FF13-3 (Spoilers) 2nd update

I'm actually reading all the available resources around and re-watched the endings, somehow, I missed something big.

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WARNING:
The information below contains heavy, HEAVY amount of spoilers, do not view if you hate spoilers for the game!

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I researched a lot and aside from the story line itself, the writer has already planned FFXIII-2 when FFXIII was on-going, so it is safe (at the moment) to say that the massive 'chapter' is already been carefully planned too. Also, DLC was not intended  to complete the story, but rather expanding the gameplay (reference)! So, if they're willing to complete what's left in another game or even an EPIC full CG movie, BRING IT ON!!! -fanshouts-

Let's get on with the main discussion then! ^^
If you remembered clearly:

When they defeated Caius at the end, the gates were coming back to Valhalla, the paradox was fixed as it seemed.
Mog then said 'Lightning wasn't here' (at Valhalla anymore), and in my personal opinion: She was never at there in the time where Valhalla was still intact. So what was Caius possibly be doing to have led them there?
And if Lightning sent her Eidolon to save Noel and Serah, and also saved them from falling into abyss (before fight with the final boss), just why could she not help them in the party? Was it somehow planned from the future where Lightning cannot physically help them? Or was it just like Vanille and Fang case, helping them while still sleeping in their crystal dream?

Updated 13/3: So if the ending was around 500AF where Cocoon would eventually fall, and they all arrive at Valhalla where it was still not destroyed. But the question is, what happened to Lightning? Was she even there? Or she was only there approximately around 700AF? But in the cliffhanger ending again, we see Lightning on the Throne crystallized. So does that mean she woke up from crystal sleep around 700AF (and could only help the duo when they were falling into abyss, in a temporal dream where Lightning could dream-communicate with them like Vanille and Fang)? Then if the Lightning whom Serah and Noel met at New Bodhum (700AF) was still alright, and she was the one who fought Caius in Valhalla, then what was happening before?
My current theory is that Etro crystallized Lightning when she arrived (because she could see the entire timeline from Valhalla) and prepared/woke her for the battle with Caius in 700AF. So if the unexpected overlapping time travel trigger an event - where Etro (possibly) died because of Caius at 500AF, then this too triggered Yeul to foresee the end of the world and could not see a future anymore. But maybe again, something that will be coming out in the next 'chapter' of the story line (a new beginning as told by Vanille) will make Yeul (from Dying World, 700AF) to foresee a future where everyone smiles, where she will meet Noel again, will come true.

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Then, what's shocking came to us:
Serah died, yes, she died. But let's say Etro was also dead, how can she greet the dead  (at Etro's gate) to Valhalla?
And maybe that is why she was left not being able to enter the world of the dead, The Unseen Realm, Valhalla?
We also have a message from her in the future, that she was in a dark place - but she never regretted it.

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Please also understand that Etro was treated like a goddess by the humans, but in fact, she was just a fal'Cie created by the God, Bhunivelze. (reference)
With Etro possibly dead, she wanted to keep the task going (that was given by Goddess Mwynn) so maybe she crystallized Lightning (like she did with Vanille and Fang earlier in FF13 to protect the balance in the universe), in hope that Lightning would be safe and take her place. Even if Caius wanted Etro to die by sacrificing Etro's heart in him, Etro would have make sure this piece of heart would live once again. Because, strictly speaking, the heart would belong to Noel now. Caius last words before he died really bothers me, how Noel was to carry the burden of eternal paradox. So for the heart to activates again, Lightning (maybe the new goddess?) will have to wake up from her sleep?

It's also safe to assume that for now, that waking from crystal sleep is independent at the moment. So Vanille and Fang might wake up when the time is right like they did after 5 centuries, not needing the power of a Goddess or fal'Cie to do so.

Yeul also said "We will meet again" to Noel before she died in the Dying World, 700AF. I suggest this hinted something as well, maybe something after the ending was triggered. And there would be a beautiful, positive ending for the both of them.

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We also must understand each Yeul was very unique, and I cannot keep thinking about that same Yeul we met in Oerba and Augusta Tower, there's just something really special about her. Even though she was not supposed to alter the timeline by herself, but she helped Serah and Noel by handing them an artefact. She died afterwards after seeing a vision where everybody smiles - possibly a beautiful, real ending. So this left me thinking: Each Yeul from different timeline will see new visions, whether from a future that was already altered or otherwise? For example, the Yeul from Academia (almost end of game) warned them not to kill Caius as they will just repeat a cruel fate, and she also mentioned that she cannot see any future from it. So as what I was saying: Maybe this Yeul from Academia foresaw a fate BEFORE the happy ending (let's just put it this way first) foreseen by the Yeul who helped the duo earlier? Maybe something (I take this as a massive twist in the story line) happened to change the future again, that someone was involved in making that happen. Just a side note, Lightning and others said this before engaging final battle with Orphan in FF13: Everyone was smiling in the future, and you were there with together with us, Fang. (also Vanille)
So? Happy ending! The director promised us for happy ending too! :,)

In a paradox ending with Vanille, what she said struck me: ...All roads are connected, somehow, and they all lead to a time of salvation when imprisoned souls will be free; They all lead to the end of the world, and a new beginning...
In the resource I provided earlier, it is also safe to assume the god, Bhunivelze, will appear in the next 'chapter' of the story, since the end of time clearly intrigued him to wake up from his deep sleep (by: Lindzei, another fal'Cie). Maybe that's why Hope name the new cocoon Bhunivelze, the developers hinting something? hahaha...

Now that Caius is not immortal (lost the heart of chaos/Etro), he may now be defeated.
But well, new godly boss (Bhunivelze) is coming! (maybe! haha!)

Also wanted to thank KEIreland so much for sharing links to my research, which helps me understand more about the mysteries around FF13. Great story line!

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Personal note:

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Thank you so much for taking your time reading, you may add your own opinions too! We would be very glad to help each other in the community to understand the game better.
And thank you Square Enix for creating such a wonderful game, I love how you inspired us with the beautiful story line that reminded us to have hope in our life. I know some people who are really depressed, too busy to appreciate beauty in little things, it is as if they've lost hope in some way - but this game motivates and inspires, and we don't see games like this often! I've seen many negative critiques mainly coming from people who was just affected by the "bad reviews" and whined frantically as if he or she have played the game, and the negativity just continued like this. If you were just able to see the game in a different light, I don't see why linearity could be bad or the gameplay was just too plain or etc, I could just see my life was transformed by what was delivered by virtual characters in this game. It is that powerful.

Thanks again for reading!
I will try to update more if I researched on more...
Till then, direct your intrigued friends here to share our fandom alike, for good.

Much appreciated,
reirobin