A/N: *Peeks through the bushes* So. I'm here again. Somehow. I seem to can't leave this place. Strange. Since I'm here again, I have a story for y'all. It's from a dream so bear with me; it's a little fragmented. I only saw so much before I can render it into words. Also, I will be x-posting this on my website as well, coz why not? I want to have an archive of written works.

Also, if you feel that the chapter feels 'fragmented', it's because I lost concentration along the way and with it, the scenes. Boo.

(I wonder who still reads this, lol?)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Summary: AU - Fall into a fantasy soaked in blood shed by those who wished to stand victorious over their nemesis. Who will be the one to break the cycle of war? The Valkyrie or the timeless demon?


The Bleeding Darkness in Me (Part 1)

A war of a thousand years ended upon the stroke of dawn. Two armies drenched in blood fall lifelessly onto Valhalla's rolling shores poisoning the water into a deadly shade of crimson. One side was commanded by an angel blessed with a fiery temper. The other side was pioneered by a demon with a silent, yet deadly demeanor. The two sides clashed over the centuries and not once did their determination falter. Lightning breathed through her teeth with eyes locked onto the pinned demon in the sand. Her grip tightened around the cracked sword, Overture, with its tip half submerged in her nemesis's exposed neck. He grinned.

The waves around them continued to roll. A sweat bead raced down the Valkyrie's face. A string of blood escaped her cut lip. A droplet fell onto one of the cracks on her glaive. Another fell right on the demon's face. Lightning tasted victory; it was in the palm of her hand and she would do anything to grasp it. Just one more push and he'd be done for. One more push. Could it be done? This was a scene she acted out many times; she'd stand victorious over him, hitherto he'd always gain the upper hand. Always. No. Not this time. This time, she will emerge as the victor and put and end to this senseless conflict. Her mind throbbed. Her body ached. There was blood on her hands. He needed to die.

"This is the end, Caius," Lightning thinned her gaze, wanting nothing more than to sever his spine.

"Is it?" he responded coolly. He didn't seem alarmed by the sole fact his life was about to end. Truly, he cared little for his predicament.

"What will it take for you to die?" she snapped. "I've done everything. Everything! Why won't you yield?!"

Caius chuckled and felt the sword slide deeper into his neck. More blood gushed out into the sea. "I yield to no one. Not even death's calls."

The timeless warrior's hand rose and seized the Valkyrie's whittled sword. Ever so calmly, he effortlessly pushed the blade out of his bleeding neck. Lightning's eyes widened in disbelief. How? How could he possibly stand on his two feet when his head was about to roll off his shoulders? A snap echoed. Caius languidly snapped Overture in half and meaninglessly flung it into the ocean. Overture was nothing more than a child's toy in his mind. Lightning ground her teeth. She was ready for a spell. Sparks flickered around her fingertips, ready to strike, to maim, and to kill. Caius gracefully snatched her, spun her around, and caged her in with his arms. He didn't do it out of affection for the knight; he did it merely annoy her.

The blood from his neck decorated her pink hair and armor black. He leaned closer and sounded a snarl beside her ear. Once again, he invaded her personal space without permission. When will he ever learn?

"Again?" she growled.

"Why must we fight?" he whispered, wiping away her pink bangs. "What do we get out of it?"

"You need to die." Lightning firmly answered. Was it not obvious? "You're the spawn of Chaos. You're single-handedly responsible for almost driving humanity to extinction. I can't allow that."

"Then we call a truce," Caius suggested.

The Valkyrie ceased moving. "A truce?"

"We could end this conflict here and now."

His proposition intrigued her. No one else needed to die. Was it that easy? Was agreeing to his terms that simple? Perhaps, not really, she mused. She knew what made the demon tick; when Caius demanded something, he'd always desire something in exchange. Something of exceeding or equal value. Lightning knew he hid something up his sleeve. However, what if. What if she agreed to his terms for the sake of humanity? Her friends? The goddess? A plan brewed in the back of her mind. She plotted ways to gain the upper hand. And, she did. Her body relaxed. He noticed. Caius's arms melted off her. He stepped back, skimming the warrior from head to toe. Even with shattered armor, tattered fabric, and cuts strewn on her once pristine skin, Lightning appeared godly.

Delicious.

Wouldn't it be nice to eat her alive? The pink-haired maiden twirled around with burning determination in her eyes. On cue, the clouds parted, and shone their light on her. He admired her valor, even when she's stained in blood and bruises. It is without question why Lightning was Etro's righthand for many millennia.

"I agree to a truce," she stated confidently. A small breeze slipped between them. Lightning's feathered garb swayed slightly.

"Then a truce it is," Caius said. "This war is no more."

It's over. The war was over, but there remains unfinished business. During the fighting, Caius's army captured high rank angels; Serah, Hope, Snow, and Sazh. These people were her friends. Lightning knew if she didn't act quickly, they'd be thrown into a pit of demons and torn apart alive. Demons loved feasting on angels, especially high rank angels. These fiends believed if one feasted on a pure angel, their powers would increase two-fold and gain the ability to shapeshift into anything they wished. They even believed they could be blessed with immortality!

No matter how powered an angel might be, her friends wouldn't be able to overpower a tidal wave of hungry beasts. They were skilled war veterans, but even they have their limits. Lightning no longer wanted to see her friends hurt. She didn't want to stain her hands in red. She didn't want to command an army. She didn't want children to become orphans because of her choices. There was too much death and chaos and she no longer wanted to be a part of it. If this was the first step towards true peace, even if it may be a farce, she would do it.

As long as everyone else was safe, she was happy.

"It is settled," Caius's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Let us arrange a peace treaty signing."

"Alright," she agreed. "Where do you want it to take place?"

Caius lifted his head towards Etro's sacred temple. "There,"

"You promise you won't harm the goddess? Or my friends?"

His attention returned to her. Just by the look she gave him, the woman tried to analyze for ulterior motives. "I promise." Caius smirked at her. "Even demons keep our promises. What about you?"

The question took her by surprise. "Of course, I do! What do you take me for?" she barked.

"Is that so?" he narrowed his eyes. "Angels are not trustworthy, either. Through your innocent facade, you commit unspeakable crimes as well."

"I have done nothing." Lightning proudly declared.

"Is that so? I remember the day you sliced off my arm when you promised you would not."

He chuckled. Lightning tensed. She remembered that day; she did it out of spite.

"You might as well be a demon." His eyes glowed at the prospect of her baring black, leathery wings. Lightning's face expressed disgust yet remained silent. His hands cradled her face. "Angels are sinners, just like us. You are no child of God. But instead, you are God's playthings, sent to do his dirty work."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Heh," he growled as his fingers left her. "I could be wrong about you."

"You already are, demon." she snapped. "Don't pretend to act sweet and sensible with me, Caius. I know how you think."

The proud Valkyrie unexpected stepped forward and tilted her head up. She displayed her authority.

"If you dare lay a finger on the goddess or my friends, Caius Ballad, I will end you in the worst possible way."

"I promise," he repeated.

"Don't you dare cross me."

Caius dismissed her ferocity. He stepped back and bowed at the knight. Black fire burst from beneath his feet, coloring him in shades of blue, purple, and charcoal black.

"I look forward to our treaty signing, Lightning." He stepped into an open portal behind him. But, before he walked through it, he glanced over his shoulder. His eye flashed ruby red. "May this be the start of something beautiful, Claire Farron."

With those words uttered without a drop of malice, the demon disappeared.