FFXIII: Out of the Darkness
So hey guys, some of you might already know me from my fanfic "Bond of Fate". If you don't well, welcome to my second fanfic. If you have the time please do check out my first one and review. Now to explain a few things: This fanfic is HopeXLightning centered. And well the time is set ten years after Cocoon fell and everyone turned into crystal. Well let's just say that Hope was the first to wake after about two years and in these two years the whole world of Pulse has changed. Well then before we start I have to admit that I only played the game to the point of Gapra Whitewood until you switch to play Sazh and Vanille. The characters will be OOC and I just interpret them as I picture them to be so don't complain.
Now on with the story shall we?
Disclaimer: I do not own anything besides of the story and plot.
Chapter 1-Prologue: One step closer
It was cold and raining in the relatively new city. New Cocoon it was called, seeing as it practically expanded around the crystalized orb. Somewhere in that city, sitting on the windowsill of an apartment in the 23th floor, was a man.
He sat still, not moving. One could assume him to be dead or a statue of some sorts, if it weren't for some weak green shine that his eyes emitted as they watched the streets below. That was not the only green thing though. On his left hand was a brand that shone with a green light, the light seemingly coursing through his veins. A greater bundle of the light shone from his right hand as the man flexed it, making the faint glow wander along the walls. The man himself was clad in black, a black coat, black fingerless gloves, black trousers, and shirt, almost everything. While he himself was clad in mostly black, his skin was rather pale and his hair was a unique shade of silver. His skin seemed smooth yet scars were visible. His hair was shoulder length, spiky at the back, spikes flowing upwards while the front was covered by two strands of his hair flowing down his face at each side. It hid his face, eyes, hollow yet sharp emitting the aura of a predator.
Yet from one look one could tell that the man was used to death and killing. On his back was a gunblade with the length of 2.5 feet. The blade was unusually long for a gunblade and seemingly made for mid to long-range combat. It had the shape of a six-chamber revolver with blades running along the barrel. The blades ran further than the barrel itself and the chambers were not emptied at the side so it seemed. It had some kind of channels that led the empty shells of to the sides, yet the channels were on both sides, which is unusual. Right after the chambers was a small part that had another chamber yet that one served another purpose. It glowed with the same green light as the man and seemed to power the weapon with some kind of energy. It was a mysterious weapon indeed, yet it was rather beautiful. It had runes and designs carefully running along the sides, and onto the handle.
On his hip was a smaller gunblade inside of its sheath, as clean and shining as if unused. Not much could be guessed from the weapon as it was inside of a sheath but the sheath itself was covered in skillful designs, hinting at the fact that it certainly wasn't cheap.
On his right wrist was a chain that ran around his wrist, glowing like his veins. On the chain were runes hanging off the chain. What its purpose was could only be guessed as one would be none the wiser from its looks.
A necklace graced his neck, hid behind his shirt, poking it out. On his right ear was a silver earring, or rather clip on earring. It looked like a rectangular piece, again graced by runes and designs.
All in all the man seemed dangerous yet he didn't. His eyes scanned the streets below him uninterested, yet aware. The man was waiting for something that much was for sure. And after a while one found out what for. His earring was apparently no simple earring, not that it was surprising. It started beeping and immediately the man turned his attention to it and said:
"Yes?" his voice was smooth and calm, holding the air of wisdom beyond his age.
"Are you the Assassin?" a voice asked from within the earring which was in fact a communicator.
"What do you need?"
"Sir, we have information about a new target. Neil Clearwater is his name. 'Bout 6'3", dark short hair and light brown eyes. He has a scar on his left cheekbone. He might have information about that you would be interested in. He is currently on his way to the Apartment B48 in Sector S5."
The man ran his thumb over his lips and in thought.
"Time?"
"The Target is currently on his way. He will arrive at 2050 and meet with an acquaintance of his at 2100. I trust you to be able to locate and eliminate your target accordingly?"
"Of course. Any specific whishes like before the acquaintance arrives or make it look like an accident?"
"Try to take out the target after the meeting, maybe we will be able to get more information that way. We need the target alive, do you copy? We need the target alive."
"Copy, interrogation and all that crap right?" the man said with an almost bored tone. He got up and prepared himself to jump out of the window when he heard one last thing.
"And Estheim, do try and keep the target in a state where we can interrogate him will ya?"
Smirking the man called Estheim replied:
"We'll see 'bout that. Depends on how he behaves. Over and Out." with that he jumped.
Somewhere else:
A man laid down his communicator and sighed.
"That Estheim really is a handful."
Somewhere in the back a man laughed a low throaty laugh. Stepping out of the shade he put a hand on his shoulder and said:
"He might be a handful but he's the best we got. Probably the best there is, learned from Farron after all. You are dismissed soldier."
"Yes sir, Lieutenant Amodar sir!" the soldier said and saluted, then left.
"Such a shame things had to turn out this way. The kid would have had such a bright future. So much happiness crushed in a mere blink of an eye. Farron, I sure hope you wake up soon, the kid needs you like never before." The Lieutenant said to himself and left the room too, lost in memories.
Opposite building of B48, S5:
The silver haired man jumped down the roof opposite of B48 and calmly stood on the street waiting. He had a rope in hand and was carelessly tossing it up and catching it in his hand. Checking his watch he went in.
Once inside he looked around. It was a warehouse, nothing more nothing less. Seeing a dark corner he went there and just stood against the wall, his form blending into the shadows even with silver hair.
Not long after footsteps could be heard. A man clad in a uniform was seen walking into the room. Black hair, bout 6'3", scar on his left cheekbone that was his target. Smirking, the Assassin called Estheim stepped out of the shadows. Silently he approached the man from behind. Although it might be useful to wait for his acquaintance the Assassin did not have the time to wait. Finally making his presence known he said:
"Never turn your back onto your enemy."
The man turned around frantically and his eyes widened.
"Who are you?"
A creepy smile appeared on Estheim's face.
"I, I am no one. I am merely your worst nightmare."
With that he rushed at the frightened man and hit him with two fingers into the solar plexus. Coughing and cringed. Before the man could do anything he got hit on the shoulders where the nerves were flowing. His body tensed up as he could move neither muscle nor limb. Roughly a cloth was bound around his mouth and kept him from making any noises. Estheim bound his hands and feet together as he kept some of the rope to use as some kind of leash. Done with his job he dragged the bound man out of the warehouse like a dog.
In a military Base in New Cocoon:
Lieutenant Amodar sat behind his desk, sipping at his steaming hot cup of coffee as he could hear someone shout:
"Sir you are not allowed to go in there, the Lieutenant does not want to be disturbed. Please keep away from the door."
Before the door even opened he already knew who was behind it. Setting his cup down he sat back and smiled. Just like Farron that kid.
As the door opened the Lieutenant was surprised to see him drag something with him. Stopping in the doorframe he threw the thing that turned out to be a bound man, into the room. Jep, definitely like Farron.
"There's your target. Let me know about the progress and get me my reward." He said with a bored tone.
Maybe not everything like Farron.
"Hope, good to see you are well. Your reward will be sent to your account immediately. Any information you were able to gather?"
"No. I took the target before the acquaintance came." Hope said.
Sighing Amodar replied: "Well, he'll just have to do then. I have arranged for you to be taken off of our services for a while. I think that you need a little time to relax. I know that actually you are no part of GC but seeing as you are the best Assassin we have you might as well be. You won't be given any contracts for at least a week."
Hope looked him square in the face and after a while he nodded.
"Thank you Lieutenant Amodar, sir. Is there anything else you need from me?" he asked.
"Not that I know."
As Hope made to leave he halted in his step as he heard the Lieutenant say:
"Oh Hope one last thing, Serah came here yesterday and asked about you. I told her that you were fine and asked me to tell you that they would like you to come visit again someday when you have time."
The Lieutenant could see him tense up for a moment before relaxing as he said:
"I'll think about it."
Then he left.
Sighing Amodar said to himself:
"That kid sure is a handful. They even have to ask him to visit, his own friends. I've got absolutely no clue how you managed to raise him without exhausting like that."
Yes "Lightning" Claire Farron was on his mind a lot. How couldn't she, she was one of the best soldiers he ever trained and was like a daughter to him. Such a shame she was still in crystal stasis. It has been about ten years now.
Ten years since the fall and ten years since the l'Cie were crystalized. Serah and Dazh were already awake by then. Two years after them Hope awoke. By then Amodar had already arranged for Serah and Dazh to live in a house in New Bodhum.
One year later Hope's father, Bartholomew Estheim, had been found. The reunion was supposed to be a happy one, but when father and son were about to embrace it happened. Out of nowhere a man came and shot Hope's father in the chest. Before anyone can react Bartholomew was dead and the mysterious man was aiming to kill Hope. With great effort they managed to save Hope but unfortunately his father could not be saved.
About a month later Snow and Sazh woke up from Crystal Stasis. While everyone reunited Hope himself distanced himself up onto the point that he vanished for periods of time.
A few months after his father's death Hope asked Amodar to train him and under a lot of pleading he caved in. After 3 years he completed his training and was one of the most skilled fighters in New Cocoon. Soon after that he vanished for half a year and then reappeared in front of Amodar asking for help. When he reappeared he had changed completely. Amodar didn't know what happened to him but he changed, even more than after his father's death. He has become cold and distant, almost not talking at all. He had all this new technical stuff like new weapons, ultra-light armor, a communicator with the size of an earring and plans of technology that gravely helped the development of New Cocoon. Again he asked Amodar for help, but this time it was about his father. Since then they have followed any trails that could lead to the mysterious killer of Bartholomew Estheim.
Inside a hotel room:
The hotel room was dark, only one room was lit. The bathroom. Inside, under the shower, Hope sat, looking up and letting the water fall around him.
"Dad… I will find the man who murdered you. I know it won't take long and we will have him. Finally I will be able to get some answers and let you rest in peace." Hope said, a tear falling down his eyes.
Yeah that's it for the Prologue. So as you have noticed it is Hope-centered and don't worry Lightning will make her entrance soon. Can't have my story running missing a main character right? Now, please review, and tell me what you think about it. And while you're already at it, maybe you can tell me what you think will happen in this story and I might give hints here or there, if they're not revealing too much. Yep, that's it for today, stay tuned and watch out for updates. I hope to see you again, until then, Cheerio!