A/N: Okay, so this is my own little twist to the plot of FFXIII-2, COMPLETELY unrelated and made-up. Just a little background on Odin, and his relationship to Lightning. Thought it might add a twist. And it might be a bit of a shock, so don't kill me!
Must I repeat the copyright stuff?
My journey was very fruitless for the first few hours. Or days? Months? Years? Time blurred in this…dimension.
I found to my pleasure that my l'Cie powers have been restored, without the brand. And that meant I could summon Odin again. I had called him, my mind reeling as the feeling of weakness was no longer there. I was divine. I was truly his master now. He wasn't an Eidolon to me anymore, but just an equal.
My crystal had just appeared when I whispered Odin's name, focusing on his power. Once I smashed it open, feeling the golden flow of his raw power, I felt better instantly about agreeing to Etro's knighthood. At the same time, I felt like she had been pretty sly as I saw how my body armor matched Odin's. It was as if I was destined to be the knight to his steed.
I reverted Odin to his horse form, and we traveled through shapeless space for Maker knows how long. Exactly how do I look for Fang and Vanille? Not like I had any leads.
What troubles you, master? I jumped at the sound of the deep, rumbling voice in my head. Like thunder. Oh, the corniness of it.
"Odin…" I murmured. "You finally speak."
I am now permitted to, since you are now a goddess. And quite an intimidating one, at that. Your armor impresses me.
"Shut that…snout of yours," I scoffed. "I'm only going to be like this until I find Fang and Vanille. Then I'll return the blessing and bring them home."
Lightning…I was once a mortal, as are you.
"You…a mortal? How…?"
I had also wandered to Valhalla, summoned by Etro.
"Valhalla? So that's the name of this place?"
Yes. I was knighted by Etro, after completing my Focus.
"Focus? You were a l'Cie?"
Yes…Sanctum l'Cie. You are familiar with my mortal name…I had once been called Cid Raines.
I stiffened instantly. Suddenly, I made the connection between his voice and…Cid Raines…he's…
It's nice to see you again, Lightning. It has been a while…
I instantly jerked my legs into his flank, making him stop. I dropped off his back, then instantly lashed out at him. A single bolt of lightning prevented me from making impact.
"You…you're Raines?" I gasped. "I trusted you, Cid…"
Odin shook his mane, snorting. Hear me out, Lightning. I am just another victim lost in this futile battle…
I huffed. "Make it quick."
After I crystallized, I faded into…sleep, I suppose. I wandered in this shapeless mass…then appeared here in Valhalla. The place of crystal stasis, land of lost time and chaos. But I was beyond that. My crystal body no longer existed. I was inches from death.
Etro summoned me, though. She said I had an important destiny to fulfill, even if my human life was over. She knighted me, same as you. I served under her for a while, and soon led her knighthood. I was king of the Knights of Etro. I was gifted with a divine body, and I became Odin.
At one point, you will remember I had not been dead. I had been watching the grand prix in Eden when you and your allies returned to Cocoon. I had asked Etro to grant me time back in my body once more. So I may…take care of unfinished business. Rydgea shot me, then I returned to being Odin.
However, Etro was displeased at the chaos that I created as a result of my death. Bahamut, Alexander, Hecatonheir, Brynhildr, and the Shivas had angered Etro as well. She deemed us unworthy of her knighthood. We were placed into the union of Eidolons, servants of l'Cie.
You are one of many l'Cie I served through time and space. I am now technically as old as time itself. When your brand called to me, I could feel your frustration and anger. I could relate to that. I knew my master was to be a worthy one. And then…you proved yourself to me. From then on, you know I answered your call.
In that battle to fight my mortal l'Cie form, Cid Raines, you summoned me…it was a very strange feeling. Because I knew that form of me was full of frustration and anger, as you were before. I was attacking myself. But I obliged, knowing I was fighting a part of me that needed to die away. Again and again, I fought against what I formerly believed was right. But once I arrived to this land, I had discovered the truth. The reality of my descent to this dimension was pure destiny.
"What truth did you discover?" I asked.
The battles we fought against Pulse l'Cie…they had spiraled us into an endless cycle of fear and Purge. But now, I found this spiral of death is from futile efforts to hide the Sanctum's fears. I learned the truth of the Purge. I cannot believe I blind I was. But now, I reign as an Eidolon to your call.
I turned this over in my head. So Raines had a new motive? "You're not blood-thirsty for Pulse l'Cies anymore, are you?" I questioned tentatively.
That time of my life is over. I am no longer Cid Raines. I am Odin. I am your Eidolon. And I am very honored to serve you, Lightning. You have no idea how much I care for you. How much I wish to protect you.
Odin and Cid Raines did not go together in my head. I couldn't think of them as one and the same. "I suppose then…I don't mind," I grumbled.
Odin shook his mane in pleasure. Then let us continue forward. You have a quest to accomplish, do you not?
I mounted Odin again, and he began a brisk trot. Then something crossed my mind. "So Odin, if you aren't Raines anymore, if you wanted to, is it possible to go back?"
I felt him stiffen. That part of my life is over. Rydgea shot me, so I am deemed dead. My fate rests here now, serving you on your quest.
"Odin…it is possible to return to mortal state after divinity, right?"
…Lightning, that is something beyond my knowledge to answer.
