❀— The moment she realized that her white magic had worked on this soul, Yuna was overwhelmed with a sense of relief. Thank goodness she was able to help…“That’s wonderful news.” She spoke kindly to the woman and offered her a gentle and warm smile. Yuna was known to smile even when the going got tough and there seemed to be no hope left. However, lucky for them, they still had a fighting chance against the world’s collapse, especially now that she was blessed with the ability to summon once more.
The gratitude was appreciated but not needed, really. She was glad to help, and even more grateful now that she gained a potential ally. “You’re welcome.” She said with kindness in her voice before reaching out towards the offered hand and lacing their palms together. With the strength in one arm, Yuna pulled herself up with the help of the taller woman. “Thank you.” A short and quiet laugh fell passed her lips. She really was so happy that she was no longer alone.
”I don’t think I caught your name.”
She had soft hands. It was only an observation as he tugged a little to help up the girl. "No problem.” Something about Yuna reminded the soldier of Serah. Their laugh was similar, as well as their personalities. It made her miss the younger Farron.
“Lightning,” she stated in response. After speaking, she turned to survey their surroundings. She sighed softly. She wasn’t too far from Rabanastre. Which was good. She’d make it there before night, or just at that time. “Where are you headed?”
❀— The moment she realized that her white magic had worked on this soul, Yuna was overwhelmed with a sense of relief. Thank goodness she was able to help…“That’s wonderful news.” She spoke kindly to the woman and offered her a gentle and warm smile. Yuna was known to smile even when the going got tough and there seemed to be no hope left. However, lucky for them, they still had a fighting chance against the world’s collapse, especially now that she was blessed with the ability to summon once more.
The gratitude was appreciated but not needed, really. She was glad to help, and even more grateful now that she gained a potential ally. “You’re welcome.” She said with kindness in her voice before reaching out towards the offered hand and lacing their palms together. With the strength in one arm, Yuna pulled herself up with the help of the taller woman. “Thank you.” A short and quiet laugh fell passed her lips. She really was so happy that she was no longer alone.
”I don’t think I caught your name.”
She had soft hands. It was only an observation as he tugged a little to help up the girl. "No problem.” Something about Yuna reminded the soldier of Serah. Their laugh was similar, as well as their personalities. It made her miss the younger Farron.
“Lightning,” she stated in response. After speaking, she turned to survey their surroundings. She sighed softly. She wasn’t too far from Rabanastre. Which was good. She’d make it there before night, or just at that time. “Where are you headed?”
❀— How could this have happened? Could it have been the fayth, assisting her in her time of need? With everything she had done and sacrificed, perhaps this was their time to help her. But did this mean that she could summon all of her aeons? Even Valefor..? She stood in thought, still surprised and confused as to what just occurred, without realizing that she was vulnerable for attack and in great danger. Her strength alone was not enough to fight this man. That’s when Bahamut’s arm reached out in front of her as a silent order to move herself from the vicinity as their enemy got up and charged towards them.
Yuna gasped and turned from her aeon then quickly ran to the woman who lay restless on the ground. With concern written over her features, Yuna knelt down to the rosette and placed a hand gentle against the exposed portion of her arm. “My name is Yuna.” She introduced herself hastily as she tried to lift the woman from the dirty ground. Peering over the scrapes that covered her flesh, Yuna bit down on her lower lip gently and wrapped a single arm around her new acquaintances back to lend some support. “I can heal you, but we have to get away from here."
Her head turned so she could look back over her shoulder; watching the beast fight strongly against the violet man. Short brunette locks ticked her bare shoulders as the force of Bahamut’s wings pushed a tough wind against the two.
Before running off and bringing the woman and herself to safety, Yuna jumped forward slightly and waved her Staff in the direction of their foe; hoping to hit aim. A shot of magic blew through the wand and forcefully hit the man’s chest; aura surrounding his figure completely as a slow symbol of a backwards ticking clock appeared beneath his feet. "Got it!” She said confidently. Slowga in tact, it gave the two girls more time to escape as she guided her outside of the gravel paths and in to the shadows of the forest.
”We should be fine here for now.” She was a little out of breath, but after a few seconds of cooling down, she exhaled deeply as she helped the slightly wounded woman in to a comfortable sitting. “Wait just a minute. It shouldn’t hurt.” Kneeling down in the grass, Yuna placed her soft palms over a deep cut on her arm that wounded the poor woman’s flesh. Eyelids falling to a close, she conjured a deep Curaga spell which quickly began to heal the cuts that covered her entire body. Hoping to give her a sense of relief by this spell, the white mage lifted her head once more and revealed her heterochromia. One eye blue, the other green. Yuna’s face had gentle and rounded features, her expression full of sincerity.
“Do you feel okay now?”
Her vision blurred from extreme exhaustion. She could barely see the fight between her enemy and the summoned beast. Her head ached as did her body. But the kindness of the brunette seemed to help vaguely.
With the help of the stranger, Lightning was able to escape, barely, along with the summoner. The heat of the sun was then blocked out by the tall trees and their branches. Sweat began to dry against tan skin, her body finally cooling down. Her vision cleared, allowing her to get a clear view of the other girls face; the kind soul who helped the soldier when she was in the face of death.
“Yuna,” she repeated, the natural deepness of her voice returning after being replaced by the pain-filled tone of her voice in the recent battle. And suddenly, there was a feeling that rushed through her bones, muscles and skin —- her entire being. It was a feeling of becoming numb for a few seconds, before the feeling returned, this time, without the pain to accompany it.
She was now back to normal, thanks to Yuna, and so she stood, wobbling at first, before she gained stability. Upon turning to the smaller woman, she spoke, “Yeah. I feel much better.” She would leave it at that, until she remembered that this girl also saved her life, with the help of a summon. So she held out her hand in order to help the other rise. “Thank you, Yuna.”
❀— It had been hours. Her legs were aching and feet growing tired as she nervously toured this unknown land. Sure, she was able to defend herself if any dangers were to threaten her; but only with magic. Her guardians nor her aeons were available to fight by her side. Not on this venture. The thought made this stroll a lot more difficult than it would have been had she been with safe company. Yuna couldn’t remember the last time she was left alone. She couldn’t help but to feel scared; despite the difficult journey she had faced on her pilgrimage just a year before these events.
Had it been a year already…and he still hasn’t returned? Yuna stopped on her path through this eerie forest and clasped both hands together as she stood in thought; eyes facing the cold ground as a light breeze caressed her cheeks. She wasn’t going to cry. She needed to be strong.
I can’t depend on them this time…
Silence broke. Her head lifted and eyes widened in surprise. “What was that?” The girl asked herself as she picked up a slow pace and jaunted towards the source of the noises. It sounded similar to blades crashing together; grunts and distant yelling echoed over the dark land. Could there be a fight? If so, perhaps one of the individuals would be on her side. She couldn’t stand around and debate to herself any longer. If there was someone else around that could possibly help her, Yuna was ready to take a risk.
Boots lifted from the dirt covered earth and her feet moved the young woman through the rocky path ahead until the brawl came in to view. Surprised by what she saw, Yuna gasped quietly and crouched behind a small bush to keep herself hidden in the shadows while watching the strangers battle. A young woman with rose coloured hair, throwing a blade against a large man dressed in violet shades. Who were these people…?
Eyes squinted once the woman fell back from a heavy hit. She could sense the evil emerging from this man as his eyes glowed in red and a large load of power conjuring from his chest. It looked like he was going to kill this girl. That’s when the high summoner’s protective instincts kicked in. She pulled herself out from behind the greens and jumped on to the open graveled stage. Both hands wrapped securely around her golden staff as she ran towards him with brows furrowed and determination painted over her expression.
"Stop!” She yelled; her tone still gentle. A characteristic that made it difficult for the girl to come off intimidating even when she tried.
With her arms swung behind her, she held her weapon tightly beneath her palms and veered the staff towards her foe until the base hit strongly against the iron plate over his chest. Only a slight bit of power came from her Staff. Really, it was laughable; and when the man barely reacted to her hit, he flashed a deviant grin and lifted his blade with full intentions to critically injure the brunette. With his sword swinging towards her, Yuna yelled pleadingly while lifting a single arm over her face as an attempt to protect herself.
“Tidus. Please…Help me!”
That’s when an indescribable force of energy emerged from the girl’s wrist as a small translucent shield appeared over her arm. Still keeping her face covered as the cloud’s in the sky churned in to smokey waves. A strange power lit around Yuna; a symbol forging beneath her feet and surrounding both herself and the purple haired man. That’s when suddenly, a large beast shot through the storm’s tunnel and landed directly in front of Yuna; it’s force pushing their foe off of his feet. The loud landing caused her heart to race faster and when she peaked out from under her arm, she was shocked by what she saw.
”…Bahamut…? But….How could I…” Tears nearly built in the corners of her eyes. To destroy Sin, she needed to sacrifice the aeon’s who assisted her on her pilgrimage. One of the hardest things she ever had to do; and yet, here was one ally, defending her with confidence. Her glistening optics; one green, one blue, narrowed down to her palms where she stared at her now trembling fingers. “I summoned…”
Once again, battle ensued between the two.
Lightning was only a small journey to get to Alexandria on the opposite continent. She knew, somewhere inside her, that she would have to fight at least once, but she never thought it would be Caius Ballad. He was in the Unseen Realm the last the pinkette heard. But nonetheless, Lightning was able to block his attack via her gunblade, though it did send her backwards a bit with his force.
They’d been in battle for a while now, time finally taking it’s toll on Lightnings smaller, yet still muscular frame. Her steps became sloppy and slow, as did her swings. She was able to by herself some time by mustering up one burst of energy and she swung wide at the violet man, sending him crashing into several trees behind him. Falling to her knees, blade stuck into the ground for support, Lightning breathed heavily, trying to compose herself.
Her body was covered in scrapes and gashes that varied in size and depth. And the sweat that developed in the places which heat accumulated didn’t serve to cool her off. She was moments away from falling over when she heard quick, heavy steps. She looked up, caught sight of Caius running towards her with the intent to kill, and blocked with her blade. But she wasn’t strong enough to stand her ground, and so she fell back, too weak and sore to move at all as he prepared to strike her down.
She closed her eyes, awaiting the end.
All that ran through her mind was Serah. Serah would be alone. The last Farron. She would have Snow, and perhaps Hope. Maybe even Sazh. But her older sister would be gone. And that was not only Serahs worst fear, but it was also the soldier’s. She didn’t want to leave her sister alone in the New World, to experience happiness alone. But maybe it was best. So many emotions went through her in the few seconds she lay there.
But then an unfamiliar voice resonated through her mind as it yelled, “Stop!” Opening her eyes, she saw the dark cloud and felt the breeze of the wind. And then the…monster? It came from the sky and crashed in front of them, sending Caius backwards. She was surprised, to say the least.
The soft tone of the girl, along with her overall appearance (and also the fact that she saved Lightning) was enough to make her relax, if only for a second, knowing that the girl would be on her side.
With pain in her tone, Lightning spoke as she slowly, and rather painfully, sat up, “Who…are..you?”
“Ahh…yes, yes. The sun, wonderful isn’t it? Such beauty and majesty reflected in his morning’s embrace.”
He seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, meandering in from behind and slinking in beside her. He emitted a rasping tone muffled from behind the white bonds wrapped around his mouth.
“However…just as every light, it must inevitably burn out.”
His presence failed to startle her. But it most certainly did surprise her. She turned her head, ready to draw her blade if neccessary, and looked at his mostly-covered face.
"You don’t belong here,” she stated matter-of-factly.
