Cliffhanger

"So let me get this straight," Eve held up a hand to pause the conversation, "You were all Gran Pulse l'Cie before the crystallization of Cocoon." The others nodded, "You fought against your focuses—which was basically the destruction of the human race." Another nod, "You defied your focus which led you to a confrontation with Orphan... Barthandelus...? Or-?" Eve trailed off for a moment.

"Well, technically both-" Hope began.

"Orphandelus?" Dajh piped up, only to dismiss his statement with a weak wave at the looks he received from the others.

"You defeated Orphan but at the cost of Cocoon's destruction." Eve continued to recite, "But you two-" She motioned to Fang and Vanille, "-saved both worlds by turning into a legendary beast and initiating the crystallization of Cocoon." An affirmative nod from the two Oerbans.

"That's pretty much how it goes." Vanille said with a grin that only caused the Lance Corporal to raise her eyebrow.

"Well, as illuminating as the history lesson is," Eve's gaze shifted to Lightning, "It still doesn't explain what's happening with Alva." The others looked amongst each other, bewildered. The young soldier had a point. They had explained the story of how they got their powers, while enlightening, it hadn't shed any more light on Alva's.

"There's also the fact that you two seem to have regained your l'Cie powers," Hope motioned towards Lightning and Fang, "Which... should really be impossible—with the the fal'Cie being extinct."

"Estheim, we've just spend the last day or so walking through rips in time." Dajh spoke up again. The First Lieutenant's jaw tightened. Dajh was right. At this point, the line between impossible and possible, believable and not, was pretty much non-existent.

"The Pulse-shifts." Lightning stated, beginning to pace as she always did while deep in thought, "When Fang and I came out of Titan's memory, we were attacked by a Cie'th, similar to the large, hulking one at camp."

"Someone got careless-"

"Someone else was getting in my way." Lightning snapped—all too quickly. The two women caught each others' gaze but almost immediately looked away.

"She got caught-"

"Saving her ass." Lightning mumbled before clearing her throat, "I was put in a compromising position-"

"In which I proceeded to save her ass." Fang interrupted again, "With a Ruin spell." She motioned over her shoulder at the pinkette, "Once she got free, she hit the poor sod with a Thundaga so intense you could probably fit what was left of it, into a teacup."

"Is it me or are they talking about each other like the other isn't here?" Dajh whispered to Vanille who responded with a bemused nod.

"Actually, I think they're arguing with each other... without... really arguing with each other."

"Now that is highly impressive."

If either of the two women in question had heard the small exchange, they chose to ignore it—in similar fashion to each others presence.

"It's almost like when the Pulse-shifts bring us back, our bodies 'remember' how to use the magic the fal'Cie gave us." Lightning kept the conversation on topic.

"But we don't have it anymore." Hope pointed out.

"Well, what if... " Lightning began to theorize, "What if the power didn't disappear with the fal'Cie? What if it just locked itself away?" Hope looked thoughtful but Lightning saw the doubt on his face, "Think about it, we're all still faster and stronger than regular humans, we heal just a little faster, age slightly slower—You and Dajh may have had your growth spurt but rest of us barely looks like we've aged a year, let alone a decade."

"It's a little far-fetched... but considering the circumstances, it's not entirely impossible." Hope finally spoke, "Regardless of the reason, I think it can be agreed that the Pulse-shifts play a major part in it."

"Again, enlightening, but it still doesn't explain Alva's powers." Eve spoke up, sighing, "Or why she's sick." Her voice was now laced in a subtle tone of irritation, masked only by growing concern of her sister's condition. Alva was asleep, lying nearer the fire between Eve and Vanille. Occasionally the girl would let out a small whimper but would not open her eyes, even when they'd tried to wake her to give her more of the Dissidium Elixir.

"She was wounded by the new type of Cie'th, maybe it has something to do with the infection?" Lightning thought aloud.

"Most likely-" Hope began to agree but before either of them could continue the discussion, Eve stood up, sighing heavily once more.

"Eve?" Vanille asked softly, not unaware of the Lance Corporal's frustration.

"Everything is speculation until we reach Titan's throne, yes?"

"Pretty much." Hope answered Eve's question after a long silence.

"And even then, there's no telling what we find there, right?"

"Right." The First Lieutenant continued to answer, realizing the subtle point Eve was getting at. With a nod, the Lance Corporal turned and shared a short, understanding look with Vanille before moving away from the group.

"Eve?" Lightning questioned.

"It's been a long day, we should probably rest for tomorrow." The response was cold. And everyone but the Commander would have thought it were a tone only Lightning could pull off, "I'll check the perimeter and take first watch."

"E-" Lightning began again but stopped as Fang brushed past her to follow the young soldier. The pinkette hesitated but eventually opened her mouth to stop the Oerban. She was cut off again, this time by Vanille.

"Light, could you help me move Alva over to the bedrolls?" Upon meeting the bright green eyes that told her the question was more of a demand, the commander felt herself unable to dismiss it. With a last look over at the retreating, darker-haired Oerban, Lightning proceeded to fulfill Vanille's request.

As she did so, she continued to struggle with the thoughts of Fang and Eve's inevitable confrontation. Though the result of that was the reminder of her own confrontation with Fang. She still hadn't figured out the reason behind her almost brutally honest admission. Granted she hadn't had a lot of time to contemplate it, with the world going to hell and everything. But the thought was still there, begging for attention. Trying to focus on the bigger picture, Lightning forced herself to focus on the task of helping Vanille with Alva.

The complete opposite could be said of Fang as she continued further away from the campsite. Like Lightning, she couldn't get their confrontation out of her mind. However, unlike the CRYSIS Commander, she made no effort to put aside the issue and focus on their 'investigation'. Lightning's out-of-the-blue confession bothered her; It shocked her; took her completely off guard; blindsided her, feeling like a slap to face. When the words would usually have prompted joy or happiness, they only proved to irk Fang.

'Loved' Lightning had used the word 'loved'. Past tense. It was probably what bothered Fang the most. All the delight that should have come with the declaration was destroyed by the insinuation that it no longer existed. Lightning loved her no longer. She'd missed the chance to be loved. Lightning loved her... The train of thought slowed as her movement did. She'd finally reached the edge of the tree line of the small forest they'd been walking though. She found herself near a wide cliff, with a view she'd be impressed by were she paying attention.

"What, you don't think I can handle watch?" The interrupting voice quickly snapped Fang out of her semi-daze and reminded her of what she was doing there. Eve stood further along the cliff, staring at her with a subtle, suspicious look. Just being around the young soldier was enough to tighten Fang's jaw and clench her fists. This... stranger with her face. The young woman who Lightning treated with such delicacy—such familiarity. Attention that was meant for her. The irrational part of her brain entertained the thoughts of jealousy. Was this her replacement? This... kid?

"Who are you?"

"Excuse me-"

"You heard me." Fang demanded, rapidly losing control of reason, "Who are you? Where did you even come from? And why do you look like..." The warrior paused for a brief moment before motioning toward herself—almost frantically, "Me."

"Look, I don't know anything about you," Eve responded, equally frustration, "I didn't choose this face, alright?"

"And your relationship with Light?" Fang pushed. Whatever she felt about Lightning and however she would deal with Lightning's feelings, she was sure of one thing: the relationship—whatever it was...is... would be—with Lightning, it was one of a kind, unique, hers. And Fang protected what was hers.

"She's my Commanding Officer! Look, I don't know what your issue with me is-" Eve cut herself off, abruptly and pulled the Assault Lance from across her back and unfolded it into mode-two, "Y'know what? I get the feeling nothing I'd say would be the right answer to those questions so why don't we stop beating around the bush and get this over with?" Upon seeing the Lance Corporal draw her weapon, Fang broke into a challenging grin.

"You sure you wanna do this, kid?" Fang taunted, "Your Commanding Officer isn't around to protect you."

"I'm sure I'll be fine," Eve shot back as they began circling each other, "Make sure not to lose that-" She added, motioning to the lance in Fang's hands, "-you'll probably need it."

"Really? Because if I remember correctly, one doesn't usually need to be armed to knock you on your ass." Fang managed to keep her growing rage in check while she quipped once more. She smirked as the young soldier scowled before lunging at her, weapon first. Fang let a scoff escape before she swung her own lance. As soon as they made contact both women were hit by a shock wave that sent both of them flying into darkness.

Such Irony. That my legacy would be born from humanity.

The trial of my Faultwarrens have failed against the fal'Cie-touched humans. To defeat even Atticus? It sickens me how impressed I am.

Regardless, my creations are complete. Taking only the strengths, and none of weaknesses of the champions of the Faultwarrens, my afterlife is sealed.

One to continue my duties, to inherit my throne; the other to protect and keep watch as they blossom. The day they shed their humanity and fulfill their destinies shall be glorious.

One fal'Cie. One guardian. My one and only wish complete.

"TITAN!" Eve screamed her eyes shot open as she was returned to the present. The present where the ground was now shaking, in the middle a tremor. She stumbled, trying to regain her bearings. A few feet away, Fang was doing the same, equally staggered. As their eyes met, a few more pieces to the puzzle began to fall into place.

"Alva." Eve whispered as the ground beneath her feet began to crack. Fang watched, still stunned, as a whole chunk of the cliff began to crumble away. Eve didn't react fast enough and by the time she did, all she could reach was an upturned root at the edge of where the ground had broken away and fallen the few hundred feet into the darkness below.

For all the thoughts that were racing through the Oerban's mind, one still remained clear: Eve was a threat. Fang remained frozen as the other woman struggled to pull herself up, her only grip inching out of her grasp. But by the time the warrior's higher thought processes kicked in and caused her to jump towards Eve's slipping hand, the root keeping the young soldier from falling snapped. And Fang was surprised to feel horror as she watched the Lance Corporal fall.

A/N:

DUN x 3
Not as long as I thought it would be but still hard as balls to write =[
I know, the title is lame, lemme alone. I update for YOU =\

My dA account got hacked.
That's always fun...