The following content contain characters not owned by me. The script is of my own as to speak.
My first fanfic.
Feel free to give a review for improvement. Enjoy
CHAPTER_1 : Uncharted
A soft voice she always remembered. The voice she grew up hearing was of her sister. "Light. Wake up, wake up now."
"Se...Serah!" Lightning groaned, eyes filled with tears trickling down, sliding on the soft skin as the nightmare continued.
"Light, don't leave me again! You promised. Please Don't abandon us."
The pain, sorrow and guilt snapped Lightning out of her agony, sweat rolling down her forehead following the tracks of tears which were long gone.
Lips were apart, allowing for more air to inhale.
Lightning attempted to stand on her feet struggling to fight against the odd feelings she started to have.
Her breathing were intense and each time she breathed her body felt alive. While rubbing her eyes to erase the hints of cry. Her head ached with stress caused by unknown dream she saw and as if it was gonna make her insane.
She felt her body weak and sore. Her senses waking one at a time. Questioning herself for her current status. "how long have I been like this? And what in the name of Etro happened?" Lightning murmured.
She stirred up looking around and All she remembered was being with Serah, her friends and that idiotic oaf after being freed from their eternal crystal stasis.
That simple thought formed a smile on her face, but it faded as soon as it appeared.
Lightning was tensed. Her expression were mixture of sadness, happiness, "depression." She knew she had saved her sister. She knew the nightmare was over and she knew she has nothing to compromise for anything now. But what she knew right now was, the anxiety and the silence looming over her.
Her heart ached, not due to the pain but because she felt nothing. Her heart was broke. It was not a physical breakdown but her mentality. Unable to express her joy to celebrate anymore, the relief she had earned in a moment ago. Yet she felt it cripple down and shatter into pieces.
It was quiet, so quiet... she could hear the presence of nothing around. The air filled with thick fog with not a single life in sight.
"Where are you Serah?" Lightning glanced all around for several minutes in order to see if she could notice anyone or thinking if Serah was just toying with her.
Serah?,...Sazh?.. Snow?... Hope?... anyone? She howled each name till her throat was in pain and dry, but no response came back.
The more she tried to search, the more her hopes turned into disappointment. It took her all her courage, strength and emotions not to give up right now.
All her attempts, after everything she did, all those sacrific. They all do not need to go in vein.
Yet fate decide to steal everything Lightning ever loved in one single swift again. Maybe it was always meant to be for her to live a life in solitary.
She knew and told herself, Clearing her false thoughts. She can not let anyone take what they want from her no matter how bad they want and will try to snatch from her.
The moment she expressed how much she cared for her sister despite her rude behaviour. She learnt one thing and that was to enjoy all the time that was worth it.
It was her, Lightning Farron. Who did everything in her power to have what she deserved not to be taken away this time.
But something did pinched lightning thoughts,
"Was it too much in others opinion that made me a person look greedy, no matter how much I proved everyone that they were wrong, that she also deserve a second chance no matter how big mistake she committed?"
"was it?" Lightning hissed, so anyone who could hear her can feel what she was going through but no one cared like always.
Even her sister did not care because she had Snow. Since Snow entered Serah life, he never let harms come her way.
Always ready to take a direct hit for Serah and preventing her smile to fade. Everyone had someone with them in their moments. Even Sazh reunited with his son. She was left all alone.
"But no... No not yet... There is no time to lose faith and remain silent.", lightning convinced herself.
All she knew was she has to find her sister out. Serah is all she had in her family and dare she lose her again. Though Lightning had no idea where she is right now in all of the pulse she ever remembered. Her chances were thin like a thread.
She knew she has to start looking for Serah but where to start from? The whole place was unknown to her.
It was an uncharted territory occupied by those who were not even here anymore. The place was a body without soul.
All the way she walked, she saw were several skyscraper surrounded by abandoned buildings and empty streets only filled with spoils of havoc and chaos.
Dusted Vehicles and crippled down debris all around. Pure sign of no one here to guide her.
Lightning walked for long as eternity but could not recognise any of the situation. Neither how she got end up here of all places.
"This place is so huge." was the only thing she could think in her mind.
"This does not even make sense at all. Either way I am dead but also this place is not like a Valhalla I heard from stories. Valhalla is more lively than a place were the air is so foul."
"where is everyone though?" Lightning thought as she tried to keep herself away from desperation.
It was turning out to be waste of time and she walked through the city in hope of finding out any valuable piece of information.
Lightning once a soldier who blocked every emotion toward her to approach or open up, was now regreting her decision. Only if she could have got the chance to enjoy her time caring for her sister.
She Kept her pace and thinking of all those time she could have spent if she knew what was coming.
"I need to calm down. I am not dead yet that is for sure. I suppose I still have chances of finding Serah. I still have chances of getting out of this mess."
It took alot of patience for Lightning to find her answers as she found herself somewhere next to what suppose to be a newspaper stand. It was located at the middle corner of somewhere in the city.
"What's this?" Lightning picked up what suppose to be a newspaper. Searching through letters when her eyes landed on Bold sentences.
"NEFLHEIM SIGN TREATY WITH LUCIS !!"
Insomnia being place held for history to be marked." Peace at last."
Lightning was more frustrated now. Not believing what she saw and having no clue what she was reading and what all this treaty was meant to be if all she was looking around her was nothing but destruction.
"Has it been so long? I don't remember these type of kingdom back then and what the hell is a Kingdom doing.. no no no wait what am I doing in a kingdom? And what in the pulse does Kingdom exist for. I need to find some answer or I will surely get insane.. did I just time jumped or something cause I don't feel any good being around here."
Lightning walked through the streets with not a single sound to be heard. Filling herself with more questions than answer she thought, "I simply need to gather up all the mystery pieces."
Lightning tossed the paper away looking at the other side of the city were stood a A whole new level of high skyscraper within the kingdom which was obviously unique as compared to other structures.
"I should head to the other side. Maybe I will get my answers if possible."
Lightning was tired of walking looking around for several suitable vehicle, she finally found a bike intact with key. She felt lucky at the time for a sweet ride.
It took Lightning few minutes or so when she stood next to the sector outpost to palace entry. She saw a little bit of inhabitant but strange thing that took place again was they were no ordinary civilians. They were well, dressed in a uniform of Soldiers
Strange it was because they were more like Ninja. Having a mask held on their face with a designed gear around covering their eyes. They were armed well. Carrying couple of daggers on side and their back.
And their uniforms in somewhat black greyish color.
One of them walked towards her. With his relax posture. Lightning assumed the person was not feeling any threat from her presence and this thought made her defensive and prepared for the worse.
She tried her best not to make her self look tensed
Trying her best not toprovoke or do anything which may end up her in trouble which is everytime she fell into, acting first than reacting were her prime instinct.
As the person approached close, he spoke with lite and respect. Showing he has no intention to hurt civilians and had duty to fulfil. He was suspicious enough though to encounter someone in this place of all.
All lightning could sense around her was stares of other Soldiers who were prepared for trouble anytime, waiting for her to make a move to prove she was a threat.
Her attention withdrew from rest of the party as she made eye contact with the person standing infront of her.
The man stood few inches taller than her which made her gaze up.
"Sorry Miss, but you can not enter this property. It's the teritory under restriction. Leave this place at once." the soldier stated
The guard stood still with no further action or any resistance felt for couple of minutes by the person.
As soon as he could turn back to his post,
Lightning called the soldier for answers she hoped to find out. The person stood still wondering what was it gonna be and also if it was a deception or a trick of enemy, but he was kind enough to tell her few details about the situation.
"You must not be from here, So I suggest you go back to where you came from." The soldier stated her again.
"Insomnia is currently a war zone and its people have left in hope for better place to remain secure till the conflicts are over. Till than we are not sure when w..."
"Incoming!!" A guard shouted with everyone running for cover, in split second a formation formed up to encounter the assault of enemy.
Several enemy garrison equipped with heavy machinery came in sight.
The impact from sudden barrage of enemy first wave attack stunned Lightning from head to toe.
The unexpected shock her body absorbed took over her completely, lost in her sub conscious. Her body began to fell down on the concrete surface and was caught by soldier.
"Miss, are you all right ? Miss...? hey, come over. Help her out." The same soldier tried to lookout for any threat and helped Lightning as he shouted for support.
The suppressing fire from enemy was devastating and the soldiers were holding their ground steadfast until reinforcement arrived. Till than it was all up to them to prevent enemy to breach the frontline.
While Lightning was still in state of unconsciousness
she had no clue what was about to change her life onward as she drifted into the world unknown to any living being.
It was dark. So dark even light would fail to brighten the whole place.
Lightning checked herself for any surge of pain or injury but felt nothing. Before she had any time to think of about anything, several life form took place in front of her who were standing tall before her to even calculate or predict their height.
They surely looked like warriors from what they were wearing were creepy looking armour and were shining in blue aura 'celestial being' was the word to describe them.
"Lightning Farron." One of the spirit spoke. "You are the key to our bloodline survival. Every moment of your life was nothing compared to the one right now."
"Guide Prince Noctis. Help him and you will get your answers. The future depends upon your decision."
Before Lightning could say anything she was completely awake, able to twitch her fingers to confirm she was not dead yet.
The soft fabric of cloth on her wounds gave her slight irritation. Slowly opening her eyes and looking around she moved herself up to adjust, finding herself in a room.
With an audible groan she alerted the other person in the room with her who was busy doing her work.
The nurse rushed toward Lightning helping her stay in comfort. "Don't, your wounds are still fresh they need to be recover yet." Nurse implied and left her alone in the room, making a quick move out in haste
Lightning observed the room she was in the mean time. It was luxurious indeed to admit. A royal bed for one. A classic fire place right next to opposite side wall.
To her left few feet away from doors stood a large window sized portrait of Etro, in the middle of the room were few chairs and a couch. To her right was curtains slide away from window doors which led to a medium sized balcony.
The room was medium sized and with so many furniture it was filled with. The place looked cozy.
It is a dream of every single person to have a room similar to this one for stress free environment.
"Oh god!! It feels like all I have been doing is getting knocked out everytime like a weakling." Lightning complained to herself.
It had been long for Lightning being left alone in the room as she heared several footstep approach towards the room door.
"Your Highness, She could be a spy infiltrating our city like the previous one and the sudden attack must be our enemy plan. You can leave it up to me, I will make her speak out the information about the whole plot."
"No need, Ignis. I will handle this one myself. You can go and do something else that is important for the plan to succeed."
Ignis went silent at the command. Before the man named Ignis could argue, he was silenced for the moment before he could speak. "I will wait for you to begin the plan with." Ignis reminded the man as he walked off away from the group.
"Your highness you should listen to the fact before you proceed. She has been weak due to the unexpected event, leading her to an interrogation right now may lead her to critical stats. Please be careful... when you speak, sir."
The doctor did his best to inform Prince before any other things to clear out.
"Leave us." He commanded, with an intimidating looks making the doc. and nurse attend other patient in the infirmary and obliging what they were offered to do with no retaliation. Leaving the corridors in silence.
The door was pushed and came the Prince with a steady walk. "I think you are prepared to answer some question without hesitation." Not a man to talk with long phrase. He simply cut the chase into nothing but direct need to simple answers.
Lightning observed the person. He was like about her own height and not too skinny or muscular. Just an average guy and indeed a good looker. "what the hell did I just say?" Lightning sighed as she broke away from her thoughts.
The guy was wearning all black from head to toe which matched his hair colour which were spiked mostly backwards, on his left hand remained a bike glove, considering as one of accessory. His clothes gave a hint of luxury the person lived in. Not too formal but most likely casual attire.
The persence of "highness" made Lightning her calm aside. Feeling vulnerable for the moment of what he might ask.
Never thought she would see a real life royality.
The Prince took a seat next to her bed. Giving a familiar look of patience and hostility.
"Water?" Prince asked which was replied with a nod.
Noctis handed her a glass of water, pouring water from the bottle as he saw her sipped all in one.
"Must have been really thirsty. You have been out for days now." Noctis spoke while he noticed her and memorizing her looks.
Soft wavy rose pink hair, unique stylized and those aqua eyes. And almost flawless skin if it was not for the bruises which would heal in no ttime
All those feature for sure could make any woman jealous and men to fantasies.
"Umm, she moaned in severe jolts of pain. My body hurts, and where am I right now? Lightning said in the lowest pitch and soon realization struck her on hearing out she was out for days. She breathed in heavy trying to relieve herself from her suffering.
The Prince took his time to answer where she was when she looked relaxed. He was himself lost in the woman beauty, realising he was staring at her made him slightly blush. "Good thing she did not notice and there was no one else to either notice."
He had never seen a women of such caliber. Who knows what all she has in store for the Prince to be availed.
"Infirmary."
The prince answered her question.
"Infirmary? It does not look like one." Lightning said in slight amusement. Trying her best to avoid conversation as best as she could.
few minutes of silence soon broke again as Prince further attempted to speak.
"I should introduce myself first. My name is Noctis Caelum."
"Noctis?" Lightning whispered his name which she was thinking about from her recent dream or was it just a coincidence.
Noctis knew that not many people know of him because he was too shy or to say anti social to even introduce himself in public. He did show up eventually to the public when he was little and few appearance recently.
Trying his best not to stare at her and make her feel uncomfortable, he only looked at her for few moments.
The room felt in silence. As if there was no need of rush to make things clear. He knew he has to crack out every little information the woman carried, cause if not Ignis surely will do make a scene out of it. No doubt in this world of war, deception is the weapon of choice everyone has a way to represent.
"Why were you here in the first place when all of a sudden Tenebrae assaulted?" he further pushed the conversation.
Noctis interrogated with only question which were not being answered. He had patience for the time.
The awkward silence made situation tense, with no further due. Lightning finally answered back after breaking off her daydreaming.
"I don't. I was looking for directions and answer. It's my first time here. And I don't recognise much. I... I have no idea what happened out there
Sorry for trouble and I appreciate your people help but I have things more concerning at the moment."
Lightning attempted to stand up but almost fell but Noctis pinned her back to the bed.
"You are still recovering. I don't know where you from or where you were heading to. Right now you need rest.
I will see you later and try to be reasonable." Noctis said without being answered.
The sudden action brought chills from up to down in Lightning body.
No one ever dared to touch her as he did and that made her getting raged to some point as he let her away. This was the 2nd time she was unexpectedly caught of surprise.
His voice not that of generosity but of a commanding one which he used on others which mean, he do not take any no or excuse.
"Keep in mind that there are still enemy ready to charge so do not bother getting out of here. We do not like our guest being troubled."
A couple of Glaives will be assigned to help you out if you need anything just call for them." Noctis said.
And yes, " make yourself feel like being in your own room. I have hope for you, if you will cooperate with us later on. " Without any other thing to speak off about Noctis left.