Serah's rebirth:
I knew it even then as I shrieked in my mother's arms that this life would be very very different. But in many ways it would be the same. Lightning, I knew was in that hospital waiting to meet me. She'd be with dad and she would be young but like me we would know each we. We would remember each other. Snow was somewhere in this world, even Noel. They must all be here before me, except Hope, he still has a few more years to go but I will find him too, when he arrives.
The civil war that plagued the country had been going on for many months no, with bombs and guns erupting and destroying the capital. The only men and woman that still lived there were soldiers, or more accurately people that had such a profession forced upon them. The military vs the rebels, it sounded like some old book that had gathered a layer of dust because it held a story many already knew.
It was a useless battle for power. Aseop was a country ruled by the military that had risen to power almost a decade before. They were harsh and they were brutal but the people of Aseop were free to live their lives how they wished. The rebels however wanted more freedom.
At what point does restraint lead to slavery and freedom lead them to being no better then animals?
This was a thought that often wondered through Hope Estheim's mind
The military was looking for new recruits, for fresh blood and at the ripe age of 27 Hope was the perfect candidate. However in his 500 years worth of memories he had fought more then even the eldest military generals ever will. He had saved and destroyed a world twice over and he did not wish the same faith to befall this new world they lived in.
This was why he refused his country's call for arms. In this new world he asked only to left out of such trivial things. For trivial things they were for after they forces he and his friends had fought against these struggles for power were particularly trivial.
In this life Hope just wanted to continue his research for in the thousands of years mankind had lived on this 'new planet' they called Earth they had discovered that the laws of science here where nothing like those on Cacoon or Pulse. Here physics powered machinery and not crystals while it was biology that caused crops to grow and no fal'Cie. He wanted to learn it all and for once he didn't it for himself and not for some higher purpose. This was probably one of the only things he had ever done for himself.
However he had some explaining to do when an old solider came knocking on his door, asking him to join the Military arms, they were particularly interested in citivans between the ages of 19 and 35 it seemed. They had come one rainy night in full uniform, though comically drenched, and their guns loaded. They knocked on his door and refused entrance into his home, which Hope felt pleased for as he had not felt like cleaning up after them.
He sighed annoyed when he opened the door, he had just gotten another, friendlier guest- the post man, and behind his back he held a letter from Aoede.
"Yes?" he started as he eyed the soldiers before him coolly. He wasn't impolite, or arrogant, the people of this world knew him a cool and collected and not one to be angered easily. In many ways you could say his personality hadn't changed much from his past life.
"Are you citizen of identification number 03478674 P, Hope Estheim ?" one said, an aged man with glasses and a mousy white moustache.
"Yes, that's me." Hope said calmly, having already gotten the gist of this military meeting. What he found interesting was that some of the soldiers shuffled uncomfortably before him, not because of the rain though, but because of his name. Aoede was right, it seemed his name had survived within the memories of people's souls, even after rebirth.
"Are you aware that the citizens of this district were meant to sign to join the military cause by Friday at 1800 hours?"
"Yes, I'm aware of that." He answered calmly, as he leaned against his door-frame. This caused a number of soldiers to shuffle their feet again, many even avoided his gave though Hope doubted they understood why.
"Where you hindered from answering the call on that given time?"
"Not particularly."
" Do you suffer from some health condition that would hinder your utility in battle?"
"None that I know of."
"So you knowingly and without reason neglected to answer a call set forth my the leading military power of this country?" the man sounded robotic and stiff, as if he had done this quite a few times now.
"Oh I had my reasons." Answered Hope coolly, not letting his eyes leave the older man's face. The latter however, waited for Hope to elaborate more. "I refuse to fight for a cause I do not believe in."
"So you are on the rebel's side? That would make you a direct enemy of the country."
"No," said Hope thinking back on all he had seen and read about the civil , "I do not side with the rebels either."
"So if you are not a military man or a rebel, what would you call yourself?" the old man said, a hint of irritation tinging his words at Hope's calm and honest answers.
"Well you yourself have said I'm called Hope and I a researcher at the local university, that's all." He gave the general a small smile as he saw his temper begin to rise, his damp fades turning different shades of red. The confused looks of theman's soldiers also caught the young man's attention, was this Hope Estheim just a researcher?
"Do you want me to take your insolence as treason?" the general threatened.
"It cannot be called treason sir, my insolence, as you call it wasn't directed t my country or any head of state but to you. And seeing how they sent you on recruitment duty you mustn't be very important either.
"Why you…. seize him! He'll stand trial at the military court." Ordered the man. Some of his soldiers shuffled forward head down but most didn't move, the voice of this young man was stirring memories they didn't even know they head.
"On what basis?" he asked, his eyes not leaving those of the military man.
He faltered momentarily as if, through his temper he had forgotten the reason why he had come visit Hope in such foul weather in the first place. " For failing to answer the military's call to aide the war effort."
"Ah but I haven't." said Hope still leaning against his doorframe. "That wasn't the reason you are here or else you would have said so from the start. Your job was to inform me that the call to arms has been extended another week so the remaining stragglers like myself still have an opportunity to sign up."
The old man's eyes were bulging which caused a small knowing smile to appear on Hope's face.
"Thank you for coming out here in this fowl weather to inform me. I will be seeing you again next week after I fail to answer the call I assume. Good evening soldiers. " He finished, addressing this last part to the ever silent men and women before him. Without another word Hope turned his back on the small group, walked into his small cottage and closed the door behind him.
He shook his head at the mere thought of him joining any form of war effort. That was a part of him that he had left behind on Gran Pulse. Still standing by the door and distracted by his thoughts, he lifted the damp letters he held in his hands. Hmm he really must have been detracted to not to have noticed he had received two letters not one. Yes that's right he had gotten mail from Aoede and NORA. Aoede wasn't someone strange to receive a letter from, ever since he had answered most of her questions regarding her dormant memories of an old world. She still refused to publish any of the stories Hope and his companions had told her but she did, almost weekly send a letter to confirm any rumours she might have heard- or to complain idly about her job or the war. She liked to that at well.
And thanks to her, Hope had even found out about his companions, their locations and well beings. Having all been born once again at different times and places it was impossible even if, for some unknown reason, he and his companions were the only ones to be born with their past memories intact. Mostly he had received letters and the occasional e-mail from Snow and Noel, on the old world whilst trying to save what remained of humanity they had formed bonds that would not be easily broken.
Serah too, wrote letter from time to time, asking how he was and giving him updates regarding her education. He'd be going to university soon and was considering one in Hope's town. Fang and vanille, he had discovered only recently where they were , just prior to Aoede first interview with him and by then they had already exchanged a handful of letters. Even Sajz sent the random letter, particularly around Dajh and Hope's birthdays.
Lightning was the only one he never heard from, through Serah assured him she was fine and doing exceedingly well. She too was focusing on her studies, whatever they may be.
As he unfolded Aoede's newest letter he thought of his companions, how strange it seemed that most had gotten the happy ending they always had dreamed of, that they had fought so hard to achieve- Noel and Yuel, Sazh and Dajh even Lighting, wherever she was, had finally sheathed her sword.
Hope too, liked to believe he was happy, after all both his parents were alive and well once again and he was researching the wonders of this world to his heart's content. What was bizarre however was that, at this particular moment in time they were all the same age they had physically been during their first adventure. Lightning, Fang and Snow were 21 while Noel an Serah were 18 and vanille was the jolly age of 19. Even Sazj and Dajh didn't appear a day older then they had been on the Old World. He was the only one to break the trend, he was 27, the same age as when he was director of the Academy.
Hope had often noted how he was the anomaly in this pattern, he should have been 14 not 27. While he waited to be reborn he had always believed he would meet all his friends that although the souls chosen for rebirth were chosen at random they would meet again. However to share the same appearance and age they had on the Old World, that was beyond strange. But here he living breathing proof of that.
At that moment, however, his mind wondered to more serious and real dawning, all of his friends, with thee exception of Sazj, were within the age range of the military call for arms, would they all be forced into a battle once again? However on which side would they be?
Shaking his head from such dark thoughts Hope read Aoedes letter and he almost dropped it in shock. And reread. And reread.
Hope! I've finally met Lighnting! You were right, I met her when I wasn't looking… on a train from all places! She's so cool and collected and so beautiful! It's hard to believe that she was once chosen to be the goddess of death. We didn't speak much although I was itching to ask so many questions. And long last my search… and your search for Lightning has come to a close. We parted ways at Yassen station, I believe there's a train that goes to Hasra , where Serah lives, from there. Maybe she was going for a family visit?
She really is a hard one to read, that Lightning. However now I can understand why so many different people, and yourself,f spoke of her with such admiration and affection. I truly hope wish for you to meet her soon, Hope.
Please write back soon, the Paper has got me covering the dullest part of this blasted war.
Regards,
Aoede
Could it be that Lighting was going to visit Serah? Hope, distractedly began to head towards the kitchen, his thoughts flying and the notion of visiting Serah surfaced many many times. What he wouldn't give to see Lightning one more time. That's when the letter from Nora caught his attention. He stopped at the door of the kitchen and, with unsteady hands opened the letter. Nora worked close to Serah maybe they too had heard news of Lightning.
However their letter was much shorter and direct and the words written and smudged on the damp paper sent a chill down his spine.
Serah has gone missing. Please help.
Although he assumed that Nora sent the letter, there was no signature at the end. Hope's heart was pounding and dread was seeping across his skin. Serah was missing, could this be history repeating itself, even a world apart? It had been Serah capture that had brought Snow and Lighting to the start of their journey, could her current disappearance do the same?
With slightly trembling hands he lowered the letters and he scanned his little kitchen for answers he knew weren't here but were at Hasraw where Serah, and possibly Lightning had been.
His eyes widened and a gasp escaped his lips. On his table, like some malformed centrepiece, lay a green crystal. It was crystal that Hope had never seen in this new world but knew all to well. It was Alexander's Eidolith!
