The conclusion of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a twisty journey that takes players into uncharted, confusing territory. While the game’s plot is relatively straightforward at first, the final chapter delves into new dimensions, leading to some mind-boggling revelations. By carefully analyzing the ending and the surrounding narrative, we’ve pieced together an understanding of what happens and why. However, be warned: this writing is packed with spoilers, not only for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth but also for the original Final Fantasy 7.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Ending Explained
The reveal at the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake introduced two timelines: one where the events of the game unfold and another where Zack Fair survives the Shinra attack. In Rebirth, this concept expands further. It is not just two realities that exist, but an infinite number of them. The multiverse is now an essential part of the story.
Sephiroth offers an explanation for this new multiverse, stating that “when the boundaries of fate are breached, new worlds are born.” The defeat of the Whisper Harbinger at the end of Remake is what led to the creation of this new reality where Zack survives. This, however, is just the beginning.
The game reveals that even the smallest decisions can create entirely new realities. In the later stages of Zack’s journey, he faces a decision: will he save Biggs, Cloud, or Aerith? This choice splits the timeline into three distinct worlds. Each of these new worlds is marked by a different version of Stamp, a dog mascot seen throughout the game. The main timeline features Stamp as a beagle with a helmet, while other worlds feature variations, such as a bulldog with a bucket hat or a corgi with a collar. These variations of Stamp serve as visual markers for players to identify which reality they’re in.
Even with these branching timelines, Rebirth suggests that destiny remains a powerful force. In some alternate worlds, where Zack chooses to save others, he is still hunted down by Shinra soldiers, reminiscent of his fate in the main timeline. Similarly, an alternate Aerith is also pursued by Sephiroth, hinting that some aspects of fate are difficult to avoid. This reaffirms that while the multiverse exists, there are still certain inevitabilities that must be followed.
Sephiroth’s Plans for the Multiverse
In the original Final Fantasy 7, Sephiroth’s primary goal was to summon a meteor to strike the planet and absorb the Lifestream to gain godlike power. Rebirth takes this concept further by suggesting that Sephiroth now seeks to conquer not just the planet, but the entire multiverse. His goal is no longer limited to becoming a god, but to rule over all of existence by uniting the different realities.
Sephiroth’s plan, referred to as “Homecoming,” involves merging all these realities together. In this new state, the multiverse would be unified, but ultimately doomed to collapse. As the worlds fade from existence, they return to the Lifestream, which exists on a cosmic scale. Sephiroth’s desire to control this process appears linked to his goal of absorbing the Lifestream from multiple realities, which could let him to an even greater level of power. While the specifics of his plan remain unclear, it’s evident that Sephiroth’s ambitions have grown beyond simple destruction.
Aerith’s Role in the Multiverse and Her Fate
For Sephiroth to carry out his plan of merging the multiverse, one major obstacle stands in his way: Aerith. As the last surviving Cetra, Aerith is the only one capable of using White Materia to summon Holy, a protective barrier for the planet. To prevent this, Sephiroth must eliminate her, and so he does.
However, the story of Aerith’s White Materia is more complicated than it first seems. During the events of Final Fantasy 7, Aerith learns that her White Materia has lost its power. The Whispers, which are introduced in Remake, drain it of its magical properties every time Aerith encounters them. By the time Aerith leaves Midgar, her White Materia is essentially useless. To regain her ability to protect the planet, she needs a new White Materia.
In the multiverse, there are multiple versions of Aerith, each holding a functioning White Materia. Through a dream-like encounter, one alternate version of Aerith gives Cloud her White Materia and sends him back to his reality. This moment sets the stage for Aerith’s destiny to unfold as it did in the original Final Fantasy 7.
As expected, Aerith meets her tragic end at the hands of Sephiroth, who impales her with his sword. However, there’s an interesting twist. Cloud briefly saves her by deflecting the blade, and in a fleeting moment, we see Aerith alive in his arms. The scene is filled with strange visual cues, such as a burst of rainbow colors and flickering lights. This could signify that Cloud is glimpsing a reality where Aerith survives, or it may indicate that her spirit is reaching out from the Lifestream to offer comfort to Cloud in his final moments with her.
The scene remains mysterious, and its full meaning may become clearer as the story progresses.
Cloud’s Struggle with His Reality and the Reunion
As the game’s final moments unfold, Cloud’s mental state becomes a central theme. While Aerith’s spirit offers guidance, Cloud is the only person able to see a tear in the sky, a result of his experiences traveling between multiple realities. This phenomenon may also hint at Cloud’s deeper connection to Sephiroth, as his mind begins to glitch.
Cloud’s discovery that he possesses the Black Materia adds another layer of mystery. He refers to it as “the reunion” while fitting it into his Buster Sword. This concept of
“reunion” ties into events from the original Final Fantasy 7, where Cloud was experimented on by Professor Hojo, who injected him with Jenova cells. The “Reunion” is a ritual where these cells, which have spread throughout the world, are summoned together. Sephiroth, from his far-off crater, seeks to bring about this reunion, drawing Cloud and the other characters into his control.
The Shinra and Wutai Conflict: A Distraction by Sephiroth
Another key revelation in Rebirth involves the true nature of Glenn Lodbrok, a figure who had been stirring conflict between Shinra and Wutai. It’s revealed that Lodbrok is actually a puppet controlled by Sephiroth. His role in reigniting the war between the two factions serves a larger purpose: to distract Rufus Shinra from the Promised Land.
In the original Final Fantasy 7, the Promised Land is a mythical place believed to be rich in mako energy. After his father’s death, Rufus Shinra continues his quest to find this land, and Sephiroth also has designs on it. By manipulating the conflict between Shinra and Wutai, Sephiroth keeps Rufus occupied, allowing him to further his own plans.
Though Rufus eventually uncovers the truth and kills the man possessing Glenn’s body, the conflict between Shinra and Wutai is already set in motion. The final game in the Remake trilogy will likely explore the fallout of this manipulation, setting the stage for even more intense battles and revelations.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a complex web of alternate realities, emotional farewells, and unfinished promises, all of which will likely come to a head in the next chapter of the Remake saga. The questions raised and the paths left open ensure that players are in for an even more thrilling and intricate journey ahead.
