Note: EVERYTHING belongs to Square Enix.

AN: So didn't get this out Friday like planned due to computer issues that caused me to have to rewrite the whole chapter. I am very sorry for the late update. Please enjoy.

Chapter two "Remnants."

"I ventured through the wilderness, curious of how I survived, how I even existed in a world without time, life or death. I couldn't find Mog, or Hope, not even Sazh. I was alone in this world, lost in the memory of Serah dying, and how I made her death meaningless with my mistake. Then, just as I was about to give up, I met a girl I had heard so much about- Vanille. She was lost and alone, barely woken from her crystal prison. She was searching for her friends with confidence, even when I tried explaining what had happened she still held hope that they were alright…in a sense she reminded me of Yeul."

-Noel Kriess

The young hunter nearly collapsed, as he sat upon the hard crackled dirt of Gran Pulse. He had walked for what felt like an eternity; his feet hurt, and his head ached with a persistent pain, but what drained him most was after effects of the final showdown between Caius, and the painful memories that followed. How could things have gone so wrong? How could he have been so blinded by Caius's true methods of killing the Goddess Etro? With one careless action with the blade, he single handedly destroyed the timeline, and the efforts of everyone who tried to save it: Lightning, Hope, Snow, and everyone who tried to help- especially Serah.

"We can rest here for a while, if you like."

Noel looked up at the smiling Pulsian; he couldn't understand how she could smile in their situation, but he mainly couldn't see how she still held onto a small glimmer of hope that the others were doing fine. The others should've perished when Chaos had broken free, and the chances of finding any alive were slim to none. Then again, he survived, and he did find her through this hell.

At that time, he had been wondering endlessly through the outlands of Valhalla, or better yet, the remains of Gran Pulse. He found nothing, but a world empty of time and life or death; he found only bare grounds, and dried lakes- no signs of danger, no signs of a friendly face. The skies were even more depressing with its never changing ominous clouds of Valhalla, and then there was Bhunivelze looming in the sky, dark and shrouded in what looked to be the remaining Chaos. It served as a grim reminder of how close they had came to achieving a better future, only to fail at the hands of Caius, no, his hands. Noel had nearly given up, until he noticed a woman in the distance.

She had looked lost, and confused, but a smile had appeared on her face once she spotted him. The orange haired woman had started to run towards him with her arms outstretched, and without a single question, she wrapped them around his waist tightly, burying her face into his chest. The embrace had shocked him tremendously to the point were the only response he could give to the sudden gesture was to wrap his own arms around her. A long silence followed, before he heard her gentle whisper her name- Vanille.

"No, we have to keep moving- Valhalla isn't to far away." Noel stood to his feet; seeing her confusion, he pointed to Bhunivelze, "See that? The closer we get to the new Cocoon, the closer we get to Valhalla."

It hadn't taken long after they met for them to come to the conclusion that Valhalla was the place they needed to be; Vanille had heard Serah's voice through her crystal slumber, and was positive that Fang, Hope, Sazh, and even Snow had heard her final wish- they all needed to find Lightning. Valhalla was a reasonable starting spot considering Lightning was last seen there trying to protect the Goddess. Noel had his doubts though, maybe Caius had been telling the truth about killing her- No he couldn't have.

Vanille gazed sadly at the floating colony, "You said that it was supposed to be our new home?"

"Yea and maybe it might still be if we find Lightning."

"I hope so, after all you did say everyone worked real hard to get it into the sky." Her smile returned as she started to run a head, "Come on! Let's go!"

"H-hey! Wait up!" Noel started running after the orange haired beauty, amazed at her enthusiasm.

They hadn't run for long before Vanille came to a quick and unexpected halt that nearly caused him to run over gave her a questioning look, but saw the slight fear that engulfed her beautiful green eyes. Looking forward, Noel understood her actions perfectly well- what looked to be small white crystal particles started to appear out of thin air into what he thought resembled a giant glistering cloud . It was a unique, and breathe taking sight, but he knew it meant danger, he could feel it; grabbing Vanille's hand, he sprinted in the opposite direction, hoping to out run the crystal dust that spread at a rapid pace, but his attempt proved futile. The wind had become strong, allowing the crystals to catch them with ease. Noel needed to think fast.

"Close your eyes!" He screamed over the roaring winds.

"Okay!"

Pulling her into a tight embrace, determined to not to lose her; she had hugged him back as hard as she could, and even hid her face within his chest once again, as the storm surrounded them. The force of the winds caused them to fall to their knees, still holding each other with no intention of letting the other go. They were entirely submerged by the crystal cloud with all its might as it soared around them. It was terrifying to Noel, and most defiantly Vanille, but they held onto hope that they would survive this phenomenon. Then a miracle happened- the winds died completely. Their bodies had become stable, and there was a long silence, but they hadn't dared opened their eyes.

Noel only listened to his surroundings, hearing nothing until he heard the all too familiar sound- 'Kweh!' Immediately opening his eyes, the young hunter was dumbfounded with the sights around him; the dead, barren world that he and Vanille were wondering though was no more, but rather alive and full of life. The plains they were traveling through was covered in wild grass, and massive plant life that grew by the cliffs and mountains, herds of wild monsters flocked to the watering holes, and hunting each other. What shocked him more was what he saw in the now clear sunny sky- a floating Cocoon!

Noel hadn't noticed Vanille open her eyes and staring at the floating colony, "Is that…Cocoon?"

"I think so." Was all he could say- that shouldn't be possible!

"Noel? I think it's save to let me go now."

He looked back at her, and then at his arms still wrapped around her, "Right, sorry." With a hint of embarrassment in his voice, he removed his arms from her shoulders, and took her hands, to pull her to her feet as he stood," Up we go."

"Thanks." She grinned and looked around her surroundings, "I think we are in the Central Expanse of the Archylte Steppe."

"Yea, okay, but that doesn't make sense."

"Could those crystals had taken us to the past?"

Noel shook his head no. That couldn't have made sense, considering Caius erased the past, and all of time. Yet, how were they looking at Cocoon up in the air? Was this a possible illusion? He mentally kicked himself for not knowing the answers. The young man then felt Vanille rest her hand on his shoulder, and looked down at her face to see she was giving him a reassuring smile, "We'll figure it out."

With a small sigh, Noel looked from her, and looked back at Cocoon, "Nothing makes sense anymore."

"Doesn't mean we give up hope. Come on, let's look around."

Noel tried to speak again but found himself lost for words as he saw a group of Chocobos racing towards them, with what looked to be people. Vanille saw it to, and looked even more shocked than he had, "Oerbain Riders!"

"What?"

Noel didn't receive an answer from her, but he was sure to get one as the three Riders pulled the giant birds' reigns, that forced the birds to stop around him and Vanille. He thought they wore garments similar to that of the Hunters Serah and he had encountered upon their journey. One of the Riders, an older well built man, glared down at the two, spitting to the side; he was intimidating to say the least, with his face baring two large scars that looked to be done by a monster of some sort, it may have even caused the blindness in his right eye. His unshaved beard was grey along with his untamed long hair, making him look much older than what he really was. Noel took careful note of the large blood stained battle ax that rested against this man's back by a strap, but he couldn't help but notice that L'cie brand that rested just under the male's collar bone.

"What are a bunch of runts doing out in the wild lands?" He barked his accent similar to Vanille's, only more brutal, "You wanna be killed?"

"Well, you see-"

"Out with it, child!" The only female Rider hissed. She was gorgeous with flowing ruby hair, and deep blue eyes, but she also looked fit with a tall athletic frame- clearly a woman who could take care of herself.

"We got lost." Noel interjected, giving Vanille a smile, "Been lost for a while now."

Noel watched the younger Rider stare suspiciously, his hazel eyes scanning over him quickly, but took his time with Vanille, "Oh really? You mean to tell me you came all this way with a young lady without a Chocobo?"

Vanille gave a little giggle, catching onto Noel's lie, "Course not, silly. You see, our Chocobo got spooked by a passing creature, and well, ran off."

"Doesn't seem like a well trained Chocobo." The female said, then gave Noel a disproving look, "As a man, you should know how to handle the beast."

The other male chuckled, and playfully smirked at Noel, "Don't mind Nixa, she's as beautiful as a flower, but with a temper of a Behemoth."

"What did you say, you little worm?"

"Enough!" Yelled the Elder man, and the other two instantly fell silent. No doubt he was the leader of the pack, "Now…we're on our way to the city of Paddra to deliver a message, would you two like join us?"

Noel and Vanille gave each other quick looks, trying to determine the best move, but they had little choice. Nodding back at the leader, Noel held out his hand to the L'cie, but slowly retracted it when the older man didn't take it, "Noel Kriess, and this is- "

"Oerba Dia Vanille." She interrupted, but almost regretted it when the Riders gave each other strange looks, then looked back at her.

"I have never heard of you back in the village." The leader raised an eyebrow, and stared at her.

"Forgive her, she wishes to denounce her hometown and become apart of the Oerbain people." Noel prayed that they would accept his lie, and to his great relieve they seemed to relax.

"The village of Oerba is a beautiful place, I am sure you both will love it there." The younger one said proudly, "Speaking of which, my name is Cadeau Li Oerba."

"Nixa Muen Oerba."

The leader gave a nod, "Hector kai Oerba."

"Thank you, Hector, for letting us join you." Noel bowed his head out of respect, and raised it again at the man's grunt of approval.

"You can ride with me." Cadeau held his hand out to Vanille, who willingly took it; he smiled at her and proceeded to pull her up upon the Chocobo, "Just make sure to hold onto my waist once we take off."

"Got it."

Noel looked at the remaining two, hoping he wouldn't have to ride with the ax wielding Hector. He had no problem with the man, it was just, an aura that led him to believe the man was antisocial. Luckily, Nixa nodded behind her, motioning for him to hop on to her Chocobo, which he did gratefully.

"If you still plan on going to Oerba, stick with us at Paddra." Hector ordered, before kicking the Chocobo's side, making it give a 'Kweh' as it speed off. Noel grabbed onto Nixa's waist as she and Cadeau did the same with their Chocobos.

As they sped through the Pulsian wilderness, Noel felt even more confused; it didn't make sense that they were there, it didn't make sense that they were even talking to people, and seeing Cocoon in the sky. He wasn't drawing any straws to this puzzle. Maybe he would find some answers in Paddra, maybe he would even find a Yeul.

"Nothing makes sense anymore- there's only confusion in this world, and more questions. Serah…I wish you could talk to me…you were one of my few friends."

-Noel Kriess

AN: So I love cliff hangers, don't you? Anyway, I hopped you guys enjoyed reading even though I was EXTREMELY late in delivering this to you folks. Working on the next chapter now, so it should be around real soon. Thanks for reading!