The sun crept out of the shadows as it had done for hundreds of years. The start of life had found it's beginning and it's end as it had done for centuries before this one. Lightning walked up to the crystals and placed her hand upon them.

"We are powerless now."

She looked back at Hope, who at this time had grown into a man. He was no longer a little boy, his features had developed into the masculinity that can never be enjoyed by youth completely. Hope looked up at the crystals and grabbed Lightning's hand. The sight of the crystals made them both wince.

"We will find a way."

Lightning looked at Hope and smiled slightly, the same smile he had enjoyed since his youth. The sun was setting by this time and the two sat on a ledge that had become cracked and broken throughout the years.

"We must defeat the gods."

Hope threw a sharp glance at Lightning and knew that her words were final. He let go of her hand ,got up, and walked up to the crystal structure. The blue radiated from his face and sharpened his handsome features.

"We don't have to. Life can be simple if we leave things alone. I know you don't like it when I say this but... I will always take care of you."

Upon those words she quickly jumped up from her position and walked towards the crystal... the only remnants of Fang and Vanille that still existed in the world; the sacrifice and their union. She closed her eyes for a few minutes and then turned to him with eyes full of tears.

"I can't sleep. Even when you're with me I can't sleep. They haunt me. I must help them."

Upon hearing her speak, Hope walked over to Lightning. He too had had the dreams, he had felt the guilt. Both he and Lightning knew that they should find a way to free their friends from the bondage that might hold them for eternity.

"I know. I have had the same dreams. I always thought they would end up together, but not like this."

Lightning felt her stomach become uneasy. She slowly dropped to her knees as the night breeze started to dominate the air. It blew through her hair and she gasped at the feeling. Hope crept down to her position and brushed the wind blown hair from her face...and upon success put his arm around her. With their heads rested against one another they finally saw the glow of the crystals as the day gave into night.