Love is a tricky thing, and perhaps moreso in a universe like Final Fantasy 7. In both the original compilation and slightly in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, it’s clear that Aerith and Cloud have a budding-turn-romantic relationship. However, whereas Zack Fair (Aerith’s first love) dies in Crisis Core in the original series, it seems he may be alive and well in the remake.

Defeating the Whispers changes destiny, and it could be that impacts the past, present, and future. Some have theories about Zack Fair existing in an alternate timeline or something, but it’s clear from FF7 Remake Intergrade that he is looking for Aerith. For him, it seems nothing has changed, and he’s looking to reunite with her. There’s just a problem with that, especially on the assumption that he is in the current timeline and has somehow survived Crisis Core.

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The FF7 Love Triangle: Zack, Cloud, and Aerith

In the original compilation, there’s a bit of a clear throughline that Zack was Aerith’s first love and she eventually grows to love Cloud too. Her feelings aren’t necessarily complicated by that, especially as Cloud grows to deal with his PTSD and Zack manifestation. However, it’s hard not to see how at least part of her feelings for Cloud are due to Cloud subconsciously living as Zack. He basically loses his own personality for that of Zack’s, and that can be complicated by the fact that Zack Fair is still alive in Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

It's not exactly possible to “romance” Aerith in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but by giving her the most attention and growing closer to her, it’s possible to unlock Aerith’s Resolution Scene in Chapter 14. As the two continue to grow closer, while Zack presumably lags behind for a bit, it stands to reason Aerith and Cloud could begin developing those feelings.

Changes are likely to happen, even accelerating or changing the event, but when/if Zack shows up, that’s going to be awkward. He isn’t just her lost first love anymore, he’s alive and well. She’s developing feelings for Cloud, but she may begin questioning them upon the realization that Cloud has been living as Zack, assuming this changes events from the first game. For Cloud, this begs many questions of who he is and how he wants to move forward. The Final Fantasy 7 Remake already has to treat Cloud’s PTSD carefully, but throw love in the mix and it’s going to get awkward fast.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Does Aerith Know Zack is Still Alive?

While it’s a little foggy given the complications of the original Final Fantasy 7 compilation, Aerith didn’t seemingly know about Zack’s death until she was in the lifestream. Some have speculated that she felt his life force go at once, but didn’t know it was him for sure or how he died. That’s one thing that’ll likely be addressed, but at the same time, there’s a bit of a mix here too.

At some points in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Sephiroth suggests he is aware of the original timeline and how he fails to ascertain his goal. Aerith also shows moments where her clarity or knowledge is much more than it seems. If she is aware of the other timeline and what happens there, then she may have more foreknowledge about Zack and Cloud. If so, and this is just speculation, that’s only going to make the relationship that much more awkward.

Knowing she shouldn’t love someone because of this and not loving them are two separate things, but it’s not impossible. Either way, if she and Cloud continue to fall for each other and then Zack enters the scene, it’s only bound to get more awkward than before.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake is available now on PS4 and PS5.

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