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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Caius Dragelion on Apr 16, 2023 12:13:40 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
“So that means it’s just screwing with Serah through you, she’s not actually blighted, is she?” Caius asked then, though when he looked to Lumina, he heard it. He didn’t know how he knew, and for a moment his uncertainty caused his eyes to dart about looking for the source, but he eventually accepted that the voice was coming from within Lumina.
So it was indeed using the host to project itself into the heads of others. That explained Serah’s freakout. Caius was calm on the outside, despite what it had said. But inside he was definitely worried about what it might do to Lumina. But as he touched her shoulder, soon after he spoke… He felt it. He didn’t say anything as he brought Serah to the chair, but he felt it. He knew what it was, and all the horrible memories soon flashed back.
And for the shortest, slightest and briefest moment. That little voice of protective instinct told Caius to stab Lumina right then and there. Kill the scourge, ensure that what happened to his world never happened here. But it was quickly stopped. Caius refused to do her harm. And Ardyn was already here, they were in danger of the scourge already. Had Ardyn done this? Was he responsible for the parasite that had infected Lightning, and now Lumina?
Perhaps it was only partly formed by the scourge, however, as the plague had not spread across Torensten despite Lumina’s presence. It seemed the parasite likely couldn’t spread, only take a singular host. But it had latched on pretty thoroughly to Lumina.
Serah had woken up too, and Lumina would have to tell her the truth. Caius too, had a truth to tell.
“That parasite is partly formed from the starscourge, something from my own world. It’s a dark plague that erodes the light from the victim, eventually turning them into a daemon. It eventually gained enough power through using the monster Ardyn as a conduit to blot out the sun itself, giving the daemons further strength. We lived in a world without the sun for ten years because of it, waiting for the King to return and use his power to wipe it out.”
After a bit of thought, though, he did want to point out his observations. “Torensten hasn’t been hit by it, so it’s probably safe to say that the sentience of this thing in Lumina has kept it from spreading. Instead, it’s taken full sentience from within one host, acting with her as a conduit in a different way. But as it’s still partly scourge… I may know how to stop it.”
Well, he had planned to tell them his plans tonight anyway.
“I guess this brings me to what I wanted to tell you two. I’ll be leaving for Sonora in the morning — I’ve been called for urgent business. My contact has experience with the starscourge… And the incarnation from my time can destroy it. Once affairs in Sonora are settled, I will requisition his aid to stop the parasite. Once it’s purged from her body, I’ll kill it if it tries to take form.”
Post by Serah Farron on Jun 16, 2023 22:55:37 GMT -6
Please Don't....
Serah was not a hero
She wasn’t a villain
She wasn’t the Guardian of the world, to protect it from harm
Or the mastermind behind it all
Was she really anything at all right now?
Hey now, that won’t do at all dear, you know better
She didn’t hate this world
But it wasn’t like she cared for it ether
She resolved to live in this world with her family, but that was the thing. It was the family she cared about, not the world.
How could she care for a world that didn’t have Snow in it?
Why would she love a world that continued to keep them apart….
A world that wouldn't leave her or her family alone.
A world where the best people she knew suffered, and the vilest were able to thrive again
My dearest…. You don’t.. Have to put…..you
It just felt an awful lot like this world and the things in it wanted to take away anything that made them happy
It was certainly what a disgusting little bug wanted
A bug that wouldn't leave them alone
Leave her alone…. Just… leave her alone, what is with you? Why are you so obsessed with my family, with my sister? There’s a million lives you could ruin, she doesn’t deserve it!
Her head shook weakly on the outside, as if to physically show that defiance.
I…. Stopped you once, I’ll do it again, I won’t… let you get your way
And why…. In a million years would I ever willingly help you….? All you’ve done is hurt us!
She gulped, in a different set of arms now, she sweated noticeably, pain mentally, it showed in her fearful expressions, it showed when she looked at the changed shade in her sisters eyes. But then…. More, that worry. That familiar worry. The look in her eyes that said ‘i need to protect her’ ‘I need to help her’ ‘I need to make her smile again’
Yet for a moment, one could see as her mouth tried to form into a smile, it only succeeded at a half one. She wanted to smile, to make her sister feel better, to make Clarity feel better. To show she trusted in her words. But it just wasn’t meant to last.
You… were, you could talk to Caius before me… no, no it’s ok… it’s…”
It just wasn’t meant to last.
A haunting memory
A haunting nightmare
That was the vision that stood beside her sister, coating her words with its own. Muddying them. Sowing seeds of fire that may as well be burning away any attempt she had to keep herself together. To the point that, this time? She didn’t respond to the bug in her head, she talked out loud instead, as if the information had stunned her to that extent.
Because it had.
”Properly…. merged?”
She blinked, staring her sister right in the eyes, unflinching.
Confusion, hurt, worry, the slightest hint of relief at the bottom of a pit of the rest.
That was what that look showed to her sister.
”But I…. at the end, I know she knew me, I know she felt me, I saw that… in her eyes… she wasn’t just that monster’s Savior. I…” SHUT UP, STOP ACTING LIKE YOU KNOW US!!!!”
She flailed in panic, she must have come across as quite hysterical, but she couldn't help it, she couldn't help how she felt, and she was to out of it to just keep every thought in her head.
”Why…. Why didn’t you… let me help… that’s what… we're supposed to do…”
The hurt was clear in her voice, that was what their mother wanted, after all. It was what they had said they would do here. They were at their best when they stuck together. Of course there were more to Clarity’s feelings than what the Parasite divulged, but they also weren't lies. She could tell that much. She knew there was more, but it was… it was so hard not to feel hurt.
”My sister is my sister. There’s no part of my sister.. I.. wouldn't miss… uggh… just.. Stop, talking to me, you stupid bug…”
I figure you’ll start feeling it in a couple of weeks
Her hands trembled, her eyes couldn't focus, or perhaps she didn’t want to focus, to look anyone in the eye.
Was it better to stay or to go?
She wasn’t fond of this world, but she didn’t want to undo all that her sister had done.
But staying meant she couldn't protect her, she couldn't protect any of them.
Surely she could find someone… to stop that spread, she could… keep it inside, somehow.. Then…
Worse, though, was Caius’ revelation.
It’s from… your world. The thing plaguing my sister, snuff out the light….”
She flashed to the state Lighting was in when they fought, when they clashed.
”That… sounds right, it corrupted Lighting before, though even before….”
As the Saviour, Light descended upon Zephon like a meteor. Where she proceeded to 'harvest souls', so that she could cure this sick land. Hundreds of souls and more still that had nowhere to go, made the Light you remember, a shell of herself. Just a serial killer with a divine motive
”.....no, it’s all it’s fault”
She wouldn't allow it to taint her memory. She knew her sister, she knew Lighting, she knew what that thing did to her.
What that god did to her and what this bug did to her, nether was what Lighting truly was.
She knew that..
She knew that… Thoughts interrupted again. Caius gave his theory on things. It could only stay in Clarity… it matched with what things were like before. But then why would it claim that it was already in her…? Growing, Growing… say something Serah, even if you're wrong. It’s better to be wrong than to risk no one knowing. The right thing to do. The right thing….
”Yeah… you're the expert, you probably know best”
But the ones she loved took priority. But more importantly… Caius knew someone who could purge this thing from her sister. Serah gave a hopeful smile, a hopeful hime to her voice.
”Ah! What's the name of our savior? Before I had to almost… almost end my sister’s life to free her, whoever this man is, he must be really talented”
She of course wanted to be the one to kill the bug, she wanted to hurt it, to make it hurt like it made her and her family hurt but…. It shouldn't matter, the only thing that should matter is that its gone. Yes, that needed to be her focus-her family's safety was paramount to her, whatever got rid of it…. She would be there to help.
”Right… then i’ll go to, I’m not just gonna sit here, I’ll go to Sonora to…. right? I made a promise to Clarity, and I want to keep it”
Post by Claire Farron on Jun 18, 2023 16:54:54 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
Nameless Threats within the Dark
"Getting rid of me will be no easy feat. I have ways to take over my host and leave none of you the wiser as to whom is really in control. I can replace her, care for a demonstration?"
these were the words the parasite spoke to Caius after he mentioned purging it from Lumina's body. The last time such occurred, Serah had stabbed it, over and over. A very unpleasant thing, one it would make certain to not repeat. Something else was different this time too. Lumina's loved ones were under the impression that it needed Lumina's body. In her misguided anger and more misplaced pride; that was true. She did not properly utilize the gift she'd been given. Nor had she truly used the mana from Zephon itself for its true potential. Death had curbed her old ways and perhaps, by moving to Lumina, the parasite was influenced accordingly.
"Why am I so obsessed? Your sister is merely a means, a vector. Once, I did need her body, true. A powerful vessel but in the end, she did push me out. My methods were arrogant. I've learned, truly."
Though the parasite would be lying to them self if they did not concede to coveting Lightning's power. Alas, much of it was gone and that was due to the mysteries of this world. Perhaps because she had been defeated then? Perhaps because of the origin of this version of Lightning that was transferred to. A fragment that should never have existed, yet one who also had memories of being whole. A unique incarnation, with so much potential. The perfect incubator.
"True, I did hurt you and others that your sister cared for. However, enemies of the past, make great allies in the present, Serah. Don't you loathe the Gods who have brought you here to this world, keeping you separated from your beloved Hero? I seek an audience with them. Help me and you will get the answers you seek. If answers aren't enough, you can focus your anger on them, revenge is a sweet thing, no?"
To sow Discord was just what the God of Chaos embodied. In the parasite's prior efforts, it truly had lost sight of the correct way to do things, as a servant. Being the extension of that God, it was time to push Zephon forward. It would be a long climb but such was the prospect that chaos brought forth.
Alas, whilst the parasite's machinations were in bloom, Lumina went through something she feared. The truth about the merger had come out and worse, that she'd confided in Caius, ahead of telling Serah. The guilt and pain even as Serah tried to smile, followed by the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when that smile faltered. How did it get to this point? Worse, Caius...was going to leave, for Sonora. She was going to be alone, wasn't she? Serah was going to go, Caius was going to go. Her young twin would be around but...young Claire had her own life here, a path that took her away from the happenings here and now.
Being merged, Lumina knew that would hurt but the effect...it was too much to bear. Wincing as Serah protested. Was her anger towards her or to...the parasite? How was it doing this...It left Lumina in stunned silence as Serah's words danced between focusing on her older sister and the parasite within. No surprise then, that the initiative was taken by the parasite once more:
"Don't you want to be like your sister? Have a taste. Sisters should share everything after all...Why not a part of me? Motherhood is such a wonderful thing, isn't it~?"
These were the cryptic and daunting words the parasite left, having sired onto Serah the gift that Ardyn had passed. This would leave the parasite too weak to do more but this was a fantastic performance. Leaving Lightning to pick up the pieces now, was precisely the right play!
"I'm sorry, Serah. T-the only reason I spoke to Caius first...was because I wasn't sure. Do you...remember when I asked you, about a certain reporter? Sometime after, more and more memories came to me. W-with Caius help, I realized that I wasn't just a fragment of myself. I just...could only remember things from the perspective of Lumina. I'm different now, I'm whole again. The life that I had wanted to live in the New World; I realize this is my chance to do so." she might as well announce it, in her own words, not with someone else acting as a spoiler.
Straightening her back, she wanted to keep her focus upon Serah and to make sure there weren't any more secrets between them. "There's...something else that I, well...we, maybe?" she paused, now turning her attention to Caius briefly. Exhaling, she briefly covered her face with her left hand.
"T-the reason I ended up telling Caius first...is because I like him. He helped me make sense of everything, so I ended up confessing my feelings for him."
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jun 21, 2023 10:44:06 GMT -6
The Dragonblade
"Getting rid of me will be no easy feat. I have ways to take over my host and leave none of you the wiser as to whom is really in control. I can replace her, care for a demonstration?" said the parasite. “Oh good. You can experience what a romantic date is like then. Maybe that’ll lighten you up” came the responding sass. He was concerned, sure, but he wasn't going to give the parasite the satisfaction of that. No, the parasite showing itself made it clear that it saw them as a threat. He kept his advantage if he kept his head.
Obviously Serah was confused about the proper merging, but it would likely start coming together for her before long, he knew. And then Serah began openly freaking out, and all Caius could do was place a hand on her shoulder, reminding her that she wasn't alone and that she had help here. She was hurting, and he didn't know how much he could do. But he would try his best. Serah then asked for the name of the contact, and wanted to go to Sonora herself. Caius shook his head. “No. The operation I need to handle with my contact is… Sensitive. It will risk infuriating parties that I do not want anywhere near the two of you, or the younger Claire. Or the Dragonblades, for that matter. It’s something personal, and if any risk should be posed to anyone, it should be to the people it’s personal to” he remarked, motioning towards Lumina. “What I need you to do is to watch over the older Claire. Keep her safe in case something happens, since she isn’t big on fighting. And ensure that if we're wrong, the starscourge doesn't spread. You have exhibited some measure of light magic, you should be able to protect yourself and others.”
Oops, he’d dropped the “Claire” line. Something he was supposed to not do in front of Serah. That was something he was supposed to call her when they were alone. Which meant that Serah would probably pick up pretty fast that Caius had been calling her Claire privately at some point since their almost-daily romantic dates had started. Possibly even figure out that it was her own request. Meaning Caius had known about the merger for some time. Known that the woman he was spending time with was indeed Lightning, Serah’s older sister. And yet also Lumina at the same time.
But he could sense something. Something familiar. A scourge that was beginning to spread. He didn't know how to explain it, but he had a feeling that he knew. Where? Well, considering the situation... Actually, it was pretty obvious with an easy educated guess. In this small a capacity, he could do something. Caius kept his hand on Serah and channeled a bit of magic into her. If the parasite had intended to spread to her, it would find itself hitting a brick wall. The power of kings held resistance to the Starscourge... Meaning he was going to become a serious thorn in its side.
Seeing as this use of his power was only a sample of what he intended to do later.
Now he could focus on the current situation.
"To be fair to Claire. What she's trying to say, Serah. Is that Lumey transformed in front of my eyes and neither of us understood the situation for quite some time. It took a fair bit of back and forth over the last few days to come to that conclusion" Caius did his best to help with Lumina's situation. "This is not information that has been held from you for very long. Certainly not long enough for her to organize it together and tell you in earnest."
Annnd then Lumina dropped that last part, and that caught even Caius off-guard. "I'm never going to get used to that boldness" he muttered, diverting his gaze to hide that his expression had pinkened.
Post by Serah Farron on Aug 1, 2023 0:15:21 GMT -6
A New Storm....
Was it so hard for things to go right? Was it so wrong for things to just… be peaceful and happy? They earned their happy ending, again and again. But everytime, something came up once more. Why? Could they not be allowed to smile for just a while? A normal life, a normal everyday life. That was all she wanted. To spend her life with Snow, To see little Claire off to school every day. To watch her once older sister to enjoy the life of freedom she deserved.
In Cocoon
In New Bodhum
And now here
It seemed like pain always followed, it seemed like it always took a new form.
Hey Mom, what would you do right now?
Hey Mom, I don’t know what to do
Hey Mom, I wish you were here instead
Because you…. Would know what to do right?
Cause you taught big sis
And She was the best big sister in the world
Your a fool, is what you are, if you had any sense you’d have used me instead of Clarity, You can weave a web of lies, you can be a pretender if that's what you wish. You can use her body to make me cry, to make a fool out of me… but there's one thing that wont change little bug, no matter how hard you try-I can see it
Her mental body shook, obviously nervous, obviously in pain. But there was something else in there. The one thing she could always believe. And that brought the slightest of smiles to her face.
You worm your way into people's hearts, but you couldn't understand them less if you tried, not truly. I can say that with certainty because if you did… You’d stay as far away as possible from any version of my sister, any incarnation, any age.
Yeah….. That’s something i know, even if everything else changes, even if I have to struggle till the ends.. No matter how much this all hurts
She shook her head, and gave a deep sigh.
”So don’t come crying to me when she punches you in the face herself, little bug”
That part was said out loud, and the meaning was clear.
She did loathe the gods, she held not the least bit of love for them. If anything she despised them. They used everyone like puppets in their game. They brought people here, sometimes fragmented, sometimes whole. On their little chessboard and expected them to fight for their cause.
It was only because of those gods meddling that her sister was in this situation to begin with.
You really just… really like to twist and twist…. Bugs do like to squirm, especially the most disgusting of them. To spread… just… shut up, i don’t want to… help you, so leave me alone, YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT US!!!
But there was no denying that hate for the gods was in her, hate for the bug as well. For everything that just… wouldn't leave them alone. She absentmindedly gripped her chest at its parting words, and tears fell from her eyes. She had meant every word she said to that thing, but that didn’t make any of this any easier. It didn’t mean she wasn’t cracked and hurting inside.
Her breathing was heavy, but the hand of a friend made things easier. A little… more than that actually? It almost felt like a shield, a shield blocking something from getting inside her. that something, She couldn't help but smile, genuinely this time at the thought of that bug being thwarted. Perhaps it was childish, but even being denied this in its calculated little plan… made her feel good.
As for her sister? It hurt to have it kept from her, to not be the first person her sister leaned on. But it hadn’t been long… And her sister was doing what she wanted for herself. She wanted her sister to enjoy a life all her own after everything she had done, she deserved that.
”I’m… I’m sorry, it’s really ok, I shouldn't let this get to me I just.. Remember.. It’s always been… us, It’s… hard for me to shake it to, you know?”
She gave a weak laugh, clearly everything was still getting to her. And then… Lumina revealed the rest, and it made Serah grip her hands tightly together, her eyes quickly going form her sister to Caius, and back again.
”You…. You to. Clarity, you, with him? But he’s always.. He’s always…! You expect me… in such a short… Wait, it’s not because of that thing…”
The echo from a memory from down a hall played in her mind. She ran off then, when Lightining wouldn't believe her, wouldn't trust in her. Her hands shook.
The memory, an echo, tears came down her eyes.
You're shutting her out! She’s your sister!
”Clarity…..”
Fine, I’ll do it, I’ll protect her
She listened to both Lumina and Caius, she took in every word they said. She gave them the care she wished Lightning had given her all that time ago. The situations were something like mirrors. But she wouldn't repeat the cycle. She wouldn't repeat the mistakes.
”Sis….”
She paused again for a moment, her eyes still looking towards the ground… and then…. And then…?
She crossed the distance between her and her sister, and pulled her into a tight hug. She held her close and with care, giving her sister all the security she needed. Then she looked up to her, looked her in the eyes….
And she smiled.
”I’m happy for you, I’m so… so.. Happy for you. After everything, after all of…. All I’ve wanted is for you to be able to be happy, both of you. Her and you…. I just want you to have the lives you never could.. Ehehe… You’ve come a long way you know~ Look at my big sis, All grown up and taking stoic heroes on dates!”
Her playful gaze first lingered on Lumina with the hero comment, then Caius as well as she giggled, then she pulled from the embrace she and her sister shared, and took that all important knife from her pocket, her sister’s knife, her sister’s gift to her.
”It’s my turn then, Caius is right. I already intended this but… I’m going to make it official now”
She held that knife up, a knife that all but one being present would soon be able to appreciate.
But she didn’t care about that thing, she hoped it bothered it.
”I promise to keep you safe Clarity, not just through this, but from now. You kept me safe from a young age. You’ve kept me safe all my life, I mean… you quite literally carried my spirit in you to protect me!” Grinning from ear to ear she took her sisters hands in her own and continued.
”You have your Hero, you have your Snow, so let me be your ‘Lightning’ your Guardian, sis. I’ll keep you safe, no matter what. I swear it upon this knife. And I won’t take no for an answer!”
In the next moment she moved over a bit, just enough to grasp Caius’ arm and pull him over to them, pulling both close in a hug.
Man, If Caius wasn’t used to Lumina’s boldness, this certainly wasn’t helping any!
”Be happy together, you both deserve it. But you listen here! If you hurt my sister, me and Mog will get you Caius, you hear???”
Yes, yes she was including Mog in that!
She then, a little more solemnly nodded her head, giving a light laugh, and spinned the three of them, still linked together around in circles!
”We’ll get through this together, I know it… I choose to believe in us”
Post by Claire Farron on Oct 31, 2023 16:57:36 GMT -6
"Beautiful Chaos"
Nameless Threats within the Dark
The prospect of experiencing romance did trigger something for the parasite. It wasn't disgust, it wasn't annoyance, it was a flicker of intrigue. When it did come time to be annoyed, was Caius' efforts to block the spawn. Providing Serah with quite a bit of resistance. Well, it had additional vectors of infiltration, wall or not. Lumina had been intertwine with Serah heart and soul, so it was fine. She need only step back for now, having done her part to implant fear, doubt, and so forth.
"Serah's use to it." Lumina points out, gesturing to her little sister with pride. "I believe in your ability to become accustomed to me too." which really spoke to her boldness as her words left no room for doubt to her successful acquisition as it were.
Lumina had no intention of being bested by the parasite, though perhaps the fear was more uncertainty to what it could evolve to do? Light's struggle with it, being so oppressed that her inner voice was nearly muted was traumatizing. Naturally, she just stayed the course, fighting to survive, to return as a free individual. Now she was, the fog of confusion and uncertainty about her own identity in Zephon, was clear and that's why, the soft expression she looked to Serah with, had all the confidence she could remember. "...That's a familiar response, alright I probably deserved that---" Lumina could have forgiven Serah considering her confession about Caius was so sudden. Their situations had truly reversed in Zephon and she hadn't the faintest clue how to navigate this.
After all, how did a Mom introduce a boyfriend to their daughter? She didn't get a chance to finish thinking it over, as Serah embraced her. She returned it, after a brief bit of awe. Perhaps a Mom, a Guardian...just had to be upfront about it and let the pieces fall into place. Either way, Serah had done what she failed to and then some. That was the woman she raised so well, leaving her heart swelling with pride--- "...Stoic Hero? Oh no..." Lumina's inquiry was almost rhetoric. Her mind first flashed to the statue Caius had been avoiding and her own remarks to him. THEN she remembered...
"Wait..." yet Serah was already moving to make the vow, knife in hand. Embarrassed as she was, the proud smile didn't fade on her face.
"I've been on the case already, kupo. With my help, kupo~? Caius will be a man worthy of the Farron house, kupo!"
"...A hero and a Guardian little sister. Even though my hero is going away for awhile, I'll have you, Serah. Maybe this is for the best after all. I remember the feeling of liberation in the New World. To confidently not be dragged into the fighting, to say no. I'm okay with this, so...thank you, Serah, for understanding."
Post by Caius Dragelion on Nov 1, 2023 18:21:30 GMT -6
The Dragonblade
Caius successfully sabotaged the parasite's ability to spread to Serah. The traces of magic would remain for some time, though doing so had drained Caius a fair bit in just how much he had left with her. However, he was not in active combat, so he would be able to regain those energy reserves with time. And food, of which there just so happened to be a good amount of in the vicinity. What couldn't be tempered with food however, was Lumina's endless lack of boundaries in her boldness. Caius exhaled deeply as he averted her gaze.
"I certainly hope so."
The mercenary hadn't actually agreed to anything romantically, but here they were. Calling him... Things, and him getting heartbreak threats from Serah. Way to put the pressure on, guys. He decided to withhold the discussion he'd had with Lumina regarding his feelings, he didn't want to cause Serah pain when she was still reeling from everything. He was sure Lumina would adequately explain them to her later, better than he could. And if she didn't, well, they'd have to sort that out if things didn't quite work out. Though a big part of him really did hope that they did.
He remembered bits and pieces about the story regarding Snow though, but even then, he still wasn't entirely in the loop about the discussion between the sisters. So Caius just kind of stood there, eyes blinking slowly as he looked between them. And Mog when he made remarks about him being melded into a "man worthy of the Farron house, kupo". And then he was pulled into an embrace with Lumina and Serah. Which was also a problem because Caius wasn't very familiar with touch, either.
"Is this a bad time to say I'm not exactly used to touching?"
He had touched Lumina, yes. Full out wrapped his arms around her, even. But that was necessity. That was what she had needed at her darkest point. Caius understood what intimate touch was about, and what it could do. But he still wasn't used to it.
"Just... Be safe. Both of you. Where I'm going will be dangerous, I won't lie. But that's the nature of my line of work. I swear that I will do my utmost to come back to you as quickly as I can. And... Hopefully with some tidings on our next move. Even if I have to bring the man himself to your doorstep, you will find me quite stubborn on that front."
Post by Serah Farron on Nov 29, 2023 9:41:09 GMT -6
A New Storm....
In the end all the 'daughter' wanted was for the 'mom' to be happy. But her words would soon become more serious.
She wanted Claire and Clarity to be happy.
And she would do whatever she needed to make that happen. To be free, and to live the life they chose. She beat that parasite once-and she would do it again.
Yeah that's right, that smile. she'd do whatever it took to secure that smile. Her sister's smile was a treasure she wanted to maintain. Here Claire and Lumina smiled so much more than they ever had-she wanted that to continue-she wanted it to continue on to forever.
For her sister she'd gladly be a Hero or even a Heretic
Whatever it took, to ensure she could continue to smile like this, be happy like Clarity was with Caius, like Claire was living her Teen years.
"No waiting, only going sis! You've got your circle! a family here, right? It's about time you got to be happy, It's about time you were allowed to do all the smiling you let me do- you kept me safe, and now-im gonna do the same! ooooh I can not WAIT to be on the other side of this this time, Ahhh i can give you all my relationship experience advice... this is happening!"
Her focus turned to such a happy moment despite her worries. Things like this she had dreamed of, being able to help her sister get ready for dates, talk about a boy, or boys they liked. Well they were both taken now but they could talk about THEIR boys still, yes! She wanted to get into this as soon as possible.
It was all the more reason for the bug to become dust on the wind
Her smile turned into a grin as Mog made his declaration, good! She was sure Caius would fit in, especially with Mog's help. Serah smiled brighter, that grin turning back to Caius as she held firm.
"I can let go if you like, Caius, buuuuut you might have to get used to this kind of thing, I can be quite affectionate like this when I'm happy! Claire to! That's little Claire I mean, but I'm sure...."
Her gaze then turned right back to Lumina as well, that smile seemingly endless.
"My sister here will be to in time! Right sis~"
A gentle, teasing touch. After all the pinkette didn't have the rest of this, she didn't know the conflict-as far as she knew they just had feelings for each other and Serah was all about her sister finding someone like Caius and being happy! one hundred and ten percent!
During the entire time Caius made his talk to them, asking for them to be safe, declaring his determination to find something while he was gone, making clear his stubbornness to do so. Serah, now the three of them separate had her hands clasped together, constantly giving looks, happy looks back Lumina's way. Those kind of looks that say 'see? your hero?' 'He's great you know!' those kind of looks that.... well, the looks of a sister filled with glee over her sister having her very own Hero
That said she wouldn't ignore Caius, of course not.
"We'll be safe, I promise Caius, and I'll keep Clairity safe for your return to~"
She couldn't help her smile, she was so happy! But despite that happiness she would turn serious.
"Thank you, Caius, I believe in you. I promise-We'll stay safe to, I'll make sure of it. We'll be safe when you return"
She pulled her sister once more to her side, and smile.
"Were the sisters Farron after all, nothing can stop us when we put our mind to it! Nothing"
Post by Claire Farron on Jan 11, 2024 16:56:31 GMT -6
"The New Dawn"
Reality within the Darkness of Zephon
Strangely, Lumina didn't have to hope, she really was confident in this but she couldn't explain where it came from. The boundless energy she felt, even as Caius worried about Serah and herself remaining safe, she recognized it. This was how she felt after her chance encounter with Aoede. It was hope, liberation, and though it was boundless, she was at peace.
"...Well, you're not gone yet. Why don't we have dinner?" Enjoying these simple moments, was why she fought so hard. This parasite would have a very difficult time overcoming the sheer abundance of light that Lumina possessed. It was in her Codename after all! It was also in the name her parents had given her. Bit by bit, in Zephon, she was reclaiming that name. The woes of worrying about her existence had passed. In its place, was a different name and identity, unique to Zephon. Thinking of being here as a divergence was easy at times but when she thought about the sacrifice of her earlier days? It seemed that even events of the "Chaotic Era" were bound to repeat themselves.
That was why, the part of her that wasn't meant to exist, made it here. To become a brilliant flash of light in yet another world, no...in Zephon. "For now, I'd like both of you not to worry. After all, there must have been a reason that I was summoned. Maybe fighting, at least conventionally, isn't exactly what's required?" as Lumina, she was able to achieve a lot, effectively setting the stage to topple God. The real question was, if not to topple a god, then what?
"I've actually had a lot of years to think about things. Now that I have the rest of my memories, Zephon might just be in a strange circumstance. We're summoned, yet there is no imminent danger, aside from that of our own making. In that way, Zephon is very much like our world, guided by the decisions of man kind. Yet beneath the surface, in an unseen realm, the danger may already be here. Festering beneath the surface, in parts of the land we've yet to see. I'm certain, from the parasite's memories, there are some ancient secrets. She knew how to harness some of it. Though like any other servant of the gods, she only knows bits and pieces. The information that she knows, that she might try to hide...I think I should try to pry it out from her. Since I'm not 'fighting' in the conventional sense, I'll help in other ways." ...well, she failed to mention that she wasn't fighting yet.
Should something ever happen to Sonora, she felt obligated to return from her self-imposed retirement then. Otherwise, the sacrifice of that young woman in her place...it'd be all in vain, wouldn't it? Closing her eyes for a moment, she could piece together some of it. Those assassins were targeting a teen with her hair colour. That's how she got into that mess at Mount Hotan. Mistaken identity, yet there was a greater conspiracy at work. The "Dust" as they called it, recalling how hot and bothered security could get about it, as well as her determination to take some. It all must have seemed like a pink blur of mischief all those years ago. Ever since she got someone else involved in her retaliation, she'd made sure to separate her life, that other identity from that of her family.
"There is something else on my mind, even if it's not the best dinner conversation. I've been thinking, this world might be trapped in a loop. Different from the Chaotic era experienced by our friends, where nobody could die of old age or aged at all for that matter. Instead, we live our lives, from different moments in our life from our world, depending on what happens here. I'm just not sure if we're simply copies of ourselves or an instance...but then we'd be getting into Time Travel..."
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jan 13, 2024 9:14:40 GMT -6
The Dragonblade
Serah, despite everything, remained ecstatic that her sister was pursuing a relationship. Though he suspected that most of it was because she was looking forward to getting her back for all the trouble she had given her regarding her own relationship. Relationships were strange things, weren't they? There was so much to them, and not even just regarding the two partners. Caius wasn't able to speak, really. He just slowly, sheepishly nodded his head to whatever she said. This really wasn't his area of expertise.
Right. They did have a dinner to finish. It had almost been forgotten with everything that was going on. Though it was likely getting a bit cold by now... Caius muttered an incantation under his breath as he politely shied from Serah's grasp and returned to the spread of food, taking great care to control the spell and have it simply warm, not burn. And only the food, not the table or anything else. It was perhaps easier to just reheat it all in the microwave, but there was a lot of food and machine reheating had its limits when it came to taste. A more natural method, meanwhile...
Of course, it was a bit extra and took far more effort than just reheating them by machine. But it spotlighted a bright side to something that would bother Caius later out in Sonora...
"I can't do too much, however. If this healer is who I think she might be... It's possible I can work with her, see if my power is compatible with hers. But there's no guarantees, and just keeping the parasite at bay in your daughter drains me a great deal. If I was a Lucian King, I could do more. But I am no healer."
He couldn't help Yuna, either. The limits of his power became clearer by the day. That feeling of helplessness grew ever stronger...
For a moment, an intrusive thought crossed through him. Why couldn't he have been born in that Lucian bloodline? Why couldn't he have been graced with the abilities of the Lucian Kings, able to wield their magic to the fullest extent? If he had been able to do the same as Noctis, maybe... Maybe he could have kept researching and found ways to use that power to expunge this blighted parasite from Lumina. And from the others who had been infected. With a stronger magic pool, maybe he could have even been better at curative magic, like Yuna and Celes. Maybe he could have kept Yuna from getting overwhelmed at the clinic, and he could have saved lives while alleviating his friends...
But this world had dubbed him purely a fighter. A destroyer of lives. A killer. Yes, he had saved lives in his own way. But not in this one. Celes could, Yuna could, Noctis very likely could if he figured out how... But not him. He was cursed to stay in his lane, and even doing what he had done for Lumina pushed the limits of his power.
As the moment passed however, he breathed and reminded himself there was still things he could do.
Perhaps in time, he would look back on this dinner and see just what he could do. He did not have the reserves and depth of capability when it came to King magic that an actual King had. He lacked that bloodline boon. But it was that lacking that had long motivated Caius to make the most of what he had. What that had afforded him was...
Control.
Control over his magic. Mastery in swordsmanship. What was lost in power was made up for in levels of control that not many could boast of. All his experiences, all those battles both past and present, every wound, every scar... Had allowed him to reach high levels of control in his craft. And so, it wasn't long before the methodical process of naturally reheating their food was done.
If only he could figure out how to utilize that control to help Lumina.
"I'm counting on you" he spoke softly as he finished, around the time Serah had made her proclamation. He would sit down and start to eat, testing to see if the food was the right heat and taste. Knowing his taste buds weren't as refined as the sisters however, he hoped for the best from them. Meanwhile, Lumina had started talking about time loops, and Caius let out a sigh at that. "I've thought too much about the state of this world. And fretted much more about what I cannot control. I would rather not keep thinking about it right now, especially over dinner" he commented, though shot Lumina a look. "I don't agree with you messing with that parasite, however. Meld yourself too far when trying to press for information, and it could be a problem."
And they had enough problems as it is. "If I'm being honest, I don't know how long you'll go without fighting conventionally" he added then, the faintest flicker of a smile crossing the corner of his mouth. "If you are anything like me, which you are. It wouldn't surprise me if you've been sneaking off and keeping that sword arm sharp" he teased. It was a nice change of pace from talking about parasites and existential dread. He had already promised to find a solution, and Lumina had told them to enjoy dinner.
