Chapter 43 Hero's Sacrifice

Author note: This chapter is slightly more violent than the others. This chapter contains a near-death experience for a main character. Viewer discretion is advised, Kupo! If this is more rated M than anything, I will change the rating. However, I present chapter 44 of Hero's Sacrifice.


Caius sighed, looking at Lightning and the others.

"I know you don't want to help me, I know you hate me and growing up, I hated you, but to learn you lost everything, I finally understand," Lightning sighed. "But there are things you did that are unforgivable, like coming into the job disguised as Raines, only to flirt and cause me trouble."

"Well, I was just following orders."

"Wow, you are whipped."

"And I can tell you're sarcastic, and you're just like your Mother. Looking at you, I see Rosa. Your mother was a beautiful woman, and I loved her. However, watching you grow up with your sister, I started to resent your parents, all because my daughter was taken.

"But you can redeem yourself. Stop listening to Jihl… since she had ordered the attack on my parents' lives... all to get back at you for blackmail, make it right. Let us go and start living. I'll even help you find Yeul because I have an idea where she is."

Caius looked at Lightning and sighed, "I don't know."

"Whose orders are you going to take? Jihl's or maybe you should start taking matters into your own hands, Caius. My father trusted you enough to be one of his Sergeants. You might have abandonment on your record, but your daughter is still alive. She needs her father, but you gotta help me to get my girlfriend out of here. She's hurt pretty bad, and Raines there is fatigued to the point that famine and thirst could kill him. I don't know how I'm still hanging on, but you can make things right. Think about Yeul…" Lightning slowly lowered her head, trying to hide the fact that tears were sliding down her cheeks.

Fang had new cuts and bruises along her face. Though stubborn, she didn't want to quit, but at this moment, she felt like she was giving up.

Caius sighed, looking at the Oerban with slight curiosity, "She's extremely stubborn, and I'm not sure what you see in her. Your father would've loved her," Caius admits. "And honestly, I see how much you love her."

Lightning knew that even if Caius was part of Jihl's schemes, she felt terrible knowing the truth.

"Caius, you can make this right. I'd make sure you weren't as harshly punished… but you gotta get us out of here," Lightning glanced at Fang and Raines. "Raines needs it, Fang needs it, I even need to escape too."

"I don't know, Claire. If I let you go, Jihl…"

"You were blackmailed, Caius. If you hated my father, that's your problem, but he was doing what he thought was right at the time. He gave Yeul to Zelda and Rowan to protect her; he knew they were working hard to reunite her with you. But since you ran away, no one knew your location, no one knew, so they kept her and raised her. You can make it right, tell the truth about my parents, and you'd be a free man, but that's your choice, Caius. I can merely help you find Yeul, and that's the only words I can give you that is true. I'm not even in the Guardian Corps anymore, and frankly, I think I found my purpose in life instead, but you gotta help me help my girl and my former mentor."

Caius sighed, "Alright, that's fair. If you give me your word Claire."

"I do," Lightning promised, "We can shake on it."

Caius knelt beside her, taking the survival knife, and carefully cut the ropes binding her wrists to the chair. "I'll go stall, Jihl." He promised, rushing up the stairs.

Once her wrists were loose, Lightning rubbed at the rope marks and looked thankful as Caius handed the blade to her. Taking the knife, Lightning cut her legs free as she carefully but surely let herself get up. Shaking on it with Caius, she made her way over towards Fang.

Gently placing a hand on Fang's cheek, she pulled the cloth from her mouth and smiled, "Are you alright, Beautiful?"

Fang smiled, "Been roughed up worse than this. You remember I got attacked by a little behemoth in the past. Split lip, some cuts, and a swollen black eye are nothing compared to nearly dying because of a hunting accident."

Lightning let out a small chuckle as she encompassed her face in her hands, pressing her lips to the Oerban's as she felt tears starting to slide down her cheeks. "This is embarrassing…"

"Yeah, but I love you anyway. Thank you for keeping morale up though Claire, if my hands weren't tied, I'd hug you tightly right now."

"Oh right, let me help you with that." Lightning went behind Fang and carefully started to unfasten her wrists.

Fang took a second rubbing at her wrists as Lightning stood up, feeling Fang pull her closer and hugged her tightly. Lightning reached down; she placed a hand on Fang's knee, letting it trail down at a slow pace, looking up into the green eyes as she did.

Fang gasped slightly, "If this was different circumstances, I would've said something probably vulgar."

Lightning chuckled, working on cutting rope around her ankle.

"My hero," Fang smiled, "My gorgeous, beautiful hero, whose face I want to kiss, and—and Sunshine look out!" Fang screamed.

Before she could react, Lightning felt a strong kick to her side. Trying to recoil, Lightning was eventually kicked again harshly. Jihl Nabaat was standing over her. "So, you're free out of your bonds. No matter, you'll be dead soon, and your little rescue party will be attacked too. They're taking care of them right as we speak."

"Rescue party?" Lightning asked as Jihl kicked her once more; her ribs creaked slightly as Lightning gasped.

"Get up, Lightning!" Fang yelled, trying to get her other ankle free to help her girlfriend.

Lightning watched as Jihl's leg went back in for another kick, but this time, she grabbed onto her leg tightly, causing the colonel to fall onto the ground.

Jihl and Lightning started to tumble around on the ground, as both threw punches, which made contact. Lightning punched Jihl in the mouth, as Jihl's punch to her nose hit as well. Lightning and Jihl fought for dominance in a flurry of painful punches. The two continued to tussle.

Fang worked on untying her ankle. Without the knife, she knew it was going to be a slower pace. All Fang could do right now was watch, as her girlfriend threw punch after punch. Jihl's nails raked across Lightning's cheek harshly, as both panted from exhaustion.

"The first rule of a fight, don't leave an opening!" Jihl screamed as Lightning was eventually pinned down in place by the Lieutenant colonel. Jihl's hand was tight on her throat, as Lightning knew she was trying to choke her out. Keeping a firm hand on the other's wrist, she was trying to fight to get Jihl off her.

Each breath came out in gasps as Jihl applied more pressure to Lightning's airway, trying to choke out the ex-soldier. However, as Lightning kept one hand on Jihl's, her other hand was trying to reach desperately for the survival knife laying close by.

"You see, Farron, you could've stopped this. You should've listened to Amodar and knew when to quit. However, you're stubborn, just like your dear old father, who will welcome you at her gate. He tried to investigate Cyrus's death, just like how you did. Look where it got him, look where it's getting you now!"

Lightning knew that if she didn't do something, her final breath could come. Reaching back in desperation, she felt a bead of sweat roll down her forehead as her mind started to race. Pictures of her friends and family all gathered in her mind in a vision.

The group was having a picnic at the park; Serah and Snow were sitting together on the blanket as Serah rocked a newborn baby. Vanille and Hope were sitting on the hill laughing at some jokes. Lightning sat at the pond with her feet in the water as she sat on the small pier. Footsteps behind her caused her to turn as she smiled. Fang took a seat beside her as they watched the sunset.

However, two people appeared in her vision. A couple smiled as Fang looked behind her, pointing at them, as Lightning was up, and rushed towards the couple. It was her parents. Caspian was dressed sharply in his uniform, and Rosa was wearing her favorite sundress with cherry blossom petals on it with her pink hair pulled into a bun. Her soft violet eyes were bright.

She hugged them tightly, and it felt like time stopped still. However, someone was screaming at her, as Lightning heard her name.

"LIGHTNING FARRON! YOU GOTTA WAKE UP!"

At that moment, she reached behind her, grabbing the knife. Still trying to catch her breath, Lightning knew that Jihl was looking at the blade, as she still straddled her hips. Bringing herself up into a sitting position, she kept the knife in her hand tightly in a defensive position.

"You have a knife pointed at me, and you still have a fearful look on your face. You're soft Farron, you wouldn't stab me with it. I know you wouldn't. Your father would've loved to do the same and then see his fearful blue eyes, the same doe-eyed look you're giving me."

"That's what separates you from me, Jihl. You know what you did. Come clean to the Guardian Corps, come clean to PSICOM, stand down, let me, Raines, and Fang go, take your punishment, and die with dignity."

Jihl smirked, "You know you want to. Your father had the same chance."

Lightning hesitated. Something she cursed herself for.

Jihl grabbed onto her wrist tightly, pulling the knife from Lightning's grip. "Looking into your eyes, I see fear. You're going to Etro's gate one way or another today, Farron!" Jihl picked the blade up, ready to plunge down.

Fang was free as she rushed to Lightning's aid. Jihl was about to go in for the kill, as Lightning struggled underneath her.

Fang reached for Jihl's wrist and held firm, so firm she could shatter the delicate wrist in her grip. Her other hand tightened into a fist. The knife in Jihl's hand clattered onto the floor.

Jihl glanced up at the brunette, looking into her with predatory green eyes. Fang noticed Jihl's fearful green eyes, "Mercy… This was all a big misunderstanding… Fang, sweetheart… you and Lightning can go, just please don't hurt me!"

"You hurt my girlfriend, you nearly tried to kill me, you only destroy what you didn't understand. You hunted my people, you hunted me, You kidnapped Sunshine and me. You killed my parents, you killed my girlfriend's parents, and you scream mercy? Do you deserve it?" Fang screamed in Jihl's face. Each word was riddled with venom. Fang was fighting to keep from summoning Bahamut or even break the seal of Ragnarok within. "You're gonna stop at nothing until you win, but today, I, Oerba Yun Fang, win. Lady Luck was with me all along.

Jihl looked at Fang's fist, as she could hear thudding in her ears. "What do you want me to do then?"

"I'm not like you, so I'll put you down, but there's something you need to do instead. You're going to turn yourself in and tell Amodar the truth. You're going to get my girlfriend her job back, and then you're going to rot for all the hardships you've caused over the years. I was just a child when my village was attacked. It's your leadership under PSICOM why people live in fear of magic users. Stand down now," Fang yelled, "You tried to break my spirit, and as much as I wanna break you, I know better. I could feed you to behemoths, and it still wouldn't replace the members of my tribe who were killed; it still doesn't fix the fact my girlfriend's family is dead because of you. I'm gonna let you live, so you have to remember that until they plan to execute you for all the harm you did over the years."

Lightning struggled to catch her breath, as each breath came out painfully, her ribs hurt from Jihl kicking her, and her hand was bruised. Jihl was off her, as she felt her chest rise and fall at a steady pace. Her heart continued to thud heavily in her ribcage as Lightning looked at Fang, thankful that she didn't resort to violence because Fang had a point. Revenge wasn't going to bring back the people they lost.

Jihl smirked, "Alright, I'll stand down. Right after you say hello to Cyrus! Awaken Ragnarok!" time started to stand still, as Lightning's survival knife entered through Fang's abdomen so fast no one could react, as time stood still.

Something broke inside Lightning when she noticed Fang. Seeing the knife embedded in her abdomen, Lightning started to scream.

Fang felt searing pain coming from her abdomen as she clutched at her chest as red started to dribble from her hand as she reached for the hilt. Her legs wobbled slightly as Lightning rushed to her side.

Everyone looked towards the stairwell as they all heard screaming.

"GO FISH!" A voice screamed. The voice belonged to a female, and Lightning recognized who it was. Before she could react, Serah came barreling down the stairs, crossbow aimed at Jihl, as she saw the scene of the crime. Raines could only smirk slightly as he had stopped his struggling. "The rescue party is here?"

Jihl was about to pull the blade out to attack Fang again; however, thick coils wound around Jihl, binding her where she stood. Zelda and Rowan escorted a bound Caius Ballad down the stairs. Vanille stood holding firm with Hope. Amodar was down with Snow as they assessed the scene; however, Amodar felt worse knowing he didn't believe Lightning this entire time.

Another girl was with them, dressed in a robe, she could only sigh, but Lightning knew who it was, but she kept her arms around Fang tightly cradling her from further harm.

Fang's hand gently grazed her cheek, past cuts, and bruises on Lightning's face. "That'll be a nice little scar across your cheek; it'll make you look tougher, Sunshine."

"Fang… I'm sorry…" Lightning sobbed.

"People do stupid things when they're in love," Fang muttered, feeling the severe pain of the blade. Lightning's tears hit Fang's face as the ex-soldier cried.

"Fang…"

"I love you, Sunshine…" Fang muttered softly. Lightning noticed someone had joined the small group. A smaller hand rested on top of Fang's abdomen as it started to glow slightly.

Lightning could only look at the girl dressed in a robe; the hood was up over her head. However, she carefully pulled it away, and Lightning looked into soft green eyes that had determination within.

"If you want her to die, you're gonna have to trust us. I'm going to keep a cure spell over her, just to ease some of the pain, but the doctors are gonna do everything they can. You gotta trust us." The girl said softly, placing a rainbow feather onto Fang's wound.

"Take my hand," Yeul started as Lightning did. She hovered their hands over the phoenix feather, as her hand glowed slightly, "She's strong, and she has a strong love. This might weaken me, but to use this power… I'd rather give my life to make sure another is happy. Just like seeing my father alive and well, even if he did wrong."

"You're Yeul, aren't you?"

"I am."

Serah was eventually at Lightning's side with Amodar. "We need to get her out to the ambulance. Claire, if you don't let go, Fang will die, they're securing Jihl and Caius, but you need to let go."

"No…" Lightning's mind was so hazy, and she could only hear the thumping in her ears as her adrenaline spiked. With each breath, she blocked everything out except for Fang.

A strong hand clamped down on her shoulder, as Lightning could only look into the eyes of Amodar, "We're gonna help, Fang. You look a bit roughed up too, Farron, but it's gonna be alright. Serah and Hope explained everything, and we're going to do everything for Fang."

The girl in the robe looked at Serah, "She'll make it. That's a promise." Her soft green eyes met with Lightning's as the ex-soldier shook from anxiety and her shock. However, Fang was carefully moved from her arms as a medical crew entered inside.

Serah knew her sister was in a non-medical shock. Seeing Fang get stabbed had only caused the former Sergeant to quiver and become fearful. Carefully helping her sister up, Amodar conducted the medical staff as they rushed Fang through the house. All the danger and PSICOM members had been cuffed and detained at the property thanks to the hard work of Zelda, Rowan, Serah, Snow, Vanille, and Hope.

Medical staff got Fang's stretcher into the ambulance as they worked on prepping her for the hospital. With the cure spell, at least some of the pain was gone. The wound still looked pretty bad. The medical staff wanted to help Lightning as she had them focus on Fang's condition instead. She'd get the help she needed once she knew that Fang was safe, even if it meant getting help after the ambulance raced off with Fang inside (If she was in there, Lightning knew she would've caused a scene).

As the ambulance rushed off, Lightning grabbed Serah's car, as the two took after it. Everyone else rode behind them.

Serah stayed by Lightning's side the entire time.

Once at the hospital, Fang was rushed into surgery.

All Lightning could do was wait. Her mind was blurred from her swarming mind. Fear had started to settle in her stomach as Lightning felt like she would vomit from stress and anxiety.

A doctor checked over her injuries, including her bruised ribs and hand, which had been stepped on. With her worst injuries patched up, including the cut along her cheek, Lightning knew her wounds were less severe;

Serah was glad that Zelda had brought Lightning some clothing as she had been wearing the same dirty outfit since she had been captured. The clothes were given to Serah before her, and Lightning took off after the ambulance. Once at the hospital, and after being looked after, Lightning changed clothing.

Raines was taken care of too, luckily, he'd just need to put on some healthy weight and heal up from his bonds, but he was just glad he survived. After that, the others took care of Jihl and Caius; however, Yeul was just grateful her father had a change of heart, giving himself up, and he'd tell the truth.

As the others waited with Lightning, they knew Fang was at Etro's hands. Lightning only could pace and await the news from the doctors. Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours. Yeul eventually sat beside Lightning, "You're Claire?"

"Lightning," the former sergeant responded dryly.

"My famous cousin Lightning. Pleased to meet you, though. I'm Yeul… Finally, get to say that formally, I know you were in shock when you asked before. All I have to say is she'll make it. Pinkie promise," Yeul said, looking at Lightning with soft green eyes, "I only know this because the Eyes of Etro don't lie. Your girlfriend is stronger than she looks. The terrible beast inside her is the same one that my father owns. Bahamut will protect his user."

"I couldn't save her…" Lightning muttered.

"I know you're scared, and you're in shock, but I promise you, Fang will recover. I gave her a little bit of my cure spell, with a little bit of a phoenix down. The phoenix feather is special, easing pain, and has a special power of bringing its user back from death. The doctors are doing everything they can, and I promise you, recovery will happen."

"How do I believe you?"

"Because I can see into the past, I can see into the future, her story isn't over, and you're gonna be happy, but you gotta trust me."

Lightning felt her shaking start to subside slightly as everyone looked at her with worry.

However, as another hour passed, the doctor stood at the door. "Lightning Farron?"

"I'm here."

"Follow me." The doctor responded. "We have some news."

The walk to Fang's hospital room was long, and Lightning was starting to panic. "She's dead…" she kept murmuring to herself. However, the doctor could only lead the ex-soldier through the hallways as she felt sadness. "I didn't get to tell her I loved her back… She's gone, isn't she?! Fang… oh Fang… we were supposed to spend life together… If only I had been strong enough…"

"Calm down, Ms. Farron; it's about your girlfriend, she's…" the doctor heard her panicking as Lightning sobbed hard. Tears sliding down her face onto her shirt. The doctor sighed but gently placed a hand on the pinkette's shoulder.

"Quite the contrary." The doctor smiled, opening the door to Fang's room.

Still slightly disoriented, but with a small goofy smile on her face, was none other than Fang.

Lightning felt the tears sliding down her face as she barreled past the doctor, hugging her girlfriend carefully as the tears continued to slide down her face.

"Sunshine, that kinda hurts…" Fang muttered, "But you look like you got two heads, and I wanna kiss them both."

"Oh my god, Fang…" Lightning sobbed, carefully kissing the Oerban on the lips, careful of the equipment she was hooked up to.

"I'm so glad to see you too, Sunshine. I love you and both your heads."

Lightning ignored her goofy comments as she continued to let the tears fall down her face.

Eventually, the others entered the room, as Vanille looked happy to know her sister was still alive. Serah and Snow hugged as Hope carefully went to Vanille, wrapping an arm around her. Rowan and Zelda kept their arms around each other as Yeul was embraced by Serah.

Fang lived to see another day, and Lightning was thankful at that moment. Etro had spared her lover, which was the best news that Lightning had received in a long time.


Author note: Another chapter finished, and nearly broke my heart writing.

Up next are the final 3 chapters. They will be coming out on Valentine's Day, as will the ending of Reclaiming Light. This has been a fun journey, thank you for reading Kupo.