Sisterly Love Chapter 13: Add Another Branch To The Family Tree, And Start Trimming The Sanctum's
"W-who a-are y-you?" Lightning asked looking up at her savior who was dressed in black pants, and a black-blue turtleneck with a lone sleeve on the left side. He also wore a single
black pauldron that adorned a silver wolf head on it, he wore this piece of protective equipment on his left shoulder.
"My name is Cloud." He responded in a husky sort of soft voice. Lightning looked up with some difficulty to see his face, blue-green eyes with a faint glow stared down at her with worry.
His facial structure resembled her own just much more masculine-the way her father's had been-his hair was blond, and spiky which shared a resemblance with a chocobo's ass.
Lightning attempted to stand up only to have Cloud push her back down keeping his hand on her back so she wouldn't try to get up again.
"Stay down, your to hurt to stand." He spoke standing up, and turning towards Serah. Lightning fumbled with her gunblade until she got a grip on it, and pulled it out of it's holster pointing
it at Cloud. "Step away from her!" She commanded weakly, the hand that was holding the gun shaking uncontrollably, as a result she couldn't shoot him if she tried.
"Calm down, I'm here to help." The blond said turning to face the young woman he had rescued.
"I don't care! don't touch her chocobo ass!" Lightning snarled struggling to sit up, at this time she noticed the man's ridiculously large sword. It was a large silver buster sword just about the
size of the man's own body, and it rested in a holster on his back that looked as though it were suited to carry more than one weapon.
"Mmmm." Serah moaned uneasy about the whole situation of how some mysterious man had come in out of nowhere, and saved her older sister's life, and now said sister still not trust
the man. "Fine. Untie her." Lightning growled nodding her head in Serah's direction, in response the man-Cloud-nodded, and quickly untied the girl. Once free she ran to her sister's side,
and hugged her tightly. "We can't stay here." Cloud said walking over to the two sisters who were still hugging one another.
"No. I still have a friend in here!" Lightning told him remembering that Fang was not in the room.
"You mean the tan woman?" Cloud asked which Lightning verified with a quick nod "Don't worry I already got her out." He informed making Lightning breath a sigh of relief upon hearing of
her friend's safety. A loud cry from a nearby 'Cie corpse caught the groups attention. "We should get going." Cloud said looking in the direction of the screech, Lightning nodded in agreement.
Once again when she tried to get up Cloud held her down causing her anger to bubble. "FOR CRYING OU-MMMMPH!" Lightning was cut off as Cloud clapped his hand over her mouth.
"Do you want them to know where we are?" He asked the strawberry blond.
"They already know where we are." Came Lightning's muffled reply.
"Then let's get going!" Serah chimed in as she hopped to her feet, and made her way over to what she assumed to be the exit.
"Can I get up now?" Lightning asked her voice still muffled by Cloud's hand, he responded with a nod, and released Lightning's mouth, and helped her to her feet. Once up Lightning swayed
uneasily barely able to stand up due to the beating she received earlier, so Cloud swiftly picked her up bridal style much to the young woman's dismay. It took the trio about twenty minutes
to escape the ancient catacombs of the 'Cie corpses nest. Upon exiting the great maze Lightning found that they were on a grassy cliff overlooking the great wilderness known as Pulse.
"How did we get here?" Lightning asked looking over the green lands of Pulse.
"The cavern stretched out under the village, and led to this place." Cloud said putting the girl down, but Lightning who was still hurting fell back into him being herld up by Cloud.
"Thanks." She muttered sparing a quick glance over her shoulder to get a good look at the man.
"Don't mention it." He replied with what looked like...a loving look in his eyes?
"Wheres Fang?" She asked to get her mind off of this strange man.
"She's over there." He said pointing to the tan woman who was lying down in the grass with her hands behind her head, and one leg crossed over the other watching the clouds.
At this point Lightning caught herself leaning against the blond, and stood upright although her legs still felt weak "I've got a couple of questions for you." Lightning called over her shoulder
as she stumbled over to a large tree, and sat down against it with her right leg crossed over her left knee. She patted the ground next to her motioning for Cloud to sit next to her.
Hesitating the spiky haired individual made his way over, and sat next to the young woman whom he had saved, Lightning watched Serah join Fang in watching the clouds before turning to
the man who was named after said fluffy water particles. "So, you never really answered who you are." Lightning said looking at Cloud.
"Hmm, and you never told me your name." Cloud deflected the question with a meaningless response, Lightning let out a sigh before answering.
"Fine. Hi I'm Lightning Farron it's soooo nice to meet you, and you might be?" Lightning said sarcastically trailing off with her hand for Cloud to continue but he didn't he only chuckled in reply.
"You have an attitude just like I've heard." He said continuing to laugh.
"Of course we all have one." Lightning retorted looking out over the cliff.
"So how are you feeling?" Cloud asked tucking a stray strand of hair behind the strawberry blond's ear.
"Don't touch me, I don't even know you!" Lightning snapped smacking his hand away.
"But I saved your life." Was Cloud's quick response.
"That's not enough. Answer me right now. Who are you?" The strawberry blond yelled .
"Alright Lightning." Cloud sighed.
"Don't speak my name as if were friends!" Lightning snapped again, but this time she slapped Cloud hard across the face. Cloud however did not seem fazed by this, and took her hands in
his own making the young woman squirm clearly uncomfortable with the situation. "Well, I don't know how to tell you this...but your my little sister, I'm your big brother." He stuttered out.
Upon hearing this Lightning's eyes widened, and she froze her whole body tensing up.
"I...don't...believe you." She said turning away, Cloud gently grabbed her chin, and turned her face so she was looking at him. Cloud took in her expression: her eyes were tearing up with
a couple threatening to fall, her beautiful face held a pained expression, and her body was shaking slightly.
"Are you alright?" He asked concerned putting a hand on her bare shoulder.
"Y-yeah I-I need to be alone." She spoke quickly standing, and limping off into the nearby pasture, Cloud continued to watch the younger girl leave as he heard grass scrunching nearby him.
"What's wrong with her?" The blond asked not turning to see his companion.
"Well." It was the tan woman who approached him "you may not see it but Lightning has a fragile side that she hides behind her anger." Fang said taking a seat beside the man.
"And that side of her personality is very breakable, like if you mention her parents she kinda just breaks down...what did you say to her?" Fang asked curiously.
"Why does the mention of her parents affect her so much?" Cloud asked turning to Fang.
"Oh...her father died when she was at a very young age, and her mother passed on when she was fifteen. I guess it affects her that way is because when her mother died her childhood
ended because she had to take care of Serah who was twelve at the time. So she never had a proper childhood with both parents to care for her, and she had to become the mother for
Serah which affected her psychologically. You know her, and Serah aren't really like sisters it's more of a mother daughter kind of thing because Lightning cared for her for so long. But
lately they've bonded, and become real close now their the closest sisters you could find." Fang explained "So what did you say to her?"
"I told her the truth." Cloud replied, and Fang could tell by the look in his eyes that he was telling the truth.
"Which is?" She pushed.
"That I'm her big brother...that she's my little sister." Cloud breathed quietly as Fang's eyebrows shot right up, and her eyes widened.
"Really." Was all she had to say to that.
"Should I go see her?" Cloud asked unsure of what to do in the current situation, Fang shook her head 'no' in response.
"Leave that to Serah." She said nodding her head in the small girl's direction.
"Are you alright Lightning?" Serah asked her sister as she came to a stop behind her.
"Yeah." Lightning replied her voice stuffy from crying, Serah could tell that she had been crying, and wrapped her arms around her in a hug, Lightning responded by leaning back into her
sister's hold. "What's wrong?" Serah asked after a few moments.
"Nothing." Came Lightning's quick reply to Serah's question.
"Lightning your having one of your weak moments, I know that something is wrong now will you tell me?" Serah asked in a soothing voice.
"F-fine." Lightning stuttered turning to face her little sister "You know that Cloud guy?" Serah nodded at this "Well he claims to be our older brother." Lightning finished looking over to the
tree where Cloud, and Fang rested. Serah's eyes widened upon hearing the news that she had an older brother, and another sibling.
"And that made you think about Mom, and Dad?" Serah asked knowing the answer.
"Yeah, and I don't know I just needed to let it out I guess." Lightning sobbed swiping tears out of her eyes frustrated .
"Don't worry Serenity...it's normal to feel this way." Serah said soothing her sister, calming her down as Lightning's shaking form ceased to do so now.
"Y-yeah I guess so...thanks Serah." Lightning whispered getting down on her knees, and hugging her sister as Serah did the same.
"No problem...it would help if you showed your emotions more often you know." Serah said softly into Lightning's ear.
"I know...but I don't like to." Lightning said shakily.
"Whether you like it or not Lightning, you have a fragile side, and you need to confront it every now, and then...it's better than covering it up with anger." Serah whispered still hugging her
sister. "Serah?" Lightning asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah?" The small girl replied.
"How come mom, and dad's deaths effected me more than you? I know you don't remember dad but still." Lightning asked her voice shaky whenever she mentioned her parents.
"Um I guess it's because...I don't know what to tell you I guess it just hurt you deeper than me." Serah said shrugging her shoulders.
"I guess that makes sense...I did know them longer than you, and you still were having trouble understanding the concept of death at that time." Lightning whispered, after a few moments
Serah spoke "So let's go meet this older brother of ours." Lightning nodded her head in agreement as they turned to the tree where their brother sat.
"So how come we've never heard about you before from our parents?" Lightning asked approaching Cloud.
"Yeah where were you all this time?" Serah asked as she, and Lightning took a seat on each side of him.
"Well when I was born there was an incident, and I was taken away, and adopted by the Strife's, and I lived in Eden." Cloud said making eye contact with Lightning.
"You said that I'm your little sister so how old are you?" Lightning asked her brother.
"I'm twenty-three, your two years younger than me." Cloud told the strawberry blond, Lightning nodded showing that she understood.
"How did you find out about us?" Serah asked from Cloud's right.
"My friend's parents knew yours...well ours I guess, and they told her about me, and she told me that they had two daughters, my sisters. So I wanted to find you two, and become a part
of your lives...you know protect you." Cloud explained staring at the ground.
"Hmmm that's sweet." Serah said giving her new found brother a hug, Lightning however was not so enthusiastic.
"I don't need to be protected." She said coldly looking away from Cloud.
"You did back there, and I delivered," The blond said causing Lightning to scowl.
"Whatever, just don't go thinking I owe you one, and all that." Lightning growled glaring at the ground.
"All's I expect in return is for you to be a good little sister." Cloud said grabbing Lightning's chin, and turning her head to face him, Lightning opened her mouth to speak but then shut it again
before finally muttering a quiet 'fine' while lowering her gaze to the grass around her smooth bare legs.
"Serah's been gone for a long time now." Vanille said while playing with one of her pig tails.
"I know do you think we should go out, and look for her?" Snow asked concerned for his fiance.
"No. However hard it is to sit around, and wait it's better than leaving, and having her come back to find that were not here then we come back, and she's not here so we would leave again,
and it would be a whole mess like thing of never ending coming, and going." Vanille explained while playing with Lightning's stress ball.
"Hmm makes sense." Was all Snow said in reply "Well wanna watch a funny movie?" he asked after a moment of thought.
"Sure!" Was Vanille's happy response.
"Dammit this thing is stubborn!" Jihl cursed as she continued to bang on the iron bars that kept her in the cell. "There!" Jihl yelled excited as one last hit broke the bars down, and she quickly
exited the cell, and startd to search for her weapon. After a quick sweep of the corridor she stumbled across what she suspected to be where they kept the prisoners weapons. It only took
her a few seconds to locate her cobalt rapier, and put it in it's sheath at her waist. "Alright let's go find my beautiful beautiful little kitten Lightning." The blond sais to herself as she exited
the prison altogether.
Back at the big tree outside of the 'Cie corpse nest, Lightning had fallen asleep as she was still exhausted from the torture the corpses had made her endure.
"So where are we going to go from here?" Fang asked as she watched Lightning sleep.
"Your tired I can see it in your eyes go to sleep." Cloud told the tan Oerba who let out a sigh followed by a yawn.
"Yeah, I guess your right. Goodnight." Fang said as she leaned her head against Lightning's which was resting on the tan woman's shoulder.
In seconds Fang was fast asleep, and it was only Cloud, and Serah who were awake.
"So what do you think of Lightning?" Serah suddenly asked Cloud which caused him to jerk his body, and look her way.
"Huh? oh she's...a bit cold but I can see some warmth in her. Her eyes to be exact." Cloud told the small girl while looking at the sleeping Lightning.
"No, I mean beautiful...she's really beautiful huh." Serah said also turning to face her sister.
"Yes she is." Cloud admitted watching the beauty sleep "I hadn't expected her to be this good looking." He finished.
"Yeah she's so lucky." Serah said absent minded.
"Okay she must have gone this way because I don't remember that being there." Jihl muttered to herself as she turned toward the 'Cie corpse cave, she tentatively took a look inside the
dark cavern to see if there were any immediate threats, which their weren't. Jihl's high heels made a distinct clicking sound as she slowly, and carefully moved deeper into the dark tunnel
until she met a wall, and could not go any farther. Jihl casted an artificial fire spell to light up the end of the corridor so she could see properly. "What have we here." Jihl's words echoed
off the walls of the tunnel as she knelt down to get a better look at the small inscriptions that adorned the walls, Jihl suddenly spotted the picture of Lightning, and the prophecy.
"Hmm it seems that kid has a greater purpose after all." Jihl smiled as she charged up a powerful attack, and knocked the back wall in "Now let's see what's hiding back here."
Jihl walked for what seemed like an eternity when she came across a eerie blue light at the end of the tunnel, slowly approaching it she quickly knew that things weren't as they seemed.
Jihl's sharp experienced mind knew that it was an ambush, so she jumped over the blue light drawing her sword of the same color, and swiped down feeling, and hearing the sound of
cutting flesh Jihl smirked as she was not tricked. The room quickly lit up to reveal the same 'Cie corpse that had defeated Lightning multiple times, it swiped at her with it's right arm which
Jihl blocked with ease, and laughed in it's face. She countered with a powerful swing of her sword that sent a yellow energy beam out, and struck the corpse right in the cobalt crystal that
was located in the middle of it's body. The blast sent the 'Cie corpse flying back into the wall, and the following impact sent the room into a shaking fit as dust, and dirt fell from the ceiling.
"Might not wanna do that again, or this place will collapse." Jihl muttered as she ran toward her enemy, despite wearing high heels she did not trip, or break her ankles...somehow.
The corpse recovered, and just as Jihl got to him he attacked by whipping his tail at her which Jihl did not expect, and was knocked to the floor her head cracking off of the concrete that
was only present in this small chamber. The blond woman groggily loked up to see the corpse approaching her slowly as if savoring every moment of the woman's helplessness much like
it had enjoyed every second of Lightning's helpless misery. Jihl looked up to see the corpse hovering over her it's eye glinting dangerously as it bent down, and picked her up by her throat,
Jihl chocked struggling to breath as the thing held her high off the ground. Jihl struggled a bit but didn't get anywhere, the corpse then threw her into the far wall the force of the throw
causing a large dent to appear around Jihl's body as she lifelessly fell to the floor. The corpse made it's way over to the woman ready to deliver the finishing strike, but as it raised it's hand
Jihl rolled to the side, and performed a lightning quick spin attack that cut deep into the 'Cie corpse's back earning a scream of agony that caused Jihl to cover her ears with her gloved hands.
Once regaining her composure Jihl castd a firaga spell that sent the corpse back into the wall, Jihl then jumped forward, and slashed downward on the beast making blood squirt from it's
wounds. In response it swiped at the woman but she easily jumped over it's arm, and followed up with another attack that connected with it's head which caused it to shoot back.
Jihl then brought her sword back, and went to stab it into the blue crystal but as she tried to stab into the thing was rock hard, and it forced Jihl's arm to recoil leaving the rock unharmed.
"This seemed to give the corpse energy as it was back in the fight, and swiftly knocked Jihl back to the floor, but the woman handspringed back showing some of the agility that Lightning
has but no where near as much. The corpse charged, and Jihl parried it's strike with her own connecting with the thing's side making more blood squirt from the wound, the corpse turned,
and Jihl casted a blizzaga spell that made contact with the thing's face permanently burning it there from the coldness of the spell. Jihl, now seeing the perfect opportunity to finish it off
brought her sword hand back down resting it behind her right hip with her arm extended as she charged her final attack which made her blade turn a bright yellow color as the beast slowly
regained it's balance, and stopped screaming. Just as the beast charged at her Jihl released the attack spinning in a complete circle with all of her strength making a powerful cut at the
thing's throat that brought it's head clean off making a thud as it hit the ground. Jihl looked up at the beast's neck to see that the cut was so clean that it took a couple of moments before
it started to bleed profusely before the body of the now true corpse fell to the floor lifelessly, Jihl smirked in triumph as she sheathed her sword after whipping it so all the blood fell off it.
Walking over to the dead body of the corpse Jihl knelt down, and pulled the crystal free "Is this what that kid Lightning was after?" She asked aloud as she placed it into her pocket,
and flipped her hair back while laughing. "Oh dear, I've kidnapped you twice Lightning, this will mark the third." She laughed walking further down the corridor.
"Ahh!" Lightning woke up with a scream from the nightmare she had experienced just moments before which had involved Jihl, and herself the final words of said nightmare still lingered
in her mind. "Oh dear, I've kidnapped you twice Lightning, this will mark the third." Lightning shivered in remembrance at how Jihl had said those words.
"What's wrong Lightning?" Serah asked concerned for her sister wow Light's been having nightmares almost every time she falls asleep. I wonder what's troubling her or what she has nightmares
about Serah wondered as she petted her sister's hair to help calm her down, Lightning slowly began to stop shaking as she rested her head against her sister's shoulder. Serah smiled as
she looked down at Lightning who seemed more calm now. "What's wrong Lightning?" She asked still petting her hair.
"It's Jihl." Lightning said willingly, Serah smiled as she opened up to her without a fight which made her extremely happy.
"What about her?" She asked frowning at why her sister would be mentioning her, Serah looked to see that both Cloud, and Fang were still gone taking a look around the place.
"I'm scared of her." Lightning told her little sister, her voice shaky, and full of fear.
"W-why are you scared of her? I mean you've fought her two times before right?" Serah asked surprised because Lightning was never afraid of anything.
"Yes I have, but it's my anger that takes over when I fight her. Maybe that's why I always end up getting hurt when I fight the woman." Lightning whispered looking up into Serah's eyes.
"Yeah that's true, but why are you afraid of her?" Serah asked once more, Lightning dropped her gaze back to the grass around her legs.
"I-she just scares the living daylights out of me. I've never seen anyone so cold, and cruel." Lightning explained refusing to meet Serah's gaze out of shame.
"It's normal to be afraid of people Lightning, she scares me too." Serah comforted her older sister while still petting her hair.
"Yeah, but I just feel so God damn weak when I am." Lightning growled in frustration at her fears.
"Don't worry about, all of us are weak. We all have our own fears, and weaknesses nothing to get all hung up on" Serah said indicating that all humans are weak.
'I guess your right...thanks Serah you've been great through all these ordeals I couldn't of done it without you. You've always been here for me, I only wish I could of been there for you
all those years when you needed me, I'm sorry I'm really sorry Serah." Lightning apologized looking up at Serah.
"It's alright Lightning, your here now, and it's better than never." Serah said hugging her sister.
"Jeez I am so bored." Vanille stated as the credits continued to roll as their movie finished, and the two sat in silence watching the white words scroll down the black screen.
"No kidding." Snow agreed playing with his beanie, and another one of Lightning's stress ball.
"How many of those does she have?" Vanille asked holding an exact duplicate of the ball in her hand.
"Who knows you know how stressed she can get. You should see the ones that she ruins." Snow said bouncing the ball on the ground.
"Yeah I bet their absolutely destroyed once she's through with them." Vanille laughed throwing her head back, but stopped when she hit the arm rest "Ow."
Jihl continued to walk for a bit until she came upon a fork in the path each looking the exact same. After some thought Jihl decided to take the left path for she felt something coming from
that path that felt strange to her, and seemed to suck her to it. Jihl walked forward but not of her own will as it seemed as though something was controlling her as she lost all control
over her sense of being. The blond woman kept going until she came into another cavern where the ceiling was fifty feet in the air, and it was only occupied by a single object in the middle
of the chamber. Jihl slowly approached the object, and placed her hand on the front of it, and as if on command the object opened up to reveal what looked like another world comprised
entirely of some blue substance. As she stepped inside Jihl got the sensation as if she were floating in mid air, looking down she found that that was exactly what she was doing swimming
forward Jihl gasped as a very large object dropped down from above, and was now floating in front of her. Jihl watched the thing with her mouth opened in astonishment as she gazed up
at what looked to be a metallic looking being, and only one thing came to her mind of what this could be-a Fal'Cie. She stared at the great thing in awe as it calmly met her gaze, it was
strange that though this thing was much more powerful, and could destroy her with a flick of it's wrist she felt strangely tranquil around the God-like being. With a flick of it's wrist some
blue web-like string materialized in front of it's hand, and flew at the blond woman wrapping itself around her restraining her so she couldn't flail about in an attempt to escape, Jihl started
to scream but they were reduced to muffled moans as the web-like stuff quickly wrapped itself around her mouth silencing her. Then an even larger string of the substance materialized in
front of the God-like being's hand, and flew at Jihl digging itself into the right side of her ribs, Jihl's muffled screams echoed throughout the chamber as the inevitable happened to her,
and the irony kicked in. "From this moment on you are my slave, my l'Cie. You are now marked for the world to see that you belong to me, Jihl Nabaat." The Fal'Cie's voice boomed.
Jihl couldn't respond for she was still gagged by the substance "Now I will test your strength against this great creature." The God boomed again as the substance released Jihl, and a very
large monster fell from the ceiling, and into the battlefield.
"So what are you two up too?" Fang called as she, and Cloud returned to the tree where Serah, and Lightning rested peacefully.
"Nothin." Serah responded shrugging her shoulders.
"How are you feeling? can you walk?" Cloud asked Lightning as he kneeled down before her.
"Yeah I'm fine let's get going." She spoke confidently standing up to her full height along with Serah doing the same "So where do we go from here?" Lightning asked gazing around the
landscape. "Uh..what about the crystal Light?" Fang asked remembering why they had come here in the first place.
"Hmm forget about it. I don't want to get into anymore trouble while Serah's still here." Lightning said ruffling said sister's hair.
"Then I'll go. You need to do what you need to do." Serah told her sister looking into her eyes silently telling her that it's alright.
"Okay, thanks sis." Lightning smiled "Fang you take her, and go home. I'll call Amodar to come pick you guys up." She finished taking out her phone.
"Alright, I guess you'll be doing some bonding with your big brother Cloud eh?" Fang asked grinning.
"Hello, were ready." Lightning spoke quickly as soon as the Sergeant major picked up the phone.
"Lightning! are you okay? it's been a while what happened?" His warm voice asked worried for his friend's safety.
"Uh lots of stuff. Listen your only taking Fang, and my little sister back with you I still have some things to take care of." Lightning told him searching the area for monsters.
"Your little sister? I don't remember taking her there." Amodar asked confused.
"Yeah you didn't, ask her how she got here, I don't have a clue." The strawberry blond spoke looking down at her sister.
"So what happened?" Amodar questioned again probably frowning on his side of the conversation Lightning thought.
"Fang, and Serah will tell you, now get your lazy ass over here." She spoke tired of his questions.
"Young people always speak so bluntly." Amodar muttered as he hung up the phone. Half an hour later Amoda's airship appeared in the field where the group was waiting, skillfully landing
the ship Amodar stepped out of the ship with a grin plastered on his face as he walked over, and hugged Lightning who froze in his hold as she was caught by surprise.
"How are you doing? you sounded pretty weak on the phone." He spoke taking a look at her, frowning upon seeing her blood stained vest. "Is that your blood Lightning?"
"Some of it yeah, some of it no about half an half." She explained taking a look down at the bloodied piece of clothing, it was covered completely stained red from blood.
"What were you tortured or something?" He asked jokingly smiling but stopped as he saw the young girl not answer, and drop her gaze to the grass. "You were weren't you?"
"Uh...yeah." Lightning whispered, the memory of the pain that emanated throughout her body made her shiver as it was one of the worst experiences of her life.
"I'm sorry, you alright?" The dark skinned man asked as he put his hand on the younger girl's shoulder.
"I'm fine. But thank you." Lightning told him looking back up to meet his concerned gaze.
"Okay let's go you two." Amodar bellowed looking at the two other women, who nodded in response and headed towards the airship. Serah quickly ran over to Lightning wrapping her arms
around her in a tight hug. "Please, promise me you'll be safe Lightning don't go, and kill yourself now." Serah whispered in her ear choked up as if she'd cry.
"Don't worry Serah, I'll be fine...I promise, and I love you." Lightning whispered back into the shorter girl's ear as she tightened her grip on her.
"I love you too." Serah breathed stepping back, and heading towards the ship with a wave. As Cloud, and Lightning watched the airship go she couldn't help but feel a bit sad to watch her
sister go, once the vehicle was out of sight she turned to Cloud. "It's just me, and you huh." Lightning said at an attempt to make conversation.
"Looks that way, so what do you want to do from here?" He asked the younger girl who looked back at the entrance to the cavern.
"I need that crystal, were going back in." She said staring at the dark corridor where the sick corpses resided.
"Alright, I'll protect you this time." Cloud smirked as he headed off towards the entrance.
"Hey I told you I don't need protection!" Lightning yelled as she hurried to catch up to him.
"Last time you went in there you were brutally tortured. Do you want that to happen again?" Cloud asked as he stopped, and turned to face his little sister.
"Uh..no." Lightning muttered looking down at the ground. The two of them made their way to the entrance, and carefully peeked in only to see that it was abandoned with no signs of the
'Cie corpses. Lightning quietly took the lead as she silently stepped into the cave making sure every step she took was silent just in case the corpses had an ambush planned for the two
siblings. After a bit of uneventful walking Lightning became more relaxed, and a little less tense. She pulled a stress ball from the bag on her left thigh, and started to squeeze it over, and
over. "You alright" Cloud asked as he watched Lightning continue to squeeze the stress ball.
"Uh I guess. This place just makes me uneasy since what last happened here." Lightning told him still staring forward looking for any sign of movement.
"You just need to calm down." Cloud told the younger girl as he clapped a hand onto her shoulder.
"Yeah yeah let's go." Lightning said as they continued to walk in silence. About a half hour later the two came to an opening that led to a large chamber occupied by a lone figure, Lightning
instantly knew what it was, and walked into the chamber drawing her Blaze Edge into sword mode, the floor of the chamber was concrete so the young woman's boots made a clapping
sound with each step. "So you return." The lead corpse who had put Lightning through the torture spoke turning around to face the young woman.
"Where is that corpse with the crystal." Lightning said loudly coming to a stop about ten feet from the creature.
"And I suppose this is the man that saved you." It said looking to Cloud.
"Answer my question." Lightning yelled frustrated from it's way of prolonging things.
"I take that as a yes then?" It asked knowing the answer "Your knight in shining armor."
"Shut up!" The strawberry blond yelled at the menacing figure.
"But don't you want me to answer your question?" It mocked chuckling to itself.
"I'm not laughing." Lightning said flatly.
"But you should be. You see this is quite a hilarious predicament, you see you want to know where something is that I have the answer to but I won't tell you. Ha it's quite common with
every good vs evil battle if I may say so myself." The corpse gave it's small speech pacing back, and forth. Lightning who had had enough of it's stalling jumped towards it poised to strike
but her plan didn't go as she had thought as the corpse caught her by the waist, and smashed her into the wall holding her up against it, grabbed her throat and held her head up to
look into her fiery eyes. "Behave little girl, you should learn how to control that temper of yours." It said before throwing the young woman across the room, Lightning skidded across the
floor, and came to rest where Cloud was standing. He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest just like he had been as soon as they engaged the corpse in speech. He didn't
make a move to help her up for he knew that she probably couldn't stand after the wind was knocked out of her so he just stood there looking at the corpse while Lightning coughed as
she tried to regain her breath. "Who are you?" Cloud asked frowning at the failed l'Cie.
"Me? I am the leader, and ruler of this nest of 'Cie corpse." The thing said proudly pounding it's chest.
"No I mean your name." Cloud clarified.
"Hmmph my name is Kione a someone who comes from nowhere." Kione spoke his voice rising.
"Hmm so will you answer now that my fiery sister has calmed down?" Cloud asked as he looked down at Lightning who was on her hands, and knees panting.
"I guess I will." Kione started "This corpse that you seek Lightning...is dead."
"What?" Lightning asked between ragged breaths.
"Yes I found him not to long ago beheaded, and the crystal? missing." Kione explained his voice a snarl.
"What use do you have for the crystal anyways?" Cloud asked frowning st the beast.
"We kept that crystal safe because we knew that it would bring the young woman front he prophecy to us." Kione explained beginning to pace once more.
"What do you want with me?" Lightning asked still trying to catch her breath amazingly she was still unable to do so from the beast's shear strength.
"What we wanted was to torture you then sacrifice you for the Fal'Cie that resides in this very network of tunnels." The leader of the corpses spoke confidently. "We failed the first time but
we won't fail again." Kione spoke menacingly looking at Lightning's hunched form lustfully.
"Theirs a Fal'Cie in here!?" Lightning asked stunned by the fact.
"Ha ha." Cloud chuckled quietly.
"What's so funny!" Kione yelled at the blond spiky haired man.
"What are you?" Cloud asked the beast.
"I already told you. I'M THE LEADER OF THIS NEST OF CORPSES CHOSEN BY THE FAL'CIE ITSELF!" Kione yelled his voice shaking the chamber.
"Wrong. You are a failure. You say how you failed to sacrifice my little sister, and claim it won't happen again but you are wrong. It is in your nature to fail, you already failed to complete your
focus, and to sacrifice Lightning. Why? the oh so simple answer is that you are a failure, made to fail, and nothing more." Cloud mocked the corpse who thought he was all that.
"You will regret those words you little slime!" Kione yelled as he charged to hit Cloud but Lightning leapt in the way, and blocked the attack with her already drawn Blaze Edge.
"Hmm nice to see you got your breath back." Kione spoke smugly "Now let me take it away for good."
"What the hell!" Fang yelled as Serah, herself, and Amodar arrived at the Farron home to see the front door kicked in, Fang quickly left the other two behind simply because she was the
fastest for Amodar was to big, and Serah was not as fit as the tan Oerba. Fang rushed through the door but not before ordering the other two to stay behind, once inside Fang started
to walk slowly noticing that the house was not disturbed other than the front door being wide open. Walking silently into the living room Fang gazed around to find that Snow, and Hope
were not present. "Where's Lightning?" Fang whirled around to see Jihl leaning against the wall with her right leg crossed over the left, her head, and hair down covering her eyes, and
her arms crossed over her chest with her cobalt sword already drawn, and in her right hand.
I have nothing left in this world. All I ever had was the Sanctum-my home, my rank, and my loyalty to the Sanctum without that I'm nothing. I can't return being a l'Cie, I could hide the fact that
I am one but that would be putting all of Cocoon in danger, and I couldn't do that. Ha ha ha I can hear Yaag now asking me if I thought my life is worth more than millions of Cocoon citizens but the
truth is it's not, no one's is not even that old bastard who runs the God damn Sanctum! I'm a ticking time bomb. Just like the group of people I've been pursuing for the last couple of days, weeks,
months. How is it they have the courage, and bravery to fight their own destiny? there's no hope. It all ends the same way with death. How long can I keep going? I'm all alone now. Don't get me
wrong, not that I ever needed anybody. I got to where I was all by myself, no help what so ever. Friends are useless they only exist for those who can't do things for themselves. *Sigh* all that's
left is for me to take what I desire most. Lightning, I'm coming for you, I'm coming to take you home with me whether you like it or not even if I have to tie you up, and gag you again.
"Lieutenant Colonel Nabaat!" A PSICOM officer saluted the woman who was walking strangely towards the airship she had called to pick her up. Jihl kept walking without acknowledging
the man who had greeted her, she discreetly drew the sub machine gun from her holster located on the small of her back and shot the man down, he fell lifelessly only making a small thud
as he collapsed to the ground. Jihl stepped onto the airship, and it took off minutes later.
The battle for Lightning, and Cloud against Kione was going to horridly, he was too fast for Cloud to strike with such a large sword however Lightning was fast enough to hit him but most
of the time he was able to block her attacks with the addition to a connecting one every now, and then.
"Dammit!" Lightning cursed as the corpse blocked another one of her attacks which was parried, and countered with Kione landing his fist into the left side of the young woman's ribs.
Cloud jumped into the action ambushing Kione from behind slashing at his back which caused him to screech in pain, Lightning recovered from the attack that was landed on her, and
slashed the beast across his chest. Just as it looked as though the brother, and sister were about to be victorious Kione jumped high into the air flipping back, and landing several feet
away from the duo. "I'm just getting started." He told them grinning as he lunged back at them striking viciously as Lightning struggled to block each attack for he was too strong.
One last hit sent the strawberry blond back into the wall directly behind her temporarily taking her out of the fight, as it was now a one-on-one between Cloud, and the sadistic being.
Blocking each of the corpse's attacks with his large buster sword that nothing could get by, finally Cloud had enough of blocking, and decided to take a crack at the corpse finally connecting
with his side knocking the beast to the floor. Lightning jumped back into the battle firing rounds off at the sadistic being all of them connecting with his head causing him to yell out frustrated
with the beating he was now receiving. The two siblings then charged toward the 'Cie corpse poised to finish him off, however once they were in range Kione used the same technique
that the crystal corpse had used on Lightning, and self exploded sending the two siblings back into the wall with their heads cracking against it's rocky surface. Falling to the ground with
a light thud, Lightning looked up at the beast as he slowly slithered towards her with that same maniacle grin on it's face.
"Where's Lightning?" Jihl asked still looking down at the floor, the current position of the woman scared Fang for she had never seen her act this way.
"I don't know. What do you want with her?" Fang asked pulling her spear-Blade Lance-from her back, and getting into a defensive stance.
"Obviously I want to take her home with me, even if I do have to gag her, and bag her." Jihl replied still eyeballing the floor.
"Hmmph I know you'd like to do that, but I'm not going to let you." Fang said bringing her spear into an offensive position.
"Oh please as if you could stop me, Fang." Jihl said confidently stepping away from the wall, raising her head, and smirking at the woman. A second later both women jumped forward at the
time colliding with such force that both Jihl, and Fang flew back into opposite walls, Fang's instant reaction was to cringe at what Lightning's reaction would be over the damage done to her
walls. Climbing to her feet Fang looked over at Jihl. "Why are you doing this?" She asked the woman wondering why she had gone crazy.
"I'm a l'Cie now. There's nothing left for me in this world." Jihl snarled icily at the tan Oerba.
"Your a l'Cie?" Fang questioned before Jihl jumped back at her, which Fang was lucky enough to get her spear up in time to block the attack. Jihl jumped back again, and swung her sword
at Fang that sent out a yellow energy blast that the other woman was able to jump over, and out of harms reach. While in the air from her jump, Fang twirled her spear a couple times in
her hand before coming back down, and performing her patented Highwind attack that connected with Jihl sending the blond woman through the wall, and into the next room over where
Fang had slapped Cid. Fang quickly pursued Jihl jumping over furniture to get to the room Jihl had been sent through, entering said room Fang looked around to see that Jihl was not in
the room. Frowning Fang turned around to be met with one of Jihl's high heels to the face, flying back wards Fang collided into a table, and chairs. Jihl followed up her attack by jumping
on top of Fang, and using her sword to try, and choke her by pushing down on the fluffy haired woman's throat. Struggling a bit Fang was able to flip Jihl over her head throwing her through
the window that was located over her head. Fang squeezed her eyes shut as bits of glass fell down onto her body, the woman quickly rolled over, and jumped to her feet looking out the
she couldn't see Jihl anywhere.
Kione now stood directly over Lightning looking down at the young woman with that sadistic grin of his still on his horrid face. Sliding his tail around her snaked it around Lightning's waist,
and pulled her up to his face with her arms pinned to her sides, her weapon well out of reach. Lightning squealed, and pulled her face away as Kione licked the length of it with his disgusting
tongue. "You bastard!" Lightning yelled wanting nothing more than to wipe her face dry of the creature's saliva. Desperately looking around Lightning saw that Cloud was now climbing to his
feet, he looked over to see the corpse holding Lightning around the waist, and wasted no time in freeing her by slashing the corpse across the face giving it a new scar to accompany the
many others. The corpse dropped Lightning to the ground, and she rolled to the side picking up her Blaze Edge, and jumping to her feet ready for another round.
"Your two sure are resilient." Kione laughed looking up at the roof of the cavern.
"Shut up!" Lightning snarled jumping towards the corpse, and landing several strikes all over his body, Cloud joined into the battle by using his hard hitting attacks to keep the creature
off balance. The two siblings continued to fight the corpse but it lived up to it's name for it truly was a corpse.
"Ha ha ha! you two are something else." Kione laughed as Lightning, and Cloud retreated a few feet back to safety. "I am a corpse you can't kill what's already dead!" He laughed.
"But you aren't." Cloud countered.
"But my soul is." Kione said icily while glaring at the young adults before him.
"Your like a cockroach." Lightning stated crossing her arms over her chest with her Blaze Edge still safely in her right hand.
"What do you mean?" Kione spat-literally across the cavern floor the sticky substance landing a few feet in front of Lightning.
"That's gross." She said her face taking on a look of disgust at the corpse's actions. "You call us resilient when you were able to retain your sentience as a 'Cie corpse, your a cockroache."
"Shut up! I've had enough of you little girl." Kione snarled bringing his claws up into an offensive stance, Lightning responded by bringing her sword up to her chest in a defensive stance.
Fang continued to look out the window confused as to where Jihl could have gone she doesn't seem like the type to turn tail, and run the dark haired woman thought. "Ah!" Fang cried
out in pain as Jihl buried her sword deep into the unsuspecting woman's shoulder. Fang fell to her knees, and turned around to see Jihl standing there before her with a smirk on her
face as she saw the blood dripping from the wound she had just inflicted. Fang spat the gathering blood from her mouth, and stared up at the woman while sitting with her back against
the wall. Feeling weak Fang dropped her head to stare at the floor, Jihl smiled as she lifted Fang's chin using her sword to do so. Fang stared at Jihl with half closed eyes expecting her
to push the blade into her throat at any second. But instead Jihl just smirked, and pulled her sword back allowing Fang's head to fall again.
"W-why?" The injured woman asked looking back up at the former PSICOM lieutenant colonel. Jihl didn't respond but merely walked out of the house without a glance back. Seeing one of
their enemies leave the house Serah, and Amodar rushed into the house, and quickly found Fang sitting against the wall. Crying her name Serah rushed forward to check on the older
woman. "Oh no, she's almost dead." Serah spoke her voice shaky "Hold on I think Lightning has a elixir laying around here somewhere." Serah said running off in search of the item.
A minute later Serah returned with the elixir in hand, she quickly ran over, and fed it to Fang who drank it down with some difficulty it took a couple seconds but the effects kicked in, and
Fang felt completely revived. "Thanks Serah." The accented woman smiled at the young girl.
Kione lunged forward, and swiped at Lightning who blocked the attack with ease. Cloud tried to jump in, and smash the beast over the head but it brought up it's other claw and landed
a attack on Cloud knocking him back. Still trying to hit Lightning the creature became increasingly irate as the young woman was able to block all of his attacks. Waiting for the perfect
opportunity the entire time she was on the defensive Lightning parried Kione's next blow as she connected with his left shoulder blade. Ignoring the burning pain that the sword brought
him Kione wrapped his tail around Lightning's legs, and threw her into Cloud who was charging at the failed l'Cie. The two tumbled on the ground groaning from the impact, the two siblings
climbed to their feet, and faced their opponent. "Well well kiddies are we ready to give in yet?" The seemingly unbeatable foe mocked both of his opponents young ages as they readied
their weapons as an answer. "Alright then." He laughed charging forward attacking both of his enemies simultaneously with one claw on each opponent. Lightning, and Cloud could only
block as their opponent slowly backed them into the corner. With a foot between them, and the wall Lightning took a risk, and front flipped over Kione landing behind him but not before
he left a pretty deep cut across the right side of her ribs. Lightning ignored the pain, and took advantage of the two-on-one by stabbing her sword deep into Kione's back, and changing
it into gun mode making the wound expand from the swords transformation. Kione screamed in pain as Lightning switched the gun back into sword mode, and continued to dig it deeper
into the thing's back causing more blood to gush onto her already red vest. Finally Kione summoned the last deposits of his energy, and strength, and punched the wall of the chamber
with all of his strength which caused the entire cavern to shake. Lightning's eyes widened as the chamber began to collapse, herself and Cloud quickly ran for the exit ignoring Kione
who stood confidently laughing at their retreating forms. "I will not be defeated so easily. You have not seen the last of me." He called out as Cloud, and Lightning exited the chamber
just as the roof caved in upon the 'Cie corpse.
RING! RING! RING!
"Hello?" Serah asked upon answering her cell phone her, Fang, and Amodar were sitting in the living room assessing the damage that was done to the house from the fight between
Fang, and Jihl. "Serah?" It was Lightning who was on the other end of the conversation.
"Yeah sis?" Serah asked wondering why Lightning would be calling her.
"Is Amodar there?" Lightning asked her little sister.
"Yeah." Serah responded "So your alright then?"
"Yeah I'm fine could you tell Amodar that were ready to be picked up? at the same place." Lightning asked leaning against the tree from before.
"Sure." Serah then paused to tell Amodar what her sister had asked her to say to him. "Amodar Lightning's ready to be picked up."
"Alright tell the youngster were on our way." He said warmly his voice clearly showing the care he had for the young girl he had worked with for so long.
"Wait were?" Lightning asked wondering why her sister would want to come along for the ride.
"Yeah I want to come too." Serah told her crossing her right leg over the left.
"Uh...why?"
"Because I don't want to stay here with out you being here."
"Why what's wrong? what happened?" Lightning asked her voice showing slight traces of worry.
"Um well there was kind of an accident." Serah cringed dreading telling Lightning the damage that had been done to their home.
"What kind of accident?" Lightning asked probably tapping her foot impatiently on the other end Serah guessed giggling to herself-she knew her sister to well. "And why don't you want to
stay there?" Lightning asked again as she started to pace on the other end of the conversation, Serah could imagine Lightning's light blue eyes glazed over with worry.
"Um...well Jihl was here." Lightning's blood ran ice cold.