In the previous chapter, Lightning did seem OOC (Out Of Character) and I know that. However, as time goes on, she will revert to her character from the games, although perhaps a little softer. It's just because she's lost her memories – and experiences are very much what determines someone's character – their behaviour and values. As her memories return and she goes through trials, aspects of the 'Real Lightning' will come back.

So, without further ado, heres…

CHAPTER TWO

Our story is only just beginning. With no past memories, Lightning has been deposited in an unfamiliar world. A travelling man, named Lucilius Donahue, has taken the mysterious woman under his wing after finding her and rescuing her from nearly drowning in a river. He reveals she has been unconscious with fever for the past week, and that her murmuring in her sleep had revealed her name – Claire Farron -, nickname – Lightning -, and that she has a sister named Serah who will marry a man called Snow.

Confused and unsure of her purpose in this world, Lightning is just waking up after a troublesome sleep…

The clanging of metal woke her and past instincts set her on edge. Immediately she was on her feet, arms up in defence. This time, Lucil didn't even bother to look up at her.

"Ah, now that you're up, would you mind getting some firewood?"

Lightning took in her surroundings. Oh, that's right… She glanced around, surprised the fog was gone. Relaxing, she realised that Lucil had already been up and about. And by the looks of it, he'd caught them some breakfast.

"It's over that way. Just grab any that look like they need a good burning." He gestured towards the forest closest to them, but once again did not look up from whatever he was fidgeting with.

Lightning nodded to herself and began her way towards the forest. The sun was only just peeking over the horizon, casting a warm glow on everything in it's path. The birds were singing, and for once there were no growls or shrieks. It was such a peaceful morning, that Lightning gathered wood slowly, taking her time to inspect each one.

As she was debating on whether to take back a longer stick, a thought occurred to her. She picked it up and tossed it on top of the pile of wood, before collecting them all in her arms and making her way back to camp.

"Thought you got lost." Lucil joked, sitting next to the pot filled with their breakfast.

Lightning knelt down and began placing the wood methodically under the pot. Halfway through, she passed him the long stick.

"What's this?" He took it and held it out, "I thought you'd be able to snap something like this, the way you walk around."

Raising an eyebrow and wondering just what he meant, Lightning sighed and continued her fire making. "It's for you."

"For me?" He repeated, hiding his confused look in case it hurt her. "Oh, thank you. I've never been given such a…lovely…piece of wood…"

She couldn't handle his forced politeness – she bit her tongue and choked back her laughter. "It's for your leg-" She managed to say quickly, in between bouts of laughter/choking, "A crutch, since you lost yours when you saved me."

The light went on in his mind and he breathed out, "Ohh!" He stood and measured it up against his leg. Testing its strength, he leaned heavily on it. As he walked around, using it to support himself, she watched out of the corner of her eye. When it didn't snap, they both seemed satisfied.

As he added some spices to their boiling soup, Lightning watched the flames lick the underside of the metal pot. Lucil was sorting through his bag again.

"What are you looking for?"

He glanced up at her and shrugged. "Just seeing what supplies we got. Which isn't many." He added with a furrowed brow. "Looks like we'll be taking a longer detour than we thought…"

But even though he said this casually, his eyes darkened and apprehension crossed his face.

Perhaps it's the time it'll take? "Are you meant to be somewhere?"

He shook his head and gave up trying to count supplies, instead retying the bag and setting it far away from him. "No, nothing like that. It's just, we don't have enough supplies to get to the town I wanted to go to…"

Not seeing what the problem was, Lightning just checked on the soup. Finding it ready, she ladled it into bowls and slid one across the ground to him. He thanked her and ate it greedily while she contentedly matched him spoonful for spoonful. Once done, they used the last of their drinking water to wash out the bowls, before wrapping them up and putting them back in the travelling bag.

"Well, doesn't look like we left anything behind." He announced, eyes sweeping their campsite. "Guess we better get moving."

He leant on his crutch, leaning down to pick up the bag, but a hand quickly swept through, caught the straps and heaved it away. Eyes narrowed, he stood to argue, but upon seeing Lightning striding away, bag on her back, hair streaming, he grinned.

"And where do you think you're going?" He called out to her, leaning casually on his crutch.

With determined eyes and a self-satisfied smile on her face, she called over her shoulder, "The river first, to see if my blade is there. Then, the village for supplies."

"Oh really, and then what?"

Pausing, she tilted her head. "Then, I'm going to go to another village-"

"Another village? Which one?"

Angrily, she shook her head. "Whatever one I like. And then, I'm going to go to the city."

"How're you going to get there?" He asked, seeming genuinely curious, but Lightning saw his smirk and glared at him.

"Walk."

'Walk? Really, you're going to walk there? Hmm?" He clucked his tongue and shook his head. "And you're going to steal an old man's supplies and leave him out here to die, are you?"

Finally she turned around and faced him, twenty or so paces apart, but still her glare was full of strength. "No, you're coming with me."

Lucil thought for a moment, but then let out a smirk again. "I don't feel like playing hostage today." And with that, he straightened and walked towards her.

As he passed, he flicked the straps on her shoulder and grinned at her good-naturedly. "Since we're going together, we'll take turns with the pack."

Poor Lightning had no choice but to swallow her embarrassment, clear her anger, and follow her new companion across the open hillside.

"So how are we going to get to the city?" She asked, adjusting the straps on the bag.

He just turned to her and grinned. "Walk."


Its metal gleamed in the sunlight as the walked along. It felt normal – like it belonged in her hand, an extension of her own body and soul. Striking forwards, she whipped it across thin air, slicing it smoothly, before spinning and plunging it through the air once more.

Lucil watched as she spun, leapt and struck. She definitely had practice. In fact, if he didn't want to inflate her ego anymore than it already was, he'd tell her that she's one of the best fighters he'd ever seen. But of course her ego was almost about to explode, the way she confidently strutted around. Lost all her memories and she's still one hundred percent sure of herself.

He chuckled to himself. No, it wasn't that kind of ego. She was just aware of herself and her abilities. He didn't think she'd be the one to sit on her high horse when everyone else walked along beside her. In fact, she'd probably get off her horse and end up crawling along as everyone walked.

Just as a flare of particularly bright sunlight caught on the metal blade, the village popped out from between two sides of forest. Glad, as the shoulder straps of the pack were digging into his shoulders, Lucil whistled to get Lightning's attention.

"Put that blade away now. We're in the village's sights."

Lightning paused, still poised in an offensive pose, before searching around on her outfit for somewhere to put it. Seeking advice, she locked eyes with Lucil.

He lifted his pant leg, to reveal a boot. From that, he pulled out a dagger. He flipped it expertly, then returned it to its hidden sheath and covered it up.

"Handy, huh." He winked. "But I don't think you can do the same for your…what was it – gunblade?"

Lightning nodded and kept searching.

It was then that Lucil called her to a stop.

"Look, this village," He gestured to the dark mass of buildings. "It ain't of the best. Keep your weapon close at all times. Don't make eye contact when you don't need to. And for Etro sake, don't challenge anyone!"

Wrinkling her nose at the orders, Lightning nevertheless nodded. Lucil seemed a bit more relaxed, but he still looked on edge. He surveyed her outfit.

"It's pretty baggy." He remarked.

Lightning nodded, knowing full well that it looked like she was drowning in fabric.

"Your hair stands out." He pointed, and looked through his bag of tricks. Finally, he pulled out a little tin of black stuff. "Put this on."

"On what? My boots?" Lightning gestured to the huge boots she was wearing, eyeing the black tar substance warily.

"Your hair." At her repulsed look, he continued. "I've never seen someone in this world with pink hair. It just doesn't happen."

Surprised, she wrapped her pink tendrils around her finger. "Blue?" He shook his head. "Green?" Once again he shook his head. "Orange?" He paused and shrugged.

"A few, but not common."

"How about purple?"

The tin dropped to the floor, black liquid spilling out. Lucil cursed and hurried to pick it up. He inspected the tin and gave a sigh. "Well, there goes that plan."

Lightning was secretly relieved as he put the tin away. From within the bag, he pulled out a piece of material that seemed to go on forever.

"Here, it was my son's. Might be a bit big." He murmured, pulling out a cloak for himself.

Lightning propped her gunblade up against her leg, before pulling on the cloak. It was a rich, soft fabric so unlike the clothes she was wearing. It was a deep black, but had a sort of purple tinge when the sun hit it.

"Pull the hood up. Keep your face lowered. We're aiming for you to look like a man the whole time we're in this village."

Lightning found a pocket within the cloak and slid her gunblade in there. "And how long will that be?"

"Overnight. We'll be gone before sunrise though." He glanced to her. "Did you put your gunblade in the pocket?"

She nodded, amazed that it wasn't weighing down the cloak at all.

"Good. Can't see it." He nodded to himself. "We have enough money to stay at an inn. But, we need to get the supplies before."

Lightning pulled up the hood and lowered her face. Somehow, this village seemed like it was one bad place.


They passed through the gates, two cloaked figures. When Lucil's cloak barely touched the ground, Lightning's dragged for a good foot at least. There was enough fabric for her to pull it against her front, completely closing off her body from anyone's view, while still the cloak was bulky. The hood was so big, too, that she didn't have to worry so much about keeping her head down.

Lucil had done the talking to the guard at the entry, and he told her that she shouldn't talk unless he allows her to. Lightning, swallowing down her rebellion, nodded and allowed herself to be obedient to his orders.

As of now, Lucil noticed the slight stumbling in Lightning's gait. He used the excuse of a passing traveller bumping into him, to allow himself to draw closer to her.

"I'll walk you to the inn. You should rest." And with that, he withdrew, but still remained close, his own cloak fluttering, in their motion, against hers.

Lightning tipped her head slightly in recognition and allowed him to lead her through the strange, foreboding alleyways.

It was a dark town. In the sense of no lightning, but also the way that suspicious characters lurked in small groups. There was hardly any colour – no laughter or sounds of playing. In fact, she hadn't even seen a child yet. Of course, in this town, it'd be dangerous to let them out at night. Perhaps at day too?

The inn was a foreboding building. It had bars on the windows and smashed glass on the veranda. The door was left wide open and had so many holes and breaks in it that Lightning wondered if they were going to go inside and find everyone on the floor.

Lucil went in first, Lightning following quietly.

"Welcome." A gruff man growled from a table nearby.

There was a large flagon of beer in front of him, half empty. Lightning tried not to let her eyes wander, but somehow they managed to of their own accord. The floor was sticky from spilt beverages, the chairs knocked over on a majority of tables. A questionable lady was at the bar, wiping a chipped glass with a dirty rag. Seeing Lightning's hood turn towards her, the lady winked dramatically, smiling suggestively.

A shiver ran down Lightning's neck as she realised there was a half bloody knife on the counter.

Turning her face back towards Lucil, Lightning shut her eyes and couldn't help but step closer to his back.

Lucil didn't miss this move, but neither did the man.

"Whose that?" He growled, a gleam in his eyes. "Got a girly there, have ya?"

"My son." Lucil remarked dryly. "You were saying about the price?"

The man dragged his eyes away from the hooded figure and began haggling with Lucil. Not wanting to give the man more than the room's worth, but not wanting to let Lightning be in the room with them any longer, Lucil threw a more than fair amount onto the table and turned.

"Go." He murmured, and they left the man to scoop up the gold coins.

When they were up two flights of stairs, Lucil glanced at Lightning's face from under the hood. It was pale and she looked exhausted. Once they reached the top floor, he led her to a room.

"Here, this one's yours." He pointed to the one across the hall. "I'll be in this one. Now-"

But Lightning had crossed to the bed, before changing her mind and throwing her cloak down on the floor in the corner of the room. The coat's thickness provided padding from the harsh wooden floor. She curled up, using the other half of the cloak to wrap around herself like a blanket.

Lucil raised an eyebrow, but let her be. Even he wasn't going to spend the night on these mattresses. He searched through the little room, making sure there were no windows, before he took something out of his bag and began fiddling with the door.

After a few moments, Lucil had the outside side of the doorknob in his hand. He then pocketed it, threw his tools back into the bag, before placing that next to the sleeping Lightning.

"Sleep well," He murmured, taking a look at her peaceful face, before leaving the room.

The door shut quietly, clicking into place as Lightning slept on.


Now, the gruff man was a lonely man. The bartender wasn't the best for a social conversation, and the only guys that came in for a drink were loud, obnoxious, guys. No ladies. So, he couldn't believe his luck when that shorter figure came in. He then saw it move closer to the back of that other guy, as though seeking protection.

The gruff man climbed the stairs as quietly as he could.

Even if that really was that guy's son, he would still be a bit of fun. Though, he'd have to make sure he didn't run into that man. Cos that man knew about this place, alright. He didn't bother asking for a key. He already knew the doors wouldn't lock.

The gruff man's eyes gleamed. Guess it'd be easiest to see if they took two rooms or one.

He peeked in the door. Empty. Another….empty…empty…this one too, empty. Now there was just two left on the top floor. He climbed the stairs and went up to the first door across the hallway. Taking a breath, he pushed it open. He searched inside.

Nothing.

Excitement filled him and he grinned roguishly. Now, now…time to find the truth. Musta been a girly if they're in the same room, yeah?

He turned to face the door to the other room-

"Don't you dare."

If the words weren't enough to fear, with their venom cut edge, then the blade of metal prickling at his throat was.

Gruff man backed off, hands in the air, before he went stumbling down the stairs.

The black cloaked man simply sighed and took back his position. Once he was sitting, leaning against the woman's door, blade in his hand, casually placed across his knee, he let out another sigh.

"Guess we'll be going early, then."


Lightning yawned, covering her mouth with one hand. The morning was still dark, and along their road they still found patches of fog. Sightly pink, she lowered her hand and glanced over at Lucil. He'd decided to start the day carrying the pack, and seemed to have no problem with it.

"How many supplies did you get?" She asked, breaking the first silence of the morning.

"A fair bit. Should last through to the next village." Shielding his eyes, he worked out the rough time and how far they'd gone. "We have a choice really."

Lightning slowed to let him catch up, sliding her gunblade out of the pocket of the cloak.

"We can go through a few villiages, which will take longer-" At her look, he hastened to add, "They're not like that last one at all! That's the only bad one really, and we had to go there for supplies. No, these ones are quite nice. Not tourist destinations though – that's the one we're heading to."

"What's the other choice?"

"We go straight to the village we need to go to. It's shorter. But," He gave her a sidelong look, "There's lots of monsters on the way. Are you sure you can handle it?"

In reply, Lightning grasped her gunblade tightly before spinning it and sending him a smirk. "Bring it on."


The first monster was within sight. He was large, with beastly horns and fire in his eyes. Lucil glanced at Lightning.

"We can still go back, it only makes a few days difference anyway."

Lightning bit back her uneasiness, and stepped out of the shadows. The beast locked on its target immediately. With a menacing growl, he leapt into a straight out charge. Lucil swore under his breath, muttering about his leg, before jumping in the firing line.

The majestic sword glinted in his hand as it swung out across the beast's leg.

"You have a blade!" Lightning gasped, momentarily forgetting they were in the middle of a battle. She admired its curved metal and glinting stones set in the hilt. "A bit flashy, but it's a nice piece of work."

"Why thank you," He smiled generously, turning to look at her as the beast tried to stand. "I inherited it, actually. Being a Donahue and all did have some benefits-"

The beast, which had gotten up and started towards him quietly, shrieked with pain as Lucil, without turning around, swung his sword and got him straight on the nose.

"-I, however," Lucil continued matter-of-factly, showing no interest in the steadily angered beast, "-very much appreciated that gunblade the first moment you brought it out. Can't believe I missed it in that river, if I knew I probably-"

"Duck!" Lightning shouted, lifting her blade.

Lucil immediately ducked and rolled forwards – but it didn't go to plan. As he began to put pressure on his bad leg, it buckled, sending him crumpling onto the ground.

"Lightning!" He shouted, pointing behind her.

Gasping, Lightning spun, her blade striking forwards with such menace that she felt its power humming along her arm-

And then, it froze, an inch away from the beast's neck.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Both the beast and Lightning were befuddled – the beast thought he was as good as dead, and so did Lightning. But when the blade stopped, the beast quickly acted.

Lightning let out a yep of pain as she was thrown halfway across the clearing. Biting her lip until it drew blood; she cradled her stomach, crumbled much like Lucil on the dirty forest floor.

"Argh…" She groaned, looking up at the approaching beast with pain ridden eyes.

She heard Lucil shouting something, probably cursing with that mouth of his. The beast had recovered from its initial shock, and now stalked forwards with satisfaction.

Was this really it?

Lightning dragged her once loyal blade closer. It gleamed, sharp.

"Why?" She mumbled to it, eyeing it as if it were a traitor.

And in response, the blade shook, rattling in her hand, before a light blazed brightly.

"Ha!" Lucil shouted, and leapt in front of her as the beast reared upon her.

His sword struck right through it's heart… and then, the whole clearing was a bright white. Blinded, Lucil reached out, trying to find his companion. His hand gripped something soft. His other hand fell on something cold.

"The key..." Lightning's voice came quietly.

Lucil squinted, and the light finally disappeared, leaving them in the sunlit forest. His hand was on the hilt of Lightning's blade, and then he saw her.

"Lightning!" He called to her, shaking her shoulders roughly. "Wake up!"

The terrified look on her face increased his fear.

It was a funny place. Full of nothing. Just grey and fathomless. Like a waiting room, of some sort.

A lovely hand was in front of her, holding the handle of an equally lovely gunblade. I reached for it- before realising that hand was actually mine. I flicked my wrist, and the blade responded.

And then I raised my head, and saw myself.

"Me?" I mumbled, and peered at the figure lying on the floor, lifeless. When it gave a twitch, I leapt back. Perhaps not to so dead, then.

Nevertheless, I was curious, and so I walked forwards. What a funny feeling. I looked down, to make sure I really was putting one foot in front of the other, before everything came crashing down.

I'm…see through?

I realised, with a growing horror, that while I was here, my actual body was almost see through. I could see the white floor, the white walls – all through my body.

"W e l c o m e ."

I looked up to see that the me on the floor had stood suddenly, her weapon withdrawn.

My blade, I think, comparing the one in my hand, with the one her self was holding across the room.

The Lightning across the room was glaring at something, weapon still raised, feet planted solidly beneath her as though she expected she would have to be ready to battle.

"Where am I?" Lightning commanded, sword hovering threateningly.

I want to see who's there… I managed to manoeuvre myself around a long white pillar.

And there was a beautiful lady, as see through as myself. The lady was beautiful, yes, but retained a sense of fierceness. Of knowing how to look after yourself. Of knowing knowledge.

"Why am I here?" The Lightning demanded, and I realised that she was actually feeling a rush of fear.

Of course, it seemed perfectly acceptable – being in this strange place, with an amazingly beautiful woman staring at you with all-knowing eyes.

"W e l c o m e." The lady spoke again, a breath of wisdom. "Claire Farron."

But the Lightning hardly flinched, waiting for her answer.

"Or, is it… Lightning?" The lady continued, almost warmly. She tilted her head, and realeased a terrific smile. "Where are my manners, please, take a seat."

I looked around to see that there was no seat, other than the throne the lady was sitting at. I turned back to the Lightning-me, to see how she would handle it.

Her eyes remained focused, unblinking on the lady. She had no times for games.

The lady let out a tinkling laugh. "Ah, my games do not fool one as strong as you, dear one, and it is foolish of me to think you would be amused by such tedious things." She lifted a hand, "Come closer, and I shall tell you the answer to your quest."

Lightning remained where she was. "Quest?"

"You came to me, did you not?"

"I…I didn't go knowingly." Lightning replied, firm.

The lady moved her head, and the crown of jewels on her hair tinkled, much like her laughter. "If it pleases you to think that way, but I know that you left your world, to continue your quest – you do want to awaken your friends from the Oerba clan, am I correct?"

Lightning felt something pulse inside her, and momentarily, she let her defence down. "There's a way to save them?"

The lady looked sympathetic. "Your friends do not need saving." But she stood from her throne and floated closer, "I am sorry, for their misfortune and yours. It was not I, who decided your fate. But Fate, oh brave heart, is a fickle thing. Sometimes, it does bend to our innermost desires."

The lady looked calm and gentle, and she bowed her head slightly. "I am Etro." A low laugh passed her lips and she looked up again, "You may know me, as the God of Death."

There was so much pain in her eyes, that I and my mirror image immediately flinched.

"I am the dispelled god. The weak one. I have no powers bound to me, but with my departure I created a magnificent legacy. One of true power…Humans."

"You see, there are two worlds. The visible, and the invisible." Etro began, like a school teacher.

Lightning stated, "The living, and the dead."

The goddess smiled. "Very good. Yes, the world of the living, and the shadow world. This is where the story begins."

"Long ago, there was a god who ruled the world. Do you know who that was?" Etro passed a sidelong glance at Lightning, tips of her lips smiling upward.

"Buniberzei." Lightning answered obediently, a slant in her eyes. "He defeated Goddess Muin, who was his mother. And-"

"-took the world for himself." Etro nodded, twirling her fingers through the air as if painting the scene. "Muin then disappeared to the invisible world, devastated at her loss and grieving at what could happen to the world in his greedy hands."

Etro paused, before a ghost of a smile flittered over her face. "Of course, when she left so quickly, little Buniberzei thought she was up to a sort of game, not expecting her to, lets say, 'back down so quietly."

"He thought she laid a curse on the world, because everything was dying." Lightning's eyes sparkled, curious. "He set out to destroy her and make the curse disappear, but he could not find the door to the invisible world."

Pleased, Etro graced Lightning with a angelic smile. "And so the fal'Cie were created. Pulse. The first fal'Cie, the duty bestowed upon him was to open the world, and search for the door between the visible and invisible world. And then…"

"Etro. But, that's you…" And with a sudden horror, Lightning leapt back, gunblade once again held ready.

But before she could open her mouth, Etro held up her pale hands in surrender.

"I know you have not had good relations with the fal'Cie on your journey, and I am terribly sorry for their foolishness. But I, I am not like them." Etro spoke clearly, "I mean you and your friends no harm. Trust, my dear."

When Lightning did not drop her weapon or move closer, Etro sighed, before stepping back, allowing Lightning more space to cool.

"He created me next. He did not mean to make me look like Muin. In the end, he feared me. I was given no power. No responsibility. I was left alone, with no purpose, no company." Pain surged in her eyes. "He created Lindzei." She spat it with so much revulsion that Lightning flinched, eyes wide at this sudden behaviour change.

"No love between you?" Lightning remarked dryly.

Etro blinked and looked up at the human almost fearfully. "Lindzei…he was who I was meant to be…and the power that Buniberzei gave him…well, it was hard not to admire, not to envy…" She lowered her head again. "He took my place as Buniberzei's protector. Anyone who wished to destroy Buniberzei, had to go through Lindzei…and…it was painful to watch…"

With that, Etro suddenly turned away and fled to her throne. Once there, she took a moment, before sitting down on the throne and facing Lightning.

"He…fell into crystal stasis then, right?" Lightning asked gently.

Etro nodded. "Until Pulse found the door, and Lindzei woke him."

Lightning nodded, knowing the story well from years before. "But they were different, Pulse and Lindzei, right? Pulse created fal'cie and l'cie to expand the world, where as Lindzei wanted to protect the world, so he made them."

Smiling once more, Etro congratulated her silently. "Yes. They were both created by Buniberzei and given a purpose to help him, yet they developed different ideas on how everything should be."

"And meanwhile, you were still powerless." Lightning pointed out, blatantly. She flushed after, and decide to come forwards, walking casually, knife tip bouncing on the tip of each foot as it strode forward.

"Quite." Etro pursed her lips, amused. "I was lonely. So, I left only my blood behind and fled to the invisible world. From my blood, humankind was born. It was…unintentional. I didn't know it would happen. I feel guilty, sometimes. I feel like I passed on the loneliness and depression…of course, they were born only to die…a miserable life. No immortality. I suppose, if I was given powers…I may have made everyone l'cie and sent them on impossible focuses, granting them immortality…but I think the crystalisation stasis would be very difficult to live with…your loved ones, frozen. You alive, but knowing your time will come…but not knowing if you'll be alive together again…"

Lightning looked at her reflection in her gunblade and frowned. Talking of crystal stasis, shouldn't she be…?

Etro caught on to her thoughts and lifted a hand. "I will tell you later, but now, shall we continue the story?"

Managing to stuff her questions and worry down, Lightning spoke, "The balance?"

"Yes, if I did do that, the balance would be destroyed… everything must live and die. If this balance was destroyed…then the world would be too. I seeked help from Muin in the invisible world, but she could not help. She was lost to the chaos of the invisible world. When I went to her, she told me that I must protect the balance. And then she left."

"You must have been happy." Lightning wondered, "To finally have a focus of your own."

"Yes, but I did not understand it then. I was foolish. I've been told I was too affectionate to humans. To those who lived to die. When they came to the door, I smiled, and I gave them a bit of chaos. They named it lovingly."

Lightning touched her hand gently atop her chest. "Heart."

"Yes." Etro looked blissful for a moment, a slight blush on her cheeks. "It was their own little bit of power. It is your own little bit of power. With that piece of chaos, with that heart, you humans can do extroadinary things."

"You speak of humans so lovingly, yet they call you the God of Death."

"Ah, but everyone has a right to being foolish. Even the fal'Cie." She smirked slightly, "At the time, and even now, humans do not recognise the full power of their heart. But they still hold it close. And, accidentally, I had fulfilled Muin's last wish. I had restored balance."

Lightning revelled in the knowledge left out of the story by humans and textbooks. "So, it is true."

"Hmm? What's that?" Etro tilted her head.

Lightning laughed lightly. "Love conquers all, right?"

The goddess hid a smile under a sweep of her golden locks. And then, her eyes met mine and suddenly the Lightning across the room and I – we merged to become one.

"Sleep easy, now. You know the truth, and I will let you find yourself more before I call upon you."

And she stood, her hand reaching up above herself.

Then, with a flurry of white feathers, we were in darkness.