"I never knew hatred as a child." The comb ran though her jet black hair. "And look where I am now, saving my people from it." She made an exaggerated gesture with her arms. The comb snagged on a small knot; "Aerith! Be careful!" she screamed, Aerith whimpered and shrunk away.
"My apologies, Lady Rinoa." She continued to comb Rinoa's hair.
"For Etro's sake where is she!" Rinoa grumbled, Aerith flinched at the mention of the previous Head Angels name. The great golden doors swung inwards and hit the wall with a echoing thud. "Lady Lightning." Rinoa rose from her chair and walked towards Lightning who just entered. She Stared at Rinoa with a sense of Loathing.
"Why did you call me? I was busy." Lightning looked across the room to Aerith who was cowering from her presence, "Good to see you Aerith." As if on command, Aerith dropped to her knee and bowed. "Now," Lightning looked back at Rinoa, "What was I called here for?"
"Your sister," Lightning flinched but only a little bit, "her execution is coming up isn't it."
"It is a week from now." Lightning's voice seemed to be softer with sadness.
"Such a pity, and it's before your ceremony, so you can't help her." Lightning's eyes met Rinoa's and the rooms' air cooled.
"If you called me here to try wound me, Rinoa, I suggest you don't" Lightning's voice came out as a hiss. Aerith whimpered in the corner, even Rinoa's confidence wavered with fear.
"You can help her, with my help." Rinoa looked at Lightning coolly.
"How?" Lightning's voice lifted with the hint of hope, "How are you possibly going to stop her soul from fading!" Lightning's voice rose with self-directed anger. Rinoa chuckled darkly.
"Its very simple, I can give her more time." Rinoa's voice seemed to copy the strength of Lightnings. But Lightning seemed to never see Rinoa as more than an equal, "If I were to be receiving the throne, my ceremony would be when the Western Star shines the brightest, that's tomorrow." She looked at Lightning's face and saw she was considering the situation. "Now I wouldn't be able to prevent the execution, as you know we can't be known to have a demon here," Lightning's eyes blazed with anger, she hated people calling her sister a demon, but she held her tongue, "but I could give you two more time, if I was given the throne."
How much more time would we get?" Lightning walked over to the window, and adjusted the golden knuckles of her gauntlets.
"Now, Lightning I promise you and your demon sister will be together, is that not enough." Rinoa's voice began to grow impatient. Lightning turned to Rinoa, her expression was exploding with rage.
"You, dare call my sister a demon!" She yelled, her voice bounded off the walls Aerith seemed even more afraid and fled the room. Rinoa seemed shocked by Lightning's fury and slightly afraid. "Time is never enough!" And with those last words Lightning went to the door, she began opening the door.
"One day, could change your lives, but go on lead your sister to her death." Lighting clutched the golden door so hard that there were slight dents from her fingers. She looked back at Rinoa, her sisters only survival chance.
"You promise she will be alright." Rinoa's blue eyes lit up in excitement.
"The best care a De- uhm, the best care Serah can get."
"Then so be it, Rinoa I give you my throne for the postponing of my sisters execution." Lightning looked at Rinoa's expression and felt her stomach swirl uncomfortably. Serah was okay for now, but not forever. Lightning left the room down the marble corridor, the clinking of her armour was the only sound she could hear. She drooped her head and let a moment of sadness flood her. She'd lost her throne to get some more time with her sister. There are no more lifelines for Serah, when the time runs out she will be no more than, a demon.