He breathed in sharply as the Pulsian air came back to him, stumbling slightly at the drop. Dazed, he glanced around at his fellow l'Cie- well, former l'Cie now.
He squinted as the sun's rays reflected through Cocoon's new base, shining brightly in the dawn light. Two dots were spotted rushing towards them, and for an instance he reflectively tensed towards his boomerang.
"Serah!"
The teenager glanced quickly to the guerilla of a man, before he dashed towards the petite girl. Alongside her a smaller body kept running.
"Daddy!"
"Dajh.."
Hope could hear the relief in the aged man's words, happiness overwhelming him as tears threatened to spill beyond the crow's feet. A feeling of excitement washed over him as he looked around, rushing forward a few steps before stopping; there was no one waiting for him. A few moments passed before his heart sank, despair welling in his throat as he choked back a sob.
A strong arm wrapped across the back of his shoulders, startling the boy from his vanishing reverie. A genuine smile lingered on the hardened woman's face as she watched the happy reunions.
"We did it,"
The boy managed a smile before glancing back up at Cocoon, hope stirring in his chest for the chance that maybe, just maybe, he was wrong. He stepped forward, deciding to celebrate along with his comrades, eager to forget his strife. However, once he neared the group Serah gave him a questioning look, her face pained, eyes worried.
"Where's Lightning?"
Confused, the boy turned sharply to where he had just interacted with the soldier. Only, she wasn't there. The younger of the two grew restless as her fiancé attempted to calm her down. The others spread out, with the teenager finding himself drawn nearer to Cocoon with each step.
It took him only moments to spot the morning glint off of the former l'Cie's dagger; the same one she'd entrusted to him. Without hesitation he grasped it from amongst the fresh crystal, slipping lightly from the awkward angles that lay before him.
His trek back to the others was slow, desperate to prolong his possession, to sort out his thoughts. Where did she go, and why? She was just beside him, the one person left he truly felt safe with; and she wasn't one to leave him abandoned-
The young boy looked up as he approached the betrothed couple. Reluctantly, he shuffled on spot before offering his findings.
"Its her dagger. I found it by the pillar."
He cast a desperate glance at her sister, wanting her to tell him what happened, to tell him where she went. The look of distress and pain flooded the girl's features as she took the weapon from him, leaving him to be with his own devices.
Watching the backs of his friends as they headed towards the rapidly growing settlement, Hope followed reluctantly. Casting his gaze upon Cocoon, he swore to himself he wouldn't rest until the answers he sought were found.
He wouldn't rest until she returned.
