"It's a viper we shouldn't-"

Huh?

What was happening here?

Lightning could swear she was just on her ship, cruising towards the Vallis Media.

"-Left her for dead."

Who is that? The soldier ponders, gathering a strong feminine voice. Arguing against a gruff man, clearly the superior of the two. That she could tell whilst fading in and out of consciousness. Her head pouding and vision blurring. Is she being dragged? Her back hurts something awful.

"She could help us, daught-"

"I'll kill her myself befor-"

The man's words faded as Lightning's eyes fluttered open, squinting against the blinding blue sky. Every attempt to move sent searing pain through her back. She was being dragged, her body screaming in protest with every jolt. The next thing she knew, she was slipping back into unconsciousness.

"Are you awake?" Someone hissed in her general direction.

Lightning shuffled, trying to move but slowly realising her hands were bound behind her back.

Halting any further action other than forcing her eyes to split, to stare at the opening in the tent as it swung open. She coughed, her neck sore as a blade is pressed against her throat, tilting it up harshly.

Lightning winces.

"Answer me, viper." Was spat from the same intruder, and Lightning finally took note of her. The blue sari, unruly brown hair which was tinted red in the single beams of light filtering through the mesh above, and the fierce eyes glaring into her own.

"Y-Yes." Lightning coughs, spitting on the floor below her.

Her mind slowly worked itself into overdrive, testing the bindings at her wrists and ankles. Upon further investigation, as limited as her movements she was certain she could slip out and escape the second she was free. She'd just need this woman to leave, giving herself some time to wear away at the material.

Simple enough, she'd done as much in her training back home for situations such as this.

"Nuh, uh. I don't think so." The lance dragged across her neck, down to the dirt. Blood seeped from the shallow cut, and Lightning was the one glaring, pain radiating from her neck.

"Where am I?" Lightning demanded.

She received an obnoxious chuckle in return as the woman circled her like a predator stalking its prey, dragging the lance across the floor, creating a small divot in the dirt.

"A long, long way from hope I suppose. But don't worry, you'll get a very warm welcome." Lightning bit back a retort, tugging at the post she was restrained too.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." The woman was behind her now, a hint of that earlier fierceness creeping in. As if she was waiting for Lightning to give her another reason to hurt her.

The pinkette's head started to pound even worse as the moments ticked by.

What had happened? Where was her ship? What happened to her team? She couldn't be all that was left, could she?

The opening to the tent flew open as an older man entered.

A weapon of his own strapped to his belt, and bare chest covered in scars. Some deep and brutal, others mere scratches. All powerful. One in particular caught her attention, it dug straight from his jaw to the centre of his chest. Clearly years old, but still a faded red. It must've been life threatening.

"Fang you fool. I told you not to be in here." He said angrily to the woman now known as Fang. "Leave." He argued, firmly. There was no room for her to talk back, though she tried again in vain.

Fang didn't look apologetic in the slightest. "No. She's one of them, she cou-"

"I said leave. Go and find your priestess." He cut her off sharply, and though she huffed and glared, Fang obeyed,m. Slinging her lance over her shoulder and leaving with a final, threatening glance at Lightning, exited the tent.

"Apologies for my daughter." His tone softer now. "She's not the nicest of warriors."

Lightning remained silent as he came forward, the man at his side waited near the entrance as he took a seat. Now she got a closer look at him. Clearly the leader of wherever she was being held, of these people. He looked strong. He'd be a formidable opponent. She subtly started to shift her wrist, attempting to wear the bindings as he got comfortable, leaning back slightly.

Completely relaxed in her company. As if her strength and skill could never out match his.

"I assume you have questions," he continued. "Your aircraft crashed. My warriors found you unconscious. Now, you're in our holding tent." He paused, noticing the subtle movements of her wrists as she worked the bindings. He chuckled, unbothered. "We mean you no harm."

Lightning scoffed and shuffled further away into the beam. "Could've fooled me."

He sighed, almost regretful. "We could at least get you looked at by our medic, she's quite skilled. She'll fix those wounds for you."

"Tch. I'd rather die." That made the man laugh softly and start to get up.

"Then that may very well be the case." He's by the entrance when he speaks up again, "try to reconsider, you'll fare better working with us than trying to break free." Lightning grits her teeth and remained quiet as he left.

She has no idea for how long, but her patience wears thin.

So she truly was the last one left. She grunts and smacks her head on the pole. Annoyed that it had come to this. She was a soldier, a member of the Guardian Corps, she would not die like this. She would NOT roll over and take this like a sick and lost puppy. She was Lightning Farron, and she would give up. With what little strength she had, and the blood slickening the rope she managed to work her hands free. Pulling them immediately to her chest to try and rub them before kicking off her ankle restraints. The tent was getting dark, and she was sure there were guards posted outside, so stepping to the back she slipped out under the tent cover.

She huffed as she trudged along the dirt into the grass.

It was a small village, many tents surrounding her, campfires and torches. It was nearing midnight if the moon high above was any indication.

Ducking low she snuck along tents, limping her injured leg and reaching out to steady herself as blood began to drip from the wound on her head and down her back. She reaches a river, falling at her feet to scoop up the water. The cool liquid eases the burn in her throat, in her own entire world she doesn't notice the woman until she's right by her.

A swift kick to her side sends Lightning hurtling.

"The hell." She grunts, landing in the stream.

"Fang! Cut that out, she's hurt can't you tell." Screamed another voice. Lightning barely noticed as she approached, blood obscuring her view. She was shorter and paler than Fang, with reddish orange hair tied into pigtails, she was smiling softly. Holding her hands out in a gesture of calm.

"Please. Let me help." Lightning shook her head and retreated further into the stream, struggling to stay standing on wobbly legs.

The redhead glanced back at Fang who was smirking.

"Oh cut that out you big oaf."

"Why? She'll be dead soon anyway if the council has anything to say about it, why bother mending what's already broken?" Lightning rolls her eyes, insulted but as her mouth opens she falls to the floor. Succumbing to the pain, letting the darkness take her once more.

A/N : Hey there readers, you're in for a bumpy ride with this one! I'm unsure what the endgame is, but for now let me know what you think :) Reviews are welcome!

This is one of my favourite games to replay :)