Final Fantasy XIII: Cursed Past

Chapter 32 of my Final Fantasy XIII story, enjoy.

Reviews

Miyaa: Yeah, it certainly was, as for Sazh, no he really does work for the GC, glad you are enjoying it.

Lightarcana: It's fine, glad you are enjoying it, I know, poor Lighting, here's the next chapter :)

The Light to all Fears: You bet, thakns, glad you are enjoying it, not gonna spoil the ending however.

Harley-Marston-117: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, yeah, all the secrets are coming out now, Yes they were and unlike Lightning Fang went to school the same year the war ended, that was when she fell in love with Vanille (which is the only reason she went)

seeker of the skies: Yup, you were :)

Beloved Nightmare Union: Thanks, yeah, it is, you bet they are, Noel is also gonna get his powers. Not quite but you're close.

Flock5: Thanks, glad you are enjoying it :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 32: Caius

Fang stared at Sazh in disbelief as he made this announcement.

"No way, you're part of the Special Investigations Unit?" She asked, Sazh nodded, Snow looked at her confused.

"Wait, he's Guardian Corps, how could you not know?"

"The Special Investigations unit is top secret, even more so than the Dragon Division. The only people who know the identity of the members of the unit are the members of the unit, and of course Cid."

The others finally understood with Fang's explanation and they quickly made preparations, thanks to Fang's quick thinking they were provided with weapons as they boarded Sazh airship. Fang had her spear; Sazh wielded a pair of pistols, Hope an Airwing boomerang, Vanille wielded a binding rod, Serah was given a bowsword called Starseeker, Noel had armed himself with a duel lance/sword, Snow preferred to fight with his fists and so was given a pair of gloves that would increase his raw strength. They boarded the ship and Sazh flew them down to Pulse where their last hope for helping Lightning, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, awaited. Hope looked over at Fang who was looking very serious for the first time since he had seen her.

"Do you really think this Yeul can help us?" He asked hesitantly.

"I know she can," Fang replied calmly, "She's a seeress, nothing is hidden from her."

That was good enough for Hope and so they finally reached Pulse and landed as close to the village of Paddra as they could get before disembarking.

They walked quickly and with purpose, Fang made the introductions to the Guardian's at the village gate and they were let in. She led them quickly to Yeul's tent and they stepped inside Yeul was sitting behind her low table, looking at them calmly.

"Welcome Fang," She greeted, "I see you have the others with you."

Fang shook her head, "Yeul please, I don't have time to speak riddles, I need you to tell me where Caius Ballad is?"

"I'm afraid I cannot do so." Yeul replied, shocking them all, Fang glared, "Why not?"

"Because I'm right here."

They all jumped and looked up, the large shadowy figure that had been talking to Yeul from behind the screen during Fang's last visit had stepped out from behind it, it was Caius. The others were amazed when the legendary hero stepped into their midst, Fang's face registered shock before she recovered enough to speak.

"So this is where you disappeared to." She remarked, Caius nodded, "Yes, but enough of the chatter, we need to get down to business."

Caius then turned to the others.

"All of you bear the potential, I know why you came, but it will take all of us to succeed. Now, stand still and I will unlock the magic within you."

They were startled by this but did as they were told. Caius muttered to himself briefly before raising his arm. Tendrils of energy shot out of his hand and struck them, within moments they felt an unusual surge of energy course through them as the same tattoo that was on Fang's upper arm appeared on them, each one appeared at a different location for each person. Sazh's appeared on his chest, Vanille's was on her left hip, Hope's appeared on his left wrist, Snow's appeared on his left forearm, Noel's appeared on his left shoulder and Serah's on her left upper arm. As they recovered from the sudden surge of energy, Yeul activated some of the crystals on the table in front of her.

"If you want to have a chance of success you'll need to obtain Eidolons." She explained, "Caius knows how to utilize the crystals, they will guide you to the Eidolons."

They were about to protest due to the fact they didn't know how to use magic but Yeul shook her head.

"There's no time," She explained, "Caius and Fang will explain to all of you on the way to get the Eidolons."

They knew it was pointless to argue and so they agreed and so, with Caius accompanying them they left Paddra and returned to the Archylte Steppe.

When they returned Caius activated one of the crystals and indicated they should follow it as it lit up and flew through the air. As they followed the light Caius and Fang explained about magic and how to use it, as they fought through the monsters that blocked their path they practiced and soon they had enough knowledge to use their magic effectively from a combat perspective. They soon arrived at an Eidolon shrine, on the way the Eidolons had also been explained so they knew what to do. This shrine had a frozen appearance and as they walked up they suddenly hit a barrier that blocked their passage. Only Snow had got past it, he looked around.

"What the?" He exclaimed, Caius sighed, "This is definitely your Eidolon, you know what to do, looks like you'll have to face it alone."

Snow sighed and walked towards the plinth, he looked up at the 'statue' of the Eidolon. The statue was of two female figures, the first one was dark skinned that was wearing some unusual blue white and gold armour with a large wheel at the back. The second one was pale and wore white and blue armour and held a large gold wheel in her hand. Remembering what he had been told Snow walked over and began to read the inscription.

"We are the Shiva Sisters, Stiria and Nix, We yield only to those rigorously defend themselves from attack. Challenge us and we will accept, you will be placed under a life stealing curse and have until the last of your life force is robbed by this curse to impress us. Do so and we shall yield, fail and you shall die."

On cue the Shiva Sisters came to life and floated down from the plinth they were resting on. They both glared at Snow and Stiria, the dark skinned one, raised her arm, a dark aura engulfed Snow, inflicting him with the Death Curse. Nix, the pale one, gripped her wheel weapon tightly and began to approach.

Snow thought quickly about the inscription and realized what he had to do, he concentrated his energy and prepared as Nix raised her weapon to strike. Snow immediately used his Mediguard ability to summon a barrier around himself. Nix's attacks were blunted by the shield but he still received injuries, Stiria however cast curative magic on him that healed his injuries. However he was still feeling weaker by the moment, due to the Death Curse.

'Dammit, come on, gotta keep going.'

Gritting his teeth and focusing he continued to use Mediguard to defend against Nix's attacks. The others watched apprehensively, except for Caius, he was analyzing the battle, he could see the willingness of the Eidolon to serve its Master, each second that passed with Snow staying on his feet, guarding against damage, Stiria and Nix grew more willing to yield. Nix attacked again, Snow continued to hold up his defensive barrier until finally they saw they weren't going to break him, they yielded and lifted the Death Curse before fusing their power with him. Finally the barrier disappeared and the others approached Snow, who had collapsed to his knees, breathless. Serah immediately rushed to his side.

"Snow!" Snow shook his head, "I'm alright, I'm okay." With that he managed to get up to his feet and straighten up.

"Good," Caius commented, "We cannot afford to stop; we must hurry to the next one."

The others agreed and headed back out, heading for the next Eidolon. Luckily the next shrine was only a few feet away; Caius looked at it cautiously before nodding.

"There's no barrier this time, more than one person can fight the next Eidolon, although, Snow will have to sit out, he's still recovering."

Snow wanted to protest but a wave of dizziness stopped him. Finally they arrived and saw the next Eidolon.

This time the Eidolon was tall and covered in red armour, there were several plate of gold white and brown too and the face which decidedly feminine, in her hand she wielded a large double bladed scythe like weapon and appeared to be generating fire from specific points. They approached the plinth and examined the inscription. Only Sazh was able to read it.

"You must take two allies to fight; the rest of us will wait by the entrance." Caius explained.

"I'll fight," Hope volunteered, surprising the others, Vanille then smiled, "Me too."

Sazh nodded and with those two he stepped up to face his Eidolon, reading from the inscription.

"I am Brynhildr, I yield to those who fight diligently and strengthen their allies. Challenge me and I will accept, you will be placed under a life stealing curse and have until the last of your life force is robbed by this curse to impress me. Do so and I shall yield, fail and you shall die."

With the last words Brynhildr came to life and leapt off the plinth, she glared at Sazh.

"Prove your worth to me," She said as she cast the Death Curse on him.

Sazh stumbled but regained his balance and, ignoring the weakness creeping into his system he began to attack. He fired his guns and cast several spells in quick succession, Brynhildr charged through, hardly seeming damaged, and began to attack, Hope quickly cast Protect and Shell on himself, Sazh and Vanille, in order to protect them from attacks, meanwhile Vanille cast several spells on Sazh, herself and Hope, including Haste to quicken their movements. Despite attacking relentlessly, Brynhildr was unable to break through the protective barriers and, with their strength enhanced by Vanille's magic Hope and Sazh combined their attacks to force the Eidolon back. Brynhildr seemed to sigh before bowing her head and Sazh felt the Death Curse being lifted.

"You have proven yourself worthy," She said, "I yield."

With that her power fused to Sazh and, as soon as he caught his breath they headed for the next Eidolon.

Caius sighed and then remarked, "There are four more out there, and I wouldn't grow complacent if I were you."

After a brief pause he explained, "Those two were the easiest to please, there are two more out there that are easy to please but, the other two are a bit more difficult."

The others nodded and focused, despite feeling tired. Following the light and Caius' lead they arrived at the next shrine. The Eidolon before them was an impressive sight, a large hulking figure in white and gold armour with large arms. Hope swallowed nervously, he could read the inscription, this was his Eidolon. Fang and Snow volunteered to fight alongside him and they got ready. Hope stepped forward and read out the same inscription as the others, this Eidolon was called Alexander and he yielded only to those who fought diligently, strengthened their allies and healed their comrades. Alexander came to life and stepped down off his plinth, he glared at Hope as if challenging him.

'I'm not running,' Hope told himself, 'I have to stand and fight, for Lightning's sake.'

Seeing Hope's will to fight Alexander cast the Death Curse on him, amazingly he didn't even flinch. Alexander immediately approached, ready to attack with its powerful uppercut; Hope immediately cast Protect and Shell on himself and his allies. Alexander's attack rattled the protective barrier but didn't shatter it. The Eidolon growled and continued to attack, despite the barrier some damage still got through and injured them, Hope quickly cast curative magic to heal any injuries, meanwhile, Fang and Snow combined physical attacks with bursts of magic, attacking Alexander from the flanks. Alexander suddenly changed tactics and assumed a defensive stance, taking advantage of this Fang and Snow attacked while Hope began using his magic to strike, finally, when Hope felt like he was almost out of strength to keep going Alexander yielded and added his power to Hope. They didn't say anything this time and instead hurried to the next shrine, they didn't have a moment to lose, otherwise they knew they'd be too late to help Lightning.

Finally they arrived at the next shrine, the sun was beginning to set now, as they approached Caius commented on the Eidolon they were going to receive.

"If I recall right, this is the last of the tricky ones, the other two should be easier."

The others nodded and soon entered the shrine and saw the Eidolon. This time it was a black humanoid figure with several and red silver mechanical parts that formed wings and eight arms, it's head was pointed and a small silver spite rose from the top of it like a helmet. This time it was Vanille who could read the inscription, Fang and Serah, who insisted on fighting, joined her and she read the inscription. The Eidolon's name was Hecatoncheir and he only yielded to those who fought diligently, healed the wounded and weakened their enemies. Like the other Eidolons, Hecatoncheir sprang to life and inflicted the death curse. They readied themselves and, as Hecatoncheir took a defensive stance Serah began casting spells as Fang charged in with her spear. Hecatoncheir assumed a defensive stance and took the blows; Vanille however took advantage of the moment and began casting Deprotect, Deshell Imperil and other weakening spells. Hecatoncheir felt the effects of the weakening spells and the continued to blows, he roared in angry. He delivered a powerful hurricane kick before pummelling them, in response Vanille desperately started healing the others before joining in the attack with her spells. Eventually the constant satisfaction appealed to him and he yielded, there were only two more to go, they hurried towards the next shrine, desperate to claim the last Eidolons so they could go and save Lightning.

They reached the second last shrine, this time it was Serah's Eidolon, a large brown skinned monstrous creature with red fur and grey claws and horns, its fur closely resembled fire and with Snow and Noel at her side Serah prepared to face it. The Eidolon's name was Ifrit and he only yielded to those who fought diligently and strengthened their allies. Ifrit came to life and followed the usual pattern of the other Eidolons. Serah immediately began casting protect and Shell on her allies as well as enhancing their fighting capabilities. Snow and Noel attacked Ifrit and dodged his counterattacks, once she cast all the protective spells she knew Serah joined in with the attack, using both the sword and bow versions of her weapon. As Caius predicted Ifrit was easier to please and soon yielded to Serah. They finally headed for the last Eidolon, Noel's. They found it, a large serpent named Leviathan, Leviathan only yielded to those who fought diligently and defended and healed their comrades. Serah and Hope joined Noel as they fought Leviathan. Noel drew Leviathan's attacks using Mediguard and casting curative magic to heal himself and the others if they got caught in the backlash of the attacks. They also joined in the attacking, forcing the Eidolon into a corner and finally convincing it to yield. They breathed a sigh of relief as Noel recovered. Caius nodded.

"Good, you have done well; let us return to Cocoon, we must hurry to save Lightning."

The others immediately agreed, it was nightfall now, they had to hurry. Once they returned to the airship they returned to Cocoon.

Eden

Lightning sat hidden in one of Eden's back alleys. She could see her target, the Primarch's Palace.

'It's almost time, first light of day, then I make my move,' She thought bitterly to herself, 'I'll make sure they die and don't come back this time.'

With her preparations complete she gripped her sword and got ready to make her assault.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.