Dissidia 011: Undecim

Those Destiny Chooses

"We made it!" I said, as we returned to Sanctuary.

"Yeah. And, it looks like we're late, too." Vaan said, as he saw the other warriors standing around Cosmos.

I tried not to let this minor detail get to me – as usual. Despite the fact that we also didn't have our crystals, there had to be something to look forward to. Cosmos had obviously called us back for a reason, so why should we have been worried really?

"Come on." I said, as we walked toward the others.

Everyone was staring at us as we approached – Lightning most specifically, giving me a serious glare as we stood next to the others.

"Vaan. Snow. Laguna," Cosmos said to us softly.

We each acknowledged her as she said our names. I smiled at her, hoping to ease any tension that might be there as well. One glare was enough. But, then again…it was Lightning.

Cosmos looked out over everyone else as she kept speaking – that hushed, gentle voice of hers that gave huge notice of the seeming innocence she held. It was hard not to listen every time she spoke.

"All young warriors of mine, please…hear me."

We all looked at her in anticipation, some of us more concerned than others. I admit her words had definitely struck us. There was no indication that what followed would be entirely pleasant, but we were all ears anyway. Whatever it was she had to tell us…we knew it couldn't be ignored.

Cosmos took a deep breath as she looked at the ground for a moment – sitting quietly on her throne with her hands together in her lap. She didn't look the least bit happy about whatever was bugging her, but we tried not to let on to the fact that we weren't looking forward to this even more now. Despite any feelings of dread we carried, we had to be strong and confident as we had this whole time. Unfortunately, some of that went away right as she moved to speak again.

"Chaos, he…he is getting stronger. There is no telling how difficult future battles may be at this point."

Right away, I saw some drop their heads in terror and dread. I wanted to do the same really, but negativity wasn't my thing. After all, someone had to be positive when no one else was.

"My powers are great, yes. But…over time, they are becoming no match to the power Chaos wields. I fear…we may be too late."

Cosmos sank in her seat as she dropped her head and all of us, even I, knew exactly what we faced now. How could this have happened? Just because we didn't obtain the crystals, that was it? It's not like we hadn't tried. We just…hadn't found them, or found out how to find them. All we'd encountered the whole time were a bunch of Chaos cronies.

I looked around Sanctuary at all the other warriors – and all of them were standing in a sulking position. Well…except for a few that actually appeared more to be thinking rather than moping, but…nonetheless, the reality was clear. So clear, in fact, it was actually managing to bring me down, too. I guess it was harder than I thought to stay positive with so much negativity flowing in one area…or something.

"There's gotta' be something we can do, right?" Zidane asked, stepping forward.

I quickly looked up and in his direction. At least someone had found it in themselves to break out of this. That was enough to pop me out of it, too, much to my delight.

"So, we don't have our crystals. So what? Who says that's all we need to defeat Chaos? There's gotta' be another way. Right, Cosmos?" he said.

Everyone looked at each other in question while Zidane stared at Cosmos in hope and anticipation. It was clear he was completely expecting her to back him up.

Cosmos only closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I…cannot say for sure. We do not yet know what Chaos is fully capable of. We cannot take risks under these circumstances without knowing the consequences."

"Then…what do we do?" Onion Knight asked.

Cosmos didn't reply right away as she sighed lightly. It wasn't encouraging in the least to see the one whom had summoned us to this battlefield behaving in such a way. Of all people…you'd think Cosmos would have been the most positive and hopeful. I guess you can't judge everyone so easily after all.

"Without your crystals, I'm afraid there is not much that can be done - at least not so easily. The crystals are the source of the power strong enough to bring Chaos to defeat. You do not have them though. Such a result is nearly impossible to obtain otherwise."

I couldn't take this anymore. I was going to go crazy if I didn't act now.

"Hey, come on, now. What kind of attitude is that? You're our leader in this battle. We're supposed to be able to count on you in a time like this. We're never gonna get anything done like this."

I had hoped my words of encouragement would be enough, but…I guess she saw it as more of an insult or something due to her reaction. Of course…another backfire of my good intentions. Why did this always happen?

"I'm sorry. It's not that I do not believe in all of you. I just know very well what Chaos is capable of. I do not wish to see you all suffer at his hands due to reckless action. I will not allow for such to overcome the warriors of whom I have chosen. You are all…too special to lose."

She shook her head as she spoke that last sentence. But, hey! The good news…it was somewhat positive this time. Knowing exactly how Cosmos felt about us was truly worth hearing. She still believed in us even without our crystals, despite how difficult any efforts towards Chaos' defeat would be without them. That counted for something - to me anyway.

"Well, we cannot just sit here while Chaos becomes more powerful through this battle. You have called up on us to fight for harmony and peace and see to his fall. We cannot and will not allow ourselves to let you down now." Cecil said.

"Yes. No matter the circumstances, there is always a way. We would not have even made it this far if there wasn't." Garnet said.

Zidane walked up to her and smiled as he put his arm around her. I couldn't help but smile at that.

"What exactly do you suppose we do? We cannot just travel to the land of discord of our own volition and expect to defeat Chaos. That is almost certain death." Firion stated.

We all thought for a moment. It was true. Chaos was far too powerful for us to defeat alone. Without the crystals, it was practically inevitable that we'd lose. Still…I knew there was something that could be done. I just didn't know what or how…yet.

"Obviously, none of us are stupid enough to act so recklessly. Heck! Just the mere thought alone of doing so is enough to keep me shaking in my boots," Laguna said.

Everyone looked at him as he spoke.

"Still though…if Chaos must be defeated and we don't have our crystals…maybe, there's another way than just sheer ignorance and carelessness."

He looked at Cosmos with a smile.

"Yes. You called on us and we have chosen to fight for you. Though our attempts at the crystals have proved futile, it doesn't mean all hope is lost in this fight." Garnet stated.

She stepped toward Cosmos as she stared ahead.

"Cosmos…you chose to believe in every one of us as we journeyed to find our crystals. We may have failed you in that aspect, but we haven't failed you in giving you what you desire most – a world without discord and war; a world without Chaos. If you could choose to believe in us just as much once more…I'm sure that may just give us the strength we need even without the crystals."

"Yeah. I mean, the battle may be tougher without them, but there are no guarantees either way. I say we go for it! We take this fight to Chaos himself before his power grows too much. If he's feeding off the flow of battle…we'll just have to end this battle – and there's only one way to do that." Locke said, stepping up next to Garnet.

Cosmos looked at the two of them and everyone else. It was obvious she still had her doubts, but I could also tell she wanted to believe in us. It was up to her whether or not she did though. That…was what everything relied on.

Unfortunately, Cosmos dropped her head slowly once more.

"I…I want to believe in you all – I do believe in you. But…I just cannot believe in your reasons. What you ask is suicide. You cannot hope to defeat Chaos with your power alone. All it will gain you…is certain death, and none too merciful at that. I do not wish you to suffer such an awful fate. I can't."

She closed her eyes. It sounded like she wanted to cry really, but she refrained. Fear and sorrow were overtaking her for sure, but she didn't want to feel weak in front of us. She couldn't stand for us to see her in more…human moments. I found it odd and funny since everyone has moments like that. But, then I realized that for her…it just wasn't in her to feel so powerless. She had to be strong for us and she knew that. Coming to understand such…I knew why she was hesitant.

Balthier slowly walked up to her as she sat slumped in her seat. I could tell something had come to his mind and I felt a quick rush of hope.

"Cosmos." he said.

She slowly looked up at him as he stared at her silently with a straight face.

"We understand your hesitance and fears. However…we also understand that we cannot allow for Chaos to win this fight. Whether or not you choose to believe in us…we're going. We will take this fight to Chaos himself and show him the true power of Cosmos' warriors – even without our crystals. All the strength we really need…is right in here." he stated.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Only then, did Cosmos herself come to her conclusion.

She sat up in her seat and looked at all of us – a new resolve having formed in her eyes. She had chosen to believe in us and there was no giving in now as she nodded in acceptance.

"Very well. I trust in you all to end this conflict and bring peace to this world. However, please allow for me to give you one last gift before you go. This power I bestow up on you now…will give you enough to withstand any forces of Chaos you may face along the way. I ask that you all gather closely for this."

We all did as she requested and only then did I realize something.

"Hey…where's Zack anyway?"

Everyone looked around, but Zack was nowhere to be seen.

"How did we not notice he wasn't here? Where has he gone?" Yuna asked.

I looked around and my eyes came to Lightning. She was the last person to see him. Maybe she knew.

"Light, you were traveling with Zack. Didn't he arrive here with you?"

She quickly turned away, clearly affected by my words. What had gone wrong? Had something happened to him?

"…Lightning?" I asked.

She only breathed softly to herself as she stared at the ground.

"I…don't know, okay? The last time I saw him…"

She didn't finish her sentence and that only made things worse. A million thoughts raced through my mind and everyone else's. Zack may have been confident, and at times too much so, but he would never have run off on his own – at least not in this world. Something had to have occurred that compelled him to act so...carelessly. The only question was…what?

"What happened?"

Lightning was hesitant to answer, which only served to fuel my rising anger. Something had gone wrong and Lightning had chosen to abandon someone – in of all places, this world. I'd had enough of her uncaring antics.

"YOU LEFT HIM, DIDN'T YOU? THINGS WENT WRONG AND YOU LEFT HIM BECAUSE HE WAS "HOLDING YOU BACK", RIGHT?"

Lightning quickly drew her blade and held it against Snow's neck.

"Talk to me like that again, and this battle will be the least of your worries." she warned.

The moment I saw that, I was terrified. I was sure she would have killed him right there in front of us all if Cosmos hadn't spoken then.

"Lightning! I request that you withdraw your blade now."

Her voice had a hint of demand in it as Lightning stared at her for a moment before reluctantly collapsing her sword back into its holster. She grumbled as she stepped away from Snow angrily.

Cosmos looked at Snow as she spoke.

"Wherever he has gone, he may be in danger so long as he traverses this world alone. With Chaos' power, his warriors, and the manikins at his disposal…Zack will not last long enough on his own. You must find him and bring him here. Only then, will shall I grant this power unto you. I do not wish to leave a single one of you out."

I nodded proudly in response.

"You got it! Leave it to me! I'll be back soon."

I started to walk away when I was stopped quickly.

"Wait! Going alone would only invite trouble. I ask that you take company with you. You'll stand a better chance with allies." Cosmos said.

I looked at her as I put my hand on the back of my head.

"O-kay. Who's with me?"

No one even made an attempt to move for a moment and I began to think that it was either fear taking over…or none of them truly cared. I forced myself to believe it was the first one.

"Well…I suppose if no one else will." Balthier said, as he stepped forward.

I nodded thankfully. Balthier may have seemed somewhat conceited at times, but he proved to be a noble person at least.

"We'll all go." Garnet said, as she, Rinoa, and Locke stepped forward together.

"You'll have more success if there are more people searching." Rinoa said.

I nodded in response.

"Thanks. I appreciate the thought." I said, as I smiled back at them.

We all looked back at Cosmos and the others one last time.

"Okay, we won't be long. See you soon!" I said, as we headed off to find Zack.

Lightning scoffed lightly as we walked away and the others watched us, hoping we wouldn't find trouble as we left. Cosmos, however, watched us closely. There was a deep concern in her eyes, but for whatever reason...she chose to keep to herself about it.

"As we made our way out of Sanctuary, only the thought of finding Zack and returning to the others once more was on our minds. We didn't know where he was, but we were sure to find him sooner or later. Unfortunately, we had no idea what lay ahead – or, that this would be the last time any of us saw our friends, or Sanctuary, ever again."

*Author's Note* - From this point on in the story, the chapters will be jumping from one point of view to the other at times, so they may seem confusing due to the sudden change of character. Still, I figured it'd be an interesting way to tell the rest of the story and it's also kind of necessary as well. I'm also aware this chapter is MUCH longer than the rest, but it's THE most prominent point of the story, so it needed to be explained fully and completely.