Chapter 3: The Ark

Once upon a time, Lightning had committed a terrible sin. It happened long ago, in a past that she could not change. She was fighting a war that never ended. She thought that she was saving the world, and she needed help. So she turned to Serah; the only family she had, her younger sister.

But, she had sent Serah to her death. Lightning knew what she had done could not be forgiven, but she prayed that someday it could be undone. Dreaming of the day that she might bring Serah back, she fell into a long sleep: a sleep as dark as death. The centuries passed, and each one seemed like an eternity. One day, the light touched her. She knew what it was. God himself was speaking to her. All-powerful, all-knowing, ruler of the world and sky above:

Bhunivelze.

The light was his voice, and she felt warmth on her skin as it spoke. He told her what she had to do. She would be his servant, and if she succeeded in doing his bidding her reward would be a miracle. He said Serah would live again, and Lightning would have her back at last. And so Lightning was chosen by God to rescue lost souls and guide them past the end of this world and into the next.

She became The Savior.

The light that surrounded her ebbed away, though for the brightness that surrounded her it was hard to tell at first. The pure white surfaces of the Ark reflected the distant starlight, and seemed to radiate from within.

The center of what would be God's new world was surrounded by the scraps of metal and material from the Ark that Hope himself had tried to create 500 years prior. It floated around the central platform slowly forming into various structures; buildings, transports, all the mechanical workings that would become the mainstays of the new world.

And standing in the center of all of this was the mighty tree that rose up high overhead. Twelve perfect blooming flowers – six on either side of the main vine – glowed brightly, though the light from bottom right bloom was slowly beginning to fade. At the top was an enormous flower, which would open on the final, thirteenth day. This was the tree of life, Yggdrasil.

Standing at a large display of monitors and technical equipment just beneath Yggdrasil was Hope Estheim. Once, long ago, they'd fought side by side, bound by a common destiny. He was just a boy then, kicked around by fate, scared and angry, but they'd become friends. And then he grew up, he was going to be humanity's great leader, the one who'd guide them all to a brighter future. But it didn't work out the way any of them had expected.

"Hello, Lightning. Welcome home," he said.

This seemed an appropriate sort of greeting, though Lightning had long since lost the only home she'd ever known. A lot had changed during her long sleep. When she awoke, the Hope who she'd seen become a man was now a boy again. He was up here, in lonely command of the Ark, and this was where he'd told Lightning about God's plans for the two of them- and the world.

"Bhunivelze, god of light, has made a decision," Hope had said. "The gates are open and Chaos has flooded through, consuming the world and everything in it. Not even God can stop it, and he isn't going to try. Instead he is going to build a brand new world. But he needs people to live in it- what would be the point of a world without souls? That's where you come in, Light. You're the last piece of the puzzle. You're the Savior. It's a simple role. You have to rescue as many people as you can from this world and lead them to the new one. It's an incredible opportunity. You can bring salvation to hundreds, maybe thousands. In return, you'll get your chance to bring Serah back."

"A deal huh?" Lightning had replied. "I scratch God's back and he gives me what I want- my sister."

"He's giving you a chance. No guarantees. I know it isn't right using your sister, but..."

"It doesn't matter. God is using my dead sister as a bargaining chip. Something like that should infuriate me to no end. But, for whatever reason, I don't feel angry." Lightning had remembered pondering her words very carefully at this. What was the best way to word this? "It's like there's a hole where she used to be."

Hope nodded. "I think I know what you mean. I'm the same way. It all happened such a long time ago. I remember it clearly, but the feelings. They're gone."

Lightning had remembered all too well the burden that Hope had carried with him. His mother's death, the loss of his people, the futility of his centuries of work trying to protect humanity. There was so much that should have weighed him down, given him doubts, angered him. But, it didn't.

"Maybe that's how God wants it. Maybe emotions in his servants just distract us from what we're supposed to do. So he got rid of them for us."

"Maybe he did. And maybe returning me to childhood was part of his plan too. But we can't expect to understand everything he does."

Of course she had to accept God's deal. What choice did she have? It was her fault that Serah died. If the only way she could save her was by doing God's will, so be it. With Hope Estheim to guide her, she began her holy mission. Liberating the souls of the living from a dying world, and ushering them into a new one. The savior. Servant of mighty Bhunivelze himself.

Though her first day had not gone according to plan, and there was precious little time left in it.

"Light? Light, what's the matter?" Hope asked. "What is it? Are you alright?"

Lightning shook her head and moved towards the monitors. "I'm fine. Just reminiscing."

Hope moved beside her, the monitors now flashing various images from the four major areas left in the world. There was the capitol city of Luxerion, home to the Order of Bhunivelze and the religious masses who prayed for the new world. There was, of course, Yusnaan, a party city ruled by Snow where people went to celebrate the last few mortal pleasures they had to enjoy. There was the last patches of nature that remained amidst the sea of Chaos; the Wildlands: a land of verdant fields, mountainous peaks and dense forest. And finally there was the remains of the ancient civilization of Pulse, scattered amid ruins and desert sands: the Dead Dunes. This was all that remained of Pulse, the island of light: Nova Chrysalia.

It was here that the people lived; ageless, timeless. And yet while they never aged they remained susceptible to the torments of illness, pain and death. Now humanity was dying away, unable to give birth to new life to replace those who passed away.

"Five hundred years ago, Chaos was unleashed and our world began to be consumed," Hope said. "Five short centuries. That's what it took to destroy all of creation. Now there's barely anything left at all."

Lightning had already heard this part. "And when the Savior has used all her light, the bells will toll and the world will end. Is that what you told me?"

"Yes. But when that time comes, Bhunivelze will finally awaken, and he'll bend his great will to create a new world."

"Right. And in the meantime, I've got some souls to save."

"Yes, as many as you can. Remember, every soul you leave behind will be lost for all eternity."

No pressure, Lightning thought.

Hope turned to her. "As long as you're here, you're safe. You can rest and not worry about what's happening in the world below. When you're in the Ark, time ceases to flow for anyone, but us."

"Is that all God can do?" Lightning asked. "He can stop the flow of time up here, but he's helpless to prevent the world from being destroyed?"

"Yes. In thirteen days, God will reawaken. It'll all be over then, and no power in the universe can stop it. That's why it's so important for you to save these souls. Remember how much Snow had changed? Here, at the end of the world, there are many people like him, caught in the grip of despair, their hearts shackled by regret and longing. If you reach out and help them with their troubles, you can break those shackles. Then their souls will be released. They'll be free to be reborn in the new world," Hope looked over the monitors, pulling up some recent scenes from Luxerion.

Lightning looked over the scene, the North Station Plaza, where amid the dark streets a large group was gathering. Of course, as time had stopped nobody was moving, but amid the still image Lightning could make out what appeared to be the figure of a young woman, lying on her back with a knife plunged into her.

"No more lectures today, you're free to return to the surface whenever you want. But remember you need to be back here every day by 6 AM," Hope said.

"You're giving the Savior a curfew, is that it?" She asked incredulously.

"There is a good reason. I'll explain it to you when the time comes," Hope said. He pointed to a large green pedestal which stood before an inverted ebony arch. Hope's prized invention; the Warp Machine. She had, of course, already used it once.

"I'm worried about Snow, I should go to his palace," Lightning said.

"You could, but I suggest you visit another city instead."

"You want me to abandon Snow?"

Hope shook his head. "Down on the surface, time has stopped for everyone, remember? The palace will still be on high alert. It would be next to impossible to get anywhere close to Snow."

"You're saying I should let things cool down first."

Hope nodded. "I'm going to send you to Luxerion. It's the capital of the world- or what's left of it, anyway. I'll place you inside and inbound train. When the train stops at the station, you can get off with the other passengers. Something has happened in front of the station."

"All right, do it," Lightning said, turning towards the warp machine.

"You're surprisingly calm for someone who's about to venture into unknown territory. But you were always brave."

"Brave? I don't feel brave. I don't feel anything. No worry, no confusion, no fear."

"That's good, but you still need to stay safe," Hope said.

The two exchanged a knowing glance and then Hope turned around and pressed a few keys on his control panel. With another beam of light, Lightning left the Ark, and Hope behind her.