The Kingdom of Etro
A/N: Thank you all for your patience and condolences during that difficult time of mine. Everything should be back to its regular schedule now. Thank you all for your understanding.
On another note, check out my latest video for Lightning Returns (take out the extra spaces and brackets): (w) (w) (w) . (youtube) . (c) (o) (m) / watch?v=1eceNVjvwPY
For those of you who left unsigned reviews, see my replies below:
tlrc - Thanks for the review and clarification. :) I'm glad I made a lucky guess with regards to Cid's eye colour. Lol. Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. Family stuff came up and kind of pushed back a few things, including this. But the chapter is here now. :)
MasterPro - Thanks for the review and the condolences. It won't bring him back, but it helps. I had a lot of fun writing Light blasting Nabaat. I just wished it could have happened in the game. That would have been epic. That or maybe Fang doing it for kidnapping Vanille. Hehe. As for the cape thing, it has its uses. XD I apologize for the delay in posting up this chapter. Family stuff happened and well, things got delayed. (this was written before you got your official account :P)
Disclaimer: The characters and the worlds I write in do not belong to me. The stories that I write are intended for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money from them.
*** ~ Chapter 7: Dance Partners ~ ***
"So... this entire place is made up of that stuff?"
A week had passed since the near fatal attack on the Cocoon Primarch and the Gran Pulsian Representatives. Since then, peace negotiations were temporarily on hold, to allow for everyone's recovery. This also allowed time for investigation into Advisor Raines' seemingly bizarre behaviour. Cocoon's best engineers and scientists were still trying to piece things together, Advisor Estheim assisting in those efforts, but much was still unknown.
"No," came a short, clipped reply.
Confirmed was the passing of Advisor Raines' father, Dysley Barthandelus, just an hour before the attack. Dysley was the oldest and longest serving advisor to the Primarch in all of Cocoon's history, having served the royal family for over fifty years before his retirement only three years ago. At that time, he stepped down and appointed Cid Raines as his successor, Dysley's health starting to degrade with age. Even with the technological marvels Cocoon accomplished, mortality was still one thing they had yet to conquer.
"So... what's the rest of the palace made of then?"
Upon initial search of the Raines' Estate and properties, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. The grounds were as pristine as they usually were, no signs of disturbance. When questioned, none of the Raines' family attendants noted any suspicious behaviour from the Advisors, both current and retired. Retired Advisor Dysley died peacefully in his sleep, Advisor Raines leaving the premises soon after to attend the peace talks currently in progress. This truly troubled the Primarch, for no one could explain what happened to Advisor Raines in that hour to cause such a transformation.
So the guards were doubled yet again, the entourage keeping watch over the Pulsian envoy now nearing thirty of the Primarch's best men and women. Oerba Yun Fang vocally made her displeasure known about this change, but after talking with her fellow Pulsian and sister Oerba Dia Vanille, the lancer begrudgingly accepted this was the best course of action considering the circumstances. It helped that they were not the only ones to suffer this treatment.
The Primarch herself was now escorted by the Captain of the Imperial Army himself, and his two lieutenants, aside from Lightning's regular presence, everywhere she went. Each of the Cocoon Advisors had similar escorts, but with the peace talks delayed, they all remained in their homes under surveillance until the talks started up again. The Primarch hated using such extreme measures, but given the nature and seriousness of this breach in security, now was not the time to be stingy when it came to everyone's safety.
"This is all relevant, how?"
While he understood the Primarch's caution and completely agreed with it, Lightning couldn't for the love of the Maker understand how an increase in security warranted him giving the number one most annoying Pulsian a tour of the palace. That just made no sense.
"Come on, Lightbug!" Fang chided.
"I told you not to call me that!" came the soldier's aggravated hiss.
The huntress continued unfazed. "Yer supposed ta know that stuff. What kind of tour guide are ya?"
Lightning was a good soldier. He was the best. He knew when to follow orders and when to question ones which lacked merit or rational. That being said, he was currently regretting his perfect status, especially as he was the one who crumpled under the Primarch's puppy dog eyes and let her get away with whatever she wanted. Most of the time. Because he was a good soldier.
Clenching a fist, Lightning paused to take a deep breath. Unknown to his present company, Fang's close proximity was making it difficult for the Primarch's bodyguard to focus on anything but her right now. Whenever he was this close to her, a comforting familiarity always settled within him. So much so, at times he forget they were enemies at all and not friends. As annoying as she could get, like now with her twenty million questions he neither cared to answer or find out the answer itself, something about the Pulsian seemed to soothe the lingering ache in his soul. Lightning hadn't even realized there was something missing in the first place until she came into his life.
"I have no idea what the rest of the palace is made of, nor do I care," Lightning replied gruffly, trying to maintain the distance he always had with people who were not Serah Farron. "And if you really must know, then I suggest you ask one of the Cocoon Architects who designed this place because I certainly won't as hell find out that information for you!"
Fang blinked at Lightning in surprise, soon after chuckling at the soldier's little rant. He was so easy to tease, and his reactions were just plain hilarious.
Like Lightning, Fang too felt an old camaraderie with the uptight Cocoonian. But it went beyond friendship and enjoyable company. Fang hadn't even known the man up until two weeks ago, her first impression of him only being that he had impressed fighting skills. His personality certainly needed some fine tuning, Lightning as frigid as a Gremlin's Blizzaga and as rough around the edges as an Enki's bark. But as Fang spent more time with him, those little quirks seemed to fade away and Lightning's true self started to emerge.
Without thinking, and acting more on instinct, Fang wrapped an arm around the soldier's shoulders and gave him a quick squeeze. "Awww Light," she cooed, jovially. "Ya really know how ta make a girl feel special."
Only when Lightning looked at Fang did the Pulsian realized her mistake.
"Ah... Sorry," Fang mumbled, quickly withdrawing her arm and taking two steps away from the Cocoonian.
It was the strangest thing, this closeness with the soldier. While he didn't smash her face in like Fang expected him to, he didn't flinch or pull away from her either. He just... looked at her, his blue eyes filled with a mix of emotions. In that moment, Fang just wanted to pull off his mask and kiss him. But that would be going too far. He was supposed to be her enemy after all.
Fang and Lightning looked in opposite directions of the other, their walk through the corridors of the Imperial Palace slowing down significantly. Fang scratched the back of her head in nervousness, silently berating herself for her lapse in judgement. Lightning on the other hand, he was holding his shoulder, frowning, the soldier already missing the warmth provided by the lancer's arm. He knew he shouldn't be dwelling on such things, but he couldn't help it.
Trailing behind the pair was Kamau Lebreau, along with the rest of the Cocoonian guards assigned to watch over them. All of them had seen the exchange between Lightning and Fang, the Cocoon soldiers looking at each other with quirked eyebrows and curious expressions. Lebreau however, merely smiled.
For a long time, all the Kamau clan knew of was war. Ever since she was little, Lebreau watched as clansman after clansman died to defend their kingdom against a more technologically advanced enemy. No relief came, only sorrow and loss. So when the call for a peace treaty came, Lebreau was quick to join the envoy in the hopes that this time, peace could finally be achieved. While originally sceptical and suspicious of Cocoon and its people, Lebreau quickly came to realize that Cocoonians were not so different than they were.
Sure they had technology. Sure they had forgotten the old gods. But they were still people, people who wanted to live and survive. Not unlike the Pulsians themselves. To see Fang of all people, one of the most stubborn warriors in all of Gran Pulse, getting along with one of the toughest Cocoonians they'd met to date, the feeling of hope thrived inside of the Kamau twin. Fang was known for her good judge of character, so to see her as friendly as she was with Lightning, maybe this time peace would truly happen at last.
"It's beautiful!" Vanille exclaimed, rushing up to the nearest flower.
On the other side of the Imperial Palace to Fang and Lightning, was the Primarch and Vanille, wandering through the Imperial Gardens. The gardens itself was maintained inside of a large green house, floor to ceiling windows making up the walls with equally as large windows lining the roof. Guarding the pair closely was Kamau Gadot, as well as Captain Snow Villiers and his two lieutenants, Maqui and Yuj. A small unit of Cocoon guards was also nearby.
"I've never seen a Tiger Lily grow this big before!" Vanille continued, the Pulsian bubbling with the awe of a small child. "They grow in Gran Pulse too, but much, much smaller." The redhead cupped the flower bloom, closing her eyes as she leaned in to smell it.
The Primarch smiled.
"I'm told the mountain air here in Cocoon is the reason for that," Serah said, her fingers brushing lightly against a Tiger Lily of her own. "The spores of the land which would normally stunt its growth don't quite make it up this far on the mountain."
After days of being cooped up in their rooms because of the attack, the Primarch granted their guests a reprieve and allowed them to roam the Imperial Palace under guard. Gran Pulse was a beautiful kingdom known for its vast open lands and amazing scenery. Serah could only image how the Pulsian envoy felt, locked up in their rooms with nowhere to go. So she decided to entertain them until peace talks resumed.
Knowing of Lightning's aversion to really girly things, and Fang's seemingly similar tastes, it was only natural for Serah to split up the group so as not to bore one or the other. Lightning, of course, was very adverse to that idea and let the Primarch know exactly how he felt on the matter.
~ Three hours before ~
"With all due respect, Primarch," Lightning began. "That is not wise."
Serah looked at her bodyguard curiously. "I don't think it's wise to keep our guests sequestered in one spot all the time either, Lightning, making them easier to pick them off in a single attack."
Captain Snow Villiers looked nervously between the Primarch and her personal bodyguard. Like Lightning, he too had been called into the Primarch's chambers to discuss... well, he wasn't quite sure what they were discussing right now. He came to the meeting late due to the ongoing investigation into Advisor Raines' attempted coup a week ago and walked straight into the middle of things. Something about their Pulsian guests and an outing of sorts.
"I agree they should not be easy targets," Lightning continued. "But to divide us up is not a sound strategic plan."
The Primarch gave her bodyguard a look. "Are you saying that you're incapable of protecting Oerba Yun Fang by yourself should another attack arise?"
"That's not what I-"
"Or is it perhaps you're afraid to be near her... alone?"
Oh the glare Lightning was giving her was absolutely murderous. Serah wanted to laugh. But as much as she giggled about the whole thing, there was another reason the Primarch wanted to split them up. Serah wanted to see if her suspicions about Lightning and Fang were correct. And the only way to test that out was to forcibly (in this case) stick them together.
"I am not afraid of anyone," Lightning growled, his fists clenched.
To anyone but Serah, Lightning looked akin to a rabid animal waiting to lash out. That was all a farce of course, his heart already pounding in his chest faster than a drum at the mere thought of being with Oerba Yun Fang... alone. Excitement, fear, anticipation and anxiety were the brunt of the emotions running through him now. Thank the Maker he had his mask on. There was no doubt in Lightning's mind he wouldn't be able to stop the reddening of his cheeks right now.
"I'm glad to hear that," Serah said with a small smile.
Little sisters were just plain evil. Serah the most.
"With that clarified," the Primarch continued on, business like usual. "You will be taking Oerba Yun Fang on a tour through the West Wing, a small escort of guards accompanying you. I'm sure they'll want to have one of their warriors with you as well, so be nice when you go meet them later today."
Lightning scowled like a petulant child, but said nothing.
"I'll be taking Oerba Dia Vanille to the gardens in the South Wing-"
"Excuse me?" Lightning interrupted. "Primarch, if I'm to guard Oerba Yun Fang, who will be guarding you?"
The Primarch looked towards Captain Villiers, the Captain of the Imperial Army standing off to the side trying his best not to be a nuisance in the current conversation. The last thing he wanted to do was to come between the Primarch and her personal bodyguard. Nothing good ever came of that.
Serah smiled at the man warmly. "Why, I have the dashing young Captain to protect me. Isn't that right, Captain?"
"Y-yes ma'am!" came a flustered reply.
Snow blushed at the compliment, the Primarch's smile making him feel like jelly inside. The nice pink colour on the Primarch cheeks was very attractive, making the blonde swallow as his mouth went dry. At the feeling of the room suddenly dropping in temperature, Snow's gaze moved to Lightning, his stomach immediately clenching. If looks could kill, he would have been dead so many times over by now.
"And there you have it," the Primarch said, oblivious to the look Lightning was giving Captain Villiers. "Now, about that Imperial Gardens, Captain..."
Captain Snow Villiers could only pray Lightning wouldn't kill him later.
~ Back to present~
"It's very hard to find these on Gran Pulse," Vanille continued in quiet reverie, looking at another flower, breaking Serah out of her thoughts. "They usually only grow on the side of the mountain, on very steep ledges at that."
Looking at all of the flowers in the Imperial Gardens, a thought struck the Primarch.
A sneaky grin.
"Then you can take these with you when you head back."
Vanille's head snapped towards the pinkette in surprise. "P-pardon?"
"They're yours," the Primarch said. She motioned towards all of the plants in the vicinity with the wave of her hand. "Consider it a gesture of our mutual cooperation."
The youngest Dia was flabbergasted. "But..." She looked between the flowers and the Primarch again. "But-"
"We can always get more." A warm smile.
Vanille's face brightened up like a kid in the candy store for the first time. And before Serah knew it, the smaller Pulsian was tackling her in a hug.
"Thank you so much!" Vanille squealed, causing the Primarch to laugh.
Serah patted the other girl on the back. "You're welcome."
After a minute, when Vanille didn't let her go, the Primarch frowned. "Dia Vanille?" Her words resulted in the redhead holding onto her tighter.
Captain Villiers, standing off to the side with his unit of guards next to Kamau Gadot, rested his hand on the rifle strapped to this side. At the same time, Gadot reached for the greatsword on his back, gripping its pommel with one hand. Both men stared each other down, challenging the other to make the first move. Unlike his twin sister, Gadot was not so trusting of the Cocoonians. Sure the ones he'd met seemed like honourable folk, but one could never tell by appearances alone. They were called Vipers by the elders for a reason after all. And being rather fond of the smallest Dia, Gadot wasn't about to let anything happen to her. Not on his watch.
"This is not the end," Vanille said softly, burying her face into the Primarch's shoulder further.
"The end of what?"
Normally, Vanille would have never done this with a stranger, far-a-less the Cocoonian Primarch. She knew of the atrocities Cocoon had inflicted on her people. She'd seen the suffering this war caused. But she also knew Serah Farron didn't have a mean bone in her body, which is probably why she allowed herself to succumb to this moment of weakness. Someone else had to know. She couldn't bear this burden alone anymore.
"The attack last week," Vanille continued, her voice trembling.
The Primarch tensed, the experience still a raw wound in her memory.
"That was only the beginning. Things are going to get much worse from here. The Cie'th..."
Vanille closed her eyes, replaying last week's attack in her mind. Unknown to the Primarch and to the Cocoon Kingdom, Vanille was not only a skilled healer and magic wielder, but her family also had ties to the now lost clan of Nsu, the clan of the Seeresses. Ever since she was little, Vanille could see things, sense things most people wouldn't have been able to. And it was such a skill which led her to the healing arts in the first place, to ease the suffering she saw Chaos cause.
Chaos.
That was their enemy. The moment Advisor Raines morphed into that beastly creature just over a week ago, Vanille knew there was more to this whole thing than met the eye. But without knowing more, she was blind. Just as blind as Lightning was. Something had happened to the man long ago, this much Vanille could tell when healing him upon their first meeting. There was a darkness clouding his heart, thick and heavy like an unending fog.
At first, Vanille thought it was a fluke or a coincidence. Chaos naturally existed in the world, and there were times it was stronger in some people than others. But then other things started happening. Seeing Sazh again. Sazh's unspoken warning. Advisor Raines becoming a Cie'th. Lightning's darkened heart.
This was only the beginning. And it terrified Vanille to think of what was to come.
"Vanille?"
The redhead pulled back from the Primarch to look at her, having calmed down enough to do so.
"What's a Cie'th?" the pinkette asked.
Before she could sort out a reply, Snow and Gadot were running towards them, yelling. Only then did Vanille sense they were not alone. The two women had only a split second to realize what was happening, before they were tackled to the ground and an explosion shattered glass.
It happened again. What was it, the ninth time now? Fang had lost count.
She was being led around again, by Lightning, under the premise of taking a grand tour of the Imperial Palace at the Primarch's beckoning. After that awkward moment between them, they fell into a quiet, yet comfortable walk again, their entourage just a few steps behind. Too caught up with the comforting vibes she was getting from the man walking just inches away from her, Fang had missed the first couple of interactions. But then it kept happening again and again, like it was now, and Fang couldn't but notice that.
One of the many attendants of the Imperial Palace was walking in the opposite direction to them. Upon sight of Lightning, they immediately stood off to the side and bowed their head respectfully as the group of them passed by. Eyes were drawn to the floor, never rising until the attendant felt it safe to continue on their way. Glancing in Lightning's direction, Fang caught sight of annoyance in the soldier's cerulean orbs.
At first, Fang was frankly disgusted with the white robed soldier. How dare he look down on those of lower status than him? But when it continued to happen, Fang realized something. The staff of the Imperial Palace didn't bow their heads at Lightning in fear. It was in respect. And Lightning, he was not annoyed with the attendant's presence, but the mere fact they felt the need to lower themselves when he was nearby. That was why the Primarch's bodyguard favored the Hope messenger boy so much. Hope, as much as clearly idolized the soldier, he didn't treat Lightning any differently, like everyone else did. And that alone spoke volumes to Fang about the soldier's character.
"Yer quite popular wit' everyone around here, aren't ya?"
Lightning rolled his eyes but said nothing.
"It gets tiresome, I know," the Pulsian lancer said, rubbing the back of her neck.
Lightning gave Fang a curious look.
"Dunno why people feel the need ta put me up on a pedestal all the time. I'm jus' me after all. No different than them."
The Primarch's bodyguard stared ahead in quiet contemplation. "Sometimes..." the soldier said softly. "Sometimes people need someone else to look up to, something to aspire to. And in doing so, that's the only way for them to do that."
Fang looked at Lightning in surprise. The man was being surprisingly... reflective today. "Yeah? Well, I'd rather them get ta know me as a friend than some figurehead." She sighed in frustration.
"The truest way to get to know someone is in the heat of battle."
Fang stopped dead in her tracks and stared at Lightning. Did he just say what she thought he said?
"Like how a blacksmith's workmanship shows through the quality of his weapons, a person's spirit is only visible when all they have is themselves and their weapon," Lightning continued. "But even then, a weapon is only as good as the one wielding it."
Realizing that the one he was guarding had stopped, Lightning turned to face Fang. "What?"
Emerald eyes bore into sapphire ones.
"Light, let's fight."
Murmurs went between the escorting soldiers at that comment, some of the men already placing bets as to who would win the fight. Kamau Lebreau watched the pair ahead in surprise, having not quite expected this turn of events.
Lightning watched his companion. "You're serious?"
Fang grinned. "Absolutely."
The lancer had been itching to spar with Lightning since the first moment she saw him fight. Fang was going stir crazy since coming to Cocoon, being locked up in rooms which were nothing more than fancy looking cages. It was so stuffy in this place, so closed off. How the Cocoonian's endured this self inflicted imprisonment, Fang didn't know. What she did know was that she needed to let off a little steam. What better way to do that than by fighting the enigma known as Lightning, getting to know him, as he had put it.
After quiet calculation, Lightning nodded in consent. "Alright," the soldier said, surprising the rest of their company.
With that said, Lightning led them all in the opposite direction.
Lebreau's eyes bounced back and forth between combatants like a hyperactive ping pong ball. Here they were, somewhere on one of the many the lower levels of the Imperial Palace, in a corner of the Imperial Barracks. At Lightning's order, the barracks were cleared for the next few hours, leaving only Lightning, Fang, Lebreau, and the minor contingent of Cocoon guards who were their escorts. Towards the middle of the barracks was a mat, an impromptu, crude fighting ring of sorts, where Lightning and Fang currently faced off against each other.
WHACK!
Well... faced off may not have been the appropriate term.
A diagonal slash.
A skirting dodge.
A booming jab.
An aerial somersault.
CLANK!
Lightning's high tech blade screeched against the shaft of Fang's spear in a move that even Lebreau couldn't see, the Cocoonian's incredible speed turning him into barely a white blur. Fang didn't seem particularly put off by that, it was quite the opposite in fact, the Pulsian lancer grinning like a drunken idiot after too much partying on Winter Solstice night. Finally, she had met her match.
"Not bad, Lightbug," Fang said, her voice a bit strained as she fought to maintain dominance in their shoving match. She had the power, but what Lightning lacked in that department, he certainly made up for in speed. While they didn't appear to be on the same level at first, it was quite evident now they were on par with each other, forcing the current standstill. Maker! The acrobatics Lightning pulled off during their spar were just incredible!
"What's wrong, Oerba Yun Fang?" Lightning mocked, his words almost a chuckle. "Getting tired so soon? And here I thought Pulsians were legendary for their stamina."
The pair broke apart with the screeching of metal, both of them panting slightly as they stood fifteen feet apart on the mat.
A laugh.
"Me? Tired? Not a chance!" Fang said, giving Kain's Lance a twirl. "I thought I'd go easy on ya, ya know? Yuh highlanders not havin' quite the same amount of stamina as we Gran Pulsians do."
Oh, it was on now. Lebreau could see it as clear as crystal, Lightning quickly rising to the challenge. Not only was his pride at stake, but the pride of his people too.
"Is that so?" Lightning said, lowering his stance. In a surprising move, Lightning gripped his unique blade with two hands, having previously wielded it one-handed. "And here I thought I'd go easy on you, you know, Gran Pulsians not used to the cooler air up here, making them sluggish. My mistake. I shall fix that now."
"Holy sh-" Fang didn't even have time to finish her outburst, the Pulsian jerking her body left and right to avoid a combination of slashes which would have skewered any lesser warrior. Somehow, Lightning's speed increased threefold, a feat the last surviving Yun didn't think possible, quickly forcing her on the defensive. Just as Fang recovered from a roll to the left, avoiding another deep slicing strike, Lightning's gunblade was slashing at her again, the lancer unable to dodge it.
A shimmer of silver.
Lightning grunted when his gunblade bounced off of his opponent's now magically infused body, Fang's skin and clothing mimicking the rigidness of metal. The soldier quickly put distance between them, glaring at the Pulsian as she shone a silvery white.
"What happened to the no special powers rule?" Lightning growled, miffed.
Fang blinked then chuckled in embarrassment as her Steelguard fell. She scratched the back of her head, a nervous habit of hers. "Ah yeah, sorry about that. It kinda... slipped out."
Lightning gave Fang a look. "Right."
Before Fang knew what was happening, she was blasted backwards off of her feet, landing unceremoniously on her bum a few feet away from her original position. Aside from her ego, which was now bruised, she was in perfect health.
"What the hell was that!?" the huntress exclaimed, rising to her feet in a rage.
"Oops," Lightning said, looking down at the offending hand which cast the Thunder spell in the first place. "It kind of... slipped."
Blue eyes rose to meet emerald ones.
Lightning stared at Fang.
Fang stared back.
Lebreau took an unconscious step backwards at the growing tension in the air. Aside from her near legendary fighting skills, Oerba Yun Fang was also known for something else. Her temper. Anger her enough, and you'd swear you were facing down something worse than a fal'Cie. Just when Lebreau thought Fang would snap, the lancer surprised her by laughing out loud, long and hard, making the younger Kamau twin breathe in relief.
"Ya know," Fang said after catching her breath. Amusement was in her eyes as she looked at the Primarch's bodyguard. "I think I'm really startin' ta like ya, Sunshine."
Lightning huffed, but Fang could tell he was smirking under that mask of his.
"You fight rather well for a lowlander."
Coming from Lightning, that was high praise. Fang laughed again. "I'll take that as a compliment, Sparky."
"If that's what you need to tell yourself, Snaggletooth."
Fang's jaw dropped momentarily, the Pulsian surprised yet again by the man named Lightning. "Oh ho, ho, ho!" She said, twirling her spear excitedly. "Gettin' all fresh wit' me now, huh?"
"You asked for it." Another smirk.
Fang's smile was brilliant. "An' I was just gettin' started," she said. She raised her spear and pointed it at Lightning. "This will be fun."
Before the dance of blades could continue, an explosion rocked the Imperial Palace, making everyone stumble to remain upright. An orange holographic panel appeared over top of Lightning's left gauntlet a split second later, signalling incoming transmissions. Lightning tapped the blinking light in the middle of his communicator. Panicked voices shouting over one another demanding help, shattered the quiet air of the empty Imperial Barracks. The small group of Cocoon guards mimicked Lightning's actions, they too activating their communicators which immediately barraged them with distress calls. Out of all of the noise, one particular emergency message made Lightning go pale.
"I need a medic in the Imperial Gardens! Now!" It was Captain Villiers. "The Primarch has been hurt! I repeat! The Primarch has been hurt!"
From the plains bordering Cocoon and Gran Pulse, a lone figure paused and looked up at the sky. A billow of black smoke rose like a tower above the capital city of Cocoon, something that could be seen even at this distance.
A distorted roar. And a flash of steel.
A body crumpled to the ground, its head having been knocked from its shoulders. That was no easy feat considering skin had long twisted and turned to black, corrupted crystal.
"So he's begun to move, has he?" The lone figure shook his weapon clean of black ooze before sheathing it on his back under his cloak. "Looks like another visit is in order."
A/N: It was never recorded just what kind of flowers grew all over Gran Pulse, so I randomly chose the first orange flower I could think of to be a part of the Imperial Gardens. On another note, when it comes to growing flowers, I don't have the faintest clue how stuff works. So any flower related growing things referred to in this chapter is completely made up.
The idea that you can get to know someone through fighting them actually comes from the anime Naruto. One particular scene comes to mind, a conversation between Naruto and Sasuke where Naruto asks Sasuke if he too felt Naruto's feelings when they fought.
Winter Solstice has many different meanings to different cultures. For more information, check out (take out the spaces and extra brackets): (h t t p) : / / en . wikipedia . (o) (r) (g) / wiki / Winter_solstice
I have no idea where the nickname "Scraggles" came from. I've seen it referred to many times in other fanfictions and have simply borrowed it. It is not mine.
I envision Lightning's communication device to be similar to Mass Effect's Omni-Tool.