"Van," Fang hurriedly pushed her way through the bustling crowd, her eyes fixed on the red-haired girl ahead. Vanille struggled to keep up, her curiosity piqued. "Why are we running?" she asked, casting a suspicious glance at Fang. "Did you cause trouble again?"
Apologizing under her breath as she bumped into people and children, Fang replied, "No, it wasn't me this time. I ran into Serah. Ugh, being human can be such an inconvenience." Fang couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"How was she? I haven't seen her since the incident," Vanille pondered. Fang kept quiet, her gaze focusing the path in front of her. Vanille saw Fang deep in her thoughts, she interrupted .
"I see you got rid of Cid." Vanille said nonchalantly, which at her surprise, Fang replied calmly "I told him to get back to the forest, and I will escort you back."
Vanille hummed at this response, but she suddenly giggled, Vanille revealed her victorious reward. "No, being human is fun! Look at these puffy-eyed goldfish!" she exclaimed, pointing with enthusiasm. The vibrant hues of the fish shimmered in the festival lights. "I bet we couldn't catch them with our big paws." Fang raised an eyebrow at the sight, momentarily distracted from their escape. "Is this how you reconnect with Claire?"
Vanille averted her gaze, her eyes shining with a mix of happiness and nostalgia. "It was just a coincidence. I was busy..." She hesitated, her thoughts drifting back to her encounter with Claire. "I was busy trying to scoop goldfish, and she came to help me. I don't think she even remembers who I am." Vanille shrugged, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Fang abruptly halted, causing Vanille to nearly collide with her. They stood in a momentary respite, their bodies heaving with exertion. Fang turned her attention to the passerby nearby, a bewildered expression on their face. "You know what? Let's get out of here." Fang handed the bag of goldfish to the unsuspecting stranger.
"Please take good care of the goldies!" Vanille shouted, her voice carrying over the bustling sounds of the festival. With a renewed sense of urgency, they resumed their frantic escape, leaving the crowd behind.
Finally reaching the end of the festival street, far away from the city center and the festivities, they could still catch glimpses of the illuminating fireworks in the night sky. The dazzling colors painted streaks across the darkness, their vibrant hues reflected in Fang's eyes. "Let's head back into the forest," Fang suggested, leading them into a dark alleyway. Shadows danced around them as they navigated the shortcut. The smell of dampness and earth mingled with the distant sounds of the celebration.
Fang paused, her muscles tensing as she prepared to transform into her lycan form. She could feel the energy surging within her, her body quivering with anticipation. Vanille, however, stared at the night sky, a pensive look on her face. Fang sensed her companion's unease and concern.
"What's on your mind?" Fang asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and care. She studied Vanille's expression, searching for the hidden thoughts. The sounds of their hurried breaths filled the quiet alleyway, mingling with the distant booms of fireworks.
"It's just..." Vanille hesitated, her gaze dropping to her feet, her voice barely above a whisper, "it was a fun day, meeting Claire and all..." Her voice trailed off, a mix of excitement and worry in her eyes.
"But?" Fang probed gently, her concern growing. She could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.
Vanille looked up, her eyes meeting Fang's. "But... it felt strange. I could sense the rage," she admitted, her fingers nervously fidgeting with her bracelet. The distant roars of the fireworks seemed to echo the turmoil within her.
Fang's features hardened with determination as she reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Vanille's shoulder. "Van, don't overthink it," she reassured her, her voice filled with conviction. "We'll figure it out together."
Vanille nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and lingering worry. "Yeah... let's go back," she agreed, finding solace in Fang's unwavering support.
"Wait," Vanille hushed at Fang, casting a quick glance behind her.
"Not enjoying the show?" Cid's voice cut through the air as he appeared behind them, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. The distant echoes of fireworks lingered faintly in the background.
"I thought you should be back in the forest?" Fang positioned herself protectively in front of Vanille, her round black eyes narrowing into thin slits. Cid smirked, his words dripping with disdain. "Woah, chill. Let's not be killing our own kind."
Vanille remained silent, her presence hovering behind Fang. Cid attempted to engage her, his tone laced with curiosity. "Why so quiet, Sacred One?"
Rolling her eyes, Fang interjected, "Come on, Cid. You know Vanille isn't partaking in any ceremony or whatever. Just drop it." Cid's expression twisted into one of unadulterated rage. He spat out his words, disdain evident in every syllable. "Don't speak of her, you filthy blood." It was clear that conversing with Fang disgusted him. Fang, taken aback by Cid's sudden change in demeanor, fell silent.
"Why are you even here, Vanille? Celebrating with the humans?" Cid pointed towards the festival grounds. "You do know what actually happened on this day, don't you?" Fang and Vanille exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgment that something was off about Cid's behavior.
"Perhaps Fang cast a forgetful spell on you. Maybe I should remind you of what truly occurred," Cid bellowed, his voice filled with anger.
"I'm aware," Vanille spoke quietly, her irises narrowing, her fangs beginning to emerge.
"And yet, they've turned it into a damn beautiful tragic love story. A cause for celebration," Cid scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "What they've done to us." Cid glanced at his own reflection, then at Fang and Vanille.
Vanille's fingers twitched restlessly. "We made a pact with the humans on this day."
"Tch, but it marked the beginning of hell," Cid gritted his teeth. "Stop running away, Vanille. Past memories and old friends won't change that fact."
Without hesitation, Fang transformed into her lycan form, positioning herself between Cid and Vanille. Cid smirked, his gaze fixated on the dark brown lycan before him, Wiper. He slipped his hand into his pocket and retrieved a syringe containing a mysterious blue liquid. "To hell with the pact and the Alpha lycans. We can be strong without you." With determination, he injected himself with the blue substance. Cid's body convulsed as he transformed into a black lycan with piercing yellow eyes. Emitting a deafening roar, he lunged towards Fang.
Fang managed to push him away with her powerful paws, pinning him down to the ground in an attempt to unleash her Wiper power. Yet, to her surprise, nothing happened. "Grrrrr..." Cid used his paws to forcefully remove Fang's grip, slamming her against the wall with brutal strength. The impact created cracks in the structure. Fang was taken aback by Cid's newfound power, likely due to the blue liquid he had injected. Her powers seemed to have no effect at all.
"RAWRRRRRRRR!" Cid let out another thunderous roar, followed by a loud explosion originating from the festival grounds. Screams and cries filled the air.
Shit, Fang thought, her instincts alerting her to the scent of blood in the distance.
"RAWWRR!" Another howl resonated through the air, this time from another lycan. The silver-furred lycan delivered a powerful punch to Cid, sending him hurtling across the street, crashing into a lamppost. The lamp bent and shattered, the flickering light extinguishing. Under the moon's glow, the silver lycan's fur shimmered, the tips of its ears radiating a faint hue of orange and red. Seething with anger, the lycan advanced towards Cid.
Fang had never seen Vanille consumed by such fury. She seemed prepared to tear Cid apart. Cid regained his footing, seemingly unharmed, and launched himself at Vanille, sinking his teeth into her neck. "RAAWRR!" Vanille howled in pain, her hands gripping Cid's head, blood trickling from the wounds. She fought desperately to free herself from his grasp.
Shaking off her dazed state, Fang rushed towards Vanille and Cid, her claws slashing at Cid's body, but he remained immovable. Vanille managed to pry open Cid's blood-stained mouth, attempting to push him away. Taking advantage of the opening, Fang seized both of Cid's legs and, with all her might, slammed his body onto the road.
Blood cascaded from Vanille's neck, forming a pool on the ground. She panted heavily, her trembling fingers tracing the two gaping holes in her white fur where Cid had bitten her. Weakened by the substantial loss of blood, Vanille stumbled. struggling to stay on her feet.
Fang finally gained control over Cid, grasping his legs and slamming him against the wall until he lost consciousness. As he reverted back to his human form, he lay motionless on the ground. Fang turned her attention to Vanille, who knelt on the floor, growling, a pool of blood expanding beneath her.
Why aren't Vanille's healing powers working?
Fang intended to approach her, but another scent caught her attention.
Claire.
Lightning emerged from the darkness, slowly stepping out of the alleyway. The alleyway cast long shadows, the flickering streetlights adding an eerie glow to the scene. The air was thick with tension as she approached Vanille, Blazefire clutched tightly in her hand. The weapon glimmered with a silver sheen, its blade seemed to pulse with power. Fang noticed the weapon and realized that Lightning had managed to hide it somewhere before revealing it now.
Vanille, now back in her human form, clutched her bleeding neck, gasping for air. The metallic scent of blood hung in the air, mingling with the distant sounds of traffic. Fang's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the scene unfold, her senses heightened to the smallest details.
But before she could intervene, Lightning pressed the blade of Blazefire against Vanille's throat. Weakened and injured, Vanille stumbled, her weight supported by Lightning as she struggled to draw in each breath.
"You're the Healer," Lightning hissed through clenched teeth, her voice laced with determination. "The white lycan."
Fang emitted a low growl, her protective instincts kick in. However, she hesitated to transform back into her human form, aware that she might not possess enough power to prevent Lightning's actions. Moreover, her Wiper power was unavailable, having already been used on Lightning with such intensity before. Fang made the difficult decision to revert to her human form, hoping that she could reason with Lightning.
"Claire... or Lightning," Fang spoke, her voice firm and filled with a mix of caution and urgency. She briefly glanced at the unconscious form of Cid, ensuring he remained incapacitated. "You don't want to do this."
Frustration welled up within Fang as she witnessed Vanille's condition deteriorate. She was losing consciousness, and being held captive by Lightning only exacerbated the situation. It seemed as though Vanille's ability to heal herself had been affected as well.
"Why wouldn't I?" Lightning's grip on the weapon tightened, her eyes glinting with a mix of determination and anguish. She pressed the edge of Blazefire against Vanille's trembling throat, causing her to wince in pain. Fang's heart raced, her senses heightened as she assessed the situation. It was a dangerous balancing act, teetering on the delicate threshold between life and death. "You thought I would forget everything after you wiped and altered my memories?"
Fang's voice echoed through the alley, urgent and empathetic. "It's not like that, Claire..." She could sense the presence of other lycans nearby, drawn by the scent of blood. The air carried a chill, intensifying the gravity of the situation.
"It's you," Lightning hissed through gritted teeth, her eyes reflecting a tumultuous mix of anguish and rage.. "The one who inflicted harm upon Serah." Lightning's breath hitched as she locked eyes with Vanille, her grip on the blade faltering for a moment.
A wave of memories crashed against Lightning's mind, momentarily overwhelming her resolve. Images of a childhood long gone flickered before her eyes—two young girls, laughing and playing in the sunlight, their bond unbreakable. She saw herself and a young girl with orange hair, carefree and innocent, exploring the world with wide-eyed wonder. The memory played like a fragile film reel, reminding her of the deep connection they might once shared.
In that fleeting moment, Lightning hesitated. The weight of her anger and the longing for retribution clashed with the ghost of their shared past. The doubt gnawed at her, threatening to unravel her purpose. Was this truly the path she wanted to take? Was vengeance the answer to heal the wounds that scarred her soul?
But the doubts were swiftly pushed aside, buried beneath a simmering sea of grief and anger. Lightning clenched her jaw, a steely determination hardening her gaze. She couldn't let sentimentality cloud her judgment. The pain of her losses demanded justice, and Vanille stood as the embodiment of her torment.
Conflicting emotions warred within her, torn between the desire for vengeance and a flicker of doubt. This was the opportunity to avenge her parents and the scar left on Serah's shoulder.
Lightning fought to push aside the bittersweet memories that threatened to weaken her resolve. She had made her choice. The blade in her hand trembled once more, finding its place against Vanille's vulnerable skin.
"Finally," Lightning's expression twisted into a bitter smile, tinged with a profound mix of satisfaction and sorrow. "I can bring justice for my parents and the mark she inflicted upon Serah." She tightened the grip on the weapon, with a swift, determined motion, Lightning drew the blade of Blazefire across Vanille's neck.
Fang's eyes widened in shock and horror as she witnessed the blade carving through Vanille's delicate flesh. Time seemed to slow down, every second stretching into an eternity. The sight before her shattered the fragile balance of her composure. The air crackled with raw energy as her lycan instincts surged to the surface.
"Strhapprawrrrrrrr!" The air vibrated with a thunderous growl as Fang's body convulsed and contorted. Bones snapped and muscles twisted as she underwent a rapid metamorphosis. Fur sprouted from her skin, growing thicker and darker with each passing second. Fang's features elongated, her teeth sharpening into fangs, while her hands and feet morphed into powerful claws. The sound of the transformation echoed through the alley, a chilling blend of a snarl and a roar.
In her fully transformed lycan form, Fang lunged towards Lightning and Vanille, her massive frame filling the space with a dominating presence.
"Hey, I can't find Hope. Lightning is not picking up her phone," Yuj pressed the cancel button on his phone as he rejoined Snow and Serah. Snow scratched his bandana, concern etched on his face. He took a moment to catch his breath before addressing Yuj's question.
"You saw Fang, right?" Yuj asked, his voice laced with a mix of disbelief and urgency. "Are you sure it was her? The Wiper lycan?"
Snow nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with a hint of sadness. "Yeah, it was her, Yuj." Yuj's brow furrowed.
Snow's gaze shifted to Serah, who was clutching her chest tightly, a pained expression on her face. He noticed her distress and immediately grew more concerned. "Serah, are you alright?"
The vibrant fireworks continued to illuminate the dark sky, casting an ethereal glow over the chaotic scene. Serah's heart sank as she felt another sharp pang of pain shoot through her chest, causing her to bite her trembling lips. Her instincts screamed that something was terribly amiss.
Serah nodded weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Snow. Something feels wrong."
Suddenly, a deafening crash shattered the air, followed by a blood-curdling howl that sent shivers down Serah's spine. Panic gripped the crowd as several lycans crashed into one of the stalls, their monstrous forms unleashing unspeakable horror. The air was filled with desperate screams and the sickening sound of tearing flesh, as innocent people's lives were mercilessly torn apart. Blood splattered in all directions, painting a gruesome tableau of carnage.
Terror consumed Yuj's features, his eyes wide with disbelief and horror. The terrifying reality of the situation struck him like a thunderbolt, rendering him momentarily frozen in fear. Lebreau, the pillar of strength, reacted swiftly, slapping Yuj across the face in a desperate attempt to snap him out of his terror-induced stupor.
"Get hold of yourself, Yuj!" Lebreau's voice pierced through the chaos, her words filled with urgency and a hint of desperation. "We can't afford to lose our composure now. Lives are at stake. Focus on escorting the people to safety!"
Yuj nodded, his fear mingling with a newfound determination. But before he could take action, the surging crowd pushed him away, forcefully separating him from the group. Panic-stricken faces and frenzied bodies propelled him in different directions, leaving him disoriented and isolated amidst the bedlam. He desperately tried to fight against the current, struggling to regain his bearings and find his way back to his companions.
"RAWR!"
"Ahhhhhhh!"
"I can't reach the Academy!" Snow frantically abandoned his futile attempts with the phone and managed to grab a baseball bat nearby. Serah's eyes darted around, searching for something to defend herself with. Her gaze landed on a bow conveniently placed at a nearby stall. Without hesitation, she seized it, her hands trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. She drew an arrow, aiming carefully at the closest lycan's eye. Holding her breath, she released the arrow, watching with a mix of relief and horror as it found its mark. The lycan roared in agonizing pain, crashing to the ground in a heap. Snow seized the opportunity and swiftly swung the baseball bat, striking the creature's head with all his might, rendering it unconscious.
Relieved, Snow turned his head, a victorious smile spreading across his face as he looked at Serah. She returned the smile, but her joy was short-lived as a chilling realization struck her. "Look out!" she screamed, her voice laced with horror. Another lycan was hurtling through the air, targeting Snow. With alarming speed, it plunged its claws deep into Snow's shoulder, sending both of them crashing to the ground in a violent tangle.
"Arghhhhhhh!" Snow's agonized cry filled the air as his left shoulder bore the brunt of the lycan's assault. The torn fabric revealed glimpses of the raw, wounded flesh beneath. The lycan poised for another attack, but its attention shifted when an arrow struck its leg. It switched its target, fixating its menacing gaze on Serah, who stood defenseless behind the bow stall.
With a quick nod, Serah retrieved her bow and bounded out of the stall, her heart pounding in her chest. She sprinted away from the lycan, desperately trying to put distance between them.
"Ahhhhhhh!" The lycan rampaged through the crowd, viciously tearing through anyone or anything in its path. It bit, stomped, and tossed aside anyone unfortunate enough to be in its way. Its fearsome roar echoed through the chaos, striking terror into the hearts of those who heard it. As it closed in on Serah from behind, the shadow of its towering form loomed over her, its enormous mouth opening wide, exposing a chilling array of razor-sharp teeth.
Bracing for the impending onslaught, Serah closed her eyes tightly, awaiting the searing pain of the lycan's bite. However, her ears picked up the distinct sound of approaching helicopters, their deafening rotor blades slicing through the air. The cacophony of gunfire reverberated, drowning out the desperate screams and cries. Suddenly, she felt something warm and wet splatter across her face and hands.
Opening her eyes, Serah witnessed a hail of bullets piercing the lycan's body, causing it to jerk violently and recoil. The force of the gunfire propelled the creature backward, its lifeless form crashing to the ground. Amidst the chaos, Snow fought against his injuries, managing to reach Serah's side. He held her tightly, shielding her from the surrounding danger.
The relentless gunfire continued until the air fell silent, replaced only by crackling fires, moans of pain, and soft sobs of survivors. Snow's grip on Serah tightened as he surveyed the horrifying aftermath. Lifeless bodies were strewn across the ground, bathed in a sea of blood. The fallen lycans, reverted to their human forms, bore the grisly marks of multiple bullet holes. Amidst the devastation, people who had miraculously survived were left trembling, their sobbing cries mixing with the pained wails of a terrified child huddled in a corner.
Serah's gaze shifted upward, fixating on the two helicopters that still hovered in the air. Bold, white letters spelling "PSICOM" adorned their exteriors. A ladder descended from one of the helicopters, and a figure descended with graceful agility, landing near Serah and Snow.
The woman that emerged possessed long, blonde hair and wore a distinct military uniform reminiscent of Lightning's. Two shoulder pads adorned her attire, glowing with intricate blue lines. Despite the grim scene surrounding her, she moved with an air of authority, stepping over the pool of blood and absently wiping her heels on a lifeless body.
Her penetrating gaze scanned the surroundings until it settled on Serah and Snow, who stared back in a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The woman, her striking olive jade eyes framed by transparent glasses, remained silent. Several soldiers landed nearby, their presence adding to the intensity of the situation.
"Collect all the lycan bodies," she commanded the troops, her voice resonating with authority.
"Yes, madam," the soldiers responded in unison, saluting her before commencing their assigned task. With deliberate steps, the woman approached Serah and Snow, her eyes filled with a combination of intrigue and recognition. Kneeling down, she lifted Serah's chin.
"Who are you?" Snow gritted his teeth, his anger barely contained.
A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of the woman's lips as she stared intently at Snow. "You look just like your sister," she remarked, her words laced with an unsettling familiarity.
