Final Fantasy XIII: Slaves of Fate

Light closed her eyes, her pain and torment clear on her face. "If she is gone...completely from this world like the rest...then you have nothing to worry about. My fight isn't with the Sanctum anymore. Not like it was all those years ago. My fight is with Jenny, she's the one responsible for everything." She turned away from them and touched a hand to her brand that now was twisted and frozen in place...never changing. What now? What's my battle strategy...? If I go after Jenny...She'll turn me to crystal in that painful way she did Snow... Going back to our students isn't smart...I'll only lead them to their deaths. It's time they followed their own paths. She started to whisper to herself, "Hope...what do I do now? Without a plan...I'm useless." She could still clearly remember her sister's face and Hope's the last time they'd seen each other. If she could remember...why then, did it hurt so much when she did. Each day, she'd prayed Hope had lived his life to the fullest, but promises couldn't be made.

 

"What?" Omega asked Shin, "Don't look at me like that. Just because you don't speak doesn't mean that I can't-" Suddenly, he found himself snatched by the jaws of a Crystal Dragon, a dragon identical to Shinryu as a dragon but with scales of blue and green crystal and a yellow mane, that was meaning to devour him. Once caught inside its mouth, he kicked up his feet against the roof of its mouth and forced it back open with his strength alone. "I will not be reduced to being a meal for a dragon. No less to the remains of a species I eradicated!" he snarled through his teeth. As he was struggling to force the jaws apart, he could feel the dragon fight back to clamp down on him.

The dragon had swooped down from above and knocked Shinryu to the ground as it flew off with Omega. He quickly returned to his feet and spied the dragon in the middle of the cavern flying around wildly. It looked like it was struggling to swallow Omega, or even keep him in its mouth. The boy, with weapon in hand, thought about hurling his lance at the beast, but when he considered the range between the dragon and himself, he felt the odds of actually hitting the dragon weigh against him and felt powerless to do anything.

 

Naivete and innocence. Such is the mind of youth.


Leo thought for a moment. Where would be the best place to go? "The Springs...Sulyya Springs. How about there?" He raised both eyebrows as he looked around. "They're famous for being so relaxing, but people stay away because of the monsters and Bismarck, right?" He asked, referring to the Pulse fal'Cie who resided there. Unlike Cocoon fal'Cie who didn't die at the end of FFXIII for the sake of this RP, Pulse fal'Cie saw no need to comply to the citizens' requests. Which meant places like the Springs were difficult for the normal person to traverse. "But we're l'Cie. We can handle a few beasts."

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"As long as I have a want. I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death."
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"I damn well do mind, kid," Cid replied as he gestured for Linegia to calm down. "Remember, the only thing linking us is Jenova. Don't get all warm and fuzzy with me. Now get ready, we're going to Cocoon."
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Snapshot of the future. Remnant of the past. Master of the present.
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"I've waited countless lifetimes," Jenny's vioce rang out as she appeared next behind Ryou, "to see my plan come into fruition. And I thought I was close once, but then I was sealed by this man who thought he was the Maker's gift to the world." She danced in a circular fashion and moved to face Ryou. "That was when the world was young. Can you imagine, being trapped in the same place, unable to do nothing but think for the longer part of existence? Oh, I hated existence and every thing else that existed. So when I was released centuries ago, you simply would not believe how excited I was to continue my plans. So you can imagine that I was slightly...distraught when I thought one of my tools had died, but you escaped with your life barely in tact, but in tact nonetheless!" She raised a hand to pat Ryou on the head. "I am pleased to see you are well, Ryou."

"The heroes never die. Come on. We've got a world to save!"
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"Come on, is that all you got?!" Snow asked as his fist broke through metal. The large, robotic, bug-like monster that was only one of countless dimmed as it died. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" He yelled as he spun and threw the corpse into a group of other monsters, the resulting explosion obliterating them. But the countless army kept sending wave after wave. Suddenly, he was pushed out of the way by someone running past, golden swords slashing more monsters. He had met the young man earlier....Noel. The boy who introduced him to Valhalla, where he had woken up.
Vhew-clang!
"What the-?" He turned to see the corpse of another monster feet away. It would have attacked while he was distracted if it wasn't for the arrow that just killed it. The blond hero looked up, to see the sender of the arrow, and smiled. Smiling back at him was the guardian of Etro and Valhalla, and his fiance: Serah.

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"Humans aren't strong. They die easy."

"Watch it, old man!" Noel called out as he ran past Snow, dragging both of his swords along the ground. As he ran through the dark plane, he slashed every monster in his way. But they weren't his target. The brown-haired boy knew exactly who he was heading for. "Caius!" He yelled, knowing his rival was around there somewhere.
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"Oh, you're kidding me." Ren called out at Leo's suggestion.
"I came from there, and now we have to go straight back?"

Byron glared at the white-haired teen's remark, annoyed by... well, a lot of things right now.
"Nobody's forcing, or even asking, you to come along."

Holding up his arms in mock surrender again, Ren gave up his complaints instantly.
"Alright, shutting up now."

OOC: shooooort.

 

(OOC: Hey guys, sorry for neglecting, things have been hectic, but I'll read over and start posting again ^^ )

 

Jaden looked at Leo as he made his suggeestion. "We can handle more than a few beasts. Just saying." he nodded to himself. "Team Oerba ain't gonna fall to anyone or anything that easily."

Linegia paid attention to Cid's gesture and allowed herself to calm down, after all, he was the only one she would listen too besides Jenova. However she did mutter from beside him. "Maybe it would be easier if I cut out his tongue and then bombarded him with silence spells. After all, he doesn't need to speak to be useful to us."
Of course, it was likely she wouldn't do it, but the prospect was tempting certainly.

 

With the jaws of the dragon slowing closing down on him as he tried to hold it open, Omega gave one final stomp to the roof of its mouth. The beast roared out a roar so great, it shook the cavern walls. Time to get out. Taking this opening, he leaped out of the gaping maw. As he did so, he grabbed onto one of the beast's front fangs and pulled the Crystal Dragon towards Shinryu. "Dammit, Shin, what are you doing?! Do it now!" he shouted at the boy, "Take the shot! GAAHHH!!!" The dragon had snapped its jaws shut with one of its fangs tearing into his arm.

Shinryu froze at his command, part of him doubting himself of capability and part of him telling himself to do it. But soon his mind cleared, and one voice was towering over all.

...This lance was designed to kill dragons. Every dragon.​

Somewhat unconsciously, he took a step forward.

The only thing in existence to be able to pierce the crystal scales of the Divine Dragon...​

He lifted the lance up.

My scales, which are impenetrable to all things...​

He raised it over his head and pulled it back.

A weapon such as this contains knowledge beyond that of mankind...​

He focused on the target, steadied his hand, and prepared to strike at the right moment.

Lindzei, my creator...​

Aiming directly between the eyes of the incoming Crystal Dragon, he released the weapon.

Face your creation. You will not escape my wrath.​

The spear whistled through the air and ripped through the dragon's body as if it were water. The beast screamed, releasing Omega, and crashed into the rock wall behind Shinryu, dead. With the dragon killed, the voice returned to silence.

 

OOC: Sorry Graxe, but can you change your font color to something darker? I can't see your posts :<

BIC: Mya crossed her arms. You shouldn't underestimate the beasts out here. They could kill us in one hit if they wanted to. I agree heading to the springs. Though I do have a nagging feeling that something will be waiting for us there... As she scratched her head, she oberved a cactuar speeding past them and to the plains.

 

Ryou jumped back, clutching his nodachi in his hand when Jenny patted his head but what she spoke about the world being young and the existence she lived to just merely think before she was freed unto the world, however, he wasn't reckless as to charge at Jenny and stared at her cautiously, "Distraught about me? Hardly." he thought to himself and spoke.

"And I'm pleased you thought of me that way." He said with a sarcastic tone before assessing his situation, if he tried to do something stupid here, he could very well knock on death's door a third time and that would say he and almost being killed go so well with each other like a old couple. "What do you want Jenny? Surely it can't be you merely wanted to check up on my well being,.." He said to her in tone that shown he wasn't trying to berespectful.

 

OOC: @heartlessangel,

Spoiler

Naivete and innocence. Such is the mind of youth.


Well...anymore of us aren't going to fall, Leo added to Jaden's reply. "So it's decided. Let's get to it," he looked at Byron and Ren before adding, "we'll do introductions on the way. We should...well, hurry." There was another reason Leo wanted to head to the Springs, but he kept it to himself as he pulled Akira's hand. "I'll lead the way." He was rather monotonous as opposed to his earlier excitement, but losing a friend does that to someone.
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Snapshot of the future. Remnant of the past. Master of the present.
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Jenny smiled and retreated her hand from Ryou's face. "On the contrary, sweet Misaki. That is the exact reason why I came here. As I just told you," she turned her back to the l'Cie and raised her arms high, letting her auburn-hair take in the sunlight, "I've waited a long time for this and I need all of the tools I need." She turned back to him, allowing her brown eyes to meet his, "Which reminds me: I seem to have some free time on my hands and you seem to be alone. I shall accompany you and keep a watchful eye on you. You seem to have trouble staying well. You do not measure up to the others, do you?"
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"As long as I have a want. I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death."
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Cid smiled as Grey mounted his Eidolon. Between Linegia and him, Cid should be well entertained for this mission. "Let's do it, boy," he replied excitedly as his body emitted a bright light and Cid "Crystallified" into his winged form. He took one more look to his two companions and took to the air. "Oh, what a motley crew we weave."
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Ryou didn't take Jenny's words or concern to heart, why shoudl he when she turned Snow into a literally a crystal figure out of amusement? "No point in denying her, she'll just do it anyway." He thought to himself and stared at her. "Do what you want, but don't think I forgotten what you did to Snow." He said and started to continue walking, never bothering to answer her question about him not being measured up by the others.

"Since we're gonna be 'travelling' together" He sarcastically said that one word. "I want answers and first..." He paused his steps and said something that first came to mind. "Where are the others at?" He asked her.

 

OOC: Thanks! :)

BIC:

Mya followed Leo, somewhat sensing there was something else why they needed to go to the springs, but then again, she can't just state assumptions as facts.

OOC: Short post is short D:

 

"What the hell was that?" Omega scolded. After the dragon crashed, Omega landed near its body. "I saw that look in your eyes, wyrm. I can easily tell you apart from the kid across oceans. Stay sleeping. Never awaken again." His intense hatred towards the Divine Dragon rekindled. Sure, he helped killed the dragon that was about to eat Omega and that's all fine and well. It was just that he had to invoke the Divine Dragon to kill it. So it hasn't truly died after all this time. It just resides within the body of a young boy, waiting to regain its sealed power. Now he really cannot return to being a l'Cie again. I will not allow Shinryu to reign over the world for a second time. No force is prepared for that. He stumbled over towards the corpse and was examining it for any parts he could get from it. After a few seconds, he drew out his crimson blade and began cutting. "Crystal scales, high quality no less...dragon bones...menacing wings...what else is there? Oh, right, dragon fangs...and the heart...oooh, what's this?" As he was carving out its heart, he found the Dragoon Lance lodged into some sort of cerulean sphere that was inside the heart and retrieved both. When he pulled it out, the ball was no bigger than the palm of his hand. "What an curious little thing...Interesting that this could stop a weapon that cut through a dragon like nothing," he quietly commented on the object. After seeing nothing else of value, he wrapped everything with the severed wings and carried them on his back. Although the sheer mass of it dwarfed Omega, it wasn't too much for him to handle. "I've carried worse loads," he would say. "We leave. Come on." Opening a dimensional crack into the cavern wall with Banish, he passed through.

Shin was a bit hurt after listening to Omega's words towards him, maybe a little anger since his words were not truly directed at himself but at what he was. You just can't let it go, can you Omega? The world has moved on, but haven't you? When Omega found the curious blue ball, his eyes widened and his heart stopped for a bit. T-That's an...! When it was time to leave, he didn't immediately follow. All he can think about was that sphere. What was that doing inside the dragon? Why does it even have it?

 

Lightning huffed tiredly, "I know that. Thanks for the refresher." She hated people giving her orders and even more people who listened in when she talked to Hope. Even if he was gone...she would always ask his opinion. "Your brother, Gray, is one of my pupils. Tell me why...why would he side with the Crystal l'Cie? Would you willingly kill your own blood if it came down to it? Taking out a pupil is different than killing one of your family." Light's inner voice mocked her, I should know...I turned my back on my own family. If forced to, I would've had to kill Serah if she'd become a Cieth. Her light blue eyes blazed as she turned back towards Argent. "What would you know of my presence and harm?! Too long have I set foot on this world and I feel rest until I know Serah is alright. I'll find her and stop Jenny, even if it kills me."

Akira let herself be dragged along behind Leo. She felt surprised that he would be so willing to take the role of leader so quickly. They'd lost so many of their friends already. Ryou..Lightning...Snow... Her heart gave a pang of loneliness as she remembered how quick Lightning had taken off without a second glance at her pupils. "Will...will Light come back, Leo? Do you think she even cares about our welbeing or is it all just for Serah?"

 

When they returned to Gran Pulse, Omega dropped his bundle onto the grass. He took a deep breath and stretched out his arms. "Finally...I'm home." He turned around to see if Shinryu got out alright. "Just wondering, you...do know where we are, right?"

Upon exiting the Void, Shin looked around in amazement. In the air above them were floating islands, all of different sizes, embedded with large, glowing crystals in the rock. Water could be seen flowing everywhere, even into the sky and to the smaller islands. All kinds of plantlife unseen on the planet grew here. Even the air smelled different, almost sweeter and cleaner than usual. Everything here was new to him. When Omega asked his question, he shook his head. I've been everywhere on Gran Pulse. From the oceans to the forests and mountains, from the plains to all the cities and villages in the world. Because I've been everywhere and I've seen everything there was to see, I found the world to be a bit boring. It's nice to know that there's still some hidden mysteries left.

"Good. It'd be weird if you did. And by the looks of things...we're at the Island of Water," Omega informed. He picked up his things and headed off southeast. "We'd better go before it starts raining. That's when the elementals come out to play, and you don't want to play their games."

 

Storm breathed and stood straight, making sure the ground was stable before nodding gently."Okay..everything seems in order..I just hope it stays that way."He said. Whatever was going on, he only hoped that he would never be in the thick of it. He sighed and scratched the back of his head."Now where do I go.."

OOC: Sorry for no post, been busy

 

As they went deeper into the waterscape, Shinryu kept looking up at the sky and back. Elementals? They exist in this world? I've always thought that they were just in fairy tales here. Guess I'd better keep an eye on the weather then. Where are we going anyway?

Omega glanced over at Shin and could see what he was "saying". "They do exist on Gran Pulse. It's just that the conditions have to be absolutely perfect for them to come out. For example, Water Elementals only come out during rains and when the humidity is at a specific point. And when it really pours, and at the same humidity, the Undin Entite makes its appearance. Fun fact: No person in history has ever seen any one of the eight Entites, yet there's a ring named after them. You, and maybe the others of Lightning's group if they somehow find their way here, might be the first to do so. And before you ask, Ultima, Alpha, the fal'Cie, and myself don't count as...'people'." As he utter the last word, he gave a quick melancholic sigh. His face showed it as well. They soon stopped in a clearing in front of a large, circular stone pad engraved with an intricate glyph that was glowing a bright cerulean. "Anyway, we're at the exit. Step on the teleport pad," he instructed. As soon he stepped on, he vanished in a blue flash.