Chapter 11
firstly sorry about such a long break, I didn't anticipate how busy I was going to be over the holidays. as well as the usual stuff I had a ton of both writing and fan art I needed to get out of my head, I still do haha. So keep a look out for them shortly! Secondly this is a small chapter, so again sorry! hope you enjoy it though.
Lightning stood tall as the child like form appeared and bowed modestly in greeting. She was prepared this time.
“I want answers" she demanded flatly.
“as you wish" Djinn’s voice was neutral.
“Where is Odin?”
“I had to sever his bond to you in order to forge my own connection"
Lightning bristled at the betrayal
“You’ve been the one messing with my mind haven’t you? Using my dreams and visions to communicate?” The pinkette queried.
“Since when can Fal’Cie do that?” Hope interjected “aren’t you supposed to just show us a focus and be done with us?”
The smallest of smiles rose on Djinn’s face.
“I’ve been calling to you through your dreams saviour. Nudge by nudge in order to guide you. But it proved extremely difficult. Unconsciously you fought me.” Djinn turned to regard Hope “I’m no mere Fal’Cie, my powers far surpass any of the beings you encountered within your floating prison".
“Then why do you need us to defeat some lowly Fal’Cie?” Snow asked smugly giving Hope an encouraging slap on the shoulder.
“Only Etro’s kin who were born of her blood can cross the barrier this Fal’Cie has erected. I have already attempted to confront them, but they too have powers that exceed regular Fal’Cie. Beings like us bridge the gap between your Fal’Cie and your deities” Djinns attention passed back to the pinkette. “You are my vessel Lightning. Our bond let’s you usher me inside where I can aid you in this Fal’Cie’s downfall”
Before Lightning could respond Sazh walked up closer to them and made a small sighing sound like he was going over some train of thought in his head. He gave his beard a quick scratch before clearing his throat.
“So why the show? Why not just have Etro take out the trash? What does it even what?” he shrugged but persisted on “what threat does it pose? And how comes we gotta be the ones to fight it?”
Djinn was silent for a moment choosing to direct the answer at Lightning in the end.
“You were chosen because the Fal’Cie had already targeted you. You possessed the means to aid it accomplish its task in giving rise to a new Cocoon, to start the cycle anew. You were broken Lightning Farron and unwittingly accepted the Fal’Cie’s call because of it"
The Pulsian could feel the tension rising in the soldier, no doubt taking the explanation as an accusation. She encompassed the pinkette’s balled fist with her hand and gently stroked her fingers over the woman’s until Lightning relaxed her hand and opened up enough to allow her to slide her fingers in and entwine them.
“Etro was left weakened after Cocoons fall and awakening your group. She was unable to stop the Fal’Cie. And so she sent me. However when I was unable to accomplish my task she instead conserved what little energy she had in order to preform one last divine act before her slumber"
Djinn raised a small hand and pointed it directly at Fang.
“To awake Ragnorok”
“Yea, and why is that?” Fang asked raising an eyebrow.
“She hoped that by releasing you both the saviour would be healed and would not be swayed by the Fal’Cie”
“and what if they all get branded while we fight this thing?” Lightning demanded suddenly, changing the subject. “I won’t hurt them. So if I get you in there, would the both of us be able to defeat it?”
Protests rang out around her but Lightning refused to acknowledge them, instead keeping her eyes trained on the form in front of her. Djinn gave a gentle laugh that was so human Lightning almost forgot the beings divine status.
“You need not worry. For all intents and purposes you are all L’Cie. Pulses original infestation still lies within your bodies” Djinn looked about the room with pointed finger, addressing them all. “However the crystal is now contained, as is part of Etro’s blessing to you all. It can no longer consume you. This allows you to use your L’Cie powers, including your bonds to your Eidolons. It is this that also prevents any new Fal’Cie infestation”
“So you’re saying we’re immune?” Vanille questioned.
The child nodded once , their expression unchanging.
“All right!" Snow chuckled, earning him an icy back glance from the pinkette.
“And me? Since I’m branded” Lightning hovered an open hand at her chest. “what happens once my jobs done”
“...All I know is that the crystal within you cannot spread. Therefore you cannot turn into a Cie’th nor be encased in crystal for eternity”
Happy noises and words bubbled around her but Lightning couldn’t shift the small ache that gathered in her stomach.
“Then why even brand her at all?” Serah walked to Lightning’s side and wrapped around her arm defensively.
“Simply a side affect of our consolidated bond and Etro’s will" Djinn replied monotonously.
“Simply?!” Serah’s voice was full of anger in a way Lightning wasn’t expecting and she turned to face her sister in surprise. “this is our lives we’re talking about. Again!”
“I am truly sorry” Djinn replied gently. “all your lives have certainly been burdened with hardships. However, in the interest of the greater good it has all been necessary”.
Lightning closed her eyes as the warm evening breeze skittered across her face. It was dark now and quiet except for the distant lapping of waves. After Djinn was dismissed the group had discussed their options together. They had been through heated moments, tears and smiles, but Lightning just felt sick of it all. And so she’d stepped outside to clear her head before deciding her plan of action. She sighed to herself, the others wanted to come and wouldn’t take no for an answer. That meant that they had to train up, which put their journey back by at least a week, if she was optimistic. Two if she was reasonable. The maps that Vanille and Fang had crudely etched a route onto thanks to Djinns directions promised an eighteen hour journey by airship at best, plus some resting time before the battle. It was a long time for something she wanted to be over. But what after? She pondered. If she really wasn’t going to turn Cie'th or crystal then what? She’d checked the brand regularly and it hadn’t changed at all, so that was something. Would it simply disappear after this? In truth she was afraid of this unknown. She wanted her life back, this life that she had started with Fang. The happiness her rag tag family had cemented around them. Sturdy arms wrapped around her and a familiar warmth nuzzled into the back of her neck before her thoughts could turn dark.
“You feeling okay?”
“Mmm" Lightning hummed feeling more comfortable in the Pulsian’s hold.
“Lot to think about" Fang kissed her lightly.
The soldier turned herself around in Fang’s grip and ran her hands to the top of the huntress’ arms. If she didn’t say it now she wouldn’t at all.
“If I die-“
Fang cut her off with a rough kiss that felt just as much about reassurance as it did about passion.
“Please don’t talk like that” Fang said pulling back to look the pinkette in the eyes. “That’s not an option. I won’t let anythin happen to you, Light”.
Lightning stared into the forest hues debating if she should push the matter. But they were smouldering with a determination she was jealous of, that left her unable to counter.
“Help me forget” she uttered softly unable to tear her eyes away. It was all just too much all at once. She let her arms snake up and around Fang’s neck. “just for tonight”. Even though their lips were inches apart she still caught the swift nod from the brunette before her lips were captured in a heated kiss.
“Send them...away with...a plan" Fang replied between breaths and kisses alike. She gave the pinkette one last harsh kiss before pulling their mouths apart to look the soldier in the eyes.
“And then after” Fang paused leaning in closer “I’ll make sure all you know is me” she kissed the pulse point of Lightning’s neck before gently taking the delicate skin between her teeth.