This abnormal change naturally also attracted the attention of Shinra's upper management, but no one knew exactly why it became like this.
"Hahaha, I win." Taking advantage of Aiden and Jessie getting distracted by the change above their heads, Roche was the first to rush into the entrance of Mako Reactor No. 5. Only then did he notice the abnormal change occurring in the sky over Midgar.
"What is... going on?" Roche looked at the huge vortex within the dark clouds, too shocked to close his mouth. This was the first time he had seen such a situation.
Aiden ignored him, and after getting out of the vehicle with Jessie, walked into the interior of the Mako Reactor. Naturally, their every move was being live-broadcasted.
However, not only they were being broadcasted, because the moment Aiden and Jessie entered the Mako Reactor, countless black Whispers flew out from the vortex in the dark clouds, madly swarming toward the interior of Mako Reactor No. 5.
Moreover, because the live footage was seen by all the residents of Midgar, these residents also became viewers of a scene that was not supposed to appear in fate, the scene of Aiden and Jessie at Mako Reactor No. 5. As a result, they too witnessed the Whispers flying through the sky.
"Hea... Heaven help us, what are those monsters?"
Whether it was the residents on the plate or the poor living beneath it, including the Shinra executives watching the surveillance, they all felt fear at the appearance of the black Whispers.
At this time, the black Whispers had become desperate, madly attacking Aiden and Jessie, because the two of them truly had the ability to blow up Mako Reactor No. 5.
But with Aiden present, they couldn't do anything to the two, and could only futilely launch wave after wave of attacks, trying to drive them out.
"Aiden, what exactly are these monsters?" Jessie held a small-caliber submachine gun, constantly firing at the Whispers, but her attacks had no effect at all. Most of the Whispers were scattered by Aiden's psychic energy waves.
Of course, Aiden could not tell her that these things existed to maintain fate. Even though his goal this time was to expose the existence of the Whispers and then trigger a major change in the story, some things are better known by fewer people.
Just like Aerith and Sephiroth, they also knew some things hidden from the public. And even Aerith, who was determined to change fate, never told outsiders, not even Aiden.
However, Aiden did not originally belong to this world. Although he would not say this directly, he could use certain methods to resist fate.
After all, he didn't want to lose Aerith and the others, so it was impossible for him to let the Whispers correct fate.
Although the sky was filled with Whispers, the only ones truly affected were Aiden and Jessie. The others, such as Barret and his group who had already entered the interior of Reactor No. 5, were not affected at all.
However, they were already preparing to retreat, because Heidegger had already live-broadcasted them as well. But Heidegger did not reveal their faces in the broadcast, because Cloud was with them, and he had the distinct Mako-infused glowing eyes. For the sake of Shinra's reputation, Heidegger ordered his men to only show blurry silhouettes.
While retreating, they saw Aiden and Jessie being attacked by the Whispers through the broadcast Heidegger deliberately let them see.
Although they didn't understand what those monsters were, Aiden and Jessie were their companions, so they decided to go and help them.
———
"I really want to know, to what extent you can change fate..."
While Aiden and Jessie were fighting the Whispers, at the top of Mako Reactor No. 5, Sephiroth stood facing the wind, letting out a sigh.
With his voice, several wandering Whispers near him suddenly began rapidly spinning around him, seemingly protesting what he just said.
"Alright, alright, you stubborn bunch. I was just joking." Sephiroth waved his hand to disperse the Whispers around him, then reached into the air and gripped. The Masamune long katana appeared in his hand.
Then he continued, "I will drive them out, so don't be anxious."
After saying this, Sephiroth looked down toward Aiden's position, but saw that Barret's group had already joined Aiden and Jessie.
"So lively." Sephiroth sneered coldly, then stepped forward, and his whole body shot down like a cannonball at extreme speed.
———
At that moment, Barret and the others were helping Aiden and Jessie attack the Whispers.
"Aiden, what the hell are these monsters?" Tifa swung punch after punch, dispersing the Whispers near Aiden, then rushed to him and shouted.
"Just... some stubborn monsters," Aiden thought for a moment and replied.
"What do you mean?" Tifa didn't understand and was about to continue questioning when suddenly a sharp screech came from above.
Together with her companions, she looked up, only to see a figure rapidly descending from the sky.
With a loud bang, the figure landed in front of them. The powerful impact stirred up a skyful of dust and smashed the ground into a several-meter-wide crater.
Unlike the others, Cloud's mind instantly became dazed upon seeing that figure.
When the dust cleared, everyone present except Aiden, and even the Shinra executives watching through surveillance, fell into silence.
"S... Sephiroth."
After a long time, looking at the tall man in front of them, the members of Avalanche all swallowed nervously. No matter how much they hated Shinra, they had still heard of Sephiroth's fame, some of them even idolized him as children...
———
Inside Shinra Headquarters, even the President of Shinra lost all composure. He suddenly stood up, staring fixedly at the tall figure on the screen.
"Isn't this guy already dead? How is he alive again?" Heidegger shouted involuntarily beside him.
But no one responded to his words.
The President, who had stood up, sat down again. Although the shock on his face had not completely faded, he slowly calmed down.
"Inform Hojo, and Scarlett. Tell them to take those newly trained special forces to Reactor No. 5." The President gave the order calmly.
And at the moment he gave the order, the Sephiroth on screen strangely looked up and glanced at them, startling everyone watching the surveillance.
"This guy... can he see us?" someone muttered, and in an instant, everyone in the room felt a chill run down their spine.
———
"Long time no see, one who walks outside of fate." Sephiroth withdrew his gaze and looked back toward Aiden. As for Cloud behind Aiden, he only gave him a brief glance. After all, to him now, Cloud was no longer as important as Aiden.
"We met just a few days ago, Sephiroth. You're not that forgetful, are you?" Aiden felt uncomfortable under Sephiroth's gaze, and while speaking, took out his lightsaber.
Their conversation left Tifa and the Shinra executives watching stunned. 'These two actually already knew each other?'
"Ah, sorry. Too many memories, sometimes they get mixed up," Sephiroth touched his forehead with his right hand and apologized.
"You should know, because of you, I've had to run around quite a lot."
"Still doing things you don't actually want to do, huh? Sephiroth, I know deep down, you also hope things could change," said Aiden.
What did Sephiroth run around for? Naturally, to correct some of the altered events. Hearing Sephiroth's earlier words, Aiden thought of Amina getting injured by accident and Aerith having to go home to take care of her.
"Heh..." Sephiroth did not respond directly, but instead gave a low, seemingly pessimistic laugh, "If change were really possible, why would I still appear here? I've already tried."
"Why not try again?" Aiden continued.
"Because it's meaningless." Sephiroth shook his head. "I'm completely different from that little girl. She always holds onto unrealistic hopes for the future. But... her ending still won't change."
"I'm sorry, Sephiroth. As long as I'm here, she will always live." Aiden raised his lightsaber and pointed it at Sephiroth. "Not just her, but also..."
At this point, Aiden glanced back at Jessie and silently added in his heart, 'You too, Jessie. You will live as well.'
"Then you can try," Sephiroth said words that sounded like both a threat and encouragement. Then he also glanced at Jessie.
Their stares left Jessie a bit confused, but she could feel the concern in Aiden's eyes. Sephiroth's gaze, on the other hand, was as lifeless as if looking at a corpse.
In truth, the conversation between the two left the onlookers confused as well, what do you mean tried already, or try again, no one understood. But one thing they were certain of, Aiden and Sephiroth clearly knew some secrets they didn't.
Though curious, no one could cut in, especially Shinra's higher-ups, mainly because they were too far away.
And their thirst for knowledge was no less than that of ordinary people, maybe even greater. Because Sephiroth's appearance made some of them more interested in the Jenova cells. Not to mention that Sephiroth seemed to have come back from the dead, his unchanged appearance over so many years alone was enough to draw attention.
So, after the President ordered people to be sent over, he also ordered Heidegger to use all mechanical weaponry placed in Reactor No. 5 to surround them.
Unlike the special forces that needed time to arrive, those mechanical weapons appeared near Aiden and the others shortly after the command was given. Upon seeing them, the Avalanche members and Cloud became alert.
The only ones still at ease were Aiden and Sephiroth.
Needless to say, Sephiroth, despite only sending an avatar, had the support of the Whispers, making the machines no different from scrap metal to him. Not to mention his own strength. When a flying-type mechanical weapon approached, he merely swung his Masamune once, unleashing a powerful sword wave that sliced it clean in half.
Seeing Sephiroth take action, Aiden felt even more relaxed, because he knew as long as Sephiroth still wanted to maintain fate, they wouldn't be in danger.
Aiden looked at the vast crowd of approaching mechanical weapons, their target was Sephiroth.
This was also another reason why Aiden felt at ease. Compared to Sephiroth, they were just a bunch of petty "rats" in Shinra's eyes. Even the destruction of Reactor No. 1 happened under full Shinra surveillance. If Sephiroth hadn't shown up, Shinra wouldn't mind toying with them a bit longer. But now, they had no value in guiding public opinion anymore.
Looking at Sephiroth being gradually surrounded by machines, Aiden took a step back and whispered to those behind him, "Once they start fighting, we'll slip away immediately."
"Okay." everyone behind him nodded. At this point, escaping was their only option.
Just after they finished speaking, the mechanical weapons received the attack command and swarmed toward Sephiroth.
But Sephiroth just sneered, then drew a cross in the air with his long sword. A giant cross-shaped sword wave blasted forth, and wherever it went, the mechanical weapons were either cut in half or exploded like paper.
Seeing this, the Avalanche members and Cloud turned pale. Having grown up hearing legends about Sephiroth, they were now completely shaken. Without waiting for Aiden's command, they all turned and ran.
"Hmph, trying to run?" Watching Aiden's group flee, Sephiroth unleashed several more sword waves, instantly clearing all nearby mechanical weapons. Then he leapt and chased after them.
He moved with terrifying speed, appearing behind Aiden and the others in just a few flashes.
"Fate... is best left unchanged," Sephiroth murmured to himself. But a flash of resolve passed through his eyes, and then he stabbed his blade toward Cloud in the crowd.
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