A/N: Here it is folks… one of the chapters you've been waiting for all this time. You can bet your boots that the dialogue is slightly different since I've adapted it for this story. Anyway… as you so choose, I would recommend you starting your playlist from Heart of Chaos onwards—you'll get the idea why. By this point, I would like you all to disregard Requiem of the Goddess since I had this planned before the DLC was released. Well, it made sense in my head so yeah, ehehe. Also, I know roughly what happens in Lightning Returns so please don't say anything about it, alright? Me no like spoilers ;)
I worked really hard on delivering this chapter and making it spot-free as possible! So please leave me your comments and thoughts; I'd like to know if I executed it well!
Alrighty then, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: A dark fantasy that will never taste the light within a darkened realm, harbored by black hearted beasts. May she be the one to rise above it for freedom all with a blood stained sacrifice.
Chapter 29: Heart of Chaos
Valhalla. A realm existing outside the boundaries of time remain unchanged for months without its protectorate present. The waves continued to wash small crystal shards onto the grainy ebony sand, stained by charred pockets and sharp rocks from endless battles shared between two powerful people: The devoted, immortal guardian and the goddess's knight in shining armor. It had been a suspenseful year that washed by effortlessly without much change to Valhalla's shores. The tall, monstrous vacant buildings remained as souls continued to slide through its opened cracks and hollowed windows. It was the city of the dead where the dead continued to roam freely without purpose.
Past all the buildings were tall sharp black cliffs that stood against the test of time and its rampaging elements. The cliff stood tall despite the rain and violent windstorms that whipped and clawed against its jagged surface, shattering parts of rock and sending debris falling into the sea. Yet, it was the cliff, a grim reminder that started it all. Many moons ago, this very cliff held the Warrior Goddess prisoner until she was freed by her foe. A foe she knew too well from the countless battles they shared through witty talk and bloodshed. The foe which she ultimately succumbed to into delivering the one thing he sought for most: A son.
Walking through the polished blue and white marble checkered floors, the footsteps came to a standstill in front of a large white door. A breath of hesitation echoed. Reaching out to the silver-winged door handle, a hand gently pushed down the handle and opened it. Followed by a soft creak, she took a bold step forward into the room decorated with suns and stars shimmering above her.
"A baby's room…" The words slipped out of her lips.
On the walls were loops painted in white paint to mimic Valhalla's silent waves, rubbing against its ebony shores. Lined in front of the left wall was a white bookshelf lined with books of all sorts; Paddraen lullabies to Pulsian fairytales from the past long forgotten by time and its peoples. In front of her was a lone white cradle by the large windows, hidden behind layers of thin fabric. Holding the newborn closely, Lightning's eyes fell onto the cradle, cushioned with soft fabric and a plush toy in the corner. Looking down at her son, the Heir to Chaos, her eyes saddened.
Since she stepped foot into Etro's Temple, she was unable to shake off the feeling of sudden betrayal and loss. Unable to express it into words, her eyes expressed her grief. Her ears picked up Chaos Yeul's haunting words: He will leave you. He will abandon you. He does not love you. You mean nothing to him. You were a vessel... The words spun in her mind again and again, agitating the young mother. Whenever Lightning wanted to scream, Chaos Yeul's voice ceased as quickly as it came. When she believed she was alone, the voices resumed.
"He will leave me," Lightning said in a shaky whisper. She was beginning to believe every taunting word by Chaos Yeul. Shaking her head rigorously, Lightning tried to come to her senses. "He will leave me. I was nothing more than a vessel. And so what if he leaves me? I can look after him on my own. I don't need his help."
That was what she was trying to convince herself. Hugging her son, Lightning approached the cradle. Placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, she carefully lowered the fragile bundle onto the soft linings of the cradle. Removing the cloth that wrapped him, her fingers slid across her son's arms and to his fingers. Yet, it was that very moment his tiny fingers wrapped around her index finger. Releasing a small cry, her son slowly opened her eyes and for the first time, saw his mother. As Caius said, his eyes were blue just like hers. Hearing her son whimper, Lightning's heartstrings jerked in the worse possible way.
"Claire."
His voice. He called her by her name, her first name. The name she buried years ago after the death of her parents. Recoiling from the baby, Lightning dropped her arms to her sides and turned to stone. No, she needed to get out of here. She came to Valhalla to keep her baby safe and surrender her heart. Yes, that was right; surrender her heart and honor Etro's request. Taking in a deep breath, the knight spun and forced body to walk to the door, regardless if he stood directly in front of it. Daring not to lift her head or utter her turbulent thoughts, she prayed her actions would be noticed by him and he would step aside and let her be. There was nothing more to be said, Lightning assumed. No more words were to be exchanged regardless of the situation; everything had been carefully arranged for this very moment.
"I know everything," she heard him say. "I know the truth."
Lightning remained silent, disposing of his words from her memory.
"I have seen and heard the truth with my very own eyes and ears. I was a fool." he continued. "No amount of apologies could mend her broken heart and yours, Claire Farron. For the pain I have caused my first wife was unquestionable. For the pain I have caused you to suffer by my selfish actions is beyond unforgivable. I managed to hurt the two most important women in my life—"
"Enough." Lightning firmly voiced. "I don't want to hear it."
Lightning tensed the moment his hands fell on her shoulders. "Please, Claire Farron. Please... listen to me."
"You want me to listen?" Lightning whispered. Her eyes were sealed shut, feeling a wave of emotions bubbling inside her. Her fists tightened. "You want me to listen?"
"I used you, Claire Farron. I used you to gain the one thing I lost many centuries ago. I used you to gain a family when my wife no longer could. I was told of a woman from the future would fulfill everything I could have possibly wished for. She gave me a son as I had always hoped. She gave me a family but... She never gave me her heart."
Lightning's body continued to shake madly listening to his sincere words of apology and regret.
"I forced you for a son and a family, Claire. I understand no amount of apologies would be accepted. I imprisoned you, took away your dignity—"
Delivering the hardest punch she mustered, Lightning was going to hear no more of it. To see him stumble back into the door, Lightning gritted her teeth with hate brewing through her veins. How dare he? How dare he utter the words of apology after all she had gone through? Everything. Everything he had done to her could not be remedied by a simple, heartfelt apology from the mouth from a madman. Caius carefully lifted his head where he was yet again, struck by firm slap from his wife. Slammed once again into the polished door, Lightning was beyond enraged with uncontrolled tears of frustration pouring out of her beautiful blue eyes.
"SHUT UP!" Lightning shrieked. "What makes you think after all this time a simple apology will cleanse you of your sins?! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
Curling her fingers around his armor, Lightning wanted to destroy him. She wanted to destroy him just like he destroyed her, on those moonless nights where she was stripped bare and tied to the bed. Her screams muffled by the sounds of the sky.
"You're a monster! A heartless monster that does everything for his selfish needs... A monster who would use a woman to fulfill his sick desires... A monster who would destroy the world for the sake of a young girl..."
"...And a monster who will do anything for his family."
Lightning looked deep into his eyes, tightening her grip on his armor until her knuckles were drained of color.
"How could you even possibly say that?!" Lightning was angry, fueled by her brewing hatred and sorrow. "You're planning on destroying the world and you expect for us to live in it?! A world overflowing with Chaos?!"
She dipped her head, fingers trembling.
"You want your son to live in a world where everything is going to end?! The hearts of people would no longer be pure... Continents will perish, people will go mad and monsters will walk amongst us. Is this how you envision your damned 'New World'?! You want your son to live in a dying world... without possibly ever knowing who his father is?!"
"His mother will protect him with her life..."
"You're an idiot! A selfish bastard! You're supposed to be there for him! Are you telling me you won't be around to see his first steps or when he speaks his first words?!"
"..."
"Then?! What was all of this for then?! You got the son you wanted and you won't even be there when he calls out for his father!" Slamming him into the door again, Lightning heard her son cry. With more tears streaming down her cheeks, she screeched, "You sick excuse for a human being! You... You won't be there to protect him! You won't be there to protect us! You... You just won't be there... You'll... You'll... abandon him..."
There was a pause from him. "You are afraid… I will abandon you?"
"That's not the point…" Lightning uttered in a sorrow-filled whisper.
Uncurling her fingers from his armor, her arms again fell to her sides. She knew he was going to abandon her; she was waiting for him to admit it. Lightning had a nagging feeling Caius continued to hide something from her. Something he dared not speak of. Something perhaps, may shake the very foundation of their relationship.
"Didn't you promise me?" Lightning spoke softly. "You promised to me on the night I gave birth to our son: You will protect us, you said. Nothing would tear us apart."
"I did. I remember my words very well."
"Did you mean them?" Her voice grew softer while the beats in her heart echoed louder. "Or were those words lies too?"
"They were not lies." he truthfully responded. "I meant every word of it."
"Then tell me: What else are you hiding from me?"
"There is nothing else to hide from you," he admitted. "I have no more lies or truths to hide from you, Claire Farron."
Was it that simple? Hearing him say those words offered no comfort to Lightning. Hearing him step forward, he walked around her heading to the cradle. Curling his fingers on the side of the cradle, Caius's eyes fell onto his son. The young one waved his arms and legs, screaming at the top of his lungs. Quickly picking him up, Caius tried to calm his son and gently pat him on the back. Walking to the window, he could not believe Lightning could have birthed him the perfect son. He was everything. He was his world. Caius believed everything he had done up until now was for Yeul but in reality, he realized all too late his efforts were also for the family he so desired: His son. The Heir to Chaos. The son birthed between an immortal guardian and a human girl who defied the gods.
"Don't cry, little one," he whispered. "I'm here."
"Caius…" Caius stopped and spun around. Locking eyes with Lightning, his wife, she extended out her arms. "Give him to me."
It was strange; one moment Lightning was furious with him and the next, she cooled down enough for the sake of their son. Her anger evaporated like water. Nodding, Caius gently lowered his son into Lightning's awaiting arms. Although he had not completely let go of his son, his arm wrapped around Lightning's body and brought her closer to him.
"We are a family." she heard him say. "Whatever the future may hold, Claire, always remember that I vow to protect you and our son. I want to hear him speak his first words and see him take his first steps. I want to hear him call out to his mother. I want to be there for both of you and I promise I will."
Lightning's heart fluttered hearing his sincere words. "Truly?"
Pressing his lips against her forehead, he meant every word of it. "Even if you may not forgive me for the crimes I committed against your heart, I do not mind. All I wish is for you to give your heart to our son. He has a part of you as well. Do you think you can do that?"
"I can." Lightning replied.
Gently parting from her, his fingers slipped from her arm as he fell onto a knee. Gently cradling her hand, he looked deeply into her eyes. Caius wanted Lightning to know every word spoken was the truth.
"…For everything I have done to you, it was all my fault. Claire… I'm sorry."
Perhaps it was that very moment, Lightning knew Caius spoke the truth. A simple forgiveness could not release him from the sins he committed against her: Murdering her parents, killing thousands of innocents, dehumanizing her or simply lying to her about Serah's death was beyond forgivable. Yet, here he was, on his knees telling her whole heartedly he was sorry. All the death and decay could have been averted if he was directed in the right direction. Lightning knew, all too well, it was Chaos Yeul who tasked Caius to do the things he did. If perhaps Caius had encountered a more generous Yeul, possibly things could have been different. Imaginably, Lightning thought, they could have met on better terms and worked together to save this seemingly doomed world. And maybe, even if she would never voice it aloud, Caius could have been the one who could have unlocked her heart and made her trust in people again. Perhaps, she could have learned to love another person who was not family.
Could she ever forgive him? No. But, there was one thing he could do: Be there for his son.
Lightning delivered her trademark sigh. Looking down at her son cradled against her breast, she reminded herself what was done, was done. There was no turning back. "Caius. I trust you to be there for him. I will never forgive you if you abandon your son. Do you understand?"
Caius nodded. Standing up, Lightning did something she thought she could never do. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Taking a step back, she trusted him enough to be here for their son. That was all he needed to do and that was all she wanted.
"What happens next?" Lightning questioned. Her eyes were fixed on the vacant shores of Valhalla. The seas were oddly quiet since her arrival.
"We enjoy the moment," Caius responded. Slipping an arm around her, they suddenly warped into another room: The master bedroom.
Lightning looked around; this was a room she had never seen before. The room was larger than the room she was forced to live in a year ago. Decorated in blue, white and silver, the décor was polished to perfection as furniture pieces were pressed against the blue painted walls. Something was different with this room. The room had no negative energy or malice. It was just a simple, spacious room and a large Queen sized bed to be shared by two people.
"Come,"
Reaching out for her hand and gently pulling her forward, Caius guided her onto the soft mattress covered in light blue silk linen. Lightning climbed onto it and carefully laid her son to her side, in the middle of the bed. Caius did the same and lay on the other side of his son. Lightning reached out and held her son's tiny hand. Caius reached out to Lightning and affectionately stroked the side of her face with his fingers. All the things he did to this woman were beyond unspeakable. He often wondered how blind he was to lay a finger on her and forced her to do things she was not willing to. He was a monster that must be erased from history.
"Take a moment to rest Lightning" Caius spoke sincerely. "You have been through a lot of things. You should rest, even if it may be just a couple of minutes. Close your eyes, Lightning."
Lightning was oblivious to the spell he cast around her eyes. Her blue eyes blinked again and again, trying to focus on his suddenly hazy face. Internally panicking, she blinked again and again. Caius continued to stroke her cheek watching his wife succumb to the sleeping spell. He watched her carefully release her son's hand and reached out towards him. Lightning's words were garbled trying to question his actions. Her eyelids closed once but she forced them open again. Propping herself up on an elbow, the tips of Lightning's fingers managed to touch his cheek.
"Caius… What…"
There was a distinct pause from him. Caius gathered his voice and spoke quietly, "Rest, my wife. Rest."
Lightning saw the way Caius looked at her and then at their son. His eyes told her of a man who blatantly lied to her in order to hide his true agenda. He lied. He lied to her and Lightning realized all too late. She watched him sit up and pulled her into an embrace. Kissing her softly on her lips, then her cheeks and forehead, he gently laid her back down. Lightning's fingers quickly snatched the cloth strip around his shoulders, pulling him as close as possible while she continued to battle the spell without success. Lightning ground her teeth knowing full well Caius was leaving. Carefully entangling her fingers from him, he placed his fingers over her eyes.
"Caius…" Lightning delicately voiced with knitted eyebrows. "Cai…us… What… Where are… you… going…? You promised… You promised you'd stay… protect us… him… me…"
"I am sorry, Claire. This is something I must do. Forgive me."
Forgive me, he said. Those were the last two words she heard. Silence. Falling into deep slumber, the Warrior Goddess breathed silently with knitted eyebrows. She was not at peace. Leaning forth, Caius kissed his son's forehead and cheek. Reaching out to Lightning's arm, he placed her fingers over their son. It was the best thing he could do as a father and as a loving husband. Removing his fingers from his family, he slid off the mattress and focused on the important matters at hand. With a heavy heart and guilt coursing through his veins, Caius warped to finish what he had started: Destroy the goddess.
Swords collided, sparks flew and feet skidded across the ground. The battle was intense, heart wrenching but yet, fueled with determination. The three warriors combated it out viciously for the sake of the future, hanging dangerously on a thread. Casting a spell infused with ice shards, Serah huffed and heaved watching her spell effortlessly dissolve the moment it struck Caius's armor. Pulling the bowstring a couple more times, her eyes were firm; she was determined to save the future whether it would ultimately cost her life. She had known; she had known full well and came to a complete understanding she possessed the Eyes of Etro. Her visions were as clear as crystal glass. If her contribution, meaning the loss of her life would mean the world would be saved and the timelines restored, she would gladly sacrifice her life for it.
Noel gritted his teeth as he too, skidded across the ground before launching an all-out assault against his mentor. There was so much more at stake than he anticipated: The stake of the world, the timelines, the future, Serah, Yeul and… Lightning. Crossing swords with Caius, there was something about Caius that made him much more dangerous than their previous encounters. The guardian's eyes burned with fierce determination in aims to eliminate Noel and Serah's meddling. Everything he had planned until this point had been for the sake of Yeul. But was it? But was all of his plans were for the sake of a young girl, cursed with the goddess's eyes or was it simply for the fact he now had a family? Refusing to allow the answer to reflect in his eyes, the guardian shoved Noel away and delivered a blast red waves knocking both Serah and Noel off their feet.
The battle continued to wage on as far as time allowed it; the battleground in Valhalla escalated to an entirely new level. Determined by the fact his wife, Lightning was fast asleep and soon to wake, he must end the battle here and now. He was determined to show Lightning into a new world which he created from the blood stains dripping off his age-old fingers. Caius knew time was short for him to finish his deeds. It was now or never.
Locking swords once more against his mad mentor, Noel gritted his teeth. This madness needed to stop! Noel knew Serah was becoming weak as the seconds ticked by; weakened from the visions, open gashes and bruises and the constant battle with Caius, everything must end. Covered in cuts and bruises, Noel drew in a deep breath and slammed his sword against Ragnarok, in hopes the sparks erupting the two blades would open Caius's eyes.
"Stop this nonsense, Caius, stop it now!" Noel shouted, pressuring his sword forward. "Stop this madness!"
"I cannot!" The guardian growled, eyes flickering from purple to red. "Everything is for the sake of Yeul! Do you know how it feels to watch her die, time and time again? Each Yeul was different; there was a Yeul who loved flowers, a Yeul who loved to sing, a Yeul who loved to read… they were all different! Each Yeul died before she understood the meaning of what it meant to live! This accursed cycle will be stopped when the Goddess's blood is on my hands!"
Noel lowered his head but soon locked eyes with him once again, "You're a fool, Caius. A fool. This isn't what Yeul would have wanted! She wanted a future where the future is bright. A future where everybody could live in peace! Dammit, Caius, she wanted a future where she can be with you! Don't you get it?!"
Their swords unlocked and immediately was followed a deadly display of sword arts from Noel. Defending himself from the on-coming attacks, Caius listened to Noel's words about Yeul, how Yeul was only reborn simply for the fact she wanted to be beside Caius. Shaking his head, Noel was once again attacking Caius and once again, their swords were locked. Noel needed to get through to Caius before it was too late.
"The Goddess will die!"
"And what about Lightning?!"
"Leave her out of this,"
Serah's heart skipped a beat. What about Lightning? Looking from Noel to Caius, the two men suddenly shifted their attention to Lightning. Watching Noel shake his head, he delivered a forceful upper-cut to his mentor, steel slicing onto thick armor. Caius landed on his back. Noel heaved and gripped onto his blade tightly. It… It should have never come to this. Noel never wanted to use Lightning in order to snap Caius out of his senses. Noel knew of the truth; he knew of Lightning and Caius's son. He knew.
Watching his mentor lay almost motionlessly in water, Noel took a moment to breathe. Yet, not even ten seconds passed by, Caius's body was suddenly consumed in black smog; it was Chaos. Serah jogged over and questioned Noel if he was alright and believed the battle was decided. About to question Noel about Lightning, the area around them grew dark and menacing. Sounds of thunder slammed against their eardrums as terrifying lightning strikes shook the ground. Each warrior gripped tightly on his and her weapons feeling a wave of intense Chaos rippling around them. Engulfed in nothing but darkness, the two were suddenly transported onto a rough platform and lifted into the heavens. Unsure what was about to happen, the sound of a dragon's menacing screech pierced their ears. They spun around, eyes wide open.
There was not one, not two but three menacing dragons staring directly at them. Noel swallowed a ball of saliva down his throat; it was never meant to be like this. Looking from the red dragon, to the yellow and ultimately to the purple dragon in the center, Caius was dead-set on eliminating both Noel and Serah in one fell swoop.
"Damn you, Caius! When will you open your eyes?!"
The dragon did not respond. Shaking his head, there was no choice. The only way out was to battle his mentor—his friend. Serah carefully nudged Noel in anticipation for the soon-to-be final battle. The young girl was not afraid. Serah tilted her head and looked into the eyes of the dragons before her. She was going to die trying to save this world. The world that once was jeopardized by the actions of the Fal'Cie and the ultimate corruption of the Timeline due to the interference of Etro. Released from crystal stasis, she and the others were able to live normal lives but something unprecedented happened instead; Lightning was erased from history and became Etro's Champion. Serah set out on her journey to find Lightning and bring her home. In doing so, they encountered knots in the Timeline which had to be untangled in order for history to properly restore itself. All their efforts of solving paradoxes and mending the Timeline came down to this very moment; the moment which Caius must be defeated.
"Noel…" Serah spoke quietly and took in a deep breath. "This is it."
"Yeah." Flexing his wrists and went into attack mode, Noel took in a deep breath. It was now or never. "Let's do this!"
The battle was intensely long and painful. Falling to his knees with his fingers gripped tightly over his exhausted beating heart, Caius was not finished. He could not simply lose, no, not now. There was too much at stake for him to lose or surrender. He was going to destroy the world. It was plan he had plotted for centuries and today, it would come true. Using Ragnarok to support his weight, the guardian looked directly into Noel's eyes while he remembered Noel's words about Yeul ringing in the back of his mind. Yeul was reborn again and again because she wanted to be with him. That was all she ever wanted. All the visions she endured was worth all those times dying; through every life, she managed to be with Caius until her very last breath. He remembered every time she died, she died with a smile on her face. She died in the arms of the man whom she came to love.
Caius dipped his head forward and breathed deeply, if Yeul was suffering because of him then… what was the purpose of everything? Shaking his head, Caius remembered his goal: Create a new world without a goddess so the next Yeul would be reborn, free from the curse. Perhaps, the next world where she would be reborn, it would be best if he was not there. And maybe, the same could be said for…
"Kill me," Caius murmured. "Kill me now."
Perplexed by his friend's sudden change in demeanor, Caius stabbed Ragnarok into the sand and dashed to Noel. Gripped tightly on the young hunter's sword, Caius positioned Noel's sword right above his beating heart.
"Kill me. Kill me if it frees Yeul from her eternal suffering."
Lightning's fingers twitched. Whispering something inaudible under her breath, the Warrior Goddess stirred quietly on the soft linen sheets. Slowly opening her eyes, Lightning's mind was foggy. How long was she out? Placing a hand on her forehead, her eyes blinked a couple of times to adjust her wavy visions. Breathing out quietly, Lightning's ears picked up on the sound of her son moving, waving his arms and legs. Patting him gently, Lightning leaned forward to inspect her son. Yet, she never expected her eyes to look past her son, through the clear window to spot parts of Valhalla's shores bruised beyond recognition. Feeling her heart drop to the soles of her feet, Lightning hastily slipped off the mattress and marched to the window.
Pressing her gloved hands against the cold window surface, her lips moved into question, "What's going on…?"
It was hard to see at first through the ominous curtain of fog passing the window. Feeling something terribly wrong stirring in her gut, Lightning waited patiently for the fog to pass by. Maybe it was best if she remained asleep rather than to witness the sight before her. Even before her mind could register the bodies standing on the shores, the warrior had spun around, heart beating as fast as her quickened footsteps. Hastily rushing to the door, Lightning's hands gripped around the metallic handle cooling against her fingers. Snapping her head around, Lightning watched her son sleep on the bed. Looking past him, outside the window where she stood, she was conflicted; should she bring her son out into the battlefield or allow him to stay here, in the safety of Etro's Temple? Lightning believed, if she took her son with her, things would change. Yes, they should change for the better. It was in her blood to avoid disaster at all costs and now was the time to do so.
Clenching her fists tightly, Lightning quickly walked to her son and carefully placed a comforting kiss on his forehead. Although he heard his mother but was unable to distinguish her words, it was Lightning's heartfelt gesture that counted.
"Stay put, little one," Lightning whispered. "I'll make sure I'll bring your father back. He promised to be with us. He promised."
Backing away from her son, Lightning immediately headed to the door, hoping she was able to stop the madness before it was too late. Once the door slammed shut, the room fell eerily quiet. Without his mother or father to protect him, the young boy emitted a soft squeak and waved his limbs, hoping to be touched by someone—anyone. Feeling cold creep across his vulnerable skin, the heir wept. He cried and cried but nobody was around. His cheeks turned bright red hoping someone—anybody would hear him. His cries, as loud as they were, remained answered.
"Don't cry, little one," A girl's voice slipped into the room. The curtains fluttered and what appeared to be grey mist tip-toeing inside the room, weaving in and around polished furniture. Slender white fingers grazed across his smooth skin, gently rubbing his cheeks. "I'm here now. Don't be scared."
Carefully slipping her delicate arms around the child, the girl sat at the edge of the bed and cradled the heir, hushing him as quietly as she could whereas she adored his handsome features.
"Hush, little one. Do you miss your mommy and daddy?"
Chaos Yeul stared at the heir with much interest with dark intentions burning in her eyes. Unable to suppress a grin, she moved a finger and pressed it against his tiny beating heart.
"The Heir to Chaos," she whispered and cast a spell on the boy. The black threads turned smoke weaved in and around the boy, slipping into his skin and seeped into his fragile heart. "What a beautiful future the boy is going to witness when he opens his eyes. The world charred in black and is at the end of the days. Heh, I'm sure the people would love hunting the last remnants of Chaos, once they found out The Savior, is responsible for his life. Tee hee hee!"
Chaos Yeul giggled, followed by sinister fits of laughter. Everything was just too perfect. Oh, how she wanted for the final scene to unfold ever so quickly. It was exactly how it was predicted. Long she waited for this dear moment to come to close the curtains on this terrible tragic love story tale caused by implanting lies into Caius's head. Chaos Yeul was eager to wait for the new chapter to begin. She wanted to witness Lightning's terrified face the moment reality slapped her across the face. She had the chance to save the world but instead, she allowed her pitiful motherly instincts to intervene. Never matter. Keeping the boy alive was something any mother would do, including jeopardizing the world for it.
"Are you insane?!" Noel shot in hysterics, trying desperately to free his sword from his friend.
Locked in a vicious tug-of-war the young hunter and his mentor each refused to let go of the blade. Noel tried his best to pull back his sword but it was to no avail; Caius's fingers had a firm grip over the sharpened edge. With blood spilling from his fingers, Caius was determined to end it right here, right now. Noel, in frustration bit his lip. There was one thing left to do: Play the wild card.
"Dammit Caius, what about your wife?! Are you going to leave her just like that? Don't… Don't you love her?!"
Serah released out a gasp. What… What did Noel say? Wife? Did Noel say wife? Moving her blue eyes from Noel to Caius, especially Caius, Serah blinked. Yes, now she remembered. She remembered during their encounter in The Void Beyond, Caius mentioned Lightning was his wife. At the time, Serah refused to believe it was Lightning. No, it was a lie. It was a lie to be planted in her head. She doubted his words even until the moment she met and hugged her sister at New Bodhum 700 AF. Lightning was her sister, Etro's Champion and not Caius's wife. That was what Serah chose to believe… until now.
Grinding his teeth, Caius replied quietly. He knew full well he was going to betray her. For all the hurtful things he had done, perhaps this was the best way to redeem himself. "I love my wife but if it means I have to erase my existence to fulfill the prophecy then I will,"
"Stop this nonsense, Caius! This is going too far! Think about it! Think about Lightning for god's sake! Think about her! Think about your son!"
Son…? Serah thought. Caius has a son…? If it's true then Lightning… No, it's not true. Lightning couldn't!
Serah wanted to believe the words exchanged were lies. They were lies.
"I know about your son, Caius." Noel said half-heartedly. "I saw him, at New Bodhum 700 AF. I saw her too, Lightning, holding your son as any loving mother would. Are you planning to die and leave them like that?! You're planning on leaving her as a widow and your son to grow up without a father to look up to?"
"My son…" Caius murmured and thought of the times he held his son. The son he wanted for so long…
"You don't have to do this," Noel gently coaxed Caius out of his maddened haze. "We can work together to save the future. Please, Caius, think of the consequences… Think of your family."
Don't listen to him, Chaos Yeul's voice echoed in Caius's mind. You're close to freeing me from the cycle of death. Save me, Caius. Save me.
When Noel believed Caius's grip had loosened, the guardian pulled the blade a little closer to his heart. It was enough to scrape his armor once Noel quickly reacted and tightened his grip on the hilt. Caius was determined; he was determined to die.
"Caius!"
The sound of rattling armor echoing from the distance drew Caius's attention temporarily away from Noel. In the distance, he saw Lightning ride on a beast before leaping off it and quickly rushed to them. She speedily closed the distance between them and quickly wrapped her fingers around the hilt, over Noel's fingers. The rest of her fingers gripped tightly onto the sword, allowing the sharpened edge to dig into her skin.
"Lightning?" Caius questioned. "What are you doing here…?"
"Is this it?!" Lightning shot. "Is this what you've been hiding from me? Dammit Caius you told me you had no more secrets!"
"Then I am a terrible liar."
"I hate you!" Lightning screamed. "I hate you for your lies and mind games. I hate you for it! How could you do this to me?! How dare do this to your son?!"
Lightning was doing the best she could to pull the sword away from Caius's heart. Even with the combined strength of Noel and Lightning, Caius's grip remained firm. It was from a man with a strong conviction.
"You promised me! You promised me that you'll be there for our son! You promised!"
Indeed he did. He remembered it well telling it to Lightning to clear any doubts. He only said what he said to soothe out her heart. He crafted his words carefully so she would believe his lies.
Caius gazed into the eyes of his beautiful wife. "I'm sorry, Lightning."
Within a blink of an eye, Caius forcefully shoved Lightning a few steps away. Stumbling in the sand, the sudden explosive gesture took Noel by surprise. With Noel's fingers still wrapped around his sword, Caius did the unthinkable.
One drop. Two drops. Three then four then five drops rained onto the black sand. Hearing the soothing sounds of the sea scrape against the sand, Noel's eyes were buried onto the man before him. Noel was terrified to look; he was terrified to see what he had done. Swallowing hard, his eyes scanned down the length of his sword expecting to see an unstained blade. His fingers shook. His body trembled from the somber discovery; half his sword was buried in Caius's chest, right in the center of his beating heart. Did… Did he just…
Forcefully pulling the sword from his chest, the Time Guardian fumbled backwards and clutched onto his bleeding heart. Colors. Colors of all sorts shot from his heart directly into the stormy clouds above. The wind howled in a menacing tone, as if the wind itself was hurt. The colors swirled in the sky for a couple of seconds as the earth erupted into minor tremors. As quickly as everything started, it faded to silence. It was done. With his knees rapidly turning into water, his body was going into shock. With eyes about to roll into the back of his head, he dipped forward, expected to collide face first into the cold, unforgiving sand. Yet, it was not the case. Securing his fall and tailed by screams, Lightning had caught him. He felt the warmth of his beloved before him feeling her frail and shaken fingers pressing against his bleeding wound. He could barely make out her words. Were they curses? Were they words of a woman desperately trying to save her husband? What was it? What was she saying?
Lightning screamed out anything she could think of. Anything. Anything that could translate her turbulent emotions into rough words was good enough, right here and now. She had caught him, as he fell, directly into her arms. She was kneeling with an arm wrapped around Caius and her fingers staining with blood trying to stop the red mess from spilling from his chest. Her eyes were unable to contain the tears that poured out of her eyes and onto her cheeks below.
"Damn you to hell, Caius!" Lightning sobbed. "Damn you! You liar! You're the worse human being I've ever met!"
Caius faded in and out of consciousness but was able to register Lightning's words. He had hurt her. He hurt her more than he did on the night he took away her dignity. Pressing her palm directly over his wound, she began thinking of a spell. She hoped a miracle would happen. That was right, she was wishing for a miracle. He could not die; he did not have permission to die! He promised. He promised to be there for his son. He promised he was going to be there when his son spoke his first words or took his first steps. Dammit, he promised.
"Don't you dare die on me, you hear?" Lightning sobbed into his ear. "Please, you can't die! I'm not done with you yet! I'm… I'm going to save you even if you'll hate me for it."
"Claire…" His voice was shallow and light. "Let me go… The time has time. Let me go and never look back…"
"I won't," Lightning retorted, hugging him as tightly as she could. "I'm not going to listen to you. Say what you want. I'm… I'm going to save you."
The comment alone allowed his lips to curve upward into a smile. Caius's once limp arms carefully embraced his wife. With his face propped perfectly on the knight's shoulder he whispered back, "You are a beautiful pain, Warrior Goddess…"
"Don't say things like that," Lightning tried keeping herself together but she was falling to bits. "You're going to live… For your son."
There was not much time left in this world. Taking in a deep breath, his hands found their way to hold Lightning's arms without hesitation. It was that very moment he was able to look deep into her blue eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes which burn with fire and passion. They burned for the sake of living. They burned for a better tomorrow. And perhaps burning, for the sake of their son. Dipping his head forward, he met her lips in a tender yet silent moment. Wrapping his arms around her as tightly as he could, he was only able to whisper one more thing before his time was up.
"I love you, Claire Farron."
His arms dropped to the sides. An eerie silence erupted between them when Lightning realized Caius was no longer breathing. His chest no longer rose and fell. The blood that trickled from his heart faded into drips and droplets of crimson.
"Caius?" Lightning whispered feeling a new wave of emotions slam into her. Curling her fingers around his armor, she began to shake him. "Caius?" she repeated her voice slipping into a quiet whisper.
There was no response. Then the realization of his death violently slammed into her, as if someone had released a ton of bricks over her. Lightning began screaming his name and shaking him, hoping her efforts were enough to wake him up. He was asleep, she told herself. He was tired so he drifted off into a long nap. That was right. He was sleeping, he could not die. Wrapping her arms around him, Lightning screamed and sobbed in the same time. All the bubbling sorrow and anger was too much for her. Unsure of what else she could do, Lightning sobbed. This was not how it was to supposed to end. She… She had seen a different future where he was there, with her and their grown up son now three years old. She saw a future in a bright meadow radiating shades of green and gold. In that iridescent meadow was Caius, Lightning and their son, smiling and laughing together. There was no Chaos. There was no evil. The only thing that was there was a bright future filled with laughter and smiles. That was the future—that was the true prophecy.
"Caius… Wake up…" Lightning dipped her head forward as her forehead touched his shoulder. "Wake up. Please wake up… You have a son waiting for his father… You're son… you remember don't you?"
Her words were lost in the wind. He would never hear them. Opening her eyes, Lightning watched as white glitter appeared around her followed by an abundance of soft colors floating above and around. Looking around, she held him steadily. Hugging him as hard as she could, Lightning's fingers felt his body going lighter by the second as the wind carefully picked up. Watching a trail of pink, purple and white glitter ascending into the sky, Caius was slipping away through her fingers. Her voice was stuck in the back of her throat. Unable to speak, she merely watched as the sparkles continued upward into a beautiful column of soft colors.
Noel and Serah and Mog stood by quietly, witnessing the beautiful spectacle of tiny stars floating into the heavens. Caius was no longer there. Lightning's arms dropped in front of her while her head was tilted back, eyes fixed on the carefully parting clouds. Releasing another teardrop, Lightning's head dipped forward, eyes fixed on the sand between her fingers. Caius slipped through her fingers like sand. Caius was gone. Caius was now free of his curse. He could no longer twist the timelines and alter history. He removed himself from the pages of history and hoped to be forgotten. In doing so, Caius succeeded; he succeeded in doing the one thing he plotted for countless centuries through pain, suffering and bloodshed. The immortal guardian was finally at peace.
