More than a Myth

Will to Fight

Noctis's whole body was frozen. He just stood there, watching Cladis chuckle, "How pathetic."
Serah cried, "Lightning! Lightning!" Cladis forced Lightning back. She groaned as the sword slid out of her torso. She fell to the ground, unable catch herself. Serah broke away from Snow. She ran to Lightning's side. "Lightning! Please, say something! Anything!" She lightly shook her sister as she lay motionless. "Lightning!"
No response.
Snow stood. He started for Cladis. "You bastard!" Snow readied himself to punch him, but was stopped by Cladis holding the Crystal fragment to him. Snow growled as he fell down to his knees. Cladis delivered a hard kick to Snow's chest, sending him flying several feet back. Cladis turned back to Lightning and Serah. "Now," He said, "Why don't I finish this properly?" Cladis approached Lightning and Serah. He began to raise his sword to issue the final blow. Serah shrieked and covered her sister with her body. Lucky for her, Fang moved over to block his blade just in time. "Let's not be too hasty now," She said, a slight grin tugging at her lips.
Cladis used the Crystal to weaken her again. Fang's strength faded as the pain flew through her body, especially her right shoulder. She could feel her spear slipping. When the force from her lance was released, Cladis slashed it back, cutting a deep gash into her right shoulder. Fang stumbled back, catching her balance by leaning on her spear. Cladis wore a smile now. "Looks like I win this match."
Fang responded while flipping her spear into her left hand, "Not exactly. You have to be a little ambidextrous to wield a lance." Her shoulder dripped red liquid down her torso, arm, and legs. "I may not be able to use my arm, but can still fight."
Vanille ran up beside her. "I will too!"
Sazh came next to Vanille, "We all can." Hope and Snow joined them. Cent walked over. "And I can't leave the youngsters to do all the work." Prompto moved over to them as well, loading his shotgun. Gladiolus and Ignis became part of the group shortly. Noctis, however, went past them to Serah and Lightning. He knelt down beside them. He whispered to Serah in a shaky voice, still in shock of Lightning's state, "Don't worry, I can help her."
Serah stared at him. That voice... Serah asked, "Are you Noctis? The one who took care of my sister?"
Noctis nodded. "Yes, and I can still save her. I just—"
"I wouldn't count on that," Cladis interrupted.
Cent challenged, "What makes you think so?" He didn't know if Noctis could really save her. All he knew was that Lightning trusted Noctis. Therefore, he was an ally in his book.
Cladis snickered. "Isn't it obvious? I hold in my hand a piece of the final Crystal. If I can concentrate enough, I can manipulate its powers. For example..." With a flash, Cladis was gone in milliseconds.
Noctis didn't wonder where he went like the others did. He knew exactly what was going to happen. Noctis quickly turned around, summoning three blades. They appeared in front of him, forming an X cut in half, somewhat like an asterisk. They collided with Cladis' blade. He used the Crystal's power to teleport, just as Noctis could.
Cladis said, "Well played, my prince."
The others stood in shock. All but Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus, who had witnessed Noctis' power before, was surprised that he knew exactly what Cladis was going to do. Cladis told Noctis in a mocking tone, "Now why don't you step aside and let me end this weakling's life?" He nodded to Lightning. She was losing blood fast. Noctis was running out of time to heal her.
Noctis, outraged by Cladis' insult to Lightning, growled, "You will never touch her!"
"Oh really? Why is it you care so much? You look angry for my insult towards this pitiful L'Cie." Noctis didn't answer. Realization came over Lightning's friends' faces. Snow thought, Does he...have feelings for Light?

Cladis finally said, "Ah! I see. You've gotten a soft spot for this one, haven't you?" Noctis continued the silence. Cladis burst out into laughter. "This is rich! When did this become some soap opera?" Noctis's blood began to boil. He knew he loved Lightning. He needed her. He couldn't live without her. Those feelings were accompanied by his wanting of her safety and happiness. If this bastard was going to endanger either one of those things, Noctis swore he would slice him to bits. He already planned to for what he did.