Cloud Strife Aerith Novels & Stories

Unknown The air crackled with tension as Arthur stood at the entrance of Ambrosia’s lair, the remnants of the battle still echoing in his ears. The scent of charred earth and smoke hung heavy in the air, mingling with the lingering cries of the wounded. Athena clung to his side, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination. “We need to find the others, Grandpa,” she urged, her voice steady despite the chaos around them, a stark contrast to the turmoil within.

"Seraphina Agni, save our clan and come back safe. We need you, before our clan disappears, please— save the phoenix from crying..."

Water from the moisture in the air condensed instantly Then turned to ice. Then shattered into blades. The storm wasn’t forming anymore. It was being commanded. And for the first time Aria wasn’t losing control. She was taking it. The man in the shadows smiled slowly. “Finally…” he murmured. “…show me.”

Gods. A pair of gryphons soar overhead, their bondeds laughing as they dive through the clouds. Direwolves and their humans moving in perfect sychronizon. One particulary unimpressed frost lynx lounges across a tree branch, glaring down at everyone beneath it like they are personally offending its existence. Further in the distance, Ironclad dragons train with their bondeds, bronze scales glimmering beneath the rising sun. Terrifying, but majestic. For a few silent moments, I simply watch. Because despite all else, I still love them. I always have, even though Aetherion Academy was not supposed to be my future.

“Is that what your father told you?” I am unsure how she knows, but I only nodded in response. A flicker of darkness danced in her eyes, so fleeting I almost didn’t catch it. "My dearest," she began, her voice like a wind chime on a summer's day, "Aerith is a place of many things. It holds beauty beyond compare, with forests that whisper forgotten secrets and rivers that sing lullabies beneath the moon. But just like the shadows that dance with the light, there is darkness there too."

In that moment, standing on the dusty stairwell of the old school, Elaine realized her dream of becoming a Knight of Artharia was dead. Swallowing the knot in her throat, she pulled herself together and stepped out of the stairwell into the hall. To Elle, crying was done only in the worst of moments, when the fight was gone, and a person found themselves in the shadows of their own destruction, all alone. It was no surprise that she couldn’t stand Leana; Elaine didn’t know how to sort out feelings, let alone be consumed by them.

In the digital view, it was a Forge. "Welcome, Little Glitch," a voice echoed through the Spire’s comms. A figure materialized—an avatar of a woman whose skin was a scrolling ticker of "Old World" C++ code. "I am Aria. We’ve been watching your 'Season' since the first puck dropped in Oakhaven. We didn't think you'd actually make it to the Cloud." "Aria," Elara stepped forward, the silver core of Julian pulsing in her chest. "You mentioned physical bodies. Real skin. Real bone."

she urged, her words firm yet gentle. But Aqua's anguish was a tempest of its own, her grief and anger swirling like a maelstrom within her. The winds continued to rage, carrying her sorrow on their furious currents, while the rain mirrored her tears, a torrential cascade that matched the storm in her heart. Desperate to help her niece find peace, Aunt Cleo reached out, her touch a grounding presence amidst the chaos. With steady hands, she clasped Aqua's trembling shoulders, her touch a lifeline in the midst of the storm. "Breathe, Aqua," she whispered, her voice a soothing lullaby. "You are stronger than this. You can weather any storm."

I got up and ran to his floating body and tackled him back to the floor, as I pulled us back to our realm. I landed on top of Kiran on the floor where we had just been, and Adara started crying. “Vekja upp.” I slid off him but kept my arm across his chest. “Vekja upp.” I felt the flames on my hands, and I hit Kiran’s chest with my fist. “Vekja upp!” I heard Kiran cough, and he rolled onto his side. “Kiran!” Adara cried, and she was right next to him, holding him, and he finally lifted his arm and put it around her.

"Your powers define you Azura. They are connected to your emotions, anger, sad, happiness. Your emotions can control your power. You just need to learn how to keep them at Bay." Wow, okay. Can someone wake me up from this nightmare already?. What's with all these talks about powers? "I know this must all sound strange to you. But you will understand everything soon." "I don't even know what to call you. I mean from your voice, I know you are female. But a female what exactly? Who are you and what's your name?" Maybe we could start there. "My name is Lily. I am your spirit guide and I'm so happy to find out you are alive little princess. We all thought you were dead"