Hey! I had this huge desire to write a fanfic for FFXIII for a long time and I just couldn't stop from posting. I think no one has ever wrote a fanfic with similar idea so I hope it will get interesting.

Briefly - it will be close to a canon FFXIII story at the beginning, but with a major twists later on. I hope I made my explanations about Cocoon, fal'Cie and Gran Pulse as correctly as I could. When I was playing an actual game all those explanations and terms the game gave to me were confusing and I understood everything only from second play through.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the idea and the story. This chapter is kind of short, but it only a prologue anyway. I will continue this story no matter what, though your feedback would be highly appreciated.

Enough with my rant and on with the story.

Final Fantasy XIII

the Legacy of Etro

Chapter 1: I called thee and thou answered me

A young girl stood in the darkness. She was no older than 14 or 15, with long, pinkish hair which was a bit spiky on the right side and straight on the left side. She had also a beautiful pair of teal eyes which leaned more towards the shade of blue. She wore a simple nightgown: short pink shorts and blue, short sleeved blouse.

"Where am I?" she asked to no one in particularly. Her strong teenage voice echoed throughout the darkness. Despite her young age and being a girl, her voice had some kind of power behind it which demanded respect or, in this case, answer. Usually bullies had this kind of voice, though there were some exceptions.

Being surrounded by darkness in an unknown place did nothing to scare her. The girl was very brave. And there was a simple explanation on why she wasn't scared. To quote something the girl said a year ago, when the school she was attending was raided by some terrorists who also managed to turn all the lights off, when she was the only girl who was not scared: 'I don't fear what I cannot see. Only when the terrorist will point his gun at me then I will truly be scared. I won't show it though – I don't want my enemy to see my fear, to give him the satisfaction when he kills me.'

Many other students were inspired by her speech and stopped trembling with fear and some teachers were even admiring this one young, but brave girl. Well, the girl herself doubted the last part of her statement. She didn't know how she would react when an enemy would actually point the gun at her face.

Anyway, back to the young pink haired girl in a night gown, who was surrounded by darkness.

The girl felt a slight breeze in front of her. She asked again "Where am I? Is anyone there?"

The girl made a step with her bare feet, making that kind of sound when you step on the marble floor. The sound echoed through out the room... or wherever she was at the moment.

The girl stopped and muttered "Weird. Last thing I remember is saying goodnight to Serah and mom and going to bed. Is this a dream?"

The girl made few more steps on stopped because she saw light entering her field of vision. The light began to shine brighter and brighter and the girl had to wince and closer her eyes in order to adjust to the sudden light.

When she opened her teal eyes, she noticed that the darkness has more or less disappeared. She saw that she indeed was standing on a marble floor which looked more like a road. At the end of the road there was something shiny.

The girl looked right, left and behind. The only thing she could see is darkness. It's like someone wanted her to follow that road.

"Come, Claire Farron," a mysterious, feminine whisper echoed throughout the entire place, calling for the girl. "Do not fear me nor this place, child. I mean you no harm."

The girl, which is now revealed as Claire Farron, frowned and muttered "A child? Sounds like an old lady speaking."

"You can't imagine," the voice whispered in, what sounded like, amusement. Claire blushed a bit from embarrassment. She didn't think that whoever spoke could hear her. "Come."

Claire sighed "Looks like there's nothing else I can do now. It's just a dream anyway," and started to slowly make her way forward, towards the shiny thing. With each step she took she couldn't help but think that it seemed too real. She had dreams before and they were much different than this one. Claire could feel the cool marble floor, the warm breeze and the soothing sensation coming from that light.

After 15 minutes of walking Claire finally reached the end of the road. For some reason she wasn't tired at all. It must be because it's a dream, she thought.

She looked up and awed at the sight. It was a throne. And it wasn't just a simple throne. Simple things as that won't surprise girl as Claire.

The throne was made from crystal. From the purest crystal Claire has ever seen – the beam of light entered at one side and left at the other side as a stream of colorful lights. The crystal was shimmering. At the top of the crystal stone there was a large chair which was embedded right in the crystal. Or maybe this chair, this throne, came from the crystal itself, Claire will never know.

In the throne sat a lady. Claire couldn't make out her appearance – it was blurred so much that the only thing the girl could see is a lone figure sitting on it. Claire was sure about one thing though, whoever was sitting on a throne was made entirely from a crystal as well. Claire had this strange feeling that the lady sitting on the throne wasn't there, but at the same time that the lady was actually there. It was so confusing.

This woman on the throne had this aura around her that demanded to bow on your knees and start to pray, but at the same time it was soothing and caring.

"So you've answered me after all," the woman from the throne said, her lips and body never moving.

Claire couldn't help but stutter, these feelings were so real, "I-I answered Y-you?"

Claire could feel the woman's smile, "Yes. I called thee and thou soul answered me."

She didn't say anything else. Claire's eyebrow started to twitch. If this woman in front of her called for her then why Claire has to make the conversation going? Fine, Claire thought, she will have to play by the woman's rules.

"You called me? Who are you anyway?" Claire asked.

"Yes, I called you, Lightning. I am divine Etro. The goddess who watches over Valhalla," the woman answered in a matter-of-fact voice.

Claire frowned, "Uh-huh. Etro-"

"Divine Etro, Lightning, don't forget it," the woman corrected her a bit harshly.

"Uh-huh," Claire said. That was total bullshit she thought, Etro is only a legend, a fairy tail, though Claire couldn't deny feeling this aura of divinity around the woman. It must be on of the weirdest dreams she ever had in her life. Well then, she then just needs to wait when she will wake up. Until then she is stuck in this place with Etro.

"Okay then, oh Divine Etro," Claire said sarcastically and she could swear she felt the woman frown. She ignored it and continued "Why do you keep calling me Lightning?"

"Because you will be known as Lightning in the future. My apologies if it makes you feel confused. I will call you by name from now on."

"Uh-huh... So, Divine Etro, are you from future or something?" Claire asked.

"No, Claire. I am not from the future because I don't have the ability to travel across the time line. I am bound here, in Valhalla, to protect it. I can see the future through my eyes though," Etro answered.

Claire frowned. It was all so confusing. This dream felt more real than she thought is possible and she also felt like the time has stopped here. She couldn't explain how she knew that, but it just felt like that. The road behind her was hidden in darkness, just like the both sides of the road. The only thing she could see is this throne and a blurry image of a crystal woman sitting on the throne.

After a minute or two of silence, Claire decided to speak with this crazy woman. She didn't have anything better to do to pass time here anyway.

"Okay, lets start from beginning. Where am I right now?"

"You're not psychically here. Your consciousness and soul is here. Here, in Valhalla where my throne resides."

Claire was a bit surprised by the revelation – she didn't expect to be dreaming about Valhalla, the realm of the dead, of all places. Claire didn't show her surprise though and mocked the crazy women even further "Oh great Divine Etro. Enlighten me then – what am I doing in your divine realm?"

Suddenly the air became so much heavier, thicker with some kind of energy, and so much colder. Claire shivered and fell on her knees. She was heavily breathing and vapor was coming out of her mouth. The heat was literally leaving her body. Claire was struggling to stay even on her knees.

"What is this?..." Claire wondered, fear finding it's way into her brave mind.

"STOP MOCKING ME, MORTAL!" Etro roared, her voice full of fury. Claire couldn't help but slump on the floor from the force of the voice.

"It is not a dream! Your soul and consciousness is indeed here, in Valhalla. I called for you and your soul answered me!" Etro said, now much calmer than before. The tense aura was slowly vanishing "I think we went the wrong way. I should have explained everything instead of allowing you to ask questions. Rise!"

The coldness and heaviness of the air disappeared so that Claire could stand up. And she did just like she was ordered. As she stood up she was trembling in fear. No wonder everything felt so real. But why is she here, in the Unseen Realm? Is she dead? Claire didn't want to hear an answer to this question so she didn't ask. She stood in front of the throne, her head lowered, waiting when Etro will speak. Yes, now she didn't doubt that the crystallized woman on the throne was indeed Etro, judging by the aura, throne and her voice.

Etro spoke again, this time more calmly "As I said before, I saw the future with my eyes and you're important part of this future. The future where Ragnarok is reborn and where Chaos seeps into this world; Future, where time is destroyed and I am dead. Troubling future for the universe indeed. If nothing is done to avert it, then your world will be destroyed."

When Etro was done Claire asked, her head still lowered, "Divine Etro, why me? How come I'm important part in it?"

Claire was terrified at what she just heard. Ragnarok reborn is no good news. She didn't understand what Etro meant by those other facts, Claire was too afraid to ask Etro to elaborate it.

Claire once again felt like the woman smiled. It seemed that Etro showed her facial expressions by sending feelings to nearby people. Well that was what Claire thought anyway.

"I do not know – the future has yet to happen. I just know that you're important part in it, and I also know that you can stop it. I actually know that you and your friends somehow stopped the Ragnarok, but it caused something else to happen."

"I still can't understand why me," Claire said.

"Because you're my descendant," Etro deadpanned.

After a brief silence, Valhalla was filled with Claire's shout "WHAT?" Claire quickly shut her mouth and lowered her head even more. She then asked "Your descendant?"

Etro weakly chuckled "Yes. When father, the Maker, created me he left me with no powers to create, while his other creations could create their own beings. I felt lonely so I killed myself to gain attention of father, the Maker. My blood then was used to create humans. Humans were with a curse, or rather a fate, to die someday and return to Valhalla, just like me. For some reason, my blood runs the most in you," after a brief pause Etro continued "I knew there has to be a person with some of my blood in him, or her, so I called for this person using my already weakened power. Your soul, your blood, answered my call and came to my throne which makes you my descendant. You're the only living human in Valhalla right now, and the fact that you're still alive just solidifies this fact."

"Wow," Claire muttered "I'm indirect descendant of Etr- Of Divine Etro herself."

"That you are, child."

Claire then asked "What is needed for me? Why did you call me here?"

"A wise question," Etro admitted "I will not force anything on you, Claire, for that is not my way. I called you here to ask a favor as my descendant – to stop anything that might come after you defeat Ragnarok. Or to find a way to prevent Chaos seeping in to your realm, thus preventing the destruction of time, of your realm."

"I don't want to be rude, but you say it like it's already decided that I will defeat Ragnarok," Claire said "Why is that?"

"Unfortunately, your fate on that matter is already decided. It is outside my reach to change it. I see that someone else is starting to pull all the strings on this matter," after another brief silence, Etro gasped as if realizing something "I beg my pardon. I will elaborate one point – it is not the Ragnarok you should be concerned with, but the fall of Cocoon. You and your friends are the ones who can prevent Cocoon's fall."

Cocoon – the paradise in this realm, or so they say. Cocoon is an artificial land in a shape of a planet, which is levitated above the Gran Pulse. It is held in air by Cocoons' fal'Cie, which is called an Orphan, which also gave Cocoon's power source. There are also many more fal'Cie, who are called Sanctum fal'Cie, which are responsible for creating food or water.

Gran Pulse, on the other hand, is considered a hellish place, full of monsters and wild life. It is also a place where Pulse fal'Cie resides. People fear Pulse fal'Cie and it's l'Cie, especially what happened after the War of Transgression. L'Cie are servants of Pulse fal'Cie and it is believed that they are evil and their only goal is to destroy Cocoon. Being an l'Cie means you're an enemy of Cocoon.

Legends say that when a human becomes l'Cie they are given a Focus they needs to fulfill and in most cases this Focus revolves on destroying the Cocoon. If a human does not finish their Focus, they are turned into Cie'th, beings which live in eternal sorrow and regret, and robbed of all free will, Cie'th are damned to wander the world unliving and undying, until their corrupted flesh at last can move no more. But if an l'Cie completes it's focus then they are granted eternal life and are turned into a crystal.

Claire felt Etro frown and the goddess said "I don't get it. I see that in order to save Cocoon you have to let it fall," after another deep frown, she continued "Anyway, I will ask you again. Will you stop whatever might come after you save Cocoon? Will you save this realm from whatever might endanger it?"

It was her chance, Claire thought. All her life she wanted to be a part of something bigger. Her dream was to enter the army and become a high ranking soldier. A soldier who everyone would respect and look up to.

"I would gladly help you, Divine Etro, for I am your descendant," Claire said but then sadly admitted "But I am only a human. What possibly human can do to defeat a thing which may destroy an entire realm? How a human can save Cocoon from it's fall? Save it from anything that might happen to it?"

"You never know what future holds," Etro said, sending a feeling of a smile "I was the one who stopped Ragnarok in the War of Transgression and that action drained my powers too much. I'm slowly dying, Claire. But I can still help you. I didn't call you here for nothing after all. I will infuse you with power; I will give you piece of my power, but you yourself will have to find what it is, and then develop it. If you accept, long and hard road awaits you ahead. If you accept, the power I will give you will make my blood in you more dominant which will allow you to use various abilities. I don't know what they will be because each person is different, but you'll be stronger than humans."

"Your blood in me more dominant?" Claire asked "Does that means that I will be a half-Goddess on Earth?"

Etro chuckled "No silly. You won't be a goddess, people can't suddenly become Gods. You will be different from people, more powerful, but not a God."

"I see," Claire said and then looked at the frozen in crystal figure, which sat on the crystal throne, with determined eyes "I will do it. All my life I wanted to become part of something bigger, to bring something new to this world. If you say that sooner or later I, and my friends will save, Cocoon then I might as well be part of something bigger. Of something that might save an entire world."

Despite her bravery and her maturity, Claire was still a teenager. Almost all teenagers wished to be part of something bigger, something what could change the world. At that moment Claire didn't know what she got into, she didn't have any idea what this decision would and could bring. Right now, the only thing in her mind was that she can't miss this chance.

"Thank you, child," Etro answered "After I infuse you with a piece of my power, I will fall into a slumber for an unknown time. I will still be able to oversee the Valhalla and keep the Chaos at by, but I won't be able to intervene in any mortal doings like I did before. This task now falls onto you, Claire."

That said, an infinite number of blindingly light tendrils shot from the crystal throne and wrapped around Claire Farron until she was fully encased by it. It looked like a cocoon made from light and inside that cocoon was Claire. The girl didn't resist because somehow she knew it won't harm her.

The next few seconds Claire felt nothing but bliss. Her eyes were closed and she smiled. She had this distant feeling as if when her mother hugged her or said nice thing.

In the next moment though, the cocoon shimmered and deep red and blue streaks appeared on it and Claire screamed in pain. She didn't think it will be this painful.

After, some seconds, which felt more like an hour, the cocoon disappeared along with the pain. Claire collapsed on the ground with another blissful feeling. She felt like she was born anew; as if piece of her soul, of her mind or whatever, was finally unlocked.

She finally managed to stand on her knees and when she did she looked at the goddess. The entire throne along with Etro herself ceased to shimmer in crystalline light. The crystal itself dimmed and Claire, in contrary like before, barely could feel the divine aura around the throne. Claire realized that the Divine Etro was being completely serious when she told that after the infusion she could only watch over Valhalla.

Claire looked at the dimmed, blurry figure of the goddess and said "Sleep in peace, Divine Etro. I will stand guard over the realm of the living."

She didn't know why she said those words or where they came from in the first place, but she knew it was the right thing to say at this moment.

With a final, but quiet "Thank you, Claire Farron. Maybe we will meet again someday," Claire was literally thrown out from Valhalla. She saw how she passed some kind of gates and entered back into her body.

"Claire! Claire!" someone worriedly shouted.

Claire opened her eyes and recognized the face and the voice of her sister. "What time is it?" she asked.

"What time is it?" Serah asked as her eyebrow twitched "You were screaming like mad just now."

"I was screaming?" Claire confusingly asked.

"Yes, dear," her mother said. It was quite dark in the room so Claire couldn't make out the faces but she was sure it was her mother "Even I heard it."

It has something to do with that pain from before, Claire thought. Coming up with a quick excuse she said "Don't worry sis, mom. I had a nightmare but it's gone now."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mrs. Farron said.

"Mom, you know me pretty well to know the answer," Claire answered.

"Very well then. Goodnight, dear," her mother said and opened the door, but before she left she said "But you will tell me about this nightmare in the morning."

"Yes, mom," Claire sighed and her mother left the room.

"Are you sure you're okay?" young Serah asked, "You sounded like you were in a lot of pain."

"I'm fine, sis," Claire said "I will tell you about the nightmare tomorrow."

"Fine then," Serah said and went over to her bed "Goodnight."

"'Night!" Claire said and turned around in her bed "I forgot to ask what did Divine Etro meant by 'your friends'."

No one even noticed that her eyes changed from teal-blue to deep purple. A small, strange, circular on back of her neck also went unnoticed.

"Bright future awaits me," she thought with a smile and drifted to the land of sleep.

Oh how wrong and naïve she was.

-Back in Valhalla-

"Odin," Etro called.

A mechanical-like being stepped out from the shadows, his features hidden in the dim light.

"Yes, my goddess?" Odin asked as he bowed in front of the throne.

"Keep an eye on Claire Farron," Etro ordered.

"Please excuse me for saying it, but she is not an l'Cie."

"True she is not at the moment. But I've seen the inevitable future and I clearly saw the brand of Pulse l'Cie," Etro explained "Do not interfere in her life unless she is in very grave danger. Once she becomes an l'Cie, I want you to be her Eidolon."

"Sorry for asking, but why me? And why did you gave her the piece of your power? It will be much harder to keep Chaos at bay." Odin stated.

Etro glared at Odin for his bluntness and the Eidolon slightly flinched under her gaze. Yes, Eidolons were mechanical beings, but even they had had some emotions.

Etro answered nonetheless "You and she are alike, Odin, and in my opinion you would get along very well. You would be a good team in the future. As for why I gave her the power, I already explained the reasons. As for the Chaos energy – don't worry. While I will be in a slumber, my powers still will be able to hold it at bay. For now there's nothing to worry about."

"As you say, Divine Etro," Odin answered and with a final bow disappeared in the shadows of Valhalla.

"All hope lies with you, Claire Farron. Or should I say, Lightning?" were the last words Etro said before she submerged in her slumber.

END!

Oh boy, for some reason I'm all excited with this. My second story and all that. *sigh* It means more work for me anyway...

I really hope everything was understandable. As I said, plot will be a bit different than the cannon. I also promise to look deeper into character's inner thoughts.

If you like what you read and if you favorited or followed me as a writer, check out my facebook page! The link for the page is in my profile here (there also explanation on why I created the page in the first place).

Thanks for the reading!