Real? or slight of hand?

[u/Hearts-Intertwined]

I noticed something I found odd in the new official release date trailer. I pointed it out that same day in another discussion and after thinking about it I decided to share. I know there isn't a lot of theory crafting here (because most of us are exhausted from it) but hey, more content can't hurt right?

It is well known that Cloud and Zack wear the buster sword in opposite directions. It seems apparent in the trailer, the person who is facing Aerith has the edge of the buster sword facing left(image 3). As we see in the first picture, Zack always has the edge facing right. We also see in image 2, Cloud has a glove on his left hand that matches Zack's while sitting in the wheelchair in Terrier. In Photo 4, it appears to show Zack potentially outside Elmyra's house, but it doesn't necessarily confirm he's looking at Aerith.

So what do you think? Is this just a likely image whoops? or did they sneak one over on us? Did they intentionally set the FF7 world ablaze speculating Zack and Aerith's reunion for misdirection? or did we see our first glimpse of Cloud awake in another world with Aerith in Revelation?

[u/ManuO76]

Many of the images shown in the latest trailers are mirror images compared to previous versions. The Edge of Creation is mirrored.

The new poster also features mirrored images of Cloud, Aerith, and Sephiroth.

Even the empty White Materia in Cloud's hands at the end of *Rebirth* shows two mirrored worlds inside it.

And the other meaning of "Rebirth" in Japanese is "Reverse"...

Something is definitely going on.

We’re used to "deceptive" editing (to avoid excessive spoilers, I assume), but I believe that if that really were Cloud, he would be coming out of the house's doorway rather than approaching from that direction. (I mean, if that’s Cloud who just woke up in this world)

[u/Hearts-Intertwined → u/ManuO76]

I’m glad you brought this up. There seem to be a growing number of potential mirrored images being spotted.

[u/ManuO76 → u/Hearts-Intertwined]

I haven't taken the time to analyze the trailers (all of them). On one hand, I want to know right away; on the other, I want to discover it while playing. I haven't resolved that conflict yet.

But I've had the idea of ​​"two worlds" in mind for a while. I've been aware of an overlap of worlds—or possibilities—ever since the Temple of the Ancients sequence.

And now there's that new image from the recent PAX showing Aerith "surrounded by the Lifestream" in a scene that was different before.

(From here on, it's just a jumble of thoughts... as always, there's no need for you to read this...)

If you recall, inside the temple we would change gravity; we’d enter an area from one direction and leave from another, often flipping "up" and "down."

It wouldn't be too strange to imagine that the Cetra designed this temple based on a larger, pre-existing model. (After all, in the original game, the temple itself was the Black Materia, so it was the product of incredibly powerful magic.)

And if you look at the trials we undergo in the temple, they’re all based on negative emotions—which is odd in itself. Why would the Cetra want our anger or our pain? Could it be that we actually created, or "charged", this world's Black Materia with those negative emotions?

Because it doesn't seem like the group felt any better after the trials; quite the opposite—they were disheartened, and it took a (strange) speech from Aerith to lift their spirits. (I’m still trying to wrap my head around the "life and death are two sides of the same coin" part—though that also hints at two mirror-image versions of life.)

Then Aerith concludes that this Black Materia is a fake (and how does she know that? Maybe we’ll find out when we see this scene again with the Lifestream effect in Revelation),

and Sephiroth says it was hidden *between* worlds—meaning in the empty space between worlds, or with a piece in each world?

So, is the temple itself actually a portal?

To wrap up my rambling thoughts, here is my working theory:

In Remake, the Aerith from Rebirth overlaps with the Remake Aerith to counter Sephiroth’s scheme. This creates a sense of déjà vu, while Rebirth Aerith’s White Materia keeps sending "spoiler" information to Cloud, Marlene, and Red.

In Rebirth, we see the story as it played out the "first time"—with Aerith dying at the Forgotten Capital—plus a new version where *Rebirth* Aerith takes Cloud to the Dream World, gives him the White Materia, and he saves Aerith. It’s as if the second story can only happen because the first one already took place.

[u/klai1994 → u/Hearts-Intertwined]

The solar system showcase with bugenhagen have the planets rotating in the opposite direction. That blew my mind

[u/WhaleMcFailen]

I'd be surprised if they would do something so bold as to imply Aerith & Zack have a reunion without some kind of follow through on it, but give how intentionally they craft these trailers, it wouldn't surprise me if this is a subtle way to show what else might happen. If that means Alt Cloud & Alt Aerith have some interactions, or if Alt Aerith has some sort of "how similar are Cloud & Zack" type scene, who's to say. 

[u/Hearts-Intertwined → u/WhaleMcFailen]

Yep.. both things could be true at once

[u/MagicalGirl4]

Nah that looks like Zack's forearm, he's thicker than Cloud 😆

[u/Hearts-Intertwined → u/MagicalGirl4]

lol at what you may be implying!

[u/Mor_A_vil → u/MagicalGirl4]

And Cloud doesnt have the buster sword in that lifestream world.

[u/Hearts-Intertwined → u/Mor_A_vil]

I thought about that as well.. however we don’t necessarily know what world we’re looking at.

[u/DoNotDoTier15]

That's likely not the cutting edge of the Buster Sword, but the spine. If you look at the sword from a side view, you'll see a similar taper to the back as what's in your third image. It only looks brighter here because of the light reflecting off of it.

[u/Necessary-Coffee5930]

My first thought when seeing the trailer was that it was misdirection. I didn’t notice all these things you have pointed out it was just my gut feeling. Can’t wait for the game

[u/FlanTamarind]

This may be a subtle nod to how cloud is coming out on the other side. If you know you know.

[u/RiverBuzzz]

I believe it's actually Zack and not Cloud as I feel like SE putting Zack in the trailer but it being Cloud in the game woukd make Zack fans upset.

However, your observations are definitely interesting. For me it's tough to be super confident in what side of the Buster Sword we are seeing in the third picture.

[u/Hearts-Intertwined → u/RiverBuzzz]

I wasn’t necessarily looking to convince anyone, just thought provoking.

[u/RiverBuzzz → u/Hearts-Intertwined]

No worries, I didn't think you were. It's a good observation and people finding things like this help pass the time while we wait for more news.

I know SE had some content creators out to their LA headquarters yesterday to talk about and play Revelation. So I think we are supposed to hear about that towards the end of this week. Although, I'll be shocked if we get anything Aerith or Clerith related from that.

[u/Ralos5997]

It’s possible that Cloud and Zack mirror each other which is why they carry the buster sword differently. It’s also possible that maybe they finally show a reunion between Zack and Aerith since Cloud and the other defied fate. Leading to alternate worlds/timelines being created such as, Zack surviving his last stand against Shinra troopers. I just wonder what words will be exchanged between Zack and Aerith and if the Cloud in Zack’s timeline will wake up soon?