It is here that we see Cloud racing through the forest on Fenrir, his motorcycle, heading toward the kidnapped children, when a bright light surrounds him. Yet again, it’s Aerith…
Aerith: “So you showed up, eh? Even though you’re falling apart, I’m sure this will be a good thing. Question! Why exactly did you come here?”
Cloud: “I… wish to be forgiven. Yes, I want to be forgiven.”
Aerith: “By who?”
This is the first part where we really see that Cloud feels guilty for Aerith’s death. He seems to place all the blame on himself for not being able to save her two years ago. He also feels as though Aerith somehow thinks it was also a fault of Cloud’s that she died. As one can see, Aerith asks “By whom?” to signify that she’s unaware of why he wants to be forgiven; Cloud has lived with the burden for far too long. He never needed to place the blame on himself and feel that it was his weakness that caused her death. But before Cloud can turn around to see her, he is thrust back into reality and is also being shot at by Loz and Yazoo! He quickly pulls out two of his six swords found within Fenrir in order to block the bullets and continues to drive toward them. However, Kadaj calls out to the now possessed children—from drinking the black water during Kadaj’s speech. They form a barrier of sorts in front of Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo causing Cloud to have to move the motorcycle and leap off. He ends up being surrounded by the children and Kadaj, who calls him a “traitor” during the talk. But right before Kadaj tries to cut Cloud, Marlene cries out diverting Kadaj’s attention only for a second. Using this time, Cloud quickly grabs his sword lying beside him and attempts to take on all three of them—suddenly he’s slowly beginning to change. He has the ability to keep up with them for quite a while. The strength he once had is starting to come back to him… that feeling of being a “hero” is suddenly starting to hit him. Cloud shows some amazing sword skills by handling both Yazoo and Loz at the same time; unleashing attacks of his own, blocking their attacks, etc. But eventually, the two begin to gain the upper hand, along with Kadaj joining in on the battle. Fortunately, there his friend from years past, Vincent Valentine, like a pool of blood moving through the air, grabs him and deflects all of the attacks back toward Kadaj’s crew.
Now in a safe location, Vincent begins to describe the current situation at hand. He tells Cloud that Kadaj is after Jenova’s Head in order for another Reunion to happen, as well as the effects of Geostigma—the Jenova Cells, or “Sephiroth Element,” entering into the Lifestream. The most disturbing news of all is that Kadaj’s crew could even remake Sephiroth, according to Vincent. The two hear rustling in the bushes only to see that Marlene has escaped from Kadaj’s grip; she comes rushing toward Cloud, giving him a hug. With a worried look on her face, she asks about Denzel and Tifa. Cloud then tries to get his cellphone—it has fallen out during the attack and into the water—but finds that it is gone. Vincent doesn’t appear to have it either—this creates a rather humorous scene, I must say. Heh. Cloud then tells Vincent to take Marlene back to the store and that he was going to go talk to Rufus about the matter. But at this point, Marlene is fed up with Cloud always running away…