<–Chapter 20 Chapter 22–>
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII, its characters, and settings are all property of Square Enix so I can take no credit nor claim any ownership of that. I do take some credit for the story’s plot.
Banner Artwork Disclaimer: The featured artwork for the banner is entitled White rose I and was created by the very talented Deviant Artist RemusSirion who was gracious enough to grant me permission to use it here. The picture has been slightly altered from the original. All rights belong to the artist, and links are included for both the artist page and the work.
Chapter artwork disclaimer: the featured artwork for this chapter is by NVALKYRJA. THE PICTURE HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY ALTERED IN APPEARANCE AND TO INCLUDE THE CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ARTIST.
*******MAJOR CONTENT WARNING*******
Consistent and sustained graphic descriptions and mentions of rape/ sexual assault, sexual slavery/bondage, slavery, human trafficking, physical abuse, graphic descriptions of violence, mental abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, body shaming, starvation, torture, forced pregnancy, forced childbirth, miscarriage, forced miscarriage, abortion, and other potential disturbing and triggering topics.
The general makes a desperate confession, yet finds even more “sins” to mourn.
Sephiroth, dressed in his typical black and silver outfit, is kneeling in front of Aeris with one arm around her and his other against her skirt. His one black wing rises behind him off the frame. The top of his head is at the level of her chest. One of her hands is in his hair and the other is on the back of his neck. She is wearing her regular pink dress with short, red jacket. She’s looking down at him in compassion, and he has his eyes closed with a pained and contrite look on his face.
He opened no door for fear that she slept, and the sound would drive her to pure terror. She’d been awakened too many times with horror invading her flesh. That sweet chestnut head with a rightful crown made the fallen delight in his choice. His great wing shadowed the peak of the sun, as the light broke against feathers black. He glanced to corruption with slits chilled in sorrow, but she needed to see him for true. The sword in his grasp bore only scant blood, and Sephiroth clenched his jaw tight. I cannot approach her with what bears her death. I cannot…but I must. She deserves to see me, as I truly am, and the sword and I are kin. It can’t be dissolved, our deadly connection, my blood fills its steely veins. Yet he could not bear to near innocence, bringing that which had taken her life. He wanted to sweep her into his arms, and bask in her pure summer scent…before he so told her all his misdeeds. All of them. My time is done. My reprieve must finally end. She has to know my truth. What has protected her all of this time is nothing but her foul destroyer, playing at penitence, asking atonement. There’s no absolution for me. The greatest of generals bowed his head, and the waves of his guilt stirred sweet sleeper.
