I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter, here's more!


Claire's POV

The young man beneath me squired for a moment, but finally stopped and took deep breathes.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded as he gulped and nodded.

"I'm Hope... Hope Estheim... I'm a Saint... from the city of Academia... I became one during the last Queen's Challenge... my, mother she was supposed to be who I would fight beside, but..." He trailed off as my scowl only intensified.

"What the hell do you want?" I spat as he gulped.

"I want to help you, I heard that a woman who was entering the Queens Challenge was here... they said you needed Saints to fight with you so..."

"You're a kid... you didn't fight, haven't fought and you think I'm going to waste a spot on you?" I interrupted as he gulped and looked away.

"You have to have a full team... I can help... I can heal quite well and I know a lot of spells and incantations... I can help you, you'll need a healer." The boy, Hope pleaded as I scowled.

If I accepted he'd be one of my three designated Saints. Not a chance in hell...

"Not interested." I spat as I stood and let the young man who was maybe a inch or so shorter than myself up from the floor. I stood still waiting for him to move but he said nothing and remained.

I continued staring at him and he still just stood there like a idiot. "Out right now!" I hissed as he shook his head.

"I need to help you, I have to join you." He began as I grabbed his collar and began to lead him to the door. "Please I need to get into the tournament and save my mother!" He nearly shouted in a plea as I opened my door and threw him out but he stuck a foot in the doorway before I could close it. "Please, please!" He begged as my scowl lessened a bit as he continued. "I can't get anyone to accept me as their Saint... you don't even have one and the challenge has been issued for over a month and you won't take me. Just give me a chance, I just want a chance!"

He pleaded and I groaned. "What are you going to do then? You could end up being killed, you're practically immortal. You can live life without worry, surely your mother would have wanted that for you, seeing as she didn't take you as her Saint." I counter as he scowled.

"Yeah but I'll be this old until I join a champion... I can age for the first time in four years... I don't want to be a teenager for life, I want to help save my mother... this is the first time I can... you need me and I need you." He argued as I scowled.

"Let me rest, stay outside my door and stand watch, I will test you in the morning." I spat as I returned to the bed.

When I awoke the next day and opened my door to leave, the boy, Hope fell into my room due to the fact he used my door as a brace to keep him sitting up. "Kid why are you laying out here?" I demanded as he frowned and got up to talk but I stopped him, "I know I said I'd give you a chance, but your mother wanted you to stay safe... she wanted you to live. I can't accept you as my Saint and then be responsible for your death." I explained as he shook his head.

"I have to follow my own path, and this is the one I choose, my father is miserable... he can't get over the loss of mom... I can't sit by and do nothing... I've practiced everyday for the last four years... I deserve a shot." He pleaded as I groaned and nodded.

"Fine," I relented as I drew several glances as we both made our way to the main lobby.

I overheard one of the four guys behind the bar say something about me and Hope and my eyes shot to their direction and soon my path as well. "I heard you talking about us." I spat as the man shook his head and lifted his hands to show no harm.

"We heard you're looking for warriors... there is a Saint that's pretty powerful outside the city of Edge... a behemoth of a man, legendary even." One of the men stated as my interest was gained.

"Astaroth" Another said as I frowned and recalled the name and the legend. One that told of a man easily eight feet tall and as muscular and powerful as any creature to walk our planet. Astaroth was a powerful Saint due to the fact he was a Saint for several of the past queens of our planet. It was said that once the last woman he had sworn allegiance to had been killed in battle he had turned insane and demanded battle of any who dared to face him. I heard stories of the beast of Edge taking hundreds of lives... He had built Edge to be one of the most dangerous and terrifying city on the planet.

He hasn't had many searching to enlist his aid. The last person to do so happened nearly fifty years ago... the woman was ripped into bits.

"I see." I answered realizing I had lost myself in deep thought. I turned to Hope and narrowed my eyes as he seemed to have lost himself in thought as well. "Boy you think you could help me gain someone like that?" I asked as Hope's eyes widened in terror at my words.

"Astaroth is a monster! He either brutally kills the woman who seeks his oath or he rapes her!" Hope spat in anger as I rolled my eyes.

"Well I'm desperate and I don't plan on losing, so are you in or are you out?" I asked casually as he looked down and nodded.

"If you accept me as you're Saint, I will spend my life devoted to you and only you, Lady Farron." He bowed dramatically as I sighed and pulled him up. "Outside now, I will test your ability and see if you're worth the time its going to take to prepare you for battle." I stated as I looked to the stars and frowned. I am coming Serah.


Noel's POV

"Again... why don't we just find a spot somewhere near the pond?" I asked yet again as my friend and I sat on a log as he continued pacing as though I hadn't said anything at all.

I wanted to shout at him but he stopped and turned to me. "We need to visit the top." He stated sofly as I stared at him in confusion.

"The top of the world... Mount Zion... again?" I asked as he frowned. "What are you talking about?" I demanded, "We have gone every time the Queen's Challenge comes, I don't get why you just don't enter, we're Saints, we fight for our mistress, that's the reason we have immortality." I sighed as Angeal turned and frowned. "Zack goes to fight every tournament," I add as he frowns.

"You were nearly killed once remember?" He spat as I rolled my eyes. "Noel this Queen's Challenge is a waste of time... no one wins. There are no heroes that enter... every noble idea is perverted by the prospect of power." He adds softly.

"Angeal you don't know that, there are thousands of women warriors who are adamant in joining the Challenge, you can't say that they all are doing it for power." I asked as he looked at me and shook his head before taking my earlier suggestion and leading us to the pond. We both sat in silence for a moment and began eating. "Well?" I asked as he merely looked up at me. "You're not going to argue with me?" I asked as he looked down and shook his head.

"Noel, how many Queen's Challenges have you fought in?" He asks as I grin.

"Eight... you know that, it was the first thing you asked when you found me hanging onto life after that crazy woman was finally defeated before being allowed near Cocoon Castle. I met you after my eighth tournament, twelve years ago." I repeat my answer as he nods.

"You're going to be ninety-five this year aren't you?" He asked as I nod, "trapped in a nineteen year-old's body. You haven't fought for anyone whose dream you believed in." Angeal whispers as I frown but remain silent. "You've fought for the selfish women who want power and money, so fighting in this tournament means nothing to you. You don't understand how disgusting this sick game is until you're fighting for someone with a goal that isn't selfish... watching that person fail, that's when fighting no longer seems worth it." He whispers as I raise a brow and think on his words.

Angeal doesn't speak much about his past, but he gets really testy around the Queen's Challenge. I know that Angeal isn't his real name, he just doesn't seem to fit description of an Angeal. That was probably the most he's talked about the tournament and the most he's given up (unknowingly or knowingly) about his past.

"So you must have loved her?" I venture as he stills and turns to look at me.

"She was special." He answers.

"Was she killed during a fight?" I ask hoping to try and learn more about my travelling companion of twelve years.

"No, but she may as well had." He stated and then stood and left. I frowned and followed him.

"When are you going to answer my questions? Huh," I shouted as he paused, "How many have you fought in?!" I demanded as he looked away. "Answer me damn it..." I hissed as he snapped his head back up to me.

"One." He shot back and continued onward.


Claire's POV

I accepted Hope as my Saint because he needed me and he healing abilities were the most amazing skills I have ever seen or heard of. After deciding that he had no true combat ability I had to his healing skills which he used on himself and me after I purposely cut myself. The ability to seal skin and stop bleeding was something I would need. My goals was to convince Astaroth to join me and if I had to I would beat him into submission and if I did win, I would not come out unscathed.

"This is such a bad idea." Hope sighed as we made the trek south, towards Edge. "We shouldn't do this... he's insane." Hope added as I rolled my eyes.

"Good when I get his oath, we'll be feared."

For days we walked only stopping to sleep for a few hours before resuming our trip. We continued on our path until we reached a large meadow where a woman sat with a trio of men.

"Maybe we should find a way around..." Hope began as he eyed the group which now spotted us.

"We need to get to Edge quickly. Straight is the fastest way." I hissed before marching forward.

The dark-haired woman looked up from speaking with her companions, her Saints as I assumed, and smirked in my direction. "It seems I finally get to meet the other Farron."

My rage nearly ignited as I grabbed my sword ready to fight, but Hope stopped me as the three other men shielded her.

"Wow, she's as spunky as they come." One spoke.

"Zack, now, now, show some manners. You and Genesis flirt with everyone but me," The woman smirked as she stood. "I am Oerba Yun Fang, the favorite to win as you know... Zack, Squall, and Genesis. You are Claire Farron... Serah's sister."

"How do you know me?" I demanded as she shrugged. "Answer the question now!"

"She sacrificed herself so I and another would know what the Queen was capable of." The way she spoke so calmly made my rage rise and I couldn't stop myself from pushing Hope away and attacking the woman.

The trio let me through and she stood unimpressed as I swung only to have her catch my fist and then throw me to the ground. I shot to my feet only to have her kick me back on my butt and then grab my leg and toss me behind her.

I scrambled back to my feet, in shock. Her strength was beyond anything I've seen, it was unnatural. "How..." I hissed as she shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"It is obvious, my strength comes from my Saints' unity. Even your sister was much more of a challenge." She spat as my rage reignited and I rushed her again and swung my blade down upon her and she stopped the strike with her bare hand. "I have wicked speed as well... its just one of the few perks to being connected to them." Fang added as she kicked me in my gut.

I stumbled backwards and fell to a knee while Fang shook her head and sighed. "Fang don't be so cruel, it's not right to talk about her sister that way." The one she called Zack spoke up.

"You're right, Farron, we heard there was a woman just entering the tournament. Obviously, I didn't think it was you but when the rumors said it was a woman who looked similar to Serah, well... I put two and two together. Your sister helped in a big way. I am the favorite due to my skill and the Saints with me. We can win and by doing so, free the others who are alive but still imprisoned by the Queen Yunalesca. I can change the world!" She exclaimed as I spat on the ground and stood as my torso stung from her attacks.

"So you used my sister as a decoy?" I spat as Fang nodded.

"It was impossible for her to win alone... impossible for me... so we needed someone to test her. Your sister volunteered. I swore to her that I wouldn't forget her and that I would save her. I can save everyone." Fang explained as I stood and rushed forward and managed to punch her.

She took a few steps back in shock as I took deep breathes to hopefully calm down. "You will suffer, I will make you pay for using my sister!" I shouted as Fang frowned and rubbed her jaw.

"You should have entered! You barely have any strength and I'm sure that twerp over there didn't give you much extra power, so you had to have some ability yourself. Our world needs change! Sitting by and doing nothing is just as terrible as being the one to cause these actions." She spat

"I don't have to answer to you! I am here to save Serah and I won't fail." I hissed as Fang stared at me hard before shaking her head.

"You're going after Astaroth... a terrible idea. He'll beat you to a pulp and then rape you, till he's satisfied. I watched him do it. He's strong too strong, I would have some trouble against him as I am now, and you can't beat me."

"I am going to Edge, I will get Astaroth to give me his oath." I hissed as Fang scowled.

"I can't allow that." She hissed as her hands began glowing. A red light took the form of a staff in her hand. "You're going to be defiled and then killed. I promised to help your sister, so what you're doing is useless. I can't let you go with a good conscience." She stated as she stood in fighting stance. "You expect to face a legend like Astaroth, but you will have to get past me first."

"Claire!" I heard Hope shout as he rushed to my side with his boomerang-like weapon. He nodded to me and I readied my weapon also.

"Fang we can convince her a different way." Zack called out as he grabbed her elbow but she shrugged him off.

"I am stopping her, even if I must beat her into a coma to do so." Fang growled.

I took a deep breathe and prepared myself for her attack but a voice broke my concentration.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Zack shouted as the young man who looked my age approached.

"Well Zack, it seems this young lady needs a Saint and for your information," He says to me after a talking to Zack, "I've been in eight tournaments, so I'm going to be useful in a fight." He said and looked towards Hope and spoke again. "The name's Noel Kriess and I'd love to fight for you." He stated calmly as he took a knee before me and bowed his head.


I made this chapter a little longer and I know it may be a bit confusing but if you guys would like I can add a little narrative in the beginning. Anyhow thanks for reading and I hope you all have enjoyed reading!