So hi guys, and thanks for tuning into the next chapter of NR! :3

I actually finished earlier than usual - I even had the first half of this chapter Beta'd by a RL friend this morning - we were supposed to be studying and all but well, I guess you could say we got sidetracked. Ha. *easily amused* So an extra treat for you all, yay!

And as usual, lots of love to my reviewers: Crystal, GCFarron (yay for all the Ifrit love, you two!), OscarMerrinoz96, Mylaervain, and Zapper90! You guys are awesome, and thanks again for all your continued support! (:

I also stole a name off of an XIII-2 weapon - Seraph Wing gets some attention in this chapter.

One thing before we start on the chapter I wanted to share: I was looking around on the Internet and found a piece of news that I utterly and totally squealed over for about ten minutes. Literally. The Showcase Prada 2012 Spring/Summer Collection (which, for those not into fashion, is a rather famous Italian luxury clothing line) picked the XIII-2 characters as models. Yup, you heard right. Lightning's model is here: /finalfantasy/images/b/b0/Prada_Lightning[dot]jpg (insert images[dot]wikia[dot]com into the front), and there's also Noel, Hope and Sazh for those who wanna see. 8D

Okay, I think I sound like a rabid fangirl right now so I'll stop. Enjoy as always! (:

Chapter 32: Seraphim

Hope pushed aside dripping fronds of silky white flowers as they grazed his head; irritatedly brushing off the cold drops as they slid down silver locks. He gulped air into his lungs, still somewhat relieved at the fact that he could breathe freely again. No more water crowding his lungs and vision, no more dreading the moment the water dragged him down into its depths.

They'd since moved on from the Aquarium, but the steps downwards were still wet, and the hundreds upon hundreds of flowers in the next chamber - the Sanctuary of Blossoms were dusted with millions of shining wet globules. He focused his gaze on Lightning's back - she was about a dozen paces ahead of him, very evidently ignoring Serah and Snow's playful banter. She hadn't said a word since they'd found a way out of the Aquarium, and he narrowed his eyes. Odd. Usually she would have told Serah and Snow to shut the hell up long before they got this loud.

Casting a sly glance back at the happy couple - Snow was playing with the ends of Serah's still wet hair as they walked, flicking droplets of water everywhere, and she was trying, unsuccessfully, to stop him; giggling madly, Hope decided that they wouldn't notice if he caught up to Lightning. Increasing his pace, he stopped when he matched the soldier's pace step by step.

"Light?" The name stuck in his throat somewhat, and she shot him an odd look, both surprised and suspicious. But she didn't speak right away; her expression suddenly flooding with an uncharacteristic doubt and pain he had no idea how to even begin to place. She coughed lightly.

"What, Hope?" The remark wasn't as cutting as usual, and he saw her try and avoid his gaze.

The slight shift in her tone made him look curiously back at her, feeling concern rise in his chest. Something was definitely up, and it was exactly like her not to tell him, or anyone, for that matter, what it was. And I'm a Chocobo if I don't find out what it is.

Suppressing the tone of concern in his voice, Hope tried to look at her square in the eye - it wasn't easy; keeping up with her fast pace was a challenge on a normal day when he wasn't thinking about how to say something and not get slapped. "Is something wrong?"

Goddammit. The concern was evident even if he was trying to hide it, and he saw the familiar flare of irritation light her turquoise eyes.

"No." Turning her head away from him, the remark was even more curt than usual. Definitely something wrong. She doesn't take this tone unless she's angry at Snow for pissing her off. It was a little too sharp to be genuine - she'd replied too fast, denied it too quickly.

"You can't fool me, Light. I know something's up." Dimly, Hope was aware that the giggling behind him had stopped, and it bothered him a little that he was the only one talking in an other huge room with only the flowers dripping water in the background for accompaniment. However... That doesn't mean I'm giving in. The resolve made him feel stronger, more empowered as she glared at him.

"Yeah?" She was fighting to keep her temper. "Well, clearly, you don't." Her blatant denial somehow got on his nerves in a way she rarely could - he was used to her blunt, no nonsense tone, but this cut deeper. Like she was denying the fact that anyone knew her at all.

"Claire..." Serah's voice was suddenly beside him as their shoulders met. Hope found he was glad of the support. "What's wrong?" Her voice was gently, pleading, like she was appeasing a small child. Hope winced - Lightning wouldn't miss that tone in her sister's voice and he was quite sure Serah was going to get hell for treating her like a kid.

He wasn't disappointed.

"Why is it that every time something happens all of you run to me and ask me if something's wrong?" While there was force in her words, Hope was surprised to find that it was obvious she was fighting to keep it steady. Alarmed, he glanced quickly at her, suddenly feeling scared of her reaction. There was no missing the pronounced doubt and pain in her eyes. Light...

"Because we care. Claire, I told you before, you have to open up more. I know you've been trying, I know that you've made an effort since, and isn't it much better than keeping your emotions bottled up inside? I know you hate doing stuff alone, so let people in!"

"Shut... up!" Serah's words had coaxed a reaction out of her that Hope had never thought was possible. He had never heard her actually lash out with genuine coldness at Serah, had never seen her blue eyes blazing with anger and frustration. Not even when... Not even that first night we got her back. This felt different... not the way she'd tried to push them away that night, but this time, a genuine attempt to distance herself from them. Like being associated with her is going to hurt us.

Serah let out a scared whimper, and she backed into Snow, who held her readily, an unreadable expression in his steel blue eyes. He looked like he was thinking, something unusual for the blond brute that charged right into things before thinking about the consequences. Letting go of Serah, but keeping one hand on her delicate shoulder.

"Light. Instead of projecting your pain and self doubt onto Serah and Hope, why don't you let it out? You don't need to burden yourself with it. We're in this together, you said it yourself. We split the responsibility in everything we do, so stop blaming yourself, stop hating yourself, and spit it out." Snow's voice was calm, and Hope realized he had seen through her anger to what it actually was. Huh. Maybe he's so used to being yelled at by her that he can tell when it's genuine or not.

Hope turned his attention back to her, suddenly afraid of how she would react, afraid of her explosive anger he was quite sure would be aimed at Snow in a few heartbeats' time. Instead, he saw her ice blue eyes widen in shock as she leaned against a pillar, closing her eyes before taking several shuddering breaths.

"Hope. Serah. I..." She paused, her eyes still closed. Hope saw her fingers tighten under her gloves. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped; I shouldn't have..."

Hope found himself moving forward towards her before he was aware that he was. And when his hand found hers, he realized she was trembling. Soft footsteps sounded behind him as Serah moved to her sister. Hope let go of her as Serah gently took Lightning's wrists in her hands.

"It's okay..."

Hope heard Snow cross his arms behind him. "So, Sis? What's up?" Trust Snow to be as blunt and insensitive as usual.

A rustle of cloth as Lightning gently pushed Serah off her, blue eyes impassive. She opened her mouth to speak before taking another breath, resting her forehead against the stone. Hope heard her breathe out slowly. What...

"Look. I... I know I shouldn't have snapped. But... I still can't tell you. Not until I've figured it out for myself. Okay?" Her tone sounded like she was begging them to understand.

"Okay," Serah whispered quietly. Hope shot her a look - he wouldn't have agreed so easily, but... Maybe it's better this way. "But when you figure it out, you have to tell us. Promise?"

Hope saw the ghost of a faint smile stretch Lightning's drawn lips. "I promise."

Footsteps echoing in the empty hallway, Lightning felt her fingers brush the cold stone of the walls. Hating herself for her earlier outburst, she didn't want to look at Serah or Hope, couldn't bring herself to look at their expressions. How can I tell them? How can I let them have that hanging over their heads for Maker knows how long?

Even Snow. There was no love lost between them, but she couldn't deny that he meant at least half the world to Serah whereas to her.. Well, I can count on him in a fight. And the blond oaf had seen right through her facade of anger, right to where the words had hurt most. Controlling her breathing, Lightning tried to internalize the emotions, like the way she'd been taught as a soldier.

Put away the feelings you don't need. Only concern yourself with the task at hand. Pain only takes over if you let it. Distance yourself from the pain and concentrate on what you need to do.

Somehow, she didn't think the 'pain' mentioned in the commanding officer's lecture applied to mental torture inflicted on her by the last words of a Farseer Pulse l'Cie. And she could as easily distance herself from it as cut off one of her legs. Gripping the handle of the omega weapon, she angrily shoved away all thoughts, trying to keep her mind empty and blank, trying to keep her eyes only in front of her.

I can't do this!

Her own hopeless realization nearly made her choke. Because there was no way she could keep it at bay now, not when she knew. A voice wormed its way into her head: desperate thoughts for desperate people. And she was desperate - maybe she'd believe anything to make herself feel better, as crude a solution to her problems as it was.

And aren't I desperate?

But how did she know... she couldn't fight this? Maybe Snow was rubbing off on her, with all his stubborn optimism, but grasping at straws was better than wallowing in her own self despair. They'd defied a Focus before... and a Focus was supposed to be unchangeable, indelible fate. So if this was 'fate', maybe she could... Change it?

She would just have to keep a closer eye on them than she already had - there was no way she was going to let anything else happen to them. I promised them all, at one time or another. And now I know I can't fail.

She toyed with the trigger of the omega weapon in her right hand, finding it smooth and undamaged - not that she'd ever let it become damaged. Somehow, the touch of the cool metal under her fingertips made her feel better - maybe her obsession with her weapon was the sign of some deep mental instability but she didn't care.

I will not let you down. Any of you.

Snow carefully eased open the heavy door at the end of the hallway made of black marble. Man, how big is this frickin' place? A sudden gust of wind suddenly forced him to slam the door shut as it blew back against him, blowing his coat out.

"Snow, what the hell are you doing?" Lightning's voice didn't sound as snappish as he expected it to be. She must still be thinking about... that.

Coming over, she wrenched open the wooden door, shielding her face with her forearm from the wind. Pushing her back against the heavy wooden slab, she managed to force it open wide enough to fit an average sized person. She shot him a glare that was more potent than her words had been. "What are you waiting for? Hurry it up!"

Pushing Hope and Serah in in front of him, Snow severely doubted that he would actually fit in the crack that she'd made in between the door and the doorframe without squashing her in the process. Pushing Lightning inside, he took her place with his back against the wood; blatantly ignoring her angry glare, before squeezing past the frame, the door slamming shut loudly. The sound reverberated through the empty room as Snow looked around.

For the first time he'd entered the cathedral, Snow felt claustrophobic. The open portrait hall and black marble hallway had felt just that - open. And the Aquarium and Blossom Sanctuary had felt like he'd been outside. But this - this room was narrow and composed of only one shade as far as he could see - midnight blue, and he couldn't figure out where the gust of wind was coming from. He watched as Hope made his way over to another stone tablet.

"The Path to Ascension. That's all it says," he reported. Snow scanned the room, looking for any sort of obvious landmark.

He scratched his head. "What 'path' is there? Anyone see anything?" He felt Serah slip her small hand in his.

"Nope," Lightning's reply was offhand; she was looking around as well. Something small tugged at his sleeve.

He looked down. "What is it, baby?" Serah was pointing at something far down to their right; squinting, Snow could make out something glittering. "Let's go check it out, huh?" Hand in hand with her, they made their way down the hallway, closely followed by Lightning and Hope. Approaching the 'something glittering', Snow couldn't hold back a gasp. It was a weapon. A bow, to be exact, and he exchanged a dubious look with Lightning - no one else here needed a weapon, except...

And Sis and I have an unspoken agreement not to let her fight... like that.

He felt the warmth of Serah's fingers leave his hand as she went up to the weapon. He heard a movement behind him - Lightning had raised a hand to stop her.

"Serah-"

Snow saw her look back at her sister, then at him. "It's okay... I don't think it's a trap." How would she know?

Not about to let her touch the thing along, Snow bounded down the remaining five feet or so they were from the weapon, catching up to her just as she entered arm's length from the weapon. There was another bronze plaque under the bow.

"Seraphic Wing. Only those who are blessed shall remove it from its eternal resting place and reveal the path to the Divine's zenith." Serah's voice was hushed as she read the words. Snow looked critically at the weapon - he really didn't see how the bow, which was really not that much bigger than half his armspan could supposedly 'reveal the path' but then again, a little brand could turn a human into a mindless killing monster, so he supposed anything was possible.

"Should we try it?" Hope's voice sounded as apprehensive as Snow felt, as Snow saw him cast a questioning glance at Lightning, who shrugged.

Snow cracked his knuckles. "Well, it can't hurt, can it?." Moving in front of Serah, he held his hand over the sparkling weapon. But the moment his fingers touched the bow, the dim silver glow vanished from the weapon. Huh. Figures. No one would call me 'blessed'. And I'll eat a Chocobo if Light can pick it up without it losing its sparkle.

"I don't think it likes you, Snow," Serah giggled behind him. He ruffled her hair, messing it up considerably in response. Serah just giggled harder, moving his hands off her damp pink hair. But the weapon had the exact same response to both Hope and Lightning, even though Lightning was able to hold it for a few heartbeats before the weapon apparently decided it 'didn't like her'. Snow hid a snigger - he'd been right. Unfortunately, she had seen, and the look in her eyes told him he'd hear about it later.

Serah looked scared, her fingers twisting nervously with his. He pulled her to him, despite the fact that their clothes were still damp. "I believe in you, baby," he murmured into her hair. Bravely disengaging herself from him, Serah stepped forwards and took the weapon from her sister's hands. And the moment she did, the weapon gleamed silver once again.

Pressing his lips to her hair as she looked up, a proud look in her eyes, Snow suppressed a smile. Somehow... I knew it would be her.

"So now that we have it... now what?" Serah was holding the weapon awkwardly in both hands. Snow was just about to tell her that he didn't know when a rumbling answered her question. He whipped around at the same time Lightning did, the door about fifty yards down where they'd entered had vanished, and a circle of white light had appeared over the stone tablet in the 'centre' of the hallway. Suddenly, the temperature of the room rose. Snow cursed himself when he muttered the thought aloud and Lightning shot him a 'Really?' look.

"The wind's stopped," she hissed at him, before letting out a snort. Snow scowled back at her, but she'd already turned and was walking away with Hope right beside her.

No one needed to speak as they walked back towards the circle of what appeared to be daylight. Snow looked up - it was definitely sunlight; he could see a patch of golden orange sunset smeared with crimson clouds. He let out an exhausted sigh. I've had plenty of 'long days' in the last year or two, but this one has to rank among the top five.

"Now what?" Serah sounded unsure.

Hope wandered over to the stone tablet, before making a surprised sound in his throat. "There's something else here now. Says 'Fire the arrow of truth at the realm that the Maker left to reach the forsaken apex'. I think the 'realm the Maker left' is the sky, but I'm not sure..."

He saw Lightning go over to scrutinize the tablet, but apparently not finding anything more than what Hope had found, she looked expectantly at Serah. "Worth a try," she said nonchalantly.

Snow cracked his knuckles again, feeling a grin spread on his face. "Well then, baby, fire away." Serah gave him an apprehensive look.

"I...don't know how to use this." Snow swung around to look at Lightning, who was walking over.

"You know how to use a bow, Sis?" She ignored him, tucking a pink strand of hair behind her ear. Inspecting the weapon in Serah's hands, Snow watched her think, her fingers drumming on the opposite arm.

"I know how to use one - in theory. Whether it actually shoots, well..." she finally mused. Guess being a soldier doesn't mean she knows how to use everything. Heh. Who would've known?

Snow watched her with Hope at his side, as she placed her hands over Serah's, trying to show her how to use it. Unfortunately, the bowstring sprung back to its original position as soon as Lightning stopped supporting Serah's posture and let go - Serah didn't have enough strength to keep the bowstring taunt. He saw her glance back with an expression that begged for help.

Moving to take Lightning's place, Snow placed his hands on hers, feeling her trembling digits beginning to shake the weapon. "Calm down, baby," he murmured to her. "You're not fighting a war here, take your time." She took a deep breath, and Snow felt her tense limbs relax slightly.

"Okay." Her response was stronger this time. Slowly, he let go as he helped her stretch the bowstring, fully removing his fingers when she had the position right. Serah let go instantly, unable to sustain the stretched length of the silver bowstring. But it was enough - Snow shielded his face when the arrow that left the bow collided with the open part of the roof and the sound of shattering glass was heard. But it wasn't glass that rained down upon their heads. It was feathers, and Snow saw the bow in Serah's hands vanish into a trail of silver dust before he closed his eyes against the white storm.

Opening his eyes, Snow caught the tail of one long, pristine feather in his open palm. There were more, as he plucked a few out of Serah's pink hair, using one to tickle her face. She giggled, but they quickly stopped at the site of Lightning's withering look in their direction. The dark blue room they had been in had vanished. Maybe the bow... teleported us?

"Where... are we?" Hope's voice sounded oddly dim in the room... In fact, Snow couldn't even tell if it was a room. There was only the shroud of feathers around them and a single staircase... up.

"Don't know. But I'm not standing around here - there's only one way to go and that's up." Not bothering to wait for a reply or a general consensus of agreement, Lightning started up the stairs.

Snow took a breath before starting up after her. She'd better not complain about me being slow this time.

Shaking the feathers out of her pink hair, Lightning raised a hand to shield her face from the deepening crimson sunset as she reached the top of the surprisingly short staircase, unable to hold back a gasp at the sight that was before her.

A chamber made fully of softly tinted glass, with the ceiling opening directly into the sky. The air was fresh here, and she could see that they were at the very top of the cathedral - the entirety of Tythell was spread beneath her. Moving to the centre of the room, every single time her boot hit the surface of the ground, she felt like she was intruding on some sleeping deity's rest. I feel like I'm an unwanted intruder. Her skin crawled at the thought - she'd had a little too much of mythology, fate, and all the rest of that mumbo jumbo for today to last a lifetime.

As a particularly strong gust of wind blew past her, making her now dry cape ripple past her right leg. The touch of cloth on her bare skin made her shiver a little. Walking forwards, she stopped underneath the open circle to the sunset red sky. There was a single glass plaque raised about three feet above her shoulders, filmy with dust. She felt Hope stop at her shoulder - glad for his presence beside her, Lightning found that she could stop trembling and actually focus on the darkened words on the translucent glass.

Silently, she read the words to herself.

Pulse, the creator of thine home, departed the mortal world from this apex. And we, we leave this cathedral in homage of the fal'Cie god that created our world. If ye desire the light of the fal'Cie, raise your guardian spirit in the Seraph's Apex.

"Guardian spirit?" Hope echoed her own question. Raking her hands through her cherry coloured hair, Lightning sighed, taking several steps back, observing the shrine like plaque from a distance.

"It's gotta be our Eidolons," she muttered irritatedly. Fuck... I'm exhausted. I don't even think I can summon Odin, let alone 'raise his spirit' in this goddamn place. She heard knuckles crack behind her.

"So Sis, you gonna summon, or shall I?" How the hell did she let Snow get on her nerves every single time? She held back an irritated growl, turning her blue eyes onto the blond oaf standing with her sister.

"Go ahead." She really wasn't in the mood to humour him - aches dragged at her lower back and shoulders from all the swimming she'd done earlier and everything else hadn't exactly been a cakewalk. She was going to be a mass of aches tomorrow and that wasn't something that happened often. Rubbing her slender wrists, she watched Snow pull out and punch the heart shaped turquoise crystal.

Another explosion of ice rocked the floor as an icy breeze swept over her - the lithe shapes of Stiria and Nix danced gracefully above her head. The sudden shine from the centre of the room made her shield her eyes from the glare. Feeling slivers of ice rain down on her face and hair, she brushed the wet slivers roughly off her face, hardly daring to look at the centre of the room.

The glass plate had vanished. In its place was a pedestal, an orb shaped golden crystal nestled on a moth eaten velvet cushion. For some reason, there was an alluring gleam to its honey coloured sparkles, almost like it was compelling her to move towards it. Her body moved of its own accord - Lightning found herself staring down at the small crystal in a matter of heartbeats.

It was warm to the touch, surprisingly - she had half expected it to freeze her fingers off the moment she touched it. But it felt alive under her fingers, like it had a lifeforce of its own. She held it still for a moment - Lightning could have sworn it was vibrating a little in her hands.

"Now that's a pretty crystal." Snow's voice was uncomfortably close to her and she moved away a few steps angrily, causing him to laugh loudly.

"You sound like a kid who's found his favourite toy," she muttered darkly under her breath, closing her gloved fingers around the tawny jewel.

Snow laughed again, gripping her wrist and trying to shake the jewel out of her hand. Readying her other hand, Lightning didn't regret the Water spell she sent into his face - that made him back off and let go of her, spluttering angrily. Serah and Hope's unbridled laughter echoed through the empty room as she cursed under her breath again. Serves the stupid idiot right.

"Snow, there's something called asking someone, you know? Get the fuck away from me until you learn some manners." Feeling someone playfully hold her other hand, she found herself looking into the Chesire smile of her sister.

"Please, Claire?" Sighing, Lightning dropped the jewel into her outstretched hand, suddenly feeling strangely empty when the warn honey coloured crystal left her palm. At least she's not angry at me for swearing at that idiot she calls a husband.

Serah had passed it around, ignoring her dire warning not to give it to Snow. The big man shot her a triumphant glance before she raised her left hand threateningly - she hoped he understood the message unless he wanted his recently re-soaked clothing to be covered in a layer of frost. Finally growing impatient, she snatched it from him when he hadn't been paying attention.

"Stop staring at the thing like it's your kid," she snapped. "In case you've forgotten, we still need to get out of here." Pocketing the crystal, Lightning pushed her shoulder into one of the large glass planes that decorated the walls - it broke under the first impact and she felt wind blow into her face. She hadn't expected it to break so easily, but... At least it was less work for me.

"Too bad we don't have Bahamut," Snow mused behind her. "This would be a lot easier if we did." Ignoring his useless musings, she concentrated her strength into her own summon - the rose crystal formed in her palm a few moments later. It took a little more than she was used to in calling her Eidolon. Snow takes half the blame, she thought angrily.

"Odin!" Leaping off the cathedral's roof in the wake of the Eidolon's scattering of rose petals, she willed it to catch her as she plummeted towards the ground, letting the wind buffet her body, not trying to fight the air resistance that blew past her. The Eidolon's metal arms encased her as it stopped her free fall several feet above the ground, and she leapt out of it, looking back up.

Serah and Snow looked like small pinpricks from where she was standing, feet firmly on the ground. She hoped Snow, in particular, wouldn't chicken out. If Snow would just jump... she was quite sure he would be able to convince Serah to. And this Eidolon won't remain here waiting for them forever.

Odin caught both Serah and Hope, who both looked a little worse for wear, Hope shooting her his usual Are-you-crazy look whenever she did something that would otherwise be considered 'dangerous'. And then there was Snow. She could feel the strain of getting the Eidolon to stay on her body now - gravity threatened to drag her down, and every muscle screamed at her to dismiss the Eidolon. Refusing to give into the urge, she watched the small white smear that was Snow grow larger as the unseen force pulled him to earth. No sooner did the Eidolon catch him did she dismiss it - promptly, Snow dropped to the ground, landing on his back.

He got to his feet, swearing.

"What the hell was that for, Sis?"

She smirked in his direction before turning around, flicking her cape behind her.

"Your fault."

Once again, we move from a deeper/more intense first half into a lighter second half. Ha, Light just really likes to take her angry/frustration/exhaustion out on Snow. Well... *coughs delicately*

So this concludes this arc, and I think this has been one of the most fun arcs to write yet! 8D Alternating between deeper portions and lighter, fluffier stuff is a little challenging - I have to change my entire mindset to do it; usually that entails going over to my PS3 and beating up some monsters in XIII/XIII-2 before I can come back with a fresh mindset, but it's worked well for me so far, so... yeah.

We're moving on to the next arc in the next chapter - I don't think it's going to be quite as deep like with the intensity of the last chapter, but there is one particularly significant moment I want to get right. Anyways, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Last thing: I'm also working on real life one shots for this writing workshop I'm in for one of my classes for my English minor, but I could use some more practice. So, I'm open to one shot requests for FFXIII/VII/X if you want one. Just leave me a note or something in either a review or a PM about what you want (characters/themes/genre) and I'll get around to it. The only things I know for sure I can't write are yaoi/yuri and actual M rated adult fiction, if you catch my drift. (And in fact, I feel like dedicating a one shot to each and every one of my readers, you guys are that awesome) So yeah, if you want one, let me know somehow. (This portion of the A/N will delete itself within two weeks time, JS)

Leave love as usual in reviews, and I'll see you guys tomorrow! 8D

Hearts!