Reclaiming Light
Ending 3 Even Heroes Fall Sometimes
This is the 3rd ending to Reclaiming Light. This ending is not my favorite for obvious reasons. This ending is very triggering because of a sudden loss of a beloved character. I wrote this ending when I was going through a bit of self-doubt and clearly cut this one from becoming the overall. The death ending was cut because I needed something different than a happy ending and decided to take a crack at a sad one, however, this was the result.
This ending I hid for months. I couldn't bring myself to look at it only because I knew that I wrote this as a possible ending. I struggled with ending Reclaiming Light and wrote a sad ending only because all great stories sometimes end in tragedy. While this ending is not the ultimate ending, it still happened. This one was written on January 30th, 2021 when I was still writing the end stuff for RL. However, this ending I hid because I realized how dark it was, but not every story has a happy ending.
In the original ending, Yeul uses a phoenix down to revive Fang, however, in this one the phoenix down was just a myth and what she saw was her cousin alone. However, this ending brings forth an ending that the ultimate sacrifice was made. Grief, sadness, and bad things happen all the time, but finding the things to hold onto memories is a promise. This ending has dark themes including mentions of death, grieving, and suicide attempt. Now's your chance to turn back Kupo because now I present the bad ending of Reclaiming Light: Even Heroes Fall Sometimes.
The skirmish between Lightning and Jihl continued as Jihl sat atop the pinkette with a smirk planted on her face as her hands pressed down at her throat. "Say hello to your parents at Etro's gate," Jihl said calmly, looking at the pinkette as she gasped for air, hand reaching back for the knife in an attempt to buy herself some time or an easy escape.
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. The tears kept streaming down the soldier's face as Fang's hand gently caressed her cheek. A smile stayed on her face as she pulled Lightning down and kissed her. "You're gonna be safe," Fang smiled.
"No. Not like this…" Lightning wailed feeling Fang's fingers weakly catch the tears falling down her face.
"Don't cry Sunshine. I'll be okay, It's just a scratch," Fang promised. "You are my Sunshine… My only Sunshine…And I love you…"
Lightning didn't believe her as paramedics took Fang and loaded her in her ambulance, as Serah and Snow, and Vanille got them into the car and sped after the ambulance.
"I love you too…" Was all Lightning could mutter under her breath, as Snow sped along the road after the ambulance in hopes their friend would be saved.
Lightning Farron sat in the waiting room; Vanille sat at her right side and Serah on her left. Snow sat with Zelda and Rowan and Amodar who all looked miserable. Yeul paced, but Rowan went to her and caught her as she fell from fatigue, and Rowan knew it had been a vision. She spoke to Zelda in Oerban as Vanille put hands over her ears at Yeul's vision as the blue-haired girl spoke in the native tongue.
Lightning couldn't bring herself to ask as she put a bandaged wrapped hand on the armrest of her chair as Vanille tried to get her attention, but she ignored her. The cuts on her face stung including the big patch on her cheek and the other lacerations, but Lightning knew any moment she would have news on her girlfriend. However, a few more hours passed and a doctor came to the door.
"Farron? Dia?" he called.
"Lightning please go before me. Don't tell me now." Vanille said looking at the doctor with unwavering green eyes.
Lightning looked towards Serah who smiled at her, "Tell Fang we said hello. We'll go in when we can. Snow also wants to go check into our hotel for the night."
The soldier didn't dare look at Vanille who continued to act weird. However, part of her felt uneasy because Vanille's body language seemed worrisome and part of her wanted to ask, but Vanille could only sit and shake her head, and Lightning noticed a tear fall down the younger Oerban's face.
Fear clung to her as each step following the doctor became heavy. She felt faint, part of her wondered if it had been her fatigue that caught up to her, or if it was just because she was hungry. Even though she had eaten something small in the hospital, Lightning felt uneasy.
The doctor and Lightning both walked, but stopped in a hallway away from the waiting room. This puzzled Lightning at first until the doctor looked at the door where Fang was in, judging from the nameplate.
"There's no easy way to say this…We're sorry to inform you this Sergeant Farron. We couldn't save her. We did everything we could…But she had nicked an artery, and by the time we were operating, we lost her." The doctor could only look into blue eyes, as Lightning balled her hands into fists at her sides and look at the lone hospital bed that once housed Fang. Tears did not well up, but something else did and that was rage.
"You're lying. You're just telling me this to play a practical joke. Fang you stupid idiotic jokester!" Lightning shouted.
"Ma'am, you're in shock… We couldn't…"
"No!" Lightning shouted. "You're doing this as a joke! We'll be laughing about this one day. Ha! Ha! Ha!" Lightning knew she was making a scene as the doctor could only look down.
"Ma'am… We did everything we could… Her body is going to be sent to…Hey!"
Lightning pressed past the doctor and entered noticing the lonely room. There was no one there, except a framed picture, and some of Fang's belongings.
The tears didn't start until she started to laugh. "You people are lying to me," was all she could muster as she felt an invisible rope around her neck squeezing the breath that didn't come. Wet hit Lightning's cheek as she couldn't tell if she had been crying, and yet she was.
She didn't say a word as she ended up on the ground right in front of Fang's bed. Her head shook, her breath come out uneasy and the doctor could only look at the soldier with earnest empathy as she grieved. Tears rolled down her face as Lightning let out a scream and before she could take it out on the doctor, she had eventually punched a hole in the wall instead before running into a room to grieve where she had fallen to the floor as her fist slammed against it, as she felt both pain from her fight with Jihl, and the new fresh pain of loss.
"Jihl!" She screamed before finally storming off, hiding in a janitor shed.
In the hallway, Vanille could only shake her head, she needed to stop Lightning before the soldier could do harm or damage to something or someone.
Her heart was crumbling, as each breath came out uneven. Lightning had broken her promise to Fang and right now all she could blame was herself and Jihl. She curled up on the dirty floor and cried feeling at her lowest point.
Tears fell down and all Lightning could do was cry. She felt guilty after a broken promise.
'Sunshine, you gotta promise me one thing.' Fang's voice was soft.
'Yeah?'
'If anything should happen to me… I would want you to find a new relationship.'
'Why are you telling me this Fang?'
'Like you said to me many times. If anything, dangerous happens, I need to run. Well now I'm saying if anything should fall upon me… I would want you to be in a new relationship. You proved time and time again you need someone, and I don't want you alone. If anything should happen, please don't harm yourself and promise to look after Vanille.'
'Nothing will happen to you Fang. I swear to Etro.'
'But this whole business, secret rooms, murders. I'm just worried and I got this occurring nightmare that something bad is gonna happen.'
'We'll be fine. I can promise you I got this under control. You're Lady Luck. You are incredibly lucky Fang. I wouldn't be worried if I were you.'
Fang shook her head, 'Light, you're not even looking at me when you say that. How can you be certain? Why not just put this entire case down and see that we could go to Oerba, or at least get away. We have so much else to worry about, and if you wanna move and get a good listing you shouldn't compromise that by solving this case.'
'Fang I'm so close to solving it. If we press on further we'll find out the truth, then I can have closure on my parents. Surely, you got closure from Zelda and Rowan about yours. Hell, you have more memories each day that unlock. I think that's awesome you are actually uncovering a lot of truth.'
The brunette sighed, 'Alright if you can promise no more after this. I'll help you out once more.'
Lightning swallowed and relaxed her head against Fang's shoulder as her other arm wrapped around her, 'Promise.'
How much time had passed? Lightning didn't know. All she could do right now was grieve and stay in that spot. She felt like she had barricaded herself in this room alone, and it was just a janitor shed, but she didn't care. She couldn't let the others see her like this, in her weakness; not this time, and definitely not like this.
The door opened and someone had moved closer to her, as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"The doctors told me you ran and I saw you run. I've been checking each waiting room and janitor shed on each floor. A few hours have passed since you ran off… I was gonna catch up to you, but Serah told me no for now…"
Lightning knew the voice, but she didn't think she had the heart to look her in the eyes. The voice belonged to Vanille, and she had red puffy eyes, as the tears fell down her face. However, the redhead knelt down beside Lightning and pulled her into a hug tightly as she threw her arms around Vanille as well.
"The others were worried about you, but Serah and Snow ended up having to go check into the hotel since your house is getting cleaned from the evidence. They're coming back though…"
Lightning could not look at Vanille, none of her words could escape. Weakly she finally found her voice, "What do you want?" It came out harsher than she had intended, and yet Lightning just buried her head against her knees trying to refrain from wailing out loud.
Well… I wanted to check up on you," Vanille said weakly. "Serah didn't want Snow talking to you now… And with you missing, she knew you needed time alone."
"That…Probably for the best, which leads to why are you here?"
Vanille tried her best not to cry but Lightning could tell the redhead was struggling before Lightning kept her protective arms around her. "I…I have a story." Vanille started not looking into Lightning's eyes.
"Story?" the word was weak but Vanille nodded.
"Fang…I always worried something would happen to her… When we were children, we had run the streets of Eden just wishing for a better life. Fang provided for us, run drugs and other supplies and helped us survive. We were children in the orphanage system, and she wouldn't let anyone adopt me, and fought to keep up payments to keep a roof over our head. Bodhum Heights became home thanks to a friend, but she had always kept a smile on her face when she struggled to make payments meet." Vanille said sitting beside Lightning and looked at the ceiling.
"I didn't know. I know Snow ran in Eden…"
Vanille sighed at Lightning's mumble, "Well after we were out of the orphanage, we got our house. Fang saved enough just to get that house, and even though she wouldn't tell you, we struggled financially but she made ends meet, and yet, we were happy. Fang would continue to run around Eden like it was her stomping ground… Like she was big, powerful, and not afraid. And that was until the day you showed up."
"I don't know how you can say that," Lightning said as she wiped her eyes once more.
"The day you showed up, was the day I first saw her genuinely smile. Usually, she would come home all upset because she couldn't make ends meet, but the day you came home it stormed. She stood by that window and watched the flashes in the sky and laugh and I remember her saying that's her! That's her! Etro brought me a storm it's a sign!" Vanille laughed, and yet Lightning felt something wet hit her shirt, as she saw Vanille crying.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't p-protect her…"
"It's not your fault Light… Promise," Vanille held her pinkie out to Lightning as blue eyes met soft green eyes. Her finger wrapped around Vanille's and yet, Lightning was confused, angry, and depressed.
"How? I told her to keep solving with me…"
Vanille sighed, "You wanna know a secret?"
Lightning felt tears pool in her eyes as she nodded.
"Fang was incredibly loyal to you. So loyal that she was willing to… she would've stayed with you to travel through hell and back. She loved you because you were her equal, you were a match made from Etro herself… She took an angel, but Fang was gonna stay with you until the end… She even talked to me and Serah in private about stuff."
Lightning couldn't manage to ask Vanille what stuff, as the redhead sighed, her eyes were heavy and she wrapped her arms tightly around the soldier.
However, Vanille helped Lightning up, "Where are we going? I don't deserve to go anywhere…"
Vanille ignored Lightning's pity, "Well, we're going to the hotel… I don't think you wanna stay in a janitor's shed all night… You need a clean bath, and some food in your belly."
To Lightning, Vanille made a fair point even if she didn't want to leave. Vanille held herself that day, and she could tell the younger Oerban had gone into shock, but she kept up her façade until she ended up crying.
The two stayed together, as Serah and Snow got the bad news. Everyone had been hopeful that day, but Etro could only cry as it rained. The rain felt cold biting into Lightning's skin as she sat on the fire escape of the hotel. Vanille was comforted by Serah and Snow, and even if Lightning was welcomed to, she shut everyone out once more. Reclusive, hurt, she could only hate herself more, as the days went by. How could she forgive herself let alone Vanille for the loss of her girlfriend and Vanille's sister?
How can Vanille still love her for the death of her sister? How could anyone forgive Lightning for such a heinous act? How could she live with herself knowing what happened? There had been no peaceful rest as Lightning would wake up and scream, as Serah would comfort her, and yet, even that was hard with Serah's pregnancy. Snow even was concerned by Lightning allowed him in at her weakest moment.
The loss brought forth a new quiet in the Farron house, as Lightning became reclusive. Often avoiding others, Lightning was often seen alone on the beach, pacing or just sitting alone at the lighthouse. Even after hours, she would sit atop the lighthouse and stare out across the horizon wondering where she went wrong.
When people saw the elder Farron, the condolences they offered were merely words that made her numb. There were times the tears didn't come but she would rage. One day Lightning had broken a mirror with her fist, and after a doctor visit later had earned a wrapped hand with a few stitches.
Life was hell, and Lightning was slowly falling through the cracks. Serah and Snow had done their best to keep an eye on the soldier who had not taken up drugs or alcohol. But to see Lightning's door locked most of the time, Serah could only sit outside her room and talk to her through the door, and yet there was no coaxing Lightning out except when she left the house.
The blood on Lightning's hands made her feel she wasn't worthy of anyone, and each day felt like a nightmare. Who could wake her from the darkness?
A few days had passed since Fang's death when Amodar had called Lightning into the office one day. Though hesitant, she had entered headquarters where she was greeted by Zelda and Rowan who could only look at her with the utmost sincerity.
When Lightning got past security and took the elevator to the 7th floor, she noticed Raines, Rygdea, and Amodar sitting with Rosch as Zelda and Rowan joined them. "Why have you called me to the office?" her words were harsh. Since Fang's passing, Lightning had been a bit rough around the edges. Her eyes were red and puffy, but she didn't show weakness as they all motioned toward the conference room as Lightning took a seat followed by the rest.
"We've been talking, and have decided that we can reinstate your job should you join the Guardian Corps again," Amodar said looking at the pinkette as she could only lower her head.
"After a lot of talks, it only seems fair for a promotion Farron. You'd be working alongside Raines and Rygdea for the Guardian Corps branch," Zelda said softly.
"You saved me, and I think that deserves promotion enough; plus, you took down Jihl," Raines said looking at the pinkette as she noticed the respect in his eyes.
"And I think it'd be awesome if you'd pilot an airship with me," Rygdea grinned tipping his hat.
"I think it would be fantastic to have you back Lightning, plus the two branches here are merging. Guardian Corps and PSICOM are merging into one branch to keep users of magic and nonusers of magic safe. No more registries, no more pain, no more persecution for having magic," Rowan said with a sigh.
"I really shouldn't have come in, I can't accept your promotion." Lightning looked down not making eye contact.
"Farron, what will you do instead?"
"Sir, if I stay, I'll cause a mutiny just like Caius," Lightning warned. "I can't stay here with her jailed next door."
"I feared you would say that," Amodar sighed.
"I'm going to go to Bodhum University, get some degree, and do something with my life with all respect sir…" Lightning struggled with her words, and yet the tears started to slide down her cheeks. "W-without…" her fist met the desk as she sobbed as Zelda and Rowan stayed at her side. Amodar and the men could only watch the ex-soldier's weakness.
Zelda sighed, "We didn't want you showing up today until we knew for sure you were going to be okay Light. We got your statement and it's going to be used for the right reason. My sister will pay for what she did."
Putting the business of the Guardian Corps behind her felt like a huge weight off Lightning's chest. She knew she could no longer work there and would find a new passion thanks to helping from Serah, but right now she knew she needed to prepare for the funeral and viewing. There were good moments and bad moments and the ex-soldier did what she could to keep her mind off things for the most part until the day Vanille told her to come over.
Another day passed as things edged closer to the funeral when Lightning drove to Vanille's house. She often kept pretty quiet and it wasn't until she went to visit that she noticed that Vanille had been packing a lot of stuff.
When she finally got to the door, she knocked on it as Vanille greeted her with a hug and Lightning noticed several boxes on the porch.
"Looks like a lot of stuff is getting moved out," Lightning admits looking around taking in the scent of grass clippings, and rain.
"Yeah…I'm putting this house behind me. I can't stay here by myself."
"Don't be Light, a house this big cannot be lived in with one person, and with everything going on, I split with Hope."
"I didn't know you two were… I'm sorry."
"No one really did. I was gonna be moving to Academia, but I can't even do that. The Yuns and Dias want me in Oerba, but I'm taking an apartment for now until I can get enough to go with them."
"I'm sorry you have to move. I know Serah and Snow sort of said something but I sort of didn't know… Vanille I'm sorry for the grief I caused you…"
Vanille wrapped her arms around the ex-soldier in a tight squeeze. Lightning felt extremely guilty and yet Vanille was hugging her. The warmth of the hug caused her to freeze and she felt her anxiety rising in her throat.
"Take a seat, I got a few boxes for you Light."
Lightning took a seat as Vanille sat beside her.
"The hospital gave me a box of her belongings, but I think you should have them Light," Vanille looked down not meeting the soldier's eyes.
Lightning knelt down on the floor and looked inside the box. "Vanille, I can't accept this box."
Vanille could only hold herself highly without the tears smile on her face. "Go through the items, I don't mind Light. Some of them belong to you, other things Fang would've wanted you to have."
The soldier sighed and started to pull a few items from within, wrapped neatly in her blue sari Lightning noticed a framed picture, the one she brought over. Also, inside were Fang's necklaces, which caused Lightning to furrow her brow and try to keep herself from crying. However, there was a small black box, as Lightning could only run a hand over the soft leather as Vanille put a hand over Lightning's, "Please open it. She wanted you to have it."
Lightning opened the box with shaky hands and noticed a ring, tears started to well up, and fall down her cheeks. The ring was crafted with a silver band, with three diamonds within its center. Lightning recognized the Oerban diamonds within the 1.47 karat ring.
"She was going to…propose…to me?"
Vanille could only meekly nod, "Yeah…She had asked Snow and Lebreau and when I was going through her stuff I found it with her notebook of poetry. There was a poem in there about may I take her by the hand."
Lightning felt the knot in her throat and yet didn't cry. She couldn't, Vanille had given her many of Fang's things, and it made her feel worse. "I have a dumb question Vanille…"
"No question is dumb Light."
"Now that…One piece of Ragnarok…"
"Basically, I can turn into an incomplete version. Without her, we don't have to worry about catastrophic damage and danger… Fang's piece just released as our ancestors would say. Bahamut would watch over his mate… Bahamut is watching over you even if you cannot feel him."
Lightning felt Odin, like a bolt of lightning, but to know Bahamut was watching her she wondered if the dragon had raged she was the reason its master was gone and yet she felt a fire in her stomach and wondered if that was Bahamut.
Vanille sat beside Lightning on the floor as she noticed the pelt in the box, she could smell Fang's scent.
With the ring in the box of items, Lightning only felt worse knowing she had lost her opportunity and felt rather faint. However, Vanille gently put a hand on top of Lightning's and gently squeezed. The ex-soldier didn't look at her at all, as she just let her head hang in shame.
"…Light?" Vanille asked softly.
"Yeah?"
"Tomorrow's the viewing… Could you stay with me tomorrow?"
Lightning sighed and looked at Vanille, "Yeah. I can."
Vanille hesitated as she brought her hand to Lightning's shoulder, but felt Lightning's hand squeezed hers tightly in her own. A small smile stayed on Vanille's lips as she could only look into Lightning's blue eyes. "Thank you."
The weather was rainy when Fang's funeral finally rolled around. The viewing was small, but each person that showed up Lightning was thankful for. Vanille was just as happy knowing people did come out to show her sister some love before she would be buried.
However, it still didn't fill the void in Lightning's empty heart. She wanted to cry, she wanted to hide, and she just wanted to crawl under her rock once more, and yet she didn't have the heart. Etro claimed a new champion, a warrior, and probably one of the best sparrers she knew. Her mind went to a happy time where she had Fang were training in the yard, as Fang ended up knocking her over with her lance and Lightning fell into the grass looking up at her as she started to laugh
"You're not gonna win if you keep letting me trip you Sunshine. Obviously, if you keep losing like this I'm gonna start saying you lost because of my womanly charm," her voice taunted.
Lightning pulled Fang down on top of her and grinned at the brunette, as her warm lips greeted the huntress' and laughed. Fang kept her arms around Lightning and looked into her blue eyes, as the two were about to kiss as a voice interrupted them, "Lightning! Fang! Dinner's ready!" Serah called.
"Already?" Fang asked.
"Yep, so who won the spar tonight?" Serah asked looking at the two.
"She did!" both Lightning and Fang shouted, pointing at each other as Serah chuckled.
The memory was cut short as Lightning felt arms pull her into a hug as she noticed her sister. "Hey, Claire… We're finally here."
"Nice to see you Serah," Lightning managed.
"With you staying the night at Vanille's we were gonna be here earlier with my morning sickness, I was a little late."
"It's fine. Make yourself comfortable. Vanille is somewhere around here."
Snow entered and Lightning lowered her head and excused herself. Entering the room where Fang's casket was, she knew she needed to try and smile. To see the huntress peaceful, only made her eyes fill with tears, and yet she looked beautiful, different, younger even. Dressed in a traditional sari, and yet in her arms was a pink bouquet of roses. A smile was on her face, and yet to look down at her late girlfriend, Lightning couldn't help but let the tears fall. Her hand rested on the casket's edge but she did not dare touch, Fang. Bringing her handkerchief to her eyes she dabbed sorrowfully, warm hand touched cold as she let the tears fall down her face.
"Fang, I'm sorry I broke our promise. I hope you can forgive me," Lightning started looking down at Fang's body. "I should've taken that attack for you. I should've told you to run. It should be me instead… And yet…I'm sorry. I should've been stronger, and should've listened to you."
The quiet of the room gave Lightning a chill, as she felt a presence with her.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she wondered if she had seen Bahamut standing with Odin as both knelt down together.
"Sunshine…Remember the promise…I love you too."
Lightning looked up as she looked around the room glancing around in search of the voice she heard in her ears, and yet no one was there.
'One last moment with you as you fade away, one last memory of you as you leave, one last smile from you to brighten my day, one last embrace from you to warm my cold heart. One final promise to you that I will see you soon Sunshine until you meet me again.' the voice spoke in Lightning's ears, and she felt warm, and yet overwhelmed.
Lightning fell to her knees and cried hard, "I'm sorry Fang! I love you!" she wanted to scream out loud, but the words wrapped around her heart tightly and squeezed the breath out of her, as her lungs filled expanding with oxygen as each came out unevenly.
This was her last moment with Fang, the soldier grieved, cried, and just talked with her late girlfriend one last time. To see Fang who would be buried with her favorite flowers, she would thank Vanille later on. When it was time, Lightning couldn't bring herself to leave, and yet the others would have to walk her out.
It was a rainy day when Fang was buried, just like it was when her parents were buried. She had made sure that Fang had been laid to rest beside them. Though it rained, and the ceremony completed, Lightning placed a rose on top and could only weakly watch as her late girlfriend was finally lowered. The tears didn't come, but the sun started to peak through the rainy sky forming a rainbow in the sky.
Lightning sniffled but it brought a smile to her face as she closed her eyes, as she saw the brunette in her mind's eye. Fang moved closer towards her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"You're grieving, and it's okay to mourn Sunshine. I might not be here with you in person, but I'm here in spirit."
"How are you here in spirit?"
"Etro's miracle," Fang said softly, her hand gently reached out and stroked Lightning's cheek, "Bahamut rests within you without me here. It was sort of a personal request I asked of her. I want him to look after you as well."
"I don't know how you could ask Etro to have your eidolon look after me… I don't deserve that."
Fang started to laugh, "Well rest assured, he's going to watch you and keep you safe. That request wasn't easy and you'd be surprised because she wanted to give him to Serah's child. She's due for a little boy in a few months."
"Fang now that you're d-g-…" Lightning couldn't find the word.
"Yeah, Sunshine?"
"Did you reunite with your parents?"
Fang smiled and looked at Lightning placing a finger to her lips, "Spoilers Claire. Certain things I cannot speak about, but the hunting grounds are amazing, and the stars are beautiful."
"Oh… I guess some stuff you can't really tell me," Lightning said feeling anxiety trickle down her heart.
Fang chuckled, "Yeah there are some secrets to being dead, but it's not all bad. As they say in my culture, death is just a beginning. Tell me, Claire, do you believe in soulmates?"
"As much as I didn't want to believe, yes I do."
Fang smiled, "I promise in the next life, I'll look for you and we'll be together. I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world. I can promise you that, but for now, you need to promise me something too."
"What kind of promise?"
"Go out, make friends, and live your best life. I may not be here in person, but I am in spirit. You're gonna go far my love, and yes it will hurt but I'm not going anywhere. I'll be with you in your heart."
Lightning felt tears starting to drip down her face, as Fang's hand reached out to gently catch them.
"I promise you we'll see each other again Sunshine. And until then I'll be waiting."
"Promise Fang?"
"Promise Claire"
And with that promise in her mind, Lightning went on to live her best life, until she could meet her girlfriend once more and stay by her side once more.
The End