Hello all! I have been hard to get a hold of lately, but I have been feeling a little off lately. I don't think it will last though, but in case the next update is late, don't get to mad. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and reviews shall be done later. This chapter is a tad more actiony, I think. But I hope you all enjoy it!

Gosh, I am sorry it took me so long. Stuff happened, I was unhappy, but I am here now! Reviews!

plummy-kins: Thank you! I'm glad you liked their interactions, I had fun writing it. :D And you liked my fight scene! *hugs* I'll do my best, and thank you for the luck!

Hope had thought he was prepared.

He had it all planned out in his head, and still did, but important details were slipping by him as the snow on the ground grew larger and larger, the packed blankets of white sucking the air from his lungs. The cabin was in view, as was the small pit of fire, and his eyes strayed over the land that had once been so familiar and so alien to him. He traced the path he had taken, the path he had been dragged down, beaten and forced into. He saw the blood that had stained the white snow, stark against the beautiful flakes, even though the pure whiteness had long since been restored. There was no blood there now.

Yet he could still see the ghosts of red.

"Hope..." Hope did not move as Rygdea touched his shoulder, did not flinch when he was jostled. He stared down at the approaching ground, his hair whipping back as they finally touched the snow, and the bitter wind washed over him. His skin froze, bumps popping on his back and arms, while his face became tight from the wind. "Hope, listen, if you need to go back-"

"N-No." Hope shut his eyes and shook his head, sucking in the cold air as it barreled into the airship. The frigid cold cased his lungs and made his chest burn, but he refused to let the pain show. Refused to let anything show. He snapped his eyes open and stared ahead, clenching his jaw until the bone began to throb. "No," he said, voice stronger, "No, I have to do this. I have to keep going." After everything that's happened...I can't just leave it like this. I have to do this.

I need to.

Yet as the airships landed and the engines slowly switched off, leaving the air still, Hope still felt the fear pulsing through him. Even as he stepped off with the others, Lightning hugging close to him as if to offer silent comfort, he could feel the choking hold the terror had on his throat. His stomach churned and bubbled, and his eyes roved the soldiers in an effort to escape the nausea that was hitting him in waves. He spotted their faces easily in the small crowd. Sazh, Lebreau coming off one ship, Maqui and Snow off the other, and each pair of eyes found him in return. Hope looked away almost as quickly as their eyes met, a burning shame making the cold seem even more intense.

"Hope," Lightning said from behind him, "Just keep going, I'm right behind you." Hope barely managed a nod as the groups began to trudge toward the small cabin, several small scout teams jogging ahead to inspect the area, their boots crunching in the snow. Hope swallowed hard and glanced at the small cabin, eyes widening as he took in the splintered wood.

Here. It had been here. He had been taken there. Trapped there. It was all inside that cabin, all inside that room, waiting for him-

Not now...don't remember now. Shut it out, shut it out. Remember why you're here. Remember Lightning and Snow and Serah and Lebreau. Remember everyone. You're fighting for them. You're doing this all for them. Hope glanced behind him, his eyes meeting Lightning's. You're fighting for her.

"Thank you," he mumbled, reaching out and brushing his hand against hers. Lightning blinked, her eyebrows raising as Hope turned away. The silveret just nodded to himself, his hands trembling at his sides, but a calm began to soothe him. This will all be over soon.

I'll make sure of it.

And it began to fall back into place. His calm, his confidence, and his self-reassurance that he was doing the right thing. It had to be the right thing, even if his body burned at the thought of it. Even if every scenario of what would happen after ran through his mind, relentless in guilt and anger. His feelings were jumbled, scattered in his mind as he tried to reach some consensus within himself. Yet it was a mantra inside of him, a lifeline he could not let go. It's the right thing. I have to do this.

He could feel Lightning and Rygdea's eyes on him and could sense the occasional glances from the others. More than that though, he could feel her. She was waiting, watching, praying he would crack and be hers again. Wanting him to slip up so she could snag him again, only this time take something even more precious from him.

And he would wait for her to try.

"It's all clear sir!" one of the scouts called, giving Rygdea a salute as he approached, "At least for now, I think we can safely begin to inspect the area."

Rygdea nodded, half glancing at Hope before he spoke again, "All right then, but I'm taking no chances. I want half of you to spread out and around the perimeter. I want it secured as quickly as possible. Two groups will be guarding the direct entrances to the cabin. Communicators are essential here, so I want them turned on, and now!" Several soldiers began to dig into their pockets, flipping their communicators on as Rygdea turned to the others. "All right everyone, it'll be a bit cramped, but if we time this right-"

"Protectega. Shellga," Hope muttered. A sheen of blue and green passed over every member of the group, all eyes widening at the sudden lights, but Rygdea went on as if there had been no interruption.

"-we can get out of here before we're detected. Now, the first group to head in-" Rygdea's eyes snapped to Lightning as she began to move away from the group, a look of surprise on her face, and he followed her line of vision to Hope as the man began to head for the front cabin door. Rygdea's eyes popped and he whipped himself around, pushing past several soldiers to get to Hope before her reached the door, relieved when Snow, Sazh, Lebreau, and Maqui began to make their way toward him too. However, the other soldiers seemed to take it as their cue to head inside, and began to file out, some spreading around the cabin with their guns cocked at their sides, while others formed small groups to wait to go in.

"Faith," Hope whispered as he pressed his hand to the door, hands shaking for just a moment before he shoved the old wood away, "Bravery." The spells washed over him, a warm bubble in his gut that seemed to rise to his chest. He took a deep breath, swallowing the feeling.

"Hope, what are you doing!" Lightning called, grabbing him on the shoulder before he could go inside. Hope flinched at her touch and slowly turned toward her, his eyes wide; stress circles forming deep creases under them. His eyes locked with hers a moment before trailing back to the door, and underneath her fingers Hope began to tremble. He shook his head and pushed the door the rest of the way open, breathing in as old smells flew to him. Musty books…the smoke from the fireplace.

Coppery, dried, dead blood.

"Hope, you need to-"

"Please Lightning," Hope said, turning to look at her once more. He grabbed her hand as it rubbed his shoulder, bringing it to his chest and pressing it to his heart, the organ rapid under her fingers, "Please...I have to do this. I have to do this now, or else...just-" Hope jumped as the others began to appear at the door and dropped Lightning's hand. He turned away before she could respond and started inside, looking over every inch of the cabin.

If Hope didn't know any better, he would have said things hadn't changed. From the moment that he had first woken inside the cabin, to his reluctant and final return, it looked the same as ever. At least on the surface. The old wood walls were cracked in some places, the boards letting in a small draft. The fireplace was alight, the same orange glow burning bright and strong in the corner of the room. There was a small bed shoved to the side, the blankets rumpled and half on the floor, suggesting someone had just fled from there. There were shelves and shelves and more shelves on the walls, each stuffed with books with strange lettering, some papers even falling out of their bindings.

And the door to the other small room was still closed tight.

It looked no different to Hope at first glance, but as the soldiers began to walk inside, their eyes filled with silent wonder as they finally entered the house they had exchanged rumors of, Hope squinted his eyes as he searched. He could see the small details that told him that things were not the same. The floor was covered in small bits of soot, the deep staining black burned into the old wood, and strange little lumps seemed engraved on the floor.

Letters and pens had fallen from a table tucked against a wall, and books were scattered around, their words dancing before Hope's eyes. He would let his gaze linger on them for a moment, searching for what he needed before turning away when nothing caught his eye. In the back of his mind, he could feel the other force pulling him, tugging his hand down a long and narrow pathway, the rest of the land shadowed by darkness. The touch was light, pushing and pulling him in the direction he wanted, the direction they both wanted but for different reasons, with the simple promise that he would know what it was when he saw it.

As Hope glanced at the small door that led to what was once his room, his stomach churned, letting him know that he wouldn't see until he went in there. There was a faint whisper and nudge in the back of his mind, as well as the fine trickling of terror.

"Hope, you doing okay?" Hope jumped as Snow appeared beside him, the tall and muscled man glancing around the room with a strangely solemn awe. Snow looked at Hope once he was sure he had his attention, and placed a large hand on his shoulder. "You've been staring at those shelves for the past five minutes. I was worried you might have actually decided reading was a worthwhile venture!" Snow grinned at his own joke and was unfazed when Hope didn't even crack a smile, instead pressing closer to his side.

"Everyone's worried you'd be tight as a bow, but you seem as cool as a cucumber Hope." Snow's grin widened and he shook his head, "Always wanted an excuse to use that."

"Please stop Snow," Hope muttered, stepping away from him.

Snow's smile melted away but instead of stepping off, he got closer to Hope and grabbed him by the arm, "I don't know-well, okay, that's bull. I think I know what's going on here Hope, and whatever shit it is you're planning, don't go through with it all right?" Snow lowered his voice and glanced around, "I know you think it's bad, but come on, we'll think of something all right? Everyone's worried enough as it is, so don't go-"

"Am I really that see through?" Hope whispered, looking away from Snow, "I never thought I was that easy to read, but maybe I'm wrong." A smile flitted on Hope's face, but it crumbled as he shook his head.

"Hope," Snow growled, tightening his grip, "I need you to listen." Snow glanced where Hope was staring, eyes narrowing as he looked at the door. He pulled Hope toward him and away from the door, "Hope, pay attention. I need you to promise me that you're not going to do something stupid, all right? Hope?"

"Snow...do you know what that room is?" Hope asked, hands clenching at his sides as his blood roared in his ears, "Do you know...what's on the other side." Snow swallowed, his chest swelling as his skin grew cold. Hope went on, his voice low and quiet, eyes still on the door, "I used to stay there. She kept me there for a while, and she'd have me study those books." Hope blinked hard, his chest aching as he shook his head, "And then she'd-"

"Hope."

Hope inhaled, closing his eyes as his body shook, and he grabbed Snow's hand and pulled it from his shoulder. "We have to go inside," he said, running his hand through his hair, "We have to go inside and get those books. One book, but-"

"Hope, what are you talking about? Come on, just-just-"

"Please Snow. Please, I need you or someone to come-come with me I-I can't going in there alone."

"Just hold still."

"I can't-I just-please. I'm almost ready but-"

"It won't hurt long, I swear."

"All right Hope," Snow said, grabbing his arms and shaking him slightly, "Just snap it of it. I'll get the others and we'll go in together and get whatever it is you're looking for, all right? No need to freak out now. I thought you were as cool as a cucumber." Snow smiled, eyes light but worried before he released him.

"Thank you Snow," Hope said as the man turned away. Snow paused at Hope's voice, hearing the gratitude and affection, and felt his stomach tighten. Hope shut his eyes again and took a deep breath, forcing his breathing to slow before looking at the door again. His eyes darkened for a moment before he forced the thoughts away, sweeping the haunting memories before they could consume them. Yet as the thoughts drifted to the back of his mind, barely even ghosting him, he wondered how he did it so easily. Maybe it's because of what I'm going to do. I mean, that could be a reason…to have a clear head. I should be scared. I should be scared and terrified and I think I am. But I can't seem to...to let it bother me. I don't get it. I don't get it at all. Is that sort of thing normal? That I can just forget it like that, push it away and keep going?

I guess it doesn't matter.

"Hope." Hope turned at Lightning's voice, a small, relieved smile forming when he caught sight of her, Lebreau, Maqui, Sazh, and Snow. "Rygdea wanted to come as well, but he has to make sure the others are at the right posts and watch for anything suspicious. He sent all of us though," Lightning paused, her mouth parted slightly as she searched his face, "What's wrong?" she asked, glancing around, "Is the enemy around, or did you feel strange or-"

"N-No!" Hope stepped forward, feeling his eyes sting, and he smiled at her, "No, that's not it. But thank you Lightning. It's just...this room." Hope glanced behind him again, clenching his jaw. "I need to go inside but I-" I'm too much of a coward to do it on my own. Even after all of this I can't manage to suck it up and keep going.

Lightning placed a hand on Hope's shoulder and nodded, turning to the door and running her hand along the wood. She grabbed the knob and slowly turned, pushing the door open and lifting up her gunblade, narrowing her eyes as a sliver of the room came into view. She released a breath when nothing sprung out and attacked her, but she kept her blade drawn and pushed the door all the way open, squinting when dusty air flew into her face.

Hope peeked inside of the room, eyes going to the bed, and he shuddered as the others followed in after Lightning. He was the last to step inside, still staring at the bed as he walked in. The covers were thrown to the floor and as Hope stepped closer, he could see faded red stains on the off white blankets. Those will never fade away... Hope sighed and tore his eyes away from the sheets, nearly bumping his head on one of the shelves nailed to the wall.

"What's with all of these books?" Lebreau asked, her hand on her hip, "I mean, I know they're supposed to be important and all, but what's with all of the weird writing." She shrugged and moved away, but Hope still stared at the books, his body feeling hollow as he looked at the shelves. There…somewhere…it's there.

Snow was busy looking at the splintered wood around the door, his head titled to the side as he kicked some of the splinters away, "Not much for cleaning up is she?" Sazh nodded, running a hand through his hair and pulling out his guns.

"No," Lightning mumbled, her eyes zeroing in on several dark blood spots on the floor, "She really isn't." She gritted her teeth and looked away, but her eyes seemed dead set on finding each and every blood spot in the room. There were several dark splatters on the floor, some small drops, others large puddles that no one had bothered to mop up. There was blood on the spines of the books, on the sheets, on discarded fur clothes thrown in the corner, and just about anywhere else Lightning looked. Splashes of red or dried black were everywhere.

Her eyes found Hope and she felt her throat start to close up, mind searching for an answer she didn't have. How did this happen? All of it...is it all Hope's blood? What happened to him that this could have- Lightning shook her head and looked around, trying to see past the dark stains that spoke of Hope's confinement, and tried to see something that could be of use to them. The only thing I'm seeing are books. And what good are those when we don't know what they say? I just don't get it. Lightning walked along the shelves, her eyes on the books but her mind far above them. Were we really only sent here to fight? Bait Saorise here and beat her once and for all? How? How can we do that though? Damn...none of this seems right.

Hope watched as his friends paced along the shelves, his eyes flickering back to the door as a few more soldiers found their way inside. He took a deep breath and returned his attention to the books, looking at their spines and watching as the strange black markings danced in front of him. As before, he could read the words and receive a picture of what they meant, but as he looked through each volume, he did not feel the strange spark or jolt that told him he had found it. The truth he needed, was so bent on finding before she arrived, eluded him.

There's Zalera. But then Helios is right next to it. They aren't in any kind of order at all! Hope almost growled as he brought a hand to one of the shelves, pulling some of the books down and dropping them to the floor, revealing more books crammed behind them. I bet she did this before we came here, just to make things more difficult or...

Or to buy herself time.

Hope swore under his breath and started to tear the books down, the spines hitting the wooden floor with soft thumps as Hope skimmed their covers. The others all glanced back at him, some of the soldiers looking perplexed. Maqui glanced at Lebreau and made to step toward Hope, but Lightning beat him to the punch, walking up to him and touching his shoulder. Hope jumped and whipped around at her, his eyes wide as a few strands of hair fell in front of his face.

"Light-Light what-"

"What are you doing Hope?" Lightning asked, glancing at the books before fixing Hope with a stern stare, "What is it? What are you looking for?"

"A-A-" Hope barely had a moment of panic and indecision before an answer spilled from his lips, "I'm looking for a certain book."

"Why?" Lightning asked, "Did something-" She stopped at Hope's desperate look, the man shaking his head before looking back at the shelves. Lightning growled but nodded, "What does it look like? Do you remember it from before?"

Hope swallowed, hands shaking as he panicked on what to say, when a voice rang in his head. "It's purple."

"Purple," Hope gasped, eyes returning to the shelves, "It's purple and it-" A brand. A little like yours but more of a shape. Think of horns when you search for it and it should spring right up. There are also diamonds near the bottom, two with empty centers. Four swords will be around it."

"And it has a brand on the cover and a smaller version of it on the spine. The brand has horns on it, and some diamonds. And there are four swords on the cover," Hope relayed. Lightning looked taken aback for a moment but Hope returned to looking at the shelves, eyes wider than before as he looked for the purple book. Lightning watched him for a moment, eyes wide, before slowly turning to the others and giving them the information.

The voice hummed in Hope's head, clearly satisfied with how things were going, "Way to think on your feet boy. And a good call too. Saorise has been more than a little rambunctious lately, and she'll be coming here soon."

Hope paused for a moment, holding back a growl. I won't let you frighten me.

"That's good. You'll find that I'm really not scary at all once you let me in. I'm one of those Fal'Cie that just loves a good time. Or something to that effect. It's hard to tell with me sometimes, I can be quite...unpredictable. Both in my actions and my thoughts."

If Saorise is such a bother, Hope thought back, turning away from the shelf and moving to a new one once he was sure there were no purple books, Why do you have her around?

"The same reason I have you around Hope. You're both quite the unpredictable anomalies, and being who I am, I just couldn't resist. One of those things I'm just drawn to. But don't get me wrong, as much as I enjoy the way you two fight, I will make you cooperate with me."

Fat chance.

"Then why do you search for my book?" Hope didn't respond right away, throwing several more books down on the floor, "What, that little plot of yours? Think I'll really let you go through with that?"

You don't have to. As long as Saorise wants to hunt me down more than she wants to listen to you, I know it will work. I just have to keep it together. Hope shook his head when he came up with nothing and moved to the next shelf. The others were glancing back at him, looks concerned and dark, but he paid them no notice.

"That's what I like about you humans. Always willing to go that extra step, making strange move after strange move. The unpredictable truths of life and death. Your species, more than any other, embodies this. A harbinger of destruction or salvation, a breath of life or the silencing hand. You can take life even from a god, and call forth the Maker, one who knows all things," The voice hummed again, a small laughter that echoed in Hope's head, "You may fight one moment, then shake hands the next. You crowd around one, to save or annihilate. But tell me Hope..." The voice became serious then, a dark tone, "Do you not grow weary? Does your body not wear out. Does your soul not ache for rest as we all do? We who walk the wheel of eternity, l'Cie and Fal'Cie, more than anyone, should be able to understand one another. We who taint the other, a constant struggle. Would it not be fitting to bring it forth to nothing and silence the raging voice that commands you to move?"

"Is that all you want?" Hope whispered, not even looking at the books anymore.

"I, like my brethren, have struggled. The chaos grows dim and the need to be reborn comes anew, only now it must be done right, and only through Maker's hands can this be done. I yearn only to bring the world to nothing, so that it may rest."

Hope shook his head, lifting his eyes toward the books, Then I guess...you'll be disappointed.

You speak as if you can stop me...

"Hope!" Hope jerked his head around at Lightning's voice, eyes going to the book in her hands, "I think I found it." The others crowded around her until she snapped at them to step away, and Hope took several heavy steps toward her. He ignored the voice as it raged in his head, even as the constant thrum of words caused his temples to ache. He glanced at Lightning as she passed the book to his hands, muttering a small thank you as he looked at the rich purple cover.

The book was older than the others, the cover frayed and worn, but the deep purple managed to shine through the age. On the cover was a brand as the voice had described, two black, painted horns blazing on the top of the head, a body sitting upon a pedestal, diamonds dripping below it. Four swords surrounded the creature, as if to shield it from the world, and at the top of the book the title read: Chaos. Walker of the Wheel.

So that's what you are... Hope thought, glaring at the cover, Chaos. Hope jumped though, his chest splitting open and nearly making him double over in pain. Heat erupted along his back, stinging his skin as the pain licked along the edge of his body, tingling down his spine, and he inhaled through his nose. He closed his eyes as he felt a hand on his shoulder and dug his hands into the book.

She's here.

The words reverberated in Hope's head as the voice...as Chaos, spoke them too, and Hope brought the book to his chest. For a moment, a spark of fear washed over him, nearly choking him in its potency. Images flashed through his mind, some of Saorise as she held him down in the bed, a knife over him. But her voice was silenced, even as her lips moved in the memory. He thought of Lightning and the others, imagined their faces, their voices, and felt the fear and longing. It almost crippled him where he stood, told him to run away to the airship and escape to the skies where she would never find him. His stomach rebelled along with his thoughts, and he choked again on the burning acid that threatened to rise. This is it. this is it. This is it. This is it. Are you sure though? Are you ready? This is it, this is where it ends. Can you handle that-

Stop doubting yourself. Charge forward.

The moment passed and the plan came down on him as it had before. He breathed in, felt his brand almost move along his skin, and the fear was beaten back with a slew of calm thoughts. I have to do this. This will save them. She will finally die.

You'll be free.

Hope tightened his grip on the book a moment and opened his eyes, meeting bright azure orbs as they peered into him. Lightning waved a hand in front of his face before running a hand over his forehead, asking him if he was all right. Hope could only nod, glancing at the book in his hands. He could feel Saorise charging toward the cabin, could almost hear her swearing at him as a hot rush of flame flew at him, but he came back to Lightning.

"Take this," he said, pushing the book into her hands, "You'll need it."

Lightning's eyes widened and she glanced at the book before looking at him. The others were watching them, Maqui and Lebreau slowly walking away from Hope and hurrying toward the door, but Hope kept his eyes on Lightning as she looked back at the book. "Why are you giving this to me?" she asked. Hope almost flinched when he saw a brief flash of fear in her eyes, but steeled himself as he felt the pain in his chest worsen. He covered her hands with his own, boring is eyes into hers.

"Trust me Lightning, you'll need it." Hope closed his eyes and leaned toward her, resting his forehead on her shoulder. Lightning switched to holding the book in one hand and ran a free hand over Hope's back, her eyes still wide.

"Hope, why would I need this?" she asked, her throat closing up.

"I...am so sorry Light. I-I love you. I love you and that's-that's why I-" Hope stopped and Lightning felt something wet drip onto her shoulder. Hope brought his head up, his warm breath brushing past Lightning's cheek. He was so close to her, and both their hearts raced, an unspoken fear, terror, and love sparking through them as Hope leaned close.

Hope fumbled with his words for a moment before taking a deep breath and pressing closer to her. A small smile formed on his face and he pressed his lips to her cheek, then leaned away and brought them to her lips. Hope swallowed her gasp and pressed closer for a moment, feeling her warmth underneath his lips, taking in Lightning's smell, the sweet scent of strawberries and a hint of daffodils. Her warmth. Her surprise. And he prayed that she felt what he had. That great spark, the consuming want and passion, the need to protect that raged inside of him.

He took it all in, savored the moment, brushing his hands along her cheek and pressed himself closer to her, before pulling away from their short kiss. He could already feel the burning on his face, but forced himself to meet her stunned blue eyes, his one watering.

"This is the only kiss...I will ever steal from you." Hope swallowed, a tear managing to escape, rolling down his cheek, "I promise."

The explosion sounded before another word could pass between them. Wood shot away from the wall, a gaping hole now threatening the structure of the cabin, and the cold drafts invaded, freezing the yelling, panicked soldiers. Lightning leaned down at the sudden gust of wind, but Hope stepped away from her, his face wiped blank as he looked forward.

"Saorise," he mumbled.

The white-haired woman grinned at him giving him a mock bow. She sat on top of a large C'ieth, the hulking crystal beast's arms dragging in the snow. More C'ieth were shuffling from behind her, and Hope swore as several began to fly around the cabin, like hawks circling prey. Her eyes were wide and shaking, but the smile on her face showed not fear, only excitement. The way her head quirked up as she eyed Hope, eyes alight and hungry, revealed her eagerness. "Why Hope…it's so pleasant for you to drop by. I was starting to worry that I'd have to come get you myself." She shrugged, but her smile widened, "Good to know that you'll always come back."

Hope opened his mouth to speak, but shouting from his side made him whip around. Several of the soldiers raised their guns and fired, the bullets and bright shots flying at Saorise. She tilted her head as they approached, but each bullet fell to the ground, and a shimmering Protect spell rippled in front of her.

"So close," Saorise said, leaping from the C'ieth and landing on one of the soldiers. Saorise raised her hand, her fingers coated in fire, and made to jab the man's neck, smiling all the while. Hope shouted, charging forward and knocking her away, digging his elbow into her side as she fell to the ground. Saorise's eyes widened as she fell to her hand and knees, her arms shaking as she stared at the floor.

Lightning gritted her teeth, glancing at Hope before shifting her gunblade and dropping the book on the floor, firing several rounds at Saorise that once more, bounced off the barrier. Lightning wasted no time though, leaning down and shifting her gunblade again, bringing the blade near her as she charged at Saorise. She could hear Snow distantly, his voice a small roar in her ears before she brought her gunblade down on the unmoving Saorise.

"Light!"

Lightning swore as her gunblade met the Protect spell, stepping back and raising the blade again, but Saorise looked up at her, the corner of her eye widening at the sight. "Whore," Saorise mumbled as she stood up. She glanced at Hope, then back at Lightning, her eyes flashing with hate and rage. "You did this. You did it. I know that's why he's even doing this. I know it! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you for taking him away from me!" Little sparks began to erupt at Saorise's feet, catching the wood and burning it black. The sparks died at her feet but reignited as Saorise took a step forward, her eyes focused on Lightning. Shouts were coming from the other room, but Lightning and Saorise only had eyes for each other, both glaring at one another with malice and dripping with hate.

"You took him from me," Saorise breathed, her chest heaving, "You took him!"

"He was never yours!" Lightning shouted, swinging her blade again. She barely even flinched when she met the barrier again, and as she jumped back from Saorise's kick, shots were fired at the white-haired woman. Rygdea voice roared in the background, but Lightning could barely hear him over the rushing of her own blood. Saorise ran at her, aiming another kick to her side before punching at her face as Lightning stepped away. Lightning clenched her jaw and crouched down, lashing at Saorise as she made for another kick, the edge of blade managing to nick her on the thigh before a torrent of fire forced Lightning away.

"I'll kill you! You bitch, I'll kill you!" Saorise started to scream, her hands raking through her hair as small droplets of blood dribbled down her leg. Saorise breathed through her clenched mouth, leaning into herself and glancing at Lightning, her eyes darkening, "I'll fucking kill you!"

Fire exploded in the room, the wood splintering above them and falling as dust at their feet. The cold, numbing wind rushed inside of the cabin, sending chills through Lightning's skin, but a quick brush from the fire told her she had no time for hesitation. Lightning stepped back from the flames and made to charge low again, mind whirring as she scrambled for a defense, but Saorise made the decision for her. With a feral, high-pitched scream Saorise grabbed at her and her gunblade, grasping her wrist and grinning as she sent fire to her hands. Lightning bit back a scream as the flames licked her skin, turning it red and making it peel. She fisted her hand and punched Saorise in the jaw, the bone cracking under her knuckles even as they bruised and cracked from her own attack. Her burned hand fell to her side and the gunblade was held in a loose grip, and Lightning jumped back ass more fire flew at her.

"Enough!" Saorise blinked, her mouth dropping as she was yanked from behind and shoved to the ground. Lightning sighed as a cool healing spell washed over her arm, glancing at a C'ieth that had fallen to the ground. Hope was by her side now, his face still blank except for the fire in his eyes as he glared at Saorise. He turned to Lightning for a moment, his eyes softening as they met hers, "Sorry."

Lightning barely had a moment for the words to register before Hope was gone, charging at Saorise with blank determination. "Hope?" Lightning whispered as Hope barreled his fist into Saorise's stomach, the woman doubling over. "Hope!" She shook her head and switched her gunblade to her other hand, charging at them as Hope pushed himself away from Saorise.

"You won't hurt them…ever again," Hope mumbled, grasping Saorise shoulder. He felt the effect of his Bravery spell surge through him, his blood hot as it ran through his body, and the strange pulsations of strength made him swell. He threw Saorise, whispering spells under his breath and sending trails of wind at her, the gusts catching her and propelling her outside. Lightning just reached him and made to grab his arm, her face shining with sweat and eyes wide, but Hope could only glance at her before following Saorise outside the ruined cabin. Lightning shouted after him, but had to raise her gunblade as a C'ieth made to bear down on her. She snarled and sliced at the beast, eyes constantly going to Hope and Saorise.

Saorise pushed herself from the snowy ground, groaning as her muscles ached with the movement, like they would turn to jelly should she move. But then she remembered his face as he attacked her, actually charged at her and threw her outside, and she felt the weakness drain away. Hatred bubbled in her gut, churned and sloshed in her stomach until she almost felt sick from the sensation, and his face kept flashing in her mind. The blank one, with no fear of her deeds. Of even death.

It pissed her off to no end.

"You fucker…" she mumbled, pushing herself up further, "You annoying, cocky little bastard." She stood, her legs shaking as she planted her feet on the ground, and she glared at the snow as she steadied herself, "I'll make you pay. I'll make you pay. Make you suffer, you hear me?"

"Loud and clear." Saorise jumped as his shadow loomed over him, but jumped away as lightning cracked by her ear. She glared at him, but paused as she noticed his legs. They jerked underneath his weight, as if they would buckle any moment, and her smile returned full force.

An act then?

She smiled at the thought, narrowing her eyes, but a voice boomed in her head. "It is no act. Do not take his fear lightly. You must calm yourself, or everything we've worked for will be over."

I thought you were all about this…But Saorise did not wait for a response, tilting her head to the side and watching as Hope shook. More bullets came, and Rygdea's voice carried loud over the sounds of popping gunfire.

"Hope, whatever the hell you're up to you better stop. We've been through this!" Rygdea shouted, running at the two even as C'ieth charged at him. Rygdea growled and whipped around, aiming his gun and sending a barrage of bright bullets into the C'ieth's bodies, stunning them. Yet more came, over and over, C'ieth after C'ieth on the battlefield as it spilled into the snowy field.

"Yeah Hope, we've been through this!" Saorise mocked, her voice turning sing-song as she sneered at Rygdea, smiling as the man disappeared into the fights again.

"Then come at me," Hope said, swallowing when his voice began to shake as well. "Take me then, and force me back. If you can." Saorise narrowed her eyes, hands staring to clench, "Can you though? I mean, it's been so long-"

"You're still afraid of me!"

"But no so terrified that I won't fight you." Soldiers began to run at them as they broke free of the C'ieth, some hurrying toward Hope, and Saorise started to whisper a spell to keep them at bay. She stopped though when the soldiers met a barrier, a blue shine coming from the air as they were beat back, and she looked back at Hope. Hope continued, ignoring the calling soldiers and the look of surprise on Saorise's face after he had kept his own allies out. "Not so afraid that I won't fight you to stop you. Not so afraid that I'll let you drag me back there."

His voice was beginning to rise and Saorise's face darkened at his words, her foot tapping on the snow as the soldiers struggled for a way to get around the barrier. Rygdea was still shouting in the distance, and Hope's communicator began to beep at his side.

"I bet you can't even kill me." Saorise's movements stopped and her gaze slowly fixed on his eyes, her expression blank and unreadable, "I bet that you can't. I mean, why else would Chaos, Walker of the Wheel, the one to bring it all to nothing, seek my help when he has you?" Something clicked inside Saorise, angry and hateful, and she screamed in her head, Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.

Hope continued though, his eyes shaking and thoughts a mess as he pulled his words from the air, his mouth spitting them out before he could refute them. "It's because you're not strong enough. He can handle this without you so long as he has me. He doesn't care if he tosses you aside so long as I'm alive. And he's not worried about you killing me either. You couldn't do it, even if you tried. I know, I was there. That whole time and you didn't kill me!"

"He told me not to kill you!" Saorise shouted, stomping the ground with her foot. Fire was igniting again, little bursts of flame that made the snow melt at her feet, but Saorise did not charge at Hope yet. "That was why you were spared! He told me not to! He told me! If I had my way you'd be dead! Dead like your mother and father and all those people and your little friends. You'd be fucking dead, do you hear me!" Saorise shouted and screamed, kicking the ground as more and more flames shot around her, "Dead!"

"Stop this Saorise! You're letting him get inside your head! You're giving him the upper hand!"

Saorise did not hear Chaos, did not even acknowledge he had spoken, her eyes fixed on Hope. Her lip trembled but she stared at him, at his cool face and the eyes that held nothing. No fear, no worry. Nothing as he looked at her. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing! I'll show you nothing! You'll wish you had it! You'll wish you were still with me!

"No! Enough of this!"

Saorise roared, her voice cracking under the burning strain, but she paid it no mind as she crouched down and charged at Hope. She did not acknowledge the way her brand burned on her chest, or the prickling that seemed to be spreading on her skin. Only the man in front of her.

"I'll show you! I'll show you! I'll kill you!" she screamed, taking a running start. Her feet beat against the hard snow, a blur on the ground until she leapt at Hope, fist raised in the air. Hope breathed out and stepped back, leaning to the side and back as Saorise aimed a kick and punch in quick succession, the air whizzing in Hope's ears.

"Is that all?" Hope blinked as fire came rushing past him, the heat making him sweat, and the air left his lungs. His heart started to race as fire began to fly at him, over and over, flame after flame, the fire trying to wrap around him and tug him back to his mind. Hope shook the thoughts away and washed himself with what was ahead of him, focused on Saorise's face, but he would still look at the flames with fear when they got near him.

"What's the matter Hope? Scared? Scared of a little fire? I could take you back into the cabin and try something else." Saorise smiled and leaned down, throwing a wave of fire at Hope and pouncing as he made to move away. She caught him by the collar and dragged him down to the ground, barely glancing at the soldiers as they finally broke the barrier. Hope squirmed underneath her, snapping at her, but his eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the others. Rygdea's voice was more clear not that the barrier was gone, but the distraction cost him.

"Pay attention!" Saorise shouted, punching his jaw. Hope cringed as his skull bounced on the stiff, icy snow, blood pooling in his mouth as he bit his tongue. Saorise smirked, soldiers circling her only to be lit up by an inferno as she shrieked at the intrusion. Hope shouted, blood flying from his mouth as the soldiers' screams filled the air, their bodies nothing but black blobs in the wall of flames. Sweat pooled in Hope's eyes as he squinted, hands shaking as she tried to block out their shrieks. Saorise blinked as the fire finally died in a single breath of smoke, and several smoldering, blackened corpses thudded to the ground. Hope moaned, shaking his head.

"Now, now, don't look like that. Don't worry, it will only be for a second," Saorise said, running her hand along his armor. Hope held his breath, all his plans and intentions flying from him as her finger trailed along the socket of his right arm. She grasped his upper arm and dug her nails into his skin, little wisps of wind on her fingers as she cut the armor away and exposed the skin. "Just like before right? Expect no one will stop me…and I can do a lot worse than you think."

Saorise grasped his bare arm to make her point, chuckling as Hope arched up, his mouth open in a silent scream, and he started to thrash under her grip. The smell of burning skin filled his nose, the pungent odor making him gag, and acid joined his blood in his frenzy. Saorise only smiled more, trailing her nails along his skin, digging deeper and deeper until she started to draw blood, the breaks in the skin jagged from her fingers. "And when I'm done with you…I'll send them all to hell. We don't need you. We never did. Don't think so highly of yourself." Hope winced when she dug deeper, her fingertips disappearing into his skin, "You're not that important!"

Do something Hope. Do something. Maker, get up. You can't let her. Not after all this, you can't let her do this. Get up! Get up! Stop her, stop her, stop her!

Please! Please, she'll do it! She'll do it, she swears she will!

Hope swallowed the shout, his own brand starting to prickle as he forced his eyes open. Saorise came into focus, her eyes still on his bleeding arm, and he raised a weak hand and grasped her wrist. He took a deep breath, ignoring her annoyed look as she started to tug in his grip, and he pictured the great gusts of tornadoes. In an instant the bodies around them were swept away as a great breath of wind was born beneath Saorise and Hope, bubbling up like water, higher and higher from the ground. Saorise increased her grip on Hope's arm, her legs staring to slip as she lost her grounding, but Hope barely gave her time to adjust. The bubble of wind popped beneath them, sending them flying into the air as the gusts shot up and around them.

The dark winds lifted them higher and higher, well above the cabin and the others below. Saorise gritted her teeth, small cuts starting to appear on her skin as the blade like wind began to cut her body, the rapid cuts sizzling like meat on a fire. She started to curl around herself, Hope having flown away from her in his own chaos, and she prepared for the landing as the winds began to sputter and die. She stretched her arms out and started call on gusts of her own but shouted as her wrist was yanked, and her red eyes met Hope as he pulled her towards him, his eyes fiery with determination.

"This ends here," Hope whispered, "With me…and you."

Saorise's eyes widened at the statement, comprehension dawning as they began to fall to the earth below. Hope grasped her close to him, even as she began to beat her hands against his chest in a frenzy. She kicked at his body, placing bruise after bruise as she dug into his skin with her heel, and burns left his skin peeling as she coated him with fire, but Hope did not let go. Saorise swore and tried to call on gusts, still burning Hope as they plummeted, but Hope muttered under his breath and fought against her spells with his own. His own rapid winds fought hers, making gusts hit their sides, but never slow their fall.

Hope closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as the wind rushed his ears, telling him of their inevitable impact. His hair whipped around his face, his ripped and broken armor loosening and trailing up as they fell, but Hope closed his eyes and focused only on the pain in his chest and the warmth pooling in his gut. Flashing light, brighter than anything he had ever witnessed or felt, bloomed in his mind.

Holy.

He thought, for a moment, that he could hear whispering in the light, but was too blinded by it to see into the whiteness and find the speaker. Warmth and pain jolted his body, Saorise stilling as she felt the heat pouring out of Hope in waves. Her eyes sparked wide in fear and she tried to free herself from his grasp, even as Hope held tighter. The others watched from below, Lightning, Snow, Rygdea, Sazh, Lebreau, and Maqui all staring wide eyed as the two plummeted toward the earth.

Hope opened his eyes, his gaze distant as he tried to quell the pain in his heart that seemed to spread throughout his body. He was vaguely aware of the light that was bursting from him now, the brilliant whiteness that was causing him so much pain that it left him breathless. But then he closed his eyes and reached out, looking for the others in the whiteness that encased him. There was a spark, a small flit of fear, and then it calmed, soothing him as his body roared.

Let me find them…let me find them before it ends.

He thought he could see a flash of blue, a small smile, before the pain wiped it from his mind. A single moment, a brief flash of something precious, before it was gone again. He took a breath; found the act harder than it should have been, and almost gasped when he couldn't draw air again. The ground. The light. The absolute pain in his chest that was ripping him asunder.

The light.

But it was fading. He could not see the approaching ground or the shrieking woman in his arms. He didn't even see himself, couldn't imagine what was coming even though he knew it was. Even though he knew what would happen, the idea still escaped him. As if it were a dream, even though now, which were parts were real and which were fake were beyond him.

There was a breath from his chest, as if something had been dislodged. He saw her eyes, light and blue, looking at him in stunned surprise. He wanted to ask her why. Wanted to reach out and touch her, and tell her that he loved her again. He reached out, stretched his fingers so he could just brush her cheek.

Then the pain wrenched his heart and even she disappeared in the whiteness.