The Story of Victoria Strife

Chapter 31: A New Dawn

A full year had passed since the battle with Deepground, and the world was slowly stitching itself back together. In the heart of Midgar, the WRO had taken on the task of rebuilding, its efforts visible in every corner of the city. Though the scars from years of conflict still ran deep, there was a sense of hope in the air—hope that the future could be brighter.

Seventh Heaven bustled with life more than ever. The bar had become a refuge for those seeking respite, and with Midgar slowly coming back to life, new customers filled the tables daily. Tifa, wiping down the counter with a smile, glanced up at the small TV hanging in the corner. The news broadcast caught her attention, and her brow furrowed slightly when she saw Rufus Shinra on the screen.

Rufus was dressed in his usual immaculate white suit, though there was something different in his expression—something that hinted at the weight of responsibility he now carried. He spoke calmly, his voice steady and measured as he addressed the world.

"We can't erase the past, but we can change the future. Shinra will no longer be the company it once was. We will focus on rebuilding, on creating a world that doesn't rely on Mako energy. A world where every citizen is given the opportunity to thrive."

Tifa raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. She'd heard these kinds of promises before, but there was something in Rufus' tone that made her believe that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different. The war had changed him too.

She set down the glass she was holding and turned to Denzel, who was helping her with the evening rush. He'd grown a lot over the past year, becoming a solid presence at the bar and someone she could rely on.

"Denzel, can you check on table five? I think they're ready for more drinks," she said with a smile.

Denzel gave her a nod and hurried off, weaving through the crowded tables with ease. The sight made her heart swell with pride. They were all growing, moving forward, and healing in their own ways.

Outside the bar, Cloud was out on his delivery rounds, the roar of Fenrir's engine fading into the distance as he zipped through the city. He had found solace in his work, using the quiet roads to clear his mind. Though the battles were behind them, Cloud still felt the need to keep moving forward, to keep helping in the ways he knew how.

Barret had taken a different path, choosing to spend more time with his daughter, Marlene. The two were inseparable, and today, Barret had taken her out of the city, back to nature where she could breathe in the fresh air and see the world beyond the rubble of Midgar. Marlene's laughter echoed through the trees as Barret hoisted her onto his shoulders, his booming voice full of joy.

"Hold tight, Marlene! You're on top o' the world!" he laughed, his heart lighter than it had been in years.

Back in Midgar, Cid had returned to his home, ever the tinkerer. He was deep into building new machinery, each invention more ambitious than the last. His workshop was cluttered with blueprints and spare parts, and though he grumbled and cursed under his breath at every mishap, there was a fire in his eyes. The drive to create was what kept him going, and the dream of the skies still burned within him.

Meanwhile, Jesse, Biggs, and Wedge—back from the brink of death and stronger than ever—had fully thrown themselves into the efforts of the WRO. Along with the remnants, they worked tirelessly to rebuild Midgar, helping to clear debris, rebuild homes, and provide aid to those in need. There was a sense of redemption in their work, especially for Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo, who were finally finding their place in a world that had once shunned them.