So hey guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR! o3o

Big thank yous to my reviewers, OscarMerrinoz96 and ziel101! 8D

Nothing much to say this time - this is the second of the two transition chapters into the next arc. Enjoy as always!

Chapter 15: Because You Are Here

Lightning held back a screech as the flare of pain exploded from her brand. A rose petal brushed her cheek as the pungent smell filled the room. Odin...?

The summon circle appeared beneath her feet as the man leapt backwards in shock and suddenly everything was tinged in pink. Odin, you really know when I need you, don't you? The knight was suddenly there, standing regally impassive. Lightning spared one glance at her Eidolon, and she let a small smile appear on her lips.

"Cut us a path!"

She felt the pain from the Fira disappear as Odin cast a curative spell on her, and taking that, she launched herself forward again, her omega weapon raised to attack position. The man let out a small laugh as their blades collided.

"Awoken your Eidolon, I see. You really are something else, aren't you?"

"Save it," she hissed, dodging the swipe that he aimed at her forehead. She back flipped over Odin's defensive stance, and watched as his spells bounced uselessly off of Ullr's Shield. Alright, Odin, let's show this creep what we can do. The Eidolon seemed to have heard her thoughts as it glowed to transform into Sleipnir, the mythical horse. She leapt onto his back, splitting the scythe blade between both hands.

"The storm is here!"

The man narrowed his eyes the moment he saw her on her Eidolon, holding its weapon. A glowing teleport rune appeared underneath his feet, and Lightning saw the undeniably ugly look in his eyes. She caught the last words he hissed at her before he disappeared in the glow of light.

"Don't think you're getting out of this so easily, Lightning. Remember... there are other people who are just as viable as you for our needs."

As the man vanished, she felt her Eidolon disappear as well - the pink rose shaped crystal dropped into her open hand. She held it to her brand as it dissipated into pink sparkles - she felt the power surge into her as the Eidolon's power melded back to her brand.

Dropping to one knee, Lightning paused to catch her breath, but thoughts of Serah and Hope drove her to her feet after only a few moments. I have... to get back...

"Sis! The monsters, they're gone!" Snow. He burst into the room, stopping short at the sight behind her. "Sis..."

Lightning strode past him. "Snow... one of those creeps did this. We have to get home." She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait... Sis!"

She didn't even turn around. "They're after Serah and Hope. Are you going to let them get their hands on them?" Lightning took the steps two at a time, ignoring the sights around her. It's too late for them... But it's not too late for Serah and Hope. I have to get home on time... Serah...

Snow limped his way after Lightning, his twisted ankle slowing him down. He'd seen the corpses of her comrades, seen the death the monsters would bring. Fuck... just what are we dealing with here? The soldier had sped up ahead, not bothering to stop and explain to him what she'd just found out. But if Sis says Serah's in danger, then I believe her.

But he couldn't ignore death as easily as she could. The moans, the dying... everything crowded into his brain, and try as he might to imitate the stoic soldier who was ahead of him, he couldn't. He'd always wanted to protect people, and couldn't, just couldn't ignore death like the way she's probably been trained. Snow couldn't push the scenes out of his mind, and every time he saw someone else who was injured, it just reminded him of the fateful day in the Hanging Edge.

Shit... NORA was supposed to be about protecting people, and here I am ignoring people who may have a chance because...

"Because of Serah." Lightning, and she didn't sound happy he was lagging. Clearly, he'd been speaking his thoughts out loud again and she'd heard. He let out an inward sigh... She just doesn't miss anything, does she? Catching up to her, Snow caught the look on her face - the same grim determination he'd always seen on her during...

Reaching the hill that led to their house, he heard her let out a huff of fatigue, pausing to look up at the moon. It looked so peaceful here - so different from the city centre that Snow hardly believed it was the same town they were looking at. Crumbling dirt that landed on the shoulders of his coat reminded him that it was not the time to be distracted, and he scrambled up the small hillside after her.

"No!" Her loud cry from up ahead chilled him to the bone. He heard her break into a run, and he increased his stride until his fingers gripped the tough grasses that grew at the cliff's edge. Hauling himself up none too gracefully, Snow peeked his head over the rocks that blocked his view. There was a strange yellow glow in the window that he was sure was unnatural, and he saw Lightning kick the door open, weapon already drawn.

They couldn't have... That can't be them... How could they have gotten here so fast? Lightning mentioned they were after Serah... NO!

Desperation.

That was the only thing that drove her onwards as she'd raced through the streets of New Bodhum. She needed to get to Serah and Hope, she needed to protect them. And it didn't matter - didn't matter if she was going to get hurt, didn't matter if... They just need to be okay. I promised...

The door opened without resistance, and for a moment, Lightning thought that she had overreacted. And then she saw it.

Serah... and the man she'd just fought. Hope was nowhere to be seen. The growl escaped her lips before she could control it - she knew aggressiveness was only going to make him angry, and he was far closer to Serah than she was - she wouldn't have a chance to reach her first.

"Leave my sister alone."

The cruel laugh ripped through the air and she felt Snow stop behind her.

"And why would I do that, Lightning? You refused to cooperate so I need another little puppet. And your sister also conveniently happened to be a l'Cie, so... Hm?" The smile was so infuriating, Lightning wanted to rush forward and slap it off his face. She took a breath - losing it wasn't going to help. Her fingers tightened around her omega weapon, but that wasn't going to help. He'd reach Serah before she'd even have time to cast a spell.

She felt Snow trembling in what she assumed was anger behind her, and she quickly pressed her boot down on his foot. Don't lose it, don't lose it, please don't lose it...

"Claire... Snow..." Serah. Lightning hated herself for how scared she sounded, for the evident pain she heard in her sister's voice. Serah was holding her arms to her side, like she was cold, but Lightning knew it wasn't that. Goddamn... and I promised myself I'd never put you in a situation like this again. I promised Mom I'd look after you...

"What... do you want?" she hissed quietly. "Are you going to just stand there taunting me, or what...?"

"Oh, no, my dear Lightning. I want your sister to watch you be unable to help her. I want you and that husband of hers to squirm like we did when you stormed Oerba Ruins."

What...? So he's doing all of this... out of that sort of revenge?

He raised his hand to aim a Fira at her, and Lightning rolled forwards, pushing against the ground with her left hand as she felt the fireball graze over her head. She trusted that Snow had the sense to dodge such an obvious spell, and the moment her left hand was free she cast an Aero. Not at him, but hopefully the spell would be enough to drive him to more of a distance from Serah.

She skidded over the floor the moment he moved to dodge the spell, and to her eternal relief, she could put herself in front of Serah, blocking her with her free arm. But the man was still smiling at her, the cat eyes mocking her. The teleport circle appeared the heartbeat after she realized her mistake.

Grabbing Serah's arm, she tried to drag away her sister before the man teleported, but she wasn't fast enough. A Firaga caught her arm and she let go of Serah with a hoarse cry of pain. But the man hadn't anticipated Snow, who barreled towards him, fists curled. Landing on the ground, Lightning felt the big man's thumps as he charged towards the man. A shriek from Serah told her that she'd been let go of; pushing herself off the ground, Lightning ignored the pain in her arm for the moment being, and pulled her sister to her again, this time keeping her grip on her arm. The flash of yellow told her the man had disappeared once again.

Tensing her muscles, Lightning waited for him to reappear - but he didn't. She let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding until the entire house had been silent for a few minutes.

"Sis... I think he's gone." Snow's voice was apprehensive. He moved towards her, but she didn't feel like letting go of Serah.

"Serah... where's Hope?" She watched her little sister shake her head, blue eyes still scared.

"He went outside to deal with some monsters that appeared... and then the man came in and asked for you... When he saw you weren't here... Claire, I..." Lightning felt the arms of her sister wrap around her neck, grazing the burn on her arm. Right... I need to deal with that sooner or later. The patio door closed as Snow stomped outside.

She gently laid a hand on Serah's cheek.

"Serah... I would never forget about you... okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Please tell me you're alright, please tell me...

"I'm fine... Claire, you should be worrying about Hope, not me..." She felt Serah let go of her. And it was that moment that Snow led the way back in, a tired and battered looking Hope trailing after him.

Oh Maker, please, no...

She saw Hope glance at her, his green eyes wary. "Light... I'm okay. But your arm-" She saw his green eyes trail down the burn on her left arm. Why are they all so concerned about me? I haven't been attacked, I haven't...

The cure spell she murmured wiped away the pain, and left the skin there a soft baby skin pink. Not the best result, but better than nothing. She saw Serah's eyes widen.

"What?" she muttered, moving to sit on the armrest of the couch, flicking her somewhat singed cape behind her.

"Nothing... Claire, it's just... I haven't gotten used to you using magic yet."

Lightning snorted. "Well, it's not something special... Everyone here could use it at some point." She felt the couch sink several inches as Snow lowered himself onto it, stretching and yawning.

"Well, we're in deep trouble now... Sis, you wanna tell us what you heard before you ran like some madwoman home?"

She glared at him, feeling the familiar pricklings of irritation at Snow's attitude. She didn't feel like Serah and Hope needed to know... but she could no longer deny that this was something to ignore. Even if... I don't want to 'save the world' again, I can't deny that these people are after me. And if they were only after me, maybe I could handle that. But they're after every one of us... and they don't care who they use. That note... that very first note that began all of this - that possibility still exists. Just because my l'Cie powers are 'needed' doesn't mean they can't put us all back into crystal stasis. I... We still have to find the fal'Cie that was responsible for all this...

Except can I really ask Serah to come along? She's never -

"Light? Are you okay?" She realized she'd been lost in her thoughts again, and Hope and Serah were looking at her worriedly. Lightning rubbed her temples, groaning inwardly at just how much she'd have to tell them, and wondering just how much Serah would be able to take.

I really hope... we'll be okay.

Serah curled next to Snow on their bed - he was already asleep, but she couldn't wrap her head around... Any of this. I can't... Snow had taken it easily, even laughing that they were "off to save the world" again, and Hope, well, she knew Hope would follow Claire anywhere. Am I the only one that feels... overwhelmed by all of this? I don't know if I'm ready... and what if I'm just a burden on everybody?

She lay tossing and turning for what felt like hours, trying not to disturb Snow, but not knowing what else she could do. The moonlight that played in the corner of the room not covered by the curtains didn't seem to change, and her eyes didn't feel heavy.

This is pointless... trying to sleep. Slowly easing the covers off of her, she opened the door and peered out into the dark hallway. Without being aware of it, Serah realized she was opening the door to her sister's room.

"Serah? What are you still doing up?" Lightning was still at her desk in the darkness. Serah could see the omega weapon out on the table, but her sister wasn't using or polishing it - her knuckles were white, and Serah realized just how tightly Lightning was holding onto her weapon.

She let herself smile a little. "Well, you're still up too, Claire..."

Her sister scowled at her, but then sighed, her expression relaxing. She crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned back, evidently waiting for Serah to say something.

"Claire... I'm scared," she began, unsure of how to even begin to express the tumultuous feelings inside her. "I-I don't know if I can do this..."

Lightning's turquoise eyes were fixated on something past her shoulder, and it was easy for her to catch the fleeting guilt in them.

"No, Claire! Don't even go there... it hasn't got anything to do with you. I just... What if I just slow everyone down?"

"You won't." Her sister's voice was harsh and Serah knew that in this moment, Lightning was Lightning and not the Claire she needed. "Serah... like you said, we all care about you too. I'm not leaving you behind this time. And this time... no one will hurt you. Got it?"

"Claire... but..." Her voice sounded weak next to the grim, determined harshness in her sister's voice. She's so bent on protecting me... but when does she ever think of herself? Hope told me... she was ready to take on the whole world to save me last time... And I can't let her do that this time. This time, I'll actually do something to help.

Claire, I don't care if you've got your own personal agenda for this... because that's my promise.

The early morning light peeked through the clouds as Lightning looked up. Remembering the conversation with Sazh the night before, she really wondered if Serah was up to this...

"You sure about all this, soldier girl? Not playing some trick on me, right?" She'd let out an irritated sigh.

"Sazh, when I want to play the court jester, I'll let you know, okay?" She heard him laugh, and then his tone grew more serious.

"Listen, Lightning. I know what you're saying, and I know the risks of not going to take them out. But I can't bring Dajh, and I sure can't as hell leave him behind. And I'll deal with those consequences, mark my words. You kids worry bout yourselves, aight? I'll be sure you let you know somehow if I find something else out."

She paused, her hand tightening on her cell phone. "You sure?"

He laughed again. "You just worry bout that little sister of yours and Hope, and leave my worrying to me." He'd hung up then, but her hand didn't relax on the phone.

"Claire?" Serah, and she'd interrupted her thoughts again.

"What, Serah?" She hoped her voice didn't sound too irritated - Serah always looked guilty when something she said made her angry.

"Time to go, Sis?" Today we find those creeps and take them out for good." Snow. She huffed angrily, and pointedly stalked away in front of him, setting off from the back of their house. It wasn't the most direct way to Oerba Ruins, the place where they decided to start looking, but it would avoid most of the populace living in New Bodhum, and the sheer cliff face that led up.

Lightning heard Snow laugh as he linked his hand with Serah's. Really? She felt Hope tag alongside her, settling into the usual positions they'd travelled in.

"Hey, Light?" For some reason, Hope never irritated her in the same way Snow did. She knew both Serah and Snow attributed it to what they called her 'soft spot' for him, but she didn't think so.

Maybe it's because, with you, I want to avoid all the mistakes I made with Serah.

She looked behind her at the brightening edge of the horizon and the pink tinge that was beginning to colour Cocoon's crystal.

Fang... Vanille... Please tell me I'm doing the right thing.

So yes, our journey begins, wheee~
I'm beginning to think this is starting to resemble an RPG game (think about it... haha!) but OH WELL. I promise more action and awesomeness ahead.

This chapter was a little dull for me to write, admittedly, but it had to be done. (Again this chapter is on the short side of just over 3.3K words) For some reason I think Light's reason for going out to save the world is a little... eh, but hopefully it makes sense... After all, Serah means practically her entire life to her. n_n

Anyways, a little info on pretty much ALL further chapters:

I found it pretty much impossible for everyone to explore all of Gran Pulse in the span of the game. I mean, think about it - they were on Gran Pulse for what... a week? Two? And if you think of Gran Pulse as our "world", Cocoon's really just a small little thing hanging above it. So I will and have taken the liberty to include many, many NPC's (gosh this is really becoming an RPG game) and new places in Pulse. Anyways... yeah, so be prepared. n_n

This fic is just as its beginning yet, though, lots of erm, action and tear wrenching chapters ahead (well, at least I hope so - I want to keep the emotional content of this fic going) so we have a long way to go. And I'll spoil just one thing - obviously Light is not gonna be the only l'Cie, so... well, expect some more in action later.*rubs hands together*

(Man, that A/N was long...)

Leave love as always in reviews, and I'll see you guys tomorrow!

Hearts!