Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or any of its relatives. They belong to SquareEnix, and this story is solely for the enjoyment of rabid fans like myself :P.

A/N: Here's some back info on the story. Even though the city bears the same name, this fic has no link to my previous one, "Promised Life".

This fic happens a few centuries after Aerith's death, once her home planet withered away and died. This fic is an experiment, so be ready for anything.

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Slowly awakening from a foggy, deep slumber, Aerith twitched under the light, fresh covers as she hugged her pillow tightly with one hand, enjoying it's softness under her frail fingers. Burying her face deeper in it's delightful depths, she smiled in her half conscious state, breathing deeply and filling her lungs with nice, slightly perfumed air. Her emerald eyes still hidden beneath heavy eyelids as she felt the fresh mattress under her sleepy form, Aerith sighed contentedly, curling herself into a comfortable little ball as her loose, curled hair spread behind her like a wave of chestnut silk.

Vaguely aware of anything else but the overwhelming peace that flowed all over her slim body, the flower girl finally opened her greens orbs slowly, blinking twice as the bright, appealing light of the sun pierced through her unadjusted gaze. Once her dark irises got used to the brightness around her, the half-Cetra rose to a sitting position, suddenly remembering the disaster striking Gaia and fatally wounding the already dieing planet. Meditating in the Lifestream, surrounded by endless swirls of liquid souls, all she could do was watch, knowing that, someday, everything came to an end. Besides, her friends weren't there anymore, and without the bittersweet task of watching over them, no battle was left for her to fight.

But, it seemed that, in the never-ending flow of life, she was not allowed to rest. Maybe accepting the planet's fate was the only way for her to ever reach what the legends called "The Promised Land". Perhaps, she was there now, alone in a town she never saw, among people she never met. Maybe, her flesh and bones were only illusions. Maybe she was still dead. Aerith planned to find answers to those questions, eventually. But she did not care at the moment. The only thing that mattered was the feeling in her nerves, the sweet smell of the air.

Sighing, Aerith finally got off the bed and placed her feet on the floor, delightfully curling her toes on the soft, peach carpet beneath her nude, sensitive skin. Wearing a long, silky white dress, the brunette silently exited the small house that was, somehow, hers. Outside, her eyes glowing with awe, she took an overall look of the breathtaking city she was in. Next to the small property she just left bloomed an enormous garden of multicoloured flowers and a few miles behind it stood a sparkling waterfall flowing in a clear blue lake surrounded by dark blue rocks.

The small roads crossing the city were made of pure, brown marble shining unnaturally under the burning sun. Never in her entire existence did the maiden witness such beauty, holding her breath as her thirsty eyes took on the scenery. Then, a young woman came to stand by her side, wearing a sad yet sweet smile upon her childish features.

"It's very beautiful, isn't it?"

Not knowing if she should be glad for the company or annoyed at being disturbed in her blissful observation, Aerith nodded calmly, smiling to the other girl.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Shikyo" answered the new girl, her dark brown hair gently flowing behind her small back.

"Shikyo...can you tell me where we are?" Aerith asked, her voice filled with hope.

"You are in one of the most important cities of this land, Radiant Garden"

Lowering her eyes to the ground, Aerith breathed a sigh. Never, in her entire existence, did she hear anything about the place she would now be calling home.

"Don't react this way" Shikyo chuckled, turning a pair of glistening brown eyes to meet Aerith's doubtful emeralds. "I can tell there is someone here that you need to meet"

"Really? Who?" the maiden exclaimed, her cheeks taking on a slight, pink hue as her eyes sparkled with new interest.

"You're asking too much" the other girl giggled.

Then, Shikyo walked past her, ready to leave her alone in the middle of nowhere. But, once she stood a few meters in front of her, the girl came to a halt, turning around to give her a beautiful smile.

"Just take a look around"

Nodding, Aerith smiled back as the strange girl finally walked away, her feet light and silent on the pure marble.

"Well…she's right. I might as well cheer up and visit the city. Maybe…I'm not the only one who was sent here" the flower girl hoped, taking a deep breath to compose herself.

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Behind the waterfall, a dark shadow stood tall, his glowing jade eyes fixed on the chestnut haired maiden. Observing her, he felt like luck was on his side. Not only that rotten rock of a planet had finally given its last breath, but he was now in a new world, awakening to witness light, grass and…his never-ending obsession. For too long, he had watched her, admiring the way she wandered the glowing green flows of life that kept him trapped in limbo. Even if he never made contact with her unworthy being, he knew when she was sad, bored, happy…She was his only link to his failed existence.

Too long ago, he had killed her in a single, delightful blow, feeling a burst of satisfaction flowing through his Mako infested veins as his arch-enemy broke down at his feet, holding her expiring body. But, even in death, this little slip of a woman continued to exist, haunting him and annihilating his chances at revenge. Every time he tried to gain the power he rightfully deserved, she appeared like a pure shade of white lightning and engulfed his darkness, giving his enemy the strength to rip him apart. Oh, how he hated her for it. But at the same time, in the bottom of his twisted soul, he praised her for being his only equal. Therefore, he did not feel the need to extinguish the burning flame of her unearthly existence.

But…him, a man who swore to make the universe his and see it kneel at his feet, was admiring, respecting such a frail being. For years and decades, he had wished he could reverse this unacceptable situation. Sheshould be the one praising him. She should be his. And now, the opportunity was just a few feet away.

Then, unaware of his hungry stare analyzing every movement curving her graceful body, the maiden took a step towards the center of the city, finally accepting her new fate.

"Yes, my dear, follow the road to your own demise" the green eyed shadow purred, a dark smile drawing itself perfectly on his lips.

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When the moon rose among the starlit heavens, Aerith went back home and let herself fall on her bed, tired after a few hours of walking among crowded streets. But, no matter how hard she had looked; her eyes could not catch a single glimpse of a familiar figure. Trying to hold on to herself and grab unto any bit of hope she might find, Aerith wished that the morning sunrise would come soon to bless her with a new day, and a new chance to find a reason to smile.

Surely, she was not the only one. One day, her path would cross the one of a person she held dear. Smiling at her own optimistic reflections, the half-Cetra rolled to her side and closed her heavy eyelids, sighing contentedly. Maybe, if she did not find her friends, she would meet her mother and finally have the chance to hold her, and tell her lots of stories about Zack, Cloud, Tifa… Yes, Ifalna was surely there, somewhere.

Encouraged by the thought, Aerith finally felt her mind drifting off to sleep and, out of habit, she wished to say goodnight to a planet she gave her life to preserve. But, at the last moment, she remembered that she no longer had a planet to protect, no longer had a sad, dieing song to listen to.

"Well…I'll just have to find a new star to wish upon" the maiden thought, smiling sweetly as she finally fell asleep.

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A/N: This was the first chapter. Don't worry about Aerith's sadness, after all, she's mourning the loss of Gaia and feels like she has nothing left to hold unto. Even she has hard times :P.