#the story focuses on Sephiroth and his circumstances/psyche but... Hojo notably did not escape the 'tragic backstory-inator'

[epicness1000]

An End at the Hands of One's Own Creation

My art for a scene from "Monsters", a Sephiroth-centred character study/fanfic I wrote in 2023 (link!).

“Just a moment, dear boy,” Hojo drawled, coughing up blood as he spoke. “Surely, Sephiroth, you are not blind to this truth.”  

Sephiroth stepped so close that there was no more space between them. He looked down at the crumpled, old scientist, refusing to kneel to his level. The crackle of flames was the only sound to be heard, overwhelming heat contrasting so strikingly against Sephiroth’s cold, frigid gaze.  

“Were it not for P-Project Jenova– for Project S. For Lucrecia, Gast, Shinra and I... you would not exist. Were your foetus left untampered, what makes you you simply would not be. Your power, your strength, your intelligence, your appearance, even your name. Your extraordinary nature, all your greatness– it is because of me. The only way you can exist is as a scientific experiment. Never forget that, my boy.”  

Sephiroth did not move. He was still as a statue, remaining outwardly calm in the face of Hojo’s words. The moment seemed to last an eternity, the sound of crackling fire mixing with the scientist’s feeble, wheezing chuckles. The room felt colder than the most isolated regions of the northern continent. And the angel of destruction bore a frightening expression, one of darkness and impending doom.  

“Better a monster than to be one of you.”