Through the Eyes of Etro
Part VII: New Academia 513AF
Light awoke on the couch of Snows apartment. Sunlight was beaming through the thick curtains, Hope was already dressed sitting opposite Light.
''Morning.'' Light replied rubbing her eyes and stretching.
''Morning'' Hope replied. ''Snows awake, he's in the shower.''
The bathroom was full of steam. The only sound was the sound of Snows shower running. He squirted out some shower gel and proceeded to wash himself. Once he'd finished washing his skin he proceeded to wash his hair. He rinsed out all the soap and turned the shower off. He stepped out of the shower and lightly dried himself before proceeding into his room. Laid out on the bed was his typical outfit. Trench coat, white t-shirt, combat bottoms and combat boots.
''What is taking him so long?'' Hope wined.
''We've got time to spare until Yeul finds the correct time gate, I say we raid his kitchen and relax.'' Light laughed.
Hope looked at the older woman, she'd changed a lot. She was a lot light-hearted but strong.
''You seem so different Light…'' Hope began. ''You're a lot less serious.''
''I know Serah can be saved, I guess that's why I'm so happy recently. Before we fought Orphan, I was scared she couldn't be saved. Then the Chaos ripped me from this world and I took up the responsibility of guarding Etro… I had little time to have fun.'' She looked towards the kitchen and smiled. ''Now I get to mess with Snow, so I say raid his kitchen and make ourselves at home.''
''Good point, plus I haven't relaxed in so long!'' Hope laughed.
Snow could hear laughing from downstairs. It was strange considering his dead fiancée's sister shows up from nowhere. He continued with dressing himself. He glanced at his forearm; feeling like something should be there. It was an unusual sensation, not the sensation he got from his l'Cie brand. He pushed it to the back of his mind. At this point he was half dressed. He had his socks, underwear and combat bottoms on. He pulled a clean white t-shirt over his head, put his combat boots on and slung on his trusty trench coat. He galloped down the stairs and into the kitchen.
''Hope, pass us the bread please.'' Light asked.
Hope threw the bread to Lightning. She caught it, opened the wrapping and began dunking it into her soup.
''Geez Light, did you have to clean out my kitchen?'' Snow sarcastically asked.
''Hey, Hope ate stuff too.'' Light pointed out, whilst shoving soup and bread into her mouth. ''Damn I miss this.''
''Soup?'' Snow asked.
''Food.'' Light replied.
The trio finished up and set off towards the Academy HQ. Snow was briefed on the situation as they travelled.
''Time gates? Are you sure?'' Snow asked.
''Yes, there are 5 known gates, one at each graviton core.'' Hope replied.
''Could it be Serah?'' Snow asked.
''No.'' Lightning said bluntly. ''But she had the Eyes of Etro, so I'm assuming when she died, she went to Valhalla. The gates will hopefully lead there.''
''Hopefully. These past few years haven't been easy.'' Snow admitted, looking down rubbing his forearm.
''Snow are you okay?'' Hope replied. ''Why are you rubbing your forearm?''
''Uh…'' Snow muttered.
''It's his l'Cie brand'' Light replied. ''I asked Snow to go on a journey to resolve a paradox, to resolve the paradox he became a l'Cie again. When he fixed the paradox, that part of the timeline was erased. He can't shake the feeling of the brand though.''
''She right, but it's only been happening since 2 nights ago.'' Snow replied.
''That's when I awoke from crystal.'' Light revealed.
''It might be to do with the appearance of the Time Gates.'' Hope pondered. He had stopped walking and was staring down, frowning, holding his chin. ''We should get to Noel and Yeul's apartment, see what they found out.''
It took them at least 20 minutes to reach Noel's apartment. Once they arrived Hope politely knocked the door and waited for a response.
''I haven't spoken to Noel since Serah… I blamed him for everything. We parted on bad terms…'' Snow admitted.
''I'm sure he'll understand Snow.'' Hope replied. He turned to the tall blonde, he could see the sorrow in his eyes. Just then the door opened and Hope turned back around. ''Noel, Hey.''
''Hi guys, come in.'' Noel stepped aside and allowed his friends in. His eyes met Snows and they both looked away.
''Snow… I…'' Noel began.
''Noel. Stop.'' Snow interrupted. ''I was wrong to blame you for Serah's death, it wasn't your fault. I know it was her choice… I'm sorry.''
''It's okay, Snow. What matters now is getting her back.'' He replied closing the door. They gathered in the lounge. They had a 2 seater sofa and a 3 seater sofa. Snow, hope and Light sat on the three seater while Noel and Yeul took the other.
''You said, getting her back. Does that mean the gates go to Valhalla?'' Light asked.
''Yes.'' Yeul replied. ''The gates go to 5 different points in time and history.''
''Like where?'' Snow asked.
''The beginning of Serah's journey., Sunleth Waterscape when you fought the Flan paradox.'' Yeul began listing the locations.
''I remember… I remember Serah's face when I began to disappear! I… I'm so sorry Serah.'' Snow held back tears.
''The assassination of Hope and Alyssa in Augusta Tower. Academia, the time Alyssa gave Noel and Serah a defective artefact in hope of saving herself from disappearing.'' Yeul continued.
''Alyssa?'' Hope interrupted. ''Alyssa, she… she was my assistant…''
''Yes, she was a paradox herself. She should have died, hiding from the purge.'' Light informed.
''Which Time Gate leads to Valhalla?'' Light asked.
''Graviton Core 3, the Time Gate to Valhalla is there.'' Yeul confirmed.
''Then we have to go now!'' Snow leapt of his seat, fist in the air.
''Snow. Please, there's something else.'' Noel stated. He was so sad, the whole time he was quiet. ''We need an artefact.''
''Something that doesn't belong in this time…'' Hope said, putting his fingers to his head, thinking.
''Or… someone!'' Light realised, shock was written all over her face.
''You're right Lightning. I do not belong here, so I can activate the gates.'' Yeul replied, as she placed a hand upon Noels.
''So what's the matter?'' Snow asks, complete oblivious to the obvious.
''If she enters an area that has time, she'll have a vision.'' Noel began. ''We go through the gate, we'll be changing history again. She'll have a vision, she could die.'' Tears began rolling from his eyes.
''Noel…'' Yeul began. ''This is my choice, we must rid the world of this entropy. I know the risks, it is my choice.''
''Yeul, no! I will not let you!'' Noel screamed, tears were pouring from his eyes.
''When you found out Serah could die, you let her have her choice.'' Snow grumbled from the corner of the room.
''Could you have let her go?'' Noel spat back.
''I already did, back at Sunleth Waterscape.'' Snow replied calmly.
''Noel, I have to do this. You know I do.'' Yeul replied. She placed her hand upon Noels shoulder. He placed his upon hers.
''Then it's decided, we'll go to Graviton Core 3. Yeul will activate the gate and we'll go to Valhalla.'' Noel stood up, his hand holding Yeuls firmly. He turned to face the blue haired girl. He pulled her into a deep embrace and kissed her.
