So hi guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR. (:

I actually made a mistake, and uploaded this chapter by accident as Chapter 11 (I changed a few words around in that one and must have clicked the wrong document). So Chapter 11: Chained Feathers is fixed now, and if you saw this chapter as the last chapter then well, the last chapter is now fixed. Sorry for any confusion! D:

Thanks again to OscarMerrinoz96 for reviewing! ;3

So onto the chapter, and finally a big part for Light for those who have been waiting for it! Enjoy as always!

Chapter 12: Free Will

Lightning eyed the hand he extended to her warily. She still couldn't fully control the shaking of her limbs, and she wondered briefly if his blatant offer of help was genuine or not.

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you." His whispered tones were urgent, and the absence of malice unnerved her a little.

"And why... should I believe you?" She hated how hoarse and desperate her voice came out – it made her sound weak and in pain. And of course, I am weak and in pain, but I can't accept help so easily... especially from someone I don't know that I can trust.

The man bent down until he was at her eye level, and she noted the eyes again. Red, just like everyone else who worked in this goddamn place. Really, the fact that many of them looked exactly alike made her all the more suspicious of who, or what they were but she was painfully aware that she wasn't in the position to ask at the moment.

Lightning narrowed her eyes, and she knew her distrust was plain on her expression. Forcing her limbs to move, she pulled herself out of her kneeling position on the floor, and sat back, wrapping her arms around her legs. Even that slight movement exhausted her, and she couldn't hold back the slight whimper that escaped from her lips.

"See, you need my help." The man's whispered tones held frustration in them, and Lightning looked at him from under the mess of her pink hair. Why is he so desperate to help me? Aren't we on... different sides? "I'm going to give you two things, okay? Maybe then you'll see you can trust me." He reached behind him for something he'd been keeping in a brown sack, and held them out to her; both items made her heart leap.

One was her omega weapon. She didn't know how the hell he'd gotten it, or managed to get it, but if he was really giving it back to her, then she wasn't complaining. The second was a bottle of water. Her throat burned, and she knew she hadn't eaten or drank in... I don't even know.

The gratefulness in her eyes must have betrayed her feelings, because the man placed both items in front of her, and went to rummage in his sack again. The first thing she did was stuff away the omega weapon. However weak her arms felt at the moment, the familiar feel of the weapon comforted her. She eyed the water a little more cautiously. While fairly certain her omega weapon would not blow up in its holster, she'd always been taught as a soldier to never eat or drink anything that she herself didn't prepare.

Her hesitation must have caught the attention of the man, because he turned around to look at her, something else in his hands. "Look, I didn't go through all that trouble to fetch you your weapon to poison you, okay?" His voice held the beginnings of anger. "We don't have a lot of time - I know you don't like cooperating with us, but do you want to get out of here?"

"Okay... fine," she muttered, raising the bottle to her lips. The first swallow hurt - her raw throat unused to the contact, but it felt good; she could feel the first stirrings of some strength beginning to return. It was enough to allow her to push herself into a standing position - sure, the motion made her nearly black out, but closing her eyes against it, she was able to remain standing.

"That's better. Now, hold out your wrist. I have the key to get rid of the thing on your arm." Gingerly, Lightning held out her slender arm, not wanting to look at the bluish purple marks on her skin. The loss of support - she'd been holding onto the wall - also threatened to drive her to her knees again. No... I can't let that happen. I... have to get out of here.

A small clink of metal on stone made her look up again. The arm shackle was gone, and the moment the metal's touch left her skin, she felt a surge of pain from her brand again. But with that pain came the undeniable rush of burning power - not nearly as much as she was used to, but enough to wipe the exhaustion and vestiges of pain. The joys of being a twenty one year old Pulse l'Cie, she thought bitterly.

However, the shiny bangle hadn't left her body without leaving a mark. She winced at the sight of blood and swollen flesh where it had held to her skin, but for some reason, she couldn't feel pain there just yet. There wasn't really anything that could be done about it at the moment though - it would have to wait.

"Come on." The hiss came from the door to the room; really, it was a lab, as she only now noticed. She took a few tentative steps towards the door - definitely not her usual quiet stance, but she could do it without staggering, and the steps didn't seem to make her shoulder flare with pain.

The three flights of steps beyond the door proved harder to navigate - Lightning had to pause and catch her breath every dozen steps or so. But the familiar feeling of the omega weapon hitting the back of her legs reminded her that she could get out of here, if she could hang in there.

Stopping at a fork in the hallway, she noticed the man was waiting for her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he abruptly cut her off with one finger against her mouth. "Listen carefully; I don't have much time to tell you this." Closing her lips, Lightning rested one arm against her hip, and waited.

"I think you've been here long enough to know what we're planning, and you've heard Larcell mention the Eclipse. The Eclipse, or the Lunar Armageddon, is an event that happens every hundred years on Gran Pulse. Normally, it's not anything big, just a lunar eclipse on the night. However... its power can be magnified through the use of four crystals that remain hidden in Pulse. It's rumoured that a Pulse l'Cie is able to sense these crystals, just as Sanctum l'Cie were able to sense Pulse l'Cie. This is why Larcell was instructed to find you and your friends, and why he was so interested in your powers."

"Wait." Her voice came out as a rasp as the newest revelation took hold of her body. "Larcell... is not the one in charge?"

The man shook his head. "We don't even know... how many people were tasked with this. Larcell was instructed to slay the fal'Cie that has slept beneath Oerba to reactivate the ruins underneath it that went silent after Anima branded its last two l'Cie down on Pulse five hundred years ago. We don't know who else is in this... organization, if you will, and none, save perhaps Larcell, knows who is truly masterminding this."

"But continuing... the Lunar Armageddon has the power to open the Door of Souls, should it be powered correctly by the crystals I mentioned. And that is the true purpose of all of this. The Door of Souls. To bring the Maker back into this world." The man paused, waiting for her reaction.

"In other words..." she hissed quietly, "He's trying to do what Barthandelus was trying to do." What is with these people and bringing back the Maker? And why, why does it always have to be me?

"Exactly. Take these words as you will, Lightning - I can't force you to save this world or anything-"

"How do I know... Why should I trust you? Aren't you on... their side?" Lightning cut across his words, glad that she had the strength to manage her usual sharp tones. Away from the rune circle things, she really was beginning to feel some of her power return. I'm not ready for a Thundara just yet, but hopefully it's enough to get out of this hellhole.

The man looked at her sadly, and involuntarily, she flinched back at the despair in his eyes. "You must have noticed... that apart from a few of us, we all look the same. And that's because we are - clones of one being we will never meet. There is no future for me, nothing for a puppet that was created to serve. But you, Lightning, you have free will; your brand carries no Focus. And that counts for more than anything."

Shocked into silence, Lightning regarded the man closely. She knew it was true... and yet his words hit harder to home than she would have liked to admit. Free will...

"Go, quickly now. The remaining clones and people are probably aware that you've escaped. Go down right in this hallway, it leads to a series of stairs that will eventually take you to the surface... or your friends. It's not the only way up, but they probably won't expect you to go that way."

"What... about you?" As much as she would have liked to taken off there and run, she couldn't deny that this man had probably just risked his existence... whatever that was, to help her. And as much as she hated accepting help from others, she was painfully aware that she would still probably be trembling in pain if he hadn't...

"I'm going to go the other way, see if I can stall them." Before she could reach out, he'd already whipped around and sprinted for the other door. She heard a click - he'd locked it. A soft voice sounded from behind the heavy locked door she knew she didn't have the strength to force open in her current state.

"By the way... your sister loves you. Very much."

The words hit her like a physical blow. Serah. Of course she was here; Lightning had been stupid enough to think that the oaf of hers would have the hardheartedness and willpower to lock her at home. So much for protecting her... Biting back the tears that threatened to fall, she paused for one moment, hoping that the man had said that, and meant it, in a genuine way. She knew... she hadn't been the best sibling to Serah, she knew that! But she'd tried... And I can only hope that Serah thinks the same.

She heard the squeals of monsters coming from behind the door; thumps and the shattering of glass. She had to get going if she didn't want to be the next monster meal; she knew she wasn't strong enough to take on anything at the moment; revived l'Cie power or not. Somehow, she knew the words she uttered would never be adequate enough, would never fully return the debt she had to the man she didn't even know the name of, before she turned away to the other side of the hall.

"Thank you."

Snow crashed through what felt like to him to be the umpteenth door. At this point, it was painfully obvious that being discreet wasn't going to work anymore - hordes of monsters just kept coming and while there were very few guards anymore, the closer they circled to the glowing green mark on the ground the more creepy crawlies there were. He heard Serah hold back a gag of disgust at the monster remains before they faded into black smoke, and he tightened his grip on her waist.

Hope was behind them, picking his way through the crumbled rock and steel, and Sazh brought up the back, the little chocobo fluttering happily behind them. Dumb birdbrain doesn't even know what's going on... that's why it's so happy.

Thumps and shouts came from somewhere ahead of them, slightly muffled. Snow heard the faint sound of footsteps on stone, but they were slow and uneven - too slow to be a guard's or a monster's. There's someone else here...? There was only one door far ahead of them, slightly hidden by the circular curve of the hallway. But the thumps were getting louder, and he heard the sound of several glass panes breaking. Breaking into a run, Snow barreled down the hallway; the sound of footsteps quickening behind hold told him that the others were following. Flinging open the door, Snow realized he was looking down another flight of steps. However, the sight before him nearly made his heart stop, and he stood there, stunned, unable to move.

Lightning was clinging to the top step, clearly exhausted, and breathing heavily. He felt Serah slip past him, and then utterly stop. Her shrill screech cut through Snow's stupor.

"Claire!"

The soldier looked terrible, her pink hair messy and in tangles, half of it falling over her face. Snow winced at the sight of the mottled bruises on her skin, and her complexion was pale - the only hint of colour was in her cheeks when she looked up, the usual icy blue eyes glazed with fatigue.

"Serah... Snow..."

And then Serah started sobbing, pulling her sister up the last steps of the stairway, and clinging to her. "Claire... you don't know how worried we were about you, Claire, I'm sorry..." Snow felt the first flicker of concern over his inital relief at actually finding Lightning as the soldier gently raised a hand to stroke Serah's cheek.

"Serah... it's okay... I'm here." Her voice was raspy and hoarse, and she tried, unsuccessfully, to push her sister's arms off of her. Snow moved forward, and pulled Serah off of Lightning.

"Hey, baby, give her some room, okay?" He let out a small chuckle. "You're not the only one dying to see her." The proof was right behind him when Hope pinned Lightning, who had just managed to pull herself into a standing position again, against the wall in a fierce hug. Snow's eyes widened slightly when he saw her gently embrace him back. Snow suppressed a smile; the soldier's soft spot for the teenager was no secret.

"Hey... I promised I'd come back... didn't I?" Her voice held the smallest trace of warmth and humour, the tones she usually saved for her sister.

Hope's reply was muffled. "Just don't do it again."

A small laugh escaped her lips. "I won't... but now's not really the time to be discussing it... We should get out."

"That's right," Sazh's voice sounded behind the reunion. "Guards are coming, and I'll bet my pistols those were monster sounds down there. Nice to see you again though, Light."

He heard Lightning give a soft snort. "Nice to see you too... old man."

Ignoring her protests, Snow plucked Hope off Lightning and picked her up, bridal style. He couldn't resist the chuckle at how she managed to maintain an indignant expression at the gesture, even considering the seriousness of the situation they were still in at this time.

"That's two beatings you owe me now, isn't it, Sis?"

Her tired glare told him all he needed to know, and he set off with her behind Sazh, who was now in the lead, closely followed by a happier looking Hope and Serah.

Serah felt like her heart was lighter than the dandelion fluff that drifted over Gran Pulse on warm spring days. Claire was safe... they'd get out of here soon, and everything would be okay... She followed Hope, who still had his boomerang out, as they climbed the steep stone steps. She thought they were about halfway up now, and glancing back at Snow, she noticed that Claire had fallen asleep. The back of her eyelids were purple, and Serah shook of the uncomfortable nag that ate at her stomach - Claire didn't look too well.

A sudden boom threw her against the stone wall as particles of dust began to rain down over their heads. Cave in? Panic set in her chest, as she glanced around at Snow for direction. Snow was busy shielding Claire's head from the particles of rock that were beginning to sift down, but he caught her panicked expression.

"Run! I'll be right behind you!"

Serah didn't need to be told twice. Setting off at a brisk pace after Hope, she could only believe that Sazh, who was in the lead with his chocobo, knew where he was going. The steps flashed under her feet; she didn't even know where they were headed now - the only thing in her mind was that they had to get out of here before most of the place came crumbling down. Did they collapse the walls on purpose, knowing we might be caught in it?

The ground split under her feet, and Serah let out a terrified cry, backing away from the cracks that loomed in front of her. She saw Hope pause and look back. A flash of concern crossed his eyes before it was replaced by grim determination.

"Serah, step as lightly as you can. You're not too heavy; it should be okay."

Serah swallowed nervously. True, Hope wasn't that much lighter than her, and he'd been okay... Placing her feet carefully against the rock, gingerly, she tried to step where the cracks were the smallest. She heard the rock give way several times under her sneakers, but Hope was right. She wasn't heavy enough to cause the cracks to widen much and turn into a gaping hole.

And then she remembered Snow, who was behind her. Not only was he a lot heavier than her, he also had Claire. Instantly, her head snapped back to across the cracked floor. Sure enough, Snow was standing there with a sheepish look on his face, his expression a little hopeless.

"How am I supposed to get across?" He still sounds like he's making a joke, even though we could all be caught in this one cave in and die.

"Put me down first... moron." It was Claire, who did not sound impressed. Serah looked at her to see she was awake; there was more colour in her cheeks, and if she had the energy to insult Snow, then she had to be feeling better. Right?

"You sure, Sis?" Snow's voice still held the concern.

"Yes... I'm sure. I wouldn't have asked... if I wasn't." Carefully, Snow lowered her onto the ground until her feet touched the stone, and the moment they did, she moved forwards. Sticking to the sides of the wall, Serah watched her sister slowly make her way across the cracked floor. Her gait was a little uneven, but there was a grim expression in her eyes that told her Claire was going to be okay.

The last few steps across the floor proved more tricky, and Serah watched as Claire carefully put her weight more directly on the stone. Her heart felt like it was in her throat; if the stone gave way now, right after she'd gotten Claire back... I don't know what I'd do... Serah felt herself let out a terrified whimper when Claire stumbled, and she rushed forwards to catch her sister. Luckily... Claire had been light, or careful, enough to get across. Wrapping her arms around Claire again, Serah helped her sister straighten up.

"Thanks..." Her sister's quiet mutter made her glance up. She hadn't seen Claire up close yet, and now that she had, Claire's skin looked papery and she could see the faint lines clearly left by cuts or wounds otherwise. She felt Claire brush her off impatiently, and she turned back to Snow. A grip tightened on the back of her shirt.

"Move back... The only way he's going to get himself over that thing is by jumping..."

Serah allowed herself to be pulled back by her sister. Burying her face against Claire's shoulder, Serah couldn't bring herself to watch as Snow backed up. If he jumped short... his momentum alone would be enough to completely break the floor... Oh Maker, please let Snow be okay, please don't take him from me... She felt her sister awkwardly drape an arm over her shoulder. The touch was light, but it was there. Her heart warmed a little at the contact. Claire...

"Don't worry," she heard her murmur. "'Heroes never die'... remember?"

The loud thump that announced the landing of Snow's jump was enough to make a cave in of its own.

"See? I knew I'd be okay, baby, you didn't have to worry." Strong arms pulled her away from Claire and into a warm embrace. Serah heard Claire give a snort, but she buried herself against Snow anyways. You're safe...

"Look, we have a timed escape." An impatient voice broke her moment of solace, and she knew it was Hope. "We've wasted enough time here." She glanced around to see Hope had attached himself to Claire's arm, and was gently pulling her forwards. "Come on, we're almost there. Sazh says the chocobo can see sunlight from the next flight of steps."

"Alright, kiddo, we're coming." Snow didn't let go of her until she'd broken into a run after Claire, who was being supported by Hope now. The telltale sounds of Snow thumping after her warmed her heart. We're really going to be okay now... right?

Hope breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the Gran Pulse breeze hit his face. For a moment, he raised an arm to shield himself from what he saw as the overly bright glow of the late afternoon sun. Glancing at the entrance to the underground ruins, he saw the swirling motes of dust drifting lazily from it before being caught by the zephyr and quickly dissipating, caught in a celestial dance. Beauty out of destruction.

They hadn't met any more guards or monsters, and the chocobo chick hadn't seen any outside either. It was like they never existed... Except for Light, who knows firsthand how real they were.

"Well, kids, ready to go home? Lightning looks like she could use some serious rest, and I'd wager none of you would say no to a nice bed either." Sazh's voice was followed by the happy chirps of the chocobo chick, oblivious as ever to the danger they'd been in. Of course, with the absence of the monsters and guards, the whole place did look much more welcoming. Like it did when we first arrived here with Fang and Vanille. He glanced at the crystal pillar, touched to a golden orange by the sun. Your hometown is beautiful again...

"Yeah, you're right, old man. Where's the aircraft?" Snow was looking around, squinting in the fading orange light.

He heard Serah, who was clinging to her sister, give a little giggle. "Uh, Snow? I think you're looking the wrong way." She pointed behind him, where the craft was perched a little ways away from the main town.

"Oh... right." Snow scratched his headband, not looking the least bit embarrassed. Nothing ever makes Snow feel like an idiot, does it? Shaking his head, Hope followed Sazh to the aircraft.

Night crickets chirped in the silence of Gran Pulse. Serah had insisted her sister go to bed, and for once, Claire hadn't protested. She'd simply huffed, but allowed Serah to push her to the bathroom.

Serah had crept downstairs, where Snow was relieving his stress in his usual way: a video game. Serah smiled to herself - Snow wouldn't ever grow up, but then again, that's what she liked about him. He paused the game when Serah had walked into the room, and opened his arms. She didn't hesitate before walking into them.

"See?" He murmured into her hair. "I told you Sis would be okay, and that we'd be safe."

She looked up, a small smile spreading from her lips. "I know my hero would be able to make it."

He ruffled her hair. "You know it." Serah held him tighter against her, marveling in his warmth, his strength, the safety she felt when she was with him. She felt him press a chaste kiss to her cheek. "Come on, baby, you need to rest too."

Pain.

It was attacking her from every angle, and surely, surely this was what it felt like to be a phoenix. To be burnt endlessly. She tried to fly above the flames, but the wings only burnt more fiercely the more they were flapped. To the unquenchable flames, and to be reborn over and over in pain.

A small bird, tinged in pink and white. The colour of the delicate cherry blossoms that her sister loved so much. A slightly smaller bird, the silver streaks reminding her of the moon and crystals.

But none could escape the flames. There was less oxygen the higher they flew, and she watched them plummet into the rising columns of flames. Trying to go after them, she found that she couldn't. Every attempt was stopped by the fire, by the pain. She tried to scream their names, but no sound came from her mouth. Black tendrils threatened to grip them, and darkness washed over the atmosphere in moments.

The fire burnt brighter in darkness.

Desperately trying to reach them, she tried flapping the wings harder, ignoring the pain. But she only fanned the flames - unable to reach them, a scream of pure frustration and pain escaped her lips.

The sound pierced through the midnight darkness. It jolted Serah out of her dreamless sleep in an instant, fear holding her heart. She knew exactly whose scream it was.

Claire.

So heh, I lied.

I was originally gonna put the heavy emotional content I talked about last chapter in this chapter, but that opening segment with Lightning took way longer than I expected. When I finished typing it, it was almost 2K words long and there was still so much more to go. I generally cap my chapters at around 5.5K because I don't want to greet you guys with a wall of text 11K words long (which this would have achieved had I included said emotional content).

Which means that the next chapter will hold it all, and also means that the next chapter will for sure be Beta'd. I'm not sure how long it will take - I expect to finish by tomorrow, and well, my Beta needs to get back to me. I'd say late Sunday night (if I finish tomorrow afternoon), but it's likely going to be Monday. I'm not sure. Either way, after I send it over to her, I'll start the next chapter so you guys won't be missing anything in terms of amount of chapters. (You might even get 2 at the same time)

Feed the review monster as always, and once again, your love is much appreciated!

Hearts!