Party: Rotated for you through Jenova Lifeclinger and Sephiroth Reborn; Zack alone for one phase; Cloud and Aerith at the end.
Key unlocks: Chapter select and hard mode after the credits, with everything carried.
Watch for: The gift for Aerith does not change what you receive. Rest at the stop under the stairs before the boss run: every character will fight.
1. The gift and the forest
A small choice and a long walk.
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1
The gift
Choose one, then a pose for the camera. Whatever you pick, the game gives Aerith something else; it is a scene, not a decision.
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2
The Sleeping Forest
Whispers until the interlude ends, then the party wakes in the forest and heads north.
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3
The Forgotten Capital
Whispers at the entrance, the central platform down to the Planet’s Sanctuary, and the rest stop on the left under the stairs — the last one.
2. Jenova Lifeclinger
Five parties in three phases, chosen for you.
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1
The five parties
Cloud and two others; Tifa and Cait Sith; Barret and Red XIII; Cloud and Yuffie; Cloud and two again. Its barrier blocks physical damage: break it with magic.
3. Sephiroth
The finale in phases, with checkpoints.
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1
With Zack
Straight from the cutscene: Sephiroth against Zack and Cloud.
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2
Reborn, Cloud alone
Attack the base to make it flinch, climb to the face.
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3
Reborn, three
Tifa, Barret and Cait Sith; watch for the Bahamut Arisen whisper.
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4
Reborn, Zack alone
Firaga builds the stagger fastest.
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5
Reborn, three again
Yuffie, Red XIII and Barret; the wings change colour to an element, hit them with the opposite one. Heartless Angel sets HP to one — heal on the spot.
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6
The last one
Cloud and Aerith. Then the ending, and chapter select and hard mode from the completed save’s System menu.
4. Bosses
- Jenova Lifeclinger: Magic breaks the barrier, which blocks physical damage; five parties.
- Sephiroth Reborn: Five phases with checkpoints; opposite elements on the wings; Heartless Angel.
- Sephiroth: Cloud and Aerith.
5. Before you leave
Cross-checked
Cross-checked on 16 September 2026 against Game8’s Chapter 14 walkthrough (the gift, the party rotation in both fights and the phase order) and PowerPyx’s boss guide for Jenova Lifeclinger and Sephiroth Reborn. What is still unverified is the only thing reading cannot settle — nobody here has played it.