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He walks alongside his father as the noise from the carnival fill the air. Children playing merrily at the arcade, men gambling their money away on Chocobo races, and crowds of people cheering at the success of a play they just watched. The child looks up at his father with twin emerald green eyes that sparkle with innocence. The father can't help but to smile down at such a handsome young boy.
"So what do you think of Gold Saucer, Demetrius?" asks the father.
The boy jumps up and down with glee, "This is the best place ever daddy!!"
Demetrius' father laughs along with his son, "It certainly is my boy."
Shortly after the father takes Demetrius by the hand and leads him through a tunnel out to where a gondola rests. He pays for the ride and offers his son to go in first. Demetrius nods and jumps in, father follows shortly after. As the ride starts Demetrius peers over a window, eyes enlarged with awe looking over the spectacular scenery of flashing lights and glorious fireworks.
"Your mother and I went on our first date here many years ago, long before you were born." The father says with kindness in his tone, "she would've loved to be here again."
Demetrius turns around and looks at his father curiousely, "why did mommy have to go back with the Planet? Wasn't she happy with us?"
Cloud nods, "She was happy, she loved us very much. But the Planet wished for her return, do not worry my son, we will get to see her someday." His voice turned to a sad tone.
It has been ten years since Aeris returned to the world of the living, nine since the defeat of Sephiroth, eight since the birth of Demetrius, and five since Aeris' second and final death. Within the span of only a decade, Cloud's life changed dramatically. Now he is a father, mature enough to take on the responsibility. However many times he looks to the sky or wanders in the garden praying to his wife for assistance. Indeed, Aeris changed him entirely. No longer a mercenary with a foggy past, he is now a strong-hearted man who does his best to help the Planet that is his home and to teach his son what he has learned over his lifetime. Teach Demetrius what Aeris taught him many years ago.
Demetrius hugs Cloud tightly, "I miss mommy very much, daddy." He begins to weep on Cloud's shoulder.
Cloud pats him on the back to make him feel better, "It's alright Demetrius. I miss her too, but do you think she would want us to be sad? She would want us to be happy right?"
Demetrius sobs, followed by a sniffle,"Yes.....daddy......"
Cloud tries his best to comfort his young child, whose eyes haven't yet seen death in any of its forms. Energy-draining mako reactors, power-hungry corporations, strange and wild creatures of the night, someone runned down in the stomach by a sword, Demetrius knows none of these things. In a way, Cloud envies his son, who lives a life filled with joy and happiness that took years to finally bring upon this world. Deep inside though Cloud can feel that there may be upcoming dangers lurking for the Planet. His son must be ready for it when that happens.
After the ride ends, Cloud takes Demetrius back home to Midgar. He could see his easy-going nature within Demetrius, and knew that he would have a nice set of muscles as he matured. What struck Cloud to love his son even more was the fact that Demetrius had his mother's eyes and the same brown hair. He is an Ancient as well, Cloud thought. Perhaps this is a good time to start his training.
Demetrius runs through the garden playfully, taking in the sweet aroma of the flowers that his mother cherished dearly. Despite his age, Demetrius was indeed an Ancient. He could see his mother and hear voices from the Planet in his dreams and every time he closed his eyes. Already, at the age of eight, his own destiny is being written in the stars.
Demetrius," Cloud calls,"come. Today, I must teach you a few things."
Demetrius shall continue the heritage that the Cetra of Old have started, that his mother carried on, and what he in turn shall hand down to future generations. A new story is now at the beginning of its unfolding.
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