"We've tripped the security alarm. The Observation Battalion with be coming." Sirens rang out after the behemoth was spooked enough to pounce off. We went ahead with haste, not wanting to sit around for the battalion to find us.

Hope suggested we climb up a fallen tree, leading to an abandoned paddock above to sneak out. Light and I agreed with this and followed him.

His pathing worked out really well, only a few creatures were in our way, but for the most part, it was a safer route than what we would've gone otherwise.

Of course, we did end up back onto the previous path, leading us into fighting and evading more animals. Still, progress was being made. Didn't hurt that Gapra's sights are wonderful to look at. Beats rummaging around a junkyard.

"Take five." We found a decent spot to have a break, sit to rest our legs and catch our breath.

Hope gladly took it and plopped down to his knees. I was honestly pretty beat myself, my arms and legs ached from the climbing we've been doing. Lightning didn't sit, but she also didn't move on ahead. She's technically resting, I guess.

I tilted my head side to side, cracking and stretching my neck. "Oof- ouch." To my left, Hope was fiddling around with the knife Light gave him earlier. Serah's knife.

"Okay," Lightning spoke up, "I can tell you're hung up on something." She faced Hope. "Is it the l'Cie thing?"

Heeeere we go.

Gently, I replied, "it's Snow."

Hope stopping flipping the knife around, but didn't look at Lightning.

"What happened with him?"

"You wouldn't understand," he said, with a forlorn expression.

I shook my head. "No- I think she would." I didn't elaborate, but I saw Hope look at me, his eyebrows raised.

Light had walked to him, and knelt in front of him. I also moved closer.

"We're partners, Hope." Lightning's voice was soft.

With hesitation, Hope decided to begin. "My mother was killed." A pang went through my chest. I noticed Light's face drop as well. "Because of him." Hope tapped the knife on the ground. "It's his fault." Tap. Tap. Tap. "And he needs to pay." Flick. He flipped the knife open, staring at the blade. Blue light glinted off of it from the trees that surrounded us.

Hope shut the blade. "I'm not ready yet… but I will be. Soon" He stood up, Light and I did so as well. "That's why I followed you. Snow dragged us all into this- you two, me, your sister Serah…" He started walking forward. "He's gotta pay."

With that, Hope kept going ahead.

Light decided to assume the lead, I took the rear and Hope covered the middle.

Soldiers littered the ground, unconscious. Or, dead. But I tried to brush that thought aside.

"What happened here?"

Lightning looked the fallen men over. "Bad luck. Looking for us, came across something worse."

I couldn't help but feel a little bad for the downed squad. "Scary to see."

Hope stepped over to a soldier, reaching towards them while expressing worry for them. "We've got to help them-"

But Lightning shoved him back, causing him to land harshly on the ground. "Don't touch anything! Control your emotions, Hope." I thought twice before trying to stop her from lashing out at him. She was likely just preventing him from leaving evidence of our presence, it was a bit brash, though. "You wanna survive? You need to forget about sympathy." Exactly why I didn't say more.

Hope was still laying on the group, obviously startled by Light's reaction. Lightning paced away, "just- how can I explain?" She glanced to me, and I picked up on her tone. Gotcha.

I smiled a little, and mouthed the word "strategy", something she always was telling Serah and me when we were younger, to help us be able to defend ourselves if anything happened to us.

I could almost see a lightbulb go off above my sister's head, and she quickly walked back to Hope to kneel down in front of him. "Hope. Think of it like a strategy." I nodded in approval. "Focus on your ultimate goal, and shut out everything else." She paused, then continued. "Still your mind. Move on instinct." Light was quite tender in her words, I could see clearly the soft spot she was developing for our new friends. Something I often saw in her when she was with me, or with Serah. It warmed me.

Lightning could be assertive, bold. Many have thought of her as arrogant or cruel. But truly, she's not either of those things. She's a strict teacher. Someone who had to grow up too fast. I always looked up to her, even when I didn't agree with what she would say, or when I felt hurt by some of her words or actions. In the end, I knew, Lightning was just another human who hurt as bad as the next.

She carried on with giving Hope her lesson. Talking of how despair could be crippling, but having a mission, focus, is what can keep you moving.

This helped push Hope back up again. "Strategy. Got it." He accepted the push given to him. "Then, I'll call it… 'Operation Nora'."

Light and I were both surprised at the name. "NORA?"

"My mother's name."

There goes my heart, yet again.

"Your revenge?" Lightning asked.

Hope nodded. "Yes. But, don't tell me- I know getting revenge on him won't… bring her back." He turned back around to us, raising his voice, "I know that!" But he quieted back down. "But sorry won't cut it." I spotted a sheen developing in his eyes. He didn't look at us for long, turning back around, likely not wanting us to see him cry.

Lightning sighed. "Hope." She took a moment. "Snow didn't kill your mother. The Sanctum did."

"Who's side are you on?!" Hope flipped back around with fury.

"The side of truth."

I looked between the two. When Hope faced me, I nodded, agreeing with Lightning.

"Fine." Hope took the knife back out. "I'll fight the Sanctum with you, then. I'll learn to survive." With a huff, he again turned, and walked ahead.

I heard Lightning let out a breath.

"We can't really judge him, y'know." I stepped forward. "But, I hope he learns better soon."

Light came up next to me and agreed. With this, we followed behind Hope, who was walking briskly ahead.

After moving on, we encountered more soldiers, although these were perfectly awake, waiting for our arrival, it seemed like. On foot and on aircycle, they tried to take us down. It seemed that, still, they were not prepared for our new power. I could hear their reactions to our magic, some of fear, of wonder, or disgust. But they all felt the same.

We took another lift up after. The ride was quiet. Too quiet. Hope expressed this same thought.

Once the lift halted, we heard an unnatural screech come from the treetops above.

A large beast tumbled down towards us, resembling a flower bloom, with mechanic arms and legs. Military bio-weapon. Shit. Lightning rushed to shield Hope and me.

"This is it," I heard Hope murmur. "Operation Nora!" He pushed past Lightning, ready to fight. It startled me, but I still stumbled forward to fight as well. I think Lightning tried to protest our joining the battle, but she didn't have much time to try to stop us. This floral thing was impatient and ready to take us down with all of its might.

The large flower bud on its back, resembling a turtle shell, spun with speed, whipping air at us that caused us to almost lose our balance. Lightning jumped up, and swung at the beast when it wasn't expecting it.

Hope recovered, casting offense spells, and I leaped forward to attack in defense.

Figuring out its method of battle wasn't simple, but we managed well.

During a weak moment for the enemy, Lightning jumped towards it, burying her sword into its head down to the hilt. She called for us to help take it out.

Down it went.