After running accros with few PSICOM forces, Lightning and Sazh already at Hover craft heading the rendezvous point where supposed to be they meet Cloud.
"So soldier Girl," Sazh intterupted the silince as he approched the gondola hover craft controll panel, but Lightning decideded to ignore him. "What's your angle? Classified military intel? you quit didn't you?"
"Pulse Fal'Cie"Lightning turned to him interjected "I'm Aftering the Fal'Cie". She told the Afro haired man straight at his confused eyes causing him a long silence. "Still happy to tag along?" She says as she walked passed him pulled the leaver allow the Gondola flying passing trought the.
The pair stopped at the side of the railtrack witnessing the endelsess battle of Millitary Forces agaisnt the Rebels. They noticed a armed Soldiers viciously Annahilating the unarmed Rebel Combatant.
"It's an out-and-out massacre, Those people won't even live long enough to die on Pulse." Sazh stunned at the sight massacre.
"That's the Idea from the begining."
"What?!"
"It's a Sanctum logic,They conjured up the Purge to eliminate a threat. I mean, why carry the threat all the way to Pulse, why not just stamp it out here?" Lightning explained it and it fills with anger and disgust "Execution masquerading as exile, that all the Purge ever was."
"Relocating to pulse. How does a goverment get away with pulling crap like that? And you knew this was gonnna happend?" Sazh asked demanding the answers as Lightning shakes her head
"The Purge was PSICOM doing. Sanctum's Private Millitary Forces, not the Guardian Corps."
"PSICOM, Guardian Corps…soldiers are soldiers, aren't they?" Sazh pointed at one of dead PSICOM soldier and What about your spikey haired friend? Hmm? What was his deal anyway? Not to mention I don't recognize the uniform he was wearing." Sazh presumably talking about Cloud. Lightning at this point had no clue how she should explain anything about Cloud to him.
"He's a mercenary. I hired him for a job. Nothing more." Lightning replied. But then suddenly a loud alarm began heard across the Hanging Edge
"What's that?"
"Attention Purge deportees…Attention Purge deportees.put down your weapons and surrender immediately.Your removal is the will of the people of Cocoon.should you attempt to flee,the Sanctum will employ every resource necessary to bring you to justice.This land is no longer your home!Cease hostilities and surrender at once!"
Once the massage blared across the Hanging Edge, Lightning noticed something decends from the Sky.
"Just what you were looking for, the Pulse Fal'Cie" Sazh said taking a sight of the Fal'Cie being transported by Air Ships that attatched it with wires.
"Yeah, in there..." Lightning growled in anger while taking the sight of the Fal'Cie that took her Sister from her.
Lightning knelled down examining their position, distance of their Hover Craft that transported her and Sazh. She noticed the craft almost reached the point where they supposed to meet Cloud.
"Time to Jump." Lightning said as she taking off falling and began rapid her decent. As she almost reached the ground, she snapped her finger activating the Grav-Con Unit letting her landed gracefully. She noticed Sazh had jumped as well and screeming in the air and landed at the Grav-Con Field ungracefully. Lightning noticed that Cloud is no in sight in the area.
"He's late." Lightning said feeling slighty annoyed noticed they already waiting for quite long.
"The Guy might be lost in track. But after seen he's fight, maybe he still out there."
Then something caught the pairs attention. A sound of footsteps approching them from bellow them. Lightning Prepared her Saber in Gun Mode as Sazh draws out both of his Pistols. But then it was revealed Cloud jumped from bellow of the Bridge and landed in front of them.
"Took you long enough." Lightning said as she put back her Saber in the holster
"Man, Where you been up to anyway? You almost had me worried Kid." Sazh said a bit relief.
"Giving the Public Security the runaround, that's what. Had to draw them from the rendezvous point somehow." Cloud shrugged.
"That explain we only run a few PSICOM forces while on the way here. Not bad." Lightning praised. "Time is wasting, we need to keep moving."
"Wait. Before we moved on, I got question for you." Cloud said asked straight to Lightning who stopped and looked him confused "do you know someone called Nabaat?"
Lightning didn't even know how to reacted but How did Cloud learn that name sooner quickly.
"PSICOM's Commander-in-cheif." Lightning answered "She in charge of the every Millitary Operations. Most likely, she is the one also conducted the Purge Operation under order of the Sanctum's Primarch. How did you find out about her anyway?" Lightning asked.
"Over heard the bad guys talks, That's all." Cloud replied flatly. Avoiding to telling them the truth that he is now PSICOM's Most wanted.
"Let's go" Lightning ordered leading the group heading where the PSICOM keeping the vestige.
It didn't hoped as they planned, the vestige is full of labyrinth and it takes more time for the group to detour. But then the group found a door that seem to be imposible to open even with force.
"Still won't budge?" Sazh said sarcastically "I think the door is winning."
"This is getting us no where. We going need an explosive to budge it." Cloud said still leaning in the wall with his arms crossed
"Why didn't I listen?"Lightning panted tiredly after forcing the door to open with her Saber " It was me... This is my fault."
"Beg your pardon?" Sazh said confused.
"Cover your ears," Lightning ordered. Cloud seems confused how she going budge the door. it doesn't seem she have a explosive with her.
"Huh? Oh, blast charge? Hold on, hold on!" Sazh running at the other direction as he curled like a ball. "Alright go for it! Make it happen" he covered his ears. Cloud shakes his head as he take a sight of the silliest of afro man in front of him.
His attention caught into Lightning as she approched the door placing her hands at the door and she began whispering gently.
"I'm so sorry, please let me in. Please?"
After the pleading, the energy field began fade away and the door slowly opened revealing a huge staircase.
"Wait, What the—hey?"Sazh said standing up noticed the door opened "What did-- How'd you open it?"he asked confused as Cloud walked passed him following Lightning.
The group head toward the huge staircase as it guarded by few Mechas and armed infantry. Lightning giving a hand signal telling Cloud to stay low and avoid any enemies in the area, Cloud nodded and then telling Sazh the same to stay low. Sazh is a bit confused of their hand singals, since he is not a Millitary man, his knoweldge of the Millitary Hand signals is limited. the group swiftly avoiding the PSICOM's combatants.
But then, something unexpected happend, a group of monsters approched the group, a gray looking Crystalize mindless monster with sharp claws on it's arms.
"What the hell is that?" Cloud draw his sword from his back
"The Cie'th's" Sazh explanied "When a Fal'Cie takes a human and turned them into the I'Cie to serves them, they were given a Focus to Complete and gain an eternal life. But if they failed fullfill their Focus, they are doomed and turned into these things." Sazh finished explanied and draw out his pistols A conculsion had reached to Cloud. It all makes sense now Why Lightning is desperately tried to Saved her Sister. She tried to saved her before she turned into a mindless Monsters.
"There's to many of them, Fall back." Lightning ordered and the group withdraw from the crowd of Cie'th's chasing them. After a few minutes, they lost them.
"What's gotten into you soldier girl? I thought you came for a fight." Sazh asked and Lightning stopped sighed. It's no use for her to keep stalling him forever.
"I think it's time you tell him the truth." Cloud whispered as Lightning nodded takes a deep breath.
"My sister is a l'Cie." Lightning said calmly and Sazh shocked
"What?! APulsel'Cie?"
"The Fal'Cie has her captive, but I'll find her" she stated tried her best to control her emotions
"Is she still…" he asked and then Lightning giving galred him quickly shut him up. "What was her Focus? What did the Fal'Cie order her to do? It wasn't blow up Cocoon' or anything like that, was it?"
"I didn't ask" Lightning growled.
"If they don't carry out their Focus, l'Cie end up as one of those things. what I'm saying is, if your sister has gone that far…I mean…She still might…H-how can I--? Oh man" Sazh sputtered, completely lost for words. "There's no way to turn a l'Cie back into a human; even if she completes her Focus, it won't change her fate. She'll live out the rest of her life as a Fal'Cie slave."
Cloud in other hand noticed the rage on Lightning eyes. Knowing her Sister had been cursed by Fal'Cie and became the Slave.
"Don't make her suffer..." those words cause Lightning snapped in rage and shoved the afro haired man roughly.
"Just say it!" she roared letting emotions taken over her.
"Any l'Cie, anyone who might become a l'Cie should be wiped off the face of Cocoon. And you already know it."
"You and The people who started this Purge are no diffreant." Lightning scalded viciously.
"Enough.." Cloud growled causing the pair looked at him "If you came all the away here to saved your Sister, I suggest you make it haste before she turned into those things." Cloud said stating the obvious and then turned to Sazh "And you, if you keep barking like a dog all the way, Feel free to leave. We didn't forced you to come with us." Earning aggrement nod from Lightning, She began leading the way again as Cloud followed her leaving Sazh behind still decide of what he chose.
"Screw this..." Sazh curses himself as he began following the Soldiers right front of him.
The group heading toward stairs dodging the numreous of Cie'th wandering around. Lightning still angry about how Sazh said the words about Serah's Fate. Giving her a quick solution but the price was Serah's life. She couldn't ever to do that to her own Sister. But at the same time, She feel a bit relief how Cloud understand her will to saved her sister. She quite amazed how Cloud know her well even few days ago they were just a strangers.
The trio arrivied at the lift in front of them abrupt halt, the three of them didn't expected the what they foubd the otherside, as the lift opened, it reveal an unconscious a teenage girl with soft pink hair.
"Serah!" Lightning sprinted to her sister lying on the ground and picked her up in her arms.
"Time to go. We have to leave before the army-"
"Are we to late?" Cloud pointed at Serah's upper left arm
"That's a pulse brand." Sazh says disbelief "That girl's a I'Cie."
"I already told you." Lightning barked back
"Pulse I'Cie are the enemies of Cocoon-" Sazh explained as his hand slowly trailing to his gun.
"I wouldn't do that If I were you." in instict Cloud put his sword behind his neck
"Listen, if she fails her focus, you know what happend how that'll end." Sazh says shakingly as Cloud's Buster Sword still behind him.
"And Killing her is a mercy?" Light fired back but then Serah slowly awake and cupped her Sister face with her hand.
"Sis... you came..." Serah murmured softly
"Serah!" Snow shouted catching the trio attention as he decending with a young Silver haired boy and bright red haired girl both besides him in a elevator. As it touched downed, Snow rushed to Serah and knelled beside her and holding her hand gently.
"Is that...my hero?" Serah said weakly and smiled.
"Let's get you outta here"
"Hands off. I'm taking her home." Lightning growled
"Sis, I-" Snow baffled
"I'm not your sister! You couldn't protect her. It's your fault she-"
"You can save us." Serah muttered
"Serah?" Lightning said as she stared at her.
"Protect us all... Save...Cocoon..." Serah whispered softly
"Save Cocoon? Serah? That was your Focus?" Lightning gasped in disbelief to think her sister given a such heavy burden by her self.
"Anything, I do anything. Leave it to me--you'll see." Snow agrees without having a doubt "I'll protect Cocoon and save everyone!" Lightning giving a glare toward Snow
"Somehow, I'll make things right." Lightning said softly
"I'm sorry... Sis." Serah said as she started flooded gently and her body started turned into crystal slowy from toe to top. Everyone watching her Crystal statis form in shocked
"Serah... Sweat dream." Snow softly muttered but then Lightning snapped in instant.
"Sweat dreams? Don't screw with me!" Lightning roared at the Snow and grabbing his collar "Serah's... She's-" Lightning pushed Snow away and couldn't finished her sentance but it was stopped by Cloud who put his hand on her right shoulder.
"Don't lose your cool. It's too early to say. She is not dead." Cloud says calmly
"He's right! She alive!" Snow said in full confident "The legend! Remember the legend! I'Cie who fullfil their focus turn to cryatal and gain eternal life. She is not dead!" Snow tried to convinced the whole group.
"Serah's my bride-to-be." Snow approched Lightning still unconfinzed about what he says. "I promised to be hers forever! I don't care how many years I have to wait-" without a warning, Lightning landed her fist on Snow's left jaw and knocked him down on the ground.
"It's over! Open your eyes and face reality!" The word cutted trought Snow like a razor sharp knife. Serah is gone and it's up the Fal'Cie to determined her fate.
After seconds of silence, the room shakes violently as he sound of explosions on the outside can be heard in this room
"What the hell is going on?" Cloud said still trying take a stand.
"It's the army! They begining the airstrike!" Sazh shouted
Before anyone noticed, Cloud saw a huge falling debris that falling could crushed Serah's Crystal statis form. In just in time he leaped and slash the huge rock split it into two. Lightning and Snow hurled themselves over Serah's Crystal to make sure any of falling debris couldn't hitted her.
"Everyone okay?" Cloud said.
"Still breathing... I guess..." the bright red haired girl whezed
Everyone turnes around as they noticed Pulse Fal'Cie main vault is now unlocked with the giant brand slowly vanishing and not sealed anymore.
Cloud slowly approched Serah's Crystal and placed his right hand on her forehead.
"She can be saved... and she will be." Cloud could heard Aerith's Voice whispered in his mind. He knows what to do now.
Without saying a word, Cloud pulled his Buster Sword once again and slowly walk toward the Fal'Cie Chamber.
"Spikey. Where you going?" Sazh said still unsure what Cloud's planning to do.
"Getting outta here. That thing is our only ticket way out of here." Cloud said casually.
"What?! You gonna face that thing alone?! You are out of your god damm mind, kid!" The Afro Pilot fired back at Blonde's insane Motive.
"If you all planing staying here like a dumbass waiting to be killed, then be my guest. I'm still going in..." Cloud stating the obvious.
"He's right.." Lightning growled "There is no turn back. If we stayed here, we all died." Her anger and sorrow had taken over of her decision.
The whole group began followed Cloud and they entering the Chamber. Once they entered the whole room is pitch black dark and leading into the Fal'Cie Anima. They found Cloud standing in front Anima still stand still.
"Serah's a crystal now, you gave her a Focus and she did it! You got what you want now let her go!" Snow stepped passed trought Cloud. He began knelled down "Please Turn her back, I'll be your l'Cie instead!" Cloud watched him feeling pity and yet disgusted.
"Fine, you go on begging"Lightning draw out her Saber into sword mode. "Like this thing gives a damn what we want!" Lightning dashed toward the it's Shell thrusting her sword and keep slashing mindleslly unleashing her emotions into the Fal'Cie. Thinkin about Serah that this Monster had done to her.
"It's this things fault the Purge started," she panted "and it's people who are dying." She turned to Snow, "Serah told us to save Cocoon; that means this thing needs to die!" She once again pointed her sword at the Fal'Cie but then suddenly The Fal'Cie lit up emarges the bright Yellow light at the group and the shell began open revaling it's Mechanical head and arms.
"Come on now, You really think you can kill a Fal'Cie?" Sazh said.
"I'm doing this for Serah!" cried Lightning, raising her sword toward the Fal'Cie.
"I'm in, as long as you don't mind an amateur,"Sazh drawed out his Pistols "I got these things, might as well use them" he said aiming his pistols toward the Fal'Cie.
"This thing might be the reason why I'm here right now..." Cloud growled raising his Sword as well. He then leaped into it's head while Lightning and Snow aim for it's arms.
Cloud sword clashing with the Anima's armored mask he made the eye contact with it. Then something unexpetced happend to him right after he made eye contact with it. The Anima gives him a vision. An illusion that he wish never to seen again. A heat fire of his hometown, and the momment he failed to saved Aerith. Then Cloud jumped back and Landed betwen Lightning and Snow, still panted after the illusion he just saw.
"Hey! You okay?" Snow asked in concern
"You're weak to saved them... why is that? Because... you and him are the same... the monster that never should exist." The sinister voiced echoed presumably it was The Anima it self spoke trought his mind. after what he heard Cloud blood's started boiled in Rage and Anger.
"YOU BASTARD!" Cloud roared charged like an rage animal leaped in the air with his Sword above his head and then landed it at the Anima's armored mask leave a small crack on it's mask. Then suddenly, the Fal'Cie chamber shaking violently and engulfed in darkness. Before anyone noticed, they floating in midair and the Anima's head sarted glowing intensely green and the green whips emrages from it's back and binding everyone.
Cloud couldn't move his both arms and legs then a single whip began wrestling his neck and a sharp pain spike trought his neck near left shoulder. Before he know it, Cloud losing his conciusness.
Ragnarok is coming. The end of the time has drawned near. When the chained beast had broken free, the world shall tremble in terror.
Author's note: Whew another chapter made it. Anyway I can't believe FFXIII is now 15 years old now. I used to play it a lot back in 2016 on my PC. Maybe the reason i'm so obsessed with XIII is because it was second Final Fantasy game I played besides VII. Both series had insane parrarels if you noticed like I do.
Yes! FFVII Rebirth for PC is actually happening coming in next year January 23rd. They literally turned the PS5 version looked like early game development
apperently FFVII Rebirth PC had insane lightning effects and any other graphics improvement.
Anyway, I bet some of you already expecting Cloud also ended up becoming I'Cie. I'm gonna leave it to you guys to guess wich Eidolon he is gonna have.
Stay tuned for Next Chapter.