A/N: Hi everybody! How are you doing? I'm really sorry for the lack of updates since I haven't been dreaming lately. I don't see what should happen next (which goes for both this story and HTC). Don't think for a second I'd forget these 2 stories! Also, I'm in the middle of taking on extra jobs and all that shenanigans. Fun times. There isn't much to this chapter since it sets up the next chapter. I've vaguely seen what should happen already so hopefully I'll be typing that up soon! I've been so busy with life that I'm trying to force myself to dream… which clearly, isn't working, LOL!
I hope you enjoy this! ^_^;;
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: "Tell me Caius, do you believe in angels?"
Angels Can Fall (Part 7)
"Can you tell me more about Hope?" Lightning questioned drying her hair with a towel.
"Hope. Hope Estheim," Caius replied, pulling a black shirt on. "He's the President of this city."
"President?" Lightning paused and gazed at Caius. "What do you mean 'President'?"
"Hope runs this entire city, Lightning. He runs the city with the help of the Academy, a scientific based organization that conducts experiments and research to improve the quality of life. It's only recently was Hope elected President since the other competitors didn't win the affection of the population."
Lightning narrowed her eyes. "How old is Hope?"
"Twenty-four."
"Twenty-four," Lightning repeated.
"By the way, he won the affection mostly from the women in this city. He won by a landslide."
Ignoring the added information, Lightning merely huffed in response and walked to the window. Only twenty-four and Hope was running a city by himself and with the aid of the Academy. She mildly dipped her head thinking how could one undertake such a monstrous task? Lightning tried to recall when she was twenty-four but nothing came to mind. Fearing she would walk down memory lane, Lightning snapped out of her thoughts once she heard thunder crack across the heavens. Now back in this not-so-humble abode, Lightning planned out her next move. The sound of rain was something Lightning got accustomed to when she needed to think. The curtains of liquid continued to slide down the clear window and reflected off the city's neon lights.
Hearing thunder crack again, Lightning abruptly jerked forward. Her hands immediately ran to her mark feeling an intense heat spreading across her chest. Groaning, the warrior slipped onto her knees, gasping for air. It was as if her lungs suddenly harbored spikes piercing through her chest. Shaking wildly, Lightning felt the skin begin to part.
No, dammit! No, not now!
Immediately by her side, Caius questioned if she was alright. Lightning's face was twisted in pain; the feeling of a dagger twisting her heart. The pain was great it forced sweat beads to roll down the side of her face in agony.
"Lightning! Lightning!" Caius shook her. "Are you alright? Tell me what's going on!"
The pain was too much to respond. Digging deep, Lightning summoned her strength and shoved Caius aside. The burn was too much; inhaling, Lightning scrambled onto her feet and leaned by the window. She knew exactly what was happening to her; the mark on her chest reminded her of her Focus. Caius's voice was frantic but his words were garbled in Lightning's mind. She needed to get away from him. Stumbling through the room, the angel crashed into the table and knocked down a cup of coffee. The mark on her chest continued to split prompting a groan from the angel. Reaching the bathroom, she stumbled in and slammed the door shut. With everything she had, she locked the door prompting Caius to pound the door from outside. Shaking her head, she didn't want to hear it! Slamming her back onto the door, the angel slid down and curled into a tightly knit ball.
"Even now, you choose to struggle on your own… why is that?"
Etro sadly gazed into the Pool of Misfortune witnessing Lightning's torment. She watched the angel bite her knuckles to suppress her screams. Lightning dug her nails into her arms fighting the scorching sensations from within trying to hold her ground. Etro felt terrible for Lightning but it was within their contract Lightning was to carry out missions to keep Serah free by any means necessary. Hearing the sound of metal rattle beside her, Etro chose not to look at her side as she already knew who was beside her.
"Shall you not comfort her?" Etro voiced quietly. "She battles her pain."
Digging her fingers into the groves of the marble stone throne, Etro was troubled. Even if Lightning had never voiced her thoughts, Etro read her like a book. Before her lay the angel writhe in pain while her mind was a mixture of turbulent thoughts and pride. Etro knew Lightning was going to do anything she could to complete her Focus. The thought of becoming a Cie'th crossed the angel's mind every so often but her will to live was unbreakable. Foreseeing Lightning's troubled future brought no joy to the goddess. Constantly fighting against destiny to do what's right would become one of Lightning's biggest challenges to overcome.
The sun. Nothing challenged the radiance of the sun. When gentle rays caressed the warrior's soft skin, she slowly stirred. A finger twitched. Her lips moved. Her eyes opened. Lightning recollected her thoughts before producing the first word that came to mind, "What?" Lying on her side, Lightning breathed in fresh air tasting a tint of lavender. Slowly pushing herself up, she placed a hand on her head with eyes fixated to the scene before her.
Lightning lay in a sea of multicolored flowers prompted by the wind to sway in gentle motions. Looking around, she never remembered this. Her memories were foggy; last time she recalled stumbling into Caius's bathroom and… and everything went blank. Blinking, Lightning wondered if she walked into a dream. That was a possibility.
"You're awake,"
Spinning around, Lightning's eyes landed on a tall man, greeting her with a gentle smile she came accustomed to.
"Lord… Lord Raines…"
"You still call me Lord," Raines whispered quietly as if hurt. "Do you often forget we are engaged? You do not have to call me Lord."
Glancing down to her finger, Lightning spotted the shimmering platinum band on her ring finger. How can I forget? I'm engaged to Raines.
Raines extended out his hand to receive his betrothed to which she received. Pulling her to stand up straight, Raines's eyes scanned over his to-be bride. This engagement was a mere alliance to strengthen the Fal'Cie Council and the Valhalla's army. Cid Raines was selected to be engaged to Lightning by Barthandeleus. Raines possessed the status, power and loyalty to which he displayed in Council meetings and on the battlefield. He was the perfect match for Lightning. Lightning on the other hand was a strong angel and Etro's right hand. Agreeing and blessing the couple, their marriage would be underway once Lightning completed her Focus. Etro knew Lightning was voiceless the marriage but she warrior understood it had to be done. After all, Lightning had sworn undying loyalty to Etro and not the Council.
Walking side by side, Lightning gazed upon the fields before her rather than the man next to her.
"Are you not thrilled to see me, Lightning?"
"I am," she replied blankly. "I just don't know how to express it."
"You never change, Claire."
"I told you to not call me that," Lightning spoke sternly. "That was part of our agreement."
"As defensive as ever."
"Why are you here, Cid?" Lightning stopped mid-track allowing Raines to walk several steps head of her. "I don't think you're here for idle chit-chat."
Without turning around, Cid responded, "I came to guide you."
"Guide me?" Her eyebrows were raised. Crossing her arms she continued, "Guide me where?"
"To finish your Focus."
"My Focus?" Lightning repeated. Then it struck her. "Do you think I'm incapable of finishing a Focus that was assigned to me?"
"I know of the name of the person you need to guide to Valhalla, Lightning." Cid spoke sincerely implying to Lightning's target. "Do you want to know her name?"
"Her?" Lightning repeated. Curiosity built up itching for the name.
"When I speak of her name, it will dawn to you the things you must do in order to bring her to Valhalla. She is of the moment living on spared time. Every day she wishes to see an angel." Turning around Cid locked eyes with Lightning. "She wishes to see you, Lightning."
Standing in the quiet moment, Lightning thought of Cid's words carefully. Only if he uttered the name would Lightning know whom to go to and perform her duties. The temptations made the warrior linger but Lightning already knew the Focus assigned to her must be completed without help. Even if the answer was right in front of her.
Shaking her head, Lightning voiced, "No. I will find her on my own." Folding her fingers, Lightning spoke, "I appreciate your help Cid but this is a task I must do alone."
"I understand…"
Lightning wasn't stupid; she knew Cid wanted her to commit to marriage as quickly as possible. She wondered if being married—or in her perspective, shackled—to him would make a difference in performing her duties as an angel. The idea of matrimony never sat well with her; Lightning already witnessed first-hand what marriage does to people or angels alike. The main reason she agreed to this was because she never wished to disrespect the Council or disappoint Etro. After all, she was just a tool, wasn't she? For now, she was buying time on Pulse to experience freedom until the very last second.
"It's time," Cid interrupted her thoughts. "It's time for you to wake up from the dream. We must part for the time being. Rest assured I will return for you."
"I know," Lightning replied.
Taking a step forward, Cid slipped his gloved hand beneath Lightning's to bring her hand to touch his lips. "Before I let you go, promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Never forget our vow to Etro."
Lightning blinked but responded with a firm nod. "I'll never forget it."
Releasing Lightning, Cid bowed while his body soon began to fade before his angel. "Farewell, Lightning. Let the grace of the angels protect you always…"
Watching Cid fade away with the breeze, Lightning felt light headed. The field around her began dissolving, breaking into pieces of petals signaling the end of the dream. The sun blared in her eyes forcing the warrior to close her eyes and fall back into reality.
"Lightning! Can you hear me? Wake up!"
Caius shook Lightning gently praying the angel would wake up. Seeing Lightning's fingers slowly move, he released a sigh of relief. Kneeling before her, he gently scooped her up and moved toward the living room. Placing her down on the couch Lightning opened her eyes listening to the sound of rain once again. The cracking thunder brought her to her senses, waking her up.
"Caius?" The warrior spoke. "I need your help."
"What do you need help with?"
Lightning never wanted to say it but living on borrowed time, she was going to twist the rules. "I need your help to fulfill my Focus."
Light erupted from the skies above sending flashes of lightning onto Pulse. Gently releasing her shoulders, Caius looked into the angel's eyes for answers.
"You want me to help you? I thought you said humans shouldn't intervene,"
"I did and now I'm taking back my words. Look, the faster my Focus gets done, the quicker that person can be set 'free'. So I ask you again: Will you help me?"
Lightning felt like a hypocrite. Initially she turned down Cid's help because of the fact he knew who Lightning needed to release. No, she never wanted it on a silver platter. She wanted to find out for herself who needed saving thus, she requested Caius's assistance. It was different. Plus, he knew Academia better than anybody so why not? Dipping his head, he agreed.
"Alright, I'll help you. Let's start looking tomorrow then. I have a couple of places you can start your search from."
Lightning nodded. "Alright, sounds good."
Pushing off the couch, Lightning made sure she made no attempt of opening her mark any further than it should. Tomorrow her search would begin for her target. There was no time to lose; time was slowly ticking away for both Lightning and the unnamed person praying for the day an angel would come.