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FinalFantasyXIII:EpisodeZero

PartI:Encounter
Chapter01
Sheknewshewassurrounded,butshefeltnonervousnessorpanic.Sheonlythoughtabouthow
itwouldsaveherthetimeitwouldtaketolookforthem.Justlikeweheard,Lightningmurmuredasshe
readiedhersword.TherewereseveralBloodbaths,amonsterthatlookslikeafishwithamphibiousarms
andlegsthatlivesbythewatersedge.OntheoutskirtsoftheCoastalCityBowdam,thesesortsofaquatic
monstersappearquiteoften.Itsnotonlyhumansthatwanttolivehere,withitswarmtemperature,
water,andresortlikeatmosphere,itseemsevenmonstersfinditeasyliving.
She could detect four of the reddish grey lumps in the area. She sensed two behind her. One
begantocreepabout.Itwaspreparingtoattack.Sheslicedhersworddowntherightsideofhervision.
Resistance.Nowtotheleft.Herswordflashed,becominghername,throughtheBloodbathsvitals.Now
twoaredown.Shefeltsomethingjumpatherback.Butatthatspeedthereshouldbenoproblem.She
breathedasmallsigh.Shewhippedaroundandcuthimdown,nowonlyoneleftbehindher....
Itwasthen.Shejumpedback.Sheheardgunshot,andtheBloodbathburstopen.Nowonemore
wascoveredinitsowngreenbodyfluids.
Wellhelp!
Sheheardawomansvoicealongwiththeracketoftheairbike.Youarenthelping,yourejustin
theway,shethought,irritated,andloweredherweapon.TheBloodbathsattentionhadalreadyturned
awayfromLightning.Shedidntneedtolookuptoknowthattheownerofthatvoicewasalowerclass
womanBythesoundoftheairbikeitwasobviouslyremodeled.Itwasntonethatwasdesignedwith
safetyfirstinmindfortheregularmarket,norwasitamilitarymodelthatwasmadeforsilence.Itwasa
differentsound.Thewomanridingthatwouldntbeacitizenorasoldier.
Itwasnot,infact,thewomanwhohadaguninonehandwhilecontrollingtheairbikewiththe
other.Itwasabluehairedman.Hewasveryyoung.Hehadfeatherandjeweldecorationsallover,and
evenfromafaryoucouldseehewasveryflashyinappearance.Behindhimwasablackhairedwoman
holdingahugegunattheready.Theairbikedescendedquickly,andthewomanstoodupandfiredoffher
gun.ThetworemainingBloodbathsflewback,oneaftertheother,andgrewstill.Shewasntabadshot.
Ofcourse,thatwasaftershedalreadywastedhalfherround.
TheairbikeflewdownaroundLightningslowly,andputonthebreaks.Itwasdrivenbysomeone
whoknowswhathesdoing.
Heytheresoldier,youwereinatoughspotwerentyou?
Theblackhairedwomanputuphergunandsmiled.Thenecklineofhershirtwaslowandopen.
Lightningcouldseeabutterflytattooontheupperpartofhershoulderblades.Ifthebluehairedman
couldbesaidtohavealotofdecorations,thiswomancouldbesaidtobeshowingalotofskin.Eitherone
wasnotwearingclothesthatsomeonewhousesagunwouldnormallywear.Allofthosedecorations
hangingdownwouldjustgetinthewayofagunfight.Andalargegunlikethatheatsupeasily.Withthat
muchskinshowingshewouldntbeprotectedfromburns.Amateurs,shedecided,andthenasked:
Whoareyou?

WereNora.
EventhoughLightningmeanttosoundhardandcold,theotherwomanhardlyseemedtonotice.
Herambercoloredeyeswhirled,asifshewereamused.
IfyoureasoldierfromBowdamyouveatleastheardalittlebitaboutusright?
Confident.Lightningwasinterestedinhowshemanagedtogetsoconfident,butshedidnthave
thetimetoask.
Sorry,never.Shesaid,hervoicecurt,andshespunonherheel.Shecouldheartheirvoices
behindher.
But....
Weird,Icouldhaveswornweweremorefamousthanthat.
She walked faster so she wouldnt have to hear their voices anymore. How annoying. They
interferedwithhermission,andtheyactuallythoughttheywerehelpingher.Shecouldntstandhowthey
lookedsoproudofthemselves,sosheliedtothem,andshehatedherselfforthattoo.Yes,shehadlied.
LiedthatshehadneverheardofNora.Sheknewofthem.Shehadheardofagroupusingasmallshopon
thebeachasaheadquarters.Thatshopwasactuallyacafe,meantfortouristsbutmostlyusedbylocal
regulars.Thoughitsnotthekindofplacethatwouldbepopularamonghighschoolgirls.
Werelikeanoracat,astray,thatshowwegotourname.Evenmoreannoying,toremember
thatnow.Lightningtookourherwireless.Dontthinkofunnecessarythings,shesaidtoherself.Callup
thesergeantmajorandinformhimthejobisfinished.Thatsthemostimportantthingtodorightnow.
Therewerealreadymanysoldiersatthereconveningpoint.TheBloodbathswerentfarfromthe
placetheywerereportedtobe.Whenitsagainstfastmovingmonstersitisntthiseasy.Monstershate
humans,soyouwontseetheminbusinessorresidentialdistricts,buttheoutskirtsareadifferentstory.
Topeoplelivinginthequietneighborhoodsbuiltoutsideofthecity,monstersareahugeproblem.Though
evenanamateurcantakecareofonesmallone,theyusuallymoveinlargegroups.Theonlyonesliving
alone are the largest and strongest of monsters. In other words, ones that if you see them then the
smartestcourseofactionwouldbetocontactthearmyimmediately.Thatsthejobusuallyputtothe
securityforce,Lightningsunit.
Othersoldierscameuptoher,congratulatingheronajobwelldone.Lightninglookedforher
superiorofficer.No,shedidntreallyneedtolookforhim.SergeantMajorAmodacouldbeheardfrom
anywhere.Shewentinthedirectionofhisheartylaugh.
Lightningfrowned.Amodawastalkingwithagroupshesneverseenbefore.Andnexttothem
wasaremodeledairbike.Itlookedalotliketheonethatbluehairedmanhadbeenflying.Whowasthat
manwhowastalkingwiththesergeantmajorallfriendlylike?Hestoodconfidently,butseemedtobe
sweltering.Shecouldnttellwhetheritwasfromhisclothesorthewayhemoved.Butshecouldtelljust
fromlookingathimthathewastheirleader.
Theireyesmet.Lightningstaredback.Sheadmitsitwasrudeofher,butthemangotaslightly
suspiciouslookonhisface.Realizingsomethingwashappening,SergeantMajorAmodalookedback.

Hey,Commander,welcomeback.
Hesatitagain,Lightningthought,shrugginghershoulders.Helikesthesekindofjokes.
Commander?Whatsortofjokeisthisnow,SergeantMajor?PuttingemphasisonSergeant
Major.Unlikewhenshefirstjoined,shedgottengoodatignoringhisjokes.Ofcourse,sometimesits
necessarytostrikeback.
Wellyouareourraidleader,right?Ifhesgoingtobelikethistherenothingreallythatshecould
say,soshesighed,anddecidedtoignorehim.
Sowhoisthis?Shelookedovertothemannexttoher.Itdidntmatterwhetheryousawhim
fromfarawayorupclose,helookednodifferent.Helookedlikebadnews.
TheyreNora,Sergeant.Ayoungsolidercutintotheconversation.
Haven'tyouheardofthem?
NotNoraagain,nearlyshowingherirritation.Idjustgotthemoutofmyheadandheretheyare
backformore.
Avigilantegroupmadeupofyoungpeoplefromthecity.HehadobviouslytakenLightnings
silenceasalackofknowledgeonherpart.Amodaadded,
TheirleaderisSnowhere.Shefeltamixtureofelationanddisappointmentatbeingproved
right.
Hey.Hisoffhandgreetingmadeherevenmoreirritated.Canthebealittlebitmorepolite?
shethought.
Thisisourraidcommander.Shemightbeyoung,butshesgood.Forproof,Amodatouchedthe
handleofLightningsswordwithhisfingertips.
Thisisaswordshegotrecently.ABlazeEdge...thoughyouguyswouldntreallyunderstand,if
anysoldiersawthistheywouldknowwhatitmeant.
SergeantMajor,letsnottalkabout...Lightningknewwhathewasgoingtosaynextandmeant
tostophim,butAmodaignoredherandcontinued.
Thisisaswordgiventoonlythebestsoldiers.WhatImsayingis,theoneswhohavethissword
have amazing abilities. Isnt that something? Now thats going a bit overboard with praise, Lightning
thought.Shewantedtostophimbeforehestartedgoingonlikethat,butshecannevergetawordin
edgewise.
And her Blaze Edge is special. It has an inscription on it that says, now what was it? White
flash..... take on my name. wasnt it? In her mind she corrected him, Call upon my name, but she
couldntsayitaloud,itwastooembarrassing.
Please,letsjustleaveitatthatokay?Eventhoughhewashalfjoking,shewashappyhearing
suchwordsfromhersuperiorofficer.Butthereisalimittohowfaryoushouldgo.EspeciallythatSnow

guywasinfrontofhersayingIsthatright?andWowthatsamazing.whilelookingstraightather.It
wasjustunbearable.
Alright,alright.Amodalookeddisappointedatfirst,butthenlaugheduproariously.
Ah, well. So thats why our sergeant here was able to finish up so quickly. You guys were
disappointedthattherewasntmuchofacatchthistimeeither,yeah?
Nah,itsnotonlythemonstersthatwerereportedthatarearoundyouknow.
Really?
Yeah,ifwesmokeemout,theycomeoneaftertheother.
Heynow,Imokaywithsmokingthemout,butdontmaketoomuchofadisturbance.Andthen
hesaid,ofcourseofcourse,andagreedwholehearted.Vigilanteforce?Lightningthought.Dontmakeme
laugh.Justagroupofamateurswhovegottengunsandareactingalljusticeleague...Shewantedtotell
themwhatshethoughtofthem,butitwouldntchangeanything.Youcanonlycriticizewhenyouexpect
improvement.Ifyoudont,thenitsjustawasteofbreath.
Youguyshavealotofenergydontyou.Whydontyoujointhearmy?
Rules and uniforms just dont fit our personality you know? Why does this guy keep saying
things that are sure to get on peoples nerves? Lightning thought. He makes me beyond angry. But
SargeantMajorAmodajustlaughedandsaid,Watchwhatyousay,whileslappingSnowontheback,
likeagoodfriend.
Wellnowthatthemonstersarecleanedup,wellbegoing.AtSnowswords,theyallclimbed
ontotheairbike.
Youguysbetternotgetawaywithyourselvesandgetcaught.Theyoungsoldierfrombefore
yelledatthem.Hewasclosetotheminage,andtheyseemedfriendly.
PSICOMsnothinglikeus,andtheywontoverlookyou.
PSICOM.PublicSafetyandInformation.Thesecretservicewithinthearmy,theyonlytakeelite
soldiers. The security force works closely with the people, so you could say they have warmth. But
PSICOMdoesnthavethat.No,PSICOMwouldnotallowNoratoexist.Butagroupmadeupofnothing
but regular citizens dont know that. And all the members of Nora scoffed at the young soldiers kind
words.
Wellbeokay.Werestrongerthananyarmy.Theleaderwillbetheleader,andmembersof
thegrouparemembers.Buttheyoungsoldierdidntseemtomind,andjustsaidAlittleoverconfident
arentya?whilelaughing.
Lightningthoughtthat,notonlyaretheylackinggoodsense,buttheyarentevenrealizingthings
that any normal person would realize. So, she thought that ignoring them and forgetting about them
wouldbebest.But...
Wait.Whensherealizedwhatshewasdoing,shehadalreadyfollowedafterthem,andstopped
him.Shehadtosayonething,justonething.

YournameisSnow,isntit.
Yeah?Snowhadbeenpreparingtotakeoff,heturnaround.
Youretheonewhosebeenfollowingmylittlesisteraround.
Littlesister?
SerahFarron.ShehadntevenfinishedsayingSerahsnamebeforeSnowsaidAh!andleapt
outoftheairbike,runningtowardsher.
SoyoureSerahssistereh?Yourefacelookssimilar,butyoubothseemsodifferent.Helooked
sohappy,Lightningfeltbewildered.Hewaslikeachildwhosfoundsomecandy.
Serahsaidthathersisterwasasoldier.WhenwemetIthoughtmaybeitmightbeyou,butyou
reallyarehersister.Hesaidhernamesofamiliarlythattheirritationshehadfeltearlierreturnedtoher.
Shewasjustgettingreadytoshoutathim,whenhestuckouthisrighthand.
Nicetomeetyou!ImSnowVilliers.Hishandwashuge.Shethoughtthatmaybebecausehe
was wearing leather gloves that it made his hand look even bigger. No, asking for a handshake while
wearinggloves.Thismanreallyknowsnothingaboutpropriety.
Dontgetinvolvedwithmysister.Sheignoredhisoutstretchedhand.Shedidntfeellikebeing
friendlywithhim.
Why?SnowseyeswentfromhisoutstretchedfingerstoLightningsfaceandback.Hemust
nothaveunderstoodwhatshesaid.
Isaid,dontgetinvolvedwithmysister.Snowpulledhishandback.Hefinallyunderstooditwas
beingrejected.Evenso,hedidntgiveup,andhesaidhesitantly:
AndifIdid?Idontneedtoanswerhim,IvesaidwhatIplannedtosay,shethought.Shetried
toturnherbackonhim,butsomethinghithertoes.
Acoconut.ItwasakindofcoconutthatcomesfromtheBowdampalmtree,andifyousaypalm
treearoundherepeoplewillthinkofthistree.Itgrowsquickly,andtheleavesarebigandwideandare
enjoyedbypeoplewalkingonthebeach.Buttheyaredifferentfromtheregularpalmtreeinthatthe
coconutsarenotforeating.Theyarehuge,anditdoesntmatterwhetheryousteamthemorcookthem
theycantbeeaten.Likethisman,Lightningthought.
So,ifdid?Thenwhat?Sheputherfootdownonthecoconut.
Dont. She slowly put her fingers together and cracked the joints. This wasnt how she had
plannedongettingridofthemanchasingafterhersister,butitjustcouldntbehelped.Butthen,thefoot
shehadonthecoconutfell.Snowhadkickedthecoconutintotheair,anditmadeanarc,landinginhis
hand.Hewaslikeakidwhowasgoodatballkicking.
Sorry,butevenifyoupunchme,itwontwork.Doeshewanttosaythatsomewomanspunch
wouldntbestrongenough,orishesayingthathejustwontlistentoherwords.Probablyboth.

BecauseImhardheaded.Hesmiledashesaidit,makinghermoreangry.Sheturnedherback
on him, and walked away. I dont like him, she thought. Taking children and acting as their general,
cheeringontheweak...horribleman.WhydoesSerahfindhiminteresting?Ofcourse,shejustfindshim
interesting.Shedoesntactuallylikehim.Ofcourse.
SergeantFarron,doyouknowhim?
Theycouldnthaveheardwhattheyweretalkingabout,buttheywereprobablyabletoseethem
fighting.Theyoungsoliderlookedanxiouswhenheasked.
No,notreally.Shedidntknowhim.Andsheneverplannedtohaveanythingtodowithhim
again.Notjustherself,butherSerahaswell.
Imgoingback.Lightningbrushedherhairback,andwalkedaway.

Chapter02
Theseabreezefeltgoodonhercheek.Serahwalkedaimlessalongthepromenade,andstretched
herarmsoutwide.Theweatherwasbeautiful.Theareaaroundthepromenadewasquiet.Inthisseason
allthetouristsgotothebeachtoswimintheocean.TeamNorascafehasprobablybeenbusysince
morning.Evenifitwerenttheseason,todayisLebreausdaytowork.Hercookingalwaysmanagesto
bringinthelocals.
ThatsprobablywhySnowwaslate.HeprobablysaidIllleavetheresttoyouguys.andthen
triedtoleave,butthenoneoftheregularsdraggedhimintoaconversation.Seeingthatimageinhermind
madeSerahsmile.
Hey!sheheardavoicesay,andsheturnedaround.ItwasntSnow.ItwasthememberofNora
namedGadot.Sincehewasridingtheairbikebyhimself,hewasprobablyjustreturningtowork.Ormaybe
Lebreauhadaskedhimtogetsomeingredients.
So,hesgoingtobelate...right?Shelookedupathimandsaidastheairbikestoppedbeside
her.ThoughhesshorterthanSnow,hislargemusclesoftenmakepeoplethinkofhimasagiant.When
Serahfirstmethimshethoughthelookedbigandscary,ofcoursenowshefeltdifferent.
Gotcaughtbyoneoftheregulars?
Bingo.Anditwillprobablytakeawhiletoo.Iwonderifitsoneofthoselongwindedcustomers,
Serahthought.ShecouldntbesurewhetherSnoworLebreauhadaskedGadottocomeasamessenger.
Okay,Iunderstand.Thankyou.
Nah,Iwascomingthiswayanyway.AndwiththatGadotsaidseeya,andtookoffagainon
theairbike.Serahwavedgoodbyeandwatchedhimleave.
Thequietreturned,andSerahbeganwalkingagain.Thereisaplacedownneartheendofthe
promenadewhereseabirdsgather.ShedecidedshedwaitforSnowdownthere.Shenevergottiredof
watchingtheseabirdsplayinginthewaves.Serahwishedshehadbroughtsomethingthatshecouldhave
giventhemasfood.
Ilovethiscity,Serahmurmured.Thebirdsplayingintheocean,thecolorofthesky,theleaves
rustlinggentlyinthetrees,eventhebeautifullymaintainedpromenade.ButthiswasSerahslastyearof
highschool.IthasalreadybeendecidedthatshouldwouldgototheuniversityintheCapitalCityofEden.
Itstheroadsheherselfchose,butjustthinkingofleavingthecitymadehersad.Snowalwayssays,
Edenisjustoverthere.Wecanseeeachotherwheneverwewant.andhedsmile.Serahwould
always tell herself, its not like well never see each other again. Never seeing someone again, that is
somethingSerahunderstoodwell.
Thefirstonewasherfather.Eventhoughshewasntanagethatcouldunderstanddeath,Serah
understoodthatshewouldneverseeherfatheragain.Whenhermotherdiedofasickness,shefeltit
evenstronger,thepainoflosingsomeoneforever.Losingsomeonerightinfrontofyou.Snowtoo,hewas
raisedbythesameinsitutionthatGadot,LebreauandYugewere.Theyknewthesamepain.Thatswhy
theylookatpeoplewithsuchkindness.Eveniftheydontrealizeit.

Imhappy,Serahrealized.Imhappy,soevenhavingalittledistancebetweenushurts.Beingable
tomeeteveryday,andtalkaboutsillythings,beingsurroundedbykindpeople.Itsbeensofun,thatto
loseevenalittlebitofithurts.
Spoiledbrat.Yourebeinggreedy.Shehitherselflightlyontheheadwithherfist.Edenisnot
reallyascloseasSnowsays,butstillitstruethatifwewanttoseeeachotherwecan.SoImgoingto
stopfeelingsosorryformyself.IdontwanttolosethetimeIhaveleftherefeelingthisway.
Shehadjustdecided,whenshesawsomeonerunningdownthepromenade.ItwasSnow.Hehad
comesoonerthanshedthought.Heprobablyhadtriedhisbesttofinishtheconversationasquicklyas
possible.
Overhere!Shejumpedupandwavedherhands.
Didyouseemysister!?Shecouldnthelpyelling.Snowwasslightlyoutofbreathfromrunning
fullforcedownthepromenade,butassoonashecaughthisbreath,hesaidYeahIsawLightning.
Yesterday,weranintoeachother.
Aha,sothatswhy,Serahsaidtoherself.
Why,didshesaysomethingaboutme?
Nothing.Butshewasinareallybadmood,soIthoughtitwasodd.Althoughshewasinabad
mood,sheactedthesameasalways.Lightningneverpoutslikeachildwhensheisupset.Shehasalways
beentooproudtoshowhowsheisfeeling.ButSerahcouldsomehowtellhersistersmoods.Likesome
invisiblefieldaroundherslightlychanges.Ifsheweretocompareittoanythingshewouldsayitslike
staticelectricity.Youcantseeitbutifyouweretotouchityoucouldfeeltheshock.
Snowseemstobetryingtogethimselfhurt,Serahthoughtwithabitterlaugh.LightningandSnow
areexactopposites.Snowisfaithfultohisfeelings,whatheisthinkingshowsupinhisfaceandactions,
andinhiswords.Hisfeelingsandspeecharetiedtightlytogether.Hewouldneverlieorcheat.Thatswhy
Serahfeltshecouldtrusthim,buthersisterfeltdifferently.Theydonthaveanythingincommon,theyre
likeoilandwater.
Dammit...Snowscratchedhishead.Whatshouldwedo?
AtfirstSerahdidntgethismeaning,butthensheunderstood.
Itsokay,youcanstillcome.NextweekwasLightningsbirthday.Serahgothertotakesome
timeoff,justsothethreeofthemtocelebratetogether.
Letstellherweredating.
Yeah,itshorriblehavingtohideit.
Serah hadplannedonintroducingSnowtoheratthe birthday party. Shedidntwantto have
Lightningtaketimeoffjusttointroducehim,sincethatwouldjustirritateherandwithherbeingsobusy...
ButSerahdidntwanttowaittoolongbeforegoingthroughwithit.

10

Ifwejusttalktohershellunderstand.Shereallyisnice.Lightningissomeonewhoisnotonly
toughonherself,buttoughonothers.Andonceshesdecidedsomething,shellalmostnevergobackon
it, so others think her stubborn. But that is how she has been able to protect and care for me, Serah
thought.Eventhoughshewasstilltheagewhereyouwanttobetakencareof,shethrewherchildhood
away to become strong for Serah. At their fathers funeral, and their mothers funeral, she was their
holdingSerahshand.Itwaslikeshewassaying,nomatterwhathappens,Illbethereforyou.Serahhad
neverforgottenthewarmthofhersistershand....
Ah, she finally found something that Lightning and Snow have in common. Even if their
personalitiesarecompletelydifferent,thereisjustonething.Ilovethemboth,Serahwhispered,deepin
herheart.Theyhavethatincommon.
No,itllbeokay.Wehavetotellher.Wehavetogethertoacceptus.
Butifshegetsmad,shellprobablykillme.Snowsaiditasajoke.Serah,tryingnottoburstout
laughing,madeherfacelookserious.
Ifonlythatisallthatwouldhappen.Ifshegetspissed,shelldestroyallofCocoon.
She would wouldnt she? Snow furrowed his brows. But that was too much. Serah
unintentionallyletoutalaugh,andSnowthrewhisheadbackandroaredwithlaughter.Ihopeoneday
thethreeofuscanlaughtogetherlikethis,Serahthought.Nowewillbeableto.Onherbirthday.
Snow!Theyheardbehindthem,aftertheyhadbeenlaughingforawhile.
WhatsupMaqui?Snowyelledastheairbikecamecloser.
Theyregoingout.Wepickeduponthearmyswirelesscommunication.Seemstheresmonsters
inthewoods.ItstimeforTeamNora!
GotitSnowsaid,astheairbikecameintoland.
SorrySerah,IvegottoborrowtheGeneral.
Okay!Serahjokinglybowedtohim.Maquiwasonlyoneyearyoungerthanher,soshefelthe
waslikeaclassmate.
Sorrytointrude.Maquisaid,laughing.Snowsaidbastardandpretendedtopunchhim.They
werelikebrothers.
Alright,well,Imgoingtogohomethen.
Wait!Ah,canyouwaitforme?Iwanttogoshoppingwithyou.
Forwhat?Snowclosedoneofhiseyesashejumpedintheairbike
Foryoursisterspresent.
Oh,abirthdaypresent!
Iwantusbothtochooseone.Youcangoonaheadtotheshoppingmallifyouwant,andlook
around....

11

No,Illwaithere.I'lljustgowalkaroundtheStrangeRuins.
Okay,Snowsaid,astheairbiketookoff.
Wellcleanthingsupquickly!
Becareful!Serahsaid,wavingherhand,thoughSnowandMaquiwerealreadyinthesky.She
laughed,Youreallyarefast.

12

Chapter03
Shehadtriednottolooklikeshewasinabadmood,thoughshewasworriedthatitdidntwork.
Whenshehadreturnedhomelatelastnight,shedidntreallytalkmuchwithSerah.Imtired,shesaid,
andshutherselfinherroom.Shedidntwanttosayanythingshemightregret.Lightningthoughtifshe
openedhermouthshewouldstartyellingatSerahtobreakupwiththatguy.ShedidntwanttotellSerah
shewasagainstit.Sheknewhersisterstemperamentbetterthananyone.Thoughsheseemstobegentle
andweak,ontheinsidesheistough.IfLightningtoldherthatshewasagainstitjustbecauseshedidnt
likehim,SerahwouldtrytochangeLightningsmindandkeeparguingaboutituntilshedid.Shedidnt
wanttohavetogothroughthat.
Lightningsighed,andcleanedthetraysheusedforbreakfast.Ondaysshehastoleaveearlythey
wouldeatbreakfasttogether,butondaysliketodaywhenshehadtoleavelatersheatealone.When
LightninggotupSerahhadalreadyleft.Evenso,shehadalreadypreparedbreakfast.Lightningswork
schedulewasalwayschanging,andshedalwayshadtoleavequickly.
Their father died early, and when their mother was alive she had to work. So Lightnings
experience with housework was far longer than Serahs. Serah, however, was a far better cook than
Lightning.
Serahsjustbetteratchoosingdeliciousfood.
Mmhmm,andImabettercooktoo.Sherememberedtheconversationsshewouldhavewith
hermotherandSerah.Shewasalwayshappyandsmiling.Butthentheirmotherfellill.
Itwasjustbeforeshedied.AfterschoolLightning wentwith Serahtotheir mothers hospital.
Serahkepttryingtorun,butLightningheldontoherhand,sayingDontrun,itsdangerous.overand
over.Ifitwaslikealways,shewouldhavejustbeensayingthat,whiletryingtorunherself.Buttodaywas
different.
Yesterday,whenshehadarrivedhomefromschool,thedoctorhadcontactedher,tellingherthat
hermotherhadworsened.Thenexttimeshegoesintoafitcouldbedangerous,hesaid.
Therewerenootherfamilytotell.Sothedoctorhadnochoicebuttotellthefifteenyearold
Lightningthedetailsofhermothersillness.Ifanythinghappens,hesaid,thereisasocialservicesperson
Icanintroduceyouto.Hetoldhermanyplacesshecouldgotogethelp.Thereareprogramssothat
childrenwithoutguardianscanlivefreely.Youdonthavetoworry.Youonlyhavetothinkaboutyourself
andyoursister.Thatswhatthedoctorsaid.
But,withhiswordsLightningrealizedthatshedhavetotakeallresponsibilitynow.Diditshowin
herface?shewondered.Lookingbackshefelthermotherknewwhatshewasthinking.
Imfeelinggoodtoday.Yes,IthinkIwanttoeatsomefruit.Serah,wouldyougoandbuysome
forme?
Illgo.Lightningsaid,standing.Buthermothersmiled.
Serahsbetteratchoosingdeliciousfood.
Mmhmm,andImabettercooktoo.Serahsaid,proudofherself.Sheleftthesickroom.

13

Therewillbealotofthingsyoullhavetodonow,notjustcooking.Hermothersaid.Serahs
footsteps faded into the distance. Lightnings mother smiled at her. Yes, she understands, Lightning
thought.ThatswhysheaskedSerahforthefruit.NowshelltalkmoreaboutwhatIllhavetodo.But,she
didnt.
Butyouknow,youdonthavetodoitallbyyourself.TherearealotofthingsSerahcanhelpyou
withtoo.
But, mom... She couldnt say anything else. Her mother stretched out her hand, and held
Lightningclose.Shestrokedherhairlikeasmallchild.Lightningfeltlikeshewouldcry.
Cutelittlespoiledgirl.Weusedtocallyouthat,beforeSerahwasborn.
Idontrememberthat...
OnceSerahwasborn,youbecameanoldersister.Youwereonlythree.Bothmeandyourfather
nolongercouldcallyouourspoiledgirl.Hermothersvoicewaslaughing,butLightningcouldhearthe
paininit.Thehandstrokingherhairwassothin.
Afteryourfatherdied,youalwayshelpedme,didntyou.YoualwayswatchedoverSerah.Youre
such a good big sister. Thats why Im not worried about Serah. Because youll be there for her. Her
mothercontinued,ButSerahwillbethereforyoutoo.Shewillhelpyouwhenithurts,shewillgiveyou
strength.Dontforgetthat.Andthenhermothersaid,oncemore,inasmallvoice,Mylittlespoiled
girl.....
Theconditionofherillnesschangedquicklyafterthat.Shehadalreadypreparedherselfforit,so
sheaccepteditwithoutaword.Thatday,themomentshewasheldbyhermotherlikeasmallchild,her
childhoodwasover.Shenolongerhadanyoneshecouldcallmother.Soshewasnolongerachild.Could
nolongerbeachild.
You dont have to do it all yourself. Her mother had said that. But the only one who could
protectSerahwasher.Ofcourse,sherealized,Ihavetodoitallmyself.
Iwanttobeanadult.Shefeltitkeenly.ToprotectSerah,tomakemyonlylittlesisterhappy,I
havetobecomeanadultasfastasIcan.IfIcantbeanadultbylaw,Iwillhavetogetridofthenamemy
parentsgavemeandmakemyselfanadult.Itsokayright,ifImnolongermymothersdaughter.In
exchangeIwillbeSerahsguardian.Iwillprotecther.Shemadeavowinfrontofhermothersgrave.She
tookherselfanewname,Lightning.

Atthesoundofherholsterfailingshecamebacktoherself.Shehadntevenrealized,butshehad
alreadygottendressed.Shesmiledhumorlessly.Itwasnteventimetoleaveyet.
Butshehadwokenupearlierthanshedplanned.Probablybecauseofwhathappenedyesterday,
shewasntabletosleepverywell.Understandable,shesaidtoherselfforthemillionthtime,andsighed.
Itjusthadtobethatguy.Shewasntthetypeofoverprotectivesisterthatwouldwanttochaseawayall
theguyswhotalkedtoherlittlesister.ShewantedsomeonewhowouldmakeSerahhappy.Shewanted

14

someonewhowouldprotecther.Shewouldntletanyonewhocouldntdothatnearher.Hedidnthave
tobeasmoothtalkerorhaveanythinggoodabouthimyoucouldsee.Hejusthadtreatherwell,andbe
willingtoprotecther.
Butthatmancouldneverprotecther,Lightningthought.Hesjustsomeguyplayingkingofthe
mountain.AtthefirstsignoftroublehedabandonSerahandrun.IfsheletSerahcoolherheadabitshed
cometounderstand.AstraightAhighschoolstudentandsomeworthlessunemployedmancouldnever
workout.
Ifmotherwasalive,couldwestopSerahtogether?
No,probablynot.Lightningsshouldersdrooped.Fatherwassortofadangeroustypehimself.He
waseasygoingandgoodnatured,buthewasntveryreliable.NowthatImanadultIunderstandthat,
Lightningthought.Ofcourse,whenIwasachildIlovedmyfather.Inmymemoryhewasalwaysbright
andlaughing.But,ifhehadlivedlongerwouldIhavebeencriticalofhiseasygoingnature?Iprobably
wouldhaverebelledagainsthim.
Motherchosefatheranyway.SheprobablywouldhavebeensoftforsomeonelikeSnow.She
probablywouldhavesaid,IfitsthepersonSerahloves...andjustacceptedit.
SoitsuptometoprotectSerahfromhim.Imnotmother,orfather.Theymighthaveaccepted
it.ButIwont.Never.
Sheputonherleathergloves,andopenedthedoorofherroom.Shedecidedtoleaveearlytoday.

15

Chapter04
Accordingtooldrecords,theStrangeRuinsofBowdamhavebeenhereforhundredsofyears.
TheoldbuildingsandresidencesofCocoonareusuallycalledhistoric,butthingsfromPulsearecalled
strangeruins.
ItwasprobablybroughthereduringtheWarofRevelations,asmaterialstorepairtheplacesthat
hadbeendestroyed.ItiswellknowthatthefalCiewouldbringinmaterialsfromPulsetomaintainthe
structuresofCocoon.Butthestrangethingis,inallthosehundredsofyearsitwasneverusedasmaterials
to repair the buildings, it was never used for construction, it was never returned to Pulse. It had just
remainedinBowdam,waiting.
Whetherthereareplansforit,orwhetheritisbeingsavedforsomething,nooneknows.Forthe
immortalfalCieseveralhundredyearsmeannothing.Nohumancouldunderstandthethoughtsofthe
falCie.
Inanycase,itwasallamystery.Perhapsthoseclosetothegovernmentknewsomethingmore,
butaregularcitizenlikeSerahknewnothing.
NomatterhowmanytimesIseeit,Istillthinkitsstrange....Serahlookedupatthetowering
ruins.Whocouldhavebuiltthis?
NormalhumanscannotliveonPulse.Frequentnaturaldisastersandviolentmonstersrunning
rampantmakeitimpossible.Shehadheardthattheonlyoneslivingtherewerepracticallybarbarians.
Thereisnowaytheycouldhavebuiltsuchalargecomplicatedstructure.Shehadheard,also,thaton
PulsethereisafalCiejustlikethereisonCocoon.ButunlikeCocoonsfalCie,whoonlyvisitsblessingson
thepeoplethere,thefalCieofPulsebringsdestruction.
If that thats the case, then it couldnt have been the falCie of Pulse. If it had been built by
somethingasterribleasthat,thenitwouldhavebeendangeroustoCocoon,andCocoonsfalCiewould
havedestroyeditanduseditsmaterials.
ButifitwasntthefalCieofPulse,anditwasntthebarbarians,thenwhohadbuiltit?
Many books and papers had been written on the subject. Everyone wanted to know. But no
answerswerefound.Itsanoldstory,thatnoonewouldfindtheanswerisunderstandable.
Serah became interested in history because of mysteries like these. And because of that her
gradesinhistorybecamemuchhigher.Shesometimesthoughtthatifshehadntgrownuparoundthe
StrangeRuinsofBowdamthatshewouldnthavebecomeasinterestedinhistory,butshedidntknowfor
sure.
TherewasnothinglikeanunsolvedmysterytoexhilarateSerah.Eveniftherewasnorightanswer,
itwasfunjustimaginingwhatitcouldbe.Ofcourse,ifthemysterywassolvedthatwouldmakeiteven
better.
IfonlyIcouldgoinside.
Buttherewerenoentrancestotheruins.Therewasnoinformationreportedaboutwhatwas
inside. Whether there was open space just like any building or not was unknown. Serah touched the

16

outside.Itwasntmadeofstoneormetal.Itwascooltothetouch.No,itwasprobablysomesortofmetal,
justnotakindthatshesaweveryday.Oratleastnotoneusedforbuildings.
WhenitwasmadeinPulse,itprobablyfeltverydifferent.Ithasbeenworndownbythewindand
rainofCocoonforhundredsofyears.Probablynotonlythetexturehadbeenchanged,butthecolorand
shapemayhavechangedaswell.
Serahlookedupatthetopoftheruins,andslowlywalkedaroundit,keepinghergazeatthetop.
Whenshedidthat,itlookedasiftheruinsweremoving.Whenshewaslittlethiswassomethinghersister
hadshowed her.She heard thatherfatherhadshownhersister. Serahhad been therewhenhehad
shownittoher,butshecouldntremember.
Itneverchangeshere,Serahthought.Fiveyearsbefore,tenyearsbefore,now.Soprobablyfive
andtenyearsfromnowitwillbethesametoo.EvenafterIdie,shethought,itprobablystillbehere,
unchanged...
Then,shefeltsomethingstrange.Ontheoutsidewalloftheruinsshefeltachangeunderher
fingertips.Surprised,Serahlookedatthewall.Theoutsidewallhadshifted,andthatshiftopenedupinto
theinside.
Serahgazedinwondermentattheinside.
Itsopen!?
Sincewhen?Whenshehadbeenhereacoupleofdaysearliertherehadbeennochange.Shehad
lookedattheruinssinceshewaslittle.Shewouldnevermisseventheslightestchange,especiallynotone
asbigasanentrance.
Perhapsagovernmentresearchteamhadfinallymanagedtoopenit.Serahwalkedawaysinside.
Isanyone...here?
Therewasnoanswer.Therewerenoguards,soitprobablywasntaresearchmission.
ItwillbeokayifIlookaroundforalittlebit...right?
Ifitwerefoundoutthatsheenteredwithoutpermission,shewouldgetinalotoftrouble,butin
theendhercuriositywonout.
Shesteppedsoftlyinsidetheruins.Shehopedthatshewouldatleastbeabletogettothevery
center.ThecenteroftheruinsfromPulse.ThiswassomethingthatcamefromoutsideofCocoon.She
wasexcited,thinkinghowcloseshewastofindingoutthesecretsoftheruins.Butthefarthershewent,
themoreshestartedtofeelshewasbeingdisrespectful.Theairinsidetheruinswassocoolandquiet.
Theruinsseemedtobefarbiggerontheinsidethantheseemedontheoutside.Therewerepaths
andstairswindingeverywhereinside.Itwasobviousthattherewerenopeoplehere.Notonlydidshesee
noone,butheardnovoices,notevenanysmallsound.Despitethat,theinsideoftheruinswasbright.
Therewerelightsalongthepathways.AsSerahwentindeeper,shewonderedwhatsortofdevicewas
used.Thelightsseemedtogetbrighter,asiftheywereshowinghertheway.
Ohwow....!

17

Shehadonlymeantitasawhisper,butitechoedloudinherears.Sheputherhandtohermouth.
Sheletoutasmallsigh,andlookedagain.Thearchitecturewasstrange.Thefloorseemedtobemadeof
stone,butitwascompletelydifferentfromanyoftheancientbuildingsinCocoon.Thefloor,andwalls,
andpathswereallmadeperfectlystraight.Soitprobablymadebysomeoneskilled.Thelinesmettogether
elaborately,andcreatedabeautifulharmony.
Iwonderwhatisinhere?
Shelookedupwards.Theceilingfarabovewasbrightenoughthatshecouldseeitclearlyeven
frombelow.Therewasaflightofstairsthatwentup.Theremustbesomethingthere.
Inthatmomentthelandingonthestairsbrightened.Itwaslikeitwassaying,Ifyouwanttoknow
more,come.Serahdidnthesitateforamoment,andputherfootonthestairs.Herfootstepsechoed.
ThestairstepsfeltliketheywereadifferentheightthanthewereinCocoon,butnotsomuchthatit
causedhertroubletowalkupthem.
Shewentupabitmore,andcameuponanotherstraightpath,butthatpathbecameanother
stairway shortly after. The stairway was long, but she didnt feel tired. Everything was so much more
interestingthananymuseumthatshehadeverseen.Thegeometricwalls,thesquarepatternsofthe
floor.Serahwasinatranceasshemadeherwayupward.
Thepathsandstairswerefairlycomplex,butshenevergotlost.Likebefore,thewaybeforeher
becamebrighterwhenshereachedit.Showingherthewayperhaps,butithelpedhergohigher.
Whatwasthisplacemadefor,shewondered.Questionsshehadthoughtaboutmanytimesover
the years came to mind. It didnt seem that this place was made for anything evil. She couldnt feel
anythingmalevolentintheair.
But...Iamabittired.IdontthinkIllbeabletomakeittothetop...
Shehadalreadypassedthroughmanystairs,pathsandsmallrooms.Sherestedherselfagainst
thestairsforamoment,andlookeddown.Shewasntevenhalfwayup.Ofcoursethiswasthesameruins
thatshealwaysthoughtnearlytouchedtheheavens.Itwouldntbeeasytogettothetopofthisplace.
Justalittlebitmore...
Shethoughtifshesgoingtogobackdownanyway,shemightaswellgotothemidwaypoint.Her
feetweretired,butshecarriedon.Shewasbreathingheavily,goingslowlyupthestairs,whensomething
caughthereye.
Howbeautiful!
Ontheedgeofthenextlandingtherewasapillaroflight.Differentfromthelightsonthepathway,
itwasasoft,greenlight.
Illrestoverthere.Thatlightprobablymeansitsarestarea.
Whenshegotcloser,shesawthatthereweremorepillarsoflightfurtherup.Thelightwashed
downoverher,erasingherweariness.Yes,thismustbearestarea,shethought,assheleanedagainst
thepedestal.

18

Suddenlytherecamearumblingfrominsidetheruins.Surprised,Serahjumpedup.Thefloorand
wallsinfrontofherbegantomove.Sherealizedshemusthavebeentooptimisticaboutthosepillarsof
light.Theydidntmarkarestarea,butsomekindoftransporter.
Worried,Serahlookedaround.Stairwaysweremadeflat,pathwaysturnedintowalls,thewhole
insideoftheruinswaschanging.Onthefloorbelow,ahugecylinderfelldownwithagroan.Iwonderif
thatsapowersource,shethought.
Suddenly,thestairwayinfrontofherdisappeared.Shethoughtitwouldbecomeastraightpath
liketheothers,butno.Therewasnothingthere.Itturnedintoadeadend.
NowwhatllIdo...
Therumblingstopped,andeverythingbecamequietagain.Sheonlyhadabriefmomentofrelief
beforeastrangeredpatternfloatedinthespacebeforeher.Itwasthesamestrangepatternthatshehad
seenonthelowerfloors.Except,shethoughtshehadseenitbefore,beforesheevercamehere.Where
haveIseenit?shethought.
Theredpatternsuddenlyletoutaburstofbrightlight.Serahcoveredherface.Astrangeboard
appearedintheair.Notreallyaboard,morelikeafloorthatfloatsintheair.
Thisis...likeanelevator,right?Anancientone.
Shehadseenancientelevators,whenshehadvisitedoneofthehistoricalsitesofCocoon.But
thiselevatorwasfardifferentfromtheonesshehadseenbefore.
IguessIlljusthavetorideitandsee.
Serahjumpedontheplatform.Shedidnteventhinkthatitmightbedangerous.Likethelights
on the pathways and stairs before, the elevator grew brighter too, leading her on. She was right, the
elevatorslowlystartedmovingupward.Serahfeltsatisfiedjustthatitwouldtakehertothetop.
Theceilinggrewcloser.Thelightbecamesobrightithurt.Finallytheelevatorstopped.HaveI
reachedthetopfloor?Serahwondered.Theairherefeltcoolerthanitdidonthebottomfloor.
Arethese...crystalparticles?
Floatinginthecoolairweremillionsoftinytwinklinglights.Ratherthanthinkitbeautiful,shefelt,
somewheredeepinsideher,thatitwasholy.Shestraightenedherback,andwalkedthroughthesparkling
particlesfloatingthroughtheair.Itstimeslikethisthatmakeyouwanttopray,shethought.
Thedoorsopened,liketheyweretellingherthattheywillsoonanswerhereveryquestion.She
wentin.Itwasdark.Shestartedtoworrythatthismightnotbeaplacesheshouldbeentering.Butthe
pathbrightened.Itwasntasbrightasthepathshewasonbefore,butneitherwasitdark.Thismustbe
therightpath,shethought.
Serahcontinuedon,andthelightgrewslowlybrighter.Yesthisisright,shesaidtoherself,Imon
therightpath.
Issomething...there?

19

She couldnt quite see in the faint light. There was something ahead of her, something huge.
Somethingalive.Anditsmoving.Insideofit,acoldlightgleamed.
Acrystal!?But,butwhy?
Inthenextmomentabrightburninglightburstforth.Itwasapurewhitelight,sobrightthatshe
hadtoclosehereyes.Butapictureformedinhermind.Itwasbig,andhorrible.
What...Whatisit!?
Shescreamedbutnothingescapedherthroat.Thelarge,horriblesomethingraiseditselfupand
writhed.Therewasacry,butshecouldnthearit.No,noIcanhearit.Itsasong.Someoneissinging.
Whatsongisthis?Whatdoesitmean?
Then,shecouldnolongerthink.Everythinggrewdark.

20

Chapter05
Lightningthoughtshewouldjustwalkaroundaimlesslyforawhilebeforeheadingtowork,but
foundherselfattheshoppingmall.
EveryyeartouristscomefromallaroundforthefireworksfestivalinBowdam.Thefestivalhad
beenaroundsinceancienttimes,andtherewerequiteafewlegendssurroundingit.Themostpopular
being,Ifyoupraytothefireworks,yourwishwillcometrue.Justthat.Nothingelserequired.Allyou
havetodoispray.Probablybecauseitwassosimpleithadbeenbelievedinfordecades,possiblylonger.
Everyonehaswishes.Nomatterhowhappyyouare,therewillbesomethingthatcouldmakeyou
happier.ThatswhyonthenightofthefestivalBowdamsgatesswellwithmanytimestheusualnumber
ofpeople.Withthatmanypeoplegatheringtogetherallatonce,accidentsareboundtohappen.Soon
festivalnightBowdamssecurityforceareoutonpatrol.ThatnightLightningwouldberesponsibleforthe
areabetweentheshoppingmallandthebeach.
Itsprobablyagoodideatocheckoutmyareabeforehand,shethought.Icanfigureoutwhere
eachstoreis,decidewhereIwillassignmysoldiers,andwhatIshouldmovetopreventaccidents.For
example,Ishouldputalotofpeoplearoundthisaccessoryshop.Oratleasttellthemthattheyshouldbe
onguard.Anyshopwithjewelsinitwouldbeindangerofrobbery.
Shelookedinoneofthewindowsandsomethingcaughthereye.Alargependenthungfroma
delicate chain was on display. The pendent was of Cocoon and some sort of strange shaped object.
Lightningdidntknowmuchaboutjewelry,butitlookedlikesomethingSerahwouldlike.
WalkingaroundandlookingatallthethingsinthemallmadeLightningrealizehowlongitsbeen
sinceshedwindowshoppedlikethis.ProbablysincethelasttimeshewentshoppingwithSerah.Itsbeen
alongtimesincethelasttimewewentshoppingtogether,shethought.EversinceIjoinedthearmy.
Shesuddenlyfeltguilty.Afterjoining,shethoughtthatonceshegotusedtoherjobshewould
makeituptoSerah.Butthenayearpassed,andshegotmoreresponsibility.Shegotevenbusier.Before
sheknewit,notonlyweretheynotgoingouttogetherbuttheywerehardlyspeakingwitheachother.
When she joined, Serah was still in middle school. She was probably worried about what she
woulddoafterschoolorherrelationshipswithothers.Everyonehasproblemswhentheyarethatage.
SheprobablywantedtoaskLightningsadviceonalotofthings.Butno,Lightninghadbeentoobusyat
worktolisten.
Serahhadprobablybeenlonely.Sheprobablyjustwantedsomeonetotalkto...thatsprobably
howshegotdrawntoashowofflikeSnow.Ifthatsthecase,shethought,thenthisisallmyfault.Ifonly
IhadbeenthereforSerah.EvenifIwasbusy,Icouldhavemadetimeforher.WhydidntI?Isworebefore
ourmothersgravethatIwouldprotecther,butIonlymadeherfeellonely,somuchsothatshegotin
withthathorribleman.Anditsallmyfault....
Oh,howcute!
Lightningturnedatthemerryvoice.Amotherandsonhadstoppedinfrontofatransportation
containeratthepetshop.
Youlikethiskindofthingmom?

21

What?Butyouusedtolikethesetoo.Youdalwaysstandinfrontofthestorecrying,sayingI
wantone,Iwantone!
Andhowmanyyearsagowasthat?
Nottoolongago...onlytenyears.
Motherandsonwerebothlookingintothecontainer.Evenfrombehindyoucouldtelltheygot
alongwell.Thesonshairwascoolsilver,whilethecolorofthemothershairwasmuchwarmer.Even
thoughtheirhaircolorwasdifferent,theirfaceslookedalike.Theysayboysusuallylookliketheirmothers.
Hisheightmadehimlookaboutfourteenorfifteenyearsold.Thebrightorangejacketheworemadehim
lookevenmorethatage.Iwasthatagewhenmymotherdied,shethoughtalittlesadly.
Thesearereallygoodwithkids.Theyreclever,andbecomeeasilyattachedtotheirowners.
Thepetshopownertoldthemashetookasmallbirdfromthecontainerandputitintoacage.It
wasachocobochick.
Thesearesoldouteverywhererightnow.OurshopinEwleedejustgotsomethedaybefore
yesterdayandalreadytheyresoldout.Weregoingtohavetosendthemreplacementssoon.
Whenwewerechildrentheywerentaspopularastheyarenow,Lightningthought,butafew
peopleinherclasshadbabychocobos.Serahhadafriendthatshewouldoftenplaywiththathadone,
andhereyeswouldalwayssparklewhenshewouldtalkaboutit.
Sowouldyouliketobuyone?
Ohno,unfortunatelywereonvacation.ItwouldbetoofartotakeitallthewaytoPalumpolum.
Whensheheardthewordvacation,thatgaveLightninganidea.Avacation.Thatmightbea
goodidea.
ItwouldbeagoodwaytomakeituptoSerahformakinghersolonely.ShecouldtakeSerahaway
somewhere. Though she wouldnt be able to take a long vacation, if she put a bunch of her days off
together,theycouldgoonashorttrip.Oncethefestivalwasoverwiththeirschedulewouldprobablybe
moreflexibleandshecouldputinforsometimeoff.
Onmybirthday,shethought,wecouldtalkaboutit.OnLightningsbirthdaytheyalwaysspentit
bymakingdinnertogether.ThenSerahwouldgiveherapresentthatshehadputalotofthoughtinto.
Thistimeshewouldbeabletosaythankyouforthegiftbytellinghertheywouldgoonvacation.Justthe
twoofthem.
WhiletheywereonvacationshewouldlistentoanythingSerahwantedtotalkabout.Tomake
upforallthetimetheyhadnttalked.Theywouldhaveafuntimeandeatdeliciousfoods.Ofcoursewhen
theygotbackfromvacationshewouldmakeenoughtimetotalkwithSerah.Shewouldntletherbe
lonelyanymore.Ifshewasntlonelyanymore,surelyshedopenhereyesandrealizethatshedalmost
beendupedbythathorribleman.Andthen,shedgototheuniversityinEden.Ifshemadealotofnew
friends,andsawnewplaces,surelyshedcompletelyforgetaboutSnow.
Lightningdecideditwasanexcellentidea.Itwasallthankstothatmotherandsonwhogaveher
theidea.Sheturnedaroundwantingtosaythankyou,buttheywerenolongerinfrontofthepetshop.

22

Shesawthemwalkingawaytogetherinthecrowd.Theyhadlookedsohappy,itmadeherfeelwarm
insidethinkingaboutthem.
Thankyou,Lightningthought,Ihopeyouenjoytherestofyourvacation.

23

Chapter06
In the darkness she heard a voice. It said lCie. It was a voice that sounded as if it would
disappearinaninstant.
Why....
Thiswasadifferentvoice,aclearervoice.
WhydidyouchoosesomeonefromCocoon?
Whowastalking?Whatweretheytalkingabout?ShewantedtoaskWhoareyou?,butshe
foundshecouldntspeak.Norcouldsheopenhereyesormoveherfingertips.Shecouldntmoveatall.
Shefeltlikeshewasfloating.Whatishappening?shewondered.Justasshethoughtthat,thedarkness
becamedeeper.Withouteventhinkingtofightit,shesankbackdownintounconsciousness.

Shefeltwarmthonhereyelids.Openinghereyes,shesawblueskyaboveher.Notonlythesky,
buttheoutsideoftheruins.Howshecametobeoutside,layingontheground,wasamystery.Timidly,
shetriedraisingherrighthand.Shecouldmoveit.Soshetriedherlefthand.Ohgood,shethought,Ican
movebothhands.
She slowly lifted herself up, but got a bit dizzy. With both hands against the ground propping
herselfup,shesatforamoment.
Whatjusthappened?shethought.Iwaswalkingaroundtheruins.Andthen?ThenIsawthatan
entrancewasopen,soIwentinside.Andthen?ThenthereweremanystairsthatIclimbed,upandup,
deep into the ruins.... I saw a large crystal. And then a pure white light. After that I cant remember
anything.Asifthatlightburneditallaway.Whathappened?Whatwasthatlight?
WhydidyouchoosesomeonefromCocoon?
Sherememberedthatvoice.Wasthatadream?Probably.Shehadbeenflickeringinandoutof
consciousness,andtherehadntbeenanysignofhumansintheruins.Butbeforeshelostconsciousness,
thatstrangethingshesaw.No,notstrange.Horrible,repulsive.Itsname...no.No,itwasadream.Itwas
ahorriblenightmare.
But,Serahthought.IfIamhere,thenthatmeansthatsomeonehastohavebeeninsidetheruins.
Iwasunconscious,someonehadtobetheretocarrymeout.Shesearchedhermemory.
Therewasoneotherthingshehadheard.Yes,lCie.LCie?ThatlCie?No,Serahshookherhead.
ThelCiesarenothingbutanoldstory.Morelikeafairytaleoralegend.
Therewasadullthrobfromdeepinsideherhead.Whenshefellsheprobablyhadhitsomething.
Shewonderedwhethershehadgottenhurtanywhereelse.Shemovedherlegs,buttheydidnthurt.She
raisedherhead,butdidnotgetdizzyagain.Holdingontotheoutsideoftheruinsshepulledherselfup.
Herlegsshookabit,butshecouldstand.

24

Shewasntinjured.Shebreathedasighofrelief.Thenhereyesfellontheblackdirtcoveringher
leftarm.
Ugh,shethought,turningtolook.
What,whatisthis?
Shehadablackpatterncoveringherupperarm.Itwastooelaboratetohavebeendrawnonasa
prank,butitwasdifferentfromthetattoothatLebreauhadonhershoulder.
IhopeIllbeabletowashitoff.IfIcant...whatllIdoifIcant?
Shetoucheditwithherfingertips,andstarted.Shehadseenthispatternbefore.Itwasacomplex
patternmadeupofmanyarrows.Thepatternonherarmwasntexactlythesame,butitwassimilar.Yes,
yesshehadseenitseveraltimesbeforeintheruins,thesameoneshehadseeninthatredlight....
Oh!
Serahsaidsoftly.Shehadjustremembered.Whenshehadfirstseenthepatternintheruins,she
thoughtshehadseenitsomewherebefore.Yes,shehaddefinitelyseenitbefore.Alongtimeago,from
somethingshehadborrowedfromthelibrary.
A long time ago, when enemies were sent from Pulse to attack Cocoon, the falCie of Cocoon
changedhumansintolCie,makingthemitsservantsandgivingthemspecialpowers.ThelCiefoughtto
protectCocoon.ItwaswrittenintherecordsoftheWarofRevelations.
ThefalCieofPulsealsocreatedlCiefromthebarbarians,andsentthemtoCocoon.Itwason
thatpageshesawthepattern,thesamepatternthatwasnowonherarm.Belowit,ithadsaidTheMark
oflCiePulseReproduction.
ImalCie?
AlCieofPulse.
No.Nothatcantbe.
Thiswasjustsomecrueljoke.Somejokefromthatvoiceshehadheardintheruins.
WhydidyouchoosesomeonefromCocoon?
Her heart skipped a beat. Those words. It was like they were saying, You wouldnt normally
choosesomeonefromCocoon.Andthatmeans,theremustbepeopleoutsideofCocoon.
InPulse....?
Ofcourse.TheruinscamefromPulse.Thatvoicehadbeensaying,Whydidyouchoosesomeone
fromCocoonwhenyouwouldnormallychoosesomeonefrom Pulse?The voicesawnothingstrange
aboutthechoosing.Whichmeant,theyknewthatplaceiswherelCiearechosen.Andtheonewho
choosesthelCieisthefalCie.
Whichmeans...
PulsesfalCieisinsidetheruins?

25

Noweverythingmakesense.Thecrystalparticlesintheair,thehugecrystalshesawbeforelosing
consciousness...IfthefalCiewasthereitallmakessense.SerahsawthefalCie,whichmadeherintoa
lCie.FromthefalCieofPulse,theonewhobringsdisasteronthepeopleofCocoon.
ThelCiechosenbyCocoonsfalCiewereHolyServants,buttheonesfromPulsesfalCiewere
PawnsoftheDevil,andenemiesofCocoon.
AmI?No.Noithastobealie.Itcantbe...
Serahrubbedattheblackmarkonherarmtilithurt.Itdidntcomeoff.
Thisisjustsomehorriblejoke!
Sherubbedatherarmharder.Shestarted.Theblackmarkwaschanging.Itwasntcomingoff,
buttheshapeandcolorchanged.
Noway...
Itwasntjustsomethingscribbledonherarm.Itwasengraved.
No,no,no,Idontwantthis.
Sheheldherkneesuptoherchin.No,thiscantbe.Itsjustsomestupidmistake.Shetriedto
convinceherself,buteverytimeshewouldseethemarkonherarmshedlosehope.Shecouldntdeny
whatsheknew.Itwouldhavebeeneasierifshehadknownnothing.
Snow...Lightning...Imscared.
Itwasntcold,buthershouldersshook.Thetearsrolleddownherface.
Helpme.Snow...
Sheonlycriedforamoment.Snowwillcomebacksoon,shethought.Idontwanthimtoseeme
likethis.Thishorriblemark.NowthatImadangertoCocoon.
She calmed her shaking legs, and stood. I have to leave here, she thought, now. Before Snow
comesback.Itwasonlythatthoughtthatkepthermoving.

26

Chapter07
WherewouldSerahliketogo?Lightningwondered.
Justthinkingaboutitmadehersmile.WalkingaroundtheshoppingmallLightningsfootstepsfelt
lighterthanusual.Ithadbeenherfirsttimeinatravelagency,butthestafftherewerekindtoher.There
wereplentyofplacestheycouldgoevenonashortvacation,theyhadtoldher.Theyevenhadsentthe
informationdatatoherhomeaddress.Nowonherbirthdaytheycouldlookthroughthem,andmake
plans.Itwouldbetheirfirstvacationtogether.ShewassureitwouldmakeSerahhappy.
Thinking about Serahs smile made her heart feel bright and warm. My treasure, Lightning
thought.ForthatIwoulddoanything,Lightingvoweddeepinherheart.ImsorrySerah,shethought,for
nothavingbeenthereforyou.ButIwontmakeyoufeellonelyanymore.Iwontusemyjobasanexcuse.
Ipromise.
Shefeltlikeshehadbeenrunningforwardeversincetheirmothersdeath.Ishouldnthaveto
hurryanymore,Ishouldtaketimetostopandrelax.ForSerah,andformyself.
Inthecrowdshesawtwooddlydressedpeople.Onewasablackhairedwomanwhoseclothes
combinedtheflamboyantmanandthebareskinnedwomanthatshehadseenyesterday.Iseemtobe
fatedtomeetblackhairedwomenlately,Lightningsaidtoherself.Butunlikethewomanyesterday,this
womanseemedtohaveawildfearlessnessabouther.Maybeitwasjustthedesignofherblueclothes
thatmadeitseemthatway.Itwasprobablythecuttingedgeoffashionorsomethinglikethat.The
womanwithherwaswearingthesamekindofclothing.Theywereprobablywearingthesameclothing
brand.PerhapstheywerevisitingfromEden.
Idontunderstandanythingaboutfashion.
Shesaid,sighing.
Youdontunderstandwhat?
Afamiliarvoicesaidbehindher.ItwasSergeantMajorAmoda.Lightningmadeaslightbow,and
pointedtothetwowomenshewaswatchingearlier.
Theclothesthosetwoarewearing...
Theywerentthereanymore.Perhapstheywentintosomestore.
Twowomen?
No,nevermind.IwasjustsayinghowIdontknowmuchaboutthelatestfashion.
IncludedthosetwoIsawyesterday,sheaddedsilently.Idontgetitatall.
Wellmaybenotyou.Butwhatabout yourlittlesister?Isntsheinterestedinthe...ah,latest
fashion?
Ifshesaidthatshewantedtowearthosekindsofclothes...
I wouldnt allow it, she was about to say. But stopped. Amoda was just leading her on again.
Lightninglaughedhumorlessly,thatstheSergeantMajorforyou.

27

Its unusual to find you at the shopping mall before work, Sergeant, doing some shopping
perhaps?Forthelatestthing?
Letsstoptalkingaboutthat,please.
Shesaiditsocurtly,thatAmodagesturedwithhishandsthathewasgivingin.
Imlookingtheareaover,sincethiswillbemypatrolareaduringthefestival.Therewillbequite
alotofchangestomakearoundtheshoppingmall.
Imhappythatyouworksohard,butdontyouthinkyoushouldwaituntilthedayofthefestival
todothat?
Wellwhyareyouhere,SergeantMajor?
Shedecidedtoteasehimrightback.Shealreadyknewthereason.Theyhadknowneachother
foralongtime.
Well,thesameasyou.
Therewillbenothingforyoutodothen,willthere.
Anoldguylikemecangetprettyforgetful.Illforgetbythedayofthefestival.
Theylookedateachotherandlaughed.
Ihopeeverythinggoessmoothlyatthefestivalthisyear.
IneightdaystheskyaboveBowdamwillburstwithfireworks.Itwillbethenightpeoplewhowant
theirdreamstocometruewillgather.ThenextdaywouldbeLightningstwentyfirstbirthday.Itwould
bethefirsttimeinalongwhileshewouldreallybeabletotalkwithSerah.Thinkingaboutitmadeher
heartthrumwithexcitement.
Uhoh,wecantjuststandaroundhereallday.Itstime.Letsgo.
Lightningstraightenedherclothesandlookedahead.Itstimeforwork.Itwastimeforherto
becomeasoldier.
Understood,SergeantMajor.
Theafternoonsunlightwasbright.Weavingbetweenthehappyshoppers,thetwoofthemwalked
quickly.Sheheardpeopletalkingofsillythings,andlaughingbrightly.TheCoastalCityofBowdamwas
fullofsightslikethese.Lightningwatchedthem,stillbelievingthatSerahwaswatchingthemtoo.

28

PartII:Stranger
Chapter01
Vanillehadsleptlightly.Shehaddreamtmanydreams,andcriedmanytimes.Buthermemoryof
themwashazy,andshecouldntrememberasingleone.Itwasthatsortofsleep.Vanille,sheheard,or
thoughtsheheard,andopenedhereyes.
Fang?
Didshejustimaginesheheardhername?Orhadthatjustbeenadreamtoo?Fang,whohadbeen
sleepingbesideher,wasnowheretobefound.
Fang...whereareyou?Vanillestoodupandlookedaround.Shefeltacrushinghelplessness.
Everydayitgrewworse.
VanillewentoutintothepassagewayandcalledFangsname.Therewasnoneedtoraiseher
voice,thehallwaswideandeventhesmallestsoundechoedloudly.Sureenough,thistime,sheheard
Fangsvoicecomingfrombelow.Vanillerandownthestairsandhoppedontotheelevator.Sheknew
whereFangwas,now,andcouldgostraighttoher.
Shefeltwindonhercheek.Cooldawnairblewfromtheentrance,andshecouldseethatoutside
itwasstilldark.
Whatsup?Fangspokebeforeshecouldsayaword.
Nothing.Vanillesaid.ShewishedshecouldaskFangthesame,askherwhatshewasdoing.But
shedidnt.InsteadVanillejuststoodquietlybesideher.Fromhereyoucouldseetheocean,andthesky.
Butnohorizon.
Whatastrangesky.Fangsaid,lookingup.Itwasstilldark.Shehaddonethesameontheday
theyhadwokenup.Theyhadgoneoutside,andFanghadlookedupatthesky.
WhenIlookatitIcantbreathe.Imeanwhatisthat?WhycanIseeacityabovemyhead?
Cocoonwasaworldintheshapeofaball.Insidetheballtherewerecities,therewereoceans,
therewereforests...andthespacetrappedbetweenthemwasthesky.Itwasverydifferentskyfrom
theonetheyhadknown.
Itsnotjustthesky,eventheoceanisweird.Itdidntsmellofsaltatall.
Itdid,whenyougotcloseenough.
Eventhatsweird.HereIthoughtIcoulddrinkit,butthen...saltwater.Ittrickedme.
Wedidthinkitwasalake,atfirst.
Everylittlethingisweirdhere.Idontgetanyofit.Fangsighed.
Itslikeadream.Onethatyoucantunderstand.
Yeah...Imamazedtheseguyscanliveinaplacelikethis.

29

Iwishitwasadream...Yes,ifonlyithadbeenadream.Yesterday,andthedaybeforethat,and
thefirstdaytheyhadwokenup.Ifithadonlybeenadream,Vanillethought.Iwishwehadwokenup
justtoday...Ifonlyrealityhadonlystartedfromthismoment.Itwasprobablystupidtothinkthat,itwas
probablyjustherbeingnaive.Butmaybe,justmaybeifthathadhappened,thingsmighthaveturnedout
differently.
Itwouldbethesameeitherway.WedcompleteourFocusandreturntoGranPulse.Whatelse
isthereforus?
Yes...youreright.Vanillesmiledandnodded.Butshecouldnthelpbutthinkthat,maybe,just
maybeiftheyhadntwokenupthatthingsmighthavebeendifferent.Thatifthingshadchangedevena
littlebit,theremightnothavebeensomuchpain.
Hey,dontworry.NoFocuscouldeverbecompletedinonlythreedays.
Fangmusthavethoughtshelookedsadbecauseitwasthefourthdaysincetheyhadwokenup,
andtheyhadntgottenanyclosertocompletingtheirFocus.WhenVanillethoughtbackonthethreedays
sincetheyhadawoken,itmadehergrowdizzyandill.Itwasthenthatshedreallyfeelthattheyshould
haveneverwokenup.Iftheyhadkeptonsleeping,thennothingwouldhavehappened,nooneelsewould
havegotteninvolved.
Vanilleraisedherhandtowardsthebrighteningsky.Onthedaytheyhadawoken,shehadstood
besideFang,lookingupatthesky.Beyondherraisedhandsshecouldseeacity.Suchastrangecolored
sky.Itwasthecolorofbeginnings.

30

Chapter02
Theyneededtime.Timetounderstandwheretheywherewere,andwhatsortofsituationthat
hadbeenthrustinto.Justaftersheawoke,Fangwassomewherebetweendreamsandreality.Vanille
herselfcouldfeltalittlehazy,andwasntgoodformuchofanything.Buteventuallytheymanagedto
shakeoffthefogthatclungtothem.
Lookingaroundthem,theysawtheywereinthetemple.ItwastheChamberofthelCie,where
crystalizedlCieareenshrined.Itwasthentheyrealizedwhathadhappened.Theyhadcompletedtheir
Focus,andgonetotheirfinalrest.ButnowanewFocushadcomedowntothem,andtheyhadbeen
wokenuponcemore.Itwaseasytofigureoutthatmuch.But...
Hey,justwhathappenedbeforeweturnedintocrystal?Fangsaid.
Youdontremember!?
Yeah...myheadsallmessedup.IfeellikeImforgettingsomethingimportant.Fangsvoicewas
shaking.ShewaslookingatthelCiemarkonherarm,itwasscorchedalividwhite.Itwasonlylaterthat
VanillerealizedFanghadbeentryingtosmile.
Im... broken. Fang was nearly in tears. This was a Fang that Vanille had never seen before.
Vanillereachedoutherarms,enfoldingherintothem.Metoo.shewhispered,buthervoicewaslikea
strangers.Whenhershakingfinallysubsided,theystood,andVanillesmiled.
Whydontwegohome?
OneFocushadalreadybeencompleted,surelytheywouldbewelcomedbackwithopenarms?
TheirnewFocuscouldbecompletedlater...eveniftheydidntknowwhatthatFocuswas.
Andifeveryoneweknewbackhomearealreadyoldfogeys?Fangsaid,andsmiled.Itwasatrue
smile,thistime.
Doyouthinkso?Butmaybenotthatmuchtimehaspassed,andtheyllallsayOh,areyoutwo
backalready?
Iwonderhowmanyyearshavepassed.
Itcouldonlybedaysyouknow.
Thentheydbeworkingustoohard.Imean,atleastgiveusahalfayearsrest.Jokingtogether,
theymadetheirwayoutside,expectingtoseetheirhomeoncemore.
Thiscantbe!
Itwasnight.Butitwassobrighttheycouldseethebuildingsthatmadeupthecitysurrounding
them.Therewerelightsineverynookandcranny,andanoceanreflectingitallbacktothem.Itwasa
strangeocean,withnohorizon.Lookingup,theysawanevenstrangersky.Atfirsttheythoughtitwasa
skywithmanystars,butthentheyrealizeditwasnotstarsatall,butthelightsofafarawaycity.Could
somethinglikethistrulybecalledasky?
Where...

31

WerenotinGranPulse.Fangsaid.
Vanilleclosedhereyesforamoment.Illjustlook,onemoretime,shethought.Maybeitwillbe
different.Whensheopenedthemagain,nothinghadchanged.
They looked at the ocean and sky, but didnt speak. There was nothing to say. In silence they
returnedtothetemple.Theywerehungry.CocoonandtheyknewitwasCocoonwasnoplaceforthem
tobewanderingaround,hungryandunarmed.IntheplacewherethelCiewereenshrinedofferingswere
alwaysbrought.Therewasfoodthatwouldnotrotnomatterhowlongitwasleftunattended,aswellas
weaponsandaccoutermentsthatthelCieleftherehadused.Vanillehadheardthatofferingsweremade
dailysothatthecrystalizedlCiecouldsleepsoundly,butitwasprobablydoneincasetheyawokeonce
more.
Whatthehellisthis?
Thefoodthathadbeenleftinofferinghaddeterioratedsobadlythatitwasnothinganyonewould
beabletoeat.Theysearchedtherestofthetempleforsignsofanythingedible,butitwasawastedeffort.
FoodofferingshadonlybeenleftintheChamberofthelCie.
Issomeoneplayingtricksonus?
Surelynot...butitisstrange.
Theofferingsshouldhavelastedatleasttenyears.BothFangandVanilleknewthatquitewell.It
was tradition to bring new food stuffs to the temple every ten years. There would be a festival, and
everyonewouldpartakeofthefood.Itwassotheycouldsharetheirjoyofthefestivalwiththesleeping
lCie.
Thefoodwasntsomethingachildwouldfinddelicious,butitwasntinedible.Thefoodtheyhad
beforethembothlookedandsmelledterrible,nevermindthetaste.Itlookeddangeroustoeat.
Itsnotjustthefood,lookatthat.Vanillesaid.Therewerefestivalgarments,andaboxtohold
themin.Bothhadafaded,wornlookaboutthem.
Thistoo...Fangheldupherfavoritespearandtwisteditshead.Vanilledidntknowwhatwas
wrongwithit,butperhapssomepartofithaddecayed.
Itlooksasthoughteverythinghadbeenexposedtothewindoutside.
Theairinsidethetemplewasstill.Thisshouldnthavehappened.Notjusttothefood,butthe
metalandclothshouldnthavedecayedsoeasily.
Sotheonlythingsinthisroomthatdidntchangewereus,ascrystals.Fangsaid.Justhowmany
yearshadtheyslept.Fromthelooksofthings,itwasntonlyintensofyears,butperhapshundredsof
years.
Forgeteveryonebeingold.Bynoweveryonewillbedead.
No...Vanillelookeddown,bitingherlip,tryingtogetherselfundercontrol.

32

Dontmakethatface.Fangsaid,slappingherontheback,andstoodup.First,wevegotto
eat.
Butwecanteatthis...Vanillelookeddownattheofferings.Therottenfood,thefadedfestival
garments.Shehadlovedwearingtheseforthefestival...
Therewasanocean,right?Therewasevenaforest.Itwasalittlefar,but...Wellfindfood.Itll
workout.Fanggrabbedherspearandsmiled.Howstrange,Vanillethought.WhenFangsaysItllwork
out.Ireallythinkitwill.
Youreright.Vanilletookherownweapon,andstoodup.

It was already dawn, the perfect time for hunting in enemy territory. Unlike midday, there
wouldntbemanypeopleabout,butitwasstilllightenoughtosee.Firsttheytriedtheocean.Intheforest
they ran the chance of getting lost, and in any case, it was closer to the temple. They might not find
anythingintimeforbreakfast,buttheywouldbeabletohavelunchatleast,orsotheythought...
Looks like well be having breakfast after all! Vanille looked down in amazement at the fish
wrigglinginherarms.ItwasntunusualthatFangwouldbeabletocatchfishwithaflashofherspear,but
itwasverystrangethatVanillewouldhavenotrouble.
Arethesefishwronginthehead?
Itdidntseemasthoughthesefishhadnopredators,sodidntrealizetherewasanydanger.When
FangorVanillewouldmovetowardsthem,theywouldtrytoescape.Buttheymovedfartooslowly.
Aretheseevenokaytoeat?
Gamethatistooeasilycaughtcouldbepoisonous,orhaveabadtaste,andbeunfittoeat.They
bothstartedthinkingthatperhapsthesefishwouldntbeanyusetothematall.
My,youyoungladiesarequitegoodatthatarentyou?Avoicecalledthemfromthebeach.
Theystiffened,instantlyregrettingtheirlackofvigilance,andturnedaround.Butwhattheyfoundwasan
elderlycouple,smilingandclapping.
Howfunny,toseepeoplecatchingfishinBodhumthisway.
....nevertakethebait.ButIseenow,itsbettertouseaharpoonratherthanafishingpole.
Vanilledidntcatchwhatthenameofthefishwas,butitseemeditwasacommononeinCocoon.
Ohsorry,wereprobablybotheringyou.
Didntmeantoberudeandall.Theylookedsadforamoment,buttheirsmilereturnedquickly
andthetookeachothershand,movingoffdownthebeach.
What...wasthat.Fanghadwaiteduntilthecouplehadmovedoutofsightbeforespeaking.

33

TheywerefromCocoon...right?Theyhadthoughtiftheywerefoundtheywouldbeattacked
immediately,noquestionsasked.Thiswas,afterall,TheDevilsNestintheSky.Theclothingtheywore
wasmuchdifferentfromanythingseenonGranPulse.IfthatwasthedressofCocoon,thentheyshould
havebeenspottedasenemiesinaninstant.
Buttheydidntseemtobeonguard.
Soyouthinkmaybetheyreasstupidasthefish?Well,theywereoldyouknow.Theygetthat
way.
Youreprobablyright...Vanillesaid.Butshethoughtofanotherpossibility.
Maybetheyretryingtocatchusoffguard.
Youmeantheywerejustbuyingtimeuntiltheycouldbringtheirfriends?Ohyeah,Icanseethat
happening.
Thenitmightbedangeroustogobackrightaway.
Yeah,weshouldlookaroundfirst.
Theygotoutoftheoceanandwalkedbackinthedirectionofthetemple.Itwasbettertogather
informationratherthantrytoconcealthemselves.Iftheymetfacetofacewiththeenemyasecondtime,
theywouldjusthavetofigureoutwhattodothen.Itwasntasthoughtheywereunarmed.Theyhad
enoughtrainingthattheywouldbeabletoputupafighteveniftheywereattackedfrombehind.
Intheendalltheirtrainingwasuseless.Itwasntthattheywerentabletofightback,butthe
enemyneverattacked.Theyhadseenthem,hadwatchedthemfromfaraway.Buttheywereunarmed,
andstoodunguarded,sotherewasnoreasontoattackfromtheirend.Theydidntwanttogivetheenemy
anyincentivetoattack,sotheyonlykeptwatch.Theyhadexpectedtobeattackedatanymoment,and
kepttheirguardup.Theywereprepared.
Whatthehelliswrongwiththeseguys?Fangwhispered,watchingthepeoplewhohadtheir
unguardedbacksfacingthem.Vanillewasinagreement.Thesepeoplewerestrangelyunwary.
Maybetheydontknowthatweretheenemy?
Eventhoughwerearmed?Youmustbejoking.
Butmaybethatswhytheyhaventrealizedweretheenemy,Vanillethought.Ifnot,thatfirst
elderlycouplewemet,andthatgroupofboyswhojustpassedbyus,wouldhaveneverignoreduslike
this.
Asuddenflappingofbirdswingsinterruptedherthoughts.Fangdrewherspearfromherback
andhelditattheready.Wingedcreaturesgaveyounochances,youronlyoptionsarefightorflight.The
sounditmadewasnotthatofalargecreature,sofightingwasthebestcourseofaction.Vanillereadied
herweaponandjumpedinbesideher.
Huh?
Theybothfrozeinmidswing.

34

How...?
Thewhitebirdhadbeentakenoutwithasinglestroke.Thebirdwasfarlargerthananyofthefish
theyhadcaught.
Howcouldamonsterbirdbethisweak?
Abirdthissizeshouldbeameateater,andstrong.Itwasntthekindofcreaturethatshouldhave
beenbroughtdownsoeasily.
Doyouthinkmaybeiteatsnutsandfruits?Imean,itsbeakandclawsarentevensharp.After
checkingitovertomakesureitwasdead,Vanillegrabbeditbythelegs.
Buthowcouldithavebeenthisstupid?IfthiswasGranPulseitwouldhavebeendeadinan
instant.
Yeah,ifsomethinglikethiswasdownthere,itwouldhavebeenonthedinnertablewithina
day.
Asmuchfishandmeatasyoucaneat?Niceplace.
Thevegetableswereinabundanceaswell.Furtheralongthepaththerewasafield,butnofences
orwiresweresetuptokeepoutthebirdsandbeasts.Itwasiftheyweretellingthemtheycouldtakeas
muchastheyliked.
And so their first meal on enemy territory was more luxurious than they would have ever
dreamed.Whileitwasunfortunatelytheywereunabletofindanycookwareorspices,thatwasjustasking
fortoomuch.
Sincetheycouldntstartafireinthetemple,theycookedtheirfishandmeatoutside.Forkindling
theyusedapriestsceremonialgarbandstaff.
Thepriestswoulddieiftheycouldseethis.
Doyouthinkwemightgetintrouble?
Thisisanemergency,itsalright.
YeahIsuppose.Rightnowoursurvivalismoreimportant.Mmm,thislooksgood.Theyboth
biteintothefreshlycookedmeat.
Ugh!
Whatthehellisthis?
Theystaredatthemeattheyhadjustbitinto.Itwasntinedible,itdidntevenreallytastebad.In
fact,ithardlyhadanytasteatall.Themeatwaswatery,andstringy.Theycouldhardlybelieveit,sojust
tomakesuretheytriedthefishandvegetables.Butthetastewasthesame.
Thistastebadevenforwildcreatures...
Differentfishtastedifferently,soitwaspossibletheyhadjustchosenabadkind.Andwildgame
usuallydoesnttastenearlyasgoodasdomesticallybredanimals.Andyet...

35

Butwefoundthevegetablesinafield,right?
Vanillenodded.Shehadthoughtthesoillookedbad,whatwithitbeingunguardedandall.Butit
hadbeenwellwateredandweeded.Therewasnoquestionaboutitbeingatendedfield.
How could these Cocoon guys eat this crap? Fang grumbled, but continued to eat the meat
anyway.Vanillefollowedherexample,andbitintoavegetable.Atleastitseemeditwasokaytoeat.
Whentheywerefinishedeatingtheyburiedtheremainsoftheirfire,andreturnedinsidethe
temple.Thisplacejustgrewstrangerandstranger.Slowmovingfish,idiotbirds,andpeoplewhocould
clearlyseetheyaredifferentbutarenotsuspiciousofthem.Somehowitwashardtoaccept,evengiven
theexcusethatthiswasadifferentworld.
Hey,wanttogoseethecitytomorrow?
Already?
Wewontgetanythingdonebyjustsittinghere.
Itwastrue,theyneededtofindoutmoreinformation.HowlongtheyhadbeeninCocoon,why
thetemplehadbeenbroughthere...thereweresomanyquestions.
Wellhavetocrossthatbridgeeventuallyanyway.
Why!?
OurFocus...Fangsaid,holdingontothearmwithherscorchedwhitemark.Imightbeableto
remembersomethingifwegostraightintoenemyterritory.
WhatwouldFangdooncesheremembered?No,therewasonlyonethingshewoulddo.Fight.
Wedonthavetohurry.Imeanweonlyjustwokeup,right?
Itsalreadythesecondday.Tomorrowwillbethethird.
Well,yeah...
Areyouscared?Fangseyesgrewsoft,andshepattedVanilleonthebacktosootheher.Come
on,yousawthoseguystoday.Thetwoofusarestrongerthanallofthemtogether.
No,IcanttellFangyet,Vanillethought.Notyet.
Imnotworried.Ihaveyouwithme.ThethingsIwanttodrivefrommythoughts,canImake
themnolongerbereal?CanImakethemhaveneverhappened?Vanillewassuddenlystruckwithanidea.
Itgrewbrighterinhermind,andherheartfeltlightasair.
Okay,letsgo.Itllbealright,Imsureofit.Vanillesmiledbrightly.Allshehadtothinkabout
wastomorrow.Ithadtogowelltomorrow,nothingelsematter.

36

Chapter03
What...isallthis?
Doyouthink...itmightbeafestival?
BeingsurroundedbythepeopleofCocoonwasnolongerassurprisingasitfirstwas.Whengroups
ofpeoplepassedby,theydidnttenseupastheyfirsthad.Manypeoplehadwalkedpassedthemontheir
wayfromthetempletowheretheywerenow,butnoneofthemhadtriedtoattack,andnoneofthem
hadlookedatFangorVanilleoddly.
Walkingalong thebeach, theyhadseengirlsinsimilarclothingtotheirown swimmingin the
water.Itwasarelieftoseethem.Apparentlythepeoplearoundherehadmistakenthemforoneoftheir
own.Itwaseasythen,toslipbythemunnoticed.
Thereweresomanypeople.Manymorethantheyeverwouldhavethoughttoseeinoneplace.
Especiallyinsuchanarrow,crampedspacebetweenbuildings.BothVanilleandFangstoodinthecrowd,
theirjawshangingopenastheystaredatthesight.
Letsgoalready.Fangsaid,shakingherhead,andsettingoff.Vanillefollowed.Ithadbeenonly
thetwoofthemstandinginthemiddleofthepath,whilepeoplerushedpassedthemonallsides.
Walkingalongtheroad,theycametotherealizationthatallofthesepeoplewereshopping.Upon
closerinspection,theyfoundthatallthebuildingssetuponeithersideofthestreetwerestores.
Areallofthesebuildingsshops?
Justhowmanywerethere?MorethanVanillehadeverseenbefore.Therewereevenseveral
shops that specialized in clothing, each bursting with a variety of color and design. No wonder their
clothingwasnotthoughtodd,withsuchanabundanceofdifferentstyles.
Thereweremanydifferentshops.Vanillesawashopthathadaccessories,anotherthathadwhat
lookedlikepaperandpens,therewasafurnitureshoponthatsideofthestreet,andontheotherthere
wasevenonethathadwhatshethoughtweresomesortofvehicleslinedupoutside.
Lookingatthepeople,shesawagirlhappilypickingthroughracksofclothing.Overthere,asmall
childwhowaspouting,maybetryingtogethisparentstobuyhimsomething.Ahappycouplewasleaving
ajewelryshop.Everysingleoneofthemhadajoyfullookontheirface.
Ifeelalittledizzy...Vanillewastired,eventhoughshehadntevenwalkedveryfar.Tryingto
takeeverythinginonbothsidesofthestreethaddoneherin.
Hey,Fang...shealmostsaid,butstoppedherselfjustintime.Fanglookedgrim.Thieves...she
whispered.
VanillegrabbedontoFangshandbeforeshecouldact.SheunderstoodwhatFangwasfeeling,
understooditbetterthananyone.Vanillefeltthesameway.Butrightnowtheywererightinthemiddle
ofenemyterritory,andtheyonlycarriedsmall,concealedweaponswiththem.
Fang,youcant...

37

Iknow.Iknow,but...Herfistsclenchedasshetriedtosuppressheranger.Allofthiswasstolen
fromus.Butstillthey...
ItwaswellknownthatCocoonwasadenofdemons.ThefalCieofCocoonwouldcometoGran
Pulse,totakeasmuchmaterialastheywanted.Oncetheyeventookawholetown.Theywouldsteal
farmlandjustbeforeharvest,andtearraremetalsstraightfromtheearth.Thatswhytheyhadthought
thepeoplefromCocoonweretheirenemies.
But,afterseeingthatelderlycoupleyesterday,andallthepeoplewhopassedbythem,shehad
startedtothinkitwasodd.Andtoday,seeingpeopleshopping,doubtsstartedtogrowinhermind.Did
thesepeopletrulywishtodestroyGranPulse,andtakeeverythingfromit?
Vanillehadstarted tothink,fromwhatshehadseen,theywerentsodifferentfrom herown
people.Theirclothesweredifferent,theirhousesweredifferent,thetasteoftheirvegetablesandmeat
weredifferent,butperhapsontheinsidetheywerethesame.
Todayweregatheringinformation.Right?Shewhisperedinherear.Vanilledidntwantherto
doanythingrash.
...right.Fansaidinaclippedtone.Vanilleopenedhermouthtosaysomething,butsheheard
avoicebehindhercallingtothem.
Heythereladies,youallalone?Goingshopping?Youdontlooklikeyourefromaroundhere.
AtthesoundoftheirvoicesFangstiffened.Turningaround,theyfoundtwoyoungmen,smiling.
Vanillelookedatthemcautiously.Theirfaceswereopenandfriendly,butthesemenwerefardifferent
fromtheelderlycoupletheyhadmetthedaybefore.Surelythistimetheywerejusttryingtocatchthem
offguardsotheycouldcapturethem.
Youarentscaredofusareyou?
Dontworry,wearentsomeweirdoes.
Thelookontheirfaceandtheirbodylanguagegavelietothetruthbehindtheirwords.Theymust
beplanningsomething.Vanillesteppedback,andFangtookherconcealedweaponinhand.
Hey,wanttogohavesomethingdrink?Ormaybewecouldgooutforlunch?
AtthewordlunchFangandVanilleturnedtolookateachother.Theycouldnotbeenemiesif
theyofferedtositacrossfromeachotheratthetable,andpartakeinfoodanddrink.
Really?Youdeatwithus?Vanilleneverthoughtthatanenemywouldsaysuchathing.
Theresareallygoodrestaurantnearby.Comeon,wellshowyou.
Yeah,itsalittleearly,butitcangetprettycrowdedwhenlunchtimehits.
VanilleglancedatFang.Shelookedabitataloss,andwasstillonguard,readytopullouther
weaponatanymoment.Vanilleshookherheadslightly,totellFangtoletitgofornow.

38

Alright fine. Lets eat. Fang turned back around and nodded to the two men. Both of them
smiled.Theywererealsmilesthistime,notfakelikebefore.Vanillethoughtthatmaybeshehadonly
beenimaginingthattheyhadbeenhidingsomething.
Fanggrimaced,asusual,butshecouldntrefusethem.Refusingtositatthetablewithanother
wasthesameasdeclaringwar.Itwastoodangeroustostartawaragainstthismanypeople,andifshe
didthenshemightneverfindawaytogethermemoryback.
Sotheyfollowedthetwomen,notspeakingtothemortoeachother,astheyshowedthemtoa
bustlingrestaurantfilledwithpeople.
Sowhatdoyouwanttoeat?Oneofthemenaskedoncetheyreachedthetable.Howodd,
Vanillethought.Iftheyretheoneswhoaremakingtheoffering,whymustwechoosewhattoeat?We
aresupposedtoeatwhattheygiveus.Thatshowitalwaysis.
Themenuisoverthere.Theotheronesmiled,andpointedtothewall.Vanillegrewevenmore
confused.Justwhatdotheywantustodo?
Uhmm...
Whatwaswrittenthere,thatistosay,themarkingsonthewallwereinthewritingofCocoon.It
probablyexplainedeverythingthattheyhadtodo.Butunfortunately,neitherVanillenorFangcouldread
anyofit.
Vanillemotionedwithhereyes,tryingtoaskFangwhattheyshoulddo.Fangnodded,andwent
forherweapon.
Notthat!Vanilleyelled,andrushedtostopherbeforeitwastoolate.Thetwomenlookedat
herquestioningly.
Er...itsnothing.Imeanreally,itsnothing.Dontworry,its....Sheforcedthemusclesofher
mouthintoasmile.Fortunately,itseemedtofoolthem.
Ifyoucantdecide,whataboutthespecial?
Okay! Well take that. Vanille nodded. Whatever they had to do to get out of this without
lookingtooodd.Oneofthemordered,andVanillebreathedasighofrelief.
So,whereareyougirlsfrom?
Fromoneproblemtoanother.Thiswasntaquestionsoeasilyanswered.Shedjusthavetotry
tosmileandfoolthemoncemore.
Well...far.
Far?
Yeah,reallyfar.Justincasetheydecidedtoaskforthecityname,Vanillequicklyaskedthema
questioninstead.
Sowhereareyoufrom?

39

WerefromEden.ThatswhereourUniversityis.
Ehdin....YoukneeverseCity?
Yeah...EdenUniversity.
Itlooklikerepeatingthequestionwasthewrongthingtodo.VanillewhisperedinFangsear.
HaveyoueverheardofEhdin?OrYoukneeverseCity?
Dontaskme.
Yeah...
Fangputafingertoherforeheadasthoughshewerethinking.Thenherfacecleared.
IfYoukneeverseisthenameoftheircity...thenmaybeEhdinisthenameofthemountainor
valleyitsin?
Vanilleslappedherknee,ofcourse.Thatmustbeit.
Excuseme?Is...somethingwrong?
Whisperingamongthemselves,theyhadcompletelyforgottenaboutthetwomen.Fortunatelyit
didntseemtheycouldhearwhattheyweretalkingabout,butithadbeenveryrudeofthem.
Sorry,itsnothing.Sowhatisthis....YoukneeverseCityplacelike?
University?
Vanilledidntknowwhyhehadrepeateditbacktoher,butshenodded.Thetwomenstarted
talkingexcitedlyaboutYoukneeverseCity.Itwasobvioustheywereproudoftheircity,andlovedit
verymuch.Vanillewonderedifitwasaneasyplacetolive,orifjustthesetwoinparticularhadalotof
hometownpride.Perhapsitwasboth.Inanycase,itmeanttheywouldnthavetotalkanymoreabout
themselves.Eventhoughshecouldbarelyunderstandanyofwhattheyweresaying,shelistenedand
noddedalong,smiling.
Sorrytokeepyouwaiting.Thewaitresssaid,interruptingtheminthemiddleoftheirstory.She
laidouttheirdishesalongthetable.
What?Whyis thefood alreadyhere?Vanillesaid,surprised. Shehadthoughtitwould take
muchlongerforthefoodtoarrive.Thatswhyshehadtriedsohardtogetthemtotalkaboutthemselves.
Whatdoyoumeanwhy?Helookedatherstrangely.Apparentlysheshouldnthavebeenso
surprised.
Its...itsnothing.Ohlookatthis!Everythinglookssodelicious,andImsohungryrightnow.
Thentheymadeanothermistake.Joiningtheirfingerstogethertosaygracewasanormalthingforher
andFang,butthetwosittingacrossfromthemdidnothingbutstare.
Whatsthat?Somesortofspell?
Huh?Ah,yyesofcourse!

40

Yougirlsaresofunny.
Ddoyouthinkso?
Well,solongastheonlythoughtofthemasfunnytheywouldbesafe.Aslongastheydontstart
tothinkwereodd,Vanilletoldherself.Shetookabiteofthefood.
Itdidnthaveaverystrongflavor,butitwasntbad.Itwasapropermealthistime,notlikewhat
theyhadeatenonthepreviousday.Itwasfoodthatsomeonehadmadethem,andforthattheywould
bethankful.Evenifitwasnttotheirowntaste.
Isthisthesalt?Itbetternotbesugar.Fangsaid.
Oh!Goodthinking,wecanjustputsaltonit.Passme...
"Whatareyoudoing?Youcan'tputthatmuchon!"
Anothermistake.Howmanytimeshasitbeen?Shefeltlikecrying.Fang,beingFang,didntseem
tocaremuch.
Really?Ialwayseatitlikethis.Fangdumpedsaltontohermeal,andpoppeditintohermouth.
Theothertwostaredinshockedsilence.
Um,well...shejust...reallylikessaltythings!
Itwascompletelytrue.Fangdidlovesaltyfood.ButapparentlysaltyfoodinCocoondidntgo
toquitethisextent.
Ohyeah.Sowhatsthat?Ignoringtheirreactionstoherfoodpreference,Fangpointedoutthe
window.Youcouldseethetopofthetemplefromhere.
Huh?Oh,youmeanthePulseVestige?
Heseemedrelievedtohavefoundachangeofsubject.NeitherofthemlookedatFangsplate
again.Theyprobablyweretryingnottothinkaboutthesalt.
Yeah,howlongasthis...'vestige',beenthere?
Theygaveheranoddlook.MaybethiswassomethingthatevenchildrenonCocoonknewabout.
Theholetheywerediggingforthemselveskeptgrowingdeeper.Vanilletriedtomakeexcusesfortheir
obviouslackofknowledge.
Well...youguysjustlooksosmart.Yeah,Ibetyourereallyreallysmart.Whilethatcompliment
wasasseethroughasasummersday,itwasworthashot.Evenifitdidntmakethemhappy,noonegot
madaboutcompliments.Ijustthought,youknow,youguysmightknowmoreaboutthingsthenwedo.
Like...inmoredetail?
Thesuspiciouslookfellfromtheirfaces,andtheygrewmorecheerful.
Well,accordingtoonetheoryithasbeentheresincesixhundredandsixtysixyearsago.Though
somesourcessaysincesixhundred,andotherssixhundredandfiftyyearsago.

41

Vanilleseyesopenedwide.Theyhadthoughtthatperhapsithadbeenacouplehundredyears,
buttoheartheactualdatewasshocking.
Butthetextbookshaveitwrittenas,Severalhundredyearsago,aftertheWarofRevelations,
thefalCiebroughtitupfromPulse.Ofcourse,thetheorythatitwassixhundredandsixtysixyearsago
isquitepopular,butthereisnoactualproof.Therewillalwaysbedifferentopinions.
Severalhundredyearsago,sixhundredandsixtysixyearsago...thosewordskeptechoinginher
mind.Noneoftherestofwhattheysaidregistered.
Sothat...vestigeorwhatever.Whataboutnow?DiditcauseproblemsfortheguysonPulse
whenitwastaken?
Thetwomenglancedateachother.Vanilleworriedthattheyhadsaidsomethingwrongagain.
Butno,thistimetheylaughed.
Causeproblemsforthem?Areyoujoking?ItsnotlikethereareanypeopleonPulse.
There...arent?EvenFangwasstruckdumb.
Pulseishell,noonecanlivethere.Everyoneknowsthat.Didyougirlsnotpayattentioninhistory
class?Hewasjustmakingfunofthem,butwordswerecaughtinherthroat.Sheknewshehadtosay
somethingsotheywouldntbecomesuspiciousofthemagain,butsheonlymanagedaweaklaugh.
Well,theysaythattherearebarbariansdowntherethatarenobetterthananimals,but...
Barbarians...
Yeah.Theycanhardlyspeak,andwearanimalskins.DuringtheWarofRevelationsthefalCie
triedtoputthemtowork,buttheysaythattheywerentmuchgoodforanything.
AbloodyredhazecloudedVanillesvision.Thoseuselessbarbarianswereherpeople.
Sincethosearetheonlythingslivingdownthere,ithardlymatterswhatwetakedoesit?Since
wereputtingittogooduseuphere,theyshouldbethankingus.
She had heard of a town that lived in poverty after their farmland had been ripped from the
groundbeforeitcouldbeharvested.Theyrailroadwasstopped,theycouldntgetanyfuelorfood,and
theyallfrozetodeath.Thankful?Hesaystheyshouldbethankful?
Theyknownothing,Vanillethought.Theydonthavetogettheirownhandsdirty,theydonteven
realizewhathorriblethingstheyredoing,theyjustliveoffwhattheirfalCietookfromus.
Beneaththetableherfistsshook.Shecouldonlythinkofbreakingtheplatethatsatinfrontof
her.Itwasntselfcontrolthatwasonhermind.Butwaiting.Fangwouldtakethelead,shewouldknow
whattodo.
Ineedtoseeyououtsideforaminute.Fangstoppedeatingandstoodup.
What?Butwereinthemiddleofeating...

42

Itdoesntmatter.Comewithme.Now.Fangsvoicewasquiet.Asmallsmilehungabouther
lips.Itwasntarealsmile,buttheywereeasilyfooled.Vanillesawbeneaththatsmile,butsaidnothing.
Intelligencemustnothavebeenoneoftheirbetterqualities.WhenFangcalledthemoutinthe
middleofameal,theyshouldhaveknowwhatwascoming.Theyshouldhaveknownthattherewasto
beafight.Itwasabreakingoftruce,adeclarationofwar.Ormaybethiswassomethingthatthepeople
ofCocoonjustdidnotunderstand.
Evenso,theycamealongquietly,sotheycouldnthavebeenverybright.Evenwhenitbecame
obvioustheywerebeingtakentoaplacethatwasawayfrompryingeyes,theydidntseemwaryoreven
questionit.
ItonlytooktwoorthreeofFangspunchestoknockthemout.Pathetic,justasweakasthebird
andthefishfromyesterday.
SosorryforbeingaBarbarian.ThatsthelastthingIneedbastardslikeyoutotellme.Youre
evenworsethanthewormscrawlingthroughthedirt.
Ofcourse,theycouldnthearawordshewassaying.Theywereprobablyhappiernotknowing.
Fangkickedthemforawhile,butthenseemedtothinkofsomethingandkneltdown.
Whatswrong?
Theirstuff...Fangmuttered,andbeganriflingthroughtheirclothing.
Oh!
Theymightbeabletofindoutsomething.Weaponscouldbetaken,andusedfortheirbenefit.
Vanilledecidedtohelp,andleanedoverthesecondman.
Itsstrange...
Whatis?
Hedoesnthaveanymoneyonhim.Whataboutthatone?
Letssee...no,nothing.Infact,hedidnthavemuchofanything.Theyhadntbeencarryingany
bagswiththemeither.
Thenhowdidtheypayattherestaurant?
Whentheyhadlefttherestaurant,oneofthemhadgoneovertothecashiertopay.Ifhewasnt
carryinganymoney,howcouldhehavepaid?Vanilleturnedhimoverandsearchedhispantspocket.
Whatsthis?Vanillesaid,pullingoutathinboardaboutthesizeofherhand.Itlookedlikeitwas
madeofmetal.Itwascoloredlightgrey,buthadablackcirclenearthecenter.
Fang,lookatthis.Isita...cardofsomekind?
Thisguyhasonetoo.
Iwonderwhattheyuseitfor?Vanillethought,andpressedtheblackcircle.Thegreypartlitup.

43

Ahhhhhh,no!Whatsitdoing?Surprised,Vanillethrewthecardawayfromher.Sheknelton
theground,watchingit,andsawthecolorleechawayuntilthecardbecameclearenoughtoseethrough.
Shewonderedwhatsortofdeviceitcouldbe.Howcouldsuchathindevicepulloffsuchatrick?There
wasnowheretohidethewiresorinnards.
Vanillecontinuedstaringasathreedimensionalimagebegantoformabovethecard.Itwasa
personsface.
Thisis...
Toidentifytheownerofthecard.
Vanillepickeditup,andtriedpressingtheblackcircleagain.Buttherewasnochangeintheimage.
Shepresseditinvariousotherplaces,butnothinghappened.
Ithinkonlytheownercanuseit.Itprobablywontdoanythingelse.
Fangnodded,andlookedovertheothercard,checkingtoseeiftherewasanythingelsethey
coulddowiththecard.Suddenlyshelookedup,surprised.
Thesoundofflappingcouldbeheardcloseby.Jumpingup,theyhidintheshadowsofthewall.
Awhitebird,muchbiggeranddangerouslookingthanthewaterbirdtheyhadseenyesterday,swooped
down.Thoughitwasabird,itseyeswerepositionedonthefrontofitsface,ratherthanontheside.It
almostlookedhuman.
Assuddenlyasitarrived,itflewoff.Intheshadowofitswingstheycouldseethesharpclawsof
abirdofprey.Itdidntseeminclinedtoattack,circlingonceabovetheirheadsbeforevanishingintothe
sky.
Didthatbirdseewhatweweredoing?Itlookedsoodd...
Ofcoursenot,thereisnowayitcouldhave...
Yes,youreright...
Vanillethoughtshewasjustjumpyfrombeingsodeepinenemyterritory.
Ohyeah,forgotaboutthis.
Fangwasstillholdingontothecard.Shepressedtheblackcircle,anditlitupevenbrighterthan
ithadbefore.Therewasashortelectricalcrackle,beforethelightwentoffandgrewquiet.
Didyoubreakit!?
Probably.Fangclickedhertongue,andpressedeventheblackcircleevenharder.Itlitupagain
andthecolordrainedandgrewclear.
Ohgood!Iguessitsnotbrokenafterall.Vanillesaidinrelief.Sheleanedovertogetacloser
look.Thoughtheothercardhadshownthefaceofitsowner,thisoneshowednothingatall.No,writing
onthecard,buttheplacewherethefaceshouldhavebeenwasblank.Itlookedasthoughtheownerhad
beenerased.

44

Oh,maybeitisbroken?
Maybe. Fang poked at the black part again. The screen changed and words formed. But
unfortunatelythewordswerewritteninthewritingofCocoon,whichneitherofthemcouldread.
Doyouthinkthatwedbeabletouseitnow?
They had written over the original owners information, but there was no telling what would
happeniftheyuseditthemselves.Theyhadbeenluckytogetthisfar.
Probably.Butwhatwillwedowithit?
I dont know... Vanille lifted her hands in defeat. If they didnt know how it worked, they
wouldntbeabletouseit.
Well,weshouldtakethem.
Wemightaswell.Werebecomingthieves,Vanillethought.Therewasasound.Voices!And
comingcloserfast.Withoutasoundtheystoodup,andran.
Theyreallyareourenemies...Vanillewhispered.
Didyousaysomething?
No,nothing.Herheartfeltheavy,butsheforcedasmile.Rightnowshehadtoconcentrateon
running.ButthereweresomanythingsVanillewishedshecouldforget...

Oncetheyreturnedtothetemple,notallwasastheyhadleftit.Thereweresignsthatsomeone
hadusedtheelevator.Anintruder.
SomeonefromCocoonishere.Fangwhispered,andreadiedherspear.Theylistened,butall
wasquiet.Vanillelookeduptothevaultedceiling.
ThistemplewasoriginallymeanttotestthosewhowouldbecomelCie.Inthedeepestpartof
thetempletheywouldfacefalCieAnimatobebothtried...andselected.Thosewhoharboredwicked
thoughts, or those unfit to become lCie, would be unable to open the holy gates. It was told in the
teachingsofthepriests.
Watchyourself.
Iknow.Theylookedateachotherandnodded,continuingdownthepath.Walkingupthestairs,
they tried to not let their footsteps be heard, and listened for any sounds of the intruder. Soon they
reachedthefirstdoor.IfitwassomeonefromCocoon,theywouldnotbeabletoopenit,andwouldstill
bethere,walkingaimlesslyinfrontofit.
Well,theysaythattherearebarbariansdowntherethatarenobetterthananimals,but...
ThatiswhatthepeopleofCocoonthoughtofthem.Peoplewhothoughtthatwouldneverbe
abletoopenthedoor.Theywerentevenfitsetfootinsidethistemple.

45

Buttherewasnooneinfrontofthedoor.Theintrudermusthaveopenedthedoorandcontinued
on.
Butthisisnt...Vanillewasatalossforwords.Thereweresignsthatsomeonehadpassedby
here,buttherewasnotimetostopandthinkTheintrudercouldbenearingthecenter,theyhadtohurry.
Thesoundoftheirfootstepsnolongerconcernedthem.Theyrushedupthestairs,andthenonto
theelevator.Buttherewasnooneatthenextdoor,northenext.Thatshouldhavebeenproofthatthe
intruderwasntevil,buthowcouldthatbe?Theonlywaythiscouldhavehappenedwouldbeifthepeople
ofCocoonfoundawaytotricktoholygates.
Thiscantbehappening...
Theyhadreachedthedeepestpartofthetemple.IntheroombeyondwasthefalCie.Eventhey
hadonlybeenthereonce.Itwasntaplaceyoucouldenterlightly.
Thedoorswungopen,andtheyfoundtheintruderlyingontheground.Unconscious.Itwasagirl.
Shemusthavegottenlost.Fangloweredherspear.Thegirllookedlikeshewasthesameage
asVanille,andheldnoweapons.Shesallalone.Fanglookedatherwithcoldeyes.Vanillecouldtell
whatshewasthinking.Shewaswonderingwhetherornotsheshouldbekilled,sothatshewouldntbe
abletospeakofcomingheretoanyone.Iftheyletherlive,shewouldmostlikelybringpeoplebackhere.
Vanillelookedoverthefallengirl,andthatswhen...
Wait!Shekneltatthegirlsside,andgrabbedherarm.Look!Thismarkonherarm...
Itwastheexactsamemarkastheirown.
Shesbeenmadeintoa...lCie.
ShehadthemarkofalCiechosenbyfalCieAnima,onewhowouldbegivenaFocus.
Why.... Fangs voice was shaking. Why did you choose someone from Cocoon? Her spear
echoedthroughthechamberasitfelltothefloor.WhywouldthefalCiedothis?
Therewasnoanswer.ThefalCiewerentbeingsthatcouldbequestionedbyhumans.
HowcouldshebealCieofGranPulse?Areyoutryingtosaywerethesameasthem?
ButitssomeonefromCocoon.TheycantjustbegivenaFocus...
AFocus.WhenVanillesaidtheword,Fangtouchedherownarm.BelowherhandVanillecould
seeherwhite,burntoutlCiemarkthatnolongerretaineditsoriginalshape.Fanghadlosthermemory,
she could no longer remember her own Focus. Oh, Vanille thought, so thats why. She knew why the
falCiehadchosenanewlCie.
Well...letsatleastgetheroutofhere.Fangpickedupthegirl.ShedidntmeetVanilleseyes,
butVanilleknewthattheyhadsharedthesamethoughts.
Fangleftthroughthedoor.Pickingupthespearfromthefloor,Vanillefollowed.Sheglancedback
atfalCieAnima,butitremainedsilent.

46

Outsidethetemple,theylaidthegirlontheground.Butshestilldidntwakeup.
Shesourreplacement...
OfcourseFangknew,hadknownsinceseeingthegirlsmark.Fangkeptherheadturnedaway,
butVanillecouldseethatherfacewassad.
Were pathetic lCie arent we? We cant even remember our Focus. So the falCie chose
someoneelse.
Thatsnottheonlyreason,Vanillewhispereddeepwithinherheart.Itsmyfault.Itsallmyfault
becauseI...ran.ThefalCiesawstraightthroughme.Nowitsallmyfaultthatthisgirlhasbeeninvolved
inourproblems.
Thegirlseyelidsfluttered.Shewasabouttowakeup.Theycouldntletherseethem,sotheyhid
intheshadowsofthetempletowatchher.
Thegirlsatup.Shemusthavebeendizzy,becausesheputherheadbetweenherkneesandsat
stillforamoment.Themarkonherarmhadyettocatchhernotice.Finally,sheusedthewallofthe
templetodragherselfonherfeet.Thenhereyesstopped,andstaredatherarm.Shehadnoticedthe
mark.Thegirlrubbedatit,asifdoingsowouldmakeitdisappear.
DoesntsheknowaboutlCie?No...therearefalCieinCocoon.
Maybeshejustdoesntknowwhatitisbecausetheshapeisdifferent?
Butthen,whatshouldtheydo?IfshedidntevenrealizeshehadtofindherFocus,thenshewould
turnintoaCieth.But,unlesstheytoldherwhotheytrulywere,theywouldbeunabletoexplainanything
toher.
Lookslikesheknows...
Shesuddenlyfellapart.Theycouldhearherscreamingthatitwasjustsomethingsomeonehad
scribbledonherarm.EvenfromthereVanilleandFangcouldseehermarkevolve.Thegirlsfearhad
effectedit.
Now she must know. That she was chosen as a falCie of Gran Pulse... no, of the hell where
barbarianslive.
The girl was crying. Even from far away they could see her thin shoulders trembling. Finally,
pushedherselfofffromthewall,andwalkedonhertremblinglegs.Shelookedsosmallandsad.
This was something they would never be able to take back. The girl had nothing to do with
anything,butshegotcaughtupintheirproblemssolelybythefactofherbeingthere.
Dontmakethatface.
But...

47

OnceyouwerealCietherewasnogoingback.Herfatehadbeenchangedforever.Anditwasall
theirfault.
TheonlythingwecandoisfindourFocus,andcompleteit.Finishitforgood.Thenwecango
backtoGranPulse.
Ifthegirlwasmeanttobetheirreplacement,thentheirFocuswouldhavetobethesame.Ifthey
completedit,thenshewouldnthavetobecomeaCieth.ThatmusthavebeenwhatFangwasthinking.
ButeveniftheycompletedtheirFocus,thegirlwasfromCocoon...Vanillestopped.Thetruthwastoo
cruel.
Fang,letsforgetaboutourFocus.
Fangsmarkwasdead.EvenifshedidntcompleteherFocus,shemightnotbecomeaCieth.If
thatwastrue,thentheydidntneedtothinkabouttheirFocusanymore.
Wewont.ShetappedVanilleontheleg.Yourmarkisstillalive.IfwedontcompleteourFocus,
youllbecomeaCieth.
Itsalright,Idont...
Youretheonewhosaidwedalwaysbetogether,forever!FangcuppedVanillesfaceinher
hands.
Wellalwaysbetogether...
Yes.
Andwewillgohometogether...
Thatswhatwepromised,remember?
VanilleplacedherhandsagainstFangs,andnodded.
No,youreright...I...
Theyhadpromisedsolongago.Theywouldbealrightaslongastheyweretogether.Theywould
neverbeparted.Itwasapromisesheneverwishedtobreak.

48

Chapter04
Theoverwhelmingnumberofpeopledidnotbotherherasmuchasithadthepreviousday,and
Vanillefeltcalmandrelaxedasshewalkedthroughthestreets.
Notwantingtorunintothosetwomentheyhadmettheotherday,Vanillesuggestedtheywalk
inanareaslightlyapartfromtheplacetheyhadbeenthedaybefore.Fanginsistedthatiftheysawthem
againitwouldbeeasyforhertotakethemout,butsheagreedtotheplananyway.
Thestreettheyhadseenyesterdayhadbeenlinedwithclothingandaccessoryshops,buttoday
theplacetheyfoundthemselvesinhadanabundanceofbothfoodanddrink.
Looklook,theyresellingvegetables!
Thestallswereburstingwithcolorsofbrightgreen,yellowandred.Oncloserinspectiontheysaw
thateachwaslargeandlookedfresh.
Nothinglikethosevegetablesfromthegardenwesawtheotherday.
Butdonttheselook,Idontknow,artificial?Likesomeonemadethem.Iwonderifyoucaneven
eatthem.
Thevegetableswereunnaturallymatchedinsizeandshape,likeeachwasareplicaofanother.
Theonestheyhadpickedfromthegardenwerescrawnyandtasteless,butyoucouldtelltheyweremeant
tobeeaten.
Maybetheyhavesomestrangewayofmakingthem.
Well,itisCocoon.Vanilleimaginedthempressingcoloredliquidintotheshapeofvegetables.
Surelynot,shethought,shakingherhead.
Theycantsupportthismanypeoplewithalittlepatheticgardenliketheonewesaw.
Cocoonisprettybig...
...maybeifwegosomewhereelseIllbeabletogetmymemoryback.
Vanilledidntanswer,lookingoffintothecrowd.Fangwasgettingimpatient,Vanilleunderstood
that.ShelookedatFang,knowingwhatshewasthinking.ThatgirlhadbeenturnedintoalCiebecause
ofthem.BecausetheyweretakingsolongtocompletetheirFocus.
Butthatwaswrong,Vanilleknewthatwaswrong.Fangwasnttheonewhohadscrewedup.That
blamewasallVanilles.Shesighed,thenlookedupasshefeltFangturnaroundbesideher.
Fang?
Waitoverthere.
Wait!ButVanilledidntstopherintime.ShecouldonlywatchasFangdisappearedintothe
crowd.ItseemedshewouldhavenochoicebuttowaitforFangsreturn.Sheleanedagainstthenearest
wall.

49

Most of the shoppers walking in and out of the shops were women, and many of them had
childrentaggingalongwiththem.Perhapsbecausetheshopsheresoldfoodstuffs,andthewomenwere
buyingdinnerfortheirfamilies.Buttherewassomethingstrangeaboutthem,asshewatchedVanille
thoughttherewassomethingunnaturalinwhattheyweredoing.Thensherealized:mostofthepeople
comingoutofthegrocerywereemptyhanded.Whilesomeofthemighthavesimplynotboughtanything,
itwasunthinkablethatitwouldbetrueforallofthem.
Maybe they get it delivered? Vanille thought. On Gran Pulse you could pay to get things
deliveredthatwerebulkyorheavy,butsomethingsmalllikefoodwassomethingyoutookhomeyourself.
Somaybe...buttherecouldbeanotherreasonentirely.
Vanillejustshookherhead,confused.
Didyouwaitlong?
SuddenlyVanillefeltsomethingcoldpressingupagainstherforehead.Shescreamedandjumped.
Haha,sorryaboutthat.Fangsmiled,andheldoutacanofsomesortofdrink.Youresojumpy.
Icanthelpit...Vanillesaid,pouting,butshetookthecan.Wheredidyougetthis?
Boughtit.
Vanillelookedatthecan,thenlookedupatFang.Wheredidshegetthemoney?Theydidnteven
knowifcashwasusedonCocoon.
Iusedthis.Fangsaid,pullingoutthecardtheyhadtakenyesterday.Cocoonssuchaweird
place.Icantbelieveyoucangetanythingwithsomethinglikethis.Sheopeneduphercanandtooka
drink,motioningforVanilletodothesame.Thecanwasalittlestrange,butitwasntdifficulttofigure
outhowtoopenit.
Oh!Itsgood.
Itoldthemtogivemethesweetestdrinktheyhad.
Afterthewatery,tastelessstufftheyhadbeeneatingrecently,itwasamazingdrinkingsomething
whereyoucouldactuallytastethesweetness.Itwaswonderful.
Sohowdoyoubuystuffwiththis?
Idontknowhowitworks.Ijustcopiedwhateveryoneelsewasdoing.Likethem.Fangsaid,
pointingtothepeopleintheshopnearby.Vanillecouldseethatthewomantherehadacardliketheone
theycarried.
IwatchedthepeopleinastoreIpassedby,andIthoughthey,maybethatshowitworks.
Sothenthosetwomenfromyesterdayreallydidnthaveanymoney.
ButtheyactuallydohavesomecashonCocoon.Fanglookedovertoadifferentstore.Itwas
pinkandwhitewithcutedecorationshungonthestoryfront.Acandystore.Therewerechildrenrunning
inandoutofit,holdingcandy.Apparentlytakingyourallowancetothecandystoretobuysomesweets
wassomethingchildrenonbothCocoonandGranPulseenjoyed.Kidsusecash.Fangsaid.

50

Theycouldseethatalloftheadultsusedcards.Sometimestheownerofthecardwouldpress
somethingonthecard,orputsomethingonthecard.Thensometimesthestoreclerkwouldrunthecard
throughastrangelyshapedmachine.Itseemedthereweremanywaystousethecard.
Isawashopwheretheyweresellingweapons.Solongaswehavethiswecanbuysome.Fang
grinned.Wecanfight.
But...Thosetwomenhadbeenshockinglyweak.Fangcoulddefeatthembarehanded.Even
thefishandthebirdshadbeenpathetic.ProbablyallthecreaturesonCocoon,includinghumans,didnot
knowhowtofight.
WerentwechosenaslCietofightCocoon?
Yesbut...rightnowtherewouldbenoreason...
Yeah...itssopeacefulhere.Weprobablydontevenhavetofight.
Yes.Letsnotfight.Vanillenodded.Hervoicesoundedstrangetoherears,shewonderedif
Fangnoticed.
Evenifwewontbefighting,whatisourFocus?Ifwedontfindout...
Thatagain.Italwayscomesbackaroundtothat,Vanillethought,sighing.Aloudvoiceintruded
onherthoughts.
Beforewedothat,whydontwegoonthefalCietour?
VanilleandFangglancedateachother.
WecouldjustgotoEurideonourlastday.
Butthecloseritgetstothefireworksfestival,themorecrowdeditwillbe.
Thatstrue.
Agroupofolderwomenpassedby,talkinginhighspirits.WhathadtheymeantbyfalCietour?
AndEuride?PerhapsthatwasaplacewheretheCocoonfalCiewasenshrined.FangandVanillesnuckin
behindthewomen,tryingtoremainunobtrusive,tolistenformoreimportantinformation.
Whydontwegetaprivatecar?Withallofustogetherthepriceshouldntbetoohigh.
No,no.Goingbyregulartrainshouldbejustfine.
ThefalCieinEuridemustbefariftheywereplanningontakingatrainthere.
Iwonderhowoftenthetraincomes?Itshouldbefineifwedonthavetowaittoolong.
WhydontweaskatBodhumStation?
Thenwereagreed?Alright,mydaughteraskedmetopickupsomethingatthisshoppingmall...
ThatwasalltheyhadtosayaboutthefalCie.Nowtheirconversationslippedintowhattheywere
goingtobuyorwhattheyshouldplantoeat.Justwhentheyrealizedtheywerentgoingtogetanymore

51

outofthewomen,thegroupwentintoashop.FangandVanillewalkedpassedtheshopsdoorwithout
stopping.
ItwasEuridethattheysaid,right?
Yes,theleaderofthesethieves...
Theycouldntsayforcertainwhetherornotitwasthesameonewhohadstolenfromthem,but
allthefalCieofCocoonwerethesametothem.
Thenwemustgoandpayourrespects.
Weregoingtogoandseeit!?
IfwegoandseethefalCieoftheenemythenmaybewellunderstandwhatourFocusis.Or
maybeIllgetmymemoryback...somethingwillhappen.
ButEuridemustbefar.Theysaidtheyweretakingatrainthere.
Neither Fang nor Vanille had ever ridden on a train. The train that ran by their home was
somethingthatranallthewaytotheendsoftheearth.Theywerentunusualinthis.Nooneintheir
villagehadeverriddenonatrain.Peoplejustdidntrideontrains,notusually.
Thatswhytheyhadbeensurprisedtohearacoupleofoldladiestalkingsocasuallyaboutriding
onatrain.ItmadethemquestiontheirinitialopinionthatCocoonwasapatheticsortofplace.
IllgoanydistanceifIcangetmymemoryback.
Butwemightnothaveenoughmoney.Imean,wemightnotbeabletoridewiththiscardalone.
ShedidntwanttogotoEuride.ShedidntwanttofaceafalCieofCocoon.
Isthatall?Fangsaid,laughing.Wecangotothestationandcheck.Therearelotsofwayswe
cangetmoney.Itwillbefine.Letsjustgo.Fangturnedonherheel.Onceshemadeuphermind,that
wastheendofit.Therewasnowaytostophernow.Vanillewouldjusthavetobepreparedforwhatever
wouldcome.Shesighed,andfollowedafterFangsfootsteps.

BeforetheycouldfindoutmoreonhowtogettoEuride,theyhadtofindoutwhereBodhum
stationwasfirst.Theyhadthoughtiftheyhadjustwalkedabittheywouldfindit,butthatwasnotthe
case.So,whilebuyingingredientsfordinner,theyaskedwheretheycouldfindit.Theythoughtpeople
mightlookatthemoddlyiftheystartedaskingwherethestationwas,buttheyneednthaveworried.
It seemed there were quite a lot of travelers who came here, and so strangers were quite
common.Theywouldsay,Oh,areyouonvacation?Wellwhereareyoufrom?Infact,FangandVanille
thoughttheywerebeingalittletoofriendly.
Theyweretoldthatanyshopinthecitycarriesmapsfortravelers,whichcanbetakenforfree.
Theywereputtheresothattravelersunusedtothecitywouldnotgetlost.

52

Puttingupmapsfortravelers?Thatseemsdangerous.
Amaplikethat,onethatcouldshowyoueveryplaceinthecityataglance,wouldbecomea
weaknessinthehandsoftheenemy.Amapwasanimportantdocumentmeanttobekeptsecret.Vanille
couldnthelpbutthinkbadlyofpeoplewhodidntevenknowsomethingassimpleasthat.Buttheclerk
lookedatheroddlywhenshementionedthis.ApparentlypeopleonCocoondidntthinkthatway.
Theyleftassoonastheclerkmarkedthestationonthemapforthem.Iftheyhadstayedany
longertheymighthavegiventhemselvesaway.Theyweremoreworriedabouttheirwordsoractions
makingthemseemsuspiciousthantheywereoftheclothingtheywore.
Fortunately,thestationwasnttofaroff.Itwasaboutfifteenminuteswalkfromtheshopping
mall,andveryclosetothetemple.Butiftheyhadntbeengiventhismap,theywerentsuretheywould
haverealizedthiswasastation.ThestationatBodhumlookedfamiliarandyetverydifferentfromthe
stationtheywerefamiliarwithonGranPulse.
Itdoesntlookanythinglikeastation.Itlooksmorelikea...storeorsomething.
Andlookat that train.Fangpointed astheygot closertothestation.Itdoesntlooklikeit
wouldstayonthetrack.
Thetrainhadaveryroundeddesign.Sayingitcouldntstayonthetrackwasnotquitecorrect,
butitdidseemtobelackingsomething.
Ifamonsterattackedit,itwouldgoflyingrightoff.
TrainsonGranPulseweremadelargeandsturdytowithstandattacksbylargemonsters.Both
thewindowframesandtheroofsweremadeofathickmaterialtoavoidbeingsmashedin.
IwonderifitwillevenmakeittoEurideokay.Vanillesaid.Fangshrugged.
Nouseworrying.Firstwevegottofindoutwhenthetrainleaves.Thenwevegottoknowhow
muchitcostsandhowmanydaysitwilltake.
Theythoughtjustbygoingintothestationthattheydbeabletofindoutalltheanswers,butthey
were wrong. They didnt know how to search for anything. First of all, there were so many different
platformsthattheydidntknowwheretogo.OnGranPulsetherewasonlyone,buthereinBodhumthere
wereseveral,anditseemedthateachhadatrainthatwasgoingtoadifferentplace.
Evenmoresurprisingwerehowmanytrainswerearriving.Intheirhometownthetrainonlycame
inthemorningandintheevening.
What...whatshouldwedo?
Theywanderedaroundtheinsideofthebuilding,butstillcouldntfigureanyofitout.
Areyoualright?CanIhelpyou?
ItwasayoungmotherwithasmallchildShemusthaveseenthattheywereconfused.
Um...well,wewanttogotoEuride,but...

53

TovisitthefalCie?ThetraintoEurideleavesfromplatformnumberone.
VanilleandFangexchangedglancesandbreathedasighofrelief.Saved!
Haveagoodtrip.Theyoungwomansaid,turning.
Um,waitplease!CanIaskyouonemorequestion?Therewerestillmorethingstheyhadto
ask.
HowmuchdoesitcosttogettoEuride?Canwegettherewiththis?Vanillesaid,pullingoutthe
card.Theyoungwomanlaughed.
Well,Idontknowwhatyourcreditlimitis,butIcantellyouitwilldefinitelybeenough,solong
asyoudontgetaspecialcar.
Thewomentheyhadseenbeforehadtalkedofsomethinglikethattoo,thoughtheymentioned
aprivatecar.ItseemedthereweremanydifferentwaystogettoEuride.
And,um...howmanytrainsgoeachdaytoEuride?
How many? Hmm... well... She cocked her head to the side to think. That must mean there
werentverymany.
Oh,pleasedonttellmethereisonlyoneeverycoupleofdays.
Huh?
Ohno,willwehavetowaitseveraldaysbeforeonecomes?Vanillebegantoworry.Whatwould
theydoiftheyhadtowaitthatlong?Buttheyoungwomanslaughtercutacrossherpaniclikeaknife.
Ohdear,yougirlsaresofunny.Itwillbealright.Justgotothestationandwaitabit,oneshould
comesoonenough.
Really...?
Itsjustyouaskedmehowmanycomeinoneday,andIveneverreallycountedthembefore.
Therearejustsomany.
It seemed they had said another strange thing. But fortunately this time they had no need to
apologize.Thistimetheyoungwomanjustlaughed.
Ifyoudontwanttowaitforthetrain,youcanalwaystakeanairbike.Thereisaplacewhereyou
canrentthemjustoutsidethestation.Thepricetorentatwoseaterisnttoomuchdifferentfromthe
costofatrainticket.
Um,no...no,Iliketrains.
Actually, neither one of them knew how to drive an airbike, but she decided not to say so. If
airbikes were something that even children on Cocoon knew how to use, theyd be thought of as
suspiciousagain.
Alright then, be careful and have a good trip. The young woman took the childs hand and
walkedovertoanotherplatform,adifferentonefromthetrainthatgoestoEuride.

54

Ohno!Iforgottoask...
What?
HowmanydaysitwilltaketogettoEuride.
Ah...
Butitreallydidntmatter.Theyknewtheywouldbeabletocoverthepriceoftheticket,andthey
knewwheretogetonthetrain.Thatwasalltheinformationtheyneeded.
Ihopeifweleavetomorrowwecanatleastarrivebythedayafterthat...
Itdoesntmatterhowlongitwilltake,solongaswecanmeetthisfalCie.
VanillesheartgrewheavywhensheheardthewordfalCie.Justwhenshehadmanagedtoforget
it,Fanghadremindedheronceagain.
Areyoutired?Fanglookedather,worried.
Well,justalittle.Vanillereplied,andtriedherbesttosmile.

55

Chapter05
ThetrainslippedfromBodhumstationasthoughglidingonwater.Itbeganwiththepeopleon
theplatformslowlymovingoffintothedistance,thensoontheentirecitybeganrushingpassed.
Wow...VanilleandFangbothleanedagainstthetrainwindow,watchingthecityrushbythem.
Soontheywereoutofthecityandhuggingthecoastline.
Lookatthat!Thatislandisfloating!
Ohwow...
Theyfelteyesontheirbacksandturned,tofindtheotherpassengersstaringattheminsurprise.
VanilleandFanghastilyreturnedtotheirseats.Theyhadntevenrealizedtheirfaceshadbeenpressedto
thewindow.Youcouldstillseethefogleftfromtheirbreath.
Someonesniggered.Vanilleturnedredandlookedatherfeet.
Glancingoutthewindowagain,Vanillesawtheoceansparklingwiththesunlightthatfellacross
it.Suddenlythetrainswerved,andtheleadcarcameintoview.Vanillewasshocked.Therewerenorails
underneaththetrain.Lookatthat!Vanillemouthed,coveringhermouthwithherhandssonoonecould
seewhatshewassaying.Shedidntwanttodrawattentiontothemselvesagain,butshecouldntcontain
herexcitement.ShepulledatFangsarm,pointingoutthewindowatthefloatingislands.Fangnodded.
ThetechnologytheyhaveonCocoonisjustamazing.VanillewhisperedinFangsear.Maybe,if
theysearchedeverycornerofGranPulse,theycouldfindsomethinglikethis.Thoughitwasunlikelythat
theywouldeverfindatrainthatcouldflyingthroughtheair.
Oneofthefloatingislandswascomingupneartheirwindow,butassoonasitwasthereitrushed
passedandbehindthem.Thetrainwasweavingamongtheislandslikeathreadincloth.
Look!Itsanairbike!Thevoiceofayoungboysquealedfromtheseatinfrontofthem.Vanille
cranedhernecktotryandseewhathewastalkingabout.Therewerethreevehiclesjustoutsidethetrain.
Thesemustbetheairbikesthatwomanhadtoldthemofyesterday.
Theirsofast!Daddy,whichisfaster?Anairbikeoryourairship?
Ofcoursemyairshipisfaster.Unliketheyoungboy,whowastooshorttosee,theycouldsee
thetopofhisfathershead.Hishairwaslikeabirdsnest,italmostseemedasifalittlebirdwouldcome
pokingitsheadoutatanymoment.
Therearelotsofislands.
ThecityofBodhumismadeupoflotsofislands.Heexplainedtohisson.Hisvoicesounded
kind.
IsthatBodhum?Thatplacethatfloatsupreallyhigh?
Reallyhigh?NothatsnotBodhum.ThatsaplacecalledEden.AndEdenisntanisland.

56

HerearsperkedupwhensheheardEden.Thatwastheplacethosetwomenhadtalkedabout
theotherday.Butitseemeditwasntamountainoravalley.Itwasahighplace,butnotafloatingisland?
Thenwhatwasit?
Daddy?HaveyoueverbeentoEden?
OfcourseIhave,Imapilot.IveevenbeentoaplacecalledPalumpolum.Theyhavemorestores
thananyothercityinCocoon.
Dotheyhaveatoystore?
Lots!
Andachocobostore?
Theyhavelotsofpetstores.
No!Achocobostore!
Well,Idontknowaboutthat...
They werent talking about anything important, but Vanille enjoyed listening to them. This is
probablywhatitwasliketohaveafamily.Theycontinuedtalkingaboutalltheplaceshispilotfatherhad
been.Therewasaplacewheretheykeptmonstersandletthemroamfree,acitythatwasfilledwith
gamesandotherfunthings...
Vanillebegantorealize,asshelistenedtothem,howmanydifferentplacesCocoonhad,andhow
manypeoplemustlivehere.Ifonlytheywerentenemies,ifonlythefalCieofCocoonhadntstolenso
muchfromthem...theycouldgotoandfromCocoonandGranPulsefreely.Whatawonderfulworldthat
wouldbe.
Shedidntwanttofight.Notwiththisfatherandhisson,orthatyoungmothertheymetatthe
stationyesterday,orthatgroupofelderlywomen.Shedidntwanttohurtasingleoneofthem.ButIm
probablywrong,Vanillethought.Ivealwaysbeentoldwemustfight.But...Imweak,soIdontwantto
fight.Fangwouldneverfeellikethis.Neverfeellost.Shewouldfightnomatterwhatthecost.But....
Fangdoesntfightbecausesheisstrong,thoughsheisquitestrong.Shefightsbecausesheiskind.
Shecanneverforgivethosewhohurtthepeoplesheloves.ButthatiswhyIcantletherfight,Vanille
thought.Fangwouldneverforgiveherselfifshehurtsomeonewhowasinnocent.
Yourmarkisstillalive.IfwedontcompleteourFocus,youllbecomeaCieth.
Vanille remembered the words Fang had said the day before. It didnt matter which path she
chose.Tofight,ornottofight.Whateverpathshechose,andallthepathsshehaschoseninthepast,
onlyleadstoFangssorrow.
Hey,whatsup?
Vanillelookedup,surprised.Shehadgoneoffintoherownhead,andhadnotrealized.Shelooked
outthewindow,andnoticedtheyhadstopped.Theywereatastation.
Where...whatstationisthis?

57

Thelaststop.Didntyouhear?TheysaiditwasEurideStation.
Allthepassengerswerestandingupandformingalinedowntheaisle.Thefatherandsonwho
hadsatintheseatinfrontofthemwerealreadygone.
ImgladIdidntaskhowmanydaysthetripwouldtake...Vanillesaid,sighing.

Slippingintothelineofpassengers,theyexitedthetrain.Theyhadnoworriesofgettinglost,as
allthepassengerswerewalkinginthesamedirection.
Aplazastretchedoutinfrontofthestation,andbeyondthatwasabuildingthatlookedsomething
likeanenergyplant.Theplazahadstallssellingballoonsandcandy,andwasasnoisyandfilledwithpeople
astheshoppingmallinBodhum.
There were people taking pictures of themselves in front of the energy plant, young couples
walking hand in hand, a group of young boys, an elderly couple... all of Euride had a very festive
atmosphere.
Onecorneroftheplazahadagroupofstudentslisteningattentivelytotheirteacher.
ThisplantismaintainedbyfalCieKujata,anditcreatesmostoftheenergythatisusedinthe
citiesclosetoEuride.Allofthethingsthatmakeourliveseasierrunontheenergycreatedinthisplant.
Doallofyouunderstand?
Yes!Thechildrenscreamed,theirvoicesexcited.Theadultswalkingbesidethemsmiled.
Icantbelievethesepeople.Fangwhispered.TheyknownothingabouthowtheirfalCietook
everythingfromus.
Yeah...theyknownothing...Butwasignoranceasin?Vanillewondered.Eveniftheydidknow,
itwouldbeasin.Thennomatterwhattheywereinthewrong.Bothpathsledonlytosorrow.
HeyFang?CanIchoosenothing?CanIturnmyeyesawayfromallofthis...?
Itsokaytorun,shewhisperedtoherself.LookingatFang,sheknewthiswassomethingshewould
neverbeabletosaytoher.
OncewecompleteourFocus,wecanleaveallthisbehind.Right,Vanille?
Insteadofanswering,VanillegrabbedFangshand.Justlikewhentheywerechildren,together
againstaworldofenemies.Solongasthey were together, theycouldstay alive.Solongasthewere
together,itdidntmatterwheretheyran...
Wewillgethome.Wewill.EvenifitwentagainstFangsownwishes.
TheenergyplantwherefalCieKujataawaitedwasjustinfrontofthem.Vanilletightenedhergrip
onFangshand,andallowedthemtobesweptalongwiththecrowdofpeople.

58

PartIII:Family
Chapter01
Whowouldhavethoughtitdturnouttobesuchabigdeal?
Soldierseverywhere,everythingsmessedup.WhenIfirstmetyou,itwassopeaceful.Letssee
now...thatwaseightdaysagowasntit?Yeah,justeightdays.Inthattime,allthishashappened.Idont
evenknowwhatsgoingonanymore.
Justcantbelieveit.Dadhascompletelygivenup.Well,youhavetoo...

Daddy,Iwantthatone!
Dajhwastuggingathishand,andSazhstoppedwithouteventhinkingaboutit.Whenchildren
demandthingsfromtheirparentstheyllpullandtugandrunarounduntiltheygetwhattheywant.His
sonDajhwasonlysix,buthecouldpullanadultlikeSazhoverwithouttrying.
Hey,whydontwebuyitonthewayback?
SazhhadbroughtDahjtoEwleedeCanyon.Hecouldntrememberwhenitwas,butDajhhadsaid
hewantedtoseeafalCie.
IfyouwantedtoseeafalCieonCocoon,theonlyplacetogowastoEwleede,toseefalCieKujata.
Sazhhadsearchedaround,andhehadfoundafreespotonwhatlookedliketheperfecttourpackage.A
FamilyVacation:VisitEwleedeandBowdam,hadbeenthetourname.Theairshipandhotelroomwould
be reserved for you, and theyd give you some free time to explore the places yourself. The price for
childrenhadanicediscount,anditlookedlikefun.
ThatswhytheywerenowheadedfromEwleedeStationtotheenergyplant.Theplacewasfilled
with tourists, and every corner had a souvenir shop. Sazh had known that Dajh would want to stop
somewhere.Hedwantsomeanimalshapedballoon,orperhapsbrightlycoloredcandywouldcatchhis
eye...
No!Now!Now!
Dajhpulledonhishandevenharder.Allchildrenarelikethis,sayingwhattheywantwhenthey
wantit.Sazhremembereddoingittoo,andhowhappyhedbehedgetwhathewanted.
But there was something he hadnt realized as a child. The adults who gave them what they
wantedwereevenhappiertodoit.
Alright,alright.Justthisonce.Justsayingthatmadehimstarttosmile.
So,whatisityouwant?
Theywereinfrontofapetshop.Thiswasntjustsomelocalshop,butachainthathadshops
everywhere.
Iwanttheyellowone!

59

Letssee,whichoneisit?
Therewerelotsofdifferentcageslinedupinfrontoftheshop.Justtoshowhowbigtheshop
was,theydidnthaveonlyyournormaldogsandcats,buttheyalsohadmonstersthathadtheirgenes
rearrangedtobenonthreatening.
Theyellowone,whichyellowone?Hiseyesstopped.
Not...youdontmean...thatone?
In one of the huge cages there was a big yellow Pudding, just sitting there. The Pudding was
stretchingoutitsbody,tryingtolookmenacing.
Heykid,youmeanthisyellowonedontya?TheshopkeepersmiledatDajhandflappedhis
hands.
Yeah,thatone!Dajhnodded,andmadethesamemotion.Itlookedliketheywereimitatinga
bird.
Allkidsmeanthiswhentheysaytheyellowone.Theshopkeepersaid,pointingatasignthat
said,BabyChocobosinStock!
Oh,justachocobo.HehadpanickedwhenhedthoughtDajhhadmeantthePudding,buthe
hadnoproblemswithababychocobo.
Alrightthen,welltakeoneoftheyellowones.
Dajhsfacelitupwhenheheardthewords.Dajhlovedchocobos.Hisfavoritepicturebookwas
aboutachocobo,heevenhadachocoboprinttowelhedusedtoshreds.
Great!Thenpleasecomeinsidetheshop.TheshopkeepertriedtotakeDajhbythehand.
No,Illwaithere!Dajhsaid.Hewasproudthathenowcouldwaitonhisownwhenhisfather
hadtodosomething.Nowhewantedtowaitbyhimselfallthetime.
Alright,butyoucantmovefromthisspot.Gotit?
Dajhnodded,gettingamischievouslookonhisface.OfcourseSazhknewwhathewasplanning,
whichiswhyhealwaystoldhimtonotmove.RecentlyDajhwasntsatisifedwithjustwaitingbyhimself,
sohedplayagame.HedwaituntilSazhhadenteredastore,thenhidehimselfintheshadows.When
Sazhcamelookingforhimhedwait,allexcited,untilhewasfound.
Whenheenteredtheshop,theshopkeeperwasjustopeningupthecage.Thatswhenoneofthe
chocobosdashedfromthecageandflewstraightatSazh.
Hey,lookslikehelikesyou.Hesmiledandclosedthecagewhenhesawthebabychocoboflying
aroundSazh.
Doesit?Cantreallytell.Hiseyesmetthebabychocoboswhenhelookedup.Thechocobo
cocked his head. Just when he started thinking it was cute, its eyes flashed. The next moment, the
chocobodivedatSazh.

60

Ow!ThechocobohadlandedrightonthetopofSazhshead.
Hey,dontuseyourclawslikethat!Thechocobochirpedinanswer.Sazhcouldnttellwhether
itwassayingOkay!orDoyouthinkIcare?,buteitherwayitseemedhappy.
Oncehedfinishedpaying,helefttheshopinahurrywiththechocoboridingontopofhishead.
HewantedtoshowDajhthechocoboassoonashecould.
Orsohedthought.ButDajhwasnowheretobefound.Well,thiswashowitalwayswas.
Hey,Dajh?Areyouplayinghideandseek?Hemadeasifhewerelookingaround.Ofcoursehe
wasjusthidingsomewhereintheshadows.SoonhedhearDajhlaughingfromsomewherenearby.Small
childrendonthidesotheywontbefound,theyhidesotheyllgetpickedupinabighug.
Hey,lookslikeIlost.Icantfindyou!Hesaid,pretendingtogiveup.ButstillhedidnthearDajh
laugh.
Dajh...?
Helookedaround.Ontheothersideofthebench,inthecartsshadow,behindtheflowerbox.
ButDajhwasnowheretobeseen.Butmaybe...theenergyplantwasjustoverthere.
Youdidntgointheredidyou?
Sazhrantotheentranceoftheplant.Childrenwilldothesamethingsoverandoverandnever
gettiredofthem,butthensuddenlyonedaytheylldosomethingnew.Childrenaregoodatthis.Thats
howtheygrowup.Iwontbelettinghimwaitonhisownforawhile,Sazhthought.Dajhprobablythought
itwouldbefuntotrygoingsomewhereelseonhisownwhilehewaswaiting.
Whenhewasinfrontoftheentrance,helookedbackattheplazaoncemorejustincase.There
werelotsofchildrenhisage,buthecouldntseeDajh.Hereallymusthavegoneintotheplantalone.Sazh
startedgettingworried.
Thatswhenithappened.Thegroundtrembledasthoughsomethinghugehadfallen.Fromfar
away he could hear the sound of air blowing. The children playing in the plaza all started crying and
screaming.
Dajh!Sazhrantowardstheentrance.Somethingbadjusthappened.Hewascertain.
Dajhwhereareyou?
Anemergancysirensounded.Aloudnoisethatcutthroughthescreams.Touristswererushing
towardstheentranceasfastastheycould.SazhwantedtogetonwithsearchingforDajh,butthewave
ofpeoplepushedandshovedhim.Hewasunabletomoveaninch.Hepushedthrough,tryingtomake
waythroughthepeople.Theyyelledathimandcomplained,buthehadnotimeforthatnow.
Ittookawhile,buthefinallyheardtheenergyplantstafftellingthetouriststocalmdownandexit
inanorderlymanner.Ithadprobablytookthemsolongbecausetheyhadbeensurprisedaswell.
Hecouldstillhearandfeelthegroundtrembling.Whitesmokewasbillowingout,andhecouldnt
tellwhatwashappeninginside.Wasthereafireoranexplosion?

61

Dajh!WhereareyouDajh?Sazhaccidentallybreathedinthesmoke,butitdidntmakehim
cough.Itwasntsmoke,butsomesortofmist.Justwhatwashappeninginthere...?
Therewerentmanypeoplealongthewalkway.Probablyeveryoneelsehadalreadyrun.Maybe
Dajhhadbeentakenwiththem?No,thatdidntseemright.HefeltasthoughDajhwassomewhereclose
by.
Dajh!Itsdad!Pleaseanswerme!HewasrightinfrontoffalCieKujata.Heyelledlouder.The
whitemisthadbecomeeventhickerthanitwasbefore,andhecouldhearaloudsoundlikeairescaping.
Hecontinuedon,beingcarefultocheckeverywherearoundhim.
ThenhesawthefamiliarcolorofDajhsclothes.
Dajh!
Dajhwaslaidoutalongoneoftherestingbenches.Heranoverandgatheredhimupinhisarms.
Daddy...?
Itsalright,everythingisalright.Areyouhurt?Hespokeinacalmvoicetoreassurehim,checking
hisarmsandlegs.
Huh?Whatsthis?
TherewasastrangemarkhedneverseenonthebackofDajhshand.Atfirsthethoughtitwasa
sticker,butitwassomethingelse.Itlookedlikethebodypaintsomeofthosekidslikedtoputon.Even
so,howcouldhehave...?
No,therewouldbetimetothinkaboutitlater.Rightnowtheyhadtoleave,getsomewheresafe.
HepickedupDajh,tocarryhim,whenheheardthesoundoffootstepsclosinginbehindhim.
Hey!Areyoualright?
Itwasasoldieronthesecurityforce.Hedbeabletoleadthemtoasaferplace.
Mychild,he...
Ishehurt?Didhehithishead?
Idontknow.Wegotseparated,andthen...
It probably said in the emergency procedure manual not to listen to the whole story. They
unfoldedastretcherandplacedDajhonit.Afemalesoldierstoodclose,lookingintoDajhsface.
Youdonthavetobescared,everythingwillbealright.
Shewasprobablycheckingtooseewhetherhewasconsciousornotwhileshetalked.Shewalked
overtosoldiersandnodded.
Takehimtothefirstaidroom.Pleasecomethiswaysir.
Weresaved,Sazhthought,everythingwillbealright.Henodded,andwalkedafterthem.

62

Thefirstaidroomwascrowdedwithtouristswhohadhurtthemselveswhilerunningaway,or
wereotherwisenotfeelingwell.WhenDajhwasonthestretcher,hehadremainedquiet,butnowthat
helaidinbedhecouldnttakeitanymore.Dajhbeganmovingabout,unabletokeepstill.Helookedup
atSazh.
Hey,daddy
Shhh.Hesaid,layingahandonDajhsshoulder.Youllhavetostayquietuntilthedoctorcan
havealookatyou.
Okay...Dahjnoddedsadly.Therewassomecommotionoutinthehallway.Didtheyjustbring
inanemergencypatient?Thedoortothefirstaidroomburstopen,andseveralsoldiersmarchedin.You
couldtelltheywerentfromthesecurityforcehere,notjustbytheirclothes,butbytheircolddemeanor.
Wearenowinastateofemergency.AsofnowtheplantandthesurroundingareaofEwleede
areunderPSICOMsupervision.Youwillobeyanyordersgiven.
Ayoungwomanwasstandingatthefrontofthesoldiers.Sheworeherbeautyandintelligentlike
acloak.But,perhapsitwastheglasses,hergazeseemedcoldandsevere.
CurrentlyallairshiplandingsatEwleedeStationwillbesuspended.Wewillbesettingupatent
intheplazainfrontoftheenergyplantforyoutouseasawaitingarea,sowewouldlikeeveryonewho
hasbeenseenbyadoctortogothere.Anyonewhohasnotbeenseenandmedicalstaffwillgotothe
firstaidtent.Asofnowthisplaceisofflimits.
Thefirstaidroomgrewnoisy,butonlyforamoment.Thenonthewomansordersthesoldiers
separatedthepeopleintogroupsandmadethemformaline,leadingthemoutside.Thatwasneatlydone,
Sazhthought,PSICOMhasalwaysbeengoodatthissortofthing.
SazhandDajhwenttotheendofthelinegoingtothefirstaidtent.Butthenhefeltahandlaying
onhisshoulder.
IsthisthechildwhocollapsedinfrontofthefalCie?
Itwasthewomanintheglasseswholedthesoldiers.SheloweredhervoiceasshespoketoSazh.
MynameisJihlNabaatofPSICOM.Iwishtospeakwithyouaboutyourson.Pleasecomewith
me.
Aboutmyson?
Sheliftedafingertoherlips,indicatinghimtoquiet.
Iknowyoudliketospeakofitnow,butpleasefollowmyorders.Iwillexplaininmoredetail,
buthere...therearetoomanypeople.
Herwordsheldhiddenmeaning.Justwhatwashappening?WhathadhappenedtoDajh?There
were so many questions he wanted to ask, but this was PSICOM. This was someone who held a high
position.TheonlythingSazhcoulddowasnod.

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Chapter02
They pretended we were emergency patients, carrying us away and loading us on a PSICOM
airship.SometimesoneofthehigherupsinPSICOMwouldcomeby,sayingtheyhadtoobserveus.That
Nabaatwomankeptsayingitwasaluckyaccidentorsomethinglikethat.PSICOMsspecialtyis...well,
theycallthemtheMenaceofPulse.IwonderedwhatwassoluckaboutPSICOMbeingattheplant.
No,Ididntcareaboutthat,solongDajhwasalright.Solongashewassafe.Buttheydidntexplain
anythingtome,theyjustdraggedustoEdenandputusinthemilitarysmedicalfacility.Shesaidshed
tellusthedetailslater,butwiththemedicalstaffwatchingoverusontheairshiptherewasnotimefor
that.
Becausetheysaid,Thesafetyofyoursonisoftheutmostimportance.Ididntsayanything.
Dadwasallshookup,soIcompleteforgottoletyouandDajhmeet.Butyouwerentexactlyable
toatthetime,wereyou?Youwerehidingindadshair,soshockedyoucouldntevenmove,right?When
youfinallyflewoutitwasnight,andIwasgettingintobed.TheydputmeinadifferentroomfromDajh.
Iwasallalone,soitgavemequiteastart.
OfcourseIcouldntsleep.IcouldntstopthinkingaboutthewordthatLieutenantNabaatsaid:
TheMarkofthelCie.

Bythenextday,nothinghadchanged.Sazhstilldidntknowwhatwasgoingon.Hecorneredone
of the medical staff, but theyd only tell him that they were still investigating. Or theyd tell him that
LieutenantNabaatwouldexplaineverytimetohimatalatertime.Ifheaskedwhereshewas,theydonly
tellhimtheydidntknow.Hethoughtthattheywereprobablyhidingsomething,butitseemedthestaff
herereallyhadnoidea.TheywerentinchargeoftheinvestigationonDajh,butoneofthehigherups,a
specialist.
MaybetheyfeltsorryforSazh,whowasoutofhismindwithworry.Themedicalstaffattempted
tofindoutaboutLieutenantNabaat,butcouldntgetmuchfartherthanhecould.TheLieutenantwasout
onduty,shecouldntevenbecontacted.
LieutenantNabaatisaveryimportantperson.SheisonewhotheSanctumrelieson.Thereis
nothingwecando.
Theyoungwomanwhoddoneeverythingshecouldtohelphimlookedregretful.Accordingto
her,Nabaathadgraduatedatthetopofherclass.Afterthat,shehadmovedquicklytothepositionof
Lieutenant,anditwouldntbetoolongbeforesheattainedevenhigherpositions.
Ifsomeonelikethatwasinvolved,thenwhathadhappenedatEwleedewasnosimpleaccident.
ItlookedlikeheandDajhgotwrappedupinsomeseriousbusiness.Thathewassureof.
Wewillgetincontactwithher,soyoucangetanexplanationassoonaspossible.Iknowyoure
worried,butpleasewaitalittlelonger.

64

Iunderstand,just...assoonasyoucan,please.Sazhthankedher,andreturnedtohisroom.It
wasntasickroom,butaplacesetasideforthefamilyofpatients.Itwassetuplikeahotel.Itevenhada
machinewhereyoucouldaccesstheshops,amongotherthings.
Whenhestoppedinfrontofthemachine,thebabychocoboflewoutfromhishair.Ithadprobably
beenwatchingtoseeifitwassafe,soithadntcomeoutbefore.
Playaroundasmuchasyouwant.Imgoingtotryandgetsomeinformation.Heturnedonthe
machine,andaccessedthelibrary.HewantedtofindoutmoreaboutthisMarkofthelCiethatNabaat
hadbeentalkingaboutearlier.
OfcoursehedheardoflCie.Itwassomethinghehadknownaboutsincehewasachild.Everyone
bornonCocoonheardabouttheminoldstoriesandfairytales.Buthowdoesthatfairytalerelateto
reality? He couldnt think of any way they could have anything to do with Dajh and the accident at
Ewleede.Hehadprobablyheardwrong,anditwasactuallyadifferentword.NotreallylCie.Ifthatwas
thecase,thenwhatcoulditbe?HewantedtoknowwhatNabaathadbeentryingtosay.
He figured that his search would only come up with the titles of childrens books. But he was
wrong.Therewere more historybookslisted thanhewould haveimagined. Therewere copiesofold
texts,andvideosofreferencelibrariesthereaswell.
Sazhwastryingtothinkofwhichoneheshouldtryfirst,whenthebabychocobocameflyingdown
onthecontrolpanel.Thescreenchanged.
Heynow,donttouchthemachine!Ifyouregoingtoplayaround,gooverthere.Hereached
forthecancelbutton,buthelookedcloseratwhathadcomeuponthescreen.Itwasapictureofanold
text,strangesymbolsandwritingcarvedintorock.
Whatintheworldisthis?
Herecognizedthatsymbol.Infact,hehadjustseenithalfadaybefore.Itwasthemarkhehad
seenonthebackofDajhshand.Sazhreadtheaccompanyingtextthatwentwiththepicture,andhe
paled.
The Mark of the lCie that Nabaat had been talking about... wasnt just something he had
misheard.

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Chapter03
Iveneverreallyunderstoodthephraseeverythingwentblackuntilnow.Butitstrue.Notreally
black,butjustnotbeingabletoseeanythingatall.Nomatterwhatyouwerelookingat,itjustwont
register.
IrememberaccessingtheinformationfromsomeUniversityresearchgroup,orsomethinktank
orsomethinglikethat.ButIdontrememberwhatitsaid.Irememberreadingit,thatImsureof.Ithink
itsaidsomethingaboutthelCieoftheSanctumorsomethinglikethat.
ButnoneofitwasinformationIwantedtoknow,whatIwantedtohear.Youknowwhatdad
wantstohearright?Justonething.Onesimplething.Thathissonisgoingtobealright.
IdontknowwhyIthoughtLieutenantNabaatwouldbeabletotellmethat.Iwaspanicked.Every
newthingIreadwasjustsounbelievable.Ididntwanttobelieveit.Ithoughtsomesoldierwhohad
graduatedatthetopofherclasswouldbeabletotellmeotherwise.LikealifepreserverIheldontothat
thought.
ItwasonlyseveraldayslaterthatIfinallygottoseeher.Threedaysaftertheaccident...

Iamsorrytohavekeptyouwaitingforthreedays.Nabaatbowedherheaddeeply.Iamsure
youvebeenquiteworried.Herexpressionwassorrowful.
Theywereinamedicalobservationroom,watchingamonitoronthewall.Themonitorshowed
Dajhplayingwithsomethingthatlookedlikeapuzzle.Theysaidthatthiswasoneofthethingstheywere
usingintheirinvestigation.Sazhwasntallowedtovisithimyet,butNabaathadpreparedthismonitor
roomforhim,sothathecouldatleastseethathissonwasalright.
Whatever,Idont care. ButDajh,myson...Let metake himhome,Sazh wantedtosay,but
didnt.HelookedatDajhonthemonitor,happilyclappinghishands.Therewasthesymbol,rightthere
onthebackofhishand.Icantaskyet,hethought,wehavetodosomethingaboutthatfirst.Beforewe
gohome.
Youprobablyhavealreadyrealized,but...
Nabaatlookedasthoughsheweregoingtosaysomethingthatwasdifficult.Shebreathed,and
saidwhatshewantedtosay.
YoursonhasbeenchosentobealCie.ByfalCieKujata.
Forthepastthreedays,SazhhadsearchedandstudiedaboutthelCie,asmuchastimewould
allow.Butithadonlymadehimlosehope.Nabaatwasthelastglimmerhehadleft.Hewassureshe
wouldsay,Youvegotitallwrong.ThereisnowayyoursoncouldbealCie.andlaughhisfearsaway.
Butatherwordshefellintodespair.Hedidntevenrealizehewasyelling.
Howcouldyoujokeaboutthis?ThelCiearenothingbutsomeoldstory....
Iunderstandhowyourefeeling.Nabaatclosedhereyessadly.Sazhwasatalossforwords.
Shouldhetellher,Youunderstandnothing!Orcouldhetellher,Dontsympathizewithme!No,it

66

wouldnt change anything. No matter what he said, nothing would change. Instead, he shoved those
feelingsdeepwithinhisheart.
Idontunderstandthis.Anyofit.Sazhclenchedhisfistsinfrustration.
Weweresurprisedalso.Shecontinuedquietly.
Accordingtorecord,alCiehasnotbeenchosenforhundredsofyears.NotsincetheWarof
Revelations.
Thenwhy?WhydidthishappentoDajh?
WhywasitDajh?Therehadbeenotherchildreninthesameplace,tonsofthem.Childrenthe
sameageasDajh.No,diditevenhavetobechild?Therewereadultsthere.Itwouldnthavematterif
theyhadchosenoneoftheminstead.Sowhy,whydiditchooseDajh?
Tobehonest,wedontknow.Wecanonlythinkthathewasjudgedasthebestchoicebythe
falCie.
Asixyearoldchild?Thatsridiculous!
Mr.Katzroy...Sheopenedhermouthasiftosaysomething,butturnedhereyesawaywithout
sayinganythingatall.Sheknowssomething,Sazhthought.Shesstillhidingsomethingfromme.
WhatisPSICOM...theSanctum,goingtodowithDajh?NabaathadsaidintheairshipthatDajhs
safetywasimportant.ButSazhknewthearmywouldntputoutsomucheffortforonecivilianchild.
IfyoullkeepwhatImabouttotellwhatasecret...
Bingo,Sazhthought.Nabaatstaredstraightintohiseyes.
AgreatdangerisapproachingCocoon.WehavewatchedPulse,andweknowthataninvasionis
ontheway.
Huh?
Whatcouldshemeananinvasion?FromPulse?Thiswastoobig,hecouldntunderstandwhat
shemeant.
TheSanctumisholdingbackonmakingapublicannouncementofthis,butwhathappenedat
theplantwasnoaccident.ItwastheworkofenemiesfromPulse.
Thatwhitemist,thegroundtrembling,theSanctumhadannounceditasnothingbutanaccident.
Butithadbeensomethingplanned,somethingfromPulse.
ThereasontherewassolittledestructionwasbecauseofDajh.HewaschosenbythefalCieto
bealCie.
Impossible.Howcouldasixyearoldchilddoanything?
Itwasunbelievable.HowcouldasixyearolddoanythingagainstenemiesfromPulse?
Itsthetruth.Nabaatsaid,cuttinghimoff.

67

Buttheenemiesescaped,theyarestillatlarge.Wedontknowwhenorwheretherewillbe
anotherattack.Thatiswhyweareaskingthatyoucooperate.
Cooperate?
Hestillcouldntthinkofitasanythingbutahorriblejoke.Cooperate?Withwhat?
Dajhhasbeenchosen.HeisthekeytosavingCocoon.Hemaynothaveknowledgeofhispower,
buttheSanctumwillbeprovidingbackupforhim.HewillstandinthefaceoftheinvasionfromPulse.So
please,Mr.Katzroy,pleasehelpus.
Idontknowwhattosaytothat.Itsjusttoo...much.
Hewantedtohearamoreconcreteexplanation.Hedidntunderstandanyofthis.Hedidntcare
aboutthisinvasionfromPulse.HejustwantedtoknowwhenhedbeabletotakeDajhhome.
...wasthereanychancetheydbeabletoreturntoanormallife?
Yes,yesIdounderstand.Nabaatnoddedseveraltimes.Shedidntseemlikeasoldierthen,but
ateachertalkingtoasmallchild.
Wearentaskingyoutodoanythingspecial.Wedjustlikeyoutowatchoverhim.
Iprobablylooklikeasulkychildrightatthismoment,Sazhthought.
WedontknowwhatFocusorpowersDajhhasbeengiven.Wearetryingtofindoutassoonas
possible,thatiswhatweareinvestigatingnow.Unfortunatelywecannotallowyoutovisithimyet,butI
understandthatyouareworried.Soplease...
Focus?Oh,ofcourse.IfalCiedoesnotcompletetheirFocustheyllturnintoaCieCorpse.Thats
what she was saying. Right now the most important thing was to discover what his Focus was. He
understood.Inhisheadheunderstood,butinhisheart...
Illtrytoseeifyoullbeallowedtoseehimtomorrow.Butwellhavetodoasmanytestsaswe
cantoday.Soplease,justwaitonemoreday.
TherewasnothingelseSazhcouldsay.

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Chapter04
Shewasntlyingwhenshesaidtomorrow.Itwasevening,butIwasfinallyallowedtoseeDajh.I
leftyoubackintheroombecauseIwasworriedifyouwentDajhwouldntbeabletofigureoutwhathis
Focuswas.
Dontbemad!Dadreallywantsthetwoofyoutomeet.ButtheLieutenantwasrightaboutkids.
Whensomethingelsetakestheirattention,theyllforgetaboutanythingelse.Atthetime,Ididntreally
understandwhattheymeantbyFocus.Notreally.ButIwaspanicked.Notjustthen,butthewholetime.
Iwasjustso...worried.
Whatdoesasixyearoldboyunderstand?Couldheunderstand?
ItsallIcouldthinkabout...

WhentheycalledSazhin,itwasadifferentroomthanhehadbeentoyesterday.Insteadofa
monitor,therewasahugewindow.Youcouldseethenextroomperfectly.Butyoucouldntseeintothis
roomfromtheotherside.Ifyoucould,Dajhwouldhaveseenhimandcomerunning.Theyprobablyused
thisroomtomonitortheirsubjects.
Doyouwanttoseehimfirst?Orwouldyoulikemetotellyouwhatwevefound?
Whatyouvefound...please.
HewantedtoseeDajhverymuch,buthewasworriedabouttheresultsoftests.Ifhewasthinking
aboutitwhenhesawDajh,hedmakehissonworry.Hethoughtitwouldbebesttohearaboutitfirst.
InthenextroomtherewasanofficerwhowasplayingwithDajh.Themanwasprobablyinhis
earlythirties.Hiscoolsilverhairandscaronhisforeheadlookedasthoughitwouldscarechildren,but
Dajhseemedtolikehim.Themanprobablylikedchildren.Hisfacelookedgrim,butyoucouldtellby
lookingathimplaywithDajh.Orperhapshejusttookhisdutiesseriously.
Dajhisagoodboy.Heisntshyatall,andhelistenstoothers.Lookingthroughthewindow,
Nabaatsmiled.
Wellhismotherdiedwhenhewasveryyoung.Heshadtogotobabysittersandthroughchild
care,sohesgottenusedtoplayingwithotheradults.ThatswhyIchangedfromalongdistancerouteto
alocalone,soIcouldbemoreofafather.
Beforehiswifehaddiedthreeyearsago,hehadbeenallabouthisjob.Ithadbeenhisdreamto
becomeapilot,andhehadfinallygottensignedonasapilotforalongdistanceroute.Everydayseemed
perfect.
Whenhechangedtoalocalroutepilotallforhisson,everyonewassurprised.EvenSazhthought
itwasstrange.Hehadworkedsohardforit,tosuddenlygiveituplikethat.Buthedidntfeelhewas
wrong. Herealizedfor thefirsttimewhatitwasliketospendtimewithyourchild.Itwasfun,andit
warmedhisheart.

69

HedidntwantDajhtobelonely,nowthathedidnthavehismother.Forthepastthreeyearshe
hadworkedandtakencareofhimasbesthecould.But,inreality,itwasDajhwhohadsavedSazh.His
smilesandhislaughterbecamethingstolivefor.
Whatdidyoufind?Canyouhealhimofthis...lCiething?IdontwanttoloseDajhssmile,Sazh
thought.ButNabaatseyesgrewsad.
Withhumantechnology...Imsorry,butitsjustnotpossible.
No...Sazhsaid,hisvoiceseemedfaintandfaraway.IfDajhdoesntcompletehisFocushell
becomeaCieCorpse.Amonster.Ifhecompletesithellbecomeacrystal.Theoldtextshadsaid,The
lCiewhohascompletedtheirFocuswillbeturnedtocrystalandbegrantedeternity.Buttohumans
suchathingisthesameasdeath.
Sazhlookedtotheothersideofthewindow.TheofficerwasgivingDajhapiggybackride.Dajh
waslaughingandclappinghishandsindelight.Hissmilewasthesameasever,thoughnowhewasa
lCie.Justbecauseofsomescribbleonhishand,hedneveragaintoabletoleadanormallife...
Andifyoucouldtakethemarkoff?Iftherewassomesortofskingraftingprocedure,andyou
couldjustremoveit?
Even in the worst case, if they had to cut off his hand entirely, it would still be better than
becomingamonsteroracrystal.Evenifhecouldntusehishandanymore,hewouldstillhaveachance
toliveahappylife.
Wecant.WedontknowwhatwouldhappentoDajh.Thereissomuchwedontknowabout
thelCie...no,reallywedontknowanythingatall.
But...
Iregretthatthereisnothingwecandoaboutthis.Butrightnowwehavetothinkaboutfinding
DajhspowersandFocus.Wehavetothinkofcuttingoffthemarkasalastresort.Wecantrushthis.
Thatwaseasytosay,buttheydidntknowhowmuchtimetherewasleft.Whetherthetimelimit
forcompletinghisFocuswastomorrow,orthedayafter,theycouldnttell.Itcouldevenbeayearortwo
fromnow...
Therehasbeensomeprogress,however.
Progress?Whatareyoutalkingabout?
Well,thisisstillallhypothetical,Nabaatstartedexplaining,ItseemsDajhhasthepowerto
sensethosefromPulse.HeprobablywillbeabletotellwherethelCiethatattackedEwleedeare,aswell
asthefalCiewhocontrolsthem.
Thebitofhopehehadfellbackintodespair.HecantellwherethosePulsepeoplewere.Butwhat
would that do? He didnt understand anything about that. He realized that this was the difference
betweenhimselfandPSICOM.ForthosewhoareprotectingCocoonfromPulse,suchanabilitywould
definitelybeseenasprogress.TheywerethesameasthefalCie.TheyonlywantedtouseDajh.

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HedidntknowwhatexactlyitwasheexpectedfromPSICOM,fromtheSanctum.Hecouldnt
dependonNabaatoranyoneinPSICOM.TheonlyonewhowoulddoanythingforDajhwouldbehimself.
Please...letmeseeDajh.Letmeseemyson.
Ofcourse.Rightthiswayplease.Nabaatstoodup,smiling.Hedidntifitwasbecausehisfeelings
hadchanged,buthefelttherewassomethingcoldbehindhersmile.
Dajhhasbeenveryexcitedtohearthatyoudbecoming.
Whatwasshetryingtomakehimdo?Hecouldnttrusther.
Daddy!
Dajhburstthroughthedoorasitopened.
Dajh!
Dajhleaptathim,andSazhpickedhimupandheldhim.Hefeltthesameasalways.Whenhefelt
himinhisarms,herealizedwhatpainitwouldcausehimifDajhnolongerexisted.Hedidntwanttolose
thisfeeling,thiswarmth.Hewouldprotecthimhoweverhecould.
Hey,daddy...
Quicklywipinghistearsawayfromthecornersofhiseyes,heletDajhdown.
Whatisit?HekneltdownandlookedintoDajhsface.
Iwannaseefireworks!Bigones!
Fireworks?
Yeah,bigones.Lotsinthesky!Likethis,Dajhsaid,makingabigcircleintheairwithhishands.
Well,theystillhaveallthistestingtodo,somaybenotnow...
No!Fireworks!Bigfireworks!
HewantedtogiveDajhanythinghewanted.ButhedidntthinkPSICOMwouldletthem.Now
thattheyknewhehadthepowertofeelthosefromPulse,theywouldkeeptestinghimuntiltheyknew
hisFocus.
Well,howaboutafterthetests?
No!Thefireworkswillbegone!
Dajh was more insistent than usual. Normally, even if hed demand what he wanted at first,
eventuallyhedgiveinanddoashewastold.ItmadeSazhwishevenmorethathecouldgivehimwhat
hewanted.
Butrightnowtherearetests...HelookedatNabaat.Dajhwasagoodkid,ifitwasexplainedto
himthatthetestswereimportant,thenhedunderstand.Hemightbesad,buthedstillobey.ButNabaat
saidsomethingcompletelyunexpected.

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Whenyousaytheyllbegone,doyoumeanthefireworksfestival?
Thatsright,therewasthatfireworksfestivalinBowdamacoupleofdaysfromnow.Hewondered
ifDajhhadnoticedthepostersthatwereupinBowdamwhentheypassedthroughontheirwaytosee
thefalCie.
Whydoyouwanttogo?Doyoulikefireworks?
Dajhlookedup,asifsearchingfortheanswer.Hepressedhislipstogether.
WhatswrongDajh?
.....itsthere.Hewhispered,clingingtoSazh.
Whatsthere?
HepressedhisnoseagainstSazhsshoulderandshookhishead.
Okay,Dajh.Wellallgoseethefireworkstogether.Nabaatsaid,whilerubbingDajhsback.Was
sheserious?
Lieutenant,areyousureweshould...
Ibelieveitwouldbeworthcheckingout.Shepushedupherglasseswiththetipofherfinger,
andnoddedattheofficer.
WehaventheardDajhsayanythinglikethisbefore.Itspossiblethatifhispowertosensethose
fromPulseisworking,therewillbesomethingatthefireworksfestivalinBowdam.
Ofcourse,howyoutreatothersandhowyoutreatyourfamilyisgoingtobedifferent.Sazhkept
quiet.TheymaywanthimtocompletehisFocusassoonaspossible,butSazhjustwantedtotakehimto
thefireworksfestival.HedidntwantthemtestingDajhanymore.

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Chapter05
Weweregoingtoseethefireworks.Dajhwassohappy,heranandjumpedaroundtheroom,
yelling and screaming. Probably because he was so sick of all the tests they were doing on him. Even
thoughthatPSICOMofficer,orthosechildrenspsychologyspecialistswouldplaywithhim,hewasstill
likeabirdtrappedinacage.
Theyhadtestedhimoverandover,butstilltheycouldntfigureouthisFocus.Theonlythingthey
knewwasthathecouldfeeltheexistenceofthingsfromPulse.No,eventhatIthoughtwasntthetruth.
Ithoughttheywereprobablyjusttellingmelies,becausePSICOMwasntgettingtheresultstheywere
hopingfor.
IdidntbelieveanyofituntilwewereridingontheairshiptoBowdam.Ohyeah,youwereonthe
airshiptoo.DoyourememberhowDajhlookedwhenhefirstsawyou?ItsbeenalongtimesinceIve
seenhimsmilelikethat...

SazhwatchedDajhrunupanddownthepassagewaysintheairship,histhoughtsinturmoil.The
babychocobowaschasingafterhim.Whenthetwoboys...no,whentheboyandthebirdfirstmet,they
becamefriendsrightaway.Thecabinwasinanuproarwiththetwoofthembouncingabout.
Well, since there werent any other passengers Sazh let them do what they liked. When he
thoughtabouthowDajhhadbeenclosedupinthatroomforsolong,hefelthehadarighttoberunning
aroundandhavingfunlikethis.Hecouldnttellhimno.Nabaatdidntseemtobetroubledbyiteither.In
fact,shehadoneofherunderlingsmadearecordofDajhplayingwiththechocobo.Maybetheywere
usingitasanothertest.
DaddyImthirsty.Dajhsaid,runninguptowhereSazhwassitting.Hewasprobablytiredofall
thatrunningabout.Ofcourse,thebabychocobowasrightbehindhim,andusedSazhsheadasalanding
pad.Sazhopenedupacanofjuiceforhim,andDajhdrankitinonebiggulp.Withalltherunningand
yelling,itsnowonderhewassothirsty.
Ohyeah,wevegottonamethislittleguydontwe?
Whentheyfirstmet,thelittlebirdhadstartedchasinghimrightaway.Therehadbeennotime
tostartthinkingofnames.
Ummm...acoolname!LikesomeoneonTV!
HewastalkingaboutthechildrensshowsthatDajhcouldntgoadaywithoutwatching.Themain
characterwasababychocobo,whowasaheroofjustice.Babychocobosweresopopularthesedays
becauseofthisshow.
Buthey,whatifitsagirl?Whatwouldyoudothen?
They say that even experts cant tell what sex a chocobo is. Chocobos are quite mysterious
creatures.Theycanunderstandhumanspeech,andtheyhaveastronghominginstinct.Thatsaboutall
anyoneknew.
Okay,thenacool,cutename!

73

Wellthatsatallorder.Butyouhaveenoughtimetothinkaboutit.Hesnotgoingtoberunning
awayanytimesoon.
ThoughhowmuchtimeDajhactuallyhadleftwastheproblem.Sazhsankintodepression.What
sortofFocuscouldachildofsixhave?Onewhocandonothingbutjumpandplayandscream?
Daddy,Daddy,whatsthat!?Dajhsaid,pointingoutthewindow.
Hm?Letmesee.Ohthat.ThatstheruinsinBowdam.Wellbearrivingtheresoon.
Dajhpressedhisforeheadagainstthewindow,andstareddownattheruins.Sazhthoughthehad
alreadyseentheruinsfromthetrainheadingtoEwleede,butmaybetheviewfromabovegaveadifferent
impressionthantheviewfrombelow.
Iwanttogoinside.
Insidetheruins?Toobad,youcant.Theresnodoor.Nooneevenknowsifthereisaninside.
ItsjustsomestrangethingfromPulse...ThenSazhremembered.AstrangethingfromPulse?Whatwas
itthatNabaatwassaying?DidntshesaysomethingaboutDajhbeingabletosensethingsfromPulse?
Itsinside.
Dajh...you...
Hewastooafraidtosaymore.
Dajh,istheresomethinginsidethere?
SuddenlyNabaatwasstandingbesidethem.Shemusthavebeenlistening.
I...dontknow.But,itsthere.
Isee.Youdontknowwhatitis,butyouknowsomethingisthere?
Lookingoutthewindow,Dajhnoddedhishead.
Thankyou.Youresuchagoodboy.Shesaid,andpattedhimonthehead.ShelookedatSazh
asiftosay,thisisyourchildspower.
Buthestillcouldntbelieveit.Thoseruinslookedstrange.Dajhwasjustinterestedinitbecause
ofthat,hejustwantedtotrygoinginside.
Wewillgetaninvestigationteamonit,andsearchtheinsideofthoseruins.Thereisachance
thatinthereisaPulse...
Areyoukiddingme?Thereisnowaythatcouldbepossible!Sazhyelledwithoutrealizingit.
Dajhjumpedandlookedathim.Sazhcalmedhimselfdown.
Dontworry,daddywasjustalittlesurprised.SorryIyelled,Ididntmeantosurprisedyoulike
that.
HetookholdofDajh,andheldhimonhislap.Hedidntwanthimtolookoutthewindowanymore.

74

IdidntwanttobelievethathecouldreallyfeelthingsfromPulse.Ithink,somewheredeepinside
Istillthoughtthattheyhaditallwrong.TheresnowayDajhcouldbealCie.SowhenIsawDajhlooking
atthoseruinslikethat,Ijustcouldntstandit.
IwantedtokeepbelievingthatDajhjustwantedtoseethefireworksfestival,thatithadnothing
to do with Pulse. I was sure he had just heard people talking about it on the train from Bowdam to
Ewleede.EventhoughInevertoldhimaboutit,DajhknewthatthefireworksinBowdamweresaidto
grantwishes.
Hey,doyourememberwhatDajhwishedfor?Ihopedaddygetshappyagain.hesaid.IknewI
couldntcontinuetolooksosadafterthat,whenIwasworryingevenhim.SoIdecidedthatIwouldnt
everlooksadorworriedinfrontofDajhagain.Well,IgaveitmybestshotdidntI?Evenafterwhatthe
Lieutenantsaid...

Itwasasbrightasnoon.Itwasnearingtheendofthefireworksfestival,andalreadysomany
fireworkshadbeenshotintothesky.
Everyonehadprobablyalreadyfinishedwiththeirwishes.Theyhadalllookedupintothesky,and
said their oohs and aahs. Dajh was holding Sazhs hand. He was jumping up and down, laughing and
smiling.
SoLieutenantNabaat.Howdiditgo?
BothSazhandNabaatweretheonlyoneslookingsomewherecompletelydifferentfromthose
aroundthem.Nabaathadbeenwaitingontheairshipforthereportfromtheinvestigationteamtocome
in.Ifshewasherenow,thatmeant...
Ivereceivedacommunicationfromtheinvestigationteam.Nabaatsaid,hervoicelow.Sazh
heldisbreathandwaitedforhetocontinue.
ThereisaPulsefalCieinsidetheruins.
Thesoundfadedfromtheworld.Theblastofthefireworks,thecheersofthepeople,everything
wasgone.TheonlythingleftwasNabaatsvoice.
Itsquiteembarrassing.Thoseruinshavebeenhereforhundredsofyears,buttheSanctumwas
unabletodoanythingaboutthem.WehavealottothankDajhfor.
DajhwasntevenawarethatNabaatwastalkingabouthim.Hishandswereraisedtothesky,
jumping,asifhethoughthecouldtouchthefireworks.
Imean,hedidsuddenlysayhewantedtogotoBowdam,thattherewassomethingthere.But
whowouldhavethought...
WhowouldhavethoughtthattherewouldbeaPulsefalCieinBowdam.Insidearuinwithno
entranceorexit.
Nowweknowforsure.DajhcansensethingsfromPulse.

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Nevermindthat,whatishisFocus?Isitjustforhimtosensethemandfindthem?
Nabaatsexpressiongrewclouded.Wearenotsurejustyetifthatisthecase.
Butwhynot?Imeanhefounditforyoudidnthe?Whywouldntitbe?
Iamsorry.Thereistoomuchwedonotknow.ButIfeelthatitwouldntbesomethingassimple
asfindingthePulsefalCie...Shecutoffherwords.Itseemedshedidntwanttosaymorethanthat.If
hisFocuswastofindthe PulsefalCie,nowthatitsbeenfound intheruins Dajhwould havealready
turnedintoacrystal.WhichmeantthatfindingthefalCiehasnotcompletedhisFocus.
DidhealsohavetofindallofthelCiethatwereinhiding?Ormaybehehadtonotonlyfindthem,
butdefeatthemaswell.Eitherway,ittoomuchtoexpectofasixyearoldboy.
Daddy.Hey,Daddy!Dajhwaspullingonhisarm.
Oh,sorry.Whatsup?
LetsgotoNautilusParknext!
SazhandNabaatlookedateachother.NautilusParkwasathemeparkrunbytheSanctum.The
parkwasthecenterofNautilusCity.DidDajhsensemorethingsfromPulse?ItwasprobablythePulse
lCie.
Isthere...somethingthere?
Hebarelymanagedtokeephisvoicefromshaking.IftherewerePulselCieinNautilusPark,then
thistimemightturnDajhintoacrystal.
Yeah!Therearelotschocobos!Andthefluffythings!
Sazhfeltrelieved.Dajhjustwantedtoseechocobosandsheep.Ohyeah,theyhadtalkedabout
NautilusonthetraintoEwleede.Hewasprobablyjustrememberthat.
ItseemsitdoesnthaveanythingtodowithPulse.
Sazhnoddedslightly.
Takeme,takeme!
He was about to tell him theyd go later, but Nabaat stepped in. He thought she must be
disappointedthatherexpectationswerentbeingmet,butherexpressionwaskind.
Pleasetellmeifthereisanywhereelseyouwanttogo,okay?
Oh,ofcourse.Evenifthistimeitisntright,thereisalwaysthenexttime.Thatisprobablywhat
sheisthinking.OrmaybeshewasjustthinkingthatachildwhocarriestheheavyburdenofalCiedeserves
tohavesomefun,andwantstogivethattohim.No,nother.Definitelynother.
Illtakeyouwhereveryouwanttogo.
NautilusPark!
Okay,okay.Thennexttimewellallgotogether.Ipromise.

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Okay!
Anyonelookingonwouldprobablythinkthiswasasweetscene.Anyonewhodidntknowthe
truth.Sazhlookedaway,andsawafamiliarface.Thatsilverhairedsoldier.Whatwashisname?Lieutenant
Rosch,hethought.
LieutenantNabaat.Hisvoicewashard.Sazhgotabadfeeling.Nabaatstood.ThinkingRosch
wastheretoplaywithhimagain,Dajhsfacebrightened.Sazhgrabbedhimandheldhim.Whattheywere
goingtotalkaboutwasprobablynotsomethingachildshouldhear.
Thedecisionhasbeenmade.
Sazhlistenedtothemspeak,hisbackturned,ashetookDajhawayfromthere.

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Chapter06
ThedecisionLieutenantRoschhadbeentalkingaboutwasalockdownonallofBowdamand
itsresidents.Theycamethedayafterthefireworksfestival.PSICOMworksfast.Butwhatwasreallyfast
washowquicktheysetuptheblockadesaroundtheBowdamRuins.ThoughIonlyheardaboutitlater.
Itseemsthattheinvestigationteamthatwassentintotheruinsnevercameback.Notasingle
oneofthem.AftertheteamhadsentawirelesstransmissionthattoldthemofthefalCie,theylosttheir
position.Insteadofsendinginarescueteam,PSICOMblockedofftheruins.Eventhoughtheycouldstill
bealiveinthere,somewhere.
Well,thesoldiersmightbeabletoexceptitall.Butciviliansarecouldnt.Doyouthinktheydjust
acceptit?No,ofcoursenot.Iwasthesame.Noexplanations,justbeingtoldwecouldntleavethecity.
Whowouldjustsitdownandtakeit?
Especiallyonthatday,whenitwasntonlytheresidentsofBowdam.TouristsfromalloverCocoon
werethere.Onthatday,afterthefireworksfestival,itwasmadness...

Afterthefestivalwasover,westayedthenightinthesecurityforcegarrison.Originallytheywere
going to return to the medical center in Eden during the night, but when Dajh said Are we going
already?, they changed plans. They thought that perhaps he was feeling something from Pulse and
wantedtostay.
TheinvestigationstaffthatwastestingDajhhadcomewiththemtothefestival,buttheywouldnt
beabletocontinuetheirtestsatthegarrison.Separatingthemintodifferentroomswouldhavelooked
strangeaswell,sotheywerefinallygivenpermissiontospendtimetogether.
NabaathadalreadyaskedthattheycontinuemonitoringDajh.Shesaidthatanysmallthingthat
hemightsaidcouldbeanimportantclue.Sazhcouldntrefuse.Well,evenifhehadrefused,theywould
havestillsetupahiddencameraorputupvoicerecorders.Theyweregoingtobewatchednomatter
what.Sazhknewthatquitewellenough.Inanycase,Dajhwashappy.Hejumpedonthebedwiththe
babychocobobesidehim,andranaroundtheroomuntilnightfell.
SazhthoughtDajhwouldoversleepthenextday,buthewokeupatthesametimehealwaysdid,
lookingsleepy.Heatehisbreakfastquickly,andwhenhesawthebabychocoboplayingaround,allhe
wantedtodowasplaytoo,hiswearinessforgotten.
DajhprobablywantedtocometoBowdamtogetawayfromallthosetests.Rightnowhaddidnt
seemtohaveanyconnectionwithPulse,orthingsfromPulse.Hewasntatalllikehewaswhenhehad
firstsaidhewantedtocomeheretoseethefireworks.
Daddy,IwannawatchTV!
What?Ohright,itsthattime.
It was only a fifteen minute childrens program, but Dajh always watched it before going to
daycare.DajhwouldwatchitwhileSazhwasgettingdressed,andonceitwasfinishedDajhwouldturnoff
theTVandtheydheadoutthedoortogether.

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Sazh had thought that until Dajh grew too old to be watching childrens shows they would
continuethiseverydayritual.OncehefinishedworkhedgotothedaycarecentertopickupDajh,andon
thewayhometheydtalkaboutwhattohavefordinner,stoppingtopickupthingsatthestore...What
hadbeenaneverydaythingnowseemedlikeamiracle.Butthatmiraclewasgone,itslightgrowncold.
Daddy,theTVisweird!Dajhsaidunhappily.Sazhlookedup,rememberingwherehewas.
Allthechannelsarethesame.
Thats...BowdamStation.
It showed soldiers at Bowdam Station, and the station blocked off. The voice of a female
newscastercameonoverthevideo.
Lastnighta falCiefromPulsewasfoundintheruinsaroundBowdamBay. TheSanctumhas
madethedecisiontocloseoffthecityofBowdamanditssurroundingareas.
Thepicturechangedtoavideooftheairshipforceabovethestation.Sazhranovertothewindow.
Hecouldseethemilitaryshighspeedshipstakeoff,andsoldiersrunningaroundonthegrounds.Thesky
inthedirectionofthestationwasfilledwithmilitaryships.Thevideonarrationcontinued.
TheSanctumhasrevealedthattheaccidentthatoccurredattheEwleedeCanyonenergyplant
wasinfactdestructioncausedbyPulselCie.
HeturnedbackatthewordPulse.Therewerepeoplewhowererushingthestation,andthe
soldiers were pushing them back. They were probably tourists. We dont even live here, they were
probablysaying,wejusthappenedtobehere.Whyisthishappeningtous?
Sazhcouldunderstandtheirconfusion.Hefeltithimselfsevendaysago.
Withtherecentchainofevents,theanxietyofthepeopleinthiscityisrising.Somevoicesare
sayingthatmeasuresstrongerthanquarantinemustbetaken.
Hedidntwanttohearanymore.Hedidntwanttoseepeoplewhoworehisownexpressionof
despair.SazhturnedofftheTV.
NoTVtoday.Youllhavetowatchittomorrow.Look,hewantstoplaywithyou.
Thebabychocoboflewoutfromhishair.Dajhlaughedandtheranaroundtheroomtogether.
Nowhehadprobablyforgottenallaboutthatchildrensprogramhehadwantedtowatch.
Therewasaknockatthedoor,asifsomeonewaswaitingjustforthatmoment.Theyprobably
hadbeenwaiting.Afterall,thisroomwasbeingmonitored.Whenheopenedthedoor,Nabaatwason
theotherside.
Mr.Katzroy,wewillbeleavinghereassoonaspossible.Pleasegetready.
Areyousure?WhataboutsensingthingsfromPulseorwhateveritwas...
SheglancedoverSazhsshoulderintotheroombeyond.WhenshesawthatDajhwasabsorbed
inplayingwiththebabychocobo,shesaidinalowvoice:

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TheSanctumhasdecidedtoforceallthecitizensofBowdamtoleavethecity.
WhichmeantthattheyhaddecidedtoforceallthosewhohadthepossibilityofbeingfromPulse
toleavethecity,tobesenttoPulse.Shespokeofitasthoughitwerejustthenextthingtodoafterputting
acityintoquarantine.
Afteritisannouncedweexpecttheretobequiteanuproar.
Thatwasanunderstatement.Givenhowthepeoplealreadyfeltaboutbeingblockedfromleaving
thecity.IftheywereforcedtogodowntoPulse,tohell,itwouldendwithciviliansattackingthesoldiers.
Itwouldbejustamatteroftime.
OfcoursewemusthurrytofindthePulselCie,butkeepingDajhsafeisimportantaboveall.
Oncetheairshipisreadytosetoutwellleave.
Nabaatturnedandwalkedoutoftheroom,leavingonlyherwordsbehindher.

Itwasonlyashorttimelaterthattheyleftthegarrison.Theydidnttellthemwhetherornotthey
wouldbereturningtothemedicalcenter,theywereonlytoldtogetontheairship.Dajhlefttheirroom
withoutresistingormakingafuss.
Sazh though that hed play around with the baby chocobo like he did before, on their trip to
Bowdam,butinsteadhekeptquiet.Hesat,staringatBowdamthroughthewindow.
Daddy,somethingisflying.Dajhwhispered.
TheskiesinBowdamhavebeenlockeddownbyPSICOMsairfleet,sothatsnosurprising.Im
surethereslotsof...huh?
Lookingoutfromtheside,hesawthesomethingthatDajhwaspointingat.Itlookedlikeyour
averagemilitaryhighspeedship,butitsmovementswerestrange.
Whataretheydoing?
Thenheknewwhyitwassostrange.Theywerebeingchasedbyothersmilitaryships.Evenbeing
attackedbythem.Theothershipwastryingtoavoidtheattacks,weavinginandout,makingtheirflight
pathlookstrange.Theshipwasheadedfortheruins,goingstraightforthem.
Theyrefalling!Dajhscreamed.Theshiphadbeenhit,withblacksmokebillowingoutbehindit,
butstilltheyweregrowingclosertothetopoftheruins.Thensomeonejumpedfromtheship.
Acivilian?
Fromhereitlookedlikeayounggirl.Sheheldoutherhandtotheship,andyelledsomething.Of
course,thatswhytheywerebeingchased.Somecivilianshadstolentheship.Thenthegirlwassucked
intotheruins.Theshipshehadbeenridingondisappearedfromsight.Whatjusthappened?
Dajh,didyouseesomeonejumpfromthatshipontotheruins?
Nabaatwasstandingbehindthem.Dajhnodded.

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Anddidyouseethemdisappear?
Theydidntdisappear.Theyreinside.
Itseemsthatitwasntjusthiseyestrickinghim,shereallydidgetsuckedintotheruins.Butthat
wouldmeanthattherewerepeoplewhowereintheruins,trappedbythePulsefalCie.
Goodjob,Dajh.Nabaatsaid,andpattedhimonthehead.Whatwasshetalkingabout?Sazh
thought.Shouldnttheybetryingtorescuethatgirl?
You...youhavetorescueher!
No,wedonot.ThoseruinswillbetakentoPulse,closedoffastheyarenow.Itsgoingthesame
placeastherestofthecitizensofBowdam,sothereisnoproblem.
Sazhcouldntbelievewhathewashearing.TheywerejustgoingtosendittoPulse?Isthatreally
whatshesaid?
Besides,itishighlyprobablethatshewasaPulselCie.Dontyouthinkso?
Yoursonsenemy,waswhatshewasreallysaying.ShelookedaDajh.Hehadalreadylostinterest
in what was outside the window and was running around with the baby chocobo. Dajh had sensed
somethingelsefromPulse,buthisFocuswasstillnotcomplete.Eventhoughhehadseenagirlwhomight
beaPulselCie,hewasstillhadntturnedintoacrystal.WhichmeantthatDajhsFocuswastofindPulse
falCie,orlCie,anddefeatthem.
Dajhshowedinterestintheshipthatwascarryingthegirl.Soitisprobablybestthatwesend
theruinstoPulsewithouttamperingwiththem.
Sazhfeltsomethinginsidehimsnap.
Oh,youthinkitsforthebest?Whatthehelliswrongwithyou?IfwesendthattoPulse...
IfitwassenttoPulsethennooneonCocoonwouldbeabletoreachit.ThenDajhwouldnever
beabletocompletehisFocus.
IfwesendittoPulse?ThenthecitizensofCocoonwillbefreedfromthemenaceofPulse.
Youmaybeokaywiththat,butwhataboutDajh?YoulljustlethimturnintoaCieCorpse?Then
whathaveyoubeendoingallthesestupidtestsonhimfor?
Nabaatdidntevenbataneyelash.
Ofcourse,wearedoingthisforthepeopleofCocoon.Areyousayinganythingismoreimportant
thanthat?
Wha...
Hehadneverbeensoangry,thewordscaughtinhisthroat.Heclenchedhisfists,buttheyshook
uncontrollably.
Donotmisunderstand,Mr.Katzroy.ItismyjobtoprotectthecitizensofCocoonfromthethreat
thatPulserepresents.

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Herwordswerecold,likeice.Aterriblesmilehoveredatherlips.
Itwouldntbegoodtoyelltoomuch,wouldit?Dothinkofhowyoursonisfeelingrightnow.
SazhlookedaroundforDajh.Thiswasntaconversationachildshouldbelisteningto.Fortunately
hewasabsorbedinclimbingovertheseats,andhadntevennoticedthem.Relieved,hefeltalltheenergy
seep out of his legs. He fell into the seat behind him, and held his head in his hands. He heard her
retreatingfootsteps,butcouldntmustertheenergytodoanythingaboutit.
ThereisnothingIcando,hethought.Heknewitfromthestart.ToPSICOMandtheSanctumDajh
wasnothingbutatooltobeusedastheywished.SolongasCocoonwassafe,onesinglechildwasnothing
tothem.NotjustNabaat,butallofPSICOMno,allofCocoonfeltthesameway.
OfcourseSazhfeltthatsolongasDajhwassafe,therestofCocooncouldgotohell.Whichmeant
thathewastheonlyonewhocoulddoanythingforhisson.HewouldjusthavetocompleteDajhsFocus
forhim,withhisownhands.Itwouldntmatterifitwascompletedornot,theystillwouldntbeableto
returntothelifetheyknew.Theonlythingthatwaswaitingforhimwasdeathorsomethingequaltoit.
Still,acrystalwasfarbetterthanamonster.
HewouldhavetodestroythePulsefalCie.Butcouldhedoit?Hewasanormalman.Coulda
normalmandestroysomethingaspowerfulasafalCie?No,thatwasnttheproblem.Heremembered
thegirlscreamingsomething,standingonthetopoftheruins.Itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldhave
beenthere,sheshouldnthavebeenabletoavoidallofthosesoldiers,andgettotheruins.Butshedid.
JustasNabaathadsaid,theywereprobablyDajhsenemies.Buttheyhadgivenhimhope.Evenifitwas
somethingthatshouldbeimpossible,hehadeveryreasontotry.
Dajh...Hehadonlymeanttosayitinhisheart,butthenameescapedhislips.
WhatisitDaddy?
Dajhwasontheseatsbehindhim.HejumpedonhisbackandlookedatSazhsface.
No...noitsnothing.Hisvisionbecameblurred.Helookedoutthewindow.Dadsgoingtotake
alittlenap,okay?
Okay.Dajhsaid,runningoff.Sazhlaidthere,withhiseyesclosed,listeningtothechirpingofthe
babychocobo,andDajhshappyscreams.

Whentheyreturnedtothemedicalcentertheywereputinseparaterooms.Sazhhadatleast
wantedthebabychocobotogowithDajh,butwasdenied.
No!IwanttostaywithDaddy!
Dajh held on to the hem of Sazhs coat and wouldnt let go. Maybe Dajh knew what he was
planning.ThathewasgoingtodestroythefalCieintheruinsbeforetheygotachancetosendittoPulse.
ImsorryDajh,butwehavetestsweneedtodo.Youlljusthavetowaitalittlelonger.Tomorrow
wellevenletyouplaywithyourfatheralittlewhile.Wouldthatbealright?Nabaatsmiled.

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Dajhlookedlost.HeheldontighttoSazh.
Onceyourefinishedwiththetests,Illbuyyouwhateveryou want.What wouldyoulike?A
picturebook?Ahugechocobotoy?
Really?
Yeah,really.Whateveryouwant,justask.
IwanttogotoNautilusPark!Iwanttoseeallthechocobos!
AgainwithNautilusPark.Hesaidthatduringthefireworksfestivaltoo.Hemustreallywanttogo
thereandseeallthosechocobos.HehadplannedtohaveDajhaskhimforsomething,sohecouldhave
anexcusetoleaveandheadtowardstheruins.ButDajhwasntaskingforthings.Hewantedaplace,he
wantedtospendtimewithhisfather.Sohemadeapromise.Whatelsecouldhedo?
Okay,afteryourefinishedwithyourtests,wellgotoNautilusParktogether.
Thebabychocobochirpedasiftellingthemnottoforgethim.
Ofcoursewellbringthelittleonetoo.
Okay!Youpromise,rightDaddy?
Ipromise.
Apromisehewouldneverbeabletokeep.IfSazhdefeatedthefalCie,Dajhwouldbecomea
crystalbeforethetestingwasevenover.Ifhecouldntdefeatit...hewouldbeaCieCorpse.
Justdoagoodjobonyourtests,okay?
DajhnoddedasSazhsethimonthefloorandletgoofhim.Helookedsohappythathewouldget
togotoNautilusPark.Hewassmiling.ThatsmilehadalwaysliftedSazh,heldhimup.Itwashistreasure.
Iwontletyoubecomeamonster,hevowed.Evenifyoubecomeacrystal,Iwantyoutokeepsmilingto
theend...
HeburnedDajhsfaceintohismemory,andtriedtosmilehimself.Hewonderedifhewasable
to.HecouldntletDajhorJihlknowthatrightnowhewassayinggoodbye.
AlrightthenDajh,willyougobacktoyourroomnow?Illbetheresoon.
Okay.Daddy,youpromise,right?Hesaid,andranthroughthedoor.Justashehadbeenthere,
suddenlyhewasgone.Sazhclenchedhisteeth.Thiswasforthebest...
Thankyouforcooperating,Mr.Katzroy.
Uh,nothats...
Itwasasifshehadalreadyforgottenwhathadbeensaidontheairship.Shebowedtohimslightly.
Shewasgood,hedidntknowifhewouldbeabletogoagainsther.Buthehadtofindawaytooutwit
her.Hetriedhisbesttocalmhimselfbeforehespoke.
ThereisjustonethingIdliketoaskofyou.

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Heknewhewasbeingwatched,justasDajhwas.IfwasgoingtogettoBowdam,firsthewould
havetomakeanexcusetoleave.
IdliketogotoPalumpolumandbuyapicturebookoratoyorsomething,youknow,forDajh.
TherewasahugeshopinPalumpolumthathadnothingbutbooksandtoysforchildren.When
hewasalongdistanceroutepilothewouldoftenstopatthatstoreandbuyallsortsofpresentsforDajh.
AtthetimehedidntreallyknowwhatDajhwouldlike,sohedjustbuythefirstthinghedsee.Itwould
makehiswifelaugh.
Well,youknow...itmustbehardforachildthatyoungtogothroughallthosetests.Idliketo
buyhimsomethingtoentertainhim,tomakehimstopthinkingaboutit.Youknow,justthat.
Yes,ImsurethatwouldmakeDajhveryhappy.
IfIleftnowandhurried,Icouldbebackbylatetomorrowafternoon.ButifDajhasksanything
aboutme,youllnottellhimwhereIwent?Idontwanthimtoworry.
Ofcourse,Iunderstand.shesaid,smiling.Thenshesaid:
Wellthen,whydontwetakeyouinoneofourmilitaryairships?IfyouregoingtoPalumpolum
itwouldbefarquickerthangoingbyanycivilianflights.
JustasIfigured,Sazhthought.Theyweregoingtokeepwatchinghimnomatterwhat.Hewas
gladhechosePalumpolum.Ifithadbeenasmalltownhewouldntbeabletoshakethem,butinabig
crowdedcitylikePalumpolumitwouldbeeasytodisappear.
Thatwouldbeabighelp,thanks.
Thishadtowork.Ithadto.Heforcedhimselftosmiled.

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Chapter07
Iactuallyhadnoproblemsgettingawayfrommywatchdogs.Ihadalwaysgonetothatstoreto
buy presents for Dajh. I knew every corner. Thatll teach them to underestimate a civilian. Once I left
Palumpolum,Ijumpedfromtrainstorentalairbikes,neverstopping.Icouldntstop.
ThemostdifficultpartshouldhavebeentryingtogetintoBowdam,butitwasfareasierthanI
wouldhavethought.PSICOMhadorderstoletnothingout,notevenarat.Buttheywouldntsuspect
anyonetryingtogetin.
Itoldthemmywifeandchildwereinthecity,soIwantedtobewiththem.Iftheyweregoingto
be sent to Pulse, then they could at least be sent as a family. It was so easy, they didnt even bother
checkingme.Ididprettywell,dontyouthink?
Wellnowitstimewepartways,meandyou.Afterall,Pulseissaidtobehell.BeforeIgetthere
though,IllhavetodefeatthatfalCie.Thatwontbeeasy.So,Imsorrytosay,Ijustcanttakeyouwith
me.Idontthinkanysoldierswillstopmefromlettingyououtofthecity.OnceyoureoutsideofBowdam,
youcangowhereveryouwant.Wewereonlytogetherashortwhile,butyouvehelpedmeoutalot.You
helpedoutDajhtoo,Ithink.Gavehimsomethingtobecheerfulabout.So,thanks.
Gwaaaah,whatthehell!?Whatareyoudoing?Owowowow.Quiteattackingmewithyourbeak!
Whatswrongwithyou!
Doyou...wanttocomewithme?SoyoudontthinkIcanhandleitonmyown?Alright,alright.
Fine.WillcompletehisFocusforhim,andwellreturntohimtogether.Okay?
Ohyeah,weneverdidfindanameforyou.Dajhwassointoplayingwithyou,hecouldnteven
remembertodothat.Whenwegetbackitwillbethefirstthingwedo.Whatwasit,acool,cutename?
Yeah, well give you one of those. A promise, just between us guys. Well... no one can tell what sex
chocobosare,butwhatever..

All the trains at Bowdam Station were blocked off, except one. The one that was left goes to
HangedEdge,atthefarthestendofCocoon.ItwasthetrainthatwenttoPulse,theonlytrainthatwent
there.Therailwasoldandrusted.
Everythinghadchangedfromwhatitwaslikeonthenewsyesterday.Noonewasgoingagainst
thesoldiers.Theyhadallgivenup,wereindespair.Nowtheywereallheadingtowardstheirlasttrain
ride.
He couldnt let them know that he was there for a different reason. That he wasnt heading
towardsPulse,hewasheadingtowardsthePulsefalCie.Sazhwalkedliketherestofthem,lookingdown
athisfeet.Evenso,hefelthehadmorehopethantheseothers.Hehadaplan,hewasgoingtowards
something.Evenifheneversawhisbelovedsonagain...
Whenwegetonthere,wellnevergettocomebackagain.Youstillokaywiththat?Hesaidin
aquietvoicetothebabychocoboridingonhishead.Hefeltapeckthroughhishair.
Ow.Okay,Igetyou.We'reinthistogether.

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Letsgothen,hewhispered,headingtowardstheentranceofthestation.Tothestartofanew
journey,onewithnoreturnticket.

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PartIV:Search
Chapter01
Fangfeltatinglingcreepupthebackofherneckasshewalkedthroughthecrowdedstreetsof
theshoppingmallinBodhum.Wasitbecauseshewasrightinthemiddleofenemyterritory?No,that
didntseemquiteright.Perhapsitwasbecauseshewasbeingfollowed?No,thatwasntrighteither.She
hadalreadyshakenoffpursuit.
Therehadbeenmoresoldiersafterherthanshewouldhaveexpected,butluckilyforherEuride
wassituatedbetweentheoceanandarangeofmountains.Therehadbeenplentyofplacesforherto
hide,andtheterrainaidedherinmakingstrikesagainsttheenemybeforefadingbackintothewilderness.
Shehadgottenluckyandfoundanairbikethathadbeenleftunattended.Itmadeitmucheasier
forhertomovequickly.FanghadneverriddenaCocoonvehicle,butshesomehowmanagedtolearnhow
todriveitbywatchingothers.
ItwaseasyenoughtogetfromEuridebacktoBodhum.Aroadstretchedinbetweenthem,and
itallowedhertofollowitevenunderthecoverofnight.Beforeshereachedthecityshetossedtheairbike
tothesideoftheroad,andwalkedtherestoftheway.Itwasmorningwhenshereturnedtothetemple.
ButVanillewasnotthere.Thefoodtheyhadbroughtbacktothetemplelayuntouched.Shemust
nothavereturnedtoBodhum.Orperhapsshewasstillhidingfromtheenemy.
Dontworry.Nomatterwhereyourunto,Illfindyou...Itwasapromiseshehadmade,long
ago.Shehadtofindherassoonaspossible.Vanillewasprobablylonely.Cryinginhersleep,likealways.
Thatgirlisalwayscrying...Shewhispered.Hervoicerasped.Shehadforgottenshespentall
nightrunning,notbeingabletoeatordrink.Herthroatwasparched.
Shewalkedovertoasquaremachineonthesideofthestreet,andtakinghercardout,heldit
againstthemachine.Pressingbuttonsatrandom,shewasrewardedasthesoundofadrinkfilledcanfell
intothelittleopeninginthefront.
Fanghadalreadygottenusedtoopeningthissortofcan.Itwasalittledifferentfromthecans
theyhadonGranPulse,butnottoodifferent.Shehatedtoadmitit,butonceshegotusedtoittheCocoon
canswereactuallyeasiertoopen.
Asshedrankdowntheliquid,shethoughtofVanille.Rightnowshemightnotbeabletogetany
food,andwashungry.Theyhadstolentwoofthesecards,andVanillehadtheotherone.Buttheyhad
nevertriedtoseeifitwouldwork.Theonlyonetheyhadbeenusingwasthisone.
Abirdflappedoverhead, andFangstiffened.Awhite birdflew passedandaway.Again? Fang
thought.Itwasthatstrange,humanlookingbirdtheyhadseenafewdaysago.Strangelookingitmight
be,butsofaritseemedtohavebroughtherluck.Theyhadseenitwhentheyhadgottenthesecards,
after all. She had seen it too, when escaping from Euride. That time she had found the airbike and
managedtothrowoffherpursuers.Ifitweretrue,thenmaybesomethinggoodwillhappenthistime.
LikemaybeshellfindVanille...

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Fang looked into the crowd, hoping to see her. She looked at the entrances of all the stores,
watchingthepeopleleaving.
Iguessnot...Shesighed.Shewasntattheshoppingmall,butperhapsshewenttothebeach.
Thereweregirlstherewhoworesimilarclothing,maybeshewenttheresoshewouldntstandout.Placing
theemptycandownonthegroundbesideher,shestoodupandtriedtogetherbearings.Nowwhere
wasthatbeach...
Hey,youcouldatleastpickthatup.
Sheignoredthevoicebehindher.ItwasbetternottogetinvolvedwithanyonefromCocoon.
That,andsheknewshehadnoneedtofearattackevenifsheturnedherbacktothem.Everythingwas
sopeacefulandsafehereinCocoon,shecouldhardlycreditit.Eventhesoldiersshehadseenyesterday
inEuridehadbarelyanyexperiencewithfighting.Suretheyhadtraining,butnorealexperience.
JustwaitaminuteMissRudeGirl...
Thistimethevoicecamefromrightbehindher.Shehadntevennoticed.Howcarelessofher.She
stopped,andlookedatthespeakeroverhershoulder.Shemadeasiftoturnaround,thendodgedtothe
sideintothecrowd.Noonewouldshootatherinalargegroupofpeoplelikethis.Thesepeoplewere
soft.
ShehadntseenthatblueuniforminEuride,butsheknewhewasasoldier.Hehadgottenclose
toherwithoutevenhernoticing.Hewaswelltrained,itwouldtakeskilltorunfromhim.
Fangranoutsideoftheshoppingmall,butthatwasasfarasshecouldgo.Anyfurtherwouldtake
her outside of the crowd, and that would be dangerous. Running into a narrow alleyway, she turned
severalcornersbeforecomingtoadeadend,whichwaseasyenoughforhertoleapover.
Fangranandran,untilfinallyshenolongerknewwhereshehadrunto.Buttherewasnoone
behindher,shewasnolongerbeingfollowed.Fangsighedinrelief.Shewinced,herchesthurt.Shemust
haverunfartherthanshehadthought,shehadtocatchherbreathbeforecontinuingon.
Thentheworldrocked,andshefeltablowtoherback.Someonehadjumpedoutbehindher,but
bythetimesherealizedit,itwastoolate.
Youbastard!Sheputallthestrengthshecouldintoherarmstotryandbreakfree,butno...she
wastrapped.Hehadherarmspinned,shecouldntmove.
Quiet!Wearentyourenemy.Hetookhishandsoffher.ImsorryIhadtodothattoyou.My
nameisRygdea.Iminthecavalry...er,notthatyoudknowanythingaboutthat.
Akindlooking,butunshavenmanstoodinfrontofher.Kindlookinghemaybe,buthewasthe
onewhohadtrappedher.Hewascarefulandefficient,sheknewshewouldntbeabletogetfreeofhim.
Hewasprobablyfarstrongerthananyofthesoldiersshehadmetduringherescape.
ThereissomeoneIdlikeyoutomeet.Pleasecomewithme.
Sheonlystoodbecauseshewasalreadysurrounded,eachsoldierpointinghisgunstraightather.
ButtheonlyonetostandwithincloserangefightingdistancewasRygdea,alltheothersstoodasfaraway
fromheraspossible.Pathetic.

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Theyhandcuffedandblindfoldedher.Rygdeaputagentlehandagainsthershouldertopointher
theway.Therewasnothingelseshecoulddobutfollowtheirorders.
Ifwedontdothisweknowyoudnevercomequietly.Butitsnottoofar,dontworry.

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Chapter02
ItwasntlongbeforeFangrealizedwhytheyhadblindfoldedher.Theairshiptheypushedherinto
wassonarrowtheywouldnthavebeenabletousetheirgunsonher.Ifshehadntbeenblindfoldedand
bound,shecouldhavefoughtbackandescaped.
Butshewasntboundforlong,asRygdeahadpromised.Theyhadntbeenintheairforlongwhen
shefelttherumbleoftheairshiplanding.Shefelthandsonherback,directinghertomove,butitwasnt
longbeforeshehadtostopagain.
Therewasalownoise.Itsoundedvaguelyfamiliartoher,andshesoonrealizeditwasthesound
ofdoorsopeningandclosing.Allthedoorsattheshoppingmallandenergyplanthadmadethesame
sound.
Avoicestartedspeaking,butitwasoneshedidntrecognize.PerhapsthiswasthemanRygdea
hadwantedhertomeet.
ItseemedRygdeawasacaptain.Shehadheardthewordoftenduringherescape.Fromwhat
shehadlearnedfromothersoldiers,theyaddedthesewordstonamesdependingontheirrank.
Theblindfoldfellfromherface,andFangsquintedinthebrightlightofthecabin.Shescanned
thearea,findingthatallthesoldiersweregone.Therewereonlytwointheroombesidesherself:Rygdea,
andoneotherman.Hehadblackhair,andacoolexpressiononhisfacethatshowedhewasnopushover.
Takeoffthebinds.
AreyousureaboutthatGeneralRaines?Thisgirlshouldntbetakenlightly...
Idontcare.
Justwhatcouldthismanbethinking?Fangwasnthappyaboutbeingboundlikethis,butshe
knewshewoulddothesameifshewereintheirshoes.Hemusthavesomesortofplanalreadyinplace
ifhewasgoingtounbindher.Theireyesmetandhesmiled.
Thisiswhatyouarethinkingrightnow.YouarealCieofPulse,andallofCocoonisyourenemy.
Butthereareexceptionstoanything,youknow.
Fangstoodwordlessly,staringintothemanseyes.Shetriedtoreadsomethingofhisthoughts,
anything,buttheywereunreadableasthewritingofCocoon.Hiseyeswereascoldanddarkasmidwinter,
andhadunknowndepths.
IamCidRaines.ImaycontroltheCavalryfleet,butIamnotyourenemy.
Fangwasntstupidenoughtotakethosewordsatfacevalue.Shesnorted.
Dontbeanidiot.Whenitcomestomyenemiestherearenoexceptions.
OfcourseourchargeistoprotectthepeopleofCocoon.Butjustbecausethatwhichwewantto
protectisdifferent,doesthatreallymakeusenemies?
Whatthehellisthatsupposedtomean?

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No,Fangthought,Idontevenwanttounderstand.Rainestookoutasmalldeviceandplacedit
to his ear. It was hard for Fang to believe, since it was so small, but that machine was a wireless
communicatoronCocoon.
Ah,LieutenantNabaat.Whatsyourstatus?
Shewonderedwhohewastalkingto.Raineslookedupatmethereyes.Awomansvoicecrackled
fromthedevice.Fanglookedaround,startled.
Theperpetratorisstillontherun.Wehaventbeenabletolocateher.
Itsthesameonthisend.WedoplanonsearchingfromtheairbetweenEurideandBodhum,
however.
Fangcouldntfigureouthowitworked,butitseemedthatwiththatdeviceyoucouldhearthe
voicesofotherpeople.Rainessmiledfaintly,perhapsfindingherreactionamusing.
Webelievethatsheishidingsomewhereinthegorge,sobeforewe...
Ah,youbelievewewouldhaveahigherchanceoffindingherfromtheair?Understood.Anything
else?
Oncesheiscaptured,shemustbehandedovertoPSICOMheadquartersimmediately.
Isthatourorders?RainesglancedatFang.Shewonderedifhewastellingherthatifordered
hewouldsendherovertothem.
Itisarequest.
PSICOMsrequestsarethesameasordersfromtheSanctum,ofcourse.
It didnt take long for Fang to figure out that the relationship between these two was not
particularlyfriendly.
ThoughIamamazedthatithasbeenafulldaysincetheaccident,andIhaveyettobetoldthe
details.Thoughifitinvolvesyouthenitmustbesomethingveryimportant.That,atleast,isplaintosee.
Unfortunately, I cant answer that. The woman replied sarcastically. That information is
classifiedandundercontrolofPSICOM.
Oh,yourealwayslikethis.Rainessighedandswitchedoffthecommunicator.Thesmilefell
fromhisfaceashelookedatFang.Andsonowyouknow.ThearmyoftheSanctumisnotonesided.
Sanctumarmy?
Yes.TherearetwoarmstothearmyofSanctum.TheWideareaResponseBrigade,alsoknown
astheCavalrythatsus,whoprotectthepeopleandPSICOM,Sanctumsspecialforces.
Whatdoesthatmatter?Youreallenemiestome.
Rainesignoredthat,andcontinued:ThereasonIorderedRygdeatobringyouhereisnotsothat
wecouldhandyouovertoPSICOM.Infact,justtheopposite.

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What did it matter? Either way the armies of Cocoon wanted to capture lCie. Fang couldnt
understandwhathewastryingtosay.
WedonotagreewiththeactionsofPSICOM,anddonotalignourselveswiththem.
Soyouthinkthatmeansyouarentmyenemy?Yeahright.Itwaslikelythattheyreallywere
againstPSICOM,ifthatconversationtheyhadaminuteagowasanyindication.Butthatdidntmeanthey
wereFangsallies.Youjustthinkthatbycapturingme,youllbethefirstonetogetinformationonPulse.
Itwasacommonscenario,gettingoneuponyourenemiestomakethemlookbad.Butunfortunately
foryou,ImabrokenlCie.Shelookeddownatthemarkonherarm.Whenshehadawokenithadbeen
burnedwhite,asthoughascorchmarkleftfromwheneverythinghadbeenburnedcleanfromhermind.
IcantremembermyFocusormymemories.Idonthaveanyinformationyoucouldwant.And...
And...?
Shewasntsureifsheshouldtellthistotheenemy.
Imlookingforafriend.Idonthavetimetohelpyou.Fanghadntbeensuresheshouldsay
anything,butsheneededinformationaboutVanille.Shewonderedwhatreactionthetwomenwould
makeonhearingthewordfriend.
Buttheyweresilent,theirfacestoldhernothing.
Iunderstand.Itsuptoyouwhetheryouwanttohelpusornot.Butinthemeantime,youllbe
stayingwithus.
Ofcourse,Fangthought.Whatevertheyvebeensaying,alltheyvereallywantedtodowaslock
meupandkeepaneyeonme.Ifthatsthecase,thenmyonlychoiceisescape.
Captain,takehertotheresidentialarea.
Understood.
Fromhowtheyspoketooneanother,FangcouldtellthatRaineswasrankedhigherthanRygdea.
Butdespitethat,theyseemedfarcloserthanitwouldappearatfirstglance.Shewonderedifmaybethey
werecloseinage.No,shehadnotimeorreasontobethinkingaboutthat.Thereweremoreimportant
thingstothinkabout...
Heygirly,donttrytofightyourewayoutofhereeh?Rygdeasaid,slappingherontheback.
Heisstrong,Fangthought.Thoughyourenotmuchofagirlareyou?Heletgoofher.Butyouknow,
ifwereallygotintoafightoneofusprobablywouldntmakeitoutalive.Sohey,letsbefriends.
Fanghadnointerestinbeingfriendswithhim,butitwastruethatiftheygotintoafightthere
wouldbesomeseriousinjury.Sheraisedbothherhandsupintruce.
Justbeyondthedoorlayanarrowhall.Becausethepreviousroomhadbeensolowandwide,
FanghadthoughtthatallofCocoonsbuildingswerebuiltlikethat,butitseemsthatthiswasntthecase.
What?Youdontevenhavewindowsaroundhere?Thetightquartersmadeithardforherto
breathe,makingherevenmoreirritable.

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Idoubtyoudfindmuchuseforwindowsinthemiddleofanairship.
Anair...ship?
YoureinsideTheLindblum,anairship.
Shetouchedthewallsoftheship.Ifthiswerereallyashipsheshouldhavebeenabletofeelits
movement. At least it was that way with ships on Gran Pulse. But she felt no rumbling beneath her
fingertips.Whichmustmeantheyweredocked.
What,youdidntknow?Wellwearecurrentlyinflight.
Its..itsflying?Shecouldntbelieveit.Theshipwasntshakingorvibratingatall.No,shecould
feeltheslightesttrembleinthefloorbeneathherfeet,butitwassofaintshecouldhardlytell.Shehad
beensurprisedatthespeedwhichthetraingoingfromBodhumtoEuridehadmoved,butthisshipwas
clearlyevenmorepowerful.Fangrelaxed.
So...thisisaship?Fanglookeddownthehallstretchingfarbehindher,andlookedbacktosee
howfaritcontinuedforward.Itwentfartherthanshecouldseeineitherdirection.
It cant... When she thought that this was a building, she had felt the hallway was horribly
narrowandtight,andthattheroomshewasinbeforehadanoddlylowceiling.Butifthiswereanairship...
Youokay?
Yeah,Iwasjustthinkingthisisonedamnbigship.
Really?WelltheSanctumSkyfleetsPalameciaisevenbigger.
Ithinkmyheadhurts...Fangcouldhardlyimagineit.Theseshipswereonanentirelydifferent
scalefromwhattheyhadonGranPulse.Notjusttheships,butthegunsthesoldierscarriedweremore
powerfulthananyshehadseenbefore.
Thebeastsandthebirds,andmoreoverthehumansofCocoonwereveryweakincomparisonto
GranPulse.OfcoursetherewereafewlikeRygdeawhoshecouldseewerestrong,butmostofthe
soldierssheahdseenonCocoonwereweak.
ButCocoonhadtechnology.Fangdidntknowwhatothersortsoftechnologytheyhad,butwhat
ifallofthesepeoplecoulduseit?Theymaybesurroundedbyaworseenemythantheyhadimagined.
Oncetheymadeittotheendofthehall,therewasastaircase.Fangwonderedjusthowmuch
furthertheyhadtogo,especiallysincetheyhadalreadywalkedaconsiderableways.Howlongwouldit
takeyoutowalkfromoneendtotheother?
Wellyouvesuregottenquiet.Itwasnttoolongagothatyouwerebarkinglikeaferaldog.
WellImnotadog,donttreatmelikeone.Iwasjustthinkingofawaytogetoutofhere.
Well dont do that! Rygdeas face grew serious. PSICOM has set up barricades all around
Bodhum.Idliketoseeyoutryandescapefromthere.
ImnotsostupidthatIdgetcaughtbythoseassholes.

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...Idontthinkyouquitegetit.
Dontgetwhat?
Rygdeasighed.Youmanagedtogetthroughthebarricadearoundtheplantonyourown,Illgive
youthat.Butdoyouknowhowhardweworkedtogetyoufree?
Free...?
WellwecouldntjustcaptureyourightinfrontofPSICOM,theywouldhavetoldustohandyou
over.Youheardthemright?Wecouldntletthathappen,sowewerebusyoverwritingtheirsurveillance
systemandsendingfalseinfoovertheirwireless.
Fangdidntreallyknowwhatexactlytheyhaddonewiththesurveillancesystemandwireless,but
itseemsthatRainesandRygdeahadhelpedherescape.
Idontgetit.Whydothisifwereenemies?
Its like General Raines said, its in our interest to help you. The enemy of our enemy is our
friend.
Theenemyofourenemyisourfriend...huh.Fangcouldunderstandthatbetterthanjustsaying
theywerentenemies.Eventhoughtheywereenemies,joiningforcesunderthosecircumstanceswasnt
somethingcompletelyunheardof.
Heresyourroom,girly.
Rygdeastoppedinfrontofseveraldoors.Fanghadnoideawheretheywereorwheretheyhad
comefrom.Evenifshewantedtoescape,shewouldntbeableto.
Sorryitssosmall.
Eventhoughitdidnthavemuch,justabedandasmalltable,itwasarealroom.Fangwouldhave
noproblemstayinghere.
YoucancallmeFang.
Eh?
Stopcallingmegirly.
Rygdeasmiled.Iknewyoudidntlikebeingcalledthat,butIdidntknowwhatelsetocallyou.
Soyoushouldhaveaskedmyname.
IfIhadasked,wouldyouhavetoldme?
No...no,probablynot.Untilalittlewhileago,shehadnointentionoftellinghimhername.
Rygdeawasstrong.Whilepeoplemighttelllies,therewerenoliesinstrength.
Yousaidyouwerelookingforyourfriend,right?Rygdeaasked,asifjustremembering.Are
theystronglikeyou?
StrongerthananysoldieronCocoon.

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AreallwomenonPulsesostrong?
Shehadtoldthemthatshewaslookingforafriend,butshehadnttoldthemshewasagirl.Fang
narrowedhereyes.
Dontlookatmelikethat.WelookedatthesurveillancecamerasfromEuride.Thepicturewasnt
tooclear,butwecouldatleastseethatmuch.
Fangbreathedasighofrelief.Vanillehadntbeencaptured.
Areyouworried?Wellofcourseyouare.Doesntmatterhowstrongsheis,shesstillallalone.
Andshecriesallthetime.
Vanillewouldalwayscry,wakingupfromabaddream,holdingontoFangandbegginghernotto
leaveheralone.Shehadalwaysbeenlikethat,sincetheywerechildren.
Andsometimesshelaughsatthestrangestthings.
WhenwasthelasttimeshehadseenVanillelaugh?InthetraintoEuride?No...shehadbeen
surprisedateverything,butshehadntlaughed.Hadsheevenlaughedsincetheyhadwokenup...
ShouldIlookforher?
Fangwouldnthaveexpectedhimtomakesuchanoffer.Rygdeaseemedlikeaniceenoughguy,
buthewasstilltheenemy.
Imeanrightnowyoucantleavehere,canyou?Ifyouwentoutthere,itwouldbesuicide.ButI
understandyoureworriedabouther.Ihavefriendsmyself.Rygdeasaidwithasmile,hedidntseemas
thoughhewaslying.
Idont...Idontwanttooweyouanything.
Wellthen,howaboutthis:wemakeadeal.
Adeal?
WecantletyoufallintoPSICOM'shands,soIllsearchforyoufriend.Inreturn,youguyscannot
letyourselfgetcapturedbyPSICOM.
Cocoonssoldierswerentthatstrongbythemselves,buttheyhadtechnology,andevenwithin
thosesoldierstherewereafewstrongoneslikeRygdea.Surroundedbysoldierslikethese,therewasnt
muchshecoulddorightnow.
I... yes... She didnt know what Raines was planning, but she felt she could trust Rygdea.
Please.
OncehefoundVanille,Fangwouldreturnwhatsheowedhim.Hecouldcountonthat.

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Chapter03
A deal, huh? Im too nice. Rygdea thought to himself as he walked the road from Bodhum
Stationtotheshoppingmallquarter.Theywouldntgetanythinginreturnforthisdeal.
FanghadsaidherselfthatshewasabrokenlCie,butevenifthatwasntthecaseshewouldnt
breaksoeasily.TheymightnotgetanyinformationonPulseoutofher,butitwastruethattheycouldnt
letherfallintoPSICOMshands.Searchingforherfriendwouldntbeawasteofeffort.
And,iftheycouldgethertojointhem,shewouldbeaniceadditiontotheirforces.Whenthey
hadbroughtherinRygdeahadfeltherstrengthandskill,butwhatwasevenmoresurprisingwaswhen
theyletherusethetrainingsimulator.Hehadthoughtshemightbegettingboredjustwaitingaround,
andhadbroughthertothetrainingroom.
While it might be true that there is a world of different between a real fight and a simulated
program,Fangmanagedtograbthehighscoreonamachineshehadneverevenseenbefore.Itwasno
wondershewasabletoescapefromenemiessoeasilyinunfamiliarterritory.
Shehadnotonlystrength,butluckonherside.ThatshegotticketstoEuridewithanoverwritten
IDcard,andthatsheoverwrotethecardbyaccident,wasnearlyimpossibletoimagine.
Andthentheairbikesheusedafterherescapefromtheplant.Itmusthavebeenleftwiththe
enginerunning,becausetherewas no wayshe couldhavefoundaway to turnitonand makeitrun
withoutknowingwhatshewasdoing.Theownerofthatbikemusthaveleftiton,planningonreturning
immediately.Infact,PSICOMhadlockeddowntheplantshortlyaftertheaccident.Theownermightnot
havebeenabletoreturn.
FanghadsaidshehadseenanunusualowlonCocoonthreetimes.Anowlthathadahumanlike
faceandlegslikethoseofaraptor.Shehadneverseenone,otherthaninabook,shehadsaid.Rygdea
himselfhadonlyseenoneonce.Thatshehadseenonethreetimesinonlyafewdaysshowedhowluck
seemedtofollowher.
FangsfriendwasstillrunningfromPSICOM,andwithoutthehelpoftheCavalry.Herluckmust
beevengreaterthanFangs.PerhapsalllCiefromPulsehadsuchluck.
ButwhereshouldIbeginlookingforher?
The fireworks festival was in a couple of days, and Bodhum was already filled with tourists. It
wouldwastetoomuchtimeandefforttolookforherinthiscrowd.Fanghadsaidthatshewouldnthave
gonefar.Unlesssomethinghadhappened,shewouldbesomewhereinBodhum.Buttheproblemwas,
Rygdeadidntknowmuchaboutthearea.
Whichmeant,hewouldhavenochoicebuttosearchatrandom.Orsohethought,whenheheard
avoicecallingouthisname.ItwasoneoftheofficersfromtheBodhumsecurityforce.Rygdeahadspoken
withherabittheotherdaywhenhehadcometoinvestigate.
Youre...SergeantFarron,right?

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Sir!Shesaid,saluting,aperfecttextbookexample.Hermovementsweretightandefficient.If
giventhechance,shecouldbecomeverystrong.Thoughheknewthisalreadyfromtheinformationhe
hadseenonthetroops,thiswassomethinghecouldtelljustbylookingather.
Dontbesoformal,relaxalready.Hesaidtoher.Thatswhenhehadanidea.Hemightnotknow
thearea,buthecouldasksomeonewhodid.
Doyouknowofanyplaceswhereyoungpeoplegotohangout?Anythingisfine.
Itwasntwidelyknownthattheirsuspectwasayounggirl.Fangsfriendmayhavedecidedtohide
herselfwithothersheragesoasnottoraisesuspicion.
DoesthishavesomethingtodowiththeaccidentinEuride?SergeantFarronseyeslitup.Her
intuitionwassharp.
Istherearumorgoingaround?Thoughshewastryingtogetinformationoutofhim,hedecided
toturnitbackonher,hopefullytofindouthowthetroopsarefeelingabouttheaccident.
Well,Iwouldntsayitsarumor.
Oh?
Ourordersaretohandoverthesuspect.Thatisall.But,PSICOMishere.Theyarrivedherejust
aftertheaccident.Thatsenoughtoraiseanyonessuspicions.Shesaiditcasually,butwasclearlywaiting
toseehisreaction.
Well,soldiersinthelowerrankslikeuscantunderstandwhatthosehigherupsthinkanyway.
Excuseme,sir,butIdontbelieveCaptainRygdeaoftheCavalrycanbeconsideredapartofthe
lowerranks.
Shecouldseerightthroughhim.Hereyessharpened.Theeyesofsomeonewhoknewexactly
whathewasabout.Ifhetriedtogetanymoreinformationoutofher,hewouldbedigginghisowngrave.
Inanycase,thatsnotit.Imjustbeingusedbyafriendtofindsomeone,thatsall.Hemadea
showofsighingandlookingresigned.Notthathethoughtshedbuyit,butshewasthetypewouldwas
notonlysharp,butwouldknowwhentoleavewellenoughalone.
Imjusthavingtroublesearchingforher,sinceIdontknowthearea.Butyouvecomeatthe
perfecttimetohelpme.
Justasheexpected,SergeantFarrondidntaskanymoreaboutEuride.
IfyougivemeherIDnumber,Icantellittosoldierswhoareonpatrol.
Nono,theresareasonwecantreallyhavethisknownpublicly.Heexplainedthatitwasagirl
whohadrunawayfromhome.SergeantFarronnodded,understanding.
Soagirl...howoftenhasshebeeninBodhum?
No,shedoesntreallyknowtheareaeither.Shesfromveryfaraway.Hewasntlying,itwas
justfartherawaythanSergeantFarroncouldimagine.

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Anythingyoucantellmeabouther?
Shehasherhairdoneupintwopigtails.Apparentlyshelaughsandcriesalot.Shesnotshyat
all...
Isthisalittlegirl?
No... shes around seventeen or eighteen... Rygdea started to say, then burst into laughter.
Youreright,itdoessoundlikealittlegirl.
No,Iunderstand.Ihavealittlesisteraboutthatage.SergeantFarronsmiledsoftlywhenshe
saidthat.ItwasthesameexpressionFanghadwhentalkingaboutherfriend.
Andshelikestotakecareoflivesto,ershelikestotakecareofanimals.Arethereanyplacesin
Bodhumwherethereareanimalsshecouldpet?
AsfarasIknow,thereareonlypetshops.
TheonlyplaceinCocoonwheretherewerereallyanimalsyoucouldpetwasNautilusPark,but
he couldnt imagine she would hang out there to pet sheep while she was on the run. No reason to
continuethislineofinvestigationfurther.
Wellitsnotaplacewithanimals,butthereisacafewherealotofyoungpeoplego...
Cafe?
Yes,itsclosetothebeach.Ihearthatbothlocalsandtouristsgothereoften.NotthatIevergo
there.Herexpressiongrewgrim.Itseemedshedidnthaveaverygoodopinionofthecafe.
Wow,youknowalotaboutiteventhoughyounevergothere.Nowthatsagoodmemberof
thesecurityforce.
Oh,no...itssomethingthatmylittlesisterhastalkedabout.
Isee,wellitsdefinitelyworthcheckingout.
Thatwouldbetheperfectplaceforhertohavegone.Lotsofpeopleheragethere,soshewouldnt
standout,andsincelocalsweretheretooshecouldbecomefriendswithoneofthemandhaveaplace
tostay.
Alright,Imgoingtotryit.Thanksforyourhelp.
Asalways,SergeantFarronmadeaperfectsalutebeforedeparting.

ThecafewasjustasSergeantFarronsaiditwas.Therewasagoodmixofbothlocalsandtourists,
andallwereyoung.Butthefacehewaslookingforwasnowheretobeseen.
Welcome!Imsorry,butcurrentlyourtablesareallfull.Butifyoudliketositatthecounter...?

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Rygdeahadseenthebluehairedwaiterbefore.Theotherdaywhenhewasoffoninvestigation
the boy had been arrested and searched. It seemed PSICOM had noticed a package he had been
protecting.Butaftertheysearchedit,itturnedouttherewasnothingimportantinside.
Whatwouldyoulike?Abrightvoiceaskedashesatdownatthecounter.Asmallwomanstood
behindthecounter,shakingupdrinks.ShehadblackhairlikeFangs,buttherewasasweetnessabout
hereyesthatgaveherasoftappearance.
Iamabithungry.Youcanmakemeanythingyouthinkisgood.
Anyfoodsyoudontlike?
Rygdeatoldherthathedidnt,andshesmiled.Thewaysheturnedonthefireandhandledthe
fryingpanmadeitobviousshewasapro.Shemixedupdrinks,slicedupfruit,herhandsablur.
Snow?Hey,isSnowhere?Aboyofaboutsixteenorseventeenbrokethroughthethickcrowd
infrontofthecounter.Thescentofoilandgreaselingeredabouthim,perhapshewasamechanic.
Ivetoldyounottoruninsidethecafe.
Iknow,Iknow.ButLebreau,whereisSnow?
Lebreaumusthavebeenthenameofthewomanbehindthecounter.Herandtheboyalmost
actedlikemotherandson,ifyouignoredtheirages.
HesaidhehadtogomeetSerah.Youjustmissedhim.ButnevermindthatMaqui,canyouhelp
me?Ineedyoutopickupsomevegetablesfromtheback.
TheboynamedMaquilookeddisappointed,butsighedandturnedrightbackaroundandleftthe
wayhecame.Rygdeatookanotherlookaroundthecafe,butFangsfriendwasstillnowheretobeseen.
Oratleast,therewasnoonewhoseemedtobeontherun.Everyoneintheroomwastalkingandsmiling,
allwithoutacareintheworld.
PSICOMsurehasshutupthenewsabouttheaccident,Rygdeathought,eventhoughEurideis
only a stone throw away from Bodhum no one seems to be worried about what happened. Even the
soldierswhoweretheredontknowthewholestory,andonlythosewithagoodheadonhershoulders
likeSergeantFarronknewthatPSICOMmovinginmeantsomethingbig.Evenso,theydidntknowthe
truth.
Sir?Istheresomeoneyourewaitingfor?
Hervoicebroughthimbacktothepresent.ThewayhewaslookingforFangsfriendmusthave
madeherthinkhewaswaitingforsomeone.Heshookhishead.
Imsearchingforsomeone.Haveyouseenagirlwhoisaboutseventeenoreighteenyearsold?
Aboutthreecomeeveryhour.Isthereanythingelseyoucantellmeabouther?
Shewearsherhairintwopigtails.Rygdeaballedhishandsintwofistsbyhishead,indicating
thestyle.
Isthatall?

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Well,shehasbraceletsonbotharms.Lotsofthinones.AndIbelieveshehadonnecklacestoo.
Idontthinkshecamehere.Issheyourgirlfriend?Nowait,yousaidshewaseighteen...daughter
maybe?
Hey...
Imjustplayingwithyou.Butyousaidshewaseighteenhadtwopigtails,andhadlotsofbracelets
andnecklaces?
Shehadagoodmemory.Itprobablycamefromworkingatacafe.
Apparentlyshelaughsalot,andisalwayssmiling.Shealsosaidshewascareless,butlikedto
takecareofothersandisquitekind.
Hmm....thatsnotmuchtogoon.
YeahIguess.ItstruethatsheprobablywouldntbreakintolaughterlikeFangsaidshedidata
placeshehadneverbeenbefore.Anditsdoubtfulthatshewouldbetakingcareofotherpeoplewhen
sheneededtobetakencareofherself.Heforgottomentionthatshecriedalot,butthatwouldprobably
helpaboutasmuchastherestoftheinformationdid.
Well,ifyouseeher,canyouletmeknow?Though,Icantletherfindoutaboutit.
Whatdoyoumeanbythat?Thatsoundsawfullysuspicious.
Sheranawayfromhome.Itwouldbedangerousifsherantoofar,andherparentsarecounting
onmetofindher.
Shegavehimasuspiciouslook,butthenshrugged.
Finethen.Ifagirlmatchingthatdescriptioncomes,Illletyouknow.
Thanks,Ioweyouone.
IfyoucouldjustwritedownwhereIcancontactyouathere...Andheresyourmeal.
Theplatefuloffoodappearedbeforehiseyes.Shehadbeenworkingallthattimeshehadbeen
talkingtohim.Quiteimpressive.
Sodontbringattentiontoyourself,orwellsmackyouupsidethehead.Alotofusarestronger
thananysoldiers.Rygdeaheardavoicesay.Therewasnowayanyofthemwerestrongerthanasoldier,
buthedidntwanttocauseanytrouble.HewonderedifheshouldcarrysomethingofFangsaroundwith
him.Ifhehadsomethingofherswithhimitmightbeeasiertogetincontactwithherfriend.Hethought
abouttalkingwithFangaboutitasheatehismeal.

Eatingbetterfoodthanhehadexpectedtogetwasthebestthingthatcameoutofthewhole
day.Afterleavingthecafe,hemadeanotherturnaroundtheshoppingmall,butitwaswastedeffort.

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Iseeyoucouldntfindher.FangsaidtohimwhenhearrivedbackontheLindblum.Shesighed
inmockfrustration.
Doyouhaveanyideawhereshemightbe?Anywhereshecouldhavegone?
Yeah,butIalreadylookedthere.
Ofcourse,right...
Fangmusthavebeenwanderingaroundtownlookingforherfriendwhentheyfoundher.She
hadprobablysearchedalltheplacessheexpectedhertobeandhadcomeupwithnothing.Thenshewas
panickingsomuchshedidntnoticeshewasbeingfollowed.
Ohhey!Fangsaid,slappingherknee.Shemightbeintheforestsoroceanorsomething.
Whywouldshebethere?
Forfood.Imeanshehadacard,butIdoubtshegotittowork.
Rygdealookedshockedattheideaofcatchingfishandtrappingbirdstoeat.
Isthatsosurprising?
Well,Imeangoingintotheoceantocatchfish...
Howcanyoulivenotknowinghowtogetfoodforyourself?
ItseemedthelCieofPulsewerenotonlylucky,buttoughaswell.
Shereallylikescookingyouknow.Makesupherownmeals.Shesmadesomeprettyterrible
stuffthough.Fangsmiledassherememberedherfriend.RygdeathoughtaboutSergeantFarrontalking
abouthersister.Fangsfriendmustbelikealittlesistertoher.
Whenwefindher,shellhavetotreatmetosomePulsecooking.But...holdoffonthesalt.
ItseemedthefoodonCocoonwastastelesstothosefromPulse,andFangwasalwaysdumping
saltonhermeals.
Illtellhertomakeinvalidfood.Fangsaid,grinning.Thensheasked,Whyareyouwithaguy
likeRaines?
Andwhyareyouasking?Tryingtogetmysecrets?
Fangmumbledthatitwaspartlytrue.
Idontreallyunderstandhimatall.Idontknowwhathesthinking.
WellhesanimportantmanintheSanctum.Andconsideringhowmanyliveshehasunderhis
charge,itwouldbeaproblemifhewerethateasilyread.
Ishereallyallthatgreat?

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Ifyoucanttellwhatsortofmanheisjustfromlookingathim,Rygdeathought,thenmaybeyou
needtogetyoureyeschecked.Butno,herealized,thatwasntwhatshemeant.Shecouldatleasttell
thathewasnosimpleman,hecouldseethat.
Sohesa...BrigadierGeneralright?Andyoureacaptain.Whatsthedifference?
Wellacaptainisjustacompanyofficer.Abrigadiergeneralisoneofthelowestranksofgenerals.
Between the two there is one other rank of field officer. Within that there are colonels, lieutenant
colonels,andlieutenantcommanders.Sothereisquiteawidegapbetweenhisrankandmine.
Ihavenoideawhatyouretalkingabout.
Well,letsjustsayhesoneofthehigherups.
Fangmadeaface.Rygdeathoughtitwassohilarious,hedecidedtokeeppushingit.
Andafterthosethreerankstherearemilitaryofficers,andevenfurtherbelowthemthereare
noncommissionedofficers.SergeantMajors,sergeantsandcorporals...
Enough!Enoughalready.Youremakingmyheadhurt.Fangsaidwhileholdingherheadand
sighing.ThearmyonCocooniscomplicated.Doyouguyshavefunmakingallthoseranks?
Well,Iwouldntexactlysayitsfun...
FanghadneverbeenpersuadedtotalkmoreaboutPulse,buthenowknewtheydidnthavean
army.
Wellitstruethatthestrictrulesaboutranksarekindofapain.
Rygdeahimselfhatedthestiffrulesofthearmy,andhadoncetriedtoquit.Hehadjoinedthe
militaryacademybecausehewantedtoflyanairship.Aftergraduation,hehadenteredintothearmy,but
notbecausehewantedtobecomeasoldier.Ifitwerentforhiswantingtoflyanairship,hewouldhave
hadnothingtodowithit.
ItwasnttoolongafterthatwhenRainesinvitedhimtojointheCavalry.Thoughhewasnttoo
mucholderthanhimself,hehadalreadybeenpromotedtotherankofbrigadiergeneral.Forafailed
soldierlikehimself,hethoughthewouldnthavemuchincommonwithhim,andhadonlyhalflistened
tohisrequest.
But eventually their talks became serious, and he could no longer ignore him. Their ideals
matched,andhelikedhowRainesdidnttreatthoseidealsasjustanabstracttheory.Rygdeathoughtthat
solongasitwasunderthisman,hewouldhaveareasontostayinthearmy...
Eventhoughyouthinkitsapain,youstillstayunderRaines?Didsomethingabouthimappeal
toyou?
TherewasntanydeepmeaningbehindFangsquestion,butitwouldbedangerousforhimto
answerit.Answeringitwouldexposetoomuchoftheirhand.
Sorry,butImnotamanwhoreliesonhisfeelings.
Thenwhatdoyourelyon?

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Iguess...whethersomethingmakessenseornot.
SoitmakessenseforyoutoworkunderRainesthen?
Oh,andalso...Itwouldnthurttoshowjustacardortwo.Ialwaysbetontheonewholooks
likeliesttowin.IdontfightifIdontthinkImgoingtowin.
Isee...Fangsaid,withanoddlookinhereyes.
What?
Itsjuststrange.Iwouldhavethoughtyoudbesomeonewhoreliesmoreontheirfeelings.
Ithinkyouveoverestimatedme.
Imnot.Ithoughtyouweresomeidiotwholetshisfeelingsgetthebestofhim.
Well,Imgladweveclearedupthatmisunderstanding.Rygdeasaidasheexitedtheroom.He
couldntlethimselfgetcaughtinFangstraps.
JustamomentagotherehadbeenanannouncementfromPSICOM.Theyweretakingdowntheir
blockadearoundEurideandlettingtouristsbackintotheplant.Toomanythingswerehappeningatonce.
HehadtofindFangsfriendsoon,beforeshefellintoPSICOMshands.
Hehurriedtothebridge.

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Chapter04
Fang had never thought that something as small as a no windows could make someone so
nervous,andyetshefoundherselfpacingbackandforthinthetinyroom.
Butthatsnotwhyshefeltsonervous.Ithadbeentwodayssinceshehadarrivedhere,andfour
sinceEuride.ButstilltherewasnosignofVanille.TodayRygdeahadgoneintoBodhumtosearchforher,
butitjustservedtomakeFangmorenervous.NeitherRygdeanorRaines,noranyonebutherknewhow
littletimeVanillehadleft.Whileshewasheredoingnothing,Vanillesmarkwasevolving.Shehadto
regainhermemoriesandcompletetheirFocusbeforeitwastoolate.
Shedidntwanttogetcapturedbythearmy,soshehadagreedtostayontheLindblum.Butthis
waswastingtimeshedidnthave.Itmightbedangerousoutthere,orfoolishtogooutamongallthose
soldiers,butitwasbetterthanwaitingheredoingnothing.Fangopenedthedoorslowly,andpeekedout
intothecorridor.
Therewerentmanypeopleinthehallwayduringthistimeofday.Mostofthesoldierswereat
theirposts,therestweresleeping.Yesterdayshehadbeenbored,andleftherroom,butshesoongot
lost.Shehadthoughttofindsomeoneandaskthemwhereherroomwas,butnoonewastobefound.
Afteranhourofwanderingthroughouttheship,shefinallyfoundherwaybacktoherroom.
Noonewasinthecorridor,justasshehadthought.Fangran.Sheplannedtofindthesmallship
theyhadbroughtherherein,andescapewithit.Thoughshedidntknowhowtouseit,shehopedthatit
wouldbethesameastheairbike.Allshehadtodowasgetonit,anditwouldworkoutsomehow.
But,nomatterwheresheranto,theshipwasnowheretobefound.Everydirectionshewentin
wasadeadend.
Ifshehad knownthiswouldhappen, shewouldhavesearchedmorearoundtheship theday
before.Shecouldhavetoldsomeoneshewasbored,andhadthemshowheraround.ExceptforRygdea,
everyoneelsethoughtthatshewasonlyaguestofRaines.Ifshehadaskedtheywouldprobablywould
haveagreed.
Failedagain...Anotherdeadend.Fangsighedatthecoldmetalwallinfrontofher.
Failedatwhat?Acoldvoicesaidbehindher.Raines.Itwouldbeabitofaproblemforyouto
gowanderingaboutyousee,soweputupbarriers.Allthedoorsnearthecatapultareayouneedtounlock
togetthrough.
Theyknewwhatshehadbeenplanning,FangthoughtasshebitherlipandglaredatRaines.
Armyplanesandshipswouldntbeaseasytouseasasacivilianairbike.Youcouldntjustgeton
oneandhopeforthebest.EvenasalCie,therewouldntbemuchleftofyouatthatspeed.
Isee.Fangquicklyglancedaroundthearea.Noonewasthere.Ifhewastheonlyonehere,
surelytherewassomethingshecoulddo...?Evenifshecouldntdefeathim,perhapstherewasawayto
neutralizehim.
ThereissomethingIwanttoshowyou...no,wantyoutolistento.Ifyouwanttofight,goahead,
butwecandoitafterward.

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Sure,youjustwanttobuytimeuntilyourmenarrive.LikeIdbelievethat?
Rainesburstintolaughter,shakinghishead.Hegrabbedhissword,andhelditouttoher.
Illgiveyouthis.Ifanyofmymenarriveyoucankillme,takemehostage,whateveryoulike.
What...Fangsaid,takenabackbytheswordheoffered.Areyoustupid!?
Ohyes,mostlikely.Rainessaidcalmly,turningbackaroundandmotioningforhertofollow
him.Thewilltofightlefther.Grippingtheswordtightly,shefollowedafterhim.

Itwasthesameroomfromtwodaysago,whentheyhadtakenherblindfoldoffafterdeparting
thesmallership.Thatroom.But,perhapsbecauseshehadgrownusedtolivingontheship,thelowness
oftheceilingnolongerseemedstrangetoher.
So?Whatdoyouwantmetolistento?
Sittinginachair,Fangfiddledwiththesword.Shehadnointentionsofstabbinghimintheback,
butshewasntabouttoletgoofheronlyweapon.Ifhedidanythingfunny,shewoulduseitonhim.
Rainesswitchedonthedevicethatsatonhisdesk,explainingnothingofhisactions.Aloudcrackle
soundedfromthemachinebeforevoicesfilledtheroom.
DontyouthinkitwasalittletooearlytotakedownthebarricadearoundEuride?
Butifweheldittoolong,thecitizenswouldbegintoworry.Ifthathappenedthentherewill
havebeennoreasontohavehiddentheexistenceofthelCie.
Twomenspoke,oneyoungandoneold.No...theonewasprobablynotthatyoung,justyounger
thantheotherone.
What...isthis?Fangsaid.Rainesputhisfingertohislipsandmotionedforhertolisten.The
youngermancontinued.
WecouldatleastcontinuetoinvestigateuntilthelCieiscaptured...
AlreadyrumorsarecirculatingthatwhathappenedatEuridewasnomereaccident.Ifwekept
upthebarricadeandinvestigation,thoserumorswouldonlygrow.
Thevoiceofawomaninterruptedhim.ItwasthesamewomanwhoRainestalkedwithtwodays
ago.
Ifitsinformationyoureworriedabout,thereisawaywecouldmanipulateit.
Andbythat,youmeanpeoplewillonlylistentowhattheywanttohear?Whatfoolishpeople.
Justwhowasthisoldman?Shecouldfigureoutthathewassomeonewithahighrank,butjust
whodidhethinkhewas,lookingdownonpeoplelikethat?

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ThatistherepresentativeoftheSanctum,GalenthDysley.TheothertwoarelieutenantsRosch
andNabaatofPSICOM.
Fangremembered,thatwomansnamewasNabaat.
ButIjustreceivedareprimandfromfalCieEden.Theyhavesaidtonothidethetruthfromthe
people.ItseemsthefalCiewasdispleasedwithwhatIwasdoing,eventhoughitwasforthesakeofthe
people.
FalCieEdensaid...?
Yes,theysaidtoliftthebarricade,andtoceasetheinvestigation.Theywishforthelivesofthe
peopletoreturntonormal.
Thatsmadness!ThereareescapedlCieoutthere,whowehaventevenfoundatraceoflet
alonecaught.Ifweleavethembetheycouldgoanddestroysomethingelse!
Iagree,butIamnothingbutaspokespersonforthefalCie.Icannotgoagainsttheircommands.
Ablipsounded,andtheconversationcutoffassuddenlyasithadbegun.
Ourinsidemanwasrecordingit.
Thatexplainedwhythesoundhadbeensoodd.Ahiddenmic.Evenso,thoughhehadsaidthey
wereopposingfactions,shehadntthoughthewouldgosofarastorecordtheirconversations.Itseemed
therivalrybetweenPSICOMandRainesCavalrywentdeeperthansheimagined.
This is the real Cocoon, where the primarch of Sanctum thinks of the people as nothing but
sheep.
Primarch?Wasthattheoldman?Ishethatimportant?
Rainesnoddedasifthethoughtpainedhim.ThepersonwiththemostpowerinCocoondoes
only what the falCie commands. As long as Cocoon remains under the rule of the Sanctum they are
nothingbutthelivestockofthefalCie.
Sowhyhavemelistentothis?Doyouwantmetosay,oh,Imsorry?
Heignoredhersarcasticcomment,andcontinued:Yousayyouhaveforgotten,buttherecanbe
onlyoneFocusforalCieofPulsetocompleteonCocoon:defeatingtheCocoonfalCie.
ItcouldalsobethedestructionofallCocoon.
Doyouthinkso?Ifthatwerethecase,whatwouldbethepointofyouwakingupwithinCocoon
itself?
It was true, she had thought it strange that they had been brought up here. And with falCie
Anima.IthadmadeherthinkthatperhapsherFocuswasnttodestroyCocoonitself,buttodestroyits
core.
Youseeitallfitsifyouthinkofitthatway.Whichmustmeanyouhavethepowertodestroy
falCie.Thatisapowerwewantforourselves.

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ThepowertodestroyfalCie?DidhemeanhewantedthepowertodestroytheCocoonfalCie?
Please,Iwanttoaskyoutolendusthatpower.
YouwanttodestroytheCocoonfalCie?ArentyouasoldierofCocoon?
IdontwanttostopatjustfalCieEden,Iwanttodestroythatpuppetgovernmentaswell.
FanghadthoughthejusthadarivalrygoingwithPSICOMorNabaat,butitseemeditwentmuch
furtherthanthat.HewasagainstnotonlyPSICOM,buttheSanctum.
Butwereyourenemy.
BothofusareenemiesoftheCocoonfalCie.Enemieswemighthavebeenoriginally,Ithinkwe
willbeabletoformanallianceunderthesecircumstances.
Raineseyeswereserious.Hewasntthekindofpersonwhowouldsaysuchthingsjokingly.
Areyouokaywiththat?Ifyouborrowourpower,youllbetrayCocoon.
Illdoanythingtoachievemygoal.
Nowsheunderstood.Thereasonhadworkedsohardtohelphisenemies,wassothathecould
goupagainstsomeoneevenmorepowerful.
IsaidIwassearchingformyfriend.Illonlymakeadecisionafterwevefoundher.
Iunderstand.Welldoanythingwecantohelpfindher.Ijustdontwantyoutomakeanyrash
actions.
Youwantmetositstillandbeagoodgirl?Forhowlong?Nowthatsheknewwhathisaimwas,
nowthatsheunderstoodhim,shewaswillingtolisten.
AsDysleysaid,theyveliftedthebarricadeandstoptheinvestigation.PSICOMwillremaininthe
cityforafewdays,butsecuritywontbesotight.Heheldupthreefingers.Justwaitthreemoredays.
Whathappensinthreedays?
Hetoldheraboutthefireworksfestival.Thatsright,Fangthought,theyhadheardtalkofitinthe
city.ItwasahugefestivalwherepeoplefromalloverCocooncametoseethefireworks.
Onthedayofthefestival,thesecurityforcewillbepolicingthegrounds.PSICOMwillalsobe
there,butunabletomoveagainstyou.Youwillbeabletomixinwiththetouristsandnotstandoutas
much.
Vanillewouldprobablystillbeokayinthreedays,Fangthough,nodding.
Illstayhereuntilthefestival.Justonething...
Onething?
IstillhaventdecidedwhetherornotImgoingtohelpyou.

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IftheirFocuswastodestroyCocoonsfalCie,thenitwouldbehelpfulforthemtojoinforceswith
Raines. If not, it would only waste precious time. While Vanilles mark was still alive, every second
counted.Theycouldntgivethosesecondstotheenemy.Untilhermemoryreturned,shecouldntmake
adecision.
Thatsfine.Illwaituntilyouvemetupwithyourfriend,andthenyoucangivemeyouranswer.
Even if they found Vanille, she wouldnt be able to give him an answer unless her memories
returned.ButshewasntabouttotellRainesthat.

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Chapter05
The search for Vanille continued, but Rygdea came up empty handed. Before Fang
realized,thenexttwodayshadpassed,andthefestivalwasabouttobegin.
She still had problems with her memory. She had tried to recall things about her
childhood,orthenamesofpeoplesheknew...buthermindremainedasblankasever.
Aspromised,Raineslethergotothesurface.Fangwasgivenasmallwirelessdeviceso
thattheywouldbeabletocontactheratamomentsnotice.Theyalsogaveheratransferdevice
thatwouldallowhertogainaccesstoherweaponquickly.
Thanks, Fang thought. Even though neither of them really gained anything from their
deal,shestillfeltsheowedsomethingtoRygdea.
Thetemplewasthefirstplaceshevisited.Rygdeahadntsaidanythingaboutthetemple.
Thatprobablymeantneitherhe,noranyoneelseknewyoucouldgetintoit.Astheyhadsearched
everywhereelsewithoutfindingVanille,itwaslikelythatshehadhiddenthere.
Onlyafewdayshadpassedsincetheyhadleftthetemple,buttheinsideofthetemple
feltcomfortingandfamiliar.Inallofthisstrangeworlditwasherlastconnectiontohome.
Looking around Fang saw that the priests clothes they had slept on were thrown
haphazardlyonthefloor.Vanillehadalreadybeenhere,butnowtherewasnosignofher.They
mayhavejustmissedeachother.
ShespottedVanillesweapon.ItworriedFangthatVanillewaswalkingaroundunarmed.
Shemusthaveleftitsoasnottoattractattentiontoherself.Unfortunately,unlikewhenthey
firstwokeup,thecitywasdangerousnow,withsoldierseverywhere.
Fangcircledaroundoncemore,justincase,beforegoingbackoutside.JustincaseVanille
returnedhere,shegathereduptheclothesonthefloorandfoldedthemproperlyasasignthat
Fanghadreturned.
IfonlyfalCieAnimawouldtellhersomething.WhetherornotVanillehadreturnedhere,
or where she had gone. That old man had said the falCie had been angry with him. It was
possiblethatCocoonfalCiehadawaytocommunicatewithpeople.Suchathingwouldnever
happenwithGranPulsefalCie.
ThoughIbetitwouldbeprettyannoyingiftheydidtalk.Shethoughtaloud.Theywould
probablyjustmakeordersandignoredwhatanyoneelsehadtosay.ThatshowfalCiewere.
Intheend,youcanonlycountonyourself.Shemused.
Fangwalkedalongthebeachwheretheyhadfished,andintotheforesttheyhadplanned
to hunt. When she returned to the city, it was already evening. Fang poked around the field
wheretheyhadstolenvegetables,butVanillewasnotthereeither.

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Andtherestillisntanyonelookingafterthisplace.Fanglookedatthefenceless,netless
fieldandlaughed.Though,andthiswasprobablyonlybecauseshehadbeenheretoolong,even
thisfieldseemedbeautifultohernow.Shecroucheddownandputherhandsinthedirt.Vanille
hadmighthavecomehereanddonethesame.Sheknewshehad.
ButIcantwaithereforher...Fangclappedherhandstogethertogetridofthedirt,
andstoodup.Thenshenoticedsomethinghadfallenontheground.Itwasthewirelessdevice.
Shehadforgottenaboutitcompletely.
Whenshepickeditup,shenoticedalightblinkingonandoff.Itseemedsomeonehad
triedtocontacther.
Nowhowdidthisworkagain...Shefiddledaroundwithitlikeshehadtheairbike,trying
togetittowork,whensuddenlyitconnected.Itseemedshewasgoodwiththissortofthing.
Wherehaveyoubeen!?Rygdeayelledwhensheheldittoherear.Whydidyoukeep
ignoringme?
Sorry,IforgotIhadthisthing.
Icantbelievethis...Sheheardhimsigh.
Hey,Imnotusedtocraplikethis.
Wellwhatever.IneededtotellyouthatPSICOMisintheVestige.
Vestige?Thensheremembered:theycalledthetempletheBodhumVestige.
Itseemstheyreconductinganinvestigation.
Butwhy?Itwasdifficulttokeephervoicefromshaking.Whataretheylookingfor?
Idontknowthedetails.Weonlyreceivedthecommunication.ButIdoknowtheyre
usingmilitarymonsters.NotonlytheTsevelktheyuseforsearches,buttheGebalttheyusefor
hunting.
Fangdidntknowthedifferencebetweenthesemonsters,butshecouldtellfromtheway
Rygdeatalkedaboutthemthatthiswasntnormal.
Theyveevendeployedarmoredsoldiers.Dontgonearthem.Theyarentthesortof
enemyyoucantakedownbyyourself.
WhenFanghadreturnedtothetempleshehadseennosignofsoldiersoranyoneelse.
Maybeshehadjustmissedthem.
Inanycase,didyoufindher?
IfIhad,Iwouldhavealreadyreturned.

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Isee.Wellanyway,itwouldprobablybebestifyouhidyourselfinthecrowdsothey
cantfindyou.Oh,waitamoment...
Hisvoicecutoff.Hemusthavereceivedanothercall.Buthedidntleaveherwaitinglong.
Dontgonearthesecurityforcesbase.Hesaidwhenhecamebackontheline.We
justreceivedvideofromthesecuritysystem.Thereisacompanyofairshipsheadedthiswaywith
allspeed,thisisnosimpleinvestigation.
Ill be careful, Fang replied, switching off the wireless device and running towards the
temple.ShetrustedRygdea,butifVanillereturnedthereshewouldbeintrouble.
Butonceshegotwithinsightofthetemple,shesawthatRygdeahadbeenright.The
temple was surrounded by army vehicles. It was as though the outside of the temple was
swarmingwithinsects.Asmuchasshehatedtoadmitit,therewasnowayshewouldhavea
chanceagainstthat.ShecouldforgetabouthelpingVanille,shewouldntevenbeabletoenter
thetemple.
Thismightnotevenbethefirsttimetheyhadbeentothetemple.Wasitpossiblethat
theyhadcomewithoutRygdeaandhiscrewrealizingit?ThatmightexplainwhyVanillehadnt
beeninthetemple.Shesawthesoldiersandran,leavingherweaponbehind.Thatmustbeit,
Fangsaidtoherself,whichmeansVanilleisntinthere.Illjusthavetobelievethatfornow,and
searchsomewhereelse...
Itwasgrowingdark.Soonitwouldbetoodarktosearchforher.Fangwalkedquicklyto
theshoppingmall.

Itsnotreallydarkatall.
Boththeshoppingmallandthebeachwereaslightasday,andasfilledwithpeople.The
fireworksburstingintheskylitupthewholecity.
Sparksexplodedinthesky,booming,andlightingupthefacesaroundher.Fangsupposed
havingthelightwouldhelphersearchforVanille,ifshewerethere.Butshewasnt.
Fanghadwalkedtoeverycrackandcorneroftheshoppingmall.Shewenttothevending
machinewhereshefirstboughtdrinksforthemwithhercard,andtothegrocerystorewhere
theyweregivenamap,toeverywherethetwoofthemhadgonetogether.Butstill,noVanille.
Thereweretoomanypeople.Whentheycomeherejustafterwakingup,shecouldnt
figureoutwhereallthesepeoplehadcomefrom.Buttonightthemallwasevenmorecrowded
thanbefore.Itwasusefulforwhenyouwantedtohide,butimpossibletofindsomeonein.

111

Tiredofwalking,Fangwenttorestinthecafeonthebeach.Sherealizedthiswasthe
samecafeRygdeahadtalkedaboutwhenshesawthewomanmixingdrinksbehindthecounter.
Hehadsaidshewasgood.
Welcome!Barstoolokayforyou?Shesmiled.Yes,hehadmentionedhowfriendlyshe
was.Fangnodded,relaxing.Shewasevenmoretiredthanshehadthought.Shehadntrested
sincenoon,sothiswasnosurprise.
Whatllitbe?
Adrink...somethingverysweet.
Shenoddedandgrabbedaglass.
Youlookprettytired.
Yeah,Iguess.
Didyougoshopping?Findanythinggood?
Oddlyenough,itdidntfeelstrangetohavethiswomanaskingherquestions.Maybeit
wasbecauseshewassocloseinagetoVanille.FangthoughtofVanillessmile.
ActuallyImlookingforsomeone.
Oh,didtheygetlost?Itisthefireworksfestival,stufflikethathappens.Yourfriend?
Yeah.
Whatsshelike?
Fangwasabouttoanswer,whenthewomancalledouttosomeonebehindher.
Yourelate.Shesaidshedbewaitingattheusualplace.
Themanshetalkedtowaslargeandwellbuilt.Fangwonderedifhewasaregularhere.
Heturnedaroundandleftquickly,soshedidntgetagoodlookathisface,onlytheimpression
ofthefrayedsleevesofhislongcoatandthethickleatherglovesheworeremainedinhermind.
Itmadehimseemhotandsweatyratherthantough.
Imsorryforinterruptingyou.Whatwereyougoingtosay?Sheplacedthedrinkinfront
ofher.Fangtookaswig,anditwasjustassweetasshehadhoped.Thecoolliquidslidingdown
herthroatfeltgood.AllthedrinksshedhadinCocoonweretoowateryforhertaste,butthis
onewasgoodevenifabitwatery.AsRygdeahadsaid,thismustbeagoodrestaurantbyCocoons
standards.
Fang grabbed some fruit slices that had been placed on the counter and took a bite.
Tasteless.

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So,thisgirlyourelookingfor.Canyoudescribeher?
I would say shes about as old as... no, probably a bit younger than you are. Shes a
scaredycat,butcuriousabouteverything.Shescarelessandnaive,butkindtoeveryoneandshe
laughsalot...
Isshecute?
Yeah,butacrybaby.Thewomanwasagoodlistener,soFangcontinued.Whenshes
lonelyorworried,shealwayscries.ButifIpatherontheheadshellforgetitallinaninstant.
Shesjustlikethat...
Isee...well,Ihopeyoucanfindhersoonsoyoucanpatheronthehead.
Yeah...Fangsaid,nodding.Vanillewasnttheonlyonefeelinglonelyandworried,she
thought,surprisingherself.
Haveyouwishedonthefireworksyet?
Wish?
Youdontknow?ThereisalegendthatBodhumsfireworkscangrantwishes.
I...heardthatstory,but...Shehadalreadyheardaboutitseveraltimes.
But?
FangdidntknowwhetherCocoonsfireworkswouldwanttograntherwishes.
No,nevermind.
Wellifyouhaventwishedforanythingyet,whynotwishthatyoullfindher?Ormaybe
thatsheisntcrying?
Fangagreed,andstoodup.Shehadstayedherelongerthanshehadplanned.
Ifyoustillhaventfoundher,comearound.Illtellyouifweveseenanyonelikeher.
Yeah,thanks.
Afterpayingwithhercard,Fangwentoutside.Ithadbeencrowdedinsidethecafe,but
theoutsidewasevenworse.
Itslikelookingforagrainofsandinthedesert...Shesighedandlookedupatthesky.
Orperhapsitwasliketryingtoholdthesparksthatlituptheskyinherhands.Shetouchedher
fingerstogether.OnGranPulsethiswasaprayer,butpeopleonCocoonwouldhavenoidea
whatshewasdoing.WasVanillelookingupatthissky?
Asshethoughtthat,thewirelessdevicebeganvibrating.ItwasRygdea.Shehopedhe
wascallingtotellhertheyhadfoundher,butno,hisvoicewasurgent.

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Whereareyou?
Iminfrontofthecafeyoutalkedabout.
Alright.Returntothemeetingpoint.Wellpickyouupthere.
TheyhadonlyplannedtohaveherreturntotheLindblumiftheyfoundVanilleorwhen
thefireworksfestivalhadended.Butfromthetoneofhisvoiceshecouldtellhedidnothave
goodnews.
Whathappened?
Somethingterrible.Welltellyoumoreaboutitwhenyouvereturned.
Fangsaidsheunderstood,andswitchedoffthedevice.Shehadabadfeelingaboutthis.

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Chapter06
Interceptingtheinformationwasntintheiroriginalplan.Itwasntscrambledorcoded,
andthefirstpersontohearitwasoneofthelowestrankingradiocommunicationsoperators.He
thoughtitwasaprankatfirst.IfRygdeahadntpassedbyatthetimehewouldnthavesavedit
muchlessreportedit.
APulsefalCiehasbeenfoundintheVestige.
Ithadcutoffthere.IfRygdeahadntknownthatPSICOMwasinvestigatingtheVestigehe
wouldhavethoughtitaprankhimself.
Theywereabletofigureoutthetruthofitprettyquickly,becausePSICOMsoonsealed
offtheVestige.Aftertheyhadreceivedthevideocommunication,theyhadlearnedthatmostof
PSICOMwasheadingtowardsBodhum.Theyalsoreceivedtheordertopulloutimmediately.
Thats why they had Fang return to the ship. Though she was probably still searching for her
friend,theydidnthavemuchofachoice.ThatshowfastPSICOMworked.Notonlywerethe
Cavalryorderedtopullout,butBodhumsownsecurityforcewereaswell.Andduringthemiddle
ofthefireworksfestival.
Justwhataretheythinking?
Theyreprobablyhopingtostallfortimebeforetheinfogetsleaked.
SotheyvereallyfoundaPulsefalCie?
ItwasprobablyashocktoeventhehighestrankingPSICOMofficials.Itwaslikelythatthe
soldierswhofoundthefalCiehadpanickedandforgottentoscramblethemessage.Theyhad
put it on a frequency that even civilians had access to. Other people had probably already
interceptedthetransmission.AndlikewiththeincidentinEuride,agagorderwouldjusthave
theoppositeaffect.
Once theyve finished barricading the city, theyll reveal the existence of the Pulse
falCie.
Doyouthinkthepeoplewillpanic?
Atleastwithinthecity.Rainesnodded.Thatwouldbethereasonforthebarricade.
EveniftherewerepanicinBodhum,itwouldntspreadtoanyotherarea.Sealingoffboththe
peopleandtheinformationwouldallowpeopleoutsideofBodhumtoremaindetachedfromthe
situation. People dont care about others when it doesnt directly relate to themselves. The
peopleoutsideofBodhumwouldsoonloseinterest.
IstillcantbelievetherewassomethinglikethathidingintheVestige.
ThatwouldbewhyFanginsistedonstayingwithinBodhum.Evenwhentheysuggested
thatherfriendmighthaverunsomewhereelse,Fanghadsimplyansweredthatitwasntpossible.

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Whilethatwasntexactlystrange,nowitallmadesenseifaPulsefalCiewascloseby.BothFang
andherfriendwerelCie.TheycouldntleavetheirfalCiebehindjustbecausetheywerebeing
chased.
Ifonlywecouldhavefoundherfriendbeforetheydiscoveredthatthing...
UnfortunatelyIbelievewellhavetogiveuponthat.Wecantevengetclosetoitmuch
lesssearchit.
Eveniftheymanagedtobreakthroughthebarrier,theywouldntbeabletogetoutagain.
IthadbeenhardenoughhelpingFangtoescapefromEuride,andthebarricadethistimewould
befarstronger.
Whatthehellisgoingtohappennow...AsRygdeasaidthosewords,Rainespickedup
hiswirelesstransceiver.
Isit...?Hedidntevenhavetoask,hecouldtellbytheexpressiononRainesface.Itwas
acallfromtheirinsideman.IthadonlybeenafewdaysbeforethatRaineshadgottenamanin
PSICOMontheirside.ThatwashowtheywereabletoreactsoquicklyandrescueFang.
Sorry,couldyougooutsideforamoment?
Rygdeanoddedsilently,andstood.Theyhadanagreementthattheonlyonetoknowthe
mansidentitywouldbeRaines.Sincetheinformationhegavethemwassogood,Rygdeafigured
itwassomeonehighup.
Rygdeaturnedbackforamoment,andsawthelookonRainesfacewhenheanswered
thecall.Healwayslookedsomewhatstrange.Rygdeadidntknowwhatitwas,hejustknewhe
lookeddifferent.Maybeitwasbecausehehadtoputinsomuchefforttotalktotheman.Rygdea
supposedhewasamanworththeprice.No,hewasntreallysureitwasevenamanatall.
Alrightthen,timetopickupFang.
Itwasntajobhewaslookingforwardto.Hewouldhavetotellherthatshehadtogive
uplookingforherfriend.Theimageofherfaceflashedinhismind.
Shelljustsaywereenemiesagain...Hehadthoughtthattheywouldbeabletowork
together.Theyhadacommonenemyandcause,andhethoughttheywouldfighttogether.But
now...
Hefeltunusuallydepressed.

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Chapter07
Whatdidyousay!?FangmadeagrabforRainesshoulder,butRygdeastoppedher.
Shewassoangryshedidntevennotice.
WevebeenorderedtoleaveBodhum.Wewontbeabletostayinthisairspaceany
longer.
You...!Theytriedtoapologize,butthewordsflewpassedher.Letmeoffthisship!Let
meoffnow!
SearchingforVanillewouldbehard,sheknew.Thatwaswhyshehadstayedontheship
likeagoodgirl.Shehadevenbeengratefultothem.Butnowthis...?
Calmdown!
Calmdown?Calmdown!?Shetriedtopushhimoffher,butRygdeadidntmoviean
inch.
PSICOMsforcesarearriving.Imsorry,butalltheirweaponryismadespecificallytogo
againstpeopleandcreaturesfromPulse.Itwouldbesuicide.
DoyouthinkIcare!?
Doyouwanttodie!?
Ofcourse!ItwouldbebettertodiethantoletVanillebecomeaCieth,toabandonher.
Wehaventlostallhope.Rygdeasaidquietly.Theargumentdiedonherlips.Heseemed
uncomfortable,andhisgriponherrelaxed.
What!?Butyoujustsaid...
Isaidwewouldhavetoleavethearea,butIdidntsaywewouldstopsearching.
Itsthesamething!
Youjustwanttofindyourfriend,right?Thenthereshouldntbeaproblemifyoumeet
upwithhersomewhereoutsideofBodhum.Rainessaid.
FanglookedoveratRygdea,confused,butRygdeahimselfwasgivingRainesapuzzled
look.
Sir,whatdoyou...Rygdeastartedtosay,butclosedhismouth.Fangwonderedifhe
understoodwhatRainesmeant.
TheSanctumhasmadethedecisiontoPurgeeveryoneinBodhumtoPulse.Notonly
residentsofBodhum,buteverysinglepersoncurrentlyinthearea.

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Theannouncementwouldbetomorrow,hecontinued,andtheywouldbegantomove
peopleoutonthedayafterthat.
Surelynot...Rygdeawhispered,hisvoicehoarse.Itseemedthetruthwasfarworsethan
hehadimagined.
TheyllbebroughttoHangedEdgebytrain,andthentheyllbesenttoPulse.
ItwastheborderlandsofCocoon,Rygdeaexplained.Noonebutmonsterslivedthere.In
factitwasforbiddenforcitizensofCocoontoenter.
IfyourfriendisinBodhum,shellbesentthereonthePurgetrain.Wecurrentlycantgo
anywherenearBodhumbecauseofPSICOM,butwhataboutifwefoundherinHangedEdge?
AndIveheardthattheVestigecontainingthefalCiewillbemovedthere,soIdassumeallof
theireffortswillgotowardsguardingthat.
YouresayingweshouldpickFangsfriendupoffaPurgetrain?Sir,thats...
Stupid,youthink?However...HelookedstraightatFang.Evenifwestopsearching
now,youwillstillbesurroundedbyourenemies.Right?
Exceptyourestillanenemy.
IthoughtIalreadyexplainedthis.WewantthepowertotakedownthefalCie...the
Sanctum.
Yeah,Iheard.DoyouthinkIcareaboutyourpowerstruggles?
Thisisntapowerstruggle...thatsnotwhatIwant.
Thenwhatisityouwant?
Tonotbekeptassheep.Notjustformyself,butforallthepeopleofCocoon.
Fangthoughtshesawsomethingdeepwithinhiseyes.Itwassomethingthatshehadseen
somewherebefore.
Werehumans.Wehaveourownwills,ourownfeelings,ourownideals...tobehuman
istoruleoveryourownheart.WearentjusttoolsofthefalCie.
Thensheremembered,whereshehadseenthatlookbefore.Ithadbeenintheeyesof
thosepeoplewhohadtheirhomesdestroyedbytheCocoonfalCie.Thecolorofpainanddespair.
Fangseyesmayhavelookedthesame,evennow.Thatwaswhyshehadnoregretsinbecoming
alCie.
Wewilluseallofourpowertofindyourfriend.ThatIpromiseyou.
Butsir...Rygdeatriedtocutin,butRainesstoppedhimwithhishand.

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Thisisjustanotherpartofourwork.Becausethesepeoplehadtheslightestbrushwith
Pulse,theirlivesarebeingdestroyed.Wecannotjustignoreit.
Well...onlybecauseyouinsist.EventhoughIthinkthisplanisthestupidestamongstupid
plans.ButImonlygoingalongwithitbecauseitsnotimpossible
Rygdea always spoke lightly, but Fang saw that he was serious. They would be saving
VanillefromatrainguardedbymembersofPSICOMwhooutnumberedtheminbothsoldiers
andweapons.Itwouldntbeeasy,andmightmeantheCavalrywouldhavetomakesacrifices.
Then I owe you... Fang closed her eyes for amoment and prayed. Prayed that their
FocuswouldbetodestroytheCocoonfalCie,thattheywouldbeabletofighttogether,that
therewouldbenomistakeinmakingthatdecision.Thenwhenwemeetupwithmyfriend...
withVanille,wewillhelpyou.WewilluseallofourpowertocrushtheCocoonfalCie.
Rainessmiledslightly.Shestillcouldnttellwhathewasthinking,butshedecidedthat
wasokay.Aslongastheywerefightingtogether,thatwouldbeenough.

TheLindblumlandedonthesurfaceofLakeBilgeonthedaythePurgetrainleftBodhum.
ItwashardtohidealargeairshipintheenvironsaroundHangedEdge,sotheydecidedtoland
hereandusesmallervehiclestogetclosertothetrain.Thatwastheplan.
Justalittlelonger...Fangwhispered,glancingdownatthewaterofLakeBilgespreading
outbeneathher.ShewasridinginoneofthesmallervehiclestowardsHangedEdge.
Yep,justonemorehourandthePurgetrainwillarrive.Thenwellallhaveabighappy
reunion.Rygdeajoked.Then,justoutthewindow,Fangsawawhitebird.
Whatsup?
Thatbird...Shepointed,butthebirdwasalreadymovingoffintothedistance.Itswhite
wings disappeared into the clouds. Fang remembered that she had seen it when Rygdea had
capturedher.Shehadthoughtshewouldbeheldcaptive,butbecausetheyhadtakenhershe
hadmanagedtoremainsafeandwasnowgoingtorescueVanille.Thisreallywasabirdofluck.
Itwouldbeokaythistime.Shehadevenprayedtothoselegendaryfireworksorwhatever
theywere.TheywouldfindVanille...theyhadto.
Nah,itsnothing.Fangsmiled,andturnedhereyesforward.HangedEdgewasclose
now.

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PartV:Friends
Chapter01
Callsintheeveningalwaysunpleasantthings.Always,withoutexception.
Having only lived for fourteen years, it was probably a little early to be deciding that
somethinghadnoexceptionsatall.Butitstruetoday,Hopethought,lookingathismothers
back.
No,noitsalright.Dontworryaboutit.Werehavingfunjustthetwoofus.Bowdamis
aniceplace.Wevehadnoproblemswiththehotel,andtheoceanisbeautiful.
Itwashisfatheronthephone.Hopeknewitthemomentthephonerang.Andhecould
guesswhyhisfatherwascalling.Afterall,itwasevening.Hecouldseefromthewindowbeyond
hismothersshoulderthatthedaywasfading.
I...Isee.Iunderstand.Thatstoobad...
Bingo,Hopethought.Hecouldtellfromthewayhismothersvoicesankthathewasright.
They called him in to work, he was too busy, he wouldnt be able to leave tomorrow. Thats
probablywhathewassaying.
Thiswassupposedtobeavacationforthethreeofthem.Tendaysatabeachresort,
stayinginacondo.Hismotherhadplannedithalfayearinadvance.Justtohavefunandrelax,
nottoseeanythinginparticular.Orthatswhatshesaid.Letshavefun,justthethreeofus.Its
beensuchalongtime.
Butheknewtherealmeaningbehindhismotherswords.Withherhusbandbeingso
busy,andhersonbeingatthatdifficultage,ateenager,theyweregrowingfartherandfarther
apart. She didnt know what to do. So she probably thought that if they were somewhere
different,somewherethatwasntathome,thattheywouldfinallyhavetimetotalk.Oratleast,
thatswhatmostpeoplewouldthink.
Hopehadntbeenlookingforwardtothevacation.Hedidntknowwhathedhavetosay
tohisfather,seeingeachotherfortenwholedays.Hehadgottenirritatedjustthinkingaboutit.
Sohehadfeltrelievedwhenheheardhisfatherhadgoonabusinesstrip.Hesaidhewouldmeet
upwiththemlater,butHopedidntbelievehim.Probablyatthelastminutetherewouldbea
meetinghehadtogoto,hedsaysomeoneimportantfromSanctumwouldbethere,making
excuses.Itwasalwayslikethat.Nomatterhowsmallthepromise,hisfatherwouldalwaysthrow
itawayforhiswork.
Itsokay,dontworryaboutit.Wedontevenhavetimetogetboredthereissomuch
todo.
Hismotherforcedhervoiceintoahappiertone.Likealways.Hewantedtotellherthat
shedidnthavetotrysohardtobehappy.Wheneverhisfatherwouldbreakhispromises,she

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neverblamedhimforit.Shealwaysmadeupreasonsandexcuses.Yourfathersworkishard,
shewouldsay.Hehasalotofresponsibility.ImportantpeopleintheSanctumtrusthim.Hes
workinghardforeveryone.Itwassosadhowshewouldneversayawordagainsthim.Butno
matterhowmucheffortshewouldputintodefendinghim,hisfatherneverhadawordofthanks
forher.
Myfatherdoesntcare,Hopethought.Abouthownicesheistohim...oraboutme.
He couldnt be sure whether his mother really didnt realize this, or if she was just
pretendingthatshedidnt.Itdidntmattereitherway.Myfatheristheonewhoswrong,Hope
saidtohimself.
Tomorrow? Were going to Ewleede like we planned. Yes, theyve already finished
cleaningupafterthataccident.
TherehadbeenahugeaccidentattheenergyplantinEwleedeCanyonthreedaysago.
Everythinghadbeenshutdownintheuproar,andtoursoftheplanthadbeenputonholduntil
today.Theyhadjustfinishedrebuilding,andtheyhadletusknowjustamomentagothatthey
wouldbelettinginvisitorstomorrow.
Everythingwillbefine.ImeanthefalCiedecidedthatitwassafe,thatshouldbegood
enoughfortakingafieldtripright?Youresuchaworrier.
Likehewouldworry,Hopethought.Ofcourse,hedidntsaysoaloud.Heknewthatit
wouldjustmakehismothersad.Hisheadknewit,buthisheart...
He'snotcomingishe?Ofcourse.Theharshwordsslippedoutofhismouthjustasshe
hungupthephone.
Theres nothing he can do about it. There was that accident in Ewleede you know,
everyoneinsideSanctumwasinapanicaboutit,andthataffectedyourfathersjobtoo.Oh!But
hesaidhedbehereintimeforthefireworksfestival.
Againwiththepromiseshellneverkeep.Heshouldjustnotmakethemtobeginwith.
Whatever,letsnottalkabouthim.Imean,whetherheshereorathomehedjustsay
thesamethingsanyway.Howsschool?Areyoustudying?Nothingelse.Heslikea.....
Likeavoicerecorder,Hopewasgoingtosay.Buthesawthesadnessinhismotherseyes.
Ohyeah,youweresayingyouwantedmetohelpyouwithsomething?Hesaid,trying
tosteertheconversationinadifferentdirection.Itsstupidtogetallworkedupaboutsomeone
whoisntevenhere.
Ohyes,right.Wouldyouwashthesevegetablesforme?
Vegetables?

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Well,sincewerestayinginacondothatactuallycomeswithakitchen,itseemssucha
wastetokeepeatingouteveryday.
Shetookoutalargepaperpackage.Itsmelledofdirt.Notthekindofsmellyoudfindin
agrocerystore.
Whendidyouhavethechancetobuythisstuff?
Thismorning,alocalpersongavethemtome.
Ohyeah,thismorningmomwokeupearly,Hopethought.Hehadfallenasleepagain,and
shedgoneoutforawalk.Thatmusthavebeenwhensheboughtthem.
Theytoldmethisisingredientstheyuseintheircafe.Therearesomethingstheyget
fromthemarket,buttheytoldmetheygrowtheirownvegetables.Here,washthese.
His mother separated the vegetables, giving Hope lumpy potatolooking things. His
mother held some bug eaten leaves. You would never find these in any grocery store in
Palumpolum.Oranywhereelse.
Yourealwaysgettingintothestrangestthings.Hopesaid,sighing,andturnedonthe
water.Itwasntlikethiswasthefirsttimehismotherdidsomethinglikethis.
But it was just so interesting! The fieldworker was a very fashionable, goodlooking
youngmanyouknow.ItsonlywhenIlearnedheworkedatacafethatitdidntseemodd.And
thentherewasashorterboy,Ithinkhemighthavebeenabitolderthanyou.
Itsstillstrange,choosingtoworkinafield.
Really?Theylookedliketheywerehavingfun.
Someonewhosupportsthemselves...Hopecouldntreallyunderstandit.Therewerefood
productionplantsthatwereunderthecarefulmanagementofthefalCiewhichproducedlarge
amountsofhighqualityfoodthatwassoldcheaply.Hedidntknowhowmuchvegetableseeds
cost,butiftheywereanythingliketheflowerseedshehadseeningardensupplystoresthenit
waspossiblethatgrowingyourownfoodwasntanycheaper.
Andthenthisgirlcame,andtheystartedtalking,andthenheendedupjustgivingme
thevegetables.
Youreshameless.
Imamother,Imstrong.
Shelaughed,andstartedwashingthebugeatenleaves.Itwasasifshehadcompletely
forgottenthephonecalljustafewminutesago.Ifonlywehadgoneonvacationwithouthim
fromthestart,Hopethought.Thenshewouldntworrysomuch,andwouldjustbeabletolaugh
likethis.ThatswhyIhatehim.Ihatecallsintheevening...

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Hescrubbedhardatthedirtonthevegetables.IfonlyIcouldwashawayeverythingelse
soeasily,hethought.

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Chapter02
EwleedeCanyonwasaverypopulartouristspot.Theenergyplanttherehadarouteset
upforfieldtripsandvisitors,anditwassaidthatthesurroundingscenerywassomeofthemost
beautifulinallCocoon.
ThefactthatyoucouldseefalCieKujata,thefalCieinchargeoftheplant,didnthurt
either.ThefalCieareimportant,supportingthepeopleofCocoonswayoflife,butitwasnot
oftenthatregularpeoplegottoseethemsoclose.
ThatiswhymanyofthepeoplewhovisittheCoastalCityofBowdamalsotakeatripout
to Ewleede Canyon. You could see the latest equipment inside the plant, enjoy the beautiful
scenery,andthenseeafalCie.Itwasthosethreethingstogetherthatmadethisplacesucha
drawforvisitors.
Beside the plant there was a plaza with gift shops lined up, waiting for the tourists.
Childrenonschoolfieldtripswouldmeetthereingroups,andyoucouldalwaysheartheirexcited
voices.ThatstheEwleedeCanyoneveryoneknew.Buttodaywasdifferent.
Itscompletelydifferentfromthosevideos....Hopemurmured.Theyhadfinallyarrived
inEwleede.Theplazawasclosedoff,withtapestretchedacrosstheentrance.Armoredsoldiers
wereonguard.Therewerenoplacessellingfoodanddrink,noplacessellingballoons.
Itwasaprettybigaccident.Icantbelievetherearemoresoldiersherethantourists.
Hismotherseemedtobehavingfun,notbotheredbyanyofit,butshecouldnthideher
surpriseathowheavilyguardedtheplacewas.
ItmustbehardforthosesoldiersfromBowdam.Andtheyllbebusywiththefireworks
festivalsoontoo.
No, thats not their uniform, its PSICOMs... I think. But those people over there are
regularsoldiers.
Really?
Ithinkso.IsawitinapicturethatKaishowedmeonce.
Kaisdreamwastobecomeanairshippilotforthearmywhenhegrewup,soheknewa
lotaboutit.IfKaiwereherehewouldknoweachtypeofgunthatthesoldierswerecarrying.
HopehadntseenKaifornearlythreeyears.Hehadmovedbecauseofhisparentsjob.Even
thoughitwasjusttothenexttownover,theirschoolwasdifferent,sotheyhadntreallyspoken
much.Atfirsttheyhadcalledandmailedeachother,butthatgrewgraduallylessandless...
Hey,isntthatthesamepetshopwesawinBowdam?
Hopestoppedhistrainofthoughttolookatwherehismotherwaspointing.Thefamiliar
logowasspreadacrosstheclosedshutterinfrontofthestore.

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Isntthattheplacethatwassellingthosebabychocobos?
Yesthatone,theyhadsaidthattheirstoreinEwleedewasallsoldout...Icantbelieve
allthathappenedhere.
ThatwasonthedaytheyhadarrivedinBowdam.Aftercheckingintotheircondo,his
motherhadsaidshewantedtolookaroundtheshoppingmall.Whowouldhavethoughtthen
thatanaccidentwouldhappeninEwleede.
SomechildrenranpassedHope.Theymustbeonafieldtriptodaytoday,hethought.No,
wait,allschoolsareonvacationrightnow,sotheresprobablyjustsomesortofspecialeventfor
children.
Hurryup!Look,werealreadylate.
Theresagirllikethatineveryclass,onewhoalwaystriestogeteveryonetoobeythe
rules.TherehadbeenoneinHopesclass.Therewasonenow.Itwasprobablyimpossiblefor
onenottobeinaclass.JustlikeaCocoonwithoutafalCiewasimpossible.
....thenIwentonthatnaturefieldtrip.
Oh,thatoneinSanles?
Yes,thatone.
Heturnedatthevoice.Thegirlspokewithpride.ShemustbetalkingabouttheSanctums
natureobservationalfieldtrip,Hopethought.TheSanlesRiversideisoneofCocoonsfewnature
preserves.Sinceitismaintainedforecologicalresearch,citizensarenotusuallyallowedinside.
TheonlytimetheyareiswhentheSanctumhasobservationaltrips.Theyhavethetripsseveral
timesayear,andmostlyonlyletschoolorothergroupsparticipate.Theoneswhogettogoare
chosenbylottery,andevenifyouapplyforatripyoumostlikelywontbechosen.
OnlyluckykidsgettogotoSanles.Itwasnowonderthatgirlwasboastingaboutit.Kai
probablyboastedaboutitathisnewschool,sayingthathewentonthenaturefieldtripathis
oldschool.
WhatswrongHope?
Hismotherhadwalkedabitaheadofhim.Shestopped,andlookedback.
No,justthesekidsthatpassedbyweretalkingaboutSanles.Iwasthinkingaboutit.
Ohright,yourschoolwonthelotteryonthatdidntthey?Wasthatfiveyearsago?
Six.

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WhenKaiwasstillthere,andElida.Thethreeofthemhadalwaysbeentogether.AtSanles
theyhadbeentogether.Herememberedrunningonthepathbehindthem.Hewonderedifthey
stillrememberedtheadventuretheyhadthere.

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Chapter03
Insidetheairshipeveryoneraisedtheirvoicesinexcitement.Belowthemshardsoflight
scatteredacrossthesurfaceofthelake,glittering.Everythingwascoloredinvariousshadesof
green.TheyhadjustpassedovertheresidentialareaoftheSunlethWaterscape,whichwasnext
tothelargestnaturalforestinallofCocoon.
IsthatLakeShela?
Hey,whatsthatbigtreeoverthere?
Isthatamountain?
Thevoicesofthechildrenweresolouditalmostseemedtheywouldbreakthewindows
oftheairship.
Alright,wouldeveryonepleasebequiet!
Theirteachersvoiceechoedacrosstheirs.Aftertenyearsofdoingthistheteacherdidnt
blinkaneye,buttheairshipstaffwerelookingaskanceatthechildren.Thisairshipusuallyonly
tookonpassengersthatcouldpaytheirhighprice.Whichmeansusuallytheywouldonlysee
membersofSanctumonimportantbusiness.Watchingoverchildrenwasoutoftheirareaof
expertise.
Thenaturepreservewasinanareathatcouldonlybereachedbyaspecialaccesspoint,
forwhichtheyhiredthelatestcivilianvessels.Theresultofwhichwasthatthethestaffofthe
airshiponlyhadtodealwithitacoupletimesayear,andwereunusedtoit.
Theairshipgraduallydroppedaltitude,andLakeShelagrewcloser.Thesurfaceofthelake
filledtheviewfromthewindows,andthechildrenstartedtalkingexcitedlyagain.Theirteacher
clappedherhandsandraisedhervoicePayattention!andeveryonequieted.
Theairshipwillbelandingsoon.Wewillnotbelandingbesidethelake,andthereisonly
atemporarylandingfacilitysetup.Pleasetakecarenottorunabout.Ifyouunderstandplease
raiseyourhand.
Okay!Everyonesaid,raisingtheirhandsasone.HopeheardavoicebesidehimsayOh
wow...ItwasKai.Hopekepthishandraisedandaskedhimquietly:
Whatisit?
Itsreallyhardtolandsomewherethatdoesnthavealandingstrip.
Oh?
Andthisairshipishuge,onlyaspecialistpilotcouldlandthishere.

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Hopedidntreallyknowwhathewastalkingabout.Kaiwantedtobeanarmypilotwhen
hegrewup,soheknewallaboutthatsortofthing,butHopeknewnothing.ButifKaisaidthe
pilotwasamazing,itmustbetrue.
Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?Elidasaid.ShewasstandingbesideKai,leaningover
him.
Yourebeingloud.Kaifrownedather.Elidawasthebestsingerintheclass,butshealso
hadtheloudestvoice.
Theyhadmetduringtheopeningceremonieswhentheyhadfirstenteredelementary
school.Theteachershadsatthemtogether.Theysattogetherinclassaswell,andthethreeof
thembecameclose.Theywerealwaysdoingstufftogether.
Their interests, likes and personalities were completely different, but sometimes a
externalclosenessmattersmorethananinternalone.Theylivedclosebyeachother,andoften
wenthomefromschooltogether.BothHopeandElidaweretheonlychildrenintheirfamily,but
Kaihadalittlebrotherwhowasthreeyearsyounger.HisnamewasHal,andthefourofthem
often played together. Year after year, they always ended up in the same class. Though they
werentalwaysseatedtogether,duringtripsandeventslikethisonetheyalwaysgottogether.
Hesaystheairshipspilotisreallyamazing.HopeleanedonElidatowhisperinherear.
Amazing?Whatis?Elidatiltedherhead.Kaiwasabouttogiveadetailedexplanation,
whentheteacherranover.
Hey,youoverthere!Stoptalkingandloweryourhands.
Onlythethreeofthemstillhadtheirhandsraisedintheair.Theyquicklydroppedtheir
handsinembarrassmentandeveryonelaughed.
Its all your fault you know! Elida said, pouting. Thats when the scenery outside
suddenlystopped.Hehadntevenfelttheslightesttremorastheshiplanded.Hopedidntknow
anythingaboutairships,butevenhecouldtellthatthepilotwasgood.
See,prettygoodhuh?Kaisaid,asifheweretheonewholandedtheship.

Thefirstplacethechildrenlookedatastheygotofftheairshipwaswhatwasbeneath
their feet. They had never felt anything like it before. In Palumpolum there were streets
everywhere. Even in parks there were few places where the earth was exposed. They were
surprisedatthestrangefeelingunderneaththeirfeet,butwhentheygotagoodlookaround
theybecamemoresurprisedatwhattheysaw.Grassandtreeswerentusual,buttheywere

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alwaysinplantersorsurroundedbyrocks.Theyhadneverreallyseensomanygreenthingslike
theycouldhere.
Alright,payattentioneveryone!Doesanyonerememberthefieldtripruleswelearned
yesterday?
Everyoneraisedtheirhands.
Okay,thenwhatarethethreedonts,letseveryonesayittogether!
Dontrun,dontplayaround,dontpush.
Verygood!Itsdifferentherethanitisinthecity.Itseasytoslipsoyoushouldntrun.
Themonstershereareusuallyquiet,butifyouyellormakeloudnoisesitwillsurprisethemand
theymightattackyou.Soletsbeveryquiet,okay?
Theyhadgoneoverthisseveraltimessincetheyfoundouttheyhadbeenchosentogo.
Theyallknewjusttellingpeopletobequietprobablywouldntdoanything,sotheydrummedit
intotheirheads.Soldiershadalreadydriventhemostdangerousmonstersawayfromthepath
theywouldbetaking.Theonlyonesleftwerethequietestandgentlestmonsters,andeventhey
weregentlydissuadedfromcomingnearthevisitors.
Doingthistookalotmoretimethansimplykillingallthemonsters.ButinSunleththey
werestudyingthemonsters,sotheycouldntkillthem.Hopehadheardaboutitfromhisfather.
Andthereisonemoreimportantthingyoumustremember.Therearealotofravines
andcliffshere,anditisverydangerous.Todaytheyhaveplatformsandropessetupforus,but
onlyincertainareas.Nevergooutsideoftheobservationarea!Theseresearcherswillbeguiding
us,sopleaselistentoeverythingtheysay.Everyoneunderstand?
Everyone raised their hand, and Hope looked over to the path they would be taking.
Throughthedensetreeshecouldseesteepcraggycliffsandsharprocks.Hefeltabitnervous
aboutwalkinginaplacethatwasverydangerous.
Accordingtotheplan,theywouldgofromLakeShelaonthroughRainbowPass,andwalk
alongtheforesttrailbeforeturningback.Oncetheyreturnedtothelakesidetheywouldeat
lunchandhavesomefreetime.Hopethoughtthatonlypeoplethatwantedtowalkonthepath
shouldhaveto.Iftheydidntwanttotheyshouldbeabletostaythere.
TheedgeofLakeShelawasbeautiful.Flowersofvariouscolorsgrewallaround.Closeby
therewerehugetrees,theshadebeneaththemlookedcoolandquiet.
Hopepreferredplayingindoorsthanbeingoutside.Helikedplayinggamesathome,or
goingovertoKaishousetolookatpicturesofarmyweaponsandmachinery.ButsincebothKai
andElidalikedplayingoutdoors,theyonlyplayedinsideonrainydays,orwhenHalwasfeeling
toosicktogooutside.

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Alright,nowwellbedividingyouupbyclass.Thepathisnarrow,sopleaseformasingle
fileline!
Everyclasshadaresearchertoguidethem.Unliketheteachers,theresearcherswerenot
usedtoraisingtheirvoices.Theyeachcarriedasmallmegaphonewiththem.
Thelineofchildrenmovedslowlyalong.Atjustabitlessthanahundredpeople,theline
wasfairlylong.
Theseflowersaresobeautiful.Elidareachedherhandouttoapaleredflower,but
Hopestoppedher.
Youcant.Itsayswearentsupposedtotouchorpickanyoftheplants.Theysaidthere
areevensomethatcangiveyouarash.
Iknowthat.Iwasjustgoingtotakeapicture.Elidasaidasshetookoutatoycamera
fromherpocket.
Iwonderifmomwouldlikeapictureofaflower....
Hopetookouthisowntoycamera.Thecameraswouldsenddataautomatically,andwere
anabsolutemustforeventslikethese.Comparedtonormalcameras,thetoycameraonlyhada
littlebitofspacefordata.Onceyouvefilledupallofthememoryonthecamera,thedatawould
besentautomaticallytothenearestcomputerterminal.Then,withinthesamedaythepaper
photosaresenttoyourhouse.Thecameraitselfischeapandmeanttobeusedandthrownaway,
soitsperfectforchildrenwhomightdropitorbreakit.Andbeingabletouseupallthespace
onthecamerainadaymakesitevenbetter.
Hopeaimedhiscameraatthepaleredflower.Healsotookapictureofthewhiteflower
nexttoit.Itsthinpetalsscatteredinthebreeze.Hetookapictureofthattoo.Ihopethepictures
comeout,hethought.Therewereflowersherethatyoudneverseeinthecity.Andnotjust
flowers.ThemonsterhecouldseeinthedistancejustaddedtoSunleth'scharm.
Hopewasinatrance,clickingpictureafterpicture.Hehardlyevennoticedclimbingup
thehill.
Hey,dontyouthinkthewindherehasasortof...strangesmell?Elidasaidtohim.Hope
hadbeennoticingittoo.Oncetheyleftthelakesideandstartedwalkingthroughthepass.He
hadsmelleditthen.
Itsmellslike,ick,medicine.Kaisniffedtheairandgrimaced.
No,notlikemedicine.Morelikeherbs?
Yeah,itskindoflikethestuffgrampsdrinks.

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Probablyhearingtheirconversation,thefemaleresearcherinfrontofthemturnedand
andsmiled.
Thatsthesmellofgreenstuff.Ofdirtandgrass.
Allthechildrenintheareaexchangedglances.Theyhaddirtinthecity.Theyhadflower
pots,andotherplantsthatgrewoutoftheground.Buttheyhadneversmelledanythinglikethis.
Untreatedandunpurifieddirtsmellslikethis.Andtheplantsthatgrowinit.
Cometothinkofit,Hopethought,theflowerssmelleddifferenttoo.Notreallydifferent,
juststronger.Hehadgottenjustcloseenoughtotakeapictureofthem,butthesweetsmellof
theflowershadreachedhim.Ithadsurprisedhim.Hewonderedifthatwasbecauseofthedirt
here.
Look!Amonster!Someoneyelled.Whenhelooked,hesawsomethingcrawlingalong
theedgeofaravine.Itwastranslucent,andsquishylooking.Whatastrangemonster.
ThatsaVegetapudding.Theimprovedbreedisedibleyouknow.
Everyoneraisedtheirvoicesinshockanddisbelief.
IdontthinkIlltellyouwhatitgetsprocessedinto.Itwouldbesomuchtroubleifsome
kidsgotdisgustedandwouldnteatitanymore.Shewinkedjokingly.
Their field trip was about to degrade into a discussion on what kind of food a
Vegetapuddingcouldpossiblybe,whentheyreachedRainbowPass.Theresearcherprobablyhad
thatplannedfromthebeginningwhenshestartedtalkingaboutedibleVegetapuddings.
Whentheyreachedthetopofthepass,theviewthereerasedallthoughtsofmonsters.
Arainbowarchedinthesky,andlightshonedownthroughcracksintheclouds.Heheardthe
clickofsomeonescamera.Theymusthavejustrememberedtheyhadone.Thatwasthesignal.
Everyonegrabbedtheircamerasandhurriedtotakeapictureofthescenebeforethem.
Therearelotsofbeautifulplaces,soremembertosavesospaceonyourcameras.
Onthosewordsthesoundofclickingstopped.Hopejustbarelymanagedtostophimself.
Hehadalmostusedallofhisspaceup.
IfonlyIcouldhavebroughtanothercamera.Elidasaidsadly.Probablyeveryonewas
thinkingthesamething.Buttherulewasthattheycouldhaveonlyonecameraperperson.
Alright everyone, look over here please. The researcher was speaking through her
megaphone. She must have waited until everyone was finished taking pictures to start her
speech.
As everyone already knows, the weather in Cocoon is controlled by the falCie. As a
generalrule,thefalCiedonottellhumanswhattheweatherscheduleisgoingtobe.

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Butthereareexceptions.Forstorms,lightning,strongwindandotherbadweatherthe
falCiesendnoticestotheSanctum,andtheSanctumwarnsthecitizenssotheycanprepare.The
announcementsfromthefalCiearealwayscorrect,theynevermiss.
Comparethistothesocalledweatherforecast,wherehumansgatherdataonweather
climatechanges.Theyareusuallyquiteaccurate,butarestillnothingbutpredictionsandcan
occasionallybewrong.
UnliketherestofCocoon,theweatherinSunlethiscontrolledbyitsownfalCie.Thisis
because we are studying the effect rain, wind and other weather have on the plants and
monsters.
Elidaraisedherhand,wantingtoaskaquestion.
Arethereanymonstersthatdislikerain?
Elidahatesrain.Thatsprobablywhyshethoughtofthatquestion.
Ofcoursethereare.Butalso,therearemonstersthatlovetheraintoo.
Elidamadeaface.Shelookedasthoughshewishedshehadntasked.HopeandKaiboth
hadtostiflealaugh.
Itsnotonourtourtoday,butbeyondthatcliffthereisavalleywherewearekeeping
monstersthatloverainandmonstersthathateit.Wearecontrollingtheraininthatareaand
checkingtoseehowthemonstersreact.Thatisalsowhyyouwilloftenseearainbowfromthis
pass.
Didnt dad say that it was light refracting off of water particles in the air that made
rainbows? Hope thought to himself. I should ask him about the edible Vegetapuddings. Hed
know.
Alright,letsheadofftothenextarea.UpaheadisaplacecalledTheTreeShadedPath.
Therearealotofunusualsunlighthatingplantsgrowingthere.Butitsveryslippery,sobecareful
whenyoutakepictures.Thatisall,theresearchersaid,flippingtheswitchonhermicrophone.
Theyformedalineagainandcontinuedondownthepath.Theroadfromthelakesideto
thetopofRainbowPasshadbeenahill,butnowitwasagentleslopedownward.Despitethat,
itwasmoredifficulttowalkon.Hopehadneverknownhowslipperywetgrassanddirtcouldbe.
Thepathwasflat,withnorocks,buthenearlyfellmanytimes.Whenhedidfallhebecameall
coveredindirt.Theinformationhehadreceivedaboutthefieldtriphadsaid,Bringshoesthat
areeasytowalkin,andclothesthatyoudontmindgettingdirty.Nowheknewwhatthatmeant.
Lookingaround,hewasgladthathestillhadsomespaceleftonhistoycamera.Heforgot
hisfatigueashesnappedpicturesofthesoftlighthittingtherocks,ofthegrasstransparentas
crystal.

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Whentheycametotheendofthepath,Hopetookonelastpicture.Thelightindicating
thatthedatawasbeingsentblinkedandthenswitchedoff.Nowitwasnothingbutanempty
box.Ashestuffeditinhispocket,hefeltinsecure.Nowhehadnothingtodo.
Thoughitwasthesamepathback,itseemedtobecomemoredifficulttowalkon.His
footstepsfeltheavy.
Ugh,cantwegohomenow?Hopesaid,complainingalittle.
Seriously.Elidasaid,outofbreath.
ButoncewegetbacktoLakeShelawellhavefreetime!
Kaiwastheonlyonewhoseemedfullofenergy.Apparentlyfallingdowndidntbother
him.Hishandsandclotheswerecoveredindirt.
Kaiyouneedtobemorecareful.Whatifyouhurtyourself?
Hesaidhewasfine,butquicklyfellonhisbackside.Unfazed,hejumpedupandcontinued
walking.
Ifhesayshesfine,thenhesfine.Elidasaid,sighing.

Aftereatinglunchandrestingabit,Hopefelthisfatiguecompletelydisappear.Whenhe
hadreturnedtothelakeshorehehadthoughthewouldneverwanttomoveagain.
Whatshouldwedo?Westillhavelotsoftime.
Heretheycouldrunandyellalltheywanted,theywouldntgetintroubleforit.
"Letsclimbthatbigtreeoverthere.Iwanttotakeapicturefromthetop.
You havent finished taking all of your pictures yet Kai? You usually take them all at
once. Elida said, surprised. Hope could sense something bad happening, he tried to come
betweenthembeforesomethinghappened.
Wecantclimbthetreesorrocks.Ifyouclimbedthattreeandfell,youddie.
NeitherKainorElidawouldbeabletothinkaboutotherthingswhentheywereexcited
aboutsomething.ItwasalwaysuptoHopetotryandstopthem.
Sohowwouldyouclimbit?Idontthinkyoucan.
ButIpromiseHal.ItoldhimIwouldtakeareallycoolpictureforhim.

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Ohyeah,thatsright,Hopethought,Halhadwantedtocomeonthistrip.ButHalwasnt
eveninschoolyet.Kaihadspentalongtimetryingtocalmhimdown,tryingtothinkofsomething
tomakeupforhimnotbeingabletogo.Thatsprobablywhyhehadpromisedhedtakeacool
picture.
ThenwhydidntyoutakeoneontopofRainbowPass....
Idid.Butitdidntseemenough.Itookpicturesofmonsterstoo,butitdidntseemquite
coolenoughyouknow?SoformylastpictureIwanttotakeitfromthetopofthattree.
Butyoucant.Notthattree.
Youneverknowuntilyoutry.Kaisaid,puttinghishandinhispocket.Hefrowned.
Whatswrong?
Kaisaidnothing,checkinghispocketontheotherside.Hopefeltrelieved.
What?Youdidntdropyourcameradidyou?
Helookedinhiscoatpocket,andinhisbag.Afterlookingeverywherehecould,hefinally
gaveup.HopeandElidacouldtellwhathadhappenedjustbylookingathisface.
WellImsureitfellaroundheresomewhere.Hopesaid.
Ithastobe,everyoneagreed.Sotheylookedaroundtheyarea,butcameupwithnothing.
Didyoudropitonthepath?Youdidkeepfallingover.Elidapointedtohisdirtyknees.
No,Ihaditwithmewhenwecameback.Iwastryingtodecidewhetherornottotakea
pictureonthepass.IknowIhaditwithmethen.
SoithadtobesomewherebetweenRainbowPassandthelakeside.Buttheycouldntget
thereanymore.Whentheycamebackthepathwasclosedoffagain.Theresearcherswantedto
keepoutsideinterferencetoaminimum.
HeyHope,doesyourcamerahaveanyspaceleftonit?
Usually Hope would end up lending him his camera. Kai and Elida would always take
picturestwiceasfastasHopewould,anduseupalltheirspace.Hopethoughtthattheyshould
thinkalittlebitmoreaboutthepicturestheytake,butwhenhetoldthemthattheyjustsaidthat
hethoughttoomuch.Intheendhiscamerawouldenduphavingpicturesfromallthreeofthem.
Buttodaywasdifferent.
Sorry,thedataalreadysent.
Itwasimpossibletothinktoomuchabouttakingpictureshere.ThesceneryinSunleth
wassobeautiful.ThatmadeitevenmorestrangethatKaiwouldnthavefinishedtakingpictures.

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Metoo.IuseditallonRainbowPass.Elidasaid.
Kaisighed.
Guessthatsthatthen.
Dontworry,IllshowHalmypicturestoo.Elidatriedtomakehimfeelbetter.Hope
willshowhimhispicturestoo.Thatshouldbeokay,right?Hellseedoublethepictures.Imsure
hellbehappywiththat.
Butthepictureswouldbearrivingattheirhousestonight.Halwouldonlygettoseethem
tomorrow, after school. Hope thought of Hal. The four of them usually played together after
school.Itupsethimthathewouldbetheonlyonenotgoing.Hekeptsaying,WhycantIgo?
Halwouldbesodisappointed...
No,theyhadtodoit.TheyhadtodoitforHal.
Letsgolookforit.
KaiandElidabothlookedsurprised.
ItsnotthatfartoRainbowPass.Welljustlookarounduntilfreetimeisover.
Butwerenotsupposedtogoonthepath.
Itsokay,welljusthavetosneakin.
Theyglancedateachother.TheyneverthoughtHopewouldsayanythinglikethis.
Mydadsaidyoushouldneverbreakapromise,nomatterhowsmall.

Hehadalsosaidthatevenifyouveforgottenapromise,theotherpersonwillremember
it.Kaicouldjustsaythatitcouldntbehelpedandbedonewithit.ButHalwouldhavebeen
waitingexcitedlyalldayforthosepictures.
Letsgolookforit.Hesaidagain.EventhoughHalwasnthisage,hewasafriend.Elida
seemedtofeelthesame.
Yeah,wedontwantHaltobedisappointed.
Itwasdecided.

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Chapter04
Theycouldntgothroughtheentrancetothemainpath.Researchershadbeguntheir
cleanupofthearea.Theydecidedtotakeasidepath.Whetheritreallywasasidepathornot
theycouldnttell,butitlookedlikeone.
Wellgetthereifwegothisway,right?Elidaturnedback,soundingworried.
Wellthedirectionisright.Ifwekeepgoingthisway,weshouldfindthemainpath...
Theywereonlyashortdistanceawayfromtheshore,butthesoundsoftheirclassmates
seemedterriblyfaraway.Hopethoughtthatmaybethiswasnttherightwayafterall.
Whenwegobackweshouldtakethemainpath.
Butiftheycatchusattheentrancetheyllgetangryatus.
"Dontworry,bythentheyllbefinishedcleaningup.
Buttheteachersmightbewatching.
Theforestaroundthemwastooquiet,sotheyfelttheyhadtotalkloudlyaboutstupid
things.Whentheywereinalargegroupofpeopleitdidntseemsobad,butnowthatitwasjust
thethreeofthemthequietwasfrightening.
Heylookatthat!Itlookslikesomesortoffruit.Elidasaidbrightly.Shepointeduptoa
branchthatwasbentundertheweightofseveralyellowishredfruits.Itwaslargerthananyfruit
theyhadeverseeninthestore.
Iwonderifitsokaytoeat?
Youcantpickthem.Really,Elida,youllgrabjustaboutanything.
Idonot!
Wellitisaveryprettycolor...
Isaiditsnotlikethat!Elidawasgettingangry.
Hey...guys?Kaicutintotheirargument.Dontyouthinkthatcolorlooksfamiliar?You
know,thethingshesaidwas...edible?
ThenHopenoticedittoo.ThatmonstertheyhadseennearRainbowPass,ithadavery
similarcolor.Hoperememberedthatithadntbeentoofarawayfromthemainpath...
Then the earth rose up in front of them, like a red wall. It was that monster. Its red
translucent body swelled. A Vegetapudding, Hope thought, scared. His feet took off running
beforeherealizedit.

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Aaah!Itsfollowingus!Elidascreamed,nearlyintears.Hopewastheslowestofthe
three,andtherewasnotimetolookback.Hejustran,movinghislegsashardashecould.Ifthey
lefthimbehinditwouldallbeoverforhim.Heranaslongashisbreathheldout.Hecouldnttell
wheretheywererunning.Thefoundarocktheycouldhidebehind,anddoveintoitsprotective
shadow.Hisheartwasbeatingsohardhefeltasthoughitwouldjumpupthroughhismouth.
It...itsnotbehindus...Kailookedoutfrombehindtheboulder,thensatdowninrelief.
Hopefelthislegsgoweak.Hecouldntrunanotherstep.
Thethreeofthemsat,breathingheavily.Hopefeltachillrundownhisbody.Iftheground
hadbeenslipperylikeithadbeenonthemainpath,orifoneofthemhadtrippedoversomething,
whoknowswhatmighthavehappened.Theywereluckythethreeofthemmanagedtogetaway.
Hey,where...arewe?
Theyhadthoughttheywerewalkingtowardsthemainpath.Ifitwasthewrongdirection,
theycouldhavejustturnedbackandgoneadifferentway.Buttheycouldntnow.
Thisplaceseemsalittle...different.
Thegloomytreesthathadsurroundedthembeforeweregone,andbarecliffsroseupon
eitherside.Thegrassattheirfeetwassparse.Itwasadryanddesolateplace.
Whichwaydidwecomefrom?
They had been so intent on getting behind the boulder that they hadnt even noticed
whichwaytheyhadran.Alltheycouldseenowwererocksandcliffsgoinginalldirections.
Wellthepassshouldbeinwhateverdirectiontherainbowsare...
Butthecliffsblockedtheirview.Theycouldbarelyseetheskyletalonerainbows.
Ithinkitsthisway.
No,no.Itsthisway.
KaiandElidapointedincompletelyoppositedirections.Hopecouldnttellwhichofthem
mightberight.Theyreallyhadnoideawhichdirectionwaswhichanymore.
Well...letsjustkeepwalkingthen.
Butyouarentsupposedtogoanywhereifyougetlost.
Maybeinotherplaces,butwhatifanothermonsterattacks?Wewouldntbeabletorun
away.
Thepathherewascraggyanduneven,therewouldbenothingtheycoulddoiftheywere
attackedbyafastmonster.

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Ifwefindaplacewherewecanseeeverything,weshouldbeabletoseethelake.Then
wellknowhowtogetback.
Right.Wevejustgottenalittlebitoffthepath,ifwecouldseethelakeitwouldallwork
out.Kaiagreed.Elidaslowlynodded,stillunconvinced.
Oh yeah, wait just a minute. Hope grabbed a sharp rock and carved an X into the
boulder.Letsgoright.Ifwerewrongwecanalwayscomebackhere.Thenwecantrygoing
left.
WowHope.Youresosmart!
Mydadtaughtme.Hesaidifyourelostinaplaceyoudontknow,makesureyouknow
howtogetbacktowhereyouwere.
Well,thenyourdadissmart.Elidalaughed.ComplimentinghisdadmadeHopefeel
happierthanifshehadcomplimentedhimself.
Letshurry.Theyllprobablybeleavingsoon.
Thethreeofthemnodded,andstartedofftogether.Eventhoughitwasnoonthelightin
thenarrowpassagebetweenthecliffswasdim.Theywalkedwithoutasound.Theywereworried
thattheirvoicesmightcarrytoanymonsterswithinearshot.Withoutanyonesayingso,thethree
of them held hands. It made them feel stronger, somehow, walking along a path they didnt
know.
Partsoftheclifffaceglitteredwithblue.Iftheyhadntbelost,theywouldhavethought
thepalelightbeautiful.Butnoweventhatlightseemedominous.Theairwaswarm,andatepid
windblewthroughthecrevice.
Hope didnt know how far they had walked. The cliff face continued unfalteringly on
eitherside.Then,inthedistance,theysawsomethingthatlookedlikeamachine.Theylookedat
eachother,nodding,andbrokeintoarun.Theythoughttheymightbeabletouseittosenddata
ortocallout.Ifitwasanythingliketheonestheyhadathome,theywouldbeabletocontact
theirteachers.Butastheyclosedinonittheycouldseeitwasnothinglikeahouseholdmachine.
Itdidntlooklikesomethingchildrencoulduse.
Letsjusttrypushingbuttons.
Weshouldnt.Whatifwebrokeit...ButbeforeHopecouldstopher,Elidatouchedthe
panel.Itlitup.
See,wecanfigurethisout.Elidasaidproudly.Assoonasshesaidthatthelightonthe
panelwentoutagainandthemachinegrewquiet.

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Huh?Thatdoesntwork?Ohwell,IguessIlljusttrydoingitthewaymomtaughtme...
Elidamadeafist.HopeandKaigrabbedherarmsoneitherside.Bothofthemknewwhatdoing
itmomswayentails.
Noway!Ifyoudothatitwillbreak!
Onlyyourmomcouldmakethingsworkbyhittingthem!
Elidalookedunhappybutrelaxedherhands.
Wellthenwhatshouldwedo?
Letswalkabitfarther.Iftheresamachineherethenthatmeanspeopleshouldbeclose
by.
The path was still difficult, uneven and rocky, but the hope that there was someone
nearbygavethemtheenergytogoon.
Hey,whatdoyouthinkthisis?
Theyhadjustcomeoutontheothersideofatunnel,whenHopesawastrangething
floatingjustinfrontofhisface.Itwasaglowingball,justaboutthesizeofahumanhead.Itlook
asthoughitweremadeofwater,anditwobbledintheairinfrontofthem.
Well,itsnotamonster,itisntattackingus.
Wevetoldyounottotouchthings!HopeandKaiscreamedtogether.Buttheywere
toolate.Elidatouchedtheglowingballwithherpalm.Thewindgrewcold,andtheskygrewdark.
Dropletsofwaterfelldownonthem,andtheninarushitchangedtoawholedownpourofrain.
Nowtheyknewwhatthatballwas.Itwasaraincontroldevice.
Theyranunderneaththetunnel.Itwastheonlyplacetheycouldescapefromtherain.
Well,atleastnowweknowwhichdirectionweregoing.Theysaidtherewassomerain
thingnearbyRainbowPassright?Soweknowthatthepassisjustontheothersideofthese
cliffs.
Thatsniceandall,butwhatllwedoaboutthisrain?
Hopewasgoingtostopthetwoofthemfromarguing,butthenheremembered.When
they were on Rainbow Pass, the thing the researcher had been talking about... There are
monstersthatlovetheraintoo.Andthisplaceismeantforstudyingthosemonsters...
Ihavetostoptherain,Hopethought,andheranoutfromunderneaththerocks.Butthat
wasasfarashegot.Hestopped,thensteppedbackapace.Rightinfrontofhimwasayellow
froglookingmonster.Behinditweremoreofthesameinvariouscolors.Theyhadsharpclaws
attheendstheirwebbedforelegs.Hiswholebodygrewcoldlookingatthem.

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Hetriedtorunbuttrippedoverhisownfeet,landingonhisback.Heknewhehadtorun
buthecouldntmakehimselfstand.Behindhimheheardascream.Thereweremonstersnear
Elida too. She was the loudest person in their class, and her scream was earsplitting. Hope
thoughtsomewhereinthebackofhismindthatmaybeitwouldsurprisethemonstersandtheyd
run.
For a moment the monsters stopped moving. But no monster would ever run at the
screamofachild.Theystartedcreepingcloser.Hecouldseesharpteethintheiropenmouths.
Theyregoingtoeatme,hethought.
Hopesqueezedhiseyesshut,andcurledintoaball.Butanattackfromthesharpteeth
andnailsnevercame.Shaking,heslowlyopenedhiseyes.Therainhadstopped.Themonsters
wereslowlymovingaway.Someonehadusedtheraincontroldeviceandstoppedtherain.
ThefalCieherecontrolstherain....
PerhapsitwasthefalCiewhohadsavedthem.HethenheardElidasscream.
Look!Itstheairship!
Kai yelled. They could see the airship through the crack in the cliffs. Maybe it was
searchingforthem.Itwasstoppedinmidair,hovering.ThefalCiemusthavecalledtheairship
too,Hopethought.Kaidashedoutfromunderneaththerock,wavinghishandsintheairand
yelling.
Canyoustand?Elidagrabbedhishandandhelpedhimstand.Helookedaround,but
didntseeanyresearchersoranythingthatmightbeafalCie.
Hope,hurry!
HenoddedandranafterKaiandElida,wavinghishandsandyellingattheairship.

Oncetheywereontheship,theyweretakentoaseparateroomandquestionedabout
whathappened.Theygotalecturefromtheirteacherabouthowthemonsterstheyranintoin
Sunlethcouldhavehurtthem.Theyhadntexpectedanythingless.
Nowthattheywerebackontheship,Kaimiraculouslyhadhistoycamerareturnedto
him.Aresearcherhadfounditwhentheyweredoingtheircleanupofthepath,andbroughtit
backtotheairship.Theyhadntneededtogolookingforitafterall.Theyshouldhavejustwaited
untilfreetimewasover.
I never should have said we should go looking for it, Hope thought, feelingregret. He
didntknowwhatKaiandElidawerethinking,buttheydidntseemangrywithhim.

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DidthefalCiestoptherain?Elidaaskedtheirteacher.Shemusthavehadthesame
thoughtthatHopehad.ThefalCieistheonlyonewhocouldhavestoppedtherainlikethat.
Itwasprobablyaresearcherwhocontrolleditfromsomewherefaraway,butmostlikely
itwasafalCiewhomadethedecisiontostoptheraingenerator.
ItwasntthefalCiewhocalledtheairshipeither.ItwasthepanelthatElidahadtouched.
Aresearcherhadnoticedsomestrangeactivitycomingfromamachineinthisarea,andrealized
thatsomeonehadintrudedintoRainValley.
Theysaidthatitsreallydifficulttolandthere.Ifthepilotwasntsogood,youprobably
wouldhavestillbeenwanderingaroundlostinthatcanyon.Weshouldgoandthankthepilot
later.
Finallytheywereallowedtogobacktotheirseats.
Kai,uh...SorryIgotusintrouble,Hopewantedtosay.
Thatwasreallycool.Kailaughed,slappingHopeontheback.Hopenoddedbackand
smiled.
Kai!Takeoutyourcamera!Elidapointedoutthewindow.Itwasalreadyevening.Many
pointsoflightwerescatteredbelowtheminthefadingsunlight.ItwasthelightsoftheSunleth
Waterscapesairshiprunway.Kaihurriedtotakethepicture.Finallyallthespaceonthecamera
wasusedup,andthelightindicatingthatthedatawassendingcameon.ThepicturethatKaihad
promisedtotakeforHal,thatfinalpicture,wasanightviewofSunleth.

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Chapter05
Nomatterhowsmallthepromiseyoushouldntbreakit...huh...
Hopereflectedonthewordsthememorybrought.Ibelievedinthosewords,hethought.
Ialwaysbelievedinthem.Thenevenmyfather,theverymanwhotaughtthemtome,forgot
them.
No,hisfatherprobablystillfollowsthemtotheletter.JustnotwhenitconcernsHopeor
hismother.Ifitshisworkhellgorunning,anytimedayornight.Hellevenforgettoeat,locked
away in his study. The way his father is now, nothing is more important, nothing takes more
precedence,thanwork.
Hisfathernolongerrememberpromisesmadewithhisfamily.Hedidntevenlistento
themanymore.WhenwasthelasttimeHopebotheredtostartaconversationwithhim?Along
timeago.WhatdidIwanttotalkabout,hewondered,Iveevenforgottenwhatitwas.Hisfather
hadsaidSorry,Icantnow,wecantalkaboutitlater.NowtheonlythingHopecouldremember
washowhisfatherhadjustbrushedhimaside.Heremembereditasifitwereyesterday.When
hisfatherhadleft,hefinallyrealizedsomething.Itdidntmatterwhatheexpected,whathed
hopefor,therewasnothinghecoulddo.
Its too bad everything has been closed off, but at least we were able to see falCie
Kujata.
Hismotherswordsbroughthimbacktohimself.TheyhadjustseenthefalCieofthe
energyplant,andwereheadingbacktotheentrance.Hecouldntmakepeacewithhisthoughts,
butlookedawayandfeigneddisinterest.
Thistripseemedtooshort.
Halfoftheplantwasclosedoff.Itreallycouldntbehelpedyouknow.
TheaccidentthathappenedatEwleedewasfarmoreseriousthanthereportshadleton.
Youcouldtelljustbycominghere.
IwonderifthefalCieinSunlethwaslikethatone.
Ohright,youwentthereduringthatnaturefieldtrip.YoudidntmeetthefalCie?
Nope.Theytoldusabouthowitcontrolstheweather,buttheonlythingwesawwere
monsters.
Oh yes, I remember. You were attack by those monsters and got a fever. I was so
worried.
MaybeitwasbecausehehadencounteredmonsterstwiceduringhistimeatSunleth,but
ontheirtriphomeHopehadsuddenlyfallenillwithafever.OncetheyreachedPalumpolumhe

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wasimmediatelytakentotheemergencyroom.Becausethathappenedhenevergottothank
thepilotoftheairship.HehadheardaboutitfromKaiandElidathreedayslater.
Hewassupercool.Hewasthisoldguywhohadhairlikeabirdsnest.
Hesaidhissonwasjustbornalittlewhileago.
WhenItoldhimIwantedtobecomeapilot,hesaidGoodluck!
Kaicouldntstoptalkingaboutthepilotofthatairship.Afterthat,Kaineverwaveredin
hisdreamtobecomeapilot.ItmadeHopealittlejealous.EvenElidahadadreamforwhatshe
wantedtodointhefuture.Shesaidshewantedtobecomeasinger,sosheenteredintoanall
girlsschoolthathadaspecialmusicprogram.Thatwasayearago.
WhenIwasyoungerIwantedtobecomelikemyfather...
Ofcoursenowhisfatherisanexampleofthekindofpersonhedoesntwanttobecome.
Nomatterwhatkindofjobheworkedat,hedidntwanttobecomethekindofpersonwhowill
ignorethosewhoareclosetohim.Hewouldbehappysolongasheneverbecamethekindof
personwhowouldforgeteventhetiniestpromise.
....right?
Uh,what?Sorry,Iwasntlistening.
Heresolvedtostopthinkingsomuchandactuallylisten.Notlisteningtopeoplewhen
theytalkwouldbeexactlywhathisfatherwoulddo...
Thepeoplejustpassingbywerejustsayingthatduringtheaccidentalittleboywashurt
verybadly.Theysaiditwassosad,theycouldntevenlookathisfatherwhowaswithhim.
Isee...
I hope he doesnt die. There is nothing sadder than when a child dies before their
parent...
Itdoesntmatterwhethertheparentorthechildgoesfirst,Hopethought,whenafamily
memberdiesitsstillsad.Forthosewhoareleftbehind.
ButHopedidntsayso.Somehowhecouldntsayit.
Um,Hope...areyou...madatyourfather?
Notreally.
Hesjustnotreallyallthatgoodatthosesortofthingsyouknow,butthereisalotof
trustinhim,hedoesntwanttodoabadjob.
Whenhelookedathismothersface,hefeltthetightfeelinginhischestrelax.

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Imnotmad.Hellbehereforthefireworksfestivalright?Wellthenthatsokay.Imean
thefireworksarethemaineventafterall.
Hismotherssmilelookedsohappy.MaybeIshouldtrytalkingwithmyfatheronthe
nightofthefestival,Hopethought.OfcoursehelljustsayHowhaveyoubeen?orsomething
likethat,butifhecouldjustseehismothersmilelikethis,hedidntcare...
A masked soldier walked in front of them. The repairs after the accident should have
alreadybeencomplete,andtheusualsoldiersattheplantwerethesecurityforce.Whywere
theresomanyPSICOMsoldiersaround?Hefeltlikesomestrange,awfulthingwascrawlingup
hislegs.Hismotherhadaworriedlookonherfaceastheygotclosertotheplaza.Hopetriedto
makehisvoicebrightanairy.
Comeon,letsgobacktoBowdam.WealreadysawthatfalCie.
Maybe his mother also wanted to shake off that strange feeling that he had felt, she
repliedinthesamebrighttone.
Okay,thenletsgototheshoppingmall.
Again?
HedidntwanttothinkanymoreaboutsoldiersandthefalCie.Hejustwantedtothink
about having fun. Hmm, maybe when I return to Palumpolum Ill talk to Kai and Elida, Hope
thought. IfItellhimIsawatonofsoldiersinEwleedeKaiissuretocomerunning.Elidawill
probablywanttohearmoreaboutthefireworksfestivalthantheplant.
Itllbethreeyearssincewevebeentogether,Hopethought,thinkingofhisfriends.
Hisschoolvacationhadonlyjustbegun.

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PartVI:Present
Chapter01
Itssohardpickingoutabirthdaypresentforher.Serahsighed.Theywerestandingin
frontofthestationarystore.Lookingatherface,Snowthoughtshelookedsoserious...andjust
likeLightning,whoSnowhadseenjustafewdaysbefore.Theyreallyaresisters,hethought.
Antiquebookendsandleatherpenholdersfilledthestorefrontwindow.Serahexamined
theitemsondisplayforawhile,butthenshookherhead,mutteringThisdoesntseemquite
righteither...
TwodaysfromnowwouldbeSerahsoldersister,Lightnings,birthday.SnowandSerah
hadcometotheshoppingmalltolookforapresentforher.ButfornearlyanhournowSerah
hadjustbeenlookingaroundandsayingeverythingWasntquiteright.
Isitreallythathard?
Yes.EveryyearIspendalongtimesearching,butIcanneverfindjusttherightthing.
Whydontyouaskher?
Icant!Iveaskedherbefore,anddoyouknowwhatshesaid?
Whateveryou choose will be fine? Snow was only making a guess, but Serahseyes
grewwide.
Wow!Howdidyouknow?
Itjustseemedlikesomethingshedsay.Youknow,likesomethingaparentwouldsayto
achild.
Yeah...Iguessshesalwaysbeenlikeamomtome.Serahslowlybegantosmile,but
then suddenly stopped. And you shouldnt hide things from your parents... Serahs eyes
droppedtothebandageswrappedaroundherleftarm.SerahstillhadnttoldLightningwhatwas
beneaththem.Snowalreadyknew:asymbolofPulse.SerahhadgoneintotheVestigeandbeen
madeintoalCiebythePulsefalCiethere.ShewasanenemyofCocoon.ThatwaswhySerah
hadaskedthattheybreakup.ButhehadpromisedherhedhelphersearchforherFocus.They
wouldsearchforitandcompleteittogether.Afterthat...hedidntknow.
Hehadaskedthecustomersatthecafeiftherewereanyonewhoknewanythingabout
PulseorlCie,buthadnoluck.Everyonehadonlyheardfairytaleswhentheywerechildren,or
readaboutitinschooltextbooks.
Buthedidntgiveup.Hestartedaskingfriendsoffriendsiftheyknewanything.Nothing.
Worsethannothinginfact,asoneguytriedtosellhimsomesuspiciouslookingitemsandhe
hightaileditoutofthere.

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HeeventhoughtaboutgoingstraighttothefalCieandaskingithimself.ButSerahput
herfootdownonthatidea.
YoudontknowwhatwillhappenifyoumakethefalCiemad!Shehadsaid.Itmight
makeyouintoalCie,orevenworse!WhoknowswhatwouldhappentothepeopleinBodhum...
So he gave up the idea. If it would only make him into a lCie, that wouldnt be any
problemto him.ButhecouldntletanythinghurtthepeopleofBodhum.No,he couldntlet
SerahfacethewrathofthefalCiebyherself.
Andthatshowheendedupwherehewasnow,withnothing.Hehadnothingtogoon,
butheknewitwouldworkoutsomehow.Hewouldmakeitwork.Hestillhadntaskedevery
persononCocoon.Untilhehaddonethat...
Heplacedonehandoverherbandages,andheldherwiththeother.
Itsalright.Youwonthavetohideanythinganymoretwodaysfromnow,right?
TheyhaddecidedtheywouldtellLightningeverythingonherbirthday.Snowhadtold
Serahthatitwouldbemucheasiertogethertotalkthen,besideswhich,hewouldbewithher.
Serahhadsmiledathimwhenhesaidthat.
Butshestillseemedworriedaboutwhetherornotshewouldbeabletotalkwithher
sister.Sometimes,thoughonlyforamoment,hewouldlookoverandseeherlookingsad.Like
now.
Hey,lookatthat!Wouldntthatbegreat?Snowpointedtoatoystore,tryingtogether
tolaugh.AlargestuffedCarbuncletoywassetupinthestorewindow.Itwasgreenwithlong
earsandabigtail,andworeajesterscostume.AnEidolonfromfairytales,hewasmadetobe
cuteandsomewhatsilly.NothingcouldsuitLightninglessthanthis.SurelySerahwouldlaugh
too...
Youreright!Thiswouldbegreat!
What?
Serahrantowardsthestore.
Um,somehowIdontthink...Surelyshedidntthinkhewasserious?UnlessLightning
reallylikedtoyslikethis...?
Kidding!Serahlaughed.Shespunaroundandstuckouthertongue.Snowmusthave
had a shocked look on his face, because Serah burst out laughing. Snow smiled too, slightly
sheepish.Shegotme,hethought.ForamomentthereIwasimaginingLightningsleepingwitha
Carbuncletoyinherarms...

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Laughing,theywalkedonby.Snowwasgladthatheatleastgothertosmileagain.He
didntwanthertolooksad,forevenasecond.
...nkyou.Heheardherwhisper.
Huh?Didyousaysomething?
No no, nothing. Hey, looks go look at that store. Serah said, pulling on his arm. He
couldntaskherwhatshesaidnow,buthedidntneedto.Hervoicehadbeensoquiethehad
barelyheardher,butheknewshehadsaid,thankyou.
Hedecidedtopretendhehadntheard.Askingherwouldjustremindherofthereality
thatawaitedher.Snowjustwantedhertoforgetallofthat,andsmile.
MaybeinsteadofaCarbuncledoll,weshouldgetheraLeviathanone.
Areyoustilltalkingaboutthat?
WellIjustthoughtthatLeviathanwouldfitLightningbetter.
Theyarentevensellingone.ComeonSnow.Serahlaughedattheidea,thenstopped,
alookofexcitementonherface.Iknow!Shesaid.Ishouldgetheragoodluckcharm!Imean,
shesasoldier,right?Ibetshehasalotofdangerousjobs.
WellsheistheraidleaderoftheBodhumsecurityforce.
Sheswhat?
Thatswhathersuperiorofficercalledher.
Thatseemslikeher.Serahsaidwithasmile.
Letssee...agoodluckcharmshouldbe...somethingyoucanhaveonyouatalltimes.
Thatwouldbegood,dontyouthink?Sincewerebothpickingit.Then,Snowspottedasignfor
anaccessoryshop.Whatperfecttiming.Whydontwegocheckoutthatplace?
Really?Idontknow...Shesneverreallybeeninterestedinthatsortofthing.Serah
said,cockingherheadtotheside.Thenshesmiled,thinkingofsomething.Ohhey,itsthatsame
storefromlasttime.MaybetheywillhavesomethingperfectforLightning.Serahshookhercat
shapedearrings.Snowwaswearinganecklacethathadthatsameshape.Itwasapresentshe
hadgivenhim.BecausetheyarelikeanoracatawildcattheyhadnamedthemselvesNORA.
Thatwasthenameofhisteam.Assoonastheyhaddecidedthat,Serahhadgonetothisshop
andboughttheearringsandnecklace.ButSnowhadneverreallybeenintowearingjewelry,so
heresistedwearingitatfirst.HewashappygettingapresentfromSerah,butitwasjusttoo
embarrassingtowear.Heneededalotofcouragetofirststartwearingit,andeventhenhekept
thinkingaboutitbeingthere,allthetime.HeonlyfinallygotusedtoitwhenheandSerahstarted
spendingeverydaytogether.

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Inanycase,ifthiswasthataccessoryshopthensurelytheydfindwhattheywerelooking
for.ApresentforLightningand...onemorething.
Hmm?Somethingseemsodd.Serahlookedaroundtheshopwhentheywentinside.
Whatdoes?
Itlooksliketherearemorepeopleherethantherewerebefore.Andevenmoredifferent
typesofpeopleseemtobehere.
AsthiswasSnowsfirsttimeintheshop,hecouldnttellonewayortheother.Serahtold
himthatwhenshefirstwashere,theonlycustomerswereyoungwomen.Nowtherewereolder
people,coupleswithchildren,andallsortsofpeoplehere.Snowwasrelieved.Hewouldnthave
feltcomfortableforlonginashopfilledonlywithyoungwomen.
Well,thatsagoodthingright?
Iguess.WewillfindapresentforLightninghere,wontwe?
Surewewill.Snowsaid,hiseyesstrayingovertothecornerthathadringslinedupon
atable.Tomorrowwasthefireworksfestival,theonewiththefireworksthataresupposedto
grantyouyourwishes.ItwasonthatdaythatheplannedtoaskSerahtomarryhim.Ofcourse,
forthathewouldneedaring,andthiswasthestorewhereSerahhadboughtthatcatshaped
jewelry.Thatmeantthereshouldbesomethinggoodhere,oratleasthethoughtso.
Helookedattheringsthatlayinthedisplaycase,andcomparedthemwithSerahsslim
fingers.Theywouldlookwonderfulonher.Butthenhelookedathisownhands...
There is no way those would fit. He yelled without realizing it. Serah looked at him
oddly.
Areyouokay?
Um...no,Imfine.Snowsaid,lookingbackatthedisplaycase.Therewasnowayeven
thelargestofthoseringscouldfitonhishands.Hisfingerswereatleastoneortwotimestoo
big.Theywouldneverfit.Nottomention,fancyringslikethiswouldbreakeasilybyjustpunching
acoupleofmonsters.Howunluckywoulditbetobreakyourweddingring?
Maybearingisabadidea...itdoesntneedtobearing.
Thatstrue,itmightbealittleawkwardforhertowear...Serahsaid.
Hehadntmeanttosaythataloud,butitseemshehaddoneitagainanyway.
Duringjobswhereshehastogetherhandsdirtyshedhavetotakeitoff.Itsnotagood
presentifitinterfereswithherjob.
Uh...yeah...right!

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Hehadneverbeenmoreannoyedwithhimselfforhisbigmouth.Dontsayanythingthat
willmakehersuspicious,Snowsaidtohimself,andturnedtolookatthenextdisplay.EvenIcould
wearoneofthese,hethought,quietlythistime.Thetablewasfilledwithbracelets.Mostofthem
lookedasthoughthesizecouldbechanged,andthereweremanydifferentdesigns.Somehad
nicefretwork,othershadbirthstonesonthem,andevenafewthatlookedlikehandcuffswitha
lockandkey.Theoneswiththebirthstoneswouldbegood,hethought,iftheywerewideneda
bittheycouldevenfitme.Butjustashehadmadehisdecision...
Oh, this would be perfect for my Marypoo! The woman reached out and took the
braceletthatSnowhadhiseyeon.
Uh...Marypoo?Thisiswhyoldladiesaresoannoying,hethought,lookingovertothe
womannexttohim.
Lookhowcuteitisonher!Thewomaninquestionwasaroundmiddleageandhelda
tinydoginherarms.ThatmustbeMarypoo,oftheeverpopularlapdogbreeds.Aroundits
neckhungthehugebracelet.
Shesusingitasacollar...
Oh!Isntthatcute?
SnowlookeddowntoseeSerahstandingnexttohim.ShewaspettingMarypooonthe
head.Thestoneonthebraceletaroundhernecktwinkledinthelight,asthedogwaggedhertail
furiously.
Oh,letsjustforgetaboutthosethen...
Yeah...Lightningalreadyhastowearsomethingaroundherwrist.Somesortofmachine.
Notalwaysthough.Iguessitdependsonthejob.
Thenletsgotothenextone...
Theyweretalkingaboutcompletelydifferentthings,butSnowdidntbothertocorrect
her.Theymovedontothenexttable.
Hmm...earrings?ButSerahalreadyhadhercatearrings.Ifhegavehernewonesshe
wouldntbeabletowearthoseanymore.
Anditsnotlikeshehasfourearsanyway...
Hmm?Fourwhat?
Nothing,nothing,Snowsaid,wavinghishands.Hehadaccidentallyspokenaloudagain.
Wait a minute... there would be four. If you put both him and Serah together, that
wouldbefourears.Justbuyoneofthemandsplititbetweenthetwoofthem.

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Snow?Areyoualright?Youvebeenactingoddly...
Uh...really?Oops.Hewasabouttotellhertojustforgetaboutitandhelphimpickout
someearrings,whenavoicecaughthisattention.
Heeey,lookatthisheartshapedone!
Thepersonspeakingdidntsoundverybright.Snowknewheshouldntturnandlook,but
hecouldnthelpit.
OhdontbesosillyMeemee!
Itwasayoungcouplewhoobviouslydidntmuchcareabouthowtheylooked.Despite
thefactthatthestorewascrowded,therewasalargeemptyspacearoundthem.Theywere
woundsocloselytogetherthatitdidntlookphysicallypossiblethemtostillbestanding.Surely
therewasalimittohowclosetopeoplecouldstandtoeachother?Werenttheybreakingthe
lawsofphysics?ThenSnowgotagoodlookattheirears.Theywerebothwearingtwohalvesof
thesamesetofearrings.
Snow looked around the shop and saw yet another couple wearing the same pair of
earrings.Eventhecouplewithchildrenintowwerewearingmatchingones.Apparentlythiswas
popular.
Wellthen,IguessIcanforgetaboutthat...
Snowhadneverlikeddoingthingsthatwerepopular.Hejusthateddoingthesamething
aseveryoneelse.Thiswasntjustasimplepresenthewasgivingher,thiswasforhismarriage
proposal.Hecouldntgivehersomethingordinary.
Shouldwegotoadifferentstore?
Yeah,IdontthinkIllfindanythingherethatIcangivetoLightning...
Sheistheraidleader.
Thatstrue!Serahsaid,laughing.
Butyoureright,itisprettydifficulttofindsomething...Snowhadthoughtthiswould
be easy. He thought he would have no problem finding something that could show her his
feelings.
Imsorryfordraggingyoualongwithme...
No,thatsnotwhatImeant.Itsjust,Imtryingtofindsomethingtoshowsomeonehow
Ifeel,youknow?Butnothingseemsgoodenough.Noneofitseemsright.
Itdidntseemhecouldfindanythingthatwouldbegoodenoughtoshowherhowhefelt
abouther.UnlesshecouldgiveherallofCocoon.

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Yeah,thatswhyIneverknowwhattogether.Ialwaysthinktheremustbesomething
betteroutthere.ThenSerahsmiled.Butyouknow?Whenyouseehowhappytheyarewith
whatyouvegiventhem,allthoseworriesgoaway!
Isee...
Itstrue.Heywait,Snow?Whatwasthataboutyourfeelings?
Uh,nothing!Absolutelynothing!Alright,letslookforanotherplace.
Oops,hehadslippedupagain.Howmanytimeswashegoingtohavetodistracther?He
wasbeginningtoloseconfidenceinhimself.Theyleftthestore.
Afterall,itsnotlikethereisonlythisonestore.Therewillbeotheraccessoryshops,
Snowthought.Thenheturnedaroundandsawapairofnecklacesinthedisplaywindow.The
shophadbeensocrowdedwhentheyhadenteredit,hehadntseenthembefore.
Sorry,canyougoonahead?
Whatsup?
Bathroom.
Serahlaughedandwavedherhandathimasshewalkedaway.
Excuseme?Idliketotakealookatthatnecklaceinthewindow...Snowcalledoutto
oneoftheshopattendants.Hewasstartledtorealizeheknewtheperson.Sonia!?
Snow!Itsbeensuchalongtime.
SoniahadgrownupinthesametownthatSnowhad.Shewasthreeyearsolder,andlike
asistertohim.Averyscarysister.
Howlonghasitbeen?
Since we were kids. She said smiling. Then she gestured to a nearby attendant and
orderedthemtotakethenecklacesoutofthewindow.Itseemednothinghadchangedabout
her.
Yes maam. The attendant said, bowing to her. Snow was surprised. Apparently she
wasntjustbeingherusualbossyself,shewasactuallyinchargearoundhere.
Sonia,areyouactuallyinchargeofthisplace?
Well,ithasntevenbeenamonthyet.Thishasalwaysbeenapopularstore,soitsreally
stressfulrunningthisplace.
Thatmustbewhythisstorehadbecomesopopularallofasudden,Snowthought.Itwas
allduetoSoniaswork.

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Whatwereyoudoingbeforeyoucamehere?
IwasatthemainstoreinPalumpolum.Eversincegraduation.
She hadnt even lived in the same area as Snow for a year before she went off to a
boardingschool.InCocoon,aslongasyouhavethedesireandabilityyoucanenterintoany
schoolyouwantto.TheSanctumpaysforallofyourtuition,soitisntaproblemfororphansor
singleparent children. The falCie and Sanctum provide security over Cocoon. As long as you
haventbrokenanylaws,youareabletoliveasyouwish.
ButSnowalwaysfelttherewassomethingwrongwiththiswayoflife.Itjustdidntsitwell
withhim.ItwasbecausehecouldtakeanythingfromtheSanctumthathewished,thathetook
aslittleaspossible.
Sotheyfarmed,andhuntedmonstersforthemselves.Theytriedtodothingsintheirown
way.Ofcourse,theycouldntdoeverythingthemselves.
Snow,donttellmeyoudonthaveajob?Areyoujustlayingarounddoingnothing?
No,thatsnot...
Snow!Youreanadultnow,youcantkeepdoingthisforever.
Butthatsnot...Herlackoflisteningskillshadremainedunchanged,itseemed.Shehad
alwaysactedasthoughshewaseveryonesmother.
Thatgirlyouwerewith,thatsyourgirlfriendright?
Yeah...?
Wellthen,forhersakeatleast,getajobanddosomethingwithyourself!Youdontwant
hertocry,doyou?
Iwouldnevermakehercry!ImgoingtomakeSerahthehappiestwomanonCocoon!
Everyonearoundhimlookedupinsurprise,andherealizedhehadbeenyelling.Eventheshop
attendantwhowasgettingthenecklaceshadashockedlookonhisface.
Youhaventchangedabit.
Icouldsaythesametoyou,Sonia.
But not as much as you. She laughed, as she took the necklaces from the shop
attendant.AsmallsculptureofCocoondoneinmetal,alongwitharing,hungfromachain.
Hehadlikeditassoonashesawit.Hehadthoughthewouldntbeabletoexpresshis
feelingsforSerahunlesshegaveherallofCocoon.No,notevenallofCocoonwouldbeenough.
SohewouldgivehertwoCocoons,onetheyeachcouldwear...

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Isnt this nice? Im friends with the person who made these. Doesnt it just say the
happiestcoupleinCocoon?"
ThehappiestcoupleinCocoon...?Yeah...
NothingcouldbemoreperfecttogivetoSerah.Hewouldmakeherthehappiestbride
onCocoon.
WaitamomentwhileIwraptheseup.
Nono,thatsokay.IdontwanttomakeSerahwaitmuchlonger.
Afterhepaidforthemhelefttheshop,holdthenecklacesinhishands.
Hey,Snow!
Snowburstoutofthestoreinahurry.Hehadbeensohappytotalktoanoldfriend,that
hespokenwithherlongerthanhedmeantto.Ifhewastedmoretimethanitwouldhavetaken
himtousethebathroom,Serahwouldcomelookingforhim.Hecouldnthavethathappening.
Helookedaroundhim,butSerahwasnowheretobeseen.Somehowhedmanagedto
avoidherseeinghimcomeoutofthestore.No,hewasstillholdingthenecklace.Hetuckedit
intohispocket.Itfeltwarm.
ThehappiestinCocoon...alright!Heclenchedbothhisfists,andnodded.Tomorrowhe
wouldaskSerahtomarryhim,thenwishonthefireworksfortheirhappiness.
SerahdidntknowwhatherFocuswas,andhertimewasshort.Whenhethoughtabout
that,hefeltasthoughhewerelookingdownfromacliffintoastormyocean.Thenhestartsto
feelthattheremightbenoplacethattheywillbeabletorun.
But he couldnt think like that, for Serahs sake. It would only make her worry. So he
decidedtobelievetherewasabrightfutureaheadofthem.Theclifftheywerestandingonmight
besteep,buttheoceanbeyondwasclearandbeautiful.
Snow!Heheardbehindhim.TurningaroundhesawSerahrunningtowardshim,waving
herhand.
Ifoundapresent!Shesaid,wavinghimtocomecloser.
Youwerelookingforagoodluckcharm,right?
Right.Somethingshecouldcarrywithher,somethingthatshewouldcarrywithher.
They were standing in front of a store that sold bladed weapons. Serah grinned, and
pointedtosomethinginthewindow.
This?Asurvivalknife.Itwasundecorated,andactuallylookedfunctional.Itdidntlook
likesomethingyouwouldgiveasabirthdaypresent....why?

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Well,IthoughtsinceIwanttogetheragoodluckcharm,abladewouldbeperfect.They
sayabladecanbeusedtocutyourconnectionswithevil.
Cutconnectionswithevil...?Hehadheardofswords,butthiswasasurvivalknife.That
wasalittlebitdifferent.
AndIreadinabookonce,thatwithjustoneknifeapersoncansurvivethroughlotsof
things.Serahsaid,hertoneserious.Hereyeshadafarawaylook.Becauseofherjob,shehas
togotolotsofdifferentplaces.Withherjob,shedoesnteverknowexactlywhatwillhappen.I
wanthertobeabletosurvivewhateverhappensoutthere,andcomebackhomesafe.
Andsoyouwanttogiveherasurvivalknife.
Isthatstrange?
No,noitsnotstrange.
Tosurvivewhateverhappens.Thatwasawishhecouldmakeforthemselves.
Alright!Letsgetit.
Serahnodded,smiling.SnowputhisarmsaroundSerahsslimshoulders,andopenedthe
dooroftheshop.

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PartVII:Tomorrow
Chapter01

Itwasonthatday,thetragedyfelluponus.
OntheearthofthegreatspiritofPulse,aterriblecreatureflewfromthedenofLindzei.
Withitscursedrighthanditrenttheearth,splittingitintoonethousandfragments
whichflewtostrikethepeoplewholivedontheland.
Withitscursedlefthandittoredownthemountains,crumblingthemintotenthousand
fragmentswhichflewtoslaughterthecreaturesthatcrawledalongtheland.
Withbothofitscursedhandsitpulledupthelifegivingriverandsentitcrashingdown
onboththepeopleandthecreaturesofthelandandwashedthemaway.
Itdevouredthefruitsoftheearthwhichwouldbecomefoodforthepeople.Ittookthe
fertilelandswithithands,rollingitupandcarryingitaway.Metalswhichsleptdeepwithinthe
earthittoreoutwithitscursedrighthand,stolewithitscursedlefthand,andthenthistoo,it
carriedaway.
Buildingsitturnedtorubble,andcarriedawaywithoutatraceleftbehind.
Theonlythingwastedwasthecountlesslivesofthepeople.
Screamsofpainandterrorfilledtheearth,butthedestructioncontinued.Soontheonly
soundleftwasthesilenceofdeath.
Oncompletingitsatrociousactsitflewoncemoreintothesky.Onlytwochildren,now
homelessandshaking,watcheditasitwent.Watchingitreturntothatdenofdemons,that
rounddenofthieveswhichfloatedinthesky.
Intheeyesofonechildangerwasborn,andintheeyesoftheothersadness.
Onthisday,thetragedyfell,andtwoseedswereplantedintheearth.

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Chapter02
Itwasonthatday,twogirlchildrenenteredthetemple.
Onealreadyhadtheeyesofanadult,whiletheotherstillhadtheeyesofachild.Priests
inclothesofred,blackandpurpleledthegirlwiththeeyesofanadult,whilethegirlwiththe
eyesofachildfollowedafter.
Beforetheendlessstairs,theredpriestsaidtothegirlchildren:
Youmustleaveyourpollutedweaponsbehind.Fromhereupontothechamberofthe
falCie,itisforbiddentotakethefilthofearth
Thegirlchildrenlefttheirweaponsatthatplace.
YoullgivemeabetterweapononceImalCie,right?Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadult
spoke,usingwordsthatdidnotbefitthatplace.
Thethreepriestsdidnotheedherwords,simplyorderingthemtofollow.
Astheyclimbedthestairs,theeachofthegirlskeptsecretthefeelingineachoftheir
hearts.Theyhadkeptitsecretforthisday,untilthisday,forever.
They climbed the stairs and then would stop, lifting themselves in prayer, before
continuingonupthesteps.Thistheydidtenandthreetimes,beforetheyreachedthegateof
beginnings.Thentheblackpriestsaidtothegirlchildren:
Thisdoorisadooroftrials.Itwillturnawaythosewhoholdevilintheirhearts,andlead
onthosewhoholdtheholyspirit.
Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadultkneltbeforethedoor,andprayed.Thegirlwiththeeyes
ofachildfollowedsuit.Thesymbolonthedoorglowedred,andthedooropened.
Thouhavebeenacceptedbythegateofbeginnings.Takeyourheartwhichcontainsthe
holyspiritandcontinueontothechamberofthefalCie.
Thethreepriestsandthetwogirlchildrenpassedthroughthedoor,andleftbehindthe
hallwayoftenandthree.
Cheerup!
But...
Its not you who will be turned into a lCie, but me. Theres no reason for you to be
scared.
But...
Dontworry.

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Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadultsmiled,whilethegirlwiththeeyesofachildstaredat
herfeet.Thethreepriestssaidnothing.
They climbed the stairs and then would stop, lifting themselves in prayer, before
continuingonupthesteps.Thistheydidtenandthreetimes,beforetheyreachedthegateof
thecenter.Thenthepurplepriestsaidtothegirlchildren:
Thisdoorisadooroftrials.Itwillturnawaythosewhoholdweaknessintheirhearts,
andleadonthosewhoholdstrength.
Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadultkneltbeforethedoor,andprayed.Thegirlwiththeeyes
ofachildfollowedsuit.Thesymbolonthedoorglowedred,andthedooropened.
Thou have been accepted by the gate of the center. Take your heart which contains
strengthandcontinueontothechamberofthefalCie.
Thethreepriestsandthetwogirlchildrenpassedthroughthedoor,andleftbehindthe
hallwayoftenandthree.
Damnthesearesomelongstairs.Wecouldhavejusttakenanelevatororsomething
yeah?Thisisoverdoingitjustatad,dontyouthink?
Youshouldntstandstufflikethat!Thepriestssaidthisissupposedtobeatestforyou
tobecomealCie.
Atestisgreatandall,butthesepriestsaresoweak,whatcantheydo?
Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadultlaughed,whilethegirlwiththeeyesofachildchided
her.Thethreepriests,ofcourse,saidnothing.
They climbed the stairs and then would stop, lifting themselves in prayer, before
continuingonupthesteps.Thistheydidtenandthreetimes,beforetheyreachedthegateof
endings.Thentheredpriestsaidtothegirlchildren:
Thisdoorisadooroftrials.Itwillturnawaythosewhoholdgreedintheirhearts,and
leadonthosewhoholdhonor.
Thegirlwiththeeyesofanadultkneltbeforethedoor,andprayed.Thegirlwiththeeyes
ofachildfollowedsuit.Thesymbolonthedoorglowedred,andthedooropened.
Thouhavebeenacceptedbythegateofendings.Takeyourheartwhichcontainshonor
andcontinueontothechamberofthefalCie.
Thethreepriestsandthetwogirlchildrenpassedthroughthedoor,andleftbehindthe
hallwayoftenandthree,reachingthefinalstair.
Atthetopofthestairwaytenpriestsstood,holyspearsinhand,guardingthedoortothe
falCie.

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Thisisasfarasyougo.

But...
Itwillbealright.
Thethreepriestsledthegirlwiththeeyesofanadultupthefinalstair,thentenandthree
priestssurroundedherandliftedtheirarmsinprayer.
Chosenone.
OnewhowillbecomealCie.
Leavebehindevil.
Holdclosetheholyspirit.
Leavebehindweakness.
Holdclosestrength.
Leavebehindgreed.
Holdclosehonor.
ContinueontothechamberofthefalCie.
Receiveyourpower.
ReceiveyourFocus.
BecomeonewiththefalCie.
AndstandagainstHeaven.
Thedoorbegantoopen,andthegirlwiththeeyesofanadultleftthepriestsbehindto
walkthroughit.Sheyelled:
FalCieAnima!IhavesomethingIneedtosaytoyou.Areyoulistening!?
Thepriestsheldontothegirl,butsheshookthemoffandcontinuedyelling.
Whyareyouhere?ItshouldbeeasyforafalCielikeyoutocrushCocoon.Whydont
yougodestroyLindzeirightnow?InsteadofmakingalltheselCie,wouldntitbefastertojust
get all the falCie together and go to fight them yourselves? Can you not figure that out for
yourself,eventhoughyoureafalCie?
Thepriestsraisedtheirspearsandheldthegirldown.
Whyyouinsolent...!ThisisfalCieAnima,howdareyouspeaktoitthisway!

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Thegirlshookthemoffandgrabbedoneoftheirspears.Withitinhand,shestormedinto
thefalCieschamber.
HowmanylCiehavebecomeCiethwhileyousithereanddonothing?Howmanyhomes
havebeenlost?Whileyourfriendsdonothingbutdigholes!
Thepriestschasedafterthegirl.
Howdare...!YoushallnottakeanotherstepintothefalCieschamber!
Thegirllaidflatallthepriestswhofollowedherwithherspear,andcontinuedonintothe
chamber.
IllbecomealCieforyou.Illdestroyasmanydemonsasyoulike.ButIjustcantstand
thatyouresittingheredoingnothing!
The red priest, the black priest, and the purple priest stood in front of the falCie and
pushedthegirlback.
DoyoutrulythinkagirllikeyoucouldhaveanythingtosaytothefalCie?Leavehere!
Imonlytellingthetruth!ThatfalCieisafool!Justwhatdoesitthinkabouthumanlives?
Nothing!
Thepurplepriestansweredcoldly:
Humanlives?Theyrenothingbutorphans.
Theblackpriestsneered:
TheonlyreasontheytakecareoforphansissotheycanbecomelCie.Thereisnoother
waytousethem.
Theredpriestspat:
Yourenothingbutafool.Youcouldntevenreadthetrueintentionsofthosewhotook
careofyou.
Thegirlseyesburnedwithanger.
Dontinsultourhome!
Inragethegirlstabbedtheredpriest,thendefeatedboththeblackpriestandthepurple
priest.SheturnedtofacefalCieAnima.
Thisisallyourfault!OurfriendsbeingturnedintoCieth,theCocoonfalCiecominghere
anddoingasitpleases.Itsallbecauseofyou!Illdestroyyou!
Thegirlrusheditwithherspear,butitshandscameoutofnowhere,hittingherand
throwinghertothefloor.Herspearflungfarawayfromher.

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Thetenpriestsrushedinandsurroundedher,pointingatherwiththeirspears.
Foolishgirl,youmustdie!
Traitor,youmustdie!
Thegirldidntmove.Thetenpriestsslowlyraisedtheirspears.
Pleasewait!
Thegirlwiththeeyesofachildrantohersideandcoveredherwithherbody.
Pleaseforgiveher!
ShehasinsultedfalCieAnima,andtreatedourpriestsasfools.Hersinsaretoogreat.
Thenletme...letmeatoneforthem!
Thefallengirlslipsmoved,pleadinghertostop.Butthegirlwiththeeyesofachildpaid
hernoheed,yelling:
PleasemakethebothofusintolCie!IntolCiethatwillfightagainstCocoon!
Alltenspearsstoppedatonce,andtheirbearerslookeddownonthegirls.Theygathered
togethertospeak.
Youcant...
No.Itwillbemyturnnext,anyway.Iwantustobetogether.
Onegirlheldtheother,andsmiled.
Eversinceweenteredthetemple,Ihadbeenthinkingaboutit.Iwouldsay,makeboth
ofusintolCie.
But...
We might be orphans, but we were raised together. Were family. We can protect
everyonetogether.
The ten priests surrounded the two girls and raised their arms in prayer, praying that
thesetwobeturnedintolCie.
Wellbetogetherforever...nomatterwhathappens,wellneverbeapart.

Onthisday,twolCiewereborn.

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Chapter03
Wellbetogetherforever...nomatterwhathappens,wellneverbeapart.
Thats what I promised so long ago, Vanille whispered as she walked along the
promenade,lookingouttowardstheocean.Inthedistanceyoucouldseethetemple.FalCie
Animawasstillinsidethere.
ImsorryIhavetobreakthatpromise...SheapologizedtoFang,whereverFangmight
be.Perhapsshewasatthetemple,evennow.SurroundedbyCocoonsoldiers,noonewouldbe
abletogetinorout.

Yesterdayshesawitonthenews.APulsefalCiewasfoundintheBodhumVestige.She
hadstoppedatarestareaintheshoppingmall.Ascreenwasonthewall,andonitthetemple
couldbeclearlyseen.Surroundingthetemplewerearmyvehiclesandarmedsoldiers.
Duringthemiddleofthereport,thepeoplearoundherbegantopanic.Knowingthatshe
mustgettothetemple,Vanillerantowardit,onlytolookupandseeairshipsabovethem.
Thenewsranoneveryscreenandblaredfromeveryspeaker.Bodhumwouldnowbe
barricadedfortheprotectionofCocoonscitizens.Theirworryturnedtoanger,thenthesoldiers
beganmakingthreatsagainstthecivilians.
ThissofrightenedVanillethatshefledtheshoppingmall,runningalongthepromenade,
returningtoaplacewhereshecouldseethetemple.Butwhatshefoundthere...
Alltheroadsleadingtothetemplewereblockedoff.Thiswassomethingthathadntbeen
shownonthenews.Militaryvehiclessurroundedtheplace,therewasnowaytoevengetclose
toitanymore.
No,shedidnteventhinkshewouldbeabletostayhereforverylong,eventolookatit.
Soldiers were coming closer, had they seen her? Not taking any chances, Vanille turned right
aroundandranbacktotheshoppingmall.
Theyhadntfollowedher.Thatmustmeantheyhadntplannedoncapturingher.Perhaps
theyhadjustwantedtotellherthattheareawasofflimits.
Itwastoolatenow,butshewishedshehadntleftherweaponbehindinthetemple.Now
shewasallaloneinacityshedidntknow,unabletoprotectherself.Shefeltlikecrying.
Fang...whereareyou?

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AttheenergyplantFanghadactedasadecoytoallowVanilletoescape.Shehadrun
straightatthesoldiers,allalone.Vanillehadmanagedtoescape,buteversincethenshehad
seennosignofFang.
IwantFang...
Vanille walked, hardly realizing where she was going, that thought circling her mind.
Whenshelookedup,shefoundshewasnowatBodhumStation.ThenVanillethought,perhaps
FanghadntreturnedtoBodhumafterall?ShecouldstillbesomewhereinEurideGorge!
IllbeabletofindherifIgotoEuride!
Vanillerantowardsthestation,butagainwassurprisedbywhatshefound.Thewalkway
wascompletelyblockedoff.Thensherememberedhearingonthenewsthatthewholecityhad
beenbarricaded.Therewerepeopleinfrontofthestation,theylookedliketourists,arguingwith
thesoldiers.
WearentBodhumcitizens!
IhavetoreturntoEdentomorrow!Ihaveanimportantmeeting.
WerefromPalumpolum!Atleastletmysonreturnhome.
Everyonewastryingtheirbesttomakethemselvesheard.Iveseensomethinglikethis
before,Vanillethought.Butthentheyknewiftheywaitedtheywouldbeabletoreturnhome.
Buttheystillhadlookedworried...

Itwaseightdaysago.AftertheaccidentbothEurideStationandtheairshiplandingstrip
had been closed off. Armed soldiers had come, and the people there had argued with them,
demandingtobefreed.Thoughtheyhadcomplainedthattheyneededtogettowork,orthat
they were going to miss their airship flight home, they still followed the soldiers directions.
BecausethesoldierstoldthemthatoncetheyhadgonethroughanIDcheck,theywouldbeput
onthe nexttraintoBodhum.Sotheygatheredatthe plazainfront oftheenergyplant,and
waitedinthetentsthathadbeensetupforthem.
Ofcourse,sinceVanilleisnotfromCocoon,shedidnthaveID.Whenshesearchedaround
forachancetoescape,hereyesfellonsoldiersplacingcardsonamachines.IDmustmeanthose
cardstheyhadpickedupearlier,sherealized.Theyhadstolenthemfromthosetwoboysthey
hadmetintown.Becauseofthesecardstheyhadbeenabletogetfoodandrideonthetrainto
Euride.

162

Vanilletookoutthestolencardandlookedatit.Shewasntsureifshecouldevenuseit.
TheyhadonlyfiguredouthowtouseFangscardbyaccident,andhadyettotrythisone.What
wouldshedoifshecouldntuseit?Evenworse,whatiftheyfoundoutshehadstolenit...
Comeon,givemeyourcardalready.
Vanillelookedupquickly,andfoundasoldierholdingaslimmachinestandingrightin
frontofher.Hopingitwouldwork,butnotfeelingtooconfident,Vanilleheldouthercard.
Shewonderediftheywoulddragherintoadifferentroomforquestioning.Orperhaps
theywouldtieherupimmediately.Ormaybe...maybetheywouldshootherwhereshestood.
Shesqueezedhereyesshut.
Wouldyouhurryup?
Iknewit,Vanillethought.Sheslumped.Itwouldbesopathetictobecapturednow,but
thereweresomanysoldierssurroundingher,andthentherewereallthesepeople...
Whatthehellareyoudoing?Ineedtogetontothenextone.
Vanillelookedupinsurprise.Thesoldierreturnedthecardtoher.
What?
Onceyouvecheckedout,gostandinthelineoverthere.
Beforeshecouldaskwhathemeant,thesoldierturnedtothenextpersonandtooktheir
card.ItseemedthestolencardhadbeenacceptedasherID.Vanillelinedupwiththeotherswho
had been checked out, and boarded the next train to Bodhum. She waited on the station
platform,hopingthatFangwouldarrive,butsawnosignofher.
Shereturnedtothetemple,buttherewasnofood,andshecouldntsleep.Itwasherfirst
night alone, ever, she realized. Fang had always been by her side. At their village, the other
childrenhadbeentheretoo.OncetheybecamelCie,thetwoofthemhadbeenaloneagain,but
shealwayshadFangtosleepnextto.Shehadneversleptalone.
Lookingfor food, Vanillewenttotheshoppingmall.Butshehadneverusedthiscard
before,andshewasntsureshecoulddoit.WhileshehadbeenabletouseitasIDinEuride,she
didntknowifshecoulduseitforshopping.Vanillespentafewminutesstandinginfrontofthe
shop,nervouslyclutchingthecardinherhands.
Itwasseeingthatwhitebirdagainthatmadeherpluckuphercourageandfinallyenter
thestore.Itwasthesamestrangelookingbirdtheyhadseenwhentheyhadstolenthesecards.
Itstoodperchedonthefarsideroof,staringdownather.ItscaredVanillesomuchthatsheran
intotheshopjusttogetawayfromit.Nowintheshop,theonlythingshecoulddowasfollow
theothercustomersexample.Shemadeherpurchases,andusedthecardtocheckout.Itwas
easierthanshethoughtitwouldbe.

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Nowshecouldseewhattheirlifewaslike.Cocoonwaslikeapeacefulparadise.Perhaps
becausetheylivedsuchquietlives,thepeopleherewerepeaceful,andthatwaswhyshenever
feltindangeraslongasshewaswithinthecity.
Despitebeingalone,withoutFang,shedidntfeelnervoushereanymore.Butshecouldnt
forget the girl and young boy that had gotten mixed up in their problems. The guilt she felt
towardsthemwaslikeathornstickinginherchest.
AndthenVanillemetthatgirlonthebeach...

Whatareyoudoingoverthere?
Shefeltagunatherback.Vanillecamebackfromhermusingswithastart.Itwasasoldier.
PSICOM.Wheneverthatnamewasmentioned,theexpressiononpeoplesfacesturnedstony
andcold.
Untilafewdaysago,nosoldiershadbeenhere.Everyonehadlookedcalmandpeaceful.
Shehadallowedherselftofeelthatwaytoo...
Imsorry!Vanillesaid.Perhapsitwasthetearfulsoundinhervoice,butheloweredhis
gunandspokeinasoftervoice.
Theyrestartingcheckinatthestation.Youdbetterhurry.
Vanilleranwithoutturningback.Shewouldntbecominghereagain.Fromthemoment
theyannounceditonthenewsyesterday,thisparadisehaddisappeared.

APulsefalCiehadbeenfound.ThewholeofBodhumwasbeingbarricaded.Thatalone
was already the worst possible news for the people who lived there. Just those two
announcements,andthecitywasinanuproar.Wasthereanyonewhoimagineditcouldbecome
worse?
Ithadbeenintheafternoonwhenthenewshadbroke.Vanillehadbeenunabletoreturn
tothetempleorfindFang,andsoshewaswalkingalongtheshoppingmall.Shetriedtostayin
wellpopulatedplaces,awayfromsoldiers.
APurgetoPulse.AtfirstVanilledidntknowwhatthatmeant.Shemightnothavebeen
theonlyone.Whenthenewswasbroadcast,everyonegrewquiet.

164

Thensherealizedtheywereafraid.Peoplewererunningaround,screamingandcrying.
Maybetheythoughttheycouldrunawayfromtheirfate.
VanillecouldonlywatchtheminamazementShehadknownthatthepeopleonCocoon
hatedPulse,butsherealizedthatshehadntreallyunderstood.TheyweresoscaredofPulsethat
theylostallreason.
Wheretheywererunningto,shedidntknow.Perhapstheywererunningtothestation,
ortheirhome.Everywheresmallfightsbrokeout.Womenspokeinshrillvoices,andchildrenfell
andbrokeintotears.
Vanillestoodclosetothebuilding,andwatchthem.Sheshivered,andcouldntmovea
stepfromwhereshestood.
Arethesethesamepeoplewhohadwatchedthefireworksthenightbefore?shethought.
Thosepeoplehadfun,laughingandtalkingwitheachother.Thosepeoplehadbeenhappy.Their
faceshadbeenfilledwithhopeastheyprayedfortheirdreamstocometrue.Notevenoneday
hadpassedsincethen,andnow...
Shewasscared,andsad,andfeltlikecrying.Afierypainburnedbehindhereyes,andshe
lookeddownatherfeet.Then,outofthenoise,wordsreachedherears.Vanillelookedupin
surprise.Shethought shedheardsomeonesayThe PulsefalCie willbesent alongwith the
PurgetraintobereturnedtoPulse.Shewouldhavetolistentothenewsprogramonemore
time,justtomakesure.
FalCieAnimawouldbesenttoPulse,itwouldbereturnedtoGranPulse...
Was it true? But then, what about their Focus? No, even if falCie Anima werent in
Cocoon,theirFocuswouldntchange.ItwasbothsheandFangwhowouldcompletetheirFocus,
notthefalCie...
Thensherealized,ifsheremainedinBodhumshewouldbePurgedalongwitheveryone
else.Notthatshehadmuchofachoice,sinceallwaysinandoutofBodhumwereclosedoff.But
ifshereturnedtoGranPulse,shewouldntbeabletocompleteherFocus.
Herlegsgrewweak,andsheslumpedontotheground.Howcouldshehavenotrealized
thisbefore?Sheheldherknees,andstayedthatwayuntilnightfell.
Whenshefinallystoodup,shewassurprisedtoseeitwasnight.Therewasnooneleftin
theshoppingmall.Vanilleslippedpastthesoldiers,andwalkeddowntothebeach.Thiswas
whereeveryonehadstoodtowatchthefireworks.Ofcoursenoonewashere,atthistime.The
cafe was closed. Even though it had only been one day, it seemed as though a completely
differentplacefromthenightbefore.Allwasquiet,theonlysoundwasofthewavesrollingin
andout.

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Unlike Gran Pulse, this ocean didnt smell of salt. But Vanille had liked it here.
Goodbye...shewhispered,andturnedbackthewayshehadcame.Shewalkedalittlefurther,
andcameuponafield.Itwasthefieldtheyhadstolenvegetablesfromthatfirstdaytheyhad
wokenup.Thesmellofearthandgrowingthingsoverwhelmedher.PerhapsFangwillcomehere,
shethought,andtearsrandownhercheeks.Iknow,shethought,Fangwontcome.Illneversee
heragain,neveragain...
Vanillecried.Asasmallchildcries,yellingandscreaming.Andthen,sheslept.

Theshoppingmall,asalways,wasfilledwithpeople.Butunlikeyesterday,noonewas
runningaround.Asone,theyallmovedinthesamedirection.Theexpressionontheirfaceswas
dark,andtheylookeddownattheirfeetastheywalked.Theywereheadingtowardsthestation
toboardthePurgetrain.
ThepeopleofCocoonthoughtthatPulseishell.Vanillehadrealizedwatchingeveryone
yesterdaythattheyequatebeingsenttoPulseasadeathsentence.Butitsnotlikethat,Vanille
couldnthelpbutthink.Suretheclimateisharsh,andtherearemanyviciousmonstersthere.
YouwouldntbeabletowalkaroundthereweaponlesslikeyoucanonCocoon.ButFangand
herselfwerebornandraisedonGranPulse.Youcouldlivethereaslongaseveryoneworked
together.
OnGranPulsetherewasawideopenfieldsandanendlesssky.Therewassunlight,and
greenery.VanillewantedtoshowallthistothepeopleofCocoon.Eventhoughsheknewitwas
impossible.
Itwasquiet.Tooquietforhowmanypeoplewerehere.Whenshehadfirstarrivedhere,
it had been so loud and noisy she had thought it was a festival. And after the uproar from
yesterday...
Hadtheycalmeddownafteranightssleep?Orhadtheygivenupalready?Notonesingle
personlookedangry,theirfaceswereexpressionless.
Imsorry...Vanilleapologizedagain.Shehadalreadyapologizedsomanytimesshehad
lostcount.Itwastheirfaultthiswashappeningtothesepeople.Theirfaultandnooneelse's.
Becausewewokeup,shethought.
AndthegirlwhowasmadeintoalCiebyfalCieAnima.Andthelittleboywhowasmade
intoalCiebytheCocoonfalCie.Howcouldsheeveratoneforthecrimesshecommittedagainst
them?

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Shecouldntturnthembacktonormal.Shewouldntbeabletochangetheirfate.Atleast,
shethought,Icanbringnoharmtotheirworld,totheirlovedones.Icandothatmuchforthem.
Atsomepointsherealizedthenumberofpeoplehadgrown.Everyonewassoquietshe
hadnt noticed. Now there were as many people as there had been at the fireworks festival,
slowlywalkingtowardsthestation.
Finallythestationbuildingcamewithinsight.Asoldiercouldbeheard,yellingWould
anyonewhohasnotcheckedintheirbaggagepleasecomethisway?Therehadbeenbaggage
checkinthedaybefore,sothelinebythecounterwasshort.
Once she entered inside the building, she saw soldiers with megaphones calling out
instructions. Their uniforms were different from the other soldiers she had seen, so Vanille
thoughttheymusthaveahigherrank.
Everyone! Please follow directions and do not step out of line! Your baggage will be
returnedtoyouonceyouvearrivedonPulse.
The gun he held in his hands made Vanille a little uncomfortable. Hes just giving
directions,whydoesheneedtobearmed?Vanillethought.Allthepeopleherearecalmand
peaceful,whydoesheneedaweapon?Theothersoldiersalsoheldguns.Eventhoughtheykept
sayingthesepeoplewerebeingtransferreditwasfarmorelikethewerebeingescortedoutof
thecitybyforce.But,perhapsbecausethepeopleonCocoonaresopeaceful,noonefought
back.Theyalllinedupquietly,withoutaword.
Orperhapsnotquite.Somewheresheheardsomeoneyelling.
Heyyou!Dontgetoutofline!
Perhaps someone had tried to run. The crowd of people moved slightly. They were
restless,perhapshopingthatatleastoneofthemhadfoundameansofescape.
A gun shot sounded. From the screams you could tell it was no idle blast. The line of
peopleshook,breakingintopanic.Thesoldierspointedtheirgunsatthepeople,andeverything
grewstillandquiet.
Pleasedonotmovefromtheline.Thisisforyourownsafety.
Ofcourse,nooneactuallybelievedthat.Theyonlykeptquietbecausetheydidntwishto
diehere.Eventhoughwhatwaitedforthem,beyondthisworld,washell.
Thelineonceagainflowedsmoothly.Vanillespiedawomantalkingwithasoldier.She
noticedthewomanbecauseshelookedexactlylikeSerah,thegirlwhoturnedintoaPulselCie.
Thewomanhandedherweapontothesoldier,andstoodinline.Myguiltismakingme
imaginethings,Vanillethought.Justbecauseshehasthesamehaircolor,itmakesherfacelook
justlikeSerahs...

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Amiddleagedmanstoodbehindthewoman.Hishairlookedjustlikeabirdsnest,orso
Vanillethought,butthenarealbirdactuallypoppedoutofit.
What?
Itwasababychocobo.
Whydoesthatguyhaveachocobolivingonhishead?Itwassofunny,Vanillebeganto
giggle.Thenthatsomeoneranintoherfrombehind.Orrather,sheranintosomeone,sinceshe
wasntlookingwhereshewasgoing.Shetriedtocatchherbalance,butitwastoolate.
Oops! She slipped and tumbled down onto the ground. Fortunately she didnt hurt
herself,exceptforperhapsherpride.
Areyouokay?Someoneasked.Justassheheardthevoice,shefeltahandgrabhers
andpullherupright.
Didyougethurt?Akindlookingwomanwaslookingherover.Vanillenodded,andthe
womansmiled.
Oh,whatarelief.
Shelookslikeamother,Vanillewhisperedquietly.Thenshesawaboystandingbeside
herthatlookedlikehecouldbeherson.Shereallywasamother.
Areyoufromhere?
No,Imnot.
Oh,youtoo?WerefromPalumpolum.
AplaceVanillehadheardofbefore.
Andwheredidyoucomefrom?
Um...far.
Far?
Vanillenodded.Thewomandidntaskanymorequestions,probablythinkingVanillehad
areasonfornotsayingwhereshewasfrom.Infact,sheprobablyhadotherthingstoworryabout.
Hersonwasshaking,andwouldntlookup.
Vanillecouldntdecidedwhethersheshouldlineupbehindthesetwo,orthewomanwho
lookslikeSerah.Butshedidnttaketoolongtodecide,standingbehindthekindwomanandher
son.Ifshewasgoingtobetreatedlikeaprisoner,sheatleastwantedtobewithpeoplewho
werekind.

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ThesoldiersexplainedthatinthebestcasescenariotheywouldarriveatPulsesometime
today.Atworstitwouldbetomorrow.
OncewevearrivedinGranPulseIhopeIcanhelpthemalittlebit,Vanillethought.Im
sorryFang,butImgoingbacktoGranPulsewiththefalCie.ImsorryIbrokeourpromise.Im
sorryIhavetoleaveyouonCocoonallalone...
Once she left Cocoon, she wouldnt be able to complete her Focus. She realized this
yesterday,whensheheardthatfalCieAnimawouldbesentbacktoPulse.Oncesherealized
therewasstillsomethingshecoulddo,shefeltrelieved.
Ifrealityistoopainful,youcanjustrunaway.
Serahhadsaidthatfourdaysago,whentheyhadmetonthebeach.Thosewordshad
savedher,andpushedherintoaction.Becauseofthosewordsshewasherenow.
OnceIgetonthattrain,shethought,IllberunningawayfrommyFocus.ThenIwont
havetohurtanyone.IllprobablybecomeaCieth,buttherewillstillbesometimeleftbefore
thathappens.
Ifyoulookatanythingfromadistance,youcanseeawaythroughit.
JustasSerahhadsaid,onceshelookedatherproblemfromadistance,shecouldseea
differentpath.Itjustmightwork.Ifshejustrunsaway,itmightallworkout...
SheonlyworriedaboutleavingFangbehind,butsheknewshewouldbealright.Hermark
wasburned,sosheprobablywouldntturnintoaCieth,andFangwouldbeabletoliveonher
own.Theonlythingwas,sheknewFangwouldbeangry.Imsorry,shewhisperedonemoretime.
She put her fingers together and prayed. For a friend she wouldnt see again. For a
promiseshecouldntkeep.
The soldiers began directing people into the train. At the latest they would arrive
tomorrow,Vanillerememberedthemsaying.
Foramoment,Vanillefeltherfootstepstremble.Shesuddenlyfeltasthoughthedaythey
becamelCiewasonlyyesterday,andthattomorrowwassofarawayshecouldhardlyreachit.
Butwhy?Shecouldntbeworried.ShewasfinallyreturningtoGranPulse,shetoldherself.She
lovedthesmellofthewind,theflowersshimmeringinthebreeze,runningoutunderanopen
sky.Therewereallthestarsatnight,andofcoursethepeoplewaitingbackhome.Theywereall
herfamily,soshewassuretheywouldbehappytoseeher.
TomorrowIllbereturninghome...Vanillethoughttoherself.Thelinemovedforward.