Chapter 14: The Heart of Cocoon

Things passed in my mind, clockwork of the event rushing before my pupils. Flashes of the days past, seeing Hope smiling and laughing with Vanille brought a certain fire of rage within my heart. But I doused it as I hypnotized myself, watching the colors of the bridge between the worlds of Pulse and Cocoon passed us by. The tier of ache within me was lowly throbbing at the moment, and I truly felt as if my heart had been split in two with the guillotine of their actions.

He was nothing close to being a man if he could not even confess to me as a friend that he was not truly in love with me. Instead he was a cheater, a thief and it would be some time before I could trust him again. Maybe that would be time we couldn't afford. Slowly, marks were becoming spread. Either the others would find their Focus soon, or become monsters. I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to settle my gut that was raging in nervous tension and in the sickness of being reminded once again I was a single woman. Perhaps it was for the best. I was capable of standing on my own two feet as an independent woman.

But I wasn't alone. I knew that much. Standing there in the airship, preparing to land back on Cocoon in Eden where a complex race was taking place to distract the people there, I realized how close we really all were. Hell, I had two father figures, a teacher and a godmother standing all in the same place now. I overheard Djos, snuggling with Fang tell her, "Soon we will return home darling. Do not worry. I will make you into the queen you really are."

"wait, what?" Snow asked turning to them.

Djos gulped down a hard lump. "Oh…I never told you any of that did I."

"You may as well." Fang sighed, "I know the memories are hard but you should tell them the truth."

This piqued their interest ten fold.

Everyone except Sazh who had to steer gathered around the tall tanned man and stared with curiosity. He rubbed the thick maroon hair he owned and glanced to them with his matching eyes.

"I am the king of the Don clan, who reside at Dressma in the Northern Pulsian deserts." He touched the scar on his left eye.
"I was given this to tell others of my status by my mother. Our clan was suffering from a strange illness that rid us of our men. I was sent to Oerba at a very young age to find a mate to pass my legacy onto. I was paired with Fang there and well, they rest really is history."

"You said Fang gave you that scar."

"it was our excuse back at home." Vanille told, "We didn't want anyone knowing he was a king."

"Wow…" Sazh blew a whistle, "We are among royalty."

"Corrupt royalty." He scoffed, "The Don clan was nothing more than thieves and whores. I don't know why my father was honored as a king."

"It doesn't matter." Fang told, "You are a king like it or not."

"I hate those memories…having to survive when I was but a little boy. Then being ridiculed for speaking strangely. But my best memories are there too. I helped Vanille's mother give her life, I met my true love there. Part of the reason I grew my hair out is because they stripped me of my hair!"

"You were bald?" Vanille giggled. He messed with her own hair, "Yep, a long time ago."

"Great who else wants to reveal any hidden secrets?" Snow asked impatiently.

I rose my hand slightly and stared him dead on. "I knew about NORA a long time ago even before we met. When I was about ten or so, before being trained as a Yoner Beastmaster, there was a stampede of monsters. I was unarmed in the market at the time. When I called out for help, a boy my age came to rescue me. His name was Maqui."

"Maqui?" Snow questioned lifting me up slightly, "You've known him all this time?"

"Yeah." I gave him a tiny smile, exposing my missing molar in the back, "He was the reason I considered joining. But he wasn't there when I signed up."

"He was on a mission training."

"well, if he's still there I'd like to join." I told giving a sharp nod. He set me down, his eyebrows lifting, "Really? You would?"

"Of course. I've not got much else to do."

"But…your farm."

I shook my hands softly, "It can wait. I want to do other things. That place, it only brings back foul memories without the other Yoners there."

"We're nearing Cocoon." Sazh warned briefly twisting in his seat at the wheel to give a questioning glance, "What's the plan of action Lightning."

She gave herself a few brief seconds to contemplate the issue at hand, "We're going to storm our way to the seat of Eden. There we will confront Orphan. Because Cid is the new Primarch he is under control of Dysley who is using the race for distraction while the invasion from Pulse nears them. We'll all summon our Eidolons and stop the races to let the people know of the oncoming slaughter."

Fang bunched her fingers about my hair, "You stick with me little lady. I know how you snuck that Long Gui egg back home."

I gave a sheepish smile, "I promise I'll take good care of it." It's true, I had transported a few things like a sheep and a long gui egg back to my home. I was planning on raising the two to my advantage in the near future.

"Alright, here we go everyone. Get yourselves ready."

I crawled under the protective arm of Fang as the ship's hull started to open. The lights of the city were below and the wind smelt of a familiar place. We were once again home, but not welcome. And gathering the strength and peace within myself I took the leap of faith.

The wind rushed about my ears, blocking all other noises besides the humming of the racecars on the lit track below. The flower petals of Odin floated around, Lightning rushing forward like always. Night consumed the lands and it was hard to see Bahamut rushing at me in the darkness. Fang grabbed me by the collar and whistled, "Didn't lose your lunch did ya?"

"Not at all." I smirked, watching below as the ship crashed into the tracks. Snow, ever the hero, used the Shiva sisters to stop a racer who was on a path to destruction. He held up his wrist shouting victoriously, "and the hero saves the day!" He celebrated with an arrogant grin on his face as the crowd cheared. However a camera caught his l'cie brand and the crowd soon converted to panic.

"God dammit what an idiot!" I shouted, biting my lip at this hard. Now everyone would be after our heads.
Alexander was busy catching the racers dead in their tracks. I watched Lightning get launched further along the tracks, determined to find someone.

We rode along side her as she used a racing bike to her advantage, protecting her from shooters and soldiers alike. Vanille was saved by Sazh after falling from her summon, the chaos brewing everywhere. Lightning continued to ride her Eidolon until the sun began to shine from the horizon. It was a Warmech she finally found and destroyed on her own.

We all found our way back together making sure things were clear enough for our travels.

A siren began to wail, making us fully aware of some danger. In the long run ahead, purple portals from the other world began to pop up.

"Transgates." Djos growled, "The army is on its way. We have to get to the heart of the city and quick before it gets worse."

Machine towers stepped out, stomping their way through soldiers. We felt the heavy footsteps of a Long Gui scourging its way through the city streets. Civilians, innocent people were getting hurt. I gritted my teeth, reaching for my whip but Lightning held me back, "No! We have to continue on."

"the Cavalry made their move." Hope grunted, biting his lip hard. Sazh hummed picking up a communication device, "There's more to it than that. They're saying Eden is being overrun by Pulse nasties."

"Straight from the Ark, I'd waver." Fang snorted, "Damn it all."

"This is out of control, what will happen to Cocoon?"

"The prediction of Bathandelus…" Hope mumbled, "It's all coming true."

"We're the ones to decide this future. Not him anymore." Snow told punching his fist. Vanille grabbed his wrist with a concerned expression, "Let's get moving."

The city of Eden was more than I had ever expected even as an onslaught of explosions occurred around us. The city seemed to float on the air, buildings stacked atop one another below us. The air was clear and clean, the streets almost gleaming. We walked along the railings of the track, cautious of the deep falls before us. Enemies tried to block our path, their strengths sometimes matching our own.

But we prevailed many times, taking breaks often as we trudged along through the war-begot city. We finally reached a dead end with no way of proceeding further. Our brains were rattled until Lightning spotted a small platform directly beneath us. Sazh took in a deep breath, crossing his arms with fear rushing in his body, "Uh okay, I don't know about this."

Vanille nudged her way and looked over the steep edge, "If only we could fly."

I laughed manically and pushed my forward. "Chrome!" Fang shouted as she reached for me.

But I jumped off, activating my anti-gravity jet boots. I saluted, "See you down below!"

The others used Lightning's spare anti-gravity protective devices and were given a soft, painless landing. "Good to see you're still alive." Snow chuckled as we reunited.

"Don't doubt the boots."

Now we were staged in an elaborate tunnel, most likely used for transporting trains full of Purge victims. How beautiful it was, lined with gold rims that caressed the skies above, fortified with curved steel beams and paved with intricate designs.

Sanctum officers and soldiers lined the tunnel like mucus in an intestine so we had to cut them down to size. Quite a few times we were ambushed by them and their machines of war, using mines and bazookas to try and slow us down. But we pursued further along, never once stopping. Finally there were elevators we could use to return to our straightforward path once again.

The cars of the race track sped along, this time in search of enemies to destroy. Sazh cocked his gun, Lightning whipping out her sword as they led the pack but there were no men here to block us. Gathering to take a break, he mumbled, "So the Calvery's here to uhh…"

"They're here for Orphan." Lightning answered, "If it's close to the fal'cie Eden, they're probably headed for the heart of the Sanctum."

Vanille put her hands around her mouth and I scoffed, "So we're the least of their worries huh?"

Fang gave a low, long sigh, "Right then. If they destroy it, bad things will happen."

Before we were able to fully conceive the devastating effects that could possibly happen, a Pulse gate originated from the air. A Behemoth screamed its way through, toppling the cars before it. Lightning flinched at this, knowing these enemies were strong, "No time to waste! Let's move!" She attempted to defeat it on her own but was thrown back. I whipped my weapon in the air, roaring at it, "Down you damned thing! Down I say!" The beast was stubborn but even I had a hard head. I cracked that whip and stared it down, making sure it submitted. When I finally had it controlled, the others took it out with ease.

The path however was full of creatures we'd faced before. Sazh placed his hand to his forehead and groaned, "We're never going to make it."

"Come on old man." Djos told smacking his back, "Spirits up!"

We traversed the streets, seeing civilians hiding behind the ruined racing bikes for safety from the fiends ahead. The speakers above warned citizens about the Pulsian threat, evacuating the city of its people. Leaping over some ruins, we spotted a ship before us. Upon approaching it, a man with silver hair tied into a pony tail stepped out. Snow instantly recognized him, "Rosch?"

"We saw him in Palumpolem after you were captured." Lightning told, "He's not on our side…"

"Greaat." I sarcastically flew my hands into the skies.

"I see your power has grown Mr. Villers." The man told giving a strict expression as he stood his ground. "No matter, we will lay down our lives if that is what it takes to stop you."

Snow huffed and shrugged, "Oh we're on the same side. We came to stop all of this!"

"Nevertheless…" Rosch told crossing his arms, "You are l'cie." The man held out an arm, pushing a button. He was transported into the moving ship which launched into the skies and hovered, appearing to be a gigantic face above us.

"We can trust the pawns no more than the fal'cie who control them!" The man shouted, starting to freely fire at us below. Launching up to fight him required a skill amount of strength. Fang had to summon Bahamut quite a few times to cut the ship down to size.

As the battle wore on, the ship did a back twist and started to race off into the distance. A tail of smoke was smothering the skies behind it, ensuring us that we did a fair amount of damage to it.

Vanille watched as it left, her eyes blank, "I don't understand. We want the same thing as him! Why can't we just work together?"

Fang stood in front of her with an annoyed face. "These people are so blinded by fear, they can't even imagine it. Are we too late?"

Snow crunched his fingers till they popped and said with a determined voice, "Not yet. And we can't give up yet. No one else but us knows the truth."

"And the man behind it all." Djos agreed, "Barthandelus. What the hell are we waiting for?" he grabbed his fiancé and gave her a tiny kiss, "Let's get some payback!"

"Yeah!" Sazh pointed each one of us down, "That's what I'm talking about. Once everything is finally out in the open, people are going to have to wake up from this nightmare."'

"Maybe Cocoon can finally find some peace for once." I whispered, recalling the fear I grew up in from l'cie and the Purges.

Lightning stood before us, starting to walk, "Let's show them how human all of us still are."

With that our travels took to another elevator, lit in a bloody red glow. I could feel butterflies tying up my gut into many knots. How much longer would this go on?

When the elevator opened up, we were greeted by the roar of an Adamantoise turtle, its head reared and ready to battle. Finally, my strong suit. I loved to tame these beasties with a passion, they were one of my favorite critters from Pulse.

I took my sweet time coaxing it on our side, smirking as I finally got control of it. We had to defeat it however, it was too big and slow to bring along with us.

A lone Sanctum soldier witnessed this, pointing a gun at us. We tried to storm him but

Snow held up his hand, "Hey. Easy now."

The man saw this as an opportunity to run away. I felt a bit proud of letting him live, there really wasn't any need to kill him. Even though at any chance, the officers and soldiers would try to have our blood split across the pavement. We were ambushed by another Behemoth ahead who charged us fiercely.

But we were able to combat it, our strength growing as time passed. The sun now filled the sky directly above, indicating noon. We were caressed in the shadows of the building, making our way around the battles happening between Sanctum and Pulsian armies.

There was a point of rest, when the gates to the inner city lie before us. We waited for it to lift up, being engulfed by the ceiling watching the portrait of Eden fly along with it in a majestic manner. The inner city had already been heavily hit, though the park was untouched by enemies. Many people were strewn outside, dragging their belongings to an area of safety. The further we got towards the heart of Eden, the bigger and tougher our adversaries seemed to get.

The city park's gates were stuck when we did get past all the enemies. No matter our efforts the damn thing wouldn't budge. Snow cursed it, punching its walls with anger.

"And we were so close!"

As he pondered what to do, glaring down at his mark an irritating and unbearable noise filled the air. I pressed my palms tightly, trying to ignore the buzzing within my brain.

But as it stopped, the gate lifted into the skies. A light shone on a drill-like machine and four people that were silhouetted by the light. "Gate got you beat, hero?" Snow was ready to attack until he heard the voice. "Pretty lame."

I recognized that woman's voice!

The members of NORA rushed through on their hover bikes, landing before us. "Heya Snow!" Maqui called, "Where you been?" He cut himself off upon seeing me. My smile couldn't have been bigger.

Gadot gave a wolf whistle as he jumped off his bike to give me a bear-like hug. He lifted me and spun me around, Yuj and Lebreau giving tiny giggles at this. "Chrome!" He shouted, ruffling my hair, "I almost didn't recognize you. Wow, you look great! You've defiantly grown up."

"You too, little squirt!" I gave him a tiny noogie as the members of NORA began to speak with Snow. I didn't follow what they said, I was so engrossed in seeing Maqui's beautiful blue eyes again, "It's been way too long." I whispered, cocking my head, "I was worried about you."

"Worried about me?" He was surprised, "I had thought you'd forgotten me."

"Are you kidding?" I pushed him softly, "You saved my life you dork! How could I forget that?"

He put a hand behind his spiky blonde hair and chuckled, "You've changed a lot haven't you?"

"Yeah…" I proceeded to explain what had happened. He wasn't very shocked about hearing Snow's fate as a l'cie but he hated hearing about my deliema with Hope, "That had to hurt…"

"Well, I'm a better person because of it." I grasped my heart tightly, "I've decided to be a member of Nora."

Maqui's eyes lit up, "You really are?" He gave me another tight hug, "Aw Chrome, we'd love to have you with us. You should help us round up the civilians."

My heart was stricken with a difficult choice. Go with NORA or stay with the others? I glanced between the two groups and shook my head, holding his hands tightly, "I'm sorry, but I have to keep an eye on these guys. I promise when this is all over, I'll come. I will."

"Alright, I'm going to hold you on that." He stared into my eyes, " Hey Chrome…don't worry about that scar so much. Your hair is so pretty…and your eyes. Nothing can take away that beauty that you have, inside and out." My cheeks flushed to a perfectly red color, my lip quivering.

He drew me in close when the others weren't looking and kissed my cheek. "Be careful, protect them. You're a strong person, I know it."

"Thank you." I told, slowly letting my grip lose. Before I did he stuck something in my palm, "Wear that, it will keep you safe."

The other members of NORA called him back and he waved to me. I waved back with all my vigor and strength, watching as once again he left. A deep sigh produced from my chest, glancing further along with a newfound anticipation.

"Let's get going." I told Snow. As we exited the park I looked down to the item he handed me. It was a NORA official necklace, the image of a cat in the metal pentagon.

I slowly took off Djos's crystal tear, placing it in my pocket and chained the new symbol to my neck. I fingered it freely, feeling the warm embrace of Maqui's hug as I did so.

The heart of Cocoon lie before us, stepping up its multitude of stairs. Approaching with utmost caution, we gasped as crystal pieces began floating before us. It was like snow but reversed, trying to escape from the earth. A twinkling sound was produced as we tried to grasp it, it was beautiful but frightening as well.

"Is Cocoon falling apart already?"
Sazh asked with an unsure expression.

"Maybe Orphan's giving trouble keeping things together." Hope suggested as he watched the pieces float into the air.

Without warning an enlarged image of Dysley glowing green was before us, "The clamor of this conflict rouses the Maker." He chuckled as we prepared for battle. Sazh huffed, pointing his gun straight at the man's forehead, "Yeah? Well we're going to stop this ruckus soon enough."

Dysley's image glowered at us before shifting into his normal sized human form, "Can you halt the Cavalry's charge? Filled with righteousness, they will slaughter Orphan in the name of Freedom. Your only recourse will be to deliver them from death, swift and certain!"

"No." Lightning reaffirmed, "Unlike you, they'll listen to reason."

He stared down as he began to float, "I shall savor the destruction of Cocoon from the highest seat in all of Eden. You too, should hurry along to the heart of our grand capitol. Come l'cie!" He floated into the skies, his image becoming fuzzy, "Fulfill your
destiny!"

"We'll decide our own destiny thank you very much." Vanille told. Lightning growled,

"Over Barthandelus's dead body!"

We were currently in Leviathan Plaze, so very close to the heart of the city and of the
world itself. As we traversed across a glass surface that led into a deep pit below, a long gui tried to follow us along. However its weight was too much for even the strongest of materials and the floor broke from underneath it.

It groaned, painfully holding onto the edge as to try and save itself. All efforts were in vain and it fell to a gruesome death below.

Once past the gazes of the soldiers we entered through one last gate into a hallways, curved with risen domed ceilings, walls lit with purple streams of light, heavy lights hanging down and a red carpet lining the edges of the walk. It felt very knowledgeable and ancient here, as if the gods were staring down at us from on high. We were traveling to the throne of Eden, the wondrous and powerful fal'cie that was under rule of Orphan.

Once we were finished in the hall, a door opened up to a circular platform. The building below us was impressive and intricate to say the least. It was there, the center of the world lie before us.

This was where we would find our destinies. Eden sat there, controlling the fal'cie of Cocoon and deep below was Orphan, what kept everything ticking. "We must continue ahead. Storm right along." Lightning ordered.

We traversed down the stairs, spotting Sanctum guards. We were completely surrounded until the Pulsian gates lit up once more. From them mechanical beasts were flung, attacking and massacring the numbers below them. "Must be our back up." Sazh told with a cocky tone.

"Well it doesn't look too happy to see us." I murmured as the beasts now tried to do us harm. We proceeded along careful not to interrupt the bloodshed of the monsters. There was a point of rest where soldiers had gathered below.

We were confused, Hope asking,
"Okay, what are they up to?"

A sudden flash of light engulfed them, and when it faded to our horror cie'th stood in their place. Vanille gasped as they came towards us, "All of them? Just like that?"

Sazh huffed and loaded his guns, "A friendly reminder of our borrowed time."

Avoiding them, we healed and rushed ahead only to once again be blocked by Rosch's ship.

Defeated cei'th lie about it. "Looks like no one was spared." Sazh told staring at the carnage."

The ship groaned and moved, beginning to immediately attack us once more. Its antigravity jets were completely severed so instead it stood and battled us, shaking the earth to confuse us. When it began to fly, we found its weak spot embedded on the rudder. An explosion occurred, flaring heat and metal. Once it completely was destroyed, Rosch stepped out coughing and wheezing.

He glanced up to us with anger and rage, a fine stream of blood running down his face. "It's over Rosch." Snow told, trying to calm him down.

"What of my soldiers?" He managed to verbalize as he gripped onto the ship. Lightning glanced with guilty eyes to the fallen cei'th. "I see…"

He slowly responded starting to walk towards us, holding a probably broken rip. He couldn't find the strength to stand and sat against his ship.

Sazh approached, "Why are you doing this Rosch? I mean, haven't you done enough?"

"Enough?' He lifted his head to see the sunlight fading in the distance, "Under fal'cie orders, I've orchestrated mass murder. All to answer the fears of a panicked populace. For a people utterly dependant on the fal'cie, it was the only solution I could offer." He stared to his hand, "Even if that solution was a farce."

"So you knew the fal'cie were using us?" Hope asked seeming surprised.

Rosch refused to look to us as he spoke, "I believed their rule was the best for Cocoon's rule and future prosperity. But it seems I misjudged their benevolence. If this is my punishment I accept it."

Fang growled at him, "So you're just gonna let everything go to hell?"

He winced in pain, staring her down with agony in his eyes, "You're right. One thing remains."
With all his strength he stood up and set a communication devide to his ear. Loud and clearly he told the other line, "This is PSICOM Director Rosch. Attention all PSICOM and Guardian Corps units. Suspend l'cie operations. I repeat, suspend l'cie operations." A huge weight flew off our shoulder.

We were no longer wanted men. I wanted to dance in joy of this news but contained myself. He continued, "All units should now focus on evacuating civilians. You are free to make the choice."

Rosch lowered his head and then fell on his hands and knees, "Go! You're here to save Cocoon. Or was that a farce as well?" He smirked up to Snow who lowered himself down to him, "Stay alive, we'll see you when this is over."

We left the area, moving along leaving the leader gasping for air. As the gates closed, the screams of the cei'th were heard once again. The sound of a pin of a grenade fell and an explosion.

Then all was silent. Rosch had committed suicide to save us…the ultimate sacrifice. We all said prayers in silence.

After all was said and done, healed up and ready to roll we all gathered in another lift that would take us down below the surface.

When we came out we were in Orphan's Cradle, a strange place filled with an ominous environment. Once finishing climbing the steps before us, we arrived in a room filled to the brim with glowing orange stain glass windows each designed by hand fully intricate with swirls galore.

Vanille stepped along but a question was on her tongue, "Where's the Calvery?"

"We'll see em soon enough Van-Van."Djos told taking in the serene beauty of this place. As if t answer her question an army of silvery blue cei'th arrived, clanking and groaning under the weight of their crystals. Snow shook his head in disbelief, "Not them too…"

We were prepared to attack but as we stepped onto the metal cage in the center of the room, bright flashes began to blind us. I concentrated trying to keep my vision intact but I fell to my knees in the pain of it all. When everything stopped, and the noises died I saw that we had been transported to an otherworldly place. It was almost as if we were stuck in a spatial place, purple being the color that surrounded us, pieces of building floating about and gears ticking going nowhere. Machines whirled and spun, making energy for the endless movement of the world around us.

"This is it." Lightning told with fear in her voice, "A lot of dreams died to get us here and we can't let it be for nothing."

Sazh roared, "That's right, this isn't just our future we're fighting for."

"We end the reign of the fal'cie here and now." Djos reminded us, pumping up our hearts.

Snow growled, punching and pointing to the very end, "We're coming for you Dysley!"

No warriors, soliders or monsters blocked the path ahead. It was serine and otherworldly.

We traveled up the stairs only to be greeted by a flash of light.

Now, I found myself getting very sleepy at that point for some odd reason. As my eyes shut themselves in the heavy feeling, arms that were warm lifted me from the ground. I felt a strange hand caressing my face as I continued to slumber. A woman's voice entered my head, serine and beautiful, "I will guide all who have my eyes. But I will leave you with challenges."

A sudden burning sensation filled my face. My eyes shot open to see that I was in a strange creamy-colored world standing on nothing but mist.

Before me floated the fal'cie Eden, a stunning golden woman with a circlet behind her back, holding a rod of magic in her grasp. She was split into a few different bodies, each looking peaceful as they floated there. "Now go…" The voice told. I found myself surrounded by my friends in the blink of an eye, staring up at them. "What happened?"

None of them dared to speak, their mouths agape at me. I stood straight, feeling something odd. There was a new strength flowing through me, like wonderful waves of energy pulsating in my veins. "What? What happened?"

"You were taken by Eden." Fang whispered as she brought out her reflective knife once more, "And she left you…"

She was cut off as I gasped and dropped the knife instantly upon seeing myself within its reflection. "No…" I whispered, feeling choked an like my stomach had been pinched violently. For what I had seen in the mirror was not me. Not anymore.

I was no longer human.

A swirling mark spread on my cheek, burning there free for the world to see. I was a Cocoon l'cie, blessed with the powers of Eden. I stared up at her, eyebrows crossing.

My anger started to brew more than I could possible imagine. As I stood, dark clouds started to form at my feet. They began to surround my body, feeling power starting to flow, "Damn you! You fal'cie bastard! I can't wait until we slaughter your master Orphan and I don't give a damn if Cocoon falls or not!" With the last shout the clouds flew into the sky and gathered in one place above my head. An oversized chain was produced from them landing in a dimension of red liquid fire. It yanked at something in the ground, pulling it up by its neck.

It was a horrendous thing, with gnashing teeth, undead skin wrapped with aging gauze, a plant-like shield around its confined and chained body. It stank of death, fear and pain.

Its blue eye stared down at us, giving a screaming roar. "What in the hell is that?" I asked, feeling my innards becoming icy.

"Anima." Djos answered, "An Eidolon cast into the darkness for being so hideous. She's
here as your guardian now."

"Yeah, which means basically kicking her ass!" Fang told, standing beside me. The two helped me to fight the invisible shots she fought us with, her eye sometimes lighting up and shooting a paralyzing beam. She was also able to shoot high magic spells with complete ease.

As the battle raged on, a small voice collected in the back of my mind, "I see the inner serenity within you." I glanced up to my large and strange Eidolon in confusion. "Free me with gentle touch. Please release me…"

I accepted this, feeling myself twist a few times and launch myself into the skies using my newfound magic abilities. I slowly touched the tip of her nose and she was coated in a soothing light.

The others watched astounded as the chains were broken, the arms switching positions. The wrappings fell about her face like hairs, her face growing beautiful as it did. Her figure was revealed, curvy and beautiful as she plucked the shield and sword that had once been her enclosure. She let me ride upon her shoulder, holding me close for protection. "Wow…" Djos whispered, "She looks like a warrior from Dressma…what an odd transformation."

"Hideous to completely beautiful…" Fang whispered, "Sounds like Chrome's story in a nutshell. Maybe that's why she picked you."

"Maybe…" I told, hugging her before dismissing her. "I'm still not happy about this."

"Yeah and it's spreading."

"What?"

"There's another swirl added on." She hummed, "Eden's mark will continuously spread along your body and when it stops, you'll be cei'th. It looks like you have a few more days."

"Days? You guys have gotten almost two years!" I was frustrated and annoyed. My doom was immanent and my heart sank low. But something snapped in my head, standing up with a smile, "Dad always told me to live each moment like my last. That's just what I am going to do. And now that I have the powers of a l'cie I'm going to abuse the hell out of them."

"Did you get any glimpses of your Focus?" Lightning asked.

"No. But I think I know what it is. To help all of you." I was determined that's why Eden blessed me with this power, giving me a powerful summon like Anima. "She also wanted me to help guide you. I have a map…" I pointed to my head, "Right here that will lead us straight to the inner throne where Orphan lies."

"Wonderful!" Sazh told, "Kid, I knew you were good for keeping."

I stuck out my tongue as he played with my hair. Why tread on negatives? Even if I did become cei'th at least I knew I tried, and was happy with the choices I had made. Sure things were bad in the past but now nothing seemed to bother me.

But somewhere deep down

I wanted to cry, so badly.

I started to lead the others now, confident in the map that had been planted in my mind's eye. As we got to a circular platform we were led to another area to fight a strong monster named Jaberwocky that was a dragon-like beast with a turtle's shell, eyes glowing in anger. It was soon followed by its twin the Bandersnatch, a similar creature with fierce fighting skills. We bested it quickly, returning to the Cradle soon.

"Chrome, where's the end?" Sazh asked impatiently.

"There's one. But I can't see it…"

Vanille put a finger to the bridge of her nose, crossing the others. "I can't do this."
She told panicked, "All those cei'th were people like us once."

Hope reassured her from behind, "That's only what Barthandelus wants us to do, give up.
He thinks he'll scare us away. The second we give up, it's Focus time."
Snow put his hands to his hips, "Wait until we're broken and then slip on the leash…"

Sazh shrugged at this, "Yeah well, when you think about it…all this empathy puts us humans at a disadvantage."

"Maybe." Lightning told as I found the path forward, "But it's also what makes us so dangerous."

Fang didn't follow right away. Djos came to her side, holding her from behind. "Fang what's wrong?"

"Oh nothing…" She told a bit distant as she met his maroon eyes, "Just time's running short…"

"Well I think Van-Van and I have made up our minds." Vanille skipped over and gave a
sheepish smile to her mother figure, "we're going to make Cocoon our home."

"Yeah…" Fang told her face lightning up a bit, "I guess we will."

Eden continued my guidance, leading us into very difficult battles where resting afterwards was needed. Slopes, upside down rooms, transportation floors, shifting our unbalanced view of reality. Stomachs were flipped, sudden jerks were made it was like living through a world-wide roller coaster.

All the while we were bombarded with light of pinks and reds and attacks from our
adversaries.

Our final room was placed in the strange underground place where we fought a massive tentacled monster composed of pure darkness. I fought with Anima, her strength revealed in final formations.

When the battle was over we were transported to a place of white purity. Everything here
was calm, looking like a very large waiting room. The walls were coated with light blue glowing dots, the floors sealed with marble. A few statues of Eden made the notches of the walls. There were windows where the sky could be seen, the white clouds spotting its ever blue sea. The sunlight here was warm and soft.

I spotted a floating white couch and placed myself upon it. I felt my strength flowing back and for a moment found peace again.

Vanille twisted to me as I sat there, looking regal and heavenly in the white light. She grasped my hand with watery eyes, "I'm sorry for everything I have done to you."

"What have you done to me Vanille?" I questioned with a cocked head, "You've been a wonderful friend to me. You have made me realize how truly beautiful I am."

"But Hope…and…" She was chocked, trying to keep her cool. I could feel the fear she tried to hide. I grasped her in a hug and pet her hair down. "I forgive everything that happened between you two. I told you, you are a lucky woman. To be with him. To know he's your special one now. That is behind me. Somehow I think getting this mark has made me realize, the past did not kill me. It made me stronger. All of which happened to me I use to my advantage. And you should as well."

She looked at me as if I had been the messiah to answer her prayers. Her grip was tight until she fell to her knees. "Why…? Why do you have to forgive me? I don't deserve it."

I stood up fast and stared down at her with eyes ablaze in fury. "STAND UP." I screamed at the top of my lungs.

When she did I caressed her cheek with my palm, "Now please Vanille. Just shut the hell up and think about what you're saying. You are a great person. You're strong and you can always brighten everyone's day. Would Fang want to see you like this, or Djos, the very people who have raised you?"

"No…" She muttered looking to her feet. Her face was screwed with sadness, "I'm so sorry…I'm just so sorry…"

"There is nothing to be sorry about." I sat down once more, contemplating my thoughts,
"Now please, leave me be."

She obeyed without question.

And I could feel the mark creeping across my skin, crossing the bridge of my nose. Soon my demise would be here.

And I didn't care. I sat.

And waited.