A/N:... I honestly have no idea what to say about this next chapter other than I hope it turns out good, need to pick up the story as fast as possible to progress it and all while making sure nothing strays too far from the story itself. But I wonder how Mel will apologize to Serah and Noel while explaining what happened to her, I mean 'him'. So yeah, plus I just noticed this but from these few chapters there isn't much action but it's more of an emotional and mental war rather than a physical one and I wonder where these will take the story, no? Well anyway, Hope you guys enjoy!
Mel's POV:
'To be honest I thought Noel was going to rip my organs out of my body and strangle me with my entrails as I approached them, and I knew he would have if Serah hadn't intervened. The tension could be sliced by that Templars maltise blade, the enemy Vanille encountered from when she vanished for a while back on Gran Pulse, between me and the brunette, I couldn't blame him for being vicious towards me from the events that occurred but through it all I was rendered helpless, ignorant, as I had no recollection of the previous events, not all but very little to contemplate about. Like I am now.'
It took a lot of convincing on my part and a lot of soothing words from Serah to get the blades pointed towards my throat to be withdrawn, it felt like hours until Noel managed to calm down and set his weapons aside. He seemed he was willing to listen but then I'd be deluding myself again.
"I understand your really mad at me Noel, just please here me out." No, mad wasn't a good word to describe how hostile Noel was as I practically begged him trying not to sound so desperate but judging from his face it was full of scorn when we both knew I didn't have mercy when Serah begged me to stop from killing them both. He jerked his arms, his fist connecting to my jaw and slammed me down into the concrete several members of the army had difficulty restraining the man wailing on me from finishing what he started. I took the blows not even trying to defend, I deserved this anyways and what will come later. I wondered if Vincent Valentine from 'Final Fantasy 7' understood his crimes like this too, but then again I only played 'Crisis Core' for that installment and watched the movie. My jaw felt like it went slack and the taste of iron was full in my mouth as the same substance ran down into my swollen eyes, making it hard to see. An eternity later someone strong enough yanked Noel off and pushed him somewhere else to cool down while others, maybe a medical team, ran to my aid. I was getting nowhere near coming clean to explaining my situation, Serah was but I needed both of them to hear me out. I was pulled off of my back to sit up straight, someone tended to the cuts and bruises on my face and my swollen eyes lessened somehow but when I could see again I saw Lightning, which scared me due to what she told me from when I collapsed, only to correct myself that this was actually Serah. Damn these two sisters and their resemblance.
"I'm so glad your okay! I thought you were dead when Noel yanked me away. I'm so sorry, I really am, for being so weak that I didn't have the strength to help you like you've done for us, so far!" Serah barely squeaked out while she cried, sometimes I wondered if I was worth crying over for, making me assume she believes this was really a burden for her to bear greatly upon herself when I am clearly the one at fault. I patted her head gently for some reason and looked around keeping an eye on Noel should he cut the corner and strangle me.
"Don't do this Serah, please don't. I'm not worth it, so just let me go..." I said calmly but I wasn't even the slightest bit. I was angry at myself, at a lot of things I could have avoided if I weren't so emotional so now I think its best if we went our own ways.
"Serah, I'm sorry. I promised to train you guys and swore to Lightning that I would protect you no matter what, however..." I began as I gently pulled out of Serahs tight embrace to look at her better, and told her my intentions.
"If it means this is the only way to protect you from after what just happened then I say we part ways. I'm sorry, I really am, but there is no alternative that I can think of..."
"I got an alternative! Its called, 'death!' Something that won't take you no matter what happens to you, huh?" Noel said assertively as he came back from his walk. He was about to get in my face again but he stopped without doing anything as the pinknette placed a careful hand on his shoulder.
"Please don't do this, Noel. Please don't keep going or else something might happen."
"No, Serah, he is right. Death may be my only option but from what I have concluded to since now and from my first journey I can't die, at least not until my task here is complete whatever that may be now. You can hurt me, torture me, quarter me to dozens of pieces but I don't think death will claim me until I finish what I began." I explained to the best of my ability.
"Well, maybe we could try that and see if your right!" Noel threatened again reaching for his swords but again Serah stopped him. She looked at him for a while as if sending him a telepathic message then she turns to me, her eyes held a modest yet sympathetic nature in those cerulean gems.
"I understand that what you did was wrong, and you could have killed us if whatever saved us didn't intervene. But you still promised to help us, train us to become stronger in order to reach ours goals and save the future. You can't make promises to people and abandon them now, Mel, you can't! It's just not right..." My heart swelled with pity and regret upon her words, yes I couldn't forgive myself if I broke my promises but I'll never forgive if I killed anyone I cared about, there is no other option.
I reached forward until my hands reached Serahs shoulders, she shuddered slightly at my touch probably because I was cold, and sighed while looking over her facial features.
"You really do look like your sister, Serah. But this is goodbye." I released her then turned on my heel in the other direction not giving anyone a chance to look at me to change my decision. I took a few steps and stopped, looking over my shoulder with a few more words to share.
"The power you guys used against Atlas the first time may not have came from the training I was planning on giving you during your journey. Maybe it came from realizing your flaws and accepting them as your strength while coping with whatever pain or debilitating feeling that haunts you. But remember this; you are not only fighting for yourselves, many lives weigh burden upon the scales of fate and one wrong choice will tip that scale against you. If you can't see your hatred you will die, if you can't overcome your uncertainty failure will ensnare you. And most of all, if you two can't get along in and out of the battle field then I'm afraid that your future has already ended. Lets this be a period of wonder, think about what I have said, if there is anything you need tell me because somehow I might hear you somehow and I will reply however I can to aid you. Until we cross paths again, may the vanguards of the Goddess Etro protect you on your journey." And that was the last time I had saw Serah and Noel since.
Journal Entry #1:
Ever since I left Serah and Noel back at Bresha Ruins in the year of 3AF I tried to leave everything behind me, those terrible mistakes the feeling of horror I felt surge through my body as Lumina took over my will, just wanted to forget... Oh shit, Lumina! I forgot to explain who controlled me and how, not only that but that crazy psycho is after Serah! Oh my god... Why the hell did I forget something so vitally important!? But even if I could go back I don't think I can.
The path I took was timeless in a world full of nothing, 'Huenco Mundo', the world blew small crystal fragments in the nonexistent wind and like its name; an empty world void of anything. There was nothing to look forward to and nothing to look back on, no distractions in sight and nothing to focus on for the long road in front of me. I tried to get back to Valhalla though no gate opened to me, stupid paradoxes! Damn it let me make things right! Everything made me feel empty and I was full of regret, this fantasy was dying and the effects of me being here was taking its crash course to hell. Maybe I was way over my head and way too zealous when I was called back, I thought I could have done something great but all I did was screw everything up. I tried to ask myself the questions from my previous adventure, 'why did I have this power? Why am I here? Etc.' still no answers came and I just walked on. I can't really express my feelings, I could never control them, now as this world left me to contemplate my actions and decisions there was that crazy matter with Lightning.
'She said love... I never used that word, only to my sister! It is very powerful and I was confused about myself from the start, like come on! Don't do this to me now, Light! Don't be that person who pushes me over the edge, beyond saving, but aren't I already beyond salvation?' Sometimes I wonder if things would be better if I just ignored the calling, letting the worlds of Cocoon and Earth die will mess up my conscious but hey! It's better than interfering and creating a paradox of my own. But I know there is one thing I can't save them from, death. Unfortunately even if I told them Serah is going to die once this journey is over and I can't do anything to stop it. This mystery isn't so strange, it's just because of me...
'Why do you burden yourself with self doubt and pity, Interloper?'
A voice spoke and shattered my thoughts capturing my attention, when I looked up I was no longer in a world of nothing but someplace similar however it was darker and I stood on storm clouds swirling in one spot stretching further than what I could see and the only pure source of light came from a crooked crystal version of Etro's throne placed near the vortex the clouds encircled. Wandering around for God knows how long may have caused me to hallucinate because that voice was omniscient, not one voice but many ranging within various tones. I shook my head and turned my back to the throne to wander more but a warm feeling caressed my back and startled me by making me stay in place, my shadow expanded as a light grew immensely and the voice spoke out again.
"Why do you burden yourself with self doubt and pity, Interloper?" I tried to turn my head but found it impossible so I looked at my feet and sighed heavily.
"I don't know, maybe it's because I've taken a responsibility I was never responsible for, I thought I could try to do good somewhere somehow just to find my purpose, because in my own world I know I never had one. Maybe that's why... I'm running away and I know that I am, I won't deny my actions. All I am good for is running and hiding behind lies." The voice didn't say a word and the warm sensation on my back became burning hot, I ignored the pain and accepted my punishment for everything I had done up to now.
"You burden yourself in a false fantasy that you are the same as the strong, same as the intelligent, and so forth. The powers bestowed upon you by the Goddess are not your true strength. True strength lies from within, if you continue to rely on these false abilities that you have not drawn out your true strength you will continue to wander in the world of nothing. " the voice sounded bored and stern but it wasn't finished, it took a slight breather and continued.
"If you abandon this falsehood that you carry which leads to the source of your burden, your true strength shall awaken, and the power you need to press forward will begin. No trial will await you, your only test is to take that first step. The past has been paid and the future lies in wait but the present still calls to be followed. However, if you depend on others power for security by burdening your companions you will then lead them to their deaths. Now raise yourself from this darkness, find the light you carried long ago and find your heart to revive as the Just and benevolent protector of Cocoon and Earth."
When the burning sensation stopped I turned around to see a hooded figure dressed in white from head to toe. Their lips and jaw were visible compared to everything else, but it deducted Kid as a suspect for they aren't similar features to my own.
"What are you!?" I asked in confusion, feeling the pain in my sanity tug and pull taunting to break any moment. The figure smirked and replied smoothly,
"Bhunivelze, ruler of the living realm. I am the gate which led you here and it was myself that had commanded the Fal'cie Barthandalus to strip you from your world to enter my domain. I had bestowed upon you the power of Chaos to harm my daughter, Etro, to tip the scale of balance, which succeeded. Now here you are, my little puppet, lost in a purgatory even I was ignorant to." Wait... This figure is the deity that was worshipped in Fabula Nova Crystallis? He was the one behind everything all this time!? Shit...
I jump away from the figure and reached for my sword but forgot I couldn't bring things from the material world, save for my clothes, here. Bhunivelze chuckled and wagged his index finger disapprovingly.
"After everything I have done to nurture you, you defy even me. Kid, Malice and Lumina are my creations with a similar task as the Fal'cie, find the door of the unseen realm and to give the powers of the chosen to those worthy enough to wield them. Your mind, I feel, is beginning to shatter. The madness is clawing its way to your thoughts, tainting your being, the light which you carry has been extinguished and you alone must find the power to stand again."
"Why should I fight for a world that shaped me to be a killer!? Someone whose only reason to live is fighting! I won't follow your advice, now leave me alone!" I barked at the deity, deep down I made a mistake, one I wish I hadn't made.
Bhunivelze lost his smirk and in a single step stood in front of me with its hand on my throat stopping oxygen from flowing.
"My world isn't the only one in jeopardy, GIRL! Earth gave me power to take my mother, Mywnn's, crown and it was your world that created the taint. Earth is connected to Cocoon, being the 'First Beings' that abandoned even us 'First Gods'! If Cocoon dies so will your world, no one from my domain has the power to stop the corruption only you!"
"Isn't the... COUGH! The corruption something you... Gasp! Want to happen?" I gasped hoarsely, fighting against a Deity showed how weak we humans were in comparison, in strength, in speed, in intelligence, what did we have that would even make the Gods envy us I wouldn't know myself. The strength around my throat tightened and my eyes saw black in that instant.
"The worlds are frail and my daughter had been given the power to keep the balance from dying, she inherited my mothers likeliness due to what was my mistake, now I can take her place and take what is mine: control over Cocoon and Earth. The day of Gods will not be forgotten as I intend to fulfill my own focus, to rid my mother and child from ever finding peace by opening to door to the unseen world!" Bhunivelze laughed manically, its smirk growing wider and sharper. The god released me and I fell to the ground choking from trying to catch my breath, breathing was harder as I had to learn to walk and write again.
"So what, you gonna use me to finish your plan or what?" I asked finally able to form words dryly. Bhunivelze looks at me and lost its smirk completely walking towards me than transporting through space, until its shadow loomed over me it spoke,
"You may have a greater role than you think and giving up is not an option. You WILL rise and succeed where the champion had failed, take the seat purgatory and succumb to its will as it strips you of what holds you to this material world. Become the successor of the falling worlds and take your place in life, if not the corruption will consume you and slit your throat in the shadows, I highly recommend you heed my words or else things will not end happily for anyone. Listen to the prophets and maybe you could solve these paradoxes from spreading further to Earth."
As soon as it finished speaking the clouds below me began to rip open and dragged me under, watching the last image of Bhunivelze's smile burning into the very essence of my mind spreading like fire, until that vortex closed I shot up awake, back in my own body somewhere familiar.
Valhalla; where Lightning once stood, no battle was engaged and the champion was still nowhere to be seen. The words of that particular God etched itself in my mind, 'Listen to the Prophets' sounded more important to me than everything else and if I can't let go of my own fear I might as well let everyone I know die. Due to my own moral standards and my inexperience with this world, the fight, this life I have no choice but to lead. I have no say anymore and I am nothing but a puppet no matter where I go, where I run. If I accept my fate maybe things could be different, just like how this God, Bhunivelze says I must travel down to.
"If I don't try and fight back, thinking I'm the same as Lightning, Fang, Snow, Hope, Sahz, Vanille, with my own power than depend on everyone else I'm nothing myself. If I discard my fear and let my heart free itself from this wall I created for the past how many years, its time to change and I will go back, besides this might turn out to be like Greek mythology; where the hero makes a choice on their own in the end." I turned around to find Etro's throne glistening in the light of the divine, remnants of Lightning's armor such as her feathers lay simply on the floor around it. I walked towards the light and kneeled, my head down in respect. Reaching my flesh and bone arm out to touch the light with the tips of my fingers electricity flowed into my arm and absorbed it, a defense mechanism of some sorts taking no effect on me. I felt my eyes sting greatly and prayed to Etro to hear me.
"Please, help me. Take away my fear, take away my hate, but please. Whatever you do, don't take away my humanity. If you do this I swear I will never run from my fate nor from the consequences of destiny. I will accept everything and burden the pain that comes my way, please. Lend me the strength to continue..."
"When one mortal asks for the desires of selfishness, they will be struck out of heaven. When the heart of the selfless awakens, they will be rewarded."
"Etro!" I said in awe, she was still here, but she is weak, too weak to keep this link going on too long.
"Child, I tried to keep you from contaminating the the world of the Living from the taint of Earth had created but it seems my Father won't let it be. I have heard your prayers and I shall grant you your wish; but I have words to share with you; A hero is made, not born and you may be special somehow it was true you were not the perfect candidate. I had evaluated you when you were struck and found nothing out of the ordinary, you led a simple life and that was it. Unlike the hero's of old they were of kin to the God's and that gave me purpose, you are nothing like them. Your heart showed me more than the actions of man and you wanted change, change is the greatest of fear of mortals and Gods alike and maybe it was that dream that called you from your home. To change the world, to change your family, to change yourself and things will start if you take that first step."
"Bhunivelze said the same thing to me..." I muttered under my breath. I felt Etro put pressure in my head to capture my attention again and I opened my ears to listen.
"Here, even the impossible can't be achieved but that doesn't mean it can't be attempted. Open your eyes and let your heart take this power for it will be the change that will shape both worlds, when you return to your shall be reborn from the ashes of your former self and rise as a new Guardian. But be warned; my Father will destroy everything, stop him, stop his pawns and save the champion from death."
A new feeling entered my chest and lifted me off the ground, it was something new and indescribable, I tried to find a word for it but there was none. All that escaped my lips was a single word that should never be used loosely no matter what;
"Freedom."
When I felt my feet touch the floor again Etro was gone and a mirror was right in front of me, I didn't look any different but there was something that made me that made me not recognize myself that wasn't there before. I turned around to find a gate waiting for me and I opened it without moving from my spot. I looked at my hands and closed them then entered the gate. This power is my own, I just have to figure it out what my real power is and not trying to emulate someone I thought was fictional. Its time to stand on my own two feet once and for all, I won't run away anymore. By the time I'm standing again I stood in Yashas Massif, it looked like it was ten years later, Yaschas Massif 10AF, the place where I was supposed to meet Hope, at least I'm keeping a promise because I stood in the center of the ruins. The ground was decimated, parts of the ruins scorched, the fight was over already. For some reason I stared at the ruins and saw them; Serah and Noel were accompanied with Hope and Alyssa. Hope was happy that I kept my promise to him but the other two were most likely not after I left. I walked up to them and went down on my knees with the little space on the stairs, I was regretting now but I swore that I won't turn away now, and now I will make things up now and I will accept my fate, I will find my strength and save the worlds from dying.
A/N: This took FOREVER DAMN IT! Man! I wish I had more time to get this done and not get the dread WRITERS BLOCK! Well, I think this chapter was more of a moral story than the story itself, my bad if it wasn't what you were expecting, and maybe I should stop watching Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children and the special features, for the x amount of times I have watched it! But hey! Its a great movie and this is not about seven, this is thirteen Legacy! Get it together, PLUS I need a break from Pewdiepie but I can't, the guys hilarious! So hope you guys are liking the story so far, hopefully everything things is going great and I'll see you all later, Ciao!