An new update, enjoy

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Promise

It was Fang. Éclair couldn't actually believe it. It was exactly how she had remembered the girl. The only difference was that she was wearing a blue sari instead of the ordinary clothes she wore before. The girl approached them, walking straight at the group at the head, looking straight at Orphan.

"Fang," Éclair said, "H…How did you get here?"

Fang turned her head toward her, and instead of the emerald green eyes…they were bright gold.

"I'm not Yun Fang Éclair," she said, "At least…not exactly."

"Ragnarok," she whispered.

"Right in one," Ragnarok said returning her attention toward Orphan.

"But how…?"

"You asked for me to lend you my power did you not?" Ragnarok said, as her magic started to take form around her, "I'm bound in this Human form to be able to cross between worlds…But I'm still a powerful Fal'Cie."

She raised her hand toward Orphan who let out another screech causing the world to shake around them and cracks were starting to appear in the walls.

"The Seal won't be able to hold him for long," Ragnarok told them, "Let's finish this before the entire thing break."

The group took place around her. This was the fight that will decide the fate of Cocoon. This was what Lightning and Éclair were branded for, to stop this entity from wrecking havoc upon Cocoon.

"I will not let innocents die at the hand of a single Fal'Cie," Ragnarok yelled as she launched two powerful spells, "Not if I can help it."

"For Serah," Lightning yelled as she started to attack with her spells.

"The Future," Éclair whispered as she started to attack.

"Basch," Vaan said.

"AVALANCHE," Zack said.

"For the people of Cocoon," Paine said.

"And for our families," Tifa finished.

Then they were all attacking him. They were all fighting against Orphan, each of them had a different reason, a different goal…all of those goals lead toward one ending. It was a strange sight, seeing all of those peoples, all of them from different backgrounds and families, all of them brought together by the string of fates.

A fate intertwined, since before their births.

The Goddess had seen the dark future that laid in Cocoon's future. She had seen the devastation it would bring. Her actions set forth these events, events that lead upon Éclair's crystal awakening. The path of an l'Cie, which was given to both Éclair and Lightning.

Two women from different times period and yet, share the same bloodline who had survived Ragnarok's rampage before Cocoon's birth. Lightning who was born in a world that was shackled with secrets and Éclair who was born in a place shackled with death.

"This thing is harder to take down than Barthandelus was," Lightning said huffing slightly.

"Barthandelus might have merged his power with Orphan's," Éclair said, "Bringing it to it's former strength when the Father had created it."

Ragnarok launched another blast toward Orphan's face which was redirected toward the ceiling.

"It can use shield," she said, "Well this might turn nasty."

Why do you fight against me? A voice echoed in the group's head, Father had abandoned us to an eternal sleep. Our only Salvation lays in Father's return. His return will be brought back by the sacrifices.

"Well, I won't let you sacrifice Cocoon for that," Éclair said, "Eden had given her life to keep this world safe and we'll beat you to do it."

But don't you see? Humanity cannot coexist with us Fal'Cies. All Humanity can do is born to die again in an endless cycle. We Fal'Cie, we are eternal. We shall break the cycle giving them the eternal sleep. The Eternal sleep the Father had given to us.

"No Orphan," Ragnarok said, "I used to think the same thing also. I used to think that Humanity is nothing but a hindrance to the Fal'Cie. But it is because of one Human…one who had never had the chance to live fully, that we stand on the opposite side."

A look of brief sadness appeared in the Fal'Cie's eyes.

"All her feelings still flows through me," she said, "Her feeling to protect her race, her loved ones, and even the ones that took everything from her. We Fal'Cie had done enough damage to this world. Our time has ended; it's Human's time to advance without our aid."

Humanity is nothing but Violence, Orphan's voice echoed around them, See them I do, through Barthandelus memories…nothing will change. All they deserve is the Eternal sleep.

"Enough, is enough," Ragnarok yelled.

Burst of power flew through the Fal'Cie's Human form causing the people around her to shield their eyes as the bright gold light covered the entire area. Then Ragnarok charged straight at Orphan slamming against a greenish shield that had appeared in front of Orphan.

Weakened you are Ragnarok, Orphan spoke, Weak the Human race is. Relies they have on us ever since the Father raised the Cocoon. The Eternal sleep shall rid of this world of weaklings, and bring on about a new age of the Fal'Cie.

"Weak we may be," Lightning spoke, her voice huffing.

"But we have something that the Fal'Cie doesn't have," Tifa said.

"It's the power to love," Paine said.

"And form companionships," Zack said.

"As we forge those bonds," Vaan said.

"We form something powerful," Éclair said, "Powerful enough to even defeat you."

As that pink light started to appear around Éclair's form and Odin was summoned, his large sword in his hands and at the same time, Lightning had summoned Mateus once more. Both Eidolons were now standing right beside their appointed masters and Ragnarok growled.

"I will weaken it's armors," Ragnarok yelled, "When you get the chance, finish this now."

All around them, the ceiling was cracking as light started to sip thoughts. The Fal'Cie Father's seal was degrading even more probably not going to stand any longer.

"The seal is not going to hold any longer," Éclair yelled.

Ragnarok charged straight forward, channeling another powerful spell before launching straight toward Orphan causing the Unborn Fal'Cie to yell out in pain and in anger activating another shield.

"Oh no, you don't," Ragnarok yelled firing another wave of powerful spells.

From behind her, Zack, Paine, Tifa and Vaan were all helping launching spells after spells toward the golden form of Orphan as did both Éclair and Lighting and their Eidolons all fighting for the same goal.

To save their world from oblivion.

Then Ragnarok was thrown back by attack from Orphan, slamming against a far wall, before sliding down on the ground.

"Ragnarok," she heard Éclair yell.

"Don't stop attacking," the Fal'Cie yelled.

You're saving lives now Ragnarok? Sin's voice echoed around her head.

The Fal'Cie shook her head, to get rid of the memories but to her dismay it got even stronger.

I'm not the same Fal`Cie I was before.

"Are you really that different Ragnarok?" Sin's voice echoed around her head, "Your soul is tainted by the blood of the innocents. Feel them Ragnarok, feel the despair of the people of Zanarkand as you destroyed their homes."

Ragnarok growled opening her gold eyes staring toward the form of Orphan.

I'm not like that anymore, she thought, I will never be like that anymore. Which is why, I have to stop Orphan from destroying the world…, and I don't want any innocent to have to die…for the mistakes we the Fal'Cie have made.

Gathering a bit of her power, Ragnarok compressed it into her hands until a glowing ball of light was right in her hands.

Yun Fang saved me, she thought, Even thought she knew she was going to disappear, she saved me, a Human.

The Fal'Cie stood back up holding the golden ball in one hand.

And for that, I will fight for Humanity, she thought, I will never give up upon them…not like Barthandelus had done.

With that she charged forward running past the group who was still launching spells after Orphan's form and then she jumped toward it.

I will fight till my last breath, she thought.

She slammed the golden ball into Orphan and as usual the shield had appeared around him, but this time, the ball was grinding against it, causing even more damage to the shield. Then with a large boom, the shield gave way and the ball of magic slammed straight into Orphan's form causing the Fal'Cie to let out a shriek of pain…

Because, I have faith in them, faith that they will prosper as a race without the aid of Fal'Cie.

That shriek caused Cocoon to shake around them.

"Éclair, Lightning," Ragnarok yelled, "Your strongest spells now."

"Odin," Éclair yelled.

The Eidolon threw her his swords and she caught hold of them as the crackling of thunder started to appear around them.

"This ends now, EIDOLON THUNDARA,"

"Mateus," Lightning said, catching the Lance in her hands.

Powerful Ice magic started to gather in the Lance as she jumped in the air and then threw it straight toward Orphan.

"EIDOLON LANCE OF ICE," she yelled.

Both spells hit Orphan straight unto his unprotected front and then the Unborn Fal'Cie started to scream as its form started to boils like lava. Its scream was causing the world to shake underneath the group that was standing right in front of it as light started to appear all around it growing to an almost blinding…

Then a shockwave, strong enough to push the entire group backward as the seal created by the Fal'Cie Father was finally destroyed. They were all send flying backward and the group was now floating in the air…

Lightning was glancing around herself, wondering where she was. All around her, she noticed that the world had gone dark. Her eyes recognized what she had seeing in her Focus's vision. It was actually happening, Eden was breaking apart. Cocoon was going to be destroyed, one way or another.

"Lightning," a voice yelled, "Grab my hand."

She glanced up toward it and found Tifa there extending her hand toward her and she did the same catching the girl's hand. Tifa glanced around herself.

"Guys, stay together," she said, yelling toward Vaan, Paine and Zack who were floating nearby.

But Lightning's eyes were still searching.

Where was Éclair?

"Look," Paine yelled, looking down.

Lightning did so and gasped.

There was Éclair and the Fal'Cie Ragnarok who were both floating away from them and then she screamed.

"ÉCLAIR,"

Éclair looked up, hearing a voice yelling her name and saw the rest of the group floating above her. All around her the world was destroyed and Cocoon was falling…just as it was in the vision.

"I can throw you toward them if you want," Ragnarok said, "Even if I did this, I won't have much power to do anything else."

Even at the darkest hour, there is always a beacon of light that will bring the hope back to the world. You have not yet seeing the end Éclair Farron.

There is always a goddamn choice Éclair.

I promise you Eden, I will not let your hard work be for nothing…that I can swear it.

Seeing that her brand was glowing brightly, Éclair then knew. She knew now what she has to do.

"I have made my choice," she said, "Can you…connect me with them."

Ragnarok looked at her.

"I can try," he said.

She put a hand upon Éclair's head.

Lightning was looking down toward Éclair, not even noticing that her body was turning to crystal, not understanding what was happening but she wanted Éclair to be with them…just as she had been since Pulse.

Guys, Éclair's voice echoed within their heads.

"Éclair, what are you doing?" Lightning said.

I…I am making a choice, Éclair's voice told them, I know now why the vision had always ended with Cocoon's destruction. It was because I was afraid, afraid of what I will be able to see at the end. You were right in the end Lightning, there is always a choice.

"What?" Tifa whispered.

"No way," Vaan whispered.

"Éclair," Lightning yelled.

Thank you for everything you have done for me Vaan, and to the rest of you for making this journey with me…in return, I will keep my promise to you all, it is the least I can do.

Then the link was cut.

"No, Éclair," Lightning yelled.

Since she had made her decision, Éclair's entire form was now shining a bright ethereal light. Ragnarok eyes widened.

T…This power…it's… it's the Fal'Cie Father's. How did Éclair…?

"If you do this…you'll…"

"One is always better than one million," Éclair said, "Isn't it Ragnarok?"

Then she opened her arms, as if to take the entire world into her protective embrace. Then she closed her eyes.

"Goddess Etro, I relinquish my soul to you,"

Then her form exploded into brilliant light, brighter than a star blinding everyone and everything that was looking at it.

Eclair makes the sacrifice...next is the last chapter of this story

Jacques0 out.

R&R.