Snow was genuinely confused when Serah ran up and embraced the man asking for the head of P.L.R. She knows him?
Snow interrupted their reunion. "Uh, Serah, you know this guy?"
Serah said, "Yeah, he took care of me and Light when we were little. And he taught Lightning how to fight."
Snow's eyes widened. "No way! You're Light's teacher?"
The man nodded. He seemed rather middle-aged but was obviously not ready to kick the bucket anytime soon. He was tall. His hair was a dark black. His eyes were dark blue. His black leather jacket had buttons sewn down the front. His white shirt contrasted with it. His white pants were falling just short of his ankles, not that it showed any skin. His brown combat boots, that had many belts on it as well, were tucked under the bottom of his pants. His right shoulder had a piece of armor on it, similar to the one Lightning had. A sword was strapped to his lower back, attached to his belt.
The man smiled. Light clearly didn't act so serious from his example. He was much brighter and friendlier. "The name's Cent. Nice to meet you."
Snow was puzzled by his name. "Well, I'm Snow Villiers, Serah's husband."
Cent chuckled. "I'm not surprised Serah got married before Lightning. She was always more stubborn and hard to work with."
Serah asked, "What are you doing here? We haven't seen you for years."
Cent teased, "That's because you guys ditched me."
Serah frowned. "Lightning said we shouldn't live off of you."
"Yeah, I know. But I'm pretty sure you guys kept me out of trouble more than I took care of you."
Serah said, "I'm really happy to see you, but still, what are you doing here?"
Cent scratched the back of his head. "It may be better to explain it to all of your friends."
Fang, Hope, Vanille, Snow, Sazh, and Serah introduced themselves to Cent. They sat in Fang's office at the P.L.R. base.
Fang got the ball rolling. "So, Cent, if that's your nickname, then what's your real name?"
Cent answered, "My birth name is Connor. But Cent was a name everyone called me. Connor just never fell off of anyone's tongues."
Sazh asked, "But why Cent?"
Cent pulled out a few things from his backpack. "I collect weapons parts. Most would see some of it as unwanted pieces, but they're treasure to me and are probably rare." He held up a skull. Vanille shrieked. "Whoa, sorry. But I don't think this thing will hurt you." The skull was about the size of his fist. It had an elongated snout, similar to a rat's head. "I found this skull in a ditch when I was a stupid teenager. If I hadn't fallen in that ditch, I wouldn't have met my good friend, Bellum Farron."
Hope burst out, "One of Lightning and Serah's relatives?"
Cent nodded. "Their father actually. We worked together in PSICOM." He hid the skull and pulled out a long chain with a gold oval attached. On the oval had an engraving of a spear. "I found this on my first mission as a PSICOM out in the Vile Peaks. I'm not sure what the spear means, but it's still really cool."
He pulled out an envelope from his backpack. "This is very special to me." He handed the envelope to Serah. She took out a card that was folded in two. There were no designs on it or anything creative, the front was blank. There were three words written on the inside: Sorry. Thank you.
Serah grew sadder. "You kept this?"
Sazh looked over. "What is it?"
She answered, "A card Light left for him when we ran away. I didn't think it meant this much to you."
Cent started packing back his parts. "Everything I keep means something. I don't just keep a bunch of "garbage," I collect things that matter. That was the only thing I had left of you girls. It broke my heart when you two left. You guys were like my own flesh and blood."
Serah smiled. "Sorry, Cent." He held up his hand. "Don't be. If you stuck with me you would never have saved Cocoon. Then who knows where we would be."
Fang said, "Well then, let's get down to business. What were you looking for here?"
Cent said, "I've been stuck on Cocoon for a few years now. With all the people still there trying to get down, the wait was long. When I got here a few weeks ago, I had to try and settle in. It wasn't easy. But it became even harder when I heard the news. Lightning Farron of Pulse Life Restoration Gone Missing. When I heard that, I couldn't just sit around and let my protégé wander around who-knows-where. So I went looking for Fang, seeing as how she was the leader of P.L.R."
Snow said, "So you're just looking for Light?"
Cent nodded. "She's not just my student. She's not even the kid of a good friend. She's like my one of my own, no matter how much I piss her off," He chuckled.
Sazh said, "You have any ideas as to what could have happened?"
Cent said, "No clue. But I'm going to help you all as much as I can. I just need to know what you have found to try and come up with a conclusion."
Fang crossed her arms. "Well, you've come to the wrong place. We've found a whole load of nothin." Snow intervened, "But Fang, what about the place in the Mah'habara that..."
Vanille said, "Yeah, where our brands start to burn."
Cent was interested. "What are you guys saying?"
Snow said, "There's a path where Light disappeared that has us all scratching our heads. The places where our brands were starting to burn like crazy."
Cent put his hands together. "Sounds like that myth..."
Fang didn't think Cocoon people would know about that. "What myth?"
Cent said, "It's a legend about a family called the Caelum that controls the power of crystals—"
Fang interrupted, "Yeah, I know. But that's a Pulse legend. How do you know about that?"
Cent smirked, "I was a nosy PSICOM member. I snooped in all the forbidden documents PSICOM hid. Most of them were about Pulse or the old ways of Pulse. I stumbled upon a book about it."
Fang pointed out, "But that's just a myth. It's impossible."
Cent countered, "Think about what you all have done: Destroying Fal'Cie, toppling the corrupt government, giving the world back to the people," He paused, "didn't that sound impossible? But it was still done."
He had a point.
Vanille said, "So you think that may be the case with Lightning's disappearance?"
Cent said, "Maybe. After all, I know Light. And I know she wouldn't get herself caught up in a situation she knew she couldn't handle."
Hope spoke up, "So, do you think we could find her?"
Cent nodded. "If we try hard enough, of course. If you take me to that place you mentioned, then maybe I could think of some options as to where Lightning may be."
They all stood and headed for the door. Cent stopped Serah before she left. "You okay?" He asked.
Serah smiled. "Yeah. I'm sure Lightning wouldn't want me to worry."
The dark Mah'habara didn't help the gang find anything suspicious. Vanille led the way to where Lightning was pulled into the portal. Cent barely blinked as he thought about the possibilities as to where Lightning could be. The legend seemed to fit into place with everything that happened, but that didn't mean it was real. Maybe it really was just a story. Maybe Lightning had gotten into some trippy situation.
The red headed stopped in front of a dirt wall. "This is it," She said, her accent making her sound foreign, "This is where she was pulled in."
Fang looked to the new guy. "So Cent, what do you think?"
Cent walked up to the wall. He touched it. "Fang, you said when you touched it, it burned your shoulder, correct?"
Fang nodded. "Yeah, that's where my brand was."
He mumbled, "I wasn't a L'Cie, so... Hey, Snow, touch this wall."
Snow held up his hands. "You know what? I'm good."
Hope turned to Snow, "Come on, Snow. Do it for Light."
Snow sighed. "Alright. But I better not, like, die."
He approached the wall, hesitating when he brought up his hand. He barely touched the dirt with his finger when he was forced back with a cry. "Damn it!" He yelled.
Cent said, "Sorry, I had to test it."
Sazh asked, "Test what?"
Cent answered, "I was never a L'Cie, so if it hurt only you guys, who were L'Cie and still have the powers, then that increases the chance of this portal coming from that legend."
Serah said, "Is that really possible?"
Fang said, "Right now, it looks like it."
Cent faced the wall. "I know I'll look crazy for this, but here goes." He knocked on the wall. "Hello?"
The L'Cie thought he had lost it. Talking to a wall? Serah asked, "Cent, are you sure you—"
She was interrupted by an answer. "Hello?"
Everyone's eyes widened. That voice wasn't Lightning's, but it was a voice. One coming from a wall? None of them had even heard the tone before. Cent came back to reality. "Is someone there?"
"Yeah. Who is this?" The voice answered. It was definitely male.
"My name is Cent. Who are you?"
No answer.
Great, Cent thought. A shy one. "Come now, I told you mine."
The voice gave in. "I'm Noctis."
Fang gasped. "Wait a minute," She said. "What's your last name?"
No answer.
Fang growled, "Tell me, damn it!"
Cent signaled for her to be quiet. "Excuse my friend. Her name is Fang."
"Fang?"
Cent was intrigued. "You know her?"
"Not exactly."
Fang asked again, "Well, Noctis, what is your last name?" It was a name mentioned in the myth. Cent's theory sounded more and more real.
The voice, Noctis, answered, "My full name is Noctis Lucis Caelum."
Fang couldn't believe it. She whispered to Cent, "You were right. It IS real."
Cent questioned, "You said you heard of Fang before. Where did you hear it?"
"A friend told me."
All of the L'Cie were dumbfounded. Serah shouted, "Is she Lightning?"
Noctis said, "How do you know her?"
Serah was now crying. "My name is Serah! She's my sister!"
Noctis couldn't believe it. No way, he thought. I found it. The book he held that had the picture of the portal he was looking for hit the ground. He spoke to Serah, "You're her little sister?"
She cried, "Yes! Please tell me, is she alright?"
Noctis didn't want to answer. "She is injured, but yes, she is okay and in a safe place."
Serah sighed. Cent added, "And do you know if she will return soon?"
Noctis said, "Hard to say. She's been looking for a way back for a long time. But with this portal, maybe she could go back."
Fang spoke up, "Wait, there's a portal on your side? There's nothing over here."
Noctis was still astounded by her accent. You never heard anything like it in his kingdom. "Yeah, there is one. But I'm not sure if it's safe to use."
"One more thing," Fang said. "Are you...a prince?"
Noctis was silent for a moment. How did she know? "Yes, I am."
Fang knew now. The legend was real. And Lightning was living it.
"How did you know?"
Vanille answered this time. "It's a myth here. Fang and I were told the stories when we were kids."
Noctis said, "It's just as she said..."
Cent ushered, "Just as who said?"
Noctis explained, "Lightning, she said my world was a legend on her side. Are you all on Pulse?"
Cent said, "Yes."
Noctis said, "That's what I thought. She said my world was a legend over there... but your world is a legend in mine. There are no Fal'Cie or L'Cie here. Only my kingdom's crystal."
Fang was confused again. "Don't more kingdoms have one?"
"Not anymore. They were all either destroyed or given up. My kingdom has the last one. And I am the last heir that can control its power."
Fang had heard enough. She was glad they now knew where Lightning was and that she was okay, but this was starting to be too much. Cent wasn't finished. "So are you—"
A mechanical ring could be heard. It stopped. Noctis didn't say anything for a few moments. He finally said, "I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Wait!" Serah screamed, "You can't go yet!"
Noctis felt bad for leaving so soon. "I have to, Serah. But I'll have you know that I promise I will return Lightning to you safely."
Serah was speechless. Did he really mean that?
Fang said, "Fine. But you need to meet us back here same time tomorrow. Either that, or I'll come over and kill you myself."
Noctis said, "Noted. I shall meet you here tomorrow."
Fang heard his footsteps as he walked away.
Noctis was ready to tell Lightning everything. He rushed to the castle, unable to contain his excited emotions.
"Lightning!"
Lightning turned to her door to see an out of breath Noctis. "Knock much?"
Noctis walked over to her, "This is very important!"
"What?"
A ring sounded from Noctis' pocket. Damn it. Not now!
It was his father. "Noctis, are you almost ready?"
"For what?"
King Caelum sighed. "For the ball. You're supposed to make an appearance."
Crap. "No, I actually forgot."
"Then start getting ready. You have a half hour."
Noctis hung up. He looked to Lighting, who had crossed her arms while impatiently waiting for him. "Um, I have to go."
Lightning said, "Fine. Tell me whatever you were going to say later."
Noctis prepared to leave when he remembered something. "Hey, Lightning?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know a..." What was the name? "Cent?"
Lightning was shocked. How did he know that name? "Yes, he was my combat teacher. How do you know him?"
He turned around. "I'll explain later."
Wen pushed Lightning down the finely decorated hallway. "You should go! It'll be fun!"
Lightning resisted with as much force she could muster without hurting her friend. "No, damn it! I'm not going to a stupid ball!"
"Oh, come on! You don't even have to dress up! Just go and say hi to Prince Noctis!"
"Why?"
Wen wanted to say because she knew Noctis admired her. But she was aware that was a bad idea. "Just because!"
Wen managed to get Lightning through the tall doors that lead to the ballroom. The floor was gold tile with an elegant engraving of patterns. There were at least fifty tables full of food for thousand guests to eat. Several chandeliers hung from the high ceiling. To the far right of the room sat the king on a throne at the top of some steps. His throne was so high that he could see the whole ballroom from his seat.
Lightning saw Noctis standing next to him. He was dressed in his normal clothing. He clearly didn't want to be there. He probably wanted to make an appearance and just leave after. Wen gave Lightning a final shove. "Just go talk to him!"
"No!"
Too late. Gladiolus and Ignis spotted her. "Hey!" Gladiolus shouted. "Didn't expect to see you here!"
Wen smirked as she started to leave Lightning to the boys. She was hoping their plan would work.
Ignis didn't approve of their idea at all. He knew Noctis and Lightning would be pissed. But he did agree that it would be funny.
Prompto was on the other side of the ballroom, climbing the steps to King Caelum's chair. He showed them a thumbs up; Commence phase one.
