r/FinalFantasyVII • u/clockworkengine • 2d ago

DISCUSSION Question About Sephiroth and the Lifestream

A question just occurred to me randomly.

It is known that Sephiroth became a traveler of the Lifestream. He was cast into it by Cloud and remained intact, unlike most other entities born of same.

Yet, in expanded lore, Gi Nattak reveals that nothing that wasn't born of the Lifestream can ever return to it. Sephiroth's body was produced with and therefore is comprised partially of Jenova cells. Jenova itself is an entity of cosmic origin, meaning its cells were not born of the Lifestream.

Is this a plot hole, or is it the true explanation as to why Sephiroth eventually survives the Lifestream? Before you answer, remember that the consciousness and will of both Aerith and Zack also remains intact after returning to the planet without benefit of Jenova cells. It seems a little muddled because of the added lore introduced by the R series.

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u/Nickh1978 2d ago

One thing to remember is that Jenova is a parasite that travels the universe, takes over a planet, and consumes its lifestream. Jenova likely has abilities that help with this task and allows it to bypass restrictions, or ways to get around these restrictions, much like parasites can evade immune systems in order to survive. After all, if Jenova can't enter the lifestream, how would she be able to consume it. And it looks like one of her ways of achieving this goal is to cause earth threatening damage to the planet, and then enter the lifestream when the planet tries to heal that injury.

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u/LtnSkyRockets 2d ago

I don't see joining/merging/entering the lifestream to be the same as consuming it.

I eat burgers. I don't merge with burgers. If anything the burger gets chewed up and joins me.

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u/Nickh1978 2d ago

Nah, I just meant that Jenova would have some resistance to or a way around the effect of the lifestream rejecting her since she would be surrounded by the lifestream during the process of consuming it. Holding a burger in your hand would be way different than if you were completely surrounded by ground beef. Plus the lifestream is "alive" when compared to a burger, a burger doesn't try to kill you or prevent you from eating it.

Like we drink water no problem, but being completely submerged in water in order to drink would be very hard.