Cloud Strife is a major protagonist in the Final Fantasy VII series. An arrogant and proud swordsman at first, Cloud introduces himself to Avalanche as a former member of an elite warrior unit called SOLDIER who has turned mercenary, and uninterested in anything beyond his hired task at hand. Beneath his hardened outer persona is a softer, more caring individual who simply struggles to open up, but is striving to be a hero. 

The delusions.

 is a childhood friend of Angeal Hewley, who both joined SOLDIER together in hopes of becoming heroes, eventually attaining the rank of SOLDIER 1st Class and also befriending their inspiration, Sephiroth. Initially loyal to Shinra, Genesis learned he was genetically degrading due to being infused with Jenova cells and started a rebellion against the company, forming an army entirely composed of copies of himself with the intent of finding a cure. Considers himself a monster.

On an endless search for the 'Gift of the Goddess'

Rufus Shinra is the vice president of the Shinra Electric Power Company through Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-, Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- and Final Fantasy VII, and the president through most of Final Fantasy VII. He is President Shinra's son. He is a major antagonist during Final Fantasy VII and an important supporting character for a majority of its expanded universe.

The President of the Shinra cooperation.

Sephiroth is the main antagonist of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII Remake and one of the primary antagonists in its extended universe. In spin-off appearances, Sephiroth is depicted as Cloud Strife's archenemy and is seen as a symbol of Cloud's troubled past. Before his fall from grace, Sephiroth was one of the most lauded success stories of the Shinra Electric Power Company's SOLDIER program. His status as a celebrity war hero and the poster boy for Shinra and SOLDIER.