Aeris Gainsborough: Background and History

Aeris is the last surviving Ancient, the daughter of Ilfana and Shinra's own Professer Gast. When she was about twenty days old, the Hojo and Shinra found Gast's house in Icicle Inn, and captured Ilfana and Aeris for 'scientific research'. Ilfana eluded Shinra for almost five years, when she met Elmyra at the train station in Sector 7. Ilfana begged Elmyra to bring Aeris somewhere safe. Shortly after, Ilfana died.

Aeris loved to talk. She told Elmyra about her heritage, and her past, and the two immediately became close. She took a liking for flowers and nature, and made a living growing flowers in a Sector 5 church and selling them to people on the streets of Midgar.

The Cetra possessed the White Materia that once belonged to her mother. This Materia, attached to her hair ribbon, is 'Holy', the counter spell for the Ultimate Destruction Magic, Meteor. Holy will not only stop Meteor, but will also destroy everything that is causing the planet harm, including humans.

When she was young, she met a boy in SOLDIER First-class, and fell in love with him. His name was Zack, and it was because of Cloud's similarity to Zack that she took a liking to him. Eventually, Zack left for duty and he was not seen again.

Aeris liked Cloud and did went on a midnight DaTe with him in Gold Saucer when the party was forced to stay overnight. She strongly hinted that she was in love with him during the ride, and even enjoyed it so much that she suggested going with Cloud a second time. Sadly, that was the first and the last...

After the Temple of the Ancients turned into the black materia, which Cloud handed it to Sephiroth, Aeris realised that she was the only one who can stop Meteor from destroying the planet as she is the sole Cetra. She goes to the Forgotten Capital which used to be the Cetrarian capital. She would pray for Holy, and plead with the planet to let humans live. Due to her deep love for the World and its people, Aeris was willing to take the risk and go alone to the Forgotten City via the Sleeping Forest while knowing Sephiroth's close behind her tracks.

This turned out to be a great sacrifice as she died right before Cloud, at the hands of Sephiroth who stabbed her with his infamous Masamune from above the altar. She smiled at Cloud longingly for the last time, perhaps to hint that she has done her duty as a Cetra before she returned to the planet. She dies in Cloud's arms peacefully as she falls forward, lifeless. The materia that falls from her hair and into the water below, glowing.

However her role in the story doesn't end here. 

After Sephiroth is defeated by Cloud and the rest, Holy does interact with Meteor, but with the unexpected effect. Rather than stopping meteor, it strengthens it. Holy protects the planet, even if it means killing the people.

But there is one more force that will not allow it. Her power through the Lifestream is still strong.  Aeris has not returned fully to the planet, and is the dominant force in Lifestream. When Sephiroth's meteor is very close above the planet, Lifestream itself intervenes, guided by aeris, guarding Midgar from the two great summons, and healing the damage wrought by Shinra. The planet finds the power, with Aeris' help, to destroy the piece of rock before it causes any harm to the planet.

Like her ancestors who were dedicated to protecting the planet, Aeris became the true protector, guarding those who live upon the planet.

Aeris opening her eyes symbolizes her resting in peace, the purpose she gave her life for fulfilled. Clouds comments "An answer from the planet, we can meet her there" are a result of his realizing the true nature of Lifestream. Lifestream is everywhere, Aeris is with them wherever they go. Lifestream is also the Promised Land of the Cetra, becoming a complete protector of the planet, fulfilling that for which all cetra are born. And indeed, it is a world of Mako. A world of souls.

Aeris saved Cloud as she pulls him back into reality, her hand extending to Cloud which suddenly became Tifa's. Cloud is thus able to complete the promise he made to Tifa long ago. Aeris loved both of them so they could be together, because she wanted both of them to be happy, and now that they had grown up and away from Nibelheim they could be together. She was a rare example of a noble person who sacrifices for the planet and for love.

Sephiroth | Cloud | Aeris | Tifa | Barret | Red XIII | Cid | Vincent| Yuffie | Cait Sith