Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero -Promise- [Encounter]
Es la Novela de FFXIII que se ha publicado en la web oficial japonesa.
Capitulo 01:
Ella sabía que estaba rodeada, pero no sintió nervios o pánico. She only thought about how it would save her the time it would take to look for them. “Justo como escuchamos”, Lightning murmuró a medida que preparaba su espada. Había varios Bloodbaths, un monstruo que parece un pez con brazos y piernas de anfibio que vive en la orilla del agua. En las afueras de la Ciudad Costera Bowdam, este tipo de monstruos acuáticos aparecen bastante a menudo. No son solo humanos los que quieren vivir aquí, con temperatura cálida, agua, y resort-like atmosphere, parece que incluso los monstruos lo encuentran vida fácil.
Ella pudo detectar cuatro de los bultos de color gris rojizo en el área. Sintió a dos detrás de ella. Uno empezó a arrastrarse. Se estaba preparando para atacar. Ella deslizó su espada bajo el lado derecho de su visión. Resistencia. Ahora a la izquierda. Su espada destello, convirtiéndose en su nombre, a través de las entrañas de los Bloodbath. Ahora dos han caído. Ella sintió algo saltando detrás de ella. Pero a esa velocidad no debería ser problema. Ella respiro con un pequeño suspiro. Se dio media vuelta y le hizo un corte hacia abajo, ahora solo queda uno detrás de ella...
Fue entonces. Ella saltó hacia atrás. Escuchó un disparo, y el Bloodbath estalló. Ahora uno más estaba cubierto en sus propios fluidos corporales verdes.
"¡Ayudaremos!"
Escuchó la voz de una mujer junto con el estruendo de una moto aérea. No estás ayudando, solo estás en medio del camino, ella pensó, irritada, y bajando su arma. La atención de los Bloodbath se había alejado de Lightning. Ella no necesito mirar hacia arriba para saber que a quien pertenecía aquella voz era una mujer de clase baja por el sonido de la moto aérea que estaba obviamente remodelada. No era una que fuera diseñada con seguridad en mente de primeras, para el mercado regular, ni era un modelo militar que fuera hecho para ser silencioso. Era un sonido diferente. La mujer que la montaba no era una ciudadana o soldado.
No lo era, en efecto, la mujer tenia un arma en una mano mientras controlaba la moto aérea con la otra. Había un hombre de pelo azul. Era muy joven. Tenía plumas y joyas decorativas por todos lados, e incluso lejos de ti podías ver que era muy llamativo en apariencia. Detrás de el había una mujer de pelo negro sosteniendo una pistola enorme y lista. La moto aérea descendió rápidamente, y la mujer levantó y disparó su arma. Los dos Bloodbath restantes volaron hacia atrás, uno tras otro, y se quedaron inmóviles. Ella no era una mala tiradora. Por supuesto, que eso fue después de que ella perdiera la mitad de su ronda.
La moto aérea voló bajo alrededor de Lightning lentamente, y puso los frenos. Era conducida por alguien que sabia lo que estaba haciendo.
"Hey soldado, ¿estabas en una situación difícil no?" La mujer de pelo negro levantó su arma y sonrió. El cuello de su camisa estaba bajo y abierto. Lightning pudo ver un tatuaje de mariposa en la parte superior de su hombro. Si del hombre de pelo azul podría decirse que tenía muchas decoraciones, de esta mujer se podría decir que enseñaba mucha piel. Incluso uno no llevaba ropa que alguien que usa un arma normalmente llevaría. Todas esas decoraciones colgando estorbarían en una lucha con pistola. Y una pistola grande como esa se calienta con facilidad. Con toda esa demasiada piel enseñando ella no podría protegerse de las quemaduras. Aficionados, se decidió, y entonces preguntó:
"¿Quienes sois vosotros?"
"Somos Nora."
A pesar de que la intención de Lightning era sonar dura y fría, la otra mujer no parecía darse cuenta. Sus ojos de color ámbar se volvieron, como si se estuviera divirtiendo.
"¿Si tu eres un soldado de Bowdam habrás al menos oído un poco sobre nosotros verdad?"
Que confianza. Lightning estaba interesada en como se las arregló para estar tan confiada, pero no tenía tiempo para preguntar.
"Lo siento, nunca." Dijo ella, con voz cortante, y se giró sobre sus talones. Ella pudo oír sus voces detrás de ella.
"Pero..."
"Que raro, Yo juraría que éramos más famosos que eso."
Ella empezó a caminar rápidamente así que ella no pudo oír sus voces más. Que molesto. Interfirieron con su misión, y pensaron que la estaban ayudando. Ella no podía soportar como parecían tan orgullosos de si mismos, así que les mintió, y se odio a si misma por ello. Si, ella había mentido. Mintió con lo de que ella nunca había oído sobre Nora. Ella sabia de ellos. Oyó de un grupo que usaba una pequeña tienda en la playa como base. Aquella tienda era realmente una cafetería, pensada para los turistas pero mayormente usado por los locales. Aunque no es el tipo de lugar que seria popular por las chicas de la escuela mayor.
"Somos como un gato-nora, un callejero, así es como obtuvimos nuestro nombre." Incluso más molesto, recordar aquello ahora. Lightning sacó su móvil. No pienses en cosas innecesarias, se dijo así misma. Llama al sargento mayor e infórmale de que el trabajo esta terminado. Eso es lo más importante que hay que hacer ahora.
Allí ya había muchos soldados en el punto convenido. Los Bloodbaths no fueron tan lejos del lugar que informaron que debían estar. Cuando es contra monstruos que se mueven rápido no es así de fácil. Los monstruos odian a los humanos, así que no los veras en comercios o distritos residenciales, pero en las afueras era una historia diferente. Para la gente que vive en los barrios tranquilos construidos fuera de la ciudad, los monstruos son un gran problema. Aunque incluso un aficionado puede hacerse cargo de uno pequeño, se mueven normalmente en grandes grupos. Los únicos que viven solos son los más grandes y fuertes monstruos. En otras palabras, a los que si ves lo mejor que puedes hacer es ponerte en contacto con el ejército inmediatamente. Ese es el trabajo que normalmente hacen las fuerzas de seguridad, la unidad de Lightning.
Otros soldados llegaron hasta ella, felicitándola por un trabajo bien hecho. Lightning buscaba a su oficial superior. No, ella no necesitaba realmente buscarle. El Sargento Mayor Amoda podía ser oído desde cualquier parte. Ella fue en dirección de sus carcajadas.
Lightning frunció el ceño. Amoda estaba hablando con un grupo al que ella no había visto antes. Y al lado de ellos había una moto aérea remodelada. Se parecía mucho a la que el hombre del pelo azul pilotaba. ¿Quien era ese hombre que estaba hablando con el sargento mayor tan amigablemente? Se puso de pie con confianza, pero parecía sofocada. No podía decir si era por su ropa o por la forma en que se movía. Pero ella pudo decirlo simplemente mirándole que el era su líder.
Sus ojos se encontraron. Lightning lo miró. Admitió que era grosero de su parte, pero el hombre tenía una pinta ligeramente sospechosa en su cara. Dándose cuenta de lo que estaba pasando, el Sargento Mayor Amoda miró atrás.
"Hey, Comandante, bienvenida de nuevo."
Ya esta con eso otra vez, Lightning pensó a medida que se encogía de hombros. A el le gustan este tipo de bromas.
"¿Comandante? ¿Que clase de broma es está ahora, Sargento Mayor?" Poniendo énfasis en "Sargento Mayor". A diferencia de cuando ella se unió, le había ido bien ignorando sus bromas. Por supuesto, a veces era necesario devolver el golpe.
"Bueno tú eres el líder de nuestra batida, ¿verdad?" Si el va ir de esa manera no hay nada realmente que ella pueda decir, así que suspiro, y decidió ignorarle.
"¿Así que quien es este?" Miró al hombre que estaba al lado suyo. No importa si lo mirabas de lejos o de cerca, el no parecía diferente. Parecía malas noticas.
"Son Nora, Sargento." Cortando un joven soldado en la conversación.
"¿No has oído nunca sobre ellos?"
Nora otra vez no, cerca de enseñar su irritación. Justo cuando me los había quitado de la cabeza y aquí están de nuevo para más.
"Un grupo de vigilancia hecho de gente joven de la ciudad." El tomó obviamente el silencio de Lightning como una falta de conocimiento por su parte. Amoda añadió,
"Su líder aquí es Snow." Ella sintió una mezcla de alegría y decepción por haber dado en el clavo.
"Hey." Su falta de mano a la hora de saludar la irritó incluso más. ¿No podría ser un poco más cortés? pensó ella.
"Esta es vuestra comandante de batida. Puede que sea joven, pero es buena." Como prueba, Amoda tocó la empuñadura de la espada de Lightning con la punta de sus dedos.
"Esta es una espada que ha obtenido recientemente. Una Blaze Edge... aunque vosotros chicos no lo entendáis realmente, si cualquier otro soldado viera esto sabría que significa."
"Sargento Mayor, no hablemos de..." Lighningt sabía que el iba a decir a continuación intentó detenerle, pero Amoda la ignoró y continuó.
"Esta es una espada dada solo a los mejores soldados. Lo que estoy diciendo es que, los que tienen esta espada tienen habilidades increíbles. ¿No es eso algo?" Ahora se esta pasando con las alabanzas, pensó Lightning. Ella quería detenerle antes de que empezara con algo así, pero no pudo meter baza.
"Y su Blaze Edge es especial. Tiene una inscripción en ella que dice, ¿como era? "Destello blanco... toma mi nombre." ¿Era eso?" En su mente ella le corrigió, "Llama por mi nombre", pero ella no pudo seguidamente, era muy embarazoso.
"Por favor, ¿vamos a dejarlo así vale?" Incluso aunque el estaba medio en broma, ella era feliz oyendo tales palabras de su oficial superior. Pero hay un limite de lo lejos que puedes ir. Especialmente ese chico Snow que estaba en frente de ella diciendo "¿Es eso cierto?" y "Wow eso es increíble." mientras la miraba fijamente. Era simplemente insoportable.
"De acuerdo, de acuerdo." Amoda miró decepcionado primeramente, pero luego se echo a reír a carcajadas.
"Ah, bien. Así que de ahí el por que nuestro sargento aquí era capaz de acabar tan rápidamente. Vosotros chicos estabais decepcionados con que no había mucho de lo que cazar esta vez, ¿verdad?"
"Nah, no eran solo los monstruos que fueron reportados que estaban alrededor ya sabes."
"¿En serio?"
"Si, si los derrotábamos, venían uno detrás de otro."
"Hey ahora, Estoy de acuerdo con derrotarlos, pero no hagas mucho de un disturbio." Y entonces el dijo, claro claro, y accedió sin reservas. ¿Fuerza de vigilancia? Lightning pensó. No me hagas reír. Son solo un grupo de aficionados quienes tienen pistolas y actúan all justice league... Ella quería decirles lo que ella pensaba de ellos, pero no cambiaria nada. Puedes criticar cuando esperas que mejore. Si no lo haces, entonces es solo malgastar el aire.
"Tenéis mucha energía. ¿Por que no os unís al ejército?
"Reglas y uniformes no van con nuestra personalidad ¿sabes?" ¿Por que sigue este tío diciendo cosas que esta seguro de que pone a la gente de los nervios? Lightning pensó. Me pone furiosa. Pero el Sargento Mayor Amoda solo se río y dijo, "Vigila lo que dices", mientras le daba una palmadita a Snow en la espalda, como buenos amigos.
"Bueno ahora que los monstruos han sido eliminados, nos vamos." Con las palabras de Snow, se montan todos en la moto aérea.
"Chicos mejor no os alejéis y seáis cazados." El joven soldado de antes les gritó. Era cercano a ellos en edad, y parecían amigos.
“PSICOM’s nothing like us, and they won’t over look you.”
PSICOM. Public Safety and Information. El servicio secreto dentro del ejército, solo escogen a soldados de elite. La fuerza de seguridad trabaja de cerca con la gente, así que podría decirse que ellos tienen "afecto". Pero PSICOM no tiene de eso. No, PSICOM no permitiría a Nora existir. Pero un grupo hecho más que nada de ciudadanos normales no lo saben. Y todos los miembros de Nora se burlan de esa clase de comentarios de los jóvenes soldados.
"Estaremos bien. Somos más fuertes que cualquier ejército." El líder será el líder, y los miembros del grupo son los miembros. Pero el joven soldado no parece entenderlo, y solo dice "¿Un poco excedidos de confianza no?" mientras ríe.
Lightning pensó eso, no solo les falta sentido común, si no que incluso no se dan cuenta de cosas que cualquiera persona normal se daría. Así que, ella pensó que ignorándoles y olvidándoles seria lo mejor. Pero...
"Esperad." Cuando se dio cuenta de lo que ella estaba haciendo, ya les había seguido, y detenido. Tenia que decirles una cosa, solo una cosa.
"Tu nombre es Snow, ¿no es así?"
"Si" Snow, preparándose para salir, dio la vuelta.
"Tu eres el que esta persiguiendo a mi hermana pequeña."
"¿Hermana pequeña?"
"Serah Farron." No había terminado de decir el nombre de Serah antes de que Snow dijera "¡Ah!" y saltó de la moto aérea, hacia ella.
"¿Así que tu eres la hermana de Serah eh? Tu cara se le parece, pero ambas parecéis tan diferentes." El parecía tan feliz, Lightning se sentía aturdida. El era como un niño el cual había encontrado un caramelo.
"Serah dijo que su hermana era un soldado. Cuando nos conocimos pensé que quizás eras tú, pero realmente eres su hermana." El dijo su nombre tan familiar que la irritación que ella sintió antes volvió hacia ella. Se estaba preparando para gritarle, cuando el sacó su mano derecha.
"¡Encantando de conocerte! Soy Snow Villiers." Su mano era enorme. Ella pensó que quizás llevaba guantas de cuero que hacían que su mano pareciera más grande. No, pidiendo un apretón de manos mientras lleva guantes. Este tío no sabe nada de modales.
"No te involucres con mi hermana." Ignorando su mano extendida. Ella no se sintió amigable con el.
"¿Por que?" Los ojos de Snow fueron desde sus dedos estirados a la cara de Lightning y de vuelta. El no debió haber entendido lo que ella le dijo.
"He dicho, que no te involucres con mi hermana." Snow retiro su mano. El finalmente entendió que estaba siendo rechazado. Incluso así, no se rindió, y le dijo vacilante:
"¿Y si lo hago?" No necesito responderle, he dicho lo que quería decir, ella pensó. Intentó darle la espalda, pero algo golpeó sus pies.
Un coco. Era una clase de coco que viene de la palmera de Bowdam, y si tu dices "palmera" la gente de aquí pensara en este árbol. Crece rápido, y los frutos son grandes y anchos y son disfrutados por la gente andando por la playa. Pero son diferentes de la palmera normal en la que los cocos no son para comer. Son enormes, y no importa si los cueces o cocinas no se pueden comer. Como este hombre, pensó Lightning.
"Así que, ¿y si lo hago? ¿Entonces que?" Ella poniendo su pie encima del coco.
"No". Ella lentamente juntos sus dedos y los crujió. Así no era como ella planeó deshacerse del hombre que perseguía a su hermana, pero no iba a ser de ayuda. Pero entonces, el pie que ella tenía sobre el coco cayó. Snow pateó el coco al aire, e hizo un arco, aterrizando en su mano. Era como un niño que era bueno pateando pelotas.
"Lo siento, pero incluso si me das un puñetazo, no funcionara." Quería decir que el puñetazo de una mujer no era suficientemente fuerte, o esta diciendo que solamente no escuchara sus palabras. Probablemente ambas.
"Por que soy un cabeza dura." Sonrió a mientras lo decía, haciéndola enfurecer más. Ella le dio la espalda, y se fue andando. No me gusta, ella pensó. Yendo como un crio y actuando como su general, animando a los débiles... que hombre horrible. ¿Por que Serah lo encontrara interesante? Por supuesto, ella solo lo encuentra interesante. No es que le guste. Claro.
"Sargento Farron, ¿le conoce?"
No pudieron escuchar lo que estaban hablando, pero probablemente fueron capaces de verles pelear. El joven soldado parecía ansioso cuando preguntó.
"No, no realmente." Ella ni quiera le conocía. Y nunca piensa tener nada más que ver con el otra vez. Solo ella, si no que su Serah también.
"Me vuelvo." Lightning se peino hacia atrás, y se fue andando.
Capitulo 02:
La brisa del mar sienta bien en la mejilla. Serah andaba sin rumbo por el paseo marítimo, y estiró los brazos de par en par. El clima era precioso. La zona de alrededor del paseo marítimo era tranquila. En ésta temporada todos los turistas van a la playa para nadar en el océano. La cafetería del Equipo Nora ha estado seguramente ocupada desde esta mañana. Incluso si no fuera temporada, hoy es día de trabajo para Lebreau. Su cocina siempre se las arregla para atraer a los lugareños.
Eso es probablemente por que Snow llego tarde. Probablemente dijo "Os dejare el resto a vosotros chicos." y entonces intentó irse, pero uno de los habituales le arrastró a una conversación. Viendo esa imagen en su cabeza hizo que Serah sonriera.
"¡Hey!" oyó ella una voz decir, y se volvió. No era Snow. Era un miembro de Nora llamado Gadot. Desde que el montaba la moto aérea por si mismo, estaría volviendo solamente al trabajo. O quizás Lebreau le pidió que cogiera algunos ingredientes.
"Así que, ¿va a llegar tarde... verdad?" Le miró y le dijo a medida que la moto aérea se detenía al lado de ella. A pesar de que es más bajo que Snow, sus grandes músculos a menudo hacen que la gente piense en el como un gigante. Cuando Serah le conoció por primera vez ella pensó que parecía grande y temible, por supuesto ahora ella lo ve diferente.
"¿Cogido por uno de los habituales?"
"Bingo. Y probablemente llevara un tiempo también." Me pregunto si es uno de esos clientes tediosos, Serah pensó. Ella no podía estar segura de si Snow o Lebreau pidieron a Gadot venir como un mensajero.
"Vale, entiendo. Gracias."
"Nah, iba de camino." Y con eso Gadot dijo "nos vemos", y cogió de nuevo la moto aérea. Serah le dijo adiós con la mano y le vio irse.
La calma volvió, y Serah empezó a andar otra vez. Hay un lugar abajo cerca del final del paseo marítimo donde las aves marinas se reúnen. Decidió que esperaría por Snow por allí. Nunca se cansaba de mirar a las aves marinas jugar en las olas. Serah deseo haber traído algo que poder darles como comida.
"Amo esta ciudad," Murmuró Serah. Las aves jugando en el océano, el color del cielo, el susurro suave de las hojas en los árboles, incluso el paseo marítimo bien cuidado. Pero este era el último año de la escuela mayor de Serah. Ya se había decidido que debería ir a la universidad en la Ciudad Capital de Eden. Es el camino que ella misma escogió, pero solo pensar en dejar la ciudad la hace entristecerse. Snow siempre dice,
"Eden esta justo ahí. Podremos vernos el uno al otro cuando queramos." y el sonrió. Serah siempre se decía a si misma, no es como si no volviéramos a vernos el uno al otro otra vez. Nunca volver a ver a alguien otra vez, es algo que Serah entendió bien.
El primero fue su padre. Incluso aunque ella no tenía la edad para entender que era la muerte, Serah entendió que ella no volvería a ver a su padre otra vez. Cuando su madre murió de enfermedad, lo sintió incluso más fuerte, el dolor de perder a alguien para siempre. Perder a alguien enfrente de ti. Snow también, el creció en la misma institución que Gadot. Lebrau a Yuge también. Conocían el mismo dolor. Ese es el por que la gente les mira con tal amabilidad. Incluso si ellos no se dan cuenta.
Estoy feliz, descubrió Serah. Estoy feliz, así que incluso teniendo un poco de distancia entre nosotros duele. Ser capaz de vernos cada día, y hablar de tonterías, siendo rodeados por gente amable. Es tan divertido, que perder incluso un poco de ello duele.
"Mocosa malcriada. Estas siendo codiciosa." Se golpeo levemente la cabeza con su puño. Eden no está tan cerca como Snow dice, pero sigue siendo verdad que si queremos vernos el uno al otro podremos. Así que voy a dejar de sentir tanta lastima de mi misma. No quiero perder el tiempo y tengo que dejar aquí esta manera de sentirlo.
Ella justo se había decidido, cuando vio a alguien correr por el paseo marítimo. Era Snow. Vino antes de lo que ella pensaba. El probablemente lo hizo lo mejor que pudo para acabar la conversación tan pronto como fuera posible.
"¡Por aquí!" Saltó y movió sus manos.
"¿¡Has visto a mi hermana!?" Ella no podía dejar de gritar. Snow estaba casi sin aliento de correr a toda prisa por el paseo marítimo, pero tan rápido como cogió aliento, el dijo: "Si he visto a Lightning."
"Ayer, nos encontramos el uno con el otro."
Aja, así que ese es el por que, se dijo Serah así misma.
"¿Por que, dijo ella algo de mí?"
"Nada. Pero estaba de muy mal humor, así que pensé que era raro." Aunque estaba de mal humor, ella actuó de la misma manera de siempre. Lightning nunca hace pucheros como un niño cuando esta disgustada. Ella siempre ha estado orgullosa de mostrar como se siente. Pero Serah podía de alguna manera decir los estados de ánimo de su hermana. Como si algún campo invisible alrededor de ella cambiara levemente. Si tuviera que compararlo con algo diría que es como la electricidad estática. Puedes verla pero si te paras a tocarla puedes sentir el impacto.
Snow parece estar intentando dañarse así mismo, Serah pensó con una pequeña risa. Lightning y Snow son exactamente opuestos. Snow es fiel a sus sentimientos, lo que piensa se ve en su cara y acciones, y en sus palabras. Sus sentimientos y expresiones están vinculados estrechamente. Nunca mentiría o engañaría. Ese el por que Serah sentía que podía confiar en el, pero su hermana lo sentía diferente. No tienen nada en común, eran como el aceite y el agua.
"Maldita sea..." Snow se rasco su cabeza. "¿Que deberíamos hacer?"
Al principió Serah no entendió a que se refería, pero entonces lo entendió.
"Está bien, aún puedes venir." La próxima semana era el cumpleaños de Lightning. Serah la convenció para tomarse algo de tiempo libre, solo para que ellos tres pudieran celebrarlo juntos.
"Vamos a decirle que estamos saliendo."
"Si, es horrible tener que ocultarlo."
Serah planeó presentarle a Snow a ella en la fiesta de cumpleaños. No quería que Lightning cogiera su tiempo libre solo para presentárselo, ya que eso solo la irritaría con ella estando tan ocupada... Pero Serah no quería esperar mucho antes de ir con ello.
"Si solo hablamos con ella lo entenderá. Ella es muy buena." Lightning es alguien que no es solo dura con sigo misma, sino dura con los demás. Y una vez ella ha decidido algo, casi nunca se echa atrás, así que los demás piensan que es obstinada. Pero así es como ella es capaz de proteger y cuidar de mí, pensó Serah. Incluso aunque ella aún estaba en la edad en la quieres ser cuidada, tiró su niñez para ser más fuerte por Serah. En el funeral de su padre, y en el funeral de su madre, ella fue la she was their holding Serah’s hand. Era como ella había dicho, no importa lo que pase, estaré ahí por ti. Serah nunca olvidó el calor de la mano de su hermana...
Ah, ella finalmente encontró algo que Lightning y Snow tenían en común. Incluso si sus personalidades son completamente diferentes, había solo una cosa. Les amo a ambos, susurró Serah, en lo profundo de su corazón. Tienen eso en común.
"No, está bien. Tenemos que decírselo. Tenemos que hacer que nos acepte."
"Pero si se enfada, ella probablemente me matará." Dijo Snow como una broma. Serah, intentando no soltar una carcajada, hizo que su cara pareciera seria.
"Si solo fuera eso es lo que pasara. Si ella se enfada, destruirá todo en Cocoon."
"¿Ella lo haría?" frunció sus cejas Snow. Pero era demasiado. Serah sin querer soltó una carcajada, y Snow echó su cabeza hacia atrás y soltó una carcajada. Espero que un día los tres podamos reír juntos así, pensó Serah. No, seremos capaces de hacerlo. En su cumpleaños.
"¡Snow!" Escucharon detrás de ellos, después de que se rieran por un rato.
"¿Que pasa Maqui?" Gritó Snow a medida que la moto aérea se acercaba.
"Se van. Hemos captado la comunicación inalámbrica del ejército. Parece que hay monstruos en los bosques. ¡Es la hora para el Equipo Nora!".
"Entendido" Dijo Snow, a medida que la moto aérea llego al suelo.
"Lo siento Serah, tengo que ayudar al General."
"¡Vale!" Bromeando Serah se inclino ante el. Maqui era solo un año menor que ella, así que ella sentía que era como un compañero de clase.
"Perdón por la molestia." Dijo Maqui, riendo. Snow dijo "bastardo" y pretendió darle un puñetazo. Eran como hermanos.
"Bien, bien, voy a casa entonces."
"¡Espera! Ah, ¿puedes esperar por mí? quiero ir de compras contigo."
"¿Para que?" Snow guiñó uno de sus ojos a medida que saltó en la moto aérea.
"A por el regalo de tu hermana."
"Oh, ¡un regalo de cumpleaños!"
"Quiero que ambos escojáis uno. Tu puedes ir encabeza a el centro comercial si quieres, y mirar por ahí…
"No, esperare aquí. Andaré alrededor de las Strange Ruins."
"Vale," Dijo Snow, a la vez que la moto aérea despegó.
"¡Limpiaremos esto rápidamente!"
"¡Tened cuidado!" Dijo Serah, agitando su mano, aunque Snow y Maqui estaban ya en el cielo. Ella se rió, "Sois realmente rápidos."
Capitulo 03:
She had tried not to look like she was in a bad mood, though she was worried that it didn’t work. When she had returned home late last night, she didn’t really talk much with Serah. I’m tired, she said, and shut herself in her room. She didn’t want to say anything she might regret. Lightning thought if she opened her mouth she would start yelling at Serah to break up with that guy. She didn’t want to tell Serah she was against it. She knew her sister’s temperament better than anyone. Though she seems to be gentle and weak, on the inside she is tough. If Lightning told her that she was against it just because she didn’t like him, Serah would try to change Lightning’s mind and keep arguing about it until she did. She didn’t want to have to go through that.
Lightning sighed, and cleaned the tray she used for breakfast. On days she has to leave early they would eat breakfast together, but on days like today when she had to leave later she ate alone. When Lightning got up Serah had already left. Even so, she had already prepared breakfast. Lightning’s work schedule was always changing, and she’d always had to leave quickly.
Their father died early, and when their mother was alive she had to work. So Lightning’s experience with housework was far longer than Serah’s. Serah, however, was a far better cook than Lightning.
“Serah’s just better at choosing delicious food.”
“Mm-hmm, and I’m a better cook too.” She remembered the conversations she would have with her mother and Serah. She was always happy and smiling. But then their mother fell ill.
It was just before she died. After school Lightning went with Serah to their mother’s hospital. Serah kept trying to run, but Lightning held onto her hand, saying “Don’t run, it’s dangerous.” over and over. If it was like always, she would have just been saying that, while trying to run herself. But today was different.
Yesterday, when she had arrived home from school, the doctor had contacted her, telling her that her mother had worsened. The next time she goes into a fit could be dangerous, he said.
There were no other family to tell. So the doctor had no choice but to tell the fifteen year old Lightning the details of her mother’s illness. If anything happens, he said, there is a social services person I can introduce you to. He told her many places she could go to get help. There are programs so that children without guardians can live freely. You don’t have to worry. You only have to think about yourself and your sister. That’s what the doctor said.
But, with his words Lightning realized that she’d have to take all responsibility now. Did it show in her face? she wondered. Looking back she felt her mother knew what she was thinking.
“I’m feeling good today. Yes, I think I want to eat some fruit. Serah, would you go and buy some for me?”
“I’ll go.” Lightning said, standing. But her mother smiled.
“Serah’s better at choosing delicious food.”
“Mm-hmm, and I’m a better cook too.” Serah said, proud of herself. She left the sick room.
“There will be a lot of things you’ll have to do now, not just cooking.” Her mother said. Serah’s footsteps faded into the distance. Lightning’s mother smiled at her. Yes, she understands, Lightning thought. That’s why she asked Serah for the fruit. Now she’ll talk more about what I’ll have to do. But, she didn’t.
“But you know, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. There are a lot of things Serah can help you with too.”
“But, mom...” She couldn’t say anything else. Her mother stretched out her hand, and held Lightning close. She stroked her hair like a small child. Lightning felt like she would cry.
“Cute little spoiled girl. We used to call you that, before Serah was born.”
“I don’t remember that...”
“Once Serah was born, you became an older sister. You were only three. Both me and your father no longer could call you our spoiled girl.” Her mother’s voice was laughing, but Lightning could hear the pain in it. The hand stroking her hair was so thin.
“After your father died, you always helped me, didn’t you. You always watched over Serah. You’re such a good big sister. That’s why I’m not worried about Serah. Because you’ll be there for her.” Her mother continued, “But Serah will be there for you too. She will help you when it hurts, she will give you strength. Don’t forget that.” And then her mother said, once more, in a small voice, “My little spoiled girl”.....
The condition of her illness changed quickly after that. She had already prepared herself for it, so she accepted it without a word. That day, the moment she was held by her mother like a small child, her childhood was over. She no longer had anyone she could call mother. So she was no longer a child. Could no longer be a child.
“You don’t have to do it all yourself.” Her mother had said that. But the only one who could protect Serah was her. Of course, she realized, I have to do it all myself.
I want to be an adult. She felt it keenly. To protect Serah, to make my only little sister happy, I have to become an adult as fast as I can. If I can’t be an adult by law, I will have to get rid of the name my parent’s gave me and make myself an adult. It’s okay right, if I’m no longer my mother’s daughter. In exchange I will be Serah’s guardian. I will protect her. She made a vow in front of her mother’s grave. She took herself a new name, Lightning.
At the sound of her holster failing she came back to herself. She hadn’t even realized, but she had already gotten dressed. She gave an ironic smile. It wasn’t time to leave yet.
But she had woken up earlier than she’d planned. Probably because of what happened yesterday, she wasn’t able to sleep very well. Understandable, she said to herself for the millionth time, and sighed. It just had to be that guy. She wasn’t the type of over protective sister that would want to chase away all the guys who talked to her little sister. She wanted someone who would make Serah happy. She wanted someone who would protect her. She wouldn’t let anyone who couldn’t do that near her. He didn’t have to be a smooth talker or have anything good about him you could see. He just had treat her well, and be willing to protect her.
But that man could never protect her, Lightning thought. He’s just some guy playing king of the mountain. At the first sign of trouble he’d abandon Serah and run. If she let Serah cool her head a bit she’d come to understand. A straight A high school student and some worthless unemployed man could never work out.
If mother was alive, could we stop Serah together?
No, probably not. Lightning’s shoulders drooped. Father was sort of a dangerous type himself. He was easy-going and good-natured, but he wasn’t very reliable. Now that I’m an adult I understand that, Lightning thought. Of course, when I was a child I loved my father. In my memory he was always bright and laughing. But, if he had lived longer would I have been critical of his easy-going nature? I probably would have rebelled against him.
Mother chose father anyway. She probably would have been soft for someone like Snow. She probably would have said, “If it’s the person Serah loves...” and just accepted it.
So it’s up to me to protect Serah from him. I’m not mother, or father. They might have accepted it. But I won’t. Never.
She put on her leather gloves, and opened the door of her room. She decided to leave early today.
Capitulo 04
According to old records, the Strange Ruins of Bowdam have been here for hundreds of years. The old buildings and residences of Cocoon are usually called “historic”, but things from Pulse are called “strange ruins”.
It was probably brought here during the War of Revelations, as materials to repair the places that had been destroyed. It is well know that the fal’Cie would bring in materials from Pulse to maintain the structures of Cocoon. But the strange thing is, in all those hundreds of years it was never used as materials to repair the buildings, it was never used for construction, it was never returned to Pulse. It had just remained in Bowdam, waiting.
Whether there are plans for it, or whether it is being saved for something, no one knows. For the immortal fal’Cie several hundred years mean nothing. No human could understand the thoughts of the fal’Cie.
In any case, it was all a mystery. Perhaps those close to the government knew something more, but a regular citizen like Serah knew nothing.
“No matter how many times I see it, I still think it’s strange....” Serah looked up at the towering ruins. Who could have built this?
Normal humans cannot live on Pulse. Frequent natural disasters and violent monsters running rampant make it impossible. She had heard that the only ones living there were practically barbarians. There is no way they could have built such a large complicated structure. She had heard, also, that on Pulse there is a fal’Cie just like there is on Cocoon. But unlike Cocoon’s fal’Cie, who only visits blessings on the people there, the fal’Cie of Pulse brings destruction.
If that that’s the case, then it couldn’t have been the fal’Cie of Pulse. If it had been built by something as terrible as that, then it would have been dangerous to Cocoon, and Cocoon’s fal’Cie would have destroyed it and used its materials.
But if it wasn’t the fal’Cie of Pulse, and it wasn’t the barbarians, then who had built it?
Many books and papers had been written on the subject. Everyone wanted to know. But no answers were found. It’s an old story, that no one would find the answer is understandable.
Serah became interested in history because of mysteries like these. And because of that her grades in history became much higher. She sometimes thought that if she hadn’t grown up around the Strange Ruins of Bowdam that she wouldn’t have become as interested in history, but she didn’t know for sure.
There was nothing like an unsolved mystery to exhilarate Serah. Even if there was no right answer, it was fun just imagining what it could be. Of course, if the mystery was solved that would make it even better.
“If only I could go inside.”
But there were no entrances to the ruins. There was no information reported about what was inside. Whether there was open space just like any building or not was unknown. Serah touched the outside. It wasn’t made of stone or metal. It was cool to the touch. No, it was probably some sort of metal, just not a kind that she saw everyday. Or at least not one used for buildings.
When it was made in Pulse, it probably felt very different. It has been worn down by the wind and rain of Cocoon for hundreds of years. Probably not only the texture had been changed, but the color and shape may have changed as well.
Serah looked up at the top of the ruins, and slowly walked around it, keeping her gaze at the top. When she did that, it looked as if the ruins were moving. When she was little this was something her sister had showed her. She heard that her father had shown her sister. Serah had been there when he had shown it to her, but she couldn’t remember.
It never changes here, Serah thought. Five years before, ten years before, now. So probably five and ten years from now it will be the same too. Even after I die, she thought, it probably still be here, unchanged...
Then, she felt something strange. On the outside wall of the ruins she felt a change under her fingertips. Surprised, Serah looked at the wall. The outside wall had shifted, and that shift opened up into the inside.
Serah gazed in wonderment at the inside.
“It’s open!?”
Since when? When she had been here a couple of days earlier there had been no change. She had looked at the ruins since she was little. She would never miss even the slightest change, especially not one as big as an entrance.
Perhaps a government research team had finally managed to open it. Serah walked a ways inside.
“Is anyone... here?”
There was no answer. There were no guards, so it probably wasn’t a research mission.
“It will be okay if I look around for a little bit ...right?”
If it were found out that she entered without permission, she would get in a lot of trouble, but in the end her curiosity won out.
She stepped softly inside the ruins. She hoped that she would at least be able to get to the very center. The center of the ruins from Pulse. This was something that came from outside of Cocoon. She was excited, thinking how close she was to finding out the secrets of the ruins. But the farther she went, the more she started to feel she was being disrespectful. The air inside the ruins was so cool and quiet.
The ruins seemed to be far bigger on the inside than the seemed on the outside. There were paths and stairs winding everywhere inside. It was obvious that there were no people here. Not only did she see no one, but heard no voices, not even any small sound. Despite that, the inside of the ruins was bright. There were lights along the pathways. As Serah went in deeper, she wondered what sort of device was used. The lights seemed to get brighter, as if they were showing her the way.
“Oh wow....!”
She had only meant it as a whisper, but it echoed loud in her ears. She put her hand to her mouth. She let out a small sigh, and looked again. The architecture was strange. The floor seemed to be made of stone, but it was completely different from any of the ancient buildings in Cocoon. The floor, and walls, and paths were all made perfectly straight. So it probably made by someone skilled. The lines met together elaborately, and created a beautiful harmony.
“I wonder what is in here?”
She looked upwards. The ceiling far above was bright enough that she could see it clearly even from below. There was a flight of stairs that went up. There must be something there.
In that moment the landing on the stairs brightened. It was like it was saying, “If you want to know more, come.” Serah didn’t hesitate for a moment, and put her foot on the stairs. Her footsteps echoed. The stair steps felt like they were a different height than the were in Cocoon, but not so much that it caused her trouble to walk up them.
She went up a bit more, and came upon another straight path, but that path became another stairway shortly after. The stairway was long, but she didn’t feel tired. Everything was so much more interesting than any museum that she had ever seen. The geometric walls, the square patterns of the floor. Serah was in a trance as she made her way upward.
The paths and stairs were fairly complex, but she never got lost. Like before, the way before her became brighter when she reached it. Showing her the way perhaps, but it helped her go higher.
What was this place made for, she wondered. Questions she had thought about many times over the years came to mind. It didn’t seem that this place was made for anything evil. She couldn’t feel anything malevolent in the air.
“But... I am a bit tired. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to the top...”
She had already passed through many stairs, paths and small rooms. She rested herself against the stairs for a moment, and looked down. She wasn’t even half way up. Of course this was the same ruins that she always thought nearly touched the heavens. It wouldn’t be easy to get to the top of this place.
“Just a little bit more...”
She thought if she’s going to go back down anyway, she might as well go to the midway point. Her feet were tired, but she carried on. She was breathing heavily, going slowly up the stairs, when something caught her eye.
“How beautiful!”
On the edge of the next landing there was a pillar of light. Different from the lights on the pathway, it was a soft, green light.
“I’ll rest over there. That light probably means it’s a rest area.”
When she got closer, she saw that there were more pillars of light further up. The light washed down over her, erasing her weariness. Yes, this must be a rest area, she thought, as she leaned against the pedestal.
Suddenly there came a rumbling from inside the ruins. Surprised, Serah jumped up. The floor and walls in front of her began to move. She realized she must have been to optimistic about those pillars of light. They didn’t mark a rest area, but some kind of transporter.
Worried, Serah looked around. Stairways were made flat, pathways turned into walls, the whole inside of the ruins was changing. On the floor below, a huge cylinder fell down with a groan. I wonder if that’s a power source, she thought.
Suddenly, the stairway in front of her disappeared. She thought it would become a straight path like the others, but no. There was nothing there. It turned into a dead end.
“Now what’ll I do...”
The rumbling stopped, and everything became quiet again. She only had a brief moment of relief before a strange red pattern floated in the space before her. It was the same strange pattern that she had seen on the lower floors. Except, she thought she had seen it before, before she ever came here. Where have I seen it? she thought.
The red pattern suddenly let out a burst of bright light. Serah covered her face. A strange board appeared in the air. Not really a board, more like a floor that floats in the air.
“This is... like an elevator, right? An ancient one.”
She had seen ancient elevators, when she had visited one of the historical sites of Cocoon. But this “elevator” was far different from the ones she had seen before.
“I guess I’ll just have to ride it and see.”
Serah jumped on the platform. She didn’t even think that it might be dangerous. Like the lights on the pathways and stairs before, the elevator grew brighter too, leading her on. She was right, the elevator slowly started moving upward. Serah felt sastisfied just that it would take her to the top.
The ceiling grew closer. The light became so bright it hurt. Finally the elevator stopped. Have I reached the top floor? Serah wondered. The air here felt cooler than it did on the bottom floor.
“Are these... crystal particles?”
Floating in the cool air were millions of tiny twinkling lights. Rather than think it beautiful, she felt, somewhere deep inside her, that it was holy. She straightened her back, and walked through the sparkling particles floating through the air. It’s times like this that make you want to pray, she thought.
The doors opened, like they were telling her that they will soon answer her every question. She went in. It was dark. She started to worry that this might not be a place she should be entering. But the path brightened. It wasn’t as bright as the path she was on before, but neither was it dark. This must be the right path, she thought.
Serah continued on, and the light grew slowly brighter. Yes this is right, she said to herself, I’m on the right path.
“Is something... there?”
She couldn’t quite see in the faint light. There was something ahead of her, something huge. Something alive. And it’s moving. Inside of it, a cold light gleamed.
“A crystal!? But, but why?”
In the next moment a bright burning light burst forth. It was a pure white light, so bright that she had to close her eyes. But a picture formed in her mind. It was big, and horrible.
What... What is it!?
She screamed but nothing escaped her throat. The large, horrible something raised itself up and writhed. There was a cry, but she couldn’t hear it. No, no I can hear it. It’s a song. Someone is singing. What song is this? What does it mean?
Then, she could no longer think. Everything grew dark.
Capitulo 05
Lightning thought she would just walk around aimlessly for awhile before heading to work, but she ended up at the shopping mall anyway.
Every year tourists come from all around for the fireworks festival in Bowdam. The festival had been around since ancient times, and there were quite a few legends surrounding it. The most popular being, “If you pray to the fireworks, your wish will come true.” Just that. Nothing else required. All you have to do is pray. Probably because it was so simple it had been believed in for decades, possibly longer.
Everyone has wishes. No matter how happy you are, there will be something that could make you happier. That’s why on the night of the festival Bowdam’s gates swell with many times the usual number of people. With that many people gathering together all at once, accidents are bound to happen. So on festival night Bowdam’s security force are out on patrol. That night Lightning would be responsible for the area between the shopping mall and the beach.
It’s probably a good idea to check out my area beforehand, she thought. I can figure out where each store is, decide where I will assign my soldiers, and what I should move to prevent accidents. For example, I should put a lot of people around this accessory shop. Or at least tell them that they should be on guard. Any shop with jewels in it would be in danger of robbery.
She looked in one of the windows and something caught her eye. A large pendent hung from a delicate chain was on display. The pendent was of Cocoon and some sort of strange shaped object. Lightning didn’t know much about jewelry, but it looked like something Serah would like.
Walking around and looking at all the things in the mall made Lightning realize how long it’s been since she’d window shopped like this. Probably since the last time she went shopping with Serah. It’s been a long time since the last time we went shopping together, she thought. Ever since I joined the army.
She suddenly felt guilty. After joining, she thought that once she got used to her job she would make it up to Serah. But then a year passed, and she got more responsibility. She got even busier. Before she knew it, not only were they not going out together but they were hardly speaking with each other.
When she joined, Serah was still in middle school. She was probably worried about what she would do after school or her relationships with others. Everyone has problems when they are that age. She probably wanted to ask Lightning’s advice on a lot of things. But no, Lightning had been too busy at work to listen.
Serah had probably been lonely. She probably just wanted someone to talk to... that’s probably how she got drawn to a show-off like Snow. If that’s the case, she thought, then this is all my fault. If only I had been there for Serah. Even if I was busy, I could have made time for her. Why didn’t I? I swore before our mother’s grave that I would protect her, but I only made her feel lonely, so much so that she got in with that horrible man. And it’s all my fault....
“Oh, how cute!”
Lightning turned at the merry voice. A mother and son had stopped in front of a transportation container at the pet shop.
“You like this kind of thing mom?”
“What? But you used to like these too. You’d always stand in front of the store crying, saying ‘I want one, I want one!’”
“And how many years ago was that?”
“Not too long ago... only ten years.”
Mother and son were both looking into the container. Even from behind you could tell they got along well. The son’s hair was cool silver, while the color of the mother’s hair was much warmer. Even though their hair color was different, their faces looked alike. They say boys usually look like their mothers. His height made him look about fourteen or fifteen years old. The bright orange jacket he wore made him look even more that age. I was that age when my mother died, she thought a little sadly.
“These are really good with kids. They’re clever, and become easily attached to their owners.”
The pet shop owner told them as he took a small bird from the container and put it into a cage. It was a chocobo chick.
“These are sold out everywhere right now. Ewleede’s shop just got some the day before yesterday and already they’re sold out. We’re going to go and get replacements soon.”
When we were children they weren’t as popular as they are now, Lightning thought, but a few people in her class had baby chocobos. Serah had a friend that she would often play with that had one, and her eyes would always sparkle when she would talk about it.
“So would you like to buy one?”
“Oh no, unfortunately we’re on vacation. It would be too far to take it all the way to Palumpolum.”
When she heard the word “vacation”, that gave Lightning an idea. A vacation. That might be a good idea.
It would be a good way to make it up to Serah for making her so lonely. She could take Serah away somewhere. Though she wouldn’t be able to take a long vacation, if she put a bunch of her days off together, they could go on a short trip. Once the festival was over with their schedule would probably be more flexible and she could put in for some time off.
On my birthday, she thought, we could talk about it. On Lightning’s birthday they always spent it by making dinner together. Then Serah would give her a present that she had put a lot of thought into. This time she would be able to say thank you for the gift by telling her they would go on vacation. Just the two of them.
While they were on vacation she would listen to anything Serah wanted to talk about. To make up for all the time they hadn’t talked. They would have a fun time and eat delicious foods. Of course when they got back from vacation she would make enough time to talk with Serah. She wouldn’t let her be lonely anymore. If she wasn’t lonely anymore, surely she’d open her eyes and realize that she’d almost been duped by that horrible man. And then, she’d go to the university in Eden. If she made a lot of new friends, and saw new places, surely she’d completely forget about Snow.
Lightning decided it was an excellent idea. It was all thanks to that mother and son who gave her the idea. She turned around wanting to say thank you, but they were no longer in front of the pet shop. She saw them walking away together in the crowd. They had looked so happy, it made her feel warm inside thinking about them.
Thank you, Lightning thought, I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation.
Capitulo 06
In the darkness she heard a voice. It said “l’Cie”. It was a voice that sounded as if it would disappear in an instant.
“Why....”
This was a different voice, a clearer voice.
“Why did you choose someone from Cocoon?”
Who was talking? What were they talking about? She wanted to ask “Who are you?”, but she found she couldn’t speak. Nor could she open her eyes or move her fingertips. She couldn’t move at all. She felt like she was floating. What is happening? she wondered. Just as she thought that, the darkness became deeper. Without even thinking to fight it, she sank back down into unconsciousness.
She felt warmth on her eyelids. Opening her eyes, she saw blue sky above her. Not only the sky, but the outside of the ruins. How she came to be outside, laying on the ground, was a mystery. Timidly, she tried raising her right hand. She could move it. So she tried her left hand. Oh good, she thought, I can move both hands.
She slowly lifted herself up, but got a bit dizzy. With both hands against the ground propping herself up, she sat for a moment.
What just happened? she thought. I was walking around the ruins. And then? Then I saw that an entrance was open, so I went inside. And then? Then there were many stairs that I climbed, up and up, deep into the ruins.... I saw a large crystal. And then a pure white light. After that I can’t remember anything. As if that light burned it all away. What happened? What was that light?
“Why did you choose someone from Cocoon?”
She remembered that voice. Was that a dream? Probably. She had been flickering in and out of consciousness, and there hadn’t been any sign of humans in the ruins. But before she lost consciousness, that strange thing she saw. No, not strange. Horrible, repulsive. It’s name... no. No, it was a dream. It was a horrible nightmare.
But, Serah thought. If I am here, then that means that someone has to have been inside the ruins. I was unconscious, someone had to be there to carry me out. She searched her memory.
There was one other thing she had heard. Yes, “l’Cie”. L’Cie? That l’Cie? No, Serah shook her head. The l’Cies are nothing but an old story. More like a fairytale or a legend.
There was a dull throb from deep inside her head. When she fell she probably had hit something. She wondered whether she had gotten hurt anywhere else. She moved her legs, but they didn’t hurt. She raised her head, but did not get dizzy again. Holding on to the outside of the ruins she pulled herself up. Her legs shook a bit, but she could stand.
She wasn’t injured. She breathed a sigh of relief. Then her eyes fell on the black dirt covering her left arm.
Ugh, she thought, turning to look.
“What, what is this?”
She had a black pattern covering her upper arm. It was too elaborate to have been drawn on as a prank, but it was different from the tattoo that Lebreau had on her shoulder.
“I hope I’ll be able to wash it off. If I can’t... what’ll I do if I can’t?”
She touched it with her fingertips, and started. She had seen this pattern before. It was a complex pattern made up of many arrows. The pattern on her arm wasn’t exactly the same, but it was similar. Yes, yes she had seen it several times before in the ruins, the same one she had seen in that red light....
“Oh!”
Serah said softly. She had just remembered. When she had first seen the pattern in the ruins, she thought she had seen it somewhere before. Yes, she had definitely seen it before. A long time ago, from something she had borrowed from the library.
A long time ago, when enemies were sent from Pulse to attack Cocoon, the fal’Cie of Cocoon changed humans into l’Cie, making them it’s servants and giving them special powers. The l’Cie fought to protect Cocoon. It was written in the records of the War of Revelations.
The fal’Cie of Pulse also created l’Cie from the barbarians, and sent them to Cocoon. It was on that page she saw the pattern, the same pattern that was now on her arm. Below it, it had said “The Mark of l’Cie - Pulse - Reproduction”.
“I’m a l’Cie?”
A l’Cie of Pulse.
“No. No that can’t be.”
This was just some cruel joke. Some joke from that voice she had heard in the ruins.
“Why did you choose someone from Cocoon?”
Her heart skipped a beat. Those words. It was like they were saying, “You wouldn’t normally choose someone from Cocoon.” And that means, there must be people outside of Cocoon.
“In Pulse....?”
Of course. The ruins came from Pulse. That voice had been saying, “Why did you choose someone from Cocoon when you would normally choose someone from Pulse?” The voice saw nothing strange about the “choosing”. Which meant, they knew that place is where l’Cie are chosen. And the one who chooses the l’Cie is the fal’Cie.
Which means...
“Pulse’s fal’Cie is inside the ruins?”
Now everything make sense. The crystal particles in the air, the huge crystal she saw before losing consciousness... If the fal’Cie was there it all makes sense. Serah saw the fal’Cie, which made her into a l’Cie. From the fal’Cie of Pulse, the one who brings disaster on the people of Cocoon.
The l’Cie chosen by Cocoon’s fal’Cie were “Holy Servants”, but the ones from Pulse’s fal’Cie were “Pawns of the Devil”, and enemies of Cocoon.
“Am I? No. No it has to be a lie. It can’t be...”
Serah rubbed at the black mark on her arm til it hurt. It didn’t come off.
“This is just some horrible joke!”
She rubbed at her arm harder. She started. The black mark was changing. It wasn’t coming off, but the shape and color changed.
“No way...”
It wasn’t just something scribbled on her arm. It was engraved.
“No, no, no, I don’t want this.”
She held her knees up to her chin. No, this can’t be. It’s just some stupid mistake. She tried to convince herself, but every time she would see the mark on her arm she’d lose hope. She couldn’t deny what she knew. It would have been easier if she had known nothing.
“Snow... Lightning... I’m scared.”
It wasn’t cold, but her shoulders shook. The tears rolled down her face.
“Help me. Snow...”
She only cried for a moment. Snow will come back soon, she thought. I don’t want him to see me like this. This horrible mark. Now that I’m a danger to Cocoon.
She calmed her shaking legs, and stood. I have to leave here, she thought, now. Before Snow comes back. It was only that thought that kept her moving.
Capitulo 07
Where would Serah like to go? Lightning wondered.
Just thinking about it made her smile. Walking around the shopping mall Lightning’s footsteps felt lighter than usual. It had been her first time in a travel agency, but the staff there were kind to her. There were plenty of places they could go even on a short vacation, they had told her. They even had sent the information data to her home address. Now on her birthday they could look through them, and make plans. It would be their first vacation together. She was sure it would make Serah happy.
Thinking about Serah’s smile made her heart feel bright and warm. My treasure, Lightning thought. For that I would do anything, Lighting vowed deep in her heart. I’m sorry Serah, she thought, for not having been there for you. But I won’t make you feel lonely anymore. I won’t use my job as an excuse. I promise.
She felt like she had been running forward ever since their mother’s death. I shouldn’t have to hurry anymore, I should take time to stop and relax. For Serah, and for myself.
In the crowd she saw two oddly dressed people. One was a black haired woman whose clothes combined the flamboyant man and the bare-skinned woman that she had seen yesterday. I seem to be fated to meet black haired women lately, Lightning said to herself. But unlike the woman yesterday, this woman seemed to have a wild fearlessness about her. Maybe it was just the design of her blue clothes that made it seem that way. It was probably “the cutting edge of fashion” or something like that. The woman with her was wearing the same kind of clothing. They were probably wearing the same clothing brand. Perhaps they were visiting from Eden.
“I don’t understand anything about fashion.”
She said, sighing.
“You don’t understand what?”
A familiar voice said behind her. It was Sergeant Major Amoda. Lightning made a slight bow, and pointed to the two women she was watching earlier.
“The clothes those two are wearing...”
They weren’t there anymore. Perhaps they went into some store.
“Two women?”
“No, nevermind. I was just saying how I don’t know much about the latest fashion.”
Included those two I saw yesterday, she added silently. I don’t get it at all.
“Well maybe not you. But what about your little sister? Isn’t she interested in the... ah, latest fashion?”
“If she said that she wanted to wear those kinds of clothes...”
I wouldn’t allow it, she was about to say. But stopped. Amoda was just leading her on again. Lightning laughed humorlessly, that’s the Sergeant Major for you.
“It’s unusual to find you at the shopping mall before work, Sergeant, doing some shopping perhaps? For the latest thing?”
“Let’s stop talking about that, please.”
She said it so curtly, that Amoda gestured with his hands that he was giving in.
“I’m looking the area over, since this will be my patrol area during the festival. There will be quite a lot of changes to make around the shopping mall.”
“I’m happy that you work so hard, but don’t you think you should wait until the day of the festival to do that?”
“Well why are you here, Sergeant Major?”
She decided to tease him right back. She already knew the reason. They had known each other for a long time.
“Well, the same as you.”
“There will be nothing for you to do then, will there.”
“An old guy like me can get pretty forgetful. I’ll forget by the day of the festival.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
“I hope everything goes smoothly at the festival this year.”
In eight days the sky above Bowdam will burst with fireworks. It will be the night people who want their dreams to come true will gather. The next day would be Lightning’s twenty-first birthday. It would be the first time in a long while she would really be able to talk with Serah. Thinking about it made her heart thrum with excitement.
“Uh-oh, we can’t just stand around here all day. It’s time. Let’s go.”
Lightning straightened her clothes and looked ahead. It’s time for work. It was time for he
Bueno como sabeis el TGS 2008 esta al caer... creo que era del 10 al 12 de Octubre... y se saben algunas cosas...
Square-Enix esta enseñando los trailer de su fiesta DKS3137 pero más extendidos del FFXIII y del FFVSXIII
También una web dice que tiene los nombres de algunos personajes:
Akeno Watanabe, una muy buena y conocida boz del actor para Anime y Videojuegos en Japón quizás sea la voz para Lightning (Quien sepa quien es que lo postee XD).
La Chica de Coletas quizás se llame Sarah o Senon (Yo voto por Sarah ya que un nombre muy usado en FF).
El Príncipe en FFVSXIII se llama Noctis (en Latin Noche... no es sorprendente o algo asi dicen -> (latin for night...unsurprising).
La Chica de la Falda se llama Stella.
Cocoon
Cuando se confirme esto y se cuenta lo que sale en esos trailers lo pongo en el 1º post
Editado
Bueno todo esta confirmado creo...
Noctis "Noct"=Noche.
Stella=Estrella.
Lightning=Trueno.
Sera "Nom-Chan"= Puede que Sarah=Princesa.
joder y yo sin ver este post xD, muchas gracias por toda la info shikara . la verdad de todo lo q he visto ,videos imagenes y demas me quedo con el Versus XIII ,es el q mas me llama...no solo por la historia,personajes y sistema de combate sino por la exclusividad q aun mantiene SONY respecto al 13 normal.
este titulo junto con el White Knight Chronicles son los titulos de RPG q mas me llaman para ps3 ^^,asi q a esperarlos con ganas!
¡¡¡ROFL!!!, ¡ESOS 2 NUEVOS TRAILER ESTAN QUE SE SALEN!, uffff, y ademas estos han durado un buen buen rato:
Trailer FF XIII:
No a estado nada mal, hemos visto a bastantes bestias, de las cuales seguramente podremos luchar contra ellas, menudo diseño ;) ¿Sera Sarah una cientifica o algo asi? ¿O simplemente una chica con ganas de ver la belleza del paisaje? Yo pienso que sera algo tipo Garnet de FF IX.
Tambien hemos podido ver unas cuantas escenas mas, las cuales me han encantado. Se estan centrando muchisimo en el diseño futurista, y eso es quizas algo raro en Square enix creo yo, ya que lo suyo siempre ha sido:
Magia+Medieval+Elementos "cristalinos" (Vamos, lo que siempre han hecho los de square es meter cristales por medio, los fans de la saga me entenderan); esperemos que ese elemento futurista este bien recibido.
Todo lo demas era una mezcla de los otros trailers mostrados..., pero por lo general bastante bien.
Trailer FF Versus XIII:
Me atrevo a decir que este, de entre todos los trailers que nos han puesto de TODOS los FF XIII, este ha sido el mejor.
No solo nos han enseñado escenas nuevas como el encuentro con Stella y su inesperada lucha O.O, sino que tambien nos han enseñado los otros dos nuevos personajes (aun de nombre desconocido), y que seguramente esos 4 sujetos formaran el grupo que recorrera la aventura , ha sido la leche.
Lo demas han sido una mezcla de otros trailers, pero con una gran diferencia con el del Final Fantasy XIII , ha sido increible. Creo que este FF sera el que mas se venda de todos los que saquen.
Conclusion:
Los dos trailers, maravillosos (Uno mejor que el otro, pero con poca diferencia), espero que salgan prontisimo y en vez de sacar tantos trailers que se lo curren muchiiisimo mas para que salga antes XD.
Gracias por los trailers Shikara, no se como lo haces, pero macho, eres rapidisimo XD, gracias a ti estoy informadisimo (fijate que hace 5 dias estuve alardeando con mis amigos sobre esto y se asombraron de la informacion que poseia XD.
Pero bueno, yo tambien he querido poner un aporte, he estado buscando asi en foros, y me meti por casualidad en un foro japones y vi 2 caratulas, traduci los titulos (worldlingo) y ¡WOALA!, he aqui las muy posibles portadas de FF XIII y Versus XIII :
Si han estado bien ahora hablan de cosas de las que ni me había fijado XD como que Noctis cuando le agarra el chaval de la escopeta se le cambian los ojos de azules a rojos creo XD
A ver si dicen los nombres del tio de gafas conductor, del cara cortada, y del chaval de la escopeta, los de la 3º ilustración en el post... y seguramente el jefazo de la mesa grande aquella sea el padre de Noctis XD ah chico rebelde...
Hay cosas que no he contado pero que se de hace mucho... como lo de que habra dioses en por lo menos el FFXIII y el FFVSXIII en el FFVSXIII lo podemos ver en el cuadro que esta mirando Stella
Que si os fijais es es la diosa que aparece en el logo de FF Fabula Nova Crystallis...
El tema principal que en este trailer de FFVSXIII ha cambiado no se cual es... se llama "Somnus - Sleeping - Durmiendo" (「somnus - 眠り -」), una referencia al dios Romano del sueño. El dios es descrito como un joven hombre durmiendo el cual coincide con el logo del FFVSXIII.
Es cierto, antes no me habia fijado, he mirado otra vez los trailers y al parecer Noctis tiene los ojos azules, pero por algun extraño motivo se le vuelven rojos ¿Tendra algo que ver con el encapuchado de blanco? ¿Quizas tendra un alter ego? ¿O simplemente estara luchando contra su oscuridad interior, a lo Riku de la saga Kingdom Hearts ? (O las tres cosas a la vez).
Respecto al barbudo ese, yo tambien pienso que es el padre de Noctis, vamos, fijo, creo que conocemos mucho a los creadores del FF y siempre ponen a alguien de importancia, el cual es hijo de alguien importante que actua en la saga indirectamente por asi decirlo (la mayoria de veces es un archimegamillonario pijo XD).
Intentare descargarme la cancion. La verdad es que estan clavando la banda sonora O.O, y especialmente el de FF Versus XIII. Menuda fusion han sabido hacer de coros con instrumentos, estos de Square son unas maquinas XD
P.D. Yo no se porque la gente no postea aqui... y si te fijas bien, hay mas post en el Dissidia que en el de aqui... ¿De que va la gente? XD
Lo de los ojos de Noctis al parecer cambian de color según la espada que lleve no me fije en el video pero lo comentan en la wikia... azules, rojos y amarillos...
Y el encapuchado de blanco me parece que es Stella XD creo que es una rubia vamos...
Editado
Bueno estaba esperando a que salieran en mejor calidad pero...
De Cloud Message, podemos ver incluso el mapeado de FFVSXIII, y a un Noctis luchando contra 2 clones suyos...
En www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3171826 podeis encontrar dos nuevos videos del FFXIII y Versus. El segundo, el de versus, tienes una pinta estupenda. Disfrutadlos.
EDITO: Están los videos? Ups! Ayer los publicaron en 1up y antes de postear aquí me he fijado en las fechas que Sikara incluye con las actualizaciones que le hace al tema, y al no verlos, he pensado que no debían estar. Pido disculpas y gracias por avisar.
VUELVO A EDITAR Como la he cagado antes poniendo los videos ahora aporto algo jugoso al tema. Gabranth: cuando ayer vi la cita de Shakespeare no caí en comprobar de que obra era. Tu aporte es muy bueno, pero...la cita es de Hamlet.
"There is nothing good or bad,
but thinking make it so"
RedRoho, esos dos trailers que has puesto en tu post aparecen en el post original de Shikara con el nombre de:
"#3 trailer DKS3713".
Estan situados en donde estan los otros dos trailers de cada videojuego mostrado ;).
P.D. A mi tambien me costo encontrarlos XD, es que uno no se da cuenta de los cambios que hay en el post original de la muchisima informacion que hay puesta XD.
Editado Fijandome otra vez en el nuevo trailer del FF Versus XIII (Admitamoslo, es que esta coj***** XD), me he dado cuenta de los textos... "Una historia basado en hechos reales", y en la escena final aparece una frase con el autor como William Shakespeare...
He estado dandole vueltas a la cabeza y... ¿Estaran haciendo una representacion sobre Romeo y Julieta? O.O
Bueno, el nuevo trailer del FF Agito XIII, aunque es corto, nos ha dado bastante informacion:
Hemos podido ver que, como siempre, los de Square enix han metido uno de sus famosos cristales (Ya llegan a cansar, pero bueno XD). Tambien hemos podido ver que tipo de estilo de combate habra... muy parecido al de FF XII (Por no decir identico, pero claro, igual es distinto de alguna forma u de otra). Por lo general, bien .
Lo que no me ha gustado a sido que es que... en el combate... ¿No iba algo lento? Movimientos y eso... quizas me haya acostumbrado al crisis core y a su velocidad, pero es que el del Agito XIII parecia que iba bastante lento...
Noct tiene pinta de ser un prota to guapo!con ese aura oscuro y misterioso.No vi uno igual desde cloud o squall! me gustan los dos xiii
cada 1 tiene lo suyo! en fin
thx x la info y las imagenes
un bexitu
Bueno estoy esperando a ver si sale algo de la Jump Festa 2009, algo he visto sobre 3 personajes nuevos para FFXIII, como sabeis Square-Enix ahora usa un Mega Teatro y no se puede sacar nada de allí...
Pero hay una especie de Afro de pelo Naranja, un tio o tia parecido a Gippal de FFX-2 con el accesorio del hombro de Lightning y una chica Asiatica...
Y aqui un Gif que me han pasado XD
Unos scans de Famitsu donde viene alguna información
Si alguien no entiende el inglés se lo traduzco...
from FFXIII.net:
Some updates on the development by Kitase of SE:
- FF XIII will be a complete game in one package, and there will be no DLC. If they were to create DLC, they'd rather make a completely new game.
- FF XIII is up to the point where the base of the game is done, and they are starting to see some completion.
- They are going to promote FF XIII so much that the whole world will know about it.
- - - - - - - - -
Information Acquired from the scans:
- Apparently the MP system is gone and is replaced with a "cost" system.
- In one turn, you can stock up a series of commands and activate them all at once, instead of choosing one. Also, depending on the pattern of the commands you choose, Lightning's actions will change. For example, choosing "attack-attack-fire" and "attack-fire-attack" will activate different movements of Lightning. At the beginning of the game the maximum number of stocks per turn is 3, but it is very likely that the number will increase as you progress through the game.
- ATB is updated in the game, where you can to control the amount of the ATB gauge to use. For example, if you choose the maximum amount of commands in a turn, the gauge will become empty, but if you choose only one command in a turn, the loss of the gauge will be minimal.
- A yellow bar is displayed on the top right corner of the screen, which displays a "bonus" percentage on the bottom and the chain attack number on the top. "BREAK" replaces the chain number when the chain attack is broken. The use of the bar and the meaning of the bonus percentage is still unknown.
- The field system is very similar to FFXII's where the enemies are visible, and you have the choice to engage in combat or ignore. On the field you can check the enemies' names and HPs before you go into combat.
- The main enemies from the Holy Government are the Gewalt hounds, and the PSICOM soldiers. When Lightning was still in the Holy Government, she had some kind of association with PSICOM.
- The giant mechanical enemy that Lightning has been seen with on the train belongs to the Holy Government, and is called Manasvin. It mainly attacks with lasers and with circular blades that are attached to its wings.
- During gameplay, Lightning's weapon's form can freely be changed by a command in the menu. From a blade, to a gun, and vice versa.
- Lightning uses her weapon with her right hand, while she uses magic with her left hand. She does not summon gravity with her own powers, instead, she uses a special mechanic that's attached to her left hand.
- Not much of the new character on the bottom left corner of page 3 is revealed, except the fact that he knows Lightning since she was with the government.
Muy bueno el post pero... el Final Fantasy XIII tambien sale para la 360, es más dicen que lo están haciendo en el soporte de la 360 porque es más facil
, ha sido la leche.
ah chico rebelde...
? (O las tres cosas a la vez).
