Okay guys so here is the true first chapter. The other one was an introduction. Lightning will have flashbacks and the likes, but I hope you enjoy this one. I'm working out everything, but I will say that this will be something I try to work on everyday though it might take me a month to finish. My goal is to get this fic to be over 20,000 words. This takes place during 10000 AF.
Line Break
It was nighttime, and Lightning had decided to descend from the Ark. She had two palaces both in the two major cities of the Eternal Empire. She would soon be leaving to go on another journey to the capital of the Republic of Gran Pulse.
Currently though Lightning just listened as the people of Yusnaan celebrated. She watched silently as the lights danced below the city, and the people shouted in joy. In her own hands she held a wine glass. Lightning hardly visited the city as much as she should. It just wasn't for her, the crowds of people.
If anything Lightning liked the quiet of the Dead Dunes or the Wildlands. When she couldn't stand being on the Ark, Lightning would always just head to one of those two locations. It still amazed Lightning how different each of the cultures devolved to be.
Generally speaking Lightning let them govern themselves. Only intervening when the people needed her too. Otherwise she would be wandering to other locations of Gran Pulse.
Sighing Lightning gives the city of Yusnaan one last look before a bright light appears, and Lightning was traveling back to the Ark. The moment she arrived at the Ark, the quiet became immediately known. It was a stark contrast to the revelry of Yusnaan. Lightning enjoyed it far more.
She had to gather up somethings, specifically her true outfit. It had been modified to resemble her old one. Sighing she stripped before putting it on. After all these years Lightning didn't need weapons. With her age she had become a master at magic. Still though she grabbed Crimson Blitz. She took one last look at the Ark, feeling like it would probably be the last time she sees it.
Finally Lightning turns away, and she vanishes again. A second later she ends up in the second major city of the Eternal Empire, Luxerion. Both during the day and during the night it was a quiet city, but still there were too many people for Lightning. Luxerion was the only city that connected to the capital city of the Republic of o Grand Pulse New Eden, through the use of a train station.
It had recently just started becoming warm, spring having just arrived. During winter the people of Luxerion had taking to quiet worship of the Eternal Empress. Lightning frowned, slipping a strand of rose pink hair behind her ear. She didn't know how she felt being worshipped. For one thing it felt wrong to her, but for another it kept them from worshipping Etro or Bhunivelze.
A frown mars Lightning's face at the mention of Bhunivelze. The Order of Salvation has been too quiet in recent years. They were planning something Lightning knew it. But what were they planning?
Lightning sighed, closing her eyes leaning against the wall. Her clothing was covered by the robe she wore, while a hood covered her face. It had been awhile since she had gone out without anything like this. The last time was a good four thousand years. The people had bowed to her as she passed on the streets, and Lightning found it to be distressing.
Finally the train arrived, stopping with the screeching of the metal breaks. The doors opens and a group of people come out. Lightning passes by them entering the train. Looking around, she found that she was one of the only passengers. The people of the Eternal Empire hated traveling. They were content with their lifestyle, and Lightning couldn't really blame them. Ten thousand years since the fall of Cocoon, and only three nations had arisen. Two of which had relations if not a cool relation.
However the Order of Salvation was an enemy to both the Eternal Empire and the Republic of Gran Pulse. Pirates, hired by the Order of Salvation were a constant threat around the waters of Nova Chrysalia.
The doors closed and the train sped off to the capital of the Republic of Gran Pulse, New Eden. Again Lightning thoughts turned to Fang and Vanille. It had been a good five thousand years since she had actually visited them. It pained her all the times she saw them in a Crystal Stasis.
Lightning still held the hope that Fang and Vanille would get out of the Crystal Stasis, but it was killing her inside. She clenched her hand into a fist, her nails cutting into her skin causing a trickle of blood before they healed a millisecond later. 'How long do you two have to keep me waiting?'
A few hours passed as the train sped along to New Eden. All the time Lightning looked out the window lost in her thoughts. Soon though the train came into view of New Eden. The city was large, large sprawling towers made up the top view, while below that was smaller buildings likely shops and houses. Close to the center of New Eden was a walled off section that was the government section. A large building looking like the shape of a star stood there.
Suddenly it began to rain. Lightning the actually lightning flashed, followed by the loud roar of thunder. It made the city lights blend together as if they were water colors. The tempeture dropped and Lightning shivered, pulling her robe closer around her. She couldn't stand cold temperatures.
Finally the train stopped, and Lightning got out, passing by other people who got on the train. Something must have happened recently because of the Guardian Corps that stood guard near the entrance. The Republic of Gran Pulse was modeled after the government of Cocoon, and the people of RGP were content with that.
Still it made Lightning's stomach twist that they would try to recreate the system she and her friends had destroyed. She silently made her way past the guards, who eyed her with suspicion. If only they knew she was the Eternal Empress they would have been bowing before her.
Lightning was perhaps the oldest living person on Gran Pulse. She had seen wars, fought in them herself. 'Keep smiling soldier girl' Sazh voice seemed to echo in her head. It was the last words that he had actually said before he died. Lightning clenched her fist.
She was never able to forget her friends, no matter how much she wished she could. They always haunted her, always made her toss and turn. Then there was the dreams she had of talking to Etro. A scowl formed across her face. She hated Etro, the goddess how had cursed her. Etro never really explained why she did it. She just dropped vague hints.
It would have been merciful to just let her die, instead of making her watch as people died around her. She sighed again. It never really made much sense why she thought these thoughts. She couldn't really close her heart off to the pain. She had been able to keep her heart frozen to personal issues, to personal relations, only helping people out but without any compassion.
It wasn't long before Lightning arrived at the gate that would lead her to the government sector. Barbed wire covered the top of the wall. In the towers Lightning could see Guardian Corps Marksman, and the doors were guarded by Guardian Crops Gunners. When Lightning approached the gate, one of the Gunners walked over to her.
"Ma'am this is a restricted area, I need to ask you to show me some ID, or leave the premises immediately." The gunner ordered. Lightning sighed not wanting to reveal who she was but had to. Pulling down the hood of her robe, she revealed her face to them. The surrounding Guardian Corps members all straightened.
"Please wait here." The gunner said, shaking slightly. He walked a few feet away before using a com device built inside his helmet. "Yes, it's the Eternal Empress." The soldier waited for a few moments. "Are you sure? But… No sir… Okay." Finally he turned back to Lightning.
"I'm sorry, but the government district is closed." The Gunner told her. Lightings eyes narrowed. The government district was hardly ever closed. Unless something happened. Suddenly Lightning felt her gut wrench.
"That's unfortunate, but I came here to see the Crystal Pillar." She simply stated. Lightning watched his reaction, noticing that he tensed. It wasn't a secret that the Eternal Empresses friends were the Crystal Pillar.
"I'm sorry you're still not allowed in. If you do not leave soon, we'll be forced to escort you." Lightning just stayed stationary, waiting to see what they would do. The soldier shook, before grabbing her by the shoulder. Lightning let him lead her a few yards away.
"My Empress, something strange is happening. The Republic of Gran Pulses government seems to be experimenting with the Crystal Pillar." Lightning nodded, this soldier was one of the agents that she had posted in the Republic of Gran Pulse, not trusting that the government at all. He handed her a key card.
"Good work, make sure you leave and head back to the Eternal Empire." She stated.
The gunner nodded, slipping away from Lightning to the train station. Lightning on the other hand looked at the large gate that would lead into the government sector.
She gathered magic around her, the brand on her chest growing an eerie blue and red. Lightning grunted in pain. Her brand had become outlined by the jagged rough Cie'th crystals. Every time she used magic now, they would dig deep into her chest. When this happens they sometimes bled, other times they didn't.
Finally when enough magic had been gathered, Lightning relased it in a large sphere the size of Atomos. She launches it at the gate, causing a large cylinder sphere of magic rise up. Dust and debris obscure the vision of the Guardian Corps, and Lightning rushes forward.
She quickly unsheathes Crimson Blitz, before thrusting the sword forward. It pierces through the armor of a Gunner, blood pooling around the wound. Lightning waits, watching as the life drains out of him. Her face was impassive, and her eyes held a cool calculating gaze.
She finally pulls the sword out, letting the body drop to the floor with a thud. Lightning had no illusions that this would be enough to spark a war. A scowl mars her face as she rushes forward, cutting down any of the Guardian Corps soldiers that get in her way.
Yet the government of the GRP knew that Lightning's friends were the Crystal Pillar. 'I won't let anything happen to you two, you're the last connection of my life before.' She stated in her head.
Behind her she could hear the sound of alarms going off and the rushing of feet, as commanders shouted orders. She finally made it to the building the building that had been built around the Crystal Pillar.
Just before she entered the building, she saw someone standing off in the distance. They looked like a PSICOM Reaver, but instead of the spear the Reaver normally carries, the figure carried an imposing large two handed sword. It was colored the darkest of black.
Next to the armored figure was a woman wearing the Guardian Corps Female uniform. She had long silver hair that reminded Lightning of Hope's hair color. Next to her side was the sheath of a long sword.
A shiver runs down Lightning's spine as every instinct in her told her that they were dangerous. Yet she felt a twinge of familiarity. She watched as they walked away, and her body started to relax. She entered the building.
She made several turns down the twisting hallways, before finally arriving at a steel door. Lightning quickly cast a ruin spell, causing the door to be blasted back. She stepped through to a scene that made her enraged.
Several men and women in lap coats stood around the base of the Crystal Pillar. A large drill just moments away from breaking through the Crystal. Lightning didn't even have to think about what she did.
With a quick flick of her wrist, flames shot out engulfing the men and women who screamed in pain and agony. Lightning watched her face blank, staring at them. She listened emotionlessly to their screams of help and mercy. Finally they stopped moving.
Lightning scrunched her nose up. The smell of burnt flesh and hair wafting over her. She gagged slightly, but then shook it off. Turning her head, she stared at her friends still in the Crystal Stasis.
She sighed. It was too much to hope that 10000 AF would have been when they woke from their eternal slumber. "How long are you going to make me wait?" Lightning questioned. She sighed, about to turn, when there was a flash of bright light.
She quickly looked, eyes widen in surprise, finding herself staring at green eyes.
"So did you miss me sunshine?" A cocky smirk goes across their features.
"Fang." Lightning whispered.