Character Profile: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Serah Farron Serah spent most of Final Fantasy XIII trapped in crystal, only to be tapped for leading-lady status in Final Fantasy XIII-2. She loves her sister Lightning--so much so that she is defined more by her longing to be reunited with her sibling than by her own strengths as an individual. Regardless, she possesses notable inner courage, though she often has to be pushed to use it. Teaches: History, arithmetic, quantum physics. Hates Her Parents: For spelling her name like that. Noel Kreiss Noel is the last of his kind. He arrives in Valhalla at the end of days, only for Lightning to send him into the past, where he lands in New Bodhum, Serah's home. Noel knows more than he lets on; it's clear that he knows Caius, the man determined to stop Noel from altering the future, yet Noel keeps the nature of that relationship closely guarded. Eventually, Serah peels back the veil of secrecy, revealing not just what drives Noel, but also what drives his apparent nemesis, Caius. Wouldn't Hurt: A fly. Would Hurt: Snow's feelings. Caius Ballad Caius isn't driven by power, greed, or insanity. In fact, it isn't clear during Final Fantasy XIII-2's initial hours exactly what drives Caius to bring Serah and Noel's journey through time to an abrupt halt. Even from the beginning, however, you understand that there's a sadness behind Caius' plans. When Caius' soul is eventually laid bear, you don't just understand his sorrow--you share in it. Lather, Rinse: Repeat. Greatest Annoyance: Having his hair-feathers fly into his mouth. Lightning Lightning spends little time gracing your television screen in Final Fantasy XIII-2, yet her presence is constantly felt. Many assume her to be dead or encased in the crystal pillar that holds up Cocoon. But she actually resides in Valhalla, the unseen realm where the souls of the dead come to rest. It's here that she faces Caius in a perpetual battle to save the world from chaos--and it's here that she meets Noel and sends him to Serah's side. Childhood Wish: To have a pony when she grew up. Adulthood Regret: The pony is a giant mechanical monstrosity. Yeul Who is this graceful presence that frequently appears, her childlike presence betrayed by the bittersweet longing of her words? As it turns out, she is many things, including the key to understanding the ties that bond Noel and Caius. Voice: Wistful. Gaze: Dreamy. Snow Villiers Serah is betrothed to Snow, who saved her life in Final Fantasy XIII before embarking on a journey to find Lightning. In Final Fantasy XIII-2, he once again bears the mark of the l'Cie; and while the fate of a l'Cie is not one you would wish upon even your worst enemy, Noel suggests that Snow welcomes this fate. After all, Snow is the type who will rush headlong into danger without considering the disastrous consequences of his actions. Allergy: Tomatoes. Looks Less Stupid Without a Cap: Yes. Hope Estheim In Final Fantasy XIII, Hope was often insufferable; In Final Fantasy XIII-2, he's all grown up, acting as a high-level advisor at the Academy, an institution that promotes full independence from the fal'Cie. (Those are the supernatural beings that governed life on Cocoon.) Hope seeks not just to save society from the potential collision of Cocoon and Pulse, but also to save his friends Fang and Vanille, who are trapped inside the pillar supporting Cocoon. Whines: Rarely. Favorite Biblical Story: Noah's ark. Alyssa Zaidelle Alyssa is Hope's assistant, and she is one of the first people Noel and Serah encounter after their first leap through time. Hope clearly trusts her enough to put her in charge of important research. But her overly chipper, often childlike behavior makes it easy to wonder if she's really up to the task--or if she has something to hide. Current Job: Research Assistant. More Appropriate Job: Cosmetologist.