to spell out her name on it. 🤷‍♀️

[@putrahardjono4409]

It's because of shipping war of Clerith, Cloti and Zaerith fans. They have disregard the fact shown in the story but they only accept their own idea of story.

[@mayamiko684]

​@@putrahardjono4409its no ship here. Its just about zack and cloud....hah.... If anything the main comment here is biased as fck. I dunno guys they made the English ver romantic when the og isn't as so. Even the creator is pissed (in Japanese standards) that its heavily misunderstood. I repeat Its about "Cloud standing under the rain on barren land" With hollow as the title, and he's basically hollowing/shout when he died. If anything encouraging that this is about aerith is cruel because she hasn't died here unlike zack. Its like you want her to die. Anyone who misses that this is about zack either never played CC or doesn't know JUST HOW IMPORTANT zack is to cloud. Might I say EQUALLY important to him with aerith. This is why they are both together when he sees them last in AC. I like zack a lot and this things pisses me off. Dude literally died for him.

[@putrahardjono4409]

@@mayamiko684 It could be Zack and Aerith. However, all the hints about his hollow are pointing to Aerith. From: Games: Final Fantasy VII OG -> Novel: On the way to smile -> Movie: Final Fantasy Advent Children. Every single time, He keeps hollowing over Aerith's Death and self blaming over her death. In comparison, Cloud remembers about Zack's death only about 1 or 2 times. Plus, If you have played Final Fantasy Tactics, Kingdom Heart, Final fantasy Dissidia and all other final fantasy games in which cloud is a side characters. He is always looking for Flower Girl or Cetra Promised land; Holding white materia (Aerith's Materia) and heading to promised land; Loathing Sephiroth for taking someone important from him. All hints are pointing to Aertih, including: "Cloud standing under the rain on barren land" Furthermore, in the interview, I forgot whether it is Testuya or Kazushige, stated that Final Fantasy VII Remake is "Continuation" of the series. So, FFVII Remake is the continuation of the story, then this line in the song: "This time I will never let you go" could be apply to Final Fantasy VII Remake. Cloud might be able to save Aerith this time.

[@emina102]

The story somewhat reminds me of that anime called "Orange" where the girl sends a letter to her younger self in a different universe. She narrates everything that will happen to the person she loved and begging her younger self to do things different and save him from killing himself.

[@Vickeey17]

That anime was an emotional ride, jfc cried like a dumbass. Suwa being an absolute bro also. 😔

[@nomesobrenome4092]

Steins gate, also

[@danpauloverdad8862]

Cloud must protect her this time even if it costs him his life

[@andresgarza8511]

7 seconds till the end, enough time perhaps?

[@voltshock99]

Apparently the Japanese title of this song is "Empty Sky." A sky without clouds. Given that the arbiters of fate are now dead and the story can go in any direction, I think that in this version, Cloud, not Aerith, will die.

[@keerya4179]

If she doesn't die she can't talk to the planet via the lifestream, so the planet won't rise against meteor and everybody will die.

[@LuisSR01]

@@keerya4179 That's if Sephiroth wants to do the same thing all over again, maybe he will, but based on his actions in the remake, it's likely that he has a different plan

[@keerya4179]

@@LuisSR01 Yeah, his plan is to not have Cloud beat the crap out of him and not fail to destroy the planet because a florist screw him even after he killed her. Maybe he'll save Aerith himself to stop her from stopping him, since Holy is useless wether she is alive or not xD. Like imagine he do all his evil shenanigans while wandering the planet with our characters acting as Aerith bodyguard and they are all super confused but it's all part of his evil plan x)

[@elizabethchint2391]

I don't understand how anyone could think this song is about somebody else.

[@daverogers7819]

Like all of us here I'm sure, I'm really, _really_ looking forward to see what Square pulls in the upcoming years.

[@shumailazeeshan123]

Cloud is going to bring her to his side again cloud will use this second chance provided

[@lawrencefitzgerald4744]

People want Tifa because she fights with her fists and has a great body. That's it. Anyone who played the original FF 7 knows the main love interest was Aerith. Even in the remake, of you compare interactions between Cloud/Aerith and Cloud/Tifa, it's easy to see how much more comfortable and intimate Cloud and Aerith are with each other. Someone created a video titled, "Cloud falling in love with Aerith for ten(?) minutes". They do a great job of pointing out all the little nuances that could be easily missed in Cloud and Aerith's interactions.

[@melioras_pheonoraptor8936]

Comfortable and intimate??? The remake??? Cloud is annoyed with Aerith for like 90% of the game

[@LuisSR01]

The fact that Cloud agrees to be her bodyguard and spend time with her in exchange for a simple date while he asked for money to EVERYONE else tells you everything

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

@@melioras_pheonoraptor8936 Good joke . In the dream of the cloti fans, he is annoyed with her . And in reality, every time he looks at HER, you can read love. And if you played in Japanese, you'll be blown away by the difference . When Cloud speaks to Aerith and to others, it's two different intonations

[@andresashura5550]

My dude lmao if you are really a fan of the original game, you should know that cloud became a soldier to impress tifa lmao...

[@Zero-fx8pc]

@@andresashura5550 Tifa was his childhood crush but that doesn’t mean he can’t fall in love with someone else trough adulthood, still I believe he loved both at different points of his life.

[@leojared7816]

7 seconds for Sephiroth to fall and murder Aerith in OG. "Seven seconds till the end"

[@sophiette4001]

that gave me chills...

[@fearlesscheshirecat1411]

As someone that’s never played the original game, I had no idea what to expect with the Remake. I had no preconceived notions, no biases, I didn’t know what to expect. So I guess with all of that and coming in blind that’s why I thought it was pretty obvious that the only person Cloud expresses any real romantic feelings for is Aerith. I love Tifa, she’s one of my favorite characters of all time, but the biased fans to sit there and say “iTs ObVioUsLy cLoUd aNd TiFa” I’m just like, you can’t be serious lmfao

[@ryanninjutsu]

yeah first i thought that cloud with aerith, but after searching and reading more about the lore, aerith got zack already, whom she wait all the years without knowing he's been death, in remake they alter the timeline that cause zack still alive in the end scene of remake... look for aerith last letter to zack,

[@fearlesscheshirecat1411]

@@ryanninjutsu There’s also quotes from several compilation and Ultimania books where Aerith talks about how she loves Cloud more. I played Crisis Core for the first time when Reunion came out, and not only did I not like how they portrayed Aerith. But Zack and Aerith’s “relationship” seemed non existent, forced, and extremely weird.

[@nelneruc]

@@ryanninjutsu Without knowing he is dead? SHE KNEW he is dead, she FELT IT and no, Zack is not alive, in the remake we will change the future not the past, Zack is till dead. Aerith MOVED ON, thats why she said to Cloud she is looking forward not back. Thats why I hate Crisis Core, they took every single Cloud and Aerith moment to transform it for Zack, so stupid.

[@xmant8842]

​@K. Ru I agree with everything you said, except the crisis core stuff since I haven't finished crisis core reunion and never played og crisis core. Personally, I'm a fan of the "zack is dead and in the lifestream living out illusions but doesn't realize it" theory

[@ErenDenizMert]

​@@fearlesscheshirecat1411They also copied scenes between Aerith and cloud. Ehh was not a fan of crisis core either Zack is still great tho

[@mortalballgt52]

Bro. I'm a hardcore Cloud and Tifa stan but this song is obviously about Cloud's grief for Aerith. I high-key believe that Cloud indeed loved Aerith and Tifa is just the runner-up in all of this.

[@kpetalis]

I mean...it's not like Square in their publishing campaign back in 1997, tell us during the trailer, while showing the scene of Cloud laying Aerith's body on the water at the city of the ancients, " The story of a LOVE that can never be." That too obvious to you guys? The company and the author told us about it even in the marketing campaign and made it SO obvious both in the OG and the Remake that I don't understand this whole shipping war. Kazushige Nojima himself, the writer, has confirmed this several times in interviews since the OG game. He called them "star-crossed lovers" in one of his interviews for the OG game. I will put the links below if you want. Cloud is haunted by Aerith's death in the OG until the end and wants to meet her again - except of the OG game ending - Cloud: "An answer from the planet, the promised land. I think I can meet her there". Even years latter, in Advent children we see this to be true, and Kazushige Nojima in an interview confirmed that Cloud and Tifa aren't in a relationship nor have they ever been in a relationship until advent children. According to him, they couldn't have anything more than friendship because Cloud is still in love with Aerith and blames himself for her death. The only thing that is keeping them simply living in the same place are Marlene and Denzel. Tifa even berates him in the AD because he disappears and doesn't pay attention to her, and that's because she can't understand him. She had this idealized version of him in her head of the knight in shining armor (the promise, that's what heroes do, they save people) and what she got was this shell of a man that is almost broken from his "perceived" sins. I really don't know how anyone can say that this song is for anyone else BUT Aerith. It's so obvious that to claim otherwise is simply projecting their expectations and not listening to the song and not really following the story.

[@dragonballhaven1417]

@@kpetalis the hypocrisy

[@eternaldarkness2101]

@@kpetalis It's all facts....it's a shame though, that not everyone really care nowadays, especially those who first were introduced to the FF7 universe by playing Crisis Core who ship Zack with Aerith.

[@elizabethchint2391]

I love Tifa, both fans of her and Aerith can be annoying as hell. However I honestly believe if she hadn't died Cloud and Aerith would've been together. Hell, Tifa was created after they decided it would be Aerith instead of Barret to die, they needed another heroine for the hero.

[@jet44444]

Tifa deserves better than to be plan B love interest. Cause let’s face it, she won by default cause Aerith died. Which is why I don’t understand why people want Aerith to die again, we know what happens when she died. Let’s see what happens had she lived.

[@MM-xy2bx]

I totally agree with you. It's so obvius that the song is about Aerith, that Hollow il the theme of FFVII Remake Chapter 8

[@starryhopey]

I never really thought about this song being about Aerith or Cloud. I only saw it as the theme song for the remake. I found this video and it completely changed how I view this song and the game, especially with reading the comments. Ever since I got into FF7 (as of a few weeks) I’ve shipped cloud with Aerith from the start

[@c.manuelmantarillaullipoma8118]

This time, we will save her cloud

[@free_spirit2100]

He asked for a second chance and Devs give it to him in Remake.

[@DingoDIDeatmybaby]

You can have your prefences over your "ships", but don't be intentionally obtuse; this song is about Aerith. Specifically his guilt in not being able to save her in the OG version, which he clearly knows about through his broken memories. Whether they belong together or not, the story clearly frames them as star-crossed lovers, who understood each other on the deepest of levels. When they were together, they didn't have to hide behind their false personalities: Aerith's blind optimism and Cloud's stoic, indifference.

[@kaodoc]

Ofcourse! It's definietly Aerith!! 😭😭😭

[@YourTypicalCobbleStoneMaster]

It is. It's their song 😊❤

[@ReikoTheGamer]

Hollow is a song in Sector 5. For a very known reason.

[@KatherineWinterr]

I SUBBED! I can't wait for you to edit Clerith moments in FF7 Rebirth, ESPECIALLY THE THEATER SCENE AND GOLD SAUCER DATE AAAAAAAAAAA 😩😩😩

[@Mayday46]

Hollow- Cloud To Aerith

[@chaneljen7783]

this is probably a coincidence, but did you notice that after sephiroth tells cloud that the future is in his hands, he turns around and looks at the sky. If you pay enough attention, the bright part is shaped as aerith’s flower. So maybe they’re trying to tell us that we really have a chance to save her this time? Idk.

[@yououui9573]

I've also seen people point out that it looks like the Temple of the Ancients, the spiky weird looking structure by the water where Cloud lays her to rest. So whichever way you look at it, it seems like it has something to do with Aerith

[@eternaldarkness2101]

It's called a Nebula, it is what happens after a star explodes into a supernova, hinting towards Sephiroth unleashing supernova upon Gaia. Destroying the planet is only part of his plan to defy his destiny to become God, he needs Cloud as a conduit (to complete his reunion) as to be resurrected, as Cloud has the last pure S-cells, this allows Sephiroth to absorb both pure and impure lifestream, becoming God.

[@Zero-fx8pc]

Don’t do that. Don’t give me hope.

[@sophiette4001]

Everyone sees something different tho

[@popcultureenthusiast5587]

When sephiroth says "but you can still make it" almost sounds as if, seven seconds for you to save aerith, because if aerith died, the timeline could be reverted back to the intended ff7 original timeline where it was aeriths doing in the life stream to stop the meteor

[@roguexgambit6544]

Her should be "Those two" because it really sounds like it's talking about Cloud after Aerith dies and how much he cherishes her memories and how this is a second chance to keep her. Idk I'm just going to deep into the song

[@stavcy]

I’m a Cloud and Aerith shipper 100% but I would just like to mention that this song being directed towards Aerith, does not need to be seen in a romantic context. Wether you ship Cloud and Aerith or not, you can never take away the impact Aerith has on the story, and on Cloud. It would 100% make sense for a song to be made for her, from the main characters POV.

[@skynut69]

Said perfectly.

[@silvesss]

I have the same line of thought as you, well said!😁

[@icee113]

It's definitely about Aerith, but from the perspective of someone who has played FFVII before, just as Cloud has seemingly lived it before assuming the meaning of the game's subtitle is what we think.

[@laulaurenz]

Imagine if FF7R Cloud gets the memories of ACC Cloud.

[@scandalousretribution9972]

I really hope we get a happy ending this time around. x

[@iwasagirlineldiadoingalrig7290]

Clerith!

[@watarikeito]

Omg! I already feel nostalgia listening to this song and its not even that old

[@kouchankami8075]

it's true story ... and love.

[@whateversong3331]

A lot of lyrics fit her precisely but moreover the self pitying lyrics in particular just do not fit his relationship with Zack. His memories of Zack aren't marred by the same ambiguity of not being himself. He was catatonic or nearly so when Zack died, not consumed with "selfish" doubts and emptiness. They do fit the doubt and confusion and gloom which precede and follow Aerith's death. He's not upset he was too impotent to fight, he's upset he was too mixed up to save someone. That fits the interlude between the Temple of the Ancients and the Forgotten Capital perfectly. And also that's a part we will actually be playing. And also Midgar, the part we have played, is all about introducing Aerith and concludes with ominous foreshadowing of her fate and the question of free will in the face of that. That's all centered on Aerith just as Midgar in general is. Zack is not the focus of this part, so why would a "song about the remake" need to be about him?

[@ZeldaFan0o0]

you are the most logical person ever to explain perfectly why this song is about aerith thank you

[@silvesss]

Sorry, could you explain yourself better? ( Sorry, I'm Italian, I don't understand some English words😅)

[@vanilla7981]

I really like your wording towards the end! You dont let bias get in your way and even acknowledge other parings n' stuff it makes you very reliable and believable! Great video

[@KirbyGotenksabsorbed]

Holy shit, picking up on the City of the Ancients theme playing at the end is an incredible catch.

[@winshifter]

While this is obviously a song about Aerith, that is undeniable, and also it makes sense that is from Cloud's point of view...a rarely if ever see anyone question "From which point in time?". The song is completely written in past tense, that is, everything is said as if things have already happened and the interpreter is questioning if he can change the fate, but also, the interpreter is mentioning that, he has accepted his loss, that he will never see that person again. What does that have to do with the question of "from which point in time?"? Well, recently the Rebirth team has mentioned that, the whole Remake project, the three games that will be released, all link up to Advent Children, though not explicitly saying that Advent Children is the end point of the story, they do certainly imply that the story will inevitably end at some particular point in the Advent Children movie. I think the song is sang from the prespective of Cloud after being basically blown away by Loz and Yazoo. If you remember that particular scene, Loz shoot at Cloud fatally in the chest from behind, you can say that, at this point, Cloud is basically broken and in his knees, he is at a loss, and basically does a desperate attack at Loz and Yazoo, which in turn make a kamizaze attack back at Cloud. Several things happen in the Complete version, but in the first version, Cloud is in a white space floating and eventually Aerith reaches her hand to Clouds forehead and Cloud thinks is his mom, he even says "Mom?", which Aerith kind of teasingly complains "Why everybody keeps calling me mom?" This leads into another thing, the whole Remake universe(Remake, Rebirth and the 3rd unnamed game), is basically Aerith from Advent Children healing Cloud and somehow Sephiroth took that as an oportunity to remake the past and fulfill his last words in Advent Children..."I will never be a Memory". This kind of will explain that by the end of Advent Children, Cloud seems to have healed not only physically, but also emotionaly, finally smilling again. But that's just a theory!

[@silvesss]

Nice theory!

[@maniacalmatt917]

Man, every time I listen to the song or watch a video on it, I love FF7 and Remake more and more.

[@Ekami-chan]

Was not expecting to get japanese accurate translation of a scene for this, thank you for using it! :D

[@marcy9125]

Gotta be honest, this made me quite emotional...😭❤

[@thecatlady4100]

I'm looking forward for a future where Aerith and Cloud are finally together! 🧡

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

you don't need anything at all, just a live Aerith . Love is already there . Unlike Tifa and Cloud . He was with her only out of desperation, it's not even love

[@sophiette4001]

thecatlady Same here! I really want that too💖

[@Locustskies]

Exactly. Cloud and Tifa were awful together!

[@gnrlyj]

Watch Advent Children again y'all if y'all think Aerith isn't carved inside Cloud's body & soul.

[@rubicolin4692]

🌸 Aerith is Cloud’s true love. He is always looking for her no matter the universe. We must not let her go this time, Cloud!

[@cloudshines812]

Cloud x Aerith. Literally the best love story ever ❤️

[@eternaldarkness2101]

Defo love story, but not the best love story, as the devs don't have it in them to rectify, just look at Sora and Kairi from KH, Square will make spinoff after spinoff after spinoff, to make Cloud and Aerith official.

[@cloudshines812]

@@eternaldarkness2101 Don’t even compare Cloud or Aerith to those garbage characters. Square simply doesn’t care for those characters whereas both Cloud and Aerith are match made in heaven, despite their unfortunate ends and fate. Much like Romeo and Juliet

[@eternaldarkness2101]

@@cloudshines812 I ain't comparing anyone, I'm telling the truth about Square Enix, from there point of view, it's a business more spinoffs they create, better revenue they can generate. Money.

[@ShuiroHotaru]

@The great Chasing I'm sorry but you're so wrong I'm wondering if you actually understood the story at all... I'm guessing you're just badly repeating things other people told you. But NO, for the 1000 times, Cloud does not believe he is Zack and he does not have Zack's memories. Cloud explained it himself in the Original game, he said : "I made up the story about what happened five years ago and my being in SOLDIER. I left my village looking for glory but never made it into SOLDIER... I was so ashamed of being so weak. Then I heard this story from my friend Zack... And I created an illusion of myself made up of what I had seen in my life..." Cloud HEARD the story from Zack and Cloud SAW a lot of it himself because HE WAS THERE. So there is no memory exchange. Just think about it, if Cloud had Zack's memories, he would remember Aerith. He would remember Zack's parents when he's in Gongaga. But no, in the beginning Cloud doesn't know Aerith and he fall in love with her without it having anything to do with Zack. He does not believe he is Zack either because he's not trying to copy Zack's personality at all. Cloud just believe he is a SOLDIER 1st Class. Please stop spreading that misinterpretation of Cloud and the story.

[@ShuiroHotaru]

@The great Chasing YOU said Cloud believed he was Zack and had Zack's memories... I said Cloud made things up based on what he HEARD and HIS own memories... It's quite different... But... Yeah...

[@AShroudOfTruth]

Yes, it's a song about Aerith, as was officially confirmed by Nomura. Here's the quote: "Analysing some excerpts of the song [Hollow] and already having the previous knowledge of the entire compilation of the understanding, that it is "Aerith" that he speaks." ~ Tetsuya Nomura

[@YellosBellos]

oo where's the quote from? Im curious bc it's new to me, did it came from an interview or ultimania? :0

[@AShroudOfTruth]

@@YellosBellos I believe it was from an interview. Nojima had also confirmed it.

[@agata_cz]

Agree! Although yes the song could also be slightly about Zack, no one’s death impacted Cloud as much as Aerith’s. additionally, she’s the one who made him care about the planet and convinced him the most to save it, Cloud ignored words of Tifa and Barrett at the beginning of the story. I mean it’s very obvious to me this is about her, and with all the flashbacks of her death and people questioning of changing fate and being able to save her in the remake so often...even in AC, Cloud spends more time thinking about her death than Zack’s, he even asks her to be forgiven. This does not mean that I don’t respect other ships, but sorry I don’t like people blatantly deny the obvious meaning of this song. (I mean I still ship Tifa a bit with Cloud, but for me the relationship between Cloud and Aerith was just so much stronger. These two have a beautiful bond that remains even after death.)

[@CxAThePromisedLand]

If you’re a fan of ff7 since the OG (1997) you’re able to understand that the song is referring to Aerith ❤️ it’s so obvious🙈 I really can’t wait for the the part 2 of the “project remake” will see some scenes about the song 😉 Anyway, great video! I love every single scene you used ❤️ My sincere compliments 😊👏🏻

[@dalegleneagles5072]

No kidding. The follow-ups to the OG muddied the waters and if someone started with CC or AC it could lead to some of the stretched theories we're seeing.

[@ant5894]

When ever hollow starts playing I swear i get goosebumps

[@breadsandwich1469]

Great video!!!

[@divinearia1601]

Hollow is about Aerith from Cloud's perspective, and you did a wonderful job of showing all of that. There shouldn't even be a debate on this. Anyhow, I really love Cloud/Aerith so I want Cloud to have a second chance...BUT, at the same time, Aerith's death is so significant to the central theme 'life' and the idea that people are still with us even after they've passed on. I love the beautiful and powerful message from the OG and Compilation about how the bond between Cloud and Aerith can transcend even death itself. I'm just not sure that I want that message erased. I mean, as long as SE makes it clear the Remake is a completely separate "what if" universe and doesn't really impact anything in the OG/Compilation then I guess I would be okay with Cloud and Aerith having a sunshine and rainbows type ending.

[@lunarisu8010]

Aerith's death is unavoidable but he can reunite with Aerith again in the Promise Land

[@KJames2345]

@@lunarisu8010 Promised land doesn't exist, It's a mythical place where it is suppose to be rich in Mako, it's where Shinra want to recreate the new Neo Midgar.

[@lunarisu8010]

@@KJames2345 You can't say it doesn't exist. It hasn't been found yet by any ordinary human. To prove it exists it was shown on the ending credits of FF7 AC where Aerith is waiting for Cloud in the field of flowers. And the planet promise Cloud that he will meet Aerith in the promise land at the end of FF7.

[@KJames2345]

@@lunarisu8010 So the end credits of AC is the Promised Land now?

[@KJames2345]

@@lunarisu8010 If you want to be specific about the promised land then, you might aswell say it is the Northern Crater. This is where meteor fell from the sky with the Catalyst Jenova, it's the same location that Sephiroth is protecting, It's the location where the lifestream is reaching the planets of surface, trying to heal the wound inflicted by meteor. This is the promised land in Sephiroth point of view. At the Temple of the Ancients Sephiroth tells Cloud and Aerith that he has found the promised land, and it's the same location that the weapons are summoned by the planet.

[@LCardosed92]

I hope in this new timeline Zack x Tifa happens. For some reason I get the feeling that those two could have a good chemistry together. Let's stop the wars and leave Cloud to be happy with Aerith.

[@rhymecarol3425]

😳 OMG okay I'd like that for some reason

[@LCardosed92]

@Rony Segara well he would have to deal with that or find somebody else. Because Aerith will always pick Cloud over Zack.

[@ndrcalrryx2094]

Tifa and Zack or Jesse and Zack.

[@danieloftamriel]

@@ndrcalrryx2094 I feel like Jessie might be the one lol

[@trolulu2457]

YES they deserve eachother and I think would be very happy

[@sleezy3331]

Thank you so much for making this video. For some reason, I cried so much.

[@freedoom755]

OMG! I'm so excited! I can't waiiiiiiiiit #nicevid

[@lastson5014]

And no we have No Promises to keep which is clearly Aerith talking about Cloud

[@Khittope]

Beautifully done.🗡🖤💛🎀

[@vaasmontenegro3728]

I find it funny that a lot of Cloti and Tifa fans are coming on this video to harass Clerith fans just like they are harassing Nojima over the recent trailers, seems like Clotis and Tifa fans need to go outside and touch some grass. Harassing people over a video game 😂 losers.

[@diegola-bella9375]

Cloud is the main character, so he is also an avatar for the player. Yes the song is about Cloud remembering Aerith's death, but in a game with such a huge meta element, is also about the cries of us, players, that tried so much to save Aerith, that went after so many rumors of how to save her, and never could.

[@collindaley1459]

Guys guys it’s obviously about Red XIII

[@KingofCos]

So Cloud is singing a son about Aerith

[@jet44444]

Aerith will probably die again, just not the same way and probably closer to the ending. I think when she dies it will be more of a sacrifice and it will be her choice. She will have time to say her goodbyes empowering her more. I also think Cloud will die, and the ending will be him meeting Aerith in the promised land and being together again. Similar to the bridge scene with Aerith in her dress.

[@pfpf200]

whatever happens, those two need to end up together :)

[@thomascg4907]

I would not mind if they die together. Of course it would be depressing as shit, but they would be finally by each other side that way

[@RobertaFerreira]

At the end of the book Final Fantasy vll World Preview has a story written by Nojima (Scenario Director) and shows a little of Aerith's past in the Shinra building, Aerith has a vision and begins to draw it on paper, the Shinra that is in search of the promised land, took these drawings and sent people to the places (All these places contained mako, and people ended up dying or being poisoned by Mako, these people became guinea pigs for Hojo's Reunion experiment, the hooded guys ) In this drawing Aerith drew a Face, a Flower, a Tree, a Monster... This part made me curious, Aerith is the most important character in the remake (Nojima Guidebook FFVllR) so this will certainly be important in the future.

[@LeahJade87]

I wonder sometimes if Cloud won’t sacrifice himself for both women due to the fact they never really want Tifa fans to believe that she doesn’t have a chance. It’s clear Cloud will never get over Aerith if she dies again like before and that would be a tragic rehash. I just sadly see him dying like Tidus and Zack finishing off as main protagonist. I just hope I’m wrong! I love Clerith and it’s more real than anything Tifa ever had with Cloud.

[@ErenDenizMert]

Sadly i think its just Aerith who is gonna die

[@ace.squirrel]

Oh man, I really don't know what I want from the remake. I love Clerith so much but at the same time, Aerith's death was a big part of what made FFVII so impactful for me. I love bittersweet stuff. I just hope they don't turn it into sunshine and roses. But I certainly wouldn't complain about more obvious Clerith 😀

[@andresgarza8511]

It will be with Zack

[@eternaldarkness2101]

In ya dreams buddy

[@eli-xx6nk]

clerith is the best !!

[@aoto8897]

We already had that ending of her dying, might be best to experience new road now.

[@chocoberry6501]

Well they did show her death multiple times in the remake so i think her dying wouldn't be a shock to anyone. heck not even to cloud lmao he saw so many visions of her like cmon man 😂

[@Cetra29]

There is no "this version of Cloud." The Remake is not about time. It is about memories.

[@PolarisYun]

Just finished FF7Rebirth....... I'm cri...

[@stavcy]

It’s been SO long. Let Cloud FINALLY have the chance to be with Aerith this time. 🤍

[@RobertaFerreira]

Aerith's death is very important to the story, she doesn't need to die to save the planet, she needs to die to fight Sephiroth in the Lifestream. Only she, as the last Cetra can do this, as she is the only one who keeps her consciousness in the Lifestream. The ending of the Remake will be different, Cloud can sacrifice himself to stop Sephiroth "As long as Cloud exists Sephiroth will also exist" (reunion file AC) If all Cloud's pain is for losing Aerith, if he dies he can reunite with her. There are many hints about the promised land, in the remake Aerith's own drawing is about the promised land, and the flower is right in the middle, which makes me think that Cloud will be able to meet her again. He even says at the end "An answer from the planet, the promised land, I think I can meet her... there."

[@gunghocg]

I dont want Aerith and Cloud to die but, thematically, this makes sense. But I hope they can come up with something that’s just as poetic without having either of them die. I think it’s still very likely they can survive.

[@xfairfaeriex]

Aerith doesn't need to die to release the Lifestream if Holy is able to be released early enough in the Remake. The problem in OG was that Sephiroth cast a barrier in the Northern Crater that prevented Holy from being summoned and once Cloud and company were finally able to destroy it to release Holy, Meteor was already too close and Holy alone wasn't able to stop it which is why the Lifestream was needed. I think the main reason Aerith and/or Cloud will die is for thematic reasons. Remake reinforces OG's original theme: "Everyone dies eventually. So we need to make the most of the time we have ... Every minute, every moment matters." It's all about cherishing those we love in the present and once they've passed. Hence the Promised Land. I recently rewatched AC and noticed Cloud's last driving scene in Calling is in a field of yellow flowers, Aerith is shown standing in a field of yellow flowers during earlier segments, and Cloud has a bundle of yellow flowers along with pictures of those fields on his desk in his office. I think this is what Aerith's line "follow the yellow flowers" in the Remake is about - about finding her and Cloud's Promised Land where they can be together and happy which is a field of yellow flowers. In OG Aerith says "The Cetra will return to the Promised Land. A land that promises supreme happiness." Well Aerith admits that Cloud is her happiness to him in Remake "You've made me more happy than you know. And I'll always cherish what you've given me." And we're back to the cherishing theme of FF7. I'm convinced that Cloud will die but I'm not sure whether they'll kill Aerith too this time around. Cloud is Sephiroth's tie to existence like you said. When Cloud first sees Sephiroth in Remake, Sephiroth tells him "That which binds us together would be no more. And I would be loath to live in such a world. Which is why I must ask you this one favor... You have to leave... You have to live." So if Cloud dies, so does Sephiroth. Also President Shinra in the Remake says "Once an SOLDIER, always a SOLDIER. Though not, alas, for very long. Accelerated cellular degradation being the most common cause of death by far." Sounds like Cloud's toast either way. With Aerith though, Sephiroth might not want her dead since she'd definitely be able to rally the Lifestream to push back Meteor which was what caused his defeat in the first place. If Aerith isn't dead, she can't rally it if Sephiroth continues to block Holy from the Northern Crater which might offer him a chance of success in his plans so Sephiroth might WANT Aerith to survive.

[@RobertaFerreira]

@@xfairfaeriex I see that many ignore this, or just want to ignore it, but I know that this time we will have a different ending, The promised land is mentioned in the game but we do not get to know it, we know that it is the Lifestream but Cloud mentions that he can find Aerith there, but it was never shown. When Aerith says "Follow them... yellow flowers" the scene that follows is when she presents Cloud with a flower "Lovers used to give these when they where reunited" It's all very well constructed, easy to understand and very symbolic, after all... Cloud deserves to be with Aerith this time.

[@xfairfaeriex]

@@RobertaFerreira I still maintain that the yellow flowers line can also reference Cloud and Aerith’s reunion in their Promised Land at the end of Advent Children. It is hinted that they will meet one another in the field of yellow flowers during the Calling credits video although likely short-term until Cloud returns to the Planet too, which would be when they could ultimately reunite long-term. As you said, at the end of OG Cloud says "I think I'm beginning to understand... An answer from the Planet... the Promised Land... I think I can meet her... there” and Aerith had said "The Cetra will return to the Promised Land. A land that promises supreme happiness." Since Aerith admits to Cloud that he is her happiness in Remake, like I mentioned before, that means Cloud is Aerith's Promised Land and he can meet her there for that reason. Obviously, Cloud sought to reunite with Aerith because he got an answer from the Planet as to how he could do that and he sounded hopeful for their reunion. I also still maintain that Aerith doesn't have to die in order to protect the Planet if Holy can be summoned in a timely manner and Sephiroth may not be intending her death this time around. I think that the reason Aerith would die would be to fulfill the reunion theme through the Promised Land. Yes, Aerith's death in OG served the external conflict (plot) of saving the world but it also serves the internal conflict (Cloud's character arc) in that it allows for their reunion in the Promise Land which is the main reason the Promised Land and Aerith's death (by necessity) are important to the game. Remember, Aerith went on _alone_ to the Forgotten City for Cloud's sake. In OG she says: "And let me handle Sephiroth. And Cloud, you take care of yourself. So you don't have a breakdown, okay?" In Maiden who Travels the Planet, it says: "Aerith could sense from the whispers of the Planet that something could be done to prevent the worst from happening. She also knew that it was something that only she, the last remaining Cetra, could do. She could only obtain the in-depth knowledge from the Forgotten City. But heading there also meant that she would become the greatest obstruction to Sephiroth’s plans. 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." Aerith's death is inherent to the Promised Land and _Cloud's_ story. This is why the Promised Land is so symbolic in FF7 because it ties into the theme of cherishing loved ones, especially those that have passed away, as a means to keep them alive in our hearts, minds, and beyond while offering a means of reuniting with them. Yes, the yellow lily represents reunion in Remake and Cloud has been desperately trying to reunite with Aerith since her death in OG and he got his answer from the Planet at the end of the game - the Promised Land. It always ties back to Cloud and Aerith reuniting in the Promised Land. This also explains why the Promised Land is tied only to Aerith (as the last Cetra and deceased love interest) which fulfills the reunion and cherishing themes of FF7. The yellow reunion flower dying in the Shinra building scene plays into all of this. During the Shinra building scene with Aerith’s “follow the yellow flowers” line, the music builds up and the yellow flower dies (loses its petals) as Aerith holds it out gives an ominous tone and likely symbolizes Aerith’s death since flowers, especially lilies, are heavily associated with her in FF7. Aerith also delivers that line with a knowing laugh which suggests she knows what it entails. It makes sense as to why that line sounds ominous because Aerith will have to die in order to reach her Promised Land in order to be with Cloud and that's what the Whispers want in maintaining the original timeline so of course they/the Planet would tell her to follow the yellow flowers to her death and then ultimately to her Promised Land. This also lines up with Aerith knowing she died in the original timeline and that, at the time she delivers the line in the Shinra building, Aerith believes she is tied to that destiny because they hadn't fought the Arbiter of Fate yet which is why she had told Cloud in the Resolution scene not to fall in love with her. She didn’t want him to be as broken as he was in FF7, Case of Tifa, and Advent Children due to her death. Based on all of that, seems like both Aerith and Cloud will end up dying in some shape or form in Remake. I think Aerith won't die in the same way and I hope Square shows more saliently how Aerith was trying to save _Cloud_ through her death as well. In any case, at least they have the Promise Land where they can be together and Cloud won’t have to pine for the short lived chances to be with Aerith like he did in Advent Children. A bittersweet ending to their story. Plus it's an easy out for not upsetting all the Cloti fans. All I want is for Cloud to be with Aerith like he’s been trying to be since OG all those years ago.

[@elizadoolittle9657]

we saved her this time ☺💚💙

[@ThomasStephenForster]

Did we though?

[@Locustskies]

Cloud is Sky and Aerith is Earth💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@jeremyfields9009]

And Sephiroth is Hell 😈😈😈

[@Locustskies]

@@jeremyfields9009 Actually, Sephiroth means: Each of the ten attributes that God created, through which he can project himself to the universe and man. Zack Fair means Fair Weather. He comes between Cloud and Aerith but fair weather doesn’t last forever. Lockhart- Heart that is locked. SE went above and beyond with naming the characters. 🤓

[@McClerith]

No lies detected 💅🏻

[@edrez1]

This song is about the loop where Aeris is stuck, eternal sacrifice and Cloud's wish to save her this time. Remember that the cetra has to die in order to revive to sacrifice again for the planet

[@xshii_0033]

I think the devs even stated that but i dont know correctly

[@SnakeWorksStudio]

I was today years old when I realised this tune existed all the way back in 2005 in the last order Anime (last 5 minutes sans lyrics) I thought it was totally new.

[@captain0V]

Thank you for the food I was starved

[@Eiliestl]

The Tifa fans are in deep denial. Next they'll say its about a chocobos 😅

[@eowynsisterdaughter]

It may have been written from the angle of Cloud to Aerith, but I think the strength of it is that it could quite easily waver between a couple different people at different points, and seeing it from the perspective of Cloud, Zack, or Aerith at specific lines makes it more interesting and nuanced.

[@silvesss]

I don't really care who Cloud loves in the end, he can loves both Aerith and Tifa at the same time it's not a problem for me, I don't really care that much, I enjoyed this game so much and I'm not into shipping or other stuffs, I recently watched AC and damn that film for the 2005 was actually ahead of its time really...(I actually watched the complete so it was 2009 but whatever...)...(sorry for my english I'm Italian😅)

[@HenryCasillas]

☮️

[@blacktagalog5644]

If Aerith does not die, then Advent Children needs a remake too, right?

[@herrynaga5700]

No need,my opinion remake is sequel from AC...in mobius FF Cloud get a crystal that says it can lead him to his dream,promise land

[@keerya4179]

@@herrynaga5700 No need to go that far, you have AC Sephiroth in the game (the final boss is Sephiroth who lost and know the original timeline) and the whole ending acknowledge the existence of the original game, the dementors job being to make each alternate universe follow the same path as the original.

[@melioras_pheonoraptor8936]

I doubt. I think they’ve said that the remake will be the last entry to the FF7 saga. The remake takes place in a different timeline so i think it’s safe to say that once it’s complete, Advent Children will only be relevant to the OG game and ITS timeline

[@sleezy3331]

hello. the og ffvii game and its other related games are not canon to the remake. in other words, the ffvii compilation is canon only to the og, but not to the remake. www.finalfantasyunion.com/news/3357/tetsuya-nomura-reveals-compilation-of-ffvii-is-not-canon-to-ffvii-remake/

[@keerya4179]

It's because Aerith went back to the planet that she could make the lifestream rise to stop meteor and holy. Cloud win against Sephiroth which release Holy whom Aerith had summoned before her death but it's too late, holy end up doing as much damage as meteor. So if Aerith don't die, everybody dies.

[@potatoking4227]

Not if cloud's memory problems are resolved before it's too late. Tifa can just tell cloud her version of nibelhiem and none of the sephiroth manipulating cloud stuff will happen.

[@FenrirInFlowers]

According to Kitase in a 2005 interview with Electronic Gaming Monthly, humanity has been destroyed by the time of the Red XIII epilogue anyhow, so it's not like Aerith sending the Lifestream against Meteor and Holy saved humanity in the end: EGM: At the very end of FFVII, we see the epilogue to the whole story that takes place 500 years later, so really, you still have another 497 years' worth of games and movies to fill in.... YK: Ha, maybe I'll try to do that. In a way, I consider that epilogue to be the true happy ending of FFVII. Well, it's a happy ending even though all the human beings are destroyed. [Laughs]

[@nelneruc]

No, in the game is said that the Cetras can control the lifestream even being alive, Aerith never needed to die

[@ChangingTimes01]

@@nelneruc Correct. And it shows her doing just that at the Temple of Ancients FF7 Rebirth. She does not have to die. She's still alive at least in one of the timelines and I hope she remains alive.

[@CJusticeHappen21]

I don't know how the story can work if Aerith survives. My love of the FF7 story clashes violently with my affection for Aerith. Nothing can be obtained without sacrifice.

[@potatoking4227]

If you think aerith's death is necessary. It's not. She was planning on coming back after summoning holy and she did succeed. The only reason the lifestream was needed was because sephiroth was holding back holy and cloud and the party stopped sephiroth too late.

[@CJusticeHappen21]

@@potatoking4227 Maybe. Or maybe even then, she knew that FFVII: Remake would bring her and her friends back together. And this time, things would be different, maybe. If it isn't Aerith, then my guess is that it'll be Barret. Cards on the table, but hear me out. Barret dies because the vision of Cloud, Tifa, Denzel and Marlene that came out in Advent Children demonstrates the direction that the developers wanted to take the characters in. Somebody is going to die.

[@keerya4179]

​@@potatoking4227 Yeah but by consequences if Aerith don't die, the lifestream don't intervene and everybody die. You don't only have to save Aerith by having anyone else but Cloud get her at the altar, you also need to defeat Sephiroth before the lifestream is needed. Which mean at the north crater before he summon meteor, which is impossible since Cloud (who's breaking down and losing his mind at this point) is the only one who can defeat Sephiroth... It's impossible to kill him while he still have control over Cloud, hence why the game would proceed as in the original. Needing to sort Cloud's broken mind then wait for Shinra to break Sephiroth's barrier around the crater with the mako canon, then save Reeve and Midgard from Scarlet and Heidegger, which leave us exactly where the original game was, minus the lifestream to save the day.

[@eternaldarkness2101]

@@keerya4179 😂🤣 Salty purist of fan, did you mother tell you this is a sequel and not og FF7.

[@keerya4179]

@@eternaldarkness2101... What ? I'm so confused by your comment. I get the insult part, even if it's not accurate you're trying to communicate that you are uncomfortable with people arguing against your ideas. Got it. But the part about sequel and OG ? I'm trying to separate the personal attacks and your actual reasoning so forgive me if I get it wrong but are you trying to suggest that since it's a sequel anything could happen and the logic of the original doesn't hold ? If so then it's an actual good point underneath the rudeness, disrespecting and childish behavior of yours (if not I seriously have no idea what you were trying to convey). But anyway, you do admit that I'm right that if we follow the events of the OG there's no way to save Aerith, but it's a sequel so anything can happen. I agree. I put way too much efforts than people usually do to understand the comment of someone who think it's okay to personally attack other for no reasons, but I don't care because I like actually discussing instead of fighting stupid fight over uninspired mama jokes. Also, I'm sorry if it was a trolling attempt and I ruined it.

[@SephirothsGirlfriend]

My husband killing Aerith really did a number on Cloud

[@McPrimogem]

Rip my love😔

[@ladylala3724]

Wait, there are people who think this song isn't about Aerith? but...???*confused mumbling*??? It's literally so obvious! I mean come on, I'm a firm believer that Cloud belongs with Tifa in the end, but even I know this Song is about Aerith.

[@eternaldarkness2101]

I know that Cloud and Tifa don't belong together, but aye it's facts.

[@xfairfaeriex]

@@eternaldarkness2101 Couldn't agree with you more. Reading Case of Tifa and watching Advent Children really showcases their lack of compatibility and understanding for one another. They both deserve better.

[@reblokha]

What has Cloud lost throughout the game that is valuable to him? What is shining brightly? What would heal his wounds after battle? . . . . His MATERIA. This song is about Materia, you guys!! /s

[@daeith1233]

omg yes! It was kinda obvious I can't understand how can people think it's abt Aerith, Zack or Tifa, they're all wrong

[@arwinado]

@@daeith1233 yea i know right?everyone who thinks this is about aerith,tifa or zack is like,an ACTUAL dumbass /s

[@celineosthaus8032]

@@daeith1233 There are actually people who think the song is about Jenova😂

[@ChangingTimes01]

"Analysing some excerpts of the song [Hollow] and already having the previous knowledge of the entire compilation of the understanding, that it is "Aerith" that he speaks." ~ Tetsuya Nomura

[@daeith1233]

@@ChangingTimes01 it was so obvious yet...

[@aaronpasache1847]

FF7 Part 1: Aerith's life FF7 Part 2: Aerith's death FF7 Part 3: Aerith's spirit Square Enix, you're a devil

[@GamingLevel9001]

I hate that whoever recorded the OG FF7 gameplay kept her name as "Aeris"

[@ChangingTimes01]

Why? What's wrong with her other name Aeris, which literally means earth, as well as the name Aerith? Aeris is 'the Japanese pronounciation, thus why she was given this name'. Aerith is the wrong pronounciation as there is no 'th' sound in Japanese. But with that said, both names have the same meaning, EARTH.