Cassie Lightheart
Legacy Name: Cassie Lightheart

Salvation's Gentle Princess of the Light
Age: Originally 16 years old, now 24 years old.
Height: 5'3"
Home: Serdio in Sanctus Memoriae (lit. "Sacred Memories")
Sexuality: Straight
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Teal
Friends and Allies: Drake ShadowSong (her Guardian and boyfriend), Luzu the Grand Templar (Loyal servant, leader of the Templars, and a close friend and ally), and Gala Darkheart (Leader of the Rebels)
Occupation: Princess, and later Queen, of Sanctus Memoriae
Minion: Fenn the Blessed
Weapon: The Starflame Blade - heirloom of her clan, the Salvation Clan
Likes: Reading, Drake, dancing, Fenn, Saba, airship rides, Luzu, and peaceful days.
Dislikes: Bad guys trying to destroy her world, the trechery that was done to make her lose her parents.
"Growing up from tragety into her destiny"The Story:

When Cassie was six years old, her mother, the current Queen of Sanctus Memoriae, was killed when she had went to visit a village on the outskirts of the kingdom, and Cassie's young life was shattered for a while after that. Her only companions at that time were her childhood friend, Drake ShadowSong, and the Feathered Serpent Dragon Fenn that her mother had given her just a few days before she was to go on that fateful trip. Her father, the King, hoped to ease her pain as well and had gotten her a white tiger cub named "Saba" while he looked into who had murdered Cassie's mother and the Queen. Little did the young Princess know that many years later, another incident would soon reveal the truth about what had happened to her mother and change her life in a way she would not believe at that time.

When Cassie became a teenager, Drake was put into Knight training, but the two kept in touch, since the place was inside of the castle walls rather than a faraway place. As she grew up as a Princess, Cassie enjoyed the finer things in life and read storybooks about fantastical adventures and of fire-breathing Dragons and great heroes from the past, but she was never allowed outside of the castle walls, as her father feared that if she was, something could befall her like her mother, so she had very little inclinations about what was really going on outside of the castle walls, although sometimes she heard her father talking with Luzu, the leader of the Templars, about how the Rebels continued to be a problem. She wondered why the Rebels wanted to disrupt their peaceful life and wondered what was going on to cause it, but her father never spoke of any of this to her.

Soon, Cassie had grown into a fine young woman at the age of sixteen, and she was quite excited. That night, she was going to be going with her father to a ball in another country, and while nervous, she knew that she didn't have anything to worry about, as not only would Luzu and some of his Templars would be coming along, but so would Drake as her guardian, as he'd finally graduated as a Knight finally after all of his hard training. Little did the two of them know what was being planned that night or how it would affect them...

While the two were in the Library, and poor Drake was being hassled about his studies by Ryze, Ivan's assistant, Cassie was waiting on Ivan to brush up on a few things before the ball, she noticed a book on a table that was from the forbidden section of the Library with a strange symbol on it as well as a single word on it... "Nemesis". When Cassie advised Ivan about it, he hastily tried to hide the book and advised Cassie that even when she became Queen that he wouldn't be able to tell her anything about what was in the book because of an order from the very first King of that land, which surprised Cassie as it must be something very dangerous indeed. After that, Ivan went over a few things with Cassie before the ball and also remarked about how Cassie looked like her mother when she danced, which caused Cassie to stumble as she still missed her mother, and Ivan greatly apologized about that. Soon, Cassie was sent back to her room to get ready. Afterwards, Drake stormed into her room in a huff about Ryze teaching him things and realized he'd brought a book with him, which he threw down. When Cassie picked it up, she discovered that it was the same forbidden book Ivan was looking for, so she went to return it.

Soon, it was time for the ball, and Luzu came to get Cassie and escort her down to the carriages where her father and Drake were waiting. Cassie's father didn't sit in the same carriage as her because he still had things to discuss with Luzu, which saddened her, but Drake would be with her. Soon, the caravan was off for what was hopefully going to be a good night for Cassie, but that wouldn't be the case.

It wasn't long into the journey that it happened. There were flares that were lit, and what looked like Rebel soldiers were on a hill nearby, causing Luzu and the Templars under him to charge at them, but as they'd find out... this was all a ruse. Meanwhile, the leader of the Rebels, Gala Darkheart, attempted to escape but was surprised by Drake, so in a sudden turn of events, he took the carriage that Cassie and Drake was in. It was also discovered that the book Cassie had taken back to the Library had been stolen by Gala and his accomplices. Though Luzu tried to stop them, he was stopped by Gala with some help from his group, and Cassie and Drake were taken away, though not intended, as they'd soon find out.

As the two were tied up and taken away, they soon came to the ruins of a burned out village, which Gala commented was their home until "that day" ten years ago, which got the Princess curious about that. As they were led inside, Cassie and Drake soon realized that there wasn't as many soldiers as reports that had been given to the King had once said, and even more surprising, these were the very townspeople Cassie's mother cherished while she was alive that were being targeted by the King, but why? Even why they were "captives" in the area, Cassie and Drake weren't treated like prisoners, and they'd soon find out why. One of the other thieves, Flair, told them about how "Nemesis" appeared in the village ten years ago and had appeared there, but didn't say anything else.

As Cassie and Drake were confused about what was going on, Ivan soon came there along with Saba after two were escorted back to the Rebels' hideout and said that he would explain to Cassie about what really was going on. Nothing since the death of her mother had shaken up Cassie so badly... until what she was about to be told...

The first thing that Cassie learned about Ivan was that her dear teacher was in fact the Rebels' spy as well, which shocked Cassie, but nothing was about to prepare her for what Ivan was about to tell her next. She learned that her father was seeking not a monster or a person... but a deity... and one of death and war. More specifically, it was powerful and dark magic. She also learned of the two ways that a person could have the Mark of Nemesis... One was to be born with it, and the other... was to be branded with it, but to do so, a lot of lives had to be sacrificed for it, hence the war on the Rebels. She also learned why the book had been sealed by the first King as well, and Cassie made a promise that when she became Queen that she would right all the wrongs that her father had done.

Of course, as Cassie learned, now that her father was set on this quest, he wouldn't listen to reason... not even to his own daughter. In fact, if she was to return, he would likely give her to Luzu to grind all of the potential information about where she'd been out of her. When she questioned if her father could be so cruel, knowing how he was with her, Ivan told her how instead of helping the townspeople after the Nemesis incident that he instead sent soldiers to the town to destroy it and kill the townspeople so they wouldn't tell anyone about Nemesis, causing Cassie to promptly faint where she was taken by Kain back to where Drake was along with Saba.

The next thing that would change Cassie's life forever happened soon after that. Templars had been sent to the ruins to find any Rebels and had caused one of the lookouts to flee in terror and be grabbed by one of the Templars, Grim, and brought in front of Azure Lightning, the Grand Templar of Lightning and Luzu's second hand. Gala had engaged them and had summoned the legendary blade of Darkness, ShadowFang, to fight the two, even though the others knew of the danger with doing so. It was soon after that something started to change with Gala as his magic pressure changed and was felt not only by Azure... but also Fenn inside the complex.

Fenn had started to glow, and inside of a dream of Cassie's, she could see the battle as well as hear a quiet voice that was saying "kill". However, Cassie pleaded with whoever it was not to let Nemesis control them causing Gala to stop from killing Azure and escaping. After that, Cassie woke up shaking and told those that were there what she had seen and heard, which soon let the others know who were the avatars of Nemesis... and Salvation...

When Gala was having issues once again with Nemesis, Cassie once again tried to talk to Nemesis, but it was as if she wasn't the one talking, surprising the others. Soon afterwards, Cassie collapsed from the possession and had to be supported by Drake as Gala was able to return back to normal, but now, knowing that the Templars knew where they were, the group would have to move them and the townspeople to a safer area, though Cassie wasn't awake for the remainder of the time and wouldn't be for quite a while. During that time, many things happened, including an attempt to kidnap Cassie had it not been for Gala.

However, there was still an attempt on Cassie's life, at least to try to control her, by someone as well, but Gala was able to destroy the Demon Slug that someone had managed to put onto Cassie. At that same time, there was an attack on the compound by more enemies that had Nemesis Marks branded on them, which would have to be fended off as both Nemesis and Salvation were about to pull the compound outta the time stream while they aged their avatars (Cassie and Gala). It was during this time that Luzu, Cecil ShadowSong, Setzer WaterStorm, and their allies took on the invading force while Kain Darkwind, Cecil's friend and Drake's guardian while his father, Cecil, had disappeared, took Drake to train him to become a Dragoon just like his father. It would be eight years before Drake and Cassie would see each other again.

During those eight years, Drake had grown into a promising Dragoon with his Dragon, Cid Skyfire, and they'd even gotten new allies in the form of the Paladins and their leader, Gau Hellfire. And when the Rebels' complex finally faded back into existence after those eight long years, Drake was there to see it, but as he'd find out, Cassie had changed completely.

No longer was Cassie a sixteen-year-old child.... She was now a beautiful twenty-four-year-old woman in a long flowing white gown and brilliant white and gold wings on her back, which now made her an avatar of Salvation. Even more surprising, at least to Cassie, that is, Drake was now grown up and even had a Dragon partner of his own as well as learning that Drake's father was alive and that Luzu was on their side as well. And even when Gala thought he shouldn't be around them now with how he looked, Cassie, in Salvation's voice, told him that he should not be ashamed, surprising everyone there.

However, the reunion was cut short as it was soon discovered the two of the true enemy was waiting on them once Cassie and Gala had re-emerged from the "metamorphosis", followed by a full-on attack. Though Cassie helped out a little bit, she was soon evacuated from the area along with Gala, who had been exhausted by Nemesis again. They were to be taken to the Paladin's Base by airship, but they would soon meet up with the main mastermind along the way...

During the trip, Gala gave Cassie back a ring that her mother had given him when she had visited him that fateful day when she was killed and now wanted to return it to Cassie. There was also a Dragon's claw that Cassie was curious about, but Gala had said that he'd had it as a reminder of that event.

It wasn't long after that when Cassie would soon learn who had killed her mother. During the trip, the leader of the Nemesis tribe, Bahamut, had somehow gotten on the ship, and he had wanted to see only on person there... Gala. Both Gala and Cassie learned that Bahamut had been at the village when Cassie's mother was killed by the fact that he was missing a claw. He told them that the reason he killed Cassie's mother was to keep Salvation from severing Gala's connection to his birthright, that is, his Nemesis powers. They also learned that Bahamut was Gala's grandfather as well, but there was no love lost between grandson and grandfather, as Gala swore that he'd kill Bahamut the next time that they met. This event forever scarred Cassie now knowing who had killed her mother so long ago and that the same person would likely be after her now. Throughout the remainder of the trip, Drake stayed by her side not leaving her to keep her safe and comforted. They soon arrived at the Paladin's Fortress.

Once the hideout of the Nemesis Clan was discovered, Drake knew he'd be going, but Cassie didn't didn't want to lose him. However, Drake promised that he would be back for her as he held Cassie close to him causing her to blush and said that he made that promise not only as a Dragoon but also her Guardian.

Several hours later, the forces that were covering Cassie's group's escape had finally returned with several injured but none so badly injured as Luzu, which shocked Cassie. After his wounds were tended to and some blood was being infused into him thanks to Azure, Luzu realized Cassie was feeling helpless about what she could do. It was then that she received her father's sword from Luzu before he passed out from exhaustion. When she met up with Drake, she soon learned that the sword was in fact a royal heirloom that now made Cassie the Queen, surprising her.

Later, Cassie wanted to let Setzer know she was okay, but he had went into a pub, so Drake volunteered to go and get him. However, Gala thought it was a good idea to go in as well, since no one would mess with Cassie while he was with her. There, Cassie learned of Setzer's story from how he used to be a Pirate to when he became one of Cassie's mother's guardians. He also teased Drake about being head over heels for Cassie, which caused the Queen to blush.

As the two left, Cassie asked Drake if it was true about them, but Drake didn't want to answer, so she was about to leave. However, Drake finally and shyly did admit that he did truly care for Cassie causing her to blush, but they couldn't do anything else because several of the others were keeping watch over them. Cassie then started to where she'd be staying not knowing another attack was going to happen again that night.

It started as a cold dark feeling that caused her wings to stiffen up and Fenn growling as well before the ground shook before Titan appeared and attacked, but he was mainly a distraction before Bahamut himself appeared. While Cassie was able to use some of Salvation's moves and Gala nearly beat Bahamut, but it was soon discovered that Bahamut was just testing them and would be back later for Cassie, who he called a "Pure Salvation", and to speak to Ivan about the "Nemesis Hero" before he and Titan escaped.

The next morning, Cassie went to check up on Luzu and speak with Ivan about the "Nemesis Hero" that Bahamut had mentioned, and Ivan told about the legend. He also mentioned that Drake's group was about to head on to the Dead Swamp, and Cassie went to go see Drake off giving him her mother's ring and making him promise to return it once he got back, which he promised. After they left, Cassie talked with Gala about how he was feeling as well as being worried about Drake and the others.

Eventually, Drake did return, but he wasn't alone. A Nemesis by the name of "Ramuh" had came back with him, prompting an attack by Luzu, but rather than attacking Luzu, Ramuh healed him instead, surprising not only Cassie but Luzu himself. Afterwards, Ramuh then explained to everyone what was going on, and Cassie was about to get the biggest surprise of her life in quite a long time.

As it turned out, Cassie's mother was from the Salvation Clan, a clan that lived underground alongside the Nemesis Clan, but upon learning about what Bahamut was planning concerning the above ground world, she and Cassie's father escaped with two other young couples, one of which was likely a Bahamut couple, which was likely Gala's parents, but Odin, a Bahamut who Luzu remembered fighting earlier along with Cecil, had slaughtered them, or so he thought, as Cassie's mother soon had met up with the King at that point. It would be later that she would give birth to Cassie. Moreso, Cassie's mother had also been a Salvation priestess, which made Cassie next in line. Cassie had nearly passed out after hearing this, but she was kept steady by Drake. She also learned from Ramuh that Bahamut needed a "Pure Salvation", which Cassie had been confirmed to be, in order to reach the ultimate form of Nemesis, Nemesis Zero. Ramuh also was going to teach both Cassie and Gala about the powers they possessed as well.

As that worked, Cassie went into a meditation-like state and went to another realm as it were, the Aspects' Realm, where she not only learned of hers and Fenn's "true forms", but she met up with Salvation and the "true" Bahamut, a large Dark Dragon who for now took the name of "Nemesis" while his true name was being smeared by the Nemesis named "Bahamut" back in Cassie's realm. She was to be trained in that realm which would make her learn much quicker.

Eventually, the training was done, and with good time as well. Cassie even had learned that in the real world, Gala had taken out Ifrit, one of Bahamut's men as well.

Sometime after that, Odin attacked the compound as well as Shiva, with Drake taking on Shiva while Luzu, Ramuh and Gau took on Odin. Cassie had been pinned down onto the ground using Odin's gravity and then frozen to the ground by Shiva's ice, but Drake managed to free her from the ice. She then was able to use her Holy Flare to power up Gau to let him go into his second form to battle, but even that wasn't enough to take down Odin. Only once Gala entered the battle was Odin defeated, but Bahamut had appeared in his Nemesis Neo form and nearly defeated Gala in one hit, but he managed to beat back Bahamut for the time being. Afterwards, Gala and Cassie went to check up on Drake who was fighting Shiva and discovered that Shiva herself was pregnant. After removing her powers from her, they took her into captivity, and Cassie tried to befriend Shiva, who still believed that Bahamut or even Odin would return for her, despite what Ramuh had said about her being banished.

Later on, Cassie was learning to fly with her new wings and had spotted her castle. Wondering if her father was still around but discovered that something had attacked the castle. After sending Fenn to get Luzu, Cecil, Drake, and Gala, she went in with them and Ramuh to find out what had happened. They discovered that the Templars that had remained there while Luzu had been chasing Gala and engaging the rebellions had been slaughtered by something, and it wasn't just them. Ryze had also been killed as well. Cassie also found her mother's storybook still intact, and they discovered dried blood and claw marks. Cassie had headed towards the throne room, and Luzu and the others discovered that there was fresh cattle blood as well meaning that whatever had done this was still in the area. Realizing that Cassie had headed towards the throne room where the blood trail led to, the others quickly followed her finding a pile of animal bones and the strong stench of rotting flesh as well as the loud sounds of bones being crunched heard inside. Looking inside, there was a large creature with a branded Nemesis Mark eating a raw cow, and it was soon discovered by the torn and shredded remains of clothes on it that the fate of Cassie's father was known.

Stunned about this, Cassie soon learned that she would have to take him down, and she found a letter inside of her mother's book from her father telling about how a man with a single eye, which was discovered to be Odin, had goaded him into getting the mark, and how he was saddened and tormented by what he had become and that if Cassie was reading the letter for Cassie to be the one to end his suffering alone. Tearing up, Cassie knew she had follow her father's wishes and headed in to take down the monster, known as a "Behemoth", so that her father's soul could finally rest in peace. In that battle, Cassie's new-found Salvation powers first showed, and she was able to defeat the Behemoth, who seemed to smile as it was defeated and turned into nothing but ashes afterwards from the powerful attacks.

Another attempt at Cassie's life would soon reveal a secret about Luzu that even Cassie nor any of the others with her would believe as well as what really happened to one of the Templars named "Grim". During that battle, Cassie learned that the leader of the Templars and a loyal ally of her... was in fact her father's Dragon and his closest companion. Though Luzu had hoped that Cassie wouldn't find out about it, Cassie was still forever grateful for Luzu's services, even if he was a Dragon.

Years after that, Cassie had finally started to learn to master her elements, and she also had a female Paladin's armor as well. She also soon found that her legendary weapon, one which was passed down through the Salvation Clan, was about to awaken, so she, Fenn, and Luzu headed that way. After completing trials set against her by not only Fenrir and Valefor, but also Alexander, a frequent sparring partner of her father's and a hand (servant) of Salvation, Cassie soon got her legendary weapon, a sword known as "Starflame". Starflame in hand, Cassie headed back to their base with Luzu and Fenn, before something else was about to happen.

Shortly after getting back, the base itself was attacked by Odin, who decimated the base in one attack. The losses were great, including the losses of Ivan, Locke, and Edge. Drake had been knocked out, but thanks to his Dragon, he had survived, and Cassie had survived a building collapse thanks to Luzu holding up the building until Gala was able to remove it from them. Gau and Setzer were missing, but were soon found, and Shiva and her child were taken captive. Now, Cassie was determined to take the fight to Bahamut himself.

The final battles were definitely impressive with Gala taking out Titan and Cassie defeating Hades and another Elite Guard at the same time before taking on Odin and defeating him after he had critically injured Luzu in his Dragon form. It was during these battles that Cassie's "Terrestrial Avatar" form that designated her as Salvation's Chosen showed. She had became the fiery Phoenix. Then, Cassie and Gala together took on Bahamut with Cassie unlocking Nemesis Zero for Gala in a turn of events that sparked a memory of how Cassie's mother had protected Gala so long ago and how he wanted to protect Cassie. After the battle, like the Phoenix itself, Cassie burned up in flames and turned into an egg which, along with Luzu, was guarded by Fenn, but soon, Drake, Mog (a smaller version of Fenn), Cid Skyfire, and Saba would join them.

Four years later, Cassie was reborn back into the world, but what had changed during that time? One thing that was for certain was that the Salvation Clan no longer lived underground, and Gala was now King of the Bahamut Clan, the true name of the Nemesis Clan. But what else had changed? That is another story for another time, young ones....
Credits: Layout done by me, NoelKreiss. Textbox coding done by Integrity. Overlay by an awesome Anon! Thank you again!