Here's chapter 2 for you :) I'm kind of stuck as to whether or not I want to do a third part to this, or just leave it as it it. It feels weird writing about a game that I don't know how it's going to go yet.
This is more of a fluffy chapter, there's no adult content in this one.
Time's Last Stand
Chapter 2
Lightning bit down heavily on the cloth wrapped stick she placed in her mouth as she tended to a deep gash on her bicep. Every newly placed stitch in her arm caused her muscles to flex involuntarily.
Just a few… more.
She groaned loudly as she tied off the last of the seven stitches she placed in her own arm. Luxerion was still too far of a journey for her to wait for proper medical treatment. Casting a cure spell upon herself, she threw the stick onto the ground and reached for a proper bandage for the wound. It would have to do until she got into town. Her arm throbbed as she wrapped it up as best she could. She used her blade to cut the cloth and tied it in. After throwing her medical equipment into her bag she stood up and gathered her belongings to continue her trek.
She knew more than anything that she needed to make it to Luxerion before nightfall. If night were to fall upon her while she was still in the wild, she knew she'd be in trouble. She wasn't powerful enough for the monster's she'd seen after dusk.
Off to her left, she spotted a pair of behemoths who appeared to be hunting together. Lightning sighed, hoping she'd be able to continue on her journey without disturbing them. One was more than enough for her. One was what nearly tore her arm off. She was sensible enough to know that two of them would probably kill her. She knew her luck couldn't be that good though. They probably caught a whiff of the blood that still seeped from her wound. Slowly, they turned toward her and started stalking in her direction.
Lightning reached for the blade on her hip, drawing it just in time to jump out of the way of their initial strike. As one of the Behemoth's roared, the other swiped at her, causing her to hit a nearby tree. She got up on trembling legs. 'Don't black out, Lightning...' She thought to herself, wincing as she rolled out of the way when she spotted another paw coming at her.
"Dammit." She cursed out loud. When she regained her footing long enough, she called upon a fire spell, hurtling it at the charging Behemoth. She breathed a brief sigh of relief when it's advances were slowed. "One at a time." She kept her eyes on both of the monsters in front of her, but started to become worried as the pair separated – effectively surrounding her.
Fang kicked a dead creature off the end of her lance just as she heard the faint sound of a scream in the distance. She tilted her ear toward the noise in order to get a better chance at hearing it when it echoed through the valley again. Lightning. She picked up her lance and ran toward the sounds.
She slowed to a stop at the edge of a short drop. Down below her, she spotted her love slowly attempting to stand up. Fang could feel her heart stopping when she spotted the ripped clothing and red stains that covered Lightning's back. It was at that moment that she was glad that she decided to follow the ex-soldier.
She jumped down from the ledge she stood on and rushed to Lightning's side. "Ya can't do anything without me… can ya?"
"Fang?" Lightning looked up in a mixture of confusion and pain. She took a moment to lean against the taller woman before her knee buckled under her and her vision blurred.
Fang tore her attention away from Lightning as she watched the Behemoth pair approaching them. "Oh I won't be so easy." She spun her lance around her body before leaping into the air. The first thing on her mind was that she needed to buy some time to be able to tend to Lightning. She summoned upon an ability she hadn't used since their battle with Orphan.
Calling upon all of the power she had, she brought her lance down on the ground between the two monsters, the resulting explosion threw both of them back several meters. Satisfied with the amount of time she had, she ran back to her love to see her at least on her feet. "Can ya fight?"
"Of course I can fight." Lightning took a deep breath before casting one more Cure spell on herself and lifting her blade.
She raked her eyes over the shorter woman one more time. It appeared as though the spell helped the bleeding to stop, at least for the time being. But Lightning still looked weak, they had to make the battle quick. "Too damn stubborn for your own good." Fang smirked at the woman. "Alright, let's do this." She drew her lance again and turned to the pair of advancing monsters. "Which one first boss?"
Lightning drew her strength to fully lift her blade into her other hand. "Left."
"Just like old times." She spoke before charging the Behemoth that Lightning signaled to hit it with multiple strikes of her lance, then hopped back just in time to miss an angered swipe. "This is gonna be fun."
Fang pressed her foot on the Behemoth's head to retract her lance. It was exhilarating to fight again, especially with Lightning at her side. But as she turned to return to her partner, she suddenly remembered the woman's injuries as the blonde dropped to the ground unceremoniously. For a split second, Fang thought she'd died. She dropped her lance to the ground near the Behemoth and bolted toward the fallen woman. "Lightning?"
The ex-soldier grunted out a response before trying to push herself upright again. Fang encouraged her to stay on the grass. "I'm fine just… give me a second to rest." Her eyes clenched tightly when she felt Fang's hands on her back. "Don't…" She weakly tried, but it was too late, the remaining fabric of her shift was ripped open to expose the wound.
"What were ya thinking, Sunshine?" Fang reached for Lightning's blade to cut part of her sari to use it as a rag on the re-opened wound.
"Tried to avoid them." She hissed sharply and arched, trying to get away from her love as she felt the pressure directly on the wound.
As much as she hated causing her love more pain, it was necessary to stop the bleeding. "Ya didn't try hard enough."
"Shut up Fa-AH!" She yelled out again when she felt more pressure, in a different spot of her back.
"Listen…" Fang moved down closer to her love to whisper softly into her ear. "I know it hurts love… I gotta stop the bleedin'."
Lightning nodded, "I trust you."
Fang took a moment to smile down at the woman before sitting back up to finish what she'd started. She did her best to block out the painful noises that Lightning was making under her touch. "Almost done." She announced once she was satisfied with the way the blood stopped. "Ya got bandages?"
"In my bag," she lifted her head to look where her knapsack had been tossed at the start of the fight, "over there."
"Alright, now don't go hunting anymore Behemoths, I'll be right back." Fang placed a soft kiss to the back of Lightning's head before getting to her feet and going to grab the discarded bag. When she returned to her love, she quickly dumped the contents on the ground to search for what she wanted.
"Really Fang? I had that organized…"
Fang's head lifted from the pile of various potions and items to look at the woman with a raised eyebrow. "Does it look like I care right now?"
Lightning rested her head back on the grass, this time facing the Pulsian so she could watch her. Over their time battling together prior, Fang had tended to many wounds, on everybody. She knew how diligent the woman was in making sure everything was properly done. "What are you looking for?"
"How do you not carry water with ya?" She picked up various bottles, opening them to inhale the odor. It was an attempt to find what she was looking for, one in particular caught her attention as it was a strong, somewhat foul smell. "What the bloody hell is this one?" She quickly capped it and looked at the fallen women.
A smirk came to Lightning's lips before she inched closer to Fang and the bag to reach into a side pocket, producing a clear bottle that was full of water. "Trade?" She offered the water bottle in exchange for the one Fang was holding. "Maybe you should have grabbed my bag sooner." She uncapped the bottle and took a long swig of it before shaking her head as the liquid burned down her throat.
Fang's head tilted to the side as she watched the woman's antics. Seeing her shake her head the way she did, caused her to burst into a fit of laughter. "Didn't peg ya as much of a drinker, Sunshine."
"You pick up a thing or two when traveling alone…" She took another swig, knowing that the water would burn some and Fang always applied a lot of pressure as she wrapped up wounds.
Fang smiled sadly at her as she watched Lightning cap the bottle and toss it with the others. She quickly splashed some water on the wound, knowing she'd be able to properly clean it once they reached Luxerion. "Can ya sit up for me Light?"
"I'm not helpless." She placed her hands flat on the ground to push herself up just enough to draw one of her legs under her body so she could sit up. "What are you doing?" She questioned Fang as she started pulling off the remaining bits of her top to throw it on the ground.
"Oh come on, not like I haven't seen 'em before." Fang rolled her eyes before scooting closer. "Lift your arm love." She unraveled some of the bandage and wrapped her own arms around the shorter woman, she leaned over Lightning's shoulder to make sure it was where it needed to be before pressing it down. "I know it's not comfortable love, take it out on me if ya gotta."
Lightning wasted no time in placing one of her hands on Fang's shoulder and digging her nails in deeply as Fang pressed into her back. She knew it was coming, but that didn't help. "Dammit, Fang."
She chuckled some. "Not like it's the first time ya felt this."
"Just shut up and finish." She cried out again as Fang pressed into her wound once more and pulled the bandage tight on her chest and tied if off. "Dammit. I always hated you tending my injuries."
Fang placed her hands on Lightning's hips as she looked down into her eyes. "Maybe ya shouldn't get hurt so much."
Lightning sank into Fang's embrace, allowing her eyes to close in the process. All she wanted was sleep. "You came."
"Didn't have to think about it much." She tightened her arms around the smaller woman, being mindful of the injuries. "Woke up, you weren't there… that's all I needed."
Fang pulled away briefly to grab a shirt that was on the ground and helped the other woman get it on. "Told you Fang, I'm not helpless." Lightning glared at her, but whispered a thank you anyway before slowly standing up.
"Ya okay to walk?"
Lightning placed her hand on Fang's shoulder as she felt a dizzy spell overtake her. "Yea…"
Not believing her, but deciding not to push it. Fang hurried to gather her love's belongings and throw them into the bag to be dealt with later. She slung the bag over her shoulder before standing up and wrapping her arm around the smaller woman. "Don't worry, I got ya."
"You rest, I'm gonna find a shop." Fang helped Lightning out of her boots before gently laying her down and pulling the blanket to cover her up.
"Fang…" Lightning reached up to grab her hand. She took a moment to look up at her before tugging her down for a slow kiss. "Thank you."
"Anytime love." Fang stole another kiss before checking her gil and leaving the room. By the time she'd returned with a few medical supplies, she was happy to find Lightning asleep. She was sure to be quiet as she placed the bags on the table and leaned down to take off her own shoes. Fang made her way to her love and brushed some stray hair out off of her forehead.
"No…"
Fang watched closely as Lightning's brow furrowed and she thrashed some in her sleep. "Hey…" She laid down and started slowly caressing her arm and running her fingers through her hair. "Sunshine… hey." She spoke a little louder when the woman jerked in her sleep again. Lightning jolted awake for the second time since they'd arrived at the inn. She jumped back just slightly when she saw how close Fang was to her. "Hey, hey… I got ya." Fang quickly wrapped her arms around the smaller woman and pulled her close. "Ya okay?"
"Yea…" Lightning lied as she snuggled closer to Fang. Her eyes were still wide open as she tried to rid her mind of the images that plagued her dreams for the past few days. There was only one night, where she was dreamless. Her night with Fang.
"Ya know, you never could lie to me." Fang backed away and cupped Lightning's cheek. She frowned when she spotted the liquid pooling at the bottom of her love's eyes. "What is it?"
"The same nightmare I've had since I awoke." She closed her eyes and tucked her face back into the crock of Fang's neck to hide the tears that never fell. "I see its destruction… I'm powerless to stop it… I watched everybody die right before my eyes in some strange punishment for my failed attempts at stopping it." She paused to regain her thoughts and was quiet thankful that Fang didn't have any kind of comment to make. She only felt the arms around her tighten even more and Fang's head came to rest on the top of her head. "The best sleep I've had… was last night," she lifted her head and swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked into Fang's eyes, "with you."
Fang dipped her head to place a feather light kiss onto the distraught woman's lips. "I'm here now, and I'm not leaving ya, not again." A small smile cracked Lightning's lips. "Why don't I run ya a bath… so you can relax."
"Sounds wonderful." Lightning wrapped her arms around the pillow once Fang stood up. She watched the Pulsian until she was out of her sight before allowing her eyes to close. She remained in the same spot until she heard the water in the bathroom stop and feet shuffling along the carpeted floor toward her.
"Ya comin' love?" Fang brushed some hair behind Lightning's ear before helping her stand up and go into the bathroom.
There was nothing sexual about the way Fang undressed her love. She helped the battered woman lean against the counter as she pulled her shirt off of her. Fang tossed it to the floor before unbuckling Lightning's shorts and helping her slide them down her legs. It was obvious to Fang that the woman still felt weak from the fight. Once she stepped back up, she reached for the spot she'd knotted where she had tied the bandages on the front of Lightning's chest. Carefully, she pulled it loose and proceeded to unwrap it. She looked at Lightning, who wasn't flinching at all, even when she pulled the fabric away from the wound that had started to scab over. "What happened here?" Fang motioned to the bandage on Lightning's bicep that she started unwrapping.
"Behemoth."
Fang couldn't help but to laugh softly as she tossed the used bandages into the trash can beside the counter. When she stood upright again, she leaned in to take a closer look at the gash. "What's it with you and Behemoths today?"
"Now I'm starting to remember why I hated you all those years ago." She winced away from Fang's touch when it came close to her stitches. "Damn you, why do you have to examine everything!" She snapped as a few shocks of pain continued down her arm.
Not impressed by the outburst, Fang placed her hands on either side of Lightning on the counter and looked her right in the eyes. "If it wasn't for me today, you'd be dead… someone needs to keep ya alive, Lightning." She was satisfied when Lightning diverted her eyes in defeat. "Now suck it up and let me look."
Lightning remembered Fang's words from just a few hours prior. As she felt her arm being turned into Fang's view, she latched onto her love's shoulder with her hand, just moments before slamming her head onto her near the same spot. "How bad is it?" Lightning dared to ask. When she had tended to it earlier, she couldn't get that great of a look at it.
"Horrible." Fang released her love's arm to look at her face. "But you'll live."
"Well that's always a good thing." She smacked the taller woman's arm when she shrugged. "Why do I love you again?"
"Because, I continue to save your beautiful ass." Fang's smug grin was returned with a soft laugh. "Don't worry though, Sunshine. I love you too."
"Can I take my bath now?"
"Of course." She motioned toward the tub, "ladies first."
Lightning rolled her eyes at the woman before slowly making her way toward the tub. Part of her was glad that Fang's hand quickly came out to help her balance as she stepped into the water. It was warm and felt good on her aching body as she sat down and slowly leaned back. Once her eyes closed, she heard some rustling in the room, followed by the door opening. "Fang?"
The brunette stopped at the door. "Yea?"
Lightning's head turned slowly to the side to watch her. "Will you stay in here with me?"
"Of course. Was just gonna get ya some clothes." She watched the woman nod before she leant her head back against the tub's edge. Fang tossed the dirty clothing onto the floor by the table to be dealt with later. As she dug into Lightning's bag for a fresh set, she heard a beeping noise coming from one of the pockets. A few brief moments of searching and she pulled the little device from its home. "Hey Sunshine?" She continued examining it as she walked back into the bathroom. "Someone keeps callin'." She handed the communicator over to Lightning then sat on the floor beside the tub and reached into the water with a fresh rag to get it wet.
Lightning gave her eyes a few seconds to focus before she actually answered it, she turned it on the side to make sure the speaker was on that way she wouldn't have to hook it onto her eat. "Hope. I meant to let you know when I got here…"
"What happened? I swear Lightning, I was about 5 minutes from sending a search party to The Dead Dunes to look for you."
"I got held up a little bit." Lightning's eyes closed again, her hand that held the device came to rest on the edge of the tub.
"By Fang? Does she not realize how important all of this is?"
"Woah, woah, hold your horses there. Don't pin this on me." Fang turned to speak directly at the communicator before applying some soap to the rag and running it from Lightning's knee down her calf and to her foot.
Lightning let out a small laugh. She could almost see Hope rubbing the bridge of his nose in irritation. "It's not Fang's fault."
"Please tell me you're in Luxerion at least. And not still at the camp with her."
"When the hell did I become the bad guy?" She looked at the woman in the water who just shrugged in response.
"Lightning?"
"Hope?"
"Dammit Lightning, you know how important all of this is. Your actions determine the fate of everybody on Pulse."
Lightning sighed, but apparently didn't respond fast enough for Fang's liking, who decided to jump in. "Don't ya think she knows that pipsqueak? Just so you are aware, we're both in Luxerion."
"What are you doing there Fang? Lightning can't afford any distractions right now."
"Hope, stop… If it wasn't for her joining me… your search party would have found a dead body…" Lightning admitted softly. She hated admitting that she had come face to face with death. She smiled softly when she felt Fang's thumb pause to gently caress her knee before continuing with the washcloth.
"Right… you know where you need to head to tomorrow, correct?"
"Yes, I know."
"Alright. I'll contact you in the morning with more details… and Fang?" He waited for her to make some kind of sound of acknowledgement before he continued, "take care of her."
"Way ahead of ya on that one kid."
Lightning ended the call with him before allowing the device to fall from her hand to the floor. Her eyes fell shut again as she savored the caring touches Fang was giving to her. "Thank you."
"How many times ya gonna say that to me?" Fang slowly slid the rag along Lightning's core before moving to her stomach. As much as she wanted to touch the woman before her, she knew she couldn't. Lightning was far too injured for such things.
"As often as I have to."
The Pulsian sat up on her knees to better reach Lightning's chest. "No need." She smiled at the woman below her when she saw her crack her eyes open. "I know you'd do the same for me."
"Says who?" Fang's hand suddenly stopped as it contacted Lightning's, now white, brand on her chest.
"You'd look kind of hot in a nurse maid's outfit."
She shook her head before relaxing once more. She knew she'd have to move soon anyway that way Fang could get to the wound on her back. "You're horrible."
"Time doesn't change us all love." Fang carefully pulled Lightning's injured arm up, she took the time to massage her hands before moving up further. "This is gonna hurt."
"I know…" Lightning prepared herself for the burning sensation that quickly came as Fang squeezed some soap onto the wound on her bicep, it was soon followed by repeated spots of pressure as she dabbed at the gash. Lightning knew that the one on her arm was much deeper than what was on her back. The only difference, the injury to her back was much larger in size than the four inch gash on her arm. She clenched her teeth together to hold back as much noise as possible. She definitely didn't want to have the people in the rooms near them to call for security.
Fang rinsed off the wound gently before pressing her lips to Lightning's shoulder. "I need ya to sit forward, Sunshine."
"I'm tired Fang." Lightning didn't move right away until she felt Fang take her arm to help her sit up, "thank you." She grabbed onto her knees to keep herself upright as Fang dabbed at her back. It didn't hurt as much as her arm since it wasn't as deep. "I want this to end." Her eyes closed so she could see the way Fang was examining her, almost urging her to continue. "I'm so tired of fighting, and saving the world." She sighed when she felt Fang dabbing at her wound, soon it was over and she could feel Fang's strong fingers running through her hair slowly. "All of it… it's too much for me Fang."
"You've got to be the strongest woman I've ever known Light." She waited for Lightning to open her eyes to look at her. "We'll get through this together, yea?"
"Yea… just like old times." Lightning found herself leaning closer to Fang's touch, wanting to savor it as much as she could for the last few days she knew she'd have it.
So, as I had said at the beginning, I don't know whether or not to do a third and final chapter. I've considered it, but honestly don't know how I would go about it since I'm not the best at writing out battle scenes.
Let me know what you think? :) I'll appreciate it as always.