Chapter 20 Yuns, Dias and Farrons
It wasn't until Lightning's feet were back on the ground that the sergeant felt a sudden rush of adrenaline pumping through her veins. There had been a feeling of exhilaration and admiration for the Oerban.
Lightning threw her arms around Fang and happily kissed her. "You're full of surprises, and oh my gods! That was great! That was the most amazing feeling in the world!" Lightning shouted.
"Something tells me you haven't felt that free for a long time." Fang said, crossing her arms over her chest, "However, I feel you feel weird being on the ground instead of the air now." Fang said with a small grin on her face, hiding the pang of guilt she felt.
A pure smile was on Lightning's face, something Fang never really noticed. It was excellent, and soon she brushed a strand of pink hair behind Lightning's ear, noticing the sergeant wrapped her arms around her waist.
"You awoke an old feeling from my past, and that was that feeling of freedom. I used to back in the day ride a motorcycle with this one guy I used to be friends with. I don't talk to him anymore, though. Together we would ride through Bodhum, Palumpolum, and Eden and terrorize the town; we often caused trouble by doing urban exploration together, and since my dad was a commander would often bust us, but we still managed to get into trouble." Lightning said through a laugh, realizing something slide down her cheek before Fang's hand cupped it wiping away the tear with her thumbpad.
"Was this friend close?" Fang asked curiously.
"Yeah. His name was Squall, and he was my best friend. I kinda ruined it. During my parent's funeral, I told him to get lost because I didn't want to hold him back from his dreams." Lightning admits.
"No wonder you were lonely. You went from having everything to—oh sunshine, I'm so sorry." Fang felt terrible for the sergeant.
"All in the past, then I met you. And you were quite the catch. I couldn't have asked for a better partner." Lightning admits, "I just worry if PSICOM gets whiff that a giant metal dragon flying overhead was on their radar I'm worried Jihl Nabaat will paint a target on your back or something." Lightning said, concerned pressing her forehead to Fang's.
"Hey, they haven't caught me yet. The only one who came close was you, Sunshine. And even then, you let me go. Call it what you will call it destiny just like our families. Also, the Calvary hasn't noticed Bahamut in the skies either, and they fly airships. So, I don't know why you worry. However, let's go in, get comfortable, and tell this story. It's rather long." Fang admits.
"Only if you make hot chocolate love. I'm a bit frigid. Rygdea hasn't reported anything about a metal dragon either." Lightning admits, "However, I'm worried he might. You are extremely agile and strong Fang. I could tell that the day we met when I saw you take chase. If either division finds out, I want you to do one thing for me, and that's run. My boss was worried about that feeling too, so instead, I'm giving you that advice. I don't know what either PSICOM or Guardian Corps would do if they found out you were a carrier, but I know it would put a target on Vanille, and even me." Lightning said with a sigh.
Fang held her hand in hers and an arm around her shoulder.
"They won't catch me. If Bahamut can fly, I can get away." Fang says.
"Then keep safe for me, love. I don't know what I'd do if something bad were to happen to you." Lightning said, Fang could hear the worry with each word as the sergeant's words broke slightly.
"I promise, Sunshine." Fang held a pinkie towards Lightning, before the pale pinkie wrapped around hers.
The two walked inside as Fang started a fire in the fireplace and started on hot chocolate. "Whip cream and sprinkles?" Fang called.
"Yes, please." Lightning responds, grabbing Fang's blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped it around herself.
"So, you know about Bahamut now. Did you know there is so many more summons than that? From the icy Shiva to the fiery Ifrit to the great Anima. They claim these beings were created to cause destruction, but are often sealed inside individuals with the power to summon. I have my father's piece of Bahamut inside me." Fang leaned over the counter after she set the kettle on the stove and turned it on.
"I knew about some summons, others I did not know other than the fairy tales we were told as children. After today, I believe you even more than normal." Lightning admits.
"And you've heard of the story of the War of Transgression?" Fang raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. That I know of. My father tried to keep the protests and crimes down from the War of Transgression. That hatred never went away. That's PSICOMs mission, purge all spellcasters and destroy the magic." Lightning said as Fang looked confused.
"Guardian Corps is my branch. Most of us stand in as cops, detectives, and work the Homefront. PSICOM is more offensive with their military. Thought I told you that?" Lightning said a question barely as Fang shrugged, "You might have, but I didn't really understand before. Sometimes we confuse ourselves, but it's all good love." Fang promised to bring the two mugs of cocoa once Fang fixed up both mugs with marshmallows, whip cream, and chocolate sprinkles before bringing one over and then the other with the bag marshmallows before settling under the blanket with Lightning.
Fang was soon comfortable under the blanket with Lightning. "Alright, let's start this story. Way back in the day, two mighty clans were nomads in the plainlands. You had the clan of Yun. The Yuns were strong men and women who trained in the art of spears and lances. Their leader was Oerba Yun Mamoru (Protector) in your language. Mamoru was strong, agile, and young. He was what you'd say a brand-new leader with a mission, but also he ruled with an iron fist, had some arrogance, stubborn in his ways, and often showed his enemies little to no fear. After his father, Oerba Yun Apollo, died, he was the successor. No need to trouble yourself with the history of Apollo, though." Fang started. "Now Mamoru had been passed down the power of the metal dragon Bahamut. However, he was lonely until his hunting party ran into an opposing force."
"On the other hand, while they hunted, the group was ambushed by another group. The Dias. Beautiful women who had been evicted from their clans, who often roved the plains searching for mates. The group was led by Oerba Dia Mizuki (Beautiful Moon). Though she was meek, she had the power to shield and protect her women at all costs. Though the Dias were a smaller group, Mizuki was what you called a healer, and could poison, shield, and heal all in one. Mizuki's entity that kept her safe all that time was Hecatoncheir. Mizuki was the type who wouldn't go down without a fight, but also a strong and powerful leader all the same." Fang states.
"Different clans mean different things, I'm guessing?" Lightning asked.
"Yeah. Dia was the clan of Day, Yun was the clan of Cloud. Not much was known about Day or Cloud, the two founders of our clans other than the fact that my family had survived.
Mamoru had been on a hunt with his men. Though they could strike down prey quickly, a behemoth caused a great deal of damage for the young leader, and the giant bipedal beast had caused a significant injury on Mamoru until Mizuki and her women killed the behemoth with her binding rod by casting a strong spell.
The young leader feared death, and the women of the Dia clan saved him. However, Mizuki took pity on the man, and instead of giving him an honorable warrior's death, she healed him with a powerful healing spell that saved his life. Though weak and wounded, the Dias provided for the Yuns while Mizuki stayed with a wounded healing Mamoru and the two fell in love.
While the two fell in love, they conceived a child." Fang sighed
"And that was you, wasn't it?" Lightning asked, noticing as Fang nodded.
"That was me. In those moments, Mamoru brought his clan together with Mizuki's while she was pregnant, and she was treated like a queen. That's when they found the village that was known as Oerba. I had been an infant when they made Oerba the grand home that I grew up in. The next few years went by, and I grew, and Mizuki conceived Vanille.
I remember when Vanille was born, and I was told this is your new sister. Though she is tiny now, she will grow and become fierce like the warrior you're becoming. Vanille had been premature, but it was all the same. She'd grow, and it was that love from our clan and the hunting parties' help that Vanillesecond-bornMamoru wasn't going to let his second born daughter die, and it took a lot of watches to actually keep her safe from wildlife, and other misfortunes. However, they did everything in their power to keep me safe, as well as 'Nille. The clan though some were blood, was mostly a soul family, likeminded people who grew up in two separate clans and came together.
That was until your father made land. My birthday was going on when the hunting parties spoke of a small group of soldiers in the hunting land. Though they had been taken prisoner by my father's party, they had been brought to the village. There had been anger, confusion, and I remember seeing these soldiers and wondering who they were. I wasn't that old, but I remember Vanille clutching mother while father approached the men.
The blonde, a purple-haired man and the strawberry blonde, all in uniform. A blade user, a sword user, and a lance. The one had been injured by a creature in the plains, and that was your father. Another villager in our group, Beatrice, took pity on the purple-haired man and vouched for the other two's freedom. Mamoru did take pity on the strawberry blonde, and Mizuki healed him. I remember he introduced himself as Caspian Farron.
Caspian would hunt for our clan, and teach our group skills, and even showed he was trustworthy and even earned my father's trust. Though he was a great leader, Mamoru had trusted clans and even allies. Beatrice went with the purple-haired man, and though the Dias mourned, Mizuki was okay because she wanted her sister to live her life.
Caspian though, treated us like a second family. I remember your mother visiting with him, and how the two families became friends. However, your family did everything to keep our families safe. That was until the other branch of military caught a whiff. They pillaged our crops, our steeds, our hunting lands, and destroyed our homes, enslaved my people, who gave an ultimate sacrifice.
Seeing there had been no other option, Mamoru fled with Mizuki, me, and Vanille. We took shelter in the cave of Anima, and the two gave the ultimate sacrifice, which was to pass the torch of their eidolons onto Vanille and me. I was gifted Bahamut, and we were told to run and never look back.
I recovered several scars looking after Vanille, and two children wandered to the nomads of the Archylte Steppe. They were more advanced than our way and radioed the Guardian Corps as Caspian helped them establish their starter crop. Though scared, wounded, and tired, we were brought to Bodhum after word got around Oerba. All I knew was I would never be going home again, and when we were taken to the orphanage, we learned the language of Bodhum and were raised along with the children there.
Your father would come and visit, and he brought your younger sister, and the two instantly clicked. Vanille and Serah had been inspirable, and I was the little band of terror. Don't think it was an ill-fitted time, but I was thankful that he gave us the safety order, my father's ring, which would serve as a dowry if I caught the eye of a mate a friendship. However, when I heard your father had died, we were at the funeral. It was weird that we lost a second family, and we wept…" Fang struggled for words.
"Fang… I'm sorry, sweetheart…" Lightning struggled on her words as tears started to drip down her face.
Fang's eyes were watery, as the Oerban grit her teeth.
"When I look at you, I see him. I see you got his bravery… I see you got his strong will… I see you love like he loved her… and I see you confided in me with your trust." Fang was trying to hold it together as Lightning wrapped her arms around the huntress tightly, as Fang started to cry.
Both Lightning and Fang cried after realizing how both families were necessary and understanding that her father did everything to keep Fang safe, making this relationship even more special.
After a good cry, Lightning pressed her forehead to the Oerban's and kissed her.
"I love you, my huntress. Nothing will change that. My goal is to protect you. You have my gunblade at your dispersal, like your bladed lance in mine. We'll make this work, and we'll stand tall. You are brave, you are fierce, you are strong. You are my warrior." Lightning said, keeping her arms around Fang.
"And we will. Sunshine, I'm extremely thankful you are in my life." Fang muttered.
"And I am thankful you are in mine. You saved my life when I was at my lowest point, and we've been inseparable ever since. Mamoru and Mizuki would have been proud of the woman you became, like my Mom and Dad. Though Dad didn't know that I wouldn't date Squall like he thought I was, Mom would have been happy to know that I had you. I was going to tell Dad back in the day, but I chickened out. I bet he looks down at me and knows that I'm happy being me, and I owe that to you, Fang." Lightning muttered.
"And I love you too, Sunshine. You make my life much better. I don't have to feel the pain of my loss when I'm with you and am thankful that you help me in such a way that together, we are as strong as warriors. Our love is strong, but together we are home." Fang said.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way." Lightning admits.
The two shared a tender kiss after finishing their hot chocolate. Bodhum's summer was turning to fall, and winter was upon the residents. However, the Oerban and the Soldier had cuddled and stayed warm, until Lightning realized she had missed a call from Amodar.