Author's Note: Sorry if the quality of this chapter wavers, it took forever to write, so I just kinda rushed the ending. Writer's block is an evil thing, am I right?
Personally, I think that everything these guys went through was Etro's fault from the beginning. I mean, she was the one that made Caius immortal. Uh, duh, major mistake there, Etro. Anyway...
The trek to the Temple was disturbingly unhindered. Not a single living thing, friend or foe, crossed their path. The Chaos swirled like smoke around their ankles, and Noel shuddered.
"This... is wierd. I know we're in Valhalla. But it seems too... dead."
"I know." Hope agreed, "There isn't even any wind here. That Chaos-" he gestured to the ground, "-it is moving of its own accord."
"Maybe Lightning has some answers. You know, if that was really her, and not some trick."
Hope shook his head, "No, it was her."
Noel smirked at him, "Oh yeah? And what makes you so sure?"
"She showed me things. Things only Light could know."
"Like what?"
Hope fiddled with his yellow wristband, "Things."
"Okaay." Noel looked up at Etro's Temple, "Well, let's keep going, I guess."
They continued onward without a hitch. Once the two began to climb the stairs leading to the Temple, Hope groaned, "Yeah, Light's up there."
"Hurry up..."
"Told you."
"Huh. Well, in that case." Noel said. "We're working on it!" He called.
"Huh..."
As they approached the top, a soft white glow pierced the darkness. Hope and Noel exchanged a glance, then nodded and continued onward. But as they landed on the top stair...
"V-Vanille?"
It was. Her crystal form stood to one side. She had one hand extended in front of her, as if waiting for someone to take it. The other hung at her side. An intricate barrier of crystal covered much of her body. Hope slowly moved toward her, gaping like a fool, "Vanille..."
Noel glanced over to the other side, "So... that's Fang, right?"
The woman stood in a defensive position, as if protecting the Temple behind her. She held no weapon, but looked as though she were. The crystal surrounding her was poised for attack as well.
Hope turned, "Yeah, that's her."
"Doesn't sound like you're working on it..."
Noel chuckled, "Come on, Lightning. Just doing a little sight-seeing."
"We don't have time for that... I need your help Noel Kriess... You too, Hope..."
"Well, technically, no one has time. There is no time anymore."
"Just hurry up..."
Leaving the crystal women, Noel obeyed Lightning's words, with Hope following close behind. They made their way through the Temple, searching for the former soldier.
"Keep walking..."
Entering a large, open room, the first thing the two saw was a grand throne. Intricate designs ran along its base. Sitting high above the rest of the room; and sitting on the throne, was Lightning. She too, had been turned to crystal. She sat with one leg crossed over the other, and her sword laying across her lap.
"Light, what-?"
"Just listen, Hope... You two are the only ones who can save us now..."
"But what about Snow and the others?"
"I don't know where they are..."
"So it's all on us." Noel muttered, "How on Pulse are we supposed to save everyone? We can't time-travel, there is no time to travel to. What do we do?"
"You must resurrect the goddess..."
"What?"
"Etro was the only thing keeping the Chaos in check, now that she's gone, the Chaos runs rampant... You must restore the order... Bring back the goddess..."
"Light, that's-"
"Nothing is impossible... Don't forget, we defeated our fate as l'Cie..."
"With the goddess' aid. Without her, you and I wouldn't be speaking right now."
"Hope's right, Lightning. Etro is the only reason we're all alive, without her-"
"Listen, you two! Reliance on higher beings got us into this situation... Etro is the only one who can control the Chaos... Without her, the future is only this, darkness and Chaos... No life or death... If you don't revive the goddess, all of humanity will be forced to wander Pulse forever, searching for release..."
"Is that where everyone else is? Back on Pulse?"
"Yes..."
Noel scoffed, "Alright, this is all well and good. But we don't even know where to start, much less how to revive the goddess."
"They should have some answers... I will help you in the only way that I can... Hope, take her hand..."