What happened to Aerith?

[real_raziel]

Hi, I don't fully understand the ending.
I know Aerith dies at the end of the story, but she still shows up...
Is this Cloud's mental illness or has some multi-verse been created?

I found a video explaining it, but what do you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXs_L-UVAAQ

[Scarlet Crusade]

There is a multiverse setup, but the Aerith who was in your party is dead, like the original. The Aerith who dated you in the dream sequence was likely the Aerith that Zack was taking care of, is the way I understood it. That Aerith also is the one who fought with you in the final battle. But the Aerith in the ending scene as everyone boards the Tiny Bronco is the spirit of the one who died, who will continue watching over the party, but she can communicate with Cloud like she and Zack could in Advent Children, likely channeled through the Lifestream.