So hi guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR! :3
First and foremost, I would like to thank all my readers: NR hit 5K hits yesterday afternoon, and you guys really know how to make a girl smile. 8D And thanks to all my reviewers: GCFarron, OscarMerrinoz96, ziel101, and Mylaervain! You guys are awesome (but you knew that already).
As for Serah's roles, most of you guys were close - nailing my intentions of having her as not really an attacker on the nose. No one got the exact combo of the three roles right, but the shoutout goes to GCFarron for getting 2/3! *clap* Anyways, they'll be revealed in the chapter, so... yeah. xD
Also featured in this chapter are two appearances I've personally been waiting for for a very long time - it was long overdue, and I hope you guys think I got it right! Enjoy as always, my lovelies!
Chapter 21: Resplendent
The flash of a bird's wing caught Lightning's eye in the bright sunlight. Glancing up towards the pristine blue sky, she shielded her hand from the bright sunlight. They had been lucky to get out of the cavern after defeating the enemies after them the previous night, and Hope had found a small dip in the mountain range that bordered the ravine they had walked in. She could see Snow and Serah giggling over something a dozen or so feet below her - Snow was trying to teach her sister how to cast spells and Hope had joined in.
She didn't feel like joining in, though. Wrapping slender arms over her knees, Lightning stared off at the horizon as her thoughts wandered back to the moment she'd seen the white l'Cie brand on Hope's wrist, and the utter terror of the several heartbeats as she tried to take it in.
Maker... What I wouldn't do to undo everything that has been done.
Lightning found herself clenching the fingers of her left hand hard onto her other hand, sharp nails digging into the glove. She tried to take a few breaths to calm her shaky, erratic breathing, but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to run - or hide, for that matter, she couldn't deny that she had had a direct hand in their becoming a l'Cie again. And whether or not it was inevitable... I won't ever know; but it really doesn't matter, because...
"Because it's still my fault." Her own whispered response to her statement sounded as pathetic as she felt. Her nails dug into her scalp as she gripped her head; the pain was a welcome intrusion to the dull wasteland she felt inside. It doesn't matter what they say... whatever happens from now on is my fault, and everything to do with this... is my responsibility. A hoarse, choked sound ripped its way from her back, and she moved her other hand over her mouth - Serah and Hope didn't need to see or hear her like this.
Slim fingers found the one thing she thought would make her feel better - her omega weapon. She gripped its cool steel handle, fingers digging hard into its smoother surface. Clinging to it felt like her only hook to reality, the only thing reminding her where she was. Lightning tried to remember her soldier training.
"Don't let emotions take control. Let go of the pain: pain only distracts you if you let it..."
Fuck, I can't do this!
A frustrated cry escaped her lips, and try as she might, she couldn't contain it. Her hand moved to the ground, gripping the solid earth, trying to find solace in the rough grains of sand grinding beneath her smooth skin. And Lightning realized she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried, she knew she would never be able to detach that one moment from herself.
"You might as well accept it, you know." Snow. How the hell he had managed to sneak up on her, she didn't know. But it was obvious he knew what she was going though at the moment - she tried to fix him with a glare, but the moment her eyes traveled over the white mark on his arm, Lightning felt her resolve melt away like fog on a sunny day.
"No one asked you to come up here and bother me," she snapped back, trying to keep her voice steady.
"No one did," he conceded smugly, eying her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But you looked like you needed a little cheering up, and I assumed that you wouldn't want Serah or Hope to know, eh?" She let out an irritated sigh, rolling her eyes at the big man just behind her.
"So, Sis, you wanna talk?" Lightning turned her head away from him, bringing her chin to her knees. She heard him sigh behind her. "Fine. Since you don't want to talk, I'll talk." She knew she should probably chase him away before he said something that cracked her delicate mental state at the moment, but she found that she was reluctant to. Maybe it's because... I want to hear it...
"Look, Lightning. Everyone knows how you feel, and we all know we can't stop you from feeling that way. And heck, we don't want you to. It feels great to be cared about by someone, hm? But there's a limit to that, and I know you know it. You can't watch over Serah and Hope forever, they'll grow up one day and they'll make their own choices, protect themselves."
"Yeah? Like how Serah went behind my back to marry you?" she muttered darkly under her breath. She heard him laugh.
"Exactly, Sis. So don't go around with that martyr attitude you've worn for the past coupla days, aight? Serah told me you got shot yesterday protecting her. Heck, Sis, you know what you put her through when you get hurt? Lemme tell you, since you don't seem to know: it hurts her too. And that goes for the kid as well."
"Snow... shut up." But there wasn't any force behind her words and he knew it. He was laughing again, and Lightning wanted to cover her ears with her hands. Maker, he sounds exactly like the smug, uneducated moron he is.
"Sis, I think I speak for all of us when I say we don't want you blaming yourself, kay? We want to see you smile... Why don't you start practicing now?" But Snow didn't get to finish, because Lightning had moved her fist to his throat.
"I get it, okay? So go away and make yourself useful before I punch you." He only laughed again as he moved her fist to the side, before dropping her hand completely and dancing like an idiot out of her reach. She watched him jump down the few rock ledges to join Serah, who had bounded over happily to hug him. As much as she didn't want to admit it, Snow had made an impact on her. She let out a snort before picking her way over to the ledge he'd used to get down.
Being cheered up by that idiot. I must be getting soft.
Serah danced over to her older sister, twining her own fingers with Lightning's gloved ones. "Claire!" She felt her sister gently give her an embrace - there were faint dark circles under her turquoise eyes, but she looked happier. Serah felt her heart lift a little.
"Hey." Lightning's voice was a little flat, like she was struggling to keep her emotions in check, but Serah didn't pry - Claire would tell her when she was ready, and she knew only too well that asking before she was ready would result in an outburst.
"Light, wanna help?" Hope's excited voice peeped up behind them. "I'm fairly sure Serah can fight as a Ravager - she's really gotten the hang of some of the elemental spells, and I think she might have cast a Bravery and a Faith earlier, but I don't know about the rest..." She watched Lightning raise an eyebrow at him, before giving a barely audible sigh.
"Alright... What do you want me to do?" Serah giggled at the mock pained expression on her face.
"Stand there and pretend to attack me, of course." She heard her sister snort.
"Right. Because pretending to attack is so going to put the pressure on to do better." She shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy." Walking several yards away, Lightning pulled the omega weapon from its holster, and stood there with it in her hand.
"Sis, at least make yourself look threatening." Serah watched Lightning throw a glare at Snow. "Honestly, you look like we forced you to do this." At Snow's words, Serah saw her mutter something under her breath, and she giggled, knowing exactly what she was thinking. Oh Claire, you're so predictable sometimes. But then she gave a resigned sigh, and raised her weapon to attack position.
Serah focussed her eyes on her sister, trying again to summon the power in her brand. It wasn't easy for her yet, and she tried to remember Hope's words.
Let the magic envelope you. Direct it. You can only control it if you are in control of yourself.
"Attack her," she heard Hope whisper to Lightning. Lightning pointed the tip of the blade at her, and began moving forward slowly. Serah squeezed her eyes tight, and tried again to summon from the well of magic she could touch inside her.
The burst of flame left her fingertips, but her aim was off - her sister dodged it easily without moving more than a foot or so. But Lightning was fast, and for the first time, Serah truly appreciated how deadly her sister looked in battle. There was a threatening glare in her icy blue eyes that wasn't there when she wasn't fighting, even when she was angry. Claire... actually looks scary.
But she tried to focus on the battle - she knew her sister was fast and there had to be some way to slow her down. And maybe make myself faster so I can keep up? Putting her attention on the lithe movements of Lightning, who was now barely ten feet away from her, Serah tried to summon the Water spell she'd done earlier.
What left her hand though, wasn't a ball of water. She heard her sister hiss in surprise, and an appreciative hoot from Snow. Her sister had sank to her knee, surprise clear in her eyes.
Hope's intrigued voice came from behind her. "I didn't know you could cast Slow." She giggled as he sent a spell at Lightning, who stood up, brushing off the dust on her skin.
"I didn't know either... Was that really a spell?"
"Uh huh. I don't think any of us can help you with mastering those spells though." A distant look entered Hope's eyes. "Fang and Vanille were the only ones who could use the Saboteur role, and well, they're gone..." His voice trailed off, and she watched the same look enter her sister's eyes.
"Well, that doesn't matter now." Snow's firm voice came from behind her and she relaxed against his warm arm across her shoulder. "All of us will help you, baby, and I know Sis for one is willing to help you practice. Hope can give you instructions on your Synergist spells, and we can all help you with casting offensive magic."
She snuggled against him again, ignoring Lightning's frosty look in their direction.
"I know it. Thank you, Snow."
Thank you... everyone.
She was at the bottom of Cocoon's curve, the faint moonlight reflecting off the sparkling crystal. Crickets chirped in the Gran Pulse spring, and she tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear. For some reason, she felt like she was missing something, something important, and yet her entire being felt lighter than the dandelion fluff that grew in the hills.
Lightning hadn't felt this relaxed since she could remember, like an everbearing weight had been removed from her shoulders. Bending down, she cupped her slim fingers to a white flower that was spotted with dewdrops, taking a moment to admire its beauty. For some reason, looking at it made her feel like she was being embraced.
"That's a nice one, hun." Shock froze her to the spot for a few moments, fingers brushing the delicate white petals. She didn't dare turn around, not sure that if she did, the entire setting would vanish before her.
"You know, looking at people talking to you is generally considered the polite thing to do. Don't kneel there like an idiot, Light. You're a grown woman."
She reached behind her for her weapon, gripping it tightly in one hand, before slowly pulling herself to her feet and pivoting on the spot. She'd recognize the dark grey hair and orange pigtails anywhere.
"Why are you - Why am I here?" she stammered, resisting the urge to rub her eyes. Maybe the lack of decent sleep was getting to her.
"Ha! I don't know, Light, you tell me why you're here." Fang's voice was as haughty as ever as she looked at her with amusement filled eyes, while Vanille giggled, settling herself on a rock. Lightning tried to fix the Oerban with a glare, but she couldn't do it.
As if the woman had sensed her hesitation, Fang strode forward a few steps. "You looked a little indecisive, so unlike your usual self, so we decided to drop by for a little visit." The Oerban clapped her hard on the back, and she winced - she'd forgotten how strong Fang was. "Things are boring when all you have to do in crystal stasis is dream away, so... hm?"
"I still don't know why you're here." She crossed her arms over her chest, looking angrily at the knowing looks Fang and Vanille were exchanging. They were looking at her like she was a child who couldn't see why she had gotten in trouble. Tapping her foot impatiently, she just waited for an explanation.
"Alright, alright... Honestly, Light, you're so demanding it's no wonder Snow ticks you off like he does." Fang moved up to her and poked her in the chest. "You want me to cut the crap? Well, here it is, short and sweet: Light, you're biting off more than you can chew."
For some reason, the words rubbed her the wrong way – it hurt her in a way that hardly anyone, let alone Fang, could.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she snapped back. The woman just raised her eyebrows expectantly though, looking at her disbelievingly under hooded eyes. Soft footsteps crunching grass brought Vanille to her side, as the girl rested her hands on Lightning's shoulders.
"You are. Your sister and friends care about you. Don't push yourself over the edge trying to make things right that weren't your fault in the first place." A brief hug before Vanille let go, looking at her with honest, expressing eyes.
"That's right. And remember, we'll be watching." Fang smirked over her shoulder as they walked away.
"Wait-!" Lightning reached out a hand; there was so much she wanted to ask, but the two Oerbans were gone, leaving behind the chirping of the crickets and the soft whistle of the breeze in the long grass.
Lightning shook her head as she held a hand up to it, gripping the pink hair at her temples. I had a dream... right? And Fang and Vanille were there... They told me to stop worrying about everyone. She let out a snort of disbelief. Yeah, right. The sky was still dark, but a pink tinge was beginning to appear over the top of the mountain range, and dawn couldn't be far away. It was light enough to see the large figure slumped by a tree, snoring. It was holding Serah to it, one hand in her pale pink hair.
Feeling rage eat away her other misgivings, Lightning stalked her way to the big form, curling her fingers into a fist. Snow just really didn't-
Smack. Her fist landed right in his jaw, and she drew the fingers back, cracking the knuckles with the other hand, preparing to throw another punch. Snow jerked awake, rubbing his jaw before a scared look entered his eyes. He seemed to deflate before her furious expression, shrinking back against the bark.
"You... fucking retard!" Words failed her as Lightning tried to control her anger, but the more she tried to rein in the words that she wanted to screech into the silent morning air, the more her rage choked her. "What the fuck do you think you were doing, sleeping on watch?" Unlatching her omega weapon, she jabbed his chest with it, poking the engagement necklace that dangled from his neck. "We all could have been killed! What kind of idiotic moron does this?"
Not bothering to wait for a reply, Lightning brought her other hand into a fist and held it inches from his face. "Well?"
Snow gently put his larger hand over her gloved one, and inched her fist aside. "Sis, I-I'm sorry! I swear..." She wasn't moved by his eager to please face. Lowering her weapon - Serah was looking at her with scared eyes - she let out an irritated groan at the sight of his expression. She had no intention of scaring Serah though, and if she actually hurt Snow, Lightning knew Serah probably wouldn't forgive her. Fixing her furious blue eyes on him again, she watched him squirm uncomfortably under her gaze.
"You," she snarled, putting as much venom in her voice as possible. "You will never sleep on watch again. Or I will personally throw you off a cliff, understood?" She crossed her arms before turning around - it was a rhetorical question and she didn't need it answered. If he was stupid enough to answer it, well... That just proves my point.
Lightning stalked away from her sister and Snow; a brief smile touching her lips when she saw him rubbing his jaw, and Serah patting his shoulder. She'd woken Hope up with her tirade, but she really didn't care at the moment - Snow could have gotten them all killed. Flipping her omega weapon to gun mode, she strode into the patch of forest just at the edge of the current mountain range they were on. She wasn't as quiet as she usually was, her thoughts still on Snow, and she had to take several calming breaths before fully turning her attention to the forest.
A leaf scrunched under her boot, and she cursed quietly - if she wanted some edible wildlife to shoot she would have to be quieter than that. Pressing each foot on the ground carefully, Lightning scanned the trees above her head, carefully picking a spot to wait. Slow minutes ticked by, and she began to feel beads of sweat form on her back - but she held still, making sure her breathing was miniscule. Finally, the flash of a pink wing flicked by in her peripheral vision, and she buried a bullet in its eye. She was rewarded with a flutter of pink feathers as the bird plummeted down from the branches. A warning shriek caused a storm of flapping and a cascade of feathers above her head, but it didn't matter - the bird whose talons she was now clutching was more than enough for breakfast.
Picking her way slowly through the scrubby woods, her thoughts now free to wander back to Snow, she didn't notice the dip in the ground to her left, and her ankle twisted in the dead leaves.
"Shit!" The sudden flash of pain caused her to trip, and she clutched the dead bird to her tightly as she slid ungracefully down a small incline. Muttering a cure spell, she watched the magic wipe away the small wounds her unfortunate misstep had led to. But she was now stuck on a large ridge like jut from the mountainside, and there was no way she could climb up easily clutching her dead bird. Fuck... I blame Snow, she thought furiously.
Lightning looked up - the top of the ridge was well above her head, and her voice wouldn't travel easily - she doubted they could hear her even if she shouted. And there was no way she was leaving the bird behind, not when she'd scared off every other living bit of prey in a two mile radius.
Fixing her furious gaze to her other side, something caught her eye on the horizon. The mountain range didn't go on forever in this area of Gran Pulse like she'd originally thought. Beneath the current ridge she was standing on, the ground flattened gradually to rolling hills, and finally, a meadow. Not that it looked peaceful, even from here, her instinct told her that there was something off about the way the landscape settled. An inward shudder passed through her - no, she definitely didn't like the sight of the meadow. Just looking at it makes me think about the lack of monsters in this area.
But that wasn't what caught her eye. Just past the greenery, she could see brown splotches she was quite sure was a village. And just beyond that, a looming tower that was coloured black even from her vantage point. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the tower.
If that's where I think it is, we've found our next destination.
Haha, I should really break my habit of cliffhangers, shouldn't I?
Nothing much to say this time - we started off with a deeper Light & Snow moment that lightened as we went through the chapter, which I really enjoyed writing, by the way. This has to be one of my favourites, I must say.
So yes, Serah's powers have been revealed! To rectify, her roles are: Ravager, Saboteur, and Synergist. I don't really see Serah as an attacking character, but she shouldn't be defenceless! xD So now this means our heroes can now use every single role in combat! *wiggles fingers*
Anyways, leave love as usual in the reviews, and I will see you all tomorrow!
Hearts!