*peeks out*

Hey there, guys. Thanks again for tuning into this fic - I really appreciate all the comments you leave me, and I am glad you guys enjoyed the last, albeit shorter chapter.

A note of warning - this is where the fic in a sense actually begins: we are finally set on the very beginning of the main plotline by the end of this chapter. Like I said, this fic contains some rather dark themes, and for me, well, the last quarter of the chapter or so was immensely hard for me to write. I tried to get it right though. n_n

Shoutout to OscarMerrinoz98, ziel101 and GCFarron (thanks for pointing out my spelling error)! Your love for this fic is really inspiring.
And to Sniperrolf - though you can't continue with us in this adventure, I really appreciate the support you've given me so far!

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 8: A World Without Pain

Serah was jolted awake by the harsh shaking of her sister, whose frantic expression told her something was wrong. Claire's steel grip was on her arm, and she could see that Claire had her omega weapon drawn.

"Claire... What's...?"

Her sister cut her off roughly. "Someone sent a horde of those monsters into the city, and there's a fire. We have to get out, now!" Letting go of her arm, Serah watched as Claire crossed quickly to the door, noticing the degree that she favoured her right side.

Fear kicked in for a few heartbeats as Serah glanced outside the window – the night sky was tainted a deep scarlet, smoke tendrils caught in the crimson glare. The stars were gone, the moon hidden behind a shroud of red wisps.

"Serah! Stop dawdling and hurry up!" Her sister's irritated, frantic voice snapped Serah out of the daze. Throwing the pillow away, she scrambled off the bed and hurried after Claire, almost tripping over the carpet that lined the bedroom floor. Catching sight of Claire at the end of the hallway, she quickly ran to her, following Claire as she awkwardly made her way down the steps, clinging to the banister heavily.

You should be resting, Claire...

No sooner than Serah had reached the bottom of the steps did Snow pull her into his arms. Letting the warmth envelope her, for a moment Serah felt utterly protected. He would always be there for her...

"Come on baby, let's get out," his rough voice quiet.

"Why do we have to leave?" she whimpered softly. "It's safe here... isn't it?"

"No, it's not!" Claire's voice was harsh. "Let's go." Flicking her cape over her shoulder, Lightning kicked open the front door, and stalked out, Hope trailing behind her. Snow lifted Serah into his arms, and followed her sister out the door.

It was worse outside. Much worse. Smoke covered the area of New Bodhum their house overlooked, and screeches and screams of monsters and people alike echoed off the mountain faces of Gran Pulse. Serah instantly covered her mouth and nose, feeling herself flinch at the smell of smoke... and death.

Is this what it feels like to be on the battlefield? Is this what Claire sees everyday?

Snow had set her down carefully on the lawn in front of their house. She clung to his jacket as he moved away from her, her fingers slipping over the cloth; unable to hold him to her.

"I'm going to check on NORA," he called to Claire, who was standing at the very edge of the small cliff that allowed them to overlook the town. Her slim figure was silhouetted against the fires and smoke – black against red. Her sister had whipped around, mouth opening to shout something at Snow, but he'd already disappeared over the side of the cliff. Serah could hear his boots grinding against the gravel as he barrelled down the path.

"You stupid- !" Lightning's screech of anger was cut off as a feral snarl sounded in the shadows next to Serah. Rapidly, she turned to the sound, and fear gripped her as she saw a wolf like creature appear from the smoke infested gloom. Backing away, Serah couldn't help letting out a terrified whimper as she saw the strings of saliva slowly drip from the creature's mouth.

Shit.

Lightning had tensed the moment she saw the creature appear from the foliage behind Serah. Drawing her gunblade, she rushed forward, ignoring the protests from her shoulder. She shoved Serah roughly behind her.

"Stay behind me," she hissed. She would not let this creature harm Serah. Or Hope, for that matter, but he was better able to defend himself than Serah was. "And whatever you do, don't move in front of me."

Lightning tried to keep her voice calm, but she knew Serah was terrified...

And rightly so. How many attacks has this been within the last ten days?

But pondering about it wasn't solving anything – this monster needed to be taken care of.

"All right," she growled. "You asked for this." The monster lunged forward, opening its jaws. Quickly, she feinted to the left, and she heard the snap as its jaws closed on thin air. Using the moment of surprise, Lightning brought the blade of the omega weapon down on its neck. A sharp crack sounded through the air as the monster dropped to the ground. She watched its body dissolve into the black smoke, and looked up again.

Serah had perched herself on a rock, huddled in front of it, holding her knees. She noticed Hope was standing slightly to the side, his boomerang out, a determined glint in his eyes.

At least they're safe. Now, if this shoulder would only stop giving me trouble, I could chase after that idiot husband of Serah's and drag him back here.

But as things stood, Lightning knew she couldn't do much. Serah would absolutely refuse her going down after Snow – Lightning had no doubts Serah would literally throw herself in front of her to stop whatever plans she had of following Snow to drag him back. The ache deepened in her shoulder.

I shouldn't be fighting. If Amodar was here, he would stop me from fighting, but...
I have people to protect. And whether I like it or not, it's up to me to protect them.

Bright lights suddenly cut through the smoke, and Lightning raised her arms to protect her eyes. A magnified voice, no doubt sounding through the speakers in the city center blasted through the wall of noise that was New Bodhum's citizens, effectively drowning out every other sound.

"This is the Guardian Corps and Pulse Management. We advise that all citizens return to their homes and lock their doors. If you cannot return to your home for any reason, please go to the Guardian Corps building, and someone will further assist you in finding shelter. All citizens are warned to not attack the monsters in the streets. All members of the Guardian Corps are to report to command immediately."

Lightning pushed her body up from the grass on the ground.

"We're going," she hissed. Pulling Serahafter her, she trusted that Hope had the sense to follow them.

"Where are we going, Claire?" Serah's voice was quiet, but Lightning could hear the barely suppressed fear behind it. If even one more thing happened tonight, she knew Serah was going to lose it. This was why she had never let her sister tag along, never told her any stories about work. Serah was delicate – she needed to protect her.

"I'm dropping you two off at the Guardian Corps Building. Then I'll have to find Amodar." Sensing Serah and Hope were about to protest, Lightning whipped around to face them, finding anger and impatience bubbling in her stomach.

"No, I'm not going to hear your stupid reasons why I shouldn't go! This is my job, can't you see that?" Lightning felt Serah tense, but she tightened her grip on her sister's fingers. Finding no solace in the fact that she knew Serah was trying to pull away from her, Lightning all but dragged her down the sloped path to New Bodhum, ignoring the pained twinges that her shoulder gave her at every other step.

The air in the town was worse than she'd thought. Constantly having to stop to wipe away the tears that formed quickly as her eyes reacted to the smoke, and stopping for Serah and Hope who coughed every dozen paces, Lightning looked despairingly up at the prominent Guardian Corps building in the town's skyline.

Maker, I really hope we'll get there before it's too much for them to continue.

Snow charged through the dark streets of Bodhum, looking for the people he had grown up with. Even injured, he trusted Lightning to look after Serah. Maybe that's a little too much faith in Sis, but I know she'll do her hardest to protect Serah. When he'd heard the announcement, he'd changed his path, heading for the Guardian Corps building. I know NORA's tough, but I really hope they've got the sense to go there. And Sis will take Serah there too.

His feet echoed off the now empty sidewalks – everyone else either had gone home and locked themselves up, or were headed in the same direction he was. But he wasn't alone; Snow was aware of the clickings in the dark sidestreets and alleyways that could only mean one thing – monsters. Luckily his coat had the AMP technology, but there'd be no mercy for monsters tonight.

Speaking of which...

A Cie'th had launched itself in his path, low groans escaping where its mouth should have been. Snow didn't even hesitate to put three punches in its stomach, satisfaction rolling through his body as it dissolved into black.

Looks like the hero's still got the touch.

A pack of amams to his left met the same fate, and he quickly delivered a fast uppercut to a Wight that was crafty enough to avoid his first blow. Snow cracked his knuckles; he was on a roll tonight. It was a little too bad he couldn't imbue elemental magic to his punches anymore, but he wasn't complaining; he'd had enough of those freaky tattoos to last the rest of his life.

Thumping through the deserted streets, he heard crying at the next intersection. A little girl, clutching a Carbuncle doll was scrunched in the corner, soft whimpering sobs escaping her lips. Snow knelt down beside her.

"Hey." He hoped his voice sounded reassuring. "Where's your mom?"

The little girl let out a sniffle, holding onto the doll with one hand while wiping her eyes with the other. "She got... The monsters got..." But the girl couldn't continue before bursting into fresh tears. And only when she moved her arm to wipe the tears away again did Snow see the gash in her side. One look and Snow knew it was beyond his power to heal. Maybe not beyond the medics at the hospital, but Snow knew she wouldn't make it that far, even if he helped her. The gloom had hidden the fact that she lay in a pool of red – a little large for her wounds, but Snow could see the staggered line of bodies that lay littered beyond her in the side street, a cruel remainder of the monsters that had evidently torn through the street.

Snow held her tiny, small hand in his large one, knowing what was going to happen to her. He was powerless to prevent it, but maybe... Her hands are so small... Like Serah's. And that was just another agonizing reminder at how easily it could have been Serah. The girl's pained, tear stained face cracked into a small smile.

"You're going to stay...with me? Thanks..." The girl's voice was faint. Her small grip on his rough gloves tightened until it hurt – but it would be cruel to rip away his fingers now. He watched as her breathing slowed, cursing all but the Maker itself that he couldn't save the life that still had so much to offer to the beautiful world that they'd protected. The Carbuncle doll dropped from the girl's small hand as her grip on Snow loosened, her pale lids closing over the eyes that had lost their glimmer.

Bam! It was like something had struck him physically in that one moment. And for that moment, he wasn't here, but at the Hanging Edge, watching the silver haired woman fall from his grasp and onto the mountains of metal scraps below. Another life he couldn't save...

"FUCK!" He yelled out loud, punching the floor in anger. Why...

Snow angrily shoved the small girl's body away from him, jumping to his feet, still shaking. Why can't I save people when it matters? Trying to control his breathing, Snow readjusted the bandanna on his head. NORA was supposed to be about protecting people, goddammit! Not watch them die!

But there was nothing else he could do here; he had to move on. The ghost of the little girl's grip still lingered on his right hand, and as he charged down the street, moving towards the Guardian Corps building, he cast one last glance at the small body hidden in the shadows and smoke of the fire that was continuing to spread. Maker take care of you, and come back in the next life in a world without pain, okay? I'll make sure this damn place is gonna be that world.

Lightning had finally let go of Serah when the three of them had reached the steps of the Guardian Corps building. Feeling that Serah was trembling, Lightning had tried to pull the her younger sister to her in a rough embrace, but Serah had flinched away from her. Sighing, she'd registered her sister and Hope to the rookie who was in charge of assigning people to spots in the rooms so they'd be safe. Once the rookie had handed her a paper slip with a number on it, she'd made her way back to them, pushing through the throngs of people who were trying to crowd into the place.

Slapping the piece of paper into Hope's hand, Lightning pulled him over to the side. "Hope, I'm going to trust that you can take Serah and yourself to this room written on this piece of paper, while I go find Amodar," she hissed roughly.

Hope had taken a glance at the paper in his hands. "You really don't want me with you, don't you?" His voice had a resigned tone to it, but Lightning saw and knew the glint in his eyes. He wasn't a child, she knew that, but she needed him to take care of her sister. And even if she didn't want to admit it, there was a part of her that desperately needed him to be safe too.

"No, I don't. That place is freaking hell out there right now, no place for a kid like you. Stay with Serah – and wait for Snow. He'll probably come barreling in here sooner or later." She hoped her voice was assertive enough. She needed to let him know how much he relied on him.

"Light?" His voice was a little hesitant. She jerked her head in his direction, letting him know she'd heard. "I'm sure you're tired of hearing this, but, be careful, okay? Come back to us... Come back to me."

Lightning snorted, knocking him in the forehead, like the way she'd done in Palumpolum. "You got it, kid." And for some reason, she didn't pull away when he'd wrapped his arms gently around her middle.

Lightning hit the streets, pulling out her gunblade. The air was clearer on this side of New Bodhum, she'd heard the fire was being contained on the other side. She'd neglected to tell Amodar about her shoulder, so he'd assigned her to patrol some streets close to the building.

"Take out the monsters, and send any civilians to the Corps building." Those had been his orders. Putting the omega weapon into gun mode, she adopted the pace she usually took while monster hunting: slower steps that hid most of the sounds of her footsteps. It was easier on her shoulder too; she could favour a side because she took care in putting each of her feet down. Movement in her peripheral vision distracted her – too fast to be a dazed civilian wandering around, but a little too discreet for a monster who wasn't supposed to have more than beastial instincts. And she'd hardly had the time to move towards the dark alley in which she'd seen the motion before something hit the back of her head, hard.

Serah couldn't keep herself still. Hope had gone to fetch them some food and water, but he'd refused to tell her where Lightning had gone. She didn't really need him to tell her, in some ways Claire was so predictable...

Quietly slipping the blankets provided by the Guardian Corps off her shoulder, Serah dodged around the people that were still in the room. The army was still moving displaced civilians in, and in the confusion, Serah figured it would take Hope awhile to get back to the place they'd been assigned. She knew perfectly well that Claire was probably out hunting monsters, and this time, Serah was determined not to let her sister fight alone. She'd do whatever it took to drag Claire back until she was healed.

Noting that Amodar was in the corner of the entrance hall, Serah quickly moved to the side opposite him – Amodar knew who she was and would probably stop her from going out to find Lightning.

And I have to find Claire. It doesn't matter what she thinks - whether she realizes it or not I care about her just as much as she cares about me.

Her footsteps echoed in the empty streets - the streetlights looked ominous, glowing in the abandoned streets. A rumble from the sky caused her to look up - the moon had been obstructed by dark rain clouds. Hopefully this will put the fire out...

Searching frantically, Serah ran quietly up and down streets, looking for the pink hair that identified her sister. She was glad her sneakers made little sound on the cement; she knew she wasn't up to fighting a monster, but hopefully the little noise she made was enough to keep her hidden from them.

Claire, where are you?

Lightning came to on a rooftop. How...?

A rough voice sounded behind her. "So, awake, are we? How lovely it is for you to join us tonight, l'Cie."

Whipping her head around, Lightning saw a single man dressed in black... and the scientist she thought she'd killed at the gorge just last night. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of them, and she got to her feet, hand reaching behind her for the omega weapon, ignoring the radiant pain that flared from her shoulder.

But she wasn't expecting the blow she'd taken to have an effect on her - the moment she stood upright, blood rushed from her head, and black crowded her vision. Nausea gripped her stomach instantly, and she sank to her knees, clutching the back of her head. Her hair was matted at the back, but she couldn't feel any blood.

"Oh yes," the man in black said quietly. "I wouldn't advise getting up; it's not going to make that concussion of yours any better."

Still on the ground, Lightning cursed the situation and just how helpless she was at the moment. Shit. Just what do you want from me?

The dark figure strode forwards, leaving the scientist who didn't seem to be aware of the situation. He laid a hand on her good shoulder; gently caressing her face, brushing away the tendrils of cherry coloured hair.

"Don't... touch me," she spat bitterly, trying to squirm away from his fingers. "Or..."

"Or what?" The icy whisper held deadly power. "You're not in a position to make demands here, my pretty little Lightning. You may be used to ordering your sister and your brother-in-law around, but that's not the case here."

Fuck. Lightning knew the man was right; he could easily push her off the twenty foot tall building and she'd tumble to her death right there. She tried not to flinch away from his touch when he gently guided her gaze to the street below. The sight of a pinkette in rose and white coloured clothing sent freezing claws down her back. Serah. What is she...? I thought I told her to stay put...!

"It looks like your little sister has come to find you. Not a very good older sister, are you? If she has to come and look for you?"

"No! She's... I told her to stay where she was," she spluttered, trying to defend herself.

The man's hand closed around her chin, and forced her to look at him. And for the first time, she saw the icy green glimmer in his eyes. Eyes without mercy. The man's face was covered by a black cloth, but from the contours of the way it was pulled she knew he was smiling.

"Oh, but she's in such a dangerous place... I thought you had to protect her... Isn't that the only reason you Purged yourself? I thought you cared about her enough. Because, if you did, you would have made her understand that coming for you wasn't a good idea."

"Shut the fuck up..." She tried to make her voice sound cold, but she couldn't. Because he was pulling at the very depths of the feelings she'd tried so hard to hide away. The feelings that she couldn't show anyone, and the doubts she'd always had about their relationship ever since she'd joined the army. Lightning tried to block his voice from herself, tried to tune it out, but it didn't work that way. Her arms felt frozen to the rough stone of the rooftop, and she couldn't pick up her gunblade. Even though she was making a conscious effort to move, she couldn't stop her limbs from shaking. Guilt clawed at her as she tried to focus on Serah, who was still wandering down the street. The man's voice continued, oblivious to her trembling.

"And, of course, you let her become a l'Cie by pushing her away. How do you know she's not angry at you?"

He's right... I don't. I don't know that she's not. She never says so, never mentioned it again after I apologized to her right below Cocoon, but if I can hide my feelings, she can too... Serah, I'm...

A flash of movement at the edge of her vision made her tense. Rough thumps on the ground and the barely audible snarls confirmed her suspicions. A monster, and it was headed right for Serah.

Lightning wanted to reach out to her, wanted to jump down and protect her. But she couldn't. Limbs frozen in despair and pain, she could only do one thing, one thing to somehow help ensure her sister wouldn't be harmed.

"Serah!"

A hoarse cry sounded from somewhere above her head, a desperate cry that reached right into the depths of her heart. Serah looked up for the source of the sound, trying to see through the gathering gloom that had advanced into New Bodhum in preparation for the coming storm. A bright flash lit the sky, and in that one moment, Serah saw it.

Light pink hair and the glowing yellow insignia of the Guardian Corps. Held in the strange arms of a man she didn't know. Pale blue eyes closed, and the omega weapon useless on the ground.

The one thing she feared above all. But Serah couldn't move fast enough, didn't have enough time to go for her sister before something large crashed into her.

Darkness.

The man carefully inspected the unconscious pinkette in his arms. He pocketed the omega weapon, and hoisted her so that he could carry her more efficiently. He'd noticed the wound on her shoulder, but that wasn't anything Larcell couldn't work with. Prodding the puppet scientist with one finger, he jumped lightly down from the rooftop. Lightning was just a light, slender burden. Hardly enough to slow him down. A smile cracked his lips when he saw the scientist fall down awkwardly after him. Puppets. They always did as they were told.

A vibration in his pocket made him set the young woman down for a moment. His smile grew when he saw who it was on the glowing display. He flipped the cover open.

"Hey. It's Kalin. I've got her." Pausing, he listened for the instructions that followed.

"Got it. Head the monsters off, leave the other girl alone."

Picking her up again, he marveled at her delicate, porcelain face. She looked so much prettier when she was asleep, rather than glaring at him with those cold blue eyes of hers. Oh, my pretty Lightning. If only you acted more friendly... You wouldn't have a problem finding lines of people after you.

Waving his free hand, he clicked the device clipped to the inside of his sleeve. Walking out into the brighter street, he noticed the girl's younger sister lying there in the middle of it. Eh, her husband will find her. And now we've left the perfect trail - those foolish l'Cie are sure to follow.

A boom of thunder accented the thoughts as he walked away.

Raindrops poured down from the sky, washing away the blood that stained the stone pavements and the wisps of black smoke that were left in the wake of the monsters. She felt rain drip down relentlessly on her face as she tried to get up from the rough pavement, hands slipping on the rough, wet surface. But Serah didn't care anymore. There was only one thing on her mind as she tried fruitlessly to get up. A short, piercing shriek clawed its way up from her back, and rose from the back of her throat; she didn't even try to contain it, not caring if monsters were in the area.

"Claire!"

Man.

This chapter, and especially the ending, was so, so hard for me to write. I tried to get their emotions right, I really did. I rewrote their lines over and over, trying to find one that would suit Light, and ones that would suit Serah. Hopefully, this turns out okay when you guys read this.

I know I said this chapter was gonna have action, but in the end I realized there wasn't going to be much. The emotional part of this chapter was going to be the main focus, but I tried to get a little Snow "hero" antics in there. Light didn't have much action going for her though.

This is the longest chapter of the fic so far, totalling over 4,500 words of just the chapter, and future chapters will probably be just as long - as I said, this is where the main storyline begins.

I also finally have a Beta, yay! From this point on important chapters will be Beta'd fully. Some chapters won't be, as I have respect for the time of my new Beta reader, but we'll be going over important ones together to make this fic as awesome as possible of a reading experience for you all.

Expect the next chapter either tomorrow or the latest Thursday. Leave love in the form of a review, and I'll do my best to get it up tomorrow so I don't leave you guys hanging there.

Hearts!