All right, so since I got off my two week posting have a 2for1

As the reached the inner part of the Vestige Hope stopped them one last time. It was another computer terminal, this one fairly more complicated then anything that they had seen so far. He scrambled into his utility packs for a few moments and pulled out a small data drive. He laid his hands on the machine and without and sort of presentation began to work as they other stood around mostly nervous.

"Calm down." Arcane replied. "That's the data we came here for. We knew this would be dangerous."

"Yeah, but none of us signed up to be made l'cie." Ardent growled.

"No one ever signs up for that." Noel growled as he looked at Hope but the other was absorbed in his work. "Don't forget the company you keep."

Ardent looked deeply regretful and then turned away. He seemed to have nothing else to say so Noel turned his focus back onto Hope. The Fal'cie had to know they were near. But it seemed that it had not sent out compulsions. Maybe it couldn't?

"Can you hear me? Can you hear me. This is Lune."

"That's from the guard team!" Arcane snatched the communicator off her belt. "Arcane. Where are you?"

"Heading topside. The base is completely gone."

"How many still with you?"

"Three more... for better or worse. Sturk, Willows and Maudlyn. We managed to salvage some decoder and medical supplies. We are heading to the ship. How's your team?"

"Still good. Wait for us at the ship. We'll let you know when we're coming."

"Understood. Out." Lune replied and the communicator went silent. It was a sobering thought, they'd left twelve people at base and only three had survived. Arcane looked at the others and then at Hope who had finished up and had secreted away the disks that he'd gotten.

"That was everything. Everything we came to get and more." Hope replied quietly before he looked down at his hands. "Maybe we should send a team back with the information. Just in case?"

"I don't trust there to not be a compulsion on the outside that might waylay us. And you are the only one that I know is strong enough to resist such. And I need you here." Arcane took a deep breath. "You all better have enjoyed your break."

She turned and headed towards the door. "May Etro protect us all."

The first thing that happened when the entered the room was the veil of darkness that threw them off. The Fal'cie inside sounded as if it were breathing. Lights turned on slowly and Hope was struck by how dark this Fal'cie looked. It was large as most were, it's covering was inky black and was struck through with purple. It looked like a large demon, it's crystal deep inside it's midriff barely seeable. It looked like a demon god or the darker brother of Dahaka.

It was quite possibly the most terrifying thing that Hope had seen in quite a while. The beast regarded them calmly and then the stood up to reveal that it possessed wings. It's calm demeanor immediately died when it looked upon Hope.

"Fal'cie killer." It hissed as it stared him down. "You dare to defy your fate."

"Move!" Arcane called as she spotted movement, everyone scrambling away as it's tail came crashing down.

The blast of magic was expected as Hope was flung back into the wall. Fighting a Fal'cie was something he hadn't done since he was fourteen. In an existence that he never wanted to experience before. He sunk down wall as gasped. While being a l'cie would be better for something like this, having body armor this time around was an improvement. He pushed himself up into a stand position as Noel came to stand in front of him. He pressed his hand to Noel's back.

"I don't know it if it's going to send out a compulsion. But you resisted Adam's right?"

"I protect you." Noel replied and Hope nodded even though the other couldn't see. "You know the most. Lead us."

"Got it." Hope pressed his hand a bit harder to Noel's back and then stepped to the side. "We need to aim for the center. It has to have weak spots... but it's crystal is the source of it's power."

There was a smatter of agreement and then Arcane was yelling battle commands. Noel felt the charging of a spell from Hope. He dashed forward into the fray. The hunter smashed his larger sword into the arm and turned to slam his smaller sword into the joint. The creature roared in anger and fell backwards but was undefeated.

And thats when a low level hum filled the room. Hope looked around in horror as many on their side began to fall and transform. Asher, Hutch, Mellow went down immediately. He turned to Boak to find her shrinking in horror but okay. He moved towards her and yanked her backwards as Capers began to change as well.

"Attack the cie'th. They are low level. Your magic should be enough to them incapacitate them and get them out of the way."

"I can't!" She gasped turn to glare at him, but Hope was not looking at her at all. Fletcher went down and transformed. "They're our people."

"They are already dead!" Hope finally turned to look at her. The pain in his eyes something that she had never noticed before until that exact moment and she felt something inside herself crumple. She backed up from him and he grabbed her again as he pulled her behind him and sent a power areoga spell at the trio of cei'th coming towards them. "Already dead and now they are suffering. To be a cie'th is to suffer."

Boak swallowed hard, it sounded like he was speaking from personal experience. She squared her shoulders. A loud cry went out and she looked to see Ardnt trapped in the creatures claws.

"My name is Diablos... The Demon King... and you shall pay for what you've done!" It hissed as it squeezed until Ardent burst in a spray of blood and gore. Boak gasped as she turned back to Hope.

The other's face had drawn into an looked she'd never recognized before. Eyes dark and angry, no longer the bright orbs that she thought were filled with wisdom and good humor. Hope looked at her from the corner of his eyes. "Focus on stopping the cie'th. Heal if you can. I'll show him a Fal'cie killer."

Boak swallowed hard but backed up to do as she was told. Calling her magic into herself she began to cast the strongest spells she knew. If she could help it no one else would fall.

Inside of Hope, was a well of magic that he'd never touched. Often times, afraid of what it meant. It was the well of power that was connected to his time as a l'cie. His magic existed along side it. And often times he would dip just slightly into it. But he was afraid of what it meant that it was still there.

"Firaga!" He shouted as he pulled out his boomerang and lifted it up. "Waterga!"

The power in those strikes, he recognized it as the same power that he'd once used to help take down Orphan. And then came the side affects as he felt the recoil of such strong magic. He gasped at the pain like straining unused muscles and steeled himself. He could do this.

Arcane flew from the side, stabbing into the beast, it's armor heavily weakened. Afterwards Noel, using his spear managed to knock back one of it's arms. He could hear the sound of a cei'th being dispatched by a recovered Boak.. The battle chaos scaring his mind the same way it had those years ago.

'Don't go weak on me now Hope.' He heard Lightning's voice in his head. But he hadn't filled the well of power yet.

He sent his boomerang flying into the side of the beast's head causing it to focus on him. "The killer." It hissed.

Hope dived back, his boomerang hit the creature again. "Thundaga!" The beast seemed to have no elemental weaknesses. He dove and rolled to try and escape the tail again only to have the beast throw his hand back and send Hope crashing into Maudlyn. The other hissed in pain. Hope noted idly that his boomerang had hit the wall and was heading towards the sensors in his glove but not fast enough.

He ripped the backup gun from Maudlyn's belt and aimed it the beast and fired as best he could. Part of him detested it. But Maudlyn need time to adjust his hurt wrist before Hope could heal it. Arcane was keeping the beast busy. She went for the face and the beast wailed in agony as it was hit in the eye. Noel had pulled back, turning his spear back into two swords.

"Do it." Maudlyn hissed as he stood up. "The sooner we get out of here. I can scold my sister for being in danger back at base camp." He tried to smile lightly.

Hope lifted his right hand and caught his boomerang. He lifted his left hand and cast."Cura."

A blue glow filled the room as healing was cast over everyone. Hope sighed deeply at the recovering feeling that roamed his body and looked towards the others. Arcane let out a sharp cry as a magic spell hit her full force. It was Ultima. He ran for her but was stopped by the tail crashing down in front of him. He pulled back and looked for Boak. Boak was on the other side. He nodded to her and ran for Noel.

He rolled down to dodge the tail again, magic charging at his finger tips. "Waterga!" He yelled from his position. He was in a bad place to throw his boomerang. It left him at a disadvantage. He was a long distance fighter. He looked towards Noel who had driven his blade into the beast's chest.

Helpeful, but not good enough. He heard a round of cursing, Arance was definitely still alive. He reached a suitable distance and threw his boomerang with all he had. And lifted his left arm. "Firaga!"

Noel felt the scorch of fire fly past him, too close for comfort but heard Diablos' cry of anger giving him the time to remove his short sword from the beast's chest. He pushed off onto the ground and turned his swords back into a spear as he prepared to do Meteor Javelin. Pushing off he leapt up and his weapon shot down in the form of four throwing spears towards the beast midsection and he thankfully heard the armor crack. He dropped back to the ground and rolled out of the way.

"Hope! Some magic would be nice!" He called but the other didn't respond.

He turned to face where Hope was only to find the other recoiling in horror. Turning back to the beast, what he saw made him want to flee to. Diablos was pulling back into himself. Preparing for a signature attack. Hope frantically turned his head back and froth as he tired to think about what to do. He closed his eyes for a split second as he heard something echo inside him.

Not something, but someone he hadn't heard from in a long time. He turned to Noel with a surprisingly happy smile. "Everyone report to my position!"

The strange call caught everyone's attention and those left moved as quickly as they could. Noel was disheartened to find that there were only five of them left from the group of eleven that they had brought with them. More then half of them gone. Mostly cei'th by the look of the three that were staggering for them. Once they were all gathered, Noel watched as Diablos jumped up into the air, wings flapping mightily, sending a strong wind that threatened to knock them all down.

"Last Resort!" Beads of white magic flowed from Hope's hand hitting the beast hard and knocking it back. He collapsed down to his knees. Noel went down beside him and wrapped his arm around his waist. Arcane watched in awe, she had never seen the extent of what Hope could do. The beast hit the wall but flew back up. Still strong and fully mutated. It looked more like a bat then anything else. It's armor had mutated as well.

For the first time, she started to wonder if they were going to die here.

"Dark Messenger." A orb of pure blackness form between the creatures grasp. A direct contrast the the magic that hit him before.

"He's weakened." Boak noted weakly. "Whatever you did director... It's scared him."

"I used... the power of a l'cie without being one. Damn right it scared him." Hope gasped. "But we don't have any ability to shield ourselves."

"I could run and use Provoke and Mediguard." Noel started but Hope's grip on his arm became painful. "No. The attack is too strong. A Fal'cie signature attack isn't something that any one person can withstand. And considering the charge time... We have to figure out how to guard before he releases."

"Maybe some kind of barrier?"

"I doubt it would work." Arcane murmured. "Start casting protect and pray."

Diablos threw the orb and as it came crashing towards them, Noel couldn't help but pull Hope to him. If this was it, he wanted to have Hope as close to him as possible. They all braced themselves but all that could be heard was the sounds of the attack hitting something that was most certainly not them and Hope's half laugh, half cough of joy and pain.

Noel opened his eyes to see that they were completely blocked from view by what looked to be a giant castle wall. Hope still with in Noel's embrace reached out and touch it

"Hello old friend." He murmured through heavy breathes before he collapsed back into Noel. "I need you all to weaken it more. I can't... I can only use one attack before he dissipates. So weaken it."

"What the hell is this?" Arcane asked in confusion.

"L'cie have summons." Noel explained as he stared at the sweat breaking out onto Hope's face. "This is his... Alexander. He shouldn't be able to summon him at all."

"He's not... quite summoned..." Hope panted as he kept his grip on Noel. "This is a favor... from an... old friend."

"Lightning?"

"No... from Alexander... himself. Eidolons are... sentient." He took a deep bracing breath. "He can only... stay so long... Make use of it."

"Roger that." Arcane stood up. Noel finally noticed that she was favoring her right leg. She was injured. "We have to break that crystal right?"

"Well the crystal is actually the Fal'cie... Not that impressive body it has." Noel replied.

"Maudlyn... You've got your guns. Get on top of Alexander and hid behind one of the turrets. Aim for the eyes as best you can." Arcane gripped her gunblade as tightly as she could. "The wall is keeping back those cie'th for now but I'd feel guilty considering. Boak up on the wall. Dispatch them and then help out Maudlyn."

They both saluted but Boak cast a curaga on everyone before they started to move. "Noel stay with Hope for a few moments. Help when you're ready." She murmured with a soft voice. She turned her own weapon into it's gun form. "When you're ready... You and I will aim straight for the crystal."

"Got it." Noel replied watching as they all scaled the wall that protected them from the Fal'cie's continuing magical attacks. "I didn't expect you to be so strong." The hunter murmured as he pulled Hope up so that his head was on his shoulders.

"Go." Hope whispered. "Go help them."

"You need some recovery time. I'll go when you're up."

Hope shook his head furiously. "I'm not a l'cie anymore... The reason he is so strong is because... Instead of the well of power... It is my life force. My... will. A human's will is stronger... Even stronger then a l'cie... But our life force... is so much weaker."

"What?" Noel hauled Hope up and stared at him iwht wide eyes. "Then stop! Stop the attack!"

"Listen to me." Hope pushed himself up with huffing breathes and cupped Noel's cheeks. "I have one attack before I lose consciousness. Go!"

"I don't want to." Noel admitted quietly. "When Alexander falls you'll be unprotected."

"I know..." He leaned forward and kissed Noel deeply. "But this may be our only chance. You are as powerful as am I. But it's not enough... and no one else is as strong. I love you." He breathed lightly. "When you are ready... Lift your sword and Alexander will attack. It should weaken the Fal'cie enough that you can destroy it's crystal."

"And then no more fighting Fal'cie."

Hope laughed lightly. "No more fighting Fal'cie."

"You know, you're only ensure that I continue winning right?" Noel asked quietly which caused the other to laugh more. And the hunter pulled him back close again, memorizing the feel of Hope in his arms. He'd make it back in time. He swore it to himself. He couldn't protect Yeul, but he could protect Hope. He wouldn't let himself fail.

It was silent as Noel stood up, he left Hope leaning against the wall. He picked up his two swords and turned to the wall. Using abilities gained from his travels he jumped up and landed on the way to survey the battlefield. It was a stalemate. The beast couldn't get past the strength of Alexander fueled by Hope's will. But it was also guarding it's crystal.

"Arcane, sword now. Are there any cie'th left?" He asked as he prepared himself. He was sure he could take it out if he used Meteor Javelin again at the right moment.

"All dispatched." Boak called, her tone was rather weak. Noel nodded. "On the count of 5. I"ll lift my sword. Alexander will fire. Stay on until he's finished. I don't know what his attack is, but I'm assuming that being down in front of him is not in our best interest. After the attack he'll start to disappear. Jump down and proceed to your safest battle position. Hit it hard."

"That all?"

"Arcane... go for the face. I'll go for the crystal."

"Got something up your sleeve?" She asked, her purple eyes lighting with grim mirth.

"You have no idea." He laughed before starting the countdown. At one, he lifted his two bladed sword.

Immediately, Alexander began to rumble and somewhere inside himself he learned the name of the attack. Divine Judgement. What a fitting name. The machine opened up and Noel found himself being pushed slightly. Somehow he knew, that this was where Hope usually stood, beside the main part of the eidolon. Light shot out, lining the ground in white, writings in the divine script, or at least that was the way he learned it.

The glow became almost unbearably bright and the beast seemed to be trying to flee it but unable to escape. The resulting explosions sent the Fal'cie flying backwards. Substantially weakened as the explosion seemingly took nearly everything out of the creature. Noel jumped off as did the others dashing into position.

Arcane launched at it's face, smashing her gunblade into it's bad eye and whirling to get out of the way of it's hands. Noel turned to the center and glared. He backed up a few paces as he turned his swords into a spear. "Maudlyn. Clear me a path."

"You got it."

A hail of bullets fired at the creature. Causing it to become even more distracted from him. He focused on the crystal, the attack from Alexander had destroyed most of the armor protecting it. But he needed to find the perfect place. There. He took off and ran up the side of the wall and jumped into the air. He yelled as he aimed and threw the spears one after another hitting the crystal in the exact same place. He lifted his hand and caught his sword and landed slowly as the creature feel back. Arcane appeared by his side as a loud crack was heard and the Fal'cie let out a groan as it feel down.

"Useless creatures... We are your gods." Diablos gasped. "This evil... will not be forgiven."

Noel couldn't help but role his eyes. He looked over at Arcane and noticed the way she was staring down the beast. "You are just jealous." She hissed to the dying creature. Watching as his crystal was cracking further. "Because we live according to our own means. Your god has forsaken you."

The shatter that sounded startled Noel and the Fal'cie slowly disintegrated. He watched as Maudlyn and Boak moved around the space checking to make sure that all the cie'th were truly dealt with.

"You're aren't what you say you are...are you?" He asked turning to Arcane.

"Let's just say... Lightning has a soft spot for Hope." She nodded back. "I'll take care of this end. You can use healing magic right?"

"A little." He shrugged lightly. As he turned and headed towards where they'd left the mage.

Hope was lying on his side, facing away from the battlefield. He moved quickly and knelt beside him and rolled him over. There was blood leaking from the corner of his mouth and he looked drained. He pulled him up into his arms, so that his head was cradled in the crook of his elbow. He ran his finger over Hope's lower lip.

"Cure." He whispered softly. As a chosen of Etro much like a l'cie he could use all the magic that was to be offered to a human, but healing wasn't his strong point. And he wasn't sure that magic could heal away the deep exhaustion that such a summon would cause. After all, summoning Alexander as a l'cie when you have an endless well of power and sharing your life force are two different things.

"I win you know." Noel teased lightly as he moved to pick the silver haired man up. "This is twice now that you've fallen unconscious on me."

Hope moaned weakly as consciousness began to come back to him. He could hear the sounds of an airship around him. He searched his mind but the last thing he remembered was being with Alexander. He heard a deep rumble in the back of his mind. It was Alexander. When you need me, old alliances are important. The voice said and then faded completely from his mind. Hope opened his eyes to a dim room and looked around.

He was in the medical bay of the Ambassador. The Academy ship they had taken to the Ark. He turned on his side slowly to see Noel slouched back in a chair sleep uncomfortably. Then again, considering the life he'd led so far, the mage knew that the hunter could probably sleep anywhere. He reached out eagerly and took the other's hand.

That was enough to wake the hunter up. He jerked forward and then smiled at Hope tenderly. He moved to sit on the bed as the silver haired man sat up. The two wrapped their arms around each other, happy to be alive and alone together. Hope buried his face into the taller man's neck and closed his eyes. He was still so tired. Noel chuckled softly at his partner's behavior. He kissed the top of his head and hummed lightly.

Hope smiled at the soft melody, it sounded like a lullaby. He kissed Noel's shoulder and laid back down. Hope looked up at the other expectantly and laughed as the hunter bent down to take off his boot, sandal things and laid down beside him. They curled together again and Noel started to hum again. While the scientist know there was much to do, he liked this. His eyes slid shut against his will and he fell asleep again as his exhaustion caught back up with him.

When Hope opened his eyes again he was still lying against Noel's chest but the sky was getting darker now. He listened to the quiet beat of his heart and sighed softly. They should have landed in Academia by now. And while he wanted to be concerned he found that he just couldn't get himself to move.

"I know you're awake." Noel's voice rumbled and Hope smiled and lifted up to look down at him.

"Where are we?" Hope asked quietly.

"Still on the Ark. Just... on our ship. Arcane wanted to gather up what was left of base camp. Give them proper funerals and all." Noel trailed off. "She's burning them and taking mementos for their families. I..."

"She doesn't want to risk... there being something else here." Hope supplied and then he closed his eyes. "This place is dangerous... The sooner we leave the better."

Noel hummed his agreement and gripped Hope's hips, moving him so that he straddled his body more comfortably. Hope propped himself up over his partner and sighed softly. "Is it because of what I said?"

Hope shook his head. "Arks are inherently dangerous. But also, this Ark could be here due to a paradox, could be a beacon. Could be anything really. The battle it was built for...isn't in this time period and thus it shouldn't be out here so easily findable."

"I guess that makes sense." Noel shrugged and dismissed the topic as he looked out at the sky. "She also, didn't want to move you too much. You weren't responding well to magic."

"That might have been Alexeander's fault. He wanted to talk with me." Hope pushed off Noel and laid down beside him. "Should I need him again, he'll come. He explained how I can use... the full extent of my power more readily."

"And safer?" Noel asked but the other shook his head, there was really no way to use it in a safe way.

"My magic is drawn off of me now. And while Alexander is willing to lend me his strength to ensure that using magic isn't as taxing as it could be... To summon will always be like that."

"Then I will ensure that you never have to summon again." Noel insisted and Hope laughed softly and laid on his shoulder with a yawn.

"I thought we agreed? No more fighting Fal'cie."