Chapter 2 Purge

Disclaimer: once again I don't own FFXIII it rightfully belongs to square enix. God why do I always have to say a disclaimer you should all know that I'm not the owner of the franchise I'm not Tetsuya Nomura or anyone related to a FF game developer sheesh.

Italics are thoughts

Bold and Italics are flashbacks

Previously….

Seiryu Cerbiros is a drifter always drifting from one place to another without staying for too long on the spot. He was just another regular individual in the crowd, well not quite regular appearing that he has shown a few interesting abilities. He was traveling in Cocoon in a part of Bodhum just another spot for him to go before leaving to another place however things got a little complicated for the young man. Trying to save a Cocoon citizen from being blackmailed by two PSICOM soldiers in order to send him to the Sanctum's Purge he was the one ending up becoming the victim to be exile in the event. The Purge is an event where they sent a large portion of a population to be exile to the world of Pulse in order to prevent any possible contamination from said world to the citizens of Cocoon, or the chances of been mark as an I'Cieth in this case, the population of Bodhum became the unlucky ones.

The drifter was sent to the Bodhum train station where PSICOM will be sending the people to the Purge feeling that his luck has ran out and started having bad luck. In order for him to prevent becoming a threat to Cocoon and saving the citizen from the flower shop he chose to follow their orders and be exile from the known human paradise. In another part of the station Lightning Farron and Sazh Katzroy choose to be put on board of the military Purge train the former sergeant of the guardian corps from the Bodhum section admitted or rather lied that she and her afro companion have been in contact with a Pulse Fal'Cie having the possibility that they were contaminated. They were immediately taken into custody and shortly they were put on the line along with the people who were going to Pulse, they slowly started boarding the military train.

The story resumes….

(Scene change time skip)

(Location: somewhere in the outskirts of Cocoon)

The Purge military train was traveling outside of Cocoon passing through the region that is known as Cocoon's outer rim. It was the part of the planet that couldn't be saved by the Fal'Cie when the Pulsians forces attacked during the war of transgression centuries ago, a lot of the regions in the outer rim were now nothing but deserted wastelands while others became home to wild monsters. Next to Pulse this was the last place any citizen from Cocoon would want to be because the chances of survival were very low and the chances of getting killed by the monsters were very high. Not even curiosity hit their minds to wander the desolated place since to them the outer rim was just like a crack shell of an egg the only part that was important, or matter to them was the core not the outside. It was also another reason why the people relied on the Sanctum to keep them safe from any attack or Pulse threat, to prevent another war of transgression from ever happening.

It explains why they feared so much the Purge because they will be forever banish from returning to Cocoon and they will be entering Pulse region, it was no happy thought been in the same world as their enemies. That was the reality of things and it was mere logic or common sense to the people Pulse's Fal'Cie were enemies of Cocoon so if people were marked by a Pulse brand then they will eventually became their enemies as well. Since a marked I'Cieth will have no choice but to obey the Fal'Cie that marked him by fulfilling his or her focus, it was truly a sad fate for those who become the tools of the Fal'Cie. The military train was still passing through the deserted region heading to another dark tunnel it seems it was going to be a long journey to Pulsian territory, a long journey that no one wanted to take.

(Scene change)

Inside the Purge train everything was quiet the only sound heard was of the train's engine running normally the silence was disturbing or uncomfortable to the passengers. In each of the cabins there were a number of PSICOM soldiers watching over the civilians that has become victims of the Purge, making sure no one tried to escape or start a revolt. Most of the people have already lost hope the moment they have boarded the train that they could be save, most were depressed because they were never going to see their families again or their home, most of them were on the brink of tears for being chosen to be exiled from Cocoon and most didn't care at all they were waiting for them to die they will be grateful if they die before reaching Pulse. The men were in thought and others had lowered their heads in grief, the women were about to break down emotionally while others were strong doing everything they can to conformed their children and the children were all scared for their lives, some were unlucky because they didn't had any parents and some of them were already in tears sobbing softly.

In one of the cabins of the train Seiryu was seated with the rest of the civilians from Bodhum, the seats were all arranged in a straight in two groups so that everyone was facing the other, not to mention that they had full view of the PSICOM soldiers watching over. While traveling around he has ride different trains but this ride was probably the most depressive one he has ever taken in his entire life, he was as uncomfortable as the people aboard. He didn't had a place he could call home because he was a drifter but he tried to put in their shoes it must be horrible to be exiled from your home and be brought to the territory of your enemies just because a misunderstanding of being in the wrong place or time, or even because you were blackmailed remembering what the two PSICOM soldiers did to the owner of the flower shop in which he took his place on the Purge train.

He leaned his head on the seat he tried to relax but it was impossible remembering where he was going with these people he didn't felt like returning to Pulse, too many unpleasant memories for him to bare memories he didn't wanted to remember. He could clearly hear the sound of children sobbing he couldn't blame them they were just kids they were obviously scared of what was going to happen to them. He glared at the one responsible for such thing he was never in approval of the Sanctum's ways of laws and customs, in addition that he wasn't fond of the Fal'Cie from Cocoon he had a grudge of anger with them. He looked around the cabin especially on the walls he knew this was a military train so it didn't had any windows to gazed outside, he didn't where they were he was certain they were no longer on Cocoon. He sighed and stood quiet trying to get some rest even if it was difficult the uncomfortable silence and the soft grieving from the children made it impossible.

(Scene change)

Leaving another tunnel the military train has arrived to another region in the outer rim it looked like a broken highway with different roads it was obviously another abandoned region due to Pulsians attack from past wars. The region was known to many as the Hanging Edge it used to be an urban center and it's residents were obviously chased out during the war with Pulse now the only thing that remained was nothing but a memory of what it was, while to a lot of the population from Cocoon it was just a ghost town filled with monsters. The Purge train continued taking the rail road ahead there are no emergency stops, just one way ticket to Pulse.

(Scene change)

In another cabin of the train Lightning and Sazh were seated with the rest of the group that boarded. The pink haired soldier knew that by now they were already outside of Cocoon she has waited patiently waiting for the right time to strike, after all she had no intention of coming to Pulse she had something more important to do than sightseeing at their enemy's world. She carefully looked around gazing at the civilians seated followed at the PSICOM soldiers guarding this cabin, however her blue eyes were focused on the soldier that was holding her weapon she needed it if she wanted to go through with this, no chance in hell she was going to let them confiscate her gun blade for good. The same soldier was also holding Sazh's twin pistols but she didn't care about that since she didn't care about the afro haired man, she didn't knew him well and she didn't needed him. To her he was just excess baggage who was going to get in her way of her objective she would do this like she has always done in the past on her own.

Sazh on the other hand was nervous he has never been so scared in his entire life here he was on a one way ticket to Pulse through the Purge. He just scared just like the rest of the people the chances that they will die upon reaching Pulsian territory were high this wasn't how he wanted things to end for him, he still needed something to do that means everything to him. He wasn't ready to die yet wanting to accompany Lightning was the beginning of his objective, giving up wasn't an option he knew it. He was desperate for his companion to tell him what she has in mind by wanting to be purged she obviously lied about been in contact with a Pulse Fal'Cie so what was she up to, the suspense was killing him. He watched a soldier walking passed him and he thought that she didn't have a death wish so what was her motive for been here, he made sure no one will hear him he made his voice as low as he could.

"Look whatever it is you're going to do just do it already."

"Be quiet" she scolded him in the same low tone.

One of the soldiers got next to another who was the one who has taken custody of Lightning and Sazh's weapons he whispered" we'll be arriving at the checkpoint in one hour after that you know what to do?"

"Roger."

Lightning obviously didn't hear him and she didn't care this was the perfect chance to strike" it begins…."

In a quick movement she has charged at the soldier holding her weapon punching him hitting the sealed door of the cabin falling unconscious. The soldier next to him didn't had time to react as he was punched on his stomach followed by a powerful kick from the pink haired soldier knocking him too, she quickly took her gun blade from the knock out soldier. The group of civilians gasped at the sight while on the opposite side the door of the cabin slid open revealing another soldier he obviously heard the noise.

"What's going on here?"

Lightning removed the cloaked hood as she changed her weapon to a gun ready to fire showing no mercy to her opponent.

Sazh saw this with wide eyes he removed his cloak" everyone get down!"

She rapidly fired her weapon killing the soldier instantly this was it her secret mission has begun she will get through this no matter what, her blue eyes were filled with focus and determination as she changed her gun back to a blade ready to go to the next cabin and take out the next couple of PSICOM soldiers.

"Hey you could have warned me first if you were going to shoot they are civilians here you know" said the dark skinned pilot he wasn't happy that she could have hurt one the innocent passengers with her gun.

She ignored him as she picked up the two pistols and threw them rudely at him" here make yourself useful and stay with them, make sure they don't leave the train cabin I will handle PSICOM."

"What you're going to take them on alone?" replied the shocked Sazh.

"You will only get in my way" her tone was cold.

(Scene change)

"What was that?" Seiryu obviously heard the noise coming from not too far away.

"Did you hear that?" asked a soldier to another.

"Must be coming from the monsters outside?"

"It sounded more like it came from inside than outside, it must be coming from one of the cabins."

"Check it out."

He nodded heading to one of the doors leading to the next train cabin, it slid opened as he left. A minute later everyone heard a screamed and a gunshot startling the group. The soldier prepared his rifle and headed to the door when it opened he was stabbed by Lightning's gun blade the PSICOM soldier fell dead to the ground, everyone started panicking when they saw the body. Seiryu was also startled as he smelled the scent of blood nearby he was able to tell something about the attacker, he didn't heard a screamed from the last soldier meaning that he was killed rapidly without giving him time to react to the attack. This person was no ordinary person if she didn't gave the soldier time to feel any pain, it seems he has meet an exceptional fighter.

Lightning lowered her gun blade seeing that everyone aboard was scared ready to freak out after they witnessed her killing a PSICOM soldier first hand" you're all getting out of here none of you are going to Pulse…."

The drifter blinked hearing her tone the attacker was a woman judging from her tone she sounded young like she was twenty or twenty one" she's here to save us….that's a relief?"

He smiled hearing that he wasn't looking forward to return to Pulse and once the purged civilians heard her words they stopped feeling scared and some of them were smiling while others were just plain relief. He was in deep thought who was she that she's willing to break in a military train much less a Purge train, attacked PSICOM soldiers and just sets them free like it was a piece of cake. It sounded reckless to go with such plan and strategy but perhaps she didn't had a choice, maybe she was doing this on her own and nobody was helping her. If that was the case then he will gladly help her since he didn't want to go to Pulse as well as the rest of the people aboard. His ears perked up sensing someone coming Lightning didn't realized the door on the other side opening.

"Someone's coming!" he shouted to her.

The pink haired soldier reacted hearing the warning she didn't know who it was since they were all wearing Purge cloaks, she saw the soldier at the end of the cabin and changed her weapon to a gun firing a couple of rounds. The soldier managed to get away as the door closed taking the bullets saving his life.

"Shit" she cursed as she started running towards him.

The soldier was running entering another cabin and meeting another group of soldiers.

"What's wrong?"

"We have an intruder heading this way she has already taken out a couple of members from our squad!"

"What?"

Another soldier took out a small communicator" this is Talon six code red I repeat code red we have a hostile situation on the Purge train we need back up immediately!"

Lightning was looking through the window and went back to the other cabin now they were in for it she cursed mentally expecting to handle PSICOM before they called for reinforcements. No doubt now that they will deport something strong than just man power knowing the military organization didn't had only soldiers but machines that were program to help them in battle. She needed to act fast before they get here her only choice now was to stop the train before it continues to go further, she was already in her destination there was no backtracking from this. She went back to the train cabin where Sazh was located the purged civilians have already gotten up from their seats ready to leave the train.

"About time you got here we better get out of here now."

"Gather all of the people here, company is coming."

The afro haired man raised an eyebrow" company from whom….?"

They suddenly gasped as they heard a loud pounding noise coming from the ceiling of the train above them, it went on a couple of times like it was about to destroy the steel ceiling.

"That answers your question?" she replied sarcastically.

The people screamed as the steel ceiling was destroyed or rather cut by a couple of round sharp saw blades. The pink haired soldier glared at the one responsible PSICOM reinforcement has arrived sooner than she anticipated this fight was going to get ugly, and it will get even uglier if they were civilians present.

"Change of plans get them out of here, they will get in the way."

He nodded calling to everyone in the train they all started leaving from the opposite door of the cabin, he went to a little girl who had her hood down revealing her face.

"Hey come on we're getting you out of here."

From Sazh's afro came a little chocobo chick making them looked surprise she wasn't expecting to see such sight which looked humorous to have a bird living in your hair. He helped her get up as the little joined up with everyone else he turned to look at Lightning who has jumped to the ceiling to go after the soldier's reinforcements.

He sighed taking his little bird in his hands" chocobo we can't just catch a break can we?"

On the ceiling Lightning was starting at PSICOM's reinforcements and just as she thought it wasn't going to be soldier back up but rather it was machine. It was colored white with both arms on the tip had had four round saw blades on each of them with long tail, the machine looked like a manta ray. The pink haired soldier recognized the mechanical weapon known as a Manasvi Warmech she knew about it because of her services with the guardian corps she had knowledge on both PSICOM and the Sanctum's militarized units. The Manasvin Warmech was a specialized weapon in both close and long range combat, taking in it down won't be easy. She glared at the mechanical weapon raising her gun blade ready to fight it the same focus and determination she has shown since she boarded the train didn't left her eyes.

(Scene change)

Seiryu finally had it he couldn't take it anymore she wasn't going to let the woman that came to save them fight alone, as skilful as she might be she couldn't take all of the PSICOM forces on the train. He got up from his seat while the group of people on the cabin was still feeling restless from Lightning's attack he knew they couldn't stay here if more soldiers arrive they will be held into custody again. He was going to find her and help her in this situation, but first he needed to get his sword back he will have to find the soldier that took it from him from back at the flower shop. There was a high chance that he was here ordered to be part of the unit that is in charge of the Purge, so if he still had some luck he might be able to ran to him.

"I have to get them out of here first before making my next move."

"Everyone listen!" he got the people's attention" you will all be in danger if PSICOM comes here please get to the next cabin and be safe I assure you that you will all escape safely, no one is going to be condemned to go to Pulse."

To his relief they nodded in agreement and they started walking out leaving to the next cabin taking the back door, he felt like he was being watched. In the cabin there was one person who wasn't wearing the Purge cloak it was a woman who seemed to be in her early thirties with short silver hair, blue eyes wearing a, regular female attire. She was holding the hand of a short person probably a kid wearing a hooded cloak he was probably family to the woman. She smiled to him as she left still holding the hand of the kid there was also another person present wearing the cloak, the individual to the mechanical door following the rest of the people.

"Be careful…." her tone was soft but Seiryu could tell that it was a female she sounded young probably a teenager.

He nodded as he entered through the door of the front going to the next cabin he hoped that it wasn't occupied by the soldiers, his luck turned bad once again. As he gazed through the circular window of the automatic door the cabin had four soldiers holding their rifles they were still watching over the civilians in the cabin, it wasn't going to be easy to enter without getting their attention.

"They must be well aware that they're under attack that's why they probably increased the security, it will seems I will have to resolve to force then."

He suddenly heard a door slid opened obviously from the other side of the cabin where he was listening intensely" great as it things couldn't get any worse more PSICOM soldiers…."

"We got orders to purge them all now" replied the new soldier.

"What but we haven't reach the checkpoint yet?" replied another which it was a coincidence that he was the same soldier that confiscated Seiryu's sword.

"Change of plans we can't risk them escaping so we're executing them now..."

The drifter was shocked" what kill them?"

The soldiers aimed their rifles at the people as they were all scared while they were already children crying.

"Kill them all leave none alive!"

The door slid opened and before they even shoot at the innocent people the soldiers were attacked, they were knocked out cold. Everyone was shocked at what just happened one minute they were about to be shot to death and the next the PSICOM soldiers have been beaten, they turned looking at another purge victim since he was still wearing his hooded cloak. If they could see his face he wasn't a happy one but he was glaring at the soldiers with so much anger after hearing what they were planning to do with all the innocent civilians, he has just found out the truth of the Sanctum's Purge.

"I should it known the so called Purge is nothing but a massacre plan, the whole exile part to Pulse is nothing but a cover up to cover the truth. I knew the Sanctum always stood low but not like this, to murder innocent people as they please what horrible people…."

"Everyone please leave now!" he shouted as the people left the cabin running for their lives he hoped they get out safely.

"We can't leave home free as long as the train is still running."

He got on one knee smiling as he picked up his sword next to unconscious body of the soldier" I'll be taking my weapon back thank you."

He finally removed the Purge cloak as he put his sword on the belt strapped on his back and left the cabin with a destination in mind" time to visit the conductor's room, it should be in the first cabin."

(Scene change)

Lightning has charged at the Manasvin Warmech once again slashing the front of the military weapon. The Warmech used his saw blades but she quickly back step changing her blade to a gun shooting a couple of rounds on the front once more. She has made a small crack on the mech's steel front if she keep it up she might be able to break it apart, the mechanical weapon fired its tail laser and she was quick to dodged because she saw it coming she knew all about its weapons. She charged again doing a couple of spins with her gun blade using the attack blitz, once again she back stepped and fire more rounds to the front of the warmech. She noticed Sazh arriving as he has came out from the hole the mech has created on the ceiling, she wasn't happy that he came.

The afro haired pilot went next to her drawing his pistols" I'm helping you I did my part with the civilians."

"Suit yourself" she obviously didn't want any help.

The Warmech used its saw blades as the pink haired soldier shot them rapidly while Sazh joined her firing his rounds. She was quick to fired on the tail making sure it didn't use its laser she changed her weapon and perform a couple of quick slash on the arms followed by a powerful strike on the its head. The afro man didn't wanted time as he continued his assault on the mechanical weapon both didn't stopped their relentless assault on the mech. Lightning did a couple of blitz sending it to the ground it has actually stopped moving they have done it, however she didn't let her guard down and kept on holding to her gun blade. Sazh felt relief seeing the mech down he obviously lowered his guns while the chocobo chick left his hair flying around chirping like it was congratulating him on winning the fight.

"Man that thing was tough."

"It's not over yet" she replied raising her weapon.

The dark skinned pilot gazed with a gasp seeing the Manasvin Warmech getting back up he backed off a little" hey man take it easy now let's be rational here…."

She snorted at his comment like it was actually going to listen to him" you're wasting your time."

"Oh man here it comes!" he raised his pistols again while his chocobo went back to his hair not wanting to be here anymore.

(Scene change)

Seiryu has finally reached the first cabin of the train with the goal to make them stop it he was going to use force if it comes down to it, since it was PSICOM it seems he won't have a choice in the matter. He was determined to stop this and free the people that have been condemned to the Purge, or rather the massacre as a way to cleanse from any possible Pulse Fal'Cie contamination or being mark as an I'Cieth. After finding out the truth of the Sanctum's motives he wasn't going to let this go on any further, he has made up his mind to prevent this from happening at all cost and help the woman that saved him. He wasn't going to show mercy to PSICOM or anyone from the Sanctum they have gone too far with this, killing innocent people was definitely something he didn't approved off. Just thinking about it made him angry the way the Fal'Cie will toy away with people's lives like they didn't mean a thing, not valuating human life was a big mistake to him.

His ears perked up hearing the door of the conductor's cabin opening he quickly punched the PSICOM soldier that left. He heard two more soldiers in the room so he took his automatic rifle and shot both of them, not giving them a chance to fight back. He stood in deep thought this has been the first time he has killed people in a while erasing any of the memories from his past he went back to the task at hand. He took a couple of steps touching something that it was the controls of the train with this he should be able to stop it allowing everyone aboard to escape. He reacted again as he saw another soldier standing on the door way.

"Freeze!"

The drifter stopped attacking him now was too dangerous he could get shot" not good…."

"Put your hands in the air now!"

He did as told" tell me we're you really planning to kill every single men, women and child aboard?"

"I'm not fond at the idea either but orders are orders I will follow them just like everyone else anyone who gets to the Purge must be executed no questions ask, now turn around."

Seiryu did as told only to make a quick movement that the soldier didn't saw it coming and took his rifle holding him, he was now pointing it to him.

"What the….?"

"Listen up good you're going to help me here, I need someone who is well known with the controls of the train."

(Scene change)

The fight against the Manasvin Warmech wasn't hard but it was tough since it was taking a beating and it was still back on its feet. Lightning has fired more rounds from her gun along with Sazh hitting its front but it still wasn't enough to bring it down. The pink haired soldier realized that hitting the head area of the mech was probably not the answer to defeat it so she chose another part to strike, her blue eyes gazed at its arms where it was holding the round blades. She quickly charged slashing both arms and finished with blitz as she back stepped again she noticed the damage from her attack has taken more effect than attacking the front part. She changed her weapon again to a gun and shot a couple of rounds on them, they were starting to malfunction.

"That's it…."

She looked at the afro haired man" shoot the arms!"

Sazh nodded and concentrated his attack on the mech's arms shooting his twin pistols while Lightning joined him on the shooting barrage. She changed her weapon again and charged her blade slashing the mechanical arms with a strong swift attack slicing them off, the constant attacks received weakened the arms allowing her to give it a finishing deadly blow to them. The warmech started malfunctioning without its arms and didn't have a choice but to leave from the train, it flew off leaving the hanging edge or probably because it was being called to head back for now. Once they realized that the fight was really over this time both finally relax Lightning sheathed her gun blade back on her sheath while Sazh sighed in relief putting his gun back on his leg hostlers.

"Glad that's finally over."

Suddenly the train made a complete stop that shocked both of them they were sent to the ground due to the powerful force. They tried to hold down to their lives as they heard a powerful crash the train must have collided with something when everything was over they slowly got up only to see that the train has crash on one of the ledges that form the hanging edge, hopefully the people were safe and unharmed. The pink haired soldier was relief although she didn't showed it that they didn't left the area this was her destination having the knowledge from the guardian corps that the Pulse Vestige is in this location that's where she needed to go, her only goal in mid is to get there. She has wasted too much time here due to the interference from PSICOM, she was sure she was going to meet more of them on her way to the Vestige.

(Scene change)

Lightning has left the train crashing site and she was standing not too far away taking one last glance at the people she turned her back ready to take her leave. Determination filled her more remembering where she was going and her purpose for coming here, although she wasn't happy with herself right now. As a former soldier and member of the guardian corps she knew what she did was completely reckless and it wasn't her style at all when she has always done thing thinking straight and planning a more effective strategy, a fight without a proper battle plan was destine to fail that what she has always thought. Yet what she has done till now was completely going against her morals as a soldier it was reckless and most importantly crazy she lied to PSICOM soldiers that she had contact with a Pulse Fal'Cie in order to be put aboard the Purge train, attacked the soldiers without a plan in mind, let them called for backup ending up fighting a strong military warmech. She erased her thoughts and she started walking out going north in the path of the deserted urban town.

"Wait!" Sazh called to her as he came running" what do you think you're doing?"

"Leaving" was her obvious reply.

"What about all of the people from the train?"

"What about them?" her tone was harsh.

"What?"

"I did my part they're saved…."

"But you can't leave them out here they won't survive and who knows if PSICOM will come back to finish their job!"

"Not my problem they are on their own now…."

"But…."

"If they are strong they will survive" with that she finally took off.

The afro haired man watched her walking away before he gave a sigh" man girl has a lot of issues to take care of."

The chocobo chick left his hair and started flying around him chirping happily the dark skinned pilot finally left following the pink haired soldier.

Seiryu has listened clearly to their conversation watching them leave even if he was a little too far away from their distance, he felt like going after them but he had second thoughts. He has stayed to help the Bodhum civilians to escape from the train safely he made sure that they were all right, none injured due to the impact the train made when it made the emergency stop that he made when he infiltrated the conductor's cabin. He checked every single one that none were showing any types of injuries or any bleeding, once he realized they were all right he felt better not feeling that he didn't had to carry any burdens. They were safe until something came to his mind he had realized something important, something quite logical.

"Where will they go now….?"

He was gazing around the former Purge passengers they were so many since PSICOM managed to take half of the population of Bodhum to the Sanctum's protocol or rather the massacre plan. They were already outside of Cocoon far away from the center of the planet they were all I the middle of a deserted wasteland with no possibilities of survival whatsoever. There was no food or water or even shelter for the matter he felt like he caught between a rock and a hard place. He wondered how he could have gotten into these kind of mess would they be able to go on they have already lost hope when they boarded the military train, but now they could be feeling worst. What were the chances of survival in a place like this when they were over a hundred people with him that was a question he didn't know how to answer.

"I can do this they can't stay here PSICOM will probably come to look for them and finish their so called Purge, but if they leave who knows what they will encounter here this place must be filled with monsters. Either way it leads to the same conclusion that they don't stand a chance of surviving here…."

"Everyone please listen" he got their attention again" we have to go now PSICOM will probably come looking for us if that happens then we won't stand a chance of leaving this place alive."

"And what makes you think that we'll survive if we do leave look at this place it's a ghost town there's no one here no civilization, no food, no water face it we're doom?" replied an stressed civilian.

"I really don't know honestly I don't know" he rubbed his forehead trying to get keep it together.

"I know you're all scared it's understandable but we have no choice but to go, you all saw what happened back at the train you all know the truth of the Purge?"

Some of the people got scared because they were in the same cabin when PSICOM revealed their true intentions of the Purge, the sight of the soldiers pointing their rifles at them ready to shoot was enough to clear the message. Others were confused because they already know the point of the Purge, one way ticket to the world of their enemies a place none wanted to be.

"What are you talking about of course we know what the Purge is, exiling all of us to Pulse that forsaken place?" shouted another civilian.

"I'm afraid to say this but you're wrong" this made everyone react some in curiosity others in fear" I apologize to say this but exile to Pulse is nothing but a big lie from the Sanctum just a cover up to cover the truth…."

He paused lowering his head" the truth of the Purge….is death."

Everyone one gasped from the shock while other started crying namely children. The drifter felt like he has made a mistake in telling them they were already feeling hopeless thinking that they were going to die, now they were probably feeling worst. Hearing the truth will most likely cut their chances survival in half he felt like he had messed up big time.

"Are you saying that they were going to kill us?" the same civilian from earlier was horrified.

"I'm afraid so it seems that once the Sanctum chooses the people who are the most suspicious with any connections to Pulse gets a free ride somewhere on the outside rim and then gets killed…."

"I don't believe this they were planning to kill us all along" replied a woman.

"What are we going to do now?"

"We don't stand a chance here…."

"We're all going to die."

"I want to go home I miss my mom…."

"I don't want to be here!"

"I don't want to die here!"

"Everyone that's enough!" shouted Seiryu" I know you're all scared but panicking isn't going to help us getting out of here alive, that is our main goal. If we want to find a way to leave this place and return to Cocoon then we must stick together and stay calm."

"However getting back to Cocoon will be nearly impossible, by now PSICOM has probably contacted their central command about the attack on the Purge train they will be standing ready…."

"And how are we going to get back to Cocoon?" another civilian said.

"We can start by leaving this place we've been here for too long if PSICOM is still here then they will eventually find us" replied the drifter.

The large crowd was quiet they were still unsure whether to trust him or not, they were terrified about being stranded in addition of finding out the truth of the Purge. Seiryu heard the whispers and muttering that they didn't want to go while most we're that they were going to die either way, it seems no one was going to cooperate with him. Yet he felt like it was his responsibility to help them get through this there was no one else who could help since almost everyone were feeling negative. And now he was starting to feel the same way too they were pretty much hopeless with no chance of surviving so many innocent lives we're now on his hands how could things end up like this. One minute he was traveling at Bodhum as a drifter like usually he does and the next he's at the Hanging Edge outside of Cocoon with a group of civilians that we're about to be kill by PSICOM.

"I must be strong these people are losing hope I can't feel the same way too….I'm not giving up at least until I find her."

"I think we should listen to him."

Seiryu blinked hearing that he recognized the voice of the woman he met at one of the passenger's cabins. The woman with short hair who wasn't wearing a cloak went next to him facing the crowd he felt so grateful someone was studding up to him because he really needed it he was starting to doubt himself.

"Everyone this man right here helped us against PSICOM I think we should trust him from now on until we find a way to get back to Cocoon."

"Well I only stopped the train the credit should go to that woman" the drifter was obviously referring to Lightning.

"I believe in him so maybe we should start believing in him too, we won't see any results unless we give it a try right?"

The crowd slowly nodded agreeing even if it didn't helped lift their spirits or making them believed that they could leave here alive. But for now that will be enough they got a little motivation as they started walking heading south of the road they were still afraid that they might get attack by PSICOM or whatever monsters are roaming in this place. Seiryu smiled as he walked besides the woman she was still holding the hand of the cloaked person from back at the train.

"Thank you it seems your words have reached their hearts."

"You looked like you needed some support but I did meant what I said" she smiled at him.

"And I appreciated it mam'."

The woman chuckle as she extended her free hand introducing herself" Nora Estheim."

He smiled accepting the friendly gesture" Seiryu Cerbiros."

She broke the hand shake looking to the person she was holding with her other hand" this is my son Hope."

"Please to meet you Hope."

"Nice to meet you too sir" replied cloaked Hope who sounded unsure he was obviously scared just like the rest of the people.

"Don't worry Hope I promise that you will all be fine we will get out of here safely."

(Scene change)

Lightning and Sazh were walking in another road leading further north of the Hanging Edge it has been an easy journey so far. They have already encountered a couple of monsters and PSICOM soldiers like they weren't seeing that coming they were still obviously scouting the region since the attack at the Purge train and the escaped population of Bodhum that was supposed to be purged. So far so good they just needed to continue traveling to wherever they were heading, which the afro haired man was still in deep thought about it. He still didn't know their destination aside from the pink haired soldier or her reasons to be here in such a dangerous place outside of Cocoon, he knew his reasons but not hers. What could be driving her to go so far and risk it all including her life it was still a mystery to him.

"This place is big…."

No reply came from the former guardian corps sergeant she only had her eyes on the road ahead, eventually ignoring him probably pretending that she traveling alone.

"She's so talkative it wouldn't kill her to say a word."

Lightning glared as she unsheathed her gun blade" enemies."

"At least she can say one word" the afro pilot took his two pistols from his leg hostlers.

She charged at one Pantheron killing it with one attack from her blade while Sazh shot a couple of rounds hitting the second Pantheron but he was still in its feet, the pink haired soldier finished it off with a Blitz attack.

"There we go we make a nice team."

"Hardly" she muttered in annoyance she sheathed her gun blade again once the coast was clear.

"She really knows how to hurt someone's feelings" the dark skinned pilot sighed.

He followed her she went back to walking like nothing happened but he has finally had it with her silence" hey wait up!"

She stopped not even looking at him.

"Come on I know you're not much of a talker but at least tell me where we're heading?"

"We?" she looked at him" you're just following me around and I didn't even asked you to join me to begin with."

"I'm here on personal business but I don't know about you."

She started walking again while he gave another sigh while his chocobo chick left his hair" she's hard to communicate."

"Wait!"

She stopped again looking at the distance" I have a personal score with the Fal'Cie…."

"With the Fal'Cie then that's why you attacked PSICOM with no mercy?"

"The reason the people of Bodhum was sent to the Purge is because there was a discovery among the Vestige…."

"The Vestige near Bodhum?" of course he knew about it, the place was one of the cities popular sites.

"A Pulse Fal'Cie" she replied.

Sazh's eyes widened" what all the way there in Cocoon….?"

"That's why the Sanctum ordered the protocol of the Purge to the civilians, according to information from the guardian corps the Vestige has been housing a dormant Pulse Fal'Cie for centuries its magic must have somehow influence the population and that's why they took matters into their own hands by exiling everyone that lives near the Vestige to Pulse via the Purge."

"Man I can't believe all this time there has been a Pulse Fal'Cie right under our noses."

"That's where I'm going…."

"What you mean you're going to the Vestige, looks like you have hit your head hard girl if you remember where we are we're no longer in Cocoon, the Vestige is in Bodhum?"

Lightning only pointed straight ahead in the distance" not anymore…."

"What do you mean?"

The afro haired man looked where she was pointing and his eyes widened looking at a PSICOM carrier carrying a huge object obviously he recognized the structure" oh my sweet mercy…."

"The Sanctum has ordered to move the Vestige to Pulse where it should rightfully belong."

(Scene change time skip)

After an hour walking the endless destroyed path the large group of civilians has finally reached their limit they couldn't go on anymore. They may have escaped the fate of the Purge but they were all tire in addition that most were getting hungry, others thirsty and others were home sick wanting to be next to their friends or families. They probably felt more hopeless like they have lost their will to live since they had no place to go their chances of survival in the Hanging Edge were low very low. Most of them have given up on living and they were waiting for death to take them and others thought they wanted to die to prevent this kind of torture of experiencing a slow death. By now a lot of the Purge victims had taken off their hooded cloaks relief that they have gotten rid of it they won't need it ever again, only a little of the people were praying for a miracle to happen.

Seiryu was walking next to Nora and Hope looking frustrated he has gotten more than he could beg for. He couldn't lead of this people to survival when the place itself was nothing but a deserted town that has been abandoned for many years he could hear their cries while others started panicking they have given up that they couldn't continue moving on, along that they were exhausted for walking too long. There was nothing else he could do he was starting to lose hope too everything seems to be lost, even with Nora's words still in his head he didn't know how to go on. He gazed at Nora the woman was smiling like she wasn't giving up at all he had to admire her courage but he could feel that Hope wasn't feeling the same, he was just like everyone else.

"Everyone is at their limit and there's no end to this road, this place is so big I don't know how long it will be before they all start to panic…."

"Let's take a rest here."

Nora nodded while other people agreed while most of them have already stopped to take a break before he even said the word. Hope wasn't feeling well he was scared this place was making him feel uncomfortable and it didn't help that he almost got kill along with his mother back at the train he felt like crying he only squeezed his mother's hand as she smiled back at him assuring him that everything will be all right. Next to the young boy was another person still wearing the Purge cloak the person hasn't left his side they left the train when they got rescued by Seiryu, however the drifter was able to tell that she was the same girl that told him to be careful back then. It seems she care for the teen she didn't looked to be feeling the same way as the rest of the people, she and Nora were definitely strong people even him couldn't last this long without going crazy.

"What should we do now?" asked Nora still holding the hand of her son.

"We have to keep moving perhaps we might find some transport like a ship, this part of Cocoon was destroyed during the war of transgression. There might be a chance that we could find a ship here" the drifter replied with a lot of hope in his tone trying to believe in his own words.

"There's no way we'll survive is there?" Hope said in a low tone.

"Hope don't stop believing not you too" said Seiryu.

"It will be all right" replied the girl next to him.

"Sweetie…." Nora started.

"There's no way we'll get back to Cocoon is there?"

The drifter stood quiet not daring to say it he refused to believing that they could get out of here without getting kill by PSICOM or the monsters haunting the hanging Edge.

"We're all going to die isn't it?"

"That's enough I know you're afraid we all are but saying all these things won't make it any better for any of us, it won't help us find a way to leave this place" his mother pulled him closer looking at him his cloak revealed part of his face.

Suddenly Seiryu gasped his ears picking up something" footsteps someone's coming there's seem to be more than one I have a bad feeling…."

Suddenly the large population of Bodhum citizens gasped in shocked as they heard the clicking sounds of rifles being cocked.

"Freeze!"

The drifter was shocked everyone was staring at four PSICOM soldiers accompanied by two Pantaron, they pointed their rifles at them looking serious they meant business. After hearing what happened at the Purge train they have been given the orders to kill anything that moves, especially the Purge people. The drifter wasn't happy that they have been found by the military organization sooner than he expected he didn't even thought that things couldn't get worst as they are. First the flower shop incident that got him into this whole mess with the Purge and now this.

"Once again my bad luck strikes."

To be continued

The second chapter is done and I'm already going to start writing the next chapter. I know that they are probably events in the story that maybe don't match with the game but I decided to add in a few different things to make it more original and more to my taste. Also any development with the characters will be done slowly not quite the game remember to review and I will see you all nest time farewell.

Next time: Guilt