A/N: Freedom at last. I'm finally freed from my finals. Yes, here in Spain, finals can last up until July, so I can feel fortunate enough to finish them in June. For those who had been worrying, no, I'm not leaving this story. I was just struggling with finals.

From now on, I'll have a lot more time to write this story, so stay tuned. You can expect more chapters soon, and by soon I mean a weekly one almost for sure. It depends on my inspiration, but fortunately for me this story inspires me quite a bit.

As always, I'm so grateful for your reviews and comments! In this chapter, I've left quite a bit of intriguing stuff. Besides more Hoperai than usual in this story.

Wings of Light

| IX |

Ally

Lightning couldn't sleep that night. She kept turning between the sheets she had brought to the living room couch, unable to relax and stop thinking about everything that happened that day, and her conversation with Serah.

The truth was, she had a lot to think about. The two conversations she had that day had turned upside down everything she was planning to do with the angel. She was still angry at him, wishing for him to get away from her sight, but now she realized that perhaps, after all, she needed him, contrary to her principles.

That, of course, made her hatred for him increase. So she chose to sleep that night in the living room couch, instead of the one on her room, after what Serah told her.

But the conversation she specifically had in mind was the one she shared with her friends in the pub that afternoon.

"So, an angel, huh?", Fang smiled dangerously; Lightning knew the gesture, and she knew it meant imminent danger. "The angel of God, no less. So it turns out, Vanille really nearly killed him…"

Noel, unlike Fang, was staring at her with an open mouth.

"I can't believe it. You have one of our greatest enemies at home, Lightning! And you're sheltering him of your own accord?"

"Never", she growled, in a very bad mood. "If I haven't killed him yet is because Serah doesn't let me. Apparently she and Snow are of the opinion we shouldn't blame him for being what he is."

"I don't understand", Noel shook his head. "Serah should be the first one to wish his death! I know she doesn't like to kill anyone, but protecting the angel of God is a whole different thing…"

"This is why I've told you. Maybe together we can convince Serah to allow us to kill him", Lightning looked at them almost fiercely. "He'll bring us nothing but misfortune, and I refuse to have him interfering in our lives and our mission."

Noel made the motion to nod, and Lightning felt for a moment that the battle was won and finally she and her friends would get rid of that angel.

But then Fang raised her hand:

"Wait, wait, sunshine. Now that you mentioned our mission… You sure you've thought through about what you're gonna do with that angel?"

Lightning looked at her, not knowing what she meant.

"What are you saying?"

"C'mon", Fang gave her another of her dangerous smiles. "You should be the one most interested in keeping the angel alive, at least for now. Don't tell me you've already forgotten."

She shook her head in annoyance, but she was also puzzled. What was what she had forgotten, and why did she need the angel alive?

"It's unbelievable you don't remember. You've spent years lookin' for the Heart, and now you've forgotten about the legend! You, of all people!"

Fang's words left Lightning pale as death. She looked down, unable to truly believe she had missed that particular detail.

"How could I be so stupid? I've been so driven by hate and anger, I almost lost the only chance that maybe I'll ever have to find what I'm looking for…"

"Oh, of course!", Noel clapped his hands, once he had recovered from the news. "I didn't even remember the legend! Perhaps it's true after all, and you all know, I had my doubts."

Fang sharpened her smile triumphantly at seeing Lightning pale and stunned. If there was anything able to break through her barriers, it was her goal. Specially if it was anything that could get her closer to it, perhaps her only chance.

Lightning took a moment to answer cautiously:

"… We have no guarantee that the legend is actually true. And much less about that angel helping us, if he suspects anything about for what we want the Heart."

"Oh, c'mon, don't try to play skeptical now", Fang laughed scathingly. "I won't buy it. You're the one who has always believed in that legend on blind faith."

"What you don't want is to have to resort to the angel", Noel argued.

Certainly not, Lightning didn't want to admit that maybe she needed the angel of God alive. She was torn between her wish to find the Heart, and the pride that prevented her from asking for help from that being.

"We can't trust him", the young woman said, taking a deep breath. "The Order is also looking for the Heart, and he's a servant of Bhunivelze. He could betray us easily for his master."

"You think so?", Fang stroked her chin. "Without knowin' him, I can't tell, but from what you've told us, Bhunivelze ripped his wings off from disobeying him and left him abandoned in our world."

"Right, I don't think he has a lot of sympathy for him", Noel said, washing the glasses. "I wouldn't, anyway. In fact, if someone did anything like that to me, I'd try to get a bit of payback."

"We're human. He's nothing but an empty shell which merely follows order, even if he's mistreated."

"Whatever", Fang interrupted her, "the truth is, he's all we've had in a while to get closer to the Heart. And I really doubt you wanna lose this chance."

Lightning raised a brow.

"And what you suggest I should do?"

"Want my opinion? Entice him. Not in the way you're thinkin' ", Fang smiled slyly when she caught the glare of the young woman, "but by not being hostile with him. According to you, he's like a kid, right? Well, kids tend to be kinder to those who are kind with them as well."

"Besides, if he likes you as Serah says, it shouldn't be difficult to bring him to our side", Noel added smiling encouragingly.

Lightning grunted, not very convinced. Hypocrisy wasn't her thing, and having to swallow up her hatred for the angel and treating him with some kindness wasn't something she felt like doing. She'd rather stab her sword in his heart and finish the job earlier.

But her friends were right. If that angel was her only option to find the Heart and fulfill her destiny at last…

"… Right", she reluctantly murmured. "I'll do it."

"That's the spirit, sunshine", Fang patted her on the shoulder. "Sacrificing yourself for the Heart, huh?"

"For the King", she corrected her, annoyed.

"For the King", her friend conceded, nodding with a fierce smile.

"For the King!", Noel said giving them a thumbs-up. It was a line that all of them had always said in their secret meetings in the pub, and even though it was only generally used as a formality to proclaim the meeting was over, that time was full of a lot more meaning.

Specially for Lightning.

"For the King."

When she got home, Lightning had found Serah and Snow waiting for her with the dinner on the table, but she didn't feel like eating. She had briefly greeted them and had gone upstairs; not to her bedroom, where a sleeping Hope was laying, but to Serah's. She lied on her bed, feeling angry and confused at the angel who was asleep a few feet away.

Serah went upstairs to her bedroom shortly after, undoubtedly worried about her. But she was a lot more serious than usual.

Lightning soon found out why. According to Serah, her hate and negative feelings towards Hope were draining his life energy, and if that continued that way, it'd end up draining it completely. After what she had learned that day, she couldn't let the angel die because of her. As much as it nagged her, she needed him alive.

Dawn was starting to rise and Lightning hadn't even gotten a bit of sleep. Her confusion wouldn't allow her, and she wasn't used to sleeping on the living room couch. She sighed resignedly, getting up and rubbing her sore eyes.

"It's obvious that until I solve this once and for all I won't be able to rest in peace."

She went upstairs, frowning briefly when she saw Serah's bedroom door, where her sister and Snow were sleeping together. Snow might be one of them, but he was very different at the same time, and Lightning didn't think he was worthy of Serah. And she dealt even worse with the fact Serah had chosen him over her.

She shook her head to not add more fuel to the flames of her anger, and went to her bedroom. She found Hope there, lying on her bed as always, but instead of being asleep as usual, his head was slightly tilted as he was watching the dim sunlight of dawn that came through the curtains covering the window, his eyes squinting a bit. Maybe the fact that he no longer only woke up when the sisters forced him to meant he was getting better, but the truth was he looked so pale and haggard, and Lightning had to admit he really looked to be consumed.

"… Lightning?", Hope muttered when he heard her coming in, turning his head to her slowly. As he always did when they were alone, the angel's eyes acquired this strange spark. A mix of fear and perhaps interest. Or rather, curiosity.

She wrinkled her nose at him in silence. She wasn't sure what to say or how to act. A few hours ago, she had been sure she wanted to kill him. Now she had to earn his trust, but despite his hard time trying to understand human emotions, Hope was no fool, and he'd suspect if she suddenly was friendly with him. And besides, she wasn't good at being hypocritical. Nor friendly.

Hope didn't take his eyes off her, and Lightning realized he was checking if she was carrying any weapon. She realized he was well aware she wanted to kill him, and that convinced her to not even bother pretending anything.

"I'm not going to kill you, for now", the young woman snarled, getting closer to the edge of the bed. She stood beside it, crossing her arms. "Unless you give me more reasons for it. Now stop looking at me like that."

He looked away, but he was still tense. Lightning wondered if, in case she had come to kill him, he'd have defended himself. He still had no strength to get up, but he was an angel after all.

"Serah told me what's happening to you", the young woman continued. "She says my negative feelings towards you are draining your life energy. Is that true?"

"… It is", Hope said softly. "It is not your fault. I am the one who senses it, and from what I hear you saying, you have enough reasons to feel them."

Lightning held back the urge to punch him. Not only because of the anger she felt towards him, but because she couldn't believe he was apologizing because she was leaving him without his life force. But on the other hand, his words proved that Hope wasn't as asleep as they sometimes thought: he might not know the specific reason, but he had got the general idea that he was the cause of all their misfortunes.

"I'll be honest with you", the young woman sighed coldly. "I have reasons to hate you, and I can't pretend I don't. It's useless to make you believe otherwise, because you're the first one who senses it."

Hope said nothing. He simply frowned slightly, as he always did whenever Lightning told him harsh words.

"But I've been thinking that maybe you can help us. And so I decided to not kill you, if you're not hostile with us."

He stared at her for a few seconds. His expression hadn't changed much, but in his eyes Lightning could read bewilderment and curiosity.

"I will not hurt you", Hope said cautiously. "I am an angel, I cannot lie. But I feel that this help you speak about refers not only to your sister and you. You want more of me and so you will not kill me."

"Damn angel", Lightning though, blinking briefly. Hope had reached the bottom of the question in a moment, which basically destroyed any subtle attempt to win his favor. "For someone who doesn't understand humans, he caught it pretty quickly."

"Yes", she merely replied, trying not to look surprised. "But you should know that if you do, you'll be turning against the Order. They're also looking for what we do."

Hope tilted his head thoughtfully. The Order was considered the hands of God in the mortal realm, and he had given messages to their mediums from his master. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to disobey him again after having been punished that harshly.

"Wait a moment…", Hope thought, surprised. "Am I really pondering… disobeying God once again? After what happened to me the first time I did?"

He was certainly doing it. He was seriously considering it. Hope couldn't help wondering why. Maybe because it was Lightning who was asking him for help? After all, the first time he had disobeyed God's orders, it had been because of her.

Lightning was looking at him. Hope tried to decide, and find a way to help her without having to be punished after. Some way to find a hole in the orders his master had imposed him.

And he found it.

"I am not a servant of the Order", the angel replied. "I do not owe them anything. And about God… The orders he gave me only concerned him. His only order about humans was that I would not walk among them, and since that is what I did and I was punished to remain among you, there is nothing that prevents me to help you. Thus, whatever it is, I will."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Are you absolutely sure? We're not like the rest of humans. And I'm not going to take the risk to trust you if I don't have any guarantee that you won't betray us to the Order or your master."

"I cannot lie", Hope gave her a serene look. "But I can tell you not the whole truth. That applies both to you and God."

Again, Lightning couldn't but be left speechless at the angel's brutal honesty. From what she was seeing, he was an expert in finding ways around the imposed orders. It was logical, of course, because knowing what awaited him if he disobeyed, he'd have learned to analyze words and meanings.

And yet, he was being honest enough to reveal to her an asset that he had against them as well as against his master.

"Is that a proof of good will? A sign that I can trust him?"

The truth was, Hope was an angel, and Lightning doubted he was wicked enough to make her believe she could trust him and then backstabbing her. For that, he would need a deep understanding of how the human mind worked, and Hope obviously lacked it. What he knew, he got it by deduction thanks to the positive and negative energy he felt from them.

"Right", the young woman said, and held out a hand. "If you give me your word, I'm willing to throw aside my previous intention to end your life. But you should know that I hate you, Hope, and that won't ever change, no matter if you're our ally."

Hope looked down, but he looked up at her seriously again, and shook her hand after a brief moment of doubt.

"I'll live with it. Controlled hatred will not kill me."

Lightning briefly raised her eyebrows at his words. Was it just her impression, or for a moment Hope had printed a tinge of sarcasm in his voice? He certainly had sounded less formal than usual.

"Actually…", the young woman looked at the pale hand that was shaking hers, "I'd say he's not as cold as he was days ago."

Confusion struck again. Lightning let go of Hope's hand brusquely, irritated, and forced herself to remember that he was an angel who served God, an ally of convenience, and that she hated him and she would always hate him.

"Lightning", Hope murmured then, and this time the young woman could tell there was a tinge of sadness in his voice. "I know you hate me, that you want me dead and judging by what I get from your aura, I deserve it. But I can assure you that I will not hurt nor betray you ever. You saved my life, and I am and I will always be indebted to you and your sister."

"Damn you", Lightning thought, looking at him as surprised as puzzled. Now she didn't expect that, much less coming from the angel of Bhunivelze. What he would be up to? Why did he suddenly say something like that, if he wasn't more than an empty shell that only lived to obey his master without question?

At her silence, Hope looked up at her, into her eyes. Even though his expression remained almost marble-like, Lightning noticed in his green eyes a spark she had never seen before. It seemed… of amusement. Or maybe sarcasm. Or a mix of both.

"You know I cannot lie", the young angel said, tilting his head, with that spark in his eyes that had left her speechless. No doubt, he was being sarcastic. Like a child that was starting to get into the world of emotions, yes. But emotions, after all.

"You can tell not the whole truth as well", she replied, raising an eyebrow. To which Hope replied mimicking her for a split second, so fleeting she wouldn't have believed it if not for his answer:

"It is up to you to trust your ally, Lightning."

Lightning shook her head, trying to hold back a small smile. Perhaps, after all, he could help her in her search for the Heart without resorting to dirty tricks.

"Turn around", she said, sitting on the edge of the bed; upon noticing Hope's questioning look, she added, "I'll check how you're doing with those wounds."

Hope looked surprised at first, but he obeyed, turning to lie down with his back to her with effort. Clearly those wounds still pained him a lot, and they would take a long time to heal.

However, the longer they took, the longer Hope would remain with them, and therefore they'd have more time to find what she sought.

They remained silent for a long time while Lightning took away the young angel's bandages from the previous day before using her healing magic on those horrible, still-bleeding wounds that marked his pale, bony back.

"Hope?", Lightning said after long minutes, after pondering it deeply.

He barely reacted:

"Yes?"

"… You can call me Light."

Hope turned his head to her, puzzled.

"W-What?", he asked cautiously, almost shyly.

She gave him a half smile full of sarcasm.

"Aren't we supposed to be allies now? You've offered me a proof of good will with your sincerity before. It's fair I do the same. Consider it a proof of our pact. So when you call me by that name, you'll remember you're the ally that I hate so much."

The young angel said nothing for a moment, but he finally nodded. His back to her as it was, Lightning wondered if that amused spark she had seen in his eyes would've returned.

"We are even then, Light."

Without saying anything more, Lightning continued healing Hope's wounds in silence, while thinking about the unprecedented pact she had just sealed with the angel of God.

"We're now allies", the young woman thought, closing her eyes briefly. "For the King."