Chapter 12: Traveling through Taejin's Tower

Throughout our travels I had noticed something significantly different about all of us. Snow had become less of a punk, Lightning showed that she was actually a human and not an android, Sazh had found the strength to keep going, Vanille was significantly less annoying, Fang and Djos were once again at peace with one another being fiancés and even Hope had become stronger. With me, I had once again completely shifted my life to a more positive light. I didn't chew things anymore, I had changed my outlook completely and I found love and forgiveness, two things I thought a thief could never possess. I had become strong, confident and protective to my new family.

Everyone I loved was now with me. Even though I was still human it provided the ability to continue on my feet and prove that I wasn't a complete waste.

Hope however doubted he had ever been human. He was staring into the light at the end of the long tunnel we had traversed through to the fallen tower before us. "Chrome, was it ever real? When did this all start? What does being a l'cie mean for me?"

I crossed my eyebrows and gripped his shoulder with a soft yet firm hand. I twisted him so he faced me and stared into his eyes.

Gently I laid my hand on his chest and put his right hand where my heart was. He at first blushed, never having touched any part of my chest before. But he saw what I was trying to do.

"You feel that Hope? Your heart still beats like mine. That means you're still human. You're not anything but that. Sure you may have magic and the power to summon but look." I held up a whistle, "I can easily bring any creature I have controlled and have it come here. You don't need to be afraid of this…" I drew back his glove and stared into the red eye of his mark, "Damn brand. It doesn't mean anything."

He tried not to show his watering eyes. I drew him close to hold him. "Everything is going to be okay. I'll be damned if I let anything happen to you. I love you, and I'm not going to let anything hurt you."

"I…I told you I'd protect you."

"We'll shield each other." I told giving his scalp a tiny rub with my knuckles. "You hear me mister?"

"Yeah." He held his arm with embarrassment, "Aw Chrome why are you so tough?"

"I'm just a country girl." I shrugged in response as we neared the grassy edges of the long cliff before us. "Runs in my blood. Apparently my father's eyes were what helped him control the beasts."

"You have your dad's eyes." He told, staring into them, "I wish I could run through the meadows you hide within them."

I felt my face becoming red at his corny statement. "You're so cheesy." I spat as I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

We spotted Snow and Lightning standing next to one another looking into the crystal tear
Serah had left behind and that I had tried to steal when the journey began. Snow looked distant when he left her to be alone. Large puffy seeds floated past our faces and I noticed tears streaming down the sides of her face.

Was Lightning crying? She had a hard grip on the tear, biting her lip. "That jackass..."

"What?" I asked trying not to freak out at her strange burst of emotions.

"He always picked Serah." She murmured, her knees falling to the ground as she hit it hard. "Damn him! Why? Why did I ever fall for him?"

All I could do was set a hand on her shoulder, glancing up to see Cocoon at almost an arm's length and the light of the sun dipping into the earth. Sunset was upon us. "Come Lightning." I told my former teacher, "We must continue on. We're so close."

"I know…" She told as she stared at me, her face once again black and free of expression.

She grabbed her gunblade and shoved it back into her belt, "And that's what I fear the most."

Vanille was the one that led us along the next few miles. The terrain seemed to suddenly swap from grassy meadows to sandy rock-filled mountains. We still were along the cliff stretch, the sun brightening as it set in the distance. Before us stood a gigantic tower that had once pierced the skies. Now its tip sat there fallen over, its base crumbling.

"Wow, look at that!" I exclaimed as birds flew about its sizable area.

"We go through here and we'll be at Oerba." Vanille explained staring into it with happiness and excitement. I could feel the spark flowing in through the Pulsians. But the building was huge, bigger than anything I had ever seen actually. Snow set his fingers on his chin, "You're almost home guys."

"Doesn't exactly look like the most leisurely stroll." Sazh pointing out, feeling his back as if he expected the exhaustion to hit then.

"Yep, this is the fal'cie's lair." Djos muttered, "That big old mask ain't gonna let us through that easily. He'll try to bare us down with all his might." As he spoke the snake-like fal'cie came from the skies, circling around his home before entering through the top. I felt my hands shake with the pure adrenaline rush I received from seeing it.

"What the hell are we waiting for?" I shouted, "Let's get in there! Let's get this going!"

We dashed towards the entrance which was not very wide and was blockaded by two large cat-like creatures with many eyes that could spot us from afar. The beasties made my mouth water with adventure and my pulse kick in hard. Hope stood behind me as I whipped the cats into submission, looking at the barely opened doors to the innards of the tower.

An extensive tunnel lie before us coated with chrome metallic plates and blue circles led our feet. Snow was a bit concerned, "It might be a little hard to see where we're going. But I know we'll get there."

I had to pause myself slightly, watching my strange family waltz by. What was there? There was an unknown place of sanctuary in my mine. A place that always smelt of apples, hay and abounded with the squeals of animals. Holding hands with Hope somewhere where we could be alone and happy.

When we finally entered the tower's first floor, before us in the center of the circular area stood four large man-beast statues each in a cardinal direction. The statues held swords in their strong grasp, staring endlessly straight. As we stepped towards them

Vanille stopped and looked to her left. I heard a slight whisper in the air, as if the stone beings were trying to tell us something. "I'm not the only one hearing that, am I?"

"No." Sazh confirmed. "Are there voices in our heads?" Hope questioned a bit fearful. I had to snicker at him, wiggling his silver head around. "Of course not. Right Fang?"

"Right." She nodded setting a hand on her hip and focusing, "It's them. I think I can make it out too, 'Your presence draws the tyrant's gaze. Leave this place at once.'"

"Friendly little bastards aren't they?" I spat out, feeling a bit offended.

"But we can't leave. " Djos told putting a hand to his chin in deep thought, "It's our only way through."

Vanille glanced up at the statue of the West, "Please, help us."

A few more low-toned whispers buzzed in our heads and once again Fang translated, "'As you wish. Look for us and the way will open.'" To our surprise the statue gripped its sword and stuck it into the huge pedestal. The whole tower must have been mechanical because as soon as it was hit, the room began to twist and spiral like a carnival ride. A dinging was heard as an elevator machine tumbled down from the heavens. "I guess that's how we get up."

Wondering what to do, Snow shrugged it off, "That was easy enough. Guess its smooth sailing from here."

"Could be a trap." Hope told glancing around as if a monster would leap at us.

"No stairs though." Sazh said. Djos shook his head, "Nope. Not at all. We gotta ride the train up. That's our ride. Bumpy or not."

So without another word we all managed to cram ourselves into the tiny elevator. When the lever was pulled, it ascended as it rolled, making lovely chiming noises upon the crystal. We stopped at the second floor to see if we could join the missing pieces of the crystal ladder for the elevator. Not more than ten steps in, the hissing of the masked Fal-cie came about. Lightning stood her ground as it circled about once then presented its skull-like face. "Waiting for us huh?"

It concentrated its power and dove down once more. "Get back!" Our pink-haired leader yelled as the fal-cie shot a beam of energy, creating a massive pile of rubble where our path was supposed to lead. A scar however was left in the surface, a statue behind it. We crawled through, a bit suspicious. "I noticed its tail glowing when it attacked." I told,

"Maybe that's the source of its power."

"Wise idea." Snow told patting my head, "Those statue guys will help us out too."

The first one we encountered asked us assistance in defeating a jelly-like blob. We did as it was wanting and it adjusted its position. The second one demanded we destroy a horde of robots that was easily felled by Alexander's bombs. The third wanted its revenge on an armadillo-like lizard whose defenses we sliced through without much effort. With all three prepared, we charged towards the entrance and tried to continue our path again.

The fal-cie with the skull faced mask once again snaked its way in, hissing and challenging us. Snow put up his fists, "Just can't take a hint, can ya?"

Lightning scoffed as she prepared her sword, "You're one to talk."
Just like we expected, the three warrior men of stone came to our aid, slashing and battling with the beast. One managed to slice a bit off its beaded tail, leaving it cut from some power.

Sazh blew a whistle in the excitement and oddity of this, "Whew! Well I'll be damned."

The three warriors waited for the fal'cie to depart again and glared down to us in expectancy. Vanille hummed aloud and cocked her head, "Are they sad?"

With swords to their dog-like noses the warriors disappeared in a flash of light. "I guess that thing is the tyrant they spoke about." I said pointing up, "They're probably being treated like slaves."

"Poor men." Djos told, "The next few are a couple floors up. Looks like we'll have to do some stair climbing."

After a few exhausting hauls up the flights of stairs we came across another warrior. Due to our efforts defeating monsters below, he twisted the tower so that we continue our journey.

But we were not given mercy on the last few missions. Cie'th were now again returning and looking to pick their teeth with our bones. Many were giants and could stun with their screams. Some could create spheres of protection around their bodies to resist bullets and magic.

With skill and plenty of medicine, we ripped through the missions we were given. We found another warrior, separated and bunched against a wall. The fal'cie screamed as it entered, twisting in unnatural ways as it approached us. "Back again?" Lightning asked, "I'm getting tired of you."

"What a show off." Djos told, watching as it twisted and turned in a beautiful but deadly dance. "We've got to double back."

We eventually achieved the approval of the warriors, who agreed to help us take down the snaking masked fal-cie. We celebrated each victory defeating the beasts in our way, trying to boost morale for the inevitable battle before us. As it started to taunt us again, Sazh stuck out his guns shouting, "Pick on something your own size."

The warriors appeared, the four we had helped, and began to battle once more. One was violently slammed into the walls above us, shaking the entire floor. But once again another slice threw off its second to last bead of energy. Wounded and worried, the fal-cie retreated to its lair atop the tower. Hope stared to the warrior statues floating before us, "They saved us again."

"They do want to help us." I explained. We were a bit shocked to hear that something so alien and different wanted to help a rag-tag team of misfits like us. It pointed to the exit and flashed away. Vanille sighed, "He's gone…"

Snow gave her a tiny nudge, "Let's just count our blessings. The way is clear now, and all of us are still safe."

The floor was once again rotated to our needs and we ascended to the highest possible level. From the roof, everything looked so small below us. Trees were nothing more than broccoli. The land was a play-thing for gods. Even the long-gui looked liked turtles, walking on a river of grass.

We stepped into the center platform of the tower's roof, the sun glaring down at us. The heat here was intense, not to mention the uncanny feeling of a large battle about to occur.

Just as we were relaxed the fal-cie, lost of tail and power came down to face us for good.

It stood there, opening mandibles that had been on the side of its face. Lightning started to become worried, "It's acting strange."

"He's weakened." Fang told with a smirk, twisting her staff a few times. Djos prepared his bow and arrows, aiming for it. But little did we expect the thing to start rapidly glowing with electricity.

It lifted itself into the skies, its body morphing. The mask fell and from its body was exposed a dragon's head. It bore its forearms and roared at the top of its lungs.

"Yeah?" Snow asked as it began to charge power. "It looks pretty feisty."

"Just what I like." I told cracking my whip, "Come at us, beastie."

"Chrome, it's gotta be bluffing." Hope told trying to keep confident. But exactly the opposite was true. This thing was a powerhouse, looking to be a god with its base enveloped in light from its remaining orb and its head raised high, arms lifting and descending in strange self-worship. It could copy our powers and use them against us.

Occasionally the magic master could even heal itself and dive down to its mask form to try and poison us with a strange fog. But when we weakened it enough, it managed to fall.

As it tried to get back up, we took every effort to lower its health.

Eventually after a few times of doing this it was finished.

The fal-cie roared its final cry as darkness ate its body alive. We gave a sigh of relief when it was said and done, the lights of the tower once again restored. Fang pointed to the last elevator, the one we would have to ride down upon. We felt a collective accomplished feeling and watched as one last warrior stood before us.

"Hey look who's back." Snow told staring to it. Vanille giggled as it growled, nodding to us, "He's saying thanks."

"At last we are free. We go now, to hunt evil where it hides." Fang told cocking her head once. I scoffed, "told you guys."
Hope stepped up to it, "I guess that means there are more monsters like that here still."

"Sounds like it."

"But you know what?" I told lifting my finger so that the warrior saw me, "I have seen their power. And I have faith and confidence in these great beings that they can defeat whatever evils cross their path."

The warrior nodded once at me before teleporting away. Vanille flung her arms, waving to its remaining dirt. "Gone just like that." Sazh told softly, "For a big hunk of rock, that thing sure can move!"

"Guess they're just doing what they can. Saving the world." Fang shrugged. Djos kissed her cheek softly nibbling her neck, "so they're just like us then, huh love?"

"Yeah but last time I checked, we're still in this too." Lightning told, giving the couple dangerous stares of anger. Fang's flirting look with Djos turned to one of hurt and rage towards Lightning. The two still bickered and it turned off her fiancé badly. He awkwardly escaped to Sazh, trying to discuss in whispers about what was going on.

Hope tried to break the tension by going over to the wall to look upon the land, "Oerba's right down there isn't it?"

Vanille nodded approaching to see if she could spot it. Snow opened a palm in questioning, "What's it like?"

"It's small." Djos responded back, "But it's warm, and green…filled with nature. So many flowers…when they bloomed in the spring it was like heaven kissed the lands."

Sazh broke the nostalgia of the Pulsians by twisting to them, "View ain't so rosy looking, I'm sorry to say."

Vanille looked pierced, her breath shaky as it left her chest. Lightning gripped her shoulder, "Do you want to wait here?"

"No." She bit her lip and stared before her, "I need to see it for myself."

It was true; the land we spotted was barren and covered with snow. It was humid and warm elsewhere but there, it looked to be a tundra. No villages were to be seen, not a soul resting below.

Fang, Djos and Vanille were speechless, their expressions turning to that of hurt, anger, sadness and remorse. "…it's all gone…" Vanille told whimpering. Fang's voice cracked as she began to talk, "Every trace of color…" Her voice trailed off as Djos slammed his fist against the walls, "We're chasing shadows!"

Snow, keeping his upbeat attitude shrugged it off and said even with a sad tone, "There's got to be a way."

"Let's keep looking." Hope told. He gripped one of Vanille's hands. I found my way, snaking my fingers through hers as well.

"That's right." I told, petting down her pink curls with my free hand. "That's what we came here for. We all agreed, and now what?"

"You think?" She told with tears forming in her eyes, "You think it's really possible?"
Hope casted a glance at her, "Anything is."

She smiled at both of us, letting herself cry. "It's okay." I told feeling my own throat clog up, "You can cry…" But a small smile formed on our faces.

Lightning glanced to Fang, "There's no going back now."

Djos stood close by his fiancé, hoping for the best. Fang huffed, sticking out her chest,

"You don't think I know that?"

We began to head to the elevator but Fang stood there, looking at her colorless kingdom.

I thought to myself: What would happen if I were to return home to find that my farm had been destroyed? What would I do?

There was no possible way of putting myself into their shoes.

"It does look like an easier way of getting down." Sazh told as we began inspecting the elevator for pure safety reasons. Snow huffed, "Let's take it then! Wouldn't want you to hurt your back on the way down, old man!"

"You really are a charmer aren't you?" Sazh questioned poking his shoulder. I giggled, "Yeah it's any wonder he's marrying that Serah lady."

Brushing it off, we said our final farewells to the tower and launched ourselves into the valley filled with winter below.

I could only imagine the sorrow that would befall us there.