This was so beautiful and so sad. . . I'm at a loss for words at the moment. I was a little confused at the beginning of this chapter, but I finally figured things out. I must say this again, your writing is excellent! I don't think I've read anything of yours that I haven't loved. Every word you use seems to lend itself to telling the story. Not one word is wasted. The end was bittersweet. In a certain sense Genesis was free. He no longer had to live a lie. I think Sephiroth deeply impacted him. . . maybe after Seph's death he thought more about his own. It's so sweet how he helped Seph's dad. It was like a final tribute to the man he loved. It's interesting that Seph and Gen found solace in each other in this story because their situation is very much the same in Crisis Core. There's an implicit need and understanding between them, something that no one else has. Well, besides Angeal. I particularly liked your descriptions of the scenery, including the dust dancing in the light. You give meaning and words to things that most people don't even think about. It's wonderful! Thanks again for a great story ^_^ Aw, my eyes are getting watery. I better go before I cry. *sniffle*

I'm always so surprised that your writing doesn't get more reviews. I was hesitant to read this at first because I'm not a fan of war stories. It's just that they're kind of hard to understand, or at least for me. I didn't understand some things here, but I think that's just me ^_^' I love these lines-->Such the perfect little boy scout. It occured to him again, how young Cloud was, how tainted with the poison of the Party, of the Reich.

Such a worthless doll, such a mindless puppet." There is such a Sephiroth and Cloud connection in there! You manage to keep them in character in a completely AU story! Oh wow, and that whole thing with Sephiroth and Cloud. I don't fully understand it. It almost seemed like rape. Was it? Was that a mercy killing towards the end with the cyanide? Aw, that was very sad, but war is very, very, sad. Cloud didn't even believe that the Germans lost as he was approaching death. He was a very good conditioned puppet. He was so young. . . Were the soldiers really that young in WW II? I know that Russia lost millions and millions of men, far more than any other country. What they didn't have in ammunition, they made up for in sheer body mass. They threw them out like cannon fodder. It's all quite sad. You've written this very well! It's excellent.

Miles above the rest, that's what this story is, a great reminder of all the best fanfic can be. I'll never get tired of it.

Words cannot describe how much I love this story, but I suppose I can certainly try.

Truth be told, I don't see too much Sephiroth/Genesis fanfiction here where I can claim to adore the characterizations (of either one, really), but, in this one, the relationship they had, and their personalities seem so vibrant, real, and true that I sort of fell in love with their portrayals. The entire thing was tragic and lovely and heartbreaking and I confess to feeling pangs in my chest in certain scenes. I also liked the way you told the story, and the interspersion of those poetic little flashbacks.

I also adored the side of Cloud (he almost made me want to sob), and how Genesis went out of his way to help Vincent, and Nero arriving at the end. It was all so well thought out and wonderfully planned, and everyone was in character. For that, this story needs more love.

But I have to confess that what made me really, truly love this was the research you put into it. I can't count how many times a WWII AU, especially invlolving Nazis, had taken the war and turned it into something kid-friendly, or, so help me, happy. You pulled no punches, and you made everything realistic. Heck, I pulled aside one of my WWII-thesis-writing friends, and /she/ approved of your research and references. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the effort you went to to write this AU, and write it WELL.

Long, highly praiseworthy review was long, but I hope you don't mind. I had to get that all out.

Thank you so much for the read.

This was spectacularly interesting. It is period in history that is dealt with very little in fanfiction, but a very interesting time. You've clearly taken great care and put in research time, and that's a wonderful thing. And if people do try to use a WWII setting, they often go for the Allied Powers, not for the German side. This was a pleasurable read, and quite realistic, as far as I'm concerned. I think the idea was well done. I must admit, I'm very impressed.

Oh my. I didn't see that this was on . STILL LOVE IT. AND YOU. AND... well, yes. LOVE <3

Shame I can't pester you for more... OR CAN I?!

An absolute triumph!

I love your stories and I must say this happens to be one of my absolute favorite stories ever! I loved it so much! The historical features were portrayed perfectly and you managed to keep everyone very well in character despite an AU situation. I was deeply moved by the story and couldn't tear my gaze away until it was over.

Another amazing chapter. The whole picture of war is very-very believable.
And again returning to S. I should have read this story a bit later cause it has one of my ideas as well. Hope I'll show it differently ^_^
The interaction between G and S are amazing. I can almost picture them in my eyes - two tired men, seeking peace and finding it in something truly pure. Even monsters' love is pure :)
Gods, we do think the same. After all, in war there are no true winners and losers. Everybody loses. And in the end pathos, propaganda and ideas are good for mindless soldiers, but as for those who can think...
And I want to repeat again. The most awesome story here.
You made me very happy.
PS. Genushka was great :) Or Gennochka as I and my friends call him sometimes ^_^

Ok! This is the best fic so far I've read here. My thanks. This review isn't going to be short, so...
First. I am so happy to see Sephiroth as THE General. It's such a rare thing. My, it was great, and an inspiration to my next chapter cause that's what I was going to write about. He isn't the mindless puppet, altough is forced to follow orders. Just that delicate balance that still kept him human.
Second. Historical accuracy is stunning. I myself am very interested in WW2. The tragedy of it was indescribable. And you DID show it, even in such few words.
Third. I know this is just my wish, but... the dialogue between S and Hitler would be something I would have enjoyed. I myself am quite cynical (sorry, if I repeat it too often), and when I've read Hitler's works I found something of interest there, and something I thought was appealing (not that I am supportning him, NO!), but still... the ideological battle between them would have been amazing. I think so. personally.
and last. S found his freedom in death, and yes, I believe that really was one true freedom for him. The last scene between him and Genesis was amazing.
Two questions. Why did you put S on the German side and G on Russian?
Do you know Russian? :)
Moving on to the next chapter...

Finally, I had the chance to take some time off to give your stories the attention they deserve.

Let me see what I can probably say (after I got rid of the lump in my throat)...

I know I used the word 'epic' before to describe your writing, but this story gives it a new dimension: Epic in the truest sense of the word, like all great war novels ("War and Peace", Gone with the Wind", to name but a few). This is not suppossed to sound cheesy or cliché. With just two chapters, you managed to create the same feeling that these great works of literature spark in their readers, at least that's how I feel.

WW II scenarios always give me the shivers, blame my heritage for that... My grand dad was send to war during its last days with only 16, and I grew up with his stories about that and the third Reich.

What else? Once again, I loved your interactions and the fact that you kept your characterization so spot on, even in a rather unusual AU. In addition, one can only admire how well done your research is and how accurate you constructed the background.

Amazing. Epic. Great work.
I deeply bow in admiration.

I do so love a great tragedy. Excellent work

WOW. I must say there was something about Cloud's death, that was just, forgive me for being poetic here, beautiful. I read this story a few days ago, and it definitely left an impression. I love it. Great work

this was original, well-researched, and very moving. cheers on a job well done.

Wow! This was incredible. I loved the way you twisted the FFVII storyline with WWII. The Genesis/Sephiroth interaction was my favorite (I'm a sucker for enemy-lovers), though it was a little difficult for me to tell who was who in your descriptions.

And so well researched, I'm impressed. You must have done as much research as you did writing!

What can I say? Hmm...I believe that I love this story. It's nice to read a good AU story involving Sephiroth and Genesis. I love the fact that they were involved in a sort of brothers in arms on opposing sides; both of them trying to seek a freedom and peace that they temporarily found in one another before the ongoing war drove them apart.

I read this hoping that it wouldn't end because I knew the ending would result in death, but I am glad that Genesis accomplished his goal in helping Vincent for the sake of Sephiroth. To me this was heartbreaking at what length these two men would go to finally reach their goals.

Another thing I'd like to mention is that I enjoyed how you made the characters interact with one another especially between Vincent and Genesis. I guess the only other thing I could think of right now, is that this story was very memorable.