What if a Punisher-Like vigilante character was in Nova Chrysalia and being a thorn in the side for Lighting and Hope. After watching all the episodes of Season 2 of Daredevil and reading Punisher MAX the idea popped up in my head. All FF characters belong to Square Enix, if I owned them then Lighting and Vanille would be a married couple. Be warned this fic will be very graphic. I'm posting this story twice. One under the Final Fantasy XIII category, another on the Lightning Returns category. I did this to see which one get's the most views. I may or may not delete one of them.
Chapter One: It's One Man
I'm the hand of God
I'm the dark messiah
I'm the vengeful one
(Look inside and see what you're becoming)
In the blackest moment of a dying world
What have you become
(Look inside and see what you're becoming)
~ Vengeful One - Disturbed ~
Once upon a time, Lightning had committed a terrible sin. It happened long ago, in a past that she could not change. She was fighting a war that never ended. She thought that she was saving the world, and she needed help. So she turned to Serah; the only family she had, her younger sister.
But, she had sent Serah to her death. Lightning knew what she had done could not be forgiven, but she prayed that someday it could be undone. Dreaming of the day that she might bring Serah back, she fell into a long sleep: a sleep as dark as death. The centuries passed, and each one seemed like an eternity. One day, the light touched her. She knew what it was. God himself was speaking to her. All-powerful, all-knowing, ruler of the world and sky above:
Bhunivelze.
The light was his voice, and she felt warmth on her skin as it spoke. He told her what she had to do. She would be his servant, and if she succeeded in doing his bidding her reward would be a miracle. He said Serah would live again, and Lightning would have her back at last. And so Lightning was chosen by God to rescue lost souls and guide them past the end of this world and into the next.
She became The Savior.
The light that surrounded her ebbed away, though for the brightness that surrounded her it was hard to tell at first. The pure white surfaces of the Ark reflected the distant starlight, and seemed to radiate from within.
The center of what would be God's new world was surrounded by the scraps of metal and material from the Ark that Hope himself had tried to create 500 years prior. It floated around the central platform slowly forming into various structures; buildings, transports, all the mechanical workings that would become the mainstays of the new world.
And standing in the center of all of this was the mighty tree that rose up high overhead. Twelve perfect blooming flowers – six on either side of the main vine – glowed brightly, though the light from bottom right bloom was slowly beginning to fade. At the top was an enormous flower, which would open on the final, thirteenth day. This was the tree of life, Yggdrasil.
Standing at a large display of monitors and technical equipment just beneath Yggdrasil was Hope Estheim. Once, long ago, they'd fought side by side, bound by a common destiny. He was just a boy then, kicked around by fate, scared and angry, but they'd become friends. And then he grew up, he was going to be humanity's great leader, the one who'd guide them all to a brighter future. But it didn't work out the way any of them had expected.
"Hello, Lightning. Welcome home," he said.
This seemed an appropriate sort of greeting, though Lightning had long since lost the only home she'd ever known. A lot had changed during her long sleep. When she awoke, the Hope who she'd seen become a man was now a boy again. He was up here, in lonely command of the Ark, and this was where he'd told Lightning about God's plans for the two of them- and the world.
Bhunivelze, god of light, has made a decision," Hope had said. "The gates are open and Chaos has flooded through, consuming the world and everything in it. Not even God can stop it, and he isn't going to try. Instead he is going to build a brand new world. But he needs people to live in it- what would be the point of a world without souls? That's where you come in, Light. You're the last piece of the puzzle. You're the Savior. It's a simple role. You have to rescue as many people as you can from this world and lead them to the new one. It's an incredible opportunity. You can bring salvation to hundreds, maybe thousands. In return, you'll get your chance to bring Serah back."
"A deal huh?" Lightning had replied. "I scratch God's back and he gives me what I want- my sister."
"He's giving you a chance. No guarantees. I know it isn't right using your sister, but..."
"It doesn't matter. God is using my dead sister as a bargaining chip. Something like that should infuriate me to no end. But, for whatever reason, I don't feel angry." Lightning had remembered pondering her words very carefully at this. What was the best way to word this? "It's like there's a hole where she used to be."
Hope nodded. "I think I know what you mean. I'm the same way. It all happened such a long time ago. I remember it clearly, but the feelings. They're gone."
Lightning had remembered all too well the burden that Hope had carried with him. His mother's death, the loss of his people, the futility of his centuries of work trying to protect humanity. There was so much that should have weighed him down, given him doubts, angered him. But, it didn't.
"Maybe that's how God wants it. Maybe emotions in his servants just distract us from what we're supposed to do. So he got rid of them for us."
"Maybe he did. And maybe returning me to childhood was part of his plan too. But we can't expect to understand everything he does."
Of course she had to accept God's deal. What choice did she have? It was her fault that Serah died. If the only way she could save her was by doing God's will, so be it. With Hope Estheim to guide her, she began her holy mission. Liberating the souls of the living from a dying world, and ushering them into a new one. The savior. Servant of mighty Bhunivelze himself.
Though her first day had not gone according to plan, and there was precious little time left in it.
"Light? Light, what's the matter?" Hope asked. "What is it? Are you alright?"
Lightning shook her head and moved towards the monitors. "I'm fine. Just reminiscing."
Hope moved beside her, the monitors now flashing various images from the four major areas left in the world. There was the capitol city of Luxerion, home to the Order of Bhunivelze and the religious masses who prayed for the new world. There was, of course, Yusnaan, a party city ruled by Snow where people went to celebrate the last few mortal pleasures they had to enjoy. There was the last patches of nature that remained amidst the sea of Chaos; the Wildlands: a land of verdant fields, mountainous peaks and dense forest. And finally there was the remains of the ancient civilization of Pulse, scattered amid ruins and desert sands: the Dead Dunes. This was all that remained of Pulse, the island of light: Nova Chrysalia.
It was here that the people lived; ageless, timeless. And yet while they never aged they remained susceptible to the torments of illness, pain and death. Now humanity was dying away, unable to give birth to new life to replace those who passed away.
"Five hundred years ago, Chaos was unleashed and our world began to be consumed," Hope said. "Five short centuries. That's what it took to destroy all of creation. Now there's barely anything left at all."
Lightning had already heard this part. "And when the Savior has used all her light, the bells will toll and the world will end. Is that what you told me?"
"Yes. But when that time comes, Bhunivelze will finally awaken, and he'll bend his great will to create a new world."
"Right. And in the meantime, I've got some souls to save."
"Yes, as many as you can. Remember, every soul you leave behind will be lost for all eternity."
No pressure, Lightning thought.
Hope turned to her. "As long as you're here, you're safe. You can rest and not worry about what's happening in the world below. When you're in the Ark, time ceases to flow for anyone, but us."
"Is that all God can do?" Lightning asked. "He can stop the flow of time up here, but he's helpless to prevent the world from being destroyed?"
"Yes. In thirteen days, God will reawaken. It'll all be over then, and no power in the universe can stop it. That's why it's so important for you to save these souls. Remember how much Snow had changed? Here, at the end of the world, there are many people like him, caught in the grip of despair, their hearts shackled by regret and longing. If you reach out and help them with their troubles, you can break those shackles. Then their souls will be released. They'll be free to be reborn in the new world," Hope looked over the monitors, pulling up some recent scenes from Luxerion.
Lightning looked over the scene, the North Station Plaza, where amid the dark streets a large group was gathering. Of course, as time had stopped nobody was moving, but amid the still image Lightning could make out what appeared to be the figure of a young woman, lying on her back with a knife plunged into her.
"No more lectures today, you're free to return to the surface whenever you want. But remember you need to be back here every day by 6 AM," Hope said.
"You're giving the Savior a curfew, is that it?" She asked incredulously.
"There is a good reason. I'll explain it to you when the time comes," Hope said. He pointed to a large green pedestal which stood before an inverted ebony arch. Hope's prized invention; the Warp Machine. She had, of course, already used it once.
"I'm worried about Snow, I should go to his palace," Lightning said.
"You could, but I suggest you visit another city instead."
"You want me to abandon Snow?"
Hope shook his head. "Down on the surface, time has stopped for everyone, remember? The palace will still be on high alert. It would be next to impossible to get anywhere close to Snow.
"You're saying I should let things cool down first."
Hope nodded. "I'm going to send you to Luxerion. It's the capital of the world- or what's left of it, anyway. I'll place you inside and inbound train. When the train stops at the station, you can get off with the other passengers. Something has happened in front of the station."
"All right, do it," Lightning said, turning towards the warp machine.
"You're surprisingly calm for someone who's about to venture into unknown territory. But you were always brave."
"Brave? I don't feel brave. I don't feel anything. No worry, no confusion, no fear."
"That's good, but you still need to stay safe," Hope said.
The two exchanged a knowing glance and then Hope turned around and pressed a few keys on his control panel. With another beam of light, Lightning left the Ark, and Hope behind her.
Day 1, 21:00
"The Yusnaan train is now arriving. Please stay clear of the yellow line. All passengers for Yusnaan, prepare to board the train. Passengers for the Wildlands or the Dead Dunes, please head to South Station."
The PA echoed through the small train station, the clear sound of the prerecorded woman's voice louder than even the rattle of the monorail. Lightning rubbed her neck as she stood up; she wondered if she'd pinched a nerve when she was thrust into one of the seats by Hope's little machine. The train came to a complete stop and Lightning disembarked.
The train station was small, but it was efficient. Two small corridors connected together, both leading to a stairwell in the middle of the station which led down into the plaza. The checkered floor was clean, but hardly shining. Everything in this station seemed to have a slight feeling of decay about it. Somewhat appropriate given the state of the world. And yet, Yusnaan had been nothing short of opulent. Perhaps the two cities differed on their priorities.
The shining neon sign that announced the train arrivals and departures suddenly went black. At first Lightning thought that maybe it had just lost its power, but then several guards approached the front of the train. The one in the lead gave a series of unheard orders to the conductor and then headed down to the plaza with his men.
"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention!" the conductor shouted. "The plaza and this station are on lockdown! The train to Yusnaan won't be leaving until the Inquisitor completes his investigation."
There was some muttering and more than a few sour faces, but surprisingly there was not much in the way of protest. Lightning headed towards the stairs leading to the Plaza and Hope began buzzing in her ear again.
"Luxerion, a bustling metropolis. The divine city of light and the holy see of salvation. It's the last bastion of peace and order in a dying world. Most of the people who live here worship the almighty Bhunivelze. The city is governed in his name by a powerful religious sect known as the Order of Salvation. God's followers believe in ultimate redemption and their faith helps keep the fires of hope burning. But even in this pious city, a darkness lurks untouched by divine light. A heresy that rejects the teachings of supreme Bhunivelze."
Lightning had reached the bottom of the stairwell and now stood out in the middle of the lamplight plaza. A small clock tower that was only about twenty feet high stood in the center of the plaza. The soldiers were now surrounding it. The two gates on either side of the plaza were brought down and additional sentries were posted in front of them.
Lightning recalled the image she'd seen back on the Ark and had a suspicion about what this could mean. It was confirmed by a passerby who stood a few feet before Lightning.
"It's another girl."
"How awful..." another said.
"I bet it's the heretics' doing."
As the passerby's moved out of the way, Lightning saw the faintest glimpse at the young body she'd seen on the screen. Blood soaked the ground near her corpse.
"The divine city doesn't look so holy now," Lightning commented.
"This was no accident," Hope said. "The girl was left here intentionally."
Once again, Hope was clearly right. As the crowd continued to thin, Lightning saw that the dagger sticking in her back also bore a note. Lightning moved closer to try and get a better look when suddenly a woman behind her screamed. The woman was pointing at the top of the station, where Lightning noticed yet another, much larger clock. What had caught the woman's attention, however, was the figure of another woman being hurled over the side.
"Light!" Hope shouted.
The figure stopped, at the end of a rope hung about its neck. It jerked slightly as it swung in front of the clock.
"Help her!" Hope pleaded.
"There's no need," Lightning said, calming down after she got a better look at the figure, which she now realized was composed of steel rigging and sacks covered in clothing and a pink wig. "Just a dummy. Hope, did you see who dropped it? They must still be close."
"My sensors didn't pick up anything at all. I'm running a search of the city's video database, but I'm coming up blank so far," Hope replied.
"Doesn't matter. I'll just find out myself," Lightning replied.
As Lightning spoke a message appeared on the wall next to the clock tower. Lightning recognized the text:
The evil savior will die at the hands of the Shadow Hunter.
"Luxerion, the divine city of light- is that what they call it? Trouble is, the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows."
On top of building of the Restaurant District, a man dressed in all black military gear is looking through his scope from his Sniper Rifle at the scene from the North Station, his scope went from the the crime scene to the dummy to Lightning herself.
God damn Children of Etro, 3 innocents have been killed, no matter how many of this fuckers I kill, more keep coming.
He continue to scan the the area with his rifle, trying to find any clues.
No matter, I'll keep killing them even it's the end of the world.
He got up, picked his sniper rifle, and made his way to Forsaken Graveyard, maybe he can find something useful there.
The Inquisitor stood before the body of the slaughtered woman. He wore a bright white robe with a strange pointed mantle that framed the back of his head. The decoration of the robe was minimal, and yet it was clear that he was a high-ranking member of the church. The Order clearly felt that less was more when it came to their public officials.
Lightning walked up to him. She figured if she was going to find out what was going on, she would be best talking to him first.
"We need to solve this case quickly," The Inquisitor said to his guards. "Luxerion is the city of divine light, yet it has seen the murder of three girls in three days, not to mention another stream of unknown murders. The people seem to be growing fearful. If any of you find out anything at all, I'd be anxious to hear it."
Lightning took this opportunity to make her presence known. The Inquisitor gave her a questioning look. Lightning realized that between her shattered sword and unusual attire, she must stand out. And yet the Inquisitor simply continued as though he understood her intentions perfectly. Lightning soon found out why he was treating her without suspicion.
"There are similarities among the victims," he continued. "They have all been young women and all of them had rose-colored hair."
Lightning subconsciously ran her hand through a soft pink strand of her own hair. The Inquisitor nodded.
"Yes, just the same shade as yours," The Inquisitor now directly addressed Lightning. "You may also become a target of the killers. I'd urge you to be careful, but you may not need to worry."
One of the guards stepped forward. "I knew the latest victim. She was a leading member of the Order clergy. She'd been a rising star, destined to become the next high priestess. But then, she retired suddenly. For reasons of health, or so it was said. And then, this..."
Lightning rubbed her chin. Three young women, all with rose-colored hair had been murdered, and the latest victim at least had a connection with the Order. The Inquisitor aslo mention another a stream of murders as well, but she'll ask him later. And then, there was that message:
The evil savior will die at the hands of the Shadow Hunter.
As the Inquisitor and his men got back to examining the crime scene, she decided to wander around the plaza. There had to be other clues, witnesses. Anything to give her some idea of who was responsible.
She noticed a set of scaffolding which lead up to the spot where the dummy was hanging. A few of the Order guard were now in the process of taking the dummy down, but it must have been there long before they showed up. That was most likely how they'd made it atop the station to begin with. Lightning climbed up the first ladder and saw a nervous looking man, leaning against the wall, talking to the nearby guard. Well, perhaps ranting was a more appropriate term, as the guard did not seem to have anything to contribute to the conversation, let alone a chance to contribute. The man spoke in a quiet faux-casual voice, chewing on his knuckles in between words.
"This is my favorite spot. Hang out here long enough, and you get to see all kinds of things- like those white-garbed loonies, for example," the man seemed to find his courage after this statement and stopped shaking. "The Children of Etro are heretics, and they don't believe in the Order's teachings. Those Etro fanatics used to keep a low profile, but recently I see them everywhere. The Order's authority isn't what it was. Now those people wander the streets like they own the place. But from what I am hearing some kind of gang is targeting them, whenever those Etro fanatics strike, they get hit hard. What's stranger is that this group was never identified, no one knows, not even The Order know who this group is. Who knows what this group's goal is?"
This was already becoming an enlightening affair. Before too long she figured she would know all about Luxerion, even if most of her experience so far was from overheard conversations. What Lighting kept thinking is what the man said, a group has been targeting the Children of Etro whenever they strike.
The guard hefted the dummy down on to the top most scaffolding and set about his work. He noticed Lightning first, before the other man had, and was the first to offer a word of warning.
"The same people who killed the girl brought that dummy here. It's important evidence- don't touch it. The victim had rose-colored hair- and the wig on that dummy was of the same color. The killers appear to believe that the 'evil savior' will take the form of a young woman, with rose-colored hair. Everything points to this being the work of those heretics. But why are they so sure what the savior will look like?"
This was all getting a little personal to Lightning. Whoever this Shadow Hunter was, he knew, or at least had a very good hunch as to what Lightning looked like. The there's this group that not even The Oder know who they are. And then there these Children of Etro. Lightning had once served as Etro's Champion. Now there was a group claiming to be her servants. But Etro would never demand slaughter such as this.
Lightning climbed down from the scaffolding and made her way to the far side of the plaza. She leaned back against the wall of the inn. She saw several more of those papers, similar to the one that had been sticking to the victim, blowing about in the breeze.
"'The evil savior will die at the hands of the Shadow Hunter'," the innkeeper said, talking to his friend. "Certainly an interesting statement. I've heard of the Shadow Hunter once before, from a guest that was staying here at the hotel. The same guest told me he's the head of that band of fanatics, but I don't know who he really is- or was."
As if Lightning requited clarification of her suspicion; she'd already suspected that the Shadow Hunter and the Children of Etro were linked. Not to mention the unknown group who are targeting the Children of Etro. That had all but confirmed it. Lightning began to pace the plaza. She was trying to fit the pieces together in her head.
So far, everything made perfect sense. The Children of Etro, and the Shadow Hunter were killing these women in an attempt to kill her. That much was obvious. The two lingering questions of course were "how?" and "why?"
"It can't be... dammit, it's not like him to be late. But what if- no, no, no couldn't be that..."
Lightning turned to see the conductor from earlier standing at the bottom of the stairs to the station, loudly venting what sounded more like fear than frustration.
"Something wrong?" She asked. "Not about those murders, is it?"
"God, no! At least, I hope not. You see, it's the end of my shift and I'm waiting for my replacement, but h-he hasn't shown," the conductor was shaking, almost panic stricken. "He's been late before, but never as bad as this."
"You're starting to worry, right?" She asked.
The conductor let out a strange sound somewhere between a groan and a grunt. "He likes to make out he's a tough guy, but he isn't at all frankly. His name's Holmes. If you run into him, do me a favor, will you? Tell him Thorton's worried- and needs to go home."
Lightning nodded. "All right. If I see anyone in uniform wandering around where they're not supposed to be, I'll talk to 'em."
Lightning knew with the plaza shut off, Holmes couldn't be too far. She made her way through the center of the plaza and towards a small Outfitters shack. It was here, she saw a man wearing a uniform chatting with the owner.
"Good heavens, this has become quite the predicament," the owner was saying. "Those messages say that the Shadow Hunter will kill the savior. Sounds pretty, I don't know, prophetic right? If you believe what you hear around town, it seems that the Children of Etro have an Oracle Drive. That's a rare thing."
An Oracle Drive, Lightning thought. Of course.
Oracle Drives were the mechanical creations of the seeress Yeul. They were devices that recorded her visions of the futures. With an Oracle Drive and the proper mind to interpret your findings, you could accurately predict the future. That was it. That was how they knew what the Savior looked like. There was just one last piece of the puzzle she needed.
Lightning patted the man in uniform's shoulder. He jumped slightly at her touch.
"You work at the station, don't you? Your fellow attendant is worried about you."
The man groaned. This was Holmes all right. " My...? Oh, no! Is it time for my shift already? I completely lost track of time! Look, can I trust you?" Lightning nodded. Holmes took a look at her hair and, like the Inquisitor, decided that was enough. "I saw who did it. You know, the people who threw the dummy off the clock tower? I got scared, so I've been laying low. I can't go to the station, that's where they'll look for me."
"You were there? What did you see, exactly? You have to tell me."
Holmes suddenly became rather stubborn, but Lightning could tell it was just out of fear. "I don't have to do anything. But i-if you can protect me from those people and get me to the station, I'll tell you all about it."
In her former lives, Lightning might have considered this a burden, but she was charged with saving souls, and as a result, saving lives was her responsibility as well. She led Holmes back to the train station, being sure to make sure they were not being tracked. When they finally reached Thorton, both he and Holmes breathed deep sighs of relief.
"Holmes, you're safe! I was so worried about you, I could barely concentrate on my duties!"
"Sorry, boss. I saw what happened over where they found the girl. I guess I just panicked," Holmes replied.
The two exchanged words for a moment as Holmes began his shift and Thorton ended his. As it turned out one of Thorton's previous colleagues was killed by a monster, and part of Thorton's fear had stemmed from this previous experience in his life.
A true friend that cares. Maybe that's enough to save a soul, Lightning thought.
Lightning's heart swelled as faint white auras unseen by these men traveled into her body. Two more souls that she had saved, simply by helping them find one another.
"Well, a deal's a deal. You got me here safe and sound, and so I'm going to tell you exactly what I saw. It was the Children of Etro. They tossed the dummy off the tower. I really wanted to tell the Inquisitor what I saw. Honestly, I did. But I was afraid those heretics might find out and make me their next victim."
"Anything Else?" Lightning asked.
Holmes put his hand on his chin, "Now that you mention it, I did see this guy walking in The Restaurant District."
"How did he look like?"
Holmes shrugged his shoulders, "Don't know. He's big, probably about 6'5, was wearing some kind of military gear. All Black."
"So the culprits are the Children of Etro," Hope said, speaking again for the first time in a while. "But what is their objective. What are they after?"
Lightning excused herself from the two men and headed back into the Plaza.
"Let's find out," she replied. "Once the gates are open, I'll try tailing them. Discreetly. It'll be the easiest way to find their hideout. I'll talk to the Inquisitor, and hopefully get these gates open."
Lighting was walking back to the crime scene, but she couldn't get what Holmes just said, could this man be somehow connected to the unknown group and the unexplained murders as well.
Her thoughts are cut short when she finally reach the crime scene.
"If you know anything about the case, I'd be glad to hear it," The Inquisitor said.
The long night had clearly taken its toll on the Inquisitor who was now leaning back against the side of the small plaza clock tower. The victim's body had been removed from the scene, but blood still covered the ground around where it had laid. His spectacles were slightly crooked on his nose and he seemed like he was ready to fall asleep. And yet all the while, he did everything he could to hold onto his authoritative air.
Lightning explained to him everything that she had found out, most important of course being Holmes's testimony that it was in fact the Children of Etro who committed the crime. The Inquisitor had no doubts at all that this was the case, though he wondered what good that information did them. Lightning had a plan for this as well. She'd overheard a passerby mention that the heretic's usually gathered in the plaza around midnight and all moved in a pack, though to where nobody yet knew.
"The goddess's disciples are beginning to gather. If you lift the blockades around this area, there's a good chance they'll start to move out," Lightning explained.
"You're suggesting I let them go? Hm." The Inquisitor looked about the plaza and then back at the clock tower. It was nearly midnight now. Perhaps this plan might work. "It's not a bad idea. Yes, yes. I'll give the order, and we'll see where the heretics lead us."
The Inquisitor turned to his two guards and with a simple nod gave the order that was required. They in turn approached each guard at the gates on either side of the plaza and within moments they began to rise. Those guards who were not strictly sentries returned to their usual routines, all except the Inquisitor, his two bodyguards and Lightning, who now sat crouched in the small shadowy gap between the scaffolding and the station wall.
Now all they had to do was wait.
"In recent weeks, the heretics have become more visible on the streets of our holy city. The poor benighted fools don't believe in God's Salvation," The Inquisitor mused. "Clearly their despair has led them to carry out these wanton acts. If only they would open their eyes. Embrace God and they could bathe in the pure light of his almighty grace. Can't they see that their souls would be liberated in the new world?"
Maybe not, Lightning thought, remembering how strongly Snow had objected to the mere idea of Lightning trying to help him. Even amidst the confusion, she had not forgotten him. She wondered what Yusnaan would look like if she could see it right now?
"The irony of it all is that their fanatical rejection of the savior has only made my own faith that much stronger. Although perhaps that is the work of the savior herself," The Inquisitor continued.
No, the true irony was claiming to have been moved by the savior in a spiritual sense when in the real world the savior was guiding his hand far more directly. And he didn't even know it was her.
"If you think your faith will save you, then go ahead. Believe all you want," Lightning uttered, somewhat dismissively.
Perhaps his faith had saved him. She felt his heart lighten, and hers burn ever so softly.
Lighting looked at the Inquisitor and asked, "You mentioned earlier that there where another stream of murders."
The man nodded, "Yes. But these murders are not innocent victims. It seems a group of people are targeting those are threaten the citizens, they are a rise of murders for criminals and the like, and the Children of Etro are among those killed."
"So they're targeting only criminals." Lighting repeated.
"This group are well-trained, we're talking about a paramilitary type group. With the training, knowledge, and equipment to take out all of Nova Chrysalia."
Lighting just stood there in shock.
Paramilitary type? she thought.
Midnight came and several figures in white robes and hoods, each carrying strange ritualistic looking weapons began to move through the plaza. They walked right past Lightning and the Inquisitor, who were completely cloaked in darkness. The headed out the northern gate of the plaza and towards what lead to a small restaurant avenue.
"I'll follow them," Lightning said. "You stay here."
Lightning rushed through the plaza and around to the gate. She leaned back against the wall and peered through to the other side. The group had moved their way up a small set of stairs towards what seemed to be a far more deserted section of the street.
Take me to your leader, Lightning thought coolly as she sidled around the gate to hide once more in a shadowy corner.
" 'The evil savior will die at the hands of the Shadow Hunter.' I sure don't like the sound of that," Hope chimed in. Lightning only now noticed that he had a tendency to state the obvious at the worst possible time. "When they say 'savior', do you think-"
"It's me alright. It has to be," Lightning replied quietly. "But who's the Shadow Hunter?"
"Better yet, who is this paramilitary group?" Hope asked.
it seems both Lighting and Hope wanted to know who is this group that are targeting only criminals.
"Don't know? But I suspect that they'll strike once these guys are alone."
She looked over to the stairwell. One of the heretics had waited behind, acting as a lookout for the rest of the group. He was looking right at where she was, but she was completely concealed by darkness, and behind a crate for good measure. There was no way he could have seen her.
But maybe he heard her?
"I don't know," Hope said. "Right now, no one else does either. The information is incomplete at best. But the Order thinks he could be the leader of the heretics."
The lookout moved on, and Lightning breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over to the stairwell, climbed over a nearby railing and crouched behind another crate. The street now turned into a partially constructed alleyway with no buildings or homes. Just walls and poorly rigged lighting. And the heretics were pushing their way deeper into it.
"So it's the Shadow Hunter who leads the cult? Does that mean he's also behind the murders?" Lightning asked.
The heretics moved again and Lightning stepped back out, but for a brief moment her timing was just a bit off. Her body was in view for just a moment as that damned lookout turned to watch their back. She saw him turning and was able to react in time to get behind another crate, but it was no good. The lookout had seen something.
He moved slowly towards the spot where Lightning was now hiding, his weapon raised. Lightning wasn't scared, exactly. She had nothing to fear from any of these people. But she may have just cost herself one of her best leads. Well, if worst came to worst she could probably beat the answers she needed out of them.
The Lookout put his hand on the opposite side of the crate. Lightning held her breath, and didn't dare to make any move that might reveal her position. She did place her hand on the hilt of her crimson sword though.
Suddenly at the end of the corridor a phone began to ring. The lookout turned back towards the others and one of the other heretics even whispered for him to hurry up. He gave one last look at the crate, then rushed over to the end of the row. Lightning turned to see that the alley opened up into a small clearing with a gate at the end. Grass and trees could be seen just beyond it. In the middle of this small clearing was a telephone booth, and one of the heretics had picked up the receiver.
"In the forest of darkness, Chaos holds sway. To the goddess of death, these numbers I say," the heretic spoke. And then in a softer tone which Lightning could not make out, he spoke a series of numbers.
The gate opened and the the heretics rushed through. Before Lightning could even think to try and follow them, the gate shut again, leaving her locked out. She casually approached the telephone booth.
"See that? I think I just found my invitation to the party."
"Yeah," Hope replied. " So when the phone rings, you have to give them a code. Simple- if you have the numbers."
"Right. Simple. So any bright ideas about how to do that? I mean, considering you're doling out advice?"
"Head back to town and see what you can uncover," Hope offered somewhat simply. Realizing that this was probably not enough to go on, Hope continued. "Look, let's just go over what we know. The heretical cult, the so-called 'Children of Etro' are behind the murders. They've become increasingly visible in the city. Judging by the tone of their 'message' they view the savior as their enemy. What I don't understand is why they would target you. You're here to save souls and guide them to a new world. Why wouldn't they want that?"
Lightning shrugged. "It's not that clear cut. To some God's Savior looks as much a murderer as these maniacs do. I'm not surprised they're afraid."
"Don't worry," Hope said. "Even if the world hates you, I'll always be by your side Light."
It was just as she was about to walk back to town that she heard the loud noises of automatic gunfire coming from the graveyard.
"Light, I'm picking heavy activities in the graveyard!" Hope told her.
Lightning quickly turned around and saw the gates slowly opening, and the same time the gun fire ceased.
"Hope, I'm going to investigate." she said as she ran her way to the graveyard.
"Be careful Light."
Lighting was running, looking for anything that can explain what just happen, that's when she the scene in front of her, not even far from the gate, she saw the bodies of the Etro fanatics, all of them with bullet holes covering their bodies, some with body parts blown away.
She then saw one of them moving, barely holding on to his life, coughing up blood.
Lightning walked towards the gravely injured man, "You don't have enough time to live, but you can help me by telling me who did this? Tell me who they are?"
The heretic gave out a weak laugh as he gurgle more blood, "No they...him. It's one man."
He then cough violently as he laid on ground, dying.
Lighting just stood there, shocked and confuse.
One man is responsible for those unknown murders, whoever he is, Lightning had feeling that this was the beginning.
AN: This was a long chapter. So this follows the LR story line but with my OC involve in this. I don't know what kind of firearms Final Fantasy XIII has, so I may use firearms from other games just to make ends meet. This fanfic will have a lot of The Punisher MAX elements, that explains why the M rating.
Enjoy it and gave me an honest review.