[RP] Final Fantasy XIII: The Butterfly Effect.

OCC: The bike that Sakiko "borrows" looks just like This

Away from the train, and out of PSICOM eyes, Sakiko was now at the Hanging Edge. Her white dress with several dirt spots, but that’s only to be expected when one goes to such lengths to get free of enemy hands. In some weird form of irony, Sakiko found herself alone, and in such terms she could see the forbidden - and most feared - Pulse Vestige in the distance. Tall in height, the Vestige towered up to the heavens, with the very top of it at a millionth of its actual size.

In awe, Sakiko could only stare at the place that she would be unfortunately be visiting. If it wasn’t for the legend that some secret of the Sanctum that she heard, Sakiko would’ve never self-volunteered herself for the purge, and she would’ve never even done anything she had already done in the course of the last few hours. The fact that Sakiko has done all these things just proves of how much she detests the Sanctum, and for all it stands for. Her preppy, and cheerful persona is only a mask for her deep sorrow, and guilt - as if she feels guilty of what happened to her parents, and she knew It was the Sanctum behind it. Unforgivable.

"Damn those sanctum bastards,"Words full of anger, Sakiko took her weapon, sheathed it back up, and when she did that, she noticed a leather strap that looked like it was just about the right size for her weapon. As this strap had no further use for anybody, Sakiko took It upon herself to take it, and form it correctly on her back where her Ninjato with chain and dagger would now rest until needed for battle or other such situations. It was in that moment, that Sakiko also found a very useful machine - a flying mech that the PSICOM use to gain leverage over their enemies. In Sakiko’s case, she could operate this machines to get her to the Vestige in a matter of moments, and it would be pretty fun flying it too.

Running over to the machine, Sakiko flipped the switch, and following that neon yellow photons flared out furiously from the boosters of the engine. A sound of excitement suddenly appeared on Sakiko’s face, and immediately hopping onto the machine, with hands gripped on the handlebars, and Sakiko prepared for take off. Her body poised as if she were about to drive a motorcycle of sorts, she twisted the handlebars a good three, or four times, and each time she did that, the neon yellow flames flared off in short, but still exciting bursts.

With her body now ready to fly this thing, Sakiko took the right position on the hover bike machine: body leaning forward, feet on pedals, hands gripping the handlebars, and excitement at its fullest. In one go, Sakiko flared off into the sky, and at first she wasn’t sure of how to fly the machine, but after a good minute of twisting and turning, she finally got the hang of it, and she was going faster than she ever anticipated. Her golden-blonde hair flowing in the air, and her soul was like at peace. It was like the purge didn’t even happen. Once Sakiko was up in the blue sky, she didn’t have a care in the world. Her life was its fullest right now, and before she even realized it, she had arrived at the Pulse Vestige, and she knew that there would be guards on the ground entrences, so she decided to take the sky entrance; surely that would be a good call.

"Well here we go," Her words trialed off as the high winds silenced them, and the sounds of rippling flames in high alpitude soon came to a stop as Sakiko approached the higher-up, Vestige Entrance. Soon afterwards, Sakiko landed the hover bike, and she stepped off the machine, only to take a moment to collect herself as that was quite the ride over.

"I gotta get me one of these someday." Her voice In admiration of the Hoverbike, but Sakiko’s admiration of the vehicle didn’t last long, as to the left of Sakiko, she noticed a rather tall individual. From what she could see of the figure, it was of light tan-colored skin, but what brought Sakiko to a train of thought of wonder was the oddly shaded hair this figure had; of golden twilight. That was something you wouldn’t see everyday. With her curious nature at its fullest, at the moment, Sakiko literally ran over to the individual, with a mind full of curiosity, Sakiko uttered but a few simple words in question fashion, “Heyyy! What are you doing here?”

[Sakiko (Sexy Beast); Unknown figure]
[Pulse Vestige: Top Entrance]
 
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Although he wasn’t expecting to see Rasche come blazing past him, weapon ready and flying towards the Cie’th, it was good to know the group was willing to fight. Renton had gotten so used to taking charge himself when it came to scuffles that he forgot what it was like to actually work together. Every one of his friends (which weren’t many) in Bodhum were either wusses, or stopped being involved with him because they thought he was a bad influence. The only person who would do anything with him was Loan…even if he did try to go about things the diplomatic way.

Now was no time to have a random “Scrubs” flashback moment, however. Although Rasche had taken care of one of the bumbling Cie’th, there were still two that posed a danger to the trio. If they wanted to get out alive, they needed to be taken care of. If they wanted to reach the Fal’cie, they needed to be taken care of. Renton smirked at Rasche’s comment.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist. This won’t take long!”

Readily closing the distance between their starting position and the Cie’th, Renton readied his fist. As he came face to face with the creature, he maneuvered his fist in an arc letting it connect with ferocity with its face. Almost instantly a recoil effect rippled down Renton’s arm, pushing him backwards, causing him to stumble towards the edge of the walkway. His eyes came face to face with even greater darkness. Although there didn’t seem to be a basement, he wouldn’t be surprised that there was a bottom underneath the ground floor. A bottom that was a very long way down from the walkway they were standing on. Anyone who fell would probably meet Death.

“Shit.” Renton gasped. This was in response to two things: one, he was staring down into a deep abyss. That would make anyone exclaim. Two, he forgot about the Cie’th. He had his back to it. And he didn’t know if his punch had done any damage. Quickly turning on his heels, and not a moment too soon, he came one again face to face with the Cie’th – only this time, the tables had turned. Its arm was raised, glowing with a weird light. In his mind, he realized, he should probably get away. As the Cie’th’s arm came slashing downward Renton dodged left, rolling in a similar manner after dodging past the Warmech. Catching himself and launching upwards, he landed on his feet behind the Cie’th. That was too close a call.

He had a chance to act, though. The Cie’th looked as if it was recharging, as if it used all its strength in the last strike. It also crushed a portion of the railings of the walkway, leaving an open hole to the abyss below. Rubbing the soles of his shoes on the ground and leaning over slightly, Renton launched himself towards the L’cie. Hopefully the momentum would be enough.

“GO TO HELL!” Renton yelled, as his body connected with the Cie’th. Once again, recoil shook through his body sending him backwards onto his ass. The Cie’th stumbled forward towards the abyss. It wasn’t too far of a stumble, as he was already AT the edge in the first place. Its front foot came down trying to stop its movement, but unfortunately for it the foot went into empty space. Slipping over the edge of the walkway and into the darkness below, it screeched knowing its life had come to an end.

“….Got him.” Renton sighed before hanging his head down. That. Was. Embarrassing. He hoped no one would comment further; it would just make him pissed.

It was up to the female now to get rid of the final Cie’th.


[Renton (MagicMasher)] [Rasche (HeartSmash)] [Strigon's Character]
[Bodhum Pulse Vestige, The Hanging Edge, Cocoon]
 
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[FONT=&quot]That eye she had envisaged on the core of the Warmech during those very seconds; was this simply an illusionary image that was only visible through her troubled mind, or was there something greater in significance surrounding this otherwise flawed technological military weapon? Either way, that now mattered little to her. Her supposed real opponent at this moment in time was closely surveying her and had even forcibly glanced at her L’Cie branding, while her ensuing speech paved the way only for greater distress in her mind. Such melancholic tragedy it would be if she was indeed to be slain at this very moment, or would it?[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The Peacekeeper (a sword so ironically named as it would seem), its eyes fixated on the vulnerable vein of her throat, its sharp steel once again thirsty for her blood. Wisel was not prepared to satiate the sword’s thirst at this point. Perhaps deep within the Primarch, neither was she. This woman was of course, as ambiguous as she was viciously blunt. The time available to study her would certainly be a luxury that Wisel would be unprepared to discard if given the chance. True, she was thriving on nothing but borrowed time. Every second that was passing by was another breath of her life lost to her Fal’Cie master and forever unattainable. She imagined only an hourglass, its content of sand vanishing and uncontrollable, an hourglass tha no human could hope to manually invert. This was the inevitable truth after all. L’Cie, servants of the Fal’Cie had only limited time to fulfil their Focuses in a Fal’Cie’s ideal image. Failure to comply would certainly result in a fate worse than hell. Wisel was not contemplating on fooling herself. She was certainly frightened of this fate, yet she was also uncertain as to what a L’Cie’s fate would be if she perished before the end of her Focus. Her fate was bleak, as was the fate of other L’Cie in this world, she was not about to mitigate such a truth. To admit such a thing would certainly be playing into the Primarch’s hands as the Peacekeeper remained by her throat, poised and ready.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]“Shall I end it now, then? This life, which you have given up? If you believe yourself fated to die at the hands of a Fal’Cie …well then, why not me? For I know what it is to be L’Cie, and I shall grant you swift death. Well, Brigadier General, what say you?”[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Those words, venomous in nature rang through Wisel’s head like an echoing bell, its impact resonating within her seemingly unceasing. To any person whose will lacked her own mettle, they would certainly accept the offer of a swift death as being a benevolent blessing to flee the cursed fate of being a Fal’Cie’s servant. However, she was not about to follow the easy route at all, especially not at the hands of this maniacal, egotistical woman. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Your Eminence, what is your angle?” Wisel bravely enquired, closely examining not the blade of the Peacekeeper, but at the face of her would-be assailant, “You claim to understand the future destined to be imposed upon me. You are convinced that I will accomplish nothing. You assert that I have already given up on life. Have you given up your own life as well? You too are a L’Cie, sharing the same fate as I. You slay Fal’Cie after Fal’Cie and yet I do not know why. Are you perhaps frightened by the end that would soon befall you (as will all L’Cie) and are determined to slay as many of your nemeses as possible while refusing to leave life as a mere Fal’Cie slave as well?”[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Quickly, she brandished her Manadrive Blade and held it straight towards her opponent. Both swords in perpendicular angles to each other, were aiming at their respective opponents.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“I have not given up on life yet. I still have time, time short yes, but there is still time nonetheless. I am not wasting this valuable time remaining as a mere pawn of the Fal’Cie, doing little while they remain in the shadows orchestrating their own plots. I will not deny that I fear the end coming towards me, the deterioration of my life with each passing moment. However, I have made it my duty that before I go I will fight the Fal’Cie with my full power and I shall not die a broken woman bereft of hope. I will not die a Fal’Cie’s servant. They will all pay dearly. You Eminence, if you continue to shun me as being a worthless individual destined for death, I welcome you to challenge me. However I will not die here. If I am to die in soon eventuality, I will die in the victorious flames of glory, once this world is liberated of the Fal’Cie once and for all.”[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Immediately, the swords crossed and clashed as Wisel had made the first real offensive move. Her photon system was already labouring, her armour alive and poised. Wisel’s rapid flails were met only by Elicia’s own rapid counterattacks in defence, while her Haste spell immediately started to work on her, doubling her speed. She was already in the air, darting left and right like a flash of light. Wisel could espy only a rain of Peacekeeper slashes precipitating downwards towards her direction. Wisel’s visor swiftly formed and her left arm immediately reacted, successfully blocking hits after hits from the Peacekeeper. Elicia’s indiscriminate methods of attacking were a sign that she was perhaps aware of the limits of the Photon Armour System. For now Wisel could successfully match her opponent’s speed so long as the photons were flowing at a sufficient enough rate to support Wisel’s enhanced speed. However, overuse of the photons would surely leave her vulnerable for a short duration of time. This would be severely disadvantageous for her if she was careless. Opting against being a gambler, she rolled aside and her own Haste spell doubled her speed further. Theoretically, she should now temporarily be in a position where her speed attributes surpassed Elicia’s, and hopefully be enough to match her. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][Brigadier General Wisel (Fleur)], [Elicia (Leanne)][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][The Hanging Edge, Cocoon][/FONT]
 
As Wisel attacked her, trying to pierce through her defences and strike out at her at the same time, Elicia smiled. This was fun. Evidently Cocoon instructors did train some of her soldiers to actually fight. She laughed, the sound a hysterical shriek lost in the roaring in her ears that she always heard in battle. The Fal’Cie she had just fought was nothing like this at all – this was a contest of skill, not raw power. She had not had a fight like this in centuries! She revelled in the combat, exchanging blow after blow, going first on the offensive, and then switching to simply blocking. After all, she had all the time in the world. Wisel may have the speed to react to her attacks, and the strength to block them without breaking her arms, but she still held back, unwilling to rely on her l’Cie powers. Eventually, she would tire, and her systems would fail. As always, Elicia would win by attrition, and her superior skill. She could enjoy herself a little with this. After all, she was only trying to prove a point.

Perhaps she should have taken Wisel a little more seriously. She moved forward suddenly, with the intention of knocking her opponent’s blade from her hand. What she got was empty air, as the woman tapped into her l’Cie powers, increasing her speed enough to dodge, and lashing out with a retaliatory slash, which caught Elicia across the cheek. She felt hot blood streak down her face, and a red haze descended over her vision. She snarled, a sound of pure, animalistic rage, and charged, no longer playing. She beat her opponent steadily backwards, her strikes becoming all the more savage. A normal human would have been dead by now, their arms a shattered mess. Yet, somehow, Wisel managed to block her strokes…until, finally, Elicia lost her patience entirely.

“Enough of this!” Elicia snapped. Augmenting her speed still further, she ducked underneath Wisel’s slash, reversing her sword’s grip to strike her, hard, with the hilt in the abdomen, forcing her backwards and, for a moment, off-balance. A moment was all she needed. She brought her other hand forward, planting it squarely on her opponent’s breastplate, looking her in the eye and smiling in satisfaction for barely a heartbeat, before unleashing the most powerful Thundara spell she could muster.

Lightning exploded from her fingertips, illuminating them both and much of the surrounding area in a blue-tinged burst of raw energy. Elicia was knocked back several feet by the ferocity of her own spell, which was far more than she had expected, barely managing to keep her balance, her hand smoking. Wisel was not so fortunate; she was propelled backwards through the air as though she were little more than a leaf caught in an updraft, falling with crash that Elicia barely heard through the ringing in her ears.

For a moment, Elicia wondered if she had killed the woman, as she did not rise to resume their duel. It was not very often she unleashed the more advanced levels of magic – that was one thing her Fal’Cie continued to deny her – and perhaps she should not have lost her temper: there was, she had learned, a definite connection to her power and her temper. But this woman WAS going to fall in line. She sheathed Peacekeeper, walking calmly up to where Wisel lay. She was still conscious – which was surprising – and staring up at the sky, evidently dazed…or expecting death, having finally realised that there was no way that she could win, even if she used her own l’Cie abilities. Elicia kicked her in irritation, sparks crackling wickedly in her left palm, playing across her twitching fingers.

“I am not playing games with you, you silly little girl. I offer you the chance to be a part of something larger than yourself, to surpass yourself, to see your dreams become a reality, and you have the audacity to even attempt to cross blades with me? I, who have single-handedly destroyed more Fal’Cie than any other? I am all that you would seek to become, had you but the courage to fight what you believe to be pre-determined!” she kicked her again, giving into rage again momentarily.

“We are not the same, you and I. The Fal’Cie who dared to try to control me has hidden from me for centuries, as I have hunted down and destroyed it’s kin, one by one. Centuries, Brigadier General! I live for but one purpose – to see every one of those vermin crushed, their souls destroyed, the ashes of their corpses scattered to the winds, their existence so thoroughly purged from this planet that not even their existence is remembered. I will not be stopped. Not by them, and certainly not by you. Their power is as nothing before my will, as they have discovered, several times.

My Focus was to kill those Fal’Cie responsible for the imprisonment of the one I accidently released. They have been dead for centuries, yet here I remain, for I shall not die until I choose. You asked me what my angle was, before you so foolishly attacked me. It is this: I will use the power they have so foolishly granted me against them, again and again, until not a single one is left standing. I will crush them utterly, as they have sought to crush me – to crush humanity – for longer than even I have lived. I will take the sword they so foolishly gave me and use it to rid the planet of their existence. I will return to humankind their freedom. With, or without your assistance.”

The lightning flared anew in her hand as she prepared to strike the killing blow. She would paint the Hanging Edge with this woman’s innards. She paused, wondering if there would be enough of her to do just that, until a new suspicion crept into her. Was this not what her Fal’Cie wanted? To see her without any potential allies, alone as she had been for centuries? For the first time in a long time, Elicia had found someone who could be useful to her. She needed no help in her mission, but she was not foolish enough not to take it where it presented itself. It would be a waste of this woman’s talents to take her life – after all, not even that many Fal’Cie could cross blades like that with Elicia, let alone actually strike her. Granted, she had not been taking her opponent seriously, but arrogance was ever a flaw. A well-earned one, but a flaw nonetheless.

The lightning flickered, and then died. A radiant, healing white light issued from her palm instead, moving across Wisel’s body. She had not bothered much with healing magic – after all, she had no need for it – but her skills should still be sufficient to get Wisel back on her feet. She was not to know, after all, just how powerful Elicia really was. She had done precisely was Elicia had wanted: she had fought back. Foolishly, but nonetheless, she had even held her own for a time. Her rage abated, the expressionless mask firmly back in place, as the light in her hand died.

“I trust you have satisfied your curiosity as to my abilities, which far surpass your own, both physically and magically. I’d advise you not to push your luck like that again, for I do not normally allow my adversaries to get up after I have struck them down. Now, if you are willing to fight against me, when you have not a hope of winning, when I am more powerful than any Fal’Cie remaining alive, why will you not fight with the same determination against them? They may have given you power, but that does not grant them a hold over your life. You are the one with the power, and the strength of will to choose your own fate. I ask you once more – what say you?” she held out her hand, offering to help the woman up, as well as more. Perhaps Elicia could even grow to like this woman.

…provided she didn’t make any more idiotic attacks or naïve statements.

[tags same as above]
 
After seeing the two kids deal with the two Cie'th, it was now Jeanne who has to take on the last Cie'th left standing. Transforming one of her Gun-Daggers back into it's Blade Mode, Jeanne began using her other Gun-Dagger to fire at the Cie'th with short, controlled bursts. The Cie'th staggered back, and Jeanne capitalized by charging forward for another attack.

Launching forward, Jeanne struck the l'Cie with a downward diagonal slash with her Gun-Dagger's Blade Mode, followed by a roundhouse kick to the enemy's head. The Cie'th, while not cut in two, simply lurched back, fatally wounded as it collapsed to the ground, dead.

Jeanne then transformed the other Gun-Dagger into its blade mode and sheathed them. "There's probably going to be more of them around here, be careful." She said before walking deeper into the Vestige.

[Sailud de Rasche/-HeartSmash-] [Renton Skylar/MagicMasher] [Jeanne St. Pierre/Strigon98]
[Pulse Vestige, Cocoon]
 
Stevie was suspicious of the new guy. Staying silent while Connor talked, he never took his eyes off of him. There was something slightly off, about the way he held himself, the way he spoke. He couldn’t quite place it, but he thought the man was hiding something. Or maybe I’m just imagining things, he thought.

"I am Leotis. I don't remember much except for being thrown out of a train."

Was he telling the truth? Or a lie? And why would he lie? What reason did he have? Stevie’s head twirled with questions. Should we trust him? He didn’t have an answer. He wanted to pull Connor away, and talk to him privately, but that would be suspicious. He would just keep an eye on this Leotis, and if things seemed bad, a throat was probably all the easier to slit with surprise on your side.

Wow, he thought, if I’d thought that yesterday I’d be checked into an insane clinic. Funny what days like today will do to you.
 
"I am Leotis. All I remember is being thrown out of a train."

Connor Kept his blank expression and glanced at stevie. He looked unsettled. Connor understood why. Stevie was wary of Leotis. Connor was too. But Really. In this messed up world. Two is no where NEAR enough.

"....F-fine." Connor said. "You can travel with us. but...I do warn you. No funny business."

Connor gave a sad smile and Turned around. "Lets go.." Motioning for stevie and Leotis to follow. Walking a little ahead. Connor was free to Think about his compainions. They seemed nice enough. But looks can be deciveing. Connor then decided to Monitor His friends. "Are they really trustworthy?" Connor mumbled to himself.

Slowing down a bit. He brought up the question again. "So...How'd you get here Stevie?" And for good measure asked "And you too Leotis. Can you remember why?"

He paid attention to them both. It was times like these where Backgrounds can make or break friends ships. Hopefully This fell into the former.

Above all. He wondered. "why is this world so crazy?"
 
(OOC: I think Rasche would like messing with Renton a bit to get him riled up XD but only out of innocent fun.)

After seeing the boy fight Rasche couldn't help but to comment. "Might want to watxch your footing. Wouldn't want you falling down there now!" He spoke cheerfully before patting him on the shoulder softly.

The female who had journeyed with them had easily taken down the Cie'th and after that the group was clear to continue deeper into the Vestige.

"There's probably going to be more of them around here, be careful."

"Say what are your names exactly?" Rasche asked the other two before he went any further.

All this time they had been mindlessly following him or so he thought and had not even uttered a name to one another. "I think we can use a elevator around here somewhere." Rasche spoke walking on a path leading to a place with a flat panel that would take them to the level of the Fal Cie.

Orouba must be here somewhere Radche thought hurrying his paces. He had not once thought of anything but trying to communicate to his older brother. But as soon as he reached the panel he had heard more screeches from the dreaded Cie'th who roamed the Vestige. If they were to stay at the same spot, Cie'th would surely come to attack them. "I think this is the way up you two!" He called as he watched a panel near the floating pane on the floor light up with an orange light.

He could hear shifting from the upper floors of the Vestige but didn't mind and waited for the other two to press the up switch near the elevator. He couldn't help but think for a moment why these two had willingly volunteered to enter the Vestige. Did these two have issues with the Fal' Cie? Or perhaps they were only following him out of curiosity...His mind rushed with this but in a flash thoughts of Orouba came to his mind and Rasche pushed the switch to take the elevator lift upwards towards the level where the Fal' Cie awaited.

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[Sailud de Rasche/-HeartSmash-] [Renton Skylar/MagicMasher] [Jeanne St. Pierre/Strigon98]
[Pulse Vestige Lower entrance]
 
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(OOC: I kept postponing making my first post and considering back and forth to just drop out, so I figured the best way to get into the RP was just to get right at it, so I'll post some proper flashbacks later, but for now, I'm in)

The first thing she was aware of was the sounds of gunfire, yelling, and what could be filed away as "general explosive sounds". Tremors rhythmically shook her face-down frame as her slight form lay on a metal slab accented by twisted metal.

Grunting, the dark haired teen finally opened her faux pink eyes, her vision still blurring away into clarity. She could see in the distance several armed forces running about and along with some aerial vehicles hovering around like crows (she spared a moment to shudder at how fitting her analogy was). When she finally titled her head, a far more interesting site was bestowed mere feet from her.

She hadn't properly taken a look at the transit delivering her to the Purge, but Lani was positive it was now lying destroyed in an indescribable way-at least some of it was laying there. The rest may have fallen down into the pits far below.

"What happened?" came to her mind. While the question was simple, the answer wasn't as easily grasped. With an internal shrug, the young woman rested her palms on the ground and pushed her body up. The white robe sleeves slid over her hands, reminding the girl of the garment she'd been forced to don on.

With a tentative stretch, the black haired teen noticed no major injuries to her body beyond a still some-what throbbing head. Finally Lani stumbled into a standing position, and scanned around. Spotting what appeared to be a stable path, Lani stilled for a moment.

"If I stay put, I'll be purged. If I go on my own, I won't know what I'm getting into, and probably still get purged." she murmured.

The next moment the heavy white robe fell to the side of her feet. Already feeling both a physical and emotional weight off her body, Lani kicked at the atrocious symbolic garment for good measure.

If she died, it would be by her own way. The sentiment wasn't exactly what was in the girl's heart, but she had heard the line enough times in fiction and decided to just go with it.

Just before setting off, she spotted a length of chain used in some less than sound structure reinforcement that probably broke off in the transport's impact. Lifting the chain yielded a decent heft, but nothing too heavy. Loosely coiling it in her first, Lani took a deep breath and started her trek to the unknown.

[Hanging Edge] [Lani Quatro]
 
ROS POV:

Ro had heard the elevators movements and immediately dragged hime with him into the shadows, concealing them very effectively from most creatures eyes. "We will stay here and watch for a short while to see what sort of enemy can bring down the fal'cie" He said in a hushed tone, "You will sit here and stay until i tell you otherwise, im going to stand somewhere with a slightly better view of the main battle, wouldnt want you to see that bloodshed first hand now would we?" He slinked off quickly and just got himself hidden as the elevator churned to a halt
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HIMES POV:

She had been minding her own business trying to figure out why Ro had brought here to this place, then there was a strange shuddering noise and a clanking of metal. Ro grabbed her and dragged her to one side in the shadow of a ruined pillar "We will stay here and watch for a short while to see what sort of enemy can bring down the fal'cie" He said to her in a strangely hushed tone, "You will sit here and stay until i tell you otherwise, im going to stand somewhere with a slightly better view of the main battle, wouldnt want you to see that bloodshed first hand now would we?" with that she watched him as He slinked off quickly. From the sounds of things he had only just got himself hidden as the elevator churned to a halt. Hime listened intently for anyother noise
 
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The Pulse Vestige. A marvel of ancient design, crafted to hold that of the powerful Fal’Cie that laid within it. Its veins of power ran parallel with every wall, every walkway, every single structure throughout the gigantic monument pulsed with energy, radiating with life as they did what they were created for. Some area’s were no more then floating platforms, testing those who had entered to see if they were worthy of ascending. Others, due to its age had fallen apart, even collapsed, creating large chasms that would spell certain death for anyone who were unlucky to fall.

Yet throughout certain parts of the Vestige, staircases continued to curve and coil around one another, rising higher through the temple like building towards its peak, the throne of the Fal’Cie that surely would be there. Many paths could be found to gain entrance into the Vestige, while some could enter through its lower base, others could take more direct routes into it, with help from certain vehicles.

The entire floor of the Vestige, seemed to echo with power all around the tall man. Though this was one of the highest entrances for the structure, a few more floors still remained to climb, in order to reach the ruler of the Vestige itself. Running his only gloved hand along one of the veins, a small crackle seemed to spark, between the lively source of energy and the man’s physical contact. As he walked parallel with the small wall of the walkway, the man periodically peered over its edge, noticing the brief appearances of the lower platforms and floors, as some raised and fell into the darkness that only grew darker the deeper it got.

Suddenly, the new source of sound that appeared quickly became the primary source, overshadowing that of the low hum of the veins. Turning his gaze towards the large circular entrance, the man watched as the sudden blur of silver raced out of it, speeding past the pillars that rose throughout the floor causing whatever it was to slow down as they maneuvered around them. As it slowly began to fly back towards the large walkway, the tall man was able to better see the machine itself along with its, quite exceptionally good, pilot. The young woman on board soon landed the airborne vehicle, leaping off of it as she admired the machine itself.

“I gotta get me one of these someday.” Said her voice, the look on her face full of excitement in which she must have had while on it.

Standing still close by next to the small wall, the tall man must have been kept hidden by the large pillar that was close to him, as the young woman seemed to only then notice his presence.

Standing close to the machine as she watching him, the man merely stood, letting her take note of every part of him, particularly as she seemed rather focused on his hair. Its golden twilight colour seemed to make the man almost like an apparition, one that would suddenly disappear if the woman was to turn away for a second. This quickly turned out not to be the case for Sakiko. Running straight towards the tall man, the woman stared up towards the figure’s dark purple eyes, before uttering the words…

“Heyyy! What are you doing here?”

While he allowed her to merely stand there and see that he was quite real, the figure quickly grew tired the moment she had asked him the question. Walking past her like she wasn’t even there, the man continued along the walkway, while the girl merely called out the same question again.

“Hey! I asked you a question! What are you doing…”

“Little girls shouldn’t be here.”

“What?”

“If you are wise, you’ll leave this place before you run into something you can not handle. This is no place for any children. Especially one as defenseless as you.” With every word, the man merely kept walking away from Sakiko, his back firmly facing her as he spoke.

“This is for your own good! Leave.” As the man said that, the shrill monstrous cries of the Cie’th echoed from the lower and higher levels of the vestige.

Swooping down onto the walkway, large bird like Cie’th dived towards Servius, passing the man as if it was only a warning. However, the monstrous creatures soon began to dive again, swirling around Sakiko like vultures as two giant Cie’th slowly stumbled up from the path behind her.

Sweeping his right arm out from him, the man brushed his hair gently over his shoulder, revealing the large handle that seemed to have appeared out of nothing.. Upon grasping it, he soon began to slide the handle up, showing the dark outline of the scabbard as it moved along the back of his coat, blending in with the material itself. As more and more of the weapon was drawn, the blade could have been forged from the darkness within the vestige itself, its surface only catching a brief glimmer of the illuminating lights before returning to its empty blackness.

As he swung the large sword, the blade sliced through the airborne Cie’th causing it to shriek so loudly, it would no doubt be heard on some of the closer floors. Upon swinging around towards the other creatures, the Cie’th seemed to have learned from what befell their fallen brethren, as they quickly took to the air before swooping and diving yet again towards the man. Raising his weapon above him, the Cie’th’s claws scratched partially against the dark blade, causing the flying creatures to back off a little before once again charging the figure

-------------------------------------------------

[Sakiko (Sexy Beast); Unknown figure (Xemnaroth)]
[Pulse Vestige: Top Entrance]
 
The Cure spell engulfed Wisel. In normal circumstances the benevolence of the Cure spell felt in itself something Edenic-like, relieving the target of their injuries like a divine hand salvaging them from death. In this case however, Elicia's own Cure spell seemed to do little. There was no feeling of benevolence in it, only a hollow-like imaginery feeling that nevertheless restored her strength to return to her feet. Elicia was not versed in the ways of white magic it seemed, and it showed. Though reluctantly at first, Wisel eventually accepted the hand of Elicia and grasped it, allowing her to be pulled up to her feet. Her hand was stone cold, like the metaphorical coldness that remained in her eyes. There was something strongly repulsive about this very hand that was helping her up. This was certainly no benevolent hand at all, but rather a hand that had nearly plunged into her own blood. Her hand - as cold as a corpse's - this was a hand that Wisel sincerely hoped that she would never have to feel ever again, for the contact felt like her own warmth was being siphoned from her.

Back on her feet again, Wisel approached her Manadrive Blade which had laid dormant on the ground. Picking it up again, the activity ceased in the core and the photon streams ceased. The blade was then neatly sheathed away and Wisel turned round to face her victor again. The stinging pain from the magical attacks that had previously bombarded her began to fade, unlike the bloody scar that had ravaged across the Primarch's own cheek. She was content for the time being, as she had not expected to inflict such damage on her undeniably more formidable opponent. This woman was viciously well-versed in her magical abilities. Wisel could not hope to gamble any longer and passively hope that the worst would not come. She could no longer contain her own L'Cie powers any longer. If she were to confront the Fal'Cie, it would be imperative that she had to attain a similar level that Elicia proudly stood on. Nevertheless, the villification of the L'Cie meant that such a revelation to the comrades around her as well as to the public and the rest of the military, she would surely jeopardise her own position. Did her own position matter now? The hourglass was not about to cease. The sands would continue to fall as long as the Fal'Cie willed it. Who would care such positions now if there was the crucial mission of usurping the Fal'Cie ahead?

"Your injury," said Wisel, glancing at her victor's bloody scar, "is it serious?"
Elicia merely responded with another flash of a Cure spell onto her cheek in an attempt to mitigate the injury. Perhaps to her, this was simply a mere flesh wound that would quickly vanish. The real damage inflicted from this battle was towards Wisel's initial reluctancy to fully embrace her "cursed power". Her own mind was now made up and she extolled her right arm outwards, the palm of her hand with the brand so clearly visible on it facing her. The symbol staring back at her - the sheer evil of it. Cursed mark, she thought, you stare at me from my own hand, a testimony to the dominance of the Fal'Cie. Everything about it must be despised, the wretched mark, however the power it granted to her - it would now be crucial for her to realise her goals.
"L'Cies, servants of Fal'Cie, granted with terrible power capable of bringing ruin to the world. The Fal'Cie surely must jest providing us with power this tremendous, for we are not simply stringed puppets running their errands. With this power, I am now willing to embrace it. I will crush the Fal'Cie with their own power. Then we shall see who is to remain alive to jest afterwards. The masters, with no mandate to rule over us all, or we? - the so-called 'servants' expected to be blindly loyal to them despite our burning hatred for them? I think the answer is simple to solve. By our hands, the Fal'Cie will fall and burn. This cursed power will be made to obey me and emerge at full strength."

Of course, there was still the issue of other L'Cies that would prove to be useful allies for her. Tracking them down would still be a necessity. Despite what the Primarch wanted, there were still many merits to be gained from amassing a squadron of powerful L'Cie allies who were also willing to defy their fate and hunt down their masters like dogs. The Pulse Vestige, its figure so gargantuan and imposing, silently sleeping in the Hanging Edge as if poised to awaken and exact its merciless judgement on mankind. No doubt if there were to be any L'Cies in the vicinity, they would have to be in there, as well as the Pulse Fal'Cie within. Pulse or Cocoon? It would not matter. It was a Fal'Cie nonetheless; a silent assassin that was indirectly instigating the Purge and the death of countless innocents. Like its Cocoonian brethren, this Fal'Cie would also have to pay.

[Brigadier General Wisel (Fleur)], [Elicia (Leanne)]
[The Hanging Edge, Cocoon]
 
Still recovering from his near-death dramatic mix up with the Cie’th, Renton was not in the mood to deal with any humor from either of the two people that happened to be traveling with him. Considering the fact that he was also the only one using his own pure strength, un-augmented by physical weapons, and was unable to pierce the bastards’ tough skin, he felt he did a decent job. Renton was, although he hates to admit it, still a young teenager and pretty small for his age. Going up against a shambling monster that can easily break apart stone structures as evident by the hole in the wall is no small feat. With no weapon there’s only a few things anyone would be able to do.

Under this fact, it is no surprise why Renton’s attitude went from a very relieved and drained state to pure, unfiltered annoyance when Rasche decided to comment on his fighting. It seemed harmless enough, but the cheery way he went about expressing it and the timing of said comment was just a bit too much. He almost completely forgot about how exhausted he felt when his rage was turned on Rasche.

“You think you’re so smug, don’t you? Why don’t you try beating one of those with your fists! Or better yet, use the environment! Having that ancient, tribal…whatever the hell it is must make these things easy, doesn’t it?” Expelling one large breath of air, Renton began moving towards the elevator mechanism that was in the distance. His rage still had not subsided. He really wanted to just leave them behind, especially Rasche, and just move ahead himself. It would save him from unneeded stress and unwanted annoyances while finding the Fal’cie. Unfortunately since they were all headed ultimately to the same place, he would need to endure them for a bit longer.

“Oh, and you should pick a more modern weapon while you’re at it. It IS the age of technology.”

An offhand comment, but he meant it. The weapon Rasche was wielding was vastly different from the one that the woman carried or any that Renton has eyed before. It looked like it belonged in history books, next to discussions of olden settlers, or ancient ruins. It didn’t look like it belonged right here in the present time, next to Renton. It did seem to get the job done. He was surprised it didn’t crumble into a pile of dust and ash from the mere touch of Rasche. Well, weirder things have happened. Worse things have happened. And there were more important things to worry over at the current moment than the origin of a weapon - the Fal’cie being one of them.

As he approached the elevator, almost un-phased, Rasche asked for the names of the people traveling with him. Renton closed his eyes in an attempt to not roll them, as he grew tired of constantly doing that. Great, he thought, the guy wants to engrave the tree of friendship and bondage in the strangers he just met. It was a harmless enough request, Renton guessed. No harm, no foul. Although, he definitely didn’t want to be friends with Rasche. If he barely wanted to travel with the guy, how could he even hope for friendship? On the other hand, Renton’s smug, reckless egotism always gets the best of him - if he had to fight this guy one day he would want him to know his name - to know the name of the guy who brought about his demise.

“Renton.” He put it simply. It didn’t need to be elegant, or well phrased. It didn’t need to include a long introduction or his life story. He gave Rasche exactly what he asked - his name, and no more. No other conversation was needed. Reaching the elevator, he pressed the button, multiple times mind you, before boarding and awaiting the ascent. Or so he assumed was an ascent, based on Rasche’s judgment. Leaning against the railing of the glowing elevator, he awaited it to move. Awaited for it to take him closer to the Pulse Fal’cie.


[Renton/MagicMasher] [Jeanne/Strigon] [Rasche/HeartSmash]
[The Bodhum Vestige - Lower Tiers, The Hanging Edge, Cocoon]
 
As Jeanne moved ahead, she wound up listening to the boy complaining about the way he fought. To be honest it annoyed her a bit, as he was just getting on like a child, acting like a punk.

"Hmph, look this isn't the time to be arguing, let's do what we came here to do. Save this kid's brother."

Even then, the kid did make a good point. the kid's weapon seemed ancient. Compared to the many technological advances of the day, his seem like a relic from medieval times (or something similar in FFXIII's time). The punk was a good fistfighter, but against a Cie'th it would be very difficult to achieve. Nonetheless they did make a somewhat cohesive team.

The kid asked about their names, and she spoke up after the other one, who's name was Renton spoke his name. "My name is Jeanne, and what's yours?"
 
Walking up the man with a, more or less positive attitude, Sakiko politely asked him what he was doing here. The tall man could’ve replied in a polite manner, or at least let her off easy, but instead he not only was rude to Sakiko, but he gave her quite the insult. Now, usually Sakiko wouldn’t let this kind of insult bother her, but to add insult to injury, he called her defenseless, and said she didn’t have any fighting talent. It was with that that froze Sakiko in a angered state, but for the sake of the battle that was going to happen, Sakiko had to remain calm.

Angrily, Sakiko slowly turned around only to see that this man was effortlessly taking down Cie’th’s. Now, mind you that things creatures aren’t anything you should take lightly. Though they may be doomed L’cie’s who had failed to complete their focus, they still maintain the power of which they had while alive, but now they’re just an eternal servant to the Fal’Cie. In all of this going on, Sakiko could see the man just taking one shot, and it was in that one shot that totally annihilated the Cie’ths in a snap of a finger.

Before she even knew it, two bird-like Cie’th were right behind Sakiko. She didn’t have any time to react. It was only until one second later that the tall man before he took his right arm, and stroked Sakiko’s hair. Shrivels crawled down and up her spine. The fact of him touching her was just creepy on its own, but her hair of all places. A few seconds later, the man took his sword, and with one fell swoop, one of the Cie’th were completely destroyed, only with a loud shriek of pain as its last sound before its existence ceased to be.

"Wow.." She could only speak in thought as the pure power of this man was phenomenal. If anything, he was much more exciting, and way more fun than the PSICOM soldiers Sakiko has seen, and fought. Even though she could die at any given moment, Sakiko hasn’t felt more excited than she does right now.

“I can’t believ--” Her words cut off as taunting sounds were heard through her ears as Sakiko immediately turned around, and the last, two remaining Cie’th were up in the air preparing for round two. Sakiko knew this was her chance to show this man that she does have fighting skill, and she’s not defenseless.

“You wanna dance..?” Taunting words with taunting tone, Sakiko unsheathed her Ninjato, and like the previous times, her right hand was holding the middle of the chain with the rest hanging over her back.

Backing up just a couple of feet, Sakiko knew that she would need speed to build up her momentum, and with the mean guy in front of her, and the height he stands, he would be perfect for a little ‘boost’. Running at top speed, Sakiko stepped off her left foot, only to soar about five feet into the air, she then placed her right foot on this man’s shoulder only to gain height even more, and now her momentum was starting to build up. Leaving the comfort of a solid surface, Sakiko did a front flip whilst keeping her weapon away from her body to avoid any casualties that may prove to be fatal.

With two front flips in the air, Sakiko delivered a downward kick to the first Cie’th in her path, which knocked it to the ground, but as it started to fall, Sakiko jumped off it’s back, and then delivered a diagonal slash of her Ninjato to the other one, and with that slash followed a spinning, left roundhouse kick, and with the rotation came the dagger with a horizontal slash across the thing’s crystallized face.

Motion for motion, Sakiko had one Cie’th down, but one to go. Gravity did its work as now Sakiko found herself falling to the ground willingly, but she didn’t want to fall, and lose her momentum. With the one Cie’th that she defeated still in the air, she spring boarded off it, and by angling her body downward, her velocity increased, and she had her arms backwards, but with head forward, and legs together, a falling motion came to a diagonal dive that wouldn’t end well for the last remaining Cie’th. The chain was in front of Sakiko(in this case, below, but whatev.), and with that, Sakiko was just three feet away from the Cie’th. She maneuvered her body just in time to where the chain was literally choking the Cie’th.

“Got’cha,” her words slipped out of her mouth as the pulling of the chain came with Sakiko pressing both of her feet on the back of the Cie’th, and with the push against the back, and the pulling of the chain, it only took ten seconds before the head of the Cie’th was literally ripped off. And it was in that motion, that Sakiko dusted off her dress, and then she hesitated for only one second until rushing to the man over to her left.

With her Ninjato in hand, and the chain in the other, she jumped into the air, and oddly enough, she launched the ninjato forward with it strait, and with velocity to follow, a direct hit was eminent , and the enabling of dodging would be limited severely.
 
Alexander made his way carefully over the corpses of the two creatures he had despatched only moments ago and continued to forge his way further into the vestige. He had heard tales of those L'Cie who failed their focus'. They transformed into unrecognisable monsters known as Ci'eth. Those who were unable to do what their Fal'Cie masters wish for them to do, but are unable to succeed in these tasks.

He heard a scream followed by the tell-tale sounds of a fight close by, and decided that for now, especially in a place such as this he should head towards what could well be other humans. He followed the sounds of battle, continuing on towards where they had been even after they had died down.

He entered a large room to a sight of three individual characters, who after an obvious battle, after hearing the sounds before, and from seeing the bodies littering the ground, appeared to be in conversation. Off to his right was some sort of isolated area, perhaps an elevator, with a single person standing inside it, with two others simply standing in the main area of the room. As neither seemed to have noticed his arrival, he deicded it would be a lot easier to subdue one person, rather than two should he need, he headed quietly towards the isolated area, and without making eye contact with the other man already there, he took up a similar pose, leaning against the other side of the room before asking calmly,

"What happened here then?"

He turned his head and glanced quickly over the other occupant of the small room whilst waiting for a reply. From the information he could take in during that split second he was almost certain that he had put himself in the worse of the two situations, as the man appeared to be in no mood to be spoken to, most likely least of all by someone he had just met, in a PSICOM uniform, in unusual surroundings.

Either way, he was comitted to the situation now, it was not like he could simply walk out, back turned to a man he could have angered further than he already appeared and head directly towards two more complete strangers, without knowing if his only real escape route was now blocked by a new enemy could he?
 
“Renton.”

"My name is Jeanne, and what's yours?"

"Well I'm Rasche!" Rasche spoke as the elevator began to carry the three to the top of the vestige.

No doubt the hall where the Fal Cie rested would be just up ahead. he could feel the cranks on the platform turning as they were rising higher and higher from the abyss below. "You know Renton, you seen pretty annoyed. You could always run away!" Rasche spoke with the thought popping into his mind. "Most citizens hate anything having to do with Pulse. So I'd understand if you two decided to run back to the purge train for safety."

Rasche departed once they reached their point. He stepped off looking around. Ceith littered the place, but luckily the hall to the Fal Cie was a straight shot up a bit of steps from here. All they would have to do is keep moving forward. "Orouba?!" Rasche called out.

A reply did not echo back towards him. Instead he was greeted with the screeching cries of the dreadful Cei'th staggering about the Vestige. "I guess he must be further in." Rasche said walking forwards and up the stairs to the hall that would lead him to the Fal Cie.

 
"....F-fine. You can travel with us. but...I do warn you. No funny business. So...How'd you get here Stevie? And you too Leotis. Can you remember why?"

"I was looking for my sister. She disappeared years ago, and now I want to know why and where she is. Whoever has her is gonna get a rude awakening."

Leotis didn't want to tell them too much, since they could be involved somehow, so he just left it at that. I'll answer their questions to see how much they know. They could play dumb about the situation too, so I need to be ready for that. He wanted to stop thinking about it, but the more he talked about it, the more he thought back to that day that she disappeared.

"What about you guys? What are you two doing here?"
 
----------------------------------------------

At the moment Sakiko launched herself into the air from the help of the figures huge size, the man once again turned his back to the girl as soon as he watched her deal with the first flying Cie’th. As she would have been busy with the remaining airborne creature, what remained of the enemies were no more then two of the largest Cie’th within the Vestige. Its appearance marked that of the closeness of the Fal’Cie’s throne, as the creatures seemed to be those of the strongest, and no doubt would guard any who tried to reach the master.

Slowly approaching the large stumbling monsters, the man started to pick up momentum, his blade dragging slightly against the hard material of the walkway until the sharpness of the weapon began to screech with his charge. Roaring as they finally noticed the opponent before them, the giant Cie’th quickly made the first move. Raising it’s massive arm, the first Cie’th attempted to crush the man with its strength, though completely failing as he spun around the appendage causing it to come crashing into the ground. Flicking his sword up from the ground, the man struck the side of the attacking Cie’th, causing the creature to roar in pain as it once again tried to strike him, only managing to harm its brethren as the man again dodged the slow bulky attack.

Losing balance, the second Cie’th fell in seconds after being struck by the full force of the first monster. Momentarily distracted, the black sword stabbed straight through the large red crystal that throbbed within the centre of the Cie’th, releasing painful roars just like the others before fading away into nothing. Before the remaining Cie’th could even understand what had happened, the man soon unleashed the same deadly precision as it had done before, striking his weapon deeply into the monsters chest until it started to fade around it and into oblivion.

As he raised himself back onto his feet, the man glared before spinning quickly around towards Sakiko’s ninjato which was piercing the very air between it and the figure. Swinging his massive weapon, the man merely deflected the attack as the tip of Sakiko’s sword struck the flat side of the figures. With the man no longer the intended target, the sword powerfully pierced itself lightly into the hard walkway, an impressive feet for an attack, while the man choose to retaliate in the same instance. Continuing to follow through with his strike, the figure collided the flat side of his weapon directly against the extended chain, causing the links to follow with the man’s swing. As the chain was dragged along with the sword, the parts leading up towards Sakiko would have pulled the young woman rather forcibly closer in distance, or would cause the woman to lose her weapon in the process by releasing her grasp on the chain.

Whatever the outcome, the man simply continued to glare coldly towards Sakiko, even as he discontinued his strike and dashed towards the girl. His sword unleashed a rather unnatural sound as it slid against the hard stone of the walkway, before it suddenly stopped as the figure swung his arm holding the sword into the air, until it came crashing down a foot away from Sakiko. The force of the attack seemed to even crack the ground at the point of impact, as the entire walkway rumbled and shook around Sakiko.

Suddenly, the walkway appeared to come more alive then it already was, as it began to slowly descend from the other platforms into the darkness of the Vestige. With no other room for movement, the descending walkway was all the space that was granted for Sakiko and the figure, until they would reach wherever the platform would come to a firm halt. With every second, the darkness grew deeper all around the walkway, until its illuminating veins were the only source of light for the two passengers. Moving his right foot forward, the man seemed to not give what was happening a second thought, as he stood in his stance before the young woman, his sword still gleaming even with the little amount of light that was available.

---------------------------------------

[Sakiko (Sexy Beast); Unknown figure (Xemnaroth)]
[Pulse Vestige: Highest Floors]
 
Ro heard the elevator come to a complete stand still and heard a boy cry out oroubas name, he then muttered something about him being further in. Moments later the boy walked past ro's hiding place. Ro saw a strangely familiar face but couldnt quite place it. Ro watched as the group headed off up the stairs and then very stealthily followed them. "This could be interesting" He thought as he headed off.

---------------

Hime shuddered as the elevator ground to a halt. she could hear a faint converstion about going back to the train if they wanted to. She had to cover her mouth to stop from screaming as the boy shouted, it had caught her by surprise. Not that she had needed to bother as the cacophony of screeches that answered the shout would easily have covered her squeal. She listened as the voices moved slowly away from her position and as they went out of sight she saw ro follow them stealthily. "What is he up to now?" She thought as she hesitantly followed her 'friend'
 
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