Shadow of Corruption(Yuna)

[Caius Ballad]

Theme for this post: New Bodhum-FF XIII-2 OST

It was your typical day here in New Bodhum. The sun was shining high in the sky while children running around the beach playing. The sound of the calm ocean waves as well as the salty breeze of the beach brought a rather calming effect upon the entire area. While small, it was obvious this place was a bustling town full of happiness and brought a spark of a new hope to its every day citizens..and even those who passed through occasionally. NORA members patrolled the beaches, weapons in hand to protect against the occasional Lobo or other fiend. All in all, one would definitely feel safe and relaxed here.

High above from a nearby cliff, Caius stood watching the citizens go about their daily lives. His violet gaze never once left the scene before him, causing jealousy and anger to begin to slowly spark. It just wasn't fair. Why should these people get to live a normal and happy life? Why should they get to live and enjoy being able to have children and grandchildren of their own when Yeul died at fifteen each and every reincarnation? It wasn't right at all. A scowl appeared on his face for the briefest of moments as both hands clenched into fists and unclenched repeatedly. It'd be so easy to bring ruin and terror to this town. The skies would grow black with the smoke he'd leave in his wake as the bodies piled up, each and every house crumbling into dust as flames littered the entire area.

It'd be so easy...yet for some reason he couldn't figure out why he couldn't bring himself to do it. There was a new feeling here....something deep within telling him that the Historia Crux had brought him here for a reason. But what? Serah and Noel weren't anywhere to be seen and Lightning was still crystallized as far as he knew. But why here? Why the new hometown of Serah? It just didn't make sense. Slowly he shook his head, leaping from his perch on the nearby cliff and landing upon the soft sands of the nearby beach, making his way through the gate NORA guarded, ignoring the weird looks he got. Instead he made his way towards the calm waters of the ocean, gazing out over the horizon.

[Yuna]

TAGGED: CaiusWORDS

[/color]600 --STATUS Finished[/div]

The day was sublime. Little kids were out playing everywhere. And the guards controlled and patrolled around the area to keep the monsters at bay. Yuna remembered the first time she was there, she had to take on some lizard monsters. Lately, it seemed that the stronger the monsters were, the more they wanted to migrate to New Bodhum. Not that, that bothered her. She just had to usually kill the lot of them before they ran rampant in the village destroying everything. She had help in the form of the guards. But even they weren't so strong. Yuna at least knew what she was doing. She had been drawaing attention from a lot of people all over, she had started to notice. More and more villagers had been coming up to her. Not nearly as many as in Spira. But it still was enough to be noticed.

Yuna scanned the horizon. It really was a beautiful day outside. A little boy fell in front of her and skinned his knee. He started by bursting into tears, shedding big crocodile tears. "Poor little guy.Let me see, I can help you." Smiled, and the the boy slowly crawled into Yuna's lap, after he figured that she was the doctor. A soft green glow swarmed the lower portion of her extremities. She kneeled down to cradle the boy, to put the healing magic into him. He smiled brightly as he felt his body healing. He was exciting. She knew what was coming. "Can we do that agan?" He said excitedly.

"You, don't need another one! Go on and play!" She said with a small laugh. Yuna pushed up and went back onto her feet. She was wearin her gunner outfit. pink hoodie, white croppeed top, a symbol wearing around her neck, the Zanarkand Abe, a short skirt, with a long blueish skirt hung wistfully against the side of her hip.Her brown locks flipped outwards, to be more like Tidus's hair style. Speaking of which. He was being a late sleeper today.

Looking back at the small place where he was still at, more than likely; It was way smaller than she had first remembered. She rubbed her temples slowly, adding a small amount of pressure to it.Yuna was of course very good at picking out the things that don't belong. There was something about the man who staring out into the ocean that irked her. The way his brows furrowed, he seemed like he was thinking about things that Yuna wouldn't agree with. She just watched for now. She didn't need to know exactly what was going on. As long as things stayed under control. She felt responsible for New Bodhum. It was too much like Besaid to her. She couldn't let anything happen to the place she was watching. She advanced towrds the man but stilll kept her distance. She just wanted to watch. And make sure the people were safe. She hoped nothing too drastic would hapen if anything at all

YOU PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, AND I'M HOME!

thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

[/div][/center]

[Caius Ballad]

Caius wasn't exactly planning to do anything to this town. As much as he would love to leave such a happy place lying in ruin, it would draw too much attention towards him if he were to start striking now. His message to Lightning and her friends would have to wait, as they would likely immediately start suspecting him if anything went wrong. That, or if their intelligence proved feeble they'd assume a new fiend had found its home near theirs and start a hunt. Either way, the Immortal Guardian needed to buy some time. Perhaps even amass his own little group to help take on any who would dare oppose him.

A small grin appeared on his lips as he felt eyes upon him. One didn't live for centuries as a guardian without learning to trust his instincts on when he was being watched. "You can relax. I'm not here to cause any trouble." he said as he turned around to face the woman behind him and giving her a quick once over with that violet gaze of his. One didn't have to be a seasoned warrior to tell this one had seen much battle in her time, as well as her own fair share of suffering. The way she carried herself..it practically radiated strength and sadness....something the Immortal Guardian could play off of.

"Tell me what is your name?" he asked curiously as he began to formulate a plan in his mind. She could prove useful, especially if he was right about reading her. Naturally of course he was still human and could be wrong about her entirely as he made his silent assumptions...but it would still be worth the test. "What brings you here? Is it the yearning for a new beginning? Or are you searching for answers?"

[Yuna]

TAGGED: CaiusWORDS --STATUS Finished

Yuna's unusual eyes stared at his as he moved closer towards her. Her instincts seemed to be somewhat correct. At least tracking in his movements. "But don't you just look the type that would flash neon over your head and that said, Villian." She said with a wry chuckle. She didn't take most things of that nature too seriously. Her one emerald eye, the other sapphire one twinkled slightly as she captured his gaze again, her eyes slightly narrowed. Her soft pouty lips turned down into a small pout. What was this angle now..

"I am Yuna. And who might you be?" She queried right back. Two could play at that game. Hopefully, something useful would pop up. Then the last question he muttered sounded a bit muted, and she tightened her fists slowly. "I am here to get answers. I want my home and my people back. But that's just my personal goal." She folded her arms around her chest. She stared at him for a long moment. "What are you doing here in this place?" She stiffened. She didn't know what to think of him. He seemed like a villian that was even wearing something that villains would wear. But he wasn't half bad. Was she just judging his cover. She wasn't going to let him slip by without knowing. She wouldn't let anyone be put in danger. Not here at least. Not while she was here. She felt responsible. And it was taking its toll on her.

"You must be from this place. Aren't you? Your clothes look similar to most of the other civilian's. Where as mine.. Is what I know. What are you doing up here stalking all creepy like?" She couldn't help, it was just her nature to get to the bottom of things. She just felt like she was going to be constantly looking for answers her whole life. Getting some answers would be some kind of fresh release for her. Even if they were just answers from a strange man who may or may not be up to something sinister. She was okay with stopping some kind of foolery like that. Indeed.

YOU PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, AND I'M HOME!

thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

[Caius Ballad]

Caius took note of her unusual dual colored eyes, however wouldn't judge. After all..how many people really had violet colored eyes? No instead he just listened to her carefully, body remaining calm and relaxed partially due to the soothing sound of the ocean behind him. A ghost of a smirk lightly curled from the corner of his lips as she mentioned he just seemed to look the part of a "villain." "There are truly no villains when one thinks of it Yuna." he said as he addressed her by name. "What right does one have to call anybody a villain when they know not what one fights for. It could be to save someone or for a loved one."

Of course, she wouldn't know he was really a villain in the eyes of the people of Gran Pulse. At least he hoped she wouldn't...especially considering it was his own fault the Chaos crept through the land like it did, consuming all that crossed its path. "My name is Caius Ballad, Guardian of the Timeline and protector to the Seeress Yeul." A small bow was offered her way out of sheer politeness, though it was simply for appearances as well. "I am a native to this world, though I have seen its suffering more than I've seen it prosper. I am here because like you I too seek answers to questions unanswered."

Slowly he turned his back to her for just a moment, allowing his gaze to linger upon the view of the ocean, contemplating his next move carefully. She seemed the type willing to do anything to protect others, the way she carried herself suggested that much. But would she be easily swayed? Well there was only one way to find out. "The question I seek answer to is this. How do you save one you care most deeply for, when the one who makes her suffer so is a Divine being?" Slowly he turned his head in her direction, gazing upon her from the corner of his eye. "Have you ever sought the answer to a question like that? Have you ever had someone so close to you that you would do absolutely anything for to save?"

[Yuna]

TAGGED: CaiusWORDS --STATUS Finished

She sighed at his words. Surely, he jested. "Well, then I suppose you've never seen such evil like I have seen. The evil you speak of, sound like puppy dogs. The evil villianry I speak of, are undaunting and unrelenting. Doing it soley for the purpose of themselves. Who else would create a monster whose whole purpose is to cause destruction across the entire world, killing people like they meant nothing to their families, or the people who loved them. And you don't believe in Villianry. You are either delusional, Caius. Or a really bad actor." A small scowl pursed on her lips. "I only know what I have seen. Not on this Gran Pulse. Perhaps the villians are little fluffy bunnies.. but I highly doubt it." She ended with a soft purr, she knew she was being quite cocky. But she didn't really care at the moment.

"A divine being.. This world is so strange. The only 'Divine' beings I know. Are my Aeons.. and most of those I lost here." She said clenching her teeth. "You can't sacrifice one for a many. Its not right. But I suppose how deep your conviction really runs. It's never unheard of though. The divine hurting people." Her eyes slowly darkened, as did her scowl. "Perhaps it isn't so different here." She folded her arms over her chest, and she gazed slowly off at the ocean waves. It always did have a calming effect on her. She didn't mind that at all.

"What makes you think that I have not already gone down that road and saved the most important person in my life from the clutches of impending doom. Only my situation, was a bit more... dire." She said quietly, steadily. Her voice didn't waver. "Nothing has ever stopped me. Not when I am trying to do something. It's just how it is." Her shoulders rose and fell. Yuna's determination usually overwhelmed her need to protect. She knew the people of her world would understand the threat of Sin. "I would do it all over again, without thinking also. If that's what needed to happen." She was a very driven young woman, just not usually one to give into evil like it was easily deemed. Yuna didn't think the things she did, destroying Sin, was something bad. It had to be done for the sake of the people after all. But here, what was she fighting for. To get back home. "I just want to get back home. Those are the answers I want."

YOU PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, AND I'M HOME!

thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

[Caius Ballad]

Caius actually grinned a little at Yuna's response to his words. "Beautiful and wise beyond your years." he stated before folding both arms in front of his chest and growing quiet for a moment. His gaze lingered back to the ocean as he thought silently to himself, actually mulling over the summoner's words. A gentle passing breeze caused a few strands of purple hair to move softly in its path for the briefest of moments before it subsided. Finally, he turned to face her, his gaze filled with both sadness and grief.

"Villainy and evil have many faces here Yuna..as you will soon come to understand." he began. Slowly his gaze drifted towards the ground, body shaking as he tried to suppress his anger towards Etro before continuing his tale. "You want to know who the villains here in Pulse are? The true villain is the Goddess Etro." A scowl which he didn't even bother trying to hide manifested on his face then, the name practically laced with venom as he spoke it. "She claims to be a caring goddess who gives her gifts to help the people. However that is all false."

Pausing momentarily, he sighed as he called upon the memory of each and every Yeul he had guarded past and present. How they looked the same, yet were different. One loved flowers..while another loved to draw. One smiled constantly, while another kept to herself. A tear slowly formed in the corner of his eye, slowly leaving a trail as it ran down his cheek. He wasn't sure why, but there was just something about Yuna that he couldn't help but open up the old wounds a little more than he meant to. "There is one....who Etro passed her gift of future sight onto many ages ago. This girl was titled the seeress by the people of her home, yet her real name was Yeul. She would bring visions of the future to the citizens..aiding them in life. However these visions came at a cost."

Shivering slightly, his arms uncrossed from his chest as shivering turned to trembling, both hands clenching into fists. "Yeul is destined to die upon the age of fifteen and reincarnated not long after each and every cycle. Yet despite her reincarnation..she is forced to deal with the horrible truth over and over and over in her lifetime. She will never know true happiness, never get to have a family of her own. She is forced to watch as others get what she can't have. It isn't fair." Slowly he tilted his head up, gazing upon Yuna for a moment, actually allowing himself to reveal his slight vulnerability and soft spot for the young seeress. "Is it so wrong that I seek to stop Etro from continuing to pass this so called gift along? Is it that wrong I wish to bring complete and total happiness to one girl, so that she can experience the joys of a family of her own? That is the true face of evil...the true villain. Taking life before it has even begun."

[Yuna]

TAGGED: Caius WORDS 550--STATUS Finished

The look on Caius's face was one of pure pain. She wanted to take him in and create solace for him. She bit her lip, and mulled it over. Of course she knew.. "Villainy can come in the most innocent of sources." She murmured in agreement. She turned towards him slowly. "The Goddess Etro... I am afraid I am too unfamiliar with this world yet.. Who is this Goddess? Is she truly that, or is she just a human playing a fools game." She folded her arms around herself slowly. She knew people like this.. "Gifts. What do you mean she grants them.. gifts. That sounds.. strange in itself." She lightly scratched the back of her head.

There was obviously pain behind those violet eyes. But she just still couldn't get a grasp on him. She didn't know why alarm bells were ringing in her head. But she felt the need to help him. It was a battle within herself. When he spoke of Yeul. Her heart felt like it was breaking. She couldn't imagine living life like that. When she went on her Pilgrimage, she knew she would die at the end. But her Guardian's saved her from that fate. Is this what this was? A guardian saving his seeress. She didn't think she could do anything to stop it. She brushed away the unshed tears that were building up at his story. She clenched her fists. "Why would someone do that to someone so young.. Do her visions stop at 15 so she is not 'useful' anymore." She hissed slowly and bit down on her lip again.

She sighed softly, and shook her head. "Yes but how many innocents get slaughtered in your path of righteousness. I have to be the other side. It is.. beyond terrible, what is happening to this young girl. But I have lived for my people my whole life.. I can't change myself over night to save one girl.. Though I want to. I can't let you hurt innocent people on your path to destroy the Goddess. I have learned that higher power is usually very highly guarded. And people will die. What about those people? The one's that get slaughtered by doing their job. I agree she should be stopped..." She sighed, running her hands angrily through her hair. "What is it you want from me though? What do you think I can do for you." She looked at him a bit skeptically. "Where does this.. Etro live." She said narrowing her eyes slightly. Even thought she wanted to save the people, she did believe that Etro shouldn't be making pawns of people. She wondered what other gifts she had bestowed upon people. Bad omens.

YOU PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, AND I'M HOME!

thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

[Caius Ballad]

Caius sighed then, trying his best to remain patient as Yuna inquired about Etro. It was increasingly difficult to deal with those not from Pulse, especially when it came to Pulse history and deities. However if he was to play his part right he was going to have to bear with her questions and keep his temper in check. "Etro is in fact a Goddess. She claims to be kind and compassionate, even going so far as to save L'Cie from their fate from the Fal'Cie or even giving one immortality only for them to watch their loved ones die repeatedly. Each gift she brings.....she brings ruin and death with it over time."

Caius paused for a moment, allowing Yuna time to let that little tidbit sink in. He would rather not go all the way into Fabula Nova Crystallis mythos, yet would if need be. "Etro resides in a realm not accessible to everyone known as Valhalla. I can bring you there if you wish. But you will need to stay close if you choose to go seeking her out yourself." The next question Yuna asked made him pause. The immortal guardian didn't exactly count on her asking about what would happen to those that served her or those that would get caught in the crossfire. But of course, he had an answer for her already....one that would hopefully do when it came to her question.

"That is of no concern here. Etro has only one guardian in the realm of Valhalla with her. One cannot simply die in Valhalla either as time stands still there. In order to confront Etro herself you have to slip past her guardian." Hopefully that eased Yuna's mind about the death of innocents. If it didn't well then the Guardian would likely have to seek aid elsewhere. "What I need from you Yuna? I can't make you do. That Seeress I spoke of, needs more than just one Guardian. I'd ask of you to protect her if something were to happen to me. It is a great honor to be asked to do this."

[Yuna]

TAGGED: Caius WORDS 398--STATUS Finished

Yuna wasn't very many things, but what she lacked, she made up for knowing people. She could see the flicker off irritation pass his eyes. "Maybe you've got the wrong girl." She said starting to walk away, waving her hand behind her. As she still sauntered away, she spoke. "So basically, the goddess is doing something bad. Yadda yadda. I don't think I am interested. Regardless of how 'special' this mission may be. It sounds like a bunch of chocobo poopie." She shrugged her shoulders, Yuna wasn't really one to say derogatory things. So she just didn't.

She stopped walking momentarily, and listened closer. "So basically you need someone you can sacrifice to get your girl out? Is that about how it plays out? How many scenarios have I been in that have turned so wrong because of that." She shook her blunt chocolate locks, she twirled the end of her braid within her finger tips. She sighed.

"And this "guardian" what kind of monster is this?" She asked softly. She just wanted to know the rules before she so eagerly accepted his plee. She didn't trust him. It was obvious that is was hard to train someone who wasn't around here. But then again, Yuna was no weakling either. She was strong, powerful, and very well determined. "I'm going to have to run this by somebody... Before I can completely agree with. Can you meet me here in the morning. I can have my answer by then." She said quietly, her head folded down. No matter how much of a suicide mission this might be. She couldn't let some innocent girl die just because. it wasn't in her genes. She just couldn't. "What do you say?"

YOU PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME, AND I'M HOME!

thereisalieinperfection @ CAUTION 2.0

[Caius Ballad]

So here they were. Caius had told her what he needed, and naturally of course it would be only natural for Yuna to need to let everything sit and mull it over in her mind. He wasn't going to force her to do anything. No, if she refused he'd simply do what he always did and work alone in his mission. All honesty his plan for her didn't involve Etro. No, as far as he knew she was dead and gone..especially considering the fact the chaos had spread and now seemed to be infecting the world.

Yuna, was proving to be harder to switch over the more this conversation dragged on. It was challenging, something Caius loved and it only drove him to further see how far into corruption he could bring her. It sounds farfetched..I'm fully aware of this." he began slowly. "But I believe I have the right person for the job. I've been in countless battles, faced dangers most would cower and flee from. I see the look of a warrior in your eyes Yuna." It wasn't a lie. Caius was usually a very good judge of a person's strength. After all, he felt one like Noel was more than old enough to take on the mantle of guardian.

"The Guardian to the Seeress Yeul is no monster. You simply protect a girl who's powers go misunderstood by some despite the fact they are more a curse than a gift. If you see battle, it is because Yeul herself is in danger that is all. It could be from fiends, or a fool assassin." Surprise appeared on his features for just the briefest of moments as she suggested she needed to discuss this with someone, however this could also work to his advantage. Nodding slowly in understanding he spoke once more. "Discuss this with who you need to. I shall meet you here at this spot tomorrow with your decision."