A/N: This is the second-to-last part! And the last one will be really easy to translate, so you'll have it very soon here! Well, since gods never spoke in the game, I don't know how would they talk, but since they don't have emotions and stuff, I tried to make it sound distant and all that. I took a bit of reference from Barthandelus' speech, but damn, that's so hard to mimic...

Anyway! There you go, my dear readers!

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Humanity

X. Faith

"My path was set: I would remain in Valhalla, and carry out the will of the goddess."

Once more, when Hope opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by darkness.

But it was different from his dream. Bright mist veils were around him like haze, shining enough for him to see where he was. A strange, gentle breeze ruffled his silver hair and made flutter the edges of his clothes.

There was peace in that place, but there was something eerie in that silence, in the very sound of the wind. Hope vaguely remembered having been in a similar place…

Of course, he said to himself, wondering why it took that long to him to remember. The moment he was branded as a l'Cie, centuries ago. The moment in which he and his friends transcended humanity when they were touched –and cursed– by the divine.

A small gasp escaped Hope's lips when he studied the darkness around him. If this place was so similar, did that mean that–?

Fear not, young mortal. You are not in danger.

The voice echoed, thunderous, in both Hope's mind and heart, making him to step back. It had been too magnanimous, as if every particle of his being reacted with respect to each syllable.

"Who… who are you?", the young man could utter, still impressed by the echo the words left inside him.

I am called Bhunivelze, God of Light. As the voice spoke again, something went down the skies of that darkness, pushing through it like a beacon. It was an extremely bright white light, so much that Hope had to cover his eyes to not being dazzled. Its simple sight overcame the young scientist with a feeling he was unable to identify, but it spread in waves throughout his body. I am the Maker who created the three beings that shaped the world in which your race lives, and it is now on the brink of destruction. I have heard your prayers, young human, and I have felt your desire to save what life that remains unscathed. This is why I summoned you here.

Hope hardly could believe what he was hearing. Bhunivelze, the God? The Maker himself, after whom he named the New Cocoon, his magnus opus? Did really the God of Light answered his desperate prayers? Was this real or was he dreaming again?

I understand your confusion, young mortal. I have not summoned any other human before, for the fate of all existence is my ought to attend.

"If that's so…", Hope swallowed; he was unsure about how he should address a god and if he would get angry if he messed up. "Maker, may I ask you why did you answer my plea?"

Bhunivelze –if that light was really him– gave off a brief glow more intense than normal, forcing Hope to squint.

Humans render homage unto me and request me to create a new world. But they only wait for my mercy and do nothing about it. The breeze got stronger for a moment. You intrigue me, young mortal. You are different.

It was a bit difficult to understand Bhunivelze's way of expressing himself, but Hope understood that God meant to say with the last part of his answer: many people prayed, but it had been his prayers he had answered because he was different from others somehow.

He took a little while to assimilate the meaning behind it. The God of Light thought he, Hope, was special. Different, from a deity's point of view, to all humans in the world. His head hurt at the thought.

Humans are interesting. Bhunivelze continued. The power my daughter bestowed upon you is great. In you it is stronger than in other humans.

"What power are you talking about, Maker?", Hope looked down at his hands in defeat. "I'm anything special anymore. I ceased to be a l'Cie long time ago."

Humans call it 'emotion'. It shapes what you know as 'spirit'. We gods do not grasp this power. It is a force as magnificent as hazardous that not even the servants of fal'Cie can face it.

That made sense. One of the ancient texts Hope read when deciphering it was a lecture from the young seeress called Paddra-Nsu Yeul, and she described the soul as a gift from Goddess Etro, and the human spirit was the Chaos she gave the hearts of her children.

But Hope had been the least affected by Chaos, compared with the rest of his friends, or the people of Nova Chrysalia. If the Chaos that was his spirit was so powerful, how was it possible?

As if he had read his mind –something he'd probably done–, Bhunivelze explained it.

You experienced the darkness of Chaos and you submitted it under your will. Your power lies in that control. You possess the ability to do things that other humans can not, and things that only the gods can do.

Hope narrowed his eyes. He thought he knew what God meant with 'experiencing the darkness of Chaos and submitting it under his will'. He remembered when he was fourteen, that promise to take an innocent life, blinded by anger and revenge-thirst, and having renounced to obey the primary desire of his spirit. If indeed this had been so decisive, then he had to add one more thing to the long list of stuff he owed to Lightning.

But doing things that only gods could do… Wasn't that exaggerating too much?

"I'm no god, Maker. I'm merely human."

A human who gave life to a fal'Cie. A human who traveled in time without entering the Historia Crux. A human who created a floating continent. Only my children have ever done so.

Said by Bhunivelze, it sounded much more amazing than Hope had ever thought it was. He had considered that just his work, no more and no less. But now God highlighted it and the young scientist had to admit, not without genuine wonder, the miracles he had wrought.

I heard your prayers. Although Bhunivelze's voice was monotonous, he seemed to express himself by various signals, and Hope thought the sudden strong breeze that hit him meant that the god wanted to get down to business. You want the warrior who served my fallen daughter to wake up from her eternal slumber.

"Yes", Hope muttered, feeling a bit awkward. For a god unable to feel emotions, his prayer must've sounded childlike and humble. "Not just because of me, Maker… She's a powerful warrior blessed by the Goddess. I know the stories people tell about the Savior who according to the legend you will choose to save us all. She–"

I have considered the warrior as the Savior. Judging by his sudden brightness, Hope thought he had just told Bhunivelze something he already knew. Her crystal slumber is voluntary. Her emotions chain her to her prison at her own will.

The young scientist's eyes opened wide. He wasn't expecting that at all. "You decided to enter crystal stasis at your own will? Was your grief for Serah what has you trapped in your sleep?", Hope closed his eyes, feeling his heart sinking. "Oh, Light. If I had only known…"

"Her sister…", he murmured, sorrowful. "She was her only family. She died before Chaos flooded the world. That's why she crystallized herself."

Bhunivelze shone brightly, with authority. Hope had to make huge efforts to keep his balance at such a display of power.

I shall create a new world where humans can live in peace. The statement of God was strong. This requires all my power. I can not create humans. I can not save human souls in the meantime. Such is the task of the Savior.

Hope said nothing. He began to understand the purpose of that figure of legend, and why it was considered a harbinger of death by some people. 'Saving human souls' certainly sounded ominous depending on how you interpreted it.

You would make a good Savior. The young man almost lost completely his balance this time, but he managed to save his dignity and gave Bhunivelze an incredulous glare. But your power comes from your mind. The Savior needs strength. You may help my chosen one. I propose you a deal therefore, young human.

A deal? Hope couldn't help but shiver at the offer of a deal coming from a god. But Bhunivelze had mentioned he was interested in having Lightning as his Savior… If he had to deal with God to that end, so be it.

I want her to serve me. You want her to wake up. She wants her sister to wake up. Bhunivelze shone again. I can save a human soul to such a covenant if I require so. But not without an offering, for I shall need all my power to create a new world.

The breeze had become a stronger wind. If he wasn't very mistaken, Hope thought he knew what the god meant. And what kind of deal he was going to propose him as well.

You can be my servant to help the Savior in the task of saving humanity. Your powers shall be of great use for both the Savior and me. Hope looked up in disbelief. Servant of Bhunivelze? Him? But being my servant involves personal sacrifice, young mortal. Those who shall serve me must relinquish their humanity to save humanity. Such has to be their commitment.

The words of God echoed strongly in Hope's mind, leaving him absolutely speechless. "Give up my humanity." What that implied was rather vague, and being aware of how cryptic gods were, Bhunivelze wasn't likely going to give him more details. Besides, if it really was a sacrifice to show how true was his determination to save his kind…

For Hope, humanity was most important, the ideal he had fiercely defended as Director of the Academy. He had to make now an extremely important choice: his humanity, or humanity? Could this be his last act of service to his race as a leader?

His heart, or his duty?

"If I agree to be your servant", Hope said after a long silence, "will you awake the warrior Lightning from her trance?"

That depends on you, young human. The wind had gradually intensified, the shining mist increasingly becoming denser. What are you willing to offer in exchange for her?

The question caught Hope by surprise, but he had the single answer to that. An answer he wouldn't hesitate to give, a choice in which there was no room to any doubt.

The young man looked up to Bhunivelze with determination, his green eyes fixed on God, steady despite the divine radiance.

"My own life, Maker."

There was a pause that seemed eternal.

And then the wind turned gale, the darkness denser and the light brighter. Hope's senses began to fail, he felt his consciousness fading, buffeted mercilessly by that supernatural wind.

So be it, young Hope Estheim. May your wisdom guide the steps of the Savior and protect her from anyone who desires her doom.

Bhunivelze's light intensified until he was completely dazzled, knocking him to his knees when a surge of energy flooded his body with the might of a thousand tides. Unable to take it anymore, the young man collapsed unconscious, one last thought in his mind at the very moment he lost consciousness.

"My heart for my duty. My duty for my heart."

"Faith in the gods is caused by the wish of humanity of doing what they do."