Prologue
"Cocoon, a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity. Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever.
Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie. The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse – the feared and detested lowerworld – awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l’Cie – chosen of the fal’Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.
A prayer for redemption.A wish to protect the world.
A promise to challenge destiny.
After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins."[0]
---
The Purge, an extreme procedure by the Sanctum, the government of Cocoon, against the citizens of Bodhum town. During the last thirteen days, a god-like being from the terrifying world below was found near Bodhum town on the floating and safe Cocoon, that being is known as fal'Cie Anima . The Sanctum, which is also headed by a group of fal'Cies, decided to relocate all the citizens of Bodhum town to the world below, Gran Pulse, as they are afraid that the fal'Cie Anima has branded some of the citizen and turn them into l'Cies, magic-enabled soldiers with a Focus to achieve. l'Cies who complete their Focus turn into crystal and fall into eternal and peaceful sleep, those who don’t, turn into Cie'th, ugly and suffering creatures.
Serah Farron, was the one who found the fal'Cie Anima and got branded by him as a l'Cie. Her sister, Lightning, a former soldier of the Sanctum, chose to be a part of the Purge in order to save Serah. Sazh Katzroy, accompanying Lightning, trying to figure out and fulfil his son’s Focus, his son Dajh got branded by Cocoon fal’Cie during the events of the the last thirteen days.Lightning and Sazh manage to derail the train.
Meanwhile, the purge is facing a resistance from a group called NORA. The leader of the resistance is Snow Villiers, Serah's fiance. Two of the the exiles, Hope Estheim, whose mother was killed during the resistance, and Vanille, decides to follow Snow on his way to the fal'Cie Anima, as Hope holds a great gurage toward snow believing that he caused the death of his mother.
The five characters meet inside the Pulse Vestige, the place where fal'Cie Anima is, and witness Serah turning into crystal. Lightning and the others head to the fal'Cie seeking answers and vengeance. Anima... brands them all as l'Cies and cast them away to the crystallized Lake Bresha.
