Chapter 43 Part 2 Meeting with Destiny

The group went down to the lobby and out into the parking lot, where they decided on the best split up for their little drive to the safehouse.

Serah rested her head against the window as Zelda drove her car. Hope and Vanille were stationed in the backseat while Snow and Rowan rode ahead on his motorcycle. Amodar was also following the group.

Things were becoming overwhelming as Serah worried about Lightning and Fang both. She wondered what they'd find when they came to rescue the couple. However, her heart hurt at the possibilities. She was feeling nauseated as her mind twisted into the worst-case scenarios. However, it was Zelda who pulled her from her dangerous mindset.

"Serah, it's gonna be fine. We're gonna save them. Or knowing your sister, I believe she'll find a way to weasel out of danger. After all, it seems she's been doing fine up until this point. When I heard you two lost your parents, I did make a promise we'd look after you, but that was kind of hard because we had to escape with your cousin."

"It's fine; Claire did a good job for the most part at taking care of me. That was until we started drifting apart, but she redeemed herself, and I'm thankful she has Fang in her life too. Fang actually helped my sister become a better person, and to see that Claire actually was trying to better herself for my sake, that means a lot to me."

"Well, your sister is wise. Plus, she even felt terrible for treating you bad. I remember that was one of our talks. But, I see it too. She really seemed like she has been improving in her relationships, especially if all of you guys came out to help save her. Makes my heart joyful that my friend's daughters are beautiful young adults. But I'm just glad I finally met you both."

"I'm just worried, though."

"Sure, but just know I believe your sister is fearless and know that she'll get out of this safely. Fang too, I look at you, and I see how much you care about your sister. Then I look at your sister and know she's actually trying, but I'm thrilled she has Fang because I believe your sister would've been in a dark place without her. It's like when I met Rowan after Jihl, and I split. I loved my sister, but after she ordered the genocide of the Oerban race… especially since I was in love with Rowan, and the fact she dared to capture Rowan, I knew my sister had gone off the deep end."

"I'm so sorry, Zelda…"

"Don't be. It's the people in our lives that change us into who we become. My sister wanted power, and dating Cyrus had only shown her true power, and that's why I recast the last name Nabaat. I didn't want to be like my sister, and if I did become a leader, I'd be a benevolent leader, showing respect and heart to my friends and team. Your sister has Fang. Fang is showing her freedom, love, and Lightning embraced her softer side not only for Fang but you and all the people in her life. Now just wait a little longer, and we'll be there soon."

Serah eventually found her heavy eyes shut, as she just listened to the soft music in the background. It would take a while longer until they would meet her so-called cousin, who she didn't know.

Since Caius was her uncle, she didn't know any of the truth that he had a daughter, but then again, as a child, Serah was more interested in her stuffed animals or coloring that she wouldn't pay much attention to anyone except her big sister, and her parents. Cid was cool, Caius was just there, but she didn't remember anything about a cousin, so hearing Zelda talk about Yeul was sort of ludicrous to her.

After a nap in the car, the group finally arrived. It seemed to be backroads, which led to a home that seemed undisturbed from people and creatures. As the group got out of the car, Zelda looked at Rowan as she removed the helmet once she dismounted Snow's motorcycle.

Amodar looked shocked, "I'm surprised that this place even exists. It's crazy just to think this safehouse was undisturbed and out of the radar of both PSICOM and Guardian Corps alike."

"It took a lot of cloaking AMP tech, but we really needed to secure this. After Jihl took over, we all feared for our safety," Rowan sighed.

A couple sat, speaking in Oerban, as Rowan took a seat beside them, as Vanille did as well. The pack leader smiled at the young Oerban as Rowan introduced her to Arwen and his mate Celest. Vanille had actually cried meeting these Oerbans, as Serah looked in awe at the secret society of Oerbans. However, a rough-looking Yun and a softer woman approached with a girl.

She looked like she was 18. However, she was dressed in such a way that didn't seem like regular traditional clothes. The girl was wearing a white halter-top with a small crystal along her chest. She was wearing a white pastel purple skirt with a pelt along her back. Her yellow moccasin boots looked comfortable, and she had armbands, with necklaces, and her long blue hair was kept up, with two strands along the frame of her face. She was wearing a headdress as well, with a veil as her green eyes looked at the group.

"They said visitors were coming. I just didn't believe it," the girl said, looking at Serah and the others.

"Zelda, you brought visitors? You know you're supposed to talk to us if you bring visitors! They could betray us just like your vile sister!" He yelled as Zelda stood in front of the group. When he finally approached them, Serah noticed he had one eye as the other had a visible scar, almost like he lost it in battle. However, Artemis was bulky in muscle and bald. He wore no shirt but had a tattoo running up along his chest.

"These guests are special. With them, I bring an Oerban and one daughter of Caspian and Rosa Farron. The others are their protectors, and if I didn't tell you, it's because I knew you'd act this way, Artemis."

Artemis sighed as the woman ran a hand along his cheek, speaking in Oerban,

"What are they saying?"

"Artemis is saying that he's wary of your presence. But Marigold here is gonna keep him calm. She wouldn't let him harm you guys, even if he wanted to. However, Artemis is just the type who hates people. He's sort of independent, and he is an extremely tactical fighter."

"Well, it's not shocking considering what happened to him," the girl said, looking up at Zelda. However, the group noticed several copies of the same exact girl and all shown confusion. "This is Yeul. The younger ones, which also look like Yeul, are her clones. Each was saved from Bodhum institute and are all here to serve. However, this one here," Zelda started, placing her hand on Yeul's shoulder, "Is the miracle child herself."

Each introduced themselves to Yeul, as the blue-haired girl hugged Serah tightly, "I was surprised that I have a family. You… you're beautiful. And it's an honor to finally meet you. Serah Farron. Your sister Claire is in danger; I have seen the visions. Don't be harmed, but the Eyes of Etro do not lie. You came to me to request my help."

Yeul was a bit weird, but Serah understood. Yeul was an 18-year-old teen who had been taken and cloned and tested at a facility right now. She did not have the proper means of learning how to live life as a teenager. Her cousin was weird, but Serah knew it didn't matter. Yeul was willing to help. "I just wish that someday, the Eyes of Etro will leave; I would love to live life like a normal human, but alas, I was given this curse and a blessing in hopes of one day meeting my father again."

"Yeul, you'll be coming with us. Your father is alive. But, we need your help."

Yeul looked at Zelda as Rowan finally went back to the group with Vanille.

"Alright," Yeul said with a nod of her head, "Only if it means I will get to meet my father once more."

"You will."

Arwen went towards the group, as he handed Yeul a vial, "You had this vision before. Take this especially if you think you'll need it."

Inside the vial was a single rainbow winged feather, as the outside looked like it was glowing red and orange like fire. Yeul looked at the vial and then back at Arwen, "Thank you, Arwen. I will take good care of your feather. I'll only give it to the one who may need it."

"What are you talking about? The one who needs it?"

Yeul looked at the group, "Within this vial is a single phoenix down feather. Legend says whoever receives a feather-like this, will not perish, and their suffering will slowly heal. It is said to bring its receiver back to life, I had a vision a long time ago, in dreams, that a stranger I have never met was at Etro's hand, but they needed this feather. I've seen this possibility in so many different ways. So many that it scares me. However, there is one chance that this feather won't be needed."

Everyone looked surprised, "And do you know which outcome will happen?"

"No. Arwen had given me this feather; all I know is the torch was handed off should anything go wrong," Yeul said in the process of putting on her robe. She threw the hood over her head as Rowan escorted her to Amodar's car. The group followed as Vanille looked solemnly back at the Oerbans, feeling a sick feeling in her chest. The outcome, she dreaded because it could only mean one person is in danger. Her mind went to Fang, then to Lightning, and then to her friends and family.

"We're going to the one place everything began. Nabaat Manor," Yeul spoke calmly.

"Nabaat Manor?"

"Precisely."

"Here's the plan, knowing my sister has several armored men all around the parameter of her mansion, they're all corrupt. The one time we were sneaking around to get tabs of the place, we saw how many people she had guarding, and they're in each corner and along with each gate. They all keep watch; however, with Amodar being in charge, they should listen. However, once we take care of several armored men, at least the two at the gate. If we can get that far, then we'll start to take them in; Amodar will call a standby ambulance, just in case. Plus, we'll need a convoy to take in all the corrupt leaders. If Lightning and Fang are inside, they're heavily guarded. We probably need to attack several to get any traction. However, once inside, we'll storm the place and take down Caius. That's where your binding rod comes in, Vanille."

"Roger."


Upon entering the manor's grounds, they noticed PSICOM officials all over the mansion's perimeter, just like Zelda and Rowan said. The men all aimed their guns at Rowan and Zelda once they stood outside the gate. "State your purpose, maggots!"

"We're Zelda and Rowan Yun, two powerful magic users. There won't be bloodshed if your lot stands down. I just have to visit my younger sister," Zelda announced.

"You're a Nabaat? Unlikely story."

"It's true. Jihl is my sister."

The armored men looked at each other, then back at Zelda, "Radio it in?"

"No."

One man shot off a warning shot missing Rowan entirely. "Get off the property, stand down, you're intruding!"

Serah felt something inside her boil as she pulled her crossbow closer to her. However, she aimed, "You took my sister! You destroyed my house! This is revenge!" she screamed.

A glowing pink arrow shot past Rowan's shoulder as Serah had hit her target, and that was one of the men. Hitting another, and then the third at the gate, she was surprised as they all fell. However, it caused the entire group to start shooting until they stood down, noticing Amodar with the group.

"What do we do?"

"Radio Nabaat and my friend here won't use any more violence. Nice hit, Serah."

Serah blushed slightly as Amodar had them stand down for the most part.

One of the men sighed and grabbed his radio. "We need Jihl Nabaat up here, stat."

"What's the problem now?"

"We have rebels, including the Guardian Corps captain."

"I'll get Jihl on the line."


To Be Continued