Lybithan as in Ly-bi-than, it's a weird name I know but who cares :D hahahaha

These chapters are a lot smaller than before but it means there will be more of them :D

Death wish

Lightning was kneeling on the ground a great monster towered over her. She was breathing heavily. Snow appeared to her right as she stood and healed herself. Pulling out her Gunblade to fight once again.

Vanille stood watching the scene. As the beast ran towards her, she threw a Libra spell at it. "It's a Lybithan." Lightning's voice rang out, the others two changed to using magic and fired Fire and Water magic at the Lybithan.

Snow provoked the Lybithan, activating his mediguard protection while it attached him instead. Fang debuffed it with Curse and poison. Lightning healed damages before attacking the Lybithan with her magically enhanced Gunblade. The Lybithan finally gave in, its body turning black and then vanishing. Lightning collapsed to her knee'sto the ground her breath coming in painful gasps. she started to calm herself. Once she had caught her breath she looked up, there was a figure crouched on the ground where the Lybithan had stood only minutes ago. The figure got up and started walking towards her, she wanted to get to her feet but her achy burning legs would not let her. She looked down at them, "Shit, move legs, MOVE"

They didn't move "Oh maker!" She sighed. Her head came up again and all she could do was kneel, watching as the stranger came towards her. The others were not watching what was happening; Vanille was busy healing Snow who had sustained a rather nasty cut across his chest.

Her heart was hammering, she went to reach for her Gunblade but her arms wouldn't move. She was really started to panic now 'What's going on!... MOVE God damnit!' She lowered her head trying to hide the strange tingling fear that held her in place. The stranger stopped in front of her; she starred at his boots they looked familiar. Before she could think about them, a hand cradled her chin and soon she was looking into the face of a man.

"Hope?" as soon as the name was out of her mouth she refused to believe her instincts "No, you can't be Hope." She frowned and pulled away from him. She yelped as she fell backwards and landed on her aching legs. A pained expression crossed her face before a gentle warming sensation washed over her legs. The ache vanished and she opened her eyes and met the man's stare again. "Thanks," she said nervously, "Who are you?" she asked, his hands still hovering over her thighs.

"You know who I am"

"No, no I don't." She knew her voice sounded harsh but she didn't care anymore. She didn't like these kinds of games.

"Well, you should know me Light; I've been fighting against PSICOM with you for a while now. That is until earlier today." He laughed. He held his hand out for her to take; she looked confused for a moment before taking it. He pulled Light to her feet where she stood shakily, her body was tired and weak and she almost passed out, the mysterious man grabbed her waist and held her against his chest. He felt familiar, too familiar, "Who are you?"

She heard him sigh "I'm Hope Estheim, I am your companion on this quest."

"If you are Hope, what's the last thing I said to you?"

"You told me not to touch the crystal" he smiled, "Before that you told me that I shouldn't want to be older because once I was, I'd want to be younger again."

"Hope!" she pushed him away instantly missing the contact "Maker it is you!"

He nodded and a smile spread across his face. "What happened to you Hope? I was really worried." His smile grew.

"The crystal told me that I had a choice, but before that it looked into my heart and my mind and it knew what I really wanted." He frowned. "I don't just have the age or looks of a 22 year old, I also have the strength and knowledge of one too." It was Lightning's turn to frown.

"22?" she managed to stammer, Hope again smiled at her confusion.

"Yes Light, I am older than you and errr... taller too." He smirked.

Later...

By the end of the evening everyone but Lightning had gotten used to Hope's new appearance and age, it was odd; not only did he look older but he also acted 22 years old. Lightning was the only one who could not get used to the change in Hope, and as she sat across the fire, she could not stop staring at him.

...

Hope felt the hairs go up on the back of his neck. He looked around finding a pair of bright blue eyes staring at him. The odd fluttering sensation that accompanied the sight of Lightning Farron, still made him blush

...

There was a constant voice telling her to stop staring but up until now she hadn't been listening to it. After a while the inevitable happened and he looked up. OH no, he's seen me staring. Shit! What the hell were you thinking Light. She looked at her lap her cheeks blushing, she was thankful for the fire's orange glow. What were you thinking? You knew he would look up eventually. Get over yourself Light. He's 14 years... wait he's not 14 anymore... yesterday he was though... OH my gosh I'm going nuts. The silent argument distracted her from her surroundings just long enough for. "So Light, what do you think?" her heart stopped, body frozen were she sat, he draped his arm across her shoulders, oh maker.

"Huh?" she stammered and her cheeks glowing. She looked up into his eyes. His smile was definitely infectious, which was a serious problem because she was now sitting there smiling like the happiest woman on Pulse. What the hell...!

Hope looked at her in the orange glow, her smile was beautiful and all he thought of doing was kissing her. But her sudden frown stopped him, "What's wrong Light?"

"Just tired is all" she said in a bleak voice, heart skipping painfully as she got up, sadness written over her features. "Light?" he sounded so lost at that moment and all she wanted to do was stay there with him and tell him it'd be ok. Either that or run away very, very fast and never turn back. "I just need some sleep ok Hope, don't worry about me."

He watched her walk away, shoulders slumped and head hanging slightly. The breath he'd been holding came painfully his lungs ached from the strain. "I always worry about you Light, but I worry more about what I'm going to do. I don't want to lose this." He sighed, sluggishly walking towards his spot on the ground, where he sat watch over them all or maybe just Lightning.

To be continued...

Well How did you like it? please leave a review, FREE cyber welsh cakes :D ooooo look a welsh cake... *eats* YUM hehehehe

:D Hope I did a good job

Pooky xxx