Authors Notes
It's been a while hasn't it, although it has only been a week. Anyway this chapter was originally part of a much longer chapter (I think it was about 1,700 words) but because I decided it was too long I decided to split it in half to make it more manageable. I hope it's not too long (pun intended). I was happy with the way this chapter turned out although I think I need to work on my dialogue writing. But anyway enough about me I know you want to read this.
Also a little warning that there are some instances of minor swearing and wet dreams are implied at one point. Nothing to worry about though, it's all in good humour.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this Square Enix owns the lot but maybe one day I'll work for them.
Chapter 3: The Quest Begins
Staring into the deep blue eyes Hope realized that he was about to be disappointed again. It wasn't her. In fact it was Hope's young companion Noel Kreiss. 'About time' he thought angrily, quickly subduing the blush burning onto his face. He was probably hearing things. 'Although it isn't the first time this has happened' he though, recalling the few times he had heard Lightning's voice by Etro's throne. He grabbed the young man by the collar and yanked him inside the apartment, perhaps with too much vigour considering the confused look on his friends face.
"Sheesh. What's up with you Hope?" He asked bluntly. "…Nothing… I'm just wanted to get started. You've kept me waiting for more than an hour now." The reply came laced with daggers. "That's good news." "Why?" Hope questioned. "I think I've figured out a way to bring Serah back…" Noel whispered his voice returning to his thoughts. "Yes?!...What is it?" Hope enquired excitedly, seeming like the child he once was. "Well seeing as we used the Historia Crux to travel through time, Serah and I, I mean. I thought we could use it to go get her." Noel paused in thought. "Hmm… Except that she no longer exists in this timeline." Knowing the truth of the matter was a lot harder to accept than Hope had expected. "What if we could travel to a different dimension?" Hope ventured. "If we modify one of the portals that you and Serah used… maybe… just maybe it will work." He continued. Noels eyes widened at the idea but he soon seemed to calm himself. Nodding in acceptance of the plan he muttered "Exactly".
It had taken Hope two weeks to figure out how to do it. But now it was finally done. He smiled in appreciation of his hard work. Then hearing Noel's mutterings and snoring from behind him Hope got up and proceeded to push him out the bed. Much to Noel's distress. Looking up sadly from the floor he grudgingly got up, "You always wake me up when it gets to the good bit." Noel remarked with a smirk. 'I don't want to know what he was dreaming about.' Thought Hope in disgust. Noel obviously noticing the look of mortification on Hope's face, said "It's nothing like that-", "Oh really?" Hope interjected sarcastically. "N-No" Noels face filled full of blood at the accusation. "It was just a dream about Yeul", "Hmph" Hope stifled his laughter. "N-Not like that though!" Hope smiled a genuine smile at his young friend. "I know what you mean; we all have dreams like that." "Even you?", "Yes… Even me." Hope trailed off and the conversation died there. He could feel Noel's blue eyes digging into his skull. He could also tell that he wanted to ask a question but he wasn't going to oblige him. "Anyway…" Hope raised his voice a little and made a mental note not to talk to Noel about his dreams again. "We have work to do. So let's get to it." Noel nodded his trademark nod in compliance with Hopes command, a determined look spreading over his face. Hope couldn't help but feel encouraged too, as they walked into the dimensional rift they had opened in his apartment.
When Hope came to he felt as if a Behemoth had trampled over him. He was exhausted, had a terrible headache and couldn't remember where he was. 'Why can't I move' he thought looking to his hands chained above his head. Nothing was making sense. 'Why do I feel like crap and why do I have no idea where I am'. Looking over to his right he saw Noel chained up similarly to himself. He looked peaceful if you ignored the cuts and bruises all over his face. "Noel…" Hope croaked. 'No reaction', he started to panic "Noel! Wake up!". "Wha-". He was not allowed to finish before the wall perpendicular to the two young men exploded. Hope covered his face by turning to face the wall he was chained to. He couldn't avoid all the debris however and was knocked out for the second time. 'Great!' he thought, cursing his own existence before once again succumbing to what felt like a concussion.
Hope Estheim opened his eyes lazily to see dust settling and five blurry figures standing over him. 'That brick had hit harder than I had previously thought' moving his hands to the back of his head he felt a rather large lump and when he removed his hand it was covered in viscous dark red blood. He heard muffled voices and when his hearing eventually returned to him he heard a familiar voice saying his name "Hope needs medical help." Said the voice, it was a woman's and it had a bubbly quality to it that made it different to any other. "Serah" he coughed through his blood filled mouth. Then the pain in his head reached its peak forcing another blackout…
Authors Notes
Oooh cliffhanger. Just when it was getting exciting as well. Anyway leave a review telling me what you liked (or didn't) about this chapter and tell me if I need to improve my dialogue writing. The next chapter, which follows on from this one, is coming on Sunday so keep an eye out for that. Yep it's a double chapter week.
Hope: Great more pain for me!
Sir E: Don't be so dramatic. It's not that bad compared to what I have planned. *insert evil laugh here*
(Edit: P.S. Thanks to all the new followers. Particularly Gattsu and RallenCross. Also thanks to the person who has been with me from the start ultima-terra. You all keep me going, you have no idea how much it means to me that people are actually reading what I write. Thank you.)
