Author's Note: Last chapter until the epilogue...Until my longest series ever is over. *sniffle*

The end is near, The Giant Daifuku, HopelessRomanticist and Riku Uzumaki. I must give extra love to Mu, because she slaved over the third part of our Undead!Balthier and Eternal!Lightning crossovers last weekend. Each version is in our respective deleted scenes/drabbles series, so take a look and admire her dedication. :)

T i m e ' s S c a r

Chapter Twenty-One

Light

"A death much too soon. A fate truly unfair..."

Lightning couldn't feel anything at first, but as she slowly came to, the warm feeling of a hand on her face welcomed her. Her eyes fluttered open to a young woman kneeling over her, and as Lightning slowly sat up, the rest of her comrades woke up as well. Mustadio clutched the Serpentarius stone to his chest as he inched closer to the squire.

"Etro," Lightning murmured. "I should have known you weren't out of my story just yet."

The goddess smiled. She took the form of an exact mirror image of the squire, though her overall appearance was lighter and holy. She looked upon all the dirtied faces staring at her, waiting for her to speak again. However, Mydia spoke up first.

"If we are in your realm, then that must mean..." The Feol viera's lips curled upward. "We have failed in our task."

"What?" Mustadio swerved and looked toward Ashe. "Is this true? Are we really...dead?"

"This is where I have gone many times before," she answered quietly. "This is where the dead go to pass on."

Frowning, Lightning touched the auracite stone around her neck and sighed. All her life she had longed to see this place, and now that she had finally found it, she wasn't certain of what to do next. Mustadio was waiting for her to say something, she knew it, but she couldn't face him. It was her fault that everyone died.

"You have done Ivalice a great favor," Etro said in a tender voice. "Though this world has already fallen down a dark path, there is still hope yet. But Ivalice still needs her heroes."

Ramza kept an arm around Agrias' shoulders. Alma was huddled close to his other side. "The Lucavi have been destroyed. Ivalice will not require the aid of men and women any longer. Our time to pass has come."

"Not so. I have seen your heroism, Ramza Beoulve. We gods smile upon yourself and your comrades." Etro stood, her white dress flowing to her feet. "It is not often that I give a second chance at life without the toll of losing the life of another...But this once, I shall give that chance to all of you, should you wish it."

"Then I must choose otherwise," Ashe said, smiling. "I am no longer tied to their Stones nor Ultima's life. I long to be with my King, if that is no burden for you, my goddess."

"He waits for you now. All those caught in the web of the High Seraph are now ready to leave at peace. Your King and the rest of your allies await your revenant."

The seeress turned, taking Lightning's hands in her own. "Thank you, Lightning," she whispered. "You promised me that you would save Ivalice, and I think you have done just that. I knew you were destined for greatness the day I met you on the Leviathan." Ashe looked to the others and grinned; she almost reminded Lightning of Snow, for a moment. "It has been an honor to fight at your side, but now it is mine time to pass. Take care of my home in my absence."

A bright light mystified behind Etro, and waiting within the clouds were the humes Lightning had come to trust more than anyone. Fran flicked an ear at the eyes watching her in awe, while Vaan and Penelo happily greeted their old friend. Basch was smiling, glad to see his Queen again, and close to him were Sazh and Hope, laughing as usual. Even Serah, no longer a fiendish goddess seeking revenge, was there. But standing with a big grin on his young face and holding out his hand was Snow. Tears forming at the corners of her eyes, Ashe took his outstretched hand and followed his lead. He glanced at Lightning, nodding, and disappeared into the light.

But the Door didn't fade when they moved on. Someone clasped Lightning's shoulder with a warm hand, chuckling amusingly. Ragnarok tilted his head to the side when she noticed his presence. She smiled, resting her hand on his.

"Aren't you going along, too?" she asked.

"Actually, I plan on staying in Ivalice for a while longer," Ragnarok answered confidently. Lindzei was wrapped around his neck, hissing pleasantly. "I am eager to take on the role of this realm's guardian. Someone needs to watch over you humes, and if Etro can't protect Ivalice, I might as well do the job for a while."

"Are you sure? I thought you'd want to move on, finally."

"Have you learned nothing from me all these years? Being Ivalice's protector, not only will I have humes worshiping me, but I can almost pretend that I am just as they."

Lightning rubbed her thumb against his skin. "You just can't resist the chance to frighten all the foolish headhunters coming to face the Serpent Bearer."

"Think of it as payment for all the trouble they gave Ffamran years ago."

As Ragnarok moved to her side, Etro was intently watching Lightning, and upon seeing this, Mustadio urgently moved closer to the squire.

"You, too, have the choice to leave this life, my Eternal," Etro chimed lowly. "Your chains are lifted, your gift is spent, and your spirit is free. But fear not: the one you long for is there."

"Then I guess I shouldn't keep him waiting." Lightning made to walk forward, but Mustadio clenched her hand tightly. He was staring at her with so very sad eyes, longing for the chance to convince her change her mind. The others, too, were awaiting her decision, but none bore the desperate look he did. "Mustadio," she started to say, but she was lost for words. She never expected to get this far.

"You could stay," Mustadio whimpered. "You could stay here with me."

She cast her gaze downward. "I've waited so long for this, Mustadio. Ever since Balthier died, all I wanted was for the gods to take pity on me and pull me away from this fate." Lightning looked up, running her hand across his cheek. "I can't stay here. This world doesn't need me anymore. It's your turn to take charge as the leading man. Right?"

"He won't be the same without his leading lady."

Unclipping her auracite necklace, Lightning slipped it around Mustadio's neck and smiled comfortingly at him. "I think that's up to you to figure out on your own. But, it's just like we said...We're not alone anymore."

Mustadio motionlessly wrapped his arms around her, and for once she wasn't terribly overwhelmed by the warmer temperature of his skin. In fact, it was almost...pleasant. She carefully held him close and shut her eyes, praying that just for a while nothing else would matter. If only the circumstances were different...If only.

She moved away from him, her hands lingering on his cheeks for a moment before she turned around and faced the others. They all wore similar expressions, but Lightning knew they understood. True, Cidolfus wouldn't be pleased to lose his apprentice, but he would eventually understand. He met her sparkling eyes and nodded once, smirking proudly. Lightning found Mustadio's wishful expression and touched his hand one last time before facing Etro and Ragnarok.

The Door was beckoning her, gently pulling at her soul. Lightning kept smiling, closed her eyes and walked on.